Not a one trick puppy

Worn out...

2009-02-15T21:56:00.003-05:00

This was the scene in the living room this evening!
It's good to snuggle up on a Sunday evening...tired and satiated from the day's activities!

We're going where?

2009-02-15T20:59:00.011-05:00

This afternoon we headed out into the woods. Left the rescues at the cabin...donned our safety orange and trespassed. Woo hoo...we're always up for a good adventure! No really...some of our neighbors had told us about this great hike through some other neighbors property and into forest service. He was right. What an amazing trek! The dogs had a blast, we had a blast and it was a perfect day to be in the woods!!!

"You want us to do what?"

Into the woods we go...

Water break. That water was cold!

Up the valley...so beautiful!

Smile...you're in the woods!

Good thing we left the hang gliders at home!

Check out the slope...

We're going where?

Almost there!!!

Fresh air...

2009-02-15T20:34:00.003-05:00

and a few chores...

Todd was able to get a few days off from staying with his Dad while he recovers at home from his hip replacements, etc...so, we headed to the cabin. Yippee! It's one of my favorite places to be! We were afraid that a pipe might have burst with all the cold weather but all was good when we arrived yesterday late morning.

This morning Todd tried...notice I said tried...to fix his bike while the pups (all SIX of them) and I raked the leaves on the driveway. It's almost spring-time!!!

What an improvement...

2009-02-15T20:18:00.002-05:00

The trim work is finished on the front porch...paint is next but already...what an improvement!

Can you say...SENSITIVE???

2009-02-15T19:45:00.002-05:00

OK. So last week I headed off to Costco...for a second time...to buy an accounting program I needed for work because they had a $70.00 off coupon for it!! Well...I had this entire coupon book with all these excellent deals (I'm not usually a coupon clipper but this experience has encouraged me to start) and I found these babies...$9.00 off. Thought I'd give it a go...

What I quickly discovered is that they should have a label on them that says..."Warning...don't try this at home if you do not know if you have sensitive teeth" ...or maybe they do and I didn't heed the warning. I spent the entire next day with my teeth in pain. Didn't want to breath, eat, drink...ouch! I'm using a sensitive toothpaste for the next few weeks before I try that again...

The day of one's birth...

2009-02-10T23:43:00.004-05:00

A birthday. We celebrate one every year. A day where we can be glad someone was born, we were born, we're another year older, a reason for a party, presents, a reason to go out to a nice dinner. To just celebrate one's life.

Or not.

Today is my Mom's birthday. Today was the day she was born...many years ago. It's a bittersweet day for me. I am soooo glad she was born! I'm here because of it! But I'm sooo sad that she's gone. I can't believe that it's been a little over two years since she died. Two years without talking to her, without hugging her, without hearing her tell me she loves me. It sucks. Plain and simple. It makes me sad. Very sad. Been bursting into tears today. Not usual for me...especially being as busy as I am these days. But for some reason this day...of her birth...has reminded me so much of her life...and unfortunately, her death.

I wish she was here...

Cavanaugh...

2009-02-10T09:21:00.008-05:00

They're like worker bees over there...

Front porch with new supports and deck boards...

New door and wall framing for new entry into front bedroom..

New door and wall framing for second bedroom..

Removed the window and are getting the hole framed up in the master bedroom...

Check out all the sheetrock seams they are re-mudding and sanding!

Columns are going up... What a beautiful day. February 9 and it's 70 degrees outside!!

First part of column trim is up. Looking better!

Kingsford goes to the beach

2009-02-07T23:00:00.002-05:00

OMG...you have GOT to watch this video. Makes me want to run out and get one!!!
TOO CUTE!!!!

Kingsford Goes to the Beach - Watch today’s top amazing videos here

Costco and a bad buyer...

