A Photographer...Before Her Time

I was blog hopping the other night and came across someone's blog that had several pictures of Julia Margeret Cameron, British Photographer (1815-1879) on it. I was SO enthralled by the sheer beauty of one peticular piece labeled, The Kiss of Peace (The mother-daughter one). To me, it is absolutely beautiful. If you want to see more of her work, here's the website that shows all of her work.

It's been pretty brisk around here. Plenty of stopped up pottys and such...Bring it on!

And the weather is...crazy again. Warm, cold...warm, cold!!! I really am glad to see warmer weather, but people around here are getting sick. Fever, chills...stopped up noses. Where is Spring!!! LOL... Well guess I'll quit straining your eyes for a while. Have a happy day and smile a whole bunch!

Crystal Idea

I like the name of this so I Stole it from Miz Brenda...and created by Crystal (who likes to see us all work), anyway, here's my two "impression" making influences in my life... The first one was The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck. This was the first novel I had ever read. I was thirteen, and it really made quiet an impression on me. Poverty, slavery, birth, death...the whole enchilada. Pearl S. Buck won the Pulitzer for it. There were also sequels later on, but I never bothered with them. The book had a beginning, middle and an ending. I'm not really nuts about sequels. To me, they are never as good as you might hope.

The second is the Walt Disney movie, Pollyanna. I was eleven when I saw it and loved everything about it. The thing I carried away from that movie? The "glad game". It's real, and it really works. I'm forever grateful to old Walt and the Disney Studios. When Pollyanna found herself having to tell a minister how to "find" his faith again by using the "glad game"...well, see it for yourselves, if you haven't already.

So, until tomorrow, y'all have a happy and Very Glad day!

Seven Weird/Different things About Me MeMe

I was tagged by Dabrah to do another meme. So here goes:

1. I like sour cream mixed into my Chili.

2. I would love to travel to Egypt and "snoop" around in the Valley of the Kings.

3. I am a .... Trekkie....YES I AM!! LOL

4. My favorite colors are pink and blue.

5. If I had to decide between fried chicken or a sirloin steak, grilled to perfection? Fried chicken would win...

6. I believe in reincarnation.

7. I love popcorn flavored JellyBellys.

So there you are! If you want to do one, feel free to grab it and go for it! Here's hoping all is well in your world and you are safe and happy!

Can you Believe this Woman??

Can you Believe this Woman?? 84 yrs old?? Gives me hope! LOL...Anyway, I'll be back later to do a post that Dabrah has tagged me for...Is That Moaning I hear Out There??LOLOL..Don't worry, the only one I'll tag is Lyvvie!! You out there Girl?? Back Later!! Have fun watching the clip!

200th Post Today! Geez, How'd That Happen?

Well, I’ve been tagged by Donna to list Five things about me, so here goes:

1. I’m a retired LVN specializing in Obstectrics and Pediactrics (having babies and care of children)
2. I delivered three babies and each of the parents named their newborn after me. All girls…(made me Very happy)
3. I’ve knelt at the grave site of General George S. Patton, in Luxembourg and gave thanks for all he and the others did for me and my family.
4. I love all the old Charlie Chan movies played by Warner Oland.
5. When I was confirmed, years ago, I chose the name, Rose.

Well now, Instead of letting you get off "scott free", I'm tagging:

Joan, Jazzi, Jenn, Crystal, Nita, Brenda, Sally, Blondie, Dawn, Tracy, DixieBelle, Lynn, Rosie, Annie, LillieMeg, Joan, Dabrah, Anvilcloud, Phyllis, Nathalie, MaryLou, CrystalJigsaw and Laura !!

And, NO, I could not stop at just five people! LOL There are others that I really wanted to make do this...but...I'll get the rest of you, next time...AND your little dogs!! LOL (PS-I wonder if any of the Guys out there would participate)????

This is also my 200th Post anniversary!! Wow! It's been really fun...so I guess I'll go for 200 more...Y'all have a fun day today!

PS- I should have just added Everyone on my blogroll the First time around!!LOL This is my really first chance to see what all of You "got going on" in your lives...So, if you think it would be fun, please do it! It Was fun!

