Life on the farm

Crystal Bridges & the Native American Museum

2012-01-19T22:56:00.002-06:00

Better late than never, right? Here is just a small sampling of the shots I took last Thursday at the Native American Museum and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Both are located in Bentonville, AR, and both are definitely worth checking out.

Now let's go native!
There was something representing each nation, but I don't remember exactly which headdresses were which, but they were all absolutely amazing! The craftsmanship and detail are just beautiful beyond words!

Take a really close look at this hat and necklace. The hat is made from a bear paw and the necklace is a bearclaw necklace....looks like a piece of the bear's paw, too. Now I know why the Apache were considered a very strong, fearless nation....anyone who kills a bear with a bow and arrow deserves respect!

This case was filled with ceremonial dance fans and were awesomely gorgeous just like the headdresses. I wanted the peacock one on the left...but I think the museum people would have frowned on that so I took a picture instead.

Hey, there's my Mamma in a tee-pee.....

There were so many things at the Native American Museum, you should go and check it out yourself. I fell in love with the textiles and pottery.

Our next stop was Crystal Bridges. If you don't know anything about this place you need to change that...soon. To help further your education here's a link to Crystal Bridges. If I ever see Alice Walton I'm going to hug her neck for creating this wonderful, magical place.....but she would probably just call security because she would wonder who was this strange, crazy woman trying to choke her....

We were treated to a box lunch (which was very good, and the same can be purchased in the museum cafe) then a tour guide came to take our group through the galleries. (yes, gallerIES plural, it's fabulous...I could live there....but then there's that whole security thing)

The galleries are seperated by chronological order, so the older American art was the first we passed through. We didn't slow down much because our tour guide was on a mission. She led us directly to this...

A painting by Asher B. Durand entitled "Kindred Spirits". Durand was one of the members of the Hudson River School of artists who really focused on nature and landscapes. Google Hudson River School...that's your homework for today....there might be a quiz.

On to the next gallery and I seriously started having heart palpitations. There was a MARY CASSATT painting! Gasp! The ONLY American to exhibit with Claude Monet and Pierre Auguste Renoir... Do you think either of those men touched this painting?

Some of you may not be experiencing the awe and joy as me, but let me tell you, for an Art teacher this was better than an Elvis!

Now, no self-respecting, world-class exhibit of American Art could ever be complete without a little Norman Rockwell, and who better to represent the American people but "Rosie the Riveter" herself. Yes ma'am, there she is, halo and all...and her foot is placed not-so-delicately upon a copy of Hitler's "Meine Kampf". Take that, mustache boy! Look at those guns on Rosie, she could give you a whippin' and make you like it!

Would you like to guess what was on the wall adjacent to Rosie? A self portrait by Grant Wood! Oh yes, THE Grant Wood who painted American Gothic (with the little old couple, a pitchfork, and a gothic window) I'm pretty sure by this time Mom had bruises on her arm from me digging my fingers in while saying, "Look! Look! There's a Grant Wood......."

Oh look, Pinocchio was there, too....I think he was working security.

Continuing through the galleries, you will eventually come to the 20th century rooms, and there you will find Andy Warhol's "Dolly Parton"

And you will also find a Roy Lichtenstein sculpture. I took several of this one because I really think the hubs can make me one of these....the man's a master with a welder!

So, there's your brief tour. I have tons more photos, but Blogger was being a little cranky tonight and I couldn't get them to load. I may have to add those later.

photography

2012-01-19T21:17:00.001-06:00

I found this on Facebook and discovered you can't pin to Pinterest from Facebook. GASP! So I decided to "borrow" it and post it here so I can put it on Pinterest. I think I have a slight addiction to Pinterest. I may need a support group.

Is this not one of the sweetest shots you've ever seen?!! Lindsay, guess what I want to do with you, Lance, and Bennett (when he gets here). I think we can add Landon's little hands in there somewhere, too.

Crystal Bridges

2012-01-11T22:08:00.001-06:00

I'm so excited, tomorrow I'm going here....Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

I am so excited about this trip. I've read as many articles on the place as I can find. It is a great Museum founded by AliceWalton (daughter of Mr.Wal-Mart himself) and contains her expansive and expensive collection of American Art. What makes this place unique is the fact there is no admission. Wal-Mart donated something like 20 million dollars to cover admission fees forever....or at least for a very long time.

I also found out I can take my camera in the museum, so the big Nikon is charged and rearin' to go...okay, maybe it's just ready and I'm rearin'

While I had planned a witty post for tonight about the goings on the Jennings clan, my eyes have other plans. For some reason they just won't stay open.....I shall succumb to the Sandman. In the meantime, check back in sometime and, with a little luck and a few cups of coffee, see the photos I'll have.

You'll probably want to add Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas to your bucket list.

Why?

2011-12-01T20:20:00.001-06:00

Why do we place limits on ourselves that often seem ridiculous? I had promised myself to blog more often, but I have this crazy idea that a blog post just isn't worth reading unless there are photos included. I know, that's a really dumb thought, but that is how my mind works. So many times I typed out a post only to delete it because I didn't have a photo to go with it.

Maybe it's intimidation. I read other blogs and they are filled with adorable photos of smiling children, or full of "how to" photos of the most fantastically, creative ideas. I've got nothin'.

On another note, Casey and I are embarking on a new, creative adventure. We are working together to do a little photography. We have decided to call our little business "Oh Shoot! Photography" I guess I do have a slight creative juice left.

3 more days...

2011-09-20T22:54:00.002-05:00

until this movie opens at our "local" theater.

It was produced by the same studio that made The Blind Side, and that movie was awesome! This weekend is the nationwide opening of Dolphin Tale, so get out and support this movie and show those big Hollywood studios that we want GOOD things to watch, not this trashy, violet, foul-mouthed stuff that seems to be so popular. Just in case you are in the Mtn. Home area, it's showing at Sun Valley Cinema (they didn't pay me to give them a plug, either....but if you go to their website they do have a coupon for free popcorn....and who doesn't love movie popcorn?

Now, about this girl. Her name is Winter, she is a bottlenose dolphin, and is a permanent resident of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. She was still a baby when she was found beached with her tail caught in the monofilament line of a crab trap. It was so damaged her tail had to be amputated just to save her life. True story.

Winter with her prosthesis

Winter learned, against all odds, to swim without a tail, and thanks to one persistent kid, she ended up as the first "fish" with a prosthesis...which was made by a doctor who normally makes human prosthetics.

Winter without the prosthesis, she is so amazing!

So that's all you're getting from me, you need to go see the movie....go to the matinee and look for us, we will be the ones wearing the "Winter" and "Clearwater Marine Aquarium" t-shirts....Logan said we had to wear them when we go see the movie...I've promised, but I love the shirt! (mine's pink, his is aqua blue with dolphins on it, come say hi)

Just in case you want to know a little more about her...I'm that way, I always want to know more....you can access the CMA website at www.seewinter.com

Labor Day weekend

2011-09-05T09:31:00.001-05:00

Saturdays are always busy around here, and holiday weekends are no exception. We didn't have any super fun plans, though(....well, except Casey, she left Friday for the Chuck Wagon races.... I've said a prayer... I hope her guardian angels can fly fast!) I was determined to get the basement room set up like a living room for the kids (thanks, Mom, for the couch and recliner). Chris had some things to do (always), Logan was into something, several somethings, actually, and Austin went with Rich to take Rosie to get her hooves trimmed before the district fair. (She got a little heifer pedicure! ) Nothing out of the ordinary, but I like ordinary days.

Well, maybe "nothing out of the ordinary" isn't exactly correct, we did add a new family member. Her name is Charley, and she is an Australian Shepherd puppy. She is so cute! (I could so be the crazy dog lady...if Chris would let me)

Austin, Logan, and Miss Charley

CJ checking out his new sister.

Darrell was a little miffed, he's afraid he will lose his alpha dog status....not happening, he's still the boss.

The boys ran off and left her this morning, she was sad until they came back.

I wish I had more witty things to say, but I'm watching the Dance Moms marathon on Lifetime. It's like watching a train wreck, but I can't look away!

Maybe I'll post again later....

Times...they are a changin'

2011-08-30T22:55:00.004-05:00

30 years ago....notes were taken on paper with a pen or pencil; today we have laptops, iPads, and Palm Pilots.

30 years ago...you found books at the library or a bookstore, you held a book in your hand an dogeared pages to keep your place; today we have Kindles, Nooks, and iPads with millions of books at the touch of a button.

30 years ago...you could call a company or business and the phone was answered by a real, live person; today we are greeted by a recorded voice who prompts us to "press one", "press two" , "enter the extension number of your party followed by the pound key."

30 years ago...we wrote letters, made phone calls, and met friends at the local hangout; today we interact through email, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.

30 years ago...Microfiche was cutting edge technology which helped you locate your research topics in books in the library or newspaper; today the internet brings information to our fingertips twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

30 years ago...cameras used film and photos took several days to process; today we photos are seen instantly on a digital screen.

30 years ago...telephones were land lines and were located in our homes (some still attached to the wall via a curly cord), and only made phone calls; today cell phones fit easily in our pockets and contain texting, internet, digital cameras, address books, music players, games, and can make calls.

30 years ago...cable tv offered around 30 channels and was available in towns or cities, those of us in rural areas got 3 channels from an antenna (if the weather was just right); today satellite tv provides us with 300+ channels and kids complain "there's nothing on tv!"

30 years ago...kids were taught respect and responsibility at home, parents sided with teachers, and corporal punishment was common practice and accepted; today many parents are absent, respect has been replaced by entitlement, teachers are often told, "what happens at school is your problem", and spanking in school can be grounds for a lawsuit.

If the increase in technology means the demise of good, moral character have we truly improved society? If the answer is yes, what does the future hold? What has happened to personal interaction? I despise the "self checkout" lanes in stores, and think we are losing something very important by replacing people with machines.

Though we may worry and wonder what the future will bring, we can always count on one thing....
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Oh, Food Network....

2011-08-27T12:40:00.001-05:00

you've done it again, and I'm not disappointed!

I've been waiting all week for this new show with the Pioneer Woman, and it was definitely worth the wait! (This woman cooks food that my family will actually eat with ingredients you can find in rural Arkansas....she's in rural Oklahoma....no black truffles and fresh lobsters around these parts.

Ree Drummond aka: the Pioneer Woman.

So, what was the fantastic gastronomical delights she had today....chicken fried steak! You just can't beat a good chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and white gravy. I've had to wipe the drool from my chin more than once this morning.

Chicken fried steak....be still my heart!

So, all this Food Network goodness has put me in the mood to cook....I hope the mood is still with me after I get this house cleaned. ......

15 Years....

2011-08-22T23:21:00.002-05:00

....That is the number of years I have been a teacher in the Arkansas public school system. I've learned many things in the last 15 years, so I thought I'd share a few with you, just in case you might choose to go into the field of education, or if you've ever just wondered....(I wonder about things like that)

Here you go, here are my top 10 in random order (aka: the order they pop into my head):

1.(because this is the one that is bugging me today) Energy drinks, (such as Amp, Nos, Monster, Rockstar, Red Bull, or the numerous other caffeine laden sugar laced liquid of choice) should NOT be sold to anyone under the age of 20, ESPECIALLY before 5 pm! (this will give said obnoxious side effects to run through the system of a teenager before they must report back to school.
.... but wait, there's more..... Should these companies balk at the idea of not selling these products to teens, they should be forced to spend 8 hours locked in a room with Monster swilling teens, while making them fill in the bubbles on a standardized testing form. I think we would definitely see a change in sales policies.

2. Spending exhorbitant amounts of money on jeans with holes is just.....stupid. Give me the same amount of cash you spend on a new, torn up pair of Silver jeans and I will soon be able to purchase that mobile Mac lab for students. Should you still want jeans with holes, go buy a cheap pair and sign up for a shop class....preferably welding....trust me, using a welder or a grinder will soon put many stylish holes in your jeans. I know this because the hubs welds and we have many, many pairs of jeans and long sleeved shirts with stylish holes...they are even singed around the edges so not to fray, and all it cost was the price of regular old pair of Wranger 13MWZ's.

3. Teachers do not want to see the color of your underwear. We would prefer you keep it covered at all times. This also includes cleavage (for girls), and the slogan "Say NO to crack" applies to more than just drugs.

Four. (yeah, my numeral four key is broken...it was the result of an unfortunate orange soda accident....which is my next little tip) If you have your own, personal children in your classroom after school, ban them from your desk, especially if they are arguing with each other and one happens to have an orange soda in his hand.

5. Be a lifelong learner, listen, be open to new ideas and thoughts....though it is still very difficult for me not to think of Pluto as a planet. Poor Pluto, wonder how he feels about being demoted? (and you thought I was going say something really profound when you read that first sentence!)

6. Go when you can, not when you have to. Roadtrip bathroom rules apply for school days, too, the minute you walk out of that classroom, chaos will ensue. (This one is especially helpful for new teachers.)

7. Your classroom is not a democracy, it's a dictatorship, you are Hitler...or Ghengis Khan....or Ivan the Terrible....or Leona Helmsley. Let them know that the first day, but also let them know dictatorships can be fun if they will obey.

8. Air freshener, Scentsy, Febreeze, and other good smelling products are your friends, keep them on hand at all times.....especially if you have 8th grade boys in the afternoon.....

9. Teachers are allowed to act goofy (at times) and make mistakes, and when we laugh at our mistakes it makes us more "real". Teachers can also sing to their students....lovely little ditties that will be stuck in their heads the rest of the day....it's a form of mind control...."Oh where is my hairbrush, oh where is my hairbrush, oh where, oh where, oh where, oh where, oh wheeeeeerrrreeee, is my hairbrush!" (works on students from grades 7-12, I have not yet had the opportunity to test it on younger victims, but now all I have to say is "Do I need to sing the HAIRBRUSH song?"

10. You will not change every single child that comes through your room, but don't stop trying to change the world; if you make an impact on one, you have touched the future. Results aren't immediate, it may take several years to know you have had a positive influence on a young life; it is worth the wait.

11. (yes, I said 10, but I also said as they pop into my head, so here's a bonus tip) Sometimes kids don't need to listen, they need to talk and be heard. We teach, but we also listen. You never know what is going on in the home or the life of one of your students, always remember, "Be kind to everyone, you never know what kind of battle someone is fighting."

I can have fun with the tips, but as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher. I remember lining stuffed animals up in chairs and teaching them things on a little slate (yes, I was a huge fan of Laura Ingalls and just had to have one of those little slates. If you don't know what a slate is, look it up....be a lifelong learner.) Yes, I could make lots more money being a graphic designer, but a part of me would be missing. I love my job, I love my school, and I love my kids....all my kids....even the ones who show up with an energy drink.

Life's a whirlwind!

2011-08-21T21:54:00.000-05:00

The last few weeks of summer have been nothing less than a flurry of activity! My great intentions of blogging more this summer just didn't happen.....the sad part; I actually had something fun to blog about! We had a nice mini vacation in Florida, but I was sans computer....and I didn't hate it!

Here's the summer in a nutshell:
Memphis, weddings, workshops, t-ball, dolphins, swimming, bicycles, roadtrips, family, battleships, beaches, Loretta, and FLORIDA!

Yep, F-L-O-R-I-D-A! Casey was in a wedding in Florida so the boys and I loaded up and went, too. It was so nice and relaxing, and so much fun to see Austin & Logan as they saw the ocean for the first time.

So, enough with words....let's have some pictures!

Nicole and Brendan Shay. It was so much fun shooting their wedding photos!

My little T-ball player and his cutie coach! (Love these guys!)

Winter the dolphin. She's a movie star, but look closely, her tail is missing. She is the star of the movie Dolphin Tale coming out this fall. She actually has a prosthetic tail, but she wasn't wearing it in this picture.

This kid could definitely be a beach bum, he LOVED it....and he loved bringing me sandcrabs...gotta love those boys!

Well, it only took about 20 shots to get the youngest child to act somewhat serious and let me take a beach picture.

My boys wading in the Gulf of Mexico at sunset.

For some pictures there are no words....let's just say it was a loooong roadtrip and you found entertainment where you could. Casey loves taking pictures of herself...I was driving, I had no control over the camera at this point.

Thanks to a GPS who sent us the long way to Mobile, AL, we found out that Guin, Alabama is home of the POST IT! Who knew?!!

Rear guns of the USS Alabama. Look right under the gun on the left, those tiny little things are folding chairs. Yeah, aren't you glad you weren't flying a Japanese plane during WWII...me, too.

Boys love guns.

It's not often you can take a little rest on an anchor chain.

Florida sunset.

Casey & Mary Kate on Signal Point, Signal Mtn., TN

Signal Point....beautiful!

Lookout Mtn., TN That's the city of Chattanooga in the distance.

The boys weren't too keen on posing, but look who was.

A little sidetrip on the way home....waved, just in case Loretta was home and looking out the window. I'm sure she didn't know we were going to drive by or she would have run right out! LOL.

See that blue and white sign in the middle, yep that says ARKANSAS...it was the prettiest sign I saw on the whole trip, even with dead bugs splattered and crusted on the windshield.

Whew! I'm tired now, summer was busy, but it was definitely fun.

I am recalibrated....

2011-07-21T18:59:00.002-05:00

....funny, but I don't feel any different. Maybe it's the long day and the sinus meds, but I made my last trip to the North Central Arkansas School Cooperative in Melbourne for the summer. Today's in-service was on Pathwise mentoring...I've done the 3 day training and today I was "recalibrated". I'm ready to mentor a novice teacher...bring it on!

Quiet....

2011-07-19T12:57:00.000-05:00

I've been a little quiet on the blog lately. I guess I've just been tyring to enjoy some time with the boys in the new pool. (we got it when I got home from Memphis) Aside from being busy, there has been more than a little stress around here, and I just didn't feel at all like blogging. Maybe because I planned on keeping this blog light and frivolous (did I spell that right...it doesn't look right to me).
Oh, and let's not forget about VBS which was last week. I really miss it, too. We had such a great time on our Big Apple Adventure. I enjoyed it so much I even offered to help with the music at another church, but they already have it covered. I guess I'll just walk around here singing the catchy little songs.

I'll have to post pictures later....right now, it's time to conquer some dirt and laundry....time to clean house!

