The Day I knocked the Sales Rep out!

Has anyone ever ran through the forest with their eyes closed? It is with strong conviction that I advise you not to! It can cause brutal headaches! Way too long of a story to go into right now, but funny as hell!

The weekend is approaching! WOOHOO!!!

To everyone in Idaho, I miss ya'll!!!!

To everyone here, I'll see ya'll out and about although I am somewhat of a recluse these days!

Barb, where are you?

Samantha, where are you? Oh, I guess heading to Idaho right?

I might run away this weekend! About 30 or 40 miles is all, but heck, who knows, a southwest chicken panini and a bottle of Nooner sounds pretty good right now.

PEACE~!

GEEEEZ!!!

Has it been that long since I have posted? Well, I guess so. Guess that I've been feeling pretty funky lately or didn't really have that much to share. Truthfully, I have been in sort of a funk and feeling very disgusted with myself. Seems that my life has dramatically changed over the last several months for several reasons that I really won't go into right now, but I will name a few. I guess the first big change was my work hours. For some unknown reason, I convinced myself that if I didn't have to go to work so early, I didn't have to get up so early. I have finally realized that I should never have done that. It has really messed up my life. Well, not MESSED UP, just kinda messed up. I should have continued getting up at 3:30 in the morning and I would feel much better than I do. See, that was my time for quiet. My alone time. The time that I could make the coffee as strong as I wanted to and not have anyone complain, and drink the whole entire pot by myself, now I'm lucky if I have time for one 12 oz. red plastic cup. The time that I could sit and work on that DAMN Sunday newspaper crossword puzzle to get my brain in gear and realize how much words fascinate me, even though it does take me all work week and I usually have to get my bible (crossword puzzle dictionary) out. So, to make a long story short, I started sleeping in until 4:30 or 4:45 or 5:00 every morning, and I have lost some sense of myself. I miss that time in the morning and how it gave me some sense of peace and time to get my thoughts together. So, therefore, being the procrastinator that I am, I am going to start getting up earlier next week.

I am rather aggravated with myself over the fact that I have not practiced my hobby of photography! There are so many places that I want to go to take pictures and I just won't do it! I don't know why! Maybe fear that I am the only one that will enjoy seeing the visual outcome of what I choose to shoot. Maybe I fear that I don't have a digital SLR that you can do so much with, but I really LOVE my film cameras! Speaking of cameras, while in Idaho, my brother gave me the camera that my dad used to take pictures with! Oh, how I wish that I could find some film for that one!

It even came with it's own fancy carrying case and 4 good flash bulbs! Now if I just had some film! Guess that I will Google it and see what I can find out!

Now how's that for a treasure?

I also need to start walking again, but it's too damn hot here! Especially after working in temperatures equal to the depths of hell all day. I need to do a lot of things, but I have also come to a depressing realization that they just are not going to get done!

On a more cheerful note, had a really good time at Philosophy Gallery last Saturday evening just visiting with friends, and we probably overstayed our welcome. But, you know how it goes when you get to talking! That is the only time that Time Does Not Rule MY life!

Wesley is finally getting his two front teeth, or so he told me on the phone!

I think that those people in Sweden kidnapped my dear neighbor, as I have not seen her since she returned home!

I am still trying to plan a little summer party/get together which will include Sangria, but it's just too damn HOT!

My husband is watching some show about RATS on the History Channel! GROSS!!!!

I miss Michael, Ashley, Gavon and Grace!

I have become addicted to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman! That's probably why I haven't posted because most of my computer time is spent reading her blog and her recipes and looking at her photography!

Had my mouth all set for some rhubarb pie, but don't know what happened to it! heehee!

Reading a pretty good book called Sharp Objects!

That's all for now folks! PEACE!

Lots of stuff!

Oh, heavens will I ever recuperate? Kids and grandkids arrived one day early, so it has been an exhausting weekend for us! With family, in-laws and neighbors, the weekend was well spent! Will just post a few pictures to explain the weekend and call it good! First of all I would like to say SHAME SHAME SHAME ON the person that keeps letting their dog do this in front of my dear neighbor's house (Patience and Bill's), to be exact. They take such good care of her dogs and treat everyone's property with the utmost respect. Why can't other people be like them?

