I have conquered the beast....

….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

....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?

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.....



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...

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…

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?

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.

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....

….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….

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

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!

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

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

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.

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....

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?

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

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.

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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!

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.....

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.