Happy New Year America!

  GUESS WHAT? BO approves a pay raise for those Washington Bafoons!  How can he? why would he? How can he look the American people in the face and give any sort of justification for it? Well, then again the vast majority of  Americans voted for it..so they own it.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/31/obama-gives-congress-pay-raise/

Senator Portman though is urging him to rescind the executive order given the current debt crisis our country is facing.

So, with that said HAPPY  NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Safety Tips From Mayor Bloomberg

Sat-errrrrr-dayyyyyy

Before I start, I need to show off the giveaway I won from Mystic Mud, she recently held the contest for  paracord bracelets  that she and the kids make, and had four to award out. . I entered..and when her kids picked the names, my entry was stuck to the one they had picked...MM was super sweet to send me a bracelet too. It pale pink, and I love it!  THANKS MM! 

So it gets me to thinking that Soon I might do a giveaway. The wheels in my head are turning, so stay tuned.
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So now on to our day, Made a good warm breakfast for the family: Bacon, eggs, grits and toast. Then it was off to find reloading items for SENIOR. He is working on ammo for his 300 Blackout.
Finally we get home, I have a booming headache, and decided that I am tired of looking at Christmas decorations and I want to clean up the house. In the midst, my good friend B and fellow margarita drinker is home and bored and wants to come hang out. She brings her adorable little girl and she and the boys proceed in to a battle with Nerf guns in the back yard, while B and I make rum and cokes. We hung out and watched Senior work on his reloading preps, and chit chatted. The kids made their own targets and taped them to our fence. B's little girl had a Nerf Crossbow...that was cool!

After dinner tonight the boys and I settled on to the couch to watch "The Empire Strikes Back"...and right at the end, my brother calls. The Raleigh Party girl is at his place, and in a terrible state of mind. She is snot slinging drunk, and a blubbering mess..Why you ask? because my brother is trying to break it off with her...his approach was to tell her that he is Bi-Sexual. MMMMHMMMM!
So he gets me on the phone to back up his story..poor girl. I tried telling her she didn't know my brother.. Yikes! stay tuned to Raleigh 90210   : )

Arming our Schools....

I saw an article  about the school that the political elite of Washington, DC send their kids too . "Sidwell Friends"  with the $34,000 a year parents pay in tuition it also comes with 11 armed guards.  I understand the whole  thing that the kids that attend are of political families and need protection mumbo jumbo. But honestly why is it okay for their kids to have around the clock protection, and our kids can't. Just because of their parents, does that mean their lives are worth more, and our kids are expendable? Whose to say that one of our kids in a normal school isn't going to grow up to be someone great, maybe even a future President.

These are the same parents who are proposing new gun ban legislation, but yet send their kids to the most guarded school in America. Kind of comes along with the Obamacare issue, its good for everyone else except them. People like Feinstein and her cronies are actually coloring the kettle black with this issue. 

I would like to get a group of us moms together to go testify before them all. Moms who carry...moms who believe in the second amendment and our rights to bare arms. And Moms who want to see properly trained teachers and school administrators carry. If school districts can't do that, then put some of our unemployed veterans to work as school guards......

Okay,that is my take..

-JUGM

Our Christmas

Our Christmas was wonderful..the day really did go well, all thought it actually started on Friday night when Senior gave me a early present. YEP! A Smith and Wesson .380 Bodyguard, with a built in laser. Its very light weight, small and compact. Fits right in to your pocket, so its perfect if you are out doing yard work, or going for a walk. I do like it a lot.

So very early Friday morning..and I mean around midnight to the 1am hour, my Brother popped in to town. This time without the Raleigh Party Girl. and Yes they are still moving to Washington.  : (
Anyways, he has made some purchases himself. He got 2 ARs and couldn't wait to go out for a day of shooting. So we met up with our buddy Shooter Steve, and went to an awesome outdoor range. Bit of a drive but was well worth it. And Yes, even the kids could come. ND and NW were in their delight to shoot the little Cricket, and even did a few rounds on Mamas Ruger 10/22 Archangel.

 

 

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Christmas day was a bit warm, but nice. The boys got lots and lots of Lego's, and now we are faced with the heavy task of building all the sets. They also got much needed new bikes, and helmets. NW also got a Vintage Millennium Falcon, Toysrus has brought back a reproduction of the 1978 version of the Star Wars toys..Senior had the same one when he was that age..it is Enormous!

Then it was off to my sisters for dinner with the family... Senior and I were a bit apprehensive, with my mother suffering from dementia, and my father being a complete horses butt all month long, we were prepared for a rough day, but it wasn't like that at all.. everyone was in great spirits and the day was lovely.

One of my highlights was a special gift from my mom...I have waited YEARS for this. Cried TEARS over it, and finally GAVE UP!  I knew I would NEVER get my grandmothers antique 5 stone diamond wedding ring. Many times mother would tease me with it, by letting me try it on, only to ask for it right back...So I quit. Told the whole family I didn't want the damn thing.  My mother wore it all the time,  it worried me if she were ever mugged, that some low-life would rip it off her finger and we would never see it again.
 Until yesterday, when I noticed at dinner it wasn't on her finger. She gave me a large box, and said "Open" I did and at the bottom was a ring box, inside was the wedding ring..  I CRIED ! She Smiled..and my sister knew about it all along.  I looked at Senior who Said "Damn! "
What a Christmas!   And When SHTF, my plan is to secure it and my own wedding/engagement set and bury them in my yard.

 

 

Our Christmas ended on a lovely note and gift from God...Take a look at this brilliant sunset:

 



And then it was back home, to continue building more and more Legos...  : )

-JUGM

Your Elf Name ?

Merry Christmas Eve everyone..  Have some fun today, if you were an Elf figure out what your name would be and share with all of us..  If I were an Elf my name would be:
" Happy Floppy-Feet"...lol 

Off here now to do lots of baking, got chocolate chip cookies to make, and bread loaves to knead... Enjoy your day and all the wonders of that Come with Christmas,Celebrate the birth of the Savior and as always say a prayer for our Country...

