Meet Mama. We don't know what ever happened to her little babies... but she still comes around for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She prefers baked chicken, but usually has canned Friskies...




Aimee says she looks mean in this picture, but she really is very sweet. She was wild in the beginning, but out of all the wild ones, she's now the most tame. Baby boy, the little one that I've been feeding all year, has disapeared. Somethings happened to him, but we don't know what.

Well, the belts for the steam cleaner finally came in today... sooooo.... I will be steam cleaning very soon...FINALLY!!!

It's raining today and leaves on the trees were so pretty.



But do you know what time it is right now?? Time for a nap. I'm so tired. Aimee and I have been out all day and I'm going to take a short rest then start the spaghetti for dinner.

I just love George Younce.... he's so funny. Keep in mind he had already had 2 open heart surgeries when this was taped... and he's so full of joy. This is part 1, and part 2 is just as good.

When Mom was here we went to a hairdresser that she knows very well and she gave me a new do! It feels so much better now that it's been thinned and cut, and it's much easier to fix in the mornings too. Thanks Mom.

This weekend we went to the CVS to pick up poster board for a project Alyson has due this week. They didn't have the poster board, but Aimee found a hair product called Bed Head that she likes, so I got some for her and Alyson. Tonight, Alyson washed her hair with it and we put the frizz control and straightener on her hair before I dried it. Look at the shine!! I'm going to use it tomorrow!!

Another Regular Folk Bible Moment!

God called to Man: Where are you?

Adam: I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked.

God: Who told you you were naked, Did you eat from the tree I told you not to eat from?

Adam: The woman YOU gave me as a companion gave me the fruit and I ate it.

God to Eve: What have you done?

Eve: The serpent gave me the fruit.


Now that sounds like my girls. I did it but it was her idea. Well, so and so is allowed to do it, it's her fault!!! It wasn't my idea.... etc.

Regular Folk Bible Moment

This year I’ve been reading a version of the Bible called The Message. I love this Bible. Before I knew about this version, when I would read my Bible, I’d read a chapter or so before bedtime. All the Thee’s and Thou’s and doeth’s and workeths etc. were so distracting for me. They got in the way of my understanding the Bible.

The Message is translated the way we speak today. The stories and their meanings flow, and I find myself reading pages and pages at a time, understanding a whole lot more than I have in the past, and thinking about and remembering what I’m reading days later.

Another reason I like The Message is that in the one I have, there are no red letter for when Jesus spoke. A while back I started thinking that I could get to know God so much better if when I would read the Bible, every time he said or did something, I would highlight it. And I particularly wanted to do this in the Old Testament, because I’m much more familiar with the New Testament. And all of that leads me to what I found so funny today. I was reading in Exodus about Moses leading the Isrealites out of Egypt. Moses, and others like him in the Old Testament have been people I’ve put in my mind to look up and chat with whenever I get heaven. Moses is a hero type character. Which is what makes this so funny.

If you go back and read in Exodus where God is telling Moses His plan of freeing His people from the Egyptians and using Moses to do it. Moses reaction is so typical of ‘regular folk’ type reaction. It’s funny because I can relate to it so well, it sounds like something I might say, or my kids or my friends might say. The exchange goes something like this…..

God… The Isrealite cry for help has come to me and I’ve seen for myself how cruelly they’re being treated by the Egyptians. It’s time for you to go back. I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt.

Moses: But why me? What makes you think I could do this?

God: I’ll be with you…..etc.

Moses: Suppose they don’t believe me.

God: Tell them I AM sent you, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And God continues to instruct Moses on what to say...

Moses: They won’t trust me. They won’t listen to a word I say. They are going to say.. God… appear to him?? Hardly.

God: What’s that in your hand?

Moses: A staff

God: Take it with you. When you throw it to the ground it will become a snake, pick it up by the tail and it becomes a staff again. If they still don’t believe you here’s a couple more miracles you can do etc. etc.

Moses: Master please, I don’t talk well…. I stutter.

God; Who do you think made the human mouth……etc

Moses: oh please send somebody else.

God: Take Aaron with you, You tell Him what to say and He’ll speak for you etc.etc.

End of chapter Five;

Moses: Why did you send me?

Middle of chapter 6:

Moses: They don’t listen, besides, I stutter.

End of chapter 6:

Moses: I stutter.

And God kept telling him the same thing over and over. I love this exchange because Moses is a regular guy with regular fears, getting ready to begin something extraordinary but he doesn’t know it and he doesn’t believe he can. He’s so human. And of course I already know Moses was Human, it’s just with Bible people I tend to think they had special abilities or powers that made them unique. And they didn’t. They were regular folk listening to God.

