My Get Around To It Project

Okay, stop laughing! A friend has taken up knitting and doing a really nice job at it. Several years back I decided to teach myself to knit..yeah, well that didn't work out too well. I have needles of all sizes! I have books for idiots! I just have NO patience! In the years past I have given away/thrown away the yarn, but over the weekend I found this yarn and I sorta liked the color scheme but I love the soft feel of it! So the needles and books haven't come out of the closet yet but they will soon, I hope. Knitting seems like a winter hobby...however, I'm thinking it will take till winter for me to just figure out the first stitch! I keep asking myself 'how hard can it be'? Because I know people that can knit and some of them I know were born without a creative gene..but they can knit! But for some reason my mind will not wrap around the concept of making knots with two needles!! My patient mother attempted to teach me to crochet...so I did complete one project, it was a baby blanket for my first born. Thank goodness babies don't care if they're blankets are rectangular or pyramid shaped! As long as you only saw it folded up it looked good..just don't lay it out flat! I can cross stitch with the best of the pros...it's just something with string that boggles my little brain. So don't be checking the blog just to see this finished project real soon.....but I will try to keep you posted....like when I finally get the needed needles out of the closet!

Healthy, Healthy....

I decided a while aback to start an herb garden...I love herbs to cook with (when I cook, which isn't often) but just the smell of them is so relaxing! So after looking around I decided to start the plants from seeds. Dollar General has packets of flowers and veggies 3 for $1!! Yeah! I'm not out much if I kill them! So I started looking...but couldn't find any herb seeds, finally one wonderful cashier told me to look at a particular store...why this store in particular??? Well, she said because of where they are located they don't sell as many seeds as the other stores who are in more rural areas...so between two other stores I did acquire seeds...but at one store I found the wonderful package deal of seeds, soil and planting pot!!! They only had one of each variety left so I bought them both!! I can't wait to smell the lavendar!!!! So here is my current project...I do have more pots and I forgot to include my individual packets of seeds in the pic. But I think you can get the idea.

Also, after watching the price of eggs going higher and higher and thinking about what is injected into the chickens and their food to make them lay more eggs I decided it's time to go just a little bit organic! So I went on a search of finding people who sell fresh eggs and can actually tell me what their chickens are eating! I found several people and their eggs ranged from $1.25 per dozen all the way to $2.25 per dozen!! What is with these people wanting $2.25??? I discovered they were the ones feeding their chickens supplimented chemicals!!! So I have decided to use 2 suppliers! One will be offering fresh veggies this summer!! Oh I can't wait!!! So we went over to Garfield (which is a really nice drive) to pick up our first 3 dozen eggs!!! And in the picture you see a dozen and 1/2 of these beauties!!! I don't use a lot of eggs...but I plan on sharing with a few friends and family! For supper the other night I fixed omelets, oh they were soooo good!!! yep, I can flip an omelet, sometimes I amaze myself!

CL Latest Find...and so Much Help!

If you know me, you know my fondness for Craigslist! Between Craigslist and a couple of Yahoo Groups I may never buy retail again! and I may never have a yard sale to get rid of stuff I no longer I want!!

Above is my BIG weekend find on Craigslist! Ignore the crinkles in the rug..I hadn't straightened it out yet. So this CL find replaces my previous CL find! I love my other rug but with the new Broyhill coffee table (yes, CL) you can't see the design in the middle, so it looks a little funky. Also, Bailey (our beloved bassett) constantly sheds! and on dark red/burgandy carpet her white hairs show up and there is no possible way to vac. enough! So although this carpet is also red...it is more 'busy' and the hairs don't show up as much. This rug is also larger than our previous one, which I didn't think I wanted. Infact, when I saw it on CL and saw the measurements I 'assumed' it was the same size as the rug I had...well, needless to say I can't measure! But I love the size of this rug!!! I've decided that if you have pets, you should have rugs everywhere!!! Last week I put two rugs down in my kitchen. I got these for FREE off a freecycle group! The woman was moving and didn't need them any more! So the huge one (which is the same size as my new lr rug) went under the table and the smaller (which is the same size as my previous lr rug) went under our portable island in the middle of our kitchen. They look so good!!! and all I have to do is take my rechargable vac. and go over them and I'm done....and not such a huge area to swiffer and scrub!!! Plus there is still enough room to put my rug near the sink! Gee, after living here 2 years it might finally be coming together!

