MISS BLUE EYES

I was given copies of these pictures  last evening and I have looked, and looked and looked at this particular one every since then.  Something about those eyes . . . the blue is just amazing.  No, I don’t have photo shop–this is a picture in the raw. . . . the prettiest blue eyes I have

ever seen.  This would be my great-niece, Lexi, who just recently turned one.  She is the sweetest little thing and has the cutest cankles you can imagine.  Definition of cankles:  when your calves are so chubby that you actually have no ankles–therefore, CANKLES!  Here is another shot of her playing in the leaves. . .

happy, happy, happy.  I kid you not, she is always this happy.  I don’t believe I have ever heard her cry.  Such a sweetheart.  Children are soooooo very much fun at this stage–no worries, just play, eat and sleep!

BASSET BUTT DIAPERS

Yes, you read corrrectly.  I, being the genius that I am, have came up with the most cleverest of all ideas (Did I mention how proud my husband is?)  Let me set the scene:

Purchased basset puppy 2 weeks ago.  Haven’t been home enough days in a row to be consistant enough to get Goose potty trained (not that he is an inside dog–but Jeff is weakening on that!).   Jeff and I go to Wal-mart, cruising the clearance aisle and B-I-N-G-O!!!  My eyes land on these precious darlings!

I was giddy the moment I saw them. . . . let’s see . . . what size would old Goose require?  He weighed 12 lbs. at the vet . . . let’s go wtih 16-26 lbs!  I could hardly wait to get home.  You see, it’s not like Goose floods the floor when he goes.  Seems like a quarter sized splash here, a quarter sized splash there, and so on.  He only comes in the house of an evening and it’s so hard to keep him in the kitchen on the tile when I am busy with supper, homework, etc.  after a few quick snips of the scissors my new purchase looked like this!

A real shocker that within seconds he had his nose back into the food bowl.  There is no filling up this little guy!  The best part about Goose’s temporary diapers is that each day we can pick out what theme to strap on his butt–Nemo, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger–it’s endless.  We just make sure that the “front” of the diaper goes under his belly since the padding goes a little higher there.  He trots all over the house as if nothing is any different.  He doesn’t mind the darned things one lick!  Jeff is still shaking his head (both from embarrassment and at the fact that he has lost all control of the house!) at my discovery. 

Next week I have 5 days in a row that I’ll be home to properly train the little guy.  From what I have read basset puppies are very stubborn, hard headed (I think that is how Jeff describes me sometimes) little guys to train.  However, I have 3 bags of treats ready to reward him for his good deeds so hopefully it will go well!

TURNER TURNIPS

My father-in-law (a/k/a the Happy Gardner) came over the other evening to pull the turnips.  Turnips as in what seems to be an acre of turnips.  Turnips as in you have never seen a garden have so many turnips–not rows mind you, but an entire solid patch of turnips!  You see, the Turners like their turnips.  Myself . . . never tried one, don’t care to.  I grew up on a farm and my mom always had a huge garden–corn, green beans, peas, tomatoes galore–but never once did a turnip grow there.  Which has left me scratching my head as to what I may have missed out on.  Back to the story.  . . This my little blogger friends–is the most hugest, gigantic, elephantitist sized turnip I have ever seen!

The picture just can’t show how huge this thing is.  Gene’s hands are the size of a bear’s paw to give you some idea of this mammoth.  I’m thinking you could throw the turnip behind the wheel of a semi to keep it from rolling down a hill.  Need your pool emptied?  Just hurl this baby into the middle of it and every drop will be thrown over the side.  Hope you are getting my drift.  After Gene had pulled all the turnips I was told the tops needed to be cut off (this is a learning experience folks!)  I quickly grabbed 2 pairs of what used to be my good scissors (Cooper has used to sharpen sticks, cut the dog’s hair, cut wire, etc.) and helped.  It was a very short time until we came up with this. . .

Cooper was more than happy to hook his 4-wheeler up to the sled and pull the huge load to Gene’s car.  There are 10 times this many more still in the garden.   While picking the turnips Gene discovered that he had even planted Japanese turnips–cripes, were the others not enough?  I mean let’s be realistic–how many can one eat during the course of the winter?  Do the Japanese ones taste different?  Again, don’t care to go there because then I would have to taste one. . . NOT!

