Insomniac

You ever wake up at 3 a.m. and it feels like you've slept till 9 a.m.?
Then you lie in bed and think about every thing in the world that makes you anxious?
The things that seemed like "no big deal" are suddenly two headed dragons?
Then you remember that you had two cups of coffee right before bed..........duh?
Then you think, "I'm going to go to the bathroom and get a drink".
Then you realize what your drinking is Coke Zero which also has caffeine.
Then you get on the computer because all hopes of sleep have been crushed.
Then you start a blog post about your lack of sleep.
It starts like this, "You ever wake up at 3 a.m. and it feels like you've slept till 9 a.m.?

Yup, it's 3 a.m., I'm on the computer, and the above paragraph is based on a true story.

Since I'm tired........yet not sleepy, I thought I would show you a few pictures from this week.  Random things that are happening with the Smith's.

I have two frogs whom I believe are husband/wife living inside my hose reel.  Every night they plaster themselves to my window and work over my surplus country bugs.  I'm fond of the little amphibians, they can stay.

This is Gracie's lunch spot.  I prefer her perching herself up to the table instead of there, and I have told her so.  That may explain the look on her face.  BUSTED!!!!

Ian was voted to be "The Slugger" scoreboard keeper.  He did a mighty fine job I must say.  He also earned a free Dr. Pepper for his effort from the ump.  

Ryan pitched Monday night and pulled off another win.  The Sluggers ended their regular season that night.  Now we only have Show-Me games in Columbia at the end of the month..........and we are done!!

His S.W.A.T. finished this weekend in Columbia with the State Tournament.  

Well off to bed friends and family.  Gonna try to get a wink or two in before the sun pops up.  Have a great weekend.

Emergency!!!!!

This is the result of warmer temperatures and open windows.

Windows that are two stories high (might I add).

Emergency!!!!!

Emergency!!!!!

Emergency!!!!!

CALL A FIREMAN, 

DIAL 911,

THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!!!!!

Calm down Congo.  Mommy is right here.  I have the camera, so I will have photos for the blog. 

Don't move!

Smile and say cheese!

Ahhh..... I got a great shot!  OK, it's time to get you inside.  Unless you feel like posing some more.  

Congo: I'm afraid

Me: Not to worry, I didn't use a flash.  You're eyes will not be red.

Congo: I'm afraid of heights!

Me: That's fine, I will zoom in and it won't appear so high up.

(I may have an illness.  I'm certain that I do.  It's rare and often incurable.  It's called NERD-ness!  My husband, children and pets will attest.  Not to worry, I've lived with it my entire life and I'm ok with it.)

Pond Critters

Last Fall we noticed that our cat-tails were disappearing.  Strangely enough, a tidy den of cat-tail reeds was being built beside where they once stood.  Upon further inspection, we concluded that it was a muskrat den.

Muskrats are nasty vamits.

Muskrats are large rats with tails.

We have noticed them swimming in the pond this week.  From a distance, of course.  

Please note that I said "them".

There are two rodents!  To protect the privacy of those accused, I will call them "Chip and Dale".  However,  I bet that Chip is really "Chip-ette".

Sooooo, I had the bright idea to sneak down to the pond (camera in hand) to snap a few pictures. 

Since T-bone is my protector, I asked if he would tag along.

 

Me: "T-bone, I'm going to the pond.  It may be dangerous.  I need a protector.  Will you go?

Me: "Plllleeeassseee T-bone, will you go?  I would feel much better having you there with me.  Muskrats have large teeth, and wild claws.  I'm certain this is going to be a dangerous journey. 

 

 Me: "T-Bone, you are not a very good protector"!

Congo said he didn't want to go either.  Someday I will have a pet that will be a loyal and fearless companion.  

 

So I begin my short trek to the pond.  I noticed that I am surprisingly stealthy.

I am very close now.  This photo shows some of the very few cat-tails that remain near our pond.  

I begin seeing evidence of our little rodent.

More evidence.........

Then, out of the nowhere, Chip appears.

He emerges out of the water, but soon discovers his stalker.

Then as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared.  I saturated my backside while sitting quietly on the bank, hoping that he would return.  However my patience is short.  After 20 minutes I decided to do a walk-around.

No Chip.......... no Dale!

No T-Bone............. no Congo!

THE END

p.s.

This is a muskrat home.  This isn't Chip (ette) or Dale's Home.  I found this in Wikipedia.  

Random Thoughts....

Remember the memory trick of tying a string around your finger?  

I thought this might be a little easier (and a little cuter).

It has done nothing for my memory however!  

As a matter of fact, I have no idea where I was going with this story!!!!

