Baby Jack goes to the mountains.

Isn't he adorable!
My aunt and uncle own a beautiful spot in the mountains near Indian Boundary campground. I grew up going to the cabin almost every Saturday during the summer. I am surprised there are any craw-dad's left in the creek as every child in our family has spent many an hour catching them. Jack didn't get in the creek but he had a great time sitting under the trees and  getting kissed on the cheek by everyone! Happy times!

Great Sassy Toy

Jack loves his Sassy ring Jessie bought on a recent trip to the Carter's Outlet.
Recommended by another new mom, great purchase!

Favorite baby products...

I am going to list my favorite baby items that we use with Jack.

These swaddle blankets are a "must have" for Granna's house as well as Mom and Dad's. Jessie always brings one along, or packs one if I am keeping him. They are WONDERFUL. No I am not kidding, they are.  The swaddlers are lightweight and the perfect size. Easy to care for, they always look great. Remember these the next time you have to buy a shower gift. Target has them as well as Babie's r us.

Maybe I should hit "delete"

Maybe I should just delete my blog....
Tooooo many other things keeping me busy...
We'll see.

weddings, weddings, weddings

4 saturday weddings, 2 down 2, 2 go!

4 happy brides and grooms. sweet :)

3 outdoor weddings and 1 indoor, do we see a trend here?

congrats to our friends!

and congrats to jessie and jason-5 years today!

Check this out...

Check this out and tell me what you think.
I know.....crazy right. But I have wanted to do this for several years.

www.4seasonsgravesitecare.com

This is going to be interesting.

I'm tired.

3 Weddings to attend

1 Memorial service to attend

3 Graduation parties

1 "31" party

1 Rehearsal dinner

1 Trip to Dollywood

1 Softball game

1 Doctor's appt with Marna

1 Decoration Day

1 Family Reunion

Good Night!

Decoration Day

Today was Decoration at Hopewell. I love Decoration Day. Photo's taken as usual, with some new faces this year. More about that later.

I plan to purchase this book, wish I could have written it.

new post/old post

This was saved but never posted, see ya, be back soon!

Martin-less

I am so very sorry to report that the new Martin houses are empty. This makes me so very sad. We've always had Purple Martins and now they are gone, I miss them. I am also feeling super guilty cause I let the old houses get in just disrepair. I am convinced that is why they did not return. They were afraid there would be nothing to return to.

This could be a lesson to us couldn't it...homes should always be a place to return.

Oh yeah, this is me!

Jessie bought this for me a few weeks before wonderful little Jack was born.
It is filled with all kinds of information but one of my favorites was this: "Hobbies to Impress the Grandchildren."  Now doesn't that sound fun. And here they are as listed:

*dance classes
*canoeing
*sailing
*acting in a local theater
*buying a selling on ebay
*guitar lessons
*carpentry
*making jewelry
*windsurfing
*playing computer games
*beekeeping
*rock climbing

Half of these I've already done, so I figure I'm well on my way to impressing my Grandchild!

You HAVE to check this out!

http://www.amylarson.com/blog/baby-jack-knoxville-newborn-photographer/

Take a look at our "pride and joy", and to make it even sweeter...leave a comment on her blog!

Too interested in pinterest...

Oh dear, just something else to keep me glued to the computer. 

Yes, I've joined. Yikes, now I have a social catalog.

Check it out at www.pinterest.com

Makin' a little bread?

Remember the post about buying a dough bowl at an antiques store? Wanna see the real reason I bought it? Wasn't for makin bread that's for sure but check out this little "biscuit!"

Thanks Amy Larson Photography!

The Tulips

From This

To This

Drives, Diners and Dough Bowls

Greg found a little spot he wanted us to have lunch at on Saturday. Yep, we ended up at the Dam Diner. Heard it's owned by the nice young "earthly" family. Mom and kids were outside feeding the chickens when we left. It was fun, we'll have to make the drive more often.

Isn't Polk County lucky to be home of the Hiwasee and Ocoee Rivers.

After eating a tasty lunch, we drove home by way of Cleveland with a quick stop in Charleston.

