GOIN' ROUND IN CIRCLES

2012-01-16T06:33:00.000-06:00

Pinterest is my new favorite thing! It's like a big magazine and catalog. I have cooked several of the food items and copied a few of the crafts. I have pinned or liked many more than I have done though.

When I was growing up, Grammy had a closet full of catalogs that we (Gloria and/or Jeanne & I) would go through and pick our favorite item on each page. We spent hours doing this...it seemed like hours to me, but probably wasn't.

Pinterest is like that! You can spend hours looking and pinning. My childhood pastime has become the high tech "in" thing!

Walking

2012-01-11T06:44:00.000-06:00

The last two days have been rainy and cold. I haven't got to walk in the mornings and miss it. Maybe today won't be raining, but I think it's going to be cold.

I walk in the cemetery. There's not a lot of traffic in the morning, but at lunch you have to watch for cars all the time. I don't know what everyone is doing out there at lunch.

Most mornings all you hear is the traffic on the highway. People rushing to work and school. It's such a contrast to the cemetery. So quiet and no traffic. Occasionally I will see deer in the pasture beside it. We both stop and stare at each other. I'm sure the deer are wondering what this crazy woman is doing.

One day at lunch I went to walk and locked my keys in the truck. Luckily I had my phone and called for help. Two police cars arrived to rescue me. The traffic that day was busy. I'm sure they were wondering what big crime I had committed in the cemetery!

Thursday Thoughts

2012-01-05T18:29:00.000-06:00

Not much thinking going on today. Just doing rote work...file stamp, scan & file. Tomorrow is court so we will be busy.

Today started out cold, but ended in the 60's.

Pinterest is my new obsession. Looking at gardens today. Getting ready to start on a new garden. Last year was a big bust...but we did pull some onions last week that had been beaten down last spring and survived all summer. Behm said they were pretty good, not quite as sweet.

Wednesday Wisdom

2012-01-04T06:19:00.000-06:00

"Words are like weapons, they wound sometimes". A line from "If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher. Words can hurt or help. Sometimes just one word can change the way you think about something or someone. I hope that the words in this blog will not hurt anyone, but try to be an encouragement or a small smile to the ones who do read this. Think about what you say today before you say it. Say something encouraging to those around you, especially the ones you love. And if you must say something bad about someone, just add "Bless her heart" at the end & that makes it better!

Deck the Halls

2012-01-03T06:28:00.000-06:00

I know, a little late for deck the halls but wanted to show these.

The courthouse offices all decorated their doors for Christmas. Our first choice was this snowman, but the camera at the top of the front door prevented that from happening. So we put him on the side door!

We used this one for the front door. Pinterest idea. One other office used the same but made variations after they saw ours and another was going to use it also. Pinterest received a bunch of hits for door ideas!

We had fun doing them and they stayed up the entire time without any problems.

New Beginnings

2012-01-02T07:24:00.000-06:00

Remember this?

It is now this... a beautiful place with landscaping, a fountain, and seating.

The buildings have been revamped on the end. One is a bistro and the other is a Big Brothers and Sisters office. The top floor is going to be a bed and breakfast. It is so pretty! You need to come see.

Oh, and Jacksboro and the bistro also has a Starbucks.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

2012-01-01T08:28:00.000-06:00

New Year...new me? I hope to start this blog going again. I've missed it.

2011 in one word - dry. Most of the year was spent getting water on places that didn't have water and getting the water wells going that hadn't been used in many years. Selling cattle because of no grass or water.

Behm and health issues. New lifestyle changes for both of us. No smoking, fried food, less beef, more fish and chicken. I love fried fish, but still have a hard time eating baked fish.

Sass & John's wedding in November! Very sweet and windy!!! Sage was best man, Sonya matron of honor. Teary eyes for me. Sass wore the same dress Mama wore 59 years ago when she and Daddy married. Grandma Kinney made the dress.

Seeing Sonya, Joel, Mia & Julian at wedding! Miss seeing them more often.

Grateful for a year with my family and a new beginning for all of us!

New Do!!

2011-09-04T09:47:00.000-05:00

I waited all through the one hundred teens before I cut my hair, just in time for a cold front to come in. I like it though.

Courthouse Entrance

2011-08-21T08:32:00.000-05:00

The courthouse is undergoing some repairs. New roof, cleaning of the outside, and more things that have been needed for a while. Nothing on the inside now. Have to waterproof before we can do anything to the inside. This has caused some differences in the way we carry on business.

Every day we play musical doors. Which door can we enter or exit? Sometimes it changes from morning to noon to quitting time. At least we are getting our exercise.

If the door is not an option, try this lift and enter through the windows. Or if you are really daring, try the lift to the roof.

The last two really aren't options. Just trying to be funny. Don't be thinking any of us would do that. We don't love to work that much!!

Enter New Lifestyle

2011-08-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Open the door and come on in! I've been gone a while but have missed being here. A lot has happened since I was on here last. Some good things have happened, some bad, some sad, but things nonetheless.

