Nope! I Wasn't!

Gator food that is! I was all snuggled in here, when Mom and Dad went and saw the gators. There have been a few gators in our complex, but not close to my house. Mom and Dad keep close watch on me, so I will NEVER become gator food! But........ I gotta tell you.........about some finch friends I had..............who weren't so lucky! But Mom says that will be an entirely different blog, so for now............my lips are sealed.

Silent Sunday-Just Hanging In There

I LOVE A Clean House

Mom, why are you working so hard? It's your day off. And I would prefer to sleep and not hear that vacuum. Mom says "right.............." "Day off? NEVER!" Poor Mom.

Monkey Business

When I was a little girl, my grandmother made all us grand kids one of these sock monkeys. I so enjoyed mine, and had it for many years. I don't know what ever happened to it though. I eventually made a few myself, but was not the kind grammie that gave one to all the grandchildren. They are just not the kind of toy that is as fun as it was fifty-some years ago. For the past few years at Cracker Barrel, they have had these sock monkeys as Christmas ornaments. So I picked up a number of them and gave them away. My little sock monkey brings back a lot of memories of being a child and my grandma, even if it isn't the original one.

Pretty In Pink

I love birds! Any kind of bird! Especially BIG birds! Any color of bird! How much fun it would be to be a bird for one day! Just think of all you could see if you were a bird, flying around! Even though they don't fly, the flamingo is one of my favorites! I also like to pick up any kind of bird. This one would be quite a handful, but fun to hold! I doubt that I will ever get a chance to hold a flamingo :( But I sure will continue to gaze at them.

End Of An Era

It's like an end of an era to me, with the news of Senator Ted Kennedy passing this morning. For me, Kennedy became an important name when his brother John, became president. Of course, John F Kennedy's assassination touched us all. Then, another brother, Bobby, was assassinated. There was certainly a lot of heartfelt sympathy for the family all around the nation during these times. I lived in Massachusetts, later in life, for twenty five years, so the Kennedy name became even more important and interesting to me. Even though I did not agree with everything Ted stood for, I had a lot of respect for him and his entire family. Then there was the time when his nephew, John, son of President Kennedy, crashed his small plane in the ocean, while flying to Martha's Vineyard. Maybe it was just because Ted was in the limelight, but it seemed his entire family had endured a lot of heartache, more than the norm. Rest in Peace, Ted, and may your family carry on your wonderful attributes!

Wrong Information

The Army sure knows how to screw things up! What I posted yesterday was all a big misteak! I'm bummed. :(

A Dog Needs Presents Too

For many years Billy has really been into receiving gifts. It has been hilarious, watching him check out the gifts under the Christmas tree, smelling if any were for him. He enjoys Christmas and his birthday with almost as much enthusiasm as a child. The other day when a friend brought over a gift for me, Billy starting prancing around and getting so excited. You could actually see his disappointment, when he realized the gift was for me and not him. He kept looking at everyone of us, as if to say, Where's mine"? Finally, Ralph decided to put a couple of doggie treats in my gift bag, hoping it would satisfy Billy. I am happy to say, it did the trick! Enjoying his "gift".

My Fave Soldier

Just a quick update, Clint will be back in Alaska tomorrow! A whole month earlier than expected! Whew, the waiting is up!

What To Buy Your Pup

I just couldn't resist posting this cartoon. Now you know what to buy your dog for his B-Day or Christmas!

Mallard In Turquoise, Silent Sunday

Breakfast Of Champions

Oh I gotta get up from this couch. I'm smelling something pretty good, cookin' in the kitchen. She, (my mom), better be given' me some of it. I'm just likin' my chops, cause I know what it is.

Mom, you are going to share that oatmeal with raisins and maple syrup with me, arn't you? You know I need my fiber every day just like you............ I heard it is guaranteed to prolong my life!

Oh yeah, thanks Mom! It was delish! I sure coulda ate more than she gave me though!

It Was Only Yesterday

It was only yesterday, that a little baby girl was born,





To Bud and Evie, early in the morn.





This little babe grew up in a small town,





Where everyone was happy, and no one would frown.





It was only yesterday, that as a teen, would dabble with her art,

thinking, as a career, it may not be to smart.

It was only yesterday, she married in sixty-nine,





And gave birth to her own little girl in the winter time.





It was only yesterday, as this new babe grew and grew,





And became a sister in the cold months too.





Unfortunatly that marriage was very wrong,





And it ended before to long.





