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All this week there has been a big red bus parked outside at the condo. We've been curious but not enough to ask--until there just happen to be an opportunity--and we took it. Turns out that the bus belongs to The Simmons Brothers Band from Nashville. Can't say that it meant anything to me but maybe you know "Party Like a Rock Star". They were here in Orange Beach making a video and did a few "gigs" at several places around town. Here is a picture I lifted off their website.
I woke up a little late this morning and heard my phone beep. It was Jennifer with this "tweet":@nananotes: Go to the Orange Beach Welcome Center and say "GS/OB makes me flip" and win a flip video camera. I read it to Libby and we laughed. I said, 'what the heck, let's go' and we did. Before that I twittered Jennifer and asked, "Will I be entered in a drawing or win it right then?" I got a twitter back that said: "The first (non-res) to reach the location and say the right phrase will win a Flip Video camera. Just show them your drivers license to prove you are a non-resident. They don't have a winner yet." Then: @Nananotes: THEY DON'T HAVE A WINNER YET! HURRY! The first twitter was at 9:07 am and at 10:13 am I was the proud winner of a gorgeous little flip video camera!
This was me looking up on the phone what I was supposed to say when I got to the Welcome Center. The people there were very nice.
I got a bag of goodies (shirt, hat, and pen) and was interviewed for the newspaper and also had my picture taken. If I had known that I would have put on some make up. What a nice way to wake up on a beautiful day at the beach. Thanks, @AlabamaBeaches for a great morning! You now have a new follower!!
People kept asking me if I'd gotten my birthday present from the Cowart Gang last week. Every where I went--they would ask me! I sort of left for the beach in a hurry and Jennifer didn't know it. On Sunday night she, Shelly and the boys came over and gave me a great gift.
This is the back cover of a book of my photographs that I've taken over the last few years. The book is 12 x 12 and it's like a Little Golden Book. I can't describe it in a way that you can appreciate it but take my word for it--it's beautiful [not just because I took the pictures]! The other pictures she took are of me looking at the book and it shows "tmi" of me in the swimsuit! :) You'll just have to wait to see the book in person. I love it and I love the Cowart Gang!
I had a great birthday. I had lots of FB messages and calls and cards. All the kids called me and I talked to Ed first thing that morning. He woke me up and sang to me. What a wake up!! Thanks to everyone!
Emotions have been "touch and go" around here for a week or so. We've had lots of things happening in our community. Our little community is so small than when something happens to one it pretty much affects all. There's a Lady Antebellum song [One Day You Will] I was listening to today that made me feel better about some of the "stuff". Here is part of the chorus.
"But down the road the sun is shining
In every cloud there's a silver lining
Just keep holding on (just keep holding on)
And every heartache makes you stronger
But it won't be much longer. . .
I know right now that's not the way you feel
But one day you will."
Maybe we should be listening more to Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Or maybe Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Maybe that's why God invented country music--sometimes the words just fit the situation. I do know first hand that all of this is true and "that may not be the way you feel, but one day you will."
There are lots of things going on here--it all comes at one time. I want to blog it all but time prohibits and the subject matter gets old. Sunday was a special day at our church and for lots of families in our community (ours included). We had THREE christenings at our Sunday morning service--they were all cousins less than a year old and it was the sweetest thing ever. Brother David said he didn't remember ever having that happen since he's been in the ministry. It hasn't happened at our church. We had two one time and I think it was Graham and Sally Katherine (cousins again-even if distant!) Anyway---here are some pictures of the sweet babies and their parents.
I had to use this picture because little Ms Callie Rivers Sullivan was waving to her public. She is a doll! She is the daughter of Stephanie and Chris Sullivan. Charles Vern Sullivan or as Jennifer lovingly calls him "Charlie Bug" is the beautiful son of Vista (Sullivan) and Bret Herring. He was the calmest of the three--laid back like all the Herring's! :)
This handsome guy--Kale Sullivan Thomas-- is the son of Scott and Summer Thomas. Summer's mom was a Sullivan. This little guy was a chunk! He enjoyed every minute and tried to help Brother David with the water. Chris, Vista and Summer are all cousins.
This was the fun part--trying to get a picture with everyone "acting right". I can't wait to see Stephenie's pics. I'm sure she got some good ones.
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." I Samuel 27-28
Karen Reynolds
What do you say about a friend you've had for almost forty years? Karen and I have spent many hours working in concession stands, sitting at ball practice and ballgames, attending cow shows--freezing and sweating--having bake sales, arranging flowers--you name it and we've probably done it at one time or another. One thing I didn't want to share with her was cancer. During the times I was sick she was faithful to call me and send cards of encouragement. I wasn't as faithful as she was in that department but I prayed for her daily. We talked a week or so ago and she was tired. Today she is healed and home with her God. Her family and friends will miss her, but our memories are sweet. Karen, from here on all your arrangements will have blue ribbons--you deserve it!
There are about 100 teens and adults here from three churches in Texas doing local mission work in Franklin County. They are sleeping in MUMC and using the school field house for showers. Someone said they were a well oiled machine. Their leadership is awesome. Ed and I had the priviledge of having them for a cookout and swim party tonight and we all had a grand time. Ed cooked the best hamburgers with all the trimmings and Susan (or Bubba) and Dale made brownies. Everyone ate until everything was gone and their were smiles on all of the faces. Ed said they broke the record for the largest number of people in the pool so far. I also found out that they are doing work on some homes of people I know--deserving people and that made me happy.
All of the people were very nice and seemed happy to be in Meadville. They were very pleased with the help they were getting from Tyson's and folks around town. Sheila is even going to keep the Snoball Stand open until late on Thursday night just for them. Thanks, Sheila!
