For These Things I Am Thankful

So I decided to write a blog for my thirty days of thankfulness on this last day of November.

1. Comfy beds! There is nothing like a comfy king size bed to melt into and truly relax. I love my cloud and sleep wonderful every night!
2. My Hovatter! The source of my laughter and child like fun. My protector and best friend! There is never a dull moment and always an adventure around every corner!
3. Mexican food! No really there just isn't food that satisfies me quite like Mexicano
4. The greatest best friends a girl could ask for. I'm thankful for the two I see everyday and the two that have been around since school days and the one who lives forever away but as soon as we see each other its like we never missed a beat. Their support means everything to me!
5. My family: I am so blessed to have a brother and sister that are totally different from each other and both different from me but I can see parts of them in myself. Also for parents who taught me morals, respect, fun, and planted a seed for my faith.
6. For my savior who comforts me and leads me in all aspects of life and who has sacrificed to prepare a place for me when this life ends.
7. For my puppies who always keep life in the house and provide companionship for me while I'm frequently alone.
8. Travel. I have had the opportunities to travel so many places and I feel so blessed because of this. I love to travel and explore and I'm so thankful to be able to do it so frequently.
9. My co-workers. I have a wonderful job filled with great teachers and team players and I feel so lucky to be placed where I am.
10. Education. I play all day and do what I love! I'm so thankful for my occupation and my chosen field. I couldn't imagine ever doing any thing but pediatrics and I'm so thankful for the ability to enhance my knowledge and never stop learning.
11. The beach! My perfect spot. The place that hold so many memories for me and the place that always feels like home.
12. Exercise! Even though I slack and at times I feel like I'm dying! I love the stress relief it provides and the time I get to spent with my workout partner.
13. Our house! I love our house and all of our many projects!
14. I love that we have been provided with the ability to pay our bills on time and always have more then enough money left. I try to never take for granted that is a blessing and not all are so fortunate.
15. College Football. No other sport has the same magical feel for me! I can lay on the sofa all day and watch the excitement play out!
16.Netflicks
17.Bonfires
18.Fashion-boots scarfs, jewelry, dresses, jeans, tops! I love it all!
19. Pictures! I love to have a record of events and looking at how people and styles change over the years
20. GPS on Smart Phones
21. Laughter. Even if I do snort somethings and have been know to cry haha!
22. Social networks/technology
23. Hugs they just make everything better
24. Surprises
25.Children in general they just make me happy
26. Sonny's Mamaw who over the last eight years has become mine as well
27. Lunch break
28. Holidays especially Christmas just makes me feel warm and fuzzy!
29. The occasional snow we receive
30.  Music the perfect pick you up or chill you out! The songs that just feel like they were written for you!

I Run For Life

I traveled to Birmingham for the weekend to stay with my friend Julie. She is my very best friend from college and moved home to be with her mother who we can now call a breast cancer survivor. Julie put together a team to raise money in honor of her mom for the Alabama Susan G. Komen race for the cure.

Here are a few pictures from the day!

 As we were walking to the race this sweet family was in front of us. A son, a mom(a survivor) and the husband/dad! Notice their hold hands!

 Pink Fountain

 Survivors  parada! 

 There were over 16,00 people and over 1.2 million dollars raised! I knew the race would be big but I was blown away by how big it actually was

 Were on the big screen! Finally made it to the start line.

 See those two building in the middle people are stretched all the way through them and we are in the middle of the race!

 Love this picture 

 This is awesome tornado chaser!

 The finish line

 We made our shirts!!!

 Sweet Lucy

It was an amazing experience!!! 

Saturday night after a nap, some football, dinner, and yogurt we went to Sloss Fright Furnace (See history below). They have an outside trail and the main attraction through the mine shafts! The outside trail even included a blacked out fair slide! Very neat would love to explore it during the day!

Haunted History

From 1882 to 1971, Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces transformed coal and ore from surrounding acres into the hard steel that would pave the way for the industrial revolution. 

From skyscrapers in New York's glittering skyline to automobiles being built in Detroit, America came to rely on Birmingham and Sloss Furnaces for providing materials needed to produce thousands of products.  Birmingham grew to a metropolis almost overnight, earning it the nickname of "The Magic City".

But as with all progress, a price was paid..in the currency of blood. 

