Sunday, September 28, 2014

Weekend Rewind


Weekend Rewind
(the continued version)



A fun-filled weekend..continued....oops

Friday was our high school's homecoming.  It was a football game between two big rivals-has always been that way.  Hub and I open the coffee shop after every home football game and this Friday was no exception.  The way the football game was going :(, we both figured we wouldn't have a big crowd.  Wrong-we did.  I thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere of the coffee shop after a football game.  All just come and relax while eating homemade cakes. pies, and of course our special coffee.  It is just a place to recap the game and talk about the week.  Hub and I got home at 1 that morning.  Both of us unwind and then to bed at 2 in the morning.

Saturday was our Community Festival-normally called our Apple Festival-name changed and won't go into detail about that~sigh.  Up at 6 to begin baking rolls-hub and I fixed 90 country ham biscuits.  All had to be cleaned up to get ready for the parade.  Our SCA-Student Council Association -I am the sponsor-was going to ride in the parade, and all participants were to be lined up and ready by 9 that morning.  The traffic was horrendous, so I walked to the parade line up to make sure SCA was there plus I was walking with my Zumba crew.  The students were there but I had forgotten the banner-uh oh! The students didn't seem to mind; they were just happy being able to ride in the parade.  I met up with my Zumba crew, and they were busy decorating the instructor's BMW car-with duck tape!!  Oh Gosh-was my first thought, exactly!  Daughter had two vehicles in the parade-advertising her pharmacy, so I was going back and forth between SCA riders, Zumba crew, and daughters.  Daughter #2 had come in for the festival, but was upset because hub didn't let grandson ride in one of the vehicles.  Being the person I am, I calmed daughter down and then called hub.  I met hub halfway and picked up grandson along with some other buddies, and put them all on the SCA ride.  This made all happy-but I was wore out and still had the parade hadn't even started!! We all made it through the parade, and all was happy.  EXCEPT-I forgot my camera!!  I was upset-I love taking pictures of the festival parade and now no pics.  I hated myself for this-even though no one else seemed to have cared. Shoot fire! I hit publish instead of save-----oh well...

All ventured back to the house after the parade to regroup.  Some went to the festival craft show, some went to the tractor show, and some went to the band festival.  Me--I went searching for a cell phone.  My cousin had lost his cell phone at the ballgame last night so I helped him search-no luck finding the phone.  I talked to many people who saw me searching under the football bleachers and was wondering what on earth I was doing.  Since I couldn't find the phone I headed home.  About two hours later, I had a phone call from my school's secretary and the cell phone had been found.  Someone turned it in at the ballgame on Friday and the resource officer had it.  Since our secretary was one person what on earth was I doing under the bleachers-she had run into the resource officer and as luck would have it knew it was the phone I was searching for!  So you see, there are still some very honest people in this world.  

Later that evening as I was sitting on the deck and still listening to the bands -competition still going strong at 9 that evening, I realized how lucky and blessed I am.  I must admit, it is not often I sit and just as my daddy use to say-"smell the roses."  I must also admit, it felt good-something I should take the time to do.

This weekend was a blast of fun-so much to do and the weather was perfect-a little too warm for this time of year, but heck it is better than having rain. Blue skies all weekend!

Wishing all a great week and Enjoy Life.


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Wednesday Hodgepodge






1. It's fall. Y'all. My favorite season of the year! What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel it's officially fall? And unrelated to that, do you ever say-'y'all'?

It certainly feels like fall with our cooler temps these past few nights.  I love decorating our yard for fall-which I did this past weekend.  Most definitely say y'all-I am from the south, y'all.

2. When did you last have a falling out with someone? Has it been resolved?

I can't remember the last time I had a falling out with someone-must be resolved by now.

3. A song you love with the word 'fall' in it's title?
"When I fall in love" the first song that popped into my head.

4. What's something you've recently let 'fall by the wayside?'

Some of my paper work-ugh!

5. When did you last attend an event, read a book, watch a movie, try a new recipe, or visit a shop-town-tourist attraction that fell short of your expectations? In what way?
I remember a while back, hub and I attended a get-together and it wasn't what I expected.  I think I expected more of a social event and it wasn't.

6. Describe a time you said or thought, 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Last week-I explained this to my 8th graders.  We are reading the book Wonder  and I was surprised most of the students did not know what this meant.

7. Was today better than yesterday? Why or why not?

Much, much better.  I have been in a daze-(wrote about this on Sunday) for the last few days-and today was a much better day.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I too, love fall-seeing God's beautiful work is so amazing.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Weekend Rewind....


Weekend Rewind...






As I write, I am deeply sadden. The tears just won't seem to stop nor will the question- Why? Why?

Friday evening hub and I were eating a late dinner.  His phone rang-I could tell by his expression it was not good news-especially when he said, "Oh My-I will tell Tammy."  My friend's husband had died.  I went numb and we left the restaurant.  On the way home, hub asked if I wanted to stop by my friend's house-No was my answer-I just wanted to go home. I was numb.

