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.