Spring-dandy!

This is simply a beautiful morning! The birds are so happy today and the air is so still. Yum...just love springtime!

I stepped to the backdoor this morning to check bulging heifer #104; while I was on the phone with dad who was asking me if I could see her. Reluctantly for a moment as I had just placed my glasses on my face for the first time today, I moved through the house. I got to the back door, peeped out the window and laid my eyes on a brand new life - a charcoal gray little dot!! Still trying to wake myself I told dad, "yep, she's got it," and that was that. It wasn't until after I hung up the phone that I was more awake. Then I was able to witness God is His greatness..that little dot was jumping and bouncing all over the place; all the while making its momma a nervous wreck. Sweet, sweet morning indeed!
(see the grayish colored cow in the middle of pic? her new charcoal baby is laying right beside her)


So, if my count is correct, that is 15 babies...7 more to go in this patch. Shortly after dad called he came up to inspect the new arrival. In a matter of moments that little dot was complete; being adorned with her new #104 3/24 yellow ear tag...so cute!!!
My dad and Tucker-the pup after they came up to inspect the new baby and give it it's new ear tag.


Have a spring-dandy day everyone!

Until next time . . .

Spring has Sprung in the Ozarks

With temperatures near 70 today and we're past the Spring Equinox; I think it's safe to say that Spring has sprung!!! Oh, there may be a few more cold days and nights here and there, but Spring is here. YAY!

The daffodils, aka jonquils, aka easter lilies are in full bloom. One can see hints of yellow bursts all along the way. The birds have also been singing loving, "Good morning Lindsay," tunes. What a wonderful way to be greeted. My yard has been full, I mean full, of big ole fat Robins and little blue birds. I think I counted 50 robins the other morning. I haven't seen any Martins yet; hopefully they'll make their arrival soon.

The little black dots have slowed down a little on the arrivals. We haven't had any new babies for the last few days. Hopefully those mommas will get in gear and start popping again. The little dots we do have are starting to feel their oats; all the while bucking, running, and jumping across the fields. They are just so cute!

Of course one is busy year round on the farm, but this time of year gets exceptionally busy. Dad is starting the fertilizing of the hay fields and pastures. It'll be time to cut that hay in no time...hopefully God will bless us with good rains to have a good hay crop. We've already talked about farming being busy right now with all those babies arriving, and it's time to put in all those cross fences..uggg gaucho wire is not very forgiving at all!!! Not really what I want to spend my weekends doing, but I feel obligated to help mom and dad; plus that fencing will be so nice once it's finished.

On a totally different note....it's now officially election year again. My dad, Gary Lee Collins, filed as a candiate for the Ozark County Presiding Commissioner. The past 20 years dad has been in county government; 4 of that serving as Presiding Commissioner. Not that I'm biased, but dad is very good at what he does for the county. He has a financial mind set and a sturn head on his shoulders to work and do what is necessary to run a productive, in the black, county. I won't say all those years were easy, but he has the know how to make it work. He works for the people, not a political agenda. So, don't forget to vote in Ozark County, Missouri on August 3rd, 2010.

Well, guess that's enough for now.

Until next time . . .

Springing Forward & 365

Well, daylight savings time 2010 has arrived, although I think I'm a little spring-lagged. Normally the time change doesn't affect me, but I was tired going into this one. It's weird...I can't go to sleep at night because my mind is telling me, "it's only 10 pm," when now it's actually 11. Then in the morning, I can't get up because my mind is telling me, "it's only 6 am," when it's actually 7 and I've got to get up for work!! Strange how our mind tricks us. Anyway, I always welcome daylight savings time because that means for more daylight in the evenings for walking and just being able to be outside.

Last night dad and I were driving steel pipe posts for our corral fencing. Before we knew it it was dusky dark, thinking it was around 6:30 and it was after 8! Wew, time flies when you're having fun. I hadn't even been in the house yet from being home from work and it was after 8. But, we got all the post drove so dad could go back today and get them all perfectly level and the same height. We got a couple of them a tad bid off the straight line, but dad said, "In 100 years it won't bother me." That got me to thinking, "who will own our family farm in 100 years? Will it be my children's children and their children; pending I ever have children?" Pondering thought!

