An Out of Body Experience, a frosted Mug and an Extra Hour with Razorback Red Velvet Cupcakes!

Here it is... the big birthday finale...a Razorback Red Velvet Cupcake! It's a tradition...the birthday is an all day event...as birthday's should be. It IS the day that God chose to bring you into the world to serve Him and His ultimate purpose for you...so we always celebrate them with zest!

It started early this morning...should have been 8am, but fortunately it was 7am since we were blessed by the time change and not the bad time change...the good one...where we fall back and get an extra hour added to our day. I would personally like to have the person that created daylight savings time voted OFF the island. But the good point here is that Cubby had an extra hour on his big day. We relaxed this morning and had coffee and PRESENTS...I stayed up late last night so that they were perfectly wrapped. I gave him a retro Cubs and a retro Bears t-shirt...he gasped for air when he saw the Cubs t-shirt....I was soooo cracking up at him. I also gave him a pewter Arkansas Razorback coffee mug for traveling to work in the mornings...and just when he thought it couldn't be any better...he opened the retro Bears hat...I think he passed out for a few seconds...I know he at least had an out of body experience! Don't you just love it when this happens? I know I do!

We then got ready and hopped in the car to head to Cracker Barrel and Cubby enjoyed his traditional pancake breakfast...usually I make it, but I sat on the concrete drive way for 3 hours yesterday carving pumpkins and my back was just saying, "No Way"...we were seated in Angie's section and that was a good thing. She has been my server several times lately and she is great. I asked her if she could get our order out quickly because we didn't want to late for church on the "extra hour" morning...LOL!...Cubby has a ritual when ordering his pancakes...I think I have written about this before, but this morning was great. He orders his pancakes, then a side of bacon saying he wants it, "Burned". No matter where we are the server always says..."You mean crisp"...you would think he would catch on, but this has been going on for 8 years...then he says, "I also need sugar-free syrup, please." Everybody agrees and then the best part..."I would like a large glass of milk, but do not bring it until you bring the pancakes." You see, the milk has to hit the table at the same time as the pancakes so he has COLD milk...if it's not cold it ruins his entire pancake experience. LOL! I dig this about him! He is so consistent. This morning everything was timed perfectly...Angie had our meal out within 5 minutes and not only did she have the milk and pancakes timed perfectly...she brought him a FROSTED mug for his milk! Angie had no idea that she was dealing with a pancake and milk ritual...she didn't know about the COLD milk...she just stumbled into his ritual with perfect timing. :) I guess if it's your birthday that specials gifts come throughout the day. I was thinking..."an extra hour AND a frosted mug!" I love the small things in life that warm my heart. Needless to say, Angie got an extra nice tip today. We got to church on time and we were blessed by a great sermon about Passion, Mission and Vision....3 of my FAVORITE things...especially these days as I have been learning so much about what mine are about from this day forward. Don't you just love it when you get a NEW passion?

After church we headed home for the 12 o'clock kick off on Soldier Field in Chicago to watch the Bears play the Cleveland Browns...a sure win for the Bears this season...we are having a little trouble winning some of our games...I mean, Urlacher is out for the season! (I've been complaining about this since the day he broke his wrist...not likely to stop until the season is over)...I was suited up in my Official NFL #54 Urlacher Jersey and blue sweat pants to match...Cubby put on his new retro Bears t-shirt and grabbed a blanket and pillow....and yes, the Bears won with ease today. Another special gift on Cubby's big day. They were so far ahead at half time that he fell asleep and took a much needed nap. He was tired from all of the Halloween and Fall Festivas fun we had yesterday...check out FB or yesterday's blog, if you missed it. While he was sleeping Bella and Harley Tucker started to get unruly, so I decided to take them for a walk and let him rest. HAHAHAHAHA...what was I thinking????? Once I pushed the garage door opener...they took ME for a WALK! Around the block and up and down the hills....when we got home I had to ICE my back. The Dog Whisperer needs to do some Whispering around here!

So we brought the day to a close by going to a local restaurant near our house that is cozy and has great food...we had a nice quiet dinner and finished it off with the tradition of the Razorback Red Velvet Cupcake! We came home and he went to bed with a smile on his face. I will do the same after while...Cubby is married to a night owl that sometimes howls at the moon around 2am. LOL! I mean, I'm just getting started around 11pm.

Thanks for indulging me this long entry, I just want to remember everything when I go back and read this again later on. With my memory these days...I need some documentation.

Pumpkins Seeds Flying, Pigs Racing and a Thousand Trick or Treaters!!!

I'm not sure where to start to explain this day...It's Halloween and we packed it full of fun and crazy things. This is a big weekend already. Yesterday, Baby Millee arrived...being her Aunt Tabby and Uncle Cubby, we really were excited. Tomorrow is Cubby's birthday and he'll finally be a decent age in his 40's...42...at least he is climbing now. We started the day having breakfast at Cracker Barrel with Katie and Drew. We told lots of stupid Halloween jokes and had a really fun time. Cubby had his pancakes, so everything was great. You know how he is about his pancakes. He'll be having more in the morning for his birthday breakfast.

So this first picture...what in the world?? Why are there pigs flying around?? After we had breakfast we headed out to the pumpkin patch...and there is SO much more than pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. There are pig races! This is the 3rd race where they were really rounding the corner. I think Porky won the first race, Wilbur won the 2nd and Porky stole the show again on race 3. This was absolutely hilarious....Go Wilbur Go!


We headed out to the pumpkin patch after the pig races ended...Katie and Drew picked out their pumpkins for the pumpkin carving contest that was being held on our drive way later in the day. Little did I know what was going to go down in the drive way!!!! LOL! Cubby and I already picked out our pumpkin and we were already scheming on how we were going to win the carving contest. :) We also visited the petting zoo and a goat grabbed Cubby's finger and started sucking on it. A picture is posted on FB. LOL! He went to the hand sanitizer booth right away. We saw the ducks and the crazy roosters that were crowing at the crack of Noon....little late fellows!

We had our pumpkins loaded up in our cars and headed home for the carving contest. Once we were all at the house, we headed to the drive way with our prize pumpkins, knives, carving tools, markers and scrapers. We started making our cuts around the top. I told Drew and Katie to angle the top cuts so the lids would not fall into the pumpkins later....Drew made straight cuts and now his pumpkin lid has to sit at an angle...silly man. Once we cut the tops out, we started pulling out the seeds and slime. I love the smell of fresh pumpkins...so does Katie. Cubby thinks it is the nastiest thing in the world and chose to just sit and watch the carving contest. We all got tickled over how much stuff we were pulling out of the pumpkins and it didn't take long before we were throwing it all over each other. The pumpkin seeds were flying and the slime was every where. I don't know when I have had so much fun and laughed so hard. Cubby kept saying, "Settle down, you guys are going to make a mess!" He was acting like a MeMaw! LOL! It was too funny. I carved 2 pumpkins, dancing ghosts and a Happy Pumpkin. Speaking of Happy...I found a pillow to give Cubby....it says, "I'm Happy, Don't Ruin It!" ROFL...I showed it to him today and he thinks it is hilarious. Too bad I already bought his birthday presents. :) Drew carved a skull and cross bones...really cool....and Katie carved a Cat that took forever and by the time she was near the end something went terribly wrong and she tossed the whole thing in the trash. I still can't believe she threw it away. She went OCD on the pumpkin! Cubby and I got the front porch ready and we placed our pumpkins on display just before the 1000 trick or treaters came to the house. As I am writing this, they are still coming. I left to run an errand and when I drove back in to our neighborhood there were hundreds of cars lined up...It took forever to make it back to our house. I've never in all my life seen so many kids trick or treating...it was really neat to see so many kids with their parents having so much fun.


This is Mr. Bunny and he has been with me for 12 years. Every holiday or festivas he always dresses up. He is wearing his Halloween scarf and is looking very dignified this evening. I love Mr. Bunny.


This is the Happy Pumpkin that I carved...this one took a while to clean out and I think most of the slime from him was on Drew, but I'm still picking pumpkin seeds off my blue jeans. The carving on this one only took me five minutes....he was easy.


This is Drew's pumpkin...his turned out really great and then he added the "Beware" at the top to add a little spook to his creation.


This is my Dancing Ghosts pumpkin. They are all wearing bow ties as you can see, but can you really tell that three of them have on top hats? My pattern didn't copy on the right side, so I had to free hand it on the two ghosts on the right....I don't know, I think it looks pretty good.

Cubby was the judge since he didn't actually carve or even touch the pumpkin junk. The contest was threefold...One, Difficulty in carving....Two, how well you followed the pattern....Three, presentation. Judge Cubby ruled as follows....Difficulty in carving goes to the Dancing Pumpkins....Presentation goes to the Skull and Crossbones....and following the pattern goes to the Happy Pumpkin. Best in Show overall goes to the Dancing Pumpkins. WooHoo!!!!! Certainly I agree with Cubby's ruling...but, Drew is calling foul for some really crazy idea he came up with since the judge is my Cubby. Obviously, Miss Katie was disqualified for going OCD on the pumpkin that ended up in the trash. Happy Halloween everyone. What a great day it was today!

Why did the coffin stop chasing the people once they threw cough syrup on it???? It stopped coughing....get it? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

A Miracle, Raindrops and the ability to accessorize!

Publish Post

This awesome accessory means that one of my favorite things is happening on the Square.
Yes, it means it is RaiNiNg....rAiN DrOpS are FaLliNg!! And the forecast for the week calls for more rAiN DrOps FaLliNg all over ArKaNsaS until Saturday. PaR TaY for Rain lovers and Eeyores everywhere!



This picture is just right outside our front door. Isn't it the best? This is the perfect ending for not such a perfect day...but I have rejoiced and been glad in it anyway. Let me explain... Eight years ago today I had a saddled pulmonary embolism and was alone at home waiting on a friend to take me to the doctor. I had been to the ER the night before and they sent me home. I begged Cubby not to let them send me home because I felt like I was dying. I ended up having to go home anyway and was told to see my doctor the following morning. While I was waiting, I stayed in bed until it was time to get dressed. As I stood up, I couldn't breathe and began passing out if standing. I crawled to the other side of the house to get clothes and passed out 3 times along the way. The final time, my dog Gracie saved me. She did the unthinkable...and was licking me on the face and mouth. She knew this wasn't allowed and freaked me out, but it caused me to regain consciousness again. I crawled with my head and body as flat as possible to the floor. I had to get to a phone and it was in the back bedroom...yeah, where was my iPhone then? Where was my App for that? I had to stand up to reach the phone and as I dialed 911 everything went black and I fell on the bed. Being flat again, I was aware of what was happening. I immediately heard the sirens of the ambulance and fire department. I knew help was on the way. I prayed that God would not take me on that day because Katie was only just 2 weeks short of being 12. I knew I had to be here for her and I knew God was in control.

The paramedics had to peel my garage door up like a sardine can to get in the house. I felt embarrassed that they had to come get me and that the sirens went all through the neighborhood. I kept telling them that I was sorry. The paramedic that was working on me said the funniest thing...he asked why I was sorry, that it was like apologizing to the pizza delivery guy for delivering your pizza. I was having a terrible time trying to breathe. He put this huge oxygen mask on me and I could tell he was worried. When we arrived at the ER, there was a doctor there that was there the night before and I had noticed that he had been watching me from the other side of the ER that evening. He immediately recognized me and told them to put me on the elevator to go for a CatScan because I had a blood clot. I was saying...oh no, that can't be it. For 6 months, this clot had been forming and no one could figure out what was wrong with me. Tiny clots had been passing from my legs to my lungs the entire time. Any one of them could have been fatal.

I came back from the CatScan and every specialist you can imagine was standing around my bed looking very serious. I was thinking...ok, now I have your attention and someone was going to tell me what was wrong with me and my peace of mind would be back in place. They told me alright and also said they did not know how I was conscious or even alive at this point. The clot was huge and was laying over both lungs and blocking the blood flow to my heart. First thought that ran through my mind was...gee, I could be in the morgue with a toe tag by mid afternoon. (I find humor in most things...I was also glad that my toe nails were freshly painted from the pedicure I had gotten 2 days before and that the toe tag would at least accessorize a lovely toe)...I was still calm and knew God was in total control, so I snapped out of that crazy thought and asked the doctors what they were going to do.

