Friday Fun Zone

Sarah was right all along - it does rot your brain.

Read Em' If Ya Got Em

It's time for a book review......

Those of you that have read my blog for awhile (that's all that's left and I love yall!) know that I can go through some fiction material! I think I freaked out my Facebook friends by telling them I had read (almost) everything they suggested. HeeHee. Here are two I found at the local library.

Blonde Roots - Grabbed me right from the inside book jacket. It seeks to answer the question, What would the world look like if Africa had lead the known world and taken slaves from Europe? Yall know I love to look at culture from a different angle - this book certainly did. Loved the story and the upside-down world of our English slave girl, Doris. It would appear that I was the first person to check this book out - no germs.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - I generally stay far away from WW II books - just too depressing - but this one was listed on Lisa's Facebook as one she really liked. Lisa is a reader like me and we did a book club together for 2 years. (Or was it 3?) Let's just say I trust her judgement. I did love the book and even told Jim something I had learned about the trees on Normandy - he already knew about the trees.

This book takes place after the War and is written as correspondence between the characters. It's a feel-good book and I wanted to meet those characters, too. Not too sad but I did cry at one part and had to find the Kleenex. Jim's used to that happening..... I recommend it for everyone! It turns out it's on a least one best seller list and I had to read the large print version. Yup, I still wore my glasses.

Yes, I'm on to the next one and it's great already!

Friday Fun Zone

Let's bring back some Friday Fun! I do like the music but the video is quite humorous (said w/Brit accent.)

Earth Day 2009

It's time to do something green for a day. But why just one day?! Here are some suggestions you can live with.

Carry your own bags to the store. - Yall know I'm all about this and I forget on a regular basis. Make an effort to show up with your own bag.

Recycle those plastic bags. - Yes, it would be easier to put them in the trash. But you can take them back to the store where they will be recycled. And then you can be sure yours isn't flying in a tree or stuck on a fence somewhere.

Save water by watering wisely. - You can actually lose water to evaporation if you water during the day. Check out this link for more tips on using water wisely. (You are paying for it.)

Recycle your stuff. - We all want to do this, right? Pass clothes on to someone else. Give our used pots and pans to the needy. Sell our couch at a garage sale. See this link for other ideas. (I knew you wanted to feel better about something......)

Take car of your car. - Didn't know this was green? Keeping tires inflated correctly and changing your oil regularly contribute to more fuel efficiency and lower fuel bills.

Lastly, I'm adding a blog for you to check out. Everybody I know wants a bargain..... See the Green Cheapskate for greener, cheaper tips.

They Really Do That?

Having a dog has been interesting. I have learned all kinds of things that I didn't know before:

Dogs lick underwear. (ewwww)
Dogs drink from the toilet (his water dish was empty.)
Dogs shouldn't bathe. (a little infrequently for my task)
Dogs will smell like dog right after a bath.
Dogs can and will eat most anything (a jelly bean?!)
Dogs have to be taught to fetch.
Dogs are very much like children.

I will have something to write about that isn't about dogs soon.

Look How Cute!

Kenny took this shot of me with Harley. This morning I was talking to my mom and she said, "Who's Harley?" Then she started to laugh - She'd forgotten about our dog.

I told yall - this is all new...... We took him back to the SPCA yesterday to get his last shot. We saw his sister that we wanted before him - she was cute but not as much as him!


This is where he sleeps when I'm working on the computer. We're starting to think that he may turn out to be a big dog. I'm a little worried but it's too late now. Right?

In other news, SoHills is starting a BlogRoll. If you're interested go here to sign up......

Oh yeah. The kids are great, too.

It's A Boy!

He's the same weight that Kenny was when he was born but he has much more hair. He cries at night like Abbie and he likes to snuggle like both of my babies. He plays with the other two really well and craves loving from Jim and I.

Yep. It's our new dog, Harley.

I've written here before that I didn't grow up with dogs in the house and Jim did. Jim always had pets and Mimi and Pop's dog just loves him. Abbie has been begging for a dog for 2 years now and it just seemed to be time.

I checked out the sites online where I could see what kind of dog we would do well with. I checked out sites where you buy the kind we would do well with. I was prepared to spend about $300. So, yesterday Jim and I went to look at some dogs. I thought it would be good for me to just see some- maybe even hold one.

