My Pants Feel a Little Tighter

So, I decided to wear a skirt today. That's how I'm dealing with my big, bloated belly full of turkey, ham, dressing, apple pie, etc.

I have LOVED this long weekend. After I got off work Wednesday night I got my hair done, convinced Hubs to go to the grocery store with me and then came home and made a chicken cheese ball. (I refused to go to the in-laws with just ice.)

We had a great time with Hub's family Thanksgiving Day. It was my newest nephew's first holiday and we loved having a baby in the house! It was so sweet to look over and see Hubs with his niece and 2 nephews on his side of the family all on the couch together.

Friday was absolutely wonderful. I spent the entire day in my pajamas napping, reading, and watching TV. I did get online early that morning and did about 95% of my Christmas shopping. Total score for not having to battle the crowds (or get out of my pajamas)!

Saturday, Hubs and I ran a few errands before he went to watch the game with friends. (If you're from Alabama you know exactly which game I'm talking about.) Sunday, I woke up to the most beautiful sound - RAIN - and it hasn't stopped all day. I know it's not ideal to most, but I absolutely love it.

Can't wait to see what this week holds!

Ice Ice Baby

We're spending Thanksgiving Day with Hub's family this year. I called my sweet mother-in-law last night on the way home from work and asked what I can bring. She told me all the things she and my sister-and-laws will be making. And then told me to bring ice.

ICE

Should I pull a Phoebe?

Phoebe: Yeah well, that's 'cause I'm in charge of cups and ice, and Monica is gonna rue the day that she put me in charge of cups and ice.

Run Baby Run

I have really started to love running. For some, it comes easy. Me, not so much. I struggled for 2 years to even be able to run 3 miles and every.single.second of it was stinkin' HORRIBLE. I mean, pretty much every step left me wanting to turn around and crawl back to my car begging for sweet mercy the entire way.

But, I kept at it and a couple of months ago, Hubs convinced me to sign up for the Vulcan Run. 6.2 miles seemed impossible at the time. I thought I would run as long as I could and then walk the rest. I was good with that because my personal running goal didn't go past 3 miles. (Yes, I am an overachiever.)

About a month before the Run, I went out running by myself on a Sunday morning before Church. Normally, J2 runs with me but she wasn't feeling well. I headed down to an area close to my house with the intentions of running 2 miles. It was wonderful - I was listening to my praise and worship music, talking to my Lord and before I knew it, the 2 miles were up. I decided to try two more and after that, another two. 6 MILES!! Holy Cow, I think I became a runner that day.

The next Sunday we ran 7 and the next 8. The Vulcan Run has come and gone and I look forward to my morning runs with my friends. It's hard to get up so early (we all work) but I love being out as the sun comes up. It feels like a sweet treat God gives us. It really has become a special time of prayer and worship.

I never thought I'd be a runner. I especially never thought God would use it to give me more time with Him.

I caught my Mom telling someone the other day that I had run a marathon. I had to explain to her that I ran a 10K, not a marathon. BIG DIFFERENCE - BIG! So, if my Mama told any of you I ran a marathon, you probably already guessed that wasn't true. Or maybe you just thought I had turned into Super Girl. If that's the case - I'm good with that.

It's been a while...

Hello, my name is Jill. You may remember me. I used to post here somewhat regularly.

Well, life got in the way for a while and I let this blog take a back seat. Actually, it's more like I left it crying on the curb. I may not have left comments as much as usual but I have been keeping up with all of you. I think I've now rectified this broken blog relationship and I think we're on good terms again.

I've missed being able to tell you all the mundane details of my life. Like how there's an hour of my life I desperately wish I could get back that was spent watching Top 20 Most Shocking Moments - the Backyard Boneheads edition with Jay. #12 was the story of a man who pulled his tooth by tying a string from his tooth to a board and then taking a hammer to the board. He said he used to use pliars but "it hurt too much". I would expand on that but there are no words.

Thankfully, that wasn't the most exciting part of my weekend. Yesterday, we had Thanksgiving with all my family at my Mom and Dad's house. It was wonderful! I do believe my Mama may be the best cook in the world. Her dressing is out of this world! Hubs and I had leftovers for lunch and it was just as good today as it was yesterday.

Unfortunately, Mama Hen's youngest hadn't been feeling good and threw up not too long after we got there. He spent the rest of the afternoon in the back bedroom watching Kung Foo Panda. He did come out long enough to blow the candles out on his birthday cake but then turned around and walked out of the room. You know a 5 year old is sick when he blows the candles out and then makes his way back to the bedroom without any cake. We all thought about his recent projectile experience, the amount of spit that probably came out while blowing out the candles and decided it might not be in our best interest to eat that cake. I had Mama Hen's apple pie instead. Yes, I think that was a wise choice.

All in all, it's been a great weekend!

Miscellany Monday

Today I'm linking up with Carissa at lowercase letters for Miscellany Monday.

ONE -  Weather - I can't believe this heat. Sometimes I walk outside and it almost feels suffocating. The 20 feet or so I walk from my office to my car in the afternoons is enough to do me in. I've said it before, but I will forever be grateful to this man, Willis Haviland Carrier - inventor of the air conditioner.

