2008 coming to a close

Saturday night we had a storm in our area, or at least that is what I'm told. Because I slept right through it. Kyle came over Sunday morning as we were getting ready to go to Jeanette's for X-mas with the Lindsey's. When he came in he asked if we sold the trampoline. I said no, why? I looked in the back yard and sure enough there was no trampoline. Now up to this point I was in the Christmas spirit. Then i started to loose my jolly cheer and started to think I can't believe some#$%^$#@ would steal our trampoline. We went out into the back yard only to realize our trampoline was at our neighbors house. Apparently during the night the wind pushed the trampoline up against the fence and then over the fence into our neighbors home. Upon further review we also noticed a damaged gutter broken window and a ripped screen.

Monday I called the insurance company and was told I'm not insured for damage to my neighbor's home, only my home. The cost of the Trampoline is about the same as my deductible. Even though my insurance doesn't cover their house I told them I would pay their deductible. So to put the world back the way it was before the storm will be about $1000. I'm thinking seriously about going to the bank and asking for a bail out.

The kids had a pretty good Christmas. They seemed to enjoy spending time with our family. Our lives get so busy that we just don't get together like we used to.All and All I guess I should count my blessings that we all still have our health. I was informed the day after Christmas that a friend of ours lost his long battle with cancer. He was only 34 years of age. He left behind a wife and two kids
The above picture is my Vegetable pizza. I made it into a Christmas Tree for the holidays. Tomorrow I get to go to the store and get the ingredients for our traditional New Years Day meal: Corned Beef, Cabbage & black eyed peas. Yum...Yum

Merry Christmas from the Lindsey's

Well dog gone it's Christmas

Twas the DAY before Christmas and our National Security K-9 patrol agent is checking all the presents for contraband. I think she has figured out which one has the dog treats in it. Everyone have a safe holiday, an make sure you don't get the designated driver and the designated drunk mixed up.

December in The Smokies

This past weekend we went to the Smokies. Jennifer had a cheerleading competition, so we left Friday morning and came back Monday. We spent most of the morning shopping at the Outlet Mall Then went and checked into the hotel. Gatlinburg had a HUGE Christmas Parade Friday night. The weather was cold and it was very crowded so we decided to take the kids up the mountain before it got dark.The mountain had some snow this past week. We have been to the Mountains in the summer before, but never in the winter. I'll have to say it is a little bit colder.

We made it to the over look before dark. The kids were so impressed we decided to get up early the next morning and cross the mountain. Jenn didn't have to compete until 3:00 so we had plenty of time.

We got to Cherokee Saturday morning. They should call it Ghost town in the Skies. I think the only people that was there lived there.

On the way back across the mountain we stopped for a few photo opportunities

It was a little nerve wrecking driving near the top of the mountain, but is sure is a thing of beauty with all the snow!

We wanted to drive up to Clingmans Dome, however it is closed in the winter.

If anyone is looking for a place to hike, I think # 3 on this list would be a pretty good work out.

After the kids took a few pictures, they were ready for the warm car.

Now I've been to the mountains a few times and have never seen a bear...........Until now!

As we were driving along we came upon some cars stopped on the side of the road. Everyone was looking off into the woods and sure enough there was a Black Bear with a small cub. Linda and the kids got out and took a few pictures.

This was creating quite a backup of traffic on the road cause there wasn't really a place to pull completely off the road. As I was sitting there, EVERY car that passed would look at me and ask whats everyone looking at. To which I would reply, "BEAR". This went on for a few minutes. When Jonathan got back to the car I told him I needed a sign, so he grabbed his trusty notebook and said, "Here's your sign".

Jennifer really likes her Ribs

The Girls possed for a few pictures at the hotel.

After the competition Jenn and a few of her friends went up the hill on the chairlift.

The city is so pretty this time of year. A photo oppurtunity everywhere you look.
Life is like a box of chocolates!

As always we had a good time in the Smokies, it really is a special place.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has been a very sad time of year for me for sometime. Since Mom & Dad passed, I think of them quite often around the holidays. This morning was no different.

I got up early to make some Dumplings and a couple of appetizers. While I was making the dumplings, Aunt Glo called and told me that Mary Jean had passed away this morning. I can remember Mom and Mary Jean being very close. I just can't help but think that there are a couple of angels enjoying each others company once again.

Linda woke up with a severe migraine. I let her sleep until it was time to get ready to go to her sisters for Thanksgiving dinner. She was real weak and crying, still with a bad headache. There was no way she was going to be able to go anywhere. I called and informed her family we would not be able to make it to dinner. Now I'm looking at a lot of dumplings and appetizers. Soooooooooooooooooo guess what we had for dinner and supper and probably breakfast in the morning.

We made the Turkeys last year, this year we expanded to little pilgrim hats as well.

Cracker Barrel wishes they had dumplings this good.

White Chili

It's getting cold out and what better to warm up on a cold day than a good ole bowl of chili. Last year I tried some white chili and loved it. Since then I've been looking for a good recipe. Well I found one that I thought I would share.

McCormick White Chicken Chili mix is what i use.

This recipe is so easy. On the back of the package are directions for making the chili. The directions has you dice up chicken then cook it in the pan. I cook the chicken on the grill then dice it up. I think this is easier.

For the beans and white bean would work. I use Glory Seasoned beans. I think they have great flavor. Makes me Happy! Happy! Happy!

I also add a can of white sweet corn to my chili. Any corn would do but it is White chili.

Lastly, when the chili is ready, you fill the bowl 3/4 with chili. Add a scoop of sour cream & add some cheese. (I use Monterey Jack) again it's white chili. Then fill the bowl with more chili. This disolves the sour cream and melts the cheese.