Stopped in at Callaway's Antiques, was my first visit there but it's a great little store. Lots of new and old things to look at. It's worth the visit as you can see from the reproduction dough bowl I came home with!

All birthdays should be celebrated!

Just finished this little onesie for Jack to wear tomorrow...you know, it is his one week birthday!

What's in a name...

Why is it so hard for me to choose a Grandmother name? Why not just go with Grandma and get it over with! What's in a name anyway?

I was thinking about this tonight and for some reason it made me think of one of my favorite, all time movies, "You've Got Mail".  There is a point in the movie when the character, Kathleen, wants to be properly introduced to Joe. But Joe will not reveal his last name, or ask for hers. It's clear that Kathleen Kelly, considers a person's name a thing of value.

So maybe that's what I'm trying to do.
Just put a little value in my Grandmother name.
And, I'm gonna need it soon cause...
I'm am adding a new G R A N D M O T H E R   B L O G!  

How ya like them apples...

Our friends, April and Stacy, gave Greg this apple tree last week. They told us to plant it when Jack was born.  Hmmmm...maybe an orchard is in our future...

Coming home!

Thought this was a funny sweet little video. Get used to that car seat Jack, cause your mom is probably gonna use it a lot!

03/26/2011 10:08 am

Jack Bradley Lovingood.
I luv him.

Gift that "Rocks"

Greg thought of this gift for a friend's child. He just turned six years old and in case you didn't guess, he likes rocks. It was easy to make and cost less than 5 dollars. (April, if you read this don't think we are cheap!)
Bucket from the Dollar Tree, lettering from Walmart, water bottle from Walgreens.

Reminders of Spring

It was cool today but I enjoyed these flowers at the Madisonville house. I think my Mother planted this little flower bed. She passed away in 1990 so these bulbs have some age on them. Funny how some years they are beautiful and sometimes they hardly come up at all.  I will never forget the spring 2008 because even my dad commented on the amount of tulips blooming and how they'd never been so pretty. He died suddenly a few weeks later. Now, I always watch for the bulbs to emerge and hope they put on a "show" for me.

40 days of...

I'm reading a book (with others at our local church) titled, "a call to die".  We are supposed to be journaling as we read, but I must confess most of my "journal" is in my head.

Along with this read, we were also challenged to "fast" from something for 40 days.  Sounds easy, but for me it was a tough decision on what to deny myself of. I mean, it shouldn't be easy right? I should fast from something I need or want to do daily. Wow, that could be a long list such as: food, shelter, shopping, talking on phone, texting, surfing computer, making money, hobbies...the list could go on and on.

I admit being confused about what I should fast from, but thankfully, on the day 6 it was clear to me. I am now on my 4th day of my journey. Nope, not telling you yet. Check back, it will get more difficult I'm sure. But isn't that the way it should be....

Onesies

I made these "onesies" tonight for baby Jack.  OK, I am just learning and they are not perfect. In fact, they would qualify for the "seconds" section of your favorite outlet. Looking forward to taking my time and getting it right. I promise they will be "oh, so cute"! 

Price at your local baby boutique for 1/2 dozen of these, 1-6 months: 74 dollars
Price when nana-nett makes them: practically priceless :)



House for the ages

Just read this post on facebook from a cousin (whom I've never met) in Franklin, NC; about a seminar she attended.

A house should be built to be A house for the ages, (meaning handicapp accessible.)
Anything else is considered a "Peter Pan" house, (meaning I will never grow old house.)

Peter Pan house, I think that is so clever. And I love clever statements. Wish I had thought of that.

Nesting

Well, if Grandmother's to be can "nest", then I think I might be doing just that. Anyway if I were, it was short lived this morning.
Saturday morning: this is when I might have been "nesting".
Later Saturday morning: nesting put on hold by a suggestion of a trip to the Hiwassee river.
Early Saturday afternoon: nesting still on hold for a nice trip to Madisonville.
Late Saturday afternoon: shared a meal with 15 cousins.
Saturday night: too tired for anymore nesting today, but I am making a "to do" list.
Good Night, time to hit the nest sack.

