my favorite little spook

Seeing Our President!
When I learned President Obama would be in College Stations speaking in October, I tried several ways to get tickets and had no luck. Then on Thursday, 10/15, I got a call from Sondra Haltom at the Texas Democratic Party saying I had the opportunity to have 2 tickets. I was so excited. My daughter Laney wanted to take 1-year-old Josey, but they wouldn’t allow that – too distracting. So I took the 18-year-old granddaughter of Lois Brown, a strong local Democrat who also had 2 tickets, for herself and her daughter – so 3 generations of that family saw Obama. I later learned that I got my tickets because Bill Holcombe, of Crockett, couldn’t use his and asked that they offer them to me. I’ll owe him always.
It was a long afternoon. We picked up our tickets at the College Station Mall by 12:30 p.m. and got in line for the buses that would take us all to Rudder Tower. The buses started running at 2. At Rudder we surrendered all hand-held items to be searched, and we walked through scanners. I was glad I’d left my pocket knife in my truck. We were in our seats by 3, and Rudder Auditorium was full. I was lucky in that we were very close to the stage, only about 12 rows back.
We were first entertained by a delightful Aggie a cappela singing group called Apotheosis, and that alone was worth the trip. At the end of everything, I think it was the Aggie Singing Cadets that sang patriotic songs, and again, that was wonderful.
George Bush Sr. talked first. I was amazed at how tottery he was, and he walked with a cane. Then President Obama spoke. Neither dwelt on politics, and both were very complimentary and supportive of the other. They talked about community service and giving of oneself. One of my favorite things came at the end. They were on a raised platform, stepping up or down about a step above the stage – and Bush and Bob Gates had been seated to the left of the microphone on that platform while Obama spoke. They began exiting to the right, with Obama ahead. After he stepped down, he paused and waited for Bush Sr. and took him gently by the elbow to steady him, and they walked off the stage that way.
It had been a very long afternoon – we weren’t allowed food or drinks in the buses or Rudder. As we left Rudder, most of us were disappointed that the buses weren’t waiting. We waited impatiently for about 15 minutes, getting crankier. Then from behind us to the left we heard sirens on that street, and we turned to see 3 police escort vehicles followed by 2 SUVs with flags on the corners, and then more vehicles – and we realized it was our President and Bush, and we then understood why the buses weren’t there yet. Security had closed down the streets until Obama and Bush Sr. had departed campus. Everyone relaxed more and waited.
There were protestors across the street and to the right, but I’m not sure if they were ever seen or heard by the President. There were also Aggies protesting the protestors. One sign said, “Free Nelson Mandella” (a little late) and another, my favorite, said, “Make awkward inappropriate sexual advances, not war.”
It was a truly grand day.

a symbol of my youth has died

Mary Trevors, of the 1960's singing group "Peter, Paul, and Mary", died last Wednesday, Sept. 16, of leukemia - age 72. The group's songs used beautiful harmonies despite the turmoil of the protest movements. To me, lots of their songs are classics for my generation.

fun times

Josey is gradually getting over her latest respiratory infection. She's getting so mobile! She's really not too happy unless she's down in the floor moving around, and I love to be there with her. She eats supper at my house pretty often, and I love it when she does -- I hope that continues throughout her life. She is so much fun, and I really love it when I pick her up and she lays her little head down on my shoulder! Last night she was standing on the floor in front of the couch, beside her mother, and she leaned over against Laney's leg and let go with both hands, standing there probably for a minute and a half with no hands! Watch out world, here she comes soon!

blessed rain!

Yesterday afternoon we received just a hair under 2 inches of rain, in less than an hour's time! I celebrated by burning feed sacks. I'd been reading Elmer Kelton's book, The Time It Never Rained, and it was so realistic and true-to-my-daily-life that I had to put it away for a while - maybe now I can finish it. I really like his writing and can't believe I've never read any of his work before. We got .3 of an inch more of rain during the night, and it looks like today will be wet too - thank God!

