Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Words




I just love it when a baby begins to put thoughts into words, even when some of the words reflect what they hear around them. Jillian was playing with Molly the puppy and Molly playfully nipped her. Jillian got upset and sat down on the porch steps beside her Momma to tell her about it.

Jillian: Molly bite me!

Jerri: She didn't mean to, she was just playing. Are you ok? See? It's just a little scratch. Molly plays too rough sometimes.

Jillian: Molly's just a bitch, ain't she Momma?

Jerri: Yes Jillian, but you're not supposed to say that!

***

MeriKate and Abby stayed with me yesterday and I enjoyed listening to them chatter (when they weren't fighting with Zach). While I was taking a break from doing a tax return MeriKate sat in the floor beside my chair and said,

"Nanaw, my Daddy told me I better not get fat like Momma did cause if I do I better not talk to him anymore and a boy will never want me to be his girlfriend."

I think Nanaw is going to have a longgggg talk with MeriKate's Daddy, first chance she gets.

***

Alexis, aka the Chick, is saving money for something she wants to buy so she's become the family's curse monitor. She was only here for a little while the other afternoon and it cost me 75 cents.

Monday, March 24, 2008

The Day After

I hope everyone had a great Easter!

Here, things were a little out of whack and it didn't seem like the usual Easter holiday, not that any of them have a whole lot over the past many years, but this year even more so. Sometimes I think I'll just stop having expectations and be done with trying to do a big dinner.

Just thinking out loud.

I mentioned it's Spring Break didn't I?

Lord, give me strength.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Mildewing

I have all the energy and gumption of a drunken gnat with a hang-over so this'll be a short and sweet un.

My sister, Paula, slept over last night and we stayed up until after 4 a.m. talking. Then we were awake again by 7:30 so it's been a long day (even though I slipped in a 3 hour nap this afternoon). She left around 10:30, then I had to go buy the groceries for tomorrow's Easter dinner.

Paula was in town to go see my nephew Jacob (who's the son of youngest sister, Terri), along with the band he's in, Monoxide Project, as they participated in the "Battle of the Bands" over across the river at the Isle of Capri casino. They won 1st place, GO Monoxide! Jacob wrote the song, "Burnt Out Cowboy", ya'll have a listen to it at the site.

Hope your weekend is a fine one!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Garden Helpers, Swingin', and Stuff

I took all these photos the weekend before we had that March 7th blizzard. The temps have been ranging between mid-60's and lower 80's since then (thank goodness) so maybe, since Spring has arrived, it'll decide to stick around now.

We had bunches of ladybugs crawling around everywhere that weekend (March 1st).

Nanaw bought PopPop the swing she wanted for his birthday. The chicklets had to try it out.

The Chick and Beans helping PopPop plant the radishes and onions.

Our handsome Zach.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Wednesday, already?



Just sitting here thinking before I start the day.

Zach will go to school today, half a day tomorrow, and then he's out for Easter and Spring Break until March 31st. (I expect I'll be looking forward to the 31st along about the 24th.) The only thing we have planned is to go to Little Rock and spend a few days with Trish and the girls late next week, that'll be fun because the cousins get along good and I enjoy the visitin. Jordan and Jaylen will have a couple of softball practices while we're there so we'll get to watch.

My son was promoted to Lieutenant in March and began his new job at the prison over the Dog Kennels. He and his crew have been practicing all winter for the 2008 Southern States Manhunt Field Trials that were held last week. I think they ended up doing well in all of the events, even taking second place in the multi-leash event.

I had to laugh when Jerri called me after their first night run, Bubbie's horse got stuck in the mud,,, up to her belly, and the rest of his team had to go on without him. I bet even the dogs were laughing about that, but his horse probably wasn't.

I have a pretty full day lined up today because I've been homebound waiting for HughesNet for over two weeks. I have to go to pay the bills for the Improvement District, do their banking and some of my own, go all the way over into Helena to get the tags for my truck (slapping head for forgetting to do this online two weeks ago), contact a tax client by phone for a corrected birthday (efiles won't go through if the birthday and name doesn't match what the S.S. administration has), and start weeding through a box full of stuff in order to start another tax return.

