Scents.

I have always heard how certain smells can help you recall memories. I didn't ever DISBELIEVE it, but I just never could remember any smells that help me remember special memories...until yesterday.

My boss was taking toys to the basement at the Carl Perkins Center so we could store them for Christmas time. I had never been down into the basement so I decided to join her. When I hit the floor of the basement, the smell hit me like ton of bricks. I had this sudden feeling of happiness. I felt like I was home. I immediately told my boss how much I loved the smell of our basement and her response was, "Of mildew?" I was when rushed back into reality and had the shocking realization that one of my favorite smells was indeed mildew. Why you ask? Well, I imagine it's because of all the summers spent in Park Rapids, MN. The log cabins are old so I'm sure mildew is one of the smells that I have enjoyed smelling all of these years. I haven't been able to go to MN for a while and it is missed terribly. I have been missing it more this summer because I didn't get to have a summer break.

Andrew had a baby blanket that his aunt made for him. When he was younger, just smelling this particular silk backed blanket would put him to sleep. Every once in a while I would have an article of clothing, or I would pull a quilt out of a closet and that smell would hit him and he would inhale it like he was a druggie.

I had another smell moment today during my lunch break. The weather was hot, but not too hot and I was walking behind a truck that had delivered food to the restaurant. The smell of diesel and the heat brought me back to years and years of band competitions and hanging out beside the bus waiting to go to warm-up. Those were the times that my friends and I would be telling stories, making jokes, and putting on tons and tons of make-up. Who could forget the year of the intense liquid eyeliner?

Those are just two smells that bring back memories so intense, it is almost like being there again.

August Rush

It's been a while since I have blogged on this thing. I have been looking foward to August since June. August started off on a good foot. I got to drive to Clarksville to celebrate Steph and Jenn's birthday with Steph. I was sorry that Jenn wasn't there. Her presence was missed the most when Steph's bed broke and normally Jenn is right there to fix it and when we went to Nashville Shores. I'm so excited for Jenn with her new teaching position. After years of listening to her try to teach Steph French in our dorm room, I know that she has the patience to teach even the most dreadful students (Sorry Steph). Steph would ask Jenn to come over for a tutoring session for an hour. Steph would spend 45 minutes of this hour beating her head with her french book and the last 15 minutes explaining to Jenn why french was pointless. Stephanie wasn't the only excited when she was done with those classes.

My father got to come briefly the next weekend. It was a short visit but it was fun hearing his stories on the drive from Jackson to Dburg. Lisa had her wisdom teeth taken out, which was humourous for all who got to experience Lisa on drugs. Poor girl also got Swimmers' ear as soon as she was supposed to be healing.

That same weekend I got the joy of hearing Andrew play with the praise band. There is nothing more attractive than seeing the man I love do something that he is passionate about and seeing him worship our Lord. It does my heart well to hear him sing for the Lord. I thank God every time I think about how I will be able to listen to Andrew play his guitar and sing for the rest of my life.

Wedding planning is ON! We are going to listen to a harpist this next weekend. I would love to have a harpist play Christmas carols and hymns while I walk down the aisle. Andrew is having to go with my mom and me to listen because the one thing he is very particular about with our wedding is the music.

During the 21st and the 22nd I have an All Staff Training in Smyrna. I get to share a room with the new girl Leslie from McNairy Co. I've met her a couple of times and she seems really nice. I'm also excited about seeing Debbie Abel and Katie Wyatt. It's wonderful having good friends that I get to work with. They completely understand everything that I'm going through and they have wonderful ideas.

During the 22nd through the 24th, D-Now Weekend. I love being able to get to know the youth at my church at a more personal level. I really need prayers as I lead these girls. I always fear that I'm not going to know an answer or I'll answer a question wrong or I'll be boring.

The last weekend of August is going to be spent seeing Steph again and going to Crissy's wedding. Crissy and I have spent many a class discussing wedding plans and when John was going to propose. I'm so happy for her and John!

My temporary roommate is moving out this month. I have enjoyed spending time with her. She has made living in a new place interesting and not so scary. She has been going through a lot of boy problems. I hope that through my experiences in life I have been able to pass along a little bit of wisdom.

Work has been going great. I have used one of my few connections in Bolivar to get Andrew a job once we get married. I was able to provide school uniforms for some of my clients. I really felt that I was making a small difference in their lives. Many of their eyes filled with tears and I knew that the thank yous I was getting was coming from their hearts. Those moments make all the paperwork worth it.