My Home Away From Home

This is my home away from home. I spend 10 hours a day here four days a week. The picture above was taken early on a Thursday morning in February. One of my caseworkers and our Major was retiring. We decided to give them both a digital picture frame complete with photos. This is one of my favorites. You can click on it to make it larger. The staff I work with are incredible. It's truly amazing and a blessing to work with wonderful people.

A Room With a View

Yesterday I rearranged my bedroom in order to move the bed away from the big bay window at the front of the room. In the winter time it gets a little bit chilly there. Or at least that's my take on it. Having our bed there gave our room a much larger appearance. But we never enjoyed that big bay window because we kept the curtains pulled since the head of our bed was positioned there. I moved the bed to the west wall and thought Reynaldo would like having the curtains pulled open. He truly enjoys basking in the sunshine. Figuring he could stretch out and have at it, he had other plans. Take a look...

This is what he thought about that...

Yummy

Hello!! Remember me? Thought I would actually get off my duff and post something tonight. This afternoon I decided to finally fix some stuffed pasta shells I've been thinking about. Having never done this before left me a little doubtful. But let me tell you what, these shells were sooooo yummmeeeee!! After looking at several recipes over the last few weeks, I decided to concoct my own. One with a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a lot of spinach. Hubby thought it was just okay. I think he'd prefer spaghetti. We had salad, shells and ciabatta garlic bread. I planned to do a chocolate pie too, but after cleaning my bedroom and rearranging it all afternoon, time didn't allow it. Maybe next time.

Photo Hunt - Sports

I'm missing summer already. So when I read the topic for Photo Hunt Saturday, I had to throw in this great one of the two little fellas fishing at Finger Lakes north of Columbia. They were having a great time!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of so many ladies I know and love who have battled this disease, I hope you take the time to show your support!!

That Time Again

It's that time again, I dearly love Dancing with the Stars. I just hate the first couple of weeks. Getting through the not-so-good people really bores me. Picking this show up in the middle of it's run is my favorite time. It seems a bit chaotic to me this time. I guess cause there are so many couples starting. Hopefully it will be a fierce competition. I'm anxiously awaiting Michael Irving. Something about those NFL players and their dancing abilities amaze me. Then again, the fellow in this picture, Aaron Carter, wow. I'm not a Carter follower, but he could dance.

Patiently Waiting

My friend Duke took this picture with his cell phone. They are his neighbor's cats Hemi and Rastus. Aren't they funny? He really needs to send this into some magazine to win a prize. His neighbor said the fat cat sitting on the tailgate catches hummingbirds. He must be all amazing muscle if he's catching hummingbirds. Good thing that poor little birdie is up high!

Enough is Enough

It's Wednesday. The MTV awards were Sunday. I still cannot get over the spoiled brat antics of Kanye. What a baby. Taylor Swift did not deserve this big jerk spoiling her big moment.

The kicker was reading comments on the MSN homepage after a report about all of this. One guy blamed it on him being an only child (I took offense to that), another guy blamed it on Obama (this I found to be hilarious, I mean come on) and others supported what he did because they did not feel like she deserved the award (sad). Now of course, we keep him in the spotlight by doing what I am doing right now, bringing him right back to the front page. I wasn't going to do that, but it still pisses me off to think about the whole BS thing. I haven't played my IPod since Sunday. I do have one Kanye song on there. I bought it, it's paid for. I will erase it. I have to, he's a rude idiot. I do dearly love older hiphop and some rap. However, I'd love to see the whole rap/crap community come together and blacklist him.

Ironically, I think it's a good thing it happened like this. Had a white man done that to Beyonce, we'd be in civil war right now. He set the tone and will never, ever have to be responsible. Why? He's already had more air time than he deserves and he's apologized all over the place. I don't buy any of it. He got exactly what he wanted, he made his point, it doesn't really matter if he's truly sorry or not.

Oh, and a message someone left on MSN said something about his mama. How his mama would be appalled at his behavior. Now for you folks that read my blog have noticed my sign on the side bar. It says something like this, "men turn out just like their moms wanted them to...
Kanye is a product of everything his mama thought was right. Had she taught him respect, he would have clapped his hands as Taylor received her award and kept his unhappy thoughts to himself.

Enough about Kanye. But for the record, I hate Beyonce's song "Put a Ring On It". I hate it. What little I've the seen the video, it didn't have anything to do with a ring. Why don't we put a muzzle on it already...

