Where The Wild Things Grow

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The Roanoke River . Explore Park . Roanoke

Today I am thankful for pretty light! This morning I had to get the boys to school a little earlier than our normal routine. They had to run for their coach so he could record their times...anyway, on our way there the sky was dark grey but the lighting on the ground and mountains looked like a gigantic spotlight was shining down...made for a very pretty drive this morning! I wished I had my camera with me because I wanted to take a picture of everything! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

Lovey Dovey

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Explore Park . Roanoke

Those 2 little specks ahead on the pathway are a pair of Mourning Doves...I think they were getting annoyed with us because they thought we were following them...but fact of the matter is they kept going forward on the path that we were taking haha...Mourning Doves always remind me of my grandparent's house...they always liked to hang out there :)

Today I am thankful for the arrival of Spring, finally, today! We get into the 70's at last...jeez I hope it stays!

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

Green & Purple

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Spring!

Today I am thankful for spring break! We haven't been anywhere and the temps haven't felt particularly spring like but it has been so great spending more time with the boys...we've watched a couple of movies, went out for lunch and just hung out being lazy...today Dalton is going to his girlfriend's house (she's been out of town all week) and Braden is at a friend's house so it's just me and Ozzy for the day but I think I'll use that time to clean up Christian's old room!

Oh, I'm also thankful for Tom over at Back Roads Traveller he is taking over Willy Nilly starting tomorrow! Thank you Tom and thank you to everyone for participating...I'm just having a rough time keeping up with it so Tom is nice enough to host it for us!! Thanks again Tom!!

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

People Of Fincastle

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Downtown Fincastle . Botetourt County

“I like to prowl ordinary places
and taste the people-
from a distance.”
― Charles Bukowski, Play the Piano Drunk Like a Percussion Instrument Until the Fingers Begin to Bleed a Bit

Today I am thankful this week is almost over and I'm still here breathing...man, what a week I would not like to repeat!

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

Tree Ornaments

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James River . Eagle Rock . Botetourt County

Nick was doing a little fishing here and I noticed these clumps of leaves balled up on the branches and thought they looked like ornaments!

Today I am thankful for the nice lady that took my phone call at the courthouse...I had gotten a speeding ticket a while back and had the date that I needed to pay by locked in this steel trap brain of mine (haha)...well when I pulled my ticket out to pay I had the date wrong and was late, yikes! It said that I had to pay before the date I had in my mind or my license would be suspended so according to this my license was suspended...I was a day late! I started to freak out and shake and literally felt like I was about to pass out...I frantically called the courthouse and the nice person who answered the phone said "hold on a minute, let me see what I can do"...she came back and said that she could extend it for 2 weeks! Well needless to say I bolted right down there and paid it! I can't tell you the relief that flooded over me when she told me it was fixed! I am a procrastinator through and through and it gets me in a lot of deep water, you would think I would learn my lesson by now! But I have learned to slow down a bit thanks to the ticket! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

**Been missing this week...it has just been one of those weeks!**

Willy Nilly Friday 5 No. 164 & A Theme Day!

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I'm late for everything today!! So combining 3 things in 1!
1)
Breckenridge Elementary . Fincastle
City Daily Photo monthly Theme Day was on the 1st and I'm late to that...the theme this month was "Play"...last night the boys' basketball team played their last game...this was the hardest game we've played all season...the boys gave it their all and won! The score was 71-63! It was intense and at times didn't look like we'd win! They finished their season undefeated...have a tournament later in the month! So this is my take on "PLAY"...see more at City Daily Photo

2) We are under a weather advisory for high winds...started last night and will continue till tomorrow...gusts as high as 60 mph...school was cancelled for today...many people are without power...we are lucky as of right now! I did wake up though to find the neighbor's trampoline in our yard!