Circle Mobile

Ben Finch Photography snapped this photo in the nursery. 

Blessings and God Talk

I have a friend who recently asked my opinion of remarks on facebook about God. Like, "If you are a true Christian, you will repost this" kind of thing.   I said, "You mean all the "God-talk" that goes on. She smiled and said  "yes, that is a good way to describe it."

I continued to say that we need to be very careful and sincere before we participate in "God-talk" since there is an awful lot of ramblings that go on. You know, it has to be "heart-talk" as well.

Anyway, hope I haven't offended any fellow Christians, and if it does, you will be happy to read some of my own "God-talk" today.

Jessie and Jason own a small rental house that they are wanting to sell. I have been praying almost daily, really as often as the Spirit brings it to my mind, that the house would sell.  What I've really been asking is not only would it sell, but that someone would be truly blessed by it. That it would be purchased by someone who really needs it and would be thankful for it. This has been a prayer of mine for about a month.

Well Jessie calls me a couple of days ago. She recieved a call from Paula their realtor, who had received a call from an insurance company.

Are you with me still?
The insurance company wanted to do a 3 month lease for a family who lives 2 doors away. Seems a tree had fallen on their house a few weeks ago and this family is needing temporary housing. The family wanted to rent Jessie and Jason's house, which is empty. It will allow them to be close to their home while repairs are being done and pick up items they may need without moving everything.

Now even though the house did not sell, many are being blessed by this action.
1.   The family that needs housing.
2.   The insurance company that is happy- cause they have a happy client.
3.   The real estate company. They have a new contact for insurance business.
4.   The staging company, as they will get paid to "restage" the house in 3 months.
5.   Jessie and Jason, the 3 month lease will really help while she is on maternity leave.

Isn't this a great "God-talk". Don't be afraid to talk to God about the deep things in your heart!

Pillowcase for the Hospital

I read in another blog, you can check it out here, that you should take a bright pillowcase with you when delivering a baby. Reason: There will be about a hundred well maybe a thousand pics of you and the baby, so having a pretty pillowcase in the background will make it even sweeter. And of course, Grandmom's like me, will be needing these photos for a long, long time.

So check it out, used leftover fabric from a curtain.

Pandora Radio

I love Pandora Radio.

Only problem is I get lost...caught up...in the music while listening, if you know what I mean. Listening to John Denver station and lots of 70's music is bringin back memories. Oh, those were the days my friend, thought they'd never end...

Ozone Falls

A friend and I took a little trip after work to Ozone Falls in East Tennessee. 

Short, rocky hike, but it's beautiful. 

Haven't seen the movie, "Jungle Book" but a shot of Ozone was featured in the movie.

Gourds-UP!

Well the gourds are finally up and they look great!

 But it came a terrible storm today, with lots of rain and...the paint came off some of the gourds-houses.

So sad, I've learned that lesson the hard way. I now notice the old ones look like they have been painted with a brush. Guess I should have researched a little more. Anyway, they should be fine for a few years... I hope.

Thanks to a cousin for putting up the last dozen for me.
It was kind of really scary up on that ladder!

gourds-part...?

i am going to try and put wires on the gourds today.  they really need to be up and ready. in fact, i'm so sure this needs to be done that i loaded them all in the truck, ( put them in front with me, i was afraid they'd blow out the back) & took them to work for a "lunch hour" project.

lady drivin to work in a small old toyota truck. can't see the lady cause of the 4 huge feedbags filled with gourds. lady can't see anything to the right of her cause of the 4 huge feedbags filled with gourds.

don't ya just love livin in the country.

yes, it is a baby necktie

i worked about 3 hours making a baby necktie for you know who. i wanted a real tie. oh, i know he will never wear it, but thought it would be something special and he might as well know from the very start....every man sometime, will have to wear a tie.

and for the first time, i tied it by myself...thanks to a google search.
you will not find one of these at baby gap, this tiny tie is the cutest thing ever!

crocus? where are you?

