Are You Having a Holly, Jolly Christmas?

Sometimes I feel like a nut... Sometimes I don't!

Oh boy, what a rollercoaster of emotions!

Ups and downs...

Overall, a wonderful Christmas with the family!

Dear Breakfast,

Thank you ever so much, Mr. Bacon, for being ever so scrumptious and keeping the grease "pops" to a minimum.

Thank you cinnimon bun for being exceptionally delicioso!

Thank you Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit for being, simply, "Okay."

Thank you O.J. for just being Y-O-U! You ARE the bomb-diggity for shizzle!

Yours Truely,
Me <3

Reasons To Become A Hermit...

Reason #1: As a whole, I really do not like people. Now, on a case by case basis, it may time some time to become accustomed to your presence.

Reason #2: When virus' hit, I'm speaking mainly of the virus' involving the stomach, it will hit those who come into physical contact with others.

Reason #3: Some people can be really, really cruel; to those they don't know and to those they do know.

Reason #4: I do not like "middle men." I really do not like those people who insist on following this big filter system. (Except the church's policy - they/we are the only ones who seem to take full advantage of it and make it work to communicate with us little folks here at the bottom.)

Reason #5: I do not like people who complain about consequences for their choices. For example, if you drink alcohol and get a hangover the next morning, knowing that a hangover is a side effect of indulging in alcohol, I really don't want to hear you complaining and crying. You drank it, you deal with it!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Megan and I decided to take the older two kiddos, James and Aubrey, to the movies last night. It didn't take but a nano second for them to decide to see the newest Harry Potter flick...



I just have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with it! They left in a lot of the good stuff and changed little... and the ended this one at a good stopping point.

I've always, in theory, liked the bad guys... So Voldemort totally tickles my fancy, as well as Lucius Malfoy, so on and so forth. Anywhoozer, I totally feel I cannot wait for Part 2, but wait I must.

We had so much fun... we laughed and played and talked. A lot of really good quality time with the eldest niece and nephew. At a certain part in the movie, Aubrey jumped literally two feet into the air. She didn't scream out, which would have made it even more funny. We giggled SO hard, I was about 3 seconds from having to walk out and get myself under control. And what made it even worse was when she leaned over and whispered to me, "I think I peed a little." THEN, she has to tell me a few seconds later that, "If something like that happened again, I think I'll pee for real." She's too funny!

James asked us what our favorite and scariest parts were, mine were (favorite), without giving away the movie for those who haven't seen it yet, when Ron came back to Harry and Hermione and Ron tells Hermione the reason for his return and the scariest for me was when Harry and Ron opened the locket Horcrux...kinda creepy.

Definitely a 5 star movie, waiting to make a count on the awards this things pulls in!

Well, I Declare!

Okay, after I watched this movie (finally), there are a few things I feel I MUST declare!

* I declare that "P.S. I Love You" is a GREAT, heart-wrenching, heart-felt, heart-heeling movie! It is my new fave!

* I declare that I now MUST read the book!



* I declare that Hilary Swank, on a scale of 1 to 10, gave a 12+ performance in this movie! It is, by far, the best thing I have seen her in, so far...



* I feel that I now MUST declare that Gerard Butler is a "cutie patootie." Which is kinda weird, because I've never thought so before. Sure he's tall, dark and handome, has an accent and is totally rugged in appearance...okay, I guess he's always been a "cutie patootie." Never Mind! ;)



* I MUST now declare that all who read, MUST now watch this movie. Even if you've seen it before... please, watch it again. Take my word for it, ITS AWESOME!! A very bitter/sweet, happy/sad movie. I normally HHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTEEEEE these kinds of movies, but this one has something special.

The Cookie Carnival

I know this sounds silly, but I like to find meanings in silly things...

I absolutely LOVE the old Disney Silly Symphony cartoons!! I find the animation interesting and there is always lots of music (more than words most of the time)!

This particular cartoon is a bit special to me... I quick synopsis - There is a carnival in town, a town made of candies and treats. A gingerbread man hobo comes into town and finds a lonely gingerbread woman. She's a bit plain and even on the side of ugly. He finds her crying because she's not taking part in the parade, where the other girls are being judged to be the Queen.

Then something amazing happens - He begins to change her view of herself. He makes her see how special, beautiful and wonderful she is.

The coolest thing, to me, is that he does this deed with no obvious gains for himself. He simply wants HER to realize that she has just as good a chance...and not just a chance...a CERTAINTY that she IS the Cookie Queen. Too "sweet"!!!

He quickly gets her to the parade and barely makes it. And when the judges see her, she's immediately named Queen!

But who is going to be the King? "A King! A King! The Queen must have a King" they sing.

On the other hand, something that bums me, is that now, all of a sudden, now that she's beautiful and confident, she has all kinds of suitors lined up to be her King.

With a bit of silliness and a bit of trial, the gingerbread man hobo stumbles (literally) into King's clothing and its a perfect match the towns people see! And he's officially named King.