I guess I'd better get started,,,geez I hate having to get dressed to go out in public.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

25MPH Wind Gusts Good for Something

Zach, peeking through the window

My internet connection started working on it's own this morning so I'm assuming that the installation provided by HughesNet contractors isn't as sturdy as they promised it would be (He dug a hole, stuck in the pole and poured in some quick-set.) The wind has been gusting from 20 to 25MPH since midnight or so, who knows when the next gust will put it out again.

Anyway, you can gather from this that I still have not seen hide nor hair of a HughesNet repair tech, and since they apparently can't be bothered to provide the promised repairs even after more than a week of promises, I'm not going to bother myself to call them to inform them that it's working now,,,for the time being. Maybe they'll eventually arrive to do the service call, whothehellknows?

I've been up since 3:30 a.m. My new furniture was delivered yesterday and I suppose because I moved some stuff around a bit, vaccumed behind and beneath stuff, I woke old arthur up to dole out some early morning misery. I've taken 800 mg of ibupro so now it's not as painful as it was.

I reckon I'm going to be needing a nap later.

I promised to post some photos of the snow and my new furniture so here goes (keeping fingers crossed that bloggger will cooperate). You can click the pics to make em bigger.


The Chick and Beans being snow bunnies.

My house

After her bath, the Beans snuck out to make snow angels in her pjs.

Abby and MeriKate have been rolling in the snow too.

Snowmen made by Jessie and Zach.

My new couch

The new dining table and chairs

I'll post a picture of James's recliner later. Can't get the man out of it long enough.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Still Down and Still Raging

Dawn of day 18 and still waiting for HughesNet to do satellite repairs. While sitting at home waiting for these people who say they're coming but never arrive, I've learned a thing or two that they don't tell you when they sell you their equipment and services.

Their warrenty doesn't mean speedy repair service unless it can be repaired by phone with instructions from poor customer support with poor English skills from somewhere over in Asia. Their FAQ states that if you aren't paying a minimum of $5.99 extra per month, you should expect repairs to take 7 to 10 days, the $5.99 fee entitles you to service within 3 to 5 days.

The FAQ said nothing about days 11(which is the first date they didn't show up) through 18. I wonder why?

The FAQ also says nothing about having to deal with all the lies from these folks that Hughesnet contracts with to do the repairs.

I did a google search for other satellite broadband services available but apparently, even after you purchase the HughesNet equipment for around $600, and they install it, you find out the first time you have problems that if you cancel their services, you must pay a fee of $200 to $300 to buy out your contract. If you mention that you haven't seen a contract and didn't sign a contract their reply is to look on the installation form that you signed. Down near the bottom is a little check mark beside a sentence written in teeny, tiny print that states you understand the HughesNet terms of service that their representative has explained to you. Doesn't matter that their representative does not mention these "terms of service" when he hands you his clipboard and says to "please sign my work order."

Why would you have to sign a contract if you've purchased the equipment, you ask? I figure it's because otherwise, anyone with any sense, would immediately stop using the services that HughesNet advertises but doesn't provide.

So, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place because in this great country of ours, they still let people like this give consumers a screwing on a daily basis.

I'm seriously considering filing a suit in small claims court for the time spent waiting for these repair people that never show and for breach of contract by HughesNet. I sent a complaint to the BBB in their state last fall, and that's how I was finally able to get above dial-up speeds (although that took 8 or 9 weeks). I plan to file another complaint with them about this instance. There's not much else that can be done.

Ya'll just wait until you see the new header I made concerning my trials and tribulations with these lying fools.

Ok, enough bitching about that for now.

After looking for 6 years, I finally found a couch on Saturday! It's not spectacular or anything but I think it's what I've been looking for. James removed the 40 yr old monster that we've been using and they're supposed to deliver the new one sometime today. Since I was in a shopping mood, we also bought a new recliner for James, and a new table and chairs for the dining room.
I'll post photos as soon as I can (and you know why it's taking so long!)

