" A Minute Atta Time "

Watching from the Top of A Hill

2012-03-03T10:16:00.000-05:00

We're fine.

We were a lot more blessed than many others...

In East Tennessee and several other states.

There are a few thousand customers

remaining without power this morning.

We could see this coming - all the way from Chattanooga.

And it was nothing of a sight - compared to what followed.

We went into a Tornado Warning shortly upon its arrival.

Down to the Basement is where we headed...

with the two pups and the cat.

If you click on the photo

and look along the tree tops in the background...

You'll see a lower portion of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The blanket of the storm hung over like some domineering Lion.

It was as if Mother Nature was giving birth to full-grown Lions.

Everywhere.

Looking toward Oak Ridge, TN. - around 5:30pm yesterday.

Dwayne caught a funnel around 9:40pm...

In the very same spot - with the video capabilities on his Android...

It was huge. It was too close - as far as we're concerned.

Yet it was close enough to show us one thing.

We have angels looking out for us.

But still - sometimes...

It just doesn't feel very good being the Cow up on The Hill.

Please pray for all those

that suffered by the hands of Mother Nature last night.

- Please -

Designate a safe place in your home or basement...

and stock it with camping and emergency supplies.

Hit The Floor Running - Before the Rain Gets Here!

2012-03-02T06:54:00.000-05:00

( Our " Granny Smith " Apple Tree is waking up! )

The past couple weeks have been - really - weird. I guess it’s true when they say - “ Wanna see God laugh? Make a plan! “

The crazy spring-like weather has tried to stomp mud puddles in our way all it can. Not working. We just keep revamping the list - and rolling with the flow.

Getting things knocked off that list!

( Ohhhhh, just look! We're gonna have LOTS of Plums. Shuddup and play along! )

I made my usual run to handle errands in Lenoir City - yesterday.

Ohhh! I saw Bradford Pear trees blooming! And I saw Hubs' favorite two trees ( Huge " Jane " Magnolia trees covering a mobile home ) busting loose with color - too!

After getting all the groceries put away - handing out treats to the pups and checking on the girls - I headed outside to help Dwayne measure fence line for Artie and Bruce.

I don’t have the courage to tell him that he didn’t measure enough.

He’s gonna need more. But there’s time. Better to wait - and let him learn the hard way. ( One less argument. )

Today - we’re headed off to pick up bundles of fencing wire - hinges and other hardware for inside the barn - and a refill of Zucker’s prescription for Thyroxine. We’re also stopping to check on one more source for roofing/sheeting metal.

Tomorrow - while the rain heads for other places - we go for round fence posts. If time allows - Hubs wants to construct doors for the stalls in the barn.

( That " Belle of Georgia " Peach tree is perkin' up, too! )

Sometimes - it seems like there’s so little going on around here. But there are all the other chores - in between getting all this extra stuff taken care of.

I have to go downstairs to get anything out of the pantry and freezers - or do laundry. ( I do massive amounts of cooking - baking - and laundry. No. Seriously. I do. I really do. ) I have to go out across acreage to get to the chicken coop. I get my - ahem - “ walking “ done each day. The pups and the girls see to that!

But when the weather has been beautiful - the pups and I have taken off for walks around the hay pasture - as well.

It wears ‘em both out.

They disappear.

I can vacuum and steam mop.

Yay.

Waking up Spring and Google Leap Year Project Today!

2012-02-29T06:33:00.003-05:00

Take in the moment of this sight. Understand. Relish.

It’s like an eyelid beginning to flinch.

It’s one of our three “ Kay Gray “ Grape Vines - very first sign of awakening.

We’re expecting our first round of true clusters of grapes this year.

These little guys began showing up all the way back in November.

Had me a bit concerned. They’re not supposed to begin popping until now.

But that’s how far - “ Off “ - our winter season has been.

With them coming up way too soon - the threat was there for losing them - had we been hit with a winter like we had last year.

Aren’t they absolutely precious! I could sit and stare forever. So delicate. So bright. So intense. So pretty!

And when I saw the first couple of Muscari blooms pop…

I knew!

Old Man Winter has been told to pack his bags and get the heck outta here!

Today is the celebration of Leap Year! And I’m participating in a Global project at Google+!

Everyone involved is taking photos of - whatever is happening around them in their area - and posting them to the same area at Google+. The end result will be one - absolutely humongous - digital scrapbook in pictures telling a story of one day in the life of the world!

Anybody can do this! Anybody can upload photos taken today ( make sure to activate the date function on your camera. ) and submit them. I can help you get there.

Go to Google+ and open an account for yourself - ( If you don’t already have one. )

Click here to find the link for getting to the Main Circle that’s been set up as - ly2012.

On the top right side of the page - look for the red box with “ Follow “ - and click on it.

Go to YOUR Mainstream to upload your photos. ( You can hit the Shift key for multiple photos, too. )

Share it Publicly .

Tag the photos with G+ LeapYear 2012 - Day in the life of G+ .

And if you wanna hook up with me - kick my name into the search window for Google+.

Teresa Schoellkopf

Because the date begins earlier in other regions of the world - the photos had already begun coming in last night.

And there are some wonderful - absolutely wonderful photos coming in!!

Gonna be fun!

Chocolate Chip Brownies For My Hero!

2012-02-26T07:56:00.000-05:00

Dwayne’s been working so hard on this barn. The winds and the chill were ridiculous yesterday. But he got quite a bit done this round of days off - despite two days of crappy weather keeping us inside.

Fortunately - there was work he could do inside the barn that kept him out of the wind.

In the middle of handling other chores inside the house - I made him a double-batch of Chocolate Chip Brownies ( click here for the recipe! ) - totally from scratch.

Took one out to him as soon as they came out of the oven!

He doesn’t like nuts in his brownies. ( Didn’t have any - anyway! ) I’d munched on a few of the double-size bag of milk chocolate chips - when I had a craving for chocolate a couple weeks ago. But I had equal the amount of left-over semi-sweet chocolate chips. So I threw those in there!

Whoops! Only had 3 of the 4 teaspoons vanilla called for - so I kicked in a teaspoon of Almond extract.

And just for fun - I snuck in 4 teaspoons of instant coffee granules!

The double batch was too much - even for my 13”x18” Nordicware baking sheet ( click here to order these! ). So - I used my round Fire King cassarole dish to bake the remaining mix.

Tasty Success!

But now we’re wondering if I’ll be able to screw up like this - again.

This view of the barn shows the top level that Dwayne is going to remove. See the new 2”x6” above the door on the outside of the barn?

That will be the new roof. As you can see - enough area for storing hay is left above the stalls.

My husband thinks of everything! He’s so talented! Very cost-efficient, too. Just a couple of the reasons why I love him so much!

And he takes so much pride in the work he does - to the point of becoming anal at times.

I mean - he even wanted extra stability in the doorways of this - temporarily repurposed structure.

And when he finished with that - He stood up straight - turned around…

And caught a glimpse of this.

We now have to set up a ramp to get the tractor-mower out of the barn.

And that brings to mind one more reason why I love him so much.

He makes me laugh!

Bringing On The Comfort!

2012-02-25T08:44:00.000-05:00

To every Groundhog in this world - “ Neener - Neener! “ It was the best damn homemade chili made that day! No sweeter revenge for leaving us to more of this insane weather.

The past few weeks - especially since Groundhog Day - things have been quite full of anxiety over a Honey-Do List needing immediate attention around here.

Naturally - it always pertains to something that gives Mother Nature opportunity to take some great pleasure with enjoying her skills for slamming down bad weather.

And in the middle of it all - of course - I reached a point where I wasn’t quite so sure I was going to be able to get out of bed one morning. The chronic pain was about to take me down - all the way.

It was the second morning in a row - when I was awakened around 4am with this incredible burning migraine headache. Felt like a helmet on my head - just radiating my brain.

Come Saturday morning ( why is it always on a weekend? ) - I began experiencing that pinhole-sized hearing coming through my right ear - with the echo. And the left ear was responding as if it had a wad of gum crammed inside.

( No. I was never one of those kids. But I do remember a few! )

Made a trip to see the doctor this past Wednesday. Sure enough. Major sinus infection. Doctor told me the burning helmet of a migraine - was fever. ( Whouldda thunk? ) I’m taking Amoxicillin - Mucinex and Theraflu.

Obviously - changes are in order.

Yesssss. He’s posing for a new modeling job. He’s prissing. He’s bragging. He thinks his farts don’t stink.

Zucker has a new bed. He loves it.

What he doesn’t like about it? He thinks his new bed is responsible for getting him kicked out of our bed - and confined to our master bath - behind the baby gate.

His new bed is for me - so I can sleep - without worrying about kicking his scrawny butt out of our bed all night long - waking up every few minutes to make sure he‘s okay!

The baby gate? That’s for Carlie. That poor girl is under the mistaken notion that she’s entitled to every comfy - whatever - in this whole house!

It’s a definite safe assumption of my needing some sleep in a desperate way - when I don’t even care how much it pisses her off to see somebody have something she can’t get close enough to even sniff!

( Just ask Hubs. )

On a much lighter note…

Ever since Spinner got a loaded stocking for Christmas…

He’s become clingy - in his own way. He likes to be close. But not too close to touch.

This fur ball is soooo on my good list.

What a Difference 30* Can Make!

2012-02-24T21:39:00.002-05:00

This was the last day of the last round of days off.

He was determined to get this up before

- finally -

calling it quits for that round of days off.

This round of Days Off.

How lucky can ya' get?! All the crap went around us - yesterday.

Look. No jacket! It was absolutely - gorgeous!

Amazing what you can get done

when Mother Nature decides to be an adult!

It's a bit confusing - at the moment.

But I'll do a " Before vs. After " once I get shots of the boys' first tromp inside to check the place out - after they get here - of course!

He looks like a little boy up there!

And THIS was in the shade - on our back porch!

Carlie and I even talked about puttin' on bikinis!

She says her butt won't fit in hers, anymore.

Mandy Gawley - "Let it Go" Official Video

2012-02-23T15:06:00.000-05:00

Cleaning Up in a Southern Belly Full of History

2012-02-16T08:45:00.000-05:00

Little by little - according to how much this crazy weather allows - the old Tobacco Barn is being knocked down to the bones - and temporarily repurposed.

We’re reconstructing 3 stalls for Artie - Bruce - and whomever else on 4 legs may come into our lives as we go along.

The boys'll be coming home around the first week of April. And this will house them while we get the other barn built.

There's been a lot of - “ landfill “ that Dwayne had to drag out of the stalls with the tractor. Afterward - he pulled more soil off to keep any rainfall from settling toward the barn.

The “ clean-up “ has been a little “ interesting “ to say the very least. To begin with - we have to remember where we’re located. East Tennessee has a belly full of American History.

The date of June 11, 1920 is scratched into one of the piers that once supported the wall standing alone for the moment. And pulling nails out of some of this wood supports believing that as a fact - without any doubt.

Any idea about keeping a trash can around the barn in the past doesn’t seem to be a thought that ever crossed anybody’s mind. Thank God for Magnets. Don’t they teach Farriers to dispose of horseshoes and nails in a proper manner?

I didn’t get shots of the buckets of rusty horseshoes we picked up a couple weeks ago.

But it seems like - anytime a hole shows up in the floor of a tack room - time moves in to provide a mine shaft leading to some really juicy secrets! That beer can is nothing compared to all that we found!

