The post in which I may or may not be kidding

What's is like living in the Smoky Mountains?  Well, at the foothills anyway.

Kind of cool...kind of hectic...somewhat irritating at times...but other times pretty nice.

If anyone else has ever spent any time of their life in a tourist town, you probably know what I mean.  When people find out you live in a tourist town they have questions; what's it like, do you have to battle traffic, do you get to go places free, what's a good show, what's a good place to eat, where is this place or that place.  Most of these I can answer pretty easily enough, but some I just can't.  I don't spend my days going to all the shows and attractions (though we have been to a few), and I don't know where everything is...I just don't.  I do know the back roads (you kind of have to if you live here and want to stay sane).  And I do know a few places that's good to eat (and those to avoid).  And yes, residents get discounts at certain places, and for a week every summer get to go to Dollywood for only $5.

But other than that, it's pretty much like any other small town - especially during the off season.  You get to know your librarians (whom I love by the way), your post office workers, your bankers, and the guy at the check-out at the local grocery store.

Then during tourist season you have to deal with, well, for lack of a better word - tourons.  They don't know how to drive, they can be very rude and obnoxious, and if not for the fact that they bring in the main business to keep the town alive, we all wish they would just go away. lol  Seriously, I have never seen so many people that make me suspect the validity of their drivers' license.  Blocking intersections, cutting you off, driving in the right lane with two other lanes are empty (sheep, people, sheep).  It's enough to make a person want to move.  Oh wait, I want to move anyway and not for those reasons (although they help).

So anyway, if you ever visit Pigeon Forge know that someone somewhere is wishing you would spend your money and go home...quickly.  I'm not saying it's me...but I'm not saying it's not either.

 Yes, the photos were a Flat Stanley project from one of my cousins last year.  They are the only pictures I have of some of the attractions here, since I don't go around taking tourist-y photos.



Until next time...

JenT

floppy dreams

Have you ever launched a project, had big dreams for it, and had it flop in your face?

I have.

Live and learn.

*sigh*

Anyone need any nursing covers or taggy blankets?

Contact me.



Until next time...

 JenT

how disappointing

 I checked my blog to see if there are any comments...I saw 20 comments waiting to be moderated...wow!

Yeah...thanks spammer...they were all...ALL...spam.

How disappointing.

Well, good thing I check them now instead of just letting anybody comment on my posts.

Until next time...

JenT

I'm still here...

It's pathetic, I know.  My blog that is.

I'm not hiding away, I promise.  :)  My priorities have adjusted, I guess you could say.  More time with the children, less time on the computer.

And if you have tried to contact me through my blog using the email address, that too has changed.  I cannot even access my old email account.  So I have changed my email on this blog and if you want to email me, try again.  Please.

One thing that has kept us busy is a couple of local fairs we entered.  My oldest is quite the photographer and she won several ribbons this year.  About 95% of the photos you see on here lately are from her.

So hopefully even though school is back in, I can update more often.  Just stay tuned...

Until next time...

JenT

still here

Just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive. lol

I should get this blog back to it's previously scheduled program soon. Just bear with me.

Until next time...


JenT

God's school

Are you passing your grade? Or is God going to put you back in to repeat the year?

I sure hope I pass the grade I'm in. I really don't want to go through all of this again. I know I'm learning a lot, and I hope I learn all I'm supposed to learn.

If you've never heard The Pineapple Story, I urge you to listen to it. The whole thing. I tried to find it online so that you could listen maybe download it, but I couldn't find it. Maybe some of you can. Just search The Pineapple Story by Otto Koning. I did find three of them though, here. Just scroll down until you find his name on the left.

If you can't download and/or listen for free, you can order it through IBLP. You may be able to find it on amazon.com or ebay.com also.

Anyway, it's a series of very good missionary stories to listen to. Our whole family loves them. We've heard the whole series at least 2 or 3 times and some stories more than that.

Just thought I'd share.


Until next time...

JenT

2010 - a trusting year

Sorry, I don't have any pictures, just words.

This year was pretty big for us.

We've been in TN for 12 (almost 13) years around the Knoxville area. Around March/April we were told by our landlord that we needed to find another place by November. We had just found out we were expecting our 10th baby in November. It was a little disconcerting, but we adjusted and began looking and asking around if anyone knew of a place we could move.

Oddly enough the only place that opened up was in NM. Yep, that's right - Southeast United States New Mexico. Now being from Texas, myself, I wasn't at all displeased. So we packed it up and moved.

