On Floyd Time

Drew used to call what we live on "Indian time" but since we live in Floyd now it's become "Floyd time." In other words nothing is on time, no one is in a hurry and things may get done today and they may not get done until next summer. Clearly this has become my approach to this blog as well.

Here are some highlights (or low points depending on how you look at them) since my last update:

Drew totaled our car. He's fine and we got a bigger Subaru which the dogs seem to be enjoying.

We found a "new home" for our rooster and adopted 4 more hens. They're a pretty multicultural group now. 



Both our dogs have had emergency vet trips. One of them has had 2 hip replacements and the other diagnosed with Lyme's. I spent this past Tuesday morning walking in a grassy patch beside of our vet while a male nurse chased after us trying to catch Dolly's pee in a metal pan. These are the moments that I think I should have my own reality TV show. I could be one year into a PhD program with what we have paid in vet bills since June.


I successfully stayed by myself without getting scared for the first time since living in Floyd.


I go back and forth between adoring my students and cursing them. Usually under my breath but when a fire drill went off in the middle of an awesome review game on Friday I cursed out loud which they seemed to thoroughly enjoy. Moments of "you changed my life, Mrs. Moore-Hubbard" and the creation of CD's for me called "Napoleon's pre-game mix tape" are closely followed by "which month comes after October?" and "wait, wasn't Martin Luther King our first black president?" That is why I go back and forth between thinking I will do this forever and I can't do it for one more day. My fickleness strikes again.


Speaking of which I might be ready to move. Thoughts on Asheville? Or Ireland? Those are the two leading contenders in our household right now. All that's stopping us is figuring out how to travel across the Atlantic with a couple of sick pups and a flock of multicultural hens?


Drew's the same. Thank God. There's not a fickle bone in his body. He's cutting wood all the time and skinny as a rail. He has taken to baking his own bread and he's become quite the coffee snob. The only bad thing about him is how much he wants me to be happy. Sounds crazy but whenever I come home saying "I want to make a living peddling eggs" or "Let's bring the chickens inside" he's always supportive but he's learning I sometimes need a strong hand which is why only one of the chickens has been inside and just for a minute....


I have the best of intentions of updating again soon.....

As of late

So here's what's happened here lately.

• I've been working on my classroom, I'll post pictures when I'm finished but here's a sneak peek. 

• Drew and Ike hiked Mt. Rogers, they were supposed to stay gone for two nights but the rain sent them home early. There were lots of critters from what I understand: ponies, turkeys, cows and mice. Hate that I missed that. 

• We watched the Grand Budapest Hotel. It was so much fun. 
• I made cobbler for the first time in my life. 

• I met my hometown friends and their babies for lunch in Abingdon at Wild Flour Bakery. Lunch was scrumptious. And they were super nice. Especially considering all of the profanity coming from our table (just storytelling). 
• Ike got another barkbox. 

• We visited a lovely little church in Floyd on Sunday. It was mostly older people but they were so nice and the sermon was just what we needed. Funny how God does that. 

• I read Jesus Feminist. Don't let the f word scare you. As Sarah Bessey says "Most of what has passed for a description of feminism is fearmongering misinformation. This is my favorite excerpt: 

"Our big and good God is at work in the world, and we have been invited to participate fully-however God gifted and equipped and called each of us. One needn't identify as a feminist to participate in the redemptive movement of God for women in the world. The gospel is more than enough. ...But as long as I know how important maternal health is to Haiti's future, and as long as i know that women are being abused and raped, as long as i know girls are being denied life itself through selective abortion and abandonment and abuse, as long as brave little girls in Afghanistan are attacked with acid for the crime of going to school, and until being a Christian is synonymous with doing something about these things, you can also call me a feminist."

Her book is so encouraging to women and so empowering to those who have been held back for so long. But she also talks about forgiveness in situations where the church has hurt us. "Let's pray for them, forgive them where they have hurt us, and pray for those wounded in our collective cross fire. Let's be gentle in our dealings with them, but then let's get on with it." 

Read it. Woman. Man. Daughter. Son. Mother. Father. Read it. You'll be glad you did.

• And most importantly: Ike slept in his own bed last night! 

Stay tuned for news on my latest purchase:

Long Weekends

 

 We left for our anniversary trip last Thursday and stopped over in Williamsburg for delicious sandwiches at The Cheese Shop. We, of course, had Ike with us so we required outdoor seating. But it was a nice day and the little historical square had doggy bowls all around filled with water.

 

We had time to kill so we wandered over to "colonial" Williamsburg. We passed a sign that said "thank you for paying for your ticket" which we did not do. It was very sunny and seeing as we are both pasty white and did not want to get burnt before we ever got to the beach, we didn't spend much time there. Although their flowers were lovely. 

