July 2005 Archives

We will be sojourning to the coast to allow the children to dip their toes into the Atlantic Ocean for many days in a row. We shall return to semi-normal journaling in 10 days. Thank you all for the lovely comments. We had a very nice anniversary. I will get to all of your journals as soon as I return. Thank you for visiting.

We had a very simple wedding. I found the girls dresses with two hours in one day. I put their little bouquets together myself. The flowers in the foreground came out of our front yard. We got married by the clerk of courts with my mother, his parents, his brother and sister-in-law and their children looking on. Our children stood with us, two beaming, one crying and trying not too (I have to find that photo, it is a beautiful portrait of complete happiness). My wedding band is plain and simple and plantinum. My engagement ring is a 5.63ct pink star sapphire that came from Burma and white sapphires from Sri Lanka, not a jewelry store and because I do not care for diamonds. Steven's wedding band is titanium, inlaid with silver. It is scratchless and has developed a beautiful rich luster over the year. It is hard to tell it from platinum. We chose the titanium because I am allergic to gold and some other metals. Sometimes just touching my skin the metal will leave a blister, like a burn. The titanium is what is used in the body to piece bones back together and is non-reactive. We can hold hands without my skin reacting. We picked up our marriage license, walked to the courthouse and got married. After our nuptuals, we went home, had cake and champange then went out for Peking duck and Jeo-Yan Shrimp. This year has been one filled with changes and surprises. Steven never planned to marry or have more children. He has done both. I never planned to leave the state of Georgia or to marry someone who had been married before. I have done both. We both have learned to consider the needs of five people not just the 3 or the 2. We both have learned that just because you screwed up the first time and married the wrong person it doesn't mean you won't get a chance to have a life with the right person. Do not marry the person you can live with: Marry the one whom you can not live without. Yes, I really did meet him on the internet. We married 11 months after we met online. It is the best thing I have ever done in my entire life. Happy Anniversary, Steven. I love you.

During the cold of winter nothing tastes better than a nice bowl of hot soup. But not just any soup. The best soup you can make comes from summer produce cooked in a giant stock pot and then hidden away in the freezer for those early dark nights of winter. I was taught to make this soup when I was about 13 years old. The lady who taught me to make it often let me free in her kitchen as her daughter, my best friend, had no interest in learning her kitchen secrets. Miss Rachel's husband was a truck driver. Mr. Luther was gone alot so for much of my early teen years it was Miss Rachel, Ann and me at their house in Augusta in the summer. In a very large stock pot: 2 quarts butter beans 2 quarts peas 6 strips streak-o-lean Water to cover Bring to a boil, turn down heat and gently simmer until the beans and peas are just tender. When cooked taste them and add just enough salt to season the beans. To this add: 1 large head fresh cabbage, chopped 2 large vidalia onions, chopped 1 quart fresh cut okra 12 ears of fresh corn, creamed 2 quarts fresh tomatoes, seeded and rough chopped Return to boil. At the point of boil you will see you need to add liquid. You can add vegetable stock but I find it is better to add tomato juice. It makes the stock much richer. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Allow soup to slow cook for a couple hours until the broth is rich. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into freezer containers, allow to cool. Then freeze. This soup is best served as the entree with fresh corn bread and butter. I promise, you will need nothing else to make a better meal -summer or winter. One thing about this soup. There is plenty of it. If you make a stock pot full you have to give some of it to a friend or neighbor. Share and share alike. It's the country folk way.

One year ago today I baked a cake. This batter is french vanilla. I was too cheap to buy 2 pans of each size so it took a little longer to bake the cake one layer at a time. That's ok. I was in no hurry. I had all night to bake. This is a 12 inch pan and a 6 inch pan. French vanilla buttercream icing in the old kitchaide stand mixer. Nothing makes buttercream icing better than a heavy duty stand mixer. The crumb coat. Between each layer of cake is a layer of raspberry filling. Look how perfectly level that cake is. Piping the icing. This is the part the took the longest time and the most patience. It took about 6 hours to do the decorating. And more piping of the icing. BTW, the cake is not lopsided. Steven took a crooked picture. The cake topper is ceramic. (Missing photos are due to having move and take down photos because some asain chic keeps linking to them and eating my bandwidth. I have had to make place holders so she iknows I am on to her. Maybe she will stop soon and I will put the finished photo back up here.) Our wedding cake. I made it myself. Total cost with pans and plates about $75 and 8 hours of my time. The top layer is in my freezer. Tuesday we will have it for dessert along with a bottle of champagne we saved from our wedding day. I haven't got Steven an anniversary gift yet. I have no idea what to give. Any suggestions?

