Our New Babies

These are our new kitties, Diamond and Chloe. Technically, these are Elissa's kitties. Jazz is still my baby--I guess I'm just Grandma to the new kitties. They can be our little princesses, but Jazz is still the QUEEN!

High Winds

Before Dan and I went to bed last night, he had checked the weather report online. There were warnings of high winds, and the suggestion of securing light objects. All of those blown up yard ornaments could be in danger!!! I could even hear the wind whipping while sitting in my bed!
So anyway, I wondered......
While I slept, I wonder if Santa rolled thru my yard like a tumbleweed last night? Did Frosty, or several Frosty's do somersaults down the hill out back? Hmm.....maybe even the big guy in the red suit drove across the front yard in his Nascar car!
All of this could have been quite a site!

Speaking of quite a site, here you go.....

As Always, Check With Your Doctor First

I was working on my website tonight, and just put an article up for healthy, low-carb snacks.

Although I am not trying to persuade anyone into low-carb dieting, I personally have had good success with it, at one point having lost 20 pounds, and seeing my normally very low energy level raise to a point of not feeling the need for a nap every day.

But anyway!

I got to thinking.....

How often have any of us come across a crash diet that promised to help you lose 10 pounds in a week? Or 5 pounds in two days?

Chances are you've seen them in all the ladies' magazines, and friends have passed them around, plus the many websites that are eager to share the info with you as well.

What struck me as funny is.....

Most diets you see tell you to be sure to check with your doctor before beginning the diet.

So I am wondering.....

How many of us have checked with our doctor before going on one of these crazy, WAY out of balance diets?

I can see myself talking to my doctor, and saying, "If it's ok with you, I'm going to only drink 3 orange juice/honey/banana concoctions for the next two days, so that I can lose 5 pounds."

Or...

"Doc, I found this great diet, and I just needed to check with you....I'm going to lose 10 pounds in 3 days, and I get to eat ice cream and hot dogs to do it!"

I can sort of see my doctor staring at me as if I just grew a third eyeball. And like he's really going to say, "Great! That will help lower your cholesterol level too-I noticed it was a bit high from your last blood work!"

More likely, he is trying to come up with a polite response, instead of taking a deep sigh and rolling his eyes far enough back to see if he has a rooster tail in his hair, and exclaiming, "Who in the world comes up with these CRAZY IDEAS???"

I, for one, will continue to do what I've always done. I will buy all the new women's magazines that have large, bold print across the front, telling me about the latest breakthrough in lab research that has discovered how to lose 18 pounds in just 7 days!

And then, when I get enough will power, and only 3 of my skirts still fit around the waist, I will go back to eating salads, veggies, and other low-carb foods, since that is what has worked for me. :)

Sometimes Life Hands You.....

Sometimes life is so sweet, as if to hand you a delightful bar of richest milk chocolate on Earth.

Such as my new next door neighbor, Hope, seeing me many times at my house before we actually met, and thinking I had to be a sister, instead of the mother, since she thought I looked so young! Bless your heart, Hope!

And then......

Sometimes life squirts a lemon right in your eye!!!

Like today......

A friend of ours used to work at our local Walmart, and she married and moved away. She waited so long to find Mr. Right, and she really did marry a very good man at the age of 28. She just had a precious baby girl, and we're so happy for her!

When Amber and I were in Walmart today, our friend's former manager said hi to us, and we let him know that our friend had a baby. He was SO happy for her, and he told Amber and I he was very happy for us.

That seemed just slightly different, but that was fine. She was a very close friend to Amber before she moved.

We chatted another minute or so, and again, he told us that he was happy for us. And then...THEN.....THEN...........

He said, "Congratulations, Grandma!"

UHhh.......what was that???

It finally donned on us. The manager thought I was our friend's MOTHER!!!

Okay, I'm doing okay with nearing 40, sort of.....but our friend is nearly 30 years old, and he thought I was her mother!!!!! So of course I had to burst out into tears and hide my face while my shoulders shuddered....

Okay, the crying and shuddering shoulders were and act.... :D

Anyway, we figured it out....

Amber was with our friend so often, and both have very dark, curly hair---many people thought they were sisters!

He must not have looked at my youthful skin, gorgeous thick mane and trendy clothing-relaxed fit pullover and jean skirt-and just thought of my daughter being this girl's sister.

