You can't plan your life...

I had a strategic life plan at age 18 – I would go to college, get married and a job as soon as I got out of college and four years after that I would have a child. That's the way things work, right?

Not so fast. Things didn't quite go as I planned. I went to college and graduated and got a job and I watched as one-by-one my high school friends got married at 20, 21, 22, 23. etc.

In the rural Mississippi, women are made to believe that if you aren't married by the time you are 25, then you are bound for "old maid" status and if you don't have a child by 30, then you must not like children or you just don't want to have any.

I was two months shy of my 27th birthday, when Paul and I got married in 2004. He was 36. Sometimes you just have to wait and waiting is the hardest part.

I say all this because my cousin/brother Grey and his fiancee Mandy will be married February 16 and oh my goodness, they are both in there 30s. I'm so excited for them and wish them many years of happiness!

Decisions, decisions

Life is full of them... Some easy...some hard. And, lately, I've had to make quite a few that are somewhere in the middle.

I vividly remember the day when South Pontotoc was no longer going to be our home but where we were going was not yet laid out before us. I had found some boxes and had begun packing up our dining room. I'm pretty sure Paul that I was nuts but I did it anyway. I knew it wasn't home anymore.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can can steer yourself where ever you choose. --Dr. Seuss

There were three choices on where to go and when it came down to it and after much discussion -- We chose Attala County as home. The good, the bad and the ugly of it all. It has been home since 07.

And, on that rare occurrence, when I think maybe things would be better if we chose differently...I think of all the things I would have missed out on and all the people I wouldn't know.

"Step with great care and great tact, cause life's a great balancing act." -- Dr. Seuss

When I'm in control of the decision making, it doesn't seem so bad but when others make decisions that's a different story.

Three years ago, Paul and I were friends with a couple that he'd known all his life. And, as in most cases, the wives became friends. We ate lunch together and hung out and chatted. I wouldn't say we were best friends but good friends and someone I felt like I could confide in.

Apparently, she didn't feel the same because when I asked her about a situation that affected all of us, she didn't tell me the truth.

And just like that we were friends no more.

"Sometimes the questions are complicated but the answers are simple." -- Dr. Seuss

Things that were put into motion that day have turned out pretty good for me in the end. I've got a very small group of friends that I completely trust. And a group is better than one. I've also got a bestie for a change.

"Be who you are and say what you mean because those who mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind." -- Dr. Seuss

I love everything that a newspaper stands for -- open forum that expresses all points of view and keeps the public informed of the comings and goings in there community. I've worked for a newspaper for the last 12 years.

However, the constant feeling of having my back against the wall is just something I've grown weary of.

And there are other things too -- To many to type.

I feel like a decision is needed from me but time will tell.

"Will you succeed? Yes you will indeed. Ninety eight and three quarters percent guaranteed." -- Dr. Seuss


Who knew Dr. Seuss was so wise?

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But You're My Person

I find that writing this down helps me work through whatever I'm feeling and I would say the last two and a half days well my BFF has thrown me a curve ball.

It wasn't a total shock that he wanted to change jobs but there is "thinking about it" and then there is "I'm leaving." I tried to talk him out of it twice and Paul did too. He's stubborn as hell when he makes his mind up. And I do understand but I don't have to like it.

I really don't use the term BFF lightly. I've said before we are the oddest of friends but it works. My husband's profession as well as my own doesn't allow for many true friends.

I'm just being a big baby cause I won't see him as much and I won't have my "shadow" at every football game. And, quite frankly, it sucks! I'm not big on change.

When I felt like Paul needed a break from me being upset while my grandfather was dying in the hospital, it was my BFF who listened and advised and consoled me over text message.

I told him one night -- "You are my person. You know like Christina and Meredith on Grey's Anatomy."
Of course, he doesn't watch that show so I had to explain.
"If I murdered someone, you'd be the first person I'd call to help me drag the body across the living room floor."

I think he got a kick out of that.

And, regardless of where he goes, he's still my bestie. I wish my big brother would just stay put! :-)

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Location:Pinecrest Dr,Kosciusko,United States

Christmas was really busy for the Dees family...

It all started the Saturday before Christmas in Memphis with the Odoms and Mimi.




I don't know what we'd do without our smart phones


Aunt Ang's centerpiece. I loved it!




Opening presents



Landry thinks her uncle Paul is so funny!

As we traveled to Rolling Fork, we stopped in Cleveland for some Lost Pizza Co. It was so good! One just opened in Grenada.














Sunday we went to Valley Park to the Newman Christmas. My cousin, Dru, wanted to start a new family tradition by reading the Christmas Story. Her son Hunt did the honors. She got a little teary eyed talking about it which made me do the same. Wish I had taken more photos but this is all I got.




Christmas Eve is spent at my Grandma's. We all miss grandpa terribly but for the most part we made it fine. I took photos with Lisa's camera so I don't have many.









We went to communion at Rolling Fork UMC and chilled out for the rest of the night.

Finally Christmas Morning! Landry got up at 3 and was passed out by the time we woke up. It was nice and rainy. We decided Landry could have Christmas when she woke up.
















After lunch Paul drove us in the rain back to Attala County for Christmas at his parents. And I didn't take a single photo!

I'm very thankful to have seen so much family. I've also discovered that I'm going to be a photo taking parent one day! Landry has her own photographer.

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