No Cows Needed

The NJAA National Show was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our summer for all of us. Next year’s show is in Denver, needless to say, we are already inquiring about plane tickets and hotel accommodations. I tried desperately to get Steven to go instead of me because I am not as knowledgeable as Steven is about the cattle industry. I thought I would be a fish out of water. Little did I realize that this was more my cup of tea. If you are short on time, scroll on down to Wednesday for the most adventurous day of the week.

I had to beg my mom to go with me. We left Sunday after church and headed to Perry Georgia, a 4 hour trip that took closer to 7 due to all the extra stops. I just can’t help but stop at the outlet at Lake Park. The next morning we had to be at the Georgia Fair Grounds to meet with the other Junior Angus Queens from across the country to attend a Queens Luncheon. I left my mother, Charlee, Dillon and Presley in good hands. Steven’s college friend Doug and his wife accepted us as family that week.

The luncheon was definitely a southern affair.

We had a Chicken Strip salad with roasted pecans and for dessert, none other than pecan pie. After all, we were in Georgia, the world’s pecan capital. The keynote speaker did a phenomenal job. She gave suggestion on how to be a true Southern Belle.
Dress appropriate the less revealing the better
Wear the essential makeup items mascara and lipstick
Remove makeup at night and faithfully use moisturizer
ALWAYS write thank you cards

I excused myself to go to the bathroom---upon entering the bathroom, I thought of my friend, Carrie. I had to go back to the dining room get my camera and take a picture of this… antique silverware for the handles on the bathroom stalls…..priceless.

We returned to the cow barns to find my family totally excited and ready for the next adventure. Ms. Tammy had shown them the hospitality room. The Georgia Auxiliary had a kiddy corral with tons of activities, movies, treats and older kids to entertain them. For the adults, they offered tables to mingle with others. If I must say, the folks from Georgia know how to entertain. They served homemade cookies and pound cake, seven layers cookies, fresh Georgia peaches, blueberries, fresh watermelon, peanuts, chips, sweet tea, lemonade and ice cold water. Swings and rocking chairs were set up for the guest as well. The tables covered with white and green tablecloths were decorated with magnolias, peaches and lilies. Truly beautiful and to think it was a COW SHOW.

We hurried to eat supper so they kids could have their picture taken with the other members. Oh did I forget to mention, that most of our meals were provided free of cost. I love that Georgia hospitality. We ate Monday night with the Johnsons.
That night was the open ceremonies. It reminds me of the Olympics. Each team assembles together and walks in with their states flag. The MC announced the officers, royalties and significant contribution the club has been involved in. Katie is also the Vice President.
For the entertainment, John Berry put on a concert. All the kids danced and hopped around the showing, while the adults reminisced about the songs he was singing. After the concert he signed autographs and talked with everybody.

The final event for the first night was ice cream sundaes provided by the Nebraska Cattlemen. I loved their aprons…

Tuesday wasn’t as adventurous but definitely as busy. We started the morning off with a pancake breakfast. This machine squirts out 4 pancakes in a row and moves along dropping more down the griddle. The chef immediately begins flipping pancakes. As hungry breakfast goers come up to the table, they are handed a plate. That’s when the fun begins. The Chief pancake flipper starts flinging pancakes at them. If it lands on the floor he quickly comments “I’ll give that one to your mother-in-law.” For the kids, he would make pancake artistry. It was a highlight of the week we’ll never forget.

After breakfast the young cattlemen attended a seminar on grooming and caring for your animals. I wrote out flash cards for Dillon and Katie to study for the quiz bowl. Mom read a book and the girls ran around. Nothing special, that was until after lunch. This was my most favorite part of the week—the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Cook off. I know what could possibly fun about a cook off. It wasn’t the cook off that was fun but the skits that followed. Each group of cattlemen cooked their CAB meal. Then they perform a skit promoting CAB, after the skit the judges are asked to sample the product of the cook off. Each state’s group “sets” a table. The judges’ politely chews and savors the meat while asking questions and holding conversation with the youth. Notice the moss used to decorate the table. A new idea for Cindy Jo....The best performance was by a brother and sister that sang “Anything you can grill, I can grill better….no you can’t ….yes, I can.” We sang the song all week long. Unsurprisingly, they won first place. That evening supper was not provide so we went to Cracker Barrel. After wards on our way back to the motel, I noticed a dude painting the parking lot. Being dedicated to my blogging and the need to seek adventure, I had to stop the car and assist the dude with his job. It wasn’t long before Katie barreled out of the car to take her turn. Although the rest of the car wanted to, they remained in the car dying laughing.

