Thursday stuff...

So now it is Thursday and the lovefest, press conference (?) is over. I much prefer looking at this lily than thinking about the economy, swine flu, Chrysler, or cleaning off my desk.
Oh yes...the desk cleaning off is the only item that I can do something about, so that is what I shall do.

But first, let me tell y'all about dinner last night. I wanted to try a new recipe, so I printed it out, checked to see what ingredients I needed, and headed to Bi-Lo yesterday. I was making Korean Beef and Broccoli w/Sweet Garlic Sauce, served with rice. Well, of course Mayberry didn't have any 'skirt' steak called for in the recipe, but the butcher (who actually has a Korean wife!) said the bottom round would work just fine, since it was gonna be marinated. I had 'da boyz' (Amy is now working at night school 3 nights/week), so I told Jason he could join us and be a guinea pig (no flu included, of course). We all liked it...yum...and there was not a grain of rice, broccoli piece, nor sliver of beef leftover!

Enjoy your Thursday...the leaves on our trees are literally bursting forth and we are going from brown to green in the nawth GA mountains. What a pleasing color! Yes, there will be pictures tomorrow...but there is paperwork for today. Life is good!

Wordless Wednesday...work is done!

Blog candy giveaway...

If you like playing with paper and want to possibly win some good stampin' stuff, check out this blog by Sarah and leave a comment. I hope I am the lucky winner though...I'd sure like this stamp set. She has some beautiful artwork, so even if you don't play with paper and make cards, you can enjoy her talent. I'll go back and visit her site again!

Ouch, my toe!

Vacuuming was hazardous to my health yesterday. Our weather has really warmed up and I was motivated to do some housecleaning. I kicked off my shoes. Not a good idea. Somehow or other when I was moving around an antique chair of my mother's, I managed to kick it and got a HUGE splinter directly under my big toenail. OUCH big time. I grabbed the tweezers and went hobbling to see the official family splinter remover--Dick. I told him I needed *help* and laid down on the floor in front of him, and stuck my foot up on his lap, closing my eyes to the pending pain that I knew was gonna happen.

He tugged; the LOG refused to budge. He mumbled that he may not be able to get that thing out. I then had visions of a trip to the ER...and all this, merely from trying to rid the house of dust and cat hairs? Not fair! He finally extracted the TREE, hopeful that he got all of it. Not as hopeful as I am, that is for sure!

I used the old timey healing treatment and soaked my foot in hot water laden with Epson Salt. Dick thinks that is a miracle item for healing cuts. He will take a grain or two and place it in a cut, slap a Band-Aid over it, and the next morning, presto bingo, it is pratically healed! Now if you try this yourself, it is at your own risk as we are not doctors and don't proclaim to be. OK? Now that the disclaimer is done, have you read the label on Epson Salt? I did last night and was astounded to read what it is really used for! I never knew!!! OK, for those who are too lazy to rush to their medicine cabinet to grab a bottle--it is a laxative! My Mother always used it on us kids for soaking purposes, not for its intended use. Oh no, there was a BETTER remedy for us kids in that department--Castor Oil! Remember that? I haven't thought about that in a very long time. I wonder if that is still on the market, or has it gone by the wayside like Carter's Little Pills...whatever those were.

So Joy and I are giving a bridal shower here this afternoon for the daughter of a BSP sista, hence the motivation to do some cleaning. Heaven help anyone who steps on this poor toe today. Not kidding! It seems to be better this morning, but I will definitely be wearing shoes all day, just for protection. Enjoy your Sunday...and don't kick any old chairs!

Grandma and her boyfriend...

A 5 year-old boy went to visit his grandmother one day. Playing with his toys in her bedroom while grandma was dusting, he looked up and said, 'Grandma, how come you don't have a boyfriend now that Grandpa went to heaven?' Grandma replied, 'Honey, my TV is my boyfriend. I can sit in my bedroom and watch it all day long. The religious programs make me feel good and the comedies make me laugh. I'm happy with my TV as my boyfriend.'

Grandma turned on the TV, and the reception was terrible. She started adjusting the knobs, trying to get the picture in focus. Frustrated, she started hitting the backside of the TV hoping to fix the problem.

