Long time coming

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! I can't really explain my family Thanksgiving this year. It was ok but definitely not one to remember as our best ever. Maybe my expectations are too high. I've been told that many times by people about many things.

Here's a little rundown.

Sis#2 came down the Sat. before Thanksgiving because there was a baby shower for our sis-in-law and brother who's baby is due in Jan. So she was here early. She had an ob dr. appointment in Tulsa last Wed. since she's 3 weeks from delivering baby #3. It was a long day road trip and took it's toll on her and our mom who went with her. They were both toast!

Sis#3 had 2 sick kids so they all stayed home. Unfortunately, they missed out of everything. They didn't get to see either sister who'd come from out of town.

Sis#4 and family made it down Wed. and left Sunday. Thankfully she was able to help me with a lot of the food stuff since everyone else was wiped out. Even Bro-in-law's #1 and #2 got in on the potato peeling. Thanks guys! And thank you loads sis#4!!!!

Anyway, the food was good. We still working on some of it. There wound up being only 10 adults. I don't know how to cook Thanksgiving dinner for only 10 adults. It's kinda like making spaghetti for 3. We're gonna be eating it for a few days!!!

Maybe someday I'll learn that I don't have to act like I'm feeding the whole town!

A Day with Little Joe

Hey y'all,
I got to see Little Joe today! I've been missing him terribly the last few months. There was a death in bro-in-law#3's family down this way and they needed him to stay with us. Thankfully, I had the day off since I worked through the weekend.

We had a good time! I picked him up north of OKC at about 8:30 this morning. We immediately went to Sonic and he had a second breakfast of chicken strips and chocolate milk. Let me tell you something, this kid is all about chicken strips/nuggets and chocolate milk!!! We made a dash into Wal-Mart on the way home and looked at the curtains and toys. I came out with a sample rod and curtain and he came out with an Army airplane. His purchase was WAY cheaper!!

We then headed home to see Papa. Papa went out to do some chores and we played with the lego castle, BIG Fun! We then headed to look at a young mule some friends were wanting to give us(She's great by the way, the mule and the friends!). Then it was time to head to town. After the bank it was obviously lunch time so we naturally went to Sonic. Guess what Little Joe ate? Yep, chicken strips and chocolate milk!

We met back up with bro-in-law#3 and family about 4pm. Little Joe didn't want to go. Somehow I held it together til they drove off. I spent the next 15 minutes as I was heading back home trying to keep those wretched tears away. Mostly I succeeded.

They'll all be here next week for Turkey day. I can't wait!!!

Hoss's Broken Heart

For the last couple years Hoss has said that when he grew up he wanted to marry Aunt Red. You have to understand that Hoss and I have a special bond in that we have the same birthday. Well, I thought that was just about the sweetest thing knowing he'd grow out of it. He's mentioned it numerous times since then and I always say he'll find someone his age to marry when he got older. He's never wavered. I guess he mentioned it again yesterday to his mother, sis#3, and she decided it was time for him to understand it wouldn't happen. She said she was afraid he would say something at school and the kids would laugh at him and he would probably get fired up about that. So, she proceeded to tell him that he wouldn't be able to marry Aunt Red because we were related. That needed more explaining. When it all sunk in he cried for 15 minutes. That just broke my heart! Then he wanted to know why she didn't tell him this a long time ago when he brought it up the first time. He's all about being practical. She said she thought he would understand it now better since he was older. I guess he finally got over it and wanted to know who in the world he was gonna marry. She said he would probably meet her some day in the future when he got older and that very rarely did someone really know who they would marry when they were 6. I guess he was fine with that.

Then later in the day sis#3 was doing a little cleaning. I guess she ran across a box of stuff that had a baby mouse in it and it was alive! Yikes!! Of course Hoss wanted to keep it. When he found out that wasn't an option he cried again. Apparantly, this was a worse blow than finding out he could marry his favorite Aunt! His options were to kill it or send it outside. Neither were satisfactory til he found out the mouse had been chewing on a pair of Jessie Jane's pants. Then it was time for the rodent to hit the road. I'm so glad he's get's over heartache so quickly.

So, I can say that there once was a male who was so broken hearted he couldn't marry me that he cried and cried. I'll just leave out the part that he was my 6 year old nephew!!

Thanksgiving's coming!!

So, it's the big countdown til my favorite holiday. I've mentioned this before but I love Thanksgiving! And, even though the last 2 haven't been the best I've experienced in my lifetime, I'm ready to try again.

Last year all the siblings were at their in-laws. When that happens Mom, Dad, Grandma and I sometimes go eat at Cracker Barrel then head to a movie. Last year we decided after we'd eaten that we'll skip Cracker Barrel next time and eat a sandwich at home. It's too crowded and my dad ordered pancakes. I can't deal with that. Uncle Mark was with us and that was fun. We went to see the movie Australia down at a huge theater in Moore. We were late and I wound up sitting by myself between people I didn't know, but the movie was good and I didn't have to share my snacks.