I feel that all I need is a gingerbread man hobo to make me realize who I am...as far as... in comparison to other girls. (I have a lot of confidence and esteem issues, can you tell?)

And for this "hobo" building me up into the person who I know I am and helping other's to realize it too, he will, in turn be made a King, my King.

Our Primary Colors

Our Primary colors are one, two, three. Red, Yellow, and Blue. Each one has a message for you and me. Each has a symbol true!

Red is for COURAGE to do what is right,



Yellow for SERVICE from morning til night.



Blue is for TRUTH in our thought and our deed.



We will be HAPPY when this is our creed.

One of my faves!

This is the sweetest song ever! Totally adds to my Cinderella Complex!

John Quale aka Prince Poppycock

So, this is the infamous new crush... John A. Quale. Recognize him?







How about now...??







Yeah! I have a problem with men that can sing really well! Its my curse...

Thanks to my niece who is also enamored by this man in makeup, we now share a "love" of John aka Prince Poppycock.

One of her favorite performances from the Double P is his "Mirror Song" (called so by Claire) on Americas Got Talent. Claire Bear can quote the WHOLE scene from YouTube word-for-word. Too darn cute if you ask me!!

Chili-ng Service

I officially dislike The Chili's Resaurant Chain...



After picking Megan up from Sarah in Silsbee and was STARVING... okay, not starving, but pretty on the hungry side so, since Chili's was conviently located right there in the corner of the Wal-Mart parking lot, we head in that direction.

We go in, its about 2:30pm on a Friday, and we are immediately seated. "Hhmmmm..." I'm thinking to myself, "this is out of the ordinary. Maybe, just maybe, this will be a good visit."

Our waitress comes up pretty quick, we place our drink order and ask for a few moments to look over the menu, which they're updated and CLEANED! Everytime I've gone and wanted something, I get a "Sorry, that's not on our menu any longer." Uummmmm, I'm looking right at it, it is on your menu. Or the menu is covered in crusty nastiness which is beyond me seeing as how the menus are picked up before the food arrives at the table.

The waitress comes back and right as we're going to tell her what we want, she goes, "I'll be right back..." Ooooookay... She does, eventually, come back and (by then Megan's glass of lemonade is empty and at the edge of the table), quickly order, before she runs off again.

We order the 2 for $20 deal. To share and appeteezer and then the two full meals. I've always understood, correct me if I'm wrong, that the appeteezer is just that...a dish that's supposed to tease your appetite, get you ready for the meal.

Oooohhhh... and Megan's drink still hasn't been filled. I even share a bit of mine with her. The other waitress, who is cleaning a table next to us, asks if we need anything and we tell her the drink needs to be filled. She hollers, yes hollers to our waitress, who is talking to a couple with a baby across the non-smoking section, and tells her we need a refill.

Our waitress proceeds to fill waters and teas and even a coffee and a beer and we still have no refills, I'm out by this time too. Its been 25 minutes since we ordered and our appeteezer has not arrived, either... (which is only a half order of Texas Style Cheese Fries).

The manager ends up coming by and filling it for us... thanks man! I hope you "spoke" with your waitress. Just saying...

Our appeteezer arrives... a whole 35 minutes after we placed our order. Now get this, one couple has come in after us...only ONE...they got their food before us...they got their ticket before us...they left 15 minutes before we did.

Not three minutes after we got this small plate that "if we touch it, it wiiiiill buuuuurrrn." (Much sarcasm from the waitress)

Megan needs another refill...forget it...

The food was good and I'm mean just a simple good.

Megan needs a to-go back, she asks for "one" and the waitress looks in my direction, "Do you need one, too?" Sweet pea, if you'll take 1/2 a second and look at my plate, you'll see that I have, literally, two to three bites left. No. I do not need a to-go box. Thanks for asking, though. Nice to see you're taking care of us.

Needless to say, she received no tip! And I will not be going back to Chili's in the future!

I Love My Angel Soft TP

The lovely Wal-Mart in Jasper, two weeks ago, did not have my favorite toilet paper, Angel Soft, thus I was forced to buy Charman. I thought it was supposed to be a "top" brand! I had a clean bum, but not a clean hand... (I know... T! M! I!)




Angel Soft vs Charman... Angel Soft will win everytime!

TEMPLE is to HEAVEN as HOME is to WHERE THE HEART IS

"How far is Heaven?" asks President Thomas S. Monson. "I testify that in the holy Temples it is not far at all - for it is in these sacred places that heaven and earth meet and our Heavenly Father gives His children His greatest blessings."



A certain young woman has been on my mind lately and it just so happens that the October issue of the Ensign is dedicated solely to Temples and all that includes. My Visiting Teacher partner is my Great Aunt Sylvia. I'm so thankful for her example of the righteous duties of visitings these sisters in their homes. Some are grand, some are humble, but each is filled with a wonderful spirit.

