Fun Monday ~~ 01-31-11

Ari's final assignment as Fun Monday Hostess for the month of January is this: Your first novel is published to wide acclaim. What's the title of your novel and what is it about?

The title: The Grand Canyon
The premise: My book is about how the Grand Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, started as a little crack. Life is like that. If we don't take time to notice the cracks, we end up with canyons. That is not ALWAYS a bad thing. The Grand Canyon is a beautiful natural wonder and I am glad the crack became what we know it as. This book is just a cautionary tale to look at the crack and make a conscious decision if it needs to be mended or allowed to grow.

Now, head back over to Ari's and happy reading.

I had my first saddled ride on Lily today. She was good as gold. No saddling issues. No mounting issues. No riding issues. I can't believe how good she was. After I rode her for a bit Bubba got to have his turn. This is just the sweetest filly ever. I won the equine lottery with her. I can't take credit for that phrase, that is what 2 people at the barn said today.

Customer Service

As any of you that have read my blog know I got a new horse this Christmas. Prior to Christmas I purchased my Abetta Saddle from Horse and Rider here in Amarillo. I spent a bit of time at the store, picking out and ordering my saddle and other horse type items. As well as a foal blanket for my beloved Scooby.

Well today I went back into Horse and Rider to purchase a cinch in order to ride Lily tomorrow. As I entered the store the manager came up to me and asked if there was anything I needed help with. Per my usual reply "No thanks" ( I am not really a people person). After looking around for a bit I ended up approaching the manager to get his assistance in selecting the correct sized cinch. As we are walking over he turned to me and asked "Well, did you get her?" I was thinking maybe he had me confused with someone else. Then he asked if she "was everything I had hoped she would be" I then realized he did in fact remember me and that I had purchased my saddle for Lily before I got her.

It is that little bit of recognition that despite slightly higher prices I will give my business to Horse and Rider. Hugh is an asset to the store and I recommend stopping by for any of your equine needs.

Recalll

RECALL NOTICE:

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed
"Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.  Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!

- GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this
important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by
'Knee mail'!

Because He Lives

Books will send you to HELL

Apparently I am going to go to hell. I bought a new book to read yesterday. It is called Night World Vol. 1. As I was reading I came to a pamphlet that some soooo concerned citizen had placed inside MY book about hell and how if I choose to leave me evil ways I could write or call and I could be "saved". Dang, I didn't know I bought such a powerful book. I didn't know books, words or fiction could damn my soul. Only Cocoa Puffs can do that....lol

Quickie

Hi Yall,

Just a quick post. New policies at work have made having time to blog be much more scarce so I will be blogging from home. Today was just too busy with taking Ollie to the groomers, grocery shopping for the month (500 spent) and working with CJ on home work, plus trying to get a little sleep after work and before work again, to blog properly. I will post pics of Ollie's new do tomorrow.

Night y'all

Signs of a Meth Lab

Fun Monday ~~ 01-24-11

This month's host for Fun Monday is Ari from A Prawn of Fate and for this week's assignment she wants to know: What is the most beautiful sound in the whole world? Once you've told us that, give us the flip side, too: What is the sound you dislike the most?

This is a hard question. I think one of my favorite sounds is one of my deputies coming across the radio saying "Subject in custody, everything 2.0" which means we got the bad guy and all my guys are safe.

Another of my favorite sounds is my adorable son saying "OOOOOH, i understand it now" Having him learn and understand something is music to my ears. Closely followed by his saying "I remember that" (memory retention is not his strong suit....lol)

what sound do i dislike the most, hmmmm I have a couple of these too and they are in direct opposition with my favs. #1 "Shots fired shots fired" coming across the radio. Until I know it was my guys firing not the "other" guys it is a horrible sound.

#2 "I was never taught that." "I don't know" both utter by my son more often than not!!!

Now for some great and not so great sounds, headed back over to Ari's and see what others have to say.

Homeschooling

Over the past few days I have been seriously contemplating the idea of home schooling my lil man. He has been in private school a majority of his academic career with one foray in to the public school arena that did NOT go well.

Bubba is a very smart kiddo but he is having A LOT of behavioral issues in school. Not to mention that his grades are suffering from the need to be a class clown. He is constantly saying he "wasn't taught that" about darn near everything.

Home schooling would allow me to know for sure what he was being taught (not that i don't think his school is doing a fabulous job) and he would not be able to disrupt others learning opportunity.

