Be Careful What You Release Into the Universe...

Last week, I told ya'll I love storms. The sound of rain on the roof...the breeze that blows the storm in...the power of thunder and lightning...even the limbs and pine cones that fall during the storm.

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I TAKE IT ALL BACK! I DON'T LIKE STORMS ANY MORE!

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I got a call at work this afternoon that Riley Dog was cowering under the table and it was thundering like crazy. Thank heavens I had the forethought to get Rick to unplug my laptop, just in case.

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I didn't tell him to unplug the kettle, the stereo, the DVD player, the phones, the chargers, the answering machine, and possibly a few more things I haven't yet discovered! Of course, the house was smacked by a huge bolt of lightning! These appliances and entertainment devices no longer work! I don't know why the TV didn't blow up, but I won't challenge that one.

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I still love the feel of a storm, but that lightning needs to stay the heck out of my yard!

Father's Day!

So, what do you get a dad who already has everything? The kids don't have any ideas (that we can afford). I'm at a loss. What's a motha to do? Go to e-bay and type in Father's Day gift ideas. You won't believe what pops up (n0 pun intended)!

I swear! Click on the photo and it will take you to the link!

"So, what did your daughter give you for Father's Day?"

"Aw, she's the best! She gave me this really cool Playboy DVD!"

That's just wrong! And really, REALLY creepy!

Sleepovers, Flowers and Storms

For the first time in years, Neighbor Mary spent the night away from home. Actually, it's the second time. The first time she left home, she went to Russia and came home with two fabulous kids! But, I digress! Last night, she and her human crew flew to Baltimore to see an Oriole's baseball game. With so many babes to care for, I wound up with a couple of cages in my garage!

The peacock is on the perch and two guineas are snuggled in the corner. Even with temperatures in the upper 90's, we had to keep the heat lamps on the babies. They like temperatures of 100 degrees.

Also along for the sleepover were two baby ducks. One had been grabbed by a hawk and has stitches in her hind end. The other one has a hurt foot. They are good company for each other while they recuperate! I love filling up their water bowl and watching them gulp and splash in it!

Riley Dog wasn't thrilled with sharing his space with lowly birds. He fell out in the liriope and pouted for a while.

It was dusk when I headed out with my camera and got some pretty shots of blooms in the yard. This is a butterfly bush that volunteered. All of the ones I dug holes for, fertilized and watered have died! I'll take volunteers!

Bee balm keeps Neighbor Dave's bees happy! I guess they had all gone to bed by the time I got out for a photo shoot!

Doesn't everyone love yellow daisies? Are there any flowers that look happier than these?

Look at the close up and tell me it doesn't chase away a bad mood!

The red is getting ready to bust out of this flower. I'll take another photo in a few days. For the life of me, I can't remember what this one is called. If anyone knows, please leave me a comment. A full-bloom photo might be more helpful in identifying!

We have had some beautiful storms lately. The photo above shows the storm rolling in this afternoon. We got a nice rain that cooled the temperatures off quite a bit. I love the light rays shining through the clouds.

This one is from a storm last week. The sky was the prettiest shade of purple in the midst of it all.

Do you like storms?

101 Things that Make Me Happy!

I was tagged by my buddy Stacey at Flotsam and Jetsam for this one! Good timing, too, since I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and need to remember the many things that make me so happy! Here they are...

1. My Boys

2. My Husband

3. Riley Dog

4 through 8. Skippy and the Girls (Cora, Ruby, Shakira and Chrissy)

9. The Basement

10. The best neighbors in the world!

11. SuzAnna's Antiques

12. Working at the USO

13. A movie that makes me laugh until I cry!

14. Sudoku...especially when I can finish the puzzle.

15. Walking with my boys.

16. Finding treasures while hiking in the woods.

17. Getting a handwritten letter in the mail.

18. Driving with no destination and no time restraints.

19. Watching my kids when they don't know I'm looking.

20. Sewing quilts

21. Needle point

22. Trips to the mountains.

23. Janet Evanovich books.

24 thru 28. A bottle of glue, a pile of paints and brushes, old buttons and jewelry.

29. Taking off in an airplane.

30. Painting furniture.

31. Selling something I made.

32 thru 34. A clean house...done by somebody else...without me asking.

35. A cold diet coke.

36. Dark chocolate candy.

37. Reading blogs.

38 Writing.

39. Packages in the mail.

40. Being by myself.

41. Looking at the flowers blooming in my yard.

42. Cutting the grass.

43. Pulling weeds.

44 thru 47. Picking cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, tomatoes in my garden

48. Watching my chicklets.

49. Walking with Terri.

50. Playing with Mary's new babies.

51. Date nights with Tony.

52. Going to BoJangles in the convertible with the top down.

53. A good old country Auction!

54. Lucking up on a yard sale with good crap!

55. Dress pants in my size on sale!

56. Clark's shoes.

57. Visiting Mom and checking chores off her list.

58. Hanging out with my niece.

59. Mexican food.

60. Specifically, chili rellenos! YUM!

61. Christmas with extended family!

62. Watching my Dad talk to my boys.

63. Cooking with my Mom.

64. Watching a good marching band perform.

65. The last day of school.

66. The first day of school.

67. The noises Riley Dog makes when I rub his belly.

68. Sleeping late.

69. My laptop!

70. The first fire of the season.

71. Lightning bugs!

72. Feeding Japanese Beetles to Cora Bell.

73. Pretty old dishes.

74. Yoga.

75. Newly laid, still warm eggs.

76. Time to sew.

77. Stumbling upon wild animals.

78. The smell of gardenias...only when they are outside.

79. Using my power tools.

80. Old photos.

81. Marking a bill PAID!

82. Eating dinner on the back deck.

83 thru 87. Purple, red, yellow, orange and green.

84. Rocking on the front porch.

85. Watching the birds and squirrels snack on corn.

86. A vase of fresh flowers from my yard.

87. No laundry in the basket.

88. The boys spending time together without bickering!

89. Reading a good book.

90. Bonfires.

91. Vintage rhinestone jewelry!

92. Books on CD.

93. Magnolia trees.

94. Learning something new.

95. Angels.

96. Granny's Christmas ornaments.

97. Red doors.

98. To Kill a Mockingbird

99. Getting home early.

100. Curly hair.

101. Did I mention my boys?

Okay guys! Here's the challenge...see how many things you can come up with that makes you happy. I could easily add 100 more things to this list! Let me know if you create a list so I can see what I'm missing!

I'm Still Here...

Hey guys! I'm working hard during the day, job hunting at night, maintaining kids who have been out of school for just two days and already bored out of their minds, dieting and exercising, and keeping track of my chickens! I'll be peacock sitting for Neighbor Farmer Mary this weekend. Stay tuned for photos and stories!

Bits and Pieces...

In just a few more days, our friend Linda will be turning 60. As a twist on birthday celebration, she gave presents away! And, BONUS, I'm a winner! I won Linda's Christmas in June (actually, it was May at the time) gift box. And what a box it is!

She included everything!

Not just place mats, napkins and cute little dessert dishes, she also sent two place settings of silverware!

And this cookie cookbook has me planning some goodies for my near future! See the pretty little cross stitch ornament?

Snowman napkins, paper plates, a little statue, a tea towel, and the stacked salt, pepper and toothpicks snowman on the right are going to be wonderful additions to my Christmas supplies! Is that all?

NO WAY! You know she had to include this fabulous chicken mug! I love it all!

Thank you so much Linda! Make sure you visit her blog...

ALA CARTE!

Tell her I sent you!

Last night, I went over to Mary's to get photos of that ugly little peacock I showed you earlier this week. Turns out, nobody was home. But I was not alone! These guys were my escort!

Actually, the black goat grabbed me on my way out...literally! My shirt looked like it would taste really good! The other guys walked me to the chicken coop and showed off their feathered friends.

Mary has a little bit of everything in her yard!

That cute baby bunny posed a little for me. See the ears of his brothers and sisters behind him?

As I was headed out, Mary came home. A quick trip in the house, and I had the shot I was looking for!

Remember that pitiful looking peacock I showed you last week? He had just hatched.

This is the same guy three days later! He's still not looking much like a peacock!

And, this is my favorite bloom at the moment. This hydrangea is as big as my head!

They're Growing!

Across the street...

When they aren't sleeping, their eyes are open!
Did you ever wonder what a baby peacock looks like?

And, the ducks are getting duckier!

(We need to schedule a manicure for Neighbor Mary!)