Chicken Nugget Run

I'll tell you a little secret, okay it won't be a secret after I tell you but anyway here goes....my BFF Janice and I sometimes go on chicken nugget runs (CNR) on our lunch break.  Well, we only get 30 minutes for lunch so it has to be an extended lunch break.
It's kinda like ditching school after lunch..kinda because we do go back to work....eventually.
Here is what we do. We go to McDonald's and get the chicken nugget meal, I dump my nuggets and my fries into my sack all together.  Janice doesn't do this because she only eats one thing at a time, and we hit the road.  It's easier to eat chicken nuggets than a  burger while you are driving.  Sometimes we have someplace we want to go and sometimes we just head out.  Sometimes we eat in the cemetery and talk. 
On our last CNR we went somewhere I was curious about.  We turned down this gravel road .... then that gravel road and we saw this.

That is a bunch of junk.
Then we saw this,

which is more junk.
Then we saw this,

where suddenly the road dead ended...and we could hear "Dueling Banjos" playing in the background.  At that we turned around and "high tailed it out of there."
It was pretty surreal.
This was about 3 months ago...and I'm feeling the need for another CNR...(it gets in your blood)

A Long Story Made As Short As Possible

I have been away for awhile.  I haven't been in an asylum, rehab or on a desert island...let me explain...
(and I am not lamenting--I'm just explaining what all has happened)
Not long after my last post  early on a Saturday morning, Fontana was running around on the bed, missed the steps, fell off and broke his little foot.  The vet put a  on a cast (pink---sigh) that he wore for 3 weeks. He quickly learned how to get around with the cast on his little foot.
The following Sunday morning at 3 AM, the nursing home called and my sweet uncle John had passed away in his sleep.  We had his grave side services on Wednesday.  It was quite beautiful...the military played taps and presented me with the flag.  And a family friend that he had taught how to play the guitar, played Amazing Grace on the fiddle (yes fiddle, not violin).  All and all it was a wonderful tribute to a simple man who found great pleasure in simple things.
The following Saturday, I woke up and knew something was wrong.  Went to the ED and sure enough I had a large kidney stone that was too large to pass and was blocking my kidney...this bought me a trip to a large medical center and lithotripsy the following Monday.
I came home Monday after the lithotripsy and then of course Thanksgiving was Thursday.  So between passing the "sand" from the stone, running fever, cleaning and cooking......well enough of that.
Back to work.........then last Wednesday went to the urologist for a check up and....have two more stones that are small enough to pass sigh......feeling okay but on the way home started running fever......missed more days of work.
Oh and during this time my lap-top is at the computer doctor....I have been reading your posts on my iPhone, but I haven't been making comments.
Now I'm propped up here in the bed in my semi-decorated house...
Me:  David this is not all of my Santa Claus figurines
David:  Well, I got all the boxes down.
Me:  Can't be...
David: Is to.
Me: Is not.
David: Is to.
Me Is not.
Most all of the gifts are bought, but none are wrapped.
Fontana's puppy foot is fine. Priscilla, Ginger and Ann Margaret are fine.
I miss my uncle, but I know he is in Heaven playing "Rubber Dolly", "Carroll County Blues" and "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" on the fiddle (yes fiddle-not violin).
Our kids are fine,
All the Grand Kids are fine,
David is fine,
I am fine.
Life is good.
And let my Heavenly Father be praised. 

I Have Four New Tires!!!

