Little Pieces of Happiness Everywhere

SO much has happened...

2011-09-30T17:29:00.002-04:00

and I haven't blogged about any of it.

I have written posts, deleted them. Paced around my living room... who knew this would cause me so much anxiety?

So here is a little update from the past few months.

I went with my sister to see my parents for vacation. We went to the beach and I got my first ever sunburn. Ouch.

I covered an interesting trial that I never want to think about again.

I got into a really bad wreck that left my leg jacked up, my car totaled but my baby unbroken.

We found out we're having a boy! He is going to be the cutest fella on the planet.

The pickle and thumbalina turned three and four and I can't believe they are getting so big.

I went to a few concerts. I feel like I am trying to pack in as much as I can before the baby comes. But I know that will be it's own adventure.

An April wedding

2011-06-01T20:53:00.002-04:00

A couple I work with was looking for a rustic place to get married. I offered up my barn and spacious front pasture. A few days cutting grass, some cleaning and decorating we were ready for a wedding in mid-April.

Yes, 75 people used one tiny bathroom.

But it was a beautiful day for two beautiful people. There were jars hanging in my trees, a multitude of potted plants and a gorgeous bride. For the reception we played trivia and each table was given a superhero team.

My very talented friends Tricia Dillard and Ryan Smith took the photos. Check them out here.

What you didn't expect when expecting...

2011-05-16T18:17:00.002-04:00

We are having a baby! Isn't that exciting? Well, I am excited. It's been really great so far. I am at four months. I promise no bare belly pictures!

It's been pretty good so far. But I have to say, wow. No one tells you the freak show your body will become when acting as a human slow cooker.

A few weeks ago I called my friend Mary Anne to tell her I was pregnant. She reminded me that pregnant women freak her out so I should come and visit her before my belly started popping. (I am paraphrasing.) But I get it, pregnant women freak me out too.

So here is a list of things no one tells you to expect (so you too can freak out over it):
Nausea without vomiting
Drooling
Heart burn
Constipation (yeah I went there)
Vivid dreams (Zombies, everywhere)
Aversion to foods you once loved (grilled chicken, red velvet cake)
Desire for foods you once hated (sweet tea, barbecued sandwiches)

But I love it. I can't wait for what's next.

Rachel Ray is trying to kill me, and other things in my head

2011-05-06T21:40:00.002-04:00

It has been happening a lot. I drift off to sleep and then suddenly there she is. The tiny Italian lady who has made herself famous for her speedy dinners and made up vocabulary... Rachel Ray.

It has been happening for a few nights now and I don't know if it is stress, or if I am going crazy. In my dream Rachel Ray is trying to kill me.

The scenario usually plays out like this: my mother is gone. I don't know where she is and in my dream it is never explained to me. My father has taken up with that pint sized queen of the casserole and she wants me dead.

Yes, Rachel Ray is my new step mommy and we don't get along.

"Yummo isn't a word!" I will scream at her and then she tries to kill me with one of her bright orange skillets.

Or I will say "combining the words soup and stew into stoup is 'stoup id' and she will try to jam a pairing knife through my heart.

I can't make Rachel go away. Is there an antidote? Perhaps a little Martha Stewart before bed?

Foster parents lead the way home; new family helps teenager turn her life around

2011-04-30T11:10:00.001-04:00

By Lydia Senn
(Printed in RN-T April 25)

It was a long road home for Jessica Alexander. The 17-year-old had lived a life most adults couldn’t fathom by the time she was a freshman in high school.

She had gone through each day wondering where she might sleep each night and never knew when she might get her next hot meal.

That was until Jessica experienced the kindness of strangers. She was taken in at the Open Door Children’s Home. The child who had grown up watching her mother beaten and abused, who had often slept in a tent, was shown love for the first time when she was 14.

After living there for two years it was time for Jessica to transition into a more permanent home. That is when she met Cindy and Leon Haygood, a couple she refers to as Nanny and Paw Paw.

“I’ve never had a father,” she said motioning her head toward Leon Haygood. “He will probably walk me down the aisle.”

Leon Haygood beams at these words. It is clear from their interactions that the family created through foster care has been what both Jessica and the Haygoods needed.

“Right now it feels like we’re a family,” Leon Haygood says.

“She’s home,” Cindy Haygood adds. “That’s what foster care is all about.”

The Haygoods found themselves with an empty nest five years ago. All of their children were grown, married and had left home.

“My heart was empty without children. I had a big home but no children in it. I prayed and asked if we can make any changes in a child’s life,” Cindy Haygood said.

She says the couple prayed for a sign from God that they were supposed to foster. Then one Sunday morning when Cindy Haygood sat down to read the Rome News-Tribune, she opened the paper to see a large advertisement that read, “Be a Foster Parent.”

“That’s a pretty clear sign,” she said.

The family contacted Murphy-Harpst Children’s Center in Cedartown. The not-for-profit agency that helps place children like Jessica sent the couple through a three-month training process that included a 35-hour course, background checks and home visits.

The transition from the group home, where Jessica says she felt safe, into the home of near-strangers wasn’t easy.

“The first few days were rough,” Leon Haygood said.

“But Jessica made a complete turnaround,” his wife adds.

Jessica admits she didn’t expect to be there a week.

“It was really strict,” she said.

The Haygoods gave Jessica structure. They required her to do chores, help with the cooking and work hard in school.

“What keeps us going is Jesus,” Cindy Haygood says. “If I did it my way, I’d have given up.”

The three pushed forward and now, more than a year later, they are a pretty close little family.

“She can come to us with anything,” Cindy Haygood said. “She just says, ‘Nanny I need to talk,’ and I stop what I’m doing.”

The couple remarks at how well Jessica is doing, not only in the home, but also in school and in the community.

Jessica works with children at Friendship Baptist Church and says she loves working with the kids.

“I want to teach first grade,” she said.

The Haygoods say Jessica has a loving heart and is willing to do anything for a friend.

“She is the most caring girl,” Leon Haygood said. “She’ll give you the shirt off her back.”

Jessica will graduate from high school soon, and in a few months she will turn 18, but she plans to stay with the Haygoods for a little while longer.

She wants to attend Georgia Highlands and then Shorter University.

“She’s our baby girl,” Cindy Haygood said. “I don’t want nothing to change.”

A week in the life of the UnStoppables

2011-04-08T11:48:00.002-04:00

Wow! This has been one insane week. Monday I got called to court for this. That went viral and ended up here, here, here and most interestingly- here. Not sure how to feel about that. The internet really has made the world smaller when people in London are talking about what some drunk redneck did in Georgia.

And now on to April

2011-04-01T12:58:00.002-04:00

Okay. So I thought we were beginning to thaw out. But the 30 degree weather in Northwest Georgia had different ideas.

Yes. I didn't blog at all in February and only once in March. Lyd, you are slacking.

But I thought I would give you a brief update in my life.

February was tough. After years of struggling with congestive heart failure my grandmother died on February 1. It was a lot more sad than I thought it would be. I thought I was more prepared. Turns out I wasn't. Genie, as I called her, was the biggest cheerleader a granddaughter could ask for. She continually reminded me that I was precious. And precious became a work that is almost sacred. My marriage is precious. My niece and nephew are precious. My faith if precious. It is no longer a word to throw around.

But Genie, the perfect example of faith, is in heaven. With her precious Savior.

Part two of February. My dog Millie was exposed to rabies. She at a skunk. And we were told that we would have to put all three of our dogs down. Turns out we were told wrong. But Millie is now in puppy jail. She has been quarantined and hopefully we can let her out in a few days, poor puppy.

Now on to March. March was full of surprises. And I am not telling you all of them right now because I am evil.

But one of them is this: Cross Country Cooks. My good friend Sarah is moving to Colorado. So we have decided to create a joint venture cooking blog. I hope you will come visit.

Hi March I am so happy to see you

2011-03-11T10:01:00.002-05:00

Fearful yes. Wonderful? Not sure

2011-01-19T09:51:00.000-05:00

So the other day I was at work in my chosen home town in my chosen home state. No I wasn't born in Georgia and no this small town in Northwest Georgia is not where I grew up- but much like the early American adventurers in search of new hopes I staked out this town as mine.

