tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30636763564828067732024-02-07T05:39:28.345-08:00Patti's PlaceI welcome all my family and dear friends to my place. This year has been a different one for me. And it is posted here in this blog. Along with the fun things that I get to do with the boys. The things that I get to make. The people I get to meet along the way. Life has been so very good to me. As always I have been blessed over and over. Please read and enjoy the musings of my life.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-6122483606039918562010-05-09T10:26:00.000-07:002010-05-09T11:26:16.120-07:00My very special Mother's DayI know I haven't been on much at all. Work, family, business all seem to keep me busy. Usually by the time I get home from work, I don't want to be on the computer. And my days off, well, they are so packed full, I don't want to waste time on the computer. So, I don't blog much these days. Hopefully, I will get back to it soon, I do miss it.<br /><br />Ok, so this Mother's Day was a bit different for me. For one, we all are in church together. What a wonderful treat just to be in church as a family! But it was also different for me, because I was asked to portray one of the top ten Mother's in the Bible.<br /><br />My friend, Kristie, called last week and asked if I would be a mother from the Bible. I have a hard time saying no, and I am so glad I didn't say no. I had a choice of 3 to pick from, I chose Rachel.<br /><br />I had to come up with 3 to 4 lines about who Rachel was. Turns out, it was 3 to 4 minutes, but not difficult for me to come through. And then to say how faithful God has been to us. That was the hard part.<br /><br />First was Eve, mother of all creation. Mistakes are learned from, life goes on. Adam came from dust, Eve came from Adam. She came from a living being to give life to others.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV76oPONU6JnEq3n3WdobXdgzVQTvC6s6N3tlCXoGIUHRRTyLzkZUfspGl0wDKrz3vQ_DNQvzSlwvxSlSeGL2jHrqjxBn4pbyStjqKAZDMTbgm0z1GBU38wO1qb9Hp8vbCzKw6IZAhU-X/s1600/042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469327837435296914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 371px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV76oPONU6JnEq3n3WdobXdgzVQTvC6s6N3tlCXoGIUHRRTyLzkZUfspGl0wDKrz3vQ_DNQvzSlwvxSlSeGL2jHrqjxBn4pbyStjqKAZDMTbgm0z1GBU38wO1qb9Hp8vbCzKw6IZAhU-X/s400/042.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sarah was next, a woman who wanted a child so badly, to hold that baby in her life, to raise a child to fear God. But in her old age, she knew that she wasn't going to be that mother. Until God spoke, and at at 90, she became a mother.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AQzlM7w_lO5XgvJdaH8zhnXld10QGNd3bGPQgB3PPDcIYcb0HQ_VfvRqf14Cp0tIDT5e6lp_orpZWNZ9csxzaAWe1g9xeQhKR7b9u0hvr3hNLM42moCg75Rj4kLRBd4vOJG3BjkC_JKx/s1600/044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469327849897559106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AQzlM7w_lO5XgvJdaH8zhnXld10QGNd3bGPQgB3PPDcIYcb0HQ_VfvRqf14Cp0tIDT5e6lp_orpZWNZ9csxzaAWe1g9xeQhKR7b9u0hvr3hNLM42moCg75Rj4kLRBd4vOJG3BjkC_JKx/s400/044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was Rachel, sister to Leah, Jacob's first wife. I was his favorite wife. And out of his 4 wives, we started a nation. 12 sons, 12 tribes. Rachel competed for Jacob's love and in the end she gave birth to his favorite son, Joseph, and his youngest son, Benjamin. She died giving birth. What a tragic ending to a story of a woman that was loved so much by a man that he would work his life just to receive her.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVQS2RJoRGbeYwyeFZzNfYTynldaUJOH-UmqZrNkZQ2i55BZd8kbDn2fgDw9Kl2RcDk5hXC17ws7IKpohO0kgFxgb_JInfcCVLhyw7eUTXo1o7faA_JAVdLrNcRxsPGmsueYBvZ4mdrPL/s1600/047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469327852882102626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 341px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVQS2RJoRGbeYwyeFZzNfYTynldaUJOH-UmqZrNkZQ2i55BZd8kbDn2fgDw9Kl2RcDk5hXC17ws7IKpohO0kgFxgb_JInfcCVLhyw7eUTXo1o7faA_JAVdLrNcRxsPGmsueYBvZ4mdrPL/s400/047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I had the choice of doing Rahab, and I declined because I didn't know all that much about her. I am so glad I didn't choose her, for Rhonda did an excellent job portraying Rahab. Rahab was a prostitute, she wasn't of Jewish belief. She left her profession and became the great great grandmother to King David.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWrM4BlA7qWikFFodJ3Dnz0mUfIDtyMO1vnkCFiQVnb_B-g_gBCpnva8ByyGZgxOpmBnmQNSP6dPmE28zlKiKzA8aSAvvQxbxxSlY-Gz0bpTcOcr3XLjL1_fnN588_FJgNzyJv8hOcuEf/s1600/048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469327856841898994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWrM4BlA7qWikFFodJ3Dnz0mUfIDtyMO1vnkCFiQVnb_B-g_gBCpnva8ByyGZgxOpmBnmQNSP6dPmE28zlKiKzA8aSAvvQxbxxSlY-Gz0bpTcOcr3XLjL1_fnN588_FJgNzyJv8hOcuEf/s400/048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Naomi was blessed with 2 sons, but life turned bad for her, famine, loss of job, looking for a job, moving, and eventually, losing her beloved husband. But little did she know the worst was yet to happen, her sons chose pagan wives. Heartbroken, no husband, no sons, no grandchildren.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlizpbEfie501WItvjYYHzm3hg9RhXPhuWvm4xT4F44mLkTQziS90-m-l8uPWpluygWIlTnlcoZZJPn_NgpWQy6lYo_M5IZcillE0rilB9WzaAVQ5Ft8M1g3kE0lQfinj1Wz_KILgyLy8/s1600/051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469327865672392866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlizpbEfie501WItvjYYHzm3hg9RhXPhuWvm4xT4F44mLkTQziS90-m-l8uPWpluygWIlTnlcoZZJPn_NgpWQy6lYo_M5IZcillE0rilB9WzaAVQ5Ft8M1g3kE0lQfinj1Wz_KILgyLy8/s400/051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ruth was Naomi's daughter-in-law, and like Naomi, she was widowed too. Ruth has an amazing story, and an entire book dedicated to her in the Bible. Ruth married Boaz, son of Rahab, mother to Obed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlXQC0xGzAFZ3ELn1DwJ4dfi-IvtatL-RhJ1FGJIK2BwIvcnqJqdz_bgn3XQnYSBBSEzOoUnOkkLD59_Bym1OVijssOKjz3YPQqCfVTdCtHbsGrTnD1ocLz8lP0JujPeYW2-pxE6SgyCt/s1600/052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469332440363865026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlXQC0xGzAFZ3ELn1DwJ4dfi-IvtatL-RhJ1FGJIK2BwIvcnqJqdz_bgn3XQnYSBBSEzOoUnOkkLD59_Bym1OVijssOKjz3YPQqCfVTdCtHbsGrTnD1ocLz8lP0JujPeYW2-pxE6SgyCt/s400/052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hannah has an amazing story, she was barren, no chance to have children. But she told God that if He gives her a son, she would give him back to God. And that is exactly what happened. Samuel was given to Hannah and she did exactly what she said, she gave Samuel back to God. She left him at the temple to be raised by priests, visiting him once a year. Samuel grew up to be one of the greatest prophets in the Bible.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_lt5Xbud4wBpR231NYY8YyD1IJDO8ulhmDxwKRed6DQkuGNQmpDXJZZFh1sOxmqBH4tT5N0gG7zr-7mPugcQAChsYdIIAqk4eWGS7YUv8tpwcuMHGelvQd7RUCFMUUdWb48QaCJRk4Kj/s1600/054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469334717029185490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_lt5Xbud4wBpR231NYY8YyD1IJDO8ulhmDxwKRed6DQkuGNQmpDXJZZFh1sOxmqBH4tT5N0gG7zr-7mPugcQAChsYdIIAqk4eWGS7YUv8tpwcuMHGelvQd7RUCFMUUdWb48QaCJRk4Kj/s400/054.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mary was the first mother from the New Testament. The mother of Jesus. And I can't even describe the emotions that went through all of us when she got up there to speak. To a mother, and to be the mother of Jesus. Any mother knows what it is like to feel their children's pain. To want to take their place when they are hurt. But for her to suffer when her Son suffered, but to rejoice when He rose from the dead.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5rHv4fkCyKxTtplwOlFovOKHRE6t-7MYNfUZGqA57QBPeZ3t-k2hh5iZJUFFkCm9X7_C9rG6soXYVgMpI9PO-o46NjdVLf9eO0VdikSHsCI_y1RjAqYhasy9vLPav2i9nlBB91KmA8lQ/s1600/055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469332447080194178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5rHv4fkCyKxTtplwOlFovOKHRE6t-7MYNfUZGqA57QBPeZ3t-k2hh5iZJUFFkCm9X7_C9rG6soXYVgMpI9PO-o46NjdVLf9eO0VdikSHsCI_y1RjAqYhasy9vLPav2i9nlBB91KmA8lQ/s400/055.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Number 9 is a mother that has no name. She is the mother of every son that was 2 and under, living in Bethlehem, that Herod had killed. He wanted to be the only king and he killed all the boys that were under the age of 2. To watch her son be killed, a piece of her was torn out, and she could do nothing about it. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAqJtG_H_bDaOlqlJgStaQOHq9IdSthFMcJ24BSuvuxaGG2bU6Tlma7fd7yPkGrga5c6rBjp0Qamku0zGEEkZaHCcapVqOia6j8Ffc39zbSBZTm7OeYqXKKe2V7QX9Adzz9FkhIlT9VDJ/s1600/060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469332456761176146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAqJtG_H_bDaOlqlJgStaQOHq9IdSthFMcJ24BSuvuxaGG2bU6Tlma7fd7yPkGrga5c6rBjp0Qamku0zGEEkZaHCcapVqOia6j8Ffc39zbSBZTm7OeYqXKKe2V7QX9Adzz9FkhIlT9VDJ/s400/060.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lastly, was a mother that we seem to forget is there. Mrs. Zebedee. Her behavior and actions were critized. She went to Jesus and asked for him to put her 2 sons the top spots in heaven, on His right and on His left. What does this say about her? She wanted her sons to be that close to Jesus. Just like we want our children to be that close to Jesus.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgNhfl25kp_AAZ0h8aNfQLzOgw48aDpk_xdrW_9qMwirs9L5auUXZRdvsqBwrER19XeXjyKMvwkDrFVhRKkvynJewgEA1PoILT3JM7EHkvMzuuh2AxdtWIkkZnleFtKPbmXieQ2XQFH1J/s1600/062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469332465237869330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgNhfl25kp_AAZ0h8aNfQLzOgw48aDpk_xdrW_9qMwirs9L5auUXZRdvsqBwrER19XeXjyKMvwkDrFVhRKkvynJewgEA1PoILT3JM7EHkvMzuuh2AxdtWIkkZnleFtKPbmXieQ2XQFH1J/s400/062.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, you see, my Mother's Day was very different. I was honored to represent a mother in the Bible, but it was more of an honor for me to be up there with 9 other women, representing Mothers as a whole. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI_EP5hFjNq88YNYD8XT5QXeUTbFWYbrsv59PHZA7nNZZTpC1JZjmxod5iiT9GS-Xq28UQXDylxS39dFUNGUiBRX8pzdf2qQRbBqx19lFBzjn4_55a40BzRm9aWcd9GNCnAd5ij8kb8Ws/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI_EP5hFjNq88YNYD8XT5QXeUTbFWYbrsv59PHZA7nNZZTpC1JZjmxod5iiT9GS-Xq28UQXDylxS39dFUNGUiBRX8pzdf2qQRbBqx19lFBzjn4_55a40BzRm9aWcd9GNCnAd5ij8kb8Ws/s400/057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469337585662583586" /></a>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-23415996840519066682009-12-29T09:53:00.000-08:002009-12-29T10:43:13.482-08:002009 in reviewWhen 2009 started, little did I know what was coming down the road for me. Just like everyone else. We don't expect the deaths, the losses, the surgeries, the pain. We don't expect the wonderful things either. So many want things to stay the same, and you know that never happens. <br /><br />I have had a year of WOW! How else am I supposed to put it???? I really have no other way to put it. God has been mightly moving in our lives and home. My God is able and He cares for you and for us! <br /><br />Chuck had enough of the stress with RGM at Pizza Hut. Demanding time that would be more away from home, and then when he was home, walking on egg shells. He would be tired and not want to have anything to do with the family. He realized that is not the way to live and had just about enough to say goodbye to Pizza Hut. And enough to say, "Let's start a business" OK, not gonna complain about that. <br /><br />So, the end of January came a goodbye to corporate work force and a step of faith. Little did we know that this was going to be a true step of faith. And so Clear View Cleaning was created. Business license and insured too. We started out cleaning windows, grabbed a few jobs, but knew that wasn't enough to make it through. <br /><br />Lawns quickly picked up the side business. Let me tell you right now, I don't like mowing yards. It isn't the work, the heat or the sweat. It is the fact that pushing a mower is not what I want to do! I did get a very nice tan though.<br /><br />February brought us Eric's 14th birthday, so yes, in a few months I will have one driving with a permit. I have grey hair now, just wait! February also having us tell goodbye to our sports cars. UGH! We traded the hot little MB and Jetta for a white Ford F150. I, to this day, still can't get in the truck gracefully. It also gave us a new trailer for the mowers. See, I didn't see this business with me on a mower..... LOL <br /><br />March came forth with 2 birthdays. PJ hit the milestone of 10, no more single digits, those days are gone. And mine, well, 42 isn't so bad. I have had a great life so far, and age is just a mind over matter... And it doesn't matter to me! <br /><br />May provided a scare for me. The Pizza Hut that I worked for at the time was robbed at gun point. I wasn't there, typical me, I was taking my time on a pretty Friday morning making my runs. I was in no rush. Stopped to talk to a friend, talked to a customer, got back to the store about 3 minutes after it all happened. I failed as a mother, I didn't call the school to let Eric know that I was ok. They locked down school and announced that Pizza Hut was robbed at gun point. Eric wondered all through the day if I was ok. To be in that position had to be very difficult. It was then that I decided to quit Pizza Hut and work with Chuck over the summer. <br /><br />Chuck and I also celebrated our 19th anniversary. I cleaned windows that day, he pressure washed my dad's house. And then a dinner for just the 2 of us topped off the evening. <br /><br />May also brought us an honor award for Eric. Yes, an honor award for the boy that struggled everyday in elementary school. The boy that was failing 6th grade received an honor award. I so wanted to cry, but I fought back the tears. <br /><br />June we stayed pretty much very busy. Lawns, pressure washing, windows. Eric helped all summer mow lawns, thank goodness! But we looked at weeks that we were covered up, didn't think there was an end in sight. But we survived the month and came out on top. <br /><br />It was July and August that it died off. More than we expected. But we took the time to be a family. Fishing on July 4th, I caught a fish! Camping, yes that was an experience for all of us. I lost the boys down the river, what mother does something that stupid? I roasted my first marshmallow over an open campfire, sleeping under the stars, looking at the stars at 3AM, wondering what time do the bugs finally go to sleep, waking to a fire that keeps us warm on cool summer mornings. Exploring the area that we didn't know was around us. Being close enough to home to spend another night and get supplies for another day camping. <br /><br />August started another school year and time for me to find a part time job. I started working at Duracell, or as I preferred to call it Durahell. I hated that place, but I stayed 6 weeks longer than I thought I would! <br /><br />The boys started a new school year. Eric in 8th, PJ in 5th. Yes, next August I am putting one in High School and the other in Middle School. Check in on me that day, I don't know how well I will handle all of this. <br /><br />September was a turning point in all of our lives. Chuck rededicated his life to Christ. 20 years running the other way, he was hit between the eyes with that Christ is the only way. And when he turned around, he turned around big time. On fire for Christ, willing to give up everything to spread the Word to the lost and the hurting. Mission work has been put on his heart. God will move him and use him in the way that He sees fit for all of us. <br /><br />I got a new Bible, Chuck wanted so badly to buy one for me, but money was tight and he couldn't get the one that I wanted. So, he called my dad and they went out and on the 42nd anniversary of the death of my mother, I received something for my new life in Christ. A beautiful Thompson Chain Reference Bible, with my name on it. <br /><br />Chuck's life turning around has affected the entire house. Getting up early to read and to pray. Prayer at the table, the boys reading their Bibles, the music in the house. We are living fo Christ and it shows in all that we do in our lives. <br /><br />October brought more changes to our home. I started to work as a server for Pizza Hut, the one that Chuck ran for 2 years, the one that he left at the end of January. I did that for a reason, so that way I could help with the business and that I can still be home if needed. <br /><br />October also brought a surprise to all of us. PJ's salvation! My first Wednesday night working, PJ got saved! <br /><br />November left me wanting more. I went to an amazing Ladies Retreat. The church paid my way, I didn't want them to, but they did. I loved it. I think the blessing that I received most was that the church gave so much for me to go. <br /><br />Eric had the chance to go to the youth trip. Someone backed out after paying the full price, and Eric was available to go. Wow! We have been so blessed to be in a church that blesses others, no matter who you are. <br /><br />We also became members of Clingan Ridge Baptist Church, and with that was the baptism of Chuck and the boys. An amazing night, unexpected night too. The words that Chuck had to share touched so many lives. Not his words, but HIS words! <br /><br />December is here and nearly done. I barely got Christmas going, but I made it. A little bit less than what we usually have. But I have more than money can have given to me. I could care less if there was one package for me. I received more this year than I really deserved. A Christian home, a life that Christ has given me, the salvation of my baby, their baptism. So what if someone gets a new phone, an iPod, gift cards. I have life in Christ and I know that I will be in glory one day with all of them. <br /><br />On December 12th, Chuck and I celebrated the date of our first date, 20 years ago. WOW! Thanks for forgetting the donut Sweetie! <br /><br />That is it in a nutshell. <br /><br />2010 brings us things that we know will be here. For me, Eric turns 15, PJ turns 11. Out 20th anniversary. Chuck's mission trip to Jamaica, the first of many we hope. Hopefully another full year with our parents. Time to draw closer to God, as He draws nigh to us. A time to read through the Bible and to share Christ with the lost.<br /><br />I will be 43 next year, and for all those years behind me, I am grateful for where I have been. But I am not looking back any longer. Forward I will go. <br /><br />May your 2010 be more than what you expect it to be. Remember to keep God right there in the center of your life. <br /><br />Hugs from me to you!Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-71098395263725573222009-09-07T13:25:00.000-07:002009-09-07T13:43:14.350-07:00Our businessClearview Cleaning and Lawns has been in business for 6 months now and we have seen our share of things. <br /><br />Like I mentioned earlier, we slowed down big time, but as soon as we both went back to work, the phone hasn't stopped ringing. <br /><br />We have a nice customer base and we keep getting referrals from our customers. Word of mouth is the cheapest form of advertisement. <br /><br />I think we have really seen all that we possibly can see. When we first got the magnets for the truck, a lady pulled beside us and asked for a card. We hadn't heard anything from her for months and then all of the sudden, I am there every Saturday helping her clean her house. Lovely lady, but she is a hoarder and there is a lot to clean. She pays well and is a blessing to be around. So, I can't complain. <br /><br />We have picked up a few house keeping jobs too. I prefer the house cleaning jobs. And if we get 10 more cleaning jobs, I can quit Duracell! So, anyone locally, if you know of anyone at all, let them know about us. We start at $65 - $75 for cleaning houses, we do it all, wipe the top of the doors to the top of the showers, change sheets and make beds too. Clean windows and stoves if need be. Vacuum, mop and dust everything too. <br /><br />There was one week that we were double booked several days. Chuck would be one place and I would have to be at another. Not bad, a little hard, but it pays off in the long run. <br /><br />So, while I have been at work with Duracell, Chuck has been taking over the business part of it. He had to hire someone 2 days last week because it was work that he couldn't do alone. That is fine with me, he needed the help and I couldn't be there. However, when it came to Scott's Furniture store windows, he had to do that alone. And that is a huge job, 48 windows, 84x63, inside and out! <br /><br />We are hoping that next year we grow more. We reached a goal this year that we didn't expect to reach.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-1855400026082676342009-09-07T13:05:00.000-07:002009-09-07T13:17:26.702-07:00Finding workFinding a job has been very hard on me. Considering that I have applied to about 100 places, and no one wants me makes it even harder. I was getting very depressed for a period there, life was getting to me. <br /><br />Our business slowed down considerably during the summer. We didn't take into consideration the vacation time. So, that is when we came to a halt! But it has picked up and picked up nicely. And, of course, when Chuck went back to Pizza Hut part time in Dalton, and I found a job, the phone hasn't stopped ringing. <br /><br />I have found a job, I started at Duracell, through a Staffing Agency, last week. In a nutshell, I hate it. I hate factory work, I hate the work, I hate the job. What else can I say? I don't see the glamour in the job. People look at me and tell me how lucky I am that I got on at Duracell. I don't see it. I was hired through an agency and I don't get the starting pay that Duracell offers for the entry level position, not even close. But it is a job and it will help with the bills. <br /><br />I have found that if I make a list of prayer requests and needs, I stand there in front of the conveyor belt and I pray. On my break, I go over my list, I see who I have already prayed for and who is left. It makes my day go by faster and it makes it a little more tolerable. Not much, but some. <br /><br />I had an interview with Jones Mgmt last week. I will find something out Tuesday if I have this job or not. Pay is a bit better, but they bonus every month, that is nice. It is an internet lending job. Basically it is a pay day advance over the computer. <br /><br />Chuck put it nicely today, Jones Mgmt job take advantage of people in bad circumstances, CFA staffing, the people that put me with Duracell, takes advantage of people in bad circumstances.<br /><br />The Jones Mgmt job has crummy hours, 11-8 and every other Saturday 10-2. I don't like the hours, I would miss my family, but it gives me the chance to get into interviews in the morning and not after 4pm. <br /><br />The Duracell hours are 7 -3:30, I can't complain, I am up anyways. But by the time I get home, my body hurts. I get up every morning thanking God for a job to go to, for something that He has provided for the time being. But it is something that I just am not cut out for.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-66158017861828775062009-09-07T12:53:00.000-07:002009-09-07T13:05:28.495-07:00School StartingSchool started Aug 12th for the boys. WOW! Summer flew by and before I knew it, I was buying school clothes and supplies again. <br /><br />Taking Eric to 8th grade orientation was just a shock to my old system. Where has the time gone to? What happened to my sweet little boy that would grab the step stool to help make brownies? Well, he is now taller than me, and it seems that I am the one that needs the step stool more than he does.<br /><br />PJ walked to his last first day of elementary school with his best friend, Leo. So, I missed out on that too. Once again, time flew by. It seems like just yesterday that I was putting him in Kindergarten. But after 9 years of elementary school, we are ready for the next step. Check with me next year, when I am putting one in high school and the other in middle school. <br /><br />So far, so good with school. Eric still remains on medicine to help with his ADD/ADHD. Thank goodness for a Dr that knew what to do and for a medicine to help him succeed in school. <br /><br />Eric is very much interested in Forensics and is looking forward to the Crimnal Justice classes at the high school. He is leaning more and more towards UT in Knoxville to work at that Body Farm. You look it up! <br /><br />PJ is doing better in school. Of course all of that comes after a very long and very nice talk with his teacher about PJ's talking and lack of effort. And then the teacher had to have his gall bladder removed and has been out for 2 1/2 weeks. School just started! HA HA HA ! <br /><br />Our day starts when Eric's alarm goes off at 5:45 and ends somewhere around 11. It makes for a very long day, but such is life.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-35350400608151059832009-09-07T12:52:00.000-07:002009-09-07T12:53:36.583-07:00I am so behindGosh, I don't even know where to start. I have to blog because I have left you all out of the loop on life itself. Plus, I have been without my computer for weeks and I forgot my password! <br /><br />So, bit by bit I will catch you all up on life and how it has been going. So, hold on, I will blog today.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-46094756669807047772009-07-23T13:47:00.000-07:002009-07-24T13:15:56.857-07:00Day 4 - Our Trip HomeWe slept later than the other mornings. It was a cold morning, but this time we had all the clothes to keep us all warm. Nearly everyone had cleared out Sunday, so we pretty much had most of the place to ourselves. So, I was in no rush to leave anytime soon. <br /><br />Now, if you remember I mentioned that there were only 3 showers stalls. The past 2 mornings I got stuck with the one that had an opening for air, it was cold. The water was luckwarm at best. And in these places the water turns off by itself. This morning I was going to get the good shower and I was not leaving until I did. I got to the bathrooms and I got the good shower, little did I know that this shower actually had HOT water! Woo Hoo! <br /><br />We ate breakfast and started loading up the truck. Taking everything down may be easier than setting everything up, but getting everything back into a box or bag, that doesn't work well. We swept up our mess, made sure the fire was completely out, loaded the rest up and headed out. Stopped for a quick cup of coffee and we were on the road home. <br /><br />Eric wanted to stop at Benton Shooters Supply, we aren't out this way much, so why not take a pit stop and look around. I could care less about guns and hunting, but they are boys and they wanted to look. And of course, I had to show them that their old mom still knows how to handle a rifle. Shocked them, but I think it shocked me more! <br /><br />There was one spot that I wanted to see before going home. Nancy Ward's grave (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Ward). I have been in Cleveland for the most of of 20 years, and I have never been there. Nothing special, but her story is interesting. It is a part of the Cherokee history, so stopping to see it and read about it is a good thing for the boys to learn. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz_tuHHfrn7RPUTP6OeZ4CLH2YCqu9ne00zwDd1T-PbFaha4cPzhz2KCPn6pCLWyg0q_lM1nXR7YUz7gnkNSBuTNWGeVLGDh2YHqxQfPq9dbtknMZtf9Ij84T9fcMzjPm1mWfWOPsyjbC/s1600-h/Nancy+Ward+Grave+site.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz_tuHHfrn7RPUTP6OeZ4CLH2YCqu9ne00zwDd1T-PbFaha4cPzhz2KCPn6pCLWyg0q_lM1nXR7YUz7gnkNSBuTNWGeVLGDh2YHqxQfPq9dbtknMZtf9Ij84T9fcMzjPm1mWfWOPsyjbC/s400/Nancy+Ward+Grave+site.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361763333576981794" /></a><br />This cemetery also hold her son, Cheif Five Killer and his uncle. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOJfpHH1xHLHu5G9ymmfmTWRMEMr0Y1VPsicxNU5Vb83R6oe6MIWhr_UZjBMOeVWsz8siEWasW3t8cUgCeTh6zdsj9bdj-IkT5DNCjOI9lRxUdAhqy-JvW2ek2-v77LmJFDD6nB5ZN9Lt/s1600-h/Family+member+of+Nancy+Ward.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOJfpHH1xHLHu5G9ymmfmTWRMEMr0Y1VPsicxNU5Vb83R6oe6MIWhr_UZjBMOeVWsz8siEWasW3t8cUgCeTh6zdsj9bdj-IkT5DNCjOI9lRxUdAhqy-JvW2ek2-v77LmJFDD6nB5ZN9Lt/s400/Family+member+of+Nancy+Ward.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361763348453251954" /></a><br />And finding that information out was a challenge when I got home. <br /><br />I wasn't ready to go home just yet. I was really hoping that Chuck would take a right and not a left to go home. And he did just that. I love the Ocoee area <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZQlivERoCNHRx_FwNOekwWmJiKGeFWv3b1rf5r_qUyoafQear-mfd7HJUHJfS47QrMDmQp3FUOXumehQ7uW9JPMtjnvphNgLJ1NvtZcv5R-bxf-QMmcQDQrBLf2ntF0mn9ugBHS3XYse/s1600-h/more+of+the+dam.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZQlivERoCNHRx_FwNOekwWmJiKGeFWv3b1rf5r_qUyoafQear-mfd7HJUHJfS47QrMDmQp3FUOXumehQ7uW9JPMtjnvphNgLJ1NvtZcv5R-bxf-QMmcQDQrBLf2ntF0mn9ugBHS3XYse/s400/more+of+the+dam.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361765402885862258" /></a> and I wanted to check out the Parksville Camping area while we were out that way. <br /><br />And we did just that. The river road is one of my most favorite spots to explore and to just go for a ride. And going to the dam where the boats take off from is cool. So today we got to see just that.<br /><br />There were a bunch of rafts getting ready to take off to go down the rapids. They go through the steps that need to be followed, show them how to row and show them all they need to do while on the rapids <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfxhS5zdMGgOBVpYR0bZDw-LEXyFgpc3qGN47385kIlzjrDz3FuZOYNgkEFUvKYOslLJx7vBe8lAca3OYPsa469Da6aYKn52v0gI-oCe07LtKh45w_DhTu4jx7SKVmWa5T25qd4yXHGrA/s1600-h/more+getting+ready+to+go+face+rapids.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfxhS5zdMGgOBVpYR0bZDw-LEXyFgpc3qGN47385kIlzjrDz3FuZOYNgkEFUvKYOslLJx7vBe8lAca3OYPsa469Da6aYKn52v0gI-oCe07LtKh45w_DhTu4jx7SKVmWa5T25qd4yXHGrA/s400/more+getting+ready+to+go+face+rapids.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361765416971467154" /></a><br /><br />While we were waiting for the boats to walk down the ramp,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkxLrx65nFQCXfU7Fh-8t8hPncA__K8oGQ44SDyIqotTpPNKxasyB9Mh7GwlxRUVy3p0il6JtYdHGuDTFyNa60unFELsIVbPHFjJIAPfImtCqFOrlV-38Xp90iOGnaYbc_KNEz2ujRMeh/s1600-h/Lucky+number+13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkxLrx65nFQCXfU7Fh-8t8hPncA__K8oGQ44SDyIqotTpPNKxasyB9Mh7GwlxRUVy3p0il6JtYdHGuDTFyNa60unFELsIVbPHFjJIAPfImtCqFOrlV-38Xp90iOGnaYbc_KNEz2ujRMeh/s400/Lucky+number+13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361773589671272642" /></a> we enjoyed the view of the rafters taking off from the dock <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKyNBBxx3mqLYmafkzoBTK8rGx6sEeTnMgEJ4rM2utDtE_hdcumAufzNE_kem5Br60zOBi8Dzs7yX7LV7V0C9ONHIlr62aylD4bmttLyl_17La_6IRRRhQkysTKw1AVz0YX0yp2GX716K/s1600-h/Boys+watching.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKyNBBxx3mqLYmafkzoBTK8rGx6sEeTnMgEJ4rM2utDtE_hdcumAufzNE_kem5Br60zOBi8Dzs7yX7LV7V0C9ONHIlr62aylD4bmttLyl_17La_6IRRRhQkysTKw1AVz0YX0yp2GX716K/s400/Boys+watching.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361765406299578130" /></a><br /><br />While we were waiting, I turned around in time to see a kayaker come down the falls. I didn't have time to get a picture, but it was cool to see what I saw. That must be one hell of a ride! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmFOWiyLYvWO6csasu6NfsA_lPfu1sv255KQmFtN9UzFlHsq-D2wSqukdacjFFqFLFYIL_HCSyuvvZ0F0ZdBbiCVZRhPPc4L5GAB1g4M0UXfnLO6AeX7GeiJpJmBQxdYEmVZWKNhNaUee/s1600-h/Kayaker+going+down+river.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmFOWiyLYvWO6csasu6NfsA_lPfu1sv255KQmFtN9UzFlHsq-D2wSqukdacjFFqFLFYIL_HCSyuvvZ0F0ZdBbiCVZRhPPc4L5GAB1g4M0UXfnLO6AeX7GeiJpJmBQxdYEmVZWKNhNaUee/s400/Kayaker+going+down+river.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361765412591140370" /></a><br /><br />And there they go! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIuidS6uz7QZOKml5Z3vRPWLbU-C1dfZY6DAYWf1DL1QTTdf3oGOEc6GCfpnw-4yRBs9BN_HqQcFZWGS8e7NFdC79ONzvmPI0bQcjiSxwUtarBjCgfEU74vS-0PNYagMJbJlfoiLix-v_/s1600-h/and+they+are+off.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIuidS6uz7QZOKml5Z3vRPWLbU-C1dfZY6DAYWf1DL1QTTdf3oGOEc6GCfpnw-4yRBs9BN_HqQcFZWGS8e7NFdC79ONzvmPI0bQcjiSxwUtarBjCgfEU74vS-0PNYagMJbJlfoiLix-v_/s400/and+they+are+off.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361773589410921970" /></a><br /><br />This first rapid is called Grumpy's Rapid. I guess I would want to tackle it first than at the end when I am too tired. It is the most dangerous rapid that the rafters face. But it is beautiful. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3n0QR3E1Hxhyphenhyphen401lJnz0MV5o8A2MYAo_LzB52ZTBidbIuGSFbM1gCuBwhO7qlKu5uAaVmjUnwlATi8X6tvq9l3yk4f0QfTzdGuL0ARF3opTvjZ52Hu2ACR_dVvy0VJ874GlXYTLbTa4-1/s1600-h/Grumpy+rapid.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3n0QR3E1Hxhyphenhyphen401lJnz0MV5o8A2MYAo_LzB52ZTBidbIuGSFbM1gCuBwhO7qlKu5uAaVmjUnwlATi8X6tvq9l3yk4f0QfTzdGuL0ARF3opTvjZ52Hu2ACR_dVvy0VJ874GlXYTLbTa4-1/s400/Grumpy+rapid.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361765410626069922" /></a><br /><br />One day I am going down this river! We owe Eric a gift anyways. When he turned 12 he could have gone rafting, but that year was so dry that the rapids weren't worth taking. The following year, Chuck worked all the time, and this year, we are saving what we can with the new business. <br /><br />We took a ride a little further down the river and then realized that what we were looking for was in the other direction. We went as far down to the welcome center for the Ocoee river and turned around. But we didn't exactly head home. <br /><br />We turned to check out Parksville Campsite. We were not impressed with the upkeep of the site or the condition of the site, so that is one that we will not be frequenting. I am thinking more on the lines of Harrison Bay State Park. You can set up camp by the river, not have to worry about the river rising and camp there. That is more my speed. A state campground that has glass on the sites, I am not paying for that. <br /><br />Instead of heading back down the river road to come home, we took Hwy 30 around the mountain. I knew where it was going to come out at, so I wasn't worried about getting lost. This area in Reliance, gives new meaning to "Paddle faster, I hear banjoes." Parts of Deliverance were filmed in this area. If I had to stop and ask for direction, they would look at me and say "You ain't from around here, are ya?" And even though I may be Jersey in some ways, I do not speak like a Yankee anymore. This neck of the woods is extremely backwards, but they are very happy too. This just goes to show that just 25 miles outside of Cleveland, you can find a totally different world. <br /><br />We passed an amazing old house or church located right before Hiwassee Outfitters. I looked up just in time to see this <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIMl8Ss2sJwE5zua58-_FDWtnE_UpvcIbyDEmPNNEjjt8Xs8EHB23rBZuEGi9hE_mPpqx15hL278SLodBH5yVyJO0tHtkRIdzP9lMaGvqUy1pT9kL3McoKdUtoqQ18OWXRFjNayOyyR3-/s1600-h/Gorgeous+old+house.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIMl8Ss2sJwE5zua58-_FDWtnE_UpvcIbyDEmPNNEjjt8Xs8EHB23rBZuEGi9hE_mPpqx15hL278SLodBH5yVyJO0tHtkRIdzP9lMaGvqUy1pT9kL3McoKdUtoqQ18OWXRFjNayOyyR3-/s400/Gorgeous+old+house.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362117580421156098" /></a><br /><br />I had to make Chuck turn around so that way I could get pictures of it. <br /><br />But before I could stop and get any pictures, we had to eat due to the fact that it was alreay 1 and we were hungry. So we pulled into Hiwassee Outfitters, a locally owned campground, got the stuff out of the back and take a bathroom break.<br /><br />I don't usually describe a bathroom, but in this instance, it is a must. I threw the trash out, and opened the door only to see a large pot with a lid, no handle, so therefore no flushing. Basically don't drop anything down there because there is no retrieving it. So, no water, no flush, just a big hole in the ground where everything went to. Interesting experience! Our own campground bathrooms were way more sophisticated than that! No sink to wash hands either, so glad I carry sanitizer with me. <br /><br />We stopped to get pictures of this amazing house.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3K3nsR0Ss6rc_zefLPtnhf_D1c_RemAAIoCqFA1Ibr_BEf8gW24djdgAxqk_4I89vvvt-gEwDODsMHKiM7b75er7ZatC2FwujmHIZIHp8NNNqyGwWuS_uGw24cIswSsdAayty7Lb7j57G/s1600-h/Black+and+white+of+house.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3K3nsR0Ss6rc_zefLPtnhf_D1c_RemAAIoCqFA1Ibr_BEf8gW24djdgAxqk_4I89vvvt-gEwDODsMHKiM7b75er7ZatC2FwujmHIZIHp8NNNqyGwWuS_uGw24cIswSsdAayty7Lb7j57G/s400/Black+and+white+of+house.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362117577581256706" /></a> I just love black and white of old houses.<br /><br />Go up to the front door <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KmltxjzRB7BpdMv_kmVGxAUrrLIFxdzU7XRWlbTefSlKdXf6D2W4fScDEwzB0A1ZsVzIxYnr-dTMRAh0L8DdSfam6djDByzDYkBdUUqxQa1e2UGjeP2ZVqXLJgcVPCAqJfrYxj4MOQ36/s1600-h/Front+door.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KmltxjzRB7BpdMv_kmVGxAUrrLIFxdzU7XRWlbTefSlKdXf6D2W4fScDEwzB0A1ZsVzIxYnr-dTMRAh0L8DdSfam6djDByzDYkBdUUqxQa1e2UGjeP2ZVqXLJgcVPCAqJfrYxj4MOQ36/s400/Front+door.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362117588012600354" /></a> and so badly wanted to get closer, but I knew that with Chuck with me, that was out of the question. Oh well, I do things like that when he isn't with me. <br /><br />I am thinking this was more of a church or something else, the top doesn't seem to fit in with a house. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblRft_aI9cKQ0wJi-3FcwowlUT1OKYU-RdJgrdLh_fnhw2P9LwLSEGFbmXfwuFeSmByyjdKZV64ogwcY_Vixo1Ez_I-W_Z677Y8TPrJrAEuVKE1nK0d5PSo2zxfbrs8Ol4rru30SyEBBn/s1600-h/top+of+house.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblRft_aI9cKQ0wJi-3FcwowlUT1OKYU-RdJgrdLh_fnhw2P9LwLSEGFbmXfwuFeSmByyjdKZV64ogwcY_Vixo1Ez_I-W_Z677Y8TPrJrAEuVKE1nK0d5PSo2zxfbrs8Ol4rru30SyEBBn/s400/top+of+house.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362117587703561858" /></a> <br /><br />We turned around at this Texaco station. So, on our way back, Eric asked for a picture of the old sign. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wj-JRFuJbQ7_UZfTGwIyX5V7ZF5TQVCmVAUigxE8Be_y5VMqQSWhnMByAAl2C5W49FbU6crmRLYbYNclLiT1_AnssUNAtX4C783Zt8R-Eidp3X4_RFWGZK_DbuRiAy7TlsxrVyDA3yA3/s1600-h/old+Texaco+sign.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wj-JRFuJbQ7_UZfTGwIyX5V7ZF5TQVCmVAUigxE8Be_y5VMqQSWhnMByAAl2C5W49FbU6crmRLYbYNclLiT1_AnssUNAtX4C783Zt8R-Eidp3X4_RFWGZK_DbuRiAy7TlsxrVyDA3yA3/s400/old+Texaco+sign.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362120238218392370" /></a><br />Now don't you know that the people looked at me and wonder where did I step out of to take a picture of a sign or they were wondering why was I taking pictures of a sign. But it is a part of our trips out, I take the pictures of the things that seem interesting to me. At the end of Hwy 30, we were right at the spot where we had started our day. Time to head home. <br /><br />This was our vacation this year. This time was only 4 days, but we are looking forward to camping again this year, maybe more than one time. <br /><br />I loved camping. I had some experiences I never want to have again, but had experiencs that I am so looking forward to having again. <br /><br />I am 42, never roasted a marshmallow over a campfire, never ever went swimming in cold, clear mountain spring water, never laid on a bed and looked up at the stars at whatever time of the night. <br /><br />In my papers that I picked up from the Ranger's Station, there was a map of things to do in this area. It may be a drive, but it will be a good thing to do one day. A drive of a few hours is nice to be able to have time with the family. The boys and I love to explore, so why not make the most of a History Exploration. Growing up and going to school in NJ you only learn about the things in the area, I never learned about anything down here until I moved here. It is about time that I take some time and learn about the area that I now call home.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-78346450947995428262009-07-23T11:17:00.001-07:002009-07-23T13:46:43.654-07:00Day 3 - We get to stay one more nightI was up bright and early! Quiet time is 10 - 6, gates close at 10 and reopen at 8. People are supposed to keep it down starting around 10, but with the group that was beside us, quietness was nearly impossible.<br /><br />At 6:40, I was up and ready to face another wonderful day. I also wanted to hit the showers early due to the fact that there are only 3 showers stalls. Why rush though? No hot water! <br /><br />I got done with the shower only to sit around the campfire to stay warm. Once again, I was the smart one, I knew what to pack. Everyone else was in shorts, closing in ever so close to the fire. <br /><br />I find it funny that this late in July we are building campfires to stay warm. But it is so enjoyable, especially those mornings that you can see your breath. <br /><br />This particular morning the campers next to us was frying bacon, that is A LOT of bacon! Along with pancakes! It smelled so good in comparison to the Cinnamon Toast Crunch that we were partaking in. And after eating, we did head out for the much needed cup of coffee, I can only do without so much at one time. So, coffee was not the thing I was going without any longer. <br /><br />We got back from our trip to get coffee and Chuck and Eric take off to go home to get other things and to go to the store for more food. So, PJ and I were there to go to the river, early in the morning. I packed my chair, camera, coffee and took off to enjoy the stillness of this river, to enjoy the smell of the air that comes with the river and woods. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzosjzFEn6glI7ANQSPQ1jSy3ss4th06nUrx9Hp64rnphsrI843AhKqsX0zn8s_SZ0V6h8-XPuGI2OgcXALbAPsIoKM1QazHYAve7URFdfIgn376YsWBPhCaAG6S43ZSg6-IMfbGq0EDB/s1600-h/Water+cold.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzosjzFEn6glI7ANQSPQ1jSy3ss4th06nUrx9Hp64rnphsrI843AhKqsX0zn8s_SZ0V6h8-XPuGI2OgcXALbAPsIoKM1QazHYAve7URFdfIgn376YsWBPhCaAG6S43ZSg6-IMfbGq0EDB/s400/Water+cold.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361724708394491634" /></a><br /><br />After about an hour, we headed back to camp. This time of day the water is ice cold, and PJ is swimming in it! I get this message when I get back to camp, "Get a fire going, leaving WalMart in a few with lunch." Now exactly who was that message for? I didn't think he was talking to me, because this old girl never started a campfire in her life! But I did the best I could, I had a general idea because I was watching Chuck over the past few days. I got a small one started, but it did not get hot enough for lunch. Hey I tried! <br /><br />I noticed that Chuck brought back sweats and sweatshirts, sweats for PJ and sweatshirt for Eric. They must have been cold at night! Since they were gone and no one could protest, PJ and I put the canopy on the tent. Not that I haven't enjoyed the nights looking up at the stars when I couldn't sleep, or listening to the night bugs sing their lullabye, but my nose has been cold enough. Besides, I could open the windows if needed. We had been the only ones without a canopy on the tent and I really thought it needed to go on. If it had rained in the middle of the night, we would have been in trouble. <br /><br />I decided to go back to the river with PJ. Took my chair, get my suit on, grab a towl and took off with PJ. This time we got to the river before it got too high. I did go in for a little while. But walking on rocks with flip flops is not easy. PJ walked around some, showed me how to skip rocks and had fun. We spotted people tubing down the river. That looked like fun and next time I am going to do that!!! <br /><br />But when I got out of the water, I watched it slowly rise, I had to move my chair 3 times due to the rising water. It is such a gradual rise, if you don't pay attention, you won't notice it. One little girl put it nicely, "Look Daddy, there are the bubbles." That means that it is on the way.<br /><br />I watched PJ closely and I saw a little boy get swept away, but caught right before he got too far. There were a lot of adults around, so I took my eye off of PJ occasionally. The current was so strong that even on the boat dock you would get knocked over quickly. But this time I didn't have to watch the kids that didn't have parents with them, I did that once and won't do it again. But there are some that don't ever go down to the river with their kids, maybe that explains why there were some trying to ride their bikes across the river. <br /><br />Chuck mentioned that the Ranger's Station had the snakes from the night before on display. And that they had molds of animals footprints, pelts and other things that are in the woods in that area. So, I decided that I was going to go. Eric had already been and you never know the mood that PJ would be in. But when I mentioned it, they wanted to go and check it out too. I had been up there earlier and the doors were locked. Eric caught one of the Rangers and asked about it, he told us to knock next time. So, we headed back up there and the same Ranger was there, so he opened the doors for us. If I had known they were closed I would have gone back on Monday morning. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhJKWhf5kGNEGhkCuq0jPK84R4HEbawxNS6q17hcZjigD7XI5bfRotZN4vV7z2OfUgWhI0_uzXGZ9Fy4_hb4jfotI7kPETrAXwZ9pQnWQvQA2My3i1XPTNNf0FbUumATRUeLqNnRTlLWV/s1600-h/Black+eye+susies+at+ranger%27s+statiion.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhJKWhf5kGNEGhkCuq0jPK84R4HEbawxNS6q17hcZjigD7XI5bfRotZN4vV7z2OfUgWhI0_uzXGZ9Fy4_hb4jfotI7kPETrAXwZ9pQnWQvQA2My3i1XPTNNf0FbUumATRUeLqNnRTlLWV/s400/Black+eye+susies+at+ranger%27s+statiion.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361756490095207458" /></a><br /><br />We looked around at the things they had there. The Ranger showed PJ the snakes and told them about them. We also saw the pelts of deer, rabbits, skunks, beaver, fox, coyote and raccoon. The foot molds were neat! Eric held up the black bear mold to PJ's face, it covered his face. <br /><br />While I was there I grabbed a bunch of information. I figure since we have all this stuff, we can explore our area. Maps, brochures, and even coloring books. <br /><br />Dinner, like lunch was cooked over the campfire. It was wonderful! The place pretty much cleared out during Sunday. It was nice to have one night that was quiet. We built a huge fire, roasted marshmallows, talked and just sat around. <br /><br />It was another peaceful evening. Now this time I was looking up at the tent canopy and not the stars. The bugs weren't as loud as what they had been. BUT we were warmer! Our last night camping for a few weeks, oh well, I had a great time!Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-67080319420905591982009-07-21T08:10:00.000-07:002009-07-21T09:48:22.146-07:00Day 2 - A day of exploringSleeping outdoors wasn't so bad, looking at the stars through the tent roof, listening to the bugs chirp and trying to figure out when did the one chirping bug goes to sleep, listening to the owls in the distance and wishing for a bathroom that was close by at 3AM.<br /><br />But waking up and sitting outside to eat, when everyone else is asleep, is rather peaceful. And considering I am usually the first one up, I enjoy the time alone, and I knew that it would be a while until the others woke up.<br /><br />Our day started out like any other day. Cold showers, no coffee, cereal for breakfast and smelling the bacon cook in the camp next to us for those 40 people or so. That was a lot of bacon and it smelled really, really good! <br /><br />But Chuck and I took off for some coffee and headed to a corner store to look for some more firewood. A small bag of cheap wood cost about $4, and it wouldn't burn very long, that would be a lot of money for a lot of wood. So, on our way back we took the road straight to explore the area some. Along the way, looking for wood for a fire. You can harvest wood as long as it is dead and on the ground. I understand that, they don't want you cutting down the trees that are green, this preserves the woods. We found quite a bit, what I thought would make it through a few days was only enough for 1 good fire. We drove for a while, picked up what we could fine and headed back to camp to make our morning fire. It still was very chilly in the mornings. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Oxy8qfKgBx82zCzCb_9wZJGZ9lMH5ubRtCFT9A3PWj_daOuVvHgTBrQDqyVf5SeiwjgIV4U_573A3YIkcQaayUkfby6TZkUI0Vz1MoTkMtIKmeE1tHHx3NUy_vAebcQET-kvN886HW-X/s1600-h/Someone+going+downstream.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Oxy8qfKgBx82zCzCb_9wZJGZ9lMH5ubRtCFT9A3PWj_daOuVvHgTBrQDqyVf5SeiwjgIV4U_573A3YIkcQaayUkfby6TZkUI0Vz1MoTkMtIKmeE1tHHx3NUy_vAebcQET-kvN886HW-X/s400/Someone+going+downstream.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360948631777053106" /></a><br /><br />Now I know we are in the middle of July, but the weather has been fantastic. Low humidity, cooler temps, some rain on Friday. A fire is definately needed for the nights and the early mornings, that is how cool it was getting.<br /><br />We found out about Gee Creek Falls when the Ranger came and got some more information about the search and rescue. So, we decided to head out there for a nice walk. Over the river, no lie, drove right through it, and through the woods, we are at the dead end and the beginning of a long walk. What the Ranger failed to tell us was how rocky the trail was and how steep the trail got in some places.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmGG5j4PEcaPNK0Vm2j34Z94QG-TLfL7508IOdlLKKaeyiTBaOzCxYLJAvF7TBknjzVSJv-24lAVnE6aOg_2OSMabdb5fNc23W4tvaSyxtv52UmJHcRNPnOSkJCR0dLwFOUdowYP1hdfT/s1600-h/Close+up+of+mushrooms.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmGG5j4PEcaPNK0Vm2j34Z94QG-TLfL7508IOdlLKKaeyiTBaOzCxYLJAvF7TBknjzVSJv-24lAVnE6aOg_2OSMabdb5fNc23W4tvaSyxtv52UmJHcRNPnOSkJCR0dLwFOUdowYP1hdfT/s400/Close+up+of+mushrooms.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360936353405275666" /></a><br /><br />The walk was rough and on any hotter day, this would not be a trip that I would want to be taking. But considering the weather was like it was, why not go for a hike, uphill. <br /><br />We walked and walked, as to what we were told a mile, turned out to be a lot longer than that. We looked at all kinds of things, plants, bugs, wilderness and water.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrmen8M6TP4GWb87JDUWd-7mv8jYP3NAwsJ3dDjScOyhoy0IXpvDaDQj6lzgqpufbEKjYkagq1Ju0KUrzpoohlj_MjIUckC2iAs-igzOQYOg7HkgE9HWu9ZD3FyAdqt69dsEH8050Aaz-/s1600-h/Gee+Creek.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrmen8M6TP4GWb87JDUWd-7mv8jYP3NAwsJ3dDjScOyhoy0IXpvDaDQj6lzgqpufbEKjYkagq1Ju0KUrzpoohlj_MjIUckC2iAs-igzOQYOg7HkgE9HWu9ZD3FyAdqt69dsEH8050Aaz-/s400/Gee+Creek.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360936355344660738" /></a><br /><br />We came to a bridge, that crossed over a flowing stream, stopped to take in the view and to take some pictures too. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3clckM5cMHLzdWu_J9fhLMhdKcyk7tHXWZ4XH-5GeHyE3UAtlT_s_za8eJ8tFnkiCi5aC_GvorDJrUREbhwDCMvdO24jHJQAZ6GMt-fXR0sZ4eAp-Zwyz3cYjuoqJdTLNlmKHGpr1jmNK/s1600-h/Bridge+going+to+waterfalls.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3clckM5cMHLzdWu_J9fhLMhdKcyk7tHXWZ4XH-5GeHyE3UAtlT_s_za8eJ8tFnkiCi5aC_GvorDJrUREbhwDCMvdO24jHJQAZ6GMt-fXR0sZ4eAp-Zwyz3cYjuoqJdTLNlmKHGpr1jmNK/s400/Bridge+going+to+waterfalls.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360936366265566754" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnxZ_dw1dq2dHoigsbOdpk3-2XS0e6bCqTKr854Vizu7vVo7bXS3X7BhcvD_C72cypNtMu7woxYxaRuPb7JRxi3xIcQDwxsRQJ6vhZzEyvusdzqjQIMlpoSrntyqrpSmtRgGVnG18PwTf/s1600-h/Gee+Creek+water+flowing.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnxZ_dw1dq2dHoigsbOdpk3-2XS0e6bCqTKr854Vizu7vVo7bXS3X7BhcvD_C72cypNtMu7woxYxaRuPb7JRxi3xIcQDwxsRQJ6vhZzEyvusdzqjQIMlpoSrntyqrpSmtRgGVnG18PwTf/s400/Gee+Creek+water+flowing.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360936361660301250" /></a><br /><br />We got to a point <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCWEk3v7ujqBFQzz34DIV3XYhs2keky_yFamJxUJCyd_tUsHVPLmkFr3MrG7CLOSx9zYOvWvwcrNZ1K56jA40_1Wkfd2zZxtzNAISBWjXfn2U1YMrch_ivyHuHRpI5q8BLpII5JVJbTJO/s1600-h/Gee+Creek+falls+around+rocks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCWEk3v7ujqBFQzz34DIV3XYhs2keky_yFamJxUJCyd_tUsHVPLmkFr3MrG7CLOSx9zYOvWvwcrNZ1K56jA40_1Wkfd2zZxtzNAISBWjXfn2U1YMrch_ivyHuHRpI5q8BLpII5JVJbTJO/s400/Gee+Creek+falls+around+rocks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360938241958892210" /></a> and noticed that the trail went straight up. Now with Chuck's left knee and my right ankle, there was only so much more we could have done. So, we decided it would be best to turn around and head downhill. We know that uphill is hard, but going downhill on those rocks, that was difficult, but it was a great walk and we saw some beautiful water and rocks. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtqp39QsFxGMihMEHZOK5nL7SCUBuuMhDRwvwbyGbQFEFV3Cv89P4LW05RXppgQOMuu3pAYd320mpMwyeKs9YagW1LvwwW7lj5k7hIHiS8lwsRO-6_fyPUfofiS3DozA2n7Y05OpR4SGK/s1600-h/Gee+Creek+Waterfall.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtqp39QsFxGMihMEHZOK5nL7SCUBuuMhDRwvwbyGbQFEFV3Cv89P4LW05RXppgQOMuu3pAYd320mpMwyeKs9YagW1LvwwW7lj5k7hIHiS8lwsRO-6_fyPUfofiS3DozA2n7Y05OpR4SGK/s400/Gee+Creek+Waterfall.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360938247739307874" /></a><br /><br />As we headed back to camp, over the river and through the woods back, we searched for more firewood, hey, if it is free, and if you are willing to pick it up, and break it, then it is worthy of being thrown into the fire. <br /><br />We get back to camp, try to enjoy lunch with all the flies, no mosquitos, but flies galore. Sit back and see what else we wanted to do that day. That is the nice thing about camping, sitting around reading, listening to music, meeting new people, that is all part of it. <br /><br />And this is when PJ finds a new friend and wants to go to his birthday party. This little boy is as redneck as they come, lives in the backwoods of Polk County and is extremely backwards. Let me fill you in on how redneck this little boy is, they forgot the birthday candles, and his aunt insisted that they use lit cigarettes as candles. Nice, huh?<br /><br />But PJ wanted to go, they were on the other side, behind us, so I knew where he was at. Kids run all over the place here, ride bikes, go for walks and learn how to hang out with other kids and their families. In the end, they come back to camp, go home and remember a friend they had for a few days. This keeps them busy and most of the time makes them appreciate the family that they do have. Another trip to the river with the partiers <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_MjPyFvp3qod_wYIXq44G1lahiFpt1sP1eMqpN2iS_s2XpnrNItQEtQ1ei32n15j_4xJ-Nmj8N99k6HnyUCjgIbSpX2JSRPschN9NWNjOpa9zS3wdVPVApYHbPignCMi_qxqpDdborAL/s1600-h/PJ+at+river+with+party+friends.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_MjPyFvp3qod_wYIXq44G1lahiFpt1sP1eMqpN2iS_s2XpnrNItQEtQ1ei32n15j_4xJ-Nmj8N99k6HnyUCjgIbSpX2JSRPschN9NWNjOpa9zS3wdVPVApYHbPignCMi_qxqpDdborAL/s400/PJ+at+river+with+party+friends.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360942380342885730" /></a> and back to camp for a little while. <br /><br />As I mentioned before, the camp next to us had about 40 people with more coming in just for a few hours. But it got a little irritating when people started to park in our site. The pickup truck is hard enough for me to drive as it is, but manuevering around and SLK MB, yeah, I don't think so! They weren't loud or obnoxious, it was just the fact that there were so many of them. Behind us was about 4 people, relatively quiet, cute little dog, radio playing from the truck. OK, with me, as long as it doesn't go into the night, I don't care. PJ's little friend, Preston, made a comment, "Y'all are lucky, you get some kind of music." I told him that we each have an MP3 player and we have our own music that we like to listen to. He was surprised to hear that we each had one and then he spotted Chuck's iPhone, shook his head. The boys have a cell, I have a BlackJack, the kid thought we were rich.<br /><br />Preston has 5 sisters and 1 little brother. And PJ was over there a lot and noticed that the dad was there, but no mother. So, PJ asked, "where is your mother?" Preston hesitated some and then came out with this, "Well, I might as well tell ya, she is in Bradley County Jail." Nice, I felt bad for the kid. The tent was a tarp and they were eating out of the side of a utility truck. Puts things in perspective.<br /><br />I really liked Gee Creek Campsite because of the things to do. A playground, a badminton set, volleyball and place for the kids to ride bikes. The boys took off to play some badminton. Somehow or another I got sucked into playing too, with a camera around my neck. It was Eric against PJ <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm4mq6guV7uF2Dob7q5tL7MOeGs-GdoDBFKjR7Frvk3lyTc4b83TVHCteZ1ZZEX47argdauAdY4nyYH9Zhg1pj5cNFXdwK7XDyDLfKDX7C6mS28huYxvfhQWDoofiVktOOw94wDPktAR-/s1600-h/More+badminton.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm4mq6guV7uF2Dob7q5tL7MOeGs-GdoDBFKjR7Frvk3lyTc4b83TVHCteZ1ZZEX47argdauAdY4nyYH9Zhg1pj5cNFXdwK7XDyDLfKDX7C6mS28huYxvfhQWDoofiVktOOw94wDPktAR-/s400/More+badminton.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360946088501439458" /></a> and me, Eric won.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsqKfG2LVkpTfjP-KXnU_CqhWwk6aJRsJxVyl0gqccEzumgjGjwp4r3R0-dz_67a-ouDgOsBkmfO5PN4IoYjxr9_TcGKoMsvSkEm3H6F7t0R0TqXtPuZc02i6jdHRe1J_GC_iCA-rlscH/s1600-h/Playing+badminton.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsqKfG2LVkpTfjP-KXnU_CqhWwk6aJRsJxVyl0gqccEzumgjGjwp4r3R0-dz_67a-ouDgOsBkmfO5PN4IoYjxr9_TcGKoMsvSkEm3H6F7t0R0TqXtPuZc02i6jdHRe1J_GC_iCA-rlscH/s400/Playing+badminton.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360946093266927458" /></a><br /><br /><br />This time dinner was cooked over a campfire. Hotdogs over a campfire, how much better can life get! And after dinner was some exploring that I wanted to do. <br /><br />Earlier in the day we took the gravel road up to a point and then turned around. I decided that I wanted to go up a bit more. A new area, I want to see all that is around me. This was a very narrow road and I didn't know where I was heading, so I had to pay attention, and not look around like I prefer to do. Miles up from civilization, a few campsites later, I turned around. It was getting late and there was something I wanted to do with PJ, plus I had to go to the bathroom. I took the time to take a few pictures on the way back down. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD50OGjZ2t-AXw8Ak79wtonayIXjcRWE_dS_tclt9hkRlCVHzvhNMKmQwBZILWTFM0FE-92ae7wLkV0DbVjcLHMx69RjY-k6R3aHQqnrdEktjWngschQHIVIC-8t-1KAtdDKIs97mR9VcR/s1600-h/Water+coming+off+the+mountain.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD50OGjZ2t-AXw8Ak79wtonayIXjcRWE_dS_tclt9hkRlCVHzvhNMKmQwBZILWTFM0FE-92ae7wLkV0DbVjcLHMx69RjY-k6R3aHQqnrdEktjWngschQHIVIC-8t-1KAtdDKIs97mR9VcR/s400/Water+coming+off+the+mountain.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360948617929843778" /></a><br /><br />This was from the bridge that I went over and then turned around to come back down the mountain. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LJoFOx3bf0TYfwODEMTS09BNl5mNXps6ir7-L799nK44WgPJodBL2qqN9ZVKKnokMArIyC8gNO9-DaXGXrLCH4DtjafhLHacdisVvDAsxJSX319d5dpHuIUaqcRBUiQKhgzZ5jSYEGbw/s1600-h/My+trip+up+the+mountain.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LJoFOx3bf0TYfwODEMTS09BNl5mNXps6ir7-L799nK44WgPJodBL2qqN9ZVKKnokMArIyC8gNO9-DaXGXrLCH4DtjafhLHacdisVvDAsxJSX319d5dpHuIUaqcRBUiQKhgzZ5jSYEGbw/s400/My+trip+up+the+mountain.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360948621820086898" /></a><br />I plan on going up higher next time we go out there, the temperature was about 9 degrees cooler. I passed several people that was parked on the side of the road, either fishing or camping, passed a shooting range too. But I want to see more, and early in the day is so much better, I don't like being someplace in the dark and not know where to go.<br /><br />I cross over the train tracks,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikJ0Z86wpjf1evhmhm7iho2vVjsX4wNEu4H4d8DPYGgQV-xFKtX2Sk5TGd5bPZWcDogoVLUahEig3YLCQtCI4lx7aA7WPTobd195BMTlrTCaiwME5qgOhDzOAohSkzVwAsZ5oC32Mzf-q/s1600-h/Crossing+the+tracks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikJ0Z86wpjf1evhmhm7iho2vVjsX4wNEu4H4d8DPYGgQV-xFKtX2Sk5TGd5bPZWcDogoVLUahEig3YLCQtCI4lx7aA7WPTobd195BMTlrTCaiwME5qgOhDzOAohSkzVwAsZ5oC32Mzf-q/s400/Crossing+the+tracks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360950350913674530" /></a> and get stuck behind this <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjSo7yElICHA0jr9j0CBW7IYUOoVauiIGpmuigUa_i3P1nktzaYlJ9g_n_KA8G3SyYv6mrZ2afHM50za941t4S3prDFoQ1b7ozJ_3HbdfS8mA9p9K86SRbrFp7UbjT3EuG4dcCH1pxHcG/s1600-h/Stopping+everyone+on+the+road.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjSo7yElICHA0jr9j0CBW7IYUOoVauiIGpmuigUa_i3P1nktzaYlJ9g_n_KA8G3SyYv6mrZ2afHM50za941t4S3prDFoQ1b7ozJ_3HbdfS8mA9p9K86SRbrFp7UbjT3EuG4dcCH1pxHcG/s400/Stopping+everyone+on+the+road.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360948626457945858" /></a>. He was stopping everyone coming into this part of the Cherokee National Forest. I guess because it was getting late and didn't want people that didn't know their way around to get up there and get lost. I understand this, but I really had to go to the bathroom and I had to boogie. <br /><br />While I was waiting, so very patiently, I took this picture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q6Et5-rWrk44PiVNYmig-2bEgdcqVl1WxJVaN-r-eSnfA1WF-3HzQ2muft01F-dRQaWQUNI5kzD32YkghfzcEV2c1zE32WGOc3i70M4tlWZt5VKpchi3Txi3PvfE52sO374ZlmIHTXna/s1600-h/Taken+while+waiting+on+the+police.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q6Et5-rWrk44PiVNYmig-2bEgdcqVl1WxJVaN-r-eSnfA1WF-3HzQ2muft01F-dRQaWQUNI5kzD32YkghfzcEV2c1zE32WGOc3i70M4tlWZt5VKpchi3Txi3PvfE52sO374ZlmIHTXna/s400/Taken+while+waiting+on+the+police.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360948624970101362" /></a><br />These flowers were everywhere and I had a chance to take one without the boys asking why I was taking pictures of flowers.<br /><br />I got back just in time for us to go to the Park's presentation of snakes. Three times a day the park does some kind of activity. Saturday's presentation was Outdoor Survival, Snakes, and some kind of hiking trip. Considering I had done my fair share of hiking, I opted out of that one. But I wanted to see the snakes. So, Chuck, PJ and I headed off to the show. Eric, being your typical teen decided he would rather swing or play on the ladybug than go see a snake show. <br /><br />The Ranger showed some snakes and talked about them. Found out that in East TN there aren't any poisonous water snakes and only 2 venomous snakes. Copperheads do go in the water, but they don't live there. And the East TN Rattlesnakes. We also learned that snakes are protected and it is illegal to kill a snake. Why? you may ask. Well, I will tell you why. People for the most part are afraid of snakes and when they see them, they tend to kill them. But we need snakes, like the Black Rat snake <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjODqZEPAUCWNZb8iLyMAp3XV8fuFYLVWDIeWQA1pz_Y-y96RHNOyGbC6AdqlhSTmgs89G3W_ban9U8kI-oqfkTTjPyGeno5KAofqywuQeu2VKOShMQhfE3tsdYQnefLujJQExKVJkIxU/s1600-h/Black+rat+snake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjODqZEPAUCWNZb8iLyMAp3XV8fuFYLVWDIeWQA1pz_Y-y96RHNOyGbC6AdqlhSTmgs89G3W_ban9U8kI-oqfkTTjPyGeno5KAofqywuQeu2VKOShMQhfE3tsdYQnefLujJQExKVJkIxU/s400/Black+rat+snake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360952920248077522" /></a>, to control the rodents. And the corn snake <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13fR2tDcQ12NmFrwJ1iTLJUuMxVAnTS9L4lRnunyL8K7mWl_AEjjk9ndRp7BkQ13RF8dLBMc3g0FHOK_Hj3KQd04eVW-kimxxfag1678ghznqTslaXRzfU4mn4T6L_qaGqT4_fyrx_B8H/s1600-h/Corn+snake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13fR2tDcQ12NmFrwJ1iTLJUuMxVAnTS9L4lRnunyL8K7mWl_AEjjk9ndRp7BkQ13RF8dLBMc3g0FHOK_Hj3KQd04eVW-kimxxfag1678ghznqTslaXRzfU4mn4T6L_qaGqT4_fyrx_B8H/s400/Corn+snake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360952925549110450" /></a>, also to control the rodents. Ok, I understand this, but I don't want to come face to face with any snake. <br /><br />The Ranger let everyone pet them, Chuck and PJ did <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iT3AICSZBSuotvO-i-nd32dsKdfi0Y-jR020cNoOwSwXP1ZjT8S_8UwbCHVIWCud7xA4gnFTvZrYXVA4AgII5J3w6L8UnHS7D7_S1eIR0S1MXhDFchsFRJJieMoo-iT2Q_hSY65myvwW/s1600-h/Chuck+petting+snake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iT3AICSZBSuotvO-i-nd32dsKdfi0Y-jR020cNoOwSwXP1ZjT8S_8UwbCHVIWCud7xA4gnFTvZrYXVA4AgII5J3w6L8UnHS7D7_S1eIR0S1MXhDFchsFRJJieMoo-iT2Q_hSY65myvwW/s400/Chuck+petting+snake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360952929020091074" /></a>, I decided not to. But I did learn how to pet one though. Pet from head to tail. If you pet the other way, it is like someone bending your fingernails backwards, and it opens them up to disease and infection. Interesting, huh? <br /><br />The night got cool quickly, I was smart enough to pack my flannel pink cloud pjs. Everyone else had shorts and Tshirts and here I am all nice and cozy! But Chuck had a nice fire going and it was great to enjoy it. <br /><br />Chuck had gone out earlier to find more firewood, this time he came back with a root! Looking for firewood is so much better than paying for it, more exploration for me! <br /><br />Roasted marshmallows, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoUoXkEV4OjZJeTzVI9txvkOUnLq6niNAg5Hz-EwhyyKJjY5vHD-2cYbWlyZ79_sAuYNIv7zgh6Lzckbl3dPwwqlB9MkmhY57kuaDYGOwhGKiW3R8VCqNDzMY5W2qqgGkyHH2b-9Tls2P/s1600-h/PJ+burning+his+marshmellows.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoUoXkEV4OjZJeTzVI9txvkOUnLq6niNAg5Hz-EwhyyKJjY5vHD-2cYbWlyZ79_sAuYNIv7zgh6Lzckbl3dPwwqlB9MkmhY57kuaDYGOwhGKiW3R8VCqNDzMY5W2qqgGkyHH2b-9Tls2P/s400/PJ+burning+his+marshmellows.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360955099709521906" /></a>, finished a good book, trying to talk Chuck into another night. No one was ready to go home just yet.<br /><br />Bedtime this time was later. Closed the windows this time, but left the canopy off. I wasn't nearly as cold as what I was the night before, still got to star gaze in the middle of the night and listened to the bugs before falling asleep.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-31889900529721942272009-07-20T15:48:00.000-07:002009-07-20T18:07:36.133-07:00Gee Creek Camping, here we come!We left after my interview on Friday morning. I think I was so excited that I really didn't want to wait any longer.<br /><br />So, we loaded up the truck with everything. Who would have thought that everything would fill up the bed of a full size pickup truck. Even the backseat was full!<br /><br />We finally leave and realize that we forgot the plates. Ok, stop in Benton at Fred's, get plates and bowls. Got overcharged and had to wait for that to be fixed. Realized we forgot the hotdogs, go across the street to the IGA. We tend to forget that just a 20 miles outside of Cleveland that the culture is just a bit different. Saying uncivilized isn't nice, but very close.<br /><br />Chuck went into the IGA, 2 men in front of him was having problems with the credit card machine and the cashier had no clue how to work it either. So, he calls the manager to help him. This isn't the worst of what Chuck witnessed. The next man gets to the cashier, pays with a $20, the cashier looked at him and said (no lie) "I ain't got no change." Call the manager again. Chuck gets up there and they overcharged him .80 for the hotdogs. OK, no biggie, this would have caused all kinds of problems and he decided not to worry about it. If the cashier doesn't know how to work a credit card machine, doesn't know how to speak correctly, then he wasn't going to worry about the money. Finally we get going, this should have been a sign of the way the rest of the day was going to be.<br /><br />We arrived around 12:15 at Gee Creek and find a spot that we all could agree on. Now, I wanted a spot that was secluded and closer to the river, away from everything. That is the reason we went camping. Chuck picks the one closer the the bathrooms and I am glad he did. I hit the showers first and I don't have to start the truck in the middle of the night to find the bathroom. The only problem with this site, the camp next to us filled up with about 40 people and 8 is the maximum.<br /><br />We get the truck unloaded.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCToKgxeBkQzfTGXxPkkSkxF7n9tUyDgJzaEXMHUU5HqLirFY_dtnGZK6PCKrlxYrN0iaUqrq7vadzNyUDB8t6QUhji5ZOdtuQPQPZDPpI8dIDR3uO7TOljCUn8xQpOYPKqH6nhZnw_ZM3/s1600-h/Eric+setting+up+camp.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360686175926206306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCToKgxeBkQzfTGXxPkkSkxF7n9tUyDgJzaEXMHUU5HqLirFY_dtnGZK6PCKrlxYrN0iaUqrq7vadzNyUDB8t6QUhji5ZOdtuQPQPZDPpI8dIDR3uO7TOljCUn8xQpOYPKqH6nhZnw_ZM3/s400/Eric+setting+up+camp.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Chuck and I get the tent set up and then fill the air mattresses. Yes, I know I was supposed to be "roughing" it, but if I have to sleep outside, it will be in comfort!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgjk0bCKaVNOX8gA-I-EQrbmJUghHpUP1IXlvxarfw4o-emRwtzmhPWi538g_zF5Q2R__-DfzmcALk0FxrTwWCfF1c6uqmqJazJZg3SpN92e10cCs0WL7VvyzOtmsKagTLNnfXabyFbrD/s1600-h/Our+home+for+the+next+3+nights.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360686177635562578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgjk0bCKaVNOX8gA-I-EQrbmJUghHpUP1IXlvxarfw4o-emRwtzmhPWi538g_zF5Q2R__-DfzmcALk0FxrTwWCfF1c6uqmqJazJZg3SpN92e10cCs0WL7VvyzOtmsKagTLNnfXabyFbrD/s400/Our+home+for+the+next+3+nights.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was the view that I was forced to look at while here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHiXpJ-N1Ep0j12oK_8N5Bdc7YPc3-5uZ0Ht_i-8Rfkg1RdP4aChLGXzKqBo4tLbtajdarEI2x-IwTxDGZEYGS4oVcgxWS1pRgyBw6WAauJS9DIK_txZKFmuu5nzVbDDPiwMVpKeQ_082/s1600-h/The+view+from+the+camp.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360686186742364354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHiXpJ-N1Ep0j12oK_8N5Bdc7YPc3-5uZ0Ht_i-8Rfkg1RdP4aChLGXzKqBo4tLbtajdarEI2x-IwTxDGZEYGS4oVcgxWS1pRgyBw6WAauJS9DIK_txZKFmuu5nzVbDDPiwMVpKeQ_082/s400/The+view+from+the+camp.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, we get the tent set up, filled the mattresses, get everything made up and eat lunch.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz9f2Elx1qBhb_4DWkwVZeDHUTXg0eIDCmioF6Oee4pXsGzit1xU8BD6BGdT-7ziaSwDa_whDgxpOJz9DAtUS2sL9ZW_U_vCh5W2VrfKYejLEjI9cJ2CXO4v0jER1EVu-ROqvt3qUwKsR/s1600-h/PJ+eating+lunch.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360688215853214178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz9f2Elx1qBhb_4DWkwVZeDHUTXg0eIDCmioF6Oee4pXsGzit1xU8BD6BGdT-7ziaSwDa_whDgxpOJz9DAtUS2sL9ZW_U_vCh5W2VrfKYejLEjI9cJ2CXO4v0jER1EVu-ROqvt3qUwKsR/s400/PJ+eating+lunch.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The very first thing that the boys want to do is head to the river. Change clothes and head out to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiwassee_River"></a> Hiwassee River for some swimming.<br /><br />The water was amazingly clear and so very cold. This lovely babbling river was perfect. Flat rocks to skip across the river, minnows and baby trout swimming close to the dock. It was so shallow that we could walk across the river if we wanted to. The rocks hurt! So we set up the chairs to relax and enjoy it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAK7jf3eefWGDra9wFcIGGK40j79NOXibKr4-cy694YNMKt7Qszl7-n5T_9peIJ_h37B0hC-u0IzXjn2kWa5s9m7YiGwuSMwKXvhhLpir5m4rYzBok6OoFTHqOhMTJyK9It0Lb8spV392/s1600-h/Eric+in+very+shallow+cold+water.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360690843942425010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAK7jf3eefWGDra9wFcIGGK40j79NOXibKr4-cy694YNMKt7Qszl7-n5T_9peIJ_h37B0hC-u0IzXjn2kWa5s9m7YiGwuSMwKXvhhLpir5m4rYzBok6OoFTHqOhMTJyK9It0Lb8spV392/s400/Eric+in+very+shallow+cold+water.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIltZWyGI1yqJFQRrRF-oBb39z7g85NF-Koe9Yf7SooPyCaftEXLsyIuNy7rgcjwXk9TL3OnA7KrGCRo6uaVNjrEAVh9dt1cKRNXy7elgq_0jkfvJbT7ODPazBDRz4whvydShyphenhyphenA9HLHha/s1600-h/PJ+in+very+shallow+cold+water.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360690847690286930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIltZWyGI1yqJFQRrRF-oBb39z7g85NF-Koe9Yf7SooPyCaftEXLsyIuNy7rgcjwXk9TL3OnA7KrGCRo6uaVNjrEAVh9dt1cKRNXy7elgq_0jkfvJbT7ODPazBDRz4whvydShyphenhyphenA9HLHha/s400/PJ+in+very+shallow+cold+water.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We headed back to camp and the boys played on the playground, yes, Eric rode the ladybug. After loading the truck, unloading the truck, setting up camp, we sat back and relaxed for a while before getting dinner going. The boys wanted to head back to the river, so we let them for a little while. Eric took off with his bike, PJ walked beside him as they went down for a swim.<br /><br />We sat back listening to our MP3 players and just enjoyed the quietness of nature. I decided to take a nice little walk, you know, check on the boys. This is where the day turns upside down for me.<br /><br />Now some of you know bits and pieces of the story, but I will give you now the full account, as best as I can remember.<br /><br />I head to the river and notice that the water had risen to a degree that was much higher and way faster than what I seen before. The currents were rushing faster than what I expected. I see that Eric's bike is out there by the tree, but neither boy is to be found. I yell and yell for them, but get nothing in return.<br /><br />I hop on Eric's bike and race back to camp. Trust me, by the time I got back to camp, I was sucking wind! I was going as fast as my legs would take me, they gave out once on me, but I had to get there as fast as I could. I get back to tell Chuck, and this is what I get, "Calm down dear, they are fine. Don't worry about it." He doesn't know what I saw, and he didn't realize that I didn't take Eric's bike. Hence, I am going for a walk. He wanted to head back to see if we could find them. We did and nothing, no sounds, no one that was our children. I headed up the one trail, praying all the way, Please God don't take them from me now, and I don't know where Chuck went to, but all I know is that I came out of the trail and there was Chuck, "get in the truck." By now I am a nervous wreck, trying not to cry, but sometimes that doesn't work well.<br /><br />We head to the Ranger's Station and Chuck explains to them what happened. She came out asking for descriptions, I can't even describe how I felt giving descriptions of my boys to someone. We described them and the search began.<br /><br />We check the site, no boys, and head out to the river, no one there either. Once all the rangers were filled in, we had people asking us if they could help locate the boys. Now, at this point, I wasn't going to be any help to anyone, so the people stayed with me, and the others went on the search. This one woman got on her bike and was calling their names. Chuck was right behind her and he heard PJ laughing. All I remember is hearing that they found them, not yet knowing if they were ok or not, I had to ask that. A sense of relief washed over me that I nearly passed out. The Ranger told us they had to get a boat to get them, the water wasn't deep at all.<br /><br />They were close to land, but just couldn't find a place that they couldn't climb up and get out. When Chuck took me to the spot, we had some kids offer to go in and show them how to get out. But since we already had the Rangers out looking for them, we told them that we appreciated it, but no. The next thing I remember is the boys coming down the path, right to the boat ramp to me. I couldn't be more relieved!<br /><br />As we found out from Eric, PJ wanted to go swimming. We know that Eric would not swim in that water, he would have gone hiking instead. But, PJ being head strong, insisted that they go swimming. He lost his boogie board, because he did not want to put it on his wrist, then his shoe came off because he didn't want to put his Crocs on the right way, floated <em>under</em> a log and it was then that Eric realized that he had to save his brother. Eric was more concerned about saving PJ and not himself. He knew we would come, but they kept walking until they got to a point that they could climb and find a way out.<br /><br />For me, this was an ordeal that I don't ever want to go through and I hate that any mother ever had to go through a missing child. It felt as if a part of me was torn out. The most horrific experience ever in my life. <br /><br />Thankfully our boys are fine and only a few bruises and scratches. Mostly on Eric, but still, that is all that happened to them. <br /><br />We headed back to camp for some dinner and relaxing after the ordeal. Chuck and Eric headed out after dinner for some firewood. We didn't see the pits when we came out to check out the sites, if we did, we would have packed wood with us. <br /><br />Now I mentioned marshmallows to Chuck, I love roasted marshmallows and never cooked them over an open campfire, so, I was excited about him picking them up. They were out! <br /><br />We got a small fire going and really enjoyed the it while resting. And then Chuck comes out around the corner with marshmallows on a stick!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mRyzjBLJmIL7Gr7ceFV5ete3qgZGL_y-eybOWjKQZH7_dBL75AwM8AV2SFuoaB_KnD_xxxO5bniUFd9vYIw5xam5lXmWxaon9ks9nIGQiNWV2EJMN7zFV9iQ8LfJEEdhEPiGOk-jXYks/s1600-h/blow+out+the+fire+PJ.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mRyzjBLJmIL7Gr7ceFV5ete3qgZGL_y-eybOWjKQZH7_dBL75AwM8AV2SFuoaB_KnD_xxxO5bniUFd9vYIw5xam5lXmWxaon9ks9nIGQiNWV2EJMN7zFV9iQ8LfJEEdhEPiGOk-jXYks/s400/blow+out+the+fire+PJ.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360705136355912242" /></a> I was so excited! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWP7b5h88I89E5ndyYiC8yWDIeUSy99-abxD-saPnfydqzdHN0tG8OE3_BWW6niq1Jtv5ln1bz6JVzxPMcqCgqKbLanG2wZAcU908t0YlW03o9mvy8qdAdfwR-WLm00IM09MK_ftoo9jy/s1600-h/Eric+eating+burnt+marshmellows.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWP7b5h88I89E5ndyYiC8yWDIeUSy99-abxD-saPnfydqzdHN0tG8OE3_BWW6niq1Jtv5ln1bz6JVzxPMcqCgqKbLanG2wZAcU908t0YlW03o9mvy8qdAdfwR-WLm00IM09MK_ftoo9jy/s400/Eric+eating+burnt+marshmellows.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360705140219742114" /></a><br /><br />Early bed time for all of us, it was that kind of day! Sometime during the night, I couldn't sleep. I already had to go to the bathroom, and was cold. So while trying to fall back to sleep I was looking at the stars through the tent roof. Chuck insisted on not putting the canopy on, this may explain why I froze that first night. Around 4 or so, I heard the boys talking to each other, I made sure they knew it was too early and to go back to sleep. <br /><br />I finally woke up around 7, hit the showers and start on our Saturday.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-37933923076099711602009-07-04T12:00:00.000-07:002009-07-04T12:44:15.042-07:00Our July 4th Fishing ExpeditionThis is the first year that Chuck and I are not having to work on July 4th. So, we decided to make the most of the day.<br /><br />We got up early and made breakfast. I got the boys up, PJ got up and dressed without a complaint about the early hour. Eric on the other hand, "It's only 6:21!" Yeah, well, if you want to go fishing, you get up early.<br /><br />We got out of the house by 7 and on the road. The fog was heavy, but the air was night and light. No humidity that early, no one on the road at that time either.<br /><br />We went to the same spot as we did the last time, the northwest end of the Hiwassee River. The water wasn't as clear as it was where we were the other day. This is a boat ramp and it gets a lot of junk in the water too.<br /><br />We get there and all set up, we tried artificial bait first<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9OqbU12KYP0HO2AKT2TRkOjGStvuGDEiqevGvyL3CYUQu7HRz9kunOQMbtjM3da632MF0f5Vn6QHToGwB0ILQqnjDXqgsaVhRK3cIcaQCkQMSlBqq-vHYLScQAzXkJUKUss2NHGAZ7pz/s1600-h/055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354683352925819170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9OqbU12KYP0HO2AKT2TRkOjGStvuGDEiqevGvyL3CYUQu7HRz9kunOQMbtjM3da632MF0f5Vn6QHToGwB0ILQqnjDXqgsaVhRK3cIcaQCkQMSlBqq-vHYLScQAzXkJUKUss2NHGAZ7pz/s400/055.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and Chuck went to retrieve his misplaced hook, line and sinker.<br /><br /><br />He finally got it back <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0r1Xcvhf0Q_uX0qyodhCmssP9EzPORBha31O3VLW7zkEfbMKlcVLurVqbAnZY-qZL7F2VuxBFUKaO7tMasYzmpqKu62UOAQiFV0q4ZRZi1JgxRvR3NpeghW1MCrYJ5wKGpkd1UxHOC1V/s1600-h/058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354683357905257010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0r1Xcvhf0Q_uX0qyodhCmssP9EzPORBha31O3VLW7zkEfbMKlcVLurVqbAnZY-qZL7F2VuxBFUKaO7tMasYzmpqKu62UOAQiFV0q4ZRZi1JgxRvR3NpeghW1MCrYJ5wKGpkd1UxHOC1V/s400/058.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />PJ took his usual place on the dock, Eric was at the other end. Somehow I end up in the middle.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJp5BCpyQlFI3wqdab5wLQ02LpjH8ZOa2L1IM-toZ2cdg3mSQLNHYLVqioQl46KElEzjdQdtakO5DORMw3ZjTkn9BNcJsPWdV8kTIlyKMfkzgq-86oW1YjRYDKQjztc8oibCfeE0XGKHt/s1600-h/059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354683359826312002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJp5BCpyQlFI3wqdab5wLQ02LpjH8ZOa2L1IM-toZ2cdg3mSQLNHYLVqioQl46KElEzjdQdtakO5DORMw3ZjTkn9BNcJsPWdV8kTIlyKMfkzgq-86oW1YjRYDKQjztc8oibCfeE0XGKHt/s400/059.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For a while, Eric and I had one little bait stealer. Fast too. Before we knew it, something took off with all the bait on the hook. We finally did catch it, at the end of the day, Eric's last fish.<br /><br />Now, I won't bait my hook. I don't care how much fun it looks, I won't do it. So, I recruit Eric to help me with it <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkIVpAAScqvQaDxhLgq_4jOe_3HGSCr4hqKeictefE-oyfyO5JkkcRE_GsSKAJUTTzd-qWfHF6KkeU0FR-JOPkcwseXmqi8aewffRzKjV_44Lv1LRG5E1rGa3goNPTrtaFmusseDzl6Hq/s1600-h/061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354683365043366450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkIVpAAScqvQaDxhLgq_4jOe_3HGSCr4hqKeictefE-oyfyO5JkkcRE_GsSKAJUTTzd-qWfHF6KkeU0FR-JOPkcwseXmqi8aewffRzKjV_44Lv1LRG5E1rGa3goNPTrtaFmusseDzl6Hq/s400/061.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I caught the most today, 6 total for me, 12 total for all of us. I caught a few Blue Gill and then this grabbed a hold of my hook and took off swimming.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FBGbch1A2KAZYq97v02IMKalT5FGYCYJfr5CdOZF-Sf4jmRgAM05-ssU-KRgu0pW6fz15QE8I8H3V5W3XtO35aRyhfawze33isoQgjohuROUHxmN9Ex1TqGV14JrmV9ftWR6EzRMGu70/s1600-h/063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354683370213450722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FBGbch1A2KAZYq97v02IMKalT5FGYCYJfr5CdOZF-Sf4jmRgAM05-ssU-KRgu0pW6fz15QE8I8H3V5W3XtO35aRyhfawze33isoQgjohuROUHxmN9Ex1TqGV14JrmV9ftWR6EzRMGu70/s400/063.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Most of the day was pretty quiet. It was morning and there were lots of boats out on the water, and lots more heading out. So, the day wasn't as good as the last time we went.<br /><br />At one point this is what we hear from PJ, "I caught something and I can't reel it in!" Ok, this is shallow water, we know there isn't a killer fish out there, and everything else we caught the last few times have been small Blue Gill or small Big Mouth Bass. But, noooo, he had to out do me, he caught a Big Mouth Bass<br /><br />He used artificial bait with this, like he knew what he was doing. The hook got caught in the gill, and the fish nearly swallowed the bait. It impressed me how Chuck got the bait out before it got swallowed<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYnmF84SXFKLzUL28wLSvVXqOl46rUptPrRgImqoEbuineKXbJlKPICsK9G1WYTMWUHK8VYDLHefGVQkh-8gEZFOT95BPl5VoyWsHZeay7hyphenhyphenrr9Z6rKV8yElD_AuR946q4VeC8ijmNH7W/s1600-h/065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354686824773517330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYnmF84SXFKLzUL28wLSvVXqOl46rUptPrRgImqoEbuineKXbJlKPICsK9G1WYTMWUHK8VYDLHefGVQkh-8gEZFOT95BPl5VoyWsHZeay7hyphenhyphenrr9Z6rKV8yElD_AuR946q4VeC8ijmNH7W/s400/065.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yep, that is a keeper! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OBt-Mx4DNv8BxKAnbPDCL628BlBvmImFp__wC6Cla29KrmAjCaIbLdU4OsFCSdvgrECcQSseAba1OIDSDNJzMV4UPbryQRt1s_DDwl5w2lozSvlPQjXGtDP4PSkD2VK4JGmNkzffXxRq/s1600-h/066.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354686818302887442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OBt-Mx4DNv8BxKAnbPDCL628BlBvmImFp__wC6Cla29KrmAjCaIbLdU4OsFCSdvgrECcQSseAba1OIDSDNJzMV4UPbryQRt1s_DDwl5w2lozSvlPQjXGtDP4PSkD2VK4JGmNkzffXxRq/s400/066.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We brought our basket with us to hang in the water, tied it up to the dock and hoped for a few more for dinner.<br /><br />The rest of the day was rather dead, rather aggravating too. We tried worms and artificial bait, a few Blue Gill and that was about it.<br /><br />But one boater came in and asked us if we were fishing for food. Chuck told him that we have one, but if we didn't get another it was going back. They offered us their 2 that they caught, it wasn't enough for them, but they were gonna throw them back. We took them. Two very nice size bass. The one took PJ for a boat ride around in front of us, he loved it, and then back to fishing.<br /><br />I think I missed one bass because I wasn't paying attention to the bobber, I was cleaning up my tangled fishing line. Oh well, it happens.<br /><br />Our day was coming to an end, it was noon and we were hungry. I started cleaning up when Chuck pulls this one up <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dqUG40FUC7FSS08q7V3sGvn3TaSUyKraMXthBjX2uo0lWRX7MZhVTUuhdtSXE6DMCbYtlgMEyybC2MRa2lRZTP8s0xDi0kQU8cm0PjaAAhtWXKdV7kmWkvP0qyjjk9Nc6sRq8LDc_rBZ/s1600-h/067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354686827340710018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dqUG40FUC7FSS08q7V3sGvn3TaSUyKraMXthBjX2uo0lWRX7MZhVTUuhdtSXE6DMCbYtlgMEyybC2MRa2lRZTP8s0xDi0kQU8cm0PjaAAhtWXKdV7kmWkvP0qyjjk9Nc6sRq8LDc_rBZ/s400/067.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The first time catching a catfish with worm and hook. It was a little too small, so it went back <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoifxsT8yIliT71l9U4XgP8pxrPLm_tb4qwczf9w2k7UQXzra1mnZ02ArE1qdgVSx1qK3srWNsDL8whxQ7QC1kBfQRgsUZERFz1XdISQWeBqLbTpeIJGir75fReoJlhBLxEivttPDeQ2x/s1600-h/069.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354686832971657906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoifxsT8yIliT71l9U4XgP8pxrPLm_tb4qwczf9w2k7UQXzra1mnZ02ArE1qdgVSx1qK3srWNsDL8whxQ7QC1kBfQRgsUZERFz1XdISQWeBqLbTpeIJGir75fReoJlhBLxEivttPDeQ2x/s400/069.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But he did think about keeping it. <br /><br />One last try to get rid of the bait and up comes our bait stealer. Fiesty little thing too. <br /><br />It was time to go. Too many boats around us to really catch anything else. It was nearly 1 and lunch passed us by. Time to go home and clean fish.<br /><br />I let Chuck do all that. He cleaned them, gutted them, washed them out and I put them in the freezer. We have 3 very nice size bass for dinner when we catch another one. <br /><br />I love fishing and the time that we are spending with the boys. There are so many slef-absorbed parents, they only have time for themselves and they seem to forget about the kids. <br /><br />I would much rather be like we are now, paying the bills, spending good quality time with the boys, then to be working to the point we were working, 70 hours a week for Chuck, who knows the hours that I was gonna work, have the money to buy whatever we want, but no time with the boys. We have to have our priorities straight, we had kids to be parents to, not just someone that comes in and they only see for a few hours a week, or someone they only talk to 7 minutes a week. <br /><br />This is why we did what we did, started a business to be on our own, but to be parents to our children.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-9670157171456739612009-07-02T13:18:00.000-07:002009-07-02T13:44:19.775-07:00Trip out to a campsite<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9ANRhO_VpRYPeRNtDh0hN3Vr_aediVqzk6XhmCNDRb9LxSocQMrothWzI0_2K2B7-Vi4iNaCNTgio1txD8OqY9FbcvUw2F-HIfHXWuL8Ak3T_tC7tVCDXfrvIGbKFe0kkK5_x4M5SiIc/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962766122282418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9ANRhO_VpRYPeRNtDh0hN3Vr_aediVqzk6XhmCNDRb9LxSocQMrothWzI0_2K2B7-Vi4iNaCNTgio1txD8OqY9FbcvUw2F-HIfHXWuL8Ak3T_tC7tVCDXfrvIGbKFe0kkK5_x4M5SiIc/s400/021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As you all know, we are planning on a camping trip for a vacation this year. So, we decided that we wanted to check out a site that someone had mentioned to us.<br /><br />Hiwassee/Ocoee area, Gee Creek. It is about 6 miles north of Benton, in the Delano area. I know this area because this is where the Amish Farm is at, actually taking a left would lead us there, taking a right would take us to the campground.<br /><br />We took off to the right, and drove down this lovely little quiet road. It was so pretty. Ended up in the camping area. Now, this time of year, we did expect it to be full, all of these sites are first come, first serve. But there were several that were empty.<br /><br />We drove around the campground and all the sites have a grill and table. Some were set a little more under the trees than others. There were heated bathrooms, a play ground for the children and the kids can ride bikes all around the area. Very family oriented place. Quiet and seemed very relaxing.<br /><br />On our way out we took another turned and ended up at the Hiwassee River, the same river that we were fishing at. But way down the other end.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9fCnCFzBe_K2LkWhUhFS0W8Pa5pATAdhjG1FpHmg72VR6TDvZLkcoannMMhucgcQjs6f-1W01vP1D47t_Z06o6cvHSGqYrldjkfxVh1IKRd8pOYR9AsOjHGDmZ9b8LtG0KZCtuui5rb6/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962768163380738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9fCnCFzBe_K2LkWhUhFS0W8Pa5pATAdhjG1FpHmg72VR6TDvZLkcoannMMhucgcQjs6f-1W01vP1D47t_Z06o6cvHSGqYrldjkfxVh1IKRd8pOYR9AsOjHGDmZ9b8LtG0KZCtuui5rb6/s400/022.JPG" border="0" /></a> This was a more quiet area, clearer water, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3ILcPhL6HxJ86GuGRaC3wRi9k2_ZuREu2Dq3RrpzSHKYjZ0FjIcO1e5YtkxqVy9oXArnPQHhSjLkC9mN1GscD2_5yr6l6slMJABn9kJ8XejWKOL3d4DW8E9Pz0XmTWQamR9571zh5kmZ/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353963183682960482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3ILcPhL6HxJ86GuGRaC3wRi9k2_ZuREu2Dq3RrpzSHKYjZ0FjIcO1e5YtkxqVy9oXArnPQHhSjLkC9mN1GscD2_5yr6l6slMJABn9kJ8XejWKOL3d4DW8E9Pz0XmTWQamR9571zh5kmZ/s400/025.JPG" border="0" /></a> colder water, and shallow water. I loved it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsAVsGJn9lSTMIefEf92FEHl7h8liZPs7f8WJcVSkkz4r0rdUA1iNejHmV05LkLmr4629Kluhj06VIZd1EBA4p4iuy9t_cvXgWxIrQhdp1qGNDpmxg-Elvg7L-YpdYtENDtFYEHwr8Xmb/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962760747014434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsAVsGJn9lSTMIefEf92FEHl7h8liZPs7f8WJcVSkkz4r0rdUA1iNejHmV05LkLmr4629Kluhj06VIZd1EBA4p4iuy9t_cvXgWxIrQhdp1qGNDpmxg-Elvg7L-YpdYtENDtFYEHwr8Xmb/s400/020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I loved seeing kids riding bikes, in the playground, playing in the water, taking hikes. Something that you don't see anymore, anywhere.<br /><br />That is what vacation is, time away, no computers, no phones, just bikes, grills, books and water.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeis9KPbsd_KTUipHbNvY-9LeiIVkGDoNrd8Po9fVBHLYND9nK5GHyefFRgOkULPjp5n6pvLkXaheryC6pazOtxU6sIL8OFwkuQQjAlCpPdGMc7AMEiIHQGH-8fml_3fD3nkOo897gqaf/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962778266858962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeis9KPbsd_KTUipHbNvY-9LeiIVkGDoNrd8Po9fVBHLYND9nK5GHyefFRgOkULPjp5n6pvLkXaheryC6pazOtxU6sIL8OFwkuQQjAlCpPdGMc7AMEiIHQGH-8fml_3fD3nkOo897gqaf/s400/024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I loved the scenery around here. It was gorgeous. Funny, I live about 45 minutes away from this area and never in the 20 years I have lived here, have never been out there. I didn't even know it was there.<br /><br />There are several places in the mountains that I haven't been to, and I want to go see this stuff.<br /><br />This is right now our vacation destination for Summer of 2009 and I can't wait. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KDibk7nEE20sVklrEiMFi575J_dXwTDHaN55LBHo8yLbS9pWjPtkV78Jg1FCuBLn_20n_Vx9-jE_29rYbZHRKQcAkH7-K7zmePsmmjo_Udkl4QmpgLTcUfS68qlw0MuTfTvNmrzX1XZ2/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962773428355090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KDibk7nEE20sVklrEiMFi575J_dXwTDHaN55LBHo8yLbS9pWjPtkV78Jg1FCuBLn_20n_Vx9-jE_29rYbZHRKQcAkH7-K7zmePsmmjo_Udkl4QmpgLTcUfS68qlw0MuTfTvNmrzX1XZ2/s400/023.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-3819177929532978052009-07-01T15:11:00.000-07:002009-07-01T15:18:43.916-07:00Another budget recipe from the TightWadWe are like mostly everyone else right now. Times are tough, money is tight, grocery shopping has now become a chore, and for me it is 2 day chore. I take time on Sunday to cut coupons and make my list. And then shopping is a bear, I have to write down all the prices, find the discounts, add things up, find the coupons and then check out. <br /><br />Each week when I do go shopping, I make the list of the dinners for the week. Now being only the 4 us, some meals can be stretched out to 2 meals. I try to do this at least once a week. And generally it is some kind of pasta. Chuck made the Chicken Enchilada with Creamy Green Sauce for Mother's Day, that only last for 1 meal and italics maybe a lunch. bold MAYBE! <br /><br />The pasta dishes are the ones that can make 2 meals. We can have bread with one to cover all bases. So, that way, I have one less meal to make for us. <br /><br />With that said, here is my budget meal for this week. <br /><br />Baked Spaghetti<br />1 large jar Traditional Ragu (the only reason I use this is because PJ won't eat anything else) BOGO at $1.60 a jar<br />1 16 oz box Angel Hair pasta. BOGO at .65 a box.<br />1 2 cup shredded Sargento 6 cheese Italian. 2/$4, so the package cost $2 but there is leftover, so about $1.00 worth from that.<br />35 pepperoni slices if desired. Package was 2/$6, I bought 1 at $3, with a .35 coupon that got doubled, so $2.30 for the pepperoni. Maybe about .50 for the pepperoni. PJ loves the stuff, he eats it all the time. <br />Diced onion, diced pepper, and chopped garlic<br />Salt, pepper, Italian Seasoning (if desired), sugar to reduce acidity (if desired)<br /><br />Heat oven to 350<br /><br />Saute onion and pepper until tender, add chopped garlic, do not burn. In medium size pot mix sauce and sauteed veggies. Add desired amount of salt and pepper and any Italian seasonings that you want. I have fresh Basil, oregano, and rosemary. I throw a pinch of sugar to reduce the acid in the sauce. <br />Simmer on low heat, until warm. <br /><br />In large pot of boiling water, make pasta. Cook until almost done. <br /><br />Drain pasta, return to same pot. Mix in about 1/2 pot sauce in pasta. Pour into 9x 13 pan. Spread out evenly in pan. <br /><br />Pour remaining sauce over top and spread out. Sprinkle cheese and layout pepperoni.<br /><br />Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. <br /><br />Total cost for this meal, about $5 with onion, pepper, garlic and all seasonings. Now with our family, we all had one serving the first time. Chuck and Eric had a smaller serving and PJ and I split a small serving. We have enough for another meal with bread. Probably about .50/serving. <br /><br />Can't make dinner cheaper than that. It isn't too bad either. If you don't like meat, take off the pepperoni, if you don't like pork, they have turkey pepperoni, use that as a substitute.<br /><br />I have gotten to be a penny pincher in these tight times. Even it I was working a full time job, I would still be couponing and budgeting all the meals. <br /><br />ENJOY! <br /><br />If you do not wish to get any of the recipes, please let me know. I will be glad to not bother you. <br /><br /><br />If you are more organic than I am, you can use your own sauce. I prefer that, but because of PJ not wanting it, I buy Ragu. <br />If you prefer whole grain, use the Healthy Harvest pasta or the Harvest Mill pasta. This is good for the people that cannot eat white flour.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-55399651780894108882009-06-29T16:31:00.000-07:002009-06-29T17:34:54.204-07:00My Friend's WeddingI went to a wonderful wedding this past weekend. We had a blast. But I want to give a little bit of information before I go on about the wedding.<br /><br />Chris was a student at the Seminary when I worked there. He came up a few years ago to check out the school and then he decided, after much prayer and consideration, that he would be attending.<br /><br />Over my time there, he and I became good friends. We talked all the time, about everything from church to cooking. I know that I had lots of friends there, but he was one that was more like a brother to me. He put me in my place a few times too. He is also one that remained my friend after I was terminated.<br /><br />Last year at a grad party that we both went to, I noticed something a little different about him. He told me that he met someone and was looking for a ring. I wasn't surprised, I knew that someone was going to come into his life and turn him on his heels. And that is exactly what happened.<br /><br />Come to present day. June 27th, he and Miriam got married. What a wonderful ceremony! I haven't seen 2 people so much in love like that in a long time. Two wonderful people, they deserve each other.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkscsGkrGMfiSL9iO6daxQXDTAQgA1glLtECmWhSFRUy7NXdwAMrO0ijvGXWhXHvgRML2jax2Cv0qIsIjIkGlfp_rEHARk4Ep28FIgKaH6YkF9yD0fmZv6oJlRy7EBK-g_DyXN1dA0RJS/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898109525442194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkscsGkrGMfiSL9iO6daxQXDTAQgA1glLtECmWhSFRUy7NXdwAMrO0ijvGXWhXHvgRML2jax2Cv0qIsIjIkGlfp_rEHARk4Ep28FIgKaH6YkF9yD0fmZv6oJlRy7EBK-g_DyXN1dA0RJS/s400/002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I really wonder who he was talking to......<br /><br />Now, I try not to cry at weddings. Only if they were my own or someone close to me. I cried. Chris cried, and I think that set me off.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D597DiBBivGaFJ7e_B5uGAifiBAfBH55jrXPWFnlyXPnNoeOSBvXYqu3B4G3ooK04P7c5uun0nF4kt2mMsTx4cRG5L_kWZl664uz93C6swh_WYpwmqesW-7CotkMJIWQPX5cVUkb8pvT/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898116586317170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D597DiBBivGaFJ7e_B5uGAifiBAfBH55jrXPWFnlyXPnNoeOSBvXYqu3B4G3ooK04P7c5uun0nF4kt2mMsTx4cRG5L_kWZl664uz93C6swh_WYpwmqesW-7CotkMJIWQPX5cVUkb8pvT/s400/009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Very sweet ceremony, very touching ceremony too. They wanted all to join in and light a candle with them. I have been to 2 weddings this year, and the communion and ministers praying over the one couple and this really made the moment right.<br /><br />This was located in the mountains of North Georgia. Very nice drive, got a little lost, made it there on time, took curves a little too fast for a much needed potty break. Got there before the bride walked down the aisle.<br /><br />The scenery was gorgeous, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWSkcV83WTC-3hV7m7ZTOAYtNcgcIil3uMAz8r49qIIyNqklaxzSruMlmD-ND2gdzbGnw6LPtvuHOeBIZ5iQ-LzkkTBlBgc6zNW-uouOIyZbvepKmAVIcOkK6e-6Cg8ab1BbGl0gnw7I_/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352899718622621394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWSkcV83WTC-3hV7m7ZTOAYtNcgcIil3uMAz8r49qIIyNqklaxzSruMlmD-ND2gdzbGnw6LPtvuHOeBIZ5iQ-LzkkTBlBgc6zNW-uouOIyZbvepKmAVIcOkK6e-6Cg8ab1BbGl0gnw7I_/s400/023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNgZ6yD7ix2YXXTiR2EXBlRrkfhOZS6NEqjtdd_Zrkf9sDtQJV57d_yvAJp4Z9TL5Wl6YC2mB7fEIXRc3SayoqPoG2uTKlEV3aNjyg1uEysY4ROIpYu6o4cXdJVc-AhWLw6ufZ8c4f_e_/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352899711545703650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNgZ6yD7ix2YXXTiR2EXBlRrkfhOZS6NEqjtdd_Zrkf9sDtQJV57d_yvAJp4Z9TL5Wl6YC2mB7fEIXRc3SayoqPoG2uTKlEV3aNjyg1uEysY4ROIpYu6o4cXdJVc-AhWLw6ufZ8c4f_e_/s400/022.JPG" border="0" /></a>the chapel was amazing, the humidity was oppressive! The company was fantastic, the reception was a BLAST!<br /><br />Now on our way back up to the sitting area before going inside, they happy couple came outside for some pictures. I caught some very nice shots, but this tickled me, check out the flip flops!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQP2L8pfal5bdydAEq-IzoBAWEV8v05rWP6T9BDTIYlaAGlenxcx-Fshc7FeHndD0fe3eA56ws2XwKtQjrHManKIGZLJh_PRAoN6xbSofQM8J6nQTJQtHkyV-kOWsaEXmk_O5_ENynnEYi/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352899722615480882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQP2L8pfal5bdydAEq-IzoBAWEV8v05rWP6T9BDTIYlaAGlenxcx-Fshc7FeHndD0fe3eA56ws2XwKtQjrHManKIGZLJh_PRAoN6xbSofQM8J6nQTJQtHkyV-kOWsaEXmk_O5_ENynnEYi/s400/024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They provided a very nice spread outside before we got to go inside. Fruit, veggies, tea and water. Then we finally got to go inside.<br /><br />The DJ introduced them and they had their first dance.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfU8DHOmZs2Gd15wn7udrR2tgMeLr4JnPdRymPTODaMPFVz8sTh54nVjfxeiH3HIep1mS6qJrud5vXDuatbfCkkap3QXDehGe71NN-OI_hcgXSfmo0y4W2P1e_AWNP0_74D9ZNKYlgIMt/s1600-h/048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900789264180114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfU8DHOmZs2Gd15wn7udrR2tgMeLr4JnPdRymPTODaMPFVz8sTh54nVjfxeiH3HIep1mS6qJrud5vXDuatbfCkkap3QXDehGe71NN-OI_hcgXSfmo0y4W2P1e_AWNP0_74D9ZNKYlgIMt/s400/048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After she danced with her daddy <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKch6ZO7o9C2XwF8HlXKR7wtS3ctKOkijUxClpq2wo2uSMpJu8a_wMjpHx9ouh4XBZC0CdXe6_FtNHgF0pdwBy_485iRGcMn-JcB4uDjW1rA0V3U3X2bJhGkptf4I1DpH8bvNop7F5rkJs/s1600-h/055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352909076681263378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 384px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKch6ZO7o9C2XwF8HlXKR7wtS3ctKOkijUxClpq2wo2uSMpJu8a_wMjpHx9ouh4XBZC0CdXe6_FtNHgF0pdwBy_485iRGcMn-JcB4uDjW1rA0V3U3X2bJhGkptf4I1DpH8bvNop7F5rkJs/s400/055.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and he danced with his mother, the DJ annouced that before it got too hot, all happy couples come out and dance, all couples come out and dance. This is what I got, "Mommy, may I have this dance?" What was I supposed to do? Very touching moment for me.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Kf-LSQr3L-eh5nkl2izBkd0DpQGJV3WsQ84UEtqhL-AnoJrJklXQYVrhZEqbqwAlYUjqX1qgB3qQf8Klj2cBLWbT0dGNCvOFnulN_s3HK3Xq10w5l8CXHLBSjZ2xZDb3vs-nKsgFCZ47/s1600-h/097.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900800423923698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Kf-LSQr3L-eh5nkl2izBkd0DpQGJV3WsQ84UEtqhL-AnoJrJklXQYVrhZEqbqwAlYUjqX1qgB3qQf8Klj2cBLWbT0dGNCvOFnulN_s3HK3Xq10w5l8CXHLBSjZ2xZDb3vs-nKsgFCZ47/s400/097.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This caught my eye and before the evening was out, I had shed my hose, tossed them and put on a pair of dancing shoes!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80s3xE5YDEfQTqY2xDkkIKY4d6XqitXBRTJyQmC_-r7a0wnIp9qy2hktoOYXNiJk-_4T7crMixRL6w2weYv5XPGqVIFCCrVoQkLXV7AbH2D4Vnmh1nyDJeAFQZ9ghc1_JJgwS6ySwryK2/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900786775116770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80s3xE5YDEfQTqY2xDkkIKY4d6XqitXBRTJyQmC_-r7a0wnIp9qy2hktoOYXNiJk-_4T7crMixRL6w2weYv5XPGqVIFCCrVoQkLXV7AbH2D4Vnmh1nyDJeAFQZ9ghc1_JJgwS6ySwryK2/s400/038.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Why not have a good time! And we did just that. And with Chuck not going, I had to dance with PJ. Not a bad thing either!<br /><br />I love weddings, I love how they have changed so much since I got married. The cakes aren't all white<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sEPRiTmmtOYzqICKbIPUEsVnBGTVx7S3xadPNpNwHAXiohkIThrEd3E4uAZXdwuuXbQbIyRrALxcYV0W-tjhVvEhynAMdN_EufOIAbne79Xere4c4eNeBk2p62kqQJ8cIzsXn2hOnN9Y/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352899726195810130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sEPRiTmmtOYzqICKbIPUEsVnBGTVx7S3xadPNpNwHAXiohkIThrEd3E4uAZXdwuuXbQbIyRrALxcYV0W-tjhVvEhynAMdN_EufOIAbne79Xere4c4eNeBk2p62kqQJ8cIzsXn2hOnN9Y/s400/033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The groom's cake is just as fun as can be, don't care for the Gator, but that wasn't my choice <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOB3vQPDwPyTTySM6NJ0hcavu1KP5hlZNB3uEuDf5_mGsNsc-cjvcifSCPGzqHxkEfDHAQQMkKGk2WmT622v7wbv8e58FCy2ddJuwvqwGK3JYbdrSsaSIidP8C_Zq3lIMtw5PP4F_OA2R/s1600-h/034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352899730770922866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOB3vQPDwPyTTySM6NJ0hcavu1KP5hlZNB3uEuDf5_mGsNsc-cjvcifSCPGzqHxkEfDHAQQMkKGk2WmT622v7wbv8e58FCy2ddJuwvqwGK3JYbdrSsaSIidP8C_Zq3lIMtw5PP4F_OA2R/s400/034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That you don't have to be so conventional anymore. Things change and it is a nice change. You remember all the bridesmaids had to wear the same dress, not anymore. The cake was white, the food was served to you, it is so different now, and it is fun too.<br /><br />The tables in the reception area had pictures of the two on them, they didn't have a power point slide show, they had a lovely guest book with pictures of them in it. The tables had flower seed packets in each spot. Little things like that to have you remember their special day as well.<br /><br />PJ and I went to sign the book and he spotted bubbles. Leave it to him to spot the bubbles. So, we took them back to the table and the photographer caught me blowing bubbles while sitting at the table. I am sure that made a lovely picture.<br /><br />The blessing from her father<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1PUg_5wA4lcq8500q79OPcnJVXYOtOZX5Va7dgoCdXkYCWfztVs2De5ZrYLPTfTkB4rKmQbuhEttP8VRSn16OAluItFJtHiLIW9zIgoYXYJ8qiW1ZPwe1U8wlIoNP4mSwC56CSiG-6Qk/s1600-h/057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352910850526686530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1PUg_5wA4lcq8500q79OPcnJVXYOtOZX5Va7dgoCdXkYCWfztVs2De5ZrYLPTfTkB4rKmQbuhEttP8VRSn16OAluItFJtHiLIW9zIgoYXYJ8qiW1ZPwe1U8wlIoNP4mSwC56CSiG-6Qk/s400/057.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And of course there was cutting of the cake with her Grandmother's wedding set.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsSO_NYbIVlCS09KB5c-1MDNO6O7uonu5iGpSxWHXM3RdidKSeImsf3v1i1bYaGghWfaxcrgn6vDEkywjhHALko48A4iZOoppO1btvHQs1AoGqG4otYn5zmmTllxuxJgncteL_NN4KXfW/s1600-h/064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352905695220261442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsSO_NYbIVlCS09KB5c-1MDNO6O7uonu5iGpSxWHXM3RdidKSeImsf3v1i1bYaGghWfaxcrgn6vDEkywjhHALko48A4iZOoppO1btvHQs1AoGqG4otYn5zmmTllxuxJgncteL_NN4KXfW/s400/064.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mgZnuIqgfXqkVguI8Oh6z6Yq3TUZ3rf7hJUEdl8fywP8XQNCbDvmmt1cfxeyrYV2LXaAh4uCLKOiuVNRwN0EazSBQPxBRHCQfWJf688t6HoRTqQM2Fzxdvza2O47qvpDQbcgawUE7T2R/s1600-h/068.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352905698230764386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mgZnuIqgfXqkVguI8Oh6z6Yq3TUZ3rf7hJUEdl8fywP8XQNCbDvmmt1cfxeyrYV2LXaAh4uCLKOiuVNRwN0EazSBQPxBRHCQfWJf688t6HoRTqQM2Fzxdvza2O47qvpDQbcgawUE7T2R/s400/068.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Feeding each other, that was cute.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIrbJNtwoTyvdK55tKrLG4WRYY2JZtCeIy_6sQefe15tRViegiRlEpmDA9DBJKFj1urtEKCnTK5SQVqZ2mKRr0o6WPzaRULddbm0wH_6G-Pj2BaelsIfpvK_8p5Hx_aKLK-mbBRydfWkP/s1600-h/071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352905698083845138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIrbJNtwoTyvdK55tKrLG4WRYY2JZtCeIy_6sQefe15tRViegiRlEpmDA9DBJKFj1urtEKCnTK5SQVqZ2mKRr0o6WPzaRULddbm0wH_6G-Pj2BaelsIfpvK_8p5Hx_aKLK-mbBRydfWkP/s400/071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Throwing the flowers<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dFhHNsttFWyxV3RB1pWOZ7_-vOaL5AAx6fJEYE1BeInA8d8ltY1IHXHFvApFacaD-ELQak1DxM2cC4kimZGErw2XGe_cpuYTCdDfAQDZ4dt4EwP8qmp6d_LQgDv_uJAYA58hzwtP8OZk/s1600-h/080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900792434112882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dFhHNsttFWyxV3RB1pWOZ7_-vOaL5AAx6fJEYE1BeInA8d8ltY1IHXHFvApFacaD-ELQak1DxM2cC4kimZGErw2XGe_cpuYTCdDfAQDZ4dt4EwP8qmp6d_LQgDv_uJAYA58hzwtP8OZk/s400/080.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Retrieving the garter<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVLsX0hg2Ew-Z0o9PmNThexqAS2ub4_KckO2UXQWhLg4pzmy611jWwMpAYXy70BafdtDqLyTQQpjxhCbE3pvy146EMTw5fidgNYWXAc0GwWGBoXGiQZSDhQjH4_rxdTxYXV0CkXzNQc9-/s1600-h/087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352907199534982674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 388px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVLsX0hg2Ew-Z0o9PmNThexqAS2ub4_KckO2UXQWhLg4pzmy611jWwMpAYXy70BafdtDqLyTQQpjxhCbE3pvy146EMTw5fidgNYWXAc0GwWGBoXGiQZSDhQjH4_rxdTxYXV0CkXzNQc9-/s400/087.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Throwing the garter<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDr0pODgFE2opXhmE0HjQBdAqt6FLnt54kdwQPryrXxHBgJuG4UVSvR-NWyZM1vQPX2InRJKex2h9A-qun6l13_nPIYx_vXTjsxdkCa9t749wnpDobmgEvStnK6qMHFHX5LwiddpktETc/s1600-h/090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352907195554353938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDr0pODgFE2opXhmE0HjQBdAqt6FLnt54kdwQPryrXxHBgJuG4UVSvR-NWyZM1vQPX2InRJKex2h9A-qun6l13_nPIYx_vXTjsxdkCa9t749wnpDobmgEvStnK6qMHFHX5LwiddpktETc/s400/090.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And oh yeah, catching the garter, yes that is my son<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRAv9NrSxB_SRvSuzWJW16K4zAp3IxEyraZ-AxCh1XhaEaAFH_m1LQJgUgOrU0zz-fxCjnw1pPAm0WX8grEzncyJ1kaJleJOHeUdHvDEQ5xGEbt-EMNjPP_4vMAPfSKbGIvVSPREtFiGp/s1600-h/4982_111287408267_743468267_2889957_5188682_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352907207578012530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRAv9NrSxB_SRvSuzWJW16K4zAp3IxEyraZ-AxCh1XhaEaAFH_m1LQJgUgOrU0zz-fxCjnw1pPAm0WX8grEzncyJ1kaJleJOHeUdHvDEQ5xGEbt-EMNjPP_4vMAPfSKbGIvVSPREtFiGp/s400/4982_111287408267_743468267_2889957_5188682_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More dancing with friends<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnbeUj4j4zS_VU4X2zN14GexWNZqvVy6tQqgALMkYwZeCNwvYXkerDCuo4GJ8wJY_6kHbLKsSVJg6JRzG78J-Osh07E4nlX1ecnUNzNbXaLfX5K5tNrypyM6PaZhvWz99dzv2BEK1GyRK/s1600-h/076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352907201862513058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnbeUj4j4zS_VU4X2zN14GexWNZqvVy6tQqgALMkYwZeCNwvYXkerDCuo4GJ8wJY_6kHbLKsSVJg6JRzG78J-Osh07E4nlX1ecnUNzNbXaLfX5K5tNrypyM6PaZhvWz99dzv2BEK1GyRK/s400/076.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And the bride<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv53Yji1XvmGMr3-yaLj0DOaaqSd4fIMDO-1LZvHo_JmKPVfl2zM9pDB7nUphz8ra9n-SoWkcAqStP3xKUGqmofquIbEIT5YblI8o4Jk5C2YRawayXiG3nBATLa6Bm4_BAFQEaguV-isC/s1600-h/075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352907199014027138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv53Yji1XvmGMr3-yaLj0DOaaqSd4fIMDO-1LZvHo_JmKPVfl2zM9pDB7nUphz8ra9n-SoWkcAqStP3xKUGqmofquIbEIT5YblI8o4Jk5C2YRawayXiG3nBATLa6Bm4_BAFQEaguV-isC/s400/075.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A gift from her father-in-law<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6TLk9wYWtsbcAdMNh9QEqmSuXyYDgrper5G0uYCDJrHktgTaLM6sb3qbnehXNG5oPng9ynFRMhkagVaM-_9X8NgP_R4qKkLn_NxKPYXxz3dpLPd_844-G-geRwqRvvxiN9mAkkDC4qW4/s1600-h/101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352909072896556018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6TLk9wYWtsbcAdMNh9QEqmSuXyYDgrper5G0uYCDJrHktgTaLM6sb3qbnehXNG5oPng9ynFRMhkagVaM-_9X8NgP_R4qKkLn_NxKPYXxz3dpLPd_844-G-geRwqRvvxiN9mAkkDC4qW4/s400/101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs5b5Xr6VLUzB81yxNplHsgQX8fj_Zw33dUAiqb0IOK3CsDMaEzIeep9u_dISXodOklih7Vf4g6tE9QEBVHhYQYvHbEDjNwiyHGLFc8nhyphenhyphen7GUVqOF4gj6lYkO-hkFXZu95GlpD3YT1K05/s1600-h/102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352909072653010802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs5b5Xr6VLUzB81yxNplHsgQX8fj_Zw33dUAiqb0IOK3CsDMaEzIeep9u_dISXodOklih7Vf4g6tE9QEBVHhYQYvHbEDjNwiyHGLFc8nhyphenhyphen7GUVqOF4gj6lYkO-hkFXZu95GlpD3YT1K05/s400/102.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And finally, the escape to be alone<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZBlsxZ3mrqKVhq1gVFZW31dMP5pAZMCdaIcKzP-df0tyL2oAz0BbcuDGQhbyf5ISZ4Pv8f7gmRnQ5uIn3NY_37t2HWjUmZ1INETkdR1LZOlov8yWmMDidr4E2JJ8tQOj9_w1LAui26-L/s1600-h/105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352909080432255362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZBlsxZ3mrqKVhq1gVFZW31dMP5pAZMCdaIcKzP-df0tyL2oAz0BbcuDGQhbyf5ISZ4Pv8f7gmRnQ5uIn3NY_37t2HWjUmZ1INETkdR1LZOlov8yWmMDidr4E2JJ8tQOj9_w1LAui26-L/s400/105.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-TnxzwoF2NCEnc9ovcIjzpTqCtC1HHMfpZ2SnjmV2oP7OeSOaGn_F2aBbRV9yc_HGjoSBDFllgHAgH9Hos6jrMHIAmrOGiaZ8viKo52cx9058P5L_WbzzYrRwoQLqT1cgYiVAYBtLBsc/s1600-h/107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352909084905609618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-TnxzwoF2NCEnc9ovcIjzpTqCtC1HHMfpZ2SnjmV2oP7OeSOaGn_F2aBbRV9yc_HGjoSBDFllgHAgH9Hos6jrMHIAmrOGiaZ8viKo52cx9058P5L_WbzzYrRwoQLqT1cgYiVAYBtLBsc/s400/107.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They are going into the missions. They have plans to go to Korea and other countries. He had this planted in his heart a long time ago and now he has someone to go with him.<br /><br />We found our way home easily, the short cut that led us there, led us home too.<br /><br />After a wonderful day, we made it home. A little tired, but so worth it, touched by a tender moment from PJ, and witnessing an amazing love between two very AMAZING people.<br /><br />The easy part is over for them, but they are on the right track.<br /><br /><br />Congratulations Chris and Miriam!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKCE-gJDppDzeNZYoQShUhBsXjAG5uuqXjdL3A2VZswybiQnk9SE19HkUB2CK3hAJQVr_Nlzr10ztdOkwrVk8lgK-Kk76E9MitdKuHscrLGxLMltM0kNKh5BNAm-ZBoSwtdmZcgvyHJis/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352911951559011762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKCE-gJDppDzeNZYoQShUhBsXjAG5uuqXjdL3A2VZswybiQnk9SE19HkUB2CK3hAJQVr_Nlzr10ztdOkwrVk8lgK-Kk76E9MitdKuHscrLGxLMltM0kNKh5BNAm-ZBoSwtdmZcgvyHJis/s400/019.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-68530778914332827832009-06-25T14:45:00.001-07:002009-06-25T15:10:07.025-07:00VacationThis year we opted in not taking a vacation. It wasn't going to work out for the week we always take because of my working, I wasn't going to get paid for vacation either. So, Daytona Beach was out of the question this year. It isn't too bad though, we have had 5 years of family vacations and realized that we will be able to go again next year.<br /><br />So we decided on something else. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRbV8b3EEPnrPkVAjycn2wmbHKabkewj5bxPojcpQgehekwoCzbfQTLJawzQd35R4kVINwmX0JcT7taKXsyTM_WiIf7g2kUGl6Cydt7qJq88NTd_p3m3gfrTfppGZWCYZG3VByLtiWARD/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351386025500802754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRbV8b3EEPnrPkVAjycn2wmbHKabkewj5bxPojcpQgehekwoCzbfQTLJawzQd35R4kVINwmX0JcT7taKXsyTM_WiIf7g2kUGl6Cydt7qJq88NTd_p3m3gfrTfppGZWCYZG3VByLtiWARD/s400/001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />No, we aren't camping in the backyard either. We have decided to not to work around our schedule, but for the schedule to work around us. And we thought camping would be great this year. Four days in one place, four in another, four somewhere else. It may not be "vacation" but it is time away from everything. No tv, no computer, but also, no electricity and not running water either.<br /><br />This tent is a pretty good size. It sleeps 8, but that would be snug.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y_BSKhSmEMh5FMbdzM8SwidT9dSIKdSSjlAy0wXZS9unt4qjLNg68KHxlckMcvNZw5BROQr7yOCOadIRtd1NtVeCYPZCxhsgdtPC5YnKrE7bLJtr0xsyiFAi2379bqk9aA8slTMArhnc/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351386047837149298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y_BSKhSmEMh5FMbdzM8SwidT9dSIKdSSjlAy0wXZS9unt4qjLNg68KHxlckMcvNZw5BROQr7yOCOadIRtd1NtVeCYPZCxhsgdtPC5YnKrE7bLJtr0xsyiFAi2379bqk9aA8slTMArhnc/s400/003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There is a divider curtain for each 'room'. We can get a queen size air mattress on both side. Along with pockets for things like books, MP3 players, and phones.<br /><br />The canopy comes off, for those who haven't been camping in the last 100 years. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIuf1w24j2jUVFJRQ5sXojFbgztV-E6bJLyDKz6xH5xhu8dnje4v1bOTNVH3rGb28aOsG8f3FQ3EQoUqeUy8bT-WnXjXVt1t7F5e0KNRg0wVQDMwvLebfHok1JJIk4uzvcttJ57aur5WZ/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351386031553480466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIuf1w24j2jUVFJRQ5sXojFbgztV-E6bJLyDKz6xH5xhu8dnje4v1bOTNVH3rGb28aOsG8f3FQ3EQoUqeUy8bT-WnXjXVt1t7F5e0KNRg0wVQDMwvLebfHok1JJIk4uzvcttJ57aur5WZ/s400/002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It opens to the screen on the top. Which is very nice! All the windows zip down, door window zips open. It is rather roomy inside, lots of light and lots of air moving around.<br /><br />Along with the tent, we purchased 2 queen air mattresses, 2 battery operated lanterns, 4 chairs, cooking set. A few years ago I found a fold and go grill for Chuck, so we have that and a table that folds up too. I want the shower and changing room, but that may have to be later. We also need a canopy to eat under or to sit under.<br /><br />Ok, so it may not be the most luxurious of vacations, but A) it will be time away, B) it will be time away from the things in life that we all don't need, and C) we can go whenever we want to, where ever we want to, as many times as we want to. This year our vacation will not be limited to 1 week in 1 certain month. Camping will allow us to go once a month for a few days at a time. It is not just limited to summer, but we can go up until October if we want to.<br /><br />We have already priced out places to go, we can have waterfront or woods. We can be primitive or go with the water and electric for a little more. We can go where we want and not have to worry about reservations or someone messing up our room.<br /><br />I am excited. I am excited about getting away from everything in life that we rely so much on. Nothing wrong with a book, chair, water and campfire. That actually sounds like something I may enjoy!<br /><br />The boys already spent 2 nights in the backyard. Each had their own side, they talked and laughed and listened to the night. They got scared, but stayed outside. PJ came in once to go to the bathroom, never heard him. <br /><br />I went out the next morning and they were in the same bed. Sound asleep. Ate breakfast and lunch outside. Sat under the tree and relaxed. They are ready for us to put it up again. I have a feeling that they will be spedning most of their summer out there. Fine with me, let them enjoy this time.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-37232240866543535442009-06-23T08:58:00.000-07:002009-06-23T14:43:35.886-07:00Playing "hookey"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmACNacOXXaJk7RfhmOI-tVdVhkW9dNGx-QTKHhayP0fb7s1AQUqL5UyFhLyqCrANgmbVHalFzzm7dZwhrJp0xjqffAwDQ90TSRzpdVHyeZpLUPLcqXJ25b-qOgMlHk-iQDuV9BTF97CNk/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350555080363910450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmACNacOXXaJk7RfhmOI-tVdVhkW9dNGx-QTKHhayP0fb7s1AQUqL5UyFhLyqCrANgmbVHalFzzm7dZwhrJp0xjqffAwDQ90TSRzpdVHyeZpLUPLcqXJ25b-qOgMlHk-iQDuV9BTF97CNk/s400/015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have to admit that at my age, I had never been fishing in my life. I have been on deep sea fishing boats, never held a rod though.<br /><br />Yes, I went fishing when my dad took the boys last year, but we didn't know what we were doing and never caught anything but a Christmas tree. So, that wasn't much of a fishing adventure.<br /><br />One Saturday, Chuck decided that he wanted to take the boys fishing. I stayed back to get some projects done. But I did get updates throughout the morning. 7 fish, 11 fish, 13 fish. All catch and release. Well done! Too bad I wasn't there to see the boys catch their first fish.<br /><br />That night we went to Wal-Mart and picked up rods for all of us, hooks, weights and worms. And decided to take off the next morning to go fishing.<br /><br />Now we were up really early. Chuck didn't sleep well and I was up because my legs bother me very early in the morning. So, we head out to Wal-Mart for a few more things, pick up breakfast, head home, wake the boys, eat and off we go! To the same spot they were on Saturday.<br /><br />The morning was perfect<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvGu1qil31089FXvpLmphc2-rnTIWbU6RIBWAQTiFF-t4b2x2ZXaGAP-vkXIsgT5Vdbz9Z-degAbp7-ucBFpVMYE_eXIagfDXyvlaRdvFDP2kHRFp3eGMhq990Yfu_weVNzqGgJ-9ptPl/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350555079214347634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvGu1qil31089FXvpLmphc2-rnTIWbU6RIBWAQTiFF-t4b2x2ZXaGAP-vkXIsgT5Vdbz9Z-degAbp7-ucBFpVMYE_eXIagfDXyvlaRdvFDP2kHRFp3eGMhq990Yfu_weVNzqGgJ-9ptPl/s400/014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It wasn't too hot that early in the morning either. The river was empty, the parking lot was full though of SUVs and trucks with boat trailers. So, some where out there, there were a bunch of boats with a bunch of people.<br /><br />Eric sitting at the dock of the bay<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzJjh1HOik6Y5gSMe6D0TPseENiskVyqybqQhyJ8YlVgp6erknKXcz3-N-RZkzgj_thjGlPgug6HSJtvyNaJF6BYUwgqcgftiC_sCUMVAWWqQdSf6NJPvM37vm8oSqv73vwdVb_UiykV4/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350555087864461682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzJjh1HOik6Y5gSMe6D0TPseENiskVyqybqQhyJ8YlVgp6erknKXcz3-N-RZkzgj_thjGlPgug6HSJtvyNaJF6BYUwgqcgftiC_sCUMVAWWqQdSf6NJPvM37vm8oSqv73vwdVb_UiykV4/s400/016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />PJ patiently waiting, hogging one of the two chairs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxdcDTl8BIctnA9rteQTGmXKezGmjqeDB4ZBCOWZYM2RNMhfFzMkDZiF44mdq3Pu-MMJT9bDXYpDVolooTBBRyJkNAKcNRbBOK2ydbGp5qFpLyqhqautz-_TqvnQMkXXjtEUGsP-dwW2x/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350555094166656482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxdcDTl8BIctnA9rteQTGmXKezGmjqeDB4ZBCOWZYM2RNMhfFzMkDZiF44mdq3Pu-MMJT9bDXYpDVolooTBBRyJkNAKcNRbBOK2ydbGp5qFpLyqhqautz-_TqvnQMkXXjtEUGsP-dwW2x/s400/017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Chuck with the first of many catches of the day. PJ caught this one<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAsit03ffrQBJ8E_n4xZjJ_LzasZ1PGkceb2KDD_k2lnNcCgFQq-sr5sTZCxD3qBvz5WVodXcymij0WJ2oCTmkciYk2mH5Et3U7Arjlwkltm-Ko3gkVipM9_byHznsxrROKMSwMT6SaWe/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350555098441866434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAsit03ffrQBJ8E_n4xZjJ_LzasZ1PGkceb2KDD_k2lnNcCgFQq-sr5sTZCxD3qBvz5WVodXcymij0WJ2oCTmkciYk2mH5Et3U7Arjlwkltm-Ko3gkVipM9_byHznsxrROKMSwMT6SaWe/s400/018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Along with a small mouth bass,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SVew1TsESKikGTU3d09Or41mJU5j9J7tFoOMzEFtRJenHC_FGwI-g3G-tSFj1MjaS-lYjQbO7IxSDPImmXHRfJoO-bbcF6qni9Oy1zeIVG0rXSBWP2pf24tWjxyhxWHnluAsVoS930AR/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350557468754694546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SVew1TsESKikGTU3d09Or41mJU5j9J7tFoOMzEFtRJenHC_FGwI-g3G-tSFj1MjaS-lYjQbO7IxSDPImmXHRfJoO-bbcF6qni9Oy1zeIVG0rXSBWP2pf24tWjxyhxWHnluAsVoS930AR/s400/024.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjWjmpIIJbG0blNuC99EDyPajSg4ewDMgP8-wns3EyEF-okzOonPXXdZFlH9reZ73zCZ6pVM4qjp-tFTNOqPtZ4zj8iffwzrqkSEfgfa9Pktdl6k5wj2-vewptSpp6tFopnMhClu6LeMk/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350557460092869202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjWjmpIIJbG0blNuC99EDyPajSg4ewDMgP8-wns3EyEF-okzOonPXXdZFlH9reZ73zCZ6pVM4qjp-tFTNOqPtZ4zj8iffwzrqkSEfgfa9Pktdl6k5wj2-vewptSpp6tFopnMhClu6LeMk/s400/022.JPG" border="0" /></a> a small large mouth bass, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pEJe8zHQz4T_q1iFCGq0-MKzZlJLvcDPmp4P3VtToldJktQqwvXgPjetJd9WgY6GMMcPnGt0fttbKrWQaHXcaICDyuD0nV7XfGLayH4nRxqSLZIkRZgZgW_5GhLy7Np6q7tEnUFbhZxu/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350557454293835890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pEJe8zHQz4T_q1iFCGq0-MKzZlJLvcDPmp4P3VtToldJktQqwvXgPjetJd9WgY6GMMcPnGt0fttbKrWQaHXcaICDyuD0nV7XfGLayH4nRxqSLZIkRZgZgW_5GhLy7Np6q7tEnUFbhZxu/s400/025.JPG" border="0" /></a> a striped bass <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKciX9YKmRNCMhnbN2SjDP19XvaVHXkvBoDCt7Mk3q367R0IPjCzR6IAPZIEqBJlzPHXj2QxEo_XHBQmAjd9LO-iTrL5GURUxkSGauc3hNk8hzIJ3zSClxoDezuImUddUy0Y7qmIvZwAzh/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350557455221008210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKciX9YKmRNCMhnbN2SjDP19XvaVHXkvBoDCt7Mk3q367R0IPjCzR6IAPZIEqBJlzPHXj2QxEo_XHBQmAjd9LO-iTrL5GURUxkSGauc3hNk8hzIJ3zSClxoDezuImUddUy0Y7qmIvZwAzh/s400/021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and a crappy. The rest of us caught blue gill.<br /><br />Five hours and 28 fish later we gave up. The boats were coming in from a competition, people were coming in for lunch, and they scared all the fish away. So, after all that, we left for the day.<br /><br />This is how the poor fish, off the dock. Y'all can have your boats, we had fun with what we had. And we caught more than most everyone that was out on the water all day.<br /><br />It was so worth playing hookey !Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-29494120011595561702009-06-22T08:34:00.000-07:002009-06-22T09:06:55.939-07:00CouponingI have found a lot of coupon sites and thought I would share my savings with y'all<br /><br />Sunday's paper usually has some, but not enough for the savings I have been getting lately. I have a printer, and so glad I do, so I print most of the coupons that I use. It has saved me more than I really expected. <br /><br />These first few are free online printing. <br />www.couponmom.com<br />www.fatwallet.com<br />www.coupons.com<br />www.coolsavings.com<br />www.ultimatecoupons.com<br />www.couponcabin.com<br />www.ppgazette.com (this will bring up the circulars from your area)<br /><br />Most of these you have to give an email and password. I just created a junk account for this and use that. They will let you know when the coupons for the month have been restocked. <br /><br />Also you can try;<br />www.bettycrocker.com<br />www.pillsbury.com<br />www.kraft.com<br /><br />Try your favorite manufacture. Malt 0 Meal, Kelloggs, things like that. They will have copuons occasionally. But if you catch them, you can find something. Eight O'clock coffee has an incentive program. You buy their coffee and you can get coupons for free coffee, Visa gift cards or free magazines. <br /><br />Now there are some out there that you can pay for your coupons. I know, I know, paying for coupons, but if you think about it, that is what you do with your Sunday paper. You buy the paper just for the sale ads, free from Walgreen's, CVS and Rite Aid, for the comics, and for the coupons. I also know it is a $1.50, but if you hit the Dollar Tree, it is just $1. I am so cheap! <br /><br /><br />The following sites are for a fee:<br />www.couponsandforms.com<br />www.thecouponclippers.com<br />www.thecouponmasters.com<br /><br />For local coupons, try www.funandfrugal.com<br /><br />Now for those of you that have a Publix in the area, every Sunday they have their mystery item. It is a penny if you purchase $10 worth of stuff. Sometimes it is a good item, cookies, water, Gatorade, cheese and sometimes it is things like Hamburger Helper. So, for a penny, I will get what they have if I know I will use it.<br /><br />A lot of the coupons online are buy 2, save $1. Ok, that isn't too bad, but wait and watch when shopping. For example, I had a .60 coupon on Knorr rices. Every week I would go and watch and see if it was buy one, get one (BOGO). Last week it was. COOL! I picked up 2 for $1.35 minus the .60 coupon, I paid .75 for 2 packages of rice. Today I had a coupon for $1.50 off a 2 boxes of Mini Wheats. PJ is a mini wheat freak. BOGO at $4.19, minus my $1.50 coupon, $2.69 for 2 boxes of Mini Wheats, comes out to $1.35 a box. <br /><br />Most stores in this area will double coupons up to .50, some go up to .60 doubled. Watch your stores, I have seen them triple coupons up to .99. Boy is that a savings! <br /><br />That is my advice for the week in grocery shopping. Over the past 2 weeks, with coupons and instore savings, I have a little over $60 in savings. <br /><br />I am learning as I am going along, and teaching the boys while I am at it. Eric went shopping without me 2 weeks ago, he saved $10. Today was $6.79 with coupons and instore savings. <br /><br />The economy is hitting all of us. Why not try to save with a little more money? It may take a little time, it may take a little of paper and ink. But in the end, it is so worth it! <br /><br />If you find any sites that I don't know about it, please let me know. I am always looking for bargains!Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-83929158325695555182009-06-22T08:09:00.001-07:002009-06-22T08:28:59.590-07:00My Weekly Shopping ExperienceGenerally I don't blog about my shopping experience, but this week I have to vent some. <br /><br />I love Publix. I have learned how to save the money that I need to save by using coupons, watching sales and looking at everything. I don't shop anywhere else because I can save A LOT over at Publix. People say how expensive it is, I don't see that. <br /><br />So today we get there and, as usual, I hit the deli. The one woman was waiting on someone and told me that she would be right with me. Ok, not a problem, I can wait. But then the deli manager comes out and heads right to the woman that just walked up to the counter. I looked at her, said "Oh nevermind" and started to walk away. She said that she didn't see me, I told her again "Nevermind" and kept on shopping. I wasn't irritated all that much, BUT when Eric overheard them talking about me, well, that was enough. I didn't go over there, I didn't talk to the ladies, I went straight to the manager and told them what happened. I wouldn't have gone to him for the over sight. But talking about a customer, that was wrong and I didn't appreciate it too much. <br /><br />I told the manager what happened, told them that I can shop in Cleveland just as easy as I do in Ooltewah. I didn't have to shop there, but I liked shopping there. He apologized and took care of it right away. <br /><br />While I was shopping, the Deli manager found me, apologized and gave me a gift card. Now, I don't like getting things like that, I just am happy talking to the manager about it, and let him handle the situation. But she gave me a $25 gift card for the trouble. I told her that was fine, but as a professional, you do not talk about your customers. I told her that my son heard what you were saying and that was what made me go to the manager. She was very apologetic about all of it, but it was just the way that she handleded it. <br /><br />I go check out, use my card, get my groceries loaded, give all my coupons to the cashier, and pay the rest. Not bad, $40.64 in groceries this week. But on the way home, I spotted that I was charged $3.99 for heavy cream, the sign said $3.79. Ok,.20 is .20, but that was not the point. I called them, explained to them what happened, she called me back, I was overcharged for something and next week when I go back, I get the product for free. Fine with me, computers mess up all the time. <br /><br />As for my coupons, I had one for Kool Aid. Save .50 on 10 packets of Kool Aid. Publix doubles the coupons, so that would be $1. Meaning I would get 5 packs free. But the cashier rang up 9, meaning I did not get my savings. I didn't notice this until it was too late. We got home and Eric counted 10, she didn't charge me for the extra, I will pay for it, as long as I get my $1 savings on it. <br /><br />I guess i need to watch all that goes through the line at the store. I write all the prices down when I am shopping so that way I know what I have spent and what I have left to spend. I head to the store with my clipboard and coupons and list, go from there. I watch all that I spend. We are on a budget and I need to make sure that I don't overspend on junk. <br /><br />I do save money at Publix, but this week was not a good week for me over there. Cleveland stores are so expensive, sales tax is nearly 10%, and they don't have the service or quality that Publix offers. I do drive a ways to get there, but days like today, I wonder if it is really worth the trouble.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-33080926755906833012009-06-15T10:00:00.001-07:002009-06-15T10:00:42.614-07:00No it is not mePattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-91584127754539582322009-06-15T09:59:00.001-07:002009-06-15T09:59:46.738-07:00register
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<br>~P@tti~Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-1373432511846603392009-06-14T17:20:00.000-07:002009-06-14T18:04:00.483-07:00Windows, windows and a lot more windowsWe started this business aiming at getting local business windows. That dream quickly faded when we realized that one guy has this town wrapped up. He does so many, that the job that he provides is crap. But he is cheap and he gets it done. <br /><br />Chuck and I do things a little differently. We don't rush through jobs. We take our time to make sure that the customer is satisfied. <br /><br />Now we do things differently. We do it right, it may take us longer, but I can promise you, your job is done the way it should be. <br /><br />We do have 3 businesses in town. But we are aiming more at homes, that is where the money is at. <br /><br />A few weeks ago we had a job for about 22 windows in a friend's home. She worked with Chuck at the Chevy dealership in town, her dad owns it. She was our first big home window job. It wasn't too bad, we did it in the time that we told her and she was very happy with it. So happy that she referred us to her friend. <br /><br />We get a phone call from Mr. G., his wife told him to call us right away and have us come out and look at the windows for an estimate. And we were on our way to another window job, so we stopped off on the way home. <br /><br />This house is in a very nice subdivision in town and I told Chuck that I was hoping it was not the 3 story house off the side of a hill. It wasn't! It was across the street.<br /><br />We get there and we see 8 windows in the front, 3 on the side and then we get to the back. There is a sunroom with 7 windows. Ok, I think we can handle it. We went inside. In the sunroom was a roof of glass, 14 more windows. Oh wow! But not only that, they added on to the house, there are windows on the inside around the sunroom. All total, 51 windows. <br /><br />Now, Mr. G. did say that if we can't do the top, don't worry about it. Because if you put too much pressure on the glass, the gaskets break. Chuck thought that he could get to it, but wasn't sure. And he did try, but it streaked badly. So, off I go to get the Windex for outside. And that is what he did, only to find out another window was leaking. <br /><br />Chuck did all the windows in the sunroom, in 90 degree weather with the sun beating down on him. I did all the outside and then started on the inside. I started in the garage and worked my way inside. When we were there to give the estimate, Mr. G. told us that the panes pop out. Ok, so, I had to deal with that. Trust me, I would rather have that than what Chuck was doing. <br /><br />I figured out how to get the panes out and then back in. That wasn't easy. I broke the ends off of 2 of them. Nothing really, but when you have to do 30 windows, all with panes in them, your fingers hurt by the end of the day. I popped them out, scrubbed and cleaned the windows, and put the panes back in. One problem, when you have the panes going back in, your fingerprints are everywhere. Dry cloth, wipe down windows again. For everyone one of them! <br /><br />We told him upfront that this was going to be an all day job. And it was. Like I said, it is one of those that you want to do your best on. But when it started to thunder and lightening, that is when he was trying to get us to hurry. We had one huge window in the front and the half circle that topped it. I couldn't get to it earlier because Chuck was in the back and I wasn't getting on the extension ladder without him. <br /><br />So, Mr. G. goes and holds the ladder for Chuck while I am cleaning the inside. That was a trick. I am on the ladder inside cleaning one part, while Chuck is cleaning the other side. Don't ever do that! <br /><br />Ok, so I cleaned 3 doors, inside and out, with the panes that are not removeable. All 30 windows with those stupid panes, and now the front door was last. More little windows with one big one on top. I have to admit, from being there at 7, taking a short lunch and then getting done by about 3, I was exhausted. I know Chuck was too. But this man retired from Olin, he has a lot of friends at the Country Club and of course the people he worked with at Olin. His wife still works, so there can be more contacts there. We know when to do a good job for someone. We do a good job for all of our customers. We do a job like we would want a job done for us. <br /><br />The sunroom looked wonderful and the rest of the windows did too. Another job well done.... now back in the Fall for pressure washing.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-24037287573564740602009-06-03T16:46:00.000-07:002009-06-03T17:03:51.545-07:00Saving MoneyWe are on a budget, just like so many out there. It is a time to watch what comes in and goes right back out. <br /><br />So, when Bi-Lo had their Crazy 8 sale, I was all over it. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, $1.88 a pound. Yes, you read that right. Boneless half pork loins, $1.88 a pound. Why not stock up on the stuff and make the most out of what we have. <br /><br />Chuck and I head to the store and pick up 4 packs of chicken breast, I should have bought more. And then I turn around to see him putting the pork loin in the buggy, not one, but two. Ok, I am sure I can figure something out with them. <br /><br />I got to thinking about when my dad bought some at Publix. He got the butcher to cut them into chops. Not a bad idea. Here Chuck was thinking 2 meals out of the pork loins, I knew I could get more out of it. So, today, after cleaning windows all day, I came home to cut up the pork loins into chops. <br /><br />Seven pounds of pork for a little over $13 came out to 5 meals. I cut them into 1" chops, 4 per package. I ended up with 2 smaller ones, that is fine for the boys one day for lunch. $2.60 a meal, .65 per person. I can live with that! <br /><br />Finding things to make is a challenge. But it isn't like we don't cook. We cook nearly every meal at home. We rarely ever go out to dinner, it just isn't worth it, especially since Chuck and I know we can cook better than some of the things that we eat out. <br /><br />We have come up with a quesadilla that is really wonderful. Two types of cheese, loaded down with green salsa (2.29 at Mexican store) and my homemade salsa. Topped with sour cream. Served with a side of Spanish rice. It is good, easy to make, filling and cheap. <br /><br />There is so much more to easy dinners then boxed foods, hotdogs or something of the sort. <br /><br />Generally on nights that I am not that tired, unlike tonight, I will go ahead and make up dinner for the next night. That way all I have to do is make a phone call and dinner is ready when we get home. <br /><br />We are very busy, but that doesn't mean the kids have to eat junk and crap for dinners. It just means that we have to be more creative with dinners, figure out exactly how long things take to make too.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-24982685775989831652009-06-01T16:36:00.000-07:002009-06-01T16:53:54.197-07:00Honor's ceremonyI can't say how tickled I was with Eric and his award that he was going to win.<br /><br />We got to school a little early and got front row seats. Chuck's parents did get to come, and I know that made Eric happy.<br /><br />There were so many children getting awards, but I didn't care about all of them, I was only there to see Eric get his award.<br /><br />Each related arts teacher gave awards to students in their class that A) did well in that class, meaning A's and B) did extra things to help out or C) stood out in the class someway.<br /><br />Mrs. Dunn was a teacher that Eric did not get along with last year. He would come home everyday of the 9 weeks of her class and complain about her.<br /><br />This year was different. Eric grew up a little bit and matured some too. He went into Teen Living wanting to learn. They designed their own houses on the computers, learned how to sell them, learned how to read credit reports, learn how to work with the bank. He loved it. He helped other students get started when he was done, he also help the students that were struggling with some things too.<br /><br />After the 9 weeks was up, he decided that since he was getting to school early, he would continue to help her out. Taking down chairs, turning on the computers, organizing her class. He still got an A in the class, he worked hard when he didn't have to be there, he did the things that the teacher had to find the time for.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZS-b_K51cjHs-MnAWK7NaaOA9Tur5cmfRaOsDpFn2cy7TpVYUqBsL4hWLnBSh8hXUGPf6m39CPecdnU5Gd-IEkrD3BGsqezoxrVMs_4Ss8Q2wUBrA72eacBT8rD8v-erpg39NMWXQzG9/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342507870191226834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZS-b_K51cjHs-MnAWK7NaaOA9Tur5cmfRaOsDpFn2cy7TpVYUqBsL4hWLnBSh8hXUGPf6m39CPecdnU5Gd-IEkrD3BGsqezoxrVMs_4Ss8Q2wUBrA72eacBT8rD8v-erpg39NMWXQzG9/s400/019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She called his name, and I have to admit, mom got a little tearied eyed. He has come so far, he has so much ahead of him. But he has gotten to a point that we never thought we would see. We never thought we would hear his name and Honor's Ceremony in the same sentence. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdeUyUk-Yc-fekWrLoisLqVcye-klDpOfA816iDOOU7Xcab5CjWjTKr0yCMyF_P0cKtUYSn0d50R0tYY9EjTtcdNw32AhT4hyQ007eYfbS7I_qNJpyHLM1L5IWZv3rdPAtlg6wKFTLkSZ/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342507877594111394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdeUyUk-Yc-fekWrLoisLqVcye-klDpOfA816iDOOU7Xcab5CjWjTKr0yCMyF_P0cKtUYSn0d50R0tYY9EjTtcdNw32AhT4hyQ007eYfbS7I_qNJpyHLM1L5IWZv3rdPAtlg6wKFTLkSZ/s400/024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They called the names for honor roll, students that got A's and B's throughout the entire year. Eric didn't make it this time, he missed it by 2 tenths of a point. One C the entire year. The rest he made all A's, 2 B's and 1 C. I can't complain, considering he barely made it through elementary school. <br /><br />He told me that he will get honor roll next year. He sets his goals, not too high, but enough for him to reach. He will get there. <br /><br />Once again, I am so proud of my son. I see where he has been and I see where he is going.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-9913554972725762102009-06-01T16:17:00.000-07:002009-06-01T16:36:03.199-07:00My first cakeI am trying something new. I don't know if I will be able to do much, but I am trying to learn how to make cakes.<br /><br />So I thought for my first cake, I would make something for Adrienne's graduation party. I went round and round on what I wanted to make. I thought of half white, half yellow. Well, then I thought that with one pan, one kind of cake would be best.<br /><br />I went with a sour cream white cake and now what to fill it with. I wasn't sure what I could do, what I could handle, I thought that a buttercream filling would be ok, but I wanted something different.<br /><br />I went with Strawberry cream filling. I found a recipe online and decided that was what I wanted to do<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9_K2mdJ-QtZ1x3oyY0rl-FIwc-ikncbhFm-cDdAByN5lJ9ksPj1LPYI5sP9RphgTg5dmnlRAvvh3Kk6Rom06F9gmQHuwgHrT8CCFUdN4GMA_rS0Tb1ism5Wrv2FXMYCIEmH5S9y9n3KP/s1600-h/045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342503513350057346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9_K2mdJ-QtZ1x3oyY0rl-FIwc-ikncbhFm-cDdAByN5lJ9ksPj1LPYI5sP9RphgTg5dmnlRAvvh3Kk6Rom06F9gmQHuwgHrT8CCFUdN4GMA_rS0Tb1ism5Wrv2FXMYCIEmH5S9y9n3KP/s400/045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And a view from the side<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPV6MHSCJSb3PCKeB28jxkHg4DE3wLsmhpaeZgz3H8MBXWwIUyPhCZ9OUvZILAmdhAmNYlMfi5Moe-5h7gArgIvLNfKWVYCnskaaaXb39mrucWUI081oJ8rFTBy4UUxeSbBVnBj7YNYhA/s1600-h/047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342503517390906786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPV6MHSCJSb3PCKeB28jxkHg4DE3wLsmhpaeZgz3H8MBXWwIUyPhCZ9OUvZILAmdhAmNYlMfi5Moe-5h7gArgIvLNfKWVYCnskaaaXb39mrucWUI081oJ8rFTBy4UUxeSbBVnBj7YNYhA/s400/047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Before frosting<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dxxs1KOpAHnGi0ZwWRHrGL8AtqosB91zijWjFujoYCr_9LAVasCrS6mBmzrgWornfDj5FYEbJiSBP2p-omyOun_XJpHhG6KY4cFbldtfFXKNquFyglydA3EsAyPuLPH_z6zN3clw3IWi/s1600-h/048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342503522569018754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dxxs1KOpAHnGi0ZwWRHrGL8AtqosB91zijWjFujoYCr_9LAVasCrS6mBmzrgWornfDj5FYEbJiSBP2p-omyOun_XJpHhG6KY4cFbldtfFXKNquFyglydA3EsAyPuLPH_z6zN3clw3IWi/s400/048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So far, so good! Now for the part that really scared me. Frosting the cake. I bought an offset spatula for this occasion. I always wanted one, but never bought one. This time I did. Along with the pan that I got at 40% off.<br /><br />Let's try and see what happens. I loved it, I love the spatula, it does a great job, too bad I didn't do such a nice job as the spatula did.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q22u0SwK6RmhzjIcmfcfL4wxdVPppCqv6YdwHgyBlwc7cVdqZgEQDWSks_zGaHr-5fD6heTmXu5DOEpn9Nb7fRUTiZEkI-ZvrQ2N3YKcvyGwqUuR_oA5X5OuqXT5y535jYrpXC-nil_B/s1600-h/049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342503524146453122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q22u0SwK6RmhzjIcmfcfL4wxdVPppCqv6YdwHgyBlwc7cVdqZgEQDWSks_zGaHr-5fD6heTmXu5DOEpn9Nb7fRUTiZEkI-ZvrQ2N3YKcvyGwqUuR_oA5X5OuqXT5y535jYrpXC-nil_B/s400/049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And another from the side <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FYv1yI-XqfBymuqhKKbZKHIDL2FkLSCyPWA9LK8V_5-h6LyvOD1t74iWsZe-hTQKVXszhsqr8Zv1JdD6VQiO-6ohE2YAHfAFkaP1BBE1hyB_miDM5AhAP0Ati7OMSvHEA0l6IBLjvSBW/s1600-h/050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342503524984794242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FYv1yI-XqfBymuqhKKbZKHIDL2FkLSCyPWA9LK8V_5-h6LyvOD1t74iWsZe-hTQKVXszhsqr8Zv1JdD6VQiO-6ohE2YAHfAFkaP1BBE1hyB_miDM5AhAP0Ati7OMSvHEA0l6IBLjvSBW/s400/050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not too bad for my first cake. I was rather pleased with it. Now my mother-in-law did say about 40-45 people. I got to thinking if this would be enough. I had enough frosting left and I had everything for a round cake. So, off I go to the kitchen and make a peanut butter cake. I figured that the 2 cakes together would be more than enough for everyone. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuws8tt4F21KabI2pcNUWOVfUZl8yXejhg7aISvF01o3B-8BhHsgPsA5iAL7Zwy1Z-HPLqAPyvQ6nG3hGNEZGu7zAxnYeefgFc2FvZOCGSeeI8fTz4J3sE2mbvUJkpcNtwsKk_5yb1lii/s1600-h/051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuws8tt4F21KabI2pcNUWOVfUZl8yXejhg7aISvF01o3B-8BhHsgPsA5iAL7Zwy1Z-HPLqAPyvQ6nG3hGNEZGu7zAxnYeefgFc2FvZOCGSeeI8fTz4J3sE2mbvUJkpcNtwsKk_5yb1lii/s400/051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342505207006228466" /></a><br /><br />Ok, cakes done ready to box up. But I have one small problem. I didn't cut the board that the cake was on to fit in the box. I cut one way, but forgot to cut the other way. What to do, what to do???<br /><br />I take off to the bakery, they lied, told me they didn't have anything, when I looked right at one. He told me to go to UPS store, did that, $5.38 plus tax for a box, yeah, I don't think so. Back to Hobby Lobby and pray they have a box. They did, with a window, but it was too big. That is ok, tape always holds things in place. It looked wonderful in the box. <br /><br />The cake was delicious, not as many people there as originally thought, so we had enough cake for all. I didn't want to go home with the white cake, but I thought that we would go home with some of the peanut butter cake. At first, no one had cut into it, but then some got a taste of it, and it was better than the other cake. <br /><br />Came home with 4 slices of the peanut butter cake, 8 chicken breasts, salad, rolls, green beans and rice. <br /><br />Not too bad, we got 3 free meals out of what we ended up bringing home with us and some dessert too.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3063676356482806773.post-32318006529056458352009-06-01T14:14:00.000-07:002009-06-01T16:16:52.729-07:00Adrienne's GraduationChuck's niece graduated from HS on the 14th of May. I have a hard time believing that time has gone by so quickly, before I know it, Eric will be graduating too. Time goes by so fast and if you don't pay attention, you miss out on a whole lot.<br /><br /><br /><br />The school she went too was the same school that Chuck, Cheryl and Robin graduated from. It is a very small school. The ceremony wasn't anything like the ones in Cleveland, and the ones in Cleveland aren't anything like the ones in places like Miami or NYC. This ceremony lasted about an hour.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP4xGtmuLe61zWbNqfrxd0SGdqjOi9D1aCHuDbVgL5eimMoKrN-JgFeMjiEs_L_3d-3tJ-X2m6WKhH2nHrnW2Ns-QIyxKhCJ0XFHuZpH-z6zquCkkcDeasoh8R-Bo5GNjSuCI7h_GMLE1/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342472341833537074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP4xGtmuLe61zWbNqfrxd0SGdqjOi9D1aCHuDbVgL5eimMoKrN-JgFeMjiEs_L_3d-3tJ-X2m6WKhH2nHrnW2Ns-QIyxKhCJ0XFHuZpH-z6zquCkkcDeasoh8R-Bo5GNjSuCI7h_GMLE1/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the entire class. It is nice this way, you know everyone in your class. Not just by passing them in the hallway, you have lunch with them, you see them around your small town, you know like it was when we were growing up. It's time like this that I miss.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR-OGTUzl_5OWnB8FvUv9IJ9E8FJkahZMPXMGkdpvCM26-txkV846DTBXSxOFm_1j6R1QaLpRKSOqHtWpt7_3lEod0iUt18yglo2TABv7D2Iufnpc0TXgEH4oDh3W1OBUcgHPjimsxQp0/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342472350052893170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR-OGTUzl_5OWnB8FvUv9IJ9E8FJkahZMPXMGkdpvCM26-txkV846DTBXSxOFm_1j6R1QaLpRKSOqHtWpt7_3lEod0iUt18yglo2TABv7D2Iufnpc0TXgEH4oDh3W1OBUcgHPjimsxQp0/s400/008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Silly picture time! And leave it to Adrienne to make a silly face! I had to catch this one for her.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdNO1vVdfa4GE4ZmQwjqg4aQmnI8m6YfXjyEBH-AyZYDw87DEHGuHBI4nlKdbLf4qMWgUBV_jlghRWwbSickYprldCxQivGXoEnGtksfNEQSDBlVSxlInhw2Ay1tOl2tYqV1iJ6AwvMnm/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342472351993081762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdNO1vVdfa4GE4ZmQwjqg4aQmnI8m6YfXjyEBH-AyZYDw87DEHGuHBI4nlKdbLf4qMWgUBV_jlghRWwbSickYprldCxQivGXoEnGtksfNEQSDBlVSxlInhw2Ay1tOl2tYqV1iJ6AwvMnm/s400/023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Now, they went over this many times during the rehearsal. They told the graduates that they will be receiving their diplomas AFTER the ceremony. You don't want to give the wrong one to the wrong person. Understandable, it happens. Trust me, it happened at Chuck's commissioning ceremony at Lee. But, Adrienne looked in her folder, and there wasn't any diploma. She looked at her grandmother in shock!<br /><br />After it was all said and done, a few more shots of the family<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkqpQLjnRkQXuheQtXpBVOYrCg9BeVX0XdzQPOBg4w7sYKRsCwCw79H4Yi4_R0-O32NK4EB5EZoV6FouZmef3fGhMsrHHFuFMsxPZIzyfozX_MqdxjqFOEVwCdUGfuRATsJBc74w_e5of/s1600-h/042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkqpQLjnRkQXuheQtXpBVOYrCg9BeVX0XdzQPOBg4w7sYKRsCwCw79H4Yi4_R0-O32NK4EB5EZoV6FouZmef3fGhMsrHHFuFMsxPZIzyfozX_MqdxjqFOEVwCdUGfuRATsJBc74w_e5of/s400/042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342501660929068034" /></a><br /><br />A chance for cousins to compare cell phones<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7tkODIz8kG_wM3kFNFWeUYTCf-RUUHPwVJ5jc1jp7VRqGisR6KZnRlSNgdeu0Fr9E8PgQ-26vgkveL_8idpQsbnneCLwPEovPj6uGw3MUqFBqxqHMo4b6-DkV6BOGaLWp3XpL_C45Dk8/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342481764560580274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7tkODIz8kG_wM3kFNFWeUYTCf-RUUHPwVJ5jc1jp7VRqGisR6KZnRlSNgdeu0Fr9E8PgQ-26vgkveL_8idpQsbnneCLwPEovPj6uGw3MUqFBqxqHMo4b6-DkV6BOGaLWp3XpL_C45Dk8/s400/032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For the grandchildren to get together for one photo<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOp8cqJN_GmXYoXytHLxh4EolfavITIWBrW4vV8kYUmnsC8vkc7gSLtmC3Oo0U2AqKAoTaEjfCa0fd0ON0uHmpqc1Cg4NK3dCBegjFx4hBh0Ldvj4qm_tSkir2xB3o50VObI5Ewb5yL93/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342481768515391074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 263px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOp8cqJN_GmXYoXytHLxh4EolfavITIWBrW4vV8kYUmnsC8vkc7gSLtmC3Oo0U2AqKAoTaEjfCa0fd0ON0uHmpqc1Cg4NK3dCBegjFx4hBh0Ldvj4qm_tSkir2xB3o50VObI5Ewb5yL93/s400/038.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And a time for the grandparents to shine<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinndrgJynudCwUVA0xGDTO8byjQ5zPEYORiLfCtefNEg82Wai4U-IpneGlf4g21V43FLNxNatQzYTsffdsNABUFIhe5O648HIex7Ead99TVxK6tX9d4n0o5zr8_6oqX_fTbd3Aryrh3N6/s1600-h/040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342481770446243826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 339px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinndrgJynudCwUVA0xGDTO8byjQ5zPEYORiLfCtefNEg82Wai4U-IpneGlf4g21V43FLNxNatQzYTsffdsNABUFIhe5O648HIex7Ead99TVxK6tX9d4n0o5zr8_6oqX_fTbd3Aryrh3N6/s400/040.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /></div>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01257540678334511289noreply@blogger.com0