Of course I had 'help' in getting the rug put down and situated....too much help! and then they were just plain tuckered out!

Bailey and Buster 'resting' after all their hard work on helping me pull the carpet! Sadie was on the couch 'supervising'!

My Newest Find!!!

Aren't they great??? I absolutely love these lamps!!! Now I just have to find the right lamp shade for them. With no soccer tournament this weekend hubby and I went off on our own. We hit a few yard sales and antique shops. These lamps were my Big Find! I saw them as we drove up and commented on them. I got one of those 'are you kidding' looks from hubby! I didn't see a price so I inquired as to their price..."FREE" yes, "FREE"!!!! Take them to the car quick before they change their mind!!! You can't tell it from the picture but the narrow brown area is wood and then the top and bottom is like a pleated pattern in shades of egg shell and brown! They are going in our bedroom! Now I'm starting to rethink the color we'd planned on painting our bedroom! But I think I can still pain it the same green shade and pull the lamps in by getting shades with a touch of green in them! I don't care if they match or not...those lamps are in my bedroom!

Don't forget to clean the oven

For the past several years my ovens have been self cleaning..just turn a dial or push a button and wala..it's clean! So the property managers decided they want to 'inspect the property' and sign a new lease...suddenly I look around and see all the dirt! Yesturday was 'clean the kitchen' day. My drip pans are so clean you can eat off them! Same thing goes for the counter tops and the sink..just fill it with water and drink out of it! Then I remembered the OVEN..oh darn! I had a roast planned for that night so I needed the oven. This was a great excuse to say 'oven is tomorrow's project'!! I 'knew' I had bought oven cleaner right after moving in here 2 years ago. So while taking a break I decide that I can at least read the can and see what I have to do to clean this thing..the can is not where I 'knew' it was! So I headed out to the store, I had to pick up some chips anyway. I prefer to go to the small IGA instead of going to WM or Neighborhood Market (also WM). I look everywhere for the darn oven clean..it's no where! So I go ahead to the check out and ask, he sends another person on a search and she finds it up front..why is up front?? Shouldn't it be with the cleaning supplies?? So she says 'we have it in the can or the spray' I reply back 'give me one of each.' So off I go with my spray and my can of oven cleaner. I get home and read the can...Hurray I can spray it on a cold oven and leave it over night and then wake up and wipe the junk away!! Now I've got a plan...Then my husband comes home...and immediately announces that the property manager called and informed him there is no need for an inspection! All we have to do is sign the new lease and return it to them. Now this is a blessing because I really didn't want to make my bed just for this guy who since he assumed this position last year is a pain in the tail end!!! (Really, I don't need a phone call each month reminding me to pay my rent! IF we'd ever been late it might be a nice touch, but since we haven't it's just an annoyance!) Anyway, I then asked my husband if he'd like to eat out of the drip pans! And NO I didn't clean the oven...but I guess I do need to before I forget..again. Oh another thing...don't forget to clean the top inside the microwave!!! Next time...the microwave will be on the side walk (in front of someone else's home, I don't want the person taking it off the sidewalk to know it came from my place) and I will be out purchasing a new one!!!

Please don't go Anoop

It's a sad night in our household...our boy Anoop was sent home tonight on American Idol. Now we all knew he has no chance to win this thing and he's not even my favorite. But Anoop held a special place in my heart. He could be the twin to my son Nathan's best friend Sri! Nathan met Sri in Georgia we lived in the same neighborhood for a while till they moved to a house with a pool in a subdivision near us. Sri and Nathan were unseparable, they didn't attend the same school...Nathan went to public school, Sri went to Deerfield Windsor Prep. Don't let the name fool you....these kids weren't any smarter than the kids who came out of Westover High! Nathan chose to stay in Albany and go to Darton College and Sri headed out to Statesboro to Georgia Southern....well, things don't go as planned and Sri is now in India where his parents are from and entering medical school there. Poor boy didn't want to be a Dr., he wanted to study engineering. Sri is like a 4th son to us so seeing this young man on American Idol was like seeing our son Sri each week...... Hopefully we'll get to see him this summer...but he's thinking about spending his 'holiday' in Europe...gee, why would anyone want to spend a couple of months in Europe when they could come to good ol' Rogers, AR??? Guess some people are just weird! Ummm...wonder if he could come here first? and if I could then fit in his suitcase???

