Sun Power

Ok, let's talk about power bills. Oh, yea. I know that makes the heart go pitter patter as in stroke mode, especially in the summer. Well, check these babies out.

This array of solar panels is located smack dab in the backyard of our house in Fairview. I am pretty sure that not everyone knew just how to take these babies or liked them in the back yard as indicated by how long this house was for sale, but let me tell you just how much we like them. Our first electricity bill in many months was $4 and our August bill is $80. As the weather cools off again, the panels will send electricity into the grid and give us credit to build up for the months ahead. I like looking at them myself. I guess we are one of these folks:  Tennessee Solar Power Users

When I look out the back windows and see the grid, I don't just think of power and electricity. It makes me think of sunshine and how much we need to be outside. Sunshine is one of the major ways to get vitamin D and how many of you have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency? Hmmmmm.... Light sets our circadian rhythms and keeps our moods lifted. I'm going outside right now to get some sun and some D. More power to you!

Your Typical Trip to the Beach

I think most of us can tell of trips to the beach. I certainly remember those from my childhood, in addition to the ones we took with my own children. My favorite story from my younger days is with Mom and Dad, camping at the beach I believe... unless it was in a beach house at Myrtle Beach. Nonetheless, we were swimming in the ocean, having so much fun in the waves, and it was made totally more incredible since Dad came in with us. Of course, when Dad does anything, even swim, he has to wear his glasses. And YES! Right when a lovely wave comes toward us, all the kids squealing for joy, Dad turns around to look and BAM! Wave in the face! And the afterwards picture is ... Dad without glasses!

We were so concerned about Daddy's glasses but he grinned as he assured us that some lucky shark now had great eyesight. Is that a great dad or what?

Watching the waves

You are at the beach and the first few days are amazing with trips to the pool, trips to the beach, trips back to the pool, seafood, and extra long naps if you can get anyone to take one. Then after that there are a few more grouchies, some grabbing of toys, complaints about food, general whining and grand efforts on the part of the adults at positive attitudes. And as always happens at the beach, rain. Which is why you come prepared with games, puzzles, books, and nowadays, a selection of unseen DVD's. Today was our rain day, complete with the beautiful water and waves, the view of a rainstorm approaching, and lunch at Pampano Joe's. I must say, there is just nothing like dancing in the rain.

Jim sees the rainstorm first

Running for cover!

No Heart Break Here

So, Mom is doing fab and will be going home soon from Siskin Rehab in Chattanooga. I know she is antsy to get to her own place as we all know we heal best at home. She has new medicines to adjust to and she and I are planning a September trip to the beach if her doctor gives her a go ahead. We have a lamp store in SanDestin we really like to visit. We call it our Thelma and Louise trip without any cliffs.

Needless to say, I am glad to breathe easy again, as we all are. When anyone in your family is hurting or has health issues, it is constantly on your mind and heart. With a go ahead from Mom and Dad, Matt and Meg, Vaughn and Riley, and Jim and I have trekked down to Destin for some beach fun and much needed relaxation. We rented a BIG Ford Explorer with Matt's business travel points and put a carrier on top, made sure we had plenty of books, coloring activities, and DVD's and all climbed in together for the ride. I think there was a plan, as Jim and I were in the back seats occupying Vaughn and Riley...

Why doesn't Jim look happy?

Meg, travel expert and bargainer extraordinaire, found this condo in Destin with three bedrooms and a balcony overlooking three pools, a lazy river that lights up at night and the bay. There is a bridge over the main road to the Ramada Suites where there is a pool with grotto and a rock waterfall, a fountain playground, and the beach! We can do things together or go our separate ways, but it is hard to turn down two boys learning to swim! It so reminds me of three boys swimming at Aunt NeeNee's and Uncle Ancil's.

Waiting

There is no good picture to post for waiting. Today Mom is having bypass surgery for blockage in the arteries of her heart. Not a surprise to her but always unexpected in the day to day. She drove herself to the ER, which totally miffed Dad. Me, too. Dr. Monte says she will feel loads better and probably didn't even realize she felt "bad". Amazing how fast and how easy this is now.  Waiting for Dad to call.

