Category Archives: Twists and Turns

Can’t Fool Mom

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I was holding my little spoiled Jinx dog, and she was doing her best to hug and kiss me. Bela was watching and laughing (of course). When I told Jinx, “Your breath smells like a pencil,” Bela really cracked up. She thought I was nuts.

Bela argued that pencils have no odor. I had to explain that mechanical pencils and Number 2 pencils are different. Jinx had been chewing on a Number 2 pencil to be precise. I grabbed a Number 2 pencil from the desk drawer and sniffed it as Bela continued to make fun of me. I put the dog down, went to her favorite chair and picked up the remains of…….a Number 2 pencil! HA! Vindicated! Maybe next time Bela won’t be so quick to mock me….

Jinx will gnaw on anything!

Jinx will gnaw on anything!

The Chicken Chick

One More Challenge

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I got word this week that my final exam for my Master’s will be November 7. I read the email twice to make sure I gleaned all the information, then I shot an email back asking for more specific information. I finished my last class over the summer, so the material isn’t as fresh in my mind as I would have wanted it to be, especially for such a high-stakes test.

I have contacted my other two professors to make sure I focus on the right parts of each course, and I am starting my review tonight. All this material is from the last two years of my studies! We covered a lot of topics! From curriculum development to sheltered instruction to Latin American literature, we studied it all!

Am I nervous? A little. Will I pass? I have to. This four question, three-hour marathon test is all standing between me and accomplishing a goal I set for myself. The bottom line is that I’ve come too far to let an exam beat me! Game on!

This is my (ugly) game face.

This is my (ugly) game face.

Attention, Readers!

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If you like to read as much as I do, you’re always looking for a new book. It can be a paper copy or an e-book, but we need something new to read. I have found a way to satisfy the urge; I joined
https://storycartel.com/ to get free downloadable books. All I have to do in return is give an honest review. Sounds easy, right? It is!

You should give it a try! Did I mention it’s free????? My policy is if it’s free, it’s for me. Go check it out. You never know when you might discover your new favorite author!

We’ve Created a MONSTER!

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When we first adopted Poppy (AKA Poppy McSassy Pants), weeks went by before she would let us pet her. For security, we had her in our bedroom, but she took up residence on the top of the closet and dared us to look at her. She would hiss as we approached even if we were talking softly to her. She had been a street cat, and she didn’t need humans.

Fast forward to present-day, and you can see for yourself how it all turned out….

We've created a monster!

We’ve created a monster!


She demands attention. Her meow is adorable, and her fur is softer than a cloud.

She demands attention. Her meow is adorable, and her fur is softer than a cloud.

The Chicken Chick

To the Doctor We Go….

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In rural Nebraska, heading to the doctor can be an “ordeal” of sorts. Our doctor happens to be 95 miles from home, so when I have to take Bela, we just schedule to be gone from school for the entire day. We got up early and went for coffee only to be disappointed….our local coffee shop is closed for the next few days. Bummer. We were sad, but we soldiered on. The gas station was also closed, so I had to use my debit card (which I do not like to do) to get gas so we could leave town. There was a cattle drive of sorts between our town and the next. I am so glad we were able to dodge the cows!

Things started out a little sketchy, as you probably figured by now, but they sure took a turn for the better once we made it to the doctor’s office. Our wait was reasonably short, and we went back for vitals to discover that Bela has lost 17 pounds! I didn’t have energy enough to do a happy dance, but I sure am thrilled for her. I though she looked smaller lately, but it can be hard to tell. Bela’s Hashimoto’s may be getting under control! Since good is usually balanced by bad, the doctor said she also is suffering from TMJ, so she prescribed an anti-inflammatory to see if it will improve.

While I was waiting for the doctor, I mentioned to the nurse taking vitals that there are a lot of apples on the ground going to waste. She said to get all I wanted! She was even kind enough to bring me two bags to use. Once I was out in the parking lot again, I noticed a cherry tree was growing alongside the apple tree! I got a bag of apples and a bunch of cherries. Bela said the cherries are a taste of Mexico! We put the free resources (one of my favorite phrases!) in the car and walked across to the pharmacy for medicines. That didn’t take long, so we stopped at Hazel’s Coffee for some yumminess. I got mint and vanilla, and Bela got brain freeze from peanut butter and white chocolate. We parted from our blended ice long enough for me to stop by the local college campus to offer my services as a Spanish instructor. I was warmly received when the lady found out I can teach ESL and Spanish. 🙂 We left and planned to head home, but by then we were hungry; we ate lunch at Taco John’s.

Since we had all day to ramble, I stopped at Chandler’s Honey because every time we have seen it, Bela has begged to stop. I’m usually in a hurry no matter where we go. Not today! All in all, the trip was worth the trouble today.

The trees had plenty of fruit!

The trees had plenty of fruit!


Blended ice yumminess!

Blended ice yumminess!


Taco John's serves potato oles.

Taco John’s serves potato oles.

Jinx

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If you’ve been keeping up, you’ll know that we adopted dog number three not too long ago. After getting to know her better, I must say that she is one of the sweetest little dogs ever. She has fit right in with our other two babies.

With winter coming up fast, she has started shivering to make me notice that she needs a sweater of her own. Jinx has the shortest fur—and no clothes yet! If you are scandalized by this news, you’re not alone. Boxi and Chance have their own sweaters.

I made the mistake of putting Boxi’s clothes on Jinx one day. Boxi looked at me accusingly, but Jinx stopped shivering. Now, I can tell you Jinx can be quite dramatic when it’s cold or rainy outside. The last few days have been a bit wet, so I have had to literally carry her out to potty. Once there, she gets down to business fairly quickly. She doesn’t want to get any wetter than necessary! Since I’m on the other end of the leash, I’m all for that!

I guess the next step is to head to Koko’s Palace and let her shop for her clothes….

Jinx was only slightly shivering.

Jinx was only slightly shivering.

She's our little drama queen.

She’s our little drama queen.

The Chicken Chick

Dance Etiquette

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How many times have our kids heard us say, “Well, in my day X didn’t happen“? I am about to do it again. In my day, friends didn’t ask to dance with a friend’s date. (Girls in my school wouldn’t even consider pairing up with a boy in a lower grade (or two!) like they do nowadays, but that’s another story!) Times sure have changed!

I was taught that you dance with the one who brought you, your friend’s fellow was off-limits and there was a line between being friendly and being flirty. Are mothers not teaching daughters these things anymore? Am I being ridiculously old-fashioned? It feels like there are no boundaries too sacred to cross. If I had a friend who bluntly asked to dance with my date, I would have been so mad! I have seen it happen various times in the last few years. The girls today ask the guy if he’ll save her a dance, but shouldn’t they clear that with their gal pal first? Respect, please!

Family History

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My cousin Heather did a lot of work to uncover our family history. Another cousin did a lot of work before he died of cancer, but his widow wasn’t willing to add to what Heather already knew. Based on my copy of Heather’s work, she had to have put in hundreds (thousands?) of hours searching records, copying documents and making notations. My mother had quite a few photos to supplement many of Heather’s documents.

My mom also had a treasure trove of pictures from our branch of the family tree. The most fascinating for me is the stained sepia picture of my grandmother’s mother. Nanny’s name was Eva Clair Blankenship. Her mother, Virgie Orey, married Grover Cleveland Blankenship. Every time I look at Virgie’s picture, I wish I could have met her. In my opinion, she is beautiful and mysterious. Is it odd that I can study the photo for hours searching for answers to my many questions?

Grandma Virgie O. Blankenship----Grover's wife

The Chicken Chick