Tuesday, March 22, 2022

A Random Catch-Up




It is a very rainy and dreary morning here in Northeast Louisiana.  Bad weather is predicted throughout today and our local schools even closed today.  Tornados are possible and I'm sure the "powers that be" in school administration would rather be "safe than sorry."  So far, nothing but rain has happened and it's just the perfect day to stay in and catch up on things.  I had a few pieces of ironing and knocked those out earlier, had a load of laundry and got that done.  Since I have definitely neglected my blog in recent weeks, it seemed like a good morning to do something about that as well. I truly cannot believe that I blogged 3 times a week for many years.  Goodness! I grew very weary and began to feel very pressured and a couple of years ago decided to just blog whenever the spirit led me.  Well, obviously the spirit has not led me on any kind of a regular basis, but it's been very freeing and hopefully my readers "get it."  Okay, enough rambling, on to whatever else comes to my mind.


Last week Hubby and I had an experience unlike anything we have ever experienced.  We attended the Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City.  Exactly what is OYE?  Well, folks it is the world's largest youth livestock show in the WORLD!  Yep, you read that right.  Clancy has participated in this event for the past 3 years and we wanted to go and watch him this year.  It is always held during Oklahoma's spring break, so it pretty much consumes our daughter and her family during that week.  If I remember correctly there were 2500 sheep, goats, cows and pigs.  Folks, that is a whole bunch of animals and guess what else, it is a whole lot of "poop."  ~that's the gospel truth~
We had never seen so many animals, stock trailers, big trucks and kids.  My goodness! The kids 
(ages 9 - 17) move their animals into their assigned section of the barns and they go to work preparing the animal to show.  Most of the preparation at this point is the grooming and you can't imagine all the work that goes into getting them ready to show.  Of course, Clancy shows sheep and he had a stall in the sheep barn and we spent a whole lot of time sitting in lawn chairs outside his stall just taking it all in. 

Might I add that I did not see another woman at this event not dressed in jeans and boots.  But, that's not my particular style so I went in what I usually wear.  Bridget could NOT believe that I actually wore a white top and white rhinestone wedge slip ons one day.  I'm pretty sure she was embarrassed  but, hey, I left that day with shoes and shirt that were still clean.  Now, whenever we were walking through the barn, I never looked up.  I watched every step I took!  Yes, this Southern Belle was put to the test. 
~chuckle~


But, can I just tell you that it was worth it all to watch this hard working Grandson place with all 3 of his sheep.  This was tough competition and while he did not get any top honors, he has 5 more years to compete in this show and I'm pretty sure he will definitely take home some top honors.  This was his 4th year to compete and in the past 3 years he has been sifted (that means he did not place) but he was determinded to place this year.  And, he did!  I wanted to stand up and hollar but they don't allow such at these type of events. ~shucks~ So, I gave him a big ole hug when I saw him afterwards.  I have little doubt that his commitment and responsibility with the care and work with his sheep will carry him far in life.  


Bridget decided the best way to keep up with these two was to buy a wagon to pull them around in.  That proved to be a very good decision.  Shucks, Poppa and I were wishing she was pulling us around in a wagon as well. ~laugh~ It's a HUGE venue and there is lots and lots of walking that takes place.  And, to keep up with these two is not for the faint of heart so having them confined to a wagon worked well.


Bridget and I did find a little time for some "retail therapy" and we always enjoy that. We may laugh and talk loud more than we should when we're together. ~mother-daughter fun~


And, another "hi-lite" of the trip was seeing this dear friend. Terri and I met at my Dad's first pastorate in Alma, Arkansas some 60 years ago.  That's a long time folks! She recently moved to Denton, Texas and it worked out perfectly for us to stay in Denton  as we were headed to Oklahoma.  We enjoyed a great visit and a nice dinner.  It had been 13 years since we had seen each other so we had a whole lot to catch up on and didn't nearly skim the surface.  But, we have plans to not let so much time go by before we plan another visit.


Our little red headed diva celebrated her 7th birthday last month.  She has such sass and a laugh that's contagious.  She goes at life with all she's got! Never a dull moment with this one for sure. Such a delight to our lives.


 Look at this picture of our Hanna Beth! I mean, isn't she adorable? Folks, she will be 13 this year and I don't know if I can stand it.  She is our quiet, reserved, studious gal that we love dearly.  Their all growing up so quickly and, as any grandparent, we are more than a little proud of all 5 of them. 

I think that about covers what's ramblin' through my head this morning.  Now,on to see what else I can get into this rainy day.  A little cookie baking might be in order.

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Marching into the Hodgepodge

                                             


Wow! it's already March folks! How? Time is flying by and I'm hanging on for dear life. How 'bout you? Meanwhile, here's my answers to this weeks HP.


1. Somehow it's March? Is it coming in like a lion where you live? Tell us one fun thing on your March calendar. 

I'd say March is rolling in like a lamb here rather than a lion.  I'm sure the winds will begin to blow very soon and I might change my mind.

We will be attending our first ever Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City week after next.  It is the largest show of it's type in the US.  Clancy will be showing his 4 sheep and it's always the toughest competition of all shows, so we'll be doing our part to cheer him on.  He has had a great show season this year, so hopefully he'll take home a ribbon or two from OYE.