The little boy heard the doorbell ring, so he hurried to open the door, and there stood Grandma's minister. The minister said, 'Hello son, is your Grandma home?' The little boy replied, 'Yeah, she's in the bedroom bangin' her boyfriend.'

Hat tip to Roger...

Have a great day. So what are you doing for fun???

Happy birthday, Macey!

Remember my cute hula hooper? Well, today she is officially 8 years old. I was in the delivery room when she was born, and I got to cut the cord. How special is that!

Mom Haley did a very sweet blog about our monkey girl today. Check it out. It describes this gal mighty well, and has a picture of Macey with her monkey collection.

Happy birthday, sweet gal. Grumps and I love you very much! It's a fabulous Friday. I am late posting because I have Scooter, and he is in his crib fighting sleep right now. Having grandkids is sweet, sweet...life is good! Have a great weekend, y'all!!!

Dinosaur poop found!

Just kidding! But couldn't this maybe, just be that? Who knows!
Actually, friends Jerry (above) and Judy made a road trip over to Minneapolis, Kansas, and found "rock formations that are rare and this is the largest group of them and of this size in the world. When we got there, we were the only people there and we got some neat pictures. We saw a pheasant, a wild turkey and a lizard the size of an iguana, but not quick enough on the camera to get those!" Darn, not that I like big lizards, but seeing a photo of one would be OK.

This is a picture of a 'clam shell' with green winter wheat in the background. Oh yes, Kansas is the bread basket of the good ole US of A.

Judy says these are actually sandstone concretions, formed when Kansas was an inland sea. Yes, Al Gore, Kansas used to be under water...

That is "Creeping Charlie" in the foreground, with more winter wheat in the background.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some hot bread right out of the oven, spread with butter and strawberry jam! Can't you just smell that bread baking? That is absolutely one of life's best, simple scents. My father used to work for a bread company, and he would frequently bring home an unsliced loaf, fresh out of the oven. I still remember how good that bread smelled and tasted as all five of us kids devoured this treat.

Think about it, and tell me what your most favorite smell is, OK? And if you have time, go check out something special on Haley's site......but don't forget to come back and leave me a comment or else you'll be in DEEP poop today! JK...

Wordless Wednesday...

Tuesday time...

Here are some pretty rhodendrums to enjoy while I type, right? No they aren't in bloom yet. I shot this last year, and it is prettier than my view outside today, since spring is still slow to happen here in the nawth GA mountains.

Tuesday means no wee boys till 4, so I am enjoying quiet time, and cleaning off my neglected desk, and getting boring filing done. I lead such a glam life! Anyone wanna come help??? There are no fences to whitewash, I promise, but there will be lots of hugs and kisses after 4:00 for sure. That's a great reward for this Grammie. No doubt. Sending hugs to Miss A to feel better. She is sick at home with her daddy today.

Life is good. Happy Tuesday, y'all!

Way to go, Miss A!!!

Big smile from Miss A after placing 3rd out of 15 kids at 4-H competition. She did a presentation, with speech!, on pottery of the Cherokee Indians. This is especially meaningful, since she and her sibling have some Cherokee in them from their paternal side of the family tree.

Way to go, honey. Grumps and I are mighty proud of you!

Girls just wanna have fun!

Grammie got her groove on, but Miss M was and is the hula queen! She won in the young folk's category at our church's 'Mayberry Dinner' Friday night. I won the old folk's category, but I had NO competition! Imagine that...no one else wanted to get up and try their luck, or maybe they didn't want to make a fool of themselves? Who cares...it was fun, but a lot harder to do now than when I was this gal's age! Who else has hula hooped? Remember those days???
Logan locked Miss A in jail, and Sean went over and heckled her for a bit...the 'sheriff' let her out after paying her quarter bail.

Good food, good people, and all for a GOOD cause. We raised quite a few bucks for our Outreach Program. Thanks to everyone who worked to put this together!

Happy Sunday, y'all, from rainy Nawth Georgia! What are you doing today???

Busted...

