New pictures from last year

Last weekend, I borrowed mom's iBook and took it to KY. We wanted to download trail cam pictures on Steve's leases to it so we could leave the memory cards (that didn't work - another story or another time). But while I was pulling some pictures off Neighbor Mikes' card, I found some pictures we made at the beach last year. I barely remember taking them and they turned out really good. All of me and Emilee. We think Steve was playing golf and Mom, Emilee, Nana and Grandaddy were waiting for him to get home. Mom took these......

As mentioned above, we visited Steve's leases in KY. I know, doesn't sound real exciting, but it wasn't bad. I wanted to go since I had never been. Plus out of the 3 adults, I am the only one with any "computer" abilities. My job was to download the memory cards off the trail cam. BUT, I discovered on the way up trying to clean off one of Neighbor Mike's cards that my card reader won't read a 4gbHC card. So much for using it - good thing he had another 256 that I could clean off for him. They had two camera's already out. One with a 2gb and the other with a 4.... and you guess it, 4gbHC card. SO, I couldn't download Steve's card... the one with over 1700 wildlife pictures on it. We did stop at a Walmart to buy two more cards and I talked them into 2 gb cards, so we wouldn't have any problems. But, it really doesn't matter, because to get those 1700 pictures off the card (with no camera - because we replaced the card and left the camera strapped on the tree) we had to buy another card reader. NO problem though because it reads HC and non HC cards. BUT it doesn't read mom's compact flash card... bummer!

While visiting the lease with the camera's we saw a momma deer and a little fawn. It was toooooo sweet! When we left that lease, we visited Steve's other lease. Check out what we saw there ....

a freaking HUGE deer track. I actually asked Steve if he was sure it was a deer track. Needless to say, today he is in KY on this lease, checking for more FREAKING huge tracks. They don't have cell service where they are, so I'm not sure he's found anything... but they are putting out another camera in the location so we can watch for him!!!

What about Steve McNair? RIP! I saw him once at Goodpasture. He was a pretty big fellow. He was getting in his car and I was parked behind him. I really wish now I had stopped and either taken a picture or at least gotten his autograph, but I always hate bothering folk like that. I mean, doesn't Nashville pride itself on leaving our Celebs alone? No I wish I had! It's really a very sad situation. Nobody deserves that ... and neither does/did his wife. I'm sure she's a basket case right now. I didn't realize till just Wednesday that I know the guy that found him, Wayne. I use to buy all kinds of stuff from him at the sporting goods store across the street from work. I was actually in there about 3 weeks ago buying Steve a pair of weight lifting gloves to use when he cuts. Poor Wayne for finding his friend like that. I'm sure it will haunt him the rest of his life!

Emilee is at cheer camp .... this is her first camp experience and they are staying in dorms at TTU! Today has been a better day than yesterday .... and I think she'll be so tired tonight that she won't even remember our names. We go pick her up tomorrow. I miss her, but I think this is really good for her to learn to be more independent. Good for both of us I guess! :-)

Gotta run! Check ya later!

Here's the secret..........

Steve and I have been named to represent a hunting website for the state of Tennessee as Field Staff Members! Yea ... it's pretty cool. Of course, I think they took me because of Steve, but also having a married team is probably a good way to get more women involved. Here's the site link:

http://whitetailaffliction.forumotion.com/announcements-f1/a-big-welcome-to-a-couple-of-new-team-members-t1117.htm#10674

Shhhh, I've got a secret and I can't share yet....

Don't you hate that? Actually it's a secret about both Steve and me, but I can't tell anyone till "they" tell me it's time. Honestly, nobdy will really care ...... but it's exciting to us!

What a strange weekend. Saturday, I did basically nothing! I did a little laundry (still not finished), planted a few flowers, Em spent the night with a friend and Steve and I went to our regular weekend resturant (Paradise Ridge), then we topped off our date night with a trip to Walmart to buy dog food. We also needed aspirn and got gatoraides and water (looked like we were nursing a hangover!). Sunday pretty much the same. We slept late (missed church) and then I started cleaning up my scrapbook room some, made 2 pages and by the end of the day I had made a mini-album and 3 cards. (Wow, I actually scrapbooked!). We also hit the new DAIRY QUEEN in Joelton. That's a big deal guys, we only get new fast food resturants once every 10 years or so! We now have a McDonalds, Subway and Dairy Queen. I got a Snickers Blizzard, Steve got Chocolate shake and Em got a Blueberry Artic Freeze that was so sour she couldn't drink it! YUCK! Don't get the blueberry!