It's been a record setting year here as far as temperatures. One hundred teens for weeks on end. No rain. Everything is drying up and burning up. We received 1/4 of an inch of rain early Saturday morning. It's a start!

This summer started off with health issues...Behm's. Carotid surgery and doctor's visits and lifestyle changes for both of us. Quit smoking...good thing...bad attitude (mine). Quit frying foods...good thing...bad attitude (Behm). I've read more labels than I ever have in my life and always looking for recipes for chicken and fish.

I love fish. Fried fish that is. I am still struggling with baked. Behm has never been a fan of fish, but we're both trying to learn to enjoy it. Right now I'm just choking it down.

The doctor said if it flies or swims it's good to eat. Behm said cattle swim and pigs fly, but I don't think that's what he meant. We still have beef at least once a week, after all we do raise cattle for part of our living.

If you have any help for fried food withdrawal, please comment. I need all the help I can get!

Jack County Fire

2011-03-13T11:15:00.001-05:00

Just a few pictures of the horrible fire Friday. The first one was leaving Mama & Daddy's at 1:00. The others were shortly afterward. It was a scary afternoon.

True Story

2011-02-06T08:34:00.000-06:00

During this last week we had a lot of ice and snow. 4 days of the Courthouse & schools being closed is very unusual for this part of the world. Snow drifts made traveling on country roads almost impossible.

A county road worker was using a backhoe to remove the drifts to make the roads passable and found a pickup stuck in the road. There was no one around it. He decided to go on down the road, instead of backing up. When he topped the hill he found an elderly man sitting in the road. He got him in the backhoe to help warm him. He had on a windbreaker with no lining. He said he thought he was going to die. He knew he couldn't walk any further, couldn't get his pickup out, and probably no one would come down the road to help him.

God sent an angel to that little man that day.

The Reason

2011-01-31T06:52:00.000-06:00

Before Christmas, Mama was telling me about when I was little and pinched my finger in something and she had to take me to the doctor in Jacksboro to get it lanced a couple of times before it healed. Christmas Eve I asked what I was doing to get it pinched. Daddy had the car jacked up to change a tire and I put my finger in the jack for some unknown reason. We were laughing about it and Sass said she couldn't believe Daddy would let me around when he was doing that.

I was brilliant child. I threw a piece of metal in the air...it landed on my head. I climbed the windmill tower when I was first walking...Mama had to climb up & get me down. The bottom rung was removed. I stuck my head in a gate pretending to be in jail...couldn't get my head out until they bent the pipes to get me out. I was breaking Coke bottles and cut my finger badly...still have a L shaped scar to remind me.

Now we know the reason Daddy has always been overly cautious about telling us not to do things...like don't stick your finger in a jack, don't walk with your hands in your pockets when it's icy, etc. He learned with me he had to tell me things not to do or I wouldn't have survived.

I've almost made it to 57! Thanks Daddy!

Focus

2011-01-21T06:58:00.000-06:00

These are cows. When I talk about cows, I know they are not all cows. There are bulls and calves too, but I always say cows.

The other day when I went with Behm to feed cows, I asked him if those were our cows on the other side of the fence. He looked and told me I needed glasses. They were horses! Guess it's time to go change the prescription to my glasses. I might not can tell from a distance if they are bulls or cows, but I should be able to tell the difference between cows & horses!

Superstitions or How to Win at the Casino

2011-01-16T18:47:00.001-06:00

People watching can be a fun experience, especially at a casino! Most have their own superstitions and tricks to try to win at the slot machine. They include rubbing or tapping the screen, hitting the buttons a certain number of times, and then there are the others.
There is the writer. One guy writes on the screen each time after he spins. I still haven't figured out what he is writing, but he takes great pains in writing whatever it is.

Next is the Sneaker. One lady walks away from the machine, turns, jumps back & hits the button. I guess she's sneaking up on it.

My favorite one is the guy who plays the "Lucky Ducky". After he hits the button, he quacks at the machine!

What tricks do I use you ask? I do rub the screen when it spins and have even played "Duck Duck Goose" with the Lucky Ducky. Do any of these help me to win? Not yet, but I just haven't found the right combination. Maybe I need to try the sneak attack, then quack, & finally write on the screen at the same time.

With my luck, I would win the Big Jackpot at the time they were hauling me away in a strait-jacket!

Organization

2011-01-05T06:51:00.000-06:00

Wish I had bought these last year at an auction. They might have helped organize my store. Probably would be better to just get rid of everything instead of trying to find new things to add to the already uncontrollable treasures.

I try to watch "Hoarders" to get inspired, but so far can't seem to get it together. I only have 360 more days to try to get organized this year. Impossible!!

No More Holidays

2011-01-03T06:39:00.000-06:00

Back to work today after holiday. I feel like I need to just go stand in the corner and hit my head against this rock wall. Probably would be as productive as anything else I will do today! Starting this year off with a great attitude!

