Rhythm & Roots Photo Competition Winners!!!

Last night was GREAT!!!! My super awesome friend Cheri talked me into entering the Rhythm and Roots Festival's Annual Photo Competition and I never dreamed that out of all of those entries that I would get a ribbon for one of my photos. I knew Cheri would because she is very talented and has a great eye for photographic opportunities. Cheri and I met for the reception last night and we browsed through all of the amazing photos and then we spotted one of mine with a 3rd place ribbon on it. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!!! I was so excited! Then when we wandered into the back room where they were serving refreshments we saw the Blue Ribbon winning photos and there it was...my friend Cheri had done it! So she took home a blue ribbon in the monochrome category and I took home a 3rd place ribbon in the Best of Bristol category. It was a great night for 2 amateur photographers and friends.

Summertime Flew By

Wow! Where did the summer go? We have been so busy with remodeling the house next door that before I blinked the summer is now gone. And I have some catching up to do on this blog. Hmmm...where to start? Ok...we've enjoyed spending time downtown this year with family and friends. Love the concerts and Border Bash and can't wait for the Rhythm and Roots this weekend. My friend Cheri and I are walking in the 2 mile walk in the morning then going to have a blast downtown for the rest of the day and night on Saturday. I love it! My neice Taylor turned 16 years old and got a really sweet Toyota Avalon! My neice Courtney made head cheerleader! The company picnic was this past weekend...we had a blast...Pat K. took his son Emory and we took Noah...the kids have a blast at this thing and so do the parents. I even won some money this time...woot! Woot! Also Noah has become a huge Dukes fan and on the way to the picnic his uncle Brian took him to a car show and he got to see the General Lee up close and personal. He was in awe!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Mike!

Summer fun

I have been super busy lately since we have been remodeling the house next door and any spare time I get we make a point to go out and have some summer fun. Over the weekend we cruised downtown and went to the car show and then did some window shopping and ended up in the square listening to live music. It was great...this time it wasn't bluegrass two young groups performed and they were very hip. We loved the atmosphere and watching the people, the weather couldn't have been more perfect and it was very relaxing. Then Saturday we drove down to Elizabethon for the Saturday night car show there. We went early and stopped by Big Johns Closeouts to then we stopped in at a great little store across the street. They had the best Cheese steak and milkshakes! Mmmm! Then we took Ryan to the guitar store and later I shopped while the guys checked out all of the cars. Sunday Brian and I got out early and went to the lake. It was FABULOUS! The rest of the day I stayed in the pool...our temperatures here are finally right where they should be. Last night we were able to visit the Bristol Motor Speedway and watch the Modified and Truck Races from the Edward's Suite. We always have a great time with Brian's coworkers and I especially partaking of all of the great food and drinks that they offer. Ryan has started back to school and is loving his classes this year. Big relief for his mother :)

I love going home! WVa trip.

This weekend we went back to WVa for the Lilly Family Reunion...it's an annual event and this year they were going for the Guiness Book of World Records...not sure yet if we made it or not but I hope so. Dad took the RV up and Friday night we ate dinner with all of the clan and explored the Reunion grounds. Then later that night we went to mom's house for a visit then we took off and went to a place I hadn't been since I was about 6 years old. To the Beckley Motor Speedway and we watched the dirt track racing...it was AWESOME! On Saturday morning we met up with Dad again and he took us on a long trek through the winding mountain roads down to the original site of the town where our ancestors came from. It was a beautiful spot in the middle of nowhere alongside the area where the Little Bluestone River meets the Bluestone River. He told us where the post office used to stand, where the gravesites were, etc...it was very interesting. After that we made our way back up the mountain and down again into one of my favorite towns in WVa...Hinton. I love going to the Dairy Queen there. You can sit and eat while watching the river flow by. A wonderful experience. On the way home I drove the guys back thru Bluestone State Park and Pipestem State Park places we used to spend alot of time when I was a little girl. It was a very special trip and one I'll not soon forget.

Just having fun with the camera around the house!

I am just playing around with my AWESOME Canon Rebel camera here. Looking forward to going to WVa again this weekend. The HUGE Lilly family reunion is going on and this year they are going for a world record. Guiness is supposed to be there to certify the event. Live music, games, food, should be fun. Dad is taking the RV and on Saturday we are going to the river. I should have tons of pics to post when I get back.

