The Grandkids

Laura sent me a couple snapshots from Saturday night, which she took with her phone. For those of the family who take a gander - please take note.....I cannot recall anywhere in history where a child looked so much like her mother as dear Abby does!! Do you not agree?? You can just see the mischief in her eyes!

Mama and Papa seem to be doing well. I talked to Mama yesterday evening and she says that she and Abby had a "ball" yesterday. Abby fixed her hair and everything else Mama did, she wanted to be involved in. I hear that Abby is very dramatic with her tales......and I know exactly where she gets that from.

Papa, Dad, and Zach took a fishing trip yesterday after school as well. I haven't heard reports first hand on that, but what's not to enjoy.......well, maybe other than the cow pile that Zach stepped in. I only know about that because they were attempting to figure out how to deal with it on the shoe when the conversation ended. lol

Update from the South

I talked with Mom, Laura, and Mama this morning. Everyone is doing well. Mama spent the evening yesterday, reading books to Zach and Abby, while Papa spent his evening attempting to gain Abby's confidence. I hear that at the last minute, Abby decided to give Papa a goodbye hug.....

Papa and Dad have spent the morning outside pruning trees - Dad working while Papa directed. Mama and Mom were sitting on the front porch enjoying 70 degree weather a little while ago.

Everyone seems happy.....Papa has even mentioned selling the farm this morning. So, hopefully that will come to fruition.....sooner than later.

Mama has a doctor's appointment on Monday the 21st with a GI specialist that Laura used to work with. We are happy about this.

Right now, plans on what to do from here are going to be taken a day at the time....Mom keeps saying that Mama has to decide whether she likes her well enough to stay or not. lol

Laura and I keep reinterating the fact to Mama that having her here makes it so much easier for us because we know Mom isn't half the United States away worrying. Hopefully they will like the south enough that they want to stay forever! That would be a prayer answered.

Her Mother's Child

On Wednesday night, Addison was invited to her first slumber party - scheduled for Friday night. She was beside herself excited. The truth of the matter of is, the only clue she has about a slumber party is what knowledge she has gleaned from the Berenstain Bear's version of slumber parties. She smiles at the mention of them and has visions of the pictures of feathers flying everywhere with pillow fights and popcorn strewn all over the floor! That's the extent of her knowledge of a slumber party.

Anyway for the past 3 days, that's all she's talked about. As a matter of fact, she sat straight up in the bed on Friday morning with her eyes half closed and said, "I'm supposed to be at a slumber party!" I reminded her that was not until later in the day. She smiled, said "OK," and snuggled back into her pillow and passed back out for another hour and a half.

After she finally crawled out of bed, she was full speed ahead, trying to figure what needed to packed, and everything else there is to think about......

En Route to drop her off, she asked me the question....."Mommy, do you like slumber parties?" I was instantly taken back to my memories of slumber parties and had a very ready answer of "absolutely not - truth is - I hate them?" She replied with, "oh, I LOVE slumber parties!" I just smiled knowing that she hadn't a clue what she was in for. I especially knew that she didn't have a clue when she became completely and literally speechless when she walked into the meeting place and there was complete chaos and yelling and screaming going on by approximately 9 other little girls. She slid to the side of the wall and crawled up on the lap of an older girl and just sat watching wide-eyed, not sure if she wanted in on this or not.

I finally left and became instantly interested to see if her view of slumber parties had changed yet when I would pick her up the next morning. As I drove home, I began to recall the actual ONLY slumber party I ever went to. I fell asleep at 10 p.m. of complete exhaustion and was awakened multiple times during the night from noise and would be prank players. It was the most MISERABLE night of my life. I seriously vowed I'd never attend another.....and I didn't. Those reasons are also the same reasons that I absolutely hated every youth camp I ever attended. I try to be a pleasant personality most of the time, but when I am sleep -deprived, it is not going to be good!! I MUST have sleep - or else........!! lol

So.....I picked Addison up this morning. According to the present adult who hosted the party - God love her, she's a better one than me - she said they settled down at approximately 12:30 am this morning. I picked Addison back up at 10 just as I had planned.

I knew the minute I picked her up, it was going to be an interesting. She didn't speak, was in no wise pleasant - and only wanted to be put in her car seat with her pillow. Knowing that life would be no good if I didn't oblige, I gave in. On the way home, I ran into Wal-Mart. She cried......she was sleepy. So, I just put her sleeping bag in the bottom of the buggy with a little pillow she had carried with her and I was no more in the door and she was out cold! I picked up my few little things, headed out and picked her up like a lead balloon and put her in the car seat. She adjusted her pillow a little, and was out again. Less than 10 minutes later, I transferred her to my bed....again like a lead balloon. It's 12:40 p.m. in the afternoon on Saturday and she has yet to open her eyes.........She's been asleep almost 3 hours.