2009-02-07T22:23:00.002-05:00

So off to Costco I went today. Going to pick up some software and look at bath vanities and a few other things. Cruising the aisles and to my horror I see this in all it's "glory" hanging on an end-cap. In the retail world end-caps are reserved for your special showpieces...the beautiful things or the amazing deals. This was neither. (Sorry if I'm offending anyone's tastes) It's 2009 people. And it's not cheap. They want $489.99 for this gold bubble crystal light extravaganza. It would have been one thing if it had been $89.99 but add $400.00. Whew.
I'm wondering if the Costco buyer who pulled the trigger on this purchase still has their job?
Poor thing...

Makes you wonder...

2009-02-07T22:13:00.003-05:00

OK...so we have a gal we work with who has 80-90 chickens that they sell eggs from. (Clare and Josh, 80-90?!?) She asked us if we wanted her to bring us some eggs and here's what we got. How fantastic. Look at all the different colors and sizes. It's unbelievable how hard the shells are on these things and how yellow the yolks are compared to the store bought ones.
Makes me wonder what's up with the store bought ones? They seem so sickly to me now. It's a good thing she's in town and has plenty of eggs to sell because I'm not too sure I want to go back to the Kroger brand. Yuck...

If only...

2009-02-07T22:07:00.002-05:00

...I could sleep the way my cats do. This photo was taken at @ 6:30pm. This is Diesel. This is one of his VERY favorite spots to sleep...on my unmade bed...especially in the afternoons once the sun hits the front of the house and creates this amazing glow through the curtains. I love this little guy!!

Demo has begun...

2009-02-07T21:18:00.011-05:00

The Cavanaugh project is on it's way!
The crew made swift progress on the carpet, flooring, rotten porch, cabinets, toilets, sinks, tile floor, walls, appliances...you name it! The house already looks so much better. I love this kind of stuff. I've always loved it...it certainly comes from my Dad...Josh has the bug too. Andy does as well but it's more for engines and motors and things that go fast. Mine is for houses. I love houses! I'd love to build them one day...I'd love to buy and sell and rent and renovate for a living. Maybe one day!!
I have "before" plans/drawings as well as "proposed" plans/drawings that I will post as soon as I can figure out how to post a .pdf or convert it to something I can post. I think it will make it easier to follow along for those who are interested. I'm not changing too much structurally to the house...just taking out a few small walls which is causing me to move a few doors and redoing/changing a couple of closets. All the systems: electrical, plumbing, HVAC will be updated and brought up to code and the rest is cosmetic. I think it's a darling house and I'm so excited to fix her up!

Porch after demo...the guys said that there were no structural posts underneath the decorative columns! Totally rotten and virtually NOTHING supporting the porch roof!

Two little walls gone! It will open up the living room and change the entry into the front bedroom.

Getting ready to make a new entry way into the middle bedroom. The original entryway has already been framed up. It's the opening on the right wall.

Middle bedroom. Making the old entryway into a closet.

A nice discovery! Hardwood floors in the front bedroom and middle bedroom that we think we can patch, screen and save!!

Bye, bye kitchen! The upper cabinets on the left will go too. I'm turning this kitchen into a true galley kitchen. The fridge will now go in the back left corner. Yippee! It will function so much better...

All but the tub and tile in the guest bath. Check out where the faucet for the shower/tub is located?!? At shower height...what do you do if you're taking a bath? Too much $$ to fix b/c I'd have to redo all the tile so we're sticking with it. I can't make it perfect!!

Master bedroom...storage area. I'm reusing most of the cabinetry. Wouldn't be my first choice but again have to keep the budget in mind. It'll look great once it's all put together!

Anyone interested?!?

