Spring Bk- 3/21 Picnic @ Pine Mountain GA

Look Out Point, across from "The County Store"

Pine Mountain is one of my favorite places to visit. It is the only mountain that I grew up around however it wouldn't be considered a mountain by a person who grew up near the Rocky Mountain's. Pine Mountain is where the FDR State Park is located, my favorite American President. My family would take hiking trips together and it is also where my dad would escape from the family when he needed his time away. Which was a topic of discussion on the way for our Sunday Picnic. (As far as picnic's go, I remember going to Pine Mountain for another picnic that was so fun for me. It was when my French Class met the German Class my HS Sophomore year met at FDR for a Sunday picnic. That was the best Brat I have had in my life, still to this day.)

It is near Callaway Gardens where I grew up going to see the FSU Flying Circus in the summer time, swimming in the man made lake and playing on the paddle boats and putt putt golf, walking "Fantasy in Lights" at Christmas time, plus visiting the beautiful gardens and having butterflies land on my in the Butterfly Conservatory (which was opened on my birthday, September 25th, 1988 where there are over 1,000 types of varieties of butterflies.) But we didn't go visit Callaway this trip but wanted to document some of my memories. Liberty Pool, it is a pretty pool especially when it is clean. As the bottom of this pool, the pool was designed with a crack made of stones that represents the crack in the actual Liberty Bell. When we were about to leave one of Sydney's school friends, Kathryn came walking over from a hike they had just finished.

Spring Bk- Downtown Heritage Park, Columbus, GA

Sydney's Spring Break in March, we went to a few places. It was a journey in history and places that I love! After the MS Walk we went to Heritage Park in Downtown Columbus.

What is at Heritage Park? Heritage Park in Columbus, Georgia, is one of the most unique historical attractions in the United States. Heritage Park features a massive running water feature that duplicates the historic river as it flows through the west Georgia city. The feature includes dams, overlooks and even a steamboat tribute, all of which tell the story of how Columbus has benefited from the river over its 170 year history.

The Falls of the Chattahoochee were dammed and by the time of the Civil War the city of Columbus had become one of the few major manufacturing centers in the South. Heritage Park pays tribute to this with water features that include dams, falls and a deck area designed to resemble a paddlewheel boat. The city was once served by dozens of steamboats that made their way back and forth to Apalachicola, stopping at all points in between.

Heritage Park includes exhibits on the mills powered by the river. The park features an original brick kiln. The area is known for its high quality bricks, so evident in the historic buildings of Columbus as well as in the walkways and exhibits at Heritage Park. A favorite exhibit for many is a statue of Dr. John S. Pemberton, the man who gave the South its unofficial drink, Coca-Cola. A one-time Columbus pharmacist, Dr. Pemberton invented Coke and created a company that has been an excellent corporate partner for Columbus, donating large sums to restore one of Dr. Pemberton's houses, to build the city's outstanding Coca-Cola Space and Science Center and to assist with other projects.

Be an expert at

In church I heard today about how many hours it takes to be an expert. 10,000 hours to really be qualified with whatever you want to be expert...

It was mentioned that The Beatles started their hits around the 10,000 hours of playing, a violist by last name of Pearlman is expert because 10,000 hour dedicated to playing/practicing thye violin. Then lastly he mentione we can be an expert of scriptures after 10,000 hours which breakdowns to 54 years when read 30 minutes day. It takes time and dedication to be an expert. Are we will to give the time to be an expert.

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Dinglewood Pharmacy...FINALLY

Satutday after the MS walk, Sydney and I went for a tour of Columbus... Pictures coming. But I had to record this very special event, I finally made it to Dinglewood Pharmacy and had a Scrambled Dog with slaw and Syd had plain dog. Gam-Mommy met us here too. Was a nice treat to have three generations eating at famous Dinglewood.

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2011 MS Walk for Aaron (3.19.11)

On March 19th, 2011, Sydney and I drove up to Columbus, GA to walk for MS for Aaron (my brother that is 21 months younger than I). Mom planned it and promoted to get people out to walk. It was fun to walk and having everyone there with us made it even nicer. So grateful to those that took time out of their Saturday Morning schedule to come and walk with us.

Books for Sydney (3.15.11)

Sydney loves to read. She wants to be a Librarian one day and I want her to be a Dentist.

