Is That You?

I've been working on a trip to Florida. A trip that I will be taking by myself. (Tim, Landon and I are still planning on going, but not until next Spring or Summer.) It will only be a long weekend trip, but I am super excited. I am going to meet Theresa, one of my best friends from Florida there. (She now lives in Delaware.) While we are there, there are a couple of  high school classmates, that I would really like to see. So, I've been looking up classmates on a classmate site. As I was looking at some of the pictures of my classmates, I kept thinking... "That can't be her. That can't be him. These people are old looking!" But, the name and year were right. So, it had to be. Now, I am wondering if they are thinking the same thing about me! How did this happen? It's just not right. Or fair. Or even believable. I still feel like a High School kid on the inside. Why doesn't my outside match my inside? Do you know that I still have mornings where I jump out of bed in a panic, because I think I overslept and I am going to be late for school? Does that ever happen to you, or is that just my own lovely ideosyncrasy? O.k., we won't go there right now. Anyway, I am going to Florida and I can hardly wait!! I will be sure to set my alarm extra early the morning I leave. And Tim's. And Landon's. Just to be sure.

Love Can Be A Little Messy

The bottom of our back deck is closed off with a layer of mesh, with lattice covering the mesh. There is also a nice green outdoor carpet covering the ground under the deck too. In the basement we have a ramp that leads up to the window, that goes out to this area under our deck. This is "The Kitty Condo." The cats love to be outside, just enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. I love that they can be "outside" and still be safe and not escape. The only draw back is, when it rains the cats get wet. The only one who doesn't seem to mind getting wet is Lucky. Last week Lucky (He's the wild child of the bunch!) tore the screen off and was able to squeeze under the lattice and make his get away. I should have named him Houdini. He's quite the little escape artist. As a temporary solution, I put a big yellow toy dump truck outside, next to the "escape route" to block Lucky. Then I forgot about it. Last night I asked Tim and Landon to put all the DC toys in the shed as we were suppose to be getting a terrible wind storm. It had started to rain and they were running around throwing everything in the shed as quickly as they could. The yellow truck went in the shed too, but I didn't give it a second thought. Lucky is Landon's cat. He sleeps with him every night. Lucky might get up to get a drink of water or stretch his legs, but he always returns to Landon's bed. They snuggle right back up. Once Landon and Lucky were were all tucked in "their" bed for the night, I turned the lights off, went downstairs and sunk in my chair to watch T.V. About an hour later, Landon was standing next to me. I looked up at him, and his hair, face, hands and shirt were covered in mud! I jumped up and said "What did you do?!?!" Landon replied in an exasperate voice, "I didn't do anything! Lucky did it!!" Apparently, Lucky found that his escape route was no longer blocked, and decided to go outside and play in the rain and mud! When he returned to Landon's bed, Landon started to snuggle with him and hug and kiss on him like he always does. Only this time, Lucky wasn't soft and fluffy. I started to laugh and couldn't stop. Really, I couldn't help it. It was so funny!! Landon did not think it was funny. Not one bit. He wouldn't let me take a picture, no matter how hard I begged. Both Landon and Lucky had to have baths. Landon wasn't happy that he had to take "another" bath, and Lucky didn't find his bath funny at all! I had to laugh. I love to laugh. I love belly laughs. Lucky provided those for me last night. So the mess was totally worth the clean up.
Love can be a little messy, ya'll. Oh, yes it can.

Tell Me Again...

