Everyone's family is crazy. But not everyone's family is crazy-funny!

Since my move home I have come to realize just how hilarious my family is. I have with out a doubt come to the conclusion that with out them I would have no sense of humor or comedic timing. I have been sharing with friends the side splitting conversations I have over heard from family since I got home. A few close friends have had the opportunity in years past to experience it for them selves. With the constant urging of two very close friends that might as well be sisters I have decided to start sharing the madness with the rest of you. Find comfort in the fact that yes, every family is crazy. But I  find comfort in the fact that my family is crazy-funny.

Back ground info. I hail from a tiny town in East TN. I am a only child but with MANY close extended family members. Great Aunts/Uncles, cousins all the way down to the 10th cousin type of situation, have been apart of my upbringing. In the same way that one might experience with a aunt/uncle, brother sister. I was raised in a single parent home and would consider myself the quiet one of my family. For those of you that know me that will sound crazy, but gives you a good measuring stick for how I became who I am. Enjoy and feel free to LOL or ROTFL. For those of you that are abbreviation simple that means Laugh out Loud or roll on the floor laughing. Dana & Amber - I hope you are happy. If I get disowned I 'm coming to live with you. Jack Davis has his bag packed just in case.

I'll work on continually updating this until my family puts a hillbilly hit out on me.  Decoded: A shot gun and a deep hole on some family owned property.

For the sake of those I love still loving me after reading this I'll keep it anonymous. You know who you are dear family. I love you!!

Conversations of a married couple:
Wife to Husband: If you ever open the door with out seeing who it is first and let some hoodlum in this house, I'll shoot you instead of him.
Child:  Maybe I should confiscate your guns ?

Husband to Wife: I'd rather learn to cook then learn how to use the Internet.
Wife: You've been saying that since we got married. 60 years ago.

Wife: Honey are you helping clean up ?
Husband: No I'm taking these paper cups to use as spit cups for the ride home.

Wife: Are you watching Bonanza ?
Husband : No It isn't 3 o'clock yet.
Wife: Oh yea, it's a repeat at 2:30.
Child: Aren't they all repeats at this point ?


Things you hear at a family reunion.
Great Uncle at a family event: w/ guitar in hand -  Anyone got a song on their heart ?
Cousin -  Let's sing that Johnny Cash song about the man dying.
Great Aunt - Oh that's sad.
Cousin #2 - I'm concerned with what's on your heart.



Great Aunt: When I was growing up they told me peace signs where a sign of the devil.
Great Niece: I was told that too.....probably by you!!


Conversation on Road Trip:
Sister: My husband and son seem to have lost my daughter's dog, Pepper.
Sister #2: What kind of dog was pepper ?
Daughter no longer asleep in back seat of car : What do you mean WAS Pepper ?!!!
Sister: Thanks !

Conversations from a Funeral:
Daughter to Mother : I've already found several places I'd like to be laid to rest. I think if I don't choose the one near the house my husband won't visit me if I die first .

Cousin to Cousin : Remember when y'all baby sat me and left me on the toilet to go out side and smoke ? You knew I couldn't get down from there with out help .

Sister to Sister : That's a beautiful song . Who's singing ? Answer: You're daughter !


Decoded:
The Yankee's are coming! - Decoded: Northern family are on their way for a visit.

I'm going outside for some fresh air. - Decoded: I'm going to smoke.

Potluck dinner this year for the family reunion. - Decoded: You better bring most of the food cause I'm buying chicken.

I've been in the field rollin' the hay. -Decoded: I've been in the field rollin' a .......

Turn the page. Finish a chapter. Close the book. Begin living the next story to tell....

Thanks to everyone for the Birthday wishes, cards, and gifts. It was a wonderful day and couldn't have been more perfect. With the survival/celebration of another year and the entrance into a new one there has been much introspect going on in my mind and heart. I have made many "big" life choices in this past year. Survived several heart wounds that felt like they might kill me. Found a home for the summer that allowed me peace, quiet, alone time with God and nature something that after five years of living in "the hood" and full time ministry I had begun to think didn't exist any more. As I have settled back into my home town I have been going through the memorabilia that my mom had kept for me. Old homework, clothes, toys, pictures, keep sakes and what not. I have read and now burned many old journals. Wow ! That's all I can say to middle school and high school Stacie. Wow, Girl! You have come far and yet.....not so much. In all the introspect, evaluation, revelation, laughter and tears that have come from visiting who I use to be I have found the strength and need to make some "big" inside life choices that I hope will help me become who I want to be. New motto: Turn the page. Finish a chapter. Close the book. Begin living the next story to tell....

Turn the page. Finish a chapter. Close the book. Begin living the next story to tell....Recycled mistakes are just that. We are choosing not to learn from our own pain. Insanity. Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. I no longer want to see myself as an emotional cutter. Mistake once, acceptable. Mistake repeated, unacceptable. Relationships no matter their "title" change us. I from the deepest part of my heart believe that ALL relationships are for a reason, some a season and some a life time. Some of them are for our benefit and some of  them are for the other person's benefit. Some are worth keeping hold of no matter the cost. Some are in need of loosening our grip on no matter the pain, no matter the title. Love. It is unconditional and based on nothing. It isn't earned. It isn't deserved. It simply is. It decides everything we do. The lack of love, the desire for it, the pain from it, the high from it, the bliss it produces when it is perfect. The ultimate love of His sacrifice for us. Love, it defines who we are. Like it or not. While we may love someone forever that doesn't mean they will forever be an active part of our life. The stories of our lives will be littered with the lives of those we loved, that loved us, that we tried to love, but couldn't. While my new motto it isn't the same idea as "it isn't personal it's business" it still is in the family of that ideal. Perhaps the flip side of it, "it isn't business, it's personal", but with the same bottom line. When something is done. It's done. Let it go. What's the use of holding on to something that isn't good for you ? What's the use of holding onto someone that loves you with conditions ? "If you are "this" then I will love you. If you do "that" then you will deserve my love. Until "this and that" are so then I will with hold my love." This is not personal. That is business.

Along with evaluating who I am and my role in making me, me. I am coming to a place of acceptance and appraisal. What's my worth and why ? What needs changed ? What's wonderful about who I am even if no one else thinks so.  I am also assesing the relationships I have. The role they play in making me who I am. Who contributes ? Who weight's down ? Why ?  It's o.k. to finish a page with some. It's good to know a chapter is done and that it made you better. It's amazing to put a book on the shelf knowing you did all you could to understand it. Even when it meant reading the same sentence multiple times. It's freeing to realize you can start living the next story to be told. A blank page. Chapters untitled. Book unbound.

 Turn the page. Finish a chapter. Close the book. Begin living the next story to tell....

What Now?

I am slowly settling in to my old/new crib. Unpacking, STILL. Catching up with family and I hope to soon spend some time with old friends and visit some church's. As I "settle" in I am slowly getting to the question of  "what now?". I know that I have obeyed the Lord in my choices to this point. However, I struggle with what to do next or even how to pray about it. I loved my last job/ministry/calling. I don't want the next thing I do to be something I don't love. I realize there may come a point where I have to take a job simply for the financial survival of it, but at the moment I'm still holding onto the hope that there is something out there that I could love as much as I have loved my last jobs and still survive financially. While I know that I don't really want to repeat anything I have done before that leaves me with the question, "what's next?". What could I love ? What would I enjoy ? Where are my talents and skills best put to use ? I appreciate prayers, good thoughts and positive suggestions.

I hope now that I have a bit of root down to start blogging more frequently. Love y'all!!!