Vitameatavegamin

As I made my way through the blogs that I visit on a regular basis yesterday, I took note of the fact that many of you are under the weather. Having just rode that boat last week, you have my sympathy. I was running a 101.8 temp with my bug. It is the first high temperature I have had since the 80's. Here I was thinking I got my yearly flu shot and here it is the middle of February and other than a sinus infection here and there, I am going to get through this winter without getting sick. That is how it happened for me. Just when I started getting big headed that I had cheated the bug from attacking me this year, it latched on to me and reminded me what it feels like to be sick. I hope that you are all on the mend and will be feeling yourselves again soon.



Yesterday, we were looking for the Direct TV techs to come hook us up to their sattelite, but not really counting on them making it because of the bad weather and road conditions. Before the morning was gone we received a call from Mike our friendly and determined tech. He was 24 miles away and wanted directions to the house. I gave him the directions and we waited for him to pull into the driveway..... And we waited....... And we waited....... The phone finally rang again and we heard Mike's flustered voice on the other end. It seems that after driving all that way to get to us, he made it to the bottom of the mountain and that was as far he was going to be going. JD's mountain is very steep on the front side and it seems that Mike didn't have four wheel drive and just couldn't get enough of a running start to make it past the steep part. I really felt bad for him, because before he was faced with climbing that mountain he was so determined to get here and do the job. So we are rescheduled for Thursday morning.... God willing and the roads are clear.

Frozen Rain Drops

We had a blast of cold winter weather come back through our neck of the woods yesterday and the night before. As a result, I figured the best thing to fix for dinner would be a BIG pot of Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. Next to Veggie Soup that is the best remedy to ward off the cold that I know of. While I was waiting for the final 10 minutes of cooking time to add the remaining ingredients, we received a call from our adopted daughter, Amy. A few months ago she packed up and moved off to western Kentucky. The call was to let us know that the storm that was coming our way is a bad one and if we will be in need of anything in the next few days we had better get to the store to get it. She said it was already going through where she was and it was a nasty winter storm. She was pretty certain that if it still carried the punch that it had there, we wouldn't be leaving the mountain for a day or two. It doesn't matter how far away Amy moves, she will still call to check on us like she always has. In the winter time it is to see if we are staying warm or to tell us there is a level warning for the roads. In the summer time it is to make sure we are not overheating and to be sure that Papa isn't outside overdoing things like he has a tendency to do. She is a sweetheart and we do appreciate her.

We have had major issues with Dish Network for the past year over reception. After repeated phone calls and no satisfaction to resolving the problem we are switching to Direct TV. Our contract with Dish Network is up this month, so Friday I thought I would arrange to get Direct TV up here to hook us up to their equipment. I have been counting down the days. Well today is the day and if they don't cancel on us, I will sure be surprised. They announced that area schools will be closed today. So the snow plow won't be in a big hurry to come driving through the back roads and up the mountains today.

On that note I will leave you with a couple of pictures of our over night snow fall. We are supposed to get quite a mix of winter stuff all day today.

I stepped outside just long enough to snap these and decided the rocking chair next to the wood stove and a cup of coffee were calling my name.

Everyone that is in the path of this storm stay warm, but enjoy the beauty of it.

Wishing you a Blessed Day.

Meaningful Monday

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson

about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

One is Evil.

It is anger, envy, jealousy, hatred,

greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment

inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good.

It is joy, peace, love, hope,

serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,

empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute

and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied,
"The one you feed."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Memories Are Made Of This

Yesterday was a wonderful day here on the mountain. It always is when family comes to visit. T-Bear has been to have her hair styled since we saw her last and the new 'do' fits her perfectly. Britt had hers done too, but was wearing it up freestyle, so we couldn't see the 'new do'. These children are growing up way too fast.