FORGIVE ME FATHER . . FOR IT HAS BEEN 7 DARNED MONTHS SINCE I LAST BLOGGED!

My wonderful sister recently pointed out to me that it has “been awhile” since I posted anything on my blog.  I must try to do better–this was going to be my sounding board.  Something to help me keep my sanity, tell you about our crazy life, document some of life’s funny moments, etc.  My absence away from your screen doesn’t mean that our life has been mundane the last few months–quite the contrary!  A very brief bring-you-up-to-speed list:

1.   Cooper found baby squirrel who had fallen out of a tree, eyes still shut.  A quick trip to Wal-mart and $50 later we had the supplies to attempt to play Mama Squirrel and save the little guy.  We now have a pet squirrel who lives part-time inside and part-time outside.  Ever seen a cat and squirrel stare each other down?  Come on over if you want some cheap entertainment.

2.  Mommy and Cooper determine they want a new dog.  Jeff tries to discourage.  Mommy and Cooper went to “look” at 2 litters of baby basset hounds.  Needless to say–we found one!  Jeff is thrilled.  Jeff has learned he has no control over me when I get on a mission.  For that, I love him to the moon and back.  (I think he secretly wanted another dog as bad as I did.)  Introducing Goose!

3.  I have taken up running.  Yes, you read correctly.  No, not running to the store, not running as in snot down to my chin, but running as in miles.  I NEVER though I would be saying this but the plans currently are to run a full marathon out of state in the spring.  Instead of flopping on the couch during the winter months I will be pounding the pavement in an attempt to get my body in shape for 26.2 miles.  Over the course of the summer and fall I have thoroughly learned to love running and even coaxed my brother-in-law and good friend into running.

There will be more posts and pictures in the coming days.  A vision to leave you with:  A squirrel in his cage eating a peanut, a himalayan cat staring him down, a 14-week old basset puppy pursuing the cat who is staring at the squirrel, who is eating a peanut, a mommy who is trying to distract the dog from attacking the cat, who is staring at the squirrel, who is eating the . . . . oh well, you get the picture.

MEMORIAL DAY RUNNING

Today we all ventured to Principal Park, home of the I-Cubs .  I had registered to run a 8K race (5 miles for you non-runners) and they were also having a fun run for the kiddies.  This was just my second race/run (I hesitate to say I’m race because I’m just tickled to death to cross the finish line–even if I’m dead last!) and I was hoping to post a better time than the last time.  Jeff and Cooper waited in the stands waiting for me to appear and luckily, I showed up in just a little over 49 minutes so that they didn’t need to send out a search party looking for me.  I should have told Jeff that if he saw buzzards circling to call the medics before they picked my bones dry!  At any rate, after my race it was time for Cooper’s.  He must have had the butterflies because he ate my entire package of racing beans, had stretched (mimicking whatever racer he saw) and stretched and stretched (like he really needed to!) and fretted like an old woman.  He had a great time running (he thinks we won in his age group–although there weren’t any groups!) and got all kinds of free goodies for participating.  The sad thing was that he still had the same amount of energy afterwards as when he began.  I, on the other hand, was hoping for a nap once I got home–but I stood no chance.  The first words once we got in the car were “Can we have some friends over when we get home?”  Yikes, no rest today!

I’M YOUR BIG HUNKING PROTECTOR!

Well, at least that’s what Jeff said 20 minutes before I found this creature outside of our back door at noon today!!!!!  I had came home for lunch today and after a quick bite to eat (actually snarfed it down so I could curl up on the couch and catch the soap opera) it was time for me to go back to work.  Earlier, while eating, Jeff was being his usually funny self reminding me of what a Big Hunking Husband he was and that would could protect me against anything.  At that point I reminded him that there had yet to be a time that he had to intervene between me and a 250 lb, 6’6″  huge person who was about to pummel me.  Again, he mentioned that it would be no problem–he could definetly hammer them. 