The other night I was invited out for a night with the 'girls.' I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, 'I promise!' Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down way too easily. Around 3 a.m., a bit loaded, I headed for home.

Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hallway started up and cuckooed 3 times. Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I cuckooed another 9 times.

I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution, in order to escape a possible conflict with him. (Even when totally smashed.. 3 cuckoos plus 9 cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos =MIDNIGHT!)

The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in. I told him ' MIDNIGHT.' He didn't seem angry in the least. Whew, I got away with that one!

Then he said, 'We need a new cuckoo clock.' When I asked him why, he said, 'Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said, 'oh shit.' Cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another three times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted.

HAT TIP to Judy for this one!

Happy Saturday, y'all! I'm going to a "Crop for the Cure" that Haley is sponsoring as a fund raiser for Relay for Life at our church. It should be fun. Life is good!

Stud Muffin Seeks Cupcake...

That is what is on Scooter's shirt.
His mama's shirt says, "Peace, Love and Cupcakes." What could be cuter, I ask? Lucky me gets him all day today. Life is good!

Y'all have a great weekend! Be sure and have some fun, and hug someone today, OK?

TEA party rally...

At least 200 fed-up folks from all around No. GA and North Carolina gathered across from the courthouse here in Mayberry yesterday to protest high taxes and government 'pork' and other spending that has gotten totally out of control...
Dick spared no expense on his sign...will Scooter be paying for this huge debt when he goes into the work place? You bet!

Hey...I see Mike and Jennie!

This guy is definitely displaying his opinions!

And today we have liberal media mockery, saying these views don't count. Thousands of folks protesting all over the country and those views don't count??? What say you?

Despite the idiots in Congress (most of them), we still live in the best country in the world. We just need to get Congress (you know, those who control OUR purse strings) to remember that THEY work for US, and they are playing with OUR money and our children's future.

Enjoy your Thursday. Life is good! God Bless America...and the whole world!!!

Wordless Wed...sweet dreams!

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Easter Munchkins...

I just had to show off our Easter Munchkins before I change my wallpaper. It is still Easter Season, so one more day of Easter scenery is a good thing. Scooter loved being lifted up by Bike Dude...Doodlebug then had to have a turn, of course.
A very big HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to my BFF Joy! As I have said before, she is so appropriately named...and loved by so many folks. Here she is on Easter Day with her daughter and son-in-law... Life is good!!! Enjoy your Tuesday.

Breakfast with Missy

Scooter got busted!
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Easter Day blessings...

Blessed Easter to each of you who celebrate our Risen Lord...

And a Happy Passover to our Jewish friends. Life is indeed good! Please take this opportunity to count your many blessings and give to thanks for them. Have a great Sunday!!!

Everything I needed to know...

Everything I needed to know I learned from the Easter Bunny

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Walk softly and carry a big carrot.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
There is no such thing as too much candy.
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
Some body parts should be floppy.
Keep your paws off other peoples' jelly beans.
The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.
An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare.
To show your true colors, you have to come out of your shell.
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

Happy Easter, y'all!!!

Good Friday...good boy!

Look, I found an Easter egg!

I'm a big boy now!!!

Where did Thursday go?

That egg in the shell is about how useful I have been today with this head cold.

I got 10 PBJs made (yes, I thoroughly cleaned the kitchen and my hands, then wore gloves for the process!) and got them delivered to church, but just didn't feel up to staying for the noon service. Instead, I visited my friendly druggist and asked him the best remedy for my dry, hacking cough...made said purchases and came home, threw chicken and mushroom soup in the crock pot, and spent the afternoon in bed. So there. I am up and feeling somewhat better, but this has gotten OLD, people! Since Sunday!!! Sheesh. I don't have time for germs and coughing and not sleeping. I have better things to do, like worry with the family of the captured boat captain, have energy to keep Scooter boy tomorrow, and other worthwhile projects. Can you believe we have pirate problems for the first time in 200 years??? I don't like bullies of any sort, and pirating is just plain WRONG.

Today is Maundy Thursday, with a foot washing service at our church tonight that I'll have to miss. I'll be beached on the couch with my snuggly blanket, having thoughts of a better tomorrow. And it will be, I declare it!

