Homeward Bound

We are on our way home, just booking down the highway so I thought I would post some pictures to show how the slip covers worked out. I don't think they look bad, J hates them. But until Izzy gets a little older and more trustworthy I think it is better to keep the leather covered. 

We stopped in Marion last night. The kids had ball games so we decided to go over to Carbondale and have dinner at one of J's old haunts. It was kinda weird to be having pizza at a place he used to hang out at 40 years ago. We went by his dorm too, I wish it hadn't been dark I would have loved to take pictures.  We promised ourselves next time we go thru Marion we will get there early and go take pictures of some of the places he hung out when he was in school there.

I think I need some more color but I am not sure how to bring it in besides the pillows

bought these pillows at Home Goods

don't remember where I got these.

I decided on the burnt orange color because I have table cloth (forgot to take a picture of it) that has a burnt orange stripe in it and if you look at the last picture there is a basket I picked up in Door County that has that rust color in it. What else can I do? I need suggestions.




Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Sunday Praise

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name ...
Psalm 103:1.

Nashville

Well it happened, I knew it was going to happen and I was helpless to prevent it. I tried to think of a way to stop it from happening but there was just no hope. So, it happened, we went to LOVELESS CAFE,
And on my sweet Lord did we eat. We though we would be smart and get there between the breakfast and lunch crowd, not so smart it was an hour wait. So with only a cup of coffee in us we had to wait till noon to be seated and when she brought those biscuits, it was all over.

aren't they the prettiest things

this was J's breakfast( and lunch and dinner)

is that butter in those grits, why yes it is, and I ate every bite

after breakfast (and lunch and dinner) we went shopping and walked and walked, you think I walked off those biscuits? Lie to me please and tell me yes!



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Nashville

I love that they have preserved so much of their history here

So in love with these magnolias

Every time I pass this house on the way to the park, I think of Louise

We have had so much fun the last two day I have forgotten to take many pictures. Yesterday we went for a 4 hour drive in the country and I do mean in the country. We meandered from one country road to the next, not caring where it took us. We wound up on what was basically a dirt  path that was called Round Top road and it went up over a good size Tn hill. It was beautiful. Gorgeous houses that were really, really old, little family cemeteries from civil war era, and some of the most beautiful country side I have ever seen.

Today we had a two hour plus lunch in downtown Nashville with my cousin Carolyn who lives in Columbia. It was so much fun talking about our family history. Her Mama and Daddy came up to IL from MS about the same time we did, but her Daddy did not like it so they went back. I just about have her talked into going to the cousins reunion next weekend. My two sisters and I are going to make it a weekend girls trip. The weather is supposed to break tomorrow and I am hoping our last two days here it will be cooler.



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Happy Birthday Mama

this is how we will always remember her, when she read the morning paper to us

Today is my Mama's birthday so please indulge me as I share some of my favorite pictures from the last few years of her life.

She loved her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren and oh, how they loved her. I miss her so, I miss being in that beautiful house my brother bought for her (I can never thank you enough for that dear brother) I miss being in that kitchen, cooking with her, singing hymns with her. I hope you are proud of us Mama, we are trying so hard to stay together without you as our center. We are keeping an eye on JR, and you would be so happy that the three of us girls have grown so close. The four of us that still live here try to have breakfast once a month. I know you have to be tickled that Tina is having a baby. We will keep on eye on her too. Love you Mama and miss you so, but I know the day will come when we can all have Sunday dinners again in Heaven.

Joyce

Nashville

it goes on and on

We had a great day yesterday. In the morning we went to Nashville's farmers market, I was in heaven. I wanted to pack it all up and tow it home. You name it, they had it, pole beans, flat beans, crowder peas, new potatoes. We got some yummy peaches and plums and I told J I want to load up the day before we come home.

pumpkin anyone

doesn't it just make your mouth water


Then last night we went to one of our favorite venues, The Barn behind the Loveless Cafe. We always come back with a new favorite artist and last night it was Suzi Ragsdale. She is Ray Stevens daughter, remember him? If you do you are as old as I am. We both really enjoyed her and really all the talent. Well, we didn't care to much for the heavy metal hard rocker country chick. I love all music, even some heavy metal, but really they were just loud. I think Izzy is ticked at us 'cause we were gone most of the day.

Dixie B-liners

love this place

Suzi Ragsdale

Today it is supposed to beat all time heat records and be more humid! Lord help us, yesterday it hit 99 on the freeway!


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

The Widow of the South

Yesterday we went to the Confederate Cemetery in Franklin. The battle of  Franklin was one of the bloodiest in this area. After the battle the Union dead were taken to national cemeteries, the Confederates were buried where they fell.  The family that owned the plantation where the injured were taken after the battle, took it upon themselves to reintern the dead and bury them in a private cemetery on their property. If you have ever read The Widow of the South you know this place. The book is fiction, a beautiful love story based around historical facts. When I visit this place, I am not thinking North or South, wrong or right, I think how many men have died through the years in these things called wars. Fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and now wives, mothers, sisters. It makes my heart ache. J was a marine, he served his time in VietNam and I know how lucky I was that he came home in one piece. Today I send my thoughts and prayers to all our soldiers and their families.

This is the breakdown of the soldiers buried in the cemetery

It is a peaceful quiet place

Have you ever been to Arlington, it is the same sad sight, rows and rows of headstones

This is the home that was used as the hospital after the battle, there are still blood stains on the floor where the Dr.s  operated

These were remarkable people

this commemorates the 255 who had no identity at all

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Nashville

this is such a pretty spot

there are trees all around us, so its like we are out here all alone

J. Priestly Lake is really a big lake and the park is on one edge of it

Izzy and I just got back from walking around the park, it is 1/2 mile and I try to do it twice a day. That is really ambitious for me, we have to go really early and really late because it is so unseasonably hot here.We didn't do much yesterday, got a late start and just went for a long drive in the country. We have been here so many times, we are staying away from downtown and exploring the surrounding little towns. That said, we are going to the farmer's market downtown today, I am hoping for some yummy fruit.  



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

8/23 - 179
8/30 - 176
9/6   - 174.5

9/13 - 173

9/20 - 171.5

"Do what you can, with what you have,where you are "- Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Hello Nashville

We are in beautiful Percy Priest outside of Nashville and oh my sweet Lord, it is so hot! Yesterday when we got here it was a balmy 94 degrees. We are going to have unseasonably hot weather the whole time we are here, in the 90's every day. Oh well.

Izzy loved Hannah

Zech got a run

Don't you love that smile

I love this picture, two bud's talking over the game

We spent the night in Marion on the way down and got in just in time to watch Zach's ball game and go out to dinner with Leah's family. It was good to see them, had not seen Hannah in the longest time. The game was so cute.
We have tickets for a show Wednesday night and plans to meet up with a cousin for lunch, but that's it so far. We are just going to play it loose with the schedule. Lot's of walks to the lake and drives in the country. Later...



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Sunday Praise

"I will praise the LORD God with a song and a thankful heart."
Psalm 69:30 (CEV)

More pretties

Happy Snapz

This is my new camera strap from Happy Snapz. I ordered it after we went to the fair and the strap rubbed my neck raw. And I am always losing my lens cap. I swear the other day J found it in the dryer. I had forgotten I had put it in my pocket, so it went through the washer and the dryer! But look at the cute little holder right above Happy Snapz label, a lens cap holder, who knew?!? It is perfect for me, fits really snug and I shouldn't have to look for it again. You should pay them a visit, really neat fabrics, really well made.
Yesterday I spent a good part of my day with Louise shopping. We had just got her the cutest pair of DKNY skinny jeans and we went over to the unmentionable department to do some looking around. In the course of talking to the sales person she used the word,ELDERLY, to us, me and my skinny jeans sister. I swear ya'll if my sister had not been between us I would have slugged her! I asked her why in the world she would use the word, ELDERLY, in reference to a couple of youthful early sixties chicks. She said she was being respectful. I almost hit her again. Asked her how old she was, 54, I am 61! Can you believe that? I proceeded to give her a lecture about the use of the word ELDERLY prior to age 80 and then she should think before she says it. I muttered about that one all day. ELDERLY, my word!
We are leaving in the morning for Nashville, wish me luck on the food thing. Nashville has some really good eating.




Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

New Pretties

Seaside Sew

This is my new Kindle and MacBook Pro case I got from Seaside Sew. Aren't they gorgeous. The pocket in the Kindle is for my charger, and since I always have it with me that is really handy. And the zipper pocket on the Mac case holds my Air Card. She let me pick out the fabric and got them to  me so quickly, you should pay her a visit. I have found some really great resources since I started blogging.  Went shopping today, got in a size 12, yeah!! I had to repost this because I am trying to use a new font I downloaded and it is kicking my butt!! I know just enough to get myself in trouble.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Joyce

Seaside Sew

Sisters

Calling in the A Team

When she finished Connie's card she was a little teary

These are the bracelets we each have.

The last few days were so lovely. Saturday my sisters and I went out to breakfast to celebrate Louise's birthday, then Connie and I went shopping. I had to go down one size in jeans, does it get any better!
Then Monday Louise came over and we worked almost 5 hours on her pictures. We loaded them in Picassa 3, organized them, edited some and sent them to Walgreens to be printed. We would still be sitting at the table trying to send them to Walgreens if J had not come home and bailed us out. I was determined we would not have to call him in to rescue us, but alas, we did and he did, rescue us. I am having so much fun with my sisters this summer.  We are so lucky at this time in our lives to live this close and get to spend so much time together. I am ever so thankful.



"Do what you can, with what you have,where you are "- Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Ready, Set, Go

8/23 - 179
8/30 - 176
9/6   - 174.5

9/13 - 173





"Do what you can, with what you have,where you are "- Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Sunday Praise

God Bless America

Never Forget





"Do what you can, with what you have,where you are "- Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Sandwich Fair

My favorite things at the fair.

the baby animals

Corn Dogs, yeah baby!

can I say it again, the animals


You know fall is here when it is time to go to the fair. Every year we go to the Sandwich Fair, it is the official  beginning of fall for us. I love the ride over all most as much as the fair itself. It is a beautiful drive and normally the farmers are in the fields bringing in the first of their corn. I love those big machines and the field after field of corn. You can usually see the pumpkins in their pumpkin patches just waiting for the last few weeks of sunshine before they are ready at our favorite pumpkin places. This is my favorite time of year in Illinois, fall is what the Midwest does best.      

 "Do what you can, with what you have,where you are "- Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

   

Izzy Update

We got Izzy's test results back today, and we still don't know anything. The test indicated a real problem with her liver. There are three possible problems, the simplest some kind of infection that was able to travel from her gastric system to her liver, the more likely, one of two genetic liver conditions, one can be treated through surgery, the other has no treatment. So, we have decided to do the treatment for the simplest before we begin more invasive tests. We will give her antibiotics for three to four weeks and then run the test they did yesterday again. If the numbers are still out of whack, we have to look at ultrasound and or liver biopsy. Of course I totally freaked at first, but after talking with the doctor and the breeder and my sisters I have calmed down. It will be what it will be. Meanwhile, I have to look forward to her going through her first heat.


 "Do what you can, with what you have,where you are "- Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce

Izzy update

Took Izzy in for the liver function test today. If it comes back okay she will be spayed Thursday, if it doesn't, my mind just can't go there. I didn't realize it was a full hysterectomy when they are spayed, dummy me thought just two little snips. Dr. says she should be fine by the time we go to Nashville. My hope is that everything is okay  with the liver and we take care of it Thursday. I do not want to experience her going into heat!



 "Do what you can, with what you have,where you are "- Theodore Roosevelt
Joyce