Sunday column: Best friends

Hollie and I were lucky to find each other at St. Frederick.

There's no one else who could have been my maid of honor.

As the Peach Festival rolls out its inaugural Sunday lineup, I plan to take full advantage of the day's events.
You'll probably see me at the Peach-Eating Contest (observing, not competing) and definitely at the Pet Show with my best friend, Hollie.
Any time Hollie and I have a chance to spend a day together, it feels like old times. We've been friends for 13 years, and our relationship has been one of the best things in my life ever since the day we met.
It was orientation day at my high school; we were both incoming freshmen, and we immediately hit it off. Throughout the four years of high school, we were inseparable. There were several times we even passed ourselves off as sisters.
The thing about having a friendship as tried-and-true as ours is that you see the other person at her best and at her worst, and the other person sees you in those same ways.
My friendship with Hollie hasn't always been hunky-dory. But things have always worked themselves out, and our relationship only gets stronger.
Over the course of the past 13 years, Hollie and I have lived through some especially significant moments, including this abbreviated list:

Mission trips to Mexico
Hollie and I were involved with a youth group throughout high school that took an annual mission trip to one of the most poverty-stricken areas in Mexico. It was a large group of high school kids led by a few adults, including the church's fantastic youth ministers. In Mexico, we would build houses for families who were living in shacks made of any found materials they could scrape together. Although the one-room houses were rustic by our standards, they were mansions to the people we built them for.
We went on several of these mission trips, and each one was an incredibly moving experience. It was one of the only times in my life where I've been in a group of people (and remember, these were high school kids) where there was virtually no pettiness, gossiping or negativity. It was as if we all behaved the way we were truly meant to; we appreciated all the people who were there and the different strengths they brought to the group.
The mission trips not only provided a tremendous service to the Mexican families we were working with, they also opened our eyes to the innumerable gifts and blessings we have in our lives. It's something I'll never forget.

She's a lifesaver, literally
One summer, Hollie and I went on a trip to the beach. In the weeks before the vacation I'd been sick with bronchitis, but I was on the mend. Although I was still using an inhaler to ease my labored breathing, for the most part I felt much better.
Hollie and I spent our days on the beach, both out in the waves and lounging on the sand. For some reason, we decided to swim out to a sandbar we could see in the distance one afternoon. Years of swimming lessons had made us both into strong swimmers, so we had no reservations about the distance. However, there was the small matter of my lingering bronchitis.
About halfway there, I suddenly couldn't breathe. I was not getting any air, and I panicked. I don't remember saying anything to her, but Hollie immediately grabbed me and swam me back to shore, where I desperately puffed away at my inhaler until my constricted lungs decided to re-open.
I don't know how I would have made it if she hadn't been there. So, I guess I owe her my life — which really isn't that bad of a thing.

Traditional milestones
Then there have been the standard milestones in a person's life: proms, graduations, bad break-ups, new jobs, etc. Hollie has been there for them all.
College graduation was particularly important for both of us. We were more than ready to move on to our chosen careers (although neither of us knew what exactly that would be) and put college behind us. I traveled to Dallas for her graduation from Southern Methodist University, and the next weekend, she came here to Ruston for my graduation from Louisiana Tech.
We commiserated through those summer months following graduation in which we'd think murderous thoughts every time we heard the question, "So now what are you going to do?" But then, we both figured it out.

I know that finding a friend like Hollie is a true blessing in my life. I try hard not to take it for granted and to appreciate every memory, every conversation, every photo we've shared. We've seen each other through good times and bad times for the past 13 years, and we've got a lifetime to go.

Accessorizing

While shopping at Target, I couldn't resist getting this $1 bandanna for Casey. You can't really tell in the picture, but it has little strawberries all over it. Very stylish. Other big news in Casey's life this week: She made the switch from puppy food to real dog food. She's a year old now, so it's time for her to start eating like a grown-up. If only she'd act a little more grown up ...

Sunday column: Vacation on my mind

Nick plays in the sand for as long as he can stand it.

Thanks Mom and Dad, for all the great family vacations at the beach!

