My Gardens.....

I'm over my head.  This year I decided to start a flower garden.  Only, I've ended up with eight places scattered over our farm growing flowers.  Or trying to grow flowers.  Gardening is an addiction.  At least for me it seems.

Here are some photos of my many gardens.  I didn't take any of the Cannas on a bank beside the road or the hostas down from those on the same bank.  Forgive the no mulch.  Still have to put that down.  I'm gotten in over my head obviously.

These are at the edge of our porch facing the far hay field.  HOPING the 

spread and are thick and tall enough to cover the end of the porch.

These are at the corner of our front yard.  I'm going to plant a tree but not sure what kind.

Looking for suggestions.  An American Flag pole and birdbath are also in the plans.

These are growing on an ugly clay bank near the barn.  Not sure

what they will be.  I started them from bulbs.  Hoping they spread

and cover the bank.

Started two elephant ears on another ugly clay bank near a paddock.

Hoping they will grow very large and hide the bank.

One side at bottom of driveway.  It's a hodge podge of flowers.  No idea how

it's all going to look and go together in the end.  Must mulch soon!

Other side of bottom of driveway with several flowers I don't know

what are.  And about 8-9 rose bushes I started last fall. 

 It will take years for them to get large and pretty

but that is okay.  It's fun growing them.

Three sets of elephant ears I started on another ugly clay bank beside the big covered arena.

Once again, hoping these grow large to cover bank.

Original rose bush.  Six are doing well.  The front bushes are cut way

back.  Disease has gotten hold.

New purchase last night.  Two crape myrtles.  

Now....where to plant...........

Delano Daylilies

Chris and I went to Delano to look at Daylilies.  I bought a BUNCH and was reading on how to plant them on the way home.  The paper said to plant 18 inches apart.  Chris asked if I was going to take a tape measure with me to get the spacing right.  I said no and Chris told me I get in too big a hurry.  I said "If I waited on perfect my whole life then I'd never get anything done."  :)

Go visit.  Whether or not you are a gardner.  It's worth the time.
Website: Delano Daylilies

Good Friday

Well, it's Good Friday, 2013.  Though the date changes yearly I use Good Friday as my cancer free marker.  Another Good Friday, earlier in time, was the day I got "the call".

This is my third year out as some say or cancer free year as others.  All year, for all three, I've thought "This Good Friday won't be that big of a deal".  I'm not usually the kind to celebrate or even notice 'markers' of time.  Then the week of Easter rolls around and all I can think about is being another year as a breast cancer survivor.  It's all very surreal.

That Good Friday in 2010 seems surreal too.  So long ago in some ways.  Others just like yesterday.  Chris and I had always talked about coloring Easter Eggs.  Every year we "meant" to do that.  Since 1990 we've only talked about coloring eggs.  That night, well, that night Chris went to the store late to pick up some things.  He came back about 11:30 with a ton of eggs and coloring kits.  Chris didn't know what kind to buy so he just got a little of everything.  But no vinegar.  He didn't know we'd need that.  The eggs turned out okay, but the night turned out perfect.  Strange as it may sound, that was one of our best nights together, ever.  I'd venture to say our best.

What I went through?  Eh, that was jus a bump in the road.  God made me to handle the tough stuff.  So I believe, looking back, that I did quite well under the pressure.  (Others may not remember things this way.  I don't know.)

Double mastectomy, 12 months of infusion chemo, 35 rounds of radiation, a wife who is hungry ALL THE TIME, reconstrucion.......  Sometimes I do not believe much consideration of what those married to or the children of those struggling with cancer endure.  All thought is toward the one sick.

Chris was an amazing nurse throughout.  From the first day after "the call" with Easter Eggs, to the appointments with the oncologist and radiologist the next Friday and all his MANY questions (and good questions-he asked things I never would have thought of to ask.), he was quite brave.

During my treatments and recovery times I was blessed to have a husband who works on a farm.  Chris was there to check on me.  And he did during the day-a lot!  Ugh, I would just be drifting to sleep the day of and the few days after chemo when I would hear the mud room door open ever so quietly, then spurs jingle jangle through the kitchen, then ever so quietly again opening our bedroom door.  He would stand there just a minute, realize I was awake and ask, "Just wanted to check and make sure you are alive. Do you need anything?  Are you okay?" So funny.  Then he would turn and quietly leave-spurs jingle jangle. Those dad gum spurs are what roused me from my drifting off.  Chris was quiet with the door but never thought about the jingle jangle and how that can't be kept quiet, even when you walk on tip toes.