Old whiskey bottles - beer bottles - and a trash bag loaded with more beer cans.

Found this little 2oz. Bottle - with the original lid that just - crumbled - as soon as I touched it.

And how ’bout this little diddy! I remember these!

This is an odd-shaped jar that I’ve never seen before. If anybody can fill me in - I’d really appreciate it.

It has an appearance that makes me feel like it’s just short of a full pint.

The really interesting thing we’ve come across - under the tack room floor - would be 3 quart jars. Found 1 a couple weeks ago - 2 yesterday.

Now - what do you think would be inside any quart-size jars that would be used in a barn?

After finding this - I don’t think I’d buy any excuse as truth.

I’m pretty sure it was more for the rider!

Married To 1 of The 20%

2012-02-14T09:18:00.001-05:00

I heard a comment on MSNBC this morning...

" Eighty Percent of all Valentine's Day Cards purchased are purchased by women. "

I cannot even put into words how lucky that makes me feel...

To know that I am married to one of the 20% of some pretty rare men!!

I can hardly wait until he sees the surprise I have lined up for him this evening!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone!

1 Word 4 The Media

2012-02-13T15:21:00.000-05:00

I swear.

Times have become soooo TOTALLY STUPID in this country - enough that I can’t handle more than a half-hour of television news stations - PER WEEK.

I just have issues.

I can no longer handle watching the level of stupidity that is ramping up in this country.

Really. Do we really need 4 DAYS of half-hour re-run news reports about a dead person - on 15 CHANNELS?

And the Press Conferences - with the LA Police Chief.

How many of THOSE do we really need? Why are so many so-called reporters being paid to flock to every single one of these little events?

When it comes to Hollywood - Dude! It’s always the same protocol. It’s always the same routine. It’s always the same questions. It’s ALWAYS THE SAME ANSWERS!

It's always the same - JUST A DIFFERENT NAME!

You know what’s gonna be said. You know what’s gonna be asked. You know how everything is going to be answered.

“ This is an on-going investigation. We won’t have any answers until the Coroner’s toxicity reports come back - which will be in approximately 6 to 8 weeks. “

Same scenario - different person.

And there’s always gotta be some reporter that asks that same very first question - at each and every single press conference with the officials.

“ Do you know what the cause of death was? “

ALWAYS. Always immediately following that given statement that there will be no answers until the report comes back in 6 to 8 weeks.

What is it? Has it just become news reporter etiquette to let each other take a turn being a moron?

And then - it’s not just 1 channel. It’s EVERY channel. It’s EVERY morning show. It’s EVERY local news station - morning - noon and night.

It’s EVERY Newspaper. It’s EVERY Website. It’s EVERY radio station.

It’s EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE!

I get one single message out of this crap.

None of them have discovered one simple fact.

Technology took us out of any need for such torture - a LONG time ago.

When the media is all up front with blasting the noise about all the wasted money in Washington, D.C.....

I say that’s just a tad bit of the Pot calling the Kettle black!

But the worst part about the stupidity that goes on during these specific scenarios is…

None of y’all are even decent enough to step back and allow family members left behind the respect of burying their dead - and grieving in privacy - as peacefully as possible.

I got one word for all you media jerks.

KARMA.

Whitney Houston - You Were Loved - HQ + lyrics

2012-02-12T12:58:00.000-05:00

Yes, you were. And you ALWAYS WILL BE, Baby Girl.

Thank you for the joy from your gift.

Thank you for holding me up during those days when I felt like I just couldn't take one more bite out of one more brick wall.

This is How You Judge Good Oatmeal Cookies!

2012-02-11T07:25:00.000-05:00

How pitiful is this!

Funny part is - Carlie's not the one you have to worry about.

If you wanna keep your own cookies...

Do NOT let Zucker in your lap!

I Now Know Why People Step In Front Of Speeding Trains

2012-02-10T09:21:00.000-05:00

( *** Fair Warning - The following contains pure honesty with feelings - fact - and rightfully deserved anger. If you can't hang with the reality - you may want to move along and continue with your sand tunnel trip. )

Before 10am yesterday morning - my life had a head-on collision with a reality like I haven’t seen in a long time.

And I now know why people step in front of speeding trains.

Bear with me - while I jump back in time.

I was raised by my mother and step-father. Going out drinking and going to jail were a whole lot more important - more than a whole lot of other things that should have been up at the top of the list of priorities.

The first time I was ever taken to any Dentist was at age 16 - back in the 1970’s.

My mother had some kind of family genetic thing going on that led to her being required to get dentures by the time she was 18 years old.

But when she went through that experience - she went into a hospital operating room. By the time she was taken into the recovery room - all her teeth had been pulled - and her new dentures were already in her mouth.

I was too young to remember all that happening.

However - I was a teenager when I watched my Step-father go through the same experience - back in the 1970’s. He spent one day in the hospital after surgery. Came home the next day - with his new dentures inside his mouth. And he recovered absolutely just fine.

February 13, 2007 - I had to have a complete abdominal hysterectomy (the timing for this just donned on me). I know. By far - it made for one of those not-so-favorable memories any girl cares to hold onto for any Valentine’s Day. It was very unexpected. But it was necessary.

Immediately - I went into the Hot Flashes. The Menopause kicked in with a vengeance. In no time - I wanted to just crawl out of my skin and get away from myself. It was decided upon - between my family doctor and my OB-GYN - to put me on Elevil and an estrogen cream until I got past the worst of it.

Beyond the Menopause and the healing from the 18 staples in my gut - I was one of the more fortunate ones. I didn’t gain all the weight - get all ‘fat and happy’ - and all that other crap. With the exception of getting used to saving money on monthly female requirements - I was doing just fine after my recovery.

September, 2009 - I chose to give myself a gift for my 50th Birthday. I was encouraged by my doctor to try Chantix - again.

I had already tried before. I became too afraid to leave the house after the 3rd week of being on that medication. I swear - I could do nothing but drink water for nourishment. And that medication would - still - have me running everybody out of the house. There was no way I was going to take that problem out into public!

Between that problem - and having other smokers in the house… #FAIL.

But I went ahead and tried again - for my 50th birthday. It was important to me - to become smoke-free. And I succeeded with the second go-round using the Chantix.

But I have paid a price nobody should ever have to pay. If I knew back then - what I know now - I would never have used that crap.

I survived a Hysterectomy and going through Menopause without hardly any of the well-known after-effects most women deal with. I was still wearing size 8-petite jeans. Hell - I got even luckier! I don’t even have to shave my legs or my underarms anymore! There’s nothing there!

But only 4 months after taking the Chantix - my body began falling apart on me with speed that would make a NASCAR driver nervous. I could no longer walk about 200 yards to my garden from the house - without being completely unable to move or breathe once I reached the garden. The garden is only about a fourth of an acre away - with about a 25-degree incline. And the first of 2 bouts with gaining massive weight occurred - each within less than 2 weeks at a time.

My appetite had gone to hell. It was that time of year when I’d normally get too busy and was always forgetting to eat. I really only wanted salads. I was too lazy to cook for myself. Anybody that knows me - knows the trance I go into during Spring when it comes time for getting the yard and garden ready for growing season.

That was probably the only normal thing going on with me at that time. But despite even that - I gained 16 pounds within 11 days. And my body was in an enormous amount of pain.

In September, 2009 - about 3 weeks before my birthday - just before I began the second attempt with taking the Chantix - Dwayne and I were helping with the situation mentioned in the above scrapbook page. I was out running around - chasing horses. Okay - and a donkey. Still smoking cigarettes. No problems - at all. No loss of breath. No coughing or wheezing. Nothing.

By mid-February, 2010 - I was in Hell. And it’s been downhill - since. Including my teeth.

I’ve been through all kinds of tests. Doctors - clinics - hospitals - labs - they’ve all made a whole lot of money off of me - milking our insurance company. Everybody else has come out ahead. All anybody says they can find wrong with me is - Asthma. Yeah - I'm one of those over the age of 50 developing Asthma.

My family doctor wants to put me on Cymbalta for the chronic pain. Great. Another $100.00 per month out of pocket - for chemicals having a list of side-effects that make ya’ wanna drop dead just listening to it all. That’s her only answer for the chronic pain. No thank you.

Besides - The Chantix cost $112.00 per month - and look at where that got me. Thank God - I got away with only using that for 1 month.

And now we move along to the subject of going to the Dentists.

These sons-of-bitches get on planes - just like all other doctors in this country - and fly over to Bali and/or Belize to do a little dental work - for free - on “ the natives “ for a day or so - and call it a “ Mission of service through their church. "

And then they come back home and - it’s considered “ a business. “ And I don’t know about anywhere else in the country - but I was told that here in the East Tennessee Valley - Dental clinics are known to jump in and out of “ network “ on a weekly basis.

I have even seen the warnings on the website at dentalplans.com - the warning for patients to call each dental office to make sure they're " in your network " before you do anything!

I’ve been verbally warned by a Metlife Rep - to call the Dentist’s office the day before EVERY appointment to make sure they’re still in network. Apparently - there have been incidents where clinics have jumped out of networks between the time patients have scheduled appointments and the day they show up for those scheduled appointments. And they don’t bother calling the patients to warn them - of course. Crooks.

Considering the way they treat their own people when they get back to the States - I would bet my money that God - Himself - would count their little “ Missions of Service “ nothing more than deceitful-minded vacations for tax write-offs.

No doubt - they consider the fact that it's legal super-ceding anything God would have to say about it.

I’ve been a paying customer. Apparently - the Dental Industry and I differ on the definition of that phrase. Because I’ve paid - in a whole lot of painful ways - and received nothing but grief and insults.

The games that go on in the Dental Industry - are downright criminal. I have been jerked around by Dentists so much - just in the last 2 years.

All I wanted to do was go in - get dentures - get this crap over with.

I do not smile in pictures. I get ugly with people trying to take my picture. I do not like having my picture taken. My husband and I have never had our portraits taken together - no legitimate wedding photographs - nothing. ( My profile picture here shows pain - if you know me well enough. )

I’ve never liked the condition of my teeth. I had 2 molars missing - before I took the Chantix.

I have received nothing but needles jabbed in my mouth all the time - being sent out a door - paying cash out the nose - and insulted.

And that’s when I COULD find a Dentist that would accept our insurance.

I got twisted into believing that I had to go in for deep cleanings - that I wanted partials - not dentures. I should save my teeth.

They couldn’t do it at the office I went to in Sweetwater. They sent me to this Honest-To-God Pure-Bred Asshole in Maryville.

He wanted to split my mouth up - into 4 visits. Those visits were gonna COST ME $500.00 each time I had to go in to have a quarter of my mouth deep cleaned!! That's besides whatever he got paid by our insurance company!! All this from this jerk in Maryville that I'd been referred to - AFTER he insulted me.

“ Mrs. Schoellkopf - did you have a really bad experience with a Dentist in the past - enough to keep you from going to the Dentist? “

Really. Wow.

I told mentioned Asshole - “ You are looking at the result of being put on the bottom of everybody’s list all my life - from the day I was conceived - Including YOURS. “

As a matter of fact - I did have a frightening experience with Dr. William Chouke - in Texas City, Texas - back in the 1980’s - when he cut out my Wisdom Teeth.

He demanded I go to Danforth Hospital. I had grown up hearing adults talking about that place. It had a reputation for people going in there and never coming out! He refused to do the work at ( what was called back then ) Galveston County Memorial Hospital - where I’d only been admitted for having my children.

