Ten for 2010

As 2010 ends, I'm sharing ten things I've learned this year so you'll already be smarter than me.

1. The best traditions aren't planned-and so I'll hang the ugliest stockings on the planet again next year-and try to snap as many pictures of kids with their hands in the air while the countdown goes on.
2. I won't die if I get thrown from a horse-I'll be in pain for days, but I won't die.
3. Just because kids are grown, doesn't mean they don't need their mommy-they still do (a little less frequently).
4. It is possible to make edible biscuits and gravy from scratch.
5. My husband can eat a lot of bad things, but sushi isn't one of them(God bless his little tummy).
6. Horses are a lot like dogs-they like to be fed at a certain time, they love to be petted, they play, they respond to a certain voice, they love treats, and will run others away from the food bowl. They also come if you yell "here doggie".
7. Some people will always cry to movies and songs on the radio-I'm one of them so don't even ask if I switch the station.
8. Learning is fun and it doesn't ever get old-I shot my first deer, made jerky for the first time, caught trout, jumped a creek on a horse.
9.Laughter really is the best medicine.
10.Just because you say goodbye, doesn't mean you forget (RIP Daddy-o)

Christmas Eve

I'm watching the weather-hoping the snow will hold off so we can make a trip to Little Rock to see my family. Tonight I'll spend some time with my new father and sister-in-law and I wonder what kind of new traditions will spring.
Lauren and Chris have already gone through their stockings. Poor Heath hasn't stirred just yet.
I've decided the tree will stay up at least til New Year's.
Time to go drink some Bailey's and coffee.

Not three-Please

An old superstition is that bad things happen in threes. I'm hoping it's wrong. There was this kid that worked at FedEx for a little while that took his life Monday night. His older sister is 24. I don't know what pushed him over the edge-all I can think about is his mother. She's one of the moms that would move a mountain for her child. Then, Tuesday night, my step son's friend lost his battle with cancer. That young man never saw thirty. Two deaths of very young people.
That's enough. Remember every day is a gift-not a given. Kinda reminds me of something that a very old, wise nun made me recite in Chemistry

I have only just a minute
Only sixty seconds in it
Cast upon me
Didn't see it
Didn't choose it
But it's up to me to use it
I must suffer if I lose it
Give account if I abuse it
I have only just a minute
But eternity is in it

Computer gliches

For some unknown reason, I can't post pictures to my blog. This is horrible to me.I have so many cute pictures to post and it's not even Christmas yet. This SUCKS. Bigtime.
Other than not being able to post pictures on my blog, I've been keeping busy. The horses have their winter fur and are very fat. I rode for two hours the other day and have another ride planned tomorrow.
The chickens are still laying eggs and have learned to use the nesting bins inside the coop.
All of Christmas is bought. Not wrapped, but bought.
School is out for the winter break. Beth made all A's(and in her senior year too). Secretly, I'm hoping that we don't have a repeat of her high school-she was less than one tenth of a point from graduating as an honor student-right now she is less than one-tenth of a point from being an honor student. Paul was close-he made one B, but he's working hard in nursing school. Have no idea of Lauren's grades, but she never really wanted to go this semester anyway so anything is better than not going at all.
I made fudge and Dwight said it was too sweet. Honey, no such thing as too sweet when it comes to fudge. Tried to make divinity and it was a complete disaster as are my biscuits lately. On the positive side, my jerky rocks.

Love Christmas

As you may have noticed, I'm counting down the days to Christmas. Why? Because I love Christmas. I love knowing that I'll get to spend some time with my family-it's a given. I love wrapping. I love the parties, the songs on the radio, the lights, the possibility of snow, eggnog and cookies.
I like waking up a little bit cool and snuggling under the covers for a couple of more minutes. I like hot cocoa with marshmellows. I love thinking about Hopper and all that my sister is explaining to him. I love thinking about my kids when they were little. I love thinking about my neices and nephews and how crazy it gets.
I love that at this time of year people are not afraid to let others know how much they are loved. I wish that it would happen all year long.

15 days

That's right fifteen days til Christmas. Yikes, how do you wrap a basketball so that it doesn't look like a ball? Just a few things to get. Less than ten really.Then it's time to make CHRISTMAS COOKIES. Green ones shaped like trees, gingerbread men (and women), glittering stars, snickerdoodles, and I may even go for pinwheels-multiple colors that swirl.
Interview yesterday was great.
Gun is loaded-waiting for some help to get here so I can hunt mistletoe.

Here's Hoping Third Time is the Charm

Today I go for yet another job interview. I'm not complaining-finally, I'm getting calls to come in for interviews, but I really want this job. So wish me luck and I've only got an hour to get ready which means I won't overdo the makeup.

Trying to Understand... Baby Boxes

Yesterday, I noticed that my daughter's eyemakeup was a little smudged and asked her if anything was wrong. She replied nothing was wrong. She had just gotten a little teary eyed going through her baby box. She obviously didn't want to talk about it so I let the matter drop and vowed to investigate.
Early this morning, after she left for exams, I got out her baby box. I don't know how many mothers have created baby boxes, but I got the idea from my mother-in-law. It's just a box with things thrown in-with hopes of organizing it one day. My kids are 22, 20, and 18 and I've never organized these boxes. They have scrap books and baby books that are somewhat organized, but the baby boxes remain unorganized chaos. I've tried.I haven't worked in three months, but nothing in those boxes will ever hit the trash with me doing the organizing.
There's finger prints courtesy of boy scout and girl scout safety days. There are report cards and progress reports. There are birthday cards. Some team pictures for basketball and softball. It holds uniforms for girl scouts, softball, and dance.
What made her cry? Was it the pictures-taken at Christmas time? She probably didn't realize those were her very first Christmas pictures. Maybe it was the baby outfit, but she wouldn't know that was what she wore home from the hospital. She was too young to remember the Baptismal candle or most of the artwork saved in the box. She might remember the stuffed fox that she held during a beauty pageant(she refused to give it up and no bribing would work).
I really don't know what made her cry, but it made me cry too. I miss my "little" babies, but part of my tears were for joy. I'm so glad that there are so many happy memories tucked away in those three boxes. I'm so glad that I was too busy living life to organize it. Let chaos reign.

21 days and Counting

OK Sandy Claws-only three weeks until the big day. Are you ready? I get a little bit more ready everyday. I've even started making candy(rum balls need to sit for at least three weeks). My kids ask what I want. Well.. let me tell you and good luck on the wrapping. I want to know that all five of my kids are happy and healthy and looking forward to the upcoming year. I want my husband to enjoy good health and a little less work time. I want to hug all four of my parents. I want to kiss underneath the mistletoe. Peace on Earth would be nice too.

