A Happy Anniversary

Eleven years ago today, I was sworn in as a district court judge.

I'll never forget the day. It was a humbling experience, and one that I have never taken lightly. A lot of things have happened since that day. Rick has published two books and traveled from one end of this country to the other more times than either one of us would care to count. I have served on this committee or that at church and in the community, and I have survived cancer.

And with the addition of Jesse and Adam to our family, I became a mother.

Being a district court judge is a tough job, but one that I'm incredibly honored to have. I have heard countless cases in the 11 years that I have been a judge, and I have done my best to treat each and every person who comes through my courtroom with the respect they deserve. I look forward to serving the people of this district as a district court judge for many years to come.

The clipping below appeared on the front page of The Enterprise a few days after I was sworn in.

A Busy ... But Great ... Weekend

Ashe County is a great place to be under ordinary circumstances, but Saturday, the weather was especially gorgeous. With a temperature of maybe 73 degrees or so at noon, the Northwest Trading Post in Glendale Springs couldn't possibly have asked for a better setting for its 50th anniversary celebration.

Hundreds of people attended the event, which featured live music by a couple of different groups. As luck would have it, I went to law school with Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, the singer and bass player for Amantha Mill, a bluegrass group based out of Boone. That's her singing away in the picture below.

After leaving the Trading Post yesterday, we headed back down the mountain for a fundraiser held at Tommy's Garage in Hamptonville for Jesse Keaton, a six-year-old little girl who was critically injured in a terrible accident in early July. Whether you support me in this election or not, I would ask that you please consider making a donation to funds that have been created to help offset the family's medical bills. If so, please contact the Yadkinville branches of either Southern Community Bank & Trust or Wachovia.

It was a truly amazing thing to see literally hundreds of people who turned out for the fundraiser. There were easily 400 to 500 people there, if not more. And they weren't there for the fish or oysters being served, or the live music, or the beautiful classic cars on display. They were there for a little girl who needed their help.

Today, we went to a cookout for a young woman headed off on a great adventure ... college. Katy Hamel is one-of-a-kind, and we love her like a daughter. She works at Hoots Hospital here in Yadkin County, and serves as a volunteer fireman (Or is that fireperson?) in the Courtney community. She's attending East Carolina University to study nursing, and is leaving Wednesday.

Wasn't it just yesterday that Katy would spend the night with me while Rick was on the road racing, and be afraid to sleep by herself? Wasn't it just yesterday when Rick offered her $200 to change one of Adam and Jesse's wet diapers (a wet diaper, NOT a dirty one), and she refused? Good grief.

Red Boiling Where?!?

Hearsay couldn't wait to get back out and about, and wound up today in Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., about 75 miles northeast of Nashville.

Red Boiling Springs is known for ... well ... it's hard to say just what Red Boiling Springs is known for. In the 1920s, the community featured some 1,500 motel rooms for those visiting the mineral bath.

Rick's dad, Sidney, lives in the oldest inhabited house in Macon County. Construction began in 1850. Sid also owns the first bathtub in the Upper Cumberland region. Could that be what Red Boiling Springs is known for?

Signs Of The Times

We're in the process of putting up the first of my larger, framed signs. Getting the frames from a friend was step No. 1, and it turned out to be no small task in and of itself. Then, we had to fit the frames to the size signs we had made.

Here's how big a deal this has become. My husband, Rick ... my husband, Rick, the one who has to ask the difference between a hammer and a screw driver ... has done honest-to-goodness carpentry work in the past couple of days. My dad, Tom Reavis, however, has been in charge of the project. My dad is ALWAYS in charge of such things.

The finished product turned out pretty well, don't you think? These are the first of several signs that will go up around the district. Several more are on the way.

The first sign was placed on US 21 in Wilkes County, between Elkin and Alleghany County. Thanks to Josephine DeJournette for allowing us to place the sign on her property.
Note should be made here of a pledge I will keep throughout the election. NOBODY associated with my campaign will deface in any way the signs of my opponent, and I know that I can expect the same in return.

Upcoming Scan

As a followup to my surgery in early June, I've started preparing for another series of scans Aug. 14 and 15. It means going off some medications, but that's just a part of the process that we have to deal with.

From every indication so far, the tests are expected to come back negative for any more cancer. Still, there's always that little bit of uncertainty. I would most definitely covet your prayers.

Thanks,
Jeanie

Redding's Country Kitchen

If you happen to be in or around the Ronda area in Wilkes County on a Friday night, you should stop by Redding's Country Kitchen, which is owned by Gwyn Redding (shown above). They have live music, and it's become quite the event. Then, on Saturday mornings, they have a great breakfast buffet.

Thanks, Gwyn, for your support.

Bingo!!!

Some good friends invited us to a bingo fundraiser for the Wilkes Diamonds AAU girls basketball team tonight, and we had a blast. Out of all the games he and I played, Rick got one bingo. He won a cookbook rack.

You would've thought he'd won the lottery.