-JUGM

Christmas's Past...

As Christmas approaches, memories of Christmas pasts always enters my mind I am asking my blogger readers to feel free to share a special Christmas memory that they may have.


 I was was Christmas 1977, and I was 7. My maternal grandmother "Nana"  had just been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. She was only given 3-6 months to live.
She and my grand dad came over on Christmas Eve, My mother had gone overboard cooking our Traditional Italian dinner: Rigatoni's, Spaghetti, bread, and lots of Italian desserts. It was also the one time of year my siblings and I were allowed to drink wine. As sad as the adults were that year, they all tried very hard to keep it happy and jovial.

Christmas came the next day, and so had Santa.. My Aunt brought her and my grand dad back over. She was sitting in a chair and I next to her on the floor, I laid my head on the arm of the chair, she started rubbing my head, and talking to me in Italian:
"Buon Natale piccola, ti amo e sarà sempre con te"
 (Merry Christmas Little one, I love you and will always be with you)

Three months later in March she passed away peacefully. That Christmas was so very
long ago, but after all these years I remember it so clearly. She is still with me, I see her in my children, and In some of their mannerisms or facial expressions. They look at her picture and I tell them stories of her. And she is there every year on Christmas eve, when I and my own family sit around the table having our Italian celebration...


-JUGM

LOL

So this goes along with what Kelly at Happy Hollow Homestead  just posted...  lol 

I thought there were still Mayans....who knows maybe they go by another name now.....

What really needs to happen....

Okay I am going to rant a bit- these are my opinions that I am expressing: 
  
Well in talking with my good friend K the other morning during our morning walk and talk session, we hit on the problem and she was in agreement..More parents need to stop letting Video games be the baby sitter.

The entire gaming industry needs to be revamped,  It all first started with "Dungeons and Dragons" some of us who are old enough to remember- a group of kids got so heavily involved in it, they were actually role playing and killed a person-they were living the game, talking like the game, dressing like the game, they all even renamed themselves with medieval names..

Well games have evolved a lot since then, they are realistic and keep you coming back for more.
You take a kid, that is bullied, he has no friends, he is the loner, both parents work, he comes home from school and  the first thing he does is pick up and turn on the video games. Give him a game console and let him grow up with that..and it becomes his best friend. He starts to believe in it, and believe it is real...he then feels he needs to act that out. The boys who committed these recent killings all had 2 things in common..their age group, and they were all in to video gaming.

 Also, there has got to be more parental involvement in your kids life, and parents need to know what their kids are doing, and care enough about them..You had them, be responsible for them.  I have a friend, her little boy is 8. He has a PSP, A Wii game system and a Xbox... it is all he does, and he looks at my kids like they are from another planet because we don't have all that. We have another friend whos 5 year old is a mental health case, both parents work, he has been raised by day cares, and what does he have at home? Again, a Wii, an Xbox, a PSP, and his own Ipad tablet...Good Gawd No wonder he is the way he is. I love his parents but they use no sort of discipline and he runs over both of them.. I would give anything if they would pull his pants down and wipe his little A-- 

Immediately after BO took his photo op at the memorial service in CT. do you know what the commercial was?  It was for a new game called "Hitman" A kid sees that and plays that, and they think they can do anything. They think they can be that character. You put that in the hands of a kid with some mental issues, who has been picked on and bullied his whole life, and its a recipe for disaster. 
And then there is the whole movie industry..I love the show "Criminal Minds" I watch it all the time..a few weeks prior to the tragedy in CT, they aired a show about 2 brothers, who kidnapped a school bus full of teens, they took them to a warehouse that was set up like a video game, the brothers put shock collars on the kids and made them go through this warehouse killing each other..  Why? Because they were playing out a video game they were involved in using real people.  I did not think much about that episode until this happened last Friday..how scary.

Another thing is, there needs to be legislation on what doctors prescribe for these kids...  You can't cure mental issues by prescribing pills like its candy. They can't just brush the problem under the carpet with pills and tell the parents it will be okay. Because obviously its not.

So my point to my rant is, people are over reacting, the weapon is an inanimate object..the real issue is what is going on with the mind behind it, and all the parameters involved.
Like I said in a comment on another bloggers post..  "where there is a will there is a way, Cain killed Able with a rock" 


-JUGM

Fears and Nervous

This morning was a typical Monday in the house. I stumbled in to the kitchen, turned on the coffee pot, only no coffee is brewing..."What the heck" I thought. I put fresh coffee in last night...only my dumb butt forgot to add the all important water...yea that would make a difference..

ND was up, he always is. NW was still snoozing. I had to shake him.

Sausage biscuits and chocolate milk was the breakfast menu, both boys almost swallowed them whole. ND is concerned with his class Christmas party on Wednesday. We have to make a batch of cookies for him to take in.
NW is having his tomorrow, a hot dog party. The classroom "mom" thought that up... I must shop today for small teachers gifts.  And of course the countdown to Christmas has started...They know that this time next week is Christmas Eve, and mom makes her traditional Italian dinner. A childhood custom I like to try to carry on.

I won't lie..I soaked in all the conversation, trying to memorize the moment. That pivotal "What If" question has been in my mind since Friday. I have sat with them, snuggled with them, watched them sleep, and said over and over how much I love them. I always want them to know that..

Senior and I have tried to keep all the news coverage at a minimal, they know there was shooting, and kids their same age died. They said how sad the parents might be, that its Christmas time..ND said it best though:  " I  know! They will be having Christmas with Jesus"  

This mornings car line was a bit backed up. Again I kiss their little cheeks repeatedly, squeezed extra hugs...Said one more "have a good day, and I LOVE YOU". Then they were out of the car headed to class. It was the rare occasion that traffic was still backed up..I was able to watch the boys walk off. Then as if he knew, ND turned before walking through the gate, and gave me a last smile. He never does that .Again, I try to memorize that moment..he little face so round and sweet.
 "God " I said..."please protect my boys and all the school children today"

From the traffic I am seeing on my facebook, lots of my other friends are dealing with the same fears this morning... All of us moms are trying to comfort one another. I know to trust in God, they are in his hands, and he will  keep all our babies safe.  But still, its all there in my mind, and I watch the clock. The three days until Christmas vacation  will be long, I just know it.