Anyway, the young woman on my mind has been my sister-in-law, Ashlei, who passed away with cancer in April of 2009. One of the last Priesthood blessings she received promised her that her son, Jace, would know and love her. What a special message from the Spirit.

When asked where his mama is, he has always responded, "At the Temple." Some have tried to "correct" him and have him say, "In Heaven." Reading this quote from Pres. Monson makes me think that this little four year old boy knows exactly what he's talking about!

The day our family traveled to the Houston Temple, Jace was able to come with us! I was never more thrilled than to see that little boy in his white suit shirt and blue striped tie, walking the grounds surrounding the Temple and to see his sweet reverence walking into the Temple. Even when he could only enter the lobby and sit in the waiting room just inside the doors, he knew to be reverent, quiet and still.

What a blessing Temples are!! What a short distance from Heaven Temples can be!! I hope there are many more to be announced, built and dedicated to our Father in Heaven and to the duties we need to perform for not only ourselves, but for those who have passed away.

Honorable Mention(s)

Just a few interesting notes from this week...

* Jarom's snake, who seems to have tripled in size over night (literally), is trying her darned-est to escape from her now too small 10 gallon tank. She's a Ball Python by the name of "Baby Girl." Yeah! Baby Girl! Not so baby anymore darlin', but I do love her! She's so pretty... yes, I said the snake is pretty!

* Yesterday, while Dad was building me a rabbit shed, I saw a dragonfly viciously take down a gorgeous butterfly in mid-flight! Holy smokes! It was like WWII in the insect world! Nnnnnnnnnn-yyyyoooonnnneeeeee!!! Mayday, mayday, mayday, we're going down! I did try to save the poor thing, but I had to follow my goat fenceline to the gate, then walk pretty much to where I started, but on the other side of the fence, and by the time I got there, the dragonfly had killed the butterfly.

* I have a clinically diagnosed (by me) INSANE rabbit!! I am so not kidding! About a week ago, when things started to just get cold, I decided to put a bit of hay in with each rabbit. I got to her cage and started to put some in for her. She went crazy! Running around her cage so fast she hit her nose on each wall and nearly jumped out!
I have the rabbits, for the time being, their cages, sitting on sawhorses. Dad decides to use the wooden ones and we pick up this double cage and set it on the ground. Out of danger and the way and we're able to start working on the shed. We measure the first board and he starts his skill saw and she goes completely N-U-T-S! Running around her cage and mach 5 and slamming her nose on every corner of her cage. THEN, she falls over on her side, eyes as big as quarters, and quits breathing. It upset me, of course, but being a farm girl, I was kinda like, "Okay, she's dead. No big deal." THEN, she starts gasping for air. Like mouth wide open and lungs working overtime! She's starts trying to get up, but not making much progress. Least I can say is, "Well, if I find her dead in the morning..."
I decide to remove her completely from sight, for her sake, and we begin again. We take a small break, to locate more nails, and I check on her. She's up. Not moving, but up on all fours, and wobbling like she's had a few too many to drink.
I check on her this morning, A-Ok. Like nothing ever happened! One crazy bunny!

* Last Wednesday, the 22nd our math class took a practice test and I made the only A, a 97! WOO-HOO!!! Teacher was absent the following Monday, when we were supposed to take our mid-term. Took the test Wednesday, the 29th. I think I did really good! I'll let you know...

Daily Quiz Score: 77

I got my first non-A grade in class this morning. We take a quiz every morning after a short QnA session with Mrs. Follett and I've always (until today) made 100 or greater. The quiz we took Monday, we got back today... I got a 77!!!! O! M! G!

Luckily, no one really scored any better! When we sssllloooooooowwweeeddd down a bit and worked the problems out on paper one simple step at a time, the answer was so totally clear. Lesson learned, Mrs. Follett! We're so gonna totally ACE the mid-term Monday!!

Go US!!!

OMG! ...Really?!

I thought this day started out so well, but I should've known by the way this whole week has gone.

I've gotten very little time in with Grandpa. Monday I had school and had a TON of homework! So, I didn't get over to his house until around 2:30pm and then I didn't stay but an hour or two at a time. Tuesday, I went visiting teaching, so that was all morning and early afternoon. Wednesday was school again and I was able to get my homework done before Grandpa got home from his doctor's appointment.

Then, as I'm getting ready to head over there by about 3pm, I rememebered, I had Achievement Night to get done. So, Wednesday I didn't get to his house until around 8pm. (Cooked some AWESOME catfish, though!)

I decided to stay the night with him because of all the missed time. I woke up at 7am, back to my old schedule... Cool! Went to my house and fed all the critters. By the way, anyone want any Californian Rabbits?!?! I have two breeding pairs and a solid white male. Ready for breeding or ready for the freezer! Anyway...

Then the fun started. My tire was flat and ended up having a concrete nail in it, so it was an easy fix, no new $130 tire needed! WAHOO!

