Where Are you Grandma?

Where, oh where, are you Grandma, how could you leave me here all alone?
(with these parents who have RULES, ugh, thank goodness for grandmas)

Little Buckaroo stood at our front fence for almost 30 minutes on Friday waiting for his Grandma to arrive from Mississippi, which aside from being one of the sweetest things I have ever seen is amazing because he never stays in one place for this long. Our dog joined him so he could have someone to talk to because let me tell you, this little boy is chatty. Yes, he does take after his mom, but whew, I even get tired sometimes. Plus, he asks very intelligent questions for a boy who just turned 5. Such as, "mom what is truth?" "If God and Jesus are kinda one, is God by himself in Heaven doing everything?""Did you know a T-rex is a carnivore but was smaller than the brachiosauras?"

Big Buckaroo and I left the boys with Grandma for the day on Saturday to go look for land to build a cabin on. We were gone for about 16 hours, just he and I, the first time in 5 years we have spent that much time together without little ones. We had planned on even spending the night out, but I was feeling bad and Littlest Buckaroo was sick at home with a fever, runny nose, and caughing. Now, we have a house full of sick people.

Big Buckaroo and I did enjoy a wonderful sunset, talking without any commentary from the backseat, and a wonderful dinner where no kid meals were ordered. Life is good!

Potato Soup for the Soul

It's cold outside, so why don't you warm up to some yummy potato soup. This soup is so good that they will make you an honorary citizen of the state of Idaho (of you are not from there). I use my dutch oven of course, but if you don't use cast iron, use a stainless steel pot.

Start by sauteing slowly one onion and a clove of garlic in 1/2 stick of butter until the onions are transparent. Your kitchen should be smelling wonderful very soon!

Peel and cut potatoes is small chunks. I use about 8 medium sized potatoes.

The basis of a good soup - especially a simple soup such as this - is a good stock. Add just enough chicken stock/broth to cover the potatoes.

Add onions and garlic to the pot of potatoes. Ooh, that looks scrumptious.

Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Boil slowly for approximately 15 minutes. Are you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside yet?

Turn heat off, let cool a bit. Mash out big pieces.

Add a dollop of Daisy, actually any kind of sour cream will do, just a bit of milk, and some shredded cheese. Crack a little pepper over it. That is about all Big Buckaroo likes in his, you could get crazy and add some green onions or bacon bits on top.

This is a very simple soup that can be made in a short amount of time, except for peeling the potatoes, that takes me forever. Bon appatite!

Ingredients:

1 large onion

1 clove garlic

8 potatoes

chicken stock, or water

milk

sour cream

cheese

pepper to taste

Wildlife Adventure

Big Buckaroo, the Little Buckaroos and I decided to go Wildlife spotting yesterday. There is a Prairie Conservation Area not far from us, so we loaded up in the truck and set out. It was cold! As we were driving down the muddy gravel road to get there, we saw these.

What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a donkey in a field?

Well, they are not exactly the wildlife we were hoping for, but do wild a**es count?

Little Buckaroo running to the top of an Indian mound. He has his walkie talkie just in case he needs to call Big Buckaroo for back up when he runs into some fox, turkey, buffalo. Or, a wild a**, since at this point we were cold and that is all we had seen. We were complaining a bit about how cold it was and the wind so we returned to the truck to drive down by one of the lakes when JACKPOT, what needs wind to soar?

Bald Eagles!

As I looked at these extraordinary creatures, I saw their majesty, their strength, and most of all, their beauty. Wildlife adventure was now complete.

Let's go eat!

My "Wild at Heart" Men

When I see my husband working outside in his element, it reminds me of the book "Wild at Heart" by John Eldridge. I am so glad that he is training our sons to be men that are warriors (even at their young age), men that seek adventures, men that are pleasing to God.

From Eldridge's book:
There is something fierce, passionate, and wild in the heart of every man.

That is how he bears the image of God.

And the reason most men "live lives of quiet desperation" (Thoreau) is because men have been told that the reason God put them on earth is to be a good boy.

To be nice.

But every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.

