More snow pics

Snow on the bird feeder

Duke and Nanny the goat

Christmas Day Fun in the Snow

We had fun on christmas playing in the snow. I watched and took pics.

Let it Snow!

It has been an unusual winter for us here in North Alabama. The christmas eve snow was quite a nice surprise and now here in Priceville, we have 8 inches of snow in our front yard! We haven't seen snow in several years, at least nothing to really call snow, now we have 2 snows in a couple of weeks! I haven't ventured out any farther than the front porch but will share a few pictures.
Carl is worried about Buddy and Rusty, "What am I going to do about my boys? How are they going to poop?" Buddy leaped through the snow and out in the driveway....Carl was ecstatic that he pooped! He had to shovel off the walk way for Rusty to step off and pee on the bushes. He was on the front porch looking at Carrell standing in the front yard. You could tell he wanted to go to him but there was no way he was getting in the snow! He just stood on the porch shivering! Brrrrr! I may try to go out later, but I don't have boots. That would be all I need, fall in the snow.

I do want to say my heart is sick and thoughts and prayers go to the persons and families suffering from the tragedy in Tucson. I fear our society is devolving and talking heads on our airways are feeding peoples fears and frustrations. I hope this will help tone done the rhetoric but I'm not going to hold my breath!

Where is Fall?

Just a short rant, but where in the heck is fall? I mean mid 90's is very boring now! Let's pray for a "cold" front and have some mid 8o's weather for a nice change. At least it is cooling off at night. I'm going to try to clean up the house some. I say try because I will probably get distracted and move onto to something else. Can you develop ADD at age 60? I think it is probably the fact that I no longer enjoy housework. I'm way over it.
Well, nothing much new with us this week. I'm glad our grand dog Charlie is better. I hope our Em has fun and stays safe on her weekend trip to the Windy city, Happy Birthday to my son Mike, and hope all of you readers are healthy and happy!

Talladega weekend

Last saturday was a memorable experience for Carl and his brother Carrell. It all started last Father's day when I asked my sister in law, Lois, if she wanted to go in together and get the #1 all time Nascar fans, Carl & Carrell, a ride -a-long Nascar Experience. I'm so glad she did. Well, several of us made the trip. My son Keith, Carrell's sons, Keith, Tony, and Homer, his grandkids, John Henry and Darla went too. A good family friend, Leonard and his lady friend also went. It was a beautiful day, a little hot, but sunny and blue skies. It took about an hour from check in to ride. Carrell was on deck first. They were both happy that one of the cars was #24 Jeff Gordon. That's their favorite driver. So, Carrell made his 3 laps with speed up to 180 mph! Then it was Carl's turn. He was "on deck" waiting as Carrell came in the pit and climbed out of the car. Remember. the "boys" are 78 years old and Carl was worried with his arthritis he wouldn't be able to get his hips and back to bend well enough (or get his belly) through the window of the race car. Well, he managed to get in except his head wouldn't clear the car roof to get it in place in the headrest. The young man assisting kept pushing on Carl's helmeted head but it wouldn't budge! I began to get worried, it looked like he might push hard enough to snap a disc in his neck! They finally said "well, get back out and lets try it again". I heard Carl say "Just take the damn helmet off!" So, they took off his head gear, then got his big ole head in the right place and then re-helmeted him. I was afraid if they made him get out he would walk off and say forget it! So off he went for his 3 laps at the Talladega Super Speedway! Carl has only missed one race since 1969. He really is a #1 fan! As he was getting out of the car, he had a big ole grin on his face. It made my heart feel warm. I was so glad I got this for him. For the next couple of days, he continued to talk about it. It was definitely and experience of a lifetime for the guys.

Oops...

I have messed up my photo upload. Will try again later.

The Grand Canyon

Happy Birthday Big Daddy!

Today is Carl's 78th birthday. Emily and I were shopping yesterday and we tried and tried to figure out something to buy him. The man really is very hard to buy for. He wears the same clothes.....has a closet full of clothes he's never worn. He's got oodles of caps and only one head. I finally did something I never thought I would....I bought him 24 cans of Busch Light. So, try not to drink too many at one time but Happy Birthday to my Big Daddy!

So, we are leaving in the morning for Vegas and here I am on the computer again. It seems 2 a.m. is my wake-up time for the past 2 nights. I hope I don't do this in Vegas because we have to get up every morning early to go on our trips. Em and I had a fun day yesterday and can't wait to land in Vegas later today! Well, I'm going to go back to bed and see if I can get some sleep.

update new vacation adventure

I just got off the phone with one of the tour company's. Friday we are going on a raft trip starting at the base of the Hoover dam and will go 11 miles down the Colorado river. It is smooth water, not white water. I don't think this ole body is up for that! Suppose to be lots of photo ops! So, all our days are booked with something really fun to do!

Insomnia...

OK, I realize I should never have put my computer back in my bedroom again. I've been up for over 2 hours playing around with my blog design. Ash, you'll be proud, I finally got it figured out all by myself.

I think I'm excited about vacation and my mind keeps on racing about what to take, etc.

I went to the Monaco yesterday with friends and saw Inception. Still don't know what I thought about it....it was too long for one thing. The end made me feel like I was watching the Sopranos all over again.....what just happened??? I saw Salt last weekend and it was pretty good, of course I like ole Angelina. It was one of those you didn't have to think a lot about. It was just a fun action movie. I've been quite disappointed with the movies so far this year. Not a lot to spend money on. I can't wait till Harry Potter comes out in November. I think I will reread the books again to get ready for the movie. I know I'm too old to be a big Potter fan but I really like the whole series.

So Big Daddy is up to his usual tricks with me. He always loves to act like I haven't told him anything. When I brought up the vacation he acted like I never told him where we are going. I am wise to him though, he says he doesn't know but the corner of his lip is upturned in just a little grin! He really delights in making me nuts! I guess after 25 years, I shouldn't be surprised.

Well, tomorrow I go to get my hair cut, then Em and I are going to the nail salon. I am so happy we are taking another vacation! I think I finally got all my stuff about ready....can we go now? I never have been good at being patient.

Well, I really need to try to get a little more sleep before Carl wakes up. Goodnight to all of you who are having sweet dreams about now. 4:20 a.m. and I was still going to check out FB real quick.

Vacation time is here!

Hurray! I'm officially on vacation! Em and I leave for Vegas on Tuesday. Today is my usual run around day. Errands and more errands.

My background on my blog disappeared, I don't know why...Well, I tried to pick a cute one and got frustrated so I picked an easy one. At least I have one now.

Not much has been going on, work and work.

Last Sunday was a hard day. It was the anniversary of the death of two family members. July 25th we lost Sonny and my Dad. It was not a good day for Carl. On top of that, our little kitty girl, Socks, had become ill. We knew we had to do the right thing for her. I took her Monday and had her put to sleep. She was Sonny's kitten when he died and we took her into our home. She gave us fifteen years of love and joy. We will miss her! You bring animals into your life but it sure does hurt when they leave. The joy of unconditional love from them is worth the pain. They are like our kids. I have always had a pet since I was a little girl and I have lots of happy memories of my "best friends".

I went to Birmingham for a continuing education conference yesterday. 8 hours of sheer boredom! Now, I'm on vacation and I'm am so glad! Hope all of you who read this are well and I hope to have lots to share when we come home from Vegas.

