Just the other day.......

The line up, ummm well, sort of...

" unlike last year, and the year before...

they did not catch on fire "

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year. The group representing the Knoxville portion of the family gathered around a bountiful feast. No picture can adequately show the scrumptious selections at hand. To list them here would only tease the taste buds of those who could not attend our celebration. So in brief, we cooked, we gathered, we blessed, we ate, we were saronsified.

enough said

Wendy

We helped our kids move into a new home this past week. My job was to hold Wendy. I had the best job in the house...

Fall again

Once again our yard is beautiful

Smiling Girl

I am so beautiful! I have gained one pound and grown one inch longer!

Which way did she go?

MOMMMY!

pic of the day

Zach and Wendy, holding hands....

Stacy, Zach and Wendy moved from the hospital to their apartment yesterday. Teddy has been great, wagging his tail and sneaking in dog kisses when possible. He has continued to sleep with us at night, quite an experience indeed. I fixed a chicken dish, made homemade applesauce and baked banana bread muffins. I know guys, you are shocked that I still remember how to cook! All four of us experimented with the new cloth diapers, well Stacy did the work and we all add comments and directions. Teddy backed us up. It was fun. At one point last night I realized that Zach, Paul, Wendy and Stacy had all nodded off while watching TV. Calm had crept into the room! Wendy insists on pulling her legs up, making diapering more like a yoga class with twists, stretches and turns. Last night Wendy decided to finish clearing her lungs with sessions of crying. This morning she is back to her calm sweet self.

Our beautiful girls

Good night family

One day old

Rock a bye baby Wendy

Dr Whalen and Miss Wendy

Here is the proud Pappa of Miss Wendy June

Welcome to the World

Today a star fell to the earth and she was named Wendy June........
Welcome to the world little girl

Courthouse and Conways

Once again I went to work at the Knox County Courthouse. Leaving ,I took the opportunity took take some "tourist" shots. A couple spent time carefully reading all the inscriptions on some of the monuments. I noticed that the woman left a bouquet at the base of the John Sevier's monument. John Sevier held the office of Govenor of Tennessee six times and had four terms in Congress. Our Conway family was very close to the Seviers, marrying four of his children. Our ancestor, Suzanne Conway eventually DIVORCED her Sevier husband. He had deserted the family, leaving her to raise four children alone. Her divorce was the first one granted in the State of Tennessee....

Old Gray Cemetary

Saturday Paul and I went on a carriage ride and tour of the Old Gray Cemetery. The first burial was in 1851. The citizens of the community wanted a park style cemetery, all in vogue in England, a place of bautiful trees, walk ways, and away from the city. Couples would go on strolls here, families would have picnics, and everyone would enjoy the fountain, trees, and flowers. Many famous and infamous former citizens now permanently visit Old Gray. In the carriage ride, you pass by stones with familiar names that now grace buildings, roads, communities, or businesses in East TN. Stones range from simple to tall and graceful. We spied two celtic crosses, the stumps of woodsmens, angels, and a curious cube balanced on one corner. We strolled down the main street of Old Gray and were welcomed by many residents, ready to introduce themselves. Tennessee William's father was first to meet us, showing us where his mother was buried and letting it be known that it was only because he was not getting along with his wife that his final resting place was in Knoxville. A Bohemian band told how the Mother was a hardworking single Mom that loved all her family but was unhappy with her drinking son. He complained that he thought it wasnt fair that he didnt get his own gravesite, but had to be buried above his Mom because he was a pauper. A korean veteran told of his love of his wife and country. He was the first American killed in action in the Korean War, being shot down on his 26 mission. A well dressed Civil War widow complained that her murdered Union husband forgot to mention that he had another wife. She and the first wife fougnt for his pension for two years. The Army would not release her husbands body into either wife's custody so no one is sure where he is buried. She named her son after his father and made a name for herself and prospered. The other wife was given the pension but faded into history. Many other residents gladly welcomed all the visitors. The beautiful ladies in the photograph watched over the event.