In spite of all my attempts to control it, my mind has been wandering all week.
Before I can even realize, I’m picturing seagulls winging overhead, feeling hot sand burning my feet and tasting saltwater.
I guess my mind has been on vacation as my body works through the regular daily routine at work and at home.
The beach, to me, is the ultimate vacation. I have my parents to thank for this, because every summer when I was growing up, we took a vacation to the beach. Thinking about it now, as an adult, it was probably the most practical vacation option for our family. We’d pack up a couple of ice chests of food (vacation food was much better than the food we ate at home; it included treats like Lunchables and non-healthy snacks) and bring our beach toys, which served us faithfully year after year. All Mom and Dad had to pay for was gas to and from the beach, our hotel room and a few cheap souvenirs at the end of the trip.
See, the beach was what we did on vacation. We didn’t go to amusement parks or water parks or museums or shopping, we went to the beach — for hours upon end, every day. Thinking back, it’s pretty amazing that playing on the beach was enough to keep all six of us occupied and happy for the entirety of our vacation the decade or so we did this.
The occasional jelly fish sting or sand in the eye was really the only complaint I can remember coming up in all those years.
Sometimes we did mix it up in the summer, with a trip to Disney World here, a week in Hot Springs, Ark., there. But, I think we all agreed that the beach was the best.
That’s why, even once our family vacations dissipated as my siblings and I went off to college and got jobs, every chance I got I’d head for the beach.
Although Pensacola, Fla., was my family’s beach of choice, I’m really not particular when it comes to getting a chance to bake in the sun and watch the tide roll in. Give me Gulf Shores, Ala., South Padre Island, Texas, heck, even Grand Isle and I’m happy.
So when I was planning my wedding last summer, it was a given to me that the honeymoon destination would be the beach. Luckily, my husband agreed (good thing, because I’d already made reservations).
Thoughts of the sand, the waves and the seafood dinners consoled me when my husband dragged me from our wedding reception. I was having so much fun being surrounded by the people I love, I didn’t want our wedding to end. But I knew the next day we’d be beach-bound, so I went willingly as he steered me out the door of the reception hall.
The next morning we woke up early and got on the road. Several hours and one car mishap later (I told you, I have have The Curse of the Vehicle Breakdown), we had arrived. For the last hour of our drive, I had my window rolled down so I could smell the salty, fishy perfume that lingers along the coast.
We checked into the hotel, admired the view from our balcony and headed down to the beach. It was windy, warm and wonderful; I knew the next five days would be pure bliss.
My plans for our vacation included walking along the beach, reading on the beach, getting out in the waves and eating seafood for dinner every night. Although I didn’t run them by him, I thought my husband had similar plans. What else would one do at the beach?
As it turns out, the beach doesn’t actually agree with my husband too well. He’s got this sensitive skin that makes the sun, salt and sand, which I adore, become quite painful after about 30 minutes. So, hours spent languishing on a beach towel at water’s edge wasn’t his idea of heaven.
Like any newlywed couple, we compromised. After all, our honeymoon was meant to be enjoyed by both of us. We relaxed in the shade of our balcony while still being able to take in the full ocean view. We took walks on the beach at sunset, when the sun wasn’t as intense. One thing we did not have to compromise on, however, was the seafood. That was an indulgence we both took full advantage of.
In the short amount of time that I’ve been married, I’ve learned something nearly every day. On our honeymoon, I learned my first lesson — the next time we take a vacation, I need to let my husband actively participate in the planning process.

Meet the artist

Tonight was the gallery opening at ThousandWords, featuring photographs by Julie Scalfano! She did great, and her pictures were definitely the best in the gallery (I'm not prejudiced or anything). She was poised and happy and I think she even enjoyed herself!
Julie also was featured in a story about the gallery opening in the Ruston Daily Leader, as well as on this blog.
She rocks!

I can't stop thinking about ...

The beach! I want to go on a beach vacation so badly I can almost feel the sand crunching in between my teeth! This is a scene from our honeymoon last August. I was happy as a clam (no pun intended) out on the beach all day, but Nick wasn't quite as thrilled to be out in the sun, sand and heat.
At this point, heck, I'd settle for a stay-cation at home. I just need some time off! But nothing could beat baking on the beach for a few days with a good book.

Happy Birthday Carolyn!

I think this was her seventh birthday (1992) in Baton Rouge. What a fantastic cake! (Check the previous post to see how far I have to go when it comes to cake decorating.)

Guess whose birthday? The girl with the special dalmatian overalls, that's who! I know the outfit and the cake were made with love. This was birthday #8, 1993.

Have a great day sis! We love you!

Bragging rights

This is one of Julie's photos selected for the art show.

It's official: My baby sister Julie is a bona fide artist! She was recently selected as a featured artist for an upcoming show at a local gallery. Five of her photographs were chosen for the show. To see them all, click here.
The opening reception is Saturday and we'll all be there. Congratulations Julie!