‘Mike’s Baby’ – This Muscle Car is the ‘Classic 1969 Plymouth Road Runner’.

Boys and their toys – Just a couple of the many old tractors Mike babies.

Old Korean War Truck – Mike loves this truck. Mike gave me the history of this truck 2 years ago and I forget all the details, but he knows so much of the history behind this and its very special to him.

Mike – All Aboard

One of the three hay rides pulled by the tractor that could. Our friend Sara, James & Sean. Her hubby (Peter) stayed back with Bobby to chat.

I like to play dirty when I have a great clay body to work with. Having said that, remember that little happy mistake from the other day? Well it seems that new dark clay body gave me fits so trying to force that clay to make something turned out to be a daunting task. I spent all day in the studio Tuesday trying to throw with that clay to no avail. By the time I would get my large pot to size and everything just right, it would naturally on its own begin to sag and fall. Sitting there watching it happen was a little unnerving and right back to it I would go with greater determination. Determination is something I was born with so I continued to work my magic with the clay. I would get my pot all the way up to a very large size and then the clay would give me a piece of its mind. So round and round we went till I finally gave in, did I just admit I gave in? The problem I had with the clay is that it has no grog in it – grog is like sand/grit -. It’s almost like throwing with butter but that’s exaggerating just a wee bit but you get the point.

Laying my frustrations aside, I decided a run to Dallas was critical in order to sling mud around over here. Now I have approx 400 pounds of that butter like clay body and another 300 pounds of dark clay with grog. I’m sure I have enough mud in this house to come up with something this week. I’m going to put those 400 pounds of clay to good use by making slabs and then into purses, so it’s not going to waste. Now I can’t wait to get my hands into that other clay. I hope it’s just what the Dr. ordered.

Last night we had one of the biggest if not the biggest storm we’ve experienced in the last 4 or more years. The rain started around 8:00 and did not end till sometime around 5:00 this morning. Bobby was up all night as he was not able to sleep through the downpour and huge booms of thunder. The thunder set off the car alarm 6 times over the course of several hours, which has never happened before. We could feel the house pulsate from the extreme thunder as the storm commanded every living creature’s attention for sure. Bobby was telling me how he saw some awesome streaks of lighting spanning the entire sky and witnessed most of the storm. He was up pretty much all night and not getting to bed till after 4:00 this morning. He had a hard time getting up for work and I wish he could have stayed here with me for just another day.

I’m a huge storm fan and love the excitement from the thunder and lightning and wish I would have gotten up with Bobby to witness the magical displays of lightning. Every time the car alarm went off Bobby was the man to take care of that noise and I would just fall right back to sleep. The loud claps of thunder made me rouse but not enough to completely wake me; I’d say I can sleep through anything.

P.S. – That is not our pic, I just used it for the story.

So it’s not the Christmas season quite yet with no sign of decorations in the house but I just had to get in here and change that old fall background/wallpaper with a hint of red and green, ok a splash of red and green. For all of those who wait a little longer to get into the spirit of things, at least Christmas trees are not in the background, but I’m sure they will be coming soon from a blogger near you.

Lunch with Bobby is always a favorite lunch date. It’s great meeting him in the middle of the day to chat and spend a little time before the end of the day. Yesterday was one of those occasions where he once again invited me to our favorite B-B-Q place over by where he works.

The B-B-Q is a cozy family owned place to gather for some great brisket, ribs or whatever it is your heart desires. They have 3 dining rooms all set up with antiques, mounts and a host of old time collectibles. There’s a nice great big fireplace in the main dining room which provides warmth on those cold winter days. It’s one of those places where you don’t want to get up to leave. The atmosphere beckons one and all to pull up a chair, have a seat and sit a spell.

Halloween 2006 is history and with that comes Sounds Of The Season somewhere around the 900 + channel. I’m not a TV person during the day, nor am I one to have music on in the house, I like to think and do my pottery without any distractions. But look out, when Christmas music is available 24 – 7, commercial free, I’m all over it.

Bobby seemed confused last evening when he came in as it’s unusual for me to have the TV on. Looking further he noticed wifey’s favorite music of all time quietly filling the air so he kindly asked if he could turn the channel. He never needs to ask if he can turn the channel especially after coming home from work, but I found that so interesting because he didn’t want to spoil my Christmas music. The first Christmas carol I heard was Kenny G playing We Wish You A Merry Christmas, it was beautiful.

Just think, two weekends from now our home will be all decorated for the upcoming Christmas Season. I used to put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving but the last few years I’ve bumped it up to the weekend before Thanksgiving. I no longer use the real trees, by the way I LOVE real trees but I can’t get them soon enough and they won’t last as long as I would like so I stopped using them years ago. I look forward to getting those boxes down to discover all the goodies we purchased after Christmas last year. We always wait till after the New Year to get our goodies 75% off as we love to get great bargains. We purchased our first pre lit tree last year after New Years getting that 75% off and I’m so stoked that I don’t have to run the lights in and out of branches. I used to run the lights up the full branch and then run the lights back down the other side and continue around the tree in that manner lining each and every branch of the whole tree with lights. I’ll have no more of that thank you very much and look forward to that hard part being over with. Excitement is definitely in the air around here.

Bobby loves Halloween and greeting all the kids from our community. There are a couple events that stand out in my mind from last night.

Ding Dong, a little pause before Bobby gets to the door when I hear Bobby say “Here Kitty Kitty Kitty Kitty” The next thing I hear is a very loud GRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Bobby started laughing and came in to tell me what all the commotion was about. You see, the young lad was dressed as a tiger and after his growl made it very clear telling Bobby “I’m a fierce tiger.”

Another young lad rings the bell and Bobby wastes no time answering the call of duty. The little boy explains to Bobby that he’s been trick-or-treating all night and did not get any candy. His sack was completely empty as he gave Bobby the proof. The smart Bobby looks at the young lad and then to the car out in the street and says to the young boy. That’s because “ALL” your candy is in the car. The boy replied “Smart Guy” then Bobby burst into laughter. Bobby gave him his candy and off he went.

Blow Out The Candles And Make A Wish

Ma, a member of the “Red Hats Club” was told she was going to a Red Hats Society meeting where she was to be honored as the “Queen Bee”. Instead, a number of her family and friends were waiting for her at the Community Center. Ma was so surprised to see so many old friends and family there to surprise her.

She arrived sporting her favorite red hat, thinking it was a “Red Hats” function in honor of her. Bobby and I found a “Birthday Girl” pin/ribbon and added that to her blouse. She was so cute, happy and thrilled and has thanked us over and over for making this a very special Birthday. It was obvious that she truly enjoyed her day.

Are You Ready For Some BINGO

A party for ma is never complete without BINGO. Bobby is always a great host and enjoys doing anything he can to make his mommy’s special day a happy one. We picked up prizes enough for everyone to have at least two each.

Ma’s rules for BINGO:

Once you’ve called BINGO, your card is cleared and you begin again with another card.

All the others continue with the same card and it’s not cleared till they call BINGO.

That gives everyone a chance to win at some point which is really nice.

Group Shot

We had a total of 23 friends for the surprise birthday party. We gathered as many as we could to get a group picture but unfortunately we missed two of the guests.

Quilt History

Anna Lue brought and displayed her quilt on the history of the Community. The quilt was started in the 1930’s and finally pieced together and quilted by Anna Lue in 2005 & 2006. The friendship blocks were made by the ladies of the quilting group. The Endless Circle Club in the 1930s.

The blocks were kept by Ollie who lived in the community. She never set them together, but passed them down to her daughter (Hazel). Hazel kept them in a box and did nothing with them and one day the blocks were sold at the estate auction of J.T. and Hazel in March of 2005. Anna Lue bought the old box of friendship blocks. Anna Lue was so surprised when she discovered names on the blocks that she recognized, especially her mother’s name, Irene and her grandmother, Mary. She shared how she cried a few tears over her special find.

After sending Anna Lue an invitation to ma’s birthday party she wanted to make that quilt special for ma as ma’s name is woven into that special quilt as well. Thank you Anna Lue.

Truman & Bonnie

Ma’s School Teacher From The 1930’s

Truman was ma’s school teacher in the late 30’s. We have a very old picture of ma with Truman when she was in the 5th grade. Truman was 21 at the time so that means he’s in his early 90’s now. It was a pleasure meeting them, they are such a darling couple.

A Pic of Little Rock as we cross the river.

Bobby and I pass by this beautiful Church in Little Rock several times each year. We marvel at its beauty each time we pass by. This time I had my camera ready and window rolled down to get a shot of it. It was pretty cool that we passed by just as the service ended and people were leaving the service to go their separate ways.

The Texans proudly wave the Lone Star and this flag was a reminder that we just crossed the Arkansas/Texas border.

I spy Dallas in the distance and begin to feel like I’m almost home.

This natural gas well is a sign that we’re almost home. Texas is filled with many oil rigs, but this natural gas well is just a mile from our home. I love the old country roads that lead us home, the interstate is great getting us from one place to another in record driving time but the country roads with pasture as far as the eye can see and ranches that have those long winding white picket fences are truly a site to behold. It’s so good to be back home again, yes it is.

The St Louis Cardinals won the World Series Friday evening winning 4 of the 5 games that were played. We arrived to our destination on Friday in time for dinner and to get back to the hotel in enough time to watch the big win. Bobby’s brother (Jim) from St Louis brought Bobby the Saturday morning paper and I’m sure Bobby will be taking very good care of that.

A side note… When Bobby and I were dating, I found an empty cereal box in his pantry and without giving it any thought I folded it down the sides and rolled it up like my mother always did and the way I continued to roll up empty boxes. When Bobby noticed his prize possession was missing I told him that it was in the trash and by that time to the dumpster. Little did I know it was a cereal box from the World Series that he had been saving for a long time. Thank goodness he loved me enough that he didn’t throw me out nor yell at me. I’m so thankful that when I mess up, he never belittles me nor does he yell or scream at me. He continues to treat me like I’m what matters most and I love him so much for that.

While picking up Ma’s birthday cake, the little shop next door had this gorgeous vase in the window. It was calling me like you would not believe, so I began to take picture after picture of this beauty. I don’t plan to copy it exactly but I love it so much and plan to add my spin on it sometime this week or next.