Butterflies

Last week I visited a magical place called the Butterfly Palace. Here are a few pictures. In the next two Pat caught one that landed on my back.







There were beautiful orchids growing throughout the place. It was supposed to be a mini rain forest setting.





The blue butterflies look very plain until they open their wings. Then you see the vivid almost neon blue of the top side of their wings. When they land they close their wings so the only way to see the blue is to catch them in flight.

Too Close for Comfort

Yesterday Shannon, Heather and I went out to eat lunch together. It was Good Friday and they were both off work. While we were eating a tornado touched down about a mile away. We couldn't see it because the restaurant we were in was facing the wrong way, but both Ben and Rusty saw it. It touched down and did a lot of damage in a subdivision across the road from where they were. I've heard reports that 100 homes were totally destroyed and 150 more damaged. The damage we saw as we were trying to get back home was amazing! It is hard to believe there were only 2 deaths. There are 7 more people in critical condition in the hospital.

It looked like a war zone. As we were leaving there were lines of highway patrol cars coming into the area. I have never seen so many emergency vehicles in one place. We were trying to get out of the area because it was obvious the ambulances and other emergency vehicles were having a hard time getting around, but we kept running into closed roads and having to go back over the same area. I think a lot of the traffic congestion happened for that reason. We finally found a way out and went home to watch news reports.

Nothing came near any of our homes, but there were 9 tornados in middle Tennessee. We were blessed to all be safe.

Family Weekend

We had a wonderful family weekend February 27 - March 1. Almost everyone was here for the weekend and all were here for Eli's blessing on Sunday. We had such a good time together. It was great to just take a few days to be together. We laughed a lot. (See some of the crazy pictures below.)

Everyone got a chance to hold the baby. He was a popular little guy with everyone, but especially all his aunts. Noah and Caitlin enjoyed the time together, too.

Usually we only get everyone together at Christmas, so this was a treat. Thanks to Bryan and Lisa for coming here for the blessing.

More Cute Baby Pictures

Bryan with Noah holding Eli













Noah was so cute with Eli. He wanted to hold him and was working hard to be a good big brother.













Brand new Baby Eli












Lisa and Eli

A Little More Love

Last week I got to welcome a new grandson into the family. Elijah Richard Love (Eli) was born to Bryan and Lisa on Tuesday, January 6. He was 7 lbs. 6 oz and 20 inches long. He is a cutie and looks a lot like his brother Noah who is now age 4 1/2. Eli is on the left and Noah above at about the same age. (Isn't is funny both hospitals have the same receiving blankets?)

I enjoyed being there helping with Noah and getting to know Eli. He is a sweet baby, and big brother Noah was so good for me. He will be a good big brother.

NO MORE FOUNTAIN SALES!

I know now for certain that I will not be going to any more craft shows or trade shows to sell fountains. It is just getting too hard physically for me to do it. But I am feeling satisfied that I am going out on a good note. This past weekend I went to an Itex trade show and sold about 11 or 12 fountains - I lost count we were so busy. Bryan and Ben went to help and I could not have done it without them. Thanks guys. I have finished paying for my power chair (which was the reason for going) and after the trip I may really be needing the power chair sooner than later. :)

I also networked into someone who may be able to help me sell the rest of the fountain inventory. She is a lady from Franklin who sells collectibles in an EBay store. I am working towards taking the remaining fountains to her to be sold in her store, as well as several nice pieces of amethyst and rose quartz. The percentage she takes is well worth it.

So, now I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. All I have to do is clear out all the fountains stacked in my den, decorate for Christmas and do all the shopping. Easy.....

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all who may read this.

Family Vacation

I'm just back from a wonderful week in Florida with my family. We were in Panama City Beach. The view was fabulous and the beach was so clean and beautiful.



Although the whole family couldn't be there, most of us were together for part of the time. The grandchildren loved the sand and the ocean. They had a great time.


We were all a little burned out, so we spent most of the time just relaxing together. With a few little problems, the condo was great. I think it was a good way to spend the last of Rick's trade account. It would have only been better if the hot water heater had not died toward the end of our stay and the sofa bed had been usable. (OK, I am trying to be positive. Hot water and a decent bed are big negatives when they are missing, but everyone tried to be a good sport about it.) The view from the 25th floor was unbelievable. What luck to be on the top floor.

Below is Andrew relaxing. He can't relax without his computer.


This shot was at sunset from the balcony of our condo.


The weather was perfect! The only rain we saw was as we were going back to the condo on the last night we were there. It was warm enough to be in the water all week. It turned cool the morning we left to come home.

Here are a few shots of the family playing in the water and on the beach.





I'll close with one of my favorite pictures from the week.

What can be better than a happy grandchild?