Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Hope all of you have a safe and fun evening, even if you don't do much. I love The Mummy. I love to turn it on while I decorate the Christmas tree. By the time Mummy, and Mummy's sequel have finished playing, I'm through putting on the decorations. The music is fast paced, so you really move. Even though it's not a "scary" movie, it's still fun.

Hired back an old employee. Old as in, worked here before. She works in the office...and makes popcorn in the popcorn machine...and cleans..and cleans..oh, and she works hard to..So, we're glad she's back. Hubby needed help so she'll assist there as well. AND we can start taking more time off!!!!! And a vacation....wow!!!......In the picture, Ken(office Manager) is very happy to be able to have popcorn again....lots of it! lol

Then there's the picture of my grandson, William and his Mom (Crystal). Sami's still at school.

Well, it's almost 8:00pm and we had ONE trick or treater! Knew it. Oh well, the times, they be 'achanging....Anyway, moving on, next it'll be Thanksgiving (for us in the States). Going to do the traditional lunch at Hubby's parents home. Should be a good time.

Y'all have a great evening and a better tomorrow.

Scary Stuff?

I don't know about you but, I like Halloween but not the scary stuff. My kind of scary stuff is movies like The Haunted Mansion or The Wizard of OZ. Loved those. Fun and spooky. I told Hubby that tomorrow night since the kiddos were going to leave and go trick-or-treating with their cousin, that we needed to pop up some popcorn, throw some chocolate in it and gear up for these two good movies. At least The Wizard of OZ! Did I hear someone groan out there? Well, I think it would be fun. Don't want NO werewolves or Count Dracula in my living room...So, here's hoping you have your plans made. Whatever you do, have fun and keep those babies safe!!! I've bought a ton of candy. Now you watch. Not one little spooky person will show up. I really think the "house-to-house" trekking is beginning to be a thing of the past. Too much meanness. Y'all have a great evening and a safe tomorrow.

Monday Keeps Rolling In!

It's Monday again! Must be a Monday for those two pilots as well...Makes you feel safe doesn't it...

Hubby got two more windows in this weekend. Looking pretty good! Henry stopped by Saturday for a little while. Crys made tuna fish sandwiches. Love her tuna fish! Did a good job on it.

Speaking of Crystal, she just got call from little Williams school. He's in the nurses office with diarrhea...'tis the season.

We got to work at dark thirty this morning only to find the water shut off to the building! Come to find out, we had a break in a line at the back of the shop...thank goodness there were a shop full of plumbers to fix the problem!

Well guess I'll get back at it. Hoping your week is a happy one.

Eggs with English Double Devon Cream

Good grief...English Double Devon Cream...Expensive as all get out. I may indulge in this delectable delight, maybe once a year, if that often. 6ozs for only...$6.98. EGADS... NO......WAY.......ROBBERY.....uhhhhhhlooorrrdddd...ok. I hand over my firstborn, arm and proverbial leg, I'm in my jeep, tucking the little jar carefully away into my purse. Oh, don't worry. I made it home with NO mishaps. Gently placed it into the refrigerator to chill and eagerly anticipated the morning call to breakfast. Hubby made scrambled eggs with bell pepper, onion and cheddar cheese. The toast was cinnamon swirl, and lovingly slathered in English Double Devon Cream. First bite...My word....bliss...heaven...the symphony of the taste buds! I shall consume all six ounces myself. I feel no guilt, no remorse...My name is...NoNo Badgirl. Have a delightful evening. I'm going in for seconds and a nice cuppa coffee.

Don't Mess with Seniors!

I just received this from an email...My Hubby must really like this or he'd never have sent it to me...It's so true...later...

The Waiting Room

This is so true! They always ask at the doctor's office why you are there, and you have to answer in front of others what's wrong and some times it is embarrassing. There's nothing worse than a receptionist who insists you tell her what is wrong with you in a room full of other patients. Many of us have experienced this, and I love the way this old guy handled it.

