madimovingday

This momentous day is here, the last baby bird flees the nest next door…

As Madison pulls out of the driveway, her life will pass before her mom's eyes. All those years, the four little ones playing together, or fighting, time spent in the car or in the kitchen or camping or watching television, the Christmas cookie baking, the empty peanut butter jars, the braces, cross-country, cheerleading, piano lessons, soccer games, chorus, the Halloween costumes, the laughs, the tears, sleepovers, birthday cakes, the mean girls, the prom dresses, the packing for college, the life…

All of that is in the past now, those old juvenile memories, all PC (pre-college). On to make new memories, new friends. On to the next step. BamaBound is not just a college destination, it is a life-changing event! Go Crimson Tide! Hello Big AL! Roll Tide! 

After all the prep and waiting and anticipation, it is finally time and Madison is more than ready. Time to put LIJ in her rearview mirror. Time to spread her wings. There are places to go and people to meet and adventures to be had. Look out world!

all my bags are packed I'm ready to go...

Just don't forget where you came from, your roots started in Georgia coastal sand and are now deeply embedded in Georgia mountain red clay. A Georgia Peach, a Southern girl through and through. Know that we are all very proud of you and are looking forward to hearing all about college, so if you have any spare time maybe post something on social media occasionally for us folks who are waiting to hear. There are these new things out there like Facebook and Twitter that you might want to check out to connect and keep in touch :)

I tried to think of some advice but you already do and know everything just right, so just keep on... follow your arrow wherever it points :)

The family trailer is loaded, along with 2 cars full, move over traffic, this caravan is Bama Bound!

#madimovingday is here

Sophie says RTR could be Roll Tide Roll but 'round here it is roll tears roll...

advice4madi

I asked around if anyone had any advice for Madison going off to college...

I wasn't sure if anyone would respond, I figured the elders would like to impart their worldly wisdom, but it was the younger folks with the most advice, mostly those who are still in college or recently graduated. Thanks to all the friends, family, and teachers for the advice. And then there is Heidi, who took this very seriously and wrote an advice term paper :)

From Heidi:

Make friends with the people on your hall.  You’ll see them more than just about anyone else on campus and likely will have to borrow toilet paper or toothpaste from them at some point.

Get to know the custodians and maintenance folks who service your residence hall.  You never know when you’ll need their help, but they’ll surely remember a friendly face when you do.

Make friends with the financial aid secretary.  S/he will be the first to know about new scholarships and will begin matching faces and names to the requirements on those pots of money.

Being the DD for a good group of friends has its perks.  Incriminating photos and stories come in handy down the road.

Find the nearest Waffle House, Huddle House, or other local diner.  All-nighters aren’t complete without an abundance of coffee and greasy food.  Val, the waitress always working the night shift for the YHC students, attended our graduation and got a standing ovation from us all.  I think the tips we left put her son through college.

Labs with a TA are the saving-grace of ANY class held in a 350-person auditorium.

The first time you make anything less than an A will be an upsetting day, but the upside is that you realize life doesn’t end and your future profession doesn’t suffer either.  In fact, that frightening, gut-wrenching experience turns out to be one of the most liberating experiences of college.

Find out when each campus ministry (Wesley Foundation, BSU, CCF, etc) meets and offers a free (or inexpensive) meal.  Many churches provide potlucks or home-cooked meals for the campus ministries and are a life-saver when the dining hall food loses its appeal and your bank account is tapped out.

If you have to do laundry with quarters, start saving them NOW!  They can be like gold on campus and can be traded for many other items often in demand.

Tailgate with friends during football season.  It’s an education all its own.

Listening to the band while they warm-up at pre-game…Priceless.

Live a little beyond studying.  It won’t be the end of your academic career, but it will let you experience the other side of college life.

Find the least-visited area of the library with a comfy chair and claim it as your own.  Naps in these hallowed places are a God-send in between classes when you can’t get back to your dorm for a power nap.

Stash a well-folded $20 bill in an inconspicuous pocket in your backpack.  You’ll forget it’s there until you need it most.

Get involved with the student/campus activities board.  You’ll then have front-row access to all the best entertainment on campus and will learn how to setup sound and lighting for future events back home, too.

The microwave in your room is your friend.  You can make just about any tasty meal you like with this handy device.  A Crock Pot and a stack of recipe cards will make you the most popular person on your hall.

Show some love to your resident director (RD) and resident assistants (RAs).  They have a very hard job and will be there when you lock yourself out of your room or are feeling homesick.  If they have pet-privileges, they’ll also love to call on you for pet-sitting when they need to be off-campus.  In return, you get to love on some furry friends and enjoy a living space away from your roommate for a spell.

independence day

Independence Day

a.k.a. Kyle's moving away

the day is finally here

the one you've been waiting for

independence ∙ on your own

your first apartment

no curfew ∙ no one watching

don't go!

no one telling you what to do

no one telling you right from wrong

you know what is right

you know what to do

it is up to you now

must you go?

be safe

I wish you still had your helmet

and training wheels

so you wouldn't get hurt

and a boundary of yard

and driveway to keep you safe

round and round you would go

I wish your wheels

still just went round in circles

instead of out and away

but it is time to move on

no boundaries now

if you must go...

looks aren't everything

don’t be defined by things

be yourself ∙ be genuine

it's what's on the inside that counts

which one learns by being stranded

on the side of the road in a really cool-looking car

stay don’t go!

get a job and work real hard

pay your bills and rent on time

study lots and make good grades

learn to shop and cook

to save some dough

if you have to go…

cooking at granma's

every once in a while

take your eyes off the phone/TV/laptop

take a break ∙ take a deep breath

look around ∙ count your blessings

take a walk ∙ take a hike

can I go?

don't let the laundry or dishes pile up

keep the gas tank and pantry full

don’t run out of soap or shampoo or TP

call your mom often just because

some granma advice

for when you go

call me if you are in a ditch or in a bind

or if you need advice or a recipe or a hug

call me with good news or bad

or don’t call me at all

but a text would be nice

do you really have to go?

call your mom

if you need a home cooked meal

or bargain shopping tips

or help with financial aid

or homework or just to vent

then call your mom

you don't really have to go...

driving on life's highway

watch out for the other guy

be prepared for anything

just keep it between the lines

buckle up and stay grounded

it's time to go…

wheels go on the ground

be strong ∙ be safe ∙ be smart

be good ∙ have fun

don't forget I know where you live

and please don't forget that you

know where I live

bye for now, Kyle

enjoy your freedom!

love, granma Susan

keep smiling!

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Watch your words, they become actions.

Watch your actions, they become habit.

Watch your habits, they become character.

Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

~Lao Tzu

vintage

Vintage tunes on the stereo - LP albums stacked on the floor, lots of art. The old turntable no longer works so the new fangled CDs will have to do for now. 

Elton John's Daniel is playing and our own Daniel looks up and says, "I was named after that song!"

Family gathered round looking at wedding and PK pictures, helping us celebrate our 40th anniversary!

 

Grandpa Buddy upgrades to iPhone so now we can all text him! 

Melissa made good ribs and cake. Carrie showed Dad some iPhone tricks. Keith literally took the case off of his phone and put it onto Buddy's new one - OtterBox heavy duty protection!

Good food and good times, thanks all for a great day!

Coca Cola Cake - yum!