Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
Happy New Year

Friday, March 31, 2006

HAPPY EASTER

Thanks to Sheila, I have this perfect Easter Greeting for everyone.

HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY SKINNY PUPPY

TRAVIS
(1994 -- at fifteen and now)

A sensitive caring guy
With a generous heart.
He is rated top Rude Dog
For any belch or fart.

Once a cute, cotton-topped,
Curly-headed boy so shy.
Now tall, lean, handsome --
A sullen and cool kinda guy.

Travis has a knowing smile.
He is intelligent and funny.
But his ribs are sunken in.
Jessi spent the food money!

He might win or lose at games --
They are just for sport or fun --
But when we get down to life's basics,
Travis is always a champion.

That is only a portion of a poem I wrote for Travis when he was fifteen.

Twenty-seven years ago today Travis was born. I had just signed the papers on my first home purchase and we drove to Pat's to talk about the good news. She had good news of her own. She was waiting for Milton and they were on the way to the hospital. We took Jessi home with us and waited for that special phone call. Milton called that evening, after Pat had done all the work, and proudly announced to us, "I had a boy!" It was an exciting day for everyone.

Happy Birthday Travis. Love you, thinking of you!

Thursday, March 30, 2006

I WEPT

"A lot of people are writing, asking me to go hunting and stuff," he said with a laugh. " It's kind of amazing, that they want to see me that bad."

Don't fail to read this story today.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

ALL BUYERS BEWARE

A couple of California burgers cost a lot these days -- about $4300.00! It would be a good idea to read this story.

BACK TO THE CHICKENS

I am thinking about my brother as he nears retirement and wondering if he is feeling about like the "Jimmy" in this picture.
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Monday, March 27, 2006

Okay, We're Pooped!

The kids have gone home. Grandma and Grandpa are reflecting on the last ten days and preparing to relax. It was an energy zapping time and we're ready to get back to daily routine, but when I think about these wonderful grandchildren and the entertaining time they provide us and each other, I want to cry. I miss them aleady.

Child Labor?

The boys help Grandpa Ron get commodities ready for sale.
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Curly Locks

Here is Bethie with beautiful curls!
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Going on Twenty!

Here is Beth, ten going on sixteen and Ryan, thirteen going on twenty!
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Rabbit Care

Hope makes sure Aunt Elenore's bunny rabbit has lunch too.
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Waiting Too

Chelle, Hope and Beth are waiting with the boys.
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Waiting Room

Dillon and Mike wait for Uncle David to look at their teeth.
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Puppet Show

Ryan and Dillon prepare for puppet show for video.
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BEGINNING

This is the beginning of the kid's Spring Break. Elizabeth (Beth) and Elizabeth (Mom) and Elizabeth (Me) and Ron all had lunch on St. Patricks Day at the manor.
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Thursday, March 23, 2006


You can tell from this artwork that Mike has joined us. Posted by Picasa

FANTASTIC TIME

A great time was had by all. We went to Pittsburg yesterday and so did Chelle, Mike and Hope. We met at Uncle David's office and he looked at all the children's teeth except Hope's. She never goes much for new things and even though she could see the other children enjoying the procedures, she wasn't quite convinced. So, Chelle took Hope's spot and had her teeth checked. "Look MA" aka GrandMA, "no cavaties!" five times.

After the checkups we went to Aunt Elenore's for yum-yum-eatum-up lunch and a few games of Balderdash. Lots of laughter -- So much fun, leaving Tikka and Aunt Elenore and Uncle David exhausted.

Chelle andHope headed back to Missouri minus one. We headed back to our house plus one. Mike joined us and the cousins and now there are four kids here. This grandmother's heart is pretty warm, even though her old and rapidly aging body is barely holding her up.

Be sure and click on the picture below to enlarge it so you can see the whole message.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006


What a great day. We hope this picture is worth a thousand THANKS!!! Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

To Grandchildren's Hearts

Hope is not the only one who is "food". Yesterday was a reminder of the way to all grandchildren's hearts. We spent the cold, wet, wintery day in the kitchen. After breakfast of homemade egg mcmuffins, Ryan whipped up a peach cobbler which we consumed hot with ice cream. Dillon assisted me in cooking fried rice aka "Rice A' Ron E". There is a small dab of that left also. We did remember to feed the chickens and Grandpa Ron too, but they definitely were last minute thoughts. One whole box of Pirates Of The Caribbean chocolate marshmallow cereal disappeared, plus the chocolate donuts are gone, few cookies remain, the cupboards are becoming bare. Just call me Old (Grand) Mother Hubbard.

To Tandy From Bethie :-) Posted by Picasa

Monday, March 20, 2006

SPRING BREAK ADVENTURES

Ryan, Dillon and Beth are here for spring break. They are expressing their artistic drawing skills, musical skills and play production skills, plus their puppetry ability. All that in the first two days! What will we do for the remainder of their visit? Wait and see. We'll keep you posted.

Dillon's drawing of Beth. Posted by Picasa

Here is Beth posing for marker art. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, March 19, 2006


Ryan's marker art, The Winking Lady Posted by Picasa

Ryan's example of his Markerings. Pretty good Marker Artist huh? Posted by Picasa

Here is Dillon's "In a world controlled by an 11 year old boy". Posted by Picasa

SPRING BREAK IS SPRINGING. Let the artwork begin. Beth's first drawing 2006 Posted by Picasa

Friday, March 17, 2006

65

HAPPY
65TH
J.P.G.

YOU HAVE DONE THIS WELL :-)

Proverbs 3:1(NRSV)
My child, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments;
for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare they will give you.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

ARE WE EVER GOING TO MOVE?

Okay, okay, I know you wonder if we have really found a new home and are going to move. We are beginning to wonder the same thing. The realtor and the banker continue to assure us that all will be well. They simply cannot find a structural engineer to examine and certify the foundation on the house.

We put the first contract on this place Feburay 3. The seller had concerns and we had to initiate a second contract on February 10. Credit was approved but we cannot get committment letter until the inspections have gone through.

I have watched two blogger friends find houses after we found ours. One was buying, one was renting. The one who bought has completely moved in the new home and the renter is already in the process of her move.

We weren't in a hurry when we found this house but now we're spending each day holding still. We cannot move forward with anything until we know which direction the wind in going to blow.

Drip, drip, drip -- I'm counting faucet drops and they are getting louder and LOUDER!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

WELL, GOODBYE DOLLY

The beautiful golden and white Araucana, Dolly is gone. She has been a persistent flyer from the get-go. The clipping of her wings did not deter her for long. She is always flying in and out of the pen and I rest easier when I close the hen house door at night and Dolly is roosting with the others.

Last night Dolly was not there. I searched, only to find the muddy footprints of the rottwieller all around the pen.

I can keep my chickens safe from the night predators by locking them in, but I cannot keep them safe from this large, unsupervised dog. My grandchildren come next week for Spring Break and I must do a much better job watching them than I do my chickens! I cannot wait to move!!!!!

Saturday, March 11, 2006

A TRUE STORY

This is a true story. It happened to me and it could happen to you.

I remember walking through the park at dusk. Fishing boats were returning to the dock. The weather was cool with a feel of potential rain. The restrooms were among the cleanest state park restrooms we had ever frequented. The women’s side seemed to be empty tonight. I was eager to go to the bathroom and get back to our camper before it was totally dark.

It was shocking to find more stalls than I had remembered. It was more shocking to find that each toilet was backed up and overflowing. I moved from one to the other feeling the urgency of my bladder. Finally, reaching the last stall, I located a toilet that was full but not over the top. I decided I could use it without daring to flush it.

I pulled down my pants and sat, attempting to get comfortable and eager to release the flood of suppressed liquid pressing on my bladder when I heard a creak of the door. I listened for footsteps but didn’t hear any. I waited, holding my breath, knowing this person or persons would be searching for a free toilet. I could not understand the silence. The door had opened but I could not hear anyone moving around. There was a whooshing sound. unusual and light. I remained frozen in time and space, wondering if I should call out so they would know I was there.

I decided to speak. “This last stall is occupied”.
No response
“Hello?”
Nothing.
“Who is there?” I called out.
Nothing. Only the silent whooshing sound.

Fear began to engulf me. As I began to tremble I suddenly felt a squeezing on my leg and looked down to see an arm extended under the stall door. A tight fist was gripping my ankle. I pushed the stall door open and standing in the doorway was a horrendous looking, twisted, lumpy gargoyle with a leering smile. Behind him stood a pale and ghost-like priest accompanied by Little Bo Beep. I began to scream and scream, blood curdling and horrible fear filled screams! “Aheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Ron was shaking me.
“Wake up, Wake up! You're having a nightmare. Wake up.”
I thanked him for saving my life and got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Monday, March 06, 2006

O'BER

M.H. (My Husband) is always stating that he is old and beyond economical repair (O'BER). We both feel like that this week. We are old, we are retired, and while we manage to stay busy, we still have time to wait on other people. I don't mean wait as in serve, I mean wait as in wait for the phone to ring with news about our house.

Bankers and Realtors are busy, busy, busy and the needs of the OBER's are not on their priority list. If we were purchasing a half-million-dollar home, we would get lots of attention. Why, because their commissions would be a lot more. As it stands, we're a piddly commission for them so we get piddly treatment.

Thursday we called the Realtor. She said the inspection was complete on our property and the banker would call us Friday. The banker did not call Friday, so we called her today and got her answering machine, "I'm sorry but I'll be out of the office on Monday, March 6..............

We are both more O'BER than we were when we got up this morning.

Two's Company

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TWO PRAYERS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

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TEN PLUS ONE PLUS ?

I use saved plastic shopping bags for light weight packing material around my eBay packages. The other day I learned that Monica does the same. This morning on AOL home page there was a list of ten ideas for using plastic shopping bags. The list did not include the packing material one. Here is their list:


10 Smart New Uses for Plastic Bags

Knee Pads
Need to kneel in your garden to pull weeds Grab a couple of plastic bags and tie one around each knee, covering the entire area that will be exposed to dirt and grime.
Hand Protectors
Fact: There are some things you'd just as soon not touch with your bare hands. Use bags as gloves to handle what's messy then turn them inside out to trap the offending matter inside for easy disposal.
Paint Preservers
To keep brushes and rollers from drying out, place them in bags and tie them or wrap them with rubber bands to keep air out. The tools will stay moist and protected for a day or so.
Makeshift Rain Hats
Tuck a plastic bag into your pocket or purse. Then, if you're caught in a downpour, you can use it as a makeshift rain hat to protect your do.
Easy Kitchen Clean-Ups
For no-fuss cleanup, instead of peeling fruits and vegetables over a cutting board or into the sink, do it over a plastic bag.
Plastic Bags as Wrapping Paper
Find the prettiest and most colorful — or just ones without writing. Triple-bag the gift, then tie all three sets of handles into a knot. Cut the tops of the loops and fan the pieces out to make a plume.
Wet Umbrella Holders
To avoid dripping water all over your (or anyone else's) house on a rainy day, pop your wet umbrella into a bag as you cross the threshold.
Shoe Protectors
It will never be a fashion trend, but tying bags over your shoes can keep you from tracking mud into the house when you come in, or protect slippers from dirt, snow, or rain when you run out to fetch the paper from the front lawn. (Be careful when walking on smooth surfaces, as the plastic won't give you any traction.)
Cookbook Protectors
To keep the cookbook clean while attempting that "easy to follow" seven-layer-cake recipe, wrap a bag around everything but the page you're using.
Planter Fillers
Crumple bags to fill the bottom of a large pot that's too deep for your plant (but be sure not to cover the drainage hole, if it has one). You can cut down on the amount of potting soil needed, and since plastic packs less heft than dirt, you'll be able to move a big planter around with a bit less grunting.

My guess is there are even more and better ideas for putting those piles of saved bags to use. What do you do with them?

Friday, March 03, 2006

YOU ARE A STAR

A friend who emails me all the best jokes sent me a big file yesterday. It took a while to load because I don't have dial up but I knew, coming from her, it would be hysterical and worth the wait. It was definitely worth the wait. It was full of meaningful, thought provoking phrases and beautiful pictures, each that could be framed and placed on the wall. I continued to read, ready for the punchline. The "punchline" was:

"Good friends are like stars.
You don't always see them, but you know
they are always there.
Keep them close."

I am glad I read to the end. I, too, give thanks for the "stars" in my life.

Then There Were FOUR

Another matter of note regarding my chickens. Remember that I renamed the new chicks Larry, Moe and Curly because of their crazy antics? Well, it turns out Larry was an appropriate name for one because it looks like we now have a fourth rooster. Yep, little Larry has the early comb and waddle and is strutting his stuff. At some point I look for all hell to break loose in the hen house with four roosters trying to rule. For now Boss Hog is still the king of the roost. Tom-Twyla is the noisiest. Oreo is always the last out in the morning and I think it is because he's grooming himself. He always looks quite stylish when he makes an appearance. It will be fun to watch little Larry's personality emerge.

LOOK TO THE CHICKENS

If you are feeling a bit strange these days and somewhat discombobulated, simply look at birds and other animals and know what this wierd weather does. If it affects nature's other creatures, you know it has to affect us as well. First my one hen got broody and hatched three chicks in November. Now my Australorps and Rhode Island Reds are molting early. Egg production has risen as the weather has become spring-like.

We have seen Robins getting a drink at the stock tank very early this year. Our evening drives give us the opportunity to view newborn calves and lambs everywhere. In the early morning hours we can hear all the coyote babies yapping at their howling parents. Instead of continuing their flight south for the winter, the geese have stopped anyplace they can find water. (Which, by the way, is becoming very scarce around here.)

Yesterday we had to turn on the airconditioning in the house. This morning I had to turn on the heater. Rain is predicted for tomorrow. We are doubtful it will happen. Everyone we know is having allergic attacks. I have a terrible headache just from thinking about all this.