"Free" Jewelry

A friend sent me this website for obtaining "free" jewelry. When you click on the website, you will see pieces of jewelry that you can purchase for shipping/processing fee only (usually comes to $5.99-$10.00). The pieces change every few minutes and are all retail priced between $11.99 and $99.99. There are sterling silver, pearl, beaded, and jeweled pieces...bracelets, rings, earrings, watches, necklaces, etc. It's a neat concept for gifts or if you see something that you would like for yourself. I haven't purchased anything yet, but know friends that have and they have been happy with the product. They are shipped UPS and are packaged in a velour drawstring pouch. Just thought I'd pass on the info...

Puppy Playdates

Cole and I have found a new weekly activity. We load up the car with Tank and meet friends at the Moss Wright Dog Park to let the puppies/kids play. My MOPS table met there a few weeks ago for a "table" playdate...we all had so much fun that we've added more friends (and puppies!) to the mix.
When we arrive we head straight to the dog park. Tank now knows what's coming and he is about ready to jump out of the car when we enter the park! We let the dogs play for about 20-30 minutes (the kids usually play in the water, play fetch with the dogs, play tag, etc.), and then we load up the dogs and head to the playground. The dogs rest in the back of the vehicles (they are exhausted!) while the kids play. We then wrap up the morning with a picnic lunch under the shade trees.
It's so much fun and we're getting in all we can before the weather becomes too cold...any ideas for winter?

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Pumpkin Pickin' at the Farm

Cole, Gigi, and I enjoyed a fun day at Bottom View Farm with friends this past Wednesday. We saw animals, played on the farm, took a train ride, and enjoyed a visit to the pumpkin patch. Cole and his friend Cohen also got their picture taken again by the Portland Leader newspaper to go alongside the picture taken of them last year. My how they have both changed...I can't wait to see how it turns out!
We also went to lunch at Five Chefs afterwards with my friend Karla, her little boy, Cohen, and her mom. We've decided that this must become a fall tradition for our families. We're already making plans to take the boys out of school to visit the farm and eat lunch every year...ha! We arrived home about 3:00 and Cole slept until 5:30...we were both exhausted!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

New Library!

Hallelujah!! Hendersonville finally has a brand-new library! The other library on Dunn St. had served the H'ville area well for 40 years (I even remember going there for storytime as a kid myself), but it couldn't keep up with the demand for new books, computers, and new technology...not to mention the parking was VERY limited. I had taken Cole there many times this past year and felt that if he played with the train set, got excited about the books (which he often does), or yes...even threw a fit, then we would be disturbing those around us. The kids area was in a corner, but was open to the rest of the library (which was quite small itself). Well, no need to worry now. The new library is AMAZING! It is a 2 story stucture located by The Streets off of Indian Lake. It has that classic "Barnes and Noble" look with the plush couches/chairs, dark wood, open staircase, and pleny of "nooks" to get totally lost in a book. My favorite is the kid's wing...yes WING! A whole wing is dedicated to children...you enter into a wonderland full of books and characters for kids. There is a storytime room, ABC Club activity room, and computer area with kid games. We loved wandering through at the Grand Opening, but really had the chance to enjoy it this past week when we met some friends there for storytime. Cole (and I) had so much fun!
The new library also houses a "teen room", TONS of cubicles with new computers, a Magazine room, Quiet Reading Room (with soundproof walls...when the door is shut, you can't hear a thing!), outdoor reading porches both upstairs and downstairs, meeting rooms, etc. It's beautiful!

Entrance to the Children's Wing



Michael and Cole playing on the computer


Checking out the books

Family Reunion

Last Sunday, we headed to Christiana, TN for a reunion with my grandmother's (mom's mom) side of the family. We all met at my Uncle Chris' house for a day of food and fun. The weather was lovely, so we spent the majority of our time outside. Chris and Sharie have a beautiful yard with ponds, gazebos, etc. so it was the perfect place to relax and catch up with family. Chris also grilled some yummy chicken and hamburgers and made his famous crab bisque as an appetizer...this along with everyone's "fixins'" made for a delicious meal (I just LOVE pot-lucks!).

We weren't sure how Cole would fare, being that most of the family there were complete strangers to him. He usually doesn't leave my side in these types of situations, but to our surprise, he played ALL DAY LONG! He really took up with my Uncle Tony and followed him everywhere outside :-) Even without a nap, he stayed so happy and crashed in the carseat as soon as we got out of the neighborhood about 4:00.
I just love days like this. I love seeing the history and heritage of my family displayed through stories, laughter, and hugs. I pray that Cole comes to treasure this as well and passes down a love for the Lord to his children and future generations.

