Valentine's Day a Year Later

I was wondering what Valentine's Day would be like this year. I wondered how I would feel. I wondered how the day would be spent. I wondered... Because one year ago, Aiken had the disastrous ice storm that crippled our town for weeks. And one year ago, I could have lost my husband, my knight in shining armor.

One year ago, we spent Valentine's Day at the doctor's office because of stomach cramping that had grown until it was unbearable - and then to the hospital for blood work. And the next day, February 15, he was rushed to the emergency room in Columbia for a stay that lasted 24 days. His gallbladder had ruptured so violently that the doctors couldn't tell exactly what happened from the CT scans - his body was septic.

I actually woke up thinking about last year. I looked at my husband sleeping beside me and thought of what it would have been like not to have him with me. What if God's plan was to take him home? (And not the one we shared with our boys.) Right now I can literally feel my heart racing and my breathing more labored. I am overwhelmed thinking about where we were last year. How our lives stopped. How scared and confused I felt, yet how strong and calm I had to be. One year ago, my husband was telling me that he didn't want an open casket. That he was worried that I didn't know how to take care of taxes and other things. That he was scared. All while we held each other's hand... and I silently prayed and pleaded with God.

But we ARE here. Now. Together. (Almost) back to the way he was. Able to talk about it and both use such wonderful words as "last year" and "remember when" and "oh, how I loved you in that hospital room". Remembering how God blessed us with His healing so that we could share more Valentine's Days.

...And we DID share cards and breakfast TOGETHER IN OUR HOME this Valentine's Day 2015.

Viking in the House

This weekend was just what the doctor ordered. Lots of fun and festivities for the whole family: a family/neighborhood Halloween party Friday night, Fall Steeplechase all day Saturday, and our church's Fall Festival where we give out hundreds and hundreds of pounds of candy to families in our town. All four of us were kept extremely busy with wonderful friends whom have supported us these past few weeks with so much - including their unwavering prayers.

So many of you golden friends have messaged, emailed, commented, and Facebooked asking how we are doing. Although Mike is having to take this day by day, he wore his Viking warrior helmet at the Halloween soirée to show his strong side!

What Makes Me Pretty...

Today I must remember... Because... That beautiful curve says... And Mike, the love of my life, has always told me... And you are too!

If the Rug Fits

MWF ISO a rug that fits!

Please help me out here. For the past four years, I have been aching for an oriental rug for the foyer. Our beautiful, yet naked foyer... Sigh. This anniversary, Mike has offered one as an anniversary gift! Mouth drops! Whoo Hoo! Score!

The only problem is that our foyer has odd dimensions: 12' x 7'8". Very difficult to find a rug that would appear to work. However, I'm thinking that an 8' x 5' just might. Today, I lay the few newspapers we had and beach towels down in said dimensions to get a feel. I think I'm ok with it, but need some more feedback. The picture is taken from the living room where you can see the edge of the rug in there.

What do you think? Could it work?

Thanks for your expertise and thoughts!

It's a Master Treat

It's interesting how many people from all over the east coast are blogging, Facebooking and Tweeting about the Grand Dame of golfing events: The Masters. I could go on and on about everything YOU COULD READ ABOUT ON THE INTERNET. But I'll just give you a few of my stories and observations...


We happen to live just over the Savannah River from Augusta, where the tourney is played. (The official name of the club is the Augusta National Golf Club.). My husband has been going for years to the tournament, which is held Thursday through Sunday. The practice rounds are Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday's Par 3 following. Interestingly enough, he has never been to those - only the tourney. Sniff, sniff. Poor baby!

The entrance to the club. On any given day in Augusta, you can see people standing by the sign getting their picture taken. The fact that the entrance to the "enclave" is on one of the busiest roads, full of chain restaurants and shopping strips, is rather ironic.


Before we were married, almost four years ago, I had never been. I don't come from a golfing family. My father is a big hunter and fisherman and never got the thrill of hitting a little white ball for three to four hours.

