Yep I got Fancy!

Isn't it perfect for me. Judi at Doodlebug did what I could never do in my wildest dreams, she designed this puppy from scratch! She has a questionnaire you fill out which a lot of my answers were "well what I think I like" or "don't know what this is".

From my basic ideas, a color scheme, and a couple of pictures I liked she did all of this!

Let me tell it, Judi is the Gal for Design. She is SAHM, and you know I truly want to support those women. She is running a sale right now. So get up and run to her place ASAP (as S would say)!




All you do is email her with some questions, and she can figure out what you want. I looked all around for a designer this great that I could afford.

I couldn't be happier! I love, love, love it! It is like buying a new goat, happy happy and more happy!

Hey grab my button while you are here! Then grab Judi's button!

Voter Secrets Part 2

With Kay Bailey Hutchinson for instance, she never came out and said she was pro life. Nope she is a smart politician. She said sentences that made you think she was, but she never actually said she was. Guess what she is not pro-life? Not that the general convention floor heard it from her mouth in 2006, nope a reporter behind the scenes got that scoop as she spoke in private delegates that paid their own way had no idea she was disclosing her stance. That is how most of them skirt the issues, they never actually commit to a platform or an idea. They will not actually tell you in detail what they think, because they want the job and the perks and then they will make up their minds. I think Kay does what many do, forget the voter. Hutchinson made it clear with her move, she was not hearing me.

I won’t say who but there was a person running in the Texas Republican party in a high position, this person was no more a conservative than the goats I have eating every blade of grass they can find. What this person did do is phrase things in such a way that many at the convention were fooled. Which is why if they had actually checked the record they would not have been shocked, it is what makes the internet so exciting to me. I can actually research people.

If you think I am trying to turn off Republicans or flip Democrats you would be wrong. As an local election judge it is my duty to protect my voter’s right regardless of the party or affiliation. What I do want is for voters to realize that what you may think a politician is saying they may not actually be saying. As long as they are careful with “wiggle room words” every voter needs to watch out. You really don’t know how they will vote on a very important issue to you. Because it has not been tested and you cannot rely on them to say what they really think. It can be so frustrating for a voter to ask me, “Who are these people on this ballot?” I know they wished they had thought more about the full ballot but they did not. As a judge, I am not allowed to influence, so all I can do is answer the questions they ask that I can answer according to the election law. Believe me it is not an easy task. So while you have some time go and see on both sides who is running for what position. Then look at what their record is, ask a local party affiliate what they think. They tend to know some information that you will not get from any other source.

So with all that said it should come as no surprise that I support McCain. Yep, he wasn’t my first or second choice but now he is my best choice. See I know McCain is a straight shooter, he has shot both sides of the isle. I also really respect Lieberman and Huckabee, I watched them be so supportive of McCain.

Voter Secrets Part 1

This is a two part post. When I finally wrote what I had to say it was by far too long. I will post part 2 tomorrow. This article when read in it's entirety makes more sense I promise. Consider this a voter education primer.

What I am about to tell you is considered sacred in some corners. For my readers I am willing to give you a heads up. Politicians lie; yep they absolutely will tell you one thing and do another. I know shocking, but actually, it should not shock anyone. What most will tell you is they “color the truth”, in my house that is considered lying. The other side of the coin is if they do not own up to a lie you can bet you will never know exactly where they stand.

Now I know what you are thinking, I must dislike politicians. I respect a man more that will look me in the eye and tell me what I need to hear not what I want to hear. A politician’s record can speak volumes; before we had our current congressional representative, we had Chet Edwards. Oh Chet is a real slick politician, he can tell you whatever you want to hear. All you have to do is tell him what you want to hear and he will say certain words that make you think he agrees with you. He does not but you walk away thinking this person gets me. Word of advice for any voter, the record reveals the truth. Chet has written me in the past so many times I could wallpaper a room with them that while he is pro family and pro life he had to vote for partial birth abortions. Yeah I cocked my head that same direction with each letter. See Chet votes the party line no matter what any voter says. All he does is make you think he feels differently about the issue. When he was our congressional representative he did not own on piece of Texas land, he rented everything. Now he had a fancy house in Maryland that he owned but not in Texas.

