Take A Moment And Think

We call Memorial Day a holiday. I'm not sure that is quite fitting. Holiday's conjure up feelings of festivities and relaxation. Most people look forward to Memorial Day as a three day weekend, and an excuse to have a party or cookout. Memorial Day is traditionally when swimming pools open up. It's kind of the unofficial start to summer. There is nothing wrong with all of that, as long as we remember the reason for the holiday. Memorial Day honors the men and women that have died serving our country in the military. If your life has not been touched by knowing someone that has died in a war, or even knowing someone in the military. It's easy to dismiss the fact that there is even a war going on. I do that sometimes because the fact that young boys and girls are dying in a foreign country away from their families is repulsive to me. The whole idea of war is barbaric. As evolved as we are, we still have to resort to violence to try and solve our differences. I do however support the military. I know it is necessary. Thank God we have Americans that are willing to do the right thing. I support the military efforts, but I don't have to like it. My Father, brothers and nephews have all served in the military. I have grown up with a respect for all of them. It's a different war now. Our current enemies don't fight fair. All the more reason to respect our soldiers. My family has been lucky. They have been wounded, but none have died serving our country. While you are celebrating this three day holiday, remember the families that weren't so lucky. Remember the soldiers that died alone and scared so that you are able to enjoy this "holiday." It's hard and it makes me sick to my stomach to think of the pain families go through in the name of freedom, but they deserve our thanks. We can endure a moment of sorrow thinking about it and showing respect. For the families touched by war, that moment lasts a lifetime.

Little Cafe Down The Road

I found the coolest little shop basically right in my own backyard. Actually it's a few miles away. It's called Dunfee Plumpickled Junction. It's on West Co. Line Rd about a mile north of hwy 14. They have some antiques and plants. They have a General Store and Cafe. The upstairs of the building has really pretty jewelry and anything and everything you could possibly need for a horse. There must be a lot of kids into riding around that area or something. They serve lunch daily and breakfast on Saturday. The cafe was "ADORABLE." The owner told me that on weekends they bring some ponies and goats for the kids to see and pet. If your into that kind of thing you should check it out. Very quaint and charming.

Unlimited Resources

What would you do if you had unlimited resources; money that is? Everyone has their own ideas, here are a few of mine.

I would hire an assistant. They would follow me around and do the things that I don't want to do. Like...folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher, cleaning up after I cook, picking up the debris after I trim bushes and weed the garden, sanding wood furniture that I have made, etc.... (It appears with that list that I just don't like to finish what I start. Interesting! I never realized that until I just now wrote it.)
I couldn't have just any assistant though. They would have to be able to read my mind as to what I needed them to do, otherwise it would annoy me. They would also have to be invisible until I needed them so I wouldn't feel like I had to entertain them. They would also have to do everything exactly how I would do it, so I don't feel like I have to do it over. Basically they would need to be a clone.

I would build a workshop with every tool available. I would have a master carpenter come and instruct me on how to use everything.

I would also build a yoga/exercise studio with wood floors and lots of windows. I would have Rachel from Kachman's Institute be my personal trainer.

I would have the best Massage Therapist in the world come to my house every week for a therapeutic/relaxation massage. He or she (preferably a hot and hunky he) would know exactly which muscles were sore and give the perfect massage, so that in my head I wouldn't be thinking all the time of what they were doing wrong.

That is really the extent of my list. No exotic vacations, cars or jewelry. If I had the things on my list I would be healthy and I could make anything I wanted. Oh, One more item: Unlimited supply of yarn.

What would you do?

Out Of The Mouth Of Julian

Julian can tell a story like no one I've seen before (kid or adult). He can make up the biggest lie and make it totally believable. Joe, Julian, Nicholas and I were sitting on the patio just chillin......

"Nanu, I saw Papa Joe at the grocery store the other day."
Joe says: "Yes you did!"
"He was with another woman."
"Really?" I say.
Joe just chuckles.
"Were they holding hands?"
"Yup"
"Did he kiss her?"
"Only on the cheek."
"What were they saying?"
"I don't know, they were too far away to hear."
"Come on Papa Joe, tell Nanu!"
Joe still chuckling.
"Yeah Joe, who was she?"
"Come on Papa Joe, just tell her."

I'm not sure where that skill will get him in life. Maybe he will be a politician. I hope he turns out to be Democrat. Sarah would be pissed. There is always the possibility that he's telling the truth. Joe's chuckling did sound a little nervous. This story however, is from the same kid that said: "I'm hiding from God." "Why?" "I kissed another man's wife!" What a piece of work.

How Big Is Your Hare?

I made my first sale today on Craigslist and I didn't get robbed or murdered. Both apparently have happened. The lady that inquired about the bunny hutch and asked if I would deliver it was the lady that bought it. I had her come out and look at it before I took it to her just in case she didn't want it after I go to the trouble of taking it to her. The hutch is partitioned off so there is room for 3 rabbits. She only has one, so I told her she could cut out an opening in the partition and the bunny could have access to the whole cage. Of course she asked if I could do that. Being the wonderfully nice person that I am, I made the cutouts for her. I took it that she was a single mom and I doubted that she had tools. She was really nice, so I was happy to do it. When deciding how big to make the cutouts, I asked her how big her bunny is. She says; "Oh, pretty big...probably about 25 lbs." Her bunny must be as big as Nicholas. He's not much over 25 lbs. I had her look at my bunnies to maybe help her gauge the size. She thought her bunny was bigger than mine. So I made the holes pretty large just to be safe. I couldn't wait to see this 25 lb. bunny. I delivered the cage and I was pretty happy that it didn't fall out of my truck. We got everything situated and she says; "There's my bunny." He was 25 lbs. alright, minus about 20 lbs. Definitely the size of my rabbits, maybe smaller. So she doesn't know her weights and measures very well. I don't know Geography very well. We all have our strengths. I never mentioned the bunny's weight just like I didn't mention the fact that the bunny didn't look all that healthy. You can tell by the eyes. Her eyes didn't look so good. All sales are final. No refunds in the event of death. That's just my policy.


PS: On my way to deliver the cage, I rescued a 45 lb. snapping turtle from the road so he didn't get hit. Ok, he was 45 lbs. minus 40.

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech is a wonderful thing. You can say whatever you want to say no matter how ignorant and closed minded you happen to be. Go America!

Fun On Wheels

Joe and I have to quit going to charity auctions. Everytime we go, we come home with some kind of power wheel or motor bike thing. One year we bought a Peg Pergo 4 wheeler. At the time, Julian was only 3 months old. That thing sat in our basement for over a year waiting for him to get big enough to ride it. It's still running though. I had to replace a wheel on it, but that is all. Then we went to an auction where Joe decided he would bid on a 49cc moped/scooter. I'm not sure if that was for him or me. We ended up getting that which led to me eventually getting a motorcycle. Last night we went to an MDA auction and they had a Peg Pergo Vespa scooter. Of course we had to get it. Our grand kids are so spoiled. I worry though that they won't know how to ride a regular bike. They'll be looking for the gas pedal. Actually Julian now rides a gas powered dirt bike. I wonder if they realize how lucky they are? Maybe not now, but when they get older they will have a lot of fun memories from Papa Joe and Nanu's house. Now we just have to get the triplets closer and we'll have enough for a basketball team.