Cleaning Buckets

There are no fancy cleaners or brushes needed to clean barn buckets.  

Try this (Marna's trick):
Pour some bleach and water into a bucket.   Pick up a hand full of hay or straw.  (Of course it doesn't have to be clean. Just some nearby trash hay will do.)

Submerge hay/straw in mixture and use to scrub away grim.  Hay works great at taking the grim off and gets down into all the nooks and crannies of a bucket.  Much better than a brush I might add.

Follow up with some good rinsing and you're good to go!

Let me know how it goes!

As with anything in life...

Never Argue with Children

Sunday Funday Down on the Farm

Ada Monroe and I both love cold well water!

#SundayFunday #horses #farmlife #farmliving #reininghorse #horsehour

Gas

Seems I'm being asked more and more often about programs in our county which help those with cancer.  Are more being diagnosed or are more reaching out in need?

Since going through treatment a few years back I suppose people think I'm the one to ask.  But I'm no expert.  The #1 question I'm always asked?  Where can I find help with gas?

Fortunately my last four rounds of chemo were in Sweetwater.  So half did not have the expense of driving to Knoxville. However, that is no longer an option.  There is no chemo in Sweetwater anymore.  (I wrote a blog post a year or so ago about this called "Empty Chairs".  Click here to read: http://marnabeth.blogspot.com/2013/11/empty-chairs.html )

Following chemotherapy, radiation became the gas hog for me. Thirty six radiation treatments.  Everyday I had to drive to Knoxville.  Not only does radiation zap the strength and energy you managed to hang on to through chemo, it also takes a chunk from your gas budget.

Pilot has a program with which I received one gas voucher per week.  Can you say helpful?  It was wonderful!  My treatments were at Park West with Thompson Cancer Center.  I'm not sure which hospitals partner with Pilot but ask your doctor.  Most hospitals have social workers with which can assist with things such as this.

Locally, for those in Monroe County, Patty Williford runs a program which assists with gas.  I'm not sure of all the details other than it's a great program!  Patty has an application you must complete.  I also have copies of the application in my office if you'd like to pick one up while in town. 

Cancer is tough!!!  In so many, many ways.  Don't be afraid to reach out for help!  Or if you know someone going through treatments tell them about programs like Patty's and Pilot.  They may not think to ask.  Or may embarrassed to approach an organization for help.  

It's okay.  Everyone needs support when facing the life battle called cancer.....

Putting up Corn

Boating with the Fam

My niece Jessie and hubby Jason brought the kids up for a Saturday boating afternoon. Much fun.  Nothing like being with family.

Dollywood!!

My sister Lynette, her daughter (my niece) Jessie and Jessie's two kids Jack and Mallie Belle (my great niece and nephew) went to one our favorite places today....Dollywood! The weather was perfect but we were amazed how crowded it was on a Wednesday.

Jack won a toy and had his face painted. 

Cutie pie Mallie

Jack was big enough to ride the River Rampage for the first time. 

 He and Jessie and Nan got soaked! 

She had her popcorn. She had her Nan. She had her nap.

All is perfect in her world.

Perfect weather#

My Surprise!

Chris's surprise for me last Friday??  Tennessee Smokey's baseball game!  I had a great time and I do believe Chris did as well.  He loved the Calhoun's BBQ pork nachos and we both loved the fireworks after the game.  They were sort of like a mini Boomsday.

Surprise? Hmmmm...

Seems Chris is taking me on a surprise something or other.  And....it doesn't include the boat!!

I'll report later....

Let's Take a Journey with J&S to Sapphire, NC

Turtleback Falls

1. Tell us about your trip:

Our trip was to Sapphire, NC. Rainbow Falls, Turtleneck Falls, Drift Falls.  Total round trip hike was 3.5 miles for all three waterfalls.  143 miles and 3 hours from Madisonville.  Beautiful, scenic view the entire way.



2. Approximate costs--fees, tickets, etc.:

Gas money

Drift Falls

3.  Fitness level required if the trip isn't for     
    leisure.  Is the trip for beginners  
    intermediate, or advanced participants?

Hike was mild. Basically for everyone but not wheelchair accessible.





4.  Was equipement required to participate?  Provided or bring your own?
 
Used our own hiking shoes/boots. Backpack.



5.  Things to bring.

Snacks. Picnic. Water. Bug spray. sunscreen. Swim suit. Goggles if desired. Camera.



6.  Ages appropriate...babies through elderly.  What ages would trip suit?

Teens and adults.



7.  Favorite thing?
We loved that you could check out three different waterfalls in one hiking trip.  Beautiful camping area.



8.  Would you go again?  Why?  What would have made it better?  Suggestions for those who might
     like to go on the trip?

We plan to go back in August and cliff jump or slide off falls.  July and August best time to go if
you want to swim.

Rainbow Falls

Let's Take a Journey with J&S to Boone, NC

My cousins Jeremiah and Sarah are a most fun married couple.  The weekender type trips they have are among the best and usually unique ones.  The first of their trips we'll be featuring is their trip to Boone, NC

1. Tell us about your trip:  Boone, NC Compression (AKA) Trash Can Falls.

229 miles and 4 hours-23 min from Madisonville, TN.




2. Approximate costs--fees, tickets, etc.:

Gas




3.  Fitness level required if the trip isn't for leisure.  Is the trip for beginners, intermediate, or    
     advanced participants?

Extremely heinous hike but well worth it.




4.  Was equipement required to participate?  Provided or bring your own?

Used our own hiking shoes/boots. Backpack.




5.  Things to bring.

Snacks. Picnic. Water. Bug spray. sunscreen. Swim suit. Goggles if desired. Camera.




6.  Ages appropriate...babies through elderly.  What ages would trip suit?

Teens and adults.




7. Favorite thing?

Loved the channel.  You could swim through waterfall. Three good swimming holes in one      
waterfall.  Very scenic and beautiful.  Reminded us of an oasis in the middle of the woods!




8.  Would you go again?  Why?  What would have made it better?  Suggestions for those who might
     like to go on the trip?

Yes.  July and August are the best times to go if you want to swim.

Our fearless explorers

Jeremiah & Sarah

(J&S)

Let's Take a Journey!

New to the blog!  We'll be starting "Let's Take a Journey".  The posts will be in questionnaire format posed to those who have been on a recent trip.  Hopefully if you are thinking of taking a "journey" these posts will be helpful when making that decision.  

Check back often for ideas on where to go and for details of other's experience in doing something similar.  An easy way to find the posts is to type in the words Lets Take a Journey in the search box on the left hand side of my blog.

October

The Day I Started Lying to Ruth

I don't read much about breast cancer, other than research articles.   Here's a link to the most profound story I've ever read about anything in my life.   Hope you feel the same.


Click:
The Day I Started Lying to Ruth

Spring 2011

My last chemo! ...Marna