Happy New Year!

Even though 2014 was not a good year for keeping up with my blogging I do want you to remember that your never far from my thoughts and prayers.

"Good resolutions are simply cheques that men draw on a bank where they have no account." --Oscar Wilde

That being said I am not making New Year Resolutions because I never can keep them,  If I were to make just one it would be that I start blogging again full time. I feel like my life is missing something and I have let myself be depressed. Honestly I believe that a lot of it is that I haven't been writing and visiting with all of you. When I do find the time for it I notice such an improvement of how I am feeling. So with all my heart I do want to be a part of this wonderful world of blogging again because you mean the world to me.

Thank you for all the joy you have brought into my life and for being my friend.

My prayers and wishes for you will never fall short because the love you have shown me over these past years are blessings I keep close to my heart every day.

May God pour out his love and blessings on you as you have shown to me. 

Let this New Year be the year where all your hopes and dreams come true. Where we live again in a Nation where we are all brothers and sisters no matter what the color of our skin. One Nation Under God. 

One thing I remember my grandmother always reminded me that when you start a new year you have a blank book before you. She would say so be sure and write a beautiful story for yourself.  Let's all do that this year.

Happy New Year!

Love to all,

Maggie

Older Woman Chic Magnet!

 

Hope you are warm and safe this evening. After a week of freezing temps we are in the sixties with rain today. Can't complain at all because I have been checking the news and most of you are already having snow flurries. Brrrr

 

Doing my best tonight to do a post on my brand new laptop. Yes I am excited I gave in to spending the money and bought me another laptop. It's not the one I wanted but more of what I thought I should spend and compatible for what I use a computer for.

 

Don't ask me why but I bought a touch screen and at this moment I am trying to type this post on a screen size of about 100 percent. I keep moving my fingers every which way to lower the size to normal but for reasons beyond my comprehension it seems to just get bigger the more I try.

 

So not sure what the final results of this post will look like. I feel so dumb when it comes to new tech toys. I am still learning the smart phone and have had it forever.

 

I did manage to download one of Christi's engagement pictures that her and Paul took a few weeks ago. Not sure if I shared with you that their wedding has been postponed until April of next year. The stress of trying to plan a wedding in a short amount of time and then finding that the expense was beyond our wildest imagination's made them change it from Oct to April. At first I was disappointed but did not take long for me to realize that was a wise decision.

 

Paul is everything that I have been praying for Christi so I feel so blessed that he came back into her life. They dated in high school and now twenty years later they will be married in a few months.

 

Since I am having so much trouble typing this post I will not keep you much longer. I mainly wanted to let you know I can post again. Well maybe!

 

I do want to share something really funny with you before I close. Every year we walk in Austin for Juvenile Diabetes on my Kaci's team. This year was a pretty day for the walk and after it was all over we are walking to our cars and these three teenage girls walk up to my ten year old grandson, Bailey, and ask him for his telephone number. I have to tell you the look on my Baileys face was priceless. I don't think I have ever seen him where he was speechless. After a few minutes he found his voice and admitted to the young ladies that he didn't own a phone. I think his response shocked them. They laughed and went on their way. 

 

The minute we all were inside the car Bailey kept beating himself up for his reply. He kept coming up with things that he thought he should of said besides I don't have a phone. Of course his sister Kaci and her friend were really coming up with some replies they thought he should of used.

 

Everyone is already laughing so hard in the car and then Bailey says to me, "Grandma Yellow Hair I guess I am just a Older Woman Chic Magnet." Let me tell you I lost it then. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes.

 

He said, "No grandma it is true! Let me tell you why. A month or so ago we were at the Blake Shelton concert and a older girl came over to where we were sitting and ask mom if she could dance with me."

 

 Andrea told her she would have to ask him. So she did and they went up near the stage and danced a two step. I was floored hearing this story because I didn't even realize my grandson could two step. hahahaha

 

Now a month later I am still laughing about this hilarious story. A Older Woman Chic Magnet!

 

Hopefully I can figure this computer out and enjoy being a blogger again.

 

Thanks for coming by and checking on me. In case I don't get back here before Thanksgiving I hope you enjoy the day very much and that you share it with friends and family.

 

Love to all

Maggie

 

  

 

 

 

 

Missing You!

Gosh I have missed all you! I don't really know where to start since it's been such a long dry run of not keeping up with my blog but mostly not being able to keep up with all of  you my dear sweet friends.

My main reason for not blogging is my faithful computer for almost six years is just too darn slow to do the least little thing on and to try and look up your sites or even leave a comment is now next to impossible.