I'll leave you with a few new pictures. Steve and I took these this weekend.

Time for an update!

There's really not much going on in the Burch house. Em is into summer cheerleading schedule. Yesterday and today she spend 5 1/2 hours at the gym learning their competition routine. She said it was "ok", her feet started hurting. She has gymnastics two times a week, Monday and Fridays. 3 hours total. The Friday class is her favorite because it is straight one hour of gymnastics. BUT, she likes Monday because she gets to see her school friends that she normally would get to see during the summer. She's decided that she's gonna be a "big girl" now and spend the night away from home. I think she realizes that she's missing out on a lot of stuff that her friends don't invite her too because they know she won't spend the night. Good for her. Only took her 5 years to make the decision. Steve got his new bow set up, so we've been shooting some together. It's fun. He is better than me, but I'm getting there. I've decided to just go back to the way I learned and stop trying to make my stance and form perfect. I shoot pretty good just doing it my way. Right or Wrong. Em's Monday night gymnastics/cheer class is in Hendersonville, and right across from it is the bow range. Steve and I might take our bows one Monday and practice. It'll be fun to do it together. Last time we were there, I was the only one shooting. His new Hoyt is FAST! He really likes it. I'm happy for him.

I haven't been scrapbooking much, but I'm getting the itch. I've lost some pictures in my mess of scrapbook room. If it rains this weekend, I might tackle getting it cleaned up. I'm getting to the point of not being able to find anything. And it's getting on my nerves ....... which means it's really bad!!!! Memories In Bloom has some new stuff, so I'm kinda wanting to hit the store soon.

Since Em has two weeks of dead time from Cheerleading (TSSAA mandate) we're thinking of going to Holiday World or maybe even Beach Bend. Just something different and quick. It's hard with Steve cutting grass to take a long vacation, one or two days are doable, but 5 is hard. If you've been to either or both, let me know what you thought. I know Holiday World is more fun, but money is a factor since we just sent off Tuition and still paying cheerleading fees.

I have a few pictures to share. Enjoy!

This Kala, Steve's niece and her brother Cody. She graduated on Em's birthday May 21, from Greenbriar High School. She's a great girl! Cody and Em are a lot alike and almost exactly a year a part in age.

Em's "cookie cake" from Sweet & Sassy. I took it to school for her b-day along with pizza. The kids liked it but it was a bit rich. They really needed smaller pieces than I cut for them. Oh well, live and learn! It was quite cute though. Sweet & Sassy rocks!

After cookie and pizza in the cafe at school (love the verse behind them). These are all 6th grade girls acting silly!

Em and Pepaw Burch (Steve's dad) . This was his birthday party but it was on Steve' actual birthday day. Pepaw turned 65 and Steve turned 40. (not sure what that is on Em's head???)

THE TURKEY!!!! This is a really good picture. I think I'm gonna get it blown up 5x7 and hang it close to the mount when it comes in. This bird scored 68.5 with the NWTF. 22lbs 4 oz, 10 3/4 beard and 1 1/4 inc spurs! NICE ONE!!!

This picture seems to the the "lady's" favorite. I touched it up in Picassa, so that the edges are blurred. I think it's pretty cool!

If you're still with me, here's a new picture of Molly. She's is really one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen.

Quickutz 2x2 Dies for Sale!

Hey girls and boys ... I have some 2x2 quickutz dies I'd like to sale. If you are interested, email me at cburch@lifeway.com

Here's the list:


Most gently used with ejection foam already on them. No packaging available.
*** Would prefer to sell individual dies in multiples.***
Actual shipping will be added to price of product. Shipping may take up to a week.