-JUGM

The Mom

As the history of the shooter starts to evolve, the picture of a troubled teen is emerging. His father was an executive with GE, his mother on the other hand was like us...of our mind set...she was indeed a prepper.   How do you think we are going to be portrayed in the MSM? 

I took the following excerpt from the Daily News this morning:


"Dan Holmes, owner of a landscaping firm who worked on the family’s home, said she was an avid gun collector: ‘She told me she would go target shooting with her kids.’
Sources close to the investigation also revealed last night that Nancy had recently stopped hosting monthly get-togethers for neighbors in order to look after her increasingly troubled son.
The 50-year-old is thought to have worked as a supply teacher at the elementary school where the shootings took place.
Last night it also emerged Nancy was a member of the Doomsday Preppers movement, which believes people should prepare for end of the world.
Her former sister-in-law Marsha said she had turned her home ‘into a fortress’. She added: ‘Nancy had a survivalist philosophy which is why she was stockpiling guns. She had them for defense.
‘She was stockpiling food. She grew up on a farm in New Hampshire. She was skilled with guns. We talked about preppers and preparing for the economy collapsing.’
Marsha added that her nephew had been raised by ‘kind, nurturing’ parents’. She said she last seen Adam in June but recalled nothing appeared out of the ordinary.
‘Nancy was a good mother, kind-hearted,’ she added. ‘She wasn’t one to deny reality. She would have sought psychiatric help for her son had she felt he needed it.’"


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2248782/Adam-Lanza-How-classmates-remember-genius-turned-heartless-killer.html#ixzz2FEHwsz6y

My Prayers....

Today my blog goes dark..out of respect for the lives lost in the Connecticut school shooting.

This afternoon, after hearing about the horrific scence at the elementary school in Connecticut. I picked up our children, and immediatly told them I loved them. I was relieved and happy to see them.
My heart goes out to the parents who lost their little ones today. I can't fathom that kind of pain. I pray for them and this horrible loss, it comes at the worst time of year...Holidays will never again be the same for those parents.

This morning, just like we all do they got their children up, gave them breakfast, said an "I love you" and got a smile and kiss back..not realizing it was the last.

What kind of sick F%$# could do this to little children who have not even began to live? Kill yourself, or an adult if you feel you have to, but God Forbid...why take the life of an innocent child who had nothing to do with any of your issues? All they were doing was sitting in their little class room coloring, or having a story time..completely innocent.  It just angers me to tears..

I got our children home and immediatly hugged them, kissed them and said more "I love You"s....
You never  know when what is here one day will be gone the next...don't take anything for granted.

Again, all my thoughts and prayers goes to those parents, and all the family members who lost a child and a loved one today. I Pray God help them make sense of this tragedy, and comfort them...


-JUGM

A View From A Democratic Voter

 

 

 

Welcome and Such....

Had some new folks stop by my clothesline and hit the follower button..  A big WELCOME and THANK YOU goes out to :  LL, Penelope Kay, and Hey J.   I look forward to reading any all comments you leave and I promise to respond as much as I can.. 
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Herman McCookie actually behaved himself last night. This morning at 6am a groggy ND went to potty and found him sitting on the tank staring at him.. and as always ND Screamed.... 

A friend sent me the following  of a naughty elf that had been out on the town in Vegas with Barbie:

 

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Tonight is a wedding dinner party reception thingy for friends who got married at the JOP this afternoon. I am thrilled because its free food and I don't have to cook. Plus its Mexican..which means: MARGARITAS!!!!!



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I can't wait for Saturday, its a gun show. Senior and I are dropping off the boys at my parents and having a date day. I am in search of a long rifle in which I can make into my project. I want the challenge of taking it apart and re-finishing the stock. I have a few friends that argue this with me, that doing so takes the  character out of it..but I have been studying up on it, watching You Tubes on all the "how to's", I have thought of it long and hard, and its something I really want to do and accomplish.  Now, its a matter of finding the right rifle...Senior says to get a cheap Mosin.
And as always I promise to blog about the entire project from beginning to end...
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Lots in the news today about the whole North Korea issue.. worries me. Why you ask? read the book "One Second After"  and that will explain it to you.

Okay, off here now to go over kids homework, and get them ready for the dinner party.  Enjoy your evening everyone!

-JUGM

Wednesday Rain and Pictures...

Its raining, its pouring and the ole man is snoring..literally. : )   Today is 12-12-12 the last date we will see like this for 130 years..  ZOWIE !  Not much longer until 12/21/12 ! 
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Got this one from a friend off Facebook, I am still laughing at it. It was what I needed on this dreary rainy day:

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And then there is Herman McCookie of course..  I really did not intend to blog about him every day, but you all have loved hearing of his antics. Plus it does seem to help put me in the Christmas Spirit.
From I understand, Kelly's elf at the Homestead is being just as crafty...I think Snowball and Herman meet up at night for dates and compare notes of the children. Anyways, After school yesterday we made  a short trip to walmart. The boys were AWFUL!  Herman must have reported back to Santa because this morning not only the kids find him under the tree...but there was a note....

For those of you who can't understand ELFKIN writing it says : "Dear Boys,  Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, if you are not nice, Santa said there will be no toys for you..  -Herman"

And once again...ND Screamed...

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Well the ole man is no longer snoring...so we are headed to the gun range on a rainy day...  Enjoy!

-JUGM

Tuesday Morning Coffee

Yea I know I have slacked a bit and not done a post since Friday. Just haven't been feeling the "IT" factor lately. I suppose its this time of the year. So here I sit with coffee on the table, and the ole lap top purring.