2009-02-07T20:36:00.004-05:00

January 30, 2009
GroupLink at church
Our church, Buckhead Church, loves for people to come to church on Sunday but they are uber focused on small groups. Todd and I have several friends that have been in a group for a couple of years and really loved it. For those that don't know, the idea is that they want you to be put together with folks experiencing your same walk of life. Singles with singles, married no kids with married no kids, you get the picture...They also want you in the same basic geographical area. Someone who lives in East Cobb would not be in a group with someone who lives in Decatur. You meet once a week and fellowship and study and learn and grow together through Christ. Well, Friday the 30th was "Group Link." As Michelle and Eric explained to us, it's like speed dating. You show up at church, head to your geographical banner (Buckhead, Decatur, Marietta, etc.) and start "dating". It's a crazy experience! Todd and I met a couple who are Mtn. bikers and the rest was history. They already had a couple in their group and we found another along the way. They like to have 6-7 couples in a group and we only have 4. We are trying to gather another couple more couples if anyone's interested!! (By the way, this is not just for folks who go to our church! You can go to any church...you just have to have a desire to make spiritual "progress" and chart a course forward in your relationship with God.) The group explores the spiritual components of relationships, the importance of community and how we can encourage each other to stay on course.
We had our first "social" on Monday evening to hang out and break bread and get to know each other a little more. It was fun and I think we have a great group of folks! If anyone's interested in joining in on the fun...let me know!!

Latest purchase...Cavanaugh

2009-02-05T22:16:00.010-05:00

End of January 2009.
OK. So let me introduce you to our latest real estate purchase.
This is Cavanaugh. It's a 3 bedroom/2 bath just outside of East Atlanta Village. It's a very cute house now but just wait till I get my hands on it!! I'm doing a pretty extensive renovation to it and plan to put it on the rental market after that. These are a few photos of what it looks like now. Construction starts the first part of February. I'll keep everyone updated with photos as we progress...

Ms. Bell clean up day...

2009-02-05T21:38:00.013-05:00

January 24, 2009
(photos courtesy of Clare's blog)
Today was Ms. Bell's clean up day. Ms. Bell is an old neighbor to my brother and sister in law in Athens. She's a sweet older lady that has never been married and still lives on her own. Her health has been deteriorating over the last few years and she has not been able to get around much. Clare realized that she needed some desperate help getting her house cleaned up and that was an understatement! Unfortunately (or possibly a blessing in disguise) the day before clean up day, Ms. Bell had to be checked into the hospital to be treated for hypothermia. Side note: Ms. Bell is doing well these days recovery in a nursing/rehab facility and hoping to get back home soon.
This is Ms. Bell and these are photos taken throughout he day. Notice how full the dumpster was by the end of the day!! WOW!!

SURPRISE...

2009-02-04T22:46:00.008-05:00

Jan 20, 2009

38 years ago I was born. That was a long time ago.

This evening I was tired, exhausted and convincing myself that breakfast for dinner at home would be a great b-day dinner celebration and "ding-dong" goes the doorbell. All heck breaks loose, dogs are doing their job...making enough ruckus that any robber, even one without any brains, would leave and pick another house...and who is on the other side...Dad and Grace!! What an amazing and fantastic birthday surprise! It meant so much to me that they came down to celebrate! We headed out to Agave for dinner and had such a great time. And look at the beautiful piece of pottery they bought me!!! Isn't it beautiful!!

Lupe pay us a visit...

2009-02-04T22:14:00.007-05:00

Jan 17, 2009

So Todd and I have these good friends, Todd and Ellen, that live in Charlotte. When we get together it's a bit confusing having two "Todds" so we remedied this problem years ago. My Todd is "Tito" (which was his Spanish name in school as a youngster) and Charlotte Todd is "Lupe" or as Ellen calls him when she's not too happy with him, "Stupe". Ellen and the girls were away on a girls trip so Lupe came down for a weekend of some good workouts and good food! We went to "Ecco" on friday night...YUMMY!! It was one of the best restaurants we've been to in a while. Fantastic service too...made the night that much better. The wine started flowing at dinner and here's what resulted...

This is a rendition, a very professional one I might add, of Tito and Kenny in their high school football photo. You would not believe how funny this was while we were drawing it!

