A Georgia Girl In An Alabama World

A journey of family, food, fun, and life, as it happens...

[maof3crooks]

Y’all.

So I decide to go the sensible way and do what I can to save money. I bought a whole chicken. I have heard you can pop one into a crock-pot and basically forget about it until dinner. The meat is usually plentiful for two or three meals. So.. I go this route. This morning, I decided to brave it. Now, y’all, get this- I have issues with raw meat, whether it be ground meat, chicken drums, slacks of ribs, pork chops- just raw meat. I ain’t never liked it. Well back to this morning, I’m feeling mighty proud of myself for trying to do the sensible thing- trying to cook more- be healthier- and save money. They are all good things. So I’m at this thing of my whole chicken. I cut open the bag, luckily I was at the sink- now them juices- that was a bit rough, but I’m doing good. Let me pause here and go back a couple of hours to when I awoke in my bed and saw on Pinterest.

So I’m doing my morning routine (lay in my bed and check things that are important- you know, Pinterest, FaceBook, and sometimes emails)... I’m laying there and I think to myself- oh yea, I need to know how long to leave the chicken in the crock-pot. I’m looking through Pinterest and I found a recipe I seem to like. Then I saw the horrifying statement--- I mean horrifying-- it said I- ME... ME!! I was going to have to empty the chicken of its insides. SAY WHAT?! Ain’t no one told me I was gonna have to do that. That’s just wrong- wrong, wrong, wrong. I’m almost tempted to go downstairs and throw my chicken out the window! We got plenty of sea gulls around here that would enjoy it.

Back to my chicken at the sink. I’m pulling and ain’t nothing coming out. I thought to myself I got me a good chicken- one that already has had its insides taken out. I look around that poor meaty carcass... I think to myself- whew, a good chicken you are- this is easy! I turn it around to get ready to put in the crock-pot, then it hit me.... I had been pulling on it’s neck, y’all! Can you imagine what it was thinking if it were alive?! “GAG!!, that’s my neckbone, you southern goob!” When I knew it was the neckbone, I knew-- there was another end... and it probably still had the insides in THAT way. I flip it over and tada- all the glorious, gag-worthy, slimy parts. I tell myself- YOU CAN DO THIS- your Granny, your mama, your Memaw-- they all done it- you can, too. Of course, they didn’t have the option of calling Zaxby’s for some chicken tenders. Anyhow- i pull some really soft fat off, then there they were- parts or organs- somethings. When I braved my hand into that cavity (as they call it) the slime of some organ touched my fingertips-- oh dear--- I was having a BARBARA JEAN (from Reba, y’all) face moment! I’m gagging- trying to breathe through this. I birthed three children-- wiped their poopy butts, cleaned their vomits which always seemed to land on ME, I can deal with this chicken!!

One part, two parts, three parts--- all in the garbage (I hope that’s where they were supposed to go)... I braved that sucker! It’s now in the crock-pot. And tonight when I cut into that golden beauty, I’m gonna be proud... because I survived it’s insides.

[maof3crooks]

Forgiveness

This post is one of the hardest I’ve ever done. I will just leave it to Jesus, for I truly believe He’s the one writing this, He’s definitely the one giving me the strength to do this.

I woke up this morning with the story of the prodigal son on my mind. I had no clue why, I tried to analyze (as I always do) just why I was thinking about the prodigal son story. We all know the story- the father had two sons, one stayed home and did as his daddy wanted him to, the other- asked for his inheritance and went and squandered it. One morning, the son woke up in a pigsty (literally) and knew the only place to go home. Mind you, this boy was gonna have to swallow his pride, go home smelling like the pigs, with nothing, and face his father. How many of us would have been just stubborn and ignored the opportunity to just go home? However, the son went home and as the Bible says-- when the Father saw the boy come up the road, the father RAN to him. RAN. There were no “well, you’re an idiot,” “I told you so!” or “Turn around and go away.” The father RAN to him and embraced him. In fact, they had a celebration, the father had a fat cow prepared and partied on. His boy was home. (I’m getting somewhere here, hang on).

