Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
Happy New Year

Sunday, December 30, 2007

MORE YEAR END EXCITEMENT


Our son-in-law had a successful fishing trip to Branson just before Christmas this year. This photo only reflects a minor portion of all the fish they caught. There were rows and rows!
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Saturday, December 29, 2007

IS IT THE NEW YEAR YET?


I came back to blog world too soon. It was not part of my plan to post before the New Year but I had to have show and tell to close out the old year. See those sweet little feet? Those sympolize walking away from 2007. Those are my precious daughter's almost 36 year old toes. You can tell I'm inspired by Nora!
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GRANDSON'S ART WORK


This is a Nativity Scene our grandson made at church. Joseph is very tall, like our grandson. Mary and baby Jesus both have red hair. I don't know what that's about. At first you might say our grandson has a future as an artist until you realize we're talking about 15 year old Ryan! LOL I think he couldn't leave Sunday School until he finished the art project so he whipped this up very quickly. Know that I shall treasure it forever!
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THIS IS WHAT IS LEFT


Today we were out wandering the countryside and we saw a Reasor's Grocery. Ron thought it looked like a store that might carry pickled herring. Not only did they have pickled herring, they also had King Crab! What you see that is left does not begin to even hint at how much we consumed! This grocery store is about 30 minutes from home and you can bet we'll be traveling back there.
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GREAT GATHERING OR GATHERING OF THE GREAT


My son, me, my son-in-law, my daughter.


Son and his kiddos.


Granny Annie with her flock.


My daughter, son-in-law and kiddos.
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ROLL CALL

YEAR END LIVESTOCK ROUND UP AT NOL-NOC ESTATES II

Rooster Boys
Swap Meet Daryl and
Other Brother Daryl
Easter Rocky
Easter Elizabeth
Easter Legs
Tiger Lily's Elvis
Swap Meet Polish Victor Boy
Guinea Fowl Milton

Unknown Gender Chick
Tiger Lily's Caesar

Hens
Silky Tiger Lily
Silky Elenore
Australorp Twyla
Australorp Twyla 2
Australorp Twyla 3
Australorp Twyla 4
Rhode Island Red June
Rhode Island Red June 2
Rhode Island Red June 3
Rhode Island Red June 4
Swap Meet Polish Victor Girl
Araucauna Noble Davie
Araucauna Parton
Araucauna Chicken Little
Easter Owen
Easter Black Hawk
Sex-link Chicken Annie
Sex-link Chicken Annie 2

Dogs
Black Mouth Cur Slim

Cats
Soccer ball
Dorothy
Simone
Mannah
Hissy
Fit
Tinkerpaugh

Through the ice storm and increased hunger of predators I failed to note the untimely passing of: Curly, Beulah Dean, Black Hawks 2 & 3 and Cleopatra. May they RIP. Pat the Guinea Fowl disappeared when she was guarding her nest and I believe she is off raising her keets. I hear that Guineas will go off and live on their own and that is the best thing to believe.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

SEASONS GREETINGS


We wish you the happiest of holiday cheer
We look forward to seeing you all next year!
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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

CHRISTMAS SURPRISE


I thought Jessi would tell me when she posted her Hawaii photos. I discovered these by accident this morning and it was like opening Christmas presents. Because of my slow computer, I could not open all 141 but eventually I'll get to see them. Meanwhile I stopped at this one and cried. This is a perfect picture of Jessi and what she is all about.
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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

YESTERDAY......

Yesterday all my problems seemed so..................close. Actually I have no problems, but every once in a while my brain will skip a beat and I will go back in time. First the 1955 article directing how wives should treat their husbands, then the article about the mistreatment of the Saudi women, then my personal stroll down memory lane of my life in the corporate lane. It always tends to throw me into a bit of shock when I realize that women, despite all our accomplishments, will always be second class citizens to certain groups of people. Sadly that group also includes other women. We are our own worst enemies.

Just like our faith, our politics, our chosen careers, we must live them not preach them. I did not rail against my mistreatment in the workplace, I simply kept putting one foot in front of the other to move ahead. I do not require others to accept my faith, but I hope my life is a good example to them about what I believe. I respect each person's chosen profession and judge them by their accomplishments in their field and the pride they show in what they do.

Oops, I accidentally stepped back on my soapbox. To show how crazy I was yesterday, I cut my own hair! First, I am bald on top but the rest of my hair is long. I cut it back to less than one inch all over my head. Now my wigs fit better.