3) Speaking of the winds...last night when we were leaving the basketball game in Fincastle my radio would not turn on...it does this on occassion and usually resets itself after sitting for a little bit (it seems to be an issue in Fords)...so I pulled into the parking lot of THIS CHURCH ...not typically scary...we've been there before...but this time it was very dark out...no lights on anywhere...well we didn't think anything of it then Dalton got out of the car to change his shirt and he noticed the sky...it was flashing blue and red...we didn't know what was happening...it was windy but quiet...while we were watching the sky I then noticed the light in the parking lot flashing on and off...I just thought it was on a sensor or something and not working right...then the church lights inside starting turning on and off and then the old house across the road started flashing on and off too! I've shown you that house RIGHT HERE...I thought they meant the abandoned house next door was turning on and off which I've shown you that house RIGHT HERE ...as we were driving through the old portion of Fincastle that is full of old houses, old churches and old graveyards...lights were flickering on and off! When we made it out to the main road we saw lots of emergency vehicles with their lights on heading somewhere...once we got home we heard that some transformers exploded leaving many without power..still today! You can read that story HERE

4) Today I am thankful for the fact that we haven't lost power!! Thousands are without power right now and I feel so thankful that we are not one of them!! You can read that story HERE and I'm linking that with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

5) We watched Daddy's Home 2 this week...hilarious!

That's my 5 this week!! I know it's late but hope you will join in!! Post 5 randoms, link back and visit others!! Have a great weekend :)

Work In Progress

Spec/Lithia . Botetourt County

This place is up the road from the old truck I showed you yesterday...a man driving by said that this was the old stagecoach road and this house was the inn or hotel back then...someone lives there now...it looks like they are adding on!

Today I am thankful for this great spring-like weather we have been having this week...I don't want it to end...but like all good things, it will...but it will be back! Right now I have the door open listening to the birds...I saw Daffodils blooming yesterday and Forsythia...it won't be long till the Redbuds, Dogwoods and Pear Trees bloom! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

White On White

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Washington Ave SW . Roanoke

Built in 1910 this gorgeous old place is now an attorney's office...

Today I am thankful for more spring like weather and less wintery weather! Woke up to temps starting out at almost 60 and we'll be in the 70's today...spring makes me happy! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

Just heartbroken over the school shooting in Floriday :(

Icy Pine

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Botetourt County...

...more from my icy backyard on Sunday...can we just move on to Spring now?

Today I'm thankful for good people taking chances on teens! Braden and Dalton just got jobs! They will be working at a local pizza place...the man that hired them had also hired Ashlyn for her first job when she turned 16! He always joked with me that he would hire the boys when they were old enough to work...I say "joked" because it seemed like a loooonnnngggg time away...sigh...anyways...I think it's pretty cool that they both will be working there! They are excited to start making their own money!

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

CDP Theme Day - Tired

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Going back to August, Dalton getting some much needed hydration and a little break from the game...

Today I am thankful for January FINALLY being over! To me January feels like such a long month...now that that is over we can start getting excited for spring!

Linking up with City Daily Photo and Michelle's Thankful Thursday

On The Sunny Side Of The Street

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Old SW Roanoke

That's Braden...last Friday we had to go to Ashlyn's to walk her dog Riley since she was out of town...Braden beat me across the street and that's when I noticed this cute little house? garage? shed?....whatever it is, I like it!

Today I am thankful for routine! Monday was back to school after several snow days...I think we have only been in school a couple of days since Christmas break ended...on Monday Braden and Nick stayed home sick (they are better now) then Tuesday I had to go do some errands with Ashlyn and so on Wednesday it felt good to start back on my exercise routine again and eating healthier and took Ozzy out for a walk, did a few loads of laundry and picked up the house all before I had to be back out to pick up the boys from school...it was nice having a break from things but happy to be back on track! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

#Snowanoke

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Botetourt County

#Snowanoke is the clever hashtag used for sharing your snow pics of Roanoke on social media ;) This is another view from my backyard yesterday because you know what? I didn't go anywhere...in fact, walking down into my backyard was the furthest I went all day long! Today we ended up with another "snow day" because everything froze over so it's really icy out...So on this Thankful Thursday I am thankful to end up with 2 snow days this week to spend with the boys and Ozzy...you know how much I love that! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday of course!

Private Property

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Spec . Botetourt County

I don't know about you but that bridge looks a little rickety!

Today I am thankful for a short visit from my older son Christian...I was just about running out the door as he was coming in...he stopped by to pick up some receipts so he could exchange some shirts I had gotten him for Christmas...I bought him large shirts but he's just a medium...I bumped him up to large because the boys are mediums now...how in the world did they catch up to their big brother in size??? We chatted for about a half an hour, exchanged hugs and "I love yous" and then we were both out the door again...I just don't see enough of that boy but am thankful for the times that I do!