Anyway, the morning went on. I spoke with my sister and she told me how AWESOME of a visit she had with her daughter yesterday. I was proud, excited, and relieved for my sister. Yes, because her daughter had come to visit, but because she brought with her, her boyfriend- those two have not had the healthiest relationship- (BUT GOD!) and my sister spoke how she just enveloped herself with forgiveness and love, welcomed the boy into her home. They had a beautiful visit. She even got to see the boy just love on her daughter. What mother does not want that? I felt such peace. (Still getting somewhere).

As I was doing my Bible study and putting to use what I’ve learned in Daily Living Skills class from Mrs. Baird and Home Economics from Mrs. Collins, I heard a song, twice. It’s a song that was a hit several years ago. It’s not really something you hear on the radio twice, much less in a short amount of time. It was “Who Am I?” from Casting Crowns. And like a wave, I broke down. This was the song that I listened to when I found out my sister, Coley, passed away. (Yes! The tears are choking me, blinding me, and making me a blubbering mess right now).

You see, Coley was a prodigal child. Although our mother and father had forgiven her for the things she had done to our family and to herself, I shunned her. I shunned her the opportunity to ‘come home.’ She had written me a letter for my birthday (hers was the day before mine) asking for forgiveness, telling me how much she loved me and how sorry she was. I, in my flesh, read it, folded it up, put it up and said I’ll answer it later, maybe. I believe it was the very next March that she started to get sick again. (Coley suffered from Cystic Fibrosis) My family and I went on a week long vacation in the mountains, where cell phones did not have reception nor did anyone provide wifi. It was on our way back home, Gary had gotten a phone call from someone he had worked with at 911, Coley’s boyfriend and his family tried to get ahold of us. Her funeral was that afternoon, we never got to say good-bye or attend the funeral. And just like that- this little baby sister of mine was forever gone. I hold on to the faith that although she struggled and made some bad choices, that she still knew her Jesus, the one she sang about all the time at church. (In that case, she’s in his presence now!!)

Putting it all together- the song, the story, all of it--

Who am I--- to take away someone’s chance to be forgiven, after what Jesus has done for me.

Who am I--- to allow bitterness and hurt to prevent me from forgiving, yes, after what Jesus did for me.

Love-- I did not walk in love. I walked in bitterness, attitude, unforgiveness, immaturity.... Don’t be so stubborn to walk in what I walked in. Because when she died, I lost every opportunity to tell her I was sorry and that I had forgiven her. It is actually very wrong to reject someone’s forgiveness. It’s Biblical not to do that. And I did that. For a long time, I struggled with that. I finally found peace in knowing that God has forgiven me. Today, it all came back. I’m not sure who for, or who why. Don’t do what I did. Walk in love, the same agape love that Jesus has for that- that He would die for you. Walk in forgiveness, if not for them, then for yourself. Even if they ask for it or not- yes, I said that. It’s not about you, it’s about living right- living for God. I tell you-- “what peace we often forfeit” when we don’t walk in love or forgiveness. RUN to your ‘prodigal child’- maybe its a parent, a friend, a sibling,.... RUN.

So I’m replaying that song on YouTube.....The chorus says---

“Not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done. Not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are, I am a flower- quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind,still You hear me when I’m calling, Lord, You catch me when I’m falling and You told me who I am...... I am Yours.”

Today, I am reminded- with uttermost peace- that “I am Yours.”

[maof3crooks]

You’re Not Alone, MOMS

You’ve heard it all before... “You’re not alone,” “Oh! You’re not the only one going through that...” Some days you want to scream out to those people, “Shut up! I feel alone.” (Guess what, you’re not alone in that either.) It’s summer, the kids are all home, so it’s me and the kids all day long. Daddy works, it’s me and the kids all day long. Yeah, I put that in there twice. You moms will get that. A simple twelve hour frame can DRAG on forever and ever. And yeah, I know some of you moms (me included) feel guilty at the end of the day for being impatient, for complaining, for expecting more out of your children. I definitely do. I feel guilty because I know moms who have children who are sick, struggling to live, and have it much worse off. I get that. It is then when I start to appreciate what I’ve got, healthy (love to eat all day long) children, intelligent (loves to argue all day long) children, active (leaving messes where ever they go) children, vibrant for life (a bit too daring for my taste) children. Yes, I am thankful for my children although there are days where I’m worn ragged. No, you’re not alone, moms. Let me take you to the day I visited the neighborhood pool this week. 

