Monday, April 29, 2013

April in Review










So this April, we spent some time rejuvenating the front yard. Still quite abit of work needs to be done. One flower bed, will soon become my veg/flower garden. It is all up to the buying and planting now.
After 7 years, I finally got around to picking out some toss pillows for the couch. Leather can be so cold and it really needed to be softened up. I need to find one or two more with texture, to lighten it up. Need to plan for a few other touches.

For awhile now, I have wanted some moccasins. So I broke down and purchased a pair. Due to all the rain this month, I have not been able to wear them though! So sad. They are so pretty. Makes me happy.
Alas, April showers bring May flowers, so it tis for a season.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

The Last Sunday of April



Happy Happy Sunday! Today in East Tennessee has been one rainy day. Hubs and I have tried to keep each others spirits up. This type of weather makes me so melancholy. Luckily, we had the day together. Did a quick couple of miles on the treadmill, then vegged for the rest of the day.
No movies, or going any where. Just a day of much needed rest.

I am so very blessed by God above. I seem to have trouble remembering it daily, hourly or even by the minute.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013






I pray for those harmed yesterday in the 2013 Boston Marathon. Such a travesty and senseless act of terrorism on American Soil.

Monday, April 15, 2013

I am so EXHAUSTED

So to tell you guys the whirlwind of my week, man, I am exhausted. So much has happened since my last post. The week has been a blur. Jimmy and I ran Knoxville's Covenant Health half marathon on Sunday, April 7. We had respectable times; Jimmy ran it in 2hr:6min:14secs, and my time was 2hr:14min:25sec. We'll take it. About the 10th mile, I developed a blister on my right foot. So yeah, I blame my slower time on the blister, and I have a hard time keeping momentum up hills. Jimmy has been babying his right hip after injuring it about 4 wks prior.
 Monday, was a rest day, for sure. We got up late and chilled, then took a long nap in the afternoon. It sure was a pretty day though. Clear, crisp, warm, blue sky, and we missed it. : (
Tuesday morning, I went to work. All was good in my world until.... I got a phone call after 2:00pm. Ashley's grandfather called me. Told me she had been in a bad wreck. They did not know how bad she was, but she had been ejected. Ok, stomach hit the floor, mind started coming up with the worst case scenarios!! Then my mom called right after with the same news. Needless to say, I freaked out a little. I called Jimmy, left work at 3:00pm and he meet me at home. I called the local hospital- she wasn't there. I called her grandpa back, she had been transported to Asheville Mission St. Joeseph ER. So they bypassed two capable local hospitals to go to Mission. Ok, more freaking out. Off to NC, we went.
So we get there around 5:30 or so. It was such relief to see her. No, she had not been ejected, though apparently rolled her vehicle. Which is bad enough. She was wearing a seat belt, thankfully.
So with God's divine hand on that child, she came out with nary a scratch or broken bone! Just a severe case of whiplash. She was discharged. I gave my child a huge hug. Jimmy and I headed back home. We got home super late. 
So I got my shift covered for Tuesday(actually Michele got it covered for me). Jimmy and I slept in. Then we went to Jimmy's doctors appt about his hip.
Thursday, Jimmy went to work, and I went to the Forums at work. Meet up with my friend Melinda and we ran a quick 5 miler. My TNCC class has been rescheduled as well.
Friday, I slummed. Read the entire book, Friendship Bread. A very heartwarming story. Then fixed a pot of Chili'. One of my favorite meals!! I was waiting on my Mom and Dad, nieces and nephew to come over from NC.  They arrived LATE! We slept late, then we all went to Market Square. It did not fare well with my Dad. He just couldn't walk it. So we came home and hung around. They left around 6:00pm.
I was craving fried rice, so Jimmy and I went to get chinese takeout. So we rented Life of Pi and ate Chinese before going to bed. Chey was babysitting, while Minnie hung out with her friend across the road. On into Sunday,  we slept in again. Ashley called around 10:00 am, on her way over. We hung out at home and did a little yard work,  while visiting with her.  She had gotten a new car on friday! Sweet. It is a Ford Fusion, 2012 model. It handles well. So she spent the day with us, before heading back to NC.



