The Clean Up

Well, I can only say what a day. 24 hours ago was absolutely a nightmare that I would never, ever, ever want to relive or wish on anyone else!
We had the biggest shock today when TEMA and the Insurance Co. showed up, we were given the green light to start clean up the mess. I think John mentioned it to Rudie Thomsen and within 15 minutes here came the Calvary from Westwood. I can't mention all of the names because I would leave someone out and wouldn't do that for anything! I had parents and children that I had kept in my Day Care from many years ago come walking up with gloves on and said what can we do? This crew worked for hours and hours and our yard looks much better. The tarps are off the house and plywood is up over the windows. Kenny Hodges from Pioneer Building Supply came and measured for new windows.

Men, women, and children were everywhere picking up and cleaning up. Several ladies came and picked up all of our laundry that I couldn't get washed here at home. Several people brought food, more food and drinks that I could ever imagine. Then here came the trailers, front end loaders, and chain saws. Then, before I knew it...all of the glass, debris, insulation, leaves, mud and everything else that was in our house that came through the holes in the windows and walls was clean! Paula Morris and Beth Deason were a life safer for me! Katie led the kids on a "Scavenger Hunt" they went through our field, our neighbors pastures, and through the creek finding precious "little things". I think that Stephanie Keith, Aunt Sue and Aunt Faye, and Granny Shirley took our laundry home. The funniest thing was the girls in the house needed a shop vac and I knew at one time we had two in the barn. So...here I went and started digging through the mess and after a long search, I found one so those girls got all of that glass up in the bedrooms. Then here comes Bridgett Powers, I had baked a cake for a bridal tea for tomorrow and here she showed up and finished this cake for me. I am speechless! Girl Friends and Guy Friends are not just friends, they're family. Our Christian Church Family has more than overwhelmed us.

Please continue to pray for us and for everone who has been touched with these storms. God blessed all of us with our lives. We didn't lose anyone. We came close to losing John Ryan, but God blessed us by saving John Ryan, Dillon, and Katie. God Is Good!

God Spared Us Our Lives Today

This is "Home Sweet Home" after the tornado.

Well, I guess by now you have figured out that our home has been hit by the tornado today. Out of all that we have been put through today, we have been overwhelmed with all types of emotions. We can replace the material things, but we almost lost our son John Ryan today.
We were standing on what use to be our front porch when we saw the funnel cloud rotating and the tornado was spotted. You have always heard what people say about the sounds that come before or the lack of sound just before one hits...well.....from first hand experience, you could have heard a pin drop just seconds before we heard the sounds, and it is a different sound than a train, it was a really unusual wooshhhhh wooshhhhh sound and saw the actual tornado funnel cloud.

The tornado is in the right hand corner. I got this picture just as it was hitting the people who live behind us. The trees are being destroyed that separate our land. This is what is left of our barn. Our son John Ryan was in the barn trying to park his truck in it so it wouldn't get damaged. He didn't get out before it hit the barn. By God's saving grace, he was able to hold on to a pole that is a support for the building and he survived. Of course, he's got a couple of bumps and bruises but he is ok. Thank You Jesus and God!
This is the side view of the barn. You can still see Dillon's 3 wheeler untouched.

No matter what emotions we ran through today, we have been certainly been touched by the phone calls, the people who came to our rescue with tarps, the ones who climbed up on our house to nail tarps and metal pieces down so it wouldn't ruin the inside anymore than it is, to the many, many people who came to our home and helped us get our emotions back together, to the food that was brought to us. But most of all...the prayers that were said for us tonight. Dillon and Katie were at school and all I could think about was getting my children home. Just as soon as it left, I jumped in my Maxima and headed to Centertown because I couldn't get anyone on the phone. There was debris on our road, electrical lines and pole snapped into and tons of wood everyone. I just moved what I could to get around and got to my babies at Centertown. They were safe and very emotional. Thank you faculty and staff at Centertown for everything you did to keep our children safe!