This afternoon I decided to take a few hours off and visit my favorite library and confirm that it is my computer and not my internet service that is giving me fits. It only took a few minutes here at the library to confirm what I have known but wanted to deny for months. My computer needs to be buried in a deep hole on the North Forty!

Now I have to start the process of what to buy to replace it and when. I hate to spend the money but I do miss blogging and reading your wonderful post.

Another reason for my lack of blogging is the work out here on the North Forty has more than doubled in the past six months. It is a seven day a week job with not much time for anything else in my life.

My boss did take me to see another Loretta Lynn concert at her ranch in Hurricane Mills. TN,  this month. We did this trip about three years ago and to be able to see Loretta again and her ranch was awesome. She is 82 years old now and still has an amazing voice. Also performing that night was her sister Chrystal Gayle and Sheryl Crow.

It was a good trip but we froze the night of the concert. It was outside and the temps dropped to around 40 degrees a big change from two days before at the ranch with temps in the 90's. I thought I might freeze before she quit singing. I actually felt sorry for her because you could tell she was shivering and ready to get inside.

Barbara wanted to continue the trip a week longer visiting plantations in Mississippi and LA but I knew I had to get back to work. Once I fall behind out here there seems to be no catching up.

Summer is over and we are trying to have fall here but most days it is still in high 80's. I am still dealing with snakes too so I will be glad when a cold front finally sends them into hibernation.

Wish I had time to keep posting but I am on a public computer. I must not be greedy.

Just wanted to check in an explain my absence and to let you know I am still around. Still getting into messes out here on the North Forty but nothing serious.

Hopefully I can find a way to get a computer and maybe start visiting with all of you again soon.

You bring out the better person in me so not blogging has deepened my depression.

Please let me know how your doing. I can pull up my site on my phone so would love to hear how you are.

Love to all
Maggie

 

What A Ride!

 Yep your eyes are not deceiving you I am actually posting again within a week of the last one. As they say miracles do happen.

You might also see a pattern going on here as of many months. It's either cat problems or tractor issues.
I would not blame you if you took a moment and muttered under your breath "Not a Again!  Enough already with cats and mowing." But in the summer time that seems to be all that his ole Grandma Yellow Hair fills her days doing. Sad I know but I keep telling myself how lucky I am to have a job at my age or in this economy.

After a few hours of mowing I pulled up my tractor to the house to quench my thirst with some cold water. Ten minutes later I crawl back up on Ole Blue and apparently he's not finished with his break because not a sound or purr when I turned the key. I checked and rechecked my gears to make sure everything that should be in neutral was and tried again. Still we are not going anywhere.

Moments like these I am totally puzzled with farm machinery. It happens all too often out here on the North Forty. After a good ten minutes or more I convince myself no matter how much I sit on this tractor in complete confusion of how it could be running so smoothly one minute and dead the next. That of course unfortunately happens to humans too not just equipment. Sorry just my fingers typing what my thoughts were for a split second.

Anyway back to my tractor problems. I give up and decide to jump it off. I go after the backhoe and decide to see if I can use it. No luck the tractor is dead.

I leave it and finish mowing with the Bad Boy Mower. It takes longer but does a good job.

The next day my brother Gary comes over and hooks a chain to Ole Blue and the back hoe. He tells me to get up on the Blue and just keep the wheels aligned with the back hoe wheels. His idea was to pull the tractor to the back of the property under trees where he can work on it. 

Like a fool I figure he knows what he is doing and I climb on for one heck of a ride.  Not  a minute into this he misses running into a utility pole near my house. For some unknown reason he is driving the backhoe but facing me and not looking where he is going. Still as I am writing this I have not figured his reason for this.

Thank goodness he managed to stop on a dime when he heard my screams and saw the horror on my face.

Of course when he stopped that fast I kept going on the tractor and I soon learned how out of control I was because the brakes were not working. Some how I managed to turn the front wheels to keep from hitting the back hoe head on. The wheels connected though and what a mess we were in with the chain wrapped around now the wheel and us both so close to the pole. Somehow Gary maneuvered us out of this close call and reluctantly I let him keep pulling me.

Not twenty yards from the pole I knew that was a mistake. He was going way to fast and I had no control of this monster I was now on. Scary as heck to be so high up on a piece of equipment and your not in control.

Like a crazy woman I am screaming for him to slow down. Then I am screaming at him to just park it but he is being the brother I remember as a boy and totally ignoring me. 