I did, however, have the chance when I was in my twenties. This guy who I went out with ONCE and never got the hint I was NOT interested in him AT ALL called to invite me "to the most beautiful place on Earth". (I'm not joking. Those were his words.). I was so turned off that I made up an excuse that I had a meeting at church (Again, not joking. That was my excuse.) and couldn't make it. Looking back, I have to agree with all my guy friends who were appalled that I didn't go. "There were thousands of other people you could have hung out with! You could have dumped him there!" Stupid me.... that would have made a much better story.

The first time I went, Mike and I had only been dating only a few weeks. It's was a rainy Saturday. Of course I was dressed for my date: cute Lilly skirt, white polo style shirt, Jack Rogers. You get the idea. Did I mention it was RAINING? Mike drove me to his shop and told me to run in for these precious rainboots. Was I in love? Cute boy, day at the Masters, and cute rain boots! Of course!


These boots were such a hit, in fact, that when we stepped on the course, one of the CBS correspondents who was covering the "life style" segments of the Masters approached me to discuss my outfit. She LOVED the boots! And I was on national TV!

A couple of years later, the couple who we go with was approached by some golf magazine to cover what she wore! I promise neither one of our outfits were that amazing in our opinions. It's just how we do it.

But now I live a hop, skip and a jump away. I've been a few times. It really is stunning. The azaleas... The hundred year old oaks... The pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches.


That and a coke will only run you $2.50.


The food is a steal...


Because the merchandise isn't! Just some of the loot from over the years (not including cups, chairs, umbrellas, etc). Bet you can't guess which three items are mine! (Hint: they are all the same color!)


Hope this gave you a peek at my Masters experiences. Too bad I won't be there tomorrow. You know my husband will. Lucky duck...

Racing Against the Enemy

This past Saturday was the Aiken Trials. It was a beautiful sunny day. Mike, the boys, and I enjoyed ourselves with the warm temps and good food. I even caught this great action shot of three of the horses.


But I want you to take a good look at it. You see, when I look at the picture I see something completely different than horses on a racetrack. Something totally unrelated. And it hit me Sunday morning what it was...

Yesterday, as many Sundays as of late have been my house, was full of stress. The boys were arguing with and picking on each other. They were playing around instead of getting ready for church. One complained that his pancakes did not have chocolate chips in them. (Was he for real???). The other was talking back and rolling his eyes. (I don't think so young man!!!). It was all I could do not to throw in the towel and forget church.

But then I remembered that the sermon series was on being at war with the Enemy. How timely. For yesterday, my family was at war with the Enemy - who was absolutely loving this. And his demons of Discord, Anger and Stress were rampant all over our home. They were lurking in every corner, leering from the ceiling, and slithering in and out of rooms. For our family yesterday morning, there was no joy or contentment. I felt defeated. That is, until Mike reminded me that us giving up and not going to church was exactly what Satan wanted.

Well, those of you who know me, know that I don't give up easily once I know that someone challenges me - especially a mental challenge. So I stood my ground against the Enemy. I prayed, right then and there for strength. Then I told the boys exactly what was going on - and that we, as a family, were not going to be defeated.


Now, back to the picture and what I see... as metaphorical as it may be. The two jockeys in the front are Mike and me. The jockey in the back is the Enemy. As Christian parents, a Christian couple - and Christians on our own, we are constantly being pursued and chased by the Enemy. But also like those jockeys in the front, we must be strong and committed to never be defeated. We will win the race!

Handsome in Pastels

So I'm sitting on the sofa flipping through the Vineyard Vines Spring catalog. Great stuff, by the way. I REALLY want this. (Looks better in the catalog than on the web.)


Just looking at all the pretties in Palm Beach, I wish spring would hurry up and get here. Aren't you so ready? Anyway, I come across these great men's shorts. Love them! I think they would look so great on Mike. He gets such an amazing tan in the summer. Yum! And how many pastel Lacostes does he have that would go perfectly with these bad boys? (It's ridiculous, I swear.)


Not five minutes later, Mike comes in the door, bag in hand from our local men's clothier. "Look what I just picked up!"


Oh, how I love this man..

