Patricia

Not our best photo...I'll have to deframe and scan my favorites!

I have had this on my mind for a few weeks now and I'm excited to be getting around to it :). I'll count it as my second Request & Dedication (minus "Request" since it's not applicable - I have yet to come up with a clever name).

In 1995...through colorguard at Bama...I met Patricia. I remember one of our first conversations sitting out on the field...we'll say - near the 20 yard line - and just talking; fiddling with the grass. At the time...it (the conversation) was about a boy. I'm sure it often was.

She was a constant in my Tuscaloosa experience...and someone whom I learned so much from. Much of it came to light later for me, but it did eventually come. Though a student of social work, I think it's fair/honest to say...that I majored in colorguard. Most of my memories certainly include her...we traveled together, practiced and performed together, drove through looking at Christmas lights (woo-hoo!), attended and hosted parties, shared holidays & music...and laughed. Her family welcomed me into their home for a lovely Christmas (?) one year; her mother gifted me baby muffin pans - which I still have a crush on :). Baby muffins...what's not to adore? ...And each time I returned to Tuscaloosa before the dorms re-opened from the holidays (typically to prepare for a bowl game peformance), she allowed me a place to crash.

I helped her move to Jacksonville, FL...and was honored to be a part of her wedding. We drifted apart during what I unaffectionately term the "year from hell' in Charlotte. I'm quite sure the drifting was mine to claim, as I was remarkably unhappy. However...a bright and very special event during that time...was an unexpected gift from a thoughtful, generous, and expecting-nothing-in-return Patricia. There was a necklace of hers which I had admired for YEARS. Patricia sent it to me while living in Charlotte...to help me through that time. It reached my heart in a way - and through a path - which I certain was closed for extended renovations. To this day, it (the necklace) is one of my most prized positions and also remains one of the best unexpected gifts I've received. I'm certain that people come in and out of our lives - leaving their distinctive impression - for specific reasons/periods of time. To that end, she educated me as only she could...and was someone I looked up to (and still do) in terms of ambition, discipline, and continued growth.

I've missed her...and we've written a bit recently. I am hopeful...and prayerful...in our rekindling...and hope to fill the place in my heart earned & reserved specifically for this special friendship.

Rather than a song...I am dedicating a (1) a favorite video of ours, and (2) a favorite commerical. Hope you love them, Pattywak!

77 Years Young...

Yesterday, August 12th, was Granddaddy's 77th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Elliott!!

Brenda & Max treated Grandmama & Granddaddy both to a lovely [birthday] shrimp dinner from Rhineharts; YUM! (...we couldn't remember the last time Grandmama had shrimp!) They enjoyed it so much and ate in the comfort of Grandmama's room @ NHC.

Between the homecooked meals from Brenda over the weeks

(black-eyed peas + cornbread!),

the super tasty chicken & ribs from Mike & Teresa on Sunday

(and various other plates a-la M&T over the weeks),

a steak dinner from Kimmey & me Monday night,

and Rhineharts last night...I'd say Granddaddy has had some pleasant breaks in his recently adopted diet of sandwiches + canned beans and Vienna sausage (ick).

Grandmama in one of her new "workout" outfits...

The birthday boy! (...ever the smiler.)
Granddaddy & Brenda

Shrimp!!!

Terms & Conditions

Meigs/Mealing/Roseland Weight Loss Challenge!!!

As agreed on by all members, August 11th, 2008.

♦ Official Challenge Dates:

Start date - 8/11/08

End date - 12/15/08

♦ Only Challenge members will know each other’s weights.

♦ We wish ALL members success.

This is, afterall, a contest.

Trash talk is welcome & expected.

I. Each member will put $25.00 in the pot;

you can make payments if necessary :).

II. Members will weigh in each Sunday; one member of

ANOTHER team must be present to confirm weight.

III. If any member gains [any amount of weight] during the week,

they must put an additional $5.00 in the pot (flat fee for weight gain).

IV. Team with the highest percentage of

weight lost…wins the challenge!

The pot will be split evenly amongst the winning team.

Slight change up in the teams!!!

♦ Team Mealing♦

Max & Brenda

♦ Team Meigs♦
Teresa & Mike

♦ Team Roseland (Rose + Strickland)♦

Amanda, Kimmey, & Daryl

Here we go Team Rose, here we go *clap* clap*!!

The gist...

