Shopping to Help Others

Usually I do not need a reason to shop.  Details like that can be worked out later.  But it sure does help when you think you are buying something to help someone else.  Check out these little treats I have found.  And keep in mind, I have a couple of more posts in the works directing you to philanthropic shopping...

The link won't let me show you the rings, but they are so reasonable, and these two girls have funded Christian missions on a bigger scale than they could have ever imagined.

The Tory Burch Foundation supports and encourages the economic empowerment of women and families.  Click on the picture for shopping information.

These Lily and Laura bracelets are one of my favorite things to wear.  So comfortable, and they come in a million colors, approximately.  They are made by women in Nepal working in their own homes, allowing them to be near their children.

I do love me some purple -- and being that comfort is my middle name, I don't think a girl can have too many t-shirts.  Your purchase here benefits the Alzheimer's Association.

Here is a solid perfume compact which is part of the Limited Edition Pink Ribbon Collection by Estee Lauder.   100% of this purchase goes to the BRCF.  I was impressed.

Always thinking of others...

Shopping to Help Others

September is the Month of Birthdays

You name a family, and I bet I can name a person with a September birthday.  Old, young, -- makes no difference, September has a ton of birthdays.   I laugh at how people think of their own birthdays.  Some people, who shall remain nameless, want no fuss.  Don't talk about it, don't tell anyone, gifts or cards are okay, but not at all necessary, but just..., keep it low key.  Then there are others, who think, "my birthday is this month, let's start the celebration now!"  Some people act like it's really not a big deal, but then when you do something special for them, they really act like, "hey, that was fun, and I wasn't expecting it to be."  I feel like you never really know what kind of "birthday person" each individual is.

We have a nephew who recently turned 16, and that was probably a huge deal for obvious driving reasons.  We also have a niece who will soon turn 18, and I think her biggest deal will be that she will get to vote.  She's a bright girl, beautiful, ethical and very patriotic.

I borrowed the image above from a blog here.  All credit to them for a super cute cake.  :)

September is the Month of Birthdays

Bringing It Down A Notch

After all the baby madness surrounding us for the last few days, I decided to report on some other far insignificant things.  Like celebrity gossip.

Kanye West.  Now there's a piece of work.  I wasted about 30 seconds of my time, and read things he had said about himself to the BBC, like how he is "the number 1 rock star on the planet."  He went on to imply that he had reached heights and achieved goals that even Michael Jackson had not.  His complaints continued as he whined about not realizing his dreams and all the reasons other people had kept him from that.  I have plenty that I could say about all of that, but it's not even worth my breath.  I heard him taking credit for 'dressing' Kim Kardashian while she was pregnant, and all I could think was, "stop, seriously, just stop."

I was looking for some more helpful and constructive news.  Distraction is needed because I just can't sit down and watch the Breaking Bad marathon on AMC leading up to the series finale on Sunday night.  It started yesterday, and I know if I go anywhere near channel 112, I will be sucked in like the weakling that I am.  Homeland is next.  Gotta have a go-to.  I have heard great things about it for quite a while.  

But the bottom line is that I just need something to occupy my time until this grandbaby arrives.  I don't knit, but I may need to learn how to... 

In other news, I abandoned my verizon iPhone which has practically abandoned me.  The dang thing won't work in the afternoon or evening.  Mostly data problems, but sometimes, you can't even complete a phone call.  Ask me, and I can give you every detail, but the fact is -- they have sold more phones than their towers here can handle.  I have heard "two more weeks," "by next month," and "by the end of the year," for the last time.  I am keeping my end of the deal by paying my bill, and they are not keeping their part of the contract by helping my phone work.  So today, I have a new CDMA phone from my local carrier, PTCI, and I am told it will be great.  I believe them.  All good people.

Bringing It Down A Notch

Pretty Big News

Okay, so that last post was a bit of a tease...  I knew a big secret was about to be revealed, I just didn't know when.

Oh.  My.  Gosh.  

Yes, we are!  Oh, yes, we are!  I can't even believe it myself!  Surely to goodness you know this is not my own sonogram picture.  Please tell me that you understand we are going to be grandparents!  Wait, grandparents?  What?  Whaaaaaa???????????  

We are beyond excited.  I have heard that grandchildren are awesome -- now, it's up to Chase & Sheena to prove it to us.  When they first told us, I was like a caged animal.  I couldn't quit moving.  I started cleaning out all the drawers in my bathroom and lower cabinets in my kitchen.  I was baby proofing.  Oh, Lord, help me be a good grandmother.  I try to stay out of the kids' biz, but I don't know how much restraint I will be able to show now.  It's real.  It's crazy.  We are old enough for this?  Seriously?  

Who do we need to tell?  Oh, good, Chase already talked to them, and them, and her, and him.  Oh no. What about Facebook?  Who gets to say it first there?  Who should say it first there?  My mind won't quit.  When will they let me blog about it?  What can I say?  What should I not say?  

Here's what I do know.  Sheena looks radiant!  She is beautiful anyway, but the glow is definitely there.  If I haven't mentioned her skin before, it is perfect.  That really doesn't have anything to do with this, but I am rambling here.  She has to be a trooper to put up with my oldest son's antics, like leaving town at the drop of a hat.  Something tells me that might be a bit less frequent.  :)   They are old enough, that's a plus.  They have a roof over their heads.  And, all I know is April....  I have told you everything I know.  

Whew!  I have to get into shape.

Pretty Big News

Rule Breaker

Preconceived ideas are funny.  I have no idea what you think of me, but I am a rule breaker.  That's right, I live on the edge.

Several times in the last week, I have walked around outside in my socks.  Yes, I know full well that will probably cause holes to form in them, but I was lazy and didn't go find my shoes.

About a month ago, I poured a glass of wine prior to 5 PM.  Yep, guilty.

I wore some white jeans the other day -- well past Labor Day.

This is bad.  Earlier today, I saw people that looked like they wanted to talk to me about religion (theirs), pull up in my driveway, and approach the front door.  I didn't answer.  Isn't that awful?

On occasion, I have been known to use foul language.  Not too foul, but maybe it was.  Yikes.

Recently, my cowboy was out of town, and I didn't make the bed all day.  I didn't stay in it.  I just didn't make it up.

Sometimes I don't wear my seatbelt.  It kind of bugs me.

This is a kind of fun list...  I will have to continue to think about how bad I really am.  I can no doubt add to this.  Now that you know these things -- there are a few other things you should know.

-I try to be overly cautious and not speed when I drive.

-Surprising people with tiny good deeds is great fun.

-I consider myself an excellent secret keeper.

Rule Breaker

Best Surprise Of The Day

It's still early, and anything can happen, but I just received the most pleasant surprise.  The Dutchies called on iChat, and we got to see each other and catch up for nearly an hour, maybe it was over an hour!  They only yesterday got their internet hooked up, and they aren't sure it is all working properly yet, but it was so great to see their faces.  They were the lucky benefactors of my No-Makeup-Saturday look.  I was able to see their apartment since they have moved in and kind of made it their own.  They were able to see our puppy, Clare, and how much she has grown since they have been gone.  Their windows were open, and I was able to hear the church bells ringing, which happens every night from 21:00-21:30.  They were able to tell me about their annoying neighbor, and there's a story.  Lesley has been eager to get some blog posts up, and could not upload any pictures until now -- so I am eager to see everything that they have been up to.  I got to see their wheels, bikes.  :)   They showed me the church near their apartment all lit up at night.  The cute street they live on -- also lit up at night.  It was so wonderful to hear from them.  Mike wasn't here, so he missed it, but we have a repeat call tentatively scheduled for next week.  They are embracing the culture, and it was fun to hear about how their diet has changed based on what is available.  

It is very different than home.

Best Surprise Of The Day

Where Did This Week Go?

Spinning my wheels.  I am not sure I accomplished one thing this week.  Okay, I recall going to the grocery, which is not enjoyable for me, so I consider that something I did.  Check.

The rest of my crew has been hard at work with corn harvest, wheat planting, and bouncing all around the farm trying to find the driest places to do both of those things.  About the time you get set up and going in one spot, mother nature shows up and reminds you who is in charge.

So we got some rain... Yep, next thing I know, I am getting a text with this picture attached.  Hey!  Where are you?  How did you get there?  

Good grief, I am always the last to know.

I bet it is super cool and does all kinds of things we don't understand -- but I know he needed it.  He was a bit behind the technology curve.

Our puppy, Clare, is still what we consider to be a baby, so we may be spoiling her a bit.  After getting nipped at several times this week and jumped up on with wet and muddy paws, the rules are changing. Tough love is taking place, and she isn't a big fan.  She knows we love her, but she is having a hard time just settling down.  She is rambunctious, out of control, excited to see us and please us, but her head has bonked my head for the last time.

Tough love is going to have to start by not letting her ride in the front seat of my car...

She's just so darn cute, I'm afraid it's a no-win situation.

Where Did This Week Go?

Boys & Their Toys

My son, Chase, is a hobbyist.  Remote control things have always been part of the equation, but within the last couple of years, it has become more remote control things that fly.  I don't even pretend to know what he has, or what he has crashed, or what is on order next.  But he recently has coupled that flying of a quadcopter with his photography itch.  If you know what a "Go Pro" is, then you know what I am talking about.  But some of the things he has videoed recently are pretty impressive.  The "Go Pro" is a camera that can take video on the go, like strapped to your helmet when you are snow skiing, there were two installed on the jet flight I went on a few weeks ago -- pictures forthcoming, you can attach them to anything that moves, and they have an unbelievably smooth video result.

Recently he took some video of combines in the field while harvesting corn.  But today, I am going to post this video he took flying in between some wind turbines out at the ranch.  Pretty cool. 

The link says it is vulnerable and should be updated, but I live on the edge, 

and I watched it anyway.

Boys & Their Toys

More Football

Life is short, and it is a journey.  No wasting time.

Unless it is Saturday, and there are umpteen college football games on -- then I might waste a little time.  Doesn't matter where you are, in the car, in a restaurant, on a television or mobile device anywhere, you can usually find whatever game or program you desire.  Mike has indulged me in every type of television hook up possible in the remote location we call home, and it enables me to find most any game on television.  Yesterday, it was a busy day in college football.  I had carefully researched my plan of listening or watching, and with a cloudy, overcast day -- it all worked in my favor.  Certainly there are some teams that I care more about than others, and when those get bumped in place of two Div. II schools that are unranked and because the 4th quarter isn't over, *eyeroll*, it is nice to be able to flip over to the satellite, hunt down my game, and not miss a play.  All this flipping over and checking other scores is not for the technically challenged.  You have to change your television setting to auxiliary #1 or #2, or make sure you are on the right HDMI hookup, then you have to boot it up, and you have to trust the guide they provide to be accurate in what games they are showing.  If it's not precise, you have to flip through the many channels (I know where the sports ones are) and double check to find your game.  You must completely reverse this process to get back to where you started.  With sports, I am somewhat spoiled now that HD is part of the deal, so I am always looking for the best display of whatever I want to watch.  It is a routine with which I am very familiar, as long as I am on my own equipment.

Yesterday, it's practically the end of the day, and I have been tied up with other things, but the only Big XII game that's left is Texas.  I don't even know who they are playing, but after firing that cute defensive coordinator last weekend, they have me a little bit curious.  I happen to think that Mack Brown's job may be on the line, so I see a score on the CBS bottom line, and it isn't looking good for them.  I begin to look for the game to watch the end of it.  Well, I search, and I look, and I flip, and I jump from cable to satellite, back to cable -- I can't find it anywhere.  About that time, Mike rolls in after being out of town, and he says, "it's on the Longhorn Network."  Right.... the Longhorn Network.  I can't remember any of the details, but I do recall that it was supposed to make them tons of money, and it was going to televise all their games.  Okay, I search that out -- it's nowhere to be found.  I wonder how you get it?  I don't want it.  

I'm just wondering how that is working out for them.    :)

Today is Sunday, so mostly professional football games are on the sports channels.  My Browns team has a hard time getting televised in my area, so sometimes I have to follow the play by play on the computer.  That's a hassle, because it is so much easier to just have the television on, and not have to sit still watching it.  I much prefer the 'moving around, getting things done' method.

But Sunday is one evening that I will actually sit down, without a computer in my lap, and watch a show.  Totally a guilty pleasure.  But Breaking Bad only has a few episodes left, and then it is over, for-EVER.  They are creating a spin-off that will revolve around Saul, but I'm not sure if it will be enough to intrigue me.

I would rather be traveling, but when I'm not, it's just this kind of normal stuff.  Laundry, dishes, tidying up.  Ho hum....

More Football

What In The World?

This is the time of year that the evenings are starting to cool off a bit, maybe it is not still 105 degrees at 8 pm.  I love sitting on the porch with my red vice and watching the dog or catching up on the news.  But this week, I have been joined by more of nature's friends than I could have ever expected.  Two days ago, this is what I observed.

This was my first visitor.  My experience from the ranch tells me that when you see turtles and/or snakes (reptiles) moving, rain is coming.  And I'll be darned if we didn't have a few sprinkles that day and a quarter of an inch yesterday.  

A couple of fun facts about turtles.  

A)   They are a staple of most human diets in the Cayman Islands.  Ick.

B)   It is illegal to sell turtles under 4 inches long in every state in the United States.  

So in case you had some small turtles you planned on selling, you can't...  Okay, dang.

To set the record straight, I am not a snake lover, and they are not welcome on my porch right by the door!!!  It just can't be tolerated, especially when you are as old as I am, and this is not a type of snake I have EVER seen in this part of the world.  For the most part, I don't hyperventilate when I see a snake.  I try to keep my composure, because I believe the people who say, "they are more afraid of you than you are of them."  I used to kill every snake I saw, with my car tire (spin-out) or a shovel.  But then it was explained to me that the circle of life is such that if we allow the good snakes to live, then we don't have yucky mice in our house, because the snakes always eat them before they can get inside.  Yeah, well, I bought into that, and I don't lose my mind every time I see a snake.  

We live in the city limits, for goodness sake!

I realize the snake looks huge, but let me clarify, it was tiny.  Tiny, like a pencil that is ten inches long.  Tiny, like that is a regular flat head screwdriver that is holding it.  I probably stepped over it 8 times walking in and out and around the porch before Mike showed up and said, "did you see that snake behind your chair?"

Uhm, NO!

The little guy got lucky, and he was set free down by the church, as it is affectionately called (because a wedding was held there), at our house.  So those guys showed up two nights ago.

(The picture is blurry, but you can tell what it is.  Would you have gotten closer?)  

Then last night, Clare starts barking incessantly at something on the back porch.  It is echoing into the house, she is not pointing her bark into the yard.  I go out there, because I figure it is a beetle or maybe a june bug.  Nope.  It has a black furry head.  That's all I can see.  My imagination does not run amuck.  I anticipate that it is a cat, maybe wild, but Mike is in charge of security, so he was summoned.  When he moved the flower pots, etc., that it was hiding behind, he could clearly see that it was a skunk.  We have no idea why it wasn't spraying.  Usually at the first sign of a dog or other antagonistic animal, they will spray.  This one looked kind of small.  Maybe a baby?  My thought is that they carry rabies, so if he knows what is good for him, he won't be there in the morning.  We are giving him every chance to just go.  

Go in peace, skunk, go.  

Gosh, I'm glad Clare didn't get sprayed.   We've been there, and it's ugly.

I know I mentioned this, but I want to reiterate -- we live in town!

What In The World?

Tech News

Yesterday was the day Apple fanatics have been anticipating.  We have been waiting for the new mobile operating system for months -- no kidding, since spring.  And Tuesday, we were told, "okay, finally next week."  The new iOS 7 is going to be lightning fast, unless you live in a 3G world, like I do.  The good news is that it will be operational on most newer generation Apple mobile products like the iPads, the iPhones and the iPods.  Click the link to see how clean and cool it looks.  Lots of white in the background and some slick new features.  Usually I want all the new features, but I dislike having to learn all new swipes and keystrokes.

Do I need a new phone?  Not really.  Do I love technology?  Uhm, yeah.

So as not to be left in the dust, I will probably figure out justification to purchase a new phone.  (Like how I worded that?)  Apple stores, as well as other electronics chains are offering unbelievable buy-back plans for your fully-functioning gadgets.  I may have one.  Or more.

One of my kids is a Mac fan, and one is an Android fan.  Believe me, I have heard both arguments.  And both are valid.  But I have to err on the side of simplicity and ease.  Apple provides that for me, as well as security and peace of mind.  For now, I'm a fan.

Tech News

Good People

There are good people in this world.  All over this world.  I have seen quite a few of them in the last few months.  Some of them I know, and some of them I don't.  

How do you react when someone absolutely goes above and beyond for you?  The words, thank you never seem like enough.  But when you know someone has helped you because they genuinely wanted to, it seems to make it even harder.  When someone does some crazy, big deal favor for me -- I can't help but think, "I don't deserve that."  About the only way I can live with myself when things like that happen, is to think about how to pay it forward.  What can I do for an unsuspecting person that may take a lot of effort on my part, but it just as easily could take very little effort on my part?

Good People

Dare we?

Dare we discuss fashion?  How about we  just give the guys a 'bye' today

 and do as we please.

I saw busy leggings like these all over Amsterdam last month, and I wasn't sure about them until I saw this exact pair at Urban Outfitters...  This isn't the way I would wear them, but they could be kinda cool and versatile.

And just because I can't get enough orange in my wardrobe, I probably need this Columbia half-zip jacket.  I love the half-zip, even though it might be a men's style.  I am equal-opportunity when it comes to outer wear.

Of course, I feel the need to add a pair of boots to my collection every year...  not sure if these are the ones, but they sure are cute!

It is so difficult for me to stay away from things like this black and white dress.  

Just can't help it.

These little shoes are just darling, but I would need a non-blister guarantee.  

I seem to have blister-prone feet.

Just some of my fashion faves this week!

Dare we?

My First Football Saturday

Woo hoo!  It's finally here!  The day that I can turn the TV on at 9 AM, watch my favorite food shows, then flip over to college football game after football game all day long.  And I can't wait to do exactly that.  The most pleasurable thing about it is that my first and favorite game is televised on FOX Sports!  Thank you, Lord!  Those evil espn people can't interrupt my game watching today -- at least, not unless I switch over there and want to watch one of those games.  And I can turn down the volume -- 

I've done it before.

Our game is away today, so I had to go back to the archives to find a good representation.

My family makes so much fun of me because I can watch almost ANY game, and I can justify it.  You want to know why I am cheering for that team or against that team?  Ask me.  There is a perfectly reasonable explanation.  I have been a football fan ever since I can remember.  Saturdays were college, and Sundays were pro.  That's all we had.  As I recall, the Cowboys (Dallas) were always televised, and Roger Staubach seemed invincible.  Now, with practically every game televised somewhere on cable or satellite, I prefer to choose my teams based on players and coaches.

Last year, we caught up with the Browns in Dallas.

And that was so much fun, a few weeks later, we went all the way to Cleveland to watch them again.  We took in all the sights and enjoyed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  They wouldn't let us play these guitars, that's why we are playing the air guitar here.

Enjoyed good company from home the night before the game...

This is a warm up team shot, but they came away with a win, and we all celebrated.

We enjoyed seeing them again and meeting new friends after the game...  
Christina introduced us to chocolate cake shots, 
and I didn't think I was a shot girl.  Thanks, doll!

                                                 Good times if you're a football fan.

I love nothing more than a great reverse or double reverse play, or a super long field goal.  Kicking looks extremely hard.  I have such respect for the guys that make it look easy by doing it over and over.  And that kicking game is the same thing that has made me a relatively new soccer fan.  Talk about athletes.  Non-stop running for 90+ minutes.  But that kind of football is a story for another day.

My First Football Saturday

Autumn Is Coming

It's the time of year that is super busy at the farm.  Fall must be getting close.  Mike says it is cooler in the mornings, I just take his word for it -- I see no need to exit the house at 6 AM.  As we prepare for winter, wheat must be planted, and this is always a huge undertaking.  The guys try to put the wheat in the ground at the most opportune time.  When and if we get moisture, the wheat is put in at exactly the right depth to take full advantage of that blessing.  Sometimes that means working 24 hours a day to get it done.  Let me say, usually that means working 24 hours a day to get it done.  Not me.  I am far from a stellar farm wife.  The extent of my farm and ranch duties is kept to a minimum by management.  It's best that way.

This whole week has been one breakdown after another for the guys, and the wheat planting that was supposed to have started last week has yet to actually set a seed in the ground.  In an effort to boost morale and possibly keep the guys working, I took lunch to the field today.  (Between the occasional meal delivery and bookkeeping duties, I wouldn't say I am an integral part of the operation.)  Guess I haven't been out there in a while... the road was newly paved!  No potholes, cracks or washboard areas.

The bluestem grass is green and, with the moisture we've received, is thriving.

The front of this picture is a dry land field ready for wheat to be planted.  Non-irrigated crops are always a crap shoot around here.  

This looks to be an irrigated field, and it also appears to be ready for planting.  Like I said, the ground is ready, the weather is prime -- the guys just keep having delays.  Such a bum deal.

No matter how much does or does not get done, it is not for a lack of trying.  Here, Mike shows how he multi-tasks.  I didn't even ask what was going on...  I suspect he could get in some sort of trouble if the authorities caught him with this set up.

Here is Clare, head of ranch security, high on the perch of the sprayer, just getting some fresh air during a break.  Every day is a good day for her.  I give her credit for keeping morale high whenever she is present.  Everyone loves her.

Autumn Is Coming

Empty Nesters

Some of you are, and some of you are not empty nesters like we are.  It's funny how things went from constant movement, not chaos necessarily, but something was always happening or about to happen or just happened -- to quiet busy-ness.  It's hard in the summer months, but we find ourselves wishing for a bedtime that gets earlier and earlier.  I can go almost a whole normal week at home without doing any laundry before anyone notices.  The worst part is the quiet.  The best part is flying by the seat of our pants.

Most evenings we like to be on the back porch... unless it is hot.

This is an example of unacceptable back porch weather.

But our puppy makes us want to be back there.  In late spring, this was her posing in the backyard.

After weeks of wrestling and growing, this is how she acts with Mike.

And this is how she acts with me.

Hey, sometimes you have to be prepared to share unflattering photos of yourself.  You can't see it, but she just bit my face.  Clearly, I did not take this of myself.

Clare holds her own with her sister (?), Kimber, the Vizsla.  And we are easily entertained.

I posted pictures of her last week, and she has grown quite a bit from these early photos.

Most evenings while she burns off any extra energy left from her hard day at the ranch, I watch and laugh.

Okay, so I have to defend myself as she has grown...

We enjoy a lot of these.  I don't mean to brag, but it's hard to beat the big sky sunsets that we have here in the middle of the country.

Empty Nesters

I'm Blank...

After weeks of travel and excitement, I am drawing a blank.  Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to be done.  Work surrounds me, laundry continues to pile up, I don't think I have ever completely unpacked from any of my trips -- not whining, just coming down off of a few months high of excitement all around me.  I cannot think of a single subject that I could write about that would interest anyone.

What I most want to accomplish seems overwhelming.  I would love nothing more than to get my closet, bedroom, and bathroom all whipped into shape.  Every drawer, shelf, corner -- is a disaster.  I know the problem.  It's just too much stuff.  Stuff I may not need... but I might.  How do you know?  Yesterday a friend was telling me about how you are supposed to pick a date, like January 1st, and turn all your hangers in your closet around backwards.  Then as you wear items and launder them, you place them back in the closet the correct way.  After a period of time, a year, or 18 months, you look at what you haven't worn, and you get rid of it.  Okay, so that's just one little portion of the mess I have.  I suppose you have to start somewhere.

We have the same breakdowns and repair issues as does everyone else who owns a house.  It is ongoing and never ending.  The ice maker, a separate plumbing problem, an unfinished basement -- when the lists get long, my motivation wanes.  Is this a season?  Am I old?  What the heck?  And when the list is long, my creativity sure doesn't flourish.

Here's what I do.  I put on my headphones, and I piddle.  Sometimes I accomplish things, sometimes I don't.  I excel when it comes to excuses.  Really good at that.  Tangents are my specialty.  Need help justifying something, call me.  

I'm the answer girl.  

Fix my hair?  Why?  I am just going to sweat my brains out at exercise class 

-- nah, I'll do it later.

Cook dinner?  Nah, we ate a late lunch.  

Besides, I'm not very hungry after sweating my brains out.

Sit my lazy behind down on the back porch in the evening and play with darling Clare?  Heck, yeah!  Requires little effort, and she loves me no matter what.  

Plus, you know what is in my hand.

How ridiculous is this?  I am looking forward to beauty week -- where with a minimum purchase, you get a bag full of free samples, etc.  All the cosmetic brands have special deals of their own, and usually free shipping...  I am weak, so weak, in this area.  

Sept. 11th online, later in stores.  Email me if you don't know what I am talking about and need to know.  :)

I'm Blank...