2011 NEW YEAR NEW MESSAGE

2011-01-01T11:46:00.000-06:00

Last year I attended several funerals. Some were family, some friends, some old, some young. At one of these, a message was told that struck me deeply and continues to this day in my thoughts. A simple thing that most people probably know, but I had never even considered. The message was:

"You are God's gift to the world. You have an effect on different people throughout the world by your actions and deeds."

Wow!! The Whole World!! I always thought of being a gift to your parents and grandparents, but had never considered that the world would be affected by me. Simple minded me, I know.

From this seed, I hope this year I grow to be a better gift to the world. Be kinder, more patient, more caring, more giving.

Happy New Year Everyone!! I love you!

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-24T13:03:00.001-06:00

This always brings a tear to my eye. It is the true meaning of Christmas. Amid all the rushing around trying to find the perfect gift and decorating and cooking and wrapping presents, take a moment and reflect on this Wonderous Gift! I hope everyone has a wonderful day and I love you!

Happy Birthday Sage!!!

2010-12-23T13:03:00.000-06:00

Belated Happy Birthday Sage!! First grandson in our family!! Love you!!

Update

2010-11-02T18:34:00.000-05:00

Update on the project across the street. South side replastered?, front painted black, roof new coat of silver, inside of buildings gutted, fence built from stones from old building (can't see much in this picture). Lots of work going on but can't tell what it is going to be. The property has sold to an individual here. Looks good!

Trick or Treat!!

2010-10-31T08:50:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my House of Horrors!! Enter if you dare, but be warned these photos are not for the faint-hearted!!

The bottomless sink of dirty dishes, might be full of moldy items if left too long.

The rack a/k/a dining room chairs where I think every coat I own is draped over and it's only October and really only 1 cold morning this season.

The exploding room of things to ~~hide~~ ~~store~~ throw from the rest of the house.

The box of projects that I want to do and have been going to do for maybe 3 years.

So why am I wasting time blogging instead of taking care of all the above things? Because I want to wish you a HAPPY HALLOWEEN and I really don't want to do housework today or yesterday or the day before that or..... anyway have a fun day and hope it is full of treats and not tricks!!

Baseball Is In the Air

2010-10-28T18:53:00.000-05:00

Baseball fever has hit Texas in a big way. Even the barbed wire looks like baseballs! Hopefully the rest of the games will go better than last night's loss.

Tree Lessons

2010-10-27T18:11:00.000-05:00

Life lessons can be found in many ways. Here are a few I learned from a tree:

Don't litter, it makes the ones who have to pick up after you unhappy.
Don't drop things on the sidewalk or people. You might hurt someone and be sued.
Don't take it personally if some think you are ugly and too much trouble. There are others who enjoy your company and think you're pretty awesome.
Don't become a security threat. Dire consequences could occur.

All of the above were reasons to cut this tree down at the courthouse. I'm going to try to remember not to do any of the above.

Smokey Bear Bike Ride

2010-10-24T11:58:00.000-05:00

Second Annual Joy VFD Smokey Bear Bike Ride was a success. It was a beautiful day and we had more entered than last year. Door prizes, trophies for different categories of bikes, and we provided the gas home from the ride!

Not for the bikes, but the bikers!!

Weather Alert

2010-10-23T06:58:00.000-05:00

Well it's not a cold day in hell, but the Texas Rangers are GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't breathe through the last 2 innings until that final out. I'll be glued to the TV when the series start. Arlington is probably still rocking this morning!

Phone in a Hay Field

2010-10-22T06:53:00.000-05:00

Last Friday, Behm lost his phone in the hay field. When I got home we went to try to find it. In the dark. We parked near where he thought he might have lost it and I began calling his number to see if we could hear it. I never realized there was so much noise at night in the country. During the 3rd attempt at calling, I heard it ringing. I called again & kept walking until I got closer & voila there it was! That's twice I have found things he's lost in fields.. his wallet earlier in the year and now his phone. I think I need to go into the finders business.

Crazy Thought #455

2010-10-18T19:36:00.000-05:00

This sign always makes me wonder:
1) Are there slow running children ahead?
2) Are the children slow?
3) Why do I think such crazy thoughts?

Please don't answer that last question, I might really get depressed!

Remembering

2010-09-19T10:18:00.000-05:00

The 79th annual Clay County Pioneer Reunion is over and this year's theme was Christmas and Remembering the Greatest Generation. As I was walking back from taking pictures of Tally on her float, this little man sitting at the edge of the War Memorial caught my eye. He appears to be asleep, but maybe he's reflecting on all that his generation has lived through. As soon as I saw him I knew he had to make my blog!

Are You Ready???

2010-09-15T06:53:00.000-05:00

The bulls are ready!!

Chairs are ready!!

Rodeo grounds are ready!!

I'm ready for

A weekend that is special in all Clay County natives hearts and has a very special place in this transplanted Jack County heart. Every year holds different memories and I can't wait to see what captures my heart this year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!

2010-09-06T07:57:00.000-05:00

I hope you don't need a fire truck to put out the candles on your birthday cake...just make a wish without candles! I love you!