Imagine my surprise when I ran into an old high school classmate. Now on the off chance she is reading this- it was so great to see you. Now here is a picture of my dog:

Okay, she is gone. We will continue. Anyway, when I ran into said classmate I was shocked. What is she doing here? In my town? At my assignment? Looking all tall and thin with long shiny hair? Yikes!

When I saw her I got this sense of complete... loserness. I looked at her fit body and I pulled my cardigan over my fat bulge. I looked at her hair and regretted my close cut crop.

We were never friends, mere acquaintances in an over packed school. I never disliked her either- we just never got to know each other. But I remember thinking in high school that she was pretty, tall and smart. Things I wasn't and wanted to be. Here I was letting my 17-year-old inferiority ruin my day in my 20-something reality.

She is all those things, tall, thin, pretty and smart. But you know what? She isn't me. Short, chubby, adorable me. I am always reminding the other women around me how amazing they are. How beautiful and special they are. That they are "fearfully and wonderfully made." But I had let myself forget that. So hey Lyd, you are pretty fabulous.

And here is the hair I have been talking about. Do you think I wear it like this daily?

Little pieces of happiness everywhere

2011-01-17T18:17:00.000-05:00

I have taken to walking to as many assignments in town as possible. That has been kind of tough considering that it didn't get above freezing for a week straight. But today it was in the upper 40's. A balmy spring day! (I joke, I joke.)

I walked to downtown for a MLK day festivity. A few hours when I was on my way back to the paper I came across a little gem. I was skipping up the sidewalk when I saw this:

I don't know why someone would stick a random lid to a light pole. But hey, you gotta take your little pieces of happiness where you can find them.

This is a new year. I have a new super short hair cut. And I have lost 12 pounds in the first 17 days of 2011. It's the year of change. So this blog is getting an overhaul.

It's up to each of us to find our little pieces of happiness.

I will gladly take a husband over dried flowers, please

2011-01-14T10:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I interviewed a very nice lady for a story I am writing for a special bridal section of the paper. The story was on this business that will dry wedding flowers and frame them as a keepsake. The cost for framing such flowers you ask? Up to $600.

I asked the woman if the steep investment was worth the cost and she replied, "when you wedding is over and all is said and done, all you are left with is your photos."

Um.... and a husband! I have been married for a very short five years, so take my advice as you will- but I will gladly trade all the photos and dried flowers in the world for my awesome husband.

Marriage isn't about a big party or a dress of a tiara. (Seriously don't get me started on a tiaras. You are not a princess and when you are home washing your husband's underpants you will remember that in a zip.)

Marriage is the long haul. Pick someone you like and want to spend time with. Pick your best friend and then hold on tight because life is hard and sometimes all you have in the world is the knowledge that Jesus and Jason Senn love you.

Holy Crap! Christmas is in 5 days?

2010-12-20T21:01:00.000-05:00

Well, we better get on with it then...

It's been a while

2010-12-05T13:24:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted anything in over a month. It's been a rough few weeks.

As many of you know we lost Jason's dad on November 8. It was unexpected and horrible and I don't think we have fully processed it all. I really don't know what to say.

Death is hard. It is hard on so many levels. The base is that you have lost someone you love and care about deeply. But then there are all these layers. Everything it just kind of off its course.

It's like being a spectator in your own life. It magnifies everything to the 1000th degree. I know I am not making any sense. I just have a lot of feelings. (Shocker.)

I wish life had a reset button. You could push it and then you would just take a really long nap. Like, a two day nap, and then when you woke up everything is clean and new and all of the bad stuff have been removed and furniture has been rearranged and everyone is happy.

Yeah. That's what I wish for. Reset.

So I've lost my mind in November

2010-11-01T20:44:00.000-04:00

So I am participating this year's NaNoWriMo- National Novel Writing Month. I have committed in public (and here) to write a 50,000 word novel this month.

Yeah... I've lost my mind. So that means I must commit to writing roughly 1,700 words a day. Words that will be so horrible from a lack of sleep, planning and editing that no one will ever actually read them.

Wish me luck.

New music to make us smile

2010-10-29T12:41:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share one of my new favorite musicians. He is called Eddplant. His new EP "None of These Songs Are About You, But Some of Them May Apply" came out last month.

This song is called "You're Not There." I think he has a really great sound.

To Maura Kelly: A few things I want to get off my fat chest

2010-10-27T19:57:00.001-04:00

Dear Ms. Kelly,

I was shocked when I read your blog entry "Should "Fatties" Get a Room? (Even on TV?)" dated Oct. 25, 2010. In the blog you discussed the show "Mike and Molly," a comedy about two overweight people navigating their way to love. In your blog you mentioned that you've never even seen the show. That's just bad journalism but I realize you are not an actual journalist, you are a columnist. Oh wait, you're not even that-- you are just a common blogger.

You might say that I am just a blogger too. But I am not just a blogger. I am a real journalist who works for a reputable daily paper. I have a byline and a desk and editors with ethics. You appear to have none of those things.

In your blog you said: "..And while I think our country's obsession with physical perfection is unhealthy, I also think it's at least equally crazy, albeit in the other direction, to be implicitly promoting obesity! Yes, anorexia is sick, but at least some slim models are simply naturally skinny. No one who is as fat as Mike and Molly can be healthy."

A little mean but you didn't stop there. You went on to write: "So anyway, yes, I think I'd be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other ... because I'd be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I'd find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine addict slumping in a chair."

I am sorry but as a fat woman I must say, "What the hell?"

Later in an apology clearly written by a web editor (as the writing is too good to have come from you) you apologized and blamed your point of view on your challenges as a former anorexic. I feel for you in that regard. I truly do. As someone who has struggled her whole life with weight and food and body issues my heart breaks for you.

But my also heart breaks for you simply because you are a bad person. There I said it. You are a bad person. You are a woman who tears down other women. You attack people based on their physical appearance and not their character.

I must ask, would you say that it would sicken you to see a gay couple kissing? Would you say that you couldn't stand to see a black person walk across a room? No because those things would make you a bigot.

There are people who are overwieght because they made bad choices. But there are some people who are fighting things beyond their control. There are fat women, like myself, who get up everyday and eat healthy, they exercise and they work hard. And they deserve love.

You mentioned that looking at two fat people kissing would "gross you out." Well I can say I will never be as ugly as you are on the inside.

I have also included a photo, so be grossed out.

The world may be broken, but hope is not crazy

2010-10-13T20:36:00.000-04:00

Random irrational hatred of things...

2010-09-18T08:45:00.000-04:00

My friend Krystin - i.e. Web Girl- on irrational hatred.

"I hate Space. I want to punch Space in the face. I don't give a crap about Space."

"Ooh, Mars has a spot on it. Who cares? Is it full of Chocolate pudding? Then I would."

Impossimpable

2010-09-14T06:50:00.000-04:00

Good morning, good morning. I have been up since 5 a.m. making J breakfast, doing laundry, moving around and doing a lot of thinking.

Thinking about the thing in this world that excites me more than anything... possibility.

The idea of not knowing exactly what was going to happen used to scare me, but now nothing is more thrilling than possibility. So, let's put on bright lipstick and red shoes and embrace some possibilities.

A lot can change in three years...

2010-09-06T21:04:00.000-04:00

This weekend we celebrated the birthdays of my precious niece and nephew. I got to thinking today... it has been three years since my nephew, "Pickle," was born. My, my, my life has changed in those three years.

I remember the day after he was born driving the 2.5 hours to the hospital to see him. I was reporting for my first weekly paper and loving every second of life. Here is a recap of the last three years:

Left that weekly for a more glossy, cosmopolitan weekly that turned out to be a big, fat mistake. But, like all mistakes we learn from them... I learned a big lesson about trust... and what's really important.
Left that glossy weekly heartbroken and bitter and took some crazy jobs including one at a grocery store to pay the bills.
I remembered how much I loved reading.
I discovered some really great music.
The Pickle turned one and my niece, Thumbelina, was born.
I remembered that my strength was not found in myself.
Watched as my husband struggled, we wondered everyday if he would get laid off.
Went to a concert and forgot my troubles as I screamed "Dark Blue" at the top of my lungs and danced like a white girl. Some times the smallest things are life changing.
I met a really sweet man and a really strong girl who took a chance on me and gave me a new job at twice weekly in West Georgia. They changed my life. They taught me more than I could imagine and let me be creative.
The Pickle turned two and Thumbelina turned one.
Jason and I met some really amazing friends.
We saw friends get married and have babies.
We moved to a house in the sticks.
We planted tomatoes and got our hands and feet dirty.
We watched the stars come out.
I got "promoted" to the daily.
I let go of some fears.
We learned what mattered and it's not the shiny glossy things, it's the people and the lessons they teach you.
The Pickle turned three and Thumbelina will be two in four days.