Dad and I drove over to the shop to get the portable air tank, so I could drive to the shop without damaging anything further. I pulled out of the shop and ran over a "piece" of sheet metal that a retard of a lazy man left out! No names mentioned! *cough* ELMER CROSBY *cough*

The "piece" of metal is huge, but so was the grass and I should've remembered it was there...but...anyway, I didn't and the truck got stuck on the back right tire, (because of the pieces that have been cut out).

Busted up the back emergency brake cable... Yippee!! Only $25, so not too bad. Dad decides to cut the metal and catches the grass on fire UNDER the truck. Ggrrrr!!!

(Its 11am by now and I still haven't been by to see Grandpa.)

I need Dad to build me a 3-Rabbit Hutch and we go over to the lumbar stack and start picking up some of the "pre-owned" lumbar pieces we can use and he flippin steps on a nail! A trip to the doctor's office for a Tetnus shot.

Get home around 1:30pm and I'm just now seeing Grandpa! I hate days (this whole week) like that!!!

Anyway, all's well. I probably won't get my hutch today (Dad's last day off) until his next rotation off (in four days). Oh, well... I'll get it eventually, right?

Let's hope tomorrow goes better. And the funny thing is, I'm not that stressed/ticked off/upset. Just going with the flow, I guess...

MoNeY mOnEy MONEY

I was asked the question yesterday, "What would you do with $25,000?" I thought I would have trouble finding something to do with all that dough, but I kind of didn't, once I got going. $25,000 goes really fast!

Okay, here's my budget for the money:

25,000
-6,300

Pay off my truck

18,700
-10,000

To buy this cool pre-fab cabin/house thing which is too darn cute and better than what I have now - not to say I don't love the house I'm in - I'm just saying I could do with something better, ya know?!

8,700
-4,000

Savings!!

4,700
-2,500

Let's not forget tithing!

2,200
-2,000

Towards school

200
-200

To simply BLOW!!! Woo-Hoo!!!

That, my friends, is how I would spend my $25,000! Soooooooooo, all I need now is someone to hand over the cash or money order, because I sure do not want to take a chance with a bad check.

Marital Status Necessary?

"I'm not single! I'm a-vail-able!!"

Yeah, I tried...

I need an attitude adjustment.

The College Experience!

Well, I finally started college! I walked into "remedial" math...totally horrified when I saw who the teacher/professer is... None other than my high school math teacher, Mrs. Terressa Hennigan, Follett now.

So, as she's teaching us to use the homework/assignment program in the computer lab, she asks the question I was waiting for her to ask for two hours, "Why are you in this class?"

"Well," I try to explain, "its been nine years since high school (and formal education) and, um, ten years since Algebra II, and um, yyeeeeeaaahhhhh... I need an easy class to get my confidence up and...well.... so, what have you been up to?"

She suggested I take the ACCUplacer again and see if I can drop the class and get into basic Algebra, at least.

Oh, well...whatever! Higher learning... here I am!

What A Night-Mare

Okay, I have this too cute little miniature mare I bought back in February... Until today she has been either in with the goats or staked out in various grassy patches in unfenced fields. For the past two mornings I have found my sister's miniature stud horse off his line, so I made a quick decision to put them in a "real" field, with the "real" horses and pray they (being the bigger horses) don't kill the little ones.

I put Dakota, the mini stud, in with my Quarter Horse stud. Knowing Lucky Joe, I was 98% sure he'd be okay with it. I brought Dakota up and poured him a bit of food, outside Lucky Joe's pature. I fed Lucky Joe, then slowly led Dakota in, by allowing him to follow his feed bowl.

(Pictures on my phone...will get them posted within the next few days)

Since Lucky Joe "has" to have drinks every couple of bites, I stayed to watch and make sure they were a good match. Lucky Joe, between eating and drinking, went over to Dakota and they sniffed noses and went their seperate ways... they switched bowls... they sniffed each other again... and then they went off together and grazed.

On the other end... Dusty! Oh my Dusty! This morning I put her in the corral which leads into the mare's pastures. I left her in there all morning and around 3pm went to put her in the pasture with Aurora and Pearl, my super spoiled, weird, obnoxious, particular 6 yr old mares.

I opened the gate from the corral into the pasture and all was well. I played a bit of basketball with Jarom and went back to check on them. They were getting along...in the corral. I had Jarom help me get them out and they all ran out. In doing so Dusty, with her bum leg, tripped in the soft soil where we feed hay to them during the winter. #1 small incident.

In the commotion, I forgot to close the corral gate. Went back an hour or so later and they were back in the corral. Jarom kind of threw up his arms to get them out quickly and Dusty got stuck between the corral wall and Aurora. Next thing you know, Dusty goes literally flying against the corral wall. Aurora kicked her right, square on her right side. She popped right back up and off she ran. #2 bigger incident.

For Dusty's sake, Aurora and Pearl need to mellow with the new horses that come...and go and Dusty really needs that extra, free grazing because she keeps getting WWWWWAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY tangled in her ropes.

