Not so Wordless Wednesday: Aleta, self-proclaimed Cat Lady

Merle Haggard

For those of you who don’t know this about me…I have become a crazy cat lady. I have never in my life liked cats. I haven’t had the best run with them, honestly.

Merle Haggard has become possibly my most beloved cat. He’s always been so incredibly fluffy, and has such a regal personality. I stumbled across this picture of him as a kitten. He’s huge now, and still so fluffy. Now, we refer to him as “Fat Merle” or as Kinsey once called him “Papa Floof.” 

Weekend Adventures

I’d hoped that Mama would do her post today, but bless her heart, she’s caught a bad stomach bug.

Being slightly unprepared for today’s post, I wanted to tell y’all a little about my weekend.

So y’all, my life as of late is never boring. This weekend was no different….

Friday night, I went over to my friend Lanie’s to help her get ready to move. We started packing boxes, and soon realized that we were nearly out of tape. That wouldn’t do. So, off we ventured to Satan’s Playground….The Walmart. We got what we needed and got out fairly quickly, even if Lanie did use the Self-checkout under my disapproving eye. –It is still BEYOND ME why there needs to be 6 “supervising cashiers” in the self-checkout, meanwhile only 2 normal checkout lanes are open. I’m sticking with my stance on boycotting the self-checkout.—Regardless of Walmart politics, we get out of there…

I have, and will say again, that I am not the best driver in the world. Lord only knows. Perhaps there is a reason that John Skelly had a barf bag planted in my car. Well, leaving The Walmart, I nearly killed poor Lanie. I saw the green light, and nearly plowed through the light, not realizing that what I had NEEDED to see was the green arrow. We were nearly creamed by oncoming traffic, leaving the Winn Dixie.

We finally make it back to Lanie’s unscathed, when she starts frantically digging through her purse. She says “Don’t tell me I locked us out of the house…” After thoroughly searching to no avail, she shrugs and says she’ll just go in the back door as it’s never locked. She walks into the backyard, I hear her scream as her dog nips at her. Then, amongst some colorful language, she says that for once her kids have heeded her advice and locked the door. We call everyone we can think of. I even call Rheba to see if she knows of anyone that can break into a house that is within say a 10 mile radius. Lanie starts checking windows.

FINALLY, she finds an unlocked window. She shimmies it open. Realizes that her petite stature will not solely get her hoisted into that window. Finds a cooler, props it underneath the window. Walks backwards, gets a running start, uses the cooler to jump off of, and this is what ensues…

In the madness of the packing, we find a mask. We each have a turn. You know, to liven up the situation.

Saturday rolls around, I go to our monthly hen party. Gossiping and card-making and catching up at its finest. I so enjoy my time with those sweet ladies. And mom had some beautiful cards planned for us this month.

After the craziness of the Friday night “moving party,” Lanie and I had decided that we needed a little fun. Off we went to Crystal River for dinner and a movie. Cody’s was packed as usual. But we were seated fairly quickly. And y’all, if we weren’t seated at the right time, I don’t know what. We were seated in the booths directly across the bar. I look up from my menu and I see something that can be described as “a whole lot of look” walking up to the bar. Y’all….she had to be mid-50s, was rocking 80s band hair, had her makeup caked on, was wearing a skin tight pleather corset, a skirt you could sneeze in and expose yourself, and fishnet stockings held up with garters. Oh. My. Word. Y’all. I have no idea how the servers waited on her while keeping a straight face.

We went and saw that Amy Schumer/Goldie Hawn movie “Snatched.” After spending two hours of our lives in that theater, I can will all assurance tell you why Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn thanked the patrons for seeing their movie before the movie. That movie, while it had funny parts, was a waste of $11. Overall, it was ridiculous. And some of the funniest scenes were because of the minor roles played by Wanda Sykes and Joan Cusack.

Regardless, it was time well spent with one of my dearest friends.

After all of the excitement, I had laundry, a Modern Family binge, and my book “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” to keep me busy the rest of the weekend.

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend as well.

Memorial Day

Today, we honor then men and women that have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Though mentioned previously in a previous travel blog post, this is well worth mentioning again, given today’s holiday.

This past December, while studying up for our Mississippi trip, I found that Memorial Day had originated at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi. Several local women had gone out to put flowers on the graves of both the Union and Confederate Soldier’s graves. This first “Decoration Day” began in April of 1866, and has since become what is recognized as Memorial Day, a National Holiday.

As always, I have forever grateful for those that have served, and for the men and women who have laid down their lives for this country.

Sunday Obsession: Abebooks.com

Y’all, I love a good read. In my adult life, I struggle with finding time to read. In all honesty, it’s my own fault, I play on my phone too much…And if you know me well, you know that I’m a TV Junkie. But I do so love to read. 

Also, I love a bargain. I won’t lie. I’m thrifty. But more on that in a second. 

I know that today’s world is full of Nooks, and Kindles, and readers…but I just simply cannot get on that bandwagon. I am an old-fashioned girl, and I love a plain jane old book. And while we have the ability to buy books at our fingertips, nothing compares to spending a little time perusing the shelves in a bookstore. 

A few years ago, I fell in love with a website, Abebooks.com. This website is made up of thrift bookstores all over the country. You type in the book that you’re looking for, and it will list off all of the sellers. Many times, you can get even recent releases for like $3.00. For all of you who, like me, enjoy a real book as opposed to a reader, you may want to look into this. 

I’ve recently fell in love with a mystery series. I bought the first one in a bookstore, and while $8 isn’t too bad, there are like 21 books in the series. I got on abebooks, and they are all around $3. 

Something else really neat about this website is that you can also purchase signed copies, you can choose hardcover (also really cheap), first edition, first printing, etc. 

So, for all you booklovers out there, check abebooks.com out!

Sentimental Saturday

My Hannie and My Grandma Margaret

I can think of two phrases to put with this picture:  "It takes a village to raise a child," and "Here's to strong women, may we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them." 

I've talked about how my cousins and I were very close growing up.  Well, growing up, my Hannie was my second mama.  She watched me when I was a baby and the bond has always been a strong one.  We shared grandmas too.  Margaret has always been a Grandma to me.  Running across this picture this week just blessed my heart.  I love these women more than they'll ever know.  All of my memories with them have been so full of love and laughter. 

The struggle of a Single girl in her 30s

The struggle of the life of a 30 year old single gal…

I’m beginning to think I’m a little too set in my ways.  I hate when I'm trying to do something...like read, or watch a movie, and I keep getting interrupted by texts.  Sometimes I want to say "This is too much!"

Being a girl in her thirties, dating is tough.

First, you have everyone and their brother reminding you about your biological clock.  I wish it was tangible so I could take a hammer to it, honestly. 

