Police Call

On Monday afternoons I send the boys out to our yard and along the road to "police call". They were gripping and complaining from the second they put on their gloves. "We aren't your slaves," said Jaden. "Why do we have to pick up someone else's trash. This is no fair", cried Jet. While they were walking Jet snagged the trash bag on a thorn bush and everything they picked up started to slowly trickle out. They were both so busy gripping about having to pick up the trash that they didn't even notice their ripped bag. I was not about to tell them about their predicament. I did give them hints "does something seem wrong and how's that bag working". It took them a couple minutes to figure out what happened and then the name calling, shoving and crying started. I try not to get involved with them when they are "communicating". I sat on the grass for ten minutes while they screamed, cried and pointed fingers at each other. I sat and giggled under my breath. Honestly, I didn't mind the wait because three Canadian Geese landed on our pond and I got to sit and admire them (the geese not the crazy boys). Eventually Jet said he was sorry and asked Jaden to go back to the house for another bag. They continued their police call and their gripping. My yard and road is clean and the boys learned a little something.

Big Girl Country Panties Explanation

Since writing my last post I have had several people ask me what I mean by Big Girl Country Panties.  This is a quick explanation of what that means.  Putting on your big girl panties simply means getting the courage to do something that you fear.  I am seriously afraid of rodents to the point that I won't even walk pass the aisle in the pet store that has all those furry balls of nastiness.  I can't even stand to hear them.  UGH.  I got the phrase, "big girl panties" from a very special woman name, Linda.  She told me a story once and that phrase stuck in my head.  I have used ever since. I tossed in the word "country" because...well...I live in the country now.

So there you go...the meaning of Big Girl Country Panties.

Big Girl Country Panties

The other day I did something that most people (who know me well) would find shocking.  I put on my “big girl country panties” and placed four mice traps in my house.  If you don’t know me well you’re probably thinking what’s the big idea; it’s just a mouse.  Let me tell you…it’s a HUGE step for me.  Rodents gross me out.  They are sneaky and dirty.  Yuck.  Yuck. Yuck.   I get the same reactions from everybody when they hear how much I detest rodents.  You’re a Marine.   You’ve given birth.  You’ve traveled overseas.  You raised animals as a kid.  You grew up in the country.  Yes these are all very true statements, but they don’t make me feel any better.  I was and still am terrified of them.  The only thing that has changed is that I’m going to stand up to these little hairballs and they are going down. 

Four things have sparked this sense of courage.  The first is that I have two amazing friends, Cherith and Maureen, who cleaned up AND disinfected my pantry last week.   While the boys and I were away a bunch of mice had a fiesta in my pantry.  UGH!  I figured if these two ladies loved me this much the least I can do is stand up to the rodents!

Secondly, when I saw a mouse a few weeks ago I screamed really loud, jumped up on our bar and shook like a wimp.  Jaden joined me.  I felt horrible for passing my fear onto my child.  So now I have to stand up to the mice to be an example for Jaden.  I think you lead your children through examples not by telling them to do something and than you turn around and do the opposite, but that is a whole other enchilada so I won’t go there today.

Thirdly, while I was standing frantically up on the bar Jet walked over to me and in his sassy little mouse voice said, “really Mom, you’re scared of a little thing you can kick!”  Ugh.  Kids are so smart.   If you haven’t had children yet, trust me they are much smarter then you and they will teach you a ton.  If you think you haven’t learned anything from your kids; sit your selfish butt down and LISTEN to your child.  Okay, that is an entire other enchilada. 

And lastly, my awesome husband bought me this beautiful home and I’m not going to let some nasty little critter ruin my joy.  Or as my husband would put it “your birthday present for the next 30 years.”

Here is the problem…I think the mice in this area are hybrid Bluegrass Kentucky fur balls.  The traps have been out for three days and I have caught nothing!!!    But I reckon, with my big girl country panties are on I am ready for them.  I think.  

The Exquisiteness of Kentucky Never Seems To Let Me Down, Even When It’s Weighted Down By Ice

My comfy lovely chair.  Would you want to leave it on a cold day?

For those who don’t know me well, I am a fair weather gal.  While most people express displeasure at extreme heat and humidity, I LOVE IT!  For me, heat is a superlative time for PT (a run) and lounging under a tree.  So you can imagine how I feel about this time of the year.  I tend to drink too much coffee and stay curled up in my favorite chair with either a book or a crochet hook.  The idea of walking out onto crunchy ice covered grass and a slippery sidewalk is beyond absurd to me.  

I feel very Kentuckian in these boots.

