Thief!

The Guinea Hens’ Nest is empty again!  2 Weeks ago our hens (FreeToe and Georgie) started laying for the first time and they were nice enough not to run off and hide them, as Guineas are known to do, but layed them right in the laying box like chickens. How nice.  Thanks Ladies!

The Girls

Heated discussions ensued about how many we should let hatch, how many we should eat. ( Nathan said we should never eat them) ( Dillon said we can’t let them all hatch) and around and around they went.  Jack and I didn’t even get to pick a side, we just referee-d. 

 Finally the compromise was we would let 4-5 hatch. Add that to our current 6 and a nice total of around 10 birds.  A hard fought and overly debated negotiation. I thought I was mediating Teamsters and GM. Stipulation 1: Guinea eggs cannot be served to Nathan.

After all that, the eggs got up and left the nest. 

Well they would get about 5 eggs in there over a couple of days and POOF! They would disappear. We would be stumped. They didn’t walk away without help? The hens were still laying in the nest as fast as ever so we scratched our heads and let them. A few more days past, eggs pile up, POOF! All gone again.  Was it our dogs?  They ignore the nest and barely leave indoors. Besides most of them are Great Danes who couldn’t squeeze into the laying box door anyway. We feed eggs to our dogs, its a mess. When they break the shell its all over the place. Except Cherry, our old beagle girl who has so few teeth she has her scrambled. And whoever was getting these eggs was making a clean pick. The nest barely disturbed.

Hmmm. Snakes? Well, it takes time for snakes to swallow that many eggs and with all of us checking the nest so often we figured one batch disappeared in under 30 minutes. That is not quite enough time to swallow 5 eggs. We thought.  Its also not quite warm enough for most snakes yet. We reasoned.

Raccoons! Well we have never seen one in the yard, skunks, snakes and armadillos, but no Raccoons. They are wonderful bandits so maybe that is why we haven’t see them? Still I got the idea if we had raccoons nearby we would have seen them getting into the trash, bird feed and dog food. Don’tcha think?

So yesterday we are out cleaning up the garden area and Dillon finds 2 eggs in the grass under a shade tree. It was time for a STAKE OUT!  We were going to set up a video camera, but we didn’t have to.  Cherry Bomb our ancient beagle girl who can barely get around comes out of the nesting box  this morning with an egg in her mouth. I just look at the sky and act like the stupid human I am so she doesn’t notice me.  Beagles are good at ignoring people. So it wasn’t a hard sell. She  goes right for the Guinea Pen door and pushes at the corner it bends just enough for her to get out and fall back into place as if nothing happened. DUR! 

Off she waddles to the very same tree of discovery yesterday. She drops the egg in the tall grass and goes back for the other. ( only 2 in there this time)  While she is doing that Andrew our Harlequin Great Dane goes right to the spot, picks up the egg, carries it behind the shed and chomps it down. Yep! Making a big goober-y mess of it too! It  looks like we have a syndicate on our hands!  * Guffaw *

So now we are going to gather up the eggs until we figure out a better way to keep Cherry B. out. Which may have to wait a few days since we are expecting rain again!  ( Whoo HOO!) And you know there will be a discussion about just how to do it! That could take a few days as well! *giggle* 

Oh MY! ramble on ramble girl! Well just a few more points…

 Hold your applause, please.

I, Princess of  Dorkusville have finally figured out how to reply to comments on this blog. Uh-huh, it was right in front of my face the entire time, so no wonder it took so long. Still working on finding my trunk junk with both hands.

Stay tuned for some awesome pictures my boys took yesterday while we were cleaning up my garden junk. I have to go download them and I might get lost. *eye roll*

The barn swallows are back at their nest over our front door. Every other year we have grumpy ones, this is their year. I am hoping they will be break the trend and not peck the kids, attach the cats, and swoop in on Dove while she pees. Its hard enough for Dove to feel safe outside, she is afraid of EVERYTHING. She is still suspicous of butterflies. So be nice swallows!

Gratitude List:

For Ben and Jerry’s. You all know what I mean. Skinny girls, Don’t  you act like I am not talking to you.  You know Ben and Jerry’s! 