Secondly, much of the dating pool has been married and divorced. Now, I’m not at all opposed to dating someone who’s been divorced. Things happen, life happens, mistakes are made, and we’re all human. But many times you only hear their side of what caused the divorce…and I, ever the skeptic, am left wondering what really happened. And if there are kids involved, I want to make sure that I’m not jumping into something with a ton of baby mama drama.

Thirdly, and this has recently come to my attention, as I didn’t realize that my comings and goings were gossip fodder for some. EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION ABOUT WHO YOU’RE DATING. And by God, being in a small town, you’d better make sure your car isn’t parked in someone’s yard after sunset. It is insane.

Lord help, y’all. I don’t know that I’m cut out for this. I’m going to start collecting cats now.

Throwback Thursday: Sowin' Wild Oats in Carrabelle

In my early twenties, I would make the trek up to the panhandle about once a month…or once every couple of months. You see, I instantly fell in love with Carrabelle my very first visit.  

One of the shrimp boats around town

Carrabelle is much like Cedar Key. A little fishing town. Very low-key. Where you can either fish, go to church, or go to the bar. I’ve been known to do the latter two all in one weekend. You see, Carrabelle was where I sowed my wild oats.  

Krystle and I

Carrabelle was also within 30 minutes of Apalachicola, where we would spend many days walking in and out of little shops throughout the town. It’s also within 30 minutes of St. George Island, where we would drive the strip, and look at all of the beautiful houses; laze on the beach, and eat at the little sub and pizza place. If we felt inclined, we could make the jaunt to Port St. Joe, to shop; or even Mexico Beach to walk along the beach.

Many wild stories came out of Carrabelle, and the fact that I got to share so many of those memories with my best friend, I am forever thankful for. Some of my favorite memories were made up there. 

KW and the pirate at Harry's

We also made some life-altering decisions while up in Carrabelle. I don’t know what it was, maybe the clarity we found up there, maybe the salty air…but on several trips up there, before we’d get back, we’d decide to change jobs, change our major, decide to move, etc.  

Some man bustin' a move on the dance floor at Wicked Willie's.

And…I’m not sure if it’s the fact that we enable one another, but we also made some terrible decisions while up there.

The little town we found straight out of the Twilight Zone...We went several times, there were always cars, and yet we never saw anyone.  Ever.

Regardless, the memories will last a lifetime. Some of which include: Watching a pet turkey get run over by a golf cart; offering my womb up to carry a man’s baby; finding a little random town that was straight out of the twilight zone; sitting through a very anti-semantic sermon that made us uncomfortable; watching “Step-brothers” with Grandma Merle; watching fools out on the dance floor at Wicked Willie’s; going to Dog Island; and listening to Locomotive out at the Mud Bog. 

KW and I listening to Locomotive out at the Mud Bog

Now we are left with sometimes being asked about the little town and all that it has in store. To which I reply “It’s a quaint little drinking town with a fishing problem.”

The Farmer's Wife

Growing up, we’d have to go all the way to Gainesville for a gift. Now, look at all we have available locally. I love to shop local, if possible…because the money that we put into our local economy, directly HELPS our local economy.

My cousin, Tiffany Sache, is a bit like Wonder Woman. These days, she just seems to wear a ton of hats. She is a Farmer’s Wife (which, around this time of year has a whole lot of hats to wear in itself); she is the mama to three precious littles; and she now has her own little business. 

Now, I don’t know about y’all…but I’m a Southern woman through and through. Things are just better when they’re monogrammed. And y’all…she’s got the monogramming down pat. She also has made some of the cutest custom made t-shirts.

Y’all can find her on Facebook at “The Farmer’s Wife.” 

https://www.facebook.com/The-Farmers-Wife-227224297760909/?fref=ts

Sweet Summertime DIY

Sweet Summertime DIY

What? Essential Oils Make and Take

When? June 10th beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Where? 311 S Ohio Avenue, Live Oak, FL 32064

Cost? If you are wanting to participate in the Make and Takes, the cost is $30. There will be 5 projects that participants will be making. If you are just wanting to find out more about essential oils, you’re more than welcome to stop by and see what it’s all about!

Contact? Amanda Newbern at (352) 316-5375.

The deadline to register for the Make and Take is May 26, 2017.

---

So, I was curious on what some of the oils purposes are. I asked Amanda to give me a little information so that I could share with you.

Lavender: Soothes skin; promotes restful sleep; encourages greater focus; increases relaxation.

Copaiba: helps create a calm and positive atmosphere.

Idaho Balsam Fir: Has rejuvenating effects, and is used to calm and ground.

Eucalyptus Globulus: has an invigorating, clean scent; can be used to make a massage oil.

Frankincense: minimizes blemishes; moisturizer for dry skin.

Lemon: a powerful antioxidant.

Some of the blends include:

Thieves: immune support.

Purification: soothes dry skin; can be used to clean the air and eliminate odors.

Mama Says Monday: Summertime

Summertime--not really my favorite time of year. Yet I know it is upon us. What you ask, tells me that it is here? Watermelons!! As a kid, we didn’t generally load watermelons until school was out. Or sometimes, maybe the last week of school. School’s out, watermelons in! I have wonderful memories of this time of year. My father was a farmer and grew watermelons. He grew a relatively small amount. If the crop was good, you could make a little money. If it was a bad year, the loss was bad, but wouldn’t totally destroy you. He grew watermelons (actually all his crops) without irrigation. He and the rest of the farmers depended on the rain. If there was no rain, sometimes you had special prayer meetings to pray for the needed rain. Farmers went to church, and rarely worked on Sunday.

Back then, all watermelons had seeds. So, you learned how to eat watermelon and spit the seeds out. Shucks, half the fun of eating watermelons as a kid was seeing how far you could spit the seeds. Watermelon was eaten outside, generally on the porch, so Mama didn’t have a mess to clean up inside. Also, you couldn’t spit seeds in the house. Now being the farmer’s daughter, watermelons were plentiful. Us kids didn’t get to eat melons that could be sold, but we had all the culls we would want. My dad would bring a bunch of the ones that could not be sold and pile them under the pecan tree in our side yard. Any of the neighbors, friends or just other locals could take watermelons home from the cull pile. Grocery stores didn’t carry very many watermelons in Chiefland because no one had to buy them. It was a game for some of the young people to steal watermelons, but most farmers would just give you some for the asking. I remember when I was working at the health department, and older business man told me how much he appreciated my father. When he was younger he had 5 children and couldn’t afford to buy watermelons, my father told him to come to the house and load up the back of his pickup. He said he always remembered my father’s kindness.