My car is almost 10 years old.  I have 88,000 miles on it.  It is still in pretty good..to very good shape...except the head liner is coming down, and there are a couple of small dings here and there.  I have only had one set of new tires put on at somewhere around 40,000 miles.
So I was way past due for a new set of tires...the old tires made my car shimmy and shake like Beyonce...."I'm a single lady, I'm a single lady..."
Okay...anyway.....so yesterday afternoon when I got in the car to leave work, I thought hmmm what is that smell?  Smells like new tires....I quickly dismissed it.
But this morning when I cranked the car up and the "low tire pressure" alarm came on again...I sighed and turned in at the Exxon station.
Me: Trent when are my new tires going to be in?
Trent:  I put them on yesterday.  Couldn't you tell how much better your car rode? (They forgot to reset the low pressure alarm)
Well, as a matter of fact, blah blah blah blah.
Long story short, sweet David ordered and paid half of what was owed on them.  I wrote the check out for the rest and was on my merry way.
And....I was so excited.  I don't know when I have been so excited.  I wasn't this excited when David brought me that bracelet back from a hunting trip to Colorado...
At work I told everybody "Ive got new tires, I've got new tires, la la la la"
And then a light bulb went off in my head.......you know you are getting old when you get really excited about new tires. More than jewelry.  More than a movie and dinner.  More than that new blush you ordered from your Mary Kay representative.  And (are you ready?) more than that stuff you bought at the auction.
NOT!!!!
But still you get the picture.  I was excited.  And I'm old...well my body is old...my heart is still young...except for the tire thing...my heart is still young.

No Not My Mouth But My Mama's (And Uncle's)

My friend was telling me a story the other day about how her mother was prattling on and on in front of some people telling things that embarrassed her and were really Too Much Information. TMI.  I said, just put your hand over her mouth.
What?  Put a hand over your Mama's mouth?
Of course, it's much better than the alternative.  Now isn't it?
Let me explain.  My mother dearly loved to talk, and especially to tell things.  Especially things about me.  For instance, Angelyn got a raise, and now she's making ......dollars an hour!!! Can you believe that?  Angelyn and David bought a .......can you believe how much they spent on that?  Angelyn has got to have surgery on her.....because she is......
Now do you see what I mean?
So when she would TMI me, I would smile sweetly at whomever was on the receiving end of the TMI, shrug my shoulders and very very gently put my had over her mouth.
And they always got it.
Always.  'Cause I'm pretty sure if any you my sweet readers be truthful, your Mama has done the same thing to you.
My uncle is also a rattler. And I was thinking the other day after leaving the Nursing Home,  is this where I got my "Rattling Around In My Head" stuff?
I usually just sit there and  half listen.  I key in about every 50 words or so, unless I hear something kinda crazy.  Like the other day he was rattling, I wasn't listening until I heard the word "creosote."  That's right, creosote.  I never said a word, but apparently he thinks that the housekeeping staff may clean the floors with something like creosote.
Sometimes when I call him, and he is in a rattling mood I put him on the speaker phone and go about my business.  I have even taken a shower with him just rattling on and on.
Last year I had him in the doctor's office, I was trying to tell the doctor what I thought was wrong and he was yada yada yadaing.  I very sweetly put my hand over his mouth and finished telling the doctor what I needed to tell him.  The doctor was not shocked, he understood.  If you know my uncle, you understand.

Snippets From The Easter Wild Rumpas Or.....

Does AnyBody Have Any Craft Ideas For Left Over Plastic Easter Eggs?
And I do mean lots and lots of plastic eggs,  eggs that are still lying in a virginal state in a box...
It all started Friday when Son, DIL and gkids #s 6 and 7 came down.  They are moving into my mother's house.  It seems that Son is ready to be home and close to his daddy--he misses them hunting and fishing together, and coming home from his second tour of Iraq, he needs to be closer to home.
So Saturday there was cleaning, moving, painting, storing and selling.  But I went to the auction.  I showed my DIL the 4 things that I did not want to sell...my grandmother's two tables, which I never remember not having around, my mama's sewing machine and a very very old mirror that came from one of Mama's cousin's house.  I was ready to move on and had prepared myself by watching "Clean House."  But I just could not see my Mama's bed and other stuff leaving.  My DIL did a wonderful job for me.
Sunday dawned and found me in a daze from the crazy whirlwind of children, David's special needs brother, and grandchildren in the house.  I sat on the deck sipping my coffee and thought to myself, you have a decision  to make.  You can be like either Martha or Mary in the Bible.  You can be like Martha and run around making beds, picking up clothes, mopping floors or you can sit back and enjoy the moment like Mary did.
I chose to be Mary.
David boiled and the kids dyed 4 dozen eggs.  2 and 3 got a great kick out of this.  I wondered if all they have ever had is plastic.....

