Humor

So we now are the owners of a WII. It was an awesome gift and we are all very excited about it. Today I forced the boys off so I could race on Mario Cart. (I have my own license so I am having to beat the grand prix on my own to get all the new levels, characters, etc.) So I am in the middle of one race when Butch forgets that he doesn't have a controller in his hand and jerks his hands up as if to jump with me. He instead jerked the glass of orange juice that was in his hands and it was very full of orange juice! Said orange juice goes flying out of the cup and lands all around (and on) him! That was so funny! Should they put a warning about that too? "For those who may be watching a race, please put down all items in your hands so that you might not fling them while race is in progress."

Christmas Time

Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Do I have all my shopping done? No! I am looking forward to the first day of family gatherings tomorrow, though. I love getting together with family (and friends, too)! I enjoy buying gifts for them and seeing their reactions. This year is really exciting because Otter is starting to pick up on more than just presents.

We have a Nativity set and she points out Joseph and Mary, but ours is missing the baby Jesus. He only comes out after they go to bed on Christmas Eve. It is something that was a tradition in Joe's family and we have carried it over into our family. The boys know that when Momma puts out the scene He will be missing until Christmas morning. Now Otter is learning about this tradition. I love it when they start understanding more of what we are really celebrating! The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!


This is a beautiful set that I saw last week at our local five-and-dime store down the street. The artist is Jim Shore.

Sales

Since Butch's school did not reach their $ goal with coupon books they have two additional sales going on now. One is cookie dough, which we do not have a form yet so I have no info right now. The second is reusable bags. These are really nice looking polypropylene bags from the Mixed Bag Designs company. If you go to the link provided you can see the bags. There are four sizes. Prices are listed (the department store bags is listed as $10 on our forms, though) on the site. I have a Green Mountain Coffee bag that is about the same size as the department bag and I love it! It is also made out of the polypropylene. If you would like to help raise money to help the school please let me know! This will only go through next Tuesday, so hurry!!

Dust Off The Dancing Shoes!

This is the slogan used by the Chattanooga Choo Choo to promote an event that will be held on May 29, 2010. It is the Glenn Miller Orchestra special event. It is a package for two nights that included an evening of dancing to the beautiful sounds of songs like "In the Mood", "Moonlight Serenade", etc. This is an event that would be so much fun to attend! Now if I could only dance like Ginger Rogers or Ann Miller!

Funny Quotes part two

As we were sitting around the dinner table today we were joking about all the hair that is found around Grandmomma's house. We were talking about the possibility of using hair nets, but deduced the main cause for the hairs was the animals. That was when Butch said that the cats should live in hair nets! We all found the thought of the cats in full body "hair nets" very amusing! Wish I could find a picture of that!

Dating 101

If you are in a dating situation here is some advice. After you ask about their relationship with Jesus the next question should be "Are you a Vols fan?" If the answer is no shake their hand, tell them it was nice to meet them and WALK AWAY!!

Funny Quotes

This evening our son just made us laugh so hard! Here is the jest...

Butch: Dad, can you help me with this?
Joe: Yes, but can I get you to do me a favor?
Butch: No, I will not pick your nose or massage your feet!!

Homecoming

This week is an event that I love to see come every year. The Museum of Appalachia is having their Homecoming celebrations this week. With so much going on there I cannot list it all here, but here are a few things you will find:

Cloggers
Singers and musicians
Blacksmiths
Country Crafters
Tatting
Wood workers
Sorghum makers
Homemade soap and lotion makers
Basket weavers
and a whole lot more!

Bubba found someone to play
checkers with a few years ago

Hubby's Reunion

Well, Joe had a gathering of people who graduated from his school in the 90's. It was a big event that was created to be family friendly. I was finally able to see some of the people that he has been telling me about for years. It was an enjoyable evening and I was happy to see some of the people that I already knew, but have not seen in the last couple of years.

Well I thought I would try out the SMS here on blogger. Not sure how much I will use it, but I now have the capability!

Worst Dressed

Personally I enjoy looking at the red carpet pics to see how my opinions and those of whoever these "judges" are that grade them match up. I saw several that I strongly disagreed with and some I completely agreed with. One dress that fell into the latter category was the dress that Victoria Rowell wore. I could see nothing that would make me like this even if it was not Obama. Even a similar dress with Ronald Reagan would still be an 'F' on my grading scale!