I have inherited my baldness. One nice lady approached me at a ship reunion and said, "Why do you wear wigs? We know you don't have cancer because you have eyebrows." Women ..don't you love them?

Monday, December 17, 2007

BEFORE I GET OFF MY SOAPBOX

1967 My first job out of college was working for an insurance company steno pool. I would be called into the various executive offices to take dictation. One gentleman had lovely pictures of his family on his desk. He would have me close his office door and on the back on his door was a poster of a full length nude woman. Did that make me uncomfortable? You bet!

This same company the President of the firm would claim zipper problems and have his secretary help him zip his pants every morning.

The company party at the firm did not include family members and was held at a lake resort over a weekend. I managed to get an excuse to skip this mandatory party because I was pregnant.

1968 Interviewing for my next job, I was asked if we were planning a family. (I had miscarried my first.) I said "no" and the interviewer went further to ask what form of birth control we were using.

After my divorce in 1975 I was single working mom with two small children. I was required to be at work and sick children did not constitute an excuse for absence. They could not go to daycare sick so if my parents could not help out with the children, I would hire Grandmother's Inc. and pay the sitter twice what I made that day.

My 30 year career spanned more discrimination than I can begin to list here. I made it to a high position in my field but not as far as I could have with a little more "cooperation". Even with that I still had to ignore the comments that came with each promotion dealing with sleeping my way to the top.

I managed to take care of my family, continue my education, move ahead in my field while training men and watching them move ahead of me at a rapid pace. Keeping my nose to the grindstone allowed me to achieve a lot. Perhaps my slow plodding and my limited success did help make a difference for other career women today.

I had stacks of documentation in boxes under my bed when I retired. Evidence for law suits on sexual discrimination. The day I burned them and let go was a cleansing episode in my life.

But,

did I believe Anita Hill? -- You bet I did!

HEADLINE DOESN'T REALLY TELL STORY

Saudi king pardons rape victim
Abdullah reportedly spares woman in sex-assault case from jail and lashes

AP Associated Press
updated 2:27 a.m. CT, Mon., Dec. 17, 2007

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has pardoned a female rape victim who had been sentenced to six months in prison and 200 lashes for being alone with a man who was not related to her, a Saudi newspaper reported Monday.

Saudi Justice Minister Abdullah bin Muhammed al-Sheik told al-Jazirah newspaper that the pardon does not mean the king doubted the country's judges, but instead acted in the "interests of the people."

"The king always looks into alleviating the suffering of the citizens when he becomes sure that these verdicts will leave psychological effects on the convicted people, though he is convinced and sure that the verdicts were fair," al-Jazirah quoted al-Sheik as saying.

The victim in the case, known only as the "Girl of Qatif" after her hometown in eastern Saudi Arabia, was in a car with a man in 2006 when they were attacked and raped by seven men.

Strict rules

She was initially sentenced in November 2006 to several months in prison and 90 lashes for being alone in a car with a man with whom she was neither related nor married, a violation of the kingdom's strict segregation of the sexes.

The woman, who was 19 at the time of the rape, has said she met the man to retrieve a picture of herself from him because she had recently married.

The case sparked international outcry, especially after the court more than doubled the sentence last month to 200 lashes and six months prison in response to her appeal.

U.S. President George W. Bush expressed anger at the sentence earlier this month, saying he wondered how he would react if it had been one of his daughters. But he said he had not made his views known directly to the Saudi king, a U.S. ally.

Sentence defended

The Justice Ministry has defended the sentence, saying the girl was having an illicit affair with the man.

Al-Sheik told al-Jazirah newspaper Monday that the king was the only official who could issue a pardon, and he did so despite the government's view that the Saudi legal system was "honest" and "fair."

"The king's order consolidates and confirms what is known about the Islamic courts," said al-Sheik. "Efficient judges look into different cases and issue their just verdicts and those convicted have the right to appeal."

The seven men who were convicted of raping both the girl and the man were initially sentenced to jail terms from 10 months to five years. Their sentences were increased to between two and nine years after the appeal.

I DIDN'T BURN MY BRA


I was too busy in the 60s to burn my bra or take the stage for feminism but this article makes me proud of those who did. Women are still too busy to really take on the daily challenges we face. The sad thing, we've come a long way but still have so far to go. (Click to enlarge this article to read the points.)
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Sunday, December 16, 2007

Sunshine

We have sunshine today. WhooHoo! My son got his power back on last night. Double WhooHoo!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

HE'S ONLY FIFTEEN?


