Looking forward to July 4th weekend

I am really looking forward to the upcoming weekend. I love the 4th of July. I love all of the cookouts, parades, and celebrating this awesome country that we live in. We have 4 days off so Friday we are going to take Noah, Amber & Ed to the zoo, also going to Whitney's on the 4th for a fabulously fun time and fireworks extravaganza with all of our friends, and then Sunday we will be going to a huge family gathering to celebrate Brian's grandmother turning 90 years old. Wouldn't miss any of this for the world. We've made plans to go back out to the lake on Monday and enjoy mine and Brian's favorite past time, boating. I'm sure we will have plenty of pictures to post next week. Everyone be safe and responsible out there whether you are on the roads, the lakes, or just around the house letting off fireworks.

Summertime & Feelin' good

Well the family is finally over this debilitating virus that we were all plagued with. Last weekend we were all in bed unable to function at all. This weekend however we enjoyed Friday after work remodeling the house next door that we've purchased and then Saturday night enjoying refreshments on the porch with our good buddy Pat. Today we celebrated the 4th of July service at Steele Creek Park with our church family. It was a beautiful day, wonderful service, even Ryan and Billy and Ronnie entertained us with some good old gospel music.

Good times!

Last Sunday was very eventful. Not only did Cheri and I go on a photo shoot but that night our friends, Daniel, Whitney, and Bo showed up for an impromptu concert by Ryan...Daniel joined in on drums but was quickly shut down by Bo who only wanted to hear Ryan play. We had a lot of fun with our buddies.

COrman Takes the Best Pics

Just sharing some fun pics that my buddy Cheri took last Sunday when we visited the old Bristol Cemetery for a photo shoot. She takes the best pics and has a great eye. We had a lot of fun. Hopefully whenever I'm over this virus she and I will make a trek to Etown to take some pics of the Covered Bridge and old houses there. Visit her blog http://justmyphotosandjunk.blogspot.com for more examples of her work it always shows up as a link on the side of my page.

Randomness

Just some random happenings in my world this week. Jerry here at work was kind enough to share some trailcam pics of this doe and her brand new babies. If you click on the pics and enlarge them you can see them alot better...anyway...I have been slacking on putting up my deer cam lately...I need to take care of that this afternoon...I love getting the pics of the does with their little ones.

Amber, Taylor and I went for a walk near their house in Elizabethton yesterday and we stumbled across the historic cemetary there. This was yet another neat old cemetery...they had graves dating back to the Revolutionary War and a Col. in the War of 1812. The picture above is of a new headstone the city erected for the founder of Elizabethon.

The last picture...well what can I say...let me start by explaining that Brian's parents and us have purchased the house and land next to ours. It is an older house and we have a lot of work to do. Anyway...we took Whitney up to show her the inside the other day and among a few boxes of random stuff that was left behind by the previous owners we found this brand new, bright blue, fuzzy robe (this pic doesn't do the colors justice it was taken with Whit's camera phone). Whitney convinced Brian to try it on...why you ask, because we are just crazy like that! We got a big kick out of him in this ridiculous thing. Thank you Brian for entertaining us that day.

Summertime at our house.

I am declaring it officially summer time at our house! Yay! We love it...Brian catching fish on the lake, me sunning on the back of the boat, Noah floating in the pool, Ryan jamming with the band every day cause they are out of school. It's been a fun week.

Giddy up!

Check out little Tex here! Showin' off in Ryan's old cowboy hat. Taylor was all smiles too...we had a great time at Aunt Ashley's house last night.

Struttin' in the Ruts Mud Bog in Mt. Carmel Tennessee

Last night Brian and I made the 45 minute drive from our house to the Mt. Carmel or Carter's Valley part of Tennessee to check out the Struttin' in the Ruts Mud Bog that is held every Saturday night. We got a late start but arrived just in time to watch some of the ATV's run and then the final run of the big trucks in the big mud pit. There were about 10 entries and 3 managed to finally push their way through the deep soupy mud and make it all the way through. It was really exciting. The pit has changed since last summer and seems to be a bit longer and the mud is deeper. We love it. If you get a chance one Saturday night you really should go check it out. Take some chairs and back your vehicle up to the fence that runs alongside the big pit. You will really enjoy it I'm sure! Last year Brian took home the first place money in his class...I don't know if he can do it this year or not...the mud is THICK AND DEEPER now. Stay tuned.

Mud Bogs, Old Cars, & Chillin' in the hot tub.

Ok...just an update on the Struttin' In The Ruts Mud Bog Take Hwy 11W from Kingsport towards Rogersville, turn Rt onto Bradley Creek Rd. (1st Rt past Church Hill Fire Dept. St. #2, just past Volunteer High School) Take Bradley Creek Rd. over to Carter's Valley Rd., turn Left and take the 1st right onto Gravely Valley Rd. The event is about 1/2 of mile on the left, just follow the signs. It's a 200' pit. the depth varies, the pit is probably 6' deep but the mud is usually around 3' deep or so at the end. It's $20 to enter the pit competition and $5 for spectators. It's my understanding that they are having it every Saturday night still.

