The blog where I explain my absence.

Max started Preschool....

Despite the unsure look here, he had is jacket off was busy playing and barely says bye to momma.

I also placed an newspaper ad for my mom's youngest sisters fiftieth birthday. I won't show it to you, I value my life and hope she doesn't find my blog and have written proof I am the one who placed it, even if it was at my mom's instruction.

Sarge had to visit the vet again, to get his stitches looked at, slow healer that dog.

Oh and I helped a friend move, you know with that last little bit that takes forever! I hate that, but boy I was tired. I should do that every day I would be skinny minne, well if we did not eat monster burritos at lunch since we were working so hard you know.

It was also homecoming in our football crazy small town. Ever seen Friday Night Lights?
You have seen us then.

I helped paint this sign for my aunt's class reunion. And one for the other side.

This is my other aunt's float, also having a reunion, with a sign I had nothing to do with. Too bad it is a nice sign.

Zach turned 6. I made him a clone trooper cake.
I find my lack of cake decorating skills disturbing.

He got his clonetrooper helmet. Yeah Nana!

Great Grandma turned 85 and we had a big party for her. She is the one in the bonnet, my aunt (left) and mom will kill me if they think I am suggesting that they are 85.
This week has less going on, but still promises to be insanely busy.

Jane how do I get off this crazy thing....

Pigs, puppies and tiaras, oh my!

Last week was our county fair. Someone called me die hard because I took the boys out nearly every day. I think they were just remembering the old days. When I was the perennial runner up in the fair queen contest. Seriously, I was supposed to win that year, I was the first runner up the year before. I later learned it was because I didn't use the whole can of spray starch on my jeans, they couldn't actually stand up on their own.

Ohh Dig my rockies? I am on the left there.

4-H was a big part of my life growing up. First broken tooth, first dance, first clandestine make out session, first blue ribbon, first time having a battle of wills with a 2000 pound angry steer. The Fair is the culmination of a year of hard work and fun, we would get to run loose and eat greasy hamburgers from the food stand all week.

Then there are the important things, like signing up for the boot giveway from the local western store "Bennies: The West's most Western Store". I have only been trying to win as long as I could write my name. I also need to get my free flyswatters from the bank booth, stock up on pencils from the Sheriff's Posse booth, because I don't want to actually buy those things for my house.

Did I mention that I was a third generation 4-Her? My grandmother is quite pleased that we plan to make it four generations. My boys, while not old enough for 4-H yet, got to participate in the fair too. While I would love for them to take after me and show steers, that is the only group of animals they don't let the little kids show. Why? I don't know, so we had to settle for pigs and puppies. Luckily we have a 4-H family that is keeping their animals at our place since they live in town and they let they boys show their pigs in the "booster" aka little kid show. All the kids who showed got a blue ribbon and a dollar, you can guess which the kids were more impressed with.

Meeting of the future Eddy County Fair Board

Our friends kid, riding in the horse show, Zach wants to do this next year.

We are thinking of opening a pig wash, they really enjoyed it.

Max taking the pig into the show ring. He forgot which was his by the end.


Zach was all business, look at that showmanship.

Max showing our dog Sgt Pepper, he got fifth place in the Mixed Breed Class. I guess it is hard to get respect when you are a Cocktail Weenie. (Cocker Spaniel+ Stray Weenie Dog)

Zach showed my parents dog, Vidalia Sue a lab mix. He got first in Mixed Breeds and then third overall. Shocked us, we didn't know what we were doing we just showed up.

I'll probably be just as die hard next year, and have to take them out every day, and show more animals. Plus I have to keep trying to win those boots, and I may just lobby to raise the age on the fair queen contests too.

I am From...

I found this meme over at Life from My Laptop. She got the inspiration from this blog, Fragments from Floyd, who got it from the poem Where I am From by George Ella Lyons. Fragments from Floyd has a good template if you want to use it to do your own.

I am from dusty horses, from Dr. Pepper and watching too much Beau and Luke in my youth.



I am from clear blue sky, dry desert, watch where you step, sharp pokes that harbor small spots bright colors.



I am from creosote that smells like rain, old barns with weathered gray wood rough to the touch full of rugged charm.



I am from great grandfather farmers with fields of watermelons, hot chile and sweet smelling alfalfa.



I am from apron strings, bread baking, biscuit making, can I get you some iced tea mom. I am from a junk fixing, large and scary but soft as a teddy bear, hold you till the hurt goes away daddy.



I am from Jesus loves me, the old rugged cross, I'll fly away Baptist traditions I have returned to. I am from smart allec, laugh a lot, rough around the edges, but fiercely loving meet at Nanny's house after church bring the banana pudding Aunt Brenda.



I am from make mine christmas enchiladas, a relleno on the side, frijoles and tortillas warmed over the flame on the gas stove. Mija where you been? ask the moms of friends.



I am from small town where everyone makes the front page, friday night football, 4-H fairs, two steppin' cowboys don't line dance, starched pants, ropers and show steers with their held raised high.



I am from thistle, pipes and clansmen back to Stirling of old from my da. I am from moonshine, ornery men and a preachers daughter and who knows where from my ma.



I am from yellow Polaroids with messy hair, star wars t-shirts, freckled face with big goofy grin stored in clingy magnetic paged albums a tomboy looking back trying to find her own style and grace.