Wade and Majel

Phase ll demolition

This is what was formally known as my closet. I will lose several inches to accommodate the 60 inch tub. My closet is now the room formally known as the living room.

The other side of this wall (below) is the den. I have sheet rock dust in the den! I am glad it is just that, with all the BANGING, I thought I'd have a new opening into the den from the tub!

They plan to work again tonight. Their goal is to finish before May 24th. Tonight I plan to bring them Barbara's Red Beans and Rice and Bread Pudding for supper from the church. yum yum.

Carl, Get Me The Gun, Please

There was a song a few years ago that had a line in it that said " I'm like a bird, I don't know where my home is..." Kaitlin would walk around the house singing that song especially that line from the song. When said bird (keep reading) appeared Kaitlin calls its 'her bird'

We live out in the country. We have deer, roadrunners, raccoons, snakes, scorpions usually in the yard sometimes in the house ( not all of the above in the house just the scorpions so far but there have been lizards and tarantulas) anyhoo

About this time a year this certain bird family comes to call. I thought they were the Bob-White family until a guy Kaitlin was dating told us, in no uncertain terms, that it was the call of the Whippoorwill. I stand corrected.

When you look whippoorwill up in the dictionary here is what you read: a noctural ( just as you are getting to sleep) nightjar of cheifly No. America with a loud, repeating( that should read LOUD and I mean REALLY LOUD repeating over and over and over, you get the idea) call suggestive of its name.

Well, I believe that our said whippoorwill has it in for me. We will all be in the den of an evening and we will hear its faint call and Kaitlin will say "I hear my bird" and we will enjoy the faint sound of the song and then go about our business. Notice the word faint. Well, said bird is just waiting on me to go to bed and then I promise it jumps up on my deck (now I have never seen this happen yet but I will snap a picture when it does) just outside my bedroom and puts its little bird lips on the glass and changes its song to ARE YOU AWAKE, ARE YOU AWAKE, ARE YOU AWAKE until I am ready to get the gun and shoot the stupid bird. I hope it is not protected in some way by law so that I have to go to the pokey because of this stupid bird. The bird doesn't bother Carl or anybody else in family for that matter. What should I imply from this?

Because of the construction in our bathroom, Carl and I have moved down to John's room for the duration. I slept so well last night. Said bird doesn't know I've moved bedrooms yet. As I fell asleep last night I could hear the faint call...it was up on my deck, I'm sure, with its little bird lips probably using a little bird megaphone and I wasn't even there to be anoyed. I'll let you know if it finds me. I'll post of picture of it on my deck when I get one. If you want to hear said bird come over some evening, maybe you could even take said bird home with you!!!

Just when you think you have seen it all...

Today is Brittany's birthday! She is a friend of Kaitlin's. She wanted to be in some jumping pictures on her birthday. I drove down to UALR with Clare, parked and got out to take the jumping pictures. Kaitlin got the camera all set up for me and they began to jump and laugh. Then just when you think you have seen it all...

A workman from somewhere asked to be in the picture? I was dumbfounded. So here is some strange guy with Kaitlin and Brittany, in a jumping picture, on Brittany's birthday.

Do you 'thin slice'?

Last night our book club met. We discussed the book, Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. The sub-title is the Power of Thinking Without Thinking. I read the book about a year ago upon Andrew's suggestion. I told KimT about it and she read it. We discussed it on a treadmill at the Athletic Club. When we put it on the book club list, we wondered what folks would think. Well...

First a definition- 'Thin Slicing' refers to the ability of our unconscious to find patterns in situations and behavior based on very narrow slices of experience.

The discussion was wonderful.

Evelyn didn't care for it at all.

JanP said that when we read books like this we need to remember that God is Truth so that Truth is Truth. She enjoyed it and read it to one of her sons when he had eye surgery.

Cathy said that if so many of our decisions are made without us even knowing how we are making them, we need to be steeped in The Word of God. Wow! She enjoyed it so much that she is now reading his book The Tipping Point.

I think Kaitlin 'thin slices' and that is why she is a good photographer.

Teresa said that this book made her think of another book and then found Gladwell quoting the book she was thinking of-The Gift of Fear by deBecker

I found the book fascinating. It really caused me to pondered and stop and think about and then question some of my actions.

I believe I 'thin slice'. I think this can be used to help and to hurt others. I need to be aware of this and only use it for the good.

I 'd love for you to read it and let me know what you think!

Phase ll

The demolition should begin on this bathroom on Tuesday night! Yea. In my garage now are the new tub, sinks, toilet, and fixtures. True to his word, Wade, met me at Home Depot and Acme Tile and Brick to pick out everything. One wall will have to be moved back a few inches because my tub now is 57 1/2 inches long. They don't make a tub that size now. They are either 60 inches or 72. We went with the 60 inch one. Isn't this tile lovely? Don't you love how the pink/brown tub matches the green?

This is Carl's sink.

This is mine.

The tub leaks, so no telling what they will find when they tear things up. I'm excited mostly. I think maybe I have all the sheet rock dust gone, only to have a new round but it is worth it.

