It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

This weekend we shopped for our first real tree for the SC foxhole. We found a local gentleman selling pre-cut trees or you could cut your own. He had many varieties and he also had some wreaths and garland. The air was cool and the smell was wonderful.

His father has a grist mill and we also bought some fresh stone ground grits. What a wonderful way to spend the morning. As you can see we put the tree up as soon as we got home. We dug out some decorations and the place has a nice, not too overly done, Christmas spirit about it.

We hung the dogs Christmas stockings on the fireplace mantel but will wait to fill them until Christmas morning. The dogs are curious but not bothering it at all.

We called Pa while we were decorating to wish him a happy birthday. We are looking forward to Christmas vacation to just hang around the house and chill out for a couple weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be greatful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.....
George Washington.

Eight days until family arrives for Thanksgiving. We are really looking forward to it. It's getting very chilly later this week, lows of 25, highs in the 50s. Brrr. Hopefully it will warm up some for our Thanksgiving week, can't have company coming South and have them freezing!

I had planned on working from home this next week to tend to fall chores but the boss is not so willing. I have a presentation Tuesday and an all day meeting Wednesday. It looks like I will not be able to use all my vacation this year and there is no carry over. In these times though I am glad I have a job.

We find that in these frightful times for our country that we still have many things to be thankful for.

Out of the Fog

We will rise again.

Gearing up...Come what may

Beautiful day today for a long drive in the country hills of South Carolina. Headed out to a range and met some nice people with about six dogs! The owners told us they all came to them. Nice folks to take them in, then again they have almost 400 acres! They did not have everything we needed but it was a pleasant drive. We are enjoying the cooler weather.

Our home is full of political talk of course, more than usual considering we are only two days away from the election. Frightening prospect but we are ever hopeful. Tuesday is going to be a long, long night. I already voted for Sarah in Georgia and Sam will vote here on election day.

On the domestic side, the dogs have been tearing up the new grass and frustrating Sam. Sarge likes to kick his hind legs after a pee and Scarlett likes to dig little holes. Beat up grass is still far better than sand. The grass has proven to be a great big door mat, no more sand in the house. Yippee.

We're looking forward to company for Thanksgiving, we've already acquired the bird and most of the fixins'. Having the time off work will be an added bonus!

The leaves are just starting to turn here so it should be a pretty show for a couple months. If gas prices stay low we may be able to get out and scout around a little more. There is so much we have yet to explore around here.

Sam is reading about the Italy campaign, the book is concentrating on Anzio and I am re-reading Mary Chestnut's Civil War. I recently finished Lone Survivor, the true story of a Special Forces (Navy SEALs) operation in Afghanistan. Incredible book.

We received an early Christmas present from Ma and Pa in Chicago, Polish sausage, sweets and Tamales. Good stuff always!!

Hugs to all and stay safe. Those willing, please join us in prayer for our country this election day.

Southern Georgia Pine - 1 Acre and Home for Sale

One Acre Southern Georgia home for Sale

We finally have our Georgia home on the market with a great realty company. We really hate to sell it but we must. We like our place in South Carolina but someone looking for a great place to relax and hide away will love it and love Georgia. My favorite part about it was that you couldn't go in any room without seeing pines outside every window. The stars at night are awesome, it's the darkest place I've ever lived at night so the stars seem really close. It's rural but only 10 miles from town. Wonderful.

The Grass is indeed greener...than sand. Life in South Carolina

We love it, the dogs love it (see their blog for a review) and I am certain our home will be much cleaner because of it! Finally after almost a year we were able to get some sod laid. No plants or flowers yet but that can wait. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing but the grass acts like a giant door mat by keeping the sand off the dogs before they come inside. No more rolling around in the sand and dirt, they are enjoying the grass and so are we. Of course our water bill will be through the roof but remember my earlier blog about creature comforts, well this is one of them.

Of course there were trials and tribulations along with it but that's normal isn't it? The guy unloading the sod ran over the water line out front after Sam and our builder Josh warned him where not to drive! So Josh and Sam spent a couple very hot hours repairing it. That is the fourth, yes FOURTH time it has been run over and broken. We high tailed it to Lowe's and Sam found some ornate wrought iron fence about 4ft high by 4 ft wide, we bought two pieces and angled it over the water pipe so the next person to run over it will have to drive right into the fencing to do it! We also put a rather ugly "Welcome" sign we had left over from the store beside it, it has a picture of a big red poinsettia on it, no one should be able to miss it now.

Gnats seem to have come with the sod so they are very thick out there, plus they are attracted to water which we have to do regularly. It's been in for four days now and I can already see a difference in the house. I sweep it and it actually stays clean. We can walk around in our bare feet and not walk on sand indoors. It's wonderful. It makes the yard look so much better so we have lots of blessings from putting it down and are grateful to be able to finally have it.

We did get one good day of rain thanks to Tropical Storm Fay and the Lord, thank you very much!

We have two hummingbirds visiting the feeder and the sprinklers. The birds love it because of all the watering. Everybody is happy!

It also cooled down from the upper ninety's to the mid 80's which helps. It's been quite pleasant and we are sitting out on the back porch much more often. I hope the worst of the heat is finally ending.

Happy Birthday to Tim and Ma this month. Pa sent us a picture of himself in front of his Hall of Fame photo that is really nice. Talked to Ma on the phone today.

That's it for now, we hope everyone is doing fine and in good health. Hugs to you all.

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