Late Birthday Wishes, Last Year's Picture

2010-09-02T06:53:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TALLY & PRESLEY!!

Stay Cool!

2010-08-12T05:36:00.000-05:00

Been waiting since February 13, 2010 to post this photo. I knew when it was 102+ for days this would be perfect!

Storage

2010-07-09T05:38:00.000-05:00

Behm & I went to a storage building auction a few weeks ago. This scale was one of the items that was for sale. I loved it, but no place to put it so I let someone else take it home with them. Some of the things that were stored should have been thrown away. Just like my room of junk, but at least I'm not having to pay someone else to store my "treasures".

HAPPY 4TH!!!

2010-07-04T08:51:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th!! Thankful for the freedom I have in this great country of ours (even with all the problems it is a great place to live)!

Grasshopper Menu

2010-07-01T06:14:00.001-05:00

Innocent looking little thing, isn't it? Add about a thousand more of these and they are quite the eaters. They especially like squash,

and corn.

So far the cantaloupes (cantalopes?) haven't been touched. Look how much this baby has grown in a week!

The mesquite trees on the side of the garden look like they have yellow beans on them, but are filled with grasshoppers just waiting for their turn to attack. If only I could figure out a market for grasshoppers I might be rich before this summer is over.

Invasion

2010-06-25T06:41:00.000-05:00

of the grasshoppers in the garden. They sure are a hungry bunch! Wednesday afternoon the black eye peas were almost ready to pick. Yesterday, they had already been eaten.

We bought a small freezer earlier this year to be sure to have enough room to "put up" our harvest. Don't look like we're going to need it. That's what I get for planning ahead!

Hopefully next year will be better!

Garden News

2010-06-21T06:41:00.000-05:00

Pulled the carrots yesterday. They are a very pretty plant with their fern like leaves. Not yesterday though...all you could see were stems covered in grasshoppers. The grasshoppers have attacked the garden. Just hoping they don't entirely wipe it out! Maybe these birds need to move to our garden and have a nice dinner!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

2010-06-20T06:58:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day to Daddy & all the fathers in my life! You are all CHAMPIONS in my eyes! Have a happy day, you deserve it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANDON!!

2010-06-10T06:20:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday Landon!!

Hope you have a day full of fun & cookies!

Ceiling Fan Redo

2010-05-20T10:38:00.000-05:00

I've been on a cleaning and redecorating kick lately. My house is FILTHY!!! I don't know why, I think I cleaned it really good about a year ago!

The ceiling fan in our dining room is old and needed something besides this ugly wood look. The opposite side was a rattan look, which was worse than this.

I first thought I would paint them black, but had a bright idea to cover them with fabric. I bought this piece of fabric at a garage sale 2 years ago. I didn't have a clue what I would do with it, but loved the western theme.

I just cut the fabric larger than the fan blade, used spray adhesive, and now a new look for our fan. In hind sight (which is always better), I would have painted the edges black and just cut the fabric the size of the blade. Overlapping at the top & the tips was a pain and I think it would have been easier to do it that way.

Yee Haw!!

Garden Update

2010-05-13T06:53:00.000-05:00

Beans are blooming, weeds need pulling, something is nibbling on the leaves.

Squash are blooming!

Watermelons sprouting up!

We planted sweet potatoes Monday. Won't be long until I will be picking beans and squash! Remind me in a few weeks how excited I was about picking these!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

2010-05-09T08:06:00.000-05:00

No matter where you call home,

Hoping all the mothers in my life are Queen of their home and having a very Happy Mother's Day! I love you!!

Spring Christmas

2010-05-07T14:56:00.000-05:00

Red & green ... Christmas colors. They are abundant this spring.

These Indian Paintbrushes always make me think of Mia. When we were on our way to Oklahoma the day she was born, the sides of the highways were almost solid red with these flowers.

Small green tomatoes. Having a better year for tomatoes than last year, or the beginning of it. Hope they continue to do well.

First radishes from the garden.

Different shades of green in the trees. I love the color of mesquites when they first leaf out. They are almost lime.

Happy Spring!

Beautiful Flowers

2010-05-05T06:48:00.000-05:00

These flowers were planted at a grave site next to Bud's (Behm's dad) grave many years ago. This year they were in full bloom at Decoration Day. I don't know what they are, but they are so beautiful. All the rain & snow we had this winter has made for a beautiful Texas spring.

I'M A WINNER!!!

2010-05-04T08:50:00.000-05:00

Every week for almost the past year I have been following Rachel at Two Dog Pond. She is a very talented artist from Nebraska whose work I have been admiring all this time. Every week she posts a great image, you leave a caption & if your caption is chosen, you win a necklace made by Rachel with the image & caption.

I WON LAST WEEK!! You can see it here! I am so excited & I love the image! Can't wait until it arrives. Thanks again Rachel!!

