Easily distracted by pretty papers

Check it out

2009-12-07T12:05:00.002-06:00

This is one of my favorite Christmas clips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddVZOK_9UUI

May your days, may your days, may your days, be merry and bright!

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Chester

2009-11-11T08:39:00.008-06:00

Chester Sue was found dead on County Home Rd. in front of her home on November 11th, 2009 early in the morning by her adopted people Gladdin and Deb. She entered their hearts and lives one fall day in 2003, after charming Deb and Gladdin while they were cleaning their garage. She was a stray that had been injured on the highway and needed a helping hand. She was a very special cat, that had used up more than her allotted 9 lives; a very loving kitty that was as mischievous as she was charming. She will be deeply missed by her people.

Chester camped out on Gladdin's hunting jacket

Chester and Missy

Gladdin and Chester napping

Always the gentle kitty, after all the pain she suffered in her life; never took a swipe or nip at anyone, even getting prodded and poked by the vet

All worn out, sleeping by Snuggles

The good Lord gave us this sweet pet for a time, and I thank Him for all the fun times we had with her.

Deb

Butterfly milkweed bush

2009-08-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

this is one of the plants Gladdin planted in our yard. It is so pretty, I want more of them now that I see all the monarchs coming to visit it. Heaven must be full of them.

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Sigourney sunset

2009-08-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

I got a new camera a few months ago so that I could keep it in my purse for shots like this. The Lord has given us such beautiful surroundings, make sure you take time to smell the roses.

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The other Gladdin

2009-08-21T09:00:00.001-05:00

Bet you didn't know Gladdin had a multiple personality. Yep, Gladdin Grover, Bert Grover, or Albert. Depends on where he is as to which personality comes out. I've always know him as Gladdin. But go down south and Bert comes out. Sometimes Albert shows up too. First time I was with Gladdin and Bert came out, I was confused. I asked him, "what do I call you? Albert, Albert Gladdin, or Bert?" Well, whether he's Albert, Gladdin or Bert he is still the same old easy going guy. He said I could call him anything. So I call him Sue.

This is Nona, Bert's sister. She lives in Salt Lake City.
Nona wanted to come out for their mother's 95th birthday. We celebrated it August 19th, it was a great gift to mother to see all of the children together.

This is Bert, Nona and Chris, Nona's boyfriend; in our back yard.

Here they are all relaxing after a big breakfast.

They could spend only one night with us, and then had to head down to Sigourney to visit the rest of the family. Their dog angel was ready to hit the road.

What a nice dog she is. So mellow and sweet.

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Sure do love this guy

2009-08-21T05:00:00.001-05:00

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Green Acres

2009-08-20T22:18:00.009-05:00

Farm living is the life for me! We rent out 11 acres to a farmer, this year we get to look out our back windows and see corn. Beautiful. We don't live very far from the Marion airport, so frequently we might hear an airplane but it isn't anything bothersome. Gladdin was outside a few days ago and came in and said come look! So I went out to see a plane crop dusting the corn... zoom! I ran in to get the camera, got some great photos, and cheap thrills. I admit I am easily amused but hey! it was pretty cool for a city girl.

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Mary Ann's visit

2009-08-19T10:04:00.007-05:00

I'm so sad, my sis has gone back to California.

We had such a good time. Monday, Mary Ann, mom and I shopped for bargains at the Goodwill; yes I converted my sister.

Mary Ann and mom shopped at Christopher and Banks while I shopped at the big girl store next door CJ Banks. I thought if we just fatten her up a bit we could shop at the same store! Believe it or not, her area of California doesn't have a Christopher and Banks so she stocks up while she's in Iowa. Tuesday we continued our shopping spree.

Wed. the 3 of us visited the Farmer's Daughter's Market, we both bought these happily ever after signs. Mine is in our bedroom. I don't think Gladdin has even noticed it yet! :-)

Thur. Mary Ann and Harold just hung out with mom.

