Rollin' on a River

What a beautiful weekend we've had here in East Tn!!! I have absolutely loved it! Today Amber and I went bike riding along the river and these are just a few of the photos we took. It was invigorating. I bought Noah a little golf set and he had a blast playing with it. He is really gonna be a heck of a golf player one day. Lookout Tiger. We decided to ride out to Watauga Lake after our ride along the river and on our way there we saw the accident pictured above. Evidentally a horse trailer went off into a deep ditch along Siam Road. It was a big maylay. Anyway...it was definately the perfect weekend weather.

Fake Facebook and Myspace pages

Who does this kind of thing? Recently a friend of mine started a facebook account after I went on and on about how much I loved the FB. I have gotten in touch with so many long lost friends and reconnected with so many people who I would have never dreamed I'd ever talk to again. I highly recommend the FB to everyone I talk to. But I'm getting off the subject. This friend noticed a friend request from someone he didn't think he knew from high school. This person who sent the request also sent one to one of his family members and a few other people he went to school with. So after asking around and looking through yearbooks they discovered that this person in fact did not attend their high school. When they asked the mysterious person who he was...the facebook account was mysteriously deleted. I also know of another person who created a fake myspace to try to lure a soon to be ex husband into saying something discriminating that she could use in court. Anyway...my question is...who the hell does this kind of thing? Someone who is desperate or mentally ill is what I think. People if you don't know someone don't add them to your Facebook or Myspace page. People who do this kind of thing and go to that kind of trouble to find out what you are doing on these pages or who you are talking to are in serious need of mental help in my opinion it's no different from stalking. For you people who do this type of thing I say if you care enough to want to know pick up the phone and call that person and ask them or send a friend request from your real identity, let them know you care, don't hide behind a fake...grow up!

Is it March already?

I cannot believe it is March already. I have really been slacking on updating my blog so I'm sending a big I'm sorry out to my regular readers. I have been busy keeping up with my teenager, my doctor appointments, home, work, friends, the CHS girls bball team, etc...and now I need to post an update.

Had a blast last weekend playing cards with Whitney and Daniel. We all went to the CHS girls bball game where the Cougars defeated the North Jefferson girls by a close margin. It was really exciting. Brittney really played her heart out. They went on to play my almamater Tennessee High and they lost that game but it's all good. They were district champs and we are proud of them! Anywho after that game we went to Whit's house and had a few cold ones...well I shouldn't say a few...I had more than a few. I actually got lit...but I still beat them at cards...hee hee. I didn't get home until 2am so I had a lot of catching up to do on sleep Saturday.

Got to visit with my sis over the weekend. Noah is growing like a weed. He is very good at saying my name now. I love it!

I made Amber a sisters video it turned out great. I just took old pics of us growing up and set it to music. She cried when she watched it. I love doing these videos. I guess that's my new hobby.

Went to Cheryl's house last week too, she made me lunch. She is on this new gluten free, msg free, diet and I was wondering what we'd end up eating but she prepared the most scrumptious meal ever. It was yummy. I can't seem to convince her to open a healthy restaurant in our town though...we really do need something like that. So anyway...if you are considering a gluten free diet go for it. Your food won't lack in taste at all.

I have already ordered Cheryl and Whitney's birthday presents and I'm looking forward to celebrating with them this year.

Gigi's dog had puppies...seven of them. They are sooooooooo cute. I wish I could have another dog but I just couldn't handle more responsibility. I am trying to get rid of responsibility at this point in my life. The easier the better. So I'll just keep my little happy jack and stick with that. But if anyone is interested in boxer puppies comment and I will get you in touch with her. They are AKC registered and will be ready in April. She also has a live website where you can watch them all day long. Now that's cool!

I wish the economy would rebound but I'm afraid that won't be happening this year. We had a scarry day on Monday. My hubby's employer laid off 50 people...thank goodness he wasn't one of them. They really were over staffed though.

Our buddy Pat came by Sunday and watched the Vegas race with us. He brought me the coolest moonshine jug with the handle and everything. Thanks Pat! Love it! He and I are throwing around ideas for a neat party this summer. Stay tuned for updates on that.

They are calling for warmer temps this weekend and man am I ready. This has been the coldest winter I remember in a long long time. Bring on the sunshine!

My son turns 16 next Saturday. Hard to believe it's been sixteen years. Wow!

Valentine Tulips

I just wanted to capture the beauty of the tulips that Brian got me for Valentine's Day...today this one is really busting open and is just absolutely perfect. Had to share it with everybody.

Just some pics of Brittney

I just had to share some more of my latest favorite pics that I've taken. Last week was very exciting! A young lady that I have grown to know and love this year named Brittney was crowned homecoming queen last Thursday night (pictured above with her proud momma Rhonda). Yesterday I was honored to be asked to take some pics of her in her basketball uniform at the school. There were alot of great pics but these were my favorites. We are all so proud of her. She is one of those teenagers that just blow you away because she is beautiful inside and out and talented beyond words. It's so refreshing to know a teenager who is such a good Christian girl and she is proof that God is good. Congratulations Brittney! We're proud of you girl.

Farmin' in February

Brian and I got the ground plowed up for the garden at our house and Doug and Betty's. I can't wait for it to warm up so we can start planting veggies!

Fred's retirement party was a blast!!!

Today was Fred's retirement party given by family and friends and it turned out to be a lot of fun. Renee cooked hotdogs and made yummy tuti fruitys, Melissa made the best cole slaw and macaroni salad, Rhonda's Mt. Dew cake was also really good. About 50 people showed up and Ryan got to entertain everyone. It was really nice and Fred seemed to really enjoy his gifts and company all there to send him off into official retirement.

Ashley's got a gun!!!

Today I was livin' in the Wild Wild West! The Kendrick cowboys have decided it would be a great idea for us to get our permits to carry concealed weapons. So today I got my first lesson in handling firearms and I LOVED IT!!! Turns out I am a really good shot. Look out boys! Ashley's got a gun...the whole world's come undone! Yee Haw! Ya better not mess with the Kendrick's!

Happy Birthday and Retirement Fred!!!

Last night I got to visit with my buddy Fred. He celebrated his birthday and his official retirement all on the same day. The people he works with at the county gave him a big send off and so I took his birthday present down to him and let him fill me in on all the details. He was very proud of how the day had unfolded. Renee was there and Brandon (his kids) so we played with Brennan (granddaughter pictured), had a couple of beers to celebrate, took some pics and had a really nice time. But the big surprise comes this weekend. I can't wait for that...It's gonna be a blast!!!!

Snow Day with Ryan

The only thing I can say about today is BRRRRRRR! It was freezing. I woke up to a temperature of a balmy 7 degrees outside and the snow appeared to be stuck firmly to the road in front of the house. I flipped on the light to the back deck and out there it glistened like diamonds scattered in a blanket of white fluff...it was beautiful. I turned on WCYB (by the way my snow pic of the little red barn made the news Monday night...I did it again) and Marcus Lynch warned that if you didn't have to travel this morning you shouldn't. So I took his advise and decided not to make the trek to work today. So I put 15 pounds of ribs in the ultimate roaster oven that I got for Christmas, turned them on low, called the office to report that I wouldn't be there and I jumped my little hiney right back into bed and slept until 11:30am. It felt so good to do that. I never miss work so it was a real treat. Ryan and I took our good old time getting up and then we made a delicious Mountain Dew cake and 3 bean salad to go with our bbq ribs for dinner. It was yummy! Gotta love the snow days in Tennessee...we don't get that many.

Should I take it off?

I've been debating a question today? Should I take it off? Ha ha.. Feedjit I mean...the little tracker on the bottom of my blog. It seems it must bother some people because they sign in to my blog and look around and then they remove their IP address so it doesn't show up that they looked. This happens alot...I sign in to see how many people checked in on me and then an address disappears right before my eyes...mostly from the same city nearby...how weird I thought. Most people I know don't seem to care if I know they've checked it to see what I'm up to. I don't care who looks at my blog...when I first added it I was amazed to see how many people from all over the world so many different countries check out my blog or have the the same interests I do...I really liked it. However, being the nice considerate person that I am I hate to do anything that bothers others...so what do you readers think? Should I leave it or take it off?

Happy Birthday!!!!

Just wanted to give a big shout out to my Mother In Law today is her 60th birthday. Happy Birthday Betty. Also wanted to give a big birthday shout out to Gigi who celebrates hers on the 31st (don't party too hard girl!) and Renee who was born on Ground Hog's Day. Fred and Daniel also have birthdays coming up in February as well so happy early birthday guys. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone.

A new week.

A Houseful of Guys

I was way out numbered last night...let's see...there was Brian, then Pat K. and Jimmy came by, then Doug and Ryan, then Pat P. and James showed up. So there was 7 guys here last night and poor old me. Ha! It was fun. We enjoyed Fred's latest batch of homemade blackberry wine, and Pat's magic moonshine, we talked and laughed and just enjoyed everyone's company. It was a blast!

Today Brian, Doug and I finished installing the new laminate flooring in Betty's master suite. It looks soooooooooo much better. I am proud of us for getting it done...considering we'd never done it before. If you are contemplating hiring someone to install laminate for you...reconsider. You can do this! There are tons of videos and tutorials on youtube and other websites that demonstrate everything. You will save yourself a ton of money in labor if you do this and it can be done in a day if you have all of the materials.

Politics Again.

Check out this story from the Nashville Newspaper:

http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2009/1/20/memo_documents_allegations_of_sexual_harassment_by_new_house_speaker

Picture fun

I've been very productive today...can you tell...I made two of these fun images. I just love playing with pictures. Just had to share these.

Finally SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning as I peered out the window I was pleasantly surprised to see it finally snowed! It is absolutely beautiful outside and the snow is still coming down. It is a winter wonderland outside and I hope it keeps it up all day. Ryan and I have the day off and I am grateful that we get to stay home and enjoy this gift mother nature has finally blessed us with.

Weekend TV

Well this weekend was too cold to do anything but stay inside and watch TV. Brian, Ryan and I are loyal watchers of the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction...we watch it every year...this year being no exception. I was curious. Could anyone possibly be willing to spend as much money as they have in the past on collectible cars? With the economy in the shape that it is would there be enough rich people left to dole out ridiculous amounts of money for a car that is only going to sit around in their garage and possibly be driven once a year? The answer is yes...there are still rich people out there who want a collectible car...but...and that is with a big BUT...they were not willing to dole out as much money as they have in the past. Bidders were very conservative in their bidding. Welcome to 2009. I was however very impressed with the amount of money that was raised for various charities. For instance the Darryl Gwinn Foundation raised a lot of money auctioning off cars to be able to provide children with power wheelchairs, Hendrick was able to raise a lot of money for Bone Marrow Transplant Organizations, and the list goes on. Of course as usual Ron Pratt was the big dog in the race he purchased a Ford Triplane for over a million dollars then moments later donated money to one of the charitable organizations. It's always interesting to watch Spanky Assiter do the auctioneering and his wife Amy work the crowd. I personally love the fantasy bidding which you can do online through Speedtv.com. Its fun to see if you can guess how much the Fantasy Bidding cars are going to go for and go up against others in the US for prizes. We came close on a few but still no big prize for us...maybe next time. Stay tuned.