We hardly ever had cold watermelon to eat. The watermelons sitting under the tree were cooler than ones straight from the field. You just went out to the tree to retrieve one, cut it in half, and generally eat the heart of the melon, then threw the rest over the fence to the hogs. If you wanted more, just get another and eat the heart. This farmer’s daughter didn’t have to spit seeds, because I didn’t eat that far down into the melon! And my family always ate watermelon with the salt box near. There’s nothing better than salted watermelon. Unless of course, it is cold salted watermelon. Now I have to admit, I no longer eat watermelon unless it is cold. I go ahead and cut up the melon and put it in a bowl in the refrigerator. And I will eat it like that. But…. My favorite way to eat it is to place it in the freezer for about 20 minutes, take it out and salt it, then eat it. Unfortunately, a lot of the time, I forget it and I have watermelon that is too frozen to eat and then I have to thaw it a little, or a lot.

Another thing that stands out about the watermelons of my childhood is the size. We didn’t stick them in the refrigerator because they were so big and took up so much space. Farmers grow much smaller watermelons today. People don’t want to buy such large melons today. But I have to say, they look a little wimpy compared to what they used to look like.

Like I said in the beginning, summer is not my favorite time of year. I don’t enjoy the heat in my old age. But I have wonderful memories of growing up, summers and being a farmer’s daughter. Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane as much as I did.

Until next week!

Cynthia Kay

Sunday Obsession: Mary Kay Andrews

Photo Op with Mary Kay Andrews

Y’all, summer is just around the corner. For those of us in Florida, we can surely tell it’s on the horizon, as it’s hotter than the pits of Hell already. Why my ancestors chose Florida is beyond me. Lawsy mercy, every year I say “I am far too chunky for all this heat”…and every year I somehow manage to pull through.

If you, like me, enjoy the simple pleasures in life, you will understand this post. To me, there is nothing better than a “Beach Read.” Some fun, frivolous book to soak up as you’re sunnin’ with your toes in the sand. 

Now, last year, I can safely say that I was probably the only one that came home from the beach without a lick of sun. Truthfully, sitting in the heat is just not my cup of tea. I don’t like to sweat. But nevertheless, a good time was had by all. As my sister was out roasting on the beach, I was sitting in the air conditioning, fully immersed in a beach read.

The Queen of the Beach Read is the fabulous Mary Kay Andrews. I absolutely love her books. One of my absolute favorite books is Summer Rental. I’ve read it, and re-read it, and read it again. I know what is going to happen, but it’s like an old friend…I just can’t help but keep coming back to it. My other favorites include: Spring Fever, The Fixer Upper, Ladies Night, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Beach Town. 

Last year, I read Beach Town. As I was reading it, I was thinking “this sounds a lot like our area…” And it was! In reading an interview of Mary Kay Andrews, she stated that the book was based in and around Cedar Key. In the book, she did not call the town “Cedar Key,” because she changes some of the things around town. But how cool is that?!

Once you start one of her books, you quickly find yourself entranced. The characters are much like what you see around you day to day. All of her books have sassy, Southern women…you will just fall in love with the characters.

A few years back, I had the opportunity to meet her. She came to speak at the Alachua County Library. It was one of the neatest experiences. She was so incredibly sweet.

If you have not had the opportunity to read one of her books, or if you are on the hunt for an excellent beach read, I would highly recommend checking hers out!

Hair Salon Saturday

Becky Fries and Lanie Guyton

Actually, this was from Tuesday night…but…whatevs.

Seriously, is there anything more fun and Southern than hair salon gossip? I love these two ladies. They keep me in stitches!

*Shameless Plug* if you need your hair done, contact Lanie Guyton!

Hot, Lusty Attraction

Attraction: the action or power of evoking interest, pleasure, or liking for someone or something.

No, this isn't anything sordid.  But the title's sensationalism drew you in, didn't it?  Lol.

I have been thinking about this post for a while now. Trying to put it in just the right words.

What attracts you to someone? Are you an eyes person? Completely captivated by some beautiful blue eyes? Or is it a voice that draws you in? A deep, Southern drawl has made many women go faint in the knees. Or, perhaps, a laugh? A deep, booming laugh that makes him shake from his nose to his toes? What draws you in?

I’ve never really had a “type.” Many of the men that I’ve found myself attracted to in the past have had dark hair and light eyes. But that's not always the case, either.  I've just found it to be a common factor.  I’ve been attracted to tall men, short men, chubby men, skinny men.

One true common factor for me is…the ability to make me laugh. If you can make me laugh, you stand an awesome chance with winning me over.

My first “love” (even as I type that, the cliché is making me want to vomit), had this mischievous smile. And Lord, whenever he was near, and he was smiling, it was absolutely impossible for me not to smile. That man had the ability to make me mad as fire, and then crack me up minutes later.

The other common factor is a big personality. I’m not quite sure if it’s because I, too, have a big personality or what…but that is something else that draws me in. The men who are outspoken, who entertain a crowd…those are the men that I am instantly attracted to.

So, I’m curious, y’all…what is it that draws you in?

30 Year Old Crisis?

Partially because I have posted a plethora of interviews the past two weeks, and partially because I’m just ill-prepared, y’all will have to deal with the musings and ramblings of Aleta this week.

This past July, I turned 30. And it was just like any other day. We celebrated, of course. But…

Originally, I had thought I would have a problem with turning 30…mainly just because I thought I’d have to give up my big hairbows and chunky bead jewelry. It’s sometimes hard to be a woman…there are these “age-appropriate” items that you’re not supposed to wear after a certain age. Once I decided to just say “kiss my grits” to anyone that had a problem with my flamboyant accessories, I was perfectly fine. Sure, I was a little sad to say goodbye to my 20s: the trips at a moment’s notice, the frivolous spending, the selfish thinking… But, alas, I was being thrust forward, ever forward, down the road of life…and the next destination was the 30s…the true “settle down” years…better make the best of them…

What I was not prepared for is the incredibly weird place that I would find myself. Trying to put this into words has become rather difficult. I am oh-so-happy with my life. I love it. I truly do. If you were to ask me if I am content, I would say yes, for the most part. 

However, the strangest feeling has come over me lately. Simply put, it is this overwhelming restlessness. Some mornings, on my way to work, I have the most overwhelming urge to just keep driving, and see where the road takes me. I have this desire to do something wild and crazy. And if we’re honest here, the hormones are no joke, y’all. 

I laughably told my best friend the other night: “You may get an SOS from me. I may be drunk in Mexico. With a lover named Manuel. And I may have gotten a sleeve tattoo.” 

It’s almost like I need to find balance between wild and crazy and stability and consistency. I don’t want to lead a boring life. I keep thinking “I’m not quite ready to be all settled yet…”

It is the craziest thing, y’all. I need to maybe make a bucket list, and try and figure out some outlets for all of this (waves hands crazily) whatever “this” is. Thoughts?

Wordless Wednesday

A dear friend posted this photo the other day.  I offered to give her credit, and she'd stated that she'd found it online. 

I ask that y'all say a prayer for rain.  Our little area has not had a good, quenching rain in quite some time....this is making a definite hardship for our Farmers this year. 