An 86-year-old man walked into a crowded waiting room and approached the desk. The receptionist said, "Hello, sir. Can you please tell me why you're here to see the doctor today?"
"There's something wrong with my dick," he replied. The receptionist became irritated and said, "You shouldn't come into a crowded waiting room and say things like that." "Why not? You asked me what was wrong and I told you," he said. The receptionist replied, "Now you've caused some embarrassment in this room full of people. You should have said there is something wrong with your ear or something and discussed the problem further with the doctor in private."The man replied, "You shouldn't ask people questions in a room full of strangers, if the answer could embarrass anyone."
The man walked out, waited several minutes and then re-entered.The receptionist smiled smugly and asked, "Yes?"

"There's something wrong with my ear," he stated.The receptionist nodded approvingly and smiled, knowing he had taken her advice.
"And what is wrong with your ear, sir?"
"I can't piss out of it," he replied.The waiting room erupted in laughter.Mess with seniors and you're gonna lose!

Happy Birthday Dad and Ken!

We have two birthday boys here today. Hubby's Father, Gerald, is (82) and Ken, our office manager is (51). Both youngsters will hopefully have a very happy day!

The picture is of Hubby's Dad back in 1944. What a hunk, huh? He's quite a guy. Best father-in-law to me, ever. The type of man who'd do anything for you. He works hard and never complains about anything...except never getting enough Blue Bell ice cream that is. We love him like crazy. Here's to you Dad!

Haven't got any pictures here at work to put up of Ken, but I do have at home, so I'll be updating this post tonight! We love you Ken, so don't think you're getting off easy!! I'm posting a picture!! lol So until later, y'all have a happy day!

PS- Hubby and I went down to his Dad and Mom's to deliver birthday goodies and while we were there, I got current shots of Gerald, Ann and their," real head of the household", Becker. I also uploaded the promised picture of Kenneth! Oh yes I did, big guy!!! lol Have a fun evening!

What a Full Moon!

Did you see that moon this morning? Beautiful! Driving to work at 6:30am, it literally "loomed" over me. When I moved, it followed. Really pretty. I expected it to open its eyes and smile at me! lol

Boy, that chili tasted great, and for tonight...gumbo. Had several request for the recipe and if you go back several post to the 23rd, you'll find it.

The temps are staying in the "pretty cool" zone lately. Nice. Hopefully Hubby can get a couple more windows changed out this weekend. Henry, our old buddy from high school, is coming in this weekend. Will be coming by Saturday so we need to feed him. You say, "all that food you've made, and you need to figure that one out?" Well of course...you think there will be any left by Saturday? lol

Well, I guess I'll finish up my bit of stuff here at work. Y'all have a safe evening under this old moon and I'll talk at 'cha later.

Couldn't Make Up My Mind

OK, so I couldn't make up my mind which one to cook...chili or gumbo...so I made them both! Took a little longer in the kitchen than I wanted, but they both turned out pretty tasty, if I may say so myself! Even got pictures to prove it. We've got this rule. Someone does the cooking, someone else does the clean-up...I couldn't do it to 'em. What a mess I always make when I cook. So, I cleaned up like a good girl.

I even got to have a visitor today! Gweny, the next door neighbor, dropped in. Yes folks, I actually have a witness. It was ME doing the cooking! On a more somber note, Gwen was telling me about the loss of her 22 year old nephew to the Dragon...cancer. So full of life, so short a time to live it. He was a beautiful child who will always be loved and remembered. These Angels bring so much love with them from Heaven...and the best part of it is, that they leave that love with us when they go home. We're never alone. Not for an instant...So here's my sending out lots of love and hugs and prayers to the family. Bless their hearts...

So, on that note, I'll leave you with a bit of useless information:

The term maverick came from Texas rancher Sam Maverick, who refused to brand his calves.

