Thursday, October 16, 2008

A Small Town Weekend & a Birthday

I'm still here! I can't believe it's already Thursday! It's been a very unusual past few days and even week for us!

First of all, Jason is still off work and home with his leg. It's really been strange and nobody seems to know exactly what caused it and what happened...they do know that it's NOT a blood clot and NOT a brown recluse spider bite, but his leg has really gone through some horrible stages and just looked terrible. I'll spare you the pictures (yes I took pictures of his leg too) because it really does look gross! He was sent to a surgeon yesterday. As of now, they're puzzled as to the original cause (as in not sure it was ever a bursted vessel), but they are just treating the wound as of now. They're treating it as you would treat a 2nd degree burn. He will be going back to the doctor today to see how it's healing and when he will be able to return to work. I'll keep you posted.

But now about our weekend. In spite of Jason's leg ordeal, we really had a great time at the home of our friends, Richard and Betty. They live way out in the boonies in the foothills of the Ozarks. My mom and dad were also there. The first night as you read in a previous post, their dog met a skunk in the carport!

Then on Saturday, the guys spent a lazy day at home, sitting on the porch, shooting the breeze, watching the car go by (yes..I did say car go by...that's all they saw..one car.. because they live so far back on a gravel road). It's SO quiet and peaceful! Meanwhile, the ladies spent the day shopping and had lunch at a very charming Mexican restaurant (my favorite). And I came home with only two purchases:

A primitive make-do pear



And a stack of wooden bowls (which I will probably end up painting and distressing):



After we got home Saturday, we went out to eat. It's one of the few places in town where the folks go out to eat for home cooked style food.



Most every weekend night, you can find local bluegrass and gospel musicians playing and singing out in the parking lot. There are chairs and tables set up for folks to sit and relax and listen to the music. So after dinner, we too relaxed outside and listened. Here are the performers:



Here's a shot of the hometown folks enjoying a night relaxing in the cool fall evening listening to the music. I just love small laid-back towns and their idea of a spending a Saturday evening with the family! That's my mom and dad, Richard and Betty and Jason at the table close by! (Colt didn't get to come again...he opted to stay home and work...he's a work-a-holic...he doesn't want to give up that many days on his paycheck!)



There's Jason and Joy. See...Jason had his leg propped up like a good boy! :) He actually relaxed more there this weekend than he probably would have at home. The guys spend alot of time out on the porch drinking coffee and shooting the breeze. This way his leg stayed propped and he did rest.



And Joy shooting me a smile for the camera when she noticed I had it pointed at her!



After dinner, we came home and watched a movie. Betty and Joy whipped us up some pumpkin cookies to enjoy during the movie. Of course, you know Joy loved this!



On Sunday, Betty fixed us a yummy dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn, lima beans and rolls. Then after dinner, we went for a country drive on the gravel backroads just lookin'. As a matter of fact, it was a long drive...we weren't quite sure where we were there for a bit...but it ended up fine! Along the way, I took some photos of the sights.....some favorites and some not-so-favorites...

Here's one of the not-so-favorites.....a tarantula crossing the road...apparently this is not an uncommon sight there! (I hope I don't scare you off...I warn you...it's ugly!) And I did NOT take this picture...Jason took it. That spider was way too big for me!



Now for a few favorite sights....Here's a couple of barn pictures that I took! I just love old barns and I took these along the way!





Here's a picture of the creek.



And one of the trees turning:



Here's a neat looking farmhouse that I loved. It was way off and I used my super duper lens to zoom in to get a photo.



Betty loves this spot. There's no one living in this house, but the view from the back and the way it's nestled on the land...is very cozy. That house remodeled into a log cabin would really look great there!



And here was a house for sale close by. It had a great view from the back of the house over the valley. There was a 2nd level porch that overlooked it.



Sunday night, we settled in and watched another movie...one of my favorites...Quigley Down Under....while I worked on my very first stitchery (which is still in progress by the way). Afterwards Betty gave me a lesson on making a rag quilt.

Then after a good breakfast Monday morning, we headed back home for an afternoon of Dr. appointments for Jason. I took this photo cruising down the road of the hills ahead. (Jason was driving for a little bit for the first time...I had been driving because of his leg, but he decided to drive for a bit).



Here's Joy doing what she does best in the backseat traveling...playing her Nintendo DS.