elkmont

I have been working for the Knox Co election commission for several weeks. We huddle around our computers, deep down in the basement of the Old Knox Co courthouse, and try to read poorly signed petitions. I needed to get out into the sun so Paul took me to Elkmont this weekend. We hiked on the road out of Elkmont campground. It was beautiful.

so nice

Dr. ZACH Whalen

Members of Zach's fan club were honored to witness the hooding ceremony at the UF campus. The good Dr was seen skipping about his hotel room when he first tried on his robes. Hugs, handshakes, and tears were shared by all. Zach has worked so hard and has been greatly supported by his beautiful bride, Stacy. We are so proud of you both!

Out of Their Window !

Pictures of the Move!

Zach, Stacy and Teddy are on the move again.

Zach, Stacy, Teddy and "Baby Girl" have moved to Fredericksburg, VA. All their things have been moved into the third story apartment we call "The tree house." They have more windows than their last place much to Teddy's delight. He has not yet discovered the cat in the apartment across from his balcony. The cat's owener has created cat television by scattering bird seed all over her balcony. Squirrels and birds keep the cat entertained.
Stacy's father helped with the move by driving the 28ft truck up from Spartanburg, SC. Paul, Zach, and Keith carried boxes and Stacy and I unloaded them. We all had to keep an eye on Teddy after he learned how to open the front door.
After working all day, we all found a place on the floor to sleep. Keith had a few blankets, Zach had a sleeping bag, Stacy stayed in the recliner while Paul and I shared an air mattress. The second day we worked hard to make sure that Stacy and "baby girl" could sleep in the master bedroom bed. We were all happy to see the piano moving crew arrive. Stacy was afraid to watch them move the piano so I took alot of pictures. We met several neighbors when they came out to watch the piano moving show.
The third night, Stacy's Mom, sister, and nephews arrived and took Stacy to a wedding shower in Baltimore! Before they left, we all enjoyed homemade pumpkin lasagna for supper. YUMMMMY!
Today we purchased and built an entertainment center. During the day we also took a trolly tour of "Old Town", Fredericksburg. George Washington and his family lived here and across the river. His mother, Mary Washington, is the favorite daughter of the city. There are museums, concerts, galleries, stores, restaurants, tours, and historic sites. So far there has not been a sighting of an alligator or shark. We are all going to like this place.

Happy 4th of July

um,,,,watermelon feast!

Sassy in the Clouds....

One day recently the best show in town was in the sky.......one cloud gradually turned into the image of Sassy, our furry friend, dog-person.

Raising the Roof!

Oh my what a sight! Work for the night is coming.....

Father's Day

Dad,
The older I get, the more I realize how much I love you. Thank you for being so strong, so independent, and so protective. Thank you for being there for me and only wanting the best for me and my family. Your advice is priceless. When I am 80 and you are 106, I will continue to learn from you. I will help you , only when you ask, your " I can do it" attitude keeps you young.

I want to say that I love you.
Happy Father's Day
from your favorite Daughter

Oh Yes, the truth is out

baby brother

Isn't he cute

Workers!

The rent is due so our renters have decided to work off their debts. This is a wonderful plan as I have all the money I could ever want and too much yardwork. Paul has been working on a landscape design that will conceal our new neighborhood subdivision. These shrubs will grow to the height of fifty feet at a rate of five feet a year. We shall have our own forest. The fence has changed to look of the backyard so much. I sometimes feel like we have moved. The birds, having lost forty acres of trees, use the fence for conversations and perching. That has been the only good part of losing the backyard. More pics later......

A Beautiful day in the Neighborhood

Andrew

Andrew has graduated and we are so proud. He studied stuff that only he and his Dad understand. Go ahead, ask him a computer question, I dare you !

Dogwood days

Meet our newest addition to the front yard. The Pink Dogwood! We are so happy this tree survived last years drought. I spent many days hauling dishwashing water out to many plants. I could not stand the idea of tossing out the water and the plants were thirsty. I have a dripping kitchen faucet and I keep a large watering can in place to catch the drips. The water conservation has now become a part of my daily routine. The plants enjoy the attention

Grandma Rose

Teddy needed reasurrance that Grandma Rose will always love him.

