Arkansas Guard Mobilizing

Arkansas Guard deploys more troops and equipment for hurricane relief Thursday

CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. - The Arkansas National Guard has mobilized more than 850 soldiers and airman to Mississippi and Louisiana to assist in hurricane relief efforts.

Task Force Razorback, which began deploying Monday, arrived at Camp Shelby, Miss., Wednesday and is scheduled to move to Biloxi, Miss., Thursday. Task Force Razorback is comprised of 350 combat engineers, transportation specialist, medics, and military police, primarily from Jonesboro, Marked Tree and West Memphis.

The Arkansas Army National Guard's 35th Aviation Brigade deployed two UH-60 MEDEVAC Black Hawk helicopters to Mississippi Tuesday and performed search and rescue missions near Mobile, Ala., Wednesday rescuing a total of 57 civilians including six children and two infants. All rescues were from rooftops and flooded homes. Some missions involved chopping through attic roofs.

Task Force Arkansas, which is comprised of 500 soldiers and airman from across the state, is planning to deploy Thursday to Louisiana. An advance party, including the Task Force Arkansas commander, will depart Thursday morning via C-130 airlift provided by the Arkansas Air National Guard's 189th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base. The initial command and control cell will fly to Hammond, La., in Tangipahoa Parish, where they will make contact with the Louisiana National Guard and prepare for the remainder of Task Force Arkansas to arrive.

Task Force Arkansas will include soldiers from the 39th Infantry Brigade and the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade as well as airmen from the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, the 189th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base and the 223rd Combat Communications Squadron based in Hot Springs. The task force will deploy with more than 80 vehicles including fuel trucks, water trucks, 2-1/2 ton deuce and a half cargo trucks, 5-ton trucks, Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTTs) and HMMWVs. The soldiers and airmen of Task Force Arkansas have a wide variety of skills and specialties including communications, medical, maintenance, transportation, law enforcement, engineering and logistics, just to name a few. In many cases, these Guardsmen have combat proven capabilities having been deployed in recent years for Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Soldiers from the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, which has units in Bentonville, Berryville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Harrison, Lincoln, Marshall, Mountain Home, Ozark, Siloam Springs, Springdale and Van Buren, are scheduled to depart from Fort Chaffee Thursday at 9 a.m. en route to Camp Robinson where they will pick up additional personnel and equipment before convoying from Camp Robinson to Louisiana around 2 p.m.

Personnel from the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith are scheduled to depart from Ebbing Air National Guard Base at 6 a.m. en route to Little Rock Air Force Base.

HELP

I was over at Tammi's place tonight and saw this information, and I went to Mr. Blackfive who had it up as well.

For some reason it had not occurred to me that these could be homes of our deployed. I could not imagine the horrendous stress of both. So now there will be men and woman coming home in a couple of weeks, to NOTHING.

Lets help these brave men and women and their families out.

Soldiers Angels has done it again......


There are plenty of places to give, just do what you can...

Instapundit has a great list

Visit Technorati and see if you can find a charity you trust

Finally, the Truth Laid Bear, has a wonderful comprehensive list

Relief

We need to dig deep and help those in need, I am sure you all are doing what you can. Just in case you have some scratch handy, and need a place to send it....

Here is a list put out by FEMA

For Pete's Sake

Run over to Pete's Shootin Shack, and let him know you are thinking of him......

The Cramps

I have terrible cramps today, but was quickly reminded that I could turn it around. Why not throw in some good music and take the kids out back to the pool.......ahhhhh.....

Reminds of the time I was lucky enough to see The Cramps in November 1997 at The Ranch Bowl in Omaha, Nebraska. Yeah, The Cramps were in Omaha.....Never ever thought I would have gotten to see them. It was probably one of the best shows I have seen live. Most memorable concert experience ever? Me walking right next to a leather and fishnet clad Poison Ivy, and Lux Interior as they made their way through the very Nebraskan bowling alley. Surreal.


For some American rockabilly, swampy, surfy, 50's 60's, cult B-movie, bikini movie, monster movie sexiness.....

Go listen here (I would recommend Goo Goo Muck, or New Kind of Kick)...and ladies, you will need go-go boots and a cage to dance in.

Lullabies......

Shhhh.....walk softly over to the Karnival of Kids. And SSHHHH be quiet, do you know how long it took for PrimoDonna to sing them to sleep?

On Being Dash's Mom Part II

This is part II...On Being Dash's Mom

So when I left this story a few nights ago, Dash was 18 months old, and able to read some words. I recall a Drs. Visit, his 18 month check up an immunization. We walk in the office, and Dash reads the following signs, EXIT, WELL, SICK, CHECK_OUT, FIRE ALARM. The Moms in the waiting room, look at us, and pretend they did not hear my baby reading. I walk in with the intention of telling them, there is something wrong with my son. "He doesn't smile, coo, run in circles like a baby. He is serious, he looks worried, he does not transition well at all." I want to know if they have seen this before, I want to know if my Dash will be ok. The nurses came in, and were dumbfounded by Dash, all of the nurses in the place come in the room, just to see this reading 18 month old. They write words on the paper cover on the examination table, and he reads every word. The amazement of the nursing staff told me *they REALLY don't see this often*. So the Dr. Comes in and take a looksie at Dash, and the Dr. asks about milestones, and Dash is meeting the normal 18 month milestones, just not with the same fervor as other children. He is too busy counting, reading, inspecting things and golfing that dressing himself, and potty training are taking a backseat. The Dr. Looks at me, and tells me that maybe I should backoff on the fashcard, etc. (Mind you we had no flashcards at this time.) I told the Dr. I was not teaching this child, this child had taught himself. I also told the Dr. A reading 18 month old benefited us very little, I would prefer him to be potty training, and happy like a normal 18 month old". The Dr. Looked at me like I was a crazy Mom, and we left.