Laney and Josey arrived during the rain, since the wind was blowing hard. Laney had pulled off her denim blazer and wrapped it over Josey in her arms to keep her dry - but Josey didn't like her head covered so had uncovered the top of her head. When she came in the door, her little head was soaked and her hair so cute and curly, and she had such a grin on her face - it looked like she too knew the rain was a wonderful thing. Lana decided Sunday to teach her to raise her hand and give folks a high five (and then we clap and cheer), and she's doing it constantly now, and loves it. She's such a joy!

36th year in education

Monday, August 24, marks my 36th one to begin as an educator - hard to believe. It seems like at least half of the parents that come in to register students were also students of mine before.

Josey, Laney, and I went to B/CS yesterday to the annual horsemen's market & to shop. Josey has 2 new top teeth. It was a fun day.

Readers' Digest

Laney called this morning to give me bad news - that Readers' Digest is filing bankruptcy. I was so glad she realized the importance. My Uncle Fred started giving me a subscription to Readers' Digest before I was 10, so I've been enjoying the magazine for almost 50 years now, and I'm thrilled that Laney too enjoys it immensely. Like I have before her, she uses it at school often. Hopefully it can hang in there so Josey too can read and enjoy it. I have so many plans for Josey to read things. Hopefully she'll be the 4th generation of our family to enjoy the Lonesome Dove trilogy, and other McMurtry books. That's jumping ahead quite a bit, but I believe in planning ahead!

Josey in new hat!

Josey looks like she's about to say, "I can ride him - open the gate!" She gets more fun daily.

Sunday I put Josey in the pool for a while, and she really was fascinated by the hose - I think she's learned how good water tastes right out of a hydrant or hose! Her little earrings are so cute - she had her ears pierced July 31. Sunday we went to B/CS for a bit and I really like her black and white dress you see in the 2nd photo. YOu can tell I really adore her no matter what she's wearing!

my summer over

Technically my summer has been over since Tuesday, when I came back to work at school. I worked in Abilene all last week, doing public relations for the Texas State 4-H Horse Show. It was almost dark Saturday when I got home. Sunday we had lunch at Lana's to celebrate Mother's 80th birthday, and I kept Josey on Monday while Laney had a workshop. Josey and I had great fun. I bought her a palm leaf hat in Abilene, and she seems to like wearing it. I can't wait to post photos, but so far haven't gotten any.

Like Abra says on her blog, I'm a book lover. It's hard to decideon favorite books, I love so many. For kids, my favorites are Jennifer, Hecate, McBeth, Willliam McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, and also A Wrinkle in Time. It'll be a long time until Josey will be ready fo rthose. Some of my favorite adult books have been Gone With The Wind, Lonesome Dove, The Streets of Laredo, Comanche Moon, Fried Green Tomatoes, amd Water For Elephants. I really enjoy anything Dick Francis writes, but his books aren't what you call great books. For a while I really liked Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson, but I don't enjoy them as much any more. I read to escape, I think. I've lots of ideas for writing, and hope one day to sit down and write a book.

There are so many things I wish I could do. I'd love to know how to :
1. make pottery
2. paint and/or draw artistically
3. weld
4. cut and lay ceramic tile
5. upholster furniture
6. take better quality of photographs
7. Do wood working and build furniture and things

Summer is waning fast. Day after tomorrow I go to Abilene for the State Horse Show, leaving here July 26 and returning August 1. Then I go back to work pretty quickly. This summer has been great. I'd hated that we didn't vacation anywhere, and I told Laney I'd call this Ice Cream Summer, and try to make a freezer of homemade ice cream weekly. I've fallen down on that some, only making 4 freezers, but that was better than ever befroe. The season has been best because I've spent lots of time with Josey and Laney. Laney's such a good mother that I sit and marvel at it. Josey has such a little personality of her own already, and I think she knows me and recognizes me now. You can be emy heart melts when she reaches for me!

rain

The community at which I live is called Laceola - once about 80 years ago there was a post office on the corner. This morning we received 2.2 inches of rain! It fell nice and slow, over about 3 hours time, and as of noon the sun had not shone on it yet, so maybe it won't just bake right back out. Thank God.

