The Downtown Farmhouse

This is JR.

He is a 12 year old Yellow Labrador Retriver. He has been part of our family since he was 6 weeks old.

His official name is Moses Burning Bush Jr. But we just call him J.R. 

JR has always had many physical ailments. Whether it be food and skin allergies or a bad hip, it’s always been something. 

When JR was 6 months old and the cutest little dog you ever did see, the vet told us that he had servere hip dysplasia and he would need to have some sort of treatment. 

JR went to a doggy specialist and it was decided he would need to have a hip replacement. Tests were run and X-rays were taken. It was determined that his leg was not large enough for a new stainless steel hip and that option was taken off the table. That bill would have been a big pill to swallow.

Plan B was to remove JR’s hip socket and fill it in with muscle and tissue. He would have more quality of life and less pain as he grew. 

The surgery was completed when he was 10 months old. 

He was and is loved by all. 

A boy and his dog 

After coming home from surgery, JR had never been a super active dog because of his abnormality.  He dealt with pain and did not run and jump like normal 10 month old puppies. However after surgery he acted differently. He became fearful of many things but mainly hardwood floors. Carpet was good. Concrete, wood, tile or any other smooth surface floor made him weird.

Yes.

Weird.

As he walked very hesitantly on smooth  surface floors, approximate 8 feet prior to reaching a carpeted floor, he would turn around and walk backwards the rest of the way until his back feet would touch the carpet. He would then spin around and feel very confident in himself.

He would be fearful of items in his path. 

Now, 11 years later he still walks backwards. Here is a sample just taken this morning.

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He is also fearful of stairs and today, as he tried to ascend 2 small stairs to our porch, this is what I encountered. 

Yes I know.

So sad

Poor dog. The new normal requires help from his people to make it up the stairs.

Each and every morning, faithful JR gets the newspaper for my dad. 

He jumps as you say “get the paper” excited to please his master. 

However 10 minutes later we are still waiting for JR to make it up the stairs. 

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However he is ever faithful and very compliant. He is a wonderful listener and does whatever you ask of him. Even take a bath.

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Happy Dog Day, Week, Month and Year to the best dog ever. 

We love you Jr,

Your people 

Facebook provides “On this Day” option. It shows you things that have happened in the past years. I enjoy looking back and seeing things that might not have been easily remembered. 

Today, this picture showed up on my Facebook “On this Day.” 

This picture was actually taken in August of 2009. It was the first out of state vacation Steve and I had taken without children. We flew to Colorado and enjoyed a fun filled week just the two of us. 

We finished out the week and flew from Denver into Dallas on our way home to the Tampa Airport. From there we would travel home to Bradenton. 

As we gathered our belongings from the airplane in Dallas to change planes, my phone rang. I had my hands full and we had a very short layover, I did not recognize the phone number so I didn’t answer it.

As we continued to try and get off the plane, the phone call I didn’t answer left a voicemail. Something in my gut told me to listen to it. 

I pressed the voicemail button.

“Hello Mrs. Kern, my name is ??? and I am the chaplain at Bayfront Medical Center.”

I hung up…… 

I held my breath

This is the phone call a parent never wants to receive. 

Steve is standing, waiting for me to meet him across from where we exited the plane.  We were going to grab something to eat and quickly make it to our next flight.

Our eyes meet as I called my voicemail again. 

“Hello Mrs. Kern, my name is ??? and I am the chaplain at Bayfront Medical Center. We have your daughter here in the ER Trauma Unit and we need for you to call us back as soon as you possibly can.”

I can’t even speak.

The airport is so loud.

Steve looks at me and tries to get me to tell him what in the world is wrong. 

I scream. 

One because the airport is so loud and Two because I am freaking out. 

I tell him i just received a call from and why would a Chaplain call if she was still alive?

I just knew she was dead. 

We are in Dallas Texas and a complete stranger is going to tell me that my child is dead.

I dialed back the number. 

I asked to be connected to Chaplain whatever his name was.

He answers

Courtney has been in a serious car accident and she is in serious condition. The trauma Dr’s are working on her and we need to come to the hospital right now. 

No Mr. Chaplain whatever your name is, we are in Dallas International Airport and getting ready to get on a plane for the next two plus hours. You have got to tell us more than that.

“Get here as soon as you can.” 

8 years later and my heart is thumping as I remember the details.

I hang up, 

Share the information with Steve and immediately go into crazy mode. 

I have 30 minutes to get people moving. 

Who do I call?