Sparkling and Glistening

What a week this has been. Getting back in the swing of things really is work! But we are there. Christmas decor has been taken down, and we are enjoying the new year, albeit not quite attune to all this cold weather we've been getting down south! We even had a bit of snow the day after Christmas! We had just enough to glisten on the ground and lightly cover the trees... Which is a wonderful segue to... My Christmas gift from my husband.

I have been debating whether to write this post or not. While I enjoy reading about others' treats and Christmas surprises, I normally... Oh well, what the heck. I love my gift and have spent the past week admiring it. It makes me happy!  (Call me superficial and materialistic if you must.) And when one gets excited about something... Well, she just wants to share!  See if you can tell the difference between these two pictures...

Christmas Eve  Christmas Morning
The pictures do not do it justice. (And my old lady hands are quite distracting...)

But I was just giddy with excitement when I opened the little green box. The diamond ring guard sitting so perfectly. And after adding it to her two friends already adorning my left hand, you better believe Mike got a big squeal and humongous hug and kiss!

Sparkling and Glistening,

ATTAINABLE Goals... 8 is Enough!

Here I am on January 1, 2011. And I am blah. I am a bit numb. I am unmotivated. I am in a rut.

Oh, I had a lovely Christmas. My house was beautifully decorated. I entertained and was entertained. My family lit the Advent candle and sporadically (not good, I know) read from the Gospel of Luke. I acted the part... much like I feel I have been doing for the past few months. It's easy. But I'm just tired now.

Enter Sherrie at Organizing Diva. Well at least vicariously through her blog! She has just posted her goals for the new year. And I really like how she has organized them in ten ORGANIZATION FOCUS AREAS.


I'm calling mine 8 is Enough. Basically because that's about all I can handle!

1) Spiritual
2) Financial
3) Fitness/Health
4) Beauty
5) Home
6) Family
7) Personal
8) Menu Planning

She then lists just a few goals - not resolutions, but ATTAINABLE GOALS. I stress attainable because if not, then what's the point? So here are mine...

1) Spiritual:
*Be diligent in my prayer life. Pray for something SPECIFIC for my husband and children every day.
*Family devotion at supper at least 3-4 nights a week. We were doing really well with this but have fallen by the wayside.
*Pray with boys every night. Even when I am exhausted OR they have made me crazy!

2) Financial:
*Stop impulse buying!
*Start S and J's commission for chores again. Why did I stop that? It really worked.

3) Fitness/Health:
*Drink 8 glasses of water (or Crystal Light - that counts in my book!)
*Eat less processed foods
*Exercise
*Lose 5 pounds each month until I reach MY comfort level. This will be the hardest...

4) Beauty:
*Wash face every night. Yes, many nights I do go to sleep without taking my make up off. Not good...
*Pedicures monthly
*Brow wax every 6 weeks

5) Home:
*Keep better laundry schedule. Get back on track with boys doing their laundry once a week.
*Take clothes/items to Goodwill on the tenth of every month. I know I will have at least ten things each month!
*Take 15 minutes every Saturday to clean out a drawer or closet. Yes, ONLY 15 a week. You'd think this wouldn't have to be a goal!

6) Family:
*Bi-Weekly date night with Mike. I know I should strive for weekly, but I'm doing ATTAINABLE here!
*Bi-weekly Family night. Family movie, game, etc. The boys really do love this...

7) Personal:
*Call my mother and sister more often.
*Mother/Daughter/Sister overnight visit every 2-3 months
*Call BFF more often
*Read at least 4 books this year. I know this is pitiful...

8) Menu planning:
*Weekly menus
*Grocery lists
*Inventory freezer
*Inventory pantry I'm using Entertaining Kitchen's Well-stocked Pantry to help me with this!
*Clip coupons

So here I go. Now that I've put in some thought - and have posted it for the world to see... I think I am ready. I am also copying this and putting it on my bathroom mirror. Say some prayers...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Decorating, decorating, decorating... I absolutely love this part of the preparations for Christmas. Mike laughs at me as I place each gold pinecone, each tiny present, and each gilded fruit so precisely on the mantle. I am ever so chastised as I move the gold wired ribbon a centimeter to the right or left. He shakes his head my exact placement of Santa and his sleigh. Those silly husbands just don't get it...