I hope I don't have to pull her out.

Its Official...

From now on, when I fill out an application, survey, etc., I can now check mark "Some College." WOO HOO!!! Go ME!!! And by some college, I mean I'm only taking one class this Semester.

I REALLY have to go back into this school thing every so slowly. #1 I don't want to get financially in a bind, #2 I don't want to get mentally in a bind (hey, its been NINE years since I've been in school), and #3 I still "have" to take care of Grandpa and I hate having to find someone else to work for me for any reason.

I'm taking Basic Math (0310), because I B-O-M-B-E-D the math portions of my ACCUplacer. But I was told that my scores were normal for one who's been out for so long. I LOVE math!! I felt like such a goober! Oh well... step-by-step.

My one lil' ol' class is Mondays and Wednesdays from 8am until... 10:15am or 10:40am. Can't remember... I guess I'll find out for sure on Monday!

Again... GO ME!!

Growing Up... Here I Come! (Eek! I'm scared as heck!)

I took my college placement test - got a 5/5 on my writing. A 33/36 and a 83 on my maths and a 97 and 93 on my grammar and reading! Score 1 for me! I go in (to Angelina College in Jasper) this coming Wednesday and/or Thursday to sign up for classes and start either Monday or Tuesday, depending upon the classe(s) I get. English is my #1 choice - I luvs English - after all, I speak English! Hahaha!

I think I've temporarily changed my mind on my "major." I think I'm going to get the two year degree/certificate for Elementary Education, THEN transfer to Lamar and finish up to be a General K-6 teacher. Yup, that's my plan...

I'm excited. The lady that gave the lil' test was super nice and made me feel super comfortable. I'm ready...finally! After 9 years out of high school...I'm ready!

Mean, Old Granny Dog!!

So my wonderful, whom I've had since the Fall of my Senior year is high school will turn 10 years old this October. Wow! Kaysi Louise...I wuv you!! You're my bestest friend a girl could ask for! You are everything I wanted you to be!

Anyhoo--- funny story! So, Saturday I'm over at my Grandpa's house and he has this little (12 lbs little) chihuahua/rat terrier mix dog, Ruby, and from inside the house she would love to chase a squirel, but when she gets outside, she just wants to sleep in the sun. So she puts on this huge, hilarious by the way, show of wanting to go outside. Her uncurbable excitement immediatly turns to, "Hmm, I think I'll just go for a walk" the second her foot touches the porch.

She's already put on this (I'm sure) learned routine to get out and Grandpa suggests we leave her out for a moment. So, I have time to cook a pot of zipper cream peas and a double batch a cornbread and Grandpa feels its time for Ruby to come on in.

After a good solid minute or two of calling her name, my dog comes playfully running to the house from my yard. And wouldn't ya know, here comes ol Ruby right behind her. Running as fast as she can and as Kaysi comes into Grandpa's yard, Ruby passes her and as she does, Ruby nips at her and growls a bit. Kaysi, being who Kaysi is doesn't hesitate to roll her and give her a good lecture on how little wimper-snappers like herself should not talk to the elderly like that!

Kaysi doesn't do anything to hurt her, just scared the pee pee out of her, literally, too!! I tell Kaysi, "Okay, Kase. That's enough" and she gets right off of her and Ruby, whimpering the whole time comes into the house, still crying. If she had a tail it would've been between her legs.

Turns out, I guess when Ruby tried to get up, Kaysi accidently scratched Ruby with her tooth and Ruby has a small boo boo. Aaaa, she'll be alright.

I thought it was too funny!

Compromises at Play

I thinking about my life the other day... I'm 27 years old, I have no career, no husband, no family. I still live in Odomville in a trailer home. Don't get me wrong, I (kinda) like where I am in my life right.

I'm getting to the point where I really enjoy having my nieces and nephews with me, doing stuff with them, but I also really enjoy alone and quiet time. I like being at home, able to care for my Grandpa and still able to be more involved with my critters. (By the way, I had my first chick hatch yesterday morning.)

My life is...mostly...the affects of my choices and I have made one compromise after another. At the beginning of my freshman year in High School, obviously, I made a decision to be put on the "college bound" trek of studies, instead of main stream or home/work program. I went all through High School taking accelerated classes, as many AP classes as were available to me. I partly blame myself, but I do have to say I didn't get much, in fact none at all, guidance from the guidance cousiler.

By the last semester in my senior year, I knew I wasn't going right on into college. Bummer... I started babysitting/nannying the first year out of high school, thinking it'd be a nice little money making thing to do while I took classes in Woodville or Jasper through Angelina. I actually signed up for three classes. All three were cancelled due to not enough people attending... "Hhmmm, maybe I'm not supposed to start school right now," I thought to myself, so I let it go, for now.

