8 Things

For Crystal

8 Things I'm Passionate About

1. My grandbabies and my kids
2. My Sisters
3. Photography
4. Learning CSS and html code (nearly losing the battle)
5. Getting a true rest
6. Good books
7. Education
8. Nature

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die

1. Live to raise Zach to adulthood
2. See the Western U.S.
3. Wade in the Pacific Ocean
4. Build a screened in porch!
5. Know that I did something in my life that made a difference.
6. See my kids reach financial security
7. Watch all of my grandbabies grow to adulthood
8. Take the Ultimate Photograph

8 Things I Often Say

1. I love you a bushel and a Peck and a hug around the neck.
2. Shit!!
3. Just shoot me!
4. Dammit Zach!!!
5. Hell's bells!
6. Hush Ya-Ya!
7. Brush your teeth, get dressed (If I had a nickel for every time I said that I'd be rich!)
8. Grow the hell UP!

8 Books I've Recently Read/Currently Reading

1. Damaged, Cathy Glass
2. Crazy School, Cornelia Read
3. The Lost Boy, David Pelzer
4. The Darkest Evening of the Year, Dean Koontz
5. Duma Key, Stephen King
6. Blood Brothers (Sign of Seven Trilogy, Book 1),
Nora Roberts
7. A Child Called It, David Pelzer
8.Hand of Evil (Ali Reynolds Mysteries), J.A. Jance


8 Songs I Could Listen To Over and Over (these all link to the music)

1. Smoke Rings in the Dark, Gary Allen
2. Hotel California, Eagles
3. Goodbye Earl, Dixie Chicks
4. You Don't Even Call Me By My Name, David Allen Coe
5. John Deere Green, Joe Diffie
6. House of the Rising Sun, The Animals
7. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow - The Soggy Bottom Boys featuring Dan Tyminski
8. Do You Feel Like We Do, Peter Frampton

8 Things That Attract Me To My Best Friends

1. Sense of Humor
2. Supportive
3. Not Critical behind your back (only to your face if need be)
4. Caring
5. Not pushy or controlling
6. Forthright
7. Compassionate
8. Dependable

8 People To Do Crazy Eights: (their links)

1. Virginia Gal
2. Tammy
3. Ed
4. Karen H
5. Cindra
6. Cassie b
7. Bermuda Bluez
8. Brent

James and I went over to Helena last Friday to Cotton and Kudzu, a little antique mall. We were looking for lids and dashers for our other churns but didn't find any. He found this little bitty churn (about 1/2 gal. maybe). I found the little enameled coffee pot above.

Video Links Contain Adult Language

But he's funny as all get out. Ya'll gotta watch this guy (part 1), Ron White(part 2) has the ability to make me laugh long and hard.

Little Redneck Country Girls

The weather wasn't especially lovely yesterday but it didn't keep our little country girls from going outdoors to do some serious playing. Armed with an old sheet and beach umbrella, they made a clubhouse that later turned into a castle and just had fun doing what little girls do.

We looked out at one point and the Beans had shed her pants and shoes and was playing in some mud and water in the driveway.



It took Jerri about an hour, in the shower and bath, to get the mud, rocks, and grass out of this child's hair.
MeriKate and the Chick. I'm not sure what was up with the sticks, maybe she was finding water?

Abby was giving Zach's new bike a trial run.

Little Belles, Krysten and MeriKate.

Here's the photo of Jordan, taken last weekend, that I had planned to put on her birthday post if Blogger had been cooperative.

Happy Birthday Jordan!!

I was going to post a photo and a balloon clipart but Blogger isn't cooperating tonight.

So, how'd your first day of being 10 yrs old go?

Love you!

Laughter with Tears

Poor Jerri had a flat on my truck while taking the kids to tae Kwon Do on Thursday night so James and I went to town Friday morning to buy a couple of new tires and have them put on. I knew it had been awhile since I'd bought tires and having a flat just further reminded me. There was a time when I could haul out the handyman jack, take the lug wrench and change a flat faster than a cat can lick his,,,,you know,,, but I have my doubts that I could now. When Jerri called to ask me where the jack and other tools were, I couldn't even tell her. I've had this truck since 1999 and have only had 2 flats on it while on the road and I called James to come change those and he used the tools from his truck, both times.