When my grandma passed away, she had Alzheimers. The only person she could remember was my grandpa, who had passed away a few years before her. When I would visit with her in the nursing home, she would tell me that "grandpa is having coffee with the boys." I never corrected her. I felt it was best to give her that comfort of thinking he was "just down the hall having coffee." Alzheimers is a wicked, nasty disease that creeps into your body and slowly nibbles away at your memory, heart and soul. It doesn't stop until there is nothing left, but an empty shell of who you once were. Sorry. That's just the way I feel. If I hit the lottery, you can bet I'll be donating to help find a cure for Alzheimers. Yesterday I went to the Browns Valley nursing home. They invited me to be a part of their craft fair with my purses. I knew it would be a small affair, but I still wanted to help them out. I am so glad I did. While I was setting up, a couple "rolled" up to my booth in their wheelchairs. They were both dressed very nice and were so such a cute couple. I didn't catch their names, so I will refer to them as Pete and Sally. Sally had on a beautiful red hat, matching lipstick and a baby doll wrapped in a blanket on her lap. She started to tell me about her baby girl. She told me how her baby could say a few words, but was taking a little nap right now. When she woke up she would let me talk to her. Pete didn't say anything, but while Sally was talking, he stared at her with love and adoration in his eyes. He believed everything she was saying, as did Sally. The "baby" was very real to both of them. They loved that doll. Sally also had two beautiful purses on the back of her chair. It was obvious that she loved pretty things. When I pulled out a beautiful green purse with a huge sparkling rhinestone cross on it, Sally's eyes lit up and she said "Oh, that's pretty." Pete said, "You want it?" Sally said, "Yes." Then looking at me, she asked how much it was. I told her it was $38. She told me, "That's a good deal." I hung the purse on the end of the rack where they were sitting, so they could look at it and I continued to set up. A few seconds later, I heard Sally say, "Oh, that's pretty." Pete said, "You want it?" Sally said, "Yes." Then looking at me, she asked how much it was. I told her it was $38. She told me "That's a good deal." We had that converstation four times while I was setting up. I was almost in tears, they were so sweet and it reminded me of my visits with my grandma. One of the helpers came over and told me they had the money to buy the purse, but they had to get permission from the director. The director said no. She said they wouldn't remember the purse by the time they went down the hallway. As they rolled away, I was thinking about just giving the purse to Sally. She came back to my booth alone a short while later, and didn't even look at the purse. She had forgotten all about it. But, I didn't. I felt for those few minutes, I was sharing a moment with my own grandma if only in spirit. It was also a reminder to myself to remember to be careful with the words I use, and the things I do. I might forget all about it, but chances are good others won't. So, when I am old and in a home, and I haven't a clue who you are, visit with me anyway.
I will hope that I was kind to you and your memories of me are good ones.
If they aren't, you can tell me all about it then. When I won't remember!
Thank you for the "life lesson," Sally. God bless you.

No School. No Problem!

Landon has no problem keeping busy

during his four day weekend!

(MEA)

He just keeps amazing me.

Landon made a "bus" for the DC kids stuffed animals.

It even has real wheels!!

Waiting for the bus.

The bus stop is open.

Animals only! ;)

Helping his dad paint the "Deer Condo."

Give a boy a rake...

Try To Keep An Open Mind

I am a HUGE Oprah fan. I have been taping/DVR/watching her shows for years. Not all of them though. Just the ones that are of interest to me. However, because this is her last year, (Sob...) I am DVR'ing all of them. I am trying to make an honest (15 minute) effort to watch each and every one of them. As hard as I try to keep an open mind, some of them I just can't get through. If it is an incredibly disturbing topic or an incredibly boring topic, I delete. But, I try. Anyway, the other day Oprah had on THE husband and his FOUR wives from the reality show Sister Wives. They live in Utah. He is allowed to have as many "wives" as he would like. (Only one of them is legally married to him. The others are spiritually married.)  However, the wives are only allowed to have "him". After a few minutes, I decided I did not like this guy. There he was sitting with four lumps of sugar in his coffee thinking, "Sweet!"
I was thinking, "Self-absorbed, insecure, idiot." I felt sorry for his wives as they all admitted to having "jealousy" issues which to me is a huge red flag screaming
"I am not happy!" Even though they all claimed to be happy. But, that's a show for Dr. Phil. I did watch the whole hour, and while I believe that everyone is entitled to their own view regarding marriage, (Just like religion and politics!)
I also believe in the saying.....
"Try to keep an open mind. Just not so open that your brains fall out."
Enough said.

Let There Be Light

The other day Tim came home with new "Eco friendly" natural light, light bulbs. He decided to put them in the bathroom. My bathroom. The one I use every day to get ready. Let me tell you something about those natural lights. There isn't anything natural about the lighting at all! It takes 1,222 hours for them to "light up." During that time, the bathroom has a twilight zone color to it. I can't stand it! But, I felt we were doing a small part to "Save The Earth" so I went along with it. Saturday night I was in the bathroom getting ready to go out with our friends, Merlan and Jo from Breckenridge. Because it was a special night, I decided to wear a little "extra" makeup. My reflection in the mirror showed me as having a skin tone something like a cross between Big Bird and Kermit the frog. I knew it was just the lighting from the new bulbs, and wasn't too concerned as I could probably put my makeup on with my eyes closed if I had too. As we were pulling into Breckenridge, I flipped the visor down to look in the mirror for a "quick lipstick check." HOLY SMOKES! Tammy Fay Baker was in the car! I am so glad I checked. Of course my darling hubby never said a word, and for some reason beyond me, thought I meant to look that way! (Yes, I scrubbed half my face off before we got to the restaurant.) I have decided that Tim and Landon can have the bulbs and "Save The Earth" upstairs in their T.V. room.
I'm done being green.

