Weekend Projects

Besides handing out candy to our trick-or-treaters this weekend, we also tackled a few house hold projects. I started by finally making some curtains to hang in our bathroom. I've been meaning to do this since we moved in. One more thing to check off my list. At this rate, we might have everything complete by the time we decide to sell this house!
Today, I suggested to C that I paint the 70's white square and diamond decals on our door. I was hoping by painting them red that they would blend in. C said it might work better if we tried to remove them. The first 2 came off pretty easy. The last square gave us a bit of trouble but he finally got it off. I still need to paint a few more coats of paint on it, but you can see the difference. Eventually, we will probably have to replace the door due to a few mechanical issues. But, I think it will do for now.

BEFORE- This style must have been all the rage back in the day. There are a few other identical doors in our neighborhood.

I spent Saturday trying my hand at hair bow making. Below are my first attempts with some ribbon I had. Of course these will be going to Ryann along with something else I'm making her for Christmas.

Race for the Cure 2010

Lo and I a few weeks ago at the Tri Cities Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It could not have been a more perfect day for the event, weather wise. Even though it was not my best race time, I still enjoyed being able to participate with my mother-in-law.

Fall is my favorite

Ahh, my favorite time of the year has finally made it here. I anxiously await fall's arrival each year and am always so sad when it leaves. Clint can tell you that I'm not good with "extremes." I don't like extreme heat or extreme cold. I guess that is part of the reason I'm such a fan of fall. I love wearing long sleeved shirts without the need for a coat. Once heavy coat weather approaches, I'm about done.

The leaves are starting to change around here and it makes me feel very fortunate to live in the mountains of east TN. Without a doubt, the prettiest season here is fall. Although, sometimes I feel like I leave out the place I was born and raised. west TN. I think it gets a bad rap sometimes. Yes, it is flat land (although I found, not as flat as some of Texas) and yes, most of it is farmland. However, it does hold its own natural beauty.

In fact, some of my greatest memories of Jackson were in the fall at the house I grew up in. I was fortunate enough to be raised in the house my great-grandparents built. I got to live int eh home my grandfather lived in. I love that house for so many reasons but that is the main one. Apparently, my great-grandmother knew a thing or two about plants and trees. (I certainly did not inherit her green thumb.) She planted some of the most beautiful shrubs and flowers. Most of which are still present today. One tree, in particular, I will always remember. I don't know what kind of tree it is (see previous green thumb comment) but it is extremely large and each fall produces the most vibrate color of yellow leaves you have ever seen. The color will truly take your breath away. I remember so many years of playing in the mass amounts of leaves that fell from it. I also remember my grandfather, who happened to appreciate a freshly raked yard, coming over on the weekends to rake our leaves. Sometimes we could be bribed with a few bucks to help rake and sometimes not. Oh, how I miss that tree. In all the beautiful fall foliage here in east TN, I have yet to find a tree that compares to it.

So wherever you are, I hope you take the time to enjoy fall...we all know it won't be here for long. I am including a picture of the house I grew up in. This was taken the first time I took Clint to see it right after we married. (Can't see the tree in this picture, but it's to the left side.)

Labor Day Week Travels

We just returned from our week vacation and boy, did we travel! But, I will say, this is probably the most family and friends I have ever seen in such a short amount of time. It was so awesome to see and catch up with everyone. We started our travels on Labor Day weekend by heading west to Jackson. My family does another camping reunion, of sorts, on Labor Day. As usual, Clint was super excited about shooting his gun, fishing, 4 wheeling, etc. I was just happy about seeing family again. While in Jackson, I also squeezed in some time to see my best friend Rachel. We have been best friends since Kindergarten and do not get to catch up near as much as we would like. It was so nice to talk about fun memories and be able to share them with Clint and her boyfriend Burton. On Monday, we said goodbye to my grandmother and dad and packed up the car headed toward Texas. It was a good 10 hours, but we made it fine and were greeted by Clint's super sweet Aunt Wanda and Uncle Larry. Of course, our highlight was visiting with his grandmother. She was the reason for the visit. I had only met her once at our wedding and that was the last time Clint had seen her too. She just amazes me. She is 90 years old but is so sharp and hilarious! Clint's uncle is a retired agriculture teacher who is now farming. He showed us around the fields. I thought the Texas farmlands would be similar to West TN farmlands but I was wrong. It was neat to see how completely different they are. The only sad part was having to say goodbye. We loaded back up in the car and drove a short distance to Dallas. Since neither of us had ever been to Downtown Dallas we decided to stop in. On a whim, we checked into a hotel and stayed downtown. I am so glad we did. We found a great rate at the Adolphus hotel. Once we checked into our room, we found out they had upgraded us to a junior suite which had 3 different city views. So cool! We just so happened to be staying the night a tornado hit downtown. Never a dull moment traveling with the Davis Family! We were fine, of course, and left out the next morning. This time, we were Murfreesboro bound. We did decide to stop in and stay another night with my grandmother to break up the trip. 10 hours seems to be our maximum travel time in a car. It can be so exhausting. After some more generous hospitality from my grandmother, we made our way to Blue Raider Country. We got in on Friday and stayed through Sunday. It was very nostalgic to be back in the stands cheering on our team. Not to mention eating at all our favorite places we had been missing. We certainly put the miles on our car, but I would do it all again. I only hope it won't be so long before we see everyone again.

