A Time To Rest...Yeah Right!

Well, Christmas day is behind us and my family has celebrated another special birthday. We are anticipating ringing in the new year and, well, we have two more special birthdays we are looking forward to. But, thankfully, there are about five days in between all the celebrations that we get to rest. Rest a little bit anyway.

This is going to be a short post but felt like I was slacking since I hadn't posted in three days. After posting daily for a month, I kind of needed a break. I will post again soon with pictures of all the celebrations.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Z...

Z - Zero... Zero letters left to be thankful for! We have made it through all twentysix lettes of the alphabet. This was a lot of fun, but some of these letters have been hard. Thanks to all of those (Trina) that played along on a daily basis. And thanks to all who lurked but didn't comment. Even though I didn't get comments, I love you anyway.

Also, zero days until Christmas. Happy Birthday Jesus. I look forward to the day when we all celebrate together at the foot of the throne.

Y...

Y - Yandell... Cousin Traci, my sister in Christ, my cousin by chance, and my friend by choice. How lucky can an only child be, blessed with someone that is always there when she needs her no matter what. To my daughter she has been an aunt, a friend and a tutor (ooo, math).

Also, Tim. Without him, the Yandell would not be part of our family. He's a pretty neat guy too.

X...

X - Xerophytes... Without these, those of us living in normally dry West Texas, might not have any plants at all. Pecan trees, marigolds and St. Augustine. We might not have any green at all!

(OK, I had to look this one up! Let me see what you found for "X")

W...

W - Winter... Oh yes, I love winter. It brings with it cooler weather, snow (sometimes), Christmas, a new year and my birhtday. But also, because I was a Winter once and several near and dear to my heart still are!
Wise Men... Some of Jesus' first visitors. They followed a star and brought gifts (a tradition I think has gotten out of hand) and, as Mattie May will tell you, they rode camels. She thinks that is so cool.

V...

V - Vick's Vapor Rub...

Vick's helps me breath and when I rub it on Mattie May's feet, she quits coughing. It smells good too!

(V is hard, leave a comment and let me see what you come up with!)

U...

U - Uniqueness... This is something that we all are. Each and everyone of us are unique, even if you are a twin or any other multiple, you are unique. God planned it that way, but yet he loves us all the same. We may share characteristics of each other but we are not identical. Isn't that so cool?


I am also thankful for umbrellas and underwear but I think those need no explanation!

T...

T - Tales... Stories of my ancestry relayed to me through my grandmother. Without her stories, we would never have known when Mother Ray was a little girl, her mom walked six or seven miles to school because she had forgotten one of her nine petty coats, or that when Mother Ray broke her left arm cranking the Model T, that Mattie B took all the seams out of the right arms of all her dresses. Tales of my growing up that I get to relay to Mattie May so that she can pass those down to her grandchildren.

Also fairy tales, not just the ones that we all grew up with, but also the ones Mattie B changed to fit her ideas: the story of the Seven Little Billy Goats whose mom went to town to buy beef, buffalo and beer.

And finally, but most importantly, the tales in the Bible; Adam & Eve, Noah's Ark, the story of the birth, death and Resurrection of Jesus that gives us the faith that there is something so much better to look forward to.

S...

S - Song... Songs of joy, songs of praise, songs of thanksgiving and right now, lots of songs of Christmas. There are songs Mattie May is learning to sing and songs that she recognizes that her favorite show is coming on. I love the accapella singing at church. Sunday mornings are beautiful, but Wednesday night HIP, well, I just can't think of any words to describe it.

I am also thankful for God's songs that we often neglect: birds singing, water lapping at the edge of the lake or up against the boat, trees rustling in the wind.

R...

R - Rain...
Something we rarely get enough of! Our area had been in a drought for almost ten years and the water supply was getting extremely low. But the Lord blessed us this year with a very unusual wet summer. We received rain every week between May and August. This was enough to get most of the lake levels up to or over where they should be. Being from West Texas, we will always pray for rain, but we are so thankful for all that we received this year.

Q...