I’d never had surgery - ever before. He forced me to have day surgery at that spooky hospital. And he ended up having to send me to my family doctor for x-rays and a shot in the butt with a mega dose of penicillin.

I ended up with Lock-Jaw. I went 9 weeks of having to eat through a straw. Could not even get inside my mouth to remove stitches. My family doctor was pissed. “ Teresa - I don’t know how to tell you this. But - either one. You had a very rough Dentist. Or - somebody used dirty tools. ”

I’ve heard that I could have died from it. But even that has nothing to do with why my mouth is in such bad shape. It is not because I have not tried taking care of my teeth. It is not because I have not wanted to go to a Dentist, either.

My husband and I had to do our elections on benefits last November - as usual. Apparently - we made a huge mistake by keeping an open mind and jumping off a cliff with a bit of trust - again.

We were made to believe that by paying a little more for Cigna’s HMO Dental Plan - we would be receiving more services. Our hopes were that it would make it possible for me to get dentures.

First - we find out - a week ago - that there are only TWO (2) Dental offices in all of the East Tennessee Valley that accept Cigna’s HMO plan.

But yesterday - I finally come across a dental professional that is honest enough to inform me that you have to go to an entirely different kind of Dentist for Dentures. And the common practice is to - simply - go forth and search for that type of Dentist on your own - without needing referral from an ordinary Dentist appointment.

She’s telling me this - and I’m thinking about all those people in those dentist offices that have spilled all over me - doing all they could to convince me to get partials instead of dentures. The math finally added up.

In order to do the partials - the deep cleanings had to be done first. This could be about a 2 year process - loaded with appointments costing out the nose. Average total insurance coverage per person in a family plan is about $1,000.00 per year - nowhere near covering what I needed for even the first year it would take to do the deep cleanings.

The Jerk in Maryville could only offer Nitrous Oxide as the only difference between his capabilities and those offered by the Dentist in Sweetwater that sent me to him.

That is so 1970’s. I received much better help with anesthesia than that in California - back in the late 1990’s. This old fart needs to retire. He’s too lazy to continue his education.

But he sure knows how to jack the bill up. He wanted to suck $2,000.00 out of our pockets from the get-go. And you can bet - he knew that $1,000.00 limit our insurance would pay would run out halfway through.

We’d get stuck with paying all the rest of it. Or - I’d have the choice of putting up with a half-done job and never getting any partials.

Only makes sense why none of them bothered to tell me that I had to find an entirely different type of Dentist for Dentures. Crooks.

And then it gets even better. The only decent professional we could find is in Knoxville. BUT - he doesn’t take any kind of insurance.

And most of them don't take any insurance!

His office will be more than happy to bill our insurance company for pre-authorization - so I can be refunded by the insurance company. But we have to pay all the money up front.

I’m supposed to extend faith - again - after all this crap - in the idea that our insurance company will send us a refund?

Right.

I argued with that woman. And she had the nerve to say to me - “ Well, Ma’am… we have patients coming to us all the way from Alabama and other states, as well as patients coming to us that have been to other offices for Dentures, because they say they’re not able to get Dentures that fit as well as the ones Dr. Locascio does for them. “

I heard that out of her mouth FOUR (4) times before I had to get off the phone. I was so disgusted - but grateful - for the fact that my hand could not reach through the phone.

I was not calling about buying anything for everybody else and their brother.

And now - there’s a Federal Law that keeps us trapped with a Dental Insurance Plan that we can’t even use. And we can’t get out of the nightmare until November.

Just another Health Source ripping off money for nothing.

Doctors care about healing their patients. NOT.

The bottom-line truth in this country is - you can get better healthcare treatment if you’re on welfare - or in jail.

I so get it.

I now know why people head to the E.R. when they’re sick.

I now know why people step in front of speeding trains.

And I don’t blame them one damn bit.

I also - now know - just exactly WHO started the bitching about Barrack Obama's Healthcare Plan - and WHY.

Truth - NONE of these crooked games could be played any longer. And they'd have to fly straight with the hand that feeds every single one of 'em.

Doggy Foo-Foo And Another Moron Sna-Foo

2012-02-08T08:50:00.000-05:00

“ Doggy Towels “

That’s what we call ‘em around here. And this is nothing. This isn’t even all the towels that were used. The house was turned into a Doggy Beauty Parlor yesterday. Baths were given. Pedicures. Clips. Eyebrow touch-up. Beard shaping.

The whole Nine Yards!

( I know. She demands an audience - even while eating. )

Carlie felt - looked and smelled pretty as a female again - until she found a pile of Rabbit manure out by the barn later in the evening. For a dog that cannot swim - she has a coat that can fight off water enough to make Ducks jealous. But I’m sure they wouldn’t mind missing out on all the shedding.

Zucker was shaggy-winter hand-clipped to help bring his entire coat back to a somewhat level stance. It’s now a little more difficult to see all the huge spots from the shaving he took before having stitches and shunts put in to save his butt after his little AWOL adventure.

And he just fits “ Shaggy “ so well. Makes ya’ laugh. But he’s got the personality to go with. And that just makes it that much more fun!

Dwayne attempted to begin tear-down on the roof of the barn - for reconstruction on the “ temporary plan “ until we get the other barn built.

Once again - we come across another “ Moron’s Surprise. “

The former owner used NAILS on the tin roof - instead of screws. All that perfectly reusable tin - is now worthless - once we tear the barn down.

And he’s had to revamp the plans he had for restructuring the entire roof.

I will be so glad when that thing is no longer in our face. It will help us get past some really infuriating thoughts that keep regurgitating.

Child Labor Laws – How it Affects Farming

2012-02-06T19:02:00.002-05:00

Child Labor Laws – How it Affects Farming

Thanks to Terry Olsen and Titan Outlet Store for sharing this with the public. I encourage everyone to take time to read all the information and help that's been provided for understanding this situation.

Twitter Trolls Trolling in Costumes

2012-02-05T08:53:00.001-05:00

If this was Thanksgiving morning - and I had to take a turn mentioning one thing I’m grateful for…

This particular morning I would have to say I am extremely grateful for - that Block Button on Twitter.

There are people on this planet that live on the Internet - hopping around the big ball on their IP address for the sole purpose of hunting victims for their most prized endeavor - a fight.

I have absolutely no idea where this joker came from. But he goes by his chosen username of... ( hold on - had to go through my email trash bucket... ) - @DwarfVader on Twitter.

And he can just - move along - as far as I‘m concerned. Yup. He and his Avatar. Darth Vader.

Uh-huh. I know.

This idiot is just… twisted. He has issues. He needs help. Hell - I even asked him if he has a problem with “ Little Man Syndrome, or something.”

I have no idea what he really wanted - other than a fight. He’s not on my list. I’m not following him. I do not care to follow him. And he will not be following - Moi’.

This world seems to be breeding more and more of these sub-standard morons. Their chosen behavior is less than healthier than say - all that a 30-year-old pile of manure is for maggots.

They have issues.

They need help.

All I know is that there is absolutely nothing I can do for this extremely confused “ Idjit “ appearing to be enjoying his adventures - trolling on Twitter.

I have nothing nice for him.

I have nothing for him.

I have a life. A constructive life.

Trolls belong in fairy-tale books. But as for this particular Troll...

Better for him to stay lost in Twitterland - rather than showing up on my porch.

My Block Button isn’t so quiet - nor forgiving.

Additions To The Family!!

2012-01-31T20:10:00.000-05:00

It’s a He. A baby Bull. Born less than a week ago.

He is a ( click here to read up! -> ) Dexter.

They are a genuine miniature breed from Ireland.

His name is “ FF Freedom’s Artist “ - but he’s being called “ Artie “ for short.

And…

As of this evening…

He’s ours!!

So is this little guy!

His name is “ FF Bruce Almighty “

He’s a little Dexter Steer - born November 3, 2011.

We won’t be able to bring the guys home for a couple months. They’re way too young, at this moment.

But - that’s okay.

We’re running around here like chickens with their heads cut off - getting ready to bring ‘em home - and spoil ‘em rotten!

Mother Nature Joking Before February?

2012-01-29T06:46:00.000-05:00

The Crack of Dawn - over the Great Smoky Mountains from our house yesterday morning!

Have you noticed, yet?

I found myself standing out in the middle of the yard waiting for Zucker to take care of his business - after 6pm yesterday.

And there was still a hearty case of Daylight going on!!

The days are getting longer - already.

( Doing a Happy Dance! )

Missouri vs HSUS

2012-01-28T09:43:00.001-05:00

This video was featured on RFD-TV this past week. This is an issue that - if not fought and beaten for our own protections - could lead to a direct security threat to our country.

This is about a bill being pushed by animal extremists - shoddy enough to completely shut down every farm in this country. Absolutely no joke.

If not fought against - we could - very well - see this country totally dependent on other countries for our entire food source.

What if they decided to cut us off - hold our food supply for ransom? They've threatened to do so with oil. It can happen.

But listen to HOW the State of Missouri chose to handle the situation to protect their farmers. You will find what you hear to be very interesting.

This story goes to prove one very important point.

There are issues our government makes decisions about and votes on - haphazardly - without full and proper knowledge.

When that happens - it can bring a LOT of harm to this country.

All the more reason why we do need Government Reform in this country.

All the more reason why it's so important that we all pay attention and get involved when we see Bills going before our Government that could harm this nation's people.

My New Toy!

2012-01-26T13:48:00.000-05:00

I am loving this thing!

I’m not kidding! Yes - it was a bit of an investment - compared to a lot of the other models out there. But this one is the Haan Multi-Purpose Steam Mop Model Ms-30.

It comes with attachments that will take a Nutcase using the Swiffer Duster to a whole new level!!

Just ask him. He had fun going anal on the grout in both bathrooms for a day!

And her - she spent time watching me use it. Well - when she and Carlie weren’t fighting for Cheek Space!

But now SHE wants one! And Carlie thinks we need to buy another chair - for JEN.

Seriously - this thing will clean the glass shower doors. It will clean other wood surfaces besides floors - as long as the wood is sealed properly. It will steam wrinkles out of clothing - curtains and other fabrics! And several other major projects!

But what I like most about this thing - I don’t have to buy anymore cleaning products!

One of the strong points that sold me on this model is a hidden factor that others don’t bother mentioning. The proper temperature for steam to kill bacteria and germs is 212* minimum. And this model does a little more than that - just to make sure the proper temperature reaches the surface.

It’s quiet! Surfaces dry really fast. And if your household has sinus problems - Everybody's gonna love you every time you break this puppy out! We don’t have to use the Humidifier when I do floors.

The real shocker - it’s amazing to discover how hot steam can freshen your home without any scent! But you can add a few drops of scented oil to the bottom of the pads - just for fun!

The whole experience is so well worth the money and the effort.

Now if we can just get this lazy fart to babysit chickens for us.

Spunky Goes With Skippy - Those that Knew Them Know That

2012-01-20T11:37:00.001-05:00

This past Wednesday - I participated in support of the Anti- SOPA and PIPA bills that our ever-so-beloved ( ‘cough’ ) government is being prodded into passing by air-headed Bullies with no conscience.

Anyway - I did not even open up a browser on Wednesday. Next opportunity I took for heading to the Galveston Daily News website was yesterday. My usual routine is to merely glance over the front page before heading to the Obituaries.

Do the math. I never hear from anybody.