Guess I will be doing come research and then making a decision.

I sold my soul for a bowl of Cocoa Puffs

My whole life I have been raised knowing stealing is wrong. Heck God even told Moses to tell "us" that. This is the story of how i sold my soul for a bowl of Cocoa Puffs.

Picture it, LaVerkin Ut 1994

I was given the privilege of attending a "behavioral modification facility" called Cross Creek Manor. (disclaimer, i just checked their website and it is VERY different from when I went there.)

One of the worst things about attending there was the food. It was horribly fattening, ugly, unappetizing and VERY regulated. One example is the "mixed" veggies of carrots, green beans and potatoes (all cubed) were ALL the same color. Scary!!!!

Breakfast was the one meal that was relatively acceptable. Most days it was cereal, corn flakes, rice krispies or bran flakes. Other days was cream of wheat (yuck!!) or powdered eggs. On the rare occasion we were treated to Cocoa Puffs. We were only permitted ONE bowl of Cocoa Puffs.

About 3 months into my stay there, I wanted another bowl of Cocoa Puffs on Cocoa Puff day. The staff member said "No" I was not permitted to have another bowl. I am not sure why I did it, but when he left the dinning room to go check on the other side (the dinning room is split down the middle by the kitchen) I got up (also not allowed) and got a 2nd bowl of the chocolaty goodness. The bowl was eaten and enjoyed. Much to my dismay when the staff member came back into the room one of my oh so lovely group mates narked me out.

The form of punishment that was utilized at this facility was essay writing. Each "infraction" was given a level and the level corresponded to how many words were required. Each essay was required to answer the same 4 questions: What was the problem?, How did you handle the problem?, How should you have handled the problem? and How will you handle the problem in the future.

That bowl of Cocoa Puffs was deemed a Class 3 essay requiring 1500 words on why i "stole" a bowl of Cocoa Puffs.

Was it worth it....heck yeah, those were some darn good Cocoa Puffs. Is stealing wrong, yup!!

Outrage over movie synopsis

I am highly NOT recommending this movie. If you have not seen and think you might want to see the movie The Kids are All Right, DON'T!

Here is what i read about the movie:
Academy Award® nominees Annette Bening and Julianne Moore star in this funny, smart and vibrant portrait of a modern American family. Nic (Bening) and Jules (Moore) are your average suburban couple raising their two teens, Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), in Southern California. But when the kids secretly track down their “donor dad,” Paul (Mark Ruffalo), an unexpected new chapter begins for everyone as family ties are defined, re-defined and then re-re-defined. Fall in love with the big-hearted comedy that critics are calling “one of the best films of the year!”(Michael Phillips, At the Movies)

No where in here does it mention seeing one man stick his unmentionable in some other man rear unmentionable. Oh no, not just the illusion that that is what is happening. you actually SEE IT!!!! Um, now, I DO NOT have anything against homosexuality. I do have a problem with it being in a movie and not being prepared for it. There is also blatant female on female intercourse and male on female intercourse. The movie is rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some teen drug and alcohol use. Now, i have watched Sideways that has the same rating for the same reason and there was nothing at all that graphic in it.

My issue is not with the acts (yes there were more than one and I only got through the first 15-20 minutes of it) of homosexual sex, it was the graphic SEX period.

I had originally intended to watch this movie at home with my family, but it was in my purse and it was slow at work so we put it on.....OMG, soooooooo NOT ok. The one thing I am happy for is at least my son didn't see it.

Rating folks, please pay more attention and rate accordingly! Thank you.

: Small, Medium, Large : Foamy The Squirrel

Pedigrees and Registered Animals

I was looking at my horse's pedigree, Oh My Baby Doll,

today and was noticing (very pleased) that she has all individual horses on her papers. That is turn caused me to look at my other horse's, Cashette and Run,

papers and she too has all separate horses on her page. So I was looking up my other friend's horse, RTR Doc's Double Echo,

and she has the same horse on her Sire's side and her Dam's side. At what point is it "double bred" and not inbreeding? I am confused on this point. I have looked up several "opinions" on this and am still confused....lol

Scouts

Bubba has his first camping trip coming up this weekend. I have realized I am a mom when i checked the forecast and saw it was going to be below freezing on both nights. The scout leader's response to my concerns for my baby boy. "It's The Scouts, he will learn to be prepared for ALL possible weathers." I guess I need to let him grow up.