It was only yesterday, when a new man came into sight,





That marriage was oh so right.





It was only yesterday, that a son was born to these two,





They loved watching him as he grew.





It was only yesterday, another son came to be,





and opened my eyes to really see.





It was only yesterday, God knocked on my door,





I asked Him in and received much more.





It was only yesterday, through much love and strife,





That I finally opened up about my life.





It was only yesterday, that I realized how far I had come,





gone through so much as many others had done.





It was only yesterday, the last day of my 61st year,





That I could look at my life and not shed a tear.



Yes.........It all...........was only yesterday!

The Princess And The Pea

Something strange happens almost every night! I get into bed, and after awhile, I feel something not quite right about my mattress. You see........I have a 3" memory topper on top of my mattress, so what I am feeling does not hurt, but is weird. So...........I feel underneath me.........and what do I pull out? This tiny little 2" doggy chew! Sometimes, Billy is whining at me when I get into bed........and I wonder what that is all about. I have covered up his little chew! So of course I give it back to him and he is all happy about it not being buried anymore. I found a package of these in NY, and it has brought many laughs for me since. Of course it made me think of the story about The Princess And The Pea! Guess thats what I get for always letting Billy have my bed anytime he wants to be there!

I'm Watching You!

This post is dedicated to my little cat friend, Madi. She had a great blog recently, showing her Laser Eyes! My Billy must be made of the same stuff. In this picture, Billy is saying, "LEAVE MY TOYS ALONE!"

Bear Cam

These are pictures I have been able to capture, from the Bear Cam at www.elyminnesota.com

I especially like this one! Hope you enjoy this link as much as I do!

Army Pants????

About a year ago, I found out that you could make purses out of Army shirts! But.....It is quite expensive to have them made. I have really seen some beautiful ones on the internet, but was not willing to pay to have it done, when I figured I could do it myself. So when Clint was here in February, he purposely left a pair of his pants so I could make purses for Noelle and myself. At first I was a little dissapointed that he gave me pants and not a shirt for this project. After all, I had only seen bags made out of shirts, not pants. Well.........it took me a few months to figure out how to cut up the pants in order to make two purses. (I didn't want Noelle to get the only one, LOL I had to have one also!) Finally I figured it all out! Both purses are nearly alike, just some small differences. Like the pockets inside are different. Every part of the pants were utilized in this project. I used the waistband on my bag. It made a great strap in which I can hook my phone or keys to the belt loop. In fact, I can even shorten my strap because of the ties that would make it fit tighter to the waist. On the outside, is the very large pocket that is normally on the thigh of the pants. The inside is a patriotic themed material, then the extra pockets sewn on top of that, to put little goodies in. In the end, I made two purses, and three little pouches for a total of $2.00. (price of lining material). A lot better than a price of $50.-$80. I would say! Now.......there are only tiny scraps of those Army pants left! Thanks Clint!

Chatting With Squirels

(need I say any more about us seniors?)

Only The Shadow Knows

Ithink this picture is kind of interesting. And scary, and I will be glad when the Shadow is no longer possible to be seen on the desert sands of Iraq! The Shadow is my 27yr old son. He does not need to be a Shadow on the sand! I don't need him to be in Iraq. I need him in the United States! But, the United States needs him in Iraq. The Army needs him to be a Shadow. The Army needs him to use the Big Boy guns, and the Big Boy stryker vehicles. The Army owns him now, not me. Not that I ever did own him. He was just on loan to me for a number of years, until he became a Big Boy. One more month to go. Then the Big Boy will be back in Fairbanks, AK. Clinton............I am so darn proud of you, my whole being just swells with that pride! Love, Hugs, and Kisses as usual, and always............my son.

Sunflower Kids

Here is Joey and Julia, my grandchildren from Western New York. These sunflowers only bloom every other year. (Not sure why) So, every other year, my daughter takes her children over to this field and photographs them. How they both have grown over the years since she started doing this. Funny thing, the sunflowers don't look as tall as usual. Or.......maybe the kids are just taller!

Jumping Monkey

Remember the old Jumping Jacks we had as little kids? You know, it was two sticks, a little guy on string, and when you squeezed the sticks, the little guy would flip and flop all over the place? Well, that was maybe 50-60 yrs ago. Now this toy in the picture, is on the same order as those Jumping Jacks. Only, it is 90+ yrs old! My grandfather made this toy for my dad, when he was a wee one. I don't remember if my dad or my grandmother gave this to me when I was little. But I have treasured it forever! At least 50-55 yrs or so. (thats forever hehe) When you hold it and push up on the square piece, it kinda flips into a few different positions. It is somewhat hard to see the face, but it is there. It is all original, except for one screw and nut. I also have to replace a screw and nut on the back arm one of these days. Hmmmmm...........what should I do with this..........who should I give it to? It is the only toy I have from my childhood. Funny how we only save certain things.