Paint It Black

2010-04-27T18:20:00.000-05:00

That Rolling Stones song kept running through my mind while I was painting these trays. They were printers trays that were partially green. A little black paint and turned the opposite way made one a frame for vintage (50's) children's book covers,

and the other is still being used to hold the wooden printers blocks. Not enough letters to make words, so just lined them up numerically & of course alphabetically. I always have to alphabetize things and I think that's why I have a hard time organizing all my ~~junk~~ treasures!

Magazines May Be Hazardous to Your Health

2010-04-20T06:42:00.000-05:00

These magazines look innocent don't they? Don't let them fool you though. They are bad for your health or at least my back health. I sold some on eBay and when I picked them up to ship them off to their destination, my back didn't like it one little bit. I've been in pain for the last week because of them. Went to the Voodoo doctor yesterday and he helped some, but am still hurting. May need to try a vet since it was horse magazines that got me down!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIA!!!

2010-04-18T08:01:00.000-05:00

13 years ago you were looking out the window reflecting on life, but I don't think you took this picture of yourself.

Hope you have an AWESOME 13th birthday!!! Hugs & kisses!!

58 YEARS!!

2010-04-16T06:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary Mama & Daddy! Take the day to sit and reflect on all the love you've shared with each other. We all love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!!!

2010-04-14T06:24:00.002-05:00

Here's a Grand Picture for you!

Grands & Great Grands!!

Hope you have a grand day!!

Garden News

2010-04-12T06:50:00.000-05:00

We have carrots, radishes, onions, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, & green beans all growing now in the garden. Only 4 potatoes survived the winter. Can't wait until we can start harvesting those fresh veggies again!

I love looking for the new growth bursting through the ground. I don't really like seeing the new growth of weeds though. Just like life, you have to have some trials to appreciate the rewards.

Words

2010-04-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

This may not be right but I had to write about it. It's truly amazing that anyone learns to read or spell with so many words that sound alike or spelled alike that have different meanings.

I love to read and have read many books. One day I read a tale of a bass with a huge tail while I listened to the bass beat through the walls of my beet red room. It's hard to tell, but the bass broke the base of the reed table where the lei lay. On the way by the store to buy its replacement, I decided it's too light and I might need to weigh the odds of buying two wood tables. Would that do or would the morning dew or when the wind blew make me blue? Maybe I need four for they're on sale there at the store. Oh, their business won the award and I know I owe them one sell.

This little story makes about as much sense as the spelling of words. I'm sure I won't make the best blogger award or make any cents from this post...BUT it was fun and made me think of words. The list is quite long....sorry I'll be quiet now!

I'm Beginning to Panic!

2010-04-07T06:48:00.000-05:00

I started working on income taxes in January, determined I would get them done early this year. Forgot them for a while, finished last night, and called our tax preparer guy. No answer. Panic is beginning to set in now! Why do I keep on procrastinating about everything, especially important things like income taxes? Right now I'm on the top of this sinking ship, hope I don't go all the way to the bottom. I'm not a strong swimmer!

Good Friday Wishes

2010-04-02T08:15:00.000-05:00

I guess the Free Kids promotion http://midwayrecords.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-silly-sign.html didn't help their business.

Spotted the first scissor tail Wednesday afternoon. Mesquite trees aren't out yet. Saw a bluebonnet last week in the metroplex. I think everyone is ready for summer.

Wishing everyone a great Good Friday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDI!!

2010-03-30T06:01:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Sandi!! Have a great day & I

Love you!!

I Need New Glasses

2010-03-29T18:56:00.000-05:00

I've seen these every afternoon going home & kept thinking I need to get a picture of them. Today was the day... after I finally decided they were decoys!!

I either need new glasses or something to make my brain click faster. First clue should have been they were always in the exact same spot on the tank, floating in the same order every time!

GRRR!!!

2010-03-28T18:33:00.000-05:00

I think I'm losing my mind!! I started working on income taxes this morning. I had 2 receipts and now they are nowhere to be found! I've looked in all the files, trash, and shredder. Nothing!! I swear they just ran away...can't blame them though. Who likes to work on income taxes?

Spring 2010

2010-03-21T10:56:00.000-05:00

First day of Spring 2010! Blowing snow & cold!!! Watching the birds trying to fly into that north wind made me glad I was just trying to drive in it.

Second day of Spring 2010. Sun is shining, wind is blowing & snow is melting! Things are looking up!

My mood seems to be related to whether or not the sun is shining. If the sun is bright, my thoughts are a little brighter. All these gray days of winter have had me blue, blue, blue. Come on sunshine...I need some happy yellows in my days!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONYA!!!

2010-03-19T06:14:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Sonya!

Have a day full of wisdom, laughter & love!

Love you!

Little Bit of Knowledge

2010-03-15T08:53:00.000-05:00

When watching Jeopardy I was always amazed at how many people knew Shakespeare. The only things I remember from his writings are:

"Et tu, Brute"

"Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo"

"Beware the Ides of March"

Today is the Ides of March and I hope everybody has a better day than Julius did!

Stormy Weather

2010-03-10T20:33:00.000-06:00

The weather man was wrong. No rain today, no storms, everything was going to be east of here. This started soon after I got to work.