I call Kyle. Kyle is her closest family member and he needs to be with her. Now. 

Kyle was soon to be 20 years old. He would need to drive across the Skyway Bridge alone and be with his critically ill sister. 

Kyle was supposed to pick us up at Tampa Airport but I would figure that out later.  

I call our friend who used to be our Music Pastor. He was no longer a Minister but he would still have his credentials and would be able to get back to be with her.

I call my oldest friend Michele. She was the closest thing to a mother, Courtney had. Michele answers and she is in Atlanta. She will be there as soon as possible. 

I don’t know how she did it, only angels could have flew that fast, but Michele picked us up at the Tampa Airport.

The flight was the longest and shortest of any flight I have ever experienced. It was nighttime. I prayed and cried. Cried and prayed. Steve had to explain to people that we were ok but not ok. 

We arrived at the hospital to family and friends. 

Courtney had many fractures in her left side as a car t-boned her. These fractures included a fractured ankle, a broken clavicle that required surgery,  broken ribs, collapsed lung and mini brain bleeds. Her vision was serverely compromised and she still deals with double vision at times. She had three different chest tubes because her lung would not stay inflated. She (we) spent two weeks at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg and 10 days in a Rehab facility. 

She was 23 years old in this picture and it was taken soon after she came home from rehab. 

It was such a scary time. 

She was such a strong and resilient woman then and now look at her. 

I am so thankful to God today, this week, last month and 7 years ago when my family trajectory could have been completely changed. 

As we have traveled through Hurricaine Irma this week I felt as if a happy ending story might brighten up some spirits. 

Have a blessed and a wonderful Sunday friends. 

Charma 

The men in my family are a breed of their own.

They are humble and difficult at the same time. They are protectors and Daddy’s. They work ridiculously hard and sometimes even when we say “stay in” they don’t because there are things to be done. 

We are on the other side of Hurricane Irma. We are in clean up and get on with it mode. 

I watched as my husband, my Dad and my Son in law prepare our home for Hurricane Irma.

I listened and watched photos of my sister and brother in law care for my father in law who live 2 hours south of us. 

My husband Steve, my Dad and my Father in law are very much alike.

They have always been hard workers. Manual laborers when necessary. Smart and get it done kind of men. Do it yourself because no one can do it as good as I can kind of guys.

Steve and my Dad were firefighters. Public servants. While my father in law was a construction supervisor. Hard core men.

While my husband is still agile with a few aches and pains here and there, my dad and my father in law are not able to do the  kind of work they have always been able to do. Whether it just be the aging of bodies or illness, we watch as they struggle to do the things they want to do. 

My sister in law Nancy posted this picture as she has helped to clean up Hurricane Irma debris from Dads yard. 

At 87 years old and not steady on his feet, he stills wants to be helpful. Cane in hand, he mustered the energy and stability to grab a branch and take it to the front of the house. 

He could sit and watch as others will do it for him. However that’s not Bill. He’s proud. He does not complain and I shed a tear or two when I saw this picture. He is the apitamy of strength even though his body fails him.

I have spent the last three days serving at a special needs shelter at our church.

I have watched elderly and special needs individuals live in conditions unlike what they are used to. I have heard very little complaining but much thankfulness. It cannot be easy for them and I say this to offer advise as we live with and by people that have needs. 

Sometimes they want your help and sometimes they don’t. They have that right. It’s a fine line to try and help someone who have always done it for themselves. Remember that they were once young and resilient. They do not want to be treated as an invalid. They deserve respect and kindness. 

Even though Bill probably shouldn’t have drug that branch to the front by himself, he wanted to. He wanted to feel as if he could contribute. He deserves that.

Serving at the shelter has changed me. I’ve always loved to help people but now, I will help differently. 

I’m grateful for the opportunities to live and learn through experiences. Even at 52. 

Happy Friday friends.

Love,

The girl who is a new aunt 

Day 2 at the Hope Hospital proved successful. 

While the first day held luggage toting and mayhem. The second day brought a little more calmness but needs became aware.

Some of our friends were running out of clean clothes. 

So my posse hops in the car and was immediately welcomed by Interfaith Emergency Services. The truck was piled high full of clothes and necessities. 

My girls and I also had an initiative for  today.

We came prepared to love on some people with finger nail polish. 

We opened up shop in the Hope Cafe.

Women and Men alike came by for some tender loving nail care.

Some liked the manicure part as there were hand soaking and lotion.

Some liked to pick out the prettiest shades of pink and even one blue. But mostly the smiles received were the highlight of the day. 

