Thank you for the prayers for the family. Cindy's husband, Chet, rededicated his life to the Lord last weekend. They both had recently gotten back in to church and were serving the Lord. Thank God. Chet has made the decision to end the life support around 9 in the morning. He wants to spend the night with her. He wants the family to all be there. Blain's Mom and Dad are holding up amazingly well. I'm sure it is due to all the prayer support. Remember Blain and Vanessa and numerous cousins. I was amazed at all the cousins that were there when we got to the hospital.

Rita and Blain , just know that you all and Blain,s family will be in our prayers In this hard time Love you both.

I think Chet is having trouble making that decision so they are doing a brain scan, more for Chet than anything.  Please keep Chet and the girls, as well as the rest of the family in your prayers.   

Mom wanted me to post an update on Cindy.  There is no brain activity and basically no hope.  They just need to decide when to turn everything off.  Please continue to pray for the family. 

Rita, we'll be praying for Cindy.

It snowed here this morning...then the sun came out, not it's gone again. I thing it's supposed to be in the 70s on Monday. Welcome to WV I guess.

Here are a few pictures I've been meaning to put up.

Here is our beaker of wool, cotton and grass. It made a really pretty green color in the water.

And here are the final products...the color is kind of weird on the picture, but as you can see it's pretty pale. The wool is on the right, and it dyed the best in all of the beakers.

This is the first good pan of biscuits I've made (since switching to Hudson Cream, lol). I cheated with the browning though, I had to turn the broiler on for a little bit at the end to get them to brown. I put oil on top of them like Grandma did but they were still white before I broiled them...any suggestions?

Blaine, Rita, yes we will pray for Cindy. So sorry to get this report. God is able to intervene, to heal, and to comfort when no one else can.
Love you both.

Blain's Sister

Please pray for Cindy, Blain's Youngest sister.  They took her to the hospital last night and she is on life support.  Blain's mom said they lost her 3 times and they got her back. They don't know what's wrong, they said something about it possibly, being her heart.   I'll keep you posted but we appreciate you praying.
 

Rita

yes, it does make you appreciate Daddy's struggle to make a living for us even more after seeing the story about the coal mines. Dad would never had made it if it had not been for mommy's prayers. I can remember him coming home and telling mommy how bad something had been that day ,and remembering mommy praying at that time for him , and staying up at night waiting to see his headlight's coming up the road , then she knew he was safe at home again.praying and reading her bible, that the Lord would take care of him, and he did.It had to be a very hard life for them as young parents, with all of us kids to care for. and Daddy was a very proud man. But I think they did a great job in all.

I recall the days when Daddy would take the little Radio Flyer red wagon to the mines with him. He used it to haul his dynamite in, if my memory serves me right. The coal was so low that he would carry his lunchbucket in his teeth and crawl into the mines pulling the little red wagon with his charges and his little pick, which I assume what for digging the holes for the charges. I remember, even as a kid, thinking how difficult his job must have been. Seeing Coal made me appreciate even all the more all that he did to make a living for us, because I thought the program was quite scary. I do not know if I would have had the courage to work in the mines. When you try to put yourself in those men's shoes, you can kind of understand it when they say: You do what you gotta do! And even after terrible disasters, they go right back in and Do What A Man's Gotta Do to provide for his family. I do not know how the wives of miners have any peace at all if they do not know God.

Mornin Ya'll
Everyone must be busy

MP3 and Zac and Emily, so glad you got to have a lunch date. I know that was fun. Isn't Marleigh just the cutest, happiest, baby you've ever seen. I don't think I've seen her cry...ever.

Bobbie, Janet DVR'd (Ha) "Coal" so Blain could watch it. He had to go out at 2 this morning. He'll get 13 hours today and has to work tomorrow too. At our house, it has always been either "Feast or Famine".

In Daddy's early years of mining coal, they would Dynamite it out and then hand load it onto buggies. They didn't have a roof bolter, they would set timbers to hold the roof up. That was before the machines. Before Daddy left the mines, They probably had some of the machines by then, but most of his mining was done by hand. Can you imagine???

Blain said that he has roof bolted 10 cuts and as much as 500 ft a shift (He became a member of the 500 ft club) and yeah, they had pizza and it was quite a big deal. They were running 2 Continuous Miners and When they would shut one off to be serviced or moved to another section, they would start the other one. One Bolt crew (2 men) would bolt all the top. Would you believe, he said that was his favorite job underground. The last bolt machine Blain ran was the kind that 2 men could Bolt at the same time. I think it was called a "Double Headed Fletcher"? I might be wrong about the name.

It snowed here last night, just enough to cover the ground, but it is pretty. However, I hope it is our last. I want to see flowers!!

Yes Rita, We did see Coal, one of the most dangerous jobs! And yes it was most interesting! Made me appreciate Dad all the more for the life he carved for us out of the coal. Did Dad do all of those jobs in his lifetime or was he good at a certain something? I don't know. I wish I did now. Ask Blain if he knew through their conversations, what it was Daddy did specifically. I want to catch it next week too, so remind us again on that day OK. So, Blain's job was a Bolter for the top? And everyone's safety in there depended on the job they did, is that what I heard? Thank-you Blain for the job you did all those years! And seven cuts a day is a really good day?

Hey All
I loved the videos. Those 3 can really sing. I see a Bus in their future.

Coal was really good. Blain was taking a shower abut 9:30 getting ready to watch it (He is usually in bed by 9, Up at 4) but as he was getting out of the shower, his work called and they needed him out at 2:30 this morning. Sooo, he didn't get to watch it. It was real interesting to me though bc I've heard Blain talk about all that stuff. He operated the roof bolter side-by-side with his dad for years, he has ran the continuous miner underground AND outside by remote control...I've heard him talk about guys running over the miner cable and it stopping production...all of that...The bad top...flooding of the mines (that is coming next week). I am sooo glad he is not underground anymore. If you missed it, you need to tune in next week.

I'm out the door to go to Janets and keep Olivia and Kaiden. They are both sick.

Hey, Everyone! Hope you are all great; we are. Loved the pics of the table, Teresa. Did you do the top? That must have taken a long time. It is beautiful. Emily, hilarious videos, I found them on youtube and put them on my facebook.... speaking of which, I am jumping into facebook. All of the cousins out their, and anyone else on it, look me up. Michelle Roberts, look up in Germany....there shouldn't be too many. I realized I don't even know some of your last names! How out of touch am I?! But of course, there are so many of us....LOL. Tarin has made up her mind she wants to teach AP History for high schoolers. How cool is that? We will see if she changes her mind before graduation, ha ha, she is only a freshman. Joe's stitches came out, his headaches are gone, and the scars are minimal. Thank God. Love to all of you, Michelle and girls

I liked that video Emily, the Today Show had it on there this morning. I don't recall the boys ever having any conversations like that when they were babies, however, it sounds quite familiar now a days LOL!! :P They would coo to each other at times though. We watched "Coal". It was very interesting. A few things seemed familiar to me probably from David's book. Rita, what did Blain think about it? Mark was wondering how often the tips had to be replaced on the 'continuous miner'?

twin baby boys have a conversation - part 2 ORIGINAL VIDEO

This video is hilarious...Bobbie, Monica, were Adam and Corey like this?!

I posted that video from youtube, first time I've done that before (Mark helped me LOL) so if you go to youtube and search for them that's where you'll find their website and info :) I remember seeing an advertisement last week about "Coal", I told Mark we was going to have to watch that tonight :) The Midkiff obit., is he Vera's husband?

Sorry, If you have Direct TV, it is Channel 241 instead of 308.

Amazing Child Singer - Daves Highway performs "Jesus Messiah" by Chris T...

Carol sent us a video the other day of a baby laughing that was from godvine.com. I came across these siblings on the same website. They have such beautiful harmony. I cried the first two times I watched them and still get a little teary eyed. They have a CD available if you go to there website, it should be listed under the video. We had a great time with Emily and Zac yesterday!! :P Love to all and hope you are blessed by this video as much as I am :)

Coal Runs Deep

Rita, I had seriously just opened the blog to post about the same thing when I saw your posts about it. Here is a link to the trailer for it...I think it should be interesting.

Coal Runs Deep

Monica texted me yesterday saying that her, Mark and Marleigh were going to be in Princeton and wanted to know if we wanted to meet them for lunch. It just so happened that Zac's day off got switched this week from Thursday to Tuesday and I had a break between classes from 12:15-2:30, so we were able to meet up at Cracker Barrel. It was goooood...and Marleigh was so cute and funny! She really liked her brown beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. She is so good at saying 'apple' too, lol!

I dyed wool and cotton yesterday in my med plants lab. We got to choose any type of plant we wanted to try. One group used black berries and it made a really pretty pink. Red onion turned out really yellow (which I thought was weird) and carrots made the wool orange and the cotton pinkish. The grass did dye it, but it turned out to be a really pale green. I will post pictures of it later.

10 Episodes

Spike TV's new reality show "Coal." Ten one-hour episodes will debut at 10 p.m. March 30. Producers say the show details the extreme conditions and underappreciated work of underground miners. 

 

"Coal" in WV

If you have Direct TV, it is channel 308.  This mine is owned by Cobalt Coal.  Thought you might be interested in seeing something from WV and how we are portrayed.

WELCH -- McDowell County will be featured in the latest reality series coming to Spike TV. It's called "Coal" and took place at the Westchester Mine at Big Sandy.

The show will be nationally broadcast at 10 p.m. starting on March 30.

Rita

Elmer Midkiffs brother

Evert Ray Midkiff

RAINELLE — Evert Ray Midkiff, 87, of Crag Road, passed away Monday morning, March 28, 2011, at Heartland of Rainelle, following a long illness.

Born Jan. 13, 1924, at Blue Sulphur Springs, W.Va., he was the son of the late Jarvis C. and Minerva Elizabeth Holcomb Midkiff.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Dale Lee Midkiff; and four sisters, Eva Crookshanks, Sarah Persinger, Ina Persinger, and Leatha Midkiff.

Evert was a coal miner and had also worked for the Department of Highways.

He was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathy Tuck of Welcome, N.C., and Brenda Roberts of Plantersville, Texas; a son, Bobby Joe Midkiff of Peru, Ind.; a sister, Kitty Cleva Callahan of Oak Hill, W.Va.; a brother, Elmer Lee Midkiff of Dawson, W.Va.; seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

There will be a graveside service only at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2011, at the Sewell Valley Baptist Church Cemetery on Crag Road in Rainelle, with Pastor Clay O’Dell officiating. Burial will follow immediately.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle.

Daddy's Cousin's Wife

I think this is Daddy's cousin's wife...Carol or Goldie might be able to clarify...If it is who I am thinking of, he came to get apples whenever they "hit".  He was at Daddy's viewing.

 

 

Cora 'Bel' Treadway

Cora Belzene "Bel" Stover Treadway, 77, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

She was born January 5, 1934, at Ameagle. She was the daughter of the late Newman and Norma Stover.

She attended the Advent Christian Church at Artie and was retired from Pinecrest Hospital in Beckley.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Don Stover; three sisters, Maxine Lutterloh, Gurtha Toney and Mary Williams.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, James "JR" Treadway; and three sons, James Taylor and wife Sharon of Peterstown, Michael Treadway and wife Judy of Clear Creek and Charles "Corkey" Treadway and wife Barbara of Artie; three brothers, Ray Stover and wife Ruth of Ocala, Fla., Ancel and wife Karen of Auburndale, Fla., Eldon and wife Marilyn of Dorothy; and one sister, Beulah Peyatt of Easley, S.C.; grandchildren, Charles Taylor and wife Annie and their children, Christopher and Matthew of Beckley; Jimmy Taylor and children, Bridget and husband, Cole Boothe, and Tiara Taylor of Peterstown; Andy Taylor and wife Cheryl and their children Cheyenne and Cordell of Shady Spring; Michael "Mike" Treadway and wife Patty and their children Christopher Treadway and Shane, Katie and Andrew Tomlin; Jodie and husband Jimmy Bristow and children Brian and Andrew of Clear Creek; Carie Lynn Stover and children PFC. Corey Stover (Fort Benning, Ga.), Tyler and Keely Stover of Clear Creek, and Cathy Jo Shrewsbury and husband James and their children Nicole, Jackson and Emily of Beckley, three great-great-grandchildren: Victoria "Tori" Shrewsbury and Levi and Trinity Boothe. Special nieces Sonya Basham and Peggy Caffro; special friends Glen and Margie Williams and Marilyn Massey.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, March 30, 2011, at the Advent Christian Church, Artie, W.Va., with the Revs. Cecil McClellan and Joe Barnett officiating. Burial will follow in the Wriston Cemetery, Artie.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 Tuesday at the church.

Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville, is in charge of arrangements.

I do! I do! I recognize the table! Who could forget those legs! I used to eat my dinner on the back side. It's beautiful. I thought we had distressed that table enough Teresa! One question, that top doesn't look conductive to making biscuits. Just where are you going to make those Steve?

Love the pics Teresa, can't wait to see it!!!!

We got a good start on our new kitchen. Cabinets and appliances won't be in for a couple weeks. We have been painting and making our island. Anyone recognize the table?

One more thing, I think Ruth sent a clip from the Today show last week of a little boy that had gone to heaven during surgery. I got that book and finished reading it last night and IT WAS AWESOME!!! "Heaven is for real" is the name of it, written by Todd Burpo (his father) and Lynn Vincent. I highly recommend it to everyone. I'm going to give mine to mom so yal can pass it around if you like. Love ya :)

We woke up to pouring snow this morning!! I couldn't believe it. The weather man said we got 2 inches in our area. It stopped sometime between 10:30 am and noon. Not exactly sure because I fell asleep on the couch while Marleigh was taking her nap lol. It was also interesting to see on the news at noon that we had a 2.5 earthquake this morning around 2:30 am. They said it happened 4 miles down in the earth and was a few miles WNW of Pulaski. That is a town right beside us, 5-10 minutes down the road. We never felt anything though. If my memory serves me correct I'm thinking that Giles County sits on a fault line somewhere. We go through Giles when we go to WV. Speaking of WV, I caught a glimpse of Grandpa in Mark this afternoon. I was cleaning house this morning while it was snowing. I had already vacuumed all the carpeted areas and was working on my rug in the bathroom when the vacuum started making an awful noise. I thought it was eating the power cord but it wasn't. I turned it off, unplugged it and checked to make sure it wasn't going to catch on fire because the odor that was coming from it was a little alarming. I saw a little vapor of smoke but no fire. I took it down stairs and Mark looked at it. The rod thingy that has all the bristles on it had started to melt on one end thus deforming it somewhat. It was a total loss :( We went to get groceries after lunch and also got a new vacuum. When we got home I put Marleigh down for her nap, Mark and I put up the groceries and I started on supper (Mom's chicken pot pie :P ). I heard Mark in the living room opening the box of the new vacuum. About 10-15 minutes later Mark hollered for me to bring him a snack baggie. When I turned the corner to take him the baggie I could not believe what I was looking at in my living room floor!! Mark had completely disassembled the old vacuum cleaner, took all the screws out and had them in a pile by their self and had each part on the vacuum laid out in the floor. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was getting any thing we may need later from it. He ended up only keeping the screws and a furry duster buster attachment. I just grinned, turned around and went back to my chicken lol. Marleigh is finally off of formula and baby food. I put some of the chicken pot pie in the food processor for her and she loved it. Smacked them little lips the whole time :) Her daddy gave her ice cream for dessert and she was loving that as well.

Bravo! How true! How true Rita! Say a prayer for Adam, he starts his new job today!

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. "One is Evil -  It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. "The other is Good -  It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."  The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Rita

Emily~  I have had that lecture about Hudson Cream flour as well.  I hate to write it on the blog because then it will be documneted, but this is one time that they were right:)    Whatever you do, just ask Andy, MAKE SURE it is self-rising.  I know that several of us have had to learn that the hard way, myself included.  Your breakfast sure looked good.  Wish I could have chowed down with you!  Love ya    

I like the gummy ones too. Zac, Tanner and Jacob all like the fluffy ones though so I have to make a lot of fluffy ones when I make them.

I have been having the hardest time making good biscuits. I knew I was doing it right though, I mean I only saw Grandma do it about a thousand times. I told Mommy about it and she asked what kind of flour I was using. I had been using the cheap brand. She told me that flour was not the place to save money, lol. So I got some Hudson Cream and ta-da...gooood biscuits.

Zac and I went to a cafe last night in downtown Princeton with some friends. There was a band playing called The Corn Grinders. Stand up bass, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, banjo...they were really really good!

Have a good Sunday everyone...love ya'll!