It's Here!

My new camera is here! I had to take a few pictures, of course. It is wonderful.

There has been a problem around here that I have not shared with you. We have a squirrel that is eating all of our birdseed. Can you believe that?

Here is the bird feeder from which the squirrel partakes of all day long. Notice it is empty. One reason the squirrel can eat all the seed is because this is how Bingo guards it.

"Turn around Bingo, you are looking the wrong direction!"

"Bailey, wouldn't you like to catch a squirrel? They are rodents, you know."

At least Barry is doing his job. He is making sure the Bluebird house is all nice and clean in case a family would like to make it their home.

And me, you ask? What am I doing? Playing with the camera. Those boxes will have to wait one more day.

Guess What

The Pioneer Woman gave this camera away yesterday. This is the camera that will be delivered to me today. I entered the contest, not to be greedy, but to give it away. AND...I did not win. Wouldn't it be fun to give away great items like that camera?

I do feel the need for a giveaway. I need suggestions on what kind of
things readers would like to receive. Keep in mind, there is usually a $10.00 and under limit. Would you like a contest, a random drawing, or a mixture of both? I am here to please.

If I ever become a famous blogger, publish a cookbook, or a novel, I will up the prizes on giveaways!

On the Way

This little beauty is on its way to me. It is a birthday gift from my thoughtful husband. 

Thank you, Barry!

Hidden Treasures

One thing about moving, it makes you clean out your attic. Many, many years ago, I had some personal items that I packed away and told Barry NOT to throw away. Since I had not seen most of them in a long time, I, of course, assumed those items had been thrown away to make room for other things.

Imagine my surprise when Barry walked in with a box last night that I had not seen in approximately twenty-nine years. It was my Madame Alexander doll. When I was five, I was quite ill and had to spend several months at home. This doll was a gift, and I loved it. I even gave her a haircut. My mom was very upset with me. Honestly, I thought it would grow back. Looking at it now, I  realize I could have had a future as Annette Bening's hairdresser.

Under the doll clothes, in the box, was this beanie from Ousley Junior High. I am not sure if this is my beanie though. Classmates, did we wear beanies? Maybe it belongs to my brother, Chris, or maybe someone gave it to me. I don't have the energy to climb back up a ladder to get my junior high annuals down and search. So, if anyone knows the answer to the beanie mystery, please let me know.

A New Phase of our Life

Last Thursday, we moved into our new house. John Brown's Movers loaded up their truck and moved our belongings. 

While the movers were there, the satellite guys were also there. That was lucky for everyone, because it took five men to put up the television.

This television came with the house, but we had to take it down to paint. It is our version of the JerryTron in our house. (if you read this blog you know we also have one in the RV)

I will go on record here that I am the television fanatic in the household. Barry mainly uses it for the music channels. 

Then today, I read that more than two hours a day of television is bad for your brain. I probably should have known this, but I guess I have watched too much television to recall that fact. It is probably too late for me, but I have only seen forty-five minutes of television today. 

Here is the television all set up and working. Woo Hoo!

Barry put up some pictures.

But...

there is still a lot to do. 

Our friend, Becky, brought us dinner-homemade Chicken Pot Pie. It was yummy. I asked her to bring it the night after we moved into the house. I knew we were too tired to enjoy it the night of the move. 

I can't even remember where we went to eat the night of the move, but on the way home I was feeling melancholy. Barry said the move was good for us. We were entering a new phase of our life. 

I asked, "What is this phase called?"

Barry replied, "The next to last phase." 

My Apologies to Mrs.Bayless

Mrs. Bayless was one of my favorite English teachers. I had her in junior high. We diagrammed a lot of sentences. I loved diagramming sentences. It was such a delight for me to use different colored pencils and make all the lines.

Mrs. Bayless had several pithy expressions that contained advice or wisdom.
Everyday when she took roll, she would say, "Speak now or forever hold your zero."

Then if someone said, "Do we have to?"
She would answer, "You only have to do two things in life. Pay taxes and die."

She didn't like the Channel 5 news. Her comment was, "Channel 5 News is the 'What's New at the Zoo' newscast."

I just reread my post from yesterday and there are some badly composed sentences. Forgive me Mrs. Bayless.

“Last week the candle factory burned down. Everyone just stood around and sang Happy Birthday.”

A little over a week ago was my birthday. Joanie, Ava, and Lucy came in to help us celebrate. Joanie, also wanted to say goodbye to the house she grew up in and see our new house. Ava wanted to see her cousins, and Lucy was just happy to be where they were.  (My neighbor could not believe that Joanie drove from Houston with the two girls and her dog, all by herself. Jacob had a previous commitment. I know you were there in heart, Jacob!)

Ava has suddenly decided not to be as cooperative for photos. Has she been conspiring with Scarlett?


We all went over to Brett and Shannon's house. They had a babysitter arranged, so the adults and Lucy could go out for dinner.

Ben was busy playing on the trampoline.

Of course, all Scarlett wanted to do was hold Lucy. Ava was okay with this, because she had found Scarlett's glittery gold shoes and was wearing them around the house. That girl loves sparkly shoes.

Then, Ava and Scarlett decided that they needed to help Joanie feed Lucy.  How many girls does it take to feed a baby?


Thanks to all my kids, their spouses, husband, and my grandchildren for a wonderful birthday.
(even though most of you did not make it into photos, but don't feel bad neither did I.)