And I have yet to hear an opinion on slumber parties..........LOL

They Have Arrived

I don't have any details...as everyone is too caught up in the bustle to update me. Bitter...party of one! Lol.

Anyway, Mom, Mama, and Papa have arrived at home in Millry. From updates during the trip, it appears that it was a good one.

I'll let you know what I hear next. If anyone wants to join in and add information that I leave out, please feel free to share. I'll be more than thrilled.

Until later....

To Make You Smile

I shared this with my Aunt Linda this morning and she recommended that I share it with the rest of you to make you smile!

Her Favorite Game

Being that "Mama GG" was the topic of the last post, I thought I'd post it in her honor. For those who know her, you know that this is something that she loves! I think she slept with a fly swatter in her hands at times. lol

GG in the name is representative of great-grandmother - in case you are curious. Mama came up with it when Zach came to see her at one point.

Another Page Turned

Yesterday I was reminded that my blog would soon be "hot" again.... And she don't know just how right she is......

So, here we go.....it's been a crazy month and a half since I wrote anything, and every time I think about getting on to write, I think of something else more important I need to be doing. I can still come up with a list, but life is changing soon for all of us, hopefully, and maybe will cause the uprisings in our personal lives to all calm down.

When chaos is happening in the lives of my immediate family members, it affects me and my ability to concentrate well, and to be flat out honest, I don't have a great recollection of what all has transpired in the last few months....I just know it's been chaotic. Between the effects of every "blooming" thing (literally) there is in Georgia, and the chaos surrounding the dramatic lives of my mom's parents, it's just too much to think on. :-)

So, I'll start at the easiest point there is to bring us up to speed as quickly as possible. As most of you know, Mom has spent many weeks of the past year in Ohio seeing to the tending of her parents. Her siblings have offered her great moral and mental support and as much physical support as possible....and for this Dad, Laura and I are grateful. It's not been our favorite moments in life knowing she was up there with no surrounding support - because of the location of where my grandparents live. It has taken a little over a year.....as a matter of fact it's been since August of 2009....but after multiple uprisings, differing opinions, multiple medical events, Mom has finally insisted that my grandparents come south with her. They are not totally prepared mentally to give up their lives in Ohio just yet, but we're hoping to change that in the next few weeks. And then there's the subject of what to do with Ohio, but that's another subject for another moment!

At the present moment, we are hoping to find a place where Mama and Papa can be completely supported in every way, yet continue to maintain their independence for as long as possible, while everyone around them gets to continue to be active in the lives of their family and friends and continue with their obligations of life. We are looking into some exciting possibilities and this is where we will keep the blog "hot" with updates and hopefully a few pictures in the process of the progress. But first we have to convince them that this is what will be the best for them and give them a quality to their lives that they have been missing for quite some time.

So, at the moment, Mom and her two followers are enroute to the sticks of Red Creek and all it promises for them. Hopefully it holds great promise. And I am hoping that tomorrow offers even MORE promise. I know Zach and Abby will be tickled pink to have someone around that has nothing better to do than watch all of their little bicycle tricks and silly antics.....and Addison is itching to get in on the fun. I can just hear it now, "Hey Mama GG - watch me!" "Hey Papa Way (that's Abby and Addison) - watch this!" It just makes me smile thinking of their little eyes lighting up with excitement at the constant attention.

So, our journey goes from here.....hopefully it will be a better journey than anyone even anticipates. Whatever happens, I promise to keep you updated! As one of my favorite artists (Annie Chapman) would sing......."the pages turn, and the chapters close.....line by line, the story goes.....how quick it reads....as the candle burns.....the years go by and the pages turn......"

What's MY attitude today??

SCULPTOR'S ATTITUDE
- Author Unknown

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new
relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

Have a GREAT DAY! Unless you have other plans.

A New Day by Dr. Heartsill Wilson

This is the beginning of a new day.

I have been given this day to use as I will.

I can waste it, or use it.

I can make it a day long to be remembered for its joy, its beauty and its achievements, or it can be filled with pettiness.

What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever, but I shall hold something which I have
traded for it.

It may be no more than a memory, but if it is a worthy one I shall not regret the price.

