Flower Power

I read an article this morning that left me in Awe.  Japan is planting sunflowers to remove radiation.  WOW!!  My favoritist (my word) instructor Philip Fritchey ND often says that he believes God has given us herbs for healing that we can all find near where we are.  I believe this also.  What an amazing Creator to give us plants to not only heal our bodies but heal the earth.  Sometimes I can be a sap and this morning I am a grateful teary eyed sap thinking of how we are provided for.  Read this article and know that the Creator of the Universe is amazing. 
http://www.naturalnews.com/032842_sunflowers_radiation.html

Swimming and Batman

We were at the pool yesterday and Batman rode up on a golf cart.  He must have left the Batmobile at home.  Brittany ran out to the truck to get the camera but Batman ran off before she made it back.  I didn't see the Bat Signal in the sky so I don't know if he was in a hurry to fight crime or not.  It was nice to know the caped crusader is in Texarkana and making the streets safe. 

Benefit of Growing Older

I got a hair cut!  I also colored it with a red tint even though you can't tell from the photo.  It was the first time I didn't get worried about what everyone else would think of my new cut.  Must be a benefit of getting older. 

The sunset at the races was beautiful  The truck with the tires on the trailer is our rig.

Oh and in honor of race night I found this great polish called pedal to the metal.  I was chromed out with my red, short hair.  Happy times!

I wasn't going to include this photo because I have weird eyes but alas here it is. 



How Many Cookies??

Remember when your biggest concern was how many cookies can I have when we are done?

Me too.

These beautiful girls baked delicious cookies last night.

It takes great concentration to get them just the right size.

                             

Sweet girls, sweet treats and sweet smiles.  Life doesn't get any better than that.

Reflection

Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. - James Levin



Energy Audit

Last week we had Aloha Air come out a give us an energy audit.  I just love their uniforms.  It makes me want to be somewhere tropical.

He began by make negative air pressure in our house.  I am sure there is a more technical way to say this but alas I am not technical.  He basically created a draft of air coming from the inside of our house to the outside.

This is a manometer and it measures air pressure (I think).  Anyway the happy Aloha guy (who couldn't be happy in a Hawaiian shirt) looked at it and determined if we were ready to see where the leaks were.  We could walk through the house and feel the hot air (heat index 110 that day) coming in through crack, crevices, windows, hot water closets, and plumbing.

The happy Aloha guy then reversed the air pressure in the house and measured how much air was going the other direction through the duct work and vents.

 

We are awaiting a formal report to tell us what action should be taken to make us more efficient.  There will be a price tag attached I am sure.  The good news is there are a few things we can do ourselves inexpensively to help out.  Spray foam will become our friend.  Also SWEPCO will give us $$ towards some of the big items.  Check your energy provider for rebates as most have them. 

Thanks for hanging with me for this laypersons report.  Perhaps I can get my husband to write a more technical report because I am sure I may have explained some of this wrong.  If so my apologies.  It was a neat experience and I hope to save the Earth (or maybe just lots of greenbacks :). 

Fathers Day Water Balloon Fight

The Father

The Balloons

The kids positioned the water balloons all over the yard and they had to run to get the ammo.

Dad missed but hit the door.

Here he is in his Ninja water balloon pose.

Dereks exploded when he threw it.

Brittany took a direct hit.

Run Little Man Run.

Zane had enough. 

When all else fails pull out the water hose.

Everyone had a great time.

And everyone (except Mama) got wet. 

Saturday Nights

Saturday Nights for us involves Dirt, Grease, Earplugs, and Race Cars!

Brittany and her Daddy drives.

Derek is always sure to wear ear plugs.

Dad works hard to keep the car going for two racers.

Brittany helps.

Jenelle is making sure it is done right.

Last week the following photos were our excitement.  Jason is the middle car coming around the curve.

The car on the inside didn't make the curve and drove straight into Jason.

He drove OVER the left front of Jason.

Caught a little air.

Then drove into the 14F car.

Jason managed to stay out of the 14F.

Jason was black flagged for rough driving into the 14F car (which he didn't touch)!  I think the officials need a better view of the track. 

Summer in the South

It is only June but here is Southwest Arkansas it is HOT!!  We are talking 100 degree, high humidity hot.  I was horrified when talking with my neighbor yesterday afternoon at the sweat running down my legs.  Not attractive.  I have also learned that girls need a bra for everyday of the week.  I asked my friend about this because I wanted to be assured I am not the only woman who sweats everywere.  Enough complaining...the good news is the  sun is shining and I love it!  I would much rather be hot and sweaty than cold.  Get back with me in August to see if I still feel the same.  On another good note the yard is turning brown which saves money on gas for the lawn mower (which happens to be broken right now) :).  Happy Summer Everyone!

Fainting Goat Syndrome

I have a disturbing disorder.  Whenever I am hurt such as when I sprain an ankle, cut myself, or when I had my ears peirced at twelve I pass out.  I passed out watching Ripley's Believe It or Not when I was 8 and during a Drunk Driving Film in 10th grade.  This has always bothered me until tonight when I figured out my problem.  Some people have flight or fight response but mine is Fainting Goat Syndrome.  I am not sure how this could be.  I did grow up in the country but we never owned goats.  Perhaps my great grandparents owned goats?  Hmmmm.....

20 Years

I was not even 20 years old when Jason and I married June 16, 1991.  My time flies when you are having fun! 

I am so thankful to have Jason to share my life with.  He is my best friend.  We have grown together and changed much over the last twenty years.  We started off riding a Yamaha Venture pulling a trailer and camping almost every weekend.  It was great fun until we couldn't fit Brittany on the bike with us.  Our fun took a different form in baby talk and childrens laughter as we added Jenelle and Derek to the family.  Now the girls are teenagers and Derek isn't far behind.  We love spending time with them going to the movies, races and vacation.  We also have some extra time to ourselves since they are big enough to leave at home while we go to dinner.  I can't wait to spend the next phase of our life together.  I know we will be wonderful grandparents (in about 10-15  years).   Thanks so much for the adventure Jason.  I love you more today than 20 years ago!

I Know Better

Our neighbor had a tree service come out and remove some trees.  We still have debris from the big sweet gum that fell in our yard so Jason hired them to haul off the brush.  They came in our yard and moved some brush around and the owner Lewis Jones of Eagle Tree and Timber came to the door and asked for payment.  I gave it to him.  I know, I know, I know!  Never pay in full before a service.  Don't think I haven't beat myself up since Monday.  Well needless to say he has not been back and the tree is still in the yard.  Since Monday we have been told many stories of how he has done the same to others.  I will wait and see if he shows up today.  I'll let you know what happens.

Summer

Summer is in full swing!  Texarkana is hot and humid but I love it anyway.  This is my favorite time of year.  I am looking forward to vacation next month and the farmer's market is in full swing.  You should visit sometime if you haven't been yet.  We had a deep freeze delivered yesterday and I am going to buy bushels of goodies to freeze for winter. 

Next week we are going to have an energy audit on our house.  I am excited about it and looking forward to seeing where we can improve our efficiency.  If you live in Arkansas check out the rebates you can get from your local energy company.  Swepco will give us money for some things we do to lessen our energy consumption.  I will let you know what we find out!  

My washing machine is on the fritz and a new one is being delivered tomorrow thanks to our home warranty.  Thank you American Home Shield.  So that is what is up in our world.  I hope your summer is off to a good start. 

May you tan and not burn and your ice cream not melt.

Dinner Vouchers

Last week an old friend of ours left this earth.  As she was in ICU we wanted to send something to let the family know we were thinking of them.  As ICU doesn't allow flowers, balloons or stuffed animals we were at a loss.  I thought of sending resturant gift cards but they were in Dallas and I couldn't think of a way to get one delivered.  I called the hospital who put me through to a couple of people then finally culinary services.  They were at a big hospital that had a Chic-Fil -A and coffee shop besides the cafeteria.  The lady at culinary services gladly made gift certificates and had them delivered to ICU.  She was sure to explain that they had no monetary value so she made them in $5 and $1 increments as they could not receive cash back.  I was thankful for her taking the time to make sure they were made out as I wanted them.  I'm letting you all know because I had a friend who said she would have to remember this next time they knew someone in ICU.  I wish I would have known about this earlier.

New Southern Phrase

I heard a new southern phrase I want to share with you.  On Saturday we were hauling brush from our fallen tree to the recycling center.  My husband (who is a genius at finding ways to not do hard labor) ties some rope around the brush and pulls it off the trailer instead of us all throwing it off branch by branch.  I am very grateful for his brilliance!  A worker there watched this happen and shouted out "Cooking with Crisco Baby!".  We laughed all the way home.  I like this saying so much I think I will use it.  The only problem is I don't cook with Crisco.  Let's see "Cooking with EVOO Baby"?  Doesn't have the same ring.  How about "Cooking with butter Baby"?  Don't know.  Is it okay to say "Cooking with Crisco" even though you don't?

Healthy Food But Only on Weekends

I was appalled to read an Associated Press report this morning that congressmen are protesting the healthy lunch intiative because it would cost $.14 extra per meal to feed school children.  First of all many behavioral problems not to mention health problems are directly related to the food we eat.  How can you teach Health to a child as a subject in school then send them to the lunch room for junk?  Surely there can be a place in the budget to accomodate healthy meals.  Perhaps if the government would subsidize healthy food instead of gmo corn and soy healthy food would be cheaper and this would not an issue.  Perhaps if the government would pay farmers to grow healthy food instead of paying them to not grow crops (yet it happens when there is surplus) 14 cents would not be an issue.  That is my rant for the day.  Please check in for I am sure that I will have another soon.

New Favorite Quote

My new favorite quote is "I don't want to survive. I want to live!". This is from the movie Wall-E. We caught the last part of this movie and the ship captain says this line when he is told that it is unsafe to return to earth. This line has resonated with me and been brought to my mind over and over the last few days. In modern society I think we have chosen survival over living. There are virtually no merry go rounds left in the US because they are too dangerous. This saddens me because that was my favorite playground toy at recess. Going round and round faster and faster till you felt you could fly was living at its finest. Our "take a pill to fix all problems" society has us just surviving. When we self medicate to feel nothing are we truly living? Self medication can take many forms such as alcohol, anti-depressants, cigarettes, food, tv..... Is not feeling emotions truly living or just surviving? Are prescription medications with serious side effects truly living? Especially when healthy food, exercise, and managing stress are the answers to so many of our lifestyle diseases. I think I will choose to live for just surviving is not enough.