Later in the evening, I found myself thinking that after this year, Britt will be graduating from high school. It seemd like only yesterday we were watching Barney on the VCR and shaking our tail feathers as we sang and danced along with him. We played choo choo with the port-a-crib. She would stand in the crib while G'ma pulled it through the house making choo choo sounds. Oh how she laughed and clapped her hands. That's what it was all about, putting a smile on her face and laughter on her lips. T-Bear is doing her share of growing up as well. She is coming into her own special personality that they all seem to develope as preteens. She is going to be just as witty and wonderful as her Mama and sister are. T-Bear lived through her toddler years without me because I was in Louisiana at that time. I remember when G'pa was ready to retire and had decided that he wanted to move to Ohio. We called the kids to let them know our plans. T-Bear got on the phone and said, "Oh, Bammaw, I am so glad that you are moving back to America!" Then there was the time she mis-quoted G'pa. One of his favorite sayings is, "You are sweeter than snuff, but not near as dusty!" Shortly after retiring the girls came to spend the evening with us and when their Mommy came to get them, T-Bear told her that G'pa had told her that she was 'Sweeter than stuff and her ears were dusty!' Such sweet memories to cherish. God certainly blessed us with the family we have.

They followed my directions to get them here the back way through Amish country. The last time they came that way Tersie missed one of the turns and discovered the Amish bakery, 'The Country Crust'. Well, this trip she didn't even have to miss her turn because the car knows where the bakery is. While we were waiting for the chicken and dumplings to finish cooking she shared the cinnamin bread and wheat bread that she bought. Mmmmmmm ....... There are few things that tastes better than homemade bread.

Yes, yesterday was indeed a 'Good Day'.

Thank you girls for wanting to spend it with us!

We love you ............ :-)

TGIF

In my dictionary, TGIF doesn't mean Thank God It's Friday because the week is over. It means Thank God It's Friday because it is also Seth Day!

It is days like this that I am glad that my health is good enough to be able to offer my Fridays to care for little Seth. It will always amaze me how fast time passes with these little ones. Just Thursday Melody told me Seth was crawling very well now. (Keep in mind that this is in just a weeks time.) She also told me that if he is on the carpet he doesn't venture past it.

Well, guess what the little man did yesterday!! You got it..... ventured right past the carpet onto the hard wood and found something of interest along the way.

WOW!!! Tools of the trade G'ma...... It looks as if he has inherited big brother Riley's facination with tools and sweepers. Trust me once he had roamed this far from the carpet, it took no coaxing to tempt him into other areas of the house. He kicked that crawling up to high gear and went cruising into the dining room and then to the bedroom/bathroom hallway, grinning all the way. The grin was what tickled me. He was so pleased with himself.

G'pa caught these pictures of Seth on the camera, but then had errands and chores to tend to yesterday so he didn't get to spend much time with us. When he cleared his agenda and came back, Seth was thrilled to see him.

Riley had a big day yesterday too. It was his first visit to the dentist. Before he left he told us he was going to the dentist to get some braces. One of his older friends has braces and he is facinated with them right now. To a 4 1/2 year old, anything that is shiney is GREAT! I am sure that one talk to his Dad about braces would put them in the right perspective. Poor Chris really suffered with his. Any way the dentist told Riley he has no cavities and that he has good looking teeth, did the flouride treatment and all went well. He and his Mama stopped by the house on the way to Riley's appointment so he could freshen his mouth with another tooth brushing. Riley told me that when they were finished at the dentist office he and his mom were going on a date and he got to choose where they would go..... I asked where they were going and he couldn't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was the one that has nuts. (Dakota's) I am so glad that his first appointment with the dentist was a good experience.

Today Tersie, Britt and T-Bear are coming to the mountain to visit. I just have to cook on special occassions and that is what this is. We just don't get to see any of the girls (Oop included) nearly as much as we would like to. Time available is split in half when there is divorce. Add to that equation the fact that these girls are now preteen and teens with a social life and obligations to their activities, and time available is split again. So any time we can spend with them is greatly appreciated, loved and jumped at. I am fixing Britt's favorite meal: Chicken and Dumplings, biscuits, coleslaw, and the healthy recipe cheesecake for desert. I need to get this meal started and on that note I will end today's post.

Have a wonderful blessed day..................