Yo MJ

2011-05-17T23:03:00.002-05:00

Clearing the Forest. Photo Credit: A drawing by Rowland Robinson...

squidoo.com

More info from my research about William Dunbar the Scot who went on the expedition to discover what the Ouachita River was all about.

It isn't really exciting unless you know these people really existed. They really worried about how they were ruled. Not much different than today. We tend to think it was all settled and no one has ever had the struggle with government like we have. Not true. Our lives are always on the balance as to how to live as free men in territories-physical and mental- that are hostile to reason.

You gotta love it.

The Bicentennial of the Digest of 1808 - Collected Papers: The de la Vergne Volume and the Digest of 1808

2009

24 Tul. Eur. & Civ. L.F. 31

Author

John W. Cairns*

Excerpt

I. Introduction

A. The de la Vergne Volume

It has long been recognised that a version of the law applied in the Spanish overseas colonies was in force in Louisiana at the time of its cession to the U.S.A. in 1803. 1 As one correspondent told Thomas Jefferson in 1803, "the province is governed entirely by the laws of Spain, and ordinances formed expressly for the colony". 2 This has led some students of Louisiana's legal history to see the Digest of the Civil Laws Now in Force in the Territory of Orleans of 1808, understood as based on the French Code civil, as marking a puzzling change in the law, even if it did contain some Spanish material. 3

In 1938, Pierre de la Vergne informed Professor Ferdinand F. Stone of the Tulane Law School that his family possessed a volume of the Digest with manuscript notes associated with Louis Casimir Elisabeth Moreau Lislet (1766-1832). This had been passed down through the de la Vergne family from Hugues de la Vergne (1785-1843), an associate of Moreau Lislet. 4 A refugee from St. Domingue, Moreau had been appointed in 1806 with James Brown, a Virginia-born Kentucky lawyer, "to compile and prepare ... a Civil Code for the use of this territory". 5 Next, in 1941, Professor Mitchell Franklin, also of the Tulane Law School, made the scholarly world aware that the de la Vergne family possessed what he described as "an unpublished manuscript in which Moreau Lislet gave, in ...

Camp Meme 2011 from Scotland to the Wachita

2011-05-15T23:13:00.003-05:00

Mémoire sur le district du Ouachita dans la province de la Louisianne, [1803]

Circa 1803
1.0 Volume(s), 1 volume, 43 p.

Mss.917.6.Ex7

Ok, you might be wondering what on earth I have done now.

I am gathering information for Camp Meme 2011.

I am gathering info on George Hunter and William Dunbar who made journals of their journey up the 'Washita River' towards Hot Springs.

I can't wait to have copies of their real journals. Of course it will be great learning how they wrote on the boat etc.

I am so excited I can hardly wait.

Day 3 Camp Meme 2010

2010-06-16T22:05:00.009-05:00

Day 3 has been a hard day for camp Meme.

Laundry had to be done, (Boys seem to attract dirt and stains.) I had to go into the office to work on immediate insurance issues and Obi had to go to a funeral.

But today we had a Mexican dinner with all kinds of great food.

When kids tell you they looooove a certain food, maybe you should check with their parent.

Pesto and Guacamole are both green, but totally different foods!

We went to the OBU library to get our books. They love the drawing books.
Our choice of a reading book is
"Yankee Batboy."

It looks like "Cousin It!"

Ah, it is Mi.

Reading time before bed.

Camp Meme Day 1 by Official Counting

2010-06-15T21:54:00.014-05:00

Day 1 - official counting

Wy at the Ganster Museum in Hot Springs.

Mi and Judea in the lobby of the Fordyce Bath House

Taking a break at the Arlington Hotel

Climbling the rocks at the park.

I see rock climbing in someones future.

Wy and Obi look at the Baseball pictures at the Convention Center

A picnic and a concert at Wetherington Park

Maw & Paw enjoy the music.

OFFICIAL DAY 2

Working on the pupet theatre.

Eating at the caf. One of their greatest treats!

Camp Meme 2010 begins

2010-06-13T19:39:00.004-05:00

Camp Meme 2010 begins.

1st things 1st.

We must have Meme's scrumptious Mac & Cheese
Plus Miss Tanya's Blue Ribbon Sweet Ice Tea.
I do love how those boys can enjoy food.

2010-01-01T11:44:00.006-06:00

New Year's Eve Day

Very pretty day. It was actually cloudy yesterday, but today is a bright and glorious day. So I used a happy picture.

I tooled around the house doing odds and ends, like fixing one of the many 'guns' in our house. This was after I cleaned out the closet. Threw away a lot of stuff. I know, I know it is the Christmas Miracle my family has been waiting for.

Got a call from Sharon Cosh about my immediate boss, Tricia Wempe giving birth the night before to a little girl, 13 days ahead of schedule. Ran right over to the hospital and took these pictures. 30 minutes, yes 30 minutes was how long her labor lasted. That is just so unfair.

Here is big sister Angelma holding baby sister Michaella. They are sticking with the Angel theme. Aren't they just adorable.

Went to the office to download these pictures so I could send them to the school staff, faculty, and students where we work. I especially wanted the internationals who we work with to know where their erstwhile leader will be for the next 3 months! Yikes. I gotta lotta work ahead of me.

Went grocery shopping- afraid it was going to snow, you know how us Southerners are about snow. We love it we just can't drive in it.

Fixed dinner of Chicken Fried Steak, Green Bean Casserole, Rice, Biscuits, & a fresh salad.

What was I thinking? I have enough food in my fridge, as my Granny Mary used to say, "for a log rolling." Just had to cook! didn't get a picture though!

Finished the Hoops & Yoyo paper Christmas Toy I started 2 weeks ago. It is all made of Card stock and glue. The instructions would blow most engineers minds. I lost the stockings that are supposed to go on the fireplace, because someone who was helping me cut them out lost them. You know who you are!

Finished the curtain I wanted to make for the kitchen door. Always felt a little odd, with that not covered.

Put the black eyed peas on to soak over night.

Watched TV and participated in New Years Eve

revelry.

A Southerner Speaks

2009-11-17T20:50:00.007-06:00

This letter was shared with me by a fellow Southerner.

To:

Dr. Dan Jones, Chancellor
University of Mississippi
P.O. Box 1848
Oxford, MS 38677

Dear Chancellor:

In my previous letter to you, I mistakenly thought that your concern over playing"From Dixie with Love" was that use of the melody of Dixie might be offensive to non-Southerners. I have since learned that, in fact, your nose was out of joint because you could not bend a group of students to your will and muzzle the politically incorrect words they substituted for one line of the song.

In the beginning, God took Nothing and made Something out of it-ex nihilo. You, Sir, have almost replicated that feat! Until you called attention to it nationwide, hardly anyone was aware that students were inserting the words, "The South shall rise again" into "From Dixie with Love." I certainly was not aware.

Even so, no serious minded person can possibly think that the quotation, "The South shall rise again," even remotely suggests taking up arms against our beloved America. One has but to watch the Emmys, Grammies, Oscars, and the the CMA awards, and 'as any fool kin plainly see' (Al Capp, "Li'l Abner"), The South abides as the repository where patriotism for our nation is most deeply ingrained and celebrated. Phil Harris's popular song of the 40's, possibly the original source of the quote you so despise, facetiously stated that "all the Yankee bands were playing Dixieland so save your Confederate money, boys-The South shall rise again." Back then, it brought amused smiles, not recriminations or even raised eyebrows.

Indeed, the South shall rise, must rise, and has risen in many other areas. Assuredly, the South needs to rise economically from poverty for many to prosperity for all. In industry and entrepreneurship, strides have been made in recent years. WorldCom was a leader in communications, the preferred carrier for government telecommunication, until mistakes in judgment brought it down. Of the "baby Bells" created in the breaking up of AT&T, it was BellSouth that eventually resumed the name AT&T. The South should and shall rise in the field of communications.

Automotive manufacturing thrives in Mississippi and Tennessee, while languishing in Detroit. The South shall rise and has risen in manufacturing.

The idea for Federal Express was born on the campus of Ole Miss and now thrives in Memphis, the greatest delivery service in the world. Coca Cola, an American icon, was first bottled in Vicksburg, Mississippi, by the Biedenharn family. The South rose and shall continue to rise in entrepreneurship.

The South produces more writers than any other section of the country. The Faulkner brothers, Tennessee Williams, Stark Young, John Grisham, Greg Ihles, Thomas Harris, Euroda Welty, young Amy Vincent, just starting and already published twice--and the list goes on and on. The South rose and shall continue to rise in literature.

Besides the gift of Dixieland jazz, we also gave the world Elvis, B.B. King, Charlie Pride, Faith Hill, Leontyne Price, Van Cliburn, and oh yes! Let us not forget our very own Luther Snavely! The South has risen and shall always rise in the field of music.

The South shall and did rise in political prominence. Four of the last six Presidents of the United States were natives of The South, and whatever you may think of their leadership, they have led the free world for 24 of the last 32 years; i.e., 75% of the time. The South rose and shall continue to rise in national and world leadership.

And so I ask you, Chancellor Jones, in just exactly what area would you prefer that The South not rise?

Organizing my jewelry

2009-10-23T19:35:00.004-05:00

Fixing my jewelry. I have what my mom calls costume jewelry. I probably organize it once every 4 years.

I have to get the little bins out and clean them, throw away the old broken stuff. Then look at everything with a critical eye and start again.

I just couldn't keep my necklaces from tangling. I had these little hangers I had used for hanging unused scarfs so I got rid of my scarfs and hung the necklaces.
Now I have them all neat. I just hope I don't get them tangled again.

Twinkies

2009-09-28T22:21:00.002-05:00

We do not have 'Dress the same Day' day at our office.

-Erin Flippin and Gray Prichard-

Yet we do have two student workers who are 'married,' ok not really, but they do look the same and they did dress the same, and they look so darling.

I think they should live in the Village, cause this is what they do.
We really work our workers. Just ask them. Never a dull moment.

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich

2009-09-27T23:03:00.004-05:00

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich

One thing I love is a BLT. You gotta have crisp bacon, fresh lettuce, a home grown tomato, white soft bread and good mayonnaise. There is just nothing like it. I don't cut it in half, because you have to hold it together like an envelope to keep everything from spilling out and the soft bread is great for that. Funny that something so simple can be so fantastic.

"Help" the Movie

2009-09-20T11:46:00.013-05:00

You gotta love the movie "Help" with the Beatles. It is just too fun.

The end of the move credits.

In the Alps the group plays a song and has fun skiing.