Now, my husband (and NO spouse or family member is. Looking back I have regrets on how I handle things....especially my wardrobe.) was by no means perfect during those couple of years of chaos of finding out about the cancer, decision making, dealing with cancer emotionally and physically, surgeries, a HUNGRY wife and....the endless things that go along with cancer.  However, he, and I think other spouses may not be, given credit for what they also endure and overcome.  A changed wife, emotionally and physically, having to work their job, take care of kids in some cases, fear of the unknown, fear of what could happen, fear of what is happening, extra workload of running a house and a farm for Chris- his days were added mowing the yard and bush hogging the fields (what I usually do), cook meals, clean house, laundry, and on and on.  Now that didn't happen every day.  I wasn't down and out all the time, I was okay much of the time.  But weak all of the time and not able to do as much as before cancer.  And HUNGRY.  (Did I say I was hungry?)

Chris was there everyday to see effects as spouses are.  However he was there much more than the average husband because he worked at home.  Good for me looking back, but that had to be hard for him.  No break.  He got no break.  Not like most spouses do because they work outside of home.  And work can add at least a certain amount of normalcy to life.  People may think "break? That doesn't sound right, the cancer patient has no break".  Well, spouses and children need a break!  Yes, the patient is having to endure a lot.  But so is the family.  If they can get a break, any kind of break, well I'm all in for that.

The pain of my treatment, it wasn't confined to Wednesday chemo to Monday back at work.  No, the care I needed was every day.  And Chris did it.  I am forever grateful for that.  And for his patience with a HUNGRY cancer patient who wanted nothing but for him to run to town and get me something to eat.

So, the next time you know a spouse or the children of a cancer patient, tell them something to help them endure their own struggle.  Don't forget them.  They need strength.  At times more than the patient.

Thank you Chris.  I don't think I've ever given you enough credit for your endurance and love.  I
love you.


<><

TNRHA Show Weekend

The Tennessee Reining Horse Association put on a great show this weekend.  It was huge with lots of entries.  Chris and Twenty were weekend Circuit Champions in their class.  And Kristi and her gelding, Mr Midnight Whiz, nickname John Henry, were Circuit Champions in Green Reiner II.  This was Kristi's first time showing John Henry and it was John Henry's very first show.  They were great together!

Connor Hobby and his horse just started riding with Chris a few weeks ago.  This weekend was their very first reining, ever, for either.  I think Connor may be hooked and he did impressive job of handling the pressure of riding and showing a reining horse.  Especially a horse new to the reining pen with himself being brand new as well.  Way to go Connor!

Chris getting John Henry warmed up for spins.

Chris & Connor

Circuit Champs! Kristi and John Henry

Wrapping those legs up - ready for the show pen.

Is there any hay hiding in this blanket???

Sometimes it takes two to get a horse ready for the pen.

Wrapping more legs....

You can eat crackers in my bed anytime.....

I love popcorn. I try not to eat much anymore or at least not often, but I used to have a bag of popcorn and a propel every night before bed.  Being without my nightly snack for about three months I broke down and bought a box of popcorn last week.  

Chris climbed in bed one night and said, "Have you been eating in bed?  What have you been eating in bed?  Popcorn????"  (Eating in bed is, I believe, one of his pet peeves.)

I said, "Don't you remember that old Barbara Mandrell song 'You Can Eat Crackers in My Bed Anytime'?" 

Chris, "No, I don't know what that is or what it means but popcorn ain't in it."

Choosing a Winner

Sometimes horses in the warm up pen look better than they do in the show pen.  Hmmmmm.....seems that could cross over to the dating world as well.  Horses or spouses, you better be careful who you bet on.......

TNRHA Hall of Fame

Chris and I at the TNRHA Awards
Banquet 3-22-13

The Tennessee Reining Horse Association created a new award this year-Hall of Fame.  I was extremely honored and grateful to be the first person inducted into the TNRHA Hall of Fame.  Thank you so much TNRHA!  


2013 is the 10th anniversary of TNRHA.  Looking forward to see what the next ten years is going to bring!

Cades Cove March 17, 2013

Chris and I went to Cades Cove this weekend.  I was totally taken aback at the amount of tree damage on the drive up the tornados had caused these past few months.  Amazed, totally amazed......

I love Cades Cove.  Hate the traffic the past few years.  Esp the people who want to drive the loop as fast as they can and get impatient about cars going slow (like me).  I want to look around the cove, not worry about tailgaters getting mad.

My woodpecker!  I look for him every trip!
Luckily got a few quick photos!

