Damn Squirrel

Damn Squirrel

Fast Food Is Evil

This week has been a bit rough for me, food wise.  I've been fighting a lot of inner demons with it.  I've pretty much given up diet pop, actually Diet Pepsi and I've quit buying creamers to put in my coffee.  It may be a small thing but a few of the last things I was so reluctant to give up.  With the impending beginning of the colon cleanse that I think will start on Tuesday, I'm trying to ready my body.  I picked up the kit on Thursday and started really reading and planning.  I have to hit the store Monday and get my veggies and fruit and then I'll be ready.  My issue this week has been trying not to eat fast food.  I'm usually not too bad.  I don't eat it much but driving past a Taco Bell I wanted, WANTED to stop and get something.  Then I thought well, I'm going to pass Sonic, I can get a Sonic Blast.  OH MY GOSH!  I had to fight myself to not stop.  I finally made it home, WHEW, where I got my bottled water and used a Crystal Light thing to give me something tasty.  It was so tough, I can tell you but I talked myself down.   Fast food is evil!  I did not have it growing up, we didn't have access but the culture we live in has made it a part of my life.  I am going to break this habit once and for all.  I am going to make some right choices.

Fortune Cookie Friday

"You will soon be reunited with an old friend."

Well, well, well, this sweet fortune I had forgotten about in my pile of fortunes.  It came true last year when my best friend from high school came back into my life.  It has been such a wonderful thing to have her back in my life again, she enriches my life.  

My Opinion

It's just my opinion but what in the world is going on with these schools arresting parents and holding diploma's.  I was watching the news this morning and I could not believe that one school district actually arrested a parent for disorderly conduct after she Woo-Hoo'ed for her child getting their hard earned diploma!  Then there was one where they with held a boy's diploma until he does 20 hours of community service.  Okay, that one is ridiculous.  The guy did not do the screaming so why should he be the one do the "time" when he was just standing on the stage.  I don't agree that they should punish anybody at all.  I've been at the graduations where they screaming goes on and I don't like it but I totally understand the excitement of the parents and family.  I don't know what can be done but these things are just not right.  Poor kids.

Wordless Wednesday

The After

Today is the after day of my wonderful birthday and it was an awesome birth"day".  The morning started with tons of Facebook birthday wishes and a card from The Hubby.  A bit of work at the office and then I was off to go with B to her doctor appointment.  Listening to the heartbeat of our little granddaughter was my birthday present from B and I couldn't have been more thrilled.  That was a quick visit and then home to wait for Sis.  We were going to have lunch.  I have not seen her since Christmas, even though she lives close.  It has been a bit odd, our relationship but yesterday was great.  She came over and then we went to Utica Square for lunch and a little walk around shopping.  Catching up on her and the kiddos was nice and the day helped to bond us a bit again.  My one concern is that when she came into the house the first thing I noticed is that she smelled like smoke, she is smoking again.  Rats.  That does make me sad but it is her life.  She's already got the early stages of COPD which is what killed mother, plus a couple of open heart surgeries, her health will not do well.  After a few hours together she went home and I hit the couch for a little nap.  It's was my birthday and I wanted a nap.  I had plans for the evening and I needed a bit of shut-eye.  After the 40 winks I checked the FB page to find over a hundred wishes.  Oh man that was so fun.  Then I was off to my Birthday Club dinner with my friends.  There are four of us and we've been doing this for about 15 years.  Can't believe it.  We were going to go out for the evening but decided to stay in, order food in and keep the chit-chat going.  What fun we had.  Before I hit the hay I checked my messages on the phone and FB to find many more well wishes.  My birthday was a rousing success and I couldn't have asked for anything better.  Here's to life my friends and thank you one and all.  

My Golden Year

According to They Hubby today I have hit My Golden Year today.  I was born, 56 years ago today, so that means my birth year was 1956.  I wonder what that means exactly, and I have no idea, but It find it interesting. It is going to be a bit of a busy birthday day week.  Last night we kicked off the celebration but eating fish tacos at Full Moon Cafe.  I love those things.  Today B has invited me to join her to one of her doctor appointments to hear our little baby's heartbeat for my birthday!  That is the best birthday present ever.  So excited.  After that wonderful honor I will head home to meet my sister for lunch today.  I haven't seen her since Christmas.  Tonight is out with some girlfriends, our birthday club for dinner.  Actually, we have been friends for about 26 years from church and decided many years ago to celebrate each other's birthdays each year.  Such fun we have and what great friends.  Later in the week will be lunch with one of my bestie's too.  The best thing is that art class begins again for the summer session.  I am very excited to show my instructor some of the stuff I have started while on break.  I've also been contacted to do yet another commission piece!  How exciting.  Maybe this is my Golden Year, at least my golden week!  Happy Monday all!

