Station Break

Posting will be discontinued until further notice.

Peace to you.

Just Sayin'

A man who trims himself to suit everybody
will soon whittle himself away.
-Charles Schwab

Education...in a Word

Let it be said my blog is educational, even informative. I have heard a certain word used more frequently in the last month or so. The reason is very clear, but let's start with the word. The word is "anti-venom".

Copperheads in our area are abundant. You hear of usual sightings this time of year, but there seems to be a greater amount this year. I have lived in my house for at least 16 years & this is the first summer I've had a run in with a copperhead. For those of you who aren't familiar, a copperhead is a pit viper. Oklahoma has 3 types of poisonous snakes & this fellow is one of them.

OK Snakes

I know of 2 people, different instances, that were bitten by copperheads this last week. Of course, these stories spread like wildfire & you automatically hear people talking about needed treatment for such a bite. They are worried the hospital they go to might not have the proper "anti-venom".

So, back to the word. I want everyone who reads my blog to know this. The antitoxin that is used to counteract the effects of venom from a snake, spider, or other venomous animal or insect is NOT "anti-venom". The actual name of this antitoxin is "antivenin". Yes, I know, you may need to look it up. Don't take my word for it. By all means, investigate.

Antivenin! That is my contribution to your education today. If you already knew this, tell some people you know.

We are SO connected!

"Was I adopted?" Did you ever ask your Mom or Dad that? Is your personality so varied from your other family members that it makes you wonder? Do you sometimes think, "I couldn't possibly share genes with these people."

I do, but then I look in the mirror. Yep, that's definitely a replica of my Dad's nose. I've got those family trademark big gums. All my older relatives keep telling me how much I look my Mom. I couldn't deny these folks if I wanted to.

But, then, there are these basic differences. For example, I love to read. I truly enjoy libraries. I can't name a single family member (excluding Colt & Rye, of course) that I could hog tie & take to the library with me.

I love movies, especially old ones. This mystifies my family. When I ask, "Did you ever see...?" The answer is always "No" with a hint of "and I never will." They don't begrudge my love of movies. They just don't get it. My brother buys any old movie he comes across, to give to me. He would never, ever watch it himself.


It makes it hard to discuss any movie stuff with them. I would love to share with them, but I will give an example of our conversations. This was just last night...

Becoming Jane

Me: Last night, Colt & I watched a movie about Jane Austen. It was about her life before she really started writing.

Aunt: Was it about the apes killing her?

Me: (Pausing, perplexed...) You're thinking about Jane Goodall. Jane Austen was an author. She wrote...Never mind.

Both: (laughing...)

The Jane Goodall Institute

Do the 'do

Let's talk about the word 'do, not do, due, doo, or dew, but 'do as in hairdo. Hairdos are as different as personalities. Some people are defined by their hair (good or bad)...Sampson, Tina Turner (maybe she belongs in "people defined by their legs"), Jennifer Aniston, Don King, Buckwheat, Rapunzel, etc. Some people are like chameleons continually donning new & different 'dos, keeping up with current fads. There are people who are completely indifferent to their 'do, "the perpetual bedhead look". Of course, you have traditionalists, those that follow good, old-fashioned convention. They sport the "my hair is part of a strict, daily hygiene routine". This is not the same as those with 'dos that are trapped in a time warp. They have a look they enjoyed in a former era & by golly they will keep it...forever.

Our hairdos coincide with seasons of our life. When you were little, your Mom probably braided your hair or gave you a great "chili-bowl" cut. In middle school, most want styles just like their friends. Through the teen years, you were probably more current, following trends. This is a time when some rebel, even with their hairdos. Maybe as a young adult you strived to be a trendsetter. Maturity sometimes brings conformity in hairstyles. You soon begin to see a completely, natural highlighting process. Many years may bring a complete color change. I really like gray hair & those that choose to embrace this season.

I have sported many different styles through my life. I have stressed my tresses with color, perms, & heat styling. I began coloring my hair when I was 16. I have been many variations of blond until a few years ago. I finally decided to return to my natural color. It was a lengthy process & not at all easy. My hair is darker than I remembered, but I love it.

I cut my own hair during this time. It was pretty long, but I decided to bring it up to my shoulders. I eventually took a step further to more of a chin length bob. Last year, I took a leap & went to a hairdresser for a SHORT cut. I am so absolutely glad that I did. I really like my current 'do.

I am not fussy about my hair. I have my usual "everyday & work" 'do. It's my "wash & go" look, very low maintenance. Then, there is my "goin' places" 'do. I use a straightening iron on it & a great amount of product for texture. Colt calls it my "manga" hair. He is dead-on with this description. I love "manga" hair, piece-y & textured. Some great examples:

Well, yesterday I was sporting my "wash & go" look at work. After work, I was going places, church, to be exact. So, I fixed my usual "manga" style. Now, you must realize it takes a lot of different products to achieve this style. The result is great texture, but not much give.

Now, the great part of this story. We arrived at church & did the usual "Hello, good to see you". We seated ourselves. At the beginning of church are announcements. Right as announcements were starting I felt something crawl into my hair. It felt like something big. I immediately thought "cockroach", so you can imagine the "ick" factor involved. I whispered to Colt, "Something just crawled in my hair." He said, "What?". Ok, this isn't going anywhere. What am I going to have him do, dig in my hair like a monkey? I'm also entertaining the idea that this bug is never getting out of this mess of hair. He's trapped like a rat.

I calmly, but with quietly, distressed feelings, wait for announcements to finish. As the music begins praise & worship, I excuse myself to the bathroom...quickly. By the time I arrive at the ladies' room, the feeling is gone. I can't "feel" the creepy crawly anymore. I still try to locate him. There are so many "textured" places to hide! With great difficulty, I search my scalp. No luck, but since I can't feel it, I'm relieved.

I returned to my seat. Five minutes into the service, the little devil critter is back on the move. I really wanted to scream, to stop everybody's singing & ask for help...a search & rescue of sorts. Thankfully, it stops again. I casually try to make sure he's not still there. I don't have anymore issues during church. As soon as I got home, I picked every inch of my hair with a fine-tooth comb. This has me rethinking my favorite "manga" style...

Memoir Title Meme

I was tagged by The Friendly Neighborhood Piper for this meme.

The meme has the following rules:

1 – Write the title to your own memoir using exactly six words.

2 – Post it on your blog.

3 – Link to the person who tagged you.

4 – Tag five other bloggers.

What a kick! I have a couple of pages of possible titles. This was loads of fun. I'm sharing a few of my choices.

Life Lessons Learned from 80s Music

Death & Demons, Redemption & Glory

But What Would Jane Austen Do?

Clearly, I Wasn't My Mother's Favorite

I Think That Girl Talks Funny

Come On, You Really Believed That?

The Single Girl's Guide to Eternity

Finally, my top three choices:

#3 Why is She Laughing So Loud?

#2 Complicated Journey to the Simple Life

And the winning title of my memoir is:

#1 I'm Just Here for the Food

Thanks, Jay, that was a gas! So, now, I'm spreadin' the love. I tag:

Dawn

Colten

Ashley

Sue

Sherry

Vintage Vagary

They say "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." I have no friends. I don't plan on owning any diamonds. I can appreciate fine jewels, but the cost considered over probability of misplacing is too great. I have owned diamonds & I have to say, they are not anymore precious to me than the cheap. (My apologies to Marilyn & all you other diamond buffs.) I am more of a costume-jewelry type. I can buy loads of the fake stuff for the cost of the real deal. My husband will no doubt (with bewilderment) appreciate my thriftiness. Now, this is not to say that I don't like jewelry. I most definitely do, especially the vintage stuff. I checked out "Hollywood Jewels" from the library. WOW! I may have to purchase it. This book showcases the most stunning, vintage jewelry. If you love the old stuff, check it out!




I do love vintage things, especially the stuff from the 1950s. This includes movies, fashion, advertising, books, cars, home decor, architecture, music, etc. I found a 50s wiggle dress that I would absolutely love to wear. Sadly, my measurements don't coincide with that of the dress. I think the 1950s ladies didn't eat because most of the waistlines from that era are teeny! So, I'll pass this find onto you. Since I can't wear it, I would love to see you in it! (This, of course, is excluding Jay) Buy it here! The dress sizzles & sings, & no doubt you will too!

Picture Charades #17

More charades!

Category: Celebrity

2 Words

Picture Charades #16

Another easy charade for you.

Category: Movie

1 Word

Let's Get Poppin'

May you all have a great

Independence Day.

May you enjoy your

fireworks displays.

May your cookouts

be even more spectacular.

May your ears truly

hear freedom ringing.

She's up there-Old Glory-where lightnings are sped,
She dazzles the nations with ripples of red,
And she'll wave for us living, or droop o'er us dead-
The Flag of our country forever.
-F.L. Stanton

If you see truth, you shall see glory.
Julinda

New Car Smell

This is my new car.

We went car shopping today.

I was under the impression

that shopping for a new car

would be loads of fun.

NOT!

Also...

Rye wouldn't ride home

in the new car.

I asked him why.

He said,

"It smells funny."

Picture Charades #15

I have been on a charade vacation. So, back to it...

I'll make it easy. You better be fast!

Category: Movie

1 Word

And We're Back

What a great trip...an all-around, enjoyable-for-all, good time! We left Friday around 11:00 AM headed for Frisco, Texas. I DID NOT GET LOST ON THE WAY! Amazing, I know. I'll be posting pics of the actual Celebrate Freedom event. Fun, fun, fun. We're taking all of you with us next year. So, get ready.

The beauty of this trip is that it was win/win all around. Didn't get lost, nice hotel room, awesome concert, wonderful children's entertainment, & last, but certainly not least...we stopped at Cracker Barrel for supper on our way home. Not the finest cuisine there is, but they do have some nice biscuits.
The great part of Cracker Barrel is their store. The boys & I always spend lots of time in there. We made a few purchases, but the prizes are these...




You know Dino is one of my faves! So, tonight I'm off to watch a little Colgate Comedy Hour with the boys. Tomorrow, I'll try to get up some of our pictures. Peace to each of you!

HERE WE GO!!!

I am SO excited! I can hardly wait. We leave tomorrow to go to Celebrate Freedom! Aaaah-Haaaa!!! I will have lots to post about when we get back. Watch the folks jumpin' around in these videos...that's gonna be ME & the boys! If you get the Gospel Channel, you better be watchin' for us! I gotta go pack.

Crossing Over

Some transitions are just plainly painful. This is one of those. I have been a Dr. Pepper girl for years. I remember that guy from An American Werewolf in London asking in those DP commericals, "Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?" I would and I am. Now, years later I'm not the stick thin person that I used to be. Maybe my metabolism isn't as high anymore. I have a few, extra, unwanted pounds.

I am not a diet-kind of person. You may have read my son's motto..."Eat Big or Go Home". This applies to the entire family. So, as a sort of step in the right direction, I thought it would be sensible to change to Diet Dr. Peppers.

I have never liked the taste of ANY diet beverages. That after-taste is a killer. My mother told me that it just takes a little getting used to. She said to just keep drinking them & the taste would grow on you. Pretty soon, you would prefer it to the regular. You would get to the point where the taste of a regular one would gag you.

Okay, I'm still gagging on the diet stuff. I took the plunge & drink only diet drinks. Yuck, yuck, & yet again, yuck. When this first started, I was tearful every time I ordered a diet Dr. Pepper. I wanted to cry...I mean really break down & sob.

I know there are great life lessons here. I am not mourning just the loss of my beloved Dr. Peppers, but also a bit of my youth. I am no longer that eat-anything-you-want-and-never-gain-a-pound girl. I'm a...mature woman. (I almost cracked up when I typed that.)

I desire to enjoy every season of this life. I'm definitely moving into another, but watch that first step...it's a doozy. I will plug along & maybe someday I will enjoy my Diet Dr. Peppers. Until then, I have my fond memories...

Somebody Said This to Me...

I bet you're a good bowler.

Celebrate Freedom

I was searching for tour dates for The David Crowder Band when I came across this. I think that it looks like a great time. Colt knew that I wanted to go see David Crowder, but when he saw Hawk Nelson on the roster, he was excited. The skateboard feature was the clincher. Rye changed his "That doesn't sound very fun." to "Can we go?!" when he saw the Family Fun Zone. Lincoln Brewster on the list with Shane & Shane confirmed my hopeful attendance. This is at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. Where else could you get moon bounces, monster trucks, & praise & worship all at the same venue?

Five Golden Meme

Tagged here.

The rules:
1. Post the rules of the game at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

What were you doing five years ago?
June 2003...I was 32-years old, Colt was 10, & Rye was 3! Wow. This is definitely a time when God was dealing with me. He was bringing me to my knees. I just hadn't realized it quite yet. My entire world is on the verge of changing.

What are five things on your to-do list for today?
1. Work
2. Wal-Mart
3. School
4. Blog
5. Potting plants

What are five snacks you enjoy?
1. Ice Cream (Vanilla Milkshakes, Rusty's Vanilla Custard, Marble Slab Cheesecake with Cherries & Almonds)
2. Cherries (Any & all...fresh...or I can eat a can of cherry pie filling)
3. String Cheese
4. Hawaiian Punch Apple Sauce
5. Sno-Cone (Pink Lemon Sour, of course)

What are five things you would do if you were a billionaire?
1. Me with money? First thing, I'm gonna need to do some praying for guidance!
2. Extensive Travel! The boys would have first-hand Geography lessons!
3. Buy tiller & definitely a new riding lawn mower.
4. Build a private movie theater...showing old movies as well as the new!
5. I would love to build a community center/compound/recreation center/retreat/exercise facility. A "you name it, we have it" kind of place for our homeschool kids & family.

