Notes That Touch The Heart...

Margaret's Piano...

2011-08-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

I recently was blessed with another piano! This 1954 Story & Clark once graced the home of Margaret Cochran. Now it graces my home...

...it all started last June at the feed store where I work. I met Margaret's daughter, Maxine, when she and her son came by the store one Sunday afternoon. My son's were unloading a trailer for my bosses, it was overflowing with wrought iron and pottery from Laredo!

Maxine and I started talking and realized that we had a lot in common. She had two sons and both their names started with C. I had two sons and both their names started with T. We both love horses and the western way of life and we love to sing.

Well, Maxine had this feeling that she wanted me to have her momma's piano. I accepted her offer and traveled to Riudoso, New Mexico to her sisters house to pick up the piano. My two sons came along for the ride (and to help load and pack the piano so that it would not get damaged on the trip back to Pecos). We stayed in Maxine's cousins' quaint little warm cabin with snow on the ground outside! June 2009

Editor's Note: It is because of this friendship that I took Maxine's advice that "If I had Shot Paschal just as a friend I would be blessed!" and started dating and 59 days later married him!!! Since she is a distant relative of Shot's, I am now related to Maxine!

How much fiber?

2009-04-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

How much fiber do I need in my diet? Well, according to Mayo Clinic women in my age range need 25 gram of fiber a day. This means more fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and grains.

It looks like legumes and nuts top the list in the amount of fiber they contain. So, I think I will package my favorite trail mix in the snack size baggies...

1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds 3.6 grams
1/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds
& 49 Pistachio Nuts 2.9 grams

...pick up some potatoes, frozen broccoli, Bran Buds and barley and cook the whole-wheat spaghetti that is sitting in my pantry! The family tradition of having a pot of beans on Sunday has just been revived!! There's pinto beans, navy beans, black beans, kidney beans, and green beans just to name a few varieties that can add fiber to your diet...

Day 2 at the Gym...

2009-04-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

Met with my personal trainer. Weighed (Not good!) Checked body fat index (Not good either!!) I did not let these numbers bother me or put me in a bad mood. (Very good!!!)

Day: 2
Length of time: 15 minutes
Level #: 7
Average MPH: 43
Heart Rate: 91, 92 & 93
State of being: Could feel the muscles in my thighs a little when I completed the 15 minutes.

PT showed me some stretching exercises to do for my lower back and we talked about staying on Level 7 for a week. OG, owner of gym, stated that it takes 3 weeks to create a habit. So my first goal is to workout every day that the gym is open* for 3 weeks straight!

First Goal: May 8th. (The day my 9 day vacation starts)

*The gym will not be officially open until May 1st. So until then it will be open from 10am to 8 pm, Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. The gyms' hours will change to 5am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday and Noon to 6pm on Sundays.

Lifestyle Changes...

2009-04-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

It was time to look in the mirror and face the music...
I joined the gym! The plan has always been to lose weight. It's just not been possible to do so since back surgery in 2001. The waist twists hurt, my legs ended up being numb after walking, bicycling or horseback riding, and washing dishes, vacuuming or mowing the lawn would put me down for a couple of days. Even picked up an empty Sweet-n-Low packet off the floor and had to go visit the chiropractor bent over like a old lady that needed a walker or cane.

It has finally sunk into my thick head that I don't have to do everything all at once. That's right, I was one of those individuals who grabbed as many grocery bags as I could from the back of the car to carry to the house, vacuumed the whole house, carried a 50 lb bag of dog food to the garage, moved the furniture around every three to six months, rolled BIG pieces of concrete into place for the back patio and walkway (with the help of my mother and sister-n-law) and mowed 2 to 6 acres with a push mower or filled the wheelbarrow up to overflowing...

...now I try to carry one grocery bag in each hand, vacuum one room at a time, use a scoop to fill ShyLoh & ShyAnne's food bucket until the bag is at least half full to move from the back of my car, leave the furniture alone, and ask for help to moving big objects.

Well, a brand new business is opening up next to where I work! It is a fitness center. The best part is that they will have elliptical machines that will not put stress on my lower back. I will be posting on this blog my progress. I am not sure when I will reveal how much I need to lose or what my body fat index is...I am not going to dwell on the negative. I want to be able to mark down when I go to the gym and keep track of "some" of the details.

I talked with my chiropractor to make sure this was a good step toward strengthening my back and losing weight. He gave me two thumbs up and suggested taking it slow and gradual, just as the trainer at the gym had suggested. Now I do have a picture of me in the newspaper that will be cut out and placed in my file at the gym. It happens to be of me talking with the gym owner about the recumbent elliptical as he demonstrates how it works and how it will benefit me.

Day: 1
Length of time: 10 minutes
Level #: 7
Average MPH: 38
Heart Rate: 80 to 91
State of being: felt great with renewed energy after a 10 hour day at the feed store.

Doodling May Help Concentration...

