No Place Like Home

Nestled on the edge of the forest, tucked in amongst the tall pine trees, lies one of my favorite places.

The forest borders the property on three sides, with the fourth revealing a breathtaking view of the Appalachian Mountains. There are several well tended flower beds in the yard that showcase hydrangeas, tulips, roses, mint and irises. On a warm spring day, the air is perfumed with their lovely fragrances. There are also dogwood trees that bloom in pink and white blossoms; crepe myrtle trees, and a big, black cherry tree.

Out back, you can see the old red barn and the tidy vegetable garden. The lawn is a lush carpet of soft grass. An old well sits near the barn, with it's bucket and rope ready to draw up a cool bucket of water on a hot summer day. Wild birds and squirrels dine from the multiple bird feeders.

A single story log cabin sits as the crown jewel of the property. It boasts a large covered front porch, complete with rocking chairs. The long, curving gravel driveway ends in a large parking area for extended family.

This is my special place. I go there and close my eyes, reliving the glorious days of my childhood summers. I go there and breathe in the memories of my grandparents. I go there and know that I am home.

Granny Hughes

My Dear Granny,

Oh how I miss you! I have really needed your guidance for my life! I believe that I've really made a mess of some things, but I think that I am finally getting most of them straightened out. I really hope that I am, anyway.

Skylar is 16 years old now. She has turned out to be a beautiful young lady. She is already taller than I am. She really loves to play sports and be competitive. Why, I bet that she could climb to the very top of that old black cherry tree in your front yard! I keep the picture of you holding her by my bed.

My little Alex is 7 years old now. He is such a handful! I really wish that you could be here to watch him grow up. He loves all animals and every bug that comes upon. He would really have love to grow up on your farm. I named him after Uncle John. I know that you would like that.

Tommy and I finally got married about 10 years ago. We have made many mistakes along the way, but I think we may be on the right path. He has finally started to go to church with me sometimes. I've wandered away from the flock, but am slowly making my way back. I'm ashamed of that and know that you would not be proud of that either. Tommy is a good dad to Skylar and Alex. He is a way better dad than mine ever was. He is working on his temper and the extent of his patience.

I miss your Godly wisdom and guidance so much! I find myself sitting by your final resting place on many occasions. Oh, what I would give to have even one more day with you!!!

I love you. I miss you. I can't wait to see you waiting for me at those Pearly Gates. I long to stroll down those streets of gold with you and Papa.

Granny, keep your arm around me and your hand over my mouth.

Until we are together again, I'll keep on keeping on.....

High School Rings

Wow. How is that it is time for my little girl to be ordering her High School Class ring?? Didn't she just start kindergarten in Mrs. Condrey's class last year? Geez, I am getting old! Worse, my little girl has morphed into a 16 year old girl who has more boys calling/texting than I have ever met in my life!

Clyde Howard Henderson 1932 - 2010

Clyde Howard Henderson, 77, of 219 N. Howard Ave., Landrum died January 11, 2010 at Smith Phayer Hospice House.

A native of Chesnee, SC, he was the son of the late Clyde and Ollie Henderson. He is survived by his son, Thomas Henderson (Wendy) of Landrum, daughter Lori Stelma of Lake Mary, FL, sister, Bernice H. Price (Charles) of Landrum, grandchildren Megan and Elizabeth Stelma, Skylar and Alex Henderson and Katherine Downey as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Muriel H. Underwood.

He retired from the United States Navy as a Chief Petty Officer after 20 years of service, having served in Korea as a member of the Underwater Demolition Team and in Vietnam aboard the USS Forrestal. After his military service, he worked as a civil engineer for Soil and Material Engineers in Spartanburg until his retirement.

He was a loving father, doting grandfather and true friend who will be missed by all who knew him.

He would not permit his son or daughter to discipline their children in his presence. Grandpa was Megan, Liz, Skylar, and Alex's refuge. His embrace could keep them safe. He was always there for them.

We miss him sooo much!

2010

Today is the final day of the first month of 2010. I have not been swallowed up by aliens. We have just had an entirely difficult month.

My Uncle Calbert passed away on Skylar's birthday, Dec 28. That gave us a week of family and mourning for the passing of my beloved Uncle Calbert. I am so going to miss him! It will not ever be the same. I'll never be able to tell the kids to load up into the car because we are going to Uncle Calbert and Aunt Hazel's farmhouse. It will only be Aunt Hazel's. I love my aunt, too. It just won't be the same.

For most of the month of December, my father in law, Howard, was ill. We were taking him to the doctor's office on a weekly basis, but none of the medication seemed to help. He was admitted to the hospital on December 30, the day before my Uncle Calbert's funeral.

On January 4, Howard was diagnosed with lung cancer. A PET scan was ordered for January 5. The PET scan did not reveal any good news. In fact, it revealed the worst news possible. The cancer had spread to virtually every bone in his body and his liver.