Interesting Sideshow

On the PBS tv show, History Detectives, there was an extremely interesting story that I wanted to share. In 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair there was an exhibit called Baby Incubators with living babies. For the two years of the fair the exhibit was used to show the incubators and how they helped the babies survive. It is an extremely interesting show that helps a woman in her quest to learn if she was truely one of the babies on exhibit during this time. Here is a link to watch the episode.

PBS History Detectives Season 7, Episode 4

Holiday

Friday we were blessed by the holiday that Joe had from work and for my Mom who watched our little Otter so we could have some time together. After getting the guys off to school we got the bicycles out. After dusting them off, cleaning the chains and checking the tires we headed off to enjoy the day. We drove to Maryville to ride the greenway out there. Before we left home I looked and estimated the mileage as around 8 miles round trip. We had planned to start in Downtown Maryville, but we ended up starting at the City of Alcoa Municipal Building riding to the Greenbelt Park continuing to Sandy Springs and Pearson Springs Parks. We actually passed Pearson Springs and continued on up to Maryville Intermediate School before turning back. When we finished we came back to eat at my favorite restaurant Puléo's Grille. It was a great day! I told Joe, "Today is brought to you by the letter B and the number 2! Bikes, bottle of water, biking braids, beautiful weather, and my best bud!"

Another Emma

In early 2010 Masterpiece Theatre Classic will be airing the new adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma here in the USA. Here is a press release about the new movie from the BBC site:

Emma is a fresh and witty serial adaptation of Jane Austen's comic masterpiece by award-winning writer Sandy Welch (Jane Eyre, North And South, Our Mutual Friend).

Romola Garai (Atonement, Vanity Fair), plays the "handsome, clever and rich" Emma Woodhouse, a young woman who dominates her small provincial world of Highbury. Misguidedly believing that she is a skilled matchmaker, Emma repeatedly attempts to pair up her friends and acquaintances, often with regrettable consequences.

The cast includes Jonny Lee Miller (Endgame, Melinda And Melinda), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, Cranford), Tamsin Greig (The Diary Of Anne Frank, Green Wing), Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet) and Jodhi May (Einstein And Eddington, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard).

A Bafta-winning writer, Sandy Welch unfolds Austen's compassionate and humorous story of self-deceit and self-discovery in four hour-long episodes, providing a rich insight into one of the author's most complex characters.

Here is a YouTube Video that is somewhat of a trailer. So far it is all I can find.

Back To School

Once again it is time for school. The guys are somewhat happy with returning, but me... I'm ecstatic! Well, that is rather exaggerated, though I do enjoy the one-on-one time with Otter! I was very pleased when Butch came home this week and told me he had made it into advanced math! They gave a test and based off their scores placed the kids in the appropriate math class. I was hoping that he would get in since it will help lead into advanced math in middle school as well. He was very proud, too! It was great to see him so excited and working hard. Bubba is also in advanced math (now that we have his schedule fixed). Band has started for him, too. Once again the clarinet will be heard in our neighborhood! I am just praying that we are all up to the challenges ahead this year.

Rocky Start

Well, I sit here on the balcony looking out at the ocean and enjoying the nice weather here in the shade. I can look over and see the ocean, watch the waves crash, and be thankful that I have not had to drive anywhere today. That is where our vacation troubles have been!

On Saturday we had planned to leave by 9:30ish. Well, nothing was going as planned (should have known that!), but we finally left around 10:30ish. Our first destination was my family reunion in Marion, SC. We get there, all be it at least 30 minutes late. I am thinking at least I will still be able to visit a little after the meal. Nope. People start leaving before I finish my dinner. A redeeming point was when we were able to go to aunt Dora's house to visit with some of her family after the reunion. We leave there and arrive at the beach after 11pm. Then my little girl decided that she did not want to go to sleep until at least 1:30am! Ugghhh!