#CurvyGirlsWearColor

So, y’all, I have been fighting the urge to start a one-woman movement regarding plus-size fashion here lately. I can’t exactly tell you what led me to this, as I wouldn’t want to embarrass the parties involved in any way, shape, or form. But…here goes…

As women, we’ve heard all our lives that the color black is slimming. It’s true. And y’all, there is nothing sexier than a little black dress. 

But, being a plus-size woman does not mean that we have to be shrouded in black all of the time. Let me let you in on a little secret…it is okay to wear color! Given the perfect outfit/dress, the colorful one can be even more flattering than a black one!

Our bodies are all different. Probably 80% of everything I buy in-store, I must have altered. I am short, 5’4” to be exact, and hopelessly pear-shaped. In fact, I just got three new shirts in the mail yesterday. They fit my waist perfectly, but I will have to have all three taken up under the arms. Thank heavens my mom has seamstress skills! It has taken me years, and I am still learning, how to dress this body of mine.

Even in this day and age of Kardashians and a multitude of curve-loving memes, we are still somehow ashamed of our bodies. But what you hate about your body, someone may love. Case and point, I once had a conversation with an 18 year-old, who had what society would probably deem “the perfect body.” She was probably a size 0 or 2. Had an hourglass shape. You know what she wished for? More curves!

I would daresay that not one of us are 100% satisfied with our bodies. We can always manage to pick out at least one flaw. But be proud of the body you’ve been given. And learn to dress it to where you feel super confident. And ladies, hear me when I say: “Don’t be afraid to wear color!”

Mama Says Monday: Mother's Day Weekend

It’s been a good weekend. It has also been a busy weekend. A really busy week, if you really want the truth. I had my usual work week. On top of that, I was supposed to have my new well installed. I have waited 5 weeks. My old well stopped working on a Friday. The well driller had to install 3 new irrigation wells in a neighboring county before he could dig my new well (you know how those dang farmers are). At any rate, I had decided that I would wait on him to do it. After he got the irrigation wells done, he had to work on his trucks, so it went almost another week. I must admit I was getting pretty frustrated. My 4-inch well was dug on Friday, but wasn’t hooked up until Saturday. So the well drillers and their equipment occupied a space in my back field.

Now, I’m sure you remember my tale of birthin’ ol’ Moonpie about 8 weeks ago. Mr. Moonpie has gotten mighty independent lately. He had lost all his jingle bells on his halter. His blind mother had let him start moving a farther distance away from her without freaking out…until all that noisy equipment moved in. All the noise from the drill rig frightened Fetty, who would not move past the barn to go to the back field where she is used to roaming and feeding. However, little Mr. Curiosity,  Moonpie, wasn’t frightened at all, and would check the drillers out, or go to the back field with Bunny and Kapote. Which left Fetty at the barn worried about Moonpie, whinnying and spinning in circles. She really went crazy if she heard Moonpie whinny in response at the back field. So, I spent my day trying to calm Fetty, walking to the back field trying to round up Moonpie. I got so frustrated at our dog, Piper, I was ready to kill her. Bless her heart, I think Piper knew what Fetty was upset about, and was trying to round up Moonpie, who thought this was all a wonderful game. At one point, I had finally rounded up Bunny, Kapote, and Moonpie, and had the well drillers to close the panels so all the horses were penned at the barn with Fetty. Fetty calmed down and all was well with our world. I went back inside, patting myself on the back at how well I had handled the situation. I went inside, then upstairs to my sewing project….and immediately heard Fetty whinnying outside. I looked out the window, and she was circling again, distressed. Down the stairs, outside to find Moonpie. The little rascal had escaped again, and was in the back field. When I headed back to round him up, Piper again tried to help. What fun for Moonpie!! And where is Rheba when all this is going on? Not at home I can assure you. She had gone to Ocala to get horse feed, and to purchase Moonpie another halter, since he has outgrown his old one. She had not replaced his missing jingle bells on the old one, because he needed a larger one. I called her up and let her know what a nuisance he was making of himself; and while he was having such fun, Fetty and I were not seeing the humor in his antics. By lunchtime, I was very tired.

Then Aleta and I went to Bella’s to have our pedicures. The very marvelous Heitrieu and Val made our toes beautiful. Once back, we surprised a friend and then Aleta and Rheba took me out to eat for Mother’s Day, since Rheba had to work on Sunday. As always, we had a wonderful time. I got to spend it with my two favorite people. We laugh a lot when we are together. We all have a similar, weird sense of humor. And we can laugh at ourselves. We listen to Rheba talk about horses all the time and we think we glean a little knowledge here and there. So when Aleta said something about passing by a neighbors field and seeing horses with donkey heads, I was a little puzzled. I am not very observant, and had not seen what she was talking about. Rheba however laughed until she cried. Aleta once before had said something to a friend about horses couldn’t eat cow hay. Rheba said “Aleta, those horses must have been eating some of that cow hay and grew long ears. Those are not horses, Aleta, those are mules.” Later, Rheba was discussing the merits of branding, whether it is better to brand on the shoulder or hip, how some people use a numbering system, so that the foal is associated with its mother with a number on both shoulder and hip. “So what number do you put on the ear tag?” asked Aleta. Rheba then informed her that horses didn’t have ear tags, “unless, of course, they were eating some of that cow hay!!” Rheba then told us about the merits of tattooing inside the horse’s lip. I am waiting for when Aleta makes some announcement about horse tattooing.

Today, I went to church, then Aleta and I went to Cedar Key to visit my mother-in-law and wish her a Happy Mother’s Day. She had just gotten home from the nursing home on Saturday. I was blessed with the best mother-in-law.

As I sat visiting with her, I realized how tired I was. All that traipsing through the horse field probably. At any rate, tomorrow begins a new week.

Celebrating Cynthia Kay

Photo Credit: Jennifer Lazos

I have posted so very much over the years about my Daddy and what a character he was. And Lord knows, he surely was. But truth be told, my Mama is a character in her own right.

A lot of times, she may come off and shy or reserved, especially if she’s not familiar with you. However, get to know her, and you will soon learn that she is constantly making little quips that will keep you in stitches. There are many nights in the Sheffield household, where we are just sit in the living room telling stories. She is constantly making us laugh…And you’d better listen close, because she is known for making the wittiest comment at the very best moment.

Rheba and I are proud when we can see that we’re rubbing off on her a bit. Earlier this year, while she was driving us around in Gainesville, she hit a pothole the size of a crater. Rheba and I busted out laughing…because riding with Cynthia Kay is always an adventure. To which she replied as calmly as could be “Haters gonna hate.”  

photo credit: Jennifer Lazos

Since I have begun posting some of her funny comments and stories online, she has become a bit of a small town celebrity. She has had people come up to her in the Walmart and tell her how funny she is. She attended a Premiere party and had no idea who the hostess was (Jenni) who knew all about her. I’ll be honest, I don’t think she quite knows what to do with herself now that she’s a celebrity and all. Often times, she’ll say “You can’t believe everything that you read.” She’s being shy…or not wanting to admit that she said the thing that she said.

