My new "babies", Alex and Lexus

This is Alex and Lexus! They will be joining my happy little family on Friday, Feb. 2.
They are Quaker Parrots. They are not really large for parrots. Just a little bigger that a cockatiel.
They do have the ability to speak and can learn tricks. Alex already has an extensive vocabulary from what I have been told.
If you read my previous complaint about adoptions, you need to know, I am adopting, Alex and Lexus from a rescue group in Oklahoma.
I can't wait to get them home!!!

What a night!!

It's midnight and Krysta and Cotton just picked up my two beautiful grandchildren from their visit and took them home.
We had so much fun, tonight. We made "Star" mobiles, we looked at a star through the new telescope. Jacob was soooo excited about the telescope. He kept going out the front door to see if the stars were out yet. It finally got dark enough and he went out to check and came back in the house practically screaming,"the stars are out!!! the stars are out!!!" So we bundled up and went outside in the cold to look at them through the "telescoke". We were freezing and Jerry was having a difficult time finding a good place to see the sky, we have too many houses, trees and streetlights, but, Jacob was not going back in until he got to look at a star. Finally, we found a very bright "star" at the end of the street (on top of a pole) and Jerry got it into focus. After Jacob and Lucy looked at it, we were able to get them to go back in the house and get warm again. Okay, maybe it was a streetlight, but it looked like a star through the "telescoke".
And, it made Jacob happy.
We played with Digory, and he talked his little guinea pig secret language (that only Jacob seems to understand).
We had lots of snacks, including cereal for dinner (that's what Lucy and Jacob wanted, and they always get what they want at Grandma's and Papoo's house)
We watched the "Ant Bully" and "Cars". We played, "Where's Arnold?" with Lucy. I still don't know exactly who Arnold is, we never did find him, probably a good thing since Lucy said he is a monster. Lucy practiced putting her hands on her hips and bossing Papoo around. She is definately a "drama queen" in training. She would throw her arms out wide, when she asked a question. She crawled up on Papoo's chair and said something funny, then she would throw her head back, hold her belly and laugh for all she was worth. We also played,"Hide and Seek" Lucy's way. That is where she covers you up with a blanket and pretends she can't see you.
Jacob is so smart, he likes to analize everything and forgets NOTHING! Several times he informed me that he wanted to "talk" to me. He climbed up in my lap and in his most serious voice informed me that he has fun when he comes to my house, I told him, I have fun, too. He said he has fun when I come to his house, too. I said,"That's fun for me too." Then he said,"You don't go to Grandma's house to be bad, you have to be good." I said, "You're always a good boy." Then, he got down.
Later, I rocked Miss Lucy to sleep and laid her down in Aunt G's bed. When I came back into the living room, Jacob was ready to be rocked, too. I think, I love that part the most. To have those little angels climb up on my lap and lay their precious heads on my shoulder while I hold them close and rock them to sleep.
I love being a Grandma, and Jerry loves being a Papoo. Ther are just no words to describe the feeling of absolute and unconditional love that you get from grandchildren.
I hope we get to do this again, real soon.

Patriotic to the Bone

Here it is! The new tattoo. My son thought this would be a good way to show his patriatism and his dedication to the Army. He also felt that the tattoo would honor his Dad, because Dad loves eagles. It is on his right side because that is the side they wear their American Flag. It's not on his arm, because he didn't want to have to worry about what he was wearing and if it would show. Personally, we are not really big on tattoos, but if you're going to do it; this one is very nice.

Just Yesterday:

Aaron was 9 years old and playing football for the first time.
Tish was 7 years old and living out every little girls dream of being a cheerleader.
Today, Aaron in a soldier in the Army and Tish is a preschool teacher. They are still quite dedicated to each other and still beautiful to me.
To every one of you who have little ones, cherish your time with them. All too soon, you will be remembering yesterday, and missing the way things used to be.
I am so proud of all 4 of my children, but I miss being the Football, Cheerleader, Marching band, Academic Decathelon, Kool-aid House, "Taxi" driving Mom.
Those memories are precious to me!

"Candy and Digory"

Does this picture really need a description?

It is pretty obvious that "Candy" would like to become better aquainted with "Sir Digory".

It is a really good thing that Jerry made a wire mesh cover for his cage.

I don't think he would enjoy being cuddled by "Candy" as much as he enjoys being cuddled by Jacob.

my, how he has grown!

On the left, is a picture of "Spike" at approximately 7 weeks old. As you can see, he was a scrawny looking little thing when we first brought him home.
On the right, is a picture of "Spike" today, at approximately 7 months old. He has grown into quite a handsome guy.
However, some things you just don't grow out of. He is ALWAYS mouthing about something.

Looking for a new love!

I have been searching for a new love. No, not a new lover. I have a wonderful husband who has been the love of my life for the last 30 years and he doesn't need replacing. I am actually looking for a parrot.
I had several birds a while back, all of whom I was tremendously fond of. But, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was forced to find more suitable living arrangments for them. I found good, loving homes for them with people I trusted to care for them and sadly said my "good-byes"
Now, I am in a position to give a comfortable, loving home to another parrot and I can't find one. I would prefer to adopt an unwanted or mistreated parrot, so I have been searching the internet diligently for an organization in the area that might be able to help me find one. The problem is there aren't any.
I am finding that the ones who do exist require a life history, and a pint of blood in exchange for the adoption of their rescued birds. It is becoming increasingly obvious to me that it will be easier to find the right parrot at a pet store than to try and adopt one.
The whole purpose of adopting , in the first place is to give a second chance to a bird that has been abandoned. Also, most of the shelters tell you that you should adopt rather than give more profits to unscrupulous breeders and irresponsible pet stores, but they make the process of aquiring a parrot so difficult that the only option available is to purchase one outright.
I understand a certian amount of screening to make sure that the potential owner is familiar with the very special needs of parrots. I definately understand that so many people get them because the are beautiful and affectionate, not to mention extremely intellegient, then when they discover the amout of time and patience it requires to keep them safe, happy and sweet. These well-meaning but ignorant people quickly become tired of them and push them into a back room or never get them out and give them the attention they need. Then, when their beautiful and usually expensive pet begins to exhibit bad behaviors they want to get rid of them. Some people will turn them loose, not realizing that a hand raised parrot has no skills to survive in the great outdoors and will often die of starvation or from exposure to the elements.
I am knowlegeable about what I am getting myself into. I know that birds require daily interaction and a firm but gentle person to care for them. I know that parrots can be extremely demanding at times and excrutiatingly noisy, at times. I am prepared to deal with all the trouble to have another love like my "Jada".
Why do we beg people to adopt rather than buy and then make the process so difficult that it is easier to buy?
When my little "Hershey" died, I started looking for another small dog. I tried to adopt a female terrier from a rescue organization. They did a home inspection. I wasn't concerned. My house was clean, I had a fenced yard, "Sami" was running around being his charming self. The first thing I was told is the little female could not eat the food that I was giving "Sami". It was very high quality dog food. Then, the woman picked the food bowls up off the floor and gave me a "look". They walked around the house, with the female I was trying to adopt and another large dog, that I hadn't expected to come with them and whispered to each other. When I showed them the fenced back yard (freshly mowed and perfectly clean) they announced that the fence was too high from the ground. there was a 4-inch gap at the bottom and I would have to get the fence properly repaired before I would be allowed to take possession of the dog.
I was extremely angry at the attitude, I showed them the $100.00 check that Jerry had written for the adoption fee, I tore it up and politely invited them to leave my house. A few days later, Jerry saw an ad in the paper for yorky-poos. And we bought "Snickers". He is now 3 years old, loves me endlessly and is spoiled rotten. I related this story just to say, I will never set myself up like that again. I will not invite someone into my home to criticize. If I cannot find a parrot who needs a home and has halfway intellegient people doing the interviewing, I will wait and buy one. Yes, even from the despised pet store that promotes the indescriminate breeding of birds. Why? Because I miss having a parrot and I will get another one, one way or another.
Thanks for listening!

A RELAXING EVENING

Well, here I am after a hard day at work, coming home and cooking dinner, then relaxing on the couch. As you can see, every one is happy to have me home. "Digory" is sitting on my shoulder, "Spike" is perched on my hip, "Sami" picked out his spot on my left leg and "Snickers" (not wanting to crowd me) picked a cozy little nook , beside me on the couch. I am so glad my kids are all grown, where would they sit.
Oh! "Digory" is the newest addition to my happy little family, he was an "after Christmas" gift from my sweet husband. Lucy and Jacob really love him. He is very sweet and small. He also is very young, I expect he will grow quite a bit.

Hard Candy Christmas

That is the title of a Dolly Parton song. And the way I feel this year. Even with car trouble, working, little money and my Soldier away from home, Christmas was still sweet. We had Krysta, Cotton and the grandbabies over for Christmas Eve. Jacob and Lucy really know how to "make the season bright" We had a nice dinner and a lot of laughs. It was really good to get to sit down with Krysta and Cotton and visit for a while. I called my Mom this morning and let her know I love her. And I woke Aaron up, I found out that just because it is 9:00 here in Texas doesn't mean it is 9:00 in Washington. As a matter of fact, it is only 7:00 there. Any way, I had to talk to Aaron later, when he was actually awake.
On my way home from work, I heard a song on the radio that made me cry. It was a country song about Christmas. The guy sang about children, gifts, lights and decorations, then he sang the first few words of the chorus, "All I want for Christmas is a soldier, coming home."
Needless to say, I boo-hooed half the way home. I really missed my son. I feel so bad for him. I know he must be so lonesome for his family. He has never been away for so long and especially at Christmas. I'm not sure if I was sad for me or for him. Maybe both of us.
When I got home from work, my sweet husband had cleaned house and cooked for me. He grilled Bacon-wrapped Elk Medallions. YUMMY!!!!!! No kidding, they were great!! What a great guy. Who could possibly be sad when you know you are loved this much!!!
Like Dolly says,"I'll be fine and dandy, Lord it's like a hard candy Christmas, I'm barely gettin' through tomorrow, still I won't let sorrow get me way down."
And we still have the gift of love, that is the whole reason for Christmas. And God's promises to see us through. Thank you Lord, for the gift of your Son and the promise eternal salvation. Thank you for my beautiful family, my adorable grandchildren, my loving husband. Thank you for a good job, a warm home and plenty to eat. Thank you for caring friends and our new and wonderful church family.
Than you for this past year, thank you for new beginnings. In Jesus name, Amen

Okay, I'm caving in to pressure and updating my blog for those who are interested. We had a great Thanksgiving. As you can see, it was quite a spread. We had everyones favorites. We also had all my favorites. Jerry, Krysta, Geri, Aaron, Tish and of course, Jacob and Lucy. Cotton was even able to join us. We went to Missouri and picked Aaron up, Nov. 21, the ride home was excrutiatingly long. Aaron went to sleep, I had an awful time trying to stay awake and I felt terrible because Jerry was driving and he was tired too. We finally made it home around 3:oo in the morning. I didn't have to be at work until 2:00 in the afternoon so I was able to get some sleep. It was definately worth it to have everyone together for the holiday. Aaron leaves for Fort Lewis, in Washington, this Wed. I have really enjoyed having him home and I'm going to miss him when he leaves. I am so proud of him and what he is doing with his life. anyway, I will try to put some more family holiday photos on here for you later, Mom. Hope every one had a great Thanksgiving.

Priceless!

1 pound of lean hamburger $3.00
2 medium sweet potatoes $1.50
1 loaf garlic bread $2.00
1 Cherry cobbler $2.50
Whipped cream .89
_________________________
Cooking a simple, quiet dinner for two.
PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How Old is grown?

How old is grown?

At 12 years old, society considers a child old enough to be left at home alone, while their parents are at work. If there is a younger sibling in the house, they are left to care for the little one. Does that mean they are grown?

At 16, the law says, we can send our children to Driver's Ed, get them a license and hand over the keys to a large dangerous machine. They can get a job and a bank account. Does that mean they are grown?

At 17, if a child commits a crime, they are arrested and tried as an adult. Unless of course, they are caught buying or in possession of tobacco products, then they get a ticket and their parents are required to go to court with them. Mom and Dad are held responsible for making sure they attend court ordered classes. Obviously, they are not yet grown.

At 18, they are old enough to sign up for the military; they are trained to kill, given guns and taken thousands of miles away from their families. They are old enough to vote, old enough now, to buy cigarettes and get credit cards. But, they are still not old enough to buy alcohol. If they are caught buying or consuming alcohol, again, they are issued a ticket and their parents are required to go with them to court. Most of our children are still seniors in high school at this time and we, as parents, are responsible for their attendance. We can be issued citations for too many absences. Are they grown, yet? Of course not.

At 21, they are old enough to buy alcohol, attend clubs, make major life decisions and more than half, still live with their parents. Grown? Not really.

If our children stay in school, full time, we can carry them on our health insurance until they are 23 years old. Additionally, it usually falls to the parents to pay for or aquire funding for their education. Grown?

If they manage to drive safely, not get any tickets and not get into any accidents, their auto insurance rates will decrease by the time they are 25 years old. Is that the age when they are considered grown?

So, how old is grown? My opinion, grown is when you are mature enough and responsible enough to hold a regular, full-time job, buy your own car, pay your own bills and make responsible decisions about your life. Grown is when you realize that your parents raised you the best way they knew how and did without many things so that you would not have to. Grown is when you come to terms with the fact that life is not just one big party and sometimes it's downright difficult.

The Bible says, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians 13:11

For parents, the Bible tells us,"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Maybe then, we can consider our children grown.

For the record, I am very proud of my four GROWN children.

Spideys

At least, this one was in the street. The last one was in the dining room!

Little Helpers

We went driving this morning and stopped at several garage sales. I bought a huge box of fabric for $10.00. Then I found a box of lace. We got it for $2.00. After that we got 45 spools of ribbon for $5.00. When we got home, Candy and Spike were more than happy to help me sort through the loot. I love helpers!

Lera Mae Wynn

Age: 16

Thoughts from Lera Mae, at age 84.

I'M GETTING OLD

I remember how, when not so long ago, that I picked cotton, cut wood and washed clothes on a rub board. I was blessed with eight children, and raised seven of them to be grown. Five of them were boys, Oh My! They were sweet, so were my girls, and I still kept doing anything I wanted to. I spaded up garden plots and grew tomatoes and peppers. I cut grass with a sling blade, and it didn't seem so bad. I still had time to enjoy my children and as they got older we did things together. They would fold their clothes and rake grass. But now, they are all grown and gone from home and I can't seem to get anything done. No yard work, and I like getting in the dirt. I sew a little when I can get the needle threaded. Either, the eye is too little or the thread is too big. I'll figure that out someday. I do the laundry and wash dishes. I've always had dishpan hands. But worst of all, I can't hear too well, and I forget. The doctor says that goes with aging, but it makes me mad, just real mad at times. I'm thankful that I can still read my Bible and listen to the TV. I know I turn the remote up loud sometimes but I don't read lips, and I need to hear my sermons. Most of all I am thanful I still have my family. They have brought me a lot of happiness, so when I don't hear too well and don't remember like I should, just be patient and please don't scold. Just love me and remember, "I'm getting old".

I love everyone of you Very, Very Much.

I just got home from attending my brother, Roger's funeral service in Shreveport, LA. Although the reason for my visit was a very sad one for all of our family, I was blessed while I was there. My Mom, my stepdad, my little sister,Beth, my brother, Frankie, my step-sister, Vickie and of course, their families and all of my aunts, uncles and my Grandma, were all very happy to see Tish and me. It was an interesting visit for Tish, since she has grown up without ever meeting most of this extensive and extended family.
I found a couple of old photos, and thought this one might be very interesting. Especially, to Krysta. We know know why our little Lucy is such a little ball of fire. Not only does she favor me at her age, but she also has an amazing resemblence to your Grandma Margaret, when she was 2 1/2 years old. Note the hair.
The picture on the right is my mother, with her grandmother. I am trying to see if we can find a picture of my grandmother at that age, then we'll know for sure, the Woodard gene has been passed down for 5 generations. Or maybe that is the Wynn gene, since my Grandma's maiden name is Wynn. Never-the-less, after our visit this week, I am convinced that the hard-headedness that I am accused of and apparently passed on to my oldest daughter and my granddaughter came from one 84 year-old spitfire in Shreveport by the name of Lera Mae.
I love you Grandma, and you are perfect, still, in every way. I am so glad that you are healthy and bossy as ever. I know that your faith and your hard head is what has kept you going all these years and I admire you for raising 7 children to be such a loving and closeknit family, especially the little curly headed one, you named, Margaret.

So serious and soooo cute. That was last year.

This year, he is all grown up.

He goes to school now.

I'll bet he is going to be a dynamo at his first soccer game of the season. I can't wait to see him out there.

Way to go, Jacob. Grandma and Grandpa are very proud of their Mighty Munchkin!

Teaching Jacob to Hunt!

My son-in-law is a great guy. In Jacob's eyes, he is bigger than Shrek, more powerful than Superman, and more righteous than the Lone Ranger.
The thing is, my son-in-law is also a funny guy, one of his favorite subjects is "me". It is not often that I get an opportunity to pay him back. However, I had a conversation with my star-struck granson the other day about their latest hunting trip, and this is what he said,"Me and Daddy went huntin' the other day. My Daddy can shoot anything. We got lots of birds. One bird flew over. Daddy said, "Watch this, son, I'm gonna show you how to shoot that bird." Daddy aimed his gun and fired. The bird flew on by. "Son," my Daddy said, "you are witnessing a great miracle, that there, dead bird is still a-flyin'." All kidding aside, Cotton and I have a strange and wonderful relationship. He's strange, and I'm wonderful. But, he loves me anyway.

Maybe, it's just me. But, I can see a little "Grandma" in my little Lucy. What do you think?

I Love Surprises!!

I got a present in the mail. The Dragon on the right is the mascot for Aaron's company. The dragon on the left came in the mail Friday. I have been collecting dragons for a long time. Aaron saw this one and thought I would like it. Of course, I love it. But, the cool thing about it is that it is green and gold, like his mascot. I talked to him tonight for a little while and he didn't even realize they were the same until I pointed it out to him. He has bought me dragons as gifts for some time now, but this one, I think is the most special. I am really proud of my soldier. He starts his school for Chemical Operations, tomorrow. I know he will do great.