Another Cat tale.........

Here is Tyner Beth's baby stroller....all set up with a baby, not in the stoller mind you, but atop the stroller, in a baby carrier. She had made a double stroller, of sorts. Kids, they are clever sometimes. This is what we used to see ALL THE TIME. Baby dolls and baby things....

So, do you want to see what she's been using as a baby doll replacement?

• Well, hello there Mr. Jingles! I had no idea you liked strolling.

• But it appears that you do, because I see you pass by me in the kitchen almost daily.

• Or, I see you curled up nicely in the baby doll play pen, near my desk area.

Seriously, have you ever seen a cat that will let you do this? It LIKES to be the baby. And lets her tote it around and do whatever......thank the Lord we have no bottles or sippy cups, otherwise, she'd have milk in them or she'd be grinding it's food and making it eat from a baby spoon! Gerber tuna delight....sounds divine.

• TB arrived in the kitchen yesterday with this bundle. She said, "Momma, look at my baby"...and proceeded to uncover the face of the cat, not a baby doll, which is actually what I thought she had. And she announced that Mr. Jingles loved for her to talk to him...."see, watch, momma"......

• And if I'm not sitting here right now, low and behold, she turned to Mr. Jingles and started telling him how pretty he was and what a good cat he was, and discussing how he liked being the baby, etc.etc.etc......and Mr. Jingles?
• He sat there and LISTENED TO EVERY WORD. every. word. And stared up at her, while she talked to him, like she was the grandest thing since catnip. It was like her voice put him in this trance....sure I have often thought, she is so captivating, but still, I had no idea that a finicky feline would be still and cherish her words. I tell you, it's like nothing I've ever seen before. Nothing.
  And by now, I guess you are wondering what's happened to the baby dolls.?...well, they are strowed here and there. You'll find one laying on the rug entering her room where she speedily tossed it out from the playpen, another lays on the staircase where it was booted from the stroller seat, and the one that was previously wrapped snug in a blanket, well, she's seeing the world upside down now, under a chair in our bedroom. etc.etc.etc

But never despair. There is always a back up plan. And I give you another female in the family who, with ever distaste for the feline in the house, has taken quite a liking to the dolls left behind.

• Now isn't that the sweetest thing ever? Sadie, the little momma. See how sweet and gentle Sadie is, she can soothe a baby too, just like Tyner Beth....

• oh, but don't worry, she hasn't gone all soft on me....she can still stir up a little grief for the cat, and scare the poop out of him when needed. :) Oh, Tyner Beth, looks like your baby is gonna need a diaper change!
  

A recent Saturday Night event...

These photos are actually a couple of weekends old, but wanted to include them, for my own memory. We loaded up with some friends and went to see Caroline cheer at Bevill State.

See, isn't she just a cutie with her little poms and green bow.

Here are Maggie and Tyner Beth talking about all kinds of groovy things.
Of course, it wasn't long before the two of them made their way closer to the court, right beside the cheerleaders. Mimicking Caroline's every move. Watch what you do, South Carolina, little eyes are watching you! :)

The highlight of her night....when Caroline's stunt partner was so sweet to allow Tyner Beth to be her replacement during one of the cheers. Caroline is telling her to put the poms inside the megaphone, when the guy makes the free-throw shot.....they got tickled at her because she shoved them both in at one time, not so gracefully either.

And not to be left out, these were the chosen ones that piled up with Temple and I for the ride to and from. Crazy bunch of kids. That are the best of pals....always have a great time together, where-ever they are.

Random Winter Thoughts.....

So, you know how during these cold winter months, things kind of go neglected. For instance, the kids don't ride their bikes as much, because, hey, it's cold outside. We don't grill out as often, because, hey, it's still cold outside. No backyard, red-check tablecloth picnics.

And of course, Temple doesn't do as much yard work, (which he loves--I think we should have bought stock in Scott's Lawn Fertilizer years ago, at the rate he buys it), anyway, it's not that the lawn is really neglected, but you know, it's dormant now. Unless you have winter rye planted, and it's all lush and green even today. But there's no planting, mulching, fertilizing, etc. that goes on during this season.