Suggestions Please

In recent conversation, we have decided we want to go to the Biltmore Estate. I've been wanting to do this for a very long time. As much as I would like to go in the winter to their candlelight tour, we can't. Maybe sometime in the summer, after May. Have any of you been there and if so are there any suggestions? We are on a budget so keep that in mind. While you were there, were there any side trips or other places of interest you also suggest? I'm excited and cannot wait to hear you responses.

What Do You Do?

What on earth do you do when you realize you've made a huge mistake and there's no way out? I'm in a quandry. I've made a big mistake and do not know what to do...

Electric

The theme for PhotoHunt Saturday is Electric. I've cheated a little. A friend saw this photo and really thought the lights were glowing from this home. Actually it was the sunsetting on the visitor's center at the lake. This picture was taken as I was walking back across the dam.

God Bless America

Never forgetting the day we were attacked, I hope and I pray that we never, ever have to endure that again. September 11, 2001, is embedded in my mind forever. I'll never forget that horrible morning and the cusiously cautious days that followed. God Bless America!!

I Like Country Music (not for the faint hearted)

My hubby announced to me the other day he found a new radio station that plays older country music and he really liked it. Mmmmm, okay, soooo. Well, he REALLY likes it. I have to admit I like older country music myself. On my terms. So now if it's not Cardinal Baseball, a Mizzou game, it's older country music. He created a rule several years ago when we first started dating. That rule is whoever drives gets choice radio. Okay, I could deal with that or so I thought. Not really, I tolerate that, because he ALWAYS drives no matter. Even throws a little hissy if I run to the car to drive. I fold. It's just easier that way and I've conditioned myself to sleep anytime he drives.

So on to my real story. This morning on the way to work, listening to the older country music station, a particular song reminded me of something that happened just a little over 3 years ago. (The following story is not intended to offend anyone. Please stop reading if you feel bleeped words may affect you. I do not want to offend. I do believe I'm not the only one to have an experience like this. Well, sorta.)

This droning song should not play to my ears on my way to work. But it did and probably will again. The song drones on...

As you know my husband suffered a big heart attack just prior to his 45th birthday 3 years ago. Around this same time my grandfather became very sick and was in the hospital. It was right before the 4th of July. If I remember correctly it was approximately 2:15a.m. The phones rang. I knew I'd be hearing a familiar voice on the other end of the phone telling me grandpa had gone on....I just knew.

Well, I don't know everything. Never claimed to really, just pretended. When I picked up that phone with a groggy "hello" a demonic voice on the other end screeched out, "B***, you'd better quit F******g my husband!!" My friends, I cannot make that statement bold enough. This demonic voice jolted me out of my groggy state, with a , "WHAT did you just say?" Demon voice said, "B****, you HEARD ME, YOU'D BETTER QUIT F******* MY HUSBAND!!!!!" I asked who she was, she replied I already knew that answer. Really? Then she demanded to know who I was. Of course I told her to go first and she called me all kinds of colorful names. We banter for several more minutes. I'm thinking during this time I knew the voice but couldn't place it. She was livid. Since she mistakenly thought I was messing with her lovely husband I asked her how she found out. She didn't find it as humorous as I nor did she want to discuss that part. She just kept screaming for me to tell her who I was...so I did. I gave her my first, maiden and married names. That way there would be no confusion on my part or hers. She must have known who I was because she swallowed a bunch of air and became silent. So then I proceeded to give her my address and that I would leave the light on for her so we could discuss this matter a bit further. She was silent. I also threw in the fact that I loved my husband and no matter how mad I got at him at any given time, I would never, NEVER F*** around on him. After finding out my name and address, I figured she was scared silent. Figuring she'd never discover her husband's lover much less where she lives....

She suddenly broke the silence with a few more spicy names and hung up on me. Unknowing to her, her number showed up on my caller ID. I saved that for a few days later. Of course I went to bed wide awake wondering who that voice belonged to...

The next day I dialed that number. She threatened me and told me not to call her again. So I didn't. I had an older male friend of mine call her. He didn't leave a message, but she left a "nice" little message on her answering service. Fortunately for me, she didn't remember my name.

A week went by and I kinda let it go out of my mind. That is until the phone rang on Sunday afternoon. It was Demon Voice's husband calling. He was very nice and told me he was really, REALLY sorry about his wife calling me and causing a problem. HUH???? I then gave him the what for...I really did. I kindly told him in a sweet voice that my husband was recovering from a big heart attack and my grandfather was dying. I did NOT have time for his or his crazy wife's B*** S***. He understood.

