I Love Being Here

By that declaration, I mean my station in life.  I am the 'regular stopping place' for my family members to fill their hearts or unload their baggage.  It is quiet an alarming thing to realize you are the fulcrum in other peoples' lives especially children. Today I realized not only am I a grand mother but, have settled into the role my own grandmother had in my life -- balance, security, and open arms.

Each day I am the one responsible for setting the tone of our family.  I really don't think I could have done this in my twenties. I was just too self-centered to give to my full attention to rearing an emotionally secure child or being a part of a successful marriage.

There is nothing better in life than to have a home life (station) that completely meets my once wandering soul's drive for adventure.  

On a separate note: this morning we had a visitor.  Do ya'll love finding critters at your homesteads?  I know Saenz and Zephyr are nature lovers; I hope they continue far into the future to love the natural world. 

 This little garter snake is simply gorged on a mouse.  Zephyr found it behind one of our gardens in our inner yard.  I could have actually reached out and picked it up.  But, since its belly was full; we left it alone.

Have a glorious week in your slices of heaven!

Welcome to Hoe Hen Inn: Sarah, Tex & Mex

Meet Sarah and Mex. 

Tex is on the left. 

 Tex is heavier than Roux by a pound or so.

At six weeks they are already bigger than our little diva Roux.

Grand daughter Sarah has joined our little homeschool; she is 8 and will be doing Sonlight curriculum with us.  Here she is with Zephyr on the back porch with puppies Tex and Mex.  The pups are Blue Tick Coon Hound and Labrador mix so, I am guessing they will weigh between 40 and 50 lbs when grown. 

Today I will be finding out if my bp meds are working.  Let me tell you, each time the doc changes or ups the dosage; I have to get used to it.  The first couple of days and I feel wiped out.  Plus I will be finding out if I need surgery on my knee.  Yep, I fell back in November; it has given me trouble since.  Fingers and Feathers crossed will ya.........?

So what will ya'll be doing for Easter?

Have Ya'll Noticed Spring Has Shown Up Early?

      Back in early Feb, we noticed our mesquite trees already budding along with some other of our fruit trees that made it through last year's drought.  I find it worrying how the seasons seem to be all messed up with climate change.  My heart goes out to all those who were harmed by such early tornados and then snow right after.  This leaves me wondering if this summer the United States will be plagued with hurricanes.  La Nina has been doing some really crazy things with our weather pattern.

What do ya'll think?

      I want to thank those of you who have inquired as to why my posts have been greatly reduced.  Seems, I have been in a bi-polar funk after my knee injury back in November.  I did not go see a doctor simply because after 20 years of being poked and prodded by doctors who were adept at treating symptoms.  I just did not want to waste my time listening to lectures or theories. I was just happy to be alive and able to stay with my boys. 

     Two weeks ago, I had to go to the emergency room because I was having muscle spasms so hard; I could not move or turn my head. Let me tell you, when spasms hurt worse than contractions, you have issues.  There the doctors found my blood pressure (BP) to be far too high at 240/120.  Even though I was in pain after a shot and flexeril, there was little reduction in my resting BP.  Basically, I could have 'stroked' out at any time.  The kind doctors there gave me meds, told me to rest, and make an appointment with my regular; which I did.

     This week's visit with Dr. Beasely was wonderful.  She actually listened to my concerns and complaints; asked tons of questions.  She told me I had a middle ear infection plus my BP was still too high at 180/110. The next thing she did was doubled my dose of BP meds, ordered a ten day dose of azithromycin, and put me a Symbyax which is a med for bi-polar disorder.  Let me tell you; this med has made a HUGE difference in my ability to function as a human being.  Just after four days on medications I am back to zooming around taking care of my menfolk and not over or under sleeping.

     This leaves me to wonder about all the other 'care-givers' out in the world.  How often do we put others first so much in our lives; we in effect forget to nuture ourselves? Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen.  Heart diease is the number one killer of people in the US.  Ya'll get your cholesterol and bp checked.  High blood pressure is a silent killer and gives little to no warning. 

For you homeschooling parents,

     Have you tried Reading Eggs grades K-3 or ages 4 through 7?  It has been such a sucess, the company is going to expand to other grade/age levels with ABC Reading Express. Also the site allows a trial offer of two weeks to try it free with no use of a credit card. Zephyr adores the online reading program.  He doesn't even realise he is working.  Homeschoolbuyerscoop is having a 25% off special for an annual subscription.  I will be writing more later about our choices this year in curriculum.

     So now,  will leave ya'll with a picture of Roux, going on 4 months at a hefty 5.8 lbs.  She is such a funny puppy, follows me everywhere, chases her own tail, loves to chew dirty socks (dog chewing gum?), and still falls asleep in the strangest of places.  As you can see, she is sleeping on my crossed legs, head down and body up. 

Take Care,
Mal

4.3 LBS of Energy, February Update

Here is Sid talking to Roux.   She just loved to comb his chin hair every chance she could.  This month, Sid and Junior came down to spend Saenz's 14th birthday with us.  Both boys live in San Antonio and are financially struggling since neither have a job due to lay offs.   This economy is just not kind to 'blue collar' workers. 

Hubby was given a clean bill of health after a few tests.  Saenz, Zephyr, and I stayed outside in the parking lot when dad had to show up at 6:30 in the morning.  We had quiet the drive and could not believe how much traffic there is on the country roads now that the oil industry is DRILLING like crazy in South Texas.

We took the boys to lunch at Shorty's in Beeville after  their doctor's appointment.  Zephyr was impressed with all the animal displays there but, not so much with the quality of the food.  I have to say, I was disappointed as well and we are marking this one off our 'frequent list.'

Little Roux is growing up. This month, I tried giving her a bath in Dawn dishsoap to get rid of her fleas. Not only did it not work well but, she still smelled like a wet dog.

So I tried Listerine, and WAAAAA LAAAA! Success, those fleas just died on her pelt and then I washed her with Dawn --- no wet dawg smell.  No chemicals sprays or gels because she is just so tiny. We keep her indoors with us and until she reaches 6 lbs; I will not be allowing her around other dogs or to wander about in the yard alone. 

We put Banjo's old jacket on Roux to take a special picture for our friend Jennifer.  This week Jennifer had to put down her 15 year old Nimbi.  Nimbi was such a wonderful friend and diva that we are honoring her by dressing up.  May you find joy over the rainbow bridge Ms. Nimbi.  I am sure your sister Minki and humans Walt and Jennifer meet you there some day.

R.I.P.  Nimbi

I Never Realized Just How Much

I would hurt.  Last year when Banjo was killed right in front of me; I was ached all the way down the core of my being.  He was basically my baby.  I had a premonition about going outside with him and just felt something awful was going to happen no amount of tears, screams, or calling him to me stopped the event.  It took me three days after he was killed to get any sleep, a full month to stop expecting him at the door but, I still look for him as soon as I step on the back porch.  I loved him as much as I miss Toad (a stray I raised from bottle while stationed in Greece).  Some pets just have a way of working their magic on your heart.

This morning our son called to tell us of a possible puppy in need of a home.  Of course, I jumped at the chance because I am ready to love another pet again.  I am chalking that need up to Banjo because, he brought much joy in our lives.  So say a little prayer that our family will soon be blessed with a fur baby.

She is six weeks old and very adorable.  We here are all crossing fingers and feathers in anticipation of this lovely little creature's arrival. 

Thanks Sid & Patricia, she will be well loved.

R.I.P. Little Banjo

Our hearts are filled with such sorrow. 

 Good-bye little buddy, we loved you so much.

May you find chickens to chase over the rainbow bridge.

And we find you there waiting for us.

Playing Chicken....No I Don't Mean The Useful Kind

I am personally sick of our elected leaders playing chicken.  I wrote the following and put it into draft around 2 months ago:

"Balance our national budget?  Seems like our Legislative and Executive Branch are just postering over who's ideals will get met in order, to raise the debt ceiling.

 I am wondering what would the everyday American would do?

 Mind you 'certain' promises have been made like  Social Security, Medicare, Medi-aid, Military Retirements, Veterans Affairs and a plethora of other programs so, those will have to be dealt with first. Mind you working class Americans have paid into social security for decades only to be threatened with it becoming unfunded. Social Security funds has been used for other programs by Presidents nearly since inception for programs like war or military interventions etc.  


I am more than willing to give more for our health insurance and forego Cost Of Living Allowances (COLA) for my monthly retirement checks because we need to raise monies to refill our national coffers.   However, our play-acting legislators will keep our mothers and fathers from possibly getting paid their 'fixed income retirement'  by not taking care of business.  Since, the House seen a gain tilted to the Republican side; the American budget has been in peril because not one budget has been passed on time. 


Think about that; what would happen to your household if you chose to ignore meeting your financial obligations for over 2 years?


What the common American may not be aware of;


If America defaults this could set the scene for the world not using the DOLLAR as the world currency.  Does that cause anyone passing here concern?  It should because once a new World Currency replaces the US dollar; America will find many things will raise in cost like: fuel, food, electricity, interest rate increases and so on.  For example: have you ever wondered why the cost of a barrel oil is reported in dollars? Because all countries but, the United States have to first convert their currency into dollars before purchasing oil for themselves. 


However, if our government cancels or defaults this will effect nearly all aspects of the US marketplace because the US dollar will lose even more of it's value. 


What stokes my internal fires is knowing all this posturing is for naught; meaning the debt ceiling will have to be raised.  As it stands, China owns approximately 10% of our national debt.  Can you imagine what would happen if we do not repay what we owe?  Like Greece, will we have to lease out our national treasures or simply list them on eBay?


Since, Mr. Obama has taken office the debt has risen from 10.6 to 14.5 trillion dollars; I firmly believe this has not all be due to enacting the Healthcare but, finally proper accounting for wars on three fronts are being actually accounted for in the public arena.  That should not surprise anyone because we as a country are embedded either on actual foreign soil or using technology to 'attack' other nations under guise of protecting us from terrorism -- think drone attacks here. 


What chaps my hide is; America used to be the most stable economy in the world.  We were the free-thinkers, innovators, scholars, and favored the pursuit of life, liberty, and freedom.  Now, sadly I am believing we are becoming sheeple too busy with our heads down to not hold some fire to the azzez of those we appointed to lead.  Your thoughts????, (written May 12th saved into drafts.)

-------------------------
All I know is; if I had not have completed my duty.  I could have been brought up on charges of dereliction, been demoted, charged a fine, separated and/or sent to military jail.  Where is the justice for the American Public?

Update on family issues:

Hubby has been home since Tuesday with pnuemonia -- I hate it when my menfolk are ill.  I need to have corrective surgery on my lasik'ed eyes since, I can not see properly for typing, blogging, teaching, and just plain reading has been a chore.  I personally called for a break in our school days so; I would not have to do much reading.  Just don't tell my boys they think they are on summer vacation.

Banjo went back to the vet and will have to keep his stitches, drains, and cone of shame for another week.  Poor little guy; just don't feel sorry for him.  He spends his days with me and has taken up the habit of trying even to go to the restroom with me.  I am so not liking that neediness at all.

 Here he is with Saenz trying out some ear phones.  Banjo likes Nickelback.

 What a cutie even with the 'cone of shame', eh?

For the love of my sanity please send some rain.

PS: Forgive any typos, or grammactical errors. Hee Hee!

On The Mend, So Many Blessings

Friday, Vet Jerica called to tell us we could pick up Banjo.  He is on the mend but, very sore.  Here he is looking at me just begging a bit to be picked up and babied.  Of course, I have no problem with his request. 

 You can see the puncture wounds/bit marks on his back and shoulder where the Rott snapped on to him.  Sixty stitches, 4 drain tubes, lots of bruising, 5 types of medication -- he has been my shadow since he got home.

Banjo spent two days riding the couch learning how to be a recuperating couch potato. Both boys and I swear he was watching the Nat Geo programming on 'Deadliest Predators;' probably wondering if he would see the female rott that took offense to his presence.  Banjo has slept next to me since his return from the vet pushing right up next to me for security.  I just feel so bad for the little guy.  He is such a wonderful member of our family; we would be lost without him.  By Sunday, he was starting to play with Saenz and Zephyr a bit following them around and slapping at him with his front paws.  

This morning before it got too hot; Banjo and I sat outside in the shade.  He so wanted to go with me to let out the chickens and feed the goats but, I left him in the yard.  I just can not take the chance of one of them pecking his back wounds.  What I find amazing is; he still loves the feel of the morning sun on his face and just sat on a knoll in our yard sun-bathing.  He hold no grudges and is still just a loving baby. 

Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday he can get those drains removed.  I can tell you one thing; Banjo hates the smell and taste of those 'nasty' antiboditics given to him.  LOL It is a struggle for me to get him to take his meds just like our boys.

School is out for us until he mends.

Thanks for all your well wishes and kind comments.

Will keep ya'll posted on his progress..........

Off to ride the couch with Banjo!