Palmer Home: Wednesday and Thursday

I need to give a big shout out to Phillip, who brought his laptop on this trip. I had no idea we'd have wifi here, so when I found out we did, I kicked myself for not bringing a laptop to blog. Thankfully, Phillip had his. Thank you, Phillip!

Hopefully you saw my What We Wore Wednesday (WWWW) post - we had a lot of fun with it. We did a lot more on Wednesday (other than dress up and strike poses for the camera) ... so here's a glimpse into things. Also, I apologize for it being a shorter post. The Internet decided to get really buggy yesterday, and it took me hours to do that one little post ... and there are just better things to do here on a service trip besides waiting on the Internet.

I forgot to mention that on Tuesday, Palmer Home's director came into our breakfast, gave us some history about Palmer Home, and thanked us for coming to work. He made several good points, but one of them really resonated with me: He thanked the students for taking their spring break to serve others, and mentioned that he wished he had spent his college breaks learning to serve instead of taking fun trips for himself. There's nothing wrong with fun trips, but there's something to be said about learning how to serve the Lord and love others during "your" time. I'm thankful for each of these twelve students and for their willingness and desire to serve others and love well during their free week. (I kind of feel like a mom saying this, but oh well: To the parents and grandparents reading the blog, thank you for raising your children so well. They have had servant's hearts all week long, are full of joy and energy, and clearly love Jesus. I am so thankful for each of them and am grateful to those who have loved them well and shown them how to serve and give selflessly. Thank you!)

Yesterday morning, Ms. Helen took us on a tour of Columbus. We saw a lot, and I have a lot to share, but here are a few of the highlights:

Rebekah at Tennessee Williams's house. Rebekah is a theater major, so this was a major highlight for her! (Doesn't she look excited?)

Matt and Phillip pretending to dive on Tennessee William's bed

Friendship Cemetery has a lot of famous graves. This shot shows the graves of Confederate soldiers. This cemetery is where Memorial Day originated.

Columbus has a number of antebellum homes. I can't remember the name of this house, but it's supposedly haunted by a ghost named Nellie who etches her name on an upstairs window.

After lunch, we got back to work, and our group did a variety of things. Most of our girls priced, sorted, and cleaned the Palmer Home thrift store. They found some great outfits at the thrift store - you can see yesterday's blog post for some of those photos, but here are a couple more:

Nicole, Kayla, and Ansley sporting matching bowling shirts

Lexi, Nicole, Ansley, and Rebekah hit up the formal wear

Kayla cleaning the cases at the thrift store

Hannah and I finally completed the bathroom wallpaper removal project! I've showered and I'm still pulling tiny pieces of wallpaper and glue out of my hair. Hannah and I are incredibly sore and have been trying to figure out how to stretch and relax our tired muscles. (Some photos of the crazy, contorted positions that we put ourselves into for hours to get that wallpaper off those walls are included below.) If you saw the WWWW post, you'll see me claiming the bottle of Snuggles fabric softener as my "perfume." Hannah and I have smelled amazing for the past two days - I bet most of y'all know you can mix fabric softener and water in a spray bottle and use it to soften stubborn wallpaper. It's pretty potent stuff, and I'm thankful for the fan Ms. Helen gave us to provide some fresh air. I think my nose (and sinuses) will be just fine never smelling that fabric softener again. (I can't use it in my laundry due to skin issues anyway.)

Hannah took this photo of me (she worked high above me most of the day). I was squished on the floor working on the last stubborn bits of the wallpaper. Got it!

Thank goodness Hannah is small and could fit up there! She is a trooper for staying in the most awkward positions for hours over the last couple days.

Our guys probably feel similar aches and pains  - they've been busy clearing brush and hauling lots of stuff. Yesterday, they spent a good part of the afternoon on the roof of the admin building blowing off leaves and bagging them. I spent a good while trying not to worry that one of them might fall off the roof, but thankfully, they are all safe and sound. The Lord has blessed us with no injuries good health this week (minus a little poison ivy and several of us with allergies ... thank you, Mississippi).