The bad guys get caught up in their own scheme.

The Beatles play a song.

In the castle they play cards.

On the ice curling stone that blows up.

Paul meets the high priest.

On one note, I just couldn't help notice that the religious implications that permeated the UK were not surprising to the film makers in 1965. Are we heading down this pathway? I agree with Ringo. "I don't subscribe to your religion."

Favorite time of year

2009-09-16T21:23:00.002-05:00

This is my favorite time of the year. Fall in Arkansas especially south Arkansas is just beautiful. The weather gets cooler on a slow curve. Some of the states north of here have long springs into summer. We have rain, rain, rain and cool weather in the spring, then boom it is 90 degrees. But the fall has beautiful days, OK some rainy days right now, but it is the time when you can light a fire in the fireplace in the evening and enjoy it. And when it is midday it can be sunny and crisp. Wow fall is just beautiful, and the sky turns this unbelievable color of vibrant blue, orange and pink. You gotta love it.

Three things to love

2009-09-13T17:53:00.005-05:00

These are three things that mean a lot to me.

Poppin' Fresh - When I first heard his giggle I knew he was the man for me. Because he sits on my sink I see him every day. He reminds me to giggle and be joyous. Sometimes life is weighty, and a positive outlook can keep you going when you don't really want to.
Murphy Oil Soap - This product it is an oxymoron. Soap on wood? Ash Soap is still a strange idea. But I really love it because you can use it on Marker Boards. Yes it can be diluted and made into a great Marker Board cleaner. It dissolves the marks, and it puts a film back on the board. Talk about fun! It is so stealthy. he he!
Expect a Miracle - This is one of the things I want to always remember. I do expect a miracle, because God is the miracle maker. How can He not be? Just look at our planet, the anomaly of the universe. It is because I know who He is not just what He does that I ask.

Things you keep

2009-09-12T23:03:00.003-05:00

There are some things in life you hold on to. Maybe it is a letter from a former boyfriend, or a dress you loved how you looked in it. I keep things I loved seeing my kids use. This little doll high chair has been in at least 5 states as we traveled around. It is falling apart, yet I can't get rid of it. I will be having a 25 cent sale this Saturday, but I can't give this up. A lot of things I can get out of the house, Whew, but for some reason this is just too tender in my heart. Now I am gonna cry, so I guess I had better get off the blog.

Good Night Mickey in the Night Kitchen

The end of summer

2009-09-07T20:52:00.011-05:00

Life is always so busy, that is why you have to grab time with those you love when you can.

Mi in Sunday School at Emmet. He thought he was too old for Thomas the Train, but he found out differently.

Watering the garden always turns out to be more fun if you can play in the water.

Mi wrote two letters on his own to police men and we delivered them. So excited, yet shy and his comment, "They didn't give me any stickers!"

We enjoyed our last swim at the village pool. At 86 degrees we thought we were in the north pole.

Eating and sewing on the back porch after having hot dogs, homemade potato salad and slaw. Such a traditional menu for our crowd, yet it was just right.

You have to enjoy the last watermelon of the summer.

Hooray for having a good time with family. Isn't that what it is all about?

Oh, and dogs, don't forget the dogs.

Good bye summer!

Thanks for being there.

The Big Cheese

2009-09-02T22:05:00.005-05:00

In our International Education Department we try to do things that are educational and fun. We realize that international students sometimes don't understand our cultural expressions, so I put our names on all the scarecrows.

We have three staff, four student workers plus our boss

THE BIG CHEESE!

We don't know if the internationals know what "The Big Cheese" means but that is part of the learning. We should try to translate this saying into different languages just for fun.

Come by and say hello.

Students Students Students

2009-08-26T20:10:00.006-05:00

At the International Education Dept we often have students who fly hundreds of miles with just their clothes. Don't get me wrong, some can afford to get new items to dress up their dorms, but you can't fit knick knacks, lamps or baskets in a suitcase. So when an international leaves to go back home they often leave things for the next crew. Here we have three going thru boxes of items left by a former International Student to dress up their rooms. I put out an email to the internationals and in two hours it was all gone.

We also have student workers who work in our department. I make a list of things to get done during the semester. We have jobs that are housekeeping, running errands, paperwork, and fun things like actual designing and executing bulletin boards. One of the main jobs is for the workers to keep their boxes cleaned and tidy. One of our workers loves to decorate the boxes with cute name tags.

And one of our workers is a prankster. This "was" a ball made of rubber bands. But alas someone in our department dismantled it. Wasn't me!

Where the Clunkers are

2009-08-21T07:42:00.007-05:00

"Where the clunkers are" sing to tune of where the boys are.

Driving to Emmet we see all kinds of trucks on I-30.

Sometimes we see U-Haul trucks loaded to the gills with belongings headed to Texas from Michigan.

This time we saw a car truck loaded with clunkers headed south. The truck's company label was from El Paso. You know where El Paso is. So I am guessing Clunkers are being sold, because the government, our government, can't or won't give the car dealers the money they are owed.

adiós

Birthday & work

2009-08-11T22:47:00.004-05:00

This is a flower arrangement that I made for my office. I wanted an arrangement that was happy and August looking, but not Autumn looking. So I put together this group of flowers.

This is my birthday present from my daughter Jerusalem. She had this in her living room and she blogged about it almost a year ago
and again just this June during her write up in the At Home in Arkansas magazine. But, alas she actually has too many items in her living room so I said to her before we picked up the boys to go on the cruise, "If you ever want to get rid of your chaise, I would love to have it." Because in our family we never, and I mean never, well maybe Jemimah will, but the rest of us never get rid of things. We just move them from home to home. Cause if you loved it once you might want to love it again. You just never know.
So she brought me the chaise. I had re-arranged my furniture in my bedroom on a piece of paper during our mini GG. So during my birthday luncheon I noticed J4 wasn't eating with us but was busy doing something else. I was shocked when I went into our bedroom and there he was rearranging the furniture, just like I had showed him on my tiny pieces of paper from the mini GGs."This is your birthday present!" Wow what a great guy!

Wy & Mi go on a cruise

2009-08-10T21:27:00.002-05:00

During Camp Meme we had planned to go on a cruise on Lake De Gray. Mi was so excited, He said "You mean it isn't a canoe?" It rained on our scheduled day and I knew I had to make it up to them. Finally this past weekend we went on our boat cruise. It is a real boat, well as real as a party barge can get.

Trying to get the right day and the right time, was crazy. If trying to get a simple time with the state park is as hard as it could possibly be made me wonder if trying to get anything from the government is a good thing.

But getting boys on a boat is just cool.

Back to life, back to reality.

2009-08-03T19:25:00.009-05:00

At work we have cupcakes for birthdays. One month we had 5 birthdays we had to celebrate in one day.

So we had a lot of cupcakes. I had a good time making them. Really, very relaxing.

Mint chocolate cupcakes.

Chocolate cupcakes.

Double Fudge chocolate cupcakes.

Funfetti cupcakes.

Red velvet cupcakes.

It is a wonder we didn't start the sprinklers going.

Whew!

Judea plays the piano

2009-08-02T15:04:00.005-05:00

What I get to hear.

When Judea plays the piano I get to sit in my bedroom and listen. Now she is playing a fun tune she made up. Sometimes she plays one of her classical pieces and sometimes she plays one of her own tunes. I missed that when she lived elsewhere. When she moved back in, that was one of the things I really enjoyed.

Loving your children for what they do that pleases you, is one of the perks of parenthood. Above all, keep fervant in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1st Peter 4:8

Wet, Wet, Wet 25 cent sale

2009-08-01T11:00:00.007-05:00

Very, very, very wet Saturday for 25 cent sale.

The proprietor.

The inventory.

The rainy, rainy, rainy Day.

Little People on the March

2009-07-30T12:53:00.003-05:00

Little People on the March

To My Congressional Delegation

I hear a lot of talk by politicians and pundits that our health care is in a crisis. I truly do not understand what constitutes this crisis. I understand there are many who are not insured. I understand that there are insurance companies that do do hold up their side of the bargain. I understand there are lawyers who want to sue for every medical procedure.

What I don't understand is, what is the crisis? If I drive from New York to Los Angeles I can drop into 99.9% of the doctor offices and get an appointment that day. I can pay for my services and get a prescription that I can fill at a local pharmacy that day. That is not a crisis. A "crisis" is when there is not hospital in your town; there is no doctor in your town; there are no medical supplies in your town. I think that is called a third world country. Is that what we are to become if the government runs our health care?

I have elected you to be my representative in the making of the laws of the land. Are you going to represent me, or are you going to impose upon me?

8 days and counting

2009-07-26T15:31:00.003-05:00

This is the sunset from my backyard. I love sunsets. You can always tell when the season is changing by the sunsets. November is my favorite because of all the beautiful colors.

9 days and counting, Wy writes the Preamble

2009-07-24T20:54:00.005-05:00

I had a Quill pen that I gave Wy to practice writing. When we had Camp Meme we studied American colonial times and I bought, but not used, the Quill Pen. So I thought I would let Wy get a chance to use the pen. We talked about people during the colonial times having to use the quill pen to write notes, letters, journals and even the Constitution. We even looked up George Washington's General Orders on Profanity written in longhand by Geroge Washington.
Wy began to write using the pen and I watched as he began to write. I thought "Gee, Meme, you are so smart to encourage your grandson to write with this pen." I was shocked when we gave me a copy of the Preamble of the Constitution written by memory with the quill pen non stop. Meme's may be smart, but grandsons are awesome.

13 days and counting, Old books

2009-07-21T22:46:00.006-05:00

Yesterday Wy and I went to the Riley Library on the OBU campus. I had gotten some books there before for the boys and I really love the books we can find there. This great little book, Make a World is a drawing book. It doesn't give complicated instructions, it is simple. First it shows a rectangle, so the person draws a rectangle. Then add something to the rectangle and then add something else. No big complicated process, just draw it. In fact the layout is tiny, with no words, just a line of drawing. I loved this book when I saw it because it is so child understanding.

It gives the child respect. Look, copy and create. So many of the books printed now pander. They think children cannot learn with out minutia instructions from adults. Children are very quick to understand and apply. That is why I love these older books. They believe in children's capabilities.

The creation of a child's mind. The blimp, the helicopters, the castle, the fighting men, all came out of a boys imagination and with help from a book's application you have a great picture. J4 showed me one of the pictures he made when he was this age. Just think, when Wy is a man he will bring out this picture and think of his time at his Obi's & Meme's. We should remember this is how memories are made. Simple times with great love.