Wild Turkeys 

Horses from camp lazing about the fields in the afternoon.

My woodpecker!  I look for him every trip!
Luckily got a few quick photos!

Take a GOOD look! First time Chris has ever had any UT anything on.
 I think he looks good in orange.

UFC 158 Fight Night

Went to watch the UFC 158 at Hank and Brittany's.  GSP WON!
Met Hank and Brittany's baby for the first time.  And got to watch UFC 158.

Baby Acelynn Rayann with momma Brittany

Momma Brittany with baby girl Acelynn Rayann

Me, baby Acelynn Rayann, Kelley and Madison

Brittany and baby

Three friends + a baby :)

Me wearing my Tellico Boxing Club  

The Terminator

Wow, 1984. The Terminator. I rented that movie I don't even remember how many times in high school. (Please be kind and re-wind.)  Hard to believe it will have been 30 years ago in 2014 that the movie was released.  Also, only 13 years away from 2027-time from which Reece came back in time from.

UFC Mainstream

Watching UFC the past few years I get the feeling the sport wants to go mainstream.  Maybe I'm wrong that the UFC wants to be a top sport accepted socially and also be a viably, profitable sport.  Personally, I love UFC.  Our TV is, for real, on Directv channel 618 at least 2-3 hours every night.  Even when re-runs are playing.  Much of the time because I want it there.

The one thing that bothers me is the seemingly lack of "control" over some of the "stars".  To be a mainstream sport you need to be family friendly.  Having a fighter like Nick Diaz acting like a backstreet fighter using foul language and flipping off opponents inside and outside the ring ain't going to cut it.  It's crude.  

I don't have children.  If I did I'd have them playing hockey and probably wrestling.  I seriously would not want my kids to see Diaz fight, purely from the lack of emotional discipline he has.  Sure, he has great physical discipline to be a athlete.  However, to be an idol for kids?  Well, he is extremely lacking.  If I had kids I would worry they would want to be imitate Diaz--if he was there favorite winner in UFC.  

Acting as he does without changing (if he is receiving verbal warnings or whatever) is also concerning to me about polluting the sport.  One fighter acts like that and becomes successful and popular, and well, a precedence is set for others who follow.  Trash talking is one thing.  Boxing has that.  WWE has it as well.  Being uncouth is in an entirely different category than soap opera'y trash talk.  And when mainstream comes a calling nobody wants uncouth potty mouths on the TV in the living room while little Susie plays dolls.

Maybe Diaz doesn't care about what one may call legacy.  But management should.




(Side note: I don't put Chael Sonnen in the category of needing change in order to go mainstream.  He is a hilariously funny narcissistic personality.  Well, I don't believe he is narcissistic, not at least totally.   I believe he is smart and has used his genius quick wit to set himself for a life after fighting in a very intelligent way.)


   

Ice hockey is unlike other sports in one way: managing discipline.  Sure, there are the players with drug, alcohol and attitude problems.  But teams seem to get a handle on their players quickly and swiftly.  Enforcers who take their jobs past the purpose generally change style and penalty minutes in a few years.  Chicago Blackhawk, Patrick Kane seemed to be on a bit of a downward spiral last year.  Wow, this year his team made a historic run.  Perhaps it's because his club said "get it together or we're sending you on"???  I don't know if they did that or not.  From the outside looking in that looks like what happens in the barn in the pond sport.  

Maybe other sports should take a look at the natural order of things in the sport of hockey.  





...............Go GSP................Some may not like everything about you, the way you win, etc.  Every area in your life might not be perfect but everything about you seems pretty dad-gummed disciplined and for me, that says a lot about being a hero.  (Insert Hall of Fame song here.)





(This is just a lowly, sports loving person's rant that is all over the place, not based on research, so don't hate on me.  This is just my opinion.  I'll probably come back later to change, add, alter contents as I think of new ideas.  Much like poor ole Justin Bieber last night on Instagram. Not that I read Justin Bieber's Instagram at night.)

Graffiti Train

Stopped by a train with a lot of cars painted in graffiti today in Madisonville.  Wish it had been slower so I could have looked longer.  Love those.......

Spring Forward

What a gloriously gorgeous day today!  Started off at work, mid-day was lunch with my sister Lynette and mother-in-law at The Lamp Post.  YUM!  Lynette and I spent the time talking about our NYC trip. I've very excited.  If anyone has advice on what to see, hear, do or not do in NYC just leave me a comment.  We also talked about Chris's momma's health and how she is feeling.

