NANA NOTES

Q & A's FROM BLOG STALKING

Ok, I'm addicted.  While Ed reads or watches TV at night I read blogs--photo, scrapbooking, food and friends.  One begats another because they all have "lists" that you have to check out. (Ed probably regrets the day he bought me my laptop.  I do love it!)  I stumbled onto a scrapbooking blog today that had these questions that someone had sent.  She answered them and suggested others do the same.  Being the curious type, I thought I would give it a try.  I'm going to answer them.  If you read my blog, send me your answers--either in the comment section or by email.

1. What is your favorite word?  SWEET--that's because the kids are saying it when something is really neat

2. What is your least favorite word?
 
CAN'T--there's always a way

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
  BEAUTY, MUSIC, KINDNESS

4. What turns you off?

RUDENESS

5. What is your favorite curse word?

FRAP--that's what Sam says

6. What sound or noise do you love?

BIRDS SINGING AND BABIES COOING

7. What sound or noise do you hate?

 WINDS AND LOUD THUNDER

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
OWNER OF A "FANCY PAPER" STORE

9. What profession would you not like to do?   I AM NOT A NURSE



10.  What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
 YOU DID GOOD!


A SPECIAL VISIT. . .

My friend Stacy and her boys came out on Friday for a visit.  They've been going to come forever and finally got a chance.  Ben and Sam were here watching "Barnyard" when they got here.  The boys didn't seem to want to talk or be friends.     Until----the turtle that Linda and I found while picking blueberries decided to crawl down the driveway and all the boys saw it.  They were immediately fast friends.

The movie was soon forgotten and the pool looked very good.  Out the door they went. Sam showed Charlie and  Britt how to slide off the raft. They all showed NO FEAR!  Sam and Charlie ended up being the Bobsey twins.  Their swim suits were just alike and they thought they were soooo cute! They are only three months apart in age--watch out PreK!  After swimming we had lunch; then off to ride on the Ranger to see the animals (gathering peacock feathers was a hit!) and then back to the swimming pool.  What a blessing to have friends and what a blessing to watch these children have so much fun.  Philippians 1:3  "I thank my God for every thought of you."  Please come back soon.

BEES, BABIES AND TRACTORING. . .

The new hobby has arrived.  I told you a few weeks back that something new was coming to Cotton Branch.  We now have bees!  The three are our boxes where the bees live and make their honey. The other boxes belong to Mr. Wesley.  His are at the sunflower field enjoying the view.  One of Ed's hives took flight during the night.  He feels sure it will return.  He said they obviously didn't know they were in heaven.  I think I've convinced him to plant wildflowers around his boxes.  Can you imagine how good that honey would be?

Ryan let me on the tractor today--not the new one mind you--but on the tractor to clip pastures.  I love to mow and that's the finest way to do it.  I know why he and Ed enjoy it so much.  I had my iPod (filled with praise songs) and my cell phone (in case of emergencies) and just spent the afternoon clipping pasture and watching the beautiful horses run, play and eat. That's more fun than anyone should have.  It isn't work to me.  A little shower came up and the most beautiful rainbow came out.  God was smiling on us.  How grateful I was to be out enjoying his creation. I hope you had a chance to do something you enjoy today too.  God's blessings are everywhere.

Be sure to click on the "Cotton Branch Quarter Horse" Photo Album to see the rest of the horse pics.  You can also click on the individual pics to make them bigger.

JUNE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Let me begin this post by saying that everyone arrived safely!!  Some were late but that's ok.  We celebrated today for ME, Tiffany and Abby (my brother's daughter)!   I got up early and cooked the usual Sunday lunch and included a "Mae Mae" cake and homemade ice cream.  We were in the "throws" of opening our birthday presents when all of a sudden someone said, "Ball practice!"  Tiffany swallowed a piece of birthday cake (we didn't even get to light the candles!) and out the door she went with Ben and Shelby for practice.  Jennifer followed with Emily. The rest of us stayed and some read the paper, napped or watched a movie.  About 5:15 PM Ryan showed up and asked, "Where is that watermelon you bought, Nana?"  He went out to the ice chest and retrieved it.  We cut it and I think the smell of it woke Ed up!  We gathered around the counter and devoured the COLD, SWEET, RED WATERMELON.

I couldn't help but think of my sweet little friend Madge.  I wish she'd been with us.  She loves watermelon.  When I see that man on the road again, I'm going to get her one.  It couldn't be better than this one!

BASEBALL AND GRANDCHILDREN. . .

one and the same around here.  I went to Ben and Shelby's game tonight. Both teams were undefeated--until tonight.  The FC All Stars didn't have their mojo until the bottom of the 6th but I'll leave that for Jennifer to write about.  I just enjoyed watching the kids and snapping a few pictures.  I have to say that Ben scored the first run and I got a great picture of the fence! The kids were running around and only Sam and Emily were cooperative for shots. Sam would really like to be out on the field playing. He thinks he's that big.

Isn't Emily beautiful?  I enjoyed watching her interact with her friends.  She is growing up so fast.

Another game on Monday--here's hoping that the "Dogs" have their game faces on!  They are a "can do" team.

TODAY'S MY BIRTHDAY. . .

and I've received lots of calls and cards and even some "happies"!  I have sweet, sweet friends that I treasure.  Thank you all!!  This bouquet was on my bathroom counter when I woke up this morning.  There was a note with it.  I'm not going to share the note, but it was one of the sweetest I've ever received from my husband.  He went out, cut the flowers from our garden, arranged them and found the vase and put them in there WITHOUT me hearing him!!  Without a doubt I'll treasure this more than almost anything he's done for me--given of himself, his time and thoughtfulness--his love.

This will be my last "birthday".  From now on I will be like my friend Kay and just have "gift" days.  I still haven't grown up and I like it that way.  I am old enough to behave myself when I should and young enough to still have fun when I want to (which is most of the time!).

I thank the Lord for this day and for letting me live when He could have chosen not to eleven years ago. That's one of the reasons that being here today is so special.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA.

Update on the kids:  Tiffany had her surgery and is up and going.  Jody is in a brace and will not have surgery.  Another reason to praise the Lord.

KIMBROUGH/BIZARRO--A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

The entire church was in tears--tears of joy!  Never have you seen a more beautiful bride who was glowing with beauty and love.  The groom had a shy "look of love" on his face and you could tell that he adored his bride. Don't you just love the mozaic that MM made for them?  The beautiful ballroom dance was enjoyed by everyone who saw it.  There were lots of  "oohs and aahs". So sweet!  Mr. and Mrs. Bizarro left in a flurry of bubbles with smiles on their faces. And Mom of the Bride stood watching them drive away with a smile on her face and NO shoes on her feet!

CONGRATULATIONS HOLLI AND PASCAL!  WE LOVE YOU BOTH.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. . .

My planned post for today was to be of the beautiful wedding reception held here at CB but that will have to wait.  My heart is full of praise and thanksgiving to God for the fact that the accident that Jody and Tiffany were in today was not any worse.  We all attended church and the boys rode home with Ed and me. Another Praise God!! As we drove into the drive way my cell phone rang. It was one of our friends telling us that there had been an accident on the River Road. (I wanted to get back in the car and go but with the boys there I calmly sent Josh to the hospital, finished lunch, fed the boys--all the while keeping in constant contact with the kids at the hospital).    I carried the boys to  see their dad and this is what we found.  He has a torn ligament in his left leg and something wrong with his right ankle.   Tiffany has a broken arm and lots of scrapes and bruises.  She said she has been picking glass out of her feet.  As the afternoon wore on they both were getting very sore and hurting in places they hadn't felt before. They are supposed to go to an orthopedic doctor in Jackson on Monday.

The lady that hit them has multiple fractures and has been sent to Jackson.  Our prayers are for her recovery too.  This accident could have been so much worse and we're grateful to God that it wasn't.

'TIS FINISHED. . .

The deck that is.  We moved the last of the plants on today.  The caterers are here getting ready for HK's reception.  I am in the cool--out of the way.  I think I'll perch up here in the window and take pictures while the party is going on--what a vantage point and no one would know!  :)  She's going to be a beautiful bride!  I know, I've seen her all dressed up!

TRIP TO ER WITH GRAHAM. . .

Well, if I didn't know better I'd say that I was fired as a babysitter!  Our weekend has been going along smoothly until this afternoon when Graham got out of the tub and I asked him to let the water out.  My "drain-thingey" doesn't work right and you have to reach down and pull it up. I told Graham what to do.  He tried to do it and somehow got some metal under his fingernail--actually cut through his fingernail--into his nail bed.  If you wonder how I know he was hurting it was by all the screaming and tears.  I had to dress him (he's 10).  I called Ed to come home and check him.  I knew I should have carried him on to the ER but. . .  We loaded up and in to the hospital we went.  I called ahead and told them to be prepared.  It works better that way here in our small town.  I didn't have to go through all the questions--they immediately took him to a room and started soaking his hand.  The doctor was called to come (he was in the dog pen).  I listened to Graham LOUDLY cry and moan for over an hour.  The doctor put lidocaine on his finger and cut out the metal.  Did I forget to mention that Jennifer called two minutes after we walked into the hospital?  That girl can find out anything at any time!!!  She said tell the nurse to go ahead and give Graham Tylenol--that would help settle him down--yeah, right!!  Any way, we went on to the ballgame with bandaids on the finger.  He got out of the car and went straight to the batter's box.  He didn't catch tonight--played second base.  He hit an awesome triple and played well.  As far as being fired:  there's no chance of that.  I'm too valuable and as long as they're in one piece when Jennifer gets back, I'm AOK!

IS THIS "BABYSITTING"?

While Jennifer and Shelly are gone with Ben and Sam, Graham and Ryan are staying here.  Graham is playing in his last ballgames.  Last night we got to go and watch.  As you have read in Jennifer's blog and sometimes mine--these ballgames are family affairs--all of them are involved one way or another. Tiffany's [DIL] team had finished their games so we sat by each other.  She's helping coach the 8 year old All Stars with her brother.   Bryden and Hayden  [GSons]came and sat by us for a little while.  You can tell by their eyes that they are constantly up to something. Abbey was around but didn't stay long enough to get snapped.  Emily was gone and Shelby was somewhere doing something!  GRAHAM was on the field!   Doesn't he look sharp in his catcher's outfit?  He's such a good team player.  He helped his team win the game and we look forward to another good game tonight.

UPDATE:  Heard from Shelly today.  The yearlings sold.  Ours sold for $1500.  He thought that was pretty good.  I want twice that for the two year olds but we'll see.  Seems like when we get into something the bottom falls out!  Good thing we don't have any land in Florida!

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING & AN UPDATE. . .

We've all been busy--working, playing, etc.    Graham, Ben, Sam, Shelby, Bryden and Hayden have had ballgames.  I've been working around here trying to get the pool area ready with plants--I really can't do anything permanent until the DECK is finished!  The wedding reception is NEXT SATURDAY!  When will the deck be finished?

Shelly spent the week getting some 2 year olds ready to go to Texas for a sale.  After lunch yesterday he and Sam loaded up and left for Texas.  Ben and Jennifer left after Ben's ballgame.  Graham had practice and stayed late at the field to see if Ben and Shelby made ALL STARS. They did!  He was as excited as if he had made it.  Graham and Ryan are staying here with us so Graham can play ball this weekend.  He really wanted to go to Texas so he could ride the two year olds in the sale ring but "his team needed him".  He a good catcher and they depend on him.  I plan to take my camera tonight.  Don't expect the quality of photos his Mom takes--I will simply TRY!  Graham will find out if he makes ALL STARS on Saturday.  The pressure is too much for this Nana to take.

Here's a cute one:  I asked Sam if he wanted to take his blanket and pillow with him in the truck so he could take a nap on the way to Texas.  He looked at me with those big eyes and replied, "No, Nana, we have a hotel!"  I then suggested he could take it just to snuggle while he rode and he said it was ok, he had a seat and the truck was warm.  That's right up there with shooting the snake!

The Century Plant at the Vet's office is coming along.  I rode by there today and had my telephoto lens with me. From what I can tell the blooms are going to be yellow.  I have no concept of distance but that thing has to be at least 30 to 50 feet tall.  The "arms" are three to four feet long.  The suspense is building!  The curiosity to look it up on the internet is intense!  Will I last?

Edited to add:  Not long.  I couldn't stand it!!  Century plant info.  See what we have to look forward to!

MASTER GARDENER 2007 STATE CONFERENCE. . .

This past week two friends and I went to the Master Gardener State Conference on the Coast.  We only spent one day but it was a good day. We brought home some good ideas--the best one knowing that WE can do a conference with one eye closed!  We're not boasting--we're that good!  Natchez will have the 2008 State Meeting.  This is their exhibit inviting everyone to come.  Looks great doesn't it!?  I loved it.

I came home and immediately [after doing CORN!! :)] bought some tomato plants and annuals to make some pots like this one.  They had these all over the place and I know they sold them after the meeting was over.  Wish I had been there to get some.  They were gorgeous.  Some even had tomatoes on them.  Lush and lovely.  Here's hoping mine will grow to be that pretty.

Ralph Null is our garden club friend who taught at MS State and is now retired.  He is a great designer and when he found out that most of the MG's had NOT seen his program--well, he went a little nuts!  This is one of his designs using fruits, vegetables and roses.  Sorry his face wasn't showing. He moves around A LOT!

Proof that we were actually there!  CEU's and fun too.

EATEN MY WORDS. . .

I will not say "doing nothing" ever again!  There are no pictures to prove it BUT the Cotton Branch bunch has "done" 1300 ears of corn since Friday.  We shucked, brushed, washed, cut, cooled and bagged it---93 quarts of beautiful GOLD!!!  Let's just pray the freezers don't go out.  I would be one sad little puppy if they did.  Butterbeans and peas come the last of this week or the first of next week.  Blueberry jam is on the list as well as apple jelly.  The work of summer sometimes is not fun but the rewards are many.  Seeing the grandchildren enjoy the meals we prepare are well worth the effort.  We are blessed to be able to have fresh vegetables and "store" them for the winter.

Now if the EGGPLANT will just grow!!!