HURRICANE FRIDAY

Ohhhh !!!! Maybe I shouldn't have rode that stationary bike last night as my knee feels bruised and sore this morning ???   I feel like I have been whacked across the knee cap with a ball bat.
I got out to get chores done before the rain moves in from the hurricane. I moved some of my plants from under the eaves out so they could catch some of the promised rain.
I had breakfast and as I sat in the sunroom reading my Bible the rain started falling lightly.
This Fall pitcher is a new addition to my decoration and I love it.

I filled the bird feeders on the front porch and they were immediately put to use as food and shelter !!

I carried water to all the remaining plants on the porch before I started baking for the day.
I baked 6 caramel, 2 chocolate, 3 pound and 2 blackberry wine cakes then had a late lunch of some shrimp stir fry.
It has rained off and on all day with a cool temp in the upper 60's for the day. A cup of hot coffee hit the spot on this dreary afternoon as I rested my knee to ease the persistent pain.

I did get my sewing project in for today before hubbie came in from work. This medium sized yellow flowered bonnet will make a nice addition to my market supply.

Hubbie and I watched the news and rested before sloshing out in the still light rain to do chores.
I emptied 4/10ths inch from the gauge but the rain is still coming down and as the storm gets closer up the coast we expect more overnight rain.

Florida damage reports are coming in and the town of St Augustine was the worst so far when the dunes were breached and the town was flooded.

Thankfully there was only one fatality in Florida in the wake of this storm.  As it weakens to cat 2 storm he sets his eyes on Georgia and the Carolina coast overnight and into tomorrow. Praying for all the folks in his path.
I spent the evening icing cakes .
The high school that daughter teaches at always backs the volleyball team this time each year as they raise money all week for their "volley for a cure" cancer fighting donation. This is the staff and some of the students decked out in their "pink out" today. Daughter is beside the man teacher in the blue shirt near the top.

Thankful for all the blessings of this day and for His everlasting love.
God Bless and Good Night.

HURRICANE MATTHEW ARRIVES

Daughter came by around 7:15 this morning to bring her baked goods getting my day off to an early start.
With all the evacuations along the coast there is a lot of extra traffic on the roads in town. I saw lots of trailers being pulled by SC , Georgia and Florida tagged vehicles making me thankful that I live in these mountains. It would be nerve wrecking to load all the belongings you could into a trailer and flee from your home not knowing what to expect when the storm is over. Praying for all these folks.
Market was pretty normal today and I am thankful for what I did sell.
Some of the ladies and I made some plans for Christmas decorations in market. It is still hard for me to get in a Christmas mood on the first of October ??? !!!
After market I ran errands and made stops at Ingles and Aldi arriving home at 3:30. After I got things unloaded and put away I rested my knees for a little while and watched the news.
I did chores and refilled some of the bird feeders as the birds seem like they know something is coming that might prevent them from finding enough food for a few days as they are all flocking to the feeders to let me know they are empty.
Each time I listen to the news the warnings get more intense for the folks in Mathew's path. Now they are predicting a second hit to Florida by a weakened tropical storm Mathew next week.

After dealing a devastating blow to Haiti with over 260 dead and counting the officials in Florida are pleading with coastal residence to evacuate .
Looking at some of the photos coming in from Haiti I pray for anyone who is in this monster storms path.

I did learn something tonight while looking through hurricane warnings. When you leave your house you should freeze a cup of water solid in your freezer. Then lay a quarter on top on the ice.

