2010

Happy New Year's to you. I know 2009 wasn't all bad-
I got my first horse, my much loved Sassy,
won Reserve grand champion,
started a successful part-time business with Mom,
put up over 80 quarts of green beans,
grew 30 pumpkins,
and had a really great time, but 2010 just looks more exciting.Starting with December 31st-you should be able to view a Blue moon tonight-the first since 1990.The next time it will happen will be on New Year's Eve will be 2028.Be safe.

Christmas

Yeah, I know it's late, but here's my tree and my hope that your Christmas was a very merry one. Mine was filled with lots of love and good wishes.

Christmas Eve's Eve

It was with a saddened heart that I read about my sister's dog dying. You gotta understand that in our family her dogs are considered extended nieces and nephews-they attend Christmas, Easter, Birthdays and have their own halloween costumes. Then Lee made reference to Micah's ripe age of 15 and that she knew it was coming. I guess fifteen years is a long time to love somebody.
Two years isn't nearly long enough. Last night when I said goodnight to Dwight I honestly didn't know if he would be around to answer my morning call. He has a very serious blood clot in his leg. It could break loose or the medicine could work to thin his blood. I laid awake most of the night thinking of things I should have said.When I wasn't thinking about what I should have said, I was thinking about things that we haven't gotten a chance to do yet. I held my breath each time the phone rang and he eventually answered.He's in a lot of pain but the doctor thinks things are working.He'll know a little more when he has the next set of blood work done-til then, all he can do is wait for the medicine to work. Keep him in your prayers and let those closest to you know how special they are.

Super Woman

It takes a strong woman to push away a man that has abused her. She has to go through the system telling the events over and over to different people when all she really wants to do is to erase the event from her mind and her heart. She's not only suffering from heart break-she's been betrayed by one of those closest to her, but now she's got to deal with people that might doubt her story and she listens to people talk about what they think really happened after all "he's such a great guy". Of course he's a great guy -morons-she wouldn't have fallen for him if he wasn't.But she's strong and beautiful and she won't back down. She won't take him back and she won't put up with this crap. Super Woman is my hero.I wish I had the strenth and true grit that she does.

What is it with Christmas Shoes?

There's an old song that tells the story of some grubby little boy that wants to buy Christmas shoes for his mom so she'll look good if she meets Jesus that night. She'd been ill for quite some time and his dad said there wasn't much time left.The song is just sappier than a maple tree, and it makes me cry every time I hear it. But, I've developed a plan-I pinch myself really hard or I bite the inside of my lip or I just switch the radio station. I've learned to deal with these "Christmas Shoes" in my own way. Then came the Angels. The angels I'm referring to are those that are on Christmas trees. They're paper angels that list the first name, age, and sex of needy children and what those children wish for Christmas. The idea is for someone to adopt an angel and provide what they want. There are three boys-ages 6, 9, and 11-and the only thing those kids want is shoes. Shoes for Christmas. Out of all the thousands of toys these boys could have asked for-all they wanted to ask for was shoes. Biting my lip ain't helping. Pinching myself isn't working, and I can't shut off my mind. I keep thinking about these angels(these particular ones are adopted) and the thousands like them. If at all possible, adopt an angel of your own or make a donation to an angel tree.Please.
A special note to my mother-This is NOT intended for you.Do NOT adopt one more kid.

My laugh for the day

Talking to the youngest this morning, she gripes that "our parking " order was messed up.It seems that Grandpa came in later than she did so she had to take his spot-and just where was he so late in the evening? She was worried.

