Daddy's Golf Cart

 This time of year is a time full of memories and emotions for me and my family too.  Nine years ago my Daddy was very sick and getting worse, he was in and out of the hospital and our times were spent in the hospital room during much of that time.  He spent about two or three weeks at home in the last four months of his life, if that much.  We celebrated birthdays, graduation, Mothers Day and Fathers Day in his hospital room, we would all cram in there and sometimes take turns so it wouldn't be so crowded.  To watch your loved one decline and not get better is a very humbling experience, when all you pray for is for them to get well, to just be like they used to be.  If I could have traded places I would have.  I remember those days like they were just last week, the images and feelings imprinted on my heart forever. But my Daddy kept his smile, his sweet personality, his quiet spirit, through it all.  He was thankful for those who were taking care of him and he let them know. One of the times that he got to come home was in May and he insisted on stopping at the lot up the road from our house that had a golf cart for sale and he got out in his pajamas and socks and checked it out and he bought it and had it delivered that afternoon.  At that point he hadn't been able to go outside much because he was so weak and breathless, but he thought the golf cart would be a great way for him to get outside and ride around the yard. It was very bittersweet watching him ride around the yard in his pajamas, he even got Mama on there and they rode and he stopped and they shared a kiss and they were giggling like two teenagers.  We did get video and pictures of that day that we cherish now.  That was the only day he ever rode that golf cart, he just didn't feel like getting out there when he was at home so we parked it on the carport unless the girls rode around on it, and even after he was gone, they had a lot of fun times riding around on it. It was worth it for those few minutes of fun and laughter and to see the happy smile on his face. I imagine the huge smile he has now all the time in heaven.  He is happy and free and full of joy and peace. It really is the little things in life y'all.  It may not mean much to anyone else but when you find something that makes you happy and makes you laugh and smile, even if just for a little while, it is awesome, it is real, and it is those moments that you will never forget. 

Why I love Red Birds

My Daddy was an outdoors man, he loved working in the yard and he loved and appreciated nature.  When he died almost nine years ago I was so lost without him here and I prayed for a symbol to remind me of him.  He always loved birds and so soon after I saw a red cardinal sitting in the yard and I just felt like it was him letting me know he was there.  I started seeing them more and more, everywhere I went, and it brought me so much peace in my heart.  I have had some days when I was down and worried about something and suddenly I will see a red bird somewhere or flying in front of me driving down the road and it makes me feel comforted.  On their first anniversary after he died, I was at work and I was feeling sad for Mama and had her on my mind and I looked out of the window in ICU and there were two red birds sitting on a limb, a male and a female, and it made me cry and I was amazed to see them like that on their special day.  I have a nice collection of red bird stuff too that I enjoy looking at every day and my heart is at peace knowing that my Daddy is nearby and watching over me and our family. 

Play the Music!

Who remembers the little old record players that played records? I still have the same one I got for Christmas as a little girl and it still works! Mine was blue and green, so cool! I spent hours in my room playing records and singing along.  I saved my allowance money and bought the latest singles at the Waco store and later Sky City.  I loved getting new records to listen to and I had a little wire rack that held all of them. I was so cool! I even put little plastic toys in the center of the record and watched them spin round and round.  Ah those were the days.  I later upgraded to a real stereo complete with record player and a cassette player.  I was really cool then! I would sit for hours listening to the countdowns and waiting for my favorite songs to play so I could hit the play and record button and have my very own cassette full of musical goodness! I was about 14 when I got a Walkman cassette player and I loved it!  Cassettes were still used well into my marriage, then the CDs came out and that was awesome, I loved that you could just skip to the next song or go back to the previous one without hitting forward or rewind, what a concept!  I have had many of those through the years too, and a lot were used so much they got too scratched up or broken and that made me sad.  I have never been one of those people that keeps up with the latest technology, I usually gradually work myself into the newer stuff after it has been out for a while and gets a little cheaper. When I finally got a computer about five years ago, yes five years ago, I was amazed at all of the sources for music on there and I could find all of my old favorites that I hadn't heard in forever. I bought a Kindle Fire a few years ago and wore it out and now use a Galaxy Tab and I love it, too much sometimes, but it is my little buddy.  I love watching music videos on YouTube and I have purchased music through iTunes.  Recently I was at my brother's house and my niece has a Bose Bluetooth speaker that you can use with your cell phone or tablet and play music and I had to get me one last week with my birthday money.  It is just a really small speaker but the sound quality that comes out of it is amazing! I love it! I have been carrying it all over my house and out on the porch and by the pool and as I am typing this I am listening to some very cool oldies.  Who would have ever thought we could do something like that!  It just amazes me, and it doesn't really take much to do that because I am a thrifty and simple minded person.  As long as I can relax and listen to music I am happy as can be, it just makes me feel at peace and helps me to unwind. Music takes us back to good times and even sad times and it defines part of our lives.   I am so thankful for the gift of music, all kinds, because without it life would be boring.  So turn it up and enjoy the music!!!

The Butterfly Legacy

When my father in law died we talked about how happy and free he was from the sickness he had suffered here, especially in his final days and weeks.  We talked about how life is like a butterfly, we all earn our wings and fly free when we die and reach heaven. After he died seventeen years ago we started seeing yellow butterflies everywhere, at random places that we went or just flying around our yard and we knew it was Papa coming to visit us. It is a symbol of hope and faith and renewal. We love to see them flittering around and reminding us that even though our loved ones are no longer here they watch over us and are free and happy in heaven until we meet again.

Life is better in the swimming hole! We have one right in our backyard and it has been an oasis for us for 20 years, our little piece of coolness and tranquility. We have made lots of memories with our family and friends floating and splashing around, it is our private little paradise to stay cool and to relax. I love turning up some cool music and floating around watching the sky, the clouds, birds and airplanes crossing the blue sky. I can walk around in my swimsuit and not worry about what I look like and just be myself. It isn't a big or fancy pool but it is just right for us. I wouldn't trade anything for the memories we have made with our girls and their friends and our family all those long hot summers. It doesn't take much to enjoy quality time in our own back yard and enjoy our kids and grandkids splashing and playing and staying cool.

Hey Y'all

Hey!  This is my second attempt at starting a blog and I have had it on my heart and mind for a while to get another start on it.  I have so much to learn about all of this, so bear with me.  My name is Kim, I  live in a small town in northeast Georgia called Elberton.  The Granite Capitol of the World is our claim to fame around here.  Yes, we are sitting on lots of beautiful granite that is quarried out and turned into beautiful creations and memorials for all over the world.  I am happy to be from a small town.  My family roots are strong and I have many great friends here that I have known since I was born and many I have made along the way.  I am a respiratory therapist at our small rural hospital where I have proudly worked for the last 22 years now.  I am happily married and have two grown and married daughters, Kayla and Brooke.  I am a Mimi to three grandchildren, two boys and a two month old baby girl.  I love to write and journal things and I have lots of stories and thoughts that are constantly going through my mind, stories about my life and adventures and I love encouraging others and making them feel positive about life no matter what is going on.  I pondered over a name for my blog for quite a while and wanted something catchy but also that related to me and what I wanted to represent.  I am a plus size lady and I like to say I am fat and happy, because I love to eat!!! I know that I can do better and get in shape and healthier and I just might do that one of these days, but it doesn't control me. I love butterflies and the symbol of emerging that they represent and their gentle beauty and grace, so I figured I would put that all together and see how it goes. I am so excited to get started and share my life and encouragement with y'all!!! And yes I love the use Y'all, it is one of my favorites and I just can't help it! Thanks for reading my intro and let me know what you think, I would love to hear from you!