Day 2 -Drawing, Design, BBQ, and Beale

2011-06-21T15:01:00.000-05:00

Day 2 of the MCA academy was drawing and design. We worked in the studio with one of the MCA drawing instructors, then he turned us loose. It was so much fun.

Getting some directions and critique from a prof.

Mrs. Rosalie. She was so much fun, she's from New Orleans and teaches in an all girls Catholic School. She kept us rolling with laughter all week!

My space. It's still a work in progress, but we were working with textures.

We broke for lunch at a graphic design firm, Combustion. The owner is an MCA grad, and several employees are also MCA grads. They do all the graphic design work for MCA, and International Paper. You would think it would be a stuffy, corporate place, but that is far from the truth. I could so work here!

Leah's office. I had to wipe the drool from my chin when I saw her big, giant Mac! Her office is very fun, too!

Yes, that is a set of drums and some electric guitars in the design firm. It's the way they get over a creative slump.....I think I need some drums...

An awesome inspiration board. I will be having one of these in my classroom and inviting students to contribute.

Ah, ha, so that's where the name "Combustion" came from. I wonder if they would care if I borrowed their slogan?

After lunch, we spent the rest of the afternoon in the drawing studio. I didn't quite get finished with mine, but it was a fun, abstract project, so it wasn't that big a deal. For supper, we were heading downtown to the Rendezvous for some Memphis Barbeque. We had some good food followed by a walk on Beale St. There were a few brave souls who stayed late on Beale, but this girl came back to the dorm by 11 and crashed!

Our group in front of the dorm before heading to Beale. Of course there is always one comedian in the group, and the only guy was ours.

Yummmm, ribs! (and brisket, and chicken, and pulled pork...and....)

One very historic Memphis BBQ joint. Worth the trip to the little hole-in-the-wall, side alley entrance.

Walking in Memphis....walking with my feet 10 feet off of Beale. Historic Beale Street at night.

I really wanted to ride one of these cute little 3 wheeled police Seqey's, but I was afraid they would just throw me in jail if I tried, so I resisted the urge.

MCA grad school and metals studio

2011-06-18T19:43:00.000-05:00

Monday kicked off our Teacher Academy in a big way. We toured the MCA Graduate School which is downtown close to the river. After leaving there we went to the metals lab. I had never tried enameling, but now that I have I really, really like it. I've never been a huge fan of cloisonne....until now, and now that I know how to do it I have a whole new respect for it.

A soft sculpture piece done by an MCA grad student. She used plastic grocery sacks. Her studio had old fashioned braided rugs as inspiration. It was great!

A very large watercolo/mixed media piece by another grad student.

Another statement sculpture by a grad student. It reminds me of toxic waste pouring into the water. The big bubble things were made from kids punching balls.

I was jealous

Then I saw the inside of the Mac lab and had computer envy. I thought they were going to have to drag me out kicking and screaming. Sigh......

Just down the block from the MCA grad school is the Lorraine Motel. This is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assisanated. It is now the Civil Rights Museum.

Enameling demo by Bill, the MCA small metals instructor. I just wonder how he keeps from burning off the beard????

A copper piece with enameling powder, just before it got really hot.

This is why there is a sign in the metals studio that reads, "Assume EVERYTHING is hot!"

Enamel pieces and cloisonne pieces done by Letha, one of my roomies for the week. Hers looked so much better than mine so I used her examples.

MCA in pictures

2011-06-18T17:51:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures from day one. We settled into the dorms then had dinner at "The Beauty Shop", which I didn't get pictures of, but I'm hoping someone else did and will share with me.

Fogelman Hall, Memphis College of Art. The top floor is an open studio, it was great!

Hello, Tennessee. Old Man River was back in its banks, but it was even muddier than usual....if that can be possible.

My bedroom in our "dorm".

Why yes, that is a full size washer and dryer in each dorm room. I don't recall living in a dorm such as this, in fact, our apartment didn't even have a washer and dryer!

The hallway of our dorm room....it had 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, and living room.

The living room area. I can just see this fixed up really cute!

Notice the kitchen area has stainless appliances. This was the Rolls Royce of dorms!

Day 1- MCA teacher academy

2011-06-13T22:40:00.000-05:00

Okay, one more day with no pictures, but I'm too tired to wait for them to load...I promise, I will share some soon.

Today we toured the MCA grad school which is in downtown Memphis, not on the same campus as the undergrad classes. It was such a neat space with lots and lots of growing room. I hope they start some online classes soon because I will be working on an Art History degree if they do! I was standing outside the grad school looking at the historic buildings and happened to notice we were just up the street from the Lorraine Motel. This is the motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot. It's amazing to me to be so close to such a historical place. (yes, I took a couple of shots of the sign, but they are renovating it right now so there were construction vehicles in the way)

After the grad school visit we went to the small metals studio and learned how to do enameling. This is such a neat process! I'd never done it before, but now I really want to try more. I learned how to make cloisonne, which is a very labor intensive process. (so don't gripe about how much those little beads cost) After the afternoon of small metals, we met for pizza with the director of admissions & student services (I don't exactly remember her title, but her name was Gadspy, which I thought was very cool). There are so many new areas for degree concentration and they all sounded so interesting to me. We also learned about some of the programs for high school students, which I will be recommending a certain students who I know would LOVE this!

After supper we returned to the very cool dorm and realized it was only 7:30 and we had time to make a Target run. I had forgotten to bring my camera charger, so I was able to pick one up at Best Buy, now the battery is charging and we will be in business in the morning.

Tomorrow is a day of drawing and I'm really looking forward to it, maybe I'll have a few pictures then.

Made it to Memphis

2011-06-12T22:37:00.001-05:00

Sorry this one has no pictures, but it's been a busy day. I made it to Memphis safely. We're all settled in and hit the ground running in the morning. I get to try something I've never done before, metal arts and enameling! I'm really looking forward to it.

We had supper in a groovy little place called "The Beauty Shop". This former beauty shop turned gourmet restaurant (hence the name) is the spot where Pricilla Presley used to get the jet black bouffant done. How cool is that!

Our itenerary is full, so tomorrow should have some good pics.....if I'm not too tired to upload them!

MCA....the excitement builds!

2011-06-10T20:16:00.000-05:00

I am taking my laptop with me to the teacher academy next week, and I'm really going to try hard to blog about my experience. So here's the first post. Are these dorms awesome or what! This is going to be quite an experience!

Fogelman Hall & Metz Hall, Oh, do I see some cool photography shots in the near future!

Inside the dorm, Cool!

Awesome studio space! I want one of these!

Exterior at night. The building itself is a piece of sculpture! How can you NOT be inspired!

My little slugger

2011-06-08T14:50:00.000-05:00

I love this kid! He makes me laugh, especially while I was trying to take his picture. "Hey, Mom, do I look tough?" Now, if you were on an opposite t-ball team and you ran up against this face on first base, would you be intimidated? Yeah, me, either.

Our team has become the cardiac kids, they've won 2 of the last 3 games in the 5th inning (20-19 and 19-18). One game they even had a TRIPLE play! Awesome! Chris is one of the coaches this year, but couldn't make it to last night's game (we won 20-9, the ump called it after the 4th inning), so Austin filled in and helped keep the players in line.

We love baseball!

Whoop, whooop!

2011-06-07T00:11:00.000-05:00

Do you know who's going here next week.....?

Just check out this funky/cool building! One of the few times I really dig modern architecture.

This girl! Yes, that's right, I am going to the Summer Teacher Academy next week! Excited? I think so!

I have been in such a funk for a couple of weeks, (Maybe I'm having a Blue Period like Picasso) and I felt like my creativity levels were nonexistent. This is NOT a good thing when people think you're going to have some really neat ideas for things. I was tapped out. I had begun to feel like a shadow of myself. It's probably more than just lacking creativity, but that was at least part of it.

I was so bummed when I didn't get into the Academy at first. They take the first 12 and I was somewhere around 13. (Yes, if only the US Postal service could have gotten my registration back quicker) I was worried about what other workshops I was going to pick up this summer, especially since I needed 20 hours in my subject area (Art). You try getting some fine art classes in rural Arkansas. It ain't happenin'! I was so looking forward to something fresh and different this summer, but had consigned myself to the fact that I was not going this year, but had a guaranteed spot for next year. I was on the waiting list, but didn't hold out much hope that someone would drop out, (Did I mention this is free of charge to teachers? No? Well, teachers never pass up a good freebie.) Imagine my surprise and delight when I got a call this afternoon saying someone had dropped out and I could have that spot if I wanted it. If I wanted it......pshaw, OF COURSE!

Oh, and to those friends who I told I was going to call or email all the other accepted participants to this Academy, just know it had nothing to do with me. I have no idea who is going, so I couldn't call them all and tell them they probably don't want to go to Memphis this summer because of all the snake problems and mosquito population explosion that follow severe flooding, (nevermind that MCA is in historic mid-town, not by the river), but whoever you are that dropped out, thank you. You may actually be partly responsibe for bringing my creative mojo back.

Now comes the flurry of trying to figure out where everyone will go next week while I'm going. Chris may be gone a few nights, too, so I have to get a plan....on paper so everyone will know what everyone else is doing, because this talking Mom calendar won't be here. Even though we're out and about there is still livestock to be fed and plants to be watered. I'm just thankful Casey and Austin are old enough to do that and I won't have to worry.

So that's my exciting news of the day, and now I'm going to bed. I've had too much excitement, a "rally-in-the-fifth" t-ball game, and great news from MCA. I'm exhausted and I'm ready for bed. Good night!

Rio!

2011-05-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Last night, as a little Mother's Day trip, Mom and I took Austin & Logan to see Rio. Austin complained more than a little about going to see "a cartoon!", and pouted just a little when I wouldn't let him go see Fast Five (rated R...I think not!). I have to confess, I have never been to a 3D movie. Jaws in 3D came out when I was in high school (I think), but I never saw it. I don't remember ever wearing the white glasses with a blue & red lens, but I have now immersed myself into the world of 3D movies! It was COOL! It's pretty sad when your 6 year-old says, "Mom, you'll love it in 3D!" (yes, he has seen one before me. Last year, when I had to be at the prom for long hours...junior class sponsor...Casey took him to see "How to Train Your Dragon" in 3D; he talked about it for days!)

So here is my review of Rio! GO SEE THIS MOVIE! It is so cute, the colors are wonderful, it's funny, and has a good ending. We laughed all the way through it...maybe I was laughing because the older gentleman behind me was laughing a big, hearty, belly laugh. All the way home Logan was singing, "Drop it, drop it, drop it low...drop it, drop it to the flo' " We will hear about Rio for days....and that's okay.

We all decided last night that we will be seeing another 3D movie and bringing the rest of the family, including my brother, SIL, and sweet nephew. Why did we decide this.....because Cars 2 comes out in June! Love me some Mater!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas, aunts who are like moms, mommies-in-waiting, and anyone who has ever stepped into the role of mother. A special Happy Mother's Day to my daughter's best friend, Makenzie, who is expecting her first child (a little girl) in September.....surely they aren't old enough to be having babies??? She's only 22! LOL (and I was 21 when Casey was born!).

I have conquered the beast....

2011-04-29T23:36:00.000-05:00

….and the beast is mine!

The Beast!

Never fear, the beast in question is one of the hubby’s new toys…a shiny John Deere zero turn lawnmower. Just 2 short weeks ago I vowed never to get back on the Beast and attempt to cut grass. This declaration came only after I had made myself dizzy by spinning in circles, and then mowed down a baby sawtooth oak tree I’d planted last year. The Beast scared me!

Then came the rains, and what does 9+ inches of rain do to one’s yard…..makes it grow like crazy! I was beginning to think we should bale it….it is Bermuda grass….for the most part. I don’t like it when the yard looks shaggy, and the hubs was working some long hours, so I thought I would do him a favor and mow. I think he was a little nervous when I called him and asked how to start it. I really think he was afraid he would come home to a scalped yard, but he walked me through the steps to waking the Beast. …and away we went.
Wow, this baby will fly. After 15 minutes I had the hang of using handles rather than a steering wheel and was able to more effectively maneuver this grass chomping machine in the desired direction. Miracles never cease, and the rest, as they say, is history. The Beast was mine!
Granted I didn’t get to the back yard (I’m saving that for Hubs since it is nothing more than a rockpile with a few spriggy tendrils of grass, and it’s on a slope…he likes a challenge), but the front and one side looks great!
Yes, a job that was once no less than 4 hours has now been knocked back to 1 ½…thanks to the beast.

The view from the front porch to the county road.

The view from the county road to the house....one side of the yard.

The Lightning Thief

2011-04-26T20:48:00.000-05:00

....and this time I'm not talking about the book...or the movie...which is really good so you should rent that, but this time I'm talking about the REAL thing.

I'm rambling...it's the storms.

This is the 2nd night of major storms....tornado warnings....in our area. We've had some crazy lightning the last couple of nights. Last night I decided to try to take some pictures of the lightning, which didn't turn out too great, but tonight was a different story.

I'm not crazy about storms, but I'll do just about anything for a good photo. There I was, sitting on the front porch, in a METAL patio chair, holding and ALUMINUM monopod with a camera. I think the front porch may have been wet, too, but I had determination.

I did learn you have to hit the button when you first see the flash, not when you see the streaks, so after about 25 shots with not-so-spectacular light shows, I hit the jackpot! I finally got the elusive lightning shot!

I think I danced....until it thundered really loud right above me and I decided one great shot was enough.

So here it is!

Lightning in the sky, Fulton County, Arkansas, April 26, 2011

What do you think? Just in case you would like to help me try to get this in a book or calendar you can go here - Capture Arkansas - and vote for me. (shamelessly asking for votes...please share with your friends and tell them I'm shamelessly asking for votes, and would love theirs, too.)

Mary or Martha?

2011-04-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

I just got an email about a new book (ebook) that is out, "31 Days to Clean" it's a new approach to cleaning and getting your house in order. I have the best intentions, but by the time I get home I am exhausted and do good to get the kitchen cleaned up (thanks to the kids). I have laundry in baskets sitting around the living room, but just don't have the oomph to get it folded and put away. (Don't judge me!)

Anyway, here's the book...or a link to the book. I haven't read it yet, but I'm going to. I do read the author's blog and she's so real and funny. I may actually enjoy these challenges!

31 Days to Clean

Dreams.....

2011-03-29T22:14:00.000-05:00

I don't dream very often, but when I do it's a DOOZY! I saw a talk show one day where the guest was interpreting dreams....I think it was Dr. Phil, and I just wondered what in the world they would think of my dreams. There are probably no words to describe my dreams other than "Huh?"

For example: Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, after that 2:30 bathroom run, I had snuggled back into my warm bed and drifted off to dreamland. It's really funny how things from your childhood resurface in you dreams, things you hadn't thought of in years. Yep, the past returned last night, but it was so....modern! There were no 1977 to mid '80's clothing, everything was modern. So why is this such a big deal? Because THIS is what my dream was about......

Howdy, and welcome to Dogpatch, USA!

Yep, I was in the thriving metropolis of Dogpatch, USA, nestled in the hills between Harrison and Jasper, Arkansas. I was showing Logan all the fun sights of Dogpatch, like the trash suckers (those things were a little scary, they would suck the trash right out of your hand!), the antique cars, and the paddleboats. (Loved those paddleboats) There we were on the very fancy (yes, this one was fancy) dock of the paddleboats, and what was I doing?..spending most of my time fishing my youngest child out of the water. He could swim, but he wanted to swim rather than ride the boats.

Now this is where it gets kind of strange.... Maybe I was needing a massage or something, because there was a SPA at Dogpatch which also housed a very upscale salon, and guess who the salon manager was...non other than our pastor's wife, Sandy. (told you it got a little strange) Oh, and Amanda (my friend who owns the gym) was there, too. Weird....really weird.

Unfortunately, Dogpatch USA closed in the late '80's or early 90's, but I always had so much fun at the hick town in the hills. I found a few pictures (I need to dig through some of our old ones, I know there are some Dogpatch pictures in there) on the internet. This is General Cornpone who must have been pretty important...and short since he looks like he's riding a goat. I'm not sure of the date (I'm guessing 70's check out that hairdo and those clothes).
'

Sadly, this is what has become of General Cornpone...poor goat. The last time I drove past Dogpatch, I cold see holes in the roofs of the buildings. It's really sad to see something you loved fall into disrepair, but that's just a part of change.

The ice rink at Marble Falls is long gone, too. For kids growing up in Arkansas, ice skating was a HUGE deal. Mom and my aunt would load us up and we'd go ice skating. We would leave wet, cold, exhausted, and happy filled with memories of happy days spent with cousins (well, except for that time Karen couldn't stop, ran into the back of me, and I fell on the toe picks on her ice skates, but bruises fade and we keep the memories).

I'd love to go back to Dogpatch just to look around, take a few pictures, and relive some childhood memories.

Gut wrenching fear...

2011-03-28T21:57:00.000-05:00

I’ll admit, I don’t often feel the fear that makes my knees weak and causes a pit in the middle of my stomach…maybe I’m just don't have enough sense to realize when I need to be afraid…but yesterday was a little different story.
The one thing that causes my palms to sweat and the butterflies (wait, make those buzzards)leap around in my stomach is the thought of having to play the piano in front of people who are actually listening.   (Maybe if they would yell, “Moooooooommmmm, I can’t hear the TV!” my nerves would settle a little.) During choir practice yesterday someone asked if I would play through a song (she knew I’d brought the book home just so I could figure out the alto notes...which took all weekend because I had to keep saying the little EGBDFA rhyme for every note) so they could get the timing down for the drama.
Gasp!    I stumbled through it and it was okay (and that's being very generous), but I could barely hear the piano because of the volume of my heart pounding in my ears! Little did I know the church pianist was listening. After practice, she told me I needed to think about adding my name to the list of backup pianists (I think she needs hearing aids). Just the thought of that causes me to break out in a cold sweat and experience shortness of breath!   I know God equips those He calls, but somehow I don’t think He wants us to sing the same songs week after week.
Number one, I do NOT read music very well, I play by ear…and I can only play in 3 keys and 2 of those not very well. I really don’t want to be the church known for singing “At Calvary” and “There is a Fountain” week after week.
Second, while I am an outgoing person, and I can do alright playing the piano in my basement, I get major stage fright on a piano bench! Give me a mic and some music and I’ll sing all day, but PLEASE don’t ask me to play!
Third, in a church the size of ours there HAS to be someone who can play, really play, and do a much, much better job than me….so please remember that God is leading you to use your talent and help bring praise and worship music…..and get me off the hook! (I'm praying that He will convict you for keeping your talent to yourself.)

