Go Cindy!

   Go Cindy! GO Cindy!
   First 5 K. You go girl. Looks like you are about to catch the girl in front of you.
   I see how it is. You find out your old dad is preparing for a "Big race" against you, and you go on out and try it on your own. That's OK. He said you better get preparing for a 10K if you are going to race him. I don't think he realizes that there probably is NOT a 10K. (not that I have heard of anyway)
  We are proud of you girl, BUT your dad is still determined to beat you next time!

Plans for tomorrow (Saturday)

Guess what we will be doing tomorrow......... raking leaves.  Last week we were out working, well, you know how it goes, I was watching Sherrill work, I  sit and talk to him while he works (I learned that from my mom). Anyway, while he was emptying the wheel barrel I grabbed the rake and started raking. He was doing the freshly fallen pine straw, and I decided to do the yucky undergrowth that needed to be thrown out. I got tired way before he did.
  Sunday morning I woke up and told him I was tired. That I had worked too hard yesterday raking leaves. He just smiled and didn't say much. Then I had to remind him I did rake EVERYTHING out under three or four of the trees in the front yard. He had done the easy part and did the trees in the side yard! He had to haul it all to the back yard to the burn pile. I came inside way before he did. Once I work up a good sweat, I have to stop and take a shower.
  So, I guess we will start it all again tomorrow. More pine straw in the side yard, and plenty of leaves in the back yard. After that, there is grass to be cut.
  Come on down...... Make yourself at home, and find a rake!

Honey

We collected 125 lbs. of honey this year and are selling it off. Did you know that we are selling it $5.00 per pound and folks are buying it. So far I've made $260.

Low Carb ........What!

   Sherrill and I decided to go on a low carb meal plan. I don't think that in the beginning he realized he had to give up his Little Debbie oatmeal cakes, his potatoes, and cookies. Now there are fruits, lots of vegetables, and enough protein to feed the entire neighborhood. His evening snack now consists of jello and cool whip, and mine is yogurt. It's really hard with meal planning. Up until now I don't think he ever ate a meal that didn't have a potato or mac and cheese. Last night we had meatloaf, cabbage, and mixed vegetables. It just wasn't the same without real mashed potatoes. One night we did break bad and cooked two potatoes on the grill. Now they were good.
   I took two potatoes and cut them in wedges (6) per potato. I tossed the wedges in some olive oil and seasoning. I wrapped the potatoes in aluminum foil, and put them on the grill. After they got done, I took them out of the foil, put them directly on the grill and let them brown. Now they were GOOD. The next time I will do just one potato, and we will share.
  Sherrill is getting in shape so he can race Cindy again the next time he sees her. He's convinced that if he is on level ground he can beat her. The mountains in Branson were just too steep for the old man.
He's ready to put her on a sandy beach to see what she can do.  My vote is still Cindy.
  I think there are 3 Little Debbie oatmeal cakes left in the closet. I'm waiting to see who goes for them first!

Where did it GO?

   I have this little Can. It's actually a reused Similac baby formula can from Izzy's baby days. I keep thread, pins, needles, thimbles, and little scissors I use for my hand quilting. I have been looking for this can for 3 days now. It is no where to be found. It's not in the sewing basket, not in my closet, not with the other sewing junk (stuff). It's GONE. Now, I know no one would throw it out! Where can it be?
  Let me tell you, moving all of the furniture from room to room really confuses things.  There are still pictures to be hung, and stuff to be put up. I JUST WANT MY CAN!
  Oh where oh where can my little can be, Oh where oh where can it be? Guess I'll have to call Christa.
Maybe she put it up somewhere.
Where would you put a little tin can........besides in the trash?
 

Fat States

Just thought you might like to know...............
It's best to stay away from Mississippi.
Boy, they must really have some Good Food!
Dinner tonight.......McCall's.
Randy, Kat, Christy...........You should have been here. I know it's one of your favorites! Oops, or does Randy like Wilbur's better?

?

What did ya do today?
And how was school, work, whatever?
Have you made your parents mad/frustrated this week?
H E L L O! Are you there?

Dessert for the week

Pumpkin Bread

Ultimate Pumpkin Bread

Author: Amy Wilson

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour 20 mins

Serves: 14

The best pumpkin bread you’ll ever taste.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter, really soft, half melted really
• 3 large eggs
• 1 16 oz can of pure pumpkin
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F and spray two medium loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the wire whisk attached, dump in the sugar. Take the butter and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, so that it is half melted. Dump it into the sugar. Add the eggs. Cream these three ingredients together on medium speed for about 2 minutes or until fluffy. Add the pumpkin and combine well.
4. In three batches, add the dry ingredients and mix gently until each batch is just incorporated. Scrape the sides between each batch.
5. Pour half of the batter into a one of the prepared pans. Fold the pecans into the remaining batter and then pour it into the other prepared pan. Bake side-by-side for about one hour or until an inserted knife comes out clean the top is golden.