All Time Fave Pic Of My Babies!

Yes! I did say babies! You all know the doggie is Billy (I think you all know). The curly red-headed boy is my youngest son Gregory. (by the way, it took me having four kids to finally have a redhead!) Greg is twelve yrs old here, and boy, he sure did love Billy! In fact, he still asks how Billy is quite often. (Greg hates this pic, cause of his curls hehe) Of course, I always have this picture displayed for anyone to see it. Now, I actually have put it on the internet! (Greg would disown me for doing this hehe) Billy will be taking the road trip to MA in Oct, with us. What a happy time that will be! (My two babies seeing each other for the first time in two and a half years). Oh yes, Greg will be 24 in December, Billy will be 12 in November. Ahhhhhh........a mother's youngest children. (They have kept me young).

.

My Pretty Rock!

When I was a young girl, my dad got into quite a unique hobby. He became a rock hound. We use to go traveling all around to rock shows and different places to find all different types of rocks. Sounds kinda boring huh? Actually, it wasn't. He would get "slices" of so many different types, then cut them into shapes, grind them, polish them, and make them into beautiful jewelry. My Mom and us two girls had many pieces of his handmade items. After he died, I saved quite a few of his uncut rocks. Especially some of the ones he had lining the front walk. This picture is one of them. It is a piece of rose quartz. The picture really doesn't do it justice, believe me. It really is a very nice shade of light pink. I also put it outside, near my flowers or wherever I think it would look nice. Every place I have lived in since, sports this rock as a welcome to my home. I will take it with me, when we go fultime RVing, and put it out whenever I can. It is in memory of my wonderful daddy and the beautiful memories he gave me.

Like DUH (me)

Oh my.........I must be getting nearsighted.........or the memory of my childhood pets has really dimmed..........or...........whatever! The reality of this comes, after two nights of only 4-5 hours of sleep, working evenings......working...............working................................oh yeah.........and I am working some more...............11hr shifts today and the next three days, with a special client of mine. (care giving) Possibly the same next week too. So since my head is not clear on the difference between grasshoppers and a praying mantis.................I decided to work some more................I mean................take a three day break from trying to come up with a subject for this blog...................and then work..................ah...................try again. Cause then in three days................I maybe can think again for two days....................or maybe not. Did any of that make any since? If not, that's OK................cause I don't care at this minute.............I'm going to bed..............and maybe get 7 hours of sleep. See ya soon Buds...................sleep tight and don't let the grasshoppers bite!

So How Come He's not Praying?

When I was a child, I use to keep Praying Mantises for pets. I let them crawl all over me and my room. Once in awhile, they would hop to get away from me, and I wouldn't be able to find them for hours, even days. The outcome after days of missing, was not always very good either. Now you ask, why was I drawn to these insects? I just always have been drawn to their beautiful graceful bodies. I loved the way they looked when they were "praying". And most of the time, they actually seem to enjoyed my company! (I think......). So, now I am wondering why this particular guy, or gal, is not in a praying position? Could be, he/she is cleaning him/herself, (after a nice dinner of what ever it ate.) Or.........maybe they don't pray in Florida? Or.........maybe it really isn't a Praying Mantis after all!!!

Save Me Some!

Our Billy really loves Ice Cream! In the evening, when we have our little treat, he is at our feet, just waiting to lick the dish clean. There is not usually much left, but he enjoys it anyway. I will have to get him some of that special ice cream for dogs again. He enjoyed that also. I wonder if it comes in different flavors now?

Rubbies!!!

OK Daddy, wiggle your toes now. (I just love these chest rubbies!)

Licking chops and waiting patiently

Billy is trying his best to wait patiently for a handout from his Daddy. Sure must be something good.

Chasing Butterflies

I just had to chase this pretty butterfly a bit to take a pic of it. It allowed me to tak five before it decided it had enough. I'm not sure what kind it is, but it sure loves these flowers!

Funny Noises

Since we moved to Florida almost five years ago, I have been use to waking many a Saturday morning to a strange noise. It is this, right over our house! Those three lines are just part of the palm trees.