Sunday is Gumbo Day

Gumbo Day has arrived! We love it for a winter's day meal. Chicken, shrimp and sausage gumbo. Nothing better. It is really a "do nothing" day around here. Got some shots of the morning routine...Crystal...blogging, William playing the XBox, Hubby out shopping for a new floor lamp and Samantha...in her regular Room...bathroom, polishing, creaming...looking, and generally spending lots of time doing...something. Whatever twelve year olds Do in there. It's a mystery, even to me! LOL SO, until later. If anything new happens, I'll let you in on it!! Have a fun and happy day today!

Do Nothing Saturday with Joe Black

If you haven't seen, Meet Joe Black, you should. It's a powerful movie as well as a remake of Death Takes a Holiday. This one though, really grabs you...you laugh, cry and by the time it's over...you understand and feel content. The music is beautiful. I put the song, That Next Place, on my music box if you want to listen to it. Just click on the song, by James Newman. We are all learning on this big old planet.
Well on a different note, Hubby and I got up and went to town. Food at the HEB (I stayed in the truck drinking the Starbucks Mocha Latte he bought me and reading Divine Encounters by Zecharia Sitchin)(It's been a spiritual day for me today) then onward to the bookstore for Whole Grain Breads by Peter Remhart, for Hubby. It's been peaceful. The temp has warmed up to the 60's and so far...all is well in my world...I'm grateful and content.
Well, guess I'll go grab a good book again. Here's wishing you all good health, warm winds and lots of happiness.

Is It Failure To Launch?? LOL

If you want to see the trailer, go down to my music box and just shut it off!
I had SO much fun, at my daughters expense, yesterday! But, we do this on a fairly regular basis!! She is the apple of her Dad's and, my eye. She'll meet some one when She's ready...or "they" sweep in and sweep her off her feet! Either way, she knows she always has a home with us. No fooling...scout's honor!

Well, since it's now tax time, I really need to gather up all the information and package it for the CPA. What a chore. It's not so bad when it's all done but looking at doing the work gives me another ache where I don't need one! SO, I'm off to begin the chore and here's hoping you're all well and warm this evening!

Is It Wrong For a Mother to Want to See Her Daughter Happily..ah..Something?

Top Ten Simple Rules for Dating My Daughter- and Living.

Rule One: If you pull into my driveway and honk you’d better be delivering a package, because you’re sure not picking anything up.
Rule Two: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter’s body, I will remove them.
Rule Three: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don’t take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.
Rule Four: I’m sure you’ve been told that in today’s world, sex without utilizing a “barrier method” of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.
Rule Five: It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is “early.”
Rule Six: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.
Rule Seven: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don’t you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?
Rule Eight: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka — zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which features chainsaws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.
Rule Nine: Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, balding, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless God of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.
Rule Ten: Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car — there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

You're going to hear how two Loving Mothers only want the best for their children...on this blog...Probably on my daughters blog...you'll hear many Bad things!!! LOLOL We did Nothing!! Now Who are you going to believe??!!! WHAT!!! LOL

5:30PM- Notice!!! Crystal stated she would be late in getting out her "story"(ain't it the truth)LOL SO!...Get your neck braces and butt cushions ready...It'll be a long one!! LOL

National Pie Day

Did you know it was National Pie Day here in the States?? I didn't! While reading my friends blogs, Joan said another blogger reminded her that it was National Pie Day!! So in honor of NPDay and my beloved daughter, Crystal...Here's a recipe for:

Apple Crumb Pie

1 (9 inch) pie shell
6 cups thinly sliced apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Place sliced apples in a large bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice if desired. In a small bowl, mix together white sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle mixture over apples. 3. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Stir in raisins and walnuts if desired. Spoon mixture into pastry shell.
4. In a small bowl mix together 1/2 cup flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over apple filling. Cover top loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes, until top is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

I didn't really do much of anything last night but eat, read blogs and rest. We came home from work to a dinner of hamburger patties, green beans and fruit salad made by Crystal. The old knee was really throbbing by this time, so I was Very grateful to her for "doing the deed"!! LOL

Crys LOVES Apple pie...so this one is for her. Y'all have a happy day and stay warm and cozy!

Friends

I've got two beautiful pictures to give to two special people today. The first is a mother elephant...(Wonder who likes Elephants)?? LOL She's caring and loving and so easy to please! For Jenn. Just copy and save as a picture.

The second one is of Fairies! Now who is it that likes Fairies?? Could it be Miss Nita? I found these and thought you two would like to use them. I thought they looked like something you might like. I was given awards by both of these kind souls (on my sidebar). They made me smile. I want to give "back" something to All of my blogger buddies so, beware...Each and Every soul on my blog roll is special. You've allowed me to come into your worlds. You share your secrets and your accomplishments...your hearts. I have thirty seven new friends. Thirty seven...I just can't imagine how that's possible. I'm blessed and every time I "talk" with you, you let me know just how blessed I really am. I pray you're all safe, warm (or) cool...LOL...and are loved. Have a happy night.

One Last Post of the Day!! I Swear!!

This is all that's happening in my world today...William and Samantha have fun playing on Crystal's computer this morning...eating...laughing and of course, the picture would Not be complete with out...SpongeBob!! I'll get in the kitchen later and pop up some popcorn and pop in the movie, Stardust. None of us have seen it so it will hopefully delay the inevitable..."I'm Bored" statements...LOL. Y'all try to stay warm and happy today and I'll talk to you tomorrow...lol...I Promise! LOL

Fond Memories

She was funny, beautiful and could make you laugh. She passed over this weekend. It was one of those announcements that make you go...AhhhhNooooo......I'll miss her humor. I'll have to start digging around for those old Bob Newhart shows. What fun they were. And I did not know she'd married Tom Poston in 2000. Hard to keep up isn't it.. May she fly higher than ever before...

Suzanne Pleshette (1937-2008)

I Have a Dream

I've always liked this picture of him. A man with So much on his mind. He was a kind hearted person with a huge agenda...bringing people together. May his sacrifice never be forgotten. Bless his heart. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

Where to Send Him

Alright, here's the deal...Hubby's birthday is in October. Every year it's the same old thing..."What do you want for your birthday"??? And Every year I get the same old, tired answer..."Nuthin"...."Don't need anything"!!!...I always say, "Didn't ask you what you needed...I asked what you wanted"!!!....Oh well, you know how the conversation goes. Well, I've decided that this year is going to be a bit different. A cooking course.....yes. I've already asked him where he'd like to go for this course.... Now that we've eliminated three quarters of the free world...LOL...He said he'd think about it. I reminded him just how much he enjoys cooking. I happen to think he's a very good cook so why not go have some fun with it?!! What started out, in the conversation, as a trip of two weeks at a villa in Italy...LOL..has ended up with maybe three or four days somewhere in the States...He'll think about it....I told him that both he and his BFF Tom, could go together, seeing as Tom is retired. Anyway, if y'all have any suggestions about Where, pass them along! You might know of something locally we'd never find out about. Well, guess I'll move along for tonight. I'll be home tomorrow taking care of the Granbabies (Martin Luther King Day). So have a good Monday and I'll talk to you then.

Sound of Music...Time on my Hands

Well, I've had nothing but time on my hands today. The knee is feeling a bit better. I didn't use Williams (grandson) stick horse as a cane!! lol Really had to have it yesterday though. I was up late...asleep...up...asleep, you know the routine! This morning was pretty quiet. Hubby went to town, ran a few errands, put lunch on the pit then went to Best Buy to get Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007. We watched the four hour extravaganza and really enjoyed it. Crystal and the kiddos went to her friend's son, Dawson's, birthday party...that didn't happen...you'll just have to read about it on her blog. I'm sure she'll write about it! LOL

I added a song play list to my blog with a few tunes that I love. NOW!!! If it's irritating...TELL ME!! It's at the bottom of my site. I don't have anything "jarring" or "jangly" on the list. I may be the "writer" but You're the "reader"...so...you won't hurt my feelings...go ahead...

Gads, if my knee doesn't heal pretty soon, who knows what I'll add!!! LOL So, I'm off for more meds and I hope you all have a safe, happy and warm night!

What A Day I'm Having!

Well OK....The morning is good...I like mornings. I get payroll wrapped up, everybody's smiling and in good moods. It's cold and wet. Lunch time comes along so Hubby and I get going at eleven to our favorite place, Golden Corral. It starts...Hubby notices, for about the fifth time, over the last couple of weeks, an elderly couple. The man carries a salad bowl up to the dessert section and fills it...I Mean Fills It with...jellybeans. Carries said bowl back to his table and his waiting wife. Wife takes the bowl of jellybeans and Dumps them into her purse...I'm watching this...a LITTLE surprised...OK, maybe they're poor and can't affor...HOLD IT!!! At $13.85 for two people to eat lunch, and they are there at least three times a week...LIKE US...OK Donna, calm down. It's alright. Next, Wife goes up and gets more fried chicken (I'm getting steamed by this point because I can't have fried chicken) LOL. Anyway, the plate of chicken is sitting on top of Another plate of chicken...Jeezus...that chicken disappears into the abyss...Alright, this is where I Have to remember...It's their karma...If they want to do that, I'll not judge them...I do not know their situation OR their lives...so, shut up Donna. OK...done. Out the doors Hubby and I go. Wet, cold and sprinkling. I turn the corner, headed to the truck, SEE part of a black broken coat hanger...step right on it...right foot goes out from under me, left knee takes the hit full force. Hubby's right behind me..."You OK"??????......The only word that comes out of my mouth over and over is "Damn".......and "I'm sorry"!!! Why the "I'm Sorry", I'll never know! I always do that!! LOL Hubby launches into action. I'm in the truck before I know it with him saying..."Need to go to the hospital"??? "NO"!!!!!!......(Nurse...heal thyself has always been my motto). So, I manage to drive myself home...hobble into the house, change clothes and stuff two Excedrin down. I'm sore from my neck down to my feet. My knee cap looks like someone took a baseball bat to it...but I'll be fine! It could have been SO much worse!!! So, Bless that old couple. Here's hoping their fortunes change. Maybe I am being shown something. I need to ponder it for a while.......Nope! Wasn't Me!!! LOL

PS- In case y'all are wondering why I drove myself home, I'm fiercely independant! I have to be down for the count to have someone else "do" for me! Poor Hubby....LOL

Thank heaven I did Jenn's meme earlier...Y'all have a wonderful evening!

12345 Things from Jenn

This meme is from Jenn... It was fun! Now You try it!!!

12345 Things
1. Name one thing you do everyday.
Laugh…it’s just the “Fun” thing to do!
2. Name two things you wish you could learn.
Great formula’s….from a great mind such as Einstein!
How to whistle using two fingers!
3. Name three things that remind you of your childhood.
Fresh Dirt…LOL…I know…Dad use to plow the field..smelled wonderful!
White paste in a jar….OH COME ON..You use to eat it to!! LOL
Sewing machines….Mama sewed almost All our clothes
4. Name four things you love to eat but rarely do.
Cream cheese, chicken & dumplings, pizza, liver pate
5. Name five things/people that make you feel good.
Smiles, hugs, Christmas, books and family

Hot Chocolate

This is SO true.... settle back with your hot chocolate and ponder for a while...

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a
reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now
retired.
During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in
their work and lives.
Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and
returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of
cups -porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some
exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were
taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you
to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your
problems and stress.
The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot
chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even
hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot
chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And
then you began eyeing each other's cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position
in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life.
The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot
chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses
the cups.
The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything that they have.

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
And enjoy your hot chocolate.

Fool's Gold

I am SO ready for Sun, beaches and fun...Aren't you? This clip looks like it's gonna be fun!!! Fool's Gold coming next month. I'm cheating by using a movie clip but there has Not been anything interesting happening today in my world!! And I've been looking! LOL Hope your evening is filled with warm tropical breezes and much happiness.

Posse Arrives, We're Saved

Please read the post below, first...Then, this one. Thank you. The Management

Another Sighting

Stephenville Texas...Over the past week or so...UFO sightings! About forty miles from where we live and close to the Western White House in Crawford. Tons of people have seen it and the Air Force is denying it...as usual. This is the report on CNN. Dublin, by the way, is where they still make Dr Pepper with real sugar. It's wonderful. It's a neighbor of Stephenville. Do I believe? Well of course! I get tired of all this 'hide-and-seek" mombo jombo. I suppose one will just have to land on the White House lawn...stay six months, have interviews with the Aliens, have a big "coming out" party...LOL...never mind. They'd just report that a weather balloon had fallen from the sky with party lights attached. Does this belief of mine classify me as a UFO nut? You bet 'cha...a happy nut. Maybe if it would hold still long enough, I might be able to use this fancy Canon on it. LOL So, what's happening in your neighborhood today?

Practicing the Zoomy Thingy

I went around the yard yesterday practicing with my zoom feature on the Canon RebelXT yesterday...Hummmmm. As you can tell, there's not much happening in the way of interesting subjects to photograph around the back yard. Now if only I could remember the settings I used, I'd have one quarter of the battle won. This camera stuff is really...perplexing? I guess I need an assistant to go around behind me so I can call out each setting as I take a picture!! LOL...No?? Maybe I will enlist one of the kids this evening...which one??? lol

Didn't do much of anything yesterday but play on the computer. Yes, it's safe and sound at home. Dr C. Geek turned it loose Friday afternoon...again..Hummmmmm. I can't really tell that he did much of anything except correct the settings for an email file. Technicians that can work on Vista problems are far and few between! They just don't know the system enough yet to really be of service. I got it home and worked on it almost all of Sunday afternoon and fixed a bunch of stuff I was unhappy about. SO, if you have Vista...start learning your product!!

Well, it's almost time to go out and meet the Babies bus. Y'all have a restful and happy evening!

PS- See the new Weber Pit? Hubby now has...let me see...Six?? LOL

Parenthood and Karma

This is what we woke up to this morning...LOL...Sami (granbaby) had her girlfriend over to spend the night, last night...No problem. We went through this kind of thing with our kids. I especially remember Crystal having a few admirers when she was a high school cheerleader. We went through the wrapped trees as well. Here in the USA, if the kids at school like you and want to cause a little mischief, your front yard will fall victim to this type of thing. Needless to say, this is Crystals first experience with what's ahead of her as a parent. Sami will be 13 on her birthday in February. A very special year, indeed. Hubby and I had some fun with Crys when she first got up this morning...Daddy says, "Good Morning!!! Boy, it's gonna be a wonderful day today"!!!....Crystal perks up her ears and replies..."What's up with you two"???LOL...Hubby and I kept at it until she was thoroughly, shall I say, disgruntled? We kept trying to talk to her in the living room so she'd look out the living room window and see all the paper flying in the wind, but it didn't work! Finally she glances over and sees it...LOL...Ahhh, the joy of it! Karma.....But when she looks out the front door and sees Her car wrapped with cellophane...she became almost...primal...imagine that! LOL

So, life goes on, children grow up....I can't seem to find the brakes to stop it from happening. All I can say is, grab 'em, love 'em and hug 'em for as long as you can. It's all over sooner than you think...So, what did you wake up to this morning??

Having Fun at the Lake

Well, it really was a nice break from the "usual" Saturday fare! Ronnie and Glenda came to our house so that we could take our own truck and follow them. It was a pretty drive, sunshine...NO rain...thank goodness. Wind is blowing like crazy but not too cold! Anyway...we stopped to eat lunch at a place called Chilies. It was good lime grilled chicken....What did y'all think I'd eat??? LOL....I behaved!! Larry had a nice grilled chicken salad....Good boy! We leave there and drive for a little through a park, winding around a few turns and finally into their driveway...Sweet!!! As in Whoa!!!! The house is really nice, only needing some long term care on the inside. You go around the back and this tremendous view is...just there. Wonderful. They've got some work to do, but I know when they finish, they'll love it.

The ride back took us through a tiny town called Moody. We were riding parallel to this coal train. Tried to make it to the turn off before the train rolled over it, but we lost the race. While sitting there I took a couple of shots of it. This is the first time in a long time that I'd had to wait for a train to pass...reminded me of long ago days, gone by.

Well, thanks for taking this little trip with me! If Glenda tunes in to read, Thanks you two!! It Was just what the Doctor ordered!!! Y'all have a happy evening!