DIL, gkids and I all piled in the bed and watched the chipmonks movie.
We didn't cook, we ate takeout...yeah I know that is kinda anathema for Easter but...and I hope He understands why we didn't make it to church.....
That evening our neighbor came over with some more plastic eggs and they hid probably a hundred.  7 kids hunting eggs in the yard....from ages 11 to 2.....fun.
By the end of the day my feet were sticking to the floor in places, I was tired of saying have you seen _____ insert name of one of 7 gchildren and/or CiCi and GinGin, and constantly being on chocolate watch for the dogs, wondering what that pink powder was in various places (seems like it is some kind of dipping powder), and hearing "Nonna 7 dropped this in the yard" (my scan drive that has all my back-up files on it!!!), loss of a rent check and so on and so on.
After everybody left, I realized that the very thing that I said in my wedding vows to David at our wedding almost 15 years ago, "I want to grow old with you, sit on the front porch and watch our grandchildren play in the front yard" had actually come true.
Life is good.

Stuff To Show You and Share With You

I finally got my snow a couple of weeks ago.  David turned on the outside lights for me and I watched it snow as I dozed.  I think that the last time I looked outside was around 3 AM and it was just about stopped.  I got up early that morning and took my time getting ready for and going to work. I enjoyed the brief moments of snow....I stood outside on the deck, rolled down my car windows and opened the sun roof....smelled and felt the freshness of it.  By the time I got home from work, it was gone...and if it had never happened.  But I enjoyed it while it lasted.

This picture is of #4 taking a bubble bath, look at that pure joy on her face...

This a piece of Fire King cookware.  It is depression glass of the Philbe pattern.  It is a large mixing bowl.  I collect this and it was mine all mine at the auction for five bucks!!!

This funky silver plated bowl now holds QTips in my bathroom....bought at the auction--mine for $2.50.

Annndddd my Auction Buddy Judy got this Longaberger casserole with the basket for five bucks!!!  She showed it to me and dared me to bid against her...dared me.  It was hard, but I love her too much and besides I got my Fire King, so I was happy.

And of course a puppy dog picture.........

And last but not least the bus that brought my son home from Iraq to Germany, from Germany to Maine, from Maine to Biloxi and from Biloxi to Hattiesburg.......and tomorrow he will come by here on his way to his house.  Praise The Lord!!!

Was I Embarrassed?

I have been sitting in front of makeup mirrors for years, because I have been wearing makeup for years, because I have been working in a public setting for years.  And let's face it, sick people do not want to look at somebody that looks worse than they do.
I always paint up, pretty up, dress up to go to work.  So when the bulb in my lighted make up mirror burned out, I was perturbed.
David tried to replace the bulb with one we had here and I heard this sound...pizz shssss pop along with a bright arc of light.  So much for that bulb.  He looked all over town to find another replacement but couldn't.
I went to the local Wal Mart--no dice, Freds--no dice, Angel's beauty supply--no dice.  I traveled to a town 20 miles away to a super Wal Mart--no dice...sigh and from there I drove another 30 miles to a Salley's Beauty supply and at last--dice.
I brought it home plugged it's shiney little self in, removed the protective covering on the mirror on the regular side and it was was fine, buuutttt the magnified side had this blur to it.  I cleaned it with a little water--no dice, cleaned it with a little alcohol--no dice...durn...still blurry.
Okay this was the last one on the shelf.  I had kept the receipt and the box as the lady suggested 'cause you just never know,  I would have my $71.00, but I still wouldn't have my mirror and I just can't see well enough without it to look my gorgeous fairly decent self.  Hmmm maybe she would give me some of my money back and I would at least have a partial mirror.
No dag gum it, I was going to get my $71.00 back.  So Friday evening after work, David and I drove 30 miles back to Salley's beauty supply.  I had the box, the instructions, and of course the receipt.  I didn't put it in the box 'cause I didn't want to have to unbox it  to show the saleslady, she could just give me my $71.00 and put it back in the box herself.
I walked in and showed it to her and she said....hmmmm and pulled the protective covering off the blurry side and viola!! it was magic........it was perfect.  I was speechless standing there with my mouth hung open, yep I had not removed the film from that side.  But I was sooo happy, I just grinned and took my $71.00 lighted makeup mirror right back out that door. Sigh.