I tell ya this stuff is "Good Eats"

Enjoy

Cheerleading Season again

Here are a few pictures of the first two cheerleading competitions. We had to be at the competition early to see one of the other teams in the gym compete. Jennifer and Hanna were killing time the way most cheerleaders do early in the morning. Starbucks coffee and working on dance moves while listing to your ipod.
We had a good time in Indy this past weekend. Jennifer's team came in second place.

You can see by the picture below they still need to work at their timing a little. They should all do their toe touch at the exact same time.

I'm sure the judges score us high when they see Jen's smile.

The timing on their back handspring seemed to be good.

Jennifer is one of the spotters. They throw the girls crazy high!

These last three pictures were from the Evansville competition a couple weeks ago. They also got second place in this competition.

The next competition will be in Gatlinburg the first of December. Gatlinburg is a big competition with a lot of talent. I'm sure we will have a good time. Gatlinburg is so nice around Christmas time. We are all looking forward to the trip. I know I can't wait to eat at the old mill restaurant. Wish us luck

Home Alone

Only have 4 more days to work this year. First we lose our overtime. The we go to working 4 10 hr days a week. Just when you think it can't get any worse, we go to working every other week. Now we get word that we will be shut down from Thanksgiving through the middle of January. 53 days straight. 53 days of the View, Rachel Ray and six different Judge shows. Sometimes i get up and watch the morning weather and traffic, only to realize that i don't really care if there is a back up on I-64 west of the tunnel. Or if you will have to take your umbrella for the morning commute. My toughest decision is trying to figure out if it is to late to eat breakfast or should I go straight to lunch. I always thought how nice it would be to not have to go to work everyday. Well I'm here to tell ya, watch what you wish for. Cause there is no way I'm ready for retirement. I think I'm going to require therapy. What time does Dr. Phil come on?

I must be the deciding vote!

I have to say, I must be the deciding vote in Kentucky. So far this week, Ashley Judd, Hillary Clinton, Mayor Jerry Abramson, Bruce Lunsford and for some reason Ann Northrup called, but i hung up on her. I tell ya there is a lot of pressure being this important!
I've been spending alot of time around the house lately. I got bored the other day and pulled out the carpet in the hallway. The hard wood floor underneath the carpet was in pretty good shape. Now I'm in the process of doing the wood work. Of coarse when you do the wood work you see that the walls need paint, and when you paint the walls you see that the light switches don't match. SOMEBODY STOP ME!
It started out like fun, but turned into all hell what have I done. Well at least I'm not bored any more.

September Update

Been a while since i blogged so I'll give a quick update on the Louisville Lindsey Family. Not much to say about me, work a week, laid off for three weeks. I looked at my work schedule and realized I will only work 12 more days before Christmas. Then soon there after we are looking to be off for as much as a year while they retool our plant. But WE'RE STILL A LIVIN'. Just not eating quite so high on the hog if you will! O yea before I forget............HOW ABOUT THEM WILDCATS........... That all I'm gonna say about that there!
Now for my wonderful wife Linda (who has seen a whole lot more of me lately). She had shoulder surgery and if off work also. But WE'RE STILL A LIVIN'. She will probably be off for 2 or 3 more weeks. Last week her and 2 of her sisters and her mom went to Chicago to see the Opra show. We called it her big O trip.
Jonathan is a freshman in high school now. I think he is majoring in X-Box. He is at the stage in life where he likes to figure out how stuff works. I let him reformat one of our computers the other day and He did quite well. He also found an old Hard drive I had in the closet. I told him it was very small and slow, really of no use. So his answer was, "So I can take it apart then".
Jennifer is hard to keep up with. This summer she went to Florida with one of her friends. They flew down, I think she was more excited about flying that she was about going to Fla. Until they flew through a storm. That will be a story for another time. Jennifer currently is doing cheerleading, Volleyball and running Cross country. All this and keeping her grades up.
Well I hope that updated every one. Go CATS

Peanut Butter Cookies

Since I'm home more than I'm working now I'm trying to find things to keep me busy. I found a really easy to make recipie for Peanut Butter Cookies. And since Peanut Butter Cookies are my favorite cookie. I made some and they turned out pretty good. The recipie is as follows:
· 1/2 cup butter or margarine (I always use butter)
· 1/2 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)
· 1/2 cup granulated sugar
· 1/2 cup brown sugar
· 1 egg
· 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
· 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· 1/2 cup granulated sugar (use to roll cookie balls in)

Cream butter, peanut butter, both sugars, egg and vanilla.
Sift together all the dry ingredients; blend into creamed mixture.
Shape in 1 inch balls; roll in granulated sugar.
Place 2 inches apart on a ungreased cookie sheet.
Press balls with a fork making a crisscross on top or press a peanut half into the top of the balls.
(That last part hurts but it makes good cookies)
Bake at 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
Cool slightly; remove from pan.

The only think I did different is I made 3 inch balls so I could have BIG cookies.
Let me know what you guys think.
Good Eats!!!!!!!!

Happy Fathers Day

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Dad.

This one is kinda special to me cause I do the same type of work.

Here is the only picture I have of my dad's youth.

4 generations of Lindseys
Happy Fathers day Everyone!

Mr. & Mrs Bratcher

I thought i would share a few pictures of Jeanette's wedding. It was a picture perfect day for a wedding.

Boy the kids sure are getting big!

The Bowling Green Hillbillys

Everything went well all day, I just wish we would have sat in the front row.

I guess Jeanette made a good choice in Husbands, after all his name is Michael!