Doggie Duds

T-bone is a good sport.

He's patient with 9 year old girls who love to play dress-up.

He sucks up every ounce of his integrity.

He is such a good dog.

R & R

I've taken a little hiatis to do this...........................

a little R & R........................................................

a little fun with the fam.........................................

 

.... and now, I'm drowing in laundry!  I'm sitting on metal bleachers again!  Back to reality!  

Youth Turkey Season

Ryan and the hubs went out in the woods on the first morning of turkey youth season.  

This is what they came home with......

A 22 pounder! 

As far as dead turkeys go, it was a beauty!  

I was proud of my men.

Proud that they do this together.

Proud that they WANT to do this together.

Taking photographs of their plunder is a little tradition.  

You know, so our future generations do not doubt the manliness of their heritage.

In 40 years we will have robots shoot our game for us.  So, this is proof that we did it the old fashioned way.  

You know, with scopes, high powered shotguns, replica turkeys, etc..  Roughin' it, of course!

Good job Rhino!

Good job Dad!

Good job Mr. Dead Turkey!

Ian's Confirmation

Last Sunday, Ian joined our church.  After 13 weeks of classes, a weekend confirmation trip and several after church lunches...... he was confirmed.  

I am proud of him, I am proud of his peers.  I have watched them all grow up.  They went to pre-school together, shared recesses and sporting events.  Rick and I have taught them in Sunday School and I have sat with them in youth groups and mission trips.  It's hard to not be proud, right?

This is our youth pastor, Kendra.  She teasingly calls the 7th grade boys, puppies.  If you have ever been around 7th grade boys, you will probably understand her reasoning.  This picture is a prime example!!!

Congratulations Ian Michael!  Congratulations Brett Matthew (on the left), Lane Christopher (in the green and blue) and Kyle Hadley Marion (in the white)!

My Ian Michael,

I love you because............

I can count on you to do what I ask.  You are very responsible.

You are strong as an ox.

You love dogs.

You are bashful.  Really, really bashful!

Your laugh is infectious!  It's impossible to not laugh along with you.

Once you start laughing, it's really hard for you to stop.

You do not pick up snakes, lizards, baby mice or spiders.  As a matter of fact, the further you are from them, the better.  

You are smart as a whip!!!  You read at LEAST one novel a week.  

You thank Dad or I for something at least once every day.  You almost never forget to thank us!  That does not go un-noticed sweetheart.  I cannot tell you how much that means to me.

You tower over all your classmates (and your mother).

You not only LOOK like your Dad, your mannerisms mirror him also.  It is sometimes frightening how much of a clone you are to him.

I love you and I'm so, so proud of you.

The above photos were taken at Ian's very first track meet.  He placed 2nd over all in 7th grade boys shot.  Congrats EEE!

RIP Cocoa..... (finally)

Last Winter Gracie's bunny Cocoa, went to heaven.  She tried to ecsape the less than well-built pen that I made, and......... well........... she didn't escape.  Luckily, big brother was the one to make the discovery and we were able to tell Gracie in a "gentle" way.  That doesn't mean she didn't take it pretty hard.  She still keeps Cocoa's water bowl on her bedroom dresser.  She still talks about Cocoa.  

I am thankful that we still have Cookie the bunny.  However, I must confess..... I've now dread the death of Cook every since.  

This, my friends, will be the last bunny on Rocky Ridge Farm for the following reasons.

#1. My daughter loves having bunnies, but doesn't really like feeding them.

#2. I'm the mean mommy who makes her feed them.

#3. Bunnies do not have long lives.

#4. My little Miss Em. doesn't deal well with sad things (see #3).

#5. I do not deal well when Miss Em. is sad.

So..... this is our little story.....

Cocoa died during one of the coldest periods of Winter 2011.  The ground was froze.  It was BITTER cold.  

We could not bury Cocoa.  

So, I put him/her (We will never truly know the sex of either bunny because 

#1. we are bunny idiots and 

#2. even if the bunnies were boys, Gracie would still insist they are girls.  

Boys were NOT AN OPTION!!) in a large rubber tub.