(The Ultimate Book of Useless Information by Noel Botham & The Useless Info Society)

We woke up to those terrible fires out in California this morning! Heard a police helicopter was flying over an area and saw this idiot, riding his motorcycle, stopping to light fires! The police quickly surrounded him and took him away...What a sick person. All those different fire locations couldn't have been accidents. Over 500,000 people evacuated! What next...

"Bella" and "Sally" have seemed to gone missing! Wonderful bloggers. Miss hearing from you. Hope all is well!

The winds are still blowing like crazy here. It's still cooler than it was, which makes it nice for getting my cooking done. I'll make up the chili and gumbo tonight and that should carry us for the rest of the week, barring any other delays.

Well guess I'll close for now. Y'all have a safe evening and a better tomorrow.

Never Enough Time

During the week, there's never enough time to cook a really big meal. By big I mean, one that takes a lot of time. I really had intentions of cooking chili tonight if I got home early enough...Didn't happen. Crystal did brown the meat for the chili, but not the bell pepper or onion. I'll do that tomorrow. And I need several - 16oz cans of diced tomatoes to go in it. Time to hit the store. The main meal I want to cook is the gumbo. So, here goes, if you want my recipe:

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
1 cup oil
1 cup flour
2 large onions, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped
4 ribs celery, chopped
4 - 6 cloves garlic, minced
4 quarts chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 large chicken (young hen preferred), cut into pieces
2 pounds andouille or smoked sausage, cut into 1/2" pieces
1 bunch scallions (green onions), tops only, chopped
Filé powder to taste (optional). Season the chicken with salt, pepper and brown quickly. Brown the sausage, pour off fat and reserve meats.
In a large, heavy pot, (I use an 8 qt heavy aluminum with lid) heat the oil and cook the flour in the oil over medium to high heat (depending on your roux-making skill), stirring constantly, (this is a MUST) until the roux reaches a dark reddish-brown color, almost the color of coffee or milk chocolate for a Cajun-style roux. If you want to save time, or prefer a more New Orleans-style roux, cook it to a medium, peanut-butter color, over lower heat if you're nervous about burning it.

It will burn easily, so watch it! (Keep Stirring!)
Add the vegetables and stir quickly. (They'll sizzle and steam! And, oh the smell...heaven!) This cooks the vegetables and also stops the roux from cooking further. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 6 minutes.
Add the stock, seasonings, chicken and sausage. Bring to a boil, then cook for about one hour, skimming fat off the top as needed.
Add the chopped scallion tops ,(optional) and heat for 5 minutes. Serve over cooked rice in large shallow bowls. Accompany with a good beer and lots of hot, crispy French bread.
YIELD: About 12 servings.

We first experienced this treat at Hubby's cousin's home back when we first married. 1972 or 73. Lots of time has since past, but not the gumbo! Experiment with the recipe! Get it just the way you like it. After all, the basis for a good gumbo is the roux. If you burn it, baby, start over!!! Take your time. Browning the roux itself can take upwards of 45 minutes....oh yeah baby....Get it right, and the reward is fabulous. I get my roux a little darker than the picture.

So nothing much else happened today. Busy one minute, quiet the next (phones at work). I woke up this morning at 1:25am for no good reason...just layed there...Don't 'cha just hate that?

Well I see it's getting on in time so I'll say goodnight and y'all have a great day tomorrow.

What's for Dinner?

Well, today, the north wind, she be a blowing! High 40's this morning with a noon high in the lower 60's. It would be pretty nice if rain wasn't in the mix! But, so what, it's cooler and I'm happy.

So, what's for dinner, on this, our first cold day in almost 6 months? I'm staying late at work today so I'll have to figure this meal will be for tomorrow night. Not that I don't trust Crys to make it...but you know how it is when you look forward to making something for a while. I'm thinking of either Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, or a big pot of Chili. What's your favorite?

Well, besides the cold wind and rain, nothing much going on today. So, I'll say hope you have a great evening and a better tomorrow.

