Party Animal...

This is one of he reasons you haven't heard from me in a while...

I finally have learned to work my iphone and my sister in law turned me on to Words with Friends. Do I ever wish I had not downloaded that app. I am giving myself a two week addiction and then I'm going to quit cold turkey. I find it somewhat irritating to sit next to my husband at night playing a game together through our phones without speaking. So after this week, we are going back to good old fashioned Rumikub!
My other excuse is that Loulie and I have been in Knoxville visiting my parents which was a little like being in the wilderness since they have no cable, internet or a kitchen sink in their new house yet. Which was fine by me--we were too busy to really even notice but it did put me a little behind with work and off the blogging map for a week.
How do I feel about my parents' new city?--I LOVE IT!
Between the overly gracious neighbors, the cooler weather, and the beautiful mountains; Loulie and I were planning our next trip before we even left. It's a longer drive but Loulie didn't cry once--too fascinated with the beautiful scenery. We just hope Bert can come next time.
It's a little bit hilarious how different going from state to state can be, especially for a little one who has never heard of or seen much out of Charleston. Loulie was completely entertained with the hills in Knoxville. Keep in mind we have only one in Charleston and it is a bridge.  Apparently she has her mother's love of hiking and spent a good part of each day just walking up and down the driveway trying to get used to balancing on a hill.

My parents' neighborhood has an all day Fourth celebration beginning with a flag raising ceremony and ending with fireworks. It really looks like something out of a movie. As we were walking down to the field for the beginning ceremony, I asked my dad what park we were in. The giant rolling field covered in lush flowers, row after row of gorgeous gardens and a picturesque barn led me to believe this was a common area for the neighborhood. "No, this is Mr. So and Sos backyard." Seriously?! 

Being newbies, we decided to overcome our fear of not knowing anyone and participated in the parade and party afterwards. Besides meeting some of the nicest people and really enjoying the surroundings; Loulie I think made a lasting impression.
Here's a little before and after for you.

Before

During

After

A little tip: When you make your child an outfit for July 4th, try not to do it in all white. They might end up half naked, streaked in red snow cone juice getting down in front of the band. I honestly don't know where she gets this from?! ;)

Hope you all had a fun and relaxing holiday! Now it's back to work and catching up.

Now what I think of when you say Myrtle Beach

For the past year and a half I have had a go phone from Walmart--it doesn't take pictures or video and barely receives text. Let's just lay it out there--I'm not big on technology. So I was pretty ambivalent when I got home last Friday afternoon to find a 4G iphone--apparently this is a big deal. As my sister put it-"you so don't deserve this. you don't even know what it is." And I almost convinced myself the same thing when I went to set my alarm that night and couldn't even figure out the most basic operation on what was supposed to function as my line to the outside world. 

By Sunday night however, I was hooked. I CANNOT believe what this thing can do. Between playing any band I want to hear, recording my sweet baby's breakfast conversation and capturing candid shots and turning them into this...

  

I'm not sure how I have ever lived without this thing. Which scared me to death at first. I don't want to be dependent on another piece of technology. I am holding on fast to the dog eared library book, the dvd that you blow on to make work, etc. Because what scares me the most is how fast the world moves now, how many great ideas are created, marketed and released by the minute and how we are all scrambling to keep up. This is the type A, neurotic in me but I worry "Aren't we going to run out of ideas one day?" If such beautiful things can be created at the push of a button, where does that leave the craftsmanship of an artist that has worked their entire life to do something by hand? Will a new era of art be established by the click of a button? And if so, will future generations still be shocked and surprised by new images, better ideas, nature, simple brush strokes, plain ole photos and acrylic on canvas or will everything have to be pushing the envelope to get a reaction?

(see how strange I am--I really need to fill my time with world peace and politics or something. I mean who worries about these things?!)

And then on Tuesday we went here. And in the midst of poetry carved into 100 year old walls and 900 acres of old plantation and enormous marble statues, I felt at peace. Because looking at the works of artist from 150 years ago, so detailed and magnificent, I couldn't help but be in complete awe that the artist's work was timeless. That I'm sure I was as taken back in 2011 as people were back in 1900. It made me relax to think that even though creation and the sharing of art has come so far and is so available that even future generations will still be impressed by the works of those who blazed the trail. 

