Reflecting on October

I can't believe October is over!!! It has been a beautiful month with the changes in season, and the colors of fall sprinkle around everywhere. The Haley/Garrison family has celebrated several birthdays' this month. Kallie, Daddy, (Joe B.), Jesse, and Momma (Frances, Griggy). Kallie turned 18 this month; which is a BIG number to teenagers. (I can remember) She voted for the first time, continues to maintain a 4.0, and works at McMinnville Electric System as an intern. We are so proud of her. My Dad turned 76 and looks 60!!! He walks most days of the week and is the best Dad ever! Jesse, 21, goes to school at Lipscomb, works at the Ronald McDonald house preparing meals every Wednesday night, and stays busy with lots of activities. Momma, 74, looks 60 also, has a lot of bad days but still maintains her house and cooks a big lunch everyday for Dad and whoever drops by, (me & my brothers). We have not offically celebrated the birthdays since Jesse and Ross are away but we will as soon as we can all get together. Even though winter is coming it is good to know I have the warmth of family.

Random Acts of Kindness

I have been admiring a couple that walks in our neighborhood for months. I noticed their expressions at first. I see them early in the morning, when I am going for my route 44 at Sonic before work. They are walking sometimes hand-in-hand and look so sweet together. They are talking and smiling and enjoying the morning and each other! That is refreshing to me since I seem in a hurry all the time. They are always dressed sporty and their hair neatly groomed and white. Which means in my eyes they are very wise. They have been around a lot of different people and lived in alot of different economical times.But, as I have continued to watch them I have been noticing them carrying Kroger plastic bags and picking up garbage along the side of the road. Wow! Do they have to? No. But they WANT to!!! I think that is so nice for everyone in our neighborhood. And what a nice example. I will be sending them a note to say thank you for being so kind to others. I am seeing something new everyday and I love it. Thank you God for my eyes to see all the good others do and your wonderful creation, and of course my family.

CODE BLUE.....TITANS RULE, BAB---EE!

The game last night was great. The ONLY thing that would have been better is being there! During the opening when the camera was showing the crowd, Hank, and Jeff (my, my) Mark said we should be there, I was like ye--ah. But we wasn't so, we had chili and enjoyed code blue in our house. I am so excited for us!!! We are undefeated and our "line" is kill--er. I had my flag out and flying yesterday on my truck, thought I was being all in-to-it and everything, I had on my Titan blue, feeling good, and Kyle promptly took the flag off my truck and told me this is embarrassing. Nothing like a teenager, to spoil the moment. Hehehheheheheheheee:(

Ok, is it me or does the Rays what to win or not??? I feel some serious dragging in the butt. Another rain delay so I guess we will have to see tomorrow if we can capture a win. I sure hope so.

Where Has my Saturday gone????

I do not know where today has gone!! I have been busy all day doing the usual, but all the sudden it is Saturday night. Kyle is with Chase and Kallie and Evan have gone riding with their friends. I just spoke to her and they were building a fire and fixing smores. I told Mark what they were doing, and he said "such fun times"! I agree, even though we did not ride four-wheelers, we used to go to the mountains and ride in trucks through the trails and sometimes get really stuck and be there for awhile. I remember one time, we was on the mountain and had a big fire built, someone was playing guitar and singing and everyone was circled around the fire. Well, it was dark, dark and I walked up and grabbed Mark's hand and stood there for awhile, never looking at him, until I noticed him across the circle looking at me!! Oh well, even then I was spreading the love, I just did not know with who!! hehehehe

I am still pulling for those Rays!!!! They are in rain delay, we are flipping channels watching the Vols and checking in with the Rays. Mark and I are showing our age, we are at home on yard patrol and anxiously awaiting our first victims. Let the good times roll!!!

Thinking and Praying about Rain...

I seriously hope and pray we get some rain this week. The water tables are low and the dust from mowing or chopping leaves is choking us to death! I love rainy nights when you can hear it on your bedroom windows, of course it has to be really, really raining for me to hear it over my box fan on high!:) Yeah, I love my fan, turn it off and I sit straight up in the bed!

The World Series started tonight and I am pulling for the Tampa Bay Rays. Why did they drop Devil from their name? Is it the obvious, they just do not want devil in their name, or something else?

I am going to try to early vote tomorrow. I am not totally sure how I am going to vote, but I do know that it is important that we all vote!! I thought life would get easier, when I grew up, huh, that is what I get for thinking!:) I am learning something new everyday and loving it. It is fun to not know everything I have decided. I do get flustrated when the word idiot appears on my forehead and only my kids can see it!!!!! I am going to get my sight checked, it keeps appearing and for the life of me I cannot see it. If you see me and it is there, pleazzzzzzz tell me:)

I love Fall but...