After this AMAZING dinner we have to stop at the gas station to fuel up and what turns up... Lupe's crack. Lay's potato chips. It's like sweet tea and brownies for me. Those two ate and ate and stuffed and stuffed all the way home. How did they have any room left?!?

Betcha don't see this every day...

2009-02-04T07:48:00.003-05:00

OK...so I don't like to cook. But I really don't like to have to worry about it when I'm so busy. It's a nuisance to me. A necessary evil. And if it was just me I was feeding, I'd eat fast food or cereal or eggs and toast or simply whatever I could easily get my hands on. But...I have a husband who needs to eat. Great news: Dinner has somewhat been taken over by Todd!! Whoo hoo! Whoo hoo until you come home to find this...

What is it you ask...well it's cauliflower and cheese with mustard, of course!

Preparing his masterpiece. It's like a work of art...

Voila. It's ready to eat. Who wants to come over??

Second infirmary member...

2009-02-04T07:32:00.004-05:00

Jan 13, 2009
Rosie had surgery yesterday to remove 4 "tumors" that had quickly developed in her flank and today Slim had surgery to remove a growth on his foot and rear leg. Side note: All pathology tests came back clean!! Thank God!! It's a bit strange that I would have two in surgery at the same time but as the old adage goes...when it rains, it pours. They are both doing fantastic today. Recovering beautifully!

Skinny Minnie and the poor clown dog...

2009-02-03T23:44:00.005-05:00

January 12, 2009

As if I didn't have enough going on...another rescue dog...but only after I'd dropped Rosie off to have what turned out to be pretty major surgery. She's fantastic though. Skinny Minnie. 34lbs with a belly full of milk and nothing but skin and bones. No pups with this one. Just her. That makes two rescues in the house. Maggie and Minnie. Maggie just had her second HW treatment and Minnie needs some groceries! Later that afternoon I picked up Rosie. Poor thing. Way worse than I had expected. My poor sweet clown dog...

Skinny Minnie...she's up for adoption if anyone's interested. Ask me for details! She's fantastic!!

My sweet baby Rosie...

Ouch...poor thing!!

Jan 10, 2009...freezing, wet and facing reality!

2009-02-03T23:23:00.002-05:00

A proclamation: I am out of shape. Or as my good friend JT says: "I'm in too much shape" It's January 10, 2009. It's freezing. It's been raining. And we've been riding. I think you could call it riding. Check out my watch. I almost didn't believe it. A whopping 26 miles in 2 hours. That's an average speed of 13 miles per hour!!! Whooo hoo. I think I'm gonna kill the competition this season. Ha. It's a good thing it's January!! I've got a long way to go before racing season starts...

Crazy is as crazy does...

2009-02-03T22:55:00.005-05:00

What the *#@&??
I arrived at another one of the yards that I use for business and this is what I witnessed. A perfectly good Range Rover being cut in two and a Land Rover waiting in the wings for the chopping block. What?!? These cats buy these vehicles in the States. Cut them in two. Load them into a tractor trailer and head out of the country with them. These were headed for Guatemala. I asked why. Explanation was that the vehicle export tax costs more than the vehicle is worth so they cut them in half...then they are taxed as parts...and off they go. They claimed they were parted out once in Guatemala but the more questions I asked the more I realized that they actually will put them back together!!!! What?!?

Move 'em up...move 'em out...

2009-02-03T22:24:00.008-05:00

This is what I do all day. This is one of the yards where I can be found on a regular basis and where all our equipment is stored. It's a very glamorous job...as you can see. I thought I'd post a few photos for those of you who have no idea what it is that I do all day. I (we..Todd and myself) buy and sell used truck bodies. Primarily refrigerated truck bodies with refrigerated units on them. This is a body-only as well as a body and unit that I'm shipping to Baton Rouge, LA. The flat bed came in early this morning and we, rather, the guys, loaded them up and off the driver went. Two down...lots more to go...

Empty flat bed moving into position.

Getting the first one hooked up and ready for lift-off

Up she goes...

