The last time we talked, I was in Pigeon Forge. The trip was good. Really good. Just me, Mom, and our friend, Ann. Mom and Ann had been there almost a week by the time I showed up. It was the first time in a LONG time that I was able to one hundred percent relax. We take lots of trips, but they’re almost always work related. I was determined to sign off social media and rest. We spent the days eating at restaurants and hanging out around town. Nights were reserved for looooooong games of Train – if you know mom, you know. I slept till almost nine every morning and laid down for a nap every aft ..read more

Preston is a teenager. I CANNOT believe it. I don’t want to accept it. BIRTHDAY PHOTO ALBUM ..read more

I’m here! Alive and kickin’. How in the world has it been SO long since my last post?!? Guys, I am sorry! This season of life is crazy busy. I’m running in about fifty different directions at all times and rarely know what day it is. Not an excuse, but an explanation. JP started piano lessons. Have I shared that already? I’m sitting here now listening to him practice with his teacher. It’s been a tough day. No, it’s been a tough few weeks. JP is functioning in HIGH anxiety and it affects everything. He constantly asks, “mama, are you upset with me?” The answer is always no. But. I can’t seem t ..read more

I want to start off by saying that I’ve never seen a washer/dryer like this. It washes your clothes and then flips to a dryer and dries them. I’m still amazed. Saturday, we woke up to Leopard Forest coffee and a quiet trail. Unfortunately, it was too cold to sit outside. We opened all the shades and watched bikers + walkers out for their morning dose of exercise. This day was my favorite because I had friends join us who aren’t from the area. Seeing the town of Travelers Rest thru their eyes was exciting! We shopped a little. I pass The Flop Shop daily. All this time I thought it was a stor ..read more

Hello from the cutest little cottage on the block! I have been looking forward to this weekend for weeks. It could not have come at a better time. This has been the week from HELL! A story for another day. For now, let’s just focus on the fact that I am away from home, having the time of my life at The Station in Travelers Rest! If you have to work on the weekend, at least there’s a sweet view of the Swamp Rabbit Trail! A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I pulled into the parking lot this afternoon. Back in nineteen-none-of-your-business I attended Travelers Rest High School. The old TRHS ..read more

I’m part of a critique group. We’re called the Swamp Writers. I’m not worthy to sit around a table with these people. Mind blowing talent. All of them. It’s an honor to receive their feedback. I’m working on several projects right now. I carried two of them to Swamp Writers this week. One is new and completely different from anything I’ve ever written. It’s not a children’s book, but the story of my life. I haven’t ironed out the details. I think it’s going to be more of a what-I’ve-learned-from-each-season-of-loss kind of thing. My life is good. Really good. Nothing to complain about. My fam ..read more

I loathe the rain. I know we need it and blah, blah, blah, but it makes me feel sad. I’ve not been very productive. I wanted to share a few links to stories we’ve written on the Greenville site that you may or may not have seen. Travel Series: Printmaker’s Inn History Series: Elias Earle Travel Series: Georgia Aquarium The other thing I want to share is our trip! Mama’s booked a cruise! To say I’m excited is a grave understatement. Due to the Covid restrictions, I’ve not sailed since 2018. April cannot get here fast enough! I’ve been on thirteen Carnival cruises. This will be my first trip o ..read more

I had a media thing at the Children’s Museum in Spartanburg this morning. I do not like driving in the rain. But I DO like my friends at the museum so I braved the weather. I’m also being very dramatic. It was barely sprinkling. Spartanburg is a really cool town. I kept thinking, why don’t I come here more often? The museum is opening a Publix grocery store section, complete with a little “cafe.” So cute. If you have young kiddos (0-6), the Spartanburg location is a less-overwhelming version of TCMU Greenville. In our Greenville story I called it “quaint and cozy.” Shout out to Jesse & A ..read more

Well, we’ve entered 2024 with a BANG! As previously recorded, our trip to Savannah was beyond amazing. After returning home, I traded historic homes + fresh seafood for dirty diapers and nap schedules. My friends, Megan and John, went on a (much needed) trip together for a few days and they trusted me with their babies. Is it a lot of work? YES. Do the kids ooze more love than I can handle? Also YES. Every day, Meg and John would FaceTime to see the kids (sometimes more than once). Every day, John would ask the same question. “Andy, how are you doing?” Every day, I said the same thing. “I’m g ..read more

I just took THE BEST shower. I’ve never experienced water pressure like that. Nice job, Peter! (Printmaker’s Inn). We leave the inn today and I’m sad. After a short morning on Tybee Island, we’re heading back to Greenville. Traveling home is bittersweet. I miss the kids (sorta ) but there’s still so much I wanna do here. Guess we’ll have to come back. After we check out, we’re heading to Tybee Island. I want to walk to the top of the lighthouse and there’s a restaurant we wanted to check out. I’ve never been to the little beach town. Have you? The only thing I know about Tybee is that middle s ..read more