Josey on Casey for the first time

Josey rode Casey for the first time this morning, and she seemed to enjoy it. I think if she'd have ridden any longer she'd have fallen asleep, which I can remember that her mother did a lot. The saddle they rode today had a high swell so it didn't work well, and we'll use one of the other 2 that have lower swells next time. Yesterday Josey had her 9--month doctor's appointment and got a shot. The doctor came into the exam room and told Laney that Josey is in the 95th percentile in height and weight, and said, "They must have mis-measured her head, there's no way her head is as big as what they measured." Laney told him, "I saw them measure it and I'll bet they're right, we just have big heads in our family." He masured and said, "My goodness, you are right - her head is 48 centimeters, which puts that at over the 100th percentile on our charts!" I wasn't surprised either. When Laney was born she weighed 8 lb. 6 oz, and there was another baby in the nursery with her that weight 11 1/2 pounds - and her head measurement was bigger than his!

our Corgi, Leon

This morning I had to have our Corgi, Leon, put down. We'd have had him 14 years if he'd lived to Thanksgiving. He's been great company and I will miss him terribly. He loved baths and water. When he swam in tanks it always scared me that he'd start floundering and I might drown trying to rescue him. When it got to be stormy weather, he always wanted to get in the bathtub - somehow I think he knew that was the safest place to be in a storm. He was so pretty and so soft to touch. We got him at Rose Palace at the Greater Houston QHA Thanksgiving Circuit in 1995 - when I got him in my hand, I wouldn't give him back to the Snows, I was afraid they'd sell him before I got back with the check. With Laney riding in the arena warming up and them knowing her, they trusted me to bring the check back. Of course Georgia Snow had told me I could register him, but with him being a fluff I learned I couldn't and I'm sure she knew that. I always thought he was worth every penny of the $400 I paid for him, and much more. Marcus Petri always said Leon was my first son, and Marcus said he himself was my other son.

I'm very happy to say that I have a new rug in my den. My old one was so worn and dog-chewed around the edges, I'd gotten so that I hated to have anyone come in the house! Also I didn't like Josey sitting on it. She seems to like the new one, and she stood up on it last night, leaning on me as I sat beside her. I bought it at auction on-line and got it for a good price, I thought -- at www.swicoauctions.com. My problem now is that I've been having to call to try to find election judges for all 8 of the Madisonville voting boxes for next year, and folks are quite reluctant!

wonderful summer

I love these long summer days, though I'd really appreciate some rain. I love being able to go outside at 9 p.m. and it's still light. Sunday I saw Leigh Ann's Rustyn, and he is such a cutie! Josey was jealous, which is no surprise. Last night Nathan git a call at 10 p.m to go haul some cattle so then Laney and Josey came and spent the night with me. I loved having her, but she didn't look rested this morning. We ate lunch at the spot behind the doughnut store, and had a great meal. I've bought a new rug at www.swico.com, and will go pick it up this afternoon, from Tom Gibbs -- can't wait, it'll look so much better than my ancient den rug.

June flowers

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I really love having so many flowers blooming in my yard now!

57 summers

This week I've been thinking about trying to do something to make this summer memorable, with no great success so far. This makes my 57th summer, and summer has always been my favorite season, but mostly they all blend together into a heavenly time. I remember the summer after I graduated from college, moving to Huntsville, attending SHSU classes, etc. I remember the summer I graduated from SHSU, breaking an engagement, getting hired to teach in Madisonville. I remember the summer I met Laney's dad, how I was sick with hepatitis, etc, and the summer she was born - how it was so hot, how perfect she was in every way, and how I hated to ever go back to work. Then there was the next summer, when she was 1, taking her to Waco to the State 4-H Horse Show, and to the Hill Country to watch Lindy show Jan. After that summers pretty much became a blur of horse shows, wonderful times all, but none set apart much from othe other. The summer we moved into our house, I spent it all planting grass and watering to try to get it to spread. This summer is grand because Josey is part of it for the first time.Maybe it should be the summer I first publish a newsletter at State 4-H, or when I start The Grat American Novel, or ??? I need inspiration.