Pictures From Memphis or What I Ate At The Blue Plate Restaurant

I sure have missed posting stuff and putting comments on your blogs.  But trust me I read each and every one of them.  It's just hard to post from my iPhone.   I can post from my iPhone, but I can't upload the pictures that are saved on there.
Anyway....
Here's some pictures from Memphis.

 

This a life-sized statue of W.C. Handy that is in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel in Germantown, which is where we stayed.  Cool huh?

This is the tag that  I forgot to take off of the hoodie that I wore all over Memphis on Saturday.

 

This is the famous "Blue Plate Restaurant."  The line was almost out the door.  But we didn't have to wait too long.

 

The restaurant is filled with these wonderful  pet portraits by Debbie Richmond.  The Yorkie immediately made me think of my blogger friend Helen and my cousin Annette.  It is just awesome.  The colors are amazing.

 

  

  

Aren't they wonderful?  I really wanted to wander around in there and take pictures of all of the portraits and not worry about disturbing everybody's meal......but I didn't.

I ate a brunch that would make a cardiologist sad.

For starters:

 

Biscuits with.......

 

Saw Mill gravy.....

Grits floating in butter, 2 eggs over easy and country ham.

Ahhh now on to see "Jersey Boys." Life is good.

Conversations

Good friend L. when she came over and took the grand tour of the house.
L.  Why don't you have curtains in your bathroom?
Me.  I just haven't been able to find any that suited me.
L.  Do you take baths in that tub?
Me. Yes.
L. How many people have you killed?

Picture of one of the windows over the tub....the other is to the immediate right.

Cassie (#2 gchild):  Nonna, do you know what I enjoyed most about today?
Me:  Thinking, the trip to Wal Mart, Pizza Inn......(she was a tremendous help to me cleaning out my Mama's house Saturday) No what?
Cassie:  Just being with you.
Me:  What? Wanting her to say it again.

Cassie: Just being with you.

David:  Gotta move my cameras (the ones in the woods)...corn feeders blah blah....scrapes yada yada....deer stands....blah blah blah.....scope.....camouflage.....food plots....yada yada yada...gloves, boots, rifle, insulated socks, under armor, antler rattler thing......doe urine.........
Me:  Sigh..........

My Little Chrismas Story

One day last week I woke up overwhelmed with all the things that I needed to do.  Get ready for a Christmas party....decorate....and many other things. Normally I am a very happy glass is half full type of person, but this morning I was not in the best frame of mind.  I was feeling sorry for myself and in an ill mood.

As I was driving to work it occurred to me that my days are numbered.  No I don't have a terminal disease, but my days are numbered and only God knows how many I have.  I should live in the moment and rejoice in every single day.  As the scripture says; Rejoice and again I say rejoice. (Philippians 4: 4)

So during my short drive to work, I prayed to God.  I always use ACTS  for my prayers. A--affirmation--give God glory and praise, C--contrition--ask for forgiveness, T--give thanks for your blessing and S--supplication--give God your cares and ask for His blessings and grace.  My short version of this is: I love you Lord, forgive me Lord, thank you Lord and help me Lord.  

This particular morning I asked the Lord to help me be joyful, to live the day as if it was my last, and to inspire others with my attitude.  I finished up my prayer as I walked toward the hospital. As I walked up toward the canopy, something made me look up.  I saw a little feather floating down just above my head.  It landed gently at my feet...I think He heard me...don't you?