"my favorite things" or "random acts of kindness"

When we went to the SOTF White Buffalo camp out last fall, the girls had a gift exchange. And we did one of those dirty deals where we could steal from each other! The limit was set though, once a gift arrived at the third person, it could not be stolen away!!!

I chose and opened my gift...and there it was!!! This darling little sterling silver charm! A vintage travel trailer!! I knew by all the exclamations of "Oh!", "Ooh!!" and "How cute!!!" that it would immediately stolen away from me!!! And of course it was!! But one random act of kindness by a kind gal, restored it back to me!! She had her gift stolen from her and she chose to take mine (I don't want to hurt any one's feeling but it was marginal in desirability, as compared to the sterling travel trailer charm!)I was then able to steal, as the rightful owner, the little silver treasure. Being the third recipient, it could not be taken from me!!!

This may seem confusing to the innocent bystander..most likely one of those "you had to be there" moments!!! It was incredibly thoughtful and generous for this gal to allow me to steal back the gift. Perhaps she saw it as an opportunity to extend a random act of kindness ( and good-natured fun!!). She kind of smiled and winked at me and I realized the whole scenario had been well thought out on her part!!

I have a really good feeling in my heart about this little charm and all it represents!! I love you Sisters!!!! And Cheri, thanks again for the great campout and the charm!

"Burn Down the Trailer Park" click on the Grooveshark link

Golf..it's no day at the beach!

Let me start by saying my husband is not a Golf Pro! I know he looks like it, but he is really a doctor that likes to chase around a little white ball from time to time. A very humbling experience!!! I played years ago when the kids were young. There were a few of us, we were called the "Four O Clock Club." We got that name because we would gather at the pool, later in the afternoon, when there was a little shade and the babies had finished their napping.

When the kids went back to school and the pool was closed, we would gather at the Clubhouse for 9 holes of, what might be called, Golf!! We always had fun and one day I even hit a birdie, but never have since, so I quit!!!

Actually, I found out it was more fun to drive the golf cart for my husband and take pictures of his rear end!!! After a few beers, it got downright funny!!! It is such a beautiful golf course, what a great way to spend the afternoon. I want to start playing again but haven't even swung the club...too embarrassing!!! Maybe this will be the year to resurrect the "Four O Clock Club" and get busy!!!!!

Click on my grooveshark link...The Caddy Shack Theme Song!

Packing up for next year!

Yesterday I spotted the Sugar Creek Public Works department working on removing the city Christmas decorations. The weather has been so cold the past few weeks, no one has had the heart to work out in the cold. Most of the city maintenance crews were busy dealing with snowy streets and icy roads. Friday the temps rose above freezing. at least for a short time, and the workers were able to collect a few decorations to pack away for next year!

My husband and I have been in a stand off at our house about the decoration removal. My theory was... "he put them up, he should take them down". His point of view was similar, with a slight twist..."he put them up, I should take them down".

Well, patience usually wins .....I got out of bed this morning to the sound of bubble wrap and card board boxes! The tree was down and the mantel decorations were scattered to all four corners of the great room. But progress was underway, so I threw in the white towel of surrender and joined him. A few hours later, most was tucked back into the closet until next year. This time I remembered to position the Thanksgiving decorations to the front, for easy access in November.

The house looks so bare now....although I didn't initially want the Christmas decorations up this year, I have enjoyed them immensely, in fact for many weeks now!!!! I was scheduled to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, only one of three kids could make it home for Christmas and we left to go out of town on our snowy Perry adventure Christmas night. With that gloom lurking, it was difficult to justify decorating this year, so I bailed and hubby elected to do it alone. And I have to say..he did a nice job!

Bah Humbug! But thanks so much to my husband for being a really good sport and a great partner!!!

"For Mizzou Fans Only"

Strange things happen when seeing random posts on Facebook! I have found this to be true almost 98.9% of the time. These posting encourage me to do things that otherwise seem unthinkable!