(I want her to be able to take care of herself and be happy which is how I really feel, but Dentist are my favorite Doc’s to visit. Plus, she flosses and brush her teeth without being reminded at age of eleven)

The story though... While in Daleville, AL for a meeting this week, I drove past a Library. There was a sign that said, "Books for Sale". Knowing how much Sydney loves to read, I thought I couldn't go wrong with getting a few books. I hit the JACKPOT! The books were $0.25 each. I used all my cash that I had which was $16.80 but got $18.00 worth in books. That’s 72 books. (I’ve got summer reading covered.) The Librarian gave me a few of the books in support of another Librarian. During our short conversation while getting the books, I had mentioned that my daughter wanted to be a Librarian when she grew up. Maybe being a Librarian wouldn't be such a bad job.

By The Way.... I did a good job on picking out books. I think there 12 that Sydney didn't like.

Sydney Performs in the Elementary Honors Chorus

At the 11th Annual Leon County Elementary Honor Chorus Concert at FSU Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on March 5th, 2011. Sydney, Marjorie and I were attending last night. Sydney was selected to be in the Elementary Honor Chorus and she has been practicing for a few months to get ready. They sounded GREAT. She really enjoys singing. I am so glad. This would be her first official performance of what could be a many more to come for me to attend.

Sydney and Marjorie all dressed up

Sydney and me after the concertThe Program

What they sang and listing of the schools

Painting Pottery Party (2.19.11)

Sydney celebrated her birthday on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Ribits Enchanted Cottage. We had a delightful time.

3 Generations (Aunt Connie, Sydney, Gam Mommy, Carmella)

Sydney and her birthday plate and the bowl she made. The plate says, "Hoppy Birthday" and everyone that was attending put their thumb print on the plate then the staff at Ribits decorated the plate with peace sign, flowers, cupcakes, and ice cream cones. The bowl is what Sydney made at the party.

Finished products of the ceramic birthday party. Many bowls and animals were made by the girls. Aunt Ruth made a Sundae Bowl with spoon, Dad made a chicken, and Gam Mommy made the blue vase. I supervised all of the painting and paid.

Bumper Stickers.... words for thought...

"Change happens at the speed of thought"
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world"
"I pledge allegiance, not thoughtless obedience"
"If only closed minds came with closed mouthes"
"Even people who believed everything is predicated look before they cross the street"

Knowledge from the back of the car in front of us as we were waiting in the drive thru @ Dairy Queen.

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Coloring of skin

I just looked at the new banner of the updated picture of Sydney and me. Goodness, I didn't really the different coloring in our skin until I saw this picture. You can tell I have the Italian coloring and she has the European coloring. It is just amazing how genes merge together to make another human being and cool to see the results.

For those who read theses postings on Facebook, the blog address is http://themagnoliacafe.blogspot.com/ so you can see what I am actually talking about.

Reading books

So I listened again to one of my favorite Audio Books, The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen, this week. One of the items it discusses is read 10 pages a day from a book. So.... I went to Boyd's bookstore yesterday and got a few books. Started reading, "A Single Voice" by Kristen M. Oaks and an LDS Classic Bestseller, "Putting on the Amor of GOD" by Steven A. Cramer. Both seem to be really interesting. Usually a person doesn't read two books at once and I know I won't continue to read them both as the same time however, I wanted to get the reading juices flowing.

Stress and bad mood to needing sleep! A realization..

I had a very stressful day. One beyond belief. Usually in a situation of this type, I would find myself heading toward food. This was not the case today. I found myself wanting to go to sleep. Which sleep is a great thing for me because I don't get enough sometimes.

This week, I had an emotional breakdown on the phone with a friend. Their comment was that I sounded tired and I must have been burning the candle at both ends. So true. This statement sent me into my memories of days when I would get back from a 4-H camp/event and be in a bad mood. There would be fights with my family and would get statements like, "wish we had not let you go to that blah blah blah event" or "you better be nice to your family we are going to love you when no one else will" or "if you want to go to an event with 4-H again you better be nice to .....". But my question is why was I in a bad mood because I was just getting back from a great weekend. Reason being..... I was exhausted. I had played hard and was exhausted. So that playing hard and being exhausted still runs through my bones.

Now, I didn't grow out of that and sleep is important to me. Funny, just realizing this at the age of 34. Since I blogged, I will remember. So, if anyone had a bad day too.... Don't go reaching for the door to the fridge or the quick drive through for a milkshake, just go take a nap. Most Americans actually don't get enough sleep. Read this article back on March 18th, 2010 at AOL News. Happy Sleeping!