Thanksgiving 2009

A million years ago in a Thanksgiving blog I told the story about the circle of thanks and why I hate it, but when someone you love asks a room full of people to do the circle of thanks-you go along unless you're a real cold hearted beaoch. Which I'm not. So someone explains the circle of thanks and how it works to those that don't know-everyone is in a circle and it starts with one person.The first person says what he or she is thankful for and then the second person says what she is thankful for until everyone in the circle has gone and said something that they're thankful for having. A lot of people are thankful for having a job. More people were thankful for their family.This all sounds wonderful and heart warming and I bet you're wondering why I hate the circle of Thanks. Because I always cry.This year no different. The wonderful man holding my hand said he was thankful for one thing-me. He's not very affectionate in public, but he had no problem telling twenty-one people that he was thankful for me.Out of all of the things in the world he could have said he said me. I think that's when the tears started but then Darlene said the most perfect thing of all and I wished I had said it
I'm thankful for my wonderful family, my job, my health, and my life-I have too many blessings to count. Just thinking about that brought the rest of the tears because I also have too many blessings to count.

What do you want for Christmas?

1. I want to hear my kids laugh.
2. I want to kiss someone special under the mistletoe.
3. I want to see Hopper's face when he looks at Santa for the first time.
4. I want to go to Midnight mass with the people I love.
5. I'd like to see some snow-not ice just snow.
6. I want to remain flu-free.
and that's all I can think of today.

More happiness

A friend of mine encourages everyone to take responsiblity for their own happiness, but to do this you need to know what makes you happy. Do you know? What makes you happy?
One of the things that makes me happy is riding my horse. Every single time I climb up on the saddle I get a little thrill. I thought it might slowly disappear with time but no-last ride was just as great as the first. And when Sassy responds to something that I want-that's a whole other thrill. Nothing feels like it and I'm glad.

Accident waiting to happen

There's a problem when we feed the horses grain-the ducks love it too so the ducks hang around hoping the horses will drop some. Remember the old joke-why do duck have flat feet? To stamp out forest fires.Why do elephants have flat feet? To stamp out burning ducks. Hopefully, the ducks will stay alert and avoid flat feet of all kinds

The Library

If you're in Little Rock this weekend check out the used book sale at the main library on Rock Street. The sale is sponsored by FOCAL(friends of the Central Arkansas Library). It's Friday, Saturday and Sunday.I went today and got five really great books for a mere $3.50.
I love the library-always have. It must have started with the book mobile that came to our neighbor hood. Julie and I would race as hard as we could to get the newest Nancy Drew.Later, my kids had to go to story hour and check out their own books (ever tried to keep up with the library cards of three children plus your own? Not happening). The kids even got to check out movies to watch. Beth literally has enough books for a small library but she still goes to the library and Barnes and Noble is a favorite hangout. She's even gone as far as to say she loves the smell of old books. Me-I judge the books by the content not the smell. Anyway go support the library if you can and take a good wiff.

Men go shopping

The weekend meant a shopping trip with the boyfriend. I should have been concerned when he and my step dad poured over the sales circular for Gander Mountain for twenty minutes before we left. Dwight had several things he wanted to look at and had a detailed plan of action- look at guns first, then scopes, then ammunition, then seasonings for meat,etc. When we drove into the parking lot, his eyes kinda glazed over and a new person emerged. Think shoppers on Black Friday. The parking lot was packed and upon entering the store there were more men with the same glazed look that Dwight had. Old men, young men, rednecks, yuppies.... and the ammunition isle-forget it. I'm a seasoned shopper.Black Friday is my holiday, but these men were animals.Maybe the sale was just that good and I don't know what I'm lookin' at, but oh no the men at Ft. Thompson's have the same glazed eyes. I now call it the "Fever" before deer season.When you count more that half a dozen four wheelers on a trailer headed South-you know the fever has begun.

From one generation to the next

October 31st, 1988, I gave birth to my oldest child. She came in the middle of the day. Before the baby comes, you read as much information about babies and parenting as you can get your hands on, but nothing can ever prepare you for the real thing. There is no way to describe how much you instantly, completely, insanely love your child. No words to prepare you. I remember it shocked me a little to feel so much so quickly so completely. The next morning my mother came to see me and to hold the baby for the first time. I saw her in a completely different light and have ever since.I don't know how she didn't lose her mind raising four children. I pray every day that I get some of her strength and that strength that she passed on to her granddaughter. My daughter is one of the strongest women I know and I think I know where she got it from. Happy Birthday to Bunny and Beefy.

It's all in the Shine

I bought the cutest miniature chanpagne glass-just about perfect, but it was a little bit cloudy. I washed it in Dawn, then Ajax, then Cascade, and then Lime Away (twice). It was still cloudy so then I put it in boiling water. Still cloudy.Then I washed it numerous times in the dish washer. Still cloudy. To be honest, I had given up hope of ever seeing it really sparkle. Sometime during the night, some unknown person put moonshine in my little glass. If you've ever smelled moonshine, it's something you don't forget.Kaboom. My little glass sparkles like never before. I guess it's all in the shine.

The freezer

I hadn't quite finished my first cup of coffee when Dwight asked me to help him get something out of the freezer-when I opened the door this guy was staring me straight in the face. He's still laughing and I seriously need more coffee.

Grant County Fair

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This is my mom and I at the Grant County Fair. I have the Reserve Grand Champion for Muscadine Jelly and Mom got Grand Champion for her cake. Good luck at State Mom.

21 til 21

It's 21 days until my oldest turns 21. Yep, I'm that friggin' old. I demand a recount. One minute I'm so depressed-where has all the time gone? She was just into Princess Jasmin and Aladdin yesterday. Now she serves her country and goes to college-not to mention slinging boxes at night. So depressed.
But you know what? In 21 days I can send her to get mommy a bottle of wine. How cool is that?

The Ride

Went on a 22 mile ride with 43 horses and 5 wagons.We left the church in Hasty and traveled to Mount Hershey on the Buffalo.Once we were there, we ate some fried white bass and lots of goodies-including home made hominy.There was some preaching and gospel singing and the weather was just absolutely wonderful. The preacher said it was the third time that the church had done this. It wa a lot of fun-even if you were just looking at the horses. You know I have to brag on my baby-she was wonderfully behaved. Sassy is a very social lady.

Shhh...Don't tell Lauren

Typically your Senior year is a little easier unless you're one of the nerds concerned with class rankings(I was one) or perfect attendance (missed more my senior year than all the other years combined).As a result the grade point averages slide just a little, but not Lauren's. She's got a 3.8-three of her A's are high A's-above 97. Then she's got 3 normal A's and a couple of B's-that's right even Algebra isn't gettin' my girl down. This is great in itself, but now she's a workin' woman too. So she's got these great grades and holds down a job. Don't worry about her though-she still finds enough time to get into a little bit of trouble.

Dancing Queen

This Robyn dancing at her 40th Birthday party.In fact, she never stopped dancing.She was laughing the entire night and so was everyone else.It was a Great party.The wd40 cake was awesome. The party cd produced by Lee is truly a collection of Robyn throughout the years. I think I should turn Robyn loose with the digital camera and a shot a little more often-some of the best pics I've seen.

What I miss about 9/11

I woke up at three am this morning due to an early shift. I realized it was September the 11th at 3:29 am. Alan Jackson's "Where were You When the World Stopped turning" probably had a lot to do with my realization. I know it's been eight years,but that feeling of despair is still there. I grieve for the people gone-no one I know personally, but the images of the priest keep coming back to me. I miss thinking that our Country was invincible. During the recovery period, I loved seeing American flags on almost every car. I miss going to the airport and not worrying about anything.

Away at College

This is my son in his little kitchen all full of groceries now. Didn't have to buy anything to drink at the grocery store-think the boys had that covered(just a mother's hunch).

Happy Birthday Tracey

Today is the day I celebrate the birthday of the coolest cop I know. I may even have the exact date wrong, but I know it's the first week of September. I wish I had a good picture to post, but most of the things she's done I haven't been able to capture on film. She's been an incredible sister-in-law for 23 years. She's always been there for me-at school, at work, and later on she held my kids and amused them during many a mass. She's an inspiration to anyone that doesn't want to bend to peer pressure and a good role model for any of the kids growing up.Lately, I've heard that she's a pretty hip Memaw too.

63 soon to be 64 and counting

I stopped to visit a lady the other day and her husband happened to be in a pleasant talkative mood (kinda unusal for this old fart) so I got to visit with both of them for a couple of hours. In a matter of weeks, they'll be celebrating 64 years of marriage. She says she doesn't like him now and didn't then either. Maybe she didn't like him so much because it went much deeper-come on-64 years? They laughed so much at each others remembrances(she was supposed to go out with one of his friends but he kinda showed up before the other fella and took her out). He never really proposed-just sorta said he wouldn't be coming back and would appreciate it greatly if she would just marry him so they could leave together.I don't ever remember him being particularly romantic, but it's obvious the way that he looks at her that he loves her very, very much. That kinda love is the stuff dreams are made of.

Fall Harvest

Now if you're counting-the picture only shows 24 pumpkins. I found three more and then there were 4 in another part of the garden. None are very big but they're cute.

On the trail

This is part of trail ride-probably the calmest part. We went down-sometimes straight down and through the river-my jeans were wet almost to the knees, but I think Sassy and I are bonding and beginning to understand one another.

Wakeup Call-Rooster style

Most people know that roosters crow at first light.What they don't know is that they crow at headlights and night watchers.They also answer other roosters that might be crowing at say Gas Station lights-that stay open 24 hours. Let's just say the last crow last night was around one am and the first one for today was around 4:15 am. Does bubble gum really kill roosters?

Sunday morning

Got out early today and rode horses with Beth. I'm on Sassy and Beth's on Daisy. Sassy got a little carried away with me on her in the field. Later we went over the same field at my speed.

My heart could not have beat any faster. It feels great to be alive.

A boy and his horse

This is Chris and Pepper. Beth says that they're both slow.(haha)Chris says that they just go at their own pace. I think they're both just a little bit obstinate and set in their ways-just sayin'.

Cowgirl Up

This is Beth on Daisy-they get along great. They are very competitive and headstrong. Neither listens to me very well.

Sorry Mama

A million years ago as a teenager, I did some stupid things. Oh, yes, a lot more than one, but the one on my mind today (and all night last night) was the one in which I closed down McDonald's-and got out late. Didn't call to say we got out late.Then, on the way home, we stopped to detail Melissa's car-wash, vacuum, the works.While were were detailing this car, along came some really cute guys that offered to change the oil (anything to keep us talking and flirting).They changed the oil and then we went directly home-around 3 am. Mom met me at the door and asked where I had been and I told her about getting out late and washing the car. (Didn't mention the oil change).She said I should've called. Now looking back her smile didn't mean that my story was funny-it was a smile of relief because I was ok and nothing bad had happened to me. It never occurred to me that she was wide awake and I never wondered how long she listened for my keys in the door. Now that I know what that feels like I have a new respect for my mother-she didn't eat her young .Hopefully, it's genetic.

Riding in the Ozarks

Wonderful weather to ride-temperatures in the 80's all day long. Crossed the Buffalo River for the first time on a horse-not at a deep point, but through the River. Pepper broke to run and when Dwight caught up, he said " She ran much faster with Lauren"-Thanks Dwight.I'm fine.

Censorship=not good=loss of freedom=sucks

I have been informed that I no longer have the freedom to post pictures on facebook without the prior approval from those pictured.Sounds a lot like censorship to me. Can this be coming from the same kids that protested Catholic schools for years because uniforms were preventing freedom of expression? Art, literature, song-aren't meant for everyone's approval. They even went so far as to threaten me-I may/maynot be their friend anymore. Now let's just get this clear-there were no butt shots, no bathing suit shots, no exes, and nothing really bad about these offending pictures. No one was in their underwear. I just think it's my duty as an American citizen not to bow down to this decree of censorship, and so I may lose three friends on Facebook.And once that happens, then all bets are off. Mickey Mouse undies-coming out of the closet.Halloween pictures are fair game, and don't even get me started with swim suit pictures.
It's not wise to threaten a picture goober mom .

The WAR

I have declared war on the green beans. The beans will keep producing as long as the plants don't have fully developed beans on the plants so we keep picking and the plants keep putting on more beans.But, green beans are green and they blend in to the plants and the weeds that managed to survive.Some of the smarter beans try to keep hidden so they can develope. I have proof.I very carefully picked a row and walked back-only to find some beans that were hiding.I picked the same row three times and I bet when I go out there again there will be some more ready.Fifteen gallons in the space of twenty four hours.But I'm fixin to take a nap so I can pick before the sun goes down.Damn beans won't win.

People and cell phones

Have you seen people that just don't ever hang up the cell phone? You know the lady that checks out at the grocery store and continues her conversation.How about the guy that tries to order at the drive thru and keeps talking-oblivious to the line of cars behind him? Then there's my daughter in the vertical position not skipping a beat and refusing to pose for a picture.

A secret love

I must confess. I have a secret love of developing old film or those disposable cameras-not the ones you just spent the weekending using, but the ones that you find in the bottom of your purse or in a coat pocket or under the seat of your car. It thrills me to no end to find really great pictures of things that were only just a memory until that picture developed. It's kinda like a grab bag-it may be of something that you'd rather forget or it could be the best picture ever taken. Whatever the case maybe, I don't ever know if it's a good idea to look the photo clerk in the eye. He always has a smirk.

G.B. Update

Fourteen more quarts canned and fifteen gallons sent home with Mom. Please don't ask what I did this weekend. The faster I pick green beans-the faster they grow.

Just the numbers

Can't get numbers out of my head today. My BABY sis celebrates her 20th class reunion. The BABY has been out of high school 20 years. She's been grown so long now but I still remember calling her Lee-Lee. I guess it was a tribute to all of those southern women with two first names.Another number? You've got exactly 6 months until Christmas.

How was your weekend?

I worked in the garden-Dwight and I canned 14 quarts of green beens-he reminds me that there's more to be picked and there is. We only picked 4 of the five rows. The banana peppers are doing great too. This is the first time I've ever had bell peppers on multiple plants.a Anybody got any recipes for what to do with pumpkins? We have over 40 plants that are blooming like crazy.

The Second Sunday in June

For the last 27 years, the Second Sunday in June has brought the Bell Family Reunion. I warned the boyfriend that no one over the age of 13 in our family can carry a tune in a bucket so the church service wasn't a complete shock. The service was in the church founded by Grandma and Grandpa Bell in 1905. Grandma went to Pine Bluff to finish high school at the age of sixteen and came back to teach in Rison in the same little church. Some of her students were older than her. My dad teaches too so maybe my dream to teach is genetic.
But some things never change...there's a fox den under the church. The outhouse still stands-the Sears and Roebuck catalog from 1993 is still there. The only real tea is sweet tea and the only meat to eat on Sunday afternoon is fried chicken. My brother has dubbed the reunion "Chickenfest".

It's a girl thing-no pictures on purpose

I envy my girls and their collection of under things. There are red bras, black ones, blue, camo, polka a dots, prints with monkeys or skulls, lacy, racy trimmed with sation, flowers, bows, jewels, leather, feathers, and chains. Until they came of this age, I didn't realize that it was possible to get three bras dirty in one day and if you change bras you must change panties-it's not unusual to have a hamper full of things that you shouldn't see in public. So with this and my new found knowledge that a bra is only supposed to live for about three months, I went shopping. It doesn't have chains or diamonds, but it's more than one color and my grandma would faint if she saw it.

The other Love

There is another woman in Dwight's life-here she is.Her name is Daisy.

A Sunday ride

This my cruising partner on Sunday afternoon. Her name is Pepper and most of the time (like me) she's well behaved.