The little black dots have slowed down a little. For the first couple weeks in March a steady stream of the little calves were arriving. We are now up to 12 calves with 10 heifers yet to calve. They are so cute. They are getting big enough now that they venture off from their mommas and buck across the field....so cute.

Even though the heifers behind the house have slowed down, the older mammas in the back have kicked in. I think we've had 4 calves in the back pasture just this week. So there are little black dots everywhere on the Collins Ridge Farm. That's one of the things I love about spring; the new baby calves! It never gets old, I don't care how old I am. Love it, love it!

On a totally different note, today marks the real countdown....in 365 days is the 2011 Mediterranean Journey to Italy & Spain!!!!!!!! Yahoo!! I'm not at all excited, can't you tell? haha. That's 365 days to mentally prepare...365 days to physically prepare...and 365 days to healthily lose XXX number of pounds. We'll see.

Happy almost Spring everyone. Have a great day.

Until next time . . .

Sunshine, Sports, Travel & Black Dots!

It was a busy weekend on the farm. To start the weekend off, my sister and I along with our friend Debbie from church traveled to Poplar Bluff, MO for the 2010 Maximizing Ministries conference being held at the First Church of God. It was an awesome conference w/Steve Rennick serving as guest speaker. He spoke on holiness. GREAT JOB!!! On Saturday we each attended two break-out sessions. We all attended the Seas of Change conference by the speaker. Then Renee and I attended the youth ministry session: Daycare Part II? and Debbie attended the children's ministry session: Fun with PVC. After the individual sessions we all met together again for a final worship service with the awesome praise and worship band from 1st Church an the speaker. Great time!

Since I wasn't home Friday night or Saturday I missed out on the new black dots being born. It was a busy night for dad. Friday there were three new baby calves: #145, #114 and #141. Saturday there was one new baby calf: #138.

We had to hurry back on Saturday because both the Lady Falcons and Falcons from Dora were playing in the District Class 1 Championship games. I think we got back around 4:30pm. I took a brief nap....guess I was really sleeping good because my family honked at me for 10 minutes and I never heard them. Finally my dad came in my house to see if I was going. I was SLEEPY. It took me a while after I got to the game to wake up. Anyway, this isn't about me. So, the girls played agains Bakersfield and brought home the victory; 45 to 40. Then the boys played Eminence and brought home the victory; 62 to 47. What a spectatular night for Dora Falcon Basketball. This is the first time in a long time the Dora boys have won the district title, but the first time in the school's history the girls have won the district title. Plus, it's very rare that both teams from the same school win the district title...PLUS, we were on our HOME COURT!!! Great night!

Sunday morning was active for dad as he had to pull another calf before coming to church. #110 delivered this morning. I might add she is very proud of her baby and extremely particular. As dad says, "She's a little ronchy and would like to get my hip pocket if I get too close to her baby!"

Had a great service at church this morning. Everyone seemed chipper with the lovely weather. We had an awesome service with Justin F. filling in for our pastor. He grew up attending the Needmore Church of God, but has since married and moved to Springfield; serving on the police force and actively involved in the First Church of God. We are so proud of Justin and his work in the Church.

I grilled out today on my BBQ. YUMMY is all I have to say. Mom and dad were checking cattle when I was grilling and wanted to know if dinner was ready. I told them they weren't invited, but I was just kidding. They thought I was kidding when I hollared at them later and told them dinner was ready. It was nice having mom and dad up. As always, we had a lovely visit. Had contata practice today for the Easter Contata. It is a very pretty piece and arrangement of music. I just hope we can pull it all together in the next few weeks. I'm sure we will.

Sunday evening I made my normal 10 pm cattle run with dad. One of the soon-to-be mommas was showing signs that she would calve soon. We figured this particular girl would be a bit salty..aka she's somewhat on the sassy side, so we decided to go ahead and put her in the corral for 'just in case' she needed help getting that baby here. Of course this would mean coming back in a couple of hours to check her, but I'd rather try and put her in the corral at 10 pm when she's not hurting as bad than chasing her after midnight when she's really hurting and doesn't want anyone to mess with her. So, that's what we did. We didnt' have too hard a time getting her in the corral. Dad picked me back up just after midnight to go check her. Still no baby. So to help her out and insure the calf was ok we ran her in the runway of the corral and assisted in the delivery. I really got to help on this one. I held the tail for a while, but dad needed help with the pulling. So, dad and I both were in there behind that cow, pulling chains on the calf's front feet, dad had one hook and I had the other and away we went to pulling. It didn't take long (about 15 minutes maybe) to pull the calf, but she sure needed help. That calf hit the ground with a thud and we then went to tickling it's nose with a stick of straw to get it to sneeze give. It's so funny when those little babies are all gooey and shake their heads and blow snot so they can breath. New life is awesome to experience!!! Soon after we let new momma #108 out so she could meet her baby. She looked at it a minute like, "what is that thing over there?" Then she went to smelling it and mooing like crazy at her new baby. Needless to say, she's a proud mamma. But, much to our surprise, she wasn't salty at all. She just stood there until that baby hit the ground.

So 11 babies in 9 days = 11 more to go!!

To top off this wonderful, yet extrememly busy weekend....the weather was sunshinny and BEAUTIFUL!!! Windows are up a little and the heat is OFF!!

Until next time . . .

Little Black Dots & Sunshine

We were blessed with sunshine yesterday....I have so missed the sunshine. Even though the sun comes up everyday, thankfully, it is not always visible and covered by chilly weather clouds. So it's exceptionally sweet to see it!

Another black dot arrived on the Collins Ridge Farm yesterday; a healthy strapping bull. It arrived in what is becoming the all to familiar fashion; needing help and having to be pulled. Although this sometimes is a common thing with first calf heifers, it can be stressful because you don't want to lose any or the momma. I wasn't there for this birth :( because he made his arrival in the daytime instead of his momma waiting until after 10 pm!! Whew, those births make for some late nights!

This particular black dot needs a few days of pampering. He was so cramped in tight quarters that he needs a few days to <::S::><::T::><::R::><::E::><::T::><::C::><::H::> out so he can stand up on his own. Last night was church night so I didn't get to help dad bottle feed him (had to give him colostrum which is the first most important milk and nutrients for a newborn calf), but did participate in making him a lovely, warm place to sleep. He and his momma got to sleep in slumber inside the nice warm barn complete with a fresh hay bed.

Momma #147, birthed on 3/3/10, with some help - loves her baby because she would just lovingly moo to him. Plus, she really doesn't like anyone messing with him. She'll give a snort and a head butt if you're not careful. Oh, she's not a mean cow, just protective.

Oh, and since he is a special black dot he has been dubbed the name Chief! Since he's the biggest calf naturally he's going to be the big Chief when he gets to go outside and romp and play with the other black dots! Hopefully Chief's front legs will stretch out and he will be okay.

Let's see if more black dots arrive today. So far dots have arrived everyday since 2/28.

Until next time . . .

Little Black Dots; numbers 3, 4 & 5

So far the spring calving season has been consistent and hasn't left any room for dull moments. Babies number 3, 4, & 5 have arrived and more are expected today.

Here's the rundown thus far:

Momma 109 birthed, on her own, the first of the black dots on 2/28/10 - a heifer
Momma 137 birthed, w/some help from us, on 2/28/10 - a bull
Momma 136 birthed, w/some help from us, on 3/1/10 - a heifer
Momma 114 birthed, on her own, on 3/2/10 - a bull

And, in the other batch of mommas, my cow had a shinny black dot on 3/2/10!!! YEAH!!!! I was so excited. Dad and I were making our 10 pm baby check last night checking the mommas and making sure they were okay. When we got to the back field we discovered a new baby back there!!! We drove up close to the cow and calf to see which cow it was. As soon as her number was visible I was like, "Yeah, that's my cow!!!" Doesn't take much to excite me. lol

The heifers are always interesting. Since they are having their first calf you never can tell about them on if they are close or not. Momma 136, from above, is a perfect example. During the day on the 1st she wasn't showing any signs of being sick. But, on our 10 pm run we discovered she was trying to calve and needed help as she was barely dilated. So at a little after 10 pm dad and I were trying to get her into the corral so we could give her some help by pulling the calf. Had to go get mom for this one....needed a tail holder! She was not a happy camper with us. She tried jumping over the corral runway and would not help us out at all. Can't say that I blame her though. How would you act if you had something pushing and pinching on you like that and it wouldn't come out?! Anyway, after a little excitement of containing her to the head shoot we finally got her calmed down and pulled that baby. I think the baby arrived somewhere around 11 pm or so.

It is amazing to me how those mommas instantly start mooing to their babies and immediately know what to do once that baby hits the ground. This is natural born instinct. God's creations are amazing!

We'll see what's waiting when I get home from work today. Can't wait!!

Until next time . . .

Little Black Dots are arriving!

I just love, love, love spring; for so many reasons. One, after long gloomy winters it is refreshing to see color and breath crisp air. Two, my morning greetings usually come from the sweet splendor of the singing, chirping birds. And three, spring brings new baby calves on the Collins Farm.

This year I am exceptionally excited because 22 heifers are in the lot right behind my house. Ok, here's my back door, which goes into my yard, which is separated from the lot by barb wire fencing. You get the picture on how close that lot is? Yep, it's close. I go to the back door every morning to see if anything is out of the norm. Spring calving season also means for a late night stroll on the 4-wheeler w/my dad. He checks those girls like a hawk! Anyway, back to the babies.

You might be asking, "Why do these heifers bring more excitement?" You see, we raised these baby girls and now they are fixing to be mommas for the first time!! They are so special when you raise them and have seen them grow up. Sunday morning, February 28th, 2010 started all the excitement!! I was taking my morning trip through the house to the back door to check out the girls. Down in the far corner of the pasture I saw something that looked a bit unusual; unusual in the sense that it wasn't there the day before. It was early so my eyes were still adjusting. To see if that unusual spot was really what I thought it was I gave out a hollar, "Good morning Girls," to the heifers. To my surprise that unusual spot moved followed by the spotting of ears! I was so excited. I ran, got the phone, and dialed my mom and dad's house. See, dad usually calling me of a morning to see if everything looks ok. Well, I beat him to the punch. He picks up the phone and w/o me saying hello I said......"Get up, get up, get up, we have a black dot!" His response was, "REALLY?!" Yay, #109 gave birth to a beautiful little heifer calf; so black and shinny!

Yesterday was such a beautiful day so I was outside much of the afternoon painting my storage building. Have to have it painted before Tuesday because my car canopy is being installed in front of the building. YAY! Anyway, while I was enjoying the sunshine I kept my eye on the heifers. This one fat girl kept pacing the field. Knew she wasn't feeling good. After a while I noticed one of the heifers balling continuously, a distress call, so I decided to check it out. Much to my surprise baby number two was on it's way. But, she was needing some help. So I hollared at dad. Yes, we don't usually need phones at my house cause I just hollar across the hay field and they hear me if we're outside, and he was on his way. Got the expecting momma into the corral and runway to help her out. Ten minutes later a strapping black shinny bull calf made is entrance on the Collins Farm. His momma loved him instantly as she began mooing to him and cleaning him up.

Jasmine, Renee's youngest, was there for the excitement as I held the tail (and pulled on skin, but no need for graphics here) while dad and Renee pulled. Jasmine was in awe! I asked her when I was washing my hands if she'd ever seen that before. She gave me a quick grin of amazement and said, "No." I told her that was her initiation to farm life!

So an exciting weekend on the Collins Ridge. Two little black dots made their arrival. I suspect there will be more by the time I get home this evening. Hopefully I can get my camera out there and bring you pics!

Until next time . . .

No Thunder...No Frost!

One of my favorite 'wise tales' or folklores is this: Thunder in February, Frost in May. Meaning, if we get thunder in the month of February then we will see a late frost in May. Well guess what? February 2010 was very quiet and no thunder rolled across the hills and hollers in my neck of the woods. So keep your eye on May and let's see if this rings true.

Until next time . . .

Got a surprise!

Hello again Monday and blogger friends!

Well, over the weekend I received quite a surprise...and was too startled to get my camera! I was going outside Saturday to burn trash and take out the garbage. I noticed my trash can was slightly off it's blocks so I needed to adjust it to keep it from falling over. You see, there are silly heifers behind the house and they like to push around my trash can! Silly cows! Side note - what's funny is where I'm burning trash and the calves curiously come up to the trash can, w/burning trash inside, and put their noses to it! They quickly snort and back off! Anyway...back on track now. So I'm leaning over the barb-wire fence to pull the barrel back on the blocks. Normally I would never lean over the fence; I would just throw the trash in and light her up. I leaned slightly to scoot the barrel and I saw something in the bottom of the barrel that wasn't quite right...so, I carefully leaned a little further. Much to my surprise and being completely startled, there were two HUGE opossums curled up in the bottom of the barrel!!! Like to have scared me to death. Wish I would have had dad's .22, but I didn't. I had to resort to the only other thing I had to get those gross creatures out of there. So, got me a 2x4 (no I didn't hit them with it), turned the barrel over on its side and proceeded to beat the barrel like a drum; all the while I was hollaring and screaming at them! Well, you know the more noise you make the more they play possum!!! Finally, several barbwire-to-arm cuts later they were out and scurrying off to find shelter! Completely disgusting those nasty creatures are. I'm just glad I happened to look in the barrel before filling it with trash and striking the match. I can't imagine the noise they would have made let alone the smell. But, it was quite an exciting few minutes on my Saturday.

Until next time . . .

Imagining some place warm

As the temperatures dip back down into the low 20's, snow is falling from the sky, and the whipping wind is causing for a very cold wind chill...I find myself imagining some place warm!

My mind is going to a place where the waves are crashing softly on the sand...a place where all I can hear is the sound of the waves, seagulls, children laughing and my heart beat...a place where the sun gently kisses my skin (as long as SPF Sweater has been applied)...a place where shoes are not a necessity but toes digging in the sand is...

...a place where I don't have a care in the world...a place where I feel completely at peace with myself and the world...a place where I willingly get up at 5 am for a nice beach walk to watch the sunrise...a place where I feel there is nothing between me and God. To some this place my sound impossible to find and nonexistent. Oh, but it does exist. My mind is taking me to the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama.



I close my eyes and picture walking myself up and down the coast; all the while talking to God and reflecting on life. I can hear the waves just this second as I visualize the rays of the morning sunrise beaming down on the water.

Ah, what a place.

If I ever need to relax or warm up this is where my mind takes me. And I can't wait to go back here sometime.

Until next time . . .

Organization

I started off the year wanting to get more organized. I used to be and the last couple of years I don't know what's happened because I can't find anything! I lay "it" (whatever that 'it' may be) down and then it's lost until I come across it again; if I ever come across it again. I'm still looking for a flash drive that somehow got lost about 8 months ago.

Anyway, I've started w/my kitchen. I don't know why I've never done it before, but it's never too late to start something. So, I picked up some of those handy dandy Rubbermaid storage containers. Ah, the difference those things make in my cabinets is unbelievable. I had boxes or bags. Now I have one place for pasta, beans, rice, flour, sugar, etc = all inside Rubbermaid storage containers neatly placed in my cabinets! It's great. I'm not quite finished yet, but way closer than I was.

A few months ago I upgraded to stackable (frontloader) washer & dryer; which I love by the way. Well, that extra space, where my washer used to be, was now free for shelves!!! Happy day, storage space. I've never understood why kitchens in mobile homes have hardly any shelves or drawers. Anyhow...the shelves are now up so I'm starting to get this organized as well. **Note** this is in my kitchen so this organization is apart of the kitchen cabinet organization. This new storage location has given me a partial pantry. It's wonderful. My daddy does good work!

Now if I could just get my new linoleum tiles down in my kitchen and laminate flooring in my living/dining room. Sad thing is that stuff has been in the boxes for well over a year now. But, that's my next big task as soon as my dad is available. Why does this fall under organization you may ask? Well, you see these boxes of flooring are in my spare bedroom taking up much needed space. So, as soon as the flooring is down I can begin the organization of my spare bedroom (where guests, if I ever had any, could actually sleep) and I can get my home office set up and ORGANIZED.

We'll see what the next few weeks bring and hopefully my dad can help me. I'll keep you posted.

Until next time . . .

Down 4 on day 406

Wew..progress..two posts on the same day!

Many of you know I tried starting to get on track to healthy living the first part of 2010..and I haven't blogged about it since :( Well, I'm one month in. January wasn't so good on the loss side of things, as I only lost 4 pounds. But, I did get better w/my menu choices which is a key factor towards health living. Still love those potato chips though...uggh my weakness! So I will tarry on! I have high hopes of February being a better month.

Here's the stats...I'm 406 days away from departure to Europe for a Mediterranean Journey and 4 pounds down on my goal of 100 lbs by departure day...only 96 more to go!

Until next time . . .

Always in trouble somewhere

I often find myself getting into some kind of trouble; although not bad kind of trouble where I need a bail bondsman....just trouble.

Well, I have done it again; twice actually! You see this friend of mine, uh Sara I believe is her name..yes Sara (aka a member of the Flat Brians) asked me today when my Blogaversary was. I said, "blogaversary, what's that?" She said, "the day you started your blog!" I responded, "I don't know, didn't know I had one!" From that little conversation got me into my second bit of trouble..more on that in a sec.

On to the Blogaversary. After the chat regarding my second bit of trouble Sara approached my little cube to help me discover the day I started my blog. Come to find out I just missed the anniversary of my blog...January 22, 2009. Wow, I have actually kept a blog for a year. Although I wasn't consistent daily and the last few months I've been sporatic, I did post every month for the year of 2009. Hmmm wonder what blogging for 2010 will bring? You'll have to just check it out and see.

Now, on to my second bit of trouble. My mouth has always been the main sourse of my troubles and today is no different. In trying to discover my blogaversary my beloved friend Sara informed cube mates Becky and Ashley that I was the one who inspired her to begin blogging and now I'm the one who hasn't kept up with it. I'm going to do better I promise! Anyway, in talking I said, "well, I didn't even make your 40 top friend list!" Saying it jokingly of course because I haven't known Sara for as long as the other members of her top 40 so I didnt' expect to be there, but I'm touched knowing I am. Well, did my statement just open up a can an Sara informed me I most certainly was there and that she see's how I am!! tehehe About the time she was adding me to her top 40 list (actually I made it in the top 10 of that list!) was about the time I began professionally blogging for work which cut into my personal blogging. So, I didnt' see it and have fallen behind in reading her wonderful posts. Sara always has something great and/or funny to post about. You all should check out her blog...so wonderfully blessed.

So, with all that said...I am now out of trouble because I have posted my blogaversary and apologized to my great friend for missing her blog!

Until next time . . .

You Tube on Blog & Healthy living

Ok, well, I tried to put a YouTube video watcher on my blog. It was SUPPOSED to play my favorite videos I have saved in my YouTube account. Well, it doesn't. I was on my blog today...obviously because I'm posting a new post! Anyway, I looked at the list and didn't think any were familiar so I opened one. WOAH!!! It was a sceamo mess of a song. So sorry if any of you played them. The list was supposed to include, oh you know, Chris Tomlin!

Not much going on right now. I am two weeks into getting fit and living healthy. Oh, I could lie and say I've been completely good, but I haven't. I've had a couple pops and a burger. But, I'm getting better. Totally loving making my salads most evenings. And water...I'm becoming a fish again. I love water. Speaking of which, my bottle is empty again! I've had about 40 oz so far and it's only 2:30. That may not be spectacular, but it's a great start. My natural thirst is already back and I can't get enough of the stuff.

I haven't weighed again since I started this journey, but need to. I don't feel as if pound wise I've done anything yet. I'm just working right now primarily on getting the water down me and working on my menu. Can't wait until the sun is still up when I get home of an evening so I can get back to walking.

That's all for now. Hope my fellow blogger buddies are having an exceptional week in the Lord.

Until next time . . .

Wowsers! It's 2010 already

I can't believe it is 2010 already. Seems like yesterday we were all preparing, or at least hearing about, the Y2K scare. Now, 10 years later, we are 13 days into a new decade. Where does the time go? I grew up hearing adults around me saying just that, "Where does the time go?" Time seemed to move at a glacier pace back then, but boy does that change. It's weird for me to say, "I remember twenty years ago.....or twenty-five years ago...." And now some 30 years later I recall so much from years past and can see those years when time seemed to stand still and the years when time was a flash. The flash was turned on almost overnight...one day time was turtle speed and the next it was lightning. It's stayed lightning ever since. But, I guess as long as one is enjoying life and doing what God wants then it is all worth it.

I know I'm several days into the new year, 13 to be exact, but I want to wish all my fellow bloggers a very Happy 2010. I hope it is a great year for all of you and you grow in the desires of the Lord. I'm not big on new year's resolutions, but if I were my top one would be to grow closer to God; remembering where I am right now with God and seeing where I am on 12/31/10 with God. I love God, love growing with Him, and want to pass that love around because His love is abundant!!

In 2010 I'm also promising myself to lose 100 pounds by the end of the year. I know it is a very reachable goal with hard work, dedication, and will power from those potato chips! I balled like a baby last night while watching this season's The Biggest Loser. Dr. H was talking to the people about how old the inside of their body was. There is a girl on there about my age and size who's internal body was 25 years older than her age. That was a real eye opener for me and very frightening thinking about what I'm doing to my body. You know I'm no better than a drunk; we just have different addictions. Dr. H was also talking about how being overweight effects ones family and loved ones. I know my parents are proud of me, but I also know they ache for me because the don't want to out live me or see me suffer from weight related problems. I just have to get up and get moving. I lost 45 pounds in 2008 and I am sorry to say I gained it back in 2009. Before I lost those pounds I thought I felt good. I didn't know just how bad I felt, physically and mentally, until I gained it back. My self esteem is in the gutter and I am having trouble picking it up. I know how I see myself and it terrifies me wondering how others see me. I am usually a pretty happy and upbeat person, but my limitations just snowballed me and brought me to my knees. So, blogger buddies, I'm asking you all to say a little prayer for me. Pray for my esteem and that I stick to it this time! You all are so wonderful!

Until next time . . .

Merry Christmas

Well hello all...it has been such a long time since my last post. So sorry for that. It's a busy time of year; being one of Santa's lovely elves and all. hehehe No really, have been super busy with work and church to do's that I've neglected my blog. Well, hopefully I can get back in the swing of things for the new year...and the new decade! I can't believe 2010 is knocking on our doorstep and a new decade is on the horizon. Many exciting things planned and going on with the new year. My biggest plan/goal/to-do is to pledge to myself, my family and my friends that I am working to lose 100 lbs in 2010....!! Yeah, go me!! But, I'm getting ahead of myself because this is supposed to be a Christmas post, not a New Year post...


Anyway.......I want to wish all you blogger buddies a very Merry Christmas. I pray that you remember the 'real' meaning of the season and not get wrapped up in all those gifts. hehe..'wrapped up' in gifts! LOL..I'm probably the only one who thought that was funny.

Merry Christmas all!

Until next time . . .

Lindsay

Introducing Celeste

No, I'm not talking about a person or animal....referring to my new ride. People have been after to me to post pictures, so here she is. I know it's just wheels and a payment, but I'm tickled. You know what vehicles and purses have in common? They get bigger as time goes on. So I guess that means when I get older at some point my vehicles will get smaller and smaller because there's a point in a woman's life that her purses start getting smaller. Finally, they carry no purse so I guess that's the time I'll have to surrender my license because I'll be too blind to see. Bad joke I know! My last vehicle, my beloved Pontiac G6, was my first 4-door. Now, my 2010 Chevy Equinox is a crossover SUV (with exceptional gas mileage).

At the time I started writing this post my rig didn't have a name. But with the wonderful help of my cube neighbor & friend (Becky) I think she has a name. You see, I love the starts, planets, meteor showers; things like that. Since my rig is an Equinox (fall, spring, autumn, winter equinox) I wanted to name her something to do with that, but was coming up short. Becky did what I didn't think of...she googled 'equinox' and found the meaning:

equinoctial point, equinox
				(astronomy) either of the two celestial points at which the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic

Love the name that comes from the definition and it is so fitting for my love of astronomy. So, without further a due, meet Celeste the Bombshell...aka Celeste. She's a hottie like the sun-this was Becky's line. Thanks Becky for the name help and the fun!!



Celeste

Introducing Maude

Hey folks!! I have exciting and wonderful news...for my sister! As many of you know, if you've read my past blog posts, my sister-Renee had a bad day on 10/7/09 and totaled her van (Goldie).

Well, the Lord works fast!!! Aside from the fact that our father LOVES to wheel and deal when it comes to buying a car (yes, he's a jewer and excellent at it), God sent her to the right place at the right time. Many calls and 2 trips to Melbourne, AR later, there is a new set of wheels residing in Dora. Meet Maude. "Maude?" you may ask. Why Maude? From Goldie to Maude; poor thing! You may even ask, "Why name your vehicle?" It's just something that me and my family have always done. We even name some of our cattle. Maude gets her name because she is muddy in color and it just fit. Also, Renee has graduated from having a Momma Wagon (Goldie) to having a Momma Express (Maude). You see Maude is a Chrysler Town and Country EX (this is where I get Express) Sport.

Anyway.....da da da...introducing Maude!! Please pray that Maude will be a great vehicle for my sister and last her a good long time.

She looks a lot like Goldie, but is a slightly different color and different trim line. She is a Chrysler Town and Country EX Sport. So dubbed Maude the Momma Express!

Cozy, comfy leather interior!


Here's another gander at her. Different from Goldie, both of Maude's side doors are automatic.

Until next time . . .

Diagnosis of Goldie

Well, as expected, the diagnosis of Goldie (my sister's momma wagon) is not good. Goldie will never see her home in Dora again. She is now making residence as a junk yard beauty. So very sad. Goldie was an awesome momma wagon for my sister. I absolutely loved going for a drive with Goldie; every other day to be exact. She will forever be remember as my sister's first ever momma wagon. Here's a few more shots of Goldie:

Goldie's good side. Ain't she a beaut?!

Goldie's not so good side.

Now the hunt is on for a new momma wagon for my sis. She got lucky finding Goldie after much prayer. I'm calling on all my blogger buddies to be in prayer that Renee will find something affordable, dependable, low mileage, etc. We drive many miles every day to work so these qualities are a must. We trust that God's plan is at work and that He has something waiting for her around the corner.

Thanks friends for all your prayers.

Until next time . . .

The momma wagon motto!

10/07/09...Not a good day

What started out as an already crazy day only got worse, but still thankful.

Let me back up a second. Tuesday my sister got a call that Jasmine (the youngest) was sick and the school thought it was swine (H1N1)...report=it's not! So a little after 10 am Tuesday my sister and I were leaving work to go get Jasmine at school. Then, Jasmine needed to be taken to Gainesville to the clinic to get medicine. So, crazy day.

Ok, so Wednesday is rolling around and Renee, my sister, planned to go to work early (like 7:30 am) so she could do some work and leave once that was finished in the morning. I was to stay with Jasmine while Renee was away. Fine and dandy. Renee called a little after 9 am Wednesday saying she was finished at work and heading to Wal-Mart to get Tylenol and a thermometer and then she'd be home. No problem. I was going to come in to work as soon as she got back. About 45 minutes later, I think because everything went crazy from there, I get a phone call and thought it was Renee but really couldn't tell because she was so upset. I remember her saying "I need some help! You're going to have to come help me!" I said, "Who is this? Is this Renee?" She told me yes and that she had been in a wreck. Oh my goodness!!!! She told me she may be able to drive her van home but didn't know yet because she hadn't made it out of the vehicle. Then a man's voice came up to the vehicle and I could hear him say no, that it was no driveable. So off to Mountain Home I go, with sick child in tow. Needless to say I didn't go get my sister then turn around and go back to work.

What a day. Renee doing the good thing by going in extra early to work so she could come home and care for her sick child. She is the most giving person I know and has the worst luck. Sometimes I think it followers her to get her down.

Here's what happened: She was making a left turn and a beverage truck stopped in the outside lane to let her out because the truck needed to turn into where she was pulling out from. The beverage truck motioned her out. Note: she knows and would never pull out into a blind lane because someone motions her out. Anyhow, the truck motioned so he could pull into the road where she was so she proceeded to pull out ever so slowly, peaking around the beverage truck. Out of know where a truck came into the inside lane and smack!!!

Nay's once pretty momma wagon that I dubbed Goldie isn't feeling to well. It is unknown at this time if she is going to be repairable. Sad....sad!


Well, you know who got the ticket and charged with the 'at fault'. You got it, Renee did. Funny, the beverage truck skedattled out of there and was never to be seen again; even thougth they were the direct cause of the accident. I'm not just saying this and taking sides because it's my sister either. The beverage truck was the cause of the accident but Renee got the blame.

We are praying and have faith that everything will work out. We are thankful that no party was hurt, just a little banged up and sore. Metal is replaceable but skin isn't.