Which led to this,

and then this,

and finally this.

It only lasted a short time and blue skies were here for a while, before West Texas dust paid us a visit. If the spring is like the winter we had, there may be a bunch more of these days.

Happy Birthday Joel!

2010-03-06T07:50:00.000-06:00

Hope your birthday is full of memories of your youth! Have a great day!

North to Alaska?

2010-03-04T06:50:00.000-06:00

Great picture, huh? The subject is though...geese heading north!! Which means warm weather is on its way, which means I can finally wear one layer of clothes without freezing.

Wednesday Wit

2010-03-03T06:46:00.001-06:00

I don't know why I have this chill running down my back! I hope I'm not getting sick!

Catch Up Time

2010-03-01T18:32:00.000-06:00

I haven't been too up to date on things lately. I've been in a blue funk since before Thanksgiving & can't seem to shake it.

I missed wishing Kerri & Ronnie Happy Birthday in February, the first part of February. My bad! Belated Happy days to you both!

They are moving back to Buffalo Springs sometime in the near future. Everyone is glad to have them coming back this way!

Sandi has started back to school to get her Master's. I think she was pretty stressed out at first, but seems to be back in the swing of school learning as opposed to teaching. I'm really proud of her for taking this step!

Sonya & family are still trying to adjust to the fishbowl in Oregon. I keep telling them to keep on swimming & keep their heads above the water. May have more news to report on that later.

We are all swimming here with all the rain & snow we've had this year. Lots of rain last night & today. Our garden is a huge mud hole. We finally got to plant potatoes, onions, radishes & carrots Saturday. Sage was here & was a big help in planting. Now if I can get everyone here when it's time to gather everything, I'll be doing great!

Haven't really been into picture taking lately either. Gray days are not really very pretty! This was taken on 2/26/09. Haven't seen anything like that yet and can't wait until I do!

Unproductive Night

2010-02-25T06:50:00.000-06:00

Organization skills are not my strong suit. That being said, let me tell you about yesterday.

I sold several items on ebay this week and ordered boxes in time to arrive when I needed them. Last night was going to be packing night, instead of waiting until the last minute like I usually do. I got everything out ready to go: boxes, newspaper, items to mail. First box: 2 strips of tape and empty. Spent rest of night searching for more tape and cussing because I didn't have any.

Productive huh? The real kicker is my horoscope said I would be organized all day. I guess my day and the horoscope's day were not in the same time zone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIAN!!!

2010-02-23T05:58:00.000-06:00

Don't look now, but it's your birthday!! Happy Birthday Julian! Hope your day is full of fun & ice cream!! Love you much!!!

Peeping Woody!

2010-02-22T06:42:00.000-06:00

We had a Peeping Woody during the last snow. I took several pictures before he/she flew away.

Look at that beak! I was afraid it would start pecking on the window & break it. Not a good thing, since this window is on the north & I really didn't want snow & cold wind blowing into the bathroom.

The weather guessers are saying we may get a dusting of snow again tonight. The last dusting was 8 inches! Will update you later tonight on the final count, if I can get back home from work through the dusting.

Animal Talk

2010-02-18T06:45:00.000-06:00

~~Sometimes~~ always when I see animals I think about what they say to each other. Last week during the snow, these buzzards were probably saying this:

Looks like another frozen dinner today!

Have a great day everyone & be thankful you don't have my brain!

Too Much Snow

2010-02-16T06:52:00.000-06:00

This was Thursday morning. This old shed has metal trim on the top that I have been wanting to climb up on top & remove.

This was Saturday morning. After we went by sometime Friday, the snow was too much for the roof and it caved in. Notice the cow in the last picture. I bet she's thinking, "Only 2 days ago I was standing underneath that for protection. I think housing is for the birds!".

On the up side of this, now I don't have to climb up & get the trim I want.

Winter Wonderland Again!

2010-02-11T17:47:00.000-06:00

Latest Thursday snow day. This is how it looked at 7:00 this morning.

What the weather forecasters were saying was going to be a little slush quickly turned into 7-8 inches of snow! Small flakes and then huge flakes and they are still coming down as I write this.

I don't remember this much snow in one winter and I've been through a few winters! Only 5 more months until July!

A Gift for Me

2010-02-07T10:12:00.000-06:00

I bought myself a Christmas, birthday, valentine, Mother's Day present. I've been wanting a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for a long time now and never could bring myself to spend that much money on something just to cook with. Christmas baking finally convinced me I needed something else. One cheap-o hand mixer & one garage sale stand mixer thrown in the trash after trying to prepare simple cookies was the final hint I needed to let go of my thrifty ways.

I couldn't wait to use it and couldn't decide what to make first. The first thing was a coconut pound cake. The next week I really put it to the test. Homemade yeast rolls, bread & chocolate meringue pie...all in the same morning!

It is great!! I'm afraid I might get roly-poly if I keep fixing the bread! Good stuff!

Update

2010-02-01T06:22:00.002-06:00

Remember this
post about the revitalization project. January 22 they moved on to the next step! We are moving right along!