Monday, April 8, 2013

Time for Friendship

    When I was a much younger, like 20 years ago, a friend, Kayla A. in Erwin, Tn gave me a recipe this recipe. It makes a very moist cake, the catch......It takes thirty days!!


  •       Friendship Cake
  • You will need 1 1/2 cup Starter. 
  • 1st day: In a gallon jar; place 1 1/2 cup white sugar and 1 (29 oz) can sliced peaches with their  juice. 
  • Stir once every day with a WOODEN SPOON. Keep the lid on loosely. 
  • 10th day: Add and stir 2 cups white sugar and 1 can (15oz) chunk pinapple with juice.
  • 20th day: Add and stir 2 cups white sugar and 2 (10oz) Marichino Cherries with juice.
  • 30th day: Drain liquid from the fruit mixture. Divide into 1 1/2 cup batches. Divide fruit into three batches. The liquid is the starter. Put each batch into clean, tightly covered jars and give to friends with a copy of this recipe. 
  1.  The starter must be USED within 5 days. 
  2.  Do Not USE Metal Containers, Bake cakes on the 30th or 31st day. You will have enough for 3 cakes, so triple the ingredients when you make the cakes. 
  3. The recipe below will make 1 bundt pan or 2 loaf pan cakes.
    1. You will need 1 box Duncin Hines Butter cake mix 
    2. 2/3 cup canola oil 
    3. 4 eggs
    4. 1 box (3oz) Instant Vanilla pudding mix
    5. 11/2   batch of chopped fruit mix
    6. 1 cup chopped pecans
    7. 1 cup shredded coconut (if desired)   
    1. Mix all ingredient together with a wooden spoon in a large mixing bowl. DO NOT USE AN ELECTRIC MIXER! Pour into a greased pan. Bake at 300* for 55-70 minutes.   

Monday, April 1, 2013

God is Good!!

                              I love my Life!
After working on Friday, I took the doglets out for a quick walk. Upon our walk, I found a bright shiny quarter. It is a reminder for 25 blessings from my King, God above.
  1. For being God's child
  2. My life
  3. My Health
  4. My Husband
  5. Hub's health
  6. My Children 
  7. My Children's health
  8. Our home
  9. Our vehicles
  10. Our doggies
  11. Warm Showers
  12. A warm bed
  13. Bluebirds
  14. Sunshine
  15. Pretty Flowers
  16. The four seasons
  17. New clothes
  18. New experiences
  19. Traveling
  20. Dreams
  21. Hope
  22. Faith
  23. Music
  24. Good Food
  25. REDEEMED


Easter Sunday, Thank YOU God, for your Son. Dear Lord, I am your daughter. Thank You! Jimmy and I just had a day of rest together, slept in, watched Game of Thrones marathon, then Jimmy ran 8 miles while I rode the bike beside him to cheer him on.

Today, I meet up with a friend of mine, and we ran 5 miles. I have just a week before the race. Whoo hoo!! Here comes a half marathon time..this time I am better trained. I can do this, God gives me strength. During a run, when I feel like I can't run another step, God shows me a bluebird, then my spirit is renewed.
I am catching up on my History Channels series now, The Bible, and when I finish this I will catch up with The Vikings!! Tonight is the start of Baseball...Whohoo!! Time for the boys of summer. 

Update on the Doglets: So it took about 5 days or so, before Buddy came around. Now they play and lay together, eat from the same dish. They are pure entertainment. Still struggling with potty training the puplet. He is took out very often, but still accidents accrue. I don't know how to do it any other way. If anyone has any suggestions, please do share.
                                   Tata for now, Tammy