But Fri. we all went to the Amana's and shopped, and ate catfish at the Colony Inn. DELICIOUS! The fatigue finally caught up to mom at the Amana's, she did alot of sitting while we browsed ,

but she perked up a bit when we all got a pair of these cute sandals, assorted bling! Too cute!

Mom was going to go to the farmer's market downtown Sat. with us but stayed home to rest. Our sweet corn festival plans got rained out on Sunday. We packed in alot of fun things while she was here, I sure hope Mary Ann and Harold move back here when they retire, like Harold put it, he would put her back where he got her from. I sure do love that guy.

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Giant Marshmallows

2009-08-02T16:06:00.004-05:00

I like to eat marshmallows sometimes, just a nice quick sweet treat to have in the cupboard. I was at the store, pushing the cart along when out of the corner of my eye I say this huge bag of marshmallows! I mean huge! I went over and picked one up, and laughed out loud. What a fun thing to do, supersize marshmallows! There are pink ones along with the standard white ones. Tossing it in the cart, I couldn't wait to show them to Gladdin. He wasn't nearly as thrilled as I was, imagine that. So I busted the bag open, and took a bite...ummm, fresh and yummy. One marshmallow is enough to stuff you. I did a search for giant marshmallows on the internet, just to see what I'd find. Do you know where marshmallows come from? Neither did I, all my life living here in Iowa. I knew chocolate milk came from brown cows, and jelly beans came from the easter bunny, but never saw a harvest of marshmallows.

I'm going to get some seeds next year, and grow a bunch of my own!

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My sis is coming to visit August 10-20

2009-08-01T15:07:00.006-05:00

mom, my daughter- in- law Steph, Mary Ann and me

My sis is coming to visit!

I am very excited. Mary Ann is the oldest in the King clan, born August 9th many, many years before I was born. (I did that for your benefit Mary Ann, a test to see if you read my blog! :-)) She has a high school reunion she wants to attend, graduated from Washington High school, you know, back in the dark ages.. :-)

She takes after dad's side, dark hair, skinny legs. She even sounds like my sweet daddy's sister, Mary.

Mary Ann has lived away from this area since she got married, I was just a wee child when she moved away. She lives in California now. You other gals whom have sisters might not believe this, but it is the honest truth...We never got into an argument. No not once, never. I do remember getting mad at her and her girl friend though; they probably wanted me to get out of their hair. So I made them give my gum back. Yep, spit it right into my hand they did. "That'll teach them!" I thought to myself. Humph!

I saw a movie on THIS tv last night, channel 7.2. The Man in the Moon was the title, with Reece Witherspoon, when she was little. I watched that movie with nostalgia. It was just like Mary Ann and I. She used to brush my hair, I'd brush hers, I'd scratch her back, she'd scratch mine, I couldn't wait to do the dishes JUST LIKE MY BIG SISTER. We used to sleep in bunk beds, hers was on top. Sometimes when we went to bed she would climb down and we would whisper and giggle, gradually getting louder and louder till dad would yell into our bedroom"you girls be quiet and get to sleep!" I looked up to Mary Ann, she was cool, I was clumsy and awkward.

For many years I didn't even know what to do with a sister when she came back for visits. I would ask my friends at work who had sisters what they did for fun together.

Then one year I went with mom and dad to California as their travel companion. They needed alot of help through the airport etc. after dad had his stroke. After we settled in California, Mary Ann and I took off for San Fransico for 3 days together. We had such fun! Laughing, catching up and reminiscing, laughing, walking and sight seeing, laughing, riding the cable cars, and laughing some more. If you catch us around town, we will be the ones laughing!

There has been talk...that when they retire they are moving back here. When I was out in California a few years back, Harold (her husband) and I were alone, and he told me the sweetest thing. He said, "Mary Ann gets homesick sometimes and would like to move back to Iowa, so when we retire I'm going to return her to where I got her from." I told you! SWEET huh? What a guy. Yep, she willed him to me too, said if she goes first I can have him!! I had such a crush on him when I was little. He would tickle me,and ride the scarey rides with me at the All Iowa Fair, what a guy.