Fry Bread?

Look at these little things. You know how much I love me some good bread. I found this on mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com.

Here's her recipe:

2 c flour

1 Tb baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 c milk

Oil for frying (I like to use sunflower oil)

Mix dry ingredients, then add milk. Turn dough onto floured surface and knead for apx. 5 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before pulling apart into 5 pieces. Roll or squish, with your hands, dough into a round, thin, flat shape and fry in hot oil.

Now, you can use this as a taco base and add things like refried beans, ground beef, iceberg lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, olives, sour cream, shredded cheese - whatever you like on your taco- to the top and use a fork and knife to eat it.

Or, you can toss the just fried bread with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a dessert.

Either way, they are yummy!

Morning Visitor

I got up this morning, took my shower, and went to open the blinds on the sliding glass door and this little fella was there, eating his breakfast. I went on, got dressed, and went and got my camera. When I got back, he was still there. Now I start thinking, these squirrels are a little skiddish. I wonder if James has put a fake squirrel on the deck. I wait, and he doesn't move. I take a couple of pictures, and he still doesn't move. So then I hit the glass. Yep! He moved. He's real.
  Guess I'll start back leaving him nuts on the post. This time he was eating pine nuts. I LOVE my squirrels!

Happy Birthday PaPa

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to PaPa
Happy Birthday to YOU.

I had made plans to take him off to Morehead City to a museum, but he is off doing charity painting.
Happy Birthday "Old man". It's the big 60!

Grandma Who?

   I was getting together some pictures of grandparents the other day for Lauren. She had to make a poster for Grandparent's Day. Since I have some of these photos readily available, I thought I'd go ahead and post them so you can see from whence you came!

So, here's Grandma Cat and Grandaddy Joe. Of course you know who they are.
   And then there is Grandma Naomi (mom's mom).

 Here's a picture of Grandma Naomi with Aunt Louise and Grandma Cat.

And here is Grandma Naomi with Kathy and Mandy.

Now, Grandma was married to Grandaddy Castella Goodwin.  He was born in 1876 and died in 1952. 

 Here he is with mom's brothers and sisters (mom is in the front) There were a total of 18 kids (2 wives)

Here he is with his first set of children with his 1st wife, Mattie.

And here he is as an older gentleman.

Now, his dad was William Addison Goodwin. He was born in 1851 and died in 1913. I have the newspaper where he was appointed trial justice (judge) by the governor. That's how Grandaddy Castella knew so many Congressmen and Senators. Everytime he got in trouble, they would stand his bond (I have those newspaper clippings too! William Addison died of rose cancer (melanoma?). It was on his face (just like Grandma Cat), and he was treated at the Mayo Clinic.

 And his wife Juriah Hutto Goodwin 1850-1934. Not too pretty is she?

And William Addison's dad was Joseph J Goodwin 1815-1891.

He was a master carpenter. He built his own house, and the story goes when they tore the house down they saved some of the internal tongue and groove work to put in the local museum . 

He was married to Olivia Williams 1824 to 1910. This is a picture of her with her grandson Baylus.

Sorry, I should have cropped this one.

Now, let's go to Grandma Naomi's mom......

Her name was Leila Pound AKA (little Grandma) 1894-1967. Here she is with her grandson Richard. 

Notice the boobs......I guess that's where we get them from!

Now, added in to all of these Grandparents was one more. Grandma Naomi had another husband, that was the only Grandaddy I knew as a child. His name was Hurley Murray. He ran a little store next door to his house. We always got free candy!

There are still more grandparents out there, like Ann Furtick. 1822-1883. She was married to John OJB Goodwin. I'll explain more about her later. He died in the Civil War.

Well, this is just MOM's side. I'll do dad's family next, then will follow-up with the McKeel's and the Lane's. At least I have some of these pictures here in case of another "lightening strike".

So, as you look through these, I want you to be able to name......."Grandma Who"?

Meltdown at Walmart

   Yesterday I went to the Walmart in Mt Olive for the monthly "Haul". The cart was loaded. As I proceed to check out, there are NO CHECKOUTS open. I bypass 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and proceed on to number 15. Of course there is a line. I wait, and wait, and wait. Everyone behind me is grumbling,

kids are yelling, parents fussing at them, the natives were getting restless, including myself.

  I look up to the sky and in my Strongest voice shout, "We need another register open".

The cashier smiles, the kids behind me are silent, and the others in line are laughing. Still, no action. 

