You Don't Have To Be Broke To Eat Ramen Noodles

I've been on a ramen noodle kick lately.  Until about three weeks ago, I'd never even had ramen noodles.  I bought a few just to try them and I've discovered that if you fix 'em up a little bit, they're not half bad.

Tonight for supper, I made a hot chili package and added a can of red beans, rinsed and drained, and some cooked pork sausage.

I like red beans and sausage in my chili so I thought I'd try that with the noodles and it was great!!

The whole pot cost like a buck thirty.

Since I'm getting to be an old lady and I try to eat healthy so my legs won't look like pickle barrels, I use half the seasoning pack.  Have you seen the SODIUM content on those things??

So What Did You Do This Weekend?

I'm sitting here on this rainy Sunday night wondering where the heck my weekend went.  So I thought I'd break it down and force you to read about it.  :D

Friday night, I cleaned my house and did laundry and watched CNN. Hey, I never said I was a party girl.

I spent Saturday with my hubby and then I went to see Taking Woodstock in the afternoon.  I usually like the movies I go see.  I research them to death before I decide to pay to see them and I honestly thought I'd like this one.  I mean, come on. It's a well-known fact that my fixation for Woodstock knows no bounds.  I freakin' LOVE Woodstock.  Okay?  Peace, love, mud, Jimi Hendrix doing the Star Spangled Banner at dawn. Freakin'. love. it. 

I didn't really love this movie, though.  I was really disappointed that none of the concert was shown.  It was basically a movie about the organization of Woodstock and I don't even know if all that is true or if this is also an alternate-history movie like Inglourious Basterds is (which incidentally, I enjoyed immensely last weekend!). There was one scene in Taking Woodstock that I really liked.  I can't say it was all bad.  The acid trip scene is pretty darn cool. Bright, vivid, melty colors and an ocean of people, just wave after wave of people. That was beautiful. But as far as telling the story of Woodstock or honoring its 40th anniversary, in my little humble opinion, they failed. Epically.

I spent today with Larry, too (It is so sweet now that he's 18 miles from here!!  Not that that has ever stopped me before.  I've always seen him both days, every weekend, no matter where he was.), and then this evening, I went to church and joined a new Bible study we're starting. It's called The Truth Project and it grabbed my attention the second they mentioned it last Sunday morning during church.  If you have time, you should check it out.  It's really interesting and I'm keeping my heart open to embrace the truth as I go through the 12-week course. I'm sure I'll be talking more about this!  It's very exciting!!

So, I guess that's where my weekend went. Yawwwwwwn. I'm going to sleep! 

Happy Birthday, Mama!

This is my sweet mama on a trip to the beach she and I took in May.  I love this picture of her!  We had so much fun!! It will always be my favorite vacation ever.

Today is Mama's birthday and I just wanted to let her know how much I love her and appreciate all she has done for me from the day of my birth until now.  Mama stayed home with us for most of my life and she was always there for us whether we had too much homework or a broken heart. She did without sometimes so that we could have whatever we wanted.  That wasn't lost on me.  She worried over us, prayed over us, sat up with us when we were sick and encouraged us to keep going even when we were sure we could not go another step.  She taught us, she loved us, she took incredible care of us and we are so blessed that God chose her to be our mother.

One of my favorite memories of my childhood is how Mama always, always, always served us toast on our birthdays with one lighted candle in the middle.

So, Mama, here's your toast.  

Happy Birthday, our beautiful Mama

May the coming year bring you nothing but good health and giggles!

I love you more than you'll ever know.

Just Like Dis Right Heah

Cutest Thing I Saw Today!

This Is Hard To Watch

***Update*** Seems there was some infringement blah blah concerning the texting PSA and YouTube and it was taken down. You can still find it online if you look hard.

I didn't want to look that hard. :D

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CAUTION: Before you watch this, just know that it is very graphic!

If this doesn't stop teens in England (or anybody anywhere!) from texting while driving, nothing, short of it happening to them, will. I saw this on Today this morning and I was absolutely amazed at how realistic it is. That girl's neck snapping gives me the chills.

I guess the only thing I smiled about is knowing the little girl who was driving and then taken away in the ambulance (if she had really been hurt) was seen in the ER for FREE!! And she probably only paid $5 for her pain meds.

Oh No She Didn't Take My Baby!

