Monkvember

Diet Coke is my crack. I would rather have a diet coke than anything else to drink; I crave that bubbly goodness.

Patience and Self-Control are both virtues that I do not possess, or at least so I thought. A few weeks ago, my good friend Sarah { Sarah of Goldman/Hines Productions Inc} was telling us about Monkvember. Kind of like lent, but it's a month to not only give up certain things but also to do things that better yourself.

I've never successfully completed lent. I've tried giving up chocolate or swear words, and I find myself eating a piece of chocolate without even thinking about it and them damning myself for doing so, thus ruining lent in one, no pun intended foul swoop. I liked the idea of Monkvember because I saw it more of a challenge than penance.

So my list of Monkvember is:

Limit myself to no more than one Diet Coke a day

Run at least 15 miles a week

Cook at least two legit meals a week

talk to my grandmother at least once a week

Read at least 75 pages

As you can tell by my list I opted for the better yourself choices as opposed to the do without choices. All of the things on my list were carefully picked. They are things that I want to do, but sometimes need an extra push to get them done. Luckily for me, my friends have got my back so if we're out and I go to have another diet coke it's " We're going to tell Sarah" or " haven't you already had a diet coke today". I'm hoping to keep up with my choices even beyond Monkvember.

Half way through with the month and so far each week I have stuck to my Monkvember. I can successfully call myself a recovering diet coke addict at this point. Now, maybe someday I'll work on getting rid of the self tanner.

Small Town Southern Man

Class of 1938 from the Virginia Military Institute, a self-made man working his way up through the ranks, Perry M. Gwaltney Jr is the greatest Veteran I know.He signed up for active duty for the 116^th Field Artillery, Florida National Guard. My granddaddy was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during World War II.

My Grandaddy: Perry M. Gwaltney, Jr.

He would rarely talk about his time in the military always changing the subject to something more pleasant. But one thing he would gladly talk about day and night was his time at VMI. He wore his class ring everyday, and when it was time to get dressed up he would proudly sport his VMI tie. I"m honored to have that same tie and his diploma hanging on my wall. A constant reminder of his hard work and dedication to give himself and his family a better life.

Allegheny Country Club, Sewickley, PA where we spent our summers

He worked at the Pentagon for the water port general staff once he got home from the war. His work was top secret, in the messaging department for General Marshall and lasted several months until be began working at Chubb and Son. With a degree from Harvard he was a force to be reckoned with.

Chubb and Son was referred to as “ the tiffany’s of the business” and provided my granddaddy a home until his retirement. He worked as an underwriter for the company. It came as no surprise that he worked his way up in the company to director and ultimately senior vice president.

Cartoon that hung in my grandparents house.

He loved to read, eat, play golf, and tennis, but above all else he loved to spend time with his family. Every Tuesday and Thursday my granddaddy and I would have phone dates. It was mostly me talking about school, parties, college life, friends, boyfriends, etc, he was always a great listener, probably because he was so shocked at the things I would share with him. He would always tell me to work hard, and encourage me to follow my dreams. He served our country and protected our freedoms, and for that I will forever be thankful. He was a man of true integrity, and a true gentleman. So granddaddy I salute you and all of the other men and women who have so bravely served our country. I hope that he's letting the cheap vodka flow up there in Heaven.

A proud Granddaughter... let the legacy continue

And he bowed his head to Jesus
And he stood for Uncle Sam
And he only loved one woman
(He) was always proud of what he had
He said his greatest contribution
Is the ones you leave behind
Raised on the ways and gentle kindness
Of a small town Southern man
(Raised on the ways and gentle kindness)
(Of a small town Southern man)

Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History

Frances Hadley, the Matriarch of the Hines family, the original Hadley, and my namesake is my inspiration for this entry. My grandmother, or Grandma as we call her is the epitome of a Southern Lady: She is always well put together, a wonderful cook, loving mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, she's in a book club, active in her church, not afraid to tell you like it is, comes with a thick Southern Accent, and she could probably drink you under the table.

My Grandma & Me

Many of my fondest memories with her occurred in the kitchen. Sadly, her wonderful culinary skills weren't passed down to me, but I'm still a work in progress. Thanksgiving has always been in Georgia with the Hines side of the family, and with my grandma at the helm of the meal. It was not until recently that she's relinquished some of the cooking duties to other members of the family { and why not, my cousin Alan is a chef and my aunt Chap is a great cook!} Grandma's always humming, or whistling while cooking, that is one thing I got from her. I always love to have music on when I'm cooking, because Lord knows no one wants to hear my humming or singing while cooking.

She always tries to make things special for everyone. My dad LOVES cherry pie, so every Thanksgiving, even though it's not the traditional dessert she would make him a "chewwy pie". Birthdays in my house have always been a very big deal. That's your day that you feel special, get to choose where to eat, and what kind of cake you get. I have a feeling my love for birthdays and making others feel so special has something to do with her.

Some of the Hines women

My grandma has just recently undergone a hybrid open heart surgery, and has begun her road to recovery surrounded by family and friends and well wishes from all over the country. I know that the original Hadley has got a fighting spirit, and I've already told her not to worry about Thanksgiving because I may not be incredibly skilled in the kitchen, but I am damn good at giving orders. I know she'll be back to normal and better than ever in no time because she certainly lives by the creed " Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History"