It happened!

We had 8 inches of snow on January 9. It was absolutely beautiful. But after a rough week, we are ready to resume to some form of normalcy. It pretty much shut down the whole county. I guess we all needed a break!

Is it Coming?

We were very lucky to have a White Christmas! And we just might get about 8 inches tonight and Monday! Time to stay put and not worry about a thing! I can read my kindle all day long!!!

Chattanooga does not handle snow very well, so it is best to stay home...


Christmas Tree on the back porch.


The back yard looking like a winter wonderland.


Crape myrtle in the front. Looks like it is growing cotton balls!


We don't get to see these woods so quiet and white very much. Sure is pretty!

Happy New Year, everyone!

What? An Update??

For all those that have been wanting one, here it is... An update!

I have some very exciting news to share. I am now an Independent Consultant for Usborne Books & More. These are wonderful children's books, for most any age. Patrick and I were in Atlanta this past weekend for a Regional Training. It was so exciting to be with other consultants and see their enthusiasm for these books.

Seeing these books reminds me of all the great summer reading programs I used to do at our local library. It reminds me of the anticipation I had when mom ordered books for me at school. It makes me want to go out and buy books for all of the kids I know. They are just neat, fun books!

If you are interested in buying books or in being a consultant to be able to share these books with others, let me know. Right now, my website is www.ubah.com/J3609 . I am trying to come up with a cool domain name for my site. Any ideas?


We are now into fall and the holidays. Patrick has the house decorated for fall. We are thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now if the weather here would act like fall!

Hope all of our friends and family are doing great!

Christmas is almost here!

Finally - You can see a few of our Christmas decorations. Snowmen have found our house and love the kitchen and table! We also have them around the fireplace mantle. Two Christmas Trees this year - The one inside is blue and white with snowmen and snowflakes. Patrick decorated it this year and did a GREAT job! The second tree is all new ornaments this year. We wanted to put one on the screen porch. The ornaments all have an outdoor/woodsy theme. There is even a black bear climbing to the very top of the tree.

Here is wishing all of our friends and family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Have you been gobbled?

We were last night...


YOU’VE BEEN GOBBLED!!!

The Thanksgiving Turkey has come to town
To leave some goodies, I see you’ve found.
If you wish to make this a happier fall
Continue this greeting, this phantom fall.

First, post this Turkey where it can be seen,
And leave it there but don’t make a scene.
This will show other Phantoms who may happen to visit,
Be sure to participate, you don’t want to miss it.

Second, if able, make two treats & copy this poem.
Deliver them to two other homes.
Don’t let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt.
And make sure they put their Phantom Turkey out.

Leave it at doors where the Turkey hasn’t hit,
Deliver at dark when there isn’t much light,
Ring the doorbell and run and stay out of sight.

And last, but not least, come join in the season,
Don’t worry, be happy, you need no good reason.
This is all in good fun and we are just trying to say,
Have a wonderfully Happy Thanksgiving Day!











The above poem came with a turkey made out of a tracing of a hand on construction paper with a plate of goodies. Watch out! You may be next to be gobbled!!!!

Our 3rd Year Anniversary in Gatlinburg, TN

We have had a tradition every fall, right around our anniversary, to go to Gatlinburg, TN. It is such a beautiful place with lots of beautiful nature sights and shopping for good things and typical tourist things.

This year I had a conference to go to. So, we made this our annual trip. Our anniversary was October 14th, the last day of the conference. The conference finished at noon. We were going to hang out in Gatlinburg for a while before coming on. But it was pouring down rain! So, we came home and had a nice quiet evening. We had a wonderful dinner the night before at Cherokee Grill and Gatlinburg (highly recommend it). So our anniversary dinner was actually the night before. Our dinner the night of our anniversary was tomato soup. Nothing wrong with that on a cold rainy night!

While I was in my conference, Patrick was able to get out and explore some areas of Gatlinburg that he had not been to. He took some beautiful pictures. I want to go back when the weather cooperates and perhaps take a short hike. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is full of wonderful hiking trails and places to enjoy the great creation that our heavenly father has given us to enjoy!

Thanks, Patrick, for a wonderful three years! Time flies when we are having fun! I am looking forward to many more years with you!

Our good friends

Stephanie used to work with Tamara and Mark at Advance Auto corporate offices in Roanoke, VA. Their younger son and Tamara were in our wedding. We have not seen them since we moved from VA two years ago! It was great to be able to visit with them last weekend! The boys have grown so much! Even though we don't see each other that often, we still consider them really special friends. Love you guys!