Snow in the air...

Hmmm, how'd this happen you ask? No, the snow is not suspended in the air, frozen in time. It is snow caught in a spiderweb on the porch of Joy's church! She snapped this one yesterday during our spring snowfall that kept coming down off and on all day long. As predicted, it didn't last and today is sunny and COLD. Brother Bob called from Florida last night to rub it in that he is in WARM temps while WE are getting snow. But not for long...he and Lynne fly back to NH today...back to chilly weather.



Scooter is coming over to stay with us this morning while Amy paints, so you know that Carolyn and I will be having fun. I hope you enjoy your Wednesday, wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Life is good, despite my lingering head cold. Cheers!

Spring in Mayberry...

Here is our view out the front door where the old house is visible. And Brian's truck in the snow, next to the 'lovely' gas tank that has GOT to get buried, guys!!!
Missy has never seen snow before...

And Carolyn said that she hasn't seen snow since 1990! Better put some shoes on, sista...

Somehow or other these bare trees look more appealing with bits of snow draping the limbs...

Snow is still coming down, but the sun is peeking out so it will all be melting soon. Welcome to spring in the North GA mountains! Enjoy your Tuesday, y'all!

Smart FL sign...

Waitin' on lunch...

Sweet, Saturday sunshine!

After a week of rain and overcast, we finally have sunshine today. Yaaayyyy!!!
Doesn't the calendar say it is spring? And bad news on the horizon--possible SNOW on Tuesday! Groan. We left Florida for this??? Oh my goodness...Don and Carolyn are coming up here on Monday from Florida, so I warned them to leave their flip flops at home. The weather is always interesting here in Mayberry, and we have to be prepared for a little bit of everything.

Go out and do something fun today, OK?! Be sure to share a smile with someone.

TGIF!

Hey, from overcast nawth GA! No sky pictures today, as the sky isn't very pretty...and rain is on the way.

I have Scooter boy this morning while Amy is next door painting. He is telling me it is time for his bottle and a morning nap, and I am happy to oblige him!

Haley and I are heading to Dalton after lunch for a funeral...the sister of her co-teacher died this week, and we want to go pay our respects to Traci and her family.

Tomorrow Dick brings the moho back to its bay here at the house, so that means unloading the rest of the *stuff* then cleaning it. He had a guy come and wax the outside, so now the inside is up to me to clean. How is that fair???

I marinated a Boston butt and it is now in the crock pot smelling mighty good...making Cuban Pork for dinner. Can you smell it?

How is your weekend looking? Hope you have a fun one. Time to get the bottle ready!!!

Eagle cam

The Sutton Avian Research Center is dedicated to finding cooperative conservation solutions for birds and the natural world through science and education, and is a part of the Oklahoma Biological Survey at the University of Oklahoma.

Our Bald Eagle nest cam provides an intimate view of a wild Oklahoma Bald Eagle nest. Children and adults fromOklahoma and around the world can observe life in an eagle nest, and scientists can make observations that willhelp us better understand the life history of our national symbol.

This nest is on OG&E property at Sooner Lake near Stillwater, Oklahoma. The original dead nest tree used by this pair of eagles fell down. OG&E, with technical assistance from the Sutton Center and financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, erected an artificial tower which these eagles have adopted successfully.

I love watching nature webcams, so if you want to see this interesting eagle family, click right here:

http://www.suttoncenter.org/eaglecam.html

Both parents are on the nest as I type this at 5p EST on 4/1. Let me know what you see when you visit!

The view...no foolin'!

Sandee asked about the view from our old house yesterday...look real close from the deck and you can see the view to the cove and all the woods to the L with NO houses (yet) because our family owns that land down to the boat house further in the picture. Look over to the R, and you'll see our new house--close enough for the wee boys to walk over when they are old enough to do that! Good plan, right?!
And when we are done having fun with 'da boyz,' we can send them back home. That's a better plan! We are blessed. Life is short...make fun of it on your Wednesday. We sure are...no foolin'! Y'all be careful today.