I had no idea that this spot was just and hour and a half up the road and outside Myrtle Beach of all places, but it really was quite a treat. If you ever get the chance to go to Brookgreen Gardens, it is absolutely worth the entry fee. I seriously turned every corner saying "this is my favorite. Oh no, Bert look at this one." Kid in a candy store! It was way to much to take in in one day especially with a 21 month old so we are hoping to go up again this fall for one of the harvest programs. I'm a little disappointed because I thought I had taken more pictures but I guess I got side tracked between the almost July heat, the maze of flowers and keeping Loulie off the the Do Not Touch signs. But I hope you get the idea.

One of four statues representing the four seasons and stages of life. She is "Spring."

My other "favorite," Mother and Child

Children's Garden

Bronze Statue Hall

"Pegasus"--largest statue on the land

Getting tired

As a friend told Bert the other day, "There's no denying she's yours." They look like two peas in a pod.

I seriously LOVE how the statue just blends in with the landscape. There were tons of figures lining this waterway but they just looked so much like part of the natural habitat.

We came back from Pawley's Wednesday, just long enough to get a hair cut, do some laundry, fit in a little work, repack and tomorrow we leave for our first trip to TN. Please say a little prayer--this is the longest Loulie has ever ridden in a car. My childless sister and brother in law are driving Loulie and me up--I hope we are all still speaking when we pull up to my parents's. Which reminds me, I am going to go pack some ear plugs.

HAPPY FOURTH TO ALL!!!

(If you are in Charleston, go buy some lowcountry ice! :))

Just checking in...

It has been a busy week with mainly work stuff and not much time for creative inspiration. We are closing the craziness tomorrow with another garage sale and packing for vacation. I'm looking forward to a good book, sand between my toes and writing lots in my new journal so hopefully I will have some good posts next week.
Oh, and lots of this sweet face. Does motherhood get more rewarding than them saying "I wuv you too" for the first time! Made my week!

A nice surprise

In addition to a lovely Friday night spent out at Wild Dunes with one of the cutest families I know celebrating one of Bert's friend's birthdays, we had little surprise on Saturday.
Bert treated his girls to a Saturday morning at the downtown farmer's market since it was one of his first Saturdays not called into work in a while. And when I say treat, he really went over the top. Anytime I suggested that maybe Loulie didn't need an icee the size of her head or maybe one less pony ride, he stopped me with "Lauren, I never get to do this. Just let me delight in being with my girls."
Okay, twist my arm. Who can argue against that?!
While we were down there, my brother in law called and within a few hours he, Aimee and my nephew, William were in Charleston treating us to dinner for a belated birthday celebration for Bert. It could not have been a nicer surprise to see these three and get to have dinner at Bert's favorite, Basil.
I'm not sure if you have had experience with many teenage boys, but in mine, not many are willing to hold their baby cousins hand while walking the streets of downtown Charleston. 

 William has a heart of gold and Loulie took full advantage. If she stole one hug, she stole ten. I'm pretty sure she will be looking up to William for life and I hope he will always be willing to humor her.

A week of performances...

I have found that it is impossible to experience anything now without viewing it through the lens of motherhood. Whether good or bad, I think there is no going back.

With the weekend starting, I decided to squeeze in a quick Piccolo Spoletto performance before the festival ends this weekend. I look forward to Spoletto all year and try to get to at least one performance each season. I dropped LB off at the Children's Museum with a sitter and hauled down Meeting Street arriving hot and winded at the Footlight Players in just enough time to find my seat. I have always enjoyed the Dance at Noon series because it allows you to see a variety of different styles and schools as well as support young artists. This year, while sitting in the cool, dark auditorium watching the high school dancers; my mind floated back to how much dance has always meant to me. There was a shorter girl in the front row who couldn't help but share her love of dance with the huge smile she was beaming. I wondered how much she practiced and whether dance was a "popular" hobby at her high school.How many Saturdays had she spent at her studio? DId her mother wait in the car or come in and watch? There was only one male in the entire company--strong and handsome, I wondered too if he caught any slack from friends for being a male dancer. And then I remembered how much I used to love performing on stage and how dance was such an outlet for me--in my teen years when everything seems difficult and then just for fun as I moved on into my twenties.

Suddenly, I felt so proud of these kids and how hard they had worked and what a big deal it must be for them to be performing in Charleston for the festival. And then, because these lenses are permanently screwed in, how proud their parents must be. And then I thought of how next year Loulie can come with me. And I wonder if she will love dance as much as I do. And before I knew it, I was all choked up and teary eyed in the cold, dark auditorium watching these kids perform.

