HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEK-END....

May we NEVER FORGET where our country would be without our faith in God. That is why America IS and will ALWAYS BE the land of the free, deep rooted in love, of God and Country. May we NEVER stop saying "In God We Trust". Happy 4th of July week-end to everyone!!!!

RELAY FOR LIFE WALK....

I walked in the Relay for Life Friday Night. Two of these pictures came from the paper. It was held at Bristol Motor Speedway and was a great success. Over 300 people walked.

This is part of the Cancer Support Group.
Here are the tents and the place that was marked off for the walk.

It lasted all night, but I left about 8:30. There were fire works and all kind of food and a dance at 5:00 AM. I have never been in such a caring environment. Makes one feel better to know they are not alone. I am thankful I was able to walk!

TEN WISHES......

I just finished reading Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber. I thought to myself....I'm going to write down 10 things I would like to see happen. Really think about it. You don't have to post all of them at one time. Everytime you think of one...post it. It took me three days to write mine. Here they are:
1..Sing Again

2..Go to New York City with Ryan and Lucas and see a broadway show.

3..Lose 50 lbs.

4..Play a guitar

5..Get a different car...one that doesn't use so much gas.

6..Keep finding reasons to laugh.

7..Be an inspiration in someone's life.

8..Give to someone who has less than me.

9..Volunteer at the hospital.

10..Dance in the rain in my bare feet.

Alright....who is going to be next?????

FOOD IN EL SALVADOR, CENTRAL AMERICA.

Paella, fresh coconuts right from the tree, mango's plaintains and tomato slices with cheese and basil leaves.
See more below!!

FOOD IN EL SALVADOR...Central America.

This is where Lisa has been for the last two weeks. Here's an idea of how they eat in El Salvador. The fruit in the center is how the cashew nut grows. Look at the top of the fruit.....that is the cashew nut! I think the top right plate was Lisa's husband Donaldo's

plate.

THEY SWAM WITH THE DOLPHINS

Lisa and her family have been on a two week vacation to Central America (El Salvador), Honduras and the island of Roatan, off the coast of Honduras.

Here they are swimming with the Dolphins at Anthony's Key

located on the Island of Roatan.

They brought back 913 pictures. I wish you could see them all. This is Lucas.....

and here's Ryan.

Tasha Tudor Passed Away Yesterday.....

For those of you who followed the life of Tasha Tudor....she died yesterday June 18th at her home in Vermont. She was 92 years old and was an amazing person. She lived HER life HER way.

Crocheted Square for the Month Of June.....

This square goes out this month for my crochet partner exchange. The recipient is Sheri in CA. I thought I would start early and spread a little patriotism.

Storm and Oil Lamp.....

A BAD storm passed through our area last night about 5:00 P.M. The electricity was off for over an hour. Out came the oil lamp. That brought back a lot of memories! We had winds up to 80 miles an hour. The picture below is our neighbor. One of his trees blew across our chain link fence. It was so dark outside that you cannot tell how bad it was. Another one of the neighbors lost two trees....a huge apple tree and a big maple. This morning on my way out I have never seen so many trees down....on top of houses ...on top of cars. I think it was a tornado.

A PRETTY SCARECROW......

I think I posted this last year, but she is standing there again this year...in the same spot. I thought it was a person, but it's a mannequin...in other words...a dummy used to display clothes. It really fooled this dummy. But isn't that a cute idea? I wonder where you get those things?

MY CHERRY TREES.....

Well, it's cherry pickin' time in Tennessee......and the birds are going to get them before I do! I have tried several things to keep them away.....but it isn't working. I will pick them on Monday.
Can she bake a cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy???? I can taste it now. The trees are loaded. Last year we didn't have any because of the late freeze.

More Cherries.....

Close Up View.....
I hoisted this piece of material up in one tree to deter the birds. It didn't work!
Full view....
Maybe this "moving" duck will scare the birds.....
Looking upward.....

