MIA

I've been gone for a while. Not because anything took me away from my computer, just because I've been a slacker. So, since my last post some exciting things have happened. My brother moved down to FL and is staying with me until he gets all settled. Sharing a one bedroom apartment with two cats and a brother definitely takes some getting used to! But its kinda nice having family here. However, I'm kind of a neat freak....and he is not....some issues going on there but we will work thru them.

Shortly after my brother arrived, we drove to the coast and watched the space shuttle Discovery take off. For some reason my whole family are NASA nerds so this was quite exciting for us. Brad filmed the launch on his cell phone and I called my parents and let them listen to the scene while they watched on TV. For some reason, most other people aren't as excited as I was about this! But, I think the coolest thing was the patriotism I felt. The beach was full, the most people I've ever seen on a beach. Right when the shuttle took off everyone started cheering and more cheering when the sound barrier was broken. It was awesome. There we all were, watching our astronauts fly into space for our country. And we all just stood there watching the small ball of light cross the sky. It almost reminded me of the 4th of July. I saw kids, I saw elderly people and everyone in between. I don't know, it was just a beautiful site for me. One of the most exciting memories for sure.

And finally, due to the economic crisis, I've had to get a second job in retail. Wow what a shock! I haven't been in retail since my college days. Although I must say, its not as bad as I thought it would be. I almost enjoy it. I work with college kids, as is expected, but they crack me up. I feel like I'm in college again. I don't like working nights and weekends, but beggers can't be choosers and until the economy gets better for my consulting job, retail it is. I have found several co-workers in the same position. Thankfully, there are still retail positions out there for people like me, and others who only have that one job to rely on. It just reminds me that life is full of surprises. No matter how much we plan, life can, and probably will, throw you a curve ball. Make sure you can keep up!

Old Country Roads

OK Holly, here goes.

I grew up in a small town in southwest Virginia. And when I say small, I'm talking no stoplights in the town. Only one gas station and one fast food joint. Since I've grown up, there are a few more restaurants and local businesses, but still no stoplights. So I'm talking SMALL town. My parents live outside the town down a long dirt road. Beyond state maintenance. So when it snows, Dad gets out the tractor so we can get out of the house. When we get potholes in the road the neighbor goes and buys some gravel to fill the hole. Way out in the boonies. Moving there at the age of 10 after growing up in a neighborhood was horrible. They only kid to play with...my brother. Terrible. But I think it ended up working out quite well. I have awesome memories of playing in the leaves with Brad, the older brother, and our black lab Black Jack. Memories of riding the four-wheeler thru the woods to a clearing where we could see all the mountains. But I think the best memory is walking down the dirt road with my Mom. Spring and summer meant longer days. Days when there was still sunlight after dinner was cooked and the dishes were done. So after the dishes me and my Mom would take walks down the road. It was only about a mile long, but it was beautiful. We would walk and talk about school or work in her case. And listen to the birds sing and watch out for deer and rabbits eating their dinner. At the end of the road it was clear, no trees in the way, and we could watch the sun set behind the mountains. The day was over and it was time to head back home and get ready for the next day. When we would walk down the road again.

The next memory of my country roads is perhaps the best one. When I was young, under 10, I had an uncle who owned a large amount of land on a creek. My grandparents would set up camp there for several weeks during the summer. After several years, it would end up with all the grandkids there and some local families too. So, my Papa built this campgroup up. He made 2 huge picnic tables, set up a nice little cooking area for my Nana, built a shower and even an outhouse. So it was camping on another level. But we would go and stay with Nana and Papa for a time during the summer. It wasn't too far from my house, but it felt like it was. The campground was on my uncle's land maybe 3 miles from the house. And of course, it was down an old dirt road. As kids we would walk up the road and go to the barn to see the horses or walk to the house just see what was going on. We would play in the spring, look for arrow heads or my favorite was lay in the hammock with my Papa. We spent several summers at camp. Then, due to divorce, our family didn't own the land anymore and we never went back to "the creek."

Those are my memories of my old country roads. I was telling a friend the other day, what a shame my kids won't get to experience that. Maybe parts if my parents still live in the same house. I guess each generation makes its own memories. But I just feel like things are heading for a change and memories won't be as wholesome as they once were. I'm not sure kids today or my future kids could appreciate spending weeks away from TV, cell phones and computers. I'm not sure if they would find the meaning in listening to birds sing and watching deer eat their dinner. But times change and so must we. I, however, wouldn't change my memories for the world.

Spring Forward

I love daylight savings time. I'm not one of those people who looks at it as losing an hour of sleep. I look at it as more sunshine in the day! Longer days, which reminds me of summer. That in turn reminds me of my childhood and for some reason dirt roads in the country. I actually almost get giddy when daylight savings rolls around. Maybe its because I'm afraid of the dark, no really, I am. Maybe its because summer brings those feelings of carefree childhood. Maybe its all of those things but daylight savings rejuvenates me just like the spring flowers. So long winter...and hello spring time!

Am I old?

This day in history....yahoo was incorporated in 1995 according to my little gadget box. After learning this, my thought was, "Wow its only been around since 1995? What did I do before 1995?" Wait, that was almost 15 years ago. Then I started thinking about how kids today don't remember the time before computers, cell phones or IPOD's. Yes, I was playing The Oregon Trail on the computer in the 3rd grade, but it still makes me feel old. I don't have an IPOD and I don't want one. There is a part of me that rebels against the mainstream technology craziness that goes around. Plus there is the small problem that I have trouble working anything that needs more updates than I do. But am I old?? I sound like my parents! I mean, I would rather my little gadget box thing tell me that today is Dr. Suess's birthday. That is more interesting to me. But the technology wins again. And I, at age 26, am left saying "Kids today blah blah blah." Next thing you know I'll be talking about walking to school in the snow uphill both ways.

A Bit Concerned

I moved to Central Florida about 6 months ago. It seems almost weekly since I moved I hear another sad story about a child abused, abducted or killed. I know this occurs all over but I hear a different story almost every day. My brother came to visit me from VA a few weeks ago. He is thinking of moving to FL and was researching the crime in this big city. Being from a small town, we are not really used to having crime issues. So he did research and watched the news. He made a statement several weeks ago that has stuck with me all this time. "It seems like you'll be OK in FL if you aren't a little kid. Why do they mess with kids all the time down here?!" How sad yet true. Little girls can't walk to the school bus without an attempted rape or abduction. And then there is the Caylee Anthony story. Now there is another little 5 year old girl missing. Is this happening so frequently only in FL? Or does it happen this often all over? Again, I'm from a small town so I know it didn't happen this much back home. But why does it seem all the major news stories of crime against children come from FL?

Spay Day USA

I'm a little late on this post, but this past Tuesday was Spay Day USA. The Humane Society sponsors this annual event in an effort to bring awareness and inspire people to spay or neuter their pets or even homeless ones. All over the country the Humane Society holds events and offers low cost or even free spay and neuter procedures. This is the only permanent method of birth control for animals and if you read my blog, you know about the feral cat problem that exists all over the world, not just the US. So while I may be late on my post, it is never too late to spay or neuter your cat or dog. Or even a homeless one you may come in contact with. Check out your local humane society location for more information.

Makeover!

I got a new ‘do! I am probably a hair designer’s worst nightmare. I have a ton of long, thick hair. And every few months I get bored with my style. So I go into the salon and tell the girls, “Just do something new! Something trendy.” Right. That’s all I give them to go on. Luckily, I have found a designer who knows what’s hot and trendy and what will look good on me. I met Petra Sondi at a trade show shortly after moving to Orlando. Initially, I just wanted a little change, so at the show she gave me a quick trim and added just a few layers. It was great, I loved it. It was just what I wanted. It was different yet trendy and went well with what I had to work with. But alas, a few months later the desire for something new came along. Time to call Petra at J Bauman Salon. I also had a friend come along who had an idea of how I should do my hair. So we went to see Petra, I threw out my usual “time to change line” and off we went. Even with my vague “kinda, sorta like this” statements, Petra somehow knows exactly what I’m talking about. It’s great. She studies in Europe for the latest trends and techniques along with continuing her studies here in the US. The chopping went on forever it seemed like as I watched long locks fall to the floor. And about an hour later I emerged with a great style! My hair is still long like I want, lots of layers which I love and bangs which are the all the rage. I look like a completely different person and I love it! So while Petra may dread seeing me walk in the door, I love walking in only with a want of change and no direction yet somehow leaving with a great style and a smile on my face!