Anyway, while at the tire store we ran into a guy that I thought looked familiar but I couldn't remember where I knew him from. James sees him all the time and they were talking and he asked me if I remembered this guy. I recalled him quite well after they reminded me about the last time I'd seen him.

He and his wife (at the time) had come with our friends Paul and Linda to one of our annual, redneck, weekend before Christmas, play cards and drink till you turn idiot, parties. Our neighbors, Jeffrey and Georgie were always guests at these parties too. I worked for years with Paul and Jeffrey and after they became friends with my husband, they also became frequent visitors to our home.

Getting back to this party.

The guys had gone hunting (with several 6-packs) at one point during the afternoon so when everyone finally arrived, they were already well on their way to being soused due to having toasted the ducks, or squirrels, or deer, or whatever animal they'd been too liquored up to actually shoot at that day.

We played hand after hand of canasta, Georgie and I only sipped on a couple of drinks, the rest of the crew were really tossing them back. I knew it was going to be a long night when the guys brought out the 2 bottles of Old Charter that one of the Chemical reps had given James for Christmas. They had a contest going to see who could make the most bubbles rise up in the bottle when they were chugging. Paul won the contest.

James spent most of the rest of the night laying on the ice covered porch throwing up, he didn't move off the couch for several days, Jeffrey was in about the same shape, Paul was at the house at 6 a.m. the next morning wanting to know if James was ready to go hunting! I don't know about the other guy, I didn't think to ask him yesterday. Ha.

Paul died by his own hand a few years ago. We talked about that yesterday and about how much we missed him. He sure knew how to party.

Some of This and a Little of That

It would almost be worth the muddy mess just to have warm feet. It was MUCH warmer here last month than our February has been. I'm ready to sit outdoors in warm sunshine and fight dust, farm chemicals, and skeeters, dang it!

My almost boycott of the American Beef Industry has been having a noticeable effect around our house. The other night Zach and PopPop were discussing what Zach might do with $26 that he's held on to for 4 whole days now. PopPop told him he was broke and needed a loan, Zach told him, "Ut Uh, no way PopPop, I'm saving my money to buy a steak!"

I was at Jerri's last night, the Beans had climbed up into my lap with her book so I could "book, read me" (as beans says it), Jerri was coming from her room and said, "Jillian! Did you spill your coke on my bed?" Beans only thought for a half second before she said, "Yeah" then she looked up at her Momma and said, "You happy?" and grinned real big. That child is a little con already, I guess she figured if she flashed that smile her little butt would be covered, and she was right, I hid my face behind my book and Jerri turned away, both of us laughing.

Trish called yesterday and we were doing an over the phone book review on Stephen King's Duma Key. We both decided that it can be added to our list of favorites by him and we both also agreed that the Lawn Jockey was the scariest and freakiest part of the story, although I also thought the child-sized, wet, footprints across the floor was pretty durned wicked too.

That discussion led to another one about those folks in the movies that hear noises outside when there's an ax/serial/mad killer on the loose. You know the ones,,, a dozen murders in the area in a couple of days and they run to the door and open it to look outside when they hear something, in the dark, in a storm. I am not that dense and I didn't raise dense kids either when it comes to using a little common sense. I suppose the movies wouldn't be blood and guts gory enough without dingbats sticking their heads out to get them chopped off.

Anyway, in so many words, I told Trish that she didn't have to worry so much about me being murdered outside in my yard, I even specifically leave my keys in the truck if there's a jail escape somewhere in the area, that way they don't have to bother coming INSIDE if they don't know how to hot wire a vehicle. Makes it easier to keep your head on, and you don't have to try to dodge any bullets.

Alexis went into the kitchen the other day to tell Jerri that "Jillian is in the bathroom and has the scissors and she's cutting up your jasposotories.

I'll let ya'll interpret that one.

