Vacay - Or Was It?

You know it's going to be an interesting vacation when, five minutes into the trip, your car starts acting funny. Funny, as in RPMing up to 3,000....4,000 and NOT shifting. Good thing I had built in extra shopping time into the trip before Amber's orthodontic appointment.

A quick drive back into town to our car dealership revealed that we were NOT in for a quick fix. We loaded everything into a rental car (warning: Arkansas charges a 22% sales tax on rental cars), learned that the extended warranty on our broken car had expired, and hit the road again, a little gloomy. However, I kept telling myself it could have been worse - we had been back and forth to Conway (a three-hour drive one way) twice in the prior week...and the roads between here and there are isolated. A break-down on those trips, or further into our vacation, would have been horrible. Oh, and the trip to Conway was to take Amber to choir camp, where she worked hard and had a BLAST:

She's the one in the front, on the left. I still don't know why I pay for jeans that look like they have been molested by a werewolf.

Amber had not-so-good news at the orthodontist. Remember those stubborn baby teeth? Well, by not falling out, they have diverted the paths of her adult teeth. She will need oral surgery to remove the remaining baby teeth, cut open her soft palate and attach metal handles to her upper canines so the orthodontist can move them into place. I don't know what they will plan for her twelve-year molars that never erupted. Poor thing.

BUT, I keep telling myself it could be worse - she can survive this. My pocketbook may not survive, but she will.

Speaking of my pocketbook - one of my air conditioning units at the office building took a dive. Sigh. Sometimes it's great owning your own company.

When we arrived in Mountain View, AR....it was raining...but our cabin did have a view of the river:

The worst part about the cabin? No cell service. I thought Amber was going to have a coronary. Every so often she could get a text message thru, if she contorted her body behind the living room futon. We had to drive two miles into town to get service.

The next morning, when we DID drive into town before visiting the caverns, I got a fun little text message telling me my office building back home had flooded. Try focusing on vacation after THAT little gem.

Oh well, at least our adventure was NOT going to be ruined by rain, since we were going into Blanchard Springs Caverns. Check out this formation that resembles a ship:

It was a fascinating tour - my photos didn't do the caverns ANY justice. I was completely amazed. We took the "Dripstone" tour - which took us through the most highly decorated level of the caverns, after an elevator ride 216 feet down into the earth.

I was impressed with the lighting, which was done by a man who usually assembled lighting for opera houses. It made the caverns all that more beautiful. Once again, I was in awe at the wonderous beauty of our earth, and remembered how tiny we all are in the face of its majesty.

Roger had never seen this level of the caverns before, so he was impressed, too. He even got to visit a music store in downtown Mountain View, and joined a "pickin'" session with several other musicians. He must have spent an hour there, while Amber and I poked thru galleries and found treasures here and there.

Our last stop before leaving town was this rock:

That's Roger, standing underneath. Years ago - like over 17 years ago - his best friend took a photo almost identical at this very spot. It was neat to find this again, and almost two decades later, take a similar photo...which we then emailed to his friend.

We are back home - and have taken care of all the office flooding. It wasn't as bad as I had imagined, and Roger did a lot to help clean things up. Amber came back to a new cheer coach for the varsity squad - her coach from last year - which made her very happy. Shorty missed us terribly, but having Lucas house-sit definitely eased our minds about the care of our three animals. He did, however, start a new trend by allowing her to sleep with him in the guest bed. So guess who is sleeping with us now?

Tell me about your vacations, if you had one this summer!

Random Miscellaneous Tigger Thoughts

I know I've abandoned this blog, it seems. It's always on my mind. However, with the instant gratification that is Facebook (yeah, I've abandoned Twitter, too), coupled with the addiction of Farm Town, my online presence has metamorphisized, and my writing skills have suffered.


So, if you want to know what I've been up to in the last few weeks, here it is, in random, stream-of-consciousness fashion:



We have a new guitar player in our band. And remember BND? Band Name Discussion? Well, we are officially changing the name from 7th Wave to one of our original picks - Searching for Signals. With the guitar player change, it seemed like a good time. And I like that name better anyway.



Shorty the Doxie Pin is doing VERY well, and if I could make her a house dog, I would. She has already learned the "sit" command, and I need to review Dog Whisperer episodes to figure out how to stop her from "happy piddling" on my tile floor whenever she sees me. Any tips are appreciated.



Oh, and she has really bad breath. Which is a trademark Dachshund thing. But she doesn't smell like a dog anywhere else, which makes her nice to cuddle. Until she yawns.



The Offspring is evidently going to need orthodontic work. I guess it's not good to be 15 1/2 years old and have over 8 baby teeth still in your mouth.



We took The Offspring to choir camp on Monday in a town three hours away. Left her in a dorm on the third floor that had NO air conditioning. We drove the three hours back as quickly as possible, just so I could sit in a 2 1/2 hour cheerleader parent meeting with the high school cheer coach and the superintendent of schools. Grueling.



We have acoustic band practice tonight to work on harmonies. I have to make up harmony parts for songs that have no existing harmony. Our next gig is a 60's/70's part in a show September 12th.



We are going to Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View at the beginning of next week. I've lived in Arkansas for 17 years and have NEVER seen them! We rented a cabin on the river...I'm ready to GET AWAY.



The upstairs A/C unit went out at my office. I have a new unit now. One thing after another, you know?



Oh, and the A/C unit in the downstairs part of our home failed this week, too. NOT good with temps reaching over 100 degrees...but it was a simple fix, and we are cooling just fine now. Who knew that A/C units needed condensate drains? LOL!



Really, any tips on how to keep the puppy from piddling with joy - I need them.



I'm evidently a Facebook Junkie. OMG...if you're not on it already...GO.

I'm actually excited about going to a Target store on Monday. I haven't been in one since I left Texas in 1992. I'm pathetic.

STILL haven't settled the insurance claims for the tornado damage to our old home. I got enough to pay off the mortgage...but still not enough to cover the damages. I plan to dig up the azaleas and hydrangeas and move them to our new home. As well as some of that gorgeous St. Augustine grass. Basically, I'm going to rape the landscaping.

We are planning a trip to Canada next year. I need to work on getting passports NOW.

I've lost 15 pounds since last October. Only 15 more pounds to go, but I'll settle for 10. Is getting back to high school weight a stupid goal?

The Offspring broke her toe, right before cheer camp. But she is healed. And their squad did AWESOME at camp - we were so proud! But oh...the season has just begun.

I splurged and bought a bunch of new underwear at Victoria's Secret.

We also splurged and bought new equipment for the studio. Roger now has wireless capabilities for his electric guitar, so he can run around. We also have new spot monitors, and big Mackie speakers that sit on very sturdy stands. Oh, and we're going with ear-bud monitors that hook into some complicated board that I don't understand.

Oh, and most importantly, I really miss you guys. I'll be back from vacation next Thursday at the latest!

Fun Monday Purses and Wallets

The Church Lady is this week's hostess for Fun Monday, and she wanted to see our purses and wallets! Well, I'm not a "big purse" kinda girl...so this is what I schlep around:It's not convenient when I need to free up my hands...but I really don't like purses. Everything I need can be stuffed in here. In fact, the only reason I would even consider getting a purse is because I'm now the owner of a small dog. I could stand a classy dog purse. Right? And a diamond-studded collar for the little thing? Yeah...

BTW, who even needs all these credit cards? I see four already that I never use, but I'm afraid to get rid of, because I don't know if that's good or bad for my credit score.Let's not forget the snazzy little compartment that holds my driver's license. You know what makes me mad about this? I was told to SIGN MY NAME when I got my license. When I did, I was told it was no good. When I asked why not, the revenue department employee told me it wasn't "legible." I tried to explain that it was my SIGNATURE, and that when I sign my name, it is quite distinctive. She told me to re-write my name anyway. I tried another time, but it still wasn't good enough. Being picky, I asked, "So, you really don't want me to SIGN my name, right? You just want me to write out my name in cursive handwriting so that it can be read." Of course, I got an affirmative response. What's the point of signing your name, if it's not your signature? I just don't get it.
I also would not be totally honest, if I did not include the satchel o' death:It is named such because I am afraid that some things may go IN there...never to be seen alive again. This is really just the bag I shove my wallet, keys, digital camera and sunglasses into when I'm going to work. I'll put snacks, water, Valium, all number of other items in the bag that I think might help me thru the day. But I just take it to work...nowhere else. Kinda like a kid's backpack for school, but with extra Valium.

Okay - I finally posted something on a Fun Monday! Now go visit all the other participants!

A New Member of the Family

Could you resist this little face? I mean, really?
Evidently, we couldn't. One night, our band drummer and friend, Lucas, noticed a small puppy across the road from our property, curled up against a stump, while on the way to our house. I was headed down the driveway to go check out the situation...when Roger said for me to just let it be.

And then Lucas left to get food about an hour and a half later. I received a frantic text message from him that the puppy was still there...and something had to be done. Knowing that I would never be able to sleep at night with the thought of that baby, down there alone, I headed down the driveway with food and water bowls to at least give the poor thing a chance. Lucas was already trying to coax her away from the stump...as Roger watched from our porch. Finally, after listening to Lucas and me fret and carry on and attempt to assist her, Roger said, "Go ahead and just bring the dog up here."She looks cute in Roger's lap? Doesn't she? She is SO SMALL! Well, at least to me...after having Poo Woo for so long. And I DON'T LIKE SMALL DOGS. Usually. I'm a "big dog" kinda girl. But something about this little face...this sweet personality...I'm sunk.I don't know what breed she is, but with a little bit of internet research, my guess is half Min Pin, half Dachshund. I'm taking her to the vet for her first visit on Friday, so maybe he'll have a clue.

She's a good cuddler, too. I don't know if it is my maternal instinct, my hormones, my age, or just that I can't resist such a little cutie...but I think Shorty is going to be a part of the family.

(Oh, and The Offspring's reaction? She was okay with it...not thrilled...and mostly worried that the dog would cost us money that would not then be available for HER needs. Jerk.)

All Kinds of Crazy

Yes, I'm still alive...and yes, I'm still in a band! The last few weeks have been filled with the craziness that happens after a tornado hits your town. Most of my personal craziness (besides the normal crazy I enjoy) has been centered on long talks with insurance adjusters, trying to get what is needed to really fix our old home properly. I've received three checks so far (each adjuster seems to disagree with the one prior), and it looks as if I will receive two (if not three) more before all is said and done.

Meanwhile, we took band photos last weekend - and The Offspring did well on a moment's notice. Not to mention, it is difficult to get seven people to hold still for any period of time. Oh, wait, excuse me - it's even MORE difficult to get seven MUSICIANS to hold still for any period of time.
She took a ton of photos - and then quickly photoshopped a few. We tried looking serious, looking goofy, looking happy...just tons of photos.I loved the walking ones the best - we tried taking baby steps up the driveway while she snapped away.
We have a gig this Friday night, and then one the weekend following. Just local stuff - and hopefully we will entertain the crowd and have fun at the same time.
So, if you don't know already - which photo do you think we chose as the "official" photo for the band?

Fun Monday - Yeah, I'm BACK! Well, Sorta...

It's Fun Monday! And Karisma is our gracious hostess! I had to do a "repeat" because I'm still a little behind on my blogging, but this is my vow to return, once and for all! Our task was to share a "funny, silly or just downright cute story about your pets or your children." I'm not sure my story fits ANY of those categories, but here goes:

It began as a joyous occasion, my executive secretary's 80th birthday. This is a woman for which I have the utmost respect, as she has been dutifully keeping my books and cutting checks to pay my bills, as she did for the previous owner. She is more than a secretary - she's like a second mother, who thinks nothing of admonishing me for spending too much money, or giving me a good-natured slap on the ass when I say something off-color.

At the end of her party, she gave me a flower arrangment, adorned with balloons and beautiful curly string. It is for this reason that I secretly resent her. See this innocent looking feline? Well, I could have throttled her with my bare hands. I knew well enough to place the bouquet of flowers on a high surface when we went to bed that evening. What I forgot is the ability for Whiskas to leap upon tall furniture in a single bound.

When Roger and I awoke the next morning and stumbled into the kitchen to retrieve that life-saving first cup of coffee, our bare feet slipped on something. "What the heck is THAT?" we wondered, sleepily. After turning on the light - we noticed brown streaks on our white floor. Not only in the kitchen, but across the bathroom floor as well. Seems as if Whiskas discovered the curly string, ingested it in a frenzied moment of play, and spent the rest of the evening attempting to remove it from her intestinal tract by alternately scooting her bottom across the floor and sharting.

After many expletives were hurled, we rectified the mess. Time to rectify the cat. Upon inspection of her puckered exit, we discovered a lovely, brown-stained curl of ribbon portruding from her anus. Remember those Chatty Cathy dolls? Much the same effect can be achieved by holding down a cat and pulling curly string out of her ass.

Now go visit the other participants!

We Survived!

Thank you to all of you who were concerned about the well-being of me and my family.

For those of you who were not aware, our small town of Mena, Arkansas, was devastated by an F3 tornado that hit Thursday night, April 9th. The town will never be the same, but the resilience of our community has been evident these past few days. I have never been so proud of the strength and generosity of the hard-working people here...

We only suffered three fatalities, which is mind-boggling, considering the aerial photos of the destruction, found at this link.

I also uploaded some photos here on my flickr site.

An image that says a lot, is one I captured two houses down from where my daughter's best friend lost her home:

The chalk on the siding says: "Katrina! Arkansas takes care of its own!"
The day after the tragedy, there were people with chainsaws everywhere. No one "waited to be rescued." We are tough. We will survive. And I thank God above that we weren't in our old home on Ninth Street anymore (even though we still own it). Times like these help us remember what the real priorities are in our lives - each other.

Finding Balance

In speaking with a dear friend the other day, I realized that she and I shared the same dilemma: that of regaining our balance.

Every so often, life circumstances change in such a way that I find myself "off-kilter." The symptoms usually include bank statements that are ignored, haircuts that are overdue, dust bunnies (okay, full-grown rabbits) collecting in and around our bar stools, and the OMG moments when I realize I'm five minutes late to pick up The Offspring.

I tend to throw myself into every project that comes my way, and I am fastidious about keeping my commitments. Good traits, but daily responsibilities can often suffer as a result. Priorities tend to shift, and something always has to give in the end. That's one reason I haven't been blogging much.

However, blogging kept me thinking...kept me writing...and definitely made me more likely to use my camera. I miss it, and I miss you all - my blog buddies. My writing skills are important to me. I still cringe every time I see a misspelled word or a punctuation error (OCD, I know). So, I will recommit myself to this world that I had temporarily abandoned. For my sake as much as yours. Blogging is not and never has been a massive priority but something I have let slide to a point that I'm no long comfortable with.

To re-engage you, I ask: When have you found yourself to be out of balance in life? When have you had to rethink your priorities? And what did you do to resolve the problem?

Fun Monday Economic Adjustments!

Wow...how many Fun Mondays have I missed? A lot...I'm sure! Sayre is this week's hostess, and she wanted to know what kind of personal changes we are making to deal with today's economic challenges! Well, believe it or not, most of the changes our family is making is due to Roger's influence. He is definitely the most frugal of us all.

I noticed the first "change" the other day...in dishwasher detergent. For some reason, I've always been a fan of name brands. Even when I learned in business school that many "off brands" are made by the same company and are the same product without the fancy packaging, I still gravitate toward the colorful boxes with the names I know. When I saw the $1.00 box of no-name detergent under the sink, I was skeptical. But guess what? That detergent works JUST AS GOOD as the name brand stuff.

I'm not sure this qualifies, but we are slowly changing out the bulbs in our house to these twirly things. It's conserving energy, which is important to our future economic survival, right? These bulbs are uber-expensive, so they had better pay off.

We have also eliminated some of our eating out, which we needed to do anyway. It's so much cheaper to prepare food at home, and we used to do it a lot more in the past. We are trying to revive that habit, now that cheer season has ended and our nights should be returning to normal.

Personally, I haven't gotten a massage since before Christmas. That's a big sacrifice, since I'm usually as tight as a drum. I still am, but the guilt about money spent on my tooth extraction has kept me from indulging.

I feel even more guilty that I haven't been able to come up with more "cost-cutting" ideas. Maybe it hasn't fully hit me that we are really in a recession. Or a depression. Or a free fall. I'm hoping the other participants have great ideas that I can borrow.

Speaking of cheer season, this weekend was a 'milestone' of sorts. The Offspring has been cheering for the past seven years. She tried out for the high school cheer squad (she will be a sophomore next year), and MADE IT.

She Lives! And Still Breathes...

What a crazy week and a half it has been since I last blogged to you, my good friends! Yet the absolute best part of it, hands down, had to be spending three days with The Offspring during her All State Music Conference and Choir Concert. She was so thrilled to make All State her freshman year, and as you can imagine, I was one proud mom. I got to sit in on her rehearsals, as well as Ben's (pictured here with her). After rehearsals, we all went shopping and to the movies and had a heck of a time. (Note: Go see Coraline 3D. It was pretty cool.) Now, the title "Shorty" definitely fits Tiggerlane's Offspring. Standing at a mere 4'11" (she insists it is 5'0" - whatever.) Amber could hardly been seen on the back row. The choir is arranged based on voice part and chair placement from auditions, but the director decided that our little one should be right on the FRONT ROW! She even called her "Shorty," which made me giggle. But I was thrilled because it made it easier to see the squirt. But you know what made the day even better? Our friends! They made the drive to hang out with us and see our daughter perform! Here are Jeri Dee and Greg (she is our lead singer in the band, and he is our main bass player):Also, Brent and Dave are among The Offspring's biggest fans, so they drove in from Little Rock to see the performance and to give our baby props:
Of course, here are the proud parents, doing their best to embarrass the child:
So, the following Monday, I went to the oral surgeon to get the wisdom tooth yanked. First, I tried talking him out of putting me under. After all, I've had minor surgery TWICE with just local anesthetic with no problem. Plus, at the age of 14, I had four adult teeth pulled for my orthodontics. I also had the other three wisdom teeth pulled while I was wide awake. This guy was having NONE of that...and insisted that my tooth needed drilling. He assured me I wanted to be asleep for that.

I am such a control freak...and I HATE being incapacitated. So, non-compliant patient that I am, I took a very few of the percocet I was prescribed for pain. They just made me too loopy to work, you know? Besides, I had NO INTENTION of not working the following day. Unfortunately, the pain was so horrible the next morning, I ended up taking a half a pill, and then passed out until noon. Still, I went to work the next day - didn't ice my cheek (who has time for that?), and spent the rest of the week looking like this:I know, I should have heeded doctor's orders, gotten some rest, etc. But I had important meetings Wednesday, paperwork to do at work, a presentation on Thursday, and a conference to attend Friday/Saturday. See why I haven't had time to have this tooth pulled before?

Even though I had a swollen cheek and some pain, I did well. I'm almost able to yawn normally now, and the socket seems nice and clotted.

I'm just bummed that of all the teeth that have come out of my head (including baby teeth), this is one I didn't get to keep.

Done Deal

Well, our first gig is finally behind us! It was a LOT of fun, and the audience seemed to think we were okay...so we might do this again! I know I haven't blogged much lately, but hope to get back into it next week. I'm leaving today to attend the Arkansas All State Choir clinic and conference with The Offspring, and then Monday the dreaded yanking of the wisdom tooth. Pray for my well-being!

And, as promised, the first Youtube video of our band - 7th Wave! I'm the bouncy little retard in black:

HONEST feedback is appreciated! And yeah, I know I could stand to lose about 10 pounds. Sue me. I like cake.

Whirlwind of Pleasure and Pain

What a week it has been!! Those of you who follow me on Twitter or look at the sidebar every so often have a small inkling of what I've been thru, but here's a recap for the remainder of my blog buddies.

Last Friday was an exhausting, yet exhilarating day. I had a HORRIBLE week...and by Thursday I could tell my nerves were shot. There was a lot going on at work, plus, I had been harrassing The Offspring to practice for her upcoming All State choir audition. If you have ever raised a teenager, you know that eye-rolling and sighing are part of the ordeal. It was also the same week I got ANOTHER phone bill delivered in a cardboard box, outlining the 18,625 text messages sent and received by said Offspring. Needless to say, "Mother of the Year" awards are not in my future for 2009.

Friday morning found me on a bus at 5:30AM, riding over two hours out of town to help chaperone kids for All State choir auditions. Thankfully, all the kids on the trip were GOOD KIDS...no behavior problems, and genuinely sweet. Still, my 40-year old butt does not enjoy sitting on CONCRETE in a gym for an entire day, waiting for auditions to end. We arrived around 8:15AM, and the kids got their audition numbers. There were 126 Alto II's numbered for auditions...and what number did The Offspring get? That's right. Number 126. She didn't audition until 4:30PM. The stress and nerves from waiting all day didn't phase the kid, however. She made the choir. Her FRESHMAN YEAR. I was so excited, I cried...surely tears of relief, joy and pure exhaustion. You go, Girl!


During the week, my one remaining wisdom tooth had been "twinging." I had three of them pulled in 2003, but my dentist said that last lower right tooth had a crooked root and required an oral surgeon's touch. The closest oral surgeon is an hour and a half from my home...so what have I done? Put the extraction off. For years.

The tooth has flared up over the years, but a good dose of antibiotic has always settled it down. This past Sunday, it decided to give me a run for my money. Now, I had a baby with no drugs...but this pain? OMG. EXCRUCIATING. Mind-numbing. Blinding. I was literally rocking back in forth in my recliner, tears streaming down my face, unable to focus because of the pain. I ended up in the ER, trying to determine if I was going to die. It was THAT bad.

Nothing like being FORCED to address a problem, you know? Anyone who knows me IRL knows that I push myself 110%, that I go, and go, and go...and rarely stop. Well, this tooth stopped me dead in my tracks. It got my attention. After VERY strong antibiotics, an x-ray, words of encouragement from my dentist, and LOTS of Motrin, I am better. I have "constant but manageable" pain. Which is a good thing, since I have to sing backup vocals for our band's debut this upcoming Saturday night.

Tiggerlane has learned her lesson. She is going to have the tooth extracted on the 23rd. I don't know if the world will keep turning, but if it stops suddenly at 11:00AM CST, you'll know why.

A New Day

When I woke up this morning, I realized that it was THIS DAY. Bush's last day. I bought this mug for Roger when I visited D.C. in 2007...and it seemed so far away then.


No matter your politics, you have to admit that today was historic.


At the time I bought this, I had no idea who our next president would be. I just knew that I wasn't a big fan of the one we had at the time. And I can say HAD ... now that he has lifted off in his helicopter and left the White House behind.


Watching today's inauguration, I was pleased to hear the crowds chanting, "USA! USA! USA!" I'm not sure I've ever heard that chanted outside the Olympics. Congratulations, Mr. President. I hope that the entire country can pull together now and work toward rebuilding all that has fallen apart in the last eight years.

I want to know from you...did you watch the Inauguration? And what is your hope for our nation's future?

Fun Monday Kindness

The lovely Mommy Wizdom is our hostess for this latest Fun Monday, and BOY...was it a doozie! She wanted us to perform a random act of kindness, and then blog about the experience. OR...blog about being the recipient of a random act of kindness.

One suggestion she had was to "smile at everyone you meet for a day, no matter what." Well, I decided that I would do just that during my weekly shopping excursion. The store, of course, was unbelievably crowded...and as much as I wanted to just get in and get out, I felt obligated to complete the assignment! What happened was inevitable - in a small town, everyone knows everyone else...and with just a smile, I found myself engaged in conversations with folks. But I didn't smile just at people I knew.

I smiled at an elderly lady who looked lonely - she did a double-take, looked at me suspiciously for a moment, then returned a feeble smile. It was almost as if she was surprised that someone would notice and smile at her.

I smiled at a little girl, who was checking out my daughter's funky attire for the day. She looked puzzled, but seemed comforted by the gesture.

I smiled at someone who was hard at work, in appreciation for what these employees must have to endure on busy shopping days. Once again, a slight double-take, then a return smile.

It was too easy. I smiled at so many people - most of whom were unknown to me. It was interesting to see how many people were a bit taken aback by my smile (promise, I didn't have anything in my teeth). Has our world become so troubled and cynical that a simple gesture seems entirely out of place? I don't live in the big city, mind you - but a small, Southern town. Yet, I felt a bit out of place, smiling at people all over the store.

I perform acts of kindness each day - from picking up a friend's child at a party, to taking an extra kid home from school, as a mother I'm usually pressed into service. I also volunteer with my local Rotary Club and serve on board of two local organizations. Service to others is something I try to accomplish EVERY day. However, a free smile to a stranger may be a more welcome gift. The gift of random kindness that is free, and makes us feel better in the process.

Now, perform your act of kindness today - AND check out the other participants!

Name Us - Make Us Famous

Remember these guys?
Yeah, well, they need your help.

Desperately.

We need a band name. Soon. Like, NOW.

ATTENTION: If you are a LURKER...and NEVER COMMENT on this blog, I need you to comment NOW. If you don't have a blogger account, comment anonymously. Whatever it takes. But I need your suggestions for band names.

Five of us were up until almost 1:00AM trying to think of a name (and practicing a little, too).

What kind of music do we play, you ask? So far we have been working on rock music, like Fleetwood Mac stuff (no Pantera just yet - sorry Greg). The Pretenders...Sheryl Crow...Tom Petty...with plans to do many more songs...

If you need to know more about us to start throwing out names, then just ask in the comments. I will respond!

This is like BRAINSTORMING, folks....anything goes! We are taking any and all suggestions!

Why the rush? We may have a gig! Oh, and there will be a prize if we pick your suggestion...so GO FOR BROKE!

Fun Monday Neighbors from Hades

Whew...now that NaBloPoMo is over, I'm actually glad to merely focus on Fun Monday for a while! Ari_1965 is this week's hostess, and she wants to know about our worst neighbors EVER.

Living in a small town, I figured this could get me in some trouble. I started thinking of all the bad neighbors I had in the past, and then realized they were bad neighbors only b/c they had such little tolerance for the late-night partying ways of a college student. Other neighbors that city ordinances define as 'bad' were the quietest, most non-obtrusive on the block.

I've only had one REALLY bad set of neighbors...though they didn't live quite next door. When I lived in the "old part" of town, my house was very close to the houses on both sides. Likewise, the houses across the street were close. One of these houses was obscured by overgrown bushes...it used to be a cute house, belonging to a local artist. When The Offspring was a toddler, the house became a rental. The occupants had NO restraint when it came to the use of expletives - LOUD expletives, shouted for the entire block to hear. Sometimes, their voices could be heard even with all the doors and windows shut.

As years wore on, activity at the house increased. A lot. Random folks would seem to appear on the sidewalk, and stumble away with hazy eyes. Young men would sidle up the alley behind our house, and magically find themselves across the street, at "that" house. Only to stay for a moment, before exiting, bleary-eyed. The traffic became so obvious, that it was only a matter of time before police vehicles frequented the domicile. We observed one occupant (female) submit to officers as she was led away in handcuffs, crying, pleading...to no avail. Most disturbing were the little children in and out of the house. I wondered what their existence must be like. I was sad for them.

In our old home, our master bedroom windows faced the street. One morning, in the wee hours, I awoke to flashing lights. Reds and blues, blinding almost...as I went to the window to see what was going on, I couldn't see anything. There was a haze in the air, with only red and blue flashes within the fog. Slowly, I came to realize that this time the flashes were NOT only from the police, but also from the large fire truck in the street. That 'haze' I was struggling to see thru was the smoke from a fire that had broken out upstairs at 'that house.' The smell that filled the air was horrific...I'm not sure what was going on at 'that house,' but I was assured that the fire was caused by something left on the stove unattended. I was glad the children escaped the home unharmed.

I don't miss living so close to my neighbors. Granted, I do miss some of the porch visits and talks with my "good" neighbors, but I like the serenity of the pastures I see, and my new neighbors - a pair of docile horses!

Now, go check out the other participants!

NaBloPoMo Day 29 - Life in the Country. Or Not.

Day Twenty Nine.

Ever since moving into our new home, I've had to get used to "country life." I know, I only live 2/10 of a mile outside the city limits...but remember, I'm a CITY girl at heart. Big city...like Houston kinda city. Even living in my small town seems extremely rural and isolated.

Across the road from our home are several pastures. Do you see what I see in this photo?There is a hay bale in that sunny spot of field. And atop that bale? Not just one, but TWO birds of prey. Zoomed in and cropped...you can see them. We usually break out the binoculars to spy.
Another afternoon, we spied something in roughly the same pasture. Can you tell what it might be?
Zooming in, we spot a deer! It's amazing how far one can see with the naked eye.Here is another little critter that ended up on the hood of my car. Well, he ended up there after I was terrorized by several people, as they shook him in my face. Menacingly.

Naturally, as things go...he was worse for the ordeal than I was.

I'll get used to living here - I know I will. And the dog has already been skunked once, and I survived that. I love the peace and quiet...but the critters? Gonna take some getting used to.

NaBloPoMo Day 27 - Happy Fat Bird Day

Day Twenty Seven.

Giving Thanks.

There are so many things I am thankful for this year, not the least being that I can wake up in the morning, step out on my porch and enjoy the first light through the trees.
I'm also grateful that I HAVE this porch - a year ago, this house was still under construction, and I could only dream of what it would be like to live here.

Now, I sit on my porch, and gaze at the mountain, which gives me peace.But most of all, I'm thankful for this person in my life:She brightens every day, and if I lost everything and everyone else in my world? Well, she'd be enough to sustain me.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!