I put my shoes back on while Jeff reminded me once again about how burly he was.  I was still chuckling as I opened the door—and then gasped–and then screamed like a little school girl–and then slammed the door.  There was a creature of the snakish, slimish, reptilish nature outside the door and it was staring at me with its piercing, little black eyes.  Jeff cautiously opened the door back up (he isn’t overly fond of snakes) to find a 6″ salamander just outside the door.  I kept telling him he would have to pick it up and remove it before I could walk past it.  I was promptly told no (what happened to my brave warrior?) that I could just “hop” past it.  I then told him to step outside and stand right in front of it so that it couldn’t run over to me and take a chunk out of my leg as I was trying to get by it.  Again, I was told no (by my MANLY MAN!) .  Suddenly, my big protector was feeling a little squimish I believe.  Finally, we agreed that he would stick a foot out to block as I made a long step/leap towards the first step to get away from him.  In passing, I made it very clear that the darned thing had to be moved no less that 60 miles away before I returned home with Cooper after school.  We all know that Cooper would have some scheme to keep it in his room.  I returned to work and completely forgot about the reptile at the house.

HOWEVER, after picking Cooper up from school and returning home, I was immediately reminded because dear-old-Jeff (the brave and noble husband) had “forgotten” to remove the darned thing from the property.  Yes, there the slimy-little-slimy-little-gross-slimy-critter was, just outside the door.  Again, I made the deer leap into the house and upon landing inquired as to why the da*&^&^ thing was still there.  “Oh shoot, I forgot!” was the reply I received.  Gosh, my love, did watching a rerun of Gunsmoke for the gazillionth time take your mind away from the only task you had to do this afternoon?  I should mention here that we received 3.5″ of rain over the weekend which basically shuts down the lawnmowing business.   

It wasn’t but 20 minutes later that old Mr. Salamander was scooped up and taken to the back of our property to find a new home somewhere else.  It was the first time I had ever seen one alive and don’t care to see another one anytime soon.  Meanwhile, I hope Jeff is able to brush up on his toughness skills.  Lord only knows what he would do if anything larger than 6″ shows up at our door nextime!

HERE FISHY, FISHY, FISHY

This morning Cooper’s school was sponsoring a fihing day at a nearby lake.  We thought it would be fun to cast our lines for awhile to see if we could catch enough for lunch.

Here is Cooper grinning ear to ear–convinced that he will bring home the mother-of-all fish.  There’s Jeff in the distance.  I think he is hoping for a few minutes of peace and quiet from his 2 favorite chatterboxes.

Yes, we spent a whole 3 minutes sitting in the chair trying to catch the fish that were in front of us.  After those 3 minutes were up we had to move to a more interesting spot.  Of course, the fish must be better down below the bridge.  But then again, that would mean that you have to leave your worm in the water long enough for an unsuspecting bass to come swimming along looking for a snack!

What was wrong with just standing on the bridge?  See the problem is–we were there for yet another 3.5 minutes and then got restless.  So, now we are thinking that up higher is better.  Plus, Jeff had moved over and Cooper thought it would be novel to cast his line 3 feet away from Jeff’s.  Did I mention that the smell of the bloated 3-day-deceased beaver just 20 feet from our spot is smelling rather ripe?  Course, Cooper is more excited about tracking that thing down than actually fishing.  I know . . . you are REALLY surprised at that thought. 

I know you can’t figure out how this story ends . . . . .

So, I’m guessing I will have to tell you . . . . . .

We ended up leaving the cold, rainy, lake to head home so that . . . . .

I could fix us a great lunch and guess what?  It wasn’t the fish that was got today by my two handsome guys!

ONIONS ARE GENE’O-S BEST FRIEND!

Gene-O, my great father-in-law, is a gardener-extraordinaire!  He is fairly famous for his flawless gardening.  He raises the nicest, roundest, happiest tomotoes you have ever seen.  The heads of cabbage are the size of  a small spaceship.  I could go on and on and on.  The best part is–the garden is in our backyard!  Nothing like having someone plant it, till it, grow it, harvest it, and then show up at your door saying “Want some?”  It’s the greatest set-up you can imagine!

However, this year I have serious concerns about the situation.  It seems that Gene-O is having serious flashbacks to last year’s harvest.  Let me set the stage.  Garden couldn’t get planted as early as normal due to rain.  Garden finally got mudded in due to rain.  Plants weren’t growing or looking happy due to rain.  The normal bumper crop could literally fit on the bumper of an old worn out rusted Toyota truck.  Garden was finally tilled back under in the fall after dismal, and I mean dismal, harvest.  The crisis?  There were no onions.  Now, to me that would cause absolutely no problem.  See, I’m the type who might use 3 onions per year-TOPS!  However, the Turner family eats onions like the average person eats mashed potatoes.  If there isn’t a semi-truck of onions going into winter I’m sure they think they will never live to see the Spring.