The Buckaroos are being led by their dad down a path whereby they come to know they are a man and are able to live and love from a deep, centered strength.

I am so glad that I am the beauty that Big Buckaroo rescues every day.

Seasoning Cast Iron Cookware

Big Buckaroo does pretty good with Christmas gifts, the sweetest was the diamond earrings he bought me for Christmas 5 years ago when Little Buckaroo was born. The note said sweet things like thanks for having our baby, you will be a great mom, do you know how much these cost, did you get that high lift jack I wanted before you went into labor?etc., etc. So, I know everyone wants to know what my sweet, romantic park ranger hubby got me for Christmas........ a 12" cast iron skillet, yee haw. Disclaimer: Big Buckaroo read this and said that it sounds like he is cheap. He did get me more presents than just this.

This past year I threw away/gave away all my non-stick cookware after hearing all the test results saying that one of the chemicals used to produce the non-stick coating is "likely" to be a human carcinogen. Our family tries to eat as healthy as possible, we raise our own pastured poultry, buy only grass-fed beef, and many other practices to protect the food that we are consuming and giving to our children. This is a whole new lifestyle compared to living life in a big city picking up sushi or any other food on my way home from work. My gardening is a work in progress, but boy I can grow some zucchini, alot of zucchini, so much when people see me coming with bags in the summer they lock the doors because they do not want any more zucchini. My cooking has gradually improved in the past 8 years since meeting hunky Big Buckaroo and leaving Memphis, it started from the bottom so it could only go up. So, I now cook exclusively with cast iron, I have a couple of 10" skillets, an 8", a couple of different cornbread ones, and I have a dutch oven. Living on a historical park, they are pretty easy to come by. So, imagine my excitement when I received a new 12" cast iron skillet from Big Buckaroo for Christmas, he gets points because I did ask him for this.

Not only did he get what I asked him for, he seasoned it for me this afternoon, oh the romance. Actually, Big Buckaroo takes exceptional care of me, I know how lucky I am to have him. So, I thought I would share the proper way to season cast iron in case any of you out there got a new skillet or dutch oven or got diamonds and want to wear your diamonds while you read this.

1. Warm cookware before peeling of any label.
   
2. Wash the pan, making sure to rinse and dry. Use soap THIS TIME ONLY.


3. Place pan on stove top and warm it up a bit.


4. Use melted shortening and apply to the inside and outside with a soft cloth.


5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place skillet in the oven UPSIDE down. You will need to place an aluminum foil on rack below to catch any drippings. Bake for one hour, then turn off oven and let it cool in the oven.


6. After using the skillet, wash immediately, do not use soap or any type of dishwashing detergent. Just use hot water and a bristle brush to clean. If you have grease build-up, use steel wool and then re-season.


7. After washing, dry carefully. Then place on stove top to get warm, turn off and coat with shortening while still warm enough to melt the shortening as you apply it. Leave on stove top to cool, then store. Never store with the lid on, cast iron needs air circulation. Also, do not store anything in your cast iron.
   

If you don't own a cast-iron skillet, it's well worth the time and money to invest in one. My new one is the Lodge brand which Big Buckaroo says is a good brand. The first most common mistake of why people do not like cast iron is that they say everything sticks. If food sticks to your cast-iron pan, your pan is NOT seasoned right and you need to re-season it. Cast iron is a natural non-stick surface and if your pan is seasoned correctly it WILL NOT stick! Plus, if you ever need a weapon, it is pretty handy, although not recommended on Buckaroos.

If you have any questions, please let me know, I would love to help out. This is one easy step for healthier and better tasting food.

It's A Wonderful Life

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good LIFE!