The burger line was as popular as the pool--especially the brownies. Thanks to Linda and Janice for all their help. The team was actually upset that they didn't get to help.
There are about a dozen vans like this driving around Franklin County full of hard working teens and adults. If you see one of them--give them a hug and say "thanks" for what they are doing.
And thanks guys for letting us serve you tonight. We had a great time. God bless you all on this trip and others that you make. Have a safe journey home and don't forget the Snocones on Thursday!!
I've been watching a pair of bluebirds that have built a nest in one of the houses on the workbench by the pool house. I actually don't use it as a workbench, I put flower pots and birdhouses on it. Every day I say that I wish I had my camera to capture them as they go in and out feeding their babies. [I am assuming that; I have not peeped!] Both the Mom and Dad fly off and bring back food all during the day and patiently feed their young. There is no arguing or bickering--just constant care and love for the little ones. I hope I'm outside when they come out to learn to fly. I want to wish them good luck and God bless.
Ms Sadie will have been here two weeks on Wednesday and she is fitting right in with our family. She is definitely Dooley's sister. It's amazing how much alike they are. Ed and I both need protective gloves because her teeth are so sharp and we'd forgotten how much they love to play and bite your hands. We'll be glad when those baby teeth come out and the "big dog" teeth come in. They won't be so sharp. She would make an awesome glucose monitor! I'm having trouble adapting to the fact that she's a girl. We haven't had a girl dog in a long time. We look forward to having her grow and be with us for a long time. In the meantime---we're working on the potty training thing!! And how could I get mad at something that looks that sweet!!???
I decided last night that I wanted to pick blueberries this morning. I invited Haleigh to go with me but she opted not to go so Ya Ya went and we had a really fun time and spent a couple of hours picking the most awesome blueberries. The sign directed us where to go even though we'd been there before.
The bushes were loaded and we found our favorite spot.
You can see that the berries are huge and it didn't take long to pick all we could use. I'm sure we weighed more when we left cause you have to taste every bush!!
We did the right thing and put our money in the box for the berries and the grounds keeper who does a great job of making the area a clean place to pick. We told him that too!
I didn't want my picture made because I was very dirty. YaYa had changed clothes. Aren't our berries beautiful? We are blessed to have such a wonderful place to go (Thanks, Barry!) and I'm blessed to have YaYa who loves to go with me to pick anything that's fun!!
I know that I have other pictures of Tiffany when she's all dressed up with makeup and looking beautiful. But there is no other time that she's as happy as she was on this afternoon. Besides being beautiful on the inside is what counts [and I think she looks pretty terrific here!]. Today's her birthday and I'm not saying which one. I just hope it's a great one!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIFFANY! LOVE, NANA, PAPA AND SADIE
We planted our raised bed garden this year and are having some good luck with it. My good luck is because of Ed and the long hours of weeding, fertilizing and trimming he is doing. He "Tom Sawyers" me into working out there--I just enjoy the "gathering" part but lately because he has taken an interest I have enjoyed it more. It's more fun when there's two of you doing the work. Our orchard has never been a very good one so we're trying to improve it. We're even thinking about planting our citrus trees in the ground instead of big pots. He worked out there all day Saturday and the entire orchard side of the yard looks great. He did get "clipper happy" and I may have to call his cousin's wife for moral support.
You can see the new trees that I gave Ed. They are already growing.
These are our raised bed gardens. The first one you see has cucumbers, peppers, eggplant and a couple of tomatoes. The second one is full of different kinds of squash. The third one is full of tomatoes. So far all is well. All kinds of fruit trees surround the boxes. The blueberries have been doing well. We've put some of them in the freezer and eaten some.
Ed had to taste them while we checked the bushes.
The Vitex isn't a fruit or vegetable but it does bring bees to the garden to pollinate. I think this is a gorgeous plant. Welcome to our garden! Thank you Papa for making it so beautiful!
Today was the grand opening of the Liberty Herring Gas Retail store. It seems that it went up quickly and was totally landscaped but I know that it has taken a while to get it finished. Ed and I rode down after lunch to look at it. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. I like that the new building has the same look as the new corporate office in Meadville only in a much smaller scale.
This is the beautiful bulk plant. I think it's the only one we have that's landscaped.
The landscaping out from is pretty. As it grows it will be even more beautiful.
The "large and in charge" group! Jody, President; Ed, Chairman of the Board, Bob, CEO, Tom, Operations Manager; Eddie, Vice President/Operations; Mike, Operations Manager; and John, Liberty Manager. The girls were running around serving and taking pictures and I didn't get pictures of them. Sue is Office Manager Trainer and Auditor; Eileen is the Bookkeeper and Janice is the Assistant Bookkeeper. They looked cute in their pink shirts. I hope they got a picture of themselves that they will share. If you get a chance go by the Liberty Herring Gas Company Store. It's a very nice place with LOTS of good stuff! Jody sold my fryer right out from under me!! :)
The animals at Cotton Branch are proud to announce a new addition to the family! A wonderful friend of ours arranged for and delivered an eight week old Scottish Terrior to me this afternoon. She knew how heart broken I was when we lost Dooley in January. Welcome Sadie!
Early in the spring I stopped by Tyson's Hardware to check out their first load of plants. There was this funny looking plant sprouting out of their flower bed between the sidewalk and the street. I asked someone what it was and they said it was something that didn't sell last year and they had stuck it in the bed. I mentioned that it looked like a thistle and he gave me some long botanical name. I just said "hmmm" and smiled. The leaves were pretty and I made note to watch it as it grew. Today I rode by there and noticed it was blooming. Of course I didn't have my camera with me but I had my phone.
Here it is. The common name is Milk Thistle. Ed said we had them everywhere on the farm and you see them everywhere on the highway. I have to admit--it does look pretty growing in front of Tyson's Hardware.