By the summer after graduating, I started full time at Dickerson Hospital in Jasper, working nights, thinking I would take some night classes and then be able to go straight to my night shift. I was misadvised about the SAT/ACT thing and didn't even sign up. I worked 5 1/2 years there and eventually made my way over to Texas Home Health... Eeerrrr, not even going there... I was there two years thinking the same thing. I could work my 8am - 5pm, Mon - Fri schedule, hang around for an hour or two and then go to classes... Never did!

One compromise after another.

And I was thinking while I was playing my most favoritest :) game ever, The Sims 2. I have a character, Allegra, that I play with. She was going to college, but met Emery and he wanted to get married. His lifetime aspiriation was to 6 grandkids, he needed to get started on his family soon. So, she quit college and got married. Her lifetime aspiration was to be an Education Minister, but because funds were low and they couple had a baby on the way, she had to find work. So, she became a Natural Scientist. Good money, good hours - each allowed her to help with the bills, etc and left plenty of time to have babies and help Emery fulfill his aspiration.

Next thing you know, though, she six days from becoming an elder and she's not an Education Minister and when you become an elder you can only go so high in the career tracks.

By having three children and eventually they having two each, Emery fulfilled his aspiration and would remain in Platinum (highest "happy" color) until the day he died. But that left Allegra struggling in orange and green, (#2 and #3 happy colors) and sometimes red (bad, lowest color). Allegra was left to constantly find little things that would make her happy. In retirement she learned to enjoy sewing and pottery and to keep herself happy could often be found in her craft room, sewing or sculpting a project. She died happy, but had to work at it. Where, if she stayed in college, put off her family for a bit to find THE job, she would be happy forever, like her husband Emery.

Even in games, we make compromises! Games... One or two little choices can and will change the whole course of our lives. The outcome of our game.

I heard a quote the other day "Work today for what or where you want to be tomorrow."

This Fall I will sign up for ONE class through Angelina in Jasper. Not much, but I'm going to start working on today for what I want tomorrow - to be a teacher.

No more compromises... I'm in this life, so far, for me. I'm going to start taking care of me. Thinking of me first. Wondering what I will think if I do or don't do this.

'Bout time me!

Okay, I officially greatly dislike my calling in Primary! Its not the kiddos...they're the greatest! Its the people I have to work with...or under...or whatever they want to call it.

I have tasks delegated to me... okay, I'm a counsilor, that's what's supposed to happen, but as I'm doing these things, I find out they are already done for me and if I have to change my plans, for whatever reason, and I'VE not sent out invites or notifications...I found out someone else has and I have to let all the parents know of something that I didn't plan... am I making any sense at all?

And this person worries why she's feeling so much pressure and feels so overwhelmed. Sweat pea, when you delegate - don't worry about it... that's why you delegated.

This is THE first calling that I've been told, "Do you want to go home and pray about it?" I, like most I think, think, "If I'm called, then I'm called." Right? Or is it just me? This has been an experience, for sure!

I feel smothered and feel like I'm constantly being watched over, and not in a good way.

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Does anyone want to go watch Eclipse with me? I don't have anyone to watch it with.

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Had a good day with Jarom. He took me on a four-wheeler ride through the ick in the pond and showed me where all his stands/blinds/feeders will be going for this coming hunting season.

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Kinda bummed...I need a boyfriend.

" [with hand motions] ...You do not belong here..."

I really enjoy a good movie - OOOO, great idea for what I want to be when I grow up... a movie critic! I am a GENIUS!

Anyway...yeah. Soooo, obviously nothing too interesting is going on.

Tomorrow I'm meeting all of my family in Beaumont and we're going out to eat for my birthday (a bit late, but I wanted everyone there). Can't wait for that!

I'm really looking forward to June 30th. Eclipse comes to theaters!! I am a Twilight fan - NOT a fanatic! I enjoyed the books and I really enjoy the movies, but I refuse to buy a tshirt, a tote bag, or notebook. Okay, I'd like a notebook and there was this one tshirt I'd get. It said, "And then Buffy stabbed Edward. The End." Loves it! ;)

(Untitled)

Um...so...yeah... I'm 27 today. Kind of a bummer... A lot of looking at everyone else's green grass, ya know what I mean?

I have a new celebrity crush... Greg Kinnear. He just looks like a every-day-kinda guy. Like one you would see at the grocery store...and I could, like, help him find the right paper towel or something. Anyway... not much going on.

I might get a bunny today. So... that's good news!

Mom bought me like 300 Farmville dollars. So... that's good news, too!

My Dad bought me an electric/battery powered chainsaw for my birthday. So... that's good news!

I'm hoping to get a hammock, that was an IOU from last year's birthday... that's be great news!

Really...Why?!

I really don't know why I watch "Never Been Kissed" with Drew Barrymore. By the last ten minutes of the movie, I'm totally in tears and depressed. I feel like the main character, "...I'm 25 [well, I'LL be 27 in a couple of days] and I have never really been kissed..." Well, Josie - I'm 27 and I have never been kissed...period! Beat that!