I left the office that day, with this in my head. **No one understands this, so follow your gut, and you will be fine, do whatever you can in the best interests of this child**

Well Dash continued to amaze us, and by 2 years old Dash was reading books, children's level one books. He could sight read most words. He was counting to 30, and backwards from 10. He took books, and catalogs to bed to help him get to sleep. He could identify things in the grocery, that we would purchase. Cascade, Tide, Bounty....He could read signs in the grocery, and could weigh the produce.

Dearest husband was deployed and Dash would recall places we had been together, and things they had done together. He recalled people from meeting them one or two times. He could recall directions to someone's house, by landmarks, he would give the schematics of the house from a basement.


Once he perfected golf, and counting money, he lost interest. Since I was alone, and with a new baby and breastfeeding, and a precocious toddler, I started letting Dash watch a movie in the afternoon. It gave me a chance to lie down and nurse the baby and I thought would entertain Dash. I tried the usual Disney fare, he did not like the cartoonist look of things, so I put in Stuart Little one day.

He fell in love with movies and words, he insisted I put the subtitles on, so he could read along, became curious about the meaning of words... Liked memorizing words to the songs of Jungle Book. You do not know how relieved I am to see him dancing and singing "bare neccesities". He can joke now, and tease, he laughs at joke. He is communicating with us so much better. Although there are still those times when I swear, he looks through us, and hears nothing....He is listening to his wheels in his head turn. He is curious about music, and is reading at about a grade 2 level, he has taken an interest in Spanish. This has been good for all of us. We are all forced to work on our Spanish. He will also sit in his room and build and construct elaborate railways and roadways, only to tear them down and build bigger and better transit systems.

That brings us to date, on the short road anyway....There have been so many things to remember. Like the kid simply didn't like to be cuddled until he was about 22 months old, and the moment he curled into me, willingly.....I cried, tears of joy.

Dash is slowly growing into himself, he seems happier. The baby that cried for hours at a time, doesn't cry too often anymore and neither does his Momma....

I can't wait to see what is next, and I am so glad God thought I deserved him.....

Katrina and the waves

You can find updated news here, and here
A few of the blogger on my roll have evacuated...

Jack Army

My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

Thoughts By Seawitch

stay put folks....

praying for you and your families safety

Sunday of Prayer.....

I have to agree with my Blog-Sis Bou on this one. Makes my heart and gut hurt to think of it.

Also offer prayers for Vermont has lost another citizen soldier in the war in Iraq.
Vermont Army National Guard from Proctor has been killed. Sgt. Chris Chapin
was shot by a sniper this morning in Tammin, Iraq - near Ramadi.

The 39-year-old career soldier from Proctor is the 17th person with ties to
Vermont to die in the war zone. He is also the fifth Vermont guardsman to
lose his life.

Sgt. Chapin had only been in Iraq for five weeks.

Continue your prayers for SPC. Pinsicuff and let his Mother know you are keeping them in your thoughts.

While I have you running about the blogospere, please go visit Chuck. Wounded soldiers getting hateful e-mail......go over and let him know what you think....

Childs Play

Need to finish up my post on being Dash's Mom . However I am simply exhausted today from being Dash and Pink Ninjas Mom. Good day just lots of playing. Pretending to be a child is hard work.

I am headed to bed, to put in De-lovely......an drift away.

Happy Birthday To You

Ring the Bell....folks we gotta birthday!

Darn You....

Scratch?

We got work to do folks....

Update on Noah

Please go over to see Some Soldiers Mom, lend an ear. Read her words. I think we need to.

When you are done reading her, I know you will find it in your heart to go to Soldiers Angels, and give whatever you can.

Keep on praying folks....


Update>>>>>
More positive new, please continue your prayers and encouraging words..

On Being Dash's Mom

Dash was my unhappy baby, we thought it was my milk, ear infections, colic, sensory interrogation problems...Nothing ever panned out. I am beginning to think he just didn't like being a baby. With each passing month, he seems too grow a little more comfortable in his skin. He is happier. When he was about 6 months, that is all we wanted a "happy baby". A baby that would smile and coo.

As Dash grew, and learned skills and concepts, he would loose some of the frustration. When he was about 3 months old he would stand stubbornly upright on your lap. Straight as an arrow, the minute you would try and sit him on your lap, or wrap in a a blankie, or lay him down he would get pissed. I mean pissed. So you would have to just hold him standing, till he moved onto something else.

At about 6 months, he was on the move, crawling, but it did not seem like it was exactly what he was after. The crawling was irritating to him as well. He wanted to walk just like everyone else. He would crawl around frustrated and crying.

We found out early that Dash would sit through book after book. He didn't like trucks, or noisy toys, or gargantuan colorful messes of toys. Any toy that "surprised him" with a noise, or something popping out of it, ended up being removed or hidden, because the sight of it would cause tremendous meltdowns. He wanted his blocks and books. We could rock and read all day, he never cared for picture books much, he wanted words. I did not mind the rocking and reading....He was quiet and happy.

By the time Dash figured out standing and cruising and walking...Some of the frustration lessoned for him, you could see it in his face. He looked relieved but not satisfied. He loved exploring and became fascinated with the mechanics of objects and things. I remember one time we went to the park and got on the Merry Go Round. He wanted off. Why? He crawled underneath the Merry Go Round to see what was making it go round. He was about 14 months old.

By 18 months old Dash knew his alphabet and no not the song. He could identify the letters in any sequence or fashion. He could read familiar signs like STOP, EXIT, OPEN. When we went to the park to play, we would spend the day reading all of the signs. He did not want to watch Sesame Street or other children's fare. He wanted to Watch Price is Right, Golf, and Wheel of fortune. He also took an interest in money, and had to carry at least one dollar around everywhere. Not blankets, or a binkie, or a bear. The kid went to bed with money, or his plastic golf clubs. He wanted to golf all day. He would take his plastic golf clubs to the store. It was similar to living with a retired guy, between the money, golf, and Wheel of Fortune. I thought I would go nuts.


Well I am going to hang this up for the night, and take another look at this tomorrow night.........Come back to hear how we turned out.

But before I go, I will leave this.....

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high.
There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops.
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow,
Why then - oh, why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow,
Why, oh, why can't I?

Glad I didn't marry a pussy

Read this--here

Possibilities are endless.....

This is a great and healthy recipe, that you can serve as a dip when entertaining, tailgating, in a lunchbox, as a pita sandwich....

HUMMUS

Ingredients
1 15 ounce can of chick peas
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup water
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)


Directions
Combine all of the ingredients in the bowl of a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Spoon into a bowl, and for a little extra flair sprinkle with paprika. Serve with pita, or raw vegetables.

PITA CHIPS

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 whole wheat pitas, cut into triangles or strips.



Directions
1. Heat oven to 400 degree F. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat with garlic and pepper. Brush on pita halves. Cut each half into 6 wedges and place buttered side up on cookie sheet.Bake 10 minutes or until toasted. Cool. Makes 4 dozen.
Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare pita chips. Wrap; store at room temperature up to 2 days.

Prayers are needed......

I am going to follow Andi's lead and leave this at the top......


Please Prayer for SPC Noah Pincusoff, he is the son of Some Soldiers Mom, he has sufferred a serious spinal injury after a VBIED attack.

Please let her know you are praying, and give her some supportive words, or lend a hand where one is needed.


UPDATE>>>has positive news this a.m.

Well I NEVER.......

When I married Dear Husband he used to get a "kick" out of my list of things I had not done, or places I had never visited. For a while he thought I had grew up on a commune or some sort of weird hippie ranch. It was neither, my parents were FRUGAL, out of upbringing and neccisity. So here is condensed version of things that used to freak Dear Husband out.

-didn't eat at a McDonalds until I was 15.

-never had sugar cereal until I could buy it myself.

-never drank kool-aid (although made in my home state of Nebraska), until I was married. Once was enough.

-had never been to a zoo. (I loved animals, and adopted anything with a tail when I was little)

-had never been to Star Wars.(I still can't sit through it, I think it is boring.

-had no exposure to science fiction or comic books at all.(Have learned to love some science fiction)

-had never been on a plane until I was 23.(I can no longer recall the amount of times I have flown.)

-never had movie theater popcorn or candy until I could pay for it (Now I LOVE it, could possibly even live on it,and cokes)

-had never been to an amusement park.(I sicken on rides that go round and round, otherwise ok, Dash and Pink love to go)

-had never been on a carousel.(DO love to watch the pretty horses, and listen to music)

-had never had cotten candy. (Love it)

-I had one doll(Dear husbands whole family thought that was odd, Pink has too many, all gifts but one from me.)

-We only ate at restaraunts on birthdays, we would always pick Godfathers Pizza.(I do enjoy a nice meal out)

-never watched Saturday morning cartoons,id get to watch American Bandstand at 11:30, after chores were done

I can't think of anymore, however I am sure Dear Husband will remind me of something.

What is on your list?

Naked

So I was lying awake in bed this morning and get a call from one of my favorite people ever, who is btw in Japan. The following conversation ensues.....

Him: Hey I found your blog.

Me: Really.

Him: How come you didn't tell me?

Me: I haven't told anyone.

The good or bad news here (depending on who you talk to)....Apparently he knew it was me by reading just a couple of posts. I guess that is good. I come of in my writing as I do in person.



----So tell me why I feel like he saw me naked....And not good naked....Bad naked ?

We have a Military Wife Poker Winner....

This gal, has 8 children between her and her husband...and I should mention he is deployed......


Bowing.....

Give the dog a bone

Upon leaving Nebraska, Dear Husbands Aunt handed us a box of Scobby Doo graham crackers...

They are shaped like bones, they look like -milk bones.



So now when it is snack time at Casa De Dust.....

The toddlers bark, and pant.

Listen UP

These men were deployed with Dear Husband....

Ya gotta give them a listen folks.

Go over and buy a copy of their CD, and give a word of support!!

Rewarding

Busy day at Casa De Dust

Did 2 loads of wash

Played "Island of Sodor"

Cooked breakfast and lunch

Renewed tags on Explorer

Filled truck with gas, only paid $2.45 a gallon

Gathered up dry cleaning and dropped it off

Talked with my Aunt that has recently been treated for cancer.....

Made Dash his favorite "dinner rolls"

Have a meatloaf ready to go for husband and toddlers

Going to take a girlfriend out for her 45th birthday


I really managed to get a lot done, I deserve a freshly baked roll right out of the oven don't I?

Captain Caveman

Dearest Husband Has seemed sullen and fenced in for the last few days, a lot going on.

Oh how I long for hunting season......

I am sending him out to the woods for a couple of days, he needs some time to work out the grapplings. He needs to be alone or with some other men. He needs some time to plant some yummy treats for the deer, and be under the big sky. A long ride on the bike would do his spirit good.

There are conversations he needs to have in his sweet mind or with God...

Don't think the toddlers and I can help this round.

Have fun, don't worry about the toddlers and I , we will manage fine. If you are worried bout my edges being worn, or going insane....ain't going to happen in two days babe. I can hang in here as long as I need to.

Cole Porter said it best didn't he?

Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above,
Don't fence me in.
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love,
Don't fence me in.
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze,
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees,
Send me off forever but I ask you please,
Don't fence me in.

Grab your best sippy cups

for the kids....OH and adults, take your Champagne for Mimosa. Karnival of Kids is up at THE BIG ORANGE.....

Nothing to wear....

If you are like me, and find yourself with nothing to wear, and a modest income.....Fear not.

Spiegals has clearance sales all of the time. Where else can one buy a pair of Italian made chocolate brown leather boot for 58$.........

A great shopping link to bookmark ladies.....

If I were Emma Peel....

I would WHIP this house back into shape.

The dinner party went well, all food was delicious. The Dutch guy had never had "corn on the stick"....ahhhhhhh great. I guess I am way more redneck than I had thought.

He also had watermelon a couple of times only, in Italy and it was served with honey..maybe something worth trying.

Well as with all dinner parties when you have children.....I have a sink of stray dishes, wine glasses, and a couple of pans. I did get an entire dishwasher load done last night.

The Dutch guy brought "Berenburg"......A locally made alcohol, it was thick and dark like Jaguermeister, and had herbal flavor, without being "mediciney or licoricey".

Beerenburg is a kind of gin (or maybe you'd call it geneva) that has had herbs soaked in it for a certain time. This gives the gin a special taste. This soaking time is different for different Beerenburgs. With Sonnema, for example, it is 24 hours. With the Plantinga Beerenburg, it is three times 12 days. The amount of herbs can also vary, as well as the fact that these are or are not completely replaced after the soaking.


The toddlers were good. Dash passed out eating his "Corn on a stick"....

Pink Ninja, was charming and happy, thanks to an extended nap in the afternoon.

I am tired this mornin', and have a lot on my list o' thngs to do for the week........

ICK, tell me why I don't like Mondays.....

Got Rice?

Best head over here...thought I heard wedding bells. Don't forget the rice!!

Conversation fodder

Please do not discount ANY conversation with ANYONE EVER.....

Drink at Work, once again transcribes a conversation with his Dad..

I swear if you read it, you will spit.

Sunday Funny Page

My current favorite Sunday Funny is by Stephan Pastis.....

Pearls before Swine

Go Dutch....

Seems if I have agreed to host a dinner party for a Dutch Officer.....Hence been getting the place spiffed up. Does anyone know if the Dutch are as meticulous as the Germans? I am sure they can't be a filthy as the French. (Ouch) The toddlers seem to undo 4 things to my one. It is a losing battle. I have yet to unpack from the trip out west.

Anyway I am serving slow roasted chicken, ribeyes, salad, baked potatoes, home grown tomaters, roastin' ears and the biggest black diamond watermelon I have ever seen.......any other ideas?

I really wanted to represent an "American meal"

Phone Poker

I finally got to talk to one of my favorite Momma Bloggers on the phone.....we played poker.

*I will see your alcoholic Aunt, and raise you a narcissistic, peice o crap sibling.*

*I will see your 5 hours of sleep and raise you a child not napping for 2 days*

She trumped me with a trying to pack up an entire house and move.....

AAAHHHH, looks like I lost this round.

If and when we ever meet...drinks are on me.

Dr. Du Toit

I was reading Army of Mom, and she sent me over to the Dr. She must have knew I needed a reminder....

The lovely and wise Dr. said it well in several posts this week. She has discussed at length at the differences between the sexes, and just how simple it can be.

Whoever her teachers were, they were wise. They were thoughtful, some women never share this advice, and some of us have to learn "it" the hard way.

The evoloution of a woman to her spouse can be a beautiful thing.

Flag

Seems as if Blogger done got them some flags. I noticed they put one up in the right hand corner of my blog......must be all of the curse'in that goes on in here. After all it is a small, cheap place and I stub my toe on the damn coffee table all of the time.

Deliciosoooo and hilarious....

Carnival of recipes is up and running. A lot of great recipes as usual. This Blintz recipe sounds divine.....If I could find loganberries...yummmmm. Blue Cheese anything for me, but these sound delightful!! I need to break out the pots and pans.

The Carnival of Comedy is also up at Pointfive . Although my entry was not "IMAO typical fare", I went ahead and entered it anyway. Of course my grandpa at Bad Example Harvey, entered this fascinating piece about uranium. I also noted this by Mean Ol' Meany.....Attention ladies, do I see any takers?

Funeral, the gift that keeps on giving.

If you have not read it, go now. Yeah.....Simply the funniest story that has ever occurred in my life, so far. I also think I will be hard pressed to top it EVER. I will add that I did NOT do the story justice. It really was FUNNIER than anyone I know could write it.

However beyond the story, there is much more....


First of all a warning to those of you who have children. When people say, "Oh let them run around a bit, we are all watching." Don't believe them..... We are never around family much so this was a lesson I have learned the HARD way. I would recommend never listening to this advice at weddings, or funerals.


My husband was by the hearse in uniform as "it" happened. So he had NO idea what was going on until the funeral director came up to the pall bearers and said. "We are going to be a couple of minutes late, they just pulled someone's kid out from the grave."...My husband guessed correctly and figured it had to be "Dash". Even though it could have been one of the Pastors 8 kids....(who by the way were all so angelic, my 2 looked like feril spawn.". If looks could kill, I would be dead. I got a stare from that Paratrooper I never want to see again.


Half of the people at the funeral thought it was hilarious, this included me. (Although I tried to look mortified, and apologetic the rest of the day) They all rushed up to me at one point or another, and told me "you better write this down in his baby book.". The baby book? I mean come-on? I wanted to tell them..."baby book, I am putting this story on the internet".

The other half of the funeral goers kept their distance from the "Terrible Mom" with the out of control children.

I am going to assume that "Dash" will never ever be able to attend a funeral ever, without some smartass saying, "better stand back, you might fall in", or "remember the time--"

My Fathers laughter re: this event, was priceless....I called as soon as we were in the safety of the truck, leaving the funeral.
-phone conversation with my Father

Me: "You will never guess what happened at the funeral."

Me: Handing the phone to Dash-

Dash: "I fell in the grave"

Grampanio: "What?"

Me: "You heard it right."

Grampanio: uncontrollable laughter, with full waterworks....

I spent the next 2 hours calling everyone programmed into my cell phone, having the exact same conversation......

I can honestly say, it was the best funeral I have been too, Thanks Grandma.

Sassparilla=Hustler?

I am a fan of the comic bloggers, there are a bunch of em'.....However I read this little dity in Christian Finnigans blog about a month ago.....Mr. Finnigan writes the following


"Playboy has a large circulation, and that means that somebody somewhere is buying it. But it seems like if you're buying Playboy nowadays, you probably are reading it for the articles. Why else would you bother? Christ, now that we have the internet, the idea of buying a nudie magazine seems almost, I don't know...quaint. Old-timey, even. Like you'd walk a three miles down to the general store to buy some sasparilla, a container of Ol' Doc Haggerty's Purifying Hair Tonic and a copy of Hustler Magazine"

the rest of it is equally entertaining......

I have never thought of Hustler Magazine "antiquated".....but I think he is on to something here...

Weirdo Waiter at a "crap on the wall restaurant"

Traveling, ughhh...is tiring. Especially when it is a 14 hour drive with toddlers. It is exhausting.

We are hungry and decide to stop in at the "crap on the wall" restaurant in St. Joeseph, Mo. You know the type of restaurant I am talking about. We typically never go to these places, because the food is mediocre-as is the staff. But I am hungry for "hot" food. I want a "real hamburger", so we get sucked in.

Mind you we have been grieving, and been at a lot of family functions, and funeral home, and cemetery. It is hot out, we have been on the road......I am TIRED. WORN OUT. I feel a bit punchy. I am sure the marguerita I ordered did not help my "state".

I don't get punchy very often, but when I do watch out. I am the type of person that thinks everything and everyone is funny anyway, I also have a terrible sarcastic streak. So if I am punchy at all I end up unable to breathe...and laugh until I cry.

Anyway so Dear Husband, his Brother who just returned from Afghanistan, and the toddlers and I put in our order.....You know how these places operate. One person takes your order, a different person brings the drinks, a different person brings the ketchup, a different person brings silverware....Just weird.

Anyway so a different "dude" brings our appetizer. He is 20-something, with a shaved head and has one of those full "weird-beards"......Which is just enough to make me start laughing. It is a kind of Amish look...

Mr. "Weird Beard" then places the appetizer on the table and says " this is sure good smellin'". Then he stands there for like 10 seconds, and just looks at us, and leaves...."Good smellin?".....Good smellin'.....For shits sake. I was SO exhausted and punchy I could not control my laughter, and everytime, "weird beard" walked by I would freaking start all over again.....

I think my Dear Husband wanted to leave my ass in the restaurant.....forever...

The stuff legends are made of...........

It is still hotter than Haddes here, so I do not have college football on my mind yet. I have read enough of your blogs to know you all have the itch.


This recipe should be a great one to serve at your next football "gathering". It is easy, and requires very little in the way of ingredients.

You are sure to become a legend with.....



Guinness Ice Cream


1 cup water

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup Guinness stout



In a heavy saucepan whisk together the water and the cornstarch and simmer the mixture over moderate heat, whisking, for 2 minutes. Add the milks, the salt, and the sugar, heat the mixture over moderately low heat, whisking, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved, and remove the pan from the heat. Let the mixture cool completely, stir in the Guinness, and freeze the mixture in an ice-cream freezer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Makes about 1 quart

Be decadent.

6 feet under.....

As my regular readers know, I have just returned from my Dear Husband's Grandmother's funeral. She was the last of all of the Grandparents, for Dear Husband and I. I loved her very much. I will add here that Grandma had a sparkling wit, and a great sense of humor. When I called her with "tales of Pink and Dash", if they were good enough, she would burn up the phone lines.


The funeral service was Monday at her regular church. Dear Husband's favorite Pastor, Pastor Smith performed some of her service. Dear Husband and I were thankful he put such a personal spin on the service. He closed with the following.....Forgive me, if the words are not exact.....


"Grandma", was in her home for the past few years and it was my duty and privilege to go to her home and take her communion. She loved her family, they were her life---everything to her. She would keep me up to date on her Grandchildren, especially those far away in service. She also loved those Great Grandchildren, and would keep me posted on they're latest antics. Her family meant everything to her."

I sat behind the glass of the nursery with tears in my eyes, hearing this. I know she loved us all, and I know she loved hearing the tales of "Pink and Dash". She would giggle and smile, and I could see her smile through the phone. She loved these Great Grandbabies. She would always say...."Don't worry, they will do something worse tomorrow"........

Upon exiting the funeral, I stood in the vestibule of the church with the "toddlers" running circles around me....Standing exhausted, and with a mournful heart. Grandma's friends and relatives would come up to me and ask..."Is this Pink?" "Is this Dash?" "We have heard all of the stories" "Your Grandma would call and give us a weekly report on these 2" "How are Pink Ninja's arms?"

Yes, she shared the stories, she burned up the phone lines. Everyone at the funeral knew who these blond beautiful children were.

We get in the car, and start the 2 hour drive to the "family cemetery" out in the middle of some very sleepy farmland. A place where nothing can be seen for miles except for corn, beans, and the occasional tractor or farm implements drive by.

There must have been about 90 people standing in the hot Nebraska sun, waiting for the last of family to arrive. We stand under the royal blue awning, wind blowing black skirts, and freshly sprayed coiffs. The toddlers are fussy and crying, they are hungry. It is afternoon, and we haven't eaten yet. They are tired from the hours and hours of traveling. They are tired of strangers talking to them. I am tired from everything.

Dear Husband is in uniform, and standing with the other 5 Grandsons by the hearse. They will be carrying Grandma to her grave. There are 3 of them in uniform, they are hot in the sun, and are proud they have been asked to carry the casket.

Pink Ninja is climbing on me, crying and fussy....Dash is running circles around me...Exploring the cemetery not listening to me. I have not seen a lot of these relatives since Grandpa's funeral 12 years ago. I want Dear Husband to leave a favorable impression. I want the children to act like angels, I want to look like a terrific Mom.

All of a sudden I see looks of horror, and I hear Dash screaming and pleading "HELP ME, HELP ME!! GET ME OUT OF HERE!!! MOMMY!! MOMMY!! GET ME OUT!!"



I look for him and cannot see him anywhere. I cannot see his blond hair and green striped shirt anywhere. I follow the mass of running 80 year olds, and get to the freshly dug grave, the edges lined with astroturf and see dashes blond hair speckled with black dirt.

That's right Dash fell into his Great Grandmother's grave.

She did not have to burn up the phone lines...We were all there and got to see the whole thing live and in person.

I could hear her voice saying "They will do something worse tomorrow"...........

I have returned

I have plenty to say and do. I am tired and will return to normal blogging after the "road punchiness wears off"......

I have stories a plenty, and you cannot even guess what has been going on....

When all else fails.......

BUBBLES

On Death and Dying

I think my first funeral I attended was my Great Aunt Sarahs.....I also think I was about 8 or so. I remember being afraid to touch her hand like all of the other passers by did......

Since that time I have held hands with hundreds people as they have died. I was a nurses aide at a hospital at age 15, and recall "preparing a body" to be seen by family. It was my first death I had witnessed. I had cared for the gentleman for about 3 days before his passing. I am unsure why the other nurses thought this was appropriate for a 15 year old. I wasn't scared. I just really wasn't quite sure what to do. I just combed his hair and bathed him, and put a fresh gown and sheets on the bed.

Since that time I have seen many people pass. I am now a LPN, when working and worked primarily in long term care, hospice, and pulmonary care.

I have seen people pass beautifully, and not so beautifully. I have seen people pass with family members singing lullabyes to them, I have seen people die alone.

I hear Grandma was one of the beautiful deaths and had a Son and Daughter at her side, she was comfortable, and "went beautifully".


I am thankful.

The following recipes should refresh you on a hot summer day.....


Southern Style Almond Tea



Almonds and almond extract are mainstay seasonings in the South, so it seemed natural to test this flavor with tea. The result is a tea that enhances a meal of grilled foods or that can be served as an engaging nonalcoholic aperitif.

Makes about 2 quarts

8 cups cold water

9 regular-size tea bags or 3 family-size tea bags

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1-1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract

Juice of 3 lemons

Bring 2 cups of the water to a slow boil in a small saucepan. Add the tea bags, cover, and remove from the heat. Let steep for 10 minutes.

Remove the tea bags without squeezing them.

Pour the steeped tea into a 2-quart heatproof container. Add the sugar and stir or shake until dissolved. Add the vanilla, almond extract, and lemon juice and stir or shake to combine. Add the remaining 6 cups cold water and stir.

Let cool, then chill and serve over ice





Lemon Bars

1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. baking powder
a dash of salt

Cream butter and confectioner's sugar until fluffy. Stir in flour. Pat into an 8 or 9" square pan and bake 15 minutes at 350°F. Meanwhile, combine and beat eggs, sugar, lemon juice, baking powder, and salt until creamy and fluffy. Pour mixture over baked crust and return%2

Goodbye Grandma

Dear Husbands Grandma, and mine out of genuine affection, passed today at about 3pm. I know her spirit is soaring, and it is a good day to remember her guiding spirit and smile. Grandma spent her wage earning years as a Mother to five, and student...then a school teacher. Well Grandma you did teach us a lot, and we are glad for the lessons.

There's an Old, Old Path
There's an old, old path
Where the sun shines through
Life's dark storm clouds
From its home of blue.
In this old, old path made strangely sweet
By the touch divine of his blessed feet.


Find the old, old path,
'Twill be ever new,
For the Savior walks
All the way with you.


In this old, old path
Are my friends most dear,
And I walk with them,
With the angels near,


'Tis an old, old path,
Shadowed vales between,
Yet I fearless walk
With the Nazarene,


Words by Vida E. Smith

Look HOT ........

And support a great cause. Run over to Blackfive, and buy a t-shirt for yourself, or your sweetie. Net proceeds go to Soldiers Angels.

Insect Haiku

Menacing flyers
Dark small masses building homes
Please leave me alone


About 2 months ago we had an invasion of ants. I saw this post at Shakey Petes, and become paranoid about a recurrance of invasion. Maybe I should go out and clean out the air conditioner before the ants gum it up. I had Dear Husband do a full scale chemical invasion on the ants 3 times this summer. It is a bad year for ants around here.

Then we had the wasp sting, and the invasion of digger wasps.. My husband shot Sevin into all of the wasp holes very early in the morning, and his brother took foam caulking and plugged all of the almost 100 holes. We have had a few strays, but not near what we had.

I was at Sissys the other day and read this . I think we will be driven mad by insects this year.

Todays "grossness" was fly killing, I must have had 20 in the house. I have no idea where they came from. Gross.

If the insects do not kill us, we will become physically altered from the chemicals.

Only in Branson

This was a HUGUNGOUS sign outside of an establishment in Branson. Apparently, you can get a good nights rest, watch fiddlers, and boil children.......We did not stay there. Frankly I was worried about the children's safety.

Entrepreneurial spirit

I think Dash and Pink Ninja have gotten involved in some sort of bootlegging scheme....or some black market cottage cheese industry. They must have met some moonshining babies while we were in the Ozarks.


I keep finding sippy cups stashed away with fermenting juice, and ick blech milk in them....

Please do not encourage this sort of illegal activity, do not buy sippy cups full of home brew from anyone with brown sparkling eyes, and blonde hair. Oh, and pass on the cottage cheese as well, I am pretty sure it will make you sick.

Baby I'm A-mazed........

I am not burning in hell.......

I bought Dash who is 3 1/2 a fun-pad a couple of weeks ago, and he discovered the thrill of "mazes". So now he is obsessed, he has done every maze in the house. I have even resorted to drawing large scale mazes in the driveway that he can walk through.

Dash has also discovered that asking people the following "do you have a penis or vagina", holds tremendous shock value. This has also been his entertainment for the last couple of weeks. He asked people at Silver Dollar City, restaraunts, water park. I am hoping the thrill of shocking people fades soon. Blue comedy, and 3 1/2 just is too much for me, and I am hoping I am not raising the next Richard Pryor.

So, today we had a lot of errands to run, pay the water bill, get the truck washed, grocery store, pick up 5 birthday cards....(yep, all within 2 days of one another). I also have a ton to do round here since we had 8 people in "Casa de dust". I have a lot of "catching up and laundry to do. Dash is freaking out, because all of the mazes in ALL of the color books are done. SO I have the brilliant idea to stop at "Mardel", and look for some books on mazes. For those of you who are unaware...Mardel is a Christian supply store. They sell a lot of Church supplies, home schooling supplies, books, videos, and music.