Brett working on the roof of the administration building

Last night, our group spent time together sharing what we're thankful for and what we've enjoyed on this trip. It has been so enjoyable -  I've loved being with our crew, and they've loved being with another. It was such a joy to hear what the Lord's taught them, see the fruits of their labor this week, and watch them interact with these precious children. I really hope KSU RUF can continue a relationship with Palmer Home and that this isn't a one-time trip.

Sharing (and listening) about what we've learned and done this week

Ms. Helen found some sparkling cider (obviously non-alcoholic) and gave it to our crew. After we shared, we did a toast!

Today, half of our group went to the thrift store. Our guys helped haul and move furniture, as well as load up furniture for some of the customers. The girls sorted, priced, and cleaned the store. The other half of our group worked in the greenhouses with Ms. Mary. Palmer Home has gardens and greenhouses where they grow their own food (to eat and to sell at the farmer's market).

Matt found a pair of Carhatt overalls (sadly just slightly too small). Kayla found an excellent 80's prom dress with a strange slit in the front.

This is from Anna's phone, and it did something funky with the sizing. But this is Rebekah, Ansley, and Aubri working outside the greenhouses on new plants.

Ansley is holding cilantro - the plants are smaller than your pinky finger!

This afternoon, most of our crew headed back to the thrift store. Anna and I stayed back at the apartment and did some deep cleaning, as well as three loads of laundry. We organized the linen closet and refolded everything. Everyone has just arrived back here, and we're cleaning and showering to get ready for dinner and then RUF at Mississippi State! I'm so thrilled to go back. (I haven't been back since I graduated in May 2010.) It will be strange just to sit there and not be responsible for anything, worrying about PowerPoint, or trying to figure out where I hid the nametags. Whew. :) RUF is hosting a formal after large group, and my gang wanted to attend, so we're going! As I type, the ladies are getting themselves extra beautiful and are doing a wonderful job sharing the small bathroom. :)

It has been a great week, and I'm thankful for the time that I've had with our group. I won't be blogging tonight due to RUF and the formal, but I'll try tomorrow or Saturday with a wrap-up of the trip. Please pray for us tonight as we worship with State's RUF, and pray that we would rest well tonight. Also, pray for traveling mercies as we head back to Kennesaw tomorrow (no hitting deer, wrecks, flat tires, etc.) - and please pray that we stay well. (Two of the Florida RUF girls have a stomach bug, and that would be bad news for any of us, especially with traveling tomorrow.) Thank you for your prayers and support!

One year ago

The 2008-2009 Reflector editorial board. Adam is on the left 

(in maroon and white) sitting on the angel's arm.

It's getting late, and yet I can't sleep. Exactly one year ago today, I was doing almost the exact same thing — unable to sleep and up late, thinking about one person: my friend Adam Kazery.

Exactly one year ago today, I found out that I — no, the world — had lost Adam. I lost much more than a coworker that day — I lost a dear friend who I knew I could count on for anything.

Though it's been a year since he's been gone, not a day goes by that I don't think about him. Last year as I told everyone at work that he was gone, I vividly remembering looking into the teary eyes of my dear friends, thinking, "This is going to change our lives forever." I've lost people in my life before, but Adam was so unexpected. There are still days when I pick up my phone to text him or think about posting a link to his Facebook wall — it's like my brain still hasn't completely realized that he's not here anymore. I'm not kidding when I say that I still think about him every single day — whether it's an Apple product announcement, a photo of a cat doing something stupid, the new Radiohead album, someone's Facebook status written in binary code, a black Nissan truck — not a single day has gone by where I haven't thought about him. I still expect to see him grinning every time I pass a black Nissan truck. I still expect to get random, hilarious text messages from him. I still expect him to know my order at Zaxby's. (My new friends here haven't caught on that I get the exact same thing every time!) Just last week, I was showered with wonderful Valentine's Day gifts, yet all I could think about was wanting one of Adam's silly yellow Post-It note "valentines," which he stuck to the computer monitors at work with a funny message, signed, "Love, Adam."