When Colby was in 6th grade I decided to homeschool. Several reasons factored into my decision: - She was reading on a 1st year college level but was restricted to completing class assignments using only books that were on a 9th grade level. - She scored 99.9% higher than any other student in the US on every nationwide skills test she was required to take in public school, yet the school saw no need to challenge her in any way shape or form beyond her current grade level. - The girls in her peer group were sexually advanced -in 6th grade!!! I overheard them talking one night at a sleep over and was so shocked I began looking for a way to get her out of that peer group completely. So, I got on the net researched homeschooling ordered the books I wanted her to learn from. We took the plunge head first into a world in which neither of us had any idea of what we were doing. The mail order structured classes did not appeal to me. We began to pick and choose text books from different areas. Most of the books we used came from Bob Jones University (excellent books) and I bought them used. Homeschooling is unconventional education and few colleges recognize it without a diploma from some mail order school program. Moving to Virginia every school here requires a GED if no diploma from said mail order school, regardless of testing scores. Colby took the GED two weeks ago. She recieved her diploma/certificate from the Commonwealth of Virginia today. When she took the test, in a VERY old, stuffy, out-in-the-woods tech school classroom there were several people taking the test also. Most much older people. One woman, bless her for trying, proudly told the entire testing group she had taken the test every month for the past two years and not yet passed. The snickery side of me says, OMG who is this person so dumb that the GED hasn't been passed in 2 years? The other side of me says, keep trying till you succeed. Anyway, Colby is filling out her college applications. Yayyyyyyy, Colby!!! I haven't shown you my garden in a while. This photo is what we are getting about every 2 - 3 days. We also have lovely heads of purple and green cabbage, red and green lettuce, broccoli, green and red bell peppers and 6 varieties of those tomatoes! On a sad note, the birds had a feast and ate the butterbeans, peas and okra. The kids pick the tomatoes just as they have turned orangey-red otherwise the birds peck every single one leaving us nothing. We have several green tomatoes nearly the size of softballs. We will be supping on fried green tomatoes in a few days. If you have never had a fried green tomato I promise you it is one of those southern delicacies that is a sin to miss out on in the summer time. Fried Green Tomatoes Choose large green tomatoes. Wash and slice 1/4 inch thick, leaving on the skin. Lay out on a baking sheet and salt and pepper both sides. Coat them in flour or equal parts flour and cornmeal. Shake off the excess. Fry them until golden brown in a frying pan with a tiny amount of oil. Keep the heat medium-low so as they don't scorch and turn black. You will have to add more oil to the pan as you cook. Remember don't over do the oil. They don't need to float or swim in it. You just want them to sizzle. Some people batter them and then fry. I do not. It is not the way my grandmother taught me. I prefer the light dredging in flour only. Updated - Cabbage and green tomatoes.

