TWO MEN & A LADY

This is Our Life ~ Our Photo Book ~ Our Journal that will never sit on a shelf, be placed in a chest or find its spot in the attic but instead put on display for all of you so you can share in our joy and sorrows that come complete with life. Learn from our mistakes (THERE ARE MANY) or give advice when needed. Welcome!
Clint ~Teri & Dax
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, January 29, 2010

My Dax

From Winter 2009
My Dax is experimenting heavily in temper tantrums and methods of Rebelion

My Dax can say: I see you, there he is and many other words but makes it abundantly clear that his favorite is "NO"

My Dax is fluent in jibberish

My Dax clings to his Mama like white on rice but cries when visitors say good bye

My Dax is solidifying his shrimp status due to constant refusal of food

My Dax to my horror has learned to climb out of his crib

My Dax loves to put his shoes on...or Mama's...or Daddy's

My Dax loves to shut his eyes, walk around and see what he runs into

My Dax is beside himself at the first sight of his 1st cousins

My Dax becomes the happiest kid on the planet when playing with 1st cousins

My Dax will break it down to any beat whatsoever (loves to dance)

My Dax sings so sweet

My Dax loves to jump on the bed

My Dax is growing up too fast

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Teaser

I got in trouble by more than one person for not posting enough pictures of Dax.  I really apologize, I just haven't had the camera on hand for any special shots and by the time I do grab it he's finished doing what prompted me to dash for it to begin with.  Trust me, nothing would please me more than sharing the video of him getting so carried away while doing his "gorilla swing" dance that his feet completely came out from under him and other stuff like that.  But Mama's not quick enough.   So, I'm working on a short update post and I'll post it sometime this week.

Until then, maybe this will do.  Looking at these pictures absolutely melts me.  Where did the time go?  Click on this link: February 2009 in Ashville

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A Lifetime of Special People

In case you missed my previous post also entitled A Lifetime of Special People, hit this link so you get the idea of what these posts are for:

Big D and I don't mean Dallas

I had initially planned on waiting until next January to post about this particular person for several reasons.  One being that this person happens to be D's brother and I was afraid that posting J's right after D's would look as if I'm building a small shrine internet style to the family. ;o)

ALL STALKING BEHAVIOR ASIDE... In light of a few recent conversations with various family members of my own, I felt this post needed to be added NOW, now, now so as to send a message or reiterate the sermon I most often preach of late to my family.  Maybe this will make you all understand why I preach it so often.

The reason behind all my preaching is that the more if not most important thing in life is the love and time spent with family and friends and once that time has passed, you can never get it back.

I learned this valuable lesson in the most tragic way on Friday, February 25, 1994.  A day anyone who knew J will never forget.

Since I'm mentioning everyone else that was/is important, leaving this person out really isn't an option since this person ~ in his short life ~ greatly impacted the person I am today.  I've rarely mentioned this person since 1994 but have thought of often and I apologize in advance to anyone that is a family or friend of his that reads this and finds it upsetting to remember.

But I know J wouldn't mind me using his b-day dedication post in order to drive home my point if even to the break of their sanity.

Though I'm certain my family is really really fond of each other, we don't see each other NEAR enough. The regret will be overwhelming if we continue to let the busyness of everyday life keep us from seeing each other more than a few times a year (especially since we only live 3-5 miles apart).   Boy... one or two of you are sure to think I'm speaking directly to you, but I'm not.  I'm speaking to every last one us - myself included and both sides of the family.

So without further ado:  January 27, 2010...to the memory of J who would have turned 31 on this day if he were still with us.

WHO:

Just like D, I grew up only remembering I'd always known him and just like D he made me smile every time I saw him.  Actually more than not J made me laugh so hard it would bring me to tears.  Even 16 years later remembering some of the things J did still makes me laugh it brings on the water.

There's no way the fun anyone felt in his presence can be explained. When I hear the phrase "they burned too bright for this world,"  it's really hard not to think about J.  He was always up to something. It seemed as if he burned with energy 24/7.

Not only do I remember J for his ability to make me smile, but his kind heart as well. One time we were all out in the woods riding 4-wheelers. When mine decided to give out, my brother (apparently already agitated at me (probably for insisting to go riding knowing my 4-wheeler was acting up) pretty much abandoned me.

The rest of them went on with their ride leaving me stranded and on my own to push the thing back home through muddy trails and what not. J is the only one that cut his fun short and came back to pull me home.

This was an extremely sweet thing to do and set him apart from the others because,     well,     being the only girl as I spoke of in the earlier post certainly didn't garner any special favors.  Especially when you're kids.  Being nice to the "girl" sometimes came with great scrutiny...

