3D Nerds

B and Me....luv the 3D's
Me and my dear friend Tamara
B and Tamara's son Harrison

B, Harrison, Me and Tamara (3D Nerds)

Some dear friends of mine text me and wanted to know if we wanted to go eat and hit the movies last night! We let our kids decide..............."Stoby's" restaurant and "Last Airbender 3D". I had so much fun last night, laughed, ate, and watched my first 3D movie! IT WAS SO COOOOLLLLLL! I wasn't sure about the movie, but it was great too!

Saying Goodbye was so hard......

Saying Goodbye to my best friend...Lil Bit

She leaned her head down and I kissed her twice....she knew she was leaving me

My bestie Pam...this trailer her team roping son 'Jake Long' is sitting in the top 15 in the world and he won this trailer and a truck at the George Straight roping last month. Lil Bit was privileged in George S. trailer.

Greg and I walked her while Pam and Randy were on their way to Tulsa from Kansas.....

Saying goodbye while she loaded, I fought back the tears........

We met our best friends in Tulsa on the 4th (yesterday) for a day of eating, shopping and visiting. It was great being with them, but I also had to say goodbye to one of my girls (horses).......not that I wanted to sell her, but this mare 'loves' running barrels, she loves attention and wants to be going all the time. With B going off to college, she is going to be busy with the Arkansas Razorback football team as their manager, so in reality, I needed to sell one of my girls. It is hard to ride three horses a day, put up 2 gardens full of veggies and do my other chores. SO, Pam said, bring Lil Bit to me! She trained her and knows the love she has for barrel racing. While we were in Tulsa, she was already receiving text messages about Lil Bit. She will be going to a good home and make some lil girl happy like she has for my daughter (won a saddle on Lil Bit) and myself!

Also, today is my grandson's birthday! I wanted to wish him the best day with lots and lots of hugs and kisses......HAPPY BIRTHDAY KALE! Mems and Pops luvs you! We will bring your birthday gift to you! :)

A little History first....

Fourth of July was first celebrated on July 8, 1776 after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Fourth of July was declared a legal holiday in 1941.

I wish everyone a wonderful, safe and happy July 4th, we have plans so I am posting this early!

Home Grown

A little fresh okra, tomatoes, and new potatoes from the garden and fresh eggs from the chickens......what more do you need for a good lunch? Oh, I did add some fresh mild cheddar cheese....it was sossosososo good and fresh, all home grown!

It is 'Complete'.......

Masters in School Counseling Guidance and Leadership

2010 Grads (Sabrina Dec 2010 grad; Stacey Summer 2010 grad; Ms. Dixon, teacher; Lisa 2010 summer grad; back left: Jonie summer 2010 grad and me summer 2010 grad) This was our last class together!!!!! ON the last day!
The best side of all the Lady Wonderboys Gang....LOL Jones, Stac, Lisa and Me

Lady Wonderboy gang (Jonsie, Stac, Lisa and Me)

Me and Dr. Croom (my professor and advisor)
I am now an official graduate of Arkansas Tech University with my second masters in "School Guidance Counseling and Leadership." It is complete.............with my grad gang "The Lady Wonderboys"

Katie's Keepers

Do you ever find a blog that touches you like no other? I came across Katie's Keepers blog and her post was Reece's trees. As I read the post and the trees being planted by her family and how they were blooming, I wasn't sure who Reese was, so I started reading all her post from the past.

Katie, you have touched me like no other, you are an inspiration to so many, you are so special and I thank you for sharing your story. For you who do not believe in Jesus, this will surely change your mind, this story and what this family has endured will bring you to your knees!

Katie, I hope you do not mind me sharing this with others! Reese my darling lil girl, you are God's Angel and when I get to Heaven, please be waiting for me at the Gates!

To view the video at Reese's funeral please click here.

To view Reese's pictures, please click here.

To read and follow Katie's blog, please click here.

Tiny Victorian Cottage....AMAZING

This blows me away! Why can't I be this creative and have her design knowledge? LOL To view the inside of this cottage and the rest of the story, click here

Things that make me SMILE

I have been so busy these past two weeks, I am finishing up with my second masters, this one in counseling! With the many papers, artifacts and article reviews, presentations, yada yada yada that I have written, I think I can write papers in my sleep.....I am taking a break to let you know what has been going on the past two weeks and what makes me smile!

Being out of town with my daughter at her U of A orientation was such a joy (2 days)! I met new friends and learned the "correct" way to call the hogs! Plus, new ways of calling the Arkansas Razorback HOGS!

You see, I have to know the correct way of calling the Hogs, my daughter is their manager! She will be traveling with the team and getting them ready daily for their practice. What an honor! Anyway, this is one thing that makes me smile!

Will be attending more games so I can have an excuse to see B! LOL

Old Main building
During orientation, it was HOT, we had to walk to every building for our presentations, workshops, etc, but it was worth it!

My family from Texas came to my daughters graduation and to my SURPRISE we received a book (and so did B) with our pictures of the time they were hereto share! AWESOME!

This is my family from Texas that I speak of all the time, I love them so much and yes this is the family that got me hooked on "The Red Box"

The bottom pictures on this page, is when we returned form BB's graduation, we all went to eat after the ceremonies, we ( I had dad and my nephew Bobby D with me in the truck) drive in the drive-way (around 11:30 p.m.) and we see dad's tractor on fire! I drive fast to the barn and Stephen comes running to help get the fire out, Bobby D helps dad get the water hose......! WEIRD, huh?

Sweet memories at mom and dad's house, and at graduation.....Love being together with the family the three days they were here visiting!

Fresh bowl of summer pasta salad with fresh tomatoes and squash from my garden!

'Graduation Time" August 14, 2010
Master of Education in School Counseling Guidance and Leadership

"Couper" my baby, he loves going with me and riding in the truck!

I have learned to laugh at my daughter's room.....I just shut the door! LOL

Ruby Tuesday 'Gang'

(The tech gang girls) Chris, Lisa, Jonie and Stacey

Stacey is cracking me up back left side, Jonie back right side, me front left and Lisa in the front!

After eating 2 Entrees, full meal we look full and satisfied!

Gotta luv my Cohorts from our counseling program at Arkansas Tech University! We are part of the last of our Cohort VIII and will be graduating August 14th. We studied for the Praxis last night and after our study session, we hit RUBY TUESDAY! Fun, Fun and more Fun.....One thing since starting the program 2 years ago, I have gained 12 lbs from sitting and doing homework all the time, so it is time to get on my diet and start loosing!

I shall not leave out, photographer B Arnold (my daughter) LOL

Head is spinning.....why?

The song, "Why of Why" keeps ringing in my head as I sit here at college doing my work! We are getting ready to study for the Praxis' for the School Counseling and Guidance exam to be certified through the department of Education and to have another degree added to my teaching license!

I see the end and it is such a relief, but so much work still to do! My Portfolio and the defense is coming up in 3 weeks, "why or why" (humming in my head, lol) Now you understand 'why' I have not posted much and why I have not read your blogs my dear friends, but I will catch up!

Reality !!!!!

My front bedroom is getting full of her dorm room 'stuff'

Towels, ? and looks like many more things are stuff in these boxes.....LOL she just keeps piling things up~

It is hitting me now that my baby will be leaving for college next month! She is taking two summer classes this summer which started today and my last two classes start today also! What am I going to do with all my time? The Empty Nest syndrome will be setting in.....scrap booking sounds fun! LOL

Blond Brownies (my grandmothers recipe)

After visiting Attempting Creative blog, Kim posted a Blond Brownie recipe, brought back memories of my grandmother making these for me (38-40 years ago), so I told Kim I would post my grandmothers recipe for her and all others who would like to try them. They are the best! Thanks Ma!

Preheat oven 350 degrees

Sift: 2 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Melt 1 cup shortening
then add 2 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar

remove from heat and cool

put shortening and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl and add one egg at a time totalling 4. Add dry ingredients and 1 tsp vanilla, mix well and add chocolate chips, nuts optional. Grease pan or dish ( I use dish 9x13) Cook 30-35 minutes or until done (depending on your oven)

Nothing that can't get fixed

Doc Holly's Lil Whoa (AKA Lil Bit)

I returned from the vet the other day and she is going to be O.K. The pain is in her shoulder so it's a muscular issue and not an abscess or stone bruise as I first suspected. For a week, I had been treating her feet, been long trotting her and keeping her moving when I should have been resting her, so this makes me feel terrible! She is such a sweetheart and never complained while riding her. Giving her meds for 6 days should help her get back to normal and stall rest. Gotta love and take care of my girls!

Off to the vet I go!

My dear friend in Kansas texted me yesterday and said, "I need Lil Bit" (one of my three mares who are sisters), she has a couple of people wanting to try her, so as I have been riding her, one day she starts limping.....Crap! I have checked her all over her body (head to toe), she has no swelling, no heat, no soreness anywhere, and this has been going on for two weeks, then why is she limping?

Well, I have decided we are going to the vet and find out exactly what is going on! (scratching my head) Never been stumped like this, figure she is toying with me cause she doesn't want to leave me! Off to the vet I go during the hottest part of the day!

Memorial Day with my "Pa" being a part of it!

I knew that if I went by my Ma and Pa's grave site that tears would start streaming, it seems like a river of tears because I miss them so much, they were the love of my life, my breath, my father and mother, my advocates, my direction and they raised me as a Christian who still remembers going to Church with them every Sunday! They loved the Lord more than I can express, I thank them and my Pa for all that they have done for me! I love you and miss you!

The Clark name he was so proud of!

I can't believe it has been so long since I have seen them, it seems like yesterday!

He served his time and fought a great battle in the War flying planes and fighting cancer! He didn't want to leave his family behind! Right before passing, I was in his hospital room, he had been sedated, when I was talking to him and telling him I loved him, he opened his mouth and said, "Tiny (what he called me), I am ready to go"......That night he passed!

TR leaves behind two children, Reggie (TR Jr.) and Elizabeth

Five Grandchildren

Four Great Grandchildren

Two Great Great Grandchildren

Thank you for fighting for our Freedom!

The Red Box

I have to admit that I am hooked! When my family came in for BB's graduation from Texas, they introduced me to 'The Red Box'! You have to understand that we live in a small town, so movie stores are still in business! This I love, because I can be in another town and pick up movies and return them at our Red Box! I just have to stay away from them, they are so tempting!

I guess I am ancient! But not out of style......I find my students wearing the same clothes I wore 25 years ago in school! LOL

Black eyes and graduation

Two days before graduation, I am in charge of having our first Powder Puff Football and Flag Football starting at LHS in the fall, the students 'begged' me to have another game, so all the hard work at the end of school: test, graduation, grades and rounding down the year, I gave in! B's team was named the Ghetto Gurlz....she is number 34 "little did we know that on one play, a girl got the play backwards, ran smack into B and blooded her nose (bad)" after getting her nose to quit bleeding, she returned to the game and scored the only touchdown. We lost by one point 8-7! What fun and what a way to end the seniors last year! And makeup covers a lot! LOL

Ghetto Gurlz vs. Mean Green Machine

B scoring the touchdown

During Friday (pre-graduation) we had our senior awards ceremony. Here B is receiving her awards (with that hand on her hip!)
B and Alex (they are so cute)

BB and Ethan

Matt (her bestie) and B

(sweatie palms) - ceramonies are starting

As you see around her neck, she has worked very hard in her High School years and received many awards for her hard work!

Walking to stage (2nd in line)

I am shaking at this point, our dear friend and board member president, Bill handing her the hard worked diploma!

This has been a very busy week....... my baby graduated, her wonderful boyfriend took her to Branson for her graduation, my lovely family came in from Texas for B's graduation! I have been cooking like crazy and now started my last 2 classes before graduating this summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally! Moving might be a chore, but getting excited!

What my Grandmother left behind.......

My grandmother has been gone for many years, I still miss her and my grandfather more now than ever. I called them "ma" and "pa" since I stayed with them 90% of the time! They were like my parents, we were a very close family.......we would go to Texas to see family at least every 2-3 months and I would be right in there with them!

My grandmother loved to cook. I remember her cooking chocolate pie and she would make her chocolate filling in a 'iron skillet'.....no double boiler for her! She was known for her pies, cakes anything sweet! She is the one who taught me to cook, so she is very special to me and so is her pots and pans. After she passed, I did get her cooking pans, skillets and the round cake saver (carrier). Today after returning from Ft. Smith with mom and dad, mom ask me if I wanted her cake carrier (Hummmmm ?) she showed me her square cake carrier, something I didn't even know she had.....so was I to say NO? Are you kidding.....? So now I have more memories of my grandmother!

Taking Cakes to school, I have had many who wanted to know where I got this cake pan! I keep a close eye on this one....

This is the one mom gave me today that was ma's also, little did I know, she was probably keeping this for special times, like our potlucks at Church!