Next morning we finally get up and moving by 10am. We head down to the van so we can get breakfast only to find a flat tire. UUGGGHHHH! So we get the spare out (by we I mean Joe and Butch). Only after then do we find out that our spare is not a correct size spare for our van. It doesn't work on the front due to brake stuff, so Joe puts the flat back on the front and goes to take the back tire off to use on the front, while placing the spare on the back. While taking the luge nuts off the back tire one of the stems for the luges breaks due to someone putting a incorrect luge on previously, but that is another bowl of chowder for another time! Now poor Joe is getting really frustrated. "We will laugh at this one day" he tells me. "Not today, and probably not next month, but one day. Maybe." We take the van and drop it off to be fixed. There was a Cracker Barrel right beside it and we were able to eat while it was fixed. After a good meal we find the van taken care of with only a loose valve on the tire, whew! Praise the Lord! Go back to the condo for naps and a restart later in the evening.

Monday we head to the beach after breakfast and have an enjoyable time. Joe and I get burnt, but it is all good, right? After lunch and getting Otter and Joe down for a nap I prepare to go the the grocery store to get our food for the week. Huh...now what could possibly happen you might ask? I check the tires...all good! I get in the van and...click, click, click...click, click, click...the van won't start! UGGHHHH! Back upstairs to wait for my poor husband to awaken from his slumber to fix another problem! After the nice man from the office gives us a jump we head to find the Advance Auto. Directions from the locals over the phone have not been extremely good either day, but we find it faster than we did the Sears the previous day. The guy there checks and the diagnosis is a dead battery. Praise the Lord again! Even the $90 for that is better than a bad alternator, etc., right? Finally get to the grocery store to get our food. Come back to have grilled hamburgers, fries, and baked beans for dinner. The boys swim in the pool while Daddy cooks the burgers. It was a good evening.

Today...well, we went to the beach again this morning. The boys got an inflatable boat that they played with. Otter let me sit in the water (only on the edge) without crying (Grandmomma, she liked it until she got into the water yesterday. She doesn't like the waves and the current as the water goes out back out). Luckily there was an area that was almost like a baby pool with hardly any waves and I was able to sit with her in my lap. She was holding onto me and laid her head on my shoulder, but it was an improvement. By the time that the tide started moving in and the waves were a little more on us, she was doing much better. A little while later we were told by the "boss" that she was ready to go back. She was so wore out that she only ate half a banana before she climbed in my lap to fall asleep. So far we have had a good day! Of course we have not gone to the van yet ;), and every time the boys pray it includes "please don't let any thing else bad happen to the van." Oh the stories we will have after this vacation! Hopefully the rest is utterly uneventful!

Interesting Wedding March

A friend of mine posted this and I wanted to share it here. It was such a cute video. I thought having Star Wars music as we marched out of my best friend's wedding was unique, but this takes the cake!

The Yorktown

We boarded the Yorktown and I learned that I was going to be staying in the "Officer's Quarters." It was SO sweet! The room I was initially taken to had four beds. I learned that another member of our group was in a room by herself. She offered to share her room with me. We went and looked and it had only two beds! I like the top bunk best, which was good since she had the lower one. The first evening was rather relaxed. I once again skipped the movie Tora, Tora, Tora! A group of us adults just sat out on the side landing and talked.


The next morning we took a boat ride over to Fort Sumter. This being my fourth trip I did not do much touring around. Butch was part of the flag raising ceremony, though instead of helping raise the flags he was chosen to lead the pledge afterwards.


Later in the afternoon we had free time to tour the ships. Since the Destroyer and Coast Guard Cutter were closed I did not plan to do much touring on the sub and the Yorktown. The boys each caught me and took me on tours on the Yorktown, though. In the evening there was a big celebration at Patriot's Point. There was live music, lots of tents set up with food, and inflatables for the kiddos. After dark we were treated to a wonderful display of fireworks off the deck of the Yorktown. I decided to try out the fireworks setting on my camera. It would have helped if I had my tripod, but I did the best I could. Here is a couple of my favorite shots.

Charleston

On Friday of last week we spent the day in Charleston, SC. We woke early and drove over to E. Bay Street and parked the van. Then we walked all over Charleston! We hit the open market first. Bubba found an alligator head he just had to have! The guys also decided I needed a floppy brimmed hat to wear around, so they found a great hat for me and some sunglasses to match. We're walking...we're walking...then lunchtime at Bubba Gump. We're walking...we're walking...see some churches, stores, and other cool sights. Then we headed to our main destination. Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown! I will talk about that tomorrow. Until then enjoy some of our pics!

