It's Been Long Enough, But I Got Some Awards...

It's been a week since I last posted.  I'm quite sure many of you are saying that's quite long enough.  I couldn't agree more.  But if you knew what my last week has been like....  But I'm not here to gripe or complain.  I've read other blogs, and my issues are minute, no offense intended, indeed.  I enjoy all the blogs I read, and any of you who are dealing with "things", I do hope you see better days soon.  Myself, I have just been laiden with a plethera of "things" to get done.

Now, on to business.  I received two...not one, but two awards today.  Thank you so sweetly Marie Anne St Jean.  Is that as in denim or French?  Just wondering.  You can find her at In The Garden With Sow-n-Sow.  She was nice enough to bestow upon me two awards.  They are as follows:

And

Now, for me to have these awards I must share seven things about myself. 

1.  I have a third nipple.  Just kidding.  But I do have a large scar on top of my head.  When I was 10 I was doing back dives of the side of the swimming pool.  I missed the water.  It hurt.

2.  I smoke pot.  Just kidding again.  Tried it a couple of times and so hated it.  I coughed and choked and nearly puked.  I do love plants, though.  I have a handful of house plants and I'm working on the yard a little at a time as $ permits.

3.  I have the body of an olympic gymnast.  Not really.  I WISH!!  I could stand to lose 15 pounds or so from my belly.

4.  My dream job is to be a traffic dirrector.  NOT!  I did have a temp job for 3 days once counting traffic at stop lights in town, though.  When I was a kid I either wanted to be a zoo keeper or draw bridge operator.  No joking about the bridge thing.

5.  My favorite food is brussel sprouts.  Gross!  I hate them!  HATE THEM!!  I love Mexican food and chicken.  And if you combine the two it's just about the best meal you can get.  I know, I know.  I raise chickens.  How can I eat them?  I just can.  I won't kill my own, though.  Someone else has to do that.

6.  I used to be a preacher.  No kidding.  I have a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministries.  I was a youth pastor for 5 years and was ordained.  But I was sent off to Iraq and the church frowned upon certain aspects of my life (as I'm sure the military would have if they knew what the church knew).  So I came home and moved on to a new life.

7.  I once froze off a couple of warts with liquid nitrogen that I got from work.  Really.  We sell liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen.  It used to be my job to fill N2 and O2 cylinders.  So I once used a little liquid nitrogen to freeze off a couple of warts on my finger.  And it hurt.  For days.  Boys and girls, liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid argon, or any other cryogenic liquid or dry ice are not something to play with.  They are kinda neat though.

Now to share these awards with seven others.  I usually try to share awards with new people I haven't given an award to, or at least someone I haven't given one to in a while.  I would just say everyone, but then no one could pass it on!  So here's my list.

http://www.gardenchickmusic.blogspot.com/
http://www.phillipoliver.blogspot.com/
http://www.3acrehomestead.blogspot.com/
http://www.jabacue.blogspot.com/
http://www.fromsophiesview.blogspot.com/
http://www.thatbritishwoman.blogspot.com/
http://www.lifeatfoxpawlodge.blogspot.com/

Thanks Marie Ann.  That was very thoughtful of you.  Hope you all have a pleasant evening!

 

Back for an Award

I've had to be away for a while.  I didn't go anywhere.  I just wasn't able to be here.  Well, I did go visit my parents' for Memorial Day weekend.  There was fishing and barbecueing and swimming...all that good stuff.  My birthday is next Tuesday, and I'm trying to get some of them to come to my house for my birthday.  My brother couldn't believe I was planning my own birthday party.  Of course, I asked who else was gonna do it?  No volunteers.  So I told everyone to bring their own meat for the grill.  I'll set up a volley ball net.  I have a pool.  We might play some horse shoes.  And we will grill out!  I'm just not sure if I should buy my birthday cake, or make it myself.  I haven't been using my camera lately.  So I have no new pics to share.  But I did get an award while I was away. My dear pole dancing friend Penny over at The Hen House gave me the versatile blog award.  Thank you so much Penny!

That means I have to share about myself...again!  Hmmm....let me think. 

