Turning 50

Ta Daa! I'm 50! Holy crap! Has it been that long since I was born?

What happened to the time?

Life has been wonderful. The good times and the bad.

Yes there have been both, but who hasn't had them. If there were no bad how would know to appreciate the good so much.

Born in Prairie Grove a little town in Arkansas, about 20 miles or so from my hometown of Fayetteville. The hospital no longer exists that I was born in. As with some things in life progress removes the old to create the new, it is of course the cycle.

Living in Fayetteville most of my life, being raised by my mom and my grandparents on Rose hill next to the U of A. I went to Leverett school, corner of Cleveland and Garland streets. My friends and I thought we ruled the hillside, we'd get together and ride bikes, play ball down at the church yard at the bottom of the hill. Sneak into the swimming pools of the neighborhood apartment complex's. My friends and I met many UofA students who became somebodies and so and so's. I sometimes see an article written by or about some of the students I met growing up around the campus.

The university was my playground also. Since my grandmother worked there for over 30 years it was like my second home. I learned the ins and outs of the campus. My brother and my friends spent 1000's of hours exploring and finding interesting things of each building.

I've seen the aquariums of interesting aquatic life that was harbored in the science building. Reptiles and skeletons abound which either amazed us or grossed us out. In the science and engineering building I probably saw and knew what computers were long before any of my friends, Or even the adults I knew. From the lower floors of that building. I would stand at the window and watch them feed the cards into this huge massive room sized machine, and later the cards turned into a keypad. Maybe you see where I'm going with this.

You now are sitting in front of your monitor of your small PC or laptop, with a keyboard in front of you and you see I have come full circle.

My 50 years, my childhood, and now my words can be seen by the world. Did I know it when I was watching those professors and students all those years ago? I had no idea. You could not have made me believe I would be doing this in my own home. After all these machines were huge. Massive amount of space, whole rooms, needed just to house them. Early on two seperate rooms to input from the processing. But here we are about 40 years later and laptops go almost anywhere.

It's been a great life so far. I wonder what I'm doing right now that I will be using in my next 50 years? I can't wait!

Tammy and Joel

It was so sweet. Tammy one of Denise's bff's from high school and the love of her life Joel Ramay got married on Sunday the 21st of September.

Tony, Stacy and I attended, and Denise was the maid of honor. The wedding was held at The Garden Room at the Ozark Mountain Smokehouse. The garden is behind the Smokehouse, and has a lovely little fountain and stream that runs through it, with a little bridge over to more dining. A canopy of grapevines cover the pergala above the patio, and tall trees. Japanese lanterns in red and white (the brides colors)

The reception was held inside at the same location. There was a buffet of pasta and salad and of course barbecue beef and pork. A tablecloth was hung on the wall with markers for us to write loving messages to the new couple. This was a neat idea. Tables with lovely centerpieces in red florals.

Dancing with music performed by Darren Ray (lead singer of Big Uns a great local band). Lots of fun. A toss of the bouquet and garter and then the cutting of the cake and a few photos. It was great Tony and I had a marvelous time with these two young people on their special day.

Congratulations Tammy and Joel many happy years together!

Rough Night in Fayetteville

Broken tree limbs just a small example of the damage last nights rain and winds brought to our neighborhood. The weathermen said it would be rough last night and they were definately right. Mostly we just have to clean up the large
amount of leaves that blew from our many trees

we have in our yard and the neighbors. So much
rain the ground couldn't hold it all. We have approximately and inch to two inches of water

standing in the yard.

Limbs blew onto the patio and of course many leaves and the worms uuugh! Those poor creatures came crawling out all over the place. Here Joxer just finished checking out our new foilage on the concrete.

This was a hole Joxer dug in the corner. Just look at the amount of water that accumulated in it overnight. It will be there for days the ground is so wet.

All lined up in a row. Here's where I put all the loose pieces of furniture from the patio. With the wind warnings that were given we wanted to make sure no damage was done from something blowing around.
Tony had put that cover on the barbeque grill yesterday, as you see it blew right off.