So, what you see below is just a very, small sample–an itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny peep-hole view of the garden as it has been planted so far.  You are only seeing one single, very long row of onions.  Enough to feed 3 football teams.  What you aren’t seeing is that there are SEVEN, 7, VII, MORE GOOFY ROWS OF THE DARNED THINGS! 

I’m concerned there won’t be tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, all the good stuff I’ve see in the previous years.  My palms are sweaty, my vision is blurred, my blood pressure is rising, my hands are shaking.   How can a person live on just onions–which is what Gene-O is apparently trying to do?  I honestly believe he is still having flashbacks from last year–and needs to talk to a therapist to help work his way through this!  Is there help for this type of “situation?”  If any of you have any ideas please let me know.  There has to be some type of intervention for this condition!!!!

I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN

Isn’t that the line that has something to do with a train trying to make it up a hill in a little kid’s storybook?   At any rate, that was what I was saying once again this evening as I was attempting to run up a hill on my nightly jaunt around town in the dark.  

Since January I have been walking with a friend almost nightly.   I walk to her house on the south end of town, meet up with her, and we then walk clear around town until we’re back to her house, then I return home.  It’s about 2.5 miles and a good workout during those drab winter months.  We went faithfully mind you–wind chill -20, snow, ice, we tromped through it all. 

A few weeks ago I decided I needed more of a challenge and started running/jogging/gasping for air.  At first I could make it just a few blocks.  Why don’t our legs carry us like when we were 16 and could run like deer?  Remember those times when you could run for what seemed like hours, carrying on a conversation with your fellow tracksters, and still had energy at the end of your 5 mile warm-up to do sprints?  Oh, to still have that ability. 

I am now up to running a couple of miles before I cave in and start walking again.  My goal is to be able to run in a huge event at the end of May where they have both a 12K and 5K.   My little old legs are going to have to pick up the pace for me to make the 12K and so far they are dragging a little behind.  With a little luck, and lots of willpower, I’ll be able to enter and hopefully be one of those who finish.  Hopefully, I won’t be crossing the finish line on a stretcher.

THINGS I’M THANKFUL FOR

After a very long weekend of work, work, work–it’s now 10:30 pm and I’m trying to think of something to blog about.  So, I’ve decided to try and tell you of the things I’m thankful for that I know I sometimes forget about:

1.  God – although I don’t always show my more religious side, I am very thankful that there is a God who is always there.

2.  My husband–what can I say.  He is the person who came into my life at a time when I was at my lowest.  He taught me to laugh again, to believe in myself again, and most of all–showed me that I was worthy of love.   He scooped me up, dusted me off, and showed me what unconditional love really means.  He is one of the most rock solid individuals I have ever met.

3.  My children–Allison, Ben & Cooper.  While Allison and Ben are all grown up now, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t still worry about them, wonder what their doing, or think of something they did years ago that was memorable.  With Cooper–life is a laugh a minute.  Having him later in life (at age 40) taught me to slow down and not sweat the little things.

4.  Family–without family life would be pretty empty.  Although we sometimes all grumble about who our relatives are or aren’t–I think we can all say we wouldn’t trade them for the world.

5.  Health–A few years ago I had a pretty good scare medically.  I think that event taught me to live life a little more free.  I now go out on a limb a little further than I used to.

6.  Sunshine, wooly worms, the smell of mowed hay, watching rain hit the concrete in a downpour, seeing a newborn baby calf trying to run for the first time, eating warm cookies out of the oven, hearing the National Anthem sung.  It’s the little things that we sometime forget to notice that make life so spectacular.

7.  Laughter.  At many different points in my life I lost the laughter.  It can easily happen when life isn’t the best.  However, I’ve learned you have to laugh more and worry less.  Someone told me once that 90% of the stuff we worry about NEVER happens.   If you are laughing you aren’t worrying quite so much.

8.  Now for the more trivial things that I am thankful for.  I am almost too embarrassed to list them but here it goes: 

     a)  My new set of cranberry red dishes–they make me just giddy!

     b)  A pile of fresly ironed t-shirts (this gives me goosebumps)

     c)  A new sack of quilting fabric–to be fondled, fondled, fondled

     d)  A brand new box of Crayons!  My heart is racing just thinking of  them!

Hope you take a minute to think about all those special things in life that make you smile!