We would like to also thank Caney Fork Electric for getting the pole back up and the house with electricity as quickly as they did, also we would like to thank MTNG for coming out immediately to get the gas cut off and to make sure there wasn't a leak, and for Andy and Aubrey @ Ben Lomand Rural Telephone Coop. for coming our after having losses at their properties and getting us temporary telephone, television, and internet. The American Red Cross has been out here bringing water and food for us through the weekend. On Sunday night, Gary and Randy England brought our entire family a hot meal from Kentucky Fried Chicken. They also wanted to know if we needed somehwere to stay, they would put us up somewhere if we couldn't stay at home. THANK YOU IS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

But most of all, is that were so overwhelmed with our family and friends who have called or just showed up at our home this afternoon and evening. We have the most wonderful Christian congregation we are members at and how they came to our rescue. Our drive way was full of our Christian family at Westwood showing us their love and care. Please pray for our family and for all of the other families who have been touched by this horrible storm. God spared my family of serious injury and that is the most important thing to us. Material things are just material things and my family means more to me than anything, just under God and Jesus. I need all of my friends to get down on bended knee and say a prayer for everyone touched today. What was also so touching was when Dot Dunn called me and said how worried Andy was about his "Ms. Joy". Blessed are little children! He said that he needed his mommie to take him to Ms. Joy's house so he could see her and make sure I was ok. I love you Andy too!

Relay For Life Bows On Sale!

These are samples of the beautiful bows that the Westwood Church of Christ Youth Group Team has for sale for Relay For Life. They are $6.00 each. The top one is red, white, and blue with gold. These colors are the American Cancer Society colors and gold is the color for childhood cancer. The bottom are colors for Relay For Life-purple and white with the gold as well.

If you are interested in ordering either bows, please contact Paula Morris at 473-2348 or leave a comment below and I will make sure to get the orders to her. Andy Dunn's mother Dot is tying the bows for us! Thank You Dot!!!

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO RELAY FOR LIFE!

Please keep praying for Andy...he's still has got a long way to go on this marathon run!

The Sweetest Boy Fighting Neuroblastoma

Thursday, April 10th: I am so glad that Andy got to come out yesterday to have some fun because last night at 8:27 p.m. Dot called me and told me that he was running a fever and off the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for a 7 to 10 day stay. He is very sick today! He is back on his morphine for the pain. Please pray for this sweet little boy! God is the only one who can save this angel boy! I believe that with everything that is in me! Today, (Wed.) I got the most absolute wonderful visitor come bouncing up my back porch steps. And of course it would be my Andy with his sweet smile on his face! Andy wanted to get his picture made beside my beautiful Weeping Cherry and my Indian Magic Crabapples. In this picture I had to ask him....Where are your eyes boy? He found himself up underneath the crabapples and listened to the honey bees just a buzzing up in the blooms. Check out that sweet little bald head. I just love rubbing it.

We pulled the hat up and found his eyes and that crinkles up nose and goofy faced smile. He was having a ball with Dot and me, posing like a rock star.


This is what happens when Ms. Joy puts orange icing in his mouth via a decorator tip and a bag full of orange icing. He was so funny!

I know that the icing is not as sweet as all of those kisses and hugs you were giving me today!
And thank you for answering my cell phone when Ms. Bridgett called. It made her day!

I have a new helper now! Boy he had a ball with all of the icing bags I had sitting out. He had to make a race car to eat.

With Lots and Lots and Lots of sprinkles. Look at his art work on the butterfly for his Mom and a flower for himself. Boy...he didn't think about Ray or Daryl did he?

Thank You Dot for bringing him out today before his counts bottom out! I think you may have figured out by now that when Andy wants to do something....we'll make it happen!

I had told you that I was going to go and visit Andy and Dot today and make more cookies for Relay For Life. Andy was all excited when I got there! He ran around the house and was so excited to help me cut out the cookies. He is also so excited that he lost two bottom teeth and smiles soooooo big so everyone can see his new teeth coming in.
By the time we got finished he was getting very tired. Today was a good day for Dot and Andy...having something fun to do and something creative to help out with Relay For Life! Thank You Dot and Daryl for letting me come up and make such a big mess! And a BIG Thank You goes to Andy for being such a big helper! Andy's Big Birthday will be coming up soon! Andy turns 5! More details to come on this BIG Party!