This week I am so very proud of SENIOR He has been working hard to kick the habit of chewing tobacco. We found mint chew for him, that came with lots of good testimonials. He is now in his second week, and I think his withdrawl symptons are getting less harsh on him. If any of you have smoked you know how hard that is...well, in chewing tobacco there is more nicotine..so it is even worse to stop. But he is doing it! 

I dropped the boys off at school this morning. It has now been a week since all paperwork has been turned in, and the Principal out at the school where we want them has had ample time to sign it..But myself or the other mom has not heard anything. I will take it as a good sign, since "No News is suppose to be Good news".

Myself and the same mom took the kids out of school early yesterday and treated them to popcorn and a movie..we saw "Rise of the Guardians". It was really good. Lots of adventure in it, and as good as Polar Express. Usually I get bored in kids movies, but this one kept my attention.

Oh geez...my wonderful brother gave our boys an early Christmas gift..2 Kindle Fires. They  haven't stopped playing "Angry Birds, and Skylanders" since.  I have them synched up with my amazon account, and while I do have to pay for the games or books...its cool because the download will go to both kindles..so I am getting a 2-4-1 out of it.

Herman McCookie, that crazy elf has been pretty quiet lately, he comes back from the North Pole with out any incidents in the house. However, it has been warm here, and I think he has missed all the freezing weather, because this morning when I asked ND to get a box of waffles out of the Freezer..there sat Ole Herman staring at him.  ND screamed    :  )

Okay, off here now to help Senior with a bit of yard work and maybe throw some outside lights on the bushes. enjoy your day everyone!

-JUGM

Remember December 7th

Say a silent prayer for those brave men and women who died 71 years ago today. They were fathers and mothers. They were someones sons and daughters. They had brothers and sisters...But they were also our Fellow Americans...

Always Remember Pearl Harbor

 

 

Mystic Mud Paracord Bracelet Give away

Just in time for Christmas...My buddy Mystic Mud is doing a Paracord Bracelet Give Away. She made four to give away and did them herself on their mountain top. I like them because they come with the clips for easy on and off.  Kids and adults alike love these bracelets, they are becoming quite fashionable. I think my favorite of these four is the one just under the pink one. I like those colors.
So go over, comment on her blog post about it and enter. 

And "May the Odds, be Forever in Your Favor"  : )

Little bit of this..and a little bit of that...

So, I had coffee in hand and decided to give my blog an extreme makeover-christmas edition.
it was a pain trying to figure everything out. But I think its done.... I like the transparent back ground so you can see Santa's dirty laundry.

If you have little ones like Senior and I do, here are a couple of good Christmas links to help get them excited : 
SANTAS OFFICIAL REINDEER CAM
PORTABLE NORTH POLE

Our elf was up to his old tricks last night. He took a dry erase marker and made silly faces on the boys school pictures. Thankfully they are in a frame, and the ink wipes off...but seriously Herman? I thought with the soldiers yesterday he would have learned a lesson...but I guess not.
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I have been selling older toys that the boys no longer play with on a facebook page called "virtual yard sale".  Been doing pretty good as long as I can put up with the BS I get in regards to meeting some of these people.
My point is , I am really seeing how hard the economy is on people.It is making me sad, but yet happy that I know that our gently used toys, will be given a second chance by another child.
I am selling old toys, in order to clean things out and make room for new things. But a lot of the people I am meeting, are selling so they can get money to afford a Christmas for their kids.My county went red in the past two presidential elections, these are good hard working country rednecks. So, I do feel for them, they love their families and kids and want the best for them, even if its second hand.
 So much hurt is going on, so many hard times..  But yet, I have to keep my head about it and remember that the majority voted for it.. and now they own it.

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Okay, on to something more light hearted..I have a new Favorite Show : DUCK DYNASTY!  Oh my Lord is it funny. I am trying hard to get Senior in to , but he loves his "Moonshiners"  If you haven't watched it please do...Really good show, that has very little in the way of profanity if any, my boys love it too...  so check it out on A&E Wednesdays at 10pm. But they show old episodes prior to 10 so you can get caught up.
and a little FYI about the Dad Phil Robertson, he was the starting QB at one time for Louisiana Tech. and do you know who is back up was?  yep!  Terry Bradshaw

Busted!

The clock read 6:15am, I had just turned on the coffee pot. I could hear ND and NW all ready up and getting dressed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw their bathroom light turn on, and then loud screams erupted. All I could hear was stuttering and "Hhhhherman...Oh my gosh!!!!!   I dropped what I was doing and went to see why all this chaos so early in the AM...  "mom!!!!...the soldiers got him"!!!!! 

He was caught sneaking back in last night, after his visit to the North Pole. The soldiers had him held at gun point, and restrained with toilet paper.  After they were dressed, the two boys decided to investigate, they found the case for the soldiers was slightly unzipped, and a empty roll of toilet paper left laying on the bathroom floor.

I think Herman and all his creepy sneaking around has finally generated some enemies... This can not be good! 

You can't see the Elf for the Tree....

 

Our day started with the boys up and searching every where for Herman McCookie. They couldn't find him anywhere...but he was there, right in front of them. Hanging out Incognito among the branches of the Christmas tree. Sneaky little Elf, finally they found him. He has those eyes that seem to follow you anywhere...CREEPY.  I saw the over on Happy Hollow Homestead that Kellys Elf.."Snowball" had a much needed soak in the bubble bath...  Herman stinks,and might need one of those himself soon.
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I bought a small 2ft table top tree. I figured that if Moochelle Obama can have 54 of them in the white house, then I could certainly have another small one on the top of an end table. The boys liked decorating it with mini-ornaments and lights. They said little presents can go under it.  
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We are working diligently to transfer the boys school for next year. The drive will be a bit longer,
but worth it. The school we want them in is A-rated and  non Title-1 - however the leg work I am doing to make this transfer happen has given me a headache. But all paperwork is done, and now it is up to the Principal of the New School we want them at, hopefully he will sign off and accept them. The school also has after school programs such as art and music, the local ones don't do that. and NW loves drawing and artwork. The waiting game for it has begun, it is all in Gods hands now...