Life changes in the blink of an eye. The things I thought were huge and impossible seem like nothing now. We are still learning... I can't wait to see what's next.

2010-08-29T20:36:00.000-04:00

Awesomeness trumps awfulness every time.

Happy Brithday!!!

2010-08-22T14:15:00.000-04:00

Today is my friend MaryAnne's birthday. I love her and I am so glad she was born. I hate that I don't get see her more often.

She has always been so encouraging to me and I am so proud of who she is.

MaryAnne, you are definitely one of my heroes.

One of my favorite Mae memories was my wedding day when we got scolded by my photographer for sticking our tongues out when she was trying to snap a photo. What can I say? Sometimes we are rebels. (Funny thing is I know she snapped that photo. But I have never seen it. Hmm...)

A little new agey- but I like it.

2010-08-13T12:18:00.000-04:00

The river is everywhere at once, at the source and at the mouth, at the
waterfall, at the ferry, at the rapids, in the sea, in the mountains,
everywhere at once, and that there is only the present time for it, not
the shadow of the past, not the shadow of the future.

- Vasudeva from "Sidhartha" by Herman Hess

I'm fine with all my memories Still I could use vacation

2010-07-29T22:29:00.001-04:00

Jason and I went to a baseball game. It was 103 degrees.

We are planning a road trip to NYC. Tips?

The sun is evil

2010-07-26T22:30:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I did something I never do. I willingly and of my own accord sat in the sun. Sunday evening I looked in the mirror and to my own horror my face was a little more brown than usual. Well... it had brown hints. Those of you who know me know I am white as paper... and fine with that.

The sun had managed to wiggle it's vicious little rays through my SPF 60 sunblock.

I have this obsessive -yet not uncalled for- fear of the sun.

This is my theory: While the sun heats and lights the earth, allows plants to grow and is pivotal to the daily function and vitality of the entire human population... the sun hates you. Why else would the sun burn you and give you skin cancer? Do not... and I repeat... do not think the sun is your friend. Do not think that a tan makes you look healthy. It's tan now pay later. While you might look hot in your summer glow at 27 when you are 45 you will look like the bottom of a shoe.

Also, a basal cell carcinoma isn't cute. I can show you horrible photos if you want... I can so gross you out to prove my point. Don't push me... I will.

They see me rollin'... but not really

2010-07-14T21:45:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I was sent on an assignment with a lovely coworker who works in the video department. From this point forward we shall call her Video Girl.

Video Girl is quickly becoming one of my favorite people in the office. During a casual conversation she mentioned that she is a derby girl. A devil diva on wheels. I have long been fascinated with the concept of the roller derby.

You get wear skates and knock people down and get away with it. Who wouldn't love that?

When I expressed my shock and excitement she asked if I wanted to be a derby girl.

No. Absolutely not. Ellen Page can do it all she wants and be cute as a button. But me? No thank you. I just don't foresee myself putting on eyeliner and a glitter tube top and hittin' the rink. But you must admit I would be good at knockin' people down.

Some days...

2010-07-02T17:39:00.000-04:00

We eat ice cream for dinner.

We judge a good day by no little breakdowns (Lyd).

We listen to music with the windows open.

We sniff our clothes to make sure they are clean.

We have to use plastic wear because there are no clean spoons.

We play games all day.

We will spend all day in a dark theatre.

We will drive 90 minutes for good hamburger.

We spend way too much money on cheese.

We laugh until we can't stand up.

The message- a very long blog

2010-06-27T23:00:00.001-04:00

Something has clicked in my brain. I have often thought I had a switch, one that made me calm and sleepy. The other one makes me move, pushes me to do things. It is the motivational switch. And it has clicked.

I feel like with the "click" everything that was in front of me keeping me cozy is gone. I am free to run through my front door and into... what?

I haven't shared this with many of you, but I got offered a job at the daily paper, the head masthead in our company's line of papers. I have been there three weeks now. It has always been my dream to work at a daily. A massive underlined statement in my life plan.

It isn't always easy, stepping into your own plans. I went from a place where I was warm and loved and cared for and into a place where I get so nervous I forget my own name, and lock myself in the bathroom.

But I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Two years ago, after my old paper closed and my life kind of fell a part for a minute I picked up a book called "I Am the Messenger." It is about a cab driver who stops a bank robbery and then gets a series of playing cards in the mail, all with messages telling him to help or hurt people. But always for their own good.

SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't read it and want to I suggest you keep scrolling.

In the end our hero learns something. Each person he has met along the way has a connection to his future and his past. Because we can't enter someone's life, make changes and then leave without being impacted. The narrator suggests that each of us can do more than we think. Each of us can live beyond what we are capable of. It is the last line of the book that rang true for me: "I'm not the messenger at all. I'm the message. "

I am the message. It took me 25 years to realize that. I have a message. Each of us does and it is up to us to find it and wear it like a stamp across our faces. Mine is hope. Even on my worst days I am still the most hopeful in the room. Hopeful that I will life my dreams- and I am. Hopeful that I will not fall on my face tomorrow. Hopeful that each day I will get a chance to live beyond what I am capable of.

I am encouraging each of you to do the same. It is hard to take a leap of faith. I feel like most days I land flat on my face. But I hope that the next day the landing will be softer.

It is hard to face something new. I am preaching to the choir. I know who reads this and I know each of you has woken up one day to a new world. Through a baby or a spouse or a job we each face a new world on a occasion. But we do it with hope.

Dog in the water

2010-06-06T13:55:00.000-04:00

When we moved to the country we had to adjust to the quiet. We have no neighbors, there are no street lights. It is a very quiet place.

We traded in a neighborhood for the rolling foothills and creeks. But, we have mainly stayed home. We haven't ventured into the terrain of the country... until now.

Yesterday we leashed up Millie and trekked next door to the trail circuit. The circuit is a county run park that features walking trails, bridges and little creeks. It kicked my butt, basically you are hiking up a mountain and girl here loves her air conditioning, but it was fun to try something new.

On the way back home Millie enjoyed playing in the creek. I took off my shoes and jumped right in with her while Jason stayed dry on the bank.

We skipped rocks and watched the fish and Jason even plucked a crawfish from the water, only to safely return it.

Life...

2010-05-31T19:47:00.000-04:00

A little update. In the past few months I have:

Gone to a musical.
Moved to the country.
Seen a very beautiful car exhibit.
Gone to Nashville.
Visited a house explosion site many, many times. (Praying for the family.)
Listened to a lot of really great music.
Invented a homemade pizza recipe.
Gotten new glasses.
Watched some warriors dash.
Made some plans.
Taken on some new challenges.
Made some potentially life changing decisions.
Consumed a lot of coffee and black berry wine (because I am classy like that).
Tried to stop worrying for the first time in years.
Let go.

Update: Anonymous person to help local man reach lifesaving treatment

2010-05-24T17:24:00.000-04:00

By Lydia Senn

Lamar Bell is in a fight for his life. Bell, known as Big Daddy to all that know him, is facing a financial hardship that could leave him without the very medical treatment that keeps him alive.

Bell, 53, was first diagnosed with diabetes in 1979.

“I took pills for 20 years to help fight the diabetes,” he said.

But despite his best efforts Bell had to have his left leg amputated in 2001, and his right leg was amputated a few months later, leaving him wheelchair bound.

Bell didn’t let that slow him down. Bell, a quiet man with a sweet disposition and a shy smile, continued to live alone and take care of himself.

“I cook my own meals, sweep and mop,” he said.

When Bell went into renal failure a few years ago as a result of his diabetes he required dialysis three times a week to survive.

