Bloggy Admiration

Having only been blogging since August, I have had fun "traveling" around the country, and well, guess the world too and "meeting" so many new people, fun people, talented people, smart people, fun people, oh I said that already!



And because I have only blogging (online that is, my family would probably say I have blogged my whole life - blog a blog blog blog :)) such a short time, I was surprised and tickled that Rhonda gave me this honor. She has a great sense of humor and a beautiful family ~ she keeps me chuckling.

Thank you Rhonda!

While there are many people I enjoy visiting today I would like to pass this award on to the following people:

Smile It's Becky

Jan

Bayou Woman

Just Randi

April

Watch the Wind Blow By


Thanks to those on this list and all those I follow for all the fun and the chance to have a glimpse into someone elses life (yuck, that sounds rather voyeuristic[and I successfully, though with trepidation, googled the spelling without ending up where I did not want to end up!!])

You Get A Line, I'll Get A Pole

Demolition D headed off to Athens this weekend with his step mom and her mother for the Georgia-Alabama football game. He actually likes Auburn, but he had a great time anyway – especially since Georgia lost! We think he needs to go to the Auburn/Georgia game and see if his presence might have the same luck!

So after a busy morning, Saturday, at work and finishing a few household chores, we took . . . formally known as Stitch (a nickname given at Scouts, that I really do not like! -I will come up with a new one) out to my SIL/BIL's farm to do a little fishing.

I was a gorgeous afternoon!

Will caught the first fish – a small brim

Followed by Dude (trying that name on, maybe Bud will be better) catching the first bass . . . .

The release

And then this happened . . . .

Will caught another bass caught! (it was jumping out of the water as they reeled it in!)

And then another was caught (I lost track of who) . . .

Say Ahhhhhhhh . . . .

Pretty gnarly

We threw them back in ~ since we went more the enjoyment of being outside on such a lovely day. . .

A chance to enjoy time with each other and enjoy crickets chirping and the dragonflies buzzing

The birds singing and purple martins fishing too!

Hard, to see, but the black spot are the birds getting bugs off the water

And then the sunset . . .

the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea . . .

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalms 8:8-9

The Love Of Family

Check out Club Candid Carrie, Phriday Photo Phinish Phiesta

So here is my part of "phiesta"

I love this picture. It is of my husband and his oldest sister in the mid 70's. Their family had loaded up two cars and headed to Mexico for vacation. He thinks he is maybe 12 in the picture and she is 18 and newly married.


They have always been close. This shot of her, either admiring his new bolero, or helping him with it, is a sweet picture.

Tag, I am It!

It is a first!

I have been tagged!

Smile, It's Becky tagged me for:

So, here goes:

1. I do not eat bananas after the first brown spot. They make my ears and throat itch.
2. My picture was in a Denver Newspaper when I was about two – I was in my wading pool, under an umbrella with my dog – during a heat wave Denver was having)
3. We moved back to Georgia when I was ten – My parents had moved to Denver when I was 6 months old – I traveled in a blanket laden orange crate.
4. I have never had a broken bone.
5. I can’t stand to tear apart a cotton ball – it has the same effect as fingernails on a chalk board (why would I tear one apart?? ( I have had a to for my childs ear when he had swimmers ear and needed to keep the medicine in his ear)
6. I have never watched a James Bond movie to the end. Only snippets – never the whole movie.
7. The first time I attempted to cook fried chicken, the chicken started oozing blood, so I took it out of the fryer and tried dabbing it off with a paper towel. So sad!

I tag:

Queen Of Chaos

Jan

Carrie

Tiffanie

Gayle

Rhonda

Veronica

Have a great day!

The Frost is on the Punkin'

Long time ago when I was in high school, an English teacher had read a poem, and read it so well in its intended dialect. Fall is always so great and the poem brought to my imagination all the wonderful scents and scenes of fall. . .

. . . . They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere.
When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here –
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin of the bees; . . .

Years afterward I could not remember who wrote the poem or much about it. Isn’t google wonderful? I typed in the part I did remember, and waaalaaaa! Up popped the poem by James Whitcomb Riley – When the Frost is on the Punkin’ ( also check out Little Orpan Annie, it is great for October).