The other headache today came from my Dad...he chose to act like a juvenile...and inundated me with nasty emails... He was such a child that he also chose to delete me off his FB friends list...what a "blankety blankety blank".!!!!!!!!!
Yes when the family acts like this, must mean that Christmas is right around the corner.. 

It is now 9pm on Tuesday night, time for my weekly dose of humor and "Doomsday Preppers" on Natgeo.. 

-JUGM

Elf Card....

Stole this from facecrook. I can see our youngest saying this to Santa.  This is for those folks like me and Kelly...  Mama Bear would agree...  : )

Our Christmas Elf

He has showed up around this time for the past 2 years. Last week we heard a soft knock at our front door, opened it--and there he was standing: "Herman McCookie" was back!.  With his showing up to visit we know that Christmas is around the corner.

He is our little happy elf, that carries a book in which he records all the activities of ND and NW, then at night once we are all asleep, He heads back to the North Pole to report to Santa. As secretly has he leaves, he also returns, and lands in a different spot around the house.

He has been on the back of the boys toilet, on my fish tank, on furniture in the living room, and bedrooms.. He even magically showed up last year when we took the boys to Disney World.
They awoke in the hotel room with Herman staring at them from the bed side night stand...
Sneaky little Elf !

However, this morning was by far a first...The boys got up, couldn't find Ole Herman anywhere..With backpacks on they climbed in to the back seat of the car and screamed..there he was sitting in the middle and he even buckled himself in!  What a smart Elf he is..thinking of Safety first.  : )

We can't wait to see where Herman shows up this year. What new places he will find. I am sure where ever it is, it will be an adventure trying to find him...

Only The Strongest....

When my baby fish hatched at the end of August, There was around 75-100. When they all swam together it looked like a little dust cloud. I thought what in the heck am I going to do with all those babies? My tank is big..but not that big.
One by one, in some way and some how the little ones got picked off. Senior told me it was a game of survival and only the strongest and smartest would make it.
A month ago, there was only one left. It darted around the rocks, and I was trying to catch it. In doing so a large rock tumbled and I thought it crushed the last baby. There was no sign of it any where in the tank

Until...tonight, when we are eating dinner...I squinted at first, then got a better look... I be darn! It was still alive, and grown a lot. You can see his coloring and how much he looks like mom and dad.
Senior was right...this little guy was the strongest, and was the smartest...and some how, and in some way he managed to stay undetected and survived.

Now he is out of whatever crevice he had been hiding in, swimming and darting around the tank. His appetite is healthy- and he looks happy.
It is always so amazing that in nature-that life will always finds a way..... 



So, we appropriately named him "Nemo" of course..and here he is with one of his parents looking on:

Beer Bread....

The title alone is enough to make you get up and make a loaf. Anything that requires beer can't be all bad. And once you have a nice warm piece slathered in honey butter, you too will concur.

 

You can either use, white flour, bread flour or grind your own wheat berries. For me, I do half white flour and half ground wheat.

The Recipe ( this is for  a medium 1 1/2 pound loaf- I do have the amounts for either a smaller loaf or larger loaf, just ask and I will email them to you. )

Water:    1/2 cup
Beer :     1/2 cup
Salt :      1 teaspoon
Granulated Sugar:    1 Tablespoon
Bread Flour:    3 cups
yeast, active dry, instant or bread machine :  2 teaspoons

I put all ingredients in order in my bread pan, and let the machine need it. The dough is really stiff. Once it has blended well, I take it out and need it a little more by hand. Make it in to a ball and place it in a greased , covered bowl to rise for about an hour.  Once its raised, take it out, punch it down, then put it in a loaf pan. cover again for about 30 minutes, then bake at 400. I bake it until the top is a golden brown, take it out and check it. Probably about 20-30 minutes. I am uncoventional in the kitchen and rarely put a time on anything..  I hope you will try this recipe, it was really good, and my family went back for seconds.. 

Today....

 

 

This was the sky last night. A friend of mine took this from her dock. Looks like God took a paint brush across the sky.  Very Awesome indeed. 



Thanks to every one and all your kind words over my post about my brother moving. I really do appreciate it, and all the virtual hugs sent my way really did help cheer me up.
He and the GFIL left Sunday morning.  Boys are back in school from Thanksgiving break and we are resuming a schedule again, until Christmas comes along.
My brother is suppose to be back during December, not sure if he is bringing his Raleigh party girl or not. I am hoping for the NOT , just so we can all have some quality time with him before his big move to the NW.

The weather has warmed up here, we are in shorts today. This is after a major frost hit us yesterday morning. little ND thought it had snowed. Both boys pray every night for the white stuff this Christmas. They prayed last year as well. It has happend here before, so you never know........
Senior and I have thought about a cabin rental in the mountains for Christmas, but right now its just to expensive. I am thinking about next year though-God willing.
My Aunt did actually offer her mountain home to us, however..she has all ready had it "winterized" and its un-usable until the spring. Since my Uncle died, she rarely goes anymore. So in October she had it all shut down. Atleast she made the offer which floored me.

Well off here now..going to make a loaf of "Beer Bread" to go with dinner tonight...perhaps I will blog about it later.....

Saturday

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a fabulous time. But, like most of you we had too much food. The turkey soaked in apple juice was outstanding, very juicy and a big hit. So was the small ham we did. My yeast rolls turned out "So-So" I need to perfect them.
Yesterday was the infamous "black Friday" I ventured out at 5am, just to make a trip to Home Depot.Since selling my other one, we wanted a new Pre-lit tree. They were having them on sale for 59.00- multi colored LED, that also changed to white lights. They also had a work bench that Senior liked. So I got up and went. I got in the store, got what I wanted and got out. I was home and back in bed by 5:45am. And that was the extent of my Black Friday.
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My brother and my GFIL made it here from NC. They have been together since April, and this is the first time for our family to meet her. She is a lovely lady, lots of fun and full of life. They go well together, and I hope in her my brother finds the happiness he has searched for but with all the wrong people.