TWO - Running - After almost 4 years, I'm really starting to love it. Don't get me wrong, it's still EXTREMELY hard to get up at 5AM and get started. And I still ask myself a dozen times while I'm running what is wrong in my fool head to put myself through that BUT - the feeling afterwards is indescribable.

THREE - I'll be an Aunt again in November! (No, not Mama Hen.) Hubs sister, Kay is PG with a boy! I just can't wait for him to get here!

FOUR- I caught an episode of Toddlers &Tiaras this weekend and I've gone from being speechless to ranting to back to speechless. It would be interesting to see a "Where Are They Now" on these little girls in 20 years. Do they even have a chance? So sad...

FIVE - My baby brother turned 34 yesterday. It's amazing how that can happen when I'm just 29...

Have a great Monday!

A Perfect 10

It's hard to believe but my sweet niece, Abbie Grace, turned 10 today. Where has the time gone???

If I could bottle up her enthusiasm for EVERY.SINGLE.THING I would be a millionaire. She is Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls, and a princess all rolled into one.

I picked her up last night for some girl time. We checked into a hotel and I'm not going to lie, I was T.I.R.E.D. I could have laid down on that hotel bed right then and been out! I had not slept good the night before and it was a long week at work. But, I told my old lady bones to get it together and we headed out to eat. I told Abbie we could eat anywhere she wanted and all she wanted was a cheeseburger. So, that's what we did. Then we spent the next few hours going to every single shoe store in Hoover looking for this ONE pair of shoes that she was dying to have. Thankfully, we finally found a pair that she liked and that fit.

This girl had me laughing all night. I love it that she totally confident in herself. She even talked me into taking her to Toys R Us before heading home.

After we woke up and got ready we headed to IHop for breakfast. She couldn't resist the funny face pancakes.

Our day ended with manicures and pedicures. I can't believe I didn't take a picture of her fingers and toes because she got the cutest color with flowers and polka dots.  Thanks for letting me be a part of your day Abbie girl! I'm the luckiest Aunt in the world!

Catching Up

If there was a Worst Blogger of the Year award, I'm pretty sure I would get it. I'm not quite sure why I can't seem to post more than once a month... It could have something to do with my unique ability to waste more time than the average person. It's good to be above average at something, right?

I'm also pretty sure it has something to do with the heat. Usually getting in my car to leave work is a happy, happy time. Now I spend the first few minutes of my drive home trying to hold my legs up so the seat doesn't burn my skin off. Yes I know, I somehow can't remember to grab a towel or something before I leave home.

I have had a busy couple of months. In May I wrapped up my 12 week exercise class (started another last night!), finished leading Beth Moore's David study on Wednesday nights and... took a trip to Vegas with my sister-in-laws.

Should Bible Study and Vegas be in the same sentence??? J/K. My sister-in-law Kay had to do an audit for work and was sweet enough to invite Amy and me along for four nights of sister-in-law togetherness. I certainly had a great time with Amy and Kay but I think it's safe to say I'm not a Vegas kind of girl.

I did enjoy laying out by this fabulous pool

and seeing the Hoover Dam

and my favorite Sister-in-Laws

and these two kissing turtles that we saw at Red Rock Canyon.

Till next time...

Old Man Sharpe

A few days ago Jay and I were sitting in the living room watching TV when I commented that I wished the big light wasn't on. I started to get up and had to do a double-take.

Apparently, I need to start calling him Paw Paw. I also might need to limit his time on the internet - or at least hold onto the credit card.

Mama Mia

I'm not very good with writing my thoughts so it will be impossible for me to explain how much I love my Mama. I'm not sure how I got so lucky. I guess the Lord knew I would have been totally whacked out without her. (Well more whacked out than I already am.)

It's amazing how our relationship has evolved through the years. We've become true friends. I wish all of you knew her. To know her is to love her. And for those of us who do, we are so blessed!

Happy Mother's Day!



Jill Sharpe's Alabama

We spend Christmas Eve at my Grandparent's every year. We get there pretty early and spend the whole day. This year was WONDERFUL. I couldn't believe how great the weather was. It was sunny, crisp and cool. Welcome to Jill Sharpe's Alabama!

 Mama and Daddy - the BEST parents in all the world!

There was no shortage of presents. Check out Granddaddy's tree. The ornaments were a little sparse.

The kid who stole my heart 12 years ago.

Renee (sweetest Aunt ever!) and Abbie

James got a bike.

Matt and Paw Paw shooting the breeze. (That Alabama afghan has been on that loveseat for as long as I can remember.)

Hubs and my Bro -  not sure what they were doing with that basket.

You will 100% of the time find Granddaddy napping at least 3 times on any given Christmas Eve (actually on any given day).

And who doesn't do a little skeet and target shooting on Christmas Eve? Check out Mama Hen shooting the glock. Her Hubs, Mark had to hold her ears because it was so LOUD!

Marty & Casey

Have you ever seen a better homemade target?

My bro, me and Mama Hen - I think we're tough enuff. Doesn't everyone have raccoon pelts hanging on the front of their barn?