So with the punkin sharing going on at the Nesting Place (I hope it is ok that this one is a little different than the ribbons :)) , I thought parts of the poem were so appropriate as I dig out punkins and fall décor and as the weather becomes a little cooler (they are saying 57 overnight low tomorrow night!!yeah!)

…But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock…

I saw something like this a year ago . . . with the stacked pumpkins. I use the foam ones because it is too warm for real ones to last very long. Pumpkins in the South seem to rot pretty fast.

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the cellar-floor in red and yaller heaps;

I poked a holes in the pumpkins with a dowel:

And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With theyr mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage too!...

And stacked them up; Added some “faux-liage” and ribbon

And Voila:

I don't know how to tell it—but ef such a thing could be
As the angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me—
I'd want to 'commodate 'em—all the whole-indurin' flock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Happy First Day of Fall!!

Birthdays Remembered

I am new at blogging and what is interesting - I hated writing assignments in school and college! BUT, blogging is fun! Then I saw on Becky's site her post in response to a "writing assignment" at Momma's Losin It.

So, I am going to give it a try.

There are four prompts to choose from:
1. Write about a heart that wouldn’t quit.
2. Describe a childhood birthday.
3. Do you have reoccurring dreams? What are they about?or
4. Close your eyes, open a dictionary, and point to a word. Does your word mean anything special to you?
I have picked the childhood birthday, mainly because I did not like the random word that I randomly picked from the dictionary and the other two did not spark anything either.
I debated about this because one of the ones I remember the most did not necessarily have a great ending . . . family did gather . . . crowds gathered, for that matter. . . I do not remember the gifts I received. . . But I do know there were speeches given . . . people cheered . . . there may have even been some tears.

My birthday is January 20th and the year was 1977.

The day started out wonderful. My grandmother was visiting from Nebraska (we lived in Colorado at the time, but did not get to see her very often). My mom had made my all time favorite breakfast – French toast. Now, I tended to like my French toast rather simple, butter was all I needed on top! But this being a special day, you know, my birthday and my grandmother was there. She talked me into venturing out a bit, and convinced me to try something new, maple syrup on my French toast! It was different, not necessarily bad, just new (hang with me, this is relevant).

So I gobble down my breakfast and then I was off to school.

A few hours later, I became sick. Sick to my stomach sick. My mom was called; I was picked and went home, thinking and believing, the maple syrup made me sick! And sad to say, I still, to this day, do not add maple syrup to my French toast, pancakes, nada! Nope, not going to happen . . .

But this is where the gathering begins . . .

We turned on the TV.

And we watched . . .

The countries 39th President – Jimmy Carter – be sworn in.

As I said, crowds were gathered, speeches were given, people cheered, and probably, some people shed some tears.

Four years later, we had moved to Georgia. On my birthday, I again, got out of school early. This time, not because I was sick, but to experience history taking place . . .

to see Jimmy Carter return to his hometown.

Well, and to hopefully see a cousin that was a pilot with the Air Force One Crew.

Happy Friday Eve!

. . . and after you rest (or before) check out the giveaway from Crazyland here.

Fall Inspiration and P.O.O.P.I.E.

I decided it would be fun to join the party over at the Nesting Place . . . and I am but first (and part of the party):

I was reading through LindaJanes site yesterday when I came accross this cute item - here.

I have one of those cloches!

And I have a bird nest thing with "faux-liage!" I can kill two birds with one stone...

So I take the faux twiggy items off the bottom . . .

I cram the birds nest, it was a little tight, and I was determined to make this happen, into the croche . . .

And waaa laaaaa! I have something new that did not cost a penny.

I now will find a clever spot to place this among some of my "faux birds" (not stuffed - glass, silver - not tacky . . . I hope . . . hmmm)

And yes I do have a few other "faux liage." It is funny, we never had any in the house growing up - it was all too fake. Some of the pieces I now have are actually from my mom. As I think about each room - I have more than I realize, but I only have these pictures right now.