For Cherry Bomb, wile, swayback ole girl. Still fooling us after all these years. 

For Andrew, he used to be a Guinea killer, but he is now reformed ( with intense training)  Now he just eats their eggs upon delivery! *LOL*

For all my men who put up with my need for farm animals and have even embraced it!

For curly hair on rainy days. “Make way,  big hair coming through! Did someone lose a sock? …well here it is stuck to my crackling with static doo!”

Happy Friday!

Jodiann

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 27th, 2009

Quickie

Just a quick one today, putting routines back in place after vacation is like putting toothpaste back in the tube.  We are off to the Orthodontist today to embark on yet another dental adventure. So routines will be squeezed yet again. *grin*

Been doing some behind the scenes work on this blog you are reading. Setting up RSS feed (  sign up in sidebar) Direct to Email ( sign up in sidebar) and applying this blog to Facebook. Not all done yet, some bugs remain. But it is there.  Weblog Jodiann at Facebook  That  was yesterday’s nightmare, but today I feel great about it. Work out a few more bugs and all will be well.

LOVE Facebook BTW, super fun to show up and friends just roll right up. Reminds me of Crusin’  Hmmm. Cyber-Crusin’? I guess that is what Facebook is without all the yelling across the street.

Anyhoo…

I am working on a new  scrapkit giveaway.  I am giving myself a few weeks on this one. Its a vacation memory so I want to soak it up as I go.  Hint: Stinky Bathrooms.  ( …now that is some hint! )

Also I picked up a few kits from DSO  I had on my wish list for a while. I want to fiddle with those. So you will be seeing  a few LO in the future. I can’t be all work, you know?

Yesterday we had a wonderful rainstorm and I was able to snap this picture on my way home just before it hit. Strange clouds.

"Soap Bubble Clouds", says Nate

We had a wonderful time watching these clouds roil and scatter. The real storm came after. The tiny hail sent our Guinea Hens running for cover. When they are inconvenienced we know about it.

Gratitude List:

For  Senior Lunch at the Cresson Community Center! What a Blast, I am never so well informed, entertained and so welcome as I am when I walk through that door. What a crowd yesterday!  Applause for Janie honored cook and Helen, head honcho. They are angels without wings.

For another round of life making rain. Thanks Big Guy!

For the  after storm breezes, they sure are worth it.

For our Dane Girl Dove, the storm predicter.  No need to look at the sky, Dove will tell you a storm is going to happen long before the sky turns black.

For my treadmill, I really wish it would self-distruct, but I am trying to teach myself to tolerate running like a mouse on a wheel. Can’t do that without a wheel, right?   I love outside best.  May I learn to be truely thankful for this treadmill.

Happy Thursday!

Jodiann

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 26th, 2009

Movies

We hit the theater while Jack was home last week. We are mostly DVD movie watchers, but every once in a while we brave dinner and a show.  I took my camera ( vowed to take it everywhere after Turtle Hill without it) I got some great textures and elements that will be showing up in future freebies…Whoo HOO!  I also snapped these.

Fu Dog

Nate

Jack

Dillon

Jack is not comfortable with the camera, just yet, so I have to sneak.

Graditude List

Thank God for Rain!

For getting the plants in the ground and the delicates covered before the cold came.

For all I am learning in my photoshop classes. My head may pop but it will be confetti that comes out! *g*

For our old Dane Girl Phoebe who is still with us at 15 years old. She is a miracle!

For vacation-time!  We needed the break and it was wonderful!

Happy Wednesday!

Jodiann

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 25th, 2009

Avatars

Well it sure is later! I sure am loving Jack being on vacation! Most of the time, he is just underfoot. ( Sorry Baby) But this time he has dragged me out the door to all kinds of adventure. Yesterday it was a quick trip to town for a car repair and it turned into a 4 hour window shop for  computer stuff in which we drove salespeople crazy just hanging around so long.  I guess folks don’t spend 4 hours in a store and only buy a phone and a box of pens?  