24 and counting

24 days to Christmas and 24 things I need to do
1. finish addressing Christmas cards
2. wrap presents
3.put light on portch
4. make cocoa
5. do laundry
6.feed chickens
7.gather eggs
8. bring in wood
9.wash more dishes
10. put up the dry ones
11. hide the mesquite jerky from the kids
12. give Chalupa a bath
13.go over recipes
14. look for jobs
15.take a nap
16. redo list after nap
17.bring in mail
18.burn junk mail
19. think about cleaning car (it's 30 outside now-must warm up to wash it)
20.remind Beth about Cd
21.take vitamins
22.read email (maybe I got a job)
23. vacuum
24. fix dinner (actually it's deer and taters)

Hung by the chimney

Decorating for Christmas. The tree needs a little tweeking. The manger is out. The lights are up and the stockings are hung. Now to start wrapping.

Thanksgiving

Ten things I'm thankful for (not in any particular order)

1. My husband-truly a great guy that laughs at most of my stupid jokes
2. My kids-all five of them-a great source of amusement, hope, and love
3. My parents-all four of them-the older I get the cooler they are
4. My extended family-such a crazy, wild bunch that give meaning to life
5. Good health-especially for all those listed above-no one is in the hospital
6. My horse(childish I know, but you really have to meet her to understand)
7. My memories-there are so many people that I don't get to see this year-some because of distance and some because it's just impossible, but I have tons, tons, tons of happy memories
8. That God has taken very good care of me
9. I'm in a country where I can say #8 outloud
10.That I get to eat whatever I want today and the calorie fairy will make it all go away

Pleasant Conversation

Talking with one of my daughters today and she informs me that sometime within the next decade she wants to have a child. This was a pleasant surprise-upto this time she assured me the only grandchildren I would ever have would be covered in fur. When I asked why, she said she wanted someone to love her forever other than her mom.

Obama isn't my favorite

No, this isn't a rant against our president. Not really. Watching the news last night, there was a headline that caught my eye and sunk my heart. Obama and his advisors have agreed to pull all of the troops out of Afganistan by the end of 2014. Thirteen years after the war had started.
Little comfort to those of us with children in the military. I did receive some good news from this child of mine-her deployment has been set back 6 months. Instead of deploying in October of 2011-she'll deploy in June of 2012 unless Obama and his boys get a little bit more serious about this stuff. If either of his daughters was set to deploy, he would be a little bit more commited to ending this conflict. I know ending conflicts is a difficult,long, hard process but thirteen years? That is ridiculous and you can tell him I said so.

One among millions

It's around 7 am and I've been on the computer since 4. This isn't unusual. It's something I do after Dwight leaves for work. Wish I could say I was shopping on Ebay, but you have to have money to do that. Most people with money have JOBS. So, I like millions of Americans look for work. Almost on a daily basis. It's so easy to get discouraged. And I vow not to let it get me down, but there are so many really talented people out of work. They're good at what they do.They have the education, the desire, and the skill to work-but the jobs just aren't there. I'm lucky-I have a man that loves and supports me. He even helps me look for a job sometimes. We have a wonderful house and three refrigerators full of food. Every bill we have is paid. I know where my next meal is coming from(the refrigerator). We're not living on easy street-maybe Happy street, but things would be easier if I did get a job. Seriously, I talk to the chickens every morning and the horses and Chalupa too. The rooster tries to attack. The horses neigh, and Chalupa just wants to cuddle a little longer.
I would ask that you pray for me, but I'm gonna be a little greedier. I want you to pray for me and the millions like me-that our economy gets better and that more jobs are created and people can start believing in the American dream again. Not even in just believing in it but living it. Wouldn't that be great? People living the American dream in America.

This bud's for you

This is my deer. In case the image isn't clear enough, it has eight points. The spread(measurement between the outer antlers) is eighteen inches.If I didn't understand hunting before, a lot has been cleared up. There is no way to describe what it feels like to get the shot and take it. I don't feel guilty killing Bambi's dad-there's just one less deer for me to hit with the Yaris. I actually got the shot coming home because body parts had become numb. I had no rest and no tree to stand behind. I was sneaking through the woods headed towards heat and heard him in the distance. I kept quiet and kept moving-and so did he. When I got him in the cross hairs of the scope I pulled the trigger and I saw him go down. Then, my husband showed me how to follow a near impossible blood trail. These antlers are going up on the wall.

Another sound.."Oh, shit"

While hunting this weekend, I heard lots of neat new sounds. I imagine people near me heard some too.
It all started innocently enough. I was sitting in my blind, being very still, and looking for game and along came the game. I positioned my gun (my very own gun) and took careful, careful aim. The last thing I remember before pulling the trigger was my husband telling me to be careful because I have a tendancy to aim a little high and so I lowered my site just a wee bit. Kerblam!! And then I went out to see if there was a blood trail or any sign that I had actually shot the animal. Nope. None. Nada. Zilch. Which is a little surprising, I have pretty good aim for a beginner.
Then walking back to the blind, hubby and I notice a hole in the blind. Straight towards the area I was aiming for- Hubby, later patiently, explained that this little bit of fabric might have offset the bullet. So now he tells people that his wife killed her blind. Notice how it has become my blind.
I kinda said "oh, shit"
But I think my father-in-law had the right idea, he told my hubby that look at the bright side-she's not afraid to shoot. The whole family is still laughing. So glad to amuse everybody.Can't wait for next weekend.

Sounds in the forest

This past weekend was the 2010 Youth Hunt for Deer. Young hunters across Arkansas were out in the woods-some shouting with glee at their first deer. Congratulations to my nephew on getting a nine point this weekend.
The sounds I heard were a little different. I heard a deer snort for the very first time.Can't tell you how exciting this was for me. I've heard people describe it-but to hear it myself was really cool.
Early one morning I let a coyote pass me by. It was kinda neat just to watch him hunt.Later that evening he scared the bejesus out of me with his howling.
The leaves are so thick and dry you can hear almost anything walking in the woods.

yea me

In an effort to start getting things done before 8 am, I woke up at 3 to see my husband off to work. Not only did I send him off, I attempted to fix a nutritious breakfast. It appears that runny unsalted eggs are not his favorite at 3 in the morning. In my defense, I'll be turning on the coffee machine and drinking some of the magical beverage before I attempt any culinary delights tomorrow.

Interview #1

I finally had a good old-fashioned face-to-face interview. It's been a long time since I was the interviewee instead of the interviewer. It seemed weird to have all the complicated questions facing my way. I thought I was in the office for an hour-turned out it was only thirty minutes. It'll be a week or two before I know anything. Wish me luck.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday to my mom. I won't say how old she is but I'm over 45 so use your imagination. I hope she has a great day. I envy her. What would it be like to know that you had 8 beautiful, healthy grandchildren(with one more on the way)? What would it be like to know that you looked good with gray hair (seriously she does)? Have a good one Mom. Love you.