When you return if the quarter is at the bottom of the cup you should throw all food in freezer away because it has thawed completely. If the quarter is mid way in the ice you should check the food carefully but it is probably okay. If quarter is still on top of the ice there was no power failure.
I am going to do this anyway in my freezers since we have so much trouble with our power going off.
At least I would know how long the power had been off when I came home.
I started my stationary bike riding strength training the doctor ordered tonight. I rode for 10 minutes tonight at about a 2 tension. It is amazing how weak my leg muscles feel after nursing this knee for over 2 months. It also is surprising how much harder the stationary bike is to ride than a regular bike.
I've a feeling I will have some sore thigh muscles tomorrow !!!
Daughter's volleyball team traveled to Franklin tonight and won both their games.
The winds of the outer bands of Mathew have arrived and tonight it is very cool and breezy outside. Later tonight we are expecting the rains to move in. Not expecting much but any little bit will help our drought. Winds are supposed to be around 30mph with higher gust.
Thanking God for a wonderful blessed day and praying for all the folks in the path of Mathew.
God Bless and Good Night.

R. I. P. ROXIE

Another beautiful morning with  a crisp chill in the air and bright sunshine. My knee feels almost normal already this morning after the injection. I am prayerfully thankful that this seems to be working and nothing more serious is wrong.
After chores ,breakfast and devotion I opted not to walk today as the doc said to start out in 24-48 hours easily riding a bike. Plus I knew that the busy baking day ahead of me will give my knee a workout anyway.
I baked 12 caramel, 2 chocolate and 2 pound cakes before having a late lunch.
In climbing the basement stairs a couple times with the heavy ingredients for my cakes my knee is hurting again, not as bad as before but it is letting me know that it is not completely cured yet. The doc said it would be Saturday before I noticed significant difference so I'm hopeful.
I took a break out in the warm sunshine. The sun seems to feel so good this time of year and not really hot in the 70 degree afternoon. I got a short dose of vitamin D and then finished my inside Fall decorations.

With a new "little" getting around and so curious about everything I have  relocated some of the more fragile pieces to higher locations.
The outside decorations are staring me in the face but they will wait for another day. I need to get some sewing done today . I made this little girls bonnet and apron set both today as I know my sewing time tomorrow might not happen.

Hubbie and I watched the news and it looks like hurricane Mathew will again take a different path. This is scary as each day the predictions on where he will go change. Now the storm is going to be a cat. 4 storm and get really close to the Florida coast but turn out to sea before it hits the NC coast.

We did chores and then I got a call from d-in-love telling me some sad news. Her long time dog Roxie was bloody when they got home and #1 son had taken her to the emergency vet clinic across town. They said a cancerous growth on her neck had ruptured and she was in a lot of pain with a fever of 105 and she had evidence that the cancer had spread to her lungs. She had to be put down.
#1 son was bringing her home to bury and hubbie went down to help dig the grave.

G-son was upset but handled it well as he also helped bury her.

Roxie and my Dolly are the same age and in this pic from 12 years ago they a playful puppies.

D-in-love and Roxie on one of our beach trips.

#1 son and Roxie on hubbie's tractor.

R.I.P. Roxie you will be missed !

I did weekly paperwork and paid bills then iced cakes while watching Survivor on TV.
Both my knees are feeling the stress of this long day and all the standing I've done today.
I got to bed about 11:30.
Thankful for the blessings of this day and praying for #1 son's family in their loss tonight  as well as all the storm victims in the path of Mathew.
God Bless and Good Night

KNEE DOCTOR VISIT

7:00 came early today with the arrival of g-daughter. I got her set up with her breakfast and went out to do the morning chores. It is seldom that I witness the sunrise but on these Tuesday mornings when g-daughter goes to pre-school at 8:30 and I get things done outside before I take her it is becoming a every week thing. But I will never ever tire of  God's welcoming glory to each new day !!