Saturday morning-I didn't want to call friend or even go to her house.  Instead I shoveled a pile of topsoil in our yard (now this topsoil had been there all week) and then I proceeded to wash/scrub the vinyl siding-no power wash-I scrubbed and scrubbed.  The more I scrubbed the vinyl the more I thought I had had a nightmare and would someone please wake me up.

That evening, hub told me to get ready because we were going to my friend's house.  I did-it was like i was a little child-someone telling me what to do and when to do it.

As we approached my friend's driveway, there was her mother-in-law sitting on the porch.  God Bless this woman for she has already buried a son at a very young age.  This son was only 45and he happened to be my hub's best friend.  Walking slowly up the porch, I kept praying for me to hold it together and I did.  This lady (81 yrs old) has been through a lot in her lifetime.  I sat while I listened to her recap what had happened. She wanted to talk and I listened.

After awhile I went in the house.  When my friend looked up to see me, we locked arms and the tears came.  I whispered how much I love her to her and then we took a walk.  As we walked she also told how her husband had died.  He was on his way to get his grandson and had a heart attack and had run off the road.  When the police found him, the truck was still running.  My friend was angry and so was  I.  As we continued walking, it occurred to me that I do believe it is okay to cry, be angry, to talk incessantly or to just sit dumbly-whatever she needs to do to get through these moments, weeks, or even months-it is okay. I told her a verse I would repeat to myself when my oldest daughter was going through her heart surgeries and when hub was finishing up a chemo treatment:  "Weeping may linger for night, but joy comes with the morning."  Psalm 30: 5   We may be weeping now, but joy will come, and our tears will still fall, and we will always have a sweet memories of this man.

My heart is aching now for my friend and her family-and it okay for me to cry.



I ask for prayers  for this dear friend of mine and her family for the days and months ahead.


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Wednesday Hodgepodge









1. On Thursday we pause to remember a dark day in history-9/11. Will you mark it in some special way?

This day will make me realize how vulnerable we are at any given moment while humbly asking God to forgive our country.

2. Do you ever/still...listen to an actual radio? Watch a videotape (VCR)? Look up a number in a phonebook? Refer to a paper map while traveling? Set an alarm on an alarm clock as opposed to your phone?

Yes, I listen to a radio, matter of fact, just last Friday listened to the football game on the radio, I still look up numbers in a phone book, still use a paper map, and I still set an alarm clock!  Call me ole fashion but I still use all of these.  The only one I very seldom use is the VCR-even though I still have one.

3.  Is it ever a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?

I don't mind discussing religion with stranger and I have ocassionally done so.  I would never discuss politics with people I do no know.

4. What's a dish you haven't eaten all summer, but come September find yourself craving? Have you made it yet this month?

Can't think of any.... 

5. What's something you know nothing about?

Too many to name!

6. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like classical music? If so, what's your favorite piece?

Some-but can't really name a favorite piece.

7. What's the oldest thing you own?

My house-hub and I downsized  around 6 years ago.  The house (parts of it) is over 100 years ago.  The previous owners still had pictures of the original house-OMG-right?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Daughter #2 (the one getting married next August) called Monday evening.  I wasn't home so hub took the call.  Daughter wanted a picture of my wedding gown.  Now hub goes and gets it all out of the box (stored properly), lays it on the bed-takes pictures, and then hangs the gown up and takes pictures and send these pictures to daughter.  He then put the gown back-he said correctly.  I am thinking-why?  Hub replies she just wanted a picture of your wedding gown.-(huh)

Monday, September 8, 2014

Weekend Rewind

Weekend Rewind....













Friday evening was our first high school football game at home.  It was a very hot day.  How hot?  Our school system dismissed two hours early due to the hear-not all classrooms have AC.  Teachers stayed until 3:00-I know some complained, but I on the other hand didn't mind.  I was able to get some teacher 'stuff' done.  Anyway, like I mentioned, the day was hot!  Hub and I planned on opening up the coffee shop after the game for desserts (homemade cakes and fried pies), coffee, and soft drinks.  Around 6:00, the rain came.  Around 7:00 the rain stopped and a gorgeous rainbow appeared in the sky-God's beauty never ceases to amaze me-just hated I didn't have camera with me.  Ballgame began on time and all was good. Hub and I listened to the ballgame on the radio while we did some last minute things. People (not as many as hoped for) came to the coffee shop afterwards.  Mush Much to my surprise, some football players came and ordered pizza.  Yes, hub does have homemade pizza.  The football players cleaned us out-a good sign.  Most stayed until the game came on over the late news-just to hear the score announce one more time and to watch the highlights.  Of course we won!  Going to rant a minute-people complain about having nothing to do or no place to go after the game, but it is those same people who will not attend anything.  All I can say to them is--you really miss out by not socializing with others.

