Something is just not right.....

Don't get me wrong... I'm not complaining.

It's just that.... it's... "off". Yes. Off is the word.

The weather, I mean. Who ever heard of a wet August in ARkansas? whoever heard of an August with below 95 degree temperatures? Again, I'll say- I'm not complaining! It's just that it kinda messes with my inner timing.

The whole biologic thing.

I have the oddest sensation that I need to go and change out my wardrobe because the season has already changed.

WEIRD.

Other facets of life

The great DAR pre-planning is almost complete. Yeah-hoo-ray! Having to learn as one goes always makes the first year a total drag; but, it's also fun and exciting to anticipate how it will unfold. Much the same as previous years of AWANA ministry- the energy put in before the program year even begins is nerve-wracking at best and mind taxing. Saturday's big meet 'n greet with the State Regent and other chapter Regents should answer a lot of my loose-end questions; and Mom's agreed to go and help me take notes! Good thing as it's her shoes I'm trying to fill and she hadn't really filled those shoes long enough to know how to fill them out.

I'm most excited about my "Hello, Dolly Dimples" reproduction campaign/contest whatever cuz I'll have to do some real creative artwork and won't feel like I'm piddling with my art supplies. Speaking of... I'm also to the half-way point in reorganizing (yes, again!) the studio. Some people (read that certain husbands that shall remain anonymous, but his name begins with a B*Y*R*O*N) think that I just like to move stuff around because I'm crazy!! I keep trying to explain that I move the resources around so that I can better utilize what I have!

And, on that happy note... I found this article (think K*I*S*S) on Haiku Productivity about streamlining in order to create less chaos! Pretty neat in an elegant poetic way, eh?

I'll quit rambling and maybe write shorter blog notes. Concise, brief and to the point. DANG. That sounds boring. But, I like to embellish! Whether it be with language, art or domestic vignettes. Shoot. I need more hours in the day.... or maybe just a steroid shot- I'm not competing in a sport after all! I'd just like to have more time to think pretty thoughts, lay them out and admire them. Oh, gosh. I'll never find zen in an cerebral way.... I have too many random ideas taking up too much of my mind to ever find any peace and harmony. If I can't even unclutter my brain, how on earth am I going to unclutter the workroom?

The Dogs Woke Me Up & I Can't Sleep....

so.... I'm surfing.

... and surfing.

.... and what thaheck is THIS???


Late night internet can be almost as informative as infomercials.

Printing on your toast.

Yeah. Just what the world needs.

I guess if I were more interested in food presentation this idea would be appealing. As it is.... from the graphics standpoint... well... hmmm..... the later it gets, the more appealing it is!

Wonder if I made the dogs some toast they'd settle down?

A hundred little things....

Kellie's post about 100 things- got me to realizing just how similar and different we are!!

I felt compelled to explain to her just why and how! But- it also got me to thinking in another list... a hundred things about the people I love! That link will be posted later... (it takes a while to type these things, ya know??) and I really should be addressing other more critical topics today!

Anyway.... my s'planation to the not-so-similar-or-otherwise to Kell's list!

2- I'm not married to Terry.
3 - Wrigley, Reddie, Sam, Max & Tom would be sad if I traded them for a sweet Dachshund.
4 - I'm an ART fanatic! Scrapbooks are just a teeny part of the big picture!
5 - I like Beth Moore's studies... I just never seem to finish 'em.
12 - I attended but didn't graduate... and should have stuck around and hung out with you!
16 - I have lived in Arkadelphia longer than in Texas.
22 - I appreciate calligraphy and collect it rather than practice it.
26 - I was married at age 20. Sheesh!
28 - I rode motorcycles- but, the p'rents didn't allow racing!
31 - I also have a large derriere but Terry doesn't love it.
41 - Sometimes I need band-aids after I've lashed out with my tongue.
42 - I tried to be a church librarian assistant. I think I misfiled the books.
44 - I am much more organized in my head than I am in actual life.
50 - When I travel, I would rather not come home! I'd be a gypsy if I could.
51 - I live closer to Doylene and haven't heard from her in months. I hope she's ok? Tell her I said "hey"!
55 - I have short hair because the longer it gets- the more stressed I get. When I'm really stressed I want to shave it all off.
66 - I'm not afraid of snakes and have pictures to prove it.
67 - I met a lifeguard once.
70 - I'm always wrong no matter what the issue... the fences around here all have holes in them anyway. So I wander from side to side.
76 - I adore a frosty mug but was ignorant enough that I didn't know they had 'em at Cracker Barrel.
77 - Only 2 cups? I need 2 gallons.
78 - I won a costume contest at Camp Fire Girl camp one year... my costume? I wore a Jaws mask that I made from paper and masking tape.
83 - I like to look for the ruled lines and then see how they far they'll bend.
84- I tripped over a jump rope once.
85 - Mornings begin at 11:59 AM.
86 - Only the monkeys and the trees scared me. My feelings soar when Judy sings!
90 - I've never met Ginger; but, I'm sure I'd love to get to retreat with the three of ya! Maybe next year.
92 - I don't want to hear ANYbody snore if I'm asleep....
93 - I've worn glasses since I was 2 years old and always will. Surgery didn't help.
95 - I massage my fingernails when bored or worried.
96 - I love Fall and Spring.. can never decide which is better. You can cuddle with Terry, I'll take Maggie (or Wrigley, Reddie, Sam, Max, Tom or Katrina.)
100. - No forests? Oh? How do you breathe there? I thought it was absolutely essential to have trees in order to breathe. Maybe that's why I get so short of breath in the dessert.