we moved into the house we now live in on valentines day 1997. it was a warm sunny day. i remember one of the friends who helped us move saying,"she already has "flares" blooming in the yard".  those "flare's" were yellow crocus and they have bloomed every year around this LOVEly time.  i'm sure they were placed in the ground years ago.

today is february 16 and there is no sign of the crocus. my daffodils are coming up, so maybe the crocus will decide to pop out later, but i am a little worried.

this fall i will try and remember to put out more spring bulbs. jack will need a flare to pick.

this yard cart was a gift from greg.

bulbs i planted 10 years ago 

the mobile

just had to add a quick note about the mobile. took it to work today to show my office-mate, and another co worker dropped by with her 11 month old daughter. the little one loved it! the mobile was what caught her eye even with all junk great stuff in our office.

results are in for 11 month olds!

project completed as promised!

well it only took about 3 hours uh, 12 hours to complete this project.
here are a list of things needed:
split rings
craft paper (michaels)
circle cutter (michaels with 40% off)
realized i had to have the cutting mat, ( trip to walmart 0% off)
small hole punch, not the typical paper hole punch (another trip, found something i could use at big lots)
dowel (needed smaller one, lucky i had one in my craft closet)
white paint. (spray paint did not work, only took a couple of minutes to paint with brush.)
fishing line
glue gun
dremmel tool and drill
last thing needed; lots of patience...

finished project is a cute, handmade, modern mobile that hopefully will be exciting for jack to look at.
it is very lightweight and has lots of movement.
these are the colors of his room, but also the symbols of nature. blue for the sky, green for trees and the small bright white circles remind me of little bursts of clouds.


not sure how the pictures will look, but we love it. 
welcome to the world jack!



greg thought i needed his help

and i did!

 

finished at last











if he ever gets his hands on this;
it's a goner :)



another view

new project

well the new project is coming along nicely. have to be finished by friday night as it is something for jack bradley's nursery.  i want to give it to jessie at the shower her friends are throwing her. will post some pics and give you a little hint as to what it is.

i can put this in the blog cause' jessie never reads it!

my handy, dandy new circle cutter

2 hours and 56 circles later

couple more hours of work tonight

projects

why do i take on so many different projects!

you can read about my "decluttering" project here;
my gourd project here; here; and here;
my cooking project here;
notice n-o-n-e- of them are competed.

two new projects this week that must be finished by saturday. oh dear me.
but check back later, i think you will like it.
hint: (crafty project for the soon to arrive grandson.)

:(

i took the time to download the audiobook-eat, pray, love tonight. well, what appeals to some doesn't appeal to all. listened for about 20 minutes. i didn't like the book at all.

it's :( to waste all that time. well at least now i know not to bother with the movie.

best audiobook i've ever listened to: the secret life of bees! you must!

oh well, on to the next one.

ipod

greg gave me an ipod for Christmas and i am really enjoying it. the 50 dollar itunes card made it even sweeter. feeling good that i discovered the r.e.a.d.s. program at the library! free audiobooks to checkout. i will say it again...free!

just finished that great book, "in His steps". think i'll visit the library tonight and check out another book.

i also have 3 movies on my ipod "you've got mail", "juno" and "mitilda". do i watch them at work? no, never, of course not, why would i do that, don't even mention it :)

bella

this is bella. don't you just love her look. she loves animals, doesn't care to get dirty and is up for almost anything. bella stays with me often on saturday nights and we have a blast. she never meets a stranger, loves soccer, rides in horse shows and likes to sing with me. in fact we are writing a song about baby jack, my soon to be grandboy. i'll post it just as soon as we have it finished.

greg describes bella as....active, little on the hyper side. i say she's just got a lot of livin' to do, (and trys to do it all!) and i think that is grand.

gourds-part 3

sunday afternoon went something like this-

temp: in the 60's

me: needing sunshine

2 dozen gourds: needing white paint

bella: needing to stay busy

tanner: not needing anything but has not choice but to follow us around!

words of advice: if you have to paint 2 dozen gourds, buy the good white spray paint! covers better and a "good" spray nozzle is a must! by the time i was finished-my hand was killing me....and i think they are going to need a second coat.

