The back porch...

Our back porch is like none other. The decor is Red, White and Blue. Whenever Thomas and I are out at flea markets we keep an eye out for RWB items. There are two swings, two rocking chairs and a straight back chair. We have an old metal lawn chair that was used back in the 50's and 60's. Stan refinished it a few years back and painted it blue. The long saloon bench that set on the front porch of Mountain Memories is along one wall. We have a cozy table for 2, a potting bench and a deacons bench. We have collected 3 large hornets nest and a slew of baskets. Lot's of other trinkets and I think that's it....
The porch is a place to rest after a long hard day. It's a place to gather with our friends, chat and catch up. Linda and I have set many of night on the porch and rocked our problems away. Daddy usually comes back a few times a week. He will set in the swing and I will either get in the other swing or the rocker. When Sarah and Sandra are out they take turns setting in the swing with me. Of course Thomas and I are cuddled in the swing.
This time of year is the best time to enjoy the back porch. The crisp air in the early morning along with a cup of carmel apple cider makes you appreciate living in the country. In the afternoon the leaves are falling and the color palet is amazing. Come dusk when there is a chill in the evening air there's a afghan to wrap around your shoulders.
So if you find your self tired of the city or just need a quiet place to gather your thoughts come on out and set a spell with us.

Ethan

As I came into work the other morning, the girls were talking about the wreck at Crane Hill. I began reading the article and the young man killed was, Ethan Shirley. As our customers came in they mentioned the wreck also. I felt a sense of sadness for the family and continued through the day and didn't think much of it.
Sunday was our regular Floral Convention meeting in Frankfort, Ky. As Thomas and I made our way into the meeting room they were talking about Eathan. I was stunned and heart broken to hear that Eathan was Dale's son. I've known Dale going on 15 years. Dale is originally from Bedford where he once owned the local floral shop. He has lived in Frankfort for quite some time. Dale is a very gifted floral designer and a good friend. We've set in the design room at convention many times and talked about our children, life and religion. We've shared a drink or two and even boogied on the dance floor. Not only is he an awesome designer but he has moves that make women week in the knees. My heart goes out to Dale and his family. Parents are not suppose to bury their children, but life doesn't always go as we would like.

Finally Friday....

Wow..it's finally Friday. It's been a busy week at the flower shop. We finished up seven weddings and a funeral today. It has been a whirlwind week. Monday started out as mad rush and as the week went on it kept snowballing. Wednesday I made casket sprays. The economy must be getting better, we had a lot of walk-in orders. We went through almost 300 roses. For our reward today we all ordered a 10'' pizza. Not just one pizza, but one for each of us. Judy had mushrooms with sausage, Heather had cheese, Linda had Hawaiian and I had three meat. We sat around the table and looked at each other and we couldn't believe that we each had our separate pizza. We try our best to eat healthy here in the shop. There is always fresh fruit and we each try to bring in snacks that are good for us. But after the week we just had we figured we deserved pizza. But each of us left at least a piece or two to take home so I guess you could say we didn't eat the whole pizza.
I'm looking forward to my weekend with Thomas. I have to deliver three of the weddings Saturday morning and then I'm off. We'll be working on the hot tub house. I reminded Thomas that the first snowfall might be six weeks away. He told me not to remind him.
I hope everyone enjoys your weekend and you take the time to get out side and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

Spoons.....

Sarah and I ventured to the Oktoberfest Friday evening. We seen a lot of old friends and spent a lot of time catching up with them. We loaded up on cinnamon rolls and kettle corn. I had to buy the larger bag of popcorn so that I could share with Daddy. Afterwards we went to Pat's house. Pat is Sarah's feller. He just happens to have three persimmon trees in his backyard. Some of them had fallen and we picked those up, but the majority of them won't fall till the first frost. I told Pat, no more going out to the bottoms for me, I will just come to your house. There's an old wise tale, that if you open the seed of a persimmon you will find the shape of a fork or a spoon. Fork represents not much snow and a spoon....well, you don't want to see one of them. The one I opened was a....spoon. I did read they were predicting 14" of snow for the month of January. But we'll see.
Sarah was all for the snow, she bought a new SUV last week and it's all wheel drive and she wants to see how it drives.....Sarah always did like to play in the snow. When she was a little girl she couldn't wait to go play in the snow. She always kept a scarf handy for the snow lady. Guess some little girls never really grow up!!

