Place Your Bets....

JP and I were talking today about the stuff we need to get done before the upcoming weekend. On the "To-Do" list: laundry, clean house, laundry, weed-eat the yard, laundry, pack our suitcases, laundry, hang curtains and pictures, and did I say laundry? Anyway, he decided he wanted to go play basketball with some friends this afternoon. Our conversation on his way out the door:
JP-"I bet you won't weed-eat the yard."
K-"What if I do?"
JP-"If you weed-eat the yard, I will do the rest of the laundry."
(I have to interrupt the conversation to say that laundry was a part of JP's 'pre-nuptials'. We sort of had an agreement that unless absolutely necessary, he would not ever do laundry or go to the grocery store. I don't like the way he folds my clothes and he has no patience in the grocery store. So, neither part of his 'pre-nuptials' really bothers me.)
K-"Really??"
JP-"You won't do it."
K-"Okay."

I was relaxed on the couch under a cozy blanket, watching TV as this conversation was going on. But, as soon as he got down the driveway, I went into overdrive. I hustled into his NAVY coveralls, put on my boots and sunglasses for eye protection, poured some gas into the weed-eater and went to town. After one tank of gas, I realized the string needed to be changed....did it all by myself, thank you very much. I quickly went back to work. I was trying so hard to get done before JP drove up. Didn't make it.....I had about 10 minutes of work left when he got home. Wish I had a picture of his face when he saw me. My victory picture will have to do :-) I won.....and JP has a lot of laundry piled up.

for the ATL...

Saw this on Facebook.....too funny to not share.

It's raining, it's pouring

I need some sunshine, desperately.....went to Kate Murphy's tonight for dinner and the river was nearly flooding her road. Idiots were standing on the non-existent river bank watching the water come right at them. Please, Mr. Sun....come out. In case you forgot, this is what you look like.

Music at the Mill

This weekend helped to reaffirm why I am so happy to be back in NC. For the past 3 years, my aunt has hosted "Music at the Mill", as an event fundraiser for the Francis Mill Preservation Society. The Francis Mill has been owned by my family since 1887, when my great-great-great-grandfather (William Francis) built it.

taken around 1900

He acquired the surrounding land after courting and marrying a lady named, Polly. Her father was apparently a very rich man and gave them one square mile of land as a wedding gift. Anyway, the mill is water powered, turning a wheel to grind corn into corn meal, grits, and corn feed. My aunt is the current owner and began a restoration project of the mill in 2003 that was completed in 2007.


taken in 2001, before the restoration project

This is the first year I have been able to attend "Music at the Mill." I have either been too far away or busy with graduate school. My aunt has done an awesome job restoring the mill. She and her husband were very patient in diligent throughout the process, as it took nearly 4 years to complete. I am very proud to say that I am a "Francis." Even more so, I am proud that a piece of history and culture has been saved.

the wheel turning for the first time since 1976

I told myself a million times, "Kadee, put your camera in your purse"....I still forgot it. So, I don't have any pictures from this weekend. (boo) I'm hoping Abby will pass a few my way. I had a good time listening to local musicians and hanging out with my family. A good crowd, decent weather, cool to see how the mill works, and money made for continued preservation! I look forward to next year!


Abby and Bryan had their wedding at the mill in June 2009

Yard Warriors

Our yard is un-mowable. Thanks to JP's mom and stepdad, we have a weed-eater that will be seeing lots of labor the next couple of years. Takes close to 2 hours to get it all done....not a big yard, but very uneven and rocky.


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Here is my hubby with his first go....



Our yard looks so well manicured now.....he did a good job :-)

While he was doing that, I was pulling weeds and had my own little "rock party".....looking for rocks in the yard to toss into the woods, down to the fire pit, wherever.....just so they weren't in the way of the weed-eater. I'm sure we'll have another party. We'll be sure to invite you.

a "Welcome Home" from the fog

....too pretty not to post....fog settling in when i came home today.