Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Mama!! I Love ya!!

Dawg Days

Friday we once again were on the road. This time it was to Georgia for Chrisa's graduation from UGA (congrats DB!). We loaded up her belongings on Friday, which were ready to be loaded upon arrival, later that evening we headed over to Aunt Jane's house to spend the night. Saturday graduation was at 2:30. The graduates (doctoral and masters') were to arrive 1 hour prior and in the meantime us spectators passed the time by counting the seats (which was over 800) and my knitting tagged along as well. Once the ceremony got started it wasn't TOO bad and spirits were lifted a bit when we found out there were over 800 graduates and only about half of them showed.

Get ready to show your dawg spirit...
With all of the able bodies it only took about 30 minutes to load. This was a major plus since the pollen was prolific and along with the heat gave you a nice sticky feeling...the only furniture we left behind was a dresser that we set by the dumpster; the next day it was gone...
After graduation...

Saturday morning enjoying States and Jane's screened in porch...

Figuring out how to wear their hood...Congrats Chrisa and Meg!

Mama and me...

Dad and Mama...

Dad drove the entire way home because you couldn't see out the back and neither mama nor I are natural truck drivers. I tried to entertain myself by knitting, until it was too dark to see, and taking pictures.

Wedding

This past weekend my cousin Curt was married (or "got hitched" as they say in Andy Griffith). Here are a few pics; sorry there are none of the bride and groom!

(What a nice comment DB! I'll be sure to oblige you sooner next time!)

And the forecast calls for...

Cold temps maybe snow, or maybe rain, might be cloudy but sun could break through by mid day....
And since the weather is suppose to turn into winter tomorrow Mama picked these pretty tulips for the table. I think the center of a tulip resembles a wasp (imagination handy).Dad's Asian pear trees are in full bloom. How can something so pretty be so tasty?Here is my first almost completed quilted square. I was remarking to Mama tonight that quilting is not for the faint hearted. In case you forget you have a very sharp object in your hand poking yourself will bring you back to the present and thus you realize your stitches resemble a slithering snake instead of a straight line (mine is somewhere in between the two).

Gabriel, this picture if your you buddy! This is one of the plants you helped Grandmama with; they are peaking their little heads out of the ground and blooming. :)The mountain does not come with the package but may be seen in person for a small fee. Deals offered for first time viewers. No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years or older to win. Void where prohibited.

Driving 101

This past weekend I have found out what it feels like to be a truck driver. Friday, Daddy and I drove to Roanoke for me to write an essay and a short interivew for Dental Hygiene; Saturday Mama, Carrie, Will and I drove to South Carolina for a combined shower for two of my cousins and Sunday Dad and Mama drove to North Carolina; I didn't want to stay home all evening by myself so they dropped me by Rob and Carrie's. To say the least, by last night all of us were haggard and road weary.

On Friday, Dad and I rode through Pulaski. He took me to see the church he pastored, the house where they brought me home and othe sights. (What stories a house could tell if it could only talk!) A cat stuck his head through a curtain while we were admiring the house. The town reminded me of Andy Griffth (yeah, maybe I'm a fan of the show). :)

Will was quite the trooper riding for 7 hours in one day. I snapped this picture of him when we had stopped for one of his feedings. He was handsome in his khaki pants and polo shirt.

Thanks!

I would like to thank all of you for praying for our recovery!! Although mama is still sore, we are both on the mend, and I might add a bit more cautious at traffic lights! Dad brought home the liscense plates,from the totaled car, which were nicely duct taped together, with the words "Blue Vibe. Wrecked." I guess a wreck is a wreck to them...the car is non-driveable-needs help, perhaps a new home in a junk yard, or maybe just a new frame.

I had a request for a picture of my lip. I did shrink it so as not to gross anyone out.