Peaceful Sunday

It's been a nice day so far. Plenty of coffee and hot chocolate (made by my personal sous chef, Samantha!) She was taking orders.....well she was...what?
Hubby is installing another window again today. I believe tonight's weather is going to possibly put a crimp in long range plans to install more. 46degrees tonight with a high of 61 tomorrow. All next week is suppose to end up in the low 70's, so we'll just have to see how it goes. Please continue to send prayers for MaryLou's brother (Life After Nexcom). Things are not going so great for them.(See blog roll list). Many prayers being sent to you, your brother and sister.

Red (the horse) is suppose to be able to come home soon. He'll have to be in the stable for 2 months straight. Can't let him out. On sawdust only. Barring anything else catastrophic happening to him, he should be alright!

Well, guess I'll go look for the little sous chef and see what she's intending to cook up...what? I didn't say anything....Have fun today. (PS-Hubby also got our new firelogs going! What a Master Plumber!!)

For those of you who like "little known facts", here's one. Liquid Paper was invented by the mother of Mike Nesmith of The Monkees. (Noel Botham & The Useless Information Society.)

Pictures and Windows, Oh My.....

Nita at Red Tin Heart (Nita) has challenged other bloggers to take their photos and post them. I never was photogenic! This is all you get! I'm waiting for the computer guy to get to the shop to finish repairing our server. Crystal and the girls Sami & friends) left to go to Sam's volleyball tournament. Probably gone all day. William has elected to stay behind with Gamma & Gampa. We'll find something to do.


I was reading at Life after Nexcom (MaryLou) and her brother is not doing so well! Get those prayers going everyone! Her link is in my list of favorites to read. Oh, and Reggie...Got your card! Thanks!! My grandson is standing beside me wanting to go check an XBox360 game in the living room...must throw myself down the hall and do his bidding...lol. Back in a little while!



OK, I'm back...Hubby is putting in new windows all the way around the house. They've needed to be changed out for some time now. We bought this house in March of '74 and had storm windows attached. Well, when you have to hold the storm window itself open with a stick, it's time for a change. The new ones unlock and swing forward for easy cleaning! Love that feature. Guess I'll go put on a little cuppa coffee. Y'all have a peaceful evening!

Couldn't let the Day End.....

Couldn't let today end without saying good-bye to two people I grew up with. Deborah Kerr (86) and Joey Bishop (89). If I might borrow from Bob Hope, "Thanks for the memories."

Fudgey German Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

1&3/4 Cups all purpose flour

1&1/2 Cups sugar

3/4 cup (1&1/2 sticks) butter

2/3 cup Hersheys Cocoa

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 eggs

2 tablespoons milk or cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Coconut and Pecan filling (you can use the ready made)

Preheat oven to 350 F

Combine everything in a mixing bowl. (dough will be thick)

Then stir in pecans

Form the dough into 1&1/4 inch balls

place on baking sheet (ungreased)

Flatten slightly

Bake 10 to 15 minutes until almost set

Cool on wire racks

Put about a Tablespoon full of filling on one side of cookie(bottom)

Put another cookie on top of filling to complete the sandwich "look"

That's it! If you like German Chocolate Cake, this will do the trick.

No Cookies Yet....I'm Thinking....What?...

Well, while I'm trying to figure out what cookie I want to put on the blog, here's a couple of cute pictures for you to take a look at...The refrigerator picture is "Why Men shouldn't take Messages!" too funny.... I'll be back this afternoon with a cookie recipe from home! (you can click on the pictures and they'll enlarge for you. If you're like me, blind as a bat that is!)

Red at Texas A&M University Medical

Well, It's been a very long road to recovery for this little guy! The Dr's at A&M are terrific. What looked like a lost cause has been turned into a ray of sunshine! You can literally see the fatigue and pain in his eyes. Bless his little heart. All of this was SO needless. Can you spell KARMA? They had to reopen his leg, clean it out, separate 2 plates that were just beginning to grow together then embed his leg with beaded antibiotics and close. Infection was in the bone.