Yesterday’s reading of the Obituaries took me to one of those moments that none of us really wants to experience.

On Wednesday, January 14, 2012 - Spunky Bullard passed away. So many will not understand. But typing that sentence is just as difficult for me to think it out - even more - say it out loud.

Ohhhh - do I have some memories! Nothing like some that others have. I do remember the scar that he gave Skippy - from a nail intended for hanging Christmas lights by the front door of the house. Skippy and I had to go get him one night. He pinned me between the house and his giant self - trying to get his drunk butt inside my house to sleep it off!

Reading the news - yesterday - reset the events of my entire day. So many memories came to the surface - again. So much crying - again.

Spunky's brother was The Love of My Life. It’s been a little over 20 years now - since Skippy was run over and killed by a 16-year-old kid in a Volkswagen - driving home from his evening shift at work. Skip was trying to cross Palmer - heading to his pickup in the parking lot across the street.

He’d been at Scruples. He was heading home. And he was drunk.

It was a crazy time in my life. So much going on in my life back then - without ever having a strong and mature structure of family support to prepare me - or - help me survive a divorce.

Our relationship came to be - smack in the middle of it all. Down the road and like overnight - it ended. I had tried moving on. Headed to California for 2 years. He had some woman named Kay living with him all the time I was gone. Very coincidently - they got married - only 2 weeks after I come back home. And there was a boat load of people damn near pushing each other out of the way to get through the door where I was working - just to make sure I knew that.

By then - I’d already had an incident where some of the guys had to keep him away from me - at a public function. I’d only been home a couple days.

And then a couple weeks later - Labor Day weekend comes. And I go on a date with a friend - out to a favorite spot with my aunt and uncle - where my aunt’s father and brother had their band playing. There they are - the newly married couple.

My attitude about the whole situation at that time was - “ He made his decision. He’s a married man now. I don’t do married men. “

He trapped me in the hallway to the bathrooms. Him: “ I just wanna talk to you. “ Me: “ Too late. And you are NOT doing this to her. “

She sat at a table across the main room - watching the whole thing - including watching me walk out to the main room and find my date - before heading out the door and off to another club.

In no time at all - there were more incidents. I decided it was more than obvious. I just was not gonna be able to go out anywhere in town without running into him. And he was always gonna behave the same way. I did not want to be a part of his behavior.

In time - I made the decision to move up to East Texas. I thought it would help. But I always made sure a few of the guys had the phone number for reaching me if anything every happened.

I always came back to Galveston County every 2 weeks - for the kids. I always took the back road - never even entered town. My hair stylist was located on that same road. I could slip in and not be seen. I loved it! Get in. Get out.

There was a particular Saturday when I went in to have my nails done. I sat and listened to the 19-year-old girl doing my nails - while she began spilling gossip to me - after discovering we shared a common acquaintance.

At one point - her boss ( my stylist ) walked over to her and told her, “ I think you’ve said enough. “ And I stepped in with a reply to him, “ No, Hon. It’s okay. I get a kick outta hearing about all the stuff I’m - supposedly - doing in Texas City - all the way from East Texas. “ And I just snickered.

She turned pale as a ghost - apologizing to me - left and right. I had to calm her down - before going back and giving her all the facts and truths. She informed me that she was going to her boyfriend ( close friend of Skippy and Spunky’s ) to fill him in and have him go to Skippy about it.

Had I known what would happen next - I would have told that girl to learn from her experience and just keep her mouth shut.

Wasn’t long after that - he came up there looking for me. Only - I ended up finding him - and a couple others - on the dam - injured - truck damaged - some lady’s car damaged.

I knew they weren’t sober. But I chose not to stop - for a completely different and legitimate reason. I’d had it with all the garbage his wife was spreading all over town about me. And I could only imagine what she’d throw out there if I took the risk of stopping on that dam.

Everybody thought I had issues back then? HA!

Moving along.....

It was the day before Thanksgiving - 1991. Decided to close shop and go home for the holidays. Back then - everybody came home for the holidays. And everybody made their rounds at the usual hot spots in town. It was a really fun time back in those days. It’s all been ruined since.

Anyway - I was gonna go out and join all the fun. I hadn’t been out in what felt like forever! Couldn’t even remember the last Crown and 7 I’d had - the last beer - the last shot. I was well over due for a night at Scruples!

I was totally dressed and decked for the Nines! Had a babysitter. Grabbed my purse and keys - looked at the door and took one step - before I had this most Gawd-awful sickening feeling hit my gut. And then this huge emotional blanket of feeling awful about leaving Jen with a babysitter began smothering me. I chose to stay home that night.

The next morning was Thanksgiving day. I woke up before everybody else. Set up the coffee pot - got dressed - stepped outside to pick up the newspaper.

Grabbed a cup of coffee - sat at the dining table - proceeded to open the newspaper to Page 2. And there it was.

I called his best friend. And it was only then - that somebody finally informed me that his divorce from her was supposed to be final at 8am this very morning - less than 8 hours after he was killed.

I don’t remember much after that. I lost it. They couldn’t wait to come throw it in my face about him marrying her. But not one of them ever came to me - to let me know about the divorce.

Very vaguely - I remember going to the funeral home. I remember taking flowers. I remember the ribbon. I remember having the florist put the message on the ribbon - “ Dance with me in my heart forever, Skippy. “

I remember her standing with his mother near the casket - watching me place the flowers on top - next to his portrait. I remember Spunky being the only one in the room to speak with me - hugging me. I remember spending the rest of the time in the break room with others. And then I remember leaving - heading back to East Texas.

I let go of the very last thread of sense left in me after that. I blamed myself. Up until only a couple years ago - I blamed myself. I could have saved him. He’d still be alive - had I gone out that night. I would have run into him. I would have found out about the divorce. I would have given in to him. I loved this man like nobody can imagine. I would have had a whole dozen kids with this man.

Afterward - My life became loaded with Hell - even more than it ever had been. For the longest time - I could not find reason to wake up every morning. I hated God for making me do it. I hated all of Skippy's friends for not one single one of them ever coming to tell me about the divorce. I really didn’t care what happened to me. And I let pieces of my life float - fly - and fall - wherever things just happened to land. Nothing mattered by then.

Except my daughter - Jen. I struggled with survival on a daily basis - only for her.

People think I’m a bit ‘ touched ‘ when I say I can feel the presence of my Dad and the rest of the Casteel family now passed on to the other side. I really don’t care what they think. I only know keeping that open mind has allowed my Dad to SHOW me that he has been with me.

There have been many times when my dad has come to me - bringing Skippy along. And when there’s been absolutely nobody on this planet willing to support me and help me through pain in life - those two men in my life have continued being there for me - giving me the lifeboat I’ve needed for having no choice but to survive.

For almost 20 years - I’ve remained burdened with feelings of guilt for not going out that night.

I always covered his butt whenever we went out! Had a couple times I bs’d cops and kept him out of jail. Had one night I didn’t manage. But I did fenagle keeping them from impounding his truck - which could have brought on more trouble. *snicker* Who goes partying with loaded hunting rifles? ( This was back in the ‘80’s - before all the Gangsta Wannabe’s were born and chose to become a Society of Pure Stupidity. ) Back then - we could do stupid while continuing to maintain a somewhat reasonable level of responsibility - without trying to kill a soul.

A couple years ago - I was cleaning the kitchen in the last house we rented before buying our home here. Once again - Skippy was on my mind. Once again - the guilt was eating at me. And I needed my dad so badly.

He came. I could hear him say it. I guess he decided it was time for me to know it. “ Baby. You don’t understand. You would have died with him. “

And then I remembered I had dressed in black to go out that night. And this huge cloud of an “ Ahaa.. “ moment felt like it filled the whole kitchen. And then I remembered all the sickening feeling that came over me and stopped me from going out that night. And I felt total peace when the thought crossed my mind that it wasn’t sickness… that was Angels.

The Hero I am married to now - will celebrate 10 years of marriage with me this year! We’ve been together for over 12 years. But we got married ( pure fluke ) on September 11, 2002 - during my day off from work at Continental ExpressJet - and his damn lunch break from the Hangar at Continental ExpressJet.

And we’re still dealing with outside entities that refuse to speak with me - simply because - my name " is not on the account. " Nevermind the fact that I write out the damn checks they get every month!!! Marrying me couldn't fix that one. I’m sure that pisses him off - sometimes. But not for reasons you might think. Ha! Unless you know how pissy I can be.

Hubs knows all about Skippy. He is - very well - aware of how different life could be for both of us - if Skippy had never died. And nooo... I do a WHOLE LOT MORE for that man besides getting up at 3:30am to fix his damn lunch!

But then - we all should be aware of the fact that things don’t always turn out the way we might think - as well. We just never know anything beyond what is.

Dwayne is my Gift of Compensation from God. I put Him to the challenge. If God truly wanted me to quit feeling all the hatred toward Him for making me survive on this wretched planet - after taking Skippy away - then He had to bring Dwayne to me.

Because I just could not imagine God having the energy to create another one just like Skippy. I know. ( There are soooo many people that get that one. LOL ) And He did. God gifted me with having Dwayne in my life.

Granted - I've never smelled another crock pot of burned beans left over on the hood of a car that's raced a couple hundred miles to get home. Dwayne has never pulled a 180* with the pickup - in the middle of an intersection - within eyesight of a cop. I've never had to pull another bar-b-que pit with a flat tire - through tiny country roads - not knowing where in the Hell I'm at. ( I got elected because I had a driver's license - clean record - and was the one most sober. I continue disagreeing with that last point. )

Nope. My Gift from God is much more calmer - reserved - busy. However - I have remained without a dance partner. And - I am just okay with that. Although - I do miss my dance partner.

I’m sure Skippy knows and sees all that lives inside my heart. I’m sure he’s happy for me - the fact that my life survived - squared - and found another point of joy and happiness.

I’m sure he gets a kick out of watching me clean manure off the bottom of my shoes - and hosing down muddy animals!

I’m sure he understands all the - what is - in my life today. I’m sure he’s okay with it. I’m sure he knows where my heart - and my butt - would fight to be - if he were still here with us all.

And for me - what is - holds a whole lot of love in my heart for Skippy. But now I can relax. I know how happy he must be - to have his brother come join him.

" Rest in peace, Spunky. Feel free to come visit anytime you want! Just make sure you bring your brother with ya'! "

" I only hope Heaven can survive the two of you - together with my Dad - Dale - and a few others - in the same place at one time. "

" Oh, my gawd… Ronnie Latimer’s with y'all! "

Why I'm Voting for Fmr. Gov. Buddy Roemer for POTUS in 2012

2012-01-13T22:46:00.004-05:00

Buddy is the only candidate with executive, legislative, and private sector experience

Click on the sentence above to listen and learn more about Buddy Roemer. Follow him on Twitter - @BuddyRoemer

Check him out at www.BuddyRoemer.com

NOBODY can AFFORD NOT TO LISTEN to this man. He could be our saving grace in this country.

Personally - I cannot wait until we have the next election for Congress and Senate.

My goal - I will be voting OUT all Incumbents in my area. I will be voting according to THE CANDIDATE and NOT THE PARTY.

We need to completely sanitize the House and Senate.

What makes me so frustrated is watching how all the media opens the doors to allowing the "damage control" to reclaim gullible minds.

I get the concept of 'fair and balanced' news. But not at the point where there are maneuvers existing which could have an obvious harmful effect to the best interest of this country's people. Allowing the bold lies to come in for 'damage control' only shows the bias that truly exists in that news entity trying to claim itself to be fair and balanced.