Deer Hunting-Days two and three

Couldn't post anything after the second day of deer hunting-I simply crawled in to bed. Didn't see anything.Didn't shoot anything.
Day three-I saw a doe and later shot at another doe, but I missed. Also saw a turkey, but there's no fall season for turkey here.
I still learned a lot.
1.The acorns this year are huge-and they hurt when they hit you on the head. Gotta remember not to say "oh crap" out loud.Scream it in your head, but not outloud.
2.In the summer you can use the restroom behind any tree available-deer season is different-apparently deer are upset by the smell of human urine.
3.Deer can't see orange.
4. It's very, very dark in the woods without a full moon.
5.Wolf spiders are very attracted to me.
6. Deer are not.

A good day for a Rodeo

Around the mountain and down the dirt road, there's a black stud horse. This horse is around seventeen hands high. If "hands high" means nothing to you -imagine a person of five feet tall could walk under the horse and not bend over-if the horse would allow it. He's makes Black Beauty look like a pony.
Lauren and some friends went to look at the horse and it just so happened that the man that owns him, "Hot Rod", was there. Lauren asked Hot Rod if she could ride him. Hot Rod replied that he reckoned that it been at least five years since he'd been saddled and even then he wasn't too gentle. A little spirited maybe (like Lauren). But she could ride if she wanted to try it-it might be a little bit of a rodeo.
Lauren replied that it was a great day for a rodeo and proceded to saddle the horse up. She kept talking to him and whispered something in his ear before she slipped the briddle on. Then, she climbed on-and the boys just smiled-sitting on a horse is one thing, but riding and making him mind is another story altogether. Lauren is a very tiny rider and this horse is a little bit more than above average in size, but she rode him like it was something that happened everyday. Rodeo indeed. Cowgirl up, Baby.

Musings from the deer blind- Day One

Like thousands of rednecks across Arkansaw, I donned my camo and orange hours before daylight. I was in my deer blind watching the sun come up. It's pretty awesome to watch the steam come off the ground and listen to acorns crash down. But sitting there for awhile, some strange thoughts come to mind:
1. If a bear comes, I'm playing dead. I hope someone finds me before I have a heart attack or the bear eats me. Dwight shot a bear climbing his deer stand. If a bear is dumb enough to climb a deer stand-it stands to reason, he would investigate a deer blind. Don't try and tell me he shot the last bear in Newton County.I've seen the shat. If there's bear shat, there's another bear around.
2. According to Dr. Oz on Oprah, the average person passes gas fourteen times a day. Did someone count? Can you imagine-hey, what do you do for a living? I count farts. Your mother must be so proud.
3. Does scent blocker kill the smell of a fart?
4. How do I know it was scent blocker sprayed all over these clothes and not doe urine? Can an inexperienced person tell the difference? If that man sprayed doe urine on the clothes that I'm wearing-he better plan on sleeping in the woods tonight.
5. Why was he so restless last night? He's killed thousands or hundreds of deer. Was he worried about me getting lost? Aww....Seriously, I like to hike. I don't love it. I know the path from my deer blind home. I'm happy. Enough hiking-virtually no chance of me getting lost.
So I didn't get a deer my first morning, but there's always this afternoon.

Faith

Faith is believing in something that you can't see. Now, Faith is also a name that we've given to a horse because there is no medical reason that she should live through the winter. No reasonable person can see it happening. She's been neglected and starved for a long time. Lauren and Dusty took the horse so that its owner wouldn't shoot it-and before you pass judgement-more that one person has said that shooting the horse would be doing it a favor.
I made the mistake of walking out to the field to get a good look at her and without thinking, I just whistled. She came trotting up to me and instantly nuzzled my neck. I'm not special-she does that to everyone. It has never occured to her to be afraid of humans.
Then I made my second mistake. I looked into her eyes. Great big brown eyes, the ones that you could get lost in. I looked for a long time and there's not one ounce of hatred or meanness in those eyes. It's just not there.
I don't wanna know what she's been through or how she got to be in the state she's in. I just want to know that she's doing better today than she was yesterday and that there's a chance that I might get to see her running in the pasture at a full gallop someday. I know the future holds no guarantees-I just wanna hope. Horses are a lot like people and dogs-if they've been starved for a long time, you just can't offer them a buffet and expect them to gain weight. It takes time and strength and maybe a little bit of love. So we're giving her as much grain, hay, and love as we possibly can-but if you know any tricks, chants, prayers, spells, or old wives tales-we're willing to try them.
Yea, I said a prayer for this horse(and will continue to do so) and I don't think God got mad that I was praying for an animal. I think He just smiled and gave it some special consideration. Call it Faith.

My fish

This is my big fish and why yes I do know that I'm making a funny face.My husband made me hold it through the gills so that I wouldn't drop it near the water-it weighed somewhere between two and three pounds. A great fish.

Trout Fishing in Cotter, Ar

This is the view of the White River from our take out point. Dwight and I left very early-the bottom picture is the view of the water after we had been there for around thirty minutes. The middle shot is one of Dwight fishing. We both caught our limit of trout by 9 am-and I caught a really big one-check it out on facebook.

Kate Versus Roscoe-the war rages on

Roscoe is the rooster that presides over our three hens. He crows when the sun comes up and every time he has sex-he is a very virile rooster. Dwight has warned me that feeding him bubble gum won't stop the constant crowing so Roscoe exists to crow all day and to protect the hens.
He takes protecting the hens very seriously.
Once the hens were eating bugs and seeds in the yard and were all around my feet.Roscoe kept coming closer and closer and I got the brilliant idea that he wanted to be petted. That particular Rooster never wants to be petted-he "spurred" me. That means his talons came out and he climbed my leg gouging as he went up. He's very quick or we would have had rooster and dumplings that night.
Now we have a game-I check for eggs each day, but I feed every body before I go into the hen house-actually, I run so he won't notice what I'm doing while he feeds his face.As soon as he sees me near the house, he comes running over ready to spurr me again. I'm trying to fix the nests. I'm adding fresh hay hoping to encourage the girls to lay some eggs, but I have to make sure Roscoe is busy-so far Ive fixed two or three nests and have about 8 to go.Chalupa is no help-Roscoe scares him silly. Now for a real diversion. Then, I may feed him peanut butter and jelly-extra peanut butter.