So here goes:

This one I bought - there is cool pot it sits in - and yes, it is fake berries and well fake all around.

Then this one use to be in my office cubicle and now it is at my shop:

The big green plant is real . . .

Check out the list of P.O.O.P.I.E Post here -there are some oh so faux pics of ivy topped kitchen cabinets and then some really attractive arrangements and some very fallish arrangement.

Happy Day To All!!

My Knight Saved Me, While Laughing At Me

Watching the coverage of Hurricane Ike brought out this tendency I have when natural disasters hit, I go into survival mode and take inventory of what canned food we have, battery, flashlights, candles, matches, etc. I may not do all this physically, but I mentally go through the list.

So while I was out running errands yesterday I ended up in Tuesday Morning. The last time I went there after a storm hit the coast, I believe the fall after Katrina, I brought home a wonderful fan – it has an AC Adapter AND a spot for four D size batteries. It is great – no power, then the batteries run the fan! (Yes, we do live around 150 miles inland from the beach, I know, I know) We have used it once!

Now, I do not actually go looking for wonderful emergency gadgets, but I again happened upon one. One of those hand-cranked radio, siren, flashlights. BUT this one also had adaptors for cell phones! Pretty handy if the power is out and you just HAVE to make a phone call and your battery is dead(provided there is still service).

Of course I had to get it . . . and did.

I am at home checking out the new gizmo when I decide to see how bright the flashlight really is.

On impulse I go into the pantry – it is a small walk in area in the kitchen that is under the stairs – good and dark with the door closed. I close the door and yep, the flashlight is bright.

I turn to open the door and go about my list of to do’s.

Problem.

The door won’t open!

I forgot, the knob is messed up on the inside. I remember this, NOW, from rescuing Stitch when his older brother shut him in there!

Next Problem.

I am home alone! Kids are at school and DH is at work, bringing home the bacon, and I am locked in a very small space!

So, after wiggling the handle and bumping the door, I take a seat and decide to turn on the radio, maybe they will tell the time so I know how long until lunch (hubby comes home for lunch). I find a station and of all things it is Billy Carrington singing “Must Be Doing Something Right.” Egads! The irony!

So I wait. I now know that cranking the gizmo for 30 seconds gives you two songs and 4 commercials of run time. I also know that solitary confinement would drive me insane!!

Twenty some minutes later I hear my Knight in Shining Armor come in the house. I give him a hello from behind the door and ask that he release me from my box. Laughing, he opened the door and freed his damsel in distress.

Pretty good timing for a saving too, 7 years ago, to the day, we had had our first date! He had saved me from the dating world and later became my wonderful husband!

It was a good day!

Political Junkies Junkie

I admit it, I am a junkie. I can’t say I am a political junkie because there is so MUCH I don’t know and just can’t seem to retain. I have not dug through the internet to find out all the “planks” in each political corners platform. I cannot remember what speeches Bush or Kerry gave 4 years ago. Maybe the highlights of what they themselves supposedly stood for I can somewhat remember.

I guess I consider the politics to be like marital problems – there are three sides – what each is saying and what will actually materialize.

Thus bringing me to the junkie part – I am a Political Junkies junkie. I have so enjoyed reading different blogs on the issue. From those that staunchly stand in their political parties corner – whether it be Republican or Democrat, to those that are still weighing everything out and trying decide how to decide, to those that are seriously considering not to even vote.

There is a lot of information out there - there is a lot of slamming too. What is up with these commercials? Can't these guys rise above the mud slinging and just give us their stance and how they plan to achieve it? I guess that is what the debates are for, but then let's just skip the commercials.

Here is a post I came across the other day at Tudor's Desk about the parties. On Friar Tucks site I came across Sick Horizon's site with his Quick Hit 10 list. It has some great points too. Jesus Creed had this post with a wide range of responses to voting for president, with many perspectives of how people pick their pick!

Now, with 50 days left, yes, I probably have decided, but I still feel torn. The pro's and con's are just not distinct enough for me. They both have some views that make it difficult to say - "yes! he is the man!" I am having trouble with which pro out weighs the other's pro and which con will ultimately tip the scales. It is bad to say

Can we have a do over??