Q - I became queasy when I came to the letter"Q". What word would I choose? I had a quandary. I had a query. Would there be a quantum of words to choose from? I was so afraid of becoming a quean. I was quivering because I did not want to have a quest writer! But I was not going to quit even if I had to gather a quorum and give them a quiz. So I quickly grabbed my queenly thinking cap, chewed on my quid, and picked up my quill to begin writing. In the quiet of my office , I finally decided on a word...

Q - Quilt... We have several quilts in our house. Most are hand made and they all keep us warm. But when I think about quilts, there are three that quickly come to mind -

The blue, cross stitched bell quilt that Mattie B gave to Katie when she was little, because "all the other cousins had one and she didn't".

The red baby quilt. Frank's grandmother made Katie seven quilts when she was born, but for some reason this bright red quilt was always the one Katie wanted. She took it with her everywhere, even when she was in high school. She said no one would ever get this quilt from her! But, then she had Mattie May. She ,too, is taken by this quilt and must be covered by it every night, no matter how hot it is, or she won't go to sleep. This has been hard on Katie, but she has agreed to let her "borrow" it until she is grown, Yeah, right - we'll see, Katie.

And finally , my grandma's flower garden quilt, even though it is not at my house. Mattie B handmade (really, there is no machine stitching, period) a double wedding ring for Trina and two grandma's flower garden, one each for Traci and me. They are the most beautiful quilts in my eyes because I know how many hours and sore fingers it took for her to make these three quilts. So now you wonder why I do not have possession of my quilt. Well, cousin Traci decorates with quilts and in her front room she needed a quilt that matched hers so her twin beds would match. What a better place for this quilt. There are more people that get to see it there and I know it is in very caring hands. How do we tell them apart? When Mattie B was making the quilts, Katie wanted to learn how. So on one quilt piece on one of the grandma's flower garden quilts are some very long and awkward stitches made by my baby when she was about five years old. See if you can find them next time you are at T&T's house!

Now, wasn't this a quip?!?!

P...

P - Poppa... My big ol' teddy bear daddy!

One of the very few times we were both not behind the camera.

The first man I ever loved! Like any true Southern girl, my daddy and I have a special bond. And of course he is the one that taught me how to hunt and fish. He is a wonderful grandfather and a supper great grandfather (Mattie May likes him better if he doesn't have the beard - that Santa Clause thing!).

Showing Mattie May the ropes on her first hunting trip.

Always the protector, there is nothing he wouldn't do for his family. I love you Poppa!

O...

O - Ostlien... Trina Ostlien, and her children, Makaley and Kauy. Not only my sister in Christ but my cousin. She is really more like a sister here on earth and I hope her kids think of me as more like an aunt. I am an only child, but Trina and Traci have always been there, just like sisters. I know a lot of people say "Oh, she is just like my sister" but really I don't think we knew the difference when we were growing up. We were always together.

Trina, thank you for always being there.

N...

N - Nation, Nature, Namesake... This one was hard for me, trying to find something that started with "N" and then trying to choose between the things I thought of, so I narrowed it down to three.

I am thankful I live in a in a democratic nation where my voice can be heard whether it by voting each election day, making a speech or writing a letter. I also have the freedom to worship when and where I please and to whom I choose. We forget there are still places where this can not be done. I am thankful this nation was founded with God even though so many people have forgotten that and want me to forget to.

I am thankful for nature, the beautiful creation of God. I always feel sorrow for people that miss the things I see from being out fishing or hunting. When I am out early in the morning and it is so quiet, it is easy to reflect on how much God has given us to enjoy.

And I am thankful for namesakes. There are so many in our family that have been named after an older relative or ancestor. It is fun to go the names and remember so many people. Here is a run down of aunts - Fonda Mae, Fonda Lou, Trina Lou, Katie Katrina Lynn (the Lynn is also for Traci Lyn) Mattie May. And for those of you that know my family, you can see some other namesakes in that list too. Shh, don't tell Katie that Trina and Traci aren't her aunts, we haven't told her yet!

Five Generations on Mom's side.

M...

M- Mattie... You really didn't think this was going to be anything else did you? I am so thankful for Mattie May. There are no words that can describe how she makes me feel. I am so lucky that I get to be with her almost everyday. She is such a silly little thing, but her mind is like a sponge. She has such a love for learning at such an early age.