Saturday was a day of doing some much needed yard work.  Boy was it hot!  Have I mentioned that already?  I told hub we really chose the perfect day to work in the yard-(sarcasms inserted) 
Little Man spent the night with us, again.  He also spent Friday night with us.  Hub watched football Saturday evening.  After giving Little Man his bath, I joined him in bed and fell sound asleep.  A little tired after a full week of bus duty, opening up the coffee shop Friday evening, and doing yard work-takes a toll on a person now and then was my answer to hub when he asked why I was going to bed.

Sunday- is still quite warm for this time of year.  I was going to take the little ones out during church to play and walk a little but they said, "Ms.Tammy-it's too hot to go outside!"

Tomorrow is another week of school. Hearing the weather report-low 80's makes me smile.  Have a great week and Enjoy Life.
Tammy


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Wednesday Hodgepodge








1.  What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to actually doing?

More traveling-I wanted to see so many places but didn't get around to it-sigh


2. Share a favorite memory of your own back -to-school days as a child.

Being all dressed up in new school clothes and shoes, and anxiously waiting on the school bus while in elementary school. I had missed my friends (would go and spend the summer in Baltimore) and couldn't wait to see them.  The first day of school was always filled with excitement. Later in high school (no such thing as middle school in my day and time), getting all dolled up to see if you could see that special someone you might have had a crush on.  Dashing through the halls trying to find the right class and desperately trying to open your locker without anyone noticing you were having difficulty.
This weekend I visited my high school.  Much talk was centered around-wish we could go back.  I replied, I would only go back if it was the same as it was back then.  No way do I want to return to high school now.

3.  What's one chore or daily task you prefer doing 'old-school' ?

Balancing my check book-I do not trust on-line banking so I balance my check book the ole fashion way.

4.  Share something you've learned in life through the 'school of hard knocks'.

Life is full of ups and downs and it is not always fair!  Hard work does pay off.

5.  As a child, did you mostly bring or buy your lunch for school? What was your favorite thing to find in your lunchbox?

Never packed my lunch for school.

6. Football season is upon us which has me wondering... how big of a sports fan are you (not just football) ? On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being 'I scream at the players through my television screen' and 1 being 'is knitting a sport?' where do you fall in fandom? 

I am an 8!  

7. Share a favorite quote you think might inspire students of all ages at the start of a new school year. 

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."  John Wooden

Monday, September 1, 2014

Weekend Rewind


Weekend Rewind..

Weekend started on Friday evening with a 'Ladies Night'-as we call it-at a good friend's house. A long, lost friend joined us from Florida.  This person has had some health issues, and we were all thrilled she could join us.  Much laughter, food, and memories were shared.  When I returned home, hub was sitting outside.  It was a hot August night so hub and I sat and talked until the wee hours of the morning.  Well I did most of the talking telling him about 'ladies night/ A great evening.

Saturday I attend my ole high school for our Shaker Reunion.  The high school is no longer known as the Shakers-consolidation many years ago and for the past four years a bunch of us Shakers have gotten together for a reunion.  Not many people have attended as in years past.:(  Tears were shed as the list of loved ones keeps growing-lives taken away way too soon.

We kept 'little man' this weekend.  His father was playing in a golf tournament, and we keep him as much as we can.He loves music so he got out the ole trumpet
Hub says he is going to be a band geek-that's okay with me.
  Saturday evening we attended church  listening to our Contemporary Worship Group sing.  Daughter #2 was able to come  home and sing.  I love listening to this group sing. Sometimes I feel God's presence just listening to this group.

Sunday was a day of more reunions.  The Perryville Muck Dam Reunion!  I grew up in Perryville (well most of my life).  Perryville is located in Saltville, Virginia-known for Olin Corporation and of course, Salt for the Confederacy.  Perryville was built on muck-yes muck and mercury.  Olin closed in the 70's and many left the little town of Saltville.  Saltville is now booming somewhat and a couple of years of ago a nice young man decided to put together a reunion for all the kids who grew up on the muck dam.  So many wonderful memories.  There are only a few houses standing in Perryville-most all torn down.  Loved the reunion yesterday.
We had our own corn hole tournament.  All enjoyed playing!!

Daughter #2 had to return to her graduate school and missed all the fun.  She was sad and didn't want to leave but knew she had to.  Little man tried to make her feel happy by striking up his pose
one 'cool dude' I must admit.  This didn't help daughter much, though.  I tried to console daughter by telling this wasn't a lifetime only a few more years-Gosh classes on Labor Day-give me a break!

A lazy day here on Labor Day.  Hub grilled out and we (hub, daughter #1 and I) just sat around and talked.  Our discussion was centered on summer-no one wants to let it go.  The days have been very hot (90's) and we keep soaking it all in for we know what is just around the corner!

Have a great week -only four days-woohoo!


Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What was your favorite part about growing up in your hometown?  We all were very close friends.  Many Saturday nights we would cruise aro...