Friday musings…

2011-03-18T19:27:00.000-05:00

This morning on my Facebook I posted a little blurb about going to the gym and how I feel like I’m making a little progress. (sedentary to moving is progress) Through the course of comments someone asked me where I was going. Well, being the thinker that I am (okay, it was a brilliant flash of inquisitiveness that lasted a whole 10 seconds before I was interrupted by a kid wanting chocolate pudding for breakfast, but the thought remained), I thought that was something I needed to ponder more. Why do we think that we have to lose weight and get ourselves in great shape before a trip? I’m so guilty of that, just like many others. Why do we let the media ingrain that into our psyches, you need to look good before your next big event? I saw a commercial for diet pills that made a reference to dropping weight before your upcoming class reunion. Seriously, think about that. How many people do you know who are still at his/her high school weight? Okay, I have this friend who is and she’s given birth to 4 children, but she’s got to be a Stepford Wife. (I love you, girl, just a little jealous…ha!) I’ll admit. I skipped the visitation of a lady in our community I had known for years because I knew her grandson would be there and the last time I saw him I was in high school and 60 lbs lighter. Why? I have no idea! Do I want to impress him? Not at all, I haven’t seen the guy in 25+ years and don’t really care what he thinks of me, but that old insecurity was there. Maybe it was because I really felt like I’d let myself go. Maybe that was a big turning point for me, too.

In my Facebook post, I noted that I’d been going to the gym regularly since November. I was doing mostly Yoga for November and December, and part of January, but when I started working out with the 5 AM girls (love those girls!) I “kicked it up a notch”! Since November I haven’t lost much weight, but I have firmed up all over and lost several inches. When I first started 2 minutes on the elliptical and my legs were SCREAMING (really bad things…telling me they were going to torture me for several days if I didn’t stop!). This morning, I did 10 minutes on the elliptical at a good, steady pace, and still had enough energy to move on the 5 miles on the bike and a couple of rounds of circuit training. I shouldn’t be discouraged (even if I was next to a cute little 20 something on the other elliptical who made me feel like a senior citizen…but she’s a sweetheart so I can’t be angry). So here is another turning point. I am going to embrace my progress and not grumble about how slowly things are going. This is the healthy way to lose; to keep plugging away little by little until it has become a lifestyle, not a diet. This summer, I will have the energy to play catch with the boys…or tag…or whatever they want to play. I’m not working out because I have someplace to go or someone to see, I’m working out for ME. I want to be a healthy mom who is involved in the lives of my children and not just a watcher.

As the Reebok slogan goes…..”Because life is NOT a spectator sport!”

...and because I like blogs with pictures, here you go. I'm posting this one because it makes me happy, and it's been a loooooong day and I'm cranky.

…and now here’s something we hope you’ll really like. (think of the voices of Rocky and Bullwinkle)
I ran across an little interview on another website today and thought it was so fun, so I shamelessly stole this idea from Jessica Sprague’s website (www.jessicasprague.com she’s photoshoppy awesome, check it out), but somehow I don’t think she will care…or even find out that I changed it a little. Feel free to borrow the idea….but let me know your answers. (I’m just curious like that).

1. If you had to live off two foods for an entire month, what would you choose? Only 2!!! Gasp! Wheeze! I want to say I’d be healthy and eat fruit and grains, but that’s just a big lie, so how about Mexican & American? Does that count? Wait, this is my interview, of course it counts.

2. Crayola wants you to name their newest crayon; what color would it be and what name would you choose? Joy, rapture! I get to name a crayon….I have arrived….hey, that’s it! “I have arrived” would be the name and it would be turquoise and lime green swirls w/ sparkly things in it. (gotta have some bling)

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? No question about it, **** Havenwood Road, Viola. There’s no place like home…unless it’s that one room in the original version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. You know, the one where everything is edible…I could do some damage in there!

4. If you could have a super power what would it be? I would choose the ability to recognize BS right off the bat…wait, I teach high school, I’m pretty good at that right now, so I would want the power that Samantha from Bewitched has, to wiggle my nose and make changes. (no more dirty house, no more dirty laundry, gorgeous landscaping, a pool, etc.)

5. What tool in Photoshop do you think is the awesomely awesomest? Hmmmmmmm, I love brushes, brushes are my friends, we make pretty pictures together….yep, I choose brushes…and Ctrl Z (love that undo button!)

6. PC or Mac? Sigh, right now I have a PC, but I drool over the MacBooks on almost a daily basis. I feel there is a MacBook Pro that wants to live at my house, so please, feel free to bring it home to me. We wouldn’t want a sad Mac floating around out there somewhere.

7. Coolest thing about being an artist? The ability to try new things, experiment with color, get messy, pretend that someday my art will sell for millions of dollars….but I don’t want to wait until I’m dead, I want to be able to see it hanging on a wall in all its glory (my walls or the walls of my children do not count).

8. Do you talk to your computer? Does it have a name? Yes, I talk to it, but sometimes it’s not the most encouraging tone of voice, and its name changes depending on how well it behaves….and right now it isn't behaving very well.

What do you do on a sunny day?

2011-03-12T22:28:00.000-06:00

You play with all your friends while some crazy lady takes pictures of you. I just love watching the new calves.

Looks like he was sticking his tongue out at me.

This is my favorite shot of the day.

I wish you could have seen the little guy on the right. He had a piece of hay hanging out of his mouth and he would flip his head up and try to catch it. It was so funny!

They couldn't figure out what I was doing. The little bull calf on the right is Logan's, he is HUGE!

I love his markings!

Our newest little girl. She was born yesterday.

Calving time is one of my favorite parts of spring, and the warmer weather and longer days don't hurt, either.

What a week.

2011-03-10T22:07:00.000-06:00

My intentions to be a better blogger just haven't come to fruition lately. Last Thursday morning, before school, Logan said he didn't feel very well, and being the sympathetic mom I am, I told him to tough it out, he would be fine when he got to school, so he grudginly conceded...not that it would have done any good to argue, but that's another post entirely. He went with Chris and Austin to A's shooting sports practice after school, but kept asking to go to the truck because he was cold. He came in, flopped on the couch, covered up to his nose, and refused to move. Being the doting mother that I am (or maybe it was a little remorse), I took his temp., 102.7. Oops! Mom goofed, he really was sick, not just faking this time. This kid rarely runs fever, so if he is lethargic and has a temp that high, I know he's really sick. I guess I'm just one of those moms who doesn't get too excited about things, so I started Tylenol and sent him to Nana's Friday morning. He still had a temp of over 100, and Friday night it was 101.something (we were tired, I don't remember). He ran a temp over 100 all weekend...even hitting 103.4 Saturday...not fun. Monday morning I needed answers, so we loaded up and went to see Doc Tucker. (he's the best) Because his throat wasn't red, his ears weren't red, and he wasn't congested we had to do some blood work to figure out what was going on in that little body. When we explained how they would draw blood he said, "I don't think so!" We compromised, I let him play Angry Birds on my phone while the nurse drew blood. I held the phone and he played left handed...hey, I tried bribes of "I'll take you anywhere you want to eat." but he's wise to that trick...and didn't have an appetite so he could care less, he did request a cherry limeade, though. The bloodwork showed a very low white count, which meant some kind of virus, but it wasn't flu (they checked), so we had to let it run it's course. Joy....not!

Trying to be brave and not cry .

By Monday afternoon, though, his fever broke, all on its own, with no help from Tylenol or ibprofen. I know this because we were out of Tylenol, and I found the chewable ibuprofen tablets stuck down in the side of the couch while I was remote control fishing. He said they were yucky and he didn't like them. Now I have to treat him like and inmate and have them take them while standing in front of me, then open his mouth to show me that he really did take them. Aren't little boys fun?

While we were home Tuesday (I took a day to stay home with him, trying to make up for sending a sick kid to school), so I worked on a poster for a friend. She's doing a really fun thing for Relay for Life. Forget walkathons and bikeathons, this is ZUMBATHON, baby! I love doing Graphic design. I love creating something from scratch, and I want to do lots, lots more, so if you know someone who needs a poster/t-shirt/flier/photo/bookmark/wanted poster, whatever, pass my name along. I need some work for summer when school's out....and there's this new camera lens I've got my eye on....

This will be a superFUN event to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Logan and I stuck close to home through Tuesday, but went back to school Wednesday. He was feeling better, still didn't have much of an appetite...but what else is new with him? He only likes food if it's covered with ketchup! You ask if he's feeling better now....just look at this picture! I think my boy is back to normal, although this is the first time he's tried to stand on his head on the couch.....

Back to his normal, bouncy self. If I didn't know better I'd swear we were raising Tigger!

I'm looking forward to the weekend, but it's going to be busy. At least the time changes soon and the days will be longer...I love spring!

It's 5 O'clock somewhere....

2011-02-24T17:33:00.000-06:00

….and I don’t mean 5 PM! This morning I hit the wall. The last couple of weeks have been great, I wake up around 4:25 am about 5 minutes before my alarm goes off, hop out of bed, grab coffee, and head to the gym, but this morning I was NOT so cheerful. I heard my alarm at 4:30, which annoyed me, but to make it worse Chris nudged me and said, “Your alarm is going off.” To which I replied, “I HEARD it!” , but it was not in a loving, thank-you-for-the-sweet-reminder kind of way. Then he promptly rolled over and went back to sleep. Brat! I wanted to shove him off his side of the bed and tap dance on his head.

Did I mention I’ve never really been a morning person? I thought I was changing, but it’s hard to fight 44 years of training. Oh, and I was freezing because he had hogged all the covers which were in a pile on the floor on HIS side of the bed. Maybe he wasn’t really asleep, maybe he was just playing possum because he knew I was cranky???? Okay, I was more than a little cranky and the sinus headache didn’t help. I almost decided to skip the 5 am workout this morning, but I just refilled the coffee mug, changed into the workout clothes, and dragged myself out the door. It was raining, too. Lovely! A rainy day; the best kind morning to stay home and sleep. Grumble, grumble, grumble!

In spite of a headache, I did manage a little while on the elliptical, bicycle, and 30 minutes of circuit training, but this morning my heart (or head….and body) were just not in it, but I’ve always heard the first time you miss it just gets easier from there, so I did it. I guess I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, because there were only 3 of us rather than the 8 or 9 who are usually there before daylight…I think we should get a gold star…or cheesecake…
Usually working out makes me feel better, but this morning was a different story. I got home before Chris left, and I flopped across the bed. I think he knew I was cranky because he was being very nice to me. It made me feel guilty so I confessed that I wanted to tap dance on his head when he mentioned the alarm. He laughed…he didn’t even remember hearing the alarm or talking to me. Sound sleepers really annoy me, too.

Anyway, it’s noon and I think my students know something’s up because they’re being very good today….gasp! As for the mood, it’s still gray like the sky outside, I think I’ve even had the occasional rumble of thunder (7th grade boys, ‘nuff said); there may even be lightning before the day is over, too. (I have a whole class of boys 7th hour) I thought about going back for Zumba at 6 tonight, but I think I may just go back to bed instead…..

Oh well, tomorrow is yoga at 5 am and I’ll be in a better mood. I like yoga….I don’t like to sweat!

The Love Dare….

2011-02-03T07:32:00.001-06:00

Every marriage goes through rough patches. Let’s face it, we are human, times are stressful, and we tend to take out our anger and frustrations on those we love most. I wish there was some magic doorway we could install at home that would take away all the negative thoughts and feelings when you walked through…kind of like the UV chambers computer manufacturing companies use get create dust-free/static-free work areas. But there isn’t a magic door, so we have to consciously decide to change our attitudes (Yeah, where’s that easy button when you need it?!). I really have to work on this concept; I’m terrible at bringing my attitude home from school with me. If I’ve had a rotten day, my students were rotten, things didn’t get finished, someone pulled a stupid stunt, etc., I take it out on the kids, then the dog, then Chris….you see where this is going. I have to learn to leave my grouchy self at school. I don’t want my family to bear the brunt of a rotten day; they are the ones who make the day brighter…. most of the time.
So you’re probably asking, “Where does this Love Dare thing come in?” Right here, right now. I followed a link to another link, to another link, to a blog (God’s idea, had to be- I wouldn’t have found it on my own,) with a Love Dare challenge, (You can find that link

here….thank me later.)
and I have decided to take that challenge. There’s an old saying that if you do something for two weeks it becomes a habit (it does, I started exercising regularly in November, and now I feel yucky if I don’t…more on that later), so I’m thinking that if I take this Love Dare two week challenge (if you start today), leaving my yucky attitude behind and entering my home with a positive, happy outlook should become a habit.
Are you in? I already have my reward for the end of the dare even before I decided to take it (God’s idea, once again…He knows these things, trust me….trust Him), my sweet hubby has booked us 2 nights at a cabin at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, MO….oh, how I love that man of mine! So take the Dare and reward yourself afterward, it will be worth it. Not only do I expect it to bring the hubs and I even closer, I expect it to make our home a happier place, (Think about it, a happy mamma + happy hubs = happy kids which = a happy home) and if I gain nothing but a more God focused attitude, then it was a resounding success…it’s a win/win situation.

**One more thing, I made a handout of all the days, email me if you’d like one. (I know, it’s a teacher thing, I’m a sucker for a good handout.)

Bacon Grease

2011-02-01T21:50:00.001-06:00

Is it a southern thing, or does everyone have a jar or can of bacon grease?
Casey asked "Mom, why do you keep bacon grease?" My answer, "Beause I need it?"
I started thinking about the little things we pick up from other generations, like keeping bacon grease. I know Mom has a jar...well, I think she has a pretty can to keep it in, and I know my grandmother's kept it. It's one of those kitchen essentials...kind of like an iron skillet. It's one of the first things I started keeping when I first had my own home. It's a tradition...handed down from generation to generation.

So many things are passed down to younger generations...like how to fold towels. I always remember Mom folding them in thirds, so I do, too. Why does it bug me when they aren't folded in thirds? I guess it's just one of those things that is ingrained into my personality. (I wish I had that neat-freak gene like Mom)

There is another trait that has been bequeathed to me from older generations, faith. I hope I continue to to learn from Mom, and from my grandmothers....lessons in faith. Always rely on God in any situation. I can still hear my Mama (pronounced mammaw...it's southern word for grandma :) Hopper's words, "Honey, God won't put on you more than you can handle." She lived that every day of her life. She was injured in a car accident in 1940 and was not able to walk after that. She was always full of life, and so much fun, and she would make us doll clothes and sew them onto the doll because she did not like to see naked baby dolls! She had every right to feel sorry for herself, but she didn't, and she never complained. I still miss her and would love for her to have know both my boys, she thought Casey was something special.

Oh, and just a little poll, do you keep bacon grease? I'd love to know....just because I like to know about strange things like that.

Just a rant!

2011-01-26T20:03:00.000-06:00

Sorry, no pictures today, but I just needed a small vent.....I HATE PAPER GOWNS!
Yes, I had to go see the "special" doctor today, and there's just something about those little paper gowns that just suck all the dignity right out of you. (can I get an Amen here?) I have to have a few more tests, but we will soon have a fix to the annoying little things that are going on. ( all part of being over 40, I'm sure )

Okay, you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming...thanks for listening.

52 week project

2011-01-18T17:28:00.000-06:00

Week 1...Okay, I'm a little late getting this posted, but I couldn't find my USB cord, and I had too many other things to do, and ball season is wrapping up which means we are having 2 games a week, and ..... well, you get the picture.

But better late than never, right? So here is my offering for a shot a week for 52 weeks!

Can you believe we missed school for this?!!! There were a few slippery spots on the backroads (where we live), so I guess it was okay that we missed...two days....sigh...I've grown to dislike snow days because I would much rather be out of school when it's warm (spring break). Anyway, this particular night we had a little "skiff" of snow, so I flipped on the light on the deck, turned off my flash, and this is what I ended up with. I love the shadows on the deck.

.....now off to find weeks 2 and 3....

Ready for a new year

2010-12-31T22:29:00.000-06:00

As always, the Christmas break and holiday is like a whirlwind, it seems to take forever to get here then it's gone in a flash. So here's a summary of our Christmas festivities....

Buzz, Logan, and Woody....It was a very Toy Story Christmas at our house.

Casey and Austin model their new Muck boots....a necessity on a farm.

A little dusting of snow for Christmas.

I think the angels sang when I opened this one...

The Jennings grands, Tyler, Austin, Logan, Casey, and Brody.

8 of Curlee and Mary Lee Hopper's grands, Micaela, Carrie, Jerry Dean, Tracie, Stacie, Karen, me, and Lance. We missed Carol, Jamie, and Mack David this year.

Christmas Eve...a quiet day with the family and lots of cooking. Mom came over and spent the night with us, it's become a Christmas Eve tradition and we love it!

Christmas day....a flurry of activity. Up early to see what Santa left, rush around, head to hub's family Christmas, the kids rack up on clothes and toys, and I bring home a gorgeous new KitchenAid stand mixer (heavenly!). Run home, feed the cattle, dash out the door to my uncle's house for the Hopper Christmas. (fun, food, family! Love, love, love it!) Home late, and it's even spitting snow....Wow!

Day after Christmas....spend most of the day playing with new toys and doing laundry. Off to Mom's for my Christmas with my brothers and sister. We had so much fun!
We also had the chance to have my niece and nephew spend the night with us. It was lots of fun. They live in Little Rock, and really seem to enjoy a little time on the farm!

Nana & Landon.

My goofy brothers!

Logan, Jed, & Lilly....round bales are so much fun!

Logan & Jed

One of my resolutions for this year is to keep up with my blog more....but not tonight. Even though the ball has not dropped in Time's Square, I'm ready for bed, so I'll see you in 2011.

....I will trust in Thee.

2010-11-19T21:49:00.001-06:00

This has been another trying week. So many things have happened that I just don't feel prepared or ready for, but I can't forget to rely on the One who holds the future and knows what is the best. (I need one of those rubber bracelets that say F.R.O.G - Fully Rely On God) With that said, I seriously think the ADD is working overtime tonight because I can't focus on anything! I will be surprised if this post makes any sense at all, so overlook the errors, and follow the bouncing ball....or thoughts, in my case.