Wednesday, the cow shows began. Unfortunately, we left our animals at home. For once we had time to enjoy the show from the other side of the fence. Katie and Dillon along with the Johnson crew had to get up early to serve breakfast to their fellow cattlemen. Mom, Presley, Charlee, Maddelyn and myself sleep in and later explored Hobby Lobby. We watched some of the team sales events to cheer on the Turnpike Creek kids. Lunch was the most delicious ribs…yes I gnawed the mess out of those things. I usually do not eat messy food in public nor do I chew on bones. We headed back to our favorite spot—the hospitality room. We gathered around the table and did some last minute cramming for the quiz bowl that Dillon and Katie were to participate in. Dillon was on a mixed team with kids from Kansas, South Dakota, and Virginia.

His team made it to the Elite Eight.

One of Katie’s fellow team mates decided at the last minute she didn’t want to do it so, Katie completed the quiz for experience.

We had supper on our own at Cheddar’s. We were totally impressed and filled to capacity after the appetizer. After dinner, we took the kids back to the hotel to swim while Katie and I went looking for an outfit. Katie realized after she observed the other queen’s that she need to dress more formal than boots, jeans and sparkly shirt. In other words, we needed to buy some fancy clothes for her to work in the arena passing out ribbons and awards. We ransacked the racks at Kohl’s (I never find anything at that store) with only 15 minutes before the mall closed we hurried through Belk’s. I found a few things but nothing that overly impressed Katie. We decided we should try Target as our last result. Due to all of our hurry, we had not stopped all evening to go to the bathroom. With a little extra time to spare, I thought we could stop. This was my first mistake of the evening. I walked in the bathroom to find some women sprawled over the toilet hanging on for dear life. Let me set the stage-- This lady’s hair is draped over the sides of the toilet, her face can’t be seen, beside her is her purse, shoes flung around the stall, her backside is hanging out, several cups encircled her and she is almost non responsive. Now that I think about it, it may have been the echo of the commode that made her hard to understand.

Being a Good Samaritan, I asked if she was okay. To no avail, she gurgled sometime that only demons can translate. Let me give you a little insight – I do not take care of my own children when they are sick, bleeding or throwing up. I realized I need additional help because Katie had abandoned me. I step outside to see if I could alert management of the lady’s condition. I did not want my fingerprints on nothing if this was a crime scene. The young inexperienced boy in the red shirt was no help. He sent the manager in, not really, he called me outside because he couldn’t come in the bathroom with me. He said they had called her husband to come get her 30 -40 minutes earlier. I wonder how long the woman had laid there with her head bobbing up and down in the toilet. I returned to the bathroom to check on my new friend. Once again, I noticed Katie had left me alone with the woman. I went outside, snapped my finger and motioned to her to come here, when this gentleman starts heading my way. I already had enough trouble without some man thinking I was making moves on him in the Target foyer.
Quickly I said “I am trying to get my daughter’s attention” and he replied “I thought you worked here”.
Note…. I was wearing a blue Hines Cattle Co Shirt and khaki shorts….that would be a negative.
He then added “someone called me, my wife is sick.”
“Oh” I responded, “I know right where she is”.
He followed me in the bathroom. Soon the stall was over following with spectators. The husband was straddling his wife and the toilet, when he realized he could get back out. The manager tries to disassemble the doors to the stall, which requires special tools. He’s fumbling around stepping over the woman. I am offering advice and suggestions as to why she was sick. The husband, well, he is clueless. He commented he had never seen his wife throw up and he didn’t know what to do. When he up and decides that the toilet needs to be flushed. Remember if you will that the woman is non responsive. I have yet to see her face nor has she moved from the tight embrace she has held on the toilet. When the husband says in the sweetest voice “Honey, we…we… need to flush this…then bam with giving her time to move or pick her head up from the deep valley….he flushes. If you know what I know about toilets---- stuff splashes…that is all I am going to say. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, this woman must have been near heaven’s gates to have not jump up and kill her husband right there. Then the manger finally loosens the stall door providing ample room for all. After about 30 minutes, the unmerciful daughter walks in and demands that mom GET UP. Mom still does move only moans and gurgles. Once again I offer the suggestion of call the EMTs to come a least give her an IV. Then the non news watching man says “we don’t have insurance”. OH…..that explains it all. I quickly made my exit to allow the family time to plan what to do. I commented Obama was trying to help and left. Through all the commotion Katie had once again left my side for the hunt to find queenly attire. She finds a black dress on sale for 15 dollars S-O-L-D. WE scrounge around for some bling. I return to the bathroom to find the manger re-hanging the stall door. The woman, her loving husband and over compassionate daughter had left the building. The manager granted them 10 minutes or he was calling 911. They gathered up the woman and left. After I thought about it I wondered if the woman had a heartache or stroke. I’ll never know. But one thing I do know is I can’t believe I didn’t take pictures for the purpose of the blog.

We made it back to the hotel with our bags full of loot. We finished our meal from Cheddars and headed to bed. I had had way to much adventure for one day.

Thursday was yet another day of excitement. Dillon made it to the Elite Eight on the Quiz bowl. Once again we began cramming for the test. I can no longer say that I do not know about the cattle industry. I learned about the reproductive systems and difficulties with ….with …. you know bull problems. Apparently bulls need Viagra too. We know all the prominent members and officers, the background behind the Angus foundation, feeding and watering intakes, you name it, we learned about it. Dillon’s team went up against the team from Kansas which won first place plus on of the members is the son of Gardiner Angus, BIG producers.

Mom insisted that we eat at the Yoder's. It was okay....don't waste your unless your all about "enviroment"

It was a great experience for all of us. Friday we hung out then left to come home after lunch. We are already booking our trip out west for next year's show...get your plane ticket and join us. No cows needed..

Peas Please.....

IF the week before last wasn’t bad enough, I had to endure yet another week of ….I am not really sure what you would call it. At school, we along with the other 67 plus school districts, kindergarten through 12 grade, started FAIR testing. If you don’t know what that stands for let me explain ….sheer chaos, butt chewings, hate email mixed with electronic progress monitoring that throws you off the Internet each time you log on. This however, happens to be mandated by the state!!! I am beginning to wondering why I choose to leave the class room to assume the position of Reading Coach. Needless to say the last few days at work have been anything less that invigorating.

Last Thursday night, I came home completely exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally, due to “the sister’s” soon arrival. My feet felt as though elephants had trampled on them. I have no one to blame for my feet except me. I like a total idiot wore heels, you know, the uncomfortable kind to run the FAIR Marathon in. The six teachers that tested that day were literally located at the three furthermost points on the campus. I had to run back and forth to assist teachers and combat Internet demons that only Jesus could call out. After school, I had stopped by the store to pick up a few needed items to make tacos.
Any way, by the time I had arrived home I could barely trot as my mother would say. I went to the wash machine to rewash the clothes that had already been rewashed 2 other times, when I noticed a peculiar stench. Not the normal aroma of our cow pen after a heavy rain, more ….well…. a sickening, a foul smell. I took a quick look around my laundry porch, when I noticed the unbelievable. There dripping from my freezer’s door was my Blue Bell’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, mixed with blood from all sorts of meats and stank ice from the freezer. I can’t believe as a kid, I loved to scrap it from the top of my Grandma and Grandpa Q’s freezer and make icy drinks. We were too poor to get them from the Jiffy so we thought that was the BEST. My first thought was “Oh no, surely the rest of my peas aren’t gone!!!!! IF you don’t know what I am talking about, check out my last post. We had close to a 100 bags of peas stolen. I could have laid down in my puddle of yuck and cried. But, I did what any southern girl would do I called mom, not mine she lives too far away. I called my sweet blessed, precious, priceless, irreplaceable, loyal, fantastic, kindhearted, dear sweet mother-in-law. She immediately walked the 50 steps over to my house and began helping me rescue my remaining peas, Steven’s deer meat and a couple of packages of corn from 2006. I called the best brother-in law, I never had and his quick thinking, wonderful wife to come and help us eat the Feast of the Defrosted Freezer. I use the words never had, because my honey is an only child, Kelley P. is the closest thing to a sibling he knows. He loves and treats her like a little sister.

Our adventure began. We worked and chiseled.

We used the blow dryer.

We banged and busted. We gouged and poked. My mother –in law and I looked like gold miners digging for treasure in the Alaskan snow. As matter of fact, she even called me a “gold digger”. It embarrassed her so, she couldn’t stop apologizing. I just laughed. I knew what she meant.

