The Flow of Life

Well, I got my "Threes" in! Let me explain....you know how it is said that things "come in threes"? Well, today my third event occurred..I dropped off Sheryl #777 at the airport. I helped her carry her bags to the door and said goodbye with a hug. Walking back to my illegally parked vehicle at the curb side, to see another car driven by an elderly man, backing into my truck!

I yelled "Stop, STOP" and even pounded on his car, but he just kept backing. Crunch, there went my license plate and the holder just tore away from the bumper. He got out of his car and limped back, looked at me. ( my mouth was open in disbelief) He reached out and handed me the broken plate and what used to be a part of my truck bumper. He said, "I was just trying to get out of the way." I am not certain what he was trying to get out of the way from...but I looked at my bumper and it appeared as minimal damage..so I decided to give the old fella a break.

I took the plate, shook his hand and said " don't worry about it". As he pulled away, I jotted his license plate on a tablet, just in case...then I drove over to Dick Smith Ford where they fixed me right up....when I went to pay, they said "No Charge". I felt like I had been released from all the crazy things that have happened in the past week and that my "set of threes" was resolved. Life could continue as sweet and uncomplicated as always before!!!

Crazy things that happened last week? Well, I almost got my trailer stuck in a car wash (moronic) and I had a blow out on my truck tire, while I was towing my trailer home, on the highway at 60mph ( scary!) So getting hit by this senior didn't surprise me in the least!! I am thankful that all my incidences ended with the only injury being my hurt pride!!!

Click on my link to Grooveshark.."Flow River Flow" The Ballad of Easy Rider

A No-Make Up Day!

This is what happens when girls go camping! They forget to put their makeup on!! And that is wrong on so many levels!!
Number One...my make up contains sun screen, when I forget to apply it, I come back with sunburned cheeks, lips etc!
Number Two...I look extremely plain and dreary without make-up, luckily it seems to scare away most wild life, of all types, and keeps snakes and bugs at a minimum.
Number Three...it leaves my husband wondering when I am coming home..after seeing my "un-made up" pics, he is probably in no particular hurry to get me back home again!!!
Number Four..not wearing make up is bad for the economy..it may leave many Avon dealers and CVS stores without adequate sales!

THERE!! I rest my case! I will try harder in the future to be a better prepared, made-up camper!!! Stay tuned for more info!!

Bloggin' away!

Hey! Got to go because we are going out to dinner down here at WB ( White Buffalo!)
Love that we have Wireless just about everywhere we go, even camping WOW!! They are all lining up now and waiting on me so I'd better go! Will blog more later!!!

Run River Run

Another weekend of River watching and camping! It is so beautiful down here in Arkansas. John and Elaine run a very nice fishing and camping business. Originally from California, they re-located and opened this resort a few years back.

Advertised as "Where the Rivers meet" White Buffalo Resort is a favorite annual meeting spot of many. I pity the "Regulars" that get stuck here when this lively group of women converge on the campground!! Some of our ladies come from faraway places....California, Arizona and Maryland. Many of us are from closer states..Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. We have a few local Arkansas ladies that now the area and the River. "Local Knowledge" is important in fishing and boating!!

Last year when we were here it rained and stormed, but the weather has been super this year! It is one of those weekends that you wish could last forever. The peacefulness of "watching the river run"

Dock Dogs at Blue Springs Fall Fun Fest

Doc and I saw an incredible competition of dogs at the Blue Springs Fall Fun Fest today. It was amazing to see these dogs participating enthusiastically with their owners. The dogs performed willingly and in fact, eagerly.

We were invited to attend by a member of Sisters On The Fly. She had driven from Springfield, Missouri. There were others that had traveled from even furthur away. Nicki and her dog Gypsy, are new to this sport, but Gypsy performed like a champ!!! There are a number of events that these dogs compete in....from flying jumps off the dock into the water, swimming sprints to the end of the pool to retrieve a "decoy" and vertical jumps of up to eight feet!!!

A majority of the dogs are Labrador Retrievers, but even little lap dogs can participate. There was a very cute Jack Russell that gave the Big Dogs a run for their money!

Yes, the day went "to the Dogs" !!!

The Water is Wide

I remember this song from my 9th grade choir at school...then I blinked my eyes and heard my son, David and his musical group at the US Coast Guard Academy performing it a concert. That blink involved thirty six years.