Go figure!

As I've told you before, I have a small fetish over gnomes, trolls, elves, and such.

My Aunt P. feeds my fetish.  Therefore, they are multiplying at an alarming rate.  

The big guy might be my secret boyfriend.  (I will deny it if you tell Rick, just saying.)

 My lazy cat.

The lazy cat who can think of nothing better to do than stalk me!

It's starting to creep me out!

Isn't he pretty though?  He's too pretty to be annoyed with, so I shall photograph him.

Then, my daughter, painted this work of art.

She brought it home in her zebra striped backpack (with a matching zebra striped hairbrush and umbrella).

I'm thinking this must somehow end up in a frame and hung on my wall.  

I promise my next post will have more substance.  My creativity comes in waves, my dear friends.  Often times,  waves carry in a little seaweed (or yucky salad as Gracie used to say).

I LOVE...............

Today, I love................

These monkeys (who are as onery as they are cute)

100%'s on spelling tests (without studying for them)

Cool "Happy Meal" Toys from McDonald's (and my ADULT friend's who are willing to eat "Happy Meals" so you can have them)

My dog (who has no idea that he is as cute as a bug's ear)

My cat (who doesn't give a flip if he's not supposed to be on the table)

and Hazel the Housecleaner, a.k.a. Lisa (who doesn't want her photo taken)

(note the heels, pearls, up-do)

Praying for Haiti

My heart has been so heavy this week for Haiti. Golly, how do you wrap you mind around 100,000+ dead? I don't know about you, but I cannot!

It's so easy to forget about since it didn't happen on American soil. However, let's not forget that we are fellow sojourners. Temporary residents of this crazy, crazy world. Brought together because we have a wonderful and merciful God. We are all God's people (whether or not they recognize their heritage).

Whatever your faith friends, please remember these people. Give how you can. Whether in financial support, mission or prayer.

My husband and son had arranged a trip to Haiti in July. A team was assembled from our church and Rick was going to provide medical mission for the people. The town is called Montrouis. It is a coastal city. Very, VERY poor.

Below is a letter from American friends who live in Montrouis.

Dear Friends:
Here is an update....you will not believe the devastation in Port au Prince...but as previously
reported, we are fine and remain strong in The Lord. .keep praying for the people. We had
another aftershock at 1:15AM this morning. Pray that God will kill this thing and no more
quakes of any kind...buildings continue to crumble in Port au Prince due to poor building
methods...But we thank our God that this building rocked and rolled but no damage. The
Boss Mason, Lexes John Pierre ate with us this morning and we all celebrated with him how
strong he and his men built this building that has kept us safe.

We now know some houses have crumbled here in Montrouis...we will be working with the
church Pastors to bring relief not only here but in Port au Prince...but it is our policy so you
will know, we go through the Pastors and their churches to meet needs.

You can help by sending ANY AMOUNT of money to House Of Bread...P.O. Box 733,
Chillicothe,Mo...64601...mark your check "Haiti Earthquake".

At this time all telephone communications are out of service. Pray our e mail stays with us.
We just bought new Digicel Phones and now learned the Digicel main office in Port has been
flattened...gone...we have our Haitel nbr which may work latr...you can try if you want...it is
011-509-3-567-0361....but the best right now is e mail.

Some of our staff including Pastor Rigaud have left for Port au Prince to try and check on and
find their family members...pray for them and their safety.

One thing we know and that is diesel fuel may become very scarce. we need it to pump water
and keep our batteries charged..pray we can find it when we need it.

Power is off in Port and we understand the International Airport is closed...but apparently some
military aircraft from the U.S. and other countries are using the facility...U.S. Coast Guard Cutters
have begun to arrive by sea.

Gayle and another nurse have gone out to see what people need around us. We are providing good
water thanks to many of our partners. It turned a little cloudy yesterday when we were pumping
for the people and this morning also...but it has now cleared up.

We learnd of a miracle and how God protects his people...Harrington Rigaud, Pastor Andrea's
brother lives in Port au Prince. This apartment house he lives in is now rubble...but guess what
he was'nt in the building...Praise God....Love In Christ...Jim and Gayle...Haiti

It's hard to write about my new UGG's after that. So I'm going to say much. Just that I wanted a pair of these since Rick and I's trip to New York two years ago.

Congo wants a pair also.

REALLY wants a pair!!!!!

He's liking mine a little too much for my comfort.

Ughh, what are you doing, Congo?

He would have crawled inside the boots if he would have fit.

I have (ahem) largish feet for a woman. I'm excited that I was able to go down a size. Opps, that was also a confession to my TRUE size, huh? Hey, I'm a tall girl.