G-daughter was not happy that I went outside and left her today and her breakfast was all over the kitchen floor as far as she could toss it from her highchair when I came back inside.
While I ate my breakfast she calmed down and had a few bites of waffle before it was time to leave.
When she got in her classroom she started right in playing with a couple other babies and didn't even notice me leave.
I came home to get some housecleaning done and get started changing out my apple decor for pumpkins and scarecrows !!!
When I went back to pick g-daughter up she was very tired after playing all morning with no nap. She slept all the way home but woke up soon after she was inside. Hubbie took this afternoon off work so that I could go to the doctor with my knee.
We now have a walk in clinic in Fletcher with Blue Ridge Bone and Joint doctors . The doctors all take turns staffing this clinic which is on the second floor to one of their regular offices.
#2 son had told me about this clinic after he had tendonitis this summer and he went there.
I have dealt with this painful knee long enough and needed some relief so after I ate lunch I headed over there while hubbie stayed with g-daughter.
I was pleasantly surprised that I was the only patient there at the time I went.
I had x-rays and saw Dr. Shea  before I could even get the paperwork finished that they gave me when I first checked in.
The x-ray of my knees showed my right knee is almost bone on bone but my painful left knee looks great. With even spacing and no damage visible. He said that is good news and bad news.
Good news there is no sign of anything that could be causing my pain on the x-ray so hopefully it is an inflamation because there was extra fluid on my knee.
Bad news if this isn't the problem I probably have ligament damage and will require a MRI for a diagnosis.
He excused himself to go get the "tray" he needed to draw fluid off and give the cortisone injection.
While he was gone I felt sick at my stomach not knowing what this was going to be like and remembering horror stories from my dad when he would have this done to his knees.
Thankfully it was painless and quick for me. The Lidocaine did its job and my numbed knee felt better than it has in months !!!

He actually drew out more fluid than he thought was there but was pleased that it had no blood or pus in it.
They are sending it off to check for bacteria anyway and will know by the end of the week. Praying for no news in this case !!!
I felt the cortisone injection pressure but still no pain .
I was very pleased with this clinic as I was in and out in under an hour. I'm sure there are more busy times but I thank them for the timely manner in which my visit was handled.
I drove home and kept my leg up all I could this evening as it is pretty sore .
He said I should be able to tell a big difference by Saturday, PRAYING this works !!!!!
With laying around this afternoon while g-daughter took her nap I watched the weather channel with news of the major hurricane that slammed the impoverished nation of Haiti this morning and is now on track to get even closer to the US coast.

This is an image as it came ashore in Haiti.

The governor of SC has ordered an evacuation of all coastal communities starting tomorrow at 3:00.
Also the "N" storm was named today, Nicole will be forced out to sea with the energy from Mathew.

After chores this evening I did some sewing. My daily item for today and also another bonnet for yesterday as I didn't have time to get any sewing done yesterday.

Hubbie helped me vacuum and change the bedclothes tonight so I can hopefully get everything else done tomorrow.
Talked to daughter tonight and she said her teams both won their volleyball games tonight at Tuscola High school.
Thankful to my loving Lord tonight for His presence today and always. Praying for all the folks in the path of the storm and praying that it be His will that this cures my knee pain.
God Bless and Good Night.

PUMPKIN FARM DAY

A busy Monday morning to begin this first week in October.
These three were all here for the morning.

These two played well together early .

Later in the morning they all got sort of ill probably because they all have snotty noses and don't feel great. EL just wanted to sit in my lap and look at books but BB had other ideas about my lap !!!

Both the littles took their turns crashing for rest time and short naps this morning.

After lunch Re came and picked EL and BB up for their afternoon naps, she doesn't feel well either so we all will probably pass around a cold and sore throat.
Hubbie and I had some errands to run this afternoon. We picked up chicken feed at Tractor Supply and groceries at Sam's Club. Our last stop was at our favorite apple house this time of year. When g-son used to stay with me all the time I have pics of him in this same pumpkin patch.
Today it was g-daughter's turn and she loved all the pumpkins and photo ops around the farm.

 I love this "growing memories" chart !!!

We headed home and got things unloaded and put away then we ended our day with more fun !!

 And relaxing ............

G-son tried out for his school's spelling bee this afternoon and will find out tomorrow if he made it.
It was a sunny low 70's day which ended with a darkening cloudy sky this evening but no rain.
Hurricane Mathew is slowly moving a devastating flood and catagory 4 wind strength toward Haiti and Cuba tonight and now it looks like he will turn further west toward the US east coast once he crosses the islands. With this path change North Carolina govenor McCroy has already declared a state of emergency for 66 counties in mid and eastern North Carolina.

