MTFW--Blaze

Greetings humans!  Blaze here..and yes..I'm the only dog of the family.   Don't let my name confuse you..I am a GIRL!  Most people hear my name and assume I'm a boy..not so!  Daddy gave me my name many years ago when he first got me cause he said I could run like a 'blaze of fire'!!   And at my ripe old age of 15..I can still run with the best of them and then some!  Yup..even mama gets mad when sometimes my 'blazing' instincts kick in and I bolt from my dog lot when she comes to take me for an evening walk!  Hey I can't help it..I'm ready to GO! 

I'm really a one owner type dog.  Daddy got me when I was just a pup..and that was before mama ever came along..so she says I don't like her much cause I don't respond to her the way I do my daddy.  I'm not sayin either way..but I DO love my daddy to pieces!  He's the best and we've been together for many years.  I used to go rabbit hunting back in the 'day' but haven't done that in a while.  They take me for a swim in the creek by the house alot in the summer..but I really don't enjoy that much..getting wet isn't my thing!!  My best dog friend, Lady, goes with us for dog walks alot.  She's great and I'm so glad that I have a doggie best friend!

Thats about it for me!  Hope your having a dog-gone good day!

MTFW--Thomas

HELLOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Hey all you people out there!  This is Thomas the cat here and I'm the newest addition to the household!  Last year, I found my new 'daddy' one day when he was out by the creek doing some fishing.  I came up behind him..introduced myself with a nice 'meow!' and decided to head on home with him since he seemed like a nice guy!  Thats when I met my new mama and she's pretty cool too..but I'm definately a daddy's boy!   Daddy and mama had just moved into the neighborhood and my old 'peoples' I used to live with lived just a couple houses down..so I figured they wouldnt mind if I took up a new residence.  Of course..they didnt and told mama and daddy they could keep me and I couldnt be more happier!!

As you may have noticed..I'm missing one eye.  Now, now..don't feel sorry for me!  I get along just fine with my one eyeball..sure I might run into stuff a time or two..but who doesn't?!  What happened you might ask?  Well there was some mean people who lived around here and I got shot at a few years back..it happened to me and the neighborhood dog, Lady, as well.  But we're both doing great and I see Lady pretty much everyday too! 

I stay outside most of the time and love it!  I have the whole yard to myself and can do as I please..I even visit the neighbors sometimes too!   They all seem to like me and I love the attention they give to me..so I pretty much have it made!  Oh did I mention..daddy sometimes gives me a bath?  Its pretty cool too..I just sit there and he washes my fur..and mama dries me..sometimes with this big loud thing they call a hairdryer!  They tell me I'm one crazy cat for liking baths!

Overall I'm one laid back cat who loves pretty much anyone who gives me the time of day!  A nice face scratch (and some FOOD!) and this boy is a happy camper!  But..I'll always be daddy's boy!

Ta-ta for now!

MTFW--Miss Ravey

HELLO!!

My name is Raven..or Ravey as most people calls me!  I'm a total mama's girl though I do love my daddy too..after all he is the one who gives me TREATS everyday!! 

I found my parents back in 2003 one November afternoon.  They were outside doing something very strange..putting lights all over their house!  They said something about Christmas decorations..I dunno..but I sure did like them!  I hung around for a couple days in the garage and they finally let me come inside to stay!  

My mama says I'm a pretty smart girl since I know a few words.  Treats, dry food, birdie, pray for daddy, brush, and grass are some words I know..they are all some of my favorite things!!  My hangout is usually in the big window in the living room.  I have the BEST views!  Mama put a birdie feeder right in the window so I can get a close up view of them!  Its SO FUN to smack the window when one lands!  I would love to go outside and play like some kitties do..but mama says I'm allergic to fleas..or 'yum yums' as we call them.  I do bite the hair off my tail and belly when I get a couple 'yum yums'..so I guess thats what allergic means!

Well now you know a little more about me..and don't forget..I am the princess of the house!!  See you again soon!

BYE!!!!!

MTFW--Damon ~aka~ Hubby!

Hey yall'!  This is Damon here..Mel's hubby for any who havent figured it out yet!  Guess she is having a meet the family week here on her blog..she sure does spend alot of time working on it I can say that!  Anyways..guess yall might want to know a little more about me, huh? 

First and foremost..I love the Lord and reading his word.  In fact..even me and Ravey have read some together if you can believe that!

I love my wife..she is everything to me and I love being with her.  She can always make me laugh and is a great cook!!!