Holiday Happenings

Today is full of cooking! Cinnamon rolls (thanks PW), birthday cake for Jesus, apple pie. Oh, I think those are all desserts, I guess I better think about cooking that ham. Although a holiday full of sugary treats is fine by me. I will get on the treadmill in the New Year. The kitchen timer is going off so this is going to be a short blog day. I just wanted to tell everyone Merry Christmas, I hope you have a wonderfully blessed holiday!
Happy Birthday Jesus!!!
The Park Wife

The Go-Kart Debacle Continues

An update to The Go-Kart Debacle:

Big Buckaroo finally decided to send the Go Kart to a professional in town that knows what they are doing, opposed to the cheap engine shop he took it to twice and it was not fixed. So, on his day off yesterday he got up bright and early, had breakfast and loaded Little Buckaroo up to go do some "Christmas Shopping" - translation: let's have an excuse to go to town and pick up the Go Kart. So, they returned all glassy eyed over the possibility of riding the Go Kart all afternoon.

The boys got all geared up, ready for action. Big Buckaroo took Littlest Buckaroo around the house 2 times and the chain flew off.

Just a chain, that can be fixed, but of course it is old and Big Buckaroo says we will need to get a new one sometime soon (cha ching). We might have to start dipping into the boys college fund soon to get this Go Kart running.

I am ready for action, too bad there is no action. Mom had to go to town and get a new chain. Maybe before next Christmas we will have it running or better yet, maybe I should get a job and start working to save for a new one. I might have my first car before we get this thing up and running.

Saturday morning fun!!!!! The new chain is on and this is Little Buckaroo's first time to ever drive it. Watch out Dale Jr. you have some major competition coming your way. You have a pretty good crew chief there too!

I must admit, I went around a few times with Littlest Buckaroo and it was fun. Yes, I do have on rubber boots (we were in the pasture) and my pajama pants (I had not got dressed yet as I did not really believe that it was going to work). Following my fun ride, Big Buckaroo hopped on like a kid in a candy store and took off. At the end of his first lap, something sprung or slipped or some engine technical mumbo jumbo happened. Yet, again, the Go-Kart is down.

All the excitement or lack there of just wore out Littlest Buckaroo. I talked him out of wearing the knee pads and elbow pads for his nap but he insisted on his new helmet. (Don't worry, right after he fell asleep and I took the picture, I removed the helmet)

I am blessed that I have a husband that spends all his time off with us, he does not hunt alot, fish all weekend, hang out with the guys, etc. I know that when I can not find him in the house that I have to look no further than the barn where he is working on some part of that blasted Go-Kart.

And the Go Kart Debacle Continues........

Buckarooisms

As a SAHM, I am rarely without my children. So, when it was time to find a formal dress for the Gala we attended in October, I of course took the little buckaros with me. As an experienced shopper with children, I was armed with trains and a few other toys to keep their attention while in dressing rooms. Here is an actual conversation with Little Buckaroo in the dressing room (let me add a very busy dressing room):

Little Buckaroo: Mommy, are you going to buy that red pretty dress.
Mom: Well, I need to try it on first to see how it looks.
Little Buckaroo proceeds to play trains with his little brother as I get undressed to try on the dress. He then looks up, and says loudly
Little Buckaroo: Um, mom, your underwear is getting way too small.

Snickers abound in the dressing rooms around me. I did not buy the red dress. Since it was the same color as my face, I just did not think it was flattering. I headed over to find some Spanks after that. (Spanks are "suck-me ins" that give you that figure you wish you had). I ended up wearing black!

And the Chicken Trophy Goes to.......

My little brother Chris!

In 1920, my great-grandfather started one of the first chicken hatcheries in Mississippi, it was on the outskirts of the city where I grew up. Well, it was the outskirts then, now it is a very heavily populated area. He was famous for his fine chicks, no I am not talking about my great grandmother, but baby chicks as in poultry. Although my great grandmother was a beautiful southern belle, she was pretty chicky at times.

During his time in the poultry business, he won many awards and honors. For as long as I can remember, I would go into his home office and there was a huge trophy with a chicken on top. It was one of those things that as I grew older you look at it and think who has a big chicken trophy in their home? Last year, my grandfather who had been in the poultry business with my great grandfather and lived in the family home, passed away at 93 years old.

As we were going through the house and cleaning things out, there was the trophy in the same place in the office. What do you do with a chicken trophy? I am not sure Goodwill would have much use for it. So, in our family humor we decided that each year one member of the family would be awarded with "the chicken trophy". Big Buckaroo and I have had it for the first year. I am not sure why the only girl of the family would get it the first year, I am sure there are some chicken hiney jokes that flew around between my brothers. Or, it could be that we are the only ones who actually have chickens and they thought it was appropriate. We have laying hens and we run a couple of batches of pastured (organic) poultry each year. I know what you are thinking, how did a southern belle end up on a state park with chickens? I wonder the same thing every time I have to feed those pesky little peckers.

My little brother Chris is a wonderful guy, other people think this too I am not just saying this because I am his sister. For the past few years he has served as a leader at a Christian wilderness opportunity for young men who need a pause in life to discover who they are and what their purpose here on earth is all about. He has touched many lives and he is on fire for the Lord. He has now taken back up his profession of personal training but still helps out with the camp. I am very proud to be his sister, he has become a wonderful man.

So, over Thanksgiving when it was time to pass the trophy on, Big Buckaroo and I knew that we had to pass it on to Chris for his expertise in turkey (considered poultry) frying, sunflower seed pecking, spikey hair, fowl odors at times, loud crowing, and living life on the wings of angels. You are one fancy breed of chicken brother. Enjoy your reign as chicken man!

Chris, far right in the sunglasses, is the proud recipient of The Chicken Trophy for the year. Shine it up good bro for next years winner. No, I did not set the picture up so the chicken hiney was facing the camera, things just work out that way for me.

Becoming A Mom - Five Years Later

Five years ago today, I was sitting on my couch with my sweet daddy and mom in town to help Big Buckaroo and I out with the birth of our first son. It was a stormy night with a record number of tornadoes touching down as we drove to the hospital 45 minutes away. That should have been a hint to what I was getting into. Actually, my little tornado is amazing. On each birthday I write a letter to my boys, this is what I wrote on Little Buckaroo's first birthday. Enjoy!

You have heard it a million times: motherhood changes your life. Boy is that an understatement.
When I was pregnant everyone told my husband and I, “your life is going to change”. This was always followed by a little smirk or sometimes a full belly laugh. We just laughed back at them as we thought, “how ridiculous!” We had it all figured out - we were the perfect parents. Then Little Buckaroo arrived.

Right after his birth he was taken to the nursery due to fluid in his chest. It was a long two days of tears, fear, and prayer. That is the first time that I realized that my heart could beat outside of my body. Thankfully, the Lord blessed us and Little Buckaroo got better and we were home in just a few days. When my parents left from helping us the first two weeks, I observed Big Buckaroo watching them drive off with a deer in the headlight type of look on his face. We were on our own. It’s a year later and we have survived and so has Little Buckaroo thankfully. He is a healthy, loving, special gift from God.

Next to marrying my husband, he is the best thing that I have done in my life. When he looks at me I feel the unconditional love that can only be compared to that of what the Lord has for us. He is so pure, so innocent. Everyone is equal to him, he does not know war, famine, terrorism, or hate. He is love.

I have learned a lot from such a small little fella and my life is forever changed for the better. I now know that daily showers are not easy to come by, as soon as you get the house clean there are toys all over the floor within minutes, “baby brain” runs rampant with sometimes total loss of what I was talking about mid-sentence, peanut butter goes with everything, Cheerios can be a full meal, that dancing with my baby has its own loving rhythm, there are no sick days, paid vacation, lunch breaks or coffee breaks, and diaper wipes clean anything. I never knew something so small could affect my life so much or make me feel so important.

When he wraps his little hand around my finger, runs to his daddy when he gets home from work, gives me sloppy kisses, or just sleeps peacefully in my arms, it puts a smile in my heart. I praise God not only for entrusting Little Buckaroo to my care, but also for the wonders He is working in his life. When I look in his eyes I see who I want to be, he is the miracle that God gave me. In him I see the future, when I go to Heaven, I will be remembered through my son’s love.

If you would have asked me when I wrote this 4 years ago could I love him any more, I would have laughed and said it is not possible. Well, my friends, it is possible. Happy 5th Birthday Little Buckaroo!

I Have Nothing to Wear!

My days living on a State Park have drastically reduced my style sense. While working in Public Relations I tried to be up on the latest styles and adored my Melrose Place inspired work suits. Hey, it was the 90s, and that was 2 babies ago, I thought I was looking good. But, I must admit, now that I am a SAHM, I am lucky to get out of my PJs by lunch time. Now, no matter how much we try to be valued by other qualities, let’s admit it girls, we like to have on a great outfit. It makes us feel good. But, at this time in my life, fashion drives me crazy. Being fashionable demands a lot of time, money, and energy that I just don’t have right now.

So, this brings me to our night out last week for the City Council Christmas Party in our small town. I opened my closet and of course, the first thing I said was, “I have nothing to wear!” My husband’s eyes began rolling with that “here we go” look following it. Big Buckaroo does not understand this, first of all, he wears a uniform everyday to work so he does not have to think about what he is going to wear. Plus, it does not bother him one bit that his brown uniform is not very fashionable and that brown is NOT the “it” color this season. Actually, his fashion does not change from season to season, he just puts on a fleece and calls it good. But, really how wrong can he go when it comes to dressing (actually, it could go very bad, but I choose his clothes). So, as I stood in front of my closet whining, I have nothing to wear, I heard a little bird saying “only Eve can say that”. So, I sucked it up, well, after a big meltdown, put on something that looked half way decent and ran to the running car that was pulling out of the garage because we were late due to the fashion meltdown. I wish I could say this does not happen much, but on most Sunday mornings I find myself standing at the closet door huffing and puffing about my severe lack of fashionable attire that fits, oh yes, let me add in there “that fits”. Extra baby weight is not helping matters.

Big Buckaroo has learned how to handle me in these situations and if I had a closet full of new clothes I would probably do the same thing. So, as far as fashion goes, I am not going to be attending Fashion Week in New York anytime soon nor am I going to be asked to be on the cover of Park Wivesmopolitan. I am just going to do the best I can to find something that makes me feel like a look good and is comfortable and of course, thank God every day for my Big Buckaroo who loves me no matter what I wear.


Hey, Boomama is having her Christmas Tour of Homes, go on over and check it out! Scroll down below and see all my decorating and the Park holiday decorating. I hope you have a very blessed, wonderful Christmas.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Girls, Girls, Girls...I have found something exciting. My friend is a consultant for Thirty-One, a company that believes in encouraging, recognizing, and rewarding women for who they are. The mission behind Thirty-One is derived from the Old Testament's Proverbs 31 woman.

Thirty-one offers a beautiful selection of gifts and accessories that are stylish, useful and affordable. From well-designed monogrammed handbags and elegant scented candles to personalized stationery, kitchen accessories and more, you’ll always find something unique and different for your family, friends and yourself!

Here comes the great part, my good friend sent me a email today that said some of their products are 70% off this weekend. You can order by December 16th and still receive your items in time for Christmas, without monogramming. If you want it monogrammed it will not be ready in time for Christmas Day. These prices are incredible!

See .pdf attachment for what is on sale http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/images/72hrInventorySaleFlyer.pdf and go to her website http://www.mythirtyone.com/2083 to see pictures of the products. You can place a retail order by clicking SHOP ONLINE. Don't miss out! I have attached some pictures below of things that are on sale. Great products, great company, and my great friend, don't miss out!

Cute, Cute, Cute, Tassell Tie Purse. Was $48 now only $14.40, crazy isn't it?!?

Super Soft Blanket, was $40, now only $12, no that is not a typo, just $12 and if you don't have to have it by Christmas and can wait a little bit longer they will monogram it for FREE!!!!!!!

Alright, scrapbookers, what a cute place to keep scrapbooks or just to get organized. These magazine baskets were $25.50 (small) and $33.00 (medium) and this weekend only they are $7.65 and $9.90. Wowzah!


These thermal bags are too cute, these are a special only my friend is offering, so if you are interested in these, you need to email her to order this rather than ordering online, they are $10. Her email is dorekhg@yahoo.com.

Please take the time to look at these wonderful products from a wonderful faith-based company. Also, please let her know The Park Wife sent you!!!! Meaning, soon I will have my first blog giveaway with a great product from Thirty-One!

The Go Kart Debacle

I love that word…debacle. It just sounds funny to me. So, how many of you have husbands that think they can buy things that are “a little broken” and fix them up as good as new? Well, my Big Buckaroo is notoriously frugal, he has come a long way in the past 8 years since we were married, but if there is a deal on something he really “needs”, he is there. And, the majority of the time, these little projects end up becoming quiet expensive.

Case in point, the Go Kart. One day he comes home from helping a friend and says that he saw an old Go Kart in the yard of someone that goes to our church. The first sign that a Go Kart Debacle was going to happen was that he said, “oh, they don’t even use it anymore, the grass is grown up all around it”. Grass grown up all around it? I hear bells going off, oh, no, that is the rattling of money because I know we are going to have to drop some change on this baby. It is a different story for Big Buckaroo, he sees a challenge. People that have tween children don’t just put a Go Kart out to pasture because they are bored with it, there is something wrong with it, this is my simple woman logic. But, oh no, Big Buckaroo’s eyes are dancing at this point. He is getting it all laid out in his head of what he is going to work on first and certainly in about a week he and the little buckaroos will be riding the Go Kart course in the pasture like they are Dale Jr. So, he starts by messing around with the engine, he checks into the cost of a new one, it is $300. He decides that he will take it to a small engine repair shop, much cheaper and it will be as good as new. While the engine was at the shop, in his excitement and preparation for the Daytona Pasture 500, he buys helmets, goggles and earplugs for the boys. Ching, Ching, more money toward this debacle. However, I will say that this was good exercise for him because for the weeks while the engine was at the shop, they boys hopped in and Big Buckaroo pushed them around the house a zillion times. This was probably good for me, like baby steps. I was not and am not ready for my will-be-5-next-week baby to be driving at top speeds around the pasture.

The engine is finally ready, he puts it in and it does not start. It putters a little but they are not riding like the wind yet. He works on it, comes inside reeking of some horrible fluid/gas mixture and says that it is a minor setback but he has it figured out. He then returns the broken engine to the small engine repair shop and tells them what is wrong with it that they did not fix. A little later it is ready and he gets it back and puts it in. He pulls the string to start it and it breaks, oh just another minor setback.

This goes on and on people, setback after setback, days of working outside on this Go Kart, more and more nasty fluid/gas mixture smelling husband, ugh. Every once in a while it will work for about 3 trips around the house and then sputter and stop. Minor setback my foot!

Months later here we are with a Go Kart that does not work but a Big Buckaroo who is not giving up. Determination at its finest.

This is a pattern, he also bought an Isuzu Trooper that this same thing has been happening with for about a year now. No Go Kart and No Trooper, just money spent “fixing” these toys, but Big Buckaroo assures me that by him “fixing” these things we are saving money. All I have to say is “what a DEBACLE!”

Big Buckaroo pushing the little buckaroos around with their friend Ri in the middle. Who needs a treadmill, just push the non-working Go Cart around the house for about 15 minutes with three wild kiddos in it.

More Christmas at the Historical Park

The big Christmas evening events have concluded at the Park for this year, but of course visitors will be coming daily for tours. So, before all the greenery dies because it is 900 degrees one day and 30 degrees the next, I thought you would enjoy more pictures from the Park during this glorious time of year.

Courthouse

Restaurant

A wealthy family settled in town and built this small log cabin until they were able to build their big, beautiful home in another part of town.


I love this picture looking in the window seeing not only a lady in formal dress with hoop skirt, but if you look closely you will see father Christmas.

Anyone up for a surrey ride?


Last, but not least, of course the evening in not complete without a skinned knee. Here we see one of the gentleman in character who took Littlest Buckaroo into the fire station to administer first aid to a bleeding knee. With the knee bandaged, we went forth to wish a "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

A Night Out With Adults

We have a Christmas party to attend tonight so I am going to actually be able to speak with adults for an extended period of time without a child on my hip and fix my hair and make-up without the threat of sticky fingers all over me. I will constantly be looking around for the kids out of habit and will probably still stand as if there is a child on my hip. Won't the pictures be lovely! In thinking about pictures, it reminds me of my quest to be tan for the Gala back in October. Of course, tan fat always looks better than white fat in my opinion. So, I bought some self-tanner. I was thinking back to the 80s and early 90s when I frequented the tanning bed for my oh so natural tan and thought I would get the same results. Well, .... I was wrong.

So, I exfoliated, exfoliated, exfoliated as I was told to do. Then, I started the spraying. Assistance was needed from Big Buckaroo for my back. Let's just say that although I was naked, it was not remotely romantic as he was saying, "turn your left arm to the right, lift your right leg, oops, let's get your ankles". It was like a game of Twister gone bad. What a husband I have, he is a trooper. So, I walked around naked for a while so it would dry. An hour later as I looked in the mirror, all I saw was my fresh from the jungle stripes. Not to be deterred, I tried again the next day and the next. In the end,I did not look like Lindsey Lohan's self-tanning gone awry, but I am fairly certain I will not be asked to be in any ads for Florida tourism any time soon.

The Park Wives
LtR: Me, my best friend Nikki, and Holly

By the way, the Christmas party we are going to tonight is given by the City Council of our little town. I can't wait to see what is going to happen, there is always something funny, weird, and crazy!

Fa La La La - BooHoo

I am back into my holiday focus full swing with the birthday party behind me. Let's talk mantle's. Well, Big Buckaroo decided that the mantle I decorated last week could be a fire hazard when he turned on the gas fireplace. I told him that after all the work I did that was a chance I was willing to take. But, the park ranger in him told me that only I could prevent forest fires. So, down came the cedar and berries as I thought ugly things about Smokey the Bear. Now, I really love holiday time - sitting in my living room at night with all the holiday lights on snuggled up by the fireplace, or with a down comforter around me if I would have been able to leave the cedar up there. My mother-in-law was in town for the buckaroos birthday party and I was telling her of my dilemma. She too thought that Smokey the Bear is over-rated. The morning of the birthday party I told her this was just not going to get it. I could not stand looking at my Charlie Brown Christmas tree (which chicken friend's little girl dubbed the "naked" tree) and nothing else decorated. Of course, there were things I had forgotten for the party and had asked my very talented at decorating mother-in-law if maybe she could grab some magnolia leaves and help out the very sparsely decorated room while I went to town to pick up a few things. So, I left for town and when I returned, mother-in-law had saved Christmas!

It is good to have a talented mother-in-law!

Now to the Boo Hoo part. My five year old little buckaroo has gone to spend the night with his mimi and grandpa 2 hours away. O.K. some of you are saying, "So?" Well, in his 5 years he has only been away from me 4 nights; one when I was in the hospital having his little brother, two nights when I was helping take care of my daddy when he was sick and one night when he and his daddy went camping. So, there was alot of crying as they were pulling out of the driveway. How am I going to handle him going off to college? Thank goodness I have a few years to prepare for that. Of course, when we talked to him last night he was having a great time and said he was going to stay 10 days. Yeah, right. I will be going to get him today or tomorrow, I miss that little fella. My world is just not right if my little buckaroos and big buckaroo aren't around.

Buckaroo's Birthday Bash

Wow, it was birthday celebration weekend and I am worn out! I feel like Scarlet must have felt after working in the fields all day trying to restore Tara. However, the buckaroos had a fantastic time! But, it looks like a dinosaur exploded in my house. If you have ever made more than one birthday cake into any type of shape, animal, toy, etc., please look away now as the following pictures could make you burst into uncontrollable laughter, invoke side-splitting pains, and overall hysteria.

Brontosaurus, brachiosaurus, ugh, hey they could have looked like this, right? Well, have you ever seen one? Then, please hold laughter in at least until you see the next picture.

O.K. this is my family-friendly version of the T-Rex. Isn't he sweet?


The buckaroos opening, you guessed it, dinosaur toys!

The buckaroos play dinos with some of their friends.



It is exhausting playing with new toys, eating cake, running amuck with your friends. So, rest is in order. "After all, tomorrow is another day!"