Then much to my horror I realize we are going down hill. OH My Gosh I can tell you I then thought this might be my last tractor ride. He finally woke up and realized I was in trouble. The tractor was now going almost as fast as the back hoe and I was going to run into him. I am trying my darnedest to turn those big wheels to miss him. Once again I get lucky and only connect with the wheels. 

Finally after a lot more screams from me Gary finds the spot he wants to park it. He jumps down from the back hoe and I have to say my heart is racing. All he can say is I wish I could follow you around for a day with a recorder and video you because I could make some money on America's Funnest Home Videos.

He then tells me that after that display I put on he would never guess I worked in a prison. I told him I never rode a tractor in prison. hahaha 

I tried to explain to him that being on something that large and no control was not something I would ever let him talk me into again. Brothers they never change. He probably laughed about it the rest of the day.

I am feeling better since taking the medication for acid re flux. Hopefully I am over the worse part of what ever was going on with me. Your sweet comments in the previous post were as always appreciated so much. It's great to know that I have so many lovely sweet friends in this amazing world of blogging.

I am still stressed though with my two outside cats. Momma kitty is still being  mean to the other. Not sure yet what to do about this terrible problem. 

Still waiting on my bridge. Not a good week running around toothless. Needless to say I made very few trips to town. haha Since Toby ate my bridge others have told me about their experiences with dogs eating dentures and retainers. So warning it seems dogs love anything that has been in our mouths.

I did hide in the movie theater and watched Jersey Boys. If you get a chance to see the movie I think you will enjoy it as much as I did. I thought Clint Eastwood did an excellent job of picking the actors to play the four seasons.

Thank you so much for coming by and visiting with me. I love it when you let me know how you are doing.

Love to all

Maggie

It Could Only Happen to Me!

Don't let this innocent look fool you!

 Toby spent the holiday weekend with me while his Mommy spent the Fourth of July at the coast.  He has been my daughter's companion for 13 years and is very much part of our family.

I don't mind spending the weekend with him but I did worry a little about having him around my Billie Sue because of how she is a very strange cat at times. After a full day under the chase and love seat Billie Sue and Tinkerbell eventually surfaced and just spent their days watching Toby.

By Saturday afternoon I had actually wrote Christi and told her how good Toby was behaving and that all was going well. THEN everything changed in a heart beat or bite in this case.

The last two weeks I have been sick. Not sure what is wrong with me but not a pleasant few weeks. After too many nights of  being deathly ill I went to see my doctor. She diagnosed it as acid re flux. I did not agree with her diagnosis but agreed to give the medication a try. Long story short I was sitting in my chase Saturday evening and I felt sick again. The coughing started and I knew that what was probably going to happen next so I removed my bridge and laid it on the table by the chase.

I left the room for a very short time and upon returning I noticed Toby at the chase with his front paws on it. I walked over to the table to pick up my bridge and it was not there. I immediately got on my hands and knees and looked everywhere on the floor. I then took the chase apart. After finding only crumbs from who knows what meal I then tore the rest of the living room apart. 

I then started to panic because I knew now why Toby had his paws on the chase. He had cobbled down my bridge and was now just looking at me with his big innocent eyes. A look he saves for us after he has done something bad.

My next thoughts were OH No there's wires in the darn thing and now these wires are in his stomach. I did the only thing I knew to do and feeling like the worse baby sitter ever I called his mom. She insisted that Toby did not swallow things like bridges and that I needed to keep looking. 

Again I tore the room up and still no bridge. By now realty sunk in and I realized the darn thing was gone and I would have to buy a new one. This of course was upsetting since just a few months ago I had lost a tooth from this bridge and it was over six hundred dollars to have it replaced and now I needed a whole new bridge not just a tooth replacement. 

The next day his mom picked him up and they tore up my living room with the same luck I had. That evening she phoned me and told me that he had passed my bridge. Not in one piece but in three pieces. 

Yesterday I went to my dentist and started the process again for a new bridge. They felt bad after hearing the story from my son why I needed a new bridge that they gave it to be at half price. What a awesome thing for them to do for me! I was so relieved and happy that it was not going to be $1200.00. 

I can say this will be a Fourth of July weekend that I will never forget. Hope yours was not as crazy as mine and that you enjoyed family, friends and good food. 

Life here on the North Forty has been exceptionally busier than normal. We are in the process of tearing down the house that the Cowboy lived in and a big public restroom that was built to accommodate the big parties and weddings once hosted by the previous owners. 

Still have not completely finished painting the front porch or I would share pictures of it. I have the top completed but the sides and steps are not finished. Too much scraping old paint off has kept me from completing this project.  This July heat is not helping out either.

On my previous post I mentioned my problems with my two outside cats. After having them both fixed the oldest one has turned on the little one and making her life just miserable. Nothing has changed with this situation and is very upsetting to me. My son Chad has been talking to others that have had their cats fixed and some of them have had similar issues. He told me a vet said that she might be depressed since surgery and that hopefully in time she will accept the other cat again. If she continues I will probably have to give one of them away and this would be hard to do but may not have a choice.

Wouldn't it be nice if I could do a post with no problems. haha.....Your a sweetheart for still coming by and checking on this ole grandma. I am hanging in there and hopefully in a few days I won't be toothless but smiling again.

Stay cool and know I think of you often! I hope to stop by your site soon and see how you spent your Fourth of July weekend. 

Love to all

Maggie 

Help!

How are you my friend? So glad you came by for a visit. 

Can you believe how fast June has flown by! At this rate summer will be over before I know it.

Every day I keep wanting to write a post and tell you what's going on out here on the North Forty but by night fall I am too tired to get on the computer.

Tonight I am needing your advice again. You are probably thinking when do I not ask for advice.

Living out here in the country I have two outside precious calico cats and no where to keep them at night.

The ole farm house I live in does not have a garage or building near it to let them stay in at night. Last winter I bought the neatest insulated cat house from Amazon and put it on my front porch. They loved it but to hot for them during the summer.

Browsing a magazine I found  neat chicken coops and I wondered would they work for cats.

Who knew chicken coops were so popular. I goggled chicken coops and found some really cool ones. These I am sharing with you are plain Jane's compared to most of them. 

When I get an idea in my head  I over think it and research it. I also pick the brain of everyone that comes near me while I am trying to make a decision. 

Like me most are worried that building a cage for cats is possibly building them a death trap. 

We have coyotes out here and so far I have been fortunate enough not to have seen them real close to the house but then I am not outside during the night.

If you build something for them I do know from research you must use hardware cloth and a way for them not to dig under. I have heard though from some ranchers that if a coyote wants in they will find a way.

So what do you think? Would I be putting them more at risk putting them in something like this or would they be safer on their on. I know my Momma Kitty has managed to survive for over five years. 

Aren't these

neat coops?

Since I started this post a few days ago I had both of my out side cats fixed and kept them in my back bathroom while they recuperated. They were anxious to get back out side so after a week I let them out.

The first night Momma Kitty wondered off and as far as I know was gone most of the night. When I woke the next morning I see her playing with something small and grey. I freak out thinking OMG she is playing with a rat. Well I take a closer look and she is licking a kitten. Yep just had her fixed and then I find her with a kitten. I go outside and not only was there the grey one but a white one too.

I wish you could of seen the look on my face because for the last month I have been finding homes for five kittens and did a happy dance when I found prefect homes for all of them. So finding two just days after the mother was fixed was almost too much for this ole grandma. haha

The kittens looked to be about two weeks old so I called the pound to see if they had a cat there that could nurse them. They did and much to my regret I took them there. I knew Momma Kitty did not have the milk to nurse them and I knew I probably couldn't save them. I pray they find good homes.

Anyway I know you think when does this story end. Well I get home from the pound and find that Momma Kitty want let the other outside cat near her. She hisses really loud and bares her teeth. This started yesterday and the bad situation has not changed.

Now the little one scared to death stays on the front porch hiding from Momma Kitty who is now staying in the back yard. Guarding her territory I suppose.

What would make a cat turn on another cat she has been with for a little over a year plus this is her daughter. I now am feeling lost on what to do about them. I called the vet and ask if having her fixed would of done this. They said usually a cat won't act like this unless their hurting. She doesn't seem to be in pain.
Her surgery area looks okay so I think she recovered okay. The days they were recovering they were the loving two cats that I now miss. This all happened after I put them back outside.

I am begging all of you cat lovers to tell me what to do? I hope I don't have to give the little one away but I am afraid this might lead into more than hissing and showing the teeth.

You always give me such great advice and I appreciate any help you can throw my way.

Hope you are well and enjoying these summer days. It is raining here this week. We could use the rain so can not complain. It is keeping me from finishing the paint job on my front porch. I will share some photos when I ever finish it. haha



Thanks for coming by I love it when you take the time to visit with me.

Love to all
Maggie


 

Scared Out Of My Wits!

So happy to be on here today checking on you. I have missed you but your always in my thoughts and prayers. 

Thank you for coming by and checking on me. I am tickled pink you stopped by for a visit. 

Life on the North Forty has been super busy with one project after another to work on but as always

God has helped me to stay healthy and to complete most of them. I have everything mowed and weeded.

It's so nice to wake up and know that I am not climbing on a tractor today. I had to laugh though when it rained earlier this morning because I thought I could hear the grass growing. 

I wanted to share with you the kitties I have been finding homes for this week. Aren't they just the cutest babies. 

By Thursday I found four sweet families wanting kitties. Their Mom is going to be fixed next Friday so no more kitties at my house. 

These two loved climbing inside my storage binds in the bathroom.

Look at these two! It was hard giving them away but this ole grandma has enough cats.

This cutie was the only solid gray one. Her new family named her Patsy.

You know how they say never say things out loud because those words will come back and haunt you.

The last two weeks several friends of mine mentioned having trouble with mice.

 I opened my big mouth and told them I have lived out here eight years and never have seen a mouse in my house. I figured it was because of the two cats outside and of course my Tinkerbell inside.

 As you can see with Tinkerbell in my home and always on her toes why I felt safe against nasty intruders.

Well a week ago Saturday night I reached over to turn off my lamp to go to sleep and there running  on the baseboard was a tiny creature that sent me screaming loud enough to be heard for miles and jumping out of my bed putting as much distance between the two of us possible.

I ran out the front door grabbed my two outside cats and put them inside my bedroom and shut the door. I stood a good distance away trying to listen for the hunt and kill I just knew would take place.

Thirty minutes of anxiously listening for the cat and mouse chase and surprised that all  I heard was the two cats scratching on my bedroom door so I reluctantly carried the two back outside. Needless to say this old coward slept on the couch that night and several nights later.

Then thinking my mouse problem was over I heard my cat Billie Sue who now lives upstairs because for some unknown reason she is avoiding Tinkerbell and myself. Sad but I keep hoping that will change soon. Anyway sorry I tend to drift off the subject. Well she was running the length of the room and knocking things over. I was downstairs freaking out because I was pretty sure what was happening with her upstairs.

A few minutes later she comes prancing down the stairs and something dark is hanging out of her mouth. I screamed to high heaven and she politely drops it right in front of me and the dark thing runs right toward me. To say I lost it is an understatement.

I then run back to the bedroom I had been avoiding for days and let Billie Sue capture the darn thing again.
My guardian angels were watching over me because my brother Gary shows up during all this and he takes care of the mouse that Billie Sue had caught again.

Of course I google everything I can about ridding my house of mice. I think this happened because hay was cut and baled about 30 yards from my house and the next night is when I saw the first mouse.

I went to Home Depot and bought those electrical things you plug in that are suppose to make a noise that will deter mice or bugs. I had those years ago so I thought I would give them a try. Seriously I have one in almost every plug in this old house. I sat out traps that you can't see the mouse if you trap it but so far after a week I haven't trapped any.

Of course I am being told by a few friends they don't think these electrical things work but I feel better knowing I am doing something. Everyone says throw out moth balls but not sure that would work either.

Do you have any suggestions for me besides firing Tinkerbell? haha  I pray I see no more nasty rodents any where near me for the rest of my life. This experience has almost caused me to have a stroke.

My friends have reminded me that I have stood up to hundreds of harden criminals and yet when it comes to a mouse I run and scream. I realize that is true and how foolish that is but who can explain the terror one has for something so small. hahaha

Enjoy your week! I need to paint my porch floor since it was replaced a few weeks ago but not sure now because it is raining again.

If I listen closely I hear the grass growing and the tractor calling me. At least it's not a squeak I am hearing.

Sweet Dreams and Love to all
Maggie

I Actually Went Out On A Date!

 Could not let Mother's Day completely pass without wishing all of you mom's a very Happy Mother's Day!
I know most of you started the day off like myself thanking God for giving me three amazing children. Not a day goes by that I don't give thanks for you my friends and my family.

Yes it has been a long dry spell between post again. I keep thinking and hoping that these droughts of my not writing are over but a promise I can not seem to keep.

Don't think for a minute though that you not in my thoughts and prayers. Not a day goes by that I wonder how you are and what your doing. Being on a tractor from morning til night gives this ole grandma plenty of time for thinking.

I over did it with the mowing about two weeks ago and ended up in the emergency room for the day. I promised myself that since our temps are already in the high 80's on most days that I would stop around 2pm and not go out again until 5 pm and mow until dark. Not being in the heat during 2 and 5 should help keep from any more emergency room visits.

Many of you over the years have expressed your wishes for me to hook up with the cowboy that once lived here or just get out and meet someone. Years ago I decided dating at my age was too stressful and not for me. WELL you will be happy to know I gave it one more chance.

Yes I had a date! My long time friend Sharon husband found out that I was not seeing anyone and he asked me to meet a good friend of his who had lost his wife several years ago. I only agreed because Lew mentioned that his friend was becoming a hermit and since I totally get the hermit lifestyle I said Okay.

The four of us went out to dinner last Saturday night. Lew was right he was a very nice man. Well known and respected in our small town. I had heard of him but never met him.

I have to tell you that your crazy friend totally drove herself and others crazy days before the date. Nervous was not the word for it. It felt like I was sixteen again and scared out of my mind. Even had a breakout on my face just like a teenager.

You ask why would a ole woman let herself get this way. Good question? All I know is never again. ha ha

When I met him I realized that the near nervous breakdown was totally for no reason. It helped that Lew and him were such good friends because they kept the conversations going. Sharon and myself were just there.
Probably should not say this because I could be really wrong but at times I felt he was only concerned of Lew having a good time. ha ha

He called me a few days later and told me that he had a wonderful time and that if the three of us ever wanted to do that again to be sure and give him a call. Even Lew looked at me funny when I passed this on to him. In the old days I never called a guy for a date can not see that happening now.

Honestly I have let to many years pass since dating anyone. I am too set in my ways and expect maybe a little too much from a man. How could I be so picky you might ask when I am no young chick? In fact another year has passed because Tuesday is my Birthday!

Christi has made plans for us to have massages and lunch that day. Really sweet of her. I could use a good massage and will let you know how that turns out. We both have Fibromyalgia so that has kept me from getting massages in the past. I think explaining to them not to be to rough on me will be the best bet for not paying for it days later.

It seems I have gone on and on about myself so let me say good night before you fall a sleep on me.

Know I think of you often and pray that you are well. Sending you much love and I hope this week brings you nothing but joy. Hopefully most of you are enjoying warmer temps and beautiful flowers by now.

Sweet Dreams and Love to All,

Maggie

Posing in the Bluebonnets!

 
Hope you are having a lovely weekend! It is raining and windy here today but look at how pretty it was last weekend. Here I am in a Bluebonnet Field with my two terrific grand kids. Blue Bonnets are everywhere this time of the year and like all other Texans we had to put our boots on and pose among these beauties.

Kaci  showing off her gorgeous smile and cowboy boots!

Bailey giving us one of his handsome smiles.

Can you believe my Kaci is such the young lady now. 

Bailey is such a darling. Never complained while his mom and I moved him from one area to another for the perfect photo.

Here is a close up of our State Flower. Aren't they just beautiful?

These pictures were taken around the Austin area. The fields where I live are  gorgeous too but they have the red paint brush mixed in and I will share those pictures with you soon. 

I went to Austin to check on Clint after another one of his surgeries from his bicycle accident. If you read the post about the accident you know that he was riding his bicycle with Bailey and Kaci when his front tire came off. He has been struggling since then with complications from landing on his face and the severe concussion he suffered and loss of a tooth. Clint has had several surgeries trying to have a implant for the tooth and we are hoping this is the last one. He has really been through it but unlike his Mom he doesn't complain of how bad it is. I do hope he gets well soon and these headaches will stop coming back to remind him of that horrific fall.

Things on the North Forty have been better since Spring weather has been blessing us with some really pretty sunshiny days. I have been mowing from sun up to sun down most days but remember I said I would not complain if I lived through this cold winter that our country has suffered through. What is amazing that some of you are still suffering. Oh how I wish I could send you some warm temps.

We are going to have two mornings this week in the 30's again but hopefully that will be the last of it. The winds are blowing about 40 mph right now so I had to move my potted plants away from the North part of the yard. 

About two weeks ago I bent down to clean out the litter box and that was how I spent two weeks. Bent over like one of these old oak trees out here. I had forgotten how bad a back ache could be but thank goodness it worked its way out with the help of lots of warm baths and a back massage. Two weeks off the tractors though made for a hard week catching up out here. 

What really upset me besides the pain was the timing of the pulled muscle. I was suppose to meet a friend out at the Round Top/Warrenton Antique Show. Good thing the show last for three weeks are I would of missed it completely. Hopefully this week while it is raining here and I am not mowing I can show you a few pictures from my trip out there.

I am looking forward to celebrating Easter this coming Saturday with my sons, Chad and Clint. Their coming for the day and hopefully the bad weather we are having now will not ruin the gorgeous wildflowers where I can get some more pictures of them in the fields by my house. 

Let me share a funny with you before I say good night. You know only you I could share this kind of story with. Earlier this week I was in a hurry to get on the tractor and start my day. While moving around the house before going outside I kept thinking something just didn't feel right. Well I looked at my boots and they were both on the right foot so I head out the door. 

Climbing up on the big Blue Holland I still feel like something is not right. I mow for a while and then take a water break. I am walking back inside and I glance down at the front of my pants. I thought why are there pockets like this in the front of my pants. Low and behold I had put my pants on backwards. Yep I had bought a pair of cheap jeans to mow in that you just pull up no buttons you know the granny kind. Well dear friend you better be careful if and when you get my age and wear these pants because you can put them on backwards. Thank goodness no one was around to see this because it was bad enough me seeing it. lol

Thank you for coming by and visiting with me. I miss all of you! Sending you Blessings for a beautiful week! 

Love to all

Maggie

Please click on the link below and cast a vote for Kaci's car design by making a donation to JDRF. The cars are listed in alphabetical order by first name.  

All donations are credited to her JDRF Walk Team, which raises critical funds for T1D research. 

Best of all....If her car wins she will travel to see her design featured on the Motorcraft and Quick Lane Racing Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car driven by JDRF friend Bob Tasca III at the Mile HIgh NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colorado, on July 18-20, 2014

The first round of voting is open March 17- April 25th athttp://www.fordracecar.jdrf.org/

A second round of voting for the top 10 fundraising cars will be open from April 25- June 6th and the winner will be announced on Friday, July 18.

Remember Me?

REMEMBER ME? I use to be a full time blogger. Every day I enjoyed reading your post and sometimes writing a few of my own. What happened you have asked me in emails and letters.

Wish I could say that I have been traveling and seeing this great country of ours but if I am to be honest with myself and you I would have to say Depression set in with a capital D! 

Like Tinkerbell in these pictures I have slept and hid most of the winter. 

Sometimes just having a pity party all by myself. 

Other times I let my friends join in and we all slept.

It is warming up and I am feeling better every day.

Don't understand how I let myself be so depressed these past few months. I knew that

I did not want to wallow in my pain and make you worry so I just kept to myself. 

I have thought about going to my doctor and I will if getting outside and mowing doesn't bring me

back to a happy place.

I hate feeling like this because I know God has Blessed me in so many ways but then the winter blues took over and I could not snap out of it. Since it was colder in my house than outside I was forced to hibernate in my bedroom. This led to me thinking too much and that led to pity party's. 

I think I finally realized I am not living the life I want and that quite possibly I will grow old all alone. Thank

God I have my children and grand children but they have their own lives.

Blogging has always brought me so much joy but since I felt so down I did not want to bring you down with me. 

I do feel better now! I am outside more and yes mowing again. Please don't ever let me complain about the hot temps and mowing ever again.

I wanted to share this picture with you. It is the desert table at my brother Gary's Birthday party.

Look how Sherry displayed the cake stands on pieces of wood. Don't you love this idea?

On the end of the table she had a big black bear with balloons tied to his arm with 

Gary's Birthday Card.

Look at the table how pretty she had it set for us.

Gary has finished his chemo and radiation! Praise God he is doing really well after all his treatments.

God is so Good.

Have you seen the movie Son of God? A must see movie for adults. I cried so hard during the movie I thought I was going to have to get up and leave. 

We have gotten a lot of rain here so everything is turning green again. Sorry for all of you still getting the snow and colder temps. I think of you and wonder why I feel so blue. 

Now while I am having luck with my computer I will try my best to come by your place and say hello.

Sweet Dreams

and

Love to All

Maggie

How are you today?I am sitting here today in my living room and looking at the thermostat in awe of the reading. It is actually 72 degrees in my house. Yep this ole grandma is defrosting and if I could bottle up some of our warm weather I would rush to the post office with it for you! 

I am really happy about being able to do this post in my living room. I know doesn't take much to make me happy but as you know from my complaints I have been trapped in my bedroom for months since I could not figure out how to heat this large room. I plan on winning the power ball tonight so I can build my dream home and leave this old farm house behind.

I Feel Like Dancing!

Gosh did I get lucky! I feel like dancing now that my Venous Vein Surgery is over and went very well. Like most day surgeries I was up and walking around the same day.

However the best decision I made in a long time was to have only one leg done at a time because living alone I knew I had to be able to take care of myself.

Since they wrapped my leg very tightly from the hip to my toes having both this way would of been very hard getting up and down and taking care of my daily needs. It was hard enough with just the one leg.

My incision only an inch long and no problems so far. Honestly the worse part was not being able to remove my bandage for two day after surgery. The nurses wrapped it so tightly it made for two long days.

You guys are the best with all your sincere get well wishes and prayers. A big believer in the power of prayer!  One of the number one things I have learned from blogging is how my friends out here in this amazing world of the internet do not hesitate to pray for you. 

I had a delightful visit from my two sons Chad and Clint Saturday. My adorable two grand babies also came with them. It was a fun afternoon. We all went out for Mexican Food and then home to play two board games. Of course, I did not win but it was good having to turn on the ole brain for some pretty good exercise.  

Kaci showed me her latest creative project. She had bought a rectangular loom from Michael's along with cute pink yarn and is knitting herself a scarf. You know me I thought it was too darling and now I am dying to know how to do it. She gave me a very quick tutorial but it will take a few more lessons for me to try it.

Bailey wanted to see where I had sat the Elvis bust he had bought me for Christmas. I could tell he was thrilled that it is sitting where I can enjoy it every day. (see my last post about my Elvis bust) 

What did you think of the big game yesterday? Were you rooting for Denver or Seattle? I have not kept up with NFL games this year so I had no preference. I did though have a feeling Seattle would walk away with it and was like the rest of the world quite surprised they dominated the entire game. I hate to say it but I felt like Denver never showed up. Sorry just my take on it.

One of the craziest bets placed on the Super Bowl took place here in Texas. A very well known business owner in Houston advertised for weeks that if you bought six thousand dollars worth of furniture from him before the Super Bowl and Seattle won then he would refund your six thousand dollars. Well turns out he is now writing checks for Seven Million Dollars. Crazy just plain Crazy!

Hope all of you are well. I think of you often and appreciate all the notes you leave me.

Love to all

Maggie

I

Lot's Going On!

 Saturday Christi and I visited Round Top Festival Institute to see if it would be the perfect place to have her wedding.  Most of you are familiar with this unique place since I blog about it quite often.

Winter is not the best time for taking pictures of the  Edythe Bates Chapel  (1883) 

The small chapel is amazing inside with gorgeous stained glass windows. 

Seating capacity is only 160 so that might be a problem.

The grounds are spectacular offering various settings. Attached to the other Chapel is the Texas

Mediterranean Herzstein Stone Chapel  and Memorial Plaza where you could have a 

wedding reception.

I persuaded Christi to pose in front of the stone chapel.

Christi and Paul will be visiting several other places mostly in the Austin area for their special day. What a big decision but I know they will pick the perfect location!

So many decisions in the future for these two love birds to make for their day. Just hope you guys don't get tired of my talking about it for months. lol

I wanted to share with you what my grandson Bailey gave me for Christmas. As early as Thanksgiving Bailey was giving me hints as to what he had bought for me. Christmas Day he could not wait to see my reaction to my gift. What a surprise to find a ceramic bust of Elvis! I love it and have it on my book shelf in the sitting area of my bedroom. I thought here I could  look at it every day and smile. 

He told me that they had went to a garage sale and when he saw this he knew it was for his Grandma Yellow Hair. Special to me knowing he picked it out and paid for it himself.

Should I unpack my other Elvis mementos or just let this one shine all by itself? 

Thank you Bailey for such a thoughtful gift!

Tomorrow I am having my vein surgery. It is the VNUS Closure procedure. It is I hope a minimally invasive surgery.  Endovenous thermal ablation is performed using local anesthesia along the course of the diseased vein. 

I decided to just have one leg operated on tomorrow since I am a little nervous about having this done.

If I don't jump off the table and knock the doctor down while racing out the door I will consider having the other leg done in the near future. 

They gave me the option of having a Valium before the procedure and like a dummy I told the doctor I would not need it. Then after talking to family and friends I was persuaded to call them today and order the Valium. Past experiences with this drug made me turn it down but hopefully taking it this time will not be a bad experience. 

Well how many days until Spring? We are now under a winter weather alert. They are saying we might have snow and sleet on Friday. So glad my surgery is Thursday. 

Snow and sleet for us is a big deal. I just pray the weather men don't know what their talking about. I have plenty of Diet Dr. Pepper so I should be okay. I took Julia's advice and spent days hanging plastic sheeting on my windows. I did a bad job hanging it but it's up and I will soon know if it makes a difference. I am sure it will and I appreciate all of your good advice for making my living conditions out here better.

Well I need to close and drink some water and get these old legs ready for in the morning.

Hope your staying warm and well during these winter storms.

Thank you for coming by and saying hello. 

Love to All

Maggie