We looked at external drives, monitors, printers, printer ink, wacom tablets, computer lap desks, microwaves, phones, pens ( no luck on my fav,  disposable BIC gel) I bought a box of Sharpie Fine.  The next best thing. 

Did I tell you my Jack LOVES to shop? 

Me, not so much!  I like to tag, bag, and boogie.

Jack makes it fun though, he is not afraid to pull things off the shelf and open them up so I can see better. ( I be short)  He is willing to listen to my ideas about a new monitor mount I would like to have. ( short on workspace too)  I tell you, this man is in his element in a store. 

Anywhoo!  A quick car drop off turned into all day, we barely made it home for dinner.  Our boys are starting to miss us.  Out for 3 days straight, they think they have been abandoned.

To the Avatars!

I made these on Saturday before the dashing began and haven’t even had time to show the kids. I guess I will send them the blog link so they can catch up with their mom! *g*

for Nate

Nathan again, Xbox glow.

Dillon Hippy Style

Dillon again, Red on Rust

 Thought I did more than 2 each, okay, wishful thinking.

Graditude List:

For healthy kids. May we all count this blessing.

For my Jack, who finds me adjusting my car seat SO amusing he got the hiccups. May that always be.  * hic *

For Teenagers,  they entertain, they remind us we’re the crypt keeper at 42 ( that’s old to a teen) , and they miss us when we take off for a few days. Priceless! 

For Harvey, my dear heart Great Dane, who has digestive issues, nerve damage, hip dysplasia, and separation anxiety.  Who behaved brilliantly the last few days while the boys were in charge.  Thanks Harvey!

Happy Monday!

Jodiann

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 23rd, 2009

Plum Rust Alpha

Well, I blew it.  I get it now, Alpha Previews should show the alphas up close.  Dur!  Instead of re-doing the preview which I itch to do I added a close up swatch to the one I made. I know better for next time.

So here is that preview again.

Plum Rust Alpha with Up Close Lookie

Read More about this Alpha.

I will be back later today to show you some avatars I made for my boys when they are online gaming. They told me a thing or two of what they wanted and I went from there.

Happy Sunday!

Jodiann

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 22nd, 2009

Alpha Freebie

First off I am so tickled by all those who enjoyed my first kit. Its hard to describe how all the sweet words I am reading make me feel. Its great to get such lovely feedback and comments. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart all the way up!

Okay, Freebie-time.  A messy Plum Rust Alpha.

Plum Rust Alpha

Sorry Links Disabled.

Meant to go with the Spring Reception freebie kit I made last week, but could go with quite a few Spring kits I am seeing lately.

I love goodies! Extra goodies all the better.  In addition to numbers (0-9) and each alpha letter ( each a separate PNG) I have included some of the special symbols I enjoy. Question Mark, Exclaimation Point, Period, and Asterics, as well as the every popular Amperstand. I always want those when I don’t have them.

I have also included 2 contact sheets in PSD form with some of my favorite doodles and dings. These layered files will help you pick out the goodies you want easily. ( no selection or cropping needed)  If you want the entire ding file for your use, find the Read Me/TOU file in the download. In the credits are the ding font names and where to find online files. Some are for pay fonts, but most are freeware.

Graditude List:

For such a lovely golf trip yesterday! Who says you can’t have a vacation in just one day! I feel renewed!

For all  the blog readers out there. Thanks girls! I am overwhelmed with your sweetness!

For the yard full of grass to mow.  Spring in Texas has begun.

For the bumper sticker I saw yesterday that gave me a giggle.

“Eat Beef!   The west wasn’t tamed by salad.”

For Advil. The day after golf can be a tad rough.

Happy Saturday!

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 21st, 2009

Day Trip

My Jack took a week off, so we decided to squeeze in a day to golf a course up north of us that we have been meaning to get to for years. Turtle Hill. Muenster, Texas.

What a great time!  An easy 2 hour drive from DFW, the weekday traffic was a breeze. Giant Wind Turbines border the property, they are hypnotic always, but up-close they are even more so. They sound like helicopters, a gentle swishing sound and they are massive! Anyway, the golf was tip top.