14 days and counting, and the wy says hello

2009-07-20T21:59:00.006-05:00

As much as I tried I couldn't get this turned around, so turn your computer or perhaps turn your head. (this is an interactive site. I am so tech oriented!) Wy says hi to his fam.

Oh, and 14 days and counting.

16 days and counting, Miles birthday day

2009-07-18T22:14:00.005-05:00

There are 16 days left until I report back to the office.

Today going to see Mi and give him his birthday gift, Wy and momma put ice cream on the delicious cake.

The birthday boy plays his flute and wears his coon skin cap.

Jerusalem's cute little chair she slip covered. See her blog my little life.
See Vintage Indie for more on her chair.

Her little nook.

Countdown to Work, Oh and the GG's

2009-07-17T21:06:00.018-05:00

17 days and counting.

The GGs get together on a mini get together.
Gallivanting Gals have to gallivant at home.

My mom's porch in the village. So relaxing.

We wanted to go to my sisters but family matters prevented that get together.

But never fear the GGs will prevail and gallivant.

The Diamante Golf course in Hot Springs Village.

The first night we ate out. You gotta take a break and take some time to live it up. So we ate at a restaurant in HSV called De Carlo on the Green. An Italian restaurant on the Diamante Golf Course. It was good and we had some good laughs. What we didn't get was lost. We usually go driving around the village to see what is new, but it was dusk and all the houses look the same.

The view of the restaurant. Pretty view and lovely setting. The only thing I missed were my two youngest daughters. [If you have three daughters or sons then the oldest one will always be the oldest and the youngest will always be the youngest, but the middle child could be one of two. The two oldest daughters or the two youngest daughters-so versatile.] One lives in Germany and one lives in a book-summer school at Henderson. I didn't just miss them being there I missed their mix to the tossed salad. Which is why we, all the GGs, can only be together in a confined space for no more than 48 hours. Too much mix to keep fresh.

My mom. She is so cute.

On the second day we ate a late breakfast and watched a couple of movies. Then it was time for crafting. My oldest daughter, Jerusalem is the craft provider. I asked her to do something for us with a tie in to fall and school. She sets the table and we go to it.

Jerusalem explains the rules to us crafty chics. We are not sure how to make a collage clipboard! We aren't cc, craftily challenged, we just don't get this particular one. But we will try.

We can be crafty after all. We just try to do as the teacher says and then ta-da we have a craft.

The next day we have a fine breakfast provided by the matriarch. Bacon and waffles.

The waffle maker my mom has had since she was first married. Still works.

My dad. Although he wasn't actually uninvited to the GGs he did try to be unobtrusive. He and his dogs. But, who doesn't love breakfast on the screened porch. So we let him join us. Aren't we magnanimous. Stay tuned the GGs will gallivant again soon.

Summer at OBU

2009-07-16T11:28:00.007-05:00

A summer day at OBU. I took this picture when there were no camps and everything was very quiet. Although I love it serene like this, I must say, I am looking forward to the fall semester. It is good to enjoy the break, and also good to enjoy the hustle and bustle.

I went to Riley Library to return some books I had checked out for the boys at Camp Meme
We had a great time reading and I found some intriguing books. Trying to get good reading material is one of my biggest jobs. Reading just for fun seems to be a thing of the past. When I was a substitute in the elementary schools the curriculum instructs the teacher to pick apart the story in teaching the student what writing a story entails. If I was a student in elementary school, I would dread reading on my own, because of the impression I would have to pick apart the book and thereby kill the very thing I was to enjoy.

As a substitute I had to get the classes quiet and I always tried to read funny poetry. Poetry that makes a point about children's lives without pandering. It is the best 30 minutes of the day. And what shocked me are the kids that I was having the most problem with got the point of the poems. Their laughter at the right time showed me they got irony and puns and they identified with the subject. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for. We should quit making them become robots and let them flourish.

VBS day 5 good times

2009-07-11T09:49:00.008-05:00

Painting is always a gamble with children in a fast paced time frame. But, these kids did such a great job and we only had one cup of water tipped over. It was a great time.

I sometimes think we don't do enough art work. I know some schools are cutting back, but I sure wish that the kids who love to paint and draw and sculpt and all that involves art were able to have that opportunity. I know it is messy, but I say to parents,

Let them create
Teach them to clean up

Jimmy with the VBSers. I really want to thank Jimmy Allen for helping with the crafts. He did more than just help, he created and supplied and got together materials. Plus the last day he had a migraine, and he still helped out without complaint, and that in itself is a sign of devotion.

Watching the kids paint or glue or put together a pouch was so rewarding. These kids never complained about a craft being too hard or too easy, but they jumped right in to get their art craft done. The creative gene must be pretty powerful in man's DNA, because I have never seen a child not want to create.

Knowing that art-work is messy always helps me get the preparation right. You have to know that someone will spill water or drip their paint or throw their freshly painted boomerang to see if it works and spew paint everywhere. That is just kids. The trick in picking out artwork for kids is you want it to be challenging enough so that they feel they can tackle it but you don't want to make it so easy that it is boring. I am always, I mean always surprised at how kids rise to a challenge. And since artwork is subjective in many ways it is always a delight when kids who are sitting next to each other do totally different styles in their project. Yet they themselves are proud of their work. The mind is an amazing thing. We should cherish our children whose minds we are helping to form.

VBS day 4 Singing, Singing, Singing

2009-07-10T09:12:00.011-05:00

Our VBS getting into the Boomerang Express Song.

My Workers are the best. First thing they ask me is if there is anything they can do for me. Wow! What a blessing.

The theme is Australia and we are focusing on sheep and of course The Lamb of God.

The Sheep puppets that we are making is fun. It is so much fun to see the people react to the sheep puppet. No matter if you are standing right in front of them, (adults and children alike), and they know you are talking, if your puppet is in their view and the puppet looks like it is talking to you you will react to the puppet not the person talking for the puppet. Amazing how we will suspend reality.

Rosalind and her posse.

So good to know we will see each other in Heaven.

Seems like we have Gremlins getting into the cool drinks. Not good!

Our Hallelujah -Praise ye the Lord ending.

VBS day 3 Boomerang Express

2009-07-08T22:13:00.014-05:00

VBS welcomes the Burt's. This is our Associational Missionary come by to see us board our Boomerang Express to the land down under!
After the first class is over it is snack time and boy they always have great snacks from the kitchen crew. Let's give them a great hand. Yea!!!

Now it is recreation time and there is always fun to be had.

Craft time, my job, has been really fun and challenging. These guys are really getting into the scratch art.

Outside time is full of different things to do. The balloon bursting relay is not as easy as you may think.

Try harder!

The Kitchen Crew takes a breather and really knows how to put their feet up.

Hey is the pastor going to clean the kitchen?

One more group of artists getting their scratch art done.

Look how pretty these fish turn out.

Let's all get ready to switch sides for Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Halleluiah, Praise Ye the Lord.

I think the boys need to work on their "Praise Ye the Lord." The girls outdid them again tonight.

VBS day 2 & a garden

2009-07-08T11:33:00.008-05:00

When I get to the fellowship hall some of the older kids always want to help out and I really do appreciate it. Sometimes there is a lot of little work to do.
Jackie enjoying watching the kids do Boomerang Express hand motions.

Chris didn't know he was so good at working with crafts.

Jensen know how to handle those pesky glue dots!

Gotta get the right tooth on the right crocodile.

The Garden

This is the garden we started when we had Camp Meme. Looks like something is coming up! Since the boys just dumped the packages of the vegetables into the garden we have no telling what is growing where. It will be interesting to find what these plants are.

Meme is watering the garden and the tomato plant looks like it is going good. Also the sweet potato plants are looking like they will survive.

The boys in a staged fight.

2009-07-06T23:15:00.003-05:00

Vacation day 36- VBS Boomerang Express

2009-07-06T22:35:00.008-05:00

This year's VBS theme is Australia. "The Boomerang Express." We have had a great evening. Since I am in charge of the crafts I got together some things that are related to Australia. Most of our decorations have something to do with water, or railroads or the Out Back. Everyone has done a great job preparing their rooms.

The recreation room always is fun for the kids.

Every room is different and well done.

J4 as the conductor of VBS and the Boomerang Express.

A special shout out to Jimmy Allen who really has helped get the crafts ready. He always has a willing spirit.

The pouches used when you are in the Out Back. The kids did really good and worked hard at getting the pouches done correctly.

Fourth of July 2009 at Maw's house

2009-07-05T12:57:00.013-05:00

Fourth of July and Paw gets into the eating quickly.
Such a pretty girl!

Yum, I love salads. so refreshing for the summer.

And instead of fried chicken we had a Wally World rotisserie chicken. Very good.

Decorations are always a plus and our Jerusalem is the one to do it.

Having fun watching a video.

The fisherman gets into the act. Mi came up from the lake where the boys were fishing. His quote, "Dadoe and Wy are famous cause they caught a fish, I'm not famous cause I didn't catch a fish" stomp, stomp, stomp.

Family fun at Maw's. This table has seen a lot of good times.

Boys enjoying good food, good fun and good family.

Decorations on the chandelier.

Camp Meme Day 7, Final day

2009-07-04T00:47:00.010-05:00

The last day of Camp Meme starts with waffles. Instead of cold cereal, we needed a good carb fill, so waffles it is.
These boys know how to eat and love waffles.

One of the things we went over and over for Camp Meme is the fact that people in colonial times couldn't get everything they wanted in the store, they had to make it. So I thought it would be good for the boys to learn about knitting. We made an appointment with Clare of Knit Unto Others to teach us how to knit. The boys took to it and loved the feel of the yarn. It was wool and was very soft. Clare showed us all kinds of yarn. They actually loved the feeling of yarn.

Wy caught on pretty quickly. If he had had more time he could have really done a lot. Mi thought the needles were great swords or missiles or karate kid num-chucks. He actually said after Clare asked him if he could do it on his own. "I think you can do it for me."

Clare showed us around the shop and showed us the ball maker. The yarn is around a kind of stretcher and you attach a string of yarn to this gadget and turn the handle and it makes a ball of yarn. It was so cool, and so low tech and yet worked in a matter of minutes. How ingenious.

Mi has to have a turn too.
During the day we called their mama and talked to her and after they hung up talking to her they were kind of blue, but then they bounced back like a pair of Mexican Jumping Beans. I am not kidding. They could have been flubber for all the hi-jinks they pulled after that. I guess they are excited about seeing their parents.

Obi took them to play at a park and let me rest. Thanks Obi, you are the best!

After supper Juju helps make a dirt cake for tomorrow's fun day.

When you have to make a dirt cake you get to throw in a lot of gummy things. Yummy

After reading the last chapter in Wilderness Journey the boys head for bed. Flan gets home, Mr Green gets well and because of Flan's good job of getting the powder to the 'French lick,' the Indians are staved off and he gets to see his 'mam' and the trader tells the family how Flan saved them all. After we finished reading and we were asking how they enjoyed the book, Wy said he liked it "...and I'm still jealous of Flan." That is a great testament for the love of books.

Camp Meme will be closing tomorrow at 10 am.

All campers will be dismissed at that time.

Camp Meme Day 6, Work, Rabbit & Gardening

2009-07-02T22:35:00.020-05:00

Today I had to go into work and help out a fellow employee. The fact that Kim needed my help has made my day. As a probie (see the TV show NCIS for definition) I am always behind the loop because I haven't been here a whole year and in this setting every month brings a new focus. I don't know what I don't know. So for a person as important as Kim to ask me for help, just gave me a wonderful lift.
The boys were wonderful and very good but I had to rescue the flags from being used as a military base setup.

They couldn't stand the smell in the section between the inside and the outside. Not enough people there to keep the air flowing. But I wanted a pic with the globe. They really are good to pose for me. It stank!

The rotunda was a fun place to show their metal.

Seeing Obi after lunch is always good.

The county library. Obi loves libraries and always takes them to get books and tapes. One of the great things about being a grandparent is you can show them the things you love without worrying about what they have to learn. That is for parents.

Wy reads to Mi and he can read very well.

Listen.

It is fun to be able to play with book characters.

Tonight we had rabbit bar-b-que. I told the boys that when the colonials lived they ate whatever they could find. When I found rabbit for sale in the store I bought it and we all loved it. It is really a great meat. Almost no fat and not nearly as many bones as a squirrel. Everyone loved it. With homemade slaw and fresh picked peaches, wow what a southern delight. Oh yea and sweet tea. Mi has learned he likes sweet tea with lemon like Meme. Smart boy.

We finally planted our garden.(You know one must follow the farmers almanac and wait for the right days to plant.) In all my research and when we went to see the restored homes in Old Washington and in downtown LR there were always a little gardens in individual yards. So I got some of our concrete blocks, some peat moss and some potting soil and built a little garden for the boys to start.

They didn't have any trouble with the idea and quickly got into it.

Wy was hoeing very aggressively. Mi loved to water and direct.

Along with the seeds, (which went everywhere-there is no telling what we will have growing in that space), I got some plants for them to plant so they could see a plant in the garden. No problem.

Mi watering their own cans of vegetables . They can take these home and see their veggies grow. But they looked kind of down at the mouth when I said this. Then one of them quietly with his head down told how plants die at their house. I will try to remind their mother to water the plants.

It is fun to have water to play in on a hot summer evening.

Joy and Jubilee in July!

Better watch out Meme I have the hose and you look hot!

Camp Meme Day 5, Old Washington, Arkansas

2009-07-02T08:09:00.039-05:00

A good day to see life back in the day!
The apple pie we made the night before. Very tasty especially with cream.

The day begins at Old Washington on their sidewalk made of wooden planks.

Inside the ceilings are really really really tall.

The goats are very friendly and want to have a snack. Oops not my hand!

Gardens are everywhere in their backyards. We got some mint.

' Bessie' was our living history guide for the Sanders House.

Look at the width of that porch. Oh yea look at the horses in the stable getting ready for buggy rides.

Carding Cotton to get it ready for spinning.

It is hard, but fun to see real cotton and it is soft.

A church for those of them that need it. Gee I wonder why these guys are standing outside waiting?

The gunnery shop. Our Wy knew more than the guide. Very knowledgeable.

The scrimshaw powder holder is very impressive.

The print shop is full of old presses. There is so much here it is a testament how important getting the news out is. The written word seems to have been most important even to a tiny town.
Here we go we are about to print out a newspaper!

A news man is born.

A fashion show and I am glad I don't have to wear this hoop skirt. It was hot, and thank goodness the planners of Old Washington looked into the future and provided for air conditioning.

A party dress or rather a party top and skirt. The top was separate and could be changed so it looked new.

The dress up factor is really fun!

This tree would have been fun to sit under.

The county courthouse.

"Oh no! I have been handcuffed!" I'm innocent I tell you, I'm innocent!"

"I am the judge and I say you are guilty until Meme gives us a treat."

Obi and the boys under the largest Magnolia tree in the state.

It truly is huge.

They really do plant real gardens in almost every yard.

Walking the log!

Just like Flan does in Wilderness Journey.

An all purpose room. 'Ticking' for the mattress came from straw and other dry weeds they gathered to stuff their mattress. The straw sometimes came with bugs. The mattresses were on a webbing of rope that had to be tightened every now and then. , "Sleep tight, don't' let the bed bugs bite."

You can tell it is getting near lunch time. The plastic fruit just looked too good.

At the Tavern we are ready to eat some vitiles. The newspaper man just couldn't resist reading at the table.

Chicken tenders are a hit no matter where they are served, especially when you have chicken gravy.

Boys get hungry when they are 'a larnin.'

Blacksmith shop last on the list.

Playing harmonica on the way home.

Flute playing also.

Chicken 'n' dumplings plus slaw for supper. Mmmmm good.

Reading Wilderness Journey to see if Flan can survive an attack by the 'injuns.'

"To bed to bed said sleepy head, oh no said slow."

Camp Meme Day 4, Knives and cooking

2009-06-30T22:23:00.022-05:00

Today at Camp Meme we went to Degray State Park to hear a lecture from a ranger-interpreter about knives. I thought since I was dealing with boys, that they would appreciate this part of Camp Meme. After all if you lived in the colonial era you would have to have a knife to help you with all kinds of things. One of the things I am always looking for are crafts for boys. These boys like to do crafts, but it seems that most of the crafts I find are geared for girls or are really non "real life" crafts. I try to get things for them to do that will last longer than a ride home in the car.
Wy seems interested and seemed to know a lot about the knives that were presented. The lecture was "What is the best knife to have for survival?" There were big knives, little knives, pointed knives and blunt end knives. Wy was of course knowledgeable about so many and how they were used in military campaigns.

But, I wasn't prepared for how much this young one was enthralled with the knives. He must have spoken out a dozen times as the interpreter asked questions. He couldn't keep his eyes off the wonderful world of knives.

The heat gets everyone and thank goodness for brothers.

One must look at the gadgets that accompany knives. A compass could help you find your way out of the woods.

Did you ever see such love? This picture takes the cake. Do you see how his eyes sparkle at the ability to hold this knife. It was like he was looking at his one true love. His future wife should read this blog.

"Wow, just look at all this gear!" You could really go hunting and get all kinds of animals with these. Ok, girls I always said this to my daughters "Don't work to pay for his bass boat." So if you have a daughter about 4 or 5 tell her not to work to pay for his knives.

I had to call a halt to all the knife wielding. On the outside I was just as calm as could be, but on the inside I was thinking "YIKES." I didn't dare turn my back, but both boys were careful as young boys can be. Still they were "nervousing me."

We ate lunch in the cafe and Obi took us into the belly of the workplace so the boys could see the great dishwasher that cleans in a matter of minutes.

Obi shows the boys how it gets done.

A time for baseball is a summer must.

We had reservations for a cruise on the lake, but a thunderstorm cancelled it. The nap that was supposed to have happened earlier obviously happened in the car.

Go Yankees. One of the things I admire about the male species is the loyalty to a team. Women just don't seem to have that same loyalty. The only way a woman is loyal to a team is if she percieves it as her family. The men I am around are loyal to a team that will never know them or have a 'relationship' with them. I don't mean that members of the teams aren't appreciative of loyal fans, but they know that they themselves will never know on a personal basis all the fans. And yet men are still loyal to those teams. I love that about men.

So instead of going on the cruise the red box delivered a movie. The fact that these two stand so much alike is really weird.

Time to make apple pie. "Wait don't eat the apples we gotta cook those."

The lessons we learned at the knife lecture were used in cutting the apples for the pie.

Paying attention is one of the most important points of cutting with a knife.

Now we can mix the sugar and get ready to cook those apples. Remember we must wear our hats to cook.

Mmmm looks good.

Let me show you how to do this.

The pie will take 1 hr and 30 mins to cook, so it is time for the reading of Wilderness Journey and to see if Flan can survive the river raft.

Then watch the movie Bedtime Stories.

End of day 4 at Camp Meme.

Camp Meme Day 3

2009-06-29T22:39:00.020-05:00

When I was working as a substitute teacher in the High School I always loved the library that Paul Sivals runs. He always has had a great respect for books, (which are just being pushed out of librarys to make room for "media" items.) Most of the students I had that had to do some kind of report never looked in a book, but only used the Internet to get their information. I love that my grandsons love books. They love to read them and look at them and learn from them. Must be great parenting.

I noticed that Mr. Sivals had a great collection of large books of the battles of the Civil War. Even though we are studying the colonial time period I know Wy loves the info about that war. He knew so many of the battles and what happened. I was really impressed and impressed that he took the time to look at the books. Also, I wanted to take them to the High School to show them around where I had worked. They are so good and polite especially in the morning, that I knew they would enjoy seeing other places where there are great books. Of course having the library all to ourselves was just fantastic as we soon had a maze we had to run round in.

These boys are just amazing and so ready to help out.
Well almost ready to help out. At Wally World I saw a friend and we began to talk and this is what I saw when I looked back at them. Very patient, but still "please Meme, enough talking already! We have Mac & Cheese to make and we are hungry boys!"

As the water was boiling for the mac & cheese, the boys put the pictures from Day 2 into their notebooks. I had covered some writing tablets with wallpaper and each boy has a pack of colored pencils. They can use the notebooks to draw in or write in, but I like that they can use them as a scrapbook about Camp Meme. What I mean is they can glue (this we ran out of the first day because glue needs to be spread all over the back of your picture don't you know, so we opted to use tape instead) all the day before pictures into their books. I try to give each boy some of the same pics and some different pics so they have a variety of pictures in their notebooks.

Really this kind of scrapbooking is my kind of scrapbooking. Very down to earth, no frills or bells. Just pics and drawings.

At last the mac & cheese is done. Ain't it great!

Another game of baseball minus one.

For our craft, I suggested we make whistles out of clay.Because in the colonial days (are you tired of hearing me say this phrase yet?) they had to make everything for themselves. First we have to make the clay. This involves mixing, which involves machinery. See, this is what really attracts men to be chefs. They get to use power tools in the kitchen. Varoom, Varoom.

" The glob will take over the world!"

Rolling, rolling, rolling keep those pins a rolling.

" My whistle will be the greatest." It is now an official race to see who can get their whistle done fastest. (It is just genetics. the sooner you learn to deal with it the happier you will be.)

The whistles have to dry so tomorrow we will see if we have been successful in our musical instrument making.

Press play to see how boys turn jars of cream into butter. Like the song says, "Why didn't I think of that?" When you are a Meme you work smarter not harder.

We finally get our butter made and all this time I thought I would have to teach them how to make it, but lo and behold boys will be boys and churn their own way.

The mad scientist must find out why, why does water go down!

Obi's old cell still has some games on it. Kool! Boys are in free time as Meme toils over a hot stove of fried chicken, homemade biscuits, fresh gravy, & roasted corn on the cob. Oh and fresh sweet tea, yes sweet tea is a hit at Camp Meme

Swimming at OBU. The warm up pool was shallow enough to use as a small person private pool.

The noodles provide a lot of fun.

Meme is enjoying being in water and swimming and having fun with the grandsons, but we must go home to get ready for bed. The camp counselors are feeling like they have been camp counselors forever!

Back at the ole home stead, we must read two more chapters of Wilderness Journey to see what does Flan do in his perilous situation.

Camp Meme Day 2

2009-06-28T23:31:00.020-05:00

Camp Meme Day 2 and the campers are already in gear to learn about the USA history in Colonial Times. Since they are both lovers of dress up and imagination it is easy to teach them about different eras. Wy loves history and whatever Wy says Mi says also.
Mi and friend in Sunday School. Today's topic was about praying. Jesus prayed and taught his disciples to pray. Oh and then we can draw monster machines and bad guys getting into battles.

Mi always goes to the music where ever we go. He loved listening to the organ as he played it. He didn't pound on it like some kids do, but was curious how do you make the music come out.

Caught Wy's hand in the "cookie jar." No not really this is a posed shot.

Since we are studying Colonial times I have tried to get crafts and cooking to help them understand that everything the colonists had they had to make themselves. There wasn't a Walmart or any other store close by unless they lived in a town and even then it all had to come by train or buggy. So I thought making bread would help get them to understand that even such simple items as bread had to be made by hand. You never know if what you do with them will trigger a curiosity about learning some more. You just have to throw it all out there and hope some of it sticks.

They loved pounding the dough to make bread. It was fun and they really got into it. I mean they really, really got into the pounding and rolling and almost throwing the dough. Here is a hint: You gotta be in the room watching at all times.

One of the living history actors yesterday at the Arkansas Heritage Museum had a spindle and said that we could make our own yarn by using cotton balls and a potato and a pencil. No such luck. We tried and tried but the cotton wouldn't stay together in one piece. Maybe we will get a real spindle. I think Mi's face says it all!

One of the other things we did today was start making a quilt. I found online a suggestion to get some embroidery hoops and a piece of fabric, add square pieces for the children to sew onto the fabric using the hoops as a way to handle the awkward fabric. The boys really got into it. We talked about quilts and what they used to make them. Using a needle for young 'uns was something I was wary of, but a couple of times being stuck, and they listened to my instructions on how not to get stuck.

I think Mi wanted to play Pharaoh instead of sew.

Good thing I had the star fabric and bandanna fabric. I think that gave the idea a little more masculine feel.

The dough has to be punched down before being put into the pans. I mean punched down.

Punched down warrior style. "You will submit you dough you!"

Time for recreation. Obi and the boys take to the all American game of baseball. What could be better than a 3 man game?

"I can stare down any pitcher!"

"OK, I don't see anybody there, but Obi says there is a fake man on second." "Guess I gotta make sure he doesn't steal a base."

Supper time and wow isn't it great to have breakfast for supper on a Sunday night. Juju helps out with feeding the young men.

Oh yea, here is the loaves of bread made by hand. So delicious with butter.

Time to read the book we have chosen for Camp Meme. Wilderness Journey, by William O. Steele, illustrated by Paul Galdone. We have to read two chapters a night so Obi and Meme take turns.

One of the things that I noticed was the wonderful illustrations in this book. We have been so conditioned to believe that only color will attract young kids, but these boys couldn't wait to see each illustration and studied them when shown.

End of Camp Meme Day 2

Vacation day

2009-06-27T20:59:00.016-05:00

Here we go to the "Living History" of the Arkansas Heritage Museum. Formerly called the Territorial Restoration it has houses there in the spot where they were originally built.
Number one grandson using the interactive history at the museum.

Number 4 child with number 2 nephew. In the museum they have a kids room where you can dress up and have your picture taken. Note grandson not happy about having to stop doing what he wanted and get his picture taken.

Number 4 child with number one grandson. Very good picture.

"Look it is my favorite gun." The Gatling Gun.

"I'll make it look like I am shooting" he said as he called out each name of each rifle. I'm sure I am calling it by the wrong name, but he would tell me exactly when it was made and how it was used.
One of the "Living History" characters. Very compelling and worth the $6.50 I paid for two adults and two children. What a bargain, but more importantly what memories.

Top of the white building that was used as hotel, meeting house, tavern and place of ill repute as put to us by our guide.

Looking at a dinner table.

A bear hide. This was a favorite item. They got to touch the claws! Really we are still hearing about it.

The spinner. We can get a potato and a pencil and make a spindle. Geese we are just too lucky not to have to do all this for one shirt. No wonder they didn't change designs very often.

The tavern etc.

In front of the buggy. I wondered how it would be to have to have your stable in your front yard. Kind of messy, and smelly. It is a wonder people survived.
Meme in her dress up hat.

Vacation day 23 Getting Ready

2009-06-23T21:08:00.010-05:00

One of the things we are going to do when the boys come for Camp Meme is read about the time period we are studying. I do my research and try to find informational books and novels about that time. Sometimes it is hard, but if you ask the right person you get what you need. Look at this great cookbook. It has all kinds of info and recipes for colonial cooking. I am so excited because it helps me out in informing the boys why we have to eat corned beef. I know they will find the rabbit we have in the freezer a little interesting, but I am not sure they have enjoyed corned beef, which of course will lead us to learn about how they made corned beef. After all if cattle were killed to eat they had to find a way to keep enough of it for as long as they could. Either that or let it rot. Such were the times.
Historic Colonial Life is a great book to find out what things might look like.

Samuel Eaton's Day A day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy. Although this isn't about the colonial period it will help to visualize the way of life for the founders to the boys.

A book about this historical time. America Grows Up. A History for Peter. by Gerald W. Johnson

A Blow for Liberty by Stephen W. Meader. A novel about how Cape May County, New Jersey was involved in the fight for liberty.

Wilderness Journey a novel by William O Steele. It is a little more about pioneers but I love the way the characters talk. It sounds like they are really there. As I started doing research about this time period and I saw these books on Colonial times I saw how the houses were well built and had gardens in the yards with fences, of course this is just our interpretation of records about that time, I wondered if those people who were not in the established towns and would be considered pioneers. If your town was just growing and there were log cabins around would that still be colonial times or were they considered pioneers? Such questions I guess will have to be answered by someone else, we are going to have Camp Meme.

Day 22 Summer has now begun

2009-06-22T22:02:00.004-05:00

I have been taking pictures of flowers every spring and summer. I took one picture of a carnation at a nursery and here is the result of that picture. I love making posters and I now have this poster for sale on my etsy. Flowers are just the best subjects. So graphic by nature-Ha guess God knew what he was doing when He designed them.

"And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these." Matthew 6:28-29

Vacation day 21 Father's day

2009-06-21T23:11:00.006-05:00

Father's Day at our Church. Bro. Bobby teaches our Sunday School.
Maw & Paw cooking for the dinner. Actually a Sunday dinner should be at noon, but we couldn't be there until supper time, but we called it dinner anyway.

My father on the right and the father of my children on the left. What a great time we had around the table. We have had some really good discussions and some really funny discussions especially when you put in four generations around that table. The miscommunication or misunderstanding of common language from generation to generation really gets to be funny after roast and gravy.

The father of the baby birds that made themselves a home in the "Topsy Turvey" tomato planter is waiting to find more bugs. I gave my mom an upside down tomato planter so she wouldn't have to go out in the yard to get fresh tomatoes, but a family of wrens set up house in the top of the container. Today, my sister and I cut the tomato off, which wasn't growing anyway, and took the top of the planter off. We felt it was getting too hot inside the planter for the baby birds to survive. It got up to 96 degrees in the Village and the plastic container was just too hot for them. So we sliced holes in the plastic and hung it up again. Hope the baby birds live. We can buy more tomato plants, but we can't buy baby wrens who give my mom and dad so much joy to watch.

My sister asked J4 a theological question and he expounded and explained. What a great mind. He can recall scripture in just a flash. So good to hear someone give the real answers to questions we all have. No namby pamby answers from my man. It was a great ending on a great day. Happy Father's Day.

Vacation day 20 Boys and Mud

2009-06-20T23:24:00.013-05:00

Today I went to the grandsons home to see the cuties and do a piece of work for Jerusalem

She wants me to paper a nook in her bedroom.

I finish that before noon and now the boys and I have some fun time.

Youngest g-son ready to play some catch. He is very serious about baseball.

Oldest g-son pitching. He has a good arm.Cleaned off the patio.

Now the fun begins. The ground under the swing is already grass-less and with the hose and sprinkler it is a mud hole. The boys are the best of friends and now it is time to try to knock your best friend off the swing!

These boys had the best of time and all it cost was some water.

This is what I call homemade fun in the sun!

Day 19 Gathering items for VBS

2009-06-19T22:48:00.003-05:00

We have Vacation Bible School the first full week of July and I am in charge of crafts. I have a fellow worker making some of the basics, but I am in charge for bringing it all together.

Since the theme is Australia "Down Under" we can use all kinds of items. Koala Bears, Boomerangs, Kangaroos, Crocodiles, and all kinds of Aborigine crafts. So I have ordered several crafts, which has been the hardest part. Making a decision. I never thought about how diverse Australia was until I got to studying great types of crafts to go along with the Bible Studies. I think it will be a great VBS. I am looking forward to it.

Day 18 Vacation Do nothing

2009-06-18T21:04:00.009-05:00

Today was my down day. Once a week, usually on Saturday I have a recovery day. If I have stressed myself out my body refuses to work at optimum speed. This weekend I will be working hard so Saturday is out as a down day.
I got to thinking about this scripture from Psalms 139: 14 "I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." All my body parts are known to God and I, Tanya am fearfully and wonderfully made. So when my body has to have a day off it tells me and I have learned to listen. In a way it is the same as listening to God. You gotta be paying attention to hear.

So the ones I love are fearfully and wonderfully made. And I have to pay attention so I can know what they are saying. I don't want to be so busy with other things that I don't hear what fearfully and wonderfully things they say and do.

Day 17 Vacation Daily Life

2009-06-17T23:21:00.009-05:00

Rice is such a great food. So versatile. It can be eaten so many ways. I love it plain with butter and salt or with gravy. But today Judea asked if I would make her breakfast and I said sure. Fried eggs and rice. When J4 came into the kitchen he was thrilled by the rice. He loves rice. I guess we are just an Arkansas family. We love our rice. My dad is from Mississippi and he grew up with rice at every meal. My mom a "northerner" from Little Rock ate rice and potatoes. What a combination those two made.
The fried eggs. You must get the eggs just right. The whites are done and the yolk is runny so you can sop it up. So very good with homemade jam on slightly toasted bread with real butter. You should always use real butter.
I had an email from one of the administrators about adding two prospects to a mailing so I went in to work on that. I keep a time sheet so I know how much time I am working. I also had to send some info into another person at work. So after dropping J4 off at his work, I went in to get that done. I saw Julia one of our Spanish Teachers and she was keeping down the fort.

I finished my work and I went to work out at the little gym upstairs. I love this time of day, because no one is around. It may be different once school starts. I don't work out a really long time, but I feel it. My legs and arms got a work out for sure.

I had to mail Jemimah & Adam some gifts. It is almost a month since their wedding anniversary and it took that long to get their gifts mailed to me and send it on to them. The Post Office has a dozen pieces of paper to fill out and then you hope it is the right form.

I went shopping to get some more food. Since Judea has been home she has expected to fed. Of all things, she wants food to be in the house.

Supper in the crock pot and I can go take a nap.

I read one day that the historians didn't know what the common people did in everyday life. So I thought you would like to know what common people do. We do everyday life.

Vacation day 16 cleaning & learning

2009-06-16T21:48:00.007-05:00

You may not think this picture is very significant, but it is. There are no boxes on the floor. I am going through my things to get ready for a 25 cent sale and I finally got some of the boxes out of the house. It feels so good to go through stuff and decide "what do I need and what is just extra weight. "
This shows that yes I can have a dining room that is mostly clean. Just a few more items to get out of the dining room and I will be finished. Sometimes I can't believe that it can look so horrendous then so nice, like this afternoon. I just love the light shining in.

OK, here is where all that stuff went. To the front porch. Yes I can't believe all this stuff was in my house; BUT WAIT there's more! After we have our 25 cent sale, I have employed my son to sand the porch and help me out with staining it. Yes you read it here, I have a commitment from the son type. In the meantime, I have to finish up going through the rest of my stuff, (you do know we don't have junk, we have stuff) and get it outside. Then we have Camp Meme where we will do all kinds of historical things around Arkansas. Territorial Restoration, Old Washington, Meme's back yard, oh sorry the last one was just to see if you were paying attention. Then Vacation Bible School and then up to Ft. Smith with part of the GG's to see my sister for a mini GG Get away. Ah the summer is so short and it is already blooming hot! Couldn't grow okra without those hot nights!

This evening I am back at college. No not for book 'larning,' but for a course on Human Resource practices. I don't know why people have to give complicated names for jobs that say what they are. Personnel tells you just what it is, hiring & firing. Human Resource sounds like they are doing experiments on people. Very creepy. Administrative Assistant is really a Secretary. Doesn't secretary say it all: this person is in charge of the office area-period. Do not attempt to do change anything, schedule anything or attempt anything new without the secretary's approval. You gotta love it. Can you really say that about an Administrative Assistant? I don't think so.

Vacation day 15 Etsy away

2009-06-15T22:02:00.006-05:00

Putting sewing on etsy all day long!

Rick Rack nick knack Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

Lace & Trim

Vacation day 14 Flowers & old buildings

2009-06-14T22:30:00.007-05:00

Gardenia's are my favorite flower. Our church has two great big bushes with blooms that are just wonderful. Native to Africa & Asia this bush is just full of these blooms. I am enjoying their fragrance in my kitchen and beside my bed. They are the best ever and they don't last long, so I have to enjoy them while they are in bloom.

The rose bush on the property has only one or two blooms and really they just can't compete with the Gardenia. So they stayed on the bush.
The Hydrangea bush was so full of blooms it made me happy to see them so blue. They are just the best large arrangement flower you could use. The color blue is bright and the little flowers all over the bunch are happy. You can't see a hydrangea and be sad, you just can't.

Here in Prescott is an old building, that housed some kind of business and like so many in this town closed up. The sign says "Are you a woman? Take Ca..." I can't tell what the next letters are, can you? I remember traveling with sister, my mom and dad during the summer as my dad went on sales calls to the feed store across the railroad. I can remember the smell. Very musty, dank, and chemical laden. I have no idea what he was selling, but being in the broker business he must have been checking up on some order a grocery store was to have shipped out.
I remember my sister, my mom and I would cross the street and shop in the little dress shop on the main drag. I was always so surprised because it had wonderful little Villager dresses. It was run by two older women and it had the most wonderful deep drawers make of some kind of wonderful wood. They kept the socks and underwear in there. I was always shocked because I came from the big city of Little Rock, and no one else was supposed to be cool.
Old buildings hold memories and old fashioned flowers hold hope.

Vacation day 13 Baseball

2009-06-13T21:57:00.009-05:00

Little League is one of the best things we do as a nation. Kids get together and play a game that is truly Americana. Bases laid out in a diamond shape. Hit the ball and run around the bases. Could it be anymore simple that that.
Listen to the coaches. Pay attention. Do what they tell you to do. Watch the ball. Put your glove on the ground to catch the ball.

Let the adults who know how to play the game coach you in what to do & when to do it. Go for home plate and slide.

Keep focused. Do what you have to do for that moment.
Enjoy your family after your game is over.

Our national pastime. So much like America. Straight Forward. Simple to understand. Most inclusive. The point, win.

Vacation day 12 Fireflys & Birds

2009-06-12T21:25:00.008-05:00

One of the things I love about where I live is that I can sit on the front porch and watch the traffic go by, or the kids walking or the birds singing or the fireflies flying. I tried and tried to get a picture of a firefly blinking, but I couldn't get to them in time. When I would turn to take a picture they flew away or had just quit blinking. I would follow one around but just as I clicked the firefly would fly away. But, I did get this great picture of our tree. I love the trees that give us shade and cause birds to make nests. The yard is starting to feel like it has been here a long time.
But, I can't seem to get my Hydrangeas to stay blue. they keep turning back to pink or purple or even rose colored. YIKES. Last year I got a bunch of pine straw to make to ground more acidic but it didn't help much except it did provide cover for the bushes during the winter and it acts as a great mulch. I will keep trying.

I love sitting on my swing with my feet up and watching the day go by. It is so relaxing and I think it is a great way to let your mind drink in all the experiences of the evening. Tonight there was a nice breeze so it wasn't as muggy as previous nights. I love hearing the birds sing their goodnight songs.

Listen to the end of the day from my porch.

Vacation day 11

2009-06-11T22:34:00.006-05:00

Today was a work day of just work. Nothing fancy, no creativeness, just get things done. Do the dishes, clean up the kitchen and clean up my email. Some things you just have to do.
We have to save bottles for water. One of the many good things J4 does is he always makes sure we all have water when we go out in the car. So when we clean out the car we have to wash the bottles and fill them up and cool them down again.

J4 asked for some tuna fish salad and I made some for him. It is absolutely the best tuna fish ever. Better than my mom's and better than my mother in laws. OK! There, I said it. No you can't have the recipe. There is a very special secret ingredient. That ingredient makes even the celery taste great. The lowly celery is not the secret ingredient, but it wouldn't be great tuna fish without it.

Here are the loves of my life. I mean here are some of the things I love. My family is the love of my life starting with J4, but these are my vintage tablecloths. I love linens of all kinds. Vintage and new, table & bed, kitchen & dinning are all my kinds of collectibles. Eating on a real tablecloth gives your meal a new meaning. It isn't just to feed the body, but it feeds the soul.

I just can't pass by a sale of linens. You just can't believe how a vintage linen tablecloth feels. It just has a certain "real" feel. Unlike synthetics, linens feel hand-able. That is, when you rub synthetic fabric between your fingers it doesn't feel substantial. When you rub linen between your fingers it has weight and texture and just feels real. When I find vintage 100% cotton sheets I always buy them. I stock up on them. I horde them. If you were to lay down on a synthetic sheet it would feel good, but if you lay down on a 100% cotton sheet, after it has been ironed during a warm summer night and you just shaved your legs, Whoa dude.

Vacation day 10

2009-06-10T22:15:00.008-05:00

I am working on our Camp Meme for the boys. I love getting ready and making a plan which is always good when you have grand kids. We are emphasising the pioneer/colonial period of our country. I have a lot of places to go to already, but we have to have crafts and food that is reflective of that time. It has been hard to get ideas for the boys crafts. Not that they don't do crafts, they love them, but so many of the craft projects are in a girl vein. But, I have been able to translate some projects into modern day use. I don't think the pioneers had to think up crafts. Their whole life was a craft. Need a plow, make one. Need soap, make it. See what I mean? Still I needed more help. That is why I went to the library today. I love our Clark County Library. It is great. It is just what a local library should be. Up to date and down to earth. Isn't this building just the best? Linda, my favorite librarian, always has a great attitude and friendly way with the patrons. All I had to do was ask if the library had books on the colonial era for children and she got me 3 of the best books I have seen. I have been looking and looking for recipes from the colonial era and she found one that is wonderful. I can't wait for the boys and I to mix up the recipes in this book. It translates what the colonials made into friendly 21st century cooking.

Don't these floors look just wonderful? I love the way the Library is kept up. It has all the modern conveniences and yet retains its charm that makes it one of our family's favorite places. When our kids were young J4 would take them to the library. and now when the boys come to visit the first place the boys and J4 go is to the library. I think they have checked out every Wishbone video they have. I must give credit to Judy Golden the director of the Library for keeping it going and keeping it relevant and user friendly. WTG

As I was driving away from the Library I saw a logging truck come by. They always have to make big turns and it sometimes awkward for those trucks to turn the corner on such narrow streets. I was so glad to see them as our local paper mill has slowed down and people are concerned about losing jobs. One day I was with Jerusalem in Little Rock, and I commended that I hadn't seen any logging trucks go by and she just laughed and said there aren't any logging trucks in LR mom. Whoops! I forgot how provincial I had become.