I forgive him....

So the next time someone hands you a rich, melt in your mouth, silky smooth chocolate bar, beware---someone is probably waiting around the corner with a lemon for ya! Ha!

Clutter

I woke up this morning, and a great revelation HIT me!!!

If you don't have time for the things in your home, get rid of them! Clutter demands so much time-a real robber in our lives!

So.........

I decided to throw out Dan and the kids, the dishes, the ironing, the bills and the laundry!

....

....

....

....and I'm keeping the kitties!!!

....

....

....

....(wink, wink!)

The New Girls In Town

I'm thankful for my faithful readers, and bearing with me during my slow times....I haven't posted much lately. I hope to get back in the swing of things soon!

I do have some news to share with you all, tho!

We are now the proud owners of two beautiful grey striped baby girl kitties-Diamond and Chloe. Oh, what sweeties!!!

My girls and I went to the mall Tuesday, and we decided to eat in the mall. Well, we had to walk by the pet store to get there, and we stopped to look at the kittens.

I'm sure you all know how it went from there...we've been wanting a cat, but I've been holding out hope to find my own princess, Jazz. The girls "talked" me into the grey sisters, and we brought them home.

We didn't tell Dan that we got them, and it is VERY unlike me to just bring a pet home without talking to Dan first. The thing is, we have talked about getting another cat, so I knew Dan wouldn't object. NOT to mention the times he's brought home puppies, a rabbit, and a black rat without consulting me first! lol After 16 years of marriage, I guess it's my turn! :) (Nah, I wouldn't really do such a thing if I didn't already know he'd be ok with it!)

Anyway, Dan was sitting in the livingroom when we got home, and Elissa was hiding behind Amber with the cat cage, when we came in the house. She opened the cage door and just let the kitties come out on their own, and then Dan saw them. I can't remember if Chloe climbed up on Dan, or if one of us set her in his lap, but his heart was stolen by this sweet little girl instantly! She loved all over Dan, and then curled up on him and stayed there for probably 20 minutes. It was love at first sight! Or lick!

A day and a half later, the little girls are making themselves at home-they are very happy here! They purr and play quite a bit, when they are not sleeping. They are about 9-11 weeks old, and we're glad we got both kitties, because they are quite attached to each other. They cry for each other, if they are apart for very long.

We're very happy in our new home, and now with our furry friends, our home feels more complete. :)

Have I given up on my baby Jazz? Noo....I still hope to find her, and I still cry over her.

The good news is....a friend is moving to our land where our house burned-putting a trailer on the land for a while. I've felt that if we had ever built on our land again, that it wouldn't surprise me if Jazz would show up someday. This is still my hope, but with our friend living there, someone will be out there much more than I am able to be out there, and with the colder months coming, my hope is that Jazz will show up on the doorstep and want in.

Then she would be the Queen of our home, and Diamond and Chloe will be the little princesses. :)

Babies---SOOOooooooo Precious!!!

Laughing babies--one of the most precious things in the world!

I'm Dangerous To Myself!

Am I sure I have a brain??? Well, regardless, I do entertain myself! I just have to make sure I don't HARM myself!

I did two stupid things in two days last week.....

I went out to my burnt house, still looking for my baby Jazz(my cat), and I set food inside the doorway where the kitchen was, on a towel. I then check for animal hair to see if her colors show up. So far, I think I am just feeding a raccoon and an oppossum. But anyway! I also look inside the garage. Hopefully she'll try to take shelter here shortly, since the cold weather is coming, and the garage is still standing.

I pulled into the driveway, and thought, "I'll just leave the car running, since I'm just going to check real quick, and get back in." So, I got out of the car, and.....

the car started moving! I forgot to put it in park!!!

And the next day....

I took my recyclables down to the big blue bins, being a responsible earthling and all. The bins had just recently been emptied, so there was plenty of room for my stuff.

As I threw in my last batch of plastic recyclables, I threw my keys in with them!!!

Oh great! The bin was possibly 1/3 full, and my keys landed on a bag. Well, fortunately for me, I was on my way to a cleaning job, and had my Swiffer extended handled wand with me. I bent it so that the prongs could slip thru my keyring. WHEW!

I got back in my car, and laughed myself half of the way to my cleaning job.

They say you're finally mature when you are able to laugh at yourself! I must be VERY mature! And I give myself plenty of opportunity to laugh!

