The Watermelon Patch- Flip Flop Heaven!

Posted on by Mandy

Last week my parents, E.B., and I took our yearly trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  This is a trip I’ve taken with my parents ever since I was born, so I always look forward to saying hello to the Gulf of Mexico.

Somewhere between Hattiesburg, MS, and the coast on Hwy 49 is a little town called Seminary, MS. A few years ago, there was a huge building that housed a roadside produce stand.  We had stopped there once before but had not in several years.  My parents always make sure to stop at a roadside produce stand on the way back for fresh produce to take home.  Not that we can’t get it in a store, but my mom has this thing about buying produce grown in other places.  Apparently, some things are better when grown elsewhere.  Needless to say, stopping at this huge roadside produce place was a real bore for me, although it did have decent restrooms.

On the way home, my dad spotted the big produce stand.  Or what he thought was the big produce stand.  The place was called The Watermelon Patch, and I knew better what was really inside.  However, I thought my dad was just looking for the nearest restroom, so I said nothing.  A huge watermelon on the side of the highway greeted visitors.  The words YELLOWBOX  also greeted my flip-flop lovin’ eyes.  I had always wanted to stop here and couldn’t believe my dad actually did.

Once we entered the Watermelon Patch, my dad had a stunned look on his face.  The beloved produce stand was now a flip flop lovin’, Southern Girl tee-shirt-wearin’ dream come true!  Rows upon rows of fabulous shoes and shirts, beach bags, jewelry, and all manner of bright, shiny beautifulness a girl could want!  I had to stop and take it all in before I knew where to start first.  Poor Dad found their restrooms while Mom, E.B., and I looked around.  He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

I ended up purchasing a beach bag, a keychain with my initials, and this cute t-shirt with a crawfish fleur-de-lis on the back.

crawfish shirt

When we got back to the car, my dad proclaimed he NEVER would have stopped had he known what was inside.  I played dumb.  I’m just glad I finally got to experience The Watermelon Patch.  I mean, where else can you get a picture of your kid beside a gigantic watermelon?

 


the watermelon patch mississippi

EDIT- 4/18/2024

Today I learned that The Watermelon Patch is now Sole Sisters.  I’ve checked out the website, and it looks like the same great shoes, tees, and more!

Organized Closet

Posted on by Mandy

Being off work all summer means I finally have time to tackle projects around the home I’ve always wanted to do all school year long but couldn’t because I just didn’t have the time.  Organizing the clothes in my closet according to color was one of those things I wanted to cross off my list, so I did.  Let’s see how long this lasts!

organized closet

exercise motivation

30 Day Shred- Day 3 & 4

Posted on by Mandy

I have to be honest and tell you that I skipped a day between day 2 & 3 doing the 30 Day Shred. So, I’m just counting the next day I did it as day 3. I was still in a pretty good amount of pain that day, so I made the executive decision to rest. I’m ok with that. I got right back to the workout the next day and Day 3 was much, much better.

I actually made it through Day 3 really well and felt pretty empowered. I’m still modifying the workout, but I hung in there until the end, so I really felt proud of that, considering Day 2 was so terrible. Day 4 was yesterday (Saturday), and I felt pretty much the same. Same modifications and hung in. It’s getting better, little by little.

As far as telling a difference, I am enjoying a new range of motion in my neck and shoulders I never knew I had, which feels great! I can also bend over further when bending down to get things in the cabinets or off of the floor. I’m also feeling those quadricep muscles. Haven’t felt those since I was cheerleading in high school!

I’ve kept my eating in check, except for Saturday when we had a family reunion. It’s just impossible to go to a family reunion in the South and eat healthy. Ha! But, it was only one meal and I ate ok the rest of the day. I have noticed that I don’t really feel as well if I eat “heavy foods” (potatoes, casseroles, etc.) as I do when I’m eating grilled meat and a salad.

So, I’m trucking along and am determined to do the 30 Day Shred for 30 days. They might not be 30 consecutive days, but I will meet that goal and try not to let but a day go between workouts!