Last night the wind blew and the rains came and came and came and came. The leaves are all over our yard. Joxer is splish splashing around in our saturated yard.

This was my backyard patio before last nights rain and wind blew in. Very clean neat. The after photos however sure do show a windy mess.

It could have been worse but it wasn't and we are thankful to God for that. I pray for those that were in Ike's devastating past. I pray they find those that are missing. God bless all, peace, love, and joy to all. Debra

This week

My husband and I have been married 24 years now. We enjoy simple things. Sitting on the patio, playing with the dog. Watching the birds in our backyard. Of course the rain on Monday and Tuesday kept us from doing anything in outside, but we went out to eat on Thursday to Penquin Ed's. It's right up the street and we love the smoke chicken breast salad they serve there. We like to go out at least one night a week and eat someplace we enjoy. Then we usually drive around town or up the highway a little to talk and see what's going on in the community. We heard about some changes at TGIFridays and so last week we went there and really enjoyed the food. Tony loves the sports he can keep up with on TV's they have around the resturaunt.

We have this funny little bird feeder in our front yard. Tony's father gave it to us and we hung it on a limb we could few from our living room window. Tony has loved this little feeder. He loves seeing the different birds that come to feed from it. The cardinals have had a field day with this thing. Tony likes to watch the big obnoxious blue jay. They're pretty but they overwhelm all the other birds around. Well anyway this little feeder has a phrase on it that says Front Porch Cafe.
If I had seen this at a craft fair or anyplace I would not have purchased it myself, it's not my taste. But this simple little gift has been such a joy. Funny isn't it, most people spend a fortune to have fun and the most joy can cost so little. We spend what amounts to less than a couple bucks a week to receive so much pleasure

Saturday Tony and I went to Old Navy and the mall and picked up a few new tops for each of us us. We have to put our stuff together and see what kind of outfits we need for the trip to Seattle next month. I'm still not sure what to wear to the weeding itself I've looked at several things. I need to make a decision in the next couple weeks.

We listened to the Razorback game last night on the radio. What a nail biter. This team knows how to bring on the suspense. Just when I thought we were doomed to loose. This team of hogs pulled out a win. Not a big win but a W is a W.
This team is going through a transition not a lot of return players, due to several legal issues with some of our main players. Also injuries have caused us to loose some players. The new head couch Petino is obviously making a huge difference in our teams capability. He has the knowledge to help the team win even in a time of hardship.

Everyone have a wonderful week and love to all Debra.

Usher

Made it through another day at the game. Last year I worked as a usher for the Razorback ballgames. So I decided to do it again this year. I have a position where I patrol up and down a walkway. Just reminding smokers not to light up. And making sure the aisles are clear. The game went well and we won a nailbiter 28-24. The fans stayed till the bitter end. Casey Dick ran the ball several times and made a real difference. Petrino coached a good game and I congratulate him on a great win.

Petrino has the hog fans fired up for an exciting football season. I say GO HOGS GO! Have a great season.

Meatloaf

Not the group, I made meatloaf. No big deal right except its been forever since I made this everyday staple. Many folks make it every week. Not me. Oh once a long time ago it was a fave in my household but not so much anymore.
So what spurred my need to make meatloaf. My daughter Stacy. At 21, Stacy still can't cook. Well no that's not true because she never has really tried to cook. So she is finding her domestic side. She's curious about how to make different dishes. So even though I had not made this in a long time she said she wanted to know how I make my goood meatloaf, that it tastes great. I told her how I make mine. Gave her different ways she could change it up. Told her you can take this basic recipe and go any direction you want. Mix up all kinds of things in it. Even went online to check how some of the celebrity cooks do theirs. I take a simple basic recipe that I got years ago from the Quaker Oats box. Through the years I to have gotten creative with my recipe.
All day long I could only think about coming home and making meatloaf. It sounds silly but it was the only thing I wanted for dinner. I got home and pulled out all the ingredients and mixed it all up. Got out my loaf pan, placed it in the pan and placed it in the oven. An hour later it was smelling great. Hot and delicious. With the mashed potatoes and the spinach with a little garlic and onion and some bacon to season it up man was it all good.
Tony and I had a great meal together and tomorrow I plan to take a meatloaf sandwich for my lunch. MMMMMMM Good! Simple and basic, sometimes you gotta go there. May all your days be great, and don't let life get you so caught up in more, more, more, sometimes we need to revisit simple and basic. Now where are those ice cream bars we bought, yum.
God Bless all, Debra

Arkansas Football

It's game day here in the "ville". Hog fans are back! SOOOOIE HOGS! Red shirts and hog hats abound in the wonderful city of Fayetteville. The campus is abuzz with tailgaters all the food you could want is cooking on someones grill. Drinks of all variety. Cars with flags, and magnet signs racing up and down the streets. Tickets at every street corner for the sold out game. Don't worry if you don't have a ticket someone that bought them all up is selling them out there on the street corner. The band is warming up and there is a great feeling of excitement in the air.

This year our new coach Bobby Petrino will lead the hogs to victory and with luck a national championship. Western Illinois beware! The hogs are about to root you into the ground.

Meanwhile on the west coast Mitch Mustain ready's hisself for leading the USC Trojans to battle. This one time Razorback may with any luck someday meet back up with his old alma mater, I'd love to see it. What a great loss of a talented young ball player. Congatulations Trojans.

Back to the RAZORBACKS though. The pep rally last night kicking off the season in a cool night air. What excitement, band playing pep squad cheering! WOW if that doesn't get your football juices flowing I don't know what will. Good Luck to the team! GO HOGS GO!

Congratulations Jessica and David

Their pregnant! That's right I said it their pregnant. Jess and David are expecting their first child in November. Jessica is straight forward and says she had used protection since her and David were married except once. It didn't happened that time so they tried again now and God willing she got pregnant and I know the divine on worked his wonders. These two have done so much in their 5 yrs of marriage and I'm very proud of them. They are kind and loving and have so much love to give. This child will be surrounded with love and affection. Jessica's mom Karen will be a fantastic grandma and Jess's grandma Joyce must be on cloud nine. She is one of the most loving people I have known. Did I mention how wonderful this family is. Oh yea, I guess I did, no really. That's why I am so excited for Jess and David. Love every minute of your pregnancy Jess and David. God has sent you a blessing for your love. God Bless you all three, Debra

A Place at the Lake

Sorry I haven't been blogging lots going on at work and I've been looking at lake property. Tony and I have always known that someday we want to live at the lake. We should have bought land years ago but didn't now we're getting serious and really trying to find something. Could be land could be a home we see it we'll know.
Saturday was a great day we set out to see some land we were told about and it was such a great area. We also went to Beaver Shores to see a couple of spots there also. What a wonderful sunny afternoon. We just had a great time wondering around. We stopped at a little store this side of Rocky Branch and picked up some snacks and sodas. We're having a great time searching. Anyway today we mow. The lawn is high and the weeds are higher.
I am off this week and have no real plans just relaxing and enjoying my days.
Hope you are all having a glorious time in whatever you are doing this weekend. Love to all and God Bless everyone, Debra

Cyber World

Today has been a day of Myspace, Blogger, and Facebook. To much you think? Probably but we all have gotten so caught up in all the choices to contact each other or to send a message to the our worlds large and small. So much happened today in my virtual world from hearing some amazing news from blog friends to traveling to places once traveled and bringing back great memories. Many friends have come back from spring break having made their own special memories. The cyber world brings much happiness and occasionally some sorrow. I've learned new recipes that others have shared and have become some of my favorites now. My crafty friends have inspired me to try things and create some special gifts to loved ones. It has helped me in building a better understanding of the word of God and to share the love and blessings of God to others. Many worry that the computer is a road to ruin. As with anything care and caution should be taken, there are always people who try to destroy something good. Use good common sense, care about what you put out there, think of others first and everyone wins.
Till we blog again, God bless Here's Debra

Which came first the chicken or .....the EGG

Happy Easter! Click on the link below
http://home.att.net/~solos_holiday/2008/_011/egg.htm
Ya'll come back now ya hear!

My Friend Sam

Today I was reading my friend Sams blog he is a conservative who puts out a point of view. Keeping open the ability of the reader to gather information to make up the readers own mind by supplying links to sites for more info.
Sam has a wonderful link to a site about Desiring God. I have gone to the site many times and have found the answers to questions about our life here on earth and the bibles word on how we can live by the word of God in todays times. Sometimes this seems to many a hard and stressful thing to do. I would like to encourage you to check out Sam's blog for yourself http://conservativesam.blogspot.com . He is a wonderful person and has helped me through many a day at work with a word of encouragement, or direction to passages in the bible of Gods word that has helped me through a tough time. Maybe this message comes to you at a time of need in your life and maybe the links to the word of God will help you through you days as I hope it will. Love to all on this the day the Lord has made, God bless you, Debra

Suzette

How incredible! Suzette my new blog friend and a realtor by profession has just informed me that she rented her old home to my son. Much to both our amazement, and to the very unusual way in which we became aquintances. She was selling a house and I wanted to call about it. I did not get her number..but, did remember her name. I thought I would look up the company she worked for on the internet and see if she had a link as one of their associates, and I would contact her about the asking price. Before doing this however I was visiting one of my fav blogs Jessica and David McCash and noticed as one of her friends and favs Suzettes name. Knowing this was no coincidence that somehow God sent her my way I clicked on her name to go to her blog. I was reading her latest entry and felt a strong impulse, as if by God himself to give her encouragement. She was moving from her home, and into a new place, and lets face it the realty market is having a hard time of it, seemed like she needed to know that the Lord was with her and that if she kept his faith in him strong his blessings would surely come to her.
Suzette wrote me back and is helping me in trying to find a lake home or property for 2 to retire to. Someplace on Beaver Lake in NW Arkansas where my husband I love to be.
Suzette discovered in reading my blogpost of moving my son Robbie into their new home that we had just moved him into HER OLD HOME!! Incredible! The Lord truly is a master of all. Suzette and I have not met face to face but our worlds have connected through him. This is truly the work of God. No coincidence could have put two unknown people of this Hundreds of thousands of people in NW Arkansas together like this. My kids are enjoying Suzettes home and I pray their lives will be blessed their, as its previous owners was.
If you are reading this blog for the first time, you will find mine is a positive message. A message of love and faith. Belief in God is the focus. That we know our lives revolve around his word and belief and faith in him. How else could Suzette and I have found each other and our lives keep connecting as they have. I am here for her and all others as he has sent her to me. Thank God, may he bless all of you today and may you be special in someones life today! Reach out say God bless you to all you encounter and he will make life special each and every day.

Dream Home

Ok tonight’s the night . It’s the Dream Home giveaway,. I have watched this event since the beginning and like millions get upset when it’s not me. Last year was the worst giveaway, apparently they gave it away a week or so before the broadcast. I’m sorry but the whole thing left me a whole lot disappointed. I know it’s live tv they need to make sure they can catch the winner and that they are not away somewhere, but if you signed up for the dream home I guarantee your at home waiting for it to be given away. So here I am in the office with the tv on and sitting at my computer . This home is lovely I love the water so I would love this home myself, but the home in the Blue Ridge Mts was beautiful, probably my favorite so far.
They are showing the green home which is a beautiful thing also. . I have vacation the first of April so I’d be ready to go to my new home and I work where I could transfer to llive there. I don’t expect to win but wouldn’t it be cool if I did.
It’s now 8:40 and cut to commercial, just 20 more minutes and Lauren is 5 minutes away from giving away the dream home all she says is she’s freezing, that lets me out we have cool but not cold temps right now, a light jacket is all that’s required not a coat and gloves. Well I’ll just sit back and watch the rest of the show .
Here it comes she’s opening the door, okay this lady looks bewildered and confused.. Is she mad. Wow how strange she’s blinded obviously but how about a little enthusiasm come on! Congratulation to the winner , long and happy life in Florida (if she decides to keep it and not sell it like a lot of the previous winners have done.
Time to settle down and get back to normal, maybe I need to work on making my own home more my Dream Home instead of trying to win one.