Which brings me to my thoughts on this. I realized today what exactly it is that I don't do so much of in the winter season.....you ready for it? Shave my legs. Now, before you get all haughty haute on me, let me plead my case. For some strange reason, (but one I am nonetheless thankful for), my leg hair grows in light blonde and soft. I'm not saying that those facts make it okay for me not to shave so often, but in the winter, without the demands of swimsuits and shorts, I forget. However, today I noticed that it's almost long enough to make some braids.....wouldn't that be ever so attractive?

Look folks, you read it....I forewarned with the "random thought" title, and you continued. I cannot be held responsible for your wasted time. That's all.

SATURDAY SHOWCASE.....and believe it when I say it's a showcase.....

***please allow me this moment to "toot my horn"....for my little gymnast!!***

Today, was a very historic moment. Tyner Beth took her first step towards the road to the 2016 Olympics. Okay, okay, so maybe not, maybe I didn't give birth to the next Mary Lou Retton, but she did compete in her first. ever. meet.!!!! And we couldn't have been more proud....even before the competition began. But WOW, she did so very well for her FIRST...EVER....MEET---here are the accolades because I just can't wait til the end of this post to tell you her results: (she was competing against other girls in her age group (6-7) in her skill level (level 3)--and although I can't say for sure, I think there were 12 total gymnasts in that category.

• 2nd place on BEAM
• 2nd place on BARS
• 4th place on FLOOR
• and not so good on VAULT--(8th I think) but there is a great story there--keep reading


• and TA-DAH---she also stood on the podium in ALL-AROUND--3rd place!! WOW!!

Here is my sweet girl, finding her Daddy in the crowd and giving him a big smile and wave!!

BARS: Tyner Beth's favorite event. She did great, placing 2nd. She is most confident on this event, plus I think she likes swinging around like a monkey.....thus her favorite!

BEAM: also placed 2nd....look at the strength in that little 45 pound frame!

FLOOR: her stretch before her back walk-over....

VAULT: and now we come to the hard part of the day.....what appeared to have been Tyner Beth's nemesis for the meet.....

• Before each event, the gymnasts have a warm-up time ( I think it's like 10 minutes or something) . During warm-ups, Tyner Beth somehow had her foot get caught on the springboard, or tripped on it somehow or something and had a crash. Her coach looked at her foot and ankle, checked to be sure it wasn't injured badly, and sent her to get water from her gym bag. Which she did, then lined back up and was able to practice one more vault before time was up. Which she did fine with.

Then it was time for judging. I noticed she was in the line-up to compete first for her team on this event. I was sure she would be nervous, but she lined up, scooted right down the lane and off the springboard she went, flying through the air with the greatest of ease, doing her stunt and landing nicely. Big smile. Nice job. (and sorry for the blurry photos, I was nervous...the vault seemed like it was a million miles away from me on the far side of the gym, and I have no idea what settings to use on my camera when I can't use my flash---so all of the above = blurry photos.)

In vaulting, they allow the gymnasts to take 2 turns at vault and take the best score. So, Tyner Beth lined back up again......scooted down the lane, off the springboard and.....

• SMACK!!! --- face first right into the side facing of the mat. I was so scared for her. But you know what she did.....the proudest moment of the entire meet for Temple and I occured directly following the SMACK. That sweet thing, hopped up, stepped to the side of the lane mat, and gave her best finish pose and big smile to the judges. Then her coach gave her a hug, and she trotted back down the lane to sit with her team and immediately began cheering for her next friend.

No tears were shed. Except by me...even while I am typing this now. Seriously, she's 7. Where does she get such discipline? Such resolve? Me, I would have still been crying.....over the momentary pain ( I mean it had to hurt a little), the humiliation, the "oh, no, now I've messed up my score and the team score"...blah blah blah.

• I tell you, there wasn't a better time, than right then and there. And she still had another event to compete on.....the Bars. Strong, I tell you. That girl is strong, and determined.

Here is her Level 3 team, the Bama Bounders, posing with their TEAM trophy---2nd place overall. GREAT JOB, GIRLS!!!

Mom was able to come with us to enjoy watching TB all day!

