American Idol Family Reviews!

TOP FIVE!!! "Will anyone lose their cool tonight?" Ryan asks. As if! OH!!! Tonight each one will sing two songs! Fun!

Grammy winning artist, Neil Diamond, huh? I guess I know quite a few of his songs, but didn't exactly own any of his 8-tracks. He has a really deep, growly talking voice, doesn't he?


Jason "Forever in Blue Jeans" - As long as I can have you here with me, I'd much rather be forever in blue jeans baby. Ok. That's my theme song. heehee. Rayray and Doodle thought it was pretty cool. My Hero thinks his voice sounds really good tonight. It sounded JasonCastroish. That's a new term, you know. JasonCastroish is a new music style that's similar to JackJohnsonish.

David C "I'm Alive" I liked the lyrics to that song a lot! I thought he did a great job...so glad to see him with the guitar again. My hero said he sounded very professional tonight.

Brooke "I Am A Believer" What? I didn't remember that he did that song!!! I love that fun song! The low notes are a little low for her...but ain't she cute??? Even Doodlebug knows this song. She looks like she's having fun up there. The end was much better than the beginning.

David A "Sweet Caroline" Looks at all the little Caroline-wannabe's stretching, reaching for little David. Made him crack a little on one note...distracting, that mash pot, mush pit or whatever it is. We all collectively thought he did really good and all collectively are sick and tired of mush pot hand waving.

Syesha "Hello Again" STOP THE HAND WAVING!!! Where's that weed eater? Syesha looks absolutely stunning tonight. No shoes again. That must be her thang. Beautiful. We thought she sounded really pretty.

Oh. My. Word. We had to rewind the DVR bc of the TKD boys returning home. So, I get this random IM from Tutu saying, "Paula is on drugs." And I died laughing....not at Paula but bc Tutu makes me laugh like that. We FINALLY got to exactly why My Sweet Tutu said this. OH. My. Word. What was Paula thinking??? I think she was really just confused and rushed. Did you notice how gracious Simon and Randy were to her...gently covering for her??? Have mercy.

Jason "September Morn" I don't think you heard me on that hand waving thing. STOP IT. He did ok...didn't blow me away on either performance, really. Sweet, but a little boring. Hero thinks he wants out. If that's true, he might get his wish this week.

David C "All I Need Is You" "Now You're Cookin," the sign said. We think he's just fantastic. And not the least bit creepy, KATE!

Brooke - "I Am, I Said" That blue shirt looks so pretty with her blue eyes. The Hero said,"She's singing her way in. Jason's in trouble. That was the bomb to me. Best performance of the night to me...don't know why I liked it so much...but it was great." (Wow, he was quite wordy, huh?) Brooke, I'd love to go sing karaoke with you!!

David A - "America" What's up with his prisoner shirt? We all thought he did great. Paula called him a savant. Simon said he ticked the boxes. They confuse me sometimes.

Syesha "Thank the Lord for the Nighttime" She has been awesome to me the last two weeks. My Hero says she needs to go through tonight. Doodle loves her dress. We all disagree with Simon's comments to her tonight and didn't even understand Paula's.

Bottom line is that we think Jason is in trouble. Check BooMama's blog for more great Armchair Idol Reviews!!!

Now, I have to rewind it to the Meatloaf Singing in the Garage with his Family commercial for Appledoodle. She loves it! We do, too...since her daddy works for that company.



Blessings..............

To Kill A Mockingbird

This past weekend, we travelled to Monroeville, Alabama, home of Harper Lee who wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird." Each spring, locals put on a two-act production of the book. Some of our dearest friends live in Monroeville, and this year, their oldest son played DILL!!! (See Rayray and Dill to the left.)

I read the entire book aloud to Rayray, furiously I tell you. I MEANT we were going to finish it before the trip! I haven't read it since high school and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Scout, Jem, Dill, Miss Maudie and Boo.

The play was in two acts. One was outdoors, a neighborhood/street scene. The second half of the play was inside the historic courtroom. The Mockingbirds did an excellent job, especially Dill, but we ARE partial.

If you're a Mockingbird fan, a trip to Monroeville would make a great weekend getaway. There's plenty to do, in addition to the play. (Click here for more info.)

We had a wonderful time with our friends this weekend. Besides seeing the play, the dads and older kids went geocaching, rode all sorts of motorized and non motorized recreational vehicles, and the little girls spread butt cream all over themselves and their bathing suits bc they were pretending to go swimming. WAIT!!! That was NOT a good thing. Nope, it was positively naughty. Esp the 2nd time they did it. Little girls!! Heehee.

Bite Back Campaign

What is Bite Back, you ask? It's a Compassion International campaign to raise money for mosquito nets to prevent Malaria. Please consider donating. Here's a quote from BooMama's blog (because she has been there and knows what she's talking about more than me.)

"This Friday, April 25, is World Malaria Day. And through the Bite Back campaign, people can give a one-time donation of $10 and provide a mosquito net for a child - or a family, if they’re all sleeping in the same place - who otherwise would have no protection from this completely preventable disease. That $10 will also provide education and treatment for people who are already sick with malaria."

Check out BooMama's blog by clicking on the Bite Back banner or the link above for info on how to donate.

Thanks...

American Idol - Our Family's Review

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Broadway songs, AI top six and the orchestra on the stage! Fun night!! Here we go!!!!

1. Syesha - "One Rock n Roll Too Many"

I thought she was absolutely wonderful!!!! She needs to be on Broadway, absolutely. Brought the house down. My girls loved it. And her hair is very pretty tonight.

And our guest commentator Britha said, via email, "She's beautiful! That dress is hot! I think this style of music is perfect for her. I loved it!'

2. Jason " Memory"

NO!!! Not hand waving in the mosh pit! Spare us, please!

I thought he sounded very sweet. I didn't lovelovelove it. But, I really like HIM. He makes me smile. "I didn't know a cat was singing it..." Rayray didn't think it was one of his strongest performances.

Britha's comments, "This is my favorite broadway song. I love Jason's voice. Hummm..I think I like it. It was good. Not my favorite Jason song, but still good. I would love to hear Syesha belt this one out. "

Brooke "You Must Love Me"

OH NO!!! She had to start over! Come on BROOKE!!!! We believe in you!! I personally think the waving people messed her up. STOP THE WAVING!!

She looks gorgeous tonight. I thought she did a fair job, all things considered. The Daddy, who has arrived from taekwandodo, thought she did really good albeit shaky. Rayray thought it was pretty good. We are all kind of thinking that perhaps Brooke looks a bit tired of the whole thing and might be just ready to go home to her sweet little dh. What do you think about that?

Britha's valuable commentary,"She looks beautiful. She is singing with so much emotion. I hate that she messed up. I think she did very well considering the bad start. I hate it for her. I still love her. "

David Archuletta "Think of Me"

So, Rayray thinks the whole little-girls-hugging-on-David thing was weird. I thought it was a bit contrived, myself. We all thought he did a wonderful job on the song and his very wide open eyes were beautiful. Daddy thinks he is the one to beat.

Britha, what say you? "I think he was amazing. Everything he sings is great. I would about put my vote on him winning the whole thing. "

Carlie "Jesus Christ Superstar"

Old Irish eyes are smilin? Her dh actually showed slightly happy, pleasant emotion!!!! What a big voice and a great job. And I loved the dancing orchestra director. (Why have I forgotten his name?) Rayray thought it was one of her strongest performances. Doodle loved her dress and "skins" (which is what Doodle calls tights.)

Britha: "She can definitely sing. She has a huge voice. It was good. She was fun to watch. I like her a lot. "

David Cook "Music of the Night"

Staring longlingly at the camera. I love this song. That's one long hanky hanging out his back pocket tonight. What IS that?

That last note!! STANK!!! Best tonight, in my opinion. Best tonight. The dh and the Ray of Sunshine loved it.

Miss Britha: "This is weird for me. So different from what he normally does. But.....I'm loving it. This is a different side of David Cook and I like it. This is my favorite performance of the night. "

Bottom line: David Cook was mine and Britha's faves of the night and we think Brooke and Jason will be in the bottom 2.

(Who is this Britha woman, anyway? Of course, that's only her nickname. There's a story behind that, I assure you. She's one of my dearest friends and one of the most courageous women I know. She has a story to tell and a calling by God to encourage other women with her story of God's unfailing, delivering, redemptive, love in her life. Come meet her here.)

Her Secret Princess Agent Belt

Exactly what does every Princess need in her Secret Princess Agent Belt:

One shiny pink stretchy belt with heart buckle

One pink beaded lipstick holder with Care Bear Green Apple lip balm

One set of keys with Princesss-created beaded key chain

One pink princess cell phone

One pressed powder compact

One wallet crammed with:

One Barbie credit card

Two dollar bills

One princess mirror and

One princess lip gloss ring

Add all that with the favorite outfit

which includes the "chicken skirt,"

a necklace from her own Princess-created line,

and her own hair design,

and we've got ourselves

Secret Princess Agent Girl!

(who can pour her own milk

peel her own tangerines,

and put on her own bandaids, too

thankyouverymuch.)

Blessed!

Rayray went with her Mema to the Retirement Home today to help with the circle meeting Mema leads. Rayray was the musical entertainment, playing her violin for 15 sweet little old ladies. Once she returned home, she related the following.


"Mama, I made up my mind before I started playing to make every second that I was playing count. And I prayed and asked God to help me be a blessing to the ladies. And you know what happened, Mama????? I was the one that was blessed! Isn't that so cool?"

Yes, Rayray, that is "so cool." And I think you're pretty cool, too.

She's written two pretty incredible songs this week...accompanying herself with the guitar that she's basically teaching herself, with JellyBean's guidance. Above is a pic of her singing her Sisters song for me on our porch.

Yep, she's a pretty cool chick.

Homeschool Snapshot

Taken this morning, this is how our typical homeschool days look.

On warm days, we migrate to the back porch and learn there.

We're headed now to the den to get comfy while we read.

Butter...He Makes My Heart Melt

A new family moved in next door last fall with twin 7 yr olds. It's the first time our littles have had neighbor children to play with and play, they have. The other day, The Butter (our 8yods) showed me a little trinket that little neighbor boy "J" gave him.....a pocketknife (!). Besides the fact that it's a dangerous, sharp object that could potentially cause harm to said Butter or his sisters and knowing that blood makes this Mama queasy, I also knew that this particular shiny pocketknife was a souvenir from their recent trip to Stone Mountain Park and was special. So, I instructed The Butter to give the weapon back to J the next time they played. WELLLLL, shiny Stone Mountain pocketknife got lost somewhere around the climbing tree before it returned to its rightful owner. The Butter was particularly distressed about the lost item and I finally found out why. Apparently J borrowed (stole?) this pocketknife from his sister Z WITHOUT her permission or knowledge. And he gave it to Butter. And Butter lost it. Under the climbing tree. We can't find it. Little Z is infuriated bc Little J gave away HER souvenir from Stone Mountain State Park.

After school today, I told Butter to run on outside and play...it's gorgeous out. Instead, I saw him sheepishly eyeballing his little sisters jewelry bead kit. HUH? After my quizzical, questioning, "have you lost your ever-lovin mind" look, he finally spit it out. He said he wanted to make Z a pretty necklace because he felt so bad about losing her souvenir!!!! I just melted. How darlin' is that? How sweet? This child's heart is so beautiful to this Mama. Of course, I started to tell him to run on out and play...that he didn't know it was Z's souvenir...that it wasn't really his fault that this all happened...that their mom said not to worry about it. BUT, I didn't. I know this was the Holy Spirit speaking to his heart and I want to do all I can to help him recognize Father, listen, and say YES!

I helped him make the necklace bc, poor thing, he's not exactly practiced in the art of little girl jewelry making.

American Idol - Our Family's Review

Let me begin by saying how disappointed we all were that Michael Johns was voted off last week. But you know, maybe The Dad was right...Back when this season began, he said that Michael Johns was too good for AI...that he needed to bypass AI, go straight to a recording contract. So, maybe being voted off was for the best for our Michael Johns. I'm sure we've not heard the last of him.

"Down to 7, up to you," Ryan announces. Listen at the girls scream for our little Ryan. They prob read the news report that he made $10 million last year alone.

The girls all have on lovely dresses tonight.....perhaps in honor of the phenomenal Mariah Carey!!!! Everyone's doing Maria songs tonight. This should be interesting...We don't know many Mariah songs. So...we'll see.

David A. - I think it was absolutely beautiful and heartfelt. Rayray thought he did a great job and little Doodle says, "I like his shirt and I really did like his song." The Daddy really liked it.

Off topic comment: Loved the background singers up front with David. They are so awesome. And Idol, please hear us all say that the waving from the mush pot is DISTRACTING! Can't you make 'em stop!?

Carlie - What a beautiful blue dress, Carlie!! Rayray thought it was really good/awesome. Doodle really likes her dress. For me? I'm sorry. I just wasn't convinced. Low notes were rough. I felt like she was holding something back. Can she sing? Oh yes!

Syesha - I thought she did a beautiful job tonight. Beautiful. She was Rayray's favorite of the night so far...thought it was awesome. Doodle did ballet during the song and The Daddy wasn't blown away.

Brooke - Brooke, you are awesome!! Playing the piano along with the awesome vocals...just great. Did anyone else notice her start trembling all over towards the end? Aww...bless her heart. She's my fave. Daddy said he thinks her voice is plenty strong enough to sing that song, she just got nervous. Why couldn't they give Brooke "leave" to go to her sister's wedding, for Pete's sake???

Off Topic - I don't like people smacking their M&M ice cream in my ear, esp during my show.

Kristy Lee - She certainly looks beautiful and ladylike tonight. Rayray and the Daddy-0 thinks it's her best performance thus far. Daddy thinks she's pulling rabbits out of her hat. I guess he means that she should persue a career as a magician?

David C - SWEEEET!!! I loved it! Did you see David's brother behind Paula? The one with cancer? Jesus, please touch him. Awww! I think David's crying bc his brother is there. Now we're all crying with David. Tears are falling during the family review. Tissue please. It's moments like these that remind us all that these are real people with real lives, real families, real struggles, real dreams and hopes.

Dredlock Jason - Wonderful! He kept to his style and I personally enjoy the island breeze type sound. Reminds me of my Girlsgetaway cruise....The Dad really likes Jason but thought it was just ok tonight.

Bottom Three: Karlie, Kristy Lee, Sayesha

Favorites tonight? We're a house divided, folks.

Now, please excuse us. We have a living room performance to attend. Our 12yodd wrote a beautiful song today and is gifting us with her song on the guitar. Pass me those Kleenex, again, please.

Precious Gemstones in Our Lives

The girls with Miss Ruby

I'd like to introduce you to a priceless gem in our family's life....Miss Ruby. Isn't she beautiful?Miss Ruby is 102 years old, although at times, she declares herself to be 300 years old. Miss Ruby has outlived her 15 siblings, her husband and her only child. My Love met Miss Ruby two years ago and she's been a blessing to our lives ever since. Miss Ruby's body is weakening and sometimes she is very confused. Yet, she still manages to live alone.

Last night, the girls and I dashed to Miss Ruby's home to turn her heat on. What should have been a 2 minute trip, quickly turned into a 30 minute visit. But that was perfectly ok. Sweet Miss Ruby never ceases to touch my heart in the deepest of places. She loves Jesus and speaks of His goodness to her throughout her life. She also loves to tell of her encounter with an angel. Last night, she told me that she knows I'm busy with the children, but to never forget that my life is in His hands and He will never leave my side. Just what I needed to hear.Priceless gem.

We have many such precious gemstones to thank Father for in our lives. I am grateful this day for our Miss Ruby and for the tender heart of my dh and children in their love and care for her.

The Kitty Culprit

On Valentine's Day,

My One True Love walked in with a gorgeous plant for moi

with beautiful pink blossoms covering it.

It's a running joke that I don't exactly have a green thumb,

although my Farmer-Gardener Daddy has the ability to

effortlessly grow anything anywhere.

I quite obviously did not inherit this trait.

So, my beloved was mighty brave to bring me another houseplant to kill.

But it looked hearty enough to survive even me.

I put it on the porch in the direct sunlight as suggested

and kept it watered.

Imagine my dismay to see the beautiful flower

beginning to look quite scraggly,

in spite of my TLC!

I just passed it off as clearly my lack of horticulture expertise.

UNTIL I HAPPENED UPON THIS:

THEY DID IT AGAIN, with JESUS!

The kids on Idol sang Shout to the Lord again tonight...this time FULLY ARTICULATING THE NAME OF JESUS. It was just beautiful. I don't know what on earth to think.

NOW, for all of you ipod people, run your little fingers over to itunes immediately and download the Shout to the Lord from Idol Gives Back single for .99. You won't regret it.

Orphanage Rice Shortage

If you watched Idol Gives Back last night, your heart was broken by the orphans in Africa. My heart was particularly broken over the four orphaned brothers who lost all relatives to AIDS and Annie Lennox's visit with them. I kept saying," I'll take them. I'll take them all." HUH? Where on earth did that come from? We don't have space in this house to adopt a child, we don't have finances for more...BUT. If this is what Father wants, He'll do it. Of course, He needs to first and foremost make an announcement to my precious FeO who thinks I'm off my rocker. So, a little handwriting on the wall would be good, Lord.

Lysa Terkeurst blogged here today on a huge shortage of rice at the orphanage where her two boys came from. Rice is all they eat. With no rice, they just heat up water and drink it. That's it. If you can help, please let her know.

P. S. Were you as slack-jawed and shocked as we were that the contestants closed Idol Gives Back with the worship song SHOUT TO THE LORD? We were floored, even though they edited out Jesus' name and even though Ben Still had to go and ruin it just after their amazing performance.

American Idol Family Reviews!

Final 8!! Our theme tonight is "Inspirational Songs." We again welcome JellyBean to our family review panel.

Paula. That dress...um...a bit snuggish?


Michael Johns - Dream On by Aerosmith

Daddy- It's hard for me to listen to anybody else sing it.
JellyBean- But he did good!
Me - He has a necktie tied in a double knot around his neck. (Hey, Sinbad!) I actually thought he sounded spot on.
Rayray - What was up with those really high notes? (She has obviously never heard this song before in her 12yo life.)

Sayesha - I Believe by Fantasia

We all agree that she did awesome. Jelly Bean thinks Randy is trying to change his image and be the bad guy. She's Rayray's fave tonight and my 2nd fave of the night.



Jason Castro - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Jelly Bean - He did PHENOMENAL! He's my favorite!
Daddy - I loved it! He has become my favorite as of tonight. I know what kind of album he'll put out...hippie music. (HUH? heehee)
Rayray and Apple Doodle like him a "whole bunch."
I personally think he's precious and we are building a collection of his itunes songs already! I love that arrangement of the song....I had the Hawaiian dude's version at one time. I can't remember his name...what was his name?

He's our fave of the night. Hands down.

We are SO glad they aren't doing that wave thing in the mush pot or whatever it's called!

Kristy Lee - Anyway by Martina McBride

Oh no. Ok. Off the cuff, I almost don't even want to listen. Martina is my favvvveeeeee. I heart Martina. We'd be best friends if she'd just come sit on my porch for a little visit. So, I am biased and just can't bring myself to compare.

Rayray didn't enjoy it because she was trying to imitate Martina and Martina has a much bigger voice than she does.

(I personally am wondering why Simon commented that she looked like a star tonight bc I think she's worn the same shirt two or three times. )

JellyBean thinks the judges take it easy on her because they know she's bad. "It's funny how they are relentless on the others but give her a break. "

Daddy thought it was her personal best performance, relatively speaking.

David Cook - Innocent by Our Lady Peace

Daddy and Jelly ain't liking the song tonight but like him. Jelly Bean wants that white jacket.
I didn't love the song either. I've never even heard of the band...But he's such a great guy. Still one of our top picks.

TAYLOR SWIFT!!! RAYRAY HEARTS YOU!!!

Karlie - Show Must Go On by Queen

I think her hair looks really pretty tonight. I didn't think she took Simon's fashion advice from last week. But oddly enough, he liked her fashion choice tonight. Hm.

So, she blamed Simon for her less than stellar performance on the last half of the song? Because she looked at him and he wasn't smiling? What was that! I don't know. I think she's got a truly great talent but I'm afraid her time is running out. I get the feeling she's grasping for straws.

David Archuletta - Angels

We all really liked it but don't exactly understand what this song is about. "I'm loving angels instead." I don't get it. I dreamed David and Rayray fell in love. Now, every time I see him, I feel even more awwwww-ish towards his little cute self. No, my dreams aren't analyze-able. Ever. Anyway, good job David.

Brooke White - You've Got a Friend by James Taylor

We are partial, yes, and thought she did great. Didn't blow us away tonight but still a fave. She looks beautiful in that dress, I might add. Please don't cry, Brooke. Bless her heart.


Our fave of the night was Jason. Going home? Kristy Lee or Karlie.

For more fun Idol reviews, see BooMama!

The Jupiter String Quartet Private Concert

Does a private concert of chamber music sound like royalty has arrived in south Georgia, or what?

Nah. It was just us and The Jupiter String Quartet. Because public schools are testing in the area, no one was able to take advantage of the student outreach in a nearby city today except us and one more homeschooling family. Our friends are president of the Concert Association and tip us off to the cool things coming to town....like this and the Russian Folk Singers and Dancers a few months back.

Nelson, Daniel, Meg and Liz make up the Jupiter String Quartet. They. Were. Phenomenal. We honestly felt like royalty bc the auditorium is old and beautiful...and they were performing just for a dozen of us. When they began their first piece, my eyes teared up from the sheer beauty of the music. Nelson and Meg play the violin, Liz the viola and Daniel the cello. Between each piece, they chatted with us about the composer and history of the piece. One in particular told a story of a battle during WWII in Russia. Another modern piece had them using unorthodox measures such as playing the violin with the wooden side of the bow or playing the untuned strings on the other side of the bridge. They were very friendly, approachable, and answered all of our questions. We got to ooh and aah over their instruments...some made in the 1700s. AND we got free comp tickets for the "real" concert tomorrow evening!

We certainly heard chamber music fit for a King's private concert parlor today. What a wonderfully unexpected treat! As she climbed into my lap, our 4 yr old Appledumplin whispered, "Mommy, this music is so beautiful, it makes me want to hug you."

(The pic above is of Jupiter's new cd available at Amazon and other fine places. Go buy it.)

A Sandwiched Day

To those of you anxiously awaiting my American Idol Reviews....I am sorry to let you down. I fell ill last night. Sudden onset of symptoms. I was doing good to actually watch the show....nevermind live-blogging. I did think most everyone did fantastic. The dh is buying at least two of the songs from last night on itunes. I do have a couple of random comments about last night's show, though. First, Kristy Lee never ever should have jabbed at Simon that way. It was awkward for me to watch and we were embarrassed for her. Secondly, how positively TACKY for Simon to call the fiddler behind Brooke "weird." I couldn't believe it. The instrumentalists...who are awesome....are NOT being judged. I thought it was rude and offensive of Simon.

That said, I must tell you that my April Fools Day was a sandwich. A peanut butter banana mayo sandwich...but with MOLDY bread. (That's my favorite sandwich minus moldy bread of course......but you may substitute your favorite sandwich innards for my pbbm.) Anyway, the morning was rough, right? We had the ant bite incident (below). Then, the Butter swallowed a foreign object. A heart shaped pink plastic foreign object with a metallic film on one side.... AFTER I told him to take it out of his mouth and gave him a brief lecture on how we only put food in our mouths and "you're 8, for pete's sake, not 2." Well, he obviously disobeyed and put it back in his mouth, went riding his bike, hit a bump and swallowed it. He flipped out and thought the worst. Ok. I admit. I left him to his freakoutedness and thoughts of the worst for about 10 minutes while I consulted with the dh and the dr. I knew he'd be fine....but he needed some time to really realize how not ok it was for him to ignore and disobey his mama. And how sometimes Mama does know what she's talking about. I won't tell you what I have to do for one week to make sure it exits his body. My cousin-in-law said I should make him do it. That's one piece of moldy bread in my sandwich day.

The peanutbutterbananamayonnaise part of my sandwich arrived for the afternoon. Tutu, her girls AND newborn preciousness arrived. Aunt Me sat on my porch for 4 hours straight and held the sweetest 5 week old boy ever borned. And chatted with Tutu, of course. The third part of our high school threesome popped by on her lunch break. But alas, little baby preciousness was sound asleep in his favorite aunt's arms...and Jolee couldn't hold him...and No, I was not being a baby hog. And yes, I did remind them that though they are 40, I still have a month go to.

And then there's the other rotten part of the sandwich. While I was cooking a gourmet dinner of spaghetti, I had a sudden onslaught of symptoms. The dreaded UTI. At 7:55, my precious dh was flying out the door to the pharmacy that closed at 8:00...while I was still on the phone with Mr. Wonderful Pharmacist who stayed a few minutes late, just for moi.

Quick shout out to Beachmama's drdh for thinking ahead and putting refills on my prescript. Good thinking!

Today, I'm better, but tired. Very very tired. But thoroughly enjoyed chatting on the porch with my cousin, his wife and their little boy this afternoon.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...cont'd

This morning, I heard the AppleDoodle squalling. I mean...Suh. Kuh. WALL, y'all!! It was her "something has scared me to death" kind of wail. She reached me before I could set down my coffee mug and get up from my comfy porch perch. Well, she had discovered a huge fire ant bite on the back of her leg. It is SO large it looks like the fire ant sat there awhile and enjoyed itself immensely. (For those of you who have never had the pleasure of angering a fire ant, a bite looks like a red bump with a white head on it. And it's called a fire ant bc the bites burn like FIRE.) She apparently attained the bite yesterday. She didn't complain of pain. And in my opinion, a bite that big would have HURT. In my motherly wisdom, I knew it wasn't pain making her scream bloody murder. Something about the bite had frightened her. When she finally calmed down, she confided in me.



"At first when I saw the bite, I thought it was a new nippum behind my knee." (Please do not make me tell you what she used her own made-up term nippum for.)



And I, being the consoling, nurturing mother that I am, had to bite the tar out of the inside of my cheeks to keep from shrieking in laughter.