I just did something I have never done before

I paid $4.49 for gas!!

I guess I did not have to.

But because the boys have so many activities this weekend that include driving out of town, I figured I should top off the tank so that I won't have to pay . . .

$5.00 a gallon!!

or no gas at all - the Shell station was OUT!

I wonder what Ike is doing that Gustav did not to cause such a big jump in such a short period of time . . . .

And We Remember

For the past several years, to commemorate 9/11, flags have been placed in a green space next to our mall.

I have driven past them every day this week and admired the flags flowing in the breeze.

And each time I feel my eyes water a bit and I feel that choked up feeling of patriotism as well as sympathy for all the losses that day brought.

Demolition D watched the TV version of Flight 93 several weeks ago and asked why I would not sit down and watch it. I told him I just could not.

I tried to explain to him that even though many were not physically there, even though there were many that did not lose anyone that they knew, it was still such a shock and such a loss to so many in our nation. It affected everyone – many more than others, but all to some degree.

As I have watched those flags wave, I have, as so many Americans probably have, remembered that morning. I still remember watching it on TV as it happened and thinking “The buildings are falling and people are in there, and we are watching this horrible thing actually as it is happening!” We comforted and prayed for a co-worker and her family as she waited to hear if her husband, who was at the pentagon, was ok and her step-daughter in Manhattan was unharmed. They were fine.

So many lives lost at once and also lost a certain amount of innocence.

We are blessed that we live in a country that does not deal with regular attacks of this nature. We do not have to have gas masks in our homes for each family member. We do not wake nor go to sleep with the sounds of explosions. And maybe as we remember today what happened 7 years ago, we can remember to love our neighbor a little more and to be more forgiving of our differences.

I am thankful and proud to be an American!

Things that make you . . . SMILE

Today has already been a day offering so many blogging thoughts, but there is no way to put them all down on paper, well, actually on screen!

In just the first couple hours of today life has given many smiles - just simple things, really.

I could not help but get tickled at the Norwegian Base Jumper on the Today Show that was not familiar with what adjectives you can or cannot use on live TV. So when asked his reaction to flying into the rock wall, his response was something to the effect about realizing he was going to hit the wall and thinking “Holy s*&t” (those not in the Eastern Time Zone will get the edited version). The reactions from the behind the scenes folk and Matt Laurer were a hoot!

I wonder if the fellow realizes what he did?

Have you ever seen a South Georgia Sheep Dog? There are not many – their coats are too thick and the temps too hot. Not to mention flea control in that much hair. But I saw a lady walking one this morning, and I had to chuckle. His body was shaved and his head was not. Bless his heart (yes, as I said I am in the South – bless (fill in the blank) heart is as much a part of lives as grits and sweet tea) he was absolutely comical. I actually had my camera with me, but I don’t believe his owner would have appreciated my wishing to take a picture.

But the best chuckle I had this morning also tickled my heart.

Demolition Derby D actually dressed for Tacky Day at school!

When he was baby he was happy and all smiles – even though very independent, not what you would call a cuddly baby. But happy!

See:

You have to know this: he inherited, from me, this bone that makes you extremely embarrassed in some situations, mainly ones that would draw attention (no, there really is not a bone). As he became older, this surfaced more. He takes it several steps further than me though. He has it so bad he is actually uptight and bordering boring at times! In Middle School he would not participate in any of the activities like this. But not today . . .Today he came downstairs to head to school for Tacky Day:

Ok, so the picture being taken did not make him happy. Oops!

DH and I have noticed him coming out of his shell over the last 6 months or so and is seeming to enjoy life more and smiling and now venturing further out. It is something to watch someone start to figure out who they might be and to push themselves in ways they may not have before.

It really does the heart good!

It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Psalms 48:2

Wonderful Wednesday Without Wrenches??

Whew, I made it through yesterday!

I think today will begin the settling of life for this week. I need it!