Music Memories

One August day back in 1968, as I was packing to go England to live with my dad, I heard this song for the first time. It became a favorite of mine and it will always bring back memories of that long trip, my first time on an airplane, first time away from my mother, of being scared because I had just turned 14 and was traveling alone, also a first.


Mary Hopkins, Those Were The Days, 1968

After traveling for 2 days on 3 planes, a beat-up old government issue stationwagon with a bunch of GIs, and a bus, I finally arrived at Alconbury AFB where my father was stationed. I had to start school soon after my arrival and made a few friends. One of those friends was Neal, who lived in the same tiny village. We rode a bus to school together and I'm quite sure every time he hears Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, he thinks about that crazy girl who would listen to "Ruby" over and over and over again.

1969

In The Summertime, by Mango Jerry (1970), and reminds me of a trip to Dover that I made with some friends so I could see the coast of France across the English Channel.



And Venus, by Shocking Blue reminds me of soccer games on the square in Alconbury Village.

A song by Melanie brings back memories of when I left England to come home to the U.S. More adjustments, another new school, new friends.

Brand New Key (1971)

It was a trip.

Collecting

James and I are both collectors but he collects a whole lot more stuff than I do. His "stuff" includes anything that's old so the barn is full and just about every nook and cranny in the house has one of his "valuables" hidden away only to be dragged out to show when someone who's interested might come by.


This is our collection of old Marshall Pottery butter churns that we both love. We have a #2, #4, and #5 churn (the numbers are the gallons each will hold) but no lids or dashers for them yet. We suspect the brown jug was a moonshine container, we know the gray one is because it was found in a cellar beneath an old liquor store that was torn down a few years ago. (Some of those jugs still contained moonshine!) We don't know the purpose of the 2 gallon white jug, but James's father found it many years ago in a field he was plowing. On the far left are old marbles that James (often with the help of the grandbabies) has found over the years.

James also collects indian artifacts that he finds every so often. These are celts used by the indians who lived in our area(mostly Quapaw and Tunica tribes). The indians used these tools for breaking bones, etc,,, and for scraping hides. He also has a stone chopping hoe somewhere, I'll take more photos of some of the indian tools one day.

I collect hummingbirds so here are a some of my lovelies. I'm also partial to teapots but I only have 3 of those right now.

Under threat of being flogged to death by Momma Mockingbird, I got this shot of the ugliest little birdy critters I've even seen.

I named this photo "Lola".

Summer dragonfly.

No great things happening in my world the past couple of days. I've just been busier than a one-legged kick boxer with tax returns and you know how BORING all that ciphering can be. So far none of my clients have owed the IRS anything so that's a plus I reckon.

Anyway, since I don't have any words swimming around in my noggin wanting to get out, I decided I'd post a few of my favorite photos from 2007,,, but Blogspot is being a bitch today so I can only post 3 of them.

Storm Creek Lake

Jordan and Zach drowning some jigs.

Jillian

Alexis and Jaylen sitting on the bank of the lake.

I have a photo of all the kids but I've got to get help to get all their names straight before I post it.

The weather has been icky but Jerri braved the elements today so that Alexis could have the family come to eat birthday cake with her. Jami decided not to bring Krysten, Abby, and MeriKate cause the weather was nasty and Krysten was sick so once again I was unable to get a photo of all of our grandbabies together.

Ut Oh!

Jessie is the daughter of our friends and neighbors and was almost 3 when Zach was born. Even though he usurped her position as "the baby", she took a liking to him and they've played together, fought each other, and loved each other for just over 11 years now.

Yesterday he presented her with a carnation for Valentine's Day that he'd bought with his own money and I think she gave him a hug because I overheard this conversation last night when we were driving home,

Zach: Jessie, you can give me another hug if you want to. I really, really like your hugs.

Jessie: Oh hush Zach, you just like to feel my boobs against you when I hug you.

Books

Bermudabluez
had a bookshelf on her site and I just had to have one for myself so I borrowed the idea from her (you can see mine if you scroll down a bit over on the right there). I've put my latest reads on there as well as the ones that are in line waiting to be read.

