"Thankful"

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching I would like to share what makes me thankful each day.

My amazing husband, who also holds the title as my best friend.  He has taught me how to live life to the fullest, and not be afraid to try new things in life.  Each day we share is a blessing, and he makes me a better person.  He's been an equally amazing role model for the girls, and each day he shares his experience, guidance and love with them. 

Two beautiful girls, who make me proud to be called Mom.  I have treasured each day with you, teaching, guiding, loving, and correcting when necessary.  I've watched you grow and turn into the young ladies that you are today.

A wonderful family who supports me unconditionally, loves me, and are there for me no matter what the situation.

For friends who make me laugh, and share some of life's best memories with me.

Our United States Armed Forces, the brave men and women both past and present who have risked their lives to protect this great nation.  The sacrifices they made to ensure our freedoms, and keep our country safe.  Take time out to thank one of these brave men or women today.

For the opportunity to return to school and follow my dreams.  Many years ago I worked at a nursing home, and enjoyed my job as a nursing assistant.  My hope was to join the Air Force and get assigned to the medical career field.  Well let's just say the plan did go accordingly and I took a 20 year detour.  But on a good note Uncle Sam will be footing the bill for school.

And lastly for the roof over our heads, food on the table, and good health and happiness.

May all of you my friends and family continue to have health and happiness as well.

Bonfire

  I sit on the porch this late afternoon in absolute silent.  The only sounds I hear are the occasional fish jumping in the lake, or the gentle rustle of the leaves.  I enjoy this time...it allows me to collect my thoughts.
  The last few days have been busy, fun filled days for our family.  My family made the trip down from Maryland to spend a few days with us.  I must say I love finally being on the same side of the world as the family.  These days however, went by entirely too fast for my liking, but non the less it was well spent quality time with the ones I love.  At first I was worried, that we would be too far out in the country...it gets really dark here at night, and there are no traffic noises.  But they loved our little piece of paradise!  That first hill is a doozy though, I think they have a new appreciation for paved roads. :-) 
  They were also able to be a part of the annual bonfire.  A tradition that my husband started long ago, but due to military assignments wasn't able to keep these last few years.  The tradition is that they only thing allowed to brought is a chair to sit in, nothing else.  We had hot dogs roasted over the open fire, and even made some smores.  It was a chance to get together with family and friends.  A time to eat, share stories, play games, and to end the even he set off fireworks.  The fireworks are a time to reflect on those who have gone before us, those that were watching down on us last night. 
  As the holidays quickly approach, take a few minutes to reflect and be thankful.

The views all around me!

I'm amazed at the beauty that surrounds me, the views here are simply amazing.  Each day it seems I see something new, or something old in a new light.  The morning fog rising off the lake is one of my favorites.  As a friend of mine has said "you can't beat the East Tennessee mornings" and I would whole heartily agree!  Two of my other latest fascinations are the animal sightings and all of the old structures I've seen.

In the last two weeks alone we've seen an array of animals.  A group of wild turkeys (which have visited us twice so far), a pair of baby raccoons, two osprey feeding on a dead fish, just to name a few.  My favorite by far was just spotted yesterday.  Rick and I were working out in the yard, when suddenly an osprey flew by being pursued by a bald eagle.  It was truly a sight to behold, and of course I didn't have a camera close by to snap a picture.  But on the flip side I also tend to scare off the animals...why you ask?  I have a habit of wanting to talk to the animals, using that voice that Mom's use to talk to babies.  Most of the time the animals just take off running, but you should see the hilarious look I get from the cows.  So perhaps I should listen to the hubby on this matter, and remain quietly on the sidelines and view only.

I tend to be easily mesmerized by the old barns and houses in the area.  Am I the only person who looks at an old house and wonder what it looked like in it's glory days?  I try to imagine...children playing in the yard, families sitting on the porch, happy times.  But then I wonder what caused the current state of disarray?  Didn't anyone care enough to try and save these old homes?  If only those walls could talk what kind of stories would be told?

Check out this old house...

The cows...

I've been loving the new life and all it has to offer, including helping his dad with the farm.  I've been somewhat fascintaed with the normal everyday animals such as the chickens & cows.  Well today was another first for me, we had to tend to a sick cow.  It's been off to itself for the last few days, and his dad seems to think it ate too many acorns.  I guess I never realized something so small could cause a cow so much pain.  Our morning started out by trying to get the sick cow into the shute, so that his dad could get some mineral oil into the cow.  I'm guessing to hopefully get thing moving thru it's system.  You could tell that it was sick, it didn't want to walk up the hill.  No matter what we tried we couldn't get that cow to move, and it put up a good fight.  But I've never been that close to a cow, where it didn't run from me.  So they finally got her down on the ground and got the oil down her throat.  She stayed down and lay there, so we left her alone for a few hours.  Sadly she died later in the afternoon.  It's interesting to watch how the other cows act, how they can sense when something is wrong with one of their own.  They gathered around her, as if to say goodbye.  They also watched while the cow was buried.  Another chapter in life on the farm.