Footlight Series

Tonight my Dad's band "Route 66" will be performing at Davis Theatre tonight. Below is an article from the from the Charlotte Observer.

A band born in 1966 at Concord's Green Dragon Teen Club will play this week at the Davis Theatre in downtown Concord.

Route 66 will open the Cabarrus Arts Council's 2011-12 "Footlights" performing arts series with a 7:30 p.m. show Sept. 22 in the theater, located in Cabarrus County's historic courthouse at 65 Union St. S.

Tickets are $10, available online at www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org, in person at the Davis Theatre box office 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, or by phone at 704-920-2753.

That 1966 band, The West Wind, was made up of four junior high school friends. Besides the teen club, it played at the Moose Lodge, local bowling alleys and private parties. The group disbanded after about three years as members went on to high school, college, careers and families.

"We'd see each other around town and talk about getting together," said bassist Jim Carriker, who graduated from Concord High School in 1971. After a reunion jam session in 2003, "some of us started practicing every week." They added members and changed their name to Route 66 in honor of the year the original band was formed.

Besides Carriker, original members Shane Atwell and Lauren Connell form the heart of Route 66. (Original member Bill Cody had to drop out because of limited time.) It performs covers of classic rock 'n' roll favorites ranging from the 1960s through today.

The current lineup is Carriker, bass; Connell, vocals/percussion; Atwell, guitar/vocals; Bob Wade, guitar/vocals; Jet Taylor, drums; Jeff Carroll, vocals/harmonica; Christine Nichols, vocals/guitar; and John Culbreath, violin/mandolin/banjo/guitar/vocals. For the Davis Theatre show, Michael Flaherty will be guest keyboard player.

Not everyone is from Concord. Nichols, for example, played in a band that toured the Jersey Shore when she was in high school.

The band plays because it's fun and has gone a lot further since the reunion than he had dreamed possible, according to Carriker.

"My dream was to get together to see if we could still do it and play out somewhere once or twice," he said.

"It's the passion for the music, the friendships, old and new, and the chance to do what we couldn't manage as 14-year-old kids," said Atwell, who is well-known in the region as radio personality Jack Daniel on 106.5 The End.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/09/18/2611227/concord-60s-band-to-play-at-davis.html#storylink=misearch#ixzz1YgVQc6wb

Pappaw's Darlin'

Today I will be heading back to Concord for two weeks to help take care of my ailing Pappaw. Last year he was diagnosed with lung and bone cancer and he is slowly getting more feeble.

My Dad is the only child so a lot has been put on my parents regarding Pappaw's care; he's not a really good "patient". Is is old, stubborn and set in his ways which most are not appropriate but that 's my Pappaw.

These two weeks will probably be the last "good" weeks that I will spend with him since he is going downhill on a weekly basis. Living 8 hours away is hard on  the heart because I know I can't be there as much as I would like to be so this trip is something I am looking forward to.

I am NOT looking forward to leaving Mike and Vicki for 10 days but they know this is something that I have to do. I will need closure in his passing and this is part of it. I don't want to sit here while he still has some good days and my only excuse is that I am 8 hours away. I don't know how well that would sit with me once he is gone.

I do pray that God keeps him as comfortable as he can and this isn't a long process where my Pappaw has to suffer more than he already is. He is in pain and it seems to get worse every week. Pain is entering areas like his arm/shoulder and foot where I am sure the cancer has now taken over once healthy bones. It's a sad situation but I am blessed to be able to go back home....this is what I need and maybe he does too.

Oh, how I've missed me!

It's been 10 days since my last blog post and I have surely missed venting on here! Things got a little out of whack for the past 10 days but we're back on track and moving back in the fast last. As you know, I take medicine for anxiety and depression and at my last appointment (2 weeks ago) they changed some things around that really didn't help matters and made them worse so I kind of just huddled back into my shell until yesterday.

Two good things happened back to back this week....Mom flew in on Thursday and I had a Doctors appointment on Friday to fix my medicines. WOO HOO!!!!! With that combo how can I not feel like new?!?!? I feel so much better that my meds were the reason I was in a funk and my heart feels happy my Momma is here.

Mom is staying until Tuesday and then I will be going back to Concord with her for 2 weeks to help take care of my Pappaw. My parents have been his sole caregiver for almost a year and they need a break and I have the time so it's the only option. I don't mind, it will give me some time with him while he is still in somewhat a good frame of mind and may give me some closure on the situation as it's probable that I won't be home when he does pass away. It will give him and Brody some time too...they both love each other to pieces.