Oh, the crazy music ear worms!

Ear worms.
You know what I mean when I say that? Not actual WORMS, silly!

Little dittys that get stuck in your head and you just carry them around with you all day or even weeks?

I get them all the time. Sometimes they are ancient tunes, nursery rhymes and even jump-rope poems that run over and over in my mind and just won't leave! And, when I say ancient- I do mean ancient!!

Growing up Keyton was unique in that we listened to Victrola and Edison records and cylinders from the late 1800's to the mid 1900's that belonged to our great-grandparents. There were some really silly songs and then of course the classics and opera.

One of those silly songs that just got stuck today- was Alice.

Alice, where art thou going?
Upstairs to take a bath.
Alice with legs like toothpicks
And a neck like a giraffe.

Alice in the bathtub.
Alice pulled the plug.
Oh my goodness, oh my soul,
There goes Alice down the hole.

Naturally... I had to google it! Turns out... this may have been written about Pres. Teddy Roosevelt's daughter!
Written by: Gumble Heelan, 1906
MP3 sung by Billy Murray & the Columbia Quartet (while I did find other mp3's with credits to a Haydn quartet)

Strangely... the words I recall are to a playground ditty and not the actual words in the song!

oh brother where art though songs
download free music | download free mp3

Notice the strong resemblance of our dog, Wrigley, to Nipper (pictured above!)... maybe that's why we love him so much? Nah.... he's pretty wonderful all on his own!

Peach Season!

To get these... you have to go to the orchard!

Another day... another cat & some birds

These two designs are for some needlework that Mae has in mind... I just love the Adobe Illustrator program to draw them!

Name that Cat! CONTEST!

Okay, gulls & gals-

Name this cat!

I wanted to load it onto CafePress and see how it prints out- just needed a name! or clever saying.... "tish tosh" was just the first thing that came to mind and since I'm having a brain-drain this week, figured I could count on you guys!

Email me or leave as a comment.

Thanks!

Disclaimer: No cats were harmed in the production of this image. No humans either-- just in case you thought I'd ended up on the wrong end of some claws. Nor is this patterned from the attitude of any of my cats, if it's anyone's attitude I reckon it's closest to mine. Frazzled, frenzied and afraid of what's to come.

Berry delicious!

The other day- we were talking with Nancy and she challenged us to name 12 different types of berries.

I think it was 12- anyway it was hard for the four of us to actually name 12....

Today when I was perusing an 1916 children's book titled: "The Junior Instructor, Volume 2" (initially purchased to alter, but will have to just scan a lot of it as it's soooo cute!) I ran across the subject: "How to Give A Party" and there were suggested contests!!

So... here's a Berry Contest for you to figure out!! Answers below!

1. What berry is a favorite flavoring?
2. What berry is red when it's green?
3. What berry is much used for a fabric, much loved by ladies?
4. What berry was made famous by Mark Twain?
5. What berry is found on the grass?
6. What is the most irritating berry?
7. What berry is used in stables?
8. What is the berry always in evidence at a great winter festival?
9. What is the oldest of all berries?
10. What berry always comes with the king of birds?
11. What is the most melancholy berry?
12. What berry is an indentation on the coast?
13. What berry is often used in a favorite game?
14. What berry is a help in making things clean?
15. What berry is nearly always found with the arbutus?
16. What berry is a dunce?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

HERE BE SPOILERS!!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
1. Wintergreen berry (picture left).
2. Blackberry.
3. Mulberry
4. Huckleberry
5. Dewberry
6. Raspberry
7. Strawberry, haha- had to really concentrate on that one for a second!
8. Hollyberry
9. Elderberry, duh!
10. Cranberry- (No, I don't get it!)
11. Blueberry
12. Bayberry (groan)
13. Checkerberry (nope, never heard of it and it's apparently another name for the wintergreen or partridge or what I've heard them called- turkeyberrys. See the photo for number 1)
14. Soapberry (this was a new one to me! and they grow in TX??) That's the berry featured at the top of the page.
15. Squawberry. What's an arbutus anyway?? Oh. See link.
16. Gooseberry- you silly goose!!

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!

Happy Birthday, dearest Son!

YOU made it a happy day! and my dreams come true! Our miracle!

May you have a very blessed and peaceful 22nd year!

Just another complaint...

Aggravation and more aggravations.

I'll be so glad when this year is over. At the end of the calendar year, I can give ATT/WildBlue the boot. And, I will most willingly do so. I'd rather live without any internet service than have to put up with this any longer. Which I may very well do. 

Today- I got this warning from them:

Service Notice: Hurricane Dolly may affect your WildBlue connection

Dear WildBlue Subscriber,

Hurricane Dolly is moving towards the South Texas coastline and may make landfall soon.

Your WildBlue connection communicates with the Internet through our gateway in Laredo, inland from Brownsville where the hurricane is expected to hit first. This means that your WildBlue service may be affected, even if your local weather is mild. Even if your home or business is many miles away from the storm, you may experience a loss of service if the hurricane hits the Laredo area.

Usually, your WildBlue service is only minimally affected by inclement weather. However, a hurricane is a severe weather condition, which may result in a total loss of connectivity. If Hurricane Dolly does make it to the Laredo area, during this time there is a significant chance you will be unable to use your WildBlue connection during the storm. Once the hurricane has passed or the severity has dropped, your connection should be restored unless your WildBlue equipment has been damaged in the storm.

We hope that you remain safe through this storm, and we appreciate your business.

Thank you,
WildBlue Communications

I guess they don't even realize that if a shadow of a cloud passes anywhere between Dallas and St Louis that our service lags. Grrr...... guess I'll have to wait for it all to blow right over. Yeah. Looking for me online? You won't find me-- I'm twiddling my thumbs and grumbling.

BTW.... Laredo is 700 miles away. You would THINK that we could get service a little closer.

Ninety-nine

The Birthday Week!!

Our Grandmother, Mae, is turning 99 this week!!
This is she out for a little evening walk.

And, this is what a birthday girl does after that little walk!

These are some of the garden pretties she had to admire!!

Be an EGGhead like me!!

If'n you're already my friend... won't you be a pal and add* the Hatchlings App so I can find more eggs?

I wasn't gonna do this...
I wasn't gonna get so darned addicted to F/B and all the little apps... and here I am.
Addicted.

Well- at least it's not dope, right?
Oh. Wait... maybe it's related to meth? MethEGGphetamines? Nah. Couldn't be related.

But, I was going to wean off this... until I talked to Mshell this afternoon. DARN IT. I got her to not only open a F/B account but to add the app, too!! ARGH. Then... yes, we were talking on the phone and computing together (silly, I know!) and before I know what she's done- she's incubated nine of the eggs!

NINE!! Good grief! I never EVER keep more than five! The problem is- I agreed to help her feed all the critters while she's off line... which is the biggest part of the time since she's not gotten the internet hooked up since their last move and only is online when she goes to Hastings and hooks up on their Xanadu or whatever.

Oh, NO!! I can't have all those little critters starving because of me!! And, when they first hatch out you have to feed them FIVE eggs each just to get them filled up! Ohmi!!

Before I know it... I've collected over 100 in ONE DAY!! Ohmigosh! And, two Special Edition eggs and two elusive ones to boot! Good GRIEF!

