The little town is a piece of history that I have enjoyed through the years. The "mayor" in this link is... a little strange to me...actually, a little more than strange. However, to my knowledge, the woman is correct regarding the history: the two Virginia's border one another; two Bluefields, West Virginia and Virginia, sit together on those mountains. Pocahontas was the place where the coal company began in those areas; with miners working further south on Rt. 52 from Bluefield, into Welch, West Virginia and beyond...

Each year at Christmas time, there is a tour of the turn of the century mansions all sitting in one little nostalgic place. I think this is what fascinates me most about Bramwell, West Virginia. It's a place within a place. It is nestled in the mountains on the outskirts of Bluefield, West Virginia. In Bluefield, one can find a Food City grocery mart, doctors' offices, a mall, restaurants, and other "now" day places and things going on.

I've spent some nights in Bramwell on occasion. Sam and I have stayed at one of the famous bed & breakfast houses. It's a cool place to visit during the holidays. My aunt sent me some Bluefield area videos via email today. And I searched through several of them to find Bramwell, because a friend and I just yesterday discussed going back this year to enjoy the Christmas tours of the mansions.

There is a bit of a downside to my feelings of nostalgia; regarding the millionaires who bought up the coal mines and moved into the area. They were mine owners. They were not common coal camp folk like the people where I lived; like my grandfather who raised me. My grandfather worked the mines that these millionaires owned, and he didn't have a mansion to live in for the hard hours he put in over at the Crumpler mines.

Still, it is always interesting to me, to find "back home" places on YouTube. It's funny in a way...there was a time I remember when the county in West Virginia where I was raised, wasn't even on a map. And nowadays, even that area is mapped out and found on YouTube, for all the world to see...

* Gonna' go to a music festival just a few miles from our house on Sunday afternoon. Fiddles, (or violins; to honor of the social elite) guitars, banjos, all played by professionals who studied music throughout their lives. Sam and I will be fortunate enough to get $30 tickets for the affair, free of charge through my employers. Great food, great company. Looking forward...

*Been reading a bit on other blogs of some folks, who are seemingly all bent out of shape because people think Barrack Obama has an arrogant personality. What. Ever.

*Carley is full of herself; and bringing life to the homestead. She has a new collar; her welcome gift from Sam and I...polka dots, and rhinestones on a pink background for the "Priss Pott"! 

*Bentley remains the top dog around here; and we still give him lots and lots of attention. He gets to go with us in the car for rides, without the Carley girl; AND, he drives! I don't know how much longer we will have him; but, he's been a trooper for sure. And, I cannot imagine my life without Sir Bentley!!

*Work is wonderful and still very rewarding. Some folks on the planet speak of "Do-Gooders" and phony (or phoney; which ever you prefer is correct) people who don't know their asses from a hole in the ground. I'm here to tell ya' folks, that the work I do is wonderful and rewarding! And, if that means I'm a do-gooder in your eyes, then feel good about yourself for saying so chiefs. As for phoniness, one cannot determine the true thoughts of another's heart, now can they? On the other hand, it is fairly easy to see through those people who think they can.

*Summer has been good to us in these parts of Virginia. I so appreciate the rain; and the many cooler days we've spent enjoying the warmth, and not so much humidity.

*"Spookyrach" and "Hillbilly Please" continue to be two of my most favorite folks in blogsville. I read Dana's site most everyday; and admire the strength she shows in managing all that is involved when two families come together; and four parents play significant roles in childrens' lives. Wonderous is life over at Pureland Mountain, where I've read and been fond to learn of Japanese culture. I also enjoy reading Robert's prose. I am still crazy in love with Josie Bear over at Suzie's place! The writings of Jenorama make me feel as though I am conversing with her over tea. The list really does go on from here....Kudos to the gals and guys on my list of Grand Mountain Peaks!

*Frustration is: having one supervisor who has been given an executive position because she is friendly enough to be seen in the position; and is easily manipulated by her higher ups. Young; nice enough; but lots to learn about the politics going on right under her nose. The whole while, I'm wishing for the supervisor who hired me, to be the person I answer to first.

*Planning a couple of trips for work...retreats and conferences...food, and new faces to know.

*Book launching party is set for early winter.

* Gonna' start painting our bedroom and master bathroom very soon. I knew I couldn't stay away from the brush and roller forever.

August is coming to a close and I can hardly wait for crisp, cool autumn! I like the clothes I wear in the fall much better than my summer stuff. Sam and I were married in October. Fall of the year has always been a favorite time for me; even before our nuptials.

Happiness is: life in general, with Sam and our pets!

Happiness, August 15, 16, 17....19, 20---Carley!! She's keeping us busy! Work is also keeping me extremely busy. Hi Dana :)

Jesse will never be replaced...NEVER. We miss her terribly. I cry like a little girl at least once every day when thinking of that awful July 15. Our grief over Jesse has had us thinking about death, and endings, with no new beginnings.

We were not thinking of another dog at all on the day that I walked into our local post office to get the mail. The post office is small of course, as is our little town just 10 minutes outside the big city of our county--heh. People post all sorts of notes and bulletins on the wall to the right as one walks through the doors. I always scan the board. Sometimes I see the funniest things...things like, "Lost female goat; white... If found, small reward. Please call...." 