We called Pete, a man who use to work on the farm to come get the remaining thawed meat. He was thrilled to death to leave our house with 3 coolers of choice beef, buffalo burger meat, venison, smoked turkey and a whole bunch of other stuff. I believe that the Lord will provide you with opportunities to bless others even when you feel as though you do not have an offering.

Before long we had the freezer empty and it was time to cook all the un-selected thawed remnants from the freezer. We grilled Omaha steaks, pork chops, and turkey breast. I made hash brown casserole. I made a big pot of peas and delicious cream corn.
While we labored on the freezer and prepared the meal, Katie, Dillon and the men worked with the show heifers.

I think this year we are hauling the most we have ever carried to shows. Katie has 6 heifers she is breaking, 2 bulls and 1 Braham, not to forget the ones from last year….I do not know how the child does all that she does. But that’s a whole other post.

At supper, our table looked as though it was set for a King. That was until the peasant smelling (and looking) partakers sat down. We enjoyed the feast of the defrosted freezer. Everybody had a plenty. It’s amazing how my meal went from simple tacos to a full blown dinner on the grounds.

After dinner Kelley, so sweetly she immediately started cleaning the kitchen and the younger men head off to tackle the remaining mess on the laundry porch.

They scrubbed and bleached everything.

Notice Steven's mud boots

The girls and I headed to bed. It seemed just as my eyes would close, my honey would give a holler, I would jump out of bed wondering what the commotion was only to find him seeking my approval—I know your husbands never do that. Finally they had conquered the beast. They placed my precious remaining packages of peas, corn and venison back in the freezer. Steven and Tom must have prayed over the freezer, to date my freezer continues to freeze and no one else has snagged anymore of my peas.

Victims of the Hard Economy

This past summer, my husband labored intensely the week we were at youth camp to pack our freezer with peas from the garden. He picked, shelled, cooked and then sealed the delicious peas in Ziplocs. Needless say our freezer was packed to the brim. We had well over 120 bags. I had also put up close to 30 bags myself earlier in the summer.

This past week, we had a beef butchered because of the unfortunate death of a cow in the cow pens. My mother-in-law went to the market to pick the meat up and then headed home. When she arrived home, she immediately went to the chest freezer to put the meat away. When she noticed the unthinkable more like unforgivable…… Most of our peas were GONE ….Yes, I said GONE. Someone had stolen all but about 30 bags of our peas. Thank the Lord, my cream corn is still at mom and dad.:~) Being quite alarmed and puzzled, Steven calls me at school to question the missing peas…as though I had, in 2 months, cooked 100 bags of peas. I know we have a lot of dinner on the grounds at church but definitely not that many.

We have yet to solve our mystery, but I am praying not that the person that stole my peas not choke on them, but that they may survive these hard economic times. If any of you know anything about me (and my dad), you know that we would give the shirt off our back to anybody that has a need. I am not an economist, but I undoubtedly know that money, jobs and security are and going to be a thing of the past. I have told myself over and over, that the day would come when we would be burglarized….only I thought it would be our home not our freezer and they would take something of great value, not steal the efforts of my (our) hard labor and food.

I have already informed my dad to plant a few extra rows of fall peas for me. This is just another “good excuse” to spend time at mom and dad’s. As with any canning season, I am sure an adventure awaits….and hopefully no more PEA Thieves will invade our freezers.

Summary of Summer

I am not exactly sure where I need to start. I am so far behind with my post that I have a million stories to tell and little time to write. As most of you know, I am never on time, but recently I have been convicted about my lack of time consciousness. With that being said, I am going to do picture post to tell about my fast and furious end of school and wild summer. I debated on whether or not to publicize my crazy side, but most of you have seen crazier. I ask, that no one make comments recollecting those times. Here’s a quickly from May to Mid July minus 2 or 3 really good stories that I will give special attention later. It seems that every second of our summer vacation has had some sort of adventure. I hope you enjoy the summary of my summer….

Katie will soon inherit my car. She complains often; excuse me…. she complains daily about the car. She wants a truck. I have tried to explain that not many seniors can drive a car such as ours that not only hits 80 in seconds but also rips the hide off un-expecting rattle snakes.

Unfortunately, much of our late spring and summer has involved slaying snakes. This particular snake lost his life on the side of the highway due to the inability to get off the road fast enough. The first victim of the year was at Ashley’s during a girl’s night out, I noticed the pregnant momma kitty throwing something in the air and then flinging it. I, being too curious for my own good, went outside to see what she was doing. Our youth minster wife, who has a doctorate degree in wildlife, varied that it was a corral snake after reviewing a book on native snakes. We had trouble reciting the cute little snake rhyme “red on yellow kill a fellow, red on black friend of Jack”. Ashley being brave and noble beheaded the snake with a small…very small machete. Beside the rattle snake and corral snake, the other night on the way to church, I slammed on breaks, throw the car in reverse then frankly jammed in the car back in drive and continued with such spastic moves until a poor little corn snake lay dead on the nature trial that leads to my house. Katie’s lifetime friend Danyal, thought I had lost my mind as she was thrown about in the backseat until she saw the evidence of my madness—a dead 12 inch snake. Have I mentioned I HATE snakes?

Towards the end of the school year, my dear friend and librarian Marsha hosted a book fair. The not so intelligent me, thought it would be cute to dress up as Clifford to encourage students to visit the book fair on Family night. Remember if you will, our springs are unbearable hot, but even more so inside a BIG RED DOG costume. I commented that if I should ever, feel the desire to dress up again …I was wearing my bathing suit underneath it. That was until I thought about all the cootie that resides inside….yew yuck. One little boy told his mother that he knew that was a man in the Clifford costume because he had hairy arms. If you haven’t seen arms, let me elaborate…. I barely have peach fuzz on my arms. In the past, I have been known to ride a midsize child’s bike into 40 classrooms hooping and hollering to encourage our kids to attend an event at school. Other than the severe soreness in my legs for days, the bike ride was the easiest and least exhausting. Can you believe that some people had the nerve to ask me if, in near 90 degree temperatures if I would stand in the drop off area and wave to the families. I think, I send this individual a Christmas Card. I’m making a note to cross them off the list.

We’ve celebrated Mother’s Day with muffins for moms. Then our family had a late lunch at our favorite buffet restaurant. The big adventure of the day was driving by the river to see how high it had risen. It was just another day in paradise. lol

Our youth host a spaghetti supper and Mount Pleasant Idol to raise money for youth camp. Steven was asked to serve as Randy. I personally think he is more like Simon.

We had all sorts of talent--- pig calling, cat imitations, and lots singing. The church had the great opportunity to hear my nephew Quin and Maddielyn sing a duet. After the performance, Jamie, the youth minister and MC for the night asked Quin who was his favorite singer and song. With out hesitation he said “Toby Keith, Beer for My Horses and Whiskey for My Men”. The crowd went wild. Did I tell y’all I ate Toby Keith restaurant in Oklahoma City, excellent place to eat and even awesomer atmosphere. I had lamb fries. They weren’t bad.

Katie had cheerleading try outs. At the time, she thought this was great…now …. not so much. Their coach was a college cheerleader and performed competitive so needless to say they train like “athletes”. No comment at this time----

The FFA won the Plates for Plates contest. The club sold the most FFA license plates. This entitled the club to have Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson teach Ag for a day.

At lunch, his personal chef cooked a meal for the members. The food was incredibly different from anything most of our rural rooted kids have ever seen, much less tasted.

I personally along with my table mate Carrie thought it was excitingly different. The chef has a blog, but I have not been successful in finding the site.


We attended the Ranch Rodeo in which my crazy brother-in-law served as the entertainment for the evening as the Rodeo Clown. Although the weather was awful, we had a great time. If you have not attended the event in the past, I encourage you to go this year. It is always held Memorial Day weekend at the Horsemen’s’ Arena in Williston . It is unlike any thing you have ever seen. The best part to me is the buddy pick up. Nah, my favorite is the wild cow milking. Um I changed my mind it is the wild bronco saddling. Okay, I really think my favorite is the event in which they unlaod the horse then quickly saddle him, race to the other end, come back unsaddle the horse and load him on the trailer again. Yeah that's my favorite.





We ended school with a BIG bang and celebration. The kids enjoyed every minute of the day not to mention Charlee crashed the party.
I wonder where the summer went. It seems like just yesterday, that we bid farewell to the students and celebrated the last day of school. A tradition at our school, the teachers create a line and sing……Nah Nah, Nah Hey, hey good bye. Embarrassingly enough, I was get choked up and can’t sing. I usually blame the tears on the sun or allergies.

After 3 years at Kid’s World, we closed that special chapter in Charlee’s life. They have tenderly cared for and loved my baby as their own.

Summer started off with a bang, the first week out Katie headed to the FFA convention in which she won the Beef Proficiency. We recently found out that she did not place nationally but received a Silver medal honor …I thought we entered a FFA contest not an Olympic. My lovely husband went with mom and me to the convention even though he complained about my driving he didn’t show his butt……

Well maybe he did a little. We had trouble with the seats in mom’s vehicle. I think before it was over, we all had to ask for forgiveness for using language only sailors use.

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, for the first time in years, and I do mean years, I attended youth camp. I had a blast. However next year, I want to chaperone the boys. Every night they stayed in our room and entertained us. Ashley served as head “cook” and I assisted and cooked breakfast. We meet the group Unhindered.

They were precious. I invited them back to eat with our youth group, but they had previous an engagement (yeah right). I had a personally hair dress and enjoyed shopping with the girls and Tyler.

Every chance I got, I spent some time at mom and dad’s. It is undoubtedly my most favorite place on earth. I also had the opportunity to cream field corn and sweet corn.

Maybe soon I’ll update the recipe blog and include some of my summer recipes as well as my recipe for canning the most scrumptious corn. We had tons juicy watermelons, yummy eggplants, lots of pots of peas and loads of pods of okra. I love summer vegetables.

Most the summer, I spent as much time as possible soaking up the sun. On this trip to the pool, the Johnsons did some “deep pool dove” to harvest water logged earth worms.

They were more excited about their finds than swimming. We enjoy our pool (and porch), it serves as a wonderful mission field for us to minister to some kids in our youth group and neighborhood. My question to you is ----What do you have that could be used as a vehicle to help others come to know Christ or build a strong relationship with Him?

This has been the most memorable spring and summer that I have had in a long time. It is obvious that I have been busy and have traveled all about because my house is a disaster zone and looks as though we have been robbed. Maybe since school has started back, I will develop a routine that allows for organization and outrageous adventures as we embark on Katie’s senior year and Charlee’s kindergarten year.

A WiLd and CRazY Week.

Wow what a week. It seems as though we have been around the world and back. Well close. This past week, I had the pure delight of teaching the kids music and missions on the Boomerang Express at VBS. Each night I had a red suit case packed with Mystery Missionary Clues. It was the key to my success. I could spend hours before opening the suitcase.

On Saturday afternoon, well more into the evening, like 11 o’clock, I helped Ashley set up the replica of the land down under-Australia.

Sunday was the kick off and VBS started with an ice cream sundae party.

Monday was the longest day ever. I had to go into work to screen kindergartners. When I left home, I thought I would be finished by lunchtime. At 5:30, I was exhausted and ready to go home, when I noticed I had locked my keys in the car--- I had to wait for mom to bring me a spare set of keys. Needless to say, I arrived at church just in time to swallow my food whole and then dance the night away at VBS. After VBS, we had to completely clean the sanctuary for a funeral.

Tuesday I got up early to fix dressing, peas, & Mac and cheese for the family at the funeral. After lunch, several of us, worked diligently to recreate the Australian masterpiece in the sanctuary. We have the best church members any church could ask for :~). We thought we would take a quick dip in the pool before church, but as with most of summer afternoons we were rained out. So we only had a few minutes.

Wednesday was just as busy. Once again I had to work, this time planning our preplanning week for teachers. This was a GREAT meeting because we were able to clear a few days so I can go to the lake with my family for the first time in years. YEAH Charlee spent the day with her Aunt Margie and Katie and the kids went Meme’s. As I had mentioned in an earlier post, Charlee has been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Issues. Two days a week, we have a “play date”. She loves it and thinks it’s wonderful. Katie had friends over for a sleepover.

They were so funny. They played Barbie’s with Charlee, gave each other pedicures and laughed the night away. I wish I had pictures of the evening. I don’t know what was more hilarious the girls dressing Barbie or all three girls sitting on the side of the tub with mask on their faces and scrubs on their feet. My bathroom smelled like a beauty parlor.

Thursday was the BEST day of the week for me, but not for Charlee. Our youth went tubing down the Ichetucknee River. Each kid rented a huge inner tube, but after all the tubes were passed out we had one extra. We took the extra one for her. I tied Presley, Charlee, and the fish raft that was original brought for Charlee and my boat tighter with some hay string I found on the bank of the river. Being old and less invigorated by cold water, I tugged along the boat for myself. All the older grandkids made the trip with us. Due to my in laws recent kitchen and bath renovations we carried Charlee with us.

We stayed, surprising, together the entire journey, thank the Lord. I was just beginning to adapt to the frigid water when Charlee lend back to see the beauty of the sky when low and behold…… she flipped over. Without considering the near freezing temperatures of the water, I jumped into the water to rescue my child. Take note; I forget to leave my swimsuit cover and shoes on the shore. She was hanging on for dear life to the handles of her tube. I could see her wide eyes through the translucent tube. She may have been in the water less time than most bull riders hang on to a bucking bull. She never said a word nor did she cry….but she definitely made a grab for the boat instead of her tube. Katie noticing the commotion, immediately abandons her tube to help. Thank the Lord the water was shallow, but the current was like a raging river.

Once Charlee was safe again, I tried to position my larger than the hole body, on the tube. Needless to say, I looked like a whale perched on the tube. Katie tried diligently to help. The whole time the current is sucking our massive caravan down stream. Charlee is petrified that she is going to flip again. Finally, I made it atop my raft and then it was to secure Katie back on hers. She being the smartest one in the family “trespassed” on to some strangers dock and jumped back on her tube. We were headed happily back down stream when Charlee speaks her first word after the escapade “See, I told you, I shouldn’t have come”. Yes I should have known from my own past experiences, that a trip down the Ichetucknee is filled with adventure and moments of near death experiences. Example being, when I was a youth at PGBC, my mom hauled a group of wild hoodlum girls to float down the run. During our peaceful excursion we encountered a mom gator, which took it upon herself, to act as a river guide and float along with us. I encourage you to ask my mom about this, as it is much too lengthy and detailed for me to recall by myself.

We successfully made it to the mouth of Santa Fe and the end of the run, ultimately the conclusion of our journey on the watercourse. We then proceeded with our “15 minute” walk back to the put in spot. Unlike the state park, this private section did not offer a taxi ride. Remember I told you, I forgot to take off my cover up, now soaking wet, well mixed with gritty sand, a 40 minute walk along a pebble/ lime rock road toting a boat, a fish raft, two large tubes, and Charlee--- it was miserable.

However, I felt more sympatric for the Musens, a retired missionary couple in their 70’s. Oh, did I forget to mention the massive thunderclouds and rumbling thunder ---the lighting came later. When we finally made it back to the post, I hopped in the truck to retrieve the missionaries (maybe they’ll put a good word in for me). When I got back, everybody was loading up on the church bus. The youth pastor was afraid of the terrible storm that was quickly approaching. Since the kids waited 20 minutes for me that morning, I offered to stay behind to wait for the man to return for the tubes. He had explained earlier, that they had a problem with other people stealing the tubes. I chuckled to myself “yeah right” but I waited any way. Katie, in-between lightning and the heavy down pours, climbs in the back of truck to get everybody a drink. When Lacey comments “Aunt B that man just grabbed 2 tubes” I jumped out of the truck as though I was the Tube Police and bounced over to the truck load with wool boogers and asked for the tubes back. The smoking dude, (to clarify, not smoking hot good-looking), in the back said in a lame kind of way “I thought they were the parks and were free”. Uh…. that would be a negative. I was waiting the houchie in the front of the truck to jump me. Funny enough, he gave them back and they went down the road looking for more tubes to steal.

We returned home to prepare for the final night of VBS. After the commencement service, once again we tore the stage apart. Luckily for a church in Bell, they gathered’ the extravagant decoration for their exciting week. By the time I had made it home Charlee was asleep. I grabbed her to lay her in bed when I noticed she was burning up with fever. I woke her up and gave her some Motrin. The next morning, no fever. By lunch, burning up again. I called the pediatrician. We headed for the BIG town, with everybody in tow. While we were in the doctor’s office Katie and the kids hit the new and awesomely improved playground up town.

At first the doctor found nothing wrong but ironically decided to do a throat cultural--- you guessed it STREP. This broke my heart, Saturday was the annual Quincey Family reunion. I knew there was no way I would reunite with my dear loved ones.

However, Saturday night my wonderful dad picked off peanuts and mom invited us over for HOT BOILED PEANUTS. My southern roots were overflowing with joy.

Mom fixed us sausage sandwiches.

The evening ended with a magnificent view-

Out side of visiting with my parents, this is my most favorite things about mom and dad’s house. Even though Charlee was still a little under the weather, she had enough energy to swing at Meme’s.

It seems as though everyday of VBS was filled to capacity with adventure. Maybe next year’s VBS week will be just as much fun and eventfull.