Hey Guys!

Sorry for my silence, Christmas came and NW gave me and Senior a bad cough..what a thoughtful gift.
I did get a fancy new camera from Senior,  Its  a Fuji with 42x zoom.  I was so happy I cried.

Santa was good to the boys , they got BB guns and RC off road cars from a local hobby store.
And Senior got a new holster and other gun accessories.

We are  currently at the estate. And with this trip comes lots of work- Senior burnt leaves and I have started cleaning out old paperwork.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. And Ihope every one has a blessed New Year

Because Christmas is on Wednesday....

 

 

 

 

We wish you all a very Warm, Merry and Blessed Christmas !   

Phil to Return

I have seen this story on a couple other news websites. Apparantly A&E has caved and realizes that Duck Dynasty is the highest rated TV show ever, and those are ratings the cable channel does not want to lose, and without Phil, the rest of the family would walk.

Click this link to read the full story :  http://www.christianpost.com/news/phil-robertson-returning-to-duck-dynasty-in-january-111355/

In Support...

 

The two demographics that the Left does not bash:   Homosexuals, and Islamics.

Yesterday We....

 

Took our boys and visited our local National Cemetery. The nation wide campaign for the wreath laying was done. And it was beautiful. We have a good friend buried here, and the dad of another friend is as well. When the time comes even my parents will be laid to rest here.

 

Except for a few workers, we were the only ones there.. Standing on this sacred ground it was quiet, and very serene. A person can experience lots of different emotions. All these good Americans that loved their country and fought to preserve its freedom. On the front of the head stone was the service member, and on the back was his or her spouse that had deceased.

 

As I stood there reading some of the stones, I remember the recent post by Sandy At Oklahoma Transient.. She posted the poem by LCDR Jeff Giles. If you get a chance go over and read it. But make sure you have a box of Kleenex.

 

-JUGM



 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Stuff

It has been a busy past couple of days. Weather finally cooled down and it feels much more seasonal.
Got our tree put up, and threw some lights in the bushes in front of the house.
Got lots of shopping done...Being a Prime member with Amazon is awesome!.  I hate the crowds, and how wonky other shoppers can be.

Remember this guy?  Its Herman our Ceramic Christmas Watch Elf who comes to life every night and reports back to Santa during Christmas. The next morning we find him in different locations around  our house.
Well, Ole Herman is very old and the other night Libby was chasing the cat and the cat knocked Herman over before he could come to life and take his daily report to Santa..Being as old and fragile as he is, Herman Broke  : (  
Now it seems that Santa has decided to retire  Herman to Elfkin Island which is in the South Pacific to enjoy the rest of his years. Santa has told us that we may be getting a new, younger and more versatile Elf sent to us.... 

Yesterday Senior and I hit a gun show, more like a Taser show. Because it seemed like all they were selling. I asked by an over zellous salesman if I would like to protect myself and purchase a taser......lol

Today was church, yes I am happy to say that I am back going. Probably not every Sunday, but atleast more frequent then I was. The Pastor and his wife baked dozens and dozens of cookies, and fudge, and brought it all for the congreation. It is a yearly "Thank You" they do. Then the Choir did a Christmas Music Special.

After church, I got out in the garage with Senior to learn how to re-load. I did several rounds of .223, and watched how he does his 300 Blackout. He also showed me how easy it is to insert the primers. I hope he will let me do more. It is something I would like to become good at.

-JUGM

Frosty's Brother

"Sandy" was found today living on a warm beach in Sunny and Warm Florida. Now all we need is that magical hat placed on his head so he can come to life and  "hang 10" on his surf board.. 

 

 



Teapot Project

I have become quite the connoisseur of cast iron cookware. It is durable and beats the heck out of the cheap stuff you buy from the store. My collection is growing slowly, and one day I hope to display it all properly.

