Decisions, decisions...

So I am having a terribly difficult time getting rid of my "wedding brain". I've tried to be better and not mention it on a daily basis because lets face it; we're 2 years out and I don't need to burn myself or anyone else out just yet. Grant did contact the church (woot, woot!) so I feel better about that now. I'm just a person who likes dates and calenders and to schedule stuff. Seriously, I have at least 5 different calenders and numerous other planning essentials for my every day life. You should see my teaching lessons, it's a bit scary. Some call it anal, I call it me. Haha.

Anyway, I am SUPER excited that Grant has agreed that we should look at some places this summer as far as a venue goes. I am having a tough time narrowing it down to a few places to visit. Being that I'm 2ish hours away from Mt. Airy and he is in Morgantown for the summer I want to choose the places that I like the most to visit since due to work/school etc we never have enough time to do everything. Basically I'm going to use this blog, and probably a few more, to post pictures and the ups-downs of each place that way it is all in one place and whatnot. Feedback is wonderful, so if you have an opinion or thought of a place feel free to share it :-)

Ok, lets start with one of my very favorites,
Strong Mansion at Sugarloaf Mountain

Receptions are usually held outside in the tent. I think this wonderful place has so many wonderful opportunities for GREAT pictures. Also in using an outside location as colorful and well landscaped it cuts down on decorations and things of that sort. So I see it as a money saver. Another nice thing about this location is that the tent is on a patio so it isn't in the grass where ladies in heels would be sinking and it wouldn't be muddy. Oh, and the tent sides come down in case of rain or they can be left open in fair weather. Here's a few more pics courtesy of their website:





Next, Linganore Winecellers
This place is fun because it is in restored barn. Also, guests can tour the vineyard during the down time between the wedding and reception. I thought that was pretty neat. Then perhaps we won't feel so rushed after the wedding to get pictures over with. Pictures at the vineyard would be pretty too. The downside to this place is that they can only serve wine. Well, to me that isn't a downside but I know a few people that it would be. For some reason their site has decided that I can't copy and paste pictures so here is a link to their pdf. http://www.linganorewines.com/PDF/LinganoreFlyer.pdf

3rd, the Gudelsky Environmental Education Center.
I think this place is pretty nifty looking. It has outdoor areas that guests can go to and is "green". I like the wood floors and the large windows. Lots of natural light.


If you check out their pdf they have some better pictures that I can't copy into here.
http://www.hcconservancy.org/rental_brochure_lo_res.pdf

Rose Hill Manor Park
Rose Hill Manor Park is a great area, you rent different lots around the Manor so a tent would be required which isn't included in the fee. This is again another site that doesn't have many pictures. Whats iffy about this place is the bathrooms, I need some more info on what can be used.


Another place Grant's mom mentioned is Montgomery Country Club
While I do not have very much information this is another place that looks nice. I am defiantly interested in finding out more and seeing some more pictures. Why websites don't include more pictures I'm not sure. Silly numpties. The nice thing about this is that it's inside which = air conditioning, defiantly a bonus since we are thinking June.




I believe that's enough for now. It's time to start on dinner, yippie! So any thoughts or favorites be sure to share. Have a wonderful evening!

Healthy Habits

Summer time is getting ever closer which equals showing more skin. For the first time I'm beginning to cringe at the thought of putting on a bathing suit. I have been naive to the fact that I am not 15 anymore and no, my fat storage isn't going to the places that I would like. So, starting tomorrow I'm getting serious about making better choices. I don't believe in diets, yes some people may get results but ultimately you have to make a change in your life style. So for me that means starting with cutting back on soda and developing better eating habits.Man can I eat.... In high school I thought I was way too skinny, you could see EVERY one of my ribs and my pelvic bone so I started eating and eating and eating. Thanks to track and running at home I was able to eat all I want and never thought twice. Well, the eating habits have stayed the same however the exercise department is lacking. Therefore, I'm starting small and building up to be healthy. Seriously, eating is an addiction for me so we're going slow. I have always consoled myself by saying, well I don't have any other terrible health habits. I don't smoke, I don't drink very often and I get some exercise, to defend my eating habits. That has to stop. So, here are my motivators which are being posted as a reminder on my mirror.

-Summer is here which means the beach is here=bathing suit
-I want to be healthy because someday I want children and those children will depend on me. That means I have to be healthy to take care of them and teach them healthy habits
-The wedding will happen eventually (760ish days?) which means a wedding dress. I wanna look good, darn it!
-I will save money(I eat out way too much)
-Making healthy choices now will pay off later in life and help prevent health problems.

So, those are a few of my reasons for wanting to get into shape and eat healthy. Perhaps I should keep a log and that will help me keep track, we shall see. As for today I walked 4 miles on the Greenway and plan to make it a habit!

Thanks for listening to my ramblings!

Life's a Zoo

Today I went with my students from student teaching on a field trip to the zoo. It was SO much fun. They had no clue that I was coming and the were quite surprised. So surprised that even some of the boys were shocked into hugs. I say shocked because you know boys; they are too cool for hugs! I got super lucky because the bus system they used went out of Luray so thanks to my grandfather I was able to ride down and back with the bus company. That saved me about 40 in gas and 3ish hours of driving so it was great.

At first we all thought for sure that it would rain all day. It rained all night then was cloudy however it held out and only sprinkled once or twice. I was so happy because I did not want to be on a bus with tired, wet, cranky, stinky kids at the end of the day. I walked around with Wendy and Laurie, my teacher and the other 2nd grade teacher, all day. It was nice because we were able to spend a little time with each of the kids and we were able to do what we wanted to. It was so much fun to see all of the students so excited and to find out what really caught their attention the most. The girls loved the Zebras and Panda the boys commented on the Lions and animal poo. Overall it was a wonderful day.

As to the title of this post, "Life's a Zoo", the zoo reminded me so much of different things. With each animal I could relate to a different person/group of people. The naked mole rats reminded me of the kids on a playground pushing each other around and playing, even with the occasional bite! The monkeys reminded me of the girls who always groomed each other and commented on nice clothes. The fish reminded me of the boys playing chase and the butterflies reminded me of how unique each student is. The lions reminded me of life. It's always a race to beat someone else to the finish line, to outsmart others to get to the top. Better to be the predator than the prey. I guess that's just the anxiety of the job hunt coming out in me. Anyway, life's a zoo.



Precious Memories

Whew, what a whirl wind of a long weekend. I am not even sure where to start.

Perhaps I should start by saying that my great-grandma Ruby passed away on Friday, the 6th of May. While I am terribly sad that she is no longer with us I am thankful that she has found peace and is out of pain. She has been battling cancer as well as other illnesses for the past few years and was terribly sick. I have decided to include her obit. just because I think it explains so much of her life.



Ruby Grimmett, 92, of Bruno, went to join her family in Heaven Friday, May 6, 2011, from Trinity Health Care of Mingo, following a long illness.
She was born November 16, 1918, at Kistler, a daughter of the late John B. Sr. and Inez Burgess Walls.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Grady Brown, her second husband, Gene Farr, her third husband, Dennis Grimmett; three sisters, Edna Walls, Maxine Creech, and Jesse Walls; three brothers, John B. Walls, Jr., Boyd Walls, and Berlin Walls; two nephews, John “J.C.” Walls and Doug Walls; and one niece, Carol Root.
Mrs. Grimmett became a home maker at the young age of 12 when her mother died. Her life was enriched with the laughter of children as she was first called upon to mother her younger siblings, Johnny and Maxine, and later her nephew, Ronald Dwayne “PeeWee” Stafford, as well as her own son, H.D. An avid gardener, Mrs. Grimmett raised a garden and canned every year until she was 87. When she was able she attended the Sand Lick Free Will Baptist Church.
Those left to cherish her memory are one son, H.D. “Doc” Brown and his wife, Marsha, of Luray, VA; one grandson, Grady Chris Brown and his wife, Sarah, of Strasburg, VA; one granddaughter, Tina Brown Jenkins and her husband, James D., of Luray, VA; five great-grandchildren, Anna, Lydia, and Hank Brown, all of Strasburg, VA; and Meghan and Brad Jenkins, both of Luray, VA, her loving nieces and many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great-nephews; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

My great grandmother was a wonderful person who had a big heart. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to know her and I have many great memories of visiting her. During her life she had to work hard, she became the head of her family at 12 when her mother died. I cannot imagine taking charge of a household at such a young age. At 18 she married my great grandfather and became pregnant with my grandfather. Before my grandfather was born my great grandfather, Grady, died of unknown causes. SO by 19 she was caring for her brothers and sisters, my grandfather, and her grandfather all on her own. Because my grandfather never saw his father he became known as a healer. Apparently in Appalachia it was believed if a baby's father died before it was born it possessed a power to heal other children. Ladies would bring their babies for miles and miles to have my grandfather blow in the babies mouths 3 times to "cure" colic, thursh, and many other illnesses. In turn he would receive fruit, vegetables, etc. as a gift, however monetary gifts were forbidden. That is how he earned his nickname "Doc". Later in life she came to marry 2 other men who I never met, each died fairly early in life. My grandfather was her only child.

I have many fond memories of visiting Mamaw Ruby. She kept a garden and took my brother and I on walks along the river. Brad was always on her mind. Even when she forgot everyone else she always asked about my brother and reminisced about their walks on the river. She was always partial to boys, but I believe that is because she raised one of her own.

During this time I was able to stay with my aunt and uncle (really my mamaws sister and brother in law). We had a great time visiting! Time to get ready for work tomorrow. I'd like to leave off with Mamaw Ruby's favorite song:

 Precious Memories

Precious memories, unseen angels, Sent from somewhere to my soul; How they linger, ever near me, And the sacred past unfold.
Chorus Precious memories, how they linger, How they ever flood my soul; In the still ness of the midnight, Precous, sacred scenes unfold.
Precious father, loving mother, Fly across the lonely years; And old homescenes of my childhood, In fond memory appears.
Chorus Precious memories, how they linger, How they ever flood my soul; In the still ness of the midnight, Precous, sacred scenes unfold.
In the stillness of the midnight, Echoes from the past I hear; Old time singing, gladness bringing, From that lovely land somewhere.
Chorus Precious memories, how they linger, How they ever flood my soul; In the still ness of the midnight, Precous, sacred scenes unfold.
As I travel on life's pathway, Know not what the years may hold; As I ponder, hope grows fonder, Precious memories flood my soul.
Chorus Precious memories, how they linger, How they ever flood my soul; In the still ness of the midnight, Precous, sacred scenes unfold.

Random Thought of the Day

When I grow up, I want to remember that I always wanted to be about a thousand different things & one lifetime didn't seem nearly enough. When I grow up, I hope it's at the very end when it doesn't matter anymore anyway. -Story People



Dr. Miller and I

She taught me so much and has had such a huge impact on how I view education and "growing up". Just my random thought of the day.

Is there a reason behind this randomness? I had a sub from this place that had chicken strips, mozzarella sticks, french fries and marinara sauce on it, so the fat has probably affected my brain and is turning it to mush. It was yummy though!

Oh wait, you say you want a few more StoryPeople quotes, well ok then! Here are a few of my favs.

Make sure you got clean underwear, she always said, in case you get in an accident & I always figured that'd be the least of my worries, but now I'm older & I see there's a lot you can't control & some you can control & clean underwear is one of those you can. For the most part. (This one I am actually going to purchase for my mamaw, she ALWAYS wanted to be prepared for anything when leaving the house)

What do I get for this? I said & the angel gave me a catalog filled with toasters & clock radios & a basketball signed by Michael Jordan & I said, But this is just stuff & the angel smiled at me & swallowed me in her arms. I'm so glad you said that, she whispered to me. I knew you still had a chance.

I'm beginning to think peace is something we made up to keep us from being satisfied with all this luscious chaos

I held out my hands & asked where I could help & somebody grabbed me & pointed me towards the future & said, You've got your work cut out for you & I said, isn't there anything easier? & he laughed & said you could dig around in the past, but it's just busywork & that made perfect sense so I shrugged & started right where I was, along with everyone else

I LOVE StoryPeople. You can check them out at http://www.storypeople.com/

My list

So before you got a list of things I don't like about summer, such as being away from Grant and Emma. It's time to turn the frown upside down and here are some reasons why.

Summer is so close to being here! I cannot contain my excitement of fun things that are going to happen. Lets make a list!

May
9th- Back to work for me! After sitting around for a majority of the winter I am ready to get back to work. As I have said before, I love my job! I get to climb around and explore and it is so fun.


Diane! She rocks! She and I take care of 64 acres of cave. Beat that.


17th- I'm going with my students from student teaching on a field trip to the D.C. Zoo. I am beyond excited to see them and surprise them! They have no clue that I am coming and Wendy (my student teaching co-op teacher) says that they have been asking when I will visit again. I try to go in about once a month and read to them and whatnot. SO much fun. They are always so excited to see me which is just awesome. They will always be my first students which makes them extra special. This also means that I get to spend time with Wendy and Laurie! Woohoo! They are a blast. Laurie is the other second grade teacher there and she is such a great person, super funny I might add. I could really go on and on about my students and the people at C.W. Shipley but for your sake I will stop here.

Wendy and I. I look a little overly excited huh? Haha

21st- Grant and I are going to a wedding. I really don't know the girl, she is from Grants pharmacy class. Should be fun, also gives me a chance to maybe steal some ideas. Who knows.

June
11th- My 5 year class reunion. Should be interesting/fun. I haven't really been in contact with anyone besides Chelsie so it will be fun to see everyone!

12th- Callie's 3rd birthday! Oh my gosh, I know right, I said the same thing!? HOW CAN SHE BE TURNING THREE?! It seems like yesterday I was holding her for the first time.

I love when she calls me now. She is finally saying my whole name so now she says "Hi Meghan, I want to come over". Totally melts my heart and I wish we were not so far apart. I can't wait to spend more time with her and Chel this summer. Here's a picture of us having some fun

July
9th- BEACH WEEK!
Ok, yet another thing I am SUPER EXCITED about. 66 days away just in case you wanted to know. This is probably the best week out of the whole year. My WHOLE family goes to Nags Head, N.C. every year and it is so much fun. This will make my 23rd year in a row! Even more exciting, Grants parents are joining us! We have so much fun and literally spend all day on the beach. That's our job for the week, best work week of the year. It is so much fun to be able to have everyone together since some of my family lives so far apart. I can't even put into words what fun it is, so here are some pictures!

Brad, Hunter and Grant having fun accessorizing themselves with a  live crab

The boys on the ferry


Shark tooth!

August
13th- My favorite time at the cave. It will be our 133rd anniversary of discovery. All summer D and I get everything ready to light a few of the chambers by candlelight. It is SO much work but it is well worth it.


Ok, it's hard to get pictures of how pretty it is, just come see for yourself!

I know there are other events that I have forgotten but you get the idea. Bring on summer!

Mary Oliver

While on vacation my aunt introduced me to a poet that I had not read before. Her name is Mary Oliver and her poems are so interesting and touching, at least I think so. Here are a few of my favorites out of what I read. Oh, that brings me to the subject of poems or little things that I like called StoryPeople. Those open a whole other can of worms. They are poems or thoughts along with a picture. The pictures are kind of abstract but the poems/thoughts get to me. I think that is a whole other blog in its own. So for now, here are a few poems by Mary Oliver.

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.

Tell me about despair,
 yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
-Mary Oliver

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.
-Mary Oliver

When Death Comes

When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox

when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

-Mary Oliver

Adult Decisions

So, here we are at the end of Grants first year of pharmacy school and wow time has passed so quickly! He has done so well and I am SO proud of him. I just hope the next 3 years go as smoothly. As he is wrapping up school I am packing up to head home for the summer. Last night as we were talking about being apart for the summer he said in a sad voice, "You know you're packing up for good right?". It made me want to cry, ok you know me; I did cry. The possibility is there. If I don't get a job here then I will have to stay at home and do what is necessary to be able to save for our future. Luckily I have been taught to have enough common sense to not be jaded and think that I can just come back here and do whatever. I have been at the cave long enough to make more money than I would here, plus now a days how can you give up a steady job for the unknown.

I am trying to stay positive and I am so thankful that we have been able to spend the last few months together in our "home". I am going to miss the little things. Like when we both brush our teeth how its hard not to laugh because he makes weird faces or when we are both cooking in the kitchen we run into each other a million times and still manage to laugh. I've learned so much like socks are left where they are shed and the shower curtain MUST be shut after exiting. As cliche as it sounds, I love him more every day. Oh, how do I know he loves me? Finally, after 3 1/2 years of begging, he finally uses the top sheet! Haha, I know it's silly, but it's the little things in life that make me happy.

Most of all, my very favorite thing that we have done together is get Emma. As silly as it sounds she is our child. She's smart and funny. Sweet and sassy. She plays fetch way better than either of my dogs and enjoys playing "golf" with Grant. She's as much my baby as a human baby. She cries at night, enjoys being held and loves me as much as I love her. Lord I'm going to miss my furry baby.

So, to the adult decisions... I cannot be naive and think that if I don't get a teaching position here that I can stay. I can be home working and saving for our future while he is finishing up here. I shouldn't make it such a big deal really. It's not like I will never come here or that something terrible is going to happen. We just need to stay positive and remember that we are both doing things to help our future!