Monday morning, June 22, 2009

Hi, Everyone,

I had a great time with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and her husband and sister's new kitten -Snowball! What a hoot she is! Nine weeks old and full of life and antics galore! What a sweetie!

Went to Cades Cove in the Smokey Mountains and got to see a black bear and her cub. She was in the woods off the narrow roadway. Got a picture but not very clear. I sure wasn't going to venture closer! Bad storm came up while we were up there and we crawled back down the mountain on the narrow road with limbs, sticks, leaves, etc. falling all around us! Scary!

Went out on this beautiful lake in niece and husband's speed boat. I took some pictures of neice water skiing too. Awesome. Beautiful evening for a boat ride.

Ate at different restaurants, and sister cooked delicious meals as did niece's husband on Sat. night. Visited numerous places, shopping malls, and tourist places of interest. Great place to visit. Something for everyone of any age.

The drive down on Tuesday was good as it was coming back on Sunday. Took 8 hours total. Had to put ice on my sciatic area after arriving down there and at home. It is okay now. Tough getting old. Very inconvenient!!

I doubt I'll have many book signings this summer until later in the year towards fall. Too much to take care of here at home (hubby will be attending college-two classes for his Masters) and the CCAPL fund-raisers coming up. We are almost ready to sign the purchase agreement to buy land to put the animal shelter on, but then we have to raise the money for it too. Baby steps to get to our goal of building one for this rural county.

Talked to the director down in Tenn. where sister got her kitten. The lady was very nice and gave me valuable information to consider for our shelter.

The garden flourished while I was gone. We had some much-needed rain and it really gave it a boost. Gotta till it this morning and hoe around plants.

Remember, if you want to purchase either of my books, I will ship them free anywhere in the United States!

Gotta go for now.

Have a great summer!

Stay safe.
Becky :)

Sun. morning, June 7, 2009

Hello, Everyone,

I haven't had a chance to blog for a couple weeks. It has been really crazy around here with fund-raising activities, grant writing, outside and inside work to be done, company, getting the flu, etc.

Just wanted to let you know Clara is better. Her wound is almost healed. Poor thing. It had to have hurt like crazy. At least the neighbor lady is now keeping her dogs over there on her property and it has been rather peaceful these last two weeks. How long this will last is anybody's guess.

I'm still holding W.I.S.H. groups on Mondays even though the grant funding to pay me has run out. But, I want to help women going through violence and abuse against them and so I will continue to go in on Mondays and hold group sessions on a volunteer basis. It is one of my passions in life!

I had the flu week before last for five days. Had a fever of 104.3 on Tuesday night after Memorial Day. Went to the doctor on Tuesday afternoon and got medicine, but sheesh, I haven't had a fever that high since I was a kid! I didn't get bronchitis or laryngitis, just the flu, fever, and ached all over! Weird. Glad it wasn't the swine flu or something!

The garden is coming along. I tilled it yesterday afer coming back from working a fund-raiser. Have to get the hoe out there today and do a little more. There is a little tomato on the Romas I plant for my father-in-law. He will be glad!

Hubby is off for the summer now, but is considering another class in Kent towards his Masters in Biology. He has until next week to decide.

I'm leaving for Tennessee to visit my sister and family on June 16th. I'll be back on the 20th. I'm driving down and I will enjoy the drive. Very scenic.

Trying to get more book signings but it is getting more difficult as Border's and WaldenBooks has stopped a lot of signings due to the economy and sales are down. Well, gee, if an author sells books when he/she is there, isn't that a good thing? Whatever.

Gotta go for now. Stay safe, and enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather!
Take care and until next time,
My best to you,
Becky :)