December Wonder

From our house to yours Merry Christmas!

I can't believe 2011 is almost gone.  It was a year of new adventures and opportunities.  We had a beautiful Christmas and I pray your house was full of love and grace.  Happy Almost New Year!  :) Merry Christmas! From July 29, 2011

I'm still around!

Life became busy upon our return from Oklahoma.  We made a trip to Kentucky to visit with our oldest son and his wife.  We had the priveledge of uplifting them into the ministry.  His dad was honored to speak at the ordination service.  It took me back several years.  I was a young bride when my husband was ordained as a minister, and here I am 32 years later committing my life again to pray, this time for my child who has chosen to follow God's calling into the ministry. 

I am one proud mama!  :)

We returned from Kentucky, worked 2 days then gathered all of those of us who could travel and headed to Georgia.  Our middle child - the one who was in OK, is now stationed in GA and as the Army has a tendency to do, while he is in his training phase is not allowed to leave the area.  It's been awhile since I've ridden in a van with 6 adults.  We had a great time!  We arrived at Ft. Gordon, GA in time for Thanksgiving meal on post.  It was a treat!  The officers served the enlisted men and their families.  The tables were decoratively set and there was plenty of food.  :)  It was so much fun being with all the kids and listening to the teasing, laughing, and overall just spending time with our family!  The week following Thanksgiving was hectic and a little frantic.  I am the advisor for FCCLA, a student organization with the emphasis on Family.  Our community project for this year was "STOP Child Abuse".  I will tell you more about that in another post.  I forgot the camera and left it at school.  On that Friday, I had surgery on my right ear.  I know the surgery and condition have a name, but for the life of me, I don't know what they called it.  I had to go to Knoxville, to a specialist for this surgery.  I have been completely deaf in that right ear - it has gotten worse.  Basically, if you spoke to me on my right side I would not have a clue what was being said.  Miracles, for me anyway, it was correctable with surgery. I admit, I was very nervous, to choose to have surgery is not an easy decision to make.  But with the frustration of asking people to repeat everything they say to you and then still not having a clue, I realized it was time.  The nurses and staff at the hospital were kind and made the experience not horrible.  :)  I really was expecting it to be horrible so I was pleasantly suprised.  I headed into the operating room at 7:30 and woke up at 9:30.  We were headed home by noon.  I have spent this past week recooperating.  There are always side effects of having surgery that are unpleasant, but for the most part, I have had an easy time of it.  I am greatful!  I went back and had the packing and stitches removed on Thursday.  That wasn't a picnic nor was it fun.  I left with a horrible headache and pretty much feeling yucky.  On the positive side - I can already tell a huge difference.  I go back in a month for hearing tests, but when I cover what use to be my good ear, I now can hear!  I am thankful! My beautiful daughter has been able to stay with me and help.  While here she has been creative and made these ornaments.  I love them!  I am in awe of her creativity! I plan on attempting to return to normal life around here.  Tomorrow I will give church a try and then possibly school on Monday.  I've missed being at school and think it will be interesting to see if I can now "hear" what the students are saying.  :) Love,

From July 29, 2011

Oklahoma!

Guess where I've been? 

OKLAHOMA!

Our middle child graduated from Basic Training with the Army.

We spent time with this young lady and her husband.  :)  The trip there was frightening, thank goodness the trip home was uneventful.  Oklahoma, welcomed me with comfortable weather, no rain, and a few green trees.  The Army training is very intense and only a few complete.  I am proud!  It has been a long 10 weeks.  I got up enough nerve to ask the drill Sargent below, how he commands the attention of 200 young adults within just a few seconds.  I want the secret!  I think it would be helpful when trying to get the attention of high school students.  :)  He assured me if I wanted to join up he could train me.  I said, "no thanks".  :)  But I was very impressed.  I am back in Tennessee, readying myself for a new week. My thoughts are with this young man as he begins a new journey in Augusta, GA. Have a wonderful week! Love,

From July 29, 2011

Spaghetti Squash

Fall has arrived in the mountains! 

 I love it!

Have you tried spaghetti squash?  We gave it a try this weekend and I can say it was quiet tasty!



Wash, pierce with 4 or 5 slits.  Place on paper towels and microwave for 12 minutes, rotating every 4.  It will be soft, and easy to cut in half. When you open it up, you will think you have spaghetti. Remove the seed and with a fork, pull the pulp from the Rine.   Add spaghetti sauce, spaghetti squash, ricotta cheese, mozzerella cheese and more spaghetti sauce.  Bake for 20 - 30 minutes. It was very tasty, but I admit, I think it needed meat.  Of course, that will make not as healthy.  :)  Enjoy! From July 29, 2011

Great Weekend!

It's been a wonderful weekend.  I have received phone calls from both of my out of state children and my dad.  I was blown away with all the best wishes sent to me by former students, friends and family on facebook. 

Yes, I celebrated a birthday. 

I am thankful God has blessed me. 

