What I've learned...

...While Wasting Time Watching TV

Kelly Ripa, from Regis and Kelly, wears a size 30A bra…with padding.   I have a toe that would fit in a bra that size, if you took the padding out.  I like Regis and Kelly.   I would watch it if I didn’t work. 

Judge Judy doesn’t know EVERYthing; but she sure thinks she does.

Oprah Winfrey is full of herself.   Very, very full.    I knew this already, but any sliver of doubt was obliterated by watching Discovery Health, a network she apparently purchased and is changing the name to OWN:  Oprah Winfrey Network.   She is advertising it practically nonstop.  

The View is something I will not view.    It would make me nauseous.  

There must be over 1,423,481 weight loss commercials, and at least that many ads for lawyers wanting us all to file a lawsuit against….anybody.

Animal Planet is pretty interesting, but I can get pretty bugged out watching shows about spiders.  I have an unreasonable fear of most creepy crawling critters with more legs than me.  I check my bed every night, and I shake my shoes and clothes out before I put them on.   What I’d do if one actually fell out of my shoes or clothes, I do not know, but I’m sure it would involve a fat chick dancing a jig and screaming like a banshee.   Heaven help us all if Ole Boy happened to not be home to neutralize it.   (yeah, yeah, I know the question some of you would ask..."Why, then, The Brown Recluse?")

Shows I watched as a child were really full of bad acting, bad scripts and corny plots.   They are still better than 90% of the trash on TV today.

I have 3.5 more days off from work…I wonder, will I survive another day of mindless TV?    It’s now after 2 p.m., and I have yet to turn it on…but I think I’m going to fix myself a nice cup of (diet) hot chocolate and watch the tube.   I’ll keep you apprised of my mental health…

Vandalism! I'm Naming Names!

Ole Boy and I like to visit the “Peanut Gallery” a.k.a. Logan’s Roadhouse on the weekends.    Ahh, those yeast rolls…those things are diet breakers, for sure!  I like to sit in a booth with a window when we go.   Last weekend when we visited, the table we chose in the first-come-first-serve bar area (for the TVs and the quick seating!) had been defaced.    For some reason, it irritated me.

I mentioned it to the server, and she told me that management was quite upset.   Considering how it irritated me, I can only imagine how management feels.   According to her, they have already had to replace the corner booth due to graffiti and vandalism (my description, not hers), to the tune of $800.   These are nice solid oak tables, the corner booth is a bit larger with a bit of an odd cut to it.   I can only guesstimate the 4 person tabletop would be $400-$600 each.

The definition of vandalism includes the modification, defacement and willful destruction of public or private property without the owner's knowledge and consent.   Most likely, according to the police officer I asked, the vandals would be charged with Criminal Mischief. 

The names on the table where I sat include the following:

Dee Peters, who is a War Eagle fan, apparently.

The chinky and exotic twins Morgan Livesak and Brittany Whitman.

Tyler Moore…who is loved so much by Shelby McFall that she wrote his name on the table a few times.  He wrote it at least once. 
SSG Aaron DuBose, 1^st Battalion, 506^th Infantry, who, when told he couldn’t write on the tables by his server, allegedly informed her that he served his country; therefore, he could now do as he pleased.

Dawn Chambers

Tammy Butler…and someone loves her a lot.    

UPDATED ADDITIONS TO LIST:
Elijah Abbott
Rusty Foshee 
Marc and Rachel Motes, because they love each other.
Joe-Jack Ricks
“Ur boy” Joe Hardy,
Yackie aka Jackie Davison


In my humble opinion, defacing a table top could be an expensive way to pimp your chinkiness and self-proclaimed exoticness, or to tout your love...fines up to $2000.00.
  

If Logan’s chose to press charges against the perpetrators (which is doubtful), this is what the criminally mischievous could face:

 

Section 13A-7-22 - Criminal mischief in the second degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of criminal mischief in the second degree if, with intent to damage property, and having no right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe that he or she has such a right, he or she inflicts damages to property in an amount which exceeds five hundred dollars ($500) but does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).

(b) Criminal mischief in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor.

Class A Misdemeanor
Maximum jail time: Up to one year in jail (either a county or city jail)
Maximum fine: Up to $2,000

Section 13A-7-23 - Criminal mischief in the third degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of criminal mischief in the third degree if, with intent to damage property, and having no right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe that he or she has such a right, he or she inflicts damages to property in an amount not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

(b) Criminal mischief in the third degree is a Class B misdemeanor.