School starts back on Monday for Ryan. I can't believe the poor kids have to go back to school the second week in August. I think it's ridiculous! Oh well...nobody said life was fair.

The Deadliest Catch Guys & My Step Sister

Had to share this...it's just too cool. This is a pic of my step sister Jen and some of the guys from "The Deadliest Catch" from the ship the Northwestern. We love Sig! Congrats Jen...we are jealous :)

Obama comes to town!

Yesterday was very exciting because the President of the United States came to our neck of the woods for a town hall meeting with the employees of the local Kroger's grocery store. My sister and her daughter came over and we were able to watch from right here on our property as Air Force One made it's final approach to the airport just a few miles down the road (which I captured on video) and as the president's envoy made it's way down I-81 we were standing on the back porch of my mother in law's house (next door) taking pictures, waving and hollering. It was exciting even for my husband who is not an Obama fan. As he said whether you like him or not he's still our president and it is not everyday that he comes to town and definately not everyday that he drives right behind your house. It was GREAT to see. My sister was very happy to have been able to stand 50 feet from his limo at the edge of the hay field while he drove by. Just had to share the experience...I'll never forget it!

Pat's Awesome Jeep Sahara

Congratulations to our friend Pat on his latest purchase. It is a sweet ride! We all absolutely love it...this thing has some power too! We got to take it for a spin. What a fun vehicle. Ok Pat...now we're jealous :)

Loving the sun and my pool!

Revengeful people.

“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” ~Confucius

Revenge is defined as harm done to someone as a punishment for harm that they have done to you. When engaging in revengeful activity, in thought or deed, one takes on the responsibility for punishing another or others who, one feels, deserves just punishment for "making me feel bad, or wrong or deficient" in some way, shape or form. The bottom line is that acting on feelings of revenge can become dangerous. For many, revenge is like a drug, an addiction, the more one experiences it, they more they want to, and need to, experience it. So, initially, one needs to exact revenge on this individual, then that one, then this group and then that group in order to maintain the sense of feeling safe, secure and satisfied. So, unable to experience a true and real feeling of peace and security from inside, their addiction continues to tug at them; it's never ending; it's progressive, not unlike the drug, food, alcohol, or sex addict, who needs to score one more fix, and then another, and another to experience satisfaction or pleasure, while hiding and denying their deeper fears and insecurities that continue to live, fester and grow inside. For many, revenge becomes a way of life at work, at home, and in relationships. A lifelong self-sabotaging, self-limiting obsession.

Noah mows the yard

Today I mowed the yard and Noah came by to help his Aunt Ashley. He loved riding around the yard. You couldn't wipe the grin off of his face. Uncle Brian came home and he even drove him around. It was great. I just had to preserve this moment.

Amber's Birthday Dinner

Amber Jane had a great 34th birthday...we grilled out on the back deck at her house and even Dad dropped by for some yummy food and cake. She loved the pool I bought her and the big Amish star. She also got several cards and some money, a coffee pot, some lotions, body sprays, and I made her a nice picture book of our trip this summer. I think she really enjoyed her special day.

On the way home we spotted some deer just down the road from the house...Brian is getting the hunting bug again...I know what you are thinking...it's way too early but not for the serious hunter. Right now he's thinking food plots, he's entered his party in for the quota hunts, and I am pretty sure the trail cams will be coming back out of hiding soon and probably an archery target as well. Look out deer!

Happy Birthday Amber!!!

Yet another birthday to celebrate in the month of July...my little sissy turns 34 today! We will be going to her house for a cookout this evening and I am really excited about giving her birthday presents to her. Love you sissy...Happy Birthday!

The Hubby's Birthday!

Yesterday my husband celebrated his 38th Birthday and he got everything he wanted. His Mom, Dad, my sister, her husband and Noah stopped by for some food and desserts that I must say were delish! I outdid myself this time...I made a peach dessert that was wonderful (I will post the recipe later) and just the regular old birthday cake too. Brian got some great gifts as well. He got a new STIHL weedeater, a Bosch multi tool that is totally awesome...it will do anything, a new battery for his 4 wheeler, a bunch of gift cards to Lowes, Bass Pro, etc...a new tape measure, and square, and fishing lure. Let's just say he racked up. Happy Birthday to my Honey!