And I am not referring to all those games that people play..mafia wars, farmville, and whatever the latest craze....I don't play, because I love Facebook just to stay caught up on what my "friends" are thinking and doing. The term "Social Networking" sticks in my throat and causes me to gag a bit, however, I suppose that is what we are doing.

So tonight...when I learned on Facebook about the book signing at Tims Pizza from 6pm to 8pm, I called my friend, MK! After all, it was her son, Jeff Barge, a local artist, that posted the invite to come meet author Bill Althaus. Tonight he would be autographing his new books,

"For Mizzou Fans Only" and "For Chiefs Fans Only"

Bill Althaus writes for the Independence Examiner, which has been in publication (according to Wikipedia) since 1898! In fact, Wikipedia noted that the Independence Examiner held the record for the oldest, verified, full time employee. Aubrey Stubbart, worked there until the age of 105!! Must be a wonderful company to work for!!!

This is where it gets a bit strange!! I am not a sports fan, AT ALL!!! I have only been to one Chiefs game since 1978 and my daughter was a Jay Hawk! (women's tennis)
The boys went to college back East. I don't even own any Chiefs apparel (I have a Jayhawks hoodie, but I didn't wear it tonight!)

However I am a HUGE FAN of any thing readable...I love to read and it really doesn't matter the content...I soak it up like a Sham-Wow! And I love to be out and about squeegying- up information!

Of course, I purchased both books and had them autographed to me! To ME, ME, ME!!! And I can't wait to get started reading!! I know I am going to learn so much about the rich history of both teams, it may change my outlook on sports altogether!! Not likely, but I am sure to have some "warm fuzzies" as I see it through Bill's eyes and thoughts. That is what good writing is all about!

And to the kind man standing next to me in line, talking about the extra warm, crowded room.....I truly did not know you were the editor of the Independence Examiner!! I just now saw your pic on the newspaper's blog and will admit I am deeply embarrassed that I gave you my card and invited you to my blog!! It is certainly a good thing I have a day job....I think I may have just blown any chance of ever "having my own column someday!!!" LOL Good thing there is blogspot.com!!!

However, if you want to read what I think is some of my best work, please go to
my blog archives and look at August 9, 2009, "A Roaring River Runs Through It".

Click on the Grooveshark link (to the right) for the Fight Song!

Red Neck Yacht Club

My doctor diagnosed me today.. I have a serious case of Cabin Fever complicated by a secondary infection of Spring Fever. The only known cure is a 12 pack of Bud Light and a trip to the tanning bed. ( that would be before I drank the Bud, of course!)

"Bass trackers, bayliners, and a party barge...anchored out and getting loud all summer long!" ( Craig Morgan)

I know you all thought I was a preppie, yachting girl but let the truth be known....these are a few close friends of ours! Can't wait for summer.....come on, summer!!!!

"he popped his first poptop at 10 AM, that's Bob..he our's president"

click on my grooveshark link Red Neck Yacht Club..a great song by Craig Morgan!

"The Stronge, Silent Type"

My blog is a measure of my mood and pysche during any given week. Daily blogging indicate happiness, good health and a well balanced work/personal life. Infrequent blogging occurs during weeks of duress, fatigue and general grumpiness! I am so regretful when I don't blog..like "carbs", blogging "completes me"!! LOL!!

I am particularly proud of this photo. I took it last summer with my little point and click Olympus camera. The horse was in a pasture over by Lake Perry....he was just so majestic I had to snap a picture...he didn't even look real. I was able to get out of the car and approach him.He remained calm and regal! He stood as still as a statue and every bit as beautiful!

The scene reminded me of a romance novel....the horse on which the handsome hero would gallop to rescue his beautiful bride, but from what? Oh yes, from the land of grasshoppers.

Grasshoppers? Wait where did that come from?

That day in July, there were a lot of grasshoppers everywhere! It was creepy!! They started jumping on my legs and even in my hair!!! I went running back to the car, where my own hero sat waiting to rescue me! "Yes, when I was a little girl I wanted a pony but now that I am all grown up, I want a Stud!"