Family Time

I know I'm late today with the blog post.  We had to drive to Oklahoma City for the night with my sweet mother-in-law as passenger.  The Hubby's cousin got married May 1 and they had a reception/party yesterday afternoon then dinner at the other cousin's house.  It was mini-reunion.  We haven't had one in 5 years so it was long overdue.  It was nice to catch up with his family and I really enjoyed his mom along for the drive.  Tomorrow is special...check back and see why!

Blogiversary

This month is my 6 year blogiversary!  I can't believe this has been home to my thoughts, feelings and words and I've made so many neat bloggy friends.  I've had thoughts of giving it up but I just can't do it.  Do you think I can make it to 7 years or even 10 years.  I certainly hope so.  I can't wait to see who I meet, online!  Thanks everyone.  Oh and Monday is a special day for me.  I will let you know what it is then!

Fortune Cookie Friday

"The smart thing is to prepare for the unexpected."

This has always been my motto but I say it "Always expect the unexpected."

It's like preparing for a storm, or the pop quiz the next day.  You just never know so be ready and don't be surprised, if that is possible!

The Orange Building

The Orange Building is back.  Wait, I think the last one was The Green Building, but they accomplish the same thing.  They let the many workmen have a place to go that is not in a corner of my backyard!

Construction is on going and little Clayton's yard is a rock mess.  Doesn't seem to stop him much from enjoying the sun when he can. 

It is truly a mess and as of today has a lot of very, very deep holes for the new footings.  Clayton took off like he does after rabbits and I was screaming at him because he was heading for one of the very deep holes.  My mind was seeing him falling and breaking a leg but he jumped and cleared it and was after that darned rabbit.  He's usually very clutzy. 

While enjoying what's left of our backyard Monday I decided to soak my feet while I finished that book. 

Today I did my own jumping a few holes to see what my little garden held.  Look what I have been overlooking, that HUGE cucumber.   There were more tomatoes and I stole a few potatoes for our dinner.

Some of the onions that just needed to be picked, hanging to dry. 

Finished

I have finally finished that darn book "Fifty Shades of Grey" and I can tell you I and thrilled to be done with the thing.  I was not happy to find that it continued to the next book which I SHALL NOT read.  Hated that book, really.  I've gone on about it enough and so this will be the end.

Now on to some better books I've read this year.  Some authors I have discovered is Kristen Hannah and Elin Hilderbrand.  Really like their stuff.  They have depth of characters and they have a good story line most of the time.  Two of my favorites of Kristen's was Winter Garden and Night Road.  Stories that kept me captivated and made me shed a few tears.
  

Now Elin Hilderbrand I love because she writes great stories and they are usually in Nantucket on a beach and I LOVE the beach.  They are great summer reads.  A Summer Affair was kind of unusual but I liked it.  the main character had an affair and I'm not sure I have read a book like that, really.
  

Just some summer reads I thought you might be interested in.

Minding My Own "Business"

Minding my own business, when we get a phone call from an old customer who insists that we find an invoice for him from 1991.  WHAT!  First I wasn't at the office when the call came in so this is what I have to deal with when I go back into the office.  Second, we have records, online records from 1999, before that it was strictly all handwritten by my itty-bitty hands.  Those records probably don't exist anymore, I think they have been shredded.  If they are still in storage they are upstairs in mouse and silverfish laden boxes that I DON'T want to go through.  I mean really, 21 years later he wants us to track down an invoice.  The Hubby may have to shut this guy down.  Can you tell I'm a bit agitated!  Common sense tells you that a company will not have a hard copy invoice from 21 years ago, am I right!

Hampton

Fantabulous to watch.  Hampton on So You Think You Can Dance.  Must watch the whole thing.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day.  Today is the day everyone puts a flag on their porch and remembers those they have lost, whether it be from natural causes, murder, or war, it is a day to honor and remember. Many will visit a cemetery to place a flag or flowers, I am not one of those.  I know for a fact that my father will be there to visit momma's grave and his parents and brother.  It gives him comfort.  I can not go to a mound of dirt and cry, like he will do.  I just can't do that.  My mother is not in that box deteriorating, covered with tons of dirt, while people walk and mow over it.  My momma is here, in my heart, in my memories, safe with me.  Her physical body may lie there but that was a shell, she is out there in the universe.  

I will remember and honor all those that have been here before me but I will not mourn over a piece of dirt.  That is why I want to be cremated and scattered over the land of northeast Oklahoma.  Please don't get stuck in a moment of time over me.  Move on with life and LIVE.  Never forget, honor and learn from the lives they have lived before us.  Their lives are a book of learning we need to savor.  Each day is a page in their book of life, remember and honor.  

Those that have made an impact on my life I will always remember.