stay tuned, we need to replace the old gourd houses by the end of february!

gourds-part 2

yesterday was a beautiful day, a great day in fact for working on our gourds.

here we are, 4 generations, providing new homes for our martin families. hopefully they will return like they have for so many years

these small hands sure came in "handy" today!

the toothbrush and the mouth guard!

tanner recently started wearing a mouth guard while he sleeps. he has a "tongue thrust" and it is pushing one of his teeth, which is making it get kinda loose. so, our dentist felt the guard would give his teeth more protection. anyway....tanner follows all directions to at "T". capital T if you know what i mean. he is so good, doing exactly what he's told. he was given instructions on how to care for the guard, especially about cleaning it every morning with a toothbrush....a toothbrush.

a few days ago tanner was up and in the bathroom before greg. i was already getting ready for work too and suddenly greg was knocking on the bathroom door, my bathroom door. he said (loudly), "tanner is using my toothbrush to brush his mouth guard!"

well like i said he was told to use a toothbrush. i guess the dentist forgot to mention whose toothbrush. i of course, thought it was very funny. :)

declutter...

i am trying to declutter, notice i said t-r-y-i-n-g. boy, this is really a difficult, notice i said b-o-y. hopefully from march til... forever, we will have a new little grandboy running around our house. so that is why i am feeling a need to get rid of all this stuff. i could seriously throw out half the of what we have. wish me luck.

another good day

enjoyed another "today has been a good day".

dad's cousin gave me 2 dozen gourds, today has been a good day.

set up new wireless connection and i am one step closer to getting our computers on the right track again, only two more steps to go. ran into old friend from high school. the day was sunny. 35 free songs for my ipod. today has been a good day.

watching "julie & Julia"...love that movie.

today has been a good day

i was flipping thru channels on the tv the other day and for some reason i stopped on a music channel. it was a rap video and the guy was singing about the day being such a good day. this afternoon i thought to myself, today has been a good day.

i woke up and cleaned some on my house. it's a house that i love. today was a good day. i picked jessie up and we went to the junk stores. bought a beautiful blue dresser for 65 dollars. today was a good day. found the perfect curtains, blinds for baby jack's room. crib arrived and jason put it together. today was good day.

spent some time at upward basketball, watching tanner's team play. caught some great moments on video for awards night. today was a good day.

have two girls here playing and having a great time. bella spending the night. today is a good day. life is good, today is good. looking forward to tomorrow, which i think is going to be a good day.

apple-take a bite

yesterday i went to the apple store in west town. tanner's imac needed a new dvd drive, so we finally made the drive up to get the drive installed. if you haven't hung out in the apple world, well you should. all the techies i swear look alike, talk alike, sound alike...well you get it. and the customer base is about the same. i remember going into an apple store in cleveland tennessee, i think it was 1979. we wanted to buy one but did not have a credit card so our request was denied. no credit card, no apple computer. but believe me that newcomer named apple looked quite different than what you will find today. is apple really the superior computer. well i can only speak from what i know . after being involved in church media for almost 10 years and working with several different computer and software programs for that purpose... there is n-o-t-h-i-n-g that compares to the imac and their software for church media. everything always works perfect. it is the only way to go.

now the statement i just made is true, i swear! i spend several hours each week getting this computer ready and it has become my dependable friend. for home use, it is good but can't really say it's any better suited for our family than our other 2 pc's. in fact i am using a little acer right now.

i am thinking tanner and i should hang out at the apple store more often. look cool and learne more how to make it our dependable friend at home as well.

tanner does love his apple!

my butterfly in a Jar

i bought one of these for my mother in law and.....had to go back and get one for myself.  i love my little fake butterfly. 

1-5-2011

everyone getting snow but us :(

finally bought a dust ruffle for bed today and can't believe what a difference it makes! why didn't i put one on a long time ago.

1-3-211

well, it's day 3 of the new year and like always-doesn't feel much different than last year!

except for the fact that i scheduled my first colonoscopy tomorrow...what was i thinking.