Even more than being a comedian, my mom is a saint. She is most certainly my moral compass many days. I’ll say something not so nice and she’ll say “Aleta…” And Lord only knows, she puts up with mine and Rheba’s shenanigans on a daily basis. Yes, she’s a saint.

Photo Credit: Charon Croft

We had a scare a few years back, when my mama battled breast cancer. To this day, I am on pins and needles, and almost holding my breath every time she has an annual checkup. If I’m honest, that put into perspective how fragile life could be. God knew that I needed this lesson…Just shy of two years later, I lost my dad. Now, it’s a priority to spend time as much time with my mom as I possibly can. I cherish that time together.

As we spend this day celebrating mothers: If your mother lives near you, I urge you to go and visit her. If you live away from your mother, give her a call. And if your mother is celebrating in heaven, I urge you not to think of today as a sad day, but rather, a day to celebrate her life, and relish in the memories that you made with her.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Lazos

 

Adrienne Caudill

Adrienne and Keegan at her High School Graduation.

Mrs. Adrienne Caudill

Tell me a little about yourself.

I grew up in Florida, and moved to Chiefland when I was 10. I consider Chiefland my “home town.” I met my husband Keegan for the first time when I was 11 or 12 but we didn’t start dating until years later when I was a senior in high school. When we decided to get engaged, it really made a lot of sense to us, but looking back I can see exactly why everyone thought we were crazy! He was in the army already so right after high-school graduation we got married and I moved out to Texas, near Fort Hood. He actually deployed to Iraq later that year so I moved back home and started school. Over the last 10 years we’ve lived in 6 different states and are about to move into our 8th home. We have 3 hilarious and fun children, and we are expecting our 4th in August. Life as a military spouse has been a challenging but exciting adventure. I enjoy exploring new places and meeting all sorts of people! There are a lot of difficult moments but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. As a family we love being outdoors, hiking, and enjoying God’s creation. In the last year or two we made a “bucket list” goal to visit all (or as many as we can) of America’s national parks. We hit some really cool ones on our cross-country road trip last year, including the Redwoods, Alcatraz Island, Chaco Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. We’ve also been to the Olympic Rainforest, Mount Rainier, Mount Rushmore, & the Badlands, to name a few. Just last month we spent a few days in Georgia and visited Cumberland Island National seashore which was absolutely breathtaking. I love that my husband’s job takes us all around the country and we love getting to share the experience with our kids. As for me personally, I enjoy gardening, reading, cooking & baking, and being a mom! I’m a semester away from finishing my bachelor’s degree and people keep asking when/where I’m going to work, so I always feel a bit strange when I tell them I’m going to shelf my diploma indefinitely and continue to stay home with my kids. I feel like we have a lot of different callings in our life, but for right now I definitely feel called to be at home with them. We made the decision to homeschool the year our oldest was going to start kindergarten. We knew we’d be moving in the middle of the school year, and since I was already teaching him a lot of things at home it made the most sense to just keep him home. That has kind of spilled over into each year and next year I’ll be homeschooling a 2nd and 1st grader, (plus juggling the 2 little guys.) Our school choice has provided a lot of flexibility for our military lifestyle and it has been a real blessing to our family. I don’t know if we will do it forever, but so far it has worked out really well. I always say I’m taking it one year at a time!

What fictional character do you feel is most like you?

This is an interesting question...I feel like I’m a good mash-up of Hermione Granger, Leslie Knope. And Mary Poppins.

Of all of the paces you've traveled, what has been your favorite trip/place?

This is tough to answer because we’ve visited a lot of amazing places and they are hard to compare, however one of my favorite places in the world is the Olympic peninsula in Washington state. From rocky pacific coastlines to stunning rainforests---that place is heavenly. I get sort of homesick for it sometimes.

Tell me about your wedding.

I was 18, he was 19. We were married in the pre-pinterest era, which I’m glad for because I didn’t have a lot of crazy expectations. We were married at First Baptist Church in Chiefland and my uncle officiated the ceremony. It was short and sweet and we held a reception at the Tommy Usher center in Chiefland. We didn’t have any time for a honeymoon because the army only allowed him a few days of leave and we had to pack up and move out to Texas.

What advice would you give young married couples?

Marriage is hard. Harder than you think --- Anything I can think of to say sounds so cliché….be willing to compromise. Give in on things that aren’t worth the fight. Respect the other person, their feelings, their interests, their style….it will all be be different than yours, but accept it. Accept in advance that they will have vices, but know that we ALL are works in progress. Talk to each other. Ask your spouse for their opinion on things. Set up guard rails. Don’t always “follow your feelings,” because sometimes what feels good in the moment isn’t the right thing. 

Liam, Leif, and Raleigh

If you could sum up each of your children with one word, what would those words be?

Liam: “curious.” Raleigh: “free-spirit.” Leif: “handful.”

What has been the toughest moment you have experienced as a military wife?

Military life provides lots of tough moments. The first ones that come to mind are all the moments when your spouse has been gone, whether it be for a week or several months, and you’re just flat out tired of doing everything alone. I also think about the times you have to pick up and move and say goodbye to so many people you love dearly. But there’s nothing like experiencing the loss of a friend, a soldier, a child’s father, your friends husband --- sometimes it is someone close to you and sometimes it’s someone you knew only casually, but if you’ve done this lifestyle long enough you’ve experienced it, and it’s never easy.

What are some of the blessings that you have experienced as a military wife?

Hands down the people. There is a unique quality about the military and how it brings people together. First of all, there are a bunch of people, all living hundreds/thousands of miles away from their “homes” and “real families,” all thrown together to be co-workers and friends and neighbors and you just sort of share in the uniqueness of your situation and become each other’s families. Second of all, no one else understands the ins and outs of the military life except other military families. Military friend/family bonds are strong. At every duty-station we’ve been to we have developed close family-like relationships with friends there. The neat part is how you are bound to cross paths again over the years. As we speak, I’m crashing at an old friend from Fort Bragg’s home as I drive across the eastern US on a trip. My husband is out in Arizona for training for a few months, and he’s had countless dinners with some old military friends of ours that are stationed there now, and he spent Easter Sunday with some dear friends of ours that we knew in Washington. I have close friends from New England, California, Texas, the Phillipines, and countless other places. Military families are diverse and that makes for interesting friendships! 

Tell me a little about each of the places you've been stationed/lived?

1. We started out in Texas at Fort Hood. Texas is a great place and the people are amazingly hospitable and kind there. We did quite a bit of exploring and our favorite city was definitely San Antonio.

2. We moved to Virginia next--over on the Eastern part about an hour from the coast. Our time in Virginia was short but that area was packed with neat things to do. We lived right between the James and York rivers. We got to visit the location of the original colony of Jamestown, as well as so many other interesting places.