But I don't care. I love every second of my masterpiece. And afterwards, I curl up on my sofa with a glass of red wine. The Christmas music playing in the background. And with the roar of the fireplace and the Christmas tree a few yards away, I am happy with my preparations for Christmas.

Men in Skirts

This month my hubby was given the highest honor by our metropolitan issue of Skirt magazine. I'm sure most all of your cities have Skirt or a magazine like it. They are those free newspaper-ish monthly issues that spotlight local stores, trends, fashion, and the like. Ours is the Columbia/Augusta area.

Every month, the magazine chooses a man for their "He's So Original" piece. Mike says he really doesn't know why he was picked, so I'll give you my reasons. He's very active in our town's community. Tea Garden is a favorite store of many women around here. Also, I think he's pretty easy on the eyes!

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for...  

My husband - in a SKIRT!

Double-click on the picture to read parts of the article.

And yes, he is wearing MY Lilly skirt. 

(Thank goodness he couldn't zip up the back!)

No Tricks... But Bloggie Treats for Me!

I know today is Halloween and all, but yesterday was full of bloggie treats for me!  Yesterday was my town's Fall Steeplechase.  Much smaller and subdued than the full-blown soiree for the horse set (and just those who want to show off their new spring smocks and togs) in the spring, the October event is not quite as dressy an affair.  You see more jeans with dressy-casual tops for the ladies and khakis with polos for the men.

Yesterday we spent time at two spots.  The first was with the party we arrived, cute fun girlfriends and their families from my BUNCO group.  The second was with couples we knew from our Sunday School class.  Mike and I attend a VERY LARGE church in our town, and so our class is very representative of the size.  We know people in the class, but have never felt we really KNEW them.  Does that make sense?  Anyway, we decided to go visit their tent.

Oh my heavens... what did my rabid football fan of a husband discover when we made our way to the second spot?  Satellite television with the South Carolina/Tennessee game playing!  There was no turning back.  Some other husbands continue to hand him bourbon and cokes... Still no turning back.  South Carolina is playing well and is winning... Again, no turning back.  Whoo Hoo - we won!

Don't worry, I had fun too!  Look closely and see my latest Lilly purchase around my neck:  a cute gold turtle necklace purchased on the Nantucket trip!

But one of the highlights of the day was getting to know two fellow bloggers from my town even better.  Both were what I would call acquaintances from around town and our VERY LARGE church.  We knew each other's names.  Our husbands knew each other.  But that was about it.  Enter blog world... and, well you know what happens when I get to know fellow cute bloggers!  I HAVE to get to know them better... even if it means flying up the eastern seaboard to do it.  This time all I had to do was go to a horse race!

So without further ado, let me introduce them to you!

Aundrea, from The Road We're Own, is a precious girl.  She is an amazing mom to four children, has a true heart for God, and knows how to have fun in most everything she does.  I love her sense of humor - pretty dry, like mine.  Another plus is that her husband can mix quite a drink on demand...  that, I really love!  I have loved getting to know her both through her blogs and quick convos at our club pool over the summer.  With this girl, I look forward to lots more fun events together!

Monica, from Monica's World, is another mother of four - boys!  We have lots of fun talking about the antics of those testosterone-y creatures.  This chick is the most amazing writer.  She too has a heart for God and shares both her faith and everyday life events with honesty and humor.  If you haven't read her, you must!  She has chronicled the pregnancies and births of each of her boys in such a way I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my face! 

These girls know I am making these introductions... so please take a look at their blogs!

Hope you and your goblins had a wonderfully spooky Halloween!

... vs. What We Were Led to Believe

It's been a pretty hard week at Chez Bevy and I have not been really in the mood at all for blogging.  The only thing I have even been able to think about is how J was cut from his football team.  I am so mad and have quietly cried (without him knowing it) for the past few days.  Because J's birthday was three days before the cut off date, he was not able to play on the team with his peers.  He had to tryout for the older division with boys both older (some by two years), bigger, and more skilled than he is.  This "pee wee" football division has not had tryouts before and decided to this year.  (Tears are even forming in my eyes as I write this - I am so upset.)