Bell took the 5311 public transit bus from his home in Nicholsville to his dialysis center in Calhoun.

But when the buses changed, the lift was no longer large enough to accommodate Bell and his wheel chair, a combined weight of 600 pounds.

Bell then had a friend drive him to and from treatments in a truck that Bell owns, but when his truck was totaled he was left without a ride.

“My friend went to Wal-Mart to get me my medicine and a few groceries. He hit someone and all I had was liability,” Bell said.

Bell has been on disability since 1995, and is unable to work.

“When you live month-to-month it is hard,” he said.

Bell then turned to Gordon EMS, but when Medicaid declined to continue paying for his rides, he was told he would have to foot the $500 a day bill. He said he was left with little hope.

“He needs all the help he can get and we are hoping that someone will step forward,” said his dialysis technician.

Bell owns a van, but the lift does not accommodate his needs and he says a new lift would cost $6,000. But Bell is also looking for someone who is just willing to give him a ride.

“Getting here is the main thing,” he said. “I need a lift to get in the van and be independent.”

Bell is asking for help from the community to get the dialysis treatment he needs to live.

“Without his dialysis he could be dead in a week, maybe two,” said his dialysis technician.

Bell said that he just wants to live long enough to see his grandbabies grow up.

“I have a grandson who is going to have a little sister soon. I really want to see her be born,” he said.

Bell admits that he is afraid.

“I have run myself crazy thinking about the outcome,” he said.

Those wishing to help Bell can call him at 770-548-4559. As of Wednesday, May 19, Gordon EMS could no longer transport Bell to dialysis without a charge, so Bell says assistance needs to come quick.

“I am just praying someone will help,” he said.

Editor’s note: Due to the Health Information Privacy Act the name of the facility where Bell receives treatment, and the names of the employees could not be disclosed.

Update: The Calhoun Times has been notified that an anonymous individual has volunteered to help transport Bell to and from his treatment. Bell's family has leased a vehicle to help accommodate him.

Just another day at the office

2010-05-13T10:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday photographer and I toured one of the carpet mills for a story and they made us take interesting safety precautions.

When it is just the two of you... squish your faces together...

2010-04-27T10:54:00.000-04:00

Don't go changin...

2010-04-21T21:15:00.001-04:00

The Associate Press has changed the way that we meager print journalist spell website. We have now joined the masses. Since the dawn of the Internet the AP decided that website was to be spelled Web site. Two words, capital W.

That is how it was taught to me as a little Troy State students by Prof. Chris Warden. That is how I was forced to memorize it for four years until it sunk into my little reporter's brain. And now what happens? The AP changes.

I felt oddly affected by this. I mean it merited a change in Facebook status. Knowing AP makes me feel oddly superior, it is a neurosis of sorts.

I can whip out random facts i.e. March-July are not abbreviated. Internet is always capitalized. Governor is Gov. when it is in front of Sonny Perdue's name.

We lowly print reporters have so little to live for, meek pay checks, faulty InDesign and an unstable career forecast. Please AP don't take my capital W from me.

Today is quiet in my town

2010-04-12T20:18:00.001-04:00

Last Friday I got a call from a lady I work with, a boy in the town we cover had gone missing while swimming. I love my job, I am so blessed to have my job, a job that I love, the respect of my wonderful coworkers, the trust of the community to tell the truth.

But sometimes my job is hard. On Monday I stood on the bank of the river and I watched as rescue workers carried in boat after boat. I stood on the shore and I watched as a helicopter flew over head, searching the woods and surrounding area.

It hit me, they were looking for someone's baby. Some mother was sitting at home crying. The community was trying to comfort their children. It broke my heart.

As the days went on the story unfolded. The boy was being a 16-year-old boy, swimming with friends, having fun. But one of his friends wasn't a strong swimmer and the boy went in further into the river to save his friend. His friend was saved, but the boy died. His body was discovered on Wednesday.

Being a journalist is all I ever wanted to do. I would be lying if I said breaking news events of death and fires and bomb threats weren't a little exciting. But they are still sad. I don't ever want to lose that. I don't ever want to lose the sadness that comes with feeling something for another human, a stranger.

When one door closes...

2010-04-08T10:24:00.000-04:00

kick out the nearest window and get the heck out of there!

Casual Wednesday anyone?

2010-03-31T20:13:00.000-04:00

... come one baby play me something...

2010-03-16T20:45:00.000-04:00

Some songs just describe your life. This is one of them.

We are moving. We are selling our house and are due to close on March 30. Here is the catch.... we haven't found a place to live.

There are so many things up in the air right now. And it could be scary. But it isn't. Because when I look back at where my life was a year ago, and how much happier we are now, I just don't feel fear. I just feel grateful.

There is just so much I don't know... but I am not supposed to know right now.

"We're so close to something better left unknown." - Metric, Gimme Sympathy

The things I (apparently) cannot work without

2010-03-04T13:25:00.000-05:00

This is half the content of the surface of my desk that I have to have on hand.

Diet Pepsi
Orange Juice
Cheese crackers
notebooks (more than one)
pens
coffee
hand sanitizer
Trader Joe's "A Midsummer Night's Cream" moisturizing lotion
*Not pictured chapstick/ Smith's Rosebud Salve.

I am a bit of a deadline diva.

A brief rundown

2010-03-01T15:10:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't been here in a while. And only one person in the entire universe expressed even a remote interest. So here I am. Wow, that speaks volumes about me.

So much has happened. I don't have time to talk about it all right now, so here is a brief run down. Yo.

We got an offer on our house.

We went to see Willie Nelson in concert.

It snowed five inches.

We went to the DaVinci exhibit.

I read some books.

I bought some books.

I read those too.

I went to see my niece and nephew.

I saw some movies.

Tried a new soup.

Met some interesting people.

Made some pro con lists.

Laughed a lot.

Convictions and such...

2010-01-22T19:54:00.000-05:00

There is this person I know who is really kind and for the most part bubbly. And I am ashamed to say that I haven't always been kind toward or about this person. But they have always been nice to me.

Have you ever been in that situation where you were the smaller person? That is really hard to admit to yourself- "hey self, you have kind of been a big jerk."

So person, I know you will never read this, but I am sorry. You have so many good qualities, and I strive for your kindness.

Happy Birthday!

2010-01-15T22:32:00.000-05:00

Column: One skillet meals are the key to keeping warm

2010-01-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

By Lydia Senn (Printed in the January 6 issue of the Calhoun Times.)

If I had my way fall would last for six months, with its 45-degree weather and crunchy leaves. Then Spring would be ushered in and before we knew it we would all be relaxing on our front porches, mid summer, lemonade in hand.

But I don’t get my way and we all must endure winter. As an Alabama transplant, this 17 degree weather is somewhat of a mystery wrapped in a riddle inside a parka. In South Alabama we have white sand beaches and flip-flops on Christmas, not icy roads and the rumors of snow on the horizon.

In the four years I have been in Georgia I cannot recall ever being this cold, and my heater certainly has never had to work so hard.

On Monday morning as we all resumed our normally scheduled, post holiday life. My husband donned his winter finery, long handles, gloves, everything to brave the winter chill so that he could bring the world their Global Positioning System information. As I sat warm in my chair inside the Calhoun Times building I felt guilty, thinking of the laborers outside.

This week school buses will crank back up and children in thick quilted coats will huddle on Gordon County street corners as they await the start of the new semester. Ball practice, ballet classes and flute lessons will resume and we will once again be pulled in a million directions, the warmth and merriment of the holidays a distant memory.

When the temperature on the outside drops so does our desire to do… well… anything. So standing in a drafty kitchen is out of the question.

What is a better cure for the winter blues than a hot one-dish dinner? Hot meals made in a single skillet are cheap, energy efficient and sure to warm up the coldest bones. Just the words “skillet meals” make my hands feel like they are wrapped in velvet gloves.

So whether you use aluminum, cast iron, copper or stainless steel break out the frying pan. If you fancy Teflon or cooking spray, it doesn’t matter, these one-dish meals are sure to warm you to the bone.