Sunday Silly Sign

2010-01-31T08:40:00.001-06:00

Signs on movie rental store. I wonder if the free kids are ones parents forgot to take home with them when picking up movies?

Hearing Problems

2010-01-28T10:02:00.003-06:00

For several years, Behm & I have had some interesting conversations. I mumble when I speak and he doesn't always hear exactly what I say, so sometimes things get lost between what I say & what he hears. Well...I think it is affecting me. Last night, he told me someone died. I heard Bernie Overhaulers and I asked who that was. He said, "Pernell Roberts, the guy that played Adam on Bonanza". Bernie Overhaulers & Pernell Roberts - yeah they sound similar!

It happened again this morning as I was driving into work. The radio was advertising a 20% off sale on, what I heard was, homosexuals, but actually was home essentials. Big difference!

I've always said to be careful about what you say because it will come back and bite you on the a** someday. I guess someday is now for me!

Winter Woes

2010-01-26T06:23:00.003-06:00

Waiting for the next winter blast that is expected to hit here Thursday and wishing warm weather would get here sooner. Maybe getting started in the garden soon will pick me up out of the winter blahs (blues) I'm in right now.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2010-01-13T06:29:00.002-06:00

No pictures today, just wisdom . . .

1) If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all or at least say "Bless their heart" after talking about them.

2) Don't speak to strangers . . . which is hard if you work anywhere in the public.

Now, everyone will know why I'm so quiet. I can't think of anything nice to say or they are strangers!

Feeding Cows

2010-01-11T06:29:00.002-06:00

I went with Behm to feed cows this weekend. Forgot my camera so picture is from the spring when things were green.

We were sitting in the pickup, honking the horn, counting cows, & waiting for more to show up before we fed them. I started watching the cows and had to laugh. They were all looking around as though they were wondering who wasn't there yet & why wasn't she there.

I could just imagine the conversations they were having about the cows who weren't there on time!

Texas

2010-01-06T06:23:00.003-06:00

Everything is bigger in Texas! Where would you put these huge roosters? Maybe I could put them in the garden and scare the bugs off my vegetables this summer. It will be time to start planting soon, but I really think it is going to have to warm up before I look forward to that job. It's supposed to be in the teens tomorrow and Friday. Double long john time for me!

Resolution Time

2010-01-05T10:01:00.004-06:00

New Year Resolution Time! Do I make the same ones I haven't kept for years or try for something that might be doable? Maybe a little of both.

I will try to turn negative thoughts into positive ones and look for the joy in the simple pleasures of life.

Get organized...same one for my entire life!

Hope 2010 is a good year for all!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T10:58:00.002-06:00

Take time to sit and ponder all the new year has to offer!

Snowing Again

2009-12-29T16:56:00.003-06:00

It's snowing again & as you can see not all of it was gone from Christmas Eve. It started about 12:45 p.m. today & is supposed to snow all night. The weather predictors are saying more on Thursday. I think we've moved to Colorado without anyone telling us.

Merry Christmas to All!

2009-12-24T16:03:00.002-06:00

We're having a White Christmas this year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAGE!!

2009-12-16T05:23:00.002-06:00

Hope your 10th birthday is full of fun, laughs, & pizza! Love you much!!!

Mighty Merle!

2009-12-08T10:43:00.002-06:00

I'm back to Merle Haggard again. This is my favorite song by him and it didn't get a lot of air time. Enjoy!

Christmas Mood

2009-12-07T06:15:00.003-06:00

This calm, peaceful scene is sent to all the Christmas shoppers out there because if you're like me when I go shopping it is not calm and peaceful. I went Saturday looking for Chinese Christmas gifts for Thursday night. I walked the mall from one end to the other with no luck. 3 stores, frayed nerves, and a headache later, I finally bought 2 crappy gifts that I'm not happy with but settled for them anyway.

Can you tell I'm really in the Christmas mood? Maybe I am in my Christmas mood. I love the reason for the season but this year I can't seem to get into it. Usually, I love looking at the decorated trees and finding new ornaments, but this year there aren't a lot to look at and nothing has captured my attention. I'm not sure I'm even going to put up a tree.

Just call me the Grinch...I do look a little green around the edges today. Maybe by Christmas I will be totally green!

Catalogs

2009-12-04T06:17:00.003-06:00

Looking through an old catalog from the 70's brings back lots of memories. Not only the fashions but the household items have changed. Although some of the styles then are in now. I remember spending hours looking through the Christmas catalog every year. We weren't as bombarded with commercials pushing every toy as we are today, but those pages were filled with all sorts of neat toys you thought you just had to have!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:34:00.001-06:00

Wonder if these guys will be having turkey for dinner today?

