Southwest Virginia Blogs

Spirit says "hello".

One of the Liberace sisters was killed several weeks ago.  We don't know the details but found the feathers.  Her sister has taken to her nest....a nest with far more eggs than she can ever hatch but hopefully one or two chicks may come out of it. 

This morning I decided to check on the hen in the loft.  Coat over pajamas I went up.  I am afraid of heights so this was my first time climbing completely up into the barn loft.  Plus it takes a bit of upper body strength in that final pull up and upper body strength is not my gift.  I get up, not dizzy, happy about that, find her and she is still just sitting on those eggs.   (Alan you will be happy to know she is fine.)

When it comes time to go down I am just not sure how to muster this move.  So I sit and yell for about 5 minutes hoping Toonces, who is getting ready for work, will here me.  No luck.  Not that he could do anything for me anyway but at least I'd have felt better about falling if he were there.  The pups are going wild below me trying to get me down. 

I do get up the nerve to slither down and swing over onto the ladder to go down.  While stepping down and stretching to the max on the upper board....cold air on the tush.  Earl or Eudora have my pants around the ankles.    They were just trying to help I'm sure.  I manage to get down in my skivvies and all was well for another day in Rollie's world.

Little Red Riding Hood or Big Bad Wolf?

When we go for a walk we all go for a walk...

Everyone always has a big time except for my little old grumpy man, Darius.  Of course, he must like it a little bit because he keeps on going.

My boy Earl isn't feeling so good.  He was in a lot of pain earlier.  No one needs to hear the details but let's just say it has me doing and saying things I never thought I would.   We are hoping it is nothing serious like a lodged bone and a call to the vets office has had us pouring mineral oil down his throat...if he isn't better in the morning down to the vets we go. 

Have a nice weekend everyone! 

Spirit says "hello".

One of the Liberace sisters was killed several weeks ago.  We don't know the details but found the feathers.  Her sister has taken to her nest....a nest with far more eggs than she can ever hatch but hopefully one or two chicks may come out of it. 

This morning I decided to check on the hen in the loft.  Coat over pajamas I went up.  I am afraid of heights so this was my first time climbing completely up into the barn loft.  Plus it takes a bit of upper body strength in that final pull up and upper body strength is not my gift.  I get up, not dizzy, happy about that, find her and she is still just sitting on those eggs.   (Alan you will be happy to know she is fine.)

When it comes time to go down I am just not sure how to muster this move.  So I sit and yell for about 5 minutes hoping Toonces, who is getting ready for work, will here me.  No luck.  Not that he could do anything for me anyway but at least I'd have felt better about falling if he were there.  The pups are going wild below me trying to get me down. 

I do get up the nerve to slither down and swing over onto the ladder to go down.  While stepping down and stretching to the max on the upper board....cold air on the tush.  Earl or Eudora have my pants around the ankles.    They were just trying to help I'm sure.  I manage to get down in my skivvies and all was well for another day in Rollie's world.

Little Red Riding Hood or Big Bad Wolf?

When we go for a walk we all go for a walk...

Everyone always has a big time except for my little old grumpy man, Darius.  Of course, he must like it a little bit because he keeps on going.

My boy Earl isn't feeling so good.  He was in a lot of pain earlier.  No one needs to hear the details but let's just say it has me doing and saying things I never thought I would.   We are hoping it is nothing serious like a lodged bone and a call to the vets office has had us pouring mineral oil down his throat...if he isn't better in the morning down to the vets we go. 

Have a nice weekend everyone! 

Spirit says "hello".

One of the Liberace sisters was killed several weeks ago.  We don't know the details but found the feathers.  Her sister has taken to her nest....a nest with far more eggs than she can ever hatch but hopefully one or two chicks may come out of it. 

This morning I decided to check on the hen in the loft.  Coat over pajamas I went up.  I am afraid of heights so this was my first time climbing completely up into the barn loft.  Plus it takes a bit of upper body strength in that final pull up and upper body strength is not my gift.  I get up, not dizzy, happy about that, find her and she is still just sitting on those eggs.   (Alan you will be happy to know she is fine.)

When it comes time to go down I am just not sure how to muster this move.  So I sit and yell for about 5 minutes hoping Toonces, who is getting ready for work, will here me.  No luck.  Not that he could do anything for me anyway but at least I'd have felt better about falling if he were there.  The pups are going wild below me trying to get me down. 

I do get up the nerve to slither down and swing over onto the ladder to go down.  While stepping down and stretching to the max on the upper board....cold air on the tush.  Earl or Eudora have my pants around the ankles.    They were just trying to help I'm sure.  I manage to get down in my skivvies and all was well for another day in Rollie's world.

Little Red Riding Hood or Big Bad Wolf?

When we go for a walk we all go for a walk...

Everyone always has a big time except for my little old grumpy man, Darius.  Of course, he must like it a little bit because he keeps on going.

My boy Earl isn't feeling so good.  He was in a lot of pain earlier.  No one needs to hear the details but let's just say it has me doing and saying things I never thought I would.   We are hoping it is nothing serious like a lodged bone and a call to the vets office has had us pouring mineral oil down his throat...if he isn't better in the morning down to the vets we go. 

Have a nice weekend everyone! 

That little finch was lucky enough to see 2007.   It had flown beak first into the front door knocking itself to the door mat.  I rescued it before the cats could get it.  It was the first time I'd ever gotten to hold one in my hands and it was so tiny and sweet.....sweet until I realized it had crapped in my hands.    We found it a safe place outside to recover until it could fly away home....

We had one poor bird fly so hard into the front door that it left an imprint.  You can see the entire outline of the body and wings.  Poor thing.

I don't think this could be a good thing.  The weather is so wacky my camellia bush is already blooming.   And the daffodils and tulips I planted this fall are already up.

Isn't that gorgeous?  A Christmas gift from my parents, a stained glass bird feeder that will never fade.  I love it!  I put it out today as a little way to celebrate the new things to come.

I love New Years Day.  It makes me feel like the slate is wiped clean.  But if the old saying is true that what you are doing on New Years Day is what you will be doing all year then I will spend the year like Cinderella.  I have cleaned this house from top to bottom.  Non-stop cleaning except to take the puppies for a walk.  Then I cooked our traditional Southern good luck meal and then passed out on the sofa watching Charmed on TNT.   A guilty pleasure.

I had a wonderful NY Eve with my baby.......a quiet one.   A snuggling one.  I loved it and it meant no hangovers for today! 

I did see some of Jack Ass 2 last night and it actually gave me the heaves...OMG some of that stuff is just toooo nasty.  I thought 1 was bad........oh, I still can't think about it.  Gross.

I also watched Ray Charles and Johnny Cash on old Hee Haw reruns.  Hey, I told ya it was a quiet night.  Weird and delightful.  And yes, I did manage to stay up to see the ball drop and toast my sweetie at the stroke of midnight.

I was in bed asleep at 12:08am.

The first Clark pet photos of 2007:

.

That little finch was lucky enough to see 2007.   It had flown beak first into the front door knocking itself to the door mat.  I rescued it before the cats could get it.  It was the first time I'd ever gotten to hold one in my hands and it was so tiny and sweet.....sweet until I realized it had crapped in my hands.    We found it a safe place outside to recover until it could fly away home....

We had one poor bird fly so hard into the front door that it left an imprint.  You can see the entire outline of the body and wings.  Poor thing.

I don't think this could be a good thing.  The weather is so wacky my camellia bush is already blooming.   And the daffodils and tulips I planted this fall are already up.

Isn't that gorgeous?  A Christmas gift from my parents, a stained glass bird feeder that will never fade.  I love it!  I put it out today as a little way to celebrate the new things to come.

I love New Years Day.  It makes me feel like the slate is wiped clean.  But if the old saying is true that what you are doing on New Years Day is what you will be doing all year then I will spend the year like Cinderella.  I have cleaned this house from top to bottom.  Non-stop cleaning except to take the puppies for a walk.  Then I cooked our traditional Southern good luck meal and then passed out on the sofa watching Charmed on TNT.   A guilty pleasure.