He came home with Hospice on January 7. We had to transport him to the local Hospice House on January 10. He entered Heaven's Gates on January 11, at 5 am. Tommy, his sister Lori, and myself were with him when he passed.

Tommy has had a very hard time dealing with the loss of his dad. My children are coping as best they can. Skylar is mad at the world and Alex is having behaviour problems at school. I am trying to keep everyone focused on getting through each and every day.

Friday, January 29. One of Skylar's childhood friends earned his angel wings. Ty had battled brain cancer for 7 years. He was brave, strong and a fighter until the very end. He was 16 years old; only 2 months older than Skylar. They were the 4 Musketeers: Audrey, Ashley, Skylar and Ty. You couldn't see one with out the others.

Catch up

It has been so long since I last sat down to write or blog. December is always a very hectic month in payroll. Year End always has the potential to be a nightmare.

This year has absolutely flown by! I can not believe that at this time last year I was packing for our Christmas trip to visit Tommy's sister and our nieces in St Augustine, FL. We had a great week in Florida last Christmas. We had the kids on the beach on Christmas day and for most of the day on the 26th. We visited the St Augustine Alligator Farm. Alex absolutely loved that. We went to a state park and got to see real live manatees and even an alligator in the wild there. We drove down to Daytona Beach and looked around. We stopped in Cassadaga just to look around. We came home on Skylar's 15th birthday.

In January, Skylar got her driving permit. That was scary enough in itself. It doesn't seem like my little girl should be old enough to drive.

February was when Skylar's basketball season ended and softball season began. She made the varsity team, again. Their unbelievable season took off to a great start. Alex had a great month in school with his reading efforts.

March was the start of a very interesting time. My friend at work, Marlena, had a baby girl, Lola, on Tommy's birthday. I got to fill in for Marlena while she was on leave. Oh what fun that was! NOT!!! I began an I-9 project that seemed like it would never, ever end.

April was a blur of I-9s and softball games. Alex was a trooper about his sister's games. Poor little guy, he hardly knows how to behave away from the softball fields.

May was still a blur of I-9s. Skylar's team began playoffs and ended with a Championship run for the Upper State title. Alex turned 7 years old. We gave him a birthday party in the park. We asked on his invitations for all of his friends to bring their waterguns for a water war. Those kids, and some of the adults, had a blast shooting each other.

June continued the nightmare of I-9s at work. We began planning the activities that we would enjoy in Helen, GA.

July...we went on our very first family vacation that did not revolve around softball schedules. Oh, how much fun it was to just be able to relax and do everything on our schedule and not have to cut activities short and rush to the next ball game. We visited Anna Ruby Falls, the village of Helen, GA, and I got my first tattoo.

August began the new school year for Skylar and Alex. Skylar is currently in the 10th grade at Landrum High School. Alex is in 2nd grade at OP Earle Elementary. Skylar began Colorguard with the marching band.

September was a nice, laid back month. The kids were getting settled into their new school routines and classes. We were able to enjoy several home football games and see Skylar in action with the coulorguard.

October was a nice transition to fall. Skylar had band competitions on just about every Saturday in October. Alex wanted to be a fighter pilot for Halloween. He and I went trick or treating in the pouring rain. We gave up after only a few streets. It was just too wet to be walking through people's yards to get a single piece of candy.

November was a blur. I turned 35. Lori and Elizabeth came up from Florida for Thanksgiving. Alex brought home a lovely stomach flu to share with everyone. I was the only one to escape it. Thank the Lord! I think I went thru 3 cans of Lysol. Lori even took the bug home with her. I can think of better things for Alex to share than the stomach flu.

Here it is December again. Skylar's 16th birthday is one week from today. I will be working all day and part of the night next week on our last payroll of the year. I will get to tell her happy birthday before I leave for work, and hopefully will get to have dinner with her when I get home. We will wait until New Year's Day to actually celebrate her birthday. I will be off of work and we will go shopping at the after Christmas sales for her birthday clothes. I think that is one of the few benefits of having a birhtday right after Christmas. She understands now that when she waits for birthday shopping after Christmas, she will get twice the amount of clothes.

Christmas is Friday. I can't wait for it to be over. I have never enjoyed Christmas. I love the church services and plays, but I can absolutely do without the rest of it. If it weren't for Skylar and Alex, I would not celebrate it at all. No tree, no lights, no gifts. Nothing. I barely tolerate Christmas music. I guess I am a scrooge or grinch. I just have always been disappointed with Christmas and now that I am the only income, it is dificult to know that I can not provide my kids with all of the things that they are asking for. I just want to get thru this Christmas as quickly as possible so that it goes away.

SNOW

I hate snow. I hate the cold. I hate sleet, freezing rain and ice.

Can we move to Tahiti, now? Please? Pretty please?

I'll even homeschool the two hoodlums on the beach everyday. Alex could have a pet starfish. Skylar could learn to hula dance. We'd all be warm, tan and happy.

This weather sucks!