I hope everyone had a great weekend!!!!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

TWO Days of Hell

Day 14 without the satellite internet. The past 2 days I was on the phone with HughesNet customer support (which provides very little support), their contracted repair companies, and finally, long distance to HughesNet corporate headquarters in Maryland, or Maine, whereverthehell they are. Anyway, frustration kept mounting and mounting so that at one point they made me cry so hard that I had to throw up.

Never, in my life, have I ever been so lied to (and lied about,,,at one point yesterday, one advanced tech dude told me the Tuesday morning appointment to repair my satellite had only existed in my mind!), been switched here, switched there, and always have to start back at the beginning with some partial English speaking person in some foreign land far, far, away.

Maybe, maybe, someone will be out this afternoon to do the repair. Maybe. He said he would.

SO, since I'm still doing without the $59.99 per month service that HughesNet religiously charges to my credit card every month,

F*** YOU HughesNet customer service
F*** YOU T.B. Consulting Service in Monroe, LA (who's only requirement for their employees to work there is having an ability to lie your ass off!)
F*** YOU Perfect 10 Distributing in Little Rock, AR (who, also fulfills the lying requirements needed to do contract work for HughesNet)

My icemaker also went on the blink and we had to buy a new one.

I made an April 1st appointment to have a CT scan done of my left thigh at a diagnostic clinic in Memphis. I was shocked at what they told me, take the insurance companies, the admin hospital fees, the padded charges, out of the equation, they said the scan will cost me $230 and that includes the radiologists fees. Our local hospital (meat market) said the charges for the same scan would be between $1500 and $2000 and that did not include radiologists fees.

I sure hope today is going to be a good one and that yet another repair tech didn't tell me yet another lie.

Monday, March 10, 2008

A Memory of Snow

There's nary a spot of snow left now. The temps got up to 46 or so yesterday so most of it melted then, but today it's supposed to be above 60 so even if some of it hid in the shadows, it'll be gone for sure today. The kids sure did have fun playing in it late Friday and all day Saturday, it's not often that we get enough of that white stuff to play in.

Jerri bundled up The Chick and Jilly Beans on Friday when it really started coming down and sticking. They played until almost dark and then she brought them in for baths and hot chocolate. Beans was out of the tub first, Jerri dressed her in pjs, and told her to watch cartoons until The Chick was ready to be dried. Five minutes later she went to check on the Beans and couldn't find her. She looked out the patio doors and there she was, making snow angels with bare feet and pjs on. She'd escaped again!

I'll be posting photos of all the snow doings as I'm able. Jerri took some great ones too so I'll also post some of her shots.

Maybe Mother Nature has decided that we need a little Spring now. Maybe...

The tech dude is supposed to be here tomorrow to fix my satellite connection. I sure hope he does because I've got a tax return ready to be transmitted and loads of updates to download before that.

I've been in my little office this morning rearranging the junk and dusting the spots that aren't loaded down with stuff. I've got so much stuff going that there are still little stacks everywhere. I wish Martha S. would come by for a cup of coffee, I'd put her to work organizing all my things!

I just put a chicken in the oven to roast and already the wonderful aroma of rosemary is wafting through the air. It almost makes me forget about the aroma of axle grease coming from these air wrenchs and JD 9.6 volt light sitting here on the table which James was supposed to have put back in his truck about 3 days ago. He and Jeffrey were busy all weekend building a martin house (that the sparrows are already trying to move into), I reckon he'll remember these tools if he needs them when he gets to work.

I've been getting around to a few blogs as this laptop connection has let me, if I haven't visited in awhile I'll be by as soon as I can.

Better get some more stuff done around here, Zach has a ballgame tonight so it'll be a bit rushed around here after that school bus comes. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Saturday, March 08, 2008

That March Lioness

It started snowing around 10 am yesterday but didn't start accumulating until around 1. It was still looking blizzardish when I went to bed last night around 10 so we woke up this morning to about 6 inches of the white stuff. The kids are happy about it, Zach was up bright and early this morning with big plans for playing outdoors all day. There will be many melting puddles of snow at the front and back doors before this has all thawed. I think it's supposed to be near 60 degrees tomorrow so the puddles will be mud ones by then.