4 Little Piggy's

Dennis and Dillon were out bright and early the other morning. They brought me four little piggy's.They're so cute. Dennis just laughed and Dillon rolled his eyes at me. They just don't understand why I would think they are cute. Four little girls all black in color. Most people don't know that pigs are very smart. But over time I will be able to call them by name and they will come to the fence and eat from my hand. You do have to be careful, they have very sharp teeth. I've learned a lot from Dillon about raising pigs and I still have more to learn. Lily don't care to much for them. She will stand there all day and bark if you let her. Bristol just looks at them, he's so laid back nothing much bothers him. As for BB, Bogie and Annie it's just another animal.
If your out by the house stop in and I will introduce you to the cutest piggy's in Uniontown.

Updates...........

The race at Kentucky Speedway was great. Thomas and I enjoyed our date. The track is really nice and from each seat you have an overall view of the track. Thomas knows all about race tracks from all his years of working at MasterSbilt. The facility was designed with the fans in mind. They are adding a new seating section and work was in progress. Now for the best part of the evening...Diamond Rio. As usual they were great. They played at lot of their old music and mixed in a few newer ones. Thomas is not a country music fan, but he did enjoy his self. I do wish I had taken my sign...the one that said. "I'm friends with Scott McKain". That would have caught their attention and maybe I could have gotten back stage. But oh well, we still had an awesome evening just the two of us.
My appointment with the doc....it was wonderful news.

getting back to normal....

It was back to work this morning. Leg is on the mend. I was so touched by all my friends that called, sent cards, sent text messages or left gift bags on my porch as I napped in the afternoons. Thomas, Sarah and Sandra were my rock last week. My BFF Linda, bless her heart she brung supper to us one evening.
Cindy and Jill took time off from work, to set in the waiting room and keep the girls company. Thomas kept them all in line from what I hear!! My church family was keeping a vigil with prayer.
I'm blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful caring friends.
It was back to normal as soon as I walked into work. Phone was ringing, folks were coming in and I was to meet with two family's as they needed to choose flowers for their loved one. Customers were asking how I was doing.
I'm off tomorrow (Tuesday) and I meet with the doctor to check on things. Waiting for the test results will drive you crazy. But you just have to have faith and know that things will be fine.
One friend called Sunday and said, the test will come back--all clear!! That's what we are praying for. Yep...just got to have faith.

Finally Friday.....

It's finally Friday and Thomas and I are so looking forward to our three day weekend. We both had to work today and he just called and we were telling each other how our day had been. He said his went pretty fast and mine...well, I designed another casket spray and filled other orders as they came it. We're excited about our date tomorrow at Kentucky Speedway and enjoying Diamond Rio.
We're going to work on our hot tub house and hopefully get it almost done. We have a few other things that we need to get done around the house also. You know how it is you can't wait for a three day weekend and you have a list of things to get done. But at least we will be doing them together.
Next week I will be going in for outpatient surgery, so keep me in your prayers.
I hope everyone has an awesome weekend....love you all!!