Praying tonight for the folks in the path of the storm.
Thankful for the blessings of this day .
God Bless and Good Night

NURSERY DUTY SUNDAY

I woke up with the alarm this morning at 8:00 but the coolness of the 50 degree morning made me snuggle back under the covers. I didn't intend on going back to sleep because I slept well last night but the next time I looked at the clock it said 9:00, oh my !!!
Thankfully it is Sunday morning !!!
After hurrying through chores I got out frozen vegetables and helped hubbie get a big crock pot full of homemade soup going before I ate breakfast.
We have nursery duty at church this morning with Aa and Re . We took care of 6 little 2 year old and unders  today.
Hubbie had a short Deacon's meeting right after church so we had driven separately so I could get home and get the bread in the ovens along with some of the little petite quiches left over from daughter's wedding this summer.
Aa's family and #1 son's family made it to lunch today. #2 son and Tif have gone to her church in Rosman to talk to the preacher about marrying them and Josh and daughter are at Clemson watching a UNC / Clemson volleyball game.
After lunch we all re-gathered including #2 son at #1 son's house to move everyone 's things out of their upstairs. The upstairs in their house is unfinished and has become a storage place. Now they are getting ready to finish it into a bedroom for g-son and a playroom so it needs to be emptied out.
It looked like they were moving with all the trucks and trailers loaded in the yard.

It was good to have all the guys working together as is always the case in our family when things need to get done !!!
Now they are ready to get estimates on how much and when they can get the work up there done.
When hubbie and I got home we rested until choretime.
The sky clouded over and it got dark like we might get some rain but that didn't happen.
I am praying for the folks on the islands where hurricane Mathew is headed as he is holding on to his catagory 4 status even getting to cat 5 for about 6 hours today before dropping back to cat 4 strength.

They still aren't sure where it will turn after it gets over these islands but now the predictions are bringing it closer to the east coast of the US than they did yesterday.
We have a had a relaxing evening and are getting ready for another busy week !!
Thanking God for the blessings of this day and saying prayers for anyone in the storms path.
God Bless and Good Night.

WELCOME OCTOBER

BRRRRR !!!! a 43 degree morning prompted a wardrobe change to long jeans and a jacket to start this first day of October 2016.

Re brought some eggs and extra snack cakes over to sell and hubbie met daughter with her apple pies on the way to market so hopefully we will have a busy day.

Today is the Farm/ City day celebration at Jackson park but there is an art show on Main street so we may benefit from that.

I arrived a few minutes early and there were already several customers browsing around.

We got set up and sales were good today,thankfully with several multi cake orders to fill which always makes for a good day. Making me glad I did those extra 6 caramel cakes instead of the 6 I thought about doing.

Had visits from a couple friends I haven't seen in a while that were nice.
After market I made stops at the Co-op for more Hybiscus tea and beet slaw, yum , then stopped at Aldi for baking supplies.
On the drive home i had to stop and make a couple pics to show that there isn't any pretty fall leaf color yet but , OH that clear deep blue Fall sky !!!!

I made it home at 3:00 and hubbie helped get things unloaded and put away. A customer came after cake just as we finished and then we relaxed and enjoyed the cool crisp evening.

Unfortunately in the news today there came word that the 6 year old that was shot in last weeks school shooting lost his battle today. After he lost 75 % of his blood he has been fighting for his life since he was shot in a main artery.

Prayers tonight to his family.

It is going to be another cool night with the temp at 60 at 9:30 tonight and expected to again be in the 40's in the morning.

Hubbie and I are both fighting sore throats and runny noses tonight hoping we can avoid full blown colds with the first cooler temps of the season.

Thankful for the blessings of the day and  His everlasting love.

God Bless and Good Night.