Small Town Girl

Look at those shoes! Did you ever see anything so cute???

While we were in Utah, we went bowling with Brian's Mom and his sister and her family. It was a great time to get together and everyone had a a lot of fun.

 Lillian liked the monkey bars rack that kids could use to roll the bowling ball down.

Alexander loved the other games as much as he liked the bowling. Maybe more!

But Olivia...

fell in love.

The sights and sounds

The noises

The people (and the fashions)

The shiny red bowling ball

For Olivia

the bowling alley is the next best thing to home!

December 2009 Reunion Days

Every year we try to get together with our NH friends who are in Utah. This year was no exception and having a wedding was the perfect time for a reunion. Sadly we didn't get a picture of the bride and groom!We headed down to Dan's wedding with the Wintertons and met up with the Pendletons there. We got to see the Dennis family as they were leaving just as we arrived. It was so fun.

In true NH form, the Utah folk stood in line for hours while the NH folk picked out a table and sat down for a good visit. The party only got better once the Chaston family could join us in the revelry. We were the last to leave - and headed to a restaurant as we weren't ready to say goodbye. What a great time!

The curse

(Kelley as a child)

Many years ago, I pronounced a curse.

"Maybe I can escape?" --Homewood Suites, Chesapeake VA

I said to Kelley:

"Is anyone watching?"

"Someday, you will have a child just like you!"

"Hello, This is 911. What is your emergency?"

And guess what?

"Don't I look like Grammie?"

It worked!

Thank you, Mr. Obama, for making my day!

Before you all start cheering cause you love the new bill, or booing because you hate the new bill, or vica versa, hear me out.

The conservative card carrying Republican in me tells me that I don't like this bill. The country is in a big mess, we are all going to pay, it's the end of freedom and democracy etc etc. I have heard all the hype. All the criticism, all the cheers and all the jeers. For the most part, I have kept quiet. Why? Well, I haven't read the bill, nor have I read a summary. I don't trust a word I hear from either side, and I am not sure what to think, other than I am sure I don't trust most politicians regardless of their party affiliation. So I have just kept my opinions to myself (because though relatively ignorant about the nuts and bolts of this bill I DO have opinions) - but lest my ignorance show, I keep my mouth shut. Amazing, I know. But don't get me started on Biden. Major LACK OF CLASS.

But today, well Mr. Obama, today was the final straw. Maybe I am the last one to hear about this, but honestly, if this bill really becomes law, you have ruined my life.

As soon as next year, when you use a drive-thru or look at the menu of any restaurant chain with 20 or more outlets, the calorie count of their food items will be there, by law, as part of the new health care bill.
One of the few pleasures in life - ignorance at the drive thru - taken from the common man! How could you? (That delicious Bacon & Blue? 680 calories.)

I can't wait to sit down at Chili's and know that the basket of chips has 480 calories, not to mention my yummy Quesadilla Explosion salad has a whopping 1400 calories!

The only good thing that will come from this is that the Texas Roadhouse is finally going to have to come clean about their nutrition information. Thus far the Roadhouse has successfully kept their sinful caloric secrets under wraps. Hard to say how many calories were in those "Fall off the Bones" Ribs I had tonight. I don't want to know, not now and not next year!

You are right Joe Biden, this is a BIG DEAL.

And now, I am going to go cry myself to sleep. See you all tomorrow!

Larry's Pockets

My adoring readers have informed me that the dearth of posts of late have brought great angst among them - fearing my hilarious tales of woe, excitement and Wal-Mart shootings are no more. And so, here I am, back providing you with just a taste of the entertainment coming up with my renewed efforts in writing.

Is it just me, or has anyone noticed my hubby's pockets? I know, I know, a few of you might think he is a tad overweight. But I swear to you, the man only weighs 185 at most. The rest of those lumps you see? Just stuff in his pockets. The man can put more in his pockets than I can put in that ginormous tote I carry to church every week.

First, there are the facial tissues. Clumps and wads and rolled up pieces of kleenex. Some used. Some clean. (kleen?) These compliment the various and assorted napkins he has picked up while driving through Wendy's. And then there are the pens. The cell phones (minimum two). Notes, Note pads. Sticky notes. A wallet that holds: 3,654 shopper cards from every grocery store from here to Hawaii, Flyer Mile cards, Car Rental cards, Points cards, Debit, Credit etc etc. License(s) maybe even expired ones, folded up bills (separated and folded neatly just like his mom kept in her wallet). Then there are nails, screws, paper clips, safety pins and miscellaneous tools. Let's not forget the beauty items such as nail clippers and toothpicks. Receipts, business cards, and maybe even a Spaulding Turnpike token along with a coin or two from a Scotland trip 25 years ago. Seriously, this man can fill a pocket!

You might think a man can't possibly fit all this in a pocket. Well he can. There is his right pants pocket, his left pants pocket, those two pockets in the back of his pants. The pocket on his shirt, and then the right pocket on his jacket, the left pocket, and the pockets that line the inside of his coat. Ah, yes, the man has lots of pockets.

Which got me to thinking, maybe he needs more pockets. You know, kind of like we need another shed so we can clean out the garage.

Well, I went shopping online the other day, and look what I found!
Larry's new couch!

By the way, just so I know you people are reading this stuff...I promise a post every day for every comment I get on this post - ie - one comment - I post tomorrow, ten comments - I post for the next ten days. Bring it on!

Playing Around

I know you folks haven't heard from me in awhile. For now I am just playing around with the look of the blog - but watch for more posts to come!

Halloween Spirit

I’m really into Halloween fall with all of it’s skeletons leaves and ghosts apple cider donuts and jack-o-lanterns pumpkins.

Seriously I just heard that Halloween business is down this year – from over 5 BILLION dollars to only over 4 BILLION dollars. What is wrong with this picture???

Anyway, since I am a little bah-humbug about the whole thing, it is a little difficult to do a Halloween post. But here goes…

A graveyard shot:

My Dad, Aunt Laurel, Aunt Bessie and Aunt Valeda at the grave of their parents, with my Great Grammie and Great Grampie Small.

A costume shot:

I am pretty sure I still have this costume in the costume box! Who is this cute little dancer?

A scary picture:

sorry girls!

What can I say – it’s the best I’ve got for this my favorite  holiday season of the year!

OCD

I know Maryellen and Barb are wondering how I got those Treasure Tower tokens so shiny…

 

 

Sprite, and OCD.

Who is this girl’s Grammie???

 

I just wish I had a picture of when she tried my Diet Moxie!

The Government Can!

Wanna join me in Washington DC next weekend?

www.912dc.org

The Taxpayer March – September 12, 2009