Lucy and Ethel

My BFF and I went shopping yesterday.

We shopped.

We lost the car.

We found the car.

We shopped.

We lost the car.

We found the car.

We ate lunch.

We shopped.

We lost the car.

We found the car.

Are we the only ones
who consistently forget
where we've parked?
Just askin'. . .

"Friends don't let Friends shop alone";
especially when they can never
remember where they parked
the car.

Dinner malfunction.

It had been a busy day.
I took the lazy route and threw some potatoes
and corn on the cob into the Slow Cooker
to "sauna-tize" till time for dinner.

25 min before taking this gourmet meal
to the table, I went to the freezer to fetch
a box of frozen popcorn shrimp (which
is a quick fix - into the oven and out in 20 min.) 

I dug and I dug; beyond the potato chips,
deeper than the hidden cookies, and
far beneath the long-forgotten
bag of cauliflower. . .
I searched once.
Then I searched again.
No popcorn shrimp!

Then I called Mister on his cell phone
and declared "dinner malfunction"!

He stopped by Popeye's and brought
home chicken.  I love that man!!

Maybe if we eat the old bag of cauliflower
it will make up for the yummy, greasy,
 extra crispy, fried chicken
we enjoyed yesterday.

Had any "dinner malfunctions" lately??

It's not the green . . .

I love me a St. Paddy's day!
It has nothing to do with the Irish
or the "wearin' o the green",
though all those things are great.

But it does have to do with the
fact that I brought our first baby
home from the hospital on this
fine day, many years ago.  And
yes, we dressed our little
6 lb 6oz red-haired bundle
in a green dress for the ocassion!

I wanted to scan a photo for you to
see but Mister is napping and I can't
seem to figure out how to do it.

On "going home day" our little
family went to my parents house
to spend the first few days.
I feel so fortunate to have had my
Mom "teach" me about caring for
a newborn, as we were young and
there were no classes available
and I hadn't a clue what to do with
this precious miracle wrapped in
a blanket.  No books needed as
Grandma was a wealth of information.

Those were sweet days.

If you want to visit my grown up red-haired
bundle of joy you'll find her blogging
HERE.  Please tell her that "Mom"
sent you by to say hello.

Did your Mom teach you about babies?
Did you teach your adult child about babies?

I am reminded of a story about this daughter
when she brought her first baby home from
the hospital, but I'll save it for another day.

Happy St. Paddy's Girlfriends!

When reality bites, mashes, and bleeds.

I saw this on Facebook and had to

roll on the floor belly laughing  smile.

It also served to remind me that it's

time for me to make an appointment

for my annual mammogram.

I really don't mind having this done;

just hate to take the time to do it.

But I will.

It's also time for me to go into the

lab and have my blood  sucked  drawn.

That I mind.  I mind a lot.

I'm a terrible needle-phoeb.

And getting older has not lessened

my phobia.

But I will do that too,

on a day I'm feeling particurly brave.

(actually, just posting this photo

makes me a little woozy.  Really.)

Have you had your yearly
medical tests?

You know we gotta keep our

maintenance work up to date, GF's.

It's 5 o'clock Somewhere.

Believe it or Not - I am actually

HOME ALONE.

When you homeschool this never seldom happens.

I need to make lesson plans, grade papers

and weed the flower beds.

But I think I'll have a margarita instead.

("It's 5 o'clock somewhere")

"Wide Open Spaces..."

"It's all about the journey".
I've heard people say that.
Beautiful words.

I remember a song often sang in
church when I was a child,
"Wouldn't Take Nothin' for the
Journey Now"...I understand the
sentiment behind the words,
but if you're not a good traveler
then the journey is not something
you enjoy.  Just sayin. . .

I love me some Rascal Flatts,
"Life is a highway, I wanna ride it
All night long."  Sorry guys,
I don't wanna ride the highway
"all night long", not even with
the likes of you!

I listen to the radio.
I listen to audio books.
I eat.
I play games on my ipad.
I wiggle.
I squirm.
I eat.

I get restless. 
I get bored.
Can we all say, "Grumpy Bear"?
I want to arrive - that's when the
fun begins for me.  I'd like to travel
the "beam me up, Scotty" route.
Wouldn't that be great?

I love life and if you're using life
as a metaphor for travel, then it's
all good, but if we're really talkin'
get in the car, or on the plane,
then I would love to fast-forward
through that part, or skip it all together.