*I love to sing, but I sound like a dying mule.

*My biggest regret in life is not going to med school.  I was a biology/pre-med major when I first started college.

*I have two brothers, and all three of us served in the military, but are no longer in.  Me and one brother went to Iraq.  My other brother went to Afghanistan.

*I'm growing tobacco in my garden by accident.  A friend brought over a tray of seedlings he thought was collards, so I planted them.  He found them on the side of the road.  I soon found out that it was really toabacco. 

*My driver license has an address I haven't lived at in four years.

*I recently got two fortunes from Chinese fortune cookies.  One said, "God will give you everything you want."  The other said, "Your income will increase."  Neither one has happened.

Sometimes I pass these awards on, but I really hate to do that.  How can I pick a few out of the blogs I read?  I read them cause I enjoy them!  So I am sending this award to all of you who read my blog and have not received it yet.  Have a great day, and see ya around!

My Two Awards

A couple of months ago I was given an award by Tracey at Crafty Scraps.  I told her I would post it later, and I never did.  I certainly was not ignoring her.  I still have to award saved.  I'd see it frequently, but I stay pretty busy, and just didn't get a round to it.  I am sorry for that.  But I am posting it today.  I also got an award from Amy at At Home With Amy.  So I decided to incorporate the two of them.  I gotta name 10 things you didn't know about me.  I may have shared some of this stuff.  I can't remember.  But I've gotten new followers since then anyway.  I also have to name 5 things I hate.  Then I have to nominate 10 people to do the same.  A BIG, BIG THANK YOU to my wonderful friends Tracey and Amy.

From Tracey

      

From Amy

1.  When Mike and I first talked about getting chickens it was a joke.

2.  When I was a kid I put peanuts in my glass bottle coke.

3.  I love to travel.  I've been to 48 states and 7 other countries on 4 continents.  But two of those countries were in Europe, and I only went to airports in Ireland and Holland.

4.  When I was in 5th grade I punched a teacher and never got in trouble for it.

5.  When I was 4 years old my family went to Mexico.  I disappeared, and when they found me I was half way up a Mayan pyramid.

6.  I used to bring dates to my Grandma's house to watch movies with her....but she was a cool-ass grandma!

7.  When I was 10 years old I pulled a Greg Luganis while doing back dives in a pool in Florida.  I missed the water, cracked my head on the concrete, filled the pool with blood, and I have to scar to prove it.

8.  I love fried ice cream.

9.  I love to be busy doing things outdoors.....in the country.  I love the peace and quiet.

10.  I still have three baby teeth.

I HATE...

1.  Brussel Sprouts....Sorry Belgium

2.  Shaving

3.  People talking on the cell phone when they are driving

4.  Cold Weather

5.  Judgement out of Ignorance

That's me in a nut shell....how about you?

Joanne @ http://www.myrandominsanities.blogspot.com/

Renee @ http://www.oflemonsandhoney.blogspot.com/

Abby @ http://www.mutteringsfromthemoor.wordpress.com/

Kim @ http://www.lifeatgoldenpines.blogpsot.com/

Al @ http://www.houndini.worpress.com/

http://www.jabacue.blogpsot.com/

Joanna @ http://www.boonebockswilcox.blogspot.com/

Cat @ http://www.egginmypocket.blogspot.com/

Linda @ http://www.me-lindag.blogspot.com/

Toni @ http://www.gardenchickmusic.blogspot.com/

I know some of you aren't too keen on these sorts of things.  And some may have already done it.  But it keeps things interesting.  Shine a little light in the corners of your life for us!

A Mix of Stuff

First things first.  Now that all of you have thought less of me for what I posted Friday, I must say that it isn't what you were thinking.  That guy in the pic with me is Mustafa (we just called him Steve).  He was an Iraqi that worked as a translator for us.  He also got us "things" from outside the walls.  That is a hookah we are smoking....remember the caterpillar in Alice and Wonderland?  We were NOT smoking weed, green, trees, mary jane, hashish, or anything of the sort.  It was flavored tobacco.  Strawberry if my memory serves me correctly.  I wanted to bring one home, but they said customs wouldn't allow it.  Then, when we were in Kuwait they said we could...it was too late, then.  But we had fun on occasions while we were over there. 

We had quite a busy weekend.  We didn't go to the aution Saturday.  There was just too much going on.  I did meet my mom and sister with kids in tow for lunch at Zaxby's.  Then Mom came back to the house for me to wash her car.  She was gonna have it done professionally, but I offered it for free.  Mike was working on our kitchen cabinets, stripping the paint.  They are birch wood, so we decided to strip the white paint and lacquer the wood.  Looks pretty nice. 

We also had a successful rescue attempt on Saturday.  We used to have Becky, a Quaker Parrot.  She was quite noisy and drove Mike insane.  So he gave her to our neighbor.  However, our neighbor doesn't have the best track record for taking care of animals.  And sure enough, he grew bored with Becky and let her go outside about a week ago.  Since then we have either heard her talking and squawking, or seen her high in the trees.  Saturday she landed in a tree in the back yard, then the top of the chicken coop, then back to the tree, then on top of the other neighbor's shed right up next to the fence between our yards.  So I put a chair up by the fence and, wearing leather gloves cause she always would bite me, I called her.  She hopped onto my finger, and I grabbed her little talons with my thumb.  We put her in a 2nd stage brooder pen and I put in some water and chicken feed.  A week without those and she was ready for them.  She's okay now.  My dad is gonna get her now.  I just gotta find her a new cage.  She's doing good right now, though. 

Sunday was busier. I went shopping. And I did just what I complained about my mom doing. Though she was looking at clothes and shoes...ugh! I was shopping at Lowes! I was looking at the things I can't afford right now. And I was looking at the things I could afford, but had to choose this or the other. I almost bought a fig tree. I'd love to have a fig tree. Probably not this year, though. But I did buy seeds for the garden, plus a few started plants. I also bought some flower seeds to plant around the house, and some solar garden lights for the front of the house. Then I spent most the rest of Sunday afternoon planting the garden. I've got squash, watermelons, canteloupes, okra, bell peppers, egg plants, corn, jalapenos, mixed hot peppers, and Zinnias to sell as cut flowers. There's probably more, but I can't think of it all now.

Here's that motor cycle from Orange County Choppers that kept me so busy in March. (Don't know why blogger is squishing my pics all of a sudden.  They don't look good that way)

I was looking for some papers in an old shoe box, and I didn't put it away.  Stripey Cat decided to make a

bed out of the box!

Our Easter visitors.   Not sure if they were wild or not, but I'm guessing half wild. 

Here's our little chicks.  They're actually about a month old now, with feathers and all.  I don't have a recent pic.  The four on the right are RI Red (pea comb rooster) and black sex link hen.  The one on the left is full Black Australorp.

I got an award from Tracey last week (SEE I DIDN'T FORGET)  I haven't had a chance to post on it yet.  I gotta try to come up with things you don't know about me first!  I'll try later today or tomorrow.

I'm Special

I've been pretty busy lately.  On top of that, nothing really noteworthy has occured, either.  So I haven't really posted in a few days.  But I got a double whammy today.  And it's got me grinnin' from ear to ear.

Two separate people think we're cool enough to get an award!  Renee and Odette have showered us with the Sunshine Award! 

That's just the sweetest thing!  Of course, yesterday was pretty chilly here, but at least the sun was shining.  We're expecting snow again, for tonight and tomorrow.  But I long for the warm spring days, and even those hot summer days with sweat dripping down my face while I sip cold iced tea in the veggie garden.  I want to thank both of them for thinking so fondly of us.  Our home ain't much, but friends are always welcome there.

I don't really care for picking out certain people because you all are good blog friends, but I will pick out a few in hopes that they will pass it on to all the others.  If I did not list you, I still consider you a good friend, and I encourage you to consider this award yours, too....from me.  Thanks everyone, and have a lovely Valentine's Day and weekend!

Matt http://www.foothillspoultry.blogspot.com/

Amy http://www.bubble-bubblesblog.blogspot.com/

Jim thegaudygarden.blogspot.com

Pam http://www.georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com/

Becca http://www.beccasgardenspot.blogspot.com/

Debbie http://www.debbie-jeremiah3017.blogspot.com/

Missy http://www.reveau.blogspot.com/

And everyone else who frequents my blog ( I keep typing glob)

Circle of Friends Award

I got an award!  I got an award from my new dear friend, Debbie, over at There's an Angel on my Front Porch!  http://debbie-jeremiah3017.blogspot.com/  She has had a rough year as she shares about it on her blog.  But the amazing thing is that through her blog she has gained so many friends from all over the country and world that have kept her and her family lifted in prayer.  I'm proud to call her friend. and I also want to share this award with my friends.  If you are reading my blog, you are my friend.  And I bestow this same award upon you!!

THESE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS AWESOME AWARD.

GRAB THE BUTTON

POST IT ON YOUR BLOG

MAKE SURE YOU TELL YOUR FRIENDS I GAVE YOU THE AWARD

(THIS WOULD SURELY MAKE SENSE, BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT

"FRIENDS")

MAKE SURE YOU SHARE THE AWARD WITH AT LEAST 5 OTHER

"FRIENDS"

YOU ALL DESERVE THE FRIENDSHIP AWARD...YOU ARE AWESOME

SHARE 5 THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO:

1) I like to watch "Family Guy"

2) I enjoy playing with my dogs, Max and Minnie

3) I like to make deserts...cakes, pies, cookies (but I don't have much time to do it)

4) I enjoy have family and friends over for dinner and company

5)  I like traveling (even around the world...I'll have to blog about my travels to S. America and Africa sometime.

THANKS FOR BEING A FRIEND!  PASS IT ON!!

Lemonade Award

Thanks to Steven over at Steven's Chickens.  He bestowed upon me this award for making lemonade when life hands you lemons.  These days that's not so easy to do.  I read all these blogs and hear wonderful things, but I also hear about the stresses of life we all go through.  I gotta say, I have been getting my share of stresses, not all of which I share on here.  But in spite of it all I do have plenty to be grateful for. 

I'm grateful for Mike and our little home with all or animals.

I'm grateful for our landlord and his wife for helping us get into this place, and for all the wonderful things they do for us.

I am certainly grateful for my wonderful family who are always there for me when I need them and there to enjoy when I don't need anything.

I am grateful that I have a good job in this awful economy where so many people have lost so much.

I would like to pass this award on to Becca @ A Southern Garden and Berte @ River Bend Farm

AND BINGO WAS HIS NAME-O!!

I got another award!!  I got an award from Becca @ Becca's Dirt!  You guys are so sweet!  Really, you are!  I have been awared the Beautiful Bingo Blog.  I was checking out some blogs the other day that had lots of followers, and I wondered how many people started following and haven't looked at the blog since they started following months ago.  I gotta say, I'm not going to follow a blog if I don't intend to read it.  I may not comment every time, but, trust me, I'm reading.  And enjoying!!  I will share this award with:

Steven @ Steven's Chickens

John @ Going Gently

Amy @ Bubble's Blog

Tracey @ Crafty Scraps

Cal @ Cozy Corner

Odette @ A View From Above

Berte @ River Bend Farm

Thanks Everybody!!  Have a great day!!

You Love Me! You Really Love Me!!

I got an award!  I want to thank all the little people I had to step on to get where I am today!!  LOL  Thank you so much, Amy, for this lovely award.  It's nice.I believe it was Cal who suggested I blog about other things besides my chickens.  Of course, I started this blog to learn about chickens, but that really isn't my life.  I do enjoy them, and I am selling some off this weekend (cause I just gots too many ), but I does have a life outside of the birds (sometimes).  But I do thank you again for this award.  And I will be passing it on to...
Steven @ Steven's Chickens....Best New Blog on the Block
Becca @ Becca's Dirt.....Most Interesting Floral Musings
Pam @ Life on a Southern Farm.....For her (and her husband) kind and thoughtful Chicken Box giveaways
John @ Going Gently.....Shakespearean English Farm Life
Berte @ River Bend Farm.....Enduring a Hot Grandparent Summer
Nobody-but-us-Chickens.....Overcoming a Difficult Summer