Which is EXACTLY why I LOVE dance--because if performed well, a piece will always evoke some kind of emotion from the audience. And then a mother "woohoo"ed! And everyone cheered and one of the dancers started smiling bigger.

 I don't know if Loulie will love dance as much as her mother or even more but I can't wait to see what God places on her little heart to be passionate about. If it is not dance, then I can't wait to learn all about what she gets into. Because I can promise you this, whether dance or soccer or cross country or challenge of the gladiators; I will always be the mother obnoxiously "woohooing" in the back!

Just like I did last Wednesday...

(yes, that is me in the background along with Bert shamelessly yelling "Go Loulie WOOO.")

Dang--and now I am teary eyed again. 

Have a Happy Weekend!

New Year's Resolution Gone wrong

I would love to be showing you lush pictures of green plants and rows of sweet summer squash along with ripe cucumbers and fresh cilantro. Sounds wonderful doesn't it? Well, I got your stomachs growling and mouths watering for nothing. Why?

Because this person decided that instead of moving on to Knoxville like the other senior citizens, she would test out retirement in the lowcountry. She's been here a month and in addition to clearing out the den every night with her eye watering fluffs, burping in my face last night at dinner and shedding an extra dog into the bedroom corner; she has also eaten every last leaf out of my garden.
So what was two weeks ago a fulfillment of a new year's resolution, is now a dream of what it would have been like to save money on fresh veggies this summer and the satisfaction of hard work paid off. 
All I have to say, is thank God she is cute! Otherwise, I might have accidentally left the back gate open this morning. 
At least now while having coffee on my back porch in the morning, I can look out at a giant plat of stinky mud. So glad I cleared the area right next to my back door so that all my friends that come by can see the fruit of my efforts. 
Damn Dogs!!! 
On my way to the farmer's market,


Lauren

4-0!

Last Monday morning; I woke up, rolled over and looked at the clock--date and time. Then, I turned to Bert and said, "Good morning Husky Bear! Happy last week in your thirties. In a few days, we won't be in the same decade again for another 9 and a half years." Then just to add a little comfort to the situation, I assured him that no matter what, I would stand by him through anything this new decade might bring including Depends, a walker, and loss of hearing. He thanked me for my words of encouragement and then said he was going to hang himself from the shower curtain rod!

In all seriousness, Bert had a great birthday. He admitted that 40 actually felt better than 30--that having a family, a job he loves, good friends and his faith have made moving into the next decade more exciting than scary. I decided at the beginning of May that I couldn't let his 40th slide by without some kind of celebration, so Loulie and I moved out to Sullivan's last week to get ready for his party on Friday night. I CANNOT believe I didn't take any pictures, but it was a great time. A lot of friends and family were able to come celebrate. I did all the food and my aunt helped with the flowers. We had a local guy who plays at the farmers market sing--he was perfect for the occasion and I highly recommend him. My in laws relieved the baby sitter allowing us to stay out at the beach which was a gift in itself. For the first time in almost two years, we were able to stay up late and not worry about waking with a baby or having to be responsible. We closed the party down at 1:00 only to stay up talking to Bert's sister until 3:30. It has taken me at least two days to recover from the loss of sleep. I am no longer able to pounce out of bed after a weekend of fun--guess I deserve it after all my teasing of Bert getting old. 


I'm a little sad Bert's actual birthday has come and gone--it is fun doting over the person you love. In our house, you get to celebrate a week so we still have 5 more days of fun (mixed in with work). I'm so thankful that Bert asked me to marry him almost five years ago. After all the teasing, I reminded him that he keeps getting better with age. I loved Bert when we first met but had no idea when we married that he was going to be such an amazing husband and father. God truly designed the two of us to balance each others' strengths and weaknesses and I am so thankful for that. Bert works so hard for our family, is completely selfless when it comes to his girls and always has encouraging words for me when I am doubting my role as a wife and mother. He does a lot of things well but I am most proud of him for how he treats others and manages his business. We have our own business so in the past we have had some times that have gotten a little tight. There may have been some opportunities that would have allowed us more money but would have meant possibly hurting someone else's interest. Bert has always taken the high road, done the right thing, trusted the Lord and waited patiently rather than acting out of greed or impulse. I also love that when our friends talk about what they would take on a deserted island, he is always mentioned--he can fix or build anything! And as the cherry on top, Bert always puts his family before anything making Loulie and me feel pretty good. It took me a while to find someone so special and it was great to celebrate his 40 years on this earth. I love him so much and wish him many more happy (and healthy) decades (with me of course) ahead!