D eventually came back to help too but I'll never forget J being the ultimate hero.  That's just one of the many times his sweet nature was ever lucent.

So what about the impact he made? Well, I could go on and on about the good ways J impacted my life and others and how thankful I am to have been able to know him at all.  Knowing people like him is part of what made my childhood so wonderful.  Even at a young age when he was still alive I realized he was a very special person.

But because he died so young, so sudden and without knowing just how much he was loved by everyone, his death also would impact my life tremendously.  It showed me how important it was to ALWAYS express my gratitude or good feelings in general to everyone in my life with no abandon.  I make it a habit to tell the people that are special to me exactly what they mean to me any time I get the opportunity.

If not for James, I think it's very safe to say I wouldn't be writing any of these posts.

If not for James I wouldn't have showed up at Cracker Barrel or Shoney's at the crack of dawn every Saturday morning for the last years of my Grandfather's life so we could have priceless conversations and truly get to know one another.  (Though it goes without saying, I would have preferred it not taking the loss of a friend to know that).

However, this post of how important he was to me and everyone else who knew him is 16 years too late.  If only I'd have known he'd be gone forever that horrible day I would have taken EVERY SINGLE opportunity to talk to him or sit by him in church even if it risked getting called out by the preacher for us cutting up.  Though it was the norm for me to sit by James along with others, that Sunday before he was gone I looked at him when he waved me down to come sit in the usual spot and kindly declined for fear of getting in trouble like we had the week before all because I didn't know how to control my giggles. (typical teenage blonde I was - actually worse).

But it is the last time I'd get the opportunity to sit by J in church or see him at all and is astoundingly the worst regret I have.

The day he was gone I experienced what it was like for my world to stand still - painfully.  It is the first time I realized that the earth truly is filled with sorrow and came to know and love the song When We All Get To Heaven.  Heaven, a place where there will be no more tears.

So I urge   -    no I beg you,  remember those family or friends in you life that you've lost but would give anything to have one more conversation with - use it as motivation to go spend as much time with your family and friends that are still here.  Always keep friends and family as number one on your "To-Do" list. Give them a great big hug and tell them you love them every chance you get.  Even if they look at you all cockeyed.  This may sound like an empty, cliche, even corny, if you will, warning.  But I couldn't be more sincere.

May God bless James and all those who knew and loved him.  One day he will rise from the Garden of the Good Shepherd when believers are all called home to be together again.

From Miscellaneous


I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father... John 10:14-15

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

My Family's Joy

Oh my gosh... remember what I said about Birthdays... Well, Teri strikes again. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE BEAR!!!
From Winter 2009



Sweet Girl I'm so used to you being in Brazil. It's not an excuse (but I'm hoping it'll pass for one)... Aunt Teri loves you loves you loves you. You are terribly special to me, Dax and Uncle Clint. Hope your Birthday was wonderful. I'll be seeing you soon!!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Poll Closed... Chicken Parmesan

Sorry it took so long...

 LEGEND:
" ~ "      instead of 
" * "      additional ingredient I added
"evoo"  extra virgin olive oil  - of course

        
CHICKEN PARMESAN
  • 2 Large eggs ~ I use 1
  • 1 Tsp salt (I use a tad more)
  • 1/4 Tsp black pepper (I use a lot more)
  • 3 Boneless chicken breasts cut into halves
  • 2 Cups crushed Club crackers (I just crush up one whole sleeve of multigrain Club)
  • 1/2 Cup evoo
  • 1 15 Oz. can of tomato sauce ~ Just like with the Cheesy Manicotti recipe, I make my own or you can use your favorite Italian/Marinara sauce that you have on hand.
  • ¼  Tsp of dried basil
  • 1/8 Tsp garlic powder (this is not needed if you are using ready made sauce) 
  • *1 Tbsp  Fleshman’s butter spread with olive oil 
  • ½ Cup grated Parmesan ~ 1 Cup of Romano/Parmesan grated cheese 
  • 6 Slices of mozzarella cheese
Pour crushed crackers into a small bowl.    Whisk egg, salt and pepper in a separate bowl until blended.  Coat entire bottom of baking dish with a thin layer of sauce.  ~  I just spray baking dish LIGHTLY with evoo cooking spray (any cooking spray will do though).  I use cooking spray because the chicken is less likely to get soggy using the spray instead of sauce

Dip chicken (one half at a time) into egg mixture until well coated. 