Then she took the camera and snapped one of me in the front seat of the car. I went ahead and included it here because I thought I'd show ya'll my new haircut I got last week...quite a few inches gone! :)



And last but not least, I didn't get to post on Tuesday, but it was Jason's 48th birthday! He spent it at home with his leg propped up, but we did get to go out to dinner with our family, my mom and dad, his dad, and my aunt and uncle for Chinese food that evening. Here's a picture that Joy snapped of her dad at the restaurant.



Happy Birthday Jason!

So there you have it....that's what we've been up to......

29 comments:

Juanita said...

Happy Birthday Jason! It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I am keeping Jason in my prayers.Now to the pics,Loved your barn pics,hated the spider LOL! They creep me out!! I just freak out when i see a spider or a snake.I hope the Dr.s figure out what is wrong with Jason. Have a blessed day!
Juanita

Sue said...

Sounds like a great weekend to me....a time to be with friends and relaxing! I'm glad your husband's leg is getting better. It does sound like a spider bite but the doctor should know more than me, right!! Glad you're back cause I missed visiting with you! Happy Birthday Jason!

Kindra-At Home With K said...

Happy belated birthday to Jason! His leg situation sounds painful. I hope he starts to feeling better. Your trip sounded/looked like fun!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Happy birhday to your DH...what a week you have had Tammy, I hope this Thursday everything is going well for both of you.

Joy looks so sweet!

I think we have the same pear makedo.lol On my bowls that I found at Goodwill I used red primer spray paint then when dried I stained them and they turned out great:) Just an idea for you:)
Rondell
PS Oh, that spider believe me I quickly scrolled down didn't even want to look at it!
Rondell

Anonymous said...

I to am from around the Ozarks. Not sure exactly where you are but I am almost positive that I know one of the guys playing the instrument in the photo you have posted. Now that would be kinda neat huh? Can you say in your next blog what town you were in? I am in Aurora MO

basketsnprims said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend with family, friends, music and lots of good food. Jason's wound sounds very painful and I hope it heals quickly. Enjoyed all of the pictures. ~ Pam

CozyGirl said...

Sounds like a fun and relaxing trip you had ! I love going to the Ozarks. I have lot's of family in Berryville, AR and Eureka Springs . We have spent a lot of time at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson also. Your post made me want to go visit my grandma in AR!I didn't know there were huge spiders like that around there! Hope you have a great day !
Janae

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday Jason!! In spite of all the pain caused by your leg, you look to be enjoying your visit which is so wonderful, under those circumstances! I hope all goes well with your dr's appointment today... Sure would be great if they'd figure out what it was, that's for sure! Wonder if it was caused from a spider bite?? Do let us know when you find out Tammy...

Love the pic's Tammy!! Well, almost all of them... ;) as that spider picture really gave me the shivers!!I really despise all of them! They are sooo scary looking! The barn pic's and landscapes and pic's of the homes were real neat to see! Thanks for sharing them Tammy!!

My DH plays bluegrass and gospel songs on his guitar sometimes. I love hearing him play and sing that type of music!!

I also loved seeing your new haircut girlfriend!! Sooo very pretty!! THANKS JOY for taking the pic of your MOM!!

Joy looked asthough she was having a really good time too! She's such a sweetie! I love you Joy!!

So great knowing you are back home safe and sound Tammy!! Missed you a whole bunch, on here and on the CS forum too!!

Thanks for sharing your visit with me too, as I really enjoyed seeing all your pic's!

I will still be keeping you all in my prayers... Take care now...and have a great day!

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn

Janel said...

Happy Birthday to Jason...wishing him a speedy recovery and keeping him in my prayers! I just LOVE your haircut...you look adorable:) Glad that you had such a nice mini vacation! Janel in NJ

Zaroga said...

It looks like y'all had a great time. I enjoyed all the pictures.. even the one of the spider :-) Joy is quite a photographer too. Happy belated birthday to Jason. I hope the leg heals quickly. When my son was 3 years old he was bitten by a recluse spider in the belt area. A miserable few weeks until it healed.

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jason!

Boy it sounds like y'all had a wonderful time...love those pics...'cept for the spider!
All that good food and time spent realxing with good friends, who could ask for more, HUH?!

I don't know what your hair looked like before the "new cut"...but I love your "new doo"! :)
Hope Jason's legs is getting better each day!


Have a wonderful day-Tammy.