Wheaton Craft Fair

Check out my belt!

If you would like one for yourself,

then check out...

THE WHEATON CRAFT FAIR

ON NOV. 6th

FROM

9-3

You can find me in the west wing of the high school.

(Go to the kitchen, look to your right and follow that hallway to the end!) 

I have an entire back room!

I will have these belts available, along with new caps that are so cute

 you will want to wear them even when you aren't having a bad hair day!

And as always, I will also have my

Chic & Unique Handbags!!

Just a "few" of the different styles I will have on hand.

Here are a "few" of the different styles of caps too.

See you there!!!

Happy Birthday Jo!

Last night Tim and I had supper with our friends, Merlan and Jo.

We tried out the new Mexican restaurant, "LeTorroe" in Wahpeton.

It was VERY GOOD!

Happy Birthday Jo!

The crew sang Happy Birthday,

popped air bags and put a lovely hat on Jo.

They also brought a yummy birthday dessert

that Jo was so kind to share with us all!!

We devoured it!

I think she's blushing.

The decor is so darn cute!

Check out the table and booth!

There is clear plexi glass over the top,

 as the characters are all in 3D!

The forgotten birthday cake.

I had twinkies and a candle in the car that I was going to surprise Jo with.

(Only Minnesotian's end their sentences with the word, "with.")

But, in all the excitment at the restaurant, I forgot all about them!

I remembered on the way home.

Yep.

Tim and I ate them.

Happy Birthday Jo!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Last night we had Landon's Parent Teacher Conference. I have to take this opportunity first, to high five our son and proudly report that Landon is above average or right on target on ALL his subjects!!! We are so PROUD of him!! Way to go Landon!!! You rock!!!! With that being said, I'd like to tell you about the time Tim and I spent in the hallway last night, waiting for our turn with Landon's teacher. Taped to the walls there were mini-biography's that each child had written about themselves. Also, there were paper T-shirts that they had colored with the saying "This summer I went to (The kids filled in the blanks) and all I got was this stinkin' T-shirt." They were really cute. As I was reading what the other kids had done last summer, in the back of my mind I was wondering what Landon had written. We didn't get to take an "official" vacation this year. We were hoping to go to Florida, but it didn't pan out. (It is still in the works though!) We did take several fun weekend road trips to different places, lots of fishing trips and he and his dad rode the big bus to a TWINS game. He did a lot! Guess what he wrote???

That's right.

The freakin' dollar store!!

After I got over my "Are you kidding?" moment, I had to laugh. Now let me explain something about the dollar store. We don't go to the "General Dollar Store." We go to the "Dollar Tree Store," where everything in the store is just a dollar! I like to shop there for Day Care supplies. They carry a lot of Disney items and Pixar items, that are normally ten times the price in regular stores. So with everything being just a dollar, I can easily pick up items for each child. They also carry a ton of wrapping paper, bags, hand soap, cleaning products etc. Landon loves to go there because they also have a huge candy and toy section!

We run around like crazy ladies at a white sale and load up our cart/carts

 with all sorts of "must have items" and walk away loaded down with

1,233 heaping full bags... for about two bucks.

(O.k. O.k. it's more than two bucks, but you get the idea.)

 So, pretty much every time we see a "Dollar Tree" we stop.

Anyway, last night I asked Landon why out of all the things

he got to do this summer he picked the Dollar Store.

 He told me,

"Because we have so much fun there, Mom!"

So, it is true...

Little things mean a lot.

For the record, the paper up at the top is a full page story that Landon wrote.

It tells about how he and his dad love to fish together.

Tim got a little teary when reading it.

Which made me a little teary.

(Yes, we're big babies!)

So once again, it is true.

Little things mean a lot.

