Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
Happy New Year

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

She Got It!

For those who know how worried I've been about the picture, it arrived safely in LA today and Jessi has let me know it arrived in one piece. Yea!

Monday, November 28, 2005

Party Preparations

Mother wanted this picture taken to prove to Elenore that we followed her instructions. Posted by Picasa

PARTY REPORT

We have all just celebrated Mother's 90th Birthday. Her family guest list included: PRINT, ELAINE, Martin, Donna, Brandi, Alisha, Cody, Melissa, Mark, Calin, Jacob, Hunter, Melinda, Paul, Jared, ELENORE, DAVID, Christy, Ethan, Karen, Scott, Nora, Mike, ANN, RON, Tandy, Ryan, Dillon, Beth, Chelle, Kit, Mike, Hope.

Elaine's friend Lynn was there also as our photographer.

Print and Elaine headed the party committee. Elaine absolutely outdid herself with every special touch. She gathered and organized THE BOX with words and special memories we all shared and fixed the picture table.

Print worked closely with Mike Davis of the Manor Food Service to plan the wonderful meal and the beautiful cake and ice cream. Mr. Davis gave every aspect of your party his personal attention.

Elenore and I were the decorating committee. Elaine saved us on that deal too.

We know Mother was exhausted by the end of the day, but we all rejoiced in the opportunity to be together and celebrate her 90 years.

I was happy to be Elenore's ambassador in charge of Mom's hair and lipstick. Ron and I both were glad to share her birthday devotional that morning.

We all give thanks for the safety of travelers with everyone arriving home safely. Shortly after I arrived home, Ron and I had to go to the cellar as a tornado warning was issued. It went right over us but did not touch down. I was worried about the chickens because Ron said I could not bring them in the cellar!

We all thank mother for allowing all of her "chicks" to celebrate for her and with her. We love her so much and value every memory of her impact on our lives.

Now we will leave her alone for while so she can recuperate.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

ELIZABETH'S 90TH

Today is the birthday of Mother.
She stands far above any other.
She has never been flighty.
Today she celebrates 90.
Just staying home is her favorite druther.

Happy Birthday.
We love you Mama
!

Thursday, November 24, 2005

THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

We are on our way to Tulsa to share this day with Mother and Tandy. We are thinking of all that we have to be thankful for -- mainly ALL Of YOU!

Monday, November 21, 2005

JASMINE

Jasmine is Princess-Of-The-Day
She should have everything her way.
She is clever we know
Her beauty is always a'glow
We miss her more than we can say!

Happy, Happy 12th Birthday Jasmine --
We love you!

Friday, November 18, 2005

Hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee's Jessi

 Posted by Picasa

NOT SO HALE AND HEARTY

I am afraid that my efforts to raise chicks hatched by the mother hen have not been very good. We finally had a total of six chicks and three have died. The three survivors seem hale and hearty but this is not a good time of year to hatch chicks and as hard as the mother tries to keep them warm, they still might not make it.

Supposedly the best was to raise baby chicks is to let the mother care for them. I no longer believe that and will stay with our method of raising day old chicks on the porch for several weeks in the spring.

We are very excited about next week. Ron, Tandy and I will have Thanksgiving with mother at the manor. Then we will all be there for Mother's 90th birthday celebration on Saturday the 26th. Elaine has put together the neatest gift for mother that we have all participated with input.

Speaking of birthday bashes -- Elenore had the nicest little party for Ron this week. We went over to her house and she fixed a nice lunch and gave Ron the neatest presents including the best card he has ever received. I will have to figure some way to post it on my blog.

This week was successful in one venture for Tandy, now we just need to receive that phone call that says he is employed and all will be well. Keep those prayers a coming.

Also add some prayers for Kit. He's got some kind of ailment that causes his muscles to be sore and the doctor is running several blood tests. We're sure all will be well, but extra prayers can never hurt.

Jessi has finally checked in on her blog and she and Joe are thrilled with their new apartment. I mailed her picture to her yesterday that has a place reserved over their couch. It was hard to let go of this picture I was allowed to babysit for several years. I took a picture of it before I let it go and will post that on my blog. I sure hope it arrives in Los Angeles safe and sound.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

CHICKEN ANNIE'S MAGNUM OPUS

I told Ryan these chicks looked like little penguins. He suggested the name Opus for one. I decided to call the group Magnum Opus because they are such good work for this broody hen, one of the Chicken Annies. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, November 13, 2005

BAD BOY BOSS

I told Kass to watch out for Boss Hog. She was alert the first day and was able to thwart his attempts to attack her. She fed him marshmallows and seemed to win his confidence. The second day she let down her guard and WHAM, out of no where he flogged her. His big old spurs went into her ankle and we had to get out all the medicine to begin medical assistance. Perhaps he was such a bad boy because he's a new father and was protecting the additions to his family. I think I'm going to have to put out BEWARE THE ROOSTER signs.