*hugs*
-Kath


Ohhh, You just started stitching? I so want to try my hand at it too...I can't wait to see yours!

Deb said...

Hi Tammy! How are you! Great haircut! I really enjoyed your trip and the night out with music. Not the spider though. Tell Jason Happy 48th Birthday! and tell joy I like her smile.

Tammy said...

TAMMY! First of all, I loved catching up with you...(I so want to go visit the Ozarks some day...(but not see tarantulas!!!)

But guess what? Today is my husband's 48th birthday!!! I just posted on it...wow, in spite of us living in completely different necks of the woods, we really do have so much in common- right down to our names! :)

So, a belated Happy Birthday to your sweet husband, too!!!
(And hoping his leg is completely better soon!)
Hugs,
~Tammy

Michele said...

Happy Birthday Jason! Sounds like you guys had a great time. Eeeek on the tarantula...yuck, that's just creepy looking!

I hope they figure out what's up with Jason's leg.

Hugz,
Michele

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

What a weekend, Tammy! I hope Jason's leg continues to heal. How scary that the doctors can't seem to figure out the cause of his wound...

Fabulous pictures and I just LOVE your new 'do!

Happy Belated Birthday, Jason!

Gettysburg Homestead said...

OMW I guess I missed somwhere about JAson's leg. I got bit by a brown recluse a few years back and it got ugly. The doc yelled at me and everything because I waited so long to come in. LOL.

What great pictures...especially of you. LOVE you new do!!!! Didn't realize you were a red head. LOL.

Still doing OK without your diet pop???? I have started walking, taking vitamins, and will begin working out in another week. We have a new program at work where we have to go workout everyday we work. It was just he kick I needed. So far after my walks I've been feeling great!

Mary

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Happy Birthday Jason - I hope your leg heals ASAP!!

~Beth~ said...

Ok, first of all..I can't get the size of that spider out of my mind! Eewww! I have serious issues with spiders! Happy Birthday Jason! I hope you feel better soon. All the other other pics were just great! Looks as though you had a great time! ~Beth~

Back in the Day said...

What a great time you had! It sure looks like a lot of fun! I hope Jasons leg gets better! I know it is scary when they don't know exactly what they are dealing with! Thanks for the pics!

Anonymous said...

Tammy, I have missed you. I'm so sorry to hear about Jason's leg. I hope he it gets better. Please keep us posted. Oh and Happy Birthday. I hope he was able to enjoy his birthday a little.

I loved the pictures from your getaway. Great picture Joy took of Mom. I think we have a future blogger. :) Take care and I'm thinking about you all.

Donna

Dawn said...

Tammy, enjoyed the post tonight. Hope the hubbys leg is mending well. I enjoyed the photos. Love the tour of country homes!! Your neck of the woods looks beautiful in the fall. Have a great Friday!, Dawn

Black Sheep Lisa said...

Enjoyed the pics, Love your new do too! Happy Birthday to Jason, prayin for a healing on his leg.
blessings

Farmchick said...

Happy Belated Birthday to Jason! Hope he is getting better each day.

I could do without the spider! EEK! That's one reason I like living up north....too cold for icky bugs and stuff like that!!

Have a great day.
~Tania

HouseholdWords said...

You were tagged, come on over and play random facts :)



Oh My Gosh! that spider is nasty, I love the barn photos.

Mandie

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

HGappy Birthday to Jason! Sounds like such a nice time away from home!
I hope Jason's leg will be better soon. What a mystery!
I love your make-do pear! And I really enjoyed seeing the pics of the barns and houses.
Have a great weekend!

ohiofarmgirl said...

Sorry to hear about Jason's leg..sounds painful. And the pic of the spider is really quite scary! I detest spiders.lol
Looks like you all had a great time though. Dianntha

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Sounds like you had such a lovely time, Tammy. I would have enjoyed it with you - thats for sure.

Poor Jason ~ I hope he is healing and feeling much better soon.

I'm looking forward to seeing your stitchery. I just finished my first redwork towel and now plant ot begin a Bible quilt. I'm so excited!

Blessings,
Lea

Anonymous said...

Tammy, your blog was great. Thanks for including me and Richard. I am glad Jason is doing better.

Love Ya!!
Betty

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mom,

I LOVE HARDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D I had sooo much fun!! Yep, Dad is doing much better! Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you! I love you too, Mommy! =D

Love, Joy