My Dearest Piglet, Some time in the next week you will have reached the gestational age of 10 weeks -at the best calculation of the doctor at this time. I am sitting cross legged on the sofa in the living room and can feel the slightest flutter very low in my abdomen/pelvis. Suddenly I am so overcome with emotion that tears well in my eyes and I can barely see the screen on the laptop in front of me. One day when you are all grown up you will learn things about me. You will learn I was married to someone else before I married your Daddy. You will be confused and wonder why Colby and Gracie have a different father. You will wonder why your Daddy adopted them (if all things go well with the lawyers and judges to come in the future). You will wonder why J. has a different mother (whom I hope you will never know). One thing you will never wonder about is the all the love that surrounds you -even now as I write this. Before I met your father, you were a dream -a hope of the future. I never lost hope in the days after my divorce that I would meet someone who would love me unconditionally. I never lost hope that that someone would want more children. After your Daddy and I married you were still a dream, but a dream of a far different quality than before. You were the dream of a part of me and a part of your Daddy united forever in a way that no one could ever separate. Two parts together making a whole. You slipped from a hope, to a possibility, to an idea. I don't know what God has in store for us but I pray every day it is to let me hold you in my arms in February. I pray that he lets me watch you and your sisters every day for the rest of my life. I am still in that stage of pregnancy where things can go wrong. It is a terrifying thing to think of but it is a very real part of reality. The days when the morning sickness subsides for just a little bit I begin to worry something is wrong. When the sickness comes back full force I say a prayer of thanks to God for the assurance that you are still here and every thing is good. In our excitement your Daddy and I are doing things far to early. We bought a new truck so that we have plenty of room for the family. We talk about your college education (you will learn this is a HUGE thing with your father). I have looked at and started choosing furniture for your bedroom. Daddy has looked at tiny John Deere tractors for little children to play on. Daddy also has plans for a giant wooden swingset/fort for the backyard. Grandpa R. has begun the plans for hand crafting your cradle. Grandma R. has bought you your first outfit. Daddy and I have chosen your name, boy or girl. We know who you are. You are our beloved child. You are our blessing. You are the grace of God present in our life. Grow well, little one. Make me sick all you want. Make me cry as often as needed. Leave me restless as often as you see fit. Know now and always that I love you beyond all understanding of the meaning of love. Love, Momma grace v. Unmerited favor.

Thank you all for the lovely emails and comments. You are the sweetest group of women!!! I am doing OK. I keep telling myself, "The sicker you are the healthier the baby is." I am convinced of this. This baby will be the healthiest ever born. Morning sickness - check Afternoon sickness - check Late afternoon/Early evening sickness - Check check check check check Evening sickness - check check Night sickness - check I do not remember being this restless this early with any of my other pregnancies -but I am too sick to really do much of anything. I pace, I nap, I eat watermelon, drink juice, try to do a load or two of laundry. Colby is my savior. She does so much around the house for me. Without her I would really have to hire a housekeeper. Steven worries but is VERY excited! He just grins -and hovers like a mother hen. He also was the first to exclaim, "Hey the boobie fairy came!" Yes, she did come and I don't remember that happening this early before either. Cravings - I wasn't craving anything UNTIL MommaK posted her crab night affair. Now when I am actually hungry all I can think of is "Crabs and Shrimp". I want crabs and shrimp. BTW, who told all these young mothers not to eat fish and seafood when pregnant? Fish and seafood is a part of a healthy well balanced diet. As long as the items are properly cooked and not eaten raw or seared, there is no worry about miscarriage. The problem is parasites that live in some seafoods and fish when eaten raw and mercury that might be in high levels in things like eel and shark -which I do not eat. A lovely properly cooked fish or shellfish is not dangerous. Did I mention I am craving crabs and shrimp? I am!! When I am outside in the heat, my feet swell. I don't remember this happening this early either. My fingers swell too. What's up with that? I had to take my wedding band off and leave it off. I am whiney. Normally I am the type to suffer in silence but I am so whiney I get on my own nerves. "How are you feeling?" "I am feeling sick. I am just sick sick sick. The same sick I told you an hour ago when you asked. No, you can't do anything to help. I am SICK!" I felt the baby move a couple days ago. A tiny fluttering brushing sensation. One more thing about being sick - waking up sick every day somehow is a comforting reaassurance that yes, indeed, I am pregnant. It is not a dream. Before this I would have never considered morning sickness a blessing. Now I do. Knowing this will be my last pregnancy, the last baby of my own I will hold in my arms, I am relishing in the blessing of the miracle growing inside of me.