Waiting for the mortgage company to call about short sale or whatever on the house in Griffin. So, so depressing in this economy. A second showing at 3pm.

Jim is at Larcom Lane in Griffin after his last Sunday at St. John, loading a few more things and cleaning a bit more. He was, of course, waiting for the piano movers who didn't ever show up. We are donating the piano to Futral Road. They really need a newer one and we will know that the children will be enjoying it.

Waiting...

Look! Look!

I am trying not to hold my breath, but there are more and more tomatoes! Riley is going to have to learn to count higher than six!

I love the smell of tomato plants and leaves and isn't it ironic that I can't eat many because they hurt my stomach so? No matter. They are beautiful to watch grow.

The boys always check the garden first thing. Riley carefully counts the tomatoes.

I remind him to peek under the leaves for little ones that are hiding. It takes much patience for this at four years old. That is the patience that allows for following directions, and reading, and listening, and creating.

 

We are also patiently waiting for strawberries. Being an amateur, I picked a variety that will produce in June and in August. We will see. I also read that I needed to prune the suckers so all the energy can go to producing the strawberries. I have done this in hopes to see more progress. We are watching and waiting.

 

Seth has been busy this week with a new TV mount, remedying the "hole in the wall". He has been a great help to me. He and Kristen have been very creative with some plastic outdoor chairs that are now painted anew and lovely old pallets from a barn sale that are making an outdoor table for Seth's patio in Athens. Kristen is participating in a mini internship with a public relations firm in downtown Nashville and is doing a great job. Tim loves, loves, loves his new job at Oak Ridge, Jane is approaching graduation, and Daniel is in training this week in Florida. Rebecca continues to move toward her nurse practitioner goal.

Counting the fruit and waiting patiently for it takes time, huh?!

Who is Murphy anyway?

The adage, Murphy's Law, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong," has long been a part of my "comment culture".  So, we had a Murphy weekend.

Seth and I hunted and hunted for a hammock for Jim for Father's Day, as last weekend Jim hung up the old one from camp days and promptly fell right through the rotted middle! Unfortunately no one was there to video that one! The one we ordered looked scrumptiously relaxing, but when put together, was designed for midgets to climb into. When I was finally able to get in it, I could not get out and up. Looks great in the picture, huh? Beware Internet shopping. Also, non-returnable.

It really is lower than this...

So then, Jim and Seth proceed to measure, remeasure and measure again to mount the flat panel television so it is so close to the wall and looks like a picture so it amazes all who visit. Wow! No wires to show either! And, Voila! Extra studs everywhere, unexpectedly, in the wall. Now a hole and ...

Back on the media stand for now.

So, back to Murphy... Apparently the Law was named after Captain Ed Murphy, an engineer from Wright Field Aircraft Lab. Frustration with a malfunction due to an error in wiring caused USAF Col. John Paul Stapp to remark - "If there is any way to do it wrong, he will" – referring to the technician who had wired the bridges at the Lab. Col. Stapp assigned Murphy's Law to the statement and the associated variations.

So, with Murphy on my mind, the Sunday school lesson from Dallas Willard's book, The Divine Conspiracy, focused on the Lord's Prayer. It was very interesting and a very different take on things as Mr. Willard has on all I have heard so far. He is a USC philosophy professor and an extremely deep, profound man with understandings far beyond those I have heard before. So I leave you with Seth and his success for Sunday and Dallas Willard's interpretation of The Lord's Prayer.

Success! Seth is so happy. He whistled the whole way through it! Ikea bookcase dividers look great and that pile of books now has a home, as well as giving me inspiration to finish organizing my corner.

Here is Dallas Willard’s paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer. He suggests that we paraphrase the prayer from time to time because its richness lends itself to much meditation.