Chris had a horrible, horrible tummy virus Friday night.  I came home after lunch to check on him.  He slept the afternoon away while I moved my rose cuttings from my window seals out into the sun on my front porch.  I also potted about 10 something or others.  Not sure what kind of flower it will be but the picture on the package sure looks nice.  I brought the plants back in for the night and plan to stick them out in the sunshine again tomorrow in the warm weather.  The sun is supposed to be bright and warm!  I can't wait.

I'm really starting to love potting and planting!  My thumb has gradually been changing colors.  Always a black thumb it turned blueish last summer and now is a hint of green.  If things keep going as they are my thumb will be Jolly Green Giant green but fall.

Now, Hopefully all that I'm planting will live so that I can put them in the ground after the last frost.  I'm quite excited about that.  I have no idea where to put a flower bed.  Or what in it.  I may need help. I do know I want some type of think plant to grow under my rose bushes.  I want my rose cuttings planted all around the bottom of my driveway.  Right now about 20 of the 50 cuttings are still living.  I'm planning to take a few cuttings from my friend Jill's Weeping Willow tree and want to plant some oaks and silver maples.  This is soooo fun to think about!

If anyone has any pots for planting/starting flowers they want to give away let me know.  I need a bunch.

I want a green house so bad, so bad....THAT'S MY DREAM!!!

Pinterest

Follow me on Pinterest:
Pinterest

One of my Favorite Things

One of my favorite things.......
dump a big pile of freshly dried towels on my bed to fold.  
But instead of folding, ending up with a towel or two 
thrown over me taking a nap........
wonderful.............

Skin

I must say this Nerium AD stuff really works.  I was skeptical at first.  After day three I knew it worked.  Wondering about long term use but really loving the product.  My wrinkles are very small and the brown spots on my jaw/cheek line from the chemo damage are all but gone!  I wish, wish, wish I'd taken a before photo....

Health and the Lamp Post

I think I've realized one of my problems with taking care of my health (and any other aspect of my life). I always say to myself "Well, I'll start that tomorrow." Tomorrow I say the same thing. I guess I should tell myself "Today I'll eat healthy. Tomorrow I'll have a Lamp Post cheeseburger" and then repeat each day.

Lamp Post won today.....and it was good.

Matilda Jane

My sister has some sample Matilda Jane kids clothes on her blog.  
These would totally be on My Style page if I had kids!

Click below:

family, friends & east tennessee

Insanity......Where is Jane Fonda?

Insanity. Fit test tonight. Ummmm...Am I supposed to start the first DVD after????  Tonight?  I think it'll take me six months of fit test to make it to the real part, the actual Insanity. Back to my officially lazy exercise routine...Chris can have the Insanity.....

Where oh where is my Jane Fonda workout book from high school......and neon work out suit, tights and leg warmers.......

(Though I do not like Jane Fonda......)

3-3-13 is going to be a "Historical"

Simply Excited!

History Channel ..... Vikings


History CHannel ..... The Bible

Dogs and Fast Food

Diesel and Ada Monroe always meet me at the top of the drive when I get home.  I'm not quite sure if it's a "happy to see you" kinda thing or a "We know you eat out too much and have brought something home to eat or leftovers" kinda thing.

I do know that Diesel is just like me in one way, napping.  He'll beat the door down to get to lay in the mudroom.  In fact, I don't think he'd ever leave his napping place unless you made him.

Two of The Most Beautiful Women

From 2011

I love photography and have spent hours during my life pouring over them, both my collection of photographs and those of others.  A deep root of this love comes from my cousin Sandra and also a love of History.  Sandra has taken some of the most spectacular outdoor photos I have ever seen.  And I’m not saying that because she is kin to me.  They are remarkable photos that draw you in and make you feel like you were on the hike with her.

My momma and Sandra’s momma were sisters.  Anthony’s. Sandra has taken hundreds and hundreds of photos of the Anthony family throughout the years.  A favorite activity is to look through the photo albums she brings to family reunions each year.  I truly have had every hairstyle ever thought of!

I enjoy looking at photos on display at various competitions, mostly at county fairs.  The Knoxville Fair has a photography competition each year.  I pour over the display looking and searching for what I believe is the winner.  We were not able to go to the fair this year as I wasn’t feeling well.  I missed being my own private judge.  Chris and I did manage to go for a few hours last year, even though I was taking chemo.  The displayed competition left me quite disappointed.  A first.  There were an awful lot of “real” photos “doctored” up by computers.  Or not really doctored but changed into the look of computer generated.  More than I wanted to see.  Just like a woman “doctored” by makeup artists, hairstylists and finally computers in a magazine page, these photos were ruined.  So many in so many of the different divisions.  From farm, to family, to outdoor, to animal they were spread.  Not in a separate division for fake photos.  No, they were combined in amongst the real.

