Monday, June 20, 2011

i'm a pepper he's a pepper

As I was awash in vomit today and cranky grandkids and a husband I was wishing lived on another planet, I took a moment to relive last weekend.  It was the only way I could keep my sanity.

This morning at 3AM Jack woke up crying...he'd gone to bed without supper because he stayed at his dad's house playing video games until almost bedtime.  Of course even though he might have eaten here, he refused.  (Jack's lack of appetite in a family of robust eaters is fast becoming an urban legend.)

So here was Jack, waking me up telling me he was hungry and his stomach hurt.  In my half-roused state I heard the hungry part and ignored the other, and fed him some water and a half of a half of a banana (yes, that is about average for him) and we laid back down so I could get a couple more hours sleep.  I had been up until midnight because I took a nap (big mistake) and so I felt like I had sand in my eyes, literally.

About an hour later Jack wanted more water.  I gave it to him.

An hour after that he turned into a vomit geyser.  And Maddie caught the geyser right in the mouth.  She promptly turned over, spat the vomit in my face, bringing me out of a sound sleep and as I raised up choking and spitting she screamed "Jack just vomited in my mouth!  I'm gonna be sick!" 

She took off running to the other end of the house, screaming at the top of her lungs (we might as well all be up at 5AM), and I heard Steve bellowing as I watched the last of the banana water hit my sheets.  And in between all that Maddie vomited too.

Then multiple things happened the next few hours.  Jack got cleaned up, climbed into our bed after Steve and Dunc got up, and vomited in that bed and over the side.

Steve was hollering at him as though he could plan where and when he would vomit.  I need to remind the reader at this point that Jack is 6 years old.  Steve treated him like he was sabotaging us with vomit until I finally called to tell them at work I had too much vomit going on to come in.  Then I threw Steve's ass out of the house so I could deal with a sick kid, two well kids, and not have to listen to him rampage.

FINALLY, after hours, everything settled down.  Jack was resting.  Steve was doing what he enjoys most...shopping for food.  The other kids were watching a movie.

So I decided it would be a good time to go through the photos I took last weekend and relive a happier time, because today sure wasn't one of them.  As I edited and looked, I started remembering how hot it was that day.  Alabama in the summer feels like it is three inches from hell.

Last weekend Steve, his sister Jean and I decided to get out, and we had a marvelous time.  Outdoor markets are always teeming with people, the smells of food, music in the air and lots to see and do, and this was no exception.  It is called Pepper Place Market because it is located around the old Dr. Pepper manufacturing plant in a part of Birmingham that is full of old warehouses.  Many have been converted into small businesses, which gives the area an upbeat kind of mixed look, old with new.  It is open every Saturday from 7AM-Noon until sometime in the fall.  You can find vendors selling everything from food to fresh vegetables, ceramics, fresh flowers, batik, jewelry, breads, sauces and salsas.  Just about anything the mind can imagine.

I met two very nice ladies there.  One of them is called The Pie Lady (the one on the right), and she had an assortment of homemade sweets that would make your mouth water.  I asked if they would like to have their photo made, and they smiled and grabbed a cherry crumble to showcase.  I got their address and their business card so I could mail them a copy of the photos I took.  (I also took a couple photos of the Pie Lady's daughter and granddaughters.)  All very nice people.  Truly the heart of Dixie.

Oh and by the way, the apricot bars and whoopie pies were to die for.  I took one of each of those home with me.

The rest of the morning we spent going from booth to booth.  I picked up another pair of handmade earrings that will be Maddie's someday (read about that here).  These are hand twisted sterling silver with a small stone dangling from them.  Very artistic and well made.  I am always on the lookout for earrings, my favorite type of jewelry.  Especially handmade, unique pieces.

Here are my favorite photos I took at the Pepper Place Market, no explanation really needed:

























Hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am (between vomits anyway). :D
~cath xo
Twitter @jonesbabie

43 comments:

  1. It all looks so bright and colourful. I can almost hear the music. Do you find it easy to take these photos? I like candid shots but don't feel comfortable taking them without permission. But if you ask you don't always get the candid shot. I'm also not great at asking.

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  2. And to think I was looking forward to grandchildren someday.

    I like summer though. Nice pix too.

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  3. I almost lost my dinner reading this, but luckily I got to the part about the market! I love outdoor markets and this one looks lovely. Seems like you really captured the essence.

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  4. Sorry about the vomitorium your house became but the market pics are gorgeous! I love farmer's markets and this one looks like a gem :)

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  5. Oh, you brought back memories better left buried. Let's just say, "Never give a sick kid Oreos" and leave it at that. My daughter once got a stomach virus, followed (within hours) by pneumonia, followed by the flu.

    'nuff said.

    Pictures from the market are lovely, though.

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  6. The first part of this post totally exhausted me so I do feel sorry for you for being ACTUALLY there, with the vomit. But you totally made up for it and by the time you showed us the pies, my appetite was back up! :-)) Have a great vacation!

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  7. loved the pictures....sorry Jack and the kids were vomitting everywhere...and I love Dr. Pepper!

