My loves, my life

In Search of Eagles

2012-01-27T20:20:00.000-06:00

We have been planning a day trip to Clarksville, MO for weeks now. But it seemed every time the weather was nice one of us was working. So Wednesday, with the forecast of mid-30's and rain, we headed to Clarksville in search of Eagles. Even though we were warned not to...

Wednesday morning around 5:00 I sent an email to my friend Patti at Osage Bluff Quilter that we planned on finally going to Clarksville. She replied back that she recommended " pick another day, a lot of times antique store are closed on Monday." Then ended her email with "Have a great Wednesdy!" We scratched our heads at that one as we headed out the door. (Sorry Patti, but I had to rib you a bit!) When we got home there was an email from her about a "Senior Moment" and that she did know it was Wednesday. Boy do I understand those Senior moments!

It may have been cold. It may have been spitting rain. And yes, it was a dreary day. It was so much fun! There were a few Eagles to be seen when we got there, but not a lot. So we spent time going through the many artisan shops. Gorgeous stuff to be seen! I didn't take my camera inside the shops, but here are some links if you want to see the one of a kind furniture.

At the The Windsor Chair_shop, we watched the artisan stain one of the chairs he was making. He does all of the work himself with one young lad helping him. Special orders are backordered to September 2013!

We also enjoyed visiting The Bent Tree Gallery, where gorgeous bent tree willow chairs, leather purses, and so many more hand made items were on display. Stacy greeted us as she worked on one of her beautiful leather purses.

As we headed into another shop, a guy with a camera equipped with a lense that made me drool, poked his head in to say the Eagles were swooping where some dead fish had washed up. What?!?! And we are in shops? No way. Back outside in the misty rain we went. And we were not disappointed.

If you'd like to see more of our trip to Clarksville, click on the video below.

No words are needed

2012-01-24T11:17:00.002-06:00

10 Year Old Boy with Autism Sings Open the Eyes of My Heart

Despite being blind with autism, this 10 year old boy is an inspiration to all. He still has faith in God and a beautiful gift of music. Listen to him sing Open the Eyes of My Heart. Beautiful.

Birthday Shopping

2012-01-16T16:55:00.000-06:00

She's bubbly, beautiful (but don't tell her) a total space cadet (in a good way), smart as a whip, sweet as the milk shake she had for lunch, and she turned 12 today! Happy Birthday to my sweet Granddaughter, Cara.

Cara peeking out of one of the MANY dressing rooms she spent her day in.

We spent the day shopping at the Lake. Thank goodness Tessa went with us. This shopping with an almost teen can sure get confusing. Too tight, not tight enough? Too short? (yep) Need another jacket? (no way!) How funky is too funky? It is enough to make this Grandmother's head ache. In a good way, though. We got some really good deals and had a lot of fun to boot!

Cara's funky feet

Her cute feet kind of reminds me of the 60's Nancy Sinatra song about boots and walkiing... Ok feet, start walking! Me? I'm pooped!

Pointless

2012-01-14T09:07:00.003-06:00

" Weekends don't count
unless you spend them
doing something completely
pointless. "

Bill Watterson

Leave me alone I tell ya... I'm purrrfecting my tan

I plan on making this weekend count!

I SPY!

2012-01-11T09:05:00.001-06:00

Here it is. HIS box!

As we laid out the assortment of treasures from Jim's box of old, I was reminded of the children's books, "I Spy"

Keep in mind that this box was packed and toted out of Jim's home when he moved out at the age of 19. That was almost 40 years ago!

Iggy guessed the tools of his trades, but at that point he didn't have any trades, so that wasn't it. He also suggested "lacy racies" (shame on you ;). The closest he came to lacy racies is the hair pins of mine that he collected. I was bad about leaving them in his car and he was good about saving them.

A lost and found collection of bobbie-pins

Julie guessed year books, model cars and pictures. You got the cars part right! But there was oh so much more!

An old model and car, old bottles and oh so much more!

I SPY... fools gold in a tobacco pouch, little boy bow ties, a doggy pin from his grandma, 4 leaf clover and pocket knives from his dad, his grandpa's old cuff links, a Walker Motor Company (now gone) pencil from Chamois, Old Zippo lighter, religious medals, ink pens, a peach seed carved into a monkey, old broaches, steering wheel turning knob off of an old 49 Ford pick up, tie clasps, santa with a light up nose that doesn't work anymore, a yoyo, a plastic cow made to be stuck in a streak to tell how it was cooked, his grandpa's old wallet, a little plastic globe, drink stirrers, a pinocchio pin

And that, my good friends, is what was in HIS box!

One goal down

2012-01-08T19:28:00.000-06:00

Todays' temperatures were cool - only in the low 40's - but the day was oh so pretty. The skies were overcast, but no rain or snow in sight.

When we got home from Church this morning, we decided to pack a thermos of the "good coffee" (Harry & David's Moose something or other) and head out for a little Eagle watching. Since we were basically on a Sunday afternoon drive and staying close to home, we really didn't expect to sight any.

My insomnia had kicked in again last night, so while Jim drove, I laid my head back and closed my eyes (aka fell asleep). I was rudely awoken with an exclamation from Jim, "There's an Eagle". I'm sure it is! See that white head? That's no hawk, that's an Eagle!" Of course by then it was too late for a photo op. Never mind the fact that I was rubbing my eyes, adjusting to the light. Never fear! Jim turned that car around, hit the flashers, and rode the shoulder of the road back to the site of the sighting.

And so today I saw my first Eagle ever! I'm so excited!

Hey Eagle... don't you pretend you don't know I'm down here! Gotcha!

Just because your majestic white head is the same color as the sky, I can still see you. Yes I can!

After harassing this guy, we headed on down the river road of Hwy 94 towards Portland, MO to walk along the Katy Trail. We didn't go far before another Eagle took flight out of a tree above our head. This is exciting stuff. If you live in this area and want to walk a beautiful part of the trail, the section beginning at Portland runs parallel with the Missouri River for a long way. I'm looking forward to seeing it in the Spring, again in the Summer and then especially in the Fall.

The Eagles perched on the trees in the photo below were on the other side of the river. As we walked along the trail we could hear their shreik in the distance.

Positioned ready to swoop down on fish in the Missouri River

Me taking a photo of him

Him taking a photo of me

A beautiful section of the Katy Trail - Portland, MO

We are going to go to Clarksville later this week with high hopes of seeing and getting more pictures of Eagles - the symbol of our Nation and Freedom.

Now, about HIS box. I am curious. What do people think might be in that box? Any guesses? Come on, humor me.... Make a guess!

And guess what? I get to take Eagle watching off my goal list already!

Triangles and Eagles

2012-01-06T18:02:00.000-06:00

I'll get to HIS BOX blog post eventually. I will! No, I'm not procrastinating - I just haven't done it yet. Should I add it to my goals? If I haven't done it by Monday, I will. So there.

My Christmas Post included a picture of Tessa, Julie, and Alicia with iron triangles. Chicago Lady asked what the significance was of those triangles. Here is the story.

We moved here in 1981. Since we had a little acreage, our children tended to wander. So did my husband. I was constantly yelling at them when it was time to eat - to no avail. One year, during one of our many trips to Branson and Silver Dollar City, we decided to buy one of their iron triangles. The one we have was made by Shad Heller.

Iron triangle made by Shad Heller at Silver Dollar City

If you read the story, you will see he was quite a personality. We always enjoyed visiting with him during our many visits to Branson. Once we got the iron triangle, everyone knew that when they heard the clanging, they'd better drop what they were doing and come running.

This year for Christmas we thought it would be fun to carry on the iron triangle tradition with our kids. So we found another personality, Osage Bluff Blacksmith, through his wife, Osage Bluff Quilter and had a triangle Christmas! We met The Blacksmith and Ms. Quilter through our blogs, but have since found our lives are very similar. What great friends!

Daughters, Julie and Tessa, and Daughter-in-law, Alicia, opening presents of triangles

One of my goals is to take time to go Eagle Watching. Cheryl of The Farmer's Daughter asked where we go eagle watching. I'm probably not the best person to ask that question of since I have never spotted an eagle. My daughter in law was telling me last weekend that one swooped down in the front of her car while she was driving to her brother's house. Now that would have scared me to death. But what a thrill!

Last year we went to the Lake of the Ozarks and happened onto Willmore Lodge. You can read that post here. We seriously talked about returning there within the next few weeks with big ol' thermoses of coffee and the camera and hanging out on the wrap around deck. But we've decided to try someplace else. By the way, it is Eagles Day at the Lake of the Ozark this weekend.. For more information on places to go for the best Eagle Watching opportunity, go to the Department of Conservation's web site.

Our plan is to head towards Hannibal, MO to the little town of Clarksville. According to their official website,

Clarksville, MO is located on Missouri Highway 79 which is part of the Great River Road and is one of the most scenic highways along the Mississippi River. It overlooks U.S. Lock and Dam 24, providing a close vantage point to
view all river boat and barge traffic. This City, located in Pike County, is also
one of the largest winter migrating areas for the Bald Eagle. Clarksville is filled with artists, potters, glass blowers, jewelry designers, antique dealers, furniture makers, and specialty craftsmen.

Clarksville is on a National Scenic Byway and lies halfway between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, halfway between Hannibal and St. Louis, MO and is near the Clarence Cannon Dam and Mark Twain Lake. It rests at the foot of Lookout Point/Sky Lift Hill, the top of which affords an 800 square mile view of the river and valley and is one of the highest points on the Mississippi River.

I'm lookin forward to this road trip. Is there any doubt that there will be pictures? Maybe not of Eagles, although I hope so, but pictures never the less.

Goals

2012-01-05T18:31:00.003-06:00

I've noticed as I blog hop that many have opted against new year resolutions and instead have posted goals. I'm not sure I understand the distinction between the two, but hey whatever works. I don't believe anything long term will work for me. So I am trying a bit of a twist to the goals idea.

On my side bar you will see a list of goals. But only one month's worth. And only a few. At the end of the month, I will check them off as complete or incomplete. If I didn't get them done, maybe I'll move them on to the next month, or more likely I'll decide if I didn't do it, it isn't going to get done. Time will tell.

I planned on doing a "What's in His Box" post today, but blogger took exception to my pictures. I'll give you a hint, though. HIS box is a lot more diversified and interesting than mine was. Soon! I promise!

Dear Diary

2012-01-03T11:19:00.000-06:00

When we dug the Christmas "stuff" out from under the steps this year, Jim decided to pull some old boxes out that had been stored in the back of the storage area for many, many years. Neither one of us had any idea what was in those boxes. What a treasure trove!

There were things from before we got married and some other stuff. One box mostly contained keepsakes of Jim's and one box was full of... wait for it... my diaries. I've always wondered what happened to my childhood diaries. And now I know.

39 years worth of diaries. The earliest is the Black Five Year Diary with lock and key. It was given to me on my birthday in 1964. The last Diary was in 1999.

I think Jim said it best. If there was a slip of paper available, I would write on it.

The very first entry: May 20, 1964. Dear Dirary, today was my birthday & I got a pair of pants, a pair of booteeze, a dollar, a long chappel veil, a party, & a diary (you). Good Night. P.S. I am 12 years old.

I also found a poem I wrote when I was 16 that I have searched for many times over the years. I always remembered it and wanted it back.

The Moody Heart

I guess when you really look at me

With frank and truthful eyes

I am immature and quite naive

With a heart that yearns and sighs.

The weird thing about this poor little heart

Is it doesn't know what it desires

It looks for love, though it's in the dark

And the least spark sets it on fire.

It wants friends that are ready to stay

And help when there's a need

And friends who understand the way

My heart is filled with greed.

My heart needs more than friendship, too

It needs a love that's strong

A love to stand the hardships through

And last me all life long.

As you can see, quite readily

My heart's a complicated thing

Love brings it a happy melody

But lost love just bring it pain.

Right now it's at the breaking point

Tomorrow may bring nothing wrong

But through happiness and all that disappoints

My heart'l go on, and on.

Deanna 16

Ringing in the New

2011-12-31T09:35:00.001-06:00

This is it. The end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012.

Just think, we will have an extra day in which to complete those many projects next year. It is a leap year! I've always felt a little sorry for anyone born on February 29th. They are in limbo. Do any of you have a leap day birthday? When do you celebrate? Inquiring minds want to know.

To all of my friends, Happy New Year!

To those who want to see smiling faces opening Christmas Presents, just click here....

Challenges

2011-12-29T09:40:00.000-06:00

How do you like my dirty window? Or did you only notice my pretty African Violet that is flourishing, but has yet to yield any drop dead gorgeous blooms? Both are challenges. The window is too high for me to just run outside and clean. It takes an extension ladder. Maybe we (Jim) can tackle that challenge this Spring. I've watered and fed my African Violet and offered filtered light (admittedly through a dirty window). When I bought it for 50 cents at Lowes, it was almost dead. So I am obviously up for challenges. But what now... Less water? More fertilizer? A challenge.

We just paid our real estate and personal property taxes. Talk about a challenge! Of course the challenge of income taxes will soon follow. Ugh. Maybe I'll try facing that challenge head on and get it done right away rather than waiting until the last minute like I usually do.

Whether she realizes it, I don't know, but my daughter, Tessa, and her family, gave me a challenge for Christmas. They gave me a gift certificate from blog2print to get my blog made into a book. Now that is super cool! It is also going to be a super challenge.

I've been blogging since the end of 2007. Many of my posts are not book worthy. Admittedly, none of my posts would be book worthy to the rest of the world, but to me they are a point in time that I obviously thought noteworthy or I wouldn't have blogged about it. I went to the website today and checked things out. This is going to be great but... a challenge! I've decided the simplest way to do this is to start from the very beginning (like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music, singing Do Re Mi). That's a very good place to start.. and label each post that I want included in the book. Then I can process it and see where the cost is and add or delete. Oh yes, this is definitely going to be a challenge. A wonderful challenge.

Shoot, I just noticed cob webs behind my blinds. Another challenge! I'll be back later. It looks like I have some cleaning to attend to.

Awayward in the Manger

2011-12-26T09:54:00.001-06:00

Thirty or so years ago Jim gave me a Precious Moment's Nativity set for Christmas. Every year since, I have carefully set it out for all to see.

It usually looks something like this. Mary and Joseph and a little lamb watching over baby Jesus, and the Three Wise Men off in a distance. After all, according to the bible, they are coming from Persia and aren't there yet.

This year the wise men saw a little action. Jim's mom took a liking to one in particular and was bound and determined to take it back to the nursing home with her. You can see his little crown poking out of the top of the kleenex in her hand. When Emily asked her what she was doing, she told her that "Nana told me I can have it". We now call her Cleptograndma.

When I got up Christmas morning, all three Wise Men were back in place, safe and sound. Apparently they couldn't wait to see baby Jesus, and chose to come from on high rather than from afar. At some point the crib was re-roofed with a coaster. I wonder which grandkid is going to fess up to the redecorating...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We certainly did. Nothing makes me happier than see family spend time together. We ate, drank, played, talked, ate, drank, talked, played, ate... and then read the Christmas Story of the birth of baby Jesus right before opening presents. We also took LOTS of pictures. As I looked through them, I noticed an amazing number of pictures of people taking pictures.

Since we celebrate with the family on Christmas Eve, after we went to Church Christmas morning, we had the whole day to ourselves. The temperatures rose to the upper 50's. What a beautiful day! Other than taking a walk to the pond and back, we just hung out all day. How did you spend Christmas?

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T08:21:00.002-06:00

From our house to yours

Merry Christmas!

An early Christmas present to myself

2011-12-23T16:11:00.000-06:00

Every year the week before Christmas I give myself an early Christmas present. Yes, I am selfish that way. But I love myself, so each year I do it.

This morning I headed to the outpatient hospital clinic and trudged down the long hallway for my annual mammogram. We've all heard the jokes about mammograms... you know the lay down on a cold concrete floor with your boob wedged under the rear tire and have a friend back over it a few times... there are hundreds of mammogram jokes out there. But. Mammograms are no joke. They save lives. Eight years ago a mammogram saved my life. If you are 40 or older, please do yourself a favor and get your annual mammogram.

Every year I try joking with the technician, saying things like "you are going to give this to me half price since you only have to do one scan, aren't you?" or "don't get confused and scan the wrong side, it might pop". They are always nice and joke back. I'm sure they've heard it all.

So today was Merry Christmas to me! Have you don't anything nice for yourself this Christmas?

Oh, and I'm not a complete masochist. After my mammogram I treated myself to an afternoon at the beauty shop. Cut, color, shampoo, and style!

That’s Amore

2011-12-16T09:27:00.001-06:00

Our bunch had a great time several weeks ago when we came together for a Pizza Party.

I’m talking home made dough, fresh ingredients, build your own type pizzas.

The kids really got into the act of rolling out the dough and deciding which toppings were appropriate and which were not. We did insist on one adult pizza, complete with onions, green peppers and mushrooms.

With our tummies already yelling STOP!, we dug into whipped cream topped pumpkin and warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Oh my gosh. Does it getting any better than that?
Of course it gets better than that. A few stretched out on the floor and couch for a nap. I won’t post those pictures. You’re welcome.

The rest got caught up in a rousing game of Apples to Apples.
Jim took so many pictures and as I looked through them, a song kept going through my head. So, I will leave you with my version of “That’s Amore”. (Forgive me Frank Sinatra and composer, Harry Warren.) Just hum along as you read the titles under each photo.

When the family arrives to make pizza pie,
That's amore;

When the smiles are so wide as secret cards slide,
That's a - more.

Ingredients will swirl, flippy slip-a-tip-a-twirl, slip-a-a-twirl
And you'll sing "Vita bella."

Hearts'll play tippi-tippi-tay, tippi-tippi-tay
Like a gay tarantella.

When the old and the young come together as one
That's amore;

Here it is the clue, whatcha gonna do?

Family is love;

When you talk and scheme and you know you're living a dream, signore,

'Scusa me, but you see, back in old Mizouri, that's
amore.

This and that

2011-12-07T09:26:00.001-06:00

No Radar, I don't have time to come out and play with you!

I'm too busy ~~making a mess~~ working

Some customer had the nerve to want these shirts by tomorrow - and then when I called to tell him they were ready he apologized for not calling... he now doesn't need them until next week!

So I stared out the window and pondered... then decided I'd rather be inside working than outside playing.

Does fluffing up like this really keep our feathered friends warmer?

Happiness is an evening with my 91 year old Uncle Cy

Even happier when the rest of my Aunts and Uncles are there two. Of eight children, these four are still keeping us all in line.

Did someone say Christmas is coming? Am I insane to be making all of my Christmas cards this year? This picture is prelude to another post.

Red solo cups all lined up - gosh somebody ought to write a song about that. Oh wait, they already did!

This pile of kids created the red solo cup mess. I see a blog post out of this one.

Just a chair…

2011-11-25T16:59:00.001-06:00

How many of us are vowing to start exercising after our wonderfully, over-the-top, calorie loaded, Thanksgiving Day? Are we checking out Black Friday exercise equipment offerings today? Or maybe looking into getting a gym membership for a Christmas present.
When I was a little girl my Grandma would sometimes stay with us. Grandma was getting older and a little thick around the waist. My ever health conscious mom was doing everything she could to keep her from gaining any more weight. We’d line up chairs across the living room floor, one for each of us, and turn on the old green tube television to exercise with Jack LaLanne.

Here was this muscular guy with what sounded like an accent to me, in a jump suit and ballet slippers, urging us to get up off the couch and MOVE! We’d stand behind our chair and kick our legs. Then hold on while doing deep knee bends. Then we’d sit on the chair and pull our legs in, kick out, lift and hold… The funniest was the face contortions to firm up the face muscles. No face lifts for this generation.
He’d say things like “Anything in life is possible if you make it happen” and “The food you eat today is walking and talking tomorrow”. Apparently he was onto something about how to live, since he lived to the ripe old age of 96.
Last weekend, when grandson Dakota was with us, I fixed all of the wrong things – bagels, fried foods, lots of potatoes, and *horrors* bought ice cream. Central Dairy Muddy Waters ice cream. For those of you who are not from this area do not know what you are missing. Central Dairy Ice Cream is the best ever! Anyway, I told Dakota that Grandpa and I needed to get back into the habit of going to the gym. He couldn’t believe his grandparents have a gym membership at all… which got me to thinking about how my parents and grandparents exercised, which got me to thinking about Jack Lalanne and our fun afternoons in the living room. It’s strange how the mind works – or at least how my mind works. Now if I could just get my body moving in as many different directions and as quickly as my mind.
No, I haven’t gone back to the gym (yet), and the kitchen chairs are still where the belong, pushed in under the kitchen table. But you just never know when motivation will hit.

In the meantime, I think I’ll join Dakota and Whiskey on the floor, relaxing in front of the wood stove. Move over guys, I’m coming in.

Let's all be thankful and grin

2011-11-23T15:38:00.001-06:00

It is a time to give thanks. I have a great deal to be thankful for. The list can be simplified by saying I am thankful for my family, friends, God and Country. Not necessarily in that order.

Here is hoping each and every one of you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Click on the below video if you want a silly grin pasted across your face as you head into the holiday season.

Answers and what I loved about this week

2011-11-19T09:59:00.001-06:00

In response to comments and questions on previous post:

The metal roof is a very dark green and matches the greenhouse portion of the house and the garage. We are now color coordinated again
I absolutely adore the sound of rain on a metal roof. I've even been known to go to the loft to work when it is raining just so I could hear it on the roof!
Travis does NOT have a tattoo. The spot on his arm is the wind chime hanging there.
The neighbor came and got her horse back. Our fences are not adequate for horses, having been designed for sheep. Unfortunately, obviously hers aren't either.
She said the other horse was shot (don't know where she found it back). Deer hunters? Disgruntled neighbor? I guess we'll never know.
The mums are definitely dead. Wish I could tell you I gave them a proper burial, but.. .
Travis did not conquer the leaves. That is not possible!
Bailey is too lazy to attack. Kind of like me.
The roofers are back today. Since they didn't fall off last week, I trust they won't today. It is much less windy.
Whiskey is like the energizer Chihuahua - never wears out
I love where we live. It is our own little oasis.

What I loved this week:

Discovering when I kissed Austin on the cheek and he swiped at the spot, that he was not wiping my kiss off, but rather rubbing it in
Grandparents day at Allen's school. We (the two Grandma's) decorated a turkey with him. He seems to have a great teacher and was all smiles and hugs.
A sweaty hug from Travis after his first wrestling skirmish of the year.
The fact that Jim noticed I had my hair colored this week
Sitting on the front porch with Jim late at night, swaddled in a blanket, talking and listening to the wind howl
Dakota wanting to spend the weekend with us while his mom and dad were out of town - even if he did have the motive of wanting to go to a birthday party
Getting a rush embroidery job done ahead of schedule
Visiting with a friend who has been very sick
Making the difficult decision with our friends that we are no longer going to continue our annual Christmas open house (a ten year run) - and sending out a Christmas card telling everyone so.
Learning that Uncle Cy is in town and I will get to see him, and many other family who I don't get to see very often, next week.
Reading Susan Vreeland's book Clara and Mr. Tiffany (awesome book!)
Working on my scrapbooks and card making

So, what made you smile this week?

What’s been going on in my world…

2011-11-17T21:22:00.001-06:00

Where have I been, you ask? Life is out of control. But you don’t want all of the gory details, now, do you? I didn’t think so. Instead I’ll just leave you with a glimpse of my world this past week.
This guy showed up to spend a few days with us. Since many neighbors have horses, it took quite a few calls before we figured out where the prison break took place. She belongs to the one neighbor we didn’t call, because she is known to not take very good care of her animals and this ol’ gal looked very well groomed. I guess we should have known, though, because our neighbor’s fences are atrocious. It turns out she had two rescue horses. Had is the key word. This one ended up in our field. The other one she found dead. I’m thinking she doesn’t need to be rescuing any more horses.

This guy showed up too, but unlike the horse, he was invited. It is amazing how helpful a 15 year old can be. Thank you for all of your help, Travis. Hopefully all the running we did with you (and driving practice!) made up for it.

I do believe the mums are done for this year.

We are getting a metal roof put on the house, thanks to hail damage this last spring and summer. You would not have caught me on that roof with the wind whipping around like that. Shoot, who am I kidding? You would never get me on the roof! Period.

Bailey never changes. She just stays lazy, with an attitude.

My roses are going for the last hurrah of summer. Isn’t this one beautiful? The scent is oh so sweet.

And Whiskey keeps us entertained every night as he plays catch with his many toys. He is so spoiled!

I haven’t been around the blogs much lately, but that will change soon I’m sure. It is too hard to stay away! Have a great weekend all.

Thank you

2011-11-11T08:44:00.001-06:00

Thank you to all of our brave men and women who serve the United States of America in the Military.

I have written and deleted and written and deleted. It all sounds almost trite. The USA is in danger in spite of all of the efforts of our military. Our Government is killing us.

So today I not only say a prayer of thanks for our Veterans, but also a prayer for guidance for our leaders.

As I reflect this morning, I am reminded of a business trip I took to Washington many years ago. There was very little time for sight seeing. But on a very hot summer day we walked to the Vietnam Memorial. As we got closer, the impact took our breath away. The heat coming off the sidewalk rose up to meet the rows and rows of names in black. Mementos lined the base of the memorial. Flowers, boots, plaques, medals... I've never felt more proud and yet helpless in my life. Tears streamed down my face at the realization of how many lives were lost - and that was only one of many wars.

God Bless America.

Grumpy Gus

2011-11-10T08:12:00.001-06:00

Yesterday's post prompted some name calling. I'll own up to starting it by calling myself a Grumpy Gus.

Chicagolady really got it going by questioning what is the opposite of Grumpy Gus.

Then things got rolling with Iggy's vivid mind, having had all of the cobwebs blown out with much fresh air.

He offered up Smilin' Sally? Laughin' Larry? Jolly Jill? And then admitted the controversy was going to make him Insane Iggy!

But it doesn't stop there, because Alice Kay wanted to see the smile, which isn't going to happen since I am sitting here with my hair sticking up ever which way after another tossing/turning night - so I will dub myself Tosseled Tildy this morning.

But if you had see me grinning yesterday, you might have called me Dopey Deanna.

So what say you? Anybody else want to weigh in on the name calling? What name would best describe you today?

It's in the air...

2011-11-09T17:48:00.001-06:00

You might ask, "What's in the air?"

Is it pollin? Or maybe that four letter word L O V E? Or holiday cheer?

I woke up this morning in a rotten mood. I had not slept well, needed to help my brother work through the complications of credits for tech support that hadn't supported his computer problems, and charges for the support that was good, and then deciding on a new computer since the final answer was that the mother board on his old computer had thrown craps. (How's that for a run-on sentence...) Never mind the fact that I thought my own lap top had died. Yet when I took it in to have it looked at it booted up just fine. I get it back tomorrow, having opted to have some maintenance done on the ol' gal.

So what is in the air? Well, I'm convinced this blustery day blew KINDNESS my way. It was in the air all around me. Even though I was a grumpy gus, everybody else was smiling, patient, holding doors, saying "have a good day", and just generally being nice! I couldn't help but be nice back. By the time I got home this afternoon, I actually had a smile on my face and was humming a tune.

So tomorrow when I wake up in a good mood (instead of the bad mood of today), I'm going to remember to share my smile with the first grumpy gus I run across. Because I was reminded today what I already knew, smiles are contageous. I might even hold open a door or two.

Day Trip to Louisiana (Missouri, that is)

2011-11-04T16:08:00.004-05:00

We've been wanting to go to Louisiana, Mo to visit the studio of artist John Stoeckley for quite some time.

Last Wednesday was tailor made for just such a short road trip. What a great day we had!

If you click on the link above, you can see some of John's art work - Reflections of Missouri. We live in a beautiful State, and it always makes me smile with pride when someone honors that beauty in works of art. Since we have visited many of the places he showcases, we stood and drooled for a very long time. John was the only other person in the shop and spent as much time as we wanted with us, just visiting, answering questions, and telling stories.

An extra bonus of this trip is Louisiana, MO itself. What a pretty little sleepy town. If you would like to see more, just click on the video below, sit back, and enjoy!

Bailey and the Titmouse

2011-11-02T10:09:00.001-05:00

Tread carefully. All who enter here must get past me, and I take my job very, very seriously.

Cat? What cat?

Purrrrrr-fect. Be vewy, vewy, quiet.

That fat cat can’t jump THIS high! Right?

Eh? What’s that you say? There’s a puddy tat out there?

Don’t worry tweetie, that tat don’t scare me…

Just hangin’ out here at the Diner. Come join me. The atmosphere is great. So is the food.

Did you say Diner? I’m more thinking DINNER…

Well now, that’s 2 minutes of your life that you’ll never get back. Hope you enjoyed!

Thoughts…

2011-10-31T10:54:00.001-05:00

Often life takes unexpected turns as we go about our merry way. And everybody handles what are often life changing events in different ways.

When Jim and I are together on one of our many drives in the country, I will become lost in thought. Usually Jim will say “a penny for your thoughts…” – and then he gets more than he bargained for - a whole jumbled bag of pennies. Things like, “well I saw that bird, which made me think of this person, and that made me realize he said this, and that made me think of I forgot to do that…” Thoughts work that way sometimes.
As we drove on Saturday, my thoughts kept straying to friends. In this day and age, friends come from so many more places than they did years ago. Not only do friends come into our lives from the usual places, like family, church, ex-coworkers, former classmates, acquaintances; but it is much more far reaching. We have chats, blogs, social media…

So, here is a sample of my driving thoughts:

“I’m hoping he is going to be ok and is able to recover at home without returning to the hospital. It seems we almost automatically say we will pray for people, but how many of us really do. He is so patient with those kids and always doing things with them, and teaching them. I think if I lost my job, I would be doing exactly what she is and re-evaluate what is really going to make me happy and fit my changing life. It seems so unfair that an ex can take control like she does without giving any consideration to how it affects him and his family. He is already driving. How is that possible? He treats me like I am his life. Do I really deserve such devotion? Everything is so pretty. God is good. I didn’t know she had a second stroke and she is so young. Why God? She never complains. Why can’t I be a better friend. It seems I spend too much time doing things that make me happy and not thinking of others. She is always surrounded by kids and yet never complains. I don’t know that I could do that… I’m pretty sure I couldn’t. She hasn’t blogged in almost a year and nobody has heard from her. What could have happened? He works so hard on the farm and travels and she just keeps going, taking care of things at home. She tells me she loves me every time she talks to me. It means so much to me… “

So as we travel this road down to the Muddy Bottom Wild Life Preserve, how about a penny for your thoughts…

We parked the car and walked towards the railroad tracks. Imagine our surprise when we happened onto a Civil War Marker. “The Battle of Boonville Began Here June 17, 1861 Gen Lyon Commander of the Union Forces” This was 111 years to the day before Jim & I were wed.

”How many? How young? How many died? Were they local boys? Did his mama know immediately in her heart that her boy was gone? How long before she was officially told? How long did they lay on the battle field suffering? Was there a Union hospital nearby in Boonville? What were their dying thoughts and wishes...” More thoughts.

What is it that makes railroad tracks and trains magnetic? Those iron rails extend forever into the distance. They always make my thoughts turn to life and directions and those who have come and gone. And what lays ahead in the short life remaining. No matter how old you are, life is short. It just is.

As we left the river bottoms, a plane flew overhead. There must be a small airport in Boonville. I’d like to be on an airplane on some new adventure right now – or soon. Maybe next year.

Our destination was to drop off plans for a television stand to our Amish friend, Mose. As we stood on his front porch talking to him, we got a peek of his world inside. His wife was standing at the window, ironing starched white bonnets. The untold number of children were peeking out at us. A few of the younger boys ventured outside on the porch with us, but would barely talk. One finally agreed he was nine, after Jim guessed his age up to eleven – and said he knew Greg and Allen.

I have to wonder what Mose and his son Jacob, who works with him, thinks of our fancy ideas of how furniture needs to be constructed in order to hold our many worldly toys. I envy their simple life and yet strive to clutter mine more. More to think about.

We stopped for gas at a station right outside of Boonville. See the gas sign? $3.05. It was actually $3.15. We didn’t complain, considering that was still a lot cheaper than we would have paid elsewhere. We were left wondering if the price had just gone up to $3.15 or was going down to $3.05. More to think about.

Mose’s neighbor, Jacob, and his little brother and sister, were selling baskets they had made. I bought a couple to help organize my scrapbooking supplies. Again, more thoughts about their simple life. See the little shoes on the concrete slab? It was a cool 50 degrees and both children were running around barefoot. They said their feet were not cold. Do we protect our children too much? Maybe we should give them the freedom to run barefoot more. More to think about.

Back home again, the leaves have taken over. When dad was alive, he always struggled with knowing where to drive along our never ending driveway that circles in and out of trees. So, even though dad is no longer with us, Jim blows the leaves off the drive… just in case.

So with a little determination, a lot of repetition, and belief that he will succeed, the leaves are all blown away. Even though he knows the winds will blow more leaves his way, and he will have to do it all over again in a week or so, he perseveres.

That’s life…

For your Halloween!

2011-10-30T11:08:00.000-05:00

A man was walking home alone late one foggy night,

when behind him he hears:

BUMP... BUMP... BUMP...
Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward hi

BUMP... BUMP... BUMP... Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him... FASTER... FASTER...

BUMP... BUMP... BUMP...
He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him.
However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket clapping...

clappity-BUMP... clappity-BUMP... clappity-BUMP...
on his heels, the terrified man runs.
Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, the man locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps.

With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door. Bumping and clapping toward him.

The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is a bottle of cough syrup!

Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket...

and... of course...The coffin stops!

Happy Halloween - Hope those ghosts and goblins and COFFINS don't get you!

Dalai Lama on Humanity

2011-10-27T13:11:00.001-05:00

TeeHee

2011-10-22T11:41:00.005-05:00

Do you ever get so tickled at something someone says or does that you can't stop giggling?

I'm talking about tears stream down your face type laughing - Double over tummy hurt type laughing - Laughing where the sound is something like TeeHee TeeHee TeeHee over and over.

I do. My family calls it "getting the TeeHee's"

License Plate TeeHee

I hope everyone has a TeeHee kind of weekend! I know I plan to!

My favorite month

2011-10-17T21:54:00.001-05:00

I asked Jim to complete this sentence for me: Life has been busier than:

He replied:

A house painter with a two inch brush

Than sh#*

A one legged man in a butt-kickin' contest

A yearling ram in a field of 40 breeding ewes...

That about says it all I guess.

The skies were beautiful yesterday. The winding road leading home is canopied by multicolored tree limbs. It is so pretty this time of year.

We watched Allen and Reagan Saturday while Greg and Alicia did more wine hopping. The ol' soaks! We had a wonderful day with them. No pictures, though. Sometimes the camera needs to be retired and fun just needs to happen.

Sunday we "hit" Les Bourgeois winery in Rocheport. Some of you have asked about the wines. We have some definite favorite Missouri wines. Les Bourgeois has an inexpensive wine that we serve often, River Boat Red. It is a good all around semi-sweet wine. However, Jim and I lean more towards the dry wines. Our favorite Missouri wines are Norton and Chambourcin. Norton is the driest and most expensive, but amazing! If you are ever in Missouri - do yourself a favor and go to Missouri wineries. I've been to Napa Valley and let me tell you, I will pit our wines against theirs any day.

After a glass of wine we stopped at Greg and Alicia's to check out the tree house Greg and Allen are building. Did I say tree house? From the looks of it, if Jim ever kicks me out (or the other way around), I will have a place to run to.

Allen's Tree House. If I understood correctly, he and Greg are standing in what will be a room.
They are looking through where there will be window.

We then headed on down the road to visit Tessa and Bill and the kids. Julie and her boys had just left there, so we missed them. But we did have a really nice visit with Tessa's family.
Monday morning found me trying to complete my selections for my StampIn Up starter kit. Since I've begun scrapbooking again, I've found that my supplies were sorely wanting. The easiest way to fix that is to become a StampIn Up Demonstrator. This has been a very time consuming process (decisions, decisions, decisions!) and I don't believe I would have seen it through if it had not been for my mentor, Jeannie. She has taken many hours of her time putting together spread sheets, explaining the products, and making recommendations. She is truly amazing. Thank you Jeannie!

So what was Jim doing while I was drooling over scrapping choices?

He was slaving over turnips. We both love slightly salted raw turnips. But a person can eat only so many of those before they go bad. Turnips are amazing in vegetable soup. So when our neighbor gifted us with a batch of turnips, Jim took to the task of peeling and cubing them for freezing. Don't ask me what his old dump truck is doing in the picture. He discovered it while cleaning the garage. I do believe it will find a home on the shelf in the pool room.

Since the kids didn't have school yesterday (teachers meetings I think), I finally took Dakota birthday shopping yesterday. His birthday was in September, but I always say, "better late than never". He settled on Tech Skateboards and a cool track. Apparently these little boards can be manipulated with a flip of the finger. According to Julie, he spent the rest of the afternoon watching Youtube videos about different ways to use the track and boards. I figured they are better than another video game!

I also took Travis to get his driving permit. Unfortunately, we forgot to bring his Birth Certificate. I suggested they let him take the test and then give the permit to his mother when she brought in his birth certificate and signed the form. They wouldn't even consider it! In Missouri a parent or legal guardian has to be with the child for them to get their permit. They can take the test without the parent, but the child has to be with the parent when she signs for the permit. This definitely makes things difficult since Julie can't leave her day care and Travis is in school and then goes directly to foot ball practice after school. They resolved the problem by Julie's friend taking Travis (with his birth certificate!) to take the test this morning. He passed with flying colors. Congratulations Travis! The Department of Revenue is open one Saturday a month, so Julie and Travis will then go pick up the permit on that Saturday. Can things get any more complicated? I'm sure they can, but what an ordeal!

We got rain yesterday! The temperatures are supposed to dip to almost freezin every evening this week and climb to the 50's during the day. Have you turned your furnace on yet? Or built a fire? We haven't, but I do believe that is going to change REAL soon!

Vanilla or Not Vanilla...

2011-10-14T12:27:00.001-05:00

Last weekend was wonderful. Along with son, Greg, daughter-in-law, Alicia, and their two sweeties, Reagan and Allen, we headed East to Augusta, Dutzow, and Defiance, MO to visit the many wineries there.

The weather was about as good as it can get, with the sun shining and the temperatures hovering around 80 degrees. The kids were better than the weather. You would think taking kids to wineries would be a tedious affair, but not with these two. They were in and out of those car seats enough times to make your head spin, and yet they did not complain a single time. It truly was a magical day.

I spent more time than I care to think about putting together a slide show of the memories, but for some reason youtube does not like it - even though I used the same program (Windows Live Photo Gallery) that I always do. So then last night I decided to just load a few of my favorite photos of the weekend. Blogger didn't like them. This morning after spinning all night, the pictures had still not loaded. Grrrrrr.

So here I am, saying life is good. Time is short. Fall is busy. Technology is frustrating. Family is priceless. The colors of Fall are breathtaking. And I am still around and will catch up with all of my bloggy friends soon!

Now I am going to try one more time to load a picture or two. If it doesn't happen almost immediately, then too darn bad. This will be a vanilla blog. I like vanilla, don't you?

Brotherly love. Allen watches over Reagan - except, of course, when he is tormenting her. So often I want to call him little Greg... he is so much like his daddy!

Mother and daughter - words of wisdom

Nobelis Winery Vinyard

Nobelis winery in Augusta had these huge balls for the kids to play on. They spent forever rolling down the long hills and bopping each other back an forth.

If I could only read her miind right now

Reagan and Allen on the way to the last winery - what troopers!

Rolling Missouri hills hinting of fall colors

Allen and Greg - love the people, love the scenery!

According to Wiki.answers, 'In vino veritas' is Latin for 'in wine, the truth'. It refers to the fact that, owing to their inhibitions being lowered, people are more honest after they have been drinking alcohol, and often say things they wouldn't say if sober. I do believe that about sums it all up!

Vinyard mural painted on the side of a metal building

Well how about it! This post isn't vanilla after all. Now I am going to try linking to one of my youtube videos that did load and leave you with the sounds of children playing.

Like I said, I'll be around the blogs soon. I promise!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f89UIl3NWqc (thanks Iggy for getting a good link for me. you're the bestest!)

2011-10-06T09:58:00.001-05:00

This man of mine just doesn't get it.

As we were looking at clothes yesterday, he pointed out a manequin dressed in a beautiful red turtle neck sweater, topped with a white, wooly, sweater vest. "That would look good on you," he says. "Are you crazy!?!" says I.

I have been plagued with hot flashes and night sweats for over 20 years. One Dr. told me that it would only last a short time. *insert loud buzzer here* WRONG! I've long ago given up on the hope that they will eventually go away. I no longer call it menopause (or is that mentalpause). It is a way of life. Along with things like weight gain, facial hair, sleep disorders, and mood swings.
I blame my breast cancer on the harmones that I took for 6 months - and they didn't even help. My advice is don't take harmones to ease the nasty ol' effects of hot flashes. It isn't worth it.

I've also tried to ease things with:

Black Cohosh
Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. I kid you not. An alphabet worth of vitamins.
Flax
Some sort of ....wart I believe (remember this has been going on for a year or two, or 10 or 20)
Clonidine

There are a ton of other things I've tried. N.O.T.H.I.N.G works.

Everyone should be an expert at something. I'm an expert at layering clothing. First a tank, then short sleeve tee, followed by a long sleeve shirt or blouse, and then a jacket. Yes, I said a jacket - even in summer. The is mandatory when eating out. Invariably the restaurant is cool to the temperature of a meat locker. Initially the jacket feels good. Then as the walls close in, the flashes start, and clothing starts flying. This is followed by chills as the cold and clammy skin connects. Where's my jacket?!?

Night times are always interesting. These cool nights are perfect for crawling under a nice, warm, quilt. Then a flash hits. Jim hangs on to his side of the bed covers as I start wildly kicking. Then it passes and I am shivering in my damp jammies, with my head on a hot pillow. Double yuck.

When I worked full time, all of my co-workers knew if I quickly disappeared from a meeting, it had nothing to do with anything other than I was ready to explode from the inside out.

After I slugged Jim for being insensitive by suggesting clothing I couldn't possibly wear, we purchased a sensibly cool top and blouse and headed out, laughing at visions of me coming out of that sweater and vest at the most inappropriate of times. He reminded me of the day my mother was standing in her driveway telling us goodby and a bumble bee flew down the front of her top. She came out of that shirt faster than Whiskey being chased by Bailey. Like mother like daughter... On second thought, maybe he does get it

That's a good question

2011-10-04T09:29:00.002-05:00

Jim and I were talking about our President while on a recent road trip.

Eight year old Grandson, Allen, was in the back seat listening. If you think kids don't listen, you are sadly mistaken. They may not always respond when you want them to, or do what you tell them to. But they do hear you. I'm certain of that.

Our conversation went something like this:

Allen: How did he get there?

Me: People voted for him.

Allen: I voted for him.

Me: You mean you voted for him in school?

Allen. I just voted for someone because they told me I had to. I didn't know who he was...

Do any of us really know who we are voting for? As I listen to the GOP jockeying for position, slamming each other, making promises they can't keep, I feel like Allen. At some point I am going to be told it is time to vote for someone. And I won't know who he or she is...

Even though I worked in State Government for over 30 years, half of them in the offices of elected officials, I don't consider myself political. I witnessed the inside operations of politics first hand. Decisions were often made for the right reasons. But, unfortunately, they were also quite often made for the wrong reasons - special interest groups promising to do something, or maybe the elected official wanted a pet project backed. Everything you've heard goes on, does.

Whoever becomes our leader after the next election is going to be faced with tough decisions. I am hoping someone emerges who is strong enough in faith and character to face those tough decisions head on and do what is right. We need someone who will get us back on the right track. Personally I believe the first step is to bring God and respect back in the schools. But it doesn't matter what I think. What matters is that everyone knows who they are voting for. But how are we going to gain that knowledge? Obviously we have to listen to what they say. More importantly, we have to pay attention to what they have done.

In every day life we are told, if the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. The same goes with politics. If the promises sound too good to be true, then they probably are. All I know is that it is time to be watching and learning about our candidates NOW. It is time to get our great country back on the right track. Past time.

*hops down off my soap box*

We have been having beautiful weather here in Missouri. God is smiling down on us for sure. It would be nice if He would send a little rain this way, though. Darn it, there I go complaining again. Never satisfied.

Have a wonderful day!

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

2011-10-02T09:50:00.000-05:00

Or maybe this post should be entitled "Look Out Below!"

Or "Duck!"

Or "Fore!

Or "Hard Hat Area"

Or.... "Living Amongst Large Oak Trees Can Be Dangerous"

The forest is raining acorns. They sound like gun shots as they ricochet off the rooftops.

Possibly I should post a "Danger" sign

The deer, squirrels, coons, possums and all the other critters should be quite content with their supply of food.

You really don't want to step off that porch Bailey, it's a war zone out there.

This is our Church Fall Festival weekend.

Over the past few weeks I've made three aprons and eight burpies to donate to our country store.

Friday afternoon I stood with 14 others, carving turkeys. We then pulled up a chair and chopped celery for stuffing

Saturday I baked 4 loaves of bread, 2 pecan pies, 2 apple pies, 2 pineapple upside down cakes

Then we headed out of town to Arrow Rock.

We paid $3.09 for gas. $3.09! It has been over a year since I've seen gas priced that low.

Greg (son) and his family were camping in Arrow Rock and invited us to join them for the evening.

Greg BBQ'd pork steaks to perfection. Alicia served scalloped potatoes, corn, and a chocolate cake that screamed calories. It was delicious. Her mom brought a great lettuce salad. And we brought wine.

Sitting around the campfire, watching the flames dance while the kids roasted marshmallows, was the perfect ending to a very hectic week.

Now to survive the Fall Festival today!

Keepers of Memories

2011-09-29T10:38:00.000-05:00

Aunt Jane and Uncle Ivo did not have children of their own.

I never knew why for sure. This was not a topic discussed by that generation, other than in whispers. I remember asking my mom "why" once, but don't remember the answer. I was pretty young at the time. I really need to remember to ask Aunt Yvonne, mom's youngest sister.

Jane and Ivo - 1946

You would think that since there were no kids to fight over the estate, that for once there would be no family squabbles. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. One family was closer to Jane and Ivo than anyone else, so I always assumed they would be the beneficiaries of their estate. That is what happened - and rightfully so. One person has quit speaking to everyone else in the family because of this. I want to shake her 70+ year old body and say "grow up". It was theirs to do with as they wished. Period.

Jim and I find ourselves often taking on the roll of caretaker of memories. We like to preserve the past. Our kids will be left with the task of deciding what to do with our addiction when we're gone.

Sorry guys!

Iron Bird Feeder

This iron bird feeder was hidden away underneath one of the sale tables. Jim spotted it first. It was love at first site. We have no idea how old the feeder is or where they had it. They had a farm in Lohman, so I'm thinking it might have been there. Or maybe their back yard. I just don't know. There is an iron spike that sticks into the ground to stabilize the feeder. One. There used to be four. The remaining one will probably break off soon, but the feeder is heavy enough that it isn't going anywhere as long as it is sitting solidly on the ground. We need to put on our thinking caps and figure out a way to repair it, but for now, I'm enjoying just seeing the birds flock to their new/old restaurant.

This carpenter's box had to come home with us. It is rustically primitive. Since I don't know its story, I've had to come up with my own. I'd like to think this box belonged to Ivo's dad. I can just see him loading it onto the back of his buggy or model-T at the turn of the century as he headed out for a long day of work.

Carpenter's Box turned Game Chest

We were outside loading up some of our purchases, when I happened to walk back into the auction hall and the auctioneer was holding this skillet in the air. I raised my hand to bid and he said SOLD! I got it! I've been wanting a good old, already seasoned, cast iron skillet this size. My friend Patti at Osage Bluff Quilter says she has been watching for a Wagner #11. This one is a Wagner #12. Close enough? Although I've yet to fry chicken in it, I've used it several times. Love, love, love it!

Iron Skillet

These pillow cases were my steal of the day. They were preserved in a plastic bag. The auctioneers had thrown them on the table with old linens, bath towels, and such. It was towards the end of the sale and they were the last thing I planned to bid on. By this time the auctioneers were lumping things into piles and these were added to a pile of towels and pretty much worthless kitchen stuff.

Since I was the only bidder, I'm pretty sure I was the only one who knew what treasures that pile of stuff held. stuff. The auctioneer said, "who bids $2". I raised my hand. "Do I hear $3.00". I kept my hand in the air. "$2.50" I kept my hand in the air. He finally looked at me and said "I already have you at $2". I didn't care. I was taking no chances. Finally, I heard "SOLD for $2 to # 159"

Lace edged pillow cases

I like to think Jane & Ivo's neighbor lady, Mrs. Gadd, crocheted and embroidered these beautiful pillow cases. They are too pretty to use. I will probably display them on a quilt rack.

Shame on the auctioneers for not valuing what they were selling more.

Embroidered Pillow Cases

My new favorite yellow coffee cup was also included in that $2 pile of handiwork.

As I sit here blogging and sipping coffee, I think of the need to start documenting the stories of the many antiques and family items we have chosen to preserve. Hopefully my children and grandchildren will want to carry on the tradition of keepers of memories.

Triplets

2011-09-27T19:12:00.001-05:00

I have a problem.

I can no longer get my my t-shirts, or in the case of these cool Missouri mornings, my much needed sweatshirts, over my swelled head. So I grabbed my warmest blouse as a substitue, and darned if the buttons didn't all pop off the minute I slipped them in the button hole. Not a pretty sight at all.

You see, I recently received an award. Not once. Not twice. But three times! If that doesn't make a person feel special, I don't know what will.

Deanna picking wild flowers and weeds

Originally, Just Stuff From A Boomer, gave me the Liebster Award. Like her, I had no idea what it meant. She was kind enough to do the research for me. Here is what she said: "Because I had never heard of this award, I did a little detective work and discovered that liebster in German, means "beloved".

The Liebster Blog Award is designed to bring additional recognition to those bloggers with less than 200 followers. If you receive the award, you should link back to the blogger that nominated you and nominate 5 more blogs. And, also, don't forget to let them know you nominated them.

Boomer is one of my newest friends, and I have to say I enjoy her blog immensely. As a fellow baby-boomer, I find myself walking down memory lane with you more often than not. You're the best! I've linked back to you and sure do hope every single one of my 61 (actually 12 if you go by comments left ;) followers head over to your blog right this minute... I mean after they finish reading this post.

My dear friend of many years, Iggy, surprised me with an honorary mention when he himself received the same award from Betty. Iggy's blog is the first one I ever followed. His is the most educational, heartfelt, sincere, kind... great blog around. Although we have never met, I consider Iggy one of my best friends ever. Do me a favor and check him out. I guarantee you will be glad you did. You might want to bring an umbrella, though. Because he recently sprung a leak in his bathroom! Thank you Iggy.

And then it happened. My friend from Wales, Tori, also nominated me. When I think of Tori, there is no way to come up with one word to describe her. Inspiration comes to mind. Then brave. Then amazing. Tori has taken her followers through the agony of losing her eyesight and the fears and tribulations that accompanies her journey. She wows us with photos of her sweet dog Kero and posts projects of her knitting and other projects. I am humbled by Tori. And I thank her for the award.

Now I have a difficult job ahead of me. I need to nominate 5 for this award. Drum roll please....

Steve of Third Half of Life

Betty of A Corgi in Southern California

Patti at Osage Bluff Quilter

Travis at One Word, One Rung, One Day

(Travis has a little over 200 followers, but I'm nominating him anyway since I never was very good at following rules.)

Cheryl at The Farmer's Daughter

I hope you will check them out. Trust me... you will be glad you did!

Fallball

2011-09-23T09:38:00.001-05:00

I will preface this post with: I am not a sports fan.

But somehow when my grandchildren are part of the sport, I become a sports fan.

I become a yelling, crazy lady.

Football and Fall in Jefferson City, MO are synonymous.

Grandson, Travis, plays for the Jefferson City Jays Freshman team

He is number 60

He is awesome

The team is awesome

They won again last night.... 54 to 6. Yep, that is definitely a win.

So I'll leave you with some football pictures.

I'm embarassed to admit that I don't even know who they were playing.

But I know who number 60 is!

Together Again

2011-09-22T10:12:00.002-05:00

I've had this utility cabinet for a few years now. It first belonged to my grandma, then my mom, and now me. It is kind of like a magic cabinet - it holds way more than anyone would ever think possible. Canned goods, paper goods, canners, canning supplies and other odds and ends. It is amazing! And the best thing about it is that it has history... my family history. Love it.

Utility cabinet with an endless capacity for holding stuff

As I mentioned in my previous post, we spent Saturday at my Aunt Jane and Uncle Ivo's estate auction. Imagine our surprise when Jim spotted a twin to our cabinet. A twin! I can only speculate here, but I am assuming that when this family of eight children divided up their parent's possession's, mom took one of these cabinets, and her sister, Jane, took the other.

There are two of them!

And now they sit side by side, with a concrete wall separating them - just in case there are any hard feelings or unsettled sibling rivalries still exist. I did hear them whispering to each other last night after they thought I had gone to bed. Something about "remember when..."

For $35 and a little heavy lifting, we were able to rejoin these two

Back seat of our truck after Jane and Ivo's estate auction

The reason all this junk is in the backseat of our pickup was because the bed was already full to overflowing.

The bed of the pickup - filled to the brim

So..... like it or not, folks, there will be more auction posts in the coming weeks.

2011-09-19T15:25:00.000-05:00

What a busy last few weeks it has been around here. This weekend was certainly no exception.

My late Aunt Jane and Uncle Ivo's estate sale was this past Saturday. My head is swirling with thoughts about that. We did come home with some things that are treasures to me. More about that in a post soon to come. I promise. Especially since I am pretty excited about some of my finds.

Sunday we went to the Heritage Festival in Columbia, MO. Our friends, Bernie, The Osage Bluff Blacksmith, and his wife, Patti, the Osage Bluff Quilter, were there, demonstrating the almost lost art of Blacksmithing.

The Blacksmith had quite a crowd watching the embers fly as he hammered and pounded red hot mounds of iron into things like forks, dinner bells, crosses, and all sorts of things.

Patti had her hands full answering questions and selling the wares. I hope they had a successful couple of days.

My mind is still boggling at the amount of work that goes into making the period costumes, setting up shop, working all day, taking everything down at the end of the day and dragging it home, only to return the next day to do it all over again.

Patti & The Blacksmith

Jim bought this torture hook. He claims he will be using it to turn meat on the grill. Uh huh.

When we left the festival, we decided to head 15 miles or so up the road to Clark, MO. Patti was telling us there is an Amish community there that sells furniture, wonderfuol baked goods, and stuff. Even though we knew they would be closed on a Sunday, we decided to take the short drive before heading home. We were glad we did.

Scenic drive to Clark, MO.
We must have hit the returning home from church services traffic. Buggies were everywhere.

I'm pretty sure Ida and Eula didn't know these grass mowers were on the wrong side of the fence.
They didn't look like they planned on going past the green, green grass of home.

Children were playing in many of the yards. It looked like they were all dressed in their Sunday best, but as far as I could tell, not a single child had shoes on. I had to smile and shiver a little at this, since the high temperatures yesterday were only 65.

I'm pretty sure Mr. Stinkeye here is saying he hopes everyone has a wonderful week!

Webcam 101 for Seniors

2011-09-15T14:29:00.002-05:00

You are never too old to learn new things... and have fun doing it!

Yes I did

2011-09-14T14:07:00.000-05:00

I took time time to sit on the screened- in back porch to enjoy the peaceful rain we are blessed with today.
Soup, rain and a good book on my Nook (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson). What a lovely combination.

Rain soaked Oak trees. Are they really calling for temperatures to drop into the 30's tonight?

From the inside looking out. My plants are soon going to have to find a home inside. I could sit here all day. What did I do with that sweater of mine? I need it!

Comic relief

2011-09-13T19:18:00.003-05:00

Six year old Grandson, Austin, posed for these pictures.

He proudly grinned when I showed them to him.

I wish I could be more like Austin, making silly faces and not caring whether my face is clean or dirty.

Coming full circle

2011-09-03T09:18:00.000-05:00

My mom taught me to sew when I was pretty young, probably ten or twelve years old. As I grew up a new store bought dress, or any other piece of clothing store bought, was a rare event. Mom made everything. Shorts, shirts, dresses,and jeans (which I hated because they just weren't cool!).

Kathleen, Tom, Deanna
How I wish I had this dress hidden away in my cedar chest!

Homecoming 1969. I was dreaming of a "store bought" dress like all my friends would be wearing.
Lost on me was the fact that I was already wearing the dream mom had slaved over.

When I got married in 1972, I continued the tradition of making my own clothes, mixed in with store bought.

Jim, Tessa, Deanna
Pregnant with Greg, I soon found maternaty clothes were a dream to "whip up"
No zippers and no fitting seams

The arrival of Tessa in 1974 gave me a reason to expand to children's clothes. I was having fun!

Tessa - One Year
These little smock tops were easy and quick to make

Then Greg arrived in 1976. I took a year off work, so I should have had lots of time for sewing. Hmmmm. Boys clothing were not so much fun to make. And boys clothes looked more home made for some reason. But I continued making some of my own and Tessa's clothing.

Then in 1977 I returned to work and discovered a time proven truth. There are only so many hours in a day. With a husband, restoring and remodeling a large old house, two kids and a full time job, I no longer had time to sew. Nada! The sewing machine was covered and stored, making an appearance only when a seam ripped or britches needed shortening, or to "whip up" a skirt or two for work. But it was never far from my mind.

This continued into 1980, when Julie was born. By now we were designing plans for a new house and preparing to move. My poor sewing machine was mostly lost in the chaos.

Greg, Julie, Tessa
I'm not too sure where I found time to make Halloween Clown Costumes

Then something happened. I hooked up with a friend, Rita, who was into quilting. I was hooked. I made a nine patch quilt, she and I took a class together and competed with who could piece together our "Trip Around the World" quilt quicker. For the life of me I cannot remember who won. Actually, we both did. Rita and her sister spent one whole afternoon and late into the night helping me quilt the nine patch quilt. It had become a sickness. We couldn't quit.

Nine-Patch Quilt in muted colors

Again, the sewing machine was never far from touch, but had become like an old friend that I could ignore, but would always be there for me.

When I retired in 2001 ( I think it was 2001...) thread and machines once again caught my attention. Machine embroidery became my passion. Towels, wash cloths, t-shirts, hats, bags... nothing was safe!

Recently I've begun sewing again. I don't believe I'll ever return to the days of home grown clothing. Bags, aprons, and quilt tops have become "my thing".

Earlier this week I was despairing about how to quilt this Irish Double Chain quilt I pieced together. But thanks to an evening of friendship and fun, I now know that I am going to having to dust off my quilting frames and hand quilt this one.

Double Irish Chain Quilt Top

Here we are quilting away at Patti's. It turns out my friends, Patti on one side, and Rita on the other, went to school together. I still haven't figured out who half the people were they were talking about! But what is said at a quilting bee, stays at a quilting bee. We had a lot of fun visiting and adding some love to this beautiful quilt. Patti's mom embroidered this quilt top. What a special heirloom for her family.

Quilting with friends, Patti and Rita

Knock, knock...

2011-08-30T10:23:00.000-05:00

It was a year ago Sunday that a relative (NOT one of our children) moved in with us. With a "gentle" shove, he finished moving out and slept at his new place last night.
I hope and pray he does good and stays on the straight and narrow. It would be nice if he would begin to make smart decisions too. Please.....
For the first time in a year Jim and I played pool last night. I won, by the way.
We also stood upstairs and yelled - just because we could and nobody was going to hear us and wonder what was wrong!
The assisted living facility where my MIL has been living for quite a few years quit accepting Medicare patients. Her money from the sale of her house ran out this month, so we had to move her.
We found a skilled nursing facility in a little town nearby that we feel good about. They only have a total of 30 patients and all of the attendants, nurses and doctors we've met so far seems very nice. The place is clean. The food smells good.
We moved Jim's mom yesterday. She is NOT happy with us. More accurately, she is royally pissed at us. Jim and I always have to be the bad guys. It's not fair.
Did I mention that I am happy to have my house back?
The list of honey/wedo's to reclaim our space is going to be a mile long.
It begins with cleaning the downstairs bathroom and ultimately remodeling it.
The downstairs bedroom has a maroon/burgundy carpet in it. That sounds ugly but it really is very pretty. I'm thinking of painting the walls, bookcases and baseboards shades of gray. Then all my stuff in its many colors can add spice to the room.
The weather here has been gorgeous. It makes me feel guilty as I watch on the news the terrible effects of Irene.
My son told me over the weekend that he is 35 - not the 34 I said he was when I did a birthday blog for him. That means Tessa is 37. I wonder now if I got that wrong too. Where do the years go?
I'm making a quilt top. I haven't decided yet whether I am going to hand quilt it, machine quilt it, or have someone else do it. Decisions, decisions...
I bought material to make two more aprons. It is a sickness, I tell you... it really is!
Months after I completed physical therapy for arthritis and bursitis pain, I am still pain free. Exercise, exercise, exercise.... it is worth it.
So, what is gong on in your world? I'll catch up on blogs again soon. I promise!

Under the Skin

2011-08-24T10:08:00.000-05:00

The gods were smiling down on me. Seldom do I win anything, maybe because seldom do I enter to win anything. But books are one of my best friends in the whole wide world. So when a book is on the giveaway table, I enter. Yes I do. When my blog friend, Vicki Lane, hosted a drawing for three copies of a bound galley copy of her new book, Under the Skin, there I was with my greedy little hand held out. I'll bet you figured out by now that I was one of the winners. I WON!

This book is the fifth in the Elizabeth Goodweather series, set in the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains. The other books are Signs In The Blood, Art's Blood, Old Wounds, In a Dark Season, and The Day of Small Things. Read them. All of them. You will be very glad you did.

Vicki Lane takes me to a place I have visited a few times and fell in love with through touristy eyes. She invites me into the mountains and introduces me to the superstitions and ways of Appalachia. I have not finished reading Under the Skin, but what I have read so far has not disappointed. It is a darn good book!

Now for an unexpected observation - at least unexpected to me. You see, I've been enjoying my not so new anymore toy, The Nook. It goes everywhere with me. I download books from the library and from online stores. My cookbook is with me when I go to the store. If I need to know a recipe ingredient, all I have to do is wake up my Nook and look it up. My Nook library includes some of the Classics like Little Women and Pride and Prejudice and The Bible. And for the record... Angry Birds is addictive. I love my Nook.

The unexpected observation is: I miss my books. When I pulled Under The Skin out of the envelope and held it in my hands, it felt good. As I flipped through the pages, it felt good. I'll even admit that I sniffed it. It smelled good. As I soaked in hot, soapy, water, reading, it felt good. (I dare anyone to take a Nook into the bath tub... double dog dare even...). Books are an experience, an event, a get away - whether paper held in hand or swiping fingers across a device. But there is nothing like a good BOOK. And that is what I am holding in my hand today. A good book.

Thank you Vicki Lane. Thank you for sharing your mountains with me, autographed "For Deanna, my online friend! Vicki Lane". I treasure it.

Best laid plans...

2011-08-22T13:58:00.000-05:00

Our free Rural Electric monthly newspaper has a section advertising events around Missouri.

Usually we read it and lament over events we missed. We say to each other, "We could have gone to that!" or "That would have been a lot of fun."

So we were pretty excited when, as we sat drinking our coffee, Saturday morning we looked through the events and saw there was a Bluegrass Festival going on in Dixon. We're big bluegrass fans. Dixon is a tiny town of around 1200 located 60 miles or so from us. The scenic drive is along two lane, winding, hilly, blacktop highways. As we topped hill after hill we'd gaze off into the distance in wonder.

As we drove into Dixon we noticed the town seemed to be unusually quiet for a place hosting a Bluegrass Festival. After driving around like lost souls for a bit, we finally stopped and asked. .... Yes, we asked for directions!. Some local group was hosting a BBQ in a parking lot and a kind lady told us the Festival Park was back the way we had come. She had not been there before, but if there was a festival, that would be the place.

After we did a bit of backtracking, there it was - the bluegrass pickin' campground. But it was empty. Dead. Nada. Apparently our little free newspaper got the date wrong. We now know the festival is held on labor day weekend. From the looks of their website it is going to be a pretty big deal.

Our reaction to the mis-information

So how does that saying go? "When life gives you lemons, make...." We made fried chicken out of it. Defeated, we headed back the way we came. But with some little side trips. As we saw the road signs - this way to Crocker... this way to Meta... this way to Vienna..., Jim started reminescing about his childhood trips to extended family who lived in Meta. He finally saw the gravel road that lead to their old home place.
Driving slowly down the road we watched red tail hawks soaring on the breeze. A family of goats were open grazing in a farmer's garden. I'll bet they were grounded when their extra curricular activities were discovered.

Yea, big guy, you are soooo busted...

We drove through the water of several low water bridge crossings.

View from low water bridge crossing. Jim's childhood memory was just around the bend.

We finally stopped at Sugar Creek Restaurant in Meta. My friend Patti had recommended it on her blog a few weeks ago. The fried chicken dinner was really good.

A few years ago a friend and former co-worker told me she and her husband were refurbishing and opening a restaurant. Since my friend lives in St. Thomas, I always assumed her restaurant was in St. Thomas. But we had never visited her restaurant... Imagine my surprise as we sat waiting for our food, in walks my friend, Tiffanie, ready to work. Just by chance, we were in her restaurant. It took me a bit to get the answer of 4 as I was putting together the fact that Patti's recommended resaurant and my friend's place were one in the same. It was great fun catching up on families and happenings.

Here's my thinking. If the CoOp newspaper had not gotten their information wrong, we never would have taken the scenic drive. We would not have gone down a gravel road of Jim's memory lane across low water creeks. And we never would have happened into an old friendship at Sugar Creek Restaurant. I'm thinking I'm glad a mistake that turned into a nice day was made.

Maybe I should also mention that one other time this same newspaper listed a community-wide flower garden event in the beautiful little town some distance from us, Ste. Genevieve. We decide to take that drive, much like the drive of this past weekend, only to discover the flower show had been moved to another weekend.

Maybe this litte paper isn't the most reliable source of event information... Just maybe....

Check for corn

2011-08-17T17:15:00.000-05:00

This checklist adds up to great things to come this winter:

ü Fresh sweet corn from the farmer down the road - $4 a dozen

ü A sweet hubby willing to shuck the sweet corn while I am at work

ü A big pot of boiling water for blanching said corn

ü A big bowl of ice water for cooling the corn down after blanching

ü A nice sharp knife to cut the corn off the cob

ü A pan to cut the corn into

ü A big spoon to spoon corn into freezer bags

ü And, of course, a freezer to freeze said corn in

I freeze things in small quantities these days – you know, just enough to feed two old folk. It is just a simple matter of taking more than one package from the freezer if we are having a “guess who’s coming to dinner?” day.

A year or so ago while whiling the time away in a Dr’s office, I happened onto an article about Jamie Lee Curtis. Since I like Jamie Lee Curtis, I read it. The two things I got out of the article is that she is OCD and all items in her freezer are frozen flat so that they stack evenly. Now whenever possible I flatten my freezer foods into as even as possible, flat as possible, little pancakes. How’s that for a tip for the day?

So what did you do last night after a hard day at work? - that is if you spent a hard day at work.

I spent 3 hours at the Dr’s with one of the grandsons, plus an hour drive each way. All is well, but I don’t believe there is anything more tiring than a day at the Dr’s. Shoot, there weren’t even any interesting articles with great tips in them! Bummer.

THE Lake

2011-08-15T11:42:00.000-05:00

We went to The Lake this weekend. Locals to mid-Missouri who read my blog already know I mean the Lake of the Ozarks.

The weather was perfect. The skies opened up with large drops of rain just after we unloaded the car and got settled inside our friends, Patti and Gerard's, cabin. About an hour later... here comes the sun!

Patti is "the entertainer". I'd have to say her style is simple elegance. She always makes things look so easy when she entertains. Everything that can be done ahead of time, is. Nobody would guess all of the work that goes on behind the scene... but I know... and appreciate the relaxed atmosphere.

Dining at the Lake of the Ozarks - Patti style!

A Spanish dish of rice and seafood. Its official name escapes me - but it was oh so good!

A moonlit boat ride. Terrible photo. What can I say...

Breakfast of Baked French Toast and sausage links - once again overlooking the lake.
The french toast recipe can be found here. It is a Pioneer Woman recipe and we all know every one of her recipes are the best ever! Plus, it as easy to make!

You see everything on the Lake. Not a care in the world.

The lake boating activity by mid-morning was mind boggling. It was a much bumpier boat ride than the previous evening's late night cruise.

A friend of ours bought our son & DIL's trailer years ago for their lake home. After visiting with them for a bit, we headed back out. Jim snapped this photo as we were waving good-by. I was too busy trying to keep from passing out. It must have been the sun beating down on my head while standing on a swaying dock, but it was definitely touch and go for a bit. Fortunately a bottle of water and some cooling breezes soon revived me.

Maybe sail boats are more stable than they look. Personally I cannot imagine sailing on such choppy waters.

This little wood duck joined us as we basked in the sun. Life is good!

Always on my mind...

2011-08-10T16:21:00.006-05:00

She would have been 88 years old today.

I love you and miss you mom. You Are Always On My Mind.

Try it... you'll like it!

2011-08-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

My friend, Patti, at Osage Bluff Quilter, posted a recipe last week for canned tomato soup. One of my favorite meals has always been tomato soup and grilled cheese. In all my poor sheltered life, I had never tasted homemade tomato soup. Until now.

Saturday I spent the day canning tomato soup. What a messy mess I can be in the kitchen. Anytime I follow a recipe the first time, it seems to take me forever. After that things always go much quicker and cleaner. The end result, though, was fantastic.

Quarts of canned tomato soup

Saturday I canned. Sunday we dined on soup and grilled cheese.

Can't wait - must try now!

The meal was topped off with a glass of cool, refreshingly tasty, Apple Blossom Wine from Holy Cross Abbey Winery in Cannon City, Colorado - compliments of Greg and Alicia (thank you guys, it was delicious). What a wonderful blend of flavors!

Homemade tomato soup, grilled cheese, and Colorado fine wine - life is good

We have been getting rain showers off and on over the past few days and the temperatures are now in the comfortable 80's, replacing the oppressive 100+ temperatures of the past few weeks.

Thank you for the recipi, Patti. It is definitely a keeper!

Christmas in July

2011-08-05T11:37:00.000-05:00

A week ago today we left the heat of Missouri - crossing over the State Line into the heat of Kansas and the refreshing coolness of the water park at Great Wolf Lodge Resort. Merry Christmas everyone!

I couldn't help speculate how things have changed for us over the years as we sped across the state in our Honda CRV - our nice and roomy, less than a year old CRV. There was a time when we barely limped to town and back home each day, all five us cramped in our little Dodge Omni. More often than not we had lumber or some other building material strapped to the roof top.

In the car with us was two of the grandkids, Dakota and Austin.  Nostalgia took over when we about reached Independence.   It took me back to a trip we took to the Ozarks. The kids had driven us close to insanity with their bickering as we topped a particularly scenic overlook. Jim finally blew his top and told them the only thing he wanted to hear out of them was "Oooh, Ahhhh, Look!". As Dakota and Austin jabbered away, I looked at Jim and asked, "Are we at the Oooh, Ahhh, Look! stage yet?"

Wow, as I am writing this, the skies have darkened and the thunder is rolling in. I hope this is not another case of mother nature once again teasing us. We will take any amount of rain she'll send our way.  Jim took his 4-wheeler down the road to have it worked on. He is either going to be there a while, or he is going to get wet! (I hope...)

Back to our trip.

It was a wonderful weekend. Great Wolf Lodge (there are many around the nation) has a ginormeous water park and archade. This one happens to be within walking distance (we drove) of Cabelas, Legends Shopping, great restaurants, and Nebraska Furniture. There was something for everyone to do.

After playing for hours in the park the first night, we ate Pizza in the hotel room. Speaking of the hotel rooms, they were pretty cool, with two beds and a bath down and a third bed and bath in a loft.  The eighteen of us fit in three rooms.

(It's raining~!!!! Yea!!!!)

The next morning was breakfast at I-Hop (kids ate free). I'm not a big I-Hop fan. It seems a bit pricey and the food is so-so. But they did it right for us, putting us in a room by ourselves. Was this for our privacy or did they sense a rowdy bunch and secreted us away to protect the other patrons? Maybe a bit of both....

Breakfast at I-Hop. Smile everyone!

Everyone split up after breakfast.

Nebraska Furniture was my downfall. This place is a vacation in itself... if you like shopping, which I usually don't. In a few weeks they will be delivering a new couch, kitchen range, and a gorgeous braided rug to us. In our defense, we left without buying the 48 in. flat screen TV. How's that for showing some constraint?

As luck would have it, the AC went out in the room where Greg and Alicia and their kids, and Jim and I were staying. The repairman was in and out trying to fix it until 3 am. Everyone else went to sleep while Greg kept watch. The resort gave us 10% off of one night's cost of the room.... not near enough for the inconvenience, but better than nothing.

The best part of the weekend was that we were together and yet on our own. Nobody's schedule depended on anyone elses. The very fact that we were at a water park, though, guaranteed we would be spending time together as a family.

As we were packing to go home, we remembered we hadn't taken a family photo. Since I forgot my tri-pod, the camera is perched on a ledge. The TV is a perfect back-drop for the picture, don't you think? I know.... but it was the best we could do.

In two years we hope to plan another family vacation Christmas Present. So far we have done a Branson Vacation, a Float Trip Vacation, and this one. We used to go camping at Alley Springs every year, but my camping days are over. Maybe our next vacation can be a rodeo, or concert, or..... who knows... but we'll come up with something!

I'll leave you with a video, for those who want to watch it!

Bag Lady

2011-07-27T09:07:00.000-05:00

In my previous post I mentioned that I have an apron fetish.

I also have a bag fetish. Not purse, but bag.

A few months ago Lynn at Ramblin' Southern Woman posted the cutest bag ever. It was made of placemats! And I thought "I can do that".

Since then I've made seven of those placemat bags.

Here are four of them. The others have already found new homes.

These are going to be given to my girls when we take our family vacation this weekend to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City.

Except for the wine one.

That one is mine! Because I love wine!

Placemat Bags

I plan on making one more of these (or two, or three, or four...) for our Church Silent Auction.

Can't you just see a Fall Themed Placemat Bag filled with yummy goodies or baking supplies? I can!

Seven things about me

2011-07-25T17:43:00.001-05:00

Last week Intenseguy honored me with an Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award.
Most of those who follow my blog, follow his. If you don’t, you are missing out. Iggy’s blog has taught me a lot about history – sometimes things I kind of already knew, and often time the odd bit that I never would have heard of if it wasn’t for his blog. And then, there are the spattering of sensitive, heart warming, and honest, it is what it is, posts. Not to play favorites, but I will have to admit his is hands down one of my favorite blogs. I guess that is the reason this award is meaningful - His opinion means a lot to me.
I'm supposed to tell you 7 random facts about myself, tag people and pass the award on to 5 other bloggers.

I love to bake homemade goodies. There is no better scent than a freshly baked loaf of bread, or rolls, or pie, or…. well you get the picture. Although I don’t bake very much any more, for the obvious reason that the two of us don’t need all of that temptation, I still find kneading and pounding dough as a great way to work off stress and frustration. Try it sometime!

I have an apron fetish. They fascinate me! I remember my grandma Hood always wearing an apron. She would be taking it from around her waist as she’d come out to greet us when we arrived at her house. Then the moment she went back inside, the apron would reappear around her ample girth. Man how I loved that woman!

Can you tell by looking at this picture which apron I did not make? I honestly wear them all the time. In addition to these aprons, I’ve made them for friends and my kids. They all probably think I am nuts.

I recently completed 4 weeks (2 times a week) physical therapy for arthritis and bursitis pain. We did strengthening exercises, ultrasound, and a treatment call Iontophoresis. This treatment pulsated steroid medication directly into the painful area without the need for injections. For the first time in many years I am mostly pain free… and lovin’ it!

If you ever tell me I cannot do something, you may well be the cause of my demise, because if I am not able to do whatever you said I can’t, I may die trying.

I hate sauerkraut. I hate bowling. I fixed sauerkraut for Jim and a friend last week, and went bowling with Jim yesterday. True love.

My favorite dog breed is Golden Retriever. I still miss our Goldens, Dolly Belle and Lucas, even though both have been gone for many years. However since I don’t like contending with large house pets, I now have a love/hate relationship with my demon dog Chihuahua, Whiskey. And yes, I absolutely love the little turd.

For many years I was a secretary. Then I went to college and worked my way up the ladder to an administrator in a data center, running after the money rather than happiness. Now I am retired and work part time as a secretary (among many other hats since I am the only employee) at church. I am happier than I have been in years, once again doing what I am best at. Speaking of secretaries, in this day and age of electronics, it seems they are a dying breed. Does anyone else still know short hand? Do my younger readers even know what short hand is or looks like? (and no, I don’t mean LOL and GMTA, and U R) My mom taught it to me when I was still in grade school. When I officially learned it in high school, though, I discovered mom’s shorthand was different than what was being taught in class. I had a terrible time undoing the bad habits I had already learned! After all these years, I still write my notes in short hand. Old habits sometimes die hard (or not at all).
I am supposed to pass this award on, but sometime I don’t play by the rules (ooops that is number 8 about me). If you think this would be a fun thing to do, please grab the award and join in, because each and every one of my readers are special and irresistibly sweet. I found it fun to do a “me, me, me!” blog. Try it, you’ll like it!!!!!

Summer in Missouri

2011-07-20T15:12:00.001-05:00

Enough said...

Burning down the house

2011-07-19T10:08:00.002-05:00

My baby girl, Julie, turned 31 last weekend.

We celebrated with a meal of pulled pork, oriental cole slaw, the best augratin potatoes ever, baked beans, and the worst red velvet cake ever (you win some, and lose some). It took six matches to light the candles on that god-awful cake. The candles lit up the room like fireworks on the 4th of July (kiind of like her smile) and we were praying the smoke alarms wouldn't go off. She almost blew all those candles out in one puff (or four or five...)

Burning Down the House

Julie was our rough and tumble little girl. She really had no choice, since she had an older brother and sister who never slowed down... she just had to figure out how to keep up! It seemed like if something was going to happen, it was going to happen to Julie. Like the time she almost caught the house on fire when she laid her coat and hat on top of a lit kerosine heater. I believe she was only 3 at the time. I still remember that charred coat laying in the middle of the driveway, where it landed when we threw it out the window.

Cowgirl Julie

And then, of course, there is the matter of Julie's hair. Oh what a rats nest it always was! But she didn't care. She was off and running each morning and heaven help the person who tried to slow her down by performing the useless task of combing the tangles out of her hair.

Six year old Fishergirl

Today our dear Julie's a wife and mother of three, stepmother of one. It is no surprise that while surrounded by all of that testosterone, she rolls with the punches, and joins in all of the outdoor activities with zesto.

Outdoors-woman

So, happy birthday Julie! You will always be my baby...

Christmas 1980

The True Meaning of Stress

2011-07-13T17:52:00.001-05:00

I received the following in an email the other day, and thought the words of wisdom worth sharing with my friends.

The True Meaning of Stress

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'..... she fooled them all... "How heavy is this glass of water?", she inquired with a smile.
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night... pick them up tomorrow.
Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax, pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it and the now 'supposed' stress that you've conquered!"
1. Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!
2. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
4. Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker..
5. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague
6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it..
7. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
8. Never buy a car you can't push.
9. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
10. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
11. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
12. The second mouse gets the cheese.
13. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
14. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
15. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
16. Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
17. We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
18. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
19. Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today............
20. It was I, your friend!
Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Ravenswood

2011-07-10T20:54:00.001-05:00

We had noticed this house from the road years ago and hoped to someday get the chance to tour it.

So, last weekend when Jim was surfing the internet checking out interesting things to do, he noticed there was an annual Ice Cream Social and house tour at the Maclay House in Tipton. We thought “This is perfect! We’ve been wanting to see that house for ages!”
We headed up Highway 50, through Tipton, on to Highway 5, since we knew that is where the house is located. But when we got there, we were the only ones there. It didn’t take us more than two seconds (maybe only one) to figure out we had our homes mixed up and there really was a mansion IN Tipton, not north of Tipton, that really was giving tours and was having an ice cream social. But, there was an OPEN sign on the gate of what we now knew is RAVENSWOOD. What the heck. We were there and this is the house we’d been wanting to see, so we walked around until someone came out.
I will have to tell you it was a little bit like stepping back in time. The “tour guide” was apparently a caretaker who happened to give tours if someone showed up. After we paid the $14 admission (we let him keep all $20… just because…), inside we headed. I was occasionally put off by his wife-beater almost white t-shirt, and once white, very stained jeans. We held our nose (seriously) and pushed ahead.
Ravenswood was built in 1880, and six generations later, remains in private ownership in the same family. It and the 2000 acres that go with it is in a trust and cannot be sold. We’ve heard that in many ways the family consider it a bit of an albatross around their necks.
Over the years few changes have been made to the house. Electricity and indoor toilets were added at some point. My heart ached for the dismal state it was in. Some rooms were kept in the “period”, others were mostly junk, and yet others were a mixture of the past and present. It was all very confusing.
I think since we tipped George $6, he not only took us through the house, but also up the rickety stairs to the crows nest, and down into the moldy, damp, basement.
In the basement was a “gentleman’s room”, with a door only 18 to 20 inches wide. This is where the men went when they wanted to drink or smoke, since neither were allowed on any other floor of the house. The story is that the door was made narrow on purpose so that no woman in the full hooped dresses of that time period could get through the door into the men’s territory. Supposedly the room was very elaborate at the time. All we could see in the darkness was water/dirt covered floors and what looked like faded leather wallpaper.

Sometimes, mistakes are good. This was one of those times. But, next year we are going to try to make it to the annual Ice Cream Social at the Maclay house!

They're BAAck!

2011-07-04T14:35:00.000-05:00

We have a few sheep again. When we sold our flock a year ago, the plan was to buy a few sheep every summer and raise them up to sell just before winter hits. That way Jim doesn't have to feed them hay through the winter. What we didn't count on is the fact that it would be very difficult to find a few sheep at a decent price without going to sale barns. But find them we did!

Here they are - just in time to wish everyone a Happy Independence Day!

We were hoping to get four rams, but only came home with two... but two is better than none. These two are already sold - to be butchered in November. So, I don't dare get too close to them. I learned that lesson a long time ago.

Some of our kids and grandkids are coming over later this afternoon for a cookout. It should be a lot of fun.

Hope everyone has a great day. I know I plan to!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Still on probation

2011-06-28T11:17:00.001-05:00

Bailey's six month probation period is up in September, but I may have to extend it to a year.

You know how some ~~pets~~ employees start out strong, working hard and trying to impress their new ~~owners~~ employers? And you think "I am so lucky to have found that ~~pet~~ employee!

Baiey stalking her prey

And then you see signs that they aren't getting the job done...

You know, signs like when you walk outside to put meat on the grill, and then turn back around to go back into the house and you hear CRUNCH under your feet... and you look down and there is a mouse flailing because you stepped on it. How I wished I had been wearing tennis shoes, rather than sandals - but at least I wasn't barefoot! What if that mouse had crawled across my foot. Yikes! Once I finished screaming and shaking, I looked for the lazy ~~cat~~ employee who didn't do her job.

Bailey lounging in a rocking chair

Just as I feared, she had become complacent - and didn't even care that I knew it!

Bailey sleeping in the rocking chair

Sleeping on the job is a firing offense - don't you think?

I think I'll give her one more chance. She does provide me with a lot of love and who knows how many little critters would be running around my porch if she wasn't around. Bailey's a keeper after all. But please... no more mice!

Bailey

No, I did not take a picture of the dead mouse. And yes, Jim had to get rid of it for me. Yuck!

Believe and it will happen

2011-06-27T15:16:00.000-05:00

Remember this dismal picture from earlier this spring?

Bare ground rose garden

Here is my rose garden today with beautiful, sweet smelling, roses blooming.

Rose Garden

Even the insects appreciate their beauty.

I just hope they are nice and don't decide they are sitting on an afternoon snack.

Pink rose with insects on it

Watch out for June!

2011-06-25T13:37:00.000-05:00

June. What can I say... June is the happening month.

39 years ago, this guy I met in Kindergarten and I got married.

Playing nice when cutting the cake

We were young and in love. We are still in love and young at heart. Our lives are full and blessed beyond all of my dreams. Together we have raised a family of three wonderful children. Our lives have been one challenge and many joys after another. All I can say is that I would not have wanted to walk hand in hand through life with anyone else by my side.

If we promise something to each other, we try to keep our promises. In 1976, money was tight. We already had a beautiful little 2 year old girl and were expecting another baby that summer. Even though it was going to be financially difficult, we decided I would quit my job and stay home with the kids. Since we seldom ate out - even fast food was a budget buster - Jim promised this very pregnant wife that he would take me out to dinner for our Anniversary on June 17. This was one promise that he struggled to keep.

Greg - 2 months old

Gregory James chose the evening before our anniversary to make his appearance. What a sweet bundle of joy he was. I immediately thought he looked just like his daddy. Happy Birthday to my sweet son!

Of course this meant that I was in the hospital doing the mommy thing when our anniversary rolled around. But never fear, Jim kept his promise (kinda). He shared my hospital tray of food with me. That was as close as we could get to eating out for our anniversary this year. At least it was free! Good thing, because our new baby boy wasn't! Oh, and for dessert Jim brought me a milk shake. Chocolate. That probably wasn't the wisest choice of dessert for a nursing mother. I'm not too sure how we have survived each other, or how our kids have survived us, but somehow it has all worked out!

Here is our rolly-polly lovable little boy.

Greg & Alicia and family

And here he is 34 years later with a family of his own - still making me smile with all my heart.

Who could have guessed that many years later, our daughter would meet and marry a wonderful man. Well, that part isn't so surprising. But the fact that his birth date is also June 16, was kind of amazing. Happy Birthday to our son-in-law, Bill. Thank you for being part of our family.

Tess and Bill and family

Here he is with his happy family.

And that leaves Julie for another day.

She was considerate enough to not be born in June. But watch out July!

Honor Thy Father

2011-06-24T15:48:00.001-05:00

How fitting that my Grandson, Allen, made his First Holy Communion on Father's Day.

Alicia, Reagan, Allen, Fr. Bob, Greg

In the Catholic Church, this is a person's first time to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which is the focal point of our faith. The Eucharist nourishes our soul. Allen was Baptized as an infant and now joins his family at the Lord's Table.

Allen's First Holy Communion was a day of excitement. He was dressed in a white shirt and tie, black pants and new cowboy boots. It doesn't get any snazzier than that! As his mom, dad, and sister, Grandparents, and his Baptismal Godparents watched, he walked to the Altar alone and said Amen to the Body and Blood of Christ.

Allen receiving the Body of Christ for the first time

After leaving Church, we headed to Greg and Alicia's for a little nourishment for our bodies. Allen received gifts from everyone.

Opening present of his Great Grandpa's prayerbook in a keepsake box

I don't remember the last time I've spent such a beautiful, relaxing day.

We have celebrated some other special days over the past few weeks. Hopefully I'll get a post about them done soon. It will definitely be a case of "better late than never"!

Thanks for being a friend

2011-06-18T14:40:00.000-05:00

My world has been a busy one these past few weeks. There are lots of special things that happen in June every year - and this year has been filled with the usual and then some. I will catch up one of these days, though... I promise!

Imagine my surprise when going through the mail last week and discovered this little gem:

Thanks for being a friend

My blogger friend, Queenie Jeannie has been at it again. She creates the prettiest cards - and I am always excited when I am the recipient of one.

"Thanks for being a friend" - is stamped on the inside - and then a very sweet note that says "Deanna, This picture reminds me of your lovely gardens! Enjoy your spare time, sitting on the porch, with a cool glass of iced tea! Hugs, Jeannie." The photo doesn't quite show the beautiful details of the gate stamp colored by Jeannie with her Copic markers. At least I'm pretty sure it was... I'm sure she will tell me if I am wrong!

Jeannie, I would love it if you were visiting with me on my front porch right this very minute! We'd have a wonderful time. Of course, it would be a bit of a challenge for you to get here considering you are still in Italy! (I'm still very jealous about that).

For your enjoyment

2011-06-12T17:47:00.001-05:00

Last week we took a day trip to St. Louis to visit The Jewel Box in Forest Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden. It was a gorgeously HOT day. Since I took over 100 pictures, I thought I’d share a few with you. I hope you enjoy the photos of the beautiful gardens as much as we did.

An unexpected rant

2011-06-11T09:51:00.000-05:00

Heading home from Austin's baseball game last night I looked to the right and was favored with a beautiful sight. I said "stop!" and he didn't (more like couldn't). But he did turn around so I could capture the sky.

The skies over the Jefferson City last night

As I look at this picture, I can't help but think of our lawmakers roaming the halls of the Capitol Building, making tough decisions that will impact each and every one of us. I pray that God leads them to quit squabbling and looking after their own petty special interests, and instead work together to get our state back on solid ground. We are floundering. I have no answers to the problems and have never pretended to. These dudes in that white building, though, did claim to have the answers when they ran for office.

There is so much waste in government. As a 30+ year retired government employee, I can make that statement with 100% certainty. And the waste is usually not in the rank and files. It is with the bosses who think they are entitled to perks and favor constituents. Get over yourself! If everyone would get down and dirty and give 100%, we would see results. And while I'm on the subject. I want to go on record that Government employees get a bad rap that they largely don't deserve. As with any business, there are those employees who don't do their job, are lazy, rude, call in sick when they aren't sick, take extended lunch hours or breaks, and in general are just lousy employees. But on the flip side, the majority of my co-workers are dedicated, hard working, individuals who gave 100% to their careers. They care about the service they provide. Government should be run like a business and it isn't. If it were, there would be fewer free-loading employees and the citizens would have a greater respect for government and the service it provides to all of us.

Missouri River Bridges at Jefferson City

Speaking of government not doing its job. See the twin bridges in the above photo? They are a major thoroughfare into Jefferson City. During the flood of '93, these bridges were out of commission for a long period of time because the flood waters washed out the roadways leading to them. The headlights coming towards you would have been underwater. We are now told that the Corps of Engineers plans to release waters from a dam in Nebraska/SouthDakota that is holding back the waters from the heavy winter and spring rains. They predict that the resulting flood waters here will exceed the flood of '93. Many are asking why did they wait so long to release the waters. Why was it held back until it reached this critical stage, resulting in major flooding here, rather than a slow release that the riverway could have handled. I believe the Corps didn't do their job and now everyone will pay for their incompetence.

This post was supposed to be a simple picture of the sky and a wish to everyone that you have a nice weekend. And now look! I went on a rant. *shaking my head at myself as I hit publish*

Oh, and I do hope everyone has a great weekend!

We honor

2011-06-06T08:49:00.001-05:00

It was time to set the military plaque at my dad’s gravesite this weekend. You might know we would pick the hottest, muggiest, day so far this year. But we wanted to do it while my sister, Kathleen, was home visiting – so this past Saturday was the day.

A word to the wise. If you plan on digging around a loved one’s grave and there are little ones involved, clearly explain what you are doing first. They looked on in horror, and Cara said “are you going to dig him up?!?!”, as we quickly regrouped and explained what was going on.

My brother, Tom, set the plaque in place. There is a story behind the angel food cake sitting on the headstone. Mom and Dad loved angel food cake, and dad always proudly baked one for family events – knowing it would be the lightest and tallest – of any other cake. The one on the headstone doesn’t do dad’s cakes justice, but as Kathleen said, “It is probably a good thing”. He wouldn’t have liked it if my cake turned out taller and lighter than any of his!

Dad’s great grandkids carefully brushed the dirt away.

Last week Kathleen and I continued the time consuming task of going through mom and dad’s many photo albums. Although I had already scanned a lot of photos, there was much left to decide. After she left, I continued browsing, and happened on a manual typewritten piece of paper. I quickly realized at some point dad had briefly documented his service history. My guess it was used as speaking points at one time or another. But how timely to find it the day before we planned on honoring him. Here is what it said:

I was inducted in the Army Air Force in February 1943. I soon found that army life would be much different from civilian life. Basic training was very rigid both for the mind and body. This was necessary, however, to prepare the body for combat if needed and the mind to follow orders without question.
Next I was sent to radio operators school to learn Morris Code. From there I went to Yuma Arizona to gunnery school to learn how to fire 30 and 50 caliber machine guns from an aircraft to targets on the ground and moving targets pulled by other aircraft. I was then assigned to a crew on B17 aircraft with the 8^th Air Force in Ardmore Oklahoma. I was then transferred to a B29 outfit in Salina Kansas, and from there sent to Guam in the Mariana Islands with the 39^th Bomb Group of the 20^th Air Force.
The trip to Guam was no fun as we were all sent by boat that crisscrossed the Pacific taking 30 days to make the trip.
Guam is about 5 miles wide by 30 miles long. All the buildings were leveled by the war and most of the people set up grass huts to live in. The 39^th bomb group was at the north end of the island and the airstrip was just finished to accommodate the B29 Aircraft. The jungle was just cleared away and we had to sleep on the ground. There were lots of lizards, but they were the kind that didn’t bite. Eventually they erected Quonset huts for us to live in so we could sleep on cots.
I was on Guam for one year until the end of the war and was discharged from the Army Air Force in February 1946.

So while Tom read the words written by dad many years ago, we each took a chunk of angel food cake and remembered and gave thanks.

We finished off the afternoon with a BBQ of the best pork steaks ever known to mankind (I kid you not) and all of the fixin’s to go with it. The cicadas were relentless – bomb diving into our hair and making a racket that only the 13 year emergence of cicadas can make.

A few days in my world

2011-05-31T10:46:00.000-05:00

On this once again rainy morning, I thought I'd share some images from the past week.

Clematis blooming. A present from my mom and dad many years ago.

Awesomely tart pie cherries. Only enough for two pies - but I'll take what I can get! Strawberries are coming on strong. Yum.

Rubberbands hooked to plastic whirly-wheels is a lot of fun to shoot into the air and then catch. Unless the rubberband snaps your fingers (see Anna on the left)

It is easy to get away from the troubles of life when fishing in the cold waters at Stieferman's Bluff

A little front porch sitting would be so nice. (Notice the layering of cusions on the rockers? The first set belongs to Bailey. She kindly allows us to remove them when we sit down. That cat does know how to shed!)

God Bless Them All

2011-05-30T10:19:00.002-05:00

This day was set aside during the Civil War as a day to remember Union soldiers who fought and lost their lives during war. It was called Decoration Day.  We've been watching the Civil War miniseries that we recorded from the History Channel sometime ago. It is a powerful message of the futility and destruction of lives wrought by war.  Today I also remember the Confederate Soldiers who were apparently left out of the original declaration.

Today we know this day as Memorial Day. We have a great deal to be thankful for, and those who fought and died to protect us, deserve to be remembered. As I sit here typing, through the corner of my eye I catch sight of our American Flag dancing in the wind. Without the death of so many brave souls, that flag would be no more.  The thought is a bit overpowering.

I also remember those who fought in other wars - wars that could even have been avoided or were ours not to fight - and lived to come home with memories and heartaches too powerful to talk about. Experiences that haunted or will haunt them the rest of their lives. They have paid a very high price for their patrioism. You, too, are in my heart and prayers.

Today I also keep my nephew, Jesse, in my thoughts and prayers as he continues to serve his country and lives in the dangers of war.

God Bless You every single one - and God Bless America.

The sun is shining here, the heat is upon us, and the cicadas are singing louder every day. We were able to hear them inside our closed up house this morning.  It is an amazingly powerfully irritating song. The shells they are leaving everywhere are pretty irritating too.

I am out of my funk now. Sometimes life just gets a bit overwhelming. In answer to some of your comments on my previous post, our "situation house guest" will have been here a year on August 29. We have told him that it is our goal - and must be his goal - to be in a place of his own by August 29 of this year. He now has a steady, although low paying and no benefits, job. Once he is again standing on his own two feet, it is my belief that his self esteem will return. With that, hopefully, will come better opportunities. I can only pray.

Love and good wishes to all.

Funk

2011-05-28T09:39:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been around commenting on your blogs. Blogger has wasted so much of my time not posting comments after I took the time to comment, that I finally gave up. I think it might be working better now, since I was able to comment on a few yesterday, but I am terribly frustrated. That plus I am in a bit of a funk.

I am tired of having the perpetual house guest still living in my downstairs. I am tired of the phone ringing over and over again because his daughter is trying to get a hold of him and can't find him. I am tired of not having a place, other than the floor, for my grandkids to sleep because of said perpetual house guest. I am tired of worrying he may have reverted back to his old ways when he doesn't come home until hours after he gets off work. I am tired of feeling guilty that I don't invite him to eat meals with us, even though I know that would just perpetuate his dependence on us. I am sick when I look at his idea of cleanliness and know that when he does move out that, at the very least, I am going to want to gut my bathroom and start over. And I am totally pissed that I can't even offer my only sister a place to stay when she comes to visit for two weeks. So, I am in a bit of a funk.

I hope everyone has a good Memorial Day. I may just run away from home. A nice hotel room is sounding real good to me right now.

Pray for them

2011-05-24T08:52:00.002-05:00

By now everyone has seen the photos and videos of the devastation wrought by mother nature in Joplin, MO. Help is needed. If you would like to help, Text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or visit The Red Cross website to donate or give blood.

It never occurred to me that people would worry about me. However, I have had enough inquiries that I feel I need to let people know that we are all ok. I received emails from my good friends Alice Kay, Karla, Hank JR, and Iggy expressing concern. Many others have expressed concern on Facebook. This was my reply to Iggy. Thank you everyone for caring.

I have watched the news in horror as this tragedy unfolds. The death count is now well over 100. I am very proud of how those involved are handling themselves - with dignity and professionalism. Joplin is about 200 miles from me. I was there many times during my years of government work. It was a nice place to go. And I'm sure it will again be. It is a very hopeless feeling to know there is little I can do right now. I am going to donate blood today (they have finally lifted the "cancer ban" from me and I am again allowed to donate). I will donate money to church if they take up a special collection this weekend, otherwise to the Red Cross. Other than that... all I can do is pray for those involved in this horror. It is at this point, I believe, the deadliest tornado in the nation.

We have been plagued, and will continue to be apparently, with thunderstorms, hail and the threat of tornadoes. The idiots were wrong about the end of the world, but God is definitely getting everyone's attention these days. Not just here of course, but around the world. I don't worry about me, but I do worry about my kids. My prayers are always that God keeps them and their families safe.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

2011-05-22T15:12:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a great day.

"They" were calling for rain to roll in yesterday. "They" were once again wrong. After a morning of going to the gym, running errands, and cleaning up around here, we cleaned up (yes, it was necessary) and joined the kids at Greg and Alicia's for my birthday party. Everything was so relaxing. Alicia fixed Mint Juleps. I'd never had them before! They were scary good. - you know, the type of good that would sneak up on a person if they are not careful. I was careful and only had two. We then all stuffed ourselves on grilled pork steaks, potato casserole, broccoli/cauliflower salad, baked beans and maybe I'm forgetting something else. It was all delicious. Then we had cheesecake for dessert. Since they were worried about smoke soot damage to their ceilings, we decided to forgo the candles.

Jim is working this afternoon. I am smoking a pork loin and checking out blogs. As soon as I get done here, I do believe I need to "pick up" the house. I'm terrible about not always putting things away.

Oh, and I picked strawberries this morning. And the cherries are almost ready. So far the birds are leaving them alone. So maybe I'll get some. Apparently this is the year the cicadas are supposed to get really bad. While walking around outside this morning, we saw two of them hanging around. I hate the damage they do to trees, especially the tender barks of new fruit trees. I hope the pear trees we planted last year survive. I'm not looking forward to the deafening noise they create when they are in great numbers. Sitting smack dab in the middle of the woods equals full surround stereo. Sometimes that is not a good thing!

I hope every one has had a great weekend.

Happy Birthday to me!

2011-05-20T08:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to me

I belong in a tree

With the Indigo Buntings

And the Humming Birdies

Original prose by my dear husband, Jim

Yessiree, it is my day. As Iggy said in his comment on my previous post, today is a day of LOTS of candles and mountains of flames. Well put!

I'm celebrating 59 glorious years! How is that possible?

Today is going to be just like any other day, with an eye Dr. appointment this morning and work this afternoon. I can't wait to ditch the readers I've been constantly losing for the past two years and get back into a pair of bi-focals. The next picture you see of me, I will be wearing glasses again.

Look what Jim surprised me with.

Willow Tree - Peace on Earth

I absolutely love it.

Tomorrow we'll CELEBRATE! with a party at Greg and Alicia's house.

Thank you everyone for your sweet comments and birthday wishes. It means a lot to me.

2011-05-18T19:46:00.000-05:00

6:15 am - Woke up, big stretch, got up to pee and brush teeth
6:17 am - Curled back up in bed
6:47 am - ~~Crawled~~ Jumped back out of bed to face the day
6:48 am - Grabbed a cup of coffee and turned on morning news
6:55 am - Kissed hubby goodby as he headed to work
7:15 am - Turned off news (ugh) - do I really care about Arnold, Newt, and that dude from France?, grabbed anothed cuppa coffee and bowl of cereal and check email.
7:22 - Done with emails (where did all my friends go?!?) Started writing this blog
7:26 - Blog time!
8:15 - Grabbed another cuppa and started chores... made bed, put out a load of laundry (how can two people dirty so many clothes...), unloaded dishwasher (how again...), fed cat, looked at dog who Jim already fed, filled the bird feeders, put first load of laundry into drier and put another load (again, how...)
9:00 - Grabbed another cuppa in a clean cup because the previous one is sitting cold somewhere in the house and continued with blogs. If anyone tries to tell you that blogs are not time consuming, they are kidding themselves! But I love them.
9:30 - Phone call with Julie
9:45 - Fold clothes, put out another load (again, how...)
10:00 - Heading out to mow grass. This is a biggie for me because Jim is at work. He usually gets the mower going for me. Cross your fingers!
11:30 - Time for a water and left over fried chicken (compliments of WalMart) break. Turned drier back on to fluff clothes because I was outside too long (come on, admit it - you do that too! Don't you?) Mower started right off! Five sections done. I think everyone has a different method of mowing. Since we have so many trees and "areas", I tend to section my mowing off by trees or terrain.
12:00 - Got sidetracked by my Nook - reading John Grisham's "The Confession"
12:20 - Sister called
12:30 - Returned to mowing
1:15 - Another break. Took bird pictures and posted them on my blog.
1:45 - Returned to mowing
4:15 - After numerous breaks, I'm DONE! Jim came home around 3:00 and helped finish
4:30 - Jim discovers our 21 year old cat, Shelby, curled up in a pile of leaves, close to death. We've made her comfortable and hope she is not in pain. She's lived a good life. It is going to be hard to let her go - and that is all I plan to say on the subject. Can't dwell on it.
4:45 - Heading for a much needed shower!
5:15 - Margarita time
5:45 - News
6:15 - Supper of chicken and rice casserole
7:00 - Television and then bed
I am soooo damn tired!

I think I missed a load of laundry somewhere... Pretty sure I missed a few potty breaks too.

Hope everyone had a great. They are calling for rain for the next countless days. Am glad the grass is mowed!

Confused

2011-05-18T13:41:00.001-05:00

We have four feeders filled with seed and two wired baskets filled with suet hanging from our trees. Yet this greedy guy decided he wanted the humming bird’s sugar water.

My little humming bird putting on the brakes when he sees he has a freeloader at his feeder

What’s with that “Don’t mess with me look?” Now that is just mean. He isn’t even going to share.

All is right in the world again (for now).