Rainbow Row (on E. Bay Street)

Butch and me at the cemetery at
the Circular Congregational Church

Lunch at Bubba Gump.
Joe, Butch & Bubba with the Shrimp

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

More Garden News

Our garden continues to do well. Our broccoli was very good! The lettuces are giving us plenty to eat. Both Romaine and Buttercrunch are growing splendidly. We also harvested our cabbage this past week. It was also very good! I cooked the first cabbage head for Joe and Bubba. I, personally, hate cooked cabbage unless it is in an egg roll. Today I planted more things. Watermelon, okra, black beans, and more peanut beans. I am hoping to see all of these doing as well as the others.

Our Garden

I went and got more stuff to plant in our garden today. I got eggplant, zucchini, crookneck squash, tomatoes, green peppers, turkey beans, and cucumbers. I got most of it planted right before a huge downpour hit the area. So I was soaked before I could get under cover, but I did not have to water the plants. God did it for me!

We ate some of the broccoli and lettuce that we had planted a few months ago. It was really good! I am so glad we tried the broccoli!

Happy Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day I hope we all remember those who have fought for the wonderful freedoms we experience everyday.

My Plants

Last night I was working outside and thought I would try to propagate some of the plants I have in the back yard. Here are a couple that I am trying currently:

Common Names: Japanese Rose or Kerria Rose
Latin Name: Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'

Common Name: Aucuba 'Gold Dust'
Latin name: Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'

Prayer Request

As many of you know I lost an uncle in January. Yesterday I learned that I lost another uncle. This was the husband of my mom's sister, Fannie. Grant has been in declining health for some time and it has been very difficult. Please pray for his family during this time. Thank you!

My Dream Refrigerator/ Freezer

For many years I have known exactly what I would love to have in my dream kitchen as my refrigerator/freezer. I saw it in a store once, but after that it was never out for my viewing pleasure at most appliance stores. Today I found them online and also in a local store. Here it is...Frigidaire makes a full size refrigerator and freezer that are meant to be side by side. Aaahhhh! How wonderful! This is my dream (minus the stainless steel look, it is not for me!). Of course, in my current kitchen it would possibly be overkill!

Llama Llama Red Pajama

I went with my friend, Em, to see Llama Llama Red Pajama put on by the Penguin Players at the Fountain City Library. Of course it was for our daughters to be able to see it, but I admit it was really cute. They are making a circuit around the Knox County Libraries, so if you want to see it look at the events calender at the library web site (link). Both of the girls seemed to enjoy it. Otter watched the whole time!

Griffin Is Here!

Since BJ and M did not get many pics today, I thought I would add a picture of the new little one.

The whole family together

Weird Crafts

Today I was looking for some images to create my own background for my crochet blog when I found this...A knitted dissected frog! It is mounted on a frame to make it look like it is pinned to a tray, just like in Biology class. This is really weird! Just had to share it so you could get a laugh, too!

Oh, by the way...the artist selling these art pieces on Etsy has a category called Knitted Dissections. They have three different animals for your choosing pleasure! And Joe...the artist is in Burlington, VT! To visit the site of The Crafty Hedgehog here is a link: CraftyHedgehog

Diaper Cake

If you have never seen a diaper cake it is a very interesting concept. It is a way to give an expectant mother diapers in a more creative way than in the original packaging. I just finished one that went to M and her little GJ.

My Endangered Plants

It seems that when you get men together to mow a yard there is always the inevitable killing of plants. I thought that my yard was safe, until within the last few days. Today I was outside, in the cold I might add, to look over the plants that are coming up right before our current cold spell takes effect. I had watched as my son trampled upon my lilies as he was turning the mower around on Saturday, but what I did not see was the most horrifying, atrocious act. I have always loved lilac bushes. Preferably the old fashioned lilac, but I enjoy others as well. I had last year purchased a Josee Lilac which is a beautiful pink and a rebloomer. I was so excited to see that it had grown from last year. How sad I was when I was out today and found it chopped down to a couple of inches and the copper marker in front of it was obliterated! I guess I must make sure to make a larger barrier around my plants until they are large enough to be noticed!Now I am left to hope that it is not killed by this act, but will grow back with no visible damage as quickly as possible.