The flat bed backs up into place...

Ready for the second one...

All set and ready to hit the road...

Fell off the blogger wagon...

2009-02-03T22:13:00.002-05:00

Wow...my how time flies. I've missed writing so very much! I've taken photos along the way with good intentions but alas...no hours left at the end of the day!

It's been busy. Thank the Lord! While so many others are losing jobs and stability and 401k's and their sense of security...we are busy...very busy! Todd's company has had an amazing and unbelievable January...shattering their sales goals in the second week! My company has been equally as blessed and I'm just so very grateful for the provisions! So to complain about the lack of hours in the day is not something you'll hear from me...at least not today!

My plan is to go back. Back a few days in the calendar and post about some events and times that have happened since I last posted. To play catch up. Here goes...

The Vet...

2009-01-07T21:02:00.002-05:00

Today's visit made the second this week...and it's only WEDNESDAY! Out of 5 dogs at my house, 4 are on medication for various new reasons, one is currently undergoing heartworm treatment, one is scheduled for surgery on Monday to remove a growth that suddenly appeared on her side last week and another one is scheduled for surgery next Tuesday to do some exploratory surgery on an infected paw! And I don't even have an old pack! Whew! It's a good thing I LOVE my vets! I certainly see them enough!

New Mattress!!!!!

2009-01-06T19:50:00.007-05:00

Whoo hooo!
OK...so the story goes. I've had a king sized Stearns and Foster for like...20 years! A bit ashamed to say but as I said in an earlier post I have a tendency to keep some things for a long time...maybe too long? So, earlier this year, while I was trying to furnish the cabin I bought a new mattress. I'm usually a thorough researcher and always do my homework before I buy something. Not this time. I thought...a mattress is a mattress...save a few bucks...no big deal.
Well...BIG DEAL! It was horrible!! The first two photos below sort of show the two huge body-divets the mattress developed. Awful! ...and that's without being in it. Imagine how bad it is when your laying on it. Anywho...I was determined to sleep on it and suffer through it and atleast get a bit of my money's worth out of it...that is until Diesel developed a UTI and peed on it. That was it!
New mattress welcome home!! I can't wait to sleep on it tonight.
Simmons Beautyrest take me away...

TV addict...

2009-01-05T20:20:00.002-05:00

Back in the big city and back to the grind today. Work, work, work.
BUT guess what tonight is?!?
The new season of The Bachelor starts this evening!! Whoo Hooo!
I know, I know...a great way to waste precious hours huh! Well for me, it is. It's mindless and helps me wind down from a long work day and turn the brain off. Yes...OFF!
Jason's back...Yippee!!

What a view...

2009-01-05T19:37:00.003-05:00

This is the view from our friend Chip's cabin. He lives just above us on the same mountain. We took a walk up the road on Sunday evening at sunset and this was the view off his porch. God's country!

Who wants to ride???

2009-01-05T19:31:00.002-05:00

We all do. I LOVE the mountains!!!!

Weekend project...

2009-01-05T19:16:00.003-05:00

I bought this little dresser a while back at a local store in town. I just love it and it fits in one of the guest bedrooms perfectly. It was raw wood and needed to be a bit darker so with a view like we have off the front porch and great weather...off I went. I think it turned out great!

King of the mountain...

2009-01-05T18:52:00.002-05:00

Just thought this little guy was cute. I guess he didn't like standing around the hay ring so he decided to play "king of the mountain" in it...

I love walking out the front door of the cabin and down the dirt road to sights like these. Fresh air (...well mostly), farm life, amazing views, green space...little piece of heaven!

Sacked out...

2009-01-04T00:05:00.001-05:00

It's been a good day in the mountains...

Good night!

Pocket pooch...

2009-01-03T23:57:00.003-05:00

Our friends Rich and Donna came over this afternoon/evening to watch some football and hang out. They brought their dogs (Italian greyhounds), Augie and Izzy. Izzy is their newest and she's obviously tiny. They say this is where she'll hang out for hours if you'll let her. Too cute...