althea photo was left out before

summer

Yesterday I had my first Texas Star hibiscus blossom for the summer, which I thought was fitting, as it was Josey's 8-month birthday. My altheas have really been beautiful - see photo - I planted lots of them when Linda Carpenter was moving and gave them to me. I especially love them because they give me beauty when I look outside my bathroom window each morning this time of year. I also love mimosas - only one is big enough to be pretty yet, but it smells even better than it looks. I also treasure my old-fashioned petunias, and the ice plant, which thrives so. I really love plants that are easy yet lovely. I'm struggling to keep grass alive.

good old summer time

Yesterday I bought Josey a toddler swing for my backyard, and it was an instant hit. She giggled and smiled and laughed, over and over. She ate supper at my house, a common occurrence, thank God!

babysitting

This past week I got to keep Josey 2 times - Laney had to work Memorial Day, and then on Saturday, 5/30, she again had to work. I was off both days and had a great time keeping Josey. Both days I put her in her little blue pool in the shade in my backyard. She needed something in which to splash at home too, but it needs to be taken in the house every time she gets out due to the dogs there, so I got her a little pink tub at the grocery store, a perfect size for her right now. Laney's out of school now, and our MJH kids have 4 more days, and then I don't count up my days til I finish the finish-up work that I have to do.

Laney had to work yesterday (Memorial Day) and I didn't, so I got to keep Josey! We had a fun day. She has a tiny edge of a tooth now, bottom front, that you only learn about by feeling, as it's a good secret she thinks. We sat in the back yard with the dogs quite a bit, and she loves it when they lick her feet. I was so proud that when she sees me, she starts grinning and bouncing up and down - but she also does the same thing for the dogs - so I guess she loves me and them too. About 30 minutes before Laney was to get home I put Josey's little blue plastic pool in the shade and she splashed and splashed. It was a wonderful holiday! Laney has to work 1/2 day Saturday too, so I get to keep her then too! Can't wait!

We're retesting 8th grade TAKS Math failures todaoy, plus trying to organize the optional-flexible year program that starts Thursday. Thank goodness I received the attached Josey photos to make my day.

We moved Mother to one of the local nursing homes yesterday - Frday. It wasn't easy, and she wants to go home, but she also seems pretty happy there. I think the fact that more folks are around is a big factor. So many of the staff know her from when she was Justice of the Peace. Also, so far she's had lots of guests. Jamie and Riley were in Mother's room when I got there today.

I stopped and saw Josey on my way in to town -- fed her part of her lunch. She's growing fast and is so much fun!

Looks like we'll get rain today, which will be a good thing.

In this photo, it looks to me like she's about to say, "How do you like me now?" And I love her more every moment!

a great day

It was a great Mothers' Day weekend. Saturday Laney, Josey, & I shopped in B/CS and bought Josey a set of baby keys, which she really needed, and several other important things. Sunday we lunched on Chinese food and I bought a small blue wading pool. Josey got in it for the first time late yesterday afternoon, and she loved it.

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon will be too late."

I saw this in a fellow teacher's e-mail today and I really like it. It reminds me of my uncle, Fred Westmorland. I had 2 of the best uncles ever - Fred and Thomas Rhodes, and they both made a big difference in my life. Fred had no children, a step-son, Dr. Thurston Dean, and he always seemed to really like girls and to pick on girls - he was quite a tease. After I got to be an adult he was always asking when I was going to make him a cake. I'd been promising him one for a while and kept thinking I'd get one made, and then he suddenly died, when I was about 27. He rose from the supper table one night, was walking to "his chair" in the den and didn't make it there, collapsed and died with a massive heart attack. And I never made him that cake.

