Okay… if you google “The Day of Reckoning” you get this…
The Day of Reckoning:
“A time when one’s past mistakes or misdeeds catch up with one.”
“A day at the end of time following armageddon when God will decree the fates of all individual human.”
…annnd this post has absolutely nothing to do with any of that…Now you know.
So things in my life have taken an interesting turn as of late…as usual. As [semi] bad luck would have it, my family is having to relocate. I say “semi” because I’m thankful my civil engineering husband has a job in a crappy economy, and I hate hearing Americans complain.. but anyway.. We’re moving to an even lamer place than Winder-Armpit-of-the-South, Georgia.
See, a few months ago, Daniel took a job a couple of hours South in Perry, Georgia. If Winder is the armpit of the South, I suppose I’d say that Perry is more like the butt crack of the South. At least in Winder we have trees and trails. In Perry, there is nothing more for an outdoors junkie to see than a vast empty wasteland of flat ugly brown fields… No trailrunning. No rock climbing. No exploring. No hiking. No mountains. None of this:
I mean–err– it’s terrific. Really!
Without sounding too terribly much like a trailrunning brat, no one in our family is excited to move to Perry. But since we have mouths to feed, at the end of the school year we’re making the move. …And leaving life as we know it behind!
Imagining our life without a daily dose of trails straight up blows. Of course I’ll have a good attitude, make the most of it, set a good example for the kids, and be thankful for a place to live. But deep down — not gonna lie — I’m sad. All four of us are.
Ehhh, it is what it is…
Since the concrete decision was made, we’ve all been kinda moping around the house, with a general “blah” written all over our faces.
I HATE THOSE KIND OF DAYS!
But I love life way too freakin’ much to let those type of days play out without making an effort to change it. So on Sunday, after a weekend of BLAH, enough was enough. We were all sitting on the couch quietly, and I started randomly shouting:
“Enough of this!!!! It’s time for the day of reckoning!!!!!”
I honestly have no idea where it came from. I just shouted it.
Since everyone is so used to my randomness, no one even batted an eyelash.
Okay… they’re not listening.
“I said it’s the freakin’ day of reckoning!!!!!”
Finally Brett caved and asked, “What the heck is the day of reckoning, Mom?”
I had no clue what the day of reckoning was. All I knew was that we needed some fun and spontaneity in our lives. So I cooked up a random idea and started barking orders.
“I’m not saying what the day of reckoning is. Everybody grab a jacket and go wait for me in the car.”
At this point Daniel was looking at me like I was crazy. I told him I needed 10 minutes and I’d be outside….
When everyone was in the car, I reached into my stash of fun stuff and found some water balloons….yesss..perfect… But there were no plans for a water balloon fight.
Back note: A long time ago, after I came clean from Meth, I struggled with ways to feel like I was being rebellious and crazy without actually doing anything illegal…. Enter throwing water balloons at random things while driving…. No idea why I started doing this, but I used to do it all the time. And actually now that I think about it, it probably is illegal in some way, but whatever. Ignore that.
So I made these bad boys while everyone waited, and I brought them out to the car:
(Tools for The Day of Reckoning.)
The kids looked at me and the balloons with a face that said “What the crap is wrong with this woman” and “My mom is awesome” at the same time.
I looked at everyone with a serious glare and said, “The day of reckoning is upon us. It’s time to blast signs with water balloons.”
Dan started cracking up, and Brett and Brooklyn just looked at me and started laughing. And with that I handed everyone a balloon, and laid out a few rules:
1.) Never throw a balloon at a living creature or mailbox.
2.) Never throw a balloon when cars are driving by.
3.) We have to drive back by and pick up the balloon carcasses.
4.) Never tell anyone we did this.. especially your grandparents.
5.) You have to shout THE DAY OF RECKONING before launching a balloon.
And so the very first Day of Reckoning commenced on a little Georgia back road on a cold Sunday afternoon…and it was awesome.
Prepare yourselves for the footage:
Sometimes, you have to say “screw it all” and just have some fun. If that means teaching your kids to throw water balloons at country road signs to burst bad moods and boredom–so be it. Life is for living. Go for it.
ASHRUNS100s 
Just remember… there is beauty all around, when there’s love at home! You can live anywhere, when you have that kind of family situation going on….
I totally agree!! I know we will be fine because we have each other:) thx for your comment
Thank you for this! My hubby and I have been doing through some life-funk and we need to remember that these are the real moments in life. The ones that remind us that we can choose have fun amongst the funk.
thx for commenting! i need to remember it myself a lot of the time.:)
Just have to say, that video was awesome. Well done! Hope the move goes better than expected and leads to better things in life for all of you in the future!
haha thanks lucas- i appreciate that. Who knows what the future holds, right?
I love you for being so freaking awesome
I LOVE YOU!!!
Moving is never easy or fun… I’ve done it more times than anyone I know (3 states and 7 or 8 different cities so far! And now, my family might be moving again 😕)
When I moved from Maryland to Georgia at 14, it was one of the darkest times in my life. I literally stayed in my house that whole summer, stuffing my face full of hot pockets, and just feeling sorry for myself. But after I got over the “Why me!?” hurdle, I was able to see the blessings God had provided me that I COULDN’T have had anywhere else. Heck, I would have never met your brother!
I know it’s not easy, but with your attitude and spunk, I know you and your family can thrive! The journey will be rough, but you will conquer it just like you do everything else!!!
This is why I love you!!! You say all the right things:) I’m happy you moved here & met Levi! You’re right though, something good will no doubt come out of it- I’ll make sure of it.
🙂 Btw, before you move, I think I need to join in on this water balloon fiesta. Seems like the perfect stress relief!!!
Maybe this will help 🙂
http://www.perryga.com/trails.html
thx girl, you know the first thing I did was explore all possible trail options! LOL!
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts I “reckon” you will all be fine! Here’s a song to help you out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JOwHt7uOzA
nice quote- haha i love when u send me youtube vids!!! my fave is still the hitler crossfit one
Simple put. COOL!!! And now . . . THE DAY OF RECKONING !!! Perry,Ga. LOOK OUT!!!
hahaha thanks!!! YES perry wont know what’s hit them
Hey, Ashley! You probably don’t remember me. We chatted for a few minutes at Hot to Trot in August, mostly about kids. I live in Forsyth and work in Macon. You are right. There are not any good trail options around here. I run at Dauset Trails in Jackson, not that close to Perry but better than nothing. They are mountain bike trails with the option for about 20ish miles. Not mountainous, but pretty good. Dirty Spokes does a 15k there in June. Let me know if you’d like to meet up sometime for a run. Good luck with the move!
Hey Brooke! OF COURSE i remember you!! yes I have been talking with mtn bike and running shops and exploring the area & first one i heard about was dauset. its an hour & a half north:(. I have seen a few other trails. but nothing long. I am spoiled right now being smack in the middle of some amazing trail systems. I never have to drive more than 5mins! I will definitely be in touch, i will need a running friend… well really just a friend. lol:)
Just shoot me an email anytime. We’ll plan a run there. I’m not as fast as you, but I can handle some mileage. It would be nice to have someone to run with sometimes since I always run by myself. I can’t find anyone around here who does the miles that I do. There is also a free nature center at Dauset that my girls absolutely love. We picnic there a few times a year and see all the animals. On a side note, when my husband and I moved here ten years ago, we gave Macon the nickname “Fiery Pits of Hell.” I know that doesn’t do anything for your enthusiam, but we manage just fine, and it’s pretty much home now. (We are both from TN.) I assume you can see my email address on here but let me know if you need it.
LOLLL fiery pits of hell about sums it up! Yeah let’s get together for some miles then! That would be great!!!! Happy to have a lost trail soul to join me out there –haha I will be in touch!
Your kids are lucky. Their momma is not only gorgeous but funny as hell. They will appreciate this when they look back on life.
Haha thanks I hope youre right & they dont look back and think I was crazy! 😉
Omigod i am so doing this!!!!!!! (((THE DAY OF RECKONING!)))
YES DO IT!!! i’m telling you it feels good in a strange way
That’s a solution:) I hope you have enough of those once the move happens! I moved from Portland, OR to Austin, TX, and while Austin prides itself on green (most of which is city property with no access) and trails (short and twisted and rocky), it ain’t Oregon and it’s Columbia River Gorge and Forest Park and a gazillion other places within a hand throw! So, I was sad, and I still am – and run quite a lot of roads… but revel in travels and dream mountains:) Good for you to say “screw it”!
man you are tough- I would prob break down mentally with that move. my friends are telling me to get used pavement!!! (never run the stuff) I want to talk to you more! from what I can tell youre a real fighter.