See his interest is not in Texas, he is not worried about what our cost to educate illegal alien’s children was. He was worried about his political future. That is my readers is the way you can tell a politician from a person trying to represent his state. The person is not slick; he will tell you the stuff you do not want to hear. There are hundreds of websites where you can check attendance and records. As you look, you will see how the politician votes for or against his party.

Maglev Train

I have said in the past that I am not against alternative energy technology. I am also not against high-speed transportation in Texas. What I am against is the Trans Texas Corridor. It is because of Rick Perry that we have this pain in our Texas lives. I have heard a lot about this train called Maglev. I am not a scientist but I am a person that feels if Texas or America can find a train that is low impact, fast speed and safe we as a society are better off. My complaint with the TTC as Texans call it is that is requesting a two mile width area that will displace generational farms, cemeteries, small communities and rural life as Texans know it. As a Big City girl (what I am called in town) I first hand know the frustration of driving I-35 from San Antonio to Dallas, it is a nightmare. What makes Texas such a great state is the ability to drive in any direction and see land. Real land, land that is still plowed, farmed and ranched. As many people don’t understand I can drive from Central Texas and never leave Texas. A huge state requires some ingenuity to fix a transportation problem. What it doesn’t take is a foreign company to come in and take our land.

Now I am unsure if this train is the answer but I do know our governor should find out everything he can about it. This train offers Texas more than he has. The structure from what I have read is fast to put up versus the other type of trains. It does use less energy and is quiet. The wonderful part about it is you can see landscape and cities near to it, which tells you there is no two-mile wide clearance needed.

It will take you over eight minutes to watch the video but I think it Texas rural life is worth eight minutes of time.

2nd Amendment Victory

I grew up with two brothers in a family that spent winters hunting and all year round fishing. It is nothing new for anyone to have a firearm. Matter of fact it is odd not own a firearm in my family. The family that came down to Texas I feel sure carried guns to hunt and keep the family safe. I have no idea how or when it became scary or passé to own a firearm but it has.

There are days I honestly feel like my life is being lived outside these United States. I grew up hearing stories about Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie as Texas heroes. They did not cower at the thought that someone somewhere thought they were wrong. They fought for Texas, with pride because they understood how precious freedom from persecution is. It was no different in the American Revolution. People fought because there was something worth fighting for.

In order to have something worth fighting for you need to understand that these United States is what people worldwide long to see and live in. This blog is visited from all over the world. I thought it was a fluke. As I watched the stats I realize however brash or proud Texans sound we are one thing above all Envied! We are envied because as our lives become more boxed in we fight back. Do not ask a Texan what is wrong they do not mind telling you all about it. Everywhere else, they cower or risk being killed. We as Americans and Texans take that for granted every day. We walk around thinking it would be fine for a woman to speak their mind in Iran, yeah you just try it.

It is with great pride that as I go to asleep tonight in what is still a Republic of Texas I am well armed with firearms. In America today I can still own a firearm, because no matter what weirdos think I have a constitutional right to do so. By the way, I am a great shot. My dad was a gun instructor. I learned to shoot before I went to junior high. I never played with the firearms in my house they are deadly weapons. It is something every firearm owner should teach their kids, and my kids learned the first day they saw one.

I plan never to give up my right to carry a weapon, call me Charlton Heston! Every time I walk into a building where there is a sign about concealed guns are not allowed I think back about the mass killings in Killeen at the Luby’s. If one person had one firearm, there would be survivors and not so many funerals.

We may not have one by a grand margin, but the constitution is still alive tonight and I am very happy about it. I have decided to join a blog log called Come and Take It, it was the cry from Texans fight the Mexicans for this state. I have linked the history to the name as well as the title. As always, I believe my blog is a part of education and history as well as entertainment. It is with great pride I fly what I consider the flag that means the most to me.

Being Compared to My Mom

I am dealing with more inherited clutter. Somehow, my mother’s willingness to clean out anything always begins with “don’t you want this? It is so nice!” That is always how it begins, and the first time I say yes. Then soon I say, “Look my house is overstuffed as it is!” I refuse to allow my house to become a dumping ground for other people. They have to find somebody else to take their stuff. I have and will continue to fight the clutter as much as I can. Saturday most of what I cleaned out will go to my sister-in-laws house for another garage sale. It is not that my mother doesn’t have beautiful things because she does, but she over the years has given me more than I could possibly ever use or want.

I took the towels, and a blue shower curtain. It will change the boy’s bathroom, and not be a bad addition. The curtain that was so important I am rigging up in the nursing home, somehow. Trust me that baby is going up if only with stickpins it is going up! She went on and on about how beautiful it was. I wasn’t about to hear about if only she hadn’t let it go.

My mother does have beautiful taste, and most people think I am some genetic mutation of my mother. What they fail to realize is I did have two parents, and instead of taking after my petite mother, I took after the big boned and tall side of both families. I have enough Scot and American Indian in me to keep me dangerous. I also have enough English to make me taller than the average woman, not lanky mind you but long legged. I was the girl who wore high water pants unless I took tall slacks and had them altered. The fact that my youngest wore 9 slim jeans did not surprise me. He is the one that is most like my body type. He has the long legs of my side of the family. My legs are longer than my Hubbys, yet he is much taller. I don’t understand how or why I only know I can wear longer jeans than he can.

It can be frustrating being so different than my mom. I was used to it till mom moved into my town. Now everyone is asking me things that I would like to forget. Like, “you don’t really favor your mom.” Or, “your mom always looks so nice.” Let me translate for those that think I am a redneck too thick to get the inference. Did you know your mom is really petite and you are on the chunky side of life? Nope I had no idea! You really don’t spend the time your mom spends on her appearance! Yes, I know I have these things called animals and kids. I focus on those things first and my appearance second. Yes, I know when I do dress up and put on makeup I look good, but most days I chose not to.

Yep we are not much alike, and I am sure there are plenty in town that can attest to that. Including my Hubby, he realizes my priority list is not what my mothers is. Many times, I run out of the house, and think later if I put on my shirt on correctly. When the family needs something, you tend to go first and think later. So far, I have only taken the kids to school once in pajamas, granted I may roll out of bed to throw on clothes but you are not going to catch me in a broken down car in a nightgown! She may not look like me but she taught me plenty of great lessons!

Generational Love

Our lives are busy with the livestock, not as much as when the boys are showing but we still have enough animals to feed. Until recently, our local Livestock Auction Barn was closed. Finally, a buyer bought it after several years of it standing still. The sadness in a small town is when a business closes everyone misses it. We have strangers that stop us at the gas station asking about a café that is no longer there. One day it was empty and the next day they tore it down.

Since the auction barn has opened we as a family have done our best to support it. Shipping cattle over an hour is not good for the cattle before being sold. A local barn allows your cattle to be rested and hydrated before selling. Dunk is now working on his off days at the barn. He loved the auction barn before it closed. As a tiny boy he would walk the catwalk and beg to work at it. W on a very busy day almost jumped into a holding pen, I grabbed him at the last second. S is the only child that doesn’t have weekly memories of the barn. Dunk used to ask me why they had to attend school on the sale day. To him it was the time you saw the ranchers, friends and the men you truly know are the backbone of this country. They usually would get a soda and a hamburger and sit a spell while the cattle came through. Most of them are gone now, but a few remain like my father-in-law.

This ritual is something in Dallas I did not see growing up, the generational support of families. We knew our cousins. We did not have this group of people that wanted to know how we were doing and all our plans. You have that in a church but not in a community of a city. You only acquire that in a small town. It is one of the blessings I am thrilled to watch happen each time a person comes up to me and tells me they knew my Hubby as a boy and his sons are a fine measure of him as man. Dunk is consistently coming home telling his dad about a man that knows him and knew the moment he saw Dunk he was his son. I did have that love from my great aunts and the people at church but my community was not a generational support place. I was raised in a way that I could mess up and start anew. This town you mess up and everyone knows it. The ironic part about it is if you do mess up the people that love you will not change their opinion at all, and those that do were never truly attached to you in the first place.

As my boys grow big and move into environments that do not have the comfort that home has, I sometimes think about how insulated they have been. How loved by so many they have felt. Then I realize they have worked so hard to maintain that connection with their family. As I know life will change them, they will always look back and have no doubt they are loved. To me that is the legacy I want them to remember, being loved.

People Watching Game

I have a secret game I play. I commented on Janice Dean’s blog about it. Since my degree is in theatre, I spent a lot of my time doing what they call character studies. You focus on a person and try to figure out what makes them tick. It can be far more interesting than the actual person. My own made up stories are usually based on an outrageous point of view.

So for instance today as my mom was at the doctor having her botox shots, which I refuse to watch. I was at a fast food restaurant playing my game. There was a table of a 11 yr old boy, a grandmother, a fourteen or fifteen yr old girl and their mom. As the grandmother talked the girl took in every word, the boy did not pay much attention. The mother had gorgeous skin it was smooth and almost translucent. As I watched this family eat together, I began in my head figuring out how they all got along. The granddaughter really liked the grandmother, not so much her own mother. Once the grandmother pulled out her money to organize it, the grandson watched her every move. Before the money came out the granddaughter suddenly with wide eyes told a story of great interest to the grandmother. I just knew it was full of drama and intrigue, the granddaughter was far too excited for it not to be. The mother was very quiet, much larger than her mother but very striking in a Romanesque way. They were still there when I left, and syes, I am sure they had a wonderful talk. As I watched the boy and girl at first I thought they could be cousins, but then I noticed the familiarity they had with each other they were definitely siblings.

So I as I left I imagined they were preparing to travel further. I don’t think they were locals, but travelers on a rest stop. With each entrance of a person to their room, they would glance with uncertainty. It was as if they were trying to be completely together and alone with each other.

See that is the beauty of this game, I have no idea what the real deal is. Only that as I watched them I learned they were a very devoted family. So next time you are stuck somewhere, play a game if you forgot a book. The story you decide is fascinating, just don’t stare too much let your eyes float across the room. Today this was the most interesting table I found, some days there are so many to watch time flies by.

Real American Heroes

I share this through Guidons, he posted it from the Houston Chronicle. This makes me so proud of the Astros, I don't care what the scoreboards say!

Guidons, Guidons, Guidons!: The Astros Visit Real American Heroes

American Marines

Jan my breast cancer buddy shared this with our support group. There are many things that impress you, but as a child I loved to watch the Marine Drills. So enjoy this video by the Proud Marines. I am very grateful to each and every Marine.

Online Garage Sale

Everything will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. If someone else has already claimed an item that you're interested in, it's ok to comment and say that you are interested in the item as well. If a buyer does end up backing out, I will contact the next person interested in the item.

Every item will be given a name and number. If you want to buy any item or items, just leave a comment below along with:

(1)the item name and number,
(2)your email address
(3)Lastly, Please contact me after claiming items and include your mailing address.

After I have an opportunity to weigh your package on my postal scale, I'll calculate shipping and send you an invoice that includes shipping costs through PayPal. Shipping costs are calculated by the USPS based on weight and destination and I will charge only actual shipping costs. I will try and get your items weighed and your invoice to you as soon as possible next week starting on Monday. Please plan on making your payment with 7 days of receiving your invoice. (Since you are being so patient with me in getting the invoices and packages out, I wanted to give you plenty of time to pay!)


I am not trying to get rich here only cleaning out my clutter a few pieces at time. I tried to make the items shippable and cheap.




This is a clown. It is almost 6 and 1/2 inches tall. I don't know if it is collectible or not. Taken By Susan!



This is a Mockingbird piece. It is 5 inches tall. It is a Lefton from Japan. I don't know if it is collectable or not. Taken by Carrie!





This is a Robin on a separate wooden base. The height of the Robin is 6 and 3/8 inches tall without the base. It is a Lefton from Japan. I don't know if it is collectable or not. Taken By Carrie!




This is some kind of pitcher. It has Wilkinson and ironstone on the marking. I know it is hard to read. The pitcher is a little over 4 inches tall from base to the top of the handle. I am asking $3.00 plus shipping and handling. I have no idea if it is collectible or not.




This is a Brainac toy, I think from McDonalds. As you can see the box is not perfect, but the toy has not been opened. I am asking $1.00 for it plus shipping.



This is a PeZ dispenser, I am asking $1.00 for this. I know they are collectible as well. Plus shipping and handling.



This is 1996 McDonalds Happy Meal collectible Disney 101 Dalmatian water globe. Believe it or not this is a collectible. There is a display case for these and a whole group of people that love them. I am asking $2.00 only because I know it is a collectible. Plus shipping and insurance if you want it.




This is a Fire king Cup. You can see it does have a small chip on it. I tried to show the marking but it was so white I don't know if it showed up. I am asking $3.00 plus shipping and insurance.



This is a Precious Moments Ring Bearer. Taken by Susan




This is a depression cup I think. If I don't do the research you might get a bargain, at least that is my theory. I am asking $3.00 for it. I know the shipping will be 9.00 or less. I ship when I need to at flat rate, but this is smaller. I would suggest insurance.






This is an oriental style etching from the Franklin Mint. The date is 1981, it measures 20 inches by 10 1/2 inches. This item is the only one I don't the amount on shipping. I will offer insurance I think it runs 1.30. I am asking 9.99 on this, don't have a clue what it is worth!



My curriculum is at my sister in law's garage sale. This sale will be small items I can ship or framed pictures that I know I do not want. I want to thank One Woman's Cottage Life for her inspiration and experience. She was the first, I am a mere copycat! If this is successful I will continue to do it each week, my garage runneth over!

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Garage Sale Tips

Preparing for my online garage sale, while getting stuff for my sister in laws teacher curriculum is really keeping me hopping. My sister in law had this fabulous idea of doing a used teacher curriculum sale; she has so much stuff over her decades of teaching. Much of it she gave to me, but I am giving a lot of it back or selling it. On the way to her place, I am stopping at mom’s storage shed to clean out her last remaining items of things. She seems to think it is kitchen stuff, I don’t even remember. My brother packed it up a few years ago. All I know it is none of it is coming home with me.

If you have not done a garage sale I can give you some easy tips. Give your kids a job to do, like lemonade or soda and water bottle sales. It doesn’t hurt to sell baked goods either, stay away from meat products or breakfast tacos. You want to stay focused on getting rid of stuff. So many think the kids should be quiet or not there but if they have a way to earn a living it makes them happier to be a part of it.

Make up your mind that whatever does not sell you will either throw it away or give it away. You have to commit to it before you begin. If not you will find yourself like my neighbor holding on to “wonderful things” for several decades. Nobody wants to spend a lot of money at garage sales. They want a bargain, be ready to deal. Think of throwing in stuff, especially if you have kids’ toys. Think of loading up someone that is interested but doesn’t have enough cash. They must need it or they would not be there trying to bargain.

I am a big believer in pricing, many do not the reason I think it helps is that as a buyer I think we should all start at the same price. This allows you to go down 50% at noon. I am a big believer in discount at noon. Otherwise, nobody is buying anything. The afternoon shoppers are major hunters, they are on the prowl and taking your goods to a charity costs you money. Make that stuff move faster after noon.

Do make up signs for corners; ask for permission to post them as well. The last thing you need is hostile landowners; this may not be your last garage sale. Be totally prepared for the day, have plenty of money. Price things not at a penny go up to 5, 10 or 25. That way you have less change to make. If you are doing books or DVDs market deals 5 for ***. Any type of group pricing makes people buy more, an old marketing trick still works today. Make sure and have part of your garage sale in the shade, it may rain or be very hot. Everyone appreciates a sale that is comfortable.

My last advice is not to allow early sales, many do it but I feel it is not fair marketing. Whatever time you chose stick to it. I rarely go past 1:00, many do but in our town very, few shop after 1 so there is no point. Therefore, if you are planning, look and see what the other garage sales are doing right and wrong.

Garage sales are a great way to clean out. Good luck and remember the object is to get the stuff gone for good.

Michael Williams

Okay you want the best speaker at the Texas Republican Convention? Well I have him right here. He is a wonderful man that I am proud to say is probably the best speaker every convention I have been to. He truly is what I like about Texas, he is honest, humble with a terrific sense of humor. If he ran for President I would campaign non stop for him in a heartbeat, or for Governor for that matter. He is intelligent and Texas is lucky to have him. With all this negativity about Republicans being bigots, I want you to know Commissioner Williams receives standing ovations every convention. He is without question a black man that truly understands his past and his future. God Bless Bush for putting him into office, because each and everytime he has run I am more proud of Texas for re-electing him.

Drill Here Drill Now

I try to use common sense when a topic comes up. I am not complicated actually. I believe in solar, wind energy, as well as methane, ethonal, nuclear, and the newest I have heard of algae energy. There are many choices out there. Only problem is my truck uses gas. I would love to have real choices but so far I don’t. I drive less and less but the farm requires us to use gas, as well as my Hubby’s job that is 35 miles away. There is no way for us to operate on no gas. Try as we might, it is a necessity. I don’t think we are alone in this issue.

I have spoken to people raised in Alaska with family sti