This is one of my most favorite places in the world to visit. It's a state park, so no more than 65% of the island can be developed. There are bike trails ringing the island, a super-cool waterpark (that we visited just last week), a fantastic Sea Turtle Center and so much more.
Follow this link to a Weekend Window of Jekyll that recently appeared on Good Morning America.
See you on the beach.
http://blog.jekyllisland.com/in-the-news/good-morning-america-featured-jekyll-island-on-weekend-window/
Monday, July 28, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Gratitude, in all forms
Before I wax poetic, a little heads-up: I have a bizarre, embarrassing admission to make. But you have to read to the end to find out what it is. Love ya.
Topic 1
Monday afternoon I interviewed the executive director of our local battered women's shelter for a newspaper article I'm writing. She asked a resident of the shelter to join us for a bit to share her story. I spent about 30 minutes talking with this woman, and going to affect me for a very long time. I'm not sure I can put into words right now the depth of my horror, compassion, anger and guilt. Hannah (not her real name, but the one we chose for her in the article) started off her life with a silver spoon in her mouth and many privileges. She's college-educated, smart as a whip and loves her children. But somewhere along the way, the negativity from her husband became acceptable and she chose to stay, believing herself safer than if she left. When she did divorce him and move away, the situation disintegrated into something you would not be able to stomach. So last week she grabbed her children and ran many, many states and time zones away, hoping that this time, this location, this chance, would be the one that would set her free. I pray every day that she's right.
On the way to the interview I spoke with a friend by phone and complained about how much I want a certain car, but it would probably be another few years until I could get it. Please forgive me for being a spoiled brat. I am so very grateful for the life that I have: my religion and my family give me everything and more than I need. Please remind me of this the next time I whine.
Topic 2
We're at the beach right now, visiting my parents. I do love it here, so much. We visited a waterpark this morning and Ryan went down his first honkin' waterslide. We're hanging out inside a bit right now before we launch Make-Your-Own-Pizza-Night. I'm grateful my parents moved here and we have a quiet, restful place to come and sit and be near the sea.
The Embarassing Thing
Anna K and I were just listening to the radio when this super-catchy song came on. We found ourselves singing along with the chorus after one verse, even doing that head-bob thing. We started speculating on who was singing: Jewel? Carrie Underwood? (It was a country station.) The DJ came on, and his next words made me hit the floor:
"Didja like that song? So many people do - it's a great, catchy summer beach song called "Come on Over" by Jessica Simpson."
This is me, rocking back and forth holding my knees, trying to pretend that didn't really happen.
Bonus Part
We listened to the new Sugarland CD 3 times on the drive yesterday. Go. Buy. It. Now. One of the best CDs, beginning to end, I've ever heard. "Love on the Inside" is the title. Our fave tracks: 1 - "All I Want to Do"; 2 - "It Happens"; 11 - "Steve Earle." Their harmony is a joy to listen to, especially on "We Run." Love this band!
Topic 1
Monday afternoon I interviewed the executive director of our local battered women's shelter for a newspaper article I'm writing. She asked a resident of the shelter to join us for a bit to share her story. I spent about 30 minutes talking with this woman, and going to affect me for a very long time. I'm not sure I can put into words right now the depth of my horror, compassion, anger and guilt. Hannah (not her real name, but the one we chose for her in the article) started off her life with a silver spoon in her mouth and many privileges. She's college-educated, smart as a whip and loves her children. But somewhere along the way, the negativity from her husband became acceptable and she chose to stay, believing herself safer than if she left. When she did divorce him and move away, the situation disintegrated into something you would not be able to stomach. So last week she grabbed her children and ran many, many states and time zones away, hoping that this time, this location, this chance, would be the one that would set her free. I pray every day that she's right.
On the way to the interview I spoke with a friend by phone and complained about how much I want a certain car, but it would probably be another few years until I could get it. Please forgive me for being a spoiled brat. I am so very grateful for the life that I have: my religion and my family give me everything and more than I need. Please remind me of this the next time I whine.
Topic 2
We're at the beach right now, visiting my parents. I do love it here, so much. We visited a waterpark this morning and Ryan went down his first honkin' waterslide. We're hanging out inside a bit right now before we launch Make-Your-Own-Pizza-Night. I'm grateful my parents moved here and we have a quiet, restful place to come and sit and be near the sea.