Around lunch time, we found a quiet place to rest for just a few minutes. We had some lunch and we found the candy bar bowl. 
We were caught when the Almond Joy candy bar song was heard from outside of our hiding place 

Day 2 included catching up with friends from yesterday.

My name is now darling and I’m ok with that. 

The day ended with a job nobody wants but needs to be done almost more than any other. Restroom cleaning. Yuck.

However when the Mayor and the Judge joins the restroom cleaning team, we’ve got something. Community is more like it.

Day 3 of the Hope Hospital continues. Hope to see you there.

I know that one of the best ways to see past your own troubles is to serve others. 

And you would not believe the smiles a cute little baby boy brings to people. 
Love,

Darlin

It’s weird that we would never just sit on the front porch in the total darkness if it wasn’t for the lack of electricity?

Our world  is so full of hustle and bustle that silence is sacred. Sacred I say and that’s a big word. 

 When is it ever silent?

I’m not speaking for anyone else but me. I’m not very good with silence. Even when I’m home, the television is usually on. I’m not usually sitting watching TV but the noise……. fills the void. 

The void of what? 

My own thoughts? 

Maybe my lack of thoughts?

Last night I sat on the front porch steps as I let JR out to do his end of the evening duties. It’s completely dark out. The entire street is without electricity. There might be a stray light here or there and a passing car once in a while.

The only noise is the hum of the generators and the occasional mosquito humming next to my ear .

JR patiently waits as I type and express my thoughts this evening. My faithful and ever present companion. 

Sometimes way up in my presence. 

I’m so very ready to get “back to normal” whatever that means. A hot shower will be very welcome.  Air conditioning……:sweet air conditioning. 

However the last few days of un-normal won’t entirely be missed. A little slower pace, welcoming of new friends that I might never have had the privilege to meet, friends stopping by because they are a little stir crazy.  Those things will be missed. 

But why do they have to be missed? 

I woke early and it is now 5:04am.  The nights are long. We have one light that I pulled the extra long extension cord into the kitchen to read a book as to not wake the rest of the house. 

Read? 

I don’t read? Unless it’s one of my favorite blogs or to scroll through insta-stories looking for my next project inspiration. 

I sound pathetic. 

I’m going to try and use Hurricane Irma as a life lesson.

Slow down

Enjoy the life we have been given

Maybe sit on the porch in the dark every once in a while and just listen.

Update:

As of 6:00pm we have electricity. 

Tonight I’m going to bed early and enjoying the non sound of the generator.

Thank you friends and family who have been so concerned for our great state. We will persevere. 

Two days after Hurricane Irma barreled through our town, there are people in shelters. People that are being moved from one shelter to another so that schools can be prepared for children to return. Two of the shelters are for people with special needs. 

Our church, Church of Hope in Ocala Florida opened its doors today for hundreds of people with special needs and their families to find shelter on our campus. Shelter from their homes with no electricity. Homes where it is not safe for them to live. They will be cared for by medical personnel, physicians, nurses, LPN’s and many more. 

Our Hope family was asked to step into the lives of these people.

We, people who have as well endured a hurricane. Our homes are without power, our food will soon need to be thrown away and our homes and yards are a mess were asked to give of ourselves. 

Step away from our own lives and jump into the lives of others.

Steve and I read the email from our church leaders asking for help.

Do we go? There is so much to do at home. There is a flooded basement to tend to. There are parents and grand babies. So many reasons not to go. 

8:00am we went 

We step onto the campus and there is a bustle of activity. There are medical personnel everywhere. There are people delivering cots, medical equipment and food necessary to care for hundreds of people. 

I see my Hope family. Hugs all around. They are my people. 

Roll up your sleeves or in my case, put on a sweatshirt cause it was really cold, and get to work. Now I’m not complaining about the cold air conditioning. 

In rolls trucks full of water and cots for the patients 

Everyone outside including my new friends. Friends wearing striped shirts and pants. Friends who are serving time in jail who were able to assist with the shelter set up and were some of the hardest working people at the shelter today.

A few hours later, busses arrived. Busses with people who have already been in a shelter for at least 3 days and are sick or disabled. 

Some are old

Some are young

Some are sick and some are lonely. 

Some just needed a hug and a smile. They needed to be told it was ok and some just needed to share their story.

I cried today. I didn’t cry because of the hurricane or because of the shelter. I cried for the lonely broken people in the world. I cried for those that will go home and still be lonely and broken.