Spa Day

My birthday was Tuesday and Michael truly outdid himself with regards to my gift. He's always so creative and romantic that I never know what to expect. This year I was treated to a Spa Day at the Relache Spa in Opryland Hotel. It was AMAZING!! I've had one massage in the past and a few manicures/pedicures at local salons here and there, but nothing like what I experienced on Tuesday. I felt so pampered and special. I've told him that he never again needs to ask me what I want for my birthday...THIS will always be my answer!
The day began by Michael letting me sleep in...that alone was wonderful! He took care of Cole, got him fed and dressed, and took him to school. My only instructions were to be ready by 9:45 and to shave my legs (guess he didn't want me to be embarrassed by my prickly legs!). We then loaded up the car and he took me to the spa. He had set up all the treatments and chosen my schedule for the day. All I had to do was show up. Here was my schedule...

10:30 - Arrive at spa. Enjoy the sauna, steam room, and relaxation lounge (low lighting, candles, fruit, herbal teas...amazing!).

11:30 - Hour long Swedish massage. I felt like jello afterwards and smelled like a fresh coconut :-)

12:30 - Aromatherapy facial. I had never had a facial before, but this could've been one of my favorites. My face was so smooth and clean afterwards...I wanted to bring her home with me!

1:30 - Lunch brought up by in room dining. I ate a grilled chicken caesar wrap while relaxing by the pool.

2:00-4:00 - Tropical manicure and pedicure

4:00-4:45 - Shower, change, and be ready to be picked up for dinner.

After he picked me up, we went to The Streets in Hendersonville for dinner and some shopping at NY&C with b'day money. It was a fantastic day that I will never forget!

A Little of This and That

Today is beautiful...the sun is shining, cool breeze, no humidity. This is how the people in San Diego must feel year round...my kind of weather for sure. I wasn't going to let this glorious day slip away without some enjoyment of it, so I went outside to read while Cole napped and just breathed in autumn...what a wonderful afternoon! Keeping busy seems to be the American way, but I'm noticing how important it is to take time, STOP, and just breathe (Faith Hill would be proud).

Because of our "busy"ness, I've blogged about the main events taking place, but not about our day-to-day activities. Here's a little about what's going on in the Johnson house these days...

*Cole is doing WONDERFUL in Treasure Creek. He cried the first couple of weeks, but boy has that changed! As we come up on the church entrance (in the car) he begins to shout "Church!" and "School!"...he's so excited! He runs (literally) to the preschool area and can't wait to be checked in so that he can go to his class. As we walk to his class he begins to say "Play friend". While I'm getting his backpack situated, he's pulling on the gate to get into his class, gives me a quick hug and "I love you", and off he goes. Although I had been waiting for the glorious non-crying moment, I have to admit that I was saddened just a little. It's just another sign that he's growing up. Man, I'm going to be pitiful when he begins kindergarten.

*Since Cole is at school on Tuesdays, I've had the blessing of joining a women's Bible Study on Tuesday mornings at church. We currently have five different studies available and I chose Beth Moore's "Stepping Up...A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent". It has been fabulous! We are diving deep into the psalms that were written as the children of God made their pilgrimage back to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast. God is teaching me many things that I can't wait to share with you!

*Michael is doing great...his business is booming! With the status of the economy, we were unsure where this road would lead, but the Lord has blessed more than we could imagine. Winter is normally a slow time (and could be worse this year) so please keep us in your prayers that the appraisal orders will continue to roll in.

*Michael also recently took a motorcycle training course at Vol State. He has wanted to do this for some time, and finally had the opportunity a few weekends ago. I must brag that he was the valedictorian of his class, scoring the highest on the written (a 100!) and driving tests...I'm so proud! Now that he can legally drive a motorcycle on the open road, the only hindrance is actually owning a bike :-) Although that reality is still a ways off, he has enjoyed looking at zillions (and I do mean zillions) of bikes trying to find what he likes and the best deals.

*My Uppercase Living business is booming as well. Here is a beautiful example of what the Lord has orchestrated...a friend of my mom came to an Open House and loved the product. Her daughter works at Guild Elementary as a Library assistant and took the catalog to school to ask if she could do a catalog show for the teachers. The principal saw it and immediately sent me an email wanting to order expressions for the school walls and wants me to create the school slogan for the main entrance...AMAZING!!