Monday, November 30, 2009

Day Three Hundred Thirty Four

Sweet!


Grand daughter Shelby's third grade teacher picked up on the fact that Shelby loves the whole 'Twilight Saga' stories. Of course, Shelby has made no secret of it. When Shelby got in from school this afternoon, she couldn't wait to show me what her teacher had given to her today--a package of Twilight New Moon creme filled chocolates. No kidding. Shelby was so pleased and excited that she immediately began to create a thank you card for her teacher.

The one she opened was inside a Bella wrapper. It says Bella on the first heart and Cullen on the second heart, along with the Cullen family crest. How cool is that! Shelby says her teacher told her she found these at K-Mart. What a sweet thing for a teacher to do for a student. This teacher is obviously paying attention. And, yes, Shelby thoroughly enjoyed her chocolate!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Day Three Hundred Thirty Three

Christmas Tree Shopping


It's our family tradition to head out to Savage Christmas Tree Farm near Baxter, Tennessee, the weekend after Thanksgiving to pick out our Christmas tree. Just follow the sign ...

Our traditional tree is White Pine. We like the long, soft needles. The tree farm seems to be trending toward the Frazier Fir, though. Cutting down a tree that is specifically grown to become a Christmas tree is best for the environment they say and will certainly stay fresher longer, especially in a house with a wood stove (which keeps us toasty all winter).

Such a beautiful day for tree shopping. We were thankful for the mild, dry weather this time out.

The one. We tagged this one and will return for it in a couple of weeks.

Can you see the Mockingbird perched atop this huge Frazier Fir like a tiny ornament? That little bird was happily singing its lungs out. So sweet. Probably some Christmas carol. It's that time of year again.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Day Three Hundred Thirty Two

Postcards From Poet's On The Square


The gang's all here around the tables at Poet's coffee shop this afternoon where we gathered to hang out, enjoy some tasty drinks, make a lot of noise, and play 'Apples To Apples'. From left around the table: niece Sarah Foy, daughter Kelly Kimbrough, grand daughter Shelby Myers, niece Julia Foy, daughter Holly Myers, grand son Elijah Myers, and son in law Kerry Kimbrough.

Holly and Elijah contemplate what the meaning of the word "is" is ... no, I'm kidding ... I have no idea what they're thinking, but I do know that Elijah concentrates better with a Fruit Rollup hanging out of his mouth.

Kelly, Shelby, and Julia are in the process of choosing the card in their hand with the word that best fits the meaning of the word on the card turned face up on the table. (uh huh yes it does so make sense.)

Sarah enjoys her orange mango (I think) smoothie while waiting for everyone else to choose their cards and lay them in the pile. She's got some sparkle going on there. I think those vampires may have rubbed off on her last night at the movie.

Each person takes a turn at judging the cards and picking the best match. Looks like Shelby's in the judges seat.

Shelby and Julia having some fun. (That's my peach smoothie--it was delicious)

Holly's thinking, Hmmm...which card...which card.....Elijah was content to just hang and toss in a card now and then.

Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmmm! Sarah says it doesn't get any better than this. Yummy drinks, fun card game, great family hang time. I totally agree. Let's do this again sometime. Soon!

Day Three Hundred Thirty One

New Moon!


Sister Ann, niece Julia, niece Sarah, sister Jane, daughter Kelly, and hubby Neil in the lobby of our local theater waiting to see 'New Moon'. Some of us saw it last Friday when the movie opened and couldn't wait to see it again. Missing from the picture are daughter Holly, son in law Jerry and grand daughter Shelby, who also joined us. My picture of the whole group right before we were seated didn't save on my cell phone. My bad error can be the only explanation. I'm still kicking myself. Would loved to have had grand daughter Shelby in the photo, too. She was so excited to see this movie and loved every minute of it.

Kelly snapped this picture outside the theater as we were leaving at 12:30 AM to head home. I liked 'New Moon' even better the second time around. Looking forward to seeing it again.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Day Three Hundred Thirty

Good Food, Great Time, Wonderful Family ~~ Happy Thanksgiving!


May your stuffing be tasty May your turkey be plump, May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious and your pies take the prize, and may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs! -Unknown
From left around our Thanksgiving table: Terry Sissom, Neil Ranft, Kerry Kimbrough, Jerry Myers, Shelby Myers, Elijah Myers, Holly Ranft Myers, Kelly Ranft Kimbrough, Hamp Mabry, and Ann Mabry Sissom. All of you around this table and those who could not be with us today are my greatest blessings on the planet. I love you all and thank God for you every day. Happy Thanksgiving 2009.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty Nine

Little Things


There are so many things I'm thankful for in my life. Today I was especially thankful for Mrs. Smith's pies, ready to bake and tasting just as good or better than anything I could make from scratch. What a great time saver. Sometimes it's the little things. Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty Eight

This Cat's A Real Swinger


I was walking around the back yard just as the sun was going down and came upon Eddie on the tree swing. I thought it was funny, but I wish I'd caught him in better light. I've never seen a cat on a swing.

I'll try to get a video next time he does it (if he ever does). The swing was actually swinging and spinning around with him on it. It was my laugh for the day. The pictures don't do it justice.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty Seven

Shake It Up!


Elijah Man + Arby's Vanilla Shake = Smiley Face! We don't usually get to hang out on a Monday, but due to a family emergency, he landed at Granny's house this morning. (His cousin had to have an emergency appendectomy.) So we just did our thing a couple of days early. Love you, 'lija man!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty Six

A Little Heavy Reading


I just started reading Stephen King's new novel, 'Under The Dome'. It's the longest novel he's written since 'The Stand' and maybe 'The Green Mile'. As you can see, it's nearly two and a half inches thick (about two and a quarter), 1,072 pages, and it weighs a little over three pounds. (Ask me how I know.) I think it's going to be good. I always seem to have a stack of books to read on this table by my little spot in the universe. I'm at various points in each of these books, but if the King novel gets really good, these others may have to wait a little longer for me to finish. It's fun getting lost in somebody else's universe.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty Five

My Big Back Yard (And Front Yard) Meanderings


Where have all the flowers gone? Dead Dahlias tell no lies.

