A Mood

Christmas is over. It is such a let down after eating the stuffing and stuffing and eating, traveling and partying, giving and getting, smiling for the camera and such. I enjoyed it all and now it seems it is over for another year.

New Year's Eve is not really a big deal at our house, we are usually in bed before midnight.

A New Year is on the horizon and we will have to see what 2007 has in store for the Yarbrough's. I hope it is a year of good health and happiness as well as prosperity.

Hope your new year is happy and bright.

Here are some pictures of Christmas:

Pictures of Log Cabin and Old Store/Post Office owned by Eddie's boss Parker Mount located on Troy Highway

It's that time of year again!

Late summer, early fall (but not fall yet) causes me to have sinus infections. I woke up this morning sneezing. My throat is scratchy and my ears; my nose is burning and my eyes and ears are itching. So I am whining and don't feel good.

So I have used up a box of tissues and am slathered with Vicks. Eddie won't come near me. I am not a happy camper.

Happy Birthday to You, Momma!

Today would have been my momma's 74th birthday (DOB: 9-13-32), but she passed away on 01-02-03. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday and that I was thinking of her on her birthday.

It's hard to lose your mother and it is also extremely hard to lose your best friend, but when those two are embodied into one person, it is the most sorrowful experience to deal with and the aftermath with which you must cope all alone is devastating.

I only know that I don't know what I would have done without my daughter during that time. She now is my confidante and best friend.

With God, Shannon (my daughter), and my husband Eddie, I can handle the difficulties that life, here on Earth, throws at me.

Happy Birthday Momma! You know I will always love you.

My Thoughts and Prayers

A lot of things have come at me recently which have deflated my will to accomplish anything. In other words, I am in a blue funk. This time of year is bad for me anyways, and I tend to get very melancholy, but now there is a new enemy that I must pray and ask God to make go away.

It's a hard lesson to accept, when you learn that you are not in control. Everyday we make decisions, deluding ourselves into thinking that we are in control of our lives. Maybe that's my mistake, I shouldn't begin to imagine that I have any authority over my life. Even though I know in my heart that God is in control; in my mind, I still have thoughts that I have some inkling of power over what happens in my life. However, recently, I have come to the realization that this is not the case and that I am going to have to let go of everything. I have yet to do that, even after everything that happened almost four years ago, I have yet to do that.

Right here and now, I am going to let myself go and float on the river of Peace that God will send me and quit worrying about the details. God knows I love Him and He will ease all my burdens, if I will just let Him. The problem is, I don't think I have ever really let Him before now. May be that is the lesson He has been trying to teach me and I haven't been listening.

God, please let me rest in Your arms and lay all my worries and burdens at Your feet. I pray that You will give me peace and comfort from all that I foresee as my enemy. I ask for Your protection, both physically and mentally, to strengthen my resolve; behind Your shield and armor, from all earthly pestilences, sin and despair. I pray that You would ease my heart from imagined hurts and busy my mind from all ill-conceived possibilities. I pray that You will give me the reasoning and wisdom to open my heart so that I am able to place all my trust in You, and lean on You. I pray that You show me how to live my life and allow me to live it, so that others may see You in me.

Poem

NONCHALANCE

Perhaps his nonchalance is just a facade,

and he is only pretending to be God's

gift to women.

When really his head is swimming

with the same insecure doubts

that you battle with day in and day out.

Look at him through different eyes

and see that he too cries

for the same things that you want and need.

Maybe then and only then will your heart not bleed.

Some dreams don't come true

Some dreams don't come true and that should not be considered a bad thing. Our lives follow twists and turns on the journey road to our future. One minute we see the future clearly, straight ahead, exactly as we have planned it and the next minute something changes and we are looking at something completely different altogether. It may be we were uprooted in our plans because that was not the right path we should have been following. But being such resilient human specimens as we are, we pull up our boot straps and carry on in the new path that has been set before us.

We could imagine it as God choregraphing us in this big dance production number and we keep trying to tap out our own little steps and He has to keep bringing us back to His original routine. So when we dream for something and it doesnt come true, that doesnt mean our lives are shattered and not worth living, it just means that we should dream another dream and perhaps, if it is God's design for us, it will come true.

My dream is for health, happiness, and prosperity for my family and friends in all that they endeavor. I pray that God will enrich our lives and bless us with His wisdom in choosing the right paths to follow on the road of life, that He keep us safe from harm and evil, and that we will continue to seek refuge in His loving arms. I also pray that He would heal our hurts and sicknesses so that we may grow stronger in His love and become more effective witnesses for His son.

A Tag Questionnaire from Renee (Okay, see I updated!) LOL

1. Hamburger Helper or filet mignon? I put too much Heinz 57 sauce on my steak to really enjoy a Filet Mignon and Hamburger Helper has so many different choices these days and is so easy to fix, I guess I will have to say Hamberger Helper. LOL

2. Van or sedan? I would have to say van because I have had a van in the past, but right now I am a truck girl. I love my Toy Taco (Toyota Tacoma).

3. Yellowstone Park or Disneyland? I have been to Disneyland, it is for kids. I have never been to Yellowstone, but I want to go so bad. I am afraid I would never want to come back. My Yogi Bear (Eddie) and I (Boo-Boo) would just snuggle up and hibernate there for a while.

4. McDonald's or Olive Garden? Olive Garden. I love the Pasta Fagioli soup and breadsticks.

5. Board Games or video games? Board Games. Eddie and I are into playing Monopoly, but we recently started playing Dominos and Poker too.

6. Snow bunnies or Water baby? I don't know how to ski, but I love the snow. I don't like the heat or the ocean, but I love to swim in the pool. I think I would have to pick water baby, just because I love to swim.

7. Early birds or night owls? I am a night owl. I have to take something to help me fall asleep or I would be up all night.

8. Road trip or air travel? Road trip. I like to stop whenever I feel like it, get out and look around. In a plane you are cramped in one little seat and I feel claustrophobic.

9. White or wheat? White. Fresh white bread is so soft and tasty. I love fresh white bread with peanut butter and grape jelly. Yum!

10. On a team or in the bleachers? In the bleachers rooting for Alabama! Roll Tide Roll!!!

Smile (Poem)

SMILE


After a while

Even your come-on smile

Put me off


I was hooked

From that first charming look

But then it faded


If you had

Not been so bad

I wouldnt be mad


But you went

With time spent

Cheatin on me


So now Im gone

And life alone

Is not so bad without you


But I still miss your smile!

A swallow-tailed Kite (Hawk)

After Eddie's oral surgery this morning, we got home and I was at the computer when I heard this sound I had not heard before. We went outside to make sure the puppies and chickens were alright and heard the sound again. It sounded like a, "Klee, Klee, Klee." The sound was between the call of a seagull and kildee.

We saw a bird flying around in the air and then it lit in the tallest limb of one of our pecan trees. The bird was feeding it's babies. The bird was a swallow-tail Kite or hawk, whichever you want to call it. It has a white head and body with black wings and tail. They are prevalent in the south, mostly in LA and MS, and they migrate in September to South America. I guess they are in their mating season right now before heading further south for the winter.

I can't believe it, but I got a pretty good picture of the adult bird flying towards the nest. Here it is:

Pic's of Shannon...

While Shannon was down for the weekend, she asked if I would take some pictures of her for her blogpage and her boyfriend. So here is my photoshoot with my model daughter.

Nothingness...

What I mean by nothingness is I really have nothing pressing to do right now. Eddie is cutting grass, Shannon is still asleep, and I am vascillating between watching Blockbusters, blogging on the computer, and reading my current book, "Sandcastles," by Luann Rice.

Eddie and I got up early and started a roast with carrots and potatoes. We cooked home-grown butterbeans and peas yesterday and I will probably slice up a home-grown tomato or two and make some cornbread. I want Shannon to have a good home-cooked meal. Friday night I cooked spaghetti at her request and then last night we had Steak-Out. So she seems pretty food happy being down here for the weekend.

Shannon is in a relationship with Clayton right now and seems very smitten. When she comes down here, she seems to miss him greatly. Eddie and I, plus Ricky and Karen really like this guy. He has a job and is going to ITT Tech. He is smart and personable. He is cute and makes Shannon very happy. I have not liked anyone she has brought home before any better. We shall see where this leads...

I have made Shannon several pairs of earrings each time she comes down, so she should have enough to last her a long time. However, I made a pair yesterday that she liked a lot so she took them. I keep trying to come up with different styles and possibly sell them, but my inventory gets lifted when "someone" comes to visit. LOL I have sold a few items to some of the ladies at work.

I guess I will vascillate back over to my book for a while. LOL

See ya...

Random Thoughts (Poem)

My mind is racing

I'm so tired of chasing

These random thoughts running through my head

I might be better off if I didnt think at all

Then on deaf ears others words would not fall

I would actually listen to what they said

I could make sense of what was told to me

Maybe give some advice, solution or remedy

To their problems, not just mouthing words instead

If I was able to help others by listening instead of talking

I might not loaf around all day just staring or gawking

While chasing these random thoughts running through my head

Dreams (A Poem)

Vivid dreams weave their way inside my head

At night when I'm fast asleep in bed

Memories of the past drift in and out

While unseen monsters make me shout

Why do we dream in our sleep?

What thoughts lie in our subconcious deep

Only to emerge when our eyes close

When into that other place we doze

If we could live inside our dreams

Would Life be perfect? Or an endless scream?

More Pic's...

Pic's from the trip!

Travels, Travails, (family) Time and Tiredness

Saturday, I drove to my brother's house (Chris) in Northwest Alabama. It took me an hour longer than it should have because I had to drive through some torrential rain. All the cars that weren't stopped on the side of the road were traveling at approximately 10 to 15 miles per hour on the Interstate. You could hardly see the cars and road in front of you. That was very stressful. Then I had to make a detour and go by Shannon's and grab the presents that she had picked up for me for the two birthday kids. Shannon couldn't go with me because of a stomach virus. Everyone asked about her and missed seeing her. I didn't mention that the reason for my travels was my nephew Jackson's christening and celebration of my niece Lauryn's and my nephew Will's birthdays.

I left home at 1:00p.m. and didn't arrive at my destination until 5:30p.m. Then I held Jackson for a while and joked around with the other kids. We had supper, Michelle's sister Colleen made spaghetti and meatballs. It was delish! We played Cadoo and Disney Scene It, Lauryn and I were a team and we didn't win either game. Darn it! We did show good effort though and we were awfully good sports. LOL We all went to bed and then yesterday we all got ready for church and my brother Don and his family met us at the church for the christening. Jackson was so cute in his christening suit and he really is a very good baby.

Afterwards we all headed back to the house and had lunch (finger foods, croissant sandwiches, fruit tray, chips-n-dip, etc.). The kids played on the water slide and then it was time for birthday cake and presents. I think Lauryn and Will were excited with their DS games that we got them.

Thanks Shannon and Clayton for picking those up for me.

I then drove back home. I left Chris's at 3:00p.m. and got back home at approximately 6:10p.m. I think driving down hill (south) I made better time. LOL

I had a wonderful time, but I am tired, and so glad to be back home.

I am proud to be an American! The day after...

I am so full of BBQ, potato salad, and baked beans that I'll probably be whistling "Dixie" for a while. LOL I even bought a watermelon, but we forgot to cut it and eat it. It was better for all concerned, we were too full of everything else.

I found out that you can have a great 4th of July without setting off any fireworks. The state and county officials neither one legally declared our county to be a "no burn" area, but it has been so hot and the hayfield is so dry we were really afraid to mess with any fireworks this year. Nobody else in the neighborhood set off any that we know of.

We watched the fireworks on television, with the drums booming and the fifes (no, not Barney) trilling, our hearts expanded with pride and patriotism (not prejudice). And then we watched ECW wrestling (and everybody knows how patriotic that is)!

I wore red, white, and blue, Eddie had on blue, and we shared an awesome day. We were glad that the space shuttle launched on the 4th and only the mar of the N. Korean missle test firings dampened our spirits.

We picked peas and shelled them, we flew one of the RC airplanes and got eaten up by bugs (I hope not mosquitos)(I'm still itching). We played computer card games, watched "The Twilight Zone Marathon" and I read my book a little in between. I talked to Shannon by phone and everything seemed to be all right with her world, which made the day even better for me. I also talked to Eddie's brother, David, and we wished each other a "Happy 4th." I'm sure Jeannie, Chad and Brandon were having fun celebrating the day on the lake.

I meant to call my brothers to wish them a "Happy 4th," but I just didn't get around to picking up the phone and calling. As I get older, the days seem to go by faster, and I don't get to do all the things I think about doing. I remember Momma telling me those days would be coming. You know, I wonder if those last five months of Momma's life went slow or fast for her? After October, she pretty much stayed in the bed from Nov. through Dec. and most of Dec. she spent looking out the window at nothing it seemed, or at least nothing I could see. It seems every Holiday reminds me of Momma, oh heck, everyday and everything reminds me of my Momma. I hate it when I get melancholy. Oh, how I wish she were here.

But, I do hope everyone had a wonderful, safe, and Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Rachael's Baby Shower

Pretty Momma













Greeting her guests
















Opening Presents

Showing off the blanket that Jennifer made

Playing games





Guess the baby food, YUM!!!

Eddie and I, with our giant tomato plant

We have several tomato plants, but this one by far is the tallest. It is over 7 feet high and has approximately 20 tomatos in various stages of ripening.

The okra, butter beans, snap beans, squash, bell peppers, and peas are all doing good considering we are in a "moderate" drought. Eddie has been watering the plants, but if the drought continues, we may be put under a "no watering" order. Eddie will be upset if that happens. He has put in a lot of work in the garden and would hate to lose it.

Here is a picture of the necklace, bracelet, and earrings I made!

A friend of mine from work bought the set. I didn't like measuring the rope necklace and tying knots into it and then putting the jump rings in the knots. That was a little tedious, but the finished product looks great, I think.

I am getting more adventurous in the types of jewelry I attempt to make. It think it is a good hobby.

Until next time...

I took the time...

I took the time first thing this morning to post a blogette. I have big plans for today. I bought some great beads yesterday and a great new craft book and I am itching to get in there and see what I can create. I also (seriously) want to do a couple of scrap pages.

Everything is fine here in LA (Lower Alabama). My little chick-a-dee is off on a mini-trip to Atlanta this weekend and she checked in with me last night, so everything is good.

We have been trying to catch up with Eddie's daughter who just bought and moved into her new house and I just now remembered she is supposed to be on vacation sometime right about now. So maybe that is why we can't catch her on her cell.

Eddie's outside already this morning cleaning up limbs and trash in the yard, working on the siding for the gazebo, just mainly keeping himself busy. He is definitely not an idle person.

I cooked Eddie "French Toast," this morning with some bacon, (well La-Di-Da, it's just plain old eggbread to me). He likes his with honey. Shannon likes hers with powdered sugar and Karo Light. I like mine plain with just salt and peppah.

Tomorrow, Monday, June 5, is the anniversary of when my parents got married. They eloped to Rising Fawn, Georgia and were married by a justice-of-the-peace. Buddy and Anita would have been married 57 years. They are both deceased, I miss them a lot.

I did say this was gonna be a short post didn't I? LOL

Well I will say farewell for now and I will see ya again when I get the whimsy to write...

Quiet and Restful Sunday

It is Sunday, May 28th, the day before Memorial Day. I am sitting here at the computer creating this blog and realized how quiet and peaceful it is. The television is off because earlier I had been reading. Eddie is in the back room covering one of his airplanes.

The temperatures are a little high for this time of the year and so we are not outside watching the hummingbirds, purple martins, and butterflies like we would normally be doing on a Sunday afternoon in May, but we are both content doing some of the indoor hobbies we enjoy.

We watched the Food Network and came up with a menu for tonight's dinner from some of Paula Deen's recipes. Eddie told me he fancied some chicken fried steak with biscuits and milk gravy. So I told him I would fix that for him tonight. We will have some home grown snap beans or collards and some green onions to go with it. I may have to make some peach cobbler for dessert and sweet tea to wash it all down.
Tomorrow, since it is Memorial Day we probably will BBQ some pork chops and have potato salad and baked beans.

I wish we could go fishing tomorrow, but Eddie said that the fish would not be biting, so we will hang around the house and find something to do. Our catawba tree has a hatch of catawba worms and Eddie said if the rain crows don't get them all when they are bigger we will take some and go fishing then.

The hay in the hayfield is growing even though we have not had very much rain, so it is likely that sometime in June, Bobby Brightwell will come and cut and bale the hay. He likes to get three or four cuttings a year. Eddie has asked him to come and bushhog around the place in payment for his use of our land.

The old house/shack behind the shop needs to be torn or burnt down. I would like to get the fire department out to do a practice burn and have it taken down. It is an eyesore to me. If we don't go down to the big house and start repairing some things in it, it will be just like the old shack in no time. We just don't have the money to repair it.

The gardens are doing pretty good, but our tomato plants are not (seems like they have some kind of blight). Eddie has planted peas, okra, squash, butter beans, snap beans and bell pepper. He noticed a small bell pepper on one of the plants this morning and the squash are blooming. We have some tomatoes on the plants but the plants themselves do not look good.

I guess I will go for now, I have to go get ready to prepare our country
home-cooked meal for the evening.

I wish everybody the very best holiday.

Sarah's Birthday Party

We all had a great time at Sarah's pool party on Saturday afternoon. I think the kids were worn out after their all day non-stop birthday marathon. Zoie's birthday party in the morning and Sarah's birthday in the afternoon (3:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.) From the photos I think you can tell we had a lot of people attend at the pool and clubhouse in Don and Brenda's subdivision. Sarah had family and friends who wished her a very happy birthday.

Zoie's 1st Birthday

Jessica and David held Zoie's 1st Birthday Party at Palisades Park in Oneonta, AL. It was a great shady little park with a covered pavillion. The party was from 10:00a.m. to 12:00 noon. Zoie got gobs and gobs of presents and she was so cute trying to eat her little butterfly cake. She had a lot of people come for her birthday.