Relay For Life Cookie Orders

Big David and Joyce Britton ordered two dozen of these darling golf ball cookies for his next trip! Thank You so much for supporting Relay For Life!
Leann Grissom, Andy's Pre-School teacher ordered 3 dozen cookies in Andy's honor. She wanted different color T's for her friend Tonya Scott's birthday! These are done in hot pink, purple, lime green, and yellow sugar. She also ordered 2 dozen for her son's birthday which of course is John Deere. Thank You for supporting Relay For Life!


Debbie Jennings ordered these darling flower cookies and these darling butterflies for Samantha's snack time at The Learning House. Thank you so much for ordering and helping to support Relay For Life! I hope you enjoy them!

Words of Wisdom

A friend sent me this Proverb and I wanted to share it with you. It is very fitting for my line of work. I hope you enjoy!

"Las cosas claras y el chocolate espreso."

(Ideas should be clear and chocolate thick)-Proverb

Go Lady Vols!

The Youth Group at church will be having a devo tonight at Coy, Patty, and Betty Ann's home after services. They will be so excited to see the basketball cake. After the devo they're going to watch the girls play against LSU!

Yoder Bridal Tea

David Yoder and Tiffany Schutte will be getting married soon and the ladies at Westwood Church of Christ are hosting a Bridal Tea for them today in the Educational Building.

Ms. Faye asked me to use yellow as part of the color scheme and I thought that this was a very spring style cake...for such a beautiful spring day!

I was up this morning at 4:30 a.m. and decided then what it would look like. I had been thinking about it since 2:30 a.m. and just couldn't wait until 6 a.m. to get up and get started. I hope that you enjoy this and I hope that you two have many wonderful years together! Enjoy!

Relay For Life Cookie Orders

My sweet friend Penny Keele ordered a dozen of the Lady Vols basketball cookies just for the big showdown tomorrow night. Of course, I had to get the starters names out there for luck! Just pray that Candace Parker is well enough to stick it out against LSU. We sure do need her! Thank You Penny for supporting Relay For Life!

Orders will be taken through May 2nd!

By the way....I will not miss this game...me, the rocking chair, a glass of milk, and my cookies! I don't know who cheers the most...me, John, or John Ryan! John Ryan even paces the hallway. (And Yes, I still have my UT flag hanging out on the front porch)

Happy Birthday Lauren Grandey

Happy Birthday goes to Lauren Grandey. She turned the BIG 20 on April 1st. I've watched Lauren grow from a little tom-boy, dancing ballerina to a beautiful young lady. When Susan asked me to make her cake I started letting my wheels turn. This darling cake is Lauren made over. Her favorite color is pink and she loves pearls, so.......I had to trim it in white pearls. Happy Birthday Lauren Paige!

Kara Green Bridal Tea Cake

One of John Ryan's friends Kara Green is getting married in just a few weeks. Susan and Lauren Grandey ordered this beautiful cake for her bridal shower. I've watched Kara grow up and she will make a beautiful bride! Contrat's go to you Kara!

This cake is a beautiful creation using Kara's favorite color of Tiffany Box Blue. To compliment the bottom layer, I made it 3 layers and added a delicate anniversary style layer on top. We will be adding beautiful white daisy's tomorrow just before the tea. And of course we added the initial G on the top layer (for Gonder). Thank You Susan & Lauren!

Happy Birthday Blair Sinks and Corey Morris!

April showers bring May flowers and it also brings spring birthdays! Today is Blair Sinks and Corey Morris' birthdays. Blair is 1 and Corey is 15.

Lauren and I have been discussing the style of cake for Blair. She said that he loves animals and what more fitting that this darling Westie cake. Actually I have made her two of these darling cakes for two separate parties. They are all homemade white with white buttercream icing. This cake is a double layer. Everything on the cake is eatable. Happy Birthday Blair!
Paula Morris ordered this to die for homemade chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream icing. We did some whispering around and I finally got it delivered to Ms. Paula without him finding out. Corey is just the sweetest boy. He is so thoughtful and courteous! Paula's daughter Casey is just like him. They are such good kids! Happy Birthday Corey!

RELAY FOR LIFE COOKIE ORDERS

Melanie Wright ordered these darling crown cookies! I just love this pattern! I call these my "King Andy" cookies. Melanie is one of Katie's teachers at Centertown Elementary. Don't let Miss Moore know that you have them....she sampled one of my Power T cookies yesterday and I think she had a sugar meltdown! lol Thank you for supporting Relay For Life!

Andy Dunn's Grandmother...better known as Momma D ordered a dozen cookies last night when she came to pick Ray up. Of course if you don't know by now that Momma D is a Vandy fan. Of course it pained me to make these, but my orange blooded husband said that they were absolutely great! I know that March Madness is about over, but I still love the basketballs. I am going to make some of these cookies with UT on them for Sunday's ball game. If anyone would like to order some as well....please let me know asap! If I was a betting person...I'd bet that Andy gets these cookies! Enjoy!

These darling butterflies are for Tanarra Grissom. Her mother Sherry Pelham was such a wonderful Christian example for us all! Tanarra was blessed to have such a wonderful woman as her mother! Sherry was a caterer too! I enjoy all of her recipes that Tanarra has shared with us in her cookbook! Sherry was an absolute wonderful cook!

Jean Martin is a member at Westwood Church of Christ and a cancer survivor, ordered the star cookies. They represent the stars on the Relay For Life symbol. Ms. Jean had a long and hard fight and won! I just loved making them!

Relay For Life means alot to me and my family. My mother is a cancer survivor. She had cancer when she was pregnant with me. Wow...that was 42 years ago. She has always been a fighter and at the age of 85, she is my hero! She said what cured her was only one thing....PRAYER! She had a very serious case of colon cancer and never had the first treatment. She said that she prayed to God and asked him to let her see her baby girl (me) grown and she sure did. My mother is a wonderful Christian example to us and to everyone she meets. My Aunt Eunice had uterine cancer, my Aunt Evelene had breast cancer, my brother-in-law Doug had prostate cancer, my husband's Aunt Martha had breast cancer, and my sweet little Andy has neuroblastoma. My Aunt Eunice, Mom, and Doug are all cancer survivors. Aunt Evelene lost her battle about 22 years ago.

For a "Good News" moment....Andy is doing well. He started his 4th chemo yesterday and the doctors told Dot and Daryl that usually the kids that have his type of cancer and make it to this stage of the chemo have a feeding tube. So far....no feeding tube. He is a trooper. He eats like a horse. Well....maybe a Shetlan pony. lol He eats alot of what he likes...mac and cheese, shreaded cheese, pizza, my sugar cookies, and of course his favorite....his mom's sweet tea. Hey at this point...whatever he wants he is eating.

Relay For Life cookie orders are pouring in! We are so excited and so very thankful to everyone who is helping us by supporting Relay For Life!
These darling cookies were ordered by Mrs. Janice Mayfield and everyone knows how she and Big Dave are truly UT fans! How much more fitting for them to sit and watch the game tonight and eating these fresh baked sugar cookies. To make them complete they have been sprinkled with UT orange sugar.


These darling cookies make me think of the beautiful hibiscus that grow in Hawaii and the cute prints that are on everything for the spring and summer. I hope you enjoy these Mrs. Janice! Thank You so much for helping us support Westwood Church of Christ Youth Group Relay For Life Team!

Thank You to all of the Morris Family! David, Paula, Casey, & Corey came out this afternoon and picked up the first sets of cookies and started delivering them in the pouring rain! Thank You for being our Team Captain Ms. Paula!

When placing your orders, please let me know what type of pattern you would like and if there is a preferred color! We can do almost anything!