I highly recommend A&M for any injured animal. People come from all over the world with broken or dying animals. Thank you all for the prayers. Keep 'em coming!

Well, I've bought several more Christmas presents. Still trying to meet my goal of December 1st. to have everything bought. For some reason, I can't wait. I'm already wanting to put the tree up!! Hot chocolate, cookies...sounds like we need to start posting cookie recipe's! The best ones you've ever made! Your favorite. After all, you need cookies for Halloween and Thanksgiving to! Sounds like fun. Put your thinking caps on and we'll see what we come up with.

Well, guess I'll get going, y'all have a fun day and a wonderful tomorrow!

It Needs Tweeking

Well I made the barbecue sauce and cut the recipe in fourths. Gads, I would have needed 4 cans of tomato juice just to start with! Too much. So, Fourth ed everything, threw it in the pot, turned on the heat, and started tasting it...needed more sugar, more sugar...hummmmm..........

I've had better. Much better. My own for instance. Well, if you do want to try it, get it to where you like it. You may like it just fine the way it started out for me. And if you like onions added, make sure you saute them first, drain then add to the sauce. If you don't, you'll have barbecue "onion" sauce. It is a very quick sauce and may come in handy for that unexpected crowd. Oh well, on to other fun things. Have a good one! Oh yes, NO Hubby...that's NOT what's for dinner!!!

Flooding in Ft. Worth

Well for Heaven's sake, when I asked for rain, I didn't mean a flood! Seems Ft. Worth, Texas, which is only about an hour away from us to the north, got a complete wash out! Flooding every where. That picture I took yesterday out the side office window showed the worse of the storm headed north. Haven't heard much about it except for the news announcer this morning talking about it. I pray no one was killed.

It is definitely turning cooler here. This year, I must say, I've been ready for the cooler weather to hit. When the temps get to 110 in the shade, you're ready.

Well, I'm going to try out a new bar-b-que sauce recipe when I get home. It came from an old eatery, here in town, from back in the 50's. The ingredients are: 4qts. Campbell's Tomato Juice, 1/2 pint Heinz apple cider vinegar, 1 pint Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 pd dark brown sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1tsp pepper, 2/3 cup onion powder, 1/2 cup garlic powder. Stir together and bring to a boil. Boil for about 5 minutes.

I couldn't find Campbell's Tomato Juice so I'll substitute another brand. Anyway, here's hoping it turns out. You may want to wait before you try it so if it's not any good, I'll let you know.

Well guess I'll get back at it. Y'all have a wonderful evening and a better tomorrow.

The Rain

Finally! Rain! We really needed the rain we got last night. Thunder and lightening,woke us up it was so loud. It's raining again this morning as well. I'm not whining! Love it. Now it's coming down in buckets. This picture was taken out of an office window.

Update on Red, the horse, doing better today. Seems to be turning a corner. Thanks for the prayers. He deserves so much better than what he's been given. Can't stand for an animal to suffer.

Can't forget to tell everyone that Sweet William lost a tooth over the weekend. Tooth Fairy came to visit and before she left the house, Will was 3 dollars richer! He loved it. He and Samantha also made Gampa chocolate chip cookies for his birthday. They are very good! And they have pecans.

Well, hope all things wonderful happened for all of you over the weekend. Our weekend was a happy one so here's hoping your day tomorrow will be even better than your day today.

Who Said "Baby" Boomer?

Hubby will fight you if you say "Baby" Boomer. He ain't no Baby!" Well, he's my baby! Had his 60th birthday today! Said he still feels 30. Our company came in Friday evening. Tom and Bev from San Antonio. Had a really nice visit. Girls went one way shopping and the guys went the other way...who in their right mind wants to look at chain saws or tractors? Friday night for supper I (yes, I) made pork roast, mashed potatoes, green beans followed up with coffee and apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Saturday I had rib eye's, on the pit, salad, and birthday cake. (German chocolate). Sunday morning we went to a place called the Cracker Barel. Too much food!!! Sunday evening Hubby's Mom and Dad came by with a Chocolate pie! So I made coffee and we scarfed that down as well...Well...we HAD to!! Can't hurt anyone's feelings now can we? What?!! So all in all I think Hubby enjoyed himself. Good food, friends, family...doesn't get any better than that. Have a great evening and a better tomorrow.

