NANA NOTES

attitudes

I found this in a knitting package I bought in a store in Gatlinburg. I have been wanting to put it on the blog for several days. Today I read the first devotional in a new book given to me by one of my "sisters".  What a God thing.  It's about the same subject.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, that what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearances, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company..a church..a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our ATTITUDES. 

Author of "Attitude"; Chuck Swindoll 

I;ve always tried to be cheerful to checkers at a store. You never know their story and some of them are not friendly. I have rarely left one that doesn't eventually laugh or smile after some off the wall comment I make.  I tell them that a long time ago I chose to be happy on this day and that's the way it's going to be. I am the one who makes me happy and no one can take that away.  I've seen the coldest hearts melt and have made friends.  I've prayed out loud right there in the store. I refuse to let a day go by that someone doesn't smile. A day without laughter is wasted. That's my attitude!!  What's yours??

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2011

What better way to start the Christmas weekend than a beautiful communion service!!  Josh, Ed and I attended along with our MUMC family (and some extended Herring family that came from out of town). I love that service. Then it was home to a wonderful gumbo supper prepared for us by a friend who has done that for several years. (Thanks, George!! It was wonderful!!) Josh wasn't going to be with us today so he opened his gifts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found what I think will be his favorite gift under the tree when all the gifts had been opened!!  Sure hope he comes by here soon.

Church today was very good. We had Jody, Tiffany, and all the Cowarts. What better place to be on Christmas Day!!  Then off to the homestead to finish up lunch for 2:00 pm.  It was delicious even if I did cook it!!

We have a tradition that the kids move the table back when they finish eating and arrange the chairs in a semi-circle. I was finishing my dessert and Tiffany told me that they had moved the table and gotten ready.  She said I'd better hurry up or they were starting without me!  You can't start without Nana--she's Mrs. Santa!!!  :)  We sang "Happy Birthday Jesus" and began opening the gifts. They are older now and actually held off wanting to rip everything apart!!  We did it one person at a time. 

Sam got the hoodie he wanted!!

 

 

 

 

Everybody got a set of 1500 threadcount sheets.  I don't know who was the most excited!!

Boots and More gift certificates. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jody and Tiffany are going to have to take a trip to Jackson!!  The girls got "Mall" cards!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graham and Ryan picked out hunting clothes and Haleigh picked out dishes. All were happy!!

 

 

Ben had chosen boots and I actually could find his size. He loved them. I told him if I ever saw them in his yard, Papa and I would buy no more!!

 

 

 

Tiffany asked for Tervis Tumblers and threatened anyone who removed them from the house!!  As in, she better not find them at the office!! :)

Shelby wouldn't ever tell me what she wanted. Tiffany knew she wanted some Oakleys and she knew there was a website where you could design your own.  We designed her glasses and she was sooooo surprised.  They even have her name etched in the lens.  No one will get these!!

This was my favorite gift!!  Sam didn't know he was getting these.  He asked for a specific hoodie and pants. I saw these when I was ordering something for Ed and we both said "yes" the minute we saw them!!  Sam said, "I look like an old man." But he loved them.  They are insulated so he can hunt in them too.  Just so darn cute!! 

 

We gave Abby (our niece) luggage. She liked it!!

 

 

 

 

 

We gave Tom and Shirlee a Keurig Coffee Pot. I don't even drink coffee and I love that thing!!

 

 

Jody got a custom made Dopp Kit with his initials debossed on it. He said he needed it. Hope he likes it.

I guess Shelly can go to Boots and More with the Herrings.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cowarts knew just what I wanted--a Shark Steam Mop!! Now I can clean up after the dogs!!  Somehow we missed Jennifer opening her SECOND Kindle Fire!! 

Papa got a wonderful Pen and Pencil set. 

With his crayon maker. I think I want to do this with him.

Everyone was much too good to me. Papa was so sweet and gave me beautiful things. The children gave me loving gifts; some of them were handmade which I love.  We enjoyed the day with family. It's sad not to have little ones but it's fun with older kids too!  Merry Christmas Cotton Branch Gang!!

