ABC Wednesday - C is for New Orleans Saints Training CAMP

Get some popcorn, this is a long one! Found out over the weekend the Saints training camp is near us at The Greenbrier and it just so happened Nick decided to take an impromptu vacay this week so we loaded up the truck and moved to beverly took a short roadtrip to White Sulpher Springs, WV and watched the Saints practice. The best part, autographs for the boys! Now the boys favorite player is Drew Brees (no offense to the rest of the Saints but they especially like him knowing that they are distant cousins...oh way distant, but that's pretty cool to them!) so anyway they were really hoping to get Drew's autograph but missed him on this day but got quite a few from the other players who might I add, were so nice to all the fans! So put your feet up and here we go, I'll show you some of the players signing the boys stuff. (Braden and Dalton wore their football jerseys and Christian brought a football to have signed)
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#55 Keyunta Dawson

#57 David Hawthorne

#91 Kasim Edabali

#53 Ramon Humber

#4 Ryan Griffin (in this photo Christian is asking him "hey, any chance you can get Drew Brees over here to sign?" RG: "Ha, nice try"...but RG was nice enough to sign our stuff anyway!

#50 Curtis Lofton

52 Kevin Reddick

#22 Mark Ingram

7 Luke McCown

#13 Joseph Morgan

#3 Shayne Graham

Can you imagine how fun this was for the boys? They LOVE football and this was so exciting for them to get to actually interact with the players like that! Ashlyn was upset she didn't get to go and so we will make the trek again and stalk try again to get Mr. Brees' autograph ;)

Linking with ABC Wednesday

Weekend Reflections - Salem

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Just up the road from the Pegasus house I showed you earlier this week.

Linking with Weekend Reflections

Willy Nilly Friday 5 Number 5 - Naptime @ Elmwood Park

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Caught this guy napping @ Elmwood Park in Roanoke. I think he's probably happy it's Friday!

Now for some Friday 5's:

1) Rented Heaven Is For Real from the Redbox this week. Oh my gosh, what a great movie. But let me tell you this, my eyes hurt afterwards from all the crying I did! Oh and that little boy that played Colton Burpo is so dang cute! I mean serious cute! If you read the book I can't tell you how true to the book it is because although I have the book, I never finished it. I started it once but put it down for some reason and never got back to it. I will. Oneday.

2) I love Miranda Lambert and now I love her even more:



3) Had this beautiful creature stop by my yard for some lunch on Wednesday:

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4) I was visiting a blog yesterday and a post they had reminded me of camping as a kid. My whole family were big rv'ers. Every summer, my grandparents, some of our family friends, my mom and dad (when he wasn't over seas otherwise it would just be me and my mom), my uncle and cousins...whoever wanted to tag along. We'd all load up our rv's and hit the road. A favorite place was in Utah along Beaver Creek if I remember correctly. It was really just a spot you'd pull right off the road and camp along the river. We'd set our rv's up in a square type formation and pull the awnings out so we had a little compound kind of thing. My cousins and I would fish with our grandpa and my uncle, we learned to clean the fish, even gut them. That was our job. We played in the river. There were these huge boulders near our camp site that my cousins and I would climb up and take a rock and make an indentation, like how the Native Americans ground corn and had that little bowl shape in the rock from grounding so much corn? Yeah, that was our goal. We were going to make those little corn bowls and trick historians into thinking that the Native Americans lived right there at one time, grounding corn! Ha, we'd work on that every summer. There was also this little log cabin that was deserted right across the river. We'd walk over and play around and in it. I remember one walk with my uncle leading the way down the river. There was kind of like a dam made of branches and stuff and a poor little calf had gotten caught in it and and died...so sad. There were cattle that would just come right through our camp! We'd always try to pet them but they wouldn't let us that close. I remember I was sent back to camp to get some stuff to eat to bring back to my grandpa and uncle who were fishing. I got almost to camp and there were cows all over. I was afraid having never really being near them that close so I ran back to my grandpa and uncle and told them I couldn't get to camp because of the cows. They thought I was such a chicken and made fun of me for years after! Ha, such great childhood memories made right there at that creek every summer!