After visiting the OBU library where I found some great books thanks to Alyse and Shirley at the front desk I headed over to the cafe to see if J4 was working and there he was. So I visited with him and had some time to read some of the books I just had checked out.

Since we will have the boys I am always looking for inexpensive ways to entertain them. We go to the local water park at least once while they are here but that can get spendy. Last year Judea worked at a local motel and we swam at their pool. I really loved that better because Miles could wear his swimmies while we all played together. It was small and had a shallow end with stairs that we could sit on or swim around. Wylie was jumping off the side and swimming like a fish. So tonight I went to the school's pool to check it out and see if it would be useful for us to swim in. I liked the pool. Very nice. We will see.

vacation day 9

2009-06-09T21:56:00.007-05:00

One of the nice things about living in a small town are the parades. We have a parade to open the Clark County Fair. One for Christmas and one for Homecoming. I really love a parade. It is so much fun and it really is a small town event. How can you not love seeing the band play and the girls drive by in their evening gowns in their convertible cars. Reminds you why you live in "hometown USA."

I love the drummers. You just gotta love the drummers. Everybody begins to move when the drums march by. I mean every-body.

The brass section is one of those great unexpected joys. You just love to listen to the brass section.

Makes you think of the olden days. I mean those years that are way back, way, way, way back. Not that I would actually know about those times. But I do know they existed.

day 8 vacation

2009-06-08T18:10:00.007-05:00

Here is what is exciting at my house. If you know me you would know this open space on my front porch is unusual. Yes I did it! I called the Bee Hive and sent all (well almost all, because they didn't come back for the second and third load yet) of it away to help those who really want to work hard at redoing or revamping furniture. When you have a vision, sometimes the vision has to be worked out in actuality for you to know your strengths and weaknesses. I realize that I will want my "store" to have painted furniture, but I don't want to paint it. I know what I want it to look like and I will have to hire painters, who work as independent contractors to do my painting. I also will hire an upholsterer to recover chairs and couches. I do have a plan, now all I need is venture cash!!!
So as you can see the porch is now ready for refurbishing. I am excited about getting this done. If I can get it screened I will truly be blessed. A porch in the south needs screens especially for the summer months. Just too many 'skitters. Today was one of those hot and humid days. I let the cats in and boom the humidity hit me like a brick. I looked online at the weather channel and we were up to 80% humidity; in the morning!! These are the days when you really do smell magnolia blossoms. You know "the air was heavy with the smell of magnolias" type of day. I actually love the smell of magnolias. I didn't know they smelled like lemons but they do. My favorite flower is the gardenia. It is about as sweet as you can get. So lovely and so delicate.

I guess I mentioned that I get to see sunsets almost every day in Arkansas. You never know when you are going to get to see something spectacular. I was driving to Emmet Arkansas one day and came up to the stop sign and there before me was this most amazing sight. I grabbed my camera and took a picture from the inside of the car and lo and behold this is the picture I got. You can see the window has a crack in it. I just can't believe how great God is to let us see this kind of sight while we are on this anomaly of a green planet.
This is my dad at a Founders Day, for Arkadelphia, event at the park down by the Ouachita River. I just love this shot, because it is so quintessential my dad. Turned around at a picnic table (I must have seen this posture a million times) and watching the singers on the stage singing "Everyone's got to be from somewhere." I sing this line all the time and we laugh, cause it is so axiomatic.

Which brings us to this picture. If everyone has to be from somewhere we are from here. The South. With all the foibles of the southerner in tow, we are who we are. We may try to be different, but as Judy said, "I'll try to be different." and Steve replied "Different than who?" "Different than those who are the same." she answered.

But alas we are the same. Same as those who are different.

Vacation day 6

2009-06-06T23:37:00.007-05:00

I have collected a lot of Melamine over the years. It is such a 50's idea. Plastics! Such a great invention. The "new age" of dinning. Don't have to worry about breaking. You have to be careful about new inventions. Apparently people were used to leaving their plates or cups or bowls on the stove either while they were cooking or after they finished. So when this new type of dinnerware came along, old habits still persisted. As you can see one of the plates in the picture has a burn spot. I have seen this happen again and again in Melamine. bty did you notice the coffee cups how small they are. No larger than life mugs to drink from here.
The cokes in our refrigerator are always open and I never know which one is mine. I don't mind if someone else takes mine, but I don't drink after anyone else, except J4 or as my grandmother called him "four J's." So I came back to the clothespin idea. We came up with this idea when we would go to my mom's home and there would be a dozen glasses used and no one remembered whose glass was whose, so we figured out a way to identify each persons glass so as not to have a kazillion glasses to wash. Use a clothespin with your name on it to identify your glass. It does take some reminding to get people used to it. All you have to do is say to one of your kids, "hey I think I saw your brother (or sister) drink out of that glass. Are you sure that one is yours?"
ps: You have to use spring clothes pins for this idea to work.

I have a lot of unused Christmas decor that I have to go through and reorganize which is what I did today along with going through all my boxes to find the aforementioned Melamine. It is actually something I love to do when my mind gets too scrambled. Putting things in place helps out when life gets crazy.

I also started shredding newspaper to help out with the garden we are going to plant with some vegetables. We are going to use this to build up the plot of land along with peat moss and potting soil so it should make a great place to plant some beans and okra and other veggies.

And lo and behold there was a stack of The New York Times on the back porch. I have no idea how we got a stack of these newspapers, but now they will go into the building of our great garden. For the sake of the economy and for greening of America we thank you for your contribution. Mmmm tomatoes and beans will be adding to our stomachs in such an intelligent way.

Vacation day 5

2009-06-05T19:50:00.005-05:00

Later this June we will be having Camp Meme.

We are going to be studying the Pioneer/Colonial Period of America.

The boys are just great lovers of history and really get into the whole understanding of it.

These pictures were taken two years ago and I put them together because this is just

like them still. They may have grown older, but they are still the same boys

So we have to have a garden that we can plant veggies and herbs just like the colonials.

Here J4 is getting the edge of the garden ready. Very small garden it is, but hey we are just

begining, and we need a place to sit down so we can work on the garden. There is a reason we

do not have farmland.

The stelth cat, Nick must ever be on guard, as long as you feed him that is!

J4 conquering the wilderness and making it reap a harvest.

Day 4 vacation

2009-06-04T22:38:00.011-05:00

My mom has the best way with these shamrock plants. She practically ignores them and they just grow like crazy. So I always love it when she gives me a new one. We will say no more!

One of the nice things about being home is I get to enjoy some of the things I have enjoyed before, but didn't have time to enjoy lately. My kitchen faces the west and I get west sunshine so while standing in my kitchen window I can enjoy a sunset. When we lived in Alaska I missed, I mean I really missed the sun. It gets dark there early in the winter, at 3 pm it is pitch black. And even in the summer, because it was cloudy so often, I wouldn't see the the sun for weeks. Maybe that is why I am on a blue kick now. I am drawn to blue and I love the blue sky especially as it turns bright yellow, then orange then dark blue. It is just one of those life experiences that makes me grateful for the heavens.

Judea studying is a great sight to see. She is taking summer school and must study every night.

Going through my pictures to find the items I want to put on ebay I came across this photo. One of my favorite fabrics. Totally retro. Loud, garish, doesn't make sense, and doesn't care, just fabulous. Can you imagine a shirt made of this? See what I mean?

OBU graduation chairs. I just love the way these chairs look. So orderly and proper. Much better than the football stadium. I am glad this is how they do it now.

Am I on Sesame Street?

4 of these things belong together 1 of these things is out of place.

Do you know?

Vacation day 3

2009-06-03T22:08:00.008-05:00

One of the things that you get to do when you are getting ready to ebay everything is to look at things you own in a whole new light. Just the word Hymns on this Youth song book tells you it is not for today's youth. So many churches don't sing anything but praise songs. That is ok, but because I grew up singing hymns I often find myself singing a hymn during a hard time and it will just show up in my mouth out loud. As I ponder what I am singing I remember what I believe and I am comforted. J4 says hymns are the common man's Bible. You learn your doctrine by singing not by long days and nights studying which most people don't have time for.
My foray into apron making always surprises me. I am always looking for great ways to combine new and different materials for a funky look. I don't know why I love color, but I love all color.You will see this apron on my ebay later this week. I always try to make a rainbow when I am watering my flowers, which I had to do today, because it didn't rain here. The rainbow is a phenom. I can see one anytime I want as long as there is sun. I really love the weather channel on my pc. I don't have to wait for an "8" to see what my weather will be today.

This is a sculpture in downtown Hot Springs Arkansas. I went by to see Josh for an hour or so as I was going back home last Friday and we walked the downtown area. If you knew Josh you would be his friend. There wasn't a store that we went in or an art gallery that we visited that he didn't know the owner or the guy standing in line. I always have a great time with Josh. He is just love.

Here we are at one of his favorite spots: The top of the parking garage in downtown. You can see a lot of Hot Springs here and the breeze was refreshing. Wish I could have a chair and just watch the world go by on top of the garage.

Day 2 vacation

2009-06-02T22:04:00.011-05:00

Last week I took my mom and dad to see my sisters youngest son, named after my dad Thomas- called Tom, graduate from high school. It was a great time. I really enjoy the time with my family. My brother-in-law & my sister took us out to the local steak house. It is really good. I had a sirloin-medium rare- very delicious. The next day we had to make our annual trip to the local Walmart. My dad forgot some clothing articles and we had to go buy some more. We did this 2 years ago when the oldest nephew ,Gene 4. graduated. After graduation it was a great fellowship at my sisters house. Those two boys are great guys.

My sister taking pictures of her boys.

Tom in the foreground, Gene in the background.

We talked about when Tom used to walk around with a handful of sticks when he was about 4 years old and he would quote the Muppet Movie from memory. Great to have relatives to embarrass you!

My curtain in the living room. I don't think this has any meaning, I just liked the picture. I took four different materials and made this curtain. One of Jerusalem's favorites.

While I was going through all the ebay stuff I have to put on line I am seeing all these great books I have had. Most of the time I can't get rid of books I like. I loved this picture about a day with a grandfather. Don't you just love this picture of the kid and rain puddle. I bought a new book for the boys called "Monster Night at Grandma's House." I loved the drawings first. The drawings are by Don Freeman, the man who wrote "Corduroy" one of my all time favorite books. Sometimes you just find books by people who actually understand how children think. Pick those books to own, you will return to them over and over.