Freedom of Speech

There's a case in front of the Supreme Court concerning "Freedom of Speech". I'm all for Freedom of Speech-it upsets me that facebook has a button to report people. I mean, come on, we're just using words, but I can see the need for that button. Book banning/burning has always been sure to get my dander up. Now this case in front of the Supreme Court involves a church that was protesting at a funeral. These CHRISTIAN(?????) people held up signs at a soldier's funeral that read "God loves dead soldiers" , "Death to Soldiers" and a host of other things. WTF?What has happened to human decency? This wasn't a parade or political rally. This was at a funeral where a man was burying his son. This was his good bye that was made into a media circus.
Am I too old fashioned? I just don't believe a funeral is a place to hold a protest. The father is suing the church(this just blows my mind that it's a church and not just some peacenik group) for three to five million dollars. Sounds a little pricey, but what if it was your kid?
How much is the sanctity of your loved one's funeral worth?
To lose a soldier and put up with that crap-that man deserves much more. It's not about losing our freedom of speech-it's about doing what's right.
p.s. God does love dead soldiers and every single one of them out there busting their asses for US.

Remote Back in Time

Did you ever get a thought in your head that just wouldn't leave? Mine involves a post by my daughter on facebook-it says something like don't you wish life would hand you a remote so you could go back in time.
I keep wondering where in her 18 years would she go back. Would she be a little kid? We'd be trying to figure out the perfect halloween costume. I'd try to figure out where to take the kids trick or treating and what kind of candy to handout-nothing too dorky or cheap-the perfect balance between nutritious and sweet.
Would she go back to grade school? The fall festivals would be in full swing-she'd probably be selling raffle tickets or candy. Fall Ball (softball) would be winding down and basketball practice would be starting.The first nine week report cards would be coming home any day now.
Maybe Junior High-cotillion would be in full swing. Football games every Thursday or Friday night and of course what movie would she see with her friends that weekend?
Maybe she'd go back to high school.Homecoming would be coming up. She might date different boys (would she go out with the ones I wanted her too?) She might hang with different girls. I wander what she'd do differently or why she'd want to go back.
I wouldn't want to go back for anything because then she wouldn't be the wonderful woman she is today.

Golden Rod

If you drive anywhere in Arkansas, you'll see a plant with yellow at its top. They're actually small flowers and the bloom looks a little like a gold firecracker that just went off-it just droops down with color until it eventually fades out. It's also called Ragweed. Some people are seriously allergic(like my Dad) and so out of respect for them-there is no bundle of flowers on the table. Feel free to come by.

Confused towel animal

Another towel animal-but what the hell is it?

towel animals

Egg on the Beach

on the way to the beach on the Galveston ferry

You can drive on certain beaches in Texas.

Honeymoon

This was the ship where we stayed. We were gone for ten days-on the ship for five. We got to spend some time with Mom and Mike and the infamous Hopper-he's really cuter than any picture can describe. Also spent a couple of days in Galveston and exploring Texas.

2nd Chance

Today, I changed my hotmail password.Goodbye, "2ndchance". I really hated to change it, but it needed to be done. 2ndchance just describes me. I feel I've been given a second chance at love. It would have been nice to have gotten it right the first time, but I'm grateful for this chance. Let's face it, I'm older than a lot of pine trees in Arkansas. Hopefully a wee bit wiser. Love? Remember that giddy feeling you got as a teenager? It hasn't changed. Actually, I think it's a lot more fun this time. Remember those stupid little things your sweetie did that made your heart turn over? Some of you in long relationships will have to think really hard-jk.I'd love to hear what your sweetie does to warm your heart-that you can share on a blog that your mother might read.

I've been riding close to 2 years and I've probably saddled my horse less than 3 times-every time he does it-I get that tingling.

Same thing when he offers to help me up if I need it(I'm not an invalid, just very short legged).

My coffee fixed just right-you know with creamer -just the right shade of milky brown.

Chocalate at that crucial time of the month.

and one of my favorite questions-have you lost more weight?

You're Gonna Miss These Days

Early this morning, I'm thinking about all the moms getting their little ones ready for school. Some of them staying up way past midnight to do laundry and fix lunches after helping with homework and projects and reading bedtime stories.Waking them up two,three, or even four times, forcing a little bit of the most important meal of the day down their throats, and trying to make sure that the socks match, the shoes are tied, the hair and teeth are both brushed. Then dealing with traffic and spilled coffee.
I was lucky-I always got those sweet slobbery kisses before they bounded off and they weren't tardy too many times.

September 3, 2010

So how's your weekend going?

Mine started out great-even though I'm a little late in posting this.

No, this wasn't practice.Yes, I'm

Mrs. Kate Day.

Introducing Abigail

This is Abigail.She belongs to Lauren and Lauren has cut her bangs so that you might see Abigail's soulful eyes-actually she didn't want hair hanging in her eyes so the horse could see where she's going. She also cut her tail because it drug the ground and because Lauren thought she might accidently poop in it. She's come a long way in a short time.The first night, she jumped the fence to get away from the other horses.Yesterday, she threw a fit because the other horses left her by herself. When she first started trail riding she would limp a little, now the limp is a thing of the past and she's discovered she can race with the big girls. Speaking of big girls, if Abigail keeps gaining weight, Lauren will be looking for a wider girth.

Picture Goober strikes again

Can you take another random photograph of one of my kids? Sorry, just can't help myself. This is Lauren getting aquainted with Abigail. They're best buds now-one is just as free spirited as the other.

Last Day

For weeks now, Julie and the drivers have asked me if I'm counting down the days til I leave. Of course I have. I'm really excited to start my life with one of the most extraordinary men I've ever met. But before that happens, I have to say "Good bye" to FedEx and all of the people there.
For almost 8 years, We've worked through snow storms, ice storms, hurricanes, power outages, and blistery heat. Sometimes the hours have been very long and frustrating. This company has sent me to Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and Ft. Meyers... just to name a few. I've been proud to help out in other buildings .
Sometimes when you work with a lot of great people, you tend to take them for granted. Then when you say goodbye, you know you've been a part of something really special.
Loren and I have shared a passion for lottery tickets and sweet tea-I hope his numbers come up. Julie and I love smoothies-drink an Elvis for me.Michelle and Rhonda have brightened my mornings for a long time-ladies if there's a coffee cup just sittin around come Monday-it ain't mine. Jim, I hope your electric stapler works for a long time in spite of the jello. Kara, Lauren keep the beavers, snakes, dogs,crawdads, and hummingbirds out of the office-the cameras work.
Many thanks to my girlfriend, Wayne..see he acquired "girlfriend" status a while ago. He listened to me bitch about things totally not related to the job and understood that my family came first. He never did write me up for calling in to make Beth's bootcamp graduation. I know he's prayed for me and I think it's working. He and Greg have always been the type to share their faith and not push it on anyone. They've been such good influences. Except for the jokes. Greg, it wasn't funny that we didn't have one single phone book intact in the office-still really cool that you can rip one in half. John, I won't ever forget how an eskimo pees.