It was one of those days where the ‘home’ was decent enough to ignore for a while and the kids were highly energized. I decided to take the kids to the pool because for one, they release that extra energy they’ve amazingly bottled up while sleeping through the night. And two, it allows me a chance to read my book. Okay, I’m exaggerating. Between the “MOM! Watch me do this and the MOM! He/She splashed me!” I get to HOLD my book and feel like I’m reading. So there I was ‘reading’ my book, I see this little toddler with those blow-up arm floaties on in the deep-end. Mom gets up out of the shallow end with a baby in her arm, walks over, tries to get her little boy (the toddler with the blow-up floaties) out to where she was. He sees her coming, swims further out to where she can’t grab him. You could see it on her face, y’all! That stern, flat, I’m pissed inside, can’t wait to get you home kid! face... yeah, y’all know the one. He swims closer to the edge, she grabs him then speaks into his ear. He jumps in the vicinity of where she was. C’mon on now, I wouldn’t be telling this story if that’s all there was to it. Noooooo ma’ameree. Mom gets back in and I notice she has another little child in the shallow end, maybe five years old. The toddler sneaks right back out to the deep end. He’s jumping in and out. Mom gets out- still with baby in arm, tells her little girl to go sit while she tries to get the little toddler. Toddler sees mama coming, jumps in. (See, if that was my little toddler, my blood pressure would have been sky high!) I sat there still ‘reading’ my book, smiling behind my book- only because it wasn’t ME. I wasn’t laughing, because I sympathized with her, but I was definitely rejoicing because it wasn’t ME. Mama is talking to the boy, trying to coax him to come out. Next thing I know, mama looks up and slaps her forehead in surprise. I turn to see what she’s looking at, her little girl had stripped out of her swimsuit and was walking around naked as a jaybird. I lost control of my smile and started snickering. I so wanted to bite my tongue because I know that mom was probably having a meltdown inside, but I had to snicker because IT WASN’T ME. Another mom in the pool sees the craziness I do, swims over to the little toddler, gently carries him back to mom. Mom looks relieved. I’m sitting there, ‘reading’ my book, smiling, and thanking God because it wasn’t me today. I’m sure there will be plenty more days where it is me, where I might have meltdowns, where I want to have Calgon to take me away... So moms, no you’re not alone, you’ve never been. 

Galatians 5:22

#moms #motherhood #calgon #notalone

[maof3crooks]

Can we say F A S T?

Okay, so it’‘s been a little over a year since we’ve moved to sunny Florida. The year went by... whizzing by... I thought I would be able to keep up with a blog. Here’s my confession- I forgot I had one. I would remember every once in a while, but never got to sitting down and clacking away. I’m going to sum this whole year up by providing you with a list of things I’ve learned.... So let me impart some of my golden wisdom upon you...

1- Family far away sucks. Simply put. There’s no sugar coating this one.

2- Education for the Deaf suffers and lacks in this great nation. Some states have it worse off. The one my children attend- is a great one. (I’m not saying perfect) but it is led by a woman who understands, respects, and embraces all there is about Deafness. She is a gem. 

3- God knows what He’s doing. I’ve suffered from anxiety and panic attacks (mainly while driving)-- since moving here, I’ve been driving more than ever. I’ll stay away from the interstates though. The last time I drove on it, I was going 90 mph and the coolant hose blew. Perhaps, God was saying slow down? See?! He knows what He’s doing. This whole move, this life transition has become more personal than I thought it would. The focus went from entirely on the children to all five of us as a family and even me as an individual. 

4- Regardless of how perfect and how amazing your marriage is, it takes work. The results are always awesome!