Supper time...

2009-01-03T23:40:00.013-05:00

So right out in front of our cabin is this beautiful pasture land. The man who owns it, owns most of the property down "our" valley as well. He has quite a few head of cattle which he rotates amongst his many pens/pasture areas. For the last few months we have had the pregnant gals. It's been fun to watch the littles ones arrive and as a group they just have the best time. Today the tractor showed up and brought with it the metal hay ring which will house their food till the grass greens up again in the spring. There was not a cow in sight when the tractor showed up but as these photos will show...it didn't take long.

A walk in the wods...

2009-01-03T23:23:00.003-05:00

What a foggy, drizzly day. Perfect for a walk in the woods.
Todd and Rich hit the trails on the bikes so I decided to take 3 of the pups out for a hike.
I love this time of year up here. We were talking tonight that winter actually might be our most favorite season in the mountains. The views are amazing without all the leaves on the trees, the tourist traffic is down so it's incredibly quiet and it's just awesome.

Houston we have a BIG problem...

2009-01-03T23:00:00.002-05:00

OK, so after we caught the 5 cute little mice...nothing.

We checked trap after trap, and nothing. I decided to move one of the traps to the "under the stair" location where the earlier "storage facility" was located and noticed something new since we cleaned it out. Droppings and those of the rather large persuasion. Off to the local hardware store...which is one of those old school Ace Hardware's that one could stay in for hours-very cool...to buy some larger "kill" traps. Didn't want to do it but they left me no choice. If my city cats couldn't take down a little mouse I knew they would be worthless with the larger variety.

All I have to say is HOLY CRAP...

Prayer request...

2009-01-02T14:38:00.002-05:00

Just received an e-mail from an old friend of mine who lives in California. Her name is Shea and she has an older sister named Sophia. We were all good friends back in the late 80's early 90's. Sophia was just diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of ovarian cancer, a Granulosa Cell Tumor...it makes up for only 2% of all ovarian cancers and although it is rare it has a great chance of recovery following treatments of chemotherapy. She'll be doing 4 treatments total and each treatment consist of 3 days 8-10 hours per day. Treatments started Dec 29, 30 and 31 at Cedars Cancer Center and so far Sophia is handling it well.

Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers...

Three, Four and Five...

2009-01-02T10:41:00.004-05:00

OK, so being novices and all I think FIVE in one day is pretty good!!

Catch # 3. "Hello"

Three, Four and Five...

We released the last 4 at the same spot. It's an old run down barn next to a creek surrounded by pasture land. Enjoy!

#2...but the first for Tito...

2009-01-01T23:59:00.004-05:00

Way to go!!
Todd takes another one down!!
We hopped in the car and drove 3 miles down the road and let this one go.
TWO down.
To be continued...

Houston we have a problem...

2009-01-01T22:15:00.019-05:00

It all started with this...cute huh?

I thought so. I've always loved nests. Especially bird's nests but maybe that's because I've never been exposed to many other nests. So...when I discovered this one (a few months ago) in the drawer of the master bath at the cabin I thought...so cute! And what craftmanship. What I failed to consider is that nests are generally created for babies. And when one considers what kind of nest this is...babies is not what you want more of!

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when we were back at the cabin. There were a few too many indicators that we had quite a few tenants that were not paying rent and even more today...

Another nest. This time in a kitchen drawer.

I don't know much about the habits of mice/rats but this was like a storage facility. It was unbelievably full of some incredibly random things. (this is underneath the bottom step on the staircase btw) Acorns, red berries, dried blue berries, insulation, paper from the sheetrock and my user manuals, straw from a wisk broom, screws, screwdrivers, paint rollers, etc, etc, etc...

Everything in this photo was found in that "storage facility"

Crazy!!!

This is what the space underneath the step looks like empty. There was soooo much stuff in there. Is that where the term "pack rat" comes from?