Lessons from Mother

Since my divorce, my primary residence has been with my mother. Mothers don't change. They don't like it when you put salt on your food before you taste it. They don't like it when you drink before lunch, and using the Lord's name in vain may actually cause phyical pain(to her heart you silly-she quit spanking me a couple of years ago).
But it's been a lot of fun and we've had a lot of laughs-my dog getting a concussion under the coffee table, both dogs eating ice and green beans, chickens racing dogs. We've enjoyed several shows and stories and late night coffee is great if you're in that certain mood.
I'll miss just mention a certain food and have it on the dinner table the next night-think sweet potato fries. There are so many things I'll miss... her kissing Mike good night, her loving on Fluffy, the hugs when I need it, her stories. Nothing beats Mom, but when it's time to let go. She does with such grace and understanding. Maybe I'll learn to do this one day, but don't count on it.

School starts

There are a lot of teary eyed moms out there this week. School is starting and it's hard to let your baby go. I remember standing outside the school room doors and letting my kids go to kindergarten. I knew then that their lives would never be the same and neither would mine. Watching the baby leave for college-just as hard as letting her go to kindergarten, but I'm so proud of her and her siblings.

Countdown

Ten more days until I move.It'll be the first time I've ever lived anywhere other than Little Rock and the farthest I've been from Mommy and Daddy. I'm ready to leave the city, but I'll miss my friends and the knowledge you have from living your entire life in one area.I know what part of town to avoid at rush hour, where to go to get a really good cup of coffee or sushi,where the muscadines can be found, where to look for wild plum, and the best places to take pictures depending on the season.Part of me is excited to learn somewhere different and part of me is a little sad because one chapter of my life is over. Of course, this means another is just beginning. Lately,I've been wondering if this is something I really want to do-I've asked myself this question several times.
One look at Dwight, and I know I'm making the right move.

weekend by the numbers

403-Amount spent on college text books.
107-average daily temperature
96-number of yard sales on Saturday
52-number of yard sales on Thursday

Pennies from Heaven

Mom says every time that you find a penny on the ground someone in heaven is thinking of you. My Aunt says, if mom's not careful she'll be meeting someone in heaven. She'll pick up a penny on the busiest streets of New York City not paying any attention to traffic.
Lately, I've found a penny just staring up at me every day. I'm not looking for any(though I'm quite guilty of looking for four-leaf clovers). They just always seem to find me. Not on busy streets either. They're just out in the open practically jumping in my hand-actually if they got any easier to find-they would be in my hand.

The work week

Every time I turn around, I'm reading about unemployment being at an all time high. How about we cut everybody back to just working 40 hours a week and create more jobs? I'm scheduled to work 10 hours a day for 5 days a week=50 hours. Poor Dwight has been working 72 hours a week for the last 2 or 3 months. So Dwight would donate 32 and I'd donate 10 and poof another job-unemployment goes down. Quality of life goes up.Who knows-with more time off people would be inclined to do more things like eat out(and create more business for Beth and Allison) or go shopping(help Paul get more hours). I know I get more done when I'm well rested and happy.

Exciting day-I wish

Not much going on here-packed two boxes, took two to the Salvation Army, and took one out of storage to be filed and put away. Then on to my paying job. Tomorrow's goal is three out of storage.

Moving up

I officially have my own house key-he even put this one on my key ring so I wouldn't lose it.

Happy Birthday Lee

Happy Bday Lee

On the move

Anybody got any good moving tips? I can't believe I'm this unorganized. How did I acquire so much crap to move in two short years? I thought things were put neatly in storage(maybe they were) and that there wasn't that much(ha-it won't fit in my car and each time I look at it the boxes multiply). I'm trying to simplify and get rid of some things but my old letter from Jr. High Volleyball(it's antique now), my beanies(of course)stay, all photos (ok maybe I'll get rid of the ones taken at sunset and you can't really tell for sure who's in the pictures), kids' artwork-if I've kept it this long-I'm still keeping it. Same goes for their toys-if I've kept it this long it has a special meaning.I've tossed my love letters from high school-same goes for any of my clothes that I haven't worn in two years.Wish me luck. I had to come to work to get some rest.

Decisions

In 2007, my daughter joined the military. I couldn't do anything about it and it killed me to have her so far away from me for months at a time-South Carolina, Arizona, and then California. There were days and sometimes weeks when we couldn't commuicate. She made the decision to live her life that way and some part of me was very proud of her. The side she saw was the teary eyed old lady at the airport.
Then a year later I my son took flight. He left to become a full fledged Razorback-three hours away. He could have spent less money and stayed closer to home, but that's not what he decided to do. I couldn't make him dinner or help with his laundry but he was happy in HIS decision.
And now it's the baby's turn. I can tell her what'd I would like for her to do,but if history repeats itself, she won't listen. She'll do exactly what she wants to do just like the other two. I've spent eighteen years trying to train her to make the right decisions-the same amount of time that I spent with her siblings.
I know my kids aren't perfect-they're human and as humans they'll make some mistakes, but I'm pretty damn proud of the adults they've become. I'm proud of the decisions that each one has made that has made them into what they are today.
Somewhere a long the line, you have to let go and hope that all your efforts haven't been in vain.

10 days = 10 facts

It's ten days until my baby sister's birthday and so I'd like to share ten facts about this fabulous woman.

1.-At an early age, all of her siblings called her Lee-Lee. Being from the South, we like hyphenated names alot.

2.Because we're southern, we endured many hot summers and Lee-Lee hated diapers. Quite often we played catch the nekkid baby for momma-often in the front yard.

3.She hated hot dog buns, but if momma gave her a hot dog w/out the bun-she'd wail and carry on until she got her bun(usually drenched in ketchup).

4. Lee-Lee was always (and remains) short for her age.

5.Because of her height, she had a doll that was the same heighth and they could exchange clothes.But there ended good relationship with dolls.

6. She and her BF, Amy, gave all the barbies hair cuts

7.They weren't finished with the scissors so they cut the cats' whiskers (early signs she's a dog person).

8. She loved Halloween at an early age and went trick-or-treating before she could say "Trick Or Treat"

9. In spite of her love for Halloween, she was petrified of the Boogie man and refused to go the the restroom in the dark (keep in mind her vertical disadvantage to the light switch). and
10. She has a great sense of humor

Weekend?

Did you have a good weekend? What weekend? Was I off work 48 hours? I demand a recount.Seriously.

Goodbye FedEx

Friday evening I left my letter of resignation in my bosses mailbox for him to find first thing today(Monday)-little did I know he had plans to go golfing with the boys and would find the letter Saturday. When I walked in(ten minutes early) Everyone knew. The grapevine here is incredible.
The best part-my friends and family at FedEx support me and wsih me nothing but the best. I'll miss these nuts.

Sexy Girls

Dwight and I took Sassy and Daisy for a ride this morning. We heard a horse nicker and the girls answered back. Another nicker and then they answered again. Then this horse came running up to the end of his pen. He was a beautiful horse. He was much too excited to see them. Then Dwight mentioned that he hoped the pen would hold him. What??? Why??? Because he's a stud horse. I suddenly didn't like the way he was looking at my girl. Stud horses just want one thing and they don't care if a rider is on the mare or not. Had no intention of hanging around then-and why yes we did take a different trail home.