Most would think I'm speaking of Fox News, due to their use of that term for advertising. In fact - I am not. Simply - I can SEE the effort they're attempting to portray.

Sadly - there are those not paying attention and not caring enough to become intellectual, deeply enough, over the matter of our country's dilemma.

That in itself - is what is destroying this country. And I cannot understand why any grown man with a family would allow himself and his wife to be tethered by crooks holding their survival for ransom - when it will never be enough. They will continue to squeeze - as long as the work force allows them.

I wish this entire country would stop long enough to take a serious and thorough look at what Corporate America is being allowed to do to this country's people.

They are destroying the Family Unit.

They want this country operating just like a Bee Colony.

Three Shifts - 7 Days per Week... That has become not even enough.

The day is coming when none of us will see a dime of the family's paycheck. It will be gone before you get home on payday.

Corporate America will continue cutting wages and benefits.

Retail - Real Estate - Grocery - Energy - and Services will continue jacking up the prices.

It will never be enough for them.

There would only be 1 way to stop this madness.

The People of This Country - ' The Little Man ' - Every Voter earning less than $100,000.00 per year needs to REFUSE TO WORK ANYTIME BEYOND MONDAY - FRIDAY BETWEEN 8AM - 5PM.

If everybody clocked out and/or refused to clock in after 5pm on Friday... then refused to show back up to clock in until Monday at 8am...

Corporate America would find out within a week - that they DON'T hold us all by our necks. They ARE NOT the big bear in the woods. They CAN NOT destroy our children's lives. And THEY DON'T SURVIVE WITHOUT US.

Until that happens - WE have to take the blame for all this mess that's happening to so many lives in this country. Because WE do nothing - and allow it to happen.

Tasty Treats on a Tacky Day

2012-01-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

Here in our area - we are all enjoying the excitement from ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition being in Knoxville - dropping a miracle of a surprise on one of our local families. More about that later. But - there’s a sad point to that scenario.

The Weather has been absolutely awful. As goes reports from other areas of the country - the spring bulbs are being confused in our yard. All any of us can do is hope they all don’t pay the price before spring arrives.

It’s very difficult to fulfill a dream of completely building a brand new home for a family - when the winter rains enter the scene. And right now - there are at least 1000 volunteers battling this huge obstacle from Mother Nature - right along with Ty Pennington and the entire EMHE team.

We are expected to have a few days of sunshine - beginning on Friday. However - that 7 Day Time Clock began on Tuesday.

And the sunshine will be very deceptive. Temperatures are expected to float between 37* - 52* during the daytime - 22* - 35* during the nighttime. And all these folks are working around the clock.

The weather was insane yesterday. It was as if Mother Nature were going through Menopause. By daybreak - I was able to take these shots.

Within less than an hour - this mess was all over us here at the house. It was loud - heavy - and full of thunder and lightning.

By the time all this made it to Knoxville and other surrounding areas…

This became the scenario at our house! It was - just - shocking! All of a sudden - everything was just so gorgeous outside!

I headed back inside to finish all my baking. Besides making Lemon Bars for Hubs - I got busy with those “ Plans “ I had for the Candy Canes used on the Candle that I posted about a couple days ago.

I call this a Roll of Pure Sin. And you can check it out by clicking here!

We got to enjoy the wonderful sunshine for only a couple hours - before I heard the rumble of thunder return again. I found this happening when I stepped outside for a short time - before we were hit with another wave.

This time - the rain was being pushed sideways. The house shook. The thunder and lightning were wild as before. And Thank God - the Benedryl was still working on Zucker!

Rain - Thunder - Lightning - And Coffee!

2012-01-11T07:36:00.000-05:00

At 4:30am this morning - I was out walking dogs - with a flashlight. The Girls were tended to - their light turned on - water and feed all refreshed. And Thermos’ were warmed with hot water while the Coffee supply was made ready.

Oh, I think I earned a couple Brownie Buttons this morning. Maybe even a few Girl Scout Patches! I remembered to look at the weather map! And we got ready in this household!

I’m not puttin’ up with dogs that need to go - but won’t go unless I carry the umbrella and go out with them!

Not in this mess!

“ What’s wrong, Mama? You somebody who can’t handle keeping the sugar from melting? “

Special Interests...EXPOSED!!!

2012-01-10T05:38:00.000-05:00

Moving Forward into 2012

2012-01-07T09:13:00.000-05:00

It’s official. Zucker is 99% back to his ‘ Old Self ‘ - and I am having to fight for my spot in the bed every night - once again.

One other official note - sadly - is our count of hens now being down to only 8 layers. This lady became egg bound. After 4 days - we gave up. No improvement. And the situation was not helping my work load - to say the least.

I’m thinking very seriously about toughing it out this year - and caving to getting a Roo. We’re down to an average of only 3-5 eggs per day.

As for progress around the property - we’ve been taking advantage of the weather - as well as the weather conditions. Sometimes - odd can be good.

I’ve been able to let The Girls range and head for their favorite place under the wood shop - where they can take dirt baths in something loose and sandy! Right now - they’re finding quite a few baby slugs in the grassy areas. “ Hmmm….. “

Between filling ‘ The Hole ‘ with burnable debris ( we refuse to burn anything containing chemicals ) - and clearing a fence line - there’s been plenty for a good old-fashioned Texas A&M Aggie Bonfire!

No. We didn’t get around to piling it all up and inviting the crowd up here. ( Personally - I’m not so sure folks around here could handle the excitement. )

But Hubs has been able to get the piles out on the pasture burned down.

And most of everything is gone in ‘ The Hole. ‘

Burning was easy. The ground is soaked. And there was water in ‘ The Hole ‘ about a couple feet deep.

The last of these should be gone by Sunday. But there remains about a third of the fence line needing to be cleared. One thing that keeps us from worrying is - the job will be done. One way or another - we will get it done.

The inside of the house may turn upside down if I have to go out and help. And we may eat a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches for supper. But it will get done! And one other true fact we can always count on…

There will always be a fight with splinters. Some still manage to get through the leather gloves.

Wrapping Up Christmas 2011

2012-01-05T09:10:00.000-05:00

Christmas Day with Jen and Josh was so much fun this year! Several of the gifts received brought lots of laughs! Jen’s new winter hat was no exception!

The girl was raised to share her toys. And that principle remains steadfast and forever embedded in her heart and blood!

Unfortunately… Zucker and Carlie didn’t seem to be up for enjoying any sharing of that hat with Jen.

It may have had something to do with the fact that I may or may not have mentioned the word " Ewok. " The argument is still out on that one.

Was it the camera - or - was that just pure disdain - disgust and embarrassment in their eyes?

The guys created destruction and displacement of the living room furniture - of course. Apparently - that’s part of the ‘ ambience ‘ for playing Xbox360??

We had supper that evening - a challenge to endure. The Ham we purchased from Food City was nothing we anticipated - compared to what we’d purchased from Walmart a few years ago.

The ham from Walmart was considered to be a Salt-Cured Ham. The ham from Food City was considered to be a Smoked Ham. Were it not for time travels - you’d think the two hams were switched!

The Salt-Cured Ham baked out with the most wonderful - tasty - flavor! But the so-called ‘ Smoked Ham ‘ we purchased from Food City had us all putting a severe dent in the mashed potatoes!

We did survive. Fortunately - so did this year’s Ham. It did not make it to the trash!

It was kinda like the “ lemonade outta lemons “ thing.

Only… it landed in quart jars and headed to the Pressure Canner!

I guess we'll succumb to buying the next ham at Walmart.

Last shot of our main Christmas Tree before we took it down. Hubs had to work on New Year’s Day. So we put away all the Christmas décor beforehand.

Looks almost like some type of hedge growing in the dining area!

Some people would leave the candy canes stuck to the candle that gave me a little bit of fun! But not me.

I bought a couple of the big bags of chocolate chips and a bag of coconut at the grocery store. I already have a few jars of cocktail cherries.

I’ve got plans.

;)

Christmas Day for The Hairy Family Members

2012-01-04T05:53:00.000-05:00

I've never understood the concept of buying a stocking for a pet - only to leave it empty on Christmas morning.

Our beloved varmints get spoiled for Christmas. And this year was no exception. Besides healthy edible treats - such as Duck and Yam Jerky - or - moist and meaty fish - there were a few other treats waiting for the crew when they woke up this Christmas morning!

This was Carlie's 2nd Christmas. Considering all else in the world that grabs her attention - it's understandable why the girl would forget about this special holiday. We may have fixed that. She just may get excited next year - as much as Zucker got excited this year!

<Carlie>: " Hey! Get outta here, Zucker! You got yours. This is Mine! "

<Carlie>: " Ohhhh.. and this is mine, too! "

<Spinner>: " Ohhh, man. Just what I wanted! I can dig my nails into this without her yelling my head off! Ohhhh, my gawd. CATNIP!! It's loaded with Catnip! "

<Zucker>: " Jen.... I got a new Hoodie, too! Whatchy'a think? "

<Jen>: " Pretty Cool, Zucker! Let's see how ya' look with the Hood on your head! "

Mug Shot!

Perfect Excuse to Get A Lot Accomplished Inside!

2012-01-03T09:28:00.000-05:00

Onward to catching up with photos taken over the holidays.

Hubs maneuvered his suave self into getting me to agree to the two of us opening one Christmas gift on Christmas Eve.

Can you tell? He is flat-dab in his glory. He’s in a Trans.

An Xbox360 Trans… his gift from me.

We've always been the ones to sit back and watch the response and reaction to products for a while - after they've come out onto the market - after the majority of kinks have been exposed - after corrections have been made - and after the prices have all come down.

But this time - it was about the investment - as a whole.

My husband deserves the best for all he does in this world. He's a very hard-working man.

And the performance of the Xbox360 finally caught up with its own hype. Amazing - the things it can do! Games - DVD's - Online and live capabilities. This bundle came with the Kinect, as well!

This household participating in the “ Buy At Least One Gift Made in America “ campaign this year - in a “ double whammy “ kinda way!

Among so many issues that my husband and I share common belief in and support - the issue of " Made In America " is one that each and every single one of us need to stand up and fight to regain.

We have every right to produce our own goods in this country.

And of all things - this little gem speaks volumes - in many ways!

This was my gift from Hubs. I love it! Fits perfectly in my hand - exactly the way I wanted. Not an easy task.

I’ll have no problem using this one to draw Zucker back home when he goes AWOL. Gunshots and fireworks make him run home and find the underside of a table. And of course - there’s the issue of any idiots stupid enough to attempt entering our home uninvited and / or with bad intentions.

Hubs has a Taurus .45 automatic. Way too big for my hand. I have to fight for reaching the trigger.

If I were forced to use it to protect myself - I'd only feel comfortable holding it in both hands - pointing - and just emptying the clip.

Any idea about me being able to act fast with going through any other protocol with a break between shots could get the gun wrangled out of my hands and used on me - even if the first shot was a hit.

( Photos of the 4-legged residents enjoying their presents coming tomorrow! )

We were seeing the first run of snow flurries just before we went to bed last night. Woke up to about a half-inch of snow on the ground this morning.

We also woke up to temperatures of 22* - which was warmer than the 17* low that came in through the night.

I had turned on the heater for The Girls around 5pm yesterday - using the 12-hour timer setting. I only waited about an hour after it was due to shut off - before heading out to reset the heater this morning. Temps inside the coop had already dropped from 65* to 41*.

