Weekend Rewind

My #2 daughter has always wanted a dog.  For 22 years I have told her "No," even though #1 daughter had a white cat for 18 years.  Explaining to #2 daughter she was always so busy playing sports-elementary years, high school years, AAU, and then college basketball, I just thought it would be unfair to the animal with us gone all the time. This reasoning seemed to always work. :)

Friday we went to PetSmart.  Why?  Just to look at the adorable animals. I am so glad they have rescue animals which I didn't know.  Staying for hours, I had to make some long promises.  Yes, to daughter I promise she could have an animal-ONE Day-when you are through graduate school, and Yes, to grandson he could have a guinea pig-ONE Day-when you are older. Whew!


Hub cooked out a small dinner and we all watched the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics outside-yep hub has a television outside.  On nights like this I love it. I enjoyed the ending part of the opening ceremony more than the beginning sections.  Also could have done with a little less talk from hosts, but that is just my opinion.  Would love to be in London right now enjoying all the festivities.

Grandson spent the day with us on Saturday.  Enjoyed playing in our rocks. 

Experiencing drought conditions over the Fourth of July, I didn't allow him to have his 'Sparklers.'  The dew fell early Saturday evening so...

Playing "with fire" as he said was so much fun.

Daughter #2 has an interview Saturday in Johnson City at ETSU for Physical Therapy School.  This is not on ETSU's Campus so we decided to drive down on Sunday after church.   After finding the place holding the interviews, we drove on campus.  How much ETSU has changed in 30 years!  

This was my dorm while I was attending ETSU.  I couldn't find the Greek  Dorm-:(

Keeping my fingers crossed daughter will get accepted to the Doctorate of Physical Therapy at my Alma mater.

Enjoy your week!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Summer Olympics officially begin this Friday night...will you be watching? If you could see just one event in person which one would you pick?
Gymnastic Events-
 

2.Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

Lazy days make me feel unproductive and very tired. 

3. July 25th is 'officially' Threading the Needle Day...can you sew? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being not at all and 10 being Betsy Ross-like, how would you rate your skill with a needle and thread?

The only failing grade I have ever gotten was in Home Economics Class when I was in high school.  I had great difficulty sewing.  I don't like to sew, knit, cross-stitch, etc.  Not this type of gal!

4. 'Threading the Needle' can also mean to walk a fine line between two things or issues (think awkward social situation). When was the last time you had to 'thread the needle', figuratively speaking?

Everyday at school, I am in a very awkward situation.  I am good friends with a teacher and friends with this teacher's ex-son-in-law.  This a a very awkward situation.

5. Kidney, pinto, black, or navy...your favorite bean?

Pinto beans are my favorite-add some corn bread and garden onions with some chow chow-YUMMY!

6. Have you ever hosted a garage sale? Was it more success or bust?

Yes, and it was somewhat successful.  Daughters moved back from college where both lived off campus so we had extra bedroom furniture, tables, etc.  Our neighbors also had one that day, and I fixed ham biscuits for us all.  It was fun!

7. What makes you roll your eyes?

When someone tries to be someone they are not , and then using a foul language on top of that!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

#2 daughter has an interview with the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at East Tennessee State University the first Saturday in August--Yay! keeping my fingers crossed.

Weekend Rewind

Weekend Rewind.....

Roller Coaster of a weekend-highs and lows

I took grandson to our library program-'Snakes Alive.'  The AC wasn't on and it was hot!!

Not one bit afraid of them!!
I dreamed about snakes all night-hum...wonder why?

One of my colleagues past away this weekend.  He found out he had pancreatic cancer in April.  He was a healthy person, loved kids, dynamite golfer and basketball player.  I HATE the 'C' word!!!!!!!  Mr. Mike had recently retired after teaching 33 years.  He and his wife had no children; the children he taught for 33 years was like his own.  On the way home, I was reminded of this verse-"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Matthew 5:4   


Sunday was a special day at our church.  Our youth pastor, who has been with us for ten years, was leaving.  Mr. Paul was moving to North Carolina..  I was sad to see him go because he works so well with our youth -camping trips, skiing, white water rafting, mission trips,etc. He is a wonderful person.  Tears were in my eyes, but I was determined to be a 'cheerleader' and not a cry er-well at least not in front of him or his family.  Truly wishing them the best as they begin another chapter in serving Our Lord.

Visited Chuck E Cheese with grandson.  Family decided to go and enjoy the food.  They do serve great pizza.