While Mom has been here Brody has kept her pretty busy. He doesn't leave her side which is cute but draining! He loves his Nannee and she is overly in love with him. It's sweet to watch. We went to the Zoo today so we all could ride the train together. He loved it.

Tomorrow our family is taking a BIG step and becoming official members of our church. Brody, Victoria and myself will be Baptized tomorrow and then it will be official!!!! We will finally be members of FUMC-Albany. I am really excited about it and I think Victoria is too! This is something we all have been wanting over the past several months and it's finally here. Mom is excited to be a witness to all of it so I am happy she is here to watch it....just missing Dad but someone had to stay in Concord with Pappaw.

Well, I will wrap up for now but I am determined not to wait 10 days before my next blog post!

Whirlwind

I can't believe how busy my life has gotten in the past few weeks. Seems like it's a whirlwind spinning out of control at times. I don't know if I am coming or going. Hence why I am doing bullet points again for the blog. I can't seem to put down entire thoughts that flow well in a paragraph form so here is what's happening in the Beemer house:

* Victoria came home yesterday with very good progress reports.....A's and B's so we can't complain too much. She is so busy that we usually only see her before she heads upstairs to bed or if we are graced with her presence at the dinner table.

* Mike is loving being a Dad that can attend football games so we will be going to every.single.home.game until the season is over. Yay, me.

* Brody is on week 2 of Preschool and has already learned parts of the "Pledge of Allegiance" and days of the week. I am super proud of him.

* Momma is coming next Thursday to spend 5 long days with us and I can't wait to see her! I have missed both my parents terribly lately. I wish my Dad was coming too but someone has to stay with my ailing Pappaw.

* Pappaw is still doing okay considering the type of cancer he has. I just pray that he doesn't have to suffer too long with this. I have heard bone cancer is very painful.

* My new anxiety medicine makes me eat like a cow and I have went from 76 pounds to 100 pounds in 2 months. I just put over 30 pairs of jeans up in my closet and had to buy 10 new pair so I would have a fall wardrobe. I am now a size 3 and can't even get a size 0/1 up over my thighs. Go me!

* Church is going awesomely well. We are all enjoying the service and social activities. Vic stays busy in youth and we are so proud of her for that. Hopefully some of his good grace will rub off some of her teen attitude ;)


* I couldn't hold out any longer.....ALL of my Fall decorations are out minus the pumpkins that will be added in the very near future!!!! (No matter what my husband says)

Flirtatious Fall

I know, I know.....several months ago I was begging for pool weather but now I am SO over the heat that I could barf. A "perk" of living in Southwest Georgia are it's extended summers aka heat! There are days where I swear I open the front door to hell because it's so darn hot here. We are in a middle of a cool spell with a week of low 90's!

It doesn't help me any that every.single.store that I have entered this past week has all of their Fall and Halloween decorations proudly on display. Just stick a fork in me; I am done.

I don't know if I will be able to hold out on decorating our front porch and the inside for Fall until late September. I mean, tomorrow is the first day of September and that is usually when I put out my Fall decorations but I think it would put off a weird vibe here in Albany since it's still pool weather. You could probably fry an egg in our driveway with the high temps we have had lately.

I also can't wait to break out my Fall clothes!!!! Jeans, sweaters, long sleeve cute shirts, boots....ahhhhh....how I would love to wear those items now.

I'm going to stop typing this blog now because it's only making me more annoyed with the weather. I said what I had to say and hopefully Mother Nature in Southwest Georgia will cooperate sooner than later!

"Healing Begins"

Dear Mammaw,

I am supposed to write this letter to you in order to move past your death and let the healing process begin. Since your passing I have felt nothing but guilt and shame on my part. I feel I let you down when you needed me the most. I was so wrapped up in my own feelings of sorrow that I ignored everyone else's feelings, including yours. I don't deal well with death and instead of facing the fact someone close to me is dying I push myself as far away as I can and ignore it. I can't cope with death and dying and I am scared of it.

I handled your sickness poorly and tried to drink all of my problems away. I numbed my thoughts and feelings with alcohol while you were sick. I would rather not feel the pain of losing someone very close to me. Instead of visiting you like I should have I would seclude myself in my apartment and drink my nights away so I wouldn't have to feel anything. I regret my actions because I lost valuable time with you. There are so many things that I needed answered before your passing that I never got to ask and now I those questions will be left unanswered. I had things I needed to tell you that were never said.

I carry an extreme amount of guilt for my actions. It's a type of guilt that is debilitating and threatens my quality of life. I would never harm myself but my obsessing over what I didn't and shouldn't have done while you were alive takes away from my present and away from my family. I am angry with myself that I didn't handle your sickness better.