3. We lived in North Carolina for 3 years at Fort Bragg. We loved it there because we were close enough to home to visit for holidays. We met a lot of really great friends in North Carolina. Our daughter Raleigh was born there and her namesake is NC’s capital city!

4. After North Carolina we moved to Washington state for 3 years. It didn’t take us long to fall in love with Washington. Everything people say about the weather is 100% true. It rains a lot and it’s grey and cloudy for a lot of the year…but the summers couldn’t be more perfect. It’s glorious and everywhere you go everyone is outside soaking it up. The rest of the year you just have to learn to embrace it and go out anyways. The mountains and the evergreens and the Puget sound make for a breathtaking scenery. We love the culture of the Pacific Northwest.

5. We left Washington and moved to upstate New York, outside Fort Drum. We bought our first home there and thought we’d be staying for 3 years, but that turned into about 9 months, ha! Upstate New York is very rural. There were lots of rolling hills and farms. And Amish people! I always had to try so hard not to stare at the Amish people because I was so fascinated with their way of life. We experienced out first “real winter” this past winter. The locals say it “wasn’t that bad,” but I beg to differ. The snow is beautiful when it’s falling and you’re tucked away inside cozy and warm. Waking up to negative -10 degrees and needing to shovel out your vehicle isn’t too fun, lol. We were looking forward to exploring more in New York but now we’re headed back to NC. Maybe the army will bring us and NY together again some day!

What are some of the cool "local" digs/things you've experienced at each of those places?

There are so many neat places we’ve visited over the years, but I always loved being able to go to random little coffee stands in Washington to get a good cup of joe. They weren’t full-fledged coffee shops…just little closet sized stands in parking lots and on corners where you could get coffee. They were everywhere and it was amazing. We also loved Astoria, Oregon. We visited several times and there was a coffee roasterie there that we loved, and a little hole-in-the-wall seafood place that had the best chowder.

What are some of the funniest things your kids have said?

My kids….man they’ve said some ridiculous things. I should be better about writing them down but I never do. I remember once when Liam was like 3 he was eating a popsicle and I guess he got brain freeze because he said, “Mom! It’s freezing my ideas!” Raleigh used to have some very involved imaginary friends. One of them was named Gracious, and I remember one time when Raleigh was 2 or 3 we were driving down the road when out of nowhere Raleigh told me, “Well mom, Gracious is dead. I hit her on the head with my hello kitty lunchbox.” I didn’t really know what to say! They keep me laughing, that’s for sure.

Daylilies Buy George Open House

Last year, while trying to figure out what to get Granny Doris for Mother’s Day, we decided to go with ol’ faithful. A flower or so for her garden. You see, I’m not sure where I acquired my ability to kill every living plant that I come into contact with. Oh wait, yes I do…that would be my mother. Haha. Truthfully, both my Granny Doris and my Granny Betty are/were excellent gardeners.

Last year, mom saw an ad as she was proofreading the paper for the Open House at Daylilies Buy George in Trenton.  She was intrigued.  I didn’t know what to expect, but I was along for the ride.

Y’all, it was the coolest thing ever. And this from a girl who could kill a cactus. You can walk around and peruse all of the different varieties of daylilies. They have a little picture booklet that they will hand you with the prices of each of the daylilies. You may also have a form that you complete…I can’t really remember now. You let one of the workers know which ones you are wanting, and they get your specified varieties, you pay, and away you go with your beautiful daylilies.

It was so neat getting to walk around and see all of the different varieties.  Not being a flower girl, I had no clue! According to their facebook page, they have 600 varieties in bloom. You will stand in awe at operation the young man, Matthew George, has built. He only just graduated in 2015!

By the way, my grandmother LOVED The flowers.

I highly suggest that y’all go check them out this Saturday! It makes the best Mother’s Day gift (with the exception of Cynthia Kay). It is located at 8210 SW CR 307, Trenton, FL. Now, if you are unable to make it out there Saturday, please check out the website: http://dayliliesbuygeorge.com .

Patricia Botton

Shawn and Patricia Botton

Mrs. Patricia Botton

Tell me a bit about yourself.

I am a 29 year old mother of three. I have an almost 9 year old daughter, Gabriella, an almost 6 year old son, Isaiah, and a year and a half old son, Octavius. I was born and raised in a small town right outside of Gainesville, Florida. We just recently relocated to Jacksonville, North Carolina after my husband, Shawn, a SSgt in the United States Marine Corps, finished his tour on the drill field in South Carolina.

Tell me about your wedding.

Well, our love story is probably different from most that you hear about. We actually didn't have a "wedding." We met in November of 2006 and when he was home on leave a few months later, I asked him to marry me. I think I caught him off guard when I asked him, but it surprised me even more when he said yes. So we went to the courthouse in Gainesville and applied for our marriage license, not knowing that we would have to wait 3 days before we could receive it. So we explained to the ladies that were helping us that we didn’t have time to wait the 3 days, as he was getting ready to deploy overseas. They said “why didn’t you tell us sooner”, and allowed us to get married in an adjacent room. Both of those wonderful women were our witnesses and a judge was our officiant. I think the hardest part, looking back, is that none of our family or friends were there to celebrate with us.

How long have you been married?

Shawn and I have been married for 10 years. These past 10 years haven’t been easy on either one of us, but it has always been worth it.

What is your husband’s occupation in the military?

My husband's occupation in the Marine Corps is a Heavy Equipment Operator. He gets to be outside, working on all these huge heavy pieces of equipment, and he probably wouldn’t have it any other way. I have come to learn one major thing about my husband; he could probably never have a desk job. He always has to be on the move; and thankfully, this job allows him to do just that.

What are some of the blessings that you experienced as a military wife?

I think one of the biggest blessings as a military wife is that I have proven to myself that I am one tough behind woman. Dealing with three kids on a day-to-day basis is hard. But then, when your husband has to go on a work up, go to another state or country for a few weeks, or deploy, my job just got 10 times harder. I have been shown that I will have great days and I will have bad days, but I will get through them all and I will be a better person because of it. But let’s be honest here…we all know that the friends we make at every duty station help us through it all. Being a military spouse has allowed me to meet some of the greatest and strongest women I know, and it has allowed me to build some of the best friendships that I have ever had. I am able to ask for their honest opinions, learn from things that they may have gone through, or cry on their shoulder if I need to. The women that I have had the opportunity to call friends have shown me what true friendship is, and for that I am forever thankful.

What are some of the struggles that you have/are facing as a military wife?

Some of the struggles that I have faced being a military spouse aren't easy to talk about. I think one of the worst struggles is when my husband deploys or is gone for months at a time. It takes a toll on both him and I, but more so our kids. Seeing my kids break down when their father leaves truly breaks my heart, and as a mom all I want to do is fix it! But in those moments you can’t, so you try to make it as easy for them as you can. Thankfully Facetime helps!