My brother and I never had a good relationship growing up, finally after his second divorce we got close, and became the friends we never were. He comes to town now and stays at my house. His company is always welcome and fun. He likes to bring his dog, her name is Sasha and she is a Whippet. I feel sorry for her, she was bought during my brothers second marriage, and has been moved around a lot. I wish so much for him to give her to us, so she can have a stable home.
My brother told us on Thanksgiving he has taken a contract in Spokane, WA. GFILs family is all out there and they are moving from NC in January.  This news brought tears to my eyes and has deeply depressed me. My brother has always lived far away,  but since he has been in NC he has been able to jump in his truck and drive home. Now, with this move he won't be able to do that.  We will be lucky to see him once a year. And for sweet Sasha, it will be yet another move..

I will miss him being close.   : (     I think I need a hug. 

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

I am thankful for family and friends like you good blogger folks... I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving..Enjoy the time with your friends and family..

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I have had some new folks hit the follower button, some of blogs of their own. Thanks to:

That Corgi
Janet Gray
Wild Cookery
and Mike Miles

I appreciate you all stopping by and hitting the follower button! I will try to repsond as best as I can to any and all comments you may leave.
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As per the instruction of  MAMA BEAR, I soaked my turkey in apple juice for a good 24 hours. Then prepared it for roasting on a bed of celery, carrots and onions. It is now cooking, and the house smells heavenly.

Senior got up, and after I some how lost the bushing to the wheat grinder, he fixed it and now I am making fresh yeast rolls for dinner...Gosh I love that Man!  My dad said there was no way I could make my own yeast rolls...some times he can be real coot. Its my first time doing them, so I am sure hoping they come our great and he can literally eat his words-I will let you all know !

Again, enjoy your day everyone !

Assault on Christmas Village

The fun part about raising boys is you never know what to expect when the house suddenly gets quiet. I worked to set up my lighted Christmas village that I got from my Mother n Law after she passed. I thought it would be nice to set out for our company this week.
I then went to the bed room to fold laundry. The house was eerily quiet. I could hear giggling and the words " lets pretend....."   When those words are whispered and soft laughter, a mother knows something is up.

They came in with those sweet little smiles and said "Mommy we have a surprise".. They told me to close my eyes and led me in to the living room.
When I opened them, my quaint little sleepy village and been over taken by transfomers and an enemy army : 

 

Every Soldier in the House had been drafted for the invasion:

 

Santa was taken hostage and held at gun point. Some how

a Stealth fighter was able to land on the top of the Post Office Super

KUDOS to that pilot:



 

 

Oh Look! even Megatron and Starscream were in on the brutal invasion.

I knew they were behind this! :

 

 

But fortuantly Optimus Prime and his troop of Autobots

came in to save Christmas Village and release all the hostages:

 

 

THANK YOU AUTOBOTS!

You saved the Village and Christmas for all the people  : )

 



 

I guess I should be thankful that this year it was the village that got hit...Last year

Batman and Joker took over the Blessed Nativity and Joker took

the Angel Hostage.

: )



Update of Seniors Dad and Other tidbits...

Thank you all for the well wishes for Seniors dad. Unfortunately his blood platelets were too high and they could not do the surgery. So we are on hold right now. Not sure when the operation will take place , or when Senior will be home.      I miss him. : (     
My sister said the Dr's. may want to wait another week to see if the platelet count goes up.

So that is the update, and that is where we stand.

The weather has again turned gloomy. The sun promises to return by Thanksgiving. One can only hope.

Today I worked more on the large mulch job for one of our communities. I loaded, poured, and spread 28 bags of red Cyprus mulch. Mostly around the trees by a retention pond. As I was working my way down the tree line it occurred to me that I was soon to run out...I got (at that time) 22 bags, I began counting...the helper person shorted me..  I took my handy receipt and went back..they were nice and told me to take the missing bags, plus I needed even more bags. I hate it when I either leave shopping bags in a store, or I get shorted by the person loading my truck up.

Then I came home, cranked up Seniors commercial hedge trimmers and trimmed our hedges, then I cranked up one of the blowers that always gives me a hard time and blew the debris off the driveway and walk way. Normally I end up flooding them out. But today I got them both on the first pull: "I AM WOMAN ...HEAR ME ROAR"!  I felt so darn accomplished.

My neighbor across the street was leaving, she came over to chat for a few minutes. Depression set in when she told me she and her husband had signed a contract to have a new home built.  : (    She is a good friend and you don't always get lucky with neighbors that are like family. In 6 months they will be going.  : ( 

Today I got the surprise that school is closed on Wednesday. So I called the Parents.. " Want the boys to spend the night" ?  they were all to ready to have them stay over. I need  the time to clean house for Thanksgiving. Sunday I tried and every 15 minutes it was either a fight, or someone wanted something. and that was with a movie on. Besides, I could use the break.  Movie and popcorn here I come.

Off Blogger for now, time to go start dinner, and await more news from Senior.. 

Sunday...

It is Sunday, got up..made coffee. and Big breakfast for the men in my life. Senior left a bit ago for South Carolina. I started missing him the moment he drove off.
His dad is having an outpatient surgery in the morning, so if its not too much to ask, keep them in your prayers.

Yesterday after I sold the Christmas Tree, we headed to the Navy Commissary to begin purchasing the necessities for Thanksgiving dinner. I bought a medium sized Tom Turkey, and I am also doing a small ham. I am not a big turkey fan It usually ends up getting wasted in our house.
As I am trying to coordinate dinner with the rest, I for once would like some different items for a change. It seems like holiday meals are always a re-run of all the years previous, and its monotonous.
My comments fall on deaf ears. everyone will make the same things they have always made-it is like playing the same bad video over and over.  After all, it seems like we were just here, Didn't we just have the holidays?