I came to the cabin prepared. I went shopping this week for traps and just couldn't bring myself to buy the "kill" kind. I may have changed my mind now but at the moment...this is what we have. I bought 4 of these. We loaded them up with peanut butter and off we went.

I'm not scared of a lot of things. Sharks, alligators, murky water, varmits! I'm sure I could come up with a few more but these are my top ones for sure. My brave and fearless husband has been on the front line of this little battle. I'm a good support crew but man they freak me out!!! He's setting traps. We're loaded and ready to go... Here micey, micey, micey...

Other members of the front line...

Persistence...

Now that's how you earn your keep. What a good little soldier kitty!!

What the heck are yall doing??? Get the mouse...

Oh...what good kitties. They're just sharing!!

The conclusion to the saga of MOUSE #1 is that these two city cats played around with it, didn't/wouldn't kill it and Todd eventually had to pick it up and put it in a plastic bag. We walked waayyy down the road and let it go in the woods. Todd said he scurried up a tree. Yippee!

One down.

To be continued...

New Year's Eve...

2009-01-01T20:29:00.009-05:00

We thought we were headed to the cabin for New Year's Eve but work schedules kept us in town so we were delighted to head to the Treter/Smith household for a food fest!! Can you say slab o' meat!?! The largest and most delicious !!

Breakin' bread...

Grrrrrrr....

Steve didn't get the memo...It was white shirts and BLUE jeans...

OK...so as the night wore on and the bottles of wine emptied... These were a "white elephant" gift that JT and RS got stuck with at a holiday party and of course they became part of the evening fodder. Funny photo but the real reason I posted these is for the last photo...

There's an actual "Nutrition Facts" label on the back of these. Are there people out there who actually consume them?!?

38 pieces and 20 servings per "container"

Government regulation at it's finest.

Hope everyone had a Happy New Year's eve!!

December 31, 2006...

2008-12-31T17:57:00.002-05:00

December 31, 2006 is a day I will never forget. The day my Mother died.

It's been 2 years today. TWO years. How did that happen? Where does the time go? I really have a lot to say today and wanted to wax poetic for a bit but as it often happens with me (and everyone else on the planet)...not enough hours in the day. My day started at 5:15am this morning and my butt just hit the couch for a few minutes of rest, like 5, and then I've got to get back at it. Not complaining...just reality.

I miss my Mother and like to write about her. It helps me remember her. It was actually one of the reasons I wanted to start this blog. Things happen in your life and time goes by. As more time goes by, experiences get farther and farther removed from one's memory. The writen word preserves all of that. It captures those experiences, thoughts, happenings, events, good or bad. I feel like so much of my life has gone by with no "preservation" of those things...for some things, yes, but for others...nothing more than fleeting memories.

I want to remember.

This is how my Mom spent a good portion of her last two years of her life. In the hospital and freezing...but always with me by her side!

I WILL wax peotic over the next days...

Happy New Years to everyone. Stay safe...

TOP GEAR...

2008-12-30T22:12:00.003-05:00

Two words for you TV watchers...and this is coming from a GIRL...TOP GEAR! Watch it, set your tivo's, set your alarms if you don't have tivo, rent the DVD if you don't have television or look it up online and see if they have episodes there. What a great show. It's British, on BBC and it's hilarious and informative and incredibly entertaining and it's a CAR SHOW!! I'm not going to go into too much detail but I'm not a car head...I'm married to one and that's who started it playing in our household but we both love to watch it. Check it out if you have a spare few...

"*****" that's my rating (5 stars)

Move over Bessie...

2008-12-30T21:27:00.007-05:00

OK...so this is a little out of sorts for me but Santa came a little late this year. Let me first introduce you to "Bessie" sometimes referred to as "Bessie the big b*#@h" depending on what she's dragging around and how many beers we've had. Wait, that didn't sound right...two seperate things...either Bessie is hauling a ton OR we've had beers...never the two together. OK, well...we've had Bessie for 5 years and she's basically been my primary mode of transportation for the entire time regardless of attire or amount of dog hair contained. I LOVE Bessie! I have always LOVED Bessie and I will continue to LOVE Bessie! She's been an amazing ride and road companion and she will remain one still BUT she's got to share the driveway now...

