Belated Pictures Soon to Come

I have been reminded that it’s the end of the month because I had to write half of our monthly grandparents’ letter. It’s amazing how time goes by so quickly. Since I already wrote my half of the letter and that it included some of the things that I’ve forgotten to write here, I’m going to copy and past parts of the letter into this blog. Yeah, I know it’s probably cheating but I already wrote the other part…so here goes.

Way back at the beginning of the month (it seems like an eternity ago) I was planning my trip to go see Kyle for his birthday. I had three objectives: surprise Kyle for his birthday, visit my doctor and meet with my friend Pam from grade school who just moved out to Charlotte area. I believe I was very successful.

I had my annual doctor’s appointment, and I’m still healthy as a horse. According to the official scales I had lost twenty pounds between visits and they were very happy with my plan for losing weight. My visit with Pam was wonderful. We have one of those unique friendships where we can go months to a couple of years without speaking, writing or seeing each other and pick up again as if we just met the day before. I showed her around her new home by way of a couple of the main roads. Charlotte is a little tricky road wise sometimes so I showed her the major exits and stuff off of I-77. She was really excited when she figured out why the television was advertising “Carrowinds of the Carolinas.” She had asked which Carolina it was in without making the connection that Carrowinds actually crosses the border into both states (I wonder if they have to pay double taxes…)

I think I was successful in surprising Kyle for his birthday too. I only gave him instructions for dressing nice for the evening. He complied without too much complaining and I picked him up to take him to dinner. We went to Copeland’s, which is Cajun cuisine, and had a great time. I had made a pumpkin spice cake to eat afterwards but they brought out a desert at the restaurant. We at the cake a couple of days later.

Saturday, we took a road trip to Congaree National Swamp near Columbia, SC. I had a wonderful time. The swamp is one of the largest old growth forests in the United States. In fact, I think it is the oldest deciduous forest. It’s situated on a flood plain for the Congaree River and no one wanted to bother with the muck to harvest the trees. These trees were absolutely amazing. I couldn’t imagine trees being that large, but I expect that’s what you get from several hundred year old trees. I have some pictures to put up but I don’t want to mess with it right now.

The next big thing that happened during this past month is that I finally got accepted to school. Initially, the wrong school, but a school none-the-less. I received a letter from Drexel University School of Public Health before I came home from Charlotte and asked mom to open it. She read me the acceptance letter, and I started praying. There was no way that I was going to be living in a different state from my husband. Not only would it not be fiscally possible, but I don’t think that my nerves would have taken it very well either. When I got back to Knoxville, I received a second letter of acceptance from the Boston University School of Public Health. I was ecstatic and bouncing all over the place. Once I got back in town, it was time to get to work again. I had to send in my acceptance letter and work out my financial stuff in order to receive my financial aid package from the school. I’m really excited about the Public Health program and have two main areas of interest: Maternal and Child Health and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Eventually, I would like to be involved with health education at a not for profit organization focusing on nutrition and simple ways to be healthy. I’d like to work primarily with women, children and young teens. If you can instill a healthy lifestyle early, the better it is for all involved in the long run.

Last weekend mom, dad, Alex and I went on a lovely weekend outing…to Massillon, Ohio. My aunt Cindy owns her own hairdresser shop up there and she refused to reperm dad’s hair until he came up to see her shop in Ohio. So we all went up to see it and get our hairs cut, permed, and colored for the wedding. Aunt Cindy is doing my hair for the ceremony and we had a practice run while I was up there. I also went to my cousin’s softball tournament while I was up there and the sun decided to toast my shoulders, chest, nose and forehead. I was not very happy about it. It didn’t hurt or anything like that but I was trying so hard not to get sun burnt before the wedding (and I had succeeded for two months).

And now I’m at the end of the month. Kyle is coming into town on Friday for the Fourth of July weekend. We’re going to be getting our marriage license on Saturday and meeting with Pastor Dan that day as well to go over details of the ceremony. On Sunday, I’ll be playing a flute solo for the offering as well as singing in the choir. Kyle will go home on Monday and I’ll be taking a trip out there to help him get through having his smart teeth pulled out of his head.

That was the end of the letter and I’ll have a lot more to say in the next letter that will probably go out a bit late because I will be otherwise occupied at the end of this month.

I can’t believe that I have less than a month to the big day. I’m really excited and a bit nervous about getting everything done in time. Right now I’m trying to coordinate getting people into town, sending out pertinent info to the people involved with the ceremony, honeymoon reservations (confirmations only), and moving planning. I’m also working on getting ready to start school in September, but I think most of it (with the possibly exception of registering for classes) will be put on hold until we get up there at the beginning on August. I’m really excited about the whole mess, but a bit tired at times too.

I think that’s all I have for now.

Peace and Blessings.

Author: KB French

Formerly many things, including theology student, mime, jr. high Latin teacher, and Army logistics officer. Currently in the National Guard, and employed as a civilian... somewhere View all posts by KB French