During our last trip to Carolina our friend Mr. Farmer took us to an auction of household items. The building was a transformed barn, very rustic, and drafty. But the kind of place you could not help but like.
We watched  sale after sale, Mr. Farmer was racking up and out bidding quite a few people. In one of the last lots rolled out was a couple of cast iron pieces, when I saw that one was a teapot, I perked up. I punched Senior, leaned over and asked if Mr. Farmer could bid on it for me, he asked how high I could go. I had 25.00 available.
So thus it began, back and forth... It was awesome with the way he battled the other bidder, until the lady gave in and I won it. I felt like a little kid.
Then I got it home..  What a mess :

I researched the project online.Took off the lid and handle then soaked it in a solution of water and distilled vinegar:

 Dried it out then  began scrubbing with steel wool, and very fine sandpaper, for the spout I used a hard toothbrush.
I scrubbed and scrubbed for most of the week. Finally I have started seeing results of my preservation project:

I still have more work to go, but she is getting there. Above the water line is still a ring of rust, but slowly that is coming off. She looks nothing like she did when I first bought her.
 I know some of you are saying " You could have bought a new one" 
 No, not the same.
When you work on something and do it yourself, you have a level of self satisfaction. Things have more meaning to them when you take the time to work on them.  I like being able to say " Yea I did that" 

-JUGM

Saturday...

 Today is December 7th. A day for reflection and to remember those who gave their life at Pearl Harbor. If you get a chance, just stop and give a moment of silence...let us never forget.

 

 

Also for us it is the Liberty Bells ( Libby) 1st Birthday. We first  thought to name her "Pearl" given her special birthday, but I looked at our Safe, and really like "Liberty" All though throughout the year she has been given many names : "Princess of Poo", " Libbidy McFibety", "Little Libby Lu-Lu" "Cruella" ... lol .

 

This was her a couple of days after we got her: 

Now at 1 years old, she has grown to be the queen of the house, and protects her family. While she still does things that warrants a puppy time out, she is apart of our family. And we love her dearly.

 

On another note it is very hard to feel festive when the temperature map looks like this:

 

That would be us just under the 81 in Florida. I have tried to get the Christmas Spirit, but it was awfully hard when I was hanging blankets out to dry and I started to sweat.
The cold weather the rest of you are having is slowly inching this way. Honestly the map looks almost comical- People always think it is automatically 80 when they cross the state line, so now here is the proof. 

The kids have wanted to decorate, but I have not been able to do it. It doesn't feel right putting up the tree when it feels like June outside. I did  manage to put up my "Snowy Village" . Fortunately Libby has not chased the cat in to it yet.

I know some of you are wondering what the outcome was with the Christmas Party issue. I got some excellent advice, but in the end, My Auntie showed up for her monthly visit and she had other plans for me today. Yes I am feeling crummy.  "Blah"

-JUGM

A Little Delimma

I know that when a issue in life arises that I can sit down and put it out on the table for all you good people. I value your advice and the combined years of knowledge that you offer me.
So, let me start at the beginning with this one...

A husband and wife neighbors and acquaintances of ours,  since we have known the couple,there has been mental abuse, and it has escalated into physical abuse. We, along with other neighbors  have all advised the wife to leave. But, like a lot of abused women with kids, she stays.
Recently, there was another incident and the wife wore dark glasses for a week. From what I understand the police were called. Not sure what happend after that, because they have been quiet.

Since that occurrence, She was  advised by several friends and neighbors that if she takes him back again, she will be on her own.  People are tired of the wife asking for help, only to ignore the help and constantly take him back.  Well, you can guess what happend. After he hit her like that. yup! She took him back,  I keep hoping and praying that nothing tragic happens in the home.

Then yesterday, our boys got an invite from their kids for a Christmas party.  They have two beautiful little girls that I just adore. Our dilemma in this matter is what to do? I do not condone spousal abuse at all, and do not wish to put my kids in an unstable environment where at any point the husband could snap.

On the other hand, I do not like to punish  kids for the actions of their parents. Kids do not understand any of this. And I know how as a kid I would feel if I sent out invites and no one showed up.  Thus the dilemma, just could use some advice from those out there who are wiser... 

-JUGM

Field Trip Tuesday

The weather was awful. It rained buckets but it did not stop NDs class from going to a horse farm for a field trip.

I was reluctant..but it was actually a pretty
cool place. Three huge barns with horses, goats, rabbits and chickens. And two turkeys.
Yes my son asked if they were going to be dinner on Thursday. The nice lady said no, she raised them and they are pets. I was surprised at how docile they were around the kids.

Rain is moving  north and cold weather is due to move in. We got lots going on this week so if I dont find the time to do a post. Then I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.

