Another Greenway visit

Southern Living

We live outside of Charlotte, NC but I wouldn't consider Charlotte the "true" south. In fact, one author referred to Charlotte as the "gateway" to the south - I love that expression. And another author wrote, Charlotte is a "northern city" residing in the south. If you drive around, it feels very similar to the north - traffic on the highways, crowded malls and shops, and people always in a hurry. The most noticeable distinctions between Charlotte and a nothern city are the Palmetto trees and the greenery in December.

With that said, we drove further south to an area around Lake Murray, called Leesville, SC. I was starving, so we stopped at a supermarket so I could get sandwiches for Andy and myself. I walked in the store, and it smelled of cinnamon and spice - very holidayish, I was thinking. I walked over to the deli and there on display was fried everything - I couldn't even tell the difference between anything because it was all breaded and fried - all the same besides the shapes - they even fry pickles! Overlooking the fried mystery foods, I finally caught the attention of a very nice worker in the back (the pace was VERY laid back at this market). I asked if she could make a few sandwiches - turkey perhaps (hoping I could get that fresh, not fried). She wanted me to clarify my sandwich request, "You mean like on a roll?" "Yes...a sub/hoagie.", I reply. "Yeah, we don't have rolls for that." Hmmm..."Okay, well do you make fresh salads?" She points behind me to a case with salads. I thank her and walk over, pick up a salad container, carefully inspect, and find the lettuce was wilted on the bottom - yellowy wilted and not just one, but all. Fresh? Good thing she didn't make my sandwich!

Playground Fun

Lake Murray

After our museum adventure, we drove out to our property that we have in a community on Lake Murray. It was such a pretty day - chilly, but sunny and blue skies. And since we have no house (the tree pic is our lot), we hung out on our dock (until Landon was becoming too brave), and then it was back to dry land and the Adirondack chairs.

EdVenture Museum

Andy took the day off so we ventured down to Columbia, SC to visit the EdVenture Museum. It is an entirely hands-on experience centered around real life skills. Landon had a blast - he drove a tractor, milked a cow (Andy quickly pointed out that the udder could also be referred to as a "teet"), put gas in his car, drove his car (with baby brother as the passenger - should I be worried?), drove a fire engine, and climbed up the world's largest child to have a look inside his body - it was amazing! Andy and I had a great time trying everything too - some things became quite a challenge...we couldn't quite fit into all of the little places that Landon could.

Your "Real" Name

If you ask Landon what his name his, his response is "You". If you ask him what is "real" name is, you will get "Landon" - a bit tricky for his preschool teachers.

Trick or Treat

I love Halloween in our neighborhood - all of the neighbors who are usually too busy with work, school, and after school activities, come out to play. The kids run down the street with such enthusiasm, so colorful in all of their amazing costumes. And the parents follow behind smiling and thinking back to when they used to trick or treat and realizing that the feeling of watching your own kid is almost better than going yourself.

Landon had a great time with his buddy, Michael and cousin, Luke - he especially liked running around with his flashlight and glow stick after dark. He really didn't care much for the trick-or-treating part. In fact, he was trying to give his candy back at each house we visited - I am sure that will change once he realizes the "value" of candy!

Compliment from a Stranger

Have you ever had one of those hectic days? Kids aren't napping as scheduled, one is teething and cries so much "they" have to come and get you while working out at the Y, the whining never stops and you have to take two cranky kids to the grocery store to buy the necessary supplies - diapers and juice. And while at the grocery store, you have one that wants to sit in the front of the cart (where your legs slide into the two holes) knowing full well that his baby brother has to sit in there because he can't be anywhere else, and he doesn't want to sit in the back but he wants to push his own mini-cart (I wonder if whoever invented those has kids of his/her own under the age of 2 1/2) and he runs into the backs of people's legs (very old people) who just nod and smile politely (and you know she is swearing under her breath), and you finally make it to the check out and your 2 1/2 half year old wants to hand the cashier EVERY item from you cart and throws a tantrum when you try to speed him up because the person behind you is sighing and looking at their watch. And you finally make it through the line, and are heading for the door with the baby in the front, groceries in the main part of the cart, and the 2 1/2 year old riding on the cart with his hands hanging from the handle, and a woman following you out says, "You are doing a great job with the two of them.", gives me a warm smile, and continues on her way. All of the tensions of the day seemed to fade away with that one (seemingly) small statement. Thank you stranger at the grocery store - I needed that compliment today.

Mystery Trail Walker Guy

Dear Mystery Trail Walker Guy:

I see you out walking EVERY day and I stopped you once to ask how far and you said seven miles every day. I just want to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to me walking in the rain, (snow if we have it), or shine. I see you walking while I run or drive, or even from the windows of the YMCA while I am struggling to motivate myself to workout. You walk when it is so humid that I feel like I am swimming in the air, and even on the days when it is very chilly and pouring down rain. The days I don't feel like taking a jog with my boys, I think of you and know that you are out there walking your heart out. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me.

Anonymous

Greenway hike

The weather has finally cooled down here so we ventured out for a hike this morning on the Greenway - one of the many in the Charlotte area. It was so pretty but very chilly. Landon had a great time but I think Chase would have rather been walking...next year, Chase. Some of the pics are a bit blurry - our camera was not on the correct setting...we figured it out by the end.