Bent Grass Greens, Pine Trees, Bluffs, Million Dollar Views, this place had it all and the lovely small town feel of the place was a treat.  If you’re like us and your game goes to pot the moment someone starts hitting into you from behind,  you need to visit here.  The layout of this course makes it difficult for anyone to press hard.

I SO wish I would have remembered my camera. The views were wonderful and the trees were barely budding. I can’t imagine how beautiful this place is when the trees leaf out.  And the greens!  Soft from recent rains and so well maintained  we rejoiced over each ball mark we had to fix ( not many we don’t hit greens often like pros do) 

 Our games just soared on this wonderful course. It wasn’t that the course is easy it just put us in the right frame of mind to get our best game. From the greeting we received when we walked in to sign in to each groundskeeper we passed we were made welcome, right up to the final goodbye, this course and its people just ooze respect for a relaxed game of golf.

 Jack and I were dorking around on one hole and noticed a groundsman bent over a chainsaw, it was a calamity hole for us, Jack up against a tree and I hanging off the edge of the green in the rough stuff. Well, Jack tried to bounce it off the tree and make the green but it came back over my head to land softly at my feet. No one lost an eye,  we just giggled and giggled.  Every one of our screw ups was a happy miracle and we were in stitches by the time we putted out.  Only when we left  and the chainsaw roared to life, did we get it. The guy wasn’t tinkering with his chainsaw, he was waiting for us to finish so he could work.  We are so grateful he waited for us, even though we acted like a couple of hooligans and our score there was dismal we were given a gift greater than any low score but having THE best time EVER on a golf course at that hole.

That is how they are there, just delightfully focused what is right. 

If you are used to a course that is completed, well marked, and has no surprises. Stay home.  There are greensman all over the place, new tee boxes going in, work on paths, gravel drops going on every hole, but its just seems so natural for this to be taking place. Turtle Hill is carved out of nature so it seems right that it is still being tweeked and reworked. This is as close to camping as golfing ever gets. ( I have never used the words golfing and camping in the same sentence.) Pay attention or you will go off the side of a cliff. ( a couple carts looked like they had a time or two) This is a hilly course and one hole will be windy the next protected and shady it really makes one think. I had many 150 yard shots yesterday, but I have never used so many different clubs to accomplish them before. It was wonderful to be so challenged and feel so little pressure at the same time.

This course is all about feel. If you’re introducing someone to the game, playing bestball with your kids, or want to share a special experience with a non-golfer there is plenty to see other than golf on this course and there is absolutely no rat race.

We will go back again and again. For us, the drive was not just worth it, but part of the charm.

Oh, nearly forgot! We paid about $50 bucks for two adults to golf including cart.  Spent $20 on gas and ate out twice.  All in all a solid $100 day.  Our local course charges more than than for a round. So we feel pretty great all the way around about our outing!

Happy Saturday!

Jodiann

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 21st, 2009

Mom-i-dioms

Thinking about my mom got me remembering her sayings. She has a ton of them!

“I will be there with bells on!”

Often overheard her using this one on the phone.  No common acceptance. This means, I will show up joyfully and tell everyone I know to come too. 

Goodie-GumDrops!

Where other moms would say, “That’s nice, dear.”  or the occasional “Neat” This is what I heard and always with excitement.  Joy to the ears! Could be used sarcastically on occasion, still made me giggle.

“Kill’em with kindness”  

 The inevidable response to “my teacher hates me”, and other things I whined about when I was a teen. I still good advice today. It works when I want to part someone’s hair with a lawn chair.  The voice in my head that sounds like my mom says this and I realize its SO not worth  being hacked off about.  I’ll just be nice instead.  Note: doesn’t always work. I am not as nice as my mom.

“Tough Titty Bumps”

The classic. This works on so many levels. Mom said this one so fast that no one in public knew how base she was being.  I was maybe 21 before I figured it out literally, but I knew  it meant “Life is hard, get over yourself.”

“Tough Titties”

When time was short. 

“If that has puppies I want one.”

It says “I like that dress, top, hat, etc so much I wish I had one.”  I have seen hardened librarians, and the sternest school marms melt when these words come out of mom’s mouth.  The compliment ANYONE happily accepts.

“Judas Priest!” 

Made mom very popular in the 80’s, but she has been saying this since the 50’s. It expresses shock. When I changed my haircolor to purple with black tips before the family reunion, out came this gem. It says ” I couldn’t be more surprised if Judas himself became a priest.”

“Better than a kick in the teeth.”

All purpose line.  Expresses reasonable satisfaction with negative  circumstance. Recognizes it can always be worse. Just below  “Every cloud has a silver lining” and right above “count your blessings” on the Scale of Suck.

“Sleep Tight. Don’t Let the bedbugs bit, if they do take a shoe and smack’um two by two.”

The ageless goodnight. Used on me until I was 12 and after that when I was sick and therefore vunerable to being charmed. My boys love it when Granny says this goodnight over the phone. Granny cute has no age limit; unlike Mommy cute.

Graditude List:

Inspired  today by an email I read, with a few changes. 

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.
  
Even though I slam the snooze and  resent the alarm.  Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
 
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.
 
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
 
Even though the first hours of my day can be hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and nothing seems to go as planned. Thank you, Lord, for my noisy house and family. There are many who are lonely.
 
Even though our morning meal will never look  like those in in magazines and we often make unhealthy choices.  Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
 
Even though the routine of my job often is hectic and time is always short and often I wish I could just get away.  Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
 
Even though my circumstances are modest. I may not travel to distant lands,  stay in fancy hotels, or ever drive a new car,  and sometimes I wish I could.  I have a place to live, food to eat and when I think about it ALL I really  need. Thank you, Lord, for  this simple precious life.

Even though my drive home can be marked with unkindness and even danger. Thank you, Lord, for the other people on the road. All our lives work because we depend on each other though we sometimes get in each others way in our rush.
 
Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live in a better and happier place.

Be the Beauty. Be the Joy. Be the Grace. Be Happier.

Happy Wednesday!

Jodiann

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 18th, 2009

Happy Birthday Mom!

I thought about my mom all day yesterday since it was her birthday.  Tried to get her on the phone.   ( We don’t live close.) Of course she was out all day being wined and dined by all her friends and my dear Dad too. Not to mention all my brothers and sisters trying to call like I was. No wonder I didn’t get to do more than leave messages.

I will keep trying!

Mom, 76 never stops moving. She is not only the most active person I have ever met but all that activity is in giving back to her community. If she is not feeding the homeless at the St. Vincent De Paul, she is doing multiple things for her church, her town, single moms, deployed troops, and seniors from all over. Of course, my dad is the same. BUSY! Sometimes they work together and other times they are going different directions.  He swears they actually got busier once he retired. I believe him!

When home, Mom still zoom zooms at her sewing machine. She actually wishes she could stay home more so she could sew.  Many organizations benefit from her sewing, happily my family is one! My boys have 2 delightful quilts made by her on their beds right now and a closet full of throws going back to their baby days. We are surrounded by her crafty love in homemade Christmas decorations every year. A great mom and a wonderful Granny! We may not be able to catch up to her, but we DO have THE MOST AWESOME souvenirs!  Happy Birthday MOM!

Mom at Two

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 17th, 2009

Floral Mugging & other digressions

 A year ago I was in Big Lots ( discount, end run store) minding my own business buying candy for my hubby and a year’s worth of jelly. You know how that works. When I find something like Red Plum Jelly that my family loves and its seldom in regular stores, I  buy 18 jars at a $1 each, while doing the happy I-have-the-world-in-my-pocket-dance. They also had Peach, my favorite so 18 more jars. Turns out a year supply is only 6 jars, but I digress.

Well, I am rattling up to the checkout with a cart full of  shifting jelly jars and Hershey’s Kisses and SLAM! BOOM! I got mugged by 3 rolls of Waverly Black and White Floral Wallpaper.  It beat me over the head, took over my cart, and bought itself. I only slightly remember it knowing which check card to use. ( I have one for a personal, and one for household  expenses) Those cheeky rolls knew they were a household expense.