They quicky gathered a few more doctors and said they were going to give me a clot buster. What I didn't know was that they were 100% sure that part of the clot would break away and send me into cardiac arrest and that it would be fatal. I hurried them along because it was taking forever....just give me the shot already. They were not working on the same level as the ultimate physician and ultimate healer that I knew was surrounding me. I felt my parents presence around me as well...they had both already gone to be with the Lord.

They finally gave me the shot through an IV and stared at me for what seemed like forever. I asked them what they were looking at and if there was a problem. I was still calm and I was so excited that the doctors finally believed and knew that I was really sick. I can't tell you how many times I was sent home when I knew something was very wrong....especially the night before. The clot buster caused no problems and they took me to ICU where I stayed for a week before I was transferred to a regular room for an additional 2 weeks. All of the doctors in the ER came by to see me one at a time and were in disbelief of my situation.

As I have grown in my relationship with Christ over the past eight years, I realized that God gave me a miracle that day. As I have gone over every detail of the events leading up to 9/14/01...I have realized that God has a huge purpose for me. He has taught me so many lessons through so many trials in my life. I am at peace with this. I have now reached the part of my life where things are about to change and my purpose, mission and vision for Him will be unveiled (at least what I need to see for now)...He has been preparing me for this crossroads in my life for 45 years...I don't know what it is yet, but my heart is convicted and I hear Him. I wait patiently, but with great expectation. It is coming and I couldn't be more ready.

My true mission and purpose for this life He gave me started Sept. 14, 2001, just 3 days after the 9/11 attacks. I watched television from the hospital almost 24/7 and I was heartbroken, but thanked Him for my miracle. I prayed for the loss of life and the families affected by 9/11 and had a deep connection with the loss since my situation should have been fatal except for the miracle I was given.

I started a new Bible Study tonight with my small group. Beth Moore's "Breaking Free"...I couldn't think of a more perfect time or perfect day to start this study. I've left my old job behind (since it went bankrupt and all)...I'm waiting in great expectation for what God has prepared me for....and this eight year anniversary of God's Miracle has so much more meaning this year. I'm telling you...something big is on the horizon.

So this not so perfect day turned out okay...after Bible Study, I came home and checked on Cubby...he has been really sick for several days...I was able to talk to the doctor at length on the phone and have decided that we need to be a little more proactive for answers. Remembering what happened to me made me think that I have to trust God in this situation and get the answers we need in order for him to be healed.

I had to go to WalMart after 10p, because we were out of everything. I generally can not stand to go to the store, but tonight I realized it was just me and the stockers in the store. It was actually a calming experience...and for once, I did not have to abandon my groceries and make a run for the ladies room. Normally this would be unspoken, but it has become a joke in my family...every single time I get to the back of WalMart or Target I have to make a run for it. IBS is not my friend. (Sorry to be graphic...but my family has convinced me that this is hysterically funny). I was able to shop, get back home, put the groceries away and not even break a sweat or feel the least bit aggravated by dodging baskets coming at me from all sides.

Once home, I heard my RaiN DrOpS and just smiled. I so love the rAiN! It's soothing to my soul. It just cleanses everything and makes it beautiful. I felt a blessing with the rAiN as I remembered God's gift of the miracle He gave to me 8 years ago today.

One final note..off the subject...you must remember from previous posts that I flip subjects in mid sentence, but I always eventually get to the point. Enough of the sentimental stuff for a moment...(Only on special occasions will I write something on our blog that is more serious in nature...today was one of those days...thanks for indulging me.)...So we all know by now that the Bears lost to the packers last night...bad enough...but I was awakened this morning with the news that Brian Urlacher was in surgery for his wrist and he would be out for the season. This was one of the low points in the day. Why...Why...Why...not Urlacher...but I keep repeating...."God is Good all the time...All the time God is Good!" So, I'm sleeping in my Urlacher Jersey until he returns to the field...he is not going to be out all season.

And remember...RaiN calls for AcCesSoRiZiNg!!! I love you Tallee, you little Tigger.

Keep the Maalox on ice...The Bears are on the Field and in the Living Room!!

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers....plus


Cubby's Fleece.....Plus


Tabby's #54 Urlacher Jersey....EQUALS


Chilled Maalox from the Fridge!

In the 5th Grade, I decided I was going to go to Baylor University....major Baylor Fan. I have no idea where this idea came from or the odds stacked against me to actually go...I just kept my focus...ignored the tuition challenge and graduated from Baylor...

For the same reasoning (which has no logic to it at all) I have always loved Chicago. I actually never visited Chicago until I was 31. I just knew I loved it. And when I visited Chicago it felt like I was home. I have a deep love for the Chicago Bears and the Cubs. I can handle the curse of the Cubs...other than when an idiot sticks his glove out and costs us the World Series. I, as my pastor does, believes that the Cubs are God's team. The Chicago Bears...my greatest love in sports.

So this all sounds good...NOT! I am a tender, loving, calm and compassionate person...I love everyone and I have a kind heart. That is until the Bears take the field! I can not explain what happens to me. I take every call personally, I feel very angry at any player that even touches the Bears or messes up their plays. I'm still reeling over Rex Grossman not being the quarter back this year. It makes it hard for me to love Cutler. I'm trying though. I love me some Urlacher Defense...I love me some Hester going 80 yards on a return for a touchdown!!

Once the real season starts, Cubby and I suit up on Sundays...me in my #54 Urlacher "official" Jersey...Cubby in his Bears T-shirt or Fleece. We sit on separate furniture so no waving arms, legs, clapping or jumping up and down can harm the other. You know I take a blood thinner...so I don't need any internal injuries. After a win the shirts go back in the closet and do not get washed. If we lose (I do not like to even type that word)...we wash our shirts to get the stink out of them. We are often very smelly from not washing them towards the end of the season.

Today, the Bears are playing the Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. There is no greater victory than when we beat the Packers (idiot Cheese heads)...in turn, there is no greater loss if we don't. Of course, our entire goal and focus is to go to the Super Bowl!

The whole point of this is that I turn into this crazed, wild-eyed, rip roaring Bears Fan that does not accept any defeat. This has never been the case in my entire life-EVER for anything! The anticipation all day gets my Game Face ON! Of course, Cubby never saw this side of me...I never knew it existed. When it started...he was fearful! Where had his sweet wife gone? I'll tell you...I'm on the field with the Bears! That's why I wear #54 for Urlacher...the best defensive player in Professional Football!! He whips 'em on the field and I feel like I whip 'em at the same time. I need a #23 Hester Jersey so I can feel the wind in my face as he runs like a cheetah (the fastest animal on the planet)....I could use a #9 Gould Jersey so I could feel the contact of the football on my foot as another smooth sailing field goal flies from the greatest distance ever!! Oh, my Bears!! I could also use a headset so I can talk to Lovie....sometimes I feel my hands around his neck as they begin to squeeze.

What all of this boils down to is that the Maalox better be chilled in the Fridge all week so I can have it on the end table as I kick back, grab the clicker and watch as the Bears kick off every Sunday!! Right now the Bears are down by 1...but are on the 3rd yard line on the 3rd down with 3 minutes to play. I'm grabbing the Maalox and signing out before it's over...the victory will send me to the moon, but the loss will cause me to wither to the floor. Check ESPN to see how my evening ended.

Encore Please!

When we first looked at our house, the description read that there were Encore Azaleas. I lived in Central Texas most of my life and wanted azaleas (red ones) in my gardens. I think they are beautiful. The soil in central Texas is not acidic and contains a lot of limestone, rock and clay.

To properly grow azaleas, you have to have acid in the soil. It can be done in central Texas, but it is not easy. I had every "Texas Gardening" book known to man and I followed the directions. I had to dig 5 feet down and 4 feet around the area and completely replace the soil and treat it with acidic plant food. So I did all of this and planted red azaleas that turned out to be pink. Augh! Not that I don't like pink, I just wanted red ones.

If you know me, the sun is not my friend and I tend to get hot, turn red, not sweat and pass out. A hit with the water hose and a splash brings me back, but with a headache that is unimaginable. You know, the kind where no one can even walk on the carpet in the room you are resting in to recover. Lights out!

After several attempts at Central Texas Azaleas, I gave up. I even talked to my favorite flower market and questioned why they even sold them. I'm a determined woman, so me giving up on this was a big deal! My brother lives in, Texarkana, and he always has the most beautiful azaleas. (Secretly aggravated me to death!)

After reading about the Encore Azaleas, I searched my gardening books and the internet and could not find what the Encore was all about. Deep inside, I wished it meant that they would bloom more than once a year. I was afraid to let myself get overly excited about this wish. It would be a big disappointment...like the "Pink" azaleas that Pooped out. Poopie Pink is all I think when I recall the hard work, passing out and the headaches. I had to train my daughter, Katie to splash me with the hose. She was a real trooper about it...I can't believe it never scared her. That poor child must have thought it was all part of gardening. LOL!

I'm happy to report that hard work and perseverance do not go unnoticed. I now have beautiful red azaleas that grow all around the front of our home. And, the Encore...well Hello, August...they bloom again! ParTay in the garden!

The Mysteries of the Yard on the Square...Fall Foliage and the Beasts!

Example A


Example B


Example C

Mystery...sometimes it's a really wonderful thing in life. I do like to know what's going on most of the time with a twist of the unknown for excitement. But, there are mysteries that are maddening to me at this point. One happens overnight...I can find no logical explanation. If I try to catch it happening...I get nothing. This mystery also brings out a fit of OCD in me that can't be hidden. I find myself peaking out the windows...slipping around the garage like an undercover FBI agent... But to my demise the mystery remains.

My yard gets mowed every other Tuesday at this point. The cool air at night has slowed the growth of the grass in preparation for fall. Once my lawn is mowed and pampered it looks like green velvet. You just imagine rolling all over it and then popping a couple of benadryl to fight the allergy attack that will follow. This is why we only fantasize about the rolling around in the grass.

So you ask, "What are the mysteries?" Let me share my madness! Every Wednesday morning my yard is covered with fall foliage...leaves are everywhere. Example A: A Green tree with NO dead leaves. Example B: My yard covered in dead leaves (okay, let's call it fall foliage so it sounds better). Example C: Close up of Large Fall Foliage in it's perfect Brown wonderment!

Where are the leaves coming from? They are in my backyard as well. I look all the way up the street and down...NOT ONE yard has a single leaf on it. Their trees are also green. My neighborhood has a POA office that will send you a letter if you have weeds. I'm terrified that it will also arrive if you have leaves (and when I clean them up...they are back the next morning!) This letter of shame as I refer to it, absolutely can't show up in my mailbox. I would be mortified. This summer, I have stayed after the flower beds to keep them weed free. Another mystery unveiled itself as well.....

All my life I have heard the word chigger. Funny word...but, with all the pastures, woods and ditches I have played in during my life while growing up, I have never experienced a chigger. It sounds harmless enough and having not had one I was under the impression that a chigger was a very rare bug or pest...whatever you want to refer to it as...I have my own definition that's not fit to share with others.

Well, first time out in the flower beds...4 days later...I have this weird looking patch above my ankle...never in my life has something itched as bad as that patch. In a wild fit I searched the internet and discovered to my regret that it was chiggers. I treated the little patch and nearly lost my mind before it healed over the course of the next month! I spent a little time out there again 2 weeks ago and I was dressed from head to toe and had on rain boots that hit me at my knees. I sprayed so much "Off" on me that I am sure to have some sort of lung disease later in life. I'll be on the TV show, "Mystery Diagnosis" and will recall the fit of over spraying "Off". My OCD made me re-apply with frequency. Four days later a patch on my forearm...looked like a spider bite or even a snake bite....two marks in the center like a pair of fangs. It itched like a chigger family with out of town relatives had used me as a host for their family reunion. It's still driving me crazy...I bought a bottle of "chigger tox" on the last round. I have applied it over and over.

It still rages on...mentally I'm going with spider or snake. Two things that I believe the world could do without...spiders and snakes make my skin crawl and give me nightmares. However, in reality I know it's the dreaded chigger. It's an itching sensation that could send the weak to the mental ward with padded walls. A single chigger brings fear...you can smell the fear in me when I check out my flower beds. Yet another mystery though...my beds have been sprayed with every insecticide known to man (due to the fear)...and when I prefer spiders and snakes to a chigger...if you know me...then you know this is serious business.

Thus, the mysteries of my yard are great...I've posted proof of the "mystery of the leaves" on the square. I dare not post a picture of my "snake bite" for fear of angering the chiggers and awakening the Beasts of the yard.

A Resume for a New Journey and a Can of RAID!

Today was all about searching for a new job...a new journey...a new passion...a new reason to run back and forth to the bathroom if you let it get to you. But, hey...that's what I did for the month of July....14 days of it in the hospital. So much to do, so much to think about...and never allow the word "worry" to slip out of your mouth. So it's best to think of a new job...a new journey...a new passion...


I spent a month taking my resume down from 6 pages to 2....why? I have 22 years of experience, but as a manager I can't remember reading every word of a long resume so I guess I have answered my own question. It takes a lot to use all of the correct words to get 22 years on 2 pages. After this process is complete....what happens....writer's block for a cover letter. I've always been the Queen of cover letters. As you see, I'm never at a loss for words. Good or bad, the words are always there and yes, I can change topics in mid sentence so you have to pay close attention when I am speaking. I don't do this in business presentations, but in personal conversation...anything can happen. Shane and Katie both wonder and ponder all the time when I'm finally going to make a point. LOL! It's a gift, they just don't recognize it yet.


So the resume is finished, the cover letter is coming tonight or early morning. So what happens after you are deep in this process? You have to spend the time setting yourself up on Monster and Career Builder and searching for jobs that fit the criteria you are looking for in job. At this crossroads in my life it's taking 22 years of television sales management and advertising sales and using all of my experience to find a new journey...the television advertising sales passion and journey are coming to a conclusion. A fabulous career that requires a bottle of chilled Maalox to be in one hand while you're shaking hands on a multi-million dollar deal with the other...caffeine overdoses, endless paperwork, lots of math and a few idiots crossing your pathway now and again. And the sweetest to the meanest media "queens" or buyers the world has ever crossed. I have only 2 in my past that I never cracked the smile on...if they are still around, I pity the new guy they are breaking in right now.


More to the point...see, I can wander, especially when so many years of ideas and memories are flooding my brain. But I'm ready for a new adventure...I'm ready for the fire to start that burns the passion to new heights...I'm ready for all of it...I purged the old (ask my nurse, doctor and mostly my assistant who remains a constant support and someone that I can't figure out how I will work through the day without....she's the best!).....


So how did I reach this point tonight? Proofing pages over and over of my resume...my hoops and yoyo panic button, popcorn flavored jelly bellies, kleenex and my lap top that has stolen my eyesight as I read every word of 154 jobs that fit my criteria....15 of which are great leads. Oh, and a can a Raid for household use only... that warned if used in any other way was punishable...we used it in the office...is that household use? There was no expiration date, but a phone number for Helen that we could call if necessary. Now there's a job...be the woman whose name is on the side of the Raid can with your number listed. And just for grins...did you know the website for Raid is http://www.killsbugsdead.com/.? Any hoo....this is how it looks at the end of the day. And, yes my faithful assistant killed the bug, dead.

No Farm for "The Deuce"....Gotta Run!!!

This entire weekend has mostly been about rest and recovery. I didn't want to over do and end up at the start of the work week exhausted. Sunday rolled around this morning and while Shane drove, (Yes, he can drive again by himself...YaY!) to see his family in Magazine, I stayed here and enjoyed a visit with my brother, David. It's always nice when he comes up from Texarkana. He and Deuce, my four legged nephew come see me a lot. It's also fun, because he always takes me to Sam's Club for some major savings on shopping. I only needed one thing this weekend and that is the Neutragena Rainbath Shower Gel. It's 40 oz and lasts me 4 months. Best deal in town!


Today, we took David's new Honda Accord and it is very, very nice. It's always a butt puckering experience to ride with David, but I'm still a little medicated from being sick, so I made it ok. LOL! We stopped at Sonic for Happy Hour for a Diet Cherry Dr Pepper for $1. It hit the spot. He has a 6 cd changer and we were cruising to my Favorite, George Strait. You can never go wrong if George is playing....we were listening to the "lastest greatest straitest hits"!





Once we got home David had to load up and leave. My nephew was really barking and making sure he was not going to be left behind. On one of the previous trips, David left one of his weimarieners to relocate with my sister-in-laws in NWA, since they live on a farm. I guess Deuce was making sure that he was not going to the farm as well. This is his farewell to me before loading up in the car and hitting the highway....to the tune of George singing "Carrying Your Love with Me". It's their favorite song on the cd. He's moving so fast here, he's a little blurry, but he wasn't about to be left behind....it was "see ya, Aunt Tabby, wouldn't want to be ya!"

Special Agent, Harley Tucker!

I keep trying to be consistent with my blogging, but life seems to be getting in the way. Once again I am going to commit to a daily reading for you since the "Life" that keeps getting in the way is what I'm trying to document in the first place. LOL!

I have been very sick, 23 days of nausea and things we just won't discuss, with 14 of those days being in the hospital. However, today...I am beginning to feel like myself again. I slept last night for the first time in weeks and I awakened this morning with hunger and not nausea. I've been on a strick weight watchers and workout plan for most of this summer, but with all that's been going on it's hard to say that it could have mattered while I have been sick. When I felt hungry and then the nausea didn't follow, I got Shane out of bed and we headed to our favorite diner...The Home Plate...Yes, we have blogged about it in the past. I ate 2 biscuits with gravy, an egg and had a REAL Coke with crushed/shaved ice (you know, the good kind)...and what a meal it was. I had to give Shane half of one of my biscuits because I was so full, but I did everything but lick the gravy bowl. It was so good and I felt great after I ate it...Praise God...and I do mean...Praise Him. I prayed so much yesterday to have the nausea leave and for me to feel like me again and today....the answered prayer. I'm not sure He intended for me to consider licking a gravy bowl, but I am His child and His healing hands are so appreciated.