I hate house cleaning

Cleaning house has got to be my least favorite thing...well, it's pretty much even with cooking! I remember a neighbor we had in Maryland, she cleaned houses for a living. YUK! But this woman really liked to clean house, not just her own, others homes too. She tried to explain to me about what a sense of accomplishment she has when she sees something go from dirty or dull to clean and shiny. My thought process tells me that if I clean it, I'll just have to clean it again very soon! Today I hit the hall floors, tile may look nice but it can be a real pain to clean at times. Then I hit the kitchen floor..where does all this dirt come from that I sweep up? I had gotten two really nice rugs off a freecycle group several weeks ago to use in my kitchen. They match but are two different sizes. I thought I might need to shampoo them but they just needed a good vaccuming. So the big one went under the table and the smaller one under the island in the middle of the kitchen. I really like how they look and I think it will be easier to keep clean, I'll just have to go over them with my smaller vac and will be done! Quick cleaning, that's what it's all about! So tomorrow I tackle the junk that has fallen behind the living room chairs and the kitchen counter tops and appliances...Oh I just can't wait. And we'll finish the week off by shampooing the carpet in the living room...oh can you feel the excitement? NOT!

SUV's Will Survive

Okay, I'm sorry, it's been several days...but life happens and I got busy and lazy! So once again a weekend was spent at the soccer fields. This was a small tournament so not a lot of teams were there. Infact, I think it's the smallest tournament I've ever watched or been a part of. Terrential downpours overtook the tournament on Saturday afternoon. Games were delayed and shortened but not cancelled..the games must go on!! And the only reason they were stopped was because the lightening detect or went off, no lightening was seen but the machine felt that the atmosphere was favorable. As I looked around the parking lot of this tournament I witnessed the impact of the SUV's in the world of soccer parents! When we traveled with our kids with traveling teams the thing was to have a mini van...and yes we still have ours! Now it's the SUV world...soccer parents do not care about the price of gas, they MUST have an SUV. Large or Small SUV it dosen't matter....it just has to fit that classification! Now if I were to open up a auto dealership, I think I'd open one especially designed to sell only SUV's and I'd place my sales lot right next to the town soccer fields! Maybe have a few mini vans for those new soccer parents..then a special trade in for when they are ready to go for that SUV! I can only imagine the 'soccer' specials I could run to get these things moved off my lot! I guarantee you if you see a 'regular' car in the parking lot it belongs to a game official, tournament director, grandparent/or other relative who feels obligated to come watch Jr. play or a brand new soccer family! So the SUV is in no danger of becoming extinct as long as there are parents with kids who play soccer and play and the traveling teams!

Watching the obituaries...

One of the first things I do in the morning is go online and look at the online edition of the Baxter Bulletin...the hometown newspaper of Mtn. Home. The obits. are the first thing I read...Now today there were 8 obituaries listed...Out of these 8// 1 person was 72 years old, 1 person was in their late 80's, and the rest were in their 90's or over 100 years of age!!! What does that say about MH?? Do people that live there live longer? Is over 90% of the population over 80? My youngest son has a theory that when he visits MH the 'old people energy' sucks the life out of the younger people! That's how they live so long...so I told him that it's his fault of all these obits today...he hasn't visited for several months!!! If he had, they'd all still be alive because they'd have sucked his energy from him...he agreed! We have told this theory to others living in MH and surprisingly they aren't insulted they agree with his theory!!! But then as I looked at these obits. I thought about the life stories that each of these people had to share....The lives that each of them led, the adventures they had, the loves, the heartaches they experienced...what a legacy that together they had! What lessons they could teach us all...

