Highlands

Last weekend John and I had the privilege of joining some of our dearest friends for a quick weekend get away to Highlands, North Carolina.
One of my best friends from growing up has become very good friends with one of my best friends from college. Once again I've weaved a wonderful little web for myself! Now I get to enjoy these two together along side their fabulous hubbies. What a great combination!

I've decided to approach Highlands with a little Top Ten

...in no particular order

1. The steaks Bro grilled...phenomenal

2. Watching my darling husband hurl his body off a cliff fearlessly
3. Pecan Pralines downtown

4. Joker by sunset

5. Enjoying a 48 hour impromptu sing a long to the sound track of life (harmony included)

6. Quality time with beyond quality people
7. Gorgeous weather
8. Latte at Sweet Treats

9. Observing John's delight in his ideal shopping situation...locally owned coffee shop and charming used book store

10. Good ol' fashioned fun fellowship over dinner at Nick's

Thanks for a wonderful trip! I am thankful for each of you!

Mom

Today is my mom's 57th birthday. What a better place the world became on this day in 1952.

I am beyond thankful for my mom. I am one of her biggest fans. I have not only been blessed with an incredible, self sacrificing mother, but also a very best friend. I am always thankful for her, but I am especially thankful for this stage of our lives. How wonderful to have such a special relationship as adults.



In honor of her birthday, a few of my very favorite things about my amazing mom....

My mother is strong
At 57 she would still much rather always be bare foot
She shares my love of all things pretty
She loves to sit outside
She has an incredible heart for others
She is crazy...most often the "good crazy"
She is excited by life
She has always been fully invested a mother
She has only one speed and it is full speed
She can never find her shoes....or her car keys
She can make something incredible out of nothing
She loves a trick
She is thrilled by chocolate covered raisins and a decorating magazine
She always puts others before herself
She is fun
She has vision
She still gives us a kiss a hug and a pinch of pixie dust
She is a team player
She loves to sip wine and swing
She is determined
She lets the man at McDonald's know what a perfect ice cream cone he made
She is kind
She carefully raised her children as individuals
She is always up for an adventure
She can keep her head held high in the most challenging situations
She is patient
She has incredible dance moves..."the jeanne" as well as "the yippee skippy"
She is a hard worker
She celebrates the little things
She is truly a woman to be celebrated.

Mom, I am so thankful for all 57 of your years.
Here's to many, many more. I love you with all my heart.

It's the little things...

phone call today...
me: "Good afternoon Crossville Tile and Stone"
response: "Um yes, is this Planet Fitness??"

A big part of me wanted to say "You got me! It sure is...I was just trying to throw you off by saying an entirely different companies' name"

The other part of me wanted to say "No dummy!! I just said this is Crossville Tile and Stone!"

I decided to just go with "No, I am sorry you have the wrong number"

Oddly enough, even with that they still sounded confused.

Beach!

We went to the beach. We had a blast. Great weather, great friends, and great food...what more can you ask for!?

Susan, Jessica, Ashley, me, Annie

back row: Barrett, Ashley, Susan, Me, Jessica, Annie

front row: Alex, John, John, Thomas

AND when I was on the beach and asked where I was from I smiled and said "Montgomery"......but I still felt like I was lying!

I love making new friends! Even more fun than making friends is when "new friends" quickly start feeling like "old friends". Over the past few short years John and I have made friends that we hope to last a lifetime.

Sadly, four of our friends are moving (or have moved) with in the next few weeks. Both couples will be truly, truly missed. I am so sad to see them go. I am praying for them, and hopefully one day I will be excited for them about the opportunities the Lord has put in their paths. In the mean time I'll just be selfish, sad and miss them! Claire and Craig moved for Craig to have the incredible opportunity to coach college football. Dorothy and Jere Scott to go to seminary.

A few weeks ago friends gathered to give well wishes to a few of our dear "old friends" as they take on new life endeavors.

Annie, Claire, Dorothy, Susan and me

The group

Jere Scott, Alex, Craig, John and John

One more item I must add to my "I'm too old for this list".....NOT WEARING SUNSCREEN! I have always loved time in the sun, but I am now fully aware that I can no longer bask in the rays like the good ole' days. Proof is in the pictures....ouch

Where are you from?

A question that has always come easily and effortlessly. Lately however, it doesn't seem quite as easy of a question to answer....

John suffered through American Idol Season 1,682 with book in hand. During the home town visit episode John, who I had no idea he even knew the TV was on piped up with, "Ok, so if you were on idol where would your home town visit be?" He smiled. A tiny part of me felt like it was a set-up, but the other part just a question and without thinking I said "Birmingham I guess!?" his response was "Ouch, really?!".....my response wasn't intended to offend. As if some how denying the life he has provided for us? Then I was just confused. Well, I don't know. I am from Birmingham? In the past tricky part was if I felt like getting technical and saying "Homewood", now I don't even know the answer.

