Ramblings

I've taken advantage of my new "senior status" twice now.  Discount admission into Jacob's t-ball game and ordering from the Senior Menu at IHOP.  Neither time was I asked for proof.  Bummer.

Although Sophie is my mouse-catcher, I've decided she's all braun and no brain.  On a cold morning, while Stella is cuddled up on my comfy bed...

Sophie is in the cold, hard bathtub.

I have a handy-man in my guest bath right now.  (Didn't think he'd appreciate me capturing the moment on camera.)  In an old house, you always assume that what should be a quick fix will become a major project.  But in this case--just the opposite.  I feel like it's Christmas!

I love it when my son calls me in the middle of the day asking me to pray. Yeah, it usually means there's a potential crisis of one kind or another, but it also means that he knows Who is in control, and that I talk to Him often.

What happened to Spring?  I'm really over this 40-degree weather already!

Jacob Was Here

I'd been wondering why the cats had recently been so intrigued with the lamp.

Texas Again

Good news.  I did not get pulled over by the highway patrol yesterday.

Bad news.  I pulled myself over twice, 'cause I was convinceed I was having a heart attack.  You tell me.  Crushing pain in my chest and between my shoulder blades.  Radiating pain in left arm.  Pain in both jaws.  Shortness of breath. Classic signs, right?  I mean, I'm not a doctor, but my nephew is, so that counts.

What to do, what to do?  Pulled off the road the first time trying to catch my breath and relax.  Second time was to ask my GPS for directions to the nearest hospital.  Nineteen miles to a hospital in Crockett.  Okay God, if this is NOT a heart attack, please make my symptoms subside before I'm at the crossroads and have to commit to a lengthy delay at a small town ER.  At the very last moment (over an hour into the pain) my symptoms eased up.  If that's not an answer to prayer, I don't know what is.  Thank you, Lord!

On a lighter note, I am LOVING this place in Texas.  Janet, we seriously need to explore our idea for the summer.

This is the spot I have saved for you and Joe.  Number 257.

There are only a few of these hot-tub spaces left, so don't dilly-dally.  I don't know how long they'll hold it for you.

This is the view from #257.

When the kids come to visit, they can stay in one of these:

The grandkids can:

...swim in the family pool

leaving the adult pool and hot tub for us  (Although you'll have your own hot tub if you act quickly.)

play some hoops

or just swing, within eye and ear shot of our trailer.

Last night we chowed down on boiled crawfish, shrimp, sausage, corn, and mushrooms at The Crawfish Shack.  Ayeeeeeee!  

Note to self:  Never wear your favorite white shirt to eat crawfish.

Despite the fact that it's Spring Break, and the place was packed with college kids, and it allows it's patrons to byob (in large coolers, no less), and we had to share a table with said co-eds....it was a fabulous evening.

Let's Play

In this technological age, where a sleepover at Nana's includes: 

Jacob bringing his personal iPod Touch...

...and Lauren bringing her pink DS...

...and fighting over my Apple...

It's nice to know their imagination can still be captured by the Masters of the Universe...

...and Bratz...

...and that it's even more fun together.

PRICELESS!

D-Day

Since Day 1 of acquiring my kittens, the objective has been to adapt them to the outdoors.  Being in the country, I've had to wait until they were big enough to sort of defend themselves.  The Vet suggested approximately 5 months old, which conveniently coincides with the perfect time for spaying.  He also advised a gradual exposure to the outdoors at increasing doses.  Easier said than done.  They are terrified of stepping foot out the door.  Well....Stella is getting a little braver, but clearly prefers the safety and warmth of the house.

We'll just enjoy the outdoors from the indoors...thank you very much.

Today, they were both spayed.  I dropped them off on my way to work and picked them up on my way home.  Correction.  I picked Stella up.  Sophie, my cuddly, affectionate, loving ball of fluff shall now be called, "Sybil."  Everyone in the animal clinic--staff, patients and owners--were horrified at the sounds coming from the back room.  She went ballistic if someone even looked at her.  Um.  Let's just leave her here overnight.  No charge.

They gave me all the post-op instructions.  Pain meds for the next two days.  Offer food and water tonight, but don't be surprised is she doesn't eat.  Give her a warm, quiet place to stay.  Okay.  I think I've got it.

As soon as we got home, Stella went right to her food dish and chowed down.  Then she found her favorite "tiger tail" and played awhile.

She's now resting comfortably in my lap, purring away.  Tomorrow morning we'll pick up Sybil Sophie and try it again.

Don't You Just Love Birthdays?

