Sweetheart

On Saturday 4/4/09 my grandma Sara had a mild heart attack. She hasn't been doing too well health wise but you wouldn't know it just talking to her. She's the sweetest woman alive. She spoiled me rotten when I lived in Sacramento growing up. She moved back to South Carolina years ago and the last time I went to visit I was 10, and flew by myself. It was definitely an adventure for me, especially since the man I sat next to on the flight back home said "hey kid, want to see something cool?" and here I'm thinking now as an adult that back then an alarm should have gone off. I should have maybe been equipped with a rape whistle (Mom!). The guy had a shiny briefcase that he slid out from the seat in front of him. It was huge, and somewhat reminiscent of the case I use to carry my old Xbox around in, only more serious. The briefcase, although space-age looking itself, was nothing compared to what was inside. Moon rocks people, real, moon rocks. My eyes were about as big and bright as the moon itself. I think the look on my face would have been that of finding something important you lost, forgot about, and stumbled upon years later. That was one of the most memorable things ever to me, especially on a flight.

That trip was so much fun, the beach being down the street from my grandma's house, almost setting the house on fire with the aerial firework assortment my grandma bought me from the black cat outlet, and going to a water park and doing the slides by myself while it was cloudy and dreary outside. One of the weirdest trips and most fun I've ever had. Not to forget Uncle Burke's fried chicken and the copious amounts of pimento cheese I ate. If you've never had pimento cheese, I feel bad for you. Don't go buy it in the store pre-made just because Joe told you you can't die without a taste either. Buy a jar of pimento's which should be in your grocery store near the olives and some sharp cheddar cheese. Get your Cuisinart out and add a 1/2 cup of mayo, cup of cheese, and a jar of pimentos (without the juice, maybe a little if you need to thin the mixture out). That’s it! Once you get the consistency right, you will have the one and only recipe featured in the cookbook "How to gain inches and become a fatty."

My mom and brother are driving to South Carolina to visit for a week or so. I think they will be in Atlanta, GA tonight. I miss my family out there, dearly, and I hope and pray every day that my grandma is doing better so that when I can get the time and money to visit, she can meet her great grandson.

The JJ-ness..

I'ts been almost two and a half years since I've posted anything on this blog, and a lot has happened since I was fishing in Houston Lake every day in between runs on the ambulance. I'm sure that I will tell most of that story (and others) in time through these blogs.. but it's a big undertaking and it's full of some serious drama.

Today, to get back into the swing of blogging, I'd like to write about the best thing that's ever happened to me. Eight months ago my son was born..

Tadaaaaaaaa!

He is really the most amazing baby ever. I know a lot of parents say this, and rightfully so, it's their child! But my son, James Joseph (named after my dad, and is also a fifth) is so incredibly calm and cool. I'm a firm believer now that if you are a calm easy going person, your baby will pick up on that. If you are a total crackhead, well, you are probably one of those parents we see on the news getting arrested for crate-training a 2 year old. If you aren't a parent, or a soon to be parent, just know that your life will be impacted greatly. If you are a positive, optimistic, loving person, it will most likely brighten your life to the point that you never thought existed. If you are a pessimistic Patti, negative Nancy, or angry Agatha, you will probably be more pissed about the fact that you won't be able to drink for nine months. Don't worry trashy Tina, you will be able to party like its 1999 soon enough.

This is the most recent shot of JJ. This was at Gramma Janet and Grampa Jim's house (my mom and dad). They were taking him around the backyard like it was a ride in his stroller (now I know why I'm so much fun). So adorable. He's got about 6 teeth showing now and he's starting to get really vocal. He's crawling all over the house, and this last weekend he pulled himself to standing. It's funny how he will constantly surprise me. Not that he is doing anything sooner than he should, but that he learns, he mimics Erin and I and it's hilarious. It really is true what they say no matter how much you think it may not happen to you, loving a child is a different kind of love. I love him more than I've loved anything in my whole life.