Now that's country...

As many of you know I am all country. I will never be a city chick. I love the crickets in the summer, the smell of honeysuckle, the rooster crowing in the morning and country music. I grew up listening to Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette and, of course, Dolly Parton. I love the old bluegrass as well as the new "rock" flavored country. I definately am a "redneck woman".

During the holidays there was an Overstock commercial that started with a lady singing a twangy "if not for you" with a bunch of friends and family gathered around. I loved when that commercial came on.

A few days back my daughter said I had to come listen to this new song called "Cheater, Cheater". I was instantly hooked! So I started looking around on-line and came upon their audition tape for CMT's So you think you can Duet. Wow!! I was blown away.

Their names are Joey & Rory. I invite you to take a listen on http://www.youtube.com/ You may just become a country music fan...at the very least you will be a Joey & Rory fan!!!

Woo Hoo...let it snow...

I have always said if it has to be cold...it better snow. Today it finally did! We've had several inches, probably around 7 so far. We're supposed to get a couple more overnight. The roads are very bad, but passable. I had to go get supplies for the barn. After breakfast we "suited up" and headed out to plow driveways, haul firewood and take care of the animals. I love these days!!! (to bad there aren't more...but I guess that's what makes them special) All of the neighbors were out too. So while Frank and Morgan plowed with the tractor and Jon cleaned the bunny cage and gave her fresh bedding I took care of the horses and chickens. Poor Romeo (my brown horse) was covered in snow...though he didn't seem to mind. The only thing he doesn't like is when the snow (especially wet snow like today) builds up on the bottom of his hooves. I chip them off while he eats his chow. Fortunately Meg's don't build up because her feet are more challenging to mess with.

Josie dog loves when it snows...granted she's sleeping soundly under the table now...tuckered out from her adventure. She hops and scoops the snow with her bottom jaw as she trods behind me. I fear this will be our last year with her so it was great to see her enjoy the weather. When Frank drags the kids behind the 4-wheeler Josie likes to chase along side them biting (in a playful manner of course) at the sled. We used to set her in the sled with us and let her sled ride...she loved it. One year we went down south sledding (huge hills) and she would chase us all the way down and run all the way back up. After a couple of hours she was whining at the truck and we let her in and she slept on the floor the whole way home.

Jon and I hauled wood to the house and garage. It's a pain in the butt, but worth it when it's toasty in the house. When we were done I saw my neighbors (and dear friends) Tammi & Guido shoveling their drive so I headed over. It doesn't feel like work when your chatting and laughing while you shovel. And besides it's cheaper than a gym membership!!

By the time we were done my hair was frozen with ice sliding down and I was soaked thru and thru. I know Mom...where's my hat...you know I don't like hats, they make my forhead itch. But I did have my earmuffs on! The outside was obviously from the snow and the inside was from sweating! That one-piece carhart sure does it's job!! The only time I was a little cold was when my first pair of gloves got saturated with water, but nothing that a fresh pair didn't fix.

I hope you take the time to enjoy the weather today...wether it's warm, cold, raining, snowing or the sun is shining! God Bless!!

Creativity comes in many forms...

I don't have a picture (thank goodness) to go with this post...but I'm sure the visual you conjur up with surfice. My kids will be the first to tell you I'm a pretty strict parent. But strict in the ways it matters...I think. I've taught them to be respectful and know their boundaries. Not that they don't test those boundaries...every single, hair pulling day!! I never sat in a restuarant while my kids ran around disrupting other patrons. I DO NOT tollerate disrespect. My teenage daughter has modesty and my young son wears a belt on his pants around his waist.

I try to teach by example. I heard an interesting quote the other day...kids learn more by what is caught than what is taught. And basically they learn more by what we (and the people around us) do than what we preach. My badonkadonk doesn't hang out (not that anyone would want it to), we sit down to dinner as a family almost every night and we end every day with a hug and an "I Love You".

However, when the kids do get out of line I have come up with a remedy that puts them right back in line. It's soooo effective and I don't lay a hand on them or raise my voice. And it's really effective in public. drumroll please I cluck!! Yes, you read that right. I begin to strut, with hands tucked under my armpits (like wings) and I begin to cluck like a hen laying an egg. I'm quiet at first, but if they keep it up I get louder. You never saw two kids straighten up so fast. I love it!!

If anyone would like to share their creative "discipline" ideas I would love to hear them.

Happy New Year...

I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's Eve! My husbands band played out and it was a good time...all be it odd...there wasn't the usual energy and elation that comes along with the stroke of midnight. After seeing the pics of my kids New Year's I think they had the best time of all!!!