Dear Father always near us,
may your name be treasured and loved,
may your rule be completed in us-
may your will be done here on earth in
just the way it is done in heaven.
Give us today the things we need today,
and forgive us our sins and impositions on you
as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.
Please don’t put us through trials,
but deliver us from everything bad.
Because you are the one is charge,
and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours-forever-
which is just the way we want it!

Whoopie!

Beau in the hood

I've got to say that the last week has been a bit too stressful for this gal. I was waiting for Jim to visit and for Seth and Kristen to come visit, too. Then Lily, Seth's sweet dog, and Abby have had to learn to play together without fussing and Tica, how to go potty outside before bedtime. Thank goodness for my Little Green to clean spots on the carpet. Arrrgggghhhh!!!

And then there is Beau. Now, it is my fault. A couple of years ago we went through this terrible experience of Beau chewing himself silly and making hot spots all over himself and finally, after lots of research, I took him off of dog food and went "natural". For a year he had doggie recipes with natural foods and then I introduced Newman's organic and he has been eating that with ground turkey for a long time now. No chewing! Happy dog!

So, tired of cooking turkey, and with Abby now, I just started feeding them all the same thing. Wrong!!! Beau has started the major tear up his body routine. Poor Beau. So he is back on his Newman's and turkey and trying to heal up and not so happy that he can't get to anywhere he wants on his bod.

Do you think if I wore his hood I would stay on task and not get distracted by the rest of my "bod" ? Ooooo, a marketing opportunity...  the Concentration Collar. Pick the style for your personality. Beau knows. Ask him.

Two Boys, Some Red Ripe Strawberries and Mom's Pastry Recipe

I have been searching and searching for somewhere to buy or pick Tennessee strawberries. I just can't buy and eat those California or Florida simulations that are slightly red on the outside and are white on the inside. And yea! On the way home from my doctor's appointment in Cool Springs on Tuesday I stopped by the roadside where a fellow was selling from his berry farm! Yippee!! Real Tennessee strawberries!!!

These are red through and through. And they are so sweet and juicy you can't eat them fast enough. I took a gallon to the Mannings and we promptly set out to share the Eaves' tradition of strawberry pastry dessert.

  

Meg has a real handle on the pastry; pardon the pun, as she is using Mombelle's rolling pin. You don't worry about neat edges and you can't over stir or over roll. This keeps the pastry from becoming tough and makes it very flaky.

 

 I consider it a plus that Meg has a convection oven to make the preheat and baking process go faster. It is very difficult waiting for this treat. And as you can see, Vaughn and Riley have this dessert under wraps. Mmmmmm... 

 

When we lived in Humboldt, I remember our
outings to pick strawberries. Of course, no one informed us about the ban on child labor, and we thought it was so much fun! I have a fuzzy memory about it but Mom says that Meg really didn't help much. She was very small and spent most of her time eating the strawberries she picked. We knew, of course, the rewards to come: strawberry shortpastry and frozen strawberry jam. I guess Mom wishes she could have transferred that child labor to our bedrooms...

For some reason I wake up at 5:53am each morning. How weird is that? Then, if I try to roll over for a bit more snooze, someone's nose is quietly in my face until I open my eyes and acknowledge her. Mr. Stilwell said Abby would just stand there until you got up to let her out. I am not that patient when it comes to going to the bathroom.

I have been going out front first thing in the morning to trim the dead blooms off the Knockout roses. Meg says this is a must so that the bushes can knock us out with more blooms. It is nice and cool and I can hear birds, the cows nearby, a rooster occasionally, and the obnoxious pitbull next door. It is a very pleasant way to start the day, sans pitbull. Meg has an amazing green thumb and Mom and Dad are becoming the gardeners extraordinaire. I hope I can keep up. Of course, I did have a potato from the garden for dinner last night. Just one, you say? Well, I only need one. So there.

