In Remembrance of A Legend

Tag Photo Game

Loren tagged me in this photo game.

The story behind this picture is that I was VERY pregnant with my 3rd son, Jordan. This photo would have been taken in 1994 at a little house we were renting that is just about a 1/2 mile from where we live now.

I look ridiculous in this photo. I can't believe my husband let me go out in public like this! I mean, just look at that hair, and the pink shoes! Those Capri pants definitely did NOT help distract from the humongous belly! At least I had an excuse for that stomach back then. Now, I'm just fat! But, I hope I don't look as ridiculous these days!

I'm tagging Sande, Lisa, Sue, Lisa Writes, and Rachel.

1) Go to your photo files… Select the 6th photo folder or album.
2) Select the 6th photo in that folder/album. (I had to cheat and go to the next one because I had already blogged about the 6th one.)
3) Post that photo along with the story behind it.
4) Then challenge some blog friends to do the same!

100TH POST!! It's a Good One: I Became A Mother-In-Law Today!!

You read it right. Justin and Chelsea decided to make it all official and get married. They went to the courthouse this afternoon, around 3 p.m., actually. They were married around 4:15 p.m. Of course, we took our other 2 sons. Chelsea's mom came, too. I hope this is the start of something good. I pray that their lives together will be blessed. They want to have a wedding ceremony later, sometime after the baby is born. I hope that they are able to do that.

I haven't updated everyone on them in a while. So, this is what has been going on. Justin has decided to move to Scottsboro. Chelsea's parents helped them to get a mobile home set up on their land. They have been cleaning it up and painting inside it this week. Chelsea's parents would not let the 2 of them sleep in the same bed when Justin stayed at their house. So, now that they are official, they will stay there until they get the mobile home ready. Justin began looking for a job over there this week.

I have sensed a change in Justin over the past week. He is ready to move on with his life. His buddies are about to go away to college, so I think that Justin looks at this as the next step. He was feeling sorry for himself last week. He didn't want to move to Scottsboro. He was having a pity party last weekend. I felt that he was looking at the situation as if he were "stuck" for the rest of his life. I told him that people have plans that do always work out. You just have to deal with what life throws at you. A friend told me this week, "If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans!" What words of wisdom! And, that's about right! God's plans do not always mirror ours. Anyway, I told Justin that I know that he wants to be a part of this baby's life, so he has to step up to the plate and make some sacrifices. I told him to just get through this, and after awhile, they could reassess the situation and decide where to go from there. He is only 20 years-old! He has his whole life ahead of him. Life is what you make it.

So, please take a moment and say a little prayer for Justin and Chelsea and the life that is growing inside of her. Pray that their love will only grow stronger, and pray for a healthy baby. I leave you with a few pictures from the day.

Justin signs the marriage license

The ring

And he kissed the bride.

Mr. and Ms. Justin Rowell

How They Found Me

Ever wonder how people find your blog? I was checking my Feedjit blog visits today and noticing some of the odd search terms that brought people here. There were some that I just wished that I could respond to, but no way to know exactly who these people were. So, I thought that I would just do it right here, whether they read it or not. Here goes:

1. Norway arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: In Memory of The Best Mother-In-Law Ever" by searching for Tribute to a mother in law who passed away.

Just to know that this person was looking for a way to honor their mother-in-law touched my heart in knowing that they probably feel the same way about their MIL as I did mine. I would like to tell them to be thankful that they had a great MIL, and although it gets a little better each day, the memories of her will always creep in at the oddest times. I hope that they found something on my post about my that helped them.

2. Matthews, North Carolina arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: Monday Memories: Letters To My Children #7" by searching for letters to my children.

I hope that this person writes letters to his or her children the way that I did mine so many years ago. It is a treasure to look back on these when they are grown and to realize that some of the normal everyday occurrences are memories in the making.

3. Port Charlotte, Florida arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: The Best Alarm Clock is Sunshine on Chrome" by searching for best alarm clock.

I wonder what this person thought when they saw the picture of my husband's recent "toy" purchase--his beloved motorcycle, a different kind of alarm clock, indeed!

4. Shenandoah, Iowa arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: Diamond Dave's Ninja Training Video: Because You Always Wanted to Learn" by searching for diamond dave's ninja school.

I get several visits from people looking for Diamond Dave and his ninja-training video. I mean, it is comic gold. It's ALWAYS good for a laugh.

5. Islamabad arrived from google.com.pk on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: Days of Future Past...Revisited" by searching for kind life in the future.

ISLAMABAD?!!! KIND LIFE IN THE FUTURE?!!! Is this a future suicide bomber checking on how many virgins he will have in his future "kind" life?! Imagine his surprise when he saw a high school show choir performance to the likes of Styx and Kansas!! lol (No disrespect intended, Mr. Islamabad, if you're reading this. I'm sure it was an innocent search.)