I get competition. I get it.  I really do.  But I also get the fact that sportsmanship, team/player loyalty, and concern for the whole child was the primary vision for the organization - last year.  At least that is what we were led to believe.  I see now that winning is the primary vision.  I just sent the administrator a respectful and polite email telling him how my husband and I feel.  We are not trying to get J back on the team.  Right now I would rather have my eyeballs plucked out really don't want him to be a part of it.

Earlier last week and at his request, J and I prayed about the tryouts and asked for God's direction and what HE wanted.  My wonderful husband pointed this out after we got the devastating news:  maybe it was a blessing, and that playing football is not in God's plan for J this year.  I have to keep that in mind...

On the up side, J has taken up golf this summer and wants a new golf bag for his birthday next month... I think God must be a golf fan!

(Needle) Point Taken

I confess.  I have been a horrible blog friend this week.  With both boys' baseball play-offs going on this week, I have not had time to breath, let alone cook a decent meal... let along read your wonderful blogs!  And I do love them... really!  And I do love to leave comments.  (I am a comment "junkie" myself... I adore getting them!)  So I promise to catch up this weekend, sweet friends!

J's team is now out of the play-offs... very bitter sweet.  S's team has lost one game, but it's double elimination, so we keep on pitching, throwing, and batting.  I am secretly hoping that we only have one more game.  I know.  Bad Mama!

But I have found something to do while watching the games so I am not tempted to partake of the yummy, greasy fries so akin to baseball parks:  I am needlepointing my husband a belt.  I figure if I did it for my college boyfriend twenty years ago, I can certainly make one for my husband!  It is a steeplechase scene for all of the horsi-ness of our town.  He picked it out so it's not going to be a surprise.  But that's really better as I won't have to hide it!

Isn't it just the best?

You can almost see the first two rows of light green 

I had stitched when I took the picture.

But what am I to do when I am finished?  I am getting addicted!  I'm thinking of a cute keychain for myself and maybe gifts for the women in my family.  Hmmm....

A Weekend with Two Special Treats!

Most of you know that the boys have been away for the past week.  Yesterday, I picked them up at my mother's (they had been dropped off there... not really important enough reason why to explain!).  As I got out of the car, Sumter ran out of the house, wrapped his arms around me, and surprised me with,

"Mama, why are you so pretty?"

Sumter with

 his cousin  whom he adores!

And when sweet husband came home from the Masters

this evening, he had a surprise for me too!

 (This is the no lipstick look...)

 

I Love Your Blog Too

 
I have been given the I Love Your Blog Award two dear blog friends:  Housewife Bliss and Entertaining Mom at The Entertaining House!  Housewife Bliss is an ex-pat living across the pond who inspires us all to not only be gracious and thorough homemakers, but do it with a smile and more than just a bit of wit.  Love her!  Entertaining Mom is one of my favorites out there and has become more than just a comment on my blogs but a true friend I have turned to on more than one occasion!

I thank both of you and  I love that you love me back!

Now...I must

• List ten things that I love.
• Pass the award on to 5 blog friends.
• And link and thank my cute friends who gave the award to me.

Things that I absolutely love...

 1. The smell of Thymes Eucalyptus... 

so clean and fresh.

 

 2. When my husband sends me

flowers at school for no reason, 

just because he loves me.

3. The boys when they feel so

proud of themselves.

 

4. Bagpipes and Celtic music.

 

5. My annual beach trip with college friends, 

and knowing that after almost twenty years 

of doing this, it only gets better and better!

6. The smell of the mountains in the summer.

7. Fresh lilies and tulips in my home.

 

8. The boys snuggling up with us 

in our bed on Saturday mornings.

9. Entertaining friends and family.

10. Being a South Carolinian.

Here are the cute bloggers whom I have grown to love! 

(I love SO MANY of you, but didn't want to 

duplicate the award given by others...)

Monica's World 

Home of a Magnolia

Pink, Green & Southern

Bees and Fleur de lis

Molly Lou Gifts