Sausage Skillet

¼ pound sausage cut into quarter shaped circles. (Thickness varies dependent on taste)

1 16 oz can of tomato sauce

1 small onion chopped

2 cups macaroni, ziti or rotini

½ cup cheese

Heat skillet with a little olive oil. I like to ad a few herbs to the oil as it heats. Try basil. Caramelize the onion for about eight minutes. Add the chopped sausage. Once the sausage is thoroughly cooked add the pasta and then add the tomato sauce. Make certain all of the pasta is covered. Place the lid over the skillet and let simmer for 15 minutes until the pasta is cooked. Cover with cheese and serve.

Tex-Mex Skillet

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups uncooked mafalda (mini lasagna noodles)

16 oz. jar pasta sauce

12 oz. jar salsa

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup small curd cottage cheese

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese

1-2 avocados, sliced

1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, chopped

In heavy skillet, brown ground beef with onions and garlic. Drain well. Stir in uncooked noodles, pasta sauce, salsa, water, chili powder, and drained beans. Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover skillet, and cook for 15-17 min-utes until noodles are al dente, stirring frequently.

Combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, 1/2 cup Pepper Jack cheese, cilantro, and cumin in small bowl until blended.

Spoon the cottage cheese mixture evenly over cooked mixture in skillet. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese. Cover and cook 5 to 8 minutes until cheese is melted and mixture is hot. Remove from heat and uncover. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Chicken Etouffee

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 green bell pepper, chopped

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup flour

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1-1/2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning blend

1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth

1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 pound small raw shrimp, devined and peeled

In large skillet, melt butter and oil together over medium heat. Add vegetables and stir. Meanwhile, cut chicken breasts into 3 pieces each and dredge in a mixture of the flour, cayenne pepper, and the seasoning blend.

Remove vegetables from skillet. Add coated chicken to the skillet along with any remaining flour mixture; cook and stir until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Return vegetables to skillet along with chicken broth, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked and sauge is thickened.

Add shrimp to the skillet; simmer for 3-5 minutes longer until shrimp curl and turn pink. Serve over hot cooked rice.

The year that changed it all...

2010-01-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

Last year on New Years Day Roscoe ran away, only to come back. What a great metaphor for what 2009 was going to be. The year things came back.

When I say 2009, I am really lumping together 18 months that were less than... well... they were hard.

I went through a job loss that really shook me, but looking back on the person I was in July 2008 and the person that I am now. I don't think I would be friends with that other girl. This girl that is typing this, she is pretty awesome.

This year was the year of the words and the songs and the books. The words that went away and the songs that inspired them to come back. (I know, pretty cheesy).

Having survived 2009 I know that I am wiser and much happier. Oh, and 2010 is SO going to be my year.

2010-01-02T13:14:00.000-05:00

Panic!!!

2009-12-19T22:10:00.000-05:00

Did you know Christmas is less than one week away? Yup, I didn't get the memo either. I need to hire an assistant to tell me these things, but I would have to pay her in cheese crackers and I doubt she would stick around for more than a day.

2009-12-17T07:17:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I get a little stressed out at work

2009-12-08T17:19:00.000-05:00

BEARD FACE UNSTOPPABLE IS NOW LICENSED TO BE UNSTOPPABLE

2009-12-06T18:40:00.001-05:00

The obligatory thanksgiving post

2009-11-26T17:06:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for:

Jason

My family

The advice my daddy gives me

My job (and the fabulous group I am so blessed to get to work with)

Coffee

Chapstick

Good books

Music

My bo bos

Good ideas

Bad ideas that lead to good ideas

The little old ladies I meet when out on assignment that invite me to church

My twisted and often dark sense of humor that have gotten me through some pretty rough days

Those rough days

Words

The struggles that led to the word

The music that lead to the words

The writers that wrote such beautiful ideas that helped create the need for words

And YOU

"I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right." — Markus Zusak

2009-11-23T19:44:00.001-05:00

The randoms

2009-11-18T21:41:00.000-05:00

2009-11-12T18:02:00.001-05:00

I wrote this.

My lists in threes

2009-11-02T20:49:00.000-05:00

Things I am most excited about:

1. The Dear Jack EP comes out tomorrow.

2. Last season game this friday

3. It is November

Books I love this second:

1. Lowboy

2. gods in Alabama

3. King Dork

Three old(er) songs I can't quit listening to:

1. Nothingham - Pearljam

2. The Boxer- Simon and Garfunkel

3. 500 Miles (as performed by Rosanne Cash)

Three new(ish) songs I can't quit listening to:

1. Swim (Jack's Mannequin)

2. 21 Guns (Green Day)

3. Girlfriend (Phoenix)

Three movies I have loved this year:

1. 500 Days of Summer

2. Public Enemies

3. Sunshine Cleaning

2009-10-31T21:34:00.000-04:00

To watch the our first lit trail video click here

24 for Abigail

2009-10-28T21:07:00.000-04:00

My beautiful and wonderful coworker- I shall call her bookgirl- is participating in something amazing. She will be running next weekend in 24 for Abigail, a 24 hour run that will benefit a little girl named Abigail who has Downs Syndrome and is currently undergoing leukemia treatment.

Bookgirl will be running 20 miles in a 160 mile run. You can sponsor her .25 .50 $1 or $2 a mile. Or any denomination you see fit.

I am running a story in the paper and will post the story here when complete. Until then if you want more info let me know.

I am in a funk

2009-10-19T14:55:00.001-04:00

Any suggestions???

2009-10-08T23:52:00.000-04:00

My latest grand venture

2009-10-02T14:39:00.000-04:00

I have decided to road trip the Southern Literary Trail. I am giving myself one year to finish.

27 authors

18 towns

28 houses

1 girl

365 days

The funniest Alabama girl to ever write a book

2009-10-01T20:45:00.000-04:00

Libba Bray is a genius. She wrote the Gemma Doyle series. She is from Alabama moved to Texas and then ended up in Brooklyn.

This is her video for her new book "Going Bovine." I am reading it right now.

New column - A foodie on football

2009-09-24T19:48:00.000-04:00

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. The rest of the world only gets four seasons, but in the South we get five. It is the in between season that begins in late August or early September, and continues until New Years day, if your team is fortunate enough to go all the way to a bowl game. That is right… football season.

Even for those few southerners who are not football enthusiasts, football season still holds a certain air of excitement. It is visions of packed stands, iconic coaches, team insignia and miles and miles of coolers, picnic blankets and grills fired up in university parking lots. Tailgating, perhaps a phrase coined by a southerner.

It is the memories of hot days in equally hot stadium parking lots cooled by a Coca-Cola and a hamburger hot off the grill that sustains us through the long hours between games. But, it is also the feelings and memories that we associate with the sport that makes football such an integral part of Southern culture.

Before I moved to Georgia, and converted to the religion that is the Georgia Bulldogs, I attended a very small university in Alabama, with an equally small football program. My junior year of college my little team took on what seemed like a giant when we played Marshall. That year Troy State had its first ESPN game in its newly renovated stadium. I don’t remember who scored the winning touchdown that brought the Trojan’s their 33-24 victory. I don’t remember what I wore or who I stood next to, But I do remember how it felt to see my team win. I remember grabbing my boyfriend’s (now husband) hand and hopping the fence to the field and running out to cheer with my fellow Trojans.

Everyone has a victory story, big or small they are our pigskin tales. My mother claims she single handedly turned around an Auburn game in 1992 to lead the team to a two-point victory over LSU.

That day in September I saw something in my mother’s eyes that I have seen many times since, sheer, unadulterated determination. My mother, donned in her orange and blue, jumped to her feet and began to enthusiastically, and without halt, chant “Oh yes it’s great to be an Auburn Tiger.”

Her chant, the battle cry of the Auburn fans, spread through the nosebleed section like wild fire. People screamed and shouted and stomped their feet. We all watched our players in blue run up and down the field as we shouted in triumph, our hopeful eyes glued on the scoreboard as touchdown after touchdown, point after point went ticking by. And then victory, Auburn won 30-28.

Why do we love football? My theory is that because sports in general are quantifiable. In a world so filled with uncertainty, football is certain. We can measure it in inches and yards and points earned. And when it is over we can measure our loss and win and record it in history. It is there for us to forever brag about.

We can carry around the victories of others to inspire and motivate ourselves during our worst of days.