The ultrasound turned out to be worrisome. The lump/mass/whateverthehell it's called isn't old Arthur but some sort of abnormal fibrous tissue, so I've got to think on what to do next. I can't get health insurance coverage, so no matter what's to be done, I'll have to see how much wheeling and dealing can be done about the prices of these things (CT scan and /or biopsy). Another option is to wait 2 or 3 months and have another ultrasound to see if anything has changed. Sometimes I think the Healthcare crisis is the government's way of keeping the population under control, if truth in advertising were to be followed, "Don't cover em, kill em, or worry em to death", would be the motto for all health insurance ads.

Well, I'd best stop typing (and watching the birds fighting at the feeder through the window) because the kitchen is a mess, there's laundry to be done, and floors to be vaccumed.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thursday, March 06, 2008

I'm tired of Quickies

But I reckon this'll be another one. Tech support FINALLY called back yesterday, after I'd called Bumf******egypt again, to ask if I'd prefer them to arrive TUESDAY morning or afternoon. I sarcastically told them that I sure hoped they meant Thursday and not Tuesday.

They didn't.

Sometimes it sucks being me, but it totally sucks being me without a decent internet connection!

Zach and I went to see the doc on Tuesday. He increased the dosage on his meds so I kept him home yesterday to see if he'd be alright with the increase. I have to go back today for an ultrasound (he first said CT scan but I told him unless they were offering them at a 70% reduction, one of those wasn't in my budget!) It's made me so nervous that I really don't want to talk about it until after I've seen him today. If it's only old Arthur, like I've been thinking it is, I am going to chew on him awhile for scaring the hell outta me.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Another Pokey Post

Still no word from a technician to schedule a "fix" date for my satellite connection. I can't say that I'm surprised since it took about 4 months for them to fix the band speed problem I had last fall. I haven't lost my temper yet but I'm simmering so the eruption is close to the surface.

I've tried, a time or two, to visit a few blogs but this mysterious connection on Zach's laptop is like limping along on crutches so I become frustrated pretty quick when it takes forever for a page to load and then for the comment screen to load. Also, since I don't know where this connection comes from, I don't like to log on for very long in case I'm slowing someone down somewhere. It really is a miracle connection though, we have two neighbors about a football field length away and the next neighbors are almost 2 miles.

I had a Chick and Beans weekend, they visited on Saturday and Sunday. I took some great photos that I'll be posting, whenever HUGHESNET GETS A TECH OUT HERE TO FIX MY SATELLITE!!!!!!!

The weather has been typical wonky for Arkansas in early March. Yesterday we were having thunderstorms, it was 68 ,degrees, raining really hard, and we noticed some clumpy looking substance falling past the window. After a closer look we discovered it was SNOW, big huge clumps of snow were falling with the rain. Yesterday it was nearly 70 and we woke up this morning to 33 degree temps.

I'd best get busy now, have a few things to do before time to pick Zach up at school. He and I have a doctor's appointment at 1:00. Ya'll have a good day now, ya hear?

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Quicky

My satellite internet is down, tech support says 3 to 5 days which could mean 3 days or 15 since the support comes from some person who speaks barely understandable English in some foreign country far removed from these U.S. soils. I have my solid suspicions as to the reason for my lack of services but I'll get into that more later. I will tell you that it involves a bit of Redneck stupidity.

Anyway, my posts may be a bit slow in coming these next few (or many) days because Zach's
laptop, andthe sometimes signal he gets (from whoknowswhere), and my fumbled fingered approach to this pad dohicky, makes logging on an irritating process for this old broad who prefers her desktop and mouse. (he has a mouse for his laptop but I'm also too lazy to find it, connect it, and find a good sitting spot tonight).

I'll be back in the swing of things as soon as I'm linked again.

Hope everyone's having a grand weekend!

Friday, February 29, 2008

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

Thursday, February 28, 2008



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.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

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.