All the way to NM...in August. Actually, it wasn't that bad. The weather is much drier out there compared to the humidity of TN. It felt about 10 degrees cooler! The drive was interesting and the scenery...well...you just have to experience it. We fell in love with it. Honestly, we would go back in a heartbeat if the job market was better out there.

That was the thing. Once we got out there the job market wasn't what we thought it was going to be. (Plus, we didn't have a midwife lined up; I try to not do hospitals if I can manage it).

So, as it got closer to the time to have the baby, we began thinking more and more about coming back east. The job my husband found ended in the end of September and we headed back October 1st. A friend offered to let us stay with him in Northwest Georgia until we could find a place. We actually stayed there until right before Thanksgiving when we came back up to East TN and stayed with my mom. It was much closer to my previous midwife (whom we love!) and a little more relaxing.

And here we are. The baby's birth went fine; everything turned out all right in the end. The kids loved the New Mexico experience (especially White Sands!), and they also love being back here near friends.

So while it's been a very eventful year (sometime notice just how big Texas is for driving across the widest part...fun...or not), it's also been a year of growing and learning.

We are learning to trust God and looking for what He has us to learn. We know He had us go to NM, but we are just as sure He brought us back to TN. Why? We don't know. We just have to trust and follow Him.

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope 2011 is a blessed year for you all.


Until next time...

JenT

for the birds

My daughter felt sorry for the birds and decided to fix them some food. She had her brothers find her some pine cones, put some string on them, spread on the peanut butter, and rolled them in birdseed.

She did have a little help.

Hanging them on the trees.

Until next time...


JenT

while I'm waiting

So while I'm waiting the arrival of our latest blessing, I'm trying to catch up on some sewing that I've put off for a while. The girls need some dresses, so I'm working on those. One of my aunts blessed me with a lot of material. Very large pieces that are enough for a couple of the girls to have matching dresses.

Some things I finished...

The little girls needed nightgowns. The pink material was with the material my aunt gave me. I found the blue at Wal-Mart for only $1.50 a yard (another blessing with our financially tight situation).

Some bibs that I have been needing to make for several months now. :)



And some skirts that I'll need after the baby is born.

I also made some skirt and vest combos for the older girls, but I don't have a picture of them. A lady in NM gave me a whole bolt of lightweight denim right before we left. :) So even in the midst of hard times we've been blessed.


Until next time...

the adventure

(Some of the windmills in west TX, as the sun was rising, on the drive back.)

So I looked back over my posts and noticed that I had not updated you, my readers, on all of our adventures.

You know we had to move from east TN rather suddenly. You knew we went to NM. Well guess where we are now? Georgia. See? Rather an adventure.

We headed out from TN in August. It took us 4 days to get to OK, where most of my family lives, to visit them. We even considered staying there, but then decided to stick with our original plan to go to New Mexico. We're glad we did.

New Mexico is aptly nicknamed "The Land of Enchantment". There is something that pulls you there and even if you leave the state, you've carried something out with you. And no, it's not the sand. lol

But the job situation isn't the best out there (is it anywhere?). We had a great house, met some wonderful people, had fun seeing some of the sites, but the job wasn't going to support us for long.

It was a great 5 week vacation!

Back east we come.

One of the main reasons for coming back was our midwife. I'm a pretty private person when it comes to things like giving birth, and I don't like having to get to know someone new, especially so close to the actual event. Our midwife is great!

Since we obviously couldn't go back to the house we were in, we had to find another place close to our midwife. A long-time friend generously offered to let us stay in his house until the baby is born and for how ever long we need to afterward.

So while we are back east we are not exactly where we were. And who knows where we'll go next!

It has been one great adventure. :)


Until next time...

being thankful

Today I was pondering on some things that have been happening lately. I was faced with a choice. Be thankful or complain. Since the children of Israel were severely punished for murmuring and complaining in the desert, I chose to think instead on what I could be thankful for.

My dryer is not blowing hot air. It's not completely broken, just not drying the clothes.

Well, I have five clothes lines outside to hang my clothes on...but...

It's been so humid lately that it takes all day to dry the clothes...so...

I got behind on my laundry...but...

My mom lives about an hour away and graciously allowed me to bring a ton of laundry to her house over the weekend and do it all...so...

I finished my laundry and now only have to put it away...and...

Had a nice visit with my mom (and my girls and youngest son)...and...

Today the humidity was down and the clothes are drying on the line way faster than last week.

ALSO

We are faced with moving...soon.

So. I can either lament or complain, worry and fret.