I realize I have been moaning a lot lately on my blog about how time flys... but it does..and really fast!!!!

Take for example today....the time really flew while I caught up on housework that I had let slid the past few weeks. My husband got home about 1:00PM and remarked how exhausted I looked. Tactful of him, wasn't it? But I am not here to bash on my husband..... he tries really hard, and it can't be easy. I am sure!!!!

Well, next week, starting on Wed, I am getting a big break!!! Heading down to the White River in Arkansas with a bunch of fun woman to do some camping, trout fishing and resting up!!!

The Water is Wide..click on my Grooveshark link to hear this beautiful song!

Shout, Shout let it all out, these are the things I can do without!

"Come on, I am talking to you!!"

Can you hear it? Oh my goodness, this song expresses some of my thinking lately!

Oh my goodness, it did my heart good to hear this song!! Wow, I feel better already! Someone else feels like me!!! And they were able to put it to music...incredible talent, the lyrics, the music, a God given gift! To be able to express ones self through music and to share it with us, those who are not so talented! Incredible!!!

It takes so many of us to make a world, so many different talents, skills, gifts. What am I giving back to the world? What is your gift to the universe? What are we teaching our children? What legacy will we leave behind?

Can we still make it great? Can our country, our world survive? It must!!! So many have given so much!! Ask the P.O.W.! Ask the parent of a fallen soldier! Ask a teacher, a nurse, a fireman. How about that police officer that gave his life in the line of duty? So many dedicated to the success of our country..thanks to all of you. I am grateful for your service to us!!!

Click on my grooveshark link Shout, Shout let it all out....

Piney Point

Most of you know that I am a devout thrift store shopper! Many of my clothes are thrift store, (except of course my North Face!) and I am always on the lookout for a great find! Recently, I bought a $3.99 Coldwater Creek black jacket, looks like it has never been worn and an LL Bean flannel robe for my husband ,$0.99, also brand new, tags still on it!!

But this tacky small treasure is my best find yet!! Yes, this little, miniature life preserver captured my attention. It was just $0.50, but my smile was priceless!!

Wht!??

Piney Point ( pronounced "Pine-E") is the name my husband and I had chosen for our new house to be! We always name boats, children, animals and yes, even houses!!! It is a tradition in our family. In fact, even my vintage trailer is named...
" The Double J"

The house we now live in is "Snug Harbour", yes, spelled the British way.

My first sailboat, a Butterfly, was the "DaisyDee" Beautiful, brand new, with blue striped sails and a white hull.

Kevin's green aluminium fishing boat was "Spank's Tank"

Ashley's first boat was "Duck Soup". It was a cute little ivory and red fishing boat, very tippy!

Our ski boat was "Scurfs Up"

And the list goes on!!! We have already named the little sailboat we bought for our grand baby. Grandpa bought it when she was four months old!! I think it will be a little while before she will be able to sail...a brand new "Optimist Dinghy" is hanging on the wall of our garage, just waiting for the baby to grow into it!!! The name of her boat.."Tadpole"

Back to my thrift store find...I thought it was an amazing coincidence. It seemed that it was just sitting there calling my name..what a funny thing!!!

Piney Point was chosen as the house name by my husband..he remembers camping as a child on a Lake in southern Illinois..they nicknamed the spot Piney Point. He spent many summers there with his family.

We plan to use lots of Pine wood in the interior (trim, floors and cabinets)and also use lots of pines as our landscape design. So the name is a perfect fit!!! Can't believe I found a little trinket!

Click on "Tall Tall Trees" !!

Who let the dogs out?

Ashley came over and brought her two German Shepherds, so they could swim in the Lake. This is a picture of Polly splashing Ashley. Look at the smile on Polly's face!! Isn't it crazy that dogs can smile?! They had a really good time having a dip. Wet dogs smell very bad though....I had just given Betty Jane ( our Chocolate Lab) a shower, so you can imagine the odor level in our house!

Then my husband threw some steamers in to cook, increasing the stink factor even more!!!

I hope it is a nice day tomorrow, so I can air this place out!!!!

Who let the dogs out? Click on my Grooveshark link turn on your speakers!

Oh Well!!!

I am really tired tonight and can't think of anything profound to say!