I drug myself out of bed and kept my dentist appointment today. I was dreading having to go because EVERYTHING makes me gag. I was so upset about it I was in tears. Did I mention this is a new dentist for the family? Since moving here we have had to choose a new set of everything. I went into the office full of trepidation and expecting the worst. I was so WRONG. This man is lovely. He is older, his wife runs the office. He has a very calm and quiet voice. He does everything possible to make his patients comfortable. His office was VERY cool. He has vidoes and DVD's set up so you can watch something soothing and calming. They have heated neck bean bag thingies to help ease the stress in your shoulders and neck. It is like going to a massage parlor only the massage parlor is next door and he recommends visiting them. They offer refreshments, too. I have never had such a lovely dental experience. The only bad part is I have a wisdom tooth that he feels needs to come out. Only being pregnant it can't be done until I am at least 7 months along. So I have something to look forward to around Christmas -Santa is bringing me oral surgery. He really understood the morning sickness and suggested many ways to get my teeth brushed without heaving. He said a tiny bit of salt in the tip of the tongue often eases the gag reflex. He gave me this little kids tooth brush is a very small head so it won't touch my tongue in the back and invoke the gag reflex. He also gave kids toothpaste -it might be the mint that makes me gag. I have to go lay down somewhere now. I promise, soon I will leave comments. Looking at the screen makes me dizzy and I only read in tiny bursts.

It has been an extremely busy long weekend. I am exausted. The bulk of my 'morning sickness' has moved itself to the afternoon and evening. It is all I can do to climb into bed and will myself to sleep. Sleeping through it seems to be the only option. Since a new month is upon us, this is my house in July. I picked my first vine ripe tomato Saturday morning. Isn't it gorgeous? It tasted like heaven! We grilled big fat juicy burgers sunday evening and ate them with lettuce and tomato from the garden. It was a feast! I have been in Fairfax all day. I went with the intentions of only looking. We struck a deal and Friday I pick up this SUV. Ford Excursion, V10 Triton engine, 4x4, Eddie Bauer, DVD player hulking monster of a truck. We had seriously considered buying the new Explorer but the 3rd row backseat is shabby by my standards. It is a very flimsy looking seat and cramped. Our new truck seats 8. We should have plenty of room when baby makes 6. I need to go to bed now. :-/

"Right here, in the middle of the kitchen garbage with the kids downstairs," Steven lowered himself to his knees, "Will you marry me?" "Yes," through a storm of tears, "yes, I will." Later that evening we ate BBQ, watched fireworks and a performance by The President's Own. Steven wanted it to be special and part of a historical event. I think he succeeded.

On July 2, 1776 the United Colonies of America voted on and adopted the resolution declaring independence from Great Britain officially becoming the United States of America. It was on this day that John Adams thought would be celebrated by future generations of Americans writing to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776:

"The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. . . . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

Steven was born July 2, 1969. He is officially a Yankee Doodle Dandy. Happy Birthday to you, Steven, my Yankee Doodle Sweetheart! The Birthday Party Menu Appetizers Boiled Shrimp, iced with cocktail sauce Cheese Ball dip with crackers Olive Spread with bagett Dinner Smoked BBQ Ribs BBQ Chicken Corn on the Cob with butter Green Beans Macaroni and Cheese Potato Salad Rolls Dessert Birthday Cake Apple Pie with Whipped Cream Banana Pudding For the Children Dessert after Dessert Watermelon Popsicles P.S. Yes, I have watermelon everyday. Watermelon is the closest natural source of glucose to be found outside of an IV drip. This beautiful fruit will take the edge off morning sickness for a while. It is also recommended for cancer patients after chemotherapy for the same reason.

We were to close the sale of the townhouse on June 27 @ 11am. Then June 27 @ 4pm. Then June 28. Then June 30 @ Noon. After driving nearly 2 hours yesterday and getting almost to the settlement company we get a call that closing had to be changed to 4pm -missing paperwork. We drive home 2 hours. We drive back to Manassas -2 hours. Closing took 15 minutes. We drove home 2 hours. Do you realize how many hours we spent in the car yesterday? 8 HOURS!!!!!! 8 hours in the car = $26 in gas. Driving in the heat - $2.36 for 2 gatorades. The snorting noises the buyers made when they saw how much profit we were making = Priceless!!! BTW the buyer is a professional basketball player. That knocker was no less than 7 feet tall!!! His wife- maybe 5'5". He made me look like a drawf! How will I spend today? I have to brave the grocery store for tomorrows food, pick up a little pool for the tiny children who will be here most of the day Saturday, fill the tanks for the grill and the smoker. Then I have to start cooking to feed 12 people. I am already tired.