Missing my Soldier Girl

National Guard in Arkansas can't quit making the news. Two soldiers were shot at a recruiting station. The one that died was only 23. Then there was a National Guard helicopter that crashed near the Buffalo River-thankfully no one was seriously injured. My little soldier girl is at Fort Chaffee doing her two week drill. Miss her bunches.

SOB on I40

Somewhere out there-there is a person responsible for throwing a kitten out of moving car on Interstate 40. I didn't get the license number, but Jesus did. "Lucky" is doing just fine. He has a new home. Many, many thanks to the drivers that swerved to avoid hitting him. Especially the man in the blue car-stunt drivers have nothing on you.

Birthday cakes

I actually made Paul a birthday cake this year (usually I con my mom into doing this) and it turned out well so I decided to push my luck and make another one for a coworker. He really enjoyed the cake and thanked me a million times. I was beginning to wonder at his sincerity when he slipped me a little comment-"You know this is the first time I've ever had a birthday cake". For goodness sake-the man is in his thirties-and this is his FIRST birthday cake. I don't care how many people make fun of me at the office-everybody gets cake.

19 Things about Paul

1. He turns 19 tomorrow.
2.As a baby, he hated baby food.
3.He loved mashed potatoes.
4.He has always drank a lot of water-trying to get him to stop using the bottle, I would put water in it, but he'd still drink.
5.He learned to ride a bike at 3.
6.He earned the mile swim at boyscout camp numerous times.
7.He can eat very, very hot food.
8.He's my neatest child.
9.He is very scientific in every thing he does.
10.He used to hate to read books.
11.His grades have always been good.
12.I've always thought he was a hard worker, now I have other people telling me he is.
13.He has a wonderful yet quirky sense of humor.
14.He can hit a moving target with an axe
15.He's a lot taller than me
16.He drinks beer
17.He calls his mom at weird hours after drinking said beer
18.He wears boxer shorts (aren't you glad I'm not posting pictures of the Mickey Mouse shorts?)
19.He deserves the best Birthday Ever.
To Paul if you read this, I love you more than words can say.

Did he do that?

I read how my sister watches her young son just to see him smile and I smile knowingly.It's something I've done a hundred times. In fact, I set my alarm to get up early just so I could watch him work and make sure he was ok. He decided to give plasma, move 3 hours away, and work2 jobs all in the space of 20 hours. His bosses told me what a great job he was doing and I just nodded. I don't like seeing my baby boy push himself that hard, but he has goals and dreams and I don't think he 'd stop if I asked him too. But what kind of mom would stand in the way of her kids' dreams? It hurts to let go and watch him do the things that he thinks he must. Did I really raise someone so hard headed, so determined, and with such a one tracked mind? I think I'll try catching him asleep so I can see him smile. That's if he sits still long enough to fall asleep.

Songs you don't want to hear on Sunday

Mother's Day is Sunday and the radio station will always play an old, old song called "Roses for MaMa". It's about a child that has lost a mother. The damn song ruins my mascara every year. Now Allan Jackson has added to my misery with "Sissy's Song". Give it a listen. Go ahead. Just don't blame me if you aren't wearing waterproof makeup.

Thanks Dwight

Sorry I didn't have a camera with me this weekend, but a picture wouldn't have caught the breeze blowing or the smell of the horses. It wouldn't have captured my complete joy of riding until my arse got sore either. I learned so much-I, me, I steered the horse out of the trees. I didn't fall off or lose my balance when she stumbled. I hung on when she got spooked. I fixed her bridle. I had a lot fun, and like so many times when you learn something-you make mistakes -and I did but no one yelled, no one got pissed, and it didn't ruin the entire day. It's nice to just laugh and enjoy life.

Bauxite's Sweethearts

A mom just can't help be proud-look how pretty she is. And the young man ain't too bad on the eyes either. It sounded like they had a good time, and I hope so. I'm not so old that I don't remember the fun.