When you're feeling down...hug your dog

There's just one word for the past couple of days 'Crappy'! At times it has just plain felt like if at that moment it was the last moment on earth...I would have said 'fine, whatever'. But when I'm feeling down I can count on my Sadie to be there, she'll lay her head on my lap or just sit beside me and bring my hand over to her with her paw...what a sweetie. We adopted Sadie a year ago last month and I have to say she has truly been a Blessing! She has a heart that knows no boundaries...she shows nothing but love and makes it known when you need it most. We got her from a woman who was divorcing her husband. The husband didn't want to take her with him and she couldn't take her to her small apt. she was moving to. We got her right after our Biscuit passed away because Buster was acting depressed...I wasn't so sure about her when I first saw her, she wasn't what I expected...Oh How Wrong I Was! She is such a patient sweetheart. She's always right with me and she's as dedicated to me as I am to her. She's got her quirks...she freightens at any noise and reacts by barking and she's afraid of storms and she hates to have her picture taken, if she sees the camera aiming at her she runs and hides. And she absolutely HATES to have her hair cut!!! All you have to do is lift a scissors and she's gone! Which is getting to the stage of deperation because she really needs the wads cut off her luxurious coat!!! But we all have our quirks...and hers just makes her unique! Mama loves you Sadie...

Happy Easter

What a better way to say Happy Easter than with a picture of these Easter Buns!!! Gee, I miss the days of coloring eggs at midnight! I never thought I'd say that. And then the fun part of cleaning it all up before the boys caught on and then their daddy going out and hiding the eggs. We learned early on that the real eggs never left the inside of the house...ever smelled a rotten egg after the lawn mower ran over it? Well, take it from me, it's not pleasant! My daddy always walked with me along the flower gardens at the house and pointed out places on the flowers where the Easter Bunny had licked the petals..this is how the Easter Bunny got the color for the eggs. What a smart Bunny he is! He'd also tell me he was watching for him with his shot gun loaded so we could have the Bunny for Easter Dinner....He'd always do that when my mother was around so she'd have to deal with my tears! Gosh I miss my Daddy!

I LOVE My Birthright Family

Any day is great day when I receive an e-mail from one of my Birthright family but today I received one that really can make a difference! Carolyn e-mailed me 'chain' mail from a nun here in Arkansas. It's calling for EVERY ONE between noon and 3:00 tomorrow (Good Friday)to say the rosary for the benefit of ending abortion! Now I don't need an excuse to get out one of my rosaries..but how cool to think that all over the world there will be so many people weaving these precious beads through their fingers and the one thought on their mind will be the possibility of saving the lives of our precious future. I sometimes wonder how many presidents have been killed...could one of those souls be the person to bring hope and promise to us? How many Dr.s have been killed...could the person who will cure cancer have already been denied his/her life? So many things to ponder about who and what these babies could have accomplished...but had no voice. Oh I miss my Birthright family and the women who walked through those doors....So even if you're not Catholic just take a few minutes to pray for the end to abortion...He hears ALL!

What Do You Get? Razorback Stadium + Soccer=??

What do you get if you add the wonderful stadium our beloved Hogs play in PLUS Soccer????

You get WORLD CUP SOCCER!!!!! We were jumping up and down in our house early this morning when it was announced that our stadium is under consideration as being a host stadium for WORLD CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT games!!!!!! I swear if they get the bid I can go to the games and then die a happy person!!!! Oh my gosh being at a Word Cup game may bring on a heartattack for both me and my hubby! We were fortunate to see our National Team several times when we lived in Maryland. We could go to games in Washington and in Hershey PA and oh my gosh the atmosphere is so much fun!!! We did get to see them play in a World Cup qualifier in D.C. and it was amazing!!! The party starts before the game and carries on even after the game....It starts and ends in the parking lot!!! We have met so many amazing people at these games!!! Please World Cup Committee...DON'T bust my happiness bubble....come to NWA!!!!!

Hogs RULE

SOOOIE PIGS!!! WE'RE RANKED #1!!!!!!!!