Coat with crumbs (one half at a time).  ~ I crush my crackers into a plastic bowl with a lid so I can shake it up to better coat the chicken with crumbs or you can use a Ziploc bag if you prefer.  However, using a Ziploc bag can be messier. 

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat (I set mine at medium to high).  Add chicken and cook on both sides until brown.  Once cooked place chicken on a paper plate covered with a paper towel to blot grease. 

Preheat oven to 350F. 

Drain skillet and wipe up excess grease with a paper towel.  Combine tomato sauce, basil and garlic powder in skillet and mix well.  (If you are using a ready made sauce, adding basil and garlic is not necessary.  I use my own sauce only because I like my Chicken Parmesan spicier and saltier).  Bring to boil stirring occasionally; reduce heat.  Simmer, stirring occasionally until mixture is thickened – about 6 minutes.  (The thicker the sauce, the better.  You can add cornstarch if you need to.  The aim is to make the sauce, not as but close to, the same thickness as tomato paste.  If your sauce is too runny it will make the chicken soggy).  Stir in butter.  Pour over the chicken but sparingly.  (This too can make your chicken too soggy, so make sure you don’t completely cover the chicken with the sauce). 

Sprinkle with Parmesan (I cover mine thoroughly).  Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.  Remove the cover and top each chicken breast with mozzarella.  (I sprinkle with extra basil).  Bake 10 minutes longer uncovered.

This recipe goes great with creamed spinach, and/or house salad with garlic bread .  I steam cook my spinach in the microwave for 8-9 minutes.  Then mix ¼ pkg. of cream cheese, the same amount of sour cream along with pepper, regular salt (garlic salt if you prefer) to taste.  I’m sure there are much better recipes for creamed spinach, however, this one is quick and easy

    Wednesday, January 13, 2010

    A Lifetime of Special People

    I'm the world's worst when it comes to Birthdays.  My own being top of the list.  I usually don't remember it's someone's Birthday until the day of and by that time it's usually too late to run out and get a card or whip up a nice batch of cookies for them.   So, I thought I'd start off 2010 by dedicating a post to the most influential people in my life whether they be a family member or friend.

    To keep from having to list them in order of importance (which would be impossible) I'm going to post these dedications on their Birthday.   Hopefully this will make up for years of Birthday neglect.  We'll see if I'm forgiven... ;o)

    I believe that a great deal of a person's character is shaped by those around them.   If I'm a good person at all it's because I've been surrounded by good people that have shown me the way throughout my life.

    Okay so here goes...and can you believe I'm already off to a late start?!?!...

    First Birthday in 2010 belongs to ... let's call him "D"

    Mr. D's Birthday was on January 11.

    HOW I KNOW D:

    I've known D ALL my life.   He's the same age as me, our families went to the same church, he lived on the other side of our loop (which we call the block) and of course we were in the same grade at school.  As far back as I can remember D was there.

    WHO:

    D is the only childhood friend I have that I still talk to on a regular basis.  You always hear people say "_____ is like a brother to me."  And that's exactly what you would hear me say about D.  Our family life was so similar that we were always able to commiserate with each other when it came to friends, parents and etc.  Basically life in general.  We also have so many of the same idiosyncrasies that's it's uncanny.  This has always led me to joke that maybe we were twins separated at birth.  Especially since he looks more like me than my own brother.  If ever there was a boy version of Tero, it would be him.  Albeit a more congenial, likable and funnier version, I promise.

    WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT D:  

    This guy... where to start?  An attorney I worked for summed me up as what he called "good folk." That is a perfect way to describe D, he's just good folk.  The kind of friend you feel blessed to have grown up around.  And his good folkness is contagious.

    Growing up in our small community was wonderful. You couldn't get any more Mayberry than Mt. Olive unless you lived in... well...Mayberry.  ;o)  But even in Mayberry the social life of an adolescent can be tough.  Everyone strives to be popular or liked by their peers but there's always some kid that is picked on.  Picked on for being horrible at sports or because they ate their boogers - who knows - but there's always a kid that is highly unpopular that no one wants to be caught dead hanging out with.  To do so would be social suicide and carried the possibility of being made outcast ourselves.  We all felt the urge to go out on a limb and be nice and include the "unforgiven," nevertheless, we all lacked the courage.  Except for D that is.

    Numerous times I caught D doing the unthinkable and talking to the "booger muncher" in an effort to include them and make them feel less isolated (I'm sure he won't ever remember doing that, but he did.  I remember many of times over the years)  I have never witnessed such humility or graciousness in someone so young (other than my own brother or D's own brother).  He is so honest and down to earth that he can put anyone at ease and put a smile on their face.  If he can't relate with them, he'll do something funny and make them laugh - so hard you can't breath.  And that's exactly why people love him so much! 