OR...look forward to what the Lord is going to bring in our life.

There are so many things that we have to decide (the main one being where exactly to go)...but...

Things seem to be falling into place...and...

I look forward to writing a post soon on how everything has worked out...so...

I am choosing NOT to complain or worry about this move.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
- 1 Th 5:18

Until next time...

some updates

So some updates are due I suppose.

Pregnancy: going well. Nothing unusual. Starting to feel a little more awake now. :) Just finished the first trimester so it should pick up a little.

Moving? Ehh...not sure. Still looking of course. I must say that we have two possibilities and BOTH are in New Mexico. Quite a change, huh? Well, if that's where God wants us. But we are taking it slow.

Kids are healthy.

School is going well.

Animals are healthy and growing. Getting more chicks this week and next. If we do move far away, some friends are going to be benefiting from our farm. :) We won't be taking animals with us if we go too far.

So, that's it in a nutshell.



Until next time...

Happy "late" Mother's Day to the mothers

Happy "late" Mother's Day!!

Yes. It's been a while.

I think this is the longest I've gone without posting anything. So sorry.

Between pregnancy, homeschool, new animals, plants, and sunny days my life has been full.

I met a new friend and didn't post about it.

Our animals are growing and I haven't posted about it.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day and well...I'm posting about it now. :)

So how's life treating you?

Until next time...

of sandals and girls

(No way could I wear these. Just thought I'd share).

It's that time of year again.

Time to shop for girls' shoes. Sandals to be exact.

(These I could probably handle).

I have a dilemma. Where do I get shoes this year?

We're pretty cheap sometimes when it comes to the children's shoes. I mean by next year, they've outgrown them. Why spend tons of money on something that they wear for a few months at the most? And forget about passing them down through more than two siblings. By the time my third son gets a pair of shoes there's hardly any wear left in them at all. So we end up buying some new ones anyway.

Now most of the time for us new means Goodwill or yard sales. I've found practically brand new shoes for a fraction of the price.

But sometimes, it's just not happening. No matter how many Goodwills or yard sales I frequent, I just can't seem to find that elusive pair of shoes that someone needs.

And right now, my girls need sandals for the summer.

(I love this color).

So tell me...where do you get your sandals?

Wal-Mart? Hmm...we've done that and they fall apart too quickly.

Target? I usually don't shop there. Do they have good quality shoes?

JC Penney? Sears? I avoid the mall as much as possible. But for good sandals I could possibly brave it. (Especially if I can stop for a Cinnabon afterward).

Payless? I've bought shoes there before, but they seem to be the same quality as Wal-Mart.

Any other ideas?



Until next time...

things can go wrong

Yesterday's appointment was for 2 of the children at the dentist. At 9:00 a.m.

Up at 6:30. Family devotions - 7:00. Breakfast - 7:45. Everyone dressed by 8:20. In the van at 8:30. Wow. Good to go.

Wait a minute. Van won't start. The ignition is broken. WHAT?! I'm actually going to be on time for once in my life! Why is this happening!?

Called the dentist office and they said to come in as soon as we could because they had blocked off 1 1/2 hours for the work. Yikes!

Thankfully, hubby is still home and since he is self-employed he can take a day off without any notice whatsoever and not be penalized for it.

So after 30 minutes of trying to fix ignition, I and the two appointments head off in my husband's car. Which stinks because he had loaded up the trash to take off the night before. Thankfully it was warm and we rolled down the windows. Swung by the convenience center to dump trash. It's closed on Wednesdays. Double yuck!

Jumped on the interstate. Got to Knoxville, construction cones are everywhere! (Which is nothing new in Knoxville). Noooooo!! I'm already late, come on people!

Thankfully only one lane was closed and the traffic is not heavy. Whew! A reprieve.

Got to the dentist a good 50 minutes AFTER scheduled appointment. I felt soooo bad. But the people there are VERY nice and understanding when I told them all that had transpired.

One child they said they would finish his dental work that morning and they would try to get the other one worked in.

They managed to do both. So glad. I have another appointment for the one next week. And another appointment the following week for a couple of other children. We know the people at the dentist very well. :)

Left the dentist a little after 12 noon with cavities filled.

Stopped by a bookstore to trade books. Found a few good ones. Life is good. :) The day is looking up.

Started home with stinky trash. Feeling a little sick so stopped by my favorite eatery (Texas Roadhouse) for some Rattlesnake Bites and an order of fries to hold us until we got home. Yum! They also threw in their yummy rolls and a bag of peanuts.