Happy 15th Birthday Ryan!
This is Ryan's confirmation photo. He was confirmed two weeks after his brother and sister.
Ryan is a fine young man. He has a cool exterior and a sweet, sensitive interior.
Ryan is supportive of friends and family.
It seems like only yesterday that I held this sweet baby boy in my arms. Ron and I share Ryan as our third oldest grandchild in our combined family, but he was MY first born grandchild and the stories just keep getting better.
Love you Ryan!
(Ryan's birthday celebrations are in limbo since they STILL are without power and are looking for more winter storms to come in tonight! You can guess what my birthday wish for Ryan is -- clear skies and warmer temperatures and electricity!)
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Friday, December 14, 2007

GOVERNMENT SEAL


Official Announcement:
The government today announced that it is changing its emblem from an Eagle to a CONDOM because it more accurately reflects the government's political stance. A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the
next generation, protects a bunch of pricks, and gives you a sense
of security while you're actually being screwed!

Damn, it just doesn't get more accurate than that!
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

OKLAHOMA ICING


This is my son's driveway the first day of the storm. He, thankfully, moved his car to a restaurant parking lot a few blocks away that was not surrounded by trees. It wasn't long before his driveway was full of large tree limbs.
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

IN WITH CRACKLE-CRASH OUT WITH CRACKLE-CRASH

We have been talking about this ice storm as compared to the ice storm last year. Well, I just checked and the other ice storm was this year as well. We opened 2007 with ice from January 13th to January 22. The trees were crashing to the ground sounding like bombs. Here we go again to close out 2007

Ron and I got out to the store today and were totally shocked at all the destruction by falling trees. I took pictures but none of them did justice to the images we witnessed first hand.

We almost witnessed a riot too. Wal-Mart was expecting a load of generators and about 150 people were waiting. The problem? Wal-Mart was only expecting 40 generators so people were already arguing about who was first in line. We got out of there quickly.

Did we buy gasoline before we came home? No way. We finally found a station with a decent waiting line and as we moved to the next up, the manager came out and put bags on all the pumps. The had run out of gasoline!

We are better off than most people because we can drag our fallen limbs into a pile and burn them. My poor son lives in the city and is going to have to reduce the size of his limbs for the city to pick them up. He is also still without power and has been told it may be a week to ten days before he gets power back.

And now hear this......they are saying we have more to come tonight.


Monday, December 10, 2007

WHAT WE MEAN

When we say soldiers, we mentally include men and women. When we say brothers we mean brothers and sisters and when we say sons, we mean sons and daughters. Last week Ron and I attended the local DAV annual Christmas party. We were seated at the table with two very nice couples. I asked the women if they were members of the auxiliary and they informed me that THEY were the veterans. Female vets usually don't attend reunions or other organization activities so this was nice to see they are getting comfortable receiving recognition for their service.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY


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CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...

“We couldn’t do anything in this country if it wasn’t for the people who gave their lives to protect us. It’s a great honor to be able to come here and pay our respects.” Merrill Worchester to Air Force reporter in 2005

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. Of Harrington , Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Read here about Wreaths Across America

Sunday, December 09, 2007

MEMORIES


Tandy sent this to remind us when we were the Advent Family.

THERE'S THE CHURCH
AND THE WINDOW STEEPLE
WHERE'S THE GATHERING
WHO IS THAT ONE PEOPLE?




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ICY SUNDAY

We are coated with ice. It is only a matter of time before we lose power. We will not attempt to get to church today. I remember my dad (a pastor) never closing the church for ice and/or snow. I would say, "You are putting people at risk who feel like they must be at church because it is open." and he would say to me, "Those people do not have to come if they don't want to, but how terrible would it be for the person who needs to be there and battles the elements to get there only to find the church locked?"

CALLED BY HONESTY

Please, please, please give me a Presidential candidate who is "called" to the run for the office by honesty, integrity, high morals, decent ethics, respect for and love of country, belief in our freedom, protection of our constitution, tolerance, fairness, experience, world knowledge, backbone and strong personal inner faith. Do not give me a candidate "called" by God, Yahweh, Allah, Mohammad, Buddha, HIndu murtis, etc., because we have no way of knowing what their Sovereign One will call them to do next. Remember Oral Roberts and his "calling" from a 900 ft Jesus?