I was surprised to find this one tiny little yellow rosebud blooming among the shriveled up brown things.

Eddy usually accompanies me along my meanderings around the yard. He was in attack mode today.

I think this is called Pampas grass. It's really pretty in the Fall when it starts to bend toward the ground and get all curly. The white fluffy curly stuff gets all over your clothes when you rub up against it. Ask me how I know.

Buried treasure. Not really. I saw a piece of glass sticking out of the dirt where one of the boxwood bushes used to be next to the porch. It's a piece of a forgotten wind chime that fell apart a very long time ago.

View from the front porch swing this afternoon.

The gnarly orange pumpkin, along with my Cinderella pumpkins, are still hanging in there on the front porch. They usually give up by March.

Parting shot. Eddie Kitty is but an orange blur as he streaks past me, heading toward the kitchen and the food bowl. Eddie says goodbye. For now.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty Four

'New Moon'! And Happy Birthday, Cynthia!


Daughter Kelly, son in law Kerry, sister in law and birthday lady Cynthia, sister Ann, Cynthia's sister Christina, and hubby Neil (and I) arrived at Providence cinema in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, bright and early this morning with our preordered Fandango tickets to see the 10 AM screening of 'Twilight Saga: New Moon'. Neil was glad that he wasn't the only male to show up for the movie. We've anticipated 'New Moon' for a year now, and Cynthia was thrilled that she got to see it on her birthday. We all LOVED it and want to see it again soon.

Cynthia's birthday lunch at Ruby Tuesday was a yummy meal and a lot of fun hanging out, laughing and talking (yeah, Kelly got pretty loud). Cyn got a kick out of her cards (and presents!)

Around the table from left are Kelly, Cynthia, Ann, Christina, and Neil. (Kerry had to leave after the movie and head to work) I'm so glad I got to celebrate Cynthia's birthday with her (she's 31--ssh--don't tell). And glad too that we finally got to see 'New Moon'. Happy Birthday, Seestor Cyn!! We love you and wish you the best of everything today and always!
P.S. After lunch, Kelly and Cynthia went back to the theater to watch 'New Moon' all over again :-) P.S.S. for the record, Kelly tells me they didn't see the movie again.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty Three

Randomness


Look who was waiting for me at Burger King for lunch today. Mr. Edward Cullen (a.k.a. Robert Pattinson), my favorite vampire boyfriend. Looking forward to seeing 'New Moon' Friday morning (I've never been to a movie at 10:00 A.M. in my life!) Go Team Edward!

I can certainly understand Team Jacob! Mr. Jacob Black (a.k.a. Taylor Lautner) is my fave werewolf/shape shifter. I didn't see Bella at the BK. (Hanging out with Alice, perhaps...)

No, wait, there she is on my LARGE cup of Diet Coke. Neil wasn't going to get one at first, but then he said he'd give his to Shelby. He did take it with him back to work. I'll bet that was interesting.

When I went to pick up Elijah at Mother's Day Out this afternoon, he was fast asleep with his other classmates.

He was so peacefully sound asleep; I hated to wake him up. But he was happy to see me and ready to go to Granny's house. I guess the turkey knocked them all out. They had their Thanksgiving dinner at MDO.

Eddie watches for Shelby to come home from school. As per usual, he hid in the bushes and jumped out on her as she passed by.

Shelby got her mid-term grades today (I think that's what she called it). She got four As and two Bs. She wrote a note to her grandpa to let him know how well she did. (Can you say trip to the Dairy Queen?) She loves science and she loves to read.

"I could die reading." That's a direct quote from Miss Shelby and I believe her. Two of her As were in reading and English. Maybe it's genetic because I can certainly relate. I hope it sticks.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty Two

Elijah Man


Self Portrait

Rice, noodles, and spicy chicken is Elijah's favorite lunch at Ocha Deli, our fave Thai restaurant. He gets his own tray and orders what he wants. He is one cool dude. Love him!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty One

Postcards From A Chilly Gray November Day


"It's colder now. The trees are bare and the nights are long." (lyrics from a Barry Manilow song--yes, I like Barry Manilow. So shoot me.)

Little stone birdie matches the colors of the day.

Eddie is poised to leap at a real little birdie up in the tree far out of his reach. "Yellows and grays paint a sad sky today...." (lyrics from a Dan Fogelberg song--I miss Dan.)

Elijah hangs on to his stuffed Teddy bear while watching 'Scooby Doo On Zombie Island'. The love affair with Scooby and The Gang continues.

Shelby was inspired by something or someone at school today to draw some Christmas candy art. Sharpies are her favorite markers and here I snapped her picture asking me which one would work as violet. She makes the best pictures. Granny didn't get this one. She took it home. And here it is on a Tuesday in November at 4:40 PM. Almost dark. The nights are long indeed.


Monday, November 16, 2009

Day Three Hundred Twenty

November Day


Looked more like an October sky today, except the trees are bare now.

This is a daily ritual with these two. Shelby always asks where Eddie is. Eddie always hides in the bushes along the path to the house, then jumps out on Shelby as she passes by. Shelby is always startled when Eddie jumps out.

After their meet and greet, they head off on their separate ways--Eddie to chase bugs, leaves, and shadows, and Shelby to dump her backpack, kick off her shoes, and chill with a Bomb Pop and some mindless TV. These two are growing up way too fast.