WNC Parent magazine article

The girls got to be in an article this month in the WNC Parent magazine about the fair. It was neat to have someone come out and talk to the girls about their animals and all the do and what they love about the fair. If you get the chance check out the pictures and the article. The newspaper says they will be coming out to see what the girls are doing to prep for the fairin the next few months. It is hard to believe there is only 8 months until the fair is here. Better start getting ready now. I am craving a corn dog already.

Here is the link below if you get the chance and want to read the article.

http://issuu.com/actwebmaster/docs/wncparentfeb2011/13?zoomed=true&zoomPercent=100&zoomX=0.08484162895927594&zoomY=0.15260058881256133¬eText=¬eX=¬eY=&viewMode=magazine

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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.

toy run & wnc nature center

We had an amazing Saturday...that is after the car trouble
the blue bus had the same battery in it since we got it 6 years ago
The girls and I stopped by to see Jonathan at one of his stores before we went running around. Thanks to Ho, Jonathan, & AAA we got it fixed and on our way.
We headed out to the 30th anniversary smokey mountain toy run at Lummus harely shop. Now you need to know that it is 33 degrees & sleeting but these bikers still rode the cold 10 miles from downtown Asheville to the shop. The girls & I helped collect toys. They just keep coming. It is amazing how everyone just jumps in to help the kids that need a Christmas this year and for all you our there that believe bikers are nothing but trouble never meet a true biker (right Uncle Snake) yes the leather and tattoos might get you but their hearts are truly huge. I know this after a cold older man handed me a ice covered teddy bear yesterday and said he enjoyed the ride. After unloading toys and more toys Tori & Sam joined the Harley band and song Jingle Bells. Then Sam got to pick the winning ticket for the 50/50 drawing and made someone a very happy person. After that is was off to the nature center where the twins were to be elves and Sam & I were going to sell snacks. The park was dead because it was in the 30s and sleeting & raining. But we stayed to help out and to see Santa. The lights were beautiful all thru the trails. There was a smore fire going and a fire in the cabin where Santa was. The girls were face painting and showing the snakes.(they didn't get that like from me) Afterwards we made some candles and headed home. Christmas is about spending time with the one you love and we did that as our teeth chattered. But it is about making others happy. We are trying to spread our Christmas cheer..."by singing loud for all to hear"...form the Elf movie.

freebie Saturday

With times being the way they are we are very blessed to have a roof over our head and a great job but we still like to save some money. We started the day out getting .49 cent hot cocos then went to Ingles for the .33 cent5 donuts. On the way to the Christmas parade I stopped by to get our photos from Walagreens they were 30 prints for $3.oo. We sat and enjoyed the sunshine having breakfast waiting for the parade. Afterwards we went across the street and they had an ice skating ring set up and the girls got to skate for free. Then we went to Sams they were having their holiday sampling going on. We tried all the samples some of them we tried twice. That was the best free lunch we had in a long time. Then is was home. It was a great day and we only spent $10.00. I love getting a deal.