    Here's my favorite thing about D:  A little weirdo myself, I lack good communication skills and am too often a difficult person to understand when trying to get a point across.  Because my communication skills are so bad when talking to most people 1 or 2 things usually happen. 1)  I'm too short or vague and it offends people when that's certainly the last thing I want to do; or 2)  I over explain and confuse them more (which can be extremely exhausting).  Knowing someone who just gets what I'm saying right off the bat is PRICELESS!  Aside from my real brother, Brian, D is one of those few who knows what I'm saying after just one sentence.

    I'm sure you are wondering how does a girl find such a close friend in a guy.  Well, if you knew that my neighborhood back in the day consisted of ONLY boys for years as was the same situation in our age group at church, then you'd understand my options were limited.  No offense intended guys...  It's a double edged sword growing up so close to the "enemy"  ha ha.  You get to opportunity to be much more adventurous than you would with a group of girls (I mean how many outfits does Barbie really need??)   but the emotional difference between boys and girls is HUGE and no matter how much time you spend with them their inability to recognize important details of ANY situation is still baffling!

    However, since I did grow up with such a great group of guys (Brian, Scott, D, Marty and the other Scott, Mark, Josh, Jeff, Tim... you get the point, there were no girls!... who were all sort of like bros to me in a small way)  made it a lot easier to understand the guys point of view which is a tremendous help to Clint since he doesn't have to explain why scheduling our life around football season or fishing tournaments is absolutely necessary, why me asking him which shoes go with an outfit or even being present in a dress room at all while shopping isn't such a good idea.  Clint is thankful to you all! ha ha.

    And I'm sure you're wondering where does a friendship with a guy have a place in adult life.  Well, with my husband too of course.  If Clint didn't like D as much as I did, we wouldn't get to talk to each other at all.

    Though Clint had never met Daniel until Clint and I started dating, in the craziest way I really have D to thank for myself meeting Clint.

    One year D decided to invite some of his brother's friends to take the trip to G-burg with our church which he had always skipped years prior.  Through one of those friends he invited, Nik, I became acquainted with people I'm confident I would have never met had he not invited Nik (to whom D really didn't know very well).   I later met Clint because he was from the same neighborhood and shared the same friends as Nik.  And the rest is history.  Thanks Dan!  I owe you... ;o)

    So, Happy BELATED Birthday D!  I hope it was wonderful.  10 out 10 people would agree you are absolutely priceless!!

    D'son, No need to thank me for all this unexpected flattery.  The only people that are willing to read my long winded enthusiastically typed blogs are family and total strangers.  I'll be surprised if you yourself make it through the whole post.  ;o)

    Thursday, January 7, 2010

    Window Watching!

    So we all know it's cold!  Though Dax and I haven't been able to frolic around outside due to the weather, we've found other ways to be entertained by the on goings of my neighbors or by entertaining ourselves indoors with the slide.

    I'll start off with my neighbor's dirt.- from her yard, of course.  Mrs. Mabry has decided to do a "little" tree trimming and hired a tree service to cut down a MASSIVE tree.  As boring as it may sound, Dax and I have been glued to the window like a mellow dramatic housewife is to the soap Days of Our Lives.   I know what you guys are thinking... get a life!  ;o)

    Mrs. Mabry estimates that the tree is 143 years old?  Not sure how she came up with that number...but it sounds good to me.  Believe it or not, it was fun (but also SAD) watching them bring this monster to the ground.  Wanna see some pictures?? Of course you do!

    From Winter 2009
    This was the top of that tree right before it branches out in to a hundred different limbs!!

    From Winter 2009

    Dax had a lot to say about the whole ordeal. Remind you of anyone? SKIP the bar at the bottom of the video to "0:44" and watch it from that point on.

    Thanks to the slide Grandmother got Dax for Christmas, we are able to have some fun indoors without having to go outside and freeze to death. Dax loves playing peekaboo with me on it more than sliding down right now. He is too funny. Three videos this time. Bare with me, they are very short but worth the time if you love
    babies.



    Watch this one from "0:00" to the "0:24" mark.



    And this short one is just for GRANDMOTHER!



    In the video you'll notice an entertainment center in the background - free to a good home; or bad one - I don't care. Shoot me an e-mail if you are interested...