No, that is not true! I have had my earth rocked this week with all kinds of messages and feelings, some hormonal and some just downright real!! That is what happens when you are a Hospice Nurse...an incredible, wonderful vocation! I actually had a patient tell me tonight "God loves you so much, because you are taking care of people" I was just taken aback that he felt so strongly about my service to him, but I believe because I love God so much,I am able to perform this work. What a blessing that is!

I have never been so privileged, as I am at this time in my life to have a job that puts me so in contact with emotion...emotion such as love, fear, grief,anger, denial.....

Wow, I have learned so much about myself and others. Learned about true love and commitment, fear and worry! Everyday is a new challenge and a new lesson, for which I am greatful. I actually think the spelling is grateful.....but somehow the first spelling which was totally by accident, really, probably describes me more accurately.

Everyone have a GREAT weekend and a GREAT life!!!

PS:Get this..My husband brought home Marley and Me.... the movie. Pardon me, but I have had enough sadness for a week, possibly enough even for a lifetime!!

Click to the right on Amazing Grace..beautiful!

Our New House!

Well, we have finally agreed on a house...for about the 100th time!!! This is choice # 101 and I think we finally hit on one that we both love. I love vintage, so I feel like this house has that look. Doc loves nautical and in his opinion, this house feels like a lighthouse residence.

Now, if this economy would start moving along...we will put our house on the market and start building. We had so hoped to start this spring, 2010 but it looks like it will be postponed!

Not to worry...I am very happy with our current living situation. It is comfortable and close to the Lake, so we are able to enjoy all the water activities we love!!!! Good things come to those who wait and wait and wait!!!!

That is actually good...it will give us time to review all 100 plans and maybe even find one we like better!!!

Click on "Our House" and turn on your speakers!!!

Hot Hot Hot!

I stopped at the Salvation Army Store tonight...Ever since Mary Kathryn shared her Hot Crackers recipe,I never pass up an opportunity to buy a large glass jar with a nice fitting lid. If you want to make these, you will need a large glass jar (plastic doesn't work out). This recipe will sound a bit strange but after you try it, you will be sold! It is such a fun thing to take to a party or a campout. And the crackers will stay nice for several days..you would think they would get soggy but they don't.

"Hot Crackers" or you can name them anything you like...we call them MaryK's crackers because I don't make mine too hot ( so Hot crackers would be inaccurate and misleading! LOL)...you can adjust the cayenne pepper to whatever degree of "hot" that you like!

You will need:

One box of saltines ( all four packages)
...buy good ones, not off brand, it will make a difference. I like the Keebler or Nabisco

1 and 1/2 cups Cannola Oil ( I have a little trouble with this much oil, so often I use just a cup and 1/4 or one cup and 1/8 and it seems to work out ok, no guarantee though!)

1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix ( the foil package type)

1-2 tsp of cayenne pepper ( crushed red pepper)

Mix the seasonings into the oil, in a little bowl. Really stir it up, working up from the bottom

Put all four packs of crackers into the glass jar (like a big pickle type jar, about a gallon size)

Here is where you must be brave!! Pour the oil, with the seasonings already mixed in, over the crackers, put the lid on the jar and start rolling the jar back and forth, gently. You may need to turn it upside down occasionally, gently. Roll for about 20 minutes until all the crackers are coated. This is where it gets fun at a cookout!! Sitting at the picnic table, everyone can roll for a while!

When it looks like all the crackers are coated open it up and sample. Yum!! They are very good. Try them!!!

Click over on the right for Buster Poindexter's "Hot Hot Hot"

Multi-tasking!

Oh my goodness! Technology is wonderful! I* finally have an I* phone and I* think I* love it! I* am not certain yet, because I* haven't learned exactly how to use it. As a matter of fact, I* haven't even learned inexactly how to use it! LOL!!! But I* am trying!!!

The first thing I* noticed is ..I* have really fat fingers!! I* am a terrible typist and that little screen presents plenty of challenge even for the most skilled!!!

The second thing..the minute you hold it to your ear, the screen disappears, which totally un-nerved me....if you hold it level you can see the screen again, that seems too elusive for me. Being a hip-type, modern woman, I* am trying to adapt. It is hard to be cool though when you are constantly disconnecting phone conversations.

Ah...practice makes perfect!!! I* understand how to check my e mails, but not how to browse the net. ( a recent article posted on Yahoo warned to never say "cruise the net" Apparently that phrase is outdated and not cool. Also never say PDA, it is now a "smart phone", who knew?!)