Wrenchs of the Week:

Wrench #1:

My minivan began making a whirrrrrr noise. So on Monday I had to take it to the repair shop. Which threw off my day some since I did not have a car for half the day.

Wrench #2

My van was not repaired. The air conditioning compressor died! And they did not have one in stock. So I did get my van back, but it has to go back to the shop on Wednesday (today). Until then, no air conditioning! But on a good/bad note, the compressor was replaced last December, so it is under warranty - Yippee, no fee!

Wrench #3

Still Monday, 20 minutes before the Boy Scout meeting, Bino tells me he has a Social Studies project due Wednesday. A rather hefty project at that. So add trip to store for tri-board and supplies! We work for an hour after the Scout meeting, but did not make much headway.

Wrench #4

It was hot in South Georgia on Tuesday. I should know, no cool air in the van. Humidity and wind are not great for hair!! But I finished shopping for the shop and all that I needed to do so the van can be worked on. But then we come to:

Wrench #5

My food order from the distributed never showed!!! I called and somehow the order did not transmit on Monday. I guess it is lost in cyber space or maybe the atom smasher thingy in Switzerland got it. Anyway, that led to more running because I could not finish two of my orders without that order. So I had to go find it locally!

Wrench #6

Band Practice was canceled for Demolition D, so school pickup arrangements were trashed and we had to regroup . . . again

Which brings us to today -

Van is in the shop getting its cool on ~ kids are safely deposited at school (project included - we gottr done...) ~ I have been delivered to the shop ~ and now I will watch for the delivery of my order and enjoy a peaceful day

Wonderful Wednesday without Wrenches . . . oh I hope!

Atom Smasher?!?

Sorry guys - I am stuck on Andy Griffith lately.
As I watch the Today Show about the "Big Bang" episode scheduled for tomorrow I can't help but post this clip I came across last week.



Granted, more people are taking this a heap lot more serious (very poor grammar) than Andy did . . .I guess we will see tomorrow. Did the guy say in that interview that after the "Big Bang" tomorrow the Earth will only survive 50 months?? hmmmm



Ok, I am now going to stay away from You Tube for awhile . . . Time to put meals together

Oh, and Friar Tuck, I do plan on answering the last post - I have to get my thoughts in order . . . and finish up all the obligations waiting for me today.
Gonna be a busy one!
See you guys soon!

Land Line Lambs (Sheep)

I received an email about old telephones. Here is what someone artistic and creative (I guess that is kinda the same) person did:

Demolition Derby D

My adventures with Demolition Derby D continue. It amazes me how many details with driving that we, adults, handle out of reflex or habit. As DDD continues to learn to drive, I see all the BIG/little details that we were taught, not even realizing all the details we have learned. Now I am having to pick apart driving to be sure he knows and understands what to do and why.

I also see why there are so many advocates pushing to change the driving age to 17 or 18. Don’t get me wrong- Pleeeease don’t change it too soon!?!

This process reminds me so much of the toddler stages (except he argues and fights more now). For example, the struggle and desire to walk but the lack of coordination that has to be built. Or the big, chunky, colorful blocks we try to get them to fit in the puzzle slot. Yup, that is a 15 year old learning to drive. Uncoordinated, and not everything seeming to connect quite yet.

Changing lanes fits this category. He looks in the mirror, check; over his shoulder, check; ahead, too long, ummm . . .ok over his shoulder again, check; then he, somewhat with a jerk, changes lanes. Ahhh and I grin . . . as the gentleman my child pulled in front of us passes on the right and gives a very ugly stare down. Note to self: make sure he remembers being told not to pull in front of another car no matter how many times you look over should.

Diagonal parking spaces are a breeze, naturally and he feels quite accomplished when he gets to park in one of these spots. Bring on the pull in parking spots and that is a different bird. Judging distances and figuring out how to line up the vehicle between the lines is much more of a challenge.

This child of mine that just knew he was an experienced driver before ever getting behind the wheel, “how hard can it be mom, driving is simple!” Now, “can I go, can I go now” and “driving after dark really is different – can we go another way, this way makes me nervous.” I am glad he had sense enough to say he was uncomfortable. And we still have red light issues ~ he actually tried to make a left hand turn at the same red light as before. Ok, this time when I yelled at him to stop, was less fear and more aggrivation.