My mama and daddy came up today for their little birthday get-together with me and Ami and Brian. Mama brought us a bunch of old family photos that my aunt had kept all these years.  

These were two of them.

They are of me and my brother, Ricky, when he was just born.  

I was 16 months old.

In the first picture, you can see how happy I am to have my little brother with me.

In the second picture, however, you see how very unhappy I was when Mama took him away to change him.

I thought these pictures were absolutely HILARIOUS and just had to share them.

Dog Days Of Summer

I have heard this phrase ALL of my life.  Down here in Georgia, it is used to describe the hot, sultry days of late summer, those wonderful, glorious days when even the cool, light cotton pants you're wearing tend to get a li'l too friendly.

I heard it again today so I thought I'd find out a little history about it.  I never knew it had nothing to do with dogs. I always thought this time of year was so hot that dogs lost their minds or something.  Actually, it's about a star.  Seriously.  Sirius.  These days occur when Sirius rises and sets with the sun.  Pretty cool.  Look it up. 

This has been one long, crazy week and I'll be glad when it's over!!  My insomnia has returned and I'm having trouble sleeping again, I had a really bad episode with reflux Tuesday night, I had to tell my 18-year-old niece, who I wouldn't love more if I'd grown her myself, that she couldn't move in with me and that was hard, then a huge tree fell (and thankfully broke into pieces that I could handle) in my backyard yesterday during that thunderstorm and then this afternoon while I was hanging my laundry on the clothesline, a TICK got on me.  I flicked him off before he had a chance to dig in but now I swear there's one on my head somewhere.

But tomorrow's Friday and I have high hopes for an easy weekend.  I'm planning to see Brad Pitt's new movie tomorrow after work and then I'll be baking a cake for a little birthday get-together we're having here Saturday evening for my folks and of course, I'll get to be with Larry, who is now only 18 miles away from me!!  

Things are looking up!

Hee Hee

What We Have In Mind Is Breakfast In Bed for 400,000!

This weekend is the 40th anniversary of Woodstock.  

August 15, 16 and 17, 1969.

I have spent my whole life wishing I'd been old enough to go.  I turned 2 years old that summer so going to Woodstock was out. If I'd been 16 or 17 years old, though, I would have been ALL OVER THAT.

I always wanted to just talk to somebody who went.  One of the very first things I asked my husband when I met him was, "Did you go to Woodstock?"  Ha!

The Woodstock Music & Art Fair at Max Yasgur's pasture in upstate New York was billed as 3 days of peace and music but by the end of that weekend, it had defined a generation and landmarked an era.  

The largest rock concert ever.  Three days of music and camping out under the stars. Some took months to plan the trip, save money, make up lies for parents, bosses and loved ones, round up their buddies and/or lovers and hit the road.

The officials in Bethel, NY were ready.  They were confident they could control traffic, sanitation and medical emergencies.  They were prepared.

They were told about 50,000 people were expected.  Nearly half a million showed up!

32 acts performed, including one of my favorites, John Sebastian, formerly of The Lovin' Spoonful.

There were two deaths that weekend but also two births!  

They really did come in peace.  Only 109 people were arrested.  All but four of those were arrested for drugs.  There was no instance of violence at all, according to New York State police records.  

They made love and they made history.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Woodstock.

I think this one photo speaks louder than any of the thousands of stories told or written about that magical weekend.  It's the message of love passed on to all generations who came after them.

They were stardust, they were golden, they were at Woodstock.

Peggy and Me

When I was a tiny girl, I had a book called 

Peggy and Me and I LOVED it.  I guess I was about three when I got it and my daddy would read it to me.  I grew up, as little girls tend to do, and my book got lost somewhere in the shuffle.

I never forgot it, though. There was one line in the book, "It's cheery to walk in the rain, with coat and umbrella all the same". I couldn't say umbrella, it came out "umbrebla", and TO THIS DAY, my daddy will recite that line and say umbrebla.  

When I got internet access about 10 years ago, I started looking for another copy of my book.  I tried all the children's bookstores online, I tried eBay, I looked everywhere for it and I couldn't find it.  For 10 years, I searched for this book!!  The other night, I tried eBay again and guess what???  There it was!!!  I learned a lot about it that I didn't know, like it was copyrighted in 1968 by Whitman Publishing Company.  Good info to have when you're looking for something!  Ha!

I got it today and I just had to share it.  I'm so happy to have it back!!  

You Ever Had Grilled Pineapple?

This is what it looks like and if you ain't never had it, you have to try it!!

This is how!

• Slice and then half some fresh pineapple
  
• Drizzle with honey (I used Tupelo)
  
• Sprinkle with black pepper
• Grill!

That's it!  It's soooooo good!!!!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Here's a picture of me and my daddy when I was a baby.

Today he is 63 years old.  I know everybody thinks they have the world's best daddy but I KNOW I do.  My daddy has always been our rock, working long, hot hours in a noisy plant for most of his life so that we could have everything we needed and most of what we wanted.  He didn't have to do that.  He wanted to do that.  He sacrificed so much for my brother, my sister and me and I hope he knows how much we appreciate and love him.  He was always there for us, offering advice when he could and his arms when he couldn't.  I thank God for giving me such a sweet, loving daddy.   

He's retired now and gets to spend his days with Mama.  I hope they had a good one today!!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!  I love you more than I could ever say.

'Shrooms!!

I LOVE it when mushrooms just pop up in my flower beds!

Wrappin' Up The Week

You know how sometimes a song sticks in your head and you can't stop singing it? Well, today, for me, it's Puff The Magic Dragon. Ha!

I had an appointment with the Imaging Center here in Warner Robins this morning to get my annual mammogram. I got there at 9:30 and was walking out at 10:00. They are so good and fast and efficient over there. AND the mammogram tech is so gentle, it doesn't even hurt at all. Before I had to start getting them, I always heard these nightmare stories about how horrible and painful they are. I've had five of 'em now and I promise you, they have not hurt me one bit. Just a little pinchy but that's it. Piece of pinchy cake.

It really helps when Puff The Magic Dragon is there to take your mind off of it.

I went to TJ Maxx after my mammygram and just looked around for a little while. I'm looking for bedroom lamps but I didn't find anything I liked in there today. I did get two Christmas presents, though!! Startin' early!!

I got home, hung out a load of laundry on my clothesline and now I'm trying to decide what I want to do with my afternoon. I'm thinking about a movie but I'm also thinking about a nap. :D

Happy Friday!!

Reflections and Some Good Barbecue

I went on a little adventure today!  Brian, Ami and I went to Barnesville today after work to do a little house checking for Brian's aunt who is out of state this week.  After checking the house and tending to their animals, which included two of the sweetest horses I've ever seen, we went to get some supper.  We went to this great little hole-in-the-wall barbecue place called Georgia South BBQ downtown Barnesville.  I have to start taking my camera everywhere with me!  That barbecue was soooooo gooood!!  I wish I had a picture to show you!!  :)  Just take my word for it.  That stuff was incredible.  The Brunswick stew was just as good and they bought some and were sweet enough to give me a pint of it to bring home with me.  Thanks, y'all!!  I'm a firm believer in THE best places to eat being little holes in the wall, little places you'd least expect.  If you're not already checking them out, you're missing out.  

I had a flash of my past life walking downtown Barnesville.  In 1991, I was a trainer for The Money Tree and I worked right there on Main Street, training cashier after cashier because they just could not keep one.  I'd get one trained, she'd freak out over all the work expected of her and she'd quit.  I'd train another one.  This went on for months.  I stayed in a motel in nearby Forsyth and worked in Barnesville every day.  I do NOT miss that life.

Sometimes I can't even believe that was ME.  I look back on parts of my life, especially those two years with The Money Tree, and I swear, that was another girl.  You always hear "if I knew then what I know now", well, if I could go back, I'd spend a little more time planting flowers and a little less time worrying about what some arrogant, pumped-up son-of-a-biscuit thought of me.

I love this song by Kenny Chesney.  These verses pretty much sum up what I'm trying to say here.  They're from "The Woman With You."

She said, the girl I was with the business degree
Probably wouldn't recognize me
I was gonna run the bank, I was gonna run 'em out
Now all I wanna run is a bubble bath
Back then, ya know, I had this plan
Before all this reality set in
Here comes life, boy, ready or not
Hey, I wanted it all and that's what I got

'Cause I'm gopherin', chaufferin', company chairman,
Coffee maker, copy repairman,
Anymore there ain't nothin', I swear, man
That I don't do
I've been jugglin', strugglin', closin' big deals
Dancin' backwards in high heels
Just when it feels like I can't make it through
She said, it sure is nice to just be the woman with you...