I usually blog at night, but I know what I want to really share with you today about Life on the Square already...nothing is going to top this. After Shane and I returned from breakfast, we

opened the door to the room our four legged children stay in while we are gone and found all kinds of fluffy stuff shredded special just for us. Harley Tucker is wearing a diaper, because she is in heat, and we do not feel she needs to reproduce. One Harley Tucker in the world is ALL that can be handled. She pulls at her diaper and can get the lining out, but not get the diaper off. She then shredds it like snow. Her special way of saying..."Missed Ya". While Shane was vacuuming the snow, I decided to clean out her kennel...and earlier in the week I had noticed that there was a folded piece of paper in her kennel. I wondered what it was, but with the nausea I did not care at the time. I finally pulled the piece of paper out and unfolded it and could not believe what I was reading....it was a message for FBI finger printing with dates and times...we have no idea where this paper came from but, here's the proof that it exists....and our only thought is Harley Tucker....is she a secret agent? After that...we are speechless! LOL!

The Early Bird Plan!

Today, we visted the Texas Roadhouse for Early Dining. Not only have we become creatures of habit for Early Bird Specials, but realize that we only have to order one meal and split it. It's cheaper than eating at Taco Bell. We get a choice of 10 very good and healthy meals...pick one, split it and head home. The other plus to our Early Bird Plan is that we just pull right off the highway to get to Texas Roadhouse and by the time we finish and head home...the traffic is gone. This is a win-win situation...we are really working the system...or are we just getting old and tightening the fist on the dollar? Who knows, but we feel very clever at this point and we get to see Katie during dinner.

3.5 and the Dogs are Barking!

My friend, Amanda whom I call Opie is my walking partner. Today we added an extra mile to our 2.5 mile walk to make it 3.5 miles. We hope to map out a new trail for next week where we will be at 5 miles per walk. We use this time to avoid the need for psychiatric help by talking about everything. Tonight, we really solved some world problems. Our walk is full of twists and turns and HILLS (where I could use a little oxygen mask) as we climb them. The last hill tonight was very steep and I had my doubts about reaching the top. WE Did it!! Yay! Opie is quite the trooper...I complain and she justs keeps her cool. Near the end of the walk my legs felt like noodles, but the only pain I was experiencing was on the bottom left buttock...one little muscle screaming the whole way through.

Tonight had a funny twist...you know how you go to see your Doctor and he/she asks about what you are eating and if you are exercising?? On our walk, we ran into my doctor and his family out enjoying the neighborhood and bicycles. We talked for a moment and as we walked off I shouted back..."Next time you ask me if I'm exercising, you'll know I'm speaking the truth." And Opie is my witness!!

We took this picture to show off our barking dogs once we made it home. I don't know what tomorrow morning will bring or even if we will be able to get out of bed, but for tonight...Dogs are barking!

Wink, Wink, Kiss and Peace Out!

Life on the Square got a little bumpy today. My job is going to dissolve a little sooner than I thought it was.....Like probably this week. Ouch! My work family is also in the same situation. It's difficult to experience and it's really hard to watch it affect people that you care about and love. If I could stop it, I would. So work was tough and I am sure that it will only get harder as the week passes.

(this was actually a kiss to MJ...he's gonna miss you)

I had to take Cubby to the Heart Doctor today for his check up. Since he can't remember to carry his heart card that monitors his heart, the doctor and I over ruled him today and he will be getting a heart monitoring device placed under his skin on his chest that will record everything 24/7. He is off the week of July 19th, so they are going to try to schedule the day surgery while he is on vacation.

He was really working on cheering me up at the doctor today while he was be terribly impatient while waiting on the doctor. I did remind him that if he did not require that we arrive a half hour to an hour early (everywhere we go) that our waiting time would be more manageable. This is something that he picked up from his Dad as a child. Thank you, Kenneth. :) So all of these pictures are Cubby trying to cheer me up. Wink Wink Kiss & Peace Out. (Help me).

You Can Get a HomeWrecker and a MooMoo!

It has been a lazy Sunday afternoon on the Square. The thunderstorms from last night made for some really good sleeping that seemed to spill over into this afternoon. I just thought I would watch a little TV, that was not about Michael Jackson. Not really understanding why he is on every channel....the safest channel I could find was the Discovery Channel...I learned a lot about all kinds a plastic surgery before I became so bored that I fell asleep for 3 hours. This was my spot today and my sweet kit kat, Linus found one close by...so we just crashed.

Cubby poked on my arm until I got up around 4...I've always told him...never wake a sleeping Tabby. He forgets...;P. He wanted to go get a hair cut and also go by the pharmacy. Being his faithful driver now, we headed to town. The hair salon was closed due to 4th of July. He was disturbed because today is the 5th. So, no hair cut for Cubby. We drove to the other side of town to get his prescription...he had no refills remaining. I was able to get my prescription, so it wasn't a total loss. Poor Cubby...the Cubs got cheated on the 4th of July and now the 5th wasn't looking too good. While we were driving back to our side of town, he mentioned that Cubby was hungry. He likes to go to Moe's Burritos. I find it ridiculous to pay $8 for a burrito. I mean, it's just a tortilla filled the cheapest ingredients ever...beans...rice...etc. However, I have found a way to compromise Moe's into our restaurant rotation. Cubby gets the "HomeWrecker"...nice name, don't you think? Since I am on a fresh, good for the body eating and exercising routine I decided to see what Moe's could offer me. They have a child's meal called the "MooMoo"...it's a small burrito with the ingredients of my choice...it comes with a drink and a cookie and the whole thing is only $3.99. This is a favorable choice for me and the right price. I give the cookie away. What I find amusing about this eating adventure is the ordering process. The girl asks me what want and I say, "A HomeWrecker and a MooMoo"!!! LOL! I think we go there now just to amuse myself. So here's a look at my little MooMoo and Cubby's big HomeWrecker.

Happy 4th of July!

Our day was filled with ups and downs today, but we managed to end it on a fun note. We went to Texas Roadhouse where Katie works. I shot video of her line dancing to Alan Jackson's "Having a good time". We then enjoyed a great fireworks show, band and friends at the Pool, Lake and Beach in our neighborhood. I took a lot of pictures and shot a lot of video. Storms are rolling in so we are happy that the 4th of July Celebration ended before the rain. Hope you enjoyed your day as well.

Call me Harley Tucker!

We had to make a very necessary, yet difficult decision today. This is our dog, Emma Grace. She was named after our former Yorkie, Gracie Lou Freebush...as in "Miss Congeniality". Gracie was a real princess and we loved her very much. She passed away 2 years ago and after some time we decided to adopt this yorkie and named her Emma Grace. Mistake, Mistake, Mistake....Emma Grace was a poor name choice for this adorable, mind blowing, frustrating, yet lovable creature. This is a dog that even the Dog Whisperer would refund our money before he could train her to be a little princess like Gracie. No, she barks, she speaks some kind of unusual alien language where the only word you can make out is "no" at times. I promise, the dog can say "no".