Two of my favorite photos of all time are not doctored.  They are of two astonishing women; amazingly strong women, two of the most beautiful women in the world, ever.

I cannot remember the first time I saw each of the photographs. Perhaps it was when I was small in a History book?  Or in a library?  Or a classroom?  It certainly wasn’t during the computer era.  Thank goodness.  The photos would have been destroyed by Photoshop, their creator believing they were improving their work.

The first is called “Migrant Mother” or “Mother of Seven Children” by Dorothea Lange.  I think the woman was 32 years old.  Now don’t go thinking I am so smart for knowing the details.  I just looked those up a minute ago.  All the years I’ve spent loving that photo I never knew the name or details.  I just knew it was a woman, younger than her face shows, with three children during the Great Depression.

Why am I drawn to this picture?  Is it because within me has been the desire to be a social worker my entire life?  Perhaps this photo represents all of what working and helping others comprise?  Poverty, hunger, lost children, depression, hopelessness, fear….

Or perhaps the love of this photograph has grown within me over the years because it so reminds me of the Anthony and Maynard family photos?  The picture looks like it belongs within our family photo albums.  It’s a history I am proud to be part of.  A history link, that because of my age, many do not realize.  I was an oops baby; a late in lifer.  I cannot remember the times depicted within photos such as this.  But my parents knew.  Hearing stories about my parent’s childhood always intrigued me.  I loved hearing them.  Still do.  Being a history buff is part of it.  But the pride I spoke of is more.

The second photos is “Afghan Girl” by Steve McCurry.  Once again I had to research the details of the photograph, never knowing the exact roots.  

I always have wondered what the girl was thinking.  Her eyes.  They are haunting.  Such distrust and apprehension etched upon her face, in those eyes.  The girl was 12 years old.  But just like others with a hard history she appears older than she is.  She was a refugee.  The photo was taken in 1972-when I was one.

Why has this photo always drawn me?  Is it the desire I’ve had since I was small to travel abroad and help others.   Or is it just curiosity?  Perhaps I was around the same age as this girl when I saw the photo?  Such a different girl than I; a different life lived in a faraway land.  A land and culture completely opposite that of Soak or Corntassel or Hopewell in East TN.  I could only imagine what her life was like and still can only imagine.

Both photos of are women, girls.  Perhaps that is a reason they both draw me.  The two photos were taken in different times, different circumstances, but same subject.  The plight of women; the plight of those in need.  Both ratted and tatted.

The only thing I certainly know about these two photographs is that I am happy there was no computer editing process as in today’s age.  It's not about cleaning up life.  It's about capturing it.


October 19, 2011

Dinner with Friends and Family

The three F's - Food, Fun, and Fellowship.  Fun night out to dinner.  Wish I'd taken my camera. Friends took these two photos but more were there eating with us.  Misty and Timmy-who are expecting their first baby.  We all talked and voted on baby names for boys for a long time.  I like Ezra.  Larry, Phil, Spic, Chris, Amber were also there.

My niece Amber and friend Spic

Me and Chris

Perseverance

It's hard to go through difficulties and trials in life. But try hard. Try hard to remember God would not have chosen you to endure or withstand the situation if He didn't know you could overcome.  And He knows you can persevere, should you choose, in order to fulfill His will.  To witness for Him, about Him, in order that others may know Him.

Perseverance: 

Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement; steadfastness; 

Words to Live By

Collection of words to live by....

There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will. So don't worry about the people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it into your future. Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. A sharp tongue can cut my own throat. If I want my dreams to come true, I mustn't oversleep. Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important. The best vitamin for making friends….B1. The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts. The heaviest thing I can carry is a grudge. One thing I can give and still keep….is my word. I lie the loudest when I lie to myself. If I lack the courage to start, I have already finished. One thing I can't recycle is wasted time. Ideas won't work unless "I" do. My mind is like a parachute….it functions only when open. The 10 Commandments are not multiple choice. The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime! It is never too late to become what I might have been. Life it too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the one's who don't. Believe EVERYTHING happens for a reason and is controlled by God. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes you life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would by worth it. Friends are like balloons, once you let them go, you might not get them back. Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away. Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and what's wrong. Sometimes we just don't want to realize what real friendship means until it is too late. Don't live in the past or the future but live today. In order to keep from mistakes and wrongs from happening again, remember the past but don't let it consume your future.