Ever had the days speed by and then come to a complete stop? That’s what today feels like for me. Mom and I went to look at houses and boy did we find a doozy. It’s beautiful. The floor plan is very open, which means that if my parents ever need wheelchairs they could do wheelies in the living room!!! I’m very excited. It is about 15 minutes from the kids school and 15 minutes from my house. She put a contract on it…. But there are no guarantees… it has another contract too, soooooo the bank gets to decide. Now we play the wait game, and hope everything goes okay with their selling their home, so as to get into this one… so many ifs.

And yesterday we went to the hairdresser, and I could kick myself for not taking more pictures, but both she and I got a new do.. and maybe my new style will help me with my new job.

This morning the kids are in school, but it’s been kinda hectic too. Daisy decided this morning would be an excellent time to chase the outside kitties, so just as we were leaving, off she went, which made us late. Then I called Mom and she’s on her way to the airport and she’s lost, and we’ve just figured where she is and where she needs to go. I hope she makes her flight.

And now nothing… the house is quiet and I’m thinking about the new house, and my new job, and calling the air conditioning man, and making the lasagna the kids want for dinner, despite the fact that they won’t be home for dinner because Awana is tonight and whether or not Steve ordered the belts for my steam cleaner, and all the things I need to be doing other than blogging.

Oh well… I’m calm and happy really. I have this project going with my Message Bible. I love that Bible. It’s not like any other. I can read pages at a time because of the way it’s written, (it’s in everyday language) and I was reading in Joshua the other day, and when I read it I highlight everything God does, and I learn much more about Him that way. And when I was reading Joshua and doing my highlighting, it emphasized to me that God owns it all and really is in control of everything. In Joshua’s life God was in control of the battles, and one time God actually came down and fought a battle for Joshua, because Joshua’s enemies hadn’t learned that the land belonged to God, and therefore belonged to Isreal because God promised it to them.

So, I can calm and relax with all the hectic in my life right now. My nursing school is on hold and God knows it, we’re excited about the new house and God knows it, we’re worried about the paperwork and the closing of the Nashville house and God knows that too. And whatever job I’m suppose to have right now, God knows about that too. It’s almost like He’s dangling all these things in front of me, asking me if I trust Him with it… and I do.. and I tell Him that I do…

My conversation with Him goes something like this…

You know I trust You with these things….. but it sure would be nice if this would happen…. But you know I do trust you.. but it really would be nice if that would happen… but if it doesn’t happen I’ll still trust you, but it sure would be nice if and on and on .....

Ever had that kind of conversation with God?

I think He’s shaking His head at me right now, probably with a smile on His face… me and my nutty self... oh well... I wonder with all of the activity just what He’s up too!

Family History

My great grandmother, Mary E. Parker, is buried at Hearn Hill cemetery. We called her Mama Smith, and I remember her sitting in a rocking chair in her room at Grandmommy's house telling us stories. I also remember coming out to the cemetery with Aunt Chris, and I still have the picture of Aunt Chris standing behind the tombstone. I remember that Mama Smith was a very sweet lady, and I remember she use to say "you know" alot when she was telling us something. She died when I was in the seventh grade, and I went with Mom to Lebanon for her funeral. She was a very very sweet lady.

Mama Kitty

Mama Kitty's Gone

Today I fed Mama about noon, and came in and did some cooking and housework, then when I went to leave to pick up the girls she was gone, along with her 4 beautiful little kittens. We had been real careful not to touch them or look at them too long, so she'd hang around.

Yesterday I saw a wild long haired black cat on top of the crate, so that may be why she moved them. I hope she brings them home soon, or at least comes by for a meal. I keep checking.... but no sign of her yet.

This leaves me sad.... but just maybe she'll show up soon.

Nashville Vacation 2010

Because You're Mine, I Walk the Line.

Johnny Cash gravesite

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

Okay..... this was Aimee's expression as I shot the picture of the waiter.... can't you just read her face... okay Mom, put the camera up.... stop taking pics of the waiter.... do I have to be here to witness this...

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

Before we went to Aunt Rena's we met them at Cheddars for dinner. I ordered potato skins (my favorite) and coffee and got my camera out to start taking some pictures. The waiter was so funny. He had about 7 plates lined up on his arm when he was serving us, and when he was taking the dinner plates up, he took almost all of them at once.

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

This was just a little while before we left Aunt Rena's house. Do Dad and Aimee look just a little bit tired here?

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

Alyson wanted Aunt Rena to hear the peices she learned in piano lessons this year at school. So she gave us a little concert while we visited. Then, afterwards, Aunt Rena started playing the piano. Aunt Rena can play all over the keyboard, and I soooooo wanted to get her picture, but wasn't sure about how she'd feel about being on the blog. But if you could have heard her play! I hope I can play that well one day.