For some odd reason - temps will drop a couple degrees lower in the early mornings - just before sunrise. We’d gone from 22* back down to 18* by the time I’d headed out to reset the heater. And our High temp is expected to peak at only 28* today.

I’m just not so sure we’re gonna slide by with a mild winter this year.

Some of Life's Choices

2012-01-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

I love Digital Scrapbooking.

It’s my fantasy world. It’s where I get to escape.

But Life...

Is flat-dab robbing me of that joy.

There is just no time in my life for being able to take the time to enjoy becoming creative with my layouts.

When that time is pinched - my creative juices become muddy.

And when that happens - my passion begins to suffocate.

I’ll give it up before I allow that to happen.

Maybe someday - I’ll get to go on a vacation...

And win some time to enjoy one of my dearest passions.

Heartbreaking for me.

As of now...

There is barely enough time to get photos posted.

But I will live with that.

It’s important that I make these types of choices

for the best interest of life around our home.

We’re anticipating additions in our life

that will require attention pinning us down to the clock.

Before the end of this year - God willing…

It won’t matter if there’s 3 feet of snow outside.

It won’t matter if there’s 60mph winds blowing.

It won’t matter if the rain is coming down hard enough for Drivers ( smart ones, anyway ) to pull their 18-Wheelers off the road and park.

Something will need to be fed.

Stalls will need to be cleaned.

And - Something just might need to be milked!

For the unknowing...

Milking anything gets done twice a day.

All the above combined

will shove all the other priorities into a tight corner!

And I can already see the real fun.

Imagine running up and down basement stairs

to deal with laundry - while you’re waiting on the 1.5 hours

for the pressure canner to finish.

In between - you’re running out to check on chickens and eggs - moving their tractor around to keep those wenches happy enough to make their feed bill worth it.

And I’ll just bet you haven’t even considered what the hell I was doing before I got all those jars stacked inside that pressure canner.

Right?

Trust me.

That's not even putting a dent in the list for the day.

So...

If you ever come inside my house and my floors are not spotless…

Don’t you dare say one single word.

If we were meant to live with clean floors

around the clock in this household…

We’d be living in some scrawny apartment -

in the middle of town -

next to a Starbucks.

The saddest part…

I have blogger friends that understand this

a whole lot more

than family and/or lifelong acquaintances.

I can live with that.

I know this.

Because I am living with that.

And I'm far from counting any loss being mine.

Our First Christmas in Our New Home - 2008!

My Husband and I are truly blessed.

What Did Santa Bring?

2011-12-28T07:56:00.000-05:00

" Decking the Halls " kit collaborated by

Kelly-Jo and Courtney Designs

Digital Design Den

- Fonts -

( I remembered! )

Mary Jane deGroot

Gabriola

Christmas was a lot of fun for us this year!

Lots of photos!

Determined to get them scrapped.

Be watching for them!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T12:29:00.000-05:00

May One and All Remember

The Reason for The Season.

Merry Christmas

You and Yours

from

The Schoellkopfs!

Dwayne and Teresa

Spinner

Zucker and Carlie

and

The 'fuzzy butted' Girls

Attention, Please!

2011-12-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

Royal Yuck and Royal Attitudes

2011-12-20T08:12:00.000-05:00

This is a ‘ First ‘ for Dwayne and I - period. And his efforts with the trees turned out the best!

We made Sugar Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies! The shapes came out wonderful!

I no longer like royal icing - or cheap icing decorator kits.

The first batch came out - well - easy to tell which ones they are!

And this is the reason why.

That’s 50 pounds of pure attitude pretending to be the cat.

It was like - slow motion.

It was like watching a goat standing with all fours - on a fence post.

Neither of us truly believed she was actually gonna pull it off!

Cat - or - proud peacock?

Actually - she was just wishing we’d hurry up and finish - so she could taste-test our works of art.

She wouldn’t have become so huffy if she’d climbed down from her throne to come help us clean up the mess!

I can tear up a kitchen. I can smear mud from head to toe out in my garden, as well.

My logic - “ There’s a reason why they invented shower stalls. “

Do you think Carlie believes in that logic?

Don’t kid yourself.

She’s just another “ High Maintenance Miss Priss. “

As for the male end of our fur plot -

We took Zucker in to get his stitches out yesterday.

He looks - and smells - hideous.

He gets a bath today. And that winter coat is screwed.

It’s gonna be one funny repair job on his coat.

He’s demanding no photos until he looks much better.

Ha! Don’t tell him - but - that could be next Summer.

A Man's Ornament!

2011-12-16T05:22:00.001-05:00

A lot of women aren't aware of this, but....

Men have a secret whim for hanging the very last Christmas Ornament!

Are The Smoky Mountains Melting?

2011-12-15T08:56:00.002-05:00

Were it not for the fact that the sun is now setting much further to the left this time of year…

One would think yesterday was a mild summer day around here!

The whole day was absolutely gorgeous!

Hubs cleaned out the chicken coop - while I babysat The Girls out in the yard - so they could enjoy some ranging for a while.

And Dirt Baths - of course!

I just dunno.

We are seeing really strange weather patterns here at the house - unlike any other we’ve seen during all the 10+ years we’ve been living in East Tennessee.

Lately - we’ve been waking up to mornings absorbed with heavy frosts and pockets of some seriously dense fog.

It's beginning to look a whole lot like the pockets of fog you see in The Great Smoky Mountains!

By the time it becomes this dense between our house and The Girls’ house - we can’t see our neighbor’s house.

And he only lives about an acre away!

Yet - you get different views from each window - or each end of either porch.

And the scenery changes by the minute - once the sun begins rising for the day.

Hubs tells me it’s a small phenomenon called Thermal Stratification - ( <-- click on that that! ) - which causes water levels to churn in the lakes and rivers that surround our area.

All I know is - it can make for a bit of interesting entertainment - if you take the time - when you live out in the country - where the animals provide most of your viewing pleasure!

I only hope it doesn’t mean we’re headed for a winter bringing long periods of time with power outages.

Can’t wash clothes with snow.

But I can - and will - find a way to make French Toast with homemade bread - even if the power goes out!

Homemade Bread Can Spoil You Rotten!

2011-12-14T07:59:00.000-05:00

Been a while since I last made a couple loaves of bread. Unlike several other examples I could use - this little habit was as easy and carefree as getting back on a bicycle.

Much easier than roller skates - which would surprise some folks that know me.

I’ve been had skates more than bicycles in my life.

The surprise came about 15 minutes after I pulled ‘em out of the oven. Hubs couldn’t wait until they were totally cooled off - like you’re supposed to do.

We dug in!

And we dug into this - earlier this week!

Now these - I have not made in years - until this past week.

Carlie wants another title added to her name!

“ Cow with no legs - Sexy Feet - Spicy Bitch - Gift from Heaven “

How ‘bout that one?

She’s just a bit of everything - all the way down to eatin’ the Jalapeno Peppers!

It’s another swamped day here. And one thing is for sure.

I will survive.

My mind may waiver - I may run out of paper and ink from making all the lists.

But God will keep my feet moving one in front of the other.

One Foot in Front of The Other

2011-12-13T10:07:00.000-05:00

Well… the drains are out. ( This is one of the not-so-gross wounds. ) All the stitches can’t be removed until next Saturday. But Zucker is beginning to get around a little better!

Can’t say much for my ( now ‘decorative ‘ ) Sage plant - which he has chosen as the easiest target for pissing. But ( English version ) - ‘ Good Sugar ‘ ( not ) is feeling much better!

As for me - I couldn’t even tell you the date or what day of the week it is right now.

I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I did manage to get 10 pints of homemade chicken soup canned for Hubs to take to in his lunch for work.

I’ve been baking pies like crazy. I am loving the deep-dish pie plates. However - I learned with the first cherry pie. One must double up on the filling for these plates.

But you’re guaranteed to win hearts - and start lots of fights!

I’ve spent very little time sitting over the past week. My feet and calves can testify.

Been just a little bit busy!

Added a few goodies to our Christmas get-up this year!

Enhanced a few others.

The ornament here, is one that Grandma Bea - my birth father's mother - gave to me - Christmas 1992. She made it with a loose tea strainer - sequins and beads. I love it! I've always been picky about it! I think of her every time I even glance at it.

We decided not to decorate outside the house. The behavior of utility companies across this entire country is pure nonsense - totally uncalled for.

Why become one more sucker?

Instead - we did choose to bring a few decorations inside the house. And we turn them on for a while - during evenings - before going to bed.

By the time I got the garland settled over the kitchen cabinets - it was impossible to see anything else sitting up there.

I love this very old metal picnic box that I found at one of my favorite treasure shops. Chose to have a little fun with it!

And the tiny lights I found at Loudon Mercantile are so adorable here! Perfect for this spot!

My list keeps growing. And it’s now time to go set up everything for baking a couple loaves of bread.

For now - Here’s the greatest thought for today!

Angels and $425.00

2011-12-03T10:44:00.005-05:00

" Zucker "

- Update -

For whatever reason - Dwayne was led to come home early from work - to go help find Zucker.

After making rounds to a few houses - he was at a neighbor's house - up on another hill and over about 25 acres from us - when he heard all the growling.

The female dog belonging to people owning a couple lots that we share access with through our driveway...

She got ahold of Zucker down at the church across from us all. We have neighbors that witnessed the whole thing. That lady and her two sons had Zucker in their pickup by the time Dwayne got there.

Note to Chris and Katie......

$425.00

Get Ready!!!

You people NEVER take care of your animals.

You let 'em breed like rats.

You let 'em run wild all over everybody else's property.

I've sat from my kitchen window watching them kill calves.

And the one day my dog manages to skip out when I'm sick as a dog and not supposed to be outside...

It only makes sense that it would be your dogs.

That black and white bitch of yours came very close to tripling that $425.00 vet bill - barely missing destruction of his anus.

And if you think that's funny...

Consider the next time your dogs are found on our property, again.......

Refinancing During Holidays - Tastes like Cardboard

2011-11-29T07:06:00.000-05:00

Wow. If you looked around here right now - this view would seem like a memory from a very long time ago. Oddly - this was the view on Halloween Day of this year.

Less than a month ago. But today - it looks like winter - already. And it feels like that this morning - as well.

We’ve been scrambling around here. Preparing the house for an FHA Appraisal to refinance the house. Another one of those home ownership “ firsts “ for me.

I’m still owed a night to get flat-dab upside down on a bottle of Tennessee Valley Red Muscadine!

Especially after accomplishing so much with this cow-with-no-legs under my own feet for the better part of the challenge.

If you look behind her - you see a stack of magazines sprawled out on the floor. Ahhhhem… her spitefulness arising from a moment of her not getting her way. She knew I’d just put those there to move a table.

She didn’t care about what we were doing. It was “ Lunch Time “ - and she was hungry!

The girl will be buried with her bowl. Her bestest friend - if she could speak and had to tell the truth!

Anyway - we changed out window treatments in the living room. The panels are a sage suede.

We moved the computer to the spare bedroom. Yayy! Not. We have always kept that room closed off during winter - to save on the bills.

We also decided to leave the two leafs set up on the table. Helps equalize the composition of the room. And we found 6 antique chairs for only $100.00 on Craigslist!

They were part of an estate settlement being oversought by a guy for his grandmother that passed away. We’ve already bought new upholstery fabric for them. We’re going to Lenoir City to have a local upholstery shop cut foam cushions today.