What was I going to do with this stuff?  I don’t even care for wallpaper, but when you know, you know…you know? I brought it home to my tiny round house and with nowhere to keep it safe from cat claws, and incontinent dogs and stashed it behind my bedroom door in a narrow cardboard box. I assured myself all was right with the world now that I had 3 rolls of wallpaper I might never use. Okay, so I had twinges of guilt. I tucked the guilt in the box too ( my best Scarlet O’Hara impression “I’ll think about that tomorrow” )and went on my merry way.

And when I say “merry way” what I really mean was my parents were coming to visit in 3 weeks, we were half finished with building an outdoor shed as a family project. One of our Great Danes, Andrew was in heavy re-training for killing a yard Guinea ( our only hen) and there was a toilet in the back my suburban ( aka Dana) that needed to be placed over the hole stuffed with a rag in our downstairs bath and we just discovered the guts to make it work were missing and 2 mystery parts ( from other toilets) were in their place.

Hence, my visit to town to tell my tale of woe at Lowe’s and make the exchange. Which I did, but with a feeling that some other poor toilet buyer was going to be right back there, tale of woe in hand, because how on earth did they get the parts for me unless a backroom transplant took place, right? ( deep breath to finish this ramble) Hence the guilt of what I had done to some future DIY-er  made for discount shopper therapy with a side order of  wallpaper at Big Lots.

…Not the time to profess to the world I found the most beautiful wallpaper.  My husband is a patient man, well, actually no he’s not, he is a man used to be spoiled rotten with a few girlie flair ups now and then.  I was in the middle of having 2 of those to fuel both the finish of the family shed by the time my parents arrived and a toilet being planted in the bathroom. Pronto!  ( to be secured by a Hershey brib) So again, not the time to allude out loud ANY future DIY project plans, which were holding try outs in my head, because of the secret wallpaper!  *whisper* I told no one. 

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago. The pocket door in the bathroon which has given us fits since we moved in 16 years ago finally  punting hubby over the edge. It was a long time coming since we didn’t use the door at all but instead just left it wide open and talked loud or hummed to let others know we were  in there. We shouted from around the corner, “Anyone in there!” Okay, only I did that, the men of the house  used the science of  the  bathroom mirror to see if my face appeared at potty sitting height and would slink away.  I would hear them shuffle off, and commence the humming or talking about nothing. (of which this post is example)  Only recently was I briefed on the mirror trick. Elitists!

Oh, where was I?  Pocket door, Yes! Well it finally pushed Jack over the edge and he cut a hole in the wall and put it back on its track.  My job is to cover the hole. I decided a tiny door would be best since I know Murphy’s Law. That pocket door is going to break again ( probably in our retirement where a  fall from a stepstool will break a hip) so a drywall repair is just going to be cut away again later.   I promised myself I was going to repaint that wall as a reward for putting in zee tiny door. That  is when the wallpaper spoke to me.  “Don’t repaint    …wallpaper”  Well the idea of wallpaper lead to the idea of wainscot and if your hubby is any like mine I need to make a test wall to sell him on the entire project.  So…

…yesterday the mother-mugging wallpaper was resurrected from behind my bedroom door for the test wall.  Yes, on the project started last year with the new toilet that lead to the Big Lots jelly and all that jazz.  Irony.

Mother Mugging Wallpaper

I will tell you about the wainscot cutting fiasco another day.

...and another

Seeing this finished test wall all hubby could say ” When’d ya’ get the wallpaper?”  I looked him right in the chest and said, ” Last year..” I kept an open tone so he would think I was going to embark on a long explaination. He wisely ditched me. He hasn’t been married to the same woman for nearly 20 years and not picked up a few tricks of his own. *snicker*

Gratitude List:

For Big Lots, may she forever stand. Waving her freak flag of castoffs and end runs!

For Husbands who will do anything for chocolate and run at the hint of rambling conversations.

For a year supply of Plum and Peach Jelly I did not have to make myself.

For Lois, who taught me how to make Jelly in the long ago, time before time, time. 

For Blog readers, who stick it out to the end!

Hugs and Sunday Kisses!

Jodiann

Tweet This Post

Edited: March 15th, 2009