Past few years...

The past few years have been great for some I love but really tough for others.  For several years I can think of a couple of situations that were particularly rough. I've often wondered how I would feel in the future if tables were turned and the other party were hurt. Indifferent towards the other's circumstances?   That worries me to feel indifferent.....

I don't believe in karma.  Toooo many people fall through the cracks of karma. I believe in divine judgement.  Not only for others but for myself.   If I had to depend on myself being "good" enough or doing the right things or not being indifferent to the plight of some, I'd never make it too forgiveness.  Luckily I have the blood to cover me when that time comes.

Funny Kids

Love my nieces and nephews.

Wednesday night and Thursday night my great niece Chelsea spent the night. We had Wendy's one night and McDonald's the next while we watched "Pitch Perfect" over and over.  She is not good for my cholesterol levels.

Last night I took my nephew Tanner to the Knoxville Ice Bears hockey game. He isn't good for my cholesterol either.

I made Tanner model the Knoxville Ice Bears scarf my friend Patty made for me.

Tonight was time spent with my great niece Bella. Chelsea's little sister.  She isn't good for my cholesterol either....



After eating Wendy's on the way to the hockey game Tanner was sipping on his to go diet coke and I on my regular coke.

I told Tanner that I don't like diet coke. Tanner said "it's healthier. "  I said, laughing,  "Tanner, you just ate an order of chicken nuggets with ranch dressing and fries at Wendy's. "



Tonight Bella was looking through my blog on my phone and saw the 1969 picture of her mamaw, my sister Sharon's high school basketball picture from 1969.  Bella, Ms soccer star, said "wait a minute. Are those knee pads? Why does she have knee pads on?"  I laughed and told her everyone wore knee pads in basketball back then.

Hard to Choose

First Predators against the Rangers. Today the Rangers against the Bruins. Few weeks the Predators will play the Bruins.  I hate it when my favorite teams play each other.

Predators Sock Monkey!!!

Two Nights in a Row

My great niece Chelsea has stayed with me two nights in a row.  My cholesterol is through the roof I'm most sure after all the fast food and popcorn we have had.

I introduced Chelsea to the movie "Pitch Perfect" and between watching it with her and Chris I've seen it about 1,000 times.....

Wednesday night movie and Wendy's. 

Thursday night we headed to town in pj's to get some Krystal but since it was Thanksgiving everything was closed except for McDonald's.   

Chelsea curled my hair and put into an up do. 

Catching Fire

Today Lynette and I celebrated Thanksgiving by visiting our aunt at the nursing home. Afterwards we went to Cleveland to watch "Catching Fire" and have popcorn for Thanksgiving.

Me and my sis.

Cold Winter?

In the spring if you want to know if winter was cold or not?  Ask a farmer how many days he had to bust ice for livestock to be able to have water.  Not just days but how many TIMES a day.  Not only that but if he he had to bust water inside and outside the barn.   Then you'll know if it was a cold winter. 

Water trough in field.

Water bucket in barn.

I have to use the air tank to blow all the water out of the hose after feeding.  When it's 20 degrees outside just simple draining doesn't work. 

Ninety one year old

My aunt is 91. The elderly want to be involved in the voting process and making their voice heard just like when they were young.  They realize and remember that people fought, bled and died to give future generations freedom and the right to vote.  They don't want to give that up.

I wonder if aunt Charlsie ever dreamed of a Maynard running for public office?

My 91 year old aunt Charlsie Maynard signing my petition to run for office.

Most Important

In my book this was the most special important signature I could ever collect from a Monroe County voter for my election petition.  (Along with Chris.)  My nephew Jamey Watts who is ten months older than me and I love as a brother.

I will never forget the emotional hug he gave me at the Republican headquarters in 2008 after winning the election.  I think he said through a choked up voice something like "you did it. I'm so proud of you". We never dreamed our lives would have gotten to that miraculous moment.  I love you Jamey.  More than you can ever, ever, ever know.

Twenty Bucks

Do you know the feeling you get when you put on a winter coat after a long hot summer and find $20 in a pocket?  That's the same feeling you have when you find your Smith and Wesson pocket knife in your barn coat after looking for it for a year to cut hay string.  Well...The feeling is better than the $20 because the knife cost more and it's use stretches further.

Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids

I don't watch music awards or movie awards shows anymore, though very glad I tuned in to the AMA's Sunday night.  Wow.  Justin Timberlake performing "Drink you Away" with his band the Tennessee Kids was great.  Loved, loved, loved.

It would be easy for a singer to be overshadowed by such a band/singers behind him like the Tennessee Kids.  But Justin Timberlake proved to be a talented performer with ability to stand out from what, for most singers, would have been an overwhelming backup group.  JT was a leader and took center stage.

Very impressed.......

Registered to vote?

Are you registered to vote?  If not there are many places to pick up a registration form. Most offices in the courthouse have them. Fill it out and either mail to or drop off at the Monroe County Election Commission.

Dresses

Growing up momma sewed many clothes for me.  I'm not sure what the picture below was for but the back says 5th grade. Mom made the pale blue dress after I picked the pattern.

Mom made the floral skirt to go with the sweater my freshman or sophomore year.  I remember buying the sweater but not being able to match it to anything. So she fixed that problem. 

The pink lace dress was from JCPenney for my Senior Year Class Night.  Maybe I thought Mom's sewing talents weren't good enough for such an important night.  I don't know.   But I do remember the drive home being very quiet. We were almost home when mom said in a low, serious voice out of nowhere, "Marna, you really were the prettiest up there."  I never felt pretty during my life but for some reason, for one moment in time, I believed her because there was something in her voice that night when she spoke those words which were in a different tone than normal. Mom died a year later. Somehow,  someway things always link back to her. As maybe they should...

Singing

Sunday we were all sitting around after Chris's Thanksgiving watching the AMA's. I told Colton and Bridget "I don't watch music awards shows anymore because most can't sing any better than I do. You know? Studio Creations...They could put me in a studio and I'd sound like I could be on the radio".

Bridget didn't even blink or look up from playing Candy Crush and said "I don't think so".

Ice Skating

While we were watching the AMA's Sunday night after Chris's special Thanksgiving an ice skating commercial came on.  Bridget exclaimed, "I wanna try ice skating.  Have you ever tried Marnie?"

I briefly looked up from Candy Crush with raised eyebrows and Bridget quickly said, "Nevermind..."

To that I said, "Yes, I've tried it several times".

Bridget asked if it was hard and if you have to use your ankles a lot.

I said it depends if the place you are skating has thick rubber like skates or leather.  The stiff ones keep your ankles more stable.

"I can even keep my ankles straight in the rubber ones.  And stand up.  Well.  Stand up until I fall...."

More in work mail...

You just never know what is going to be in tax payments we receive at work through the mail.   This week's mail contained:

Ha ha ha!!!

And a sweet Christmas card with statement and payment inside.

Can't wait to see what's next....

No one even noticed my name........

After upgrading from my flip phone to the Smartphone about five months ago I have finally figured out how to add a signature to my text messaging.

I had sent about 15 or so texts out this afternoon for the first time with my signature.  One of my friends responded back, "You do realize, don't you, that your text says Maria Beth <>< "

I said no!  Stupid autocorrect.  And changed it to "Marna Beth <><"

Wow, after all of those texts I sent only one person noticed my name was wrong.  Wow.

Fixing Fence with Duncan and Chris

More to Sign

Friends Patty and Crystal signed my petition at lunch today.

The Beach Slaw

I picked up some two cups of slaw for Chris's Thanksgiving on Sunday from The Beach.  BEST slaw ever!!!

Chris's Thanksgiving

Most years Chris is in OKC for the NRHA Reining Horse Futurity at Thanksgiving.  This year is one of those years.  He very much misses having Thanksgiving with the family.  Especially the deep fried turkey.  So this year I cooked a special meal for he and his family on Sunday.

While they were here they all wanted to sign my election petition.  Colton was especially excited.  He was one of my biggest campaign advisors in 2008.  My first election year.  He developed a political fever that year-his junior high years.  He is 18 now and loving the fact he was able to sign his first petition and will vote in his first election in the spring.

Chris signing my petition for re-election

Chris mom signing

Chris's niece Tress a and her husband signed.

Me And Chris

Chris's brother Perry signing

Chris's brother Steve signed.

Chris's mom Emma Lee

Tressa

Colton was so excited he is now 18 and can sign!!

Yum! Country Thanksgiving with deep fried turkey that somehow I always get stuck carving.

Yum!

Yum!