Ain't That a Kick in the Head!

No, really, it was!

I've had a plumbing problem the last couple days. Actually, I think it's been there for a while I just didn't know it. I was headed out to my part-time job yesterday morning and I see a drip under the east end of my house.

Ok, it's not a real house, but a trailer house. I guess technically it'd be a mobile home. But it's mine and I'm gonna call it a house. Now, some of you might wonder how I could see the drip behind the skirting. Guess what, no skirting! I'm a redneck girl. What can I say???

Back to the leak. I didn't go to work. I had a small panic attack and headed straight up to my folks to discuss the issue with my dad. We went down there on the way to the barn and took a look. There wasn't much drip by then. That was slightly encouraging. Dad said he'd thing about the best way to approach it. I said ok in my calmest voice. He's be sickly and I know he didn't feel like crawling under the silly "house." Really, instead of "ok", I was thinking very quietly, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!"

So......at about 3:30 I crawled under there just to make myself feel better. I don't know what y'all know about the underneath of a trailer house, but it's basically just black plastic stuff over insulation. I found though a board that was under the tub drain. I went to get the screwdriver so I could check it out. I was feeling better already. I pulled the board down, found a load of lady bugs, and pulled out a little wet insulation to find some water around the bottom of the drain. I crawled back out and headed back up to talk to dad.

Dad found the nut at the bottom of the drain was loose and the putty junk under the drain in the tub was cracked. Not a good product. By the time we got it all out it was nearly dark and time to feed again. Way better diagnosis than I was expecting.

Today we went to town and got new parts. In about an hour we were back in business and without leaks! We put it all back together. We noticed there were a few slits in the plastic lining. Apparantly, the dudes who took out the tongue upon delivery ripped it. We got out the trusty duct tape and took care of the slits! Remember, REDNECK!!!

Here's where things got painful. We were nearly done. We found another spot out by the back porch that needed some taping. I was sitting on the ground when all of a sudden I feel a big ol whack to the right side of my head! I guess dad was rolling under there and I was a little too close. I was fine, mostly, but I couldn't stop laughing. I think I might have a mild whiplash, but at least I'm not hurt. HAHA.

I told dad that the "Ain't that a kick in the head" saying never felt so real!!!

Wasn't that a Frank Sinatra song????

Busy, Busy!

Well, I obviously was mistaken when I thought it was time to start blogging again. There's no time for blogging!

Who would've thought an unemployed person would be so busy! If being busy only paid better I wouldn't have anything to worry about. Oh well.

So.....maybe January will bring more blogging time and financial stability.

We can only hope!!!!!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary Aunt and Uncle

Yesterday was my Aunt and Uncle's 53rd wedding anniversary. I can't even comprehend what it would be like to be married 5 minutes much less 53 years!!!!! They got married really young and had kids young and became grandparents young. It's possible they'll get in another 20 years together. How amazing would that be?

Today I'd like to report on the cats. I guess they're too old to call kitties anymore. I should probly report on my nieces and nephews first, but that's gonna take some time. I'll get to that later.

So.....these cats are really like none I've ever seen. Not that I've seen many, but they have a few personality traits that I think are not very "catly". First, they sleep in the dog house. Spring, my dog, won't sleep in the dog house unless she's tied up and it's a freezing rain and it's the only shelter she can reach.

Second, Ranger likes to ride in the back of the pickup. I don't recall ever seeing a cat that likes to do that. Indy wants no part of it however. He bails ASAP.

The other day I mentioned to my dad I was glad the cat thing worked out ok. To my amazement he replied, "Maybe we could get a couple more." I just about dropped over!

I think we'll just stick with the two for now!

I'm Back!

Hello Everyone!

I've been at this very spot a couple times in the last few months and have bailed. I'm not gonna bail this time. It's not that I didn't want to write so much, as I just didn't know where to start.

So, here goes.......can you believe it's December 5, 2010???? I'm still trying to comprehend the fact that it's really December. I've been semi-unemployed for the last 3 months and haven't had time to think! I never knew not having a "real" job could be so exhausting! And the weather has been so wacked lately it hasn't felt like December either.

I'll get into what's been keeping me so busy eventually, but for now I just want to make a statement to all of you who know me as a "Scrooge."

I was the FIRST in my family to have the Christmas tree up, lit, and decorated!!!

Write it down, it could never happen again. There are more decorations up in my house than have been up since sis #2 and I lived together nearly 10 years ago. That was because she put them all up and I was the helper. I did have a little help putting the lights on the tree. Sis #3 ran down to the house for a few minutes and lit it up. I'm still adjusting to that part. Honestly, I may never adjust to that part, but she loved it and I loved her doing it.

I know a lot of it has to do with having time to get it all done. I also know that in the last 20 or so years of my life I've mostly worked in a retail setting. By the time Nov. 14th rolled around I didn't give a rip about Christmas anymore. I was sick of the music. I was sick of the trees. And I was sick of the whole thing. I'm actually looking forward to all of it this year. I'm planning all the cooking I want to get done and all the weight I'm gonna gain!

So, Happy December everybody!!!

Taking a Break

I've decided that I'm going to stop blogging for a while. I'm just not feeling it right now. Not sure what the cause of the "not feeling it" would be, but I'm guessing it has something to do with all the changes that have been going on in my life these days.

I haven't found regular employment yet. Actually, I haven't looked for regular employment yet. I told a friend last night that I might be going through a mid-life crisis or a mental breakdown. Not sure which! One day I want to do one thing, the next I want to do something completely different. I was at my last job so long I'm not real sure which direction to go now. I'm not really feeling like myself. I maybe should get myself figured out!!

So.......here's the plan. I'm going to quit writing til I feel like writing again. It might be next week, it might be next year. Who knows!

Bye for now!!

Happy Fall Y'all

I've not looked forward to October for many years. It's always been a very hectic month in my family. When we were in the hayride/trail ride business it was our busiest month.

For the last 13 years I've worked at the leather shop. One of the best shows of the year is the last 10 or so days of the month.

So, since I'm neither in the hayride business nor the leather business any longer, I'm going to enjoy the Fall! Actually, I've loved the weather October brings no matter what was happening at the time. Who wouldn't??

There's a pond just west of the north barn(get all that?) here on the place. The leaves always start changing there first. I saw yellow about 2 weeks ago. It's starting to show on other trees now. I'd love to take a "leaf peeping" tour somewhere here in Oklahoma!

I'm reminded of the trip last year at this time with my sister friends. I were enjoying the Fall Aspen colors in Colorado. Oh my! I've not experience that before and it was beautiful!! No Colorado leaf looking for me this time around though.

Maybe next year!

Big Changes!

So, many things have happened since my last post. Let's see, where do I start? I guess kinda at the beginning.

My brother got bucked off his horse in New Mexico and broke his arm pretty bad. He had surgery out there to insert a rod in his left arm between his shoulder and elbow. Basically, they did rotater cuff surgery when he didn't need it! The doc cut into his shoulder muscles, peeled it all back, then started drilling a hole through the bone to insert the rod. All that was bad, but I think the 90 minute ride to the hospital with no pain meds was the worse part! He's recovering at home now and doing better every day. It's gonna be a long recovery time. As in it could be up to a year. Yikes!!!

I left my job at the leather shop last week after 12 1/2years. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. I'm not sure what I want to do. What I do know is that I'm going to find something that I like and go with it. I don't want to be in retail of any kind. That I do know! I'm ready for an actual holiday weekend. I'm ready to want to get up in the morning! I'm ready to want to be who I am again! Whoever that is!!!!

The other day I saw a commercial for a 2011 Mustang. I told my sister I'd love to have one of those cars someday. She said, " Yeah right!"

I said, "Maybe in my next midlife crisis."

Her response, "Your next midlife crisis?"

I said, "I think I might be going through one right now!" Sister just laughed.

I guess we'll see what the outcome of this one!!!

Hoss's Birthday

Yesterday was Hoss's 7th birthday. He was so excited! That's what happens when one is 7. Birthday's are a big deal.


I remember my 7th birthday more than most!


My parents had just bought a 1923 Model T Ford car from my dad's uncle. Uncle Clark was a rodeo clown for years and years. He turned this Model T into a bucking car in 1946 and started going down the road making a living. Dad and mom did the same thing for about 9 years.


Anyway, for my 7th birthday party, Dad gave all the girls attending my party a ride in the car. We were all so small we all fit in one trip! I'm not sure how many of us there were, probably 8 or 10. I wonder if any of them remember that ride. I haven't seen some of those girls in a long time. I would imagine that if I saw a picture I might not remember some of their names. How sad is that?

Hoss and I are going to take a trip to the Cowboy Museum gift shop down in the City so he can pick out a book for his present from Aunt Red. He'll probably want a wooden gun that shoots rubber bands instead!


Not gonna happen!

Two Confused Kitties

I haven't written about Ranger and Indy for a while. They are growing like crazy!

I believe they might think they are a dogs though instead of in the feline family. Why would I think this? Well.....other than climbing the occasional tree, they act like a dog. I'm wondering if they maybe have been paying too much attention to Spring.

When I acquired these two creatures a few months ago it was with the intent that they'd be barn cats. You know, keep the rodent population down where it's the worst. They've long since taken up residence at my house. The only time they're at the barn is when they follow one of us to the barn. Do cats usually follow people around like dogs do? I'm really asking this question! I'd like to know! I'm guessing my teacher friend in Alaska would know. Please inform!

My dad even said that they follow him around like a dog.

If I leave my house to go up to my folks, they follow. If I go up to work at the old house, they follow. They always hang out there til I leave. That's what Spring does. Maybe it's Spring they're following and not me! Last night Indy followed me up to the north barn to feed. For some reason Ranger wasn't around. I thought he was gonna get clobbered by one of the horses, but he made it out of the pen.

However, last night when I went to feed the dog and cats there was only one kitty. Indy was missing! I remembered seeing him when I left the north barn in a tall patch of grass. So, up to the north barn I went witha flashlight. He came crawling out from underneath the riding mower and seemed very happy to see me.

Same thing happened last week. Sis#3 and I had been up at the old house cleaning. When we came out it was pitch dark. Sis says, "Isn't there a porch light?" I said, "Yes, but the bugs show up." While we were having this little conversation Spring tried to get into the house. We got her out and went down to my house. I went to feed the dog and kitties and Indy was missing then too. Sis said, "I wonder if he went in the house." I said, "Naw". Guess what? I found Indy sitting by the front door on the inside of the house. Oops!

Maybe I should just make sure I've got them both before I head to the house no matter what. I would save me wandering around the place after dark and after my bedtime!!!

Another European Supper

Thanks to my "traveling friends" I enjoyed another wonderful supper last night! I haven't had much of a social life the last few months. Between being sickly and living with sis and kids there's not really been time. And besides, I don't really have a social life anyway.

I got there about 6. I walked in the door and asked if there were any kids there. They promptly told me there was no one under the age of 18. I decided I'd stay!

Then it was time to sit down for supper. I saw Sarah bring in a tray of a dozen or so foiled little bowl things from outside and put them on the table. I had no idea what was inside, but I was excited! We sat down, Scott said prayer, and then the foil packets were passed around. It was wild caught salmon from Alaska. Oh my! It was yummy. I'm telling you there aren't enough exclamation points that could do it justice!

In addition to the salmon there was a salad of mixed greens, apple slices, and pecans with some poppy seed dressing. There was a huge flat Italian bread. There was crackers with warm brie with cranberry chutney(which was good on bread too). I was the last one eating!

I felt like I'd just had one of the healthiest meals ever when it was over. And I'm sure my Omega-3 intake was three times what it usually is for the day!

After supper we played a game that was new to me. It's called "Speed Scrabble". Now, you have to understand I haven't played Scrabble since I was 13. Let's don't do the math on how long ago that was! My dear friends were nice enough to give me a practice run. Then they proceeded to beat me to death for the rest of the evening. My dear friend Sage must be the Scrabble guru of our county! She had already told me I didn't want to play Scrabble with her. I can see she was trying to show some mercy on me!

Even though I got beat into the tile floor, it was loads of fun! I can't wait to introduce my family to this fun game at Christmas. Course, we'll have to buy a couple Scrabble games. And we'll need a Redneck dictionary to help us.

Does anyone know where I can find the Webster's Redneck Dictionary? Surely there's one somewhere!!!

Life with Children

I have now been a full time aunt for about 3 weeks. By this I mean that sis#3 and her 3 children have been in my home for that long. I've learned a lot in the last 3 weeks.

Here's a short list(Anyone remember Ruby from "Cold Mountain?"):

#1, I'm glad I'm not a mother.
#2, There's no end to the laundry.
#3, I'm glad I'm not a mother.
#4, There's no end to the dirty dishes.
#5, I'm glad I'm not a mother. Did I mention this already????

I'm learning more and more about my nephews and niece.

Hoss is a free spirit. If he is able to be outside with the cats and dog he will be.

Rowdy is, well, rowdy! He is a little bit of a control freak when it comes to toys and the tv. I just got a call from sis a little while ago. She told me Rowdy had climbed behind the couch and somehow the window got broken. Thankfully, he was ok. I've broken two of them myself so I can't really get mad.

Jessie Jane is in control! This little girl runs everything. Last night she had one of her little dolls in her hands. She walked up to the tv and pushed the off button with the doll's hand and then tattled on the doll. Sis#3 said Jessie Jane blamed Rowdy for something that she did and Rowdy wasn't even home. The poor thing was in school. How did she already get this way? I'm thinking the "terrible two's" are in full swing! And in about 12 years life is gonna be tough for her mom and dad!!!!

I think that their new home will be ready in a week or so for them to move into.

Will I miss them? Probably.

Will I enjoy the quiet? Most definitely!

Will they be back to visit often? Daily I'm sure.

But, I'll be able to walk them home and get back to my quiet spot in about 5 minutes.

WAHOO!!

I think I'm gonna make it!

Ok kids, it's been a long couple weeks!

I have a few things to add to my "40" things list. I don't know if the list is even close to 40, but since I'm gonna be 41 in a few weeks time is running short. And at this point I really don't care anyway.

Last week I wound up in the Emergency Room at the small hospital in my hometown. I had flu like symptoms and broke out in a rash over most of my body that was different from the other rashes I'd had in the past. So, too town we went!

After a couple hours of tests, a shot, some pills, and a few other things I won't mention, I was sent home feeling a little better. My Mom and Dad were the lucky one's hauling me around. On the way home at 11:45 pm we ran through McDonald's to get a snack. Actually, I was starving! I'd had nothing but some crackers, Sprite, and water all day. I had a happy meal and was ready for some sleep!

The doc called it "serum sickness". Never heard of it. Apparantly, when one has too much medication in their system that doesn't agree with one, this can happen. I figured that the worst part was over. WRONG! Saturday morning I woke up after my long 2 hours sleep to find the rash was worse. My face was red and swollen. Not a pretty sight!

I hiked up to the folks house to get on the internet to find some answers. I googled "serum sickness" and found out some info. The rash was actually getting better when I thought it was getting worse. I had all the symptoms too a tee. I guess the doc was right. I'm now in the process of just getting stronger. I've noticed I need more sleep than before. There are a few faded red spots on my arms and neck, but they're not bothering me. I have lost a few pounds. WAHOO!

Now, about the "40" list. Here's the additions:

Rode in a wheel chair.

Wore a hospital gown. (not my favorite wardrobe choice!)

Got an ultrasound of my leg. Very interesting!
Ate a Happy Meal at midnight and loved it!

Got a shot of steroids. I hope the governement won't want to question me about this. I wouldn't want to wind up like Roger Clemens. Course, he lied. That's what caused his big problems!

Well, I think that's it. I hope all of you have a great Labor Day weekend and don't have to "labor"!!!

New Roomies

I've got some new roommates. Sis#3, Hoss, Rowdy, and Jessie Jane are staying with me while they're getting a spot readied for them to move into out here on the place. Bro-in-law #2 is staying at their house in town while they get things moved.

I'm learning that my niece is quite the character! Until one is around a child a lot I don't think the real side is seen. I guess that's the same with grownups! She has a very vivid imagination. She is also a drama queen! And a bossy drama queen at that! She can handle herself with the big brothers also. If they're wrestling she just jumps right in the middle of it.

She also loves to get into my jewelry. It's not like I had it all put away in it's rightfull place! I have an old vanity with a huge mirror that belonged to my great grandmother. It's all just the right height for her to get into. I gave up and just moved all the stuff off and put a few thing out she could play with. I've noticed she's not in there nearly as much as before.

What's up with that????

While The Cat's Away......

The sickly little mouse is doing all the work! I think I mentioned my Dad is out of town for a few days. He and brother are working on a little movie thing and went to Colorado to film. Poor babies!

So, in Dad's absence, someone has to feed the rest of the horses that didn't go with him. And since only 1 horse, Juan, went with him, that means there are plenty left. Guess who's elected? I didn't even have to put signs out in the yard!

Sunday it was tough. I was dragging myself around and when I say dragging, that isn't an understatement. I could hardly throw a flake of hay over the fence. I made it though. Thankfully, our little cool front came on down and brought some relief. I might not've made it if it had been 105 out there.

Last night sis#3, bro-in-law#2, Hoss, and Rowdy helped out. Hoss mostly played with the kitties and climbed on the hay which he found out hurts when you fall and scrape your tummy on the end of a bale!

This morning was a different story though. I almost felt normal. I'm able to get a flake over the fence a little farther. I didn't feel like I was gonna die when I was through. Maybe by tomorrow I'll be running with 3 flakes to the fence!!

Yeah right! Why would anyone do that?????

Health Report

Hello everyone! Thank you for the kind notes this week!!

Here's an update: I feel like such a whimp!!!!

Actually, I am doing better. This cough thing that has been running around our family though is the pitts. I think I'm over the leg thing. I'm still a little itchy around my neck, but surely that'll go away soon!

My Dad and brother left for Colorado early this morning. So, I'm "feed girl" for the week. By the time I got done this morning I was toast. This evening I split up the north and south barns by about an hour. That helped. I guess I've lost a lot of my strength just laying around trying to get well. I bet by the end of the week I'll be back to normal!!

A cool front has moved through and given us a break from the oppressive heat. Wahoo!!

Have a great week y'all!

I'm Falling Apart!

Well, I guess working 24/7 catches up with all of us eventually, right????

I'll try to make this as non-boring as possible. A few weeks ago I got bit by a chigger or mosquito. I know every Okie in the land knows about chiggers. Apparantly, people in New Mexico do not. I could explain how I know that, but it would take a lot of time.

This would've been about the second week in July. Over the course of the last few weeks the said "bite" got scratched, infected, and developed cellulitis. I finally caved and went to the doctor and got on some antibiotics. About 48 hours into the antiobiotics I realized my neck was itching. I had some mosquito bites there also so didn't think about it much. I woke up last Friday morning with a doozie of a rash. Called the doc and got on another antibiotic. Guess what? That one did the same thing!

I went back to the doc yesterday. She prescribed Prednazone, a steroid, to help battle the allergic reaction and the bad leg since it's starting to get ugly again.

How did I get so old? I remember the days when I could go non-stop for months and never think twice! Now I get a chigger bite and my leg is rotting off! What's that about?????

I will NOT put this on my 40 new things list!

I made it to work for about 3 hours today. We'll see how long I make it tomorrow!!!

Who knows, I could stub my toe and wind up in the emergency room by morning!!!!!!!!!!

Snort's First Ride

Everyone's gone home. It's awfully quiet out here!!! I think they were all ready to go home. I think they needed to go home. But, I always miss them so bad when they're not here! Life is full of contradiction.

Sis #2 promised her kids they'd get to ride a horse while they were here this trip. Everything was so hectic with Grandma's birthday party and going to the Cowboy Museum and all the other stuff it was Saturday evening before we got it done.

Buzz and Woody both had their "first rides" with Papa. So, naturally, Snort should also. We got ol' Juan saddled up and the fun began. Snort loved it. He wasn't ever scared once! I'm glad Papa's arm didn't give out!! Snort's big for 8 months.

Buzz was next. He was able to get mounted by himself with just a little help from his Papa. Then he was turned loose. Juan didn't really want to move. He's kinda crazy that way. You have to understand that Juan spends his time in the "geriatric" pasture with Julio and Alberto. All of them came from Mexico if you couldn't tell already. Anyway, Juan knows how to take care of kids. Buzz finally got the hang of using the reins and kicking a little and it was all fine.

Hoss was out to play with his cousins and spend the night so he was next. He had a wild ride when a couple years ago and is usually very timid when it comes to getting horseback. Not this time. I'm guessing seeing the other boys riding and loving it helped a little. He got on, with a little help, and went right to it!

Then it was time for Woody. Oh my lands! There wasn't ever as cute of a little cowboy as this kid! I lifted him up in the saddle and Papa got him all ready to go. He started making the "kissing sound" and kicking. Nothing happened. He kicked so hard his boots started coming off. Next thing I see is Papa handing him one of the kitty cats. He's sitting up there holding this little cat with his right hand and holding onto the reins with his left and having a great time. Pretty soon kitty had all that he wanted and took off. We helped Juan get moving and Woody had a ball!

By the time we got all that done it was just about dark and I had sweat running off me! We are definitely in a heat wave!!!!!

Hopefully, next time they come over we'll saddle Juan up again and have some more fun!!!
I think they might all be addicted!

The Birthday Bash

Well, the party was a huge success! Everyone seemed to have a lovely time in spite of the lack of working air conditioning. It was a little warmish in the building, but we all survived!

We saw family we don't usually get to see and some that we never see. After the cake and ice cream was devoured my Dad thought Grandma should do a little trick roping to show everyone she still has it. So, she wowed everyone wearing her dress and corsage!!!

My Dad, being the showman he is, didn't think Grandma roping was enough. All the kids were brought out and did their tricks too. All but Snort and Rowdy showed what they had. Snort was napping and Rowdy had been a little too rowdy and went home early with his dad.

And for some unknown reason he thought the five of us should do something too. So, sis#2 did some of her flat work as we call it. She was wearing little slip on shoes. That worked out ok.

Sis#3 did her 3 ropes at once ditty and it went good.

I was next. I had on these cool looking mules with bronc riders painted on the toes I got a couple years ago at the National Finals Rodeo. These are not shoes for roping! I just kicked them off and did the Texas Skip barefoot. It was a first for me. Hey, I can add that to the list! I didn't hurt myself too bad, but my right foot is a little sore even yet.

We finally talked brother into doing the 50 foot wedding ring. It's no big deal for him. He was wearing boots and jeans!

Sis#3 was feeling shy and didn't want to do anything. She should know by now that Dad doesn't let things like that go! She finally wandered out and did her part. I think the exhastion of making a beautiful yummy cake for 100 plus finally got to her actually.

What really matters is that Grandma had a good day!

Yesterday morning when I went in for worship I was a little late. I wound up sitting on the back row with 3 of the nephews. I realized before the announcements were over that Grandma was no where to be seen. I was trying to figure out how I was gonna go find her and not make a big fuss with the kids. Just about then she came in and found a seat. I found out later she was in one of the classrooms trying to write a thank you note to be read. Apparantly, she was having a problem find the words for what she was wanting to say. I think she was a little overwhelmed that so many people had come from so far for her birthday. Sis#2 was in there with one of her boys and said exactly what Grandma needed to hear. She said, "Grandma, I'm just glad everyone came together for your birthday when you could enjoy it and not your funeral."

Grandma said, "Well, you're right."

Sometimes we just need a little perspective no matter how old we are!!

Grandma's 90th Birthday

Hey everybody! It's been ages since I've been on this little blog thing. It's been a long, long couple weeks filled with work, work, and work!

Now that all that is over for a minute, it's time to focus on Grandma's 90th birthday celebration. I can't believe my Grandma is 90!!! Or at least she will be next Sunday. We're having a big shindig next Saturday in town.

So the planning is on! I'm headed to town tonight to shop for cake ingredients. Sis#3 is making the big ol' birthday cake tomorrow! She makes amazing cakes and I'm not kidding! If she'd been born in New York she could've worked for that famous cake lady Sylvia Weinstock. That wasn't her calling though. She was born and raised in Oklahoma so we get to enjoy her wonderful cakes!!! Then, I'm back to town on Thursday night for the rest of the stuff.

There will be people there Saturday that I've never met. I've been getting emails from one of Grandma's cousins who lives in Florida. She won't be able to make it, but her daughter will come who lives in OKC. I didn't know about the daughter in OKC.

I think Grandma is looking forward to it. I am too. How many of us will get a 90th party? Not too many I'm guessing!!!!

Stay cool!

Kitty Update

Well, we knew it would happen. Ava and Emma are actually The Lone Ranger and Indiana Jones!!! We know nothing about kitties around our place. We obviously need help!

These two little yellow and white cuties are adapting to their new life in our barn just fine. They know all the great hiding places! So far they've managed to stay out of the way of the horses and the mules. And I caught my Dad holding one and listening to him purr. I was shocked to say the least, and I had to chuckle just a little to myself!!!

So, I guess we'll see how Ranger and Indy get along when they're both full grown Tom cats. That is I guess we'll see if they hang around! I've heard Tom cats wander a lot. That could be a problem!!!

Brother's Birthday

I missed writing about my brother's birthday. It's not that I forgot his birthday, I just didn't write about it. It was a couple days ago. He turned 33. That's unbelievable! How could my brother, who I took care of when he was little be 33!

Last night we gathered at our favorite local Mexican spot to celebrate. There were only a few of us, but we had a nice time. When we were leaving I told brother and dad that I didn't even remember 33. All night that bothered me. While I was doing some work I brought home I was pondering this subject. I still couldn't remember what was happening in my life at the age of 33.

Today, while at work, I was oiling some pieces of tack. This particular job gives me time to think since it's basically a no brainer. The answer to the question finally popped into my head! I was so glad! That year, the year before I became "Aunt Red", I was the caregiver for my great uncle. He moved her from Texas and lived with my Grandma who lives here on the place.

I think the reason I couldn't remember 33 was that that year is sometimes a blurr. There was a lot going on! I think it might've have been a trial run for when my parents are elderly and in need of care, which I hope is many years from now! Not that I don't want to care for them, but they are still too young for that.

Anyway, 33 seems like a long time ago now! That was 6 nephews and 2 nieces ago!!!!!

A long June

Well, it's July. Half the year is over! Isn't that amazing? June seems like it has been a very long month. It could be because I've been working so much. I think I had 3 days off from work for the whole month. One of those was spent in the creek working on fence.

I wish that July was gonna be different, but it's not. August and January are my favorite months of the year. August we get to recover from the busy May through July run and January is time to recover from October through December! Funny thing is that the weather couldn't be more opposite in two months than August and January. Maybe if I work her another 13 years I'll get use to it!!!

Have a great July everybody!! Stay cool.

A Tale of 2 Kitties

We are not cat people. We never had dogs that would let us have cats. My Aunt and Uncle who live here on the place tried the cat thing many times. Sometimes it ended ugly! I did have a house cat once for about 5 years. It was an experience I'll never forget.

I got a phone call a couple days ago from the guy next door to my work. I've known this guy for 25 years or so. He said he had some barn kitties and were any in my family interested. He said the momma cat was a good mouser. I'm thinking that it would be a good thing for the barn. Mice are always a problem there. I told him I had to talk to my dad since it's his barn.

Dad and I talked. He said it was fine but they'd be my cats and he didn't want anything to do with them. I wasn't gonna take them, but the neighbor man called the next morning and asked what the verdict was. I said we'd take 2.

So, I stopped by on my way home from work and got two of the cutest little yellow and white kitties you've ever seen! They are friendly, which is different than a lot of barn cats, and adorable! We put them in a cage he had and he sent me on my way with a little bag of food.

I took them down to the barn and put the cage in the back of a buckboard, gave them some food and water, and told them I'd be back later.

Sis#3 and her family were out for supper last night. At about 8 we got finished eating and I told the kids we better go check on the new kitties. Dad said, "Can y'all feed down there?" Ok, no big deal. So we all fed the horses first then let one kitty out and let it run around for a little bit. I thought that if we let one out at a time they'd stay around. However we couldn't catch the thing. I pulled the other one out of the cage and handed it to Hoss thinking maybe the first one would come closer. Nope!

In the middle of all this Dad comes down with a load of feed. He then decided that since we had some extra help we should catch one of the mules so he could trim her feet. Here's the thing, Gumdrop(that's the mule) hasn't been haltered in at least a year. She's young and a little on the wild side. We got her caught, but she didn't get her feet trimmed. It was nearly dark, the kids were running around, Hoss is still trying to catch the runaway kitty, and the mule is pulling back and trying to kick Dad. She's now in solitary confinement!

I asked Hoss what we should name them. He said Ava. I said, "What about a cowgirl name?" He said one could be a cowgirl name and the other one was Ava. Why? Apparantly, there was a girl in his class named Ava. Oh my! I told him I thought we should see if Buzz wanted to name the other one. I called Sis#2 last night to find out what Buzz might want to name the other girl kitty. He said Emma. Emma is the youth minister's daughter and Buzz says they're gonna get married. He's 6 for crying out loud!

So, Ava and Emma were glad to get out of the cage this morning and run around a little bit. Thankfully, I was able to catch both of them and put them back!!!

We'll see how it goes tonight!!!

A Generous Gift

******Disclaimer: This isn't gonna be a "guy post" so y'all might wanna just skip this!******

Anyone who cooks wants and needs a Kitchen Aid mixer! I have never owned one, but use my mom's occasionally. "The Pioneer Woman" gives them away fairly often on her website. I've tried many times to win one, but the odds aren't in my favor when there are 40,000 others wanting the same mixer!

My dear friends made me a winner last evening! They gave me their wonderfully white Kitchen Aid! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!! I just keep thinking about all the great stuff I'm gonna cook with it and how much easier it will be.

So, I thank you "Friends" for the generosity and for always making me feel at home!

Here's another note about last night. My cooking friend Sarah made a yummy dessert with blackberries and rhubarb. I think it was technically a cobbler, but I don't know if that's what she called it. The topping/crust had all kinds of interesting flavors including maple syrup, orange, and basil. It was great and very refreshing with a little bit of vanilla ice cream. YUM!!!

Thanks for a wonderful evening!!!

He's whipped!

This last Sunday was my brother's first Father's Day as a father. We were hoping to all get together, but got derailed by two old steers!

Brother stopped by a couple days ago to get a couple shoes to use on one of his horses. Mom gave him his Father's Day card and a little gift. He proceeded to tell us about receiving his card from his wife.

He'd been out back doing something trying to get ready to go to worship. My sis-in-law came through the kitchen holding Ruby ready to go. Brother looks up and Ruby is holding his card in her sweet little hand and looking up at him with her big blue eyes. He said he just about lost it! I'm just about to lose it just writing this!

He asked my sis-in-law if she'd gotten her to hold the card. She said no, Ruby had taken it from her.

I knew he was in big trouble the first time I saw him holding her after she was born!!

A busted Father's Day

If anyone ever tells you that having cattle and horses is all fun they've never had any!

We only have two Texas Longhorn steers left. They were born at our place and will live there til they die which will hopefully be at the same time or we're in trouble! It doesn't matter if there's only two. They still can get out and cause problems. I have to admit that this time it wasn't completely their fault.

Apparantly, our big rains last week caused the dam to break on a pond on the property north of us. All the stuff had to go somewhere! It went right down through the creek on the backside of our place wiping out a huge portion of the fence. Since we didn't know, and of course didn't go check just in case, the steers wandered out and wound up about 1/2 mile behind us sometime Saturday night. We get the call about 9am Sunday morning and start the search. By noon Dad and I had found the steers, threw them some hay so they'd stay put, gathered up the fence fixing stuff and some sweet tea and was headed out.

Because of the tin horn being washed out going to the back pasture, we had to go up through the land to the north of us and cross the fence with all the stuff, then haul it to the creek bottom to get to work. Thankfully, it was only about 95 yesterday with about 105 heat index. I can't imagine if it had been hotter!

We got finished with that section of fence at about 4:45 in the afternoon. We ran out of sweet tea at about 1:30. Big problem! I should've hiked back to the house then and gotten more. Dad said we might be drinking out of the creek before it was all over. He wasn't too far off! We were both toast!

I have to say that I don't think I've ever been hotter, sweatier, or more tired than I was last night. Dad lost 3 1/2 pounds. I can't imagine I did too, but I'd like to think so.

Hopefully, the fence at the other end of the creek isn't as bad. I guess we'll find out tonight. I hope those silly big horned steers don't decide to find out for us!!!!

So, all of our Father's day plans were cancelled. I guess we'll try again another day!

Woody's Finger

Well, we've had a finger mishap. This happens with kids. No big thing.

Woody will be 4 in August and is the middle child of sis#2 and her hubby. Just a refresher in case we've all forgotten. Sometimes I get them mixed up.

Anyway, the other night Woody was taking a bath. They have a huge bathtub, but apparantly that's not good enough. He wants to get into the shower to suds and rinse off. I think the tub is just for practicing swimming and playing with the toys. So, he's in the shower and when my sis hears him crying. She thinks he's just gotten soap in his eyes. When she gets in there the shower door is open and his finger is bleeding. Woody evidently put his finger down the drain and when he pulled it out it cut his finger pretty good. His mom puts a wash rag around it and tries to stop the bleeding.

Woody just keeps crying and finally he says, "How are we gonna put it back together?" He thought he'd cut the end of his finger off! Mom had too explain that his finger was all together and was just cut. That made him feel a little better! It must've been cut pretty good because they had a hard time getting the bleeding to stop.

I'm sure he'll be good as new in no time!

Jessie Jane is Doomed!!!

Ok, if you are a guy, and I think there might be one or two who read this, you won't get this at all! And it might be inappropriate for me to even be talking about this topic in mixed company, so you might want to skip this post.

A few weeks ago, maybe a couple months actually, Jessie Jane was walking into the auditorium for worship on a Springy Sunday morning with her MaMaw. She had on a yellow plaid dress, pink sweater, tights and black patton shoes. Very cute!! I started out behind them, but somehow I wound up on the other end of the pew. All that is sketchy in my mind. This part isn't however! Jessie Jane wanted to come down and sit by me. I picked her up and put her on the pew and noticed her tights wer sagging. Apparantly, the tights were too short or didn't have enough elastic because the waistband was at her knees. I figured there wasn't any point in trying to pull them up so I just took them off and put them in the bag. Her mom, which is sis # 3, was still at home. I sent her a text and asked if she could bring Jessie Jane another pair of tights or some socks. She texted back, "Yes, what happened." I replied, "Her tights fell down."
"Oh NO!" was her reply.

I told MaMaw later that if it was already happening to her at 20 months old she was in big trouble. MaMaw made a profound statement.

"There's no hope!"

FYI-I wasn't texting during services. Nothing had started yet!

Another supper with friends!

I don't have much of a social life. Actually, that would be an understatement!!! So, when I get to have supper two times in one week with friends that is a major treat!

Last night I went to the home of my traveling friends. We had a smoky cheese fondue with all the goodies to dip into the yummy cheese. Oh my! Way fun.

We had some of the most interesting conversation last night!! Everyone was relaxed and we weren't in a hurry. Maybe it was just me. I was relaxed and not in a hurry. I was able to just take it easy for once. I don't do that very often. We decided we needed to adopt the "What's said here stays here" motto!!

Then we watched this nice movie called "The Inheritance" based on a book by Louisa May Alcott. It was so good. For a change we got a good one!

Then, one of the girls said, " Are we ready for dessert?" Helllllllloooooooo! I'm always ready for dessert!!!
They had made Tiramisu in beautiful wine glasses. Yummy!

Thanks girls for a wonderful evening!!!!!

A Mom Update

Mom went to the cardio doc today. Doc said everything was looking good. They hooked up to the EKG machine and there weren't any of the irregular beats. The medicine must be working!!!

Thanks again for all the prayers and support!

She gets to go back to work tomorrow. Which is probably a good thing since she's spent way too much time at home! She might be wearing an orange jumpsuit if something doesn't happen soon. I don't want to go into anymore details than that!!

A European Supper

I faced the fact a long time ago that I'll most likely never go to Europe. I don't really mind, but I'd like to see Ireland. Oh well.

However, I do have friends who travel the globe! A few years ago two of my closest friends went to Europe. This last April two more of my closest friends went to Europe. Last night I was able to sample a little bit of their trip in their own home. These two friends are half of the sister team I made the trek to Colorado with last fall. They would be the younger half. No offense older half!!

These two girls are beautiful, sweet, kind, and brave. I say brave because they went to Europe all by themselves for about 2 weeks back in April. Since they are both in their mid to late 20's they are definitely old enough to make such a trip alone. I will never be old enough!

Anyway, about supper last night. One of these girls is a chef. No, she hasn't been to that cooking school in Paris and gotten a certificate. She doesn't have to. She is an amazing cook and able to take something in her head and make it taste unbelievably good. I think that's amazing!!! She made a meal like one they ate in a cafe over there. Right now I can't remember which country. Sorry.

She fixed something called Fleming Stew, roasted potato wedges, fresh corn and zucchini salad, and a pear sauce on the side. You know, the pear thing might've been called something else, but that part doesn't matter. My question was, "What do we do with the pear sauce?" The girls said the stew was brought to the table in a big serving bowl. The pear sauce and potatoes were on the side. They just kinda took a spoon full of all of it and it was good. They were right! The stew was yummy. The potatoes were yummy. And the pear sauce was a lovely surprise with both!

Now about the corn and zucchini salad. She took raw corn fresh off the cob and mixed it with shredded zucchini, lime juice, and cilantro. OH MY LANDS! Very, very tasty. It was just what the meal needed to give it a summertime feel. Then I find out she just thought it up. What's that about?????

After supper we looked at pictures of their little jaunt across Europe. We only got through half of them before I was getting sleepy. We'll look at the other half soon.

See, I don't have to travel across a big batch of water in an airplane with a lot of people I don't know to get a little culture! It's just a few miles from my home!

Thank you "younger half" for being such good friends! When do I get to come over again for another culture session?????

Thank You!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and concerns for Mom!!! She's doing better. The medication seems to be helping. She's off work for a few days, which means she'll be home and going stir crazy, but maybe she'll get a little rest.

It's gotten very hot here all of a sudden. I'm glad she's inside taking it easy. I'm tired of sweating already and it's only June 2nd. I'm in big trouble!!!

Stay cool everyone!!

My Mom

I haven't talked much about my Mom in the year I've been writing this lovely blog. I think it's because she's not the drama magnet of the family. The drama seems to follow my Dad and many others whether they want it or not.

A few days ago Mom felt yucky when she got to work. Later in the afternoon the nurses in her office took her down to the Emergency Room. First, she tested positive for strep. Then, second, the ER doc said her heart had irregular beats and a lot of them. We found out about this first back in early February. I kinda thought it had been lined out with some new medication. Wrong! They ran more tests and found she has a leaky valve in the middle of the heart that pumps blood from one side to the other. Apparantly, this valve can repair itself if the irregular beats will go back to normal. She started a new medication and it already seems to be helping. She spent a couple days in the hospital so they could moniter her heart and now she's home and resting. Or at least she should be resting!

Since I'm a person who is an "optimist with experience", aka pessimist, I started having thoughts of what life would be like without my Mom. I'm not liking the sound of that at all. Even though I tell her often that I love her, I don't think she could even come close to knowing how much we all need her and love her. All the "Happy Mother's Day" cards ever made couldn't say it get the point across.

She says she feels better already and I'm so glad of that!! So everyone give your mom's a hug. They deserve it!!!

I missed the one year anniversary

I found out a few minutes ago that I started this blog thing on May 18th of last year. I so did not remember that! I'm a little scared to go back and read what I've written about over the last 12 months. I would imagine I've repeated myself several times about many, many things. That's what getting old will do for ya!

Not a whole lot has changed in my life in the last year. I now have another nephew and niece. I'm living in a new house, at least it's new to me. That's all the big changes I can think of.

Maybe it means I'm more settled than I have been in a while. I really like being at home. I like having central air I can tell you that!

I actually can't believe I'm still writing this crazy thing. Last night Buzz asked me how I started my blog. He said he wants to start an archeology for kids story on his own blog and tell about kids adventures. I'll link it up to this when it gets going. I'm sure it'll be interesting! He has quite the imagination. He told me the other day that it was hard to let go of kindergarten. I don't remember that, but I'm sure it's true!

So, readers, Happy First Anniversary!! Maybe by anniversary #2 I'll have figured the picture thing out!!

A long, long week!

I've heard it said that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. In my case it seems to make me very sore and tired!!!


Last week was one of the longest I've had in a long, long time. I realize all the hours are the same as they were the week before, but last week the hours were filled with sickness, storms, vet visits, and a flying trailer wheel.

I'm gonna try really hard to keep this from going on and on. So....i'm just gonna go straight to the wheel incident.

Last Saturday morning my dad and brother were going to Wichita, KS. They had to leave at 5am. I got up at 4 to get the horses and mules fed before they needed to be loaded. Friday night we got all the harness and goods loaded. All was going ok. I called brother at about 4:30 to ask him if he had any fly spray to take with them. No answer. He called right back and said his alarm didn't go off and it was a good thing I called. He wasn't very late and they got gone about 5:30. Not bad for our family!

By then the sun was trying to come up and it was a little lighter outside. I decided to go up to the north barn and feed up there and then go shower and lay down for a little bit before I had to go to work.

Then the phone rang at 6:05. It was brother saying he needed me to get in his truck and go to his place, get his trailer, and meet up with them cause they'd lost a wheel off the trailer on the highway. He started rattling off things I needed to bring. I told him to hold on a minute and I'd call him back when I got out of the shower. I was in his truck and driving off in 10 minutes.

I get to his house, hook up the truck to his trailer, give brother a call and start gathering chains and booms and whatever else he said to get. I left his house about 15 minutes later and headed across town to get to the highway. I made it to the other side of the river where they were pulled over at about 7:30. We then started moving the horses, mules, harness, etc. to the other rig. Brother started chaining up the back axle on the trailer. They first thought we'd just park the trailer somewhere off the highway and go back for it later, but after chaining up the axle they thought I could make it back home ok.

I pulled out onto the highway and they followed behind me and then got beside the trailer to check it all out. Next thing I know they blew by me giving me the thumbs up and went on. Right before we drove off I told dad that I guess I'd just call AAA if I had any trouble on the way back. I also told him that from now on I was gonna turn off my phone when they left!!

Thankfully, I didn't need to call anyone. I drove about 60mph and didn't have any trouble. I got to the exit into town and pulled into the first Sonic I could see!!! I then went on to the bank and made my deposit. That was at 8:30.

I made it back to the house, changed clothes and got to work by 10. Good thing I had several customers because I think I would've fallen asleep if I'd sat down for too long.

I guess the filming went ok in Wichita. They made it home in one piece. Sunday was quiet! I had to work, but I got home about 4:30 and took a nap before going to evening worship services.

Maybe this week will be nice and calm. I'm not holding my breath!!!

King George's Birthday!

Hey everybody! It's been a hundred years since I wrote a post on this thing. I probably have lost all 9 of my readers. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the thrilling and exhilirating content of this lowly blog.

Just so no one forgets I wanted to mention that today is King George's Birthday. Y'all know who I'm talking about! Well, just in case someone doesn't know me and my infatuation with the King since I was 12, I'm talking about George Strait. It's his 58th birthday today! How can a fella who is 58 be better looking than he was 30 years ago? It's beyond me!! It reminds me of Paul Newman and Cary Grant. They were both very handsome older men. I'm sure George would be glad to know I've grouped him with those two legends.

I'm sure George doesn't give a rip what I think as long as I buy his next album, which I will. OOPS! I mean cd. Does anyone remember albums????

I just showed my, age didn't I!?!

It's May!

I can't believe it's May 5th!!! I'm not really a Spanish wiz just in case anyone was wondering. HAHA. I just really love Mexican food!!!!

It's so beautiful outside these days! We took a trip northwest of here to Okeene on Sunday afternoon to watch brother in a Ranch Rodeo. The wheat looks great. Everything was green and blooming. Amazing!

I've talked about these Ranch Rodeos before. This one was way different than any I've been to though. It was a small production in an outdoor arena instead of a big coliseum. It was fun. Brother's team didn't do that well, but I'm not sure any of them had competed like that before. There was still quite the variety in cowboys though. Everything from the team roper type to the punchy guy with taps on his saddle. There was one team of four guys who were really good. They looked like they could've been brothers and were somewhere in between the modern looking guy and the punchy fellas. I don't know who won, but I think it had to be them.

It was fun and Ruby got to see her dad rope for the first time. I'm not sure if she was impressed or not. She didn't say. She got to ride with dad after it was over. That was quite a site. I love seeing my brother being a dad!!

It does the heart good!!!!!

Woody's Quotes of the day

Ok, I know y'all get tired of this, but what else do I have going on in my life????

A couple weekend's ago my brother, sis-in-law, and Ruby went to see sis-in-law's folks down in Texas. One big part of this trip was to get the very important photo of Ruby sitting in the lovely Bluebonnets. When they got back the photos were quickly sent out via email to all friends and family. They are adorable!!!

Sis#2 was showing Woody the pictures. He saw little Ruby sitting in the middle of the Bluebonnets and said, "Isn't that cute, she's planting seeds!"

Then sis#2 tells me later that she was looking at this blog while Woody was in the room. He saw the picture of the back of my head, the only picture on this thing, and said,"Is that Ghost Rider?"

I'm sure most of y'all don't know this, but "Ghost Rider" is a movie that came from a comic book about a daredevil motorcycle guy who turns into a flaming headed skull guy on a mission for good at night. The first thing I said was, "He's seen 'Ghost Rider'?" Apparantly, he hasn't, but the commercials must've been impressed in his little mind. That's scary!

Woody thought it looked like there was flames coming off the back of my head. Well, guess what? Sometimes there are flames coming out of my head! I just didn't think anyone could see them!!!

Quote of the Day

My nephew's have given many, many things to laugh about in the last few years. It makes me remember how innocent we were as children. Too bad that doesn't last forever!

Just the other day Buzz had a school wide track meet. The town where he goes to school is small, so we're not talking about thousands of kids here. His mother, sis#2, took Buzz to the porta potty (I'm not sure I've ever written those words before!).

She opened the door to go in and Buzz said, "This is a cute little place."

Oh to be a kid again!!!

The Flashback

Yesterday after worship services we went to eat dinner at the depot here in town. When we pulled up I noticed the carnival is coming in and getting set up for the celebration we have every year celebrating the land run. Does every town have a carnival at their celebrations??? Why is that?

Anyway, I had a little blast of a flashback and I had to chuckle. I got out of the pickup and went over to where Mom, Dad, and Grandma were getting out of Mom's pickup and I said to dad, "I just had a flashback."

Dad said, "What was that?" I replied, "Pasadena, 1982!" He started laughing and he said,"You carney?"

Here's the explanation. When we were kids Dad was a rodeo clown. Not a bullfighting guy so much, but a comedy act clown. We hauled down the road in a semi with a moving van trailer he'd overhauled. The front section he'd made into living quarters for all of us. The back part was where the car and the mule rode. That's where we spent weekends most of the spring, summer, and fall.

I guess we looked like we belonged with the carnival. When we pulled up to the gate to get into the fairgrounds in Pasadena, Texas the gate man hollered out, "You Carney?" Dad said, "No, Rodeo!" The man pointed us in the right direction.

Funny how things stick in our minds. We probably looked a little "Carney", but we definitely belonged with the rodeo.

Most of us get sick on carnival rides!!!

Change of Plans

No allergy testing next week. Had to go to a different doctor than before. Let's just say he's not my favorite person.

I've never used the words "cheezy and jerk" in the same sentence before, but that doc was a CHEEZY JERK! He didn't want to hear my plight. He took about a .02 second look at my hands and stated his diagnosis. If he winds up being correct I'll say he was a "Smart Cheezy JERK."

Ya know how sometimes you just get a bad feeling about something? I had it the second he walked in the door. I'm sure I'll get over it. I go back in 3 weeks for a follow up. We'll see how over it I am.

Allergy Testing

So, anyone remember the potato chip incident last October? This saga is never gonna end.

I may have mentioned this before. I can't remember. I finally broke down and went to a dermatologist in OKC because the swollen cracking hands thing has gotten way old! They've decided it's "contact dermititis" and I'm allergic to something I'm in contact with regularly. Many things have gone through my mind about all this. "Yikes!" might be the one that keeps screaming in my head. Next Monday the doc will put a patch on my back that has allergens inside that will help determine the problem. I wear this patch for 2 days, go back Wednesday, and they check it. I then go back again Friday for the end result, I think. It's crazy!

I realize there are much more important things in life than my little hand issue. But I'm just gonna tell you that it's been a long miserable 6 months. I've just felt some relief in the last couple weeks since they prescribed this special ointment to put on twice a day. If it was on my shins, knees, I don't know, some other place maybe I could take it. But the hands are so much in the middle of one's life.

And then I think about all the people who don't have one or both hands and it breaks my heart!

So, no more whining! We're gonna find the problem and fix it. Or we won't and I'll just go on and think of the poor people would give a million bucks for a swollen itchy hand!

Redneck Baseball

Saturday evening after all the visitors left my bro-in-law and brother took the older boys outside to expend some energy! I walked out on the back porch(for some reason unknown at this moment) and saw the funnest little baseball game ever being played. Sis#2 happened to be right there and said she had to go get the camera.