Sometimes the girls have as much fun as grandson.

Praying for the families who lost loved ones this weekend.  

Enjoy your week.

Weekend-Rewind

Hub wanted to get away for a few days....so we left Thursday.  We headed to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for a little 'down time.'

The weather has been extremely hot and I do believe it can make a person a little cranky.  We both decided on Tuesday to try and get a few days alone.  Both girls are back home-after college-#1 doing rotations and #2 trying to get in grad school and I have kept grandson this summer.  We all went to the beach in June and had a wonderful time, but sometimes one needs to just get away for a few days.

Hub cannot go to Pigeon Forge without eating at Blue Moose.  This place is famous for burgers and wings.  This was our first stop.

I love the dill pickle chips and cold beer!

Then we drove into Gatlinburg.  I was so amazed how crowded it was.  In fact it was more crowded than Myrtle Beach.
Next a little shopping and then some relaxing.

Gazing at the mountains is so magnificent!  It had been raining and the fog was lifting.  I can sit for hours here and be very content.  It did take some coaxing from hub for me to get up and get moving.

We stopped by the Farmer's Market and ..,,,,,

Guess what I will be having for dinner in a couple of days!

Hub also had to purchase some

Strawberry flavor...hum guess it might taste good..

We are planning on going back to Pigeon Forge the first week in August and bringing grandson. So I am gearing up for an exhaustively time with him.

Speaking of grandson-his father was in a golf tournament this weekend so we kept him Saturday and Sunday.  We took him to a small carnival in town on Saturday night.  I remember when carnivals were so big and rides costs 25 cents. 

Sunday night our 'little children's group' made pretzels to show how one can pray-crossing arms  The children enjoyed this and it lasted longer than anticipated.

Window cleaning is calling me---have put this off long enough. Count down is on----:( only 3 weeks left of my summer vacation!
Enjoy your week!

Wednesday hodgepodge

1.. How often do you check the weather? How do you check the weather?

Daily check on the weather unless I know severe storms are heading my way, and I listen to the weather constantly.  For the past couple of weeks this is what I have been doing.  Too many storms have past my way.

In the winter when I hear the word snow. I frequently check the weather.  This must be a 'teacher thing.' Also am kinda of disappointed when the snow doesn't fall.
Listening to the Weather Channel, radio, and Weather Bug on phone/computer are ways I check the weather.

2. Since this is volume 84 of the Wednesday Hodgepodge, and since I got married in 1984, and since I'm attending a wedding this weekend it only seems right to post something related here.

"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Agree or Disagree. Why?
Disagree--happiness in a marriage is not chance.  Marriage is something you have to work at, and it is not 50/50.  Sometimes it requires one partner to give 90 and the other partner 10.it is easier to get married then it is to stay married.  I wanted to know about hubs habits and quirks before marrying him-this way I could deal with them.

The man I married 31 years ago is still the 'love of my life.'

3. Do you like to dance? Have you ever taken dance lessons?

Like to dance-especially to the music in my 'hay day'-especially the slower music with hub. Have never taken dance lessons.  Currently going to Zumba once a week.  I think this is a type of dance with a lot of other movements.

4. Fresh from the oven peach pie or home made peach ice cream? Pick one.

Oven peach pie--Oh My!

5. Should people accept unfairness and learn to make the best of it?

Yes because of one doesn't it will eat at you and make you miserable,  Life is full of unfairness so learn to forgive and move on. 

6. The top five all time summer movie blockbusters (released between May and August and grossing at least 100 million dollars) are-Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars (the original), Ghostbusters, and ET. Which one's your favorite?

Jaws-

7. If given the chance, would you like to visit the moon?

I applied to be the first teacher in space.  However, I had just begun teaching and I was turned down.  I was glued to the television (a snow day for us) in 1986  when Challenger exploded. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 We had rain yesterday!!!!  So thankful for the rain without the severe thunderstorms and cooler temps!

Birthdays....Storms....Heatwave

  I celebrated another birthday the day before our country celebrated its independence.  I don't feel older so ---- isn't all that bad.  As of today, I am 19, 365 days old-Whew now that makes me feel old!  Not giving away my age--just say born in the late 50's.

  We always have a cook-out on the Fourth of July, and this year was no different.

After eating, we all go and watch fireworks.  I was a little disappointed this year because our fireworks were 'awful,'  I don't know why but they did not last long-only 20 minutes.  But I told the family at least we had fireworks.  Some places didn't have fireworks because of the heat and drought. 