Gotta Let the Fan Blow Up My Gown!

I use to ask Mama, "What 'cha gonna do today Mama?", and she'd say, "Well I'm just gonna lie back and let the fan blow up my gown!" It's that kind of day today. It's 80 degrees with a slight breeze. Fan blowing weather! I love fans, I love wind. Any of you out there remember flipping over your pillows at night to sleep on the cold side? "Restless leg syndrome"? Ridiculous...you're just trying to find those cold spots in the bed.

Another horse update...The Vet here in town did everything he could to eliminate the infection in Red's leg. Surgery, observation....Antibiotics you say??? Did he prescribe an ANTIBIOTIC??? You got it , NO HE DID NOT!!! Can you believe it? Sister was giving him some she had used on another horse but it wasn't enough. She drove him to Texas A&M University animal hospital in Bryan. He had surgery. 50/50 chance of making it. Please send prayers.

Well, guess I'll find something to do. Y'all have a good evening and a better tomorrow.

I Really Did Cook Something!

I really did end up in the kitchen yesterday, and I can prove it! So there! I found Mama's Fried Pie dough recipe in her old cedar chest she gave me years ago. I knew she wrote down the main ingredients on something but I couldn't remember where I saw it. I rummaged around in the chest until I came to an old box with a ribbon around it. Opening up the box, there it was right on top. She saved lots of little things like that, but the only thing, there's no instructions written down. Just the three main ingredients. Oh well, I figured out what to do from there. And yes folks, they turned out as light and crispy as I remembered as a kid. I used apricot pie filling and it was good. Needs to be a thick filling. I'll experiment with chocolate pie filling and while it's thickening, just add a little more cornstarch. Also mixed everything up in my Cuisinart. Light dough! It's, 1/3 cup shortening, 2 cups self rising flour (must be srflour!), and 2/3 cup water. That's it. mix all in your mixer, scoop out onto a floured cup towel (I use a pillow case folded in half that I use over and over and store it in a Ziploc bag). Use something round,glass or cookie cutter that's at least 4inches wide. Flatten them, fill, seam edges with a fork and deep fry. DO NOT get your oil too hot!!! they tend to burn easy. Drain and I sprinkled powdered sugar on mine. That's it. Serve them hot or cold. Hope you try them and let me know if you like them. So that's it for today. Got to go look out the front door for the school bus to drop the babies off. Have a great evening and a better tomorrow.

Cowboys and John

Well ain't it sweet. Those Cowboys seem to be getting something together. Awful close though, 25-24. I like the Cowboys, being in Texas I'd better, but my heart belongs to the Miami Dolphins. I know, I know, it's been awhile since they've done anything worthwhile, but I've stuck with them for the last 35yrs so why defect now?

Also heard it's John Lennon's birthday today. I remember getting those Beatle dolls along with my girlfriends when I was 10yrs old. What a hoot. Wish I'd hung on to them. Probably worth a small fortune by now.

Corky, our 15yr old Yorkie, has this thing he does now. Being partially blind and deaf, and totally spoilt by the kids (carried, tickled, smooches, generally ruined), he now wants you to light his way with a flashlight after the lights go out. Not once, so he can find his way to his bed (after we've put him in his bed repeatedly), but at least every hour and a half or so. Starts out with grunting in the hallway. No response? Lets try louder grunts in stereo. No one coming? How 'bout Dolby? Ahhhh, that works...You put him in the bed. Out he goes...over and over. You see, he sleeps most of the day while we're at work. So guess what he wants to do at night? There's NO way we'll ever put this dog down. We love him. Blind? Deaf? So, lots of people I know fit into that category but I won't put them down either. Turn on the radio? TV? At 1:00am I was considering my options....I'm a bad girl....I repented....Any suggestions??