I'm a coalminer for those of you who don't yet know.  I've worked in the mines since right before me and Mel were married.  I do love it too.  I love being underground working..even though I'm not underground right now..I hope to be again soon.  Currently..I work outside as a 'tracker' as they are called.  I keep account of everyone who is underground working to make sure they are safe where they are headed to.  Also have several other outside duties that I tend to each night.  Yes..I said night.  I work hootowl shift as we call it..so I'm up all night and sleep during the day!  Thats why me and Mel have such an odd sleep schedule..when I'm working at night..she's taking care of the house and doing her 'thing'!  Its not an unusal thing for me to give her a call around 2 or 3 am just to say "I love you"! 

(Me underground with some of my old work buddies..thats me on the far right)

I have a daughter, Beth, who I also love dearly.  I wish I could get to see her more..she lives in Cincinnati at the moment and is in college and working as a counselor with teenaged boys.  I'm so proud of her I could bust at times..she's made alot of herself and it excites me to see her reaching for her goals in life and not letting anything come in her way!

I love to garden in my spare time.  My dad raised me around gardens growing up and its kind of a passion of mine.  My dad taught me alot in life and I only wish he was still here with us so he could see my life now and my family.  I know he'd be proud.  :-)

Well..thats about it for me..hope I wasnt too boring to get to know!  Enjoy Mel's blog for the rest of the week..she sure does enjoy meeting you guys and hearing what you have to say!

MTFW Day One-Me!

Welcome to Day One of MTFW (Meet The Family Week) here at Country Roads!  Even though most of you know me fairly well by now..I figured I'd start with myself anyways since its my blog after all!  Who knows, maybe you'll learn something new about me!  I promise to try to make this a "fun" post and not a long, boring story of my life!

(YES..this is me!  More pictures below..I was a cutie..hehe!)

Here are some tidbits about me you may (or may not have) already known!

• I grew up with ALOT of animals..I'm talking not just cats and dogs, but chickens, pigs, and even one time..a goat!

• My 'first' cat was named Babe and (no joking) she came to us by way of a train!  Yup..she hitchhiked on a train..got off at our house..and there she stayed!  Don't laugh (I can hear yall over there!)..it is true!!

• Being born in December is not something I like..even though I LOVE the winter months..I do not like being born around the holidays!  So all my life I've said..if I plan on having a child..I'm going to do my best to NOT have him/her in the month of December!
• I was in the Top Ten of my graduating class!

• I graduated from college with an associate's degree in Computer Information Systems
• I met Damon in church!  We met in 2000..before I graduated from college.
• Damon and I are 11 YEARS apart in age!  Currently I'm 31 and he's 42..but we never even think of it..we're both like a couple of kids I guess!
• Damon is the ONLY guy I ever dated (no jokes!).  For this I feel blessed that I never had to experience the heartache that goes with a breakup.

(This is us in April of 2001 before we got married..headed to the NASCAR race in Martinsville!)
• I'm allergic to aloe vera..yup the stuff for SENSITIVE skin!
• I'm an only child.

• All my life (until this past Christmas) I never wanted to have any kids..probably had something to do with me being an only child and not being around babies for most of my life!
• We bought our first home last year!

• I have a small job cleaning our church.  :-)
• I gave my life to the Lord when I was 15 years old.
• My most memorable vacation is when we went to Nashville and Chattanooga, TN in 2005.

Ok..thats probably enough randomness about me!  Hope you guys continue to enjoy learning about our family this week!

(Standing near the New River Gorge Bridge)

Meet the Family Week and Sunday Poem

Good Sunday to yall!  Just wanted to let you know that tomorrow (Monday) is the start to "Meet the Family Week" here at Country Roads!!  Hope you enjoy meeting the family and getting to know each of us better!

Here is an insert that was in our church program a few weeks ago I thought you guys would enjoy this sunday.

Think Before You Weep
If your arteries have hardened and arthritis slows your gait,
If your tired blood is stubborn, not inclined to circulate;
If your aerobic days are over and you cannot do the "twist".
If your time is spent in brooding o'er the many things you've missed;
If you're constantly complaining on your rocker or your couch,
If you're ornery and cranky and becoming quite a grouch;
Well, if this is your condition and you get no sympathy,
Then it's time you started trying a new kind of therapy.
Though you have your share of trouble, think of others with more pain,
Like that fellow in his wheelchair who will never walk again.
Take time to write a letter and while pen is in your palm,
Thank the good Lord up above you for the use of that right arm.
Try relaxing in the sunshine, note each flower, bird and tree,
Then appreciate your eyesight; there are many who can't see.
When you tune in television and each sound is loud and clear
Just think of those who'd give a lot if only they could hear.
Yes, I've practiced what I'm preaching and I've learned there's joy to reap
If y ou stop and count your blessings and just "think before you weep."
~Selected