Rose by Farrell Eaves' magic camera

I remember in maybe the third grade, Daddy helped me with my science fair project. I was comparing the growth of corn and lima bean seeds. I had to start seeds and then stop their growth at different stages. We made a big mounting board and had little jars on each side where you could see the seeds as they progressed. I think the holders were probably those mounting pieces from Dad's pegboard in the shop and the little plastic jars for were for nails. I think I had matured plants, too. Not bad for a girl, huh?! I won third place and have always included that on my curriculum vitae as an important kudo to be recognized.

Hope you get to smell roses today... not listen to pitbulls...

 Stress
So I took the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale test today and about passed out. Good thing a few experiences have moved along or you would be peeling me off the floor! Many of the items I checked were about changes and that will work itself out. Whew! Others were surrounding Jim's accident or my health and those issues will improve with time, also. The scale indicated my stress level was enough to make me ill. Duh!

So I went to the Happiness Project and lo and behold, an older post reminded me of what Mom or maybe Dad used to say: "This too shall pass." And boy, is that true! Oh, for hindsight when you are at the front of the horse. And wow did Dad need to sue that fellow for the "Don't sweat the small stuff" idea. Farrell Eaves lived by that before Richard Carlson was born. I remember when I was living in Mississippi and something horrendous was happening with the septic tank at the house. Imagine a septic tank in sand at the bayou, would you? Dad and I were talking on the phone and he told me that even if a bulldozer drove right through the middle of my house, as long as no one was hurt, things would be alright. I will never forget that and it was almost 30 years ago.

The kitchen window

I am going to have a "This too shall pass" day. When I look at things to sort or weeds, I will smile and know they will not be there some day in the future. When I think about the house at Larcom Lane not selling or the price going down, down, down, I am going to put another piece of furniture on Craigslist. Happy TTSP!

Ok, call me crazy. Everyone else does. After falling in love with Daisy, Meg's newly adopted 6-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, I have adopted Abby. She is 11 years old and is amazing!!! ( Notice, Monte, I am avoiding the word "awesome". Meg and I are expanding our expressive vocabulary.)

Abby comes from a family where both adults have fibromyalgia and Steve just had serious back surgery. She is a highly trained hunting dog who hasn't been hunting for several years but is so much fun because she is so smart, follows commands so well, and can catch a ball or frisbee midair! Whoo-hoo! Vaughn absolutely loves that and has been practicing throwing the frisbee. She works well here as there is a fence. She makes me get outside!

Now I have small, medium and large doggies!

Oops, sorry. Worked on taxes for us and for Pop's estate. Then went to GA to work on the house for a real estate agent open house. Oh, my gosh! And to think we are doing all this to LOSE money! 

Savannah came over to help me around the house.

Have an appointment with my awesome fibromyalgia specialist that I searched for and researched. Monday morning at 9am. Yea! Need him badly after this week!

Rebecca, I mean Marilee!

Yes, we have a Rebecca in the family now, but it's me on the farm. And yes, corny is an Eaves trait. (For you younger ones, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm)

Anyhoo, that is me and the south 40. You can see the farm behind me but I carefully choose this angle so you would be duly impressed and not see the typical subdivision around.

: ) I can pretend can't I?

Jim was here two weekends ago and helped me till and plant my raised garden. I suspect someone is eating the lettuce but haven't caught Peter Rabbit yet. Or the sneeky bird... I am not sure a rabbit can jump up on our raised bed as it is anywhere from 3-4.5 feet high. 

Trying my hand at heirloom tomatoes ...

And all summer long strawberries ... (Mom, need pastry)

Spinach!

We have lettuce, too. And I am hoping the asparagus in the background proves productive. Okra, red bell peppers, and yellow squash. We will see.

Vaughn and Riley want to plant cucumbers and carrots. I am going to let them plant down on the ground where they can reach things themselves. And since we don't have a pool yet, we are thinking about an inground trampoline. Remember that Eaves clan? At Aunt Opal's house in Cookeville?

And look who just arrived in the apple tree! Four new robins! They just turn their little beaks up and squeal for mom to bring yummies! I watched a momma dove hatch her one large pink egg over the last three weeks. He is gone now.  I guess the whole family is what I hear outside the bathroom window. You are welcome to visit Eden any time. Love you all.