My week began suddenly at 6:30 am. My grandmother called and said she was in pain and needed me, so I threw on some clothes, jumped in the Yukon, and lit out for Flippin (yes, that is a town in Arkansas). I took her to the ER, but when asked if she was still in pain or had been in pain she politely told the nurse, "Oh, no, Honey, I'm not in pain." As the day progressed, she told several other stories that just left me shaking my head, but also with the realization that I will have some very difficult decisions to make, and it looks like those will be sooner rather than later. It breaks my heart to see those I love dealing with problems such as this. I wish there was something I could do to make it better, but I can't. Living an hour away doesn't appease the guilt any, either. I can't check on her as often as I'd like, but I do try to call her every morning. If you read my blog (one of the 5 or 6 who do?), live anywhere near Flippin, and know of a senior care service, please let me know. I wish I could find someone to drop in on her for a couple of hours a day just to visit and make sure she is okay. As for her health, it's remarkably well for an 89 year old woman. She takes no daily meds, which is amazing. Oh, and our little trip to the ER, I think it was more of a panic attack than anything else, but things were straightened out and she was home by mid afternoon. Just pray for us.

We were out of school on Monday (huge blessing), and I got to have lunch with one of my very best friends, ever. Shirley and I have been BFF's since the 6th grade, and it was so great to see her. So here's the scoop, if you are looking for a great Italian place there's a new one in Mtn. Home; 870 Bistro. Homemade pastas, wonderful crusty breads, and deliciousness everywhere! I don't know the chef, but I could eat that pasta every day. YUM!
Tuesday & Wednesday were just normal school days....if any school day is normal, but Thursday, oh honey hush! Can you say FUN! I took a small group of girls to Memphis to tour the Memphis College of Art. Yes, I had heart palpitations when I walked in and saw the abundance of studio space, art supplies, and depth of creativity. I wanted to hide somewhere, and when everyone left for the night, sneak out and make ART all night long. My mansion in Heaven is going to look like a giant Art supply store with glorious natural light, and an abundance of studio space....oh, and canvases that are already stretched for me so I don't have to do that part...I don't really like that part.

We ate lunch at the Hardrock Cafe (I had 5 teenaged girls, there was no other option), and took a few pictures while in there. Carl Perkins's guitar is hanging on one of those walls, and it's BLUE, how appropriate since he did write Blue Suede Shoes. Because it was in Memphis, there was an abundance of Elvis memorabilia, too. Elvis, you could sing, but your taste in clothing left much to be desired; you erred on the side of gaudy, and I like bling, so you know it must have been a little over-the-top. Maybe it was all the gold and I'm more of a silver girl.

Elvis's belt. He must have been really strong to carry that much gold around his waist...kind of reminds me of a boxing title belt. World heavy weight champion? It was all those peanut butter & banana sandwiches.

MCA's school van. I wonder if Mr. May would let me paint one of our school buses with a really cool design like this? The trash cans were even painted...LOOOOOVE IT! (Imagine the voice of Weezy from PBSkids Dragon Tales)

Steph is just one of those people who see humor in everything. I saw the words Shuttle Pick Up, she saw SHUTtle pickUP. We had fun, I laughed so hard a few times I thought I was going to have to stop and buy some Depends!

Tomorrow is a day of Christmas shopping, so I should take my ADD riddled brain to bed. Nitey Nite.

When doubt creeps in....

2010-11-04T22:37:00.002-05:00

This week has been a big one for soul searching for me. Last night, during our Bible study at church, as I was thumbing through….okay, frantically trying to remember the little “New Testament” song so I could find 1 Timothy without looking like I had never opened a Bible… and I ran across a devotional in my Women of Faith study Bible entitled “Struggling With Doubt”. Ouch! It’s amazing how God just knows what we need to read exactly when we need to read it, but being the sinful human I am, I didn’t read it until tonight. Maybe that’s why I was on such a rant last night? God wants me to take a good, hard look at what’s going on inside my heart and my head, but I don’t want to. There I said it. I’m being stubborn. I don’t want to dig into my feelings. I’d rather surf Facebook and not have to think, but God has a way of not giving you a moment’s peace until you do what He wants you to do. So here I am, Bible next to me, opened to that stinkin’ page about struggling with doubt. All I can say is I need a revelation. I’ve read the scriptures, I know God is bigger than all things and will take care of all our needs if we lean solely on Him, so why do I still feel so ….. doubtful?

Self-doubt is defined as “a lack of faith or confidence in oneself.” Yep, nailed it. Today that is me. I’ve doubted my ability to do anything, and I do mean anything! I made spaghetti for supper and heard myself saying, “This probably isn’t fit to eat, but here it is.” SPAGHETTI! Not gourmet spaghetti….well, maybe, that’s what the label said on the can of spaghetti sauce…. just an easy meal that you can’t mess up, but I figured I did one way or another. What is wrong with me?! I don’t like being in a funk like this. I’m usually trying to make people laugh or trying to cheer them up, THIS IS NOT ME! I think I have randomly burst out in tears on 3 different occasions since I got home at 4 pm. Well, maybe I should offer a disclaimer here, I cry easily, and I cry at the dumbest things. I’ve seen commercials that left me in tears. I subscribe to the Truvvy (Steel Magnolias) theory “no one cries alone in my presence”, but tonight I just feel like an idiot!

Doubt….such a strange word that has such an effect. Right now I doubt my ability to do anything. I have lost my creative mojo (yes, I can keep up with some people, but I’m an ART teacher, I’m supposed to be super creative!) I don’t even know if I could sing a note tonight if I wanted to…not that it’s that great, but it is something I love, but right now, the desire is just gone. (Please come back) Maybe it’s stress, next week will be a stressful week with the state compliance evaluations that will take place at school on the 11th. (Prayers much appreciated on that one) Maybe it’s the lack of sleep…the insomnia is back….stupid insomnia; or maybe it’s the fashion industry. (I can blame them for all the world’s problems if I want to, it’s my blog, deal with it)

So tonight, as I desperately try to find chocolate (candy’s all gone, I’m in trouble), and deal with my self-doubt, I’m going to cling to some scripture….

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine; according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5

See, even the apostles doubted; I’m in good company. Their faith was made steadfast, and God will erase my doubt and bring back the sunshine. I know He will see me through and He will never give up on me….What an awesome God we serve.

Who's to blame?

2010-11-03T21:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I just have to get off on a tangent, and today is one of those days.

Today's society has gotten so messed up it just makes me wonder what is coming next. No wonder so many women (and a few men) suffer from such a low self image. Take fashion for instance. How did we get to this place where the more skin you show the more stylish you are? It's NUTS!

Let's just take a minute to contemplate....

In the Renaissance era, women's clothing usually had an empire waist, loose fitting skirts, and many layers. A little more flesh was a sign of plenty and abundance - wealth. To a Renaissance man a woman with a full bottoms and smaller bosom was the "perfect 10".

The Victorians changed things a little, an hourglass was the desired shape, but hips were still fashionable (can you say HOOPSKIRTS and BUSTLES), even if you didn't possess hips and well-rounded behind naturally, you could add another hoop or some padding... and waistlines, well, corsets made them tiny, not starvation!

How about the 1950's? Marilyn Monroe was one hot mama, and she wore a size 16....YES, I SAID A S-I-X-T-E-E-N! (I was born in wrong era; I would have been a skinny 14!)

Then along came the Sixties....and miniskirts....which meant skinny legs were now stylish. (Thanks a lot, Twiggy!)

When did it become fashionable to eat only a cube of cheese or do the old “scarf and barf” thing?

WHO SAID YOU HAVE TO BE SKINNY TO BE HAPPY?

I guess this rant came from a show I saw on E! over the weekend. I don’t even remember the name or why I didn’t change the channel, but as I watched, I couldn’t help but be saddened by what I saw. So many people have become addicted to plastic surgery and the desire to reach an unattainable goal of perfection. In Renaissance days the trend was full on bottom, smaller on top; today we desire just the opposite, full on top, small on the bottom. Did someone turn one of Jacques Ingres paintings upside down and get confused? Why do we have to strive to wear a size 2 pants and a 32DD in a bra?

Who do we blame? I think I’ll choose the fashion industry. Why? Because I can. I’m really tired of picking up an XL shirt only to find skinny arms. Hello! Did any of you designers take anatomy? Use some common sense; if you wear and XL 99% of the time you WILL NOT have skinny arms!

I have many more profound thoughts, but my fingers are tired and my brain hurts. Tune in again soon because this is my soapbox, and I’m not climbing down just yet!

Shiner, shiner

2010-10-29T20:06:00.001-05:00

I think I remember saying something like "Logan, get off the squeeze chute!" In fact, I think I remember hearing something akin to that phrase come out of his dad's mouth, too, but that selective hearing must have blocked the sound of our voices because a certain little six-year-old boy/monkey child obviously didn't hear either of us when he climbed up on the side, pushed a handle up (just to see what would happen), and failed to move his face out of the way when it popped back and smacked just under his right eye.

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Excuse the spaghetti sauce on his face, but that's about normal for a boy.

Day 4 or five, it was purple and yellow, but starting to heal.

Day 2, just getting black.

Something weird just happened and some of my pictures posted twice, but just enjoy the cute kid with the black eye. It's been a long week and I don't know if I have the energy to fix it. I am happy to report that the shiner is completely healed.

So why am I tired? Basketball, that's why. Nope, I don't play anymore, but Austin does. I love basketball and I'm so happy that Austin enjoys playing, but 4 games in 6 days is a little much....at least for mom!

Happy birthday, Casey!

2010-09-29T17:52:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Sis. You entered the world 2 weeks late, and screaming your head off. There were 4 baby boys in the hospital nursery and you woke them all.
You weighed in at 8 lbs, 4 oz, 22 inches long, and had a head full of black hair.

24 hours old.

Uncle Lance couldn't wait to hold you.

Mama Hopper thought you were pretty funny, and you loved her!

First day of Kindergarten, Marguerite Vann Elementary, Conway, AR

Age 10....you look a little like your mother! (poor kid)

Casey & Dusty at the Ar/Mo Show of Champions.

Age 13.... nice HotStix in the hair.

Senior year. (Casey's the backspot...the one on the far left)

Senior Prom

Casey & Boon 2010

I'm very proud of you, Happy Birthday!

I just have one thing to say.....

2010-09-24T18:21:00.000-05:00

Go Hogs! Beat 'Bama! Whooooooo Pigs!

Okay, I actually have one more thing to say....or to ask, rather. Say a prayer for my grandmother, Althea. I'm going over tomorrow to help her get some things straightened out. She's just ready to give up.

Nothing to fuss about...

2010-09-21T21:51:00.000-05:00

Last night I was feeling a little sorry for myself because I've been shunned yet again (long story), I was dwelling on how hurt my feelings were and why I let the same old same old keep bothering me. This morning, however, something happened that put everything all in perspective and I don't feel like I have the right to a pity party anymore. Today should have been an over-the-top joyous day for my friends Kellie & Flint, instead it has turned into a day of unspeakable heartache for them and their families. One day after her due date, Kellie went into labor; I don't know what happened exactly, but just a few minutes after their sweet baby boy entered this world, he went back to his home in heaven. My heart just breaks for this couple and their families. I can't imagine losing a child you have waited so long to hold in your arms. I can't imagine going home to see a nursery you had ready only to know that your sweet baby boy would never sleep there. I can't imagine why this couple, who will be such wonderful parents, had give up their child when so many women who don't want their babies keep having more and more.
Why does it take some tragedy to make us realize what is important and what shouldn't really bother us? I just hope I don't forget the lesson too quickly.

God's country.

2010-09-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we forget what a beautiful part of the country in which we live. Sunday (9-5-2010) we went to Mtn. View; the original plan was to meet some family for and early supper, but on our way home from church Chris and I decided we would leave a little early and take the boys to Blanchard Spring just to get outside and enjoy a beautiful afternoon. We didn't get to stay long exploring around the spring, but we plan on going back very soon. Yesterday Lance (my brother) said he would love to go back over and even go through Blanchard Spring Cavern. Chris and Logan want nothing to do with a giant cave, but I love the cave!

I did manage to get a few good shots of my boys at Blanchard, even let Austin take one of Chris and me which will probably be deleted as I am NOT photogenic!

.They even matched, totally unplanned, I promise

My 3 favorite men... and Chris managed a slight smile...score one for photography history!

Blanchard Spring runs directly out of the cavern, but you can't get into the cave from here because approximately a mile (if I remember correctly) is completely underwater...like a giant tube...and you have to have scuba gear to get to it from here. There are 2 other natural openings, but I much prefer the elevators from the visitors center.

This is just downstream from the spring. I've always wondered where the old rock steps once led. I wonder about things like that quite often. I wish there was a way to go back into history and really know and understand what life was like in rural Arkansas a century ago. This creek leads to what is now called Mirror Lake. It's a manmade stone dam that used to house a grist mill. The mill is long gone, but lake is still beautiful...and deep...very deep...and surrounded by no swimming signs.

A close up of the spring; it's been here thousands of years, oh if it could only share its story with us, what marvelous things it must have seen.

I'm looking forward to fall and cooler weather along with the chance to get out and do a little hiking. I love tromping through the woods, and the snakes aren't as active in the fall! While we were walking through the hills of Arkansas, I couldn't help but think of a song I hear all the time on KLOVE (LOVE that station!) If you haven't heart the song my "My Help Comes From the LORD" by "The Museum" you need to listen to it. It ranks right up there with "Praise You in This Storm" for me, and that's very high on my list!

My Help Comes From the LORD (The Museum)

When sorrows come and hope seems gone
You're the rock I rest upon

When waters rise and I can't breathe

You're the love that rescues me

Out of the darkness I lift up my eyes

Unto the hills I feel my faith rise

Maker of heaven, giver of life

You are my strength my song in the night

My refuge my shelter Now and forevermore

My help comes from the Lord

When I'm broken scarred by sin

Death gives way to life again

When I suffer when I doubt

In you I'm free in you I'm found

Out of the darkness I lift up my eyes

Unto the hills I feel my faith rise

Maker of heaven, giver of life
You are my strength my song in the night

My refuge my shelter Now and forevermore

My help comes from the Lord

Maker of heaven, giver of life

You are my strength

You're my refuge

Now and forevermore...

My help comes from the LORD

The lost tooth.

2010-07-19T13:31:00.001-05:00

Logan has been wiggling his first loose tooth for a couple of weeks now. Saturday night he finally lost it. He was biting into an ear of corn and yelled "My tooth! My tooth!". When he laid his corn down there was some blood around the loose tooth the he could push it almost flat with his tongue. We decided it was time for the tooth to come out, so Chris took him to the bathroom, had him rinse his mouth, the proceeded to pull the tooth. There wasn't much pulling to it because the tooth was barely attached. Logan was very worried about it hurting until Daddy showed him the tooth, then he grinned and said, "Dad's a good tooth puller, that wasn't bad at all!"

Sunday morning he grinned at everyone in church, he wanted to make sure they saw the gap in his teeth, not to mention he was a dollar richer thanks to a visit from the Tooth Fairy. He did leave the Tooth Fairy a note that he wrote himself, "Dear Tooth Fairy, can I please keep my tooth? Love, Logan" (he had a little help with spelling from me) A request to which the TF graciously consented.

Just one more sign that my baby is growing up!

Checking out the loose tooth in the mirror.

Notice the grimmace on his face, afriad the tooth pulling will hurt.

Checking out the first lost tooth and telling Dad he's a good tooth puller.

Proud of his new smile!

VBS update

2010-07-14T23:44:00.000-05:00

Breaking news from Saddle Ridge Ranch. The horse thievin' bandit, Steely-Eyed Stan, was eavesdropping outside the classroom doors and heard the Bible stories being taught. His conscience got the best of him, and he brought back all the things he had taken from the classrooms....he even listened when someone shared the story of Jesus with him....and guess what...Yep, he learned his ABC's (A: Admit to God you are a sinner, B: Believe that Jesus is God's son, and C: confess your faith in Jesus as your Savior and Lord) Saddle Ridge Ranch has one less outlaw, and God has a new son in His kingdom!

We have some pretty amazing and creative people in our church. From a simple idea of a wanted poster, to the repentence and salvation of a ficticious character, our youth pastor (Bro. Jeff) and several other helpers (Jason, you may have a career in Hollywood) really showed the kids that salvation can change even hardened criminals. God's ways are truly amazing!

I didn't get photos loaded tonight, but I'll work on that tomorrow. Tomorrow night is our parent's night and program. It has been a fun week, I had to miss Tuesday night, but we are still having a blast. I almost hate to see it end....almost....I need an unbusy week before school starts.

VBS

2010-07-13T11:12:00.000-05:00

It's Vacation Bible School week at Salem First Baptist Church and we're having a ball! I have the privilege of helping with the music this year, and the songs are so much fun! I went to sleep last night with "don't be a tu-uh-uh-umble weed blowin' anywhere the wi-i-i-ind may lead..." going through my head. Oh, to have the gift to write these songs, but I can't, so I'll just help sing them!

Can you tell this VBS theme is right up Logan's alley? His normal attire is Wranglers, boots, belt (with giant buckle), and hat. He also enjoyed the fun game time...barrel racing on stick horses while wearing oversized boots. LOVE it!

How cute are these twins? Karen & Derek, you're in trouble in about 14 years!

One more thing....be on the lookout for this guy! He's nothing but trouble! Last night he stole Bro. Jeff's favorite stick horse, Luke. He also took a picture from the Kindergarten room and another stick horse and stuffed cow from another classroom! He's a sneaky varmint, but never fear, by Thursday night there will be a whole passel of new deputies who will be out spreading the Good News and old Steely-Eyed Stan will be out of business....who knows, he may even change his ways....

(Thanks, Jason, for playing along and letting us turn you...uh, I mean your evil twin...into an outlaw) I made some wanted posters and they're posted all around the church.

Thanks, Casey, for taking all the pictures for me. She's got tons that we are going to weed through and turn into a video to show at Sunday morning so all the adults who didn't get to visit Saddle Ridge Ranch will know what fun we had.

Up to our Ears in Corn....