To all my FB friends, thank you for the lovely birthday wishes.  Although I have to say, it's a bit overwhelming.  When I send FB birthday greetings, I don't anticipate or require any reply or acknowledgement, but for some reason I feel the need to comment on each and every one sent my way. Well, that didn't happen, so consider this a big blanket of gratitude.

My 4-yr-old granddaughter sang "Happy Birthday" to me over the phone.  Oh how sweet the sound!  She was curious if I was going to have a party.  I LOVE IT.  Life IS a party!

My thoughtful husband called to tell me that on his way to work he was driving 55 mph and saw 5 black cows and 5 white cows and he suddenly remembered it was my 55th birthday.  He's such a weirdo.

But back to my age.  It hit me on Sunday, when they announced the St. Patrick's Day Banquet for Seniors.  Not High School Seniors.  Senior seniors.  Underscoring it with "those who are 55 and older."  Seriously?!  Am I actually now lumped into the same group as Edra and Homer?

This cake appeared on my desk mid-morning.  

Which, as you can imagine, was a little disconcerting.  It was brought to me by Scott W.  Which in itself could easily explain the oddity.  Later, Daniel P. came in to apologize for said cake.  Meanwhile, I happened to look at the expiration date on the box--February 25. Finally, I got the low-down from Barbara who explained about donations to the food pantry when bakery items passed their expiration date.  Oh great.  I've taken a perfectly good vampire cake right out of the mouth of some low-income, deserving tween who may have shared a birthday with me.  

After work, Janet and I did our 30 minutes of cardio before heading out to my birthday dinner.  We get in a lot of words while running walking on the treadmill.  You know you're getting old when most of the conversation centers around sleep patterns, daily menus, new aches, and regularity. Believe me, you need a good friend to talk to about these things.

Dinner at Olive Garden with great friends topped off my day.  We actually spent over two hours there, and not because of slow service, but because it was so relaxing and fun...and rare.  I threatened to include "Best Quotes of the Night" in my blog today, but since two of us are church secretaries, I think I'll refrain.

Now I'm off to try out my Senior Discount at IHOP.  If they know what's good for 'em, they'll ask for my I.D.

Monday

It's Monday and I'm having trouble remembering the last day I saw my grandkids.  I'm torn between feeling guilty and feeling exhausted.

It's been a hectic few weeks.

A close friend battling cancer ended up back in the hospital with renal failure.  Too soon, he was sent home with hospice. Less then 48 hours later, he was gone.

I had a trip to South Texas planned that was postponed due to all the funeral arrangements.

Drove 18 hours roundtrip to spend a few days in Texas with Neal.

I'm not trying to elicit sympathy. Just telling it like it is.

I think I've reached that point where the only time I have to spend with my grandchildren is when they don't have time to spend with me. And vice versa.

I'm looking forward to summer.  What are the odds that a 6 yr. old and a 4 yr. old could manage a 9 hour drive to Texas? 

(Photo courtesy of Jenny White Photography) 

Lake Home

Well, it's not really a "home."  It's an RV.

And it's not really a "lake."  It's the San Jacinto River.

But it's probably the closest we'll ever come to our dream of having a "lake home."

Neal chose the spot.  Spot #178 out of 299 spots.  This one being in very close proximity to the fishing dock.

But very far away from the wi-fi signal.  Neal, Neal, Neal.  It's all about Neal.  

So I'm sitting in the clubhouse, where I just finished a vigorous workout in the gym, waiting for my load of laundry to dry, and getting my internet fix.

The drive here was only nine hours.  Could've been eight if I hadn't stopped for breakfast and lunch.  And if the highway patrol hadn't pulled me over for doing 38 through the toll booth.  Are you kidding me?  But I did get to show my Concealed Weapon License for the first time.  So that was cool.  And if my GPS had known that 610 would be closed, so no matter how much she wanted to "recalculate" I still had to drive in circles trying to figure out another way to reach my destination.  I've decided it would be about the same price to fly.  What with the high cost of gasoline, not to mention meals, tolls and the occasional speeding ticket.  Not sayin' that I got a ticket.  But if I did.......

I had only been here 20 minutes when some kind of stomach bug hit me. Great timing.  I'm thinking it was the quarter pounder I had for lunch.  Neal had planned and had been anxiously anticipating dinner at Pappas Seafood, since he's been living on Wolf Brand Chili and smoked sausage for the last three weeks.  Now, under normal circumstances, this would've been one of my favorite cuisines (the Pappas--not the chili and sausage).  But the smell alone almost made me barf, and I watched Neal polish off a plate the size of a turkey platter piled with shrimp, oysters, fish, and crab, while I managed to force down a few ounces of clam chowder.  So not fair.

I woke yesterday feeling fine. Neal had the day off and cooked breakfast, then grilled steak for dinner. I'm hoping for Tex-Mex tonite, and if that happens, all will be right with the world again.

