THE FOOD NETWORK IS FILMING THE EVENTS UPTOWN. IT WILL BE ON A SHOW THIS FALL, THE SHIRTS SAID CHALLENGE ON THEM, I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN IT COMES UP.

I made $19 at my yard sale and Jamie made over $50. I am about to ride up town now and listen to the music, Hate seeing all this stuff in my office so I am walking away for now...

Greenwood is gearing up for the Festival of Discovery this week end!
These are some pictures from last year when Les and I met Tim and Leigh Ann there. We are going tonight because he has to work tomorrow night. I live so close to town I can almost smell the food from my front porch!
We worked in the yard for quite awhile and it will look nice for Saturday! Les's wheeling and dealing got us a Lawn Vac with a wood chipper and it is Great! After cutting, weeding and weed eating we just walk over the yard and everything is sucked up and can be used for mulch! SO COOL!
I haven't got as much as I would like gathered together for Saturday but the garage is Much better my yard looks great and maybe I will make a few $$$

These are the dolls my sister is making to sell, they are very cute. A lot of work go into making them. I can do a lot but sewing by hand is not my thing!
I was sad that I had to throw away some of the dolls that were Gina's when I cleaned some things out of the garage the other day. The box had gotten wet and mildewed several including a couple of dolls my MIL had made out of mop heads. I couldn't even get pictures they were so bad. I asked Gina if she wanted any of her Ty beanies or any of the stuff and she said No so I am going to put them in the yard sale, too.
I will be glad to get this stuff out of my office! I can barely walk in here because my sister brought over her stuff and I have my things in here, too!

My knee is really giving me trouble. At first it was my left knee and I have a knot on it where arthritis is attacking my knee cap but now I have fluid on my right knee and it is hard to get up in the morning and walk. It is something I am writing mostly because I want to keep up with how long I am having trouble and not trying to complain. You see I do not say too much to Les about things like this because he Always has so many aches and pains that mine is no big deal. I did show him how my knee was swollen but when I asked for help cleaning the garage for the yard sale he got aggrivated and said I just didn't know how badly his knee hurt and he didn't want to be on it getting stuff out of the garage. I got want I needed out of the garage with out reminding him about My Knee but I think you understand, now. I will just take my Advil and Celebrex and go on.

I did these pages for challenges at Ginger Scraps, they is done with a brand new release called Enchanted Forest by Miss Erin. The one at top is a photo editing challenge and I combined several photos. The other two are an Inspiration challenge and it was "SMELL" I knew I wanted to do my herbs.
Yesterday was better than Monday at work, We are really having trouble with one of the kids biting, though! My assistant had him bite 3 kids Monday afternoon! The new child is so behind the others, the art project we did today was proof for sure. I might as well be talking to the table as he does not seem to listen or understand what we ask him. I pray he will do better quickly! He did not take a nap either and that is Not good!

My youngest sister called and asked would I let her have a yard sale at my house so we are doing it Saturday. I got more stuff from the garage and need to get it ready. I like getting rid of this Junk!

I really enjoyed watching Charli learn how to pull the wagon! She started out by pushing it from behind then I would show her and finally she got it. I know now more than ever how important guidance is. I have to spend many hours a year learning more and more about children and what makes them tick. I wish kids were taught in school some of the things I learn! Gina always comments how Charli is so much better for me, that's a no brainer, I am giving her all my attention, not trying to wash clothes or clean the house, We spend most time with her sitting beside me or in my lap, and talking!
I got a new child yesterday, he will be 2 this month. He can't talk much, makes grunts in his throat mostly, sleeps in a crib, can't use a spoon well and so much more, he has never been in Daycare. I have several extra gray hairs this morning! Between him and Bryce biting I was stressed out. I will be glad to hold My Baby this afternoon!
I am so glad Gina is like me and not a screamer. Most of mine and Les' families are and I see them get in their child's face and yell "I am going to slap you!" I cry internally for those children every time! I spent a lot of time with my grand parents since I was the oldest and that was a great blessing! My grand parents not only had my RESPECT but they gave me RESPECT! I do not remember them ever getting in my face and screaming! Especially out in public. My kids will tell you I Never did this or embarrassed them in front of their friends. If I had to correct them I would take them aside and whisper in their ear or take them to the bathroom. Now Les was a screamer but he learned so Gina had a much better Dad than Jeremy, LOL!
Why am I writing this? I guess because it is 3:30 and I couldn't sleep and I am rambling, LOL! It is just too important, I would have never lived with Les 28 years if he had spoken to me this way, a poor child does not have a big choice, but then I do not like Drama!
I have started reading "A Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. I never planned to read it, Les bought it and left it in my car so I picked it up, I got behind over the week end and was reading when I decided to go ahead and post, I was reading about the driving forces of some people's lifes and how hurt, resentment, guilt and fear can drive them. I think of my own Dad and how words he said pushed me away from him for many years and how my family members do not talk since his death. Words can be poison to our hearts and the tone of those words can amplify the sting. Yes, I wish I could tell those family members it will be too late to take back those words, your kids are growing up and will be one day talking to your grand children like you talked to them. I am glad my kids do!
Oh, it will be a few days before we get Les' biopsy results, he does have diverticulitis, though.