Catching up on family news at Hatchie Bottom

My grandmother and dad

Me with Rachel and her son Timothy

Clint with his sweet grandmother

Our gracious hosts, Clint's aunt and uncle

Some of Clint's 2nd cousins

This is just one side, the other part of the room had a desk, couch & 2 chairs with the flat screen

Super nice bathroom

One of our downtown views from our room--I was a little disappointed that I did not see one person wearing a cowboy hat or boots.

Getting ready to go to the MTSU game. (They were playing my former employer, Austin Peay State University.)

Carter Family Fold

A few weeks ago we were invited to tag along with Joe, Lo, Robert, Mandy & Ryann to the Carter Family Fold. We had been wanting to make the small drive to Virginia to see this historic place. I didn't know until we were there that it was the last place that Johnny Cash performed live. We are fortunate to live so close to such neat places to visit. Before we made it to the fold, we had to stop in at "Hob-Nob Drive In" for some burgers and shakes. Ryann sure does love her chicken legs. It was hilarious!

Checking to see if they have chicken legs...

Yup, they do!

Blurry, but shows the live music and "flat footin" dancers

Fun Night at the Fold

Backyard Landscape

About a month ago, we did a little more work on our backyard landscape. Most of the back is shaded due to all the trees, so it makes it difficult to get plants to grow. It's a work in progress...


BEFORE

AFTER

My Job

Those 2 words pretty much sum up why I have been MIA in the blogging world. Lately, I have been swamped at work and so tired when I come home that all I want to do is eat dinner and hang out with Clint. I don't even want to "look" at a computer after being on one all day. But, as crazy as it has been, I have loved every minute of it. Even dealing with hateful people at times. That's why I have been so sick the past week and a half.

When I started my job over a year ago, I signed a contract that stated I was hired with stimulus money received from the government. The contract was for 18 months and contingent upon funding. They did it could be longer if the money was there. If any of you work for a not for profit company, you understand. Anyway, I got word last week that our funding was low and we would be cutting back on our services to those seeking training. A red flag went up in my mind and I wondered if my job was going to be on the chopping block along with the programs we were halting. I have been deeply concerned. Especially, since my job is working with job seekers. I know better than anyone how tough the current economic situation is, at least in this area. Coupled with the fact that it was a little over a year ago that I was unemployed for 6 months. It truly makes me sick to my stomach to even think about having to look for another job. But, mostly, I have been so sad because I LOVE my job. I have found my niche with this type of work. I know now that I am a humanitarian at heart and desire to help people. I could care less about having a "prestigious" position at a big name company or working some job only for a killer paycheck. The feeling of making a difference in someone is unmatchable. I don't even mind all the paperwork (most days!). That's why for the first time this past Monday, I was dreading going to work. Not because of the mounds of files I would have to process that day or the hundreds of phone calls I would have to return. But because I was fearful I wouldn't get to do all of it.

Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who constantly reminds me that the Lord has taken care of us so far and not to worry. We both know that His plan is where we want to be and if it means me going through another period of unemployment then so be it. I wonder sometimes about my clients who don't have Faith. How in the world they make it through their hard times and depression from their job loss? They never have that sense of peace that only comes from Him. How sad for those who form their whole identity around their occupation. It can be taken from you so quickly and for those people, their identity is gone in an instant.

Today, I got as much confirmation from my boss as she could give me at this time. She informed me that as of now, her plan is to fight to keep me on board. And that hopefully, even if there is a layoff, that I won't be one of them. Her words did ease my heartburn some, but I had already found peace this morning when I found the verse below while doing my devotions. I know that if I do my part and be as prepared as possible, then God will be faithful.
" Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." ~1 Peter 5:7