Sunday it occurred again. I was introducing myself to a friend of a friend at lunch. I knew she came in town for the day, so I asked "Where are you from"...her response "Oh, I am from a little town outside of Birmingham, Leeds"(it's not that little most people in the state are familiar right!?)....my reflex reply "Oh great, I am from Birmingham, I know exactly where Leeds is" Then the confusion began...Did you drive up this morning!?

Hmm....so my post marital response when this question has been asked has always been. "I am from Birmingham, but I live in Montgomery."

AND MY SOAP BOX BEGINS

I am starting to think there might be some kind of expiration date on this answer?!?

But when asked, "I am from Montgomery" feels like a lie. I love Montgomery. I do. I am very happy living here, something I could not always say, but I am not from Montgomery. Those of you who know me well know that I am beyond loyal to what is mine. My boiling point is typically a result of challenging what I consider to be "mine". Arrogant yes, but what I consider to be mine typically, I am so loyal and partial to that I also consider it the best....for example try telling me that Homewood High School is not the best, the same applies to Alabama, and do not even touch Alpha Chi or my friends and family. I think it is just the way that I am. Needless to say, I also have this feeling towards Birmingham. Birmingham to me is the best because it is home home(different from one home). It is where my family is. It is where lots of our friends are. It is comfortable. Beautiful. Easy. Generation after generation. History. Memories. Roots.

Ok, so now I have to be really honest here. I have major issues with people (stereotype not individuals)who say, graduate college, get a job and buy a house and say, "I am from Birmingham".....umm...no, pretty sure you are not. Yes, you can find your way to Surin and At home, you know the backside of Crestline, the difference between English Village and Mountain Brook Village, and you may even live in Edgewood...but really!? Are you now from Birmingham?? Does a zip code automatically answer where you are from!? If some one moves to NY or LA to pursue a career in music or acting are they now from New York or California!? Confused.

So now, I am in a really tough spot. True "Montgomerians" should say "I am from Montgomery" with pride. Unfortunately, that is not what I have encountered from the majority here. People do not seem to take pride in what is "theirs" as I think they should. Sure, Montgomery has its flaws. It is very different from lots of places, but if it's home...it is home! Now, for the few like me who's ownership is tangled up in history and pride are sure to be offended by people like me. Montgomery is becoming more and more like home to me and my zip code is 36117...BUT who am I to priss down I-65 and now claim that I am from Montgomery!?!

So please oh please help me find the balance. I do have pride in Montgomery. I used to think my quick boiling point was just jealousy that I no longer live in Birmingham, now, not the case, but I just feel stumped. So how in the world do I answer this question without denying the place I now call home?

I need your help.... Maybe I read too much in to the question.

Woodlawn United Methodist Church

As Christians we know that a church is not just a building. As children we learn, "the church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people."

Never the less Birmingham experienced a great loss yesterday.

Woodlawn United Methodist Church burned down yesterday. It is so sad even to say. Fortunately no one was seriously injured, but a building that is so much a part of my own history is forever gone.

My heart hurts for my family knowing the memories that building held. Four generations of Jeffs called this church home. In 1927 my dad's grandmother started going to Woodlawn. My grandfather was raised there. My dad christened there. My paternal grandparents were married there like my parents, as well as three of my aunts to my uncles. Both my dad's family, as well as my mom's family were very active in that church for a lifetime of years. Mom always shared memories about that church. She always pointed to where dad's family sat growing up. She talked about passing the church on her way to her grandmother's house even before they attended. She talked about youth activities and special people.

My mom started going to Woodlawn United Methodist Church in the third grade. I can not imagine how many services she attended. Wednesday night suppers, UMYFs, choir, handbells, countless activities as a child and in to high school. My parents starting dating during a Woodlawn Methodist a church retreat.

When I think of Woodlawn my memories are very different than any of my other family members I am sure. I think of sitting in the center of the balcony as a little girl taking in all around me. What a gorgeous church. This was obvious even to a child. The giant wooden doors. Incredible stained glass windows. Larger than life organ. Beautifully stained pews. Even the cushions in the front almost seemed to special to kneel on. I can remember looking over my left shoulder anxiously waiting to see Honey come in with his offering plate. What an example. Grandmother would quietly unroll a pack of mints and pass them down to each of us. What a treat. My Aunt Gail directing the choir or coming back to see our younger cousins in the Children's Christmas programs.

Though none of my family still attends Woodlawn United Methodist now, I know that church in many ways will always be considered as home.

I think about my own life. I think about the memories I have of growing up at Trinity. Being able to go home and see the place that holds so many special times. I also think about the fond memories John and I have of our own church home in Montgomery only with in the first very short three years. I think about the dear friends we have made. I think about the babies born, youth activities and special events. I can only imagine the magnitude these memories will have in 60 plus years. So many people who made Woodlawn Methodist are no longer with us, but that building could have told thousands of stories of dear dear friends, babies, weddings, and all of life's celebrations...it truly was a family. "The church is the people"

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/05/woodlawn_united_methodist_chur.html