Ginger Scraps has a fun BLOG TRAIN that I followed to get the Independence Day Kit to scrap these pictures. You can find it HERE. I am not sure how long it will stay up.
I have to take Les to the Dr after I get off work today and Gina has to go back to get more blood work done. She still does not feel well, she said she would like to get back to normal and have everyone not bring it up about losing the baby so she can get back to normal and try again. We are alike that way, you can't dwell on what you can't control and you must move forward. You have to know that God is in control and things always work out for the best.

Some shots from last night, I think there were a couple of reasons I did not get the shots I did last year, we were not nearly as close, there were no real 'sound effects' and the street lights were not turned off. Still thet are kind of funky and fun.
I was happy to see Charli for a couple of hours, too, here she is with Tye.

"96" Festival

Here are some of the pictures I took in "96". I was so glad we got to see the bikes come into town for the show! I wish we got there for the parade but there were a few of the people from the parade milling about. I was really impressed and can't wait to see the fireworks tonight! The weather was nice, too. Les and I sat on a bench under the tree and enjoyed watching every thing and feeling the breeze.
I am so glad we went, next year I hope I can enter their photo contest, not many pictures in it yet, this was the first year for this Festival. I like the way they broke in down to categories, too.

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Oh, the smell of Barbecue in the air, flags flying proudly and a nice small town atmosphere, what could be better than this?
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Les and I are about to head out to '96' to the Car show there, we are going to see the Fireworks there tonight because he has to work until close and the FW there are later.
I found this today, a tour of the Festival houses online, Now you can see if I was wrong about the gardens being OK but nothing worth getting out in the 97 degree weather, LOL!
I will share pictures if I get any good ones but for now this was Les and Leigh Anne last year when we went to Laurens with friends and Gina's and Jamie's families.

We have been in the village a year now and I was thinking how much I have changed. If you would have told me 3 years ago I would be a Gardener I would have thought you were Crazy! After all I never had a green thumb, that was my Nanny and Grandmother's thing!
Now I am really into herbs and plan on having a great herb garden next year! Best yet it is something Le and I share! He helped me fix a table this morning, he and I went out and got a biscuit and got a couple of plants and some potting soil then came home and worked in the yard. I was looking for some garden art today and found this CD craft. Les said he would help make some type of sculptures. I think we will make some windchimes, too.

Here is my herb table!

This is the mint I brought from my old house

Dwarf purple basil

Spicy Globe basil

This is the violet I got from one of my students in February! It really looks wonderful!

I enjoy bird watching and spend a lot of time with Gina. I also stay out of temptation for the most part and avoid going to craft stores and Wal-Mart to save money, LOL! After all we had to give up our house with all of Les's medical bills and can barely make ends meet now so I do not need to get into more trouble. (This was hard to admit!) Les has stuck to his at least one Doctor visit a month and some months it has been twice. At least now he has no broken bones!
Now we spend a lot of time with friends and have a neat house, mostly, and have people over often! That is something I have never done! I always hated any one to come over but now we have people in and out all the time! My Mom comes over often, too!
Oh, and importantly I gave up my caffeine Pepsis! Even I did not think I could do that!
A year has gone by quickly and I miss a lot of things but I am a better person, for the most part, a happier one, any way!