And the best part - Aunt Affie's Christmas getup. This year she paired a Christmas sweatshirt with a Christmas vest and a Christmas scarf. Well done, Aunt Affie. Well done.

I totally realize that I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'

I was having lunch with my Mama a couple of months ago and somehow we got to talking about the music on her IPOD. All of a sudden she said she had heard this song on the radio that she really wanted to download but she didn't know who sang it. And y'all, I just about busted a gut when she said the main words were "Take it to the Limit".

I said, "Mama, that's by The Eagles" and no lie, she didn't know who The Eagles were. Needless to say, I brought her the greatest hits CD the next day and now she can "take it to the limit"  to her heart's content.

And that would be reason #321 of why I love my Mama so much!

40 Years and Counting!

Guess what happened 40 years ago today.... yep, my parents got hitched. All the kids and grandkids descended on their house this afternoon after Church and celebrated. I'm so thankful to have two parents who love each other and have stayed together through thick and thin.

Check them out leaving for their honeymoon.

All I can say is that I truly hope my marriage will be as strong as theirs. I love you Mama & Daddy!

Good food, good shopping

Today we had a Christmas lunch with Jay's family at The Rucker Place in downtown Birmingham. Before last week, I had never even heard of it, but it was amazing. Apparently, a General Rucker had it built for his daughter for a wedding present. Her family lived there for about 50 years before it was sold to a Doctor who used it for his practice. The current owners bought it in 2002 and renovated it for events. You can read the full history here.

It was just beautiful and I'm pretty sure I had the best-looking date there!

We also braved Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart and Target. There is no doubt it's the last weekend before Christmas - the traffic was insane! Thankfully, I only have one more gift to get and I'll be done! I'm not gonna lie, shopping wears me out. It took me all of about 2 seconds to get my jammies on once we got home and now I feel snug-as-a-bug on the couch.

Have a great weekend everybody!

I cried today

It started slow - just a few trickles sliding down my cheecks. Before I knew it, I was sobbing, my shoulders shaking. I was on my way home from running errands and for some reason, she flitted across my mind - my Grandmother. She's been gone for a few years now, but it can still hit me with powerful force.

This woman, she was like no other - not the typical grandmother you hold in your mind from old movies and books. She was better. She was strong and country. She grew up poor and some of the stories she told me still break my heart.

Like most southern women, she showed her love with food. She never thought we ate enough, even after we all sat around sleeping after a meal because we had gorged ourselves with so much food that it was impossible to do anything else. I don't ever remember there being a time when there was just one meat or casserole or dessert. There was at least 3 of everything. And it was all good - everytime.

My Granddaddy called her Pearlie-Girl and it was the cutest thing you ever heard. He can barely hear but she could be two rooms away, call his name, and he would immediately answer. She was 16 when they got married and loved him with all her heart until the day she died. He will love and miss her until the day he dies.

She wasn't shy about giving her opinion and she was usually right. She was tough and did what needed to be done. She wasn't sentimental. She drove a truck that had a tag on the front that said "Let me tell you about my grandchilden." It's still on that truck. And I hope I can have it someday. I don't know why. I just do.

She had a garden. She made jellies and canned vegetables. I was in college before I ever ate a green bean that didn't come out of her garden. I still have one quart of her vegatable soup in my pantry but I can't bring myself to cook it. I can't stand the thought of there not being anymore left.

Me and Mama Hen and my brother stayed at their house a lot in the summer growing up. We would say "we're going to the country." They didn't have cable and just a window air conditioner but we couldn't wait to get there and were sad when we had to go home. At one  point, Grandmother played softball for the church. She was the pitcher and she was good. I remember going to the games and then we would stop by Dairy Queen and Granddaddy would buy us a hotdog.

I would give anything to have her back for just one day, or one phone call. Praise Jesus, I will have eternity with her in Heaven.

Party like You're 39!

Guess what happened 39 years ago today... My Hubs came into the world and guess what? The world hasn't been the same since! Just look at this adorable chunk of baby goodness!!!

We had a little party Sunday night and it was really fun. It was just our families and J2's family. We laughed a TON!

I will have to say though, my favorite part of the evening came a little later when Jay opened a card from Kay and Keith that told him he is going to be an Uncle!!! Oh my word, I can't tell you how excited I am to have a little baby on the Sharpe side of the family!

Jay and I decided we're gonna get pregnant real quick and make an announcement on Kay's birthday in September. OK, I'm kidding. Really. I promise. We're gonna wait till Christmas. OK - kidding again! I know, it's just too much fun!

My Mama is the Best

It's pretty much been a perfect day. We went to church and then headed over to my Mom's for lunch. (Yes, my Mam is absolutely the type of Mom who wants to cook lunch for her family on Mother's Day.) I love, love, love when my whole family gets together.

This is my Mama and me.

She is THE most wonderful woman in the world. She loves the Lord, my daddy and oh how she loves her kids and grandkids. I think she should teach a class on how to be a perfect mom that every new mother should have to take. She's that good.

Happy Mother's Day sweet Mama. I love you more than you'll ever know!