6. Waltham, Massachusetts arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: It Happened 22 Years Ago Today" by searching for it is happened many years ago .

I wonder what happened many years ago that this person was so interested in. Maybe they were interested to know that 22 years ago was my wedding day. :)

7. Columbus, Ohio arrived from images.google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: Puppy To Be Named At A Later Date".

This person must have found a pic of my pug, and it enticed them to check out my blog. I guess they learned that I had gotten a new puppy and was trying to decide on a name. Incidentally, we named him Weezer.

8. Batavia, New York arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: Monday Memories: Letters To My Children #2" by searching for spanking my kids site:blogspot.com.

I hope that his person realizes that spanking your kids is not a bad thing when done correctly. Spare the rod, spoil the child. Yes, I spanked mine...and they have turned out pretty well. To each his own...

9. Orange, California arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE" by searching for "life is kind with you".

Maybe this person found something useful and "kind" about my blog. They must have been searching for a poem or something.

10. Cwmbran, Monmouthshire arrived from search.virginmedia.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: Monday Memories: 3 Little Boys" by searching for three little boys.

I wonder if this is a mom trying to connect with other mom who have three little boys. I could definitely tell her a thing or two!!

11. Pompano Beach, Florida arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: Of Boring Summers and Good Times" by searching for boring summers.

Ah! Summer and the boredom that comes along with it! Did this person get some ideas that would help them survive the summer? Perhaps they decided to get out and try some of the things that I spoke about in my post. I mean, it's summer! Get outside and use some imagination! It will be time to go back to school before you know it! Oh yeah...I just noticed. This person lives on a beach in Florida!! HELLLLO!!! I guess the grass is always greener...

12. Beachwood, Ohio arrived from google.com on "A GROOVY KIND OF LIFE: Tough Love is So Hard To Give" by searching for mothers practicing tough love.

Is this mother going through the same thing that I was at the time I wrote this post? I hope she has better luck with practicing tough love than I did! After all, my situation worked itself out in a not-so-optimal way. I mean, there's nothing like throwing a baby into the mix to realize that it's time to grow up and develop some responsibility!!

Weight Loss Wednesday: Week 2

I'm happy to report that I have lost 2.6 pounds over the past week! I have done it by trying to be aware of what I'm eating. I have also been drinking more water and less sweet tea and cola. Walking around the halls of my school when I get off work has also helped. So, I am just going to keep all this going and see where it gets me next week!

I Love My Daddy

This is a bit of a re-post of a "Monday Memories" post I did back in April. I just couldn't do anything else to top this for Father's Day. My daddy is 68 years old. He lives out in the country and loves the outdoors. He's not one to go out fishing and golfing. He just enjoys tinkering on things out around the old barn out beside the house. He always tills a garden in the Spring and plant things like tomatoes, squash, and watermelons.

My daddy was an over-the-road truck driver when I was living at home. Sometimes, he would be gone 2 weeks at a time. I guess this added to the closeness that he and I shared because our time together would be limited to the couple of days he would be home before he was called to go out again.

I was the youngest of 2 girls and a boy. My brother and sister were 7 and 9 years, respectively, older than me. Things I remember about my daddy are that I used to sit in the bathroom and watch him shave. It was just fascinating to me to watch him lather on the shaving cream and gently use the metal razor to carefully glide down his skin. Sometimes he would let me put on the shaving cream and just pretend. I also remember sitting right beside him in his recliner and watching television. We would watch things like "Wild Kingdom", "Lawrence Welk", and on Sunday nights a Disney movie would come on, because we only had 3 channels and choices were limited, but Disney night was my favorite night of all.

So, these are some of the childhood memories that stand out in my mind about my daddy. I hope he has a very happy Father's Day.

Me and my daddy in my younger years. Yes, I was a daddy's girl...still am. I love my daddy...and he still calls me "Little Girl." :)

A dad never feels worthy of the worship in a child's eyes.
He's never quite the hero his daughter thinks
and never quite the man his son believes him to be
..and this worries him

Dads are people that give daughters away to other men
who aren't nearly good enough
so they can have grandchildren
...who are smarter than anybody's

A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again. ~Enid Bagnold

Food, Family, Fun

We hosted our family's get-together cookout for Father's Day. We haven't hosted since a couple of years ago when we had a luau, so I figured it was about time. It gave me that extra kick I needed to get my house presentable, but boy! am I tired! After all was said and done, my house is back in order now, and I hope to keep it this way.

We had a fun time. We all get along well, and it is great to spend time together. I didn't get as many pictures as I wish. I failed to get pictures of several family members. There was over 20 people here. Oh well, the next one is planned for July 4, so I'll be sure to get more people pictures then.

My small kitchen after the family arrived. We had 2 freezers of ice cream going in the sink.
And we had to pile all the other stuff wherever we could get it.

