It was like pushing the Rewind button...

Each time I took the camera out of it's case one of the Crumbs would comment, "Did ya see some thing else that reminds ya of when you were our age that ya need to blog about?"

Apparently, we drove them nuts with our eager beaver sharing of childhood stories...little twits.

I mean who wouldn't want to take a picture of one of the many tumble weeds traveling on it's way across the state???

Or our old swimming hole?

Big Shooter's comment was, "Did they re-do it out here? I remember that dock being a whole lot further out than that..."

It's amazing finding out how small our enormous childhoods really were.

They didn't say a word about me taking their pictures. Just struck a pose.

I didn't think to get a picture of my Aunt Kathy's pancakes. She's made them for Big Shooter and I now for 20+ years when we travel through Wyoming. They are the Best on the Planet. I have only tasted one other person's who come close. It was a little dive in a not so good part of Plainsville. One day they were open, the next day they were arrested for selling drugs out the back door. No, I am not kidding. No more pancakes unless we happen to be in Cheyenne. My sweet auntie is in charge of the dispatch office for the Cheyenne sheriff's department. I drove with her from Denver to Cheyenne and heard her in action. We encountered a situation that was getting more dangerous by the second so she immediately called 911 and reported, "Yes Ma'am, I've got a 120 involving a tractor trailer license number yada, yada, yada on Colorado I-80 northbound, mile marker 23 at 75 mph, please advise CHP units in the location." Thank goodness she was in the car or here would have been mine, "...uh yeah, there's a really big truck weaving in front of me that doesn't have any lights..."
I wish I'd thought ahead and taken a pic of those golden circles...but in there place I can share a picture of her son. I posted this pic just to get his goad. We're kissin' cousins. Our names rhyme. He just earned his doctorate. I still call him Butthead. That's his little Southern Belle-soon-to-be-wife. I love her. I want to marry her.
Also, since I didn't get pics of the pancakes I get to sneak in others that kinda, sorta have to do with my sweet auntie. This is her newest grandbaby.

My cute as a button girl cousin was big preg-GO when we went through Denver the first time. The day we left she had this little beauty. So the Crumbs and I got to snuggle with her on our way home.

Girl Child was in Hog Heaven.
I kid you not, I about fell over when Boy Child asked to hold her.
It was 10 seconds longer than he's ever held a baby before.
Ever.


Showing the Crumbs the Canyon was a highlight for both of us to revel and enjoy. We both have incredibly fond memories of the canyon as children and then dating.

Have I ever mentioned I floated in a hot air balloon in this canyon? I believe that is why I am now afraid of falling from great heights.

Y'all already heard about The Rock.

Does Boy Child look like Calvin to you? He does to me...even in his sister's purple striped hat with the flower.

What other things set off the Childhood memories?

Grandma's cookin' and playing games with her.

When Thanksgiving dinner was over she said in my ear, "You ready to play games girl? They are on the front passenger side floor board of my truck..."

She's 86.

She'd come prepared and ready to whip some tail.

The first we played is called Probe. It's been played in our family since the

early 60's. That was a blast from the past!
And the one we had been dying to do?

Eat at this hamburger joint.

They began in Twin Falls.

Now they are all over the surrounding areas.

We stopped at the first one we saw...

mmmm, they put a white sauce on their burgers instead of ketchup.

The Best on the Planet.

What do you look forward to when you visit your hometown?

What floats your boat?

What's your favorite blast from the past?

Do you ever wish you really could hit the rewind button?

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I do wish I could hit the rewind button again and again. There are so many times I'd love to re-live with you. Skiing, Chicago, Sun Valley, cookin' with your momma, havin' FIL save my butt a hundred times, seeing you walk in the Hallmark to chat, all those long drives across the states, walking the big dogs, snuggling in stormy weather, making Crumbs (wish I could remember Girl Child), watching our babies sleep...the list goes on and on. Thank you for always adding to it.

I need an air sick bag now...that got way too gag-a-rama for me...cough.

We're getting closer...

We are almost to Idaho.

We have spent a few days in Colorado and Wyoming with family.

Today we arrive in our home town of Twin Falls, Idaho.

I am hoping if you click on the picture you will be able enlarge it to see the wolves up close.

My Sweet Father-in-Law (FIL) sent it to us to remind us of Idaho.

Of course, the Crumb Snatchers are on the Look Out and think every far off boulder or large clump of sage brush is a pack of wolves!

Just a fun FYI, if you can barely see the pole with the reddish stick at the top...those are snow markers my friends.

Aye, Big Shooter and I originally come from a very cold and snowy mountainous region.

Now? I am not so sure we are going to make it back to Plainsville, OK in one piece. Our blood has become thick and sweet like all Southerners twangy accents in the last 20 years.

We are F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G ...and we're not even there yet!

Love Note to Y'all: I know I mentioned a post that was an emotional heartfelt one that I was working on. I also mentioned it may be up on Sat... it wasn't, I still am. And I hope it will be up tonight in time for you take part with your families on Thankgiving.

Today - It's all about the Girls

Below is Megan Jendrick. Is that not the coolest photo? She looks like she's sneaking up on her prey. Which, actually, she did to make the team. You may or may not remember her from the 2000 Games? She won a gold. Then was unable to make the 2004 Athens team to defend her gold by a mere one one hundredth of a second. Blink your eyes.

That's how fast she missed her chance.

I cannot even begin to fathom the disappointment.

Well, guess who saw Redemption? Last month she literally snuck up on her competition and won the last place on the team for her specialty by...you guessed it, a .11 of a second!

That tells me (and then in turn, the Crumbs) this girlfriend has some Grit y'all!

She won her gold 8 years ago. She is obviously not as fast as she once was. It's apparent she's been pouring her heart and soul into training. And she proved she can Dig Deep when the chips are down.

Oh baby, I can already tell, swimming is gonna be a Scream Fest in the Shooter Household.

**************************************************************

Meet Corey Cogdell.

I will be following this girl's progress like a Rabid Dawg.

Here's why.

She was born and raised in Alaska. Like a lot of kids in Alaska, she and her sister were home schooled. She started shooting from her back deck with her Daddy at the ripe old age of 3. Yes, 3.

Her momma was killed in a car accident when she was 9. Her Daddy quit his full-time construction job the next day to be a full-time care taker of His Girls. And he finished homeschooling them. Now, like any good dad, he found all sorts of extra curricular activities that would count towards P.E. Corey took to trap shooting like a duck to water.

Before he knew it, she was a Champion this and a Champion that. The first one being when she was 13.

Last winter she was 8 targets out from having a spot on the Olympic team. She was training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs when she called home and said, "I really feel I need to go train in Texas where the last competition will be held." Dad agreed and off she went.

Her natural instincts paid off. On the morning of the competition, she put on her Alaskan long-johns she'd gotten used to training in and walked out into the frigid air. Her competition, not being used to the cold, showed up bundled in cumbersome gear.

At the end of three days, she had not only made up the eight targets to make first place, she'd won the entire competition by 12 targets. That's like saying Tiger Woods won the board by 12 holes! Usually, competitions of this level are won by one, maybe two targets. Twelve y'all. 12.

And btw, she's the only female member of the 2008 Shooting Team.

How's that for an Olympic Example?

Now, here's my Rabid Dawg reasonings:

1. She was born and raised in Alaska, I was born and raised in Idaho. (It's wilderness-ish people. Work with me here!) BTW, that's me and FIL a loooong time ago. In Idaho.

2. She learned to shoot off her back deck. Crumb #2 learned to shoot off the back of Grampa's deck.

3. She wears all the correct gear. Girl Child wears all the correct gear. Ish.

4. She turned out to be a fabulous example for homeschooled kids. Mine are showing...potential??

5. She is just so Dang Cute. And Girl Child's so Dang Cute.

...most of the time.

And reason #6 - To get to her level, she must know all the tricks of the trade. And, apparently, Crumb Snatcher #2 is learning some of her own. This one is called "Squeeze my Red Ryder with my Sweet Cheeks so I can cock my gun" trick.

Don't laugh, it may come in handy one day at the Olympic Trials...

I'll keep you informed.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thank you for encouraging them to Dream Big. I love it that all they are seeing right now are red, white and blue, inspiration and opportunities at every turn. That all they are hearing in their little heads is the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. It makes my heart go pitter-pat.

Drowned Rat a.k.a. FIL

The Beginning...



The Middle...



The End...

Now, before he starts whining about getting a little wet (insert very sarcastic snicker)...I did say to him beforehand, "Are you sure you want to go? ...you might get a little wet." In fact, while he was in line, I called him to suggest he leave his phone behind to stay dry.

I'd say that was a pretty fair warning.

Wouldn't you?

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I miss you. I really, really miss you and your company. Keep up the great strides in healing Big Guy. We can't wait until you're back to your normal self. Well, mostly normal self.

A girl + her dog + a rock = a neon pink cast

Oh how she loves this dog!

He is her doll, her confidante, her companion, her friend and the cause of this..Kinda. In a round about way.

Our first morning at the lake with Grandpa Lyle (FIL) she and I were cuddling on the sofa watching the lake and reading. The BDP needed to go out and potty so out she went with him on a leash. The next thing I hear is her "Olliver Scream". When ever the beloved little beast some how manages to free himself of human control my Girl Child freaks. That is the only word I can use. You'd think she was having her toenails pulled off one by one when you hear it. I think she thinks he will just keep running and never look back. No matter how much try we cannot seem to make her understand he knows he's got it good and will never leave his Momma. Anyway, I being the oh so caring mother, slowly got up and went out on the deck to see what the problem was. She stopped screaming before I reached the door so when I stepped out there and didn't see anything I stood there and enjoyed the beauty for a minute or two before I realized I could still hear something. I couldn't place it. But it was not the Olliver Scream so I wasn't too concerned. After a few minutes the sound registered. Crying.

Oops.
I went to the front and found her standing in the driveway crying her little eyes out, blood dripping down her front. Now a normal woman would have been snapped right into Mommahood and dashed out to help her. Did I? Nope.

I don't think I'll ever even be in the running for the Last Place of Mother of the Year.

You see, she is my daughter through and through so I don't know if it's really that bad or Drama making all that racket.

My solution: Get her in the house, wake Daddy and let him decide. You know, he doesn't need any extra rest or stress-free living at this point of his life. He needs to get up at 6:30 AM to calm his offspring, clean-up and ascertain the injury. Right?

Poor guy. This is how my brain works when I know there is injury, skin trauma, blood involved. It just goes to mush. That's why I married him. He's awesome in emergencies.

While I sneak out of the room with the lame excuse of getting Band-Aids he takes a look see and pronounces a trip to the ER. Do I snap into Concerned Momma? Again, nope. Instead I ask, "Really? You think it's that bad?"

Good one Momma.

He nods and heads to get some clothes on.

He's transformed from Lone Kidney Man to Daddy instantly.

Boy Child and I get the car ready with pillows, blankets and ice packs and off they go into the sunrise...

Big Shooter calls a few hours later to tell me the news. "Yep, it's broke. Both bones. She needs to see an orthopedic surgeon in the next few days."

Mommahood? Nope.

I say, "Reeeally? A couple days? That will be Saturday and Sunday." Not, "Oh! I feel so horrible for her. Please let me speak to her so I can apologize for not being more loving and concerned." Nope. Worried about the weekend instead. Someone please remind me again why was I allowed to have these precious children?

Big Shooter is already on it. He informs me he already has an appointment with our pediatrician and they'll cast it there. Good Daddy. Bad Mommy.

He does find out though they don't cast breaks...they send you on to orthopedic surgeons. Which they did. After charging him for a visit.

Since they had several hours to kill between appointments he took her on a date. Lunch and a movie.

Good Daddy. Bad Mommy.

They had to set her bones while casting it. He was Good Daddy. Thank God cause I most definitely would have been Worse Mommy had I gone and tried to be Good Mommy to begin with.

They returned to the lake 11 hours and 50 minutes after they'd left.

My FIL told his son to "never do that to him again". He was referring to Big Shooter leaving him with me all the live long day. I am choosing to believe it was because I drove him crazy with my pacing and worried demeanor...

This is what Olliver and the rest of my family think of that...

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I am so very glad you are Mr. Safety. I am so glad you are always so calm. I am so glad you know what to do. I am so glad you are the Daddy.

...oh, and by the way, her cast is neon pink...

While we were away from civilization, several questions cropped up. So while I'm waiting for my already-super-missed-FIL to send me some great pix to post, I figured I'd offer some answers to some and comments on others.


Starting with the hunting post.

* I was raised surrounded by hunters. It was Idaho after all. What have I shot? Only deer, pheasants, ducks, rabbits, rock chucks, and crows. Do the kids hunt? No. They are just getting their first taste of BB guns thanks to my dad, Grandpa-in-Connecticut. You can enjoy that experience here in "You'll shoot your eye out!"

* My sweet girl Eula Mae did not ever get a driver's license because she is from the long ago era when wives didn't really leave their houses or neighborhoods. If she went some where or needed something her sweet hubby Norman did all the driving.

* You may (or not) have noticed I edited the music. It is no longer Auto Start. From now on, if you'd like to listen to it you'll need to go to the bottom and turn it on. Thanks for all your comments and opinions about it.

* The update on Big Shooter's Crackberry is that he has a "new" one. However, it is not new new. It is an older version like he had before the "new, shapely, racy and CURVY girl" he fell so hard for. His withdrawals have been curbed, but they are not cured. I think the only cure will be a shiny, new Redhead.

* The update on Big Shooter himself is Dr. Kangaroo said he is no longer experiencing any more side effects from surgery. So the nausea is caused from some thing else. He suggested we go back to the GI doctor who diagnosed the cancer to begin with. So we are waiting to see him now. BS is eating this time around. Just very small amounts. That's better than before.

* No, Big Shooter did NOT go to Silver Dollar City with us! He still gets worn out very easily. He got left behind to find his own mischief...more on that later.


Now that we are back to civilization (Internet) I will be able to post some pix of the past few days visit from our already-super-missed-FIL...

and by the way, Girl Child broke her arm at 6:30 AM the first morning we were gone.

It involved the Brain Dead Pug and 3 different doctors' offices...

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thanks for putting up with me when I have a horrible case of self-imposed Sleep Depravation with a side of the Meanies. You are a Prince of the Highest Order.

Wish you were here...

enjoying this

and this

and this

and this with us today!

http://www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/

Full Disclosure...or another Confession

I'm so not a politically correct PETA lover, Green Peacer, or Hippie Doobie Smokin' Flower Power believer either. (Although, I really am a Tree Hugger if that helps.)

Just thought you should know all this before the Political Drums start vibrating in my ears. I'm liable to put my foot in my mouth a time or two, cause a ruckus in the comment section, have to apologize a few times for my behavior or attitude, or God Forbid vow my undying love of this great country we are blessed to call home.

Just thought you should know this about me beforehand.

That. And FIL sent this picture to me today to remind me of my past...Yes, that's me 20 years ago. Nature Killer. Which of course led my brain down the whole PETA, Green Peace lane.

And made me miss Idaho.

How do you like my Coors Light hat? I wasn't even legal yet. 20ish if I recall correctly. Big Shooter was away at college. I'd just had all four wisdom teeth pulled and it was Opening Weekend of Hunting Season. I told my future FIL, "No. So sorry. I have dry sockets. I can't go this year." That was back before cell phones. So thirteen minutes later when I called back and couldn't reach him or Big Shooter's momma (Who should be there. She didn't partake in the bloodletting.) to tell them I'd been taking pain meds and didn't know what I was saying because, "Oh course I was going! Miss out on getting up at 4am, drinking coffee with a bunch of Good Ole Boys while they made our game plan, hiking up and down mountains, always riding in middle b/c my legs were shortest so there was room for the gear shifting required when gunning up a steep, treacherous path on the side of a sheer cliff? No way am I missing out!" I freaked. Had they really left without me? I packed for a hunting weekend in under 14 seconds and arrived at their house approximately 4 minutes later than that. Therefore, I cannot accept responsibility for the hat, hair, giant shirt or anything else really. I think the only thing I put in my little Chevy Chevette (yes, really) was my rifle, ammunition and my boots. Seriously. What else could a girl possibly need?

To my girl readers: Yes, it's real. Yes, I shot it. No, I did not gut it. There were always too many Good Ole Boys who worried I'd knick the wrong thing. And, trust me, you don't want to knick the wrong thing. Eeewww.

To my guy readers: Yes, I know it's not a real buck. I found those antlers while hiking up over yet another ridge. And why yes, she is as big or bigger than your average white tail down here. Thankyouverymuch.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Wow. Your family still welcomed me after all my silly antics...I'm not sure if that's meant as a compliment for them or sympathy.

House Cleaning Issues

*Gratuitous old kid pics will be scattered throughout post to keep your attention. Thank you, The Editor.

Okay y'all I have to do a house keeping post before a certain character (and I do mean that literally - if FIL is anything...it's a character) comes to Plainsville. After he's here I may be a little more sidetracked than normal. Which is not saying much I know. But please just humor me here.

First on the house keeping agenda is the music of this here little blog. I would so like your opinions of the music. I have tried to put a poll on the sidebar and failed miserably. Maybe I'll give it another go. But for now these are the questions I need your valued input on.

1. 
   
   Do you like music while you read?
2. 
   
   If you do like music, please rate the first few songs 1-10 (10 being best).
3. 
   
   Do you prefer me to change the songs frequently, occasionally, after a few months?
4. 
   
   Have you had or are you having a problem with the speed of the music (sounds fast or like the Chipmunks)? If so, is it resolved or on going?
5. 
   
   Any requests, other comments or suggestions?

Second on the house keeping agenda are subjects of posts.
Would you like:

• more pictures, less talk?
• recipes? (Shared by others, not just mine for Pete's Sake...whoever Pete is.)
• to be, or just read a few guest bloggers in the future?

* You do realize I'm just askin' right? These questions don't necessarily mean I can follow through with any of this. Inquiring minds just want to know.




Love Note to my Big Shooter: I could not have possibly picked a better match than you. Thank you Match Maker. He's perfect for me in every way.


Update on the Big Shooter: He was doing fabulous. Getting stronger. Eating well. Getting lots of rest. Just really making great strides. On Thursday he started getting nauseated after lunch. Friday, same thing after dinner. Saturday and Sunday same thing. Today we are right back where we began this whole journey. He's having trouble keeping food down. He's extremely nauseated and has a constant dull pain in the center of his gut as soon as he eats... AAAAAARRRRHHHH! He, of course, doesn't want to eat anything I offer b/c he would just rather skip the whole ordeal. We have a doctor's visit tomorrow afternoon. Please keep the doctor in your prayers all afternoon. We need Wisdom to surpass all understanding and come to rest in his diagnosis for B.S. Thanks friends. We love you so.

Happy Beginning of Summer!

Plum Tuckers Him Out!

Healin' y'all. It takes some serious, tiresome work.

I am amazed at the human body.

It can have spare(ish) organs removed and not skip a beat.

It can endure unimaginable pain one minute and be at rest the next.

It can go with out sustenance for loooong periods of time.

It can be filled to the brim with nuclear fluids and flush them out without harm.

It can have vital organs removed and keep right on tickin'.

It is the ultimate testament to God's perfect handiwork.

Thank you God for Your hand in Big Shooter's life.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thank you for spending time with your offspring today doing some serious bonding when obviously you were exhausted from your extensive research on Craig's List. You are a true Trooper! I love you.

Update on Big Shooter: It has been 23 days since the big guy had a major organ removed. Much to my chagrin, he has been released to drive on short errands. Much to his chagrin, a tragedy occurred on one of his first forays. He is eating and keeping it down. His remaining kidney is doing wonderfully. His bionic smell has not abated. More on that tomorrow. He's beginning to go a little stir-crazy. Good thing his Dad is coming next week. (F.I.L.)

If Old McShooter had a farm...

My dear FIL has worked his photo pasting magic again...I especially dig the pet rooster, square dancin' dress, flip flops and tattoo...THAT is my kind of farm girl. I could do that!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I'd follow you to the ends of the Earth...even if it meant to a farm...