She does not like the snow at all!

But there is another Mattie, Mattie B. I am so thankful she is my grandmother. The matriarch of our family. I hope I am as good a grandmother as she is. She has taught me how to laugh at myself when I feel like crying. I am thankful she is around to teach me all the secrets to being a grandmother, you know the ones I mean - It's OK to eat cake for any meal of the day, Get up at 2AM to make a hungry child "oats", You always have time for the grand baby.

I love you Mattie B.

Can you believe that we are already half way through the alphabet?

L...

L - Laughter...What a beautiful sound. It is a pleasant sound to hear anyone laughing, but you can be having your worst day ever and then you hear a child laugh! That always melts my heart and makes by day brighter. My family laughs a lot and when we are all together, no matter what the occasion, you can bet there will be lots of laughter (even if there are tears involved). Laughter is understood in any language, just look at the video and tell me it doesn't bring a smile to your face!

K...

K - Katie OK, so this is another one that was easy. My baby girl, though she is not much of a baby any more. She will aways be my baby! Even though she makes me cry sometimes (and empties my wallet always), I love her so very much. She fills my heart with love. She has given me my greatest joy ever in Mattie May. She has grown into a beautiful young woman and has become a great mother.

Katie, thank you for being you.

She is the one in the orange shirt.

J...

J - Jesus & journey... I am so thankful for Jesus and his journey to the cross and to rise again so that I may have eternal life through Him. His journey has become my journey, to teach about him to Katie and to Mattie and to share him with others that are on this same journey or want to learn and know him if they don't already. Because of Jesus, my life is a wonderful journey that I am able to write about and share in this journal that we call blogging!

I...

I - Imagination... I have always had a very vivid imagination. For the most part this has been a blessing. As an only child, I was always able to entertain myself when I needed to. I have always enjoyed watching the clouds and finding shapes in them (this activity is also enjoyed by Katie, but
it drives Frank crazy!). But my imagination has gotten the better of me at times, it works overtime when I am home alone. Man the things I come up with from the noises I hear! I have seen Mattie May's imagination start to take shape over the past year (that girl can make a hat out of anything!) and I look forward to watching it expand as she grows.

Kauy & Mattie and their 1st birthday together

H...

H - Husband I know a lot of you think you have the best husband in the world, and I really hate to be the one to tell you this, but you don't. The best husband in the world belongs to me! He makes me laugh, is there to hold me when I cry. He cooks, cleans, and wakes up at 3:00 AM on Black Friday to go shopping with me! He has a caring and loving heart and is really just a grown up little boy.


Thank you Frank for all the years past and all the years I have to look forward to.

G...

G - God I just can't imagine this being anything else. Everything I am, everything I have, I have because of God. I am his child. He is my family and my life.

What more needs to be said?

F...

F - Fonda Lou Yes I am thankful for my mother (I have something else for the M). It is impossible to remember all the things she has done for me, but I will try.

She taught me how to have fun, how to be a lady, how to be a wife, a mom and a grandmom. Short list, but it completely sums her up.





Thanks Mom, I love you.

E...

E - Electricity I know, I really come up with some weird things but this does make sense. I am thankful for electricity because, I worked for the electric company for almost 20 years. This job helped me to support my family, gave me great benefits and above all that, life long friends that I still hold deep in my heart.

Frank has worked for the same company for over 10 years. It is a very different from when I worked there, but still a very stable job although extremely dangerous. We have friends he has made on the job also.

And lastly, with out electricity, I would not be able to have all my email and blogger buddies!

D...

D - Dwelling Frank and I have an old house with lots of problems, but it is our house.

There were some years we struggled to make the payments we had, but now that we own it and we are both in our middle forties, we know it was worth those struggles. It has leaky windows and doors, only one bathroom, and needs new carpet, but it is our home that we have raised our family in and now helping to raise our granddaughter in. Isn't that what makes a house a HOME?

C...

C- Camera... Yes, I know this is a weird one, but I am, I am thankful for my camera. I have always enjoyed taking pictures and in the past few years I have had the cutest subject to snap. Of course I like taking pictures of every thing. I have one picture taken just a year ago of a deer feeder in an empty field. Most people look at this picture and think "OK, why?" But I look at it and think of a great hunting trip Frank and I had. Even though there were no deer ( and I mean none) we had a great time. So to me, my camera is my memories.

B...

B- Bells I am thankful for the bells. Everyday at noon and five, the churches downtown ring their bells. They play beautiful old songs. The Old Rugged Cross and Amazing Grace are examples. It is so pretty. I love to hear them.

And also... "every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings." (from It's a Wonderful Life)

I really need your feed back on this...

I have received several emails and read several articles on a new movie, a series of children's books and the author Phillip Pullman. The movie title is The Golden Compass and is due to be released this December during the Christmas holidays. My family has discussed this subject at length and I have a few thoughts/questions I would like to share. I in no way intend to promote this man, his books, or his movie, I just want to share my thoughts and maybe get a few of your comments in return.

In the Webster's Dictionary I borrowed from a co-worker's desk, an atheist is said to be "One who disbelieves the existence of a God". If Mr. Pullman is an atheist, I don't think he would say that he hated God. I believe he would say he doesn't believe in Him. How can he hate something he does not believe in? How can he portray killing something he does not believe in? Obviously he is not an atheist, just a man that believes in God but is not a Christian. I believe his heart is filled with hate. Maybe he has been hurt by a Christian and he feels this is his outlet. Is there a word for someone like this?

A few Sundays ago, it was mentioned that sometimes, as Christians, we have to put ourselves in places that are not a place we feel Christians should go. Let me explain. This movie is supposed to promote atheism. We are Christians We believe in God, we trust in God and we believe it is He that gives us eternal life. Would we be wrong to see this movie and be there to answer questions for those who have not found their way? Should we not sometimes put ourselves in an uncomfortable position to seek out those that need to be led to Christ?

Finally, is it wrong for me, a Christian, to want to see this movie? I am curious. Every thing I read says that most of the atheist elements have been taken out. But I still wonder about it. I remember a few years back when there was this same type of uproar about Harry Potter. I read the first book and saw the movie. Was that wrong? I heard thousands of people talk about the witch craft and how they were trying to get our children to not believe in God. What I read and saw was a fictional book and movie that was about good versus evil and in this series, good always wins. If we don't see this movie or read the book, how can we use it to help lost souls? If I do see/read this, can't I use it as a teaching tool for my family?

Like I said, these are my thoughts, opinions and questions. I don't want to sound like I am promoting this movie, THAT IS NOT MY INTENTION. I am just me, and these are a few things that have been wondering around in my simple little mind. Your thoughts please...

I am Thankful for... A

Well, I have been Blog surfing again today and I found a really good idea (I can never think of these things on my own). For the next twenty six days I am going to use the alphabet to list something I am thankful for. Today I will start with the letter A and continue daily until I reach the letter Z. Some of these will be serious, some will be a bit humorous (it is hard to come up with something for all of the letters!), but all will be sincere. I am timing this to get us all the way to Christmas Eve.

Now I know you are thankful for many things too, so leave me a comment (you know I love comments) and tell me what you are thankful for that starts with the letter of the day!

A - Apples I remember when I was little, my great grandmother, Mother Ray, would peel an apple and she would keep the peel in one long curl! This would just fascinate Trina, Traci and I. I am so lucky that Mattie May's favorite snack is an apple. I have been practicing diligently to try to achieve that same long curl Mother Ray used to make.

OK I'm cheating - I am also thankful for my Aunts. My mom and dad each have one sister, Hymonda & Medrice. They have both been special to me and I definitely got my good looks from one of them! I have others that have married into my family and they are very special too.

What a Day, What a Day!

Hello all. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was great. Spending time with my family always makes me happy.

After spending several years at the deer lease with my dad, this year we spent it at my aunt's house. As we left to pick up Mattie B. it started snowing. Yes that's right, we had a white Thanksgiving right here in Texas! Way to much food, but wonderful fellowship. Lots of laughter. Those of you that know my family know there was lots of laughter. I don't know, it is just something we do!