So, although the day started out pretty bad, it ended well.

The van however is a different story. :)


Until next time...

a solution I think

Ok, I think the embedded window for comments doesn't like me. :) I changed mine to a pop-up window (my own blog wouldn't accept my comments!) and my comment went through.

So if anyone is interested in getting my comments just change your "comment form placement" to a "pop-up window" instead of the "embedded below post". To find it, go to your settings and then comments. It's only the third one down.


Until next time...

my comments to other blogs

Edited to add that I think I found the problem. See this post.

Ok, some of you bloggers out there are not getting my comments. So if you happen to read this please tell me how to fix it.

It's the ones that beneath the comment box it says "Comment as" and a drop down menu. No matter what I comment as, the comment is not going through. Even when I'm signed in to google.

So does anyone know what's going on?

Until next time...

I'm looking for...

...some more of these glasses. I only have four. That's not enough if we have more than one family/couple over for dinner.



So, if anyone out there knows where I can get some, can you let me know?

Thanks.


Until next time...

where are the sample people?

We ran errands yesterday.

One of the errands was a grocery run to Sam's Club. (Yes, we shop at Sam's Club - an identification mark of being a large family...lol).

Silly though it may seem, the highlight for us in shopping at Sam's, was the samples. In particular, the people that hand out the samples. Yesterday no one, no one was handing out samples! There was not a sample to be found. Which was very odd, we thought, since Friday through Sunday are the busiest days for samples.

After a while we actually saw a couple of the ladies who usually hand out the samples. They were shopping, too. Um...shopping?

Wait, why aren't you doing samples today? Where is everyone? Those were the questions we posed to them. Well, come to find out, they were laid off! What?! Laid off?!

Yes, apparently, Sam's Club's profits were down and they have decided to lay off their typically elderly, friendly sample people and replace them with "trained" professionals. Whatever.

They think profits are down now? Wait until they lose additional sales and even customers. Did you know that you can go to the Sam's Club website, place an order, and then just go pick it up? It's called Click 'n' Pull. I think that's our next option.

Yes, I know they may not notice our drop in spending. We loved to go into Sam's Club and walk around to all the samples. Not that they were so great or anything (but they were usually good). But, the people handing them out were so friendly. They are our friends. We would spend more time talking to them than actually eating the samples. They knew us and we knew them. (Well, most people did recognize us when they saw us coming. :) )

Dot always did their pizza that you can eat there (we always did) or take it home. Vince was a favorite; we always looked for her, even if she wasn't doing a food sample. My husband could talk to John for an hour if we let him. Shirley and Barbara always had a kind word to say. One of the ladies passed away last year, and we still miss her. I could list so many more.

We would more often than not eat lunch at the cafe after whetting our appetites with the samples. We sometimes bought the item that was being given out as a sample. I would guess that 90% of the time we bought something that was not on our list.

Now? Probably not. Yesterday was just missing something. No friendly sample people (except the two we ran into shopping). No samples. No extra food. We did eat there, but it just wasn't the same.

Click 'n' Pull, here we come!


Until next time...

gritting my teeth and smiling

Sometimes it's all I can do to smile and be polite when people say certain things.

"Are they ALL yours?!"

"Wow, you have your hands full."

I really never know how to answer or reply to these. Usually, I just say yes, smile politely, and move on; gritting my teeth.

The other day I couldn't help it.

We had stopped by Wal-Mart for a couple of things and we all went in. (BTW - the only time I get the "hands full" comment is when I'm alone with the children. For some reason people just don't say that when my husband is with me). So anyway, I took 3 of the smaller ones to the bathroom - the 2, 3, & 4 year olds - while the others stayed with my husband. I was waiting for them to finish washing their hands when a lady came out of the stall and said (yes, you guessed it) "Wow, you have your hands full."

Sorry - I couldn't resist - I saw her jaw drop when I said sweetly, "Oh this is just one third of them." I'll give her points for her quick recovery, "You have NINE?!"

Then the inevitable: "I have one 22 month old and I just don't see how you do it..." blah, blah, blah.

Yes, I'm mean, but at least I don't say what I sometimes WANT to say. I won't even write it here.

So, now you know. I'm not a saint, I'm not perfect, I don't possess tons of patience. I am simply a woman trying to do what Christ would want me to do. (And that includes repenting of the evil thoughts I sometimes have).

If you see me out in public, please don't say that I have my hands full. And if you read this blog you know very well how many children I have. :)


Until next time...