Monday, February 25, 2008

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.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

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!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

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.

Friday, February 22, 2008

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.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

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.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

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.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

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.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

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.

Friday, February 15, 2008

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.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

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.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

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.

Monday, February 11, 2008

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~

Sunday, February 10, 2008

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.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

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)

Thursday, February 07, 2008

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. :-)

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

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.

Monday, February 04, 2008

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!

Sunday, February 03, 2008

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.

Friday, February 01, 2008

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).

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Day Is Done,,,,almost

The baddest weather missed us I think but I didn't risk driving to Helena for Zach's Tah Kwon Do cause I didn't want to get stuck there in case something icy or white decided to stick. It sleeted and snowed off and on all day but it was mixed with rain and the temps stayed just a frog's hair above freezing so nothing but wet was on the ground.

I wish I had the gumption to go have a talk with that groundhog critter, I'll tell him that 6 more weeks of winter would not be a good thing this year. It's past time for James to be doing some form of farming because he's past getting on my nerves, I'm ready to tie him up with duct tape, hide him in the closet, and put that remote somewhere that never sees the sun.

I saw the farm owner in town the other day and he must have noticed the wild look in my eye cause he waved real quick and hurried back to his truck. He gives his farm managers WAY too much time to aggravate their spouses in the winter time.

I haven't seen an entire LifeTime movie on, what he calls, the vagina channel since sometime in November! And I don't think I can keep from losing all means of control if I have to listen to, or view, even one more John Wayne western.

We picked up Jilly Beans while we were in town today so she can spend the night with us. The very first thing she wanted to talk about was the new baby mice they had! Remember Jerri's email that I posted a bit ago, about the little house mouse who had gotten into the tame mice's cage, and how they were fighting? Well, apparently they weren't fighting.

Also, the little house mouse isn't a very responsible little house mouse because as soon as he did the deed/or deeds, he managed to get back out of the cage and disappear, of course he left no means of support for this little offspring-to-be. James said he never knew a tame mouse would mate with a wild one,,,well,,,there ya go bud, you know now.

Well,,,the Beans sacked out a little while ago and Nanaw won't be too far behind her. I hope she leaves me some room in the bed!

Hope ya'll had a fine day!

To Do

1. Meet the client that I wasn't able to meet yesterday due to a delay on their part.

2. Do the monthly banking.

3. Stop at Sears to buy a pail of laundry detergent and a mini shop vac. (also remember to buy birdseed so Ya-Ya won't be pissed off at me).

4. Make James buy my lunch.

5. Hurry home in case the weather man is even half right about the possibility of winter precipitation (he hasn't been in a couple of weeks now).

6. Do a tax return.

7. Take Zach to Tae Kwon Do and bring the Beans home to spend the night if the weather isn't too bad by evening.

Ok, I think that's all. I'd probably better copy and print this so I won't forget something.
Ya'll have a great day!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

A Crystal Idea

Miz Crystal asked her readers to post their favorite book and/or movie. I thought this would be hard because I have so many favorites, but after thinking for a minute or two, these have to be it.

"The Stand" by Stephen King. This book scared the hell out of me but I couldn't put it down. I first read it back 1979 and read it again about 8 years ago. This book started a love affair between myself and Stephen King's novels of horror.


"Love You Forever", by Robert Munsch is my favorite children's book. Zach was a little fella the first time I read this book. I broke down and sobbed before I could get to the end and he looked at me like I was crazy or something.




















"Steel Magnolias" has got to be the best chick flick in the whole entire world. I've probably seen this movie about 20 times. I laughed, I cried, at one point I did both.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Not a Good Hair Day

We've been getting some furious gusts of wind here today and for awhile it was coming a downpour. The electricity went out while we were at Tah Kwon Do, seems it was out for most of the southern part of town there. Got the panicky kids to the truck and got them warm (temps dropped 20 degrees in just a few minutes), and got them home. The Chick and Jilly Beans had electricity, we didn't until about an hour ago.

I'm still trying to get warm.