Anyways, on the 9th of this month, while scanning the "bulletin board" at our post office, I found a ragged little piece of paper stuck there...."Free to good home; 2-year old black female toy poodle. Weighs 8lbs, friendly, house broken, loves other dogs and cats....call...

I just really wanted to know the story. I couldn't imagine someone giving away a healthy, well behaved toy poodle. So I snatched the paper, got the mail, and proceeded to the car. On my way to town, I called the number on the paper I'd held tightly in my hand since I left the post office.

The lady who answered the phone told me she had just posted the note in our post office the day before. She explained that though they really loved the dog, she and her husband both work 10 and 12 hour days, and while they work all these hours, they leave the dog in a pet carrier. Oh god! An active little 2-year old, locked up for upwards of 12 hours, in a pet carrier!! The woman proceeded to tell me that she and her husband had just moved into their brand new double-wide home, and they feared leaving her out in the house all those hours. They wanted her to feel safe in a more contained area....etc. etc. etc.

These folks obviously have different priorities than Sam and myself. They are concerned with their home, carpeting, etc...Sam and I are concerned with all that lives inside our home. Carley is house broken. And here at our place, she and the other animals have a doggie door with a big fenced in area of our yard, just off our little back porch. This gal runs in and out of that door all day; just like a kid!

Bentley wagged his tail the day I took him to see Carley. He sniffed. She sniffed. And the tails kept wagging. This was the deciding factor in whether I would take the little thing home with me that day. Bentley and Pickle had been grieving the same as me and Sam. Life was dull and lonely. Bentley was lost when we went to work. He was crazy all over us when we arrived home in the evenings. He knew this little gal did not smell like Jesse, and could not be Jesse; but, he said okay to the idea of having a new buddy...life.

Pickle (previously Vic's cat) thought Jesse was his mother. He's been sleeping in her spot, and laying there at different times throughout the day. When he was on the porch in the evenings and heard other dogs barking near by, he would take off in the general direction of the barking. He's still not fully accepted Carley's arrival. He spends time near her, and then walks away with a look on his face that says, "Whatever!" He isn't mean with her. And he does seem a bit interested....over time Pickle will settle with the deal. Both Bentley and Pickle realize that Carley is young and active. They seem to be accepting of that part. Bentley realizes she's still kind of... well, childish. He tolerates it all very well, and has remained the gentleman. He's a good dog. He's my first baby in my marriage to Sam...

And that's how Miss Carley came to be.

Happiness is the new addition to our family. Carley arrived yesterday, late afternoon. She's black and beautiful, and two years old. She weighs all of 8 pounds; and is full of piss and vinegar! Pictures to follow soon!

Happiness is knowing who I am and loving myself just this way.

I've had a couple rough days, and because of those days, I missed writing out the challenge I previously mentioned learning of, over at Typical Momma's place.

Upon reflection of the people with whom I've dealt in the past few days, (no one in the blogsphere; you all are wonderful!) I have decided that I am an okay individual. In fact, I think I am so okay that I would choose me for a friend!

Today, happiness for me is hearing from our Victoria; and receiving her new address. I continue to be proud of our girl, and believe she is making good decisions for herself. She is making it on her own...she is young and free, and always our kid in heart.

Not so happy on August 8. My heart is sore for many reasons. Lovin' what blogging has done for my life though....I suppose that might be considered my happiness for August 8.

Today, I was sooooo happy to find some unopened window scarves that I'd bought years ago for Victoria's room when I purchased a whole comforter set for her. She did use the regular curtain panels on her bedroom windows back then; but, she really didn't feel she needed the scarves. I found them today, having totally forgotten I'd kept them all these years. And I think they look wonderful on the new decorative rod I bought for my den! I just doubled them and left them to hang nicely and simply. They will be easy to slide across the rod during the morning hours when the sun's warmth is a little much through those windows. Then during the late afternoon and evening hours, I will slide them opened; so we can still enjoy the beautiful view we see of our backyard from this room. I actually need to pull the fronts of the scarves down a bit, so they will meet with the carpeting, and push the ends of the rods in a bit; but, you get the picture, right? Well, of course you do! Hi Mom. Perhaps I'll begin to take an interest once again, in the designing I've done in my homes for years...

Also, since the last time I posted a picture of this room, I painted it a color entitled, "Shady Grove". The picture in the corner on your left, is an old flick of Sam's mom and dad from back in the years when height meant everything to a  good hairdo--yikes. The old framed photograph on your right, is my mama as a babe. The matching fabric on the back of the 50s chair which belonged to my maternal grandmother, is actually two pillow shams; also never used by Victoria. I just placed them there for effect, of course. I probably won't leave them. There are bookshelves on either side of an unused fireplace in this room. Someday, I will try to get pictures of  whole rooms of my house to post. And, of course this was shot at an angle; so, the room, pictures, nor the window is crooked. 

I just read this, over at Presbyterian Gal's blogsite. This. Is. Not. Cool.

Any attorneys out there with suggestions??