Hello!

If you're visiting me here I've moved to here. Check out the awsome blog that Mike P. built for me! I promise to keep this blog up to date and I'm starting with the story of how I met DH and why I love all things Paris and Cowgirl!

Here's a visitor I am NOT excited about!

And I don't think he's very happy. It looks like his tail got run over. Why didn't they aim for his head. They say he's a bull snake and not a rattler. I don't care what he is...he's five feet long and he's a snake!

A new visitor...

This is who came to visit this morning. He is tiny and beautiful! I think it's a he. Aren't the males the gender that has all of the color? I really need to get out the bird book!

The weather in Arizona...

is absolutely gorgeous! I decided since it was so nice that I would get a hummingbird feeder for the backyard and sit outside to enjoy this beautiful day that we are having. In the 9 years that we have lived here I don't think it's ever been 83 degrees at the end of May. Need to soak it up and remember this come July.

No sooner did the feeder go up than I got a visit from this little guy.

Then he sat in the tree above me for quite awhile. I've never seen a hummingbird sit still for this long!

We get lots of birds in our backyard. I wish I could record the sound for you and I wish I knew what all of those birds were saying to each other!

We have lots of dove...

And a not so good picture of another bird we have alot of. They are pitch black and have bright yellow bills.

And, of course, I was joined by my constant companion, good ol Maverick. He's really been slowing down but he was checked by the vet who says his heart is still good and he can keep taking his pills for sore joints!

Here's to beautiful weather and great companions!

Tonight....

Babysitting these two while Mom and Dad are out on a date!

Tomorrow...

Babysitting these three (that's right three) while all the parents go to Six Flags!

Loving it!

Been busy...

Playing with these two! Enjoying beautiful weather, High in the 60's and some rain on and off. Papa and Grammy got them a truck to drive and they are having the time of their lives. Dylan is a very cautious driver. Mason still needs alot of practice.

Lots of pictures to post. The drive here was beautiful. We took our time getting here and hit alot of Antique stores. Of course we are coming home with a truck full! Will post more later. Dylan is driving the little girl next door around in his truck. Out on a date already!

I haven't blogged in forever! But, things are going to change. The great Mike P. and I got together yesterday and came up with ideas for a banner and a new blog name. This one really suits me and since I know I will love looking at it I'm sure I'll be posting regularly. And, since I'm on my way to Colorado to visit grandbabies there'll be lots of pictures! Happy Mother's Day everyone! I'm off for a week of Grammy heaven!

Crossroads, what crossroads?

Sorry to cause any worry. My crossroads, of course, are regarding DAM. The person who comes twice a month to help me with her has hurt her back. Not sure if she can help anymore.
Do I try to find someone else? No one can replace Chanin. Do I try to do everything myself...out of the question. For right now I am going to wait and see what happens. Miracles happen. Just ask my friend that called me today to tell me that her second round with cancer is unexplainably in remission. She has survived a brain tumor and leukemia. How much can one person endure? Apparently alot! Makes my DAM problems seem like nothing! So there crossroads, take that!

Hmmmm...this is where I am right now

CROSSROAD

Function: noun Date: 1686
1: a road that crosses a main road or runs cross-country between main roads 2 usually plural but singular or plural in construction

a: the place of intersection of two or more roads

b: a small community located at such a crossroads

c: a crucial point especially where a decision must be made

So, this is what it feels like...

to feel good again. If you have seen me lately you probably noticed that I wasn't feeling too good. I first wrote it off to allergies. Then it moved to my asthma bothering me a little bit. Next I thought it was the cold that Jennifer brought to work. And I was probably right on all three counts. What I didn't realized is what it could turn into until I went to see my doctor yesterday. A chest x-ray, four prescriptions later, and a somewhat good nights sleep and I have awakened feeling better. Is it possible...that fast? I'm sure I'm not 100% by any stretch but I am so much better. Diagnosis ~ bronchial pneumonia and asthma. Treatment ~ antibiotics, steroids, inhaler, and kick ass cough medicine that can only be taken at bedtime!

The relatives have left with the only casuality being DAM smacking the tree. Boyfriend, hereby known as JD, will never live that down. Oh, and one minor casuality... SIL put laundry detergent in a water bottle so she could do laundry at their motel. Forgot that it was detergent and took a big swig! Another Kodak moment lost!

We did sit down and talk about my concerns for DAM. Conclusion...DAM will never have a conversation about where she wants to be buried, her directives, her feelings about where she wants to live when I can't take care of her anymore and so on. None of my questions got answered, except I now know that DH's siblings know where I stand and will back me! And, I now know that my personality (and DH's) is completely different from theirs. We are the fixers of all things and that must, must, must, come to a screeching halt!

Here's to a good day and lots of medication!

Here's a quick visual for you...

Dear SIL and boyfriend took DAM to the Botanical Gardens today. Not a good move. DAM doesn't like desert flora. She's a California girl and thought she would be seeing GARDENS!
She wanted to come straight home but boyfriend insisted they stay. Here's the visual...

Boyfriend pushing wheelchair

Boyfriend stops pushing wheelchair and DAM says just leave me here

Boyfriend doesn't set brake on wheelchair and walks away

DAM is found crashed into tree

Trip to first aid center and home again

SIL off to pharmacy to get necessary medical supplies so DAM's leg bandages can be changed when necessary. Do you think she will stay for that? I don't think so. How nice to come and visit and get to just drive away!

But isn't the visual priceless? Oh to have been there with a camera!

You're right...

I have been AWOL for way too long. Dear Aunt Myrna (DAM) has been pretty normal (that may be pushing it a bit) but, for the most part nothing earth shaking has happened. Maybe it's all of the rain we got. But, I see this changing soon. Why? Because the family is descending upon us starting this Wednesday. Family, meaning DH's older brother, and his sister who I have not seen since her last excursion to AZ to tell me what I needed to be doing for DAM. That didn't go over too well with me, hence we haven't talked since. I'm sure she'll be full of advice this trip. Maybe she'll deliver it to her dear little brother! So, do you think I could be so lucky to have a little mouse appear soon? I'm just thinkin...

The turtles are fine. Getting bigger. Hopefully they'll grow to the legal size before I get caught with them. Who knew, that you can't own a turtle in AZ unless it's shell is at least 4 inches!

So, here's to visiting family, mice, and disguised turtles!

I'm pretty sure....

They're in love! How cute is that? See the little turtle arm on the other turtles back. They stayed that way for the longest time. How about that look I'm getting! Ha too funny. Click on the picture to see it up close. I think they like their new home. The rock that they're on is right under a UV light which they love. Still no names. How about a romantic couple name? Come on peeps, I need some help here!

I just love surprises...

and I mean "good" surprises which are really few and far between. You will probably find this to be a "weird" surprise, but I have wanted one of these for a long time. My dear BIL has two of these and I am always asking about them. So, DH went to the antique store today to pack up all of his ebay sales and on his way he saw someone selling "these" on the corner. He almost passed him up but instead he turned around, yes, I said turned around to go back and check it out. Without hesitation he purchases two for me and took them to the store. He called me to see what I was doing and told me that he had a surprise for me. I told him "great" bring it home with you. His reply was that I had to come to the store to see it because it needed to be taken care of. And then he said it was something I have always wanted and he bought it from a guy on the corner. What the.........never in a million years would I have thought

of this... Arent' they freakin' adorable? I was immediately off to Petco where, believe it or not, there were other people with their little turtles looking for turtle stuff and they all got them from the guy on the corner! Who knew there were turtle floating stations. And that they have to have UV heat lights for 10 hours a day. They are still not named. Need to hone in on the personalties. I can tell you that the turtle in the first picture is the more agressive. Climbs right up on the floating station and basks in the special turtle light. The second one is shy and tends to stay under water so far. Yes, I can tell them apart. Their shells are different! Any ideas for names? Post them here! And come by the store to meet them. My owners manual says they are very social! Here's to surprises that don't involve mice!

Bow your heads in silence for a minute...

The mouse has gone to a better place. Now let's just hope he doesn't have relatives. DAM confronted him in her bathroom and of course I got the phone call immediately! DH jumped into action, went home and disposed of the little guy. The only thing was, it wasn't that little. Not rat sized, but definitely not a baby. I hate to admit it but I was just about ready to have DAM committed. She got us up at 3:30 a.m. today because she saw "a mouse". Funny thing, I was home all day yesterday and up from 4:00 a.m. until I left for work today and I never saw a thing. So, let us all sleep until at least 7:00 a.m. and may no mice ever take up residence in our home. Oh the drama!!

There's A Mouse In The House Part Deux~Mouse 1 Us 0

No phone calls today, I thought things were looking up. But, when we got home DAM is still camped out on the couch and said she saw the mouse several times today. She's not eating, not even her beloved ice cream. The mouse has gotta go! She's just an itty bitty thing, she'll dry up and blow away. We put several traps out but obviously this is a smart mouse. With our luck he probably escaped from some testing laboratory and was given some super drug to make him smart. I guess I'll treat myself to a glass of wine and set up for mouse watch! And woo hoo, tomorrow's our day off. A whole day to spend mouse hunting!

7:00 A.M. Conversation...

DAM - Rick, (ha notice she's not talking to me!) I'm trying to figure out where I can go today.

DH - For what?

DAM - I'm afraid the dogs will catch the mouse and chew it up in front of me. I'll pass out.

DH - I wish I could do something for you, but it is just a mouse.

DAM - Can I call you if I see it? You'll have to give me your number.

DH - Just call Kim, we'll be at work together.

DAM - No response...ohhhh I must have really made her mad.

Me - I wonder if I'll hear my cell phone today? It's. just. a. mouse.

Just another night in paradise!

How can someone live seventy some years and have the biggest, most irrational fears that I have ever witnessed. DH and I have been playing a little cat and mouse game this last week. We're the cats and we are trying to catch the mouse. Now, I happen to think they're just the cutest little things ever, but I don't particularly want them in my house. Remember, we live in a house that is over 100 years old with large yards and lots of fruit trees. Well, we get mice. We normally are able to just wrangle the little things right out the front door. It really is hilarious. I can just picture that little mouse sitting on the porch laughing at us because he knows he's just going to come right back in. Well, we saw him last night and that little bugger got away from us. Must have been an off night. This is where the irrational fears come in. Up until today DAM had never seen the mouse. Well, that all changed at about 6:00 P.M. tonight. She called me crying like a little baby. DH drove home, caught the mouse, threw him outside and all was peaceful again. Until she saw another mouse. Now, I don't really believe there is another one. Without going into details, I know it's not the mouse that DH "threw" outside earlier. There was a blood curdling scream from DAM's room. We searched high and low and never found it. I told her there was no mouse, and even if there was it certainly wasn't going to get in bed with her, she said "it was on my shoulder". Totally irrational. So, DAM is outside and convinced that the mouse is going to get her tonight. She won't sleep and she says she's going to be sick. Over. a. mouse...Come on... All I can say is it's a good thing we got her that big, new, couch cuz that's where she's sleeping tonight, or not sleeping. And if she screams for us in the middle of the night there better be something bigger than a mouse in her room...or else!