IRON BOWL 2013

Auburn (34) and Alabama (28)

WAR EAGLE!

Stores Opened @ 8 PM on THANKSGIVING DAY

Yes, they did.

Glenn has NEVER wanted to get out among the crazy crowds. However, he asked me to accompany him to Belk Thanksgiving Night around 8PM for a "Buy 1 - Get 2 Free" shirt sale. (He's real weird about how his shirts feel around his neck but these that he found some time ago feel good.)

So off we go and as we turn onto Montgomery Hwy, he sees the mall parking lot and says, "We might need to park a distance and walk because there won't be a parking space." I just tell him to drive on in the lot area directing him to an area where quite a few spaces were available. And we were right near the door that we needed to go in.

As we enter Belk around 8:10PM, there were already long-g-g-g-g-g-g lines at the registers. WHAT!

We "mazed" through the sheets and pillows to the men's department. "Oh, look! Here are the pants I wear for $14.99. Do you see my size?" We found him 2 pair. Moving on to the shirts, I follow him. (He knew just where they were. So funny.)

Now we search for 3 shirts with the colors that he likes. Got them. He decides to look around. So I look at a table nearby, find a Christmas gift and smile.

We look quickly at watches, lingerie and then head to the kitchen appliances. I saw in their sales booklet where they had a stand mixer for around $50. Now I'm not much of a cook or baker but hopefully this will encourage me to try more recipes.

Arms filled we headed to the lingerie register where the line wasn't as long as the others. We met some nice shoppers in front and back of us and enjoyed some light conversation until we checked out.

Glenn's first and perhaps his last "Early Black Friday" shopping.

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For a number of years I spent Thanksgiving Day with the Franklin Family ladies searching through the sales booklets mapping out my "Plan of Action" for "Black Friday" shopping. Stores would open at varying times...4AM, 5AM, 6AM...and so on. The day after Thanksgiving I would join my family of ladies here in Dothan for a wild day of shopping.

Now it has been years since I have been "Black Friday" shopping. The frantic, frenzy, chaotic mass of shopping just doesn't interest me any more.

I do miss being with the ladies but.................Thanksgiving Family Day will just have to be our time.

Belk @ Greenwood Mall ~ Greenwood, SC

This is how our Belk looked

when we got their Thursday night.

Boots were $19.99 and

boxes were flying.

The Franklin Family Tree

There is 1 tree with 2 major branches.

From these 2 branches extend 4 limbs.

With 3 F's, 2 B's and 2 H's

we gathered to enjoy a delicious meal and

celebrate family time.

Praying that each of you 

have thankfulness in your heart.

Happy Birthday to Hannah!

Up & At 'Em...........

Pine straw has fallen and is quite thick in the front yard. Very little debris of pine cones & small limbs are mingled in with the straw. The best time to rake.

So I begin this morning...
           ...and I finish around lunch.

Feeling good & loving the results of hard work.

lovin' our new ride

I.AM.ON.A.ROLL!!!!! 

Let the day begin. Open up the large door and prepare the cans..."Save or Trash".

Take photos to show the clutter. 

Battling the dust as you work around the room to sort through the "treasures", you forget to take more photos to show you really are working.

Finishing an all-day job and feeling good.

Monday:  clean & organize shed. CHECK.

I'm just so in the mood for projects. 

Today was perfect for recovering the cornice board in the guest bedroom from a blue flowered print to burlap. I would have an uninterrupted day...no having to stop to make dinner, no housework, nothing.

I began around noon. With the flowered print I felt that a solid fabric should be attached before the burlap.

This is something that I have never tried but I felt that it would be fairly simple. I was right.

With my heavy duty staple gun, scissors, tape measure and materials I carefully began working and taking my time. 

I even added a little pleat on each side to add some character. If I say so myself, the finished cornice board really looks good. 

Wonder what my next project will be...

As he awakens me this cold morn.

I hear his voice of Happy Birthday.

Eyes slowly open

to a smile and my love.

His goodbye & off to work

as I leisurely stretch 

against the warmth of the covers.

My day has begun

in the best possible way.

Another Project...

...in the works. With the new guest room completed & nothing on my calendar at the moment, I am beginning a transformation of the previous guest room into an office for Glenn. In addition to his day work he is self-employed with accounting work. Something that he may continue after he retires from DHA.

Now here is the part of this project where I would normally call my dad for his advice. If my project was near a "visit from him", I'd set it aside and we'd accomplish my "To Do" list when he arrived. How I miss these calls to him. Dad has been in Heaven for the past two years watching over us.

So I emailed the next in line to my father and a phone call later I was seeking advice from my brother. He is very much like our father and can do almost anything. And yes, like my father, he told me that he would love to be down here with me and do it for me. 

So with good instructions from my brother I began the "Office Room" transformation.

The room is in fairly good condition with the walls having been painted some years ago. My plan is to convert the closet space into a storage space complete with shelves on the left & right of the closet. This will allow Glenn to keep his business books in one area.

At Lowe's while purchasing the utility shelving boards,I got them to cut the boards to equal sizes for me.

Arriving back home & unloading the boards from the car, I changed to work clothes. First, I checked our left-over paint supply to select the color that I wanted to paint the inside of the closet. (There were some scuffs and marks on the walls.) With the color chosen I set out to start with the closet first & then to finish with the boards.

Now for the boards & closet to dry completely before setting in the brackets for the shelves.

***********

All is dry and I am going to practice on my skills. 

Thank goodness it's just a closet.

And my work will be hidden...if I screw up.

***********

With my tool kit, drill and bag of screws, I select the ones that I need to complete the project. Shelving, cut & painted & sitting in the garage, and the brackets have been moved to the office room.

I used painter's tape the hold the bracket in place as i screwed in the screws. Two shelves are in and a third is almost done.

Shelves are in with books already on the shelves.  

My project is completed and 

I am really happy with the results. 

I only hope that during the night 

we don't hear a "loud crash". HA!

November is here. Crisp, cool mornings with falling leaves of red & yellow. Pine straw beds to warm plants in the upcoming forecast of colder weather.

Pulling out our jeans & boots to go along with our lightweight jackets or sweatshirts. Peanut Festival parade & fair activities.

Honoring men of and for their military service, family birthdays and a day of thanksgiving celebration.

Blessed beyond measure by a loving, awesome Heavenly Father,  I lift my closed eyes,  smile as I raise my hands to give you all the praise & glory. Thank you...