Our Good Friday

This morning mama and I took off for a shopping trip to Exit 7 with plans to meet Carrie and kiddos. It was very apparent that God had other plans, some that we would have like to fore go. At the traffic light, in Lebanon, a lady to the right of us and whose light was red did not stop and by the time we saw her it was too late for me to stop...we collided. Thanks to mama calling 911 help arrived quickly and in the meantime some very attentive witnesses were there to check on us. From there the rescue squad arrived and jotted down some basic info. Then they urged us, despite us telling them we were not injured, to have a doctor check us out. Thus we were ushered into an ambulance and to the RCMC. We had a few x-rays taken and thankfully they were clear. Mama is quite sore from the seat belts restraining power and my lower lip has seen better days; as for the other driver she was not seriously injured either.
The Vibe-erator, however, was seriously injured and was towed by the closest wrecker service. They were backed up and ready for action before we were even out of the car!
Somewhere between the collision and when we stopped rolling the rear view mirror flew off (I say flew because now I realize when you are in a wreck nothing 'comes' off but flies). I offered it to dad as a souvenir but he declined...it remains where you see it. Mama's glasses ended up in the floor beside my seat...Notice the spider web-like pattern on the window...Although this Good Friday was not good in the way we would have liked it was good in God's goodness towards us in sparing our lives! Thank you does not seem enough but it is the word that I have said over and over today...for God would have been just as good if he had not spared my (our) lives today. Like the simple child's prayer, "God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him..."

Abstract Scenery

While driving home from work I saw a distant animal in the road. I assumed it was a bird (as my distant vision isn't THAT great) but it was a dog. It would seem that it's friend had been hit by a car and lay in the middle of the road. As I approached the dog ran reluctantly away leaving his friend to the mercy of the passing cars. This brought to mind the shortness of life and how lost I would be without God's help, guidance and saving grace; like the sad dog that ran away confused about which direction to run. I passed the dogs feeling sad but thankful for the beauty that surrounds me...
I did not want to let the first day of sPrInG pass by without pictures!
After I took this picture is brought to mind Goliath, although he wasn't so distorted. What would it feel like to not only be this tall....you could reach all sorts of things, like a giraffe...
Then I laid down to take a picture of the sky but I didn't stay there long because the sidewalk was hard and it didn't exactly feel warm 'n' toasty outside to be on the ground...

On to the kitchen now...I have often wondered how long it will be before some artist sales a picture, for thousands of dollars, of a full dish drainer. Maybe I could be the first? You could have themes, pots artfully arranged or plates and bowls that resemble people...

Before ya'll think I have 'lost my marbles', here is a picture of a crocus flower for your viewing enjoyment...I hope you all are enjoying sPrInG and the beauty it brings!

SPRING!!

Today is the FIRST day of spring! However, we had a light dusting (very sparce) of snow this morning. So as I get ready to head off to work I hope each and every one of you have a WONDERFUL day!!! HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!

A few of my favorite things...

On the drive home from work I was thinking how much I LOVE spring! Spring gives the plants, animals, vegetation that hibernated for winter a chance to make their presence known! (Oh...I forgot about planting you last year...welcome) What is your favorite thing about spring?! Is it the smell of freshly cut grass, drinking in a field full of wildflowers, or peaceful evenings listening to crickets and feeling the breeze? I myself get great pleasure out of watching birds hop around the yard looking for a juicy worm; hearing a John Deere cut grass; painting my toes all sorts of fun colors... Okay! Enough ramblings...you tell me what you love about spring! Comments welcome! :)

spring Break

While Chrisa was in for spring she performed her recital at church; She and Meg also did a few duets. It was good to hear it again and not be AS nervous. We took more pictures this time since no one was waiting to practice in the recital hall.

Mama & Chrisa

Dad & Chrisa

Mr, Hankins & meThe performers

Mr& Mrs. Dale, Mr. & Mrs. Lester & Mrs. Dye

Chrisa & me

Spring-ish Weather

The weekend brought some interesting weather. Saturday it snowed but by Sunday after church the snow had melted and Robins were making their home again in the trees (actually they were on the ground...)

Sunday morning:Saturday night:

Twilight zone snow?

And a spring bird; say hello...:)

Flying Fingers

Chrisa's graduate piano recital was this past weekend. All but two of Dad's siblings were there as well as the Soundara's. We had a fun time visiting and sleeping 8 people in a one bedroom apartment. She did a great job but most of us were too nervous to enjoy to the fullest extent. The pictures of Chrisa in her princess dress, as Mya called it, were a little dark (despite the attempt to lighten them up).

(l to r): Nancy, Missy, Doris, Dad, Jane Chrisa breathing a sigh of reliefThe Soundara clan Randy, Missy and me
Doris and mama

Chrisa and her teacher Dr. Z. Sam and Chrisa