Well, guess I'll get busy...doing something...Let me just finish getting this oatmeal out of my eyebrows. Y'all have a swell evening and a super tomorrow!

Monday Again

Nothing much to post about today. Went to work,since Sami has a game tonight I didn't have to take her to practice early, arrived around 6:30am. Got caught up on some much needed invoice entries. Closed the month and year out so I could progress with October entries. The year isn't quiet through, so I can't print out reports. Maybe tomorrow.

We got that much needed rain here this weekend. I think it was Mary Lou wishing it this way. Lord, it seems Washington State is catching it. I don't think I'd want that much rain. Sure can understand people getting depressed with so much darkness.

I keep trying to add a clock gadget to my blog, but no success. Don't know where to put it in the html code...I would put that question to the Blog Angel, but I know he's got his hands full right now. So, if you stop in sometime and all you see is a great big clock and nothing else, just shake your head, and know Donna was "at it again!" Y'all have a great evening and a wonderful tomorrow.

Post Script To Sunday Love

This is the new desk area we had built so that we could set up my computer, pay bills, scroll through cookbooks etc...It is right between the kitchen and playroom area where the kiddos are staying. So that means, traffic. Not a restful area to work in. SO, I find a cubby hole in a bedroom to do my work, blog, etc...Ahhhh, nice and quiet right? This is my baby doll. He can't find a quiet space in which to "work". He simply must play that car racing game on my computer...Big baby blues....Geeezzzzzz......ok.......Got grand kids? Then you know. Gotta do what'cha gotta do! lol

Caffe Mocha Latte

Had a really fun time yesterday at the bookstore with Ellani and her friend, Jo Ellen. Jo Ellen is a really kind spirit, gentle. Really nice to be around! Her husband plays the bagpipes, and from what Ellani says, beautifully! Looking forward to meeting her again. Lots of fun.

Yesterday, had a brewing headache. Guess my neck needs a cracking. I keep trying to do it myself and I should know better! Yeah, right. Guess I'll ring up the Doc tomorrow.

Got company coming this next weekend. Tom and his wife, Bev. Hubby met them almost 40yrs ago in SanAntonio, Texas when they were in the Air Force together. I think Hubby had just gotten back from Viet Nam and was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base. Anyway, it's been a long time since then. No set plans on what we're going to be doing. Girls usually go shopping, and the guys either go shopping or to play pool. Anything can happen.

Well, guess I'll get going. Hubby says it's time to watch the Fantastic 4 sequel....Can't miss that (tongue in cheek). Y'all have a great day tomorrow.

Month of Birthdays

This does seem to be the month of birthdays! Today is our nephew, Bryan's birthday. Yesterday was Mama's, the 14th is Hubby's, the 26th is Hubby's Dads, and also our office manager's, Ken. So, Happy birthday Bryan! We love you!

I see where Mary Lou has ice hanging off her nose up north! The cold seems to be drifting slowly towards the south, but I doubt we see much relief from the heat here anytime soon. Calling for rain maybe Monday, but y'all know how that goes...

Guess it's going to be a weekend of cleaning, blogging, reading, movies and XBox. Hopefully it'll be a quiet, uneventful time. So, guess there's no time like the present to get started on the cleaning part. Y'all have a great evening and I'll talk at you tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Mama!

Here's Mother and Dad. They were married out in San Fransico in 1945. So young and crazy in love. Here's to you Mama, from Donna, Dinky and Mary bong ga de bong.

Love 'ya like crazy...