Class B Misdemeanor
Maximum jail time: Up to six months in jail (either a county or city jail)
Maximum fine: Up to $1,000

(The above information is found Here and Here.)

Vacation, y'all!

Tomorrow is my last day of working for the year! I am extremely blessed and grateful!


To be a little more definitive, it’s my last day of working for pay of the year. Now cometh the work of getting my house in order for my Christmas Eve party!  It's for Ole Boy’s side of the family; however, I usually invite a few members of my side of the family as well…(my parents and sisters). I hope my brothers don’t feel left out….of course, if no one tells them, they won’t know to feel left out. So, shhhh! I’ll be seeing them the next day.

I’m actually a little excited this year about hosting. Usually, I’m not “excited,” just “busy” pulling it together! It’s been two years (I think) since I’ve done it, and I think it’s going to be nice. My plans are simple…a ham, deviled eggs, fruit tray, a casserole of some sort, and desserts…and lots of visiting. Family is very important to me. I’ve mentioned before how much more my family means to me with each passing year, and I mean it will all my heart.

I’m thinking about taking half a day off tomorrow, and get a jump on my vacation. I can’t think of any good reason why not to do it!

On a separate (and closing) note, I mentioned in a previous entry that I would be updating my diet woes and throes on a tab above. I have since changed my mind, deleted that tab, and reopened an old weight loss blog, you can CLICK HERE to visit there, if you like diet blogs.

My Old Woman Stunt

My Saturday shopping excursion was quite successful.   I am now nearing completion of my Christmas list.   

One of the most successful stores I visited was Kohl’s.    As I left the store with both hands full of bags of goodies, I walked to my car.   As I pressed the trunk button on the key fob,  I heard a trunk pop a few cars over from where I stood, on the opposite side.    Upon closer inspection, I realized that I had, indeed, popped the trunk of that other car.   I noticed that it was the same make and color of my car, and as I stood there wondering how I was going to close their trunk and not look like I was trying to break and enter, I realized…it…was…my…car. 

When I got to my car, I looked back and saw the other car wasn’t even the same model as mine.

And it was early in the day.

Six Word Saturday

Today is Saturday, and Cate over at Show My Face hosts Six Word Saturday,

where we are challenged to use only six words to describe our lives...or something!

(for more Six Word descriptions, visit Cate @ Show My Face!)

By tonight, my plan is to have the better part of my shopping all done!

A Very Cold Sunday

It's 5:06 p.m. and it's already good and dark and COLD outside.  It's been a cold, gray day all day, and I had expected sunshine and 60's.    Not even close!

I did something productive, though.   I joined Weight Watchers.   I reopened an old blog, On The Road Again, where I'll be posting diet related stuff if anyone is ever curious how that's going.   They changed the plan, and all I know for sure is that I can eat fruit.  

I did something else productive...well, not sure I'd call it productive, but I added my two cents worth to a forum on the Times Daily, our local newspaper.    While scanning the paper last week, I happened across this editorial by a local citizen.   (I'd post it here, but there's a little line at the bottom that says "All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged."  So, if you're interested in what type of attitude irritates me, this would be the link to click!

My reply was this:  

I'm not hearing any stories of people starving to death because they’ve lost their job. There are many programs (church and state) which provide food for those in need. And who has died because hospitals didn't treat them because they don't have insurance? I'm surprised the media didn't exploit that chance to blame Republicans! Perhaps you are just getting a head start in anticipation of the death of some unfortunate? 

What was moral about the mega-dollar bailouts which companies like AIG used to pay huge bonuses to the very individuals who were in charge of the sinking company?

I am not uneducated, and I generally vote Republican. The reason I do so is not because of the name of the party. I choose candidates with beliefs closest to my own on such issues as abortion, the right to bear arms, entitlement programs, and big government, among others. What surprises me is that you are “truly surprised” that the Bible belt votes Republican!

Fox News lies?! Surely you don’t think any of the news media are telling you the truth?

You ask what happened to us? America has donned blinders and turned our backs on God.

I had actually typed more than this, but I toned it down a little.   I figure, somehow, I already will be labeled a "fundie," or a "fundy" a term I came across just today.   Some of the supposed characteristics of a "fundy" are taken from this page and listed below:

• A Fundamentalist Christian.
• Believes the Bible is inerrant.
• Believes people are "once saved always saved."
• Views other denominations cults and false religions.
• Condemns all non-believers of your faith to Hell.
• Believes baptism and the eucharist are not necessary for salvation.
• Believes all information for mankind is found in only the 66 books of the KJV of the Bible.