2009-03-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

After reading a post titled Doodle Your Way To A Better Memory, written by Naomi, a fellow bloggist from ENGLAND, I found out why I doodle! According to the National Doodle Day website, National Doodle Day is May 7th. After doing some research of my own I have found a reason to doodle. The NF, Inc. National Doodle Day Committee will conduct a "Doodle Auction" starting May 7th. To learn more about NF and what they do, please visit www.nfinc.org, email nfinfo@nfinc.org, or call them at 800-942-6825.

The doodle above was created while talking on the phone with my mother last week!

Foods to Add to Your Grocery List...

2009-03-27T05:49:00.000-07:00

5 Foods That Take Years off Your Skin
RealAge's article for today is a good one to keep! Besides being good for you, these foods taste good.

Let's see...Cashew topped baked Salmon with slivers of avocado and tomato garnished with a parsley sprig. Adding a chilled Pomegranate/Green Tea to sip on make this a wonderful lunch that will not only take years off your skin, it will take the pounds off, too. Remember, just a sliver of avocado!

Salmon
Cashews
Avocado
Tomato
Pomegranate
Green Tea
Parsley

Wrangler is ONE Today!!!

2009-03-10T21:08:00.001-07:00

This is my little constant companion...Wrangler is a Sable 'n' White 1st Generation, CCA American Cockapoo. He was born in Christmas Valley, Oregon on Starlos Ranch*. Starlos Ranch is the home of Starlos Cockapoos owned by my cousin Debbie Cowdrey. Debbie has bred CCA American Cockapoos for the past 13 years and is currently the Vice President of the Cockapoo Club of America.

Debbie follows a strict code of ethics. She "guarantees to produce only the best puppies" and it is her goal to provide the perfect companion pet. She succeeded with Wrangler. Wrangler has been a constant source of joy and a bundle of furry love. He let's me know when the phone is ringing and I have turned a deaf ear to it! He is not a barker, so when he does bark, I listen. He loves every human, canine or feline he meets and has a playmate in Spurr, my male Persian/Alley Cat.

The following is a timeline of pictures over the past year. I wish that I had taken more pictures and will strive to do so during this next year...

Interesting things that happened on March 10 in history...

1862	The U.S. Treasury issued the first American paper money, in denominations from $5 to $1,000.
1876	Alexander Graham Bell transmitted the first telephone message to his assistant in the next room. "Mr. Watson, come here. I want you."
1880	The Salvation Army of the United States was founded in New York City.

*2008 Wrangler was born to Starlo's Lil' Jingle Bell 'n' Starlo's Pawnee in Christmas Valley, Oregon on the Starlo's Ranch!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

Chrysanthemums ~ A Natural Fly Screen...

2008-07-12T06:17:00.000-07:00

An old gentlemen came into the store this morning. He bought some of the metered fly spray. This is not significant in itself except for what he proceeded to tell me about one of the ingredients.

The fly spray contains Pyrethrins. He asked if I knew what Pyrethrins was. No, I did not. Well...Pyrethrins is the oil from Chrysanthemum petals. Years ago people would use Chrysanthemums in their window boxes as a natural fly screen. (Correction: The Pyrethrin oil is from the seed pods.)

The oil in the petals is toxic to flying insects. Sounds like a beautiful flowering plant that would go great around patios and bar-b-que areas!

Do not use without written permission.

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Battle Hymn of the Republic...

2008-07-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

This hymn has been one of my favorite songs from childhood. To this day I get goosebumps every time I hear it or play and sing it along with our family band. The following link was sent to me by my mother-n-law and I would like to share it with you.

All I can say is WOW

> After the
> page first opens, and after you read it, just click your
> mouse on any
> area of it to make it open. Turn up your music and ENJOY!!
>
>
> http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm
>
> PASS IT
> ON

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News from West of the Pecos!!!

2008-06-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

Life has been very busy and exhilarating for the past couple of months! After visiting my sons in West Texas the latter part of February, I was offered a job, I accepted that offer, rode the train back to California, made the necessary arrangements to move not just myself, but our family business PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe, all within a month!

Once here, I started a full time job, went through the process of securing a place to stay (which included starting all utilities and services need to survive in my new domicile), joined two committee's (more on this later!), picked up Wrangler, my new Starlo's Cockapoo, at the airport, and now don't have a washer & dryer...

Gotta go unpack some more boxes...talk at ya later!!!

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Moving to Texas!!!

2008-03-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a photograph that I have titled "White Simplicity". It is available as a giclee print over at Fine Art America. I will have to research the name of the bush that offers these beautifully simple flowers. I believe that it is in the wild plum family, but I am not positive...

My posts have been very sporadic the past couple of months. With the family reunion in Arizona and vacation to Texas, and packing for my move to Texas, I have not been able to devote enough time to my blogs. While in Texas I was offered a job that I can not turn down! It is a Godsend and I will be living in the same town as my sons!!