We went to the movies last night and saw "The Help".  It was a very good movie.  If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend doing so.  I have heard the book is even better, I intend to read it this week.  That period of history in our country was so painful, but necessary.  Unfortunately, I am afraid there are still similar attitudes today - 40 years later.  :( I pray you have a wonderful week, and God sends blessings to you. xoxo 

I missed August

August arrived and went.  August the 8th was a monumental day in our family.  We drove to Knoxville to see our middle child leave what was familiar and comfortable.  He was sworn in to serve our country through the  Army.

I took the above photo with my cell phone.  It isn't great, but I think the look on her face is precious.  I am so glad I caught this.    Letters from Oklahoma indicate, it isn't for the faint of heart.  I am so proud of him!  His beautiful wife celebrates her birthday tomorrow, September 6th.  School began, which is why my blog has been neglected.  I will get things caught up.  I have several projects in the works. Our daughter begins a new journey tomorrow.  Growing up can be a real pain, but she has grown up beautifully and gracefully.  Many prayers are being sent up for her as she embarks on this new adventure. Oldest son and wife are doing well.  His precious wife has also begun a new adventure.  She is working as a law clerk for a judge in Frankfort, KY.  It has rained in TN all day today and I am thankful. XOXO

From July 29, 2011

Learning new technology

I love this photo.  :)  The look on his face says it all!

I am trying to update my blog, learn new techniques and basically avoid organizing my closet.  :)

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pK_-7pYEF3QfvFrrCwvd6g?feat=directlink

Sunday Reception!

We had a great afternoon! 

Brownie bites! 

I have a respect for those who bake and decorate cookies.  I also love Martha!  We made 109 heart shaped cookies using this recipe.  They were delicious!  Soft, not hard, and maybe my new favorite sugar cookie.  My creative daughter and daughter n law  helped decorate those cookies.

This dear lady is a sweet friend, she is a new grandmother!  She just returned  from Singapore, where she spent a month with her beautiful new granddaughter.  :0)

 The happy couple!



 The candelabra was my mother's.  She had used this in our wedding 32 years ago.  I had thought to paint it for an update, but my daughter wouldn't let me.  She liked it just the way it was!  :)

One of the tables.

Chocolate chip cookies!  Seriously, I found this recipe here, and they were fabulous!  The recipe made 120 cookies, which is perfect for a party.  I added pecans - love pecans! 



These sweet ladies drove down from West Virginia and KY to be with us today!  Thank you!

Three weeks - that's all that's left of my summer!

I have homework that I must do before school begins and yes, I've waited to the end of the summer. 

XOXO

Theresa

Wedding Part 2

We had a beautiful weekend in the mountains of Pigeon Forge, TN.  I thought I would give you a break down on how we pulled it all together. 

The sign came from Guam.  The bouquet; flowers from WM and arranged by my friend.

It would not have happened if there had not been a lot of effort from friends and family.  There were 4 weeks between the end of school and the appointed weekend.  What did I do those weeks you ask?  Well, I went to Gatlinburg one week for a conference in Personal Finance.  It is absolutely my favorite conference to attend.

Week #2 saw me in Nashville, attending a workshop on Work Based Learning - which  was a requirement for me, as I will be teaching an Introduction to Education Class this fall.  I brought back homework!  :(

Week #3 I spent in my sewing room.  We had found the "perfect" dress, but it needed a little something extra. The bride wanted a yellow sash with silver sparkle.  Famous words, "I can make that!"  :)  She also wanted the groom to wear a yellow vest.  I was able to make 2 sashes, one vest (did I mention I haven't made buttonholes in 14 years?), 3 table runners and hem the wedding dress ( this made me nervous). 

Our friends from Hopkinsville, KY.

At the end of week #3 I began to not feel so well.  I diagnosed myself, and began taking over the counter drugs to ward off the illness.  Ha!  Each day I would tell myself I was getting better, but on Thursday(day we were leaving for the wedding) morning I realized I needed help.  I was at the Dr.'s office right after she opened and pleaded for a "fit in".  They were so kind.  A shot of antibiotic + B 12 + antibiotic horse size pills + good friends and family = a much more enjoyable time.  :)

Tablecloth found at a K-Mart in Nashville, on clearance.  Flowers 1/2 off from Micheals, wooden statue from Guam, tea lights from "It's really a Dollar", the wooden initials from Hobby Lobby.

 Our longtime friends from KY arrived early to help.  She has the best, "get r done/organizational" skills and immediately had the decorations organized and the husbands helping to get everything put in place. 

Thanks! 

With their help, I was able to stay focused on the food.

Garden Lights - TJ Maxx, yellow buckets - Target, bride added the bows;  hanging flowers bouquet borrowed

The men hung the lights, flowers, swept the porch and basically did a lot of manual labor.

Flowers - Wal Mart, arranged by friend
Vase - Green bean can from cooking
Fabric on vase - given to me by an elderly lady in our church
Yellow tablecloth - Clearance K-Mart
Brown Table runner - sewing project

Brown tablecloth - T J Maxx
Yellow table runner - TJ Maxx
Ties - JC Penney
Dress - David's Bridal

Candles - Hobby Lobby 1/2 off
Yellow napkin - package from TJ Maxx
candle plate - found in the cabin
We have another party planned for this sweet couple.
Have a great weekend.
XOXO
Theresa