Where Ya'll From?

As I was writing my last post, it occured to me that some of you might not be aware that I lived in the south for 20 years. I've pretty much lived half my life in Minnesota and half my life in Florida. I was twelve when my parents, brother and I moved to Daytona Beach. Because Florida is sort of a melting pot and everyone there is from somewhere else, the first question people ask you is, "Where ya'll from?" Even if you aren't from Florida, after a few years you will pick up the accent. It will be as natural as if you always lived there. At first, when I met new people and they heard me speak, they would say, "Hoo wee! Where ya'll from?" Ya'll being just me. I didn't know what they were talking about. They were the ones who talked funny to me. When I replied "Minnesota," they would laugh and repeat it real sloooooow. Miiiineeesoooota. Funny. Yeah. Real funny. It wasn't until 20 years later when I returned to good ol' Minnesota, I understood what they were talking about. Ya'll talk funny! Just kidding. I returned with my southern accent and had to endure the same thing I went through when I moved to Florida. But, just like Florida, after awhile the Minnesota accent returned. Just as natural as if I always lived here. So, if in some of my posts, I sound like a silly hillbilly, it's all in fun. There will always be a little touch of Southern Redneck in me. Just like there will always be a little touch of Northern Blueneck in me. I've got the best of both worlds!
Ya'll come back now! Ya hear?
Yah. For sure....

*F.Y.I.
Blueneck is the opposite of Redneck. Go ahead. Google it!! :)

Chicken N' Dumpling's

Last night Monica Wilson and I were at the high school passing out
"Vote Yes!" fliers. (Yes, this is my sneaky attempt at reminding everyone to VOTE YES!) Janet Koch came to our table and as she was talking, we noticed a really good smell coming from "some where." (I think it was the teacher's lounge.) Janet said she had made chicken and dumplings. She was telling us about the recipe and how it was only four ingredients in a crock pot. Now, that's my kind of cooking! She left and returned  with two bowls of chicken and dumplings for Monica and I to try! (She is SO nice!) Now, if you know me, you know how I have these funky taste buds and am leary about trying anything new. But, I knew what the four ingredients were and it just so happened they were actually ingredients that I like! Now, let me tell ya folks.....
That was some good eatin'!!!
Thanks for the recipe, Janet!!
                                                

Two small cans of cream of chicken soup

Two small cans OR one box of chicken broth

Four or five frozen chicken breasts

Two cans of refrigerated biscuits

Mix together the soup and broth

Throw in the chicken

Cook in your crock pot on high for five hours

Take a fork and shred your chicken after the five hours are up

Cut up your biscuits and stir into the chicken mixture

Cook for one more hour

EAT UP!



Another D*et Update

Well folks, I am officially five pounds away from my goal of losing 40 pounds! I can hardly believe it. It has been a loooooong, hard journey. But I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am enjoying
"re-discovering" some of the cool things (I wasn't "always" overweight!) of being a thinner person. Like being able to cross my legs without having to hold on to my pants leg. (So they don't pop back open!) And, not having my chin touch my chest when I look down. (Love that one!) I am also "discovering" some not so cool things too. The other day I was holding one of my dc kids and we were waving goodbye to her mom. As I was waving, I felt something move inside my shirt. It actually scared me a bit as I thought "something" had crawled up inside my shirt. I ran into the bathroom, whipped off my shirt, looked in the mirror and was horrified to see that I am now the proud owner of little, flapping wings on the bottom of my upper arms. Say what??? Gone are my dreams of going sleeveless this summer. I suppose I could always lift weights and tone them up. Hahahahahahaha. Oh. Yeah. Right. As I've gotten older I find that my upper body strength is getting pretty nonexsistant. Lifting weights is not an option. As long as they make sleeves, I'll be just fine. I also found another little piece of  "something" that sits comfortably in my lap when I sit down. What to do with that nonsense? Tuck it in my pants? I suppose I could always do sit ups to tone that up... Hahahahahahaha. Oh. Yeah. Right. Lucky for me they make "mid" rise jeans. I'll be just fine. I realize it all comes with getting older, and there isn't any work out in the world that can change your age. So, I am embracing my "softness" (I like that word better than flab.)
and accepting it.
My favorite prayer of all time:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference."

Lucky for me, I am a smart cookie. I know the difference!
Amen.