I cried when friends brought their sweet 2 year old to visit the shelter friends. She brought her stuffed puppy and said that her puppy would help. 

She made people smile because she smiled. It doesn’t make much to make someone smile. I’m grateful for her parents who will take time from their day to teach that sweet little girl how to show Jesus love to total strangers. 

I cried as I helped carry people’s belongings from the bus, to the waiting area, to the intake desk, to the triage table and finally to the auditorium. Humble belongings as some carried their things in trash bags. 

I watched as my friends stood behind the Hope Cafe and provided water, coffee and food. All day, the same friends served people. 

I’m in awe of today.  

If I was ever lacking in gratefulness for my life, today set me straight. I don’t know what lives my new shelter friends have outside the Hope campus but I do know my life.

I know the people I have in my circle.

I know the home we have created for us and our family

I know my church family and their hearts to serve others. Church of Hope partners with people so that they can discover in Christ there is Hope. I saw that with my own eyes today. 

I know my community is stepping up and stepping out. Ocala Florida, you make America proud.

Tonight we are home. 

There is no electricity but we have a roof over our heads, food in our belly and gratefulness in our hearts.

Heading back at 7:30 to have breakfast with my new friends.

You can read the article here: 

http://www.ocala.com/news/20170912/irma-shelter-special-needs-evacuees-move-to-church

Be blessed,

Charma 

Irma is blustering through our town. She has changed her course many times as she has barreled her way westward, then north, then eastern and then back north again.

It’s 1:30am as I sit in the closet. The power went out 2 hours ago.  I listen to a baby breathe and I hear his mommy care for him as they sleep just across from me on the floor. 

Is there anything more precious than a sleeping baby? 

You might have thought twice yesterday as he screamed most of the day.  Do storms cause babies to act all crazy? The pressure in the air maybe? The nerves of his family as they try and secure the safest place possible? 

I hear as my ever present husband vigilantly paces and make sure that his family is safe. The old house is holding up really well minus a few leaky windows and many tree branches that have fallen. A chimney cap has fallen off and landed on the roof which sent my already raw nerves jumping off the couch.

Mom and Dad are safetly tucked in the storage space under the stairs. It’s large enough for a twin size mattress and Mom said as they scooted into their safe space that they have shared a twin size mattress many a day when they used to cuddle. 

I walk past their cave often and Mom asks often if everything is ok. How’s the baby? Are the boys (Steve and Justin) outside? 

Once I hear her singing.

“Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever, from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by”

Those Gaither songs get me every time.

The dogs are nervous. They don’t understand and all they want is for their people to confirm that all is well.

All is well sweet old friend. 

Irma will soon be a thing of the past. We will put on our work clothes, clean up the mess she created, call the insurance company and the repairs will commence.

The memories of Irma will fade. The next storm will appear on the radar.

I will however remember the night I spent in the closet with my daughter and my grandson close by.

Knowing my parents  are tucked away safely and texting with my son at 1:47am knowing that he is safe and sound across our great state of Florida.

Feeling gratitude for a husband who is ever my protector and always feeling safe in his presence.

Sometimes we battle the storms of nature.

Sometimes we battle the storms of life. 

Isaiah 25:4

“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.”

Update: it is now 6:30am and Irma has moved on. Everyone in our home is safe and at least Baby Jack  had a good nights sleep. 

I realize that today is September 11th. #alwaysremember 

We have prepared and prepared and prepared some more.

Today is the day Hurricane Irma  arrives 

I wake and the rest of our  house is quiet. Not even a baby is awake at 6:21am.

It’s raining but the wind is calm. The birds are singing, there is a slightly cool breeze in the air. It’s pretty quiet in the neighborhood. I sit on the front porch steps because all of the furniture is in the house. I think I’ll walk JR. It’s going to be a long day and possibly night. 

The weather channel is as usual on repeat. I’m waiting for the 7:00 update. It’s crazy to think that we now know the update schedule of the WC as well as the meteorologist stationed at each of the cities. I watch Jim in Miami this morning as we can see what is in store for us. 

I lived on the west coast of south Florida my entire life prior to moving to Ocala located in the Northern Central portion of Florida. We witnessed a few tropical storms but a hurricane never darkened our town. Born in Ohio, moved to Florida at 2 years old, I am a Florida girl. 

Conversations in our home have included hating Florida. No, I do not. There are many things about Florida that might not be pleasant but hate? No way, I love Florida. It’s our home and even as we age and speak of a “forever home” at retirement, Florida is it for us.  

We have prepared a safe place to ride out the storm. Northern family and friends, as you follow the storm, continue to pray for those in the storms path. Some are not privileged enough to have the safety of our old house. Some are elderly and scared. Pray for the Mommas as they care for the little people that do not understand the current situation and their normal is definitely not normal.  Pray for our emergency service personnel as they are called in and leave their families at home to care for their families and homes. I was this person for 25 years when Steve was an active Firefighter. Pray for those who will swoop in after the storm to help us rebuild and restore. To watch as our country binds together in times of need is overwhelming. 

Continue to pray for our state as we will be rebuilding alongside of Texas and other states as they have already walked through whatever storm they have witnessed. Hurricane

Tornadoes

Floods

Fires

Irma is massive but our God is greater. 

He is righteous

He will give us strength in every situation 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Much Love

Charma 

I do not and have never claimed to be a fashionista.

I frequently listen and read some fashion bloggers who shop and offer encouragement and advise to their readers. They shop almost every day. They try on outfit after outfit so that their followers can shop till they drop and look just their blogger. 

No thank you.

I need to be a little unique.

I used to love the TV show “Dress for Less” it showed high couture outfits and then the show participants would shop for the same outfit at the mall for cheaper. 

Yeah the couture was $5000 and the mall is $500. Nope, not for me.

Friends…..I do not like the mall.

I really don’t love to shop. 

However I do like clothes and there is nothing better than the $1 box at a local yard sale.

I know yard sale clothes are not for everyone and that’s ok too.

Saturday nights I get my clothes ready for Sunday morning church.

All week I’m in work clothes. I enjoy the one day that I can look cute! 

Last Saturday I knew what I wanted to wear. 

I had been yard saling with my tribe and I had found a super cute dress. Yep it was $1.

The photo does not do it justice. 

The sleeves make me smile 

So cute! It was the perfect length and I had the perfect wedges to wear with it.

I try it on to make sure all the correct undergarments are selected.

I modeled for Steve. He just smiles at my $1 clothes and says that I look cute. 

I was uncomfortable with the neckline but I figured it would be ok. If I hate it, I only have to suffer for a few hours at church and then I’ll pass it on.

The morning arrives.

I get dressed.

I can’t do it! It’s just not right.

Take it off Charma. Find something else to wear. 

Wait.

Just a second.

This dress look exactly the same in the front and the back.! The hemline is the same. The pattern flows all the way around the bottom.

What if?

Just maybe.

I slipped it on.

Backwards.

I ripped off the tag and it worked.

The neckline in the back was higher than the front and it was perfect. 

I say all this to say:

Don’t give up on something you love.

Maybe you just need to turn it around and try again.

Be blessed my friends,

Charma 

You are 4 months old today. 
I am so grateful for an outlet to write about your first months of life. To hold close the memories of where you are and how you’ve gotten here.

Here you are on Day #1

You were so tiny. But those hands were huge! 

And look at you now! 

You are so beautiful. 

I know I’m your grandmother and all grandmothers think their grand babies are beautiful, right? 

Most mornings we still spend time together while your Mommy takes a shower. It’s my favorite time of the day. Sometimes we lay in bed and chat.

Sometimes we take the dogs outside. It’s fun to sit on the steps and watch the neighborhood kids go off to school. You enjoy watching the cars drive by. Mornings are still your best time. Who wouldn’t be happy after sleeping so good. Mommy says you are a pretty good sleeper.

You are becoming very observant. You watch everything. You are super nosey.

You are a drooling machine 

Everything goes in your mouth and we are positive you are going to get teeth soon. 

Sundays I leave early for church so your Pops gets to enjoy alone time with you. You enjoy watching Paw Patrol but the porch swing is still your favorite pastime.

This picture was taken last Sunday before you left for church. It was a big day. All of your family and friends gathered at Church of Hope to watch as your Mommy and Daddy dedicated you to God. They promised to guide you to Jesus. It was a great day! 

Your infant hair is starting to fall out and it has left you with a weird old man hair line. Your new hair is coming in lighter. Mommy says she not ready to cut your mullet just yet. 

You are so smart Jack Wissinger. 

You are already rolling over.

You have learned to give kisses. If I ask you to give BB a kiss, you lunge after my face like a rabbid dog. It might be my favorite thing in the whole world right now. 

Your favorite toy is the See and Say. We are learning the animal sounds and it’s fun to watch you giggle.

You are starting to talk a little. Ooey gooey little sounds that are so cute. 

You love your people 

And your people love you.

Here’s to month 4 JW! 

Love,

BB