-Jugm

Its been a busy weekend

Sorry for the little silence. Just absolutely been bogged down with things.
My brother which we all ready knew was coming to town this past Friday, decided to pop in our place around 9pm to crash.
He closed up one of his houses and brought every thing down to his storage unit. Well, he has been making home brewed beer, and brought us a case. OMG !  It was good, the fire pit was lit, and we all stayed up well past 1:30 am  Saturday morning.
Saturday by the way was our garage sale. We were awoken by my brother at 645 am by him setting off our home alarm...yes again!  Poor Senior ! 
While here my brother planned a vacation for he and my parents, he rented an RV and took them camping on the beach. Gosh what a son!

Garage sell went okay, but you know people want something for nothing. I had a box of old shorts that were the boys, they were marked 1.00 a pair, and some lady told me that was too much to pay.
Then I had a pair of ladies jeans marked 2.00 and a lady said she would give me 1.00. 
Geez Louise People!
Senior had for sale an  Alice pack with frame, and a two man tent..neither sold.

After that, we had to get busy on NW 3rd grade science fair project. He chose "Magnets, and linear acceleration" so we did a Gauss Rifle. Finally got it done last night.
Then today ( Monday) Senior I had to lay down 98 bales of pine straw, along a tree line in one of our communities... *SIGH*  now you see why I have been MIA. 

Then tomorrow ND has a field trip planned to a farm..only it is supposed to be rainy and windy..I am chaperoning..can't you tell I hope it gets cancelled?

During my absence our good buddy ROB became a grandpa.. A big congratulations to his daughter and family.  What a wonderful thing to be blessed with this Thanksgiving.

Now, the boys are ready for bed, and I am going to soak in a hot tub of water, with an ice cold REDDS Apple Ale...   Yay me!

-JUGM

Remembering JFK

I just wanted to take a time out in remembrance of John F. Kennedy. I like to think about what the future would have held for him. I was not born then, but  I grew up learning about John Kennedys legacy as President, and the great things he envisioned for this country. Definantly one who was taken too early from this earth.
President Kennedy along with Reagan are probably the last two really good Presidents this country has had, His famous quotes are well remembered and I would like to share some of them with you today :

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable”

 “The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission”

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all”

 “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

HealthCare Update ..And Other things..

Basically "It is what It Is" and we have to deal with it. Our local tricare office under no circumstance's will allow us to go to a civilian Orthopedic Doctor.
So now I am calling the specialties clinic every day, to see if we can get Senior an earlier appointment then Mid- December. Today he is taking MAMA BEARS advice and picking up some of that Blue-Emu sore pain rub.  I hope that helps him a bit.

So please" "fingers crossed" and lots of prayers for us.
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Two kids, two different schools...two days of Thanksgiving Luncheons. Which I thought both were on the same day so therefore I missed one of the luncheons. Little ND got in the car with tears in his eyes because his mommy and daddy were not at the luncheon.
OMG---"Was that today? I thought it was tomorrow the same day as your brothers" ?
"Nooooooo !!!!   Every other parent was there"
" Oh holy cow! "
Now I am the worst mother in the world!

This is what happens when schools don't keep proper communication with parents. I was not the only one thinking both lunches were on the same day.

So, Today Senior and I are making it up to him, we are bringing him lunch at school....   : )
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Another community wide garage sale is tomorrow. I am going through every thing. And what does not get sold, gets donated !   I do and don't like garage sales, the economic times trickles down and people want you to just give your stuff away.  It does get frustrating....
We are doing something different with the boys though, we are letting them take charge of what they want to sale and they can keep the money they make.
And kids are funny because now that  I am putting stuff in a staging area, it suddenly becomes important..even though it has not been played with for a year.

Now I must get back to going through closets, and cleaning out toy boxes...  Even Senior is going through his stuff.....

Happy Friday All! 
-JUGM

Healthcare Rant..Part 1

This country wants to go to government run health care ? As Fantabulous as that may sound I am here today to go on rant, about government run health care and the issues I am having getting Senior an appointment for the torn tendon in his wrist.
He was referred out to an orthopedic specialist. The referral was picked up by The local Tricare office who said "No"  he is retired we want him to go to the base.
That is all well and good, however the first opening they have is not until Mid December.
Senior is in extreme pain. It will most likely need surgery.
Now the run around begins, and multiple voice mails are being left for a representative from my local tricare office to call us back so we can initiate a "Right of Refusal"
Should this be granted, then he will be able to go to the civilian and much more competent specialist.
When I had my carpal tunnel surgery, I was sent to a civilian...why can't Senior? 

And please don't tell us that because  he is veteran that he "HAS" to go the base, because for five years Tricare has been preaching this : " If you live more then 30 miles from the nearest naval hospital you can be seen by a civilian".
 His MRI was done at a civilian facility, his primary care doctor - a civilian...so, why should this be different?

I am pulling my hair out, what is left is going gray. It is nonsense that no one can answer a blooming phone !  Leave a message please, we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!!!

And this is the sort of thing the uniformed voters wanted...the military has government health care. It is not all it is cracked up to be!  TRUST ME.
You  need to be seen by a specialist....sorry you got to wait a month! You broke your leg and it is fallen off...Sorry, You got to wait a month! . Senior is before having me cut off his hand.. And if I did, he would have to wait a month to get it re-attached.  Oh and while you wait take this prescription of good ole Vitamin M (motrin the military cure all) to ease your pain.

Just suffer is the message being sent, sorry you are in excruciating pain, but you are non-urgent..

Stay tuned for updates- I am sure some time soon there will be a part two

-JUGM

The Waiting Game...

There was a recall ordered for my car. Something about the door panels, and a potential safety hazard. So I made the appointment for bright and early this morning. And then I was told the work would take three hours, and that specific recall did not warrant a loaner car.  grrrrr

I brought my tablet to play games on, sat down and the waiting game began.
Okay, I could have taken the courtesy shuttle some where, but where is there to go at 8:15am? Then I would have to wait for them to pick me back up. So, I chose to stay at the dealership. Chairs were comfy, they had snack and drink machines, hot coffee, and free Wi-Fi. It couldn't be all that bad.

In my three hours, I saw elderly people, young people, really people of all walks of life. They were in and out, I literally out lasted them all.
A mother who did not know how to discipline her two year old son, let him play on her cell phone, and run around crazy.-Mine never did that.
I got quasi indoctrinated by the endless  cycle of CNN, over and over and over, the same stories..
Rush Limbaugh was right, the MSM will focus on the Illinois tornadoes and get the public off Obamacare. 
But then the next story was of the woman who Obama highlighted as a Obamacare success, only to find out she really was not a success.

CNN also reported that today is the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, and why is Obama not attending when he touted himself to be just like Lincoln...  well they did report he is part of the growing community that wants all citizens to memorize the Gettysburg Address
I think it is more important that we learn the Pledge of Allegiance first and keep it in schools.

They showed the serial killer who shot Larry Flynn the Penthouse Magazine publisher, and how the guy is scheduled to die. Good! Another person that the tax payers no longer have to pay for. But Ole Larry feels sorry for him and does not believe in the death penalty so he is petitioning the CA Governor to halt the execution.

Then the stories played all over again-That is why I Like Fox News, they don't do that.

Finally after my three hour wait "Ma'am your car is ready, but it looks like you will need a new battery"
"well how much is it" ?
" $123.00"
" ummm I will pass my husband can take care of it"

I know how dealerships work, they get you coming and going.  I paid, was up and outta that place. Stopped and got lunch for Senior and I.

Enjoy the rest of your day folks, and please tell me no more CNN!  : )

-JUGM

Sunday Wake Up

The dogs woke me up whining to go out. I stumbled out of bed, checked on the sleeping children. let Libby out of her kennel, and went to the back door..  Opened it..

I forgot  to disarm the home alarm system.
All Heck broke out on this quiet Sunday morning...
I ran back to the keypad to turn it off.
Saw Senior standing there shaking his head, hands on hips.
Kids slept through it.
Alarm company called to verify....

Later this morning while I was cleaning up the breakfast dishes Senior said : " You just had to set the alarm off at 7am"

ME:  "yup! It was a test"
Senior: "a test ? "
ME: " Yup ! You know crime never sleeps, need to make sure the family is prepared"
Senior: " OMG, But did you have to do it at 7am" ?
ME: " Yup! that bad guys aren't in bed! "
Senior: " OMG"

Kids last ball game for this season is today.. yay!  Happy Sunday!

-JUGM

Why We Prep

The other day, I read comments on another blog. The post was originally on Veterans Day, but some how  and for some reason the comments went negative and preppers was brought in to the subject. One person commenting referred to us as "cockroaches" the blogger who admins. the site went on to call us "DumbA--, and too cocky to survive"  Really?
I actually take being mentioned in the same circle as a cockroach a compliment. They have figured out how to survive for millions of years, so they must be doing some thing right.