And his grandmother can rest knowing that they've come to a home where folks will take very good care of them!

Now - let me take care of this little task….

“ Shout-out to Sprint! The HTC Evo Takes crappy photos inside my house! “

( I just - needed to get that out of the way. )

So - all the hassle has been worth it.

We were really worried. Okay - I was worried. I was freakin’ out - actually. I’ve never been through any process of refinancing a house before.

And I have nightmares - to this very day - over the absolute torture we went through from the Imbecile FHA Appraiser ( he should have his license pulled ) that did the inspection and appraisal during closing when we first bought this house.

And by the time this new guy left the house - this time… I struggled.

One of the last things he told us was - “ I don’t think you’re gonna be happy with my result. “

The situation with the economy has really done a number on the value of real estate.

Actually - there are only a few morons ( less than you can count on one hand ) that have just totally jacked up all of the economic health of this entire nation - for their own pockets that are dirtier than a huzzie’s bed in a whore house.

And those Warlocks keep getting richer - while we all keep losing our wardrobes.

Common sense only told me that we should not be shocked to find we were considered “ under water “ on the fiscal end of owning our home.

And so - we decided that we would be happy enough at this time - if the value of the appraisal was just high enough to get us approved for the refinancing.

Good News came last night!

And I’m so glad that I took this photo on Halloween evening this year!

We will see the day when it will be impossible to take such a photo - now that we know we’ll be able to move and rebuild the barn - away from the house - without any doubt!

Taking Our Money And Our Mortgage Elsewhere!

2011-11-07T05:48:00.000-05:00

Multi-tasking.

MAJOR Multi-tasking.

Pardon the delay. We are in a “ Work in Progress “ mode here - at this house.

Let me fill you in - especially - for some of you that may discover Dwayne and I are not alone.

Serious Heads Up!

Be sure to check your annual notifications of renewals and updates on your Insurance and Mortgage payments. And without fail - compare this year’s with last year’s figures.

You just may want to bust a move - like us.

After almost 15 years of a faithful relationship with American National Insurance Company - NEVER late on payments - NEVER filing any claims - AND carrying Auto - Life - and Homeowner’s insurance policies…

American National decided to jack our Mortgage Insurance up - from $721.00 to $1,235.00.

Their excuse is - “ all the claims filed after the storms around our area. “

Dwayne and I are from the front door where all the hurricanes come in from the Gulf of Mexico. We have - YET - to see that much damage around this area where we now reside.

After almost 15 years of a banking relationship with First Tennessee Bank - they decided to join the ranks of all the other banks in sticking us in the butt for using ATM cards. Of course - they backed down when all their customers began biting back.

Even better - their timing for changing their minds on that one came only hours after I had posted a tweet regarding the following tidbit on Twitter.

First Tennessee Bank decided to ( get really stupid ) send us 30-Day Notice of a “ shortage “ on the escrow account for our mortgage - due to our Homeowner’s Insurance policy jumping up to $1,235.00.

We had 30 days to decide if we wanted to pay that shortage in lump sum - or - have it incorporated into our mortgage - which would increase our monthly payment - of course.

But that really didn’t matter. Because - they were gonna jack our mortgage payment up - one way or another - anyway.

With only that same 30-Day Notice…

First Tennessee Bank informed us that they had decided to begin CHARGING us $60.00 PER MONTH to process our Homeowner’s Insurance payments into our Mortgage.

Little did they know - we are totally aware - that they've been sending our insurance company a one-time lump-sum payment each year.

Not only that - but…

We have an FHA Mortgage. We are REQUIRED to carry our Homeowner’s Insurance policy through our escrow account in the Mortgage for our home.

So - in other words - First Tennessee Bank decided to ROB US out of $60.00 per month - for the Hell of it.

Just because they think they can.

Just because they THINK they’re one of the Big Bears in the Woods.

Did you know…

Even an Ant can poison a Bear to death.

We have switched ALL of our Insurance policies over to Farm Bureau.

We have now began the process of REFINANCING our Mortgage - with a totally DIFFERENT ENTITY.

Next on the agenda -

Once we get those two processes complete…

We’re taking our money away from First Tennessee Bank and moving it over to ORNL Federal Credit Union.

I don’t care how big you are. You DON’T bite the hand that feeds you.

Naturally - I began receiving Twitter messages from somebody at First Tennessee. They wanted me to call them - at a toll free number - so they can “ assist me in resolving this matter. “

People - understand the new meaning of that little trick.

Doesn’t matter what company is making that comment to you. They only want to resolve it for THEMSELVES.

I have seen this. They - simply - plug in to another point of their business transaction to charge you.

They always have “ Plan B “ for getting that money out of you - one way or another.

That’s why you shut the door on their face - and go elsewhere.

Fall Color at the Cades Cove Loop in The Great Smoky Mountains!

2011-10-27T09:55:00.086-04:00

This past Monday was an annual treat for both of us. But it was one more part of Dwayne’s Birthday - the chance to drop everything and have a little fun and relaxation!

We took that ride - up to grab photos and soak in the beauty of all the Fall Color around The Loop at Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains.

It was a chance enjoy an absolutely beautiful day - before winter begins pounding on the front door.

It takes us longer to get there anymore - now that we no longer live in Maryville. Dwayne decided to go the “ back way “ this time - by way of Foothills Parkway.

And the trail through all the color was stunning!

We were met by a very strange surprise - especially for a Monday - and outside any holidays beyond Summer.

The amount of traffic was incredible.

Very few folks from Tennessee - at all. And we couldn’t help noticing the variety of out-of-state license plates.

Normally - everybody’s gone home for a break before all the winter holiday fun begins up around Ober Gatlinburg.

Apparently - we were there in-between feedings - when all the wildlife comes out into the open for breakfast and supper.

Only caught sight of a few deer this trip. And the traffic on the loop made it impossible to pull over at one of the stopping spots made available by the park.

Which brings me to making a special note here.

I don’t think we’ve ever been able to visit the Cove and make that 11-mile loop without some inconsiderate moron ignoring the posted signs along the way.

And this day was no exception. Well - beyond me opening my mouth up and screaming at the lazy idiot to “ park her car - get out and walk a little bit like the rest of us! “

( Yes. That was a " first " for me. And - I liked it! )

That’s why the park has installed - plenty - of areas for vehicles to pull over to the side and park.

So they can get out of everybody else’s way - instead of holding up the entire train!!

Nothing surprises me when we make our visits to Cades Cove - anymore.

The list of things that annoy me only seem to be the thing to stir my emotions these days - when it comes to visitors to the park.

People don’t think before they act - or - react.

For example…

You’re dead asleep in your bed - or - sitting at your table eating supper. A flock of Turkeys - or - a bear came waltzing inside your house making all kinds of noise with their yelling and/or calling.

What would be your first inclination? How would it make you feel?

Yet - one person in a train of dozens of vehicles on the Cades Cove Loop can spot a bear. The first thing they do is yell.

And like fire ants that have had their mound stirred up - you’ve got 2-legged idiots running at this poor creature - yelling and screaming - over and over - “ It’s a bear! “

Hard to believe this frenzy is populated mostly by souls considering themselves to be Adults.

Even worse - the view that all the kids are witnessing!

Yes - the antics arrive anytime something good and valuable begins to take positive shape. I dunno. Apparently - something precious is being omitted in the rearing of offspring - anymore.

Respect and Self-Respect.

But it will never stop us from making any of our trips to Cades Cove.

Instead - don’t be surprised if you lose your mind on the loop and end up hearing somebody yelling “ Pull over and park it - you Moron! Get out and walk a little like the rest of us! “

Don’t be surprised if you witness somebody in a crowd of Zombies losing their minds stands stiff and hollers - “ Shut up - you Idiots! Your noise only runs off the animals! DUH!! “

Just wave your hand and give me a quiet, “ Hey, Teresa! “

I think I'll start taking photos of the Morons - next time we go up to Cades Cove!

For now…
Just enjoy the rest of these photos! ( And if you click on one of the photos - you now get the option to view all the photos in this post as a slide show - with a larger view! )

Fall Prep and Color - And a Birthday!

2011-10-26T06:42:00.000-04:00

Been a lag in time since my last posting. Like everyone else - we’ve been a little bit busy around here - preparing for winter. Ugh. I'm so excited.

Ugh.

The one fact that anyone can always depend on out in the country… There’s always something to clean around here.

Hubs took a week of vacation off - hoping to get my Putt-Putt back on the road. Unfortunately - we hit a snag. He ordered the wrong part. We had to send it back. The right part won’t be here until after he goes back to work.

Instead - he’s decided to begin clearing fence lines along the hay pasture. We’ve managed to get a couple boys from the neighborhood to come help. We trade a little bit of side money and some meals.

But there are moments in between time - that must be celebrated.

It was his birthday! And I - actually - got him to open his mouth and give me a special request!

All made totally from scratch. No processed box cake mix. No pre-made frosting from a plastic tub.

All handmade from scratch! The recipe came from Mark Bittman’s newly revised cookbook “ How To Cook Everything, Completely. “

I bought the Kindle Edition. ( You can find it by clicking HERE ! )

My Kindle has become a Life-Saver in the kitchen!

No more ploppy cookbooks falling on the floor - with the flour - while I’m trying to concoct a creation!

Just look at my Hubby! He was so happy! And tired. And grungy.

He’d been fishing all day long! Out on the lake. With Josh. Like guys do. Especially, after the fog finally lifts.

We took one other day - to escape - together - for an annual ride that we try to make every year.

Fall color in the Great Smoky Mountains!

We took the back way - through Foothills Parkway. It was absolutely gorgeous!

And I’ll post more photos about that - next.

But what I can tell you for right now is…

We found this guy “ mooching “ off a family trying to eat their picnic at the Visitor’s Center in Cades Cove.

Beware.

He’s really a pig.

Life's Bits O' Brickle

2011-10-15T06:30:00.000-04:00

Finally - we got past that cringe over putting nails into that fresh - new - sheetrock.

And Pistachio green paint.

While many sleep at such an hour on a Saturday morning - and a few are just now finding their pillows - I’m wide awake and into my second cup of coffee.

Yeah - this is no weekend for us. This would be the middle of the week - in fact.

And either way - it becomes the middle of the week twice as long for us. Not only does the weekend become part of the normal week for us. It is duplicated by such period of time as the Monday - Friday thing.

“ Well… you’re not the only one! “

Seems like no matter where you live - no matter what goes on in your life - no matter what unexpected foibles may tromp into your daily routine of monotony…

That time clock continues to tick in form with expectations to keep the planet spinning on que - so the moon doesn’t get sucked in for some colliding misplacement.

Imagine.

Somehow - the thoughts of hurricanes - earthquakes and tsunamis no longer seem so large and painful.

Change is everywhere - in one form or another.

Man-made.

Or - made by Mother Nature.

I would prefer a world changing only by the artistic endeavors of Mother Nature.

However - my selfish vision has fences.

And nowhere will you find ice - snow - freezing wind and/or 3* temperatures in that picture.

Yes - Fall has arrived.

I am reminded every time I look out the window and see more leaves falling to the ground.

I’m reminded every time the sun peeps over our horizon and begins waking the fog.

I'm reminded every time we go an entire day without sunshine - until sunset.

I’m reminded every morning when Carlie follows me from our bed to the coffee pot - through a pitch of darkness like no other.