I wait a couple of minutes and again shout out "Is there a manager in the store? We need another register open." Wait a couple of minutes, and still no response. So, I give it one more try, " OK kids, there is no one running the store, just grab what you want". Then I hear the microphone click, "register 5 is now open, and customer service is open for 25 items or less". I hear laughter and claps from behind me as the customers head on to register 5.

  I ask the cashier, where are the other cashiers. She nods towards customer service. Sure enough, 6 women standing around talking, while 15 carts are in line. 

  Welcome to Walmart.

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Happy Happy Birthday.

Juice

Well I'm back at it again. This time canning grape juice. My neighbor has a grape vine and didn't want to mess with them, so me and my kids come to the rescue. We got a box full and now are processing grapes. So far we have 12 quart jars. Happy Canning!

Sherrill's new Sandwich

My dessert for last week was spice cake with cream cheese frosting. There was extra frosting left over, so I just put it in the refrigerator. Sherrill came along and started making Peanut butter and cream cheese frosting sandwiches. Now this is the same man that usually makes peanut butter and marshmallow creme sandwiches. So, looks like when he is out of one of them, he just grabs anything!
   I think this weeks dessert will be Walnut brownies.

Grandma's little angel

We were messing around with Photo Booth on the Mac the other day.
Lauren loved her hearts!
And yes, that is the sewing machine still on the table. I'm such a slacker.

Floor Cleaner

No, this is NOT my floor. Mine looks a lot better!

   The floor man finished up yesterday. This morning Sherrill and I got up, ready to get some cleaning done. Sherrill takes the Bona floor cleaner, gets on his hands and knees and goes to work. I go for the
dust mop and get up all the little pieces of sawdust and trash. Sherrill was having a hard time cleaning up some glue, so he was going out to get some paint thinner. What! He is NOT putting paint thinner on my new floor!  I had him call Chris the floor man, and Chris suggested to use mineral spirits, or even better than that to use denatured alcohol.
   I can just imagine Sherrill and a can of paint thinner....... all the polyurethane would be gone, as well as the coloring of the stain. What was that man thinking? So, now he is off to Lowe's to get denatured alcohol, or whatever that is. I wonder why fingernail polish remover wouldn't work?
  After we get the floor clean, we can put the bed back together. We are going to hold off an extra day to move in the heavy furniture.

Nick

Yep,
You can look at him and tell he is kin! This is his first year in high school.

Joe singing

I had to go ahead and take this off youtube. Chances are Joe might take it down once he realizes it is there. He was riding in his car singing and recorded it for a friend as a joke.
Go Joe go!

Judy vs USPS

 I went to the Post Office to mail out a package today. I put in it in a priority flat rate box. The lady at the counter tells me $11. and something. I tell her no, I want the $5.00 box. She already has the sticker on it, and tells me that it is lightweight, but because it is in a flat rate box it is the $11 whatever.
I told her I didn't want to mail it then. I looked around for a regular priority box, but they were all flat rate. I repeated to her I wasn't paying 11 dollars for something I could have put in an envelope.
She acted as though she couldn't void the transaction, but then I saw her supervisor coming through, so she jerked those stickers off the box and gave me the box back.
  Why don't they put on the boxes "Heavy things in this box", and "lightweight things in this box".
Just too many boxes, too many rules, and too much drama!

Now for the rest of the story!
   We go to Mt Olive to the Pig Store (99 cent Pepsi). The Post Office is two doors down.  I take my box, and go to the Post Office there to pay my $11 and whatever. I decided by the time I go home, repackage my box, the last mail truck would have already gone. Then I would have to go to the Goldsboro Post Office, because the Dudley Post Office isn't open on Saturdays. I hesitantly gave them my money, and shipped the package out. There! Now it is done with. They won! That's OK. Wait until Christmas, I will CRAM everything I can in tiny envelopes and boxes, just to see them bulge.
  I will WIN this battle......... Battle of the Bulge!

Oh What a Mess!

This is what my closet looked like last Monday.

This is the stuff I had already taken OUT.

2 totes, 2 clothes baskets, plus a basket full of pictures

This is what it looked like when I finished. I still have a large section of quilts to straighten on the right hand side. I think there's like 25 of them. At least I can see the floor, can walk in now, well, I could until Sherrill moved furniture in there. While I was at church today he moved a big mirror in. Now I can't even get to my clothes. Sherrill hauled off a car load of clothes, shoes, and misc items to the Habitat Store. They LOVE seeing him stop by.
   I never realized how messy I was. But hey, it was all behind closed doors!

I love about anything cooked in the crockpot with cream of mushroom or celery soup. I don't like all the sodium though. When I came across this I decided to give it a try. I haven't fixed it up yet though.