It's a Jungle Out There!!!

Dan and I have one topic that comes up every so often that gets me shouting out my defense statements to friends-my history with wildlife.



Maybe Dan just likes to impress our friends! Maybe he thinks we'll have more friends if he tells them how his wife has survived multiple attacks by the most viscious beasts known to mankind. Whatever the case, I am here to tell you the REAL stories!


As Dan likes to tell it, I was attacked by a lion, bitten by a boa constricter, and mauled by a monkey.


But what REALLY happened are these events:


1. The lion...

When I was little, I lived in Akron, Ohio, and there was a pet store called Tanks a Lot. Anybody else remember it? They had a cub in their store named Peaches. Since I was only about 6 or so, she was about as big as me when she was on her hind legs.

One day, they had let Peaches out of the cage, and she came over and jumped on me! No, I wasn't hurt, she was just being a playful cat who happened to be my size!

2. The boa constrictor...

When I was in fourth grade, we had a man visit our class with a huge snake. I was a bit squeamish with that HUGE thing in the room, so even tho I was sitting at the time, I was able to quickly jump to my feet.

When the man and his slithering friend came to my group of desks, that MONSTER of a worm swung his head right in my direction! I saw it coming, so I jumped out of my seat and moved just in time--the snake's head swung right to where I was sitting! I was nearly kissed by a snake!

3. The monkey...

Again in grade school, I do believe it was 5th grade, I had my encounter with a monkey.

Our school had a carnival, and we had a man visit with his pet monkey. It was so cute--with his little outfit and all.

This little furry thing was permitted to climb on us students, and he climbed about shoulders. I wanted him to climb on me too, so I stuck out my hand for him to climb up my arm....

Instead, the monkey BIT my hand! It really did!

Well, it's probably good that I didn't decide to become a vet in my adult life! With my history, I'd probably get the wrong kind of reputation!

"Yeah, that Dr. Anthony-would you believe she claims that she was attacked by a lion, bitten by a boa, and mauled by a monkey? Next, she'll be claiming a bear swiped her side, a coyote bit her toe off, and she had 17 porcupine quills stabbed thru her heart!"

I guess it's a good thing that being bitten by a mouse once is such a small thing-Dan doesn't bring that story up too often. Maybe he forgot....

Funny tho, I don't tell everyone that Dan has rabies after he got bit by a RAT!!! I'll have to tell you about that story another time.....

Have a great day!

A Little of This And That, And a Quote to Keep You Pondering

Hi Everyone! I hope you all are well! It's beautiful in PA, and fall has arrived! I cannot tell you all how THRILLED I am to have a REAL source of heat this year! WE used to heat with wood at our old house, but now we have forced air heat, and I couldn't be more delighted! And it still amazes me how God has everything in control...with Dan falling out of a tree and having major back and neck surgery, he would not be able to cut wood this year anyway! We could buy it, but it would get costly.

Speaking of Dan, I think we can say that we are thru the worst of pain-he came to church today without his neck brace on, and is working on exercising his neck. Unfortunately, he has developed something called Swan Neck, where his neck goes forward, almost as if he is slouching. But it is very hopeful that it was noticed in time, and physical therapy will start this week. So we're looking forward to the complete recovery!

I'm still calling for my cat--I tell you, if she doesn't become more affectionate when I find her, I will definately have to remind her of the HOURS I've searched for her, and tell her she better start being lovable! Just kidding. :) Actually, my family talks about getting another kitty, but I don't just want a cat, I want MY cat. She has such a sassy personality, and I miss it! She's my little girl, and I just love her to pieces. I've called and called for her--I actually think a cow answered me once! lol Hopefully when the leaves all fall, I will be able to see much better into all of the woods near our house, and hopefully I'll spot her! I just can't bring myself to give up hope. I'm still praying to find her!

Well just a little of this and that to share with you all! And one last thing.....

A great quote to start your week!.....
(The rightful owner of this quote is T. Dowd):


"Things are more like they are now than they ever were before."

Louie, Part 2

At my last home, we lived in the country. You couldn't see your neighbors' houses from your own, but they were close enough if you needed anything. That's why I never met Louie before.

On a Sunday afternoon, I went to my kitchen door, and saw a chocolate lab out there. I'm not sure WHY I did this, but I opened the door, and in he came! I've let stray kitties come in, but not usually dogs, especially big ones!

Well, he sure was a friendly one, and he made himself right at home! I actually thought he was lost! He had on a dog tag, so I was going to call on Monday to the animal place, to find out who he belonged to. We'd then return him.

Within a short time, he was on my couch, chewing on my son's rope, and accidentally giving my couch a "worn in, aged" look(I forgive you for the tear your claw poked thru the leather, Louie!).

Since I didn't own a dog, I had no dog food, and since this pup was lost, feeding him was the only right thing to do! So I gave him Hot Pockets. :) That night, I went and bought dog food.

I found out Monday that he lived at the farm down the road, so we called his owners and Louie went home.

Louie decided he liked my house very well, and I think it was because of the kids being there. I didn't let him in the house anymore, or feed him, after I found out he wasn't lost, but he continued to show up regularly anyway.

You should have seen the times his owners had to chase him down and "convince" him to head home! I saw his "daddy" stop when he was in my yard, and Louie laid down so they almost couldn't get him in the truck to take home. LOL!!! I mean!.....bad dog!!!!

Well, one day, I heard a very high pitched noise while I was home by myself, and it puzzled me. What in the world??? I went back to what I was doing, and a little while later I decided to start the laundry.

When I opened my laundry room door, I was startled to see a large chocolate lab looking up at me with his sad puppy eyes! Louie had found his way into my laundry room by crawling all the way under my house!!! Unbelievable!

I tried to coax him outside, but noooooo........he didn't want to leave! He was big, so I couldn't exactly toss him out the door! So I tricked him! I think I threw a toy or pretended to(I don't remember), and he ran outside. I quickly shut the door, and Louie was sad.

But Louie was also determined! He did the same thing again-came thru my crawl space into my house! I wanted Dan's help to cover the opening outside to the crawl space, but he wasn't home. So what was I to do? I left Louie in the house. I didn't know how long he had been in my laundry room, so thought he might be hungry, and put some dog food on the floor for him.

A little while later, I had glanced out the kitchen windows, and noticed Louie's "mommy" driving down the road looking for him. I quickly ran outside to get her attention and let her know that he was at my house again. She saw me and made her way to my driveway with her SUV.

You won't believe what happened next!

I left the door open as Doneva pulled into the drive, and Louie came out behind me. He saw his mommy, and immediately backtracked, back into my kitchen!

Can you imagine how I must have sounded, saying these next words? As I went out to greet her, Doneva passed me by and marched right into my kitchen to teach Louie the way home "more perfectly". All the while I'm trying to tell her, "Once I found out who Louie belonged to, I stopped letting him in the house, and I don't feed him anymore either."

Oh yeah, I'm sure she REALLY believed me! I mean, she had to go IN my kitchen to get her dog, and there was dog food scattered all over the floor!

Needless to say, Louie's wandering days were over for a while. He had to be put on his chain for a few weeks or so, to help him remember where he lived.

Thankfully, my good neighbors didn't hold it against me, and didn't think I was trying to steal their pup! They even hired my son to come down and feed and water Louie when they were working at the country fair.

But Louie is a fond memory! He's still a happy neighborhood dog, but he stays home much better these days. :)

Louie, Part 1

Well, Monday is the first day of school....

Hot diggity d...!!!!!

I mean, I'm looking forward to a good year for my kiddos! :)

Stay tuned next week, for I have a wonderful story to tell you about Louie!

A few facts about Louie and our house....

1. Louie is a chocolate lab that lives down the road from my burned house, on a farm

2. Louie loves kids, and his owners' children are all grown

3. I have a big heart for animals

4. My old house had a crawl space that had an opening in the back of the house, and also had an opening in my laundry room(my laundry room was 2 steps down, making it slightly lower than the main floor in my ranch home)

5. Louie's owners don't let him roam the neighborhood, and search for him when he wanders off.

Check back next week for all the details! And have a wonderful weekend!

Sweet, Innocent Mistakes

Did you all know that once upon a time, I was a waitress? Actually, waitressing has been one of my main types of employment during my adult years.

Locally, we have a nice family restaurant, Sam's, owned by Tom. Tom was a great boss, and it's always nice to see him when he visits us at church, or I run into him in town, or see him at his restaurant.

I'm reminded of a time when I worked at Sam's, and I made a very sweet, innocent, INNOCENT, I'm telling you, mistake!!!

During the time I worked at Sam's, Tom was engaged to my husband's cousin. Tom is one of the best bosses I have ever had, always so pleasant, and just a good man all around.

BUT!!!

No matter how BLONd you are, or how good of a boss you have, there are just certain things that should NEVER be said to your employer!!!

One day while I was working, Tom had eaten a meal while he was there. Every good waitress does her best to keep a table clear of dirty dishes, and other things that just clutter up the booth that her customers are sitting in.

I was walking around the restaurant, doing little things that needed done, and I stopped by Tom's booth to clear the condiments he was finished with.

As he was looking down at his paperwork, what I said was, "Are you finished with this honey?"

What it sounded like was, "Are you finished with this, Honey?"

Tom's utterly surprised look turned up toward me as I realized what it had sounded like I said! I quickly tried to re-word my sentence, as I turned 14 shades of red!!!

Thankfully Daniel realizes my Blon roots will always be there, and Jean still married Tom, and didn't worry that I was trying to come between them! I just hope Tom doesn't think of me every time he puts honey on his food....

"Hey, this reminds me of the time when Josanne asked me....."

Sophistication At It's Finest

Ahh....raising daughters to be lady-like is such a rewarding experience. Once they reach their full sophistication potential, you are in for a treat! I found this out yesterday!

Dan is recovering from surgery, so it was the just kiddos and me coming home from church.

We stopped by Country Fair gas station/mini store to buy a newspaper, and I parked at the end of the parking lot, near the road. When I opened my car door, the $10 bill I had in my lap fell out of the car. I looked for it, but couldn't see it, so Dakota got out to help me look. Down on his knees, and me bending over, both of us looking under the car, we spotted it.

My lovely daughter Amber, with her ruffly top, black skirt and high heels, gets out of the car to help as well.

Since, I can't reach the money, I am planning to back the car up, so the one of the kids can grab it. Before I could move the car, Dakota says that he'll get it. And Amber, in her heels, ruffly blouse and dressy black skirt(yes, I know I already mentioned this--trying to give you a mental picture of her being very dressed up!), says, "I'll get it."

In the blink of an eye, on the concrete in the Country Fair parking lot, Amber was down on her knees, the upper half of her body slinked down under the car, reaching for the money. Since it wasn't quite close enough, this beautiful girl with her fancy hair and lovely outfit had to lay completely flat, on the concrete parking lot, halfway under my car, reaching for money.

She did get it. I was laughing so hard at this "what's wrong with this picture?" sight! Of course, this is the time I would park at the end of the parking lot, near the road! And I am sure that many passerby's were looking, while they sat at the red light.

So what was a mother to do? When she was back on her feet and handed me the money, I hugged her! It was such a joyous, fun moment.

During the night last night, I woke up. I didn't fall right back to sleep and started thinking about Amber's money rescue.

Can you get a mental picture of my parked car, and legs in a black skirt sticking out under the back end? I got to thinking.....

Minus an ambulance, Dakota and I were both looking under the car....with people all around, and a pair of legs sticking out, laying flat....it probably looked like I ran her over!!!

I'm sure we gave Titusville a good laugh! I know it gave me a good laugh! :)

Extra Broccoli For Two, Please :)

A nice little treat we enjoy here in our small town is having a meal at the Chinese restaurant.

Many moons ago, my brother-in-law had eaten with us at the restaurant, and then we were stopping by his house for him to change clothes and come to our house to help Dan split wood for our woodstove.

You know, I'm not one to make fun of someone having food on their face or anything, and I'm not into picking on people.

That being said, Dan and I were sitting in the car waiting for Tim to get changed, and we were having a happy time. I don't remember what we were talking about, but we were both smiling and laughing, like all married folk should!

I turned and looked my beloved in the eyes, while he flashed his pearly whites at me, and something caught my eye! Between both front and second top teeth, Daniel had broccoli pieces, nice and green, for all the world to see.

I, his loving wife, sweetly smiled and said, "I don't mean to embarass you, but you have broccoli stuck between your teeth." As I mentioned before, we were already merry and laughing, so of course I wasn't laughing at the broccoli between his teeth-both front sets! I was pointing to my teeth to show him where his greens were sprouting, so that he could pick the pieces out.

Do you want to know what he said to me? As he sweetly smiled back at me, he sarcastically laughed back at me and said, "Heh heh heh--look in the mirror!"

Here, as I was pointing to my own teeth to show him his leftover broccoli, I was actually pointing to broccoli that was stuck between my own teeth-both front sets!

Doesn't the Bible say something about this? Like, get the broccoli out of your own teeth before trying to get it out of your brothers? Or was it something about beams and wood? ;)

Impressing My Church Friends

Years ago, I received a little red car from someone, a Ford Fiesta! It was about as big as a carboard box, but that was fine because it was my very own car! There was one thing about the car that I did find a challenge-it was a stick shift, a standard.

I didn't know how to drive a standard, but with the help and instruction from friends, I did learn.

I can't say that I had it down pat, but I could drive it! And one morning, my parents' vehicles were not available, so I had to drive my own cute little red, stick shift car to church. :)

How did it go-the drive to church? Well, I made it! A friend at church figured I probably became a more spiritual person on the way there...."Oh Jesus, help me!" "Lord, don't let me hit that curb!", and so on!

Well, my arrival at church was no great deal, but my departure was incredibly embarrassing! You would think that I chose this moment to impress all of my church friends.

My church sat close to the corner at an intersection, so cars are near the church doors when they are at the stop sign.

I had pulled up to the stop sign, bracing myself for the ride home, and a car pulled up behind me. You know what I did? I panicked! I was afraid I would accidentally drift into the car behind me when starting to drive. So in my panic, I didn't balance the gas and clutch quite right, and I SQUEALED tires the entire way across the intersection! I wish I could do sound effects for you!

Ladies and gentlemen, I couldn't do that again if I TRIED!!! I must admit that most of the church family was already gone, but of ALL PLACES to squeal tires! And I must admit, I did laugh and laugh after I made it across the street! It's nearly 20 years later, and I'm still laughing.

Ahh...a blast from the past-shared with you. :)

A Trashy Romance Story

Harlequins, move aside!

Most of the trashy romance stories you read are SOOO unreal, so fake, so unbelievable!

I don't need those kinds of books because I have my own trashy romance story, and my story is true! I'll just think of my own memories, and save myself $10, instead of buying some inferior piece of fiction at the bookstore.

This is my story...

First of all, you need to know that I had put our trash out by the curb for pick up. You also need to know that at the time, I was doing a 4:30 a.m. paper route each morning, which usually brought me back home around 7-8 a.m.

My adorable hubby Dan and I were both leaving in our seperate vehicles one afternoon, and I pulled out of our long driveway first. Unfortunately, I never have mastered driving a car backwards....

I was putting the car in drive once I hit the road, and Dan was flagging me down for some unknown reason. He must have had something important to say, the way he was waving his arms....

He says, "You just ran over the trash!"

I say, "I did?!?!?!?"

He says, "Didn't you feel the back end of the car go up in the air???"

So! The prince of a man that he is, he cleaned up the trash that I had scattered so innocently.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is a true trashy romance story--you can feel the love from my man, not even making me clean up my own mess!

And guess what??? This story has a sequel!!! Read on!

The next morning, I was out very bright and early doing my paper route. Dan would get up a few hours later for work.

Driving right along, the cell phone rings, and it is my knight in shining armor.

I'm not sure why, but for some reason he sounded a little worn out and slightly depressed. I still can't figure it out! Maybe you can help me....

He says...

"You need to buy more trash bags. You ran over the trash again."

Does anybody have a clue?

p.s. My prayer for the day: Lord, can I please have blond hair in heaven???

Why Is She Laughing?

Several years back, life could be hectic, and it was a time when Dakota was still in diapers.

On one rainy day, I had to hurry home after washing my white clothes in town because one of my Home Interior customers was stopping by. I threw my basket of whites in the trunk of the car, loaded up my children and headed home.

I drove from the far end of town, got to the last red light before leaving town, and remembered...I need diapers!!! I turned around, drove all the way back thru town, bought my diapers, and headed home for real this time.

I hadn't taken my laundry in the house yet, just the children, and my customer arrived.

So we took care of business, and she left.

When I was going out to unload the car, Elissa headed out just ahead of me. She started laughing uncontrollably, and was pointing to the trunk of the car, where I had stuck my whites. As I looked closer, I saw what she was laughing at....