Let me give you a better description...if you are not watching closely, she will dart out the door and tear through the neighborhood faster than a deer and her feet only hit the ground about every 15 feet ...so she is flying. At this point in time you are on at least an hour chase...and no, she will not just come back home...she finds a new family to torment. I saved the family on the corner when I showed up looking for her...they were already in love. If only they knew what this precious love costs. She has to wear pink and green polka dotted panties with ruffles to remind her that we don't potty inside. When the panties come off she's out the back door to take care of business. She is very good about this, so I'll give her kudo's for excellent potty training. She likes to go outside, so she wakes us up about 3 times a night faking the need to pee. She acts like she is going potty, but I think she just squats to make us think she is doing good. When it's time to come in she stands on the porch, just out of reach, and barks her head off. All five pounds of her will take the back door off if you shut it and leave her there. She drinks too much and belches as she walks away. She sleeps in our king sized bed and can push her back on you until she almost pushes you off the bed. She steals the covers. She won't eat alone, so she gets a mouth full of kibble and brings it in the living room and drops it for snacking. She will scratch your eyes out and shake more water on you than she has on herself when she gets a bath. This is really just the tip of the tale with this little, yet mighty dog.

So, I was thinking last night and today about her personality and her name. Emma is fit for a princess...she is no princess....Grace is fit for a quiet, peaceful and forgiving creature. And after careful thinking I thought of the girl from George Stait's movie where he plays a country singer named, Dusty. This girl ran around her family's ranch slamming doors and twisting her behind because she was walking so fast trying to run the show. She was stubborn, yet sweet and could beat up a cowboy. With this in mind, Emma's name has been changed to "HARLEY TUCKER". It fits her well. Katie said she would not answer to Harley Tucker, but I called Harley Tucker and she came running.

Also, the picture you see here...this is her answer to dressing up for the 4th of July Parade we are having in our neighborhood. I was only asking that she wear a small t-shirt with a flag on it and a little ribbon in her hair. From this look, I don't think she plans on walking in the parade.

We're baaack!!!!

LifeontheSquare has been LifeintheER for the last four months...but things are improving and we are excited to be able to get back to LifeontheSquare. I have really missed updating our blog each day and sharing our daily happenings. When we started this, we really didn't realize how much fun it would be and just how many things happening on the Square were so entertaining to us. We hope you have enjoyed our stories and hope you will join us again as we begin to provide you with the norm to the insanity of everyday LifeontheSquare. I post late in the evening when it's quiet, so look for my post about tomorrow's adventures on Saturday morning or late Friday night. I'm a night owl and Shane goes to bed once he knows the Cubs are winning and he has seen at least the first segment of his news. We hope you'll visit us as often as you can.

Purple Splashes and Red Hats that do not Go!

Life has really been in the fast lane for the last few weeks. I'll be writing again daily in a few days. Shane is in the hospital and has been recovering over the past few weeks. He will be out in a few days and we will be back to telling our stories and keeping you updated on what's happening on the Square.

Today, I only want to share this with you in Memory of my Mom, Nina Kay Warrick. She lived her life in ways that people did not necessarily understand. She was much wiser than most of us. We cling to security, our jobs, our daily lives, our lists of things to do...and sometimes we forget what is important. It's okay to responsible and take care of everything and tackle the "to do list"...but what my Mom taught me was to remember to "wear purple"...a great lesson from the poem that I have attached below. If we grow old and we never add purple splashes in our daily lives, then I believe our hearts might be sad. Live life, love it and have fun while you are at it...9 years ago, I read this poem at my Mom's funeral hoping that those present would see a glimpse of her wisdom. I place it here for you today, so that you may keep this in your heart and consider wearing purple in your life so you can experience the joy in the journey. I miss her so much and this year is especially difficult for some reason. My heart aches for her, but I know she is dancing in heaven with my Dad and she paints the sunrise and sunset with splashes of purple on very special days.

When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple

When I am old I shall wear Purple!

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple--

with a red hat which doesn't go

and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on

brandy, summer gloves and satin sandals,

and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops

and press alarm bells

and run with my stick along public railings,

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick flowers from other peoples gardens

and learn to spit!

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at ago,

or only bread and pickles for a week,

and hoard pens and pencils

and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent

and not swear in the street,

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends for dinner

and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me

are not too shocked and surprised

when suddenly I am old

and start to wear purple!

--Jenny Joseph

In Memory of Nina Kay Warrick

March 26, 1944- June 18, 2000

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Will Get You "Suessed" and That's a Great Thing!

Since our last communication, many things have happened that were good and bad and then there was the UGLY. Let's start with the good, and by good...I mean very, very good. I love to cook, especially when I can dabble in fancy cooking. Shane loves to nourish himself with my cooking, so this very, very good thing is a great investment. My justification is always very clever and unimaginable to the logical people. I used to be logical until our lives took some very sharp turns and twists. Now, I often reject others reality and logic and replace it with my own reality and fantasy. WAHAHAHA! So you see, when Williams Sonoma sends an email to me that has $300 worth of pans for only $99, then they come home to Mama. I also justify this by calling Shane, he always approves a great investment...and by choosing the lowest shipping price. Now this situation is very rare, because I have waited on this sale for a very long time. So welcome home Calphelon Cookware. The one on the left is a grilling pan which is very exciting, because we have not grilled anything in over 3 years since our grill didn't fit on the back of the UHaul leaving Milwaukee and we donated it to the church. Also, if you remember an older post you know that I believe I should have my own show on the Food Network...now I'm really feeling strongly about this.

