Southerness :)

Found this on another blog and thought it post worthy...it makes me smile!

Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.


Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."

Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, ... as in: "Going to town, be back directly."

Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white , granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.

All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin! Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near"and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road"can be 1 mile or 20. Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.

Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we are "in line," ... we talk to everybody!

Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.

In the South, y'all is singular.... all y'all is plural.

Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.

Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.

When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!

Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk. And a true Southerner knows you do not scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" ... and go your own way.

To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!

And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language! And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for along time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could." Bless your hearts... y'all have a blessed day.
 
Much Love,
MJ

Wogging - 2011

So the New Year started off kind of slow...I had pneumonia before Christmas and it kept me from exercising for 3 weeks!  Now, I have never been one who craves exercise but my body has gotten quite use to it and when you pay money to participate in a race you really hate to waste it....

I resisted the urge to go to the gym or train in anyway the first week back at school because I really wanted to participate in the Red Nose Run - 5K that I had signed up for and my friend Mike, from high school, was also signed up so I didn't want to ditch him....so without any prep or exercise of any kind...I wogged (walk/jog) the 5K on a very cold Saturday morning...Mike and his wife Kris were there but we couldn't do the course together because they are both over 6 feet tall and my short legs just won't keep up with them...my only goals were to finish with somebody coming in behind me :)

I was concerned about losing the time that I had worked up to but in the end I actually improved my time...I averaged 13:02 min/mile as opposed to the 14:56 min/mile I did at the 10K...

Was doubting the 1/2 marathon that I have coming up but now feel like I can definitely do it...the balloon lady will not defeat me!!!

Here is a picture of me and Mike before the race!

Much love,
MJ

p.s.
I made the hat and wrist warmers that I am wearing :)

Thank goodness 2010 is OVER!!!!

I worked really hard this year to get in shape and lose weight...I even started wogging (walking/jogging)...I'm sure Coach Faust would be highly amused to hear this!

Anyway with the help of Scale Back Alabama, Gold's Gym, Homewood City Schools "Movement" and various friends who constantly encouraged me...I was able to lose 51 lbs and I'm still going!  It is true...if you eat right, exercise and get rest...you will lose weight!  According to the "charts" I still have 40 lbs to lose but if I lose 5 more lbs I will finally weight what it says on my driver's license...and that is a great goal as far as I am concerned!

I hope everyone has a great 2011!

Much love,
MJ

"Before" - January 2010

"After" - October 2010