To say I miss him would be an understatement:
- For a while when I moved to Murfreesboro, I tried to avoid driving down a certain road to avoid the Nissan dealership — which always has a row of shiny black trucks parked right out front for everyone to see. I couldn't stand looking at those black trucks at the stoplight — it reminded me of all the times Adam took me home after a long night at the office. I remember him being appalled that I would walk 15 minutes to apartment late at night; so especially when it was cold, I'd wait until he finished at the office and gladly climb into that truck. We'd always have good conversations during that five minute drive home, whether it was about music, office politics, or what we could do better at work. Adam didn't give rides to just me — he willingly did it for anyone who didn't drive to campus. He was quick to give, and quick to look for ways to help.
- On his last production night before his death, he volunteered to go get Abner's for everyone. We knew it was going to be a late night, and by the time we realized we were all hungry, everything in the student union was closed (or we were sick of it). Adam quickly announced he would drive to Abner's, and we could pay him back later. (The Monday that he appeared "missing," I actually carried around $6 all day in my pocket for him.) Later that night, Adam danced around the newsroom and kept us laughing with his new "fashionable" plastic ring (he got it off a cupcake — read the full story here on April's blog). That night was one of the longest ones of the semester, yet thanks to Adam and Bob's antics all night, it wasn't miserable.
- I heard about the new Radiohead (one of Adam's favorites) album last week, and I got teary — I wouldn't get to see Adam all excited about it. I still haven't even listened to the album yet.
- The littlest things make me miss him. I'd be here for hours if I kept going ...

Last year, Kyle and I were debating over who should get the editor of the year award. I told him it belonged to Adam because of all his hard work, dedication, and responsibility. Adam was never late, never missed a meeting, and always finished his work — then stuck around to help everyone else. It was never in his job description to read over all the pages, yet he did it willingly — and he caught so many mistakes! There is no telling how many times Adam saved us from some really embarrassing typos and misprints. A few weeks after Adam's death, Kyle announced that he and our adviser had decided to rename the award to the Adam C. Kazery Editor of the Year award. I was so honored to receive the award last year, and it was a blessing to have Adam's family present at our banquet. April (who's editor this year) reminded me that five of the editors this year really didn't know Adam — and what a shame. How do you even begin to explain someone like Adam?

So what has a year without Adam taught me? I've learned (and not just known in my head) that life is hard and painful, and we don't always get answers. After a year, I have finally come to terms with the fact that God may not reveal to me why Adam was taken away — and after a year, I'm finally beginning to accept that. God doesn't have to tell me why it happened, and realizing that has slowly begun to give me peace. I've been reminded this year (and not just through Adam) that trusting that all that God does is right and good brings immeasurable peace and joy.

This year has also taught me how blessed I am with family and friends. One of my resolutions this year was to tell the people in my life how much they mean to me. I felt like Adam knew how much me meant to me, but I never really said it enough. I regret that, and I don't want to have that same regret with others.

So Adam, know that I miss you terribly, and I'll still be thinking of you daily. I miss you riding the Bully bike through the office to make us laugh. I miss you making sure we had good music on our computers to keep us smiling throughout the long days and nights. I miss your random text messages filled with those crazy emoticons. I miss talking about Apple products with you. I miss seeing your face and your silly grin when you were up to something mischievous. I miss your random photos. I miss your yellow Post-It note messages. I miss your crazy computer antics — like turning your entire page into Russian just to make me laugh after a long afternoon. I miss you spontaneously yelling out hilarious photo cutlines and headlines. I miss your laughter as you leaned too far back in that treacherous chair of yours. I miss you friend — and I'm not going to forget you.

Note: I blogged about Adam back in June — that post can be found here. April blogged about him as well back in May (click here for that read), and she beat me to blogging about him today right here. You can view Adam's website, as well as some of his photography, at www.adamkazery.com.

Just got back from the presidential debate

All hell broke loose today in the newsroom with news that one, our current interim president and the head of IHL are currently under investigation; two, there was an emergency meeting regarding the hiring of our new university president; and three, IHL still says we will have a president announced by November. It was a MAD HOUSE...two reporters and two editors working online, on the phones, pulling up all that we could find. It's days like that when I realize how much I love the journalism industry.

As I worked calling several Mississippi agencies, my sister called. I took a five minute break to catch up with her, then received a beep in from a Gulf Coast number. Fortunately, I switched over to take the call. It was someone from the public relations department at the University of Mississippi (more commonly known as Ole Miss down here) calling to see how many reporters and photographers we were bringing to the debate tonight.