2010-07-02T13:37:00.000-05:00

We have some great friends, great friends who have corn...lots of corn...and they like to share! I wish I had taken a shot of the unshucked corn in the back of the truck, but imagine the bed of a Dodge 2500 filled with corn and you get the idea. After sharing with lots of family and several friends, Mom and I set out to get our 300+ ears ready to freeze. That's my Mamma, she said she wanted to be in the picture so everyone would know she worked in the corn. Honestly, I don't know if I could have done it without her...that was Wednesday, today is Friday, if I'd have had to do it by myself I'd probably still be in the kitchen.

We don't blanch our corn, the ears we just wash really good and let them dry. When they are dry we just bag them up and into the freezer they go. The non "cob worthy" ears (ie: the ugly ears) we cut off and make creamed corn. Once again, there is no heat involved, and we use Aunt Ruthy's recipe:
15 cups of corn (cut off the ears)
5 cups ice water
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. salt
Mix together, let set for 20 minutes, put in freezer boxes and freeze.

Here's a side note: If you get Paula Deen's newsletter, the last one had her son Jamie's trick for cutting corn off the cob. Just rest the ear of corn on the hole of a Bundt pan, and cut the kernels off with a sharp knife. I tried this little trick and it works GREAT! The pan catches the kernels and it's really easy. Good idea, Jamie!

Here's the finished product. Over 150 ears of corn on the cob ready for the freezer, and lots of creamed corn, too. (I forgot to count the number of quarts and pints, but there were several). Now to get our 1/2 a beef in the freezer and we will a freezer full of good stuff. Austin is picking blackberries, and some of those are going in the freezer, too....if he doesn't eat them all.

I really enjoyed working up the corn. I have so many plans for more good stuff to go into the freezer. I get such a good feeling to open the freezer, see the good stuff stacked in there, and think, "I did that."

Scenes from Media Day

2010-06-25T21:53:00.000-05:00

Just a few of the people who came out yesterday. Leah (foreground) is with NAEC and works with Casey, so everyone was very comfortable with her. 3 of the others were with the local newspaper, and one was with the radio station. Several reps from the county conservation office came out, too.

The kids had to show the newspaper guy the horses. Hooter decided, since they didn't have anything to eat, he would just go back to grazing. Boon (Casey's horse) was very curious, he wanted to be part of the action.

Taking shots of the kids on the tractor. Shortly after they left Chris went to the hayfield, hence the baler attached to the tractor.

One of my favorite shots from the day, Chris was answering a few more questions and Logan was chillin' on Dad's knee....okay, he was really wanting to make the bucket go up and down, but Dad wouldn't let him...he wouldn't even start the tractor!

I had to be a few of the shots, but I don't have those, I really don't like to see photos of myself...maybe if I looked like Cindy Crawford or some other supermodel, but I don't, so I'll just enjoy pictures of my family.

One amusing happening of the day, Austin was showing the newspaper man his show steer (notice I said STEER). The man asked him if he was going to raise him and breed him with our other cows. Austin had a befuddled look on his face like he was trying to decide if he was kidding or serious, and he said, "No, he's a steer not a bull." At this point the newspaper man asked, "What's the difference between a steer and a bull?" (yes, he was serious) I choked...maybe even snorted a little. Austin just cut his eyes at the man and said, "A steer has been castrated, a bull hasn't." Good answer, son, I was so proud...I'm just glad they didn't ask Logan that question because he would have gone into detail about exactly how Daddy used the bander and the impending results of said bander on certain parts of a calf's anatomy. It was an interesting day. I'm glad it's behind us, but I was definitely honored and more than a little surprised to be chosen as the Fulton County Farm Family 2010.

Farm Family media day

2010-06-24T22:38:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a day. Today was our "media day" with the press (local radio & newspaper), and NAEC (sorry, Leah, they should have told you so you would have known not to wear heels to work today), and NRCS (otherwise known as the Conservation office). 10:00 am was the start time, but I was ready by 9:30...good thing, we had some early guests. We answered questions, took photos (yes, I had to be in the pictures....yuck!), and had snacks. The kids showed off their animals (Austin had to explain to one reporter the difference between a steer and bull, he handled it with much tact and decorum....I'm glad he didn't ask Logan). I did manage to snap a few photos myself, and I'll share those tomorrow; I'm just too tired tonight!

Logan also had his last regular season t-ball game tonight, which they won, so it's been a really busy day. I'm pooped; I just hope I don't fall asleep in the bathtub (hey, it's happened). I only have a couple of errands to run tomorrow, then we will finally have a day to relax. I'm looking forward to it.

I also forgot to mention what my sweet Logan said yesterday morning when he woke up and wandered into the living room. He looked at me, grinned, and said, "Well, Mom, you don't have a 5 year old anymore." No, now we have a very grown up 6 year old. June 23 is also my brother and sister-in-law's anniversary. Happy Birthday, Logan, and Happy Anniversary Gary & Alanna!

The finished project....almost

2010-06-20T20:52:00.000-05:00

Here's the latest from the farm. Our squash and cucumbers are producing. I only wish I had sound so you could hear Logan saying, "Hurry, these are stickery!" He was a little surprised that squash and cucumbers had "whiskers"; and yes, he is in his pajamas.

Here is the deck, nice and stained...many hours of sweat equity went into it. I am going to pick up an umbrella to cover the table...I'm thinking green to balance out all the redwood. You can see my little model, still in his jammies, peeking over the rail.

Here's the front. This one was taken this morning with the jammie clad boy posing on the rock steps for me. (He loves to have his picture taken when it's on his terms). Mom made the cushions for the chairs pulling in lots of red and yellow. I have red and yellow flowers and the front porch needed color! (I just realized Logan matches in red & yellow Transformer pajamas.)

A shot taken this evening, excuse the lens flare, but the sun was shining right toward me.

This is just a small vignette of some of my treasures. The plow belonged to my Papa Tom, and the big, white, sparkly rocks are quartz that he took out of the zinc mines at Rush, AR in the early 1940's. More info on Rush

We have worked really hard every weekend for the last 2 1/2 - 3 months to get to this point, but I think our hard work has finally paid off. We haven't had time to do much of anything else, but it's been worth it. With that said, I guess I can tell you the reason for all our hard work....we have been selected as the Fulton County Farm Family of the year. I'm still surprised, but honored. We don't have a large cattle herd, and we don't have lots of farmland (a few hayfields, but nothing like the row crop farmers in central & south AR), but Chris's business is geared toward helping farmer and ranchers, and he has participated in the grasslands conservation and watershed projects, and is always looking for ways to improve our land. I'm proud of him.

So that's it, that's the big secret. One day this week is media day when all the press will be here taking pictures and doing interviews. I wonder how they will react when I follow them around with a camera? This could be interesting!

Changes

2010-06-09T12:33:00.000-05:00

These aren't in the order I had planned, but I don't guess it really matters. These are a few of the changes that have gone on around here.

The black barrell is just another form of recycling. It was once held minerals for the cattle, but I couldn't let it go to waste. I washed it out, drilled some drainage holes in the bottom, and used it for a container for tomatoes and cucumbers. There is another one with more tomatoes, too.

On the left is one of my baby cucumbers. I get so excited when I see another blossom. If all the blooms turn into cucumbers I'll be making pickles! The plants are very happy! On the right is Logan's little gourd patch. He thought birdhouse gourds would be so much fun, but he was afraid someone would try to get them, so he stuck toothpicks into the ground to "protect" his seeds...the seashells (picked out of the pea gravel) are supposed to be some kind of protection, too. They've started coming up, and when they get bigger they will trail over the retaining wall so the gourds should be easy to pick.

Here is the brand new, rocked out front porch. Before it was a mixture of concrete blocks, concrete basement slab, and it was NOT very pretty. Now it's beautiful! I love the rock. I have several other ideas of what I want rocked next. (one end of the garage and the retaining wall are at the top of the list) Once I get the plants, border rocks, and pea gravel in it will look lots better. If you look really closely you can see Darrell (our blue heeler) lounging by the front door. He doesn't have a weird pink spot on his face, he was just licking his nose.

And here's the deck. It's clean but still unstained. I plan on working on that little task this afternoon because it looks like the rain isn't going to happen. I should have taken a before shot when there was nothing but an ugly weed patch under the deck. We rolled out landscape fabric and topped it with pea gravel. It looks so much cleaner and cooler than it did before, plus, it will be much less inviting for creepy, crawly critters.

My next project for the back is a flagstone patio just off the deck with a fire pit. I'm trying to talk Chris into some kind of water feature, like a pool, but he won't go for it. Maybe I can talk him into a little waterfall...but that's a project for next summer. I'm about landscaped out for this summer!

Blog makeover

2010-06-08T21:59:00.000-05:00

Time for another change. The whole Red Dress project was just stressing me out, so it's time to move on to something more fun. I'm still trying to get into the red dress, I'll keep you posted if it ever happens, in the meantime, I have a new project. Lots of big things going on on the Jennings farm, exciting things are happening around here, so keep checking back to see what's going on. (I promise, it's going to be good, but it's still a secret!) Intrigued?

Let's start the new direction with some cool cloud photos. This was yesterday (I think it was yesterday...maybe the day before). I'd never seen clouds like this, apparently it was a pretty big storm and people several miles (an hour away) even saw them.

Where do you rest after you've been running through the sprinkler? Why, in the wheel of a John Deere tractor, of course.

Why do boys think if they poke a piece of dried grass at the face of a red-eared slider turtle it will somehow make a transformation into a snapping turtle? And the bigger question, why would you want it to be a snapping turtle? Boys!

So that's just a peek of the direction this blog will be going for a little while. You may see lots of photos of my baby squash and cucumbers (tomorrow), and the heirloom tomatoes I have growing; there are also lots of landscaping projects going on, too, and then the big thing....I can't wait!

Oops!

2010-06-08T16:45:00.000-05:00

I guess it's time to change the blog header, if you notice today was to be the last day of the red dress project. I have no idea what the scale says, but I'm sure it doesn't say I'm down 25lbs. The big Oops of the day, I was supposed to go back to see the doctor...darn, I forgot....I hate it when that happens. Instead of going to see the man who was going to scold me for not losing more weight, I opted to work outside in the yard. The front is cleaned up and ready for plants, and I started staining the deck but am not totally thrilled with the color. I'll have to give it a day or 2 to grow on me. I honestly did forget about the doctor's appointment, but I had our school nurse check my bp just before school was out and it was back to normal, so I'm not going to worry about it. I don't need him to tell me I need to lose some weight, but I personally think he needs to eat a cheeseburger, he looks a little too thin!
Stay tuned, a blog makeover is in the works, and I have another fun idea....and it's NOT about losing weight.

I want this!

2010-05-30T22:44:00.000-05:00

Normally I never even try to win giveaways because I rarely, and I do mean RARELY, win anything like that...but when I saw this my heart fluttered ever so much. I LOVE the graphicness (new word of the week) of black & white. In fact, I've decorated my classroom in black and white with punches of turquoise (I chose turquoise because I found some really neat feathers at Hobby Lobby, and I was ready to break out of the lime green/ hot pink rut). Now you see why I really want to win this giveaway? If you happen to win it instead of me will you share? : )

So there you go, the gorgeousness of black and white....Ooooh, honey hush!

Giveaway of gorgeousness

The Rise of Red Writer

2010-04-28T20:47:00.000-05:00

I have had a story in my head for quite some time now, and finally put pen to paper...or rather fingers to keyboard...and started writing. I may not be the best writer in the world, but I do enjoy it. It is very therapeutic for me. With a little help from my mom (the best English teacher ever...now retired), I am ready to present the story to you. I am working on a drawing of my "hero" and will share that as soon as I finish. Now, without further ado, the story of Red Writer...

I have often heard the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword”, but nowhere is that more accurate than a school…especially if that pen happens to be red. Oh, the immense power of a red pen, with a stroke it can bring relief or despair. Those little checkmarks, or lack thereof, can build you up or bring you down.

With the power of the red pen comes responsibility, and a solemn vow not to misuse the power, or use it for self gain. No, the ones entrusted with said power are on a mission to stamp out ignorance across the country, and the red pen is the all powerful tool. Who are these chosen ones? How do we identify them? Simply, they answer to the name Teacher.

Never have I felt the power of the red pen more than I did a few days ago, when I discovered an exchange that was less-than flattering about me. As expected, my initial reaction was one of justified anger, but as I re-read the exchange, anger was replaced by a much different feeling. My anger dissipated as I took pen in hand and swiftly made spelling, punctuation, and grammatical corrections on the note. Oh, such power! The page soon became filled with red marks that gave me such a sense of freedom. Ignorance was being vanquished by an object mightier than a sword!

I have often wondered what feelings give rise to those who become super heroes, and I have come to the realization that it must be power, and the confidence that they have the capability to make a difference. The dawning of this new knowledge led to an idea; and idea that began to take shape on paper; and idea for a brand new, true-to-life superhero….Red Writer! Never before has there been one so dedicated to stamping out ignorance as Red Writer. She comes swiftly, wielding the power of the red pen as her weapon. She draws knowledge from teachers across the country, and with them, she is determined to improve grammar and vocabulary. She is fighting many unseen foes, the evil Abbv Txt Man who forces victims to change complete words to a mishmash of letters and numbers with his evil counterpart L8r, who is bent on ending the use of vowels. Fonetik, who has children world-wide convinced that it’s okay to spell it like it sounds, and IDK, the worst of the bunch, who is on a mission to completely change the English language as we know it, bringing entire sentence structure down to nothing but simple letters. Should these evil villains succeed; gone forever will be good vocabulary skills, correct spelling, and all punctuation marks. But, with the mighty power of the red pen, and the knowledge that she is not alone, Red Writer will succeed. Through her vast internet resources and the support of English teachers everywhere, ignorance will be vanquished and grammatical superiority will reign!

Accountability

2010-04-25T15:03:00.000-05:00

This morning Bro. John preached on breaking addictions. One of the many addictions he mentioned was the addiction to food. I started thinking (amazing, huh?) about my little project again and why I can’t seem to take the weight off as quickly as I want to. I think one of the big issues is somewhat of a food addiction. I don’t deliberately gorge myself to the point of pain or oblivion, but I do just nibble here and there without even realizing I’m doing it! You know that old “that tasted so good I think I’ll have another bite” kind of thing. He made several points about overcoming addiction, the first one being ACCOUNTABILITY. Hmmm, the light bulb just came on. That’s what I’ve been missing. I haven’t been accountable to anyone but myself, and it’s obviously not working. One of this morning’s scripture references was John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.” God doesn’t want us to fail, He wants us to succeed and have a good life. Another verse from the sermon was 2 Corinthians 10: 3-4 “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Did you read that? DIVINE power, power to DEMOLISH strongholds! If we are walking in the will of God, and I believe He wants us to be healthy, we can’t lose! The inability to stick with a healthy eating plan is weakness, and possibly a lack of faith. I’m shooting myself in the foot with the weight thing by saying, “I don’t know why I even bother”. Now, don’t think that I want to be a size 2, because that won’t ever happen. I don’t think I was a size 2 when I was 2! I barely remember wearing a size in the single digits (I do remember 6x for some reason?), and that is not my goal. My goal is a 12. I’m 5’9” and that is a reasonable, HEALTHY, size for someone as tall as me. If you are 5’9” and are a size 2, I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but you need some help…and some cheesecake.

So it is with renewed commitment that I, once again, move toward my goal of the red dress. Not only do I want to wear the dress comfortably, but I want to wear it comfortably without Spanx. (some of you ladies know what I’m talking about). This time it’s going to be different, though, because I have God in my corner and I’m going to let Him handle what satan throws my way. No more self doubt. (Chris will be happy to hear this since last night was a major night of self doubt. He tries to be encouraging, but he just doesn’t quite get it. Which brings me to my next point; I need an accountability partner, any takers? Prayer warriors on my behalf would also be greatly appreciated.

Oh, one more thing. As promised, pictures of our little landscaping projects from yesterday.

And one really great surprise I got this morning. Our youth pastor and his wife gave those of us helping with VBS music these really cute t-shirts. I LOVE t-shirts, especially lime green ones, and I just love Jeff & Missy & their family, too.

Just when I thought I'd said all I had to say, I thought of one more thing. I've told you about him before, David, the man who comes to church on the church van from an assisted living facility. He is probably in his 40's, and has Down's Syndrome. He sits on the front pew, and is a wonderful reminder of God's love for us all. He raises his hands in praise and sings at the top of his lungs. Even though he is hard to understand, you can tell by the look on his face that he knows God hears and understands. It is such a blessing and always leaves me with tears in my eyes. This morning he was just overcome with joy. People were on their feet with hands outstretched (I can see this from the choir)...well, most people, Bro. John wasn't on his feet. He was sitting on the front pew with his eyes closed, smiling, enjoying the worship. David noticed. The next moment, David slipped across the aisle, took Bro. John's elbow, and motioned for him to stand. It was precious! David wanted to make sure everyone was on their feet to worship God, even the preacher. After John stood, David raised his hands and began to sing again, a song that only God knew the meaning, and I'm sure it brought Him great joy.

Two down, many to go...

2010-04-24T21:42:00.000-05:00

...landscape projects, that is. After the torrential rains passed, Chris and I got outside and attempted a little more landscaping, okay, it was actually redoing some that we had done last year that really didn't look so great. I also used the seeder to spread some fescue seeds on the recently dozed area. I felt a little like Johnny Appleseed, only a little more high tech, and sowing fescue rather than apples, but for me it was a time to sow. I hope the grass grows, I'm thinking I should have gotten some shady area grass seed and mixed with it, but I do have a tendancy to overdo seed planting, but I digress. We moved the ugly brick things from around my little dogwood tree and replaced them with some really pretty, big rocks. Two of the rocks I spotted behind a barn where Chris was working (Donna & Trooper, you'd love what I did with them, espceially since I got them out of your pasture) They are curved and fit around my tree really well. We only had one minor accident when Chris dropped a big rock on my finger, but though it's a little sore, it isn't broken...and it was an accident because he felt really bad about it. Our little project did involve another trip to Lowe's, which isn't a quick thing for us, it's 30 miles to the nearest Lowe's, but we also made a little side trip by Chili's for a burger to go since it was supper time. (Logan was hungry ( ; Anyway, we picked up more river rock and pea gravel (we've ditched the mulch and are going with pea gravel now), came home and fixed up the 2 little projects (pictures later). Thankfully the rain we had settled the pollen, and I managed to get through the project without sneezing!