Lily and Bubba

CJ rode Lily for the first time today. He did GREAT!!!!

Lily was such a good girl. You would never guess she was only 2.5 years old

Fun Monday 01~17~11

This month's host for Fun Monday is Ari and she asked us to post a link to a music video or song that specifically makes you want to get up and dance. So with out further ado.....(yes i know i couldnt pick just one)

Yummy for my tummy

I made a coleslaw today that is from a recipe one of my co-workers gave me. It isn't your normal coleslaw. It is a super terrific non mayo slaw.

Here is the recipe, thanks Allison. You rock!!

1 bag coleslaw mix

1 green bell pepper, chopped kinda fine

1 red bell pepper, chopped kinda fine

1 onion chopped fine

2 cuties, chopped kinda fine

4T lemon juice

1c Reed's Dressing (made locally....support local industry!!!)

8T balsamic vinegar

Mix all ingredients and enjoy! It tastes so good.

What Allison showed me (and we did for dinner at work the other night)

Take said slaw place on toasted Thin Bun, top with 1 slice crispy bacon (broken into thirds or fourths), Put top bun on and enjoy.

Note: Get a napkin, you will need it.....lol

Revisting the past

"Don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future." ~ Anonymous





Once again my life seems bombarded with people from the past who didn't care enough to stay in it to make it to the future.

I can not decide if people think so little of me that I am the "hey, there is no one else, lets try her" person or if i am just that unforgettable that no one compares....yeah right. But seriously people, if I wasn't good enough once, you are not good enough now!

Roses and names

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

If this holds true, than isn't it all possible that all of our wars, debates, prejudices and antics over religious idols could be for naught?

Maybe we all really are worshiping the same Deity.

Wipe Out

I really really really want to be on this show. Yes, it looks painful. No, it isn't enough money. No, I have no athletic ability what so ever. Yes, I know I would look like a fool. But it looks like sooooo much fun.




Come on now, y'all know me, I DON'T run, I DON'T get dirty and I DON'T like water in my face...isn't this the prefect show for me?...lol

Red Hana

Had a terrific lunch with mom, dad and Rusty. My family has been eating Mongolian BBQ for years. Since we have been residing in TX we have been Mongolian BBQ deprived. Today we tried a new place called Red Hana. It is so new On Star couldn't give directions to it. It was pretty good. It wasn't Great Khan's Festival in San Diego but for not having it for a while, it was pretty darn good. Thanks mom and dad!!!

Stolen from The Pioneer Woman

This is the best bestest easiest Mousse I have ever made. Try it if you please. One change we like to do is rather than use the chocolate bar, we prefer Nutella!!!

Chocolate Almond Frozen Mousse


Ingredients
■1 package Cool Whip
■2 Tablespoons Strong Brewed Coffee, Completely Cooled
■1 whole Hershey Bar With Almonds
Preparation Instructions
Allow Cool Whip to thaw on the counter for ten to fifteen minutes.

Gently stir in cool coffee until combined.

Melt Hershey bar in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes, then stir into Cool Whip mixture. Since the Cool Whip is cold, it will solidify the candy bar in tiny particles.

Serve soft or refreeze and serve as an ice-cream type treat.

Fun Monday ~ 01-10-11

This month's host for Fun Monday is Ari. This week she wants to know what it is we have left unfinished, could be furniture or could be closure for something more significant. Here is the assignment in her words:

Topic for 1/10/11: From the mundane to the emotional, from paneling the basement walls to patching it up with the brother in Virginia you haven't spoken to since you voted for Carter and he didn't, unfinished business is something left undone or incomplete. It even can haunt you. What's your unfinished business?

This is a tough one for me: I could go with the simple finish unpacking my house from the move, to the oh so serious, fish or cut bait get a divorce from my son's dad. I have been separated from him for over 7 years. Can we say unfinished...lol. So lets see do I want to be serious or whimsical?

I think my unfinished business is going to college. Do I have a career path in mind...nope. Do I like school...not only nope but HELL NOPE! Do I think I need to go in order to show my son education is important....yep. Drat the luck, trying to be a good parent is killin me.

Now that you know my unfinished business, hope on back to Ari's and see what others haven't been doing...lol

Survey says??