The girls meet

I introduced Pepper (on the Left) a few days ago. In this picture, Pepper is introducing herself to Daisy. Both mares are very happy to have some company to roam the pasture.

Sights on the Buffalo River

It always feels like someone is watching you.

Does anybody know the name of these beauties?

Canoeing the Buffalo River

The River finally cooperated enough for a small float-We floated from Hasty to Carver. The weather was warm-Paul even thought it was warm enough to go shirtless.

Cowgirl Up

Ok so I'm not a cowgirl yet-but I have made it on and off the horse without hurting myself or anyone else.

Red Clover

My lil' sister is driving around to look at Blue Bonnets, but here in Arkansas-Red clover is blooming on all the road sides and fields. And what Blue Bonnets are to Lee, Red Clover is to me. It means spring. I love the look of it and the smell and it brings back lots of happy memories. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped the car so a kid could pick some of this delicious clover for a special bunny. I don't know which was happier-the rabbit eating the clover or the kid giving it to the rabbit-I could swear both wear grinning. I remember doing the same thing as a child-I also remember taking off my shoes to run bare foot through a field of clover with my best friend. The clover felt so good until one of us stepped on a honey bee and we always did. The joy we felt always outweighed the pain, so if I limp in front of you-know there's nothing seriously wrong, I just haven't grown up yet.

Pepper

Pepper is a mare that is fourteen hands high. She let me ride her this weekend-actually she allowed me to climb on and be led around the yard. She is supposed to be "gentle", but if you ask me-"gentle" horses don't up seat numerous riders. I've been trying to upload some pictures but no luck so far.

The Wreck in Retrospect

My youngest had a wreck yesterday. Her very smart boyfriend called to tell me the news and very very quickly assured me that EVERYONE involved was not hurt. They made sure the other people were ok and then called the police (I guess it's a little warped that I'm proud that she knew that had to be done).She hit someone from behind and I think she learned something from this experience-like its a must to have insurance and that accidents happen- that's why insurance companies can charge out the wazoo.I picked up somethings out of her car and was amazed that no one was hurt.The windshield is smashed.The front of the car is heavily damaged. I admit I got a little teary eyed thinking my baby went through this wreck. So I said a quick prayer of thanks to the Man upstairs. When I drove through East End, they were having a funeral. Then I said a much longer prayer.

Prom Shopping

Oh yea, it's that time again. My youngest and most opinionated child has a prom coming up. If I like green, she likes blue. If I like long, she likes short. If I like solids, she likes prints. You get the idea. So we went shopping today and it was not painful at all. She liked the same dress that I did. We liked it for the same reasons-it looks classy and elegant for a young woman. The price was acceptable and it fit perfectly. I'd post a picture but she wants to surprise her young man. And she will-she looks like an angel in the dress. Now if she'll act the part....

March

I can't believe it's the 20th of March already. Vacation was a blast and I had a nice sweet 16th birthday-I turned 29 for the 16th time. Softball season has started. I have a new nephew.More pictures to come.

Great day courtesy of Facebook

ME: Who are you taking to your frat party?
Son: Oh, just a good friend of mine-she's on my facebook page.
Me:So what does she look like?
Son: She's real cute and blond. She kinda looks like you.

Note-I never did figure out which beautiful girl he was taking to the party, but just the idea that my son even thinks I resemble those goddesses in some way made my day.

10 Days and Counting

This is for Stinkydog-who only has 10 days until the baby comes. Enjoy your last ten days of peace.
1. Right now you know where your kid is
2. You can guess with some certainty what your child is doing
3. You haven't heard your child cry-something so minor will at times tear your heart into pieces.
4. You can control what your child eats-right now you're not wearing any food
5. You probably smell normal-in the future you won't-it doesn't end with toddler years-older children have lotions and perfumes that you must try
6. Right now you don't feel guilty for closing the door to use the restroom-later you might miss someone calling for you
7.Right now you can communicate with your child-he has to hear what you say.He may not respond-this is training for later years.
8.Your child cannot tell you that he doesn't like meat or eggs or carbonated beverages
9. Right now you don't have to berate your child for burping in public
10.Right now you can hug that little bugger all you want-he's not too busy and he can't run away.
Enjoy!It won't be long now(I can say this because I slept comfortably last night).