5) I have to take Christian for senior pictures today. I cannot believe he is a senior this year. When we moved here he was only in 6th grade.

Ok, now your turn! Blog 5 randoms and come back and link up and visit other bloggers! Have fun and have a great weekend!! Thanks for playing!


(I'm trying a new linky so I hope this works!)

Signs, Signs & A Really Good Fence - Impeach Obama

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I wish this had turned out better. We were cruising down 581 (don't worry, I wasn't driving) when I saw this and scrambled as quick as I could to get my camera out. I've seen them out there before. Not a lot of Obama fans.

Linking with Signs, Signs and Good Fences since I figured this is a pretty good fence and keeps you from falling off the bridge and getting squashed like a bug ;)

*Please come back tomorrow to play along with Willy Nilly Friday 5! Link opens at midnight, Eastern! Be there or be square!*

ABC Wednesday - B is for Big Shot

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Well, Nick rides his bike down this road on his lunch break. The road is a very rural setting with modest country homes. Then BAM...out of nowhere, Pegasus! Nick's been telling me about this house since he found it and insisted on taking us over to see it. First we stopped for some lunch nearby. The waitress knew the house with Pegasus and didn't understand why either. She even knew the man, he had been her dentist at one point.

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These men were building fancy fencing and explaining to us that there have already been several cars come by just to look at this place. It's pretty, I'll give him that, but I just don't understand why anyone would want a palace in the country with Pegasus keeping watch. To each his own.

Linking with ABC Wednesday

*I don't want it to sound like I'm making fun of this person and their home, I don't roll that way...but when you live in a place like this, you are wanting to be noticed and talked about so I feel like it is free game to share with all of you, right?!*

**Be sure to come back on Friday and join us for Willy-Nilly Friday!**

Rubbish Tuesday - Little Chef

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Little Chef Restaurant, Williamson Road, Roanoke

Poor Little Chef. Closed down a couple of years ago and now scheduled to be torn down. I've never eaten there but Nick has and he always liked it. We've only lived here since 2008 and it didn't look in this sort of shape. Sad isn't it how a place sits vacant for a while and then just falls apart. Isn't that sign great?! I love it. I wonder if Black Dog Salvage will come and take it. For more on Little Chef and its closing CLICK HERE

Linking with Roan's Rubbish Tuesday

**Please join us on Friday, right here for Willy Nilly Friday 5**The more, the merrier!**

Monday Murals - You Need a Biscuit?

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Yes...Uneeda biscuit ;) Downtown Roanoke

Linking with Monday Murals

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by someone who wanted me to try their business cards out. I went to Build-A-Sign and they were super easy to order. Many different templates to choose from or you can even upload your own. Not only do they have business cards, but you can also make banners, car magnets, signs, flyers and more.
Here's how my cards turned out:

I think they turned out quite nice. I can hand them out to people when I blog about their business. A lot of times when I am taking a picture for the blog I'll get people asking "How can I find your blog?" and I've always had to say "Just Google it" but not anymore! You want your own cards? Just go to Build-A-Sign and get your own! Super great prices too!

**Please join us Friday for Willy-Nilly Friday 5 blog hop. It's fun!**

Willy Nilly Friday 5 Number 4 - It's 4:20 Somewhere

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Taking you back to Hampton. Buckroe Beach Reggae Fest

Now for some randoms:

1) If you put the word "Amish" in front of a recipe, I'm all in. It could be Amish Tacos and I'm pinning it!

2) Found out this week that someone I know died. Then I found out he killed himself by setting himself on fire. Someone else I know told me about this last month but neither of us had any idea that it was this person. We were both bothered by the news. Then just found out yesterday that it was someone we knew. He was only 61 and battled depression. Makes me so sad to think of anyone that down to take their life, especially in that way. I can't get him out of my mind.