The Embarassing Thing
Anna K and I were just listening to the radio when this super-catchy song came on. We found ourselves singing along with the chorus after one verse, even doing that head-bob thing. We started speculating on who was singing: Jewel? Carrie Underwood? (It was a country station.) The DJ came on, and his next words made me hit the floor:
"Didja like that song? So many people do - it's a great, catchy summer beach song called "Come on Over" by Jessica Simpson."
This is me, rocking back and forth holding my knees, trying to pretend that didn't really happen.
Bonus Part
We listened to the new Sugarland CD 3 times on the drive yesterday. Go. Buy. It. Now. One of the best CDs, beginning to end, I've ever heard. "Love on the Inside" is the title. Our fave tracks: 1 - "All I Want to Do"; 2 - "It Happens"; 11 - "Steve Earle." Their harmony is a joy to listen to, especially on "We Run." Love this band!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Hi, my name is Kim ...
... and I'm becoming a Facebook addict. It started with simple harassment from a 15-year-old in my Sunday School class: he guilted me into creating a profile and running with it. Now, every time I turn around, I'm taking a quiz. Or throwing sheep. I love throwing sheep. And then there's the Pieces of Flair ...
Are you on Facebook? Let me know - I'll throw a red gummy bear your way.
Are you on Facebook? Let me know - I'll throw a red gummy bear your way.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
This one's for Leslie in California
We just returned from four lovely days in Savannah, one of our favorite places. We usually bop all over the city visiting musuems, checking out stores and eating our way through town. This time, well, we're all (meaning me) a little more tired. So we (meaning me) decided to hang out at the hotel and enjoy the ammenities. One of which is the spa/exercise/golf clubhouse! We scoped out the pro shop and bought a logo'd golf ball for Ryan, poked around the gym and tried out a few things, and then we saw it: the sign on the wall suggesting that "you add Wii to your daily workout." So we did - we used the hotel's Wii for one glorious hour, and now we're hooked. We don't have one at home ... yet ... but we will, and soon. I played both children in tennis, bowling and golf, and we had an absolute BLAST!
A little tip: don't play Ryan in bowling. He's a shark. What other 7-year-old gets FIVE STRIKES in one game???
I see a big family Christmas gift in our future ...
A little tip: don't play Ryan in bowling. He's a shark. What other 7-year-old gets FIVE STRIKES in one game???
I see a big family Christmas gift in our future ...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Is the contender REAAAAAAAAAAAAAADY?!?!
Have you ever watched "American Gladiators" on TV? (It's OK - I won't tell.) Rus and the children started watching it over Christmas break, then drifted away from it when the school year started up again. Now it's become a Monday-evening staple in our house. It's a truly ridiculous show ... but I decided to watch last night and give it a try. And it was AWESOME! Some of the challenges are impossible, and some I'm confident I could conquer (go with it ...).
In the spirit of the show, we've spent the last 24 hours working on our "gladiator names." Allow me to present:
THE POOHJINATOR!!! (Ryan)
Catch phrase: "There's a new sheriff in THIS hundred-acre wood!"
Trademark sound: GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! (bear growling)
SISTA TWISTA!!! (Anna Katherine)
Catch phrase: "She'll BLOW YOU AWAY!"
Trademark sound: waaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (think tornado siren)
THE BIG 5-0!!! (Rus)
Catch phrase: "You don't want this po-po in YOUR house!"
Trademark sound: Woop woop woop! (police sirens)
MJ!!! (Maternal Justice) (Kim)
Catch phrase: "Because I SAID SO!"
Trademark sound: Mwa HA HA HA HA!
GODIVA!!! (Scout)
Catch phrase: "She make look sweet, but inside - SHE'S NUTS!"
Trademark sound: ArOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Coming to a network near you. :)
In the spirit of the show, we've spent the last 24 hours working on our "gladiator names." Allow me to present:
THE POOHJINATOR!!! (Ryan)
Catch phrase: "There's a new sheriff in THIS hundred-acre wood!"
Trademark sound: GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! (bear growling)
SISTA TWISTA!!! (Anna Katherine)
Catch phrase: "She'll BLOW YOU AWAY!"
Trademark sound: waaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (think tornado siren)
THE BIG 5-0!!! (Rus)
Catch phrase: "You don't want this po-po in YOUR house!"
Trademark sound: Woop woop woop! (police sirens)
MJ!!! (Maternal Justice) (Kim)
Catch phrase: "Because I SAID SO!"
Trademark sound: Mwa HA HA HA HA!
GODIVA!!! (Scout)
Catch phrase: "She make look sweet, but inside - SHE'S NUTS!"
Trademark sound: ArOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Coming to a network near you. :)
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