Are you a good traveler?
Do you watch the scenery?
Do you sleep?
Do you daydream?
What the heck does one do to entertain
one's self  "on the road"?
I guess I was born before the
days of "self soothing".
I'm more of a Dixie Chick
kind of girl,
"I need wide open spaces...".

We've got lots of roadtrips
planned for the next few months.
I need to find a way to get
into travel mode.
Mister is in for a real treat
with my fine company across
all those miles.

Bridge to Nowhere

I have several new FOLLOWERS.

Thank you so much for signing on!

Sometimes I feel like the

"bridge to nowhere", but I'm glad you're

with me so I don't have to travel there alone!

And to those of you who come here regularly,

you know how much I enjoy doing life

in Blogland with you!!

We managed to dodge heavy rains

most of the way to and from Oklahoma

this weekend.  It was a great time of

celebration for our oldest daughter, Amy.

I am so proud and so thankful for her.

Besides being a wonderful daughter

she is a great friend to me and to

others.  She is also a beautiful,

Godly woman all rolled up

in a lovely package and topped with

a mane of strawberry, red hair.

We also got to spend time with our

oldest son, Grey, and his fiance, Antoinette.

They are excitedly looking forward

to their June 2 wedding date.

So am I!

If you care to "follow" me even closer

you can read more details

here on FB.

If we're not already friends there

just send me a friend request and I will add you.

Off we go now,

into a brand new week!!

Livin' on Tulsa Time. Soon.

The skies (directly overhead) cleared
this morning after very heavy rain last night.
It seems most of today's "rain event"

is to our south, sooooooo
we have packed our bags
and are on our way to O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A!
Can't wait for the birthday party for Amy!
Can't wait to see my sweet Mama.
And my Big boy and his fiance'.
And of course our beloved
GRANDDOLLS!!
Heck, I'm even anxious to see my
favorite Son-in-law! lol
And, I might get to see my
Sister and her family too.
Woo Hoo!

Sunday's weather may be a problem,
so please pray for us as we drive back.

Busy Thoughts and Little Secrets.

Everyone is busy.

Anyone disagree?

For homeschoolers this is an intensely busy

time of the year.  We have just finished

the 3rd nine weeks and are begining the 4th.

The end of the school year is in sight,

but there's much to be done before

"the fat lady sings".

* * * * * * * * *

Follow up on our discussion
about "feet" problems.

My feet are finally feeling MUCH better.

I think 2 things have made the difference:

Heavy duty running shoes

and

this magic elixor,

"Joint Juice".
You can take it in pill form also.

After 3 doses I was markedly improved!
Walgreen's.  A little pricey
but worth every penny!!

* * * * * * * * * **

Our oldest daughter's birthday is Monday.
We have planned to make the drive to Okla
tomorrow to celebrate!  I just love her birthday -
it was one of the happiest times in our life and I
love talking about it and reliving each moment.
And of course, I can't wait to see the Granddolls
and perhaps even our newly engaged couple.
The weekend holds lots of possibilities.
BUT
a major "rain event" is forecast for
Louisiana and Oklahoma.
So what to do?
Do we go ahead with the 6 hr drive
OR
do we reschedule what we can
and go the next weekend???
We'll make that call tomorrow
after looking at the weather radar map.

Here's my " little secret".
I Tivo this program
and after everyone has gone to bed
I sit back in my easy chair
and watch.
Ahhhhhh.
What a great stress-breaker this is
for me.
This gal is so easily stressed
it makes my life look very calm
by comparison.
I really have nothing in common
with her and certainly her issues
are not my issues - maybe that's
one of the things I like about the program.
I absolutely identify with nothing
in her life.  When her life becomes
a train wreck it in no way
affects me.  When I was a kid Pollyanna
did the same for me.  Now that I'm a grown
woman, Betheney Frankel does it for me.
It floats my boat!

What's keeping you busy these days?
What's your stress-breaker?

Mystery 101

You like mysteries?
I've got a mystery for you -

"Why am I the only one in our house
who can draw the drapes and close
the shades when night time falls?"

It's a mystery to me!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On a somewhat calmer note.
(taking deep, cleansing breaths)

I loved your Comments when I asked,
"How did you meet your husband?".If you want a good read and some

laughs be sure to read what others
wrote.  It was great and you can read
about it HERE.  But please, before
you go, solve today's mystery for me!

We've all got one.

Do you think everybody has a story?

I think they do.

I love to hear people's story.

One of my favorite questions to ask

is "how did you meet your husband?".
That's always good for a "story".