They had floor mats from the back seat of a truck and back door mats off the porch for bases. My brother was pitching. Bro-in-law #3 was catching. Bro-in-law #2 was outfield, Papa was on first base, and Sis#4 was out there too. Hoss, Buzz, and Little Joe were batting. All of them had on their boots and hats. What a picture!!! I guess one of the boys had picked up the plastic bat and ball off our Uncle and Aunt's porch on the way by. They all had so much fun!

Sis#2 and I went out for a little bit and got our turn to bat. My feet were hurting from the days activities so I had taken off my shoes and had on flip flops. Not so good for me to try to run the little bases in. Once I tried to run home and took a little nose dive. That hurt!!

Apparantly, my brother decided to throw a Nolan Ryan fastball at Buzz and got him on the chest. Thankfully he was ok! Good thing it was a plastic ball and my brother's really not Nolan Ryan!!! Sis got a picture of it for evidence though. I think she might be thinking of pressing charges.

The boys were getting use to the base running thing. One time Hoss was a baserunner and he went after the ball to try and get the batter out. Oops! They all had so much fun. I think the grown up's had more than the kids!

I left before it was over. After my little tumble I wasn't feeling so hot! Next time I'll leave the flip flops in the house!!!

A Redbud Revision and Other Things

Ok, after I wrote that last post Sunday night I realized something on the way to work Monday morning. The Blackjack trees weren't bare anymore! Either that happened overnight, or I never opened my eyes on Sunday at all.

Oh well.

Now, if you're a bird lover, tree hugger, PETA member, or weak stomached STOP READING THIS POST AND MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE!!!!!


Remember the snake incident from last summer? Ya know, the one where the snake was stuck over the door knob on my parents front door and poor unsuspecting Mom opened the door? We decided the reason the snake was there to start with was because there was a bird's nest on top of the door frame. I don't know if it was the same bird or it's relative, but a bird was trying last week to build a new home.

Bird's nests above the door drive my Dad bananas! Last year he fought with that bird over the nest thing for weeks. Everytime Dad would get rid of it the determined bird would build it back. And in record time too!

Dad was doing a little painting on the front of their house at the end of last week. The pesky bird(or it's relative) decided it was time to take up residence. Dad got rid of the nest Thursday evening. Friday morning my bro-in-law came in the house and said that the bird was back. I wasn't here, but I can imagine the look on Dad's face. It was probably the same look we kids got when we'd done something for the 100th time he had told us 101 times to not do! He went out with bro-in-law to check it out. The bird was on a branch singing away with an eye on it's newly constructed home. Dad told bro-in-law, "Keep an eye on that thing!"

My sweet little Daddy went in the house, brought out the shotgun, and took care of business! He will not be cleaning up a bird nest again! I'm fairly certain all the other birds sitting in the Blackjack tree in my parents front yard sent out the signal to stay away from "Crazy Cowboy the Bird Killer's " house.

My mother will hopefully enjoy a summer without a snake flying into her home!!!!

It's Springtime!

It's definitely Springtime! The Redbud trees are out and that's a real sign. That doesn't mean we won't have a snow next week, but the chances are slim.

I love the Redbud tree. As all of you who read this blog knows, it's our state tree. I have no idea when it became the state tree. All I know is that it is beautiful against all the still bare Blackjack trees we have around here. It's a little shot of color that gives us hope winter is over.

I can't believe it's April! Wow, where has the year gone!!!

One Big Kleenex

I never knew this would be my lot in life, but kids love to wipe their nose on me!

My brother started this when I was about 17. He would've been about 9 I guess. We were sitting in worship one Sunday morning and he was sitting next to me leaning his head against my arm. All of a sudden he turned his head and wiped his nose. I'm sure he'd done it before, but for some reason I really remember this particular time. Probably because I was wearing a blouse/skirt outfit I'd just made in Home Ec. class. Why do I remember that?

All my nephews have done it. I'm sure most of the kids I've babysat over the years have done it. Just this last weekend it happened numerous times on the same shirt! Yuck!

I went to sis#'s to help her last Thursday night. She was in charge of the food for a family retreat they were having at a youth camp. I don't know exactly how many people were there, but there were 18 kids. Evidently there was a miscommunication about the lesson's and child care and 3 of us wound up taking care of all the kids except my youngest nephew. He stayed with mom and dad. By the time it was over that night I'd been snotted on more than once. I think there must be a sign on my forehead that only little boys can see that says "wipe your dirty nose on me!" I think it must be below the neon flashing sign all the other's can read that says "walk all over me, I can take it!"

Well, I'm sounding like I'm a real door mat, and I am, but I would much rather kids liked to wipe their nose on me than were scared to be around me! Next time I might rig up a big ol' load of kleenexes on my arms! Maybe Mr. Puffs could work on that for me!!!

As for the door mat thing, that might take a little more work!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Friends, Good Food, BAD movie!

My dear sister friends came over last night. Of course, supper wasn't ready when they got to the house so they all jumped in and helped! We had this yummy Artichoke Pasta thing and Olive Cheese Bread I got off The Pioneer Woman website. Wow! It was all good!

I picked up a movie yesterday when I had to make a mad dash into Wal-Mart for French Bread, can't have Olive Cheese Bread without the bread. Bad idea! This movie was called "Soldier Love Story". The movie wasn't a complete disaster. It was just the soldier dude. He was way creepy! I've been trying to figure out a way to return this movie and not have to lie about it. I want my $12.00 back!!!!

We still had fun watching it but I think it was just because Sage and I couldn't keep quiet and kept making fun of the soldier guy. Just think of a young, muscled, Jim Varney(aka Ernest P. Worrel) in Army camo.

Not that attractive or my idea of a romantic suitor!!!!!!!!

I'm on a roll!

I'm evidently getting into the swing of this whole "40 new things my fortieth year" thing.

This weekend I actually had two days in a row off because of the snow. After I made the big drive home Saturday morning I put some butter out to soften and made some chocolate chip cookies. I can't have a snow day without them! And let me tell you something, my little 5'6" 155lb Dad can inhale those cookies!! He has no will power when it somes to the "CC" cookie.

I've been needing to recover the cushions on my dining room chairs. The fabric that has been on them for 40 or so years was toast and ugly to boot. This dining room set was my Grandparents when they got married and set up housekeeping in 1939. She sold it sometime in the 50's I think to her brother who had it in his home til about 6 years ago. Grandma then bought it back from him and gave it to me. I just started using it about 2 years ago when I lived alone for the first time.

Sorry, back to the cushions. When sis#2 was here last week she helped me, or I helped her, cover one of them with this great green cowboy fabric. Neither of us had done that type of thing before, but she's great with that type of thing. It gave me the kick start I needed to get the others done. I did one on Saturday and the other 2 Sunday afternoon. They look great! At least to me they do. I wouldn't want a professional upholstry person to even take a peek at them, but that's unlikely to happen. Add another new thing to the list!!!

As sis#2 and I were working on that first cushion I said, "I bet Grandma Great would have a fit at how we're doing this!" Grandma Great was our Grandma's mother who was a upholstrying machine and antique's dealer back in the 1950's-70's. Sister said she'd probably just be glad we were giving it a whirl. I'm not about to start up a business and don't really care to do anything like that again. But I felt good that it was done and they are so cool looking!

I also got a rod hung in the kitchen and curtain up in there. I love it! So, when my dad can help me get my big horns (actually, dad's big horns) on the wall it'll be just about finished. I'm so ready!!!

A Spring Snow Storm!

Don't you just love Oklahoma in the Spring! Just when one thinks it's time to put away the coveralls and wool socks a huge snow storm blows in and reminds us how unpredictable our weather is here in our great state.

Who knew this crazy weather would give me the opportunity to add to my "40 new things" list. My brother, sis-in-law, and Ruby went to Texas to take sis-in-law's mom home, or at least part way home. I went over to their place last night to feed and stay over since I would have to feed this morning. During the night the snow started flying and by the time I left this morning I needed to put my pick-up in 4 to get out. I left it in 4 all the way home! I'm talking all the way through town and on the highway. There were people all over the place and I was really hoping they'd stay away from me!

I realized when I had a death grip on my steering wheel coming through town that I had never driven in town when it was snowing and slick like that! I always make a point of being where I'm gonna stay when the bad weather hits. I don't like to drive in the bad stuff!!! So, I'm adding it to my list. Is anyone keeping track? Am I even remotely getting close to 40? I doubt it.

Here's a Dad story for you. We were down feeding tonight and all of a sudden he said, "Have you gotten any snowflakes up your nose yet?" I said, "Ah, no." He said," Maybe that's could be a new sinus rinse."

What????

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I love St. Patrick's Day!! No presents, no family gatherings, no months of decorations ahead of time, it's great!!

I don't think I have a lot of Irish blood in my family tree, if any. However, I've always felt like I have. I think it has something to do with "The Quiet Man". This just happens to be my favorite movie of all time! I remember when I was about 15 and movies were expensive on vhs and not many were out yet anyway. I was visiting my aunt and watching tv on a Sunday afternoon. I ran across this great movie after it had already gotten started. I was hooked! I couldn't count how many times I've seen it since. It has Maureen O'Hara, John Wayne, Mildred Natwick, Ireland, love, fighting, overbearing relatives. Pretty much everything I love in a movie. If you haven't seen it, you should asap!!!

So, hope everyone has green on today. I sure do!!!!!!!!

Shopping Excursion

Word of advice.......if you are taking a 20 pound baby on a shopping trip make sure you have a body builder (and make him a cute one!) with you to hold him the whole time!!!!

It's been a long few days with the time change, filming a movie scene, and keeping a couple kids at my house!

I'll get to some of that here today. Yesterday afternoon Sis#2 and I set out on a mission. She needed some "post baby" clothing. I need some of those too, but I didn't have a baby!

Anyway, we hauled Hoss and Jessie Jane back to town about 3:30 in the afternoon. We got home at 9pm. Snort was with us since his source of nutrition was Sis#2, if you get my meaning. No big thing, one baby, two grown women, we should be able to handle it, right?