Not exactly how I would have described a fundamentalist Christian!  I do believe the Bible is the inerrant, and I do believe we can't be plucked from God's hand, so technically I believe in "once saved always saved."  I do wonder where the guy got his info, or if this was just his own opinion.   No matter, though, I have my opinions, too.   
 
Have a great week!

It's a "Two-Fer" Day

Two entries in one, that is!

Today is Saturday, and Cate over at Show My Face (which she never does) hosts Six Word Saturday, where we are challenged to use only six words to describe our lives...or something!    Here's my braggadocio for the day:

Yeah...I'm aware that "2010" is technically not a word;  

but that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

(for more Six Word descriptions, visit Cate @ Show My Face!)

~~~~~~~

Also, The Round Robin Photo Challenge for this week is "Before and After."   I chose shots from the University of North Alabama.   

The first shot is before the snow...

 And after the snow.....

Alabama doesn't get much snow.   Earlier this year, in February, on my way to work, it began to snow...big, beautiful, wonderful flakes!  I didn't have my camera!   It kept snowing and the whole campus was becoming blanketed in snow, but I was camera-less!   Finally, after much whining on my part, a sweet co-worker loaned me her camera, and I took pictures until I ran her battery down.  (She said I could, though.)

For some stunning Before and After shots, visit Carly and Karen at

Round Robin Photo Challenge

The Merry Musings...and the not so merry

There’s usually one in every extended circle…a person who just begs to be talked about once they leave the room.   Fodder.     The chick who greatly exaggerates every story she tells…when you were there to see it firsthand.  The pathological liar.   The cynic, the smart-aleck, the know-it-all.    What I wonder is…am I that person for my circle?   Not because I exaggerate, or am a know-it-all, or tell tales…but because of my great propensity to eat.   I can sure put it away…quickly, too.   I’m not one to snatch food off of another’s plate, so my friends and family are in no danger of starving around me.   I don’t take food from children.   Unless it’s a cookie.   I’m joking.   Mostly.   I really, really need change in my life.

My new word (term) this week is Palliative Care:  (from Latin palliare, to cloak) is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms, rather than striving to halt, delay, or reverse progression of the disease itself or provide a cure. The goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve quality of life for people (dogs, that is) facing serious, complex illness (from Wikipedia…I love that site!).  Poor Peppy isn’t doing too well right now.    We have one more medicine to give him that we will start him on today.   If that doesn’t provide some relief for him, we will be facing a very difficult decision. 

I am noticing that my skin is changing.   Again.   At one time I had non-problematic skin…no flaking, no pits, splotches, dark circles, no “fine lines,” no wrinkles.   These days, I have it all!   I sound beautiful, yes?    I have been looking for a new makeup.   My Revlon ColorStay isn’t friendly to my face any more…where once it was perfect.   So, I’m looking at old-lady make up.   Any suggestions?   I have tried several, and am not finding anything great and wonderful.   I’m just hoping I’m not beyond great and wonderful!    I do not intend to spend a ton of money, either, though I am willing to spend some.   When I think of the mega-bucks I spent on wrinkle cream, lotions, and potions before I got the bad skin…well, I just feel plain snookered!   Time stops for no one, and it’s getting harder to disguise that it hasn’t stopped for me, either.   I’m tired of fighting it, too.   I have even outright admitted my age lately, much to the surprise of at least one person (sideways glance at Gina).

Another thing I can’t deny is how time has touched my parents.   Each year that passes, I realize more and more how important they are to me, and how blessed I am.    This morning, my dad is in the hospital with some (as of yet) unknown infection.  

I made it out on Black Friday.   I waited until late in the day, and ventured out to Hobby Lobby (LOVE that store) and Sam’s.   Neither place was overly crowded, and I found good parking places at both stores.   I didn’t spend a lot of money, either.   Yay, me!   I also went to Target and WalMart this weekend…it was pretty crowded, but I still found a good parking places.  I do love the Christmas Season…but I do not enjoy shopping or crowds.  This year, I am actually going to send out Christmas cards!

Have a wonderful Monday! 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!   I pray for you blessings,

joy and peace this Holiday Season.

This video is from one of my favorite singers, Johnny Cash.

I hope you enjoy.

On Giving Thanks

I always enjoyed getting together with family, immediate and extended, even when I didn’t realize how important they are in my life.   One reason I love Thanksgiving so much is because we gather at my parents’ house and enjoy each other’s company.    I have two brothers and two sisters, and most of us are able to make it each year. 