I found this little basket full of characters
(10 of them)

as I browsed through Goodwill.

It's not the usual sort of thing

that catches my eye.

Each little person was a cut-out.

(Or maybe a "cut-up". LOL)

They had been stitched up,

stuffed, and had a little embroidery

on each one.

This little girl has a bright red scarf,

rosy cheeks,

and a basket of apples!

This little boy marched to the the

beat of his very own drum.

Look at the buttons on this guys coat,

and his smart hat and tie.

He has a dog,

so he must be a nice sort of fellow.
Shy, and nice.

Check out this dress,
with matching hand muff and hat.

I wonder...

...if she knows this dapper young guy
who's sporting quite the mustache
and dress hat?  I think he looks
like trouble.  Just sayin. . .

I wish I knew the connection
within this group. 
Are they characters from
a book, or perhaps the cast of a play?
Is there any connection at all?
I wish I knew their "story".

Speaking of  story,

Tell me, "How'd you meet your husband?".
I'd really like to know.

The four letter "F" word

Good News
I've been consistant with my walking program.
        

Bad News
My feet have become the enemy.

How many, many feet you meet.
Slow feet, quick feet.
Trick feet, sick feet.
My poor, tired aching
left and right feet!
(My apologies to Dr. Suess)

What began as simple mildly aching feet
has progressed each time I've walked.
(I've never had any problems
with my feet before.)

One day last week I walked 2 miles
and thought I was gonna have to crawl
back home.  All 1000 bones (I exagerate just a bit)
in my feet HURT!
Got home, put my feet up
and sat all evening long.
Mister, bless his heart, gave me
a good foot massage
and surprisingly the next day
my feet felt much better.
Hmmmm.

I decided new walking shoes were in order.
Went to Academy and came home with these,
New Balance walking shoes.

4 days and 2 miles later.
My dawgs were still barking,

just not quite as loud.

I think Mister feared he was doomed
to a life of giving foot massages
'cause he took me back to
Academy and bought me yet

another pair of shoes.

The one on the right is mine.
It's a running shoe,
rather than a walking shoe.
(Asics Gel)
And Oh-So-Much-Better
on my feet.
However, please note that when I tried
to loosen the laces it was much like
trying to work a Rubic's cube -
they went up & down
and back & forth.
Geesh!

I walked 3 miles on them yesterday
and did quite well.

Still, later in the evening I noticed
some swelling at my ankles.
The swelling was completely gone
this morning.
I shortened my walk
to just a mile today.

I don't think I'm gonna lose
much weight by walking a mile.
*sigh*

Tell me what you know about "feet".
Please.
I've never been athletic
but have done lots of walking.
Can't figure out what's going
on with my feet.
Any ideas?
Suggestions?
Experience?

I would love to solve this without
a trip to see the Dr.

Come! See my GOOD NEWS!

Our oldest son, Grey is getting married

to a lovely lady, Antoinette.

We are excited beyond words.

I love to watch our family grow.

This is a second marriage for each of them,

both having been single for quite some time.

There is something doubley exciting

when two people, who have each had a

a sad ending to a previous marriage,

find each other and bravely

step out to declare

they will

"love again".

June 2, 2012
is the BIG day!

FOLLOWER Confusion.

HERE!

I am confused as to what will happen on our
Blogs as of March 1, Thursday.
If for some reason my FOLLOWERS
are no longer listed on my page,

you can contact me HERE! on Facebook.
Send me a friend request and be sure to
mention the name of your blog so I can
find you.  You can also email me on
the link which is on my sidebar.

"B" is for Better. (better than a "C")

Edited at 4:10 pm to add -I'm hearing rumors about Google
and our Followers.  I'm not
sure what this all means.
Please fill me in - I don't want to
lose contact with you!!

Tomorrow we get a fresh page on our
calendar; a new beginning of sorts.
Remember when I gave my Girl
Scout pledge regarding some goals
for this year?  Here's how I'm doing,
honestly.

. . .to Read my Bible more .
This is probably my most important goal
and I'm happy to report I'm reading
the book of Exodus, wandering
with the Israelites on the way to the
Promised Land.  Not only am I doing
this - I am totally ENJOYING the read.
YES!!

...to have friends into my home more.
Did it!
Had a Dinner Party/Game Night
with some of my favorite friends.
LOVED IT!  Don't know why
I let this slide before.

...to eat healthier.
Plugging along, doing much better
than before setting this goal.
This doesn't mean we're eating
totally healthy, but we are eating
health-IER.

