Lasting Effects

Oh, the joy of having teenagers! I let my daughter dye her hair purple and this is my lasting effects from it. The glove had a hole in it and now I have a permanently purple hand! The previously pink hair grew on me and really was cute but, I didn't have to wear it on my hand.
You owe me daughter #3 : )

Where the heck are we?!

We are stuck in a motel at randon exit waiting for the ice to melt, and the interstate to open so we can get home.

Happy Weekend

I won't be posting anything this weekend because we are once again going out of town. (Just when my monthly spending was looking pretty good)
I got some pretty good news this week that is sure to help out.

1) I got a raise. Yep, you read that right. When other people's income is dwindling...I got a raise!

2) I got a (hefty) bonus!!! Wooohoooo!!!!

3) DH got the same raise I did AND the same bonus!! That makes it doubly good.

4) I am buying me a Red Mustang GT Convertible this weekend. (Bet you were wondering what that picture of a car had to do with anything)

5) Best of all, I am going to visit my daddy for the weekend. They finally got my mother's headstone in this week and it is worth driving the 500 miles to get there to see it :)

Sick Days

That nasty bug has made it to my house! I have spent the past 2 days in bed and if I don't feel any better by morning, will be going to the Doctor. Two people I work with has been diagnosed with salmonella so, it makes me wonder if that may be what I have since it isn't getting any better after 2 days. Dr. Husband swears it is. For now, it's back to bed :(

Baby Bifocals?

How do you 'really' know if glasses are working for babies? My sweetheart got her new glasses. The prescription changed from the regular glasses she has worn since she was 10 months old to (very strong) bifocals. I couldn't imagine anybody being able to see through them. As soon as she put the new ones on she said..."HEYYYY" like she was seeing everybody for the first time. Are they working better for her? I sure hope so!

Family

(photo taken early 1940's)

I haven't posted much in the past few weekends because of family obligations.
I spent another weekend on the road, 400 miles there and 400 miles back, to spend time with my family. I went through old boxes of photos, scanned each one, and I had several 8x10's made. I can't wait to get them framed!

Where have I been hiding?!

It seems like the beginning of the new year was the beginning of turmoil at my house. Everyone has passed a stomach virus around, the Dr. found an issue with my sons heart and we are having to go back and forth for testing, and my daughter had gall stones and had to have her gallbladder removed yesterday.

My daughter(#1) is 21 and on my health insurance because she is still a full time student. The new semester of college started while she was doubled over in pain so, she hasn't been to class yet. We have to make sure she doesn't get dropped from a class or she will not be considered full time and be dropped from my insurance. Of course we (my employer) got new insurance this year so, I have no idea what all of this is going to end up costing me.

The retirement party was a hit! I did end up spending quite a bit of money on it but, just about everyone pitched in to cover a big part of it.

Just Gotta Love Her!

Who wants to wait until Christmas to open presents?! I had to let her open one..."just because"

Too much time on my hands

My hats off to anybody that is a stay at home parent but, I couldn't do it! I am off work for 2 weeks and I am continually looking for something to do.
There is an alcove where the wall/ceiling slants in one of our bedrooms so, I decided to put "words" on the wall.

Our Newest Family Member

My husband decided he needed a 'fishing buddy' so, we got a Chesapeake Bay Retriever yesterday since they are great water dogs. She is almost 4 months old and already weighs 47lbs. She should almost double in size by the time she is grown. I guess I better start clipping those dog food coupons.

I Am Back!

Last week was the worst week of my life! I lost my Best Friend, my Mentor, my Mother VERY unexpectedly. I thank everyone who left a comment or sent me an e-mail. It really does help when people reach out when you feel like your world just collapsed. Thank you all!!

Free sample of WipeOut fat burner

Free bottle of olive oil

$1.00 off coupon Rayovac Batteries (these are found in the $1 bin at Target)

Free Life Gear Glow Stick flashlight

Thanksgiving Loss

I would like to take a minute and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I have not posted in several days due to the sudden loss of my mother. As always, my family will be together this Thanksgiving but, instead of getting up at 3am tomorrow to go shopping...We will be attending the burial of my mother.

Fishing

My husband does not want his picture on here so, we compromised. I cut most of him out of the picture and still show the 67 lb catfish he caught Saturday.
He is an amazing fisherman but, he does it for sport and all fish are unharmed and released. (except when our freezer runs low and I go with him to catch the 'good eating' size)

Football Friday Night

What can be more frugal than to spend a Friday night going to a high school football game?

The town I grew up in is all about football. If you saw the movie Friday Night Lights, you can get the idea. You can never fully understand until you experience it though.

We have two rival high schools and during the week of "the game" the town pretty much splits right down the center. Everyone (businesses included) gets involved with week long pep rallies leading up to what is going to be the best game of the season. One of the two schools is going to the state championship, then to the national championship (every year), along with year long bragging rights so, there is a lot of pride riding on this one game.

My daddy graduated from one school, while my mother helped write the alma mata for the other. My siblings and I graduated from my mothers old alma mata as did my two oldest girls. Needless to say, my daddy doesn't stand a chance.

My 2 daughters, son-in-law (did not attend either of the schools but was hooked the first time he went to a game), and granddaughter went to the game last night and all I can say is...Sorry daddy but, it sure is great to be a Northside Eagle after that game. Final score NHS:14 WRHS:0

Well, when the game is being played over 300 miles away, maybe not so frugal.

Family Time

It isn't often that I only have one child at home on a weekend so, we are going to make the most of one on one time. Thank goodness my 15yr old son still likes spending time with mom.

We decided last night that we would spend the day enjoying all the beautiful trees. Yep, trees, with a picnic basket in tow. The fall colors are amazing around here. Our trip is going to include all of the following (and anything else we want to stop and do along the way)

Mabry Mill -Restored gristmill/sawmill/woodworking shop and blacksmith shop. Old time skills (basket weaving, seat caneing, spinning, and weaving) demonstrated. Applebutter making in October - Oldtime bluegrass music.

Lover’s Leap - In the 1600's, the Indians inhabited the Blue Ridge Mountains. White settlers started arriving and began clearing land to farm. Conflict arose between the Indians and the settlers. Legend has it that the son of a settler saw the twinkle in the eyes of the Chief's daughter, Morning Flower, and was immediately love-struck. The couple began to meet secretly and their love continued to grow. The young man and Indian maiden were threatened and shunned. With the beautiful rock and wildflowers as their backdrop, they jumped into the wild blue yonder ensuring they would be together forever. As you gaze out at Lover’s Leap, you can still see the evidence of their love in the beautiful view and hear them whisper in the cool evening breezes.

We can not go to the Meadows of Dan without stopping at Nancy's Candy Company. They have the best homemade fudge!

Visiting Cana is like taking a step back in time. The roads are filled with one produce stand after another. Since I do not want to see another apple for quite a while, we are going to get some pumpkins today.

Let me introduce you to my family: