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Before I start this I would like to say my Mother, the Bear, is not for gun use. But she understands that some people believe in the right to bear arms but she probable didn't breath yesterday afternoon. See, a year ago Jenna wanted to learn how to shoot. So Jonathan taught her on a BB gun and made her go thru hunter safety course. Which she did and became a pretty good shoot. Yesterday Jonathan took us skeet shooting. After 290 rounds of shoot, a few walks up the hill to retrieve the non broken clay pigeons, and bruised arm I have to say we had a blast. Jonathan & I would load it up and Sam got to pull the cord. I would have to say Jenna & Jonathan are a lot better shot than I am. We had the 410, 20, & the 12 out there shooting away. It was amazing weather for it and we didn't want to stop but we ran out shells. As Josh Thompson's song - Way Out Here -"Our houses are protected by the good Lord and a gun. And you might meet 'em both if you show up here not welcome son. Our necks are burnt, our roads are dirt and our trucks ain't clean.
The dogs run lose, we smoke, we chew and fry everything." The next generation is learning gun safety and I think it is great. I guess it's like that shirt we saw if guns kill people then pencils misspell words and forks make you fat!

the terrible phone call

The weatherman said this winter was going to be milder. Don't really know where he was talking about but he wasn't talking about here. In the last month we have had 5 snow storms yes 5. But who is counting us parents are. I am very blessed because I have a Mama Bear to take the girls to when they have a snow day. She and Ho even take them to school on their 2 and 3 hour delays. She is there when the school calls to say they are releasing the school 2 hours early. These calls we have come to know very well. They call as early as 5:30 am. Nothing is like being sound a sleep and the the phone rings. I was raised that you don't call anyone before 9 or after 9 and if you do you better be dying. But the school system thinks different. The poor lady in the recording saying, in her cheerful voice, good morning parents and facility today is another tuff day outside. Sometimes you just want to strangle her but she is just the messager. I know it is a tuff call to have to make for our large county to have school or not. The what ifs and what the weather may do is crazy. You do know if you don't like the weather here in the mountains just wait a few minutes it will change. I think the best call was a few Fridays ago they went 2 hours delay and once they got to school the weather was getting worst so the had an early release, so the kids went to school from 10 to 1...what a school day but they got they buses out and feed everyone lunch so it counted. I know they are doing it for the safety of our kids but our kids are not safe always at home...see they are driving us crazy. We have already extended our school year to June 10th and they are starting up Saturday school this weekend and are threatening to take holidays away. Hello its only the end of January we still have a few more months of winter.
So the next time you hear the phone ring don't think its a long lost friend it is just the school calling with the next up date on the weather.

holiday season

As the holiday season comes to an end it felt like a big whirl wind. Between the snow, family coming to visit, our 2 trips, us visiting family, Christmas caroling, and of coarse a birthday. I know Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday but I was talking about the twins...sorry. It all started with Sam, Micheal, & Jonathan running the 5k for girls on the run. Micheal & Sam ran it in 23.32, Jonathan ran (one lap) but at least he was there to support them. Then Jonathan & I went to my company Christmas party. It was great, we won a gift card for Olive Garden, & stayed the night at the Crown Plaza. We woke up the next morning to 3 inches of snow. That didn't keep us in, we went to get the girls and rode the back trails in the snow. The girls had a few snow days off after that. At the end of that week we packed our bags and headed to Gaitlburg. It was part of their Christmas present we enjoyed the indoor pool, the girls ice skating at Ober, we walked around the shops, played indoor putt putt at Cooters, ate dinner at Bubba Gumps (the girls only missed 2 trivia questions, it's their favorite movie), went to the top of the needle to enjoy the lights, went to the Riply's aquarium,and the girls got to splash with the sting rays. This is a program where the girls got to get into wet suits and play around the stingrays. We headed home to the farm full of family. Jan & Joey came and Ike & Janie came up later. During their stay we went to see the gingerbread houses @ the Grove Park, the girls got to go to Opie Taylor (toy store) & Bullwinklies (best hot dog place), played games, and of coarse ate. After they left the girls and I went Christmas caroling with the church and then we got the presents ready for the family the church adopted. Once all that was done it was Christmas Eve day. We went to Hickory for the day to spend it with the Clarks. There is nothing like a house full of family and food. After a few games of Apples to
Apples and sitting around the fire we headed to Granny K's house for a few. Then over the mountain we went to Momma Sandie's for the night. Christmas morning we woke up to more snow and a fablous breakfast. Then it was over the river and thru the woods to the Bear's house we went. Ho had made the best appitries and the girls played with their remote control cars (nothing says redneck girls like remote control cars & nail polish..thanks Santa). After we enjoyed the afternoon we went back to Sandi's to eat supper. As it got dark we slide back to our houses to enjoy a good needed night sleep. Sunday afternoon Jonathan came to get us and we went to John's to have a fried turkey dinner. We all had a big sleep over at the Bear's and played Clue. After a few more days of snow and major snow drifts it finally ended, the snow that is. On the twin's birthday we went shopping that morning and then headed to a cottage we rented in Brevard. It was amazing having the sound of the river and the beautiful stain glass. We brought in the new year eating tacos, playing board games, and popping a bottle of bubblie. Jonathan had to work during the day but we hung out & did girlie things. That night we ate of coarse black eye peas, collards, & rice. It has been a very busy last of 3 weeks but you know, I would not change it for the world. Hope you had a great holiday as much as we have. I'll post some pictures of all of this soon. Happy New Year from the Funny Farm.