My patriarchal blessing says to live for my blessings and "in due time..." Yep, yep... But, Heavenly Father, I need a date, not necessarily a time, a name maybe, I really don't need his address or phone number; I can find that.

It'll be nice to feel wanted, like physically, emotionally, spiritually, by a member of the opposite gender. To go to someone, besides my mom, with problems or good things.

It kinda works on ones self esteem ya know... to watch people much younger, or older even, find love, find love again, and sometimes again. I just want one chance - one person to not want to live without me, that wants to come to me with their problems and celebrations and experiences. Someone who just can't wait to talk to me in the morning and have to wake me up at 2am, just to hear my voice. Someone who calls me from work several times, just to see what I'm doing. Someone who wants to spend time with me and be concerned for me...and yes, someone to be with physically.

Who ever my Prince Charming is...I love you already. I'm waiting...not so patiently, but waiting still! I've kept myself clean for you and I'm living for you everyday. Now, we just need to find each other! Where are you?!

I Have Discovered That Happy People Do, In Fact, Kill Their Husbands!

* See blog titled "Happy People Just Don't Kill Their Husbands"

O! M! G! I asked Jarom to go on my one mile walk/jog with me. I figured it was "his" idea to put me on this exercise program, so why should he not be an active participant in my process/progress, right?! Holy cow, I've never sweat, hurt and whined so much!

We jogged a total of three separate times, maybe a total of 2/3 of a mile. RIGHT before the end of the first jog my bad ankle popped. Okay, it pops all the time, not a big deal. ...Until I got home and sat a minute. My ankle is swollen and hurts like nobodies business. I'm walked like an invalid. I may only do my walk/jog miles 2 to 3 times a week and just walking miles the rest...until I loose a bit more weight and get a bit more in shape.

Again, a big thank you to Jarom for getting me motivated! Seriously... people are starting to see it and I'm starting to need a new wardrobe... sweet!

Dusty Rose

The newest addition to my little horse family...Dusty Rose. She was brought home to stay February 1, 2010. The poor baby was SUPER thin, bloated with worms and pure water diarrhea! Her tail was matted with feces and she was completely not using one of her back legs. I paid WAY too much for her (which wasn't much to begin with). After two days on clean water, fresh hay and good grain her BMs were back to normal and after two weeks I was seeing some pep in her still gimpy step.

Jace is totally in love with "my Dusty," he calls her. That is his horse and he's not afraid to tell people so.

Jace with Dusty (five days being home)

April 1, 2010
March 23, 2010

May 25, 2010

Looking MUCH better...

Still got a-ways to go, though

Sweet face

After Dusty learned us and got used to having us around, she has turned out to be one of the sweetest little creatures on this earth. You can just look out the window and she's quick to nicker at you! She'll look deep in your eyes and just stare. She'll follow you around like a puppy and make a fuss over Jace and Claire. She's gentle, kind, and calm.

She has totally captured my heart...

JT's Saturday Suprise aka Pearl

* Okay, I really don't like the way this website uploads pictures - the first five pictures are in the right order, but the last fast are not...I'll date them and you'll just have to view them as is...


Ah, Pearl! Where do we begin?! Pearl had an exciting birth... My mare, Scarlett, was due June 2004 with who we now know as Aurora, so when Dad came running into the house saying Scarlett had had her foal on March 27th and it wasn't a paint, we were all pretty perplexed.

I had bought Pearl's mother, Honey, from a friend at work whose husband was quite upset she kept escaping and getting into the feed bins... (Awww, memories of Honey) ....bought her October of 2003 and never had a clue she was pregnant. I picked her up from my friends house thin and not eating well and after several weeks of not improving I took her to the vet. She ended having to have all but three of her teeth pulled and being tube dewormed. The vet told me her condition should pick up... It really didn't. Her appetite picked up, but her weight remained the same.

Let's see...the Wednesday before our "little parasite" was born I called Dad at work and asked him, when he got home from work, to take care of Honey...(put her down). She wasn't getting any better, just getting worse (the vets aged her between 30 - 35 years old. ANCIENT in horse years.

He got home and said she would, but to wait over the weekend and if she was still not improving he would take care of it. Well, next thing you know we have this beautiful baby here! The first born (for me) on the Ox Bow O! I had bought Honey for Jarom. He had expressed to me he wanted to learn how to ride, but felt uncomfortable with the bigger horses...Honey was perfect. So we named the brown baby "JT's Saturday Suprise" and were going to call her Pearl. She had, and still has, a huge egg-shaped white marking on her forhead.

Pearl has been a joy to have and a pain in the rear to train. I say that with love... I LOVE Aurora like nobody's business, but Pearl in my first born. There's something special about her...

Okay...basics... Pearl's mother was a bay and white paint Welsh pony and her dad was a brown Mustang!! Luvs it!! Pearl is definitely NOT put together perfect. I've heard from several people that she would make gorgeous mule babies, so I will (eventually Rebecca) take her to be bred with a jack donkey.