Vacation Plans

Well, I think Emily and I have just about everything planned out for our vacation. We go to Vegas on 8/3. That evening we see Viva Elvis, a cirque production, and we have front row seats! Then to bed cause we take a Pink Jeep tour to the Zion National Park on wednesday. I took a pj tour in 2002 to red rock canyon and it was the coolest thing. It was just my friend and me along with the guide. We went off road and many times the word road was too generous! It was so different and beautiful. Anyway, Em and I will have our Nikon's ready and it should be a really fun day. Thursday we go to the Hoover dam and grand canyon. It ended up we are not going to take the raft on the river cause the path down calls for some rugged steps. I was afraid my knee may not do good. The woman I talked to on the phone didn't recommend it. :( Anyway, we have Friday free and depending on what happens there, we may still try a helicopter ride or a raft trip. Or maybe a day in the hotel pool and spa! Saturday we have to come back to reality. I am so thankful I have a wonderful granddaughter who is willing to travel with me. I will get one of the docs I know to inject my knee so I can walk and try not to slow Em down too much. Of course, we have to pull a few handles on the slots but we are not going for gambling. I can do that in Mississippi. The other time I went to vegas, I only spent $100 gambling, that was really good for me! I do like to gamble. Thank goodness there isn't a casino close by.

Well, it's hump day and so far works been good. I've still got a NP student, and yesterday I had a young man who has applied for medical school and then last night I high school girl who wants to be "a nurse like me". She has been a volunteer in our clinic for over a year, and I was told yesterday that because she has watched me for the past year, she has decided she wants to be a nurse practitioner just like me. I had no idea about this until my director told me yesterday. It's good to know that I have been a positive influence for this young woman. I really do like my work, it certainly has it's moments.

Hope all are well.

Nothing's ever easy!

Well, I was in town today and finally decided it was time to get a router and get my wireless back up and running. Went to Staples and no one was interested in that store, so we left and went to Best Buy. The clerks were not much better but I finally corralled one to ask him about a router. So, 1-2-3 it is easy! Wrong!!! It took me about an hour of failed attempts before I finally called AT&T (not my favorite people in the world). One hour and 129$ later, Eureka! I have wireless service once again. For $114 and $15 a month I could get anytime service. The $129 was for a one hour one time session. I know what Carl would say, After several expletives, "What a racket".

He's gone to Nashville for races. It's trying to storm here, Buddy is having a anxiety attack and I'm exhausted.

I did manage to get each my granddaughters a surprise today. Already told Ashley what hers is. A light meter for her camera. Em's is something she can use on our trip.

Keith and I had lunch at Mellow Mushroom in Huntsville, I guess that was the highlight for today. I think I'll have a drink and relax!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, they ain't long enough.

Happy Father's Day!

We went over to Lois & Carrell's y'day for a short get together for Dad's day. Lois and I went together and got Carl & Carrell a "Nascar Experience". It will be 9/11/10 at Talladega. They will be going for a 3 lap ride along. The first words out of Carl's mouth were "I can't do that". I told him I refund it if they don't want to do it but Carrell says "yea, we're going to do it". I told Carl if he's worried about his hip and back pain I dose him up with some steroids before he goes. I think he can manage it, may not be the easiest thing to do but I'm sure they would really enjoy it!

So Emily and I finished our photog classes. Also, we're going on a vacation together again the first week in August. Vegas baby! Grand canyon and some of the other canyons within a days drive too. Also front row seats to see cirque, "Viva Elvis". I wanted really bad to see cirque "Love" which is the Beatles, but unfortunately, that show is dark that week.

So. I've cooked up several things for Carl to eat on this week, made Keith a big batch of chicken alfredo, I've been to Publix, and now I'm going to my best friends house, Becky, for a Dad's day meal with her family. Carl will be watching a race....every Sunday.

Well, hope everyone has a good week!

I'm so thankful for my family! My boys, my wonderful grandaughters, and all my friends. :)

I'm glad this work week is over! Yesterday was trying at best! Keith and I went out to eat with my best friends Rebecca and Wendell. We went to Rosie's cantina in Huntsville and it was good as usual. I was so ready for a margarita... I would have had another but I was driving.

Last night was kind of interesting. I started to bed about 9pm, like I said, I was pooped. Rusty (Carl's dog....the crazy poorly trained dachshund) was at the end of the hall acting like he wanted in the bedroom. I thought he was just wanting to go to bed. Anyway, there is a bookcase at the end of the hall and I just happened to see a little something move in the corner. It turned out to be a poor misguided mouse. Now mind you, we have 2 cats in the house and it turns out the dog is the one to sniff out the mouse. Maybe since my kitties are senior citizens (15 years old) they may have a little dementia and forgot they are suppose to be mousers by instinct. Or else all the soft living of 15 years as my pampered kitties has made them soft. Anyway, I yelled at Carl "there's a mouse!" It started to come out towards me and of course I jumped 2 feet in the air. I got up on my bed and decided my feet would not hit the floor till he was captured. So, Carl and Rusty pursued... Carl had a fly swat and ran him out but he went under the bedroom door and escaped into Carl's room. It took about 10 minutes but they finally chased him back to the hall. Lucky big daddy thought about blocking his escape route with a rug, so when he came out again and headed for the door, he hit a rug... Rusty lunged and that was it for the poor little mouse! I love all kinds of animals, I even feel sorry for snakes, but I don't tolerate a mouse in the house. Anyway, I told Rusty this morning that I guess I could quit threatening him. I'm always telling him I'm going to take him to the pound! Of course, Carl would never allow that.

Emily and I had our 2nd photo class last Thursday night. I did learn a couple of new things which was good.

I'm going to try to plan us a vacation, thinking about Vegas and grand canyon. Would like to go to Bryce Canyon natl park but I'm not sure how far it is from vegas. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

Well, I've got to get busy. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Happy Birthday to Keith Jackson, best wishes fro many, many more!

Just catchin' up

Wow! It's been almost a month since my last blog. I haven't had much to say. Actually, I would love to share some work stories but that is not possible because of confidentiality. I can say that it is pretty much the same problems. I would be willing to bet that several of my patients have appeared on Jerry Springer. The term "dysfunctional family" is so cliche' but it does not come even close to describing some of the situational dramas I hear about every day. And if anybody believes that diabetes is not rampant in Alabama, they haven't been to our clinic. I could go on for a long time about the health and psycho-social problems that plague the poor but I'll stop now.

Thank you state of Alabama! I finally got my state refund yesterday. It's always nice to log on to my bank and find more $$$ than I expected! Yee Haw!

Not much new with us. Carl has been busy doing some long over due chores around the house. He brought in some top soil but still hasn't put down any grass seed. I guess he's waiting till it's in the 90's all the time? He gave me some money on saturday before Mother's day and then announced "here's some money and I want you to go with me to the place (garden shop) where I bought my pepper plants and pick you out a flower". My question was, why hand me the $$ then say it was to buy flowers. He could have just said "pick out a flower and I'll buy it for you". Oh well, we went and I picked out a pot of Gerber daisies and a hanging geranium. Then proceeded to hand him back his money and told him to pay for them. I just thought it was kind of a hoot. I quit a long time ago trying to figure out how things work in Carl's world (mind). I often think we are the classic example of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

Working 4 days a week again has put me behind on a lot of things I wanted to get done. With my arthritic knee, I just am too slow! I really miss my 3 day weekends!

Emily and I have been talking about trying to go on a vacation. I hope she can swing some time off work to go. I've decided we should go out west. Vegas and grand canyon. We will just have to wait and see.

Well, I really got to get busy. I'll try to blog in more often.

The not so extreme makeover...

Day 2 1/2 of my home makeover. Of course, the floor guys didn't get the job done yesterday. They didn't plan on putting capping down but when they pulled up the carpet they realized they needed to cap it first. Of course, I thought (assumed) they automatically did that on old vinyl floors before putting down new. So, I still have the old carpet in the hall and wood cap down in the den. They won't be back till Monday. What the heck is wrong with saturday? Seems to me if they were suppose to finish in one day then they should be back here this a.m and finish! Oh well, that is the impatient me, I try to just take a deep breath.... At least the bedroom is done. Everything so far has been a much bigger hassle than I was hoping for. Ain't that the way it goes! The girls got the first coats of paint on the walls. I think it is gonna look so good! Keith & Lori came over last night and Keith put up the ceiling fan. I bought the Hunter "5 minute fan". Needless to say, 5 people. three advanced degrees and 2 HOURS later, Eureka! That room finally has a nice ceiling fan. I really appreciate all their help. Will post some pics of the makeover when we finally get it back together. The problem with new paint on the walls makes me realize the other rooms need new paint too! Next project will be the spare bedroom. New carpet and I'd like to repaint in there too. Gonna be a little while though. Gonna need time to recuperate my muscles from all this! I hope Carl didn't get drowned in Talladega y'day. They are in a mobile home so should be dry. It would be nice to see the sun come back out tomorrow!

Much ado about nothing...

I have not had any inspiration lately. There is not much new going on. Go to work, come home, go to work. Repeat. I feel like anything I have to blog about would be "much ado about nothing". I am looking forward to getting a mini make-over for the house. We're getting new wood look vinyl floor for the den and hall. Carl's little darling Rusty has ruined the hall way carpet. Life with a dachshund is challenging to say the least. We are also giving Carl a surprise room makeover. Bama theme! I'm excited. I just hope he doesn't catch on till it's all finished. Oh yea, did I forget to say it is suppose to be a surprise? Will have to keep my fingers crossed if I can pull off the surprise.

Happy Easter!

It has been a nice weekend! Mike came to visit. He's probably half way home now. Carl, me and the boys all got to have dinner together before Keith had to go to work and Mike had to leave for home. It has been a beautiful day. Carl and I went to the cemetery and I put new flowers on Mom & Dad's graves. Easter was a favorite holiday for Mom.

Not much else is new with us. After coming home from the cemetery, I just kicked back and watched some TV. Don't have any plans, just rest up for work tomorrow.

Hope you all had a beautiful day.

A Good Weekend

Yesterday I went to B'ham to visit with Ashley. We had a really nice day. We ate at a new burger place at the Summit. The wait for indoors looked long, we chose the patio. It was nice but quite breezy! We had good burgers though, so I'd recommend Flip Burgers to anyone who likes a good burger and especially onion rings.....mmmm, they melt in your mouth. Any chance I get, I'm always up for a chance to go to B'ham! I miss city life. Even after nearly 30 years of living in Alabama, I still miss bigger city life. Oh well, there are many other good reasons to live a more country life. I know Carl was amazed when we were in Chicago suburbs that "people lived so close together" he kept saying "there's no way I could live like that". It is all a matter of what you grew up with. Of course, Carl was raised when it was still the farm life, I was raised in a big city with lots of restaurants, places to shop, and things to do.

Today is my take it easy day. I've had the "crud" this week and I'm trying to get of it. I also need a rest day to prepare myself for Monday at work. I do not care what any studies have said.....the full moon makes people crazier! I have more goofy things from my patients, more stressed out people, and more people in tears when the moon gets full. As an ole' ER nurse, I knew when the moon was getting full! No werewolves but I swear the behavior of people change as if they are under some kind of influence! So, the moon is big and full now, that is why Easter is next Sunday. I believe Michael is going to come down for next weekend. I always look forward to his visit. We don't talk a lot considering we are polar opposites on politics, etc. I'm always afraid we'll get in to a BIG argument so we try to leave news topics undiscussed. I tease him about being such a radical republican, I'm not sure where he got that gene. Must have been on his Dad's side!

Anyway, Keith is off today. He was over here weed eating. I'm baking some Peanut Butter Toffee Cheesecake Brownies. Saw the recipe in the sunday paper a couple of weeks ago. It was the finalist recipe in the 44th Pillsbury Bake-off contest. I have to pass on the recipe if they are good. I figure they can't taste bad. Chocolate! Cream cheese! Toffee! and Peanut Butter! and more Chocolate! (which is a food group by itself!). I know I don't need it but chocolate raise serotonin levels and release endorphins...hey, it IS good for you.

Well, enough of my ramblings. Hope everyone has a good week. I'm off good Friday so it'll be a short week. :)