Not so pretty flowers

A few weeks ago I went to a funeral home to visit with a friend who had lost a family member. I made my way to the viewing room and found my friend. We greeted each other with a hug, she took my hand and we made our way to the casket.
Being a florist, I looked at the casket spray.....I could hardly take my eyes off the arrangement. It had to be the most hideous casket spray that I had ever seen. In all my years in the floral industry I have never seen a spray designed so pitiful. It was like they had just taken the flowers, threw them and where ever they landed that's where they left them.
The greens where old and the flowers weren't far behind. The ribbons were stuck in like they were ready to explode. I was ashamed for the family. Did other folks think they chose that design. My friend noticed I was staring...she squeezed my hand & whispered in my ear, "I know they are ugly, yours are always beautiful."
Designing casket sprays is my favorite floral arrangement. I take great pride in designing a spray and I put a lot of love into it. These flowers are placed on the casket and it reflects the deceased. I figured up I have designed close to 450 sprays. Thomas says I'm to picky. I tell him- being picky has nothing to do with it. I never get in a hurry and I put love and feelings into the design. I place the ribbons to lay ever so gently down the side. These ribbons carry the names...Mom, Loving Wife, Grandma, Nanny, Daughter.
Today, I designed a spray of all red roses for a Grandma who the family said, she was the most precious Grandma in the world. I designed her spray just as they said...for a most precious Grandma.

Caller 15

Driving home the other evening from work I was surfing the radio stations. I quickly hit the stop button on WMPI and they were giving aways tickets. I had been hearing the advertisements for a few weeks and thought to myself..Wow, that would be great for Thomas and I to go. Diamond Rio was going to be at Kentucky Speedway. The DJ said, "Caller 15 will receive tickets to the race and hear in concert, Diamond Rio." I quickly picked up my cell phone. Luckily, I have them on speed dial. I waited for the DJ to answer. Wow.... Whooohoooo!! Yes I was caller 15. We are going to the race and I get to see Diamond Rio.
I couldn't wait to get home and give Thomas the news. He was really excited. We are now making plans for our date at the racetrack.
I won a gun for Thomas earlier in the summer and now I won tickets to the race/concert. Maybe I need to start buying lottery tickets. I'm one to put my name in the pot for a drawing and my name never, never gets pulled out. Maybe I'm on a roll.
Even though I meet Diamond Rio at Scott & Tammy's wedding, they wouldn't remember me. Maybe I could hold up a sign that says..."I'm friends with Scott McKain" that might get their attention. But I'll just set back and listen to the music and enjoy the evening with my sweetie, Thomas. I will let you know how our date goes!!

Sandra Denise

Happy Birthday Sandra....I can't hardly believe that my little girl is 26 today. Sarah and I fixed her a huge gift basket and filled it with junk food, jewelry, diet coke, picture frames and other goodies that Sandra likes. I headed to her office about 8:30 this morning with this huge basket with mylar balloons in one hand and a cake in the other. She was so excited as I come through the door. Oh, Mommy she says.....I knew you would bring me surprises.....
I'm so proud of Sandra, she had become a beautiful young lady.
I remember when the nurse layed her beside me right after she was born. To this day it still bring tears to my eyes.She was so tiny to me, 7lbs, 6oz and 21".
Happy Birthday sweetie, Mommy loves you!!

Our weekend...

Thomas and I had a wonderful anniversary weekend. Remember I told you that he was keeping it a surprise as to where he was taking me...well, I was getting ready to fix supper Friday evening and he came into the kitchen and said, "no need to start anything, we're going out." Ok I said, lets go. Well, we ended up at Lucille's. We had never eaten there before and it was very nice. I can remember Amy as a little girl. Sarah and her played volleyball and graduated together. Amy had stopped in the flower shop a few days earlier and picked up some centerpieces for a party and we got to catch up on things.
On Saturday Thomas worked on the hot tub house and I fixed supper and we had a relaxing evening at home. Sunday when I came home from church he was dressed and ready to take me to dinner again. We headed south and he pulled into the Longhorn Steakhouse. We had eaten there before and he remembered how much I liked it.
Mr. Romantic....that's my Thomas!!

17

Today is a very special day.....17 years ago Thomas and I promised to love, honor and cherish till death do us part. We've been a couple for 24 years. It's had it's up and downs, but the ups out weight the downs. There's not a day gone by that I've not thanked the Lord for Thomas and the joy that he brings to me. We were talking last night about all the fun times we've shared and the times when the girls were home. Raising two girls..well that's another story.
We got a few things planned this weekend. We're going out for dinner but he said it was a secret as to were he was taking me. We'll work on the hot tub house a bit, piddle a bit and we'll celebrate a lot.
Happy Anniversary Thomas, love you bunches!!

