Elf on the Shelf

Recently while shopping for Deco mesh to make a new Christmas wreath I happened to see a Christmas display with all these boxes of Elves. I decided to look a little closer and noted the title"Elf on the Shelf". Now, not being hip to what is taking America by storm obviously, I didn't really give it much thought. But in recent days I had begun to see this same Elf in varying poses and places on Pinterest. So, I decided to see just what the hubbub was all about. I googled it and much to my surprise this little Elf has a story and a job. He spends time in your home and each night flys back to the North Pole to report to Santa how "good" the family he lives with is doing. I can tell you without a doubt, had this same Elf been around when my sweet little children were growing up, well I would have definitely invited one to stay with us. And each day I'm sure my children would have "looked" to find him hiding about in our house. I can imagine their excitement to spy him in certain spots or places. I would have taken great care to hide him, pose him and would have had lots of fun telling the kids stories of this little elf's antics.

Years ago, at least as far back as the mid 90's I actually bought a couple of elves. I had seen this display at Pottery Plus with these elves climbing a little ladder that had been placed up against a tree. It looked as if they were decorating the tree. I bought them during the "after Christmas sale" and packed them up. I never saw them again. True story.

Over the years as each Christmas came, I would look in our boxes of Christmas stuff, but those little elves never turned up. When we moved out here to Castle Hayne I found the ladder which had fallen apart, so I threw it away. As the years passed, I would think of those elves every now and then and wonder where in the world did they go. It bothered me that they had just mysteriously disappeared. I even thought at one time that maybe I looked at them but never bought them but then I would remember the ladder.

You can imagine my surprise, when last week they turned up! If they could only talk! There they were in a white box with a few other things, looking as good as new. Wrapped in plastic and at least 15yrs old. Now, they don't look like the "Elf on the shelf" little elf except for their faces and they are dressed in green with striped legs instead of all red. But I do believe I will find them a nice little spot to sit and take in the festivites during our holiday season.

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Rainmaker

Well, shortly after posting about needing rain, we actually got some!

A small storm rolled through and it rained steadily for 20 mins or so. Not nearly enough but it is a start.

We are still in a drought situation and our usual weekly predicted forecasts show a possibility of 30% chance of getting rain.

We need to up the odds, so if you know a rainmaker, please let him/her know to send some our way.

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Hot, Hot, Hot!

Do we ever need some rain.

Parched grass, dust bowl city, curling dry leaves.

We are smoking here!

Holly Shelter is on fire, so today is overcast and smokey smelling.

Chance of rain 30%.

Whew, did I say we need rain?

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May 15

Hard to believe but we celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary in fine fashion here at the ole Steed farmette. Bird watched, planted, weeded, etc ...you know all the things we usually do on the weekend...lol.

It was another anniversary for me as well...my 33rd year as a nurse at NHRMC...now that just blows me away. Dang, who would have thought!

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Done!

La was officially awarded her Doctorate this morning.

I don't think I will ever be able to comprehend how hard she worked or the countless hours she spent in the lab.

And through it all has remained a wonderful, talented, funny and beautiful young lady.

Proud...you bet!
Happy for her...even more so!
Heart bursting with love....best believe it!

Love you La!

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Opps

What in the world!

Completely neglected to do my annual birthday tribute to my middle child. Laurie did such an awesome job on hers that I was smiling the whole time I was reading. But hey, that doesn't let me or him off the hook.

So lets begin by saying just the other day I was talking about Aaronus to my manager and in doing so I mentioned his love of lists.

He was such the little list maker.

Dinosaurs...species...size....diet....check.

Solar system....planets...size...facts....check.

NBA teams....city....colors....record....check.

State capitals....check

Countries and their capitals....check.

Gi Joes....name...speciality....weapon....check.


Memories that have me smiling all over again. Yes, he was such a little list maker.

Happy 24th son!

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New Blog

I've had a new blog for a while...Simplelifesforme.blogspot.com.

Decided I needed to keep the garden and small house dreams over there.

Hoping soon the small house will be a reality...it's in the planning stages. There's a really cute on on the small house blog this week featuring a young couple. Inspirational!

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43 lbs

Well it's the biggest catfish I've ever seen. Caught at the Lock and Dam #2 by none other than Trevor.

He came home, we took some pictures and then he proceeded to filet it into large pieces. It took 2 gallon size bags to hold all the meat.

Preety amazing!

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Sprung!

Sunflowers planted by the birds....


Lettuce planted in plastic storage containers.....


Lettuce planted in recycled fencing turned into raised bed....


Potatoes coming up.....

Spring is certainly here...birds are singing, weeds are popping up and my little garden is awakening.

All is well!

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Everything's Big in Texas

Well, it's been 13 days since Aaron and Kayla packed up the car and headed west. West to Texas that is. They have a small apartment and life is good.

Ahh, enjoy it my son, these will be the days you remember so fondly.

I often say, Monty and I were our happiest when we had nothing but a small apartment.(What I mean by that is when you own a house.. along with it comes taxes, mortgage, upkeep and responsibility)(Not that we were irresponsible but it was kinda nice not being tied down to anything).

I personally have never been to Texas, but I know my parents went there back in the 50's. I have a picture of my Dad roping a steer. I never ask him much about that trip, wish I had now of course. The only thing I know is they went there to visit my Aunt Vada, my Mom's sister.

Ah, but I digress. Back to Texas, where everything is big. Wonder where that saying came from? It is a pretty big state and they do wear pretty big hats.

Hmmm...probably has something to do from back in the days of the cowboy.

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Bygone Era

There's a place up the road, just outside of Burgaw called Burgaw Milling. It's an old building on the main highway just past where you turn off to go through town. The unfinished hardwood floors and dust laden shelves must have been grand at one time. While it's unkempt appearance may keep people away, others flock to shop as we witnessed this morning. This store, like it's counter part in town(Farmer's Supply), carries seed, feed and the like for area farmers to buy. And it attracts folks like us who just like it's old homey time feel.

So this morning, on the spur of the moment, we decided to ride up there and buy some lettuce seeds, onions and etc. We arrived to a steady stream of people going in and coming out. Walking through the front door, we were greeted by narrow aisles carrying bird seed, dog treats, leather gloves, etc and of course one fat resident cat. We approached the counter to see an older couple(not sure if they are married) working to help people with their orders. Onion sets, Silver Queen corn,and horse feed being sold to young and old customers alike. Seed was being measured and put in brown paper bags. Seed potatoes like Yukon Gold or red, sold by the lb. were being weighed on hanging scales. The couple diligently worked patiently with each person, taking their orders and making small talk. Money exchanged hands and familiar faces were called by name. Monty and I just stood there waiting our turn, taking in the old style business ways. The man kept a running tab of his sales on a piece of paper. There wasn't a cash register but instead a calculator and a laminated tax schedule. Money was placed in an old pull out wooden cash drawer. Finally it was our turn when all of a sudden it hit me. If they didn't have a cash register, then they probably didn't have a debit or credit card machine. So, I sheepishly asked the man if he accepted debit cards...and you guessed it....No....no machine....cash or check only.

Well, not all was lost. We did receive a planting guide for vegetables and were treated to business the old fashioned way. People waited patiently for their turn. No foot tapping or exasperated sighs. No foul language. Just old farmers and young horse people getting ready for their gardens or stocking up their farms. It was nice. Really nice.

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61

Really. 61.

Now how can that be....seems like yesterday.

He was 32. I was 25.

He had a beard. He still has a beard.

He had a gold tooth. He still has a gold tooth.

Valentine's Day. His birthday. On Valentine's Day.

Wow, 61!

Happy Birthday Montus!

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If only...

How in the world did it happen?

My eldest is 28.

It seems like yesterday, I was putting her hair up in ponytails. Matching her grosgrain bows with her outfits. Playing with Samantha or dressing up Barbie dolls.

If only I could just go back to those days for a little while.

And kiss her sweet smooth skin and laugh at her toothless grins.

And hold her hand and go back to her first day of school.

Or sit in the Auditorium and listen to her play the bells.

If only....

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Dr. La

That's right, Dr. La officially began working in her new professional career last week. I think Friday takes on a whole new meaning when you're working a 9-5 kind of week.

And just a random thought I've had bouncing around in my head...from the get go, ever since I've had to face the fact that she's truly moved away...I've just had this vision of her being like Mary Tyler Moore walking down the street... Remember how the opening of her show went? And the song......

And a here's few interesting tidbits:
Mary Richards (Moore) is a single woman who, at age 30, moves to Minneapolis after breaking off an engagement with her boyfriend of two years. I never knew that show took place in Minneapolis!

The opening title sequence features many scenes filmed on location in Minneapolis in both summer and winter, as well as a few clips from the show's studio scenes. The sequence changed each season, but always ended with Mary tossing her hat at an intersection in downtown Minneapolis. Again, had no idea...Minneapolis!

And of course the song...
Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have a town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all

How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone
But it's time you started living
It's time you let someone else do some giving

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have a town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all

My brain must have sublimially been trying to tell me something....like maybe she's going to be fine after all?

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19

He woke up smiling.

19 today.

Oh dear, where has the time gone?

With a seemingly blink of an eye.

19 today.

My youngest.

My "little red headed boy"

Happiest of B-day's Son!

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A Snowy Day

After much teasing over the last several weeks(I'm not counting the inch or so we got after Christmas...didn't cover the ground completely) we finally got a significant snowfall!! I'm guessing somewhere in the 5-6" range. It was so peacefull and quiet as it fell. Amazing how still everything becomes during a snowfall. The birds did show up in force, feeding, flitting and flying in. The cardinals were beautiful against the white....so pretty!

So, here's our little piece of paradise on a snowy day....

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Heading to Minnesota

La headed out yesterday to drive up to Minnesota. A new job, a new life and a new apartment await her there.

In the meantime we have to adjust that she is no longer "just up the road" but now many miles away from us. I have to be honest. I don't like it one little bit. Yes, it was inevitable that this would come to pass, great jobs are hard to find and when one is offered the red carpet...one must sieze the opportunity.

We are excited for her, but sad nonetheless. We won't be there to help her arrange her furniture or have Monty hang her curtains and pictures. We're not there to share in her excitement of a new place, new town, new everything. And my heart hurts.

We said our goodbyes on Wednesday and with tears in my eyes it was hard. I came in, laid on the couch for the next 2 hrs and thought about when we dropped her at college and came home without her. Feels the same but different. This time there won't be any coming home for all the holiday's or a random drop in on weekend here and there. No, now they'll be work shedules, summer vacation and holiday schedules she'll have to work around.

I know somehow it will all work out. But, for now I feel my little family unit is changing. And, I don't like it one little bit.

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All's well or at least for now

Our holiday season was Crazzzy!

First starting with Thanksgiving. Aaron on his way home from Asheville hit a deer approx 50 miles from home. He was able to drive the car on in to our house and the following Monday we took it in to a repair shop. That's when we then found our insurance did not have a rider on it to pay for a rental car while his car was being repaired. At any rate he needed one to finish up his vacation and get back home so we sucked it up and rented him one.

Then 9 days before Christmas our Christmas tree fell over breaking lots of balls and sending water everywhere...what a mess! I didn't even bother putting the bulbs back on that fell off. Surprisingly the darn thing once righted still looked pretty good.

Next up was our trip to the Inlaws the weekend before Christmas. Driving down the interstate the steering wheel began to vibrate. We pull over only to discover the tread on the back left tire is coming off. We put the spare on make it on in to Raleigh. If anyone knows anything about Raleigh you don't want to go anywhere near Crabtree Valley mall during the busiest shopping weekend of the year, but that is exactly where the ole spouse ended up. Traffic was terrible and finding no other place open on Sunday to buy a tire he ended up at place called Just Tires. He bought a tire and preceded back to his parents house. After much revelry, food and fun we loaded up the car to come home only to find the brand new tire---was now almost FLAT! We went to the nearest Convenience store and put air in it. Then we rode back over to Just Tires to find they had closed early. We stopped only once on the way back to put air in it, finding out on Monday the tire stem was not seated correctly. Aggravating to say the least.

But wait..the craziness didn't stop there. Remember Aaron is in Asheville with no car. Well now he needs to get back home for Christmas and to pick up his car. The girlfriend says no problem I'll drive him down.. an hour out ...her car breaks down!! It's now Christmas Eve and if you've ever tried to rent car on a major holiday, well hold on to your hat! You are going to pay out the waazooo. We paid $166.00 for a one day rental to get them home.

After all of that I thoroughly enjoyed having all the kids home and the time we spent together. Bittersweet because next year they may not be able to get home at the same time. La and Aaron are taking jobs in Minnesota and Texas.

And if you are wondering about the car.. the place that repaired his car did a great job. Whew!

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