Today's topic of conversation stems from last Monday's Fun Monday. My ultimate favorite shoe in the whole wide world are Uggs. I own 3 pair currently and with the addition of Lily (my sweet mare) I am in need of a pair of barn shoes. It certainly wouldn't do to ruin a gloriously wonderful pair of Uggs at the barn. Not to mention the super soft suede and sheep skin lining doesn't offer much in the way of protection. So, I have been considering getting a pair or Justin Lacer's, which would necessitate me venturing back into the world of sock wearers UUGGGHHHH!!! Or........ there are 3 particular styles of Uggs that would and do fit the bill for barn wear. Do I go with the tried and true Justin's (and socks yuck)?

Or do i pick one of these three styles? If so, which ones? They are: Top Left - Broome II, Top Right - Jillian, and Bottom Middle - Finnegan

Vote in the comments section. Thanks

Feelings

Question of the day. Do you think buildings hold on to feelings and/or energy?

I ask this because I work in a building that once was a jail. There are areas of the building that I am not as comfortable as others. Is this because I am a big ole chicken or do negative "things" remain?

I believe that ghosts, spirits and the like are not what it is. (No offense if that is what you believe) I feel like it is more of just a heaviness that the building, road, area etc have just not shed. Just as each experience causes a change in us, maybe each occurrence causes a change in a place.

What are y'alls thoughts on this idea?

Hmmmm, who to believe?

I have been toying with the idea of getting an eReader.

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE to read. I also love to own books, Anyone who has helped me move knows i LOVE to own books...lol. How much better would it be for everyone involved if all my books were contained in a neat lil 7x5 (approx, depending on which one i like) container. Now here comes the issues.

Which eReader to get. I have been reading all the reviews and talking to people who have eReaders and I am just as confused as ever. The Kindle is a known name but from my understanding it locks you into where you can get books from, the Nook same prob, The Look Book has bed reviews but i have a friend with one and she loves it PLUS you can check ebooks out of the public library (kinda defeats the owning part for me, but cool to be able to do). I hope anyone who has please please please chime in and let me know your thoughts.

Lily

I went out to the barn and saw Lily today. She is slowly gaining weight. Yay!! Gave her a good grooming and then took her over to the big indoor arena and turned her loose for a bit. This is the first time I have seen her move. My goodness, this mare has one of the prettiest trots I have seen in a long time. Very nice to watch and I am sure it will be lovely to ride. Cant wait!

I tried a new recipe

Tonight I made Last Minute Sesame Noodles from The Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen

This is what it is supposed to look like

First I assembled all the ingredients

Then I mixed it all together and realized I didn't have a big enough bowl

And finally I served it.

And even thought it doesn't look like Ree's it tastes darn good. I highly recommend it to a friend.

Location Location Location

Not a phrase just for real estate any more. PLEASE, if you need to call the police, sheriff's dept, EMS or ANY emergency services KNOW where you are. It really isn't like CSI, we don't automatically know where you are. Especially if you are on a cell phone.

Also, we do understand that you are having a personal emergency, but trust me, yelling at me does not get us there any faster. If anything it takes longer because we have to try and calm you down enough to even understand what you are saying.

And lastly, while the WHAT is important, we can not help with the what until we know the WHERE.....so again location location location.

We do want to get help to you, so if you follow the above suggestions we can all get along fabulously and be safe.

Fun Monday 1~3~11

Ok, I haven't participated in Fun Monday in a while but this months host is Ari and she wants to know what's in my winter arsenal. Super easy one for me to answer. I am an Ugg whore. My winter wear (and summer and spring and fall if the truth be told) are the following:

Now, If you dont own a pair, i HIGHLY recommend them. After you go get your Uggs, head back over to Ari's and check out everyone else's posts.

For Bubba!!!!!!

Introducing "Lily"

For Christmas this year I aquired a beautiful 2.5 year old APHA mare registered name Oh My Baby Doll. Her barn name is "Lily" due to the fact her sire's name has Easter in it and she is mostly lily white. Hope y'all enjoy the pics below

She even lets me pick her nose (not really...lol)

Left side Right side

My Mission ~ Should I choose to accept it

Pictured to the left is the mission of the year. The other day my charming son, the apple of my eye, the child of God was at a gun show, with us of course. At said gun show there was a taxidermied coyote head he had his heart set on owning. Much to my suprise someone else also wanted to own the coyote head. That person had the money to buy it in hand, bubba did not. The coyote head went home with "the other guy". I am now on a mission to find a reasonably priced taxidermied coyote head. Wish me luck. Not really sure if i am looking for luck finding it or luck NOT finding it.