In the early 1900's, James "Slag" Wormwood, was foreman of the "Graveyard Shift", the period between sunset and sunrise, where a skeleton crew of nearly 150 workers toiled to keep the furnace fed. 

During the stifling summer months, temperatures throughout the plant would reach more than 120 degrees.  Lack of sleep, the heat, and low visibility made working the furnace literally a "living hell" and only the poorest of workers, desperate for employment, would work it.

These workers, mostly recently arrived immigrants, were forced to live in cramped housing located on the furnace site, and could be forced at any moment to return to work. 

To impress his supervisors, Wormwood would make his workers take dangerous risks, forcing them to speed up production. During his reign, 47 workers lost their lives, ten times more than any other shift in the history of the furnace.  Countless others lost their ability to work due to accidents, mishaps, and even a recorded explosion in the small blowing engine house in 1888 that left 6 workers burned blind.

There were no breaks, there were no holidays, there was only the furnace.and its constant hunger for more and more coal. 

In October of 1906, James "Slag" Wormwood, lost his footing at the top of the highest blast furnace (known as Big Alice), and plummeted into a pool of melted iron ore.  His body melted instantly.   

It was reported that "Slag" must have become dizzy from the methane gas created by the furnace and lost his balance--but Slag had never set foot on top of furnace during his years of employment.

Many thought that the workers had finally had enough of Wormwood's slave driving, and fed him into the furnace--but no workers were ever brought to trial.

Sloss Industries soon discontinued the graveyard shift , citing numerous reports of accidents and "strange incidents" that decreased steel production.

he legend of "Slag" grew each year after his disappearance. Workers complained of an "unnatural presence" they increasingly encountered throughout the work site.

A night watchman in 1926 sustained injuries after being "pushed from behind" and told angrily by a deep voice "to get back to work."  The man, upon searching the grounds, could find no sign of any other living person.

In 1947, three supervisors turned up missing. Found unconscious and locked in the small boiler room in the southeastern part of the plant, none of the three could explain exactly what happened to them. All agreed they were approached by a man whose skin appeared badly burned and who angrily shouted at them "to push some steel."

Probably the most horrifying tale occurred in 1971, when the night before the plant closed, Samuel Blumenthal, the Sloss Night Watchman, who was nostalgically taking a last look about, found himself face to face with "the most frightening thing he had ever seen."  He described it simply as "evil", a "half man/half demon" who tried to push him up the stairs. When Blumenthal refused, the monster began to beat on him with his fists.

Upon examination by Dr. Jack Barlo, Blumenthal was found covered with intense burns.  He died before ever returning to Sloss.

There have been more than 100 reports of suspected paranormal activity at Sloss Furnaces recorded in Birmingham Police records. From minor incidents such as steam whistles apparently blowing by themselves, to major sightings and the rare physical assault.  It is interesting to note that the majority of these reports happen in the months of September and October at night, during the old "graveyard shift."

Some merely dismiss the occurrences as Halloween hoaxes; others believe it is the restless of spirit of the sadistic foreman, Slag.

In 1988, a study was conducted by the Center for Paranormal Events (CPE) in St. Petersburg, Florida on Sloss Furnaces.   While no events out of the ordinary occurred during the study (which occurred in May), many of the team members, including two psychics, claimed that due to the "violent disregard for and loss of life" Sloss Furnaces should be a considered "a location rife with restless souls."

In the year 2000, Sloss was studied once again by the Paranormal Team of Fox's Scariest Places who concluded that it was one of the highest ratets of unnatural energy they had encountered.

In early 2002, a skeptical investigative team from CBS Affiliate WJTV investigated the site--they left frazzled and convinced that Sloss was haunted capturing amazing footage that can been seen on thier site.

In addition, another investigation was held in 2003 by the Alabama Foundation for Paranormal Research who quoted that "There is no doubt Sloss is a hotspot for paranormal activity. During our investigations we pulled data that confirms through our scientific methods and approach that energys are present that cannot be explained. Sloss is one of the most paranormaly active places our team has investigated."

On October 4 of 2003, another assualt happened to one of our crew members. Josh Thomas, who had worked at Sloss for many years, suddenly caught fire after seeing a "strange shape." He suffered burns up and down his body and was taken to the hospitial--he still can not recall what happened.