On our way to Lowe's, the sun was just breaking through the rain clouds and God put the most beautiful rainbow in the sky for us. It was very short lived, but it was one of the most brilliant rainbows I've ever seen, and wouldn't you know it, I didn't have my camera! It's usually my American Express...I don't leave home without it!

The next project will be the big one; I'm anxious to get started, but it's going to be lots of work. Oh, do I have grand plans! Anyone want to come help me...and bring nice, flat rocks? Chris said he knows where we can get all we want, but we have to wait for cold weather because of the rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes? I'll just buy the rocks if it means fighting snakes!

Just in case you're wondering about the Dress progress, don't ask. We had supper with friends last night and she's a fantastic cook. She also made a key-lime cheesecake...did I mention cheesecake is one of my favorites?

This is going nowhere...

2010-04-21T22:13:00.000-05:00

I now have the swelling under control, and my ankles and hands aren't swollen any more, so I can't blame things on fluid retention, so I think it's time to go to plan B. I need some help, I'm not losing anything! Maybe it's time to go back to Weight Watchers, but we don't have a meeting locally. I may check it out online and just hope I have the willpower to stick to it. I'll keep you posted.

Day...whatever.

2010-04-13T22:35:00.000-05:00

Well, the Red Dress Project continues, but more behind the scenes than before. I am making progress, as evident by the loose fitting capris that were snug enough last summer if I'd have had a quarter in my back pocket you probably could have seen the imprint of the date. With a little more determination...and some good Spanx...I may be in the dress quicker than I thought!

It's been a wild week around VHS, prom is Friday night, and we've been Benchmark testing this week. Just for the record, I HATE Benchmark testing! I can only imagine how much the kids hate it. When we used to do standardized testing in school we could at least take a book to read if perchance we finished early, not so anymore! In fact, the whole signing in and signing out of test booklets is something akin to the to protocols of moving nuclear warheads...or so it seems. Some of the "rules" are ridiculous and insulting to our intelligence...but I'll climb off the soapbox now.

I was saddened to hear of the death of "Designing Women" Dixie Carter. I wish the producers and actors could know just how much laughter they brought to two struggling single-mom, college students. Shelley and I could really relate to those girls. Yeah, we watched Melrose Place, but it was from a outside-looking-in sort of things. They were a little to surreal, Julia, Suzanne, Mary Jo, and Charlene, on the other hand were like sisters. We understood their southern humor, we even got the subtle humor of the line, "she has no breeding, she wore while shoes after Labor Day and before Easter!" Yep, we knew those southern fashion rules...I even sported the big hair and occasional shoulder pads. You left us on the floor crumbled with laughter, red faced and gasping for air when you were asked to re-decorate a nudist colony...the "well, we don't want wicker" and "I thought he was wearing a vest!" comments were just enough to give us a mental picture, and beauty queen Suzanne knew how to spot falsies. I still channel Julia Sugarbaker when I'm a little angry and need to "tell someone off" in a civilized manor with dignity and decorum. My, but didn't she have a way with words. What has happened to TV? What happened to the clean humor? They were hilarious but not vulgar, and even though they were always fully clothed (and quite fashionably I might add) that show had top ratings. Oh, TV, what have you become? Give us more to which we can relate.

Goodbye, Dixie, may you rest in peace.

Hmmm, maybe Delta Burke and I could pass for sisters?

Happy things

2010-04-08T22:45:00.001-05:00

Back to the happy posts. I decided to take a few shots of pictures of things that make me happy, and I got some good ones! Let's spread the cheer, feel free to post a link to things that make you happy. I'd do the McLinky thing, but I really don't know how and I don't think I have that many people who read my ramblings from a scattered mind...but I'd love to, so spread the word and let's be happy together!

This kid makes me happy. He always has something funny to say and is usually the most pleasant kid to be around. I love him dearly. (okay, this isn't the best picture, but I was driving...on our dirt road about 10 yards from the driveway with NO oncoming traffic...no animals or people were harmed in the taking of this picture...or Dodge trucks, either)

These 2 kids make me happy. I love listening to their conversations when they think no one can hear them. Casey had intended to walk to the barn and out through the field by herself, but Logan turned on the tears and looked at her with those big blue eyes, so she said, "Come on, you can walk with me." They ended up spending an hour together and having some good conversation.

Unexpected surprises make me happy. I found this cute little gray & black tree frog perched on one of my lawn chairs.

Getting a fun new T-shirt makes me happy. These are the VHS 2010 prom shirts. I designed them and was really happy with the way they turned out. (If you need a t-shirt design just give me a call or drop me a line..shameless plug, just in case you didn't catch that.)

This one is questionable. It makes me happy to see Logan playing and having so much fun on his swing. I wasn't too happy to see that he was standing on the TOP of the swing hanging onto a rope. He's been watching way too many Indiana Jones movies, you can't really see the thick string around him, that's his "whip". I never know what this child will come up with next!

One more thing that made me laugh out loud tonight I didn't even get a picture of (those will follow when our little project is finished). Tonight Logan and I were working on a little project in the front yard. I'm hiding the ugly blue drain pipes from the downspout drains with some big, flat rocks. Logan and I had gotten most of them in place and realized we were still missing one big one. Chris volunteered to carry it across the yard (we have a really big yard...I used the 4 wheeler to tote them from point A to point B) for us. He brought us a really big one, lots bigger than Logan and I had used, and when he laid it down Logan looked up, grinned, and said, "Dad, you're the man!". It was hilarious, but sure made Chris feel good. He is the man!

Oh, one more thing that makes me happy...are you ready for this?...putting on a pair of pants that were a little snug and finding out they are quite loose. Yay me! (another shameless pat on the back for me)

2010-04-07T11:03:00.001-05:00

Handling stress

Have you ever started writing something, then changed your mind, deleted it, thought about it, re-wrote it, deleted, re-wrote, etc….? That is how this post has been. I've wondered, should I write it? What if someone reads it and gets hurt feelings? Is it worth it? I guess it has all come down to the fact that is it my blog; my online journal; something I started as an outlet for my feelings. I try to keep it really light and occasionally humorous, but the last few hours have found me in anything but a humorous mood. I've run the gamut of emotions from extreme anger to very, very hurt. I try to remember the source of my hurt is just a kid, not mine…mine would never do anything to hurt their mother (and I have some ocean front property in Northern Arkansas for sale if you believe that). So here's the rub, as you have probably noticed, I really had my feelings hurt last night. Why do I let it get to me so much?

After some soul searching and self-evaluating (you know how qualified I am in the ways of psychology…not), I think it all boils down to my childhood. Isn't that the typical diagnosis? Maybe I can blame everything on my childhood. However, I had a great childhood. I have a great family, but there were a few times when I felt like I was the big misfit, literally the BIG misfit. When Daddy remarried I gained 2 stepsisters, both of whom were skinny blondes, and along comes the awkward kid with dark hair who towered over the other 2. I've said before I was the tallest in my class until around the 5^th grade and my cousin finally passed me in height…HE is now well over 6 feet tall. I always felt ugly, like some kind of freakish human anomaly, maybe that's when I started medicating my hurts with food.(of course, it didn't help that Mom and my grandmothers are all great cooks)

Fast forward to last night, after it was pointed out that I am NOT part of the "family" (not the above mentioned, those hurts have all been worked out and things are cool there), I just happen to be the woman who married into the family and have changed my husband "and not in a good way" (yes, that is a direct quote, oh, and you can substitute the word "woman" with another word that begins with a B..Yes, it was capitalized so I guess that means I'm really, really bad). I can't help but be hurt. I've always felt like somewhat of an outcast in the clan, but I thought it was just me. Now I realize they really don't like me. Bummer, I think the world of some of them and I hate that they think that I have changed Chris. I married him for who he was, not who I wanted him to become. He may not spend as much time there as he did before, but it's because he works very, very hard and when he gets home he wants to stay there. We like being home.

So, there it is my vent for the day. I promise not to post anything so negative in the future, but I can say that even though I've been stressed out about the whole ordeal, I DID NOT turn to food as my comfort. Maybe I'm breaking the bad habit of reaching for a snack when I'm down. I did take a nice, brisk walk last night to walk off the anger. It helped immensely; maybe I'll take another walk tonight. Maybe the hurt feelings will help me get back into that dress quicker than I'd hoped. See there is always a positive to every negative, and I am choosing to focus my energy on that rather than the hurt.

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Changes

2010-03-31T22:25:00.001-05:00

Oh joy, I discovered a little tab on the Blogger thingie that said "New templates", and was thrilled. Completely filled with joy that I could, once again, change my blog to make it more "me". WRONG. I like this one, but it was either blue skies and green grass (I'm just waiting for a "m" bird to show up in the background and really push me over the edge...explanation will be given if you really want it, but just ask my art students what I think about drawing "m" birds...birds do NOT look like M's when they fly...but I digress), anyway, it was either this or one with pink stripes that reminded me way too much of a Victoria's Secret bag. Somehow that just didn't go with the theme of my blog, maybe because at this point in the journey to a new weight, Vicki's Secret is not a store in which I will be doing lots of shopping (some of those pants are so low rise if that model sneezes there will be no more Secret!, and cleavage, not my thing. Just ask my 21 year old, well blessed daughter...I suggested she wear a turtleneck.)

I'm rambling, I'm tired, yet here I am clicking away at the keys like there is someone in cyberspace who hangs on my every word and weeps with joy when they see I have a new post. (If you are that person, please step away from the computer and into the real world because I know I can't be that interesting.) I guess it's just my place to vent...and ask the stupid questions that make my husband just give me that weird look and shake his head. He doesn't understand the inner workings of an ADD mind. (I really think I have ADD, that may explain all the ellipses when I type out a post...how did ellipse get its name?...isn't that just another word for an oval shape?...but these aren't oval shaped....I wonder if we have any ice cream.)

Back to my blog project. I'm loving this warm weather. I got out tonight and took a walk, in flip flops because my "walking" shoes give me shin splints. It's pretty bad when you can walk farther and faster is a pair of Crocs flip flops than you can in an $85 pair of New Balance walking shoes, but I'm not giving up hope, I will, eventually, find the perfect pair of walking shoes. I'm seriously looking at the Reebok EasyTone, they might be a challenge, I like the looks of them, and they are supposed to help tone your butt and legs (hey, all the girl in the commercial has to do it put them on then drape herself across the bed, I'm really going to walk in mine!). The Sketchers ShapeUps just didn't thrill me at all, the soles are huge, and I'm already 5'9", if I add the 3" ShapeUps a passerby my mistake me for Towanda, the amazing Amazon woman. (gotta love "Fried Green Tomatoes").

So here's the question of the day, do you have the EasyTone shoes, or have you tried them. What are your suggestions? I'm interested in your opinion... no, really, I am.

I think I'll take my frazzled mind to bed now, the fresh air and sunshine did so much to help my disposition this afternoon. I'm looking forward to another walk tomorrow. I love spring.

One year.

2010-03-30T22:47:00.000-05:00

1970something

Christmas 1974 and the Baby Alive dolls Donna and I wanted so badly. If you think about it, those things were just gross!

Easter in either '91. Casey loved "Cat" and wanted you to ride with her.

Christmas 1996, Austin loved your whiskers.

Christmas 2007. Logan made himself at home in your lap.

Christmas 2008, the last picture I took of you.

It's funny how we remember certain things we did on certain dates. I remember posting on this very blog exactly one year ago today, and it remeber it being a very short post; that was all I could manage. One year ago I lost my Daddy to small cell carcinoma lung cancer. He had valiantly fought the disease for 5 years, but cancer doesn't fight fair and he lost. He would not have lost a fair fight.

Daddy, I miss you. I think of you every time Austin wants to go fishing. I know how you would have enjoyed sitting on a river bank or in a John boat with him. You would laugh at his stories...he always has one. You would get a kick out of Logan, too. You would shake your head and say the same thing we do, "where did he come up with that?" You would get yourselves in trouble by telling him to do something ornery...and he would do it. You would be amazed at the beautiful young woman your first grandchild has grown to be...and how much she looks and acts like her mother. You always said she was stubborn...just like her mother, then you would laugh.

I treasure all the fun times, the camping trips, trips to Rush, and the long nights at rodeo arenas when you would draw up in one of the last go's...maybe it was because I went to the rodeo dance while the rest of you waited to rope?

I miss you, but I know I will see you again in Heaven. You told me that, and that is one of the most treasured memories I have.

I have to go to bed now. I have an awful headache from crying, and I know you would laugh if you could see me, and tell me there was no reason for tears.

Day....? I forgot.

2010-03-28T20:36:00.000-05:00

Mom's daffodils...I love spring.

I know, I've been absent from the blog, but I have a really good reason...I've been so discouraged because of the lack of progress. I'm trying really hard to get healthy, I'm drinking all my water, but I just don't see any progress. It's just making me want to dive head first into a giant bag of M&M's...and chase that with a very large bowl of vanilla ice cream...no, make that Moose Tracks ice cream...the kind with the little caramel covered chocolate balls, ribbons of fudge and caramel, all swirled together into a fantabulous conglomeration of creamy vanilla goodness. Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my chin.

I guess I shouldn't let myself get totally discouraged, at least not for a few days, Aunt Flo came to visit yesterday. I don't like her, I really wish she wouldn't come to visit me anymore. She always brings with her her evil brother, Sciatica, and that whiny first cousin, Crampy. Not a fun family reunion, but I have medicated myself with some new Midol PM, so things should be better tomorrow. Maybe the bloating will be gone and I'll feel like I've actually lost some pounds.

On another blog (Megon's/Oliver Lane) the question was raised about make up. Do you wear it? My answer, absolutely. I don't want to put others through the horror of seeing me sans makeup. I have, however, changed brands, I now wear (exclusively) Bare Escentuals. (Hey Leslie, if you read this throw me some free samples....like Leslie Blodgett would read my blog....hey, a girl can dream can't she?) I'm still hoping I'll see the DIY Yard Crashers guy and get to bring him home for a complete landscape makeover....or maybe even Desperate Landscapes....I'm not picky.

Oh, we had a little excitement over the weekend. Late yesterday afternoon a freakishly sudden storm blew up, and I decided to take a few pictures. I am not a huge fan of storms, but the clouds were pretty cool looking. I did realize as I was being pelted by rain and wind, that I do NOT want to pursue a career in storm chasing. Maybe I'll just take a few quick shots from the safety of my own porch.

Storm clouds coming in fast.

The advancing front. Those clouds were hauling it across the sky

The back of the front. Notice the clear skies way back on the horizon.

Days 10 & 11

2010-03-21T23:25:00.000-05:00

Not much to report other than I woke up with a sick headache today and still feel like crud. The headache is coming back, maybe because Casey decided to cook a little microwaveable chocolate things that's supposed to take 30 seconds, but she accidentally added an extra zero, and 2 mintues later, after smoke filled the house, she realized her mistake. Now the house smells like scorched brownies, but the Lampe Berger is working its magic to get the smell out.

Yesterday I had a Silpada party, and if you haven't seen this line of jewelry you need to, it's gorgeous! I have a wish list as long as my arm; the hard part will be paring it down to the peices I really, really like.

Tomorrow is our anniversary. I wonder what I could do for Chris. I think I'll grill some steaks and bake a few potatoes, he will like that.

Day 9

2010-03-19T22:18:00.000-05:00

Somehow I skipped blogging yesterday; maybe it was because I had to make a mad dash to the grocery store because I knew I couldn’t do it tonight and we were out of everything, and my family was beginning to think I was punishing them by giving them nothing but bread and water…wait, that’s not true, we were out of bread. Casey went with me, and we made some pretty good choices. I think she’s getting on the bandwagon with me. It helps to have a menu planned rather than just walking down the aisles thinking, “Oooh, that looks really good!”

Today, however, was another test of willpower, parent/teacher conferences. You’re probably thinking it’s from the stress of having to talk to parents, but with only 1 ½ hours left in conference time, I’ve had 1, yes ONE, parent, and this student has something like a 94% percent, so it was a good conference. Basically, I sit here for 4 hours…well, longer than that because school dismisses at 12:30 and parents can drop in any time after that…with not much to do. The test comes from the potluck that some of the other teachers think we can’t make it through P/T conference day without. On the menu today, chili; I didn’t eat it, it is 72 degrees outside and chili just didn’t do it for me today. I would have voted for a deli sandwich tray, but there wasn’t a vote. I tried to do my part for healthy and brought a fruit pizza for dessert (reduced cal. Sugar cookie dough, lite cream cheese, and lots of fresh fruit). It was a pretty good hit, but the dessert table was loaded with pecan pie, chocolate cake with gooey chocolate icing, coconut cream pie (not a temptation for me), and cheesecake. Yep, it had to be cheesecake. I resisted the chili and chose 7 layer salad and Mexican dip instead. I had a piece of my fruit pizza and then I came back to my classroom. That cheesecake is calling my name. Maybe when I go back to pick up my dish it will all be gone and the crisis will be averted. I hope so; I need all the help I can get! I have managed to get extra water in today, though, which probably means I will be up all night, but we won’t go there. Having a liter bottle really helps me keep track, and since I’ve been forcing so much water my ankles haven’t been so swollen. Did I mention I have a concrete floor? Standing on it all day makes the dogs tired.

Oh, we went through the new high school building with Mr. Mike (the general contractor) today. He pointed out where all the fixtures and everything will be, and told us the cabinet guy would be here a week from Monday. I’m so excited, it won’t be much longer! I’ll definitely have some pictures of my new classroom to show you…maybe even a video…hmmm, there’s an idea.

Enough ramblings from a scattered mind, I need to go get my dish… maybe there will be one little slice of fruit pizza left….and no cheesecake.

Oh, did I mention I got new shoes? I'm ready for warm weather! I love shoes!

Day 7

2010-03-17T20:43:00.001-05:00

This morning was one of “those” mornings which almost caused me to go off the wagon and dive headfirst into a large pile of biscuits and gravy chased by an extra large Diet Dr. Pepper, but I resisted. How I do not know, but to help alleviate the problem both my male offspring have been reconciled to mornings without TV. The term “A Vast Wasteland” is definitely accurate, because they were so involved in Phineas and Ferb they did not hear their mother’s voice saying, “Get dressed and eat breakfast.” No, but maybe they will listen to me in the morning and I won’t feel guilty about bringing children to school hungry. I wonder what the rest of this day has in store?