3) Summer is flying by. I love summer. I'm one of those moms that love having my kids at home...no schedules...just lazy summer mornings, staying up late, doing whatever we want. We have a short summer this year. The powers that be changed our school schedule. Everyone says "It's ok, we'll get out earlier next year so it makes up for the short summer"...I disagree. I want my full summer, I don't want to catch up next year. But remember this post because you can tell me "Told you so" when I'm excited that school is out in May ;)

4) I was reading something about food trucks and their popularity. When I was a kid, for a short time, my mom drove a food truck. It wasn't a fancy food truck, more like a mobile convenience store. It was so cool when she'd bring it home and make me and my friends fancy cokes! I remember going out with her on her route one day. I remember being very bored. I also remember her boss had a pet monkey. The things we remember!

5) Speaking of monkeys, Braden and Dalton want a pet monkey. They scour the internet looking to buy one. Not.Gonna.Happen

Have a great weekend!

Now it's your turn!

Signs, Signs & A Good Fence in Natural Bridge

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And not too far down the road, around the corner:

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Ok, not sure what this means but I kept picturing some strange random kook who will chase you down and spoon you.

Linking with Signs, Signs & Good Fences & Rurality Blog Hop

I hope you will join us for Willy-Nilly Friday, this Friday! If you don't know what Willy-Nilly Friday is, click the "Willy-Nilly" tab above! See you then!

ABC Wednesday - A is for American Stonehenge

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Foamhenge, Hwy 11, Natural Bridge

Yes, it is constructed out of styrofoam! The mastermind/creator is Mark Cline, from yesterday's post. Read more about Foamhenge HERE

Linking with ABC Wednesday

I hope you will join us for Willy-Nilly Friday, this Friday! If you don't know what Willy-Nilly Friday is, click the "Willy-Nilly" tab above! See you then!

Rubbish Tuesday - Enchanted Castle

I think this is a giant tick who ate a man...maybe?

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Enchanted Castle Studio in Natural Bridge

So just a teency bit down from the zoo, yesterday's elephant, we saw this! Me: "WHOA! Did you see that? We have to stop so I can take pictures"! Oh my gosh, an abandoned theme park! How super awesome! Ok, I was a bit scared to walk around because I'm thinking there must be tons of snakes around in there. If I was a snake, I would want to live there, what fun! So we didn't do too much walking around. But I did find THIS STORY about the place so maybe we can go back in the snake-free winter and see more! I would love to snoop on the other side of the fence.

Not long after we moved here, the boys wanted me to take them to the monster museum (mentioned in the link above) but it burned down before we got a chance. That's what I get for procrastinating. What a bummer though. All this guys hard work, up in flames. I've shown you some of his work before RIGHT HERE...

I'm wondering if the elephant is his work as well?

Linking with Roan's Rubbish Tuesday

Natural Bridge Zoo

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Natural Bridge Zoo in Natural Bridge

We didn't tour the zoo, Nick popped in to ask for directions. I've got some quirky pictures to show you this week!

Willy Nilly Friday 5 #3 - Little White House

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In Salem, right next to yesterday's 7-UP sign.

Now for 5's!

1) It gets on my nerves when people don't pull all the way up to the line at a red light. Just saw some guy that must have been back from the line at least 3 car lengths. He wasn't even old! That causes traffic back ups. Pull forward, stop at the line.

2) Then you have people on the opposite side of that that tailgate like crazy. Guess what? You wouldn't have to constantly tap on your breaks if you left a little room between you and the bumper in front of you.

3) Thinking it's too bad that more people don't drive as wonderfully perfect as myself ;)

4) THESE DOGS will make you smile!

5) One of my favorite summer snacks, sliced cucumbers with a little lemon juice and salt sprinkled on top. Especially since we've been getting cucumbers like crazy out of the garden!

Now it's your turn! List 5 randoms, link up and visit blogs! Have fun and have a great weekend!!



