NANA NOTES

I'M TRYING. . .

This has been a dreadful week trying to get back into the routine of "life" after a wonderful trip.  I'm working furiously on pictures trying to learn the latest "techie" stuff to put on the blog.  I want you to see everything the best way possible.  And to write it would be soooooo long!!  I'm getting there so thanks for the comments.  You keep me going.

I WILL NEVER. . .

leave home without my laptop again.  I will never leave home without my laptop again!! I WILL NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT MY LAPTOP AGAIN!!!

I'm home--arrived here about 1:00 AM this morning.  I have lots to tell you and lots to show you.  Let me catch up on the "dailies" around here and you'll be the first to share in my trip.

Thanks, Jennifer for letting everyone know that I was still alive.  Technology isn't all it's cracked up to be. Oh, and did I tell you that I will NEVER leave home without my laptop again!!!

Talked to Nana

She said she has "zero to none" access to the internet.  Her phone connection won't work.  The hotel internet is not working.  And, this is the last time she ever goes anywhere without her laptop!  They walked 7 miles straight up and have seen elk among other things.  She has lots of pictures and will have one heck of an update when she gets home. 

Based on the background noise it appears to me that they are having a good time. 

Guest post

I guess it's a guest post.  Nana has no idea I'm doing it.  I am guessing since I haven't heard from her that posting from Canada is more difficult than she anticipated.  It must be hard to call, too!  YaYa hasn't talked to her either...I am assuming this means they are having a blast.  Party on, Nana!

CANADA HERE WE COME!

The four fine friends leave in the morning for Canada.  I'm going to try to post on that "newfangled" Blackberry.  I haven't figured out how to do the pictures yet.  I guess those will just have to wait.  Please pray for us as we travel (airports and flying aren't my favorite) and keep check on my family for me.

HAVING A "HAY DAY"

 

This is what "Hay Day" looks like on the farm.  I guess you could almost call it a parade because of all the trucks and trailers coming in and out of the hay fields.  Everyone gets involved.  Jennifer came riding up with Sam in the car. She latched on to the side of the truck so she could talk to Papaw H and Sam jumped on the back.  Ryan was baling and several guys were loading trailers.  We looked up and here comes Graham on the Bad Boy and Ben on the Gator.  You should have seen them hauling %$@ through the field!  It was a hoot.  There's no place on earth I'd rather be than Cotton Branch.  The grandchildren have a safe place to play and grow up.  We are all blessed to have a "heaven on earth".

Hay season is almost over---they are already talking about the opening day of dove season.  And therein lies another tale!

**Don't forget that you can click on the pictures to get a better view.

MAKING NEW FRIENDS

For those of you who know me, you know that I am a shy person until I get to know you and am comfortable around you.  Then Katie bar the door. Those that don't know me think I might be (to use an outdated term) "stuck up".  I've enjoyed my computer because it gives me a chance to read about other people's blogs and learn about them.  One particular lady is an awesome baker.  Another is a FABULOUS photographer.  I have even been so brazen as to email them when I think their food or photos are wonderful. They have even replied to my comments.  I think you should check out a site that tells you about a book that I am eagerly waiting to be printed--  When God Steps In, Stories of Everyday Grace.  Bonnie takes amazing pictures and she also writes! You will love her beautiful pictures and her inspirational readings.

FYI:  I'm still trying to learn how to get those photos to get to that blog on the Blackberry.  You might just have to "read" while I'm gone and "see" when I get back!

BLACKBERRY POST

I've tried twice to post from my new Blackberry so I can learn to do it.  Twice I have failed.  The third time will be a charm and you will definitely know when it happens.  We're taking a girls trip to Canada and I wanted to be able to call home and do my blog without dragging around my laptop (I can't imagine a week without it!).

Debra and I have been doing a lot of walking--3 miles a day each week--and I feel much better.  She's a great friend to put herself through this heat for me.  I have no discipline and she's teriffic at urging me to "get it done".

Sam spent the night last night because of his "sciences" so he wouldn't have to get up and leave home so early this morning.  He took his medicine and tried to eat breakfast.  I know he feels bad and am praying he soon gets better.  He told Jeanette that he "had the day off".