For me it is the story of an underdog that leads me to appreciate the sport. Whether it is the tale of Michael Oher, a young man born into poverty that used the sport to gain educational pursuits and go on play for the Baltimore Ravens.

Or if it is closer to home, watching the Sonoraville Phoenix come from a 21 point deficit to beat South East Whitfield in a game I can only describe as magical. Itis the love of the game that unites us in spirit and in stomach.

The craziest dream 2.0

2009-09-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

I have been doing research on several different historical events and people for several different reasons. Right now I am fully immersed in the life of Flannery O'Connor (don't ask me why).

Last week I had the craziest dream. I was in some strange episode of "Quantum Leap." Only only, unlike Scott Bakula (who was present in my dream), I could control the leaping. And sometimes I would leap in the form of an animal. So it was this weird "Quantum Leap" meets "The Time Travelers Wife" meets "True Blood." Very strange.

At one point I leapt back to Savannah, Ga circa 1960. I arrived at the home of Flannery O'Connor in the form of a peacock. And then I transformed into myself. I helped her hang her laundry to dry and then at some point I let it slip that she was going to die of lupus.

At this point Ms. O'Connor became enraged.

"I am going to turn you into a character in one of my stories and then I am going to kill you off!"

I promptly woke up.

2009-09-13T14:58:00.001-04:00

Friday night I covered a football game that ended up being "magical." The team I cover was down- 0-21 at half time. The prospects of them turning it around was bleak at best. And then... the magic happened.

One touch down, and then another and then another and then a fourth to come from behind and win 26- 21.

In other weekend news. I went with my friend Crystal (as moral support) to a Nicholas Sparks book signing. I must say, I was impressed by how kind he was to the hordes of menopausal women there.

Now I am off to read "Catching Fire" the sequel to "The Hunger Games."

Words of Wisdom from John Green

2009-09-06T20:45:00.000-04:00

“Don’t make stuff because you want to make money, it will never give you enough money, and don’t make stuff because you want to be famous, because you will never feel famous enough. Make gifts for people and work hard on making those gifts in the hope that those people will notice and like the gifts. Maybe they will notice how hard you worked, and maybe they won’t, and if they don’t notice, I know it’s frustrating, but ultimately it doesn’t change anything because your responsibility is not to the people you’re making the gift for, but to the gift itself.”

—	John Green

In the thick of the mix

2009-09-03T08:52:00.000-04:00

I know have my own cooking column in the paper. I am really excited about it. Below is my first column.

In the thick of the mix

There has never been a time in my life when one might mistake me as a rule follower.
In fact, the theme song to the 1970’s sitcom “Lavern and Shirley” could be my life theme song- “Give me any chance, I’ll take it. Give me any rule, I’ll break it.”

Such was the case during the Great Brownie Debacle of ’97.

When I was in eighth-grade my mother left me home alone one afternoon with the simple task of making brownies for a church function. She instructed me to follow to the letter the recipe on the back of the cake mix box.

Everything should have gone smoothly, but being 14 I was sure that the recipe on the back of the box was stupid. When you are 14, everything is stupid.

Instead of a fourth of a cup of oil I added a whole stick of butter. Instead of two eggs and two tablespoons of water I added three eggs. Instead of two cups of chocolate chips I added one whole bag followed by another bag of butterscotch chips. In my infinite eighth-grade wisdom this made perfect sense.

It wasn’t until I began to mix the batter that it clicked in my brain, this was a bad idea. My mother’s mixer got stuck. It was wedged so far down in the mixture that it began to make a horrific grinding sound.

My first thought was that I would have to bury the mixer, the batter and bowl in the back yard and come up with some excuse for why it had all disappeared. With all the force I possessed I pulled the mixer out of the stagnant goo.

Quickly, the mixer blades whirled back to life, spinning a gooey chocolate mess in all directions. Brownie batter covered everything, my hair, my clothes and worst of all, my mother’s kitchen.
I cleaned up the mess as fast as I could and then worked to spread the thick, mortar-like sub-stance into a glass pan. At first the mixture wouldn’t budge. It just sat there in a big brown ball in the middle of the pan. But as I worked with it, using several rubber spatulas, the mixture eventually softened and spread evenly to the corners of the pan.

I quickly shoved the pan in the oven and waited. I was horrified. I was sure, after a lifetime of my shenanigans; these brownies would be just the disastrous, rule-breaking muddle that would send my mother over the edge. But they weren’t. They were by far the best brownies I had ever eaten.

People raved over them, asked for the recipe and praised me for my baking skills. I have learned since then that baking does not lend itself to improvising. If you add too much sugar, your meringue will turn out hard and brown. If you use self-rising flour in a recipe that doesn’t call for it, then you better have a self-cleaning oven. Baking has, in its own way, taught me the necessity of rules.

But those brownies taught me another lesson. First of all they reaffirmed my mother’s amazing patience and ability to put up with her often challenging daughter. Those brownies also taught me that things don’t necessarily go as we have planned. Life is often messy, we find ourselves in situa-tions where we “don’t mix,” and we have to do our best to smooth over our sticky situations. But with a little patience and a lot of hope, life can be pretty sweet.

Polka Dot Brownies.
(This mix can be doubled easily.)
One package of chocolate cake mix
Three eggs
One stick of butter
As many chocolate chips as your heart desires
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
Melt butter in a microwave safe container
Mix cake mix, eggs and melted butter in one large bowl
Once the batter is thoroughly mixed as chocolate chips
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes

I am a ninja!

2009-08-27T13:58:00.001-04:00

My patch of Georgia

2009-08-24T20:22:00.000-04:00

Reluctantly.

Reluctantly I strap on my old and road-weathered tennis shoes. Reluctantly I tuck my hair under my tattered and worn ball cap. Reluctantly I leave my cool house for the August heat and the blazing asphalt and I walk.

I say it is for health. I say it is to keep up. But sometimes the walks are just for thinking.

I feel the humidity like electricity on to my skin. Like 1,000 moist pins, bouncing off every fiber of my surface.

I see the yellow golden rods and the horses grazing beneath the pink sky. I see happy faces of babies in their yards and boys on skateboards.

I smell summer in every direction. Fresh cut grass and dirt and honey suckles. Wild mushrooms and charcoal.

I hear a chorus of crickets warming up for their evening song. I hear air conditioners working in overtime to cool the voices coming from the houses as I walk past. I hear men talking and children laughing the sound of whisk scraping against a metal bowl.

I hear tires rolling along the street. My street. I hear my street and I turn to walk back home. I am happy.

Happy Birthday MaryAnne!

2009-08-21T09:14:00.001-04:00

Special Anouncement Coming Next Week

2009-08-19T15:54:00.000-04:00

And NO it is NOT a baby!

Sick and tired in the land of print

2009-08-18T09:37:00.000-04:00

As I type this there is a roll of toilet paper sitting on my desk acting as facial tissue. My under desk garbage can has become a full on snot receptacle and if I had a bottle of Dayquil I am pretty sure I would down it in one quick gulp.

Sick at work. This is far less irritating than being sick at the doctor's office where I will wait three hours for next to a screaming baby, a man yelling into a cellphone and a toddler who is obnoxiously banging together over sized legos. The doctor will talk to me for thirty seconds, scribble out a prescription and then I will have to pay the entire bill out of pocket because I am in that 18 percent of the population who are either uninsured or under insured.

I will cure myself through copious amounts of EmergenC and old antibiotics.

2009-08-13T20:26:00.001-04:00

A message to MaryAnne

2009-08-10T14:12:00.001-04:00

I vote that we forcefully take over MaryAnne's blog, "That's What She Said" (formerly called "According to Me.")

Do you miss MaryAnne and want to know what is going on in her life?

Do you miss her musings and photographs?

Do you love that mop of curly red hair and demand new photographs?

Are you tired of being disapointed everytime you click on her link?

I am and I now truly and deeply hate frogs.

This post has been brought to you by the "Effort to Take Back MaryAnne's Blog!"

Why I love my job...

2009-08-08T10:14:00.000-04:00

A long awaited reunion
After 80 years or searching, hoping and praying, a local family has reunited with their long-lost “baby brother.”