So, last weekend was especially nice outside.   Gracie gently reminds her mother (that would be me) that we STILL HAVE NOT BURIED COCOA!  

Lord have mercy!

Gracie wanted Cookie to be present at the service.  We locked up the dogs, placed a collar around Cookie's neck and tied her leash to a nearby post.  

So, I dug a hole and buried the bunny.  I need not tell you that this bunny had went to bunny heaven at least THREE MONTHS ago.  It wasn't pretty!  Blah, I'm gagging as I write this.

Cookie was unmoved by the whole situation.  She thought that this seemed like a perfect opportunity to grab some fresh greens.  But nonetheless, she was there, and that is what mattered.

 After Cocoa was placed in the ground, Gracie and I decided that we would say a few words.  I told the story about how Cocoa came to live with us.  It would have been a nice story, except I kept calling Cocoa, Cookie.  Gracie was getting irritated and I felt terrible that I couldn't get my brain to recall the right name.  The more I tried to remember Cocoa's name, the more I failed.  It was not my finest moment.  By the time I was done speaking, I couldn't remember my own name.  

I did redeem myself by letting Gracie pick out a memorial stone to place on the grave.  

Guilt usually produces deep pockets.

I've already begun preparing Gracie for when Cookie leaves us.  As I mentioned above, bunnies do not live long.  Cookie is in bunny years, a very old lady.  

This is somewhat off the subject, but....... isn't Cookie attractive for an old lady?  I must say that she has pickled well!

My Ryan Christopher

I love you because.........

You only like vanilla ice cream.

You can pitch from the stretch or the wind-up.

You are kind to everyone, even when it isn't popular.

You make omelets and Mexican bean dip.

You randomly hug me.

You drive me home from baseball practice.

You fill my tank at the gas station so I don't have to get out.

You were my first.

Memorizing tv commercials and movie lines is your hidden talent.

You and I listen to the same music.

You will pick up ANY creature.  Including mice, snakes, spiders, and lizards!  (You even picked up a snapping turtle once.  Momma didn't love that!)

You are good at anything that involves a ball.

You haven't had anything lower than an A- on your grade card in years!

You will always be my Rhino the Dino!  You will always be my baby (Even if you don't want me to shout that from the bleachers of your sporting events.)

Ridin' Dirty

My morning has barely begun and I've already had difficulties with a red-headed monkey, a pair of baseball pants, and a crazy pot of coffee.  I ask for your forgiveness in advance if my temper seems a little flared.  It's not you, I promise!!!

It's nasty outside today.  It's grey........ and cold....... and raining....... and I'm ticked about it!  Is a little sunshine and warm gentle breezes too much to ask for?  Bleh!  Pooey!  Bah Hum-bug! Then a deep sigh!  I want spring!  I feel betrayed by mother nature, as she gave me a taste of it, then took it away.

I better get to some pictures before I say something that I cannot take back!

The highlight to Gus' very "interesting" life is getting to go "buh-bye".  If anyone looks in his general directions and says "buh-bye", then you better prepare to pay up.  Because he will wag his non-existant tail, give you a low growl and RUN for the garage door.

Buh-bye is the utter purpose for his existance.  His reason for breathin'!  

He stares out the windows and watches the world as we pass by.

He gets scratches behind his ears while his momma drives.  Then gets treats when we go through the drive-thru.  

When the weather is nice, (which it ISN'T today), he gets to ride gangsta style out the window.  Which means to you non-gangsta's, he puts one paw out the window, nods his head to the beat of the radio, and looks at all the passerbys.  

Gus is one cool pooch!!!!!!!

My Emma Grace

I love you because..........

You can get dirty and dolled up all in the same day.

You love animals as much as I do.

I get AT LEAST one hug from you a day.  Usually it's three or four though.

You sleep in my bed when daddy is on call.  I'm sure that you will do this till you leave for college.

You would do just about anything for a pair of high-heeled shoes.

You draw me pictures.

We do girl stuff together, like shopping, getting pedicures, and watching Disney princess movies.

It annoys you when I sing, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".

It also annoys you when Grandpa Bob sings "You Are My Sunshine".