More from a mature adult

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
Bad decisions make good stories.
I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dangit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
"Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -ever.
I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

Thoughts from a mature adult

1. I totally take back all the times I didn't want to take a nap when I was younger.

2. How the hell are you supposed to neatly fold a fitted sheet?

3. I love it when all the cars gang up and don't let the jerk in that has attempted to break in line.

4. Your job as a best friend should be to clear your friend's computer in case of untimely demise.

The Harley

A million years ago, my dad took me to school on the back of a motorcyle. I don't remember ever being afraid-thinking back to all the times we jumped railroad tracks-I probably should have been,but I wasn't. I remember hating sudden showers and how frozen my skirt felt on really cold mornings but fear wasn't there. My dad knew when some jerk might pull out in front of us and anticipated when I'd forget to lean.
This weekend I hopped on back of dear old dad again.When did he start driving so fast? Actually, I don't think he went that fast at all-it was me not being able to steer, not controlling the speed, and not being in front. It felt weird not being in control for a couple of minutes then the sun hit my face and I started enjoying the breeze. Then I noticed his shape hasn't changed-I still hold on the same way and I was back in seventh grade again(but I really didn't miss the railroad tracks).

Don't Give Up Your Dreams!

This is a long way off but it's soooo important. October 30th, Gary Speed is trying to get 1 million prescription drugs off the street. This video is great, but it doesn't do his son justice-you can't hear him laugh or sing-you don't see him playing any jokes or playing the guitar. If you knew Albert (aka Albo), chances are you loved him. Pass this info along - a million pills are out there. Let's get them off the streets and away from our young people.

Awww.Crap.

I got a phone message from my daddy reminding me of the Bell Family reunion to be held on Sunday and , as I got the message, I was thinking wtf that's not until the second weekend in June. Awww. crap. This weekend was the second weekend in June. The older I get the faster time flies maybe I should start on Christmas cards.

The House That Built Me Lyrics - Miranda Lambert

Cowgirl Down

Cowgirl down-Lord, I wish that was a misprint, but it's not. Today, I was thoroughly and completely thrown from my horse. The landing wasn't pretty. At least there was no broken bones and no blood. To give my girl a little credit, after tossing my butt, she deliberatley stepped back and didn't run off. She just sat there a little confused looking at me like "Hey lady what are you doing on the ground?" As if she had nothing what so ever to do with my being layed out in pain on the ground. I wish it was something exciting that spooked her-like a bear or a snake-but she probably got stung by a bee-the same bee that had stung me moments earlier. I knew this day was coming-so many people (much better riders than me) have it the ground numerous times.

June and the start of Summer

I know a lot of people don't think that Summer starts until June 21st-and technically they're correct. But when does Summer start for you? Don't look at the calendar-remember when you didn't look and knew it was summer? Maybe it was the first jump in the river. Maybe it was the first snowcone of the year.
My summer starts with fresh fruit. When I pick berries and my hands turn color. Then comes the jelly or jam and cobbler( and the accompanying bug bites). I love the smell of the berries, the smell of everything cooking, and the taste-everything but the bites.
Then at night when you have to rest-the fireflies.Remember catching them and putting them in a glass jar to have a night light? I think I might do that this weekend. Summer also meant staying up a little later and playing more games.
When I was a kid we played the "Goodnight JohnBoy" game.
I would say good night mom, good night dad, good night Patrick, good night Robyn, good night Lee, good night Roscoe, good night Homerina
Then Patrick would start-good night mom, good night dad, good night Kathy,....Then Robyn would say her goodnights
and then after Lee was done.We'd all shout" Goodnight John Boy!" Ok. Maybe we watched a little too many Walton reruns, but the game was to finish before our parents got angry and to quit giggling long enough to go to sleep.

Games with horses

There's Armadillo kickball-no score is actually kept. The game is pretty simple-horses chase the armadilloes that either run or ball up. Horses love to kick balls of any kind.
Then there's plain ole chase with the neighborhood dogs. The dogs think that every horse will run from their vicious bark-imagine the dog's surprise when Daisy and Sassy (two horses) started chasing them. There was a little tail pulling going on.
Then there's the mulberry game. You feed the horse ripe mulberries and then slip a red one in.So far, Daisy has the best curled lip (Elvis would be jealous).
You know that song-Whiskey for my men and Beer for my Horses? Horses really do like beer. Cheers.

Any day now

Any day now, I'll wake up and the most important thing for me to worry about is whether or not someone can see the tan lines from my swimsuit. I won't have a car payment and I'll drive a POS(but what good things will happen in that POS). I won't have kids old enough to be out on their own. I won't have lost anyone dear to me or have had my heart broken.
This would be the ultimate nightmare-to be young and have. to do it all over again. I'm in a good place now, I know nothing's ever really perfect-but there's very little I would change. I love my kids and they know it. I'm very proud of what they're doing and I might have gained a few more along the way.There's a very special man in my life that continues to delight and amaze me. I really think I've quit dreaming and started to live my dreams-I wish I had done this a little sooner.

Turtle Day Coming Soon

Any day now, you might be driving down the road and notice that the small rocks in the road are moving. They have legs and they aren't rocks at all. They're baby turtles that hatch in the spring. I don't know how they do it-but they all seem to hatch at once...snapping turtles, sliders, and box turtles. Maybe it's related to the phase of the moon or the temperature, but it's coming soon.Very soon.So watch out because that lady in the white Yaris-she's going to brake and help the babies to the other side of the road.What can I say? Turtles are just as cute as puppies and they make less noise.

Pray for You - Jaron and The Long Road to Love :: Official Video

Just singing this song today and thought I would share.Enjoy.

Mother's Day

Hope yours was as great as mine.
Mine started out with the following card:

Because of your Courage,
I do not fear what the future holds.
Because of your strength,
I can overcome any obstacle.
Because of your knowledge,
I know what is right and what is wrong.
Because of your love,
I know I will never be alone.
Because you are my mother,
Who gave me all hope and faith
I'll love you forever....
and on the back it read made especially for you by Lauren Schuller.

Then Beth took me out to lunch-the lunch and goodies were great-but spending time together and getting caught up laughing like girls do was good for my soul.
My son and his new girlfriend met me with a huge bouquet of sunflowers-funny since I had been debating on whether to plant them or not.Now I will plant them and think of him each time I see one.

