True Story Tuesday

Welcome to Tell Me Thursday! Started by Rachel @ Once Upon A Miracle (who may or may not be "spammers!" LOL) and LOVED by me. And others. Check it out.

(I am barely getting this one in on Tuesday!)
Once upon a time Almost 3 years ago, I went to Philadelphia with my then-boyfriend to visit his family "up north," as referred to us "down south." S, my then-boyfriend, is a missionary here "down south" and it was time for his yearly trip to update all his supporters "up north" of his activities with his church and such. I tagged along, since his family had ample room for me and I had my own room and everything. I was SCARED TO DEATH, to put it mildly, to go to that far north and stay 3 weeks, but I wanted to "see the sights," so I went.

We spent the first 3 days at his brother's house in/close to Lancaster, and got to see all the Amish sights, and even a train museum and petting zoo. It was really nice.

On to the embarrassing, horrific, can't believe it happened part.

Once we arrived at his parents house, I got settled in and felt really welcomed. I must say his parents, and sister, went above and beyond to make me feel welcome and at home. Three days into the trip, we were all cooking a big family meal. I can't even remember the exact meal, but I know I was doing the vegetables, peeling carrots and potatoes and such. Pat and Bill, the parents, had a big fancy garbage disposal in their sink, kinda like the one we had at home, only it looked bigger, so I knew I could just shred those little peelings right down the drain. I turned on the water, and slowly started to put the peelings down the disposal, being careful not to put too many down at one time in case it was like ours and was a "small capacity" deal. Well, it wasn't a "small capacity" deal, but an "Out of Order" deal.

Yes, you read that right. The little gal from down south who was trying oh so hard to impress these northerners with her mad kitchen skills sent 10 pounds of vegetable peelings straight through the drain and into the little cabinet under the sink, which caused the pipes to burst and fly out the cabinet door. That and 40 gallons of water, too, which went ALL OVER the kitchen floor. The pipes from the sink also led down to the basement sink and washer drain, and the burst pipe/water fall caused it to flood in the basement sink and drain area that led to the outside city plumbing system also, or whatever it is called, because of how the water pipes are designed in big cities like Philly.

Everyone leaped into action. You see, this was a 3 story house, and towels and such were on one floor, flooding kitchen sink on another floor, and basement pipes, drain, and shut off valve in the basement/lower level. To sum it up, by the time the sister came down with the towels, we were already singing "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" if you get my drift.

During the "rush" of all that was going on, Pat headed down to the basement because she knew what would be going on down there due to the kitchen flood & rampage of the pipes. Well, you can only guess what happens as she heads down the narrow basement steps in wet tennis shoes. Yes, she slips and falls down the flight of stairs. She bruises her hip, buttocks, and back. I am still not fully convinced she did not crack a rib, but she would not go to the ER. Not only did she fall, she reached out and grabbed a 24 pack of water stacked beside the stairwell in an attempt to NOT fall down said flight of stairs, so there went 24 bottles of water "Plop Plop Plopping" down the stairs making it sound like the never ending fall of a lifetime.

Lets recap. Five days in Pennsylvania and I have already left a lasting impression on S's mom's bruised behind, a HUGE dent in his dad's wallet due to a plumbers fee, and mega dish washing problems for the family due to lack of sink usage for nearly a WEEK to come. Yeah, I bet they rejoiced and did a spiritual dance when I broke up with their son! (Only he told them he broke up with me "for their own good and so they wouldn't be so upset." HAHAHAHAHA! Whatever, dear S.)

And all this was BEFORE I let S's dog out of their mini yard accidentally and had to go chasing him down the streets of Philly IN MY PINK SNOOPY NIGHTGOWN. Yeah. Fun times. S was sleeping in down in the basement (which was all repaired by now) so I let his whimpering dog out to pee. All I can say about that incident is thank God that lady was walking her German Sheppard that morning and Tucker stopped to check her out, or I may never have caught him, or got permanently lost. Whichever came first. Oh, and of course Miss Hillbilly me was BAREFOOT during this parade of Philly. Not wearing all my undergarments, no glasses, and I doubt I had combed my hair. Yeah. Good thing I had a tetanus shot. God only knows what are on those streets. Ugh. And when I was explaining to the lady who caught Tucker for me, she listened to me closely and asked in amazement, "Where exactly are you from?" To which her eyes went "OHHHHHHHH!" when I answered "Kentucky." And to believe they think Southerners are stupid!

And can you believe S's parents were STILL fabulous to me and even invited me back? I am pretty sure they even meant it, too! They even met up with my parents for dinner when they came to our neck of the woods country with their church where their son is a missionary at.

