Let me Tell You a Story!!!!

Here are works in progress and newly finished work. AND what we see out of our kitchen window when the rhine frost is on the mountain. Isn't it absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! Anyway ... here's a story for your weekend:

OK, so I'm at the studio teaching my ballet kids that are 8 year olds. They are all dressed in leotards and tights with their hair in a bun and their little pink ballet slippers all in place. One of the little girls says to me: "Guess what, Ms. Cheri"??? I'm thinking maybe she got a new puppy, or a new fuzzy pink sweater as I say "Well, what?" And she says to me with a huge country drawl and tawng : "I KILLED A HAAAWG! (hog)" OMG! Now, I wanted to be supportive of her happiness and excitement and of all things, pride, over killing this poor defenseless pig ... so I swallowed really big and said, "well, how'd you do that?" and she said ... "with a niiiiife (knife)". Oh holy mother of .... as I'm saying to her "ballerinas don't kill hawgs" ... she says "well, I did!" Now, you know, it's different around here. She's an 8 year old country girl, and she killed dinner for the family for 238 pounds worth of dressed out meat. Wow ... as they keep saying to Paul, "you ain't from 'round here, are ya?" No, we definitely feel the difference sometimes.

Gratefully, Paul started his new job and we won't have to knife a hog to get our next few meals. We also won't have to ask my 8 year old ballet student to do it ... thankfully! He officially begins the welding part today ... safety information all day yesterday for orientation. I can't wait to hear about his first real day on his new shift ... and his drive home, as we're expecting an ice storm. By the time he gets to drive home, it outta be good and challenging. But he says he's up for it, so ... so be it! I'm sure he'll have stories to tell about his job ... he said there were lots of people coming in to the training room yesterday to hear him talk. He works in Tennessee, so those folks probably aren't exposed to too many Northern English accents. And I must admit, it is fun to listen to him talk - except for those 12 minute answers he gives sometimes (hehe!).

The woman who runs the mail room here at the country club was out for several days with a terrible case of bronchitis and pink eye. While she was out, her brother's house burned to the ground. With him lived his family (2 kids and a pregnant wife), as well as their other brother and his wife. They lost everything but the clothes on their back. As they were scurrying out of their trailer when it went up in flames, a propane tank blew up and pretty much destroyed their world. Even melted their car keys! If you or any one you know is in a position to donate a gift card for Walmart, or clothes for the children, please get in touch and I'll be glad to help that get to Claire for her family. Fortunately, the brother's parents were able to take them all in to stay until other arrangements can be made. But as it so often is around here, there is no insurance to rely on ... just family, friends and church. One more reminder of how grace works! We are so glad they got out safe and sound ... the most important part!

On a much lighter note, Paul's grandma is out of the hospital and in her new home. According to the latest update, Grandma is happy with her new place and feeling much better, thankfully! Happy Birthday to Joe (the once Mr. Britain!) and to Joanie, who was my director in Atlanta for years, and still owns and operates the Sawnee Ballet School and Dance Company. Happy days to you both!

Until later .... Paul & Cheri

Can you stay warm???

I am particularly intrigued with the cats and their ability to find the absolute warmest spot in the house. It's lovely for me, as I just follow their lead. But as you can see - it's not always easy to fit into the places where the cats pick out for warmth! The thermostat on the bank "in town" read 3 degrees on Monday morning. By Friday morning it read 2 degrees, however we were -2 at the house. That was not a wind chill factor - that was an actual reading, which was enough to give my car a reason to decide it would just wait a little while to start! I honestly don't blame it!!! When I got hom from work yesterday, Paul had a lovely warm fire in the stove and the thermostat in our kitchen was registering 81 degrees! OH... Heaven on earth!

We are out and about today looking for steel toed boots for Paul's job this coming week! I know he's ready to get back to work ... I think he might be tired of the "honey do" lists that he finds on a daily basis! But I have to say, he's sure gotten a lot accomplished and he's been a very good sport about it all! :-) He and Charles cleaned out a "vacated" house last week for a side job. It provided a lot of boxes full of items for the local thrift store and was an interesting view of someone's life that had absolutely spiraled in a direction they had certainly not set out to go. I think overall, it made those of us involved count our blessings and reminded us of how fragile life can be, and how much control we really do not have over it sometimes. The other thing this project provided was more evidence of that mama bear that is hanging out on the club property! Paul said when he went in to the house, there were no tracks. However, when he came out .... there they were! Prints only, thank goodness! I'm sure we'll be seeing her before the winter goes ... I just hope it's a friendly encounter!!!!! Yikes!

Well, as you can tell there isn't much to report. I'll be in "Notary Public" school next week after work on Monday and Tuesday. Paul begins his gig on Wednesday. I'll make up my dance classes on Thursday evening, and by Friday, we'll all be ready for a restful weekend! Seems like a quick week at a glance.

