Aren't Mondays Grand?!

GREETINGS!

I have decided I love Mondays! Used to be, in my working for pay life, I detested Mondays; they were equal to my feelings for Sundays (which were ruined because the next day was Monday!) Now, I love looking forward to what the week has in store; after my laundry is done of course! :)


And on one day during the week - when I wasn't blogging - Ronnie came home and told me he had bought 2 donkeys!! This is Eeyore on the left, and Jenny on the right. Not real original names, but they know them, so felt I couldn't change them. Eeyore is about 7 years old and Jenny is about 2. She is Eeyore's daughter I guess. The wood structure you see part of is the beginnings of the shed Ronnie built for them to get in out of the rain and wind and thunder and lightening. Now, I don't know if they do or not, but it makes me feel better knowing they can!

This is a better picture of Jenny. They look a lot alike :) but besides the obvious plumbing fixtures, you can tell them apart by their face; Eeyore's is much darker. They have the cross markings on their backs and are really quite nice. They allow me to brush them in the shed, and feed them in there. They love fresh carrots and cabbage leaves. We had one of those huge round bales of hay delivered for them and also feed them sweet grain and corn. And of course apple and peppermint treats. I am new to Donkey Motherhood, but so far so good!

I was not a total stranger to these two; they lived just down the hill from us in the holler and I would talk to them every time we drove past them. Ronnie stopped and talked to "Bill", the owner, one day and told him I always looked for them and he said he'd sell them for $100 for the pair. So there you go - instant donkey farm. We also had to put up an electric fence and make a pasture. That didn't take long, and so far they have not escaped. The real trial was keeping the dogs out of the pasture, as donkeys and dogs don't get along. Tell that to a border collie and a blue heeler! But so far so good; a few shocks and kicks and hopefully a lesson learned!

TA DA!! This is the pair of "muck" boots Ronnie came home with for me. They are really cute - brown with pink horses. So far I haven't had to wear them, but I'm sure they will come in handy when it rains hard and gets muddy, etc. and I have to go feed them.

So, that's my story for today, and I'm stickin' to it! I love my donkeys and enjoy them immensely. Strange what can fill your heart with love and teach you things. My Savior does it all the time - puts stuff in my heart! Until next time, take care and God Bless.

I'm Back ---- I Think!

GREETINGS!

A special hello to those of you who have asked where I've been. Thanks for asking!

And to the person who stated Frick and Frack were derogatory names and wondered if I liked them or not; they are the 2 most constant men in my life. One is my husband and the other is my brother, and it was with great fondness I called them Frick and Frack. To me in conjures up images of two people spending a lot of time together, trying to accomplish things/chores, and never quite having it turn out the way it should; but they have a wonderful time doing it! But sadly, it was one of my stories of Frick and Frack that led to my absence from blogging for a while; so I won't be referring to them in the future. Better to avoid any possible confrontation than to worry about stepping on someone's toes.


Now here's the bright spot of the day! This lovely lady is my Mother, who was born on this day in 1912. Yep, she would be 99 today! I had the privilege of having her as my Mother for almost 60 years. And I'm not fooling you either!! In this picture she was 91+ years old, and it was taken only a few months before she passed on to her new home. Can't wait to see her again!!


Things have been going well here in the Oklahoma hills. In following posts I'll try to fill you in on what's been going on. We are enjoying some sunshine - finally - today and for the next few days. May even see 80+ on Sunday. It seems Spring comes and then it goes! I used the time I was not blogging to let God do some of His changes to my heart. I think it worked, and I hope that all of you can come to rely on His wisdom too. Until next time, take care and God Bless.

A Balmy Mid Week

GREETINGS!

Here it is Wednesday, February 16, 2011. The week is half gone. And what a great week it is turning out to be; 60+ yesterday, 65 today and 70 tomorrow and Friday. Then maybe a little rain on Sunday/Monday. The wind is gusting some good ones now and then, but it's what brings the warm air up from Texas, so we don't complain.

One day we decided that Patch and Salli needed dog houses to shelter them from the wind and rain; especially in the Spring. They have been able to sleep outside the last couple of nights since it quite freezing, which is nice, and they are getting used to their new "digs".

Ronnie bought 2 big plastic barrels for $10 each, cut the end out, leaving about 1/3 of the height so it would be waterproof, and a bale of straw to put inside ($5 or less). So for a very minimal amount, the dogs have great new houses.



After it was done we coaxed Patch inside with treats to see how it was going to be.



After we put the straw in, I put their "pillows" in to make it more comfy.
And of course painted their name on the stabilizing board!



I think they think they are lucky dogs!! :) One is on the front porch and one on the back porch, which is how they slept outside before. True guard dogs!! :)



So much for the "dog days of winter"! We did manage to get out through the mud one day (last Saturday) and do some grocery shopping and eat at the Chinese place in Checotah. That was really a treat! Our last mile of road was so deep with mud Ronnie had to put the pickup in 4 wheel drive to get through it. Forget taking the Van out! Maybe it'll be okay now that we've had a few days of sun and wind. Also need for the propane truck to be able to deliver soon. Oh the joys of country living!

Frick and Frack left about 9 a.m. this morning and are not home yet (5:00 p.m.). They went to finish the requirements for getting their Oklahoma concealed weapons permit, which consisted of a trip to the Sheriff's office in Muskogee for fingerprints and pictures and background checks, etc. And then on to Lowes to get the wiring stuff for Frack's "house", and who knows what else. Then had to pick up the new tractor tire Frack ordered yesterday. Now that was some big bucks!! Anyway, now that the weather is "normal" they are up to their old tricks again. ha.
Me, I've just been doing laundry, baking pies and doing dishes.

I hope this finds you all having an easier time of living; that the snow is lightening up for you and life is treating you well. We must remember to thank God for our blessings, because whether we know it or not, they are abundant! Take care and God Bless.

Wishing and Thawing

GREETINGS!

Here it is Friday already! Ha, like it matters. You can't go anywhere...........
Even my "nephew" Gator came to visit from next door and all he could do was sit in my chair and look out the window and wish for better days!



And after awhile, even looking out became tiresome and required a nap!



But Gator! Wait!! Look at the thermometer........we're having a heat wave!



And look, you can even see the ground where the snow is melting! And Aunt Teri's dirty car!



It's 41 (feels like 35) now at 1:50 p.m. Tonight has 22 forecast, and tomorrow is supposed to be 52! One day next week in the low 70's. Go figure. Still probably can't go anywhere 'cause the dirt roads will be MUD a foot deep! :)

Be smart, stay bundled up, keep warm and safe. Say your prayers and be grateful for all the things the Lord gives us. Take care and God Bless.

IT'S SNOWING AGAIN!!

GREETINGS!

When I went to bed last night the snow was practically all gone. You could actually see the grass and gravel and dirt! Patch had managed to get filthy dirty and required a bath.........things were getting back to normal.

This is what I woke up to this morning. This was about 7:30 a.m. - back yard.
We got about another 4 to 6 inches throughout the day.



And this is the "flock" of brown headed cowbirds, with a couple red winged blackbirds and other varieties thrown in, foraging for something to eat! Talk about telling your friends where to find food......we could fill the feeder 2 or 3 times a day and the suet cakes too. Poor things - ha! Most of these guys are too big for the feeder, but that doesn't stop them; they tip it and flick the feed to the ground.



And the above continues until this guy comes along! Then they all scatter and leave!
I don't know what Mr. Cardinal does, but he sure has the others buffaloed. (Mary took this and the following pics from her place this morning.)



And I can only assume that this is his wife - Mrs. Cardinal!



And this is Mr. & Mrs. Brown headed Cowbird! They are really pesty and prolific.
They will empty a bird feeder in a heart beat. Little pigs!



And this little cutie is a Purple Finch. Don't ask me why he's red........



So, that's the nature lesson for today. We are all going stir crazy. I am so ready for Summer to come. They say by Saturday it will start warming up and next week will be in the 60's. We'll see. I am grateful to God though for furnishing such subjects for me to fill my time with!

Take care and God Bless.

The Blizzard of 2011 ???

GREETINGS!

The television stations/weathermen are calling this "the Blizzard of 2011". So here are pictures of our blizzard. Don't laugh, we got off easy; up in Tulsa and Muskogee and even a few miles from us it WAS blizzardy!!

This was the temperature Thursday morning about 7:30 a.m. (I couldn't post it last night as my server was down and I had no internet access for about 24 hours.) Anyway, it was kind of cold - I don't know what the windchill factor was..........



This is looking out the front door across the yard to the "orchard". Not bad at all.



And this looking down the driveway to the county road and the driveway where I park my Van. As you can see, it's not bad either.



However, it snowed almost all day today, adding another couple inches of the stuff. And the forecast is for more snow on Sunday and Tuesday or Wednesday. Is there no end? I'm getting cabin fever........what to do!

Before the snow came, Patch found himself a new resting place.........up on one of the straw bales around Tom and Mary's 5th wheel! Maybe it was warmer than the ground.



Frick and Frack did venture out to the store Thursday because we were out of dog food. They said the roads were very icy, but they made it with no problems. Mary was not so lucky when she went out, but all is fine now. I thank God for watching out for all of us.

I hope this finds you all safe and warm. Take care and God bless.

Cleaner and Snow....Wind........Cold

GREETINGS!

A couple of weeks ago I was reading one of the blogs I follow and copied down this recipe for a cleaner to use on laminate flooring. For the life of me, I can't remember which blog it was, but I want to say thank you for the recipe to whom ever! I made it up and decided to try it out on my dirty, dusty silk plant before doing the kitchen floor. I'm telling you, that plant is so clean now it looks real!! :) I sprayed it with the solution, then rinsed it off with warm water and shook off the excess and laid the stems on a piece of paper towel to dry. Looks better than new. See below.



I was so impressed I couldn't wait to tackle the floor. And it did a wonderful job. If anyone wants to try it mix up 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water and 1 tsp liquid dish soap. Put in spray bottle and spray on floor a small area at a time. Mop up with DRY mop or dry Swiffer pad. I'm sold.

Well, the big Blizzard of 2011 has come and gone. We were on the edge of it and only got 3 or 4 inches of snow. But it was very cold and windy, and that will continue for a few days. Tulsa got over a foot of snow and Oklahoma City was hit hard also. Airports and freeways were closed and lots of schools. The closures were listed by whole counties rather than individual schools! i.e. "all schools in Muskogee County are closed", etc. I'm sure we won't venture out any time soon. I hope the rest of you fair as well as we did. God was watching out for us!

That's all I know for today. Take care and God Bless.