I had a wonderful NY Eve with my baby.......a quiet one.   A snuggling one.  I loved it and it meant no hangovers for today! 

I did see some of Jack Ass 2 last night and it actually gave me the heaves...OMG some of that stuff is just toooo nasty.  I thought 1 was bad........oh, I still can't think about it.  Gross.

I also watched Ray Charles and Johnny Cash on old Hee Haw reruns.  Hey, I told ya it was a quiet night.  Weird and delightful.  And yes, I did manage to stay up to see the ball drop and toast my sweetie at the stroke of midnight.

I was in bed asleep at 12:08am.

The first Clark pet photos of 2007:

.

I still have a Christmas tree that needs undoing and laundry baskets running over with clean clothes that need to be put in their respective drawers.   I have left everything unattended this week to make time for more important things like lunch with friends and play dates with the kids.   My house and blog have paid the price!

My main goal for today was to get that Christmas banner down!  My second goal was to Frontline the Labs.  It is December in Virginia and our dogs are picking up more and more ticks...odd, small, freakishly white ticks.   Oh, but there is no such thing as global warming.  Yeah right.    We did get around to watching An Inconvenient Truth this week and I thought Al Gore did a great job of presenting the facts.   So my number one resolution for 2007 will be do more for saving my environment.  I want to actually help make a difference, not just talk about it.  I am going to start by adding some really great organizations on my side bar.  (That will be next week of course).

I said last year I do not do resolutions really.  I try to set realistic goals for myself that I should be doing anyway. 

But here are what I will call my resolutions for the coming year and future:

1.  Continue in charitable work.   Finding ways that I can make a difference for my community and our environment.

2.  More $ donations to groups like Trout Unlimited who actually go out and save streams or rivers in danger of losing their native fish.

3.  More time doing fun things with my mom.  I am going to plan a little mini-trip for us.

4.  Plan a big horse ride trip for us and all our horse riding friends.

5.  Get back into glamor.  I love clothes and makeup and I have just gotten a bit slack becoming a naturalist out here on this farm so I am planning on giving myself a subscription to Vogue, Vanity Fair etc. so I can't go too stale.   Granted I am thrilled my life isn't totally about that stuff anymore but still I kinda want to age like Sharon Stone....cool, comfy and natural most of the time but clean up like one hot diva when I want to!

6.  Grow my nails back out...another consequence of this farm life!

7.  Cardio hard core 3 days a week, and 3 moderate exercise days.....and I have put off until the new year getting back into Pilate's. 

8  I have to start structuring my days.  I hate schedules but have a personality that needs them.  With my toes dipping in so many different pools now I will never prosper in anything if I don't manage my time.    Now that I am volunteering at the gallery and the clothes closet I am not going to have anything to put IN the gallery if I don't start setting aside days to actually work on photography and nothing else.

9.  Eat less meat and more veggies....Know any good veggie dishes?  Send them to me please!  I rarely eat red meat anyway but I am tired of all the hormones in chicken too.  And since I can't find "free-range" here, I am thinking of giving it up entirely.

10.  Keep having fun, enjoying life and being thankful to God for every single moment of it!

In summary:   The best of the year:

2006 meant turning 40!

2006 meant a new porch/deck on our house that has brought me unimaginable joy.   There isn't a morning I don't sit for just a few minutes and look out on it and the little birds.   (and squirrels) 

2006 meant bonding for me and Spirit....riding lessons was one of the smartest choices I've ever made.

2006 meant adventures all summer with my nephew Caleb.  2006 allowed me the time and energy and health to do so many fun things with all the kids....movies, concerts, fairs, vacations, shopping trips, sleepovers!

2006 meant watching my baby Labs, Earl and Eudora,  grow into the beautiful Thugs they are now. 

2006 has made me love, love, love marriage.  And appreciate and love Toonces even more.

This year I have traveled twice to Atlantic City, to the Bahamas, to Memphis for my 40th birthday, to Niagara, to Montana (2006 brought a trophy fish), to the beach, to the mountains.    I have enjoyed music, friends, love and laughter.   I have made friendships in the blog world that I treasure.  It was a good year.

The worst of 2006:

I turned 40!

I was humiliated by the Price is Right fiasco.

George W. Bush became an even worse president.

We lost one of our best friends..(she is still so dearly missed).

Happy New Year Everyone!  May 2007 be the year of your dreams!

I still have a Christmas tree that needs undoing and laundry baskets running over with clean clothes that need to be put in their respective drawers.   I have left everything unattended this week to make time for more important things like lunch with friends and play dates with the kids.   My house and blog have paid the price!

My main goal for today was to get that Christmas banner down!  My second goal was to Frontline the Labs.  It is December in Virginia and our dogs are picking up more and more ticks...odd, small, freakishly white ticks.   Oh, but there is no such thing as global warming.  Yeah right.    We did get around to watching An Inconvenient Truth this week and I thought Al Gore did a great job of presenting the facts.   So my number one resolution for 2007 will be do more for saving my environment.  I want to actually help make a difference, not just talk about it.  I am going to start by adding some really great organizations on my side bar.  (That will be next week of course).

I said last year I do not do resolutions really.  I try to set realistic goals for myself that I should be doing anyway. 

But here are what I will call my resolutions for the coming year and future:

1.  Continue in charitable work.   Finding ways that I can make a difference for my community and our environment.

2.  More $ donations to groups like Trout Unlimited who actually go out and save streams or rivers in danger of losing their native fish.

3.  More time doing fun things with my mom.  I am going to plan a little mini-trip for us.

4.  Plan a big horse ride trip for us and all our horse riding friends.

5.  Get back into glamor.  I love clothes and makeup and I have just gotten a bit slack becoming a naturalist out here on this farm so I am planning on giving myself a subscription to Vogue, Vanity Fair etc. so I can't go too stale.   Granted I am thrilled my life isn't totally about that stuff anymore but still I kinda want to age like Sharon Stone....cool, comfy and natural most of the time but clean up like one hot diva when I want to!

6.  Grow my nails back out...another consequence of this farm life!

7.  Cardio hard core 3 days a week, and 3 moderate exercise days.....and I have put off until the new year getting back into Pilate's. 

8  I have to start structuring my days.  I hate schedules but have a personality that needs them.  With my toes dipping in so many different pools now I will never prosper in anything if I don't manage my time.    Now that I am volunteering at the gallery and the clothes closet I am not going to have anything to put IN the gallery if I don't start setting aside days to actually work on photography and nothing else.

9.  Eat less meat and more veggies....Know any good veggie dishes?  Send them to me please!  I rarely eat red meat anyway but I am tired of all the hormones in chicken too.  And since I can't find "free-range" here, I am thinking of giving it up entirely.

10.  Keep having fun, enjoying life and being thankful to God for every single moment of it!

In summary:   The best of the year:

2006 meant turning 40!

2006 meant a new porch/deck on our house that has brought me unimaginable joy.   There isn't a morning I don't sit for just a few minutes and look out on it and the little birds.   (and squirrels) 

2006 meant bonding for me and Spirit....riding lessons was one of the smartest choices I've ever made.

2006 meant adventures all summer with my nephew Caleb.  2006 allowed me the time and energy and health to do so many fun things with all the kids....movies, concerts, fairs, vacations, shopping trips, sleepovers!

2006 meant watching my baby Labs, Earl and Eudora,  grow into the beautiful Thugs they are now. 

2006 has made me love, love, love marriage.  And appreciate and love Toonces even more.

This year I have traveled twice to Atlantic City, to the Bahamas, to Memphis for my 40th birthday, to Niagara, to Montana (2006 brought a trophy fish), to the beach, to the mountains.    I have enjoyed music, friends, love and laughter.   I have made friendships in the blog world that I treasure.  It was a good year.

The worst of 2006:

I turned 40!

I was humiliated by the Price is Right fiasco.

George W. Bush became an even worse president.

We lost one of our best friends..(she is still so dearly missed).

Happy New Year Everyone!  May 2007 be the year of your dreams!