Storms rolled in early Thursday evening.  Wind speed was in excess of 60 mph and it was dark by 3pm.  Grandson was sleeping and the storms woke him up.  Later that evening, we actually built a fire in our fireplace at back.  Thanks for the cooler weather.

Can't have a fire without S'mores!  Yum!

My mother lost electricity so she spent a few nights with us. Her electricity came back on Sunday.  A huge thanks to the AEP for all the hard work they do restoring electricity to so many homes!

The cool weather was short lived.  Back in the upper 90's and 100's by Friday.  A heatwave has been with us for many weeks.  Thanks to our wonderful neighbors for the use of their pool.

When not using the neighbor's pool...then

this is the next best thing.



Have a great week and stay cool.  Our weather is supposed to get cooler-upper 80's with rain.  Not complaining one bit!

Too many storms......

I should have stayed in bed.....

Thursday I overslept and I had so much to do.  I hate that feeling-oversleept  and can't get caught up for the day.  Always running behind. 

Still rushing around I almost forgot grandson's babysitter's birthday.   Quickly I went and picked up some flowers, card, and gift card.  I went to pick up grandson and deliver her gifts.  Now his babysitters is 81 years old.  She is remarkable for her age.  She was surprised to see the gifts.  But  I was more surprised when she said, "Tammy my birthday is next month not June 28 but July 28."  OMG--I wanted to crawl in a hole. 

I knew I should have stayed in bed today......

Woke up all time Friday!!  Hub and I went walking, and I trippped on the sidewalk.  I think I almost fell for 5 minutes.  You know the dance one has to keep from falling-that was me.  Hub did congratulate me on how I kept from falling-he admired my quicknesss and coordination.  Whew-thankfully no one was around.  How can one fall gracefully?  Should I have stayed in bed?

Storms rolled in Friday night.  We were sitting on the front porch and the wind started howling.  This happened all at once.  The neighbor's tree was hitting the power lines and then we heard a BOOM!  The neighbor's acrossed the street had lost power.  The tree was catching on fire from the power lines and the wind was picking up speed.  The temperature was still in the high 80's at 11 that night.  No rain fell just windy.  Finally, the wind ceased and the clean up began to help get the trees up.

Power was restored Saturday morning, and I know all was thankfull because the temperature hit 106!

No storms were forcasted for Sunday, But......as I was sitting down in church the lights went out.  Our preacher announced if anyone had windows down to go and roll them up.  I quickly ran to check on daughter-she had the 3 & 4 year old children in Wee Worship.  I explained to her to keep them in there and away from the windows.  Here came the wind again....  I stayed with Wee Worship children all 15 of them to help daughter out.  The kids were GREAT!!!  They weren't scared at all, just kept on playing, eating, and worshiping God through it all.  How amazing!!  The wind had ceased, but still no power. 

On our way home from church, I was in shock.  There were so many large trees down!!  The entire town of Chilhowie had no electricity.  The temperature in the vehicle said 74-how refreshing.  Hub called around other towns to see if restaurants were open.  We headed to Bristol to grab some lunch.  After eating lunch, the teperature had climbed to 96 degrees.  When we got home, still no electricity.  Why is it when the electricity goes off, one has to open the refrigerator and grab a drink?  I had daughters on the way home, if no power-don't open refrigerator.  What happens-quick as the door is open-they both head to the refrigerator!! 

Grandson knew how to cool off-he headed toward the sprinkle.

Thankfull to AEP-our power company-the power was restored at 5 that evening to our house. 

At 11 that night there were still thousands still without power and some trees had fallen on homes.  I was so thankful.

At midnight the storms came again.  Rougher than before.  Grandson was sleeping and I could hear the windows shaking through the monitor.  The sky was a giant light.  The rain came!!! Thankful  for the rain.  Our lawn hasn't been mowed in two weeks-now going on three!!  You walk on the lawn and the grass is like dirt.  Hub and I watched the storm through the closed in deck.  Gosh I have never seen lightning like this--a constant, and the trees were bending to the ground.  Our flagpole started swaying and I just hoped it wouldn't fall over.  Loud thunder rattled every window.  Glad it only last 30 minutes.  Hopefully no more storms.....for a while.....At around 4 am here came the storms again.....not as bad as earlier, but still scary. 

I was thanful to see the sun this morning....