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Signs, Signs & A Good Fence on Haymakertown Rd

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Along Roanoke Blvd, Salem

Yesterday I took the boys and one of their buddies to see the new Transformers movie. It was really good! We all liked it. Mark Wahlberg is so good in it, funny and action-y! The 2 hours and 45 minutes pretty much flew by. On the way home I saw this sign. Pulled in to get a picture and the boys friend says "where are we going?"...the boys "she just wants to get a picture"...lol...they know me too well!

Linking with Signs, Signs

Later, taking their friend home, I snapped a photo for Good Fences...

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Haymakertown Road, Troutville....

Linking with Good Fences

ABC Wednesday - Z is for Ice Cream ZONE

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On a warm summer night there's nothing like hitting the local ice cream spot! This is Bella Old Time Ice Cream in Daleville...

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And you're never too old to get a little zany!

Linking with ABC Wednesday!

Rubbish Tuesday - Old Blacksburg Homestead

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How does someone just walk away from this? On Gallion Ridge Road, Blacksburg...linking with Roan's Rubbish Tuesday

Salem Fair

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Yesterday we took the boys to the Salem Fair. Nick wasn't feeling very well when we were leaving the house and so he walked around the fair for a little bit and decided to just go back home and come back for us later. So the boys and I were on our own to tackle some rides! This view is from the tippy-top of the ferris wheel. We had just finished our lunch of pizza so didn't want to ride anything too unsettling right away. It was a pretty hot day. Lots of people under-dressed. Made me think most of the Roanoke area does not own a mirror in their homes. People, less is not always more when it comes to dressing. We saw plenty of big girls in booty shorts with cowboy boots and their sizeable bellies hanging out. This is not a good look, but seemed to be a popular one at the fair. My eyes!

Willy Nilly Friday 5 #2 - Happy 4th of July!

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Route 11, Troutville

Friday 5's:
1) Today is the 4th of July or Independence Day. People all across America (maybe even a few abroad) will be celebrating by grilling out/bbq'ing (some hardcore bbq people say bbq is NOT a verb) hamburgers and hot dogs, I'm sure there will be some fried chicken involved (we're picking up a bucket) potato salads, watermelon, some libations, parades, live music and then fireworks to wrap up the evening. The USA knows how to party!

2) The 4th of July is also my Christian's birthday. Happy 17! He is seriously one of the funniest people I know and I love him to pieces.

3) Braden and Dalton have moved up out of rec football to middle school football (7th grade). They were supposed to start conditioning Tues/Thurs of this week but we played hookie. It's not mandatory (yet) and hey, it's summer. They will start on Tuesday. This is a huge milestone. I won't have any kids in rec ball for the first time in a lot of years :( Many of you have seen these 2 practically grow up on this blog. Time flies. Where's the tissues?
You can see the first time I introduced them to you on my blog HERE...we lived in Georgia at the time.

4) Gosh, I love blogging. Being able to go back and find posts like the 1 above that you would normally forget? It's pretty cool. I've "met" some pretty nice people through my blog that I would love to meet in real life. If ever you are in my neck of the woods, let me know!


5) This totally cracks me up and I can watch it over and over (and I do!). Tried with Ozzy with less than stellar results.

Post by Robson Junior.

I hope you are able to link up to Willy Nilly Friday 5 this week, but if you can't, I understand! If you can, just grab my button up there on the right, post 5 random things you wish to share, link up, and visit other linkers. Let's party like it's 1999! Happy 4th! And Happy weekend!

Willy Nilly Friday 5 starts at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time, every Friday, unless I mess up! :) P.S. If link #1 shows as Tanya, just ignore, that is me with my Ozzy blog and I don't know how to get it out of there!

Signs, Signs & A Good Fence @ Surrender Field

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The field where the surrender took place:

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And then a pretty little deer wandered out onto the field:

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To read about the surrender Click Here
Linking with Signs, Signs and Good Fences