Individual Die

Belt-Loop (RS-0488)
4.50 (Retired)

Belt –Loop (RS—0383)
4.50 (Retired)

Belt-Loop (RS-0512)
4.50 (Retired)

Megaphone (RS-0358)
4.50 (Retired)

Candles (KS-0511)
7.50 (Retired)
DoubleKutz

Cheerleader (KS-0462)

7.50 (Retired)

DoubleKutz

Heart (RS-0009)

4.50 (Retired)

Small Photo Corners (RS-0328)
3.50

Antique Key (RS-0287)
3.50

Flip Flops (RS-0026)
3.50

Leaves (RS-0440)
3.50
Two leaves on same die

Sand Dollar (RS-0399)
3.50

Flower (RS-0015)
3.50

Flower (RS-0008)
3.50

Small Tag (RS-0156)
3.50

Daisy (RS-0376)
3.50
Use die to cut three daisy out paper for dimensional effect

Hibiscus (KS-0163)
6.50

Fasteners Doo-Dads (RS-0369)
3.50

Butterflies (KS-0413)
6.50

Tab set (QKDS-11)
10.00
Die Set

Frankenstein (RS-0470)
3.50

Birthday Balloon (RS-0017)
3.50

Heart (RS-0003)
3.50

Heart (RS-0045)
3.50

Thought Bubble (RS-0542)
3.50


Fonts
Sunshine Gift Set
65.00 (Retired)
Full alphabet (unicase) and two flower die

Marisa Font
Upper & Lower case
65.00 (Retired)

Maggie Mini
32.50 (Retired)

Zoe Unicase Mini
32.50


Goosebumps
Curlz
6.50

Daisy
6.50

Swirls
6.50

Abstract
6.50
I can’t figure out what this one is called

Mother's Day Turkey

I FINALLY, on the last day of the season, killed a Longbeard Tom Turkey.... it was one of the most exciting and nerve racking things ever!!!

Here's the pictures:

His beard is about 10 3/4 in, his spurs 1 1/4 and weighed about 21 lbs.

WOW! What a Mother's Day

New Puppy Pictures

Molly is 10 weeks today. This pictures were taken this past weekend. Isn't she a cutie ... a cutie with HUGE feet!

Back to freezing meals & Cheerleading

This week I decided that I need to freeze up some more meals for the family. I really need to get to the store also, so I'll just plan a menu and buy for that. With summer upon us, we are starting to spend more time outside enjoying the weather and doing fun things, so we are eating later and later. I really don't want to be stuck inside while everyone else in outside, so I'm going to try and make about 4 meals Saturday morning to freeze and then hopefully get some more done next weekend. This is my 8 days of meals. All can be frozen. Side dishes may or maynot.
1 - Meal Loaf, Sweet Potatoe Casserole, Corn Pudding
2 - Spaghetti, Salad, Bread
3 - Chicken & Rice casserole, green veggie of some sorts
4 - Hamburgers, chips
5 - Pork loin, Broccoli & Cheese casserole
6 - Chicken Pot Pie, Salad
7 - Pizza Pasta Casserole, Salad, Bread
8 - Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry, Rice, Steamed Broccoli/Califlower

Sounds yummy huh? I'm not a meal loaf lover, but it's easy pretty quick. I'm trying a new recipe for it. The sweet potatoe cassserole and corn pudding recipes are from my mom ... the best ever!!! The Teriyaki Chicken you really just mixed everything up in a freezer bag and freeze it, then take it out and cook. You know once chicken is in strips it doesn't take long to cook it up.

Em made the middle school cheerleading squad ... YEA for her, boo for me cause it's expensive! But she's loving it and that's all that matters. Go Cougars!

I killed a turkey Friday, but don't have the pictures with me to post. I'll try to get them posted soone on Facebook. It was another Jake, but it was a cool kill cause Neighbor Mike shot also.

More later!

Christy

New Puppy & Family pets

Koda - he's our big outside boy.

Princess - she rules the house! And thinks her Mom & Dad are the neatest thing next to slice bread!

Emilee's new best friend ... Molly 7 week old Yellow Lab

Couldn't you just eat her up!

Molly has been in our house for 3 nights and each night I've gotten up to let her go potty. Last night was the first night where it worked out that I put her to bed at 11:00 (with a potty break before). Slept for 2 hours then got up to take her out. In those two hours, she managed (as she has for the past two night) to poo in her cage. So at 1:00, I'm semi cleaning up poo. Then back up at 3:00 to potty, then up at 5:15 for good. She's had one accident in the house - which was really our fault. Emilee and I were working on her poster for her reading report in the floor in the basement and Molly woke up from a nap and decided she need to wee on Em's poster. Luckily, just on the corner and the picture could be reprinted. No harm. Baby puppy pee is like water anyways ... no smell! Whew!