Wrong!

He wasn't a happy camper last night! He didn't like the stroller, he didn't like the shopping cart with the cute little cover over the seat, and he didn't like the ride in his car seat. He just wasn't feeling like going on a shopping trip!

By the time we got finished sister's neck felt like it was separating from her body and my arms were JELLO! And when I say jello, I mean just when you've stirred in the hot liquid and it's still runny jello!

I got down to my house about 10, put on my jammy's and went to bed. I didn't wake up til the alarm went off at 7:30 this morning. I'm sure sister didn't get even close to that much sleep, but I'm older and I need my rest!!!

Besides, aunt's are suppose to get more rest, right?!?!?!

Snort and Buzz

My newest nephew is a sweetie! I realize that Snort isn't really a name that might be associated with a sweet baby, but it fits him perfectly.

This baby is all there! And I mean he's 3 months old and weighs 19 lbs. He's long and his hands are huge! I think he might have taken after the biggest relatives on boths sides of his family. He loves to talk to you and smile a lot. There's nothing sweeter than a chubby, smiling baby. In my opinion anyway!

Sis #2 and family are here for spring break! We've never really had spring break time before. I'm sure we'll have lots of fun while they're here in between all the exhaustion!

So, about Buzz, he lost his first tooth! He was very, very excited. It's on the bottom in the front. He told me he got a gold dollar that had a picture of Sacajewia on it. I'm sure I spelled that wrong, but he knew how to say it! I'm sure if I asked him he could tell me how to spell it.

Well, have a great weekend everbody!

Frogs are Croaking!

Well, it's official. Spring has to be on the way!

Yesterday I was watching Ruby at her house and my dad called me. He said the frogs at the pond by the barn were croaking and thought I'd want to know. YIPEE! I also found a tick crawling on my wrist the other day. I was hoping the bad winter would help with those things. Guess not!

Ruby and I didn't have our best day. I think she must've had a tummy ache because she was very, very unhappy for most of the morning. She cried more yesterday than she had all the other days I'd watched her combined. I finally gave up on trying to get to her sleep in the basinette and just held her. She spent a little time in the swing and a little time on the floor under the rainbow thing that holds toys, but other than that I held her. I hope she slept good last night!

Her mom and dad, my brother and sis-in-law, are adapting now to the loss of sleep I think. Yesterday I told sis-in-law that she didn't look like she was going to drop over now like a few weeks ago. She said she's more tired now that before and that looks could be deceiving. Oh the joys of parenthood!

I'm looking forward to a little spring cleaning, green grass and flowers blooming. Til all that happens I think I'll just listen to the frogs talking!

Hello to new friends.

First, before I get to my usual rambling, I'd like to say hello to a couple I met last weekend. I don't know their names(I'm bad about asking people!), but they came into the shop where I work and we chatted for a little while. Somehow this blog came into the conversation and they said they might try to look it up. So, Hello to the couple from Poteau if you find this crazy thing! Best of luck to y'all and it was great to meet you!!!

Now, I don't really want to think there's a chance winter is over. It's been so nice all this week. No stocking cap or coveralls are necessary to get around. I love that! I think we needed this rough winter to appreciate our "normal" winter's and give us one more reason to snicker at Al Gore. I can't believe I just wrote that man's name in my blog!

It'll probably snow within the next week or so, but for now we're just gonna enjoy the sunshine and warm temps!!! Have a great day everybody!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Sis #4 & Friend!

Today is my sister's birthday. She's a whoppin 34. Oh to be 34 again!!! Happy Birthday Sis! I hope you have a great day!!! 34 was one of my favorite year's ever. It was the year I became an aunt. I've been exhausted ever since!

Today is also the birthday of my dear friend Sage. I'm not going to say her age, but she's between me(I'm 40) and Sis#4. Sage has been connected with my family in some way or another for about 27 years now. She and Sis #3 were in the same class in 5th grade. She's not been able to shake us since! Happy Birthday great friend! I'm hoping you have a fun filled and exciting year!

Another first!

Well, you know, I'm still trying to do 40 new things for my 40th year. Yesterday I added a new item to my list. Although I'm not sure how many things are on the list at this point. I don't think I've hit 10 yet. I better get with it!

I have never just made up a recipe before. I'm talking the whole thing! It was kinda exciting and empowering. For just a little bit I felt like Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, The Pioneer Woman, and my friend Sarah(who probably cooks better than all the others!).

I got home late from work and didn't have a whole lot of time. I usually cook supper at my folks house since my mom works down in the City and gets home kinda late. I was struggling to find something to fix. Mom had fixed a big ol' bag of noodles the other night and they were still in the fridge. I browned some ground beef with a chopped onion then added some Italion Seasonings, ground garlic, and black pepper. It smelled pretty good at this point. Then I added a can of diced tomatoes(drained) and a can of tomatoe sauce and let it kinda cook for a little bit. I then added some heavy cream and let it cook for a while longer. I put the noodles in a 9 x 13 dish and poured the saucy stuff over it and stirred it all up. Put it in a hot oven covered for awhile til mom got home with some Mozarella. I pulled it out of the oven, added the cheese, then put it back in uncovered for a little bit til it melted. It was Yummy!!! My dad even liked it and he's pretty picky! Mom said it was kinda like Hamburger Helper which we never at when I was growing up so I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not, but she said she liked it.

When my dad said he liked it I told him he could thank The Pioneer Woman. He said, "Do I have to?" What I meant was that since I've been looking at her cooking blog and cookbook I've been a little more open to trying something a little different and new. Maybe a little more aggressive cook. I've always been a cook who had to have the recipe right in front of me and pretty much follow it to a tee! Now, it wasn't exactly the most healthy meal we've ever eaten, but it was low in sodium for my dad! That's huge!!! I think next time I'll try it with some penne pasta. That would be great!

So, what can I call this? Any ideas???? Homemade Hamburger Helper is not an options by the way! I only need to come up with something so that when my dad says, "Hey can you fix that noodle thing" we can actually call it something nice.

"Okie Woman"

Oh my lands! Karin I love that poem!! Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us and thinking of me.

That's exactly how I feel about this place. It's crazy, I know, and I'm not saying I couldn't ever live anywhere else. But this is home for me and always will be. I love so many things about it. Sometimes it's the very things that drive me bananas! You know, things like the wind which is whippin today like crazy. However, sometimes without the wind we'd never dry out!

Our "friends" across the Red River think their state is the best at everything. It's an ok place, but our state is pretty good too. It might be 1/4 the size, but sometimes big is just big, not necessarily better!

A Bare Minerals Makeover

My dear friend Sage has signed us up for a makeover at the Bare Escentuals store in OKC. It will be Sage, Tera, Anna, and myself heading down there Sunday afternoon. I think Sarah must have more sense than the rest of us because she isn't going!!

I have to tell you that I can't wait!!! Mostly because I'm gonna get to spend some time with my friends who I rarely get to see these days even though we only live about 6 miles(as the crow flies) apart. None of us grew up wearing make-up. This is all new to us. So we like this brand for the following reasons:

It's easy!
It looks very natural!
and.....
It's kinda like a cult!

I'm not kidding! Once you get to using this stuff you just want more. I love it.

And here's what I really hope from our outing on Sunday afternoon. I really, really hope we get to go to The Cheesecake Factory!!!

I love that place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Little Joe and Family visit

It seems like ages since New Year's and the whole family was here for our holiday together. Sis #4 and family are here this weekend for a visit. How can a 5 year old grow so much in so little time? Little Joe is so much taller than he was a few weeks ago!!! I couldn't hardly believe it. He's always had allergy problems and it's giving him fits right now.



This trip they are staying up at our folks house since no one else is here visiting. Little Joe wanted to come to my house and stay last night. Great! We trekked down there about 9:30, did his breathing treatment, and read "Ernest and Twist" (love that book!). He didn't want to stay in the kids' room since his mom and dad weren't in the guest room next door I guess. So he bunked with me. No big deal except he wakes up coughing several times and the dog keeps barking outside so I have to let her in. That wasn't Little Joe's fault. Then about 5:45am he wakes up telling me he's hungry. I think my response might have been, "Are you kidding me?"

I kept putting him off on the hungry thing, but all of a sudden he says my ear hurts. I got the flashlight and looked at it. I don't see anything. Every little bit he said it hurt. So we finally got up and went to the living room. I got him so goldfish and a drink. Then the ear thing got worse. He said when he swallowed it hurt. I thought maybe a warm wet cloth would help. It did for a little bit, but then the hurting kept up. He started crying and about 7 I said let's go. I got his stuff on him and I pulled on my coat and stocking cap(over my flannel pj's and robe, NOT PRETTY) and we jumped in the truck to go up to MaMaw and Papa's.

Papa was sitting at the table eating his breakfast when we walked in. I guess everyone heard up pull up and come in the door. Joe's dad came out of the room and started to take him in with him. I told him what was goin on. My dad, that would be Papa, said "It's a little early for you to be goin to work isn't it?" I stepped around the chair and said, "Do I look like I'm ready for work?" He kinda chuckled and said he couldn't see below my coat where I was before. Everyone had a little laugh at my scary looking get up. Then my dad chimes in,"You should get a picture of that outfit and put it on your blog." I don't think so!!!

It was determined that Little Joe had an ear infection. They gave him some tylenol and it wasn't hurting so bad after that. They started making phone calls to get him into a clinic this morning. Turns out he didn't really have an ear infection yet, but he need more meds for his asthma and a little ear cleaning. I won't go into details there.

After that I left the folks house and went back down to my place to get ready for work. I was just about to go up the back door steps when I heard a laugh coming from the direction of my Aunt and Uncle's house. Uncle happened to be out on his back porch and saw me. I guess he thought my outfit was funny too. I didn't really think too much about it when the kid was crying and I was just pulling stuff on to get him out.

Thing is, they've all seen me like that before. I don't know why it's so surprising!!! But don't think I'm ever gonna post a pic like that on here!!!!!!!!!!