Spring Beauty

Oh, I got to take a rare picture of a Spring Beauty in my front yard!

Snowball

Snowball has gone home to her family. She had been missing from home over a month. She lives over 10 miles away and we can not figure out how she arrived at my door. There are three major roads and an interstate between our houses. After having her live on my front porch for a week, I discovered that she had a tatoo on her belly. Todd helped hold her and we were able to write down the numbers.....02-.... The next day I called the Knox County Animal shelter. They encouraged me to bring in the cat and they would scan her to determine if the cat had a "chip." The cat did not enjoy the car trip across town nor did she enjoy the wait in the shelter office. It was very small and busy. A lady was there turning in her two labadors, saying she did not want them anymore. She was told by the shelter lady that because this was an owner surrender that the dogs could be killed that day if there was no room. She was also informed that between 40 to 50 animals A DAY were brought into the shelter. She let them go anyway.
The cat was scanned and we heard a BEEP! What great news. A phone call was made and it was discovered that the cat's registration was in a box somewhere and not in the computer. I was told I could leave the cat and they would take care of contacting the owner. The registration was from 2002 and there was a chance the cat's owners might not be found. I said, I will take her home, you call me later. Several hours later I received a phone call and was given two numbers. The shelter lady said a strange thing happened. She opened the box for the 2002 cards and this cat's card was the first one in the box! On the second phone call I made, Lisa answered and was amazed to hear the story. She at first could not believe me because she had almost given up hope. Lisa then told how she was moved by the Easter service at her church and had prayed that her cat would come home. She then told me that cat's name was Snowball.
A wonderful reunion happened a few hours later. Her son said that Snowball had lost a tremendous amount of weight. He also said that maybe Snowball had left home because he had paid more attention to the other cat in the family.
I hope they send a picture someday, I miss Snowball. Cherry does not.

Oh, ahhhhh

Sometimes you just have to stop working on something. Have you ever noticed the how many times " It is finished" is said in the Bible? Moses said it, Jesus said it, God said it. There is something very satisfying about that word. Looking toward completion with eager anticipation... not of having nothing to do but of being able to start something new. Completion...new concept for me.
I discoved that I could remove and rearrange the granny squares and I did so to correct some obvious only to me, errors in the color pattern of this afgan. It calmed down quite a bit, isn,t perfect, but it is finished.

One of those days

Well, it just seemed like one of those days today. I had to go get me some doctoring today after my dag burn cat chewed on my finger like it was a tasty chicken bone. Now I hollared, it did, real loud and serious like. Why you go and do that for, cat, I said, I did. Well that cat up and sashed out of the room, totally satisified that it had done runned off the invader, not noticing that I was the one skiddadling, not the new cat in the window. Well I got me a shot, some funny looking blue pills, and a Taz bandaid. Well my Mom used to say that I would get hurt , just to get a pretty bandaid. Now I remember what happened this morning....."hummm, cat is looking crazed, great time to get a bandaid!!!"

I took my finger, and "Porch" for a walk and discovered these flowers in my yard. Amazing. I never knew there were so many different kinds.

Whos your Momma

Someone has lost their way and has ended up on my front porch. This is a very sweet, lost kitty kat that just wants to either go home or come inside my house. Gma has named the cat Lucky, but we shall see. Cherry is not pleased with the stranger outside and becomes a screaming banshee whenever Lucky looks into the house. I went to move Cherry from the windowsill so I could close the curtain. I was also afraid Cherry was going to give herself a heartattack. She attacks the window, flails about until she falls off the windowsill and starts again. I was in the wrong place and received several deep bites on my finger. Now I have had cats in my life, forever. Never have I been bitten like this. So, after the cable guys show up, I am off to the doctors for a tetnus shot.
Oh the joy of pet ownership.