NANA NOTES

FUN AT THE BEACH!!

 This is what greeted us as we crossed the bridge on Monday afternoon.  It's anchored at the GS airport.  Don't know what it's doing here. A fun sight to see though.

Didn't make it to the beach today but it was a beautiful day! Looking forward to going tomorrow.

Vin and Cathleen are here visiting and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Gulf Shores Steamer at San Roc. Tiffany will flip when she sees this!!  We loved it!  A freezer of Nadene's Homemade Lemon Ice Cream was waiting on us when we got back to the condo. We had a great day in heaven!! 



  
 
  

 

MY "HONEY" WITH HIS HONEY!!

 And I'm not talking about Exal!!  Today they extracted the hives and got lots of honey.  They still have more to do and we have to bottle it all.  I get to help with that part.  Doesn't that look wonderful?  The combs were so full.

Ed's using a warm "decapping" knife to remove the honey from the frame. I don't know how many frames he did but there were boxes full.  Seems his "hobby" has turned into a JOB!!  We will enjoy the fruits of his labors though. The bottling process should be fun. :)   "I can't stand it when it's sticky!"

 

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

Our afternoon these days consists of riding to the pond to feed the fish. We do it about the same time every day after Ed has his cup of coffee!  Real adventurous life we live!! :)  I took the camera to see if I could capture some of the fish.  It isn't as easy as I thought. 
The catfish come up and make a big fuss. The bream just ease up and snatch a bite.  The grass carp make a big noise.  The turtles are just happy to be at the party.

 

 

 

The catfish are really growing. Most of the fish are. And boy, are they fast!

And like I said, the turtles are just happy to be there.

A FISH HOOK WHERE????

 

 I got up to let Sadie out this afternoon and someone said, "Ms Barbara". Casey was sitting there with Sam in a chair with a HUGE fish hook in his foot!  He wasn't crying and was very calm. I called Jennifer and she sent Shelly to get him. Shelly and I took off for the hospital. They saw him instantly and a very nice plastics resident looked over the situation.  He was from New York and said he didn't have much experience with fish hooks! At first he wanted to xray Sam's foot and make a small incision to remove the hook.  The barb was nearly through the skin so I suggested that after he deadened it that he push it on through and cut the barb with wire cutters and pull the hook out from the end.  He thought about it and said, "that might be easier on his foot."  Shelly got his wire cutters out of his tool box ( probably not the most sanitary thing to do, but the doctor did clean them) and everything went smoothly. Sam did cry a little when the Dr. gave him the first deadening shot but was a real trooper through the whole ordeal. He came home with us and is spending the night and tomorrow.  He even has an excuse for school that says, "please excuse Sam from school because he had a fish hook removed from his left foot."  There will be NO MORE FISHING WITHOUT SHOES!!  He got a tetanus shot so he's good for five years.  Hopefully nothing else will happen to him that he needs it.  Just to let you know Casey: I'm glad he was with you! Nobody else would have carried him all the way from the pond like you did!!

 

 

 

PBGC LUNCHEON MEETING 2010 and BEN'S BALLGAME

Today was the last meeting of the garden club for the year. We met at Wilma's and made 'hypertufa' pots. That makes you wonder, doesn't it? It's a strange mixture of peat moss, concrete, perlite and water-kind of like making mudpies.  After we made the pots we had a wonderful salad potluck lunch and enjoyed fellowship with each other.  It will take a couple of weeks for the pots to cure but I'll show you pics of us having a great time.  Two friends from Brandon came to teach us the technique for making the pots. That's Joan on the left.   Wilma and I enjoyed our pot making time. I even made one for Libby! My friend Karen [also from Brandon] worked really hard!

We all finished up about the same time and cleaned up the lovely work area under the trees. Wilma's home is so inviting. Her kitchen is her "domain" and it's beautiful!

 

 

We had a wonderful lunch and finished with a brief meeting. Thanks,Wilma for hosting our meeting. We had a wonderful time! Thanks Joan and Karen for teaching us a new idea!

BEN'S BALLGAME

My day was hectic. The boys came after school because Jennifer was working graduation. I had to get Ben to his ballgame at 4:00 so we all went.  It was tense until the 5th inning and it blew up. Ben's team lost but they tried hard. He made some good throws from third to first for outs but his hitting was off. There will be other games to win!!

 All in all--a very good day!  Blessings abound.

   

OH, HAPPY DAY!

A huge 18 wheeler pulled into our driveway today and dropped off seven (7) big pallets of white shrink wrapped "stuff"!!  I've been waiting on it for two months.  Looks pretty strange doesn't it?

 

 
I knew what it looked like, but Ed and Ryan were anxious to get a peek. "Let's just open one, Nana." And you know where that led! We spent the next hour or so opening and unloading all the wonderful new, colorful POOL AND PATIO FURNITURE!! 

 
Those chairs go in the circle by the baby pool. They are really comfortable.

The tables are all aqua and the chairs are pink, lavender, blue and aqua. The guys decided we should have one chair of each color at each table. Ok by me. They are cafe height meaning they are a little higher than a regular table but lower than bar height.

 

The new umbrellas are a combination of all the colors and look really good with the tables and chairs.  We've waited a long time to get the new furniture. I could never find exactly what I wanted but when I saw this, it felt "right". The cushions for the top of the deck will be the same fabric as the umbrellas.  It's going to be a fun summer.

And this furniture is so heavy--it won't be blowing into the pasture like the old furniture!! 

A NEW KIND OF WAKE UP!!

We were almost asleep--right into that first dozing off when this loud noise started pounding our house.  I thought we were being attacked. I got out of bed and went to the front door. The sidewalk was covered with hail and lots more was coming. I got Ed up to come and see and this is what we saw on the deck. 
Hail, a little larger than marbles was falling FAST!! Sounded like I don't know what falling all over us.

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a strange winter and now this!!  What else is in store??

IT'S DOING IT AGAIN!!!

My children haven't seen as much snow in their whole lives as my grandchildren have in the last two years!!  It's snowing again--right now! School closed today after lunch and will be closed tomorrow. The weather people are saying to expect between 4 and 8 inches.  Ed [ my resident weather person!!] says it should be more like 10 inches.  I can't imagine that in my wildest dreams!!  Something about an inch for every tenth of an inch of rain.  Anyway, it's started and this is what it looks like at this minute. Batten down the hatches, folks--more is coming.

 

 I can't wait to see what it looks like in the morning!
 

FIRST PROJECT FINISHED!!

We finished our first sewing project on Thursday. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it all pressed and laid out to see.  Everyone made the same thing but we all used different fabric and they all looked very different.  Some were made for little boys and some for little girls.  Some of us just made one.  These three are mine, Libby's and Marley's. (Marley is Ms Edwina and Mr. Hershel Price's granddaughter!) Such a sweet, precious girl!  She made hers for her little boy.  I loved it!!

This week we get our pattern out for our pajama pants. Libby and I have our material but I can't find my pattern.  May have to buy a new one.  I'm still enjoying the class and "Ms Sue" called me her "star pupil"!!  That was a funny one!

MY NEW TOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frustration has given way to happiness!!  I actually did something today and am happy to show you my new toy!!  I just hope that I can continue to learn and enjoy it!!  It's far more complicated than "checking your email" as the girl told me in Alabama!!  But--I will learn!!  

  Haleigh was here at lunch and we decided to give it one more try.  I thought it was not threaded correctly.

 
BUT--I did it!! It worked!!  Yea!!  Can you tell I'm excited?? 

COON DOG CEMETERY IN ALABAMA

Ok, I didn't have time to post this before the wedding and didn't think I should post the two things on the same day!  Ashley would not be pleased!!  Libby and I took a little road trip to Alabama to pick up my new "toy" [which will be posted later when I learn to operate it] and saw a sign on the highway. My curiosity got the better of me and on the way back we detoured!! 

It was seven miles up a curvy, winding road in the red hills of Alabama.  That was after we'd gone about twenty four miles off the main highway!!  

Libby and I thought this was kind of funny until we got there.  It was a beautiful place with a pavillion and a statue that paid tribute to coon hunting.  The sign above is posted when you first arrive--serious business! 

 


 

Some of the headstones were elaborate; some were simply rocks or crosses made of wood. The one that touched me the most was the one that had the dog collar on the cross. 

 If you know coon hunters, you know their dogs are precious to them.  People come from far away to bury their dogs in this cemetery and have to make application to do so.  The dog has to be a certified coon dog and cannot have trailed deer or other animals.  Key Underwood was the person who started the cemetery.  Herein lies the rub--Tammy Underwood Torrey's dad and my mom went to school together in North MS. We were talking at Ashley's wedding and have it figured that Key Underwood is a relative of hers [has to be!!].  This is someplace that you just have to go visit to be able to appreciate.  

Every Labor Day they have a big festival at the cemetery and have dinner on the grounds with music and speakers.  That's what my aunt told me when I mentioned that all the graves had flowers on them.  It's kind of like our Memorial Day.  Kind of neat, don't you think?
 
 

ROAD TRIP!!

Libby and I left today to travel to Alabama to pick up my new toy. I'll share more about that when I get it but for now I want to share something we saw today going through North Jackson.  I grew up in North Jackson and you just didn't see things like this when I lived there.  We seemed to be more "refined". These scenes were more for country living--like Franklin County--my home now!  I was actually talking to Ed on the phone when we spotted it and he laughed at us trying to catch up with the truck to see the size.  It's a "country thing"!! 

 The funniest part was Libby trying to get the pictures as I was speeding along catching up with him.  We'd make good "paparazzi"!

Tomorrow we're going to pick up my new toy and go to the "Coon Dog Cemetary" outside of Florence, AL.  It's supposed to be a popular place for top notch deceased coon dogs.  I'll let you know. :)
 

RIDGE POINT CHRISTMAS 2009

I've spent the last four hours downloading and labeling the pictures from the "Pirate Christmas" at Ridge Point today.  The pictures will have to speak for themselves because I am exhausted!!  We had a great day and enjoyed every minute of being with family and eating and playing games with gifts.  There was lots of laughter and hugging.  If you don't have family, you miss out on a lot. Thank you Lord for giving us such a big extended family!!  Check out the Ridge Point Christmas 2009 photo album on the left sidebar!!  You can also [maybe] see it on my Facebook page.

"CHRISTMAS CHAOS AT THE NURSING HOME"

The MUMC Jolly Elders did their annual Christmas play tonight. "Christmas Chaos at the Nursing Home" was written by the Jolly Elders and portrayed what they thought they would be like many years from now.  The "Front Door Sitters" were Quent, Doc, Beverly and Madelene.  They were so friendly and it took me a few minutes to realize what they were doing. 

If you've visited the nursing home you know what I'm talking about.  Joddie did a great job of playing the Activities Director [who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent!].  
One of the activities was to decorate the tree.  The "residents" brought out Easter, Halloween, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day and Christmas decorations to put on the tree.  Madelene kept looking for "Leroy" who was going to marry her. Doc kept insisting he was a doctor and "had to make rounds".  Ed Y. was flipping light switches and wondering why the lights kept going on and off.  Margaret lost her false teeth and insisted on singing. Beverly insisted that everyone (including the audience) take pills to get their "yearly cleanout" that her mother always gave her and her siblings.  Nancy was the Administrator and gave a lovely talk. Joddie read a book about what God wants for Christmas.   
 
 

Madelene's flower holder was of particular interest!!  She was ready for her wedding!

Katherine Jones had been an "Inflatable Santa" last year.  She heard they were putting on a play and thought she was supposed to be Santa! [Joddie said, "Katherine, that was ten years ago!"]

Quent was building a bicycle and going to "ride to Alasker" to see Sarah Palin.  He tried to ride out the front door which is a no no!!

 

Joddie explaining to Margaret that she had to give Betty back her teeth!!

 

The top of the Jolly Elders Chaotic Tree!

The entire Jolly Elder group.  During Nancy's talk Ms Inez picked up Baby Jesus out of the basket.  Beverly walked over to her and put the baby back in the basket.  Seems like I saw Stephenie Sullivan do that once.  We're all destined for the same scene!!  I love it!  Merry CHRISTmas Jolly Elders; thanks for sharing your time and talents with us!!  And thank you Joddie for all that you do!

A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE!!!

Cotton Branch has a new family member!  We seem to be the home for everything that comes along and couldn't resist the challenge to raise this creature.  If you go any further in reading this blog, it comes with a warning--what you're about to see is something only a mother could love!! :) When we got him he was about half this size. If you think he's naked, think again.  He was less covered than he is now!!  His eyes weren't open and his mouth was bigger than his head.  He has outgrown his home and been put in a bigger box.  When we first heard about him, he lived in the styrofoam cup!  Are you getting curious yet???  We feed him every four hours with a special syringe that is inserted into his throat or "crop" with stuff that looks like "throw up"!!  Ed says after he's fed he looks like an old woman with droopy boobs.  Now you just have to be getting curious!!  :)   

 

Hopefully this is what he will look like soon.  
You've probably noticed I keep saying "He".  We are looking for a name. Do you have any ideas?  We need some help.  Send me your suggestions. The ones coming from folks around Cotton Branch aren't very acceptible!!

See Joann, I told you it would be a doozie!!  This one should really make your day!!  Thanks for encouraging me to keep telling the stories!

 

THE SEASON IS HERE!

You know how in the South people say we have four seasons--Football, Baseball, Basketball and Hunting!!  Well, the "hunting" one is here!  For the next month or so we will wade through a pile of smelly clothes and go running off to see the "kill" and take pictures.  The conversation always goes to "what did you see?" at the table after hunting.  Ben, Papa and Olivia Cox are the victors so far.  She was excited but didn't care much for the cleaning process.  She didn't like the "initiation process" either-even though David and Ed went light on her!!

 Congratulations, Olivia!  You're a real hunter now!
 
 

BIKE TEAM HAS A REDNECK TIME!

The Herring Gas Bike Team finishes the season with a dinner at Cotton Branch each year.  This is a time when they all get together to "relive" the season and eat and visit.  It's a time when the wives and families come and enjoy being together.  Ed and I have a good time feeding our "family" and listening to the stories.  This year we decided to have a pig roast.  After all, we do have a pig cooker!!  I don't think they believed we were really going to do it but it happened. 

 Frank and Kenny came over to help Ed cook.  They did more riding around on the Ranger than cooking but they had fun.  

 As the crowd gathered the pig cooked.  I had a board cut to put him on and we didn't think about getting it through the door. That was a trip! But--the guys figured it out and got him in. 

 
 Candy couldn't resist getting a picture of the carrot tail; I choose the apple in the mouth!! :)   

 
  Kenny and Frank clowning around doing a parody of David and Laura (some of the other sponsors).   

 The most fun is talking and waiting for the food; Taylor is carrying the next generation of HGC bikers!!   

 Just as we were getting ready to eat someone noticed the sunset.  We went outside and watched it.  Nothing could have made the afternoon more perfect than seeing what God had created for us.  We went back in for the blessing and a delicious meal.  

 Bill's beans, cole slaw, hash brown casserole, pork and rolls.  Finished off by one of Sue Sullivan's cheese cakes and Gooey Chocolate Brownies.

I have a picture of what the pig looked like when we finished but I just can't show it.  There was nothing left but head and bones.  Frank took the head.  I don't even want to know what he did with it.

 Even Sadie got into the act--Cagney put the wig on her and she posed!!

We're already looking forward to next year but I don't think we can measure up to this one!  :)  Congratulations guys on a good season.  You're the best!
 

 
 
 

PATIO FURNITURE

 

  This is awesome furniture.  I went to purchase a grill today and found this cool and very colorful adirondack furniture.  You know that I love funky and fun and this definitely fits the bill for that.  The colors I've picked out are pink lemonade, lilac, seafoam and lemon. What else could you want to go with a pink house?  The umbrellas will be green and blue. I think it's going to be fun.  Let's see what Ed will think about it!!
 

LOCKED AND LOADED!

This summer Ed has been building a "pond" which has turned into Okhissa 2! It will be the Grandchildren pond with a great place for them to fish until they are tired of fishing. I can't imagine any of them being tired of fishing!! It was planned to be a three year project. The pier is built after a couple of months of "dirt work". Yesterday the Fish Truck came.  For me, that was an experience I've never seen.    

 This truck was loaded down with fish that had come all the way from Oklahoma---and had survived! That in itself is amazing to me. Technology!    The guy is Josh and he was very careful dipping them bucketful at a time and acclimating them to the pond water.   

He put in about 20 carp which are grass eating fish to keep the pond clean. They were the biggest fish that he put in.   
  

Then he put in catfish, coppernose bream and bluegill bream.  The poor little things looked like minnows to me but they should grow fast. (That's where the three year project comes in!!) That and filling the pond which God seems to be handling quite nicely lately.

 

 And then when it was finished, the guys do what they always do--stand around and talk about what they did!  You can see that Sadie and I were feeling the same way--it was time to go to the house.  I do have to say that I learned a lot and can't wait to go fishing with the grandchildren and Papa. When the deck is finished, I'll show you what it looks like.
 
 

HAVE I EVER SAID LIFE IS NEVER DULL AROUND HERE??

I won't tell you why we bought more Santa Gertrudis; I'll just tell you that we did--eight "three and ones" that look pretty good.  Especially one bull that I just love.  Too bad he won't get to stay here and Ed has already sold a couple of the calves.  Ryan went the other day and brought back a bull.  His name is Creel's Christmas Chunk and boy is he--a chunk!!  I made it to the barn just after he'd been unloaded from the trailer.  The three of us rode out to look at him and they we're kidding me about not making him mad--at least I think they were kidding me. 

I never could get a "lone shot" of him because the other bulls were curious.  He's already taken over as the "head honcho" of the crowd.

This afternoon Ed called me and asked me what I was doing.  That was pretty much a moot question since on Saturday's lately I don't do anything! I have become such a lazy person.  He said bring my camera and meet him outside--he had something I could blog about.  I have to say that he's never been filed under the heading of "neat" when he gets into the paint can and today was no exception!!

He decided to start marking a property line and didn't want to wait for Ryan to help him.  Not only was the paint on the tree line but also his glasses and his most favorite shirt!

You gotta say that when my man gets into a project, he gives it all he's got and really "gets into it"!

With 22 more miles of property line to go, wonder how much paint he'll use?  :)