My love affair with books started back one summer when I was about 8 or 9 when Mom made us lay down for one of those dreaded naps. My nap spot for the day was on her bed, and since she had bookshelf headboard, she had a load of books there that I started browsing through. Not being a bit sleepy, I started reading Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs and when nap time was over I didn't want to put it down and I've had my "place" marked in one book or another ever since.

I just finished reading Duma Key by Stephen King. It's the story of Edgar Freemantle and his recovery from a terrible nightmare-inducing accident that stole his arm, ended his marriage, and started a weird and horrible adventure.

Stephen King has a way of writing that makes you feel like he's in your head, like the people in his story are you. His characters are easily identifiable, his story lines are spooky. Remember when you were a kid, in your bed, at night, and you're suddenly sure the dark shape over in the corner is someone standing there watching you? Or, how about being afraid to let your foot dangle over the side of the bed for fear that whatever is under there might grab it? THAT'S how Stephen King makes me feel,,, scared enough to hesitate before walking through the house in the dark. That's the only way I can think to describe his amazing talent and the reason I love his books.

Another author who makes me feel like a scared little kid again is Dean Koontz. I've probably read everything he's ever written but my favorite of his books is Phantoms. I wouldn't stay up reading that one at night if everyone else had gone to bed.

The latest book I've read by Koonz is on my shelf ovah there.

I'm currently reading A Child Called It/The Lost Boy, which is actually two books in one volume by Dave Pelzer. It's his story of growing up in a horribly abusive home and his struggle to make it through the foster care system.

I'm still trying to encourage Zach to read and have hopes that some day he'll pick up THE book that will open his mind and his heart to allow the "love of reading" to take hold. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Sniff

Our beans has a nasty rotavirus and isn't feeling good at all. I stopped by to drop the Chick off after MA class and she presented her little butt for me to kiss her new boo-boo caused by the shot they had to give her at the doctor. Nanaw's and Momma's are great boo-boo kissers, doncha know?

Nanaw's either got a new cold coming on or allergies so she's going back to bed.

Happy Birthday Chick, Blog Anniversary, and Monitor blues

The Chick is officially 5 today but yesterday she was still only 4 (she told us this with a very serious expression on her face). Happy Birthday Miz Alexis!!!

I feel like I'm flying blind here due to the weird view this monitor is providing me, it looks like I'm losing some of the colors or some such thing cause everything has this greenish cast. It started going wonky after the electricity was off a little over a week ago. Anyway, I ordered a new one this morning so if I can just hang on for however long the free standard shipping takes,,,

I started blogging 5 years ago today, can you believe that? I'm still amazed that folks take the time out of their busy days to come by and read my thoughts and leave their comments. I've made so many good friends through blogging too and have been so blessed to have them share all the happiness and sorrows that they're having in their lives.

Special K started it all by starting her own blog back in 2003. I'd kept a journal off and on since I was a kid and it looked like fun so I signed on and became a blogger myself. Many of our blog buds got busy doing other things with their lives and have stopped blogging for one reason or another but a few are still coming by and have come to feel like part of my family. Leslie and her husband Carl, Marylou, Phyllis, Kim, Miz Sally, and John, have laughed with me, cried with me, prayed with me, grieved with me, and have even gotten pissed off with me over these many years. And if you'll look at my list of blog links over to the right there, you'll see that my family just keeps on growing because each and every one of those links leads to a mighty fine lady or gent. Aren't I lucky?

FRIENDSHIP

Friendship is like the breeze,
You can't hold it,
Smell it,
Taste it,
Or know when it's coming,
But you can always feel it,
And you'll always know it's there,
It may come and then go,
But you can know it'll always be back.
~Terri Fanning~

Springy Sunday

Zach and the Beans

Mud Puppies

Perfectly beautiful day today until the little cool front rolled in and then it got a little cooler but still sunny.

I've been cooking up a storm this weekend, made some chicken enchiladas yesterday and some chicken chili today.

Spring Teasers

We've got buds!

The Chick picked these little pretties at her Great-Grandma's and brought them to me yesterday.