Caleb came to stay with me Wednesday still trying to escape his mother's Flu germs.  He has been with Mo and Papa for days.  He has not gotten sick but my dad had tests scheduled that day at the neurologist's.  No definite results yet.   Isabelle has made a speedy recovery but baby Seth is very sick.  He had a shot but apparently it is for Type B strain and didn't prevent A.  I hope the tiny tot will be up to par for Santa's visit.

Caleb helped me redo my pantry adding new shelving, assisted at the grocery store and we made our own journey through the woods to a new section of creek I'd found in the fall.  Earl and Eudora like having the energetic young one here because he can keep up with them.   Almost.  He is as close to their hyper level as it comes I'm fairly sure.

Rollie-isms:  We met Toonces for lunch at the charming Coffee Break on Mainstreet.  Caleb was telling us that Santa was going to bring him an electric guitar for Christmas and how he and his 3rd grade counterparts were forming their own band.  Martin asked Caleb what type music they would be playing, how would he learn, what did he know about playing and so on.

Caleb informed us that Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star was normally what you started out with in the guitar world.  I told him that might be true but I thought electric was a bit more involved.  That you needed to start with rock and roll right out of the box.  I didn't think Twinkle, Twinkle was the right choice to learn on.

me-  "I think one of the first songs you learn on the electric guitar is Man on the Water."   (I have friends who have boys that play).   I also remember when Delane was starting out.

Toonces- "What did you just say?"

me-  "Man on the Water....you know, and I begin to sing.."

Toonces places his forehead on his hands on the table laughing.  "Gee Whiz Rollie...Smoke, it is Smoke on the Water not Man on the Water."  He is laughing.  Caleb is just watching us, taking it in.  "That may be your best one yet....the only man on the water I know of would be Jesus wouldn't it?"

"Whatever."

Caleb just shakes his head at me like his aunt is a bit dumber than he suspected.

Christmas Cheer:

Time for a break....entertaining tonight, baking tomorrow, clean and finish wrapping today, family Sunday and Monday......posting has to sit on the bench while real life gets played out.  Christmas is too big to share.  So....

From our house to yours we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

May your hearts and homes be filled with love and laughter..... 

God Bless!

( For my friends out there who do not celebrate Christmas I hope you have a wonderful weekend! )  See ya Tuesday!

First off...I, Rollie, was in the Wall Street Journal today.  My gift wrapping post was noticed, they emailed, then called and here I am!  Pretty cool.  It makes it appear that I am divorced and have children but it is still fun!

Second:  Cootie Flu Bugs, my sister has type A influenza.  Swabbed yesterday.  Isabelle is sick right with her.   Down for 9 days though I know her and she will try to push too hard this coming Christmas weekend.  I am planning on sitting on her.

Third, my dad goes for tests again tomorrow.  He had another doctor's visit today and I am going to wait and see exactly what is going on before I speculate here.  But I still appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts you guys have been sending me.  It is so appreciated.

Fourth, I am losing my mind.  Last week I lost my debit card.  I am usually so responsible where money is concerned.  Getting gas with the Thugs....maybe they ate it when I gave them a treat.  Today I not only lost my ticket to get into Jackson's play and had to dig all over the vehicle when Amy had handed it to me only 5 minutes earlier I lost my wallet.

That's right.  This dumb bunny left her wallet in the buggy at tractor's supply where I had to load my own bag of horse feed.  It was so heavy and wore me out so much I didn't notice I left my wallet in the buggy.  I got down the road.....panic hit...turned around....ran over everyone and weaved in and out of the four lane traffic to recover my wallet.  I was worried that at this time of the year it would go so quickly and that my husband Toonces might file for divorce or kill me.  One of the two and neither good.  Thankfully the cart guy had put it in a safe for me.....WHEW.    Prayers were answered there.  I was borderline hysterical.

Fifth:  Devil mice:  Sunday night I heard something scratching in the pantry.  I went to the door...."SCRACk, Skreak, chew, chew."  A mouse.  A MOUSE in MY pantry.  I go get Calista (the long haired cat)...I tell Toonces to be quiet.  We are on a mission.  He grabs Darius from his nap.  We put the cats right at the door.  Calista's nose goes in overdrive.  She is ready.  Darius is mad and wants out.  I open the door.  Nothing.

Toonces walks over to the front door to let Darius out (he was now pouting) and BOOM!  There I was face to face with a mouse!  His head and beady eyes peaking through 2 cans of tomato paste....his nose and whiskers going up and down.  I screamed bloody murder and I went right and Calista went left.  It totally freaked me out.   Yes I did use Ativan to help me sleep that night.

Finally:  Jackson was in the sweetest 1st grade play today.  They have like 7 classes mixed.  I joined Amy and Delane this morning and unfortunately I videoed mine sideways again.  (I told you I was crazy)  Maybe Delane will post a clip.

Anyway they were so sweet and I put a picture gallery for those that know Jackson or maybe some of the other Mount Airy first graders on the top right side bar.   

Long day, long hours but I wanted to make that fudge.  I have stayed on course.  And tonight Rollie finished her first ever fudge!

From today:

First off...I, Rollie, was in the Wall Street Journal today.  My gift wrapping post was noticed, they emailed, then called and here I am!  Pretty cool.  It makes it appear that I am divorced and have children but it is still fun!

Second:  Cootie Flu Bugs, my sister has type A influenza.  Swabbed yesterday.  Isabelle is sick right with her.   Down for 9 days though I know her and she will try to push too hard this coming Christmas weekend.  I am planning on sitting on her.

Third, my dad goes for tests again tomorrow.  He had another doctor's visit today and I am going to wait and see exactly what is going on before I speculate here.  But I still appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts you guys have been sending me.  It is so appreciated.

Fourth, I am losing my mind.  Last week I lost my debit card.  I am usually so responsible where money is concerned.  Getting gas with the Thugs....maybe they ate it when I gave them a treat.  Today I not only lost my ticket to get into Jackson's play and had to dig all over the vehicle when Amy had handed it to me only 5 minutes earlier I lost my wallet.

That's right.  This dumb bunny left her wallet in the buggy at tractor's supply where I had to load my own bag of horse feed.  It was so heavy and wore me out so much I didn't notice I left my wallet in the buggy.  I got down the road.....panic hit...turned around....ran over everyone and weaved in and out of the four lane traffic to recover my wallet.  I was worried that at this time of the year it would go so quickly and that my husband Toonces might file for divorce or kill me.  One of the two and neither good.  Thankfully the cart guy had put it in a safe for me.....WHEW.    Prayers were answered there.  I was borderline hysterical.

Fifth:  Devil mice:  Sunday night I heard something scratching in the pantry.  I went to the door...."SCRACk, Skreak, chew, chew."  A mouse.  A MOUSE in MY pantry.  I go get Calista (the long haired cat)...I tell Toonces to be quiet.  We are on a mission.  He grabs Darius from his nap.  We put the cats right at the door.  Calista's nose goes in overdrive.  She is ready.  Darius is mad and wants out.  I open the door.  Nothing.

Toonces walks over to the front door to let Darius out (he was now pouting) and BOOM!  There I was face to face with a mouse!  His head and beady eyes peaking through 2 cans of tomato paste....his nose and whiskers going up and down.  I screamed bloody murder and I went right and Calista went left.  It totally freaked me out.   Yes I did use Ativan to help me sleep that night.

Finally:  Jackson was in the sweetest 1st grade play today.  They have like 7 classes mixed.  I joined Amy and Delane this morning and unfortunately I videoed mine sideways again.  (I told you I was crazy)  Maybe Delane will post a clip.

Anyway they were so sweet and I put a picture gallery for those that know Jackson or maybe some of the other Mount Airy first graders on the top right side bar.   

Long day, long hours but I wanted to make that fudge.  I have stayed on course.  And tonight Rollie finished her first ever fudge!

From today:

I love this splattered look I found this year.

Slug fest:  I am a slug today.  Naps and reading.  I have accomplished nothing I sat out to do.  My fudge is not made nor are my cheese straws.  Not that I know anything about making them but it will give me a chance to play with the food processor.