Sweet Paper Dolls

2009-11-23T06:28:00.003-06:00

I have always loved paper dolls. I had tons of them when I was growing up and spent hours playing with them. I even had two that had real hair. Tall ballerinas, Barbie, sisters Cindy & Sue (which is ironic because my cousins had the same names & are sisters), and 4 special ones that Grandma Kinney bought me. These had holes in the dolls and the clothes were attached with buttons of different shapes placed inside the holes. I found some like them on eBay several years ago and bought them for Mia to play with. I never realized how much trouble Mama went to cutting out all the clothes for these dolls. I don't ever remember cutting them out. She was probably afraid I'd cut myself with the scissors!

Whoo's That

2009-11-17T06:29:00.003-06:00

Lurking in the garden during daylight hours? He's back! I just love to see this owl. He makes me smile when he hoots and he is loud!

I don't know if he was cooking something on the grill or just hoping it would keep him warm.

Communication

2009-11-16T06:17:00.002-06:00

Today's technology is great! With a touch of a button you can see and hear what's going on anywhere. In the 1930's or 40's, Grandma Kinney's sister and her family moved to California from Texas. The only way of communication was by letter. Now Sonya and her family are in Oregon & a phone call or a click of the mouse keeps us in touch.

When Sandi was in college at Stephenville, which was in the 90's, our main source of communication was by letter. Occasionally, there would be phone calls. Cell phones were too expensive to own then.

Sometimes the technology gets above my head, but I'm thankful for the giant steps we've made in communication!

Clint Strong

2009-11-12T05:41:00.004-06:00

The guitar player I talked about earlier is Clint Strong. I thought it was Carl Straughn, Behm thought it was Clint Sterling. At least we had the initials right! I searched the internet for Carl Straughn, but couldn't find anything. Daddy had Merle Haggard's autobiography and in it was a picture of The Strangers with Clint as a member. With the right name I found videos & a web site for him. If you're interested, go to YouTube & search for Clint Strong & Merle Haggard. I would put the video on here, but haven't figured out how to do that yet!

Late Night

2009-11-08T09:50:00.004-06:00

This cow's eyes and mine have something in common. The dark circles under them! To celebrate our 13th anniversary, Behm & I went to a concert in Bowie. Branson Comes to Bowie! Tommy Horton & Leona Williams were the stars and they did a great job, but the guitar player was awesome! They introduced him as having played with Merle Haggard & I believe he did. If he didn't, he should have. He had Merle's sound down perfect. It was really a terrific concert! We may become groupies!

Angel Signs

2009-11-06T06:20:00.003-06:00

Have you ever found a penny while walking along, even somewhere you just passed by earlier and there wasn't anything there? That's a sign an angel is thinking of you!

Small pieces of copper only worth one cent, not even enough to buy bubble gum anymore, but oh those pennies from heaven are priceless! Signs to us to remember loved ones who have gone before us and remind us that God will be there for us to help us through whatever trials may come.

Next time you find a penny think about the angel who sent it to you. It will bring a smile to your face!

Same Name Blues

2009-11-05T06:22:00.005-06:00

When I was growing up I always looked for my name on things to buy. You know the little license plates & hair barrettes you find at amusement parks and variety stores...I could never find my name anywhere. All my cousins names were there, but not mine.

When I moved to Jacksboro in high school, there was another girl with the same first & last name as mine. Our names always had our classification after them... Soph. & Junior.

After my divorce, my ex married a woman with the same first name as mine. Then I was #1.

Now after almost 13 years with a different last name, it's happened again. Someone with the same first & last name as mine was in the paper for getting an occupational driver's license. Usually these are for people who have gotten a DWI & need a license to drive to and from work only. We didn't see it, but Behm's boss asked him about it the other day. Subtly of course. First he asked what an occupational driver's license was. A little later he mentioned I was in the paper for getting one. Behm assured him it wasn't me.

Everyone around here has been wondering why I haven't driven the new pick-up. I guess now they think I didn't have a license! So for all of you who might have read that article, it wasn't me!

Any suggestions for a new first name that no one else has?

Progress

2009-11-04T06:36:00.004-06:00

In Jacksboro, lots of buildings are being torn down or moved. New schools were built and the old depot is being restored for the Chamber of Commerce office. A new bank & Dollar General store have also been built. Are we growing?

Go West Young Family

2009-11-02T06:28:00.003-06:00

My Coloradoans are now Oregonians! They left yesterday & Sonya called last night from Salt Lake City. They are all excited about the new step in their lives. Good luck Ryans! Love you much!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

2009-10-31T07:16:00.003-05:00

I love Halloween! It's the one day of the year you can dress like an idiot & nobody cares. Here's proof:

Can you guess what I am? Here's a closer look that might help.

I'm a (w)rapper! I know kinda lame, but hate spending money on costumes and have a reputation at work to make people think about what it is I'm trying to be.

By the looks of the background, I should have spent time cleaning the room instead of digging up a costume!

Hope everyone has lots of treats and fun today!

Greetings

2009-10-29T05:30:00.002-05:00

I bought donut holes the other day & when the guy handed them to me said, "Have a day!". Not have a good day but just have a day! I guess we all need to think that way...just be thankful for the day, good, bad, or indifferent.

I hope everyone reading this will "Have A Day!".