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

Even The Cows Think It's Cold!

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Nace Road . Botetourt County

Baby it's cold outside...I know, I sound like a broken record here but seriously! Today and tomorrow especially with crazy strong winds making wind chill values in the negative! We go back to school today since our Christmas break is over but have a 2 hour delay...not sure why since it won't be any warmer in 2 hours!

Today I am thankful for our hard working trash collectors! Holy moly, I saw them come by early this morning to pick up our trash and I felt terrible for them, but there they are, dumping our trash cans into the back of the garbage truck, then they jump on and do the same at the next house, all day long, in the FREEZING weather! God Bless them! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

How's your weather? Stay warm!

House In The Woods

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Blue Ridge . Botetourt County

Today I am thankful for good books! Last night I laid on the couch and read for a couple of hours...something I don't do enough of...I started this book, Daisy Fay & The Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg about a year ago but it kind of got lost and I just found it again...it's a fun little read and makes me laugh! What are you reading?

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

2 Chairs & A Windmill

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Blue Ridge

Remember last week I was thankful for a snow day? Well this week I am un-thankful for a make up day :( ...Yesterday was supposed to be our last day of school before Christmas break and we have to make up that day off today...how grinchy right?! With that being said, it will be a fun day at school...we have our little Christmas party and it will be a laid back day...Thankful today that I work with friends! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

And another thing to be thankful for is the fact that yesterday they had a drawing...all the names of staff at school were entered and my name was picked! I won a Chick-fil-A gift card...yay me!

Have a great day!

First Snow

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Day Creek . Blue Ridge

On Saturday we got our first snow! So later in the day we decided to take Ozzy out for a little hike...Ozzy loves the snow...and so does Nick...I love the snow but really prefer it from inside the warm house and looking out the window at it...Nick wanted to "picnic" in the snow so we packed up the camping stove and some beef stew so we would have a hot lunch to enjoy after freezing our butts off frolicking through the snowy woods...it was a nice afternoon, even if I couldn't feel my fingers or toes by the end of it all haha...this is the same area that LAST WEEK'S picture was taken...

The boys entertained themselves by throwing snowballs at each other...

Look how different this spot looked over the summer...the road had recently washed out...wonder if they will ever fix it?


Today I am thankful for a snow day! Although there isn't any snow haha...yesterday was soooo windy that the snow was blowing sideways...not much stuck but I imagine there are probably some icy roads...I hear Dalton in the shower, he is going to spend the day at his girlfriend's house...it's just me, Braden and Ozzy...maybe I can finally get caught up on some Christmas present wrapping! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday and just as I typed that I realized it is only Wednesday haha...oh well...I'll save this for tomorrow :)

Nature

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Day Creek . Blue Ridge

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Lao Tzu

Today I am thankful for radio stations that play non-stop Christmas music...I know, some people find that annoying but I love it...it makes me so happy and relaxed...especially the old classics...not much into new stuff, give me Frank, Bing and Burl...I remember coming home from school at Christmas time and my mom would have those old Christmas albums playing...I wish I had that old collection! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

Visitor Center

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Woodpecker Ridge . Stoney Battery Road . Troutville

This is perhaps the tiniest visitor center I have ever seen!

This has been a nice week for me and the boys...since football is over now they have had the week off for weight lifting (although that starts back up on Monday) so they have been able to ride in with me in the morning...that also means I have to get to work 15 minutes earlier which also means I actually end up being on time haha...on Tuesday I let them come home early and we stopped at Sonic for shakes and then came home and hauled out all of the Christmas decorations and started on that...you know how much I love my time spent with them so this is what I am most thankful for this week! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday & Signs, Signs

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Woodpecker Ridge . Troutville

Good morning! I'm up bright and early getting the turkey ready to pop in the oven! In just a few minutes I need to get the boys up and fed and drop them off at school...they have football practice this morning, just a couple of hours...they won the playoffs last week so no rest for the wicked ;) Ashlyn will pick them up on her way over to help me cook...then Christian and Madeline will stop over in between their other Thanksgiving visits to Madeline's family...Ashlyn's boyfriend will also stop over in between his running around...I remember those busy holidays of having to visit family on both sides! And for all this, I am thankful today! I am also thankful for you, my blogging buddies...I wish you all a super holiday, and for my non American buddies, have a great day!! Take care!

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday