Shout Out

Gotta give a shout-out to Ranky's Ramblings. Ranky is a dear friend and was once my Sunday School teacher. He graciously wrote a post about Cletus and I. Since there is "no hair growing on this tale" (meaning it is a true story), he changed our names to Raffi Plowman and his wife, Leala. So if you have time, find Rankys Ramblings on the left hand side and read the tale of Raffi Plowman's surgery.

Pioneer Woman

When Cletus and I were dating, he made the comment that I would make a terrible pioneer. I was livid, afterall, I was a girl scout for years! (I am pretty sure he just said it to get me riled up. Well, it worked!) Today we were watching a show on the History Channel: America the Story of Us. This episode was about the early pioneers and the challenges they faced. Namely the Donner Party. Ok, maybe I would have not made the best pioneer...but I certainly could have held my own!

This really is Cletus, Me and Buddy. I was trying to get the solemn look. I started thinking about hundreds of miles with these two and then seeing the Rockies. Oh crap! Ha ha ha!

Mother's Day

I miss Mom every day...and even more on Mother's Day.
She sure loved Honey and Peter. She even had their portrait painted.

Mom and Sue came up to Alaska when I was there. We took a charter ride up to Mt. Denali (aka Mt. McKinley). On the way there, we stopped for a photo op with the mountain in the background. Poor Mom, she was cold the whole time.

And then we got on a boat and cruised through the inside pasage. It was breath taking beautiful!

She left too soon and missed too much. She sure would have loved the boys. And she would have loved to see the South.

The last Mother's day I remember, we went to the exhibition baseball game in Denver. The promoters were trying to decide if Denverites would support a pro baseball team. It was freezing cold, but it was nearly sold out. They eventually got the Rockies. I know Mom would have been one of the first season ticket holders!

I have found that you forget what people say and what people do...but you never forget how they make you feel! Love you Mom!!

Flashback Friday

So have we changed any?

Retro Weekend Part One

Too bad it doesn't say age limit 27. I felt like I was in an '80's flashback all weekend! Saturday morning, it was a gawgeous 80 degrees. (Much better than last weekends fake snow storm). So, I road tripped to B'ham, even though the "magic" city is usually not my fav place. I-65 was less crowded than usual and the travel a breeze the whole way. I found a great '80's radio station and sang loudly in the car. I got through the 65/20 interchange with minimal swearing. I parked downtown near Linc park, the civic center and the hotel. I thought if Smarty Pants was not yet available, I would hang out in the park and take pictures. Um, maybe not. This guy decided that he liked me or probably he just wanted money. I noticed that there appears to be a good number of homeless people in the park during the day. Anyway, he followed me from my car to the hotel. By the end of the 2-1/2 block journey, I was running IN HEELS. Quite the sight, I assure you! The hotel desk manager seemed totally unfazed by the fact that I was completely frazzled and out of breath. I guess he is used to that kind of behavior?? Thankfully, Smarty Pants was in her room!! And I saw no more of Mr. Creep!!

I must admit that I would have recognized her anywhere. She looked great and has not changed a bit. I really should post her high school pic and show you. Ha ha. Better not! She'd kill me and artfully hide the body! I brought my Wheat Ridge Farmer yearbook and we reminiscing and catching up. Did I mention that I have not seen her since high school?

Flash Back Friday

Really old pictures! Yes, that is me.

Me and Mom (in front of a California police car)

Me, Mom and Sissy. Girls Gone Wild! California has not been the same since. Too bad there is not a picture of the yellow Camero we rented.

Havent changed a bit...well, maybe just a LITTLE bit.

Memory Lane

This story has been told and told by my Dad until it became legend. My brother is five years older...so I'm guessing that I was four and he was nine at this time. I have no recollection of this and never knew what it looked like but I found the picture on Google. (I know, heaven forbid I use the Internet for something educational!) Years ago my brother got this for Christmas. You could hit it and the bear would growl and turn around and charge at you. LR (rotten brother) thought it would be oh so funny to try and scare me with it. So he made it charge after me. Well, instead of runnning away crying, I hit it as hard as I could and sent it flying into the corner. Sadly it broke beyond repair. I showed him! I would bet the the reason that is no longer sold is that it is a totally politically incorrect toy.

Oh by the way, when I say rotten brother...I mean it. He tried to shut me into the fridge (to see if the light would stay on). One day, he fed me Crisco and unsweetened chocolate! He didn't exactly lie: he said that Mom made cookies with them! Like I said...ROTTEN!

Missing Karen

Back in the spring, Karen invited us to go to a Passover dinner. MJ, Mrs Goofy and Karen are pictured here. Karen (right) has gone to be a Heavenly Citizen. Your sweet spirit was a beacon of light and an example to us all!

Favs

I was so inspired by V, that I decided to post my favorites:
My favorite Nativity scene...of course it is personal because I painted each piece...

This is my absolute favorite. It is an elf that was in my grandmother's house. I miss her dearly and seeing this elf always makes me smile.

This ornament was my parent's before they had children. There was a whole set but only a few remain and my mom gave me one of them before she died.

My brother and I fought over this elf every year.

I made this ornament out of a milkpod in Girl Scouts. It has survived moving from Colorado to Alaska to Alabama and then a few moves after that. I wonder if anyone else in the troop still has theirs...

I wonder what ornaments my kids will treasure and why...

Christmas...1977?

Still trying to get a Lite Brite. Ha ha. Just thought maybe Santa could help me get a Jaguar. Didn't happen. Oh well, I still dig the fat man with the bag!

Flashback

What a precocious looking child! Poor Santa, he looks bored. I was obviously happy to have my picture taken! I learned two lessons that year. First, never ever let your best friend cut your hair. My mom loved having me in a pixie cut...but Tammy took the bangs to a whole never level of short. Secondly, if you ask Santa for something, tell your Mother as well. I asked Santa for a Lite Brite. And sadly it took him about twenty years to deliver it.

Flash Back Friday

Who are these people? Yes, Cletus and I, BK (before kids)...about seventeen years ago. We were up at Burritt and I was extremely pregnant. Cletus was trying desperately to cheer me up.

Christmas Movie Traditions

I love Christmas movies. Some I have been watching since my kiddie days, while others are started more recently. Each year, I have to see Frosty (yes, I still cry when Frosty melts). And a A Charlie Brown Christmas..."it's not such a bad tree. maybe it just needs a little love" (pass the kleenex please). White Christmas and Holiday Inn and National Lampoon Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story. Now that I think about it, I cry at all of them. But some of them, because they are so funny!

Santa, Reindeer and Snow!

We went to Santa's Village.
Buddy had such a good time. Frosty's maze wasn't too challenging!

We saw reindeer in flight school training!

It snowed (sort of) in Alabama!

Buddy and Cletus sang with the elves!

Buddy makes a cute snowman!

Buddy sat on Santa's lap!

Sadly I am still on Santa's naughty list. I thought I was pretty good, kind of... for most, ok, part of the year. Well, there is always next year?

Flashback Friday

Has everyone has a Thanksgiving dinner that goes something like this...? Years ago, Cletus and I fly 1,200 miles in holiday mayhem to see my Dad for Thanksgiving. Upon arrival, I find that: Yes, they did buy a turkey...um, 20 plus pounds for five people! Wow that's a lot of turkey! However, they did not take it out of the freezer. So, I am madly trying to quick defrost and put the bird in the oven. Then I start on the dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, bread, and pie. Somewhere along the way, my brother gets mad and eats a turkey tv dinner in protest. That leaves four people to eat twenty pounds of turkey. So, shortly before we are supposed to eat, I realize that the turkey is not getting done. I end up whacking off parts of the turkey and throwing it into the microwave. Some two hours after the original dinner time, everyone is quite hungry. We finally sit down to eat. Dad announces that he doesn't really like turkey and he would prefer a nice ham. For twenty-some years we ate turkey every year and Dad never said a word to Mom. Then Dad's girlfriend announces that she is a vegetarian and does not eat turkey. What? Are you kidding me? Could this not have been made known to me earlier? We could have gone out to eat!! Not long after, Dad called and said that the element on his oven died and that must be why the turkey was not cooking. Well, at least we can all laugh about it now...almost.

At least I know my Mom had some times like that too. I remember one year we were done eating and we were getting the coffee and dessert... when Mom discovered the green beans still sitting in the microwave. Hey, would anyone like green beans with your pie and ice cream? And there was the year when she left the papertowels in the bottom of the salad bowl. Well, at least it makes for a good story. I have many more Thanksgiving tales but I'll save them for a later date.

Moon

The moon has always been a source of fascination for me. I used to take my Dad's binoculars and stare at the moon. I usually took my flashlight with me. I had decided that if I pointed my flashlight on the moon, that it would shine brighter. I'll bet you didn't know that the fullness of the moon was based on whether my mom thought I was wasting the batteries in the flashlight! She just didn't understand how important my job was. Ah to be a kid again!!

Football Friday

I had a Flashback Friday. I went out with some girlfriends for dinner and then to the BJ high school football game. Things have changed a bit since I was in high school. When did they start tailgating at a high school game? They had motorhomes, grills and tents!! I guess the South is serious about ALL levels of football. I actually went to see the BJ dance team. Wow, they are good! They even had a costume change before halftime! The poor HG football players got blown out 59 to 8. There were actually more HG band geeks than football players. That just seemed wrong! Oh well, I was just like in HS in one respect. We didn't find any guys. My buddies are single and looking.

Fourth of July Memories

This picture is my dad, my grandmother and myself on July 4th long long ago. My maternal grandmother's (Grace Lucille) birthday was July 2nd. So, growing up, we spent every Fourth of July at her house. It is strange what the mind remembers. I only seem to remember drinking Pepsi (we only drank Coke at our house) and grandmother's jello. She always made a lime jello salad with canned pineapple and mini-marshmallows. I'm not sure who came up with that combination...but it wasn't good. She made another jello salad with orange jello, shredded carrots and raisins...it was even worst. Needless to say, she had the reputation of not being able to cook. I wonder what my kids (and eventually grandkids) will remember about me. I guarantee they won't remember my making any jello salad combinations.