The sun has finally decided to show up. First time since probably last Tuesday. I forgot what it looked liked and wondered what that bright thing in the sky was. We are even having blue skies.
but the wind is still there and it is still a bit chilly out.
I have much to do around the house before every one starts to arrive on Wednesday. I have the boys quiet and entertained with a STAR WARS movie. We have 4 of them saved on the DVR, and today they are a life saver. My Senior is not here to occupy them..so our baby sitter Master Yoda will. They are in the movie, wearing their little Jedi Capes, and holding light sabers, they are ready to fight for the rebel forces.

So now I must end this post, and start to getting things cleaned up and organized. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.

MIA

I know its been a couple of days since I have posted. Sorry. Things happen...Life happens. You all know how it is...

Senior and I had a very large mulch job to do for a client, then I had a bit of the whole bronchitis thing for a couple of days.
Sunday he leaves for South Carolina..his dad is have an out patient surgery done.
So it will be me and the boys for a few days. But we will be busy. Due to extra company for Thanksgiving, every one is coming to our house.  I really don't mind it, I love to entertain. The guys will go out in to the sun room to watch football, and we girls will sit in the living room, gossipping and going through black friday sale ads.
My brother is coming this year with a new lady friend. I have talked to her a few times, and she is a FB friend. She is from Baton Rouge, LA and I like her. Which worries me..when ever our family likes a girl he brings home, he ends up breaking off the relationship-my brother has fears when we actually get a long with people

I discovered  the coolest thing on FB. Virtual garage sales. I sold the christmas tree I found by a curb on there. Now I am constantly on the site, and looking around now through the house a what all I can post for sale.

New safe is here. its big. But I like it. More safety features then our previous one. Now I need to sell the previous one....   : )

Weather here is crummy, suppose to be like this till at least Sunday. Lots of clouds, infrequent misty rain.  I know the sun is up there some where. Havent seen it in days. But I do love this weather...makes it feel more seasonal and fall out. Of course and just in time for Thanksgiving, it will warm up and we will probably be wearing shorts and flip flops that day.. 

Okay off here now...Till later....

Battling Boys

A former marine friend I grew up with posted this on facecrook. I liked it and wanted to share it with you good people.

Beginning Prepping 101 Pt. 3 : Toiletries

I really don't mean to over whelm you all with all these items to stockpile. And in no way am I saying go out today and spend all your money on everything. Buy small quantities at a time, keep them in a closet or on a shelf...pretty soon you will have a months worth, and so on and so on.

Toiletries is a bit of a must have, but something folks don't think a lot of. I am guilty of this myself.
Finally I started buying "girlie" items for the time of the month when my dear Aunt Rosie shows up for her visit. If and When SHTF the earth will still turn, the moon will still have its phases, and the sun will still rise and set..so why should mother nature and her monthly cycles be any different..
and besides, a good stock pile of feminine pads, is also handy in a emergency medical situation. Someone comes to you with a gun shot wound, or deep laceration,  Just plug it with a tampon !

Also, when we women have our monthlys, some of us tend to PMS..  Not saying ME of course-every one knows I am a PEACH    : )
but keeping a side of Pamperin or Midol might be helpful to the men folk in your group. I feel for the poor UN Soldier who has been sent in to our country, and faces a PMS'n woman behind the trigger of her AR-15.

If you have one near you, the Dollar Tree Stores are an amazing invention. everything is a dollar! On a funny note wanna joke with the cashier of a dollar tree? Tell her something is not marked and ask how much it is- LOL !

In Dollar Trees, you can buy tubes of toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, shampoo, deodorant,  and all kinds of things to aid in daily hygiene. Your cleanliness is important, because you don't want to open yourself up to infections. You still plan to eat, and that food will cycle through you and create waste.. Therefore toilet paper is a definite must have on your stockpile list. Again--warehouse clubs. Buy up a few cases at a time and pretty soon you have enough TP to last a year.

What I DON'T recommend buying at Dollar Tree are canned foods.. You can walk across to the local Grocery store and find the generics for less then a dollar.

So again...I hope some of you find this helpful...   : )

Beginning Prepping 101 Pt. 2: Canned Meats

 

There are many different kinds of canned meats out on the market.Above are some of our favorites. Senior and I prefer Tuna, Chicken, and Canned Hams. We have found the DAK Ham brand to be very inexpensive, and they store for several years. Initially, we were purchasing them from

Wal-Mart, then we learned SAMS sold them in a three pack, and cheaper, but in recent months even SAMS has become sold out of the hams.  

The general idea is you want to create a goal for yourself and begin with that..for instance: 3 months. then work from there. Check grocery store ads, and clip coupons. Or just do what we did, if we picked one can off the shelf , we would pick one extra and put that aside. In an emergency situation, the typical store only has a 3 day supply in its back warehouse-so after those three days are over and no deliveries are being made, what do you think will happen? Yep! Complete Chaos...and if you need another reminder, look no further then what is being played out in the Northeast.

 With canned meats you can add gravy and mix it with all that rice you have been storing. Open up a can of chicken and throw in some canned dumplings for a nice warm dinner, which will stick to your belly and fill you up.

I like to make Tuna Mac with elbow noodles, boiled eggs, and mayonnaise. The kids love it!  And there are endless possibilities with SPAM.  : )

People have asked what I will do with all the canned food when it is expired?. Well, my answer to that is: “We stock what we eat, and eat what we stock”

We take from the front, and add to the back. Thus creating a rotation and nothing is allowed to expire. All though in our early days of prepping, and keeping a hurricane kit, things did expire. But now, we have become much more disciplined in our food rotation and with our excel file. 

I also consider the different tastes that my family has, and so should you. However, I do know that in a survival situation if you are hungry it won’t matter. Food and nourishment is important if you like it or not.

So, there you have it…a brief lesson on canned meats. Like I said previously if I only reach one person with this series then I will find it a success.