Are you all shocked to know this relationship did not end on a well note? Me neither.

Check out everyone else's True Story Tuesday's HERE.

Favorite Foto Friday!

It is already time for Favorite Foto Friday again!

Still on our own for themes, which I am enjoying but also looking forward to getting back to our "old" schedule! My theme for this week:

Basket Case Part II
(Go here for Part I.)

Look at those little toes sticking out the side holes!

"In exactly 5 seconds, I go from this......

.....To this!" Happy Friday everyone!
Check out Sarah's blog Kiss the Frog 4 Me for more "Favorite Foto Fridays!"

Tell Me Thursday!

Tell Me Thursday..... A chance to explain your Wordless Wednesday and keep them wordless!

Here is my WW picture: During the flood of Mothers Day weekend, I was coming back home from Susie's house, when something caught my eye under the porch banister.
It was so small, I thought it was fake at first.
It was a hummingbird! I was scared to death one of our cats had got ahold of it and hurt it. Grammy came out and picked it up.
We called for Animal Services Chester to come and get it to put it in a box/cage and nurse it back to health. (We couldn't keep it in the house because of Dylan, and we figured Gracie & Daylight might like a little brunch, so Sissy & Chester's house it is! You can see the flood water in the bottom corner of the picture.)
Well, about an hour later I called Chester to check up on the little humminbird.

Me: How is the bird?

Chester: I don't know.

Me: What do you mean you don't know?!?!

Chester: I didn't get the chance to ask it before it flew off!

Apparently, the little bird was just resting or perhaps addled, and all it needed was some rest time and it was ready to take off again! Oh, the drama of animals! (And the people who won't leave them alone!)

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Check out Tell Me Thursday here!

More Speedo Wedgies

You would think the boy doesn't have anything else to swim in....

He DOES have a pair of Lightening McQueen swim trunks...

.....but his little blue or Mickey Mouse "speedos" are WAY cuter!

He LOVES his new "Cars" swimming pool toys!

And Uncle Troy makes EVERY event better, you know!

"See, Uncle Troy? I have a new boat, too!"

"And a ball. Catch, Nee Nee!"

"How many fingers am I waving around?"

"My Nee Nee thinks my Speedo wedgies are funny!"

Redneck Pool Cover.

Worth a shot, I guess. It should work for at least one day, don't you think? I will let you know. (It is a round plastic table cloth, left over from Dylan's first birthday party. Hey, at least we recycle!)

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday is here again!

Come back tomorrow for Tell Me Thursday!

I Heart Faces - Let's Hear It For the Boys!

This weeks theme for I Heart Faces is "Let's Hear It For The Boys!" in celebration of Father's Day being this past Sunday. Here are my entries for the adult and kids categories!

Dylan and Uncle Troy checking out the "new" tractor! Uncle Troy spent all winter fixing up Papaw's old tractor. Click here for the "old" tractor!



This is a little boy I go to church with. I have known his family my entire life. Can't you just see the meanness in his eyes! He is ALL boy, that is for sure! And such a cutie too!

Check out everyone else's "I Heart Faces" pictures here!

True Story Tuesday

Time for True Story Tuesday!
Brought to you by Rachel & Mr. Daddy at Once Upon A Miracle.
A chance to spill your guts on a story almost to embarrassingly amazing to be true, but is!

Well. Where to begin.

This past week, my Aunt Susie received a phone call from our friend from church, Lowella. She was asking Susie if Mom was okay, that she had heard a prayer request, or something, Susie couldn't recall all the details, that made Lowella think it was about Mom and she was just wanting to make sure she was okay. Susie assured Lowella Mom was fine.

Well, my Aunt Debbie calls the next day. Just kind of laid back, asking my sister how Mom and Dad are, etc. "Fine," Amy says, and gives her the low down on what is going on that day. She says have Mom to call her. No biggie, we think, because my cousin Chrissy is getting married this weekend at our church, and we are supposed to help decorate, etc. so we figure that is what that is all about.

The next day, Marie, another lady from our church calls. Same deal. Where is your Mom? Still no biggie, because Marie and her husband are the cleaning crew at our church, and they are supposed to be getting back to us about when we can have the church for decorating.

Mom calls Marie back later, and Marie said something about not knowing how that got started anyway, or something like that. Mom is confused, so asks Marie what is she talking about. Marie thought my mom knew, but finally bursts out, "Everyone thought you died!"

"WHAT?!?!?!"

You see, a rumor got started that my mom had died, and everyone was scared to call our house, because it was supposed to be so "tragic" that several people from our church had been calling back and forth and made Marie the front man for the job. She was so upset, she couldn't call, so that is when Lowella called my aunt. Lowella never said anything about the rumor, because she didn't want to upset anyone. Lowella is just nice that way. But, if you know ANYTHING about my family's personality by now, you know we absolutely CRACKED UP!

Well, Mom was very curious as to how she was supposed to die! She was talking to my cousin Lynn, Aunt Debbie's daughter, and told her, half jokingly, "If you hear I am dead, I am not!"

Lynn: "We did hear that!"

Mom: "Well, how did I die?"

Lynn: "Peacefully, in your sleep."

Riotously loud laughter from us. Cause we are weird like that.

Me, via Mom over the phone: "Why didn't you call?"

Lynn: "Mom tried to, but Aunt Rosemary was at work so we figured you were alive!"

Well, we just lost it. We know death is obviously a terrible thing, but this just struck our weird funny bone.

My mom was on the phone again with Aunt Debbie last night, and we were all rehashing the rumor. My cousin BJ was home, but had missed all the drama because he had been at work. So mom asked him if he would come to her funeral, and he said, "Yeah, because I would feel guilty if I didn't!" LOL I guess because all the countless hours we spent freezing our hineys off watching him play football, he figured he owed her a funeral attendance. LOL (Of course she knew he would be there anyway.)

Sadly, we found out how it all started. The cleaning lady at the Lovely Post Office was found dead in her home by her husband. My mom USED to be the Lovely Post Office cleaning lady, but quit when Dylan was born, and now only works at the Warfield office.

The funniest thing of it all: my dad's quip, with a huge evil grin on his face:

"Gee, not too many people called, did they?"

Now Don't Be Hatin' on Kate

I know, I know. Everyone is probably SICK TO DEATH of Jon & Kate, but I happen to like, and feel for Kate. As one of my friends put it best, "Just because she is a strong woman, she gets labeled a witch." Anyone who ever watched the show saw that Jon was a big baby when it came to daddy duty, job duty, house duty, etc. He would help some, I do not mean to imply he did nothing, but lets just say he didn't hurt himself, and he caused more strife for Kate than he helped her, in my opinion. He was her 9th child, as a lot of husbands are! LOL Yeah, you had 6 kids unexpectedly at one time. Okay. So did Kate. Sometimes things happen you weren't expecting. Man up. I know, easy for me to say, but STILL. Those are his kids he supposedly cares so much for.

Monday's episode went like this: (Quoting Yahoo here, by the way.)

They talked in vague terms for a while. This quote from Kate is a perfect example: "It doesn't matter where Jon and I are in our relationship, my kids still matter the most to me. If I have to put on a happy face to have a picnic with them and put all those issues aside, I do. Do I always feel jovial and happy and wonderful? No. Am I thrilled with how things have turned out? No. Did I ever think I would be in this position? Absolutely not."

Okay, what is so terrible about that? I know she has had her moments, but I see so much of myself in Kate. In all that crazy mess of kids, she needed to find some sort of order, and I believe she tried her best for her family. Jon didn't step up to the plate, so she had to. Yes, she likes to be in control, but lets face it, SOMEONE had to be, ya know? Good thing she could handle it.

Jon started to open up about the added frustration of having the paparazzi hound their every move. He thinks the situation is ridiculous. "It's been so stressful. Thank god we have the show so we can tell what we want to tell, but people just tell what they want to tell anyway." The producers prodded for him to clear the air about the tabloid rumors, but he never really did. Instead he talked more about how he doesn't hate Kate but admitted that he let her take charge too much and now at 32, he's finally decided to stand up for himself. "I just let her rule the roost and do whatever she wanted to do," he explained. "Now I've finally stood up on my own two feet, and I'm proud of myself."

Okay, the tabloids is HIS fault for his promiscuous behavior with the teacher. And he DID NOT clear up anything on the show, so what a stupid statement. And if he calls leaving his family at the 'ripe old age of 32' "standing up for himself," I have news for him. It is called tucking tail and running. And as I mentioned earlier, if Kate hadn't took control, who would have? I mean, the man still lived with his mother and did not have even a half way decent job when he met Kate, who was a RN. Sheesh. I realize that a 22-23 year old guy, which would have been about what he was at the time, is not the most mature man on the planet, but no matter how much Kate "nagged him" as he said once on the show about becoming pregnant, he DID NOT HAVE to go along with it. And from the 8 sweet little dark haired, dark skin faces that stare back at us, I think he did.

Jon - who has been eyeing apartments in New York City - said he doesn't know if he'll remain on the show, as he could get a new job. "I'm only 32 years old," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen." He also said he is "excited" about starting a new chapter in his life.