"I was under the impression that we couldn't get on campus tonight," I said.

"Oh no, you're welcome to come! No press passes left or tickets to the actual debate, but you're free to hang out in any of the common areas on campus - we're showing it in the Grove."

"Great! Thank you so much!" Click, close phone, run back into the newsroom. "WHO'S FREE TO GO TO OXFORD TONIGHT?!"

"WHAT!? WE CAN GO?"

"YES!"

Okay, I realize that was a little dramatic, but we were just so excited to get to be there. Three of us got to go - a fellow reporter and the photography editor. We had a good ride down there and the weather was incredible. Kudos to Ole Miss for a job well done - very well organized, friendly volunteers/workers, clean facilities, and decent parking. Not to mention excellent idea to broadcast the debate in the Grove on two big screens to enable thousands to stay on campus, even if they couldn't make it inside to the actual debate.

I'm in the process of writing a story about the debate - it'll be interesting. Still haven't figured out exactly how I feel about the debate - were questions really answered, who has solid ideas, where in the world are we going to come up with something to get the country out of this economic crisis?

Okay, enough researching, reading, Twittering, and typing. It's been a very long day and I'm headed to bed...FINALLY.

Cat weighs 44 pounds (the weight of an average five-year old)

While I was in New York in May, I received news that my beloved Mississippi was the "fattest station in the nation" for the third year running (according to CalorieLab; other articles and sites have said that this is the fourth year for Mississippi - alas). My home state of Tennessee falls closely behind at number six. The article gives the typical reasons and explanations for Mississippi's obesity: fast food is quick, convienent, and located everywhere, while some of the grocery stores (you know, where you buy fruits and veggies and all that great healthy stuff) are over 40 miles away. Crazy, but it's not hard for me to believe!

Would you know, obesity's even becoming a very large (pun intended) problem even with pets. Check out this monster of a cat, nicknamed "Princess Chunk," found wandering the streets of New Jersey:



She weighs 44 pounds! To put that into perspective, that's the average size of a five-year old child, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Read the complete article and view a slideshow of other strange pets (including a woman who has her lab running for town mayor) here.

Items found at a Mississippi gas station

This post is mainly for some of my Yank - I mean friends up north who loved teasing me about my Southern drawl (which is very minor compared to most of the people at my school, but whatever), overalls, wearing shorts to class because it’s 95+ degrees for at least three months, saying “funny” words and phrases like “y’all,” “reckon,” “yonder,” “Mis-sipi” (sound it out – the lazy yet much shorter way to say “Mississippi”), “you’re slower than molasses running uphill in January,” “I’m up a creek with no paddle” and “where are the cows in this god-forsaken city!?” (Okay, I exaggerate just a little.)

Last week, my family took a four-day trip (two days driving, two days at the beach) to Orange Beach (Gulf Shores), Alabama. Of course, this meant driving from Memphis, through Tupelo, past Starkville (home of Mississippi State University, where I now fondly call second home), into Meridian, and…well, I’m not exactly sure what we went through after that. It involved probably hundreds of small towns (populations averaging 64, counting the cows and chickens) in Mississippi and Alabama, and stops at those places are sometimes my favorite. I think you’ll see why.

Items found at Mississippi gas station, somewhere in-between Citronelle (let’s just say that’s close to Mobile, Alabama, because that’s the largest/most recognizable city nearby) and Meridian (Mississippi):



A bottle opener that makes four different turkey calls (and sadly, there was only one left, so they have sold some)
Pantyhose (all different shades and sizes)
A sign on the door reading “Pants must be pulled up and shirts worn inside for service.” (Kind of sad that they have to post that on the door.)
Sticks of homemade beef jerky in a plastic dispenser labeled, “Please pay at the register” (I’m not doing a very good job explaining this one: you would just push the handle down like a toothpick or straw dispenser and out popped your beef jerky. As my friend Hannah says, sick dog.)
All kinds of wise redneck sayings and clichés on t-shirts, cozies, baseball caps, cell phone covers and bumper stickers (Regretfully, I didn’t have much time to ponder these. We make very quick fill-up/bathroom stops.)

Man, I love the South…home is good. :)