 

 

We left Williamsburg and drove straight to the beach. Ike was pretty comical. He, like me, is not a big fan of water so he did not quite know what to think of it so he took to eating all of the crap that had washed up on the beach.

 

 

Thursday night we ordered pizza and rented Monument's Men. Then watched Blackfish and went to sleep depressed. 

 

 

The next morning we were on the beach before 9:00 and it was quite chilly. So I looked like this for the first 3 hours.... We ate lunch at a little place on the beach where Ike could be tied right next to us which was a good thing because I proceeded to feed him every bite of my fish tacos which were shit.

The crab dip was on point though. 

That night we found some perfect crab leg grub at this little million year old hole in the wall. Drew ended up with sun burnt feet despite my warnings that feet are the worst thing that can be sun burnt.

We listened to The Fault In Our Stars on audiobook in the way there and home. I had heard mixed reviews. One of my friends loathed it. But we found it rather enjoyable. I mean it's very sad but I loved the dialogue and Augustus Waters charmed me. I thought John Greene did a great job writing for teenagers (although they had a very advanced vocabulary). 

 

Sunday we had a cookout on our roof with some friends. I love summer foods, they're so colorful. We grilled pork chops and corn and enjoyed cilantro dip and spinach salad. Our friends, Sarah & Ben (and little one on the way) are moving to Pittsburgh next month so we are trying to get in all of the Taylor time we can. They are the friends who make us want to have kids. They are so thoughtful about each detail of little one to come and we love listening to their thoughts on the whole affair. Also we relate well on familial matters. :) 

Monday we enjoyed a baseball game with our North Carolinian friends but it was rather warm. I disappointed everyone by not eating as much as normal but I did probably get the award for drinking the most water and requiring the most sunscreen.

Yesterday we ended our amazingly long weekend by heading over to water the garden. I can't wait to have more colorful foods fresh from our own garden. Hope your weekend was relaxing but full of friends and food.

On another note, I'm halfway through The Book Thief right now. What are you all reading?

Sharing is Caring

I'd like to share some things with you. Cool products. Recipes a generous term for what I'll really share And other people's words of wisdom.

First of all: Barkbox. This is a message from Ike for all of his doggy friends. We just recently signed up and just received our first box yesterday. I, of course, forgot to take a picture of it. But it 2 different bones, 2 bags of treats and a toy. Here he is with a new bone.

Second: Mocha Club. If you follow the link and watch the video you can get a brief overview of the idea. Essentially they support development projects in Africa. I pay $9 a month. That's basically me giving up 2 peppermint mochas a month to give to something that matters. Watch this video, you won't be sorry. You can join me here. And, this is totally not the point but I received this beautiful scarf made by African women as a gift for joining.

Third: Dinner. I don't do soup. My family has soups for Christmas dinner and my mom has already bribed me by telling me she'll order me a cheeseburger after everyone has left. This soup, admittedly was kinda like groul. But those little zucchini spears were little slices of heaven. Make them. Put them in a skillet with a little olive oil, add some seasoned salt and pepper when they're done and call yourself a chef. Drew fell in love with me all over again as a result of these. Totally worth the bad alleged "chowder" recipe to find this good one. (Thanks emeals!)

Fourth: New Girl. If you haven't watched it, just do it already. Don't put it off any longer. It's the second best decision you'll ever make after you make those zucchini spears.

Fifth: Duck Dynasty. My real thoughts (or some similar) are found here and here.

Sixth: Dip some pretzels and some Ritz peanut butter crackers in white chocolate and call yourself a candy maker. Don't make the peppermint fudge that the Pioneer Woman will tell you to. It isn't good. But if you make it anyway just because it looks festive, give it to your neighbors. (worked for me).

My husband is currently ice-skating with his bff. Enjoy that mental picture friends. I'm off to spend the afternoon with my friend JoAnn. (the fabric store)

Thankfulness Recently

Lately, I'm grateful for:

Friends who can enjoy some trivia after a successful semester.

A good book that I can read for pleasure and still learn from.

A (discounted) membership at the YMCA to whip this butt into shape after the holidays (and hopefully help my cyber Monday jeans to fit a little better).

4 hour long car ride conversations with my husband.

Memories of past holidays with my mamaw and the ability to cling to them this year.

A snuggly puppy to be lazy with on my days off.

Time to reflect on the Christmas season before rushing all around during the holiday.

A Packer's comeback victory over the Cowboys.

Getting Christmas cards in the mail every day.

Pictures of this cutie patootie in her new hat.

And I'm thankful for a family who will still gather without our matriarch to honor and remember her this Christmas.

