Conversations With Payton

Happy Monday!!

Kindergartners are so funny, and I just happen to think the one that is my "little one" is extra

SUPER SMART!!

I drive him the eight or so miles to school every morning, and I just never know what sorts of thing we will talk about on the way there. 

I'm going to give you a little glimpse into my mornings!!

We were driving along and I was telling Payton that I was going to see Jackie later on this morning, and I was going to go with her to buy some goggles for her Chemistry class.  For some reason he said "goggles is a Spanish word".  I had to argue with him for a few minutes over why it WAS NOT a Spanish word.  He then said...well what do people in England speak?  I am always amazed (but not really...he's so very smart) that he even knows about other countries.  I told him they speak English in England.  I then had to explain about what "Countries" were and how they each spoke different languages.  He then asked me how do people learn the languages in their countries.  I explained to him that many people speak those languages and they learn it from their families if they live in those countries.  I told him that in England they speak English, in Spain they speak Spanish, in Japan they speak Japanese, and in China they speak Chinese. 

Then he asked me

WHAT DO THEY SPEAK AT THE NORTH POLE??

I told him I do not know

He said MiMi,

THEY SPEAK

SANTA

at the North Pole!!!

I am pretty sure I should have known that answer...how could I possibly NOT have known that??

We drove a little further and a skunk

ran across the dirt road in front of our car. 

Payton said MiMi, you should have hit it.  (He's five...five year old boys are just like that.  Especially country boys who don't see any good reason for skunks to be here LOL)

I told him....ohhhhh no, stay far far away from skunks ALWAYS. 

I explained to him how even if you hit one with your car the spray smell will stay on there for DAYS.  I also told him that if a skunk were to spray him or the dogs it would be very hard to get it off.  He asked me if water would get it off.  I explained to him that pretty much only tomato juice gets the smell off.  I told him how funny it would be to have to take a bath in tomato juice or wash the dogs in tomato juice.  I then said...we would have to WASH OUR CAR in tomato juice!! 

He said...Oh nooo MiMi....I couldn't do that.

PAPA CAN DO THAT!! 

Ohhh I was really giggling at this point!! 

We drove a little further and a rock popped up and hit the car.  He asked me what the noise had been.  When I told him it was a rock he said

"MiMi....if a rock ever hits your window and cracks it, you can call SAFELITE and they will come right away and fix it.  It won't cost you a thing, it's FREE". 

It was

HILARIOUS

Then he told me...I saw that on a commercial MiMi....he has become fascinated with commercials recently.  EVERY single time there is product being sold ....whether it's a ShamWow, or the little turntables that go in your cabinet to sort your spices he is convinced

THAT WE NEED THEM!! 

I get sales pitches from the TV and HIM

BOTH!! 

I sure do love that little boy, and I know that every morning our rides down the country roads of East Texas are full of conversation and laughter!!

This is what makes my days tick and my world turn!!

The Great White Shark

My husband had some "honey do" work to get done yesterday, and while he was outside, Payton found some boards.

Apparently he had a lot of time on his hands while his Papa was working because he found these boards, and some glue, and apparently an empty applesauce container and had a field day.  I am so proud of him.  He is only 5 and already filled with such creativity!!

He ran to show it to us when we got home, he was so proud of his "project".  He told us it was

A GREAT WHITE SHARK

I can somewhat see the resemblence!!  :) :)

This morning as we were discussing his "great white shark" I asked him if he wanted to paint it.

We are not a "NORMAL" family lol as far as "crafting" goes.  As the girls were growing up it seems like there was always a school project or craft project being done.  I have acquired more craft supplies than I can shake a stick at!!

We have soooooo much paint!!

The "Great White" before Paint....

I REALLY thought that since he said it was the "Great White" he would want to paint it white....but nooooooo I am not five....and so it is now painted a multitude of colors!! 

Painting in his PJ's.....That is the "second" round of paper underneath it....when no one was looking he squirted about half a bottle of blue paint on the "first paper" that was underneath it!!

The hands weren't covered in too much paint....UNLIKE HIS SHIRT AND HIS TUMMY AFTER THE SHIRT CAME OFF!! 

The "Almost Finished' project!!  He insists that it still needs more paint "somewhere else"!! 

I will always be thankful that my children and grandchildren now have had and will have the opportunity to color, draw, paint and create to the hearts content.  My dining room table still has a few glue spots left on it, one or two small paint spots, and some gold glitter paint from a life sized doll we turned into a mummy via paper mache and that fabled gold glitter paint.  My daughter Jackie received an A on that project!!

My favorite quote I've found recently states this

You can actually buy this poster on ETSY at

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69092256/august-sale-the-earth-without-art-is

Hope everyone is having a beautiful blessed artsy Sunday......go get your hands dirty with some paint and glue....you will thank me later!!  :) :)

Preparing For Hurricane Irene

One can't help but stay glued to the Weather Channel watching the current news and forecasts concerning Hurricane Irene.  I had to write a short little blog about our experiences here in Texas.  We live approximately 180 miles from the Texas Gulf Coast and  Galveston.  Until you see something like this in person, you just can't fathom what it's like.  We live in a town that is along the evacuation route from the coast.  We had miles and miles of people driving through our town with everything they own in their cars and gas cans strapped to their roofs.  It was a sight that would make you want to cry for them.  People would get stranded because they could not find a hotel and they ran out of money paying for gas.

People become angry when they are forced out of their homes, or supplies are not available.  Start now, because dealing with the public later is not fun and you will not be able to find what you are searching for.

When Hurricane Ike hit several years ago, it had a huge impact even this far north.  We lost electricity for FIVE days and there was SEVERE tree and home damage just 60 miles to our South.  We had so many trees down that we could not drive down our road to go into town for about two days.  Do not be lulled into thinking that since you are not immediately in the eye wall's path that you will  not be affected. 

Because this was not our first time to have one come through, we were prepared thankfully!!

Here are a few tips we've learned.

YOU WILL LOSE ELECTRICITY.

It is sooo much easier to cook at least one meal a day outside on a grill.  That being said...STOCK UP ON CHARCOAL OR PROPANE FOR YOUR GAS GRILL NOW!!

Buy pre packaged foods that do not require refrigeration and try and keep those foods which you need to cool at a minimum....AND BUY FREEZER BAGS TO STORE THOSE IN THAT MIGHT GO IN COOLER....soggy food is NO FUN

WHEN YOU LOSE ELECTRICITY FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS, YOU START LOSING THINGS IN YOUR FRIDGE AND FREEZER

Plan now on how you want to store some of those things from your fridge and freezer.  Buy extra coolers and dry ice if need be. 

DON'T FORGET DIAPERS AND FORMULA

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED....you will not be able to just run to the pharmacy if you run out....more than likely they will have no electricity either....remember...life will not be the same for a while

WAL MART SELLS PORTABLE BATTERY OPERATED FANS IN THE SPORTING GOODS /CAMPING DEPARTMENT. 

You will want some of these.  After a huricane, trust me, it's hot and humid and a fan is AWESOME.

That being said....STOCK UP ON D BATTERIES, they sell out FAST....they are a hot commodity after a hurricane and you will not be able to purchase them if you wait until the day of the Hurricane or the day before....

If you can, buy one of the battery operated radio/cell phone charger./flashlight/lanterns......trust me....these things come in handy when you have no way of hearing what's going on in the outside world. 

Fill your cars up with gas, if people start evacuating, you need to be able to travel as far as you can.  GAS WILL BE IN SHORT SUPPLY AFTER A HURRICANE. 

DON'T FORGET....GAS STATIONS ALSO RUN ON ELECTRICITY FOR THEIR PUMPS....IF THEY HAVE NO ELECTRICITY...YOU CANNOT BUY GAS....FILL UP YOUR CARS IF IT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE

IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON STAYING IN A HOTEL AND EVACUATING....MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY....HOTELS FOR MILES AND MILES WILL BE SOLD OUT QUICKLY

The things you are used to now will not be back to normal for several weeks or maybe months. 

DON'T FORGET....JUST BECAUSE AN ELECTRIC LINE IS DOWN ON THE GROUND DOES NOT MEAN IT'S NOT "LIVE"...DON'T TOUCH IT, DON'T LET KIDS NEAR IT....

I want to also say, if you live in a home that is surrounded by large trees, please use caution if you are within 130 miles or so of this hurricane.  Tree tops can snap and fall on your home and injure you and your loved ones.  If I can forewarn anyone then I will feel like I've done my job. 

OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU FROM HERE IN TEXAS

Below is a Hurricane Supply List from NOAA

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices— foods for infants or the elderly— snack foods— non-electric can opener— cooking tools / fuel— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items - for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Pet care items— proper identification / immunization records / medications— ample supply of food and water— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

AND HEAVEN FORBID YOU HAVE TO BE EVACUATED TO A SHELTER WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE....HERE IS HOW TO MAKE A 72 HOUR SUPPLY KIT

http://selfreliantsisters.blogspot.com/2009/01/sample-72-hour-kit.html

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary :) :)

WOW

I can hardly believe I am saying this, but my husband and I have finallly made it to the BIG 25!! 

The years seem to have flown by now!!  We have seen so many things happen over the last twenty five years!! 

The births of our two daughters

First days of School and then it seemed it went right to High School Graduations

The sorrow of losing my last three living grandparents and both of my parents

The fussing and fighting and squabbles that come along after you've been married for about seven years

and the eventual figuring out how to be individual people and how to be a married couple and

how to truly

LOVE

Our two beautiful daughters and son in law threw us a

SURPRISE ANNIVERSARY PARTY

on Sunday
at Jackie and Cody's house

We are

BLESSED

This is what we saw when we drove up to their house....all of the kids were standing outside Jackie and Cody's house and waving at us...makes me tear up just remembering it!!

They bought 25 balloons and tied photos from our last 25 y ears onto them with messages!!  So Sweet!! 

(What's funny to me is Jackie said...Mom..you pinned this idea on "pinterest" a few weeks ago that it would be cute to do for an anniversary....just when you think your kids aren't paying attention to what you do)

One of the beautiful flower arrangements

Our Cake

They had secretly invited friends and family so we were able to celebrate our day with so many of our loved ones and special friends!! 

It was truly a precious day and one we will always treasure!!

My husband and I

We met when I was 13 and he was 14...

hard to believe 33 years have gone by already!!

My Family

Cody (my son in law)  my daughter Jackie and Us

My brother and I

Brother and Hubby

Jackie and Lynsey

 Snuggling wiht my favorite granddaughter

Some of the guests

My brother in law and hubby

While everyone was singing "Happy Anniversary" to us!!

Opening our "Present" from the kids

A NEW SET OF WEDDING RINGS!! 

SUCH A SWEET SURPRISE

The Ring the kids got me

Long Time Friends

Sweet neighbors and friends

Sarah and I....I love her, she's been friends with Jessica since they were in the 4th grade....wow..how time flies!!

 

Our sweet friends Lynsey and David <3 them...they are most definitely some of my "adopted kids"

Us with Taylor and Santos my other adopted kids whom I love so much

My uncle, us, and my stepmother

 The whole Dison Family

To hear how much the girls had to plot and plan and secretly message people on Facebook and email each other back and forth and then NOT tell me about all of their adventures with the cake lady, or the photo guy is hilarious!!  I am so lucky and blessed to have them as daughters!!

I found this poem and it made me think of my girls and how Cody was joking and laughing about how even if the family were going to get snocones I would be chasing after everyone taking pictures and saying "smile" it's family sno cone day!!
I <3 my family with all of my heart

My Surprise Gift

Poem Page

Submitted by: pattiekake

Author: Pattie Castillo

It didn't come trimmed with ribbon or topped off with a bow,
I didn't find it wrapped in pretty paper, under the tree or mistletoe.
It wasn't something we planned to purchase, it didn't cost one cent.
It wasn't something I new I wanted or asked for as a present.
It didn't even realize it was something I would need,
I had long forgotten about Santa, until I saw it and had to believe.
It came on a whim, as we were trimming the tree for the season,
It came just in time, and for all the right reasons.
This picture of us, a daughter and her mom,
Smiling into the camera and having a good time.
It filled me with happiness, joy and glee,
To see you there smiling so sweetly with me.
It made my heart sputter and skip a beat,
To hold you in my arms seems quite a treat.
It seems like the last time was so long ago,
Because, Oh My, how ever so quickly you grow.
It reminded me I need to take time each year,
To capture you smiling with me from ear to ear.