The Good Stuff

It's been a truly wonderful weekend here on Ho-Hum Drive. Oh by all accounts, it shouldn't have been. I've caught a cold that I'm sure I picked up from Stomp. You see Stomp's super about remembering to cough into his elbow unless he's home sick snuggling Mama. Then he coughs into Mama's elbow...or hand...or mouth. So it was really no surprise I caught his cold. And I've been pretty miserable. But all that aside, it was a wonderful weekend.

Saturday we had a birthday party for one of the kiddos in the Trailerhood. My girlfriend Chelise has two girls who rock our boy-infested world. They are head over heels crazy about The Viking. And I guess they like me okay since they've decided to call me "Aunt Mamas". The story is that I'm like an aunt to them but I also look out for them and protect them and care for them when their Mama can't be around, so I'm like a mama too. Anyway, there was a birthday party for one of the little princesses and we had a great time. It's always wonderful to get together with friends who love you and who get you and who don't care that you're a) a little floopy from the cough syrup and b) hacking up a lung. The weather was beautiful and it just felt so nice to breathe in all that fresh air and all that unbridled, overflowing, incredible kid energy. It's good for the soul.

Unfortunately I may have overdone it a bit and I came home and fell asleep (yes at 7:00 p.m., don't judge me!). I spent the next 24 hours or so waking every 4 hours to take cough syrup and eat and then fall back asleep. Not the most exciting way to spend a Sunday but I got to be comforted and cared for by my Viking. I'm always touched and awed by the sweet way he tends to my every need when I'm sick. He's been like this as long as I can remember. In fact, when we were just 18, right after we'd moved in together, I came down with walking pneumonia. I spent a lot of nights up all night, sick and coughing and feverish. He spent a lot of nights up with me. It hasn't changed one bit all these years later. In the middle of the night when I'm awake and shaky and cold and coughing and flat out miserable, he always wakes up (at least partially) too. He reaches up and smooths my hair or rubs my neck or holds my hand or kisses the top of my head. And I am soothed and comforted and, I daresay, healed a bit of whatever ails me. There's incredible healing power in the touch of the man who loves you. Someone should bottle it and sell it as a miracle cure.

So anyway, I was under the weather and more than a little miserable but I was also loved and cared for and nursed. And while I'm still physically ill, my spirits are fine and my heart is full.

He said: "Spent five years in the bottle,
When the cancer took her from me.
But I've been sober three years now,
'Cause the one thing stronger than the whiskey:
Was the sight of her holdin' my baby girl.
The way she adored that string of pearls,
I gave her the day that our youngest boy, Earl,
Married his high school love."
An' it's a new tee-shirt saying: 'I'm a Grandpa'.
Bein' right there as our time got small,
An' holdin' her hand, when the Good Lord called her up,
Yeah, man, that's the good stuff."
- "The Good Stuff" -- Kenny Chesney

That's important to me

When I was a little girl, I was (still am actually) chubby and bespectacled and shy and not-very-hip and not-very-popular. I was picked on so very much. One of the "best" places for all this teasing and cruelty was on the horrible 45 minute bus ride to and from school. When we decided to have children and it became clear I was going to stay home, I never wanted Nathan to ride the bus. We, of course, knew when we were pregnant with Stomp that we'd be leaving that hate-infested craphole called Albuquerque and moving to the Utopia of Nebraska ("The Good Life" indeed!), but I definitely didn't want Nathan to be on the bus anyway. Sure, it's an emotional reaction and believe me, almost everyone has given me a hard time about my decision. Nonetheless, my little boy is not going to spend his ride to school being teased or made fun of or flat out bullied*. By taking him to school, I have control over the last interactions he has before he steps into a learning environment. I know he's walking into school feeling loved and empowered and confident. I know he's heading in there with positive interactions on his plate along with a heaping side dish of kisses, hugs and "I love you"s. These things not only strengthen him and prepare him for learning, they strengthen him for dealing with teasing, whether it happens to him or someone else. I feel better knowing that even if someone were to pick on him, he'd be able to let it roll off his back, to a certain degree, because he's wrapped up in love and praise.

Besides all that good (and important) stuff, I treasure the times I get to take him to and from school. It's one of those snapshots you could take of my day that would sum up my life. Getting Nathan ready (though most mornings it's crazy, despite my best efforts! I hate you One-Glove-Disease!) and being able to drive him to school where I can hug and kiss him as he gets out of the car is a cherished part of my routine. When I pick him up after school, I usually have the option of showing up a little early and watching the kids play on the playground at their last recess. I take a book and a cup of tea and I have a few quiet moments to myself to read. I catch Nathan as the excitement of the day starts to settle down. I ask questions about his day and it's all still fresh in his mind. I get to laugh with him over his highs and hug away his lows. I've met other parents (including my very own Nikki) and gotten to know the teachers and the staff. I get to see and interact with his friends (many of whom will run over and hug me) and I just get to be plugged in. It truly is a wonderful and blessed life.

**I have no idea if this kind of thing goes on in Nebraska, but I assume it happens everywhere.

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love.
-Mildred B. Vermont

There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again

Tonight, a list...Because I'm feelin lazy and floopy and I can't concentrate enough to make sense!

1. Emmylou and Shelby are gettin along fine, just fine. Emmy sleeps in the crate at night, where she'll sleep until she's old enough to have stopped chewing. She hasn't had one single accident in the house and we're amazed at how much more mellow she is than Shelby was at this age. Shelby doesn't seem jealous but I imagine that's because she still gets to sleep on the People Bed.

2. Michael is at band practice tonight. His band is playing on Saturday. Unfortunately when I asked my boss for a specific schedule this weekend (wanted to do days on both days) she didn't give me either one. So I have to miss the show down in Beatrice and I had to cancel and give up on the idea of Halloween party. Nathan isn't bummed because there are so many activities goin on around town. Small town livin is the best. In part because I won't have to x-ray Nathan's candy to make sure no one put a razor blade in it.

Funny story: The first year we lived here we all dressed in theme. Michael was a pirate, I was his serving wench and Nathan was his parrot (I made the costume myself *flexflexflex*). So we get a block over and the lady tells us "ohhh y'all are from the neighborhood, here I make special cupcakes for the neighborhood kids". My mom was beside herself with worry that this kind ole lady had poisoned the cupcake. Nathan ate it and of course nothin happened. Just another snapshot of how different life really is out here at Ho Hum Drive.

3. So anyway, since Michael's down in Beatrice practicin with the boys, Nathan and the dogs and I are watching Inspector Gadget and we had RO's for supper. It's been awesome having some time off and gettin to spend it resting and quilting. Nathan's quilt needs just a few final touches and it'll be completed. Then I have curtains to make for the sewing room, black out curtains for our bedroom, new curtains to go with whatever color we paint Nathan's room and new stockings. Then I can begin on my next quilt.

4. I'm starting to be concerned about my fuzzy socks problem. I can't stop buying them. It's not my fault. They shouldn't be so comfy and feel so good on my feet when I'm drinking hot tea and sewing. I blame fuzzy socks manufacturers the whole world over. I need help.

5. Hi, my name's Eri Sue and I'm addicted to fuzzy socks....HI ERI SUE!

6. Ahem, anyway. I'm startin to be grateful for the colder weather and shorter days. When Michael comes home at night it's dark now. I can't quite explain why but it provides me peace and contentment and just comfort to know that our little house is all lit up awaiting his arrival...It's almost as if our home, lit up and warm, is a symbol of how our lives are lived. It may be cold and dark outside, but this home is always waiting for you to warm you and lighten your life.

7. Speaking of Viking Mike, exciting news for him that I can't quite share with y'all yet, but I will soon I promise!

8. Prayers would be appreciated for my sweet brother-in-law Tristan and my niece Madison and nephew Tyler. Don't want to get into all the details but I'm worried about them and would sure appreciate some prayers and good thoughts headed their way.

9. Hrm, seems like I might make it to 10 things which reminds me, I like to spend the holidays doing 10 things I like about _______ (fill in the blank). And I definitely want your input as well so be thinking of 10 things you're thankful or happy for.

10. Pink fuzzy socks...black and white fuzzy socks...blue and dark blue fuzzy socks. They just go great with my long sleeved nightgowns for the winter...Hrm...I may need more long sleeved nightgowns. I'm not really supposed to be able to ever buy pjs again on account of my 792 nightgowns so if Viking Mike asks, you heard NOTHING!

“May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.”

--Irish blessing

It's just that I love you Mama

It's no secret that this is a very snuggly, physically affectionate family. Hubby and I hold hands and smooch and say "I love you" about 653 times a day. Nathan is very much the same way and he loves to hug and sometimes just to hold my hand while we're watching tv at night. Tonight we thought we'd like to watch some Mystery Science Theater 3000. So we piled up on the couch and Nathan laid down on his daddy's lap and I put my head on Nathan's shoulder and we watched our movie. Nathan kept stroking my hair, just like I do to him when he's laying in my lap, and leaning his head forward to look at my face. I said "why do you keep lookin at me?" and he said "it's just that I love you Mama". I beamed a great big smile to him and sat up so the dogs could hop up on the couch and snuggle too.

We're going to need a bigger couch.

"Men are what their mothers made them."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sweet EmmyLou, what are we gonna do?

Today the Holtry's are welcoming a new addition to Ho Hum Drive. As you all know, we've long been a one-dog family as we searched for the perfect fit for our house like Shelby.

Well, I've been scoping out Petfinder and the Humane Societies allover Nebraska when I found her...the perfect fit for our weird Basset/German Shepard-loving family...Another Basset/German Shepard mix!!! She was clear over in Kansas City, MO so I wasn't sure we were goin to be able to swing it. But we did and now we're probably the only house in the world with two dogs like that. Miss Thing's original name was Emily, but we had to change it a bit. Emily just doesn't say "sweet and goofy dog" to me. So her new name is EmmyLou, Emmy for short. For EmmyLou Harris, of course...and for the sweet girl in the George Strait song "Check Yes or No". She already gets along with Shelby, comes when you call out "Emmy!", snuggles and plays with Nathan. And uhhh she's already fallen off the couch once, something Shelbradoodle does at least once a week!


Here's our girl at the shelter!





"Our love was like a burning ember
It warmed us as a golden glow
We had sunshine in December
And threw our roses in the snow

My darlin's buried on the hillside
Where all the wild spring flowers grow
And when winter snows start fallin'
On his grave I'll place a rose "
- "Roses in the snow" -- Emmylou Harris

She goes great with cold beer and hot wings

Saturday afternoon the Huskers were playing, of course. So we invited some people over, cooked up several pounds of hot wings, chilled about 80 beers and partay'ed down.

We watched the game...



and ate...







and drank beer...



and acted silly...



and played poker...



and I won...50 bucks :)

Then, the Gang and I went to the bar for a few hours and Jessie and I bonded and took adorable pictures of ourselves.



The End.

"Across the street there’s Gamblin’ Jane
Always got the poker game
If you care to try your luck
You can buy a seat for fifteen bucks
You can call the raise, or you can check and fold
Oh, I like Five Card Stud but it’s mostly Texas Hold Em’
Music’s playin’ up and down the block
Mostly Christian, Blues, Country, Folk, and Southern Rock
It’s our little piece of paradise way out here in the woods
There is always somethin’ goin’ on down in the trailerhood"
-"Trailerhood" -- Toby Keith

You'll always be the miracle that makes my life complete

Hi darlings. Sorry to have been so absent but things have been downright wild here on Ho-Hum Drive. I've been working a lot for one, and enjoying every single stinkin second of being home in the evenings for another. Viking Mike and I have been watching a lot of movies, playing Trivial Pursuit on the Xbox and I've been reading, reading, reading like a crazy lady. Special thanks to Chrissi for getting me hooked on Dennis Lehane's books. Also, I've almost finished Nathan's quilt, which you can see pics of below. I still need to attach the backing and then tie it off. I've never done a tie-quilt before but this one is simply too thick to fit through my machine. Just a few quick things I want to mention before I head off to finish "Prayers for Rain".

1. The fall weather is upon us and this means windows thrown open and fresh air cooling us down all night. It means hot tea and snuggles under the covers. It means warm and fuzzy socks. I love warm and fuzzy socks.

2. We went to see "Despicable Me" tonight in 3-D. That's right, our little small town has a 3-D theater. It was hysterical and funny and I got sick watching the roller coaster scene. I'm ever so lame.

3. Been spending a lot of time with Nikki and with the DD* family. I love those guys and it's nice to have companionship. We had a blast over at Nikki's on Friday night. I got to snuggle the baby and the boys had so much fun playing. Nikki and I continue to find thigns that we have in common. It's almost scary.

4. Speaking of friendship, Karyn was in the store today. She came through my line. I was surprised at that, I suppose and tried to be professional. It was weird to discover that I felt a small pang in my heart as if I missed her. I conclude I must be getting over the anger and starting to feel a touch of the hurt. It's sad to realize after all we shared we can never be friends, but that's how it is and there's nothing I can do about it. In truth, we're not the right kind of friends for each other period.

5. I've started a prayer/faith/bible study journal...an actual *cue dramatic gasping* hand-written journal. I have a lot of musings and thoughts and questions and just stuff that I think about with regards to my faith and to God. I don't really have anyone to talk to about it and I'm just not comfortable putting it out here for all to see and read. Besides, there's something so soothing and special to me about the sight of my words spilling across a page. Again, I'm lame.

6. Working one more day and then I actually have a couple of days off, so that'll be nice. I plan to clean, finish quilting and read, read, read. I hope you guys have had a wonderful and safe Labor Day.

**DD family refers to our beloved Non-Psychotic Neighbors who live behind us, Reece's family. DD refers to Demolition Derby. I think it's a suitable nickname. If you have other suggestions, please share them!

Nathan's quilt:







"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
-George Eliot

Thank God I'm a country girl

I've talked before about the awesome walking trail by our house. Now that the weather is cooling down considerably, I'm back to hour long, joyful walks around the countryside along our beautiful trail. Today while I was out I saw a total of four cars, 2 tractors and a riding mower. All of the people behind the wheels of the vehicles waved to me. Then as I was walking home somewhere between the creek and the cornfield (wouldn't that be an awesome country song?) a deer ran 20 feet in front of me. Also, today, I took pictures. Unfortunately the camera "broke" itself about halfway through, so I only have the first half of the walk documented...and sadly, no pics of that gorgeous doe. But, here's what I see when I go out a-walkin:

Down the road that our house is on:



Around the corner on the dirt road:





Along the creek:



The creek: (when it's not flooded)



The trail, between the creek and the cornfield:





Crossing the dirt road to get to the rest of the trail, which lazes through fields of sumac, wild flowers and grass and runs behind the college. You also cross the creek on this neat ole bridge and can get down right alongside the creek on a "forest trail" as well:



"I'm gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin' my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good Lord's blessed
Point our rocking chairs towards the west
Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Where the green grass grows..."
- "Where the green grass grows" --Tim McGraw

A picture of you holdin a picture of me in the pocket of my blue jeans

A few things....

I had my review at work last night. My 90 Day-Eval went very well. I met company expectations in all areas (which is more than they expect from a 90-Day-Associate) and exceeded expectations in a few areas, including customer service. Apparently people frequently comment on how pleasant I am and how they purposely seek out my line. Also I expressed my *extreme* interest in working the Customer Service Desk and they told me they're going to start getting me trained over there. *WOOHOO*

Work was good last night :) Adam and I got to work together a lot, which is always fun. Love that guy. Also it *poured* down rain and thundered and lightning'ed for a while. And I got to do some stocking. HOORAY.

Took Reece and Nathan to the lake today. That was a bit of a challenge. The boys fought more than usual and it was just kinda crazy and hectic. I'm sure we'll do it again sometime after I've recovered! I'm having an ice cold, cheap beer tonight to take the edge off. Sometimes it's necessary, particularly when it's hot out!

Switched shifts with Adam so I'm working during the day Saturday. I'm hoping this leads to a wild and crazy time BBQ'ing here at Ho-Hum-Drive. Although, we may well have the NPN over tonight too. Reece always wants to come back over after he's left so we spend a lot of time hanging out drinking beer.

Nathan's swimming lessons are going great. The kid has *no* fear. And he's so great about cheering on the other kids when they get a little scared. I'm so blessed to have such a sweet and kind boy.

I joined up with Weight Watchers again. I'm hoping if I can eventually get down to my pre-Nathan weight, I'll get pregnant all on my own. A girl can dream, right?

Speaking of weight loss, I'm doing fantabulous and seriously, my new swimsuit is dead sexay on me. I'm thinking all my clothes need to be halters. Also, who knew brown would look so lovely against ivory, freckled skin and auburn hair?!

I guess that's about it. I hope everyone's enjoying sweet summertime, like we are! Between the pool, the lake and all the hangin out outside I'm almost like sort of kind of tan. It's weird. Also, did I mention it's a mere 10 days till Brooks and Dunn in Omaha! *squeal* I'm so excited that when I think about it I wind up practically in tears! I need help! Also, shortly thereafter, we're headed up to Mountain Lakes Lodge to hang with some friends from Albuquerque, do some fishing and do some horseback riding. Can life get any better than this? I submit that it cannot.

"Get caught in the race of this crazy life...Tryin' to be everything can make you lose your mind. I just want to go back in time to American Honey, yeah
There's a wild, wild whisper, blowin' in the wind, callin' out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by. Oh nothin's sweeter than summertime and American Honey"
-"American Honey" -- Lady Antebellum

A patriot is he whose public conduct is regulated by one single motive, the love of his country

It's that time again on Ho-Hum Drive. You see, our little neck of Nebraska is Nebraska's Fourth of July city. We're all famous and stuff. Before I lived here, I read an article in Midwest Living about Seward, NE. Every year that we've lived here, we've filled our days with the annual firing of the anvil (I'd describe it to you, but words don't do it justice), bbq's, parades, pet shows, water fights, air shows, fireworks and lots and lots and lots of funnel cake, classic tractors and car shows. You can see a schedule of events here to give you an idea. We generally start our party on the 3rd with the kind of fireworks that, as a girl in NM, I thought only existed in movies like Annie. When the 4th rolls around in this little town, our population is rumored to swell from over 6000 to over 30,000. There are decorations all over town, freshly painted parking lines, spruced up lawns and a little house on our block is decorated full-freakin-tilt. They have great big wooden fireworks and signs honoring all branches of the military. Truly amazing. I keep meaning to take them some cookies for brightening up our block so much!

This year I am, of course, working. I get off at 10 p.m. on the 3rd so at least I should be able to enjoy some of our home fireworks. And I'll get to do some of the daytime stuff around town. Who knows? This may be the year we enter Shelby into the Pet Show. I'm determined to enjoy it as much as humanly possible, that's for sure. I'm choosing to ignore fatigue and nausea and headaches and just going to go with it. I'm sure everyone will expect me to be a touch tired at the Wal-Mart, considering everyone in town parties hard for this holiday.

On a more serious note, I think it's important, as it always is to honor those who have fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy and celebrate on the 4th. America is truly the land of the free because of the brave and not a day should go by that we don't thank God for those who have paved the way for us to be truly free.

"Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defence and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.”
--Andrew Jackson

Sweet sunshine everywhere I look

I couldn't sleep last night. I don't mind I kinda couldn't sleep, like it took me a half hour or I tossed and turned. I mean I really couldn't sleep. We went to bed at 10. By 11:30, I'd gotten up to clean the kitchen and read. Back to bed at 12:30 a.m. Sometime after 1:00 I dozed off, watching Dog The Bounty Hunter where Baby Lyssa has her baby, and woke up sobbing hysterically. I curled around my hubby who, somehow, always knows when I need him in the middle of the night. Normally you can't kick this man awake. When I've had a bad dream or need a little loving, his Wifey-Sense (like Spidey-Sense but sexier) kicks in and he wakes up, rolls over looks at me, mumbles "are you okay" and wraps me up in those oh so dreamy muscular arms of his. Unfortunately, last night it just didn't work and I didn't drift off until well after 5 a.m.

I'm tired...really, really tired. And I've come to the conclusion that I hate working. Oh I don't mind the job itself. I like the people and all that. What I can't get used to is being out of the house all day. I'm a housewife. I don't mean that I think that's what I should do while the kids are young. I mean I'm pretty sure that's my calling in life. I hate being away from my home until all hours of the night. I hate working so many hours. I hate not having supper with my family. I hate being too tired from my wacky-ass-shift to do housework. I hate being too tired to go to the lake or spend the day behind my sewing machine. In short, I hate working. Oh I keep reminding myself it's temporary. By next summer, I should have a handle on the medical debt, have the few things done I want to around the house and hopefully have our 1/2 of the boat bought. By next summer I should be done. Assuming the soul crushing, life sucking end of it doesn't kill me first. But, here in a month or so I'm definitely cutting back my hours. They have me working 30 (I assume it's because I'm good at what I do, not that they're desperate).

So anyway, I hate working...And I'm tired...And I'm cranky...I mean really severely insanely cranky. So I got cranky at being cranky, grabbed the kid and some sandwiches and sunblock and we went down to the lake. Good lord a livin' I love being so close to the lake (about 25 minutes drive door to door er beach). We cranked up Sugarland covers ("Better man" and "Irreplacable") and Miranda Lambert and spent 3 hours splashing in the lake, laying on the soft sand and just generally being merry. Oh sure, I'm tired as heck now, but it was totally worth it because I'm sun kissed, sort of almost tan (as tan as I get) and downright giddy. Also, I discovered that my swimsuit from like 3 years ago actually *fits* officially putting me out of the plus sizes. So, all in all, it was a good day off. I hope to have another like it sometime in the near future *cringe*.

Also, my parents get into town on Saturday, so expect lots of pictures and funny stories. And I'll have pictures up from the lake at some point, I just don't know when yet!

"Darlin if you think back
To the heartbroken past
Before we found each other
It's so amazing, it's almost crazy
What a difference lookin through the eyes of love

Life is good, the grass is green
The good Lord smilin on you and me
Gonna knock on wood
Sweet sunshine everywhere I look
You love me like no one could
Life is good"
--"Life is Good" - Kenny Chesney

Nothin' sweeter than summertime....

Hi my darlins, I have missed you terribly. Alas my computer appears to have gone, quite rudely I might add, KA-THUNK. So, a brief update and a rant about the awesome-ness of summertime and then I'm out until the new hard drive comes in!

1. We had a blast last weekend with the neighbors, who I still haven't decided on a nickname for. They didn't freak out when I told them our plans for a just-in-case-a-revolution-strikes-bunker, so I'm leaning toward Bunker Buddies. But something about that sounds vaguely immoral and well...kinky. Anyway, we went over there last Friday and our kids played great together (their boy is the very picture of a polite, sweet, loving kid) and we drank cheap beer and listened to country music and flapped our jaws. All my insecurities aside, I think a fun time was had by all. There's talk, lots and lots of talk, of a repeat performance. Maybe with less beer for me. I'm too old errrrr not used to that anymore.

2. Went and saw Robin Hood today with my dad. It was a terribly fun movie and ermph, can I just say this? Russell Crowe with the short haircut and the gruffy beard and the hairy chest?!?! Be still my beatin burnin loins.

3. Took Nathan to the lake after our movie. We had a blast splashing and reading and building sand castles. I absolutely adore living close enough to the lake to go for regular day trips.

4. Working the next 6 days in a row as I took over a shift for a friend at work. I'm tired just thinking about it....Buuuut, a week from Sat my parents will be here!!!! HOOORAY!!!!

Love to all. Be back soon I hope :)

...Put my ass in a lawn chair
And toes in the clay
Not a worry in the world a PBR on the way
Life is good today. Life is good today

--"Toes" Zac Brown Band

Ain't that somethin?

I missed Nathan when he was in school. I know parents treasure their down time for the most part (and I did) but today we had to go into The Big City to hit Sam's and other assorted runnin around. He happily climbed into Sophie (the Malibu) with his Wall-E Lego Robot and promptly asked me to please play some Sugarland. I decided it would be fun to call up my favorite radio station and my favorite dj and ask her to play him some Sugarland. So I called up Kelly Garrett over at 96.9 and asked her to play "All I Want To Do". I explained that me and kidlet were headed to TBC and that Nathan is especially fond of Sugarland. She happily played it for him, and he was so super excited to hear his Mama on the radio and to hear the dj say his name. Coolest.hick.kid.ever.

You see, Nathan has many loves...many, many, many loves. In fact, I can think of at least two dozen things that are his "favorite". He loves dinosaurs and legos and trains and watermelon and ice cream and snuggles and driving to The Big City and listening to country music. Among his country music "favorites" are anything by Sugarland, Neon Moon and Lost And Found by B+D and Little Red Rodeo by Colin Raye. Clearly he has his Mama's taste in music....except for that whole liking Nine Inch Nails thing. I can't stand NIN.

Anywho, I said all that to say that I really missed my guy. I like having him holding my hand in the store enthusiastically offering to help and asking "what's next?". I like hearing his running commentary on everything from airplanes to cheese (loves airplanes, does not enjoy cheese)....and I especially love when he wants to rock out to some of my favorite music!


This particular little ditty is my absolute favorite.....on the Love On The Inside cd (I have too many "favorites"...wonder where Nathan gets that from....) Nathan declares it's his favorite too...



...along with this one....



"I'm slow to trust but I'm quick to love, I push too hard and I give too much. I ain't sayin I'm perfect, but I promise I'm worth it. Now I'm standing here in front of you. Tell me, boy, what you gonna do? Cuz my name's Maggie Duran, I said ain't that somethin? If you want it, come and get it. If you want it, come and get it, but understand you take me as I am."

--Sugarland "Take me as I am"

Little town with a great big life

Nathan graduated Kindergarten Tuesday night. It was a huge affair down at the high school and plenty of mamas, daddy's and grandparents in attendance. Nathan had Grandma and Grandpa Harley in attendance of course, and Grandma and Grandpa Faraways (Mike's mom and stepdad who live down in Wymore). After the emotional ceremony where I only cried a little lot, we had everyone over for some ice cream. Grandpa Faraways commented to me what a great place this was to raise a kid. We agree of course, that's why we town-shopped around till we found this awesome place. But I can see his point. The kids said the pledge (including that oh so offensive "under God" line) to the American flag (and no others) and there was even a song that talked about praying. There was no kerfuffle, no uproar, no controversy...just good, wholesome, American fun. Glenn Beck talks in his book "The Real America" about how small towns today still hold true to the values, the ideals, the...Pollyanna-ism of towns like "Mayberry" and shows like "Leave it to Beaver". He maintains, and I agree wholeheartedly, that if you go to these small towns all over the country, you'll see the flag flying, neighbors helping neighbors, a prayer before football games, kids safe and free to ride their bike down the road and people doing hard work to raise their kids and take care of their families. I love the enthusiasm at school sports events, knowin someone everywhere I go and the county fairs, festivals and parades that are rampant in this part of the US. When I left New Mexico, I really had only had a few glimpses of what life in the Midwest could be and I was already head over heels in love with this part of our country. The longer I live here, the more convinced I am that this is truly God's country.

A small town is a place where there's no place to go where you shouldn't.”
--Burt Bacharach

10 Things I LoveToday On Ho-Hum Drive

1. Warm weather that lets me wear shorts and a tshirt and flip flops
2. That same warm weather lets me hang dry laundry. Washed all my towels and put them out on the line. Pulled those scratchy-in-a-soft-and-awesome-way towels off the line and took a deep whiff. Had Nathan smell them and he said "Oh Mama, these smell soooooooo pretty!"
3. New bras that make me love the boobs I used to hate
4. "Friends" re-runs. I'm sorry, I don't know why. I've seen every episode at least 3-4 times and I own every season on dvd. Yet I watch the re-runs. I don't know what's wrong with me.
5. Finally, finally having a handle on the toy room organization project
6. Shelby of Flop running loose in the backyard while I hang laundry and actually staying with me in the yard
7. Father's day shopping, which I'll tell you about after the Dads in my life have opened their gifts
8. Don Williams, Tracy Lawrence and Baillie and the Boys on the "True Country" music choice channel
9. Girlfriends desperate to convince you you're awesome and delightful and everyone wants to hang out with you
10. A hubby who brings home the redneck girl's favorite Friday night surprise (see below)

If not for you

Sometimes I really don't think I can ever thank God enough for Nebraska. Do other people feel that way about where they live, I wonder? I love this state so much. Here, taken yesterday by my hubby, is just one of many reasons. Lookit that wide open sky.



I suppose it's the same way people in the Midwest feel about watching amber waves of grain or endless rows of cornfields. There is something exhilarating about it.”
--Billy Joel

If ya drink don't drive, do the watermelon crawl!

Hope everyone is loving this weather as much as the Holtry's are! We've got plans this weekend for a big ole bbq with friends and family. Burgers, brats, watermelon, tractor rides, craziness and utter silliness. If you're in the "hood", drop on by!

We've been out walking all the time and enjoying the (mostly) bug-free-edness of walking down by the creek. I saw some skeeters last night when we were out walking but I'm refusing to acknowledge them until I absolutely have to break out the bug spray. Also the addition of 2 1 hour walks has got me losing about a lb a day. So that's nice.

Fighting a touch of a migraine today. Thinking about gettin the boy and goin to bed in a dark room for a bit. But I took some Excedrin so hopefully I'll be feeling a touch more human here in a bit.

Before I skedaddle off, another installment of Overheard on Ho Hum Drive:

Me - I sure love Kirstie Alley. She is completely crazy. She has lemurs.
Viking Mike - Is that a disease?
Me - laughter...and then some more laughter...and then enough laughter that my belly is starting to hurt and my eyes are watering. No! Lemurs, they're like monkeys...
VM - I know what lemurs are. It could be a disease like crabs though, right?! HAHAHA.


Meat is murder....tasty, tasty murder

Sittin on the porch drinkin ice cold cherry Coke, where everything was black and white

I don't think it's any secret that I love Nebraska. I mean love Nebraska! My mom always teases me because I talk about Nebraska like it's "paradise", but to me, it really is. Nathan and I have been taking the dog, Shelby of Flop, for long walks in the mornings and evenings. We walk down our block, turn down a dirt road and then bam we're on a walking trail that lazes through the prairie along Plum Creek. A few quick things I'd like to point out. I grew up in the New Mexico desert. There's dust, and there's tumbleweeds, sticker bushes and oh yeah, a pile of crime. When I walk here, I am first and foremost, perfectly safe in doing so. I can't imagine ever walking, just the kid and the dog and me, anywhere in NM and feeling 100% safe. I also can't imagine taking a deep breath of fresh, cool air that not only has no smog in it, has no dust in it. And well, let's just say I'm pretty sure that Plum Creek has more water in it than any place I've ever seen the Rio Grande!

So once again, another Spring has dawned here in Nebraska, and I am once again feeling grateful to God for bringing me to this place that I love so much. I don't feel that I was ever meant to live anywhere else and I'm grateful for the journey God put me on to bring me here. It feels very much like "Mayberry" to me. Springtime is a great time for the family. We all eat lazy dinners at the table or outside, with the fans lazily circling and the windows and doors open. We leave the windows and doors open all night and that crisp air in the morning feels just delicious. We plan our vegetable garden and my flowers start to bloom.

In fact, just yesterday when we got home from our walk Nathan told me "oh mama your daffodils sure look pretty, can I pick one for you to put in your hair?". So yesterday I pinned a pink charm daffodil up in my braid for the first time this season!

"My wife was delighted with the home I had given her amid the prairies of the far west."
--Buffalo Bill

And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down.

I've always been one of those girls who love, love, loved the rain. For obvious reasons, this made me a poor fit for the desert state of New Mexico. But I live in a rainy state now. Tonight we may be getting our first rainstorm/thunderstorm of the spring season. There's something so special and simple and pure about my love for this that I don't know if I can even explain it. Spring days in NE are warm, warm enough to open up the windows and doors in the afternoon. Light filters through the windows and the clouds throughout the day. The smell of blooming lilacs and fresh rain will seep into your skin and your senses and your brain. Suppertime finds a darkened sky with a rumble of thunder and often a dash to the clothesline for things that are drying. We peer out the front door at the skies to see if it's going to turn that scary, yet exhilarating, greenish-gray color that comes with a particularly nasty storm. When we fall to sleep at night, rain has permeated every fiber of our being, and we sink into our bed relaxed, soothed, tranquil.

With each season's passing, I find myself ready for the next. After a long spring and summer full of long, hot days, I'm always anxious for fall and for the short days, long nights, and deep peace of winter. After this especially nasty winter (where we broke so many records for snowfall and low temps), I am longing for longer days, walks in the cool early mornings, sun on my skin and wholesome air to fill my lungs.

"Healing rain is a real touch from God. It could be physical healing or emotional or whatever."
--Michael W. Smith

The Good Life

I took Nathan into Lincoln today. We met Daddy at Golden Corral for some lunch/supper and then headed over to Sam's for some goodies. I enjoy both of these things immensely but what I *really* love is driving around in this state. The drive's always so peaceful, just me and Nathan riding around in our pickup truck listening to country music. Nothing but fields (covered in snow at this time of year) as far as the eye can see. The only things breaking up the landscape are water towers, barns and the occasional herd of cattle. The creeks wind around and the road lumbers lazily through the prairie. I'm very ready for spring when there will be green fields, blooming trees and flowers all over the shoulder of the highways. I love Nebraska. I knew before I'd ever been here that I'd love it. I just had this feeling...this idea in my head that this would be the place that I'd always imagined living. Once I got out here for a vacation, I saw that I was right and living here became my goal, the thing I looked forward to the most. I know a lot of people really love New Mexico and think the desert is beautiful. I am not one of those people and while I occasionally miss the mountains, I am 100% certain I was meant to live in Nebraska. I love the wide open spaces, the friendly people, the corn fields, the lakes around every corner and the God-blessed blue skies that stretch on forever. I am convinced that our moving to Nebraska was a blessing from the Lord Himself. Too many things "clicked into place" as we moved out here for it to be coincidence. This is my home and while I'd love to visit Kentucky, Tennessee and Alaska, I hope I never live anywhere but here.

"Nebraska must be the most unexciting of all the states. "
-- Bill Bryson