XBox 360 Mania

XBox 360 mania has hit our house! Hubby, who NEVER ask for anything suddenly starting to talk about the XBox yesterday. This conversation came about...I don't remember how...It just happened. He talked about the various components of the game, price, etc. When Hubby just barely mentions something like that, or has a pointed conversation about something that sounds cool, my ears suddenly perk up. I'll watch him...scrutinize his every move...AhHah!!! Baby wants a TOY. Well, he has been a good boy so what the heck. I'll check it out. "But it's 500.00!" he says wistfully. Off I go. If you buy the BigBadBoy XBox, then Yes, it's 500.00. But Hubby doesn't want to get on the Internet, or download a million songs into memory. The only difference between the 349.00 model and the 500.00 model, is memory. 120mega bites of it. No thanks. I got the special Halo edition, green and orange color. You have to get an extra wireless game controller for two people play. Did that. Crystal got off early, took it home, hooked it up and didn't tell William or Sami when they got home from school. Well let me just say, last night, the two boys were flying through space and making memories. Well worth the expense.

Also, today is my Mother's birthday. She has been gone for 11 yrs, and we still miss her something awful. I don't have a picture of her here at work, so this afternoon when I get home, I'll find the one I want and add it to this post. She was stern, kind hearted and giving and we miss her. I love you Mama. Have a good day and a better tomorrow.

Fantastic 4

Well, just want to say thank you to Kelly, Maureen, Shannon and Bella for their postcards. The cards are really pretty! Makes me want to hop a jet and get there! Wouldn't it be great if there were a button for that? Will REALLY be glad when the cooler temps start to hit here. I look up at the Seattle area and it's already in the 50s. Hubby said that was because the cold air was leaking out of Alaska...love you babe!

Fantastic 4 (second one) is now out on DVD. Grandson William has already informed us that we were going to watch it with him this weekend. He really has a lot of fun when these big productions come out. We have popcorn, candy etc. just like you would if you went to the theater. Wonderful family time.

Got the end of the month stuff done here at work, now just gotta get the end of the year finished. Hubby's brother's wife is working on that in our other shop in Temple. Not a fun time of the year. She's got the hard part which I'm not envious of in the least! We thank God for her. Well guess I'll try to figure out where to put all of last years files so I can get going on this years stuff. Y'all have a great day and a better one tomorrow.

Pollyanna?

What is it with a full moon and people? I swear, yesterday and this morning, it seemed everywhere I turned, people were absolutely miserable! I feel like quoting from the movie, The Mummy, when the bad guy said, "This is cursed, that is cursed..." Even when I was checking out the blogs, you know, clicking through different sites and most of what I found were people upset because they felt they couldn't post anymore. Their lives were in the toilet and they didn't have the strength to carry on! It reminds me of the story of the guy in the water begging God to help him. A helicopter came by, a row boat came by, you name it and it came by to help him. The guy cries out, "Why won't you help me oh Lord?" and a voice says, "How many more ways can I help you that you can not see?"... Now you see why I push the "happy" button...I push it a lot. To me, that's one of the best ways to push back the darkness. You say, "Such a Pollyanna!" You better believe it! Help is only a smile away and shows up in so many forms. How many boats will you miss today? Sick of it? Push the button! Lots of happiness being sent your way today. Have a good one.

SpongeBob SquarePants...

Well, had a fun Saturday with my grandson, William. Daughter and Sami went to an all day bar-b-que at a friends house and Will opted to stay with Gamma and Gampa. It just so happened that Nick-at-Nite channel was having this all day marathon of SpongeBob...So...off we go. Nine full hours of SpongeBob and Patrick. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you'll know that I'm the type of person that loves "happy." All my life has been about "happy". To me, there's no other way to live. We all have terrible things happen to us on a daily basis. "Happy" just makes life more acceptable. So, when I get a chance to be "happy", I take it. I was "happy" all day Saturday...I was so "happy", I can't get the frozen smile off my face...It was just silly, silly, fun. That made me "happy". So if you have something in your life that makes you "happy", go for it. The world will thank you for it! Have a Happy day and a better tomorrow!