Soup or Sauce [S.O.S.] Mix

Ingredients
2 cups powdered non-fat dry milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup instant chicken bouillon (regular or low sodium)
2 Tbsp dried onion flakes
2 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a recloseable plastic bag, mixing well.
Equal to 9 (10.5 oz) cans of cream soup.

To substitute for 1 can of cream soup

Combine 1/3 cup of dry mix

with 1 1/4 cups of cold water. Whisk until well blended.

Cook and stir on stove top or in microwave until thickened.

Add thickened mixture to casseroles as you would a can of soup.

Or just eat it! :-)

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/soup-or-sauce-sos-mix.html

News for the Day

   It has been just one of those days, everyone needed to call a nurse or doctor. It all started out with Eli waking up feeling a little "under the weather". He missed a day of school. Allergies already!
  Christy had to go for a procedure, it ended up going wrong, and she ended up in bed with pain meds.
  Isaac has his EKG and echo, and he's doing fine. Pulse still too fast, but they are watching it.
  Mom (Grandma Cat) went to the doctor, had to go for X-rays for her knees, and ended up on stronger pain meds. Goes back again on Wednesday.
  Poor Sherrill is walking around with a finger that keeps bleeding (where he took a chunk out of it).
He can't understand why painter's tape doesn't make it better.
  Oh, Sto got a couch for his room (some assembly required). He wasn't able to get it together, so he was calling some friends to come over tonight to help him. He now goes to a "single's ward". For those who don't know, that is an entire church for young people, usually ages 18 to thirty something. No more hanging out with "Ma" at church.
  As for me, I'm doing GREAT! I'm still getting my room put together. Sherrill is still painting, and had some flooring patchwork to do today. He should finish up the painting tomorrow. I'm walking on a bare floor with those carpet staples sticking in my feet. I can't wait for the flooring man on Saturday.
  Kelli, are you still out there girl? We haven't heard from you in awhile.

Hello.........

Sherrill is painting.
I'm sending out invoices for dad.
Jack is pouting because he can't go in my bedroom.
Grandma Cat goes to the Dr today. She still has problems walking, and wants a shot of cortisone.
Grandaddy's truck is in the shop ready to be painted from his "fender bender".
All is well in the world today....... as far as I know anyway!
Oh...dessert for the week is Spice Cake with cream cheese frosting. Feeling a little spicy!

My Life

Please copy and paste this and watch this. I feel like this is my life. Anyone else? 

Picking out colors

   Well, it's that time again. Sherrill has a couple of days off work, so it's time to put him to work! All the furniture is OUT of my room, except for the ginormous dresser and mirror. That won't be moved until the floor man cometh. I think these will be my colors Soft coral on three walls, and sea spray as the accent wall that goes from the back wall, all the way through to the dressing area. The tile in the shower is a light blue. Hope it doesn't clash too much. I'm ready to get rid of that beige (sorry Kat). My bed has been taken apart and is in the living room against the wall. I had to move the quilting frame to the living room too. I've asked Sherrill to move it there every since I saw Christy's in her living room. Who wants to sit in a back bedroom to quilt? I want to be in the center of things
   I went online and picked out a granite counter top for the vanity. It was a mere thousand dollars (double sinks do cost a little more). Sherrill just walked away, so I knew my answer. I'll just happily settle for a new paint job and flooring.
  The closet was finally clean (after a week's work). Then, we had to load more stuff in it when we cleaned out the room. Grandma's Jeanne's hutch is sitting in the middle of it right now. I can't wait to get all of this stuff together. I am ready for a CLEAN, clutter free room. I don't want anything out to collect dust! I guess now there will be no excuse for clothes laid out.
   Gotta go....time to watch Big Brother.

Who's the MAN?

You're the MAN!
Happy Happy Birthday Sto Baby.......Oops, I mean "STO MAN"

Another athlete?

Did you see what Cindy has been up to?
Biked 30 miles today.
Go girl go!

Birthday girl........

And........
What do you do on your birthday.........
A Pedicure of Course!

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Happy Happy Birthday Liv.

Be sure to go back to last year's post and see everyone singing to you.

Call us today.

Love YOU,
Grandma Judy and Papa

Grandparent's Day

Grandparent's Day is September 9th. While cleaning out my closet (photos to come) I found this original copy of my Grandma Naomi's class picture taken around 1923-24. The problem with the picture though was none of her children couldn't identify which one was her. Even her sister couldn't pick her out. After blowing this thing up super size and really studying it, I was able to find her. Look in front of the tree, the girl in the white dress with the brown hair (kinda looks like a chubby Mandy). That's her! To make sure, I sent the picture to Aunt Debbie, and yes, she agreed.
  Then I went online to find the name of the school.

Yes, Here it is, Gaston School. It's just turned around. Notice the chimney!

More pictures of Grandparent's to come.