This is my niece, Erin, enjoying her very first taste of the ocean. She and her mom, Dawn, were in California recently visiting with family. I thought these were just utterly adorable and just had to post them for all to see. Isn't she a sweetie? (click on each picture to get the full effect)

Our Furry Boys

Tonight I was playing around with the "toys" on flickr.com. I came up with this...a mosaic of our "furry boys." Bam Bam, Bo and Chasie.

Away in a Manger in January?

This is so special I really didn't think it would matter what month it is. Tater made this in his 4K class. His teachers put it in a nice frame, wrapped it and sent it home as his gift for mom and dad for Christmas. I was so surprised when I opened it Christmas morning. I must say, it was the best gift I received. I will treasure it always. Doesn't he make the perfect angel? Click on the picture for a larger view.
(P.S. -- Thanks for the help Uncle Jimmy)

Questions from Tater Tot

Just a few more of Tater's observations to share with you....

• Day before yesterday he asked me if Jesus was in the sun. I replied, "no, why?" He said, "Well, I thought he was the Light?"
• "Pizza starts with P, right?" "Yes." "And, cookie starts with... almost a circle."
• "Will there be toys in heaven?" "Yes." "Well, do you think Papaw Otis is playing with my toys right now?"
• He refers to Pilot Mountain in North Carolina as "the big bump."
• He recently said something that I didn't understand so I said, "beg your pardon?" He repeated what he had said. A few minutes later he said, "I know, from now on I'll beg my pardon and you beg your pardon. Okay?"
• One of our dogs was outside wanting in and scratching at the door. I asked Tater to go let him in. On his way to do so he said, "okay, okay, hold your cows!"

's Meme


I saw this on We love Astrid & thought it would be fun to do.

Jobs I Have Had in My Life
1. H & R Block (receptionist)
2. Hospital (collections dept.)
3. Century 21 (processing dept.)
4. Mommy (my favorite!)

4 Movies I Would Watch Over and Over
1. Top Gun
2. Meet the Parents
3. Message in a Bottle
4. Finding Nemo (and believe me, I have)

4 Places I Have Lived
1. West Virginia
2. Florida
3. North Carolina
4. South Carolina

4 TV Shows I Love to Watch
1. ER
2. Dr. Phil
3. Wife Swap
4. Cold Case Files

4 Places I Have Been on Vacation
1. Niagara Falls, Canada
2. San Diego, CA
3. Puerto Rico
4. Marco Island, FL

4 Websites I Visit Daily
1. yahoo
2. eBay
3. HGTV (I'm determined to win the '06 Dream House!)
4. my blog (to make sure all is well)

4 Favorite Foods
1. shrimp scampi
2. broccoli casserole
3. coconut cream pie
4. my grandmother's cream corn

4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
1. West Virginia (visiting family)
2. on a beach somewhere
3. Disney (with my boys)
4. asleep (it's 6:00am)

It's the Little Things

Bubby and I stopped by the library this evening to return some books. He decided he wanted to look around a bit and check out some new ones. While he was deciding what he wanted in the Juvenile section, I headed toward the magazines. On my way I passed the Reference section which I normally do not even so much as glance at. Tonight, however, I did for some reason. On top of the waist high shelf sat a neatly stacked pile of bright yellow, pocket sized NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) books. I stopped dead in my tracks and gulped to keep from crying. You see, my beloved Papaw was a new and used car dealer for 50+ years and always had the latest edition of the NADA book peeking out of his shirt pocket. He knew those books like the back of his hand. If he needed to find the value of a car or truck he could open the book almost to the exact page that particular make and model was located on. I'd never really thought much about those little books until tonight. It's the little things that get me when I'm least expecting it. Even though it's been eight months and three days since he passed, I still think of him every single day and smile. But, those little things still hit me pretty hard. (you know too, right Jim?)

The grades are in

Garrett brought home his report card today for the second nine weeks of second grade. He did really well. His Language and Social Studies grades stayed about the same. His Math grade slipped a little which I'm okay with. Math is a really tough concept for him to grasp. Best of all, his Science grade improved tremendously! So, all in all, we're really happy with his performance. He's trying his best and that's all that we can possibly ask. His proudest accomplishment? Receiving his second Perfect Attendance Award. Come illness or high water he absolutely refuses to miss school. Yes, Darrin's child (the perpetual school misser) loves school. This is a 100% change from last year. He enjoys school so much and can't wait to get their each morning. Of course his classmate, Will, tells me that's because he's the "teacher's pet." You know what...that's fine with me as long as he keeps loving school like he does. I must say though, he has an awesome teacher this year and I think that makes all the difference in the world. He recently asked me if he could stay in second grade next year too. Way to go, Bubby, we're so proud of you! Keep up the great work.

A Tribute to My Father-in-law

Deep in the mines

Waiting to go in the mines (far left)

Dan, third from right

On January 9, 2006 my father-in-law, Dan, retired from 40+ years in the coal mines. He spend many days deep inside the earth mining coal for the benefit of others. Many times he would go underground before daylight and then, after his shift was over, he'd come back out to darkness. He was a hard working, honest, dedicated employee. Although his job was often back breaking and miserable, he never complained. I'm just so very thankful that he was one of the lucky ones who came home safely every night. He's now enjoying retirement in the mountains of North Carolina. Congratulations, Dan! Enjoy every single second of your retirement, you've earned it.

**My prayers go out to his fellow WV miner's families who have lost loved ones in the recent WV mine tragedies. God bless you all.

Another WV Mine Tragedy

Associated Press

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, center, hugs local resident, Linda Curry of Chapmanville, W.Va., outside the Bright Star Freewill Baptist Church in Melville, W.Va.

The latest WV mine tragedy in Mellville, WV has sent shock waves through a still mourning WV. Mellville, which is close to Logan, is only 39 miles from the town I grew up in, Oceana. That's hitting close to home. Although I didn't know either family affected by the miner's deaths, they were fellow Mountaineers. That in itself is close enough to family. I mourn for their loss. I truly hope that mine reform sweeps through WV as Governor Joe Manchin III has promised. God bless you Don Bragg and "Elvis" Hatfield. You have a special place in heaven. And, God be with your families.

To read more about the Mellville mine tragedy follow these links:

• CNN
• Fox News
• Charleston Gazette
• MetroNews
• Friends of Coal

Bless the guys with the guts to dig the coal

I received an e-mail today from my Uncle Barbe in NC. He attached a recent article written by Dick Feagler for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. As soon as I finished I knew I wanted to share it with all of my blog visitors. It says so much...that people all across America owe the WV (and other) coal miners a heart felt and sincere "thank you." We so often take for granted what they do every day. I hope that you'll take a moment to read this article and then stop and think about what it says. I was born and raised in Wild Wonderful West Virginia and have missed it every day since we moved south three years ago. I know what the average Joe coal miner endures on a daily basis, I've seen it first hand. I know the danger they expose themselves to every day and I'm thankful for them. It is just my hope that those past the WV state line will realize it too.

"Bless the guys with the guts to dig the coal" newspaper article

Thanks for sharing this informative article Uncle Barbe!