I want it to be gain not loss, good not evil, success not failure.

Life Is......by Mother Theresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

Success

For many years, I have had a square magnet hanging on my refrigerator. It serves as a reminder to me that the small things count. It contains a quote from the literary author, Ralph Waldo Emerson. I would have to say this is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Sometimes we get so caught up in the big stuff, we forget about the small things. And I'm at the top of the list of the guilty. Every time I walk past my refrigerator and read this, I smile because it reminds me of all the small things that I really love!

Success:

"To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.This is to have succeeded."

Special Dedication

On Saturday, the 22nd of January, my beautiful mother turned _ _ yrs old. :-) I'll let you guess!

I was running like crazy on Saturday and failed to sit down and write a beautiful post about her, etc.... I figured since I didn't, I would dedicate this little clip to her - since this is what makes her happiest! Not the injuries! Just the humor in them!

Mom, this is for you!! And Happy Belated Birthday! You know I love you!

Priscilla Memorial

Since the previous post had some information regarding the McGruders, I would like to provide a link to all of the people who read this blog who might be interested in seeing a new Tribute video that is currently available for the fans of Priscilla McGruder. This video is currently available on a website that I've never embedded from, and to be frankly honest, I really like it and don't want to do anything that might get it pulled off of the internet. I'm not sure it's posted with permission, so I'm not going to take any chances of getting in trouble along with whoever else may.....however, for the moment, the memorial can currently be seen in it's entirety HERE! It appears it was posted 12 days ago and has not had many hits, so if you want to see it, you better watch it while it is available.

Be prepared, it's 30 minutes of the songs that were some of the signature songs that Priscilla sang. The first one they kick it off with happens to be one of my dad's favorites, "Since He Gave My Life A New Start."

From My Hobby

As you've probably noticed, the link to the other blog that I moderate is listed here on my site. I've told you all about my hobby over on the other site and my passion about the late, great Lady McGruder. I recently wrote a post for that blog that prompted me to write this post. Being the fan of their music that I am, I always a little apprehensive to hear someone else sing their songs. I am always worried that something someone else does with their songs may injure what I consider to be the sacredness of it - as corny as that sounds.

Not very long ago, some friends from Alabama, (the Newberrys) stopped by our church while visiting some family members. The wife of this couple was asked to sing, and began the lines of one of my all time favorites of the McGruders, "I Can Go to the Master." I found it interesting that after church, I had two or three of my close confidants who asked me how I handled it that she sang that song. I got a good laugh out of it, and the truth of the matter was, I am confident that I probably enjoyed it more than anyone in the building.

For DAYS after she sang that song, it got stuck in my head and wouldn't go away. On a whim, I ran across this interesting video of someone across the world singing that same song. I immediately fell in love with this version. Although, I will be quick to admit, Priscilla will always be close to my heart in every way possible - no one can sing it like she could - but the others have definitely hit the mark in their versions of it.

If you're interested, this is a video of that same song, being sung by a group from Solomon Islands in Africa from a Seventh Day Adventist Church. Their names are "Echoes of Innocence." And my goodness - they are superb! The harmony is phenomenal and just makes you need to stare and listen to it again and again. If you get time, this is for your listening pleasure. I promise you, it is worth the few minutes it takes to watch it.

Christmas in Alabama

Christmas in Alabama pictures

My little girl is 4!

Pictures from Addison's 4th birthday!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Well it's only been approximately 2 months since I've even said hello on this site. I really do apologize. I hope to do much better in the next little while. It's been a crazy ride since the last of November, when I last posted, but I'm back, so hopefully life will slow down a bit.

I could rant about all the happenings since then, but it would probably bore you, so I'll spare you. However, I hope everyone is kicking off the new year in a good way and are finding ways to be less busy! I'm trying. I'm actually making myself sit down this morning and catch up on a few things. I have a list a mile long I need to be working on. And will begin it shortly.

I didn't even write a list for new year resolutions.....first I just want to recover my house from the last month of chaos. I'm working on it, but it's a work in progress. I'm loading stuff for the Goodwill as I go along, so it's taking a little longer than normal, but I really hate clutter and it's been bothering me long enough, so I'm trying to shed it as I clean up. Once I get my house in order, maybe I'll have time to sit down and catch up on my posting. Fortunately, I got a new computer for Christmas, so I can finally once again have decent internet access without having to sit down and it take me a week to get one post accomplished. It's such a beautiful thing when the computer works right!!