I cannot report on the baby chicks because the broody hen is guarding them with her life. Hopefully we have more than two today but I have read that it is best to leave her alone. Maybe I'll be able to count them later today or tomorrow.

Roger and Kass have returned home, but we felt confident that Kass would heal from her wounds satisfactorily. How terrible is it to have company and send them off wounded from your chickens? Oh woe. At least it wasn't Roger. He's headed for enough pain with upcoming knee replacement surgery on the 25th. We'll be holding him in our thoughts and prayers.

Saturday, November 12, 2005

NEWS FLASH!!!!!

It has begun. Chicks are hatching. This morning I checked to find two already here and peeping away. We named one Kass and the other Roger since they are here for the debut. Ron thinks we might end up with eight chicks even though she is sitting on 13 eggs. This is so very exciting! Stay tuned.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

MURDERING TIME

It is that time of year again. The cold weather brings out the hungry, wild predators and they stalk my chickens. Last night I went down to close the chickens in their house, only to find the remains of the day. The living chickens were packed tightly in the house and I could not get an accurate count, but it appeared that two chickens were missing, though only one chicken body was on the ground. It is a sad event for me to find a murdered chicken. I have been so proud about my cautious care and attention to the 30 chickens, only to learn that the predators will prevail if determined enough.

This morning in the light of day Inspector Ron will join me in the pen to investigate and see if any tracks were left that will identify the assailant. I guess my only job will be to make the chalk outline of the deceased chicken, try to identify the body and count the survivors. I make light only because it truly pains me so.

On a happier note, we are expecting a blessed event as any day now the broody hen should begin hatching her chicken children. The cycle proceeds as new birth follows death.

Monday, November 07, 2005

JOY BOY FROM ILLINOIS

Ron is my hero man born in Illinois
His family said he will never deploy.
Then the doctor showed up
Said he’s alive - pick him up
Til the day he can say Ship Ahoy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RON.
I love you so much my dear!

$1.99

We had a wonderful trip to Archie yesterday. Chelle fed us a delicious lasagna while Ron watched Kit repair his trailer and Mike and Hope entertained us all. It was a good start on Ron's birthday celebrating.

On the way home we stopped in Nevada, MO for gas and paid $1.99 per gal. for unleaded. Yipee.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

My Friend Boss Hog

Last night I walked with my chickens. I had learned at one of the reunions we attended that chickens like marshmallows. I remembered to try some out on my chickens. We walked and I threw down bits of marsmalllow. They all liked them, but Boss Hog loved them! He stayed right with me after the others wandered off and he was quite the gentleman and he smiled and enticed me to throw him more. We have overcome a hurdle.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Back In Time

This week while visiting with mother, she went back in time. She talked about the first parsonage they lived in. We were talking about our "commodities" and she mentioned the parsonages furnished with the cast-off pieces of furniture from church members. Mother hated that. I never knew. She said she always wanted brand new. She said her father was proud of her that she managed to accept her lifestyle graciously and had mentioned that her older sister would never have been able to live that way.

Mother also told me about their chickens. The received 100 baby chicks. She kept them on the porch until they were big enough to move to the garage. She said dad was never interested in the chickens until they were big enough to become food. He would kill them and mother would clean and cook them. She said they sure ate a lot of fried chicken.

OF COURSE

Greetings Ann --

Here is your horoscope for Saturday, November 5:

Don't worry about trusting the person you love. They may seem erratic, but if
they say they'll keep their word, no matter what, you won't have to worry about
it. They'll do exactly what they've promised.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

POLITICALLY HOMELESS

My sister and I talked on the phone yesterday. We expressed our frustration and disgust with all of the current political upheaval. Probably we are both moderates. We have things that appeal to us from both parties and things that disgust up about both parties. We are women concerned with our families and those things that impact us day-to-day. Suddenly our concentration is broken by the leaders of our country taking our time and spending our money on whatever new scandal they can dig up to be the headline of the day. My sister said, "I feel homeless". I knew just what she meant. We can do nothing but bow to the opinions of lifetime politicians who have no interest in anything but their own squabbles and agendas and the American people might as well bend over and kiss their asses goodbye. If you feel politically homeless, please feel free to comment.