Special Moments

You know those moments as a parent when you're really proud of your kid..... moments like when they finally stop picking their nose in public or start remembering to flush the toilet -- those are neat moments. But then there are times when you're so proud, it takes the breath out of you. Moments that have nothing to do with grades or worldly success. Moments when you realize that she's not just your child.... but she's God's child too --- and you see Him in her.

Yesterday morning while getting ready for school, Jordan just out-of-the-blue asked me why parents allow their kids to run all over them. I said that people do what they know and if they know better they do better. I asked her why she was asking - had she been studying respect at church ? She said no that she had seen one of her classmates talk "really bad" to his mom. She said he didn't say " please or thank you" and was acting like a brat. I asked her how it made her feel. She said it made her feel embarrassed for the mom. (now I was proud at this -- glad to know that she saw the "wrong" in treating anyone in a demeaning way. But she didn't stop there.) She walked up to him calm, cool, and collected (she gets that from her dad) and asked why he talked to his mother that way. He paused and laughed and said "because she lets me". Jordan said, " Just because you can do something wrong doesn't mean you should."

I want to be bold like her when I grow up.

Did you know.....

Jordan has a Social Studies project due next week on "Compare and Contrast an 1800s invention to that same invention today" So, her project is on the Cotton Gin. Well, we googled it and found out that there was a cotton gin plant near Dothan. We took a chance and went there this past Saturday just to get a picture of her by the sign. But lo and behold there was someone in the office and he took us around the plant and explained the "ins and outs" of cotton ginning. Very interesting! We have a new found respect for our cotton industry.


First, cotton is grown by the farmers. Here is Jordan in a local cotton field.



Here is the cotton "boll" on the vine. It's not quite ready to pick. Maybe within the next few weeks. The cotton gin company will buy the cotton from the farmers.



The cotton gin company brings the cotton back to their plant to clean it and sell it.



The cotton is then put into "loose dirty bales" using this cotton turbine and transported to the plant where it is then put on a conveyer belt and loosened up by a machine.



Everything inside the plant is controlled by this "computer brain".




The "dirty" cotton is sent to this machine that separates the seeds from the cotton. The seeds, stems, needles, and dirt are then sold for cattle feed, fertilization, and compost.




The "clean" cotton is then graded by a USDA officer. The grades range from A-D with A being the highest grade. The cotton is sold in units called "bales". These bales weigh between 412-520 lbs. The guy said that on a good day they can produce one bale of clean cotton per every 3 minutes !!!!!!!!!!! Cotton is used to produce clothing, diapers, home insullation, car seats, mattresses, money, etc. (yes, there is cotton in our money!)

I Wonder......

What would Oreo look like if she were a human.... dog. A human dog-like thing ? Well, you know what I mean.

!!!!! F A S H I O N !!!!!

Tshombe MC'd a Fall Fashion show for the Women's Business Club of Dothan. He presented this Fall's fashions from Belk. Alot of people were there and he had them laughing. So, we're hoping they remember the good time they had and go spend lots of money at Belk!!! ;-)

The Gray Hair.

Well, it's happened ! Tshombe is getting gray hair. And the proof is on my pant leg -- lol ! He had three pretty gray hairs but he insisted that I pull them out ! I told him he could run but he couldn't hide ! lol

Panama City Beach - Labor Day Weekend

Tshombe surprised me with a trip to Panama City Beach for Labor Day weekend. On the way there we kept seeing ads boasting the best seafood and crabs so, we just had to eat there!



This Crab Shack had a "Live Lobster Tank" where you could try to catch one with a "claw". If you did, you got to eat it for free. We decided to stick with the crabs.



The "Women's Bathroom". I don't know...... I just thought it was cute.



"Big Willy". Tshombe and the whale.

Room with a view.

Who are these people ?? They're kinda cute !!

Perfect place to take your man !!! Red Brick Pizza. They have great pizza and each table has its own flat screen tv where you control what you watch.

Our hotel offered pool-side entertainment. That night's entertainment was Polynesian dancing. Loved it !

Fun With Family....

Paw Paw & Gha Gha came through Dothan and we took them to one of our favorite restaurants, Mikata Japanese Steakhouse. They make your food infront of you on a Hibatchi grill. Alot of fun !!

This was their first time being at one of these restaurants and I think their expressions say it all..... LOL LOL !!!! (Now that's a fire !)

This is how I roll....

Since moving to AL, I've been blessed with the opportunity to ride my bike,"Ruby", to and from work. It's only about 2 miles each way but it really feels good and gets my heart pumpin' !! I've enjoyed doing this more than I expected !!

Dogs These Days.......

Well, it looks like I need to have a talk with Oreo. "NO inviting friends over without permission!" Apparantly she invited Dixie (who lives 8 houses down) over for a swim ! Dogs these days !!!