Year before that I kinda had a guy "friend" who was suppose to come visit. He'd never been up to see my family and most of them hadn't met him so I was more than a little anxious. I had talked to him on the Tuesday before and it was still a go. I'd been cleaning my folks house for 10 days and trying to get everything just right. However, that morning I didn't hear anything from him so I called him and left a message. Ya know, one of those "just wondering how close you are?" kind of messages. About 30 minutes or so later I get a call from him saying he hadn't left his town and was sick. That wasn't my best day and needless to say that thing didn't work out with him and me.

Every year there's hang-ups and hic-ups because that's just what happens when family gets together. But the one thing is always the same. That thing is the food is GOOD and after all is said and done we're all happy to be together for a little while. If the weather is good and the kids can go outside and play it might be good for a little longer!!!

Actually, Thursday night is good since it's just "fix your own leftover" thing! That could be my favorite part. Or maybe not. Sometimes I have a lot of favorite parts and I can't decide what is the best!!!

So, hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful and very, very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

I guess I'm kinda jumping the gun here cause it's still over a week away. Oh well.

A Quiet Place

I saw a blip on a news show the other day about noise. There are places where people hear noise constantly. I'm talking very loud cars, planes, horns honking, buses, public transportation of all kinds. Thankfully, I don't live near much of that stuff.

Last Sunday morning I was sick so I stayed home from worship services. I realized how quiet my home place really is. I forget this sometimes. I opened the door to let out my dog and I could've heard a pin drop. A lot of times one will hear a tractor somewhere or a mower. Or maybe the train which runs on tracks nearly 6 miles west of here. However this particular morning there was nothing. I love to hear that nothing sound.

I can't imagine how anyone could ever make it in town. I realize that's just because I'm not use to being there, but there's so much noise in the city that one wouldn't even notice if one lived in it constantly. That was the point of that news piece. It was about how people didn't even realize that when they were walking in the park they had to yell at the person next to them so they could be heard. Where I live I have to yell so that I can be heard 1/4 mile from me and tell my dad supper's ready.

I guess it's all in what one is use to.

I'm falling apart

I'm fairly certain that all this has happened because I turned 40.

Remember the chip allergy? Well, not so sure it was a chip allergy. I went to my PCP (primary care physician) last Friday. She said I had a bad case of eczima and prescribed this cream for me to get at the pharmacy. Thankfully, I now have some insurance because this lovely cream would've been $148 without it. I follow the instructions when I got home that night. The doc had said that it would burn but I just needed to work through it and it would be better on the other side. I think she might've been a little whacked.

I woke up at 1:30am Sat. morning with my face and neck burning like fire and itching like crazy! I got up and looked in the mirror, big mistake, and noticed my face was fire engine red. No joke, the same exact color! I panicked. I washed my face. Didn't help. I kept fanning my face hoping to get some relief. Didn't help. I decided I would just get in the shower and just rinse it all off and try to cool down. The only time it felt better was when the water was running directly on my face. I got out and put on aloe vera gel, lanolin, and Gold Bond anti-itch cream. I might've overdone it. Oh, and I also took 2 Benadryl. Finally, at 3am I felt like I had some relief. I was able to go back to sleep. Saturday morning it was better, but my sinus issues kicked it into high gear!

We won't elaborate anymore on that. I missed work yesterday, but I'm better today. I just hope no one minds me hackin over and over again!! Oh, and that high dollar cream isn't gonna get anywhere near my face again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Night in the New Hut!!!

Well, I spent my first night in the new house. Wahoo! Too bad I didn't sleep well. I think it was because the house is so quiet! In the old house there's no insulation to speak of . And there's trees all over it that will drop leaves and occasionally a branch will rub the roof. That doesn't happen in the new house. There's no trees right up next to it. And there's actually some insulation in the walls! I might not have to use the heater except when I have visitors!!!!

My good friend Sage came over last night to help me wash all the dishes and get them put away. What a task! Tonight she's coming again and bringing Tera and a few brothers for the BIG MOVE!! The brothers are all tall, young and strong!! I hope I can keep up with them. So, hopefully, it will look like someone actually lives there by tomorrow!!

Now, about Hoss. I went to pick him up from school yesterday. I've not done that before. He was so excited to see me and kept telling all the kids, "My Aunt is here!" I'm so glad he's not embarrassed to be seen with me yet!!

That day will come I'm sure of it!!!!!!!

A Nickname Thing

For whatever reason I've always called everyone by a nickname of some sort. Not always the same one every time, but just whatever pops into my head. You know things like Sparky, Francis, Roy, Fred. I have no idea why, it's just my thing.

I just talked to Sis #2 a little bit ago. She said they were on their way home from a Sam's run when Woody asked her this question, "Why does Aunt Red call me Cat Daddy?" She didn't understand him at first. He repeated it and all she could do was laugh. This was completely out of nowhere! She told him that Aunt Red just calls people nicknames sometimes. He said he didn't like nicknames. She then told him, "You better get use to it cause she does it to everyone. Some time or another your gonna be called Roy or Francis too."

Well, it's good he learns that now I guess!

p.s. Just a little update on my "chip allergy". It's better but not gone. I'm ready for it to leave!!!