This is a kitchen towel I found in my pictures. I may have sold it already, but I just loved the colors. I love all colors. My house has a different color in every room, but in the same hue, so you don't notice they are different, but my living room has "Happy Yellow" from Sherwin Williams. It is truly happy.

I found this fan in my political archives. I probably will put it on ebay soon, but I am always surprised by my collections. I really love all things that are about our life. I think Mike Ross won Jay's seat. I haven't gotten a fan from Mike yet, but he can send me one at any time.

June 1st Begin Vacation

2009-06-01T20:47:00.013-05:00

Today was the first day for my two month vacation. After a late breakfast I had to go do something outside as long as it was cool or coolish. After all it was supposed to hit 90 degrees. I think it hit 89. It was hot alright.

I went out to water my flowers. I have impatiens in the shady places and periwinkles in the sunny spots. I love how the red is so bright. I bought these two different impatiens at different times. I think one is a smaller type and the other grows up tall. I like the tall, because it causes the ground to be covered with the flowers, crowding out the weeds. Whoops, I think I made a mistake, but we will see. So long as they bloom.

I also was concerned about my porches. I just have to gain control of them.
This wind chime is so cute with little kittens.

The chime reminds me that we live in the south and this is our back porch. It has become a dumping ground. I first got the wool blankets that I had bought and put them upstairs. Then I had to take down the curtains.

I love this color of blue. I am so into blue these days. I don't have any idea why. I just am. Anyway I also love plaid. I can't get enough of plaid. Really it is such a great material. This is curtain material and vintage rubber backed curtains. They can close off the porch or let the sun in, but alas they were winter/spring dirty. So down they must come for the washing machine.

I came across-under a plastic liner- the vintage feather pillows I had bought last year at a garage sale. So I had to clean them. After taking J4 to work I went to the laundry mat to wash them in those sideways machines that don't use an agitator. I love my washer, but the agitator is hard on vintage material. So, if you have delicates use the sideways washers.

Being feather pillows I had to dry and dry and dry them in the dryers, but feathers don't like that! So I had to bring them home and put them outside in the heat. But being 89 and high humidity they still had to come in and I will have to dry them in the dryer tomorrow.

Here is the ticking of one of the blue ones. There are also pink

ones. These are the kinds of pillows my grandmother made. In fact My oldest daughter has those two pillows. Imagine, my grandmother would take the ducks that my grandfather killed, defeather them and stuff the pillows and now my daughter has those very same pillows.

So it turns out this is laundry day. I love clean bedding. My pillow cover is so sweet with pink embroidered flowers. So much fun to see it on my bed.

With a vintage quilt that I love, cause it has small

squares. I just love quilts. Even when it is warm weather I need to feel the

weight of the quilt to sleep soundly. I will wake up in the middle of the night
looking for it.

I am trying to get recipes of old fashioned cooking. I think eating beans every day will get old fast. Since we are studying

pioneer/colonial times in America I have to find ways to translate old f
ashioned cooking to today's world. Any ideas are appreciated.

Then I had to take pictures for my ebay site Yard sale Mansion. So my first day of

vacation has been very very busy.

Spring in my yard

2009-04-28T21:09:00.004-05:00

This is Honeysuckle that is in my yard. I love the smell of Honeysuckle. It is so very sweet.

I know it is an intrusive vine, but I still love the smell.

Don't you just love clover. When you see a clump of clover, don't you just want to sit down and make a flower lei. I always think it is a great piece of spring when clover grows.

Headaches

2009-04-20T21:02:00.005-05:00

Let me tell you why I have a picture of a Gas

relief in my blog. On Friday at lunch I ate something that didn't agree with me. I didn't have a gas attack like you might think. I had a brain fuzz attack.

When I went back to work, I found it hard to concentrate, yet I did, and I fought my way through the fuzz to get my work done.

That evening when I got home I got straight into bed and fell asleep. A restless sleep.

When I woke up I had a horrible headache. One of those vice grip won't let go headaches. It was an all day can't get rid of it headache. Nothing I can do will touch it.

I mean I take every over the counter pain pill I can find, and every herb I can think of that might cut the length of the pain. Somethings it will last a day or day and a half. I can usually tell when it is over, because I rid my body of whatever is making it hurt.

So on Saturday I was trying to rid this headache and I was in the kitchen and I was making some tea and I thought what can I take to rid my self of this pain? I thought, "well when I have an upset stomach I take these gas pills, so maybe if I take these it will get rid of what is causing my pain." I took two and in less than two hours my headache was gone.

I have no idea if it was from these pills, or from anything else I had tried, but this was a first time to try these and I could see a real difference.

My question to you, if you are a sufferer, by way of headaches of allergic reactions to foods if you have ever thought of using this treatment. Is it what is in the pills or is it because the pills might help you get rid of the food sooner than usual that it helps.

Has anyone used this or seen any difference in your life when you do use this kind of therapy?

Fabri-holic

2009-04-19T21:23:00.006-05:00

I am a lover of fabric. You might say I am a fabric-holic.

The Farm Chicks are giving away 2 yards of Fabric by

Pixie Dust.

My favorite of their fabric is this one called Lime Pagoda.

This fabric reminds me of the story I used to read to my

kids. In fact I could recite the name by heart and we used

to say it all the time.

Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo- chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo!

That is the name of the book. I loved the cadence and the

funny point of the book so much that I memorized that line.

It has found memories for me and my children when they were young and could laugh at such a story, whose actual point in my view was that parents do some crazy things just to impress others, when doing the simple thing was what was best.

This is why fabrics mean so much to me. A touch or a look can

evoke memories and I hope the things I make will one day make memories for others.

I hope in your life you find things that you can laugh at.

Enjoy your life and enjoy your children.

Easter

2009-04-18T22:45:00.015-05:00

My dad in his usual chair.

When I got back to work on Monday everyone asked how was your Easter. I had to reflect and I came up with the word "Calm." Yes it was actually calm.

Because the grandsons didn't dye Easter eggs and we went home and didn't stay overnight it seemed unusually quiet. In fact I said I was disquieted. Weird that something so simple like a different schedule could make me feel off kilter.

Johnny working on his new cell phone.

My brother in law Gene talking on the front porch.

Oldest daughter working on great cupcakes.

The Mom of all moms!

Youngest daughter taking time out for a rest.

Grandson who did not have a "rat's tail" but a platypus tail. Yep he knows what he wants! Hey 1980's, you are back!!

The three Stooges. These three are just too funny. Like having three kids. Much laughter!

Son pondering huge question.

Grandson working on the TV program.

My #1 sister cooking.

Pom pom-elicious

2009-04-16T23:22:00.005-05:00

I have gone pom pom crazy. I got this great deal on pom poms and now I just want to create pom pom-elicious everywhere.

Can't believe they are so much fun.

You just gotta believe that pom poms make life happier. I mean if you wiggle a pillow with pom poms on them they make you giggle.

Wiggle and you giggle.

To see more of these fun items go to my etsy Joe and Tony Christmas.

Spring on Campus

2009-04-12T21:50:00.011-05:00

Spring has finally sprung here on Campus. The flowers are beautiful and the trees are "a-bloomin thar pretty little heads off." It is really a lovely campus and the Maintenance dept is always working to keep it pretty. They do a great job.

Today it was a cold and rainy, but hopefully it will warm up a little. I just don't want the weather to be cool, then "hello" summer is here!! I dislike the idea of the weather growing warmer then suddenly it is hot, hot, hot.

My favorite season is fall, because it does take a long time for winter to show up. Beautiful sunny days, and some cooler days gives fall a long life. But right now it is spring and it seems like winter hopefully is just a memory. Is it just me or was winter way colder and lasting longer than in the past?

We have some beautiful flowers, and a student worker brought these in from a banquet for business majors. I get all kinds of great freebies. They added a lot of color to my office area.

But my name plate keeps getting taken. I am not worried I know who does this, but it is an interesting place to work.

You know who you are.

Ginger Citrus

2009-04-12T21:16:00.003-05:00

OK, this is not a great picture, but I just wanted to say thank you to Jemimah. She is a active rep. for Arbonne. They sell cosmetics and are really good. The thing I most love from this company is the Ginger Citrus Sugar Scrub. I mean I really love the way this scrub smells and feels. It is the one thing I always use everyday. You can only get it once a year at Christmas time and Jemimah gave me a large container of it while I was visiting her. It is the best stuff. Thanks, Jemimah.

At work it's a party

2009-04-05T16:58:00.005-05:00

I had to go to a insurance meeting on Tuesday and a support group day of fun on Wednesday so Keli Thomason's birthday couldn't be celebrated until Thursday. Cupcakes were given out and we had a good time.

Happy Birthday Keli!

Then I got home

2009-04-05T16:31:00.009-05:00

I got home, after a two hour drive from Landsthul to Frankfurt, a long 10 hour flight from Germany to Chicago then 2 hrs to Little Rock, and a 1 1/2 hr drive to Arkadelphia and finally in my own home.

Johnny had outdone himself with flowers and candles everywhere. 20 vases of flowers, 13 candles, 7 tasty things for a total of 40. Last Saturday was our 40th anniversary of our 1st date. What a sweetie.

Flowers were everywhere, in the kitchen, in the bedroom, & of course in the bathroom.

So nice to relax in my own tub.

Even Dilbert got in on the act.

MMMMMMWAH

The Last day in Germany

2009-04-05T15:33:00.015-05:00

The last day in Germany we ate lunch at a German Fish n Chips on base. I had the southern fried halibut. Can't really expect southern fried catfish at a Germany Fish n Chips can you?

Since it was on base it had American Flags, English style fish n chips, German bratwurst, and Thai seasonings. Talk about multi cultural!

Then Jemimah had scheduled a manicure at the local base. The attendants were all German and chattered to each other in German. Obviously we were at a loss.

Mitts for our hands to rest in and a cup of hot tea makes the experience relaxing.

That afternoon we drive around the town of Kaislerslautern. Here are some of the buildings I took pictures of. You can see all the buildings are close together.

It is truly beautiful and you can see how fairy tales came from this land.

That evening we got some advise from a local resident of a good place to get authentic German Food. So we at at Alt Landsthul. The setting is very old German inn.

We had Chateau Briand. Delicious.

What a wonderful week. I went, I saw, I came home. Did I mention it snowed? It was a great time. Thanks Jemimah, Thanks Adam I loved my guest room. And I finally got two stamps in my passport. Next, Capeizo National Bank!