“It had been a lifelong search,” said Wesley Robbins of Calhoun. “We just never did think we would be able to find him.”

In 1925 when Robbins, was only three, his family was forced to leave behind the family farm in Calhoun to find work in Atlanta.

Robbins father, Amos Talmadge Robbins, along with his pregnant wife Elizabeth Dyer Robbins and their six children, moved to Atlanta where Elizabeth gave birth to their seventh child, a boy they named Talmadge. His six older siblings affectionately referred him to as the baby.

Two months after giving birth to Talmadge Elizabeth died, leaving her husband alone to raise seven children, the oldest of which was just eight years old. Unable to care for seven children on his own, Amos Robbins made the difficult decision to place the baby in an orphanage.

Three of the sisters were taken in by a neighbor to help raise and the other siblings were taken in by family members who assisted Amos Robbins while he searched for work.

The baby was adopted and taken to live in Albany, Ga., but the Robbins siblings were not aware of this information, and the children always wondered what happened to the baby.

“Dad signed papers saying he would not try to find him. He didn’t want to go back on that prom-ise,” Wesley said.

It wasn’t until adulthood that the Robbins clan began actively looking for the baby.

“It was just one of those things- the family was always looking, always searching,” said Louanne Holbert, Wesley Robbins youngest daughter.

In 1961, the oldest sibling, Arnold Robbins died of cancer. This is when the siblings began searching in earnest.

“My sister, Marcell, put an ad in the paper,” said Wesley.

But that effort proved futile. There was a response to the ad, however the man was not Talmadge Robbins.

“I think he was sincere, he wanted to find his lost family too,” said Wesley.

The turning point

It finally took something as simple as a free trial with a genealogy web site find the lost Robbins brother. In the early days of last winter Holbert decided to take to the Internet. She began a family tree on the web site ancestry.com. Holbert entered in the names of her paternal grandparents along with the names of her father and his siblings.

“Two or three weeks later they called,” Holbert said.

According to Holbert, LeAnn MacCunach, the daughter of a man named John Williamson phoned her father’s house.

“She said, ‘I think that your dad is my dad’s brother.’ They had seen that he was a Robbins from Calhoun. We didn’t know that while we were looking for him, his family was looking for us,” said Judy Meadows, Wesely’s oldest daughter.

This is when Meadows immediately took the phone to her father.

“I said, ‘There is a girl on the phone who says her father is your adopted brother.’ His mouth just fell open,” she said.

Within the hour Wesley returned the phone call. This confirmed that John Willamson was in fact the long lost baby Talmadge Robbins.

Immediately family members began arrangements to visit John and his family in Millidgeville where John lives with his wife of 60 years, Gene. Last month, the Williamsons celebrated their wedding anniversary, and his new found siblings were invited.

Wesley and his family made the three hour drive to Millidgeville, not knowing what to expect.

“When I saw him, I didn’t have the words for it,” Wesely said.

Holbert and Meadows immediately noticed the striking similarities between the brothers. The two men not only look alike, they also share many of the same habits, such as standing with one hand in their pocket, or placing folded hands in their laps.

John’s first words to Wesley were, “I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

“Who would’ve thought that after all these years, they would have found each other?” Holbert asked.

Meant To Be

Over the course of the sibling’s lives, unaware to any of them, there little brother was close by.

While stationed in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Robbins said his base in California was only 30 minutes from the base in San Diego where his baby brother was stationed.

“He was close enough to reach out and touch,” said Holbert.

John attended North Georgia College in 1942; his older sister Bernice had attended the same school just one year earlier.

“They never gave up hope that he was nearby,” said Holbert. “Whenever they would see a man with red hair they would stop and ask, ‘Is your name Robbins?’ They never gave up hope.”

But Holbert also believes there was a higher power at work. Before their mother’s death in 1925, Elizabeth Dyer Robbins asked her oldest daughter Marcella, then just eight years old, to promise she would take care of the children.

“She took it the hardest when the baby was placed in the orphanage,” Holbert said.

It was Marcella who had led the active search for John, until her death in August of 2008.

“We figure it was her. When she got to heaven she guided us together,” Holbert said, while wiping tears from her eyes.

Wesley said the reunion is bittersweet. Three of the oldest Robbins siblings have passed away.

“Our family still isn’t complete. But it is a whole lot better now than it used to be,” Wesley said.

I (heart) John

2009-08-06T14:01:00.000-04:00

I love John Steinbeck. He is among my favorite authors. I think his work epitomizes the human spirit, America, the search for something better, something bigger.

I love the turtle on the first page of "The Grapes of Wrath," and how when I read his description of the dust bowls I feel like I am standing there.

I switch back and forth in my favorites, between "East of Eden," or "Winter of Our Discontent" or "Sweet Thursday."

A lot of people my age don't like Steinbeck. They find his works boring, or hard to get excited about.

This passage alone is why I love him.

"Sometimes a kind of glory lights up the mind of a man. It happens to nearly everyone. You can feel it growing or preparing like a fuse burning toward dynamite. It is a feeling in the stomach, a delight of the nerves, of the forearms. The skin tastes the air, and every deep-drawn breath is sweet. Its beginning has the pleasure of a great stretching yawn; it flashes in the brain and the whole world glows outside your eyes. A man may have lived all his life in the gray, and the land and trees of him dark and somber. The events, even the important ones, may have trooped by faceless and pale. And then—the glory—so that a cricket song sweetens the ears, the smell of the earth rises chanting to his nose, and dappling light under a tree blesses his eyes. Then a man pours outward, a torrent of him, and yet he is not diminished…" East of Eden

Ticket this!

2009-08-06T09:32:00.001-04:00

2009-07-31T13:37:00.001-04:00

I am busy. Who isn't? I think we all manage to fill the time between work and sleep with as many activities as we can possibly manage.

This morning I was given a reminder to slow down. As I sped down I-75 at an excess of 75 mph when I was almost stopped dead in my tracks when I came down a hill on I-75 to see the sunrising. It was literally one of the moments that makes you slow down to enjoy the scenery.

This moment made me question, what else am I missing by speeding through life at a rapid pace.

2009-07-30T13:47:00.000-04:00

God is bigger than the economic crisis.

2009-07-27T09:59:00.001-04:00

I am trying not to get stressed out. We are looking for Beard Face a new job. Looking for a place to live. Trying to sell or rent (but really sell) our house.

Selling a house like our entails making repairs updating. It just gets to be a lot. My head is spinning, spinning, spinning.

Pray for us as we seak God's guidance in this situation. I have come to understand that there is a better way to pray about things. God is so much bigger than the economy. He is bigger than the housing crisis.

2009-07-25T20:24:00.001-04:00

Just find the horizon I promise you it's not as far as you think

2009-07-22T20:55:00.000-04:00

Jack's Mannequin "Swim"

The strangest dream ever

2009-07-20T11:57:00.000-04:00

I had this really strange dream Saturday night, it was a highly entertaining dream, but strange nonetheless.

I was at my grandparent's old house in Frisco City, Ala. I was lounging lazily on the old thick, shag carpet when I heard a knock on the backdoor.

I openened the door to find my idol and Smart Girl Posse member, Tina Fey standing in my Grandaddy's garage.

"Here," she said and shoved forward a basket filled to spilling over with glittery costumes, wigs and prosthetic noses.

"Um, hello... I love your show..." I stuttered without even asking why the heck Tina Fey was in Monroe County.

Before I knew it my grandparent's living room was filled with people setting up lights and cameras. Steve Martin was there and I told him how much I loved "Roxanne."

I mean that is exactly what I said, no screamed at him. "I love Roxanne."

He replied with a polite, thank you. Everyone in dream world is always polite, and smells great, like cupcakes.

I had a scene with Steve Martin and the whole time I kept thinking, if I wake up this goes away.
Stay asleep. But of course even though everyone in my dream is super polite and smells like a bakery, it can't be perfect. Everytime we were set to do a sketch of this crazy show we were hosting from the livingroom, I had the sudden need to urinate.

Then I woke up. And I was sad.

Everybody's workin' for the weekend.

2009-07-19T19:32:00.000-04:00

As I write this I sit here in one of Beard Face UnStoppables old middle school math club t-shirts. I am wearing a purple skirt that doesn't match. I also have on brown, suede flip flops. This is how one dresses for the weekend.