I told Wade that I needed to put a picture of him and Majel on my blog. Wade said to just say he looks like Tom Cruise and Majel looks like Kenny Rogers!

Recommendation from Andrew

http://www.rabbitroom.com/?p=668#more-668

This blog meant a lot to my son, Andrew. I thought you would like it too.

your tip for the day

If you ever wanted to shoot a toilet here is an example! Who knew?

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

A guest blogger, my friend, Hazel

A week ago today we put our 14 _ year old cat, Oxford, to sleep, may he rest in peace, wherever it is animals go to rest. He’d been sick for about six weeks. Since he was a family member, it was a struggle to come to a consensus about how to care for him, what money to spend on diagnosis and treatment, and whether to “let nature take its course” or “put him out of his misery.”

My chaplain husband said in one survey, if given a choice, most folks prefer to have warning of a loved one’s death rather than it happening suddenly. I see the wisdom of that – even in the case of our kitty cat.
Now here’s where God’s ways (Isaiah 55:8.9) amaze me and prove to me once again (though He owes me no proof) that He is intimately acquainted with me (Psalm 139:3) and His love for me knows no bounds (Ephesians 3:19)! Around the same time that Oxy got sick, a beautiful bird’s nest appeared overnight in the wreath hanging in our carport window. I was very encouraged by seeing new life, even as I knew Oxford was surely dying. And doubly encouraged that it was a bird’s new life since Christ said: “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matthew 6:26).
After several weeks of building, Mrs. Robin began to sit on the nest, then stunningly blue eggs appeared. First one and then eventually four. Today, one week after Oxy’s death, there are baby birds! My husband just came to tell me that Mr. Robin made his first appearance and fed Mrs. Robin a worm! J And finally, my son just arrived home from work and beckoned me - “come look, right now!” He whistled softly and the three (alas! not four) fresh beaks stretched up from the nest and we heard the faintest of peeping! J J
Oxy’s death is very sad. We’re still adjusting, it’s only been a week. But to ease the pain of this loss, not only did God give us advance warning of his death, He also gave us new life right under our noses which we are watching daily from our window with great pleasure. We are witnesses of His wondrous creation that tells of His invisible attributes (Romans 1:20).
“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

Thanks for letting me share your blog space Miss Ellen! Thanks to my daughter for sharing her photos.
Hazel

For Fun

I got this from Steptember Whimsy

A One-Word Meme (which is really more like a one-phrase meme -- yeah, no way can I
answer these with just one word!):
You’re feeling: wonderful
To your left: is the dining room table covered with stuff from the pantry
On your mind: which book I’m going to read next
Last meal included: Lemon Pepper Chicken, couscous, salad and decaf sweet tea. Kaitlin cooked supper
You sometimes find it hard to: keep reaching out to folks
The weather: beautiful
Something you have a collection of: My mother’s thimbles
A smell that cheers you up: new mowed grass
A smell that can ruin your mood: clothes that have soured
How long since you last shaved: oh my!
The current state of your hair: it needs help
The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): my folder holder
Your skill with chopsticks: I can eat soup with them ( very quickly)
Which section you head for first in a bookstore: childrens
Something you’re craving: more time to scrapbook
Your general thoughts on the presidential race: I am hoping Jesus comes back before November
How many times have you been hospitalized this year: none
Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: to my computer because it is a room far away from everyone( just kidding Carl)
You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: Walmart Greeter
Something that freaks you out a little: having to turn left
Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: Girl Scout Thin Mints
You have never: shot a toliet with a rifle
You never want to: be alone for a long time


If you would like to play, please do and leave me a comment so I can read your answers!

The Perfect Storm

I heard a pastor say that in our travels along life's way we are in one of three stages of a storm.

At the beginning of a storm- blissfully ignorant of what is on the horizon, In the middle- holding on for dear life or At the End- tattered, bruised and weary.

At the time, I didn't believe him but now I do. But I'd like to add another dimension to this word picture. Watching those close to you go through a storm. I pictures these storms as happening around and to us, as we are in boats. ( why? I don't know)

I have a child in the middle of a horrible storm. This is a really hard place for a mama to be.

My mantra as a mama in raising my children has always been- The Mother should only do what only the Mother can do. This has served my children well, mostly and when I can remember to do it. This is one time when I don't want to do this. I want to paddle my boat over and take my child into my boat just for a while and as my child is resting I'd like to use my paddle on a few folks ,who in my opinion, are at the root of the storm. Two things are stopping me. 1- I have someone in my life that often gets in the middle of her children's storms and I can see the damage she is doing. 2-How will my child know they can weather something if mama is always there to make things 'right'? How will this child know that their faith in God is real. Do you really know the umbrella works if you don't have any rain?

Please pray for my child. Pray for me too, that I'll keep paddling and not hit anyone

Did you miss me?

I've not had the internet since Monday. I may post 20 times in the next few days so... get ready.

Flowers and Friends for my birthday

After I wrote on Monday, Kaitlin and I went to PT and then came home. Marisa was finished with her classes for the day so we loaded up in my van and headed for our surprise lunch destination. I was thrilled when I realized we were eating at Luby's. It is a cafeteria that I love eating at but my children hate it. I know why they hate it- we skewe the age range by about 50 years even when I go in! They took me there and all had wonderful attitudes. Marisa had never been before and liked it. (I may have a buddy to eat there with) I had roast beef, mashed potatoes, broccoli and carrot and raisin salad. yum yum. At 3:30 KimT brought me these beautiful flowers. She asked what were my plans for the rest of the day and I told her we planned to eat supper at Outback with Carl. After a nice visit she left. Carl came home early to talk to Wade about a few things. I was surprised because I told Wade earlier that he could talk to Carl after supper.
We left to go and eat and I asked could I invite Teresa. Carl said " Sure." We got to Outback and it wasn't until after I saw our table did I realize that Carl had planned a party. Bob and KimT, Barbara, Cathy, Bri and Callie joined our party. What fun. I was so surprised. Cathy asked could she and Bri have a ride home and we said sure. After we were all stuffed we loaded up in our van and made our way to take Cathy home...only we didn't make the turn... We were headed to Liz's house. When we walked in she had two cakes, balloons and presents. Lots of folks dropped by. I was stunned. I don't have any pictures yet from that gathering because we used Liz's camera. What fun. After lots of cake and visiting and laughing we left and made it home to watch basketball.
These are the flowers that Taylor and Andrew sent me for my birthday. Both my arrangements have Stargazer Lilies so my house smells so good. I wish I a smell button on my blog so you could enjoy them too. It was a wonderful day!

The Winner is...

Name Score
Ellen 480
Taylor 456
Andrew 440
Carl 404
Charles 391
Elaine 376
John David 366
Marisa 355
Gary 333
Robert K 328
Sherrell 325
John Austin 323
Kaitlin 313

I can't believe I won! This is from our March Madness bracket picking. Carl has some super special way the he multiplies the round plus the seed to get the score. I just picked teams I liked.

April 7 is a Fun Day

Fifty years ago today Addie Lou and Bill went to the hospital in Birmingham, AL and got me. When I got up this morning the den was decorated. John stayed the night with us and plans to go back to school after supper tonight. Kaitlin , John and Marisa got up before Carl went to work so I could open presents with all of us. I am missing Taylor and Andrew. Maybe next year. I did get my first birthday text at 6 am from Andrew.

this is my desk chair and where I sit on the sofa all decorated.

So far I am thinking 50 is nifty! My friend, Sandy, plans to send me 50 text messages today. She is up to 9 right now. She is funny. I 'll let you know how that goes. I know some surprises are planned for today but I have no idea what they are....so stay tuned

I have a magnet on the fridge that says-

The people who have the most birthdays live the longest! Who knew?

Update on Kaitlin

For those of you who have checked on Kaitie Lou. She is still sick. We went to the doctor again today. He gave her a shot ( not in her arm!) and put her on antibiotic for 10 days. The ear that hurts the worst is looking better and the one that feels okay is still red hot.

She and Carl are working at a wedding reception in England. Arkansas that is. They are the candid photographers. Kaitlin loves that the best.

Before and After!

Update on bathroom plus a recommendation

The tiling is done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here is the new sink mostly done!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I mentioned that Majel found a leak behind thewasher? Here is the hole the plumber cut today to fix the leak. We are to wash clothes as usual and see if it is really fixed. Ha! Wash clothes as usual, I haven't had a washer in a week- We'll be doing double time.

Sweet Carl was running out of undershirts on Monday of this week. He asked me what he could do about it. I told him that KimT recommended The Fun Wash to a friend of hers. He packed up his and my unmentionables and took them there. He picked them up that afternoon. There were clean and folded. I was impressed. I would highly recommend them.

Birthdays and Artwork and Friends

Here is our little group eating lunch. Marisa is smiling, hidden are Sandy and Clare, then me , Carl, KimT, back of Barb's head and Brittany. We celebrated Kimt's birthday and mine. Then we loaded up in my van and Brittany's car and went to UALR.We went to see the artwork that had been ,selected by the jury, that had been entered into the student competition. There were about 300 pieces entered and 75 were selected. We saw several pieces by Kaitlin's friends- Brittany, Andrea, Cary, Sara and Ross.Kaitlin has two in the gallery. For those who saw her final project from last semester, these will look familiar. They are Tom with Kerry and Lee Ann with her unborn son, Luke. With our family so far from us it was neat to have all these "aunts" to come and support their Kaitlin. We were there for Brittany, she wanted some family there too.

KimF came with Shelby, Paige and the above mentioned Kerry, age three. When he saw the picture he said "Hey, that's a picture of me and my dad!"

Tina is healed

I received this text message last night at 8:47pm from my friend, Darrell.

Tina entered the gates of Heaven at 8:30, minutes after Clare arrived.
To God be the Glory.

update

All done with tile! Tonight they plan to grout so that they can put the fridge and the washer and dryer back. Tomorrow maybe the rest of the grout!