So we went to the SPCA - Rescue the Animals building almost outta of town. There were lots of dogs and the little kennels and sad expressions made me cry. There were 3 little puppies together - one black/white one, one tan, and one brown with a black nose. The tan one was all over the other 2 trying to get to us. We picked out the darker brown one that was very timid.

He was already adopted.

Guess which one came home with us. That's right. The rowdy one. He's not really that rowdy here and he's sweet as pie. He pottied outside today and we are so proud.

It's ended up costing about $300. Jim pointed out how much it would have cost to have gotten a dog from a breeder. You know how committed I am to re-cycling!

I Will!

Sometimes I wonder if I have anything to write about and sometimes stuff just falls into my lap.

I read this article this morning and was shocked by the information. Can it be possible that one third of my readers plan on no clothing purchases in 2009?! I can only emphatically state that I won't buy any clothes for the next week or so. I know some folks plan for months in advance for that new swimsuit or dress for a party - but an entire year!!!!

I'm not worried about Jim's job. I'm really not worried about my job. I'm more concerned about seeing retailers abandon malls. I hate to see empty stores. (I also hate to see more built - can't anybody just use the ones we already have?)

So, what about you? Will you make any clothing purchase for yourself in 2009?

He's Trying To Look Tough

Oops. I missed a day! I thought of it last night 11:20 so I didn't crawl out of bed and post for yall. Sorry.

Here's a picture of Kenny from this past Saturday. He won first place in forms and in sparring at the tournament. I'm proud of him doing so well. I wouldn't have thought he would do so well. What do I know?

For Your Sweetheart

My friend, Susan, hosted our Bunco group last night and we had pie! Four different kinds to be exact. Pie is always good........

Time for a recipe! This was a pie recipe that I got out of a Southern Living years ago - it was a Valentine's Day recipe. Very yummy!!



Sweetheart Fudge Pie

½ cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 (12 oz) pkg. semisweet chocolate morsels, melted
2 tsp instant coffee granules
1 tsp rum extract
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1 unbaked pastry shell

Cream the butter; gradually add brown sugar beating w/electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Add melted chocolate, coffee granules and rum extract. Mix well. Stir in flour and nuts.
Pour mixture into pastry shell. Bake at 375* for 25 min; cool completely. Chill. Garnish w/whipped cream and/or nuts.

Eat A Black and White Cookie Today!

Yep. It's a national holiday. My kids are out of school, my office is closed and my hubby's office is closed.

We are all celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! We remember a great man who was able to lead a disenfranchised group of people to inclusion. A segment of society that had been left behind because of bad schooling and unequal opportunities. (Sounds like the Jews, huh?)

Yall, I want to encourage a change in our attitude so our children will have a different attitude. I work to get away from the way people talked and felt when I was growing up. I'm pretty sure I've written here before about Birmingham in the 1970's and the changes that entire city was going through.

I will share one thing: When I went to college (in Arkansas,) I was still using the N word without feelings of remorse. I dated a guy (from Texas, another traditionally tolerate state) that called me on it. I'll never forget. He told me that we become prejudge when we don't really know another person from the group we are prejudge against. It changed my world view.

I since have had the opportunity to work with and enjoy the company of Black (African-American, whichever) folks. Some people of color have walked into my church. My bunco game. My service project. Knowing them has helped me grow into someone who tries to sees people as individuals - not groups.

Lastly. Do we even have Black and White cookies in Abilene? We did in Birmingham and I always thought we should adopt them as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day official food. Like turkey at Thanksgiving or chocolate on Valentine's Day.

Don't Worry Be Happy

I've been thinking a lot about happiness. Are you happy? Am I happy?

A woman that I know has (apparently) left her family. Husband and kids. Home. Why would somebody do that? What could be bad enough to just leave? I haven't talked with her so I don't know her reason but I do know what she could hear if she just listened.

You aren't happy. Change your where you are in your life. You deserve to be happy. Your kids will be happier if you're happy. You aren't the same person you were when you got married. Life is more than this.

I've been thinking that happiness isn't the same as contentment. Now the dictionary uses one to define the other but they feel different to me.

Happiness is feeling good about your circumstances and contentment is feeling good no matter what your circumstances. - Denise

I'm pretty sure you can experience contentment when things feel bad in your life. Happiness seems more fleeting, too. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Your circumstances might change and then no more happy.

I want contentment. I want for tomorrow to be a black day and I can still say I'm content with what God has given me. I don't have any huge story of trial (yet) but I want to seek God so when the day comes - I can still give God the glory.

Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.

Philippians 4:11

What Do You Need?

This proves that people will spend money on anything!

Math Was Always Hard For Me, Too

We used to watch these movies when I was a kid. They still make me laugh.

Beauty School

My daughter has a uni-brow. We've always known this. At about 12 months, I (along with my hubby) attempted to wax it. It just drove me crazy! I had never waxed anything before and I didn't have the nerve to rip it off. I have since been told that I was a little over the top to worry about such a thing.

Let it be known here that Crawford women (my mom has 5 sisters) do not have uni-brows! I didn't pluck until I was an adult. And I've just recently discovered brow waxing - it's fine.

Now, Abbie came to me the other night wanting me to pluck her uni-brow. I have tried to pluck it in the past year but she wouldn't let me do it. She knows hers is a uni-brow and I didn't tell her. Someone else told her 2 years ago and she has seen it on TV. She even identifies one little girl at school as the "one with the uni-brow" (it is a serious uni-brow.)

I took off the offending hairs lickity split. I did not do her brows. I simply made her have 2 distinct brows.

She was happy with it.

And Abbie Thanks You

Girl Scout Cookies have become my life. I don't like to sell all that junk from school but for some reason these cookies are fun to sell. Go figure.

We turned in some money today for our first batch of boxes! And I love all of you that are patiently waiting for more cookies or an order form.

Weird thing from today: I met a college student that had never eaten Girl Scout cookies! I didn't realize that was humanly possible!

Did anybody see that the folks that own Drug Emporium go to church with DeeAnne?! She's in Longview........ Small world.

Oh. Here's what happens when you don't check all your email accounts:

10 people come to your house for Praise Team practice and you are eating dinner. With clean laundry in the chair waiting to be folded. And the entire family's shoes in the floor. And a wreath still over the mantel. And a child's pillow from where they were laying on it. Oy.

Day 4

Kenny got headgear today. It has brought back many unpleasant memories. I imagine I'll get used to it but today it just bugging me.

I've been reading (yet another) book about Mormonism. This a fictionalized account of Ann Eliza Young one of Brigham Young's many wives. She really did write an expose of the marriage and traveled the US lecturing against polygamy. It also has a murder mystery set in present day in a Fundamentalist compound.

The book is stuck in my head and all I want to do read it. I find the Mormon faith fascinating. I know it's a cult but the question remains why do so many people believe it? Why would anybody not demand proof of golden tablets (that Joseph Smith found) only 150 years ago? How can you trust a God that can change his mind tomorrow? Like he did with Black people and polygamy.

Cult or Different Belief System?

Good Eats

We ate at Lytle Land & Cattle and Company Saturday night and I wanted to write about the most excellent thing.

Vegetable Bobs. They are really kabobs and they were so good. I think I can skip the potato next time and have two of these.

One more thing. When will Drug Emporium join the 21st century and allow me to use my credit card?

Cookies, Anyone?

We're selling Girl Scout cookies now! We went to pick up 10 boxes yesterday - this is the first time they've given boxes and you take orders, too. I knew that I could sell these cookies. I knew that they would be gone but how?

First, I put it on Facebook that I would have them at church. Then I intended to open up the back of my van and sell out it. (My plan did not include counterfeit watches and purses but it did tend that way.)

Yes, I grew up that selling in the church was a no-no. But, if you review the account of the moneychangers in the Bible, the moneychangers were taking advantage of the out-of-towners. We had no intention of making any money - Abbie just wants all the "incentives."

Without too much trouble, we sold 50 boxes!! It has turned into a family affair, for sure! We had a couple of people just giving money! Thanks for that - we'll put that right to our troop.

I hope we didn't offend anybody but we're having fun!

Genetic Quirkiness?

Kenny had a sleepover last night at the church building. A bunch of Tween boys running around the children's wing (classrooms locked) with Nerf guns.

Bless the mom and dad that was there with them while they didn't sleep a wink.

But that meant I had to pick Kenny up at 7:00 am (7 to 7, see how that works.) Of course, my weird son (like his mom) had to shower before going to sleep.

Driving at that hour also meant I saw the moon going down. The moon was super bright and huge! I was amazed by the sight of it.

This is what I found when I got home.

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There has been much said to me about not posting here. I have decided to post every day for the next 21 days. That's until January 31. It may not be alot and it may not be exciting but it will be something!

Enjoy.