I will be taking the majority of PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe with me, while PJ's Paper Doll Factory will stay here with my mother/partner! Also, I will be taking ShiLoh and ShyAnne, my Katy-pups, and two cats. Annie and Spurr are my rescue cats that can not be left behind.

It has been decided that Diesel Marie, our Golden Retriever, will stay with my parents, along with their Katy-pup, Dunny. My brothers' Chihuahua, Luke, will stay with them waiting for my brother to get home on the weekends. And Honey, my dad's Pomeranian/Chihuahua will continue to ride shotgun for my Dad until he gets off the road.

Life will be very busy and fun once I get settled in Texas! I will also be taking on seven new websites to either build and maintain or revamp and maintain!! I'm excited for what the future will bring and will not be able to post until I get settle in Texas!!!

Look for a "Howdy from Texas!!!"

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Purple Majesty...

2008-03-23T20:45:00.000-07:00

From the garden to the computer palette, these purple iris are the first flowers of spring. Available as a giclee print.

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The McDonald's Observatory in West Texas...

2008-03-13T09:21:00.001-07:00

On the morning of March 4, 2008, we got up very early (4am!) to drive down to the McDonald's Observatory nestled in the Davis Mountains near Fort Davis, Texas. I took this picture just after sunrise when it was still below freezing. You can see the snow on the side of the road behind my son, Tony!

When I move back to Texas (at the end of March!) we are making a point of going to the Observatory, when it is open, so that we can go inside! Follow the links in this post to visit the official website and don't forget to stop by the Astronomy Gift Shop.

You can become a "Friend of McDonald" and enjoy lots of benefits through the different membership levels available. This will help The University of Texas fulfill their "mission of bolstering K–12 education, by supporting the programs and resources (they) provide to teachers and students nationwide."

"As a unit of The University of Texas at Austin, the Observatory is one of the world's leading centers for astronomical research. Its facilities are located atop Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes in the Davis Mountains of West Texas." http://mcdonaldobservatory.org

The slide show here consists of four pictures that I took starting with the West Texas sunset taken from the parking lot of the McDonald Observatory, followed by the valley toward Pecos, Tony and Travis freezing, an out-building at the Observatory, and Tony took a picture of one of a valley between the Observatory and Fort Davis, Texas.

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Enterprise Wash in Central Arizona.

2008-02-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

Enterprise Wash in Central Arizona.

About a week before this picture the water was flowing down the wash at a tremendous rate. Farther down this wash is where we had our family reunion. Every year the local members of the family go down to the wash and prepare the area for the picnic.

This year the boundaries of the wash where pushed into the picnic area and clean up was a little more extensive. They trim the trees so that we can sit under them for protection from the Arizona sun, even in February!

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Creosote Bush of the Sonoran Desert...

2008-02-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture that I took of a creosote bush near the Ajo Museum in Arizona. Creosote bushes are drought-enduring plants that grow in the deserts of North and Central America. This bush is growing in the Sonoran Desert, the hottest desert in North America!

The fruit of this plant is a 5-lobed nutlet with silvery white hairs. As a child growing up in the Mojave Desert, I gathered these little "kitties" by the hundreds to play with!

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Snow on the foothills...

2008-02-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

My mother and I went for a drive just to take pictures the other day! This picture is of the foothills at the base of Mt. Pinos located in the mountain range that skirts the southern edge of the San Joaquin Valley of California. The infamous "Grapevine" on I5 is located to the left of these foothills. You will notice that it is a vineyard in the foreground of this picture!

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Remembering Grandma & Grandpa...

2008-02-04T23:32:00.000-08:00

With the family reunion less than two weeks away, the memories of my Grandma and Grandpa are flooding back...

...I loved their red house! I remember the window seat, and trying to go to sleep upstairs while looking at "Sneaky's Footprints" on the ceiling! He (really Grandma) would tie knots in my shoelaces! Glad it wasn't my hair. And the smell of breakfast waking me up in the morning! Delicious!!

...I remember running in the irrigation ditch on the edge of the pasture past an angry bull with three of my girl cousins!

I remember walking out into the alfalfa field with Grandpa and getting to eat my very first alfalfa bloom and trying to catch some little yellow kittens that hid in the hay stack while Grandpa was milking a cow...

...I remember the swing in the tree beside the driveway and the tree house that was above the swing and picking blackberries (I think they were blackberries, it was something with lots of tiny thorns) on the back of the white house...and going to the grocery store in Grandma and Grandpa's 1963 Chevy Corvair (my brother has the Corvair, now!) and being very careful beside the canal that ran swiftly through part of my grandparents property.

I have so many wonderful memories of Grandma and Grandpa...I miss them!

My mother painted this picture of her parent's home the year I was born. Grandma and Grandpa lived there for 28 years.

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I found a "Shop Around the Corner"!!!

2008-01-31T10:04:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you have noticed, but there is a list of blogs that have been recently updated on the blogger sign in page. As I was attempting to sign in to my dashboard, O'Gara and Wilson, Booksellers caught my eye!