Now for a shower and that third try at getting it RIGHT!!  I am determined.

Edited:  Well, what do you know?  I didn't even check the blog this morning I just looked last night and the post wasn't there.  HOWEVER it is this morning.  I CAN do it!!  Now for the picture part.

BLACKBERRY POST

I am practicing for our trip to Canada--blogging on my Blackberry. I hope I can learn to add pictures before I go. I want to let all of you know how much fun we're having. I have been designated as the "driver" so we may be stopping a lot. :) We leave a week from today and
I've got lots to do before we leave. Please pray for four women on a holiday!

ANY ORDINARY DAY. . .?

Libby and I went to McComb yesterday to do the "page of the week" kit. I also wanted to pick up my new Blackberry.  Both of those tasks were accomplished and we headed to Brookhaven (with Libby driving so I could play with my new toy!).  We were talking and laughing and trying to figure out how that thing worked when we turned on Brookway Blvd. and headed towards the shoe store where we were to return a pair of shoes for Alisa.  Out of nowhere a tire came bouncing across three lanes and hit us. We had no where to go and the tire ended up at the door of a store.  We both were shocked to say the least. The parking lot of the store was full of people and they were amazed as well.  They all came out offering to help. One lady turned around and gave us here name and number.  She said she'd seen everything if we needed a witness.  A man from Hattiesburg did the same thing.  The police finally came and couldn't have been nicer.  He was a good Christian man and said he was thankful that the tire hadn't bounced again or it would have ended up coming through our windshield.  One of our good friends was close by and he came over to be with us.  We literally shook all the way back to the car dealership and picked up a rental with promises of them having the car good as new soon.

When I called Ed I was crying.  He asked if I was alright and if Libby was alright.  I told him yes, we were fine but that my beautiful new car was smushed.  In his "Ed" voice he said, "Barbara, it's only a car. Don't worry about it."

We made it back home fine but not without the discussion of how blessed we were to have had things work the way they did--no one was hurt, the tire didn't bounce again and come through the windshield, no one else hit us in the process, we didn't hit anyone else and the policeman was super nice.

We also had the discussion of why the rules don't apply to everyone.  Why  we're required to have insurance and tags, etc. and others seem to ignore those responsibilities.  I am not a pessimist and I don't take things for granted.  I treat everything as if it's the last that I will have.  My feelings were hurt but God was watching over us yesterday and for that I am very thankful.

BLOGS and the BLESSINGS of FAMILY & LIFE. . .

I just checked Jennifer and Tiffany's blogs--they have been just like me and not posted in a few days.  Life has gotten in the way.  Jody and Tiffany are having some major work done on their home.  It's going to be nice when they finish.  I went by on Friday to look in.  She said it was hard moving furniture back in place with Jody saying, "oh, my leg" and her saying, "oh, my arm".  Knowing Tiffany it will get done.

Jennifer has been working at school most every day for several weeks.  This past week she's really been busy.  They've just about had NO summer but baseball but they've all enjoyed it. (Why do the summers seem to be getting shorter?)  Her last post was the day she registered Sam for school (and you already know how I feel about that).  I think every one goes on Tuesday.  I hope I get pictures of both families in their new uniforms.  That will be a first for Franklin County--uniforms!

Today was a "light" day at lunch.  The Cowarts went to Papaw's and Mimi's for lunch and we only had the "Smitherrings".  The boys couldn't remember who their teachers were and the girls aren't that excited about going.  I'm sure that once they get there everything will be ok.

As for our weekend--late sleep in, good movie, pancake Saturday, worked with Ed in the "bee stand making industry" :), supper at Me and Dupree's and read myself to sleep; early rise on Sunday, cook lunch, good church service and home for lunch with family; read the Sunday paper (until Ed said I was making too much noise so I opted for a nap) finished my book and the paper, popcorn and a movie,  and now I'm giving you the blow by blow of life at Cotton Branch.  It may be dull for you but for us---LIFE IS GOOD!

KIT OF THE WEEK

Take a look at the "Studio Projects" album to see the latest page.  It seemed to work perfectly with Sam's registration photo.  Be sure to double click to see it in super size!