Christmas 2020 looks different this year

 

2020 has been one of those years for sure with COVID-19 and the lockdowns and social distancing and our "bubble" of people.  We are still not sure at this time how we will spend the holidays....it is just not worth anyone getting sick, but that did not stop me from shopping on Amazon when I was out sick on home quarantine...ha!!!  I saw a facebook meme that said we did not get an order from Amazon today and the UPS driver knocked on the door to see if we were OK.  I thought it was cute. 

This is our 2020 Christmas tree.  Trying to decide about using just white lights next year.  Momma always loved colored lights and Annabeth loves colored lights, so that is what we have, but maybe next year I will try something different...who knows.

Another thing I miss is getting to spend time with family.  This picture came up in my FB memories of 2019 when the Self ladies got together for a holiday lunch.  I have seen Angela and Mrs. Conlee a few times this year, but I have not seen Aunt Sandra at all.  I sure do miss getting to hug everyone's necks.

I know this won't last forever, so until things get back to normal, whatever that is, I will just enjoy the quiet, down time at home.

It's a Very COVID-19 Thanksgiving

A couple of weeks ago, I was unknowingly exposed to COVID-19. 10 days ago I was tested as positive and went into isolation at home.  It was only a couple of days before Dwayne and Annabeth started having symptoms as well.  We had to cancel our family Thanksgiving plans and quarantine at home.  

I guess with all of the COVID mess going around, we were not exactly sure whether to even have had it anyway, so I guess we got our answer loud and clear.

We had a honey baked ham and honey baked smoked turkey and Mrs. Conlee fixed the sides for us and brought them over.  We missed seeing Austin and Sophia (they are in Ohio with her family), we missed seeing Sarah, Justin, Noah, Hunter and Dallas (they are in middle Tennessee with the Teen Challenge guys), we missed Daddy & Marilyn, Rhonda, Charlotte & Angela.  I sure wanted things to be "normal" for Janice since it is her first Thanksgiving without Porgy, but that was not meant to be.  We will cherish all of the annual garage photos we have of all of the Trammels and Thornes from years past. 

For now, this is our 2020 Quarantine Thanksgiving picture.  

 

Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me - Dwayne & Kay at Hickory Withe First Baptist Church

Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me - video

My New Trees

 After we had to get rid of the pool, we found out how truly hot it was in our back yard.  I decided I wanted a shade tree back there and maybe one in front too but you have to plant trees during planting season, so I have waited all year long to finally plant 2 trees.  My Pawpaw Pinky loved Pin Oak trees so that is what momma always had as well.  That is what I bought.  I have one in the front and one in the back.  The one in the front has red leaves on it so I named it "Pinky" and the one in the back yard is by the swing and the outdoor fireplace so I thought it was fitting to name it "Porgy".  I will be on the lookout for a pink dogwood next year named "Granny" and "BA".

"Porgy"

"Pinky"

Lexi Frances Conlee

Lexi is Annabeth's little Matli-Tzu (Part maltese and part shih tzu).  She is beautiful.  She is finally settling down, thankfully.  She sure does love her Peepaw!!!!

 

Gatlinburg Vacation Fall of 2020

We had a vacation booked for the last year to go back to Orange Beach, but Hurricane Sally hit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama hard and our trip was cancelled.  We decided at the last minute to go to the mountains.  We found a sweet little cabin up on the mountain in Pigeon Forge.  It was beautiful and had a nice hot tub on the porch, but we are beach people.  It was lovely, but not the same.  

my view....Dwayne watching the Cowboys

we saw the Soul of Motown

we even found "the shark" and could not help but take an iconic scary picture

Annabeth was having none of the shark fun....she was embarrassed.

I took my journaling bible.

so sweet

I read a Nicholas Sparks book and enjoyed nature and sitting up in the trees.

Gladys Knight and the Pips in the Soul of Motown.  The all white band was named White Chocolate, ha!!!

gimme some sugars.

we did a whole bunch of nothin'!!

Happy Fall Y'all.

We went to Dolly Parton's Stampede.

Gatlinburg even has a tunnel like the Mobile Bay...can you tell I missed the beach.

Just scrolling.

The finale of the Stampede.

I wrote in a journal called "Reflections of a Mother's Heart"

"Life is easy when you're up on the mountain"......reminded me of our friend Mrs. Linda Barnett, she always sang that song.  She passed away this week from Covid-19.  Prayers for the entire Barnett Family Ministry.  

 

Weightloss Journey

 As usual, I am on a continued weightloss journey.  It is not easy, but for today I am committed.  I have even gone ......wait for it.............48 days without a diet coke.  That was not my intent, but a couple of months ago I started eating a high protein, low carb, low fat diet and drinking water (with lemon or crystal light).  I would only drink a diet coke as a reward if I drank all 88-100 oz. of water per day.  One day I got a diet coke out of the fridge and it was awful.  I just KNEW it was expired.  Wrong, it was just awful.  I miss it somedays more than I miss just eating whatever I want, but I know how to diet and when I put my mind to it, I can do it.  I hope to lose weight so I can be healthy and live a longer life for my family.

I did break down and eat a Pyro's cauliflower pizza....I honestly could not tell the difference.  It was that good.

Servants Heart

Jeff's wife, Ashley, has joined Servants 💙 Heart.  We welcome her with open arms.  Pam said she wants to sing with us too just so we can be called a sextet....ha!!!!

We now have Jeff singing lead, Ashley singing soprano, Kenneth singing bass, Kay singing alto, and Dwayne singing baritone.    

 

Noah, Hunter and Dallas

We had the boys for a few days around Labor Day so Sarah & Justin could have some time away.  We decided to take some updated pictures of them.  It was like herding cats!!!

Dallas is going into Kindergarten.  He is 5 years old.  

Noah, Dallas and Hunter

Hunter is going into the 3rd grade.  He is 8 years old.  

Noah is going into 5th grade.  He just turned 10 years old.  

We had to bribe Dallas with his favorite blanket.  That little thumb sucker!!!!

 

Noah & Hunter's Baptism

We were grateful to be able to be at Mosaic Church is Clarksville, TN to see Noah & Hunter's baptism. 

 

Annabeth's Trip to Panama City Beach with Agape Baptist Church

Jennifer Nash asked Annabeth to go as a chaperone to the youth beach trip.  She went and had a sweet time.  I think she got really close to Jennifer and Amie.  We appreciate them so much pouring into her life.  She really struggles with anxiety and fear.  You can tell by the shirts she bought that it is something she constantly works on.

Annabeth on the pier

Fear not, for I am with you.

a storm was brewing

She has grace in her heart and fire in her soul

Uncle Porgy

Porgy found out just a few weeks ago that he had Stage 4 Liver cancer, the doctor said it was very ugly and aggressive.  There was not much they could do.  He decided to stop dialysis treatments and went on hospice.  After about a week of being essentially bed bound, he was admitted to the Baptist Collierville Hospice House.  He passed away today with Janice by his side.  They had a love like no other spanning 32 years.  I am so grateful he had someone to love and care for him all of these years.

Because of the Covid situation, we are unsure of final arrangements at this time.

Thanksgiving and Christmas just won't be the same now.

Porgy & Janice (they always laughed so much together)

Our last picture with Uncle Howard....can't believe they are all gone.

me and my sweet "Unca Porgy".  We had a special bond, because we were both "the baby"

Reunited and it feels so good. 

love these old pictures. 

he was a hottie