As I browsed this blog, I instantly thought of one of my favorite romantic comedies, "You've Got Mail" with the "Shop Around the Corner". Even though, they are located in Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, the writers of this blog have captured the ambiance of their "used and antiquarian bookstore" as well as have set the scene giving us a glimpse into the Hyde Park area.

If you love to read, love old books and love to travel via your computer, this is a blog well worth visiting and bookmarking!

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The two blue books are copyrighted material by Artist ~ Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher.

Happy Birthday, Christina Dawn...

2008-01-22T14:55:00.000-08:00

On this day in 1982, I became an aunt for the first time ever! Christina Dawn was born in San Angelo, Texas as a premature baby. The doctor who delivered her, had delivered her mother and her mother's father. Seventy-one years earlier, Christi's paternal great grandmother had been born in San Angelo, too!

At first they told us that Christi was 4lbs. 6 oz. and then a couple of days later changed her weight to 6lbs. 4oz. I knew better! My son Travis, who had been born 7 months earlier and weighed in at 6lbs. 12oz., was twice her size at birth!

Christi loved playing the piano and her repertoire was getting quite long. She was very good with people and her guinea pigs. Christi taught Sunday school and was active with the puppet ministry. She wrote stories and poetry and created 3D images out of baling wire or modeling clay. Christi loved to go on nature walks, always taking her walking stick. She got to go to our family reunion in Arizona in 2001 and loved every minute in the desert.

She was my angel after I had back surgery, staying with me during the day for about a week while my sons were at work. She cleaned house for me, did the laundry, fixed meals and helped me when I needed to move around. But, what I will always keep in my memory is the picture of her curled up on the edge of the couch with her favorite book. She had just sighed really deep knowing that she had completed all her work of taking care of Aunt Janey and she had a few hours to enjoy reading before her cousins came home!

We lost Christi in a car accident along with her mother Pamila Dawn, five years ago this coming May. Christ was only 21 and this would have been her 26th birthday. We miss you Christi and Pam...

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Valentine's Day is not that far away...

2008-01-17T20:57:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's Day on everyone's mind, I have been creating heart filled designs for our CafePress Gift Shoppe. Being able to use my mother's artwork is a real pleasure. I hope that you are ready for Valentine's Day this year. So far, I have four designs: Hugs 'n' Kisses, LOVE, Neddy's Hugable Love and Gunny's Hugable Love.

The special day falls on a Thursday and is less than a month away.
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Notes Adds "FuelMyBlog" to Directory...

2008-01-16T16:00:00.001-08:00

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PayPerPost Resolution...

2008-01-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

Maybe this should be a New Year’s resolution for me…to post about what I love best and to get paid for it? Sometimes, even though I find a “good thing”, time and circumstances do not allow for me to follow through. It’s time to follow through with PayPerPost!

With PayPerPost I HAVE found a “good thing” because I can blog about opportunities that fit the theme of my blog and get paid for it! All I need to do is get into the habit of visiting the PPP website everyday, find the opportunities that I qualify for and blog about it. Oh yeah, and get paid for it! What is really helpful is that PPP gives pointers on bringing up my page rank so that I can qualify for the better paying opportunities.

I found out about PayPerPost through my blogging friends and have shared PayPerPost with some of my new blogging friends. I plan on putting on goggles and steel toed boots to find out what is available in the payperpost labs. What will I find behind link number 1 – titled “Affiliate Sites”, or link number 2 – “Skunk Words” or link number 3 – “Postie Created”? I have a feeling it will be lots of cool stuff to make me more productive as a PayPerPost postie!

I'm not sure what I will use my PPP fortune on...maybe take a trip to Texas to visit my boys or just have some extra spending money!

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Road Trip!!!

2008-01-11T20:32:00.000-08:00

It looks like my brother and I will be going to the Family Reunion in Arizona again this year! The reunion is scheduled for Sunday, February 17 and "The Family" will meet in the desert if it does not rain. There is always a rainy day schedule and we end up gathering in the school gymnasium.

Not only are we going to the reunion, but my brother wants to do some desert running around Quartzsite! He will ride his Honda while Luke (my brother's Chihuahua) and I follow in the desert runner. The last time I stopped in Quartzsite was Christmas of 1977 when my grandparents were still alive and were camped there for the winter.

We probably will do this after a run to Texas to visit my sons in Pecos! I am so excited and will probably forget to take lots and lots of pictures! Not only will I get to see TnT, but I will get to see Kate and her six new puppies, papa Rusty, Cody and Jesse (siblings from the last litter), my horse Oakley, and the mustangs, Cahlibur, Coal, Belle and Clancey!!!

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The Vegan Diet: Get the Year Going with Alfalfa

2008-01-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

Although I am not Vegan or Vegetarian, I do LOVE my vegetables! I found some wonderful Alfalfa Sprout recipes over at Jackie's blog in an article titled: The Vegan Diet: Get the Year Going with Alfalfa! Jackie is a fellow BLOG VILLAGER and her blog is a wealth of information on anything organic and makes it a perfect blog to find new recipes for my mother who is diabetic, too! Once I get settled in Texas later this year, I will be making sure that my new home has a garden and a greenhouse!!! Yummy...