So I pack the kids and we head on out to Mardell. I explain to them both they cannot play with trains today, there is just tooo much to do, and we are there to get mazes only.

Of course we go to the education help desk and the following conversation takes place

Me: "Dash, could you tell them what we are looking for?"

Dash: "Do you have a penis?"

Clerk: who by the way is female is staring, shocked, blushing...

Me: "We are looking for books on mazes."

Clerk: "I do not think we have any, only in the color books, you might want to try Barnes and Noble."

Me: "Ok, thanks."

Dash continued to ask EVERYONE throughout the store if they had a penis, sometimes he would ask if people had vaginas.....people did not care for his questions. All gave strong reactions which fed his fever to ask.


In addition to the penis questions, he is also enjoying "dominate you" as a new catch phrase. His Father has been using the phrase while they are wrestling.

Dear Husband: "I will crush and dominate you!"

Dash: screaming and giggling....

wrestling ensues, and then Dash runs through the house screaming, "I will dominate you"......

SO of course "I will dominate you" gets thrown around at the Christian store as well.

Oy.....

"Carnes" are back in town

Looks like there are a couple of Carnivals in town. Practical Penumbra is hostessing this weeks Karnival of Kids

Sarah, is singing the blues over at Mountaineer Musings, Carnival of recipes is up.


OH, and The Carnival of Cats is up at This Blog is full of Crap!!

Prayers for Grandma....

Dear Husbands Grandma in ICU for small bowel obstruction, perforation, and perotinitis. Also has a case of pnemonia. Prayers would be appreciated as always.

Dear Husband strength and faith in "bigger picture" amaze me, as does his calm and clarity. He is realistic and strong, and sweet all at one time. Dear Husband wants to run up there and give her a squeeze badly. However we will wait and see what happens.

I am simply amazed at his spirit. His Grandmother helped raise him, and we were lucky enough to visit her this past Easter. He was the first Grandchild, and they remain close.

We recieved the news about Grandma the evening we returned from our "trip" to Branson... and Dear Husbands Mother is not in a "good place" to recieve such news. It was a good thing, she was in our home, and both sons are back from war, otherwise I think she would have sufferred a collapse. I am glad both sons were here to "hold her up".


We managed to find her a flight and get her a ticket up there ASAP. We are going to wait and watch her condition from afar for a while.

Why I have not been blogging.....

Thats right, I have been in jail with Dash and the cousins in Silver Dollar City.

Please send bail money.....

Happy Birthday to One Happy Dog

I have been out of circulation for a few days, more on that later....However I did pop in long enough to notice it is VW's Birthday!!!. Happy Birthday my fellow Mother and friend....

Today I wish you this

May you dine on a meal prepared by someone else
May you go to the bathroom alone at least one time
May you wear the same shirt unstained all day
May the boys hit the toilet all day
May you get a long soak in the tub
May you sleep at least 6 hours uninterrupted
May you get an extra hour of sleep
May you get 100 extra hits on your blog
May your boys give you plenty of hugs and kisses today!!

Invasion of the.....

fucking WASPS....no shit.

We will be out early in the morning, with a full scale chemical invasion on the lawn.

It seems as if we have had just the right temperatures to allow proper "envirement".

It looks like I will be saving the childrens lives all summer long, or remaining in the house.

The entertainer,

It has only been 24 hours of company, and I am pooped. 8 1/2 year old twin girls, a 3 1/2 year old, and a 20 month old. None of them want to eat the same, play the same, sing the same, talk about the same, sleep at the same time.

For those of you with 4 or more kids, bless you.

It has been bitter sweet to see the twins, they have grown soooo, they are little ladies now. They know a lot they did not know 4 years ago. They were about Dash's age the last I saw them. They are much taller than they used to be. So it has been a little sad for me. They have forgotten all of our trips we had taken to see them......we used to try and go at least yearly. They have forgotten all of those visits. They forgot I taught them itsy bitsy spider, and Santa Claus is coming to town. They forgot I have given them baths, and changed diapers....just too far away. I am glad Dash and Pink Ninja got to meet them, but realize they too will forget this encounter.

Brother in Law has been back from Afghanistan for a short while, only 1 week after out-processing at Bragg. I got to see some pictures, and hear some stories. He wants to be busy, he is having a hard time finding work in North Carolina. Thery live in a mill town, and although divorced he is in no position to relocate, he wants to help raise his daughters. It is causing him to be anxious, which is not helping him decompress from war.

Mother in law, happy to have us all under 1 roof. We have never been all together. This is the first time. It has just been a while, sometimes life takes turns.

I had spent a lot of money going back and forth to Nebraska to care for my Mother, my Husband has been deployed twice essentially. Brother in Law has been activated two times.....just never works out. Visits are precious.

So I am trying to RELAX, let the kids hold open doors, and let flies in, use paper plates, and ENJOY......ENJOY.

If someone would have told me, it would have been 4 years till I saw these girls again, I would have said you are crazy, and then I would have cried for days. My gorgeous neices are growing up, and they can sing like angels....