Stella's Turn?

So, after the great hunting skills were demonstrated by my number one favorite cat, Sophie........this question haunted my thoughts:  "Are there more mice where that came from?"

And the answer is----"Of course, hammerhead, there are ALWAYS more mice."

In fact, the very next evening (Friday), after a lovely meal of salmon, wild rice, salad and rolls, I dutifully began cleaning up the dishes...Are you ready?...opened the dishwasher...You know it's coming...pulled out the bottom rack..and there he was.  Scamperin' around the bottom of the dishwasher and skeedaddlin' into the drain holes.  "Oh, Steeeeeeellllllla!!!!!  Here's your chance to even the score!"

But do you think she wanted anything to do with it?  Um.....no.

So, naturally, I shut the door and started the rinse cycle.

Which left me with a dazed and confused half-drowned mouse.  Still breathing.

Got the tongs and literally SERVED the wet mouse to Stella.

 Sophie's just dyin' to get in on the action.

But she patiently stands by.

"You have much to learn, grasshopper."

And you'll notice the electronic mouse repeller plugged into the wall.

Lotta good that's doin'. 

I know that some of you are totally grossed out by this, and may never step foot in my house again.  Just keepin' it real, here.  This is my life.

It's a Fine Art

Sophie - 1

Stella - 0

Somebody better start earning their keep.  Just sayin'.

Snow Day Project

A week ago, I took Lauren to dance class.  While most parents and guardians were crammed into the itsy bitsy entryway with one viewing window, I was the obnoxious grandmother on the dance floor with my camera.  Miss Tirita gave me the "okay" so it was all good.  

I'm working diligently to learn how to use my new Photoshop program.  Still haven't figured out how to tilt the image the opposite direction, or make the frame bigger.  Maybe you have some hints????

These photos speak for themselves.

The Bright Side

Looking on the bright side of the "2011 Blizzard."

• the house has never been so clean
• taxes are almost done
• no rushing to meet schedule deadlines
• no gym = healing time for shoulder
• it takes no gas for my car to sit in the garage
• 3 days in a row of NO MAKEUP

Blizzard of 2011

Southeast Osage County's official snowfall.

 Potential visitors should avoid the front entrance.

I've shoveled the back sidewalk three times since the dogs are staying in the guest house, so it's slightly better.  But beware of the "yellow snow."

Lucky for me, I have plenty of firewood stacked on the front porch.

Just needed a little reminder.

Dear 100-degree August day,

I miss you more than you can ever know.

Come back to me soon.

Love,

Lita

Animal House

Sunday morning:

Step out of the shower and race to answer the phone.   The bassets (AWOL since yesterday afternoon and as usual, not wearing I.D. tags) have shown up at the Davidson's, who are quite familiar with Gracie, though this is the first trip for Duchess.  Throw on some sweats and with hair dripping wet, jump in the car to retrieve the runaways.

Get the dogs fed and in their proper place and return to the house.  The kittens have finally succeeded in knocking over the trash can, and the stinkers who are finicky about their cat food are chowing down on coffee grounds and paper towels.  Go figure.

Trying to quickly finish getting ready for church when I hear a strange noise.  Now the kittens have managed to knock the bowl of pecans off the table, and tiny bits of nut shells are scattered all over the dining room floor.

Just about ready to leave, quickly step into the guest bathroom to apply lipstick.  The toilet tissue is in shreds on the floor.  More of the kitten's handiwork.

This is why I'm not an animal person.

Top Ten

Top ten reasons to drive 500 miles round trip to attend your second cousin's wedding.

#10
The ceremony may be performed by Patton Oswalt (King of Queens), moonlighting as a minister.

Hmmmm?

#9

Your son can talk "oil & gas" with your cousin.

#8

Photoshop practice.

Although my beautiful cousins, Misty and Tammy, look like angels perched on our shoulders....

We might want a more neutral background.  Nothing personal.

#7
Lots and lots of family, that we seem to only see at funerals and weddings.  I prefer weddings.

#6
You get to meet one of the many young additions to the family that, so far, you've only met on Facebook.

#5
Decorating ideas.....

No, Neal, these are not party favors.  Jesse will notice if any are missing.

#4

The party could end up at Aunt Sue's.  And she may have brisket.

#3

You get to see your favorite cousin, smiling ear-to-ear.

#2

Welcoming a wonderful new member to the family.  (Does she really know what she's getting into?)

Jesse--spit and polished.  Bonus!

And the NUMBER ONE reason to travel 500 miles round trip to your second cousin's wedding.....drum roll...

WEDDING CAKE!

Corner piece, with lots of icing, please.