Pearl really isn't a treat eater...she likes her "meat and potatoes." If she's gonna eat, she's gonna make it count! She HATES to be dewormed (she's the sweet heart who gave me the black eye several weeks ago). She loves kids and loves Aurora.

Honey and Pearl

March 27, 2004

Her first pictures...hour or so old.

About a month old
We used to let her run loose when we would take all the other horses out to ride.
She still loves to be out and about!

Spoiled baby!

Major imprinting!

Her first bath

August 2004

* Okay...messed up order *

Jace meets Pearl...

May 25, 2009

January 19, 2008

September 29, 2007

She LOVES to have her hiney scratched...obviously!

July 25, 2006

You can really see the 'stang in her here!

July 2005

I love you Pearl! You'll always be my numero uno! ...or numera una... hahaha!

Poco Joe Sizzler aka Lucky Joe

Poco Joe Sizzler's sire (father)

Sizzlers Smokey Joe

Poco Joe Sizzler's dam (mother)

Shesasizzlerolena

aka Precious

First picture I have of Lucky Joe

at Martin Quarter Horse Ranch

at about 6 months old (with Rugrat, a half brother)

When Lucky Joe first came home he had "rain rot," kinda like mange for horses, so he had to receive many Iodine-based baths - he still, to this day, gives us trouble when he has to have one.

March 2002

Look at that confirmation!
November 2003
I LOVE this pictures - gotta get it framed!!

July 20, 2006

November 15, 2006

December 11, 2008 - Lucky's First Snow

September 29, 2009

March 23, 2010

Well, I've decided to write a blog entry for each of my precious four-legged children. Today I'll start with Poco Joe Sizzler aka Lucky Joe. He is a bay Quarter Horse stallion registered with The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). He has a snip (white marking on his nose) and two hind socks (white markings that are at or below his ankles) with no other markings.

We'll start with the basics...he does not have perfect confirmation, but the vet tells me he has correct confirmation. He has sensitive skin that becomes a problem in the spring when he starts shedding his winter coat and the bugs start coming out. He often looses the top part of his tail hairs because he's scratching his bum on any available tree. He LOVES sweet feed (all stock pellets and oats with LOTS of molasses), but he responds to the sugar REALLY well and he's not allowed anything more than a treat. He is the sweetest stallion I have ever come in contact with...

Let's see - he was bred and raised at Martin Quarter Horse Ranch just up the road from me. I was totally in love with his dam (mom) and when he was delivered I knew he was to be mine. At about two weeks of age he, what we thought, broke his back, left leg in the hock (knee) area, but on a vet visit after I bought him, we discovered it was a really bad dislocation/sprain. It'll swell from time to time and he'll limp on it, so we don't ride him much... Anyway, he was born April 10, 2001 and he was 11 months old when I bought him.

He gets into "perdicaments" all the time and if you can't find him, he's tangled up in barbed wire that was on the fence like 2 seconds ago or the vines along the fence line or tangled in his feed trough (yes...he's been stuck there, too) or behind a semi thick row of trees.

He enjoys the flavor of his worming medicine and takes his shots well. He stands perfectly still for grooming and semi-still for farrier (trimming hooves) services. He HATES to be loaded in the trailor, but will unload like a dream. If he's breeding a mare, he'll dismount and come right up to you like he's a gelding (neutered male horse). He treats his "girlfriends" very sweetly.

My poor mare came home banged up and scratched all over and hair missing (from another stallion)... but not Lucky Joe! He talks to them quietly and gets to know them and when he's breeding, he's gentle and calm. The filly that was just born was out a mare that has been "proven" to be a non-breeder, (a female horse who does not allow the stallion to breed her), but after only six weeks with Lucky Joe, a gorgeous baby was born!

He has seven offspring - 3 boys and 4 girls - in that order! (Those pictures will be a later post).

Lucky Joe's Newest

Poco Joe Sizzler's newest...

A sorrel/red dun filly born

April 15, 2010

Ashlei's Happy!

May 8th will be a day we will all remember for quite some time. It was the day that Ashlei's Temple work was done! We had been planning for several weekends to go and get it done, but something kept coming up and we weren't able to go. Things worked out just right to where Jace would be able to come with us - funny how Heavenly Father works things out!

Mom and Dad had a meeting they had to attend, so that meant I had to drive my own vehicle - eeekk!! Wasn't that bad, though. Megan and I have even made a goal to go atleast every quarter! 190 to 59, 59 to 1960, 1960 to Champion Forrest Drive, Temple on left - crazy easy!

With Mom, Sarah, Megan and me, we were able to each particpate in ordinance! What a wonderful day!

Jace sitting on the Temple grounds

Did you notice his hands are in the shape of a heart?!

(I didn't notice until I was putting the pictures from the camera to my computer)

Angel Moroni

Which Jace thought was really cool

Holines to the Lord

The House of the Lord

Watching the bubbles

Such a sweet boy!

Luvin those big brown eyes!

Uncle Jay & Jace