Hope you all are enjoying this holiday season and not feeling overwhelmed or rushed. Take a moment to breathe in the winter air and listen to this song, it will help remind you why this season is important.

 

Moving On

Past

Well first of all, we've been skunked again. Our poor Ikey still reeks from a skunking incident that happened a week ago tomorrow. It happened the morning of my meeting with my site supervisor at my blocking placement, I repeatedly apologized for the odor.

And worse than that I unknowingly gave my students suckers that both smelled and tasted like skunk on Friday. They had been innocently sitting on my kitchen counter the morning of the incident. However, when they asked me why they tasted/smelled like skunk I told them that the Dollar Tree must not keep their candy very fresh. Yes, I feel guilty. But it was much easier to lie to them knowing I'll never see them again. Friday was my last day in my high school placement.

Present

 I miss those kiddos. I had some sweet kids. I had some kids who were going through tougher situations than any 15 year old should ever have to go through and they made my days brighter. I think of them often and I hope they find their way. They are all so full of strength.

It's too early to tell how I feel about my middle school placement, suffice it to say it will be different. But I'm not yet sure if it's a good or a bad different.

Future

In more life-changing type news: Drew accepted a new position at a company in Salem, VA. We are so excited for him to begin this new job and for this to hopefully be the first step towards us moving where we feel pulled: Roanoke.

I've requested to do my student teaching in Roanoke in the spring and if we can lease our house we could be moving as soon as December. It's been a bit of a whirlwind but it has been an awesome ride. We are so grateful for God's timing and are praying that we can immerse ourselves into the community He has for us.

Also, we are signed up to run the Color Me Rad 5K this weekend with Drew's parents and sister. I'm excited for them to come visit but in the interest of full disclosure, we have done no little training. It should be interesting (read: embarrassing).

 

I hope that fall wherever you are is as beautiful as it is here in the Appalachian mountains.

 

Skunked

We co-lead a small group with another couple which means every other Tuesday night there are about 10 people in our living room talking about marriage, Jesus, hurt, and healing. And eating cake. Last night was like any other small group night, I had let Ike outside because he was too excited for all of the company.

This is pre-skunk. Being his regular ol' cute self yesterday afternoon.

As I started through the kitchen to let him back in I could smell it through the wall of the house: skunk. I opened the door to smell him and before I could he took off into the living room (where our guests didn't know what hit them). So just like that the smell spread from the patio outside through the kitchen and into the living room. Then as Drew drug him back through the kitchen and into the bathroom.

Needless to say we slept with our windows open last night. I gave him about 3 baths while small group finished up and he turned absolutely pitiful. I face-timed with my family and while he normally is right in front of the phone trying to get to them, he ran away. Ashamed I presume.

Then he started shaking. I'm hoping it's because he was still wet and we had all of the windows open. So I put the poor little guy to bed and covered him up. He seems to have recovered last night, but my guess is he'd like to get ahold of that little %!#@* today. I know I would.

And post-skunk. His behavior eerily reminded me of how he acted after he had his balls chopped off. Poor guy.

Men in the House

This week I have a house full of men, not boys. The usual 2 are here and my brother is staying with us this week. My baby brother has grown up. The conversations he and Drew have are impressive sometimes but most other times they are ridiculously silly. All the way home until he and I fell asleep we talked about less than superb teachers he'd had and what he didn't like about them as I took mental notes to not be that teacher.

We are heading to the Community Center in a bit and I suspect my days of beating him in basketball are over. He's officially taller than me now.

Drew has been tilling for 2 days straight. I suspect he won't be much count on the basketball courts because his arms are still vibrating. But oh I can't wait to plant seeds!!!

 

 

Ike got filthy digging in the fresh dirt of the garden so he had to have a bathtub and now according to Bryce he "smells like medicine."

 

 

 

I like having a full house. I'll be sad when Bryce is back home and Drew is back to work but I'm hoping to have plenty of company when it gets warmer. Namely a stubborn little baby girl that just won't make her arrival. I've even grown accustomed to the mess, so bring your mess and come visit, one and all!

 



 





Motherhood

Disclaimer: If you don't own a dog or love dogs, then please don't read this post. You will not understand and it will likely freak you out. Because I'm about to gush.

Today we celebrated Ike's birthday. Technically, he is 2 (we think) but we are just celebrating our first year with him. We actually don't know his technical birthday and the anniversary of the day we got him was actually a couple of weeks ago. But things have been a little hectic around here we wanted to catch Ike off guard so we had an impromptu party tonight!

I stopped by our awesome pet store in town today to pick up some toys and knee caps for my little man and decided today would be a great day to celebrate. His gifts included: a duck, a raccoon, a kong filled with peanut butter and of course the knee caps. Oh and we had cake!