What funny big heads!

So you ask, how is your healing process coming along? Healing? Yes, I am determined to feel better. Fibromyalgia is a very real disease and encompasses the body, mind and spirit. I am learning as much as I can about it and have an appointment with a specialist in Franklin. I found out about him on the Vanderbilt Hospital website. He was a doctor there and taught at the university and now has his own practice. He only sees those patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and  gout.  I don't have gout, thank goodness. I have everything else...

So, you say, what is the orchid about? Well, I find it very beautiful and breathtaking to look at. I know Gabby finds them beautiful and healing, too.  It sits in the corner of my bath where it gets lots of moisture and I see it all the time. I am encouraged to take a bath every night to relax my muscles before I go to sleep. Sleep is difficult and the movements of my legs during the night are lessened if I am not as tense. I think in my sleep study it said my legs move 90+ times per hour. Argh!

Tennessee is beautiful.  I have chosen some vegetables and fruits to grow (we will see) and there are fruit trees and vines I will be watching. There are birds everywhere. Nature is the best medicine ever. Be sure to get your dose of it every day.

A moment of inspiration...

I used to love writing poetry. You know, children don't spend much time with it anymore. They are too busy getting ready for standardized tests. Too bad... Occasionally I jot one down and since we are cleaning out EVERYTHING, I found this one from when Jim received his Miata convertible from Daniel, Tim, and Seth for his birthday. License plate FRMYSNZ. Now Jim is an amazing poet and writer, but I'll be brave and share this one.

Convertible Meditation

When you let the top down

            the world is different to my eyes.

            Blue turns to azure,

            Soft clouds become puffs of meringue.

The wind that silently blew trees

            and leaves and grass as we

            drove by

            is now touching me.

Pushing my hair back,

            swishing around my nose like a gentle finger,

            making my silk scarf flutter around my neck

            tickling itself outside the car’s periphery.

Small breaths of cool air

            swirl over my bare arms and

            I watch to see if they are becoming pink in the sun.

I imagine that those who pass,

            and those we pass

            could be thinking

                        “Oh, what fun!”, or

                        “I wish that were me!”, or

                        “She looks just like Jackie O!”

My senses are embraced in a small space and time

            perhaps to become

                        convertible meditation.

 

Marilee Tice  2010

Happy New...February!

How pitiful is it to go so long without sharing? Let's see, I had surgery on November 4 and then while I am in the bed Jim has a horrific accident at the warehouse in Atlanta in the night. Thank you to Rebecca and Daniel for helping sit with him at the emergency room and get him home at 1am on November 16. So, yes, the two old folks have been hobbling around in the convalescent home in Griffin, while trying to prepare for the wedding, etc. Mom has been incredible and wore herself out going back and forth to help us and me. All the boys rallied with their girls to help us at Thanksgiving along with the six doggies. Tim and Jane gave up vacation days to serve us, and Seth and Kristen came home early from UGA. How blessed are we?! Our church family has been amazing to check on us and brought us food for weeks, including Thanksgiving dinner for eight!

We really set out on the road to recovery when we approached the wedding date. It was one of the most glorious experiences our family has ever had. I really miss that Nancy wasn't there to laugh and cry with us and to see this amazing new family, Daniel and Rebecca. And I got my first dance with my son!

Someone Special

I have insomnia with my new medicine, so at 4:30am I was cleaning and sorting in the kitchen and for some reason I must have come across an item or picture that reminded me of the boys in kindergarten. Daniel, Tim and Seth all had Anne Fisher as their Kindergarten teacher at Third Ward Elementary School. She was a balance of structure and kindness and calm and respect that they all needed in their own ways. Daniel once called a little girl a "bitch" in class and she called me about it. She decided it wasn't of much consequence since he couldn't remember the word later when she talked to him in the hall. I surely didn't know where he had heard it, as it wasn't from Jim Tice's mouth! I asked Tim one day after he had been in kindergarten awhile if he had a girlfriend. I would never ask that now... He said he had three but he was only going to marry Mary Bay. I will leave it at that, Tim. Seth had to go to the principal, Millie Bankston's, office a few times, which we just had to get used to from then on through his school career. She called me once to check about one of his visits and asked me if she should scold him with or without her peepers on. I think she meant should she be stern, as peepers contribute to that look. I, of course, said "Yes! With peepers!"