And speaking of "smart"....my husband chose the hot pink case for me...obviously he still thinks of me in "feminine, pink terms"!!! Thank goodness!!!!

I* have set aside this weekend to learn how to use the I* tunes function..it will probably take at least a 48 hour tutorial and practice session, based on my current learning curve!!!

Ah...( again) Technology!!! Ain't it great!!!??? I* grew up with a "party line". Does anyone re-call those!!!???? The I* Phone is a giant step forward for an "HO-24724" child. Also stated as Howard-24724. Remember those phone numbers?

And when we lived at the Lake, we only had to dial the last four numbers to call anyone of the small community...it was a tiny phone district and everything was 578- prefix..therefore, you just picked up the phone and dialed 4452 or 5678 or whatever four numbers, and someone would say hello on the other end. That is, if they held the can with the string tight enough!!!

**** Note the Multiple I*(s)...was the name for the phone chosen based on how much of I* is involved? I wonder?

Click on my music link.."Just called to say...."

Allied Saints...a super local band!

Allied Saints(the band) played at the Perry Yacht Club party Saturday night...they were just SO GOOD!! Everything they played sounded outstanding and the enthusiam was incredible.

They have a web site www.alliedsaintskc.com It was fun reading their bios and how they came to play with the group. I am really looking forward to hearing them play again soon. For you "out of towners", it would definitely be worth a trip to the Kansas City area to hear them play!! The motto on their business card? "Rock n' Blues is Here To Stay"

Of course, I totally agree!!!

Let's just plan a Rock n' Blues weekend!!!! I am thinking.... RC's Back Door, Martin City on November 14th! 8PM to 12 AM...I will find us a designated driver...let's go rockout!!! ( since it will be getting too chilly to campout!)( Sheryl #777...can you fly in? LOL.....please!!!)

The High Point of my Day!

Just to let you know what sort of day I had......well, seeing this sign was my highpoint!!! ( we won't talk about my low point) I was driving by and it just jumped out at me!! I was at a stop light, so I was able to lean out and snap.

What a great looking old vintage sign..about as Plain Jane as you can get!!! It really screamed 1950's to me. It was a very gray, rainy day and the idea of Blue-Vue appealed.

So here I am, in the back seat of our car, son and hubby in the front, driving out to Lake Perry. I am surrounded by stuff...clothes, computers, picnic basket, bags of charcoal...you know, all the necessities for a weekend at the Lake.

I drank a Coke AND ATE HALF A BAG OF CHEESE PUFFS, totally blowing my weight loss program, not to mention my healthy eating goals. My mood is stil pretty funky, can't wait to either
a)get to the campground for cocktail hour or
b)see another vintage looking sign.

No kidding, either would do!

Click over to the right for "Suds in the Bucket"

"Blurred"

I chose "Blurred" as my title tonight for a couple reasons.

First....the obvious..my fantastic pic of this lovely creature is BLURRED!!! Darn!! All because I am still using a little point and shoot instead of taking the plunge and purchasing the 35mm digital with a proper zoom!!!! Frustrating and Stupid!!

Second..... my vision is blurred a bit tonight...a result of extreme fatigue (end of the work week, ya know) and that second glass of wine tonight, which will give me the fortitude to "Carry On" That sounds a bit dramatic, but I am trying to tie in my whole Crosby, Stills Nash and Young theme!

Third...... time just flys by, doesn't it!!?? I heard "Wooden Ships" at the Mall yesterday, when shopping with my son....it is such a haunting piece, I couldn't wait to get home and research it..I hadn't heard the song in a very long time. When I read the description of it and saw that it had been written in 1968, I was taken aback!! It couldn't possibly be that long ago!! 41 years !!!! Impossible!! Could it be that the years have flown?
I grew up listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Then, in 1992 or 1993, I heard them at Starlight (I think it was just CSN)..they were absolutely unbelievable. That same summer, I heard the Allman Brothers at Starlight. It was a trip down memory lane, even in 1992!

So I guess, in summary, I will just say....life is blurry...things are happening so fast!!! We must enjoy and be grateful for every second, every minute, because this is the real thing! We are not going to get a second chance, at least not here on Earth.

I am going out there and enjoy the blurr!! Even on the last work day of the week, before a holiday weekend!! Rock ON!!!

Click on the Wooden Ships link!! Turn on your speakers!! Loud!!!