    Sunday, January 3, 2010

    Way Back In '09

    December 29, 2009
    We've all been having fun with Dax's Christmas Present from my Mom and Dad.  I'm glad it's the old fashioned wagon because I can sit in it with Dax like it's our chariot and yell "Onward" at Clint while he's pulling us.  Yeah, Clint doesn't like that too much. ;o)


    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009

    What Dax is wearing: Mickey Mouse Pajamas, Socks, Heavy Footey Jamz (Sleeper), Toboggan, Big Coat and Shoes. It was so cold so I kind of went over board in dressing him warmly. He was so bundled up he could hardly walk. It was like watching the little kid from A Christmas Story.  Poor thing...




    The next day Dax got to see his Great Aunt Sherry, "Aunt Misty" and Katelyn & Kourtney.  Dax is crazy about them.  They watched him for me and gave me some much needed free time!

    Kourtney

    From Winter 2009
    Katelyn

    From Winter 2009

    More? This Is The Last of Them.

    Finally, the last of the Christmas Pics:

    Note to Family:  You guys are the only ones that will notice ...that in some of the pictures of Dad, Brian, Clint, Owen, Issac and all the other brown eyed members of our family, pretty brown eyes are showing up blue.  This is because the red eye corrector didn't turn out too well. Sorry.

    December 24, 2009 (One more time for fun:  To see all pictures from this day OR from Winter 2009, double click on one of the pictures and view them by clicking the left and right arrows)

    Our yearly tradition: Candle light service at church that evening and then off to Uncle Alan (Mom's brother) and Aunt Sheila's house - wouldn't be Christmas without it.


    The Stink Eye - Perfection Brian

    From Winter 2009
    Natalie Ellen hits the nail right on the head when it comes to the Jimmy H. look

    From Winter 2009
    The Man on the wall behind Emma is SORELY missed!  Paw Paw Swann... I still can't get used to him being gone. :o(

    From Winter 2009
    Twas the night before Christmas...

    From Winter 2009
    I love it!

    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009
    You can call me Jimmy H!

    From Winter 2009
    I can guess what Dax is up to... business

    From Winter 2009
    Another family member that is Sorely missed by Aunt Sheila and family: Mr. Sherbert, Sheila's Daddy (in the pic with the Santa hat).

    From Winter 2009
    It was wonderful to have Mrs. Sherbert to celebrate C-mas Eve with us.

    From Winter 2009
    So funny.  Claire's thinking: "You get one quick smile, then I would like to return to playing with my toy if you don't mind, Aunt Teri"

    From Winter 2009
    Thinking about more business I'm sure

    From Winter 2009
    The K in Kyle is for Kool.  He started a campfire in the parents backyard during our Thanksgiving Dinner and cooked a cobbler over it.  Kyle, we expect something even bigger next year.  Dazzle us?

    From Winter 2009
    Tracey and Kyle

    From Winter 2009
    The Ladies

    From Winter 2009
    The Men (Ages range from < 6 weeks (Caleb) to "soon to be" 60...

    From Winter 2009

    Saturday, January 2, 2010

    I Saved You All Some Left Overs

    2010 is 2 days old and I couldn't feel worse.  I've had some kind of strange cold for over a week and I feel like a train wreck with cold chills/hot flashes.  No worries though.  Usually when my year starts off crappy the year turns out to be quite excellent. So, HAPPY NEW YEAR! xoxo and all that good stuff.

    By the way, Clint and Dax are doing wonderful and that cheers me up tremendously!  Not only that, but my brother and family are back in Alabama for the weekend and like always my conversations with Brian-especially, Mom, Dad and Emma Brown as well keeps me laughing - really hard.  Our unique family sense of humor is chicken soup for "my" soul.

    Of course you all know my brother, sister-in-law and kids have lived Brazil since 2001 which made Christmases kind of sad due to them being absent.  So this July, when Brian and family (Emma Brown, Natalie Ellen, Owen, Claire, Isaac and not yet born Caleb) moved to Georgia, we were overjoyed.  I can't believe it's been that long since we all celebrated C-mas under the same roof and it was absolutely wonderful.  6 kids on Christmas morning = MAD FUN!

    December 25, 2009 (just like the last post, I'm leaving some of the pictures taken that day off the page.  To see all pictures from this day OR from Winter 2009, double click on one of the pictures and view them by clicking the left and right arrows)



    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009
    Present from their Great Aunt Sherry, G. Uncle Merril, their daughter "Aunt" Misty and Brandy's family) So cute! Clint has totally hogged Dax's present for himself already) Thanks family!

    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009
    Emma Brown and Precious Caleb

    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009

    From Winter 2009