After lunch, the cousins camped out at the dining room table with pens, paper and Black Friday ads at the ready. We all decided what we must have and where each would start the day. Then it was home early to sleep before the big day.

Friday morning, the alarm went off at 3:15! No, I am not a morning person, but this was easy because Frank got up with me! Not only did he get up, he got dressed and went shopping with me! What a wonderful surprise! Frank and Trina's "man" both got up and spent the morning with us going from store to store (well Frank went from store to store. More on that in a minute!). What a blast!

Frank and I started out at Penny's to get the top things on our wish list. We were in and out of there in less than thirty minutes. Then to Kohl's. We found all our items there very quickly but were held up in the check out line. We then hit Wal-Mart, Goody's and Old Navy. We even spent some time visiting with friends. We were through by about 6:30.

Now you must know that at some of these stores, we were also on the phone with Trina and Traci doing some of their shopping. They started out and were still in line at Circuit City. That's right, they got in line outside the store at 4AM, went right in at 5, picked up their items and stood in line to check out for almost an hour and a half!!!!! They are the crazy ones.

We met at Bed, Bath and Beyond around 6:30. While we were there, the sun (even though we could not see it through the clouds) rose . Frank sneezes in that store, so he waited in the Yukon. When we came out he bombarded us with snow balls! We are such kids at heart. There were a few shoppers that found no amusement in our escapades, but one little boy was allowed to not only throw a snowball at Frank, but he hit him. He got a high five from me for that one. I am sure his mother thought we were all a bit nuts, but as I have said, my family is going to have fun no matter where we are.

We were all famished from all the shopping, so of to What-A-Burger we went. There were as many unhappy people in there as there were in the stores. Of course we woke them all up with our laughter! I am sorry, we just can't help it! It starts with a smile and just grows. There is no stopping it!

I have to stop here to put in a thank you to Frank. There were lots of other husbands out shopping with their wives, but not a one of them had a smile. Frank was smiling, laughing and giving those with bad attitudes a hard time. Thank you Frank for always having a good time with me whether we are fishing, shopping or doing laundry. You always make it fun.

We finished the day at Bill and Hysti's to eat left overs for supper. Hy, I hope we put a dent in them for you.

Today, I had a bit of work to do, but Frank and I spent the afternoon at Mom's putting up her Christmas tree. As usual, it looks wonderful. Frank saved us a lot of time. He is stronger and taller than we are and he can just do some things easier than we can. Don't tell him, but he now has a new Thanksgiving weekend tradition to look forward to!

Tonight we met some friends for supper and are now at home resting and watching football. Tomorrow is Church and more football, then back to work on Monday. It is a month 'til Christmas. That means lots of shopping, cooking and decorating all to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In all the hustle and bustle of the season, please remember this is really what we are celebrating. Don't let it get lost in the craziness.

Short, Sweet and to the Point

I just wanted to tell everyone to have a happy Thanksgiving. It will be a busy four days and I don't know if I will have time to post. Katie and I will get up in the morning (yes Katie, you will help) and start putting together the few dishes that we are to take to Hysti's for lunch. We will then congregate at her house for wonderful food, fun and fellowship. After we eat, we will play games and Trina, Traci, Katie and I will get the ads and put together a game plan for Black Friday (don't forget to hide some money for a burrito).

Friday, depending on the plan of attack we have put together, the four cousin's will start bright (not really, it will still be dark) and early on our shopping expedition. I know a lot of you are saying "Those girls are crazy!", but we will have fun. There will be no grumpiness on our part! This has made other shoppers angry(er) in the past, but we say if your not having fun, GO HOME!

Saturday I will spend with my mom helping her put up her Christmas tree. Mom, I love you, but it is OK if there are not exactly two billion lights on your tree. Mom has a beautiful tree, better than most of the professionally decorated trees that I have seen. If I can get my camera working, I will post a picture next week.

Sunday after church, we will have lunch, watch football and rest.

Even though we are not getting everything we wanted before Thursday, please remember we are thankful for what we have! Everyone please keep my family in your prayers as we try to get this mess finished. The lawyer told us this morning it should all be complete by Christmas.

