2013 Year in Review (or what I can remember of it!)

I would still consider myself fairly new to blogging, although, technically, I have been blogging for a year.  A lot of my friends blog to keep friends and family updated on their adventures, but I mostly blog to help my creative writing.  Which is why I don't really advertise my blog.  And because I have so few posts…nevertheless, onward and upward and perhaps I'll make more of an effort in 2014 :)

New Year's Eve is generally quiet around our house.  Elizabeth and I get take-out, watch movies and wait for Mr. Noel to get home, usually just in time for us to watch the ball drop in Times Square and welcome the New Year as a family.  This year we did something different.  Yes, we are still waiting for Mr. Noel to arrive, watching movies and had appetizers for dinner, but we took the time to reflect on 2013, together.

Elizabeth found a fabulous idea on Pinterest earlier in the year.  Take a large mason jar and keep a stack of post-it notes close by.  Whenever a family member has a good thing happen, write it on the post-it, fold it up and place it in the jar.  Then on New Year's Eve, read all of the good things that happened during the year.  So. much. fun!!!!!  I can't tell you how many of these things I forgot about and it sure was fun to be reminded!

Here are some of our "good things" for 2013 (in no particular order):

-Elizabeth started her first job and began dual enrollment classes at Florida State College
- I won a writing contest that allows me to submit a full manuscript directly to an editor of a publishing  company
-vacation!
-played Scattergories
-Eskimo kisses in June
-weekends by the pool with the family
-Mad Gab
-Southern Women's Show with my mama
-dinner with Mark Brunell
-doTERRA essential oils that have revolutionized my health
-my dad survived several strokes and has recovered amazingly
-monthly family dinners with Uncle Clifford, Aunt Mary, Bret and the parents
-Ebeth's 17th birthday at Disney World
- Jase Robertson at Christ's Church
-Friday Night Lights
-my first Gate River Run 15K and I finished!!
- Candy Run 5K
-celebrated Jenny's 50th!
- meeting Jessica Robertson at the Southern Women's Show
-Kassy and Jacob's wedding
-my mom is cancer free!
-tea at Cozy Tea with Nancy
-birthday cake milkshakes at Zaxby's
- vow renewal at First Baptist Church Callahan
-Retail Therapy with Christi in FREEZING weather
- trivia at R&R
-Date Night with Mr. Noel
-baking party with Debbie, Janet and Mama
-solving the world's problems with Thomas Dawkins
-God showed me MANY times how faithful He is and I am so thankful for His grace and mercy


Some are small, some are big, but all are worth remembering.  So long 2013 and welcome 2014.

Happy New Year!

Good / Bad Haircuts

I am a member of a writing group in my community and recently, one of the warm-up prompts was "Good / Bad Haircuts".  I, of course, was intrigued and the temptation to write about this extremely important topic was just too great to pass.  As all good Southern women know, there are two things about your appearance that cannot be ignored:  your shoes and your hair.  In the words of Truvy from Steel Magnolias, "I don't trust anyone who does their own hair.  I don't think it's normal."  This is a sentiment to which I emphatically subscribe.

The relationship between a woman and her hair stylist actually supersedes and is incredibly more important than the doctor/patient relationship.  Sure, a doctor may be able to cure your ailments, but many times a patient is able to suffer in silence with common maladies. But you will never go through a bad hairstyle alone.  Trust me on this one.  Faster than you can get that baseball cap on your head, the gossip about your "unfortunate hair" has already hit the grocery store checkout lines.  

The right hair stylist can transform you into a sultry siren or a dragon lady with one fell swoop of the scissors and five minutes too long on the color timer.  The best stylist cuts and colors your hair without anyone noticing the change.  You just look fabulous all the time!  Except when you are sitting in the chair with enough foil in your hair to act as a conduit for NASA.  That is the true measure of a good stylist, when she can make you beautiful in spite of your poor hairstyle choices.   I love my stylist!!

The Three B's - Bands, Beauty Queen's and Baton Twirlers

It is that time of year!  From the beginning of September through the end of December, it is a whirlwind of activity from one birthday, party, holiday and parade after another, culminating with the New Year.  This is my season and I love it.  One of the "must see" events of the season is the annual Christmas parades that are held in our small towns.  

As a child, I grew up watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on television.  The only parade I can remember actually attending is my school's Homecoming parade.  Therefore, since I was deprived as a child and am permanently scarred, I have always made sure my child attended parades whenever possible.  In my small town, parade attendance is mandatory.

The annual Callahan Christmas Parade is an institution and occurs on the first Saturday in December. Although the parade does not officially begin until 11:00 a.m., if you are not there by 9:30, the chance of finding a parking spot is slim to none.  And there is a good reason to be there early, as the Callahan Christmas Parade is the place to see and to be seen.  Like any good Southern town, if you aren't here, we will just talk about you, bless your heart!  

From the Fire Trucks and Rescue Vehicles, church floats with Nativity scenes and Shriners, to the Pirates and their ship complete with a booming cannon, the Callahan parade is a delight to the senses.  When you add in the talented musicians in the West Nassau Warrior Band along with the convertibles driving the Beauty Queen's, you have the ingredients that make up an almost perfect small town parade. Then, the "after party" begins as soon as the police reopen the main road to traffic.  The parade is the centerpiece, but the local bar-b-que, crafts and other vendors are what make this an all day event.  

Later in the evening, the place to be is the Macclenny Christmas Parade in Baker County.  As well-done as the Callahan Christmas Parade is, Macclenny has a slight advantage, because of two reasons.  One, is that the parade is at night, adding a magical element to the sights and sounds.  All of the parade participants are decked out in their finest Christmas lights and combined with the cooler weather, if you are not in the Christmas spirit by then, you are probably just a Grinch at heart.  

This parade has more Beauty Queen's that I have ever seen in one parade.   Their sparkly ball gowns and glistening tiaras twinkle beneath the lights and add a glamourous touch.  And I'm always amazed at how well the local high school band can play in the dark, and they are fabulous!  Next, is my very favorite part of the Macclenny Christmas Parade and the second reason for its superiority:  The Baton Twirlers!  These girls are phenomenal!  This year, several of the girls were twirling fire batons and in the fashion of Suzanne Sugarbaker, they threw those fire batons in the air and they caught them!  

My family's attendance at The First Saturday in December Christmas Parades is a tradition that I started years ago after my daughter was born.  There is no substitution for the sense of community and pride that comes from being a part of these small town events and they are the perfect way to jump start your Christmas Holiday spirit!