Like I said, I won't get sidetracked by the events of the past month and a half, but for those of you who keep up with me (whether it be family or friends) from various sections of the United States, I'll show you a few pics taken in the last few weeks. Because of the way this computer works, I'll have to post the pictures in a separate post, so they will actually appear before this post. By the time you read this, you'll already have seen them!! Oh Well!!!

Christian Neighbors

This morning on the way to work, I listened to an interview with a professor from Notre Dame and a radio host regarding the discussion of Christianity giving, volunteer work, and generalized generosity vs. the secular world.

I can't remember the statistics, but it was overwhelming at how much more Christians gave, even to secular needs / causes as opposed to the secular world. There was also another issue mentioned and that was the subject of having Christian neighbors versus non-Christian neighbors. There was an extensive poll done to prove that regular church attending Christians make better neighbors and citizens than non-regular attending citizens.

This is a small clip from USA Today opinion spurred from discussion of the book "American Grace" by David Campbell and Robert Putnam. I think it's definitely something to think about.

This is just one of those thought provoking things I found interesting and since most of the people who read my blog are regular church attendees, I thought I'd share the thoughts!

Sweet Memories

This morning, after getting up, I checked my email. A newsletter for the month had arrived in my email from one of my favorite writers. Actually, she's a singer, but although she's on my short list of favorite singers, she's probably at the very top of the list of favorite writers. After you finish reading my post, if you like this style of writing, I feel sure she'll make it to the top of your list.

This particular email sent my way back to reminiscing about many things of my past. It's a beautiful thing! It's such a blessing to have such wonderful childhood memories to look back upon....and not something I dread to think about.

Here's the "post" that showed up in my mailbox this morning. By the way, the writer is Janet Paschal.

Hey Everybody,

There is an old Chinese proverb which says, ‘Distance lends enchantment to the view.’ I think that’s probably true, but, still, there are days I’d love to go back - back to childhood summers, dinner around our family table, and Sunday mornings at our house. I honestly think they were as great as I recall.

Our summers at home were fun: Kay, indoors, practicing her homemaking skills and I, outdoors, locating the perfect tree to climb. We had a real playhouse, a swingset and a bicycle, not to mention a forest of Carolina black pines behind our backyard.

One of our favorite indoor pasttimes was constructing a tent in the kitchen (a quilt pulled tight over chair backs and held by heavy books.) We’d take pimento cheese sandwiches inside and watch ‘I Love Lucy’ on the 19” black and white tv my dad won at the local car dealership. Pimento cheese never tasted as good, or Lucy’s antics seem as comical.

Because we had a very strict upbringing and were not exposed to the worldly vices of that day, one summer afternoon Kay and I decided to take matters into our own hands. We agreed to say all of the bad words we knew. We walked outdoors to our dad’s workshed, went inside, closed and locked the door, and proceeded to say the bad words. There were two. It was so strange hearing them in our voices. A few minutes later, we repented fervently and left the shed. Our conscience plagued us for a long time over that one.

My mom cooked dinner every night (and breakfast every morning.) We all sat at the table, together, at the same time and everyone shared what had happened at work or school. Kay always told her stories so well (aiding and abetting where necessary) that I usually deferred to her. Even as a child I remember looking forward to ‘supper’ because that’s when everyone just talked together. That is still one of my favorite things.

Sunday mornings were extremely predictable. My dad sang hymns along with the television singers, Kay dressed early and practiced her piano, and my mom took a few extra moments to dress. Each week she looked more beautiful. We’d load into the car, Kay and I in patent leather shoes (she with matching purse,) and head for my grandpa’s church. My grandmother taught our Sunday School class for several years and we loved that. At one point, they purchased an easel board complete with individual Bible characters made of felt that stuck onto the board, allowing the teacher to illustrate stories and people more colorfully. We thought we’d moved into the ranks of the high church.

At the bell we’d run - ah, walk - to the sanctuary for the worship service. In my mind’s eye I can see every detail: Mrs. Payne sitting at the piano with her pocketbook at her feet, my grandmother sitting on the inside row, second pew, and my grandfather making sure he shook every hand in the congregation before he mounted the pulpit. Following announcements and prayer requests we’d grab a hymnal from the pew in front of us and turn the worn pages to the familiar pieces we sang over and over. After identifying the song, some of us would smugly close the book again just to emphasize the fact that we knew the words. Oh, the crazy things we did....