About that time the Philippines were hit with a major typhoon. Massive destruction, and thousands dead and or missing. In the aftermath, people are doing desperate things to survive, especially in hard to reach areas. Supplies and aid is slowly flowing in. But more is needed. An entire country as been devastated, towns and villages completely wiped off the map. 

And people ask why I prep?  I, and others like me prep because we don't want to rely on our government for aid in case of the same disaster that hit the Philippines. I prep because I refuse to be a victim. I did stand in line ONCE  after the 2004 Tropical Storm outbreak in Florida for a bag of ice and  peanut butter jelly sandwiches...I didn't get those items because I was the wrong color. I will never do that again. It woke me and Senior up to a lot of things and we will never depend on government ever again for help.
Has this country gotten so complacent that we have forgotten the effects of Katrina and Super Storm Sandy, numerous earthquakes, floods, and wildfires?

So, for people like these bloggers, and others like them who think it is comical to be prepared-
This is still a quasi free country and you are currently free to express your opinions.
But, when the lights go out, you lose power and your oxygen cuts off- remember your jokes and comments... Karma sucks !

-JUGM

Mulch and More Mulch

Day four of the mulch job from hades. Senior and I have now shoveled and spread about 35 yards with about another 8-10 to go.. In comparison think of shoveling  half a semi load of mulch. Now add in the raging sinus headache I have had for two days and you can imagine.
 Yep !  Let no person ever say I am a lazy round blob with no estrogen. Unlike others, I don't have time to sit around and collect frog figurines and write  a non NY Times best selling book that you can find in a dollar tree. I did read the reviews over on Amazon, there were only five, and they sounded the same, it was at that time that I learned from a reliable source that the author went on to Amazon and wrote the  reviews herself- no wonder the book was at dollar tree.

Tomorrow is a weather day, extrememly high winds and cold so we are taking the day off. I am happy for the break, got lots to do around our house. And I am working on the cards I have donated to our buddy Robs fundraiser.

This is the last week of fall baseball, and tonight NW hit a in the park grand slam, and ND had a few RBIs and scored several times. I was thrilled they had such a good game, my sister and neice showed up and it was a real joy for the boys to have extended family there to watch them play.

Must tell you all good night, and go take care of this headache...  have a good evening

-JUGM

Veterans Day: A True Story

We spent the past weekend up at the Country Estate. Knowing Veterans Day was coming up, Senior wanted to put American Flags on the graves of our family who had served, including his Dad.
So, yesterday I was a woman on a mission, searching high and low for  four small flags.
I was of the thinking that it was Veterans day, it would be a no brainer and every one out there would have them.

But, I soon found that idea to be very wrong. I am sad to say that not one of the stores I was in was recognizing the reason behind todays holiday.
Walmart did have flags, but only one the size I was looking for, and that was perched up high, I had to climb on the display to get it down. A snotty walmart employee looked at another shopper and said " She must be desperate for a flag"  I gave her  "The Look" .
I walked up to the check out, every one in front of me had carts full. A nice elderly lady in front of me, turned and smiled and asked if the small flag was all that I had. I said "yes ma'am" and she allowed me to go in front of her.
I thanked her repeatedly for her kindess. And it was then that she and I began a conversation about our Flag, and the countries veterans. I told her about how hard it had been for me to find a small flag and what it would be used for.

She then said to me :
" It was not until I saw you with the flag that I remembered tomorrow is Veterans Day.  I can remember how as a child, every thing shut down, people would line the streets for the local parade. Us girls got giggly over the boys in uniform, and I married a soldier who served in Korea. Our country has lost what our Flag means, and what our veterans sacrificed to keep America Free, Now this blame Obamacare is threatening the weak and elderly, If I get cancer, I will have no coverage, it is like they just want us to die. I don't recognize my country anymore, and tomorrow...it is a day to celebrate and thank our vets, and no one really remembers that anymore"
 She smiled remembering days gone by and then her eyes teared up.

I completely agreed with her,smiled and expressed my sentiments as well. The line started moving, and I told her to thank her husband for his service, She blessed me with a good day. I then thanked her for the conversation. And I was on my way.
It is always remarkable about the people you meet, You never know about them, or what insight they can bring you. I got in the truck, with my one little flag. I told Senior about the little elderly lady and our conversation. And then I knew I had to share it with all of you.

