Plants

Some of Dads purple Iris. Love them!  I hope I have a yellow in there as well!

Amaryllis. I have these candy stripe as well as deep red. Those aren’t blooming yet as they are shaded all morning by the house. 



JUST starting to bloom. I need to fertilize it and paint the arbor next winter!

This is where the red amaryllis are next to the house and the elephant ears are all coming back ;)

The new plants. The green trailing one is “licorice” not sure why. I don’t recall the name of the other but it’s a full sun plant. Maybe I’ll grab a trellis for both of them??

Peace lilies and an off elephant ear look alike plant with some struggling peace lily parts at its base!  Here’s hoping new soil will help them bounce back!

I even planted pathos for a hanging outdoor plant ;)

It gets worse before it gets better

 Waiting for concrete to dry before I can move this side back up. Until that dries I can’t empty this table to get it out to spray it off. 

So I sit in the hammock chair until it’s dry ;) hard life!

Butch joined in. It took all day but all carpets are rinsed off, dried in the sun and put back down. One rug is at the curb and a “new” one is in the sitting area. 

It’s new to me. I am a garbage picker and it only has one spot that has a burn. I’m ok with that. It’s got some life left to it yet. 

Apparently I’ve done nothing since November

 Well that’s not true. 

I had surgery to place an Axonics device to help with my “issues” and it’s working really well with the combo of acid reducers (no gallbladder added insult)  

We had Christmas dinner at Liz’s house  

We spent new years with Sally

We went to Utah for moms 90th birthday party

We had a BIG snowstorm in Georgia with 4” of snow

I started a new job as a GS-15 with Treasury Investigator General for Tax Administration right after Trump was re-elect. I had concerns however I wasn’t a probationary person so I didn’t worry too bad. Then the Deferred Resignation Program was offered and I signed up. I was rejected only to find out two weeks later they reconsidered and I was granted the program and am now just waiting to hear when I can go on Admin leave. 

All Girls Weekend 2024

The drive north. Me, Barbara Buller and Eve Autrey are kings of the road!

View from the cabin



Night one we sampled some moonshine before dinner at the Old Mill. 

While there I got a call from Amy Lund only to find out she and Wendy had come to town to surprise me and join in on the fun. They guys did their own tour of Gatlinburg while we girls played in Pigeon Forge

Day 1 started with Skyland Ranch for the alpine coaster. We got two rides in the coaster and a ride to the top on the tram. It was a cute ride up. 

The gangs all here. Barbara Buller, Amy Lund, Wendy Brown in front, me in back, Gail Owens, Linda Liebhardt and Eve Autrey


Watching the roping western show!

The slide!

Off we go!!!!

Later in the trolly!  We gained a few hitchhikers to the group. Hey, why not? Right?

Back to skyline for ride #2. Can’t let it go to waste!

Then off to Dollywood stampede for dinner!

It was a Christmas show which is weird as it’s just November but we rolled with it.  Apparently once Halloween is over it’s ALL Christmas all the time!

It was an awesome show and very entertaining. We all enjoyed the food and the show!

Day 2

Cloudy but still great temps!



We went to the Apple barn to taste wine and ciders :)




Then off to the island where we enjoyed a few rides and some shopping and treats while waiting to eat at Paula Deans restaurant. It was family style and really good. 







The wheel was fun as well. Helps to have a fun group to go with!  Hahaha!





Beautiful sunset from the tip as well!!

Barbara got to hang out with Paula for a minute in the kitchen. 

And just like that the weekend was over. We said out goodbyes and the cabin crew went to have a last sleep at the cabin and the other gals headed to their campers to meet back up with their guys. It was a great trip as always!!  Next year - San Francisco!