Southernosity

Our friend, Julie, sent the following to me. I found myself laughing and feeling homesick at the same time. The last one is my favorite!

SOUTHERNOSITY

A Southerner knows the difference between a "hissy fit" and "conniption fit," and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.

A Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder".

A Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess".

A Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is -- as in: "Going to town, be back directly."

Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty bowl in the middle of the table.

All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.

A Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who has trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!

Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.

A Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.

Southerners make friends while standing in lines. We don't do "queues," we do "lines"; and when we're "in line," we talk to everybody!


Southerners never refer to one person as "y'all.

Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.

True Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.

And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say, "Bless her heart" and go your own way.

More Snow Fun

I was supposed to attend a retreat in Pennsylvania with a women's group from church this past weekend, but it obviously wasn't meant to be.

A few obstacles stood in the way:

First, there was Isaac. With his stomach bug relapse, ear infection, then allergic reaction to the antibiotics, he wasn't making me feel great about leaving.

Then, after taking a clumsy tumble down the stairs Thursday night, I was left barely able to move around the house and dreading a 2 hour car trip.

Finally, the 8 inches of snow that shut down the airports and left Scott stranded in Indianapolis until Saturday meant, unless I was willing to leave Dylan in charge for the weekend, I would need to stay put.

So, instead of relaxing around the fire in a lakeside cabin, I spent the weekend hobbling around with a camera catching images of everyone else playing and having fun. In fact, they played so hard on one nearby hill that they were eventually sliding down on grass. I was fully expecting Scott to be hobbling with me by Sunday evening!

Big Snow Day

There were screams of joy around here at 7 o'clock this morning, prompted by 3 little words: SCHOOL IS CANCELLED.
They were almost loud enough to drown out Scott's screams of anguish over 2 little words: FLIGHT CANCELLED. (no image available)

Making Waves

We celebrated President's Day Weekend in the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania at a lodge that had a giant indoor waterpark. The kids loved it!

Be Me!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

The girls enjoyed their parties at school.

Dylan realized after she finished making her pillow heart that her saying was a little different from everyone else's. (see above picture)

Katherine was very relieved that she received a "special" valentine. (She had been stressed over this for several days.)

On the other hand, Cupid had no love for little Isaac who spent the day battling a stomach bug.

A Mess

Our beautiful snowfall yesterday afternoon became nasty sleet last night which became slush and flooding today.

Scott has been trying to make his way home for the last 2 hours. Bridges and roads are closed, so I don't know how long it will eventially take.

I should've taken a picture of him this morning shoveling snow/slush in the backyard to clear a drain to prevent the basement from flooding. He had already gotten dressed for work, so he had his dress pants rolled up to his knees. That missed opportunity could've provided a little comic relief - for the rest of us at least.

What a Difference a Week Makes

The first picture is Isaac last week in 35 degree weather.

The following pictures were taken today when the temperature was 65 degrees.

(Although he's almost always happy to get out, he prefers to be unbundled, for sure!)

Band Practice

This is how Dylan gets through her clarinet practice sessions. She "shares" with her family.

Here she is talking with her Grandmother in Alabama. She had just hung up from her cousin, Elizabeth, in Texas.

Isaac After His Bath

girl's bathrobe, size 10 ... $21.00

Barbie guitar ... $28.99

value of future blackmail material ... PRICELESS