I Want to Thank all the Veterans for their service, And Thank You to the families for sacrificing your loved ones to fight for America, and to keep our Country free....

-JUGM

No Freaking Way!

Not in a 100 million trillion years would I ever be stressed out enough that I would need this to
de-stress...  Apparently in Jarkata, Indonesia this is the new thing to do..  I screamed the other day when a lizard fell on to me, no way would I set still for this......

Indonesian De-Stress Therapy

American Blackout...

Last night Senior and I finally sat down and watched "American Blackout"  on National Geographic.We recorded it on the DVR over a week ago at the suggestion of Harry Flashman.
Holy cow !
It was every thing Harry said it was and more. It was very realistic, and made Senior and I both stop and think that this scenario could be reality, and about how our own preps are going.
While I knew they were actors, you got in to the lives of the characters and the scenarios that they faced. I found myself rooting for the good guys, and wanting to slap the faces of the stupid people.
Since I recorded it, I fast forwarded through commercials, just so I could see what happened next.

During and after the show we talked about how as a country we are so dependent with our electronics, that is almost like a love affair. The computer age was all ready in the making with the very first IBMs and APPLEs, but along came the mid 90s and that is when technology really began its upward climb.   The public has things like Facebook, twitter and instagram to where they can post every thing they do in their lives. I can't get over how much people are dependent on these things. I' ve looked at friends Twitter accounts, and it amazes me how they are just so addicted to it all.  Then there is how much electricity and water we as a nation use every day, it  is simply mind blowing..  And when all those things are suddenly just cut off...the reaction of the people is chaos.

I went to bed with it all on my mind, and I woke up with it on my mind, All day I have thought about it. And the lingering question of "Could you imagine" ? has been there. That is a question  though I all ready know the answer too because it has happened with the 2003 Northeast Blackout, Katrina, and Super Storm Sandy- it is only a matter of time before it happens again.

I suggest if you have not seen the show..then it will be re-aired on  Wednesday November 13 @ 9pm. 

-JUGM

Sunday

Clocks were set back last night and we got our hour of sleep back as well. Gosh I love Fall !

Senior brought home the open trailer today he did some much needed maintenance as this week is our "mulch job from hades"...   We have to move around 40 yards of it throughout one of our communities. We stick to doing it ourselves so we can net more money.

While Senior was doing the work on the trailer, I was in the back cutting collard greens, and un-beknownst to me the "IT " Happened..  I came in the house and opened the laundry room door, some how, in some way a large bottle of bleach had fallen, and half of it leaked out on to the floor. A laundry bag with a few shirts in it got wet. So, I had to break it to Senior that his favorite "Carolina Gamecocks" t-shirt was ruined, but to smooth it over I showed him my "Glock Girl" shirt. Both are now rags in the garage.   *Sigh* I promise to purchase him a new shirt on our next visit to the SC Estate.
The  bleach cleanup was a nightmare, the mop head I was using got bleached out, I smell like bleach, and it was my neighbor who said it best :" well at least your laundry room floor is good and disinfected"  uggggh

Senior felt after that incident we just needed to get out of the house, so we all headed down to our favorite gun shop to see what was on sale, I can tell you that not much was on sale. He is looking to sell his CETME and get a AR Pistol. We were also sizing up ND for his first little rifle, he is hoping Santa will drop one off for him this year.
 I am of the firm belief that not only should some people be parents, but those same folks should not be allowed to own a firearm..  I  like going in to gun stores, and people watch..very amusing.

Sun is now going down on this Sunday, the clock reads 6pm  but it looks like 7:30 outside...   We are grilling chicken and it is about ready....  Enjoy your evening everyone!


-JUGM

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday we carved our pumpkins the one to the left of the big one is suppose to be a dragon, and the other small one Was suppose to be a phantom face, but it got really messed up..oh well. It still looks cool.

Halloween is that one day of the year when some believe the veil between this world and the next is dropped long enough for the other side to cross over and pay us a visit...   While I am not absolutely sure about that, I do know I have seen some pretty compelling evidence to make a person scratch their head and wonder.
Much like the  video below, it was taken a week after the death of Michael Jackson by Larry
Kings Film crew...   Watch it and it will make a believer out of you! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!!!!!

One more for tonight.....

Happy Wednesday

 Its a clip and paste kind of Wednesday for me, so enjoy.....