 Mrs. Fisher survived all three and they started out on paths that have led them to amazing places of success, and growth, and love. We are all thankful for her. We all were there at her reception when she retired. Daniel doesn't say any bad words around me, Tim is not going to marry Mary Bay, and Seth has been reformed. I am a very grateful Mother.

Natural highs

Last night Jim asked for salmon patties. I remember how the boys asked for those alot, at least Tim and Seth. My mother made them all the time and I loved them and I think Jim remembers that, too, from his mom's cooking. So I think salmon patties qualify for a natural high.

Jim found this poster at a school and it lists some terribly awesome ways to get high - naturally. I think I will get started this afternoon. . . after I eat a salmon patty.

NATURAL HIGHS

Falling in love. Laughing so hard your face hurts. Watching a child do something for the first time after you taught them. Getting mail. Working a successful project with a good friend. Going out to eat with friends. Being in love. A bubble bath. Lying in bed and listening to the rain outside. Finding out that the sweater you want is on sale for half-price. Feeling when the fish takes the bait and is off and running. Holding someone you love in front of the fireplace. Hearing a song that reminds you of someone you love. White water rafting. Seeing someone you love do something outstanding. Making the winning score. Being told you did an excellent job by your peers. The first time your child says, “I love you”. Sledding down a hill during a big flake snow. A new hobby. Hitting the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Running your best time. Hugging your Dad! Mom! When your brother or sister says they love you. When your dog jumps around because he’s glad to see you. When your boss says, “perfect”. Finishing a good book. Pay day. Having flowers sent to you. A clear day at the beach. An unexpected present. A surprise visit from a friend. Meditation. Seeing a falling star. A beautiful sunset. Hitting the lottery. Finding a nest of baby bunnies. Solving a problem. A hot air balloon ride. Eating pizza. Your favorite meal. A job well done. A long-distance call from a friend. A hug. A spider web with dew on it in the early morning sun. reading under an electric blanket on a cold, rainy day. A long, hot shower. Making somebody laugh. Walking on the beach. Decorating a Christmas tree. Loving yourself. Music. International travel. Intimacy. A great idea. Plunging your hot body into a cool pool. Singing. The quiet after a snowfall. A letter from a friend. Dancing. Breakfast in bed. Candlelit dinner with the one you love. Hearing someone say, “I love you”. Holding hands. Clean hair. The first spring flower. Snuggling the soft skin of a baby. Having a wish come true.

J.Mayer & Associates ©1990

A Meloncholy Day

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Perhaps it's my age, perhaps my love of technology that started with a chance encounter with an Apple computer, perhaps it is the experience of loss of Nancy to cancer...but today is a pensive one. The world has seen the coming and going of another of the genius, creative and honorable minds wrought of God's most powerful wishes. Steve Jobs is one of those people who you expect to see live forever and when they die it takes your breath away. My hope and fervency is for his legacy to remain pure and focused. "To infinity and beyond!"

Overwhelmed

So Jim and I are overwhelmed. But it is not necessarily with bad things, as so often seems the case. It is now with so many fabulous things. For example, Daniel and Rebecca getting married in December and seeing them getting ready after contemplating this for so many years. And Tim and Jane on their journey with Tim absolutely engaged in his new job and Jane getting ready to leap into her masters work. Seth is so on a path by turning around those lemons into lemonade and trying to focus the lens on a career in medicine and helping others.  We are trying to become more tech savvy so that more is done efficiently in that realm. Talk about overwhelmed! As a teacher, it makes my job seem so daunting and yet so challenging. I think I just have to concentrate on being my best for my future grandchildren. : )