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

Here we are at Aunt Rena's house! I sat down in my favorite Aunt Rena chair (it's the most comfortable gliding chair I've ever sat in) and looking across at me from the end table was this sweet little duck. Have you ever seen anything so cute in your life! It quacks and everything!

Family History

Grandmommy and Grandaddy attended and joined the First Baptist Church of Lebanon when they moved to South Hatton in 1944 and remained faithful members until their death. Grandmommy and Granddaddy sang in the chior here for many years. Prior to that they were faithful members of Shop Springs Baptist church. Their children grew up in this church, and Mom and Dad were married here. Aunt Rena and Uncle Joe also married at First Baptist six months later. And, speaking of Aunt Rena, let's go to her house for a little while.

Family History

This looks like the Wilson County Sheriff's office.... and it is. My mother spent her high school years here, only then it was called Lebanon High! She said she walked from South Hatton (remember the white house) to the high school and the window on the left lower side of the building was one of her classrooms.

The building wasn't that large, and I'm thinking that Lebanon must have been a MUCH smaller place back then!

Family History

Shop Springs School.... Joey visits this school every time he comes to Lebanon. It's the school Grandmommy, Grandaddy, and Aunt Chris attended. Joey and I went inside the school about 15 years ago. We were able to see the stage in the back, the school rooms (the blackboards were still up) and we walked through all of it. There were some stairs that went down to the basement, and in the basement there were desks, old books, and believe it or not... somebody's shoes from long ago. We could never enter it now, it's not safe. I imagine it will be torn down soon, it's in terrible shape. When Grandmommy was still living, she drew a map of the school with the classrooms as they were when she attended school there. He still has the map. There was also a bar outside where we think people use to tie there horses too, but we couldn't find any sign of it this trip. I guess it's long gone. I don't know what the pile is in front of the door. It's too bad it wasn't renovated and taken care of as a historical site.

Family History

We visited Grandmommy and Grandaddy's gravesite. It is located on a mountain, and the 2nd picture is the view in front of the cemetery. There is a dirt road that goes up to the gravesite, and on past visits there was a dog that would meet us at the gate and follow our cars into the cemetary. He would hang out with us until we were ready to leave, then follow us back out. I wish I knew what happened to him.

Family History

Here is the entrance to the Bryan Cemetary. This is where Grandmommy and Grandaddy are buried, as well as several other family members.

Best Buddies!!!!

Family History

Our next stop was to the house on South Hatton. This is the house that Grandma grew up in. When she lived there, it had a covered porch on the front. When the hurricane hit New Orleans when I was a baby, Mom and Dad came to Grandmommies house and set me on the front porch and rang the doorbell. Grandmommy answered and said there was a baby on the porch! I vaguely remember a swing set in the backyard and getting stung by a bee when I was very young. I remember coming in the house, and the kitchen being in the back, and sitting on the kitchen counter while someone put medicine on my bee sting!! I also vaguely remember coloring a picture while Grandmommy and Mom were talking.
This is the garage behind the house. I don't remember this at all when I was growing up, but I know it was there because Mom said that Grandaddy built it. The people that live there now live in this garage. It is uncertain as to whether anyone is currently living in the house. When we went to visit on our trip, I got out to take pictures of the house and the cutest, sweetest, little puppy ran into the street and I picked her up. Her owner came out and we talked a while. I wish I had taken a picture of the sweet puppy also. He sure was a hyper little puppy!

Family History

Where are we going next.... Bryan Cemetary, Shop Springs, the house on Hatton, Greenwood, High School, and Johnny Cash Cemetery... and Aunt Rena's House...... Stay Tuned!

Okay.... I'm only about 1/3 of the way through our trip.... but you can see what fun we had... I'll start posting again tomorrow night... still have so much to tell you

Aimee came in a little earlier tonight and Steve had given her a new pen... she wrote and couldn't decide if the ink was black or blue... she has to write with black at school... so I said to her if you can't tell, no one else can either so don't worry about it.. and she said "not true" Mr. H can tell!!

Sweet Dreams..............

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

Joey.... hangin out.... watching us volleyball

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

Next it was off to KFC and the park for a picnic. It was some breezy during lunch, but it soon warmed up and we played some volleyball. Alyson is showing Grandpa how to serve the ball! Watch out Aimee!!!!

After going to Aunt Chris's gravesite, we went to my parents future gravesite. My grandfather, Papaw Ellis, said you could always find his gravesite because it was by the big old oak tree, and my father told me I could always find his because straight ahead is Applebees! I hope Applebees never goes out of business. I'd be lost.