 

 

 

 

Camping Trip

Got back yesterday from our yearly camping trip with our good buddy Rebel and his lovely family.
Weather was great, company was awesome. We rode bikes, and ate too much. Especially ice cream and dutch oven peach cobbler.
Kids wore themselves out  playing and driving Rebels teenage daughter nuts... They always wanted an older sister, this past weekend they got the experience of what it was like to have one.
Then her boyfriend showed up..... 

Saturday we rode our bikes into the historical section of Jekyll Island. This was the playground of the rich and famous during the late 1800's and early 1900s.
It is the birthplace of the Federal Reserve aka : "The Beast of Jekyll"  and the spot where in 1915 the very first transcontinental telephone call took place.

"Millionaires Row" is here, that is the lane with the cottages of folks like the Rockefeller's, Goodyear's, J.P Morgan and others....  Below is a pic of the infamous "Jekyll Island Club Hotel" A place full of scandal, and history.  You had to be a member of the club in order to build a cottage here. Which meant you had to have money, and lots of it.

Another "summer cottage" of one of those rich evil capitalist....

Libby came along for her first camping trip, she was a hit and loved by Rebels family...

I took ND over to the local pier and we saw that a great white had swallowed a witch, he thought it was funny and wanted me to snap a pic...because its not every day a kid see's a witch coming out of the mouth of a shark.

 

Then the sun set and we got bored around the campfire. It was then that the boyfriend suggested for giggles we melt a bottle....so we did. It was cool. The kids loved it and thought it a good experiment.

 

Sunday morning  came  and it was time to say "bye" and "see ya later" to our good friends, and one of my favorite places to visit. Hopefully it won't take another year to go back, camp , and hang out with good friends...
 
JUGM

A Jerky Kind of Day

The headlines today  make me a bit nausea's. Like the almost half a million people who have all ready lost their health insurance because of Obamacare, my parents are scared they are about to as well. It is another reminder of how frustrated and angry I get with those who voted for this, now we are seeing the results of their poor choice.

The cool weather continues, boys got to finally wear jeans and light jackets to school.
Yesterday, Senior got in the attic and brought down my box of fall decorations, The boys helped me in cleaning up the house, just so they could partake in the assistance of decorating it for fall. They felt my fake foam pumpkins were soccer balls and began kicking them across the front yard..  BOYS!

This morning I was up earlier then usual and laid out a sliced and marinated London broil on our dehydrator, yes it's jerky making day.
Senior said it smelled like Gyros and the house reminds him of Greece. Well, When I do my marinades it is whatever I have in the cabinets.  This time it included some "Cowboy Rub" brown sugar,  water , Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and a little bit of onion and garlic powders.. 
" Every think but the kitchen sink" meat rubs or marinades are all ways the best

After about 6 hours in the dehydrator it was ready to come off for a taste testing, and I can assure you that it did not taste anything like a Gyro. 
My marinade concoction leaves you with a wonderful after taste and had the kids and Senior begging for more. I can't keep the little and big hands out of the baggies.

It is all packed up now, and ready to go on a weekend camping trip with us. No place too far away..just a yearly get away with one of our best friends and his family.

-JUGM

Wednesday...

Today a nice cool Autumn breeze is blowing. The temperature is dropping. Suppose to be down in to the upper 40s here. And not just for one day, it is suppose to last through the weekend.
So, I opened the windows, poured a cup of coffee and proceeded to re-do the template on my blog.
 The new background picture is from this past weekends trip.
I started off with all blue backgrounds, but was not feeling that at all. So, now its all brown. Hope it meets with approval.

Our past weekend was spent at the Carolina Estate, not initially by choice. The boys had baseball and Senior had plans, until our neighbor/caretaker called..you can read more about it over at Seniors Man Cave.

The boys were happy about the impromptu trip, any chance to go up there and they are on board.
While I was hanging out laundry, ND cried about roosters in the yard. We do not currently have a coop so I did not believe him, until Libby almost choked herself trying to get to the poor things.
Not roosters, but some nice hens wandered over from the neighbors place....

 

Saturday evening the temps were dropping and left us with an amazing sunset behind the trees.....

 





The sun was reflecting off the leaves, and I thought this made for a cool picture.

 

 

  Sunday afternoon we took a walk down in to the woods on the way back we spotted this little lady climbing up the back wall of one of the older buildings...So far she is the biggest Spider I have seen up there.

 

 

 

When Senior went up alone a few weeks ago, he remembered to take

and plant the Dogwood my brother sent for his dads funeral

this trip we finished it off by adding in more mulch and the kids

did a rock border. 



 

 

 

 

 

 





And Lastly Today.....

 

Very True.......

 

 

 

Today in Pics

For a mid October day, it was quite hot. Senior and I were busy trimming bushes around a substation. When I say bushes, I actually mean small trees, they were so high we needed a ladder to reach the top.  Then you curdle in pain from holding the gas powered hedge trimmers over your head.

As I was holding the ladder for him, I peered through the entanglement of branches and leaves and saw a small abandoned birds nest. Probably a mockingbirds former home. They are in abundance here and very aggressive.

 

Let the dogs out and looked on one of our patio chairs to find a ladybug sunning itself...

Aren't they suppose to be lucky?

Picked myself one of my Bi-Color roses, they smell like grapefruits...

 

Waiting in the car pickup line, I saw a train had just come through, I knew this to be true because it left its tracks .. lol

 

 

In True SUNNY BROOK FARM  fashion I stopped near the school to take a pic of this old barn that sits on the side of the road.. I love all things rustic.

 

 

While my parents were visiting, I caught "Jack the Cat" staring me down with his crossed eyes. Okay so the picture from my phone is a bit grainy, maybe one day the Camera Gods will surprise me with a super fancy camera..  

I am sure he was saying "What are you looking at? Havent you ever seen a crossed eyed cat before" ?

 

 

-JUGM

Really ?

For those who may be unable to comprehend the point of this posting, note that this is not a claim made by someone against Obama but a ridiculous claim made in support of his signature legislation by one of his own sycophant sheep.

Syco-phant (noun)-  A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people.
Synonyms- flunky, lackey, brown-noser, stooge, suck-up, Butt-Licker etc......

-JUGM

Condi Rice and the NCAA

"All she knows about football is what somebody told her," he said on the air. "Or what she read in a book, or what she saw on television. To understand football, you've got to play with your hand in the dirt."   - Pat Dye

If you do not know the back story to the above comment, Condalezza Rice was recently appointed to the inaugural selection committee for the NCAA college football playoffs which begins in 2014.  She with other members will sort through team stats, records and strength of schedules to determine who should be selected to participate in the four team playoff system.
It has been said in certain circles that she is not qualified to be on this board because she has not played the game or coached the game.

To those folks who say that, I would like to remind them that many coaches never played the game.
As well as the  majority of sports commentators, But yet they are on the air every Saturday and Sunday dishing out analysis and acting like they are old pros. Most fans of the game never played but we could go toe toe with marking Xs and O's on the black board.

Or, is it something more ? Does this go back to the old school that she is a woman, and this is a mans game? Or is it even more that she is a black conservative female, which is rubbing some folks the wrong way. Since her appointment, her name has been crucified on social media... 
Where is the National Organization for Women? They should be rushing to defend Ms. Rice.
Where are the voices of all the woman sports commentators, who cried until they were allowed access in to mens locker rooms to do an interview?

Isn't all this about womens rights and equality? It is what the feminist wanted, now they got it, and no one from the movemenet is out there to speak in favor of her appointment. Except, those of us who see what is going on, and see the good ole double standard at play.


-JUGM

Commissaries Re-Opened.

I had heard one of our area Navy Commissaries had re-opened,  I checked online for the others. The one closest to us was as well. So we picked the kids up from school and made the trip.
With  the President and democrats in the Congress and Senate not willing to negotiate on the government shutdown issue, It was a  blessing to see the stores reopen and we know all to well that the future for veterans paychecks and disability pay is uncertain at the moment. So we chose to stock up as much as we could.

It looked like business as usual as if nothing had ever been shut down, all the canned items were still in place.
Then we headed back to the meat department, and that is where you noticed the difference.

 

They had red meats out, and a little bit of pork products. But the chicken had all been frozen, and even though it was past its "sell by" date. The DeCA food inspectors still approved it for sale because it was frozen, they did place it on clearance. We got one look at the chicken and passed.  It looked really awful.

The cheese cooler wasn't much different:

It was almost medevil, it gave me a glimpse of what the future could look like. When a natural disaster may hit, or SHTF happens.
When there are no more deliveries and all the shelves are picked clean.  This was a sample of how real things will get....


-JUGM