The Mom song

If you have the time check out the Mom song on u tube. It's a must see.

Great Couples Continued

Today another favorite couple of mine celebrates their 20th Anniversary. Way to go-Bonnie and Mike McDonald. 20 years ago, I didn't own a cell phone. Mom only had one grandchild-number 8 will soon be arriving. Flat screen Tv's were unheard of. They've been to New York, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Vermont and who knows what the future holds? Here's to another 20-Hope your day is a good one and that you both realize how lucky you are to have each other. Smoochy time!

February the Month of love

Awww. The month of love. I'm kinda in the mood to think of couples-all that love thing going on. Think about it-what great couples do you know? Brad and Angelina seem to be a great couple(but I like Jennifer better). I like the way the Obama's look together, but then I thought Bill and Hillary were a good couple too and looked what happened to them at the White House. I'm really struggling here to think of some famous couples that I like and have made it past the 20 year mark-oh, wait. Bob Hope and his wife(sorry I can't think of her name). Give me some help here.

Amazing Grace on Bagpipes

Early this morning, I took my baby to school. I knew this week would be hard for her, and I wasn't surprised when tears started. She lost a very dear friend a year ago. I hugged her as hard as I could and tried to make her feel better. Any mother can tell you-it's one thing to hurt, but to watch your baby in pain is ten times worse. I wish I could make everything better like kissing a skint knee,but it doesn't work.
This past weekend, I saw a picture of my Grandmother. She's been dead almost 26 years. It took my breath away to see that picture-I could hear her voice and smell her perfume.
So I don't think there's anything to make you stop missing someone. The radio station played a memorial to a fallen soldier on my way to work. Taps was very moving-and "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes made my eyes water uncontrollably, and I could swear I heard Kevin apologizing for cuttin' donuts in the grass on the motorcycle-that's my memory of her fallen friend-a kid that was well-mannered and fun to watch.

One month past Christmas

Did you realize that today Christmas has been over for an entire month? I didn't get charge happy this year, but I'm really glad my boss took me to lunch quite a few times in January. I know there's a recall on peanut butter right now, but it's my backup plan for easy, cheap lunches. And remember those new resolutions-have you forgotten yours?
I have tried a new recipe this month (a keeper only if I use real butter)
I have learned quite a few things-mainly to do with facebook
Lost a couple of pounds(you can take this literally-it was only 2 pounds)
Paid off all my bills? Nope, still working on it.
That exercise thing? Well, let's just hope I do better in the coming weeks.

A million years ago

A million years ago, I had a Troop of Brownies that grew into Girl Scouts. I started out with eleven and when they graduated there were a group of five. I can't tell you how much these girls have always meant to me. I watched them lose teeth, get their first bras, make new friends, discover boys, and make a difference to people they met. One of them is actually get married tomorrow-so good luck BamBam. I hope you're happy and that Scottie realizes how lucky he is.

Give to a Woman...thought for the day

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. You give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

So if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.

The weather outside is frightful

I know Mondays usually suck, but today it really SUCKS. It's the beginning of a five day work week-the first in a couple of weeks. It started out at 35 degrees and just got colder. Then it started to rain. So I'll be in front of the fire with my hot tea.

Lesson #1 for 2009

Never, EVER trust your sisters with your password. They will do terrible embarassing things to you. See Slurp, Slurp for details. FYI, Stinky and Birdrunner-my password is changed and the security setting is not only strong but very strong.

SLURP SLURP

HI I'M KATE AND I BE DRINKING BANANA RUM AND CALLING FAMILY AT MIDNIGHT. YEEEEEE HAW! HAp, Happ, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(we love you big sister,  AA meets in the church basement--time to change your password!!   R&L )