Mmmm...Smell The Love

When I was a little girl, my grandparents had a deep chest freezer in their walkway. They kept all the normal items that people usually keep in their freezers, but my grandma also kept a well stocked supply of cookies. Not just any cookies. She always made sure to have not only my favorite cookies, but my brother and my mom and dad's as well. When it was time to go, we would all gather in the walkway to put on our coats and shoes and say our goodbyes. One of the best parts of the visit, was at the end of the visit. When my grandma would lift the lid on the freezer, reach in and hand us all our favorite cookies for the ride home. When that lid was lifted, I didn't smell cookies or pot roast. I smelled love. To this day, whenever I lift a lid on a deep chest freezer, I can still smell my grandma's love. I smell a special childhood moment. So, if you ever happen to stop by and I've got my head in the freezer.....don't worry. I'm O.K.
I'm just saying hi to my grandma.

My Big Carpenters

Tim and Landon have been working

on a deer stand for hunting.

I thought it would make a perfect

little hide a way for me!!!

They both set me straight on that right away!

My Little Carpenter

Landon has been working on this "project" all weekend.

(I am pretty sure Landon could feel me breathing

 on him when he was using the power tools!)

He hasn't decided if it is a table, bench,

book shelf or just an art project yet.

No job is complete without a TON of paint!!

So Proud!!!

Over And Out

I have a loud voice. Now, I didn't say I had a big mouth. I said I have a loud voice. There is a big difference! Because I am hard of hearing, I know what it's like to miss bits and pieces of conversations. I know what it's like to have to ask someone to repeat themselves more then once. (Just a tip. If someone asks you to repeat yourself, it would also help to repeat it in a louder voice too. This will help greatly!) Because of this, I speak louder than most people out of habit. Sometimes I forget and people are probably wondering, "Why is she talking so loud?" I don't even realize it. (I apologize if you have ever been one of my "victims.") But for the most part, I try to keep it in check. My voice carries for at least two blocks. This I know, because every night I hollar out the back door to Landon that it's time to come home. He might be at the park, down the street playing with the neighbor kids or riding his bike around the block. I never know. (He knows his boundaries, and so far has been very good about staying in them!) So, I call out about 1,277 times and then eventually he will come bounding home.  A couple of nights ago, Tim came home with two little walkie talkies. I asked him what they were for and he said "hunting." I asked him how far away you could hear each other on them, and he said, "About a mile." Big mistake. I snatched those babies out of his hands so quick, he never saw it coming. I told him, "Those are so mine." (Now don't go worrying about Tim. I'll let him borrow them when he goes hunting, being the good wife that I am!) So, now Landon and I have a super fantastic way to communicate!Now, I am not saying that he comes running home as soon as I "radio" him, but we can go back and forth 1,277 times without involving the whole neighborhood! (Sorry about that neighbors.) The first time we tried it, I might have over done it. I couldn't help it. I was so excited to know where he was and what he was doing! When he said to me, "Mom. If you call me one more time,
I am going to go play farther than a mile from here!" I got the hint.
Sorry buddy. It's only because I love you sooooooo much!
Over and out.

Somewhere Between Here And There....

God's Coloring Book!

I wanted to stop and buy ten dozen,

just to make their day!

We had no way of keeping them fresh all weekend,

or you can bet I would have!!

On Golden Pond.

It's O.K. to be different.

To thine ownself be true...

I think the sign says...

"Come on in!!!"

(Click on the picture for a closer view.)

Snap!

Smile!!!

It's fun to get away,

 but it's always good to be back home.



That's A Stupid Idea!

Last night Landon asked me what the "Vote Yes!" meeting was about. I tried to explain it in simple terms, stressing on if it passed, his school might lose things like music, arts and of course teachers. I told him I was going to help get the word out by passing out fliers and hanging up signs. He asked if he could make a sign. I said of course, but I wasn't sure if he really "got it." He went to his room and a short while later he came back with his sign. He got it! I didn't have the heart to correct his spelling as he was so proud of it. Proof right there that we need our "techers"....I mean teachers. I did let him know he didn't have to worry about losing lunch though!

The sign says...

No Thats A Stupid Idea!

We Need Music, Libary, Techers,

Phy. Ed, Computer Room,

Especially

Lunch and to Learn!!!!!

(The picture in the upper right hand corner is the school. )