Momma

Granny and Granddaddy

Grandpa and Grandma

Uncle Wayne

Greatgranny and Greatgranddaddy

Gail 

Uncle George

Jean Ann

Views From My Hammock

Views from my hammock!

Colon Health

Relaxing at the cabin this weekend.  Should be pretty quiet as several cabinites are in different places than our little Eden.  B&B2 are coming up today, just for the night and we're having a few over for ribs and pork tender.  Very, very low key and laid back is my plan and my usual thang!  I actually slept in this morning, well, except for getting up at 4:30 to feed Clayton and potty him.  I was back to bed in a flash and did not open my eyes until 9:30AM!!!!!  Unheard of for me anymore.  It felt glorious.  The only hitch of this weekend is I suspicion that I have a UTI starting.  That is not good.  Good thing I'm going for a physical on Thursday.  I've put out an SOS to B for some cranberry juice and see if I head this thing off at the pass.  

A bit blurry but they are all filled and waiting, the dinner bell has been rung!

Finally out of bed, I made my way to the coffee pot that has been brewing since 7:30...oooo, chewy coffee!  That's fine I just added a bit of milk and sweetener and I'm happy (I've given up my creamers.)  On that note, I went to my very first reflexology consultation on Thursday.  Widipedia doesn't give it a glowing review as to effectiveness but that is fine, it's massage and that is what I am all about, especially my feet!  The consultation was also on nutrition and wellness.  I am officially going to start a colon cleanse diet in a couple of weeks.  I have had some issues for several years, and yes I have had a colonoscopy, but still issues.  I have done a bit of research and the reflexologist is doing one that is not to weird.  It's mostly fresh fruits and vegetables with little cooking, brown rice, whole grains, etc.  Really, I do that a lot anyway but I'm going to follow the program for 21 days and hopefully I will feel better with getting the benefit of cleansing my system and jump starting the weight loss, although that is not what the guy is about, he is about a healthy body and me too.  

Sun Tea

Construction...Yet Again

Yes, today we are supposed to start construction yet again on the house.  Do you think we are crazy?  That may well be, but we love doing this kind of stuff.  

Today the demolition of this area is supposed to start.  We are going to build an outdoor kitchen, patio, new roof line here and possibly french doors to the right of this picture, where there are windows in the living room.   

The obvious limb missing from the wonderful oak tree had to be taken off because of a couple of reasons.  First, it was severely damaged from the ice storm a few years ago.  We tried to save it with some bolts but it was not going to survive and was still splitting.  Second, because it was so huge and hung directly over the house it had to go.  It was not going to survive it's injury or the construction.  Poor tree has had a rough time from the local electric company chopped the other side away from the electrical lines and the ice storm.  Now construction, we pray it is safe.  In fact, that is part of the plan with the contractor to be extremely careful to not even get close to any roots and to go around if encountered at all costs.  

Here I found an inside picture before we finished the inside remodel.  Those windows will be made into french doors, possibly and that small door, that is useless and never opened will be walled up.  

Also, this early morning I quickly took a look at the garden to see if anything needed picking and look what I spied, RED, red tomatoes.  I was so excited!  I've already picked cucumbers, onions and green peppers but tomatoes, these are the first.  

Ramble

Again I am faced with a blank "canvas" here this morning.  At least I am feeling a bit better today.  The past few days I've been in my "box", hormonal, and not wanting to be a part of the human species.  Even though I'm through with that part of my life the hormones are still bouncing around inside me and make me a bit crazy occasionally.  Today, even though I woke up yet again at 3 am, I am just in a better place mentally.  Could be because I got to paint a bit more yesterday, fixing some stuff on actual canvas I messed up.  Gearing up for the weekend at the cabin and I can't wait.  B&B2 are bringing a friend and should be nice.  I invited Daddy but he wasn't too keen on a holiday weekend, too many kiddos and people.  That's fine because he will enjoy his new driveway he had put in this week.  Imagine my surprise Monday morning as I went to see him and find all kinds of workers digging up the old one in preparation for new.  I had to go by yesterday to see how it looks.  He is pleased as punch with it and I'm glad for him.  He's doing well I think.  He has a little garden, his new driveway and man that guy can cook an egg.  While there yesterday he asked if I wanted an egg for breakfast, I hesitated but said yes.  Good choice.  He cooks the best over-easy eggs ever.  He eat well.

Okay, I guess I managed to put some words down here this morning.  I don't want to miss another day on my mission to post everyday this year.  I think this is only the second time I've skipped a day so not bad.  Now it is off to the office and later today my first reflexology visit!  I'm excited.

Transformation

Being a bit nostalgic today and thinking about our transformation.  It's not our anniversary, that is January and it has been 36 years.  

Just curious about the wrinkle factor and the scale....hmmmm.