The Isaacs

Mike and I took our entourage to hear the Isaacs gospel group last Friday. We enjoyed the concert and our family- Mom, Daddy, Herman, Ruby, Beatie, Les, Aunt Mildred, and her friend from Gary.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Doyle!

My mother's brother turned 87 last week! He is quite amazing- father of 6, plays any instrument by ear, rolls his own cigarettes, and thinks my sister is his "favorite niece"!

Happy Birthday! We love you!

Shots from home!

This is the fog wave coming over East River Mountain by our house. It is beautiful everytime we see it.

A church in Bastian, VA.

Smokies Weekend

Mike and I spent Labor Day Weekend in the Smokie Mountains! We had a great cabin, king bed, queen bed, 2 Jacuzzis in the bedrooms, 2 full baths, hot tub on the porch, fireplace, full kitchen and laundry, and private woods! We had a great time.

Saturday we went to the flea market. We walked around and shopped for 3 hours! Then we hit some outlets. Of course Carters is my favorite store! Several Christmas presents were boought.

We cooked steaks on the grill Saturday night, and ate at our favorite Italian restaurant Sunday! Monday morning, we joined cousins Becky and Buddy, from Nashville for breakfast. They were celebrating their 33rd anniversary and got a new granddaughter when they got home!

I am very blessed to be married to my best friend for 35 years! We are still in love and appreciate being alone together sometimes.

Daughter Stephanie

I neglected to post Stephanie's birthday in July on this blog. So, I am making up for it by telling everyone how beautiful and special she is!

Since she is the only girl on both sides of our family, you know she is "The Princess". She is also Daddy's Girl, but acts like her Mama! Of course, nephew Lucas has her wrapped around his finger.

Stephanie and I spent this past weekend together in Raleigh. We went to the Kenny Chesney Concert (our favorite) and tailgated in the parking lot! Whew! I'm not in college anymore! I really enjoyed watching Stephanie jump right in on all the action. It was a lot of fun seeing the decorations on tailgate tents, trucks, vans, and my actual tailgate.

Thanks, Kenny, for a great concert. And thanks, Stephanie, for a wonderful weekend!

I love you!

Happy Birthady, Lucas and Mike!

Last Friday was Lucas' second birthday, and Mike turned 57. We had a party in Raleigh with Kristy's sisters and niece and nephew, and a few friends. Scott and Kristy bought Lucas a trampoline for his birthday! He loves it. I'm scared of it!

We watched videos, Cars and Finding Nemo, about 4 times each. I love Lucas' personality. He is so loving and gentle, just like his Daddy! Poor Scott has to travel so much and misses all the little day-to-day happenings.

It has rained too much this summer. Bluefield gives free lemonade on the street when it hits 90 degrees! We did not get it once this year. My tomatoes have blighted, but weeds and grass are thriving. Where has the summer gone?

August

August 3rd was Mike's and my 35Th anniversary! We celebrated by cooking out with family from New York and Philadelphia (my cousins) and my mom, dad, & my sister's family. We had grilled pork chops, spinach salad, broccoli, twice baked potatoes, rolls, and peach or strawberry short cake!

Cool Summer

July is almost over, and I'm behind in my work and garden. Mike and I spent July 4th with family from Florida in Princeton. They had a pig roast and fireworks in the backyard!

Real estate has picked up this month. I have written 3 contracts with 3 great clients! I love helping people find the best house for their family.

Mom had another checkup at Bowman Gray and got a good report. Her leg is healing, but will take a long time. She, Daddy, and I went on to Raleigh to stay at Stephanie's for 3 days. Lucas made my day when I walked in the house, he looked up and smiled, and said "Non"! He ran into my arms to be picked up and kissed. NOTHING BETTER!

Mama, Daddy, and I spent the day with Lucas at Pullen Park in Raleigh. It has a train ride, carousel, water boats, and a small lake with paddle boats. We picniced (DQ) by the lake and ate ice cream. It was a memorable day!

Daddy's 85th birthday was last Monday. He is doing quite well.

Mike's work schedule changed again, so we now have Saturday and Sunday together. This week we drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway, picniced, and took the back roads home.

July 4th!

It's Independence Day!
I celebrated my freedom by installing electric outlets on our deck and then a pig roast with family!
Happy Birthday USA!

Bluewell house for sale!

Only $65,000 for this 4 bedroom brick Cape Cod on an acre! It has beautiful hardwood floors, 2 enclosed porches, and a full basement.

June on the road!

Where has June gone? Did I miss something? Am I older?

I have been to Georgia twice, Raleigh, twice, a REALTOR Conference in Maryland, a wedding in Charlotte, NC, picnic in Wytheville, VA, and in Roanoke, VA for 2 days!

My friend and "Lucas' Nana", Brenda passed away the first week in June. Brenda was 58 years old! Her 3 girls (daughter-in-law, Kristy, is the youngest) are hurting so bad and I don't know how to help. I promise to teach Lucas about his Nana and how much she loved him.

The REALTOR meetings were in Flintstone, MD! No joke! We met at a state park lodge in Rocky Gap- beautiful lake, campground, and weather.

My next door neighbors' nephew was married in Charlotte at a winery. I drove them and we partied 'til the end! Amanda is a beautiful bride, and Justin was so much fun. Thanks for inviting me. You have great friends and beautiful families.

Our 2nd annual Elliott/Hodges family picnic was a blast! We saw cousins missing since 1993! Wytheville is a central gathering spot for 90+ family members from NC, Ohio, TN, and WV!

We have an addition in my family! My "baby cousin", David, and his wife, Angela, had a beautiful baby girl, June 23rd! Her name is Kynlee Cecilja, and she is the first girl in David's family in 90 years! Aunt Milly (her 1st granddaughter!) and I stayed with the boys and went to a Little League game. Welcome to the world, Kynlee!

My birthday was spent with Lucas! He is the best gift ever! Thanks for the dinner, Stephanie. I love all my presents, too!

Happy Fathers' Day, Mike, Scott, and Daddy! I love you.

Tony Girl

View from my seat! The track! Tony Stewart

I met Stephanie in Charlotte Sunday for the 50th Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race. (The race ticket was my Mothers' Day present!) We went to the track about 11:30 am for the 5:30pm race.

The minute we stepped out of the Jeep, it started to rain. We had ponchos over our Tony Stewart (me) and Dale Jr. (Steph) t-shirts, seat cushions, and NASCAR cooler! We walked around the "hollers" and souvenir shopped. Joey Lagono was signing autographs and I got some good pictures, to post later.

We sat in our seats on turn 1 for about 6 hours, watching the track dry! The pre-race show included pictures and a salute to the 49 previous winners of the Charlotte race. It was "Military Day" and they were honored too.

Shawn Johnson, gymnist and Dancing With The Stars winner, was introduced. I don't know why she was there, but I'm still upset that she won over Gilles! He was the best dancer!

The race was postponed until 12:00 today. It took us 2 1/2 hours to get out of the field parking lot and back to our hotel. We were back at the track this morning at 10:30 and ready to go racin'! It started to rain after about every 20 laps!

The race was finally called at about 7:00 tonight. We left at 3:45, ate dinner, and headed home! I am tired of 36 hours in the rain!

Dancing 'round the May Pole!

Mike and I spent our vacation last week in Raleigh. We cleaned up Stephanie's yard, trimmed trees, removed rocks, planted flowers and shrubs, and a few odds and ends inside. It looks really nice. I cooked dinner 1 night of steak and peppers, my kids' favorite. It was in the 90's everyday, so Lucas ended up naked in the pool!

Weekend with Lucas

Granddaddy and Lucas

2 Lambs

Georgia girl on the farm!

Here come the sheep!

We had a wonderful weekend with Kristy, Lucas, and Kristy's niece, Savannah. Saturday we visited my cousin's farm. They loved the sheep, goats, geese, and dogs!

While Lucas took his nap, Savannah and I went to a neighbors' bridal shower. We dressed up for the party, and her gift of a sand castle drink dispenser was a big hit.

Lucas had a wonderful time with my dad. They love playing with balloons.

Our house is too quiet now, but we're heading for Raleigh to see Stephanie and Scott!

Leslie's Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Brother-inlaw!

Celebrating Life!

Mike and I went to Bowman Gray Wednesday for his 5 year cancer checkup. He is cancer free! Dr. levine released Mike from monitoring at Baptist Hospital. He can go locally now.

We stopped and hiked at Pilot Mountain on our way home. It was a beautiful day! We are so happy. God is very evident in our life.

Easter

I spent the day with family. Mike had to work, so lunch was at Mom and Daddy's with my sister's family. The evening was spent at my "cousins'" in Princeton. They are Aunt Milly's family. 2 Granddaughters (cousin's & friends') have birthday's this month, so there was lots of cake!