She is really sweet and totally cute ... don't you think?

No turkey - New Puppy - Better grades

Emilee is really trying with her grades and so far this last nine weeks, she's brought everything up! Good girl. Cheerleading try outs are next week, so be praying she'll have a good try and MAKE the team!

We're getting a new puppy - actually Emilee is for Easter. I'll pick her up tomorrow, if everything goes as planned. Its a girl, yellow lab around 6 weeks old. Here's a picture of liter, not sure which we are getting, but I think it's the one in the back looking at the camera.




So, no turkey yet. Last weekend was opening weekend and nothing... the weather was terrible and the turkey's are gobbling. Enough said. We'll try again tomorrow morning!

I'll have more pictures of the new puppy Monday!

Smilebox.com - check it out!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Scrapbooking vs Hunting

I haven't been scrapbooking much lately. I'm not sure why, just not in the mood. I'm wondering if it's because of hunting ..... new hobby buying for my time. But I'm not really over the top about hunting. I like turkey hunting and I like shooting my new bow, but it's not an obession for me like it is for hubby or even like scrapbooking was for me. I think it might be the fact that I'm not spending any more on it right now. Shopping always put me in the mood. Just to get home and use what I had bought. But I have so much stuff that I really don't need anything other than glues and maybe solid cardstock. I know the new stuff is out, but unless I just need something to complete a page, I can make do with what I have. So, using old stuff isn't really has fun and buying new stuff. And I know that I'm not helping the store by doing this, but it's either buy scrapbooking stuff or buy groceries and believe me, my family likes to eat too much to skip on that. So, buying groceries it is.

Speaking of spending money. Em is going out for middle school cheerleader (something I never did) and it's stinking expensive! Like $1700 total ... no fund raisers! Whew! What a chunck!

18 Days and counting ... sorry I've been MIA!

Not much going on with the family.

18 more days till turkey hunting. Steve called me today and had me listen to the hens across the street. He had taken the 4 wheeler over to where we're sitting up our blind in a couple of weeks .... yea! 2 big toms in the logging road .. whoo.... one for me and one for him! Watch out turkey's here we come!

The NWTF was fun. I have some pictures with "famous" hunting celebs ... you can see them here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017122&id=1316176931&l=22453

Will Primos and Kevin; T-Bone and Michael Waddell and Mark Drury .... all very cool guys and so very down to earth. It's neat to talk to them. I asked Michael Waddell for tips hunting turkeys with a bow and he talk to Steve and I for a good 2 to 3 minutes about it.

Hopefully the next post will includes pictures of me and my big TOM!

Pictures

Birthday presents from Mom and Dad - dinner at Paradise Ridge Bar & Grill

Thats me in a tree ....... practicing shooting from a stand. It's more different than I thought it would be! It was cold yesterday and this was pretty late in the evening.

New Blog look and hunting

So, the first thing you notice is a new blog look. Isn't it cute!?!?! The ladies at Cutest Blog Around the Block can really come up with some mega-cute designs. I love this! So springy!!!

This coming weekend is the NWTF in Nashville - thats the National Wildlife Turkey Federation for those who don't know. The convention is a huge deal. Has 4 acres of booths/vendors for your turkey enjoyment. Not to mention the possbility of meeting your hunting hero's. We didn't go last year since it was in Atlanta. So we're excited to be attending this year.

I shot my bow this weekend in two new ways .... 1) from a blind and boy is that hard! It takes mega upper body strength to pull the bow back when you're sitting. After about 6 shots I was done! 2) From a tree stand. DH put up a stand in the back yard/woods and I shot some out of that. It's a little different too and a little scary too! I'm sure it'll get better!

I had a nice birthday weekend. Very quite and low key. Nothing major going on.

I do have some pictures to post, just got to get them loaded. Maybe tomorrow.