Once upon a Thanksgiving many years ago, my brother, Steve, and my sister, Cindy, were in the military and unable to make it home.     I was still living with my parents, and I was disappointed.    Steve, who was stationed in South Carolina, drove to Virginia, where Cindy was stationed, to spend Thanksgiving with her.  Very early Thanksgiving morning, I woke up in my bed with two life-sized adults jumping on my bed like little children.   They had driven all night to come home.   This is my favorite Thanksgiving memory thus far.

I have so much for which to be thankful, and it stretches well beyond this season of Thanksgiving.    I’ve always had a roof over my head, food to eat, cars to drive, parents and family to help me when I needed it.   Best of all, there is not a day in my life that I did not know about Jesus.   My mom took her five little children to church by herself until Dad began to go to church with us, when I was about six years old.   When I was a child, one of the most unappreciated things my parents did for me was take me to church, and make sure that I was taught about Christ.   Now, it is the most appreciated thing of my life.   My parents were wonderful examples of Christians should live, and they lived up to the expectations they had for us, as well.   They weren’t perfect, but I really can’t remember the imperfections.   I remember two people who have always been my anchors.   Always.   I cannot describe to you how appreciative I really am.

During this Thanksgiving week, I am going to endeavor to begin to be more thankful always, and in everything give thanks.    I am incredibly blessed. 

Here are a few photos of yet more reasons for me to be thankful.   This is the color fest that surrounds me at work. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Sunday Parks

Sunday was a beautiful day...Ole Boy and I had a nice Cracker Barrel breakfast and headed off around the Shoals with my trusty camera. 

Natchez Trace...love the cloud reflections.

A picnic area on the TVA Reservation

Under the Natchez Trace bridge

Natchez Trace...It really was a beautiful day.

This cute little critter posed for me.

A bare-naked sycamore tree

A view of one of the parks on the Reservation

The footbridge at what's called "The Rockpile" on the Reservation

*****

I was watching The Biggest Loser tonight...I always want to eat while watching that show.   But while I was watching, something clicked in my brain.   Nothing new, nothing I haven't already been told, but it occurred to me that I should encourage myself about losing weight, just as I would encourage a friend.   And I would encourage a friend, pep talk them all along the way.   I tell myself, "You. Can't. Do. This!"   I'm thinking a little more about Celebrate Recovery.   It would be nice to make it through November and December without gaining any weight.

Dad is home resting comfortably with his new pacemaker.

In the waiting room at the hospital while he was getting his pre-op stuff done, I was reading a magazine, and it had one of those advice columns.   A mom wrote about the battle she was facing every morning with her 9 year old son.   Nine years old.   They fought every morning because she tried to get him to get dressed and get his chores done.   In her words, he usually began the fight with, "Don't tell me what to do!"   NINE years old!    She wanted to know how to handle him.    I fully expected the columnist to remind her just who the parent was, and which one of them was the child.   She didn't.   She suggested an award system, where the boy would get to choose a prize if he completed 12 of 15 things for the week.

Really?

I would take a paddle and warm that boys butt up.    Problem solved.    If it wasn't solved, I'd do it again.

Really.

I believe, based on my experiences in HR several years ago when I was a recruiter for four local warehouses...two of them were rather large...and my eight years as an office manager at Mr. Big's company, that some of those boys...er...men (some females, mostly males) who were never spanked as a child were hired to work at these companies.   They usually lasted a month to six weeks, and never quite worked a full 40 hour week.   They bounce from job to job, when they can find one, and periodically come around begging for second and third chances, only to repeat the cycle.   Many of these folks are pushing 30 and still living off Mom and/or Dad.   Many have reproduced.  Of course, they don't work enough to support their children.   The children of these people are often supported by the government, that is, the tax payers.   (I am glad we have these programs in place, they are needed.   However, if we were all doing what we are supposed to be doing, we wouldn't really need to government stepping in....but I digress.)

No, I don't believe that all losers "turned out" this way just because they were never spanked.   I know that a paddle (or any punishment) isn't always the answer.   I also know that sometimes other factors play a role, and that the parents are blaming themselves when, in fact, they shouldn't take the blame.   Kids have their own minds, don't they?   But a nine year old telling his mother not to tell him what to do need to be shown, in no uncertain terms, who is in charge.