***:)Kathy Cummings asked in her comment how did I come up with my ideas for my cakes and cookies? Well Ms. Kathy....I have a phrase I say when I come up with an idea..."The clouds parted and I had a Divine Epiphany". My friend Robin Bell said that to me a couple of years ago and it just stuck. When I am driving I think, when I am laying in bed at night I think, and sometimes I wake from a dead sleep with an idea. The pink on the butterflies represents the pink for breast cancer. Butterflies represent my daughter Katie's love for them. She will take a net and play in the back field for hours trying to catch butterflies in the spring and summer months. Also the butterflies represent life....how beautiful heaven must be. Thank You Ms. Kathy for the sweet comments and I hope everyone enjoys my designs! :)***

Girlie Girl Cake

Madison Helton turned 11 just last week. Her mom Debbie ordered this darling birthday cake for her "Girl Friend Party". Madison likes all of the "girlie girl" stuff. She requested a cake that reflected her personality. Madison likes nail polish, lotions, and all of that "girlie" stuff....so....I though what would be more suiting than a cosmetic bag cake. The cosmetic bag is in her favorite colors of pink and purple. And of course...there's cool makeup for her to enjoy!

Happy Birthday Madison!

March Give Away Winner Is.......

Paula Morris!
Congrat's goes to Ms. Paula! John Ryan drew from the big bowl and you said you wouldn't register again because you didn't win the last two give aways!

Enjoy!

Today is Friday, March 28th and I just had to share Paula's darling Flamingo's and Andy Dunn's King of Cancer cookies.

Pink Flamingo's remind me of a trip my parents took me on when I was a child to southern Florida and we saw beautiful pink flamingo's and monkey's on a river boat ride. I think it was at Silver Springs, FL.

Neuroblastoma is called the "King Of Cancer" by the doctors at VCH in Nashville. So...what more fitting for Andy to have himself some "King Andy" cookies.

Relay For Life Fund Raiser In Honor Of Andy Dunn

Simply Joy Catering Is A Team Member On

Westwood Church of Christ Youth Group Relay For Life Team!

First Annual Cookie Sale In Honor of Andy Dunn!

1 Dzn. Of My Fabulous Homemade Sugar Cookies

(Please Choose Pattern and Color)

$12.00 Per Dzn.

How Do I Order? Post a comment below, call me at 212-7303, or

E-Mail jtubb@blomand.net

Order Dates: Now until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2nd

Pick Up Date: Saturday, May 3rd @ Westwood Church of Christ Fellowship Center

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO RELAY FOR LIFE!

Please make all checks payable to: Relay For Life

Register For The March Give Away!

I have almost let March slip by and not have a "March Give Away"! Oh my...what was I thinking?

This month I will be giving away a tray of my delicious sugar cookies. I have ordered several new cookie cutters to go with my collection (some are from when I was a child) and want to share them with you!

Here are the rules:

Post a comment about: What is your favorite "Spring Flower" and Why?

Post a link to my give away and every time someone says that they saw it on your web page gets their name added to the hat. Everyone must be entered by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26th. I will randomly draw out a name and have it posted shortly after.

Good Luck!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Today I have spent almost all day in the kitchen making some yummy treats for Mrs. Underwood and Mrs. Bain....but.....I just had to take time to make these sweet little cookies for our "Not So Young Adult Class" at church tomorrow.

Easter is such a wonderful time for us to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus. Where would we be and what would we be without him and his sacrifice.

I do know one thing...Ms. Paula will be the first in line to get one of these sweet little babies!

Birthday's Galore

Janie Underwood ordered this darling cake for her grandson who just absolutely lives, eats, and breathes football. This 3D cake is a homemade chocolate cake with his favorite teams represented in the corners. Mrs. Underwood said he loves UT and the Titans!

Happy Birthday!
I have a wonderful customer that I have done a few things for...Jeanine Bain from Smithville is just the sweetest. It's her mother's birthday and she wanted one of my fabulous homemade white cakes with red roses. Happy Birthday and Happy Easter!