Family History

The next day we went to visit Aunt Chris's gravesite. Now, Aunt Chris was, of course, my aunt.... she was a very sweet woman. I have a small Bible that she gave me when I was in the 5th grade, and it was 35 years old when she gave it to me.

My fondest memories of her were going to her apartment. It was Chateau Apartments, and at those apartments was a swimming pool. My cousin, Mary Ellen, and I, and sometimes Ken went too I think (it's been a long time), would go there and swim, and we would have such a good time. And when we were finished she'd fix us dinner. And she would set the table just so... and her food was so good, and I always had such a good time. I remember one year I was there and President Carter was giving a speech on the TV, so you kinda know by that how long it's been. But I remember every detail about her apartment. And Uncle JT was always joking around and making us laugh. I remember her taking me to church too. I miss you Aunt Chris.

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

He skipped me 3 times in a row in our game. 3 times... and I wasn't about to go out..... and each time, he laughed and laughed and laughed!!! Needless to say, I lost that round. So now I just call him Skip

Doesn't he look just great after his transplant!!!!!

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

Now.... this is my father. Doesn't he look like the cutest, sweetest person you'd ever want to know? Do you know what he did to me??

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

And now I must tell you about Phase 10. We played Phase 10 almost every night. Alyson had a blast... look at her expressions... so confident of that win.

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

And this was Mom's expression every time I pointed the camera at her.

She'd say... Please don't take my picture!

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

Then, we decided we'd go to Target.... There is something about Aimee and glasses... and shopping.....

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

And Aimee got all embarrassed because I took a picture of the waiter!

Nashville Vacation Spring 2010

On Wednesday, Dad took Joey and Alyson swimming and Mom took Aimee and I out to eat. Just look at this this food!

Off to Nashville

Well, we’re back…. And oh………. did we have a good time! The first thing Joey and I figured out was that the 12 hour trip to Nashville is not near as long when each one of us drives 100 miles and then take a 15 minute break. We did puzzles in the car, we looked at the mountains, we slept…. And snored…. And we ate ice cream on our breaks. We discovered that if you get to Shoney’s before 8AM, the all you can eat buffet is only $4.00, and we made our own lemonade by asking for water and lemon, and adding some sugar… yum! We also discovered that the girls are a lot quieter when played the Taylor Swift CD, and that when you leave at 5 in the morning, the trip isn’t so long for the girls, because they sleep, and with the added hour difference between Virginia and Nashville, it equals 4 in the morning. Our ride to Nashville was very pleasant………

I have some pictures of the highlights of our trip…. I hope you enjoy.

Another Kitty Cat Story

I love animals. I always have. But I have a special place in my heart for my wild kitties. There's something about gaining the trust of the wild ones that sends my heart soaring.

Tonight, I was feeding them some leftover chicken. There were 2 out tonight that are relatively new ones, and they don't trust me at all... but they really want the chicken. These two are full grown, and VERY big, for cats. One is a long haired black and white one, and the other is one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen. It's solid grey with big black oval spots all over it's body. Very nice to look at. Then there's a smaller one. I'm guessing he's less than a year old, and looking at his size I'm thinking he was probably the runt of his litter. He's very verbal, and he's been coming around for quite a while. He will sometimes let me stroke his back, only one time though, and he doesn't really like me to. But he knows me and he knows I'm not going to hurt him. He'll eat the chicken right out of my hand, and when he's hungry he waits by the door.

Now, what is so funny, is that the two big cats keep thier distance... and I throw the chicken, and they eat it up and wait in the distance for me to throw some more. And when I go in the house they run, and when I come back out they run.. and they'll inch their way back up when they see the chicken. But the little guy ALWAYS gets the most. He's smarter than they are. He stays by the door and waits, and he has no problem taking the chicken right out of my hand, and because he's closer, and willing to stay right with me, he always gets the larger peices... and he knows this.

This little guy, who is no match for other two, outsmarts them every time! He reminds me of David in the David and Goliath story in the Bible. He's my favorite little wild kitty!

And that was our night at the NHCA Easter music program. We all had such a good time. Aimee's friends were there and Alyson's friends were there... and now that I've started going to the NHCA Thursday night Bible study.. my friends were there too. It's so nice to walk in a place where everyone smiles at you and asks if you're having a good week.

And guess who was serving everyone cupcakes and drinks behind the counter after the show.... our sweet Aimee.

I Love NHCA!!!!

Easter Musical Program 2010

Then, Aimee wanted to know could she please spend the night at her friends house, even though it's a school night and even though we have a rule against staying with friends on school nights and they would study and make really good grades tomorrow if she could go. And I said well................... maybe if I could get a picture.

Easter Musical Program 2010

And here's Alyson with her friends.

And now it was time for Alysons group to play the recorder. I didn't even know she was taking recorder lessons.... but here you have it!