I've been EGGwinked! Where, oh, WHERE can I get EGGstra eggs?? Please add hatclings if you haven't already.. and add Mshell to your friends (link off of me) so you can help me feed her dang-blasted eggs.

ROFL. I need to get a life. Oh, wait. I already HAVE A LIFE!! I need to LIVE IT! and walk the dawgs. Right after I get through feeding the Hatchling critters.

Cheezy grin... like my new eggcelent portrait!? Art students will be interested to know that I didn't use real egg tempra like the old masters on the frescos.. but, I thought of it!

Disclaimer: No eggs were harmed in the writing of this post. Yolk, yolk, yolk.




*If you haven't done so already?

Yankee Doodle Dandy!

A good day for a history lesson,dontcha think?

Everybody sing along...
ya know this tune, guys 'n gals!

Fath'r and I went down to camp,
Along with Cap'n Goodin',
And there we saw the men and boys
As thick as hasty puddin'.
Yankee Doodle keep it up,
Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step,
And with the girls be handy.
And there we saw a thousand men
As rich as Squire David,
And what they wasted every day,
I wish it could be saved.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
The 'lasses they eat it every day,
Would keep a house a winter;
They have so much, that I'll be bound,
They eat it when they've mind ter.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
And there I see a swamping gun
Large as a log of maple,
Upon a deuced little cart,
A load for father's cattle.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
And every time they shoot it off,
It takes a horn of powder,
and makes a noise like father's gun,
Only a nation louder.
Yankee Doodle , keep it up, etc.
I went as nigh to one myself
As 'Siah's inderpinning;
And father went as nigh again,
I thought the deuce was in him.
Yankee Doodle , keep it up, etc.
Cousin Simon grew so bold,
I thought he would have cocked it;
It scared me so I shrinked it off
And hung by father's pocket.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
And Cap'n Davis had a gun,
He kind of clapt his hand on't
And stuck a crooked stabbing iron
Upon the little end on't
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
And there I see a pumpkin shell
As big as mother's bason,
And every time they touched it off
They scampered like the nation.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
I see a little barrel too,
The heads were made of leather;
They knocked on it with little clubs
And called the folks together.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
And there was Cap'n Washington,
And gentle folks about him;
They say he's grown so 'tarnal proud
He will not ride without em'.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
He got him on his meeting clothes,
Upon a slapping stallion;
He sat the world along in rows,
In hundreds and in millions.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
The flaming ribbons in his hat,
They looked so tearing fine, ah,
I wanted dreadfully to get
To give to my Jemima.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
I see another snarl of men
A digging graves they told me,
So 'tarnal long, so 'tarnal deep,
They 'tended they should hold me.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
It scared me so, I hooked it off,
Nor stopped, as I remember,
Nor turned about till I got home,
Locked up in mother's chamber.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up, etc.
Gen. George P. Morris

Happiness is.....

That line is a family favorite!

"Happiness is...."

It's July. 

Summer in Arkansas. 

Hot, humid with a chance of weather.

And, what is my dh, "Mr B", most consumed with?

HOME HEATING!!

Yup. Fire blocks.

We're ready for the cold February winds to blow now!

Celebrate.... the 3rd of July! in prose!