Most years they go to my Mom's when we play out but this year they wanted to stay home. They bought noise makers, hats, balloons and sparkling juice. When we got home (with 10 people in tow) you couldn't tell there had been a party going on...which scares me a bit :)

They even got the dog into the spirit (poor Josie). After Jon tuckered out Morgan went to work with the balloons making her own chandelier. In real life it's VERY cool, the noise makers are the center with ribbon hanging down and the balloons were fastened together...complete with hanging ribbon (I should go check my ribbon stash, huh?).

The year 2008 was a mixture of highs and lows for my family. I certainly hope 2009 has more highs!! My biggest wish for 2009 is improved health. My step-dad is battling cancer, my husband's back is getting worse instead of better and my precious Josie is going to be 12. Not that improved wealth wouldn't be welcome.

Blessings to each and everyone of you for inner peace and whatever you wish for. Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Memories...

My most memorable Christmas was the year I was about 10 or 11 and we were living in Negley, OH. Life was good...I had a dog, my best friend lived next door, I was within walking distance of the local 5 & dime, school and post office and I had an enormous bedroom. It was the entire upstairs of the picturesque rough red brick house we'd moved into from the "little house." (The little house is a story for another day)

On Christmas morning I was disappointed to only find a couple small gifts under the tree and my stocking filled, I guess that's proof I was spoiled, huh?. I tried to hide my dismay, but I'm sure it was painfully clear on my face. The last gift was a Christmas card my mother handed to me.

My Mom had said she was repainting my bedroom and was not allowed in there due to the paint fumes. I was forced to sleep in the little walk-thru room next to my bedroom. And as if that wasn't bad enough they broke my nightstand lamp while carrying painting supplies past my bed.

Inside my card my Mom told me the rest of my presents were in my bedroom. I ran upstairs, flung open my door and was greeted with the most amazing bedroom EVER!!! Mom had purchased the entire white bedroom suit from Sears (maybe Penney's) complete with canopy bed. I had my own dresser, night stand, desk, vanity and full length mirror. And as if that wasn't enough I had brand new bedding with wallpaper to match!! As I scanned my new bedroom trying to make myself believe that this really was mine, my eyes stopped at my nightstand, there stood my lamp. It hadn't broken...but Mom knew I liked that lamp so she had to make up that little white lie so she could include it in my new room.

I still use that nightstand, and while the lamp has changed, the memories are still as vivid as the light cast from that lamp. THANK YOU MOM, for being the greatest Mom, EVER!!!

'Tis the Season...

I think December is the fastest month of the year. It seems compounded when you have hunters in the family. We have been very busy making sausage and jerky, going to Christmas concerts (both kids play instruments in the band), dances, shopping, decorating, baking...and we can't forget the usual work, laundry, dinner, paying bills, grocery shopping....blah, blah, blah. I'm ready for a nap just thinking of all of the things that need done in the month of December. My picture taking hasn't been very good lately but I've included pics just to give you an idea of what we've been up to.

One blessing so far this year is thanks to the internet, the wonderful internet. My husband is from Croatia, he was born here, but he's first generation born here. He still has a lot of family in Croatia. Well thru cousins here in the states his first cousin on his Mom's side contacted us and would like to get to know us better. She remembers Frank from when they were little, but it's been decades since they've seen each other. She lives in Austria now and we've been exchanging photos and "letters" thru the internet.

I've also become friends with a wonderful lady named Amy. She was so gracious in giving a tour of her beautifully decorated home. Take a look just by clicking on the red home.

I hope everyone Christmas is safe, happy and healthy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Baby, it's cold outside...

It's sooo cold outside this weekend. Mom helped me get revved up for the holidays when we went Christmas shoppping on Friday. I haven't done anything except buy a few gifts on "Black Friday", amazing huh...it's what the 7th of December?! So I told the kids we were going to get our Christmas cards made this weekend. So we drug everything to the kitchen table and in between the pancake breakfast at the church, a "quick" trip to WV and church service this morning I think we succeeded. Granted, it just dawned on me all of the things I didn't get done...check register for attorney, treasurers report for band boosters, just to name a couple...and Jon's band concert is tomorrow and my band booster meeting is Tuesday...but my cards are done!!! We made lots of cards, some money/gift card holders and even some tags. We had a good time singing carols and just being together. I guess I should make a list so I can keep everything straight.

By the way, does anyone know where I can pick up a couple extra hours?! haha