Beginning Prepping 101 PT. 1 : Rice, Rice and More Rice !

Time to check your tears at the door. BO is back for 4 more years and there is nothing we can do about it. Now is the moment if you haven't all ready to think of food storage for you and your loved ones. If our economy hasn't awoken you to the idea, then look no farther then those folks in the Northeast and the conditions they are now living in due to mother nature. I betcha 9 out of 10 of them never thought it could happen, and they expected the government they voted for this week would swoop  in on white horses to help them out...well, we can see where that is going. So let it all be a lesson to you.

My first food item I recommend to stock pile is RICE, and lots of it.. If it has been good enough for a billion chinese for thousands of years, then its good enough for us. It is a dry grain and if stored correctly can be saved for 15 -25 years.

Rice is a staple in most of our cabinets. You can add it to any main course, or meat. ND and NW love plain ole rice and gravy more then anything. I love plain white rice with a little bit of butter. We eat rice at least 2-3 times per week in one form or the other. Whether its done in my rice cooker, or some sort of boxed dinner mix...
Plus, you can mix plain white rice with  boiled chicken and feed your dog.

Senior and I go to SAMS club and buy the large commercial size bags.We use to go out to COSTCO, but the drive was just getting to be too much.  We then bring it home and separate it down to manageable sizes, by pouring it in to mylar bags, and adding oxygen eaters. Occasionally we will use the extra large bags, but we have recently  began to use the smaller zip lock bags and can do smaller portions which is more manageable for small families like ours. 
I have blogged about it before and here are the links to the posts:

Storing Rice and Sugar

Mylar Bags

We ordered our mylar bags from USA EMERGENCY they are really nice folks that carry
a cornucopia of storing supplies and emergency essentials which can help get you started on  your own food storage. You can also get the oxygen eaters from these fine people.

Another good tip: start buying and saving those 5 gallon buckets..You can  buy them at any home improvement stores, or go to your local bakery..they get all their cake frosting and cake mixes in the same size buckets. Ask the owner or manager if they are willing to either give you some or sell you some. We scored once by doing this and brought home 20 + buckets.
You can go to Home Dept for lids...Senior and I found these awesome Gamma Lids..which If they are affordable for you I recommend spending the extra money and getting these instead of the normal bucket lids.

Now that we have all our rice sealed in our mylar bags and buckets Senior adds our food items to  the most fascinating food storage list he created on excel. You want to know how much you have stored and how long will it sustain you. He just did a post about it, so swing over to his blog and check it out: SENIORS FOOD STORAGE EXCEL FILE

I hope this first lesson has helped some of you out, even if it is just one person..then I will consider it a success.

So Good Luck In your beginning prepping items, and If you have any questions just ask...REMEMBER: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION, ONLY DUMB PEOPLE..    :  )

And The Sun Shines Through

 

Yesterday after we got the boys from school, we went and ran errands. While walking through a store, other shoppers seemed as depressed as I was. There was that look of let down on every ones faces. Our particular county went over the top for Romney..in fact Romney had more votes here then McCain did in 08. And we went Red in 08 as well.

A good friend over on Facecrook had the above picture on her wall this morning. As soon as I looked at it, it spoke to me in ways more then any one could realize
It goes along with a Winston Churchill quote :

"Success is not Final
Failure is not Fatal;
It is the Courage to Continue That Counts"

As I looked upon this picture, I saw the dark clouds..lets face it our Country is in extreme darkness, and those clouds represent that. But the sun breaks them apart and finds a way to shine through.
That is the courage to continue that Churchill speaks of. Through success or failure, it is the courage to keep going that is what really counts. And I know we as Patriotic, hardworking Americans can have the courage to continue and to keep going forward.

I don't know a lot of things..I am not the smartest person, or probably the most prolific writer out there. Sometimes my thoughts get ahead of my typing and most times I feel like nothing I say on here makes any sense at all.
But what I do know is I have a family and two little boys that depend on Senior and I and I need that courage for them. They are the future..and I must have the courage to fight as hard as I can to secure them the best future possible.

Distressed

 

I know life goes on. It is what is and nothing can change that. However I am saddened by the outcome.  We have to keep up the fight for our Country. She is in distress. She needs us now more then ever.

Every election has consequences..today across this country the unemployment rate is about to go up. Why? Because of the Obamacare mandates. If you have more then 50 employees..you are screwed.
people will lose their jobs, or have to have hours cut back to avoid the harsh burden on small businesses.
I truly hope the unemployment rate jumps to 30 %. They voted for it..let them deal with it. Then in January the even higher tax burdens then what we have now. The ignorant voters that choose this know not what they have done.

The day here is actually cold and windy. But at least the sun is out. I can  see the shadow of the flag in our front yard waving in the wind across the grass.. I am still hopeful for our Country. Thin gs will go on, daily life will continue. The prepping though will be amped up. Finding a way to get out and purchase acreage. Becoming  as self reliant as possible is on our agenda.
I suggest you all do the same if you haven't all ready.

ELECTION DAY

Its finally here, The 2012 Presidential Election Day. Where has the last four years gone? Senior and I did our duty and voted. We live in s quasi-small town. No lines, and No black panthers to intimidate
voters. It all went smoothly.

Today is the day we decide what kind of country we are going to give our kids and grandkids. This is the most important election of our lifetime -- and every vote counts!!!!  And if you don't get out and vote, then you have no right to complain. Its hard to think of it now, but when we wake up tomorrow our country will have gone one of two ways..We will either be celebrating a new President elect who has created jobs, and does know how to turn things around, and one that truly loves The United States or we will be crying in our coffee over another four more years of the Obama regime, the same poor economy, millions upon millions on welfare that we the hard working people are paying for, and a man that does not love The United States.

It is all up to Us..."We the People" we have a fundamental decision to make...which road do you want to take?  What kind of morning do you want tomorrow?

let me leave you with these words of wisdom from me JUGM :

"when it comes to pinning blame, pin the tail on the donkeys".