Saturday, December 08, 2007

EIGHTEEN YEARS YOUNG


Our oldest grandchild is 18 today! Grandpa Ron was there for the beginning and a big grin spreads over his face when you ask about remembering Joey as a baby. It is obvious he's quite proud of this fellow -- as we all are! We love you...Happy Birthday Joey!
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Friday, December 07, 2007

LIKE JUMPNG ROPE

Getting into the Christmas Spirit is like jumping rope this year. I start to decorate then I get pulled another direction. I got some of the decorations out of the attic but that was as far as it went. I read all the blogs and see the decorating being done. Momentarily I am inspired and as momentarily I am uninspired. Trying to jump into Christmas is difficult this year. If I could tie bells and ribbons on my chickens, they would run around and be my decorations.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

WHO CAN RESIST A GUY IN UNIFORM?


Here is our second oldest grandchild, Ian, in his ROTC Uniform. Is this guy handsome or what?
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Tuesday, December 04, 2007

YES IT SAID HEAVY CREAM

We can't eat this stuff, but we can go to Nelli's Redneck Restaurant and feast in the mental delights. Maybe a few of the things we can try once a month or once a YEAR! I swear that corn chowder recipe sounded good and when I got to the "add heavy cream" I almost cried.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN

Did you see 60 Minutes Sunday night? This special report caught my attention. It is marvelous that we can get laptops in the hands of poor children all around the globe. I do not begrudge that in any way. What I do have to wonder about is how can these laptops be provided with their own power source and WiFi in places like Cambodia when I live four miles out of town in the USA and cannot have WiFi or DSL?

ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Visit The One Acre Wood. See what her friend had practically on their doorstep. Nature is full of serendipity.

PROUD TO BE A REDNECK

Take a minute and read Abandoned In Pasadena. Thank Sandy for another neat post.

Monday, December 03, 2007

SPONGE BOB INSPIRES

Tonight our granddaughter Hope, age 5, had a joke. According to her big brother Michael she learned it from a Sponge Bob cartoon.

Q. "What do you call a snail that drives a ship?"

A. "A Snailer"

SURPRISE FALL

Do you always pay attention? I am often accused (by my beloved spouse) of running amok and not paying attention to my surroundings. Perhaps that is why I fell......again. (Okay, no alcohol was involved honest.)

Yesterday we were in Kansas getting ready for our big auction on Saturday. My mind was racing which caused my body to race which caused my feet to lag behind and the next thing I knew, I was falling. It was such a surprise when I tripped that there was not time to change direction. There was time to reach out with my right hand to soften the blow. Ouch! I hope my thumb is just jammed.

Last year I fell. We had not lived here very long and I got up in the night to go to the bathroom. Venturing back to the bedroom, descending three measly little stairs, I was again caught off guard and tumbled head first. That trusty right arm darted out again and the fall was softened by my pinkie finger as it hit an edge of wood and was sliced open. Blood spurted and I made it back to the bathroom, dripping blood. All of the feeling has still not returned to my little finger.

Is this the beginning of something? Both of these falls occurred after my 60Th birthday. Are people my age falling all over the world -- or am I unique? Of course the other night I darted out after the dog to battle and unknown intruder. Luckily it was a small intruder of some kind but I guess it could have been a large boogy man, bear, lion, etc.

It isn't really the injury that hurts as much as the surprise attack that seems beyond averting. Today I shall begin treading more steathfully.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!*

This morning Slim was outside barking like crazy. Not her usual barking-at-the-cats bark. It had a ferocious blend and was going on way too long. I looked out and could see the chickens awake and moving around the pen smartly. It was too early for them to be off the roost and active in that area. I knew Slim was announcing danger of some kind.

Being the gallant protector of chickens that I try to be, I grabbed the broom and headed out in my nightgown. My joining the fray gave Slim ultimate courage and she bounded into the corner of the barn with gusto. I heard the scuffle become louder and fiercer and suddenly something darted past me in the dark with Slim in hot pursuit. Slim chased the predator to the edge of our property and came back with a look of victory on her face. I have no idea what we conquered but we were the ultimate fighting machine duo!





*about Danger Will Robinson

Saturday, December 01, 2007

NATURE'S PERFECT FOOD


The green eggs are from our Aracaunas, the brown from the Sex-links, the white from our Silky hens.
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INCREDIBLE HOMESTEAD CHICKENS

Glance over this article my husband forwarded to me from MOTHER EARTH NEWS. You will start looking for some way to raise your own chickens or at least you will look harder for free-range eggs. We are amazed at our low bug population compared to neighbors because we have chickens around. FYI we do not eat our chickens, just their lucious eggs!

Enjoy scanning this information on INCREDIBLE HOMESTEAD CHICKENS.