So far so good, it is now 2:15, and other than one of my 7th grade girls insisting on singing “Eye of the Tiger” and “Hungry Like the Wolf” in a squeaky, off-key voice, it’s been a pretty good day. It should improve after school, not because I won’t have to listen to teenagers, but because I’m getting my hair cut. What is it about a new ‘do that lifts our spirits? I wonder how much weight that will take off….my hair is pretty thick…?

Since it will be a little later when I get home tonight, I’m thinking Subway for supper. We all like it, and it isn’t horrible in fat and calories (unlike KFC, which I really like).

By the end of school my day had greatly improved, but I knew something was up when Logan came in my room and said, “I don’t feel good, I think I need to go home and go to bed.” That always means something’s up, and my gut feeling was right, he had to change a card first thing this morning. I guess his day was pretty lousy, poor kid.

(Doesn't this face look pitiful. He got in trouble for having to change a card. Poor kid)

I guess all my rambling is to say one thing, even with all the stress of the day; I managed to stay on track and drown myself in chocolate and ice cream. Maybe I’m beginning to break old habits, like stress eating. Another small victory for me.

Day 6

2010-03-16T21:29:00.001-05:00

Day 6, and I'm still on the right track. I honestly think blogging is helping to keep me honest, but I know (if anyone reads this) you are probably tired of hearing about my fat. I'll try to keep it as brief as possible.

I have heard so many people talk about how they enjoy exercize and how wonderful it feels to work yourself into a lather while your face turns red and you gasp for air like a beached fish. I just have one thing to say about that....you lie! I do NOT enjoy sweating, I do not enjoy the burning sensation in my lungs as I'm gasping for air. Some people even say they love to run. I ran enough when I played high school basketball, and if any of you had Karen Pickering for a coach you know just how much we ran...especially if you missed any freethrows in a ballgame, which I was known to do more often than not. I don't enjoy running. I guess because I'm 43 and one of my knees complains in the most unkind manner (waking me up from a sound sleep yelling "Charliehorse!", then throbbing for several days...and there is that issue with my kneecap slipping out of place. I guess I'm just difficult to please, but I'm always looking for a workout that is fun, really fun; one you want to do again. Well, I finally found it. Casey and I pushed the chairs back in the basement, popped in the DVD, and went to it, at least we tried. I can say in all honesty that Julianne Hough kicked my butt...in the warmup...and I realize just how uncoordinated I really am. If you like dancing, and you like the show Dancing With The Stars, try this. It's fun. I recommend the jive, it's set to very upbeat 50's music and you will definitely move...and sweat...followed by wheezing, but it's FUN!

We have 3 more dance/fitness DVDs to try, another DWTS video, a Dirty Dancing workout (Oh, Patrick Swayze we miss you), and a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders workout (that one is Casey's but I promised to give it a try, but without the high kick directly to splits...we don't want to bother the first responders). I'll give you reviews on the other, but for now Julianne is my trainer, but I really wish they would have asked before they photoshopped her head onto my body! (it should be a crime to be that fit!)

Day 5, and seeing a little progress

2010-03-15T21:56:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a difference a week can make. For the last 2 days my ankles have not been swollen at night or in the morning. I’ve really been watching the caffeine & sodium, namely Diet Dr. Pepper and Coke Zero, and I have greatly increased my intake of water. All I noticed the first few days was just more frequent trips to the bathroom, but now it’s paying off.

Casey and I tried to walk tonight, and I realized my shoes are NOT the best walking shoes, after ½ a mile my shins were really hurting and I knew I was headed toward shin splints. (Ouch!) My next purchase will be a really good pair of walking shoes. I want to go to Footlocker (I think that’s the place) where they have you step on a special treadmill and it shows exactly how your weight lands on your foot. It’s supposed to really help by having the cushioning in all the right places instead of all the wrong places. It’s pretty bad when I can speed walk in a pair of Clark’s mules better than I can in cross trainers!
Tomorrow, instead of walking, we’re going to break out the “Dancing with the Stars” workout. I’m really looking forward to this one, I think it should be fun and not feel like exercise. Who knows, I may make it on the show someday. (Hey, if Kate Gosselin can do it why can’t I?)

I thought I would really have some witty observations tonight, but it’s not happening. We did have a little excitement this afternoon. The walls started shaking and pictures started rattling, and I went outside on the deck just in time to see 4 huge Chinook military helicopters fly over. The kids were in the basement and ran upstairs telling me the pictures on the walls were shaking down there, too. Cool! Logan was a little disappointed that he didn’t get to see them closer, but if he had been a little quicker he would have. Chris guessed they were only about 50 feet above the house. In all the excitement, I forgot to grab my camera…but if they were on some big secret military op they might have confiscated it and since I have a wedding to shoot on April 10th, it’s a good thing I didn’t.

So that’s it for today. Tune in tomorrow when we hear Sharmin say, “What I wouldn’t give for a big bowl of ice cream.”

Day 4

2010-03-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

Score one for me, a major hurdle in the battle of the bulge. Austin had shooting practice this afternoon, and was thirsty when I picked him up. We made a quick trip by the convenience store, and I made the conscious decision NOT to grab a snack along with him. I did have a Coke Zero, and after a week without one, it was magical. I"ve nursed it all afternoon and still have a little left. It's like desert in a bottle! (ha)

For supper I decided to break out one of my old recipes; it was so good I wonder why I hadn't made it in a while. It's my variation on stir fry. Lean chicken, fresh broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers, (sauteed in some EVOO) and Long grain and wild rice. It's a great one skillet meal. I will be making it again, soon.

I can't help but laugh a little because I would enjoy this blog so much more if I were taking a clue from Julie & Julia and cooking...and eating...my way through a cookbook. But I guess this is a better step than those, this is for my health and for my future. I don't want to have to be on meds for blood pressure and diabetes, but the Doc said that was the way I was headed. I've really thought about that this weekend. I'm already the oldest mom in Logan's Kindergarten class (yes I am, I can't think of one mom younger than me, and I used to babysit a couple of the moms or dads!) I want to be able to do things with him, I want to be active, I want to enjoy playing with him.

On another note, this stupid time change has really messed me up! I'm all for longer daylight hours, but I'm not for losing and hour of sleep, especially when I don't get enough sleep at night as it is. I wonder how many grouchy kids I'll have at school tomorrow?

Tomorrow begins the new habit of regular exercize. I've resisted chocolate, I can do the exercize, I actually enjoy doing things outside, so it should be an easy one....I'll let you know!

Good night.

Day 3

2010-03-13T19:03:00.000-06:00

I guess I can call this a good day. One positive about having a sinus infection is the lack of appetite, maybe that was God's way of giving me a jumpstart. My food choices have been very good today, too, and I don't feel deprived. Frozen red seedless grapes are a great snack, so is a Jell-O pudding cup.

I've been thinking about the whole issue of weight, why do some people become so attached to food, and some avoid it? One of my best friends is a recovering anorexic and we've had so many good converations. She saw food as something she didn't deserve, she was somehow punshing herself for something; it was a control issue. It began with some feeling of inferiority, someone told her she wasn't very smart, but at least she was thin. (which is stupid because she is smart), and it became an addiction, and addiction to be thin. Food was never a comfort to her, and large, extended family meals were not a pleasant experience.

As I was thinking about that, I realized that all the pleasant times in my life somehow seemed to center around food. Our large, extended family gatherings are always filled with food and fun. It was a time to relax and enjoy, and there was always some new dish or dessert that needed to be sampled. Growing up in a family of wonderful cooks didn't help things, either. Maybe food was my medication, it made me happy...it was a crutch. I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm happy, I eat when I'm bored... it's a bad habit that I'm struggling to break. Got any ideas? That's the big issue I have to start working on, to eat when I'm hungry, and that's it!

Now I just need to start working on the lack of exercize!

Day 2

2010-03-12T16:45:00.001-06:00

Day one was posted a day late because of no internet connection last night. After 30+ minutes on the phone with Centurytel ... I mean Centurylink, we finally came to the realization that along with Williford, and Mammoth Spring, Hilltop (wherever that is), the relay that supplies our DSL was out, too. After a few heart palpitations and wondering how I would make it through the night without Facebook, I realized I must have that dreaded disease, internetitis, so I shut down my laptop and picked up a book. It was nice. I plan on doing it more often.

Today was a good day, scrambled eggs (sans the cheese) for breakfast, a Lean Cuisine for lunch, a handful of whole grain crackers for a snack, and 2 full liters of water (with Crystal Light because the only way I really like water is frozen with a Diet Dr. Pepper poured over it), but now comes temptation time. Mom called last night and suggested we go out for supper tonight, her treat...we said yes. I AM going to make good choices tonight, but I won't go overboard and I won't dprive myself. I can do this...right?

Oh, and here's the red dress...I think I can...I think I can...I think I can....

9:45 pm. Supper was good, the company was great (Mom, Chris & the kids, Lance, Lindsay, and cutie pie Landon), and we ate at Fred's Fish House. I did have the catfish, and it was fried, but I ate until I was satisfied, not until I was so full I couldn't move. Baby steps. . . small changes, small successes.

It begins...

2010-03-12T16:34:00.002-06:00

You may have noticed the change in the look of my blog, that’s because it is about to take a new direction. This blog is going to be a tool to help keep me honest over the next 3 months of my journey to drop 25 lbs. No, I’m not doing because summer is quickly approaching and I don’t want to look like a beached whale, I’m doing it because my doctor told me I had to. My blood pressure has been a little high (but remember, I do teach 7th graders) and my blood sugar has been on the high side of normal for the last couple of years, so it’s time to take control and become a healthier me…and if I happen to look better in a swimsuit I’ll consider it a bonus.

So what does this have to do with a red dress? Everything. I felt my best when I could wear the red dress, the red bandana print little sleeveless number that fell right above my knee. That dress is special, too, because it was the dress I wore on our first date, and Chris really liked it. It made me sad when I found it shoved in the dark recesses of my closet, I really wanted to wear it, but there was absolutely no way I could ever get it zipped. When did I gain this weight? It crept up on me over the last few years and has made itself at home, now it won’t go away…at least not without some encouragement from me. So today begins that journey and the Red Dress Project.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, I have no idea how much I weigh. I refused to look at the scales at the doctor’s office because I was already having a pretty lousy day (sinus infection), and I knew just seeing that number would make things worse. (Thanks, Dr. H, for bringing it up) So how am I going to know how much weight I’ve lost? Easy, I have this pair of jeans that are very snug, and I have a pair of jeans I wore during the same time as the red dress (just couldn’t part with those, either, hoping the magic weight removal fairy would show up and I would somehow, miraculously be able to wake up one morning and zip them with no trouble). I will gauge my success by the fit of the clothing, and should I lose more than 25 lbs. by June 8 (the date I go back to see the doctor) then I shall celebrate….with cheesecake.

I can use all the encouragement I can get, so if you feel led to leave a comment, please do, I’m like a kid at Christmas when I find I have comments. If you have something negative to say, go eat a cookie and remember these words of wisdom from the movie “Bambi” …”If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.”

Back to reality

2010-01-11T22:40:00.000-06:00

Snow angels?

Big Cedar registration building. Austin checking out his snow angel

Our cabin, a wonderful escape.

Big Cedar dressed up in lights...I was cold, ignore the blur.

Steam rising from the hot tub (no, I didn't try it)

A black and white shot because I just liked the look.

After an unplanned 3 week break (well, 2 weeks were planned, but the weather planned the last week for us), we are finally headed back to school tomorrow. We still have some county roads that are covered, but the wonderful 45 degree sunshine today melted some snow and lifted everyone's spirits. I don't know that we've had true cabin fever, but both boys and I are ready to get back to school.

Speaking of cabin fever, my hubby rented a cabin at Big Cedar Lodge this weekend and we slipped off, just the two of us. We really needed some together time, and it was so good for us to be able to focus on each other without the distractions of daily life. I felt a litte guilty about leaving the boys behind, but Chris and I needed some time for us. It was so nice to have an uninterrupted conversation and dinner when I didn't have to get up and clean up a spill or get some other forgotten necessity. ("Mom, I need a fork/spoon/straw." "Mom, I need more milk." "Mom I need.....") We spent the afternoon in Springfield doing a little shopping, mainly at Bass Pro, then to Branson Landing. It was too cold to stroll the Landing and window shop, but Joe's Crab Shack was worth braving the cold. We did browse a few stores, but that was just because we needed to get warm! (Poor Chris was a little uncomfortable in Victoria's Secret) Big Cedar was still dressed in its Christmas finery with lights on EVERYTHING. I tried to take some flashless photos, but it was 9 degrees and I was shivering so much they turned out blurry. Our cabin was a beautiful, rustic little place with exposed log walls, stained glass windows, and a gorgeous rock fireplace...which we quickly put to good use. There is something so relaxing in watching flames dance on logs and crackle with glee.

After a nice break, it's back to reality, but it was good while it lasted.
** If the captions under the photos are a little weird it's just because Blogger was acting funny...or maybe I just don't know what I'm doing, it's happened once or twice.

Happy Birthday, Landon!

2010-01-02T14:56:00.000-06:00

I'm a little behind getting the photos off my camera, maybe I'm just lazy...or tired...or procrastinating because the flash isn't working right and I have to edit ALL the photos to get the color right; whatever the reason, I finally took the time to do it and have some really cute shots of Landon's first birthday party. It was a Razorback theme, and he LOVED his cake, he even had his foot in it for a while. I think the cake was his favorite part, or maybe the tissue paper that was stuffed inside the gift bags. He seemed a little unconcerned with the gifts, but that paper was so much fun!

Happy 1st birthday to my sweet nephew, Landon, one year old on December 29th!

New Year's Eve

2009-12-31T10:50:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe that 2009 has come to an end, but the end of a new year only brings anticipation of things to come and a fresh start. Most new year's resolutions fall by the wayside around February, so I challenge you to set goals that are attainable. Many of us make the resolution to lose weight, but not me; not this year. I am making the resolution to get moving more. I even upgraded to the Wii Fit Plus to help me achieve that goal...maybe I should have splurged on the dance mat and the Dancing With The Stars game, fun + exercize = the best of both worlds. Seriously, my major goal I have set for this new year is to make sure the boys make to Awanas & Youth on Wednesday nights. I really slacked off on this especially after basketball season started and we ran to games 2 nights a week. God should be a much more important part of our lives, and the kids need to grow in Christ.

I'm working on a little review of the year, but don't have it quite ready, however, I have grown in my Photoshop skills and made a little collage of our family photo shoot. You should see the 12x12 I had printed, it looks great, now to find a frame and get this rascal on wall!

Happy New Year's Eve, stay safe, and tell those close to you how much they mean to you in 2010.

Praise You in this Storm...

2009-10-08T21:54:00.000-05:00

...that may be my theme song for tonight if the weather does what it looks like it's going to. I don't like seeing all that red and pink on the radar...don't get me wrong, I do like red and pink, just not on radar.

I am still trying to think of ways to follow the challenge issued by Bro. John. We've had some sickies around the house this week, so satan is trying to stop me. (Get thee behind me satan!) So far, I've not had much time to think of anything but the upcoming black & orange basketball game, which is the BIG fundraiser for the Junior class. (come watch it, Austin gets to play, and we need your money)

I think my brain cells are shutting down for the night....maybe I'm just turning into Dory, just keep swimming...just keeeeep swimming.....

So much for coming up with some world changing, profound thoughts to post, the wind just started blowing really hard and I heard thunder, so I'm shutting down....like my brain cells. Oh, and Casey is in Jonesboro at the Jason Aldean concert tonight. Pray they make it home without hitting serious weather.

Pay it forward...

2009-10-04T22:52:00.000-05:00

This photo was taken early one morning on our way out to school. The morning had been hectic, the boys were arguing, and I was NOT in a good mood. Austin noticed the sun shining through the trees, so I stuck my camera out the truck window and snapped a picture. When I uploaded it to my computer, I saw a cross in the sun, and a cross shadow on the ground. I keep this photo as my constant reminder that God goes before me even when I don't take the time to acknowledge him.

This morning our pastor began a new series entitled the "Gift Revolution". He and his wife put 2 business cards with the Gift Revolution and an email address for the church along with a gift from them ($1.00) into 600 envelopes and issued a challenge to the church; change the world. This comes on the heels of the series "Get Connected" which was a challenge to get connected with our family, friends, church, community, state, nation, and world. Many new things are happening in the church because of this series and there is lots of excitement because of it. This Gift Revolution (which I will refer to at GR) challenge has really stumped me. What can I do to make a difference for Christ? What can I do that will touch someone's heart? What makes me special that someone would want to take the time to say, "hey, you made a difference?. Certainly nothing I can do on my own, but I know through God all things are possible. My hope is that God will use this blog and my fingers on a keyboard to touch lives all over the US....no, all over the world. My blog hasn't gotten many hits in the past, but I'm praying that somehow, someone will read something that makes a difference in their lives and they will spread the word.

I'm going to pray about this, and ask God what He wants me to do, and how He wants to use me to further His kingdom. Please pray for me, and for our church as we begin this GR. Pray, also, that I don't try to convince God that I can't do what He has in store for me. I have to remember Jonah and what happened to him when he tried to convince God that he wasn't the right man for the job. (I do have a bridge spanning Lake Norfork to cross...)

I'm including a link to our church's website. (If I can get it posted on here properly so that it will work as a link and not just a bunch of letters strung together for no apparent reason) While the GR button isn't quite up and running yet (should be by tomorrow night), when it is operational you will see a GR link which will take you to a map. That map will have pins of places who have heard of our GR series and want to "Pay it Forward" and do something for Christ. I hope you will join in this revolution, because we have all recieved the most precious gift: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16

First Baptist Church, Salem, AR

He gave us a gift we didn't deserve, a gift of grace, what will you do with that gift? My blog is a very small part of this revolution, and if you have a story you would like to share about God's grace in your life, please, please post it in the comments. I want to hear from you and God wants you to share your story. Spread the word so we may hear from as many as possible, and please let me know your city and state so we can pin it on our map. Will you do that?

Twenty-one years ago...

2009-09-28T23:08:00.000-05:00

...a little (well, maybe not so little) 8 lb, 4 oz , 22 inch long baby girl entered the world with a very loud yell. She was supposed to be here by September 15, 1988, but decided to "sleep" a little longer and made her appearance on September 29, 1988. I think that was just the beginning of a pattern, she's still one that takes her time doing things!