I had just driven thru town 3 times, and had a customer pull into my driveway behind my car with an item that got loose from my basket, and was stuck between the hood and the body of the trunk of the car.

It was a pair of white underwear.

The City Girl, The Country Mouse, And a Few Others

Can you believe that there was a time when I was very afraid of bees and mice??? I'm still not crazy about finding either in my home, but I can tolerate them a little better. I was thinking back to a time when I was afraid of mice, and thought, I need to put this story on my blog!!!


So! Once upon a time....


It was probably about 8 years ago, I was home in the evening, and Dan, Elissa and Amber were at music practice. Kota must have been in bed.

I was sitting in the office, and thought I saw something run across the livingroom floor. I cautiously walked into the livingroom, and yes! Sure enough, there was a mouse staring back at me!

I hurried to the kitchen, and grabbed some cheese and a mousetrap-needless to say, I was SHAKING!!! Not to mention, I didn't know how to set a mousetrap, but I was trying! Oh yeah-like I'm going to set the trap down, and the mouse is going to come running to it anyway! (Yes, those pesky Blon roots of mine!)

Just then, Dan returned home, and I told him there was a mouse in the livingroom.

Dan and Elissa, armed with my mop and broom, headed for the livingroom! And I did what Aunt Jemima would do...I got up on the stool in the kitchen to protect myself!!!

The chase began, and the little mouse dodged and darted all thru the livingroom, under furniture, along the walls, over here, over there.....

Mop and broom were swinging! Dan was breaking out in a sweat, and turning over all of my furniture! He and Elissa both swung their weapons at the same time at the little critter, and instead, hit each other's mop and broom, breaking BOTH!

We had a bay window, and I'm sure if anyone drove by, they would have been POSITIVE that we had gone MAD!!!

Yes, once again, my brilliance shined thru my air-headed-ness, and a lightbulb appeared over my head!

I noticed the mouse was mostly running along the walls, so I took the trash bag out of our trash can, and laid the can against the wall. Sure enough the mouse ran in within minutes. I set the can up, and we took the critter into the kitchen. Those little fellas can jump! Fortunately, he couldn't jump high enough to get out tho.

By now, my livingroom looked as if we had been ransacked, with couches overturned and everything out of place! That little mouse caused quite an uproar! So guess what we did?

When he looked up at me from the trash can, with those big, baby brown eyes, I just couldn't resist! We gave him some cheese and then Dan took him across the street to the woods and let him go.

The end. :)

Guess What We Saw!

My Saturday morning started out with two messages on my answering machine, telling me that there was a BEAR up a tree three houses up the road from mine!

I've lived in PA for 16 years, and even tho bears are here, you don't see them very often, so it is a sight most people consider special. I'm terrified of bears, and have never gotten used to the idea that they are near, but I woke Elissa and Dakota, and the three of us went to see.

The baby was up the tree-a year old baby-probably 2-3 feet tall, and mama bear was at the top of the hill above, at the edge of the woods. She wanted the baby, but didn't want to come near us. It was also thought that she stayed up at the edge of the woods because she probably had another cub in the woods that she was also trying to protect.

The neighbor showed me his back porch where his trash can had been, and then showed me where a bear had taken the trash can just a few days earlier, and completely mangled it, leaving it in the yard. It ate all of his bird seed, and rolled around in his flowers! lol

We watched from our car for several minutes, and then Pete(the neighbor) brought out a jar of peanut butter and a long stick, and told us he was going to go rub the peanut butter on the tree since bears love peanut butter. I, of course, asked him if he was suicidal, but he said no. Elissa had her cell phone and HAD to get this on video! And my son told her to make sure she got pictures when the bear ate Pete! lol

The bear was up the tree ALL DAY! Finally around 8 or so at night, they disappeared.

I'm afraid of them, but they are quite a sight! The babies are so cute, and the black fur is gorgeous! Black bears are not aggressive, and everyone in PA will tell you that they won't bother you if you don't bother them. But it is also common knowledge that you should never get between a mother and her cubs. The mama we saw did stand on her back legs a couple of times at the top of the hill, and she also cried a message to her baby or to us--I don't know if they call bear calls barking, crying or what. But I'd never heard it before, and it was neat to hear.

I didn't want to see her distressed, but seeing this mama and her baby was a cool site! And I just wanted to share!