He even added, "my wife is really sorry too. She had too much to drink and she apologizes for her behavior."

"Really?" "Then I want to hear it from her."

"Oh, well, she's taking a nap."

"Wake her up."

"I can't she'd get really upset with me. She needs some sleep."

What I wanted to say, but I was so flabbergasted by this call, I didn't, was, she probably does need her sleep because she was waiting up for your sorry ass all night wondering where in the **** you were. I should've. I did tell him her apology was meaningless to me unless I heard it directly from her. He understood.

Then he ignited the bomb. It went something like this...

"Can you please tell me how your phone number got put into my cell phone?"

NO KIDDING!!! I couldn't believe it. I COULD NOT BELIEVE HE ASKED THIS IGNORANT QUESTION. I screamed, literally screamed, "WHAT??? Is this a f****** joke????" "No, I just want to know why I have your phone number in my cell phone." This man must be cracked. Has to be. He and his stupid wife deserve the misery they cause in each other's lives. They just do. (I don't really believe this, but I felt this way at the time.) He then told me what he had done for a living for the past 10 years hoping that would magically clear everything up. It didn't. It only made me even more mad at this ignorant man. Before the call ended I explained I didn't want to hear from him or his lovely wife ever again.

He told me his name, where he lived and what he did for a living. Amazing. In between the lines I could read just how horrible this marriage really was...how miserable those people made themselves. And I think about what my grandma used to say, "at least by those two being together, there are two less miserable people in the world."

I remembered this story based on an old droning country music song. And I thought to myself, "LISA, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY COUNTRY MUSIC SONGS YOU COULD WRITE BASED ON THESE TWO CONVERSATIONS?????"

Callee in a Quandry

Sitting here yesterday evening pounding away at my computer I see a streak of lightning flash across my side yard. Actually, it wasn't lightning, it was Callee. Quickly followed by her tactless suitor. You remember, the one I told you about last week. The one I want to smack and scoop with my shovel. He chased her up a tree. Away I go to shoo him down, cause believe me, he was only a smidge behind her. Up she went and couldn't figure out how to get down. So I grabbed my camera and shot away coaxing her the whole time to come down. After 30 minutes, she kinda slid down the tree. It took awhile because she kept climbing higher instead of lower. The neighbor had two little bitty girls visiting and they got caught up in the drama with squeals of concern. Callee didn't much care for the squeals of concern, so I ignored her for a bit in hopes that would entice her. That mean old silver cat is gonna get it yet!!!

No, this wasn't the way down. This was Callee tempting fate. Only it didn't work. Chicken cat she became and hiked it up a few more branches. This is the second tree I've pleaded her out of because of that old silverhaired Tom. It's no wonder she likes me, we fight the force together...

Just Too Jazzed To Sleep

For those who have requested Ashley's blog address to be posted, I have added her to my sidebar under Berry Special Places. Her blog is JUST TOO JAZZED TO SLEEP. You shouldn't have any trouble getting to her spot from there. Since I follow several people now I don't add many to my sidebar anymore. I guess this is a very good reason to continue to update my sidebar huh? I'm having trouble navigating when I go to my dashboard. For some reason it takes me to a blog I have not clicked on and then I get a "not responding" message. What's up with that does anyone know? I could use some help. Thanks a bunch and have a great week!!

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

In honor of Ashley at I'm Just Too Jazzed To Sleep I am posting the teal Ovarian Cancer Awareness Ribbon on my sidebar. Please take time to support this cause. So many people are fighting to win the war against ovarian cancer. Let's help Ashley win this fight!!!

A Great Day!

About this time twenty three years, ago my Aunt Sadie and one of her sisters decided to have a little spontaneous picnic. It was a great day. Since Aunt Sadie was my neighbor growing up, she yelled to us to get ready. Dad was working in Detroit at the time so mom and I quickly prepared for an afternoon at the lake. This is one of my very favorite pictures. My grandfather didn't come, but grandma sent some goodies for the picnic. I wish he'd have come. He would've had a blast because the rest of us did. This is my dad's family. In the above picture, Aunt Sadie, Aunt Marie, Aunt Juanita, and Aunt Estel. They are my grandfather's sisters. And what a hoot they were. I miss them greatly.