64 years

64 years ago today my Mom and Daddy promised to love, honor and cherish till death due them part. I stopped in this morning and visited with them before I came to work. They were smiling from ear to ear. I honored them Sunday at church and I didn't aim to make them tear up. But how many couples get to celebrate a milestone like 64 years. Too many times one partner passes on and leaves the other behind and they had so many years of joy ahead of them.
Is marriage easy? No, it isn't. Marriage is an everyday job. You have to work to make it great. You have to bend, zip your lip, smile, and remember how your heart felt the day you married your partner. If anyone boast that they have a perfect marriage...they are fooling you.
I've ask Mom on many occasions what is a perfect marriage. She says, "some marriages are close but none is perfect. We each have different views and each day brings a hill or a valley. You have to respect each other and sometimes just go with the flow. You must always remember the love that you have for each other and love will see you through". Mom also said, "I never once wanted to throw in the towel with your Daddy, we worked through our problems and our love was stronger when we came out of the valley".
My one prayer is that Thomas and I can live long enough to celebrate our 50th. That would put us in our 80's.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Daddy....I love you!!!

Weekend update....

Thomas and his dad picked up our new hot tub about noon on Saturday. Now we just have to build a platform. Thomas has these plans that he's been working on and I told him whatever he designs is fine with me. I just want him to hurry. We set on the porch Saturday afternoon and I told Thomas, "sure wish I could close my eyes and everything was finished and we were setting in it", he kissed me on the cheek and said me to!!
We went Friday evening and purchased eight ducks from the Maxie's at the FFA building. We got them settled in and I swear they have doubled in size since bringing them home. It won't be long till they are put in with the other ducks. My only worry is that Darrell and Darrell won't be so friendly.
Sunday we went back to the fair grounds and picked up my ribbons from the Family Arts Building. Got those placed in my ribbon scrap book. Now maybe we won't be driving to Brownstown so much in the next few weeks. At least until the watermelons are ready.
I guess that catches you up for the Bridges adventures over the weekend. Now it's on to a new week and many more adventures. Won't be long and Dillon will be calling to come and pick up our baby pigs!!

It's been very busy around our home for the past few weeks. Been working in my gardens trying to keep them looking good through all this heat and humidity. Thomas has been piddling around the garage. He's been thinking about adding a lean to on the side and also talking about getting a hot tub. Oh yea...now he's taking!!! We are going tomorrow to look at one and we will see how it goes. He already has plans on how he wants it set up. It would be so great after a hard days work to relax in a hot tub. Would help out both of our backs and my left leg.
We've been to the fair a few times. I entered a few things in the Family Arts Building and received three 2nd place ribbons. I will add them to my ribbon book. I watched the Maxie kids show their pigs and they did pretty good. It's always a good time when I can spend time with Linda.
We have been extremely busy at the flower shop. We have four weddings this weekend. Heather has went out of town for the next few days. Her oldest son is playing in the state little league tourney. So it's up to me to deliver the weddings tomorrow. You just have to stay organized and keep your post it notes color coded!!
Last night was my floral demonstration at the fair. This was my eighth year. It was one of my biggest crowds. One lady told me there were 35 people in attendance. I designed some pretty neat arrangements. I was able to use some flowers from my gardens and the lady's loved that. A few of them were taking pictures of them. That makes me happy.
Tonight Thomas and I are going back to the fair and pick up some ducks from the FFA building and give them a good home. Linda has a nice selection this year.
Well, that's about all that's been going on around the Bridges household. Enjoy your weekend!!

Kendra's Pie Plate

I had just got to work yesterday morning when my phone rings.....and my heart sank. My friend Kendra Smith had passed away. Kendra was one of a kind. She spoke her mind and if you didn't agree with her, well to bad. Kendra was also a giving person and when you were her friend she always had your back.
Back when Norma and Kendra had their last yard sale in Crothersville, Kendra had told to come and check out the kitchen stuff that they had. So I got up early and headed into town before going in to the flower shop. As I walked up my eye caught a pie plate. This was not an ordinary metal or glass dish. The one was nice..it was from the Roseville Pottery Company out of Ohio. They make the best baking dishes. I grabbed it up right away...Kendra yelled to Norma, "Sherry's got my pie plate, Lord knows she will use it more than I did". We all got a good laugh out of it.
Kendra was ask to show her and Lanny's new home in the Crothersville Holiday Home Show a few years back. She called me and ask if I would help her decorate. So I spent a couple evenings with her, Lanny and Norma. Her Aunt Betty was there one night baking cookies and I think we ate quite a few, but hey, we had to make sure they were good. That was fun times and a time that I will cherish.
As I have worked in the shop today quite a few people have came in and ordered flowers for Kendra. We've laughed, cried and hugged and laughed again at funny things that Kendra did and the things she would say.
I will miss Kendra...but I will always have my memories. I can only imagine the smile that her Daddy Sonny had, when Kendra walked through the gates of Heaven........

Vacation....

Words can not express the 14 days that Thomas and I spent together on vacation. It was back to work this morning for the both of us. We had a hard time letting go of each other this morning. It was a very relaxing time for us. I think we both put on a few extra pounds. I would fix brunch each morning and we would set on the sun porch and enjoy the view of the lake. We went to the farmers market and purchased fresh fruit and vegetables on the weekends. I made blueberry waffles a couple of mornings and they were awesome.
We spent time at Cocoa Beach and took a behind the scenes tour of Kennedy Space Center. We had taken the girls when they were younger and did the regular tour. This tour we had to provide a photo ID and papers had to be filled out. There were certain places where you couldn't take pictures. The tour was over three hours long but was very interesting.
It was good to get away just the two of us and relax and not have the worries of everyday. We've already made plans for next year...already marked the calendar at work!!!

Vacation time....

The bags are packed and are waiting by the door. The suntan lotion and flip flops are about all you need. Florida here we come.........
Later this evening we will load everything up and hit the road for a relaxing 14 days of vacation. Fun in the sun and lazy afternoons by the lake with a late night romantic boat ride. Dinner for two on the sun porch....what more could we ask for. Thomas and I have been looking forward to this day since the two foot of snow hit earlier this year. Just me an my sweetie..
Dillion is going to keep my yard mowed and looking perfect, my brother Gary is tending to my flower beds and Daddy is feeding the animals. Sarah and Sandra will look after the house and feed the birds that my BFF Shelley gave Thomas (you should see them Shelley, their colors are so spectacular). I will miss my girlfriends though, Shelley, Linda, Cindy, Jill and Heather.
I did have to work this morning, had to design a casket spray and took two other orders for casket sprays for the first of the week, but Heather can do them.
Well, you all take care and be nice to each other. Maybe by the time I get back folks will quit gripping about the festival....but .....just remember.... "I have already begun working on the 36th Festival"...hee hee

Lunch with Linda

Yesterday afternoon Linda and I had lunch at the Chocolate Spoon in Seymour. It was a nice relaxing atmosphere. Just a few other folks enjoying the afternoon. We got to catch up on what each other had been up to and we shared what our children were up to also. Even though we were at the Red, White & Blue Festival for 3 days, we didn't get to visit much. We made a few plans for the summer and she talked me into coming to her house tonight and helping her with some of her landscaping. Linda had purchased a few plants and needed a second opinion on where to place them. So after supper tonight it's off to the Maxie farm.
I enjoy landscaping, designing a layout for the yard. I designed a new area at the house this spring and planted Black-eyed-Susan. They are full of blossoms. I already had a few plants there, it just needed updated.
After I returned home from lunch I mowed the yard and added another perennial to my gardens, a Bee Balm plant. The leaves are more fragrance than the actual flower. Thomas said I am eventually going to run out of room....Nah, I said, "I will just make the gardens bigger".
I'll let you know how Linda's landscaping comes out. Maybe one day I will be equipped to show pictures. Wow...wouldn't that be great!!!