Yesterday we stole Doug's 52 and washed all of the dust off of it and Brian started painting the wheels and rotating the tires. We had a lot of fun with this car yesterday. I want to take it to the Elizabethton Car Show one Saturday night. It will be neat to see people's reactions. It's always a coin toss around our house whether to go to the Elizabethton Car Show or the Struttin' In The Ruts Mud Bog on Saturday nights in the summer.

Also yesterday was teenager hangout day at my house. Ryan, Travis and his bro Ryan and Katherine invaded the pool and hot tub. They had a good time listening to music and swimming. It was their last day of school for the year. I guess they will all be Junior's next year...but grades aren't in yet. I'm just crossing my fingers.

Daddy Doug's Birthday Fun

Last night we had a really fun time at Doug and Betty's...it was Doug's 61st birthday and Betty grilled out. Several people showed up like our favorite neighbor Jr, Mike and Susan, Jimmy, Moe, etc...Ryan and Jr. served as entertainment by singing and playing the guitar we really got a good laugh out of them. Ryan and Doug even got the old 52 Chevy Bel Air running and took it around the block for a spin.

Happy Memorial Day

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy Memorial Day...hug a veteran today and remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

We had a wonderful cookout and got all of the fun in before the rains came. Noah discovered the umbrella today and had a blast playing in the rain.

Noah loves the chickens

Saturday morning Amber and I had a yard sale at her house. We had a lot of fun. I brought my little buddy Noah home with me afterwards and he got to play with Aunt Ashee's chickens again and he loves it. This time I let him inside their run with some bread. He had an absolute blast! It's so fun to watch him grow up and discover new things.

My fisherman rescues the Sullivan Co. Sheriff's boat.

The day after my awesome birthday party my fisherman hubby took me to the lake. It was Friday morning and everyone was at work...except for us. We took off early and had the lake all to ourselves all day long. Brian caught a largemouth and I caught some rays. It was a beautiful day. When we went to Davis Marina to load the boat back up and the Sullivan County Sheriff's deputies were stranded on their boat so Brian towed them back to shore and I in my bathing suit jumped in and got their boat up on the trailer and loaded back up...couldn't have the nice deputies getting their uniforms wet now could we. They were very grateful and we were glad to help.

My birthday ROCKED!!!

I will never forget my 36th birthday...it rocked! I have been blessed this year that's for sure. We got the pool open just in time too...My hubby, sister and friends threw me an awesome party. In attendance were me of course, Brian, Ryan, Amber, Taylor, Noah, Betty, Doug, Dad, Brenda, Jr, Whitney, Daniel, and Pat. They grilled out a fabulous dinner. I also got a bridal's veil hanging basket from Whit, along with a new shepards hook and the most beautiful hummingbird feeder I've ever seen, I got a manicure and pedicure gift certificate from Brenda, of course Dad took us to the beach already, Amber got me some beautiful picture frames, and lotions, and a scrapbook, Betty got me a nice shirt and some jewelry and more lotions, my mom sent me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers (by the way she is still recovering nicely from her knee surgery), my grandmother from Florida sent me a monetary gift and a beautiful top and some Lancome makeup. My wonderful husband surprised me with a new Canon RXI Rebel camera...I was sooooo surprised because it's very expensive and I wasn't expecting anything like that. He spoils me that's for sure. He knows me better than anyone though and I am fortunate to have him. I do wish that my Mom and my buddy Cheri could've been here but maybe next year. Anyway...I had a blast at my party...Amber made me a crazy birthday hat to wear...Noah helped me wear it that was a hoot! We played in the sun with my giant beach ball and stayed outside until the late hours of the night. Whitney tried out her new S.L.U.T.S (Southern Ladies Under Tremendous Stress) lip balm that I bought her at the beach...I think she liked it! Ha ha! This was definately a birthday to remember.

Just had to post some updated pics of my chickens...they are growing so fast. When I got back from the beach I couldn't believe my eyes. They are happy healthy chickens.

I love Savannah

Today was fantabulous!!! I have decided that if I ever get the chance to move away from East Tennessee that my first pick for relocation will undoubtedly be Savannah Georgia. This is the most beautiful, relaxing, fun, historic, magical place in the South. If you haven't been yet you must Go! We saw everything and I took almost 370 pictures. We saw Forsythe Park and the famous fountain there. The Mercer House, The famous River Street, the endless shops, the beautiful southern homes with their awesome architecture, the horses and buggies, the bench that Forest Gump sat on in the movie, the statue of the Waving Girl, Club One made famous by Lady Chablis, Bonaventure Cemetary, you name it and we saw it, took pictures of it and loved every second of it. Sooooooo much endless history here. Sooooooo many pictures to be taken. Breathtaking! I will be going back in the very near future. This time with a blanket and a good book to lay in the grass under the monstrous trees in one of the many squares, my camera of course and money for good food and spirits at the local establishments.