I should have spent more time with you while you had good days after being diagnosed with Leukemia. I lost so much time with you because I was selfish. I wasn't there for you like I should have been. I wish I had one more day with you so I could tell you everything I didn't say and ask everything I needed answered. I wanted to know your thoughts on death and dying. Were you scared? Were you prepared to go to heaven? So many questions that will be left unanswered. Those questions will always haunt me and lay heavy on my heart and mind.

I have been a broken spirit now that you have passed. A spirit that only you could have mended before your death but I was too selfish to see it or need it. I needed your wisdom. I don't think you or I knew how much you meant to me. I have so much admiration and respect for you; you were the most selfless human being I knew or know now. You put everyone elses needs before your own. You were the thread that held our family together.

You had your quirky OCD ways that only now we truly understand. I really understand them because I am exactly like you in many ways. My family finds ways to ruffle my OCD feathers just like I did to you growing up. I am sorry for all of that because now I truly understand how nerve wracking that can be at times. I suffer from anxiety and it's hard to deal with some days. I want to run in a hole and hide from the world....probably like you did but you were so much better at hiding it than I am. I am not that strong yet.

I can only hope to make you proud by bettering myself as a person. I have stopped the things you would have frowned upon. I'm a good wife who loves her husband and takes care of him. I am a loving mother to our two children and I try to do the special traditions and little things for them  that you did for Dad and me. I also try to keep all of your holiday traditions. I continue to cook your meals for holidays and Dad is getting better at arriving on time; finally!!! We have had some really good dinners since you have passed; I think you would have been proud.

My best achievement so far has been Brody; he has changed me completely. He calls you "Grandma" when we visit your grave. Nobody told him to either; but I guess you already know that. Victoria and Brody have made me a more compassionate human being. As you would say, Brody, is "a mess" and into everything. He has a lot of the Carroll traits. He loves to rock in a rocking chair and take walks with his everyone. He has your and Dad's nose and your beautiful blue eyes.

I really wish you were here to experience all the joy he brings the family but I am sure your watching happily from above. There is so much more I could tell you and still need to express but that would take years. I just want you to know that I am sorry, I love you and I hope I have made you proud.

Love,
Jamie

Falling for Fall

I know I shouldn't wish my days away because they already fly by but I am really wishing for Fall to hurry up and present itself in Southwest Georgia....Albany to be exact. I am all for great pool and beach weather but my heart really misses the "feeling" of Fall.

Fall always makes me chipper and happy to be alive. It's like a little fire sparks inside me and I am a different person....a person that I like and the person that I am ready to be.

I love the smell of Fall...the scented candles that fill your house with warm and spicy scents. The fireplace crackling with wood and producing a warm glow throughout the living room. Pumpkins, acorns and pine cones happily decorating the house and front porch steps. I love that it's cool enough to cook your fall/winter favorites like large batches of beef stew or mouth watering chili.

And the wardrobe...God Bless the autumn wardrobe! I miss wearing my fall favorites....jeans, sweaters and boots. I love my "fall" clothes and wishes that I could wear them year round. There is nothing more comfortable than slipping on a pair of jeans paired with a cute long sleeve top and head out the door in a pair of boots. I can't wait to bust into those fashions soon. My 'fall' clothes are getting a little lonely and ready to be pulled into my everyday wear.

I love everything about Fall and the holidays that surrounds it. Fall means Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are near. All of the three are a big deal in the Beemer House and we decorate accordingly and I am always trying to do something fun with the kids to help decorate for the occasions.

So, the countdown is on in my mind for Fall....hurry on up summer, do your thing and make it a wrap....I am ready to see you go.

It's the "Simple Things"!

Yesterday I was channel surfing on the television and I ran across some show and the topic was "simple things". We often get so busy with life and outside chaos that we forget the simple things so the result of this was to write down a list of the simple things in your life that make you happy. "Wow" was the first thought that came to my mind. I had to really think about that and *that* made me sad. I shouldn't have to "think" about it, I should know them right off the top of my head! My life is so busy that I have forgot about the simple things that make me happy. With that being said I have decided to write my "simple things" list so I have it as a reminder; it also may show that I am a bit OCD and neurotic:

* A cup of coffee in a pretty teacup before the house (Brody) wakes up.
* A bed that is made.
* All of my hangers facing the same direction in my closet.
* My sink being dirty dish free.
* The smell of Fall in the air and in my house (thanks to candles & Scentsy).
* A clean house that I didn't have to clean.
* A quiet house in the mornings.
* Sleeping in frilly vintage slips that belonged to my Mammaw.
* The smell of lavender on my sheets and clothes.
* Getting my hair cut and colored.
* Decorating inside and outdoors for every single holiday.
* A kiss in the morning from my husband.
* The kids telling me good night before bedtime.
* My fur baby, Alex, at my side all day and night
* Getting dressed up and applying make up for a date night with my husband.
* Enjoying my patio with a glass of good wine.
* Good music!!!
* An empty dirty clothes basket.
* Cooking dinner for my family and friends.
* Facebook.
* Making letters and cards to mail to the special people in my life.
* Any type of arts and crafts.
* Kisses, Hugs and cuddles from my little man.
* Victoria asking me to paint her nails or do her hair.
* Little notes from my loved ones.
* Making Brody's lunch for school.
* A hug from my Momma & Daddy.
* Sleeping on my favorite pillowcase when I visit my parents.
* Hearing my Pappaw call me "Darlin'...."
* Hearing Mike call me "Honey".
* Wearing heels with my favorite pair of blue jeans.
* Using my Mammaw's cookbooks to make dinner.


That's just a few but that is the start of my list....what's on yours?

Beemer Family Randomness

My mind is slightly scattered today so this blog is completely random with bullets instead of paragraphs. It's been a whirlwind with school starting and our mini vacay to Destin, Florida so here goes:

* Victoria started school and made it through her first day without any problems. She seems to be excited about this school year but she has a TON of expectations from all of her core classes. This will definitely be a challenging year for her.

* LCHS has their first pre-season game this coming Friday and I know Mike is beside himself with excitement. Nothing like some Southern Friday night lights and your daughter marching during halftime. He will probably get misty eyed...he's good like that.

* Brody starts school next Monday and will be going three days a week. I CAN. NOT. WAIT!!!! He needs so much stimulation and with the weather hotter than hell here it's hard to do much since your stuck indoors. I think I have watched every single episode of "Dora", "Wonder Pets", "Olivia" and the "Dinosaur Train". I am d-o-n-e with kiddy shows; I may hurl if I have to watch any more.

* I signed up for PTO which I am actually kind of excited about. I really want to be involved with Victoria's school and after school activities as much as I can and I thought that would be a good start. My day time hours are limited due to Brody's school schedule but something is better than nothing. It was either PTO or Band Boosters so I went with the one that I could be a little more flexible with. I can't commit to every Friday night (nor do I want to) so we will see how PTO works out for me

* We went to the beach the past weekend and had fun but my anxiety was up 100x more than when I am at home. I have pin pointed that I get overly anxious when I am not in my own environment. Crazy, I know, but hey, it is what it is. I personally do better with a schedule and my own little world....however, I have GOT to get over it because I like to take vacations. I know, I know, I just contradicted myself.

* I am signing Brody up for Itty Bitty Sports camp this week. It's a 6 week rotation of baseball, basketball and soccer. It introduces the little tykes to the world of sports and we definitely want him involved in athletics. The program is through the YMCA and I am excited about it.

As you can see my mind (and life) is all over the board so writing a good blog just wasn't in the cards today. However, it felt good to get it all off my mind...

My Little Vicki

As many of you know I have a beautiful step-daughter named Victoria. I really don't like to use the word "step-daughter" because in my mind she is my own flesh and blood. I met Miss Victoria as a sassy little girl who was being raised by a tender hearted Marine. It was a weird combination but I went with it and ultimately fell in love with both of them. Victoria captured my heart first and her father did years later.

Victoria and I have a unique relationship that really can't be expressed or put into words. We have been through or rough patches but what mother-daughter relationship doesn't have those?

She has blossomed from a little girl into a young lady the past 6 years and it amazes me how beautiful she is inside and out. It's hard to believe that this little elementary schooler is now starting high school this year. Where has the time gone?!?

I am a bit sad that she is entering high school because I know that our years with her at home are numbered to about four then she will be heading off to college (praying it's somewhere close to us) to pursue who dreams. At the moment she wants to be a pastry Chef but that could change like the color of her walls do every couple of years. Whatever she wants to be I will support because I love her with every ounce of my being.

Yesterday was her orientation for High School and as much as I complained about the chaos of the situation I believe that was my defense mechanism kicking in so I wouldn't burst into tears. Memories of my own high school years came flooding back and it's so refreshing to know she will be making her own wonderful memories in the near future. I am sure she will be an outstanding student (as always) as well as an active member in sports, band and clubs. Her outgoing and vibrant personality is contagious so she is always a popular kid to be around and she isn't hurting in the beauty department either (poor Mike).

So, I will wrap up by saying, I am a proud Mom to Miss Victoria and I hope her freshman year of high school is everything she wants it to be and more. I love her to pieces and I can't wait to share in the memory making of the next chapter of her life: High School.