...cause Mama got a new ride!! Whoo Hoo!! Let me introduce you to the newest addition to the family. I know it's a "he" but he doesn't have a name yet. (side note: for those of you who don't name your cars: I'm not crazy but if you spent as much time in your vehicles as I do you would probably name yours too.) Also, for those of you who think we ran out and spent a ridiculous fortune on this ludicriously expensive vehicle, think again, remember...we are somewhat in the "vehicle" business so we don't buy unless it's a ridiculous deal!! And he was...he's a 2007...nicely used so someone else had to eat the entirety of the new car depreciation hit but he's in impeccable condition, still has that new car smell inside and is absolutely HUGE!! I can fit family, friends, dogs, cats, bikes, gear, strays, you name it in the cavernous monster!! We are very blessed and I'm very excited and can't wait to get the rubber on the road. Who wants to ride?
Thank you Todd!!

This ones for you Michelle and Eric...

2008-12-30T08:06:00.004-05:00

OK...so I have a tendency to hang onto to things for a long time! Sometimes that's good...and in this case...according to our neighbors Michelle and Eric...sometimes it's bad. So, out goes the old and in comes the new! M and E were kind enough to give us this shiny, fancy new strainer for Christmas. They claim they are merely saving us from lead poisioning. I said I've only been using that strainer since I was a kid, as it belonged to my mother, but I guess only time would have told. We'll see if we start to feel better! :)

Old rusty next to it's shiny new replacement

Old rusty's last days. Proof that it's headed to the landfill.
Whoops...should I have put this in recycling instead?!?

Run Fatboy Run...

2008-12-29T21:31:00.002-05:00

We watched "Run Fatboy Run" tonight. A cute and ultimately sweet movie about a divorced couple with a very cute son. We like movies but never watch them. Todd went a bit hog-wild the other day and rented four. This one was the only one worth noting...
Off to bed. TWO days till the end of this YEAR!!! Agghhhh.....

Backtracking to Christmas Day...

2008-12-29T20:32:00.006-05:00

Todd hugging my brother Josh, Me, Jack, Clare, Esme and Andy outside of Josh and Clare's awesome hand-built cabin-cool house. I wish I had a photo to post. It's awesome!
This was us on Christmas day...2008. 2008. Can anyone believe it's 2008? It seems like just yesterday we were all preparing for 2000 and mayhem. Remember all the hype? How all the computers would crash and traffic lights would stop functioning and the world would spin into chaos. Crazy. Did anything like that actually happen? anywhere? I love the media. They are such purveyors of the truth...
OK...back to Christmas! It was a great day. Good food, family, happy kids, sweets, sweet tea and most importantly the spirit of Christ and the ultimate gift he has given us!! AMEN!!

That's an Adams if I ever saw one!! None of us have ever been accused of having small mouths... That's what a good meal and some r and r will do for you too...

My sweet and ADORABLE nephew Jack on Christmas Day!! He'll be 3 tomorrow. I can't believe it's been THREE years since he was born. Time flys and he's edible!!

Hello...

2008-12-28T20:16:00.006-05:00

The first thing I need to do (for those who haven't already met all of us) is introduce you to my family!

Taz (black and tan), Rosie, Lucy, Todd and Slim at a pinic at one of our favorite places...Blue Ridge, Ga. This is my pack! Most families take their kids on picinics...well so do we!!

Diesel and Petey are next

..and finally Diesel and the baby...Marley.

Currently I have a rescue dog in the house but I'll introduce you to her later...

That's all for now. It's been a lazy, dreary Sunday and I need some rest as Monday morning and a new work week will be here in just a few short hours...