GRADES - they are okay

If you remember from previous posts, DD received a D in math, so she's grounded. Well, we got progress reports yesterday and she stilllllll has a D in math. The exact same grade as the report card. BUT, her next lowest grade is a 77 or 78 in Science and then the rest are A's and B's. Good girl!!! She starts tutoring at the school next Wednesday, so I'm hoping we can get that math grade up to a strong C ...... I'll be happy with that. We have about 3 weeks to do it in. Keep your fingers crossed!

41 more days till turkey season in TN ..... YEA!

Dixie Thunder Chickens ........

Betcha don't know what that is ..................

TURKEY!!!! Wild Turkey to be exact. I'm totally addicted to turkey hunting.... LOVE IT!!!! Our season in TN starts March 28, so Steve and I are in total count down mode. We need another blind or two, because this year, my goal is take a turkey with my new bow! I'm fueled by the need because Steve never has! You know, anything to out do him just once! I told him I wanted to take both to the woods, my bow and my gun...he rolled his eyes at me. I can't take both he said. WHY says I. He said, what if I shoot with my bow and miss am I going to then try with my gun. Maybe I said! Anyways, I'm obessed! Just so you know!

Nope! no Zach or frozen food in the freezer

So, I didn't cook this weekend and our buddy, Zach, didn't come over. BUT I did get the house cleaned and went to Walmart for food. I figured, we aren't as busy right now as we were, so cooking at night really isn't that big of a deal.... tonight we're having chicken-pot-pie, since I started thawing it Saturday. I hope it's good reheated!

More eye problems .... the doctor wants me to wear my glasses for a whole week! Can you hear the pout!!!! I hate my glasses, but he needs my eyeball the correct shape in order to get my contact fitting correctly ... ugh!!!

UFC - I got my hubby tickets to see UFC fight night when it comes to Nashville in April. It's part of his birthday gifts ... just a little early. I have a feeling, everything he gets for the next 4 months will be birthday related (at least that's how I'm rationalizing it!!)

Gotta jet.....

The freezer is running low ......

Well, this weekend is another cook and freeze day at Casa de B. The freezer is running a little low. We found out last night that Chicken & Dumplings don't freeze and reheat very well. Steve said they reminded him of grits with veggies in them. They tasted okay, but looked pretty yucky. I think the dumplings fell apart. So, I'm making a grocery list. We're having a friend of Emilee's over Saturday night - actually he played football for Steve and his parents are going out "alone" Saturday and he wants to come hang out at the house with us..... not sure why, cause we all think our house is boring, but he calls us his second family. He's a good kid and Em and him get along pretty good. So, my plan is to get up tomorrow, clean house, go to Walmart and then start cooking Saturday evening. Cleaning shouldn't take too long....... Em and Steve are going to work on the basement room as I do the upstairs and I probably won't clean on my bedroom, and Em is cleaning her room. Anyways, all that to say, I'll start cooking Saturday night and then finish up Sunday. Not sure yet of the menu, I'll figure it out today sometime.

Here's a picture of Wyatt, Zach, Emilee and Abby last April. Zach is the one coming over tomorrow. This picture was taken after their 5th grade play. Wyatt was a pirate .. the beard is fake.

5th & 6th Grade Cheerleading - 2nd place

Em's little team won 2nd place this weekend at their cheerleading competition. They did good, not great and not bad, but very good. They had one little girl out with the flu, so that threw a kink in their planning, but they worked it out okay.

Here's the only I picture I have right now:

Isn't she cute? Love that big, huge bow. And all that make-up... wow. I think Dad was a little suprised at it, but he made a comment to a friend that when they were on the mat under the lights, you could hardly see it. Her hair was really cute! She's really excited to go out for the middle school team this spring. She can't wait to do competitions all the time. I'm not so excited .. it's expensive!!!

I shot my bow this weekend, quite a bit and didn't loose any arrows!!! I shot at 15 yrds, 20/25 yrds and 30 yrds. Then we went up on the deck and I shot from there to simulate shooting out of a tree stand. I'm did pretty good. Only a couple missed shots. My arm was little sore last night, but it's okay today.

I'm making Em's valentine day cards for her class. I'll post pictures when I get them finished. Only 8 more to go.... well, maybe a few extra for some friends, but classmates are my first priority.

More later ....... happy Monday!