5- You WILL lose a lot of friends along the way, especially in a life transition- such as moving out of state. “Friends” disappear and stay in touch only through the “likes” on Facebook. There are some (a few, yeah, like really few) friends that have sent me a ‘hello, thinking of you’ or ‘miss you’ texts and a couple of friends who send me cards. These friends are the ones I’ll forever cherish. Er’body else went bye-bye. Here’s another thing I’ve learned- I’m okay with that. I’ve actually gained a couple of friends (not pounds this time, whoohoo!) in this town, such awesome, loving, Godly people. There are no words for these awesome folks. There are three people that have been my rock, my escape, my laugh, my kleenex, my venting board, and more...

Sara, Mary, and Rooster-Thank you for you.

6- I am stronger than I think. I thought it would be impossible to be away from family, to be away from the place I’ve called home for 30+ (a true lady never tells her age) years. I thought I would never drive again. I thought, I thought, I thought... then I realized it’s all in my head. The funny thing is-- the Bible says that. The battle is in the MIND. (Again, God knows what He’s doing!)

Physically- I’m exercising now, enjoying life more. Spiritually- I’m depending on God more, a lot more (which I think was the ultimate lesson for me in this whole move). There are other ways that I’ve seen and learned that I am stronger than I thought I was. Time to flick that weak thinking out of mind and remember that in HIM, I can do all things. That says ALL and I believe that now more than ever.

7- More people are going to visit you than EVER because you live in coastal Florida. No complaints here.

8- Lazy afternoons spent by the water is, IS therapeutic. 

9- There is no place like North Rome Church of God. If you have the privilege of calling NRCOG home, do not... do not.... take it for granted. I CRAVE for what you have.

10- Life’s a journey. Live it. No more waiting til Monday, next week, or tomorrow. The “I will” will become “I wish.”

Again, the year went by F A S T. Take a step back, breathe, and enjoy the ride.....

[maof3crooks]

Keeping it real...

This family is as real as it gets...There are dishes in my sink. My four year old is watching Disney Junior. I'm cooking turkey sausage for a 'make ahead' breakfast for tomorrow. My counter is somewhat cluttered. I'm a real mom with real life issues, with a real life budget, (wait, a budget? Pft, I don't even have that! Maybe I mean real life income), that uses real ingredients for real recipes without the glam, without the matching plates and napkins. No, I don't cookie-cut my children's sandwiches to look like tiny stars.

I had to up and leave everything I've ever known to relocate to sunny Florida (like that's a bad thing) so my children could get a better education. New place to live, new environment, new church, new folks, new schools... Let's add to the mix that I am a senior trying to get my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.So, yes, I'm so about keeping it real... (How real am I? I laugh at magazines that advertise on how to achieve new look for under $100! This cracks me up, I can spend $100 on ALL of my children's clothes at the Goodwill and think I hit the jackpot!)

Here are a few more things about me--I've never been on a cruise, never been to Disney World...(living in Florida may change that, though). I'm a Christian, I love My God, Jesus, I love serving others, I love crafting, I love simplicity, I love the smell of horse manure with a whiff of fresh cut hay (yes, really, I do!), I love cows, I love walking by the water (any water), last but not least, I love my family... Gosh gee, my three children may have given me more silver (not white!) hair than I'd like to have at 36 years old. They have also made me lose my temper once or twice (a day, that is..okay, I'm exaggerating..well, maybe not). But the gains I get out of being their mother weigh far more than anything this world could afford. My husband, my Gareness (Gary), is a woman's dream. He does the laundry, we split doing the dishes, he puts up with my hormones (easily, he's a champ!), he bought me a car for my birthday this year (He will say, in which I agree, it was all GOD!), he makes me LAUGH to no end, and simply yet, he loves me.

So why the blog? This will be my journey, the journey of the 5 Crooks as we adjust to salt life living, as I adjust to life without cows and pigs (let's not forget the horse manure and fresh cut hay!). Recipes, freebies, fun things we do, funny moments (plenty of that around here), anything goes.. my family and friends from afar will be able to keep up with us. So, hop along, hold on... it's gonna be a great ride!

@maof3crooks  #keepingitreal