All Walmarts

All Walmarts are not created equal. In Russelville and Conway, you can print out your pictures from your camera in minutes. In North Little Rock, you have to wait days until they come back. In Sheridan, you can get them right away if you want 8x10-but apparently they can't get any other size of paper. I can't even find the photo stations in Bryant. With all this running around-you're probably wondering why I just don't give up and go to Target. I have and they lost all of my pictures not once but twice. Walgreens takes forever to get waited on-you have to pay for them and pick them up after you use their machine and no one there knows exactly how to use the machine-it's a learn as you go system.
This inequality isn't limited to just pictures. At Chenal Walmart, you can get any kind of bagel made on earth. In Sheridan, they don't know what bagels are. Go to Sheridan Walmart, and you'll find all kinds of gear supporting the High School. Yellow jacket flip flops, yellow jacket hoodies, yellow jacket t shirts...I bet they even have yellow jacket underwear. Never mind, I know they have yellow jacket boxers because I remember that was carrying school spirit a little too far. Same way in Harrison-they have Gobblin hoodies and t shirts (sorry no boxers-maybe they thought it was a little too much too).Try to find the Bauxite stuff-not in Bryant, not in Benton, not in Southwest. I guess the Miners don't deserve enough the respect given to Yellow Jackets and Gobblins.
Don't even get me started on flowers.In North Little Rock, they had the most beautiful flowers in bunches for such reasonable prices. Sheridan's pitiful few wouldn't even serve as good mulch. Southwest has lots of flowers but theirs are all outlined in black.
Guess I'm done now. Let's hope I don't have to shop for anything tomorrow.

The final count down

Nine more days of school for the baby. Nine more days. I've had kids in school for the last fifteen years. Never again will I have to sit through another parent teacher conference. I kinda miss the school parties-kids coming home hopped up on sugar. I won't miss the phone calls from the school or worrying if she slept through class. I won't worry about days missed or GPA's. Nine more days, Just nine more.

Monster Jam

Went to the Monster Truck Jam in Springfield, MO. It was a lot of fun-full of action-trucks running over cars and flipping.

Einstein - The Smallest Horse In The World

This is too cute and has kept me occupied for a while.

Count down

Yep.It's that time, only 11 more school days for the baby. I wonder what she'll remember about her senior year 27 years from now.

I remember thinking Senior exams in the spring were a joke-our class rank and GPA had already been published and sent to colleges.
After May 1, I could literally tell you how many hours I had left in that school.
I remember staring out the windows for hours-so glad to change classes so the view would change.

He's baaaccck

Last night, somewhere near my bedroom window, a whipporwill was singing. I hope he's the same one I listened to last year. When I have trouble sleeping, I try to count how many times he calls out. Quite often I just fall asleep listening to him.This morning when the alarm to get up went off-he was still going strong. He never gives up-always looking for his perfect mate. I wonder-when he does-will they sing together?

This one's for the girls

My daughter left early this morning to comfort a friend that's had her heart trampled upon. You know the guy isn't worthy of kissing the bottom of her feet, but those tears are all so real. I remember holding someone's hand in the same situation-and have had mine held many times too. Thinking back, I wonder when this tradition began. I remember Laura Engalls had some trouble with Albert or Alfonso but I really think it began with Adam and Eve and Eve's best friend. There's just something about having your girl take care of you so quit playing on the internet and give her a call or if you're trying to be quiet email her. Just let her know you're thinking about her.
Thanks Juliet, Sam, Melissa, Nancy, Robyn,Lee, Darlene, and mom.

Word to the Wise

If your senior grabs a swimsuit in the morning and the school has no pool, the call saying that one or more classes have been missed should not come as a huge shock. Just saying.

Princess Lauren

It took a while to post,but here's Princess Lauren getting ready for the prom.

Stinkydog Style

By the numbers (aka Stinkydog style)

Number of times I've taken medication late =5 (thank goodness it's not BC)
Number of cops that pulled into the gas station with me= 4 (yeah that made me feel real safe)
Number of funerals in the last three weeks=3 (if I die next week I won't be at the funeral)
Number of times I've heard Ave Maria=2 (way too few-this is the closest I come to opera)

Number of tears= about a million

Number of times I've said a prayer of thanks for my family and friends and all that's blessed me (Imagine Martina McBride's "I have been Blessed" playing)= about a million and one

Life is good and I know it.

Once upon a time

Once upon a time, I thought the most heart wrenching thing was to watch your mother cry. Today, I know there's something just a little worse.
Let me start by explaining some things about my kids. Beth is kinda emotional like me-a lot of the time she wears her heart on her sleeve. Lauren is a powder keg-she's very happy, very angry or very sad and it's not hard to figure out which. Paul kinda keeps his emotions under wrap most of the time. If someone is down or worried, he cracks jokes and makes others feel at ease. Upon hearing about his grandfather's death, he was worried about Grandmarty and his dad. At the church, all of the kids hugged lots of people and really made this Catholic mama proud-they remembered the prayers, when to sit, when to kneel, and how to show some respect to those around them. The girls used tissues and offered them to those around them.Paul stood strong and compassionate to his sisters.
When we arrived at the Veterans Cemetary, a huge flag was displayed by the North Little Rock Fire Department.The bagpipes started the ceremony and the guns rang loud and clear.
Then the bugles played taps. Paul still stood strong with tears running down his face. I looked to Beth and she was wiping her eyes. Lauren's eyes were overflowing.
And that's worse because I couldn't take away their sorrow-only share in it.

Time to stop crying

Yes, it's that time. I'm officially tired of crying and just when I think I can't cry anymore I'll remember that I won't ever hear his voice again. I know he wasn't my dad-but he didn't treat me any different from his daughters. He wasn't my grandpa, but he was old enough to be. He taught me a lot about life and love and in his death I'm reminded that today is a gift that is given to you-what you make of it is your gift to others.

Good bye Daddy-o

Last night, one of the greatest golfers ever went to play St.Peter. He had lived a long and successful life. One of my favorite memories of him happened not too long ago. He was in bed and I had stopped by to see if he needed anything-he told me the only thing he ever really needed was in the doorway. I turned to look and saw his wife of 65 years standing there.

28 years ago...

28 years ago I met a wonderful, cranky old man that was to become my father-in-law for 23 years. I called him old then because I was 17 and he was older than my grandpa. Hell, He was older than anybody else I knew at the time. He played golf like a pro and drank like one too. I've never met anyone with a temper like his-and I've never met a man that showed as much compassion as he. He welcomed one more daughter into the fold and didn't kill my ducks when they crapped on the porch.He never came right out and cried in front of me but there were several times those old eyes got a little misty-like making the toast at Tracey's graduation dinner, watching Mike graduate from boot camp...so many memories involving the old fart(this was his nickname until he became Grandpadaddy-o). There are so many things about him but the one thing that really sticks out is his love. He has always loved his wife more than life itself.
The doctors say there's not much time left so please pray for Ms. Marty and the Schullers.

food for thought :Lyrics to "There is a God"

Try and put your arms around
the 100 year old tree
Climb up on a horse
and let it run full speed
take a look down at the world from 30,000 feet
on your next flight
Watch a flock of birds
against the morning sun
Close your eyes and listen
to the river run
Catch a firefly in your hand
or a raindrop on your tongue
Plant a seed and see
what comes out of the ground
Find the heartbeat on your baby's ultrasound
in a few years hear it laughing
and don't it sound like a song
Stop and think about
what you don't understand
things like life and love
and how the world began
There is a God
How much proof do you need?

