Out of my Element

Apologies to any readers who are animal rights activists..

But...

You know here in South Arkansas yesterday was the opening day of deer season (gun). I have only been hunting 2 other times in my entire life. One time probably about 10 years ago because Pete begged me to, and one other time when both kids were begging to go, but they were both too young to sit in a stand alone. Pete and Little Ann got in a stand and Big Dan and I got in another. Big Dan and I didn't see anything because we made too much noise. He was quite the fidgety one AND my stomach kept growling which would result in hysterical laughter even though it wasn't all that funny. It was the fact that we were supposed to be quiet that made it so hard. I must say, it made for a fun family experience though.

I've been born and bred around deer hunting. My grandfather, my dad, and my brother all hunted religiously as I grew up. Some of my best memories were made down at my grandfather's old home place in a little shack that became camp. My aunts and uncles that lived out of town would bring campers down, we would huddle around the fire and watch as the guys drove in and out of the woods...some with the big one on the back of their four-wheelers and others with disappointment on their faces. Although I highly enjoyed being around my family and the fun times we experienced, I never once had the desire to dress out and head out to the old deer stand. It just didn't seem worth the trouble of getting up as early as required or freezing my buns off. Pete knew going into our marriage that I wasn't the outdoorsy type and after 15 years, he's pretty much accepted it.

But my heart went out to him this year. It seems that he's lost both hunting partners. Big Dan is so preoccupied with his 18 year old life nothing else seems to matter...and Little Ann....well, let's just say she's become pro-life. She refused to "kill another one of God's creatures". lol.

So, yesterday as afternoon hunting time came nigh, I realized we were the only ones home. Then it hit me...the words from a book that I had read bits and pieces of. It's called "His Needs, Her Needs".........engage in recreational activities that both you and your spouse can enjoy together....the couple that plays together, stays together.

I thought Pete was going to fall out when I told him I wanted to go with him. He was so excited. He began scurrying around helping me get my things together.

We sat on the stand engaging in very quiet conversation for 40 minutes or so. It was nice. Not too cold, and it was so peaceful just sitting.... pondering... watching the cardinals fly around us and squirrels scampering below us. I actually enjoyed it.

Yes, we saw a deer. It was a nice one. Pete spotted it first and counted 5 points. I got my gun in position, set my sights right in the perfect place to shoot, but just as I pulled the trigger he ran. And so, I guess you could say I missed. We looked for signs that I had hit him, but there were none.

I haven't totally disregarded the idea of going again. Pete says a girl with a gun really turns him on.

My 100th Post!! And Some Reality

First of all, let me just say it's with great joy I offer you my 100th blog post. I can't believe I have found enough interesting stuff to talk about for that long. lol. (Well, I guess at least maybe some of it has been interesting anyway). A special thank you to all who continue to read..(and of course comment).

Now for this...

Tonight's feature for my 100th post is going to be non other than Big Dan. After all, he's really the one that keeps it "real" for us...and did I mention he has the crappiest..with a capital C..the crappiest luck?

Or maybe God is just testing him. Whichever it is, I'm beginning to feel for him.

Did I tell you about the time last year when he got suspended for 10 days because one of his alumni friends came into the regional basketball tournament game with a spiked drink in a Sonic cup? Yeah, he did, and then asked Big Dan to hold it for him and then Big Dan took a couple of swigs. He doesn't drink or party and said he didn't know it had alcohol in it the first time, but I guess the 2nd drink was peer pressure....or just pure stupidity. Anyhow, somebody snitched and it turned in to a major thing. Lesson to be learned...if you're going to do something stupid like that, you should totally do it where you don't have quite the audience.

Did I tell you that this past April we bought Big Dan a car? Oh, and did I tell you that somebody side swiped him (causing $4,000 worth of damage)? And did I mention this happened less than a mile from our driveway on his way to school the 1ST DAY HE DROVE IT? Yep, it happened. I'm not sure of the lesson to be learned here. Unless it is to watch out for idiots on the road, because there are plenty of them out there. (I've been accused of being one myself!)

And once again, the bad luck prevails. You see, what was actually supposed to be a nice quiet evening...post hen party, obviously wasn't. Big Dan got off work at 11:00 tonight, walked out to the parking lot only to find his car window bashed in.

Glass was everywhere. But that wasn't even the worst news. They took just about everything he had in there...which included about $80 cash that was in the console, a couple of gift cards he had just gotten for his birthday, the fossil watch that he got from the girlfriend, his new bat bag AND the $100 first baseman's mitt, I JUST BOUGHT HIM..also for his birthday. They got into his trunk and took another bat that actually belonged to a friend of his, his brand spanking new wooden bat that my mom and dad gave him Sunday (for his birthday), and also another souvenir Louisville Slugger wooden bat that my mom had gotten him from Louisville. They had his name imprinted on it a couple of years ago when they were on vacation. Needless to say, I am so angry.

As soon as Big Dan called, I drove right into town to talk with the officer that worked the report. He said we would need to call our insurance agent on Monday with a list of property and report the damage to the vehicle.

The reality of this is...that there are just so many mean, ruthless people in the world and I guess this is just another hard lesson for him to learn. Not that I am blaming him, because it was totally out of his control. BUT, it is something we all need to realize. I guess it's just signs of the times.

The other reality is....

that if it's gonna happen....it's gonna happen to him.

And....it's almost 2 am. It's been a long stressful night, so I'm going to join hubby in dreamland.

Here's to another 100!!

Hen.. She Cackle

And my night of hosting the hen party has come to an end. This was our monthly scheduled ladies bible study night and I must say...it was good food, good friends, and lots of cackling. Now, I'm off to read some of your blogs since the kids are gone and hubby is headed to beddy by. Whoo Hoo!!

(And for those who may be stumped by my title, it is the name of a song my grandfather used to sing to me all of the time. It is etched in my mind forever. lol)

Preparations

It seems like school just started and now Big Dan has almost reached the halfway mark of his Senior Year. I can't believe it. I know the rest of the year will be filled with many important preparations for graduation and his future. Last night we sat down and got the order together for graduation invitations, name cards, and his cap and gown. Believe it or not, I didn't even get emotional. (Maybe it was because I was so tired from dealing with elementary children in the Art room all day. Finger painting with 1st graders will do that to you.)

I am hoping that our photographer that did his Senior portraits will be calling me in a few days with my code for online viewing. I can't hardly wait to share them with you. She took them digitally, and I looked through them on her camera. From what I could tell, they are going to be awesome..especially after she does some of her editing.


Today, after he had gone on to work, he got a call from a student ambassador from this college.

He had sent in his application a while back and they were calling to see if he had received his admissions packet in the mail, and if he was interested in setting up a tour of the campus. I talked to the guy for quite a while gathering information. I don't really think he has his mind made up on a college yet. I'm afraid his decision is going to be based on how far away he will have to get from the girlfriend, and whether or not he can play baseball for them.

And tomorrow is the deadline to register for the December ACT, so I guess I better get that taken care of so I won't have to pay late fees.

I am hoping he will agree to take a prep class somewhere this time to get his scores up, but I'm not sure he will.

And the preparations here at home continue as well....I've been in cleaning mode all day today and will be tomorrow too. I even got Pete to do some things around outside for me. I'm having the girls over tomorrow night and I'm trying to get it all together!

Yeah, so what...

if I complain.

Pete says I complain.....alot. That's one thing about me that really gets on his nerves. (Hey, at least he's honest about it). It's too hot. It's too cold. I'm too tired. I can't sleep. Don't go to work, I'm lonely. Get out of here and make me some money. Yeah, so what. I'm a woman. I'm fickle and as a woman, it's my right to complain.

I went most of my adult life without voting. I'll tell you why I didn't vote. I was ignorant....and scared, that's why. I had no clue who and what to vote for and I couldn't stand the thought of making a wrong choice. One thing I realize now, is I had a say, yet all I did was sit around and complain. And you do too. You have a say. You have a say, today.

And although I'm still afraid of making a wrong choice, I know God cares how I vote. So, I pray. I pray for His guidance in my decision. He has all the power and ultimately no matter how I vote, He is in control.

And if it goes my way.....maybe I won't complain.

Why?

I want to....
-get my entire house clean in one day.
-exercise daily and lose weight.
-pray and study more.
-miraculously find more energy.
-stop spending and start saving.

I don't want to....
-yell at my kids all the time.
-sleep so late on my days off.
-talk about people.
-wish I had something different than I have.
-eat for the heck of it.

So, tell me. Why can't I do the things I want to do and stop doing the things I don't want to do??

Paul said in Romans 7:15 and 19 - For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not, but what I hate, that do I. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Why, oh why?

Darn flesh.

Just Wonderin'

why I still have zits at 38.

Got a full day today....church services, birthday dinners and baby showers.

Happy Sunday.