Tomorrow is Hump Day...I hope yours is pleasant.

And....

Don't go spanking your kids just for

General Purposes after reading my post. 

LOL

A Change is in The Air

Peppy has Neurofibrosarcoma.    Cancer.   What are we going to do?   Ole Boy and I haven't discussed it very much.   As for now, he's doing fine.   When the day comes that he doesn't do well any longer, we will talk about it.

Comments by ZingerBug.com

My dad is a vet.   He will be having a pacemaker put in on Monday.   If you can spare a prayer for him, I would appreciate it.    I do believe he will be just fine...I just didn't expect this from him, he's always been so strong, so healthy.   Da Man!    Apparently, there are times that his heart rate drops into the 20's.   Pacemaker might be a good idea, yes?

Surprisingly enough, my mental state is good.  

I'm doing some (almost) serious thinking about which direction I want to take this blog.   If I start spouting all of my headnoise, someone may call for the guys who come with straightjackets.   I'm not saying that (on some days) that wouldn't be a bad idea.   I'm looking into buying a custom blog design...or I may attempt that myself.   We shall see.

At any rate, I think my blog is going to be quite a bit more....opinionated.    Not that I wish or intend to offend...but I suppose we don't have the right to never be offended...and those who are easily offended are often offensive, continuously looking for a reason to be offended, or attacked, or singled out.

I may even kick it off...when I get it all designed...with a nice contest.   A gift card, perhaps.

What do you think?   

Vote in my poll on my sidebar

to your right.

Things I've Heard Around Town Lately...

·         We can't believe everything we think.   (Preacher)

·         Don't look so sad.   It's only life!   (Ole Boy)

·         There's just no way to end a good meal.  (Ole Boy's brother)

·         I do more on accident than you do all day on purpose.   (service station attendant)

·         Whatever!   (co-worker...said several times throughout the day)

·         That just sounds child molesterish.   (another co-worker)

·         It's just sad when you carry a baby for nine months, and she doesn't look anything like you!   (same co-worker)

·         But.  So.  Anyways.  Whatever!   (yet another co-worker)

·         I knew I'd get old, I just didn't know it would happen this fast.  (family member)

·         She was like, "What are you doing?"  I was like "Nothing!"   :::loud giggle:::  (college student)

·         I have 11 sisters that I've collected over the years.  (friend of The Kid)

·         “Wook!   It's a caddapiddar!!”  (Samara)

Poor Little Peppy Boy

 

Graphic Image Below...

Surprisingly enough, he's doing pretty well.  He also had a growth removed from his forepaw, and he's recovering nicely.   We still don't have the "official" pathology report, so there is still a small chance that this is not cancer.   ...I still have hope...  We may know as early as tomorrow.

I probably won't be updating my blog until Thursday.

Peppy's Bad News

About three weeks ago, a lump suddenly appeared on Peppy's neck.  Since that time, he hasn't felt well at all.  He whimpers a lot, won't walk on his forepaw on the same side as the lump.   Some days, he's even too weak to jump on the couch...it's been pretty rough on the little fella.

The vet drew a little fluid from it, did an X-ray, and some blood work, and said it definitely needed to be removed.  

Today, Peppy underwent surgery to remove it, only it's so deeply embedded, even into his spine, that the vet couldn't do anything but close him back up.   He said that at this point he feels confident it's malignant.   He sent the biopsy off for more in depth pathology.  

I'm very sad...

Weather Forecast

From Facebook:

ELECTION DAY FORECAST (for all climate & time zones in the USA): TSUNAMI WARNING for east & west coast states!!! Minds will be cloudy, but GOD will reign, and the SON will eventually shine.

ELECTION DAY FORECAST (for all climate & time zones in the USA): minds will be cloudy, but GOD will reign, and the SON will eventually shine.

I am trusting God for some wonderful changes for America!    Praying that each and every voter goes to the polls with a renewed understaind, opened eyes, ears, and hearts, and makes the right decisions for our country!

~What a beautiful day to be free!~

Another Day 1

November 1..what a terrible day to start a diet, but what a great day to be free! I am just going to stand on His promise, and only look at today. Today, I will not overeat.


There’s an article by Maura Kelly in Marie Claire about fat people. Here are a couple excerpts: 

To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I'd find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine {sic} addict slumping in a chair.


But ... I think obesity is something that most people have a ton of control over. It's something they can change, if only they put their minds to it.

She issued an apology after she was bashed by her commenters:

People have accused me of being a bully in my post. I never intended to be that — it's actually the very last thing I want to be, as a writer or a person. But I know that I came off that way, and I really cannot apologize enough to the people whom I upset.

