Everybody's Bloggin'

Daddy had the cath run yesterday and the doc said it was a very helpful test in identifying what needs to be done to get Daddy's heart "running right again." That is good news.

Well, I just got through looking at everyone's blogs and was highly entertained! Amanda, Nick, Hannah, and Katie have all updated their blogs over the last few days. I really enjoyed looking at all the pictures that Hannah and Katie have added. The Ownbeys are such a cute family!

This weekend Frank and I are taking Nick and Zack to Charlotte to see The Dark Knight (Batman movie) at the IMAX theatre and we are also going to the Water Park at Carowinds. Not sure I am looking forward to the heat that Charlotte will be experiencing, I think it is going to be near 100. But it will be nice for Frank to do something with his boys.

Vision Henderson

Today I got an email from the publisher of our paper telling me that I had been nominated to participate in Vision Henderson. I am so happy and looking so forward to starting this program. The first time I remember hearing about Vision Henderson was when Ron Stephens was taking it while I worked at Champion Hills. That was in 1998. Now, ten years later, I FINALLY get to do it.

What is it? This is the official definition:

Vision Henderson County is a comprehensive leadership development program initiated by Blue Ridge Community College and co-sponsored by THE HENDERSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The mission of VISION HENDERSON COUNTY is to promote informed and committed civic volunteerism. Accordingly, its programs are designed to help participants acquire both a fuller sense of the wide array of critical issues affecting Henderson County, and the leadership skills necessary to motivate and engage others in collaborative efforts to resolve them.

Each month from August through May, we will visit Henderson County industries and businesses. Heather and Kevin, my two bosses, were in the last two classes and they loved it. Like I said, I have known about it for ten years and have always thought that since I am from this area, I should get to know what's really going on in this town.

Happy 18th Birthday, Zack!

WOW! Another one turns 18! Happy Birthday, Zack! So proud of you and all that you have become! Hope you have a really great day!

Happy Birthday, Daddy

Hope to see you sometime before the weekend is over! I love you and hope you have a good birthday!

The Peppers Are Back!

And they are almost as pretty as they taste. Next to the peppers is today's lunch, a layered pepper, avocado, tomato, beans, cilantro, shrimp and sour cream salad. PRETTY & YUMMY!

Watch Out for 2010!

In 2010, Matthew will graduate in the 50th class at West and I will have been out of school for 25 years. Guess what else coincides in 2010? Both My name and Matthew's are in the list of 2010 Hurricane Names:

Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Igor Julia Karl Lisa
Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomas Virginie Walter

Fletcher Relay for Life Fireworks

I always wanted to be able to take pictures of fireworks. Last night was my first chance with my new camera ... I am so thrilled with the results!

Two New Blogs to Follow - UPDATED!!

FYI: Nick and Hannah both have taken up blogging. I have posted links to their sites on the left of this page. I decided to alphabetize all of the family blog links to make them easier to keep up with. Have I created monster bloggers? Hope so! You have to admit in this crazy busy world it is a good way to keep up with each other ... at least it is for those of us who do it regularly!

Talked to Joanna today and she and Ethan are looking for a new, affordable place to rent (less than $500) so if anyone has any contacts, please let me know.

And for those of you, I haven't shared my good news with ~ three of my photos were selected by a photography stock company. The company "shops" the photos for advertising and corporate firms looking for high quality stock photos to use in ads, hospitals, hotels, packaging, etc. Nothing has sold yet, but I am thrilled just to have the images selected.

TONIGHT I got an email letting me know that 12 more photos were accepted!!!!!

My Cousin's Baby Shower

Yesterday, Amy & I went to Clyde for my cousin Ashley's baby shower. She and her husband, David, live behind Mom & Dad so we also got a chance to visit with them for a few minutes before leaving so Amy could get to work on time.

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12 of 12 July

Here is the layout of the photos I took yesterday for the 12 of 12 of July.

A Blast from the Past

I call these, "Childhood Torture Devices." My sister, cousins, and I grew up in these things! I HATED them. They rubbed on my chin and chapped my skin, they were tight and simply the most uncomfortable thing I have ever worn! But, hey, they were life jackets and they were required accessories for kids like us whose parents were addicted to boat fishing. Many days ... and nights were spent wearing these things. My Uncle G.L. even has movie reels of me getting my bottom popped most likely for back-talking my daddy about not wanting to wear mine.

This morning I went to the Multi-Family Garage Sale being held by Kimberly-Clark as a fund-raiser for United Way. The lady who graciously sold me two brand new motorcycle helmets for $8 (what a steal!) had these under her table. I said, "Would you mind if I took a picture of your Childhood Torture Devices?" She shockingly looked at me and said, "WHAT?" I laughed and told her I was referring to the life jackets and I think she got the joke because she said, "Yea, my kids hated them, too!"

Oh well, as painful as they were to wear, at least the memories of the days when they were worn are extremely wonderful ... and they make me miss my cousins a lot!

Ribfest Follies

Atley and Amanda got their pictures made at Ribfest last night and the competition posted them on their website at citizen-times.com.

The pics were taken by JCOUTLAKIS and the one here is my favorite. You can check out more on Amanda's blog later today by clicking here ~ Amanda's blog.

July 4th (5th) Party on Conrad Mountain

I know that's not really the name of the neighborhood, but now that Art & Helen have joined Shawn & Tiffany in Deep Gap, it kind of seems like Conrad's (as in Walton's) Mountain. You could even hear the "Goodnight, John Boy"s echo as each of the family members drove past Papaw's last night. There was a "beep-beep" and "Byeeeyyeeyyyeee" every time a car went by! A really special Thanks to Tiffany for organizing the get together. Everything was great!

Below are some of the great pics showing all the fun! Note, those really cute babies and how much they have grown. Harmony starts school in August, as does Joanna who is going back to Blue Ridge for Massage Therapy. (The family can't wait for those FREE massages at porch parties ... haha!) Xyla was on the move, too! I could hardly keep up with her when she was on her tummy slinking across the floor like an inch worm. She was so cute, well you'll see, just check out the pics below:

And that, dear readers, is the condensed version! I somehow managed to pick out 53 favorites of the more than 400 pictures I took! I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoy taking them (but I doubt that is possible!) Note: If you want to see them larger, all you have to do is click and a screen with a larger picture will open. Thanks again for looking! Hope you had a Happy 4th!