NEW SITE – NEW VENTURE!

salnix — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:56:57 +0000

I am so excited to say that I have a brand new website! At the urging of an editor, a brand new venture has begun. My professional writing took off quite a bit and I am happy to announce the Three Gals! Please come visit and stay awhile.

The perspective of a “Steel Magnolia”

salnix — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:13:27 +0000

The perspective of a “Steel Magnolia” – strong southern woman – trying to balance everything on her plate while keeping her sanity.
“I have been a Southerner all my life, and I can vouch for the fact the we do eat a lot of things down here. We’ve certainly all had our share of grits and biscuits and gravy, and I myself have probably eaten enough fried chicken to feed a third world country – not to mention black-eyed peas, fried green tomatoes, okra, and… yes… if I were being perfectly candid, I would have to admit we have also eaten our share of crow.”

I am refocusing a bit because life as I know it is changing!

Independence Day

salnix — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:31:07 +0000

Ahhh the Fourth of July!

Some Sparklers…

Goofing Off…

And a “Little Firecracker”…

(The shirt says it ALL!)

Slipping and Sliding

salnix — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:53:57 +0000

I said in a previous post that I was going to help my kids enjoy some of the finer qualites of summer. Things that do not involve TV, video games, or a couch - things I enjoyed growing up! Today I brought home a Slip ‘N Slide!

Sarah wants to be The Little Mermaid…

The Little Helper

salnix — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:50:09 +0000

Sarah absolutely loves to help. If she can be outside doing it – all the better. Over the weekend she helped Mark trim tree limbs and haul them to the curb (Coated in sunscreen of course!).

Days of Summer

salnix — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:52:17 +0000

As a kid I always loved the lazy days of summer. The thing is they really were never “lazy.” I lived in the pool, and on the tennis courts. Not to mention camps – Vacation Bible Schools, Davidson College tennis camp, Girl Scout camp. Summer was always the best time for a kid! I could list ALL the things we used to do, but it would go on forever. We would literally walk out the door in the morning to jump into the pool, return for meals, and head back out way past dark.

One of my fondest memories, as a teen about to head off to college, is the summer spent with my best friend on the lake. Mandy’s parents traveled all the time, and as an only child she needed someone with her when they were gone. We both worked at the same place, and we also had tons of play time on Lake Norman. It was one of those summer that you never forget. I can hear a particular couple of songs, and immediately I am right back there with her.

Sometimes I wonder if my own kids will have the same thoughts and fondness about their summers. I’ve decided to try to help them experience some of the things I did – Homemade ice cream, freezer pops on front porch, lightening bugs (fireflies for my friends up north), watermelon in the backyard, the slip and slide, camping (well, sort of), creek/rock hopping…last but not least – laying a blanket outside as you gaze up at the stars (with tons of Mosquito repellent).

Sarah has enjoyed her first experience at camp! Mary Beth has also gotten to enjoy some of the great things summer has to offer her. July 4th is quickly approaching and I am looking forward to some of the staple summer favorites to share.

Search Phrases

salnix — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:09:56 +0000

One of the many things I love about WordPress is that you can gain an understanding of who reads your blog(s). You can see the links of incoming viewers, AND the search engine phrases that led an individual to your blog.

Lately I have seen some pretty interesting crazy search phrases that led to this particular blog:

“When do baby mockingbirds sleep?”

“Turkey cooking smell” (HUH?!)

“Giant Barbie”

AND my favorite… “The world keeps spinning and I want to jump off.” (LOL! Now, THAT is funny).

Thank you, WordPress. Every now and then I need a really good laugh!

Graduation Ceremonies and Montessori Fun

salnix — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:12:08 +0000

As promised, I am sharing pictures from Mary Beth’s Graduation and Awards Ceremony. I also combined Sarah’s end of the year class musical performance at the end. Everyone is looking forward to summer and the next big things to come!

Enjoy!

Take A Deep Breath

salnix — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:33:17 +0000

On Friday morning my oldest baby had her graduation/awards ceremony for middle school. Mary Beth is headed for high school in mere months. It’s all a little surreal for me at the moment. My mother always talked about these altering moments in life where you kind of stand there taking it all in, and telling yourself to just breathe. I had one of those moments.

Everything was spinning around me – parents were snapping pictures and kids were running all over the place. Mary Beth and her friends were all dressed up and smiling. I was taking pictures almost robotic like. Mary Beth did a little eye-rolling about the whole thing. It smacked me like a ton of bricks as all the kids lined up on the stairs for a photo – more and more kept piling on the front steps at the community college. It hit me – in exactly four years from now I will be doing this with Mary Beth’s high school graduation…many of the same kids all dressed up…smiles and hugs (and I am sure some eye-rolling).The time has gotten away from me. Sarah shot up in four short years, and Mary Beth will be graduating high school – college bound in that same amount of time.

You know that cheesy saying “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, ut by the moments that take our breath away” (I really AM sorry – but it is a little cheesy and over used)? Well I had the wind knocked out of me! There she was…my beautiful, precious first-born, and all I was thinking about in those short utterly insane moments… There is so much I want to do with her still. How can I pack all of that into four short years? So, Mom – you are right! Every now and then you are presented with a life-altering moment where you must remind yourself to breathe deep.

(Pictures will come later)

Winding Down

salnix — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:49:19 +0000

The school year is winding down, and we are all glad for a break in running around all over the place. Mary Beth recently had her very last recital with Mrs. Elsie. It was wonderful and sad at the same time. Elsie started with MB at an early age, and taught her the essentials of piano. Now that she has moved on to Davidson College with one of the greatest musicians, Cynthia Lawing, we are even more thankful for the start Mrs. Elsie gave MB.

Last night was the end of the year Luau. It also marks Mary Beth’s celebration of the end of middle school. I cannot believe she is beginning high school next year. So many news things and so many new opportunities. I have this pit-in-the-stomach feeling about the next years FLYING by and posting about moving on to college. I only have this sweet girl for a few short years. Gotta go – can’t take it any longer. The next post will be about her graduation. (plus we are going shopping for the day!)