Anytime:)
http://runmoretalkless.blogspot.com/
Whoa! Blogasim!! What a sexy post!! 🙂 🙂 I know exactly where Perry is! I will drop you a line next time I pass through so we can run together 😉 Your family is so lucky to have you! My mom abamdoned my family when I was 6. Don’t want to bore you with that shit though! Im gonna change my pants now (blogasm) 😉
The video is insanely fun!!! Thanks for sharing. I thought my wife and I were the only crazy ones.
hahaha well theres at least us too:):)
Hey Gurl, I talked to you a long time ago at Stone Mountain one day when you were there climbing up with your little girl on your back. You probably have no recollection of it but I stopped you and introduced myself. I was wearing a fuzzy lime green hat! But I was so inspired by your abilities and drive. I shamelessly admit I did some googling and finally found your blog and Flickr site. I have spent the entire day reading this and looking at your incredibly gorgeous pictures! Your body is smoking hot gurl! Especially your powerful muscular looking legs. Keep it up 🙂 I’ll be watching.
HA. Yes I remember you shouting “I know you didn’t go up this thing with her on your back” and you started flipping out when I told you it was our 3rd trip up.. those were back in the days she used to fall asleep on my back. DANG that was a couple yrs ago- I do remember your hat though- haha so random. nice to hear from you! I’m glad you found me!
Very random, that’s all I can say. Hey it definitely seemed to work and most importantly the kiddoes loved it,and who loves randomness more then kids. We all can learn tons just from watching them. Why do you think Jesus said “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Wish I had your randomness in my younger days, but then again it’s never to late to start!
Kent, its time to whip out some water balloons!!!! LOL!
I stumbled on your blog a few weeks ago on Zite and I am not hooked! Fellow southern girl, runner, mom, crazy random girl. Anyway, I’ve so enjoyed your writing! Thanks for being real and sharing your heart. I finally restarted my own blog with the same goal (to be REAL) after a long break when my oldest was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Crazy, painful, joyful mess all wrapped into one. Running is my sanity. I realized I needed to share his/our story! You helped inspire me to that.
Keep rockin! Lacey
Argh! That was supposed to say “now hooked”. Sorry!
Hey Lacey! thanks for reading- I’m happy you found me! What is Zite?? I am very familiar with autism disorders it runs in my family. I cant wait to check out your blog!!!!
Oh girl! Zite is too fun. It’s an iPad app – you tell it what your are interested in and it make pulls all the articles on the web each day that are getting lots of hits that fall in your chosen categories! Your piece on running ultras was featured on mine.
Another common link with ASD… Cool!
Thanks for replying 🙂 I have a little bit of a girl crush – haha!
This is hilariouss!!!!! LOVE this idea. You all must have been hysterically laughing and clearly killed the elephant in the room.
haha thanks for reading it:):)
Seems like I found you at the most perfect time – what’s more perfect than discovering you on The Day of Reckoning! Hilarious….
Must.Follow.
Hahah thanks Lisa!!! Thanks for following along:-D
Hi Ashley,
a great article.
I follow you already a year Instagramm,
but only just found your blog.
Life happens sometimes strange game with us,
then it is important when we laugh anyway and make the best of it.
Especially for the children is important.
The sport of running and the love of nature and the family is a force again for the heavy tasks.
Best wishes
Marco the SoulRunner
from Germany
Hi MARCO!! Thank you for following, and for your nice comment!! :):) Looking forward to interacting with you more!
You are inspiring! Waterbombs – need those ideas too!
I found your blog from another blog, a guy that ran with you at Bartram a few years back (I ran the marathon there that year)… over the last week or so I blog stalked you while I’m supposed to be working. I started from the beginning. I love your writing style, I love your spirit. I’m thinking, this chick is pretty dang cool. Then I read this entry… you moved to PERRY! Yes, agree, buttcrack of the south if your a runner/athlete of any sort. I live in south Warner Robins. : )
Hi Kat! Haha thanks for blog stalking me… I hate to tell you this, but our family did NOT move to PERRY! So I am still in the armpit of the south, versus the buttcrack of it. 😉 Do you run any races towards Atlanta?