You have wanted a horse since you were able to tell us so.

You want to be a song writer for Taylor Swift when you grow up.

Your best friends are Magy, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Charlotte, and her immediate family, of course.

You want to be a fruit-a-tarian (instead of vegetarian).

You will talk to anyone.

Pecan Pie Bars

Because I love you, I will share a delish recipe with you!

You won't want to make this if you are....

#1. On a diet (I'm guessing it has 1,234,958 calories per serving)

#2. Have not one ounce of will-power

#3. or..... you do not like pecan pie.  (it's very similar in taste)

Pecan Pie Bars

Crust:

3 cups flour

1/4 C plus 2 tbsp. sugar

3/4 C. softened butter or margarine

3/4 tsp. salt

Filling:

4 eggs, slightly beaten

1 1/2 C. sugar

1 1/2 C. Corn Syrup

3 tbsp. melted butter or margarine

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 C. chopped pecans

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 15 1/2 X 10 inch pan.

Beat four, sugar, butter or margarine and salt into a large bowl.

Press into greased pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Mix all of the filling ingredients except pecans until well blended.  Stir in pecans.

Pour over baked layer & spread evenly.  Bake for 25 minutes or until filling is set.

Let cool and cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.  This is a super duper sweet dessert.  So, less is probably best.

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.)

Spring Blossoms

Ryan walked outside this morning and said, "It sounds like turkey season".  

When I asked him if he heard the turkey gobbling, he said, "No, I hear the birds chirping".

 Just when I thought that I would never happen, spring has come.  The trees are budding and the bulbs are poking up through the ground. 

The thermometer on my SUV said 70 degrees at 10:00 this morning.  Ahhh!  As I'm writing this, a spring storm is blowing in.  The sky has darkened and the wind has picked up.  I better scoot out of my computer chair and shut my windows.  

Ta Ta for now.

Sweet Kisses From Cookie

We spoiled Cookie yesterday.

We held her (although whether she is a she is still questionable?  You would think after a year, we would know.  Doesn't matter, even if she was a he, Gracie would still call him a her.  Whew, you may have to read that a couple times to get it!)

Gracie's best friend, Magy, gave "the carrot eater" some love also.

Cookie, 

You are sweet!

Ummm, and by the way, sorry about the trampoline.  I didn't know about it until afterwards.  The girls promised me that they didn't jump while you were on there.  They also assured me that they brought a few stuffed animals to join you (so you wouldn't be scared)!  

I also apologize for the dog collar and leash, and whatever else they may have done to you that I do not know about.

Love,

Gracie's mom

I Admit............

I will admit.................

#1. Every day I sign Gracie's "Weekly Calendar".  It's a way for Mrs. Bonderer (Gracie's teacher) to communicate with her student's parents.  She usually draws a happy face each day.  On this day, though, she wrote a little note.  

I will admit that I pretty much knew that!!!!

#2. These geese were the latest critters to visit our pond.  I'm beginning to feel like I'm running a Holiday Inn.  

I will admit that they were enjoying their stay until I started creeping forward with my camera.  I will also admit that I do not feel guilty for disturbing them because I got a nice photo of them.

#3. I've been noticing more and more robins in the past few weeks.

Robins mean Spring.  

Spring means I am not so grumpy. 

 When I'm less grumpy, the husband and children are pleasant.  

Pleasant husband and children mean I cook more desserts.  

More desserts mean more trips to Wal-mart.

Wal-mart makes me grumpy again.

I'm grumpy until I see the robin on the Wal-mart shopping cart.

Robins mean Spring.

Spring means I am not so grumpy.

Get the idea?

I will admit that I am at Wal-mart FAR too much! 

I'm Not Lucky, I'm Blessed

Because I believe in "blessings" and not "luck".

I thought Phillipians 4:19 would sum up the day.......

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

This is a 4-leaf clover that Ryan found with his Uncle Mike 7 years ago.  I have it in a frame look at it every day.

May the road

 rise to meet you,

May the wind

 be at your back,

May the sun 

shine warm upon your face,

May the rains 

fall softly upon your fields.

Irish blessing

...... and may you catch your leprechaun!!!