Carnell was waiting on some leftovers.

This family loved our hotdogs burned! YUM!!

Sis-In-Law enjoys some watermelon on a hot, humid day in the South. FIL looks on.

Several family members took a ride on our new motorcycle.

Jordan showed off his skills on Rock Band.

Chase & Justin's friends hang out in the computer room.

Hubs and Chelsea socialize out on the deck.

Out of 30 burgers, we had these 7 smiling burgers left.

Weezy enjoyed having lots of company...

AND SO DID WE!!!

Weight Loss Wednesday: I Have Been Inspired

Jessica at Pudget: Losing Weight on a Budget has inspired me to try, yet again, to lose weight. I really need to do something. It seems that my appetite is totally out of control and has a mind of its own. I weight more than I ever have, and it is really starting to get to me. Of course, I have some days that I think that it doesn't really bother me. But then, I have days like yesterday where I just feel fat. I have never been able to stick to any type of weight loss plan for very long. I have attended Weight Watchers, and I actually did lose weight. But, counting those points and writing everything down was such a hassle that I slowly went back to my old habits. I know what needs to be done to lose weight: drink water, less fattening foods, more fruits and veggies, exercise, and my number 1 problem, cut out the sweet tea and colas.

And all that brings me to what I am hoping will hold me accountable. I am starting a Weight Loss Wednesday right here. I am ashamed to say how much I weigh right now, only that I could stand to lose quite a bit. For now, I am going to track 50 pounds. I really hope that I can make it. I need all the support that I can get. If I can make this milestone, then there is definitely room to keep growing. I am not going to be so concerned as to how much I lose each week, just as long as I lose something...and don't gain. That will be a step in the right direction.

I actually started a new "habit" today. (It won't really be a habit until it actually is a habit!) But, I took my tennis shoes to work with me, along with my mp3 player. After work, I walked down the halls of the massive school where I work. You may wonder why I didn't go outside. Well, if you live around Alabama this time of year, you would realize that the humidity will kill you! So, I stayed inside where it was nice and air conditioned!

I'll update my status and all the hurdles, roadblocks, and successes each Wednesday. Please help keep me inspired by posting comments!

Monday Memories: 3 Brothers

I've cheated just a bit on this Monday Memories post, because I can't quite say this is one that I remember. I came along awhile after this. This is my husband (far right) with his 2 brothers. I forget that my mother-in-law and father-in-law had to deal with 3 boys, just like me. Only they had a girl (not shown) thrown into the mix. Check out the hair and the suits!

Jimmy, Bruce, & Kevin

Read about others' Monday Memories at planetmfiles.com.

Who Needs A Title For This?

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

It Happened 22 Years Ago Today

A Happy Day: June 12, 1987

Heading off to Tennessee for our honeymoon

Marrying a man is like buying something you've been admiring for a long time in a shop window. You may love it when you get it home, but it doesn't always go with everything in the house. ~Jean Kerr

I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. ~Rita Rudner
If variety is the spice of life, marriage is the big can of leftover Spam. ~Johnny Carson

The Three Ages of Marriage: Twenty is when you watch the TV after. Forty is when you watch the TV during. Sixty is when you watch the TV instead. ~Anonymous
Do you know what it means to come home at night to a woman who'll give you a little love, a little affection, a little tenderness? It means you're in the wrong house. ~George Burns

I Still Love You

The dog threw up.
The kids are ill.
Our bank account
Is almost nil.

The laundry’s
Stacked up in a pile,
And still I know
I have to smile.

Although our life
Might look like blight,
I get to be
With you each night.

It may be tough,
That much is true,
But still I love
My life with you.

Happy Anniversary!

by Denise Rodgers

Surprise Wedding Reception

So June is the month for weddings. I was married in June, June 12 to be exact. But all this June wedding talk got me to wondering why June is such a popular month for weddings. As I was researching, I found a site that explained it all. You can check it out at http://www.wedding-blog.net/june-weddings-their-origin/.

I found it fitting to refer to one of my favorite groups, Improv Everywhere, to give us a dose of a great wedding prank...more of a surprise. This will just make you feel good all over. I hope you enjoy it.

The Best Alarm Clock is Sunshine on Chrome

See this beauty? My hubby will be going to buy it on Monday. We are about to be bikers!! Gotta get me some leather! Well, probably not! But, it IS gonna be fun riding around with hubby this summer. So, watch out for us out there on the roads!

I'm On My Soapbox Today...Wanna Join Me?

Today I was flipping through the numerous amount of cable channels to which I am subscribed in an effort to find something that would spark my interest enough to sit there and watch it.