As a child, I did not realize that the hymns we sang found lodging deep inside the core of who I am. I did not realize that the theology contained in the great songs of the church would strengthen and uphold me years later when, as Job, the thing I most feared came upon me. I did not know that the poetry and rhyme of the ancient writers would help shape the person I am or who I will yet become.

Now, when I hear an old familiar lyric, it is almost like riding up the road, over the railroad tracks, past the small white mission, and left at the country store. The driveway goes uphill - to the big oak tree where Larry Perkins used to tease me and say that he was my boyfriend - to the little church that was air-conditioned before any of our homes or cars - to the graveyard where my grandfather waits for his bright tomorrow.

While the hymns can’t transport me back to those days, their rhythmic words on a page help define my faith. They ignite my memory. They lend perspective to grim days. They woo me back to my first love.

So, on a given day, I’d go back if I could; not to change anything much, but just to live it all again. It was so simple and so pure. Well, except for that shed thing.

Have a blessed November...

Janet

Fall Apart Ham Shank

If you are anything like me, you really hate "carving" a ham. So, recently, I took it upon myself to try a new experiment. I decided to cook a ham shank and cook it the same way I cook a picnic ham. And let me tell you, I was ever so happy about that decision and the result. Picnics can be a tad saltier than the human tongue can bear at times (which I personally don't mind, but others do), so the shank is not quite so salty. However, I much rather prefer the way a picnic falls apart after cooking it, much more than that the huge shank that stares you in the face and dares you to start slicing to do something with it.

So, here's my new ham recipe. I don't advise you to do this on Thanksgiving day for a crowd without experimenting, so I recommend a test run on the smallest shank you can find!

Fall Apart Ham Shank:

Preheat oven to 310 degrees

Ingredients:
- ham (shank portion)
- 1 can of Mtn Dew

-----------------------

In a roasting pan, place tin foil on the bottom before placing ham portion in. (use enough to cover the ham completely after prep)

Place ham on tin foil and pour Mtn Dew all over ham - use the entire can.

Completely cover the ham and place in oven.

Cook at 310 for at least 1 hour for each pound.

Note: Please don't panic if your ham appears to be a little bit browner on a few edges than normal. The sugar caramelizes and it gives that appearance, but your ham is not burnt.

After you pull the ham out of the oven, you should be able to stab it with a fork and withdraw a delicious piece tender, delicious ham.

At some point, drain the "gravy" out of the roaster and thicken it up with a little corn starch and you have some delicious gravy for the ham.

YUMMY!! I think I'll go get a ham now!!

Cream Cheese / Beef Cheeseball Recipe

This recipe is truly awesome and loved by almost all that try it. Serve it with some Town House crackers and I promise you'll make some fans of it!!

Ingredients:

- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 stalks of green onions (more or less - depending on your like or dislike of onions)
- 1 jar of dried beef (found in the aisle with the canned meats)
- 1 tbsp of mayo

In a bowl, cream the cream cheese and mayo together with a mixer.

I use a chopper to chop the green onions and dried beef into fine pieces.

Once the onions and dried beef are in fine pieces, mix them into the cream cheese mixture well with the mixer.

You have several options once the last step is completed. I usually put mine in a glass, decorative serving bowl and cover it with saran wrap. You can also refrigerate it for a while, then once it has stiffened back up a little, then make into a "cheeseball" to be set into a tray for serving. You may also coat with pecans, but personally, it's my preference not to do this!

Cooking Time

Thanksgiving and Christmas are my two favorite holidays on the calendar. I think it's probably a combination of a few things.....first off, what the holidays represent and secondly, all of the memories and nostalgia that surround them. And, man do I have loads of those!!

I thought I would do something a little different on my blog for the next little bit. I have never done this, and these days I'm kinda busy, so I would like some help from you readers in making this next month pretty busy with postings.

I'm looking for "holiday" (Thanksgiving and / or Christmas) recipes and traditions.

If you have a recipe that is special in your family, I'd love to post it. I love to cook, so I love new recipes. I'll post a few myself just to get it started. I'd also be happy if you jotted down a little note about something special / traditional that you do in your family during the holidays.

So think about some recipes, and send them over to me at boomerrn79@gmail.com.

Birthday Boy

Saturday night, Jeremy and myself, along with approx. 50 or so of our other church members, attended an awesome Brian Free and Assurance concert. The front rows were lined with young boys / teenage guys from our church. They are really getting into the "quartet thing." It was really great to see them enjoy something so much what we have loved for years and years and have invested time and money into such a hobby! And we're talking serious time and serious money! It's so funny to me to watch their eyes light up and hear them holler and whistle when the quartets do some pretty amazing things like......the bass singer rattles the walls with his low bass singing and Brian Free lifts the roof off with his high voice.