I have not had a real weekend in seven months. I went to a movie, cheered on Guns McAwesome in a weigh lifting competition. Ate ice cream. Made cup cakes. Went to the library. Had Chinese food twice.

My job is in no way normal. In fact on Friday I ended up milking a cow, while wearing high heals, at the Little League World Series. But, I get a weekend. A normal weekend to go to movies and bake and try to unload this house.

2009-07-15T20:23:00.000-04:00

Fair - a nonexistent concept

2009-07-14T10:59:00.000-04:00

I hate whininess. I just can't tolerate it and on more than one occasion I have walked away from a whiney person in mid-conversation. This is not to say that I don't ever whine and complain about the goings on in my own life. That would be a lie. I whine all the time. I just understand that it is an unattractive quality. (If you recall I once called whininess a filthy whore.)

I write all of this to say- the thing that annoys me the most is when I here a whiney person say, "it is so unfair." Or "Life is so unfair."

Yeah, you are right. Life is unfair. And thank Jesus, because if life was fair, how miserable would you be?

If life was fair chances are you would be living in a hut in the third world wondering where your next meal was coming from.

Once you realize how justly unfair the world is, it makes the crap life throws at you much easier to handle.

2009-07-10T20:23:00.000-04:00

Spin beneath the roof top...

2009-07-09T12:01:00.000-04:00

Wow! My head is still spinning. The past six weeks have been nothing if not tumultuous with possible job losses, broken houses, hail storms, screaming bosses and public bed head.

And then this week was a good week. A good week after a whole lotta nothing.

Nearly a year ago I walked away from a work situation that I had poured so much of myself into. And it was painful. J and I have been a couple since I was eighteen, so I have never really experienced a bad break up. Heart break, yes. But break up, no. I might equate the feelings I felt watching that newspaper go out of business with a really terrible breakup.

The past few months have not been easy, but in the big scheme of life, compared to what other people experience, they haven’t been that hard either. I think the most valuable lesson I have learned from all of this is that everything is temporary.

But as always, God’s timing is perfect.

This week I got a new job. I start Tuesday and I am really excited. When I was 10 I used the little word processor on my mother’s computer to make a little newspaper that I shared with my fourth grade class. (My nerd skills developed at a very early age.)

The ink is in my blood. It always has been. And I have pursued this dream my entire life. But I have also learned not to hook my dreams on one nail.

I have no idea where this is going to lead me. But I know it is somewhere wonderful.

2009-07-07T15:06:00.001-04:00

I got the job!!! I start next Tuesday.

Thoughts on a book.

2009-07-05T22:13:00.001-04:00

I just finished "The Girl Who Stopped Swimming." Wow! I really liked Laurel by the end. Jackson sure can develop a character. I should have read her stuff sooner.

John Green is right - a good book is like peeing. Once you start you can't stop.

2009-07-05T20:39:00.001-04:00

2009-06-28T20:40:00.000-04:00

I love Bishop Allen. I think I have talked about this before, actually. "The Broken String is My Favorite."

Here are some words of wisdom from Bishop:

The Monitor:

It's stunning to know I've survived
But I'm not sure what I'm fighting for anymore
And when I break another string
And continue to sing
Is that courage? I'm not sure.

Rain:

Cursing, rattling and cursing
Go ahead and do your worst then
Your worst that I can take

Oh let the rain fall down
and wash this world away
Oh let the sky be grey
Cause if its ever gonna get any better
its gotta get worse for a day.

Political Scandal, Stupid Things We Say, and Kodachrome

2009-06-26T17:11:00.001-04:00

12 (shallow) things I will not apologize for...

2009-06-23T17:44:00.000-04:00

1. For shooting a dirty look to someone who is sitting in their parked car with the door open when I am trying to pull into an empty space. I understand if you are getting your kid out his car seat. If you are old and or have some sort of disability that prevents a quick entrance or exist. But just because you want to finished your phone call… ugh. Shut the door!

2. For not understanding, pretending to understand or celebrate made up holidays like Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day.

3. For telling someone to be quiet in the movie theatre. Did I not just pay $20 to see this movie with my husband? Shut up!

4. For being a reverse snob and letting a Toyota merge in front of me when exiting the grocery and not a Land Rover/Lexus. Working class heroes don’t drive Escalades.

5. For wondering why people don’t give their children real and solid names. Ie… Kaylee, Kylee, Keelie, Kendall, Kimbra. These are not names. These are characters in bad beach novels about heiresses from Kentucky.

6. For hating bad radio music and loving it at the same time. Did you know that there is actually a song called “My Life Would Suck Without You?” Seriously? This is a song. I am not listening to that. However, I will dance to some Lady GaGa when no one is looking. (Coincidently, is that an actual Lady or a drag queen? Either way she can sing.)

7. For putting on power ballads and crying after a really bad day.

8. For not being overly impressed with my bosses achievements. Or anyone’s achievements for that matter.

9. For drinking six cups of coffee in a day. Don’t tell me it is bad for me. I didn’t ask you.

10. For telling you I didn’t ask you. Hey, but out, I didn’t ask you.

11. For being too old to be a nerd girl. Yeah, I still love Harry Potter deal with it. I was a nerd long before it was cool. The real nerds- we are like Cher and cockroaches- we will be here when the blast destroys everything.

12. For becoming completely obsessed with fictional characters from made up towns in Louisiana and the vampires that love them.

Where in Almost Girl attacks bad news readers

2009-06-18T15:30:00.000-04:00

Prayer requests and such

2009-06-14T19:54:00.000-04:00

I would really appreciate it if you guys would pray for us.

I have a job interview on Wednesday. I am pretty excited about it.

We might possibly be moving for Beard Face's job. (More details on that later.) Please pray that if we are supposed to leave Atlanta (which I believe that we are) that God will lead us to the right place.

- Along those lines- we would find good work situations.

- We could sell our house.

My sister's father-in-law is having by-pass surgery next week.

Thank you so much.

2009-06-10T15:09:00.001-04:00

Should anyone ask, I really would like this:

2009-06-07T20:58:00.000-04:00

Don't know what you're made of
Til the one thing that you want
To come in with the dawn and suddenly changes

I want...

2009-06-06T22:35:00.000-04:00

A milkshake.

To fly first class.

To live in Europe.

To have long brown, shiny hair.

A pot bellied pig

To learn how to plat the Ukulele.

To visit all 50 states.

A book worm waxes

2009-06-03T01:17:00.000-04:00

I just finished The Book Thief and sobbed through the last 20 pages of it. I want to sleep with it under my pillow.

Markus Zusak is a literary rock star. It is so rare that book can devastate you and make you hopeful at the same time.

At some points, while reading this book, I had to remove all writing utensils from my general vicinity because I kept making notes in the book and underlining text.

Lines like these:

Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain.
The secret sat in her mouth. It made itself comfortable. It crossed its legs.
I really hope you will read it because "The Book Thief" is a wonderful story.

We went to the mountains.

2009-06-02T13:22:00.000-04:00

I wore a cute dress.

We saw a deer.

We stood in front of some rocks.

(That, by the way is my favorite cardigan. It is ugly and long and rife with holes. But I love it.)

Spinning

2009-05-30T20:54:00.000-04:00

This is seriously my new favorite song.

I'm keeping quiet 'till there is no more sirens

Lately it's been hard to keep the hinges on with all the noise

I'll find my words when there is no one talking

The room is spinning I have got no choice

Be patience I am getting to the point

I can't remember when the earth turned slowly

So I just waited with the lights turned out again

I lost my place but I can't stop this story

I'll find my way but until then I'm only spinning

I'm keeping quiet till the phone stops ringing

Lately it's hard to disconnect I just want something real

I'll find my words if I could just stop thinking

The room is spinning I have got no choice

Be patience I am getting to the point

Spin beneath the roof top

Hold on, wait until the room stops spinning

I can't remember when the earth turned slowly

So I just waited with the lights turned out again

I lost my place but I can't stop this story

I'll find my way, but in the end were only

I keep forgetting when the earth turned slowly

So I just waited till the lights come on again

I lost my place but I can't stop this story

I'll find my way but until then I'm only spinning