BTW...you will find this Water Bucket 'n' Veggies design on product over in our CafePress store, PJ's Gift Shoppe.

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone! Now that the holidays are over I hope to be able to post more often. In my last post I was on my way to the post office to see what my birthday present was. I found a beautiful leather notebook! It is handmade and the guys found it in Alpine, Texas at the Big Bend Saddlery. I have used it every day in PJ's Workshoppe and I am tickled that it matches my purse.

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Happy Birthday to Me...

2007-11-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

Well, today is my birthday! I received a phone call from Travis a little while ago...he called while on break to wish me a Happy Birthday!! He and Tony sent me a birthday package that was too big for our mailbox, so I have this wonderful peach slip of paper that says I can pick it up on Monday! If the post office had not been closed in observance of Thanksgiving on Friday, I would know what was in that package!

You know just the thought that went behind sending that package is precious to me!!!

UPDATE: Tony called on his last break and after wishing me a Happy Birthday, he share with me some of the properties that were listed in a magazine he was looking at...they were all above $500,000.00 and counting! Someday!!!

more Jacaranda 'n' Butterflies cards 'n' such...

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The artwork used on this blog is created by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher.

Share Your Thanksgiving Memories...

2007-11-24T09:05:00.000-08:00

To all our family and friends,

I hope that everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Share your Thanksgiving traditions, memories, what you are thankful for and favorite recipes here...

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My Parents are Veterans...

2007-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

Both my parents were in the Army when they met. I wrote about their 56 day whirlwind romance that has lasted for 48 years earlier this year. They actually celebrate 48 years this December 1st. I mention it again because of it being Veteran's Day today.

I have been very proud of my parents for being in the Army and for their achievments while enlisted and that they were both "Honorably Discharged". Daddy's tours took him from boot camp in El Paso, Texas to Hawaii, Korea, and then San Antonio, Texas. Momma completed boot camp at Fort McClelland, Alabama and was transfered to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

I can remember stories that my dad told of his service years. Three stick out in my memory. Daddy was detached to Hq 728th Military Police Battalion APO 301 (Korea) as a MP (Military Policeman). Once while he was leaning against the car he drove for the General he was shot at from the north side of the line of demarcation between North and South Korea. The General was in a very important meeting that was instrumental in calling for peace.

The next memory takes us to our house in Southern Nevada, when I was in the 5th or 6th grade. One of mother's brothers was visiting us from Texas. Because all the grown ups had serviced time in the Army, the two men starting sharing their service stories. My Uncle started off by telling of when he was stationed in Hawaii.

There was one particular night that he was out a little too late. He ran the gate and disappeared into the post on his motorcycle. At this point my Dad asked him where he hid. My Uncle proceeded to tell him that he had slide the motorcycle back underneath the grandstand bleachers and stayed there until the MP returned to his post at the front gate.

You can image everyone's surprise (especially the two men) when my dad exclaimed, "So, that's where you hid!" It turned out that my Dad was the MP that was looking for the guy on the motorcycle! They didn't know each other at the time and it was not until Daddy was transferred to San Antone that he met Momma.

The third memory is more of a picture in my mind of Daddy and three of his MP buddies. All four of them were 6' 6" tall and were quite a site when they wore their chrome domes (helmets) and stood guard for one important meeting or another!

Daddy reached the rank of SP4 (E-4) and received badges for Expert Rifle, Expert Pistol, the Marksman Badge (Rifle), Expert Badge (B. MG Cal. 30 & S. MG Cal. 45) and a Letter of Appreciation for his tour in Korea. He served for a total of 4 years, 2 months and 21 days.

Momma was only in the Army for 1 year, 2 months and 25 days, however she excelled during her enlistment. She reached the rank of Pfc(E-3) when she was Honorably Discharge for Sec III AR 615-361 SPN 221 Pregnancy (me!) Her specialty was Junior Draftsman and she worked in the burn unit as well. If she had not been pregnant she would have been sent off to officer's training.

I am proud not only of my parents, but the family members that served and are serving now, the veterans of all the wars and all the military personnel that are serving right now. We thank you for the sacrifices you have made and are making every day...May the war on terror end so that you can come home!

Posts by fellow bloggers on the same subject:
Question: Do you know the difference between Veteran's Day and Memorial Day...
In England they commemorate Remembrance Day...

p.s. My Grandfather passed away on this day 16 years ago...

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100th POST - Children of the Desert by Bebe Rich...

2007-11-04T12:55:00.000-08:00

Children of the Desert
A Children's Story* by Bebe Rich

Prologue
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Her grandparents headed west in the late 1800’s with just a prairie schooner pulled by two horses, and their possessions. As a teacher and farmer Grandpa and Grandma, were looking forward to starting a new life out west. It was early spring before they could get together all the supplies they would need and enough money to start this trip alone. They would have to depend on hunting, fishing, and their wits to keep alive.