A short video of one of the Arkansas tornados that killed a family in Atkins, Arkansas on Tuesday evening. (sorry Miz Joan)

Just in a dumpy mood

Not a lot is going on here in the delta other than the usual chaos that is quite normal in this household.

I've been looking at Garden catalogs a lot, I guess cause I'm so danged ready for Spring to be sprung around these parts. I even placed an order for some dwarf tree/shrub cherries, veggie seeds, onion sets, and even a few perennials. Jami gave me a few crepe myrtle shrubs that she had removed from her yard and we planted them across the front of the property. I also plan to plant a fast growing tree where James cut down the mimosa that I loved so much (before it took a lightening hit).

James also planted some trees last week that arrived from the National Arbor Foundation that I contributed to awhile back. They're all flowering trees, I sure hope they all live.

I noticed this afternoon, as I was leaving to take the terrorist to Tah Kwan Do, that some of the early blooming bulbs are peeking out of the ground in a couple of spots. I'll go out and take a closer look tomorrow to see if there's a promise of a bud there.

The Chick has a birthday on Monday, can you believe she's going to be 5 already? She'll be starting kindergarten in August! I'm not too sure how that's going to go, I know she already knows as much as most of the teachers so there could be a little power struggle there. :-)

Wild and Wooly Weather!

It's getting a little wild weather-wise around here this evening. While I was in West Helena this afternoon waiting at Jerri's until time for Tah Kwon Do, the tornado sirens went off twice. Apparently there were two different funnel clouds seen and one possibly touched down. Those bad boy twisters are popping up all over the place tonight.

The last photo is of the latest radar map, follow the Miss. River down from Memphis about an inch and I'm sitting right about there.

I'm outta here now, before that line of severe thunderstorms makes it here.

I sure hope the roof stays on tonight.

UPDATE: That severe thunderstorm warning turned into a tornado warning here about 5 minutes after I posted so Zach and I left James standing at the door looking out while he and I went and sat in the floor of my closet for the next 20 minutes or so. The roof stayed on, guess we'll have to go do a search for those lawn chairs again tomorrow though, they usually end up in a tree somewhere when we get bad winds and storms.

All Male

This is Ya-Ya. He's my cockitiel and the 3rd male in our household (I'm pretty much outnumbered unless the girls are visiting). Ya-Ya is always learning new tricks, his latest is to start squawking the second he thinks he hears cookies or chips being opened cause he wants a bite of whatever snack is about to be consumed.

He hasn't learned to say anything yet, or if he has, he says it in "bird", not English, but I have learned to recognize some of his whistles and/or squawks so I can figure out what he wants, or what he's trying to tell me, most of the time.

He can hear the school bus when it turns onto our road, 7/10ths of a mile away, and he lets me know if someone has pulled into the drive. (he's my guard bird). I tricked him last week by buying a new phone, he's fooled me more than once by making sounds like the old phone made, so I wonder how long it will take him to learn this new ring. He can also make all the sounds the microwave buttons make when you push them.

I don't have to worry about forgetting to feed him or give him fresh water because he won't shut up until he gets your attention to let you know one or the other is empty.

And the little beggar hates for me to take a nap!

Still Breathing

It's been a dreary day weather-wise so we've been watching movies all day long..,,,well, almost all day, I didn't actually wake up to start my day until 10 or so. I was doing some righteous snoozing.

I watched Game Plan last night, it was as hilarious as Crystal said it was. The other movies were so blah that I won't even mention them.

My title reminded me of a phone call that woke me up about 5:30 one morning years ago. After I'd said my grumpy hello, a voice asked me, "Is da man dead yet?" I said, "WHAT?", the voice asked again, "Is da man dead yet?" I told the voice, "Well he was still breathing when he left for work" and I hung up.

I didn't get a call back so maybe the caller got the number right if she called to ask about dat man again.

Giving this a go

I've been trying to help Miz Joan figure out how to put a slideshow on her blog that will show her photos fully so I've been experimenting. She said she liked Bubbleshare so I went there and made a slideshow. I decided I wanted the large view and I tried it above the main post area to begin with but the margins weren't wide enough so I put it down on the footer (have to scroll down to see that part).