Duck Duck Goose

This week is the Duck Duck Goose consignment sale. If you have never been it is a huge sale of children's clothing and related items. The sale is Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. Next Monday is the half price sale. Here is a link for more information and for location/ time details. Duck Duck Goose

Almost A Ride

Today Joe, Otter and I packed up our bicycles and heading to Oak Ridge for a ride. The Melton Lake Greenway stretches over a four mile trail paralleling Melton Hill Lake. We have driven by before, but this was our first time to ride there. Sadly enough we did not make the full trip. We biked for almost two miles before having to turn back. Otter was fussing most of the way down so we decided to turn back. It ended up that she was so tired that she was asleep before we were three miles down the road. Evidently her fun day with Daddy yesterday wore her out! Oh well, maybe next time!

Scout Banquet

Tonight we had our annual Blue and Gold Banquet. It was a Patriotic theme this year. Once again we did a Father-Son cake bake. Might I just say that when I informed Joe of this several weeks ago his response was "Ugghhh! Who do I have to thank for this, again!";) Well, I must say that he and Butch did a wonderful job when all was said and done. They decided to do an Uncle Sam cake. For having only made two cakes (which includes this one) in his life, Joe does much better than you would think. The cake turned out very good looking and tasted great, too! Here is a picture of their beautiful, manly cake!

Date Night

Tonight we had a wonderful evening together. After having dinner at home we headed downtown to watch the Ice Bears game. Of course it is not a real hockey game without a fight (there was one, by the way!). It was a good game and the IceBears beat the FireAntz 6-3.

Afterward we went to Coffee and Chocolate again for a killer chocolate dessert. It was great! It is called Dynamite cake, chocolate cake on the bottom, chocolate mousse in the middle and chocolate fudge on top! Fabulous! (very similar to the picture to the right)

Family Outing

Today we had a very enjoyable day. We got ready this morning and took a scenic route to Sweetwater, TN. There we had lunch at a quaint little place called Hunter's Bakery and Cafe. I had their Smokey Black Bean and Cheddar wrap. It was very good! You can see the cafe in the background of the picture below.


We then headed to Athens, TN to take a tour of the Mayfield Dairy plant. As soon as we got there Otter got excited to see the huge Jersey cows outside. We kept hearing "cow" and "moo" until we got inside. We watched a short video about the history of the company and about how they make their products. We then put on hair nets and went on the tour.


It was very interesting to see how they make the jugs, how they are filled and sealed. We also were able to see the ice cream area. The machines closest to us were not in use at the time, but some machines in the back were in use. After our tour we stopped off in the Visitor Center for some creamy Mayfield ice cream. The kids seemed to really like that part! Wonder why? Want proof? Look at Butch's face below!


After the ice cream we went back to Sweetwater to visit the Sock Shop. Bubba and I got some socks. I got the spa like socks just like the ones Aileen got me. They are very warm and sooo soft!

Ahh...Spring!

Today was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, it was warm...ahh, the feel of spring! To celebrate the gorgeous day Joe, Otter and I went bicycling around the riverfront and World's Fair Park area. That was wonderful! For the past several months we have not been able to bike due to the cold weather, but the past few days have been really nice and I was eager to go riding. So today we did! I was loving the wind in my face and the fun time with Joe and Otter.

Ideas For Valentine's Day

There are several things happening in the Knoxville area for someone who would like to do something special for their valentine. Here are just a few:

For the Romantic:
Tennessee Riverboat has three different cruise options with multiple sailing times.

Volunteer Princess also offers cruises. There are four different options with two already sold out.

Romantic Picnic Apple Valley Riding Stables offers a 2 hour horseback ride to a picnic on a mountain top. (this sounds wonderful and I think it would be awesome, but it will never happen for a girl like me!)

For the Unconventional:
Vols VS Vanderbilt need I say more?

Knoxville Rugby VS Chattanooga

Great Porsche Show Off will be in Market Square on Valentine's Day

Knoxville Icebears VS Twin City Cyclones what is better than a good hockey game with the possibility of a good fight!

Going Home

Today my uncle Allen went home.
Please pray for my family during our time of loss.

This is Allen with his sister, Dorothy.

Snow!

For most of the day it has been snowing here. We do not have much of an accumulation, but it is pretty! Here are a few pictures I took.

Happy New Year

Happy
New
Year


May God bless you in 2009!