Grandpa and Grandma decided on a southern route so that they would have more of a chance of surviving the trip. Heading out from Moulton, Iowa they dropped down through Springfield, Missouri by prairie schooner. In Springfield they put their wagon, team, possessions and themselves on the train to Denver, Colorado. At Denver they took the narrow gauge railroad south to Durango. After arriving in Durango they took the prairie schooner, the team of horses and their possessions off the train and headed south through New Mexico.

Stopping in Farmington, New Mexico for four years, to farm vegetables for a little while, Grandpa earned enough money to continue west. When Grandpa and Grandma started on their journey they had two sons with them. Frank was four years old and his younger brother Jamie was only 18 months old.

As they traveled down the Coronado Trail through eastern Arizona, Grandpa had to tie trees to the back of the wagon to help them down the steep places. Their plan was to head through the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona to homestead the rich, fine farm land in the Imperial Valley of California.

Everything went as well as could be expected. It was not easy, and they endured many hardships, such as harsh weather, the fear of Indians and Grandma was going to have another baby. One early spring day they began to look forward to the bright slightly windy day with the cactus and surrounding mountains that were new to them. On this day one of their horses died.

Grandpa got down from the wagon first and helped Grandma get down. The boys had already jumped out of the back of the wagon to see why they had stopped in the middle of the trail. Grandpa rode into the next little town and bought a new horse. Because the cost of a new horse took half of their savings, they decided to head back. Grandpa and Grandma bought 160 acres with the last of their savings and went on to have eight more children who lived and died on this homestead in a small farming community, along the Gila River.

Grandpa and Grandma's third son, my Daddy married Mama and they had eight children. This saga continues through the eyes of the seventh child, Maizy...

Chapter 1
Searching for The Reason of Life
(Maizy - The Seventh Child)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi, my name is Maizy. I was born in the early 1900's on the old Lago ranch, in a little homestead house. This story takes place in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. When I was 13 months old we moved to a small town down south, so that Daddy could work as an electrician in the copper mine.

I am the seventh of eight children so when I was born, rich relatives of Mamas’ asked to adopt me. They would name me Bebe and they would see to it that I had everything that I needed. I would go to the very best college and have every advantage of being their only child. I would inherit all their land, buildings and money.

Nevertheless, there was a different plan for my life and Mama and Daddy would not let them adopt me, so I started my life among my brothers and sisters. My oldest sister was Bessie who was nine years older than me, then came Annie, Elwood, Buddy, Alicia, and Richie. A year after I was born, I got a baby sister, Jackie.

I started searching for why we were on earth in the second grade by questioning “what is beyond life and what is beyond that and so on...” Because of the tans and browns of the houses, buildings, desert and the surrounding mountains, other colors seemed to stand out to me. I loved to look at the horizons; I would get up in the mornings and wonder where did it all come from? How come I get to live in the middle of it? Who made it?

I remember loving the Arizona clouds and would think about what was beyond the clouds, trying to imagine what was there, then wondering what was beyond that which was beyond the clouds, and so on and so on until I realized that I had to stop. As happens in everyone’s lives, there were circumstances that I believe lead to the answers to my questions.

When I was in the fourth or fifth grade we lost one of our friends. His name was Clyde and because his last name came after my last name alphabetically, he always stood in line after me. His father owned the Indian Trading Post out on the reservation. Clyde and his mom lived in town and on the weekends would go out to see his dad. One time on the way back to town, the truck hit a pot hole or something and flipped the truck. Clyde was underneath and with broken bones, his mom picked the truck up off of her son. It was too late. Clyde was gone.

Because of Clyde's death, the fact that I had a temper, and that my flaxen blonde hair was turning light orange, I was really touchy for about a year afterwards. Anything done to me would make me cry. My brothers and sisters closer to my age spent their time tormenting me to see if they could make me cry. They would call me names like cotton-top, carrot-top, and spitfire.

Mama would get after them, but one day she called me down into the cellar and told me that if I kept on crying they would keep up the tormenting. That worked, I was not about to let them do that to me!

...I got bit by a black widow spider...
...In a ditch in front of the old homestead,
I nearly drowned before Beth pulled me out...

We did not see much color except when the cactus and wild flowers bloomed after a big rain. Colors and details started having a special place in my life. Mama took pictures of us out among the wildflowers and the cactus. Both my younger sister, Jessie and I were wearing brilliant dark blue short sleeved sweater outfits with yellow and red stripes across the yokes.

I remember one time, a construction company came to town with graders and all their equipment. The graders were painted dusty colors like rosy pink, light lavender, powder blue, dusty green, pale orange and creamy yellow; and I would look at them and think that they were the most beautiful things in the world.