I can't believe she's 21, where has the time gone? Happy Birthday, Casey, you aren't that little, skinny girl that Mrs. Pat said was all legs, eyes, and hair, you've grown into a beautiful young woman and I'm very proud of you.

I found a few "grown up" photos, but tomorrow I get to pull out all the baby photos; It's going to be fun to see just how she has changed in 21 years.

Take me out to the ballgame...

2009-08-24T21:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we had the chance to see the Springfield Cardinals play ball (thanks, Mom!). Austin is our big baseball fan and this was part of his birthday present. It was a great day and I enjoyed spending time with Lance, Lindsay, Chris, and the boys. The weather was perfect for baseball, too! I don’t think Austin missed a play because he talked about it all the way home. He even knew the speed of the fastest fastball! (99 mph just in case you were wondering). Logan wasn’t as interested in the game as he was “Louie the Cardinal” and “Fetch the dog”. Around the 5th inning he looked up at me and said, “I wish I’d stayed with Nana and Landon, I’m ready to go home.” He was having problems sitting still; maybe it was all the cotton candy. After a stroll around the concession area, and a trip to the gift shop for a giant foam finger, he was good for a few more innings.

I really hate that we didn’t make it back in time to hear Mom and my aunt and uncles sing; I know they did a great job. I love to hear them sing.

Family is so important, go do something with yours very soon, you won’t regret it.

One week behind us

2009-08-21T21:02:00.004-05:00

Austin wasn't thrilled about the obligatory first-day-of-school picture.

My little Kindergarten man on his very first day of school.

We finished the first week, or half week, of school. Logan loves Kindergarten and was really proud that he didn't have to move a card "all week" and got to pick something from the treasure box. He has lots of new friends, and said his favorite class is the "one where we get to go outside and run around"...PE.

Austin has some pretty tough classes for the 8th grade. He has Algebra I, I don't think I took that until the 10th grade! He is playing basketball again this year, and really likes it. He enjoys school; I hope he keeps that attitude.

I'm having a good year, so far, too. I really like my classes. I have the biggest group of kids I've ever had, 23 in Art I, 22 in Speech, 18 in 8th grade Art, but then I do have a few small classes, too. Drama only has 4, Graphic Design has 8, and Advanced Art is down to 3.

Casey starts her classes next week. I hope she has a good semester, she needs one. Her classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, so she will still work Mon, Wed., and Friday. I think she likes working more than she likes going to school.

Please pray for our students, teachers, administration, and parents as we begin the new school year. I pray for my students everyday, that I will be an example of God's love, even though I can't say it in the classroom. Let's not forget to invite Him to school with us, He is desperately needed.

New beginnings

2009-08-18T22:15:00.006-05:00

My crazy child riding a ride I'd call "Ring of Death" instead of "Ring of Fire"...maybe ring of junky metal thrown together and held in place by a paper clip?

L's daycare buddies.

Logan's table in his classroom.

Tomorrow (8/19) begins the new school year for both boys. Logan told me tonight that tomorrow he wouldn't be a preschooler anymore, he would be a big Kindergarten boy. I can't believe it! Last night was open house at school, so we took all his supplies, found his table and cubby, and met some new friends. He's so excited because one of his best friends is in the same class. They have been together since they were little babies in the same daycare. It's funny, there were 3 from the daycare going to our school, and all 3 of them got in the same class.

Austin will start 8th grade tomorrow. He has Algebra I this year! I think I remember having Algebra in 10th or 11th grade! Kids are just so much smarter these days. I had to include a little photo montage of one of the things he rode at the county fair. I don't think you could have paid me enough to get me on this ride, but he thought it was great!

I just realized this will be my 13th year of teaching, too. It doesn't seem that long, but I guess time flies when you are having fun. I'm looking forward to the new year, it will be a challenge, but I love a challenge. My classroom is 95% ready, just have to get a few more lesson plans figured out, but the first week we don't get much accomplished, anyway, so I'm not going to sweat it!

Don't forget to pray for the kids as they go back to school, pray for the teachers and administration that we may examples of God's love; pray for protection and guidance. Tomorrow is an exciting day!

Farewell, summer.

2009-08-09T22:40:00.003-05:00

I'm a little sad tonight, this is the official end to my summer break from school. Tomorrow I have mentor training and then the teachers head back to school. Even though I enjoy being home with the boys during the summer, beginning a new year is always exciting for me, too. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids...most of them, anyway, and see what kind of summers they've had.

I know God has a plan for all of us, just like Doc's testimony this morning. God's plan for him was the medical field, and I know I'm supposed to be a teacher. I love being in the classroom, I love seeing that lightbulb go off when a child finally "gets" it, or maybe I'm just addicted to the smell of brand new school supplies!

Now, I know how boring a blog post can be without pictures or a fun little slide show, so here is a little background about my photos for this post. Yesterday Chris was going out the back door, when he turned and said, "Come here! There are twins in the yard!" I grabbed my camera and slipped out through the garage and got a few great shots of these cute little twins who are just beginning to lose their spots. I was afraid the dogs might try to chase them away, but they were stretched out, snoozing on the garage floor. I love our lazy dogs!

Sometimes....

2009-08-05T15:31:00.002-05:00

...you run across something that just sums it all up in a way you can never say it yourself!

I found this on the Jessica Sprague blog and had to share, it's the best thing I've seen in a long time. Oh yes, I will use this in my high school speech classes!

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

Oh, Jessica, you rock!

2009-07-26T15:08:00.003-05:00

Jessica Sprague, that is. Talk about some easy Photoshop tutorials and really fun projects. These are a couple I did this afternoon. Now what can I make....?

Photowalk

2009-07-25T23:06:00.006-05:00

Have you heard of these? Thanks to a great bunch of girls on another site, I got wind of this neat little thing called a photowalk. Of course, I checked to see if there was one close enough to me to justify going, and SCORE, there was one in Eureka Springs. So, last Saturday, Casey, Carla, and I loaded up and went to Eureka with cameras in hand, batteries charged, and walking shoes on. I was really fun and we got some really neat shots. We were having a great day until...(yes, there's an until) Carla got a call from T (her eldest child), "Hi Mom, uhmm, Dad got bucked off his horse and he might be hurt but I'm not sure." Nothing like that to change the mood of the day. Brett was hurt, and we made a flying trip back from Eureka Springs. Thankfully, he was released from the hospital with a concussion, broken rib, and sprained shoulder. A week later he is still a little sore, but making progress to a full recovery.

So, here are a few of the shots I took from our little trip. Oh, and there are prizes involved. The photowalk is sponsored by Scott Kelby and it's a worldwide event. This year the date was July 18, and you can bet I'll be checking for next year's date!

Oh yeah, and good news on my computer, the Staples tech guy (God bless him) was able to retrieve the majority of my junk off the old hard drive. I finished up those wedding photos and have delivered them to the hands of the bride's mom. Whew, I can breath now....and back up everything lots more often.

Aaaaaahhhhhhh!

2009-07-19T14:59:00.003-05:00

Oh, what a week! My laptop, the one I got for Christmas, crashed! Thank goodness it was still under warranty, so they sent me a new hard drive. As for the old one, it's at Staples where the techs are desperately trying to retrieve all my info from the old one. Cross your fingers and say a prayer, I need to the photos from that one!

Well, VBS starts tonight, so that's going to be a bright spot in the week. I always look forward to VBS.

Happy Birthday, Logan!

2009-06-23T10:56:00.002-05:00

One more post for today, my baby is 5 years old today. He asked what his "official" birthday time was, well, as of 8:19 am, Logan has been with us 5 years! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOGAN!

It's been a busy week!

2009-06-23T10:09:00.006-05:00

I had the pleasure of taking the wedding photos for Casey's best friend, Makenzie. It was a gorgeous outdoor wedding, and the couple is young and so much fun. We took some fun shots. I'm really enjoying the photography and hope to do lots more.

Casey was the maid of honor, and her boyfriend came up from Texas, I just had to throw that picture in here, too, so the family could see Brandon. LOL

Decoration days and White River

2009-06-09T22:16:00.004-05:00

Is decoration just a southern thing, or is it popular all over the US? It's a shame that decoration isn't like it used to be, when churches decorated graves of lost loved ones then had an all day singing and dinner on the ground. I like that tradition...probably more for the dinner thing than the actual decorating of graves, but I digress.

Thursday (June 4), Mom, the boys, and I took Mama Hudson to the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery to decorate the graves of her family. I had forgotten what a beautiful little cemetery it was, and what made it even better was the great play structure beside the little church! Maybe I'm just strange, but I love to walk around and look at the headstones and wonder about the people. What kind of life did they lead, what stories could they tell about the area. Mama was a fountain of knowledge about some of the people buried there, too, so it was really interesting to hear her stories.

After leaving the cemetery, we stopped at the little restaurant in Yellville, the Front Porch, they had great food, and we treated Mama to a birthday lunch. She was 88 on Saturday, June 6. I think she was glad to get rid of us after we got her home, though. I know Logan can get a little rowdy, and she isn't used to that.

On our way home Mom and I decided to swing by the Fairview Cemetery and put some flowers on some old family graves there. Unfortunately they didn't have a play set, so we had to cut that trip a little short, but because the boys had been so good, and we were only 5 or 6 miles from Buffalo City on White River, we figured a quick trip to dip in our feet was in order. We had so much fun, and the boys weren't ready to leave, but Logan waded out a little farther that I asked and ended up riding home in his underwear because his shorts were wet up to the pockets. It was 90+ degrees, so all was well.

We have plans to go back to the river soon sans cemetery visits.

Relay for Life.

2009-05-30T13:44:00.005-05:00

Relay is a bittersweet time for me, especially this year. I was so moved to see the survivors make their lap around the track. I think of all the family members I have lost to cancer, and rejoice for those who beat it. Last year Daddy walked the survivor lap, this year I bought a luminary in his memory. He lost his fight with cancer on March 30, 2009.

Our little, rural county raised over $26,000 for cancer research. The overall theme of Relay for Life is Hope...hope that some day cancer will be a distant memory, a terrible disease that lost its sting.

Our team (Viola Longhorns) won the team banner contest for best banner. I think next year I'll suggest a coffee bar instead of cookies, I know I really needed coffee around 2AM. Even though I'm exhausted, it was lots of fun and we walked all night. As the sun rose, we packed up our booth and headed home. I got in the bed around 7AM, 24 hours with no sleep, but that's what it's all about...Relay for Life, because cancer never sleeps.

For more info check out the American Cancer Society or Relay for Life websites.

Ahh, sweet freedom!

2009-05-21T20:55:00.003-05:00

Yes, we cheered as the big, yellow buses rolled out of the parking lot today...is that wrong? I was as happy as the kids! So what did the boys and I do to celebrate? Wii played! Yes, that's a pun. Austin has wanted a Wii ever since they first came out, but I'm the mean mom who refused to let them have a video game because I didn't want them sitting on their rears playing games all day long. However, after much research, I finally gave in and told him if he would save his money he could have a Wii. With his good grade money, he finally had enough, so we went to town and bought the Wii. I had no idea how much fun the stinkin' thing would be! Chris even got in on the action. So far I'm the reigning bowling champion, but Chris kicked my tail in tennis. He's also the golf champ, but Austin holds the baseball record. Logan is really good at boxing, so it's anyone's guess. Now we're planning what games we will purchase next. We will definitely get the EA Sports games, and Casey and I want the Wii Fit with the balance board and mat.

I didn't get any pictures tonight, but keep watching the blog because I'm sure there will be some Wii shots on here soon. That's about it for tonight, I'm tired, who knew you could work up a sweat playing a video game! I'm sure we will play again tomorrow, but not too early because we're out of school now and I don't have to get up early, Yayyyy! (so don't call before 8:00 AM, I'm praying Logan sleeps that long)

8 to go!

2009-05-07T17:45:00.002-05:00

Just 8 more actual days of school and I am so ready for the summer vacation. I know the kids are as tired of it as I am, we all deserve a break.

We (our Relay for Life team) is planning our booth at the Relay. The county theme is "rootin' for a cure" and is loosely based on sports and fans. I'm still at a creative wall trying to come up with some really neat idea to hang on our booth, but I'm sure something will come to me.

I'm tired, maybe when school is over I'll have more energy to blog.

Opinions welcome.

2009-04-24T21:47:00.004-05:00

I've been doing a little photography and just love it. I've made a "business card" which isn't really a card, it's an 8x10 photomontage of some different things I've done. Tell me what you think. I'm thinking of switching out one of Lance & Lindsay's wedding photos with another from an outdoor wedding I shot last June. I have another outdoor wedding this coming June, it should be so much fun!

Let me have it, I'd love to have your opinions and suggestions.

Oh, and one more thing, even though I don't have the photos off my camera and onto the computer, my baby registered for Kindergarten yesterday! I can't believe he will be in "big school" soon! He sailed through the Kindergarten readiness tests, thanks Mrs. Nikki, Mrs. Jamie, and Mrs. Kim, you've been great preschool teachers. Sigh, my baby is growing up.

Finding joy

2009-04-08T20:46:00.002-05:00

"For his anger is but for a moment, his favor for life; Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

After dark days, trying days, sometimes we have to search for joy. Sometimes joy finds us and we don't realize it, today joy found me. It may seem silly to some, but I love watching pretty songbirds, especially bluebirds. For about the last month there has been a male bluebird hanging around our deck. Austin had painted a little birdhouse, which is sitting on the deck, and it was very attractive to him. A couple of weeks ago I noticed a female bluebird with him checking things out, too. Last week they were here together and she had long stems of grass in her beak. I went out a little later and peeked inside the birdhouse to find a little bluebird nest. I was so excited, but I was afraid, since the bluebird house was so close to the back door, they would be frightened away. This afternoon I was delighted to find beautiful blue eggs in the little nest. Mr. & Mrs. Bluebird have set up housekeeping and are going to raise their family on our deck. I'm so excited about the bluebird family, I think that's God way of giving me a little bit of joy.

Something new

2009-04-07T19:27:00.003-05:00

I tried something new today, a digital scrapbook page. Actually, this isn't really a complete digital page, but part of a "hybrid" page. Carla (my SIL) invited me to join in an online class that walks you through creating really cool things in Photoshop. It sounded like something that would be right up my alley, so I jumped in. I had to tweak it to my liking (because I never was good at following directions and just had to make it my own), but it was really fun and something I can use with my Art students. To see the really good one, Jessica Sprague's original, click on this link , to see my version just look up. Oh, and just so you know, this is an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper that will be printed and trimmed to fit the photo boxes. The date will be cut out and placed in a bookplate, and the journaling will be cut into strips to be used on a page.

So there you have it, tell me what you think, and don't forget to count your blessings.

Today we said goodbye.

2009-04-02T21:31:00.003-05:00

Daddy's funeral was today. I thought I'd cried all I could, but I was wrong. I know he's in a better place and he isn't suffering anymore, but I guess I'm just a little selfish because I want him back. I want him to know my boys, to take them fishing, to tell him the funny stories he told us; but I know that can't happen, and He's in Heaven now. I wonder if He's visiting with Mamma and Papa Hopper and Papa Tom? Is he talking to his brother, Bobby?

Chris and I took 2 beautiful, big arrangements of cut flowers by Hospice House on our way home. It takes a special kind of nurse to do end-of-life care, they are wonderful people. I think they enjoyed the flowers, too.

I'm so tired tonight and plan on going back to school tomorrow. Pray for me.

He's gone.

2009-03-30T11:04:00.000-05:00

Daddy went to be with Jesus at 7:32 this morning. I was holding his hand.

A week long roller coaster ride.

2009-03-24T22:42:00.002-05:00

I just realized it has been almost a week since I posted an update on things, but some things are just too hard to see in words. I've started typing a post numerous times, but ended up deleting it all because it was just not what I wanted to see in print.

I left the hospital Wednesday thinking everything was going really well, but Wednesday night Daddy started having heart problems, but he did, finally, respond to the meds for that. He was moved to Hospice House on Thursday, but has continued to improve. He is still having trouble swallowing and we were told that reflex may never come back. His doctor also told us that he is nearing the end. His body is wearing out. Daddy has not accepted the fact that he won't get better, and I'm afraid he will just give up if he does accept it. Twyla (step-mom) told me tonight that he (dr.) said it could be a month or less, we just don't know. I know that God has a time and no matter what we want, His timing is always right. I just hate to see Daddy have to go through this. He has reached the point that morphine is the only thing that controls the pain, but it's making him so forgetful. I hate cancer!

I'm just a big whiner tonight, this should be our week of spring break, but because of the ice earlier in the year, we are in school this week. To add insult to injury, we also have parent/teacher conferences Friday night! Such is life, at least we will be out of school on May 21st or 22nd, and not the first week of June like some of the schools around us who are taking a spring break, anyway.

A little bright spot, Gary, Alanna, and the twins were up Sunday and Lance & Lindsay brought sweet Landon over, and I got a really cute shot of the 5 youngest grand kids. Where was Casey, you ask, she met Brandon in Texarkana this weekend. I'm so happy she's found a nice guy, but why does he have to be in Texas? (I don't have a thing against Texas, but I do have a thing about my little girl moving 9 hours away....if it comes to that!)

Enough grouchiness for one night. Please continue to pray for Daddy, I know that prayer is what we have to rely on right now, if not for healing then for the strength to handle what is to come.

Another encouraging day

2009-03-18T21:22:00.003-05:00

I sat with Daddy at the hospital today and we had a very encouraging day. He was able to get out of his bed under his own power, he took a couple of steps, and he sat in a chair for a while today. He is still having much difficulty swallowing, but I'm praying that this will begin to improve as quickly as the other things. He is also having some trouble with fine motor skills in his left hand, but considering where he was Monday night, this is an amazingly quick recovery.

I had to laugh this afternoon because we were talking about his physical therapy and I asked him if he wanted me to run to the store and get him some pajama pants. He said, "Yes, if they're gonna walk me down the hall I don't want my rear end shining!" His physical therapy was ordered today, but the therapists couldn't get to him, so it will begin tomorrow. He was very tired tonight, after being able to get up today, and I'm hoping he has a more restful night tonight.

I know your prayers are with us and they are working, I appreciate them all.