More good...and it was only Monday...I was able to go back to my Women's Bible Study. We are studying the book of Esther. I have this really great study book and we also watch a video each week with Beth Moore. I wasn't able to go to the first three lessons because of our move, my back and Shane's illness. I thought about not going on Monday, because I was so tired and still in pain from the gardening over the weekend. But, a wise and wonderful friend told me that when you don't feel like going...it's probably the best time to go. There were never more true words spoken. I felt like a spot light was on my head and that everyone else had been dismissed. Beth Moore spoke to me personally (through the tv) about all of the things I had unloaded in one long sentence (that lasted for an hour)...over the cell phone to my very good friend that very day. She was sitting at the next table up from mine. Some people thought she had a crick in her neck, since she was straining her neck to look at me with this cat-like grin on her face. She was also blown away by how "right-on" the words coming from Beth's heart were speaking directly to me. God is always good...and He will set me down in a hurry and I'm so thankful. (So is Shane...it makes his life better when I'm focused).

So now we are going to slowly creep into Tuesday...there were a few good things about it...first, I got to use my handy tool kit...as you can see, no man is going to take anything from this kit and claim it as his own. I had a plan and found a solution by purchasing the pink tool set with the matching bag. Well, maybe not see...I just deleted the picture...Snapity Snap!

On the way home from my study, I had dinner in a cup...Venti, Mocha Latte, Non Fat, No Whip...and I have my very own cupholder with a "T" for Tammy or Tabby (since all my mail comes with Tabby Deitert on it now...weird...but, catchy.) I did say we were easing into Tuesday, so I pulled out one more great thing about Monday...as displayed. (I have basically given up Starbucks for now, due to cut backs...but this was a special evening).

We were tucked in our comfy, biscuit (our bed) dreaming about great things or really weird stuff that we wonder and ponder about all day before we finally mention it later in the evening...and sometimes it's so weird, we don't tell anyone...EVER. Bella, our eldest four legged child had a tummy ache. Shane had taken her out about a half hour before the "unmentionable" and she just stood on the porch and did nothing. It was raining and she does not like to have wet feet or fur. She was asking to go out again and he told her, "No, I'm not getting up to stand on the porch again." This is one of the biggest mistakes this poor man has ever made IN his LIFE. I felt sorry for both of them. Although, had I missed Beth Moore's study earlier in the evening...I might have been admitted to a very clean place with padding on the walls. When he said, "No"...this was the very, very ugly. As a result, we made this purchase at Walmart at 430am. I was totally sold on the "PROheat 2x" and the word "outcleans".... this is the before pic...

and once my pink tools were put to use...this is the after pic...

Well, you'll have to imagine it for now....I just accidently deleted it...put a quarter in the jar!

This Tuesday already had many terrible, horrible, really bad moments in it before I even arrived at work. Oh, and Shane puked. Nice! How ya feeling, sweetie? Better? I would hope so. It was actually comical by this point, because it was a laugh or flip out morning.

To balance out the bad and the ugly...Meghan and I went to Chick-fil-a for lunch...getting better...they do serve the best coke zero in town....but, we needed more and then it hit us...Cupcakes on Kavanaugh (only the best cupcakes in the Universe!) And, it was a triple good trip...1)I found another lighting fixture that caught my eye 2) the owner "Suessed" us...it's a secret, but there is a lot of extra icing on this cupcake with a side of Organic fat free milk. (the cupcake is not fat free, but we WERE looking for comforting sweetness....3) Meghan just happened to be wearing her $100 Ralph Lauren, blue and white, polka dotted dress that she bought for only, $25 (we think the same about finding the "goods" for rock bottom prices)...so we sat at the counter in this polka dotted cupcake shop with Meghan premiering her polka dotted dress...it was definitely a very good end to a very bad day...and let's just drop the ugly altogether.

And, yes this cupcake is the best cupcake in the Universe.

Until next time...

The Garden has a Keeper

I was supposed to write this yesterday, but after the garden clean out and grocery shopping I can hardly move today without whimpering....Yesterday was almost unbearable. The flower gardens at our new house are so beautiful. This was the first weekend that I had time to work on them. It has also rained every weekend for the past month. This was a great weekend for gardening. We worked on them Saturday, late in the afternoon for a few hours. I finished them on Sunday with a little help from Katie. You can see from the before pictures that this was a huge project. I can't believe that anyone blessed with a garden like this would not take care of it...I just cleared my mind and worked my way through it one weed at a time. As I dug deeper, I could tell that a fall clean up didn't happen either. Leaves were smothering the azealeas. I also uncovered a flower pot with a dead mum plant under the azaleas as well. This great garden now has a keeper that will care for it and praise it for its beauty. I still have to add fabric and mulch to it, but this will take a few more weeks to complete. I plan to outline the open spots with a flowers in a color that will make the azeleas pop.

The only things this garden still has that are not welcome are the lizards. They are small and harmless, but when I see one it startles me so badly that it takes my breath away. I also found a few spiders and an ant mound. I over killed the spiders, but the ants tried to carry me away. Nothing a little insecticide won't fix...I also got a sunburn on my right arm from the top of my forearm to just above the wrist. It's still stinging and burning...not sure how this is the only location the sun hit, but it's weird.

Before pictures!

After Pictures!

Now this work deserves a Rt.44 Sweet Tea! Ahhh!

Smoked the Remote...left, left, left!

Sorry we've been away for a few days...Katie has recovered from her out patient surgery. I've now had enough naps that I have caught up on my sleep so I can think clearly again.

It's Saturday, so you know that means we hit the Home Plate Diner for breakfast. It's the only day they serve breakfast. We are trying to start a Breakfast Club with our friends and have a little fellowship with pancakes every Saturday.

We took a long nap after breakfast and then I watched a movie while Shane started the sports madness. He was watching the Busch Race, the Cubs and the NFL Draft. The remote was on FIRE! Of course the Cubs got cheated... according to Shane.

Here's my take on it....I love the Cubs, but I can't watch the games...it's like watching paint dry. Busch Racing and Nascar are just several hours of left turns. Left...take another left, left, take another left...left...left...left...change a tire....left, take another left...crash...left, take another left...please stop the madness. Add the NFL draft and watch all three...you just smoke the remote.

We also started working on the flower gardens. I pulled weeds and Shane bagged them. I didn't want him passing out in the yard. We cleaned one side and saved the other for tomorrow. It's a huge garden. I will have before and after pictures for you to see. I was popping Benadryl again today. The dirt and weeds had me hacking and coughing.

It's been a very nice day...even our four legged children have been on their best behavior.

More on the Flower Garden and Sports madness tomorrow...The Bears haven't made any draft picks yet, so tomorrow will be a big day.