I think another struggle is the fact that my kids have to say goodbye to their friends. I can remember growing up and the kids that I went to elementary and middle school with are who I graduated high school with. Seeing my kids have to say goodbye to their friends, and knowing we may never cross paths with them again is heartbreaking. I know it will only get worse as my kids get older, but I am hopeful that I can continue to make those transitions as easy as I can.

Shawn, Isaiah, Gabriella, Patricia, and Octavius

How has life been different for your children than other kids their age?

I feel like life is different for my kids versus other kids because they don’t get to experience growing up in the same neighborhood, with the same kids. My parents still live in the same home where I was raised. My kids are lucky enough to be able to travel and experience different places, but as children they need to have as much consistency as possible. Being a military child doesn’t give you that.

I also feel like my kids get exposed to a lot more “real life situations” than other kids their age. Being a part of the military lifestyle, I have the unpleasant job of trying to explain to my kids why one of our friends has PTSD, or what happened to the man they saw whose face was burned. There have been situations where I have had to explain to my children why they won’t ever get to see one of mommy and daddy’s friends again. Having to explain these things to young children are not easy. Especially when the answer you give is then followed up by more questions. I can’t shelter my kids from a lot of things that I want to shelter them from.

Where all have you been stationed?

We have been stationed at four different bases. Our first duty station was Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC. Our second duty station was Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC. Our third duty station was Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC (luckily this is in the same area as the Air Station in Beaufort and we didn't have to move). Our fourth duty station, which we are currently at, is Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC.

What advice would you give a young military bride?

I think the advice that I would give a young military bride is to try to be patient. I have learned over the years that patience is a virtue. Being in this lifestyle there is a lot of "hurry up and wait." Things can change at the drop of a dime, and there is nothing you can do about it. You just have to adjust to the curve ball that is thrown at you and learn to make it work. Everything will work out in the end, so just sit back and try to enjoy the ride.

What is something that most people do not realize about military life that you wish they understood?

I think the biggest thing that people may not realize is that the pay isn’t that amazing. I knew absolutely nothing about military pay or benefits when Shawn and I got married. I assumed military pay was way better than the minimum wage that I was making. It wasn’t until he told me I had to come get an ID card and give some of my information to DEERS that I finally started asking him questions and found out exactly what he made. I was surprised at the answer he gave me. We are blessed to be able to have his income, and it allows for us to have our home and put food on our table and take care of our kids. But we aren't swimming in money. Most military families struggle and have to live paycheck to paycheck, just like normal families.

I think another thing people don’t realize about military life is there are so many stereotypes that come along with being a military wife/spouse. I wish people wouldn't be so quick to judge. Everyone in this lifestyle has had some type of trial or tribulation, so who are you to judge someone before you ever try to get to know them. The person you end up judging could have been one of the best friends you would have ever made. I truly believe that there is a reason I have crossed paths with every person that I have met in this lifestyle. Whether it is to break me down, make me a better person, or for me to help someone I’ve met. There is a reason for it all, and I will always be thankful for those who have helped me navigate this crazy, fun-filled world.

Kelly Perry

Curt, Kelly, Arabella and Little Curt

Mrs. Kelly Perry

Tell me a bit about yourself.

My name is Kelly, I’m 31 years young. Born and raised in Chiefland, Florida. I am the youngest girl of seven children and daughter to two hardworking parents. I’m currently a stay at home mom of two strong spirited children, Arabella (6) and Little Curt (2); and wife to an Army Soldier, SFC Perry, Curtis.

Tell me about your wedding.

Our wedding was just amazing. We were married at Ellzey Methodist Church in Ellzey, Florida on December 18th, 2004. It was the cutest little white Church in the middle of nowhere, picture perfect. Our wedding was small and intimate, just the way we wanted it. I remember being so anxious to see Curt. It had been a while since we had seen each other since he lived in Texas, and I lived in Florida. He flew in the morning of our wedding, so I didn’t get to see him at all beforehand. I’ll never forget his smile as I entered the Church. Curt has a smile that can light up a room, with those huge dimples... I just melted, still do.

How long have you been married?

We’ve been married for twelve years this past December.

What is your husband’s occupation in the military?

Currently Curt is an OC (Observer- Controller) for OPSGRP (Operations Group) at JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center). The JRTC OPSGRP provides training to Military Forces in a realistic environment to achieve Army readiness.

What are some of the blessings that you experienced as a military wife?

One of the biggest blessings are the people you meet and the relationships you make. They’re not just friends to us, they become our family. We spend holidays together, we celebrate our children’s birthdays together, we support each other, and help each other just the way a family would do. It really is something special.

What are some of the struggles that you have/are facing as a military wife?

Time! Time is our worst enemy; he steals so much of it whether it’s because of field training, duty, schooling, their everyday job or deployments. They are just gone so much and miss so much. So many birthdays, holidays and milestones celebrated without them. Deployments are a given struggle, it really needs no explanation. To be separated from your spouse for nine or twelve months… it’s not easy and you never get used to it, no matter how many times they deploy! And let’s not forget the emotions you experience until they are safely home and in your arms again; it can be overwhelming if you let it consume you.

How was life different for your children, than other kids their age?

The moving! Having to say goodbye to your home and friends, it’s difficult. I’m dreading the day when we move from here, especially now that Arabella is in school and has made so many sweet friends. Also, only having one parent for long periods of time; and one parent is not comparable to two, not by a long shot. It’s one of the big reasons why I’m a stay at home mom; I’m their constant, their security. I am so proud of them, though. They truly give me strength. The things these children endure at such a young age; they are strong, adaptable, brave, and resilient.

Where all have you been stationed?

Our first Duty Station was Fort Hood, Texas. Our second was Fort Benning, Georgia; and our third and present Duty Station is Fort Polk, Louisiana. We really loved Georgia, and now, Louisiana. We welcomed Arabella at Benning and Little Curt at Polk; so many fond and happy memories have been made.

What advice would you give a young military bride?

Don’t be shy like I was/am. Get out and meet new people. Attend FRG (Family Readiness Group) meetings, join a group/club, and get involved. Being a Military spouse can be so lonely at times. It really is beneficial to have a great, small group of friends to surround yourself with during those times. Use every hardship and situation you may face as an opportunity for growth. Always conduct yourself in a lady-like manner; our behavior is a direct reflection upon our Soldier. Also, be supportive and an encourager to your spouse. They don’t have the easiest of jobs and they really need us in their corner cheering them on!

What is something most people do not realize about military life that you wish they understood?

That it’s worth it! Even with the hardships, the unpredictability, the deployments, and the thief of time. I couldn’t imagine our life any different. I couldn’t imagine Curt being anything else but a Soldier. He loves what he does, and I love him even more for that. The people, new places, new adventures, it has been so amazing. Do I dream of an 8-5 job for Curt? My children graduating with the same kids they grew up with? Planting roots? Of course I do, but we wouldn’t be who we are without what we’ve been through.