2. In what way(s) do you 'march to the beat of your own drum'? 


I do try really hard to take others into consideration in my choices and decisions, so I'd say I do not march to the beat of my own drum.  But, that being said, I think all of us definitely have times that we do "march to the beat of our own drum."  I can't think of anything specific right now for myself,
 but.........  I'm not sure any of that made sense.  Moving right along.............


3. The Hodgepodge lands on Dr. Seuss Day (March 2nd). Do you like eggs? How about ham? Share a favorite quote from one of his books. 


I do like eggs, but they must be scrambled. And, yes to ham as well.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

I love this Dr. Suess quote as it is so so applicable to our current state of affairs.  We need to be caring a whole, whole LOT.

4. Have you read Little Women? How about Alice in Wonderland? Did you love them, like them, feel just eh about them? Why is this question in the Hodgepodge today? 

Yes, I have read both but Little Women would be my favorite by far.  I imagine  Joyce included this question due to the fact that Little Women is a book about the 4 March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.  I don't know about Alice in Wonderland.

5. How do you meal plan? How often do you shop for groceries? One homemade meal that was on your menu last week or is on your menu this week?

At time point in our lives, I do little to no meal planning. I do keep plenty of groceries but, while I am a HUGE planner, meal planning, not so much.  I just sort of fly by the seat of my pants and generally throw something together.  If we are having family or company, then I definitely do some planning and really enjoy it.  Can't think of anything homemade last week, except for cookies and that's a given most weeks.  On Monday of this week I did make some Chicken Noodle Soup.  We really like it and I shared it with a friend who is recovering from knee replacement and a neighbor.  It's as easy to make a big pot as a small pot and it freezes beautifully.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 


Just a peek at a couple of pictures from Clancy's county show a couple of weeks ago.  You can see how "in the zone" he is as he braces his sheep for the judges viewing.  Let me assure you that this may not look all that difficult but Clancy has spent hours upon hours working with his sheep to get them to follow his lead when competing.  


Let us remember this during this perilous times.......






                                                                   

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

February Prime Purchases




And, here it is March! And, the first Tuesday means Prime Purchases.  
Here's to another edition!


ROUND  PLACEMATS  WITH  POMPOM  FRINGE



I had some lady friends for a very casual sandwich lunch the week before Valentine's and I ordered these cute placemats to use.  The pom pom fringe makes them.  And, I found the blush pink napkins to match so it was perfect.  I have several sets of the straw like round placemats but none with this fringe.  I wish they came in more than the 3 colors they come in, but, for now, they don't.



VINTAGE  LOOKING  DESSERT  PLATES  AND  CUPS






In looking for some Valentine/heart desserts plates and mugs I ran across these.  Well, they were even better because they don't limit the use to just Valentine's.  They went perfect with the placemats and the ladies all had comments about how pretty they were.  They have a very vintage look and they come 6 to a set and most of the time these type items come 4 to a set.  




SCRIGIT  SCRAPER


I can't remember whose blog I saw these on but, they are the "dandiest" item to have.  They take the place of using your fingernails to scrap things with.  They have a flat end and a rounded end and they will take price tags off, labels off, and even sticky on your counter tops.  There are 5 to a packet and I put one in the kitchen, one in my office and one in my purse and gave one to a friend.  Not sure who in the world came up with such but I suppose they are laughing all the way to the bank now.  Such a simple item but so handy!




LONG  HANDLED  COFFEE  OR  TEA  SPOONS



These spoons are just too cute and I put them on my coffee tray and they add such color.  I will say that the depth of the spoon isn't much but I just use two spoonfulls if necessary.  Not a big deal!



48  GIFT  BAGS



If you've been hanging around my blog for long then you know that I LOVE cute bags.  These are so cute and in such great colors.  They can be used for gifts or a lot of other things.  If I'm taking something to someone I love to take it in a cute bag.  I couldn't resist these when I saw them and there are 48 of them, 6 of each bright color.  And, the stiff handle is a favorite for me, I do NOT like the ones with a loose cord handle.



3  IN  1  BACKPACK



I am a big fan of Bagallini handbags, they are made of a heavy duty lightweight nylon.  This one can be a backpack or a handbag and there is a place for absolutely everything.  It comes in 3 colors and this pattern, which is what I ordered.  There are times when I like a backpack but I won't be limited to just using this one as a backpack.



SUGAR  SCRUB

I love a sugar scrub for my hands and I love the smell of this particular one.  It comes in 3 other fragrances if you are not a fan of mango.  I love to use it before I go to bed and then put my hand lotion on and let it go to work overnight.  I really enjoy it during the winter months when our hands tend to get drier than normal.



VISCOZZY  WEDGE  SNEAKERS



I LOVE wedge sneakers and was looking for some in silver/grey and these fit the bill totally.  I like the height of the wedge but, more importantly, the comfort it affords.  I'm just not "into" a regular tennis/sneaker shoe.  I like height.  These are a good neutral but will look great with grey as well.  And, they are "cute" and that's important too. ~chuckle~  Sadly, I had to return these because they were just too big.  I thought because they laced that they would tighten up on my foot but that was not the case. So, they went back but still wanted to share them because they are such a cute sneaker. 


So, there you have it, another Prime Purchase entry.  Hope something "spoke" to you.  Until next time,

Blessings abundant!