My aunt & uncle (Brenda & Max)...stated Saturday that they would begin Weight Watchers today (Monday...the 11th); I said, "cool....I'll do it as well".

Sunday...Brenda called and said "it's on". Another aunt & uncle (Teresa & Mike) would begin their efforts to lose weight as well...hence, a competition/weight-loss challenge was born.

(Cue dramatic music.)

...So it would be the Meigs versus the Mealings.

At this point my cousin, Kimmey, and I formed a

third team...the Roses (we share our middle name).

So...now...it's really on.

We weigh in tonight and lay out the terms of the competition.

I'm excited and plan to blog our progress :).

I'll share pounds lost each week...or every two weeks...whatever we decide this evening.

Hope everyone has a great first day (!)...trash talk to begin

once terms of challenge have been negotiated.

Until then...the players are below...

Team Mealing (Max & Brenda)

Team Meigs (Teresa, Mike, and Daryl)

TEAM ROSE!!! (Amanda & Kimmey)

Pineapple, pineapple, pineapple.

A month or so ago...I was flipping through the channels and stopped on QVC because I was fascinated by a demo they were doing - which featured a pineapple slicer. I showed the video to several people...my supervisor, Lisa, being one of them. She was also intrigued, so we ordered the gadget via QVC's website. You can watch the video that convinced me to buy it here; you can also drag the marker dealio and skip the intro.

I've been dying to try it out and was stoked that the coworker - whose name I had drawn in our drawing-of-names-for-birthday-treats - had requested fruit for his birthday. Alas (!), an occasion to use the slicer!

I am giddy to report that it works exactly as advertised, and think my red cutting board provides a particularly lovely contrast. Lisa did the honors...check it out...


In an unrelated story... I had a solo (singing) once in our Christmas choral performance at school (we were living in Mississippi at the time). We sang I song called "I Want", and the lyric I was meant to sing by myself was..."I want a camera". I was terrified and barely whispered the words into the mic during the performance. My step-mother at the time told me after the performance...that I might as well have sung "pineapple, pineapple, pineapple"...no one would have known the difference. I thought of that when trying to come up with a title for this post. Put me on a field (with a flag to spin) in front of thousands & thousands of people - I'm okay (ROLL TIDE!). Put me on a stage in front of 200 people and ask me to speak or sing - I shut down. Go figure.

TLC

Grandmama requested that I shear (I don't love the word s-h-a-v-e) her legs this past weekend... I decided to make an afternoon of it and called Kimmey so we could have a Girls' Day :). She (Grandmama) was chipper and super talkative; we had a grand time complete with manicure, leg shaving (ack), and a facial! We turned off the tele and played country music (courtesy of the "Country Music I can Stand" folder on my iPod)...which was the closest to Grand Ol' Opry I could get for her. I added some pictures from our afternoon to her Picasa album...which, for the sake of information, she granted me permission to take. In fact, she wanted me to take a picture of her smooth & shiny gams. Kimmey and I completely adored the whole thing...and were/are thankful for the sweet time we were able to spend with her. We (Kimmey & I) were also able to spend some time together...which was simply lovely as well.

She (Grandmama) is doing okay, by the way. Fair, I'd say. Here's a bit of post-pampering video. It shows up a bit...off-center, but it works. You can also go here to see it and other clips.

Chronological Disorder

Grandmama is going to have her PEG out...

...No...wait. She's going to the emergency room with chest pains.

She's been admitted to the hospital.

She's better.

...Nevermind...she's not.

She has improved and is moving back to Select Specialty Hospital...

No, wait. Not better...staying at University Hospital.

Going to Select.

Nevermind. Going to NHC (nursing home). Keeping PEG.

WTH?! My head is spinning...and is also exhausted.
She doesn't know where she is half the time...who can blame her?!
...And Granddaddy... He hasn't quite lost his marbles...but they are rolling all over the floor. He's doing his best to stoop down...scrape & collect them in his arthritic arms.

Let me break this down...just for fun.

March 19th-28...admitted to and stayed @ Trinity Hospital.

March 28th...home...and also her birthday!!!

April 8th...EMT to house.

April 12th-28th...admitted to University Hospital; home on the 28th.

May 7th-May 28th...admitted to University Hospital.

May 29th...moved to Select Specialty Hospital.

May 29th-July 1st...stayed @ Select.

July 2nd...moved to NHC (nursing home).

June 2nd-July 28th...stayed @ NHC.

July 28th...to e.r. with chest pains...admitted.

July 28th-July 3st...in University Hospital.

August 1st...back to NHC.

*sigh*

Love, love, love her.

Revolving Door

Grandmama was scheduled to have her PEG removed yesterday...

Instead of the operating room, she took a trip to the emergency room....with chest pains.

She was & is having heart trouble and was admitted to University Hospital yesterday afternoon. They're running tests (as usual) today...no results/information yet.

Granddaddy is clearing out her room at the nursing home as

she is not expected to return in the next day or so...and insurance won't cover both placements simultaneously. Should she be released from the hospital, we'll hope for an open room @ NHC - where she'll begin a fresh set of 100 days. She was admitted [to NHC] exactly one month ago - tomorrow. (I told someone the wrong date..sorry!)

The picture above was taken Saturday; she was laughing about being difficult/contrary. We were battling over the oxygen tube (me trying to keep it in...her pulling it out)...and she had just called herself "Bad Betty". I'll buy that. Wish I could say she looked this good yesterday...

Thinking of John...

With Love

John left us yesterday (Saturday) evening....at 5:4opm.

You can read Sally's poignant words...here.

You can leave a message for the family...here.

A Blog for John!

Sally and I spoke in the hospital about the possibility of a blog or some sort of centrally located information-source...to keep everyone updated on John.

With her blessing, I have now created one. Rather than sending mass e-mails containing her updates, I'll copy and paste them into a post.

Feel free to share the address with those you know who are concerned for John and his family. Additionally, please feel free to leave comments! I will see that Sally receives the thoughts/sentiments, and she will print them...and read them to John.

If you prefer a less public forum, please feel free to e-mail me; I have been sending Sally notes for John as soon as I receive them...and I'm more than happy to continue doing so.

With that said...I have just finished posting all of the updates (which have been sent via e-mail) from Sally up to this point; you may go here to read them. Be sure to bookmark the address...so that you can check back as often as you like!!!

http://johnnybradford.blogspot.com/

Update on Betty

All set for the Vandy game...9.8.07

Not a whole lot to report...other than to say this hasn't been one of her better weeks. She hasn't felt well overall, has been nauseous each day, and has been quite contrary (Mary, Mary). Granddaddy feels that the PEG is the root cause of any and all GI trouble, and has asked that [if possible] it be removed. As a result, they'll be taking it out Monday morning... Since she's been at NHC...I [personally] feel such a disconnect in terms of her medical information/status. Granted...it's not being monitored in the same manner it has been for the last few months - so it may not be a lack of access to information, but simply less...tracking & collection. I hope that something outside of my Grandfather's request is supporting this procedure.

She's not been able to participate in therapy as much this week, and seems a bit less oriented...at times anyway. I will, of course, keep posting...thanks so much for asking about her :).

A bit more...

Flirting with photography...

Kevin and I did these over the weekend... I'm mostly happy
with the way they turned out and am tucking away
all that I don't love...so that can improve next time (camera settings, etc...).

I had to work with the grain, so to speak...

Yay or nay?

I'm just saying...

If the first picture wasn't convincing in terms of

resemblance...these damn near knocked me down.

Here are a couple more

of Allison + her son, Nicholas :).

T is for Therapy

Grandmama with Kimmey...7.13.08

Wanted to offer an update on Ms. Betty... She is continues to be remarkably consistent in her inconsistency. She'll have a great day, and then plummet the next. "Plummet days" take a few days to recover from...which is exhausting for her. She dreads therapy and hopes to somehow evade it each day :). Monday, she had a cardiology appointment - which she was taken to by ambulance (rough ride). Everything looked good heart-wise...and her pacemaker battery is good for one more year. She has been having significant difficulty hearing; they've been working to flush her ears this week and it has made a huge difference! She's had a decent appetite, though she got sick while eating on Wednesday...very unpleasant for her. Most evenings she falls asleep shortly after dinner...we believe she is simply worn-out from her workouts; there have been several days when it has been impossible to wake her from her sleep. With that deep sleep, she's tolerating the CPAP mask relatively well. Her oxygen tube/nose-piece is a different story altogether; she pulls it out every chance she gets. We've added a clock and calendar to her room...hoping to provide a bit of orientation. I'd like to say it's been helpful for her, but I don't know that it is. She has 3 birthdays to celebrate this month though (which are on her calendar)...Elizabeth, Brenda, and Mike! That about covers it...thanks for thinking of her...I'll be in touch :).