CHRISTMAS SEASON

 

The time is flying by and I haven't even thought about blogging. I guess going to Natchez once a week and all the other things that go on around here my blogging has fallen on the list.  Most of the time has been spent with choir practice and we had our program last Sunday night.  I wish you could have heard it. It was beautiful.  We have such talent in our church and it blesses us all.  The house got decorated with the help of a friend and Linda.  Ben and I started the tree and Linda finished it for us.  The mantles were done by a friend and I think they are beautiful.  I wish I could leave them up all the time!!  The one in the den looks like this one but with Santas in it.  That picture didn't turn out very good.  Linda surprised me with the upstairs banister!!  It's beautiful.  The tree in the library has all my glass ornaments on it.  It usually goes in the sunroom but since Ms Piper barks at it, we decided to move it.  Don't want to upset Ms Piper!!  I've been making candy and baking cookies when I could. The tradition of delivering "goodie trays" has begun and it's the Christmas season at Cotton Branch.  We're blessed and thankful that on that wonderful night in a stable with a manger our Savior was born.

FIRST OF THE SEASON!!

Youth season opened with a bang for Ben. He got a big bodied eight point.  He was in the stand way back behind the house and called to check with Ed if he should shoot. Papa gave the ''go ahead'' and I told him to open his bathroom window that we might could hear the shot.  A few seconds later "boom"!! Then the cell phone rings!!  Deer down.  That meant that we had tenderloin on Monday night with rice and gravy and biscuits!! A great early birthday supper for Ben!  Way to go, Ben!

THANKFUL THANKSGIVING

I'm going to have to steal Victoria's pictures because I didn't even have my camera on Thanksgiving day!!  We had a wonderful day with family and friends all day long.  The food was delicious and bountiful!  The guys hunted in the afternoon and four of us girls went to the "Meadville Mall" for a little retail therapy--our idea of Black Friday Eve shopping!!  What a blessed day we had and so thankful for everything!!

SAM'S READING FAIR

 

I got to do something fun today. Sam had his Reading Fair Project and I was part of it. His book was Red Riding Hood and I was the grandmother. Imagine that!!!  He worked hard on his project board and it looked great.  I sat there while he told the judges about the book and answered what they asked him.  He used his "big bad wolf" mask he made while he talked.  He did a great job and called me this afternoon to tell me that he won 1st place in the third grade in the family category (where a family member comes to participate in the project).  He thanked me for coming to the school.  So sweet!!  Congratulations Sam!!

FED US PHEASANT!!

Ed and Jody went to South Dakota several weeks ago on a pheasant hunt.  You can see that they did well.  Jody had cooked some before and told us how to cook them.  Ed went shopping for all the supplies and fixed them for the Herring Bicycle Team.  Being prepped for the grill.  Peppers, onions, tomatoes, bacon, pheasant, pepperjack cheese and Italian dressing. Finished dish!!  They were "Phabulous"!!  None left to snack on the next day!!

Footnote:

Dr's visit went well.  Counts were up a little and CAT scan is planned for Monday. Dr. visit on Tuesday.  He considers me to be "stable". When we see the results of the CAT scan, he will decide on treatment changes if any.  I get next week off--yea!!

Please pray for Libby's mom, Eunice Norton.  She will be having hip replacement surgery on Wednesday of next week.  She is one of my "other mothers".  :)

AN UPDATE FOR FAR AWAY FAMILY. . .

 

Today I had treatment and was dressed to go. I asked Linda to take my picture because Ididn't have one of "this time". She was sweet enough to do it for me. Since I'd just had the side entrance fixed for a get together, we decided to make it there.  The pink pumpkin is one of two I painted and "blinged" for Halloween.  Totally doesn't go with Halloween, but goes with my way of thinking these days.  I'm wearing more hats than caps and am enjoying them.  Libby and I have shared all our bandanas, etc.  We've had enough of this sharing things we don't want to be wearing!!  BUT, we are grateful to be able to do it for each other.  I can still stand and so far have not lost of gained any weight.  That to me is a good thing. My CA 27-29 went down a month ago nearly 20 points so next week I am looking forward to hearing another drop.  My white count is up and that means I don't miss treatment. Haven't made any lasting friends at chemo this time. The mother of a friend of mine at church who passed away takes treatment but we've only hit twice on the same day.  She's a sweetie.  I guess the point of this post is to tell you "far away family" that I am fine. I still need your prayers and I love you and miss you and hope to see you soon.

A little addition:  We've had two deer since late June.  They are up to 15 gallons of milk a week. I am ready for them to leave.  They are eating well on their own and are fat and healthy.  Ed let them out today but they won't go.  I took these pictures when I got home from treatment. 

This is LuLu (aka Morgan).

This is Lacy.