The first day of Spring

This is the first day of Spring. Dwight woke me up so I wouldn't miss seeing the snow.It's a little past one pm and the snow is still coming down in big fluffy flakes. Looks like I'm finally going to get my snow ice cream.

Happy Birthday Lauren

I can't believe she's 18. She was just doing flips and sliding into third base yesterday. Gone are the lion king animals and beanie babies. Gone are the bedtime stories and the days of letting me fix her hair.Now she gives me advice on how to fix mine. She's constantly giving to me-and never -not one single day of regret.When I think she's done amazing me or making me proud, she pulls something else out of the woodwork.Lauren, I am so very proud of the woman that you have become and I would never change anything about you.You are the greatest and I hope that you're day is as great as you are.

The Bluff

We took the girls, Sassy and Daisey, to a bonafide horsecamp at Erbie.We rode for about sixteen miles.The weather was just beautiful and the girls behaved beautifully.

College kid

Just in case I haven't spread the word enough. My razorback's address is 360 Arkansas Rm 301, Fayetteville, Ar 72701. Anything in the mail would make his day. He's studying really hard.

Crossing the river

The first time we crossed today.Notice Chris's clothes are all dry at the time. Fifteen minutes later would be a different story.

On the other side of the Table

On a recent visit to Walmart, there were Girl Scouts selling cookies. This time I got to be the one walking up to purchase cookies. What a weird feeling.For once, I didn't have to watch the girls, didn't have to balace the money or the total sheets, and didn't have to sit there for hours freezing. These were the cutest-ok almost the cutest(mine were the cutest) girls ever and so, so polite. One said thank you, one said to have a good weekend and one offered to help me to the car(bought that many I did).
Troop 97 doesn't sell cookies anymore. Jessie is in her final semester of college-graduating with two degrees. Briana is working and in a serious relationship and looks to be having the time of her life.Emily is married, going to college, has a new baby girl and she still enjoys running. Nicole is back in Ft.Smith-she's engaged. Beth is going to college and working-she's a senior at UALR.Lauren is a Senior at Bauxite trying to decide what college to attend and she works after school.I miss my girls more than words can say but it sure is nice to enjoy a warm cup of tea and cookies on Friday night.

The River

Last weekend ,I learned an important lesson about the horse and the river. The first time a horse crosses the river, the horse will go very slowly pawing at the water to test its depth. The horse may even cross at an angle so that the crossing coinsides with the flow of the river. Upon the return trip, when the horse knows we're headed home, all bets are off. Just hang on tight and hold your feet as high as possible. The horse doesn't care how deep the water is, how cold the water maybe, or how wet you will become.Yea... I'm learning.

Grandmother

It's not the anniversary of her death, but when February rolls around I always think about Grandmother Bell a lot. She died in February over 20 years ago and I still have regrets. I never called her Grandmother enough.Being the oldest of all the grandkids, I coined her nickname-Mop-Mop. Never knew where that name came from but Mop-mop it was.She was a wonderful lady in her own way. She taught me to use a curling iron and bought my first set of luggage. She made beautiful cakes (I didn't say they were delicious, but they were beautiful). She was a wonderful artist. I don't remember her favorite color. I don't know if she watched TV. I never saw her read a book, but I remember her working in the kitchen. She loved for the kids to pick up pecans and she had the most awesome pecan trees I've ever seen. She told me a story about she and her sisters going out in the summer and they got too hot.So these girls slipped behind some bushes and took off their panty hose. Apparently this was really taboo because someone in town saw them and told their mother and all of the girls were in big trouble when they got home. I can't remember her voice, but I remember the way she smelled(and I've looked for this cologne to no avail)and lucky for me I'll always remember the way she felt when she hugged.

Should I Call?

Ever have one of those days when you want to call someone (maybe Paul) to see if something good happened(like getting into nursing school) but you were afraid to ask the question in case the answer was no. Well he only made me suffer Friday and part of Saturday, but the man has been accepted.Now comes all the fun stuff like the TB test, background check, CPR certification. I'm so happy to see his plans falling into place.

The month of Looove

I know it's February and the month of love-the only song I can hear in my head is Tina Turner's "What's love gotta to do with it" over and over. Surely, you can turn me onto another love song.
Cute sappy story? Please tell.

Silver Streak

I couldn't help but notice that my mom hasn't dyed her hair is quite some time. I thought maybe she had just been to busy running the streets and taking care of business. You know Mom takes care of the church, her friends, inlaws, outlaws, and everyone else before she takes some time for herself. Then she sprung the news on me-after 38 years of dying her hair she's sick of it.Wait a minute, she can't have dyed her hair for 38 years she's not that old. Oops. Yes she is.Then I do some math and she's had four kids for over 38 years. Four kids will do that to you.It's not that it looks bad-in fact it's really pretty-very thick and wavy, but it makes her look a little bit more like a Grandma. I guess after nine grandkids(one temp) she's entitled to look like a Grandma. I think the funniest thing is the men. They won't leave her alone. She hasn't opened her own her own car door since she said good bye to Miss Clairol. Forget going to the gas station or hardware store unless you're not on any kind of time schedule.

Greetings

I'm blogging from Lauren's laptop. She created a guest user so I can play when she's away. That's nice and all, but I can't access her pictures.Bummer. They're making kids too smart these days.

New Year's Resolutions

Remember those? How are you doing? The weight thing is very slow, if I've lost I can't tell but my water intake is much, much better. The recipe thing-I tried "Hurry Up chocalate cake-pretty good. It has no eggs and rises a lot more than I thought it should.

Temperature in Little Rock

I've heard the temperature is 9 and then 2 below zero and then 6 so I don't really know exactly how cold it is. I know everything is iced. I can't write with a regular ink pen because the ink keeps freeszing. Coffee will stay warm for ten minutes maximum and I've drank enough of the stuff to be sick of it. My hands are constantly numb.I'm typing to keep my hands warm. Rumor has it that these cold temperatures will kill fire ants. Throw another log on the fire baby,and scoot over.

Update

Dwight is feeling much better.Would love to say that it's the result of my cooking and excellent nursing skills, but realistically-it's probably the result of some good medication and lots of proper rest. He's lost 26 pounds in the last two weeks(this is not the result of my cooking), but his appetite is slowly returning. He is starting to move around on his own and has started some small exercises to build strength in his legs. He goes to the doctor again on Monday.Wish him luck.