Weather is amazing and frightening. I remember being really afraid of storms when I was younger but now I find them rather intriguing. I can easily say that right now since I am in the safe path of the latest Hurricane headed to the Texas coast line. I might change my mind if I had a home in Galveston! However, my kids are in that area and I am trying my best to persuade them to "come to Mama" today instead of waiting for the predicted chaos if they issue a mandatory evacuation. I remember what it was like last time when they had to evacuate for Rita. What normally would take 2 hours to get to my house took 18 hours! In traffic moving practically 5-10 mph and in a total stop alot of the time. People were running out of gas etc. C.H.A.O.S. I remember Macy had just gotton potty trained and refused to put a diaper on just in case! So, hurry my babies and come home. I don't like worrying about you getting stuck in that horrible confusion again. God Bless the people that have already been affected by the storm's wrath and those that must face it yet.

Several have asked about Tucker! THANKS. He is doing better. He has rallied although he still has a ways to go to regain his strength and weight. He was a very sick puppy. The vet still says that we have to get him 100% before he can finish his vaccinations. The kids are loving on him 24/7 and TLC is the best medicine of all, don't you agree? We were so happy to see his tail wagging and to hear him bark. The yard is off limits for long term visits and quarantined too because the virus still lives there! Creepy! Plus, the dreaded Sago palms are still back there. It's going to take a crane to get those babies out of the yard! The only known chemical to kill the parvo virus is CLOROX. Of course, he can go out to do his "business" but in he comes. Thank goodness for the trusty "pooper scooper". The tiles stay 'cloroxed' where he stays. I think he has decided he likes the air conditioning too! If you lived in Texas you would too!

BLOGGER IS DRIVING ME NUTS TOO....what is up with it? It takes forever to get your posts organized and layed out. TOO MUCH TROUBLE.....I wish I knew how to switch to something better and still free.



OH boy.....how we get attached to our kids.... I mean our animals! I think pets are second to getting to be a mother.

Obviously, Tucker ( shown here with his brother, River ) is a much loved addition to our already plethora of granddogs Petey, Tex and Tater.



At 12 weeks, Tuck was being the usual mischievous and pesky lab puppy. Eating everything in sight...shoes, plants, paper, wood, you name it!

One day last week, I believe Wednesday, he started acting peculiar. We discussed what to do over the phone and whether to worry yet or not. Heather patrolled the yard and found that he had dealt havoc with alot of bushes/plants along their privacy fence where he had made little "play areas". One spot in particular was where he had obviously EATEN on several of her Sago palms. The ones is their yard are huge, mature plants but unbeknownst to her and alot of us they are SERIOUSLY poisonous. They will kill pets and children if ingested. Then the rapid onset of severe vomiting/diarrhea started. So, off to the emergency all night vet clinic. $$$$$$




After several tests/ labs/ exams $$$$$$$$$ that night it was determined that he was indeed showing effects of the plant. But, he also tested + for parvo. Which in itself is a deadly canine virus. It wasn't looking good. They were devastated as was I ! We stayed in contact 24/7 for the next few days. He was very very very sick. Vomiting/diarrhea / and almost inability to walk, drink fluids or focus. He spent that night in the "hospital" $$$$$$$ and by Sunday night it was still looking bad. Daily trips to the vet for fluids, etc were needed for him to survive. $$$$$$$$ I spoke with her Sunday night about 5:30 and it didn't sound like he was going to pull through. The kids were starting school the next day and she is getting ready to go back to her MDO job at church and hadn't had time to work in her room. What would happen if he died the morning the kids went back to school? They would be heartbroken! She was in tears. Which made me in tears. Which made me feel like I couldn't stand it. We discussed how far do you go with treatment? $$$$$$$$ How do you put a price tag on that? $$$$$$$$ We hung up and I just felt helpless. I threw some stuff in a bag and headed to Houston. They had no idea I was coming and it was quite a surprise. Tucker was even glad to see me. As pitiful as he was. We took him back to the vet $$$$$ yesterday. He is showing some signs of improvement. Slowly. Getting him to drink this puppy pedialyte $$$$$ is almost impossible. His appetite is gone. They have been trying to give him Gerber baby food $$$$$$$. They say if they can survive 3 days that the prognosis is pretty good for a recovery. Although he can't finish his vaccinations until he is well. $$$$$ And the parvo vaccination is one of them. This world is a rough place. Getting rougher all the time. But, I can't stand to see children and animals suffer. Even my own children who are not children anymore! God bless the beasts and the children.....for in this world they have no choice.

SCHOOL DAYS are back....

After a long (?) summer all the 'young-uns' in my life are headed back to school next week. New back packs and school supplies are laid out and ready. New clothes are hung in the closet. I remember those exciting few moments until the reality of homework and science fairs were sent home with DUE dates on them! For the second year school will start without me and I am not sad at all.

I'll be looking forward to hearing about everyone's first days and hoping they are good. Just remember about being a good friend, being true to who you are, being honest and being respectful. That's all the advice that Neena has.

I know exactly where I was 12 years ago today. I may not remember where I was last week but I will never forget August 18th. This was the day that I learned how DEEP a Neena's love goes. Unbelievable. It is amazing how much I love being his Neena. He makes me happy. He makes me proud. He makes me feel young again. He makes me feel special. He is such an example to his sister and his cousins. He is an exceptional young man. Everything he does, he does it 110%. Happy Birthday ROOSTER. You know how special you are to Paps and I and how very much we love you. Don't ever forget that!

* Don't mind the mess from painting in the background. Just as we were nearing completion...Paps feel off the top of a 6 foot ladder so painting has stopped for now.

I've said it before. Some things just bear repeating. I was born to be a mother. I am not happy unless my nest is full of commotion and my feathers are all ruffled from love. The problem with living in BIG old Texas is that it is hard to get everyone in the nest at the same time. Seriously though, on Friday another one of those WILD August birthdays rolled around in our family. It was JD's birthday and I wasn't there ( on the other side of Texas ) to share cake with her.....I actually don't know if we have ever actually been together on her real birthday but we celebrated it together in San Antonio a few weeks ago with a shopping trip and lots of fun. I didn't actually "give real birth" to her. She is my daughter in law. But, I detest that title. To me it just conjures up all kinds of evil and wicked visions of in-law jokes and people that are forced to be family. I am happy to say that is not the case with my in law children. Not my sons or daughter. I totally and absolutely adore and love them all. Having JD in my life just sort of completed that circle of happiness for our family. I am sure the first time she met me she thought, HEAVEN HELP ME! But, how could she have known that I had been praying for her all of her life. I never knew she existed in reality until 5 years ago. I never saw that beautiful face or heard her contagious laugh. I had never even really imagined how beautiful a bride she would be as she took my son's hand. I hadn't really realized how I would feel when I stood outside that delivery room door and waited to hear that she was OK and my tiny princess was safely here. I had never snuggled on the couch with her and watched a million episodes of GILMORE GIRLS in our pajamas. I had never talked and talked and talked with her. I didn't know her cell phone by memory or have it on my speed dial. I didn't talk to her almost everyday. My other daughters didn't know that they would be getting another bestest friend. And I didn't either. At least not yet. But, I knew she was out there somewhere. I knew the girl that I wanted to love my son and be my daughter was finding her way to us. She is the last piece of the puzzle for our family tree. Now that I have her, she has blessed me beyond measure. She has given me a beautiful granddaughter. She is the most awesome wife and mother. She knows that my door is always open. I'll always switch over to take her call. I'll never EVER betray her confidences or our talks. I'll always be her listening ear or her shoulder to lean on. I'll always try to give my advice ONLY when asked for. I'll never reject her advice to me. I'll always take her advice on books and movies! I'll never ever take her for granted or wish she was "like someone else". I love her just like she was, is and always will be. My son's wife. My daughter in love. Happy Birthday Jennifer Dawn. I LOVE YOU!

It's all in a word, isn't it? The last few months Mother and I along with my sisters have been going through and organizing (?) things at their house. We found boxes of cards and letters that she saved. Most of which there could be no price tag on them! Letters from Daddy during WWII while he was away, cards from sisters and family members but mostly cards ( homemade ) that Jody, Kathy and I had made when we were small. Or maybe before Hallmark! Anyway. Maybe it is just our family but we save sentimental stuff! Look over on Heather's blog from yesterday and tell me she'll throw this away! I think NOT. Another generation of note writers. I always think I am the worst saver of "stuff" , but maybe not. I opened my Bible last night at church and stuck in the crevice was a note from Heather scrawled in preK handwriting. When the kids were young and we would quarrel ( WHAT! Us quarrel? ) we had a routine that we would stop the yelling ( WHAT? Us yell? ) and correspond the rest of the misunderstanding by note/letter. I have had many notes/letters shoved under my door and taped on my mirror. I have saved many notes, cards, and letters from all my kids. Some are in boxes, some are on display shelves and some are framed but most of them are saved in my heart.

As with everything I attempt and I mean EVERYTHING it ends up being way more than I had initially planned. I have really do have such good intentions. I pick the best paints and always buy GOOD brushes. That paint color is Toffee Crunch and it's on the walls. Color is VERY IMPORTANT. But my good intentions, they never seem to turn out that way. And this curse drivels down into all aspects of my life. Not just home projects. As noted a few days ago, I began a massive indoor painting project that had been needed to be done for Y.E.A.R.S. So far, the prepping I( the most important part of the project has gone well. I have taped and taped and taped. The paint cans I try to so carefully pour from and seal back up start looking like these. PAINT is everywhere. But, I am actually getting very good at prepping. Then when the actual painting starts is when the nightmare starts. I am a maniac. No matter how many times I gently wipe my brush into the bucket or re roll my rolller to get off excess I still have about 30 extra pounds of paint that go flying all over. This project was a 2 coater too. I've had to stop to do some second coats on the baseboards and I ran out of paint for the main color. I figured that I painted 8 1/2 hours on Friday and 11 hours on Saturday. My sweet daughters finished up a few door facings and "furdowns" over the windows for me. But, I rested Sunday, Monday and today. Mainly because I ran out of paint but actually because even when I stand on the tip top of the ladder I still cannot reach the vaulted corners. So, as soon as hubby takes pity on me. (? Not looking good ) I'll finish. I have one more massive piece of furniture to move and I'll be done. There are somethings I just can't do dang it.! So, I'm off to paint myself into a corner until I get help. And it better come soon. Otherwise, I'm in this corner for a long time. And I may start liking it.

Don't ask me how or where it came from but my missing post returned. Go figure that one out and get back to me.

In other news, I took a little trip to Home Depot today because I decided we need to paint our house. Especially, the front room, den, kitchen area and master bedroom. I pretty much have the other side of the house looking good. So, here it is at 12:30 and I am just washing up brushes and cleaning up my mess only to start again tomorrow. This is going to take at least 1 or 2 weeks because I am doing it right and trying not to make too big a mess ( I'm a known maniac with a paint brush!) . However, I haven't seen hubby since we got back. Maybe he thinks he isn't up for this type of work. OH OH I have news for him in the morning. We are going to paint paint till the sun goes down. It is looking pretty good so far. HGTV is responsible again. I have totally planned this remake in my mind several times. It's moving the furniture that I hate and the reason it has taken me so long to get started. The secret I think to painting is all the prep work... Then when I finish the painting I am starting ripping up carpet. One room at a time. We'll see how far I get! Pray for me though. This is important to me and I won't to be able to use my house and be a happy hostess! Where are all my big strong nephews and son that would do anything for me. Yeah right! I'll get it done , don't worry. But, if you are looking for work, give me a call.

Yes, I am on my soap box. It takes forever for me to get a blog post just like I like it. Even then sometimes, I just have to walk away and leave it as is. On the 5th, I did a post about family birthdays. It is partially still there. About an hour after I posted it, I went back and added a part about my own daughter's birthday. I had 2 additional comments after that. Last night I got on, and the whole edited version was gone along with my comments. I know that "blogger" is having some issues and it's just not me but it still drives me crazy. Is anyone else having blogger issues?

BIRTHDAYS. This is the month for most of our family birthdays. Seriously. Every week we have one, two or three celebrating! Yesterday began the insanity with my son-in-love Troy's birthday. Followed closely today with my dear daughter Ashley's. Then tomorrow is my nephew, Matt's. Next week on the 11th we will be honoring my Daddy's 86th. Followed close behind on the 15th with daughter-in-love JD's. Then, the day we have been waiting for on the 18th....my "baby" Rooster's birthday. He'll be 12 and I can NOT believe it. On the 28th JorJor ( or Nunya, as Reese calls her ) will be celebrating. Isn't that crazy?

On one of the most memorable nights in my life, the 5th though, Laura Ashley came into our lives. Just as loud and unscheduled as she always is and stealing the hearts of everyone along the way. Always having to make an entrance and throwing plans out of the way, that's my girl. We were down to the last day of the annual VBS in our little congregation. I was exhausted. The grand finale program was the next day. Little did I know I would be having my own ceremony! About 6 of the younger moms ( me, then! ) had picked up the week's program and were all teaching classes, doing the crafts and running the JOYBUS to pick up kids all over town. It wasn't unusual to have over 100 just for one day. We were still worshipping in our little "almost one room" church with the wooden floors and pews. The one where you had to lift up the floor under the preacher to get to the baptistry. Remember? Kids and adults were everywhere because there was no where else to go along that little street. Trying to get everyone out of the parking lot, the bus loaded, and everyone gone for the day. One more day of VBS to go! If you know me, you know that VBS is not on of my favorite activities! I am not sure why because I feel like it is an important one. Anyway, I was the one waddling around in the August heat carrying 28 pounds that I hadn't seen since I had done this before in 1973. Hot, cranky, fat, uncomfortable, achy and hungry. I was ready for it to be over. As usual, I went home with my mom so I could lie down and she would watch Heather. I was spoiled like that. Still am. Later in the afternoon I knew that I was feeling fatter, more uncomfortable and more achy than usual. Sure enough, all those trips to the bathroom confirmed there was no stopping now. My water had broken. We called the hubster to tell him to stay at work ( it was on the way to the hospital ) and that Mom Heather and I, would be "flying" by to get him. The plan was that I would pick him up and we'd proceed on and Heather and Mom would ride back in his vehicle and come into Austin later. Mother drove of course and flying wasn't an exaggeration. Sure enough it wasn't a false trip. Around 7PM my favorite OB stopped by to tell me I had just interrupted his supper of home fried chicken and potatoes. Too bad, I said. We had important work to do here. And we did. Not the birthing part but the baby part. I couldn't wait to meet the new addition to our family. We didn't know the girl/boy part back in the 70's. So, it was just another suprise when the black haired/ black eyed baby girl came into our lives. Along with a most proud little blonde haired sister! To say she was an added blessing is an absolute truth. I loved the idea of two girls to play with! To say she changed our lives is an understatement. We have not had a dull day since 1976. And we have never had so much fun. Happy Birthday Ashley! I love you.

I wish they were all close enough so that we could have a huge cake. But, it might be a fire hazard if we added up all the years of candles. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY PRECIOUS FAMILY BIRTHDAY HONOREES!

Happy Anniversary you two! Four years ago tonight I know where I was and what I was thinking. I was exhausted, excited and just watching the scene unfold. All my children were there together, my family ( immediate and otherwise ) along with a couple of hundred friends and that itself was enough to make it wonderful. All the months and months of planning and organizing and dreaming were coming into action. We had already had an exciting afternoon before the wedding. Unbeknownst to the bride and groom ( we didn't want to upset them) but Macy, who was only 2 had taken some medication out of Ashley's purse thinking they were TIC TACS. They were at Walmart at the time and had to call 911. She sat in the ambulance for an hour or so and finally the EMT's deemed she was fine. The flower girl spent the night telling everyone at the wedding she took drugs! But, the most beautiful part of the wedding was at the start. Everyone was seated.....the music was playing and everyone was waiting on the bride. Especially the groom. Finally, the massive back double doors of the church spread open and the setting sun cast down the most beautiful rays into the church aisle and through J's veil. I kid you not, people gasped. It was the most amazing moment. She looked like a beautiful angel and yes, M ( my big strong son ) cried.

The past few days I have been in San Antonio with M, J, and J. Two reasons really. 1.) Mitch had to attend the Texas State Coaching School (?) and J & J were tagging along since it was their anniversary/vacation and 2.) I wanted to see them since they were only an hour away instead of the usual 5! Once football practice starts they are captive in A'town. Literally captive. GO WAR EAGLES.

But we had a blast. Can you imagine asking your mother in law to go with you on a vacation to celebrate your anniversary? By day M went to classes ( like UIL rules, plays, strategy, videography of the game ) and meetings. And we shopped, shopped, walked, talked, ate and ate and sight see'd. Thank goodness for a "cadillac" stroller with cup holders and plenty of purse/sack room. Then in the evening we would walk the three million miles back to the hotel and they would get all dressed up to go out on the town with their friends. I got J all to myself for the evening. I was in HEAVEN. San Antonio is a FUN place. There is so much to do. We didn't drive around once we parked at the hotel but there was plenty in walking distance. We would have loved to have gone to SeaWorld but the tickets are outrageous $$$ and we thought J might be a little too young yet. We'll do that next year. This year she was content to sit in my lap and give me kisses, let me love all her "sugar" off and totally entertain me. And that Shamu can never do.

My house is quiet. Again. But, for a whole week it was mass chaos, endless giggles, night time snuggles, library books to read, serious talks, movies to watch, color books and colors, paints that left precious marks on my dining table. It was sleeping in the middle of the "worlds" biggest bed on the floor. It was teeth not brushed and hair in tangles. It was wet towels and floaties. It was popsicles for breakfast. It was the exclamation after supper one night, "Another great one Neena." It was pretend time and it was days with no schedules. No clocks. No where to be except where I was. No where I would have rather been. And I pray that no amount of time can steal these memories from me.

SUNDAY at Camp Neena was a typical Sunday. We spent most of the day going back and forth to church! We ate a yummy roast lunch over and Nana & Poppi's house and then came home. We did stop at the $ Store on the way home and picked up some things to keep us entertained. I believe we watched the BEE movie again. It was just as funny the second time. Then, believe it or not, we actually fell asleep before midnight.

MONDAY pictures will be forthcoming later.

These pictures were actually from Day 2 but all the campers had a late night last night and we didn't get our post made! So....enjoy the fun from yesterday!

All the signs got posted at the Camp Neena entrance. We had an little late morning manicure.

The above was our afternoon grocery list. You'll be happy to know that we were able to locate all the items. We took Tucker over to visit his brother, River. They had so much fun playing puppy games. Reid is holding Tucker and Macy is wrestling River! Actually, even if you can't tell it.........Tucker was packing on a little more weight than his brother. Then Macy decided that she would take a trip somewhere exciting. Maybe, Florida she said. So, she dressed up looking like a movie star or Hanna*h M*ontana and off she went.We made a trip to the local library to check out some books on puppy training, sports and ballerinas. While we were there they checked out the memorial sidewalk out front that had a brick with their baby cousins names on it! They thought that was pretty neat. When we got home Reid gave us a few badmitton demonstrations and some techniques! He is one of our family sports experts.

Then he picked up some limbs and sticks for the brush pile we have by the creek. We are in a burn ban right now so we can't burn them. By fall, we will have a bonfire if we don't get some rain. POOR TUCKER. He was all "tuckered" out after our busy day.

TODAY? We have plans for swimming of course. Then some crafts. We are going to watch the BEE movie. Dinner at LC ( for all you locals ) and a big frog and lizard hunt tonight. We have the tank ready! This is Macy's quest not brother's! She is not afraid at all!
UPDATE: Already caught one toad in the flower bed and it's not even 5 PM. She talked baby talk to him and wanted to kiss him but I suggested against it. Not unless I had thought the whole "kiss a frog" theory was real would I have allowed that. Even then it would have been questionable.

CAMP NEENA DAY ONE

WE are happy to let everyone know that Camp Neena is in SESSION. I picked up my THREE special campers last night. I was so excited to pick them up. You are wondering why I said three? Because, Tucker is here too! I met their Mom and Dad halfway last night and we loaded up all the necessities and headed off to the 'ville which is Camp Headquarters. We spent the night last night at Nana and Poppi's just to make it special. I wish I had a picture of our sleeping "pile". We pulled out the sofa bed. I slept in the middle and we all fell asleep laughing about Macy getting school shoes at the Dollar Store. No offense intended if you get your shoes at the Dollar Store but she wants some Shox. Which are pretty cool shoes, I hear. We were all snuggled together. After they fell asleep I just stared off in the dark and thought "It doesn't get any better than this!" Well, maybe if Avery and Jaxon could have been in our "pile" it would have been super better.
Today at lunch we had BBQ from Z's. The best place ever. Macy set the table and this sign adorned the middle.

After lunch.......you guessed it. We jumped in the pool and stayed in all afternoon. Until our toes and hands were all wrinkled and pruney.


Then look here! It's Rooster! He showed us all how he could dive and scuba. We floated awhile until the diving ( off the step ) exhibition started.

As you can see Tucker wasn't very happy he couldn't get in the pool too. Diving Olympics look out!

WHAT TO DO .......WHAT TO DO........ WHAT WOULD YOU DO? I am still contemplating this "closing" my blog to private and deciding if it really is a security concern. I really, really have been thinking about it alot. Of course, I want to do what is safe and right for my own family and their privacy first and foremost. But, let's face it. I don't have alot to say usually. We are not high profile people ...... we are just your average "run of mill", normal- middle class, hardworking, lots of loving families. I respect people's privacy as much as the next guy. And I know that all of you who have expressed a desire to read my blog choose to do so either because you are bored out of your mind or because you see a likeness in our faith, our lifestyles, maybe our hurts and our happy times. I like the idea that you realize that I do have unusually beautiful babies in my family! Perhaps in the world and you don't hold that against me. LOL. Truly. I don't mind that at all. I like making new friends on here and I like when we can comment back and forth. I have made some really sweet and REAL friends. Friends that think like I do. They were raised similiar to me. Someone I would call to come over for dinner if I knew the number. Like Deena, "Pretty in Pink". If could I would go visit her in a heartbeat. And Snapshot. I want her to come to my house for a week and give me a Cooking Course for my HEART condition so that I can learn to eat healthy and cook healthy. I don't want to read it out of a cookbook. I want her to come here and show me! If Ree called me from Pioneer Woman to be a judge in the upcoming Cowboy Bachelor, I'd be there too. I've read stories of families who have buckled under tragedies and the blogworld hammered the gates of Heaven with prayers for strangers we didn't even know. Families who have lost loved ones to to the sting of death. Young mothers, fathers, and children. Accidents, illnesses, and other tragedies. We pray together on line for total strangers and then we read their blogs daily to see of changes and updates. Then we stay in contact and prayers continue. I have read many stories of mothers, much like my own daughter, who had to deal with infertility issues and eventually bury baby sons and others daughters. We prayed for them like they offered prayers up for us. When I write about a need, be it serious or light, I am convinced that my blogfriends know what to do. I don't know their phone numbers. Their cell numbers or their addresses. But, I know I can contact them through here and have and answer from someone in lightning speed. I like the idea that when I have a need and I write it out of a genuine heart that you will know about it and respond to me. I love the comments. I wish all lurkers made comments. To me it is like making new friends everyday. I like knowing that you know enough about to realize when I ask for a prayer or have a need that you care...... And trust me. I will have a need. The other fact that worries me about closing this and making it "invite only "is, I'll lose some of the people that may have never commented but for some reason they found a moment of time to relate to something I said or felt. So, with that being said. I will use discretion and study the matter for awhile before making a final decision to close it. If my family wants me to leave their personal photos off, then I will respect that and leave them off. Give me some time to make this decision. You know how I am when backed up against a wall. I realize I can't please everyone so I just stay on the wall. I want to do what's best and right for all.

I have decided to take my blog to a "invite only" status. Obviously not for the hundreds of readers I have but for overly cautious and psychotic reasons of privacy for my babies and family. And because Ashley suggested it. The reasons are really pretty clear cut. If you blog, go on to the google bar and put in your blogs name. Then hit the "images" and watch all the pictures of your life pull up. It's kind of like googling the map to your house. Creepy. So, just leave a comment if you want me to include you in my list of readers. I've lost contact with some of my friends who have done this and I don't want to lose you if you like to see my blog.

AVERY NAOMI

JAXON BLAIR

MY OWN BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY BABIES ~ A YEAR in CONTRAST

But these weren't the only family babies this year! We proudly present the rest of the FABULOUS FIVE.

l to r:

Brooks Reese Sam

This is how I plan to spend Monday. Notice the smile she has? I may not have that. Notice the eagerness with which she appears to start her projects? I may not have that either. Any suggestions?