This is what I love the most. Half Moon Bay in CA is one of the places I would love to visit. I discovered this location through Dan Hellers' photography. He does fantastic photography,I just feel in love with his work. I get alittle down during the winter months. I like the snow, but we do not get the snow like we did when I was little. I can remember real snow days. Sledding, real snow ball fights, snow as deep as your knees and being out-of-school for two weeks.

However, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the food and being with friends and family. I like the feelings that surround Thanksgiving. A grateful heart and the whole simplicity of the day. It seems as though, everything is so commercial these days. Heck, at Big Lots you have a Halloween isle followed by Christmas isles. I want to slow down and take time to live today and not rush through just to get to the next event. Am I getting old? Yes! But I think I have matured spiritually, taking time to be thankful for the moment I am living now. I appreciate everything God has blessed me with, including the gift of being thankful.

"Monday, Monday" (Mamas and the Papas')

Mondays, not my favorite day of the week. I am not a real morning person, so double that on Monday mornings. No, I am not chop your head off mean, but I am not chatty in the mornings. The way I look at it there is just not much to talk about early in the morning. After a diet coke and a cup of coffee I am usually in better spirits. Caffeine is my friend in the morning but my enemy at night.

My house is quiet tonight. Monday's tend to have that effect:) Kallie and Evan cooked again tonight!!! I could get use to this. Mark, Kyle and I were mowing, blowing, choking, and weed-eating. The dust almost got me; I am praying for rain, it is so-ooo dry. Anyway, they grilled hamburgers, and baked fries and it was great.

All day I have been thinking of the up-coming election, not just nationally but locally. FYI-the same two men have been the Mayor since 1985!? Can you believe that? I do not know how to vote, but it seems I am kinda leaning toward, if your "in" you need to be "out". I know that comes from flustration-this is the scariest time I can remember. The economy, high prices, housing market, 401k,and it seems everytime I turn the radio on or TV that is all you hear, and I tend to get wrapped up in all the bad news. However, I am determined to be thankful for all of the blessings in my life. We are Christians, healthy, we have a house, and a warm bed,each other, and a warm-supportive family. So sometimes I just snap myself out of the loom and gloom and think positive. I am much happier positive than negative.

All my Chickens are Back in the Nest...

What a great day! The weather is wonderful and I just love Sundays. They are for church, family, sleeping and just relaxing. I did not do much today, other than go to church, sleep, and grocery shopping. As I type tonight, I am listening to my family talk in the next room and my heart is happy. Kallie and Evan and his family got back tonight safely. I always get in a twist when someone is traveling. I am thankful for their safe trip and for them being home. I miss my chickens when they are not around. Even Mark commented today that he would be glad to see Kallie.

Kyle did good at the mud bog last night. He did not place but he can't everytime. It was so-oo cold even with a lot of clothes on, I still got in the truck with the heater blasting several times. He had fun and we got to see him go through two times. The moon was beautiful last night, and I do not know if I would have seen it if I had not been out watching him.

I hope everyone has a good week. I am looking forward to this week. Our preacher challenged the men to tell the wives they love them at least one time a day, (Mark does that), to not be negative, and to do something nice for their wife. So...I am waiting and watching:) no, he is a good guy, I love him and we can all improve in some way, but Mark has the husband-thing covered.

We Have Been Performing Cuckoo clock Surgery

Yes you read it right, we have had our surgical gloves out and on tonight. Our cuckoo clock has been sick; he will not stop cuckooing for nothing. After receiving some much needed help from the cuckoo clock doctor, and Mark, the bird now feels better and is resting comfortably as we speak.:) I am all about wildlife rights. Actually, I went to take a soak, (no it is not Saturday):) in the tub and told Poo (aka Mark, ???, sweetie,BiG Daddy) to have the bird fixed by the time I got out.Well, that did NOT go over well, and he gave me one of those looks, that my Mom told me to never give, so I told him I would help when I got out. Of course, he NEEDED me and I helped and there you have it. (secret shhhhh-Mark wears the pants in the family, as instructed, but sometimes I have to help him put them on!)hehehehehehehehehehehe well anyway...

WE are getting ready to go muddin!!!!! yea haw! The well-known Centertown Mud Bog is tomorrow afternoon and Kyle will be driving his truck sporting the new CB antennas:) I will be attending, of course, there are some grannys out there that can cook, fried pies, cheeseburgers, and all kinds of good food. No, I would have NEVER thought I would do this, but you should never say never, and I would not miss Kyle for anything.

Kallie is having a great time in Savannah. She said it is beautiful. I know she will have lots of pictures to share. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Griggy's and Pa's and remembering Nun Nun's...