I added his name in chocolate chips myself.

Ike enjoyed a good portion of the icing and a small slice of cake. Along with some chicken pot pie out of the garbage to top it all off. All in all, I'd say he's had a good day.

You know how people dedicate certain blog posts to their children, especially on their birthdays. It's kind of cool actually; their kids can read it one day as a love letter to them. Well that's my approach to this post for Ike. I spent the better part of my phone convo with my sister today trying to convince her that we have no proof at all that dogs can't read. So for you dear Ikey, my stinka....

The gushing: I love this little guy so much. He is the light of my life. I will argue with anyone who would tell me that I could love a kid more. I don't think it's possible. He is so loving and sweet. He never gets mad at me, even when I am gone all day. He is the best cuddle buddy. Oh and he's brilliant. He plays with himself and entertains Drew and I both constantly. He always greets me at the door, jumping as high as he can because he's excited to see me. He's a mama's boy and doesn't listen to a word his daddy says. He loves people. We go to the dog park and he wants to say hi to every being on 2 legs there. He's an attention hog and loves to be petted. He likes to chew on sticks and water bottles. He loves scrambled eggs and waffles. He sighs so contently when Drew and I are both finally home and sitting on the couch. He stays right by my side and never has to be leashed or tied up. He would sun-bathe on the patio all day if I would let him. He has more personality than most people I know. He winks at me. If this sweet baby didn't shed I would not hesitate in calling him perfect.

God knew what he was doing when he told us to go to the shelter that day. He has been the biggest blessing to both of us. Even as I sit here and type he got up out of bed to come sit up with me.

What a sweet boy. And P.S. in case you were wondering I do not think he is ugly. There have been some misconceptions about this. I think he is the most handsome puppy I know. And if you feel the need to tell me he's ugly, then after this post you should know how I will feel about you.

Hallelujah and amen.

Also Ike requested I give a shout-out to his favorite aunt, Salty dog.

Operation: GMCB and life

For those of you who have known me for very long, you know the life-long battle I have had with my hair. I was cursed with blessed with naturally curly hair. I, actually, used to have beautiful curls. However, I have straightened them and straightened them until now I have a fuzzy mess atop my head at all times. When my hair dries naturally it is no longer curly but wavy to a certain point, then straight and very fuzzy.

I recently found, on pinterest, some suggestions for making the most of your curly hair. Admittedly, most of them were things my sister had suggested to me for years and I chose to ignore. But I was inspired. I made Drew hide my straightener and I am in. Whole-heartedly. I have already seen some improvement. But I'm calling this Operation: Get my Curls Back!

This was day one, one week ago. I definitely need to find the products that work best on my hair because the products I had on hand were sub par.

So far the changes I have made:

Not using a straightener. Ever. At All. For any reason.
Not washing my hair everyday.
Rinsing my hair in cold water.
Conditioning! (I never used to do this)
Drying my hair with one of Drew's old T-shirts instead of a towel.

I will keep you posted on the status of my fuzzy mess. I am hopeful that once I find the products I want to use that I can have beautiful hair again. Oh and going home this weekend to get my hair colored to cover the ever-increasing grey. I know that isn't good for my hair but call me crazy I'm not ready to be grey-headed at the age of 23.

In other news, I start school tomorrow! I'm so excited but after 17 years of school, still nervous. I'm feeling better everyday about my decision to do Education. Don't get me wrong, history is still my passion but everywhere I turn I see more reasons to invest in the future of our youth. Watch Waiting for Superman. (you can watch the whole thing on youtube). It makes me want to be back in D.C. like yesterday. My dearest friend in the whole world is in the Mississippi Delta doing her part to bridge the gap and she suggested I watch the movie. I had no idea how hard it would hit me.

 

So, obviously, there are some changes happening around here. In really good news, Drew has been moved to Pulaski which has cut his commute in half! Hooray! He is much happier and so are Ike and I. He gets more sleep and no longer spends more time in the car in a day than he does with us. He is going to be playing softball this fall with Northstar so he's pumped about that. Oh and his boyfriend David is back in town for school so he is happy as a clam.

 

I have been taking Ike to the dog park every day. He has made lots of new friends and is able to run out some energy. He's a bit lazy compared to some of the other dogs and is usually the smallest but he holds his own. Except for when he gets scared and runs over to hide between my legs. He is such a weirdo but I love him. I'm hoping he adjusts to my new school schedule well, he has gotten very used to having me around 24/7.

 

 

That's an update on the happenings here on Bishop Road. Life is changing and moving forward, we're just trying to keep up.

 

 

 

Jesus Never Fails.