I think I want to add some ornamental peppers to my garden next year, I really thought they looked nice, I would love to do large containers and mix my herbs.
If you know what this plant is please let me know, it was cool, looked like faces to Les and I.I am so looking forward to the week end! I have tomorrow off and I plan to enjoy myself! I plan on catching up on scrapping, June was pitiful, I made around 25 pages, that is very low for me!

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I was thinking yesterday, the year is now half over and I have posted everyday, sometimes twice a day, I am enjoying Blogging! The main thing is keeping up with what happens, just like Charli's new skill is climbing up and getting down off the sofa by herself and I have not had a 'real' Pepsi since June 8, the Doctor said to give up caffeine and all I have now is a cup of coffee to help settle my cough in the morning, and it is light and sweet, just like I drank when I was a kid, LOL!

Well I pray my class will be good today, they were not too bad yesterday, B came in pushing and had a little Swiping toys, I sure plan on their social skills improving! At 22- 27 months they should be playing better together!

Les had more Blood work up today, He has to go back Monday to have a procedure done, I will have to drive him there.
Tim does have Mersa, he got tests back today. He is starting to get better, though. Today is his Grandson Eli's First Birthday but he couldn't see him because of the infection.
We stopped by the funeral home to see Charlene tonight, her husband Allen will be buried tomorrow, he had a rare blood cancer that there had been only 12 cases of in Charleston.

I took a picture of Charli's frogs to share with you. They are really cool, have a balanced environment so you only change water twice a year and they eat the tiniest amount of food. They are supposed to live a couple of years.
This is Charli's sleepy look, I know as soon as she does this she will go right to sleep, Her other Mema can get her to eat but she only takes quick naps. I can barely get her to eat but she lays on me and sleeps well. Yesterday she slept 2 hours, I sometimes wake her so we have time to play!
Looking out my window I have just seen 3 young Titmice! I usually have a pile of young finches, I got another tube feeder and had to buy another Hummer feeder because my squirrel friend broke my other one by making it fall, the hummingbird is there right now.
Well must get ready for work, I usually do not dread going to work but this new class are too aggressive and a bunch of bullies! Two of the girls constantly fight! I have a biter, too, My director said at the end of August they will probably all go up, I hope I can stay sane until then... glad this is a short week!

These are from the Men's garden in Greenwood. It is a small park where veterans would get together and garden right across from the American Legion Post. Now it is taken care of by the city because most of the men have passed or are too old. Les and I have decided we want to go picnic there one day.
Yesterday was another long day. After work I kept Charli while Gina had blood work to check her hormone levels and then our W.O.M. group at church. I got home after 8:30. I am getting old for these 13 hour days, LOL! I realized I have no gifts for the challenges at 3S!

Charlene Kennemore's husband passed about 7:00 tonight. She is a member of my church but I have never met him. We found out the news while we were in our meeting tonight.
Also Leigh Anne may also have mercer, she had a place under her arm, I think Tim will find out Wednesday if that is what he has.

Last night was family night at VBS and here are the crafts we did. I tried to teach them some art techniques like the wax resist and 'doodle art', We also made a bible treasure box and witness bracelets.
Here is Charli helping water my flowers before I went to pick up my pictures from the Festival Photography contest. I had a hard time finding them because they were all at the bottom, this was the third time I entered but I told Les I would not bother anymore. It costs about $40 to develop, mount and enter them and I don't see how the could be fairly judged or even seen near the floor. I told Les I would just be a sore loser and give up, LOL!
Oh. please pray for our friend, Tim, he woke up yesterday with his face swollen from a sore on his nose and they think it may be mercer.

Here are some shots from Park Seed gardens, The plants were not as glorious as last year but I got some nice shots. The tours on the other hand were not worth fighting the heat! They were small gardens of retired people and a couple were professionally landscaped. I got home and emailed the Festival people.
I loved the heart shape of this sunflower! We got seeds for the white cucumber in our goodie bag and thought this petunia was awesome!
We didn't go to hear the Bluegrass after all, There were thunderstorm watches out and it started raining so we rented 2 movies, Paul Blart Mall Cop and Madea Goes to Jail, very funny movies!