*This children's story is drawn from true events in history.
If some of the details are not as they should be,
it is because we are seeing through the eyes of a child.

p.s. If you are curious as to how Sharon Lynne of California Breeze and myself found out that we were related, follow the link to: You're not going to believe this...

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Notes joins Blogging Chicks...

2007-11-01T00:44:00.000-07:00

This blog is totally an all girl blog! Notes is my personal blog. I think that this Texan has been living in California too long. I just said "totally"! For right now even the animals listed in the sidebar are girls and even though I will be adding a couple of boys to the sidebar, they will be outnumbered...sorry guys!!!

Continuing Review of the B.V.F.F.C...

2007-10-30T22:25:00.000-07:00

It's time for a coffee break to see what is happening on the BLOG VILLAGE Fall Fest Carnival...

In the last post we explored the first six posts and learned what to do with Pumpkin Seeds, listened to Halloween memories, learned about the status of pumpkins in England, viewed some fall pictures from my computer, read a ghost story of a Woman in White on All Hallows Eve, and walked through a Canadian November!
Tonight we looked at some Handmade Thanksgiving cards and stickers, voted for a favorite paper doll outfit for Rachel, found out the reason The Uncarved Pumpkin, read Of Course It's All About Me, scooted really fast over to gather some Oooey Gooey Pumpkin Treats after reading an ominous Scary Story!

What is in store for us tomorrow night? You can find out earlier, by traveling to Texas with a click of your mouse, with a visit to the carnival yourself!!!

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Review of the BLOG VILLAGE Fall Fest Carnival...

2007-10-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

With a warm cup of coffee in hand and a spin of my mouse, I traveled to Texas for the BLOG VILLAGE Fall Fest Carnival hosted by CyberCelt!

Find out what to do with Pumpkin Seeds, listen to Halloween memories, learn about the status of pumpkins in England, view some fall pictures from my computer, read a ghost story of a Woman in White on All Hallows Eve, and walk through a Canadian November in the first segment of the carnival!

More to read tomorrow or you can go ahead of me right now!!!

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Fall Pictures from My Computer...

2007-10-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

When I started checking on what I would enter in the BLOG VILLAGE Fall Fest Carnival, hosted by CyberCelt over at Advertising For Success, I wasn't sure that I would be able to find anything. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I love watching the trees turn color and don't mind when the yard fills with leaves.

So, I decided to look through the pictures on my computer to see if I had any "fall pictures" to share...each picture in the slide show above was created with autumn corners drawn by my mother, Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher. These pictures were taken in the fall or represent the fall time of year:

Decorating for Thanksgiving 2005. These pumpkin, sheep, rabbits, jack rabbits, roosters and laying hens are painted on plywood. My mother painted these back in 2003 for the Franklin Field Horseman's Association Octoberfest.
The Ash trees over at the stables in autumn color. This is where our horses lived until they moved to Texas this fall.
The ranch in the fall. (This was our friends ranch where my sons did some day riding.)
Ponying the colt and mares on a fall day. All five of the Mustang horses were adopted from the BLM.
Rueben and Rachel in their Thanksgiving outfits.
The ranch on a fall morning.
"Covered Bridge 'n' The Fall" design. The picture is painted on wood by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher. We used this design to create a birthday card for my mother's sister.

"With the colorful leaves fluttering in the wind on a beautiful fall day,

And the reflection in the creek adding to this picturesque view,

We send this message hurriedly on it’s way,

With Birthday wishes just for you!"

Written by Janey Loree ~ October 11, 2007

Thank you for stopping by,

Janey Loree

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Notes Goes To The Carnivals...

2007-10-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

It is time for the Quarterly Carnival over at BLOG VILLAGE which is hosted by Advertising for Success. The theme for this carnival is "Fall Fest"...

"Deadline for entries has been extended to Sunday, October 28th by midnight. For entries after that date, mail directly to Success at CoolAdz dot com.

Share your Halloween posts about easiest homemade costumes, funniest Halloween trick ever, best homemade treats, spooky stories, haunted houses-- you name it. Write about family activities that you do instead of trick or treating.

If you do not celebrate Halloween, then share your favorite thoughts about Fall. Fall color, Fall traditions, Fall crafts, family reunions, harvest recipes and handmade gifts."

Naomi over at Diary from England hosted this carnival back in September, however with the nature of blog carnivals it will always be available!

Notes has added Daily Manna...

2007-10-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

Notes finally found a site that has a daily scripture javascript available to add to this blog! Over at another fellow BLOG VILLAGER's blog, Gatekeeper's "Pieces of Me", I followed the link to IBS.org. If you would like to read the selected verse please scroll down to the bottom of the posts to the
image and enjoy!

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The Benefits of Grapefruit...

2007-10-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

Grapefruits have always been a favorite fruit of mine, however when I ran across a post by Jackie, a fellow BLOG VILLAGER over at The Vegan Diet, I knew that I had been missing a delicious opportunity to help me loose weight! I've tried the "Grapefruit Diet" with success I might say. Follow this link to recipes and the benefits of this delicious fruit as well as other healthful posts.