‘Twas the Third Of July and all through the nation
The colonials were not having three day vacations
“Intolerable!” said Hancock, as loud as he pleased
“I don’t want to work when it’s ninety degrees!”
Jefferson nodded, designing a fan.
“It’s beautiful out, let’s make with a plan.
Why can’t we just go out and sit by the lake,
And drink some of that beer that our buddy Sam makes?”
“I agree!” said Ben Franklin, “Plus I have a date!
I don’t want to come in cause my math says that great
are the chances that tonight I’ll make lightning again!”
“Good thing I’ve arrived!” said George Washington.
“Come Bartlett, come Braxton, come Carrol, come Chase!
Come sign this Declaration or I’ll kick in your face!
For we’ve salt water tea and a whole lot of mince pie
(which will fall out of fashion as the years go by)
and we’ll head down to Williamsburg, you’ll love it like me!
It looks like the future, amazing, you’ll see!
We’ll take Whipple’s carriage and pick up Tom Paine
We’ll pump up the Mozart and recite Sturm und Drang!”
“That’s ever so modern!” said young Miss Betsy Ross.
“Can I come along? I won’t be a bit cross.”
“Why of course, Little Betsy,” said Franklin with glee,
“Tell you what, you come ride in the back seat with me.”
And so our Founding Fathers went on their vacation,
And they left an excuse that created a nation.
And they started a trend we now hail with this shirt,
Of saying “Hey, Boss, tomorrow I won’t be into work”.

~~~ Annonymous, but I found it on WOOT!

Lawd, have mercy!

Watch out...

your dinner plans might be rearranged!

This lady demonstrates that she may be on the menu rather than the crabs she intends to boil! For a granny- she's really quick on her toes! And, the German Shepherd is trying his best to help her corral the little buggars!

Dog Days of Summer... a whole 'nother perspective

I have two sick dogs.

A new one we captured a week ago and a very old one.

Wednesday evening Mr Wrigley (13) awoke from a nap and at first I feared a stroke. Turns out he has an inner ear infection and the whole world is spinning- we could tell that by the way his eyes darted everywhere. Our friendly veterinarian Dr W- diagnosed it over the phone that night and recommended Meclazine (thanks Mae for supplying it at 10 o'clock at night) and said he'd see us in the morning.

The same day he got sick, Lil' Miss Reddie had trouble adjusting to the new diet and required extra walks. To make matters worse, one of the medication for inner-ear is steroids (which makes him very thirsty) and we have to take twice as many walks. For an old crippled dog- this is getting more and more difficult. Have you ever tried to walk a drunk home on 2 legs? Try 4! It ain't so easy and at first we did a lot of donuts cuz everything in his perspective is turning towards the right. UGH. That first night was awful, to say the least. I have never had more bugs bites or less sleep, even when we camped all the time.

Socially, Miss Reddie has very much attached herself to Wrigs, though- and he rests better with her nearby and she enjoys the companionship. Right after we got the shots- Byron (drove into work late so he could help us) suggested we take him to my parents house as they have a really nice paved kennel in their garden. That worked pretty well; Mom, Dad, Sandy-dawg, Reddie and I all played nursemaid. I set up the hammock (that friend, Lynette, gave us last year), next to the pen and we all enjoyed the breeze. All things work together for good, eh?

Last night- both dogs slept comfortably and I slept like the dead! This morning- they are both laying in our front yard enjoying the cool. Tabby Tom loves to keep them company and frequently noses each one of them, just as if to say "I'm glad you're home in my garden".

Later this morning, I'll go and check on Mae (I rearranged her apartment this week) and make sure she's still satisfied. I'll probably have to drag the hammock home- so I can relax outside with the dogs and the bullfrogs in the salt-pot on my patio. But- Dad will have to drive over and check on us... He serves the best lemonade to his garden guests... and he spikes it, too! YUM!

The Greatest Show on Earth

and it wasn't a circus!!

Au contraire! It was a BLAST!!

The best part?? People showed up! Real, actual warm-blooded human people! Yippee!!

Of course... I'd begged several. I did feel like I'd imposed on some hot Summer afternoon plans (lemonade and surf, perhaps?) but made the deal sweeter with a table of goodies! So- begging is good, right? Right! Besides... you have to experience art sometimes!!

Oh. Yes. The pictures!! I knew you'd want to see them!! Thanks for asking!

The group photo is of most of our paper-making class. (R-L) front row: Cara Wilsey, Ed Martin (former HSU Art professor and paper guru) and Becky Kight. Back row: Sally Dixon, Laura Larsen, Morgan McMurray, Victoria Walsden and our instructor, David Stoddard.

2nd pic- MIL, Linda, me & friend, Diane.

3rd pic - my Mom, Cindy K and me examining one of my paper dresses.

4th pic - Mom & Me cheezing it up!

Lastly- my BFF, Kim, me and Joanie!

On With the Show!

Summer school and activities are a little bit (well, much more!) informal.

Yesterday the invitations went out.

Today is the Official Opening and Reception.

Today. Wednesday, June 25th. (Note to Mom- no, I was not responsible for getting out the invites this time!)

Since we'd not heard anything- I figured we'd be doing it on Friday. Oh, well. Today it is. Not enough time to get an appointment at the salon or get a much needed manicure. Like I would have done that anyway?

But, I forgot to even tell B about it! He was already asleep and dead to the world when I got the message last night. Oh, well.

I don't really expect it to be a big affair anyway- it's Summertime. In the great big scheme of things, this is probably to my advantage. It's not a big deal (to any but those of us in the class!).

So... on with the show.