EXCITED?!?!?! About leaving his family who he claims to have the best interest at heart? Whatever, Jon. Just move away and fade into oblivion. Don't pop up with you little girlfriends while having your mid life crisis out there and pretend to be "Daddy." I believe Jon and Kate were doomed, tv show or not. The show just sped up the process. At least they will have money for the kids. Which, PARENTS are more important, don't get me wrong, but like I said, they never would have made it anyway. He is a more weak natured person with resentment, and she is strong willed and feels need to be in control, which I relate too. So it is easy for me to say I understand where she is. If she is anything like me, she is freaking out because this was not all supposed to happen. I have OCD, and from what I have saw of Kate, I believe she has it too, whether it be mild to severe, I do not know. She feels "safe" if she is in control. Don't judge too harshly if you haven't been there.

Then came this quote from the reporter:

For whatever personal feelings I have about Kate, she looked genuinely miserable about the fact that she'd have to be separated from the kids for any given amount of time. Maybe because she has no life other than them, or more because she's concerned about not being able to control what Jon does with them or what they eat without her around. Either way, she looked unhappy about that, and seemed sad about the fact that the kids would be the product of a failed marriage, and another statistic.

Okay, make up your mind. Is Kate a terrible mother who leaves her kids with nanny's and body guards all the time, or does she have no life beyond her kids? And I don't blame her, I wouldn't want to leave my kids with Jon either! Shoot, we worry about what Dylan eats, where he goes, what he does when he is with his dad. Isn't that called NORMAL?

Just on Monday's show, here is a PRIME example of what an irresponsible parent Jon can be:

Jon cleared land deep in the woods - an area he thought would be safe because the paparazzi wouldn't be able to photograph the kids. Kate didn't object initially, but when she saw where the houses would be located, she got upset.

Okay, away from paparazzi, I understand, but deep in the woods where NO ONE, not even Kate, can see them? HELLO?!?! He threw a big whiny fit when she suggested they be closer to the house where she could actually SEE them, but decided maybe she was right after all when the men helping install the playhouses sided with Kate on the safety issue. When PEOPLE INSTALLING PLAY EQUIPMENT needs to tell you what is safe, what does that tell you?

Production has been halted on Jon & Kate Plus 8 following the Gosselins' Monday revelation they're splitting up, the network has announced.TLC says next Monday's episode will feature a clip package with some new footage, but the next all-new episode won't air until August 3, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Times says the decision came from the network -- not the family.

Good. I think they need a break. But I see no problem if they choose to continue with the show. I don't believe it is what messed everything up, though I do not think it helped it, just sped up the inevitable outcome. No one is hatin' on the Duggars for putting their kids lives on display. They just are a (freakishly) happy couple who are all peaches and cream and have everything seemingly together. They still put their kids lives on display, so what is the difference? None to me. Don't get me wrong, I have NOTHING against the Duggars (except their names. That REALLY gets on my nerves! At least the girls names could have started with an "M" ya know!) I believe they are a good family, but honestly the dad creeps me out kinda! And how could one woman be that calm, I will never know! I do not believe she is a 'fake' or whatever. She just has peace like I will never have on this earth! lol

Well, I promise this will be my one and only Jon and Kate Debate. You know, unless I am overbearing and domineering and change my mind! Which I may do, you never know!

Relay For Life.... and Stitches for Susie

It was our county's Relay For Life for the American Cancer Society tonight. I went with my Aunt Susie, who is VERY dedicated EVERY year to the relay, and I stayed until about 11:30 pm and came home with neighbors. I had a really uneasy feeling, like I should stay, but I knew I would never talk them (being my mom or Susie) into letting me stay. My feet are TERRIBLY swollen, and I didn't hardly get out of my chair. I didn't even get one lap in, or to go see my Granny's Memory Luminary. I was barely able to get there. Don't get me wrong, I am not out for a pity party. I had a great time, catching up with a neighbor and her husband and a couple others, and visiting with my aunt. But I couldn't participate, but was just fine as long as I was sitting pretty in my lawn chair.

All evening, I just felt I should stay even though I knew my family would insist I come home "for my own sake." I just knew inside I needed to stay. Just my "little voice." Well, the phone rang at 2:45 am and it was my cousin Sharon. At first I was afraid something was wrong at her house, but I instantly knew something was wrong with Susie. (She is technically okay, Aunt Willie, just for the record, but keep reading.)

You see, this year the SCHS football field got a million dollar (literally) makeover. Don't get me wrong, it really NEEDED it desperately. The "new" kind of turf, all new dozing on the grounds, the works. The Board of Education said Relay For Life could still hold the relay there, but there are several rules about what can and can not be on the field, understandably. So, with a supposedly short notice of not being able to have it in their regular spot and a lack of volunteers to be constantly running around saying "You can't do that!" (Also understandable) they decided the PERFECT place to hold it would be the Martin Co. Courthouse courtyard (NOT understandable) and the ROAD. It was just about the worst possible place they could have it, except maybe Shop rite parking lot, or the garbage dump. There is no track, (you know, for the RELAY) and everyone had to walk around the side of the courthouse road and then the SIDE WALK or the MAIN ROAD on the main street. They closed off one lane for a few hours, and had the volunteer firefighters and paramedics around for "traffic situations."

You see, our little LOVELY county has two main towns: Inez and Warfield. Inez get everything, Warfield nada. Warfield has a GREAT park with a (gasp) track (you know, for the RELAY) and everything, playground equipment for all the kiddos to play on, a stage, 4 bathrooms, 3 picnic sheds, grills, a building for whatever they may need to do completely indoors, a kitchen, plenty of ground for everyone's tents and such that they set up for the teams, etc. I can't even believe Warfield has a park so nice, but we do have a couple of millionaires on "our" side of the hill! But NOOOOOOO, they have it on MAIN STREET in Inez because we can't have Warfield getting any credit, now can we?

And what happens? My sweet Aunt Susie trips on a drain grill on the sidewalk and GASHES her chin open so bad the paramedics said there was no way he thought it would stay together without stitches. STITCHES. They practically can GLUE arms and legs back on, and Susie's cut is so bad it needs stitches.

I know if I was there I would not have probably stopped the accident from happening, but I would have been there with her until Uncle Troy got there to take her to the hospital. She wasn't alone, friends and neighbors were "a plenty" as we would say, but I should have been there. You should ALWAYS listen to you "little voice," you know, the one from God. It is there for a reason, even if you think it doesn't make Earthly sense.

Even though I could not have prevented Susie's accident, unless she was just sitting with me instead of walking, I DO know one thing, MARTIN COUNTY CHAPTER for RELAY FOR LIFE:
THERE ARE NO DRAIN GRATES ON THE TRACK AT THE WARFIELD PARK.

JUST SO YOU KNOW.

Favorite Foto Friday

It is time for Favorite Foto Friday!

We are still on our own for themes for the month of June, so my theme this week is SPOILED!
I mentioned in my last post something special about Dylan's shirt that you may have noticed. You can see it in this picture.

Well, Nee Nee made a lovely little shirt for our Boy-Boy Dylan. Appropriately designed, if I say so my self! "Top 10 Reasons I Am Spoiled."

The Top 10 reasons, you ask? Why, just read below!

1. Poppy
2. Grammy
3. Uncle Troy
4. Susie
5. Aunt Willie
6. MOMMA
7. Nee Nee Lisa
8. Sissy Sharon
9. Tonette
10. Chester

So, of course, Dylan had to show just how spoiled he could be!

He wouldn't listen to Susie frantically yelling, "No! No! No!" while "sweeping" around Snowballs water bowl.

Maybe it was dirty?!?! LOL Yeah right!

Go to Sarah's page, Kiss the Frog 4 Me, for more Favorite Foto Fridays!

Our Day Out

So where were we going on this lovely Tuesday afternoon? And of course Dylan wouldn't turn around and actually LOOK at me so I could capture his adorable outfit.

To the Thoroughbred Steak House with Cousins Carol Jo, Linda & Robyn, of course!
Dylan took right up with Linda! He wanted to grab her ear rings!
We chatted WAY too long for our little fella! He had to entertain himself by trotting around our dining room!
And hiding under his highchair and poking at Nee Nee's feet!
Carol Jo, who came in from Ohio, Robyn & Linda. Carol Jo & Linda are breast cancer survivors, and Robyn is facing surgery and many tests because she has breast cancer. Please keep her in your prayers.
Dylan and Carol Jo the next morning at Susie's house.
Dylan showing off for Carol Jo on Uncle Troy's little scooter.
And his Harley Davidson.
He can turn on the ground effects, of course, too.
He is so proud of himself!
Back on the scooter, messing with Uncle Troy's stuff!
"Um, I am ready for a ride here, okay?"
Later that night, having a "Klinger" moment!
Too cute!
We had a great time with Carol Jo, and at lunch with Linda and Robyn. Just wish Carol Jo could have stayed with us a little longer! She is hopefully returning in September. Can't wait til then!

By the way. Notice anything special about Dylan's little orange shirt? Tune in tomorrow for Favorite Foto Friday for cute details!