...to take my vitamins and calcium daily.
"Don't hate me 'cause you ain't me!"
This has been the easiest goal
to meet. 

...to read a book occasionally,
not just blogs.
Umm...eeerrrr...
Tanked on this one for the month.
I went to the library - found a great book,
but have lacked the discipline to actually
turn off the TV and read.
I will do better next month.  I will.

...to lose some weight
and keep it off this time.
I AM working on this but the weight
is not coming off nearly liked
I'd hoped.  *sigh*
Frustrated a bit. 

I'd say my grade for February
is yet again a "B".
I'm pleased, yet there is
still room for improvement.

How are you doing with your goals?

School is in session.

If you've watched any political TV lately

then you've  been exposed to
a "snollygoster" or two.

Certainly if you've a teenager in the
house (or a spouse) you've been dealing with a
snarly "Mumpsimus" from time to time.

And, I must admit that on occasion
I have been known to be quite
the "mooncalf" myself.  Humph!

~I love the english language!~

*Snollygoster - One definition of the word dates to 1895, when a newspaper editor explained "a snollygoster is a fellow who wants office, regardless of party, platform or principles...."

*Mumpsimus - a stubborn person who insists on making an error in spite of being shown that it is wrong

*Mooncalf - a foolish or absentminded person

I found this photo of Mr. Daniel Webster.

These old photos make everyone

look to be a meany pants, don't they?

Perhaps even a snollygoster.

  Wonder if his wife,

Caroline, ever thought him

to be a mumpsimus, mooncalf?

Class dismissed.

Cupid Sucks.

Princess has a new boyfriend.
The boy is a guy she met at

camp last summer.  He lives in TX
and we live in LA.  With 4 hrs
of pavement between they
have seen each other twice since
camp, last July.

Truthfully, I don't see what the attraction
is.  They seem to have nothing in common
except the fact that they are both 17.
Honestly, there is nothing wrong with
the kid, but really nothing special about
him either. (Just being totally honest here.)

He mailed her a present for Christmas
and had chocolates shipped here
for Valentines.  They keep connected
via phone and FB. That's been it
until this past weekend. . .

This weekend the "family" came to
our fair city for the weekend, to meet
Princess and her family.
They (their entire family) took Princess
to dinner on Friday night, then
Princess & boyfriend went to a movie
by themself...Saturday Princess spent
the entire day with his "family" as they
explored our town.  She and boyfriend
came back to our house for dinner
then watched a movie here - parents

picked up the boyfriend at 10.

Princess informed us that he and his
"family" would be attending church
with us Sunday morning and then we
were to all go out to lunch together

before the "family" headed back to
Texas...Let the record show that
the family (Mom, Dad, and Sister)
all seemed quite normal and very nice.

But, doesn't this seem like a bit of
over-kill for two kids who are basically
semi-dating?  It seems like this is the
sort of thing one does when one's
children are seriously dating/getting
engaged. etc.

Princess is our 4th child and though
we are sometimes a bit on the over-
protective side, this really all seemed
a bit "much", even to us.  It felt
as though we were caught in the
movie, "Meet the Fockers".

I'd really like to see this relationship

nixed, but, as is human behavior,
the more I say about it the more she
hangs in there with him.  I've said very
little about this to her but I will say even
less in the future, however she does
know I felel their presence was kind of
an uninvited intrusion on our weekend.

I don't think I've ever had an issue with
anyone our other (older) kids have dated.
Ever. 
But with Princess I can't say the same.
She's about 50/50. 

This is the snarky side of me speaking.
I admit this is judgemental.
I admit this is even a little unfair
I also admit I am thankful for the
"four hours of pavment between
his house and ours".

I may not always be nice
but I am always honest.

Cupid sucks.

Beware: Falling Chips

I once was what I would consider "high strung"

but that ship has sailed and with each passing
year I find I become a bit more  of  a push-over mellow.  Case in point:

Princess is dog-sitting for a friend this week.
I knew this was a bad idea.
I knew I would be inconvenienced.
I knew I would not like having 2 dogs
in my house.  But did I say no?
"No".

Sometimes it just seems easier to
let the chips fall where they may
and then complain about all the chips
that have fallen.

I've become a softy.
I can't quite put my finger on
when this happened.

Things that make you go  8&%#  Hmmm.
Softly.

What about you?
Which do you feel you do
the most when things go awry;
Do you PURR or do you ROAR?