We had a wonderful time Friday night on the porch. Met a new neighbor, visited with current neighbors, and with Megan and John. John's family came over and things got a little crazy. Megan cut Pete and John's hair, once again to freak me out, and here is the end result!

Yes those are mohawks! Can't wait for them to disappear! Then came time for the grandbabies to have some fun! They found a sand pile in the alley! Oh, heavens!

We grilled out on Sunday and had a small birthday party for Wesley, who will turn 6 tomorrow!

We won't talk about the sangria on Friday night. All that I will say it was THE BEST batch that I have ever concocted! In closing here's me and Sonnie!
Yep! The mohawk's gotta go! Maybe I will get some sleep tonight! Wish me luck!

AHHHH!!

Well they are coming in a day early! Kids and grandkids that is! Can't wait. They'll be here around midnight! Would someone please remind me to take lots of pictures!!

To Sierra Madre regarding your latest comment! You are welcome to join us for sangria when you make it here, but, there is one thing that you must remember. You will be in Kentucky! Redneckitis will soon set in and you won't hear the clinking of the sangria glasses, because the sangria will be red plastic cups! Ahhh! The best way to drink it! hee hee!

NOW HIRING!
Inspector position! I would be your boss. Must be able to stand temperatures equal to those in the depths of hell!! Anyone know anyone looking for a job?

PHONE CONVERSATION

Last night I talked to my grandkids! They were cute as usual, but one thing really struck my funny chord. When Bailey got on the phone, I asked her what they were doing, and she stated to me, rather "matter of factly" they were just "sitting around looking at each other", with a very SOUTHERN drawl in her voice. I guess you would have had to experienced it for yourself, but it was rather humorous! I am very excited because John, Megan, and all three grandbabies will be here on Friday! Friday night, the women are taking over the man cave for chit chat and adult beverages, which will probably include sangria! It probably won't happen, cuz the man cave is a guy thing, but hey, I can dream can't I?

Changes

It's amazing how much one person's life can change within the matter of a month or so. It's been kind of a sad month for me! My best friend here in Kentucky moved away several weeks ago. Maybe I wasn't her best friend, but she was also my neighbor! I have watched her kids grow, shared meals with her, did the Black Friday thing with her, shared good times at our favorite winery with her, and the list goes on. I miss their little family so much. It's like something is amiss on our block without the Cromikas being next door. To see Grace kicking her leg at Edwin through the deck and giggling and "flirting" with him, or seeing Gavon jump off of the porch at least a hundred times without getting tired, or just sitting on the porch with Michael and Ashley on a Friday night and chatting about all the crazy things in the world! I am wondering now how I am going to get along without them. I realize that change must come, and most of the time, at the most inopportune time, but life is just not the same. First John and Megan and the grandbabies move away, then Michael and Ashley and the kids! GRRRRR!!! I want all my kids back~~~!!!!!

But, the one cool thing that happened though, when Mike and Rondia (Michael's parents), brought Gavon and Grace over to tell us Goodbye, Pete and two of his friends (Phil and Paul), and Gavon and Grace played the most intense game of hide and seek that I have ever witnessed in my life. Pete is 18 and Phil and Paul are both 19, but they took this 7 and 3 year old and had a hell of a good time. They were hiding in the portable toilet down the street, in trunks of cars, anywhere that they could think of, and these older boys were serious about this stuff too! We laughed and laughed and had such a good time watching them. We also had a really nice visit with Mike and Rondia.

TOP SEVEN AT 7!

1- GOT GREAT NEW NEIGHBORS TO THE WEST, GETTING NEW NEIGHBORS TO THE EAST NEXT TUESDAY!

2- WAY COOL "HIPPIE" ARTSY VAN PARKED KITTY CORNER FROM US! MORE NEW NEIGHBORS??

3- HIRED 2 NEW GREAT EMPLOYEES AND HIRED BACK 1 FORMER EMPLOYEE, THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR VALERIE TO SOON HAVE A DAY OFF!

4- MADE SOME KILLER SANGRIA LAST WEEKEND, AND SHARED IT WITH FRIENDS! ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO! I AM GLAD THAT YOU ENJOYED IT BILL AND PATIENCE! I HOPE THAT ALL OF THE GUESTS ENJOYED IT TOO. I BET YOU ALL HAD SOME KILLER FRUIT SALAD FOR BREAKFAST!

5- TRYING TO PLAN A GET TOGETHER FOR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, BUT AS ALWAYS SEEMS THAT MY TIMING IS WRONG OR I AM JUST TOO TIRED TO GET OFF MY BUTT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! SANGRIA WILL BE INVOLVED, GOOD FOOD, GOOD COMPANY, AND PROBABLY PINK PANTIE PULL DOWNS! sorry michael and ashley, gotta share the love and do it without you!

6-WESLEY WILL BE 6 YEARS OLD ON THE FIRST OF JULY! WHAT IN THE WORLD WILL WE GET HIM? ANY SUGGESTIONS?

7-THINKING ABOUT STARTING TO WALK TOO AND FROM WORK! THESE GAS PRICES AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE REALLY STARTING TO TICK ME OFF! I DON'T HAVE FAR TO GO, BUT WITH MY LUCK, AT THAT EARLY IN THE MORNING, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT KIND OF CRAZIES YOU WILL MEET. THERE WAS ONE STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF 9TH STREET WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUST STANDING THERE, LIKE HE DIDN'T HAVE A CARE IN THE WORLD! PEPPER SPRAY MAYBE?

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! PEACE!

SIT

I like to sit! Especially after a grueling day at my work place! This was a different kind of sit! Several weeks ago, when Barb was here, she ask me to sit for her while she did an artistic view of me with pastels! It is different when you sit in front of the tv, watching your favorite program, or sit while reading a book, or sit and play a game of cards, or dice or a board game with your favorite friends or beloved family members. This was what I will call a "hard sit"! First she told me that I should wear something bright and colorful! I scoured my closet for the requested article of clothing, only to realize that I am quite a boring dresser. My closet is filled with mostly black and white clothing. Black because they say that it is "slimming", which I really need, and white, just because I like it! Only recently have I begun to purchase tans and something with a little splash of color here and there. So, I guess that meant that I had to go shopping! Oh, darn!

The experience was something very extraordinary. Sitting for an artist takes tons of concentration and most of all self control! More that I thought that I could ever exhibit! At first, yes, I took the break after 20 minutes or so, stretched my legs, went outside to satisfy my ill habit, then I was back at it! Staring at a pink post it note on Karen's wall, I willed myself to not move a muscle! The longer that I sat, the longer I wanted to sit. I found myself in some kind of weird zone, not because I wanted the whole experience to be over, but because, there was no one there that was bothering me, I didn't have to think about anything, unless I wanted to and it was pretty cool! Then Barb, the artiste!, did a bad thing! She offered to make me some coffee! I said "sure" with my closed mouth, so as not to screw up the end result! Time for a break! Went outside, came back in and the coffee smelled oh so good! I got a couple of swigs in, then that old slave driver made me assume the position once again! I sat my cup right near the front leg of the chair! It was Starbucks and it smelled so dang good, and I couldn't even take a sip! By the time that break rolled around again, it was just the right temperature for guzzling! I won't ramble on too much, only to say that this was a really good experience. It taught me a lesson about self control, in that you can really have self control when you need to! Thank you Barb and Karen for the great experience. Now to all of you far away readers, here is the end result! I love it!

PATIENCE PICTURE!

WORD OF THE DAY:

Can't help thinking about the little boy in the Dairy Queen commercial!

ANTIDISESTABLISHMENTARIANISM

Main Entry:
antidisestablishmentarianism
Part of Speech:
n
Definition:
originally, opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England, now opposition to the belief that there should no longer be an official church in a country
Example:
When people are asked for the longest word they know, they often say antidisestablishmentarianism