Strangely enough, this was almost on the exact 32nd anniversary of the Samuel Blumenthal burn attack (night watchman from 1971).

In 2005, two psychic investigators from the TV show AIRLINE! investigated Sloss Furnaces, in the middle of the taping, one of them began to spontaneously bleed from a cut that appeared in his right hand, halting the investigation. But not before the camera crew caught images of spirits on their cameras.

The Sloss Furnace team continues to archive these sightings both from the press, as well as individuals on frightfurnace.com

F

It's My Party And I'll Fight Fires If I Want To

I've been to a million birthday parties Bowling, Skating, at a Park, so on and so forth. With the exception of going to Minnie Mouses birthday party as a child this one took the cake. 

 Showing his cake to his friends he was so proud!

 They let the kids try on the fireman suits

 Spraying the water hose

 Kalyn and I checking out all the gadgets on the truck

 He designed his cake and was so proud of it

 Blowing out the candles

 CK enjoying some cake

 Sweet Friends =)

The party ended with the real firefighters being called out. It was very exciting. 

I Don't Want to Be Your Whole Life Just Your Favorite Part

Well, it's been a year and there is so much to say. To celebrate our one year anniversary Sonny and I took a  trip to Savannah, Georgia. A place neither of us have ever been. We left Wednesday when I got off work and drove to Columbus, Georgia. The accommodations were quiet interesting. Lets just say they gave us the remote when we checked in.

His over the counter remote didn't even work!!!!


Before we made it to Columbus we called ahead to order cheese burgers from a place in Wagarville that Sonny informed me were voted best in state and he always wanted to try!

Of course this plain burger is Sonny's! He was right they were good! Not sure best in state but good for sure!

Thursday morning we drove into Savannah and headed to Tybee island. We walked out on the pier where they only did bottom fishing in case you were wondering. We walked along the beach and explored the town. It very much reminded me of a west coast/California town.

So I was most excited to visit Tybee Island lighthouse. Here are the facts...

Rebuilt several times the current lightstation displays its 1916 day mark with 178 stairs and a First Order Fresnel lens (nine feet tall).

We climbed to the top of the lighthouse which was much harder then I expected. But the view was spectacular. 

Following our tour of the lighthouse and the fort we went to the Crab Shack which several people had recommended to us. The place was very neat set on a bay and under several wide spanning trees. The weather was perfect and the food delicious. 

 See I don't hate all birds! Just most =)

 I just knew this was someone in a costume that was going to jump out at me!!!

Friday we walked and walked and walked some more. Sonny swore the whole time I wanted to go to Savannah so he would have to exercise with me! 

Before we started the day we had breakfast at Clary's which is supposedly where the Forrest Gump cast had breakfast every morning. Whether or not that is true the food was yummy!

 Sonnys biscuit and gravy, bacon, and breakfast potatoes. 

 My Pancakes

The sites:

River street and bay street! We visited all the local shops and antique stores. 

Well Hello James Dean

 Beautiful Bay Street

 City Hall

 Candy Kitchen I Had a Yummy Chocolate covered Pretzel 

 River Street Market we went to City Market too but I forgot to take a picture.

 I want moss in my trees

I also made Sonny walk super far to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. The pictures do not do it justice. It is so beautiful.

After the Cathedral I made him walk even farther to Forsyth Park Fountain. The Fountain was Created in 1858 and received an extensive restoration in 1988.

 This is just spectacular 

Shadow people

We also made a trip to Bonaventure Cemetery. Unfortunately they were locking the gate as we arrived! 

Saturday morning we decided to drive to Charleston, SC. We spent the day shopping, visiting a local festival and spending some time by the river!

We stumbled upon a long alley lined with beautiful trees. Wandered to the end into an old cemetery.

Driving back to Savannah we decided to stop off in Hilton Head to watch the sunset over the Atlantic and send the weekend off. We ate at Big Bamboo and watched some Bama football! ROLL TIDE! 

Between Charleston and Hilton Head we passed this precious old gas station. We couldn't resist stopping for a photo opt. 

 This was insanely yummy. A hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and fried like a corn dog. Topped with cheese, chili, peppers, and oinions. I even made a dent in it!! Delicious!

After spending Sunday our actual anniversary in a car together we had cake! 

Cheers to another year!