What are five of your bad habits?
1. See snack list
2. Lack of punctuality
3. Procrastination
4. Lack of exercise
5. Staying up late

What are five places where you have lived?
1. Newberry, Michigan
2. Countyline, Oklahoma
3. Marlow, Oklahoma
4. Velma, Oklahoma
5. Pruitt City, Oklahoma

What are five jobs you’ve had?
1. Started working as a teenager for Uncle Nub...oil business...went full time after graduation.
2. United States Postal Service...city carrier, clerk, distribution, bulk mail, any other place they could work me.
3. Worked at a convenience store for 2 weeks.
4. Accounting, Law, & Oilfield...clerical
5. The most challenging & rewarding...Mother/Homemaker. Yes, it is a full time job.

Five people I tag:
Science Geek
Sea-Gal
Mr. E
Punk Princess
Campfire Stories

I Know What I Want!

Yes, it's HOT outside. What to do? Any ideas? Get a sno-cone!

My children have a dominant sno-cone gene & a recessive ice cream gene. They clash with me because of my dominant ice cream gene. Although, a sno-cone is a satisfactory substitute for a frozen treat. So, we stop at more sno-cone stands than ice cream places. I'm not in complete agreement with this, but I am democratic on a few issues. They do outnumber me on this one.

OK, sno-cones it is. So, give me a Pink Lemon Sour! As Rachel would say...Yumm-o! This particular flavor is like pink lemonade with a bit more tanginess. I do love the citrus!

This is where the real problems start. You shall witness a mother's sacrifice for her offspring. I ALWAYS order Pink Lemon Sour. Not so of the boys with the goofy flavor ideas. They might order some flavor like Roadkill Sewer Surprise. Alright, maybe not that bad, but you get the idea.

Now, let me be clear. I am ALL for flavor exploration. Try something new! Let's just be real. You may not like the outcome. You may be rewarded for your adventurous choice, but you might be sorely disappointed. Or should I say "I" might be sorely disappointed?

Yes, the Mother gets the taste rejects. When the choice results in "ews" & "yucks", my beautiful children get Pink Lemon Sour & I get Transylvanian Teriyaki Tornado. The flavor-sacrificing Matriarch gets the Muddy Monkey Mix or maybe the Green Hairy Beast.

I have tried, not by personal choice of course, Dragon's Breath...it was a bit like red-hot candies...not bad, but not Pink Lemon Sour. Other rejects...Beetle Juice...thankfully not as bad as it sounds. One time they thought Salty Dog sounded grand. That was a definite assault on my taste buds. Nectar sounded good...but wasn't. All this time, I'm thinking of Pink Lemon Sour & getting something altogether different.

It's obvious to me that kids are gonna choose their sno-cones by cool & catchy names. I guess the sno-cone places know this, because they are loaded with Frog in a Blender (Colt likes this one), Superman (Rye likes this one), Ninja Turtle, Purple Poison, the list goes on & on.

How do you know what Superman is supposed to taste like? Kryptonite? Steel? I think all flavor choices should be fully explained, in detail. The boys maybe could make more accurate decisions.

Colt wants me to be clear that he has traded with me a couple times, but that Riley is the repeat offender. I will agree, but there is no longer any need. The last trip to the sno-cone stand resulted in harsh, new rules. You get it, you eat it! I'm getting Pink Lemon Sour AND I'm eating it! You can get WHATEVER you want, but it's YOURS to keep.

Why don't you just get Pink Lemon Sour? You know you like it.

Party Crasher

Crashing
Down
Down
Down
Plunge, smash, fatal hit.

Automatous ailment,
Contaminated contraption,
Diseased device,
Gadgetry gout,
Instrument infirmity,
Malignant machinery,
Mechanical malady,
Pathogenic processor,
Terminal technology,
Viral invasion?

I have spent the better part of today backing up all my important files. Actually, my only important files are my pictures. I feel a computer crash coming on. Until I find out what is up with my computer, I wanted to make sure my digital photos are not lost. So, now I can begin my witch hunt. If you don't hear from me soon, you'll know the zombie killed me. Or perhaps I finally succumbed to the virus. Has a computer ever died of worms? I'll have to get in my time machine because my computer went back to 2002!

And Time Stood Still...

I am having computer issues. The blogs that are saved to my favorites are stuck on Friday. There aren't any posts that show up after that day. I didn't know this until I checked it on another computer today. Weird. I thought everybody was in a writing slump. Let's see if this shows up...

Picture Meme

About Me Meme...Rules-No words. Answer questions with pictures or graphics. Sounds like fun! Let's get started. Shall we?

1. What is your current relationship status?
















2. What is your current mood?











3. Who is your favorite band/singer?

























4. What is your favorite movie?











5. What kinds of pets do you have?


















































6. Where do you live?













7. Where do you work?














8. Who do you look like?

















9. What do you drive?




















10. What did you do Saturday?
















11. What did you do Sunday?














12. What is your favorite network TV show?












13. Describe yourself.











14. What is your favorite candy?