I invited myself to supper tonight at my Mom's and Dad's. I love going home, being with them. I called Frances last night and asked if she would make Mark some beef stew. Of course, she did and it was so-oo good. Momma and Daddy get sweeter and sweeter and I treasure the times we share. Their smiles and encouragement means so much to me. I think we all seek our parents' approval and my parents' are so supportive to me and my family and to my brothers' and their families. Mom has not felt well for the last year or so, but I think she is getting back on track. I am so thankful for them and all they continue to do for me. The other night they came to my house to see the mud truck, (glory, glory) and brought me a sweet potato pie!!!! Whew, was it ever good. Momma can make them just like my grandmother, Nun Nun's. Nun Nun's was such a pretty lady, painted nails, rouge, (as she called it), lipstick, clip on earrings and always had the prettiest hats and purses and pins. And her fried pies, they would make you slap yo mamma:) I loved to go to Nun Nun's house she had a party telephone line and I thought that was the stuff. Everyone in her immediate area shared the same phone line, can you even believe that? She was fun, sometimes she would listen in on others. What a hoot she was!!!!

Memories....I am thankful tonight for the ability I have to remember my grandmother and grandpa's. Special, special people and for my Mom and Dad, aka, Joe and Frances, Griggy and Pa.

Yard rolling,slinging tears and feeling good about it...

Mark and I returned back to work today. Aah... back in the real world. Last night on our way back home from the lake we decided to not be sad that it was over; just excited and proud we had time away. Kallie left tonight for the beach and I did the usual, I got alittle misty eyed, and of course Kyle picked up on it and said, "Don't worry Mom, you still have me." He can ALWAYS pick me up. Mark and I know we have not done anything to deserve such wonderful blessings as Kallie and Kyle but we are so happy to have them in our lives.

On to rolling yards........yes it is that time of the year, to roll and get rolled. The natives are restless being that it is fall break and all. I can usually tell when cars begin circling the block and the dogs start barking it is on like donkey kong!! HE he!! I can remember doing the same thing way back when. I am thankful I can recall those days and smile and laugh with the kids now and enjoy it with them.

Please add Kallie and the Pearsall family to your prayer list as they are traveling. I hope everyone had a great day. Hug your kids and tell them you are proud of them and that you love them. These are the best days of my life.:)

A Day with my BFF..:)

Today was a great day!!! Mark and I went to the lake to see all the beautiful colors and ride in the boat. We did just that!! Plus we grilled hotdogs and did alittle fishing. He caught two, I caught nada one. Oh, well, it was still alot of fun and nice to get away. We left just after sunset and the prettiest full moon was rising. I am thankful my husband is my best friend and that we enjoy hanging out together. I am a lucky girl!

A day with Kyle....a night with Kallie........

Mark and I enjoyed today with Kyle. We experienced a first, for me at least, we shopped at a truck stop.:) Kyle worked all summer and bought several things, one being a Mud truck, that is in my backyard.:( He purchased CB antennas today. He cracks us up. Saturday he bought the CB radio, and was totally pleased with his purchase because it is chrome. Mark was grinning also, so I think there is something to the Trace Adkins song "My favorite color is Chrome"! I am learning something new everyday, laughing more, and enjoying being in Kyle's world more than I ever would have thought. He has a great group of friends and for that I am thankful.

Kallie insisted on working today so she missed out on the truck stop adventure! She cooked supper tonight with help from Evan. They did a great job. Thank you so much for supper it was really good. Kallie is going to the beach in a few days with Evan and his family and I am so excited for her. They are going on a Haunted Savannah tour and eating at Lady and Sons. Evan is such a good guy and has a wonderful family. We are proud he is around.

The house is calming down and I think it is safe to get a piece of Griggy's, (my mom,aka Frances) sweet potato pie,a glass of milk and head to the couch for alittle R & R with Nick and Mark. I hope your day was as blessed as mine. Thank God for family!!!!!!

At the Roost!!!!!

Family Time at Fall Creek Falls

We went on our almost annual trip to Fall Creek Falls today. I love to go at this time of the year and see all the colors of fall. However, as everyone knows kids do not like to do what the parents want to do, but this year my family decided to go. We had a great time doing the usual; looking at the falls, driving the scenic route, and going to Buzzard's Roost. We love the view from there, and if you have not been there go---it is the best place in the park. You can actully hear the wind blowing in the trees and see for miles and miles. Our family friend, Rachel Walker went with us one time and declared it to be the location of her wedding. So each year we laugh and think of Rachel and wonder if we will be able to wear our hiking shoes or we will have to wear heels to her wedding. This year Evan (Kallie's friend) came along for the fun. We grilled burgers and dogs and had a great time. I know the kids down deep love this almost annual trip as much as I do.

Goo--d Luck Ladies!!!!

Well, tonight is the pageant. I wanted to say good luck to each of the girls and remember you are beautiful!!!
The Haley family is taking some time off. Mark and I are going to the lake to fish and view the autumn colors. Kyle is going dirt track racing and Kallie will be leaving for the beach with her friend Evan. Life is good!!!!

It really does not matter where we go, as long as it is for relaxing and disconnecting from phones and our worries.

Hopefully The Vols will win today!!!! The Titans are off this week!!!! Go Titans!!!!!!Hopefully I will have pics to post soon. Have a great Saturday.!!!!!!