tuesday three [labor day weekend]

Long time, no talk! School is full swing. So, I'll just go ahead and apologize for these past few weeks and probably for the next couple coming up [until I can get back into the groove of things]. I had a FABULOUS weekend and I hope you all did too!  

  This weeks Tuesday Three,
share THREE things you did over the weekend that you really enjoyed! 1) If there are any Georgia hunters out there, you all know that noon on Saturday marked the opening day for dove season. Whoop-whoop! Cliff and his Dad host an annual dove shoot on their plantation. We gathered around noon to feast on hamburgers before hitting the HEAT, ...I mean field. It was H.O.T. We only get to shoot a few times out of the year, so opening weekend is not only the very first "hunting" day of the year, but also one of the best shoots! Here are a few shots from the day. Don't laugh at my attire.. like I said, I was HOT!

2) After cleaning the doves Saturday evening, Cliff and I hook up my jetski and head out to Elijah Clark State Park [in South Caroline] to meet my family. We go to the lake every year, usually for both Memorial and Labor Day. We finally pulled in about 11o'clock and ended up sleeping the night in the truck because we didn't want to wake the rest of the family. Sunday we woke to a rather cool morning [66 degrees] and enjoyed each others company, eating breakfast and preparing supper until about 1ish. We then decided to take a joy ride to a nearby "rock"... what we thought was going to take about 30 minutes to get there, actually took about 2 hours it seemed. It was neat, but not worth the butt cramps from bouncing around on the ski. Sunday night we threw the kabobs in the grills and met the rest of our crew underneath the pavilion for supper. Things began to get a little crazy once we brought out the karaoke!

Pausing just a moment. Let me give explanation for the next picture...

Like I mentioned above, Saturday when we arrived everyone was already nestled in snoozing away in the camper so Cliff and I decided to catch a few zzz's in his truck [which was the LAST time I will do that]. Anyhow, about 5:30ish Sunday morning, I had had enough of his passenger truck seat. I marched right on in the camper and climbed on up into a top bunk. Meanwhile, Cliff & my brother wake and decide to go ahead and unload the ski. They do so and let it be until we come down to ride to the rock about 1ish. We jump on and push off, noticing the back of the ski is lagging.... these tards forgot to put the plugs in! My ski had about two feet of water in the hull!! The first object in sight is a hand-held air compressor lying on the bank. We sneak over and grab it, and the boys go to town. Hey, it worked!

this was the rock!

and here are our kabobs!

{take 1}

{take 2}

{take 3}

{take 4}

the family.

and here is where things start to get a little crazy.

T and Cliff dancing to "Party in the USA" -Miley Cyrus

he then hollers for our camping neighbors to come and join.

so they join and play us a few songs on the guitar!

3) Coming home to some gooooood home-cooked country food prepared by Cliff's Dad and Step-Mom. We had barbecued chicken, yellow rice, green beans, mac & cheese, biscuits, with sugar cookies and yellow cupcakes for dessert! After getting our bellies full, I stayed up cramming until 2:30am for my first pediatric test today. I woke back up at 5:15 this morning to review one last time! Needless to say, I'm exhausted. That was definitely the downside to my entire weekend. Gotta ♥ nursing school!

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL holiday weekend! :)

co-hosting tuesday three with miss jla

A hometown friend, Jess, has come up with her own personal blog hop for Tuesday's! This week I am helping her co-host this hop in order to help get the word spread & some FUN participation involved :) Her blog is adorable & you will definitely enjoy following along as she shares stories of her life with her high school sweetheart of 10 years. Check her out & join in on the fun!

<br /><center><a href=" <a href="http://ardjla.blogspot.com/%22><img" target="_blank" onclick="onClickUnsafeLink(event);">http://ardjla.blogspot.com/"><img</a> src="<a href="http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy8/JumpingJaxDesigns/TuesdayThree.jpg" target="_blank" onclick="onClickUnsafeLink(event);">http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy8/JumpingJaxDesigns/TuesdayThree.jpg</a>" /></a></center><br /> 

Her  Rules: [in her words]

Say YES to CrAzY, rAdicAl, Over the Top Fun & join along

Post your Answers/Ideas/Suggestions/Stories/Pictures
Link Up
Follow Me & my two Co-Host

Check out Karen's blog [the other co-host!] HERE!

LAST WEEK: we shared our PET PEEVES around the house. I enjoyed reading every ones. I found out I don't stand out when it comes to being Anal! Think the TOP pet peeve was
Toys [other objects] on the floor!

THIS WEEK: Share three things, that put a smile on your face & that make you happy. It CAN NOT be people. I'm trying to get to know everyone, and I know your Hubby, your better half, and your children make you MOST happiest. Get CREATIVE!!!!
Link Up!!!!

Ok, so you have it straight from the hands of Miss JLA herself! So, take a moment, type up a new post & tell us THREE things that make YOU happy! You never know, it just might brighten up your day :)

 *******************************************

 Here are the three things that make ME happy:

1) My farm animals. 

These babies can bring a smile to my face even on the dreariest day! 
[To read the story about my Life on the Farm & the precious little deer you see in the following pictures, click here.]

Sadly enough, Luke [the deer] is no longer around. He has been wondering around our house since late January [when he became old enough- we let him out of the pen we had built for him], coming and going as he pleased. He bedded down out in the woods behind my parents home & would come visit us when he heard us in the yard or when he wanted to be fed early morning. It's been about two-three weeks now, and we haven't seen him around. I think he has probably found a girlfriend to play with :) It was such a fun once in a lifetime experience getting to hand-raise a deer from just a few weeks [if that!] old. I'm sad to see him go, but know that we did our part in helping him have a successful life thus far. He is one of God's creatures and doesn't belong in captivity. We gave him his space and freedom and he stayed with us for a little over a year. He's definitely going to be missed around our home!

2) Knowing that I have one year left in nursing school. I start classes back next Monday, and although at the moment, I am dreading the return of homework, staying up studying late, long clinical rotations, etc... I still manage to find joy in knowing that after two more semesters, I will not only be a four-year college graduate, but also a Registered Nurse [as long as I pass my state boards, that is!]. Not to mention, I will only be 21!! I will marry the following June, and let my life begin :)

3) Hunting.

Any and every type of hunting, I lovvvvveeee. I'm very thankful I was brought up with all boy cousins, a Father, and a Grandfather who all love this sport! It is amazing. You learn soo much from engaging in this type of activity! My favorite type of hunting is dog-deer hunting. [Where the dogs are trained to smell the deer..you turn them out into a block of woods, walk with them hollering and what not, they smell a fresh scent where a deer has recently walked, they start barking and follow the trail until they come close to the deer, the deer runs & the dogs chase behind...blah blah blah..] You Southern girls know what I'm talking about! :) 

Maybe this video can explain it better than I can.. don't be freaked out by the gun barrel, the video camera is mounted on the gun! We have the same set-up. And just to clear it up in case you're wondering, nooo this is not us. I found it on youtube.com. Make sure you turn the volume up in order to hear the dogs barking & listen to the song, it explains it all!

Hunting is a way of life around here.

We process the meat, freeze it, and enjoy it year round. 

My Dad can cook the best deer meat ever!

I'm not a big fan of still hunting, although during the early fall months, I will go consistently. I get very bored easily, however, I find it very peaceful to be sitting in the woods, alone, listening to the wind blow through the trees, the birds chirping, and with every little shuffle of the leaves you think it's a deer! It's exciting.

 

 Happy Tuesday Y'all!