Is that another gray hair?!? Hmmmm maybe that is another area to add to my list of what I need to learn - whisper stop and smile as I say it . . . yeah, I can do that!

I wonder what other adventures my children will take me on that will show me how much I HAVE learned? I wonder if some of the areas in life that I struggle with now, will one day be handled smoothly without flaw and out of reflex or without thought because the right way has become so much a part of me and who I am?

So what adventures have your kids taken you on that have shown you how you have moved through life and learned, or, like me, not (yep bad drivers still challenge the gracefulness I desire to exhibit)?

Dudant, Dudant, Dudant

I had a good friend call today to chat before she heads to the sunshine state for the next two weeks - TWO WEEKS - wow. Fancy named cocktails, boats, sunshine, tatoo parlors - just kidding! ;)

Ok back to the point, I shared with her that I had finally taken her advise of writing all the hurdles and opportunities that parenting and life has presented to my husband and me. I have recently started a blog!

I did not tell her that I was thinking how life has eased up and is a little more boring, so this blog may not be that interesting.

And then life gave me a funny . . . .

When I came into the shop today I noticed a dark line across the floor. As I came closer to inspect, I realized what I was seeing was moving - a line of hundreds, and thousands of marching fire ants. I really dislike fire ants. Especially when they decide they want to come inside.

I found some ant killer and started spraying both sides of the marching line of ants (felt like I needed them trapped and dying between the lines, as opposed to scattering). Time to clean them up. I started wiping up the floor with a rag and then decided to to sweep up the remaining carcasses into a pile. Before I had a chance to get the dustpan, the 19 year old that helps me came in to work.

I noticed that she looked at the pile as she walked by. This where the day took a comic turn.

After seeing her look at the pile:

I said "we were invaded by ants"

She said "oh {pause} what is that then?" (pointing to the pile)

(sorry about the flash)


I said "Dead Ants" (get the title, dudant, dudant ok, anyway)


She looked puzzled and then


She said "how did you get them to pile up like that?"


I, of course, pause and think through what she has just asked, making sure I just heard the question correctly.



I said "I'm an ant trainer"


She said "oh" and walked back to the kitchen to started working - really believing me!





Not as good as CDW's apple question, but defintely a "what are they thinking" moment.

This is a recipe I found a couple months ago on Group Recipes and it is very SIMPLE and, not healthy, but GOOD.

Butter Pecan Pie


Ingredients

• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 tub Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Buttercream Frosting
• 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
• 1 cup frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
• pecan halves
• 1 9-inch prepared graham cracker crumb pie crust

Directions

1 Place pecans and butter in 10-inch skillet on medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until butter is lightly browned. Pour into heat-proof large bowl.
2 Add frosting and cream cheese. Stir until thoroughly blended. Fold in whipped topping.
3 Pour into prepared crust. Garnish with pecan halves, if desired. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.

End of Summer

Seems strange that the official end of summer is now ~ school started back about 4 weeks ago, seems like summer was long ago. With hubbies work schedule, kids activities and the shop, fitting in summer trips was a little interesting. But we did fit several days in at the beach . . . .

Fried Scallops at the beach

And we were able to take a few quick day trips to silly places close by . . . like "Old Woody"

The boys were overly excited about posing next to the only confederate wooden flagpole still standing - of course I only did that because I thought it was funny - 3 boys and old woody - haha - ok a little gutter too, but the chance to irritate a 14 year old, who can resist!

A covered bridge

The Habitat for Humanity Global Village

The Rural Telephone Museum

No pictures were allowed inside and they did not have any wonderful telephone icon outside. . . too bad. Maybe I should send a suggestion.

Kayaking


It was nice to get out and about even for a couple hours and we had fun driving around South Georgia and having a chance to visit - even if there was no choice as we drove 55 mph down the road . . . and teenager wore the same shirt for every trip. Things you spot when the pictures are up!