However, I am a pretty awesome wife.  Wink. Wink.  So, when my awesome hubby asked to see pictures of our drooping pine trees I agreed to brave the ice and head out into our yard.  BURRRR!!!!  I stepped into my Muck Boots, slipped on my bulky cozy white terry cloth robe, and headed out the front door to enter the land of ice.  I’m sure I looked ridiculous, but let me tell you I was warm and comfy!

Before I even pulled the front door close, I was captivated.  Praise God for another breathtaking view from my porch.   

I've never paid attention to ice on plants before today. Trust me.
I'll be taking many more ice hikes!

Ice on Chach's precious pines.

Our poor droopey pine trees.

The orange on the pine needles caught my attention.  

More sluggish looking trees.

 

Simply awesome.

Drink lots of coffee and stay warm folks!

Clouded Skies

EEEK!  Its been a while.

Obviously, from all my previous posts and the name of the blog I LOVE Kentucky!  There is something very precious about the land, the people and the skies.  I often get very transfixed on the sight of little things; from the red cardinals, to the weeds on the side of the road.  But there is one thing that ALWAYS captures my attention and that is the sky.  I drive the boys to and from school along back roads and more the once I've pulled the car over, sat on the hood and just stared.  I leave my phone, my camera, and my head clutter in the car and just gaze on God’s awesome creation.  Yes, I get funny looks.  No, I honestly don’t care, because for one small moment in my life I feel no worries, no troubles.  It’s just me, the sky and God; that is a powerful feeling.

One piece of advice though, on cold mornings like today bring a towel or a blankie.  The car hood was cold and I froze my tooshie off!  

--The ThaiMex Kentuckian

Good Morning Bambi

The past couple of mornings Jet, my youngest bundle of energy, has sworn up and down that he sees deer out by the pound.  But every time Jaden, the oldest bundle of energy, and I get to the window we do not see anything.  This morning Jet got ready for school quickly, pulled a chair up to the living room window and waited.  “They’re out there.  I know it,” he kept repeating.  I think he is going to be quite the hunter; patience and determination are great qualities for hunters. 

Jaden and I were brushing our teeth when we heard “there are four of them!  I told you they were out there.”    Jaden and I ran to the window with toothpaste dripping off our chins.  Jaden shouted, toothpaste flying everywhere, “get the gun!”  It was a joyful sight and tremendously serene to sit and gaze upon those beautiful and tasty animals.  The deer were very very hard to see.  I saw one right away, but the others I had to search for. 

Jaden ran, got the laptop and started looking up facts about deer.  Jet boasted proudly, “I told you they were there.”  It was a full five minutes before it dawned on me to get the camera. 

I was so excited that I didn't adjust the settings on my camera; so the pictures aren't great.  I crept quietly onto the porch.  After the first flash three of the deer ran off.  The one in the picture is the only one who stuck around to stare at me.  Then Luna, the diva dog, ruined everything!!!!  She charged out of the house and off the porch.  The deer ran off and silly Luna freaked out, ran back up the porch and stood behind me; so much for a guard dog!

I love Kentucky mornings!

Chasing Turkey Vultures Has Its Rewards

Okay, there are these massive birds in Kentucky call turkey vultures.  I have no idea how these ugly birds can get off the ground, but they do and I am intrigued by them.  They caught my attention about a month ago when I saw a couple lift a large cat off the road and carry it about 5 feet.  Talk about team work!  Don't worry, the cat was not alive it was "road kill".  There seems to be a lot of that around here, but you'll have to take my word on that because I don't plan to take pictures of road kill.  SMILE  I have been carrying my camera around with me in hopes I can catch a glimpse of these large scavengers on camera.  Unfortunately, these little/big guys are smart.  They fly off before you can even get with in 50 feet of them.  I'm thinking of tying a roast around my neck and go off searching for them.  Although, I have a feeling there could be some hazards in this idea..

Yesterday I spotted the turkey vultures in a pasture so I did what any curious crazy woman would do, I slammed my car into park and jumped out of the car.  Please remember I live in the sticks. I HIGHLY recommend you do NOT practice this if you drive on the 95 in Virginia or the 5 or 15 in Cali.  You might get a free white coat and a long stay in a padded room.  I had a feeling the turkey vultures would flee so I started snapping pictures as soon as I was out of the car.  As expected, they flew away and I hung my head in defeat as I walked back to the car planning my next tactic should I come across them again.  I am pretty stubborn and I will get a picture of turkey vultures!!!

This morning I popped my SD card into my laptop and I couldn't believe my eyes.  I didn't catch any good shots of the vultures, but there were these magnificent clouds that sneaked into the shots.  I had no idea they were there yesterday.  I was so fixated on the vultures I missed those beautiful creations.  Sometimes accidents are blissful!

I could seriously get lost in the Kentucky skies.  Have I ever told you how much I LOVE living in Kentucky?!