(BASEBALL FOR ALL YOU DUMMIES)

He's Learning Life Lessons & They're Making Him Tired

Sometimes it's hard watching your 'children' learn hard life lessons because as a parent we want to protect and defend. Now I know this is a minor lesson and no hurt is really involved just tiredness. The youngest works the night shift at his employment. He got home at 6:30 this morning and the next two nights were to be his nights off. Thankfully he came home and took a nap (he hardly ever does this) and then after eating supper he went in and slept a couple of hours. Suddenly his cell phone rings and it's his boss needing him to come in tonight. The guy covering tonight has called in..supposedly his girlfriend is having their baby tonight...supposedly the Dr. is inducing labor. Now a couple of weeks ago this same situation took place but he claims now it was a false alarm. So he's been called in again on his night off. The thing that gets him is they don't even try to find someone to come in besides him. He was trying to find every excuse he could NOT to go in...and yes, I want to help him. Because he's my baby boy and it's just not right! But he needs to be mature and suck it up...hard to explain to a 20 year old 'boy'. If he only knew this will be the least of his work worries...especially now with everyone looking for work there's many that would like to have his problems. Now I think I'll go and be pissed off with my son....

Why are soccer fields 20degrees colder than anywhere else

Tournament action has started in the life of a soccer family. I have to admit the life has changed quite abit now that we have no children playing in the tournaments and we don't have weekend travel games...it's really nice! But I do have to admit at times I miss the rat race of the life style, sometimes. But when the weekends are like the past weekend, I don't miss it at all! Saturday was sorta warm, but the wind was horrendous! I parked the car near two fields so I could watch 2 games and I hypernated out of the wind in the car for the most part of the game. Sunday however was freezing cold and the temp. dropped on a regular basis throughout the day. So Sunday I joined the refs in their tent which thankfully had a kerosene heater!! Oh and they had lots of chocolate in their tent!!! Who can ask for more on a falling temp. day...kerosene heater and chocolate!!! Oh I would have like to have some hot chocolate or Starbucks!!! Sometimes we just can't be pleased! At least 3 more tickets within 2 months..yeah! And the best thing is they are all local so no big travel for them. I do miss the friends at the tournaments in Georgia, it was like an extended family. At these tournaments we don't know anyone since we've been gone for so many years. On a positive side it's a chance to meet new people and make new friends..I hope. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we get to go see some MLS games this season!!! And hopefully will get to see our WUSA teams play!!! Yeah!!! Womens soccer is back!!!! Go Ladies!!! However, our fav. team Freedom has the ultimate goalie Brianna back with them..we've watched her since the beginning...sorry girl, I think you might need to seriously think of retirement. It pains me to see you in the condition you're in right now...it may be too late to go out on a high note..but you're always #1 in our house!!!

To Thrift or Not To Thrift...

Now I absolutely love garage sales! and I love thrift stores. But I tend to find too many items I 'need' when I go to them. I mean seriously who can pass up a good deal? Well, it seems that my husband can! Or at least that's what he wants me to believe. I will admit that I am the biggest pack rat there is. I think it's genetic, the US government gives all this money to different studies that are a waste of time and money...I really think looking into the genetic link of 'collecting' and then holding onto the items would be a relevant study! So I have stayed away from these wonderful heavenly paradises for several weeks maybe even a month or two. But I have hit just a couple over in Fayetteville when I've had something to do over in Fayetteville so I'd take Lance to campus and then go on my way until it was time to get him. I've been really good at these two particular thrift stores...I bought a set of rugs that we did need, I promise we really, really did! And I've spent less than $20 in the 4 trips that I've made to them. But recently I went on a search for a coffee mug tree to use for a dog collar project with on e of my volunteer endeavors. A very nice person answered my plea with an e-mail saying she had just seen one at a local thrift store!!! Oh, I heard that voice, "You know you shouldn't go because you won't just buy the mug tree!" But come on a deal is a deal and I really wanted a mug tree. So I conned Lance into going with me...well I found the ultimate mug tree and a couple of pieces of clothing, Easter cards (which I knew I'd forget to buy at the store), a special gift for some friends in GA, a pair of earrings to match a summer dress that I bought last year (yes, at a thrift store) and a class with a Confederate theme for my hubby and 2 pizza cutters which we desperately need because somehow we've lost ours (don't ask)...ummm...I think that was all at that one. We left with our goodies in hand...and proceeded to another favorite thrift store...and oh my goodness books were 1/2 price!!1 Imagine .25 for a book!!!! Do I hear the Angels singing??? Yes, I think I do!!! So Lance and I hit those books...he got 6 books for just $1.50!!! And one is a complete set of books!!! These things sell for over $8 a piece!!! Now I did find a couple pieces of clothing again. Plus we came out with some odds and ends...now that I think of it I bought something there for a friend..and I haven't unpacked it yet..ummm gotta find that item! An even $10 for all this loot!!! So I think if I just get a 'thrift store fix' now and again I'll be fine...but go cold turkey NO WAY! I will continue to 'bargain' shop at my favorite places and hit those yard sales..when I have $5 in my pocket...do you relize how much I can come out with for $5???? Come with me and I'll show you the way......