I hope you all have a very wonderful Thanksgiving day!

Lions and Tigers and Cows? Oh My!

Growing up, Katie's favorite movie was (and still is) The Wizard of Oz. If we had been given a dollar each time we let her watch it, we could have both quit our jobs and still lived pretty much the same life style we do today. We each knew the movie word for word. There were days we would choose characters and say only their lines.
We have enough Oz paraphernalia that we could probably open our own museum. It was showing on TV this weekend and we started watching it again, but soon discovered that Mattie May is not a fan. She was completely terrified of the Tin Man. She jumped from her pallet and into my lap burring her head where she could not see the TV. I don't know what she would have done had we made it to the flying monkeys!

But it brought me to the realization that all children have a movie that they love and will watch for hours on end if we will let them. Mattie's movie seems to be Barnyard. For the life of me, I can't figure this one out. This is an animated movie that runs about 1.5 hours. She will sit
perfectly still for the entire length of the movie. If you don't know this
movie, the animals are normal when humans are around, but stand erect and talk when they can't be seen. It actually has a good story line about what makes a family and taking care of others. But that is all above her head. Maybe it is the fact that there are a lot of colors and lots of movement and music.

The thing that bothers me is the animals are weird. I mean, excuse me,
but since when did male cows have utters instead of, well you know? That is just weird. The cows are also the ones that protect the rest of the barnyard from the coyotes. Isn't that what the dogs do? Maybe she likes it because there is a little chick named Mattie. This is a cute little chick that really reminds me of my Mattie. She has big expressive eyes just like Mattie, but they are green instead of blue. Mattie, the chick, has a personality much like our Mattie, she
is very loving and wants everyone to be happy. She is not afraid of the coyotes either. She calls one a big meaner, which is a pretty cute name in itself.

I guess my point here is that kids like what they like whether we understand why or not. So the best we can do is provide them with clean stuff to read, watch and listen to and to use this to instill the values of right and wrong. Everyday is a life lesson.

(I don't know what is up with my formatting)

Yes, I am a G.R.I.T.S.

There are issues with my format. I hope to have them figured out soon.

Some one sent me this test yesterday. Even though I was swamped at work (lol), I took the time to take the test. I am a G.R.I.T.S. and very proud of the fact that I am a Texan as is everyone in my family.



Anyway, I took this test and it is confirmed - I AM DIXIE! I scored 91%. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't score 100% but then I took into account all the television shows and movies that we watch and as much as I hate to admit it, I believe some of that dialect has slipped into the parts of my mind I don't use very often.



Any who, take this test and let me know what you scored. It is all in fun, and I won't hold it against you if you score less than I did.



The Yankee or Dixie quiz

Crackers, Soup and Gatorade

As we all know, I was sick last weekend, upset stomach, headache, chills, you know the stuff; when all combined it makes you think you are going to die. Well this morning I started feeling like I did last Friday when that all started. So like any good G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South for those of you that are not one), I told my mom. Yes I wanted sympathy. That is exactly what I got - plus a few instructions of course because she, too, is a true G.R.I.T.S.

Instruction #1 for upset stomach - eat some soup with crackers for lunch, that will ease your stomach and you will feel much better.

Instruction #2 for headache - drink 2 cups of Gatorade, any flavor, that will ease your headache.

Ok, we all know that soup soothes the stomach. No argument from anyone there. But the Gatorade, where in the world did she come up with that one? I mean really, why didn't she just play the Mattie B. card and tell me to "put a little dab of turpentine on the back of your tongue..." and you know the rest (if you don't, watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding and replace the word Windex with turpentine and you will definitely understand).

Mom - "Well someone sent me a list of home remedies through email and that one was on there. Let me see if I can find it." and about three emails later she sends it to me with this note attached,

"I found it in my deleted file, and you are the one that sent it to me."

My first thought, "Thanks Mom for deleting an email I thought you would like."

My second thought, "Why in the world did I send this thing out?"

Really, some of the things on here are just bizarre. I mean, come on, rub your dog with Bounce if he is wet and stinky. Why don't you just leave him outside where he got that way in the first place.