There are a few birthdays coming up, including my cousin in Brooklyn - Georga - Happy Birthday!! Paul's grandma is moving from the hospital to a 24 hour care situation. As we know it now, she's holding her own - but not going back to her home of the past many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Gran ... as well as with your loved ones. Ms. Patti - who was our tap teacher in Orlando (and an original June Taylor dancer with the Jackie Gleason show!) lost her mom this past week. We send heartfelt sympathy to you, Ms. Patti, as well as to Donna and Phyllis. You are in our hearts.

And now that it's past noon and we've finally had our breakfast, we're off to conquer the Northwest corner of NC!! Happy Trails to all! Paul & Cheri

Footprints in the snow!

These are some beautiful photos taken by one of the members at the Country Club where I work. Bears are NOT in hibernation here in the High Country. There is a watch out for us to be aware and be alert for these little fuzzy black bears, as they are hungry and wandering around looking for tasty morsels! Just thought it would be fun to share our perspective on danger. We don't have car jackings and muggings in our parking lot ... er ... at least not by other humans! The way life was meant to be!

A wonderful bit of news - Paul GOT THE JOB! We are very excited (well, I think WE are, but I KNOW I am!!!) and he begins on January 30th. Whoo-Who!!! Life is Good!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! We're off to Atlanta - should be warmer, and bear free at my sister in law's house ~ but I hear it's supposed to snow there too! Hopefully it won't drop down to 5 degrees like it will here ... Happy Trails! Paul & Cheri

IT's STILL Snowing!

With our temperatures hovering in the 20's - most of the time - and the clouds "hung up" in these mountains, our M.O. has been SNOW*SNOW*SNOW!!! It is simply beautiful! The drive to work today was absolutely magical! This is a picture taken from our local weather site that someone snapped out of their sliding glass door. I'm sure if it would have been our cats, they would not have been so brave! We have the original "scaredy cats" at our house!

Anyway, thought the picture was too precious to keep to myself ...

Paul had an interview yesterday with a BIG steel production company. They manufacture steel buildings ... and they need a welder. So he took a test yesterday - similar to the original certification test - and he should know something by Wed. PLEASE keep good thoughts as it would be DELIGHTFUL for us both to be bringing in a paycheck! And it would be a great addition to our lives to have benefits and things like that!

Today is a BIG day on the birthday roster ... Paul's brother, Chris is celebrating his birthday; his nephew, Nick is celebrating his birthday and my niece, Hollie is celebrating her birthday - her 18th birthday! There sure are a lot of Capricorns in our lives. Additionally, our friends Charles celebrates his birthday on the 17th of this month, and my son, Jon has a birthday on the 19th. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, y'all ... and may all your birthday wishes come true!

Paul and I hope to get down to Atlanta this weekend to help my sister in law sort through some things at the house and get the house ready to put on the market. She had a work day last weekend and got the yard in GREAT shape. We're so grateful that Debbie is so well loved and has so much support. I know the support and outpouring of love and caring just makes things easier to address during grief. Please keep Debbie in your thoughts as she moves forward with her new life, whether she wanted it or not.

Hope every one's New Year has started off with good things happening and all kinds of resolutions being seen to! We sure have our list ... I'm hoping to see it through! But I'm not confident enough to publish it yet ... ought to tell you something! HA! Happy Trails to each of you!

Paul & Cheri

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

Here you have it ... pictures worth a thousand words ... and it's a good thing because we've been super busy and computer challenged. So writing a thousand words is not as easy as it sounds right now! We had the boys for a week! We went from a Pirate's life all the way to fabulous snow boarding and back to wood stove installation, all in 7 days or less. Oh, and there were exquisite visits from adults too! And numerous Christmas celebrations, with everyone learning about Christmas trifle from Paul Paul. There was hiking the Appalachian Trail, hiking through train tunnels and all sorts of things adventurous and exploratory! Grandaddy Day Care was up and running!! We are so lucky to have Paul Paul in our lives to keep our enthusiasm up for adventure and discovery! We all had a WONDERFUL time, and it was so very appreciated from Nana, who is still rather weary from the recovery process that one encounters when there is a death to deal with.

It has been such sweetness that has greeted me on a daily basis from all of my friends and family in regards to the loss of my brother. I have been overwhelmed with the amount of love and support that has come our way via e-mail, snail mail and personal appearances. I just wanted to thank everyone for their sweet caring and compassion. I so appreciate every ounce of it!

Now that we've about caught y'all up to speed on our past week or so, I'll begin with my regular schedule of posting again, I HOPE! I'll try, at any rate.

Please keep good thoughts for Paul's Grandma, who is having a bit of ill health at the moment. And of course for my sister in law, Debbie, who is doing her best to cope with her brand new life that she literally woke up to just 3 short weeks ago today.

and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SARA, Paul's niece!!!!

Happy New Year to all ... may all of you experience blessings beyond your dreams this year!

Paul & Cheri