Here's Mary Ann suprising Harold with a birthday cake.

The Shack

2009-06-18T11:49:00.002-05:00

I was off work since last friday, I had a reaction to a new med. and you all would have sworn I was blonde after seeing how dizzy I was. (sorry all you blondes, just kiddin :-)

That gave me alot of time to read. So I finished the Chick-Lit book and went onto The Shack. All I can say is, WOW! I loved it. I loved the authors style, the characters, and it made me look at God alittle differently. I don't understand why some churches told their congregation not to read it, it was clearly stated in the book that God isn't male or female, that the form God took was just the easiest for the main chartacter to handle. They probably didn't read it! Too bad, good or bad I think we are intelligent enough to decide for ourselves.

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2009-05-26T11:16:00.004-05:00

Outside my window...It is cloudy, with a threat of rain

I am thinking...That I better get my laundry done so I can play all day tomorrow

From the learning rooms...I am learning more about who I am, and how to be alone without getting depressed because I am alone

I am thankful for...My second chance at happiness

From the kitchen...smoked porkchops, sweet potato salad, asparagus and lemon cake

I am wearing...A brown shirt sprinkled with dog hair and green shorts bermudas with a tropical print in brown, tan and white

I am reading...our Chic-Lit book, Along came a cowboy

I am hoping...That I will like my new job I am going to June 1st

I am creating...Some extra sympathy cards

I am praying...For my husband to have a safe trip back from the farm

Around the house...It has been very quite and lonely

One of my favorite things...Is having a clean house

A few plans for the rest of the week...To get all the loose ends tied up for the person that will take my place at work

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

You can have a Daybook too by going to The Simple Woman's Daybook blog!

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2008/04/join-simple-womans-daybook.html

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Memorial Day

2009-05-25T09:45:00.004-05:00

Thank-you

2009-05-25T09:12:00.007-05:00

I want to thank all of you who have served our country during peace time and during time of war. For protecting my rights as a US citizen and for protecting my children's rights. I want to share this photo of my dad, when he was in WWII.

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My mom's card

2009-05-09T18:27:00.002-05:00

Now don't get used to this 2 blogs in a day, but Gladdin's still outside mowing and so I'm living it up in the "lab" with creative juices flowing all over the place. Just knocked out my mom's mother's day card, and thought I'd post it if I could get a good photo of it. So here it is...you guy's get to see it before my mom.

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The Other Side of Darkness

2009-05-09T17:09:00.005-05:00

I do have to say, I didn't have many expectations for this discussion, the book was about a very dark subject. It was a hard read for me, and I almost didn't finish it. We had the discussion in my home today, and it turned out to be very good.

There was Kathy, Liz and Shelia,

Jolene, mom, Jill and Anita

our new Chic-Lit (Julie) received her bookmark

Beautiful baby Will sat in

Sheila had picked out the book , so she lead the discussion.

Missy took a liking to Linda right away, and got very comfortable, or is that boredom?

Linda brought me these pretty flowers, little did she know I was thinking some fresh flowers would be nice to have, but I didn't get around to getting some.

All in all, the club is becoming a great success. I used to read alot, but I haven't made time for it for many years, and really missed it. The bookclub is a great way of getting back into it, and my favorite part is the wonderful women of the Chic-Lit club. What great, intimate discussions we get into. There is laughter, tears, revelations, and healing taking place within our safe Chic-Lit family environment. God bless all of my Chic-Lit sisters, I love each and everyone of you!!

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Strange Migratory Pattern

2009-04-11T17:20:00.009-05:00

Wed. when I got home from Discovery Club, Gladdin asked me if I saw the flock of flamingo's in our front yard. "No!" I exclaimed as I grabbed a flash light and my faithful wonderdog Missy to protect me. I heard those flamingo's can be a mean lot, even going as far as pecking out your eyes! As I creeped toward the flock, with my faithful wonderdog BEHIND me, I remembered looking at Linda's blog earlier that day. SHE too had flamingo's congregate in her yard. What is going on, two strikes in the same church family in as many days??

I shined my flash light on the birds; and noticed a large sign with a funny little man standing under it. Oh...now I understand.

The kids at church have gotten messed up with an extortion ring, and the ring leader is none other than, THE YOUTH PASTOR??? I'm not suprised, Keith does have a shady past; several years ago was the killer in our murder mystery, The Class of 1957. Looks pretty felonious doesn't he?

Well, the flamingo's are still here, so I put out some bread for them. They haven't eaten much. Our killer cat Chester isn't afraid of them, walked right up to them and helped herself to the bread, I guess they knew better than to tangle with her.

Well, I guess I'll pay; it is a pretty worthy cause. Our kids are raising money for their out reach to help flood victims. What a great bunch of kids we have. I think I'll even have them fly over to my mom's house, she's into wild life.

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2009-04-11T16:27:00.000-05:00

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My kiddo's

2009-04-01T08:57:00.016-05:00

Thanks for the encouragement, I DO have a photo of my handsome oldest son Adrian, here he is making a tool to cut alot of cellophane for his wedding. Adrian has always been very talented, makes leather products and has made jewelry. Adrian is 31

Adrian crafted a tree out of heavy gauge wire for Steph's bouquet. You can see the tree over on the right. Steph and Adrian got married one year ago in october. I am the luckiest mother-in-law. Steph is such a sweet girl, and she totally completes Adrian. He has matured so much since he has been with her. I am very blessed.

This is my baby Ash. Ashley Lyle, named after Ashley Wilks. He has such a funny sense of humor that many times he had me in stitches, with tears running down my face. He will be 25 in May, born on mother's day, after I had 2 misscarriages. I am SO VERY blessed.

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2009-03-31T11:53:00.002-05:00

I'm still here, not posting because I feel I don't have anything to talk about. My life is pretty boring, not boring to me mind you, but to have something to write about...no. I worked Sat. so we didn't go to Chloe's adoption. Ahhh! Tonight I go get my hair colored, back to my natural color. I am excited. tomorrow the Discovery Club is having their pizza party. That should be wild, I need to rest up tonight. Ha-Ha!! I look back at raising 2 VERY active boys, and wonder how I ever kept up. Oh youth...I have to remember my camera. Well, lunch time is over and back to work. Yeah, maybe it is boring to me...

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The Lord's Prayer-sung by a 2 year old

2009-03-12T11:53:00.005-05:00

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Fun night

2009-02-28T17:27:00.003-06:00

Friday afternoon/night was full of good times with great women. I am very blessed to have so many wonderful women in my life. After work I had a jewlery party at Cranky Hanks, had a fun time visiting with the gals I work with. I am so glad I went back to main plant, where I have spent pretty much of my 35 years at Rockwell. It is homey. If you have to work, (I have to support my scrapbooking/cardmaking habit ha-ha!) I couldn't find a better place to be. The people are a close knit group, and my best buddy is there too.

After the party I picked up mom and we went over to JoAnna's new house for our first Chic-Lit book review. We read the book, Hot Flashes and Cold Cream. The discussion was rampant with laughter and stories. The time just flew by, and before I knew it, I had to get home to bed. Had to get up to get the VUE into Saturn to get it serviced. I woke up 40 minutes before I had to be there, brushed my teeth and hair and threw on my clothes. I have never got ready that fast. Whew! I just made it there for my appointment.

Well, I have to sign off to make Marie a birthday card, she is 90 tomorrow. She is such a lovely woman. We are going to shower her with cards and have our monthly fellowship dinner.

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Tiny tracks

2009-02-24T17:56:00.004-06:00

As I previously posted, Chester's bunks in the garage. She has it quite cozy out there. It keeps her out of the cold and she has little snacks show up unwittingly, squeeking about announcing their arrival. She especially likes it when I come home and park the VUE for the night. The engine is warm and she gets up on it, kind of like her own personal bun warmer. Here's the evidence. Rotten Cat.

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Not for the queezy folks

2009-02-24T17:46:00.007-06:00

Chester loves to be inside with us, but she also loves to go outside and do her catly duty. Hunt. We got her in all snug and warm into the garage for the night, when I decided to go out into the garage and get a 12 pack of pop that I had stored out there. I went to the left side of the garage, Chester's quarters are on the right; and bent down to pick up the pop. I turned my head to the left and saw a dead rabbit. The darn rabbit was as big as Chester!! I knew no one would believe me when I told them Chester bagged a rabbit as big as her, so we got a photo just so this story wouldn't turn into one of those fish stories. I am sooooo happy I found her kill before she decided to have a midnight snack.

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There's a mouse in the house!

2009-02-24T17:39:00.004-06:00

Mina the city girl caught a mouse the first winter we were here. We didn't see her do it. Gladdin went to get his shoes that were by the front door on a shoe tray, and he said "your cat threw up" I went over with a paper towel and looked at it, it was a MOUSE! She ate it and then threw it up. Probably too rich for her. After that adventure, she just chases them and might pat at it. So...I caught one in a glad disposable. She had quite a bit of fun and no indigestion.

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2009-02-23T11:43:00.007-06:00

Before I married Gladdin I adopted Mina, a beautiful long haired cat. Mina and I came as a package deal when we got married and moved to the country. Deb and Mina, 2 city girls.

About a month after we married, we were cleaning our garage, and a kitty walked right in and started rubbing my leg. I thought this is so cute (AFTER I decided I wouldn't take care of any stray cats, too easy to run one over with the car) and picked it up. The cat was purring loudly, then I came to my senses and put the cat back down. It lost it's balance and wobbled to the side. I picked it back up to see what was wrong, and I saw a long gash on it's hind leg, and you could see the tendon. So we figured we needed to feed it since it couldn't hunt; and of course I had to name it. Chester(AKA Rotten Cat), because it walked with a limp like Chester of Gunsmoke. Later we found out Chester was a female. Chester Sue. Chester charmed her way into our hearts, now lives in the garage. Garage? you say. Well, Chester still has her claws because we can't keep her from going outside, and because she was starving when she adopted us, we can't keep her off the counters. She will steal your muffin you packed for lunch and eat through the baggy. Thus, Rotten Cat. She does come in for visits when we can keep an eye on her.

Now Missy is my fox terrier that I adopted about 15 months ago. She is a wonderful addition. She and Chester hit it off right away. Missy is short haired and always looking for a warm body to snuggle up with. Mina tolerates her somewhat. Did I mention that Mina is a snob? She doesn't like Chester at all. Chester loves everyone...

...Especially if they have a food bowl she can steal from. Chester's such a chow hound. If I drop something on the kitchen floor when cooking, chester and Missy are in a dead heat.

We cover up Missy's and Mina's food bowls when Chester comes blasting in from the garage, she makes a beeline to Mina's bowl, then Missy's. We cover them with a saucer. She has learned how to flip it off with her nose. Rotten Cat.

Dry embossing

2009-02-21T18:06:00.002-06:00

I started a card club exchange at work about a year ago, each month a different person chooses the theme. This month the theme was dry embossing. This is my card.

An old man and his dog

2009-02-20T16:45:00.004-06:00

On our trip to San Fransisco a few years ago, I took this photo. It is one of my all time favorite people pictures.

Kahlil Gibran On Children

2009-02-19T13:49:00.003-06:00

Your children are not your children.They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.They come through you but not from you,And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts.You may house their bodies but not their souls,For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your childrenas living arrows are sent forth.The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

In the beginning...

2009-02-19T11:51:00.002-06:00

I bet all you are eagerly awaiting a post here. I am really stuggling with this blog stuff. I am not understanding some of the language that is in the help section to create all the fun stuff. I am a detail person and can't create the fun stuff and am getting frustrated. It is always a last resort to go to help for me, so now what???!!!! I see you tube has tutorials. Thank-you you tube!