Love.

A Beautiful Soul

Bowling...12.16.06

With Ray & Price @ the Mid Winter Games; 3.2.07

Bronze Medalists! 3.2.07

Dancing @ this year's Mid Winter Games...3.8.08

My dear friend and bowling partner of two years, John, is currently in critical condition...in a local ICU. He was admitted Thursday, and placed on a ventilator Saturday. My heart, though always drawn to those with special needs, beats in a special and separate way for John. Whether you pray, think, or wish…I hope that you’ll pray John is not in pain, wish for his comfort and peace, send special thoughts to his family, loved ones (of which there are many), and will guidance for those who are caring for him in the hospital.

Love.

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

At Least We've Come This Far

So I mentioned some time ago that I want to dedicate this space (every now and again)...to a little "Request & Dedication" action... a-la Casey Kasem. I've had several ideas which have been quieted by busy. I'm all set for this one though...:).

Out of respect for this new relationship and others who are directly (or indirectly) involved...I won't share many details; not via blog anyway. I would like to introduce those of you who don't know....to Allison. As you can see, we fell from the same tree. Same tree, different...fertilizer.

(Allison and her husband, Andy)

We met for the first time when I was 16, and she was 18.... For various reasons (vaguely understood by us), we've never been able to have a relationship. At 31 and 33...now separate from past circumstances, we're trying "us" on...and giving this sisterhood a shot. Last night, we talked for 7 hours, nearly 8 actually.

I drove (to her home) yesterday evening as Amanda...just, Amanda (read: only child). ...And left with the knowledge/awareness that...potentially (by choice & effort)/technically/and actually... I have 2 nephews, a niece, and a brother-in-law. ...And most importantly, a sister (who was also raised/identifies herself as an only-child). Pretty bizarre considering those words (nephew, etc.) have not previously been a part of my vocabulary...outside of my honorary aunt-ships for my close girlfriends and their little ones (whom I love!).

On with the Request & Dedication to Allison... (Though I'm providing the song myself...which makes it just a...dedication; I'll have to come up with a more clever name.) There is a song by Relient K...entitled "At Least We've Made it This Far". Subtracting the inapplicable romantic overtones; we have come from very different places, and yet we have made it "this far"...to this place - where we are now. And though we [collectively] have more questions than we do answers, and though we're both entering in cautiously...I feel so good about this possibility, our possibility. While it (the song) acknowledges the pain that comes with uncertainty and doubt...which we've experienced as well, the main tone (to me anyway) is sweet & hopeful. ...And I'm hopeful for us.

Love.

To listen to the song...

July-ish

Grandmama moved to NHC (…which is a skilled nursing facility) last Wednesday (7/2/08). She’s adjusting…okay. The therapy is difficult for her, as is the [post-therapy] recovery. She’s been in the hospital for 3 months though…so the atrophy is to be expected. My goal is to be optimistic, but not expectant. We’ll see how it goes. Check it though. On the 3rd...exercise...flag waving... Huh...right?! They offer colorguard at this facility. I'm thrilled to bits. J/k.

I didn’t write anything about SYTYCD dance last week… I enjoyed talking with Elisa on the phone afterward…almost more than I enjoyed the show; we had to hang up so I could vote :). I liked both pieces by Mia Michaels…but that’s nearly a given. ...And though Jessica doesn't do much for me, I really enjoyed Mandy Moore's piece to Alone (by Heart)...using the shirt. Twitch didn’t go home (yay)...and though I like Kourtni (more so in her audition than on the show), I’m okay with who did [go home]. I hope there’s a little more oomph this week…

I spent the 4th with my family…out and my aunt and uncle’s homestead (Brenda & Max). I was able to see my cousins and the products of their lovely gene pools. Seriously. My cousins have some cute kids. Pictures here…

The 4th was an eventful day; I’ll have to post more later… I’m out of time and I’m not sure my thoughts & emotions are all tied up and ready to be presented just yet. Good day though. Good day.

Not exactly a classic...

Taken in Biloxi...circa 1987. I don't remember the ballet routine, but there was a jazz piece to Neutron Dance by the Pointer Sisters; it contained a fierce shoulder shimmy.

My hair is out of my face, my arms and legs are exposed, I have on a tutu (read: skirt), sequins, and a bright color. It's all that my friends & family have ever asked for, and it happened when I was 11. Enjoy it :).