I wish I could say that was an original line but I read it on a greeting card somewhere..maybe at the Farm and Home Store card department!

Remember Fabio? Doesn't this horse look a lot like him?! LOL!!!

January 1, 2010

Happy New Year everyone!! I was asleep by 10:00PM on the Eve and didn't greet the New Year until about 8:30 this morning! Now, that is, by my definition, a swell New Year's Eve party! I was doing my favorite thing at the stroke of midnight! SLEEPING!!!

Now this New Year's morning, I am sitting at my kitchen table, in the sunlight, planning my 2010! I am amazed!!! 2010....remember 2000? Everyone worried about, what was it?... oh yes, Y2K!!

Here is my list for all to see..I am putting it "out there" in an attempt that it will actually force me to follow through! At the end of the year, I will welcome any "I told you so" comments!

January: Reduce clutter around house! Give away approximately 45 coats and jackets as I received the ultimate coat as a Christmas gift..the "North Face Metropolis parka, in Bittersweet Brown Size Small" I plan to wear it forever and will not need any other winter coats except for the Patagonia Down jacket that my son and DIL gave me a two years ago. (Thanks kids, I love it!!)

February: Organize paperwork, file the past three years of receipts, boat/car/trailer titles etc that have been stacked on my desk for so long that they are musty and decaying! Also, attend Saddle Up, in Pigeon Forge,staying at the beautiful home of my friend Sharon, right in the Smokey Mountains!

March: Yard work! A must!!!..we have a retaining wall that is falling down and must be re-built and new landscaping before we can sell this place and build our lake cottage.
New grand baby (a boy) due on March 17th, so this month will involve a lot of shopping for blue items and cute little baby boy camo clothes!

April: Tax Time! A month filled with angst and regret as we fork over a boatload of money to the government to be wasted on programs that are inefficient and futile! High point of the month? A trip to Kodiak, Alaska to see our grandchildren! (and their mom and dad!) Also, the Kentucky Derby!! Box seats with my cuz, bro, husband and us wives! A great ( except for that tax thing!) busy month!!

May: Spring cleaning and a decision sell now or spring 2011, will dominate this month! My husband's birthday, which I will celebrate without him in Kauai ( sorry honey!) with 10 of my best girlfriends! And then Memorial Day weekend which is spent at Pere Marquette State Park, with my family, a little mini-reunion each year.

June: Serious work on summer fun, starting with a float trip with hubby and friend, Cheri and her clan. Possibly a visit from my youngest son as a bud of his is getting married....I think it is the first of his group to tie the knot!

July: Hot days, high electric bills and wilting flowers! Thanks goodness for swimming pools and lakes! Many birthdays this month..Chuck, MaryK, Nicki, my Mom, my Sis, our dog Peggy Sue ( she will be 15, I hope!)

August: More hot weather, lots of camping, kayaking and finally giving up on trying to keep the flowers on the porch alive. I am usually tired of summer by now and starting to dream of fall, my favorite season!

September: Time to get serious about house work again after playing all summer! Fall house cleaning, review of the budget to get ready for the end of the year crunch and my my baby's birthday! ( he will be 24years old!)And a camping trip or two!

October: My favorite month!!!! White-Buffalo River camping, buying pumpkins and straw bales to decorate, making soups and listening to the Canada geese fly over the Lake.

November: My fifty fifth birthday (but who is counting?)My life is surely half over by now, I better get busy and really enjoy it!! LOL

December: This is always a tough month for me...I love the meaning of Christmas but I struggle with the reality of decorating, gifts etc. I cry when I hear Christmas carols and I don't like for my family to buy me Christmas gifts...I always want them to save their money. I think it just goes back to my childhood and the way Christmas was celebrated at my house...their were some confusing inconsistency (psycho-babble!) I am always so joyful when Christmas is behind us and we are moving on!

Well, to those readers that made it through this long boring post, I thank you for your kindness and understanding! I love to write, some days seem more creative then other days. My writing is sincerely from my heart!

May you have a Happy and Satisfying New Year!!!