And look at this suprise......Temple's Aunt Joy drove up to Birmingham from Prattville to watch Tyner Beth too! She brought her roses (which Tyner Beth loved) ....how sweet is that? But it gets even sweeter.......

She gave her this very special HAND made card too! Aunt Joy is a very crafty and creative lady. This card had lots of layer of different papers, glitter, jewels in the crown, other sequins and stars....all meticulously placed for the "Queen of Gymnastics". So thoughtful! Thank you again, Aunt Joy, for all of this, and especially for taking so many hours from your Saturday to spend watching Tyner Beth "do her thang"!!

• Here she is, on the podium, being presented 3rd place in ALL-AROUND. You know, where they take your scores from each event....and she placed 3rd! WAY TO GO, Tyner Beth! You did an OUTSTANDING job today......we are all so very proud of you and all you accomplished! That training has really been paying off.....we can't wait to see you compete again!
  

A "BED"-TIME TALE........

Whose Bed is it anyway?

• One fine day...(isn't that how all stories begin?)....I arose early and made my way out to milk the cows, slop the hogs, pick the corn, hang the wash on the line and then came back indoors to knead the bread dough, knit a sweater, and mop the floors....all before the children arose. (Okay so, obviously parts of this are a fairytale.... we all know it has been really cold this week, there is no way I was outside hanging clothes on the line....)

Anyway, after I took a much needed shower, to remove the filth and such from all the morning chores, I opened the door to my bedroom and saw this:

• *gasp*---my bed is unmade....oh the horror of it all. (You would think that in between all that other stuff I was doing before the sun rose, I'd have had time to make my bed. )

NO YOU CRAZY FOLKS....forget the dishelved coverings.....look what is IN my bed......that's SADIE. Who, to my knowledge, has NEVER been in our bed before. Ever. But apparently, 'goldilocks' thought today was as good a day as any to try it out. And by the way, she's on Papa Bear's side of the bed. :)

• Sadie: "Hey there....so what's the big deal?....you paid for that big surgery to fix my leg, and now I can leap tall buildings......or big beds.....with a single bound. I saw it, desired it, and acted upon that....so here I am, in your bed. And by the way, the towel around your head, it's a good look for you, I like it."

Now, wait just a minute....here comes that stinkin' cat. Seriously, BOTH of them are on my bed. This is an outrage. I mean just ridiculous. We don't allow animals on the furniture. Sure, the cat has been known to softly walk across a chair or two, but the dog....we don't let dogs on the furniture. Never have. I think Mr. Jingles is giving Sadie bad habits. I knew we should have never agreed to take a cat....they are nothing but trouble. T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Mr. Jingles: "Wow...you've got a really big mouth....and your breath doesn't smell like spearmint AT ALL, those doggie treats are not working honey....."

Sadie: "Hey, candid camera woman......you might want to think about putting that Nikon down because I'm about to eat this cat....like RIGHT NOW."

And so, I did. I put the camera away. Quickly, before Sadie ate Mr. Jingles. And I also promptly demanded they REMOVE themselves from the bed IMMEDIATELY. Photo shoot was over and this should never be spoken of again....nor should they ever think it okay to get on the bed....again....ever. Because I chastised them really good, and I think they understood. Either that or they just got scared of the towel-headed woman pointing her finger at them screaming "NO, NO!"

And so, I made up my bed....because it looks better when it's made. Then, went back in to the bathroom to remove the towel and dry my hair. All was well, at the House of Bowling. Until I walked back out to find this........ see what I mean?.....T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!

So, basically, Temple may possibly kill me, or at the very least give me a long lecture about the importance of getting the animals off the bed immediately. You know, instead of playing around with the camera, in hopes for a good blog story. Say a little prayer, and just tell him that you happen to like my blog stories, so maybe he'll let it slide this once. :) Because, normally, I never color outside the lines or anything....although, if we're being honest, I have been called a rule breaker a few times.

Surely you didn't think I would let a week pass without more photos of our new niece.....

• More lovely photos of sweet little AK.....

Don't you just wish you could reach through the screen and pinch those cute little cheeks? Me too.

Cooking Camp.....

• Okay, raise your hand if you have been missing seeing the kids whip up something yummy in the kitchen? Oh, good, the 2 of you will be very pleased to see that I haven't forgotten completely about Cooking Camp.....we were just a tad bit busy during the holidays....and apparently, not with cooking!! HA.
  
  And before that, you know I completely screwed up the original blog I was posting on....how I did that I still don't know......but anyway, there were lots of cooking camp posts on there. Sure you can still go read those posts as well as hundreds of others, but that would be about as fun as chapter books......there are lots of words, but no pictures. Just blank boxes.....where the pictures once were....how sad. And I haven't even tried to check on the cooking blog we set up so we could share the recipes we use with you fine folks. Guess I should put that on my to do list.

So, back to the present topic at hand.....Cooking Camp is back. (applause) Of course with the month long absence, we have chosen to step back in, rather gingerly, and just do something fun this week. So, the kids didn't actually "cook" anything. But they did prepare the cutest little fruit salad snowmen you've ever seen for supper.....using the following ingredients.

• How can you ever go wrong if a recipe calls for chocolate chips? It's rhetorical, you don't have to answer....you can't change my mind about it anyway....I adore chocolate chips.

Don't you just want one right now? Yum-O. I think they are hoping that these snowmen will help bring on some REAL snow.....but in Alabama that seems like a rather lofty dream.

Oh, she's a cutie....with her matching snowman shirt and her snowgirl "sheesh-ka-bob". However, I must say, her snowman on a stick appears to have seen better days. Maybe she was holding him too close to the heating vent and the meltdown is beginning. Or else, he managed to sneak in the cupboards & get all sauced up on vanilla flavoring while we weren't looking.....at least he had his party hat on.

• And may I present some more chefs vie-ing for the title of Top Chef. Culinary skills are a high commodity these days.....everyone likes to eat.... And by the way, Walt doesn't have a third lip, or a red kool-aid stain. That is what happens when it's been very cold outside and you have chosen to weather the elements AND simultaneously lick your lower lip + the skin below it....repeatedly, for days.

All the while, your mom and dad continue to remind you NOT to lick. And they rub large amounts of "goop" on it that make it burn.....and you think they do it for fun.....because THEY COULDN'T POSSIBLY know anything more about life than you do. I mean, it's your own chapped lip, you know how to help it.....the ever-soothing lick. Yeah, right. Put some carmex on lad....you'll thank me later.

Oh, well, there you have it. Cooking Camp has returned.....and it brought a little chapstick high along with it. :) Maybe next time, we'll delve back into something more ambitious, like a casserole with a side of chicken pox.

Speaking of Change......

well, as it turns out, it is a historic day at the House of Bowling as well. I am finally getting around to dismantling the Christmas Tree. Oh, don't judge me......don't say you weren't, I heard you.

• Anyway, so, historically speaking, I think it is safe to say this is the longest we have ever left the tree up. Oh and there also remains feather trees and a leaping moss covered deer on the mantle. :) I put away all the rest of the Christmas decor a couple of weeks ago. In fact, my kitchen is in complete confusion because upon her table is sparkly heart shaped valentine plates atop silver chargers.....and through her opening you still see the Christmas tree.

I am not alone in my tight grip to hold on to the Christmas spirit. Sadie is having a hard time giving up her candy cane toy as well.

• Alas, I couldn't stand it any longer, so I took to packing away the ornaments today. Basically, it came down to the fact that I was limited in my options of household chores that could be accomplished while watching the scarved people be announced and then parade down the red carpet stairs to embrace the frigid cold. I've said it before, and am not ashamed, I love a good human interest story, when I have the time.

Back to the ornaments being packed away.....so I found this, pictured below, while plucking a few snowmen, shiny glass balls, AU items, santas, and dozens of handmade paper offerings from the children that have been globbed with glitter (is globbed a word? If not, I think it should be.) off the tree.....

• Why, would you look at that? Another one. What in the Sam Hill? (by the way, do you know Sam Hill?) Anyway....it seems that my boys thought better of my idea to leave Christmas up on over into late January. And they took it upon themselves to try to take down the tree themselves. Boys, boys,....you are gonna have to come up with something better than a half dozen nerf bullets to attack a 14 foot tree adorned with colorful netting and tons of haphazardly placed ornaments. Tsk. Tsk. Have I not raised you better?
  

• Change, it's in the water today....apparent whether you drink the kool-aid or not.....and so, I am officially taking down Christmas decorations. Aren't you so proud? Before you comment, remember what your momma always said....."if you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all". Or maybe it was...."if you can't say anything nice about someone, call me, and we'll talk about them together." :) No, my momma didn't really say that!

Inauguration Day

"This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." ~~Psalm 118:24

• Did you read that? sometimes that verse can be rather hard to swallow. But if it's written in the word, then you must believe it to be truth--every day---even if you didn't vote for him, today is a day to be glad---because it is a day, that the LORD has made.

January, 20, 2009---it is another day on the calendar....although this is one that definitely goes down in the history books in ALL CAPS. A historical day indeed. Nope, I didn't vote for him. But that didn't stop me from watching the coverage. I saw Aretha in her big ol' hat, and I saw Michelle in her glittery dress and green gloves, and I saw former President George H. Bush with his Northern Exposure-esque fur head covering (I used to love that show), and I saw about a million people with scarves....because hey, the scarf?--it is in. Add that to the fact that it was like 25 degrees...and BOOM, everyone showed up with one wrapped around their neck, in some form or fashion.

• Anyway, last evening, Temple and I were talking about the big inauguaration day. I said I wouldn't mind being there to enjoy the moment. Maybe not the man taking over the helm so much, but the whole pomp and circumstance of it all---all 175 million dollars worth---that's a lot of pomp, if you ask me. I am all about some good party food, it is a deep love of mine. Couple that with all the balls, dancing is always fun---honey, I could do a mean roger rabbit back in the day---and sign me up for a ticket to DC. Then Temple reminded me that I would have to share a port-a-john with several thousands of my fellow Americans. And the whole, "I have a dream....to go to the historical inauguration" left me in a flash. You see, me and the sharing of a bathroom, are non-negotiable. I thought it very odd to be asked to do it at the dorm every summer for cheerleader camp back in the 80's. And I even liked those girls.

So, I didn't go to DC. I just watched as much pomp and circumstance as I could on the telly. Besides, I didn't even get a chance to buy a new scarf, and I would have felt completely out of place with my old ones.

• So, I was thinking of some thoughts about today. And these verses come to mind. For in everything, God has a word to bestow on my heart.

"It is better to put trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." ~~Psalm 118:8

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."~~Proverbs 19:21

So, I didn't vote for him. But he is my president. Because I am an American. And therefore, I give respect to the office he has taken. And will pray he allows the Lord to guide his steps.

But above all of that, I still know who's really in charge.....and believe me, one day when I get to HIS big party.....there will be lots of dancing (can you not wait to see Moses doing the twist?) and honey, the party food, I can't even imagine....I think they call it a feast!

Now, excuse me, I need to see about getting me a new scarf. You know, just in case I get invited to an outdoor gala sometime soon.

Does anyone know of a good dr. for elbow replacements?

Yea, so last weekend Temple came home with the Wii thing. Did you catch that? It's January....and he's coming home with gifts. Like, Christmas wasn't just a mere couple of weeks past. In fact, he could have wrapped it up and placed it underneath the Christmas tree, called the kids in and let them pretend we forgot to give it to them 18 days back with the rest of their gifts. Because, hey, I've still got the tree up and everything.

I just looked at him with disdain when he proudly brought his purchase in to surprise the kids. And then, in a childish act of protest, I refused to play the first night they set it up. Okay, I didn't really refuse to play, I was busy doing laundry and had rather read in between the beeps and buzzers of the washer and dryer, so I let the boys (all 3 of them) play it alone.

Well, today the kids are out of school, and Temple is at work. So, I decided to bring out my inner Wii, so to speak. The boys and I have played countless frames of bowling, and I have even beat them, once. I am improving greatly with each throw of the arm, wrist, and shoulder socket. I may become "pro" very soon.

Jealous? Oh, don't be. Fame often comes with a side of pain............Which leads us back to my original question........concerning the elbow replacements, how much do you think that will cost me? And should I just ask Temple to consider a massage appointment as part of the whole "Wii--after Christmas gift special?"

SATURDAY SHOWCASE.....

PINK LEMONADE SUNSETS.....

Because absolutely nothing can compare with a beautiful sunset......I wanted to share these photos I took on Friday with you.

• Tyner Beth actually brought my attention to it while we were driving (shortly after the Kentucky-ese discussion). She was looking out at the sunset and said "Momma, look! Part of that sunset looks like pink lemonade." I had been driving straight toward the horizon, never looking at the sunset before me. When you stop to think about it......life is a lot like that.

You know how, very often, day to day, we are faced with so many trials and tribulations. We feel so overwhelmed with life and all it's demands.

• Sure, the mountainous trials are set before us. Tribulations, big and small, are there for all of us to endure. But did you know that all along, there is beauty and goodness and peace and mercy....right before our very eyes, SURROUNDING us and we fail to see it. Why? Because we stay so caught up in the negatives.....get out of the negatives! If we were to just stop and BE STILL, in the presence of our Creator ....well, we would be able to see a lot more sunsets.

I am so grateful for that sunset my little girl pointed out to me. For that moment in time, when I was forced to stop and be still and take in all that God is giving to us, daily. Only HE could make colors like the ones we saw on Friday afternoon. Colors that just so happen to make a very gorgeous, "pink lemonade" sunset.

This conversation with Tyner Beth was too funny to me.....hope you get a chuckle yourself....& above all else I hope you can speak the native language too. :)

While traveling in the car to a basketball game, Tyner Beth started her usual barrage of questions......where they come from? Who the heck knows?

TB: "Hey, Momma, can you speak Chinese?"

Me: "No, Tyner Beth I can't"

TB: "No, I just mean, you know, do you know any words in Chinese?"

Me: "No, I don't think I really know any words in Chinese"

TB: "Oh, well what about Japanese, do you know any words in Japanese?"

Me: "No, baby, I don't think I know any words in Japanese, either?"

TB: "Well, what about........"

and at this point I'm thinking to myself, okay, now I've got her, she's gonna ask if I can speak any Spanish and I'm gonna start rolling out words like crazy...... uno, dos, tres, blanco, rojo, denada, gracias, mi casa su casa, que pasa?....etc.etc.etc. My spanish, it's serious stuff.....I mean, hey, I didn't take two years of it for NADA.

But no, here's her question.....

TB: "Well, what about Kentucky?"

Me: "Did you say Kentucky?"


TB: "Yea, do you know any words in that?"


Me: with a huge smile..."yes, I do, they speak the same language we do, English. So, you know lots of words in Kentucky, too."


I have no idea where youngsters come up with their curious questions....but I love them all....especially the ones that make me laugh inside! However, it may have come from the fact that we have been discussing our upcoming road trip for this spring. We had such a grand time last year on our road trip travels, that we can't wait to go again. We are planning to add more states, that the kids have never visited, to check off the list. One of the states we will be driving through is Kentucky.....so I gues she just wanted to make sure she could speak "Kentucky-ese".

Anna Katherine arrives home.......

Awww....look how sweet her Daddy looks.....he's so proud of his baby girl.

Of course, just moments after Anna Kate made her grand entrance into her new home, her furry friends wanted to check her out. And so they did.


And they looked at her so very intently.....her beauty is just so captivating.....even to a feline.

Oh, and look here....the other cat in the family decides to take a sneak peek at her as well.

I'm sorry, Jonathan, I forget which cat is which.....but I'm sure AK will have no problems getting it all straight. She seems to be a cat lover like Tyner Beth, already. :) Or, at the very least, she seems to tolerate them better than her Aunt. ;)

And just as a disclaimer.....Jonathan, Jackie and myself were all present during these photos....right by Anna Kate's side, ready to take a curious cat down, if needed.

Sweet pic of Mommy and Anna Kate--first night at home

AK resting

She is sacked out! Riding home from the hospital must have made her very tired.

Anna Katherine's first time in her room.