Actually I was just flipping through my "favorites" list. We subscribe to one of the big packages offered by our cable company. In addition to the package, we also have the HD tier, and one of the premium movie tiers (STARZ & Showtime). Needless to say, there are A LOT of channels. Of course I have my "favorites list". Most of the channels on my favorites list are home decorating channels (HGTV, DIY, STYLE, etc.). I also have a few of the music video channels on there. I like these shows because I rarely have enough time to sit and make the commitment to watch an hour show or a 1 1/2 --2 hour movie. These are rare treats for me. I just DVR any that I think I will watch, and then I will watch these as I have time (and sometimes in small segments at a time until finished).

One of the channels on my favorites list is GMC (Gospel Music Channel). They play all sorts of uplifting videos. They also showcase different gospel artists and tell about their lives on tour and such. I enjoy this kind of stuff. Well, today they let me down. As I was flipping through the channels, I stopped at GMC. Do you know what they were showing? Karate Kid II!!!!!!!!!!!!! This got on my last nerve! Here I have probably 50 channels devoted to showing nothing but movies 24/7, and now I have to put up with a MUSIC channel showing a KARATE movie? What does this possibly have to do with gospel music?!! Can someone tell me this?!! If I wanted to watch The Karate Kid II, or any other MOVIE for that matter, I DEFINITELY would NOT have thought, "Let's turn it to the Gospel Music Channel and see what random movie they have on right now." NO! I would have checked Showtime, Cinemax, Showtime On Demand, (insert movie channel here) On Demand, TNT, PPV, etc., but NOT GMC!! WHY?!! WHY do they do this?!! This is NOT the first time either. OH! NO! MTV was once an innocent little movie video channel. (I know because I remember when it first began.) It was nothing but music videos 24/7. My friends and I would sit and watch that for hours. Do you know what MTV is now? It's certainly NOT a video music channel. It is everything BUT videos. (And the MTV franchise has gotten a little carried away with the way it conducts itself, too--but THAT'S another blog post.) I much prefer VH1, but it has gone the way of programming everything BUT videos. To see videos on MTV or VH1, you have to go to their other stations (MTV2, VH1 Classic, etc.) And now my favorite Gospel Music Channel has followed suit. Oh friend, it is a sad day in the Rowell household today. (At least as far as I am concerned.) So, I just had to take this moment and vent a little. Does anyone else feel the same way I do...or am I just hormonal today? Better yet, do you have something you want to get off your chest? Leave them in the comments. You'll feel much better! I do!

Justin & Chelsea Update: Relieved & Frustrated

Justin got a job today!! Yay!! I'm so relieved...at least as far as THAT goes. I used a bit of networking and found out that this company was hiring. Justin applied last Thursday. About an hour later, they called him to set up an interview for the next day. Today they called him and asked him to come at 1:45 p.m. He went for a drug test, and he starts work in the morning.

Justin has been feeling the heat from Chelsea's parents about getting a job. So, I took off work one day last week and helped him look for a job. (Hey, he hasn't ever really had to do this, so I thought I would show him the process.) Anyway, it seems that these days most applications are via Internet. We didn't have much luck, so I threw it out there on Facebook. I set my status to say something like, "Justin has been looking for a job. If anyone has any leads, please message me." Later that night, a girl that I had gone to high school with pointed us in the right direction to the company that she works for. Thank you, Facebook!! (And most importantly, thank you Amanda!)

Now, I must digress a bit. Going back to Chelsea's parents...after we got this job lead, they came up with the following idea. They found a double-wide mobile home that they could move onto their land, and Justin & Chelsea could pay for that rather than renting (throwing their money away) or living on government assistance. They could possibly get Justin a job where Chelsea's aunt and uncle live, and her grandmother could babysit for $100 a week. WHAT?!!! One hundred dollars a week is pretty steep to me...especially for a grandmother! That was a crazy idea if I ever heard one. Plus, Chelsea's parents live about an hour away, and I don't really want them that far away. If they could find a midway point, it would be better. It just seems to us that they are dictating how things are gonna be. And, they did this AFTER Justin possibly had a job?! I'm sorry, I'm a little frustrated. I mean, I CAN see their point of view. They think they are helping out...and they are...to a point. But, could they not have come up with this before he had already decided to get a job around our home? But, right now he has this job, so I don't know how that is gonna affect things. Justin doesn't want to live down there, but I know Chelsea does. So, I am hoping and praying that this situation will work out to whatever is best for everyone. Just keep us in your thoughts and prayers that this WHOLE situation will be resolved soon.

Monday Memories: 3 Little Boys

Left to Right: Chase, Jordan, & Justin
My little boys being silly back in 1994. Pardon the "loud" couch. Kevin's grandmother gave it to us because we were seriously lacking in the furniture department. We had to take what we could get!

Left to Right: Jordan, Justin, and Chase
Those same 3 boys being silly this past December. See what I have to put up with?!! (Just kidding.) There's never a dull moment when you get these 3 together. I love it! And, I love them!