A day with Ruby

I have a new job. It's just temporary, but I think I'm gonna like it!



I will be watching Ruby on Tuesday's til my bro and sis-in-law find a regular sitter. Yesterday was my first day. I haven't really gotten to spend much time with her the first 5 weeks of her life, so I wasn't positive how she would take to me. Thankfully, she's been held by a lot of different people and probably thinks we are all the same one and didn't seem to mind.
She started crying while her parents were getting ready to leave. She was very tired and fights going to sleep like crazy. By the time they left she was ready to eat and take a nap.

We had a great day! No major problems. Just the normal eat, sleep, change diaper, etc. She's so sweet!! I'm sure all aunt's think this of their newest niece.

I'm still coming to grips with the fact that my brother is a dad. For some reason this is harder than my sister's being mom's! Maybe it's because he's the youngest. Or maybe it's cause he looks like Howdy Doody. Or maybe it's just because I'd conviced myself it wasn't ever gonna happen to them. Anyway, when I see them with her I'm so happy for them, and for all of us!

And then I get to go home and get a good nights sleep! I love being an AUNT!!!!!!

I'm a Copy Cat!

On Pdub's blog yesterday she listed things that she loves. The list was very entertaining and diverse. Not that my list will be entertaining to anyone, here it is anyway.

Sunshine

Rain

Green grass

Babies

Family

Good Friends

Milk Chocolate

George Strait music

Hooded Sweatshirts

Tall mud boots

Dublin Dr. Pepper

Sonic Dr. Pepper

Any Dr. Pepper

Crushed Ice

Jokes told by a 3 year old

Fat Jeans

My dog

Pride and Prejudice

John Wayne movies

Gerbera Daisies

Cactus

Apple Pie

What's some thing's you love????

Valentine's Day

Let's just say that I'm not a fan of this holiday. I really should work in a flower shop because I don't give a rip about having the day off!! Actually, I did work in a flower shop a couple years at V-Day and I loved it!!! There's something about stripping thousands of roses of their thorns that made it all better for me.

Anyway, I don't want to sound like I've had a bad experience here, so I'll just say this. Having nephews and nieces make Valentine's Day have a whole new meaning for me. It doesn't have to be a day about a "couple". It should be a day to think of all the one's we love. Whether it's family, friends, or a sweetheart.

Those kids mean the world to me and I can't wait to see them all this weekend!! Sis#2 is coming over with her little herd. It will be the first time she gets to see Ruby. Ruby and her parents are coming over tonight so they can all meet up. As much as Woody and Buzz love their brother Snort, I think they'll be crazy about Ruby. There's just something about a little redheaded baby girl that's special. Well, special to me anyway!!!

So, have a lovely Valentine's Day everyone. I mean it, really I do!!!!

A Night with Friends

Apparantly I'm not just a Jane Austen junkie. Last evening I went over to my friends house for supper. These would be the same friends I went to Colorado with for my birthday last fall. The whole clan was there, which is a lot of them.

We had some yummy enchiladas. We had a chocolate/cherry dessert that was unbelievably tasty!

And then we searched Netflix for something to watch. They had told me about this BBC series called "North and South" they'd watched a few months ago. Course, I had a flash of the miniseries "The North and the South" with the wicked "Virgilia" which debuted when I was in jr. high or maybe high school. That one isn't so family friendly. We finally settled on the BBC version. 4 hours later we had finished the whole thing. I Loved it!!!!!!!

It was full of heartbreak and sadness, but still had a sense of hope that all would be ok. The lead character, Miss Margaret Hale, was a very kind but strong minded woman who we could all take a lesson or two from on how to behave. At least in my opinion.

I recommend it to all of you!

And thank you so much for the great evening, Friends!!!

Jane Austen Addict!

I know that most of you know this, but I'm a bit of a Jane Austen freak. Not that I've read all the books, because I've only read 2. How sad is that??? But I love the movies. I can't get enough! Every time there's a new version of "Emma" or "Sense and Sensibility" I have to see it.

One would never think this of me if they saw me in my everyday life. You know, the mud boots, stocking cap, bandanna on my face look I'm always sporting this time of year.

I think it has something to do with the fascination of the plight of women at the time in England. Actually, I'm always shocked by the treatment of women in the past. I guess it's not really the treatment but the sheer lack of rights at all. I'm talking if you were a poor chick, like me, you were slap outta luck unless you found a wealthy husband!!! What's up with that???

And when I stop and think that things have changed a lot in the last 150 or so years, they really haven't. Let's face facts girls, it's a man's world! I really don't mind this as much as all of you think I do. And I'm afraid that we've done it to ourselves. Well, not necessarily "we" who are reading this, but our gender as a whole. The "liberated women" of our world haven't really helped our plight.

Do I think we should get the same pay as a man? Only if we can do the same job.

Do I think we should have the opportunity to try to do the same job? Absolutely!

Are there jobs women shouldn't try to do? Definitely!

Should women get taken advantage of when we go to a mechanic to get the truck worked on? NEVER!

Wow, where did all that come from??????

I think Miss Jane Austen would feel the same way if she were here today! Don't you?

Slick Mud

Did you know there are different types of mud? I don't know if this happens with all mud, but our red dirt around here has a personality all it's own!

We've had so much rain and snow here in the last couple months I'm not sure when we'll dry out. Thankfully, some smart person invented tall mud boots and 4 wheel drive pick-ups! When we were growing up we didn't have a 4 wheel drive's. Now we won't buy a truck without it. We spent plenty of time digging out in the old days. Sis #2 and I got so tired of getting in trouble for getting stuck we wouldn't get dad to come pull us out with the tractor unless it was absolutely a last resort. So, we got pretty good at getting around in the mud. I'm saying all this so you'll believe me when I tell you there are different stages in the drying out process.

First, when it's just finished raining or snow is first melting there's the "slick" stage. And I'm talking you think you've just stepped on ice slick! If you catch a rut or have to go down a little hill it could be a painful experience. Also, this is when there's the most "splashing" going on. When there's some horses trotting up close to get some hay it's gonna get messy!

Second, once the sun's out and it's trying to dry there's the "sticky" stage. This would be the time when strong legs are what a girl wants. I've been stuck more than once. I've had my boot come off more than once. Neither is good. You never want to be stuck with hungry horses around you and you've got an armload of hay.

I realize this isn't a scientific. It's just an observation from a girl who's been in the mud a little bit in her lifetime.

We were just getting past the completely sticky stage today until it starting drizzling this afternoon. We wound up back to slick in no time.

Maybe by July we'll dry out! Meanwhile, I'll keep my mud boots handy and my truck fueled up!!!

Snow Days with Hoss

I spent the last 4 days with Hoss. I went and picked him up in town on Thursday when we knew the weather was getting bad. He gets way restless and it would be easier on Sis#3 with only 2 restless kids instead of 3.

He was so excited that he was coming out. We ate pizza, played Go Fish, did homework, and played in the snow some. He has this fascination with icicles. That's probably just a kid thing, but I haven't been one in so long I don't remember(right, Sage?).

Hoss is very much like me in that he's the oldest and kinda bossy. However, when we were walking up to Mamaw and Papa's house this morning I had a little flashback from 30 years ago when we'd be running down the driveway while the bus driver was honking and sis#3 would be lolligagging. Hoss was way, way behind me kicking the snow. I had to holler at him to hurry it up I was running late for work. He finally started moving.

My uncle said he remembers one Sunday morning he happened to be riding into worship services with us. All was in the truck except sis#3. She finally comes out of the house and as she's walking by she leans over and smells the Lavender blossoms. He says we all freaked out. I don't remember this at all. Probably because it happened so much I couldn't keep it all in my memory bank.

Now I can see that it's one things that makes her so special. Sis #3 can turn something plain into something beautiful in no time. Whether it's decorating cakes or flower arranging or supper, it's always gonna be great!

Anyway, Hoss went home today. I think this will be one of those special things we talk about when he's grown and I'm really, really old!!!!

Sore legs!

Yesterday I had a crazy idea. I'm not sure what came over me, but I thought I'd take a trip down to the mailbox and get all the mail. It had been 2 days since anyone had been down there and I thought there might be something good. By this time there was probably 4-6 inches of snow on top of some ice. A couple times I got a little to much on the edge of one of the ruts in the road and about lost it. Let's just say it probably would've been good watching for someone who loves "America's Funniest Home Videos!"

By the time I got back up to the top with my armload of mail my legs were burning! I had a small little flashback to our trek up the mountain back in September. And then I realized I could still breath so it wasn't anything like our trek up the mountain in September.

About the time I got up from the mail run Dad was already out doing chores. We had to haul hay down to the steers and then go down to feed at the south barn. By the time we got done I wasn't sure if I would be able to eat supper I was so tired. HA! I'm never too tired to eat!

When I got up this morning I felt the effects of my snow walking yesterday. It wasn't too bad except my calves, for whatever reason, are the most sore. Maybe it was the mud boots, or maybe it was because I had my coveralls tucked down inside and it was a wee bit tight. Anyway, ever so often I'm reminded of how I should be walking in the snow all the time and I'd be in WAY better shape!!

I finally got my apple cobbler fix this afternoon. I think it might be one of the best I've ever made. Not that I'm trying to brag on my cooking, but it was pretty stinkin' tasty!!!

Good thing I've been burning some calories the last few days!!!!!!!!!!!

Winter Wonderland

Well, it's here. The weather guys have been talking about this storm for a week. Thankfully, here it hasn't gotten as bad as they first thought. I think there's about 1/2" of ice on the trees. The snow's been coming down since last night around 10 and it's not suppose to quit til after dark. We'll see how much we get!

I'm always amazed at how quiet snow makes the world. Maybe it works as a buffer. Maybe it's just because nobody is out and about. I love that part.

Doing chores around here takes twice as long as usual, but that's just part of the deal. The ice on the tanks and pond this morning was about 2 inches thick, but it was kinda a slushy ice. Does that make sense? It wasn't too tough to break.

It's almost time to go out again and get everything fed. I think I'll go have another chocolate chip cookie!!