I also noticed that she has posted the BLOG VILLAGE Quarterly Blog Carnival banner for the Fall Fest Carnival that will be held October 29 over at Cybercelt's Advertising For Success blog. I need to get busy and add the banner and submit my posts!

The grapefruit art spark (image) used in this post was created by my mother, Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher. It is of the blonde variety that does not contain lycopene.

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"Madame Curie"...

2007-10-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to watch Greer Garson in another memorable movie, Madame Curie. The last movie was Random Harvest. This black and white film set in Paris, is outstanding. Greer plays Marie Sklodowska, a young Polish student of science who has the tenacity and enduring character that it takes to discover a new scientific element "laying the foundation for future discoveries in nuclear physics and chemistry".

Along the way she falls in love with Professor Curie, played by Walter Pidgeon, and together they embark on an adventure of a lifetime that wins them the Nobel Prize in Physics. Marie is fascinated by the discovery that pitchblende radiates light without being exposed to sunlight. After marrying Pierre Curie, she continues her doctoral study in her husbands lab working on finding out why this is possible.

Marie and Pierre work very hard (physically as well as mentally) to discover a minute element that they call radium. They use a process of crystallization to boil down 8 tons of pitchblende ore. Several years later when they get to what they think is their last test, they are discouraged that they don't find crystals of radium in the bottom of the bowl. Only a stain. They end up going to a New Year's Eve party, all the while Marie can't let go of why they failed in separating the radium.

Later that night, or early morning when Marie is telling Pierre about her concerns they realize that "it may only be a matter of quantity and that stain could be radium!" As Pierre unlocks the door, they can see through the shed windows a glow coming from test bowl number 5677!

On the day that Pierre and Marie are to dedicate a new laboratory to further their explorations in science, Pierre is struck down by a horse drawn delivery wagon and dies instantly. In the movie, the professor that introduced Marie to Pierre comes to her aide, when she is stunned into inactivity by her husbands' death. He reminds her of something he said, in a lecture 9 years before, in his classroom at the University of Paris. He was drawing the analogy that not very many students reach for a star and touch it with their fingertips to achieving ones life goals. As she sits in a state of depressed silence, he tells her that she has achieved what others have not and that there are other stars "out there"!

Marie goes on to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, being the only women to be awarded the prize in two different fields of science.

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A Touch of Melancholy...

2007-10-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, both my sons have been transfered to Texas! They are settling in and feeling like they never left 19 years ago. We have always talked about going back and now they are there.

They took back all five of our horses and four of the dogs. The first line of "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" keeps playing over and over in my mind. But the words are changed a little...I left my heart in Pecos, Texas!

The reason being, after we completed all our chores on Friday nights we had a tradition of settling down in front of the television set with our dinner meal (homemade or take-out) and watched "Stargate", "Stargate Atlantis" or a rented movie or two.

I am feeling a touch of melancholy tonight...

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Keeping In Touch...

2007-10-04T23:33:00.000-07:00

Homespun items available in PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe.

When you set down to your correspondence, use a flowery sheet of lined stationery, complimented by a matching envelope and seal. Fold the sheet in half to slip it into a matching "Thinking of You" note card that lets your recipient know you are keeping in touch "Just Because" or by saying "Thank You", "Your Welcome" or "Get Well".

Just think how nice it would be to receive a flowery card in the mail instead of just bills, advertisements, and junk mail! Knowing that someone took the time tosit right down and write themselves a letter to you! Send a postcard to advertise your business or upcoming special event.

To present an unusual gift, gather together these matching items in a sturdy paper gift bag. Select an all-occasion card that matches the occasion, combine note cards, post cards, a paper doll book,

a paper doll coloring book, and scrapbook stickers. Enhance with a matching bookmark, pocket calendar, shopping list, and theme booklet, adding the final touch of a matching gift card to the outside of the gift bag.

For an extra personal touch, personalize the stationery, all-occasion card and gift bag label.

Add your name to a paper doll, too! Choose from the "Universal Paper Dolls", the "Universal Paper Kids", and the "Friends of the World" paper dolls.

Pick out a paper doll, add her stationery, greeting and note cards, bookmarks, calendars, scrapbook stickers,shopping lists, theme booklets, and gift bags. Each doll has a full wardrobe of paper clothes. There are many "art sparks" included to enhance each page of paper clothes.
Just click on the shopping cart(s) to purchase.

"Art sparks" is the special name we gave the clip art that surrounds each page of paper clothes.

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The Fisher Family Singers: Nashville Bound...

2007-10-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Back in May of 1999, I had the opportunity to record a couple songs in Nashville. After all the details were worked out, Travis Lee, Anthony Wayne and I hooked up the Avion trailer to our '92 Chevy Van and headed to Nashville. I just wish that my dad had been able to go back with us. Then he would have been able to do the harmony on "Cