9 On The Ninth: TV I Love

As a true American, I feel it’s my duty to watch as much television as possible. For many reasons –including a busy class schedule and R-rated tastes in a PG-rated household- I consider the dvr and streaming Netflix to be two of the greatest inventions of all time (along with microwave popcorn and Hot Tamales), as they allow me to watch the television I want, when I want it. So, in no particular order, I give you 9 (on the Ninth) television programs I will be watching this Fall season:

1. Breaking Bad: from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to kingpin of the drug trade, who couldn’t root for Walter White? WARNING: This show will SUCK! YOU! IN!
2. Desperate Housewives: Yes, I realize I’m the last person in the nation to get hooked, but hooked I am. I’m watching from the beginning on streaming Netflix and will dvr the Final Season so I don’t miss a minute.
3. NCIS: Still one the best shows on tv. And I’m pretty sure they couldn’t solve a crime without me- I’m one of the team. I know I’m not pretty and lethal like Ziva, or brainy and edgy like Abby. I’m more doofy like Tony, and look more like an early McGee. BUT, Gibbs needs me there. He told me so in a dreeeeam.
4. Dexter: Dexter comes to us via Netflix DVD so we’re a season behind. We’ll get started on Season 5 tonight so DON’T SAY ANYTHING THAT’LL RUIN MY ENDINGS!
5. Fringe: Ditto with Fringe. Yeah, between Dexter and Fringe, my kids will not be seeing many Netflix movies in the near future. AND, the new season of Fringe will be coming to a dvr near you (that is if you live anywhere near me) very, very soon!
6. Sons of Anarchy: We just discovered this jewel and are catching up on streaming Netflix while dvr-ing (yes that a verb) the new episodes. Motorcycles, Charlie Hunnam, charming Charming, Charlie Hunnam, sex/drugs/rock-n-roll, Charlie Hunnam … What more could you want in a tv show?
7. In Plain Sight: I love, love, love this show. Mary gets to say all the things I’m thinking in my head. Speaking of which, I’m more than a little perturbed that we left dear Mary IN LABOR. What! The! … Poohberries!???
8. 30 Rock: I’m waiting (patiently, I might add) for Season 5 of 30 Rock to come to Netflix. This is one I watch alone, as Jack doesn’t really think it’s all that funny. He won’t watch Mr. Bean with me and the kids either. Okay, that’s fine. Just don’t expect me NOT to laugh during Warehouse 13 and Legend Quest.
9. And finally, a show I’d like to give a try: Pan Am. “Passion, adventure, espionage …” What could go wrong with that formula?

10 on the Tenth- Texas

This is another of SIL Thea’s 10 on the Tenth post ideas. Apparently my brother misses Texas. (So why hasn’t he returned to the Mother Land you ask? Well I don’t know. I’ve yet to hear a satisfactory answer. Money, jobs, houses, … what’s all that compared to Texas?!) Coincidentally I had to write paper on my ethnicity for a recent class and as the paper explains, although I may have some English, Irish and Scottish blood mixed in with some Cherokee on my maternal grandfather’s side and possibly something called Black Dutch on my daddy’s side, I really consider myself to be Texan. Here are a few excepts of that A+ paper to explain why:

• Texas school children are taught that Texas is a conglomeration of several diverse cultures, including French, Spanish, Mexican and Native American. Into this collection of native and European cultures came a vast influx of Irish, German, English and black American immigrants and slaves during the early 19^th century, creating a wave of political and cultural change and birthing what is known today as the spirit of Texas. Governed by six different entities over the 18^th and 19^th centuries, including a nine-year stint as an independent nation, Texas has developed an attitude of European romanticism, southern gentility and frontier independence.
• There is no official language of Texas but much of our language is wrapped up in our folklore and patriotism. Texans grow up living in towns, traveling on streets and going to schools named for Stephen F. Austin, James Bowie, Charles Goodnight, Sam Houston, Cynthia Parker, Bigfoot Wallace and Davy Crockett. Stories of adventure, heroism, expansion and romance populate our history lessons and our bedtime stories. Even our devils, such as Santa Ana (the General, not the wind) and the Comanche are well known and sometimes even admired for their determination and grit. The Goliad Massacre, the Alamo, the Runaway Scrape and Texas Independence Day are our sorrows and our triumphs. Juneteenth (Emancipation Day), Adobe Walls, Spindletop and Black Sunday are our touchstones and benchmarks.
• Texas was formed in a state of flux. Born in revolution, raised in the uncertain inconsistency of the Republic and folded into the American family under unique circumstance, Texas has a personality of separateness and distinction from other states. This sensation most often leads to an unusual amount of braggadocio and a tendency for Texans to band together in solidarity. Texans are taught that Texas holds, along with her right to divide into as many as five different states and her retention of public lands, the key to U.S. boundaries as we know them today. Texans believe that the Alamo led to the Battle of Jacinto and Texas independence, which eventually led to the Mexican-American War and the eventual territorial expansion of the Western United States. The Texas typecast dichotomy of the taciturn, booted and be-hatted cattle rancher, the loud, shiny suited oilman and the untucked, pickup driving farmer are joined in the culture of independence, pride and land.
• Although most popular Texans of history can be considered rakes and ne’er-do-wells, Texas has a very strong religious foundation. Texas was officially first settled in an effort to Christianize the natives and in fact, before the Republic, Texas colonists had to convert to Catholicism in order to receive land from the Mexican government. Today the Catholic Church is the largest denomination in Texas, closely followed by Southern Baptist. As on most frontiers, churches in Texas were the foundations for schools and other social and civic growth. Over time Texas came to have three major seminaries and several faith-based colleges and universities. Lubbock, Texas, according to local lore, has the most churches per capita in the nation.
• Your average 21^st century Texan doesn’t live on a ranch or own an oilrig. Texans today live either in one of four metropolitan areas – Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio or Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos – or are scattered amongst the remaining 240,000 square miles. Major industries in Texas include agriculture, petrochemicals and energy, computer technology and electronics and aerospace and biomedical sciences. As of 2010, Texas shares the top of the list of the most Fortune 500 companies with California at 57.
• One of only seven states lacking a state income tax, Texas has a “low taxes, low services” reputation, yet still boasts the nation’s largest highway and railway systems.  All the better to get product to market. Texas has the most farms and highest acreage in production across the United States. Texas also leads in cotton, cereal crops, fresh vegetable, commercial fishing and mineral resource production.  Texas’ petroleum deposits make up approximately one-fourth of the known U.S. reserves and the state is also a leader in renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar energy. 
• The Arts in Texas had a slow start, but in the last half of the 20^th century have blossomed to include performing art such as opera, orchestra, ballet and theater, dozens of art museums including every type of art from drawing, painting and sculpture to architecture, printmaking, and photography and the literary arts such as fiction, poetry and journalism. Some famous artists of Texas include cartoonist Tex Avery, photographer Mark Seliger and architect Thomas M. Price. Famous Texas literary artist include J. Frank Dobie, Patricia Highsmith and Larry McMurtry. And it must be testament to Texas nosiness that so many national journalist such as Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather hail from this fair state.
• Texas is also known for it’s diverse music scene. Most famous for it’s country music as shared by Bob Wills, Willy Nelson and George Strait, Texas also provided a home in Deep Ellum for the Texas blues of Blind Lemon Jefferson and Stevie Ray Vaughn. The rock music of Buddy Holly and ZZ Top must be acknowledged as well as the tejano music of La Mafia and Los Lonely Boys.
• Apart from the Alamo, cattle ranches and oil wells, Texas is probably most well known for its sports. Home to two professional football teams, two Major League baseball teams, three NBA basketball teams, one major league hockey team and a plethora of college sports teams, Texas has much to cheer for, but by and large, the most popular team in the state of Texas is the local high school football team. Texas high school football is the stuff of dreams and folklore. Steeped in tradition, rivalry and loyalty, it is estimated that 1 in 15 Texas residents are attending, playing, coaching or otherwise taking part in Texas football on any given Fall Friday night. In rural areas this number is much greater. Texas children begin indoctrination regarding the local football team, it’s cheerleaders, mascot, band, school colors and fight song soon after birth. All other patriotic duties are secondary.
• Not secondary to any Texan is his stomach and from apple butter to yams, Texas cuisine can cover it. The holy trinity of Texas foods is chili, barbeque and tex-mex. Texas chili was born in San Antonio and is made of beef. A curious off shoot of Texas chili is the Frito pie. Made by layering Frito chips, chili, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped onions, Frito pie is a staple in lunchrooms and at stock shows and sporting events across the state. Texas barbeque is usually tangier and spicier than barbeque from elsewhere and is usually served with potato salad, pinto beans and lots of napkins. Tex-mex and is little harder to define. One cannot assume that any Mexican food restaurant serves tex-mex. Enchiladas, chiles rellenos, tacos al carbón, and burritos have long been the standard-bearers for Tex-Mex, all served with a starter of tortilla chips and salsa and a side of Mexican rice and refried beans. The king of all Texas food however is the chicken-fried steak. This peculiarity is a thick slab of cheap beef beaten until tender and dipped in batter, deep-fried like chicken, buried under a puddle of cream gravy, doused with pepper, and served with a glob of mashed potatoes. A good chicken-fried steak should be crisp, light, and tender and served with iced tea. Despite the growing plethora of wineries in Texas, iced tea and cold beer are still the drink of choice of Texans.

Many adjectives have been used to described Texas and the people of Texas. Complimentary words such as big, friendly, romantic, beautiful, courageous, determined, energetic, faithful, brave, breezy, charming, helpful, strong, and successful. Curiously, Texans take pride in the not-so-complimentary words as well; words like fierce, hard, harsh, windy, prickly, proud, thundering, brash, defiant and arrogant. Texans are rarely called mediocre, ordinary or tame.

Come home Jon and bring that beautiful family with you!

10 on the Tenth for Thea

When Meredith at Life at 7000 Feet discontinued her 10 on the Tenth party last November, I wasn’t broken hearted. I enjoyed the challenge of building the lists, but was sliding headlong into my (possibly ongoing) blogging slump and to be honest, one less deadline sounded like a gift.

SIL Thea on the other hand has missed 10 on the Tenth. She’s mentioned it a couple times in passing and last week she sent me a list of possible 10 on the Tenth post ideas.

So, because I love you Thea, in an effort to revive at least my portion of 10 on the Tenth, here are 10 reasons/excuses I/we put off calling the ones we love and miss:

1. Laziness- which is ridiculous because nearly everybody I might want to call, have ever called or has ever called me is in my phone’s memory, so it’s not like I’d have to look up a number or anything.
2. Time- between work, school, church and time with Jack and the kids, I loose track of time and before I know it, another week has passed without me calling anyone I intended to call.
3. Content- sometimes I just don’t have anything to say. I mean, how many times can I whine about being too busy before y’all get tired of taking my calls?
4. The social-networking deception- in this culture of instant messaging, texting and Facebook it seems like I’m more in touch than I really am. Of course, a quick glance at my Facebook page confirms that it’s been over three weeks since I’ve logged on and much, much longer since I’ve contributed to the information overload.
5. Cellphone elbow- remember phones? Phones that you could curl your hand around? Phones that you could cradle between you neck and ear while you filed your nails? Yeah, I miss long conversations on a real phone, but I can’t afford not to use my cellphone. I mean nights and weekends are FREE!
6. Time, again- to be totally honest, sometimes I don’t call because I’m afraid the callee might talk forever. I acknowledge that this is not always the case and I acknowledge that when it is, it’s probably because we haven’t talked in a while, but still, sometimes I want the credit for touching base without having to actually converse. Lame, I know.
7. Time difference- now this actually only applies with brother Jon and his family in California and our friends in Japan. Everyone else I know lives in Texas. But still, when you have to come up with ten reasons, it’s a factor.
8. Snarkiness- ‘the phone lines run both ways you know’. I used to say that to Mema when she’d get on to me for not calling. Why is it always my responsibility to call?
9. Fear- how many times have you put off calling someone because you know they’re gonna call you on the carpet about something or hold you accountable? Me? Plenty.
10. Hmmm, I hate to admit defeat, but I’ve been working on this post a while now and I can’t come up with a number 10. What’s your number 10? Come on be honest. You can’t look any worse than I do for #6.

Ten Totally Random Observations, Concerns, Joys, Clarifications And/Or Thoughts-That-Are-Just-Skating-Through-My-Mind

I completely spaced on Meridith’s 10 on the Tenth this month so today, because I can’t resist a good bulleted list, I give you ten totally random observations, concerns, joys, clarifications and/or thoughts-that-are-just-skating-through-my-mind.

1.  Jack has finally received his Medicare. We found a really great insurance coordinator who helped us find good deals on supplemental insurance, we qualified for a discounted prescription drug plan and that led to an application for possible discounts on the Part B supplemental. Yay team!
2. I only have three more weeks of classes this quarter!
3. I’m worried about registering for next quarter. My Pell Grant came through and was more than I expected, but still falls about $1,000.00 short each quarter including books and everything. I’m gonna have to speak to the boss about that, so y’all say a prayer he stands by his promise to help me out with this.
4. We have beaucoup stuff planned for RAs and God’s Girls this next month. I’m excited, but also a little daunted by the planning entailed. Any ideas for a cheap and easy Pastor Appreciation craft would be appreciated!
5. The puppy has her last shot appointment tomorrow. I must not forget to give her a bath tonight. The way she smells right now PETA would take her away.
6. Unfortunately the whole house smells like the dog.
7. The kids had great report cards, but I still came away from parent/teacher conferences feeling a little … unsettled. FYI for all you teachers out there: unless there’s a real problem, like impending failure, the maiming of others or the like, I just want a really short, really glowing report on my kid. This ‘he/she’s doing great, but is a little annoying’ crap really chaps my hide. Of course he/she’s annoying- he/she’s a kid. They’re all annoying. Something you should have learned in the heaven-only-knows amount of years you’ve been teaching.
8. Of course my kids could be doing better in school. Couldn’t they all be? I really wanted to grasp at this straw and declare my return to classes a dereliction of duty to my kids, but then I had to face reality. My being home for the ‘homework hour(s)’ wouldn’t make a bit of difference. The homework is getting done, the spelling words are getting studied, the books are getting read. My job is to set and stick to good routines, to encourage, to set a good example and to love.
9. So why do I feel guilty that I took Brooke to school today with no jacket and no backpack? She’s not even my kid!
10.  I sent my post Grumble, Grumble, Grumble to our local paper as a letter to the Editor last week. They ran it underneath the rantings of our local anti-government zealot and beside a similar letter (same message only with more … authority) written by the Chief of Police. I’ve received a lot of comments. Mostly supportive … some not so much.

10 on the Tenth- Gone to the Dogs Edition

I think if asked I’d probably say I’m a cat person. I’ve spent countless hours in the porch swing on my mama’s porch reading Barbara Cartland novels with a cat (#5) on my lap. However, when brainstorming a list for Meredith’s September 10 on the Tenth, I found myself listing dogs. So, in honor of our new puppy Auggie, I thought I reminisce a little about the dogs pets of my past.

1. Apparently it all began with Rusty, a Dachshund that I have very little, if any, memory of. I might remember him chasing my feet while I swinged swang swung and I think I’ve heard tell of Rusty eating a bunch of baby turtles. We may need to confer with the judges my mama on this one.
2. I definitely remember Frosty, a silver German Shepherd with a penchant for chickens till my mama broke him of it by making him wear a dead chicken around his neck for a week. I remember Frosty as fiercely protective and extremely soft. I loved to lay my head on his belly. Stupid dog never did learn to stop chasing cars and it eventually killed him. We missed that dog for a long time.
3. Until Thief showed up. And I literally mean showed up. Thief was a gold German Shepherd who stalked my daddy at work for weeks until one day he followed Daddy home and stayed. Daddy called him Thief because he kept stealing Daddy’s lunch. Or, maybe Daddy was sharing his lunch with a pitiful stray trying to earn its trust and doesn’t like to admit it. Thief never once allowed people of … questionable origin exit their vehicle in our driveway without our permission. I swear my Daddy musta prayed this dog down from his own personal heaven.
4. And then came the beginning of a string of totally useless dogs. BB was a Beagle runt, the cutest dog I’d ever seen and totally mine. His real name was BB Bubber, which is what my little brother used to call peanut butter. BB was constantly in motion, always sniffing and running and flying with those soft, floppy ears, baying at nothing in particular. What a sweet, sweet dog he was.
5. And now I must interrupt the dog sagas with a cat story novella. When we lived on the farm we had barn cats. Ace was one of those wild things, a solid black male with attitude, destined to fight for his place as top stud or be run off. Ace tolerated me. When we moved I was allowed to move him with us. I’m sure my parents thought he’d balk at the vehicle or that he’d run off somewhere along the way, but he didn’t. Ace calmly surveyed our styling conversion van one window at a time and then sat down in my lap for the entire nine-hour trip. To say that my daddy and Ace did not get along is tantamount to saying that Roosevelt and Hitler didn’t get along. I have seen Ace walk the entire perimeter of a room to avoid walking near my daddy. I have also seen my daddy literally drop kick Ace out of the house. Ace had a particular sneer my daddy couldn’t appreciate. Ace did not value competition for the alpha male spot. It was a war with many battles. I guess Daddy eventually won because just about the time I graduated high school Ace disappeared. But fear not, his offspring are alive and well in the neighborhood and his independent spirit is strong with his people.
6. After I became kinda, sorta, independent (well, at least I wasn’t living at home any more) my mama brought me Albert, a bad-tempered black and white Shih Tzu. That dog was exactly what you’d expect from a chi-chi breed like this: high maintenance, arrogant, extremely demanding. Albert ended up living with my grandparents when my Papa JT surprisingly fell in love with him and he with Papa JT. Of course by this time my papa’s health was pretty bad and my mema was doing a lot to take care of him. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT -Shih Tzu are a very jealous breed and not good for families with small children or good people of any kind- END OF PSA. Albert ended up biting Mema and was disinvited PDQ. I gave her to a lady in twon and a couple months later she tried to give him back. Yeah, I know.
7. Then came Otis, another gift from my mama. (I’m beginning to see a pattern here. Mama musta decided she was gonna have to provide even her own grand-dog.) Otis was an oatmeal colored Sussex Spaniel who was every bit as high maintenance as the Shih Tzu, but loveable and very pretty. Otis was also a jealous dog, but a pacifist. Instead of biting, he peed on people’s feet to express his negative feelings. Curiously, Otis only ever peed on my mama’s or Jack’s feet. Jack soon cured him of that after we got married.
8. There were a couple of strays and transients between Otis and ‘Mo, but ‘Mo –officially ‘Mo Biscuits- was our next dog of note. A few weeks before Liz was born a friend who knew we were talking about getting a dog for the kids called and reported that a load of rejects had been dumped at her ranchette. We toodled out and Thomas immediately picked ‘Mo, a black, three-legged Labrador.  He’s been with us ever since, though now he’s nearly totally stationary due to arthritis and age. His muzzle is white and his eyes are rheumy and the past two winters have been very hard for him. I fear we have sadness before us.
9. Speaking of sadness (and to get us up to 10) I must mention Maisy and Daisy, two Springer Spaniel puppies who were a part of lives for several weeks a couple years ago. We went expecting to choose one puppy and came home with two, all of us instantly falling in love with these rolly-polly balls of beautiful, absolutely gorgeous fur. They we by far the most beautiful dogs I’ve ever seen. And so full of joy, which is why it was so hard when we came home from a weekend trip and they were both sick with parvo. We did all we could, but it was no use. Both puppies died within a week. It was a very sad time in our home and it has taken us until just recently to be strong enough to try again.
10. Which is where Auggie came in. We’ve had Auggie for three weeks, two trips to the vet and a weekend getaway in which she was included just in case. We’re taking no chances with this dog. We paid money for this dog. Besides, she’s so easy to love. Who can resist those big eyes and perky ears. Not the big human suckers obviously.

So that’s it for my pet parade.  Thanks again Mer for hosting 10 on the Tenth. It’s always a lot of fun.

10 on the Tenth- Back to School Edition

Okay, I realize that there are a lot of moms out there mourning the looming back-to-school date and even a few (jillion) who’ve completely ignored it and will keep their kids at home, but … I’m just not that kind of mom.

I’m thrilled that school resumes in 12 days, 22 hours and 47 minutes and here are ten reasons why:

• A return to routine, my touchstone. We just seem to get so much more done when we have a specific chunk of time to do it in. Things like brushing teeth, washing hair, laundry …
• No serving lunch at home. Yes, my kids eat in the cafeteria. It saves us time, money and the stress of trying to come up five additional meals each week. And it helps them to appreciate our cooking more!
• Kids who are actually glad to see each other. Because they’re very tired of one another right now. And I’m very tired of them being very tired.
• Speaking of tired, I’m ready for some worn out kids. Kids who won’t argue when it’s time for Mama to have some space bedtime. My kids don’t dare say the B word (bored) but they still don’t have enough to do and I’m suffering for it we’re ready for a little outside stimulation.
• New school supplies. I believe this is universal and needs no explanation.
• A cleaner house. Which all comes down to them having seven and half hours less each day to strew their crap things all over.
• Fresh starts and clean slates. Forget the New Year! This is the time of year we always like to set new goals, start diets and calendar plans. Fun, fun!
• Having my backyard back. Now don’t get me wrong, I love that our house is the gathering spot. I’d much rather have our yard full of other kid’s bikes, dogs and siblings than have my own kids running all over town, but really … on my day off? While I’m trying to take a nap? How many cups of water do you really need?
• Fall is within sniffing distance! Soon it’ll be time harvest corn, turn off the a-c, snuggle at football games, camp out under the stars, bake, winterize the mower, mulch the flower beds, winterize the pool, finish the dog bed …  Wait!! this is turning into a to-do list.
• A happier husband. Because – despite all the whining I’ve just done – he’s the one who actually stays home with them. I’ve been at work all summer.

Check out what others are whining about discussing at Life at 7000 Feet.

Ten on the (Not) Tenth- the RA Camp Edition

I missed Meredith’s Ten on the Tenth this month because a) the 10^th fell on a weekend and I don’t usually blog on the weekends and b) I just haven’t been in a very bloggity mood lately which may have something to do with the pace (headlong and without brakes) my life has been moving recently. BUT, if I had been in a blogging mood and I had taken the time to blog on a Saturday this is what I would’ve said:

We’re (Jack, Thomas and I) going to RA Camp this week. Yes, RA Camp is usually an all-male adventure, but Jack will be the Camp Director next year which somehow makes me a partner-in-crime requires my assistance and he felt I should case the joint have an idea of what goes on there. Going to camp requires a lot of preparation and so here are ten of the 100+ things that need to be done before we leave on Wednesday are-you-kidding-the sun’s-not-even-up morning:

1. Recruit and deliver the girls to a reliable kid kennel gullible grandparent or niece. (I actually accomplished this Sunday. They’re with my parents for the week! Thanks parents!!!)
2. Clean the house so it doesn’t walk out and greet us when we get home.
3. Launder and pack for three (having already laundered and packed for two on Saturday.)
4. Clear my desk at work (probably the easiest thing on this list.)
5. Pay bills so we can enjoy those luxuries of water and electricity when we get home.
6. Complete and compile registration for the group going including medical releases for all and background checks and Child Protection certifications for all adults.
7. Move some money so we can pay for this little excursion.
8. Gather supplies for the Sling Shot Range (Jack’s pet project this year) and the Bible study leader packs. Since Jack wrote the Bible study this SHOULD be easy.
9. Start hydrating and stockpiling sleep. (Ha. Hahaha. Hahaheeheehoothoothoot. {Deep breath} Snort.)
10. Find the essentials: bucket hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF a jillion,) Bible, flashlight, tennis shoes, private cooler of Dr. Pepper and Snickers bars and fun attitude. Okay, I’m ready.

10 on the Tenth- Father’s Day Edition

Yes, I know Father’s Day is over a week away but I’ve got this thing about symmetry and I can’t leave that 10 on the Tenth Mother’s Day thing hanging. So here are ten things about my Daddy.

1. Daddy was the youngest by over 10 years and kind of a johnny-come-lately. I get the impression he was a colicky baby and maybe a little spoiled. Of course I could be wrong, but who’s gonna tell the truth now?
2. Daddy was a high school track and basketball star. I’ve heard vague rumors of mischief that may indicate he was also an ornery troublemaker during high school, but again, who’s gonna tell the truth now?
3. Daddy’s a farmer. He may have quite farming and started a new career over 20 years ago, but deep in his heart he’s still a farmer. Of course, now he’s a ‘gentleman farmer’. He owns the land and lets someone else do the work. You can’t call the man dumb.
4. Daddy sells propane now. If you ask, he’ll tell you ‘passes gas’ for a living. 20 years ago he hounded a man until he finally got a job sweeping up at propane company. Now he’s the man in charge and part owner of one of the largest transport companies in the south. 
5. Daddy’s a real family-first kinda guy. A patriarch you might say. He watches proudly, waits patiently and worries plenty about us all. Daddy doesn’t say a lot or show much emotion, but there is not doubt in my mind or heart that we are his world.
6. Daddy likes to cook. Now I don’t mean supper every night or grilling on the weekends; I mean beer-butt chicken for 50 or smoked pork for 100. With Daddy it’s go big or go home. And not just with quantity. Daddy likes big flavor too. Many times I’ve held open the black trash bag as he poured in his own special mixture of spices and flavorings to build a marinade. It’s good stuff people!
7. Daddy loves to ride his Goldwing. From the just-barely-warm-enough early spring to the tires-melting-on-the-pavement heat of summer and then from the still-too-hot-but-times-running-out late summer to the icicles-on-the-eyelashes late fall, you can depend on seeing Mama and Daddy on that motorcycle every weekend. They also take a couple of weeks each June for an extended tour and usually another long weekend in the fall. When Daddy’s not working, riding or cooking, he’s petting that construction yellow ‘scooter’. It’s his baby.
8. Daddy’s a planner. I believe he enjoys planning his and Mama’s yearly motorcycle trips almost as much as he enjoys taking them. In addition to scenic routes and good motel deals, Daddy also scopes out interesting stops and local restaurants. Each year when I’m presented with the trip itinerary, I get jealous of all the cool stuff they’re gonna get to see and do and eat.
9. Daddy loves little girls. My sister and I have been treated like princesses our whole lives and Daddy’s granddaughters Emma, Liz and Kaley are spoiled beyond reason. We know Papa loves his boys and that Jared is his little mini-me, but we girls have all the power. One “please, Papa” peeking out from under a sweet smile and that man melts like butter.
10. Daddy is stubborn, particular, easily exasperated and a little too independent, but he’s also calm and supportive, a provider and a protector, a gentleman and an example for myself and my family.

Yeah, be jealous and then go check out all the other 10 on the Tenths at Meridith’s Life at 7000 Feet.

10 on the Tenth- Mother’s Day Edition

I’m gonna steal Melissa’s idea and share with you ten things about my mama. Thanks again Mer for hosting! Now y’all fasten your seatbelts- one thing my mama ain’t is shy.

1. Mama is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Director. She’s been working with CASA for nearly 20 years now and is a force to be reckoned with. You don’t want to be a parent not taking care of your children or post-incident personnel not keeping the child’s best interest at heart in her neck of the woods. She’ll tear you to bits. Her favorite song is Aerosmith’s Janie’s Got a Gun.
2. Mama went back to college after we kids graduated high school. She now has a Bachelor of Science in Social Services. Impressive, I agree, but know this: she also has a Welding degree and a Library Science degree. Talk about resourceful!
3. My mama is utterly devoted to, fiercely protective of and extremely proud of her family. We are the fruits of her labor and what a job it is! I can remember her sitting in a chair reading Proverbs. I realize now it was probably as much an act of desperation as of devotion.
4. Mama is a firm believer in the ‘bright side’ of things. She’s an optimist. A romantic. Quixotic. Perfectly capable of functioning outside of reality. I count on that when I’m feeling overwhelmed.
5. My mama likes to wear bling, red, leather, risqué bust lines and spiked heels. Preferably all at once. Dry Clean Only.
6. My mama reads. She reads a lot. My daddy says he can remember coming home from the field to find her whirring around in the kitchen, chair still rocking and book pages still settling. I’ve personally never been able to sit up reading into the night longer than she and you can bet that although she may not have wallet or phone, she will have a book.
7. Mama sings. My sister and I spent many an hour with my grandma while Mama sang at weddings and funerals. Whenever I hear One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus or How Great Thou Art, I hear ‘em in my mama’s voice. Mama sang The Lord’s Prayer at my wedding. Jack and I giggled through the whole thing, but that was absolutely no reflection on her abilities. Or the song.
8. My mama does everything full-tilt. If she’s working, she works until the work is done. If she’s playing, she plays until somebody makes her go home. The best part is how she loves. She loves full-tilt too. 24-7, with all she’s got and with all she is.
9. Mama and Daddy married two weeks after her high school graduation. She was all of 18 years old and completely infatuated. Now, nearly 42 years later, she is still infatuated with my daddy. She lives for that man. I appreciate her sharing that with us.
10. Mama is what you might call a free spirit. She’s independent, imaginative, creative, joyful, full of love, lively, energetic and beautiful. It’s her smile. Get’s you every time.

10 on the Tenth- Weekend Edition

For this rare weekend post, I thought I’d share 10 things I love about the weekend. Thanks again Meredith for hosting!

1.  Staying up late Friday night. My kids love this too and we usually encourage it hoping they’ll sleep a little later in the morning. It never really works out that way, but we can always hope.
2. No alarm clock. Honestly, I usually wake up about the same time as a weekday morning, but at least I’m not awakened rudely. By a machine. My children wake me rudely quite often. Something about food and cartoons, blah blah, blah blah …
3. Everybody home together doing chores, finishing projects or just watching TV.
4. Everybody at Grandma’s or friends so I can read and sleep, alone, in the quiet.
5. The time and energy for grocery shopping and cooking.
6. The time and energy for little projects around the house and yard.
7. The freedom to totally ignore the grocery shopping, cooking, and little projects and just veg in front of the TV or behind a book.
8. Visiting with friends and family without the stress of bedtimes and homework and practice and …
9. Attending church.
10. Napping after Sunday lunch.