It's beyond me where or even if I took pictures of the menfolk. But there is Uncle Ralph. Aunt Sadie's husband. Only at that time he was a boyfriend. They married one year later in December after I went away to college.

He was fun in a grouchy kinda way. He's in most of my good memories growing up. You had to take him with a grain of salt. Ralph's middle name was onery. He couldn't pronounce my name, so he usually called me "that girl" or "Liza".

I wish I could find more pictures from this day. We visited, we laughed, we walked the lake, we laughed, we ate, we laughed...I think of that day every single time I walk the dam.

Always remember, the best things in life aren't planned...

Monday Evening

A good evening for being outside. Mom has some awesome ferns all over her porch this summer. This is one of them.

Moms neighbor's dog. Doesn't he look like an ugly old man?

My neighbor's shed. I tried to catch the essence of the sunlight, but I didn't quite get it right.

My favorite tree. An Ash Tree in our side yard. We had a baby birdie in the acorn this summer.

Who knows...

Yes, we still have Miss Callee. She stays outside and in the garage at night. The boys like her. Rotten Toms. She doesn't like them. I have a shovel handy. I plan to hit and scoop when I get the chance. Smart Callee...

My Mandevilla in the sunlight.

One of my favorite flowers, Zinnia.

Annie P. and one of my favorie flowers...

Mom's Mandevilla. It's really taken off this summer. Great summer weather for those babies.

Surprise Eye Candy

I kept hearing something weird outside my window yesterday evening. It kept going on and on. Finally I went outside and lo and behold. A beautiful sight! I wish I could have been in that balloon on such a beautful evening!!

Union Covered Bridge & Other Sites

We've been wanting to go to the Union Covered Bridge since last fall. However, due to all the rain from last summer, we never made it. So, last night we decided it would be a good road trip!

There was lots of info about the bridge. I didn't take the time to read any of it, but wish I had now. At least about the the history of covered bridges.

You will see shortly this bridge has the Burr Arch Trusses.

I've loved this place since the first time I laid eyes on it when my grandma took me and my cousin Amy there many, many moons ago.

Actually since then it has been refurbished. I believe it was in 1987. You can see the boards that were removed and torn off due to the rain last summer. It's hard to imagine the water running that deep but it sure did. I was in hopes they would've fixed that by now. Maybe in the near future...

Recalling what someone told me at work who lives close to this area, a work crew removed some of the boards to allow water to run through. Otherwise the water was so deep and fast they were afraid the bridge would get completely destroyed. So, thankfully that didn't happen. One of the local newspapers had pictures of the water being that high. I wish I could retrieve those pictures!

The arched trusses. I remember Amy and I running across this bridge. Now as a 40 year old I was a bit chicken. And couldn't, until I crossed the river below.

This is a better view to see how high the river would have been last summer. Those are little windows to peep out of while you are on the bridge.

Mom loves yellow. She thought this was probably a weed, but wanted to find out what it was anyhow. You can see the cement road that runs through the river just a short way from the bridge.

Standing on the road.

I put too much shadow in this picture. This is from the opposite side. This side makes me want to play Little House on the Prairie Days. In fact some girlfriends and I even talked about putting on our bonnets and taking a picnic here several years ago. I regretted that we never did. Bucket list idea!

This picture would have belonged in Laura Ingalls Wilder's memory book. Minus the graffiti spray painted on the boulders.

Since I made it across from the bottom of the bridge I swallowed my fright and walked across those old rickety boards. Breathing heavy, I stopped to take a picture out of one of those little windows. If we had stayed a moment's longer we would have been able to see some people rafting. Too late we were in the car to leave.

Next we drove to Finger Lakes State Park. Beautiful lake. So calm and pretty. There were several people fishing and boating.

These guys were having a great time.

On we went to a youth area and I cannot for the life of me remember the name. I haven't been here for 11 years. I love the shallow water and cliffs. The last time I was here there were several people rock climbing. If you can see, there are 2 people in the hollow through the branches.

These last 2 photos I took today are my favorite from the whole day. Looked like there was a young girl getting senior pictures taken. There was a chair that must have been used for a prop. I took 2 other pictures of this chair with the bridge in the background. Mysteriously they disappeared by the time I got home. My battery was starting to go dead and I didn't double check to see if I got the pics or not. I tend to learn things the hard way.


No kidding allowed here, I took this one today and just sharpened it a bit. Just barely. The lone little purple flower amongst these yellow daisies.