Hilton Head Beach at Caligny

Today Amber and I went to the Caligny part of the Island and hit the beach wide open. We loved this area. We went and soaked up the sun, splashed in the waves, shopped and sipped on Pina Coladas with Dad at Hinchey's outside in the shade of the beautiful trees. We are planning a future stay at the Holiday Inn there...they had awesome live entertainment and a sweet tiki bar. Amber and I like the sandy white beaches of Hilton Head and the people here are great. Everyone is so friendly and pleasant. Right now we are sitting outside the RV on the porch watching TV, sipping a cold beer, and waiting to go to the comedy show tonite at 9PM. Woot Woot!

I love Hilton Head!

We arrived in Hilton Head yesterday around 6pm. We have been relaxing at the most beautiful RV park I've ever seen. Today we strolled through Harbor Town and went to South Beach Marina. We got alot of shopping done. I have tons of pictures but these are just a few from today that I loved.

Mother's Day 2009 Was the Best Yet!

Mother's Day 2009 was AWESOME! I actually got to be with my Mommy! It was a beautiful sunny day and perfect for the short drive home to West Virginia. The scenery was absolutely beautiful as well. My Mother met us at the door without any assistance from a cane, walker or anything to lean on. It was wonderful to be with her on this day and to see how well she is recovering from her knee replacement surgery. We ate at our favorite Chinese Restaurant "Young Chows". The best Mother's Day present for me was just being with my Mom. I am making a vow that weather permitting I will drive up to see my Mom every Mother's Day from now on!

We came back to Tennessee and Brian presented his mom with a present that he made himself. Well almost. It was so neat! A couple of month's ago we found this old rusty planter underneath our house (we inherited our home from Brian's late Grandparents). This old planter belonged to Brian's deceased Grandmother. We had it sandblasted and Brian painted it and he painted some pots and packed them full of all different types of flowers and vines. It turned out really lovely. His mother was astounded. She loves flowers and plants and had a fit over how well he had restored Mamaw's old planter. He couldn't have done any better for his Momma on her special day.

Well I guess the next time I post it will be from Hilton Head Island, SC. I'm outta here!

I'm alright...Diverticulitis and all!

Wow what a life changing week I've had. Wednesday morning around 2am I woke up with the most excruciating pain I've ever felt in my entire life...this pain made labor and delivery seem easy! My sweet husband was a trooper...he stayed up with me and nursed me through the rest of the night and the next day when my sister finally talked me into going to my doctor. I'm so glad I listened to her...too often we women don't listen to our bodies or others and we just suck it up and dismiss it saying it will go away in a few days...don't do it...if our bodies tell us something we need to sit up and listen. I went to the doctor and was immediately sent for a CAT Scan...where it was determined that I was suffering from diverticulitis. If I hadn't gone to the doctor I would have continued to suffer with this pain in my stomach that I've suffered with for months but I didn't find out what the real cause was until it was severe. Needless to say...my diet changed real quick. So not only have I given up smoking but now it looks like I may have to give up eating as well. I'm joking of course but I have been on a liquid diet since then until today. I actually ate real food again...just watched what I ate. It wasn't too bad. I also had a totally different shopping experience at the grocery store today...there I found myself looking for foods high in fiber, with whole wheat and grains, and fruit but hold the seeds PLEASE! Oh and corn on the cob...forget it!

Well let's get to the good stuff that happened at the end of this week. Despite my health problem we managed to get down to my sister's and put together Noah's new swing set that his Grandma Dee and Papaw Mike bought for him (pictured above) he loves it! He is a huge fan of the trampoline that is on the end of it. Hey how come the swing sets we had when I was little didn't have a trampoline on them MOM? Huh? What's up with that? Special thanks to Uncle Brian and proud Papa Ed (pictured above) for getting it put together for us.

Also my sister in law Jennie (also pictured above) graduated from ETSU today. I am extremely proud of her for sticking with it and working full time and going to school at night to get her degree. My brother Doug held a party for her tonite at their house and we enjoyed everyone's company. Congratulations Jennie! You go girl.

Well tomorrow I am off to West Virginia to visit with Mom for a couple of hours on Mother's Day and then back here to visit with Brian's mom as well. Then Tuesday it's off to Hilton Head Island...Yay...beach trip! Can't wait for that! So for now...I'll just pop an antibiotic and sign off for the night. Hope all the moms out there have a Happy Mother's Day!