Here is the list:

New Household Hints

Eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat's ear...Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing. Kills fleas instantly...Dawn dishwashing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas. Rainy day cure for dog odor Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh. Did You Know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers." Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles. Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria. Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-- even though the product was never been advertised for this use. Honey remedy for skin blemishes Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight. Listerine therapy for toenail fungus. Get rid of unsightly fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again. Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them. Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer .. If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly. Smart splinter remover. Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue. Hunt's tomato paste boil cure cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head. Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine a powerful antiseptic Vinegar to heal bruises ... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process Quaker Oats for fast pain relief. It's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

Just so you know, I did eat soup and crackers for lunch and I tried to drink some Gatorade. I almost gagged at the mere smell of it. It reminded me of the colonoscopy that I had earlier this year, but that is yet another story.

He is the Man of the Year!

Wow, what a weekend!

I have always known I was married to a wonderful man, but this weekend, he won several awards! Friday night after our usual dinner out, I became terribly ill. I don't believe it was the food because Frank, Katie and I all ate the same pizza. But as soon as we walked in the house, it hit me! I will spare you the yucky details but I will tell you it was a very long night.

I did not feel much better on Saturday morning so I stayed in the bed, partly to try and feel better, but partly to hide from Mattie May. And poor Frank, he was trying to take care of me, and had her to deal with also. He had the honor of changing several poopie diapers, fixing her lunch and getting her down for her nap. And she was clean, hair fixed and ready to go when her daddy arrived to pick her up.

Now that he only had me to take care of again, he could rest a little and enjoy what was left of his college football Saturday. We settled in for the night. But at about 11:45 the telephone rang. I don't know about your house, but if the phone rings after 10 PM at our house it is usually not good news.

It was my grandmother, Mattie B. She had fallen and could not get herself up. It is always a scary situation when a loved one is in trouble, but for those of you that know Mattie B know there was a bit of laughter; well OK, a lot of laughter! We only have to push the screen away from the door and use the key to get in so there is little repair for Frank to do once we get her taken care of. He starts announcing our presence and we are welcomed with her familiar "who!" that she as always yelled when we come in the house.

We turn the corner to the "pig pen" and there she sits, just smiling away. Frank starts to help her up, but not until she gives him specific directions on how to lift her. Now to those of you that don't know Frank and Mattie B, this is funny because he could easily scoop her up and gently place her in her chair. But no, she wants it to be done a certain way. Now understand, her way is a very good way to lift someone that has fallen and we can teach you how if you think you might ever need to know how to do it. It was just the fact of her sitting in the floor giving Frank the directions and trying not to laugh all at the same time.

I am sure this is not as funny a story to some as it is to my family, but the point I want to make is - I AM MARRIED TO THE MAN! He deserves the Husband, Grandfather and Grandson of the Year Awards. If you don't believe me, just ask Mattie May or Mattie B. because they will tell you the same.

It's Almost Here!

Well, it is almost here. Tomorrow is Halloween and to me that has always meant the beginning of the holiday season. Rushing around to get those perfect gifts for those we love, big family dinners and ending with two very happy children's birthdays.

We actually went "Trick or Treating" tonight, a day early. Katie and I took Mattie May to "Trunk or Treat" at church. With the 31st falling on Wednesday this year Mattie will be in bible class, which she loves. Any time we get in the car she starts yelling "Bibull Cass, Bibull Cass". So we celebrated a day early, I don't think she minded at all.

This is our annual "family Trick or Treat picture" Makaley, Kauy and Mattie May all together in their costumes (hey, even Aunt Traci is in there!). Oh how these three love each other!

This weekend starts our holiday shopping. Christmas Carousel is this weekend and I think I have only missed it once and that was last year when we spent the opening weekend of deer season at the deer lease. So I am really looking forward to starting my shopping and sharing burritos and Dr. Pepper. So, Trina and Traci, get your walking shoes on - IT IS TIME TO SHOP! Trina, if you are not quite up to it, I know where we can borrow a wheel chair. We could show those stroller people a thing or two!!! Gee, I really sound like I am in the Christmas spirit!