Trying to decide where & what defines 'Home'

It has never mattered where we lived, when asked where 'home' was we'd always say Mtn. Home, AR. That's where hubby and I both grew up. I was only a year old when my family moved there so that's the only place I called home. It wasn't so much the town that I was calling 'home' it was one certain house, one certain piece of property. When my grandma, grandpa, aunt, mother and I moved there my grandpa built the family home. My grandma wasn't in good health and she needed to get away from the stress and pollution in IL. My family had taken vacations to MH and loved it.. my daddy (grandpa) loved to fish! MH was their Heaven on Earth! If you did deep enough in the walls of the home that sits on the property there's probably teeth marks somewhere from my teething...blood from an ouchie or who knows what reminders I left! Although my mom and I never lived in the house ourselves as we had a home next door...this house was my 'home'. After daddy died he left the house to my aunt...she lived with daddy and grandma and took care of them till the day they were called to God's Home. My aunt Dorothy loved her home and it was her wish that my mother live in it after she went Home to be with God and join grandma and daddy. It's over 2 acres and besides the family home, my mother has her home on it and there's the trailer that we lived in and later mom and Dorothy turned into an antique shop. They fondly nicknamed it simply 'serendipity'. In a perfect world my hubby would transfer to the MH division of his work and we'd move into mom's home and help her take care of the property. In the real world, we have 3 sons, working and in school and for the majority they pay all their own personal bills but live at home with us...so rent and utilities are taken care of by us. And in the real world right now they are not making enough money to take care of these bills themselves...they have college expenses that's keeping us all broke! It breaks my heart to see my mom worry about keeping up the property. It seems that it's become a $$ pit! She had to have a new roof put on, then the ice storm hit and tree trimmers had to be called, and there's so much yard that has to be taken care of and leaves to be raked. The cost to have some one take care of it is beyond what any of us can afford on top of everything else. It's too the point that mom just waits for something else to happen and cost even more....and I don't think she realizes how much I worry not only about the home but about her. She has her own health problems to deal with. So the point has come that we can't see a time in the near future that we will have the opportunity to move there so the time may be coming to start preparing to sell. I know this is hard on my mom..but I trully think this will hit me harder than any one. This is my 'home'. My thought process has gone to..if she sells the home and property, would I ever want to then move back to MH? I never thought I'd look at it in this format...I guess in my heart when I thought of a time when we'd retire it was just natural we'll return 'home' but I realize that was because I had a 'home' to return to. If the house and property are sold..there's really nothing to return to. I didn't realize I felt this way until I was taking one of my sons to classes at U of A yesturday and was talking about the situation with him..I'm not really sure I was talking to him..I think I was just talking and putting things in perspective. My mom always said if she thought something was bothering me and I needed to talk she's suggest we go for ice cream or something...she knew if she got me in the car I'd spill the beans! I think I'm still doing it! No wonder hubby tunes me out most of the time..I'm really just yammering in my own world. I want my mom to live the rest of her life without worry..I want her to be happy and I want her and I to enjoy this time together and do things together...with the house looming over both our head and my hubbys too...can we do this? I don't know. I guess it's time that I took a 'big girl pill' and grew up some...Life adventures aren't always fun..and I still have no idea what I'll learn from this one. I may have to find a new 'home'. Thankgoodness I'm typing this on a computer and the screen dosen't stain with tears.