"WHERE I'M FROM"

My Mother always said, "If you don't know where you came from, How do you know where you are going?"
Below is my own creation of :

"WHERE I'M FROM"

I am from hayfields and blackberry patches, gathering eggs and selling them to my Daddy in his store.

I am from a five room house with no bath...but a path.

I am from cherry trees where I climbed and ate as many as I carried home...from digging potatoes in the rich earth.

I am from skinny dipping and swinging on grape vines, two room schoolhouse, sitting on the front porch singing while my Mother played the guitar......wringer washers and wash tubs.

I am from playing the piano, the accordion and making playhouses in the woods....hide and seek, jumping rope and May I.

From: Raleigh's Liniment, Cracker Jacks and Castor Oil....Revival Meetings and Baptisms in the river....catalogs and feed sack skirts.

From "Pretty is only skin deep " to "Always mind your manners."

I am from Methodist, Baptist, Wednesday night prayer meetings and shouting Hallaujah.

I am from the Volunteer state of Tennessee with lakes and mountains, race cars, beans, cornbread and red eye gravy. We always called it "God's Country".

I am from family get togethers, singing with my sisters, a Mother with a heart of gold and a Daddy with a strict hand.
A grandfather who always looked to see if I had my fingernails painted and a grandmother who could squeeze your heart out.

Yes, I came from a family of seven siblings and I have told you where else I came from. It was wonderful and I wouldn't change a thing if I could. Now let me tell you where I am going...."To Where The Streets Are Paved With Gold". Some days, I can't wait!

I got this idea from:

Judy over at Living On The Other Side Of The Hill. She has a sample template there that you can follow if you wish or just make up your own creation. Thanks Judy! That was fun!
If any of you put this on your blog , leave me a comment on my blog so I can read what you have written! Have fun!

FIRST TREATMENT THIS MORNING.....

I had my first cancer drug treatment this morning. My sister-in-law (Loretta)took me... I love her!!! It was in IV Form and it took 1 and 1/2 hrs for it to finish. This will happen every three weeks for one year. So far today there are no side effects...well maybe one.... I came home and slept for three hours. That is something I have NEVER done. I hope that is the only side effect I will EVER have.
Next Thursday, I start my radiation treatments. I have to have them everyday for six weeks. It's going to be a long summer, but it's O.K. I will make up for lost time next year!!!!

HE DIDN'T WIN BUT.......

Give him a few more years and he will blow everybody out of the water. We haven't heard the last of him yet!!!!!

American Cancer Support Group Meeting....And American Idol....

I went to my first support group meeting last night. It was their 10th anniversary meeting. There were 132 people there. It was the biggest crowd ever. Everyone brought some kind of salad or a dessert. I wish I had made a picture of the food. I've NEVER seen so many different kinds of salad. I made a fruit salad from REAL fruit and there were so many that I brought over half of it back home and I stopped at my neighbors house and gave her the rest of it. She is 94, and that made her happy!

I got home just in time to watch American Idol. David Archuletta stole the show. Last night I had the feeling he might win. I am still pulling for him. I cast my votes faithfully!!! Ryan and I talk on the phone during the show. Ryan said, "Granny, I think he is going to win...if he doesn't faint." Well, that is a lot of pressure. I would have fainted a long time ago. LOL Tonight we will know the winner!! GOOD LUCK David A!

American Idol????

How many of you have kept up with American Idol? They are down to the two finalists. Next week will decide the winner. Way back when there were 20 or more contestants left, I picked David Archuletta to win. He reminds me of Ryan and can sing anything. Randy says he can sing a phonebook. I agree. He is one of the two left. I have a feeling David Cook is going to win, but I hope I'm wrong. Anyway, it will be a honor for David A. to come up second best. He is number ONE in my book! Tell me what you think!

Russian Artist and Cake Decorator.....

These are actually cakes. The sewing machine just blows my mind.

More Cakes.....

More Cakes.....