I started not to give this chick any more publicity than she already has, but the fact is this: Last week after I read her article (and many of the commenters that gave her what-for) I went out for lunch. I stopped by the local fast food joint and parked in the parking lot at a store I needed to visit, to eat before I went in. Because of that article, when a man parked beside me and let his son out to run into the store, I sat there a moment. Then I moved my car into a spot where he couldn’t see me. I was sure that he would be watching the fat girl eat and be judgmental of me. Maura’s words stayed in my head for two days, because I can’t convince myself that others don’t feel the way she does.


But I was thinking while driving into work this morning about why I have let my weight rule me my whole adult life. Isn’t it just pride that makes me care so much what others think about the way I look? It’s quite possible that others don’t think about me near as much as I think they do, and that would be because I am thinking about myself so much. Realizing that others probably aren’t thinking about my weight issue as much me doesn’t really help how I feel, though.


It is a hopeless feeling when you are in the throes of a binge. When I binge, I don’t do it half way…I keep it going for months! My sister mentioned going to Celebrate Recovery…my good friend Betty has also suggested it. I found a local church that has the program on Thursday Nights, but I am not sure that I will go. It’s a bad attitude, I know, but I just don’t want to fail one more time with one more program. For now, I’m just going to pray about it.


But today…I am going to work more on renewing my mind, and less on renewing my diet.

Musings Before the Election

I don’t understand the fascination with halloween.    Sales for halloween decorations (including costumes, I would think) are over 3 billion dollars annually, second only to Christmas in decorations.   I know it’s fun for the children, dressing up in the costumes and getting all that C.A.N.D.Y!!   I know I loved it as a child.   But when I was a child, people didn’t decorate their lawns as grave yards, and the grim reaper wasn’t standing at my door frame.   I don’t decorate for halloween at my house, but I do buy some candy for my Angels:

Peppy is dressed as himself.

Devon and Olivia

Ashton and Samara

Olivia 

Now that Halloween has only a few more hours for this year….we embark upon the most wonderful time of the year!

I love Thanksgiving, and most especially Christmas.   In my mind, the two are uniquely and spiritually entwined.  I often have this unexplained depression that rears it's ugly head during the Christmas season, and after much “analyzation” over the years, I have come to believe it’s because of what the Season has become, rather than what it really is.    Even though commercialism has nearly drowned the true Reason for the Season, there are many of those who remember, and who will still give thanks for the birth of our Dear Savior. 

I have already picked out a few little decorations for my office…I’m starting a (cheap) Christmas village. I have the carolers, a mailman, some children, a sleigh, a carousel horse, a tree, and a few other items. I haven’t been able to find a nativity, which is a must. As I was looking around, I noticed there weren’t too many Christ-oriented decorations from which to choose. I am hoping that it’s just early yet. Hoping. One day, I plan to have a very nice Christmas village.

Tuesday is coming!  VOTE.   Vote your conscience; don’t choose according to party, name, color, or gender.   If you are a Christian, ask for God’s guidance.    Above all, pray for this election, that God’s will be done in our land.    It’s time to put America back on the right track.

My Vacation!

My vacation was very nice.   Because I can't figure out how to make the Blogger image insert feature work for me, they are not in the order I'd like.   I am in the process of downloading "Picasa 3," a Google application, and we'll see if I'm smart enough to organize a little better the next time I make a picture entry.

This is Cades Cove at Sunrise.  

You should have been there.  

The foggy sunrise was spectacular.

Color on the mountains.

Metcalf Bottoms, near Gatlinburg.  

Ole Boy and I had a picnic here.

Newfound Gap.  

It was way past peak here, but still very pretty.

This is a fence leading up a walkway to view

Pilot Mountain in North Carolina.

Cades Cove.  

It's just one of those accident shots.  

I was going to snap the deer,

and the bird dives in, lands, and takes off,

just as I am snapping.  

Mingus Mill, in full operation

A half-mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is Mingus Mill. Built in 1886, this historic grist mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery in the building. Located at its original site, Mingus Mill stands as a tribute to the test of time.

Bucks fighting in Cades Cove

  

There wasn't a lot of fall color in Mt. Airy,

but there were some very pretty flowers.

Cades Cove again.   

Amazing that there was a lot of color,

and then these bare trees.

I have a lot more pictures...

but I probably won't post anymore.

I hope you enjoyed.