Summer Tillis Bailey

Summer Tillis Bailey

Mrs. Summer Tillis Bailey

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I am a 34-year-old mother of two. I have a 4-year-old son, Wyatt and a 2-year-old daughter, Lorelei. I grew up in Chiefland and graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in Humanities with a concentration in Asian Studies. I now reside in Okinawa, Japan, with my husband Adam, a United States Marine Corps SSgt, our two kids and our Boxer named Tucker. We are set to PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to Camp Pendleton in California in a couple of months.

What is your favorite movie?

Do I really have to pick just one movie? I love Steel Magnolias, Hope Floats, A League of Their Own, 9 to 5, Hocus Pocus, Something's Got To Give, The Goonies, and Schindler's List.

Of all the places you’ve traveled, what has been your favorite place?

As a Humanities major, I had the great privilege to participate in several study abroad programs. My favorite place would have to be Rome. The history, rich culture, and food are out of this world! I had the honor of touring the Catacombs located under the Vatican and see first-hand the Tomb of St. Peter. It was indescribable.

Adam and Summer on their wedding day.

Tell me about your wedding.

Adam proposed on my birthday, September 5, 2010 while we were having a Taco Bell picnic during a trip I made to visit him in Maryland. I was still living in Gainesville at the time and we had decided on an April 2011 wedding so that Adam had enough time to request leave. Well, plans change and the only day that was available for both our DJ and photographer was December 11, 2010. We got married that day...just 3 months after we were engaged...and I wasn't pregnant!! With three weeks left until the wedding, our caterer was arrested for tax evasion and his restaurant was shut down, but the Mitchell Brothers came to the rescue! The day finally came and it was perfect. We were married under a huge oak tree at Rustic Ranch in Newberry in front of our family and friends. We left Florida on December 14th with a U-Haul full of junk to start our life together as husband and wife in Maryland. 

Lorelei, Adam, Summer, and Wyatt

What are some of the blessings that you’ve experienced through military life?

First off, I learned real quick that I am tougher than I ever gave myself credit for. I learned that I could live 10 hours away from my family and friends (7000 miles away now) and have my husband leave and I survived; and now my kids survive too. I have learned that every day is a blessing and to not take a single day for granted. Death, PTSD, TBI, they are all very real in our community. The friends I have made while living this life have been such a blessing. I love my life-long friends and my college friends, don't get me wrong; but there is something special about friends who understand the struggles you face daily and who bond together to get through deployments or operations. Although, we will eventually go to new duty stations, it is a small military and eventually our paths will cross again and I love that! 

What are some of the struggles you have faced in military life?

Saying "goodbye" or "see you later" is truly difficult. Especially when it comes to my kids. My son said goodbye to his first best friend last summer and still to this day, he asks about him...this is the reality of military life. Military kids move schools and have to start over more times than many can count. When I was a child, the same kids that I attended Kountry Kids with are the same children I graduated high school with. Military kids spend their whole childhood starting over...new friends, new towns, new countries, new schools. On a lighter note, houses!! You buy furniture to fill your home, 3 years later you move to a new house and there isn't room for all of your stuff, so you sell it or give it away to only repeat the process every 3 years until your spouse separates from the military or retires. Obviously, it's difficult being away from friends and family and not having a lot of help. You miss births, weddings, graduation, funerals and the lives of people you care about deeply. It's hard not having a lot of help around. I think our marriages suffer because we don't get a lot of alone time, date nights, etc. because there aren't a lot of people you can ask for help outside of strangers. My heart breaks for military kids because they can't understand why daddy (or mommy) has to miss birthdays, holidays, school events, etc. and you can't make it better. You buy calendars and let the kids mark the days off, you buy daddy dolls so they can fall asleep hugging their daddy. You wipe away more tears than you can count because they just want their parent. 

Summer, Adam, Lorelei and Wyatt the day that Adam was promoted to SSgt.

What advice would you give to a young military wife?

My advice would be to not lose yourself. There is this myth in the military community that says “in order to a ‘good wife’ you must network and be seen.” Malarke! If you want to sit home and be a hermit, do it, it doesn't make you any less of a spouse. Just do you and don't let anyone make you feel guilty for being who you are. If you want to go to college, then go. If you want to spend all your free time with your kids, work outside the house, feed the hungry, do it. You can still be a wonderful, supportive spouse without completely involving yourself in your husband's career. Ask yourself, “If I look back at this time in my life, will the choices I made make me happy or will I always feel like I put myself on a back burner?” You are in control of your own happiness. 

A Cherry Blossom at Nikijin Castle

How is life in Okinawa different? How is it the same?

Obviously, the language barrier is huge. Our children actually speak quite a bit of Japanese which makes me worry a little about returning to the states. Some people miss the access to everything and the convenience of being in the states...I enjoy the escape. You definitely are forced to step outside your comfort zone. We drive on the opposite side of the road on the opposite side of the car. It's the same in the sense because I have my husband and kids and that's all I need. The Okinawans remind me of southerners. Their hospitality and kindness are on a level all its own. You don't tip off-base because they feel that top notch customer service is expected and deserved by everyone. They feel that their compensation is enough. We have tried our best to embrace their culture and to let our children know that peaceful, kind lives are the way to go. I feel like many Americans can learn a thing or two from the Okinawans. The food is very different, but fun to try new things. We always try everything that is given to us and there are definitely some things that once was enough...Goya, bean paste, fermented beans...yeah, no! 

Summer and Lorelei with Summer's Coworker dressed in a traditional Okinawan outfit

How long did it take for you and your family to acclimate in Japan?

When we got here, I was 27-weeks pregnant with Lorelei and Wyatt was 19 months-old, as far as time goes, I probably took the longest; and Adam and Wyatt took just a couple of weeks. We just kind of jumped in and overcame the jet lag and adjustment to the time difference. We got lost A LOT!!! But that is how we found new places to visit or try. Driving was an adjustment; I would always turn my wind shield wipers on instead of my blinker because everything is the opposite over here. I drove on the wrong side of the road once, but luckily no one was around! Learning the conversion rate between US dollars and Yen was interesting, but we survived and learned it little by little.

If you could sum up each of your children in just one word, what would those words be?

I would describe Wyatt as “sensitive” and Lorelei as “unique.”

How is growing up for them different than it was for you growing up?

I feel like when I was growing up, we had a sense of security and stability. I'm sure we were just sheltered and not made aware of the craziness going on in our world. Now with media outlets galore, I feel like our kids don't have that sense of security. My kids get to experience so many places that most people will never have the opportunity to see or do. However, it comes with the cost of moving and starting over a whole lot in one’s childhood when, really, what kids need is stability. So, we try very hard to make their transitions as smooth as possible.

Cherry Blossoms at Mt. Yaedake