It was a special night for all of us because we got to witness one of the greatest events that could ever happen in one of those young fan's lives. His name is Bradley Mingledorff. He is our fill-in drummer at our church and likes being a clown. I think he's a good kid and has a great personality. Knowing what a fan of Assurance he is, what happened that night made us all smile and almost get as excited as he did.

Bradley turned 16 the day of the concert. His wish for his birthday was that all of his family come to the concert with him. So, his two brothers, mom, dad/stepmother, and grandmother all showed up. He had the time of his life singing along and hooting and hollering after each song. After intermission, Brian Free comes back to stage with a little white bag and picks it up and begins to tell the audience how it's Bradley's 16th birthday. And how proud he is to see all of the young boys so interested in their music.....and how easy it would have been for them to be anywhere else besides the front row of a gospel music concert. He then began to unload his little white bag, giving Bradley 2 new CD's, a signed picture of the group, and an autographed t-shirt for his birthday. Bradley was over the moon. Everyone was clapping and yelling and carrying on so......

And he thought he'd been handed the world. Unknown to him, it wasn't over yet.....at the end of the concert, as BF&A sang their last song, "King Jesus," they called Bradley to the stage to sing with him. He went over and shared a mic with Derrick Selph, the baritone, since that was his range. After a few seconds, Derrick Selph handed the mic to Bradley and he got to complete the song and the concert with BF&A. Talk about a birthday present. I'm not sure who was most excited, Bradley, or the entire crew of family and friends who got to witness it. I grabbed my camera out of my purse and got it turned on and rolling just in time to catch the last solo part of the night. And over and over again, I have watched and smiled about the excitement of Bradley Mingledorff's big moment and how much love was shown to a 16 year old who loves gospel music! What a night!

Exercise Your Right!

Just in case it has slipped anyone's mind, don't forget that today is Election Day. I'm sure if you have listened to the news at any time recently, you have been reminded, but this is just one more friendly reminder. I am with the rest of you that I'm ready for it to be over. The phone calls are endless!!

Anyway, I think of elections like this: it is one of my greatest opportunities to let my voice be heard and my displeasure be known for the route in which my country is headed - and attempt to change it. And I'll just go ahead and say, I am extremely displeased. The talk consistently around my job is where the new health bill will take us. There are emails coming rampantly to my work email to enjoy the pleasures as I know them now, because soon they will change, if things continue as they are. Let me just say, I'm not happy about that possibility. And the doctors that are actually worth something are going to be run over by the ones willing to conform all to government standards.......that just turns my stomach. I really like my doctors that I have chosen in this city, and unfortunately, I see them being some of the first to be punished.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but this is one of the things that really bothers me about the direction of our country. It affects me the most, the quickest. It's standing over me like an impending doom!

So, exercise your right today!! GO VOTE!! Don't count on someone else to make their voice heard - in your place. I always say and firmly believe: "If you don't vote, don't complain! You could have changed something with your vote!!" Alot of the time when it comes to listening to people complain about the way things are, I ask them if they voted before they start in about it. It matters that much to me. Don't complain about something you could have prevented and didn't.....and if you voted for the problem, at least have the guts to say you make a mistake!!

Enough said.....now GO VOTE!!!

Dollywood Overload

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Dollywood overload!! That's what happens when you have season passes, a 6 day stay in the mountains, and a 3 year old who thinks she's died and gone to heaven when she passes through the ticket counter into Dollywood!

On Tuesday morning, while I stayed at my grandparent's house and cleaned up for our departure, Jeremy took Addison back for the last journey through Dollywood for this trip. After a little over two hours of being gone, Jeremy text me and this was what his text said...."Scrambler 5 times, Larry and Bob - 4 (the miniature Veggie Tales roller coaster), elephants - 2 (the Flying Dumbos), Carousel, Pigs, Ducks, Bees, Race Cars 2 times. All in 2 Hours."

The mental image I got from this text was pretty hilarious. All I could see was this "video" in my head in fast motion of them going from ride to ride, running off to get to the next one. I got a good laugh out of it. I don't have a picture of the scrambler, but it's as nauseating as it sounds! But pretty fun! She obviously thought it was all that! Here are a few of the other things that she thought was pretty fun.

If you look closely into the car of the yellow cart, you can see both of her hands up in the air. You may have to click on the picture to enlarge it to see it.