Poor Joe

I made Joe a fishing pole stand for the farm. It turned out pretty good. As I added the finishing touches it made me think....."poor Joe". If you look closely at the top of the stand there is a knob (actually vintage from my mom's old stuff). Underneath the knob is a wooden flower. Yes it is a flower. I needed something to cover up the hole from the dowel and secure it to the top of the stand. I happened to have the wooden embellishment on hand and it worked perfect. I started to think of the other things that I have done for "Joe" like.....painting the smiley face on the deck of his boat, customizing the scooter with flowers, buying a pink pistol, dressing his beloved dog in frilly dresses.......could I emasculate him any more! Poor Joe. He doesn't complain. He takes it all in stride. So here's to you Joe. Happy Father's Day! Your not my father but you are my "Daddy". I love you!

Zero Turn Mower

We got a new lawn mower last year. It's one of those zero turn kind with levers to operate it instead of a steering wheel. I had never tried it until yesterday. Oh my gosh! You can't just hop on one of those and go. You push forward and pull backwards on opposite handles to turn, pull back to stop and push forward to go. It's fast too. My first pass looked like a drunk did it. I couldn't quite get the rhythm down so I kept weaving left and right. It kind of reminded me of learning to drive a stick shift. I almost took out a new little tree that I planted and the fencing around my tomato plants. The momentum on your body is forward so I had a tendency to push forward when I got nervous which only made it go faster. Amanda and Brad couldn't stop laughing. Amanda kept Jax in her arms....I think she was afraid I would run him over (good thinking on her part). You could hear my screams over the noise of the motor. I seriously almost slid out of the seat a couple of times. I was determined to conquer this powerful machine. Joe wouldn't let me mow by the creek, I'm sure he thought I would be swept away by the current after I drove straight into it. I think however, he was more worried about the mower than me. So I stayed with it, mowing around trees, dodging limbs. After about 45 minutes I was a real pro. The good news....I accomplished something new. The bad news.....Joe is now going to expect me to mow the yard. What was I thinking?! Oh well, it is pretty fun and as long as you go fast enough the mosquitoes can't catch you.

Squeeky clean

I had my colonoscopy yesterday and I am happy to report that I had zero polyps. I was disappointed though. I didn't hear the symphony of trumpets that Lauren described. There was only one other instrument in the pit and his tone was a little flat. Guys are so funny they get so excited about being able to fart right in front of everyone and then talk about it without having someone yelling at them to stop. The drugs they give are pretty nice. I slept like a log in the afternoon and night. I did however fall out the back door when I first got home from the hospital. I guess that is why they tell you to not drive or operate anything with a motor.

Brad and Amanda's Anniversary

Happy Anniversary! It's hard to believe its been 2 years already. Getting poison ivy this year does bring back the memories of the summer of '06 leading up to your wedding. I had poison ivy pretty much the entire summer getting the yard ready for the big event. It was worth it though. I love you guys!

Did you miss me?

I didn't realize it has been over a week since I posted any messages. I've been busy getting ready for the chickens. Cleaning out the barn and getting the fencing up. Every time I tell someone I am getting chickens they look at me like I have gone insane. "Why would you want chickens?" Why not! They are one of the few pets that can not only give you food, but they are food. Your dog doesn't poop out eggs. If you get tired of it you can't eat it. Well in some countries I guess they do. When I go to the barn I feel like that mom on little house on the prairie. You know, living off the land, working from sun up to sun down to provide for your family, sweating and shoveling......Then when I can finally relax and feel satisfied with all of my labor and hard work I go to Starbucks for a Grande Skinny Carmel Latte.

I think I still have a strong nurturing instinct so I guess I'm not completely menopausal. My kids however, don't really want or need to be nurtured anymore, Joe is already nurtured to the max. I nurture the grand kids when they are here but then their parent come and rip them from my loving arms. So.....I need something that is just mine to take care of and feed and well; nurture! So, why not chickens! Oh, and if any predator comes to harm my chickens I will blow their freakin heads off with my pink pistol. How's that for nurturing!

Chicken Names

Ok, I have 5 names so far, only 5 left so speak now or forever hold your peace. Lisa chose Thelma and Louise for a black and red hen. I named two cats that I got from Steve: Thelma and Louise and they turned out to be boys. At least I know the hens are girls. Lauren wants a red one named Breckenridge. Julian named a red one tooter. He thinks farts are funny. I'm pretty sure most 4 year olds think farts are funny. Nicholas likes Sugar for a black hen. He totally came up with that on his own. Brad unofficially likes Pox ( as in chicken pox), but he never picked a color. I will make an executive decision and pick a black hen for Pox, so actually that's 6 names. That leaves 2 red and 2 black that are yet to be named. I wonder if I will be able to tell them apart? Maybe I will crochet them ankle bracelets in different colors. Oh, don't think I won't do it.....just wait and see!

New Adventure

This is going to be my new hobby. I've gone to the birds! Or rather the chickens. I ordered my chickens online last night. Is that crazy or what....chickens by mail. I've been doing lots of research on the subject and have decided on Red Star and Black Star hybrid chickens. I am only starting out with 5 of each. Supposedly these type of chickens are winter hardy and good layers which are two important things. I am converting one of the stalls in the barn to the chicken coop. They will have a pen for when we are not here, but when we are home they will have free range. I have a lot of work to do before they get here but I have time because they will not be shipped till August. I figure if worse comes to worse and it doesn't work out we'll just eat them! Actually I'm kidding. I couldn't do that especially since I plan on naming them. I'll have 10 so if you have any suggestions for names or would like one named after you ,then let me know. The funniest thing about this is I was telling Steve about it and he's already had plans to get chickens too. What are the odds! He's doing something a little different though. He is going to have a rooster and he talked about "walking the cock." I'm not sure if that has to do with the rooster or not, but whatever he does in the privacy of his own home is his business.

Road Trip

I made an unexpected road trip this weekend to Leroy, Ohio to see Steve and Robbie. I didn't get to see Shane and Dina. Apparently Shane was spending his time with a bunch of Boars somewhere out of town. It's really nice to be able to call family and be welcomed with opened arms and cake! Robbie made this banana cake and cream cheese with roasted pecan frosting. I think it was pecans. Whatever it was I thought I died and went to dessert heaven. I don't even really like banana flavored things but this was SUPERB! Oops, I went off of my no flour no sugar diet. Oh well, I deserved it I had a bad week. I have lost 5 lbs but I'm still bad about the exercise thing. I am planning on doing some yard work tomorrow so maybe I can do a little aerobic mowing again. But I digress.... I went to Ohio to pick up my pink pistol. Yea, that's right a pink pistol. It's a Taurus .380 that has a pepto bismol pink grip. I ride a motorcycle and I have tattoos so a gun is the next natural progression...Right? Now if I can only get Joe to tattoo my name across his back I will be set!
By the way Robbie, thanks for the free therapy! It was free wasn't it?