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  8. @hocam The music was jazz, pretty good too. And sometimes I ask (the Pie Lady was an example) but then you get a posed look, and so what I do now is hold my camera up, wait a second and watch the faces. If they make a face, I don't take the shot. If they don't then SNAP. Most places like this attract photographers and so the vendors are used to it. I just try to be fast and unobtrusive. No one has objected so far. :D The really funny thing was that several people commented on my being a professional. Just because of the size of my camera. I was laughing my head off about that. :D

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  9. @Thom Brown All I can say is thank goodness every day isn't like that day was! Thanks for the comment on the photos Thom. :D

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  10. @sweepyjean kind of a yin yang thing eh? vomit and photos :D If I got the spirit of it across, then I accomplished my goal :D xo

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  11. @Lalia I love outdoor markets too! One of my favorites of all time is Pike Place Market in Seattle....oh it's to die for...can't wait to get back there some day with Big Girl. xo

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  12. @Holly Jahangiri Yesterday was a day that will live in infamy in our family... :D glad you liked the photos :D xo

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  13. @Elke Writes This market is every week so I hope to go back when the sun isn't so bright and get more photos... :D xo

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  14. @Anonymous We just scratched the surface of the market...we'll be going back soon I hope! :D xo

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  15. I hope that you are all getting better. Tummy bugs with kids can be pretty awful...I love your market pics! Very colourful!

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  16. Wow! You slathered us in vomit first before getting to the good part. The Pepper Place Market sounds fabulous and what I wouldn't give for a cherry crumble or a whoopee pie.

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  17. The market pics look great and a good distraction amidst the vomit. I had to laugh at your description. I could relate. I am looking after my daughters children 6yrs and 1yr for a week whilst they are on holiday.
    The last 3 nights the little one has been sick and up 4-5 times a night....I think I am now in zombie status. They are fun and gorgeous but looking forward to my own bed and home on Thursday.

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  18. enjoyed how you bring the market to life with the pictures and descriptions!

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  19. Woah the 1st half of the post gave me visions of the infamous 'Exorcist' vomit scene.

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  20. Cathy, I absolutely loved how you turned your day and my morning around! =) I almost appreciated the market and the photos more after reading the vomit piece at the beginning! =P I adore outdoor markets and the ones here in Peru (both in Lima and in the Andes) aren't the cleanest. You made me miss my favorite market back in Vancouver!! =)

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  21. Hi Cathy -

    No vomit and no horrible experience can keep me away from enjoying great food. When are you sending me a wonderful pie, fruits, desserts, to enjoy, huh huh?! Cathy, I hope you have clean towels, wet wipes, and air freshener there, lol. Love your post a lot. :)

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  22. Hey,

    My nephew and niece left today and reading this post makes me miss them more! The wonderful craziness involved in raising a child!
    Loved the pictures!

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  23. What are kids and grandkids for if not to provide us with epic vomit stories?! Yes, I think reliving the day at the market was the right choice.

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  24. Hi Cath,

    Sorry about your day! We all have those days and thank goodness they are far and few in between.

    Thanks also for sharing reliving a happier time and I just love markets like these.

    It's fill with mouth-watering things and a feel good energy.

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  25. @MuMuGB Jack was the only one that had it thank goodness and the twins are headed to the beach with their mom so I hope they don't come down with it...glad you enjoyed the market pics!

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  26. @Penelope J. After writing about all that vomit I had to balance it with something! Those home baked sweets were wonderful. The whoopie pie was a type of carrot cake and had a cream cheese filling. The apricot bar was tart and had a pastry crust that was to die for. If I could email them to you I would. :D

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  27. @Maureen Hunter I hear you on that. That is the marvelous thing about grandkids, you can send them home. Steve and I are just enjoying the calm right now and surveying the wreckage. Of course I miss them when they aren't here so being a grammy is a double edged sword. :D

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  28. @KalpanaS I loved taking the photos and can't wait to go back to see if I can get some that are even better. It was so much fun. Thanks for the comment!

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  29. @Janine Being a mom and a nurse too, I have many untold vomit stories I won't share here. I was thinking of that same scene when that happened though. :D

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  30. @Samantha Bangayan I've enjoyed outdoor markets too. There is a farmer's market in Birmingham too, but it isn't as colorful as this one was. Glad you enjoyed the photos! :D

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  31. @charlie nitric Come help me clean vomit and I'll give you all the fresh fruit and pies you want Charlie! :D

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  32. @Hajra Even though I enjoy the quiet, I miss the vibrance that surrounds those kids...glad you enjoyed the photos Hajra! :D

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  33. @Eric@I've Become My Parents I'm glad you think I made a good choice of stories to share Eric. Sometimes it just all falls into place. :D

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  34. @BrowsingRome Thanks for the comments and if I had more days like that I don't think I would survive. :D

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  35. Great post! Love the market pics and the first part about your grandson had me laughing and sqirming in my seat at the same time... Well written!

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  36. Any post that starts "As I was awash in vomit today..." has my vote and attention! I loved the imagery at both ends of this post - nice contradictions - the ugliness and stench of a 6-year-old's vomit and the beauty and aroma of an open-air market... brilliantly juxtaposed! I am a true fan of well-written humor... Thanks for sharing!

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  37. Sorry that you had a tough time, but this post was just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your trip to the market. I would love to go to such a place. -Lola at http://www.dharmakilleddogma.blogspot.com

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  38. @krouth Anytime I can make someone squirm while they are reading a post, I have accomplished my goal! :D

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  39. @Scoop I am glad you enjoyed it! Some posts just create themselves though, and this was one. :D

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  40. @Lola
    Glad you enjoyed the post...open air markets appeal to most people...the diversity and appeal to the senses is universal I think. :D

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  41. Yes, correctly.

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