The Center of the Universe

aka - Calhoun County, Florida

Before I let the Thanksgiving weekend get too far behind me, I thought I would post a few pictures from my weekend at home. Maybe it's the fact that all I see these days are cars, and pavement, and buildings. Whatever it is, I always cherish my time in Blountstown and being out in the great outdoors. Especially when I am with some of my favorite people.

When I got into town on Wednesday night, I got the rare opportunity to send some quality time with my brother Brad. He recently came into ownership of a {new} 1980s Jeep Scrambler. He already has one that he drove in high school, but it is out of commission right now. So, I think he is happy that he has one that runs really well! We loaded up the Scrambler and away we went. I hopped in and it felt like I was 14 again loading up to go to school. Except this new Scrambler has an actually working heater, so it was a nice change of pace from the other Scrambler. Oh and not to mention that it is like a blue camouflage. Ha! #classy

Anyways, we rode around the dirt roads around our farm and talked and just had a good time. Finally, we met up with David once he got into town later that night and rode around some more. I think Brad wanted to mess with David about his new Scrambler, since Brad has David's old Scrambler that he drove in high school (that's a lot of Scramblers!) and you know how guys and their toys are.

I also had the opportunity to go on a little boat adventure with my daddy. He, like all the men in my family, can come across the weirdest and craziest deals on random things. He got like a 1960ish boat from someone in town for like a trade of oranges or something. So, I finally got to go with him out for a spin on the Chipola River. We put in at a landing near our house and rode up to a place called Look and Tremble to go look at the "rapids" or the closest thing to rapids that Calhoun County has. It was a great trip and I enjoyed my one-on-one time with my daddy.

Not to mention the fact that the Chipola River is THE most gorgeous river in the world! It was particularly dashing all decked out in its fall colors finest.
David and I also got to get in some good one-on-one time riding around his family's land. We saw all kinds of animals. Everything from hogs, to deer, to even some Mallard ducks, which are very rare in that part of the swamp. Sadly in my effort to try and get a picture, I scared them off before I could snap a photo :-( We also got to see a Bald Eagle flying over the Big River (Apalachicola).

David got a little hunting in, but not really. Mainly just opportunity hunting. He did manage to get a nice hog. It was a unique hog in some ways. It was a blueish-gray color and I have never seen a wild hog quite that color before. I was there of course to document!

It was such a gorgeous weekend. Lots of time in the swamp. Lots of time walking the woods. Perfection!

Moxley had a blast running through the woods, and especially when we got out of the truck to walk along the river. He is funny, however. Apparently the back of the truck isn't good enough for him. He quite prefers the cab riding shotgun- in my lap. I love that puppy!

All in all, it was a very relaxing, low-key weekend. I even got to do a little shopping in Panama City with my mom!

Oh- and the best part of the weekend!! GOOOO GATORS! We totally spanked those Criminoles! Bragging rights for another year. That works for me!

One Year Ago...

One year ago, I was home for the Thanksgiving holidays. On the off chance that David was home for the holidays, I sent him a text message to come join us over at my brother's for a bonfire where some of us had gathered. I hadn't seen David since a year prior when he came home for our 10 year high school reunion and before that, I had only seen him sporadically throughout the years since we graduated from high school. David was always one of my closest friends and I was hoping he was around so we could catch up- well that, and because I didn't want to be the only singleton hanging out in a group with a bunch of married folk!

Thankfully, he actually responded to my text message and came over to hang out. Without a doubt, that was the best text message I have ever sent. I thought I would simply get to see an old friend. I had no idea that I was about to reconnect with one of my most favorite people, and that we would actually begin dating.

When it all started - November 26, 2011

One year later - November 22, 2012

After our initial meeting in 2011, we just began chatting on the phone and via text messages. Day by day, I was reminded just what an incredible person David is and how much I have adored him our whole lives. Of all the boys in our group of friends growing up, David was always my favorite to hang out with. I even knew how wonderful he was back in kindergarten when I rewarded him with a kiss for winning a game of colors on the computer. We go a long way back and have many, many memories. The best part is, we have made many new memories and I can't wait to see what new memories we make going forward.

I love how he doesn't mind if I drag him to 1,000s of historical sites

How he is willing to go on boat rides

Or go listen to music

Or help put together toys for Barrett

Or gets all dressed up to take me out for a night on the town

Or  lets me take a million photos

Or minds having a wiener dog sit shotgun

Or lets me join his family on vacation

Or minds going nuts with me

Or lets loose and has fun with me

Or lets having all my kids hang all over him

Or laughs with me at my antics on the beach

Ok... I do think he minded this photo session- but he's allowed :-)

He makes me laugh. He just gets me. And I love that about him. He understands where I come from. We both share an intense passion for all things Calhoun County/Blountstown related. That place runs through our veins and it's wonderful to be able to be with someone who appreciates the "center of the universe" as we like to call our little neck of the woods.

I'm a very lucky lady to have this wonderful man in my life. He gives me roots and he gives me wings. The perfect combination.

So, happy anniversary, David. I love you to the moon and back!

hee, hee! I couldn't resist!

Thanksgiving 2012

Today it's back to reality after a glorious 4 day weekend. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving at home with my family. It's really hard to get back into the swing of things this morning at work after being spoiled all weekend.

Cute little Thanksgiving napkins my mom found

Mom always makes sure that the table is festive for Turkey Day. She did a little fall theme this year.

We even pulled out my grandparent's turkey-thing that they have had for as long as I can remember.

It's always nice to pull out a little reminder or two of your family that can't be there with you to celebrate.
Of course, we ate way too much food. It was so good. I love Thanksgiving time and all the food that we only eat once a year.

Daddy and his BFF, Wilson getting the meat carved

I made Stacey's favorite carrot cake. It's a Southern Living recipe and oh-so delicious! Too bad I didn't take a picture to document all my hard work!

It was a pretty laid back day. This was David's first Thanksgiving that he has spent with us, and hopefully he will be spending many more Thanksgivings to come!

Barrett had a very captive audience with David!

Barrett got to show us all of his Thanksgiving arts and crafts that he has made. It was really cute :-)

And no Thanksgiving would be complete without a little photo taking.

Somehow Daddy and David managed to escape the camera! They are sneaky things!

I will have to post some more pictures from the weekend to capture all my adventures. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xoxo