It's been a hard week - Mother being in the hospital has relieved me of worrying about supper for her nightly and buying groceries and worrying if she eats breakfast, but she's not easy to deal with at the hospital. The sick bull has been another problem, but I'm returning him for another one day next week,Jimmy Wells is going to send one back with me too. I got my 35-year recognition last night at the teachers' dinner. Jo Beth Batson got her 35th too, and Mary Ann Gaines is retiring after 31 years. I worked very closely with both of those for several years and enjoyed working with them. Mothers' Day is this weekend,which seems a bit sad to me. I've enjoyed Laney so much, and it seems the years have passed too quickly. I think I hurried through so much of her life. <

etc

I kept Josey on Tuesday, we had our first arts and crafts time. I painted the soles of her feet with tempera paint, pressed onto 2 different pieces of fabric - then did her hands - for Laney for her first Mother's Day. The feet weren't hard, hands were, the left one isn't really distinguishable, but we tried. She wound up pretty much painted solid from diaper down, and had a big swipe of green above her right temple. We had to go ahead and show Laney that afternoon, as Josey went home with lots of yellow paint under her fingernails, and some turquoise under her toenails. She liked the feel of the wet paint being brushed onto her feet and hands.

It seems that Mother must have had a mini-stroke or something - Dr. Hubley put her in the hospital here on Tuesday. She's unable to walk, and was very vague but has perked up a lot. There was fluid on her lungs and some fever. The strangest thing is that she has forgotten all about cigarettes and smoking - I'd have bet any money I'd ever have that this part would NEVER happen.

I do love a busy large animal vet. Yesterday Nathan brought bull that had been missing from the Windmill Place back to Mother's house, had been in the neighboring Rhodes's place, the Charlais bull had probably whipped him, but also, the bull's ____ was hanging out all swollen - sometimes they step on themselves, or ??? Anyway, I called my favorite local vet and of course it was 5 p.m. - and she didn't even say anthing like "do you want to bring him in or ?" -- just said "give him 60 cc of LA 200 and __ of Banamine or Dex - do you have those?" I said I did and told her thanks a millon. Thank goodness the bull was easy to deal with, I got him in the squeeze chute easily,and this morning he seems much better.

Tonight I get my 35-year recognition at Teacher Appreciation Banquet -- they flew by!

TAKS tests this week!

I finally finished cleaning up the paperwork for the 3-day AQHA show I secretaried in Bryan April 10-12. I always come home so tired (long hours) and sick of the show, and can't get motivated to finish all, but am now glad it's done though AQHA will be ticked that it is late. Kids at my school TAKS or LAT tests every day this week, stressful for me, and it seems I can never get it down pat and easy. Am heading to Wal-Mart now to try to find a flowering plant to put on my desk to brighten the week, then to grocery store for extra food for the stress! I need something like Mexican cornbread or ?.

huggable

Josey in her high chair

a high chair at Mama Cannon's house

Yesterday I bought, at Once Upon A Child in College Station, a high chair for Josey to use at my house. She ate supper at my house last night and sat in a high chair for the first time, and she seemed to love it. After she finished I gave her a big plastic spoon which she loved to hit on the tray and/or chew. Laney's to send me photos of her in the high chair.

I worked Easter weekedn

Though I'd told them last year that I wouldn't help this year, I worked the Bryan AQHA Horse Show this past weekend, long hours but I enjoyed seeing my horse friends. I got home before 5 on Sunday and Josey and Laney came and ate supper at my house, making my day perfect! Got 1/2 inch rain, terrific. Wayne Turner did good job of tending my animals. I need to catch up on sleep and eat some real food, they didn't feed us well there.

Attached is a photo of my great niece, Riley Farris, showing her miniature pony at the County Fair pet show on Wednesday. It was a wild affair, more like a big can of fishing worms than an organized event! Riley is a joy, as is, of course, granddaughter Josey!

great spring break

Life in Madison County has been good lately, better than usual. I love spring. A few weeks back we finally got 2.3 inches of rain, and things are greening up, though we still need more rain. I bought a full slicker suit for myself at Christmas, since I put out round bales for my cows every other day all winter, and I never opened the slicker suit until March 13, that's how dry our winter was! I nearly froze March 13, on the tractor in cold drizzle, but I was still thrilled with every drop of rain! We've been on Spring Break this week and I've seen lots of Josey - she and Laney came and ate breakfast on Monday and lunch on Tuesday, and today, Wednesday, we went to the Outlet Mall this side of Conroe where we bought Josey lots of necessities - mostly every day onesies, but a few other darling things. Poor thing, she didn't have a bathing suit or a cardigan to put over a little dress -- now she has several more little dresses plus a cardigan, pink. She's getting so that she smiles at me a lot, and I'm sure at lots of other folks too, but I really love it when she smiles at me! Now I've got to get to the Fair - Pig Show! Maybe it'll rain tonight!

I love this little knit dress and bow -- Josey looks good in green, and in any color! I can just say it-- Josey always looks good! I didn't see her as much as I'd have liked to this weekend, but I don't want her parents to think they're tired of having me around. She looks so serious and thoughtful here in this photo - but I really love it when she looks at me and then starts to smile. Maybe she's starting to like her Mama Cannon! I can only hope! I saw Riley this weekend and she called me "Wara", not the "Wah-wee" of old -- if she doesn't start calling me Mama Cannon, Josey will probably call me Laura or Wara too. The good thing was, Riley said, "I want to go in Wara's house"- which I liked, but she was with Lana and they were in a hurry, so she didnt' get to come in.

This morning Nathan and others worked my mother's Windmill Pasture cattle, and then this afternoon they did mine. I really like the way these guys work - no hurry and no problems, just take care of business and it gets done quickly and well. Josey and Laney came to Mother's stock pen, and Laney sat on the catwalk by the pen and nursed Josey under her "hooter hider" while the guys worked. Josey's boots wouldn't stay on, her feet are so tiny, but she sure looked precious in her jeans. Now I will start organizing TAKS booklets for shipment - a real stinker of a job. I think I'm giving up on going to San Antonio for the show management training - too many irons in the fire. The Junior High teachers hosted a White Elephant sale (garage sale) in our teacher's lounge yesterday, and we raised $260, to benefit Madison County Cancer Association. We plan to do it again next Friday - everyone has things that are perfectly good but that they don't need any more. I got 3 neat items for $10, and I got rid of a little wicker table that I'd paid $10 for at a garage sale. It was really cute but we never found the right place for it at Laney's, and it brought $29! To TAKS now!

TAKS, sick cow, new students, etc..

7th & 8th graders took TAKS tests yesterday, today 3 had to finish the dyslexia versions, and 1 took a make-up, and I still have 2 more due to take make-ups plus 2 new students who must take a make-up, per Dr. Cope. Too much. Had to make 2 CPS referrals, they take SO long. Josey & Laney went with me to cube at Windmill yesterday, so of course I really enjoyed Josey, and Laney. Laney wanted Josey to stay and eat, but it was getting near dark and I really needed to feed cow Winnie her feed and medicine - her eye/wound is getting better, less drainage, but it looks to me like she's lost her eye. I felt bad for Laney & Josey leaving but I REALLY want Winnie to get well. Victor Moore trimmed up a bunch of low limbs in my front yard - looks more kept but much more open which I'm not sure I'm glad about. Got mailing lists for C/S horse show e-mailed to Brett Scott this morning, finally and thank goodness.

An Empty Space

Yesterday afternoon while Laney went in Brookshire's I played with Josey in Laney's back seat - she's getting more and more charming. She now takes her pacifier out with her little hand and then puts it back,and she has such a look of "See what I can do now" that it is so cute! LaterI took a wind chime and a stand for it to hang from, to Daddy's grave, 20 years after I sat with him dying. It seems so odd to me that where he was is now an empty space, but it's such an incredibly empty space, it's strange that emptiness can hurt. I talked with Chuck Cummings for a bit last night - it's nice to have good friends to laugh with.

20 years ago late this afternoon Daddy died. The years have flown in some ways, and in others it seems like forever since we lost him. I wish he could have enjoyed his granddaughters longer, and that they could have enjoyed him longer too, and finally, that he could have seen his great-granddaughters, he'd have delighted in them. If he were still here, I doubt I'd have learned how hard it can be to borrow money, nor how to drive a tractor, or repair a broken water pipe, and lots of other things like that - but it's good that I learned those things, he'd taken care of too much too long. I think he'd be glad they know the value of a good horse and that we still have them, and he'd love how Laney feels about her dog Mo. I think he'd be delighted that Obama is president. I fear that the next 20 years will pass even more quickly and that in no time, I'll be almost 80 - something I hate to think about.

and February is a hard month

I never have liked February. Daddy's been dead 20 years this month, which makes me dislike it even more. Though I miss him so, I'm so glad he's gone. He hated the cold weather as much as me, and he'd fought the battles of not-enough-rain, hungry-cattle, hard-times, and such for a lot longer than I have, and he'd fought enoug, it was my turn. I have a calf of Mother's that couldn't stand up, so I've been bottle feeding it since Tuesday night, and it has been a real job - it took me 45 minutes this morning to get it to swallow a bit less than a cup! It's gotten stronger and can walk around, so I know it is getting somes nutrition, but I also know it hasn't gotten nearly enough! I've been doctoring Winnie the Cow's infected eye for 3 months now - Denise Easterling gave me 2 shots to give her and told me after that to try to give her 1 cup Auromycin crumbles daily - it's gotten better, but it's been a slow go. She seems to have begun to associate me with her problems and seems to blame me. Mother has ladies that feed her lunches on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (though that woman switches days at the drop of a hat) - and I try to go by each afternoon late and prepare her something for supper and leave a sandwich for the next day if that's to be a no-helper-lady day. Then weekends I try to do a bit better. I've been very tired lately, need to get my thyroid re-checked. If I could see lots of green grass, I'm sure I'd perk up.

February already!

It's hard to believe it is February already. I got to spend lots of time with Laney & Josey on Saturday - doesn't Josey look good in animal print! She had an animal print cradle sheet, so I think she'll probably always favorite that. Her mother looks gorgeous here too, probably because she's so happy. Thank God it rained last night. I went to Midway last night and played with Riley - we made snickerdoodle cookies, and I got to meet Monica/Bacula the pig, precious! Riley and I are making plans for a summer beach trip.

I celebrated another birthday.

I did catch Josey's cold, and fear she'll relapse if I'm around her. I celebrated my 57th birthday on January 26, and I received an 8 x 12 similar to the scarf photo here, just beautiful! I've had a good birthday week, though I missed school sick on Tuesday, so stopped up! The best thing about this time of year is that spring is just over the horizon! I bought myself the movie "Bucket List" for my birthday, but I dozed off in the middle and missed some of it and will have to rewatch. My bucket list isn't too dramatic - I'm working on smiling more, I've never been good at smiling at folks, and also working on being more friendly and outgoing. I had wanted to learn to make a good pie crust, and Laney said our family would be more likely to appreciate homemade tortillas, so maybe I'll try that!

I think I've caught Josey's cold, and am afraid to be around her, afraid I'll give it back to her! Woe is me!

ETC.

2009 seems to be rushing by. I missed work 1/15 and 1/16 to keep granddaughter, Josey, who is sick with RSV (bad cold in her lungs). She fought the breathing treatments so badly I wanted to cry, because I'm sure she thought I was torturing her. I hated to put her down the whole time she was at my house. Last night Nathan was out of town working and I spent the night with Laney and Josey. On Friday morning I had a close call when I opened the stock pen gate to let 2 horses from the pen out with the other 2. It was really cold, they were feeling frisky, and one mare, Cookie, was trying to take gelding Casey's hay as she went in the pen. He lunged at her with his teech barred, and she wheeled, ran me down without every seeing me, and rolled me. Thank goodness not a hoof touched me, but I saw her hooves as they passed inches over my face - so I was lucky. The muscles in my neck, stomach, and shoulder are all very sore! I saw some bad grass fires yesterday in Kurten - we are in serious need of rain. Every time we've gotten rain lately, it gets really windy and sucks the moisture right back out of the soil. I get to keep Josey a while again this afternoon - so exciting!

a new year!

It's the 2nd day of 2009 already - and a fall-like day, thank God! The holidays have been terrific, today's the last workday off, with our next day off MLK's birthday. I've got to get busy checking into retirement pay, to make sure I can really afford to say home next year to keep Josey -- I hope and pray!