Hope everyone had a super duper day!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Been One of "THEM" Days


First off, Miz Donna tagged me so I'm gonna do this for her even though I'm doing it the lazy way. You'll understand later in this post the reason I'm mostly brain dead. I'm supposed to list 5 things about me but due to the brain matter issue, you get this many,.done like this.

Now, I'm gonna tag Miz Cindra and Mr. Ed to do the same. :-)

Now for the reason for being sluggish so early in the evening.

I've completed, printed, addressed envelopes for, 3 tax returns today, and I've completed, and electronically filed ours.

Then the school bus came and dropped off Zach and his 3 little sisters. Zach lives here so I'm almost always prepared to wrestle with him about homework, but add 3 busy little girls, in different grades, to this mix and you've got a Nanaw who has forgotten how to even spell her name by the time ALL the homework is done.

In the midst of all that I cooked a simple supper of Spaghetti, left-over green beans, and some garlic bread.

Son-in-law came to pick up the girls and I thought I'd get a chance to breath a little but,,,

THEN, Zach happens to mention that he has 2 projects due TOMORROW!! I knew about his book report project due on Thursday (that still has to be done sometime between now and then) but these were 2 more that he'd forgotten (since Friday), until now, to mention.

So guess who's been online finding the stuff he needed to do the projects and then sitting at the kitchen table with him to make sure he sat still long enough to complete them?

Normally he'd be doing the online research himself but he's a lot slower at googling (he'd still have been here this time tomorrow) so I did it this time, and all the while I was threatening his life and limbs for not saying he had this to do when it was assigned.

Now, I'm going into the living room to climb into my big ole chair, with my blankie, and my book, and I'm going to read until I get sleepy.

Ya'll have a wonderful evening now, ya hear?



Sunday, January 27, 2008

I'm SO ready for Spring!



This one was taken by Jerri.

The photo opportunities are much better!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Little Shopper

Zach and I met Jerri and Jillian at Pizza Hut for lunch today and then, after Jerri picked Alexis up from her play date, went to Wal Mart to pick up a few things we needed.

I was much impressed with how mature Alexis has become while shopping with her mom. I don't think she asked for one single thing the whole time we were in there except for some cucumbers. I finally told her she could pick out a prize and she chose a Brats book. I also bought her some seamless panties that we found because the child hates panties with seams. Zachary could take lessons from her cause he and I constantly argue about what, if anything, he can have, and I still often end up with several items at the checkout that weren't intended purchases.

Jillian is a serious little shopper. Groceries are mostly at the top of her mind's shopping list. She loaded up a huge pizza into Jerri's cart, while in mine she put her own bag of powdered donuts, and a couple little boxes of Valentine chocolates for her "dister" and herself. We'd told her she could pick out a new Strawberry Shortcake book and she did, plus 2 more. She also found a Strawberry Shortcake shirt that was just her size, I knew she was in love with it because she carried it all over the store.

We're back from shopping now, Zach and I stopped and got a few movies on the way home, James is gone on an overnight hunting trip with his brothers, so we've donned pjs, made hot drinks, and plan to snuggle down and stay warm this evening.

Hope everyone's having a great weekend!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Tagged

Karen tagged me so I'm doing this for her. You can follow the directions and do this too if you'd like.

Share 7 random/weird things about you. Post the rules. Link to the person/person's that tagged you. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include a link back to their blog. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.

1. I don't like to get my feet dirty but I hate wearing shoes indoors.

2. Dirty fingernails make me crazy.

3. I am not an organized person, I'll never be an organized person, I've given up ever hoping to be an organized person.

4. I like cold cornbread with a teaspoon of peanut butter spread on top for a snack.

5. I love liver, onions, and gravy.

6. I've lived in England, and I've visited Scotland, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany. I've also lived in MN, and NC and have been through or visited almost every state in the North, South, and Eastern US. except for the upper NE. I've never been further west than Hot Springs and Conway, Arkansas.

7. I think I'd like to be a beach bum. I believe I'd be an excellent one.

I'm not going to tag anyone but I'd love to see what everyone might come up with if they feel of a mind to do this.