She seems to partake of some personal joy and folly in the challenge of going after my feet - now that she can grab socks.

Only a matter of time before one of her attempts will catch me even less than half-awake.

She’ll get a foot upside her head. And we’ll both end up on the floor.

I’ll yell and pull her ears. Dwayne will come flying out of bed like some drunk elephant. Zucker will begin barking as if there’s been a home invasion.

“ Go ahead. Pull my ears. I dare you. “

Making Our Own Kind of Laughter

2011-10-13T07:32:00.001-04:00

The fun never stops around this house - when it comes to The Pups. One way or another - somebody’s having a good time. The Pups are in their glory - or - we’re busting up laughing in the middle of what sounds like a brawl going on inside our home!

Anderson Cooper seems to have won over more than one fan in this house! Last week - he invited guests with various cats and dogs for pets as a segment on his show.

Don’t ask. I have no idea. Maybe he was fascinated by the breed?

Well… he hasn’t been bugging me to get online and go shopping for him. I can only assume he wasn’t too impressed with all the “ Doggie Doo-Dads “ ?

By the time I caught him cocking his head back and forth while this conversation was going on…

I was becoming a tad bit worried.

Moving along…

Unfortunately - there are times when all the fun is kinda one-sided. And The Pups aren't exactly the ones having a good time with it. They end up more on the agonizing side of what they now consider to be our “ twisted sense of humor. “

The look on her face! “ Don’t let go, Daddy. You will finish this job minus one hand. “

Trust me! This is a true optical illusion. It was just the angle of the camera. I swear! The sprayer is actually pointed toward the wall of the tub/shower. And that would be soap suds - dirt - and hair on the wall above her back!

For those of you unaware - Basset Hounds may have a very short coat of hair. But I don't think I've ever seen another breed of dog that sheds as much as these little cows with no legs!

“ Oh, my Gawwwddd! “

“ Really? “

But then - Carlie cannot deny the more-than-obvious fact that these “ sexy feet “ start the ball running on all the fun that leaves her feeling like the butt of a joke.

And even with all that…

The bottom line truth is - our lives would be so empty without all the joy - laughter - even the maddening fury - and the vet bills - these two varmints bring to our family! It’s so worth it!

( Carlie was only about 3 months old when this was taken! )

Surprises and Hidden Truth

2011-10-07T09:13:00.000-04:00

I wish I knew why - but for me…

A chilly - crispy - Fall morning with a gorgeous sunrise makes me feel as though I’m viewing the reverse order of things.

Maybe it’s because I’m always looking so forward to Spring.

Things have to sprout - before they grow.

And Fall brings the end to all the season’s growing - before all settles down for that long and quiet stillness of the cold winter.

These are views around my home that can be shot with cameras every year.

And not one shot would ever look the same.

Never would any of the views ever be exactly the same.

Between God and Mother Nature - decisions over how many leaves and flowers are made.

Those two are responsible for decisions made as to where each one is placed - as well.

That - is the gift of variety in nature’s life.

And that - includes a hidden gift of truth.

Next year will come with a host of unknown surprises.

Always.

We never know what tomorrow will bring.

But at least - we know - someone is there.

Michael Moore on support of Occupy Wall Street protest

2011-10-06T20:45:00.000-04:00

Thank You, Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T07:21:00.004-04:00

It's fun to play with morning dew
early during a gorgeous Fall day.

It's fun to be an absolute amateur - with a digital camera in my hand.

It's fun to have the ' instant gratification ' within a few minutes of time.

It's fun to know I can erase - and start over.

It's fun to be able to challenge myself

with something I really know nothing about.

But on this morning - it's an honor

to offer this as a gift to Steve Jobs.

I'm so grateful to you - for having the guts to become the Pioneer that led the parade and cast of characters joining the ranks of those responsible for allowing me to have all this fun - and accomplish so much more - even in my simple daily life - with such a great deal of less hassle.

I can hear God saying - " Job Well Done, My Son. "

May you rest in peace, Steve Jobs.

And may God carry your family with comfort through all their grief until they can - once again - smile and laugh out loud - by even the mere thought of your presence in their lives.

Thank You, Steve.

New York Observer: Exclusive "Occupy Wall Street" Unaired Fox Footage

2011-10-03T23:11:00.002-04:00

Jesse LaGreca.... YOU are MORE THAN WELCOME in our home ANYTIME!

AWESOME!!!

And that's the truth!!

Change... And Change - Again

2011-10-03T08:59:00.000-04:00

Ever have your eyes land on a page - and a headache follow - almost immediately?

With the season changing and time beginning to feel like a lonely cove in a lake where all the pollen has come to rest on the top of the water…

I needed a change on my blog.

So - I’ve been working on that.

Had a really cute country autumn thing going on for a day or so.

But it just - hurt my eyes - every time I came to prepare for posting something.

And I’d leave.

I’d go back to Google+ - and play City of Wonder.

LOL

Actually - all that is true! But - I won’t make excuses and blame some game or social network for my lagging.

There's been a bit of - other stuff to take care of.

Life. Chores. Housework. Laundry. Errands. Appointments.

Dogs. ( They don't include themselves in the batch of chores, like the chickens. )

But I will say this. I refuse to apologize for the enjoyment I’ve had over at Google+ since shutting down my FaceBook account last week!

And a word of advice…

If you’re one of those that gets a thrill out of tormenting others with all the “ Copy and Paste “ Bombs…

Don’t bother.

Game over - before you even arrive!

Google+ is like being in a land of Common Sense and Intellect!

That's been one more nice change !

The Common in Everything

2011-09-30T13:50:00.001-04:00

It’s that time of year - when a morning warns you of what’s to come.

The quiet. The stillness.

That calm before you hunker down to endure that storm they call - Winter.

While the tenderest of things falls to its demise upon it’s final show…

There are the sturdier ones that remain - to keep you from feeling alone.

And so - you sit. You wait. You reflect.

And you hope…

For this - and beyond - until it comes.

Then - finally - it arrives.

Life begins to move about its paths - once again - without hesitating to shine.

The cool - crisp - Fall Mornings that come to visit in between 80* days of sunshine - for now.

Trials and tribulations in our lives - and the seasons that change all around this planet.

They all have so much in common. Really.

Our Latest Home Remodel Project!

2011-09-27T14:53:00.000-04:00

It's been absolutely - nuts - around here.

Been a little busy.

Even done some - yelling and screaming.

But - We have COLOR!!!

Wood is nice. But - there IS such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Here's a slideshow of photos showing the transformation that's begun to take place since we moved in November, 2008!

The Wind-Down Days of Summer

2011-09-20T06:42:00.000-04:00

It’s that time of year.

The days are warm. But the nights become really cool.

Fall is coming. In no time at all - Winter will appear like some elephant crashing a birthday party.

It is a time of year when we grab all the last bit of good weather to have some special fun.

Everybody - ( even Dwayne ) - heads outside - after supper...

With The Girls.

And it's not easy keeping up with 'em - especially with any camera!

Spinner gets in on the fun.

Haven’t quite figured out if he’s convinced that he should take responsibility as “ Guard Cat “ - or - if he’s just come to enjoy watching all the antics for entertainment.

But the routine consists of a " round-the-world trip " for The Girls. They get to break free and run amuck.

Well - okay. Not quite. They're supposed to stay together.

It turns into a foot race - sometimes loaded with confused minds trying to fulfill a wish of flying like geese - resulting in a bunch of tripping and squawking.

But the usual trail walk consists of making their way up to and around the abandoned fenced-in garden.

Eventually - they enter inside to hunt down and devour all the protein they can catch and till.

And they get their guts full - especially during this time of year!

The Pups come along. And the other day was no exception.

But that day included a moment of two characters in cahoots with one another.

“ Hey, Carlie! Let’s make a run for the hay field when we get down to the corner of the garden! “

“ No way! I’m not spending a week on the back porch! “

“ C’mon, Carlie. You can help us dig deeper holes with those sexy feet! “

“ Naww…. I’m just gonna enjoy this nice massage in the cool green grass. “

But then - every once in a while…

A totally unexpected surprise comes along.

And on this day - Mom found a Carrot that had been missed!

Zucker was in his Glory! Nothing like Green Beans - Carrots - Tomatoes - even Broccoli!

He loves fresh veggies! Comes running from wherever - even in the middle of a nap - every year - as soon as he hears that very first green bean “ snap “ at the sink!

Sadly - he made the mistake of getting Carlie in on all the fun.

And Carlie has taught Zucker a rule of her own.

“ Girls come first.”

Yes. These are the days of fun during the evenings. The wind-down days of Summer.

And somebody in the flock seems to be very pleased about this time of year. We’re getting eggs that - sometimes - measure over 3” long - big enough that they don’t fit inside a carton!

We’re beginning to wonder if there could be a “ throw-back “ of a goose in the gene pool!

Carlie says that she knows what’s going on.

But - she “ ain’t sayin’ nuthin’. “

Wench.

One Foot in Front of The Other - That Is All.

2011-09-19T08:48:00.000-04:00

What a weekend. And yes - we actually experienced a genuine weekend here. A whole Saturday and Sunday. Ta!

Saturday had Dwayne at home while I ran the roads. An odd set-up with my Putt-Putt now parked. But I did make the best of the full circle trip I made.

Stopped for feed at LC Feeds in Lenoir City ( Loudon County ) before heading to my hair appointment in Turkey Creek ( Knox County ).

Arrived early. Made out like a Bandit. Found a pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans on sale. Original price was $44.99. By the time I swiped my Debit card - tax and all - less than $24.00!

I even managed to catch hair products on sale - a total of $15.00 savings there.

It was just - My Day!!!

My next destination was Maryville ( Blount County ).

Made my way to Jen’s apartment to pick her up. We had lunch at Tomato Head before driving out to Out of Eden Garden Center to pick up a couple flats of Pansies. Jen found a really pretty green ceramic pot for her Kolanchoe. And we - still - had extra time before finding a seat at Carmike Cinemas near Foothills Mall to watch “ The Help “ !!!

The movie was absolutely awesome! First thing out of Jen’s mouth on our way back outside - “ I’m not going to see movies like this with you - ever again. I cried my eyes out three times! “

Uh-huh.

Trust me. She’ll go to another one.

“ Mama always wins! “

It was around 8pm when I got home.

Only 1 egg from all 9 of The Girls. All day long.

My husband was busy. He always is. That can be attributed to the fact that he seems to make for one lousy chicken babysitter.

Squirrels get past him. Or - The Girls protested my absence.

Seriously. Could these feathered wenches honestly miss me that much when I go out for a day?

Jen and Josh drove out late Saturday night to spend the night.

Jen spent the day with me and helped me plant Pansies.

Dwayne and Josh went fishing.

And the Girls gave me 6 eggs. SIX!

The guys came home with 5 fish. FIVE.

LOL

We had Tacos for dinner and sent the fish filets home with the kids!

As for the progress with the sheetrock…

Obviously - Somebody doesn't watch DIY or HGTV. That gap in the floor - forever - restricts the type of trim now required - unless we completely replace all the flooring.

This was downright scary.

( What in the world was up with the loose screw? )

My Ex could have been totaled on the Vodka and - I’d be totaled on pure faith that he would - still - manage not to mess this crap up like this.

My husband may be anal - at times. But - Thank God - he comes with some brains and self-respect.

And this wall…

Has now become - this wall!

Next round of days off - Texture and Paint!