They have a wonderful place to go (providing they haven't eaten my new pansies and my gerber daisies in the morning!!)  It's full of corn and acorns and deer for them to buddy up with. There's no hunting in this area so they will be fine and be able to produce babies.  They have a good home.

For the last few days we've been driving in the mountains sightseeing and enjoying the wonderful colors of the leaves.  All of a sudden we've gone from short sleeves and flip flops to sweaters, coats and uggs!! Rain and cold weather moved in fast. We wished for a fire place and some wood!  Of course that was the day we chose to shop.  We drove to a lovely little shopping area in Pigeon Forge.  The most interesting shop for me was one with a 30 year old embroidery machine that a man used to do monograms by hand.  It was amazing to stand there and watch him form the letters freehand since I just program my machine and it creates the letters for me.  It doesn't take much to entertain me I guess. In this picture he was monogramming "Nana" on my watermelon colored sweatshirt. I love it!  We came back to the Apple Barn and had a late lunch and went to find apples.  We met a very sweet man on the side of the road who was selling apples out of the back of his truck. He said they were picked that morning. The apples are delicious and we bought a lot!! He grew the apples in his orchard. They still had leaves on them.  Don't these just look delicious??? I'm thinking fried apple pies!!  This was made the morning before we left for home.  We made one more round of shopping to see if we needed anything else to fill the car! Notice that I did not mention how many times we stopped for fudge or show pictures of dessert.  In the whole time we were gone we only had dessert twice--because we had fudge everyday!!  Ask us if we like the pumpkin!! Three crazy ladies turned loose in the Smokies; we had a wonderful, memorable, terrific time together. I am so blessed to have sweet friends.

2011 GATLINBURG TRIP CONTINUED

 

We left off at Cades Cove and I don't think we went to be any night before midnight.  I had to watch an episode of "Chopped" in order to get to sleep!! :)  The following day we drove up to Clingmans Dome. The colors were just as beautiful or maybe more so.  I haven't enhanced these photos either!!

The mountains were beautiful but I loved driving through the roads looking at the trees and streams.  We still had short sleeve weather on this day. The rain was supposed to come in the next day. I saw evidence of bears but because of some people's sensitivity I will refrain from putting that picture up!! :) Yes, I took a picture!  During one of our outings we were "sort of" lost in the mountains. We rounded a curve and at least 20 turkeys were feeding on the side of the road.  I started screaming, "stop, stop, I've got to take a picture." People were honking for us to move so we did, but I got one on my phone so I could send it to Ed and a couple with my camera.  You know how I love my turkeys!! 





Every time we drove through Pigeon Forge I kept telling Ed I saw the Titanic. He'd say, "Barbara, the Titanic can't be there, it sank." (That's a joke with us--when the movie came out--long story.) Finally, I got pictures.

Tomorrow--rain and cold weather moves in. To be continued---

2011 TRIP TO GATLINBURG WITH THE GIRLS

I don't think I've ever been away from home for ten days without family!!  Deb invited Libby and me to go to Gatlinburg to stay in her family's timeshare there.  I think it was even before I got sick--I immediately said "yes"!!  It's been a very long time since I've been to the mountains.  We left last Thursday and just got back tonight.  We all took our computers but something was wrong with the internet connections there and we couldn't get online. Did I mention withdrawals??  I mostly wanted to blog each day since I hadn't been doing any blogs lately.  I finally had something to blog about and couldn't.  Ed took our picture the afternoon we left. He bought us these hats in Orange Beach. We truly are the "Joyful ladies".  We drove to Tuscaloosa and spent the night. Then on to Gatlinburg. This was the front of the building and by the entrance to our room.   

 

 

                The next morning we walked down the street and had pancakes!! 
The pancakes were wonderful.  We ate in the "SEC" section!! 

My black walnut pancakes were delicious. I have to say that I ate every bite!! I am not ashamed!! I have now confessed!!  After breakfast it was off to the Craft Fair at the convention center.  We enjoyed that.  The next day it was off to Cades Cove where the leaves were beautiful.  We visited the Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church where the tombstones in the cemetery dated back to the late 1700's. Neither Libby nor I got a picture of the church.  I sent Ed a picture made with my phone of me sitting on a boulder in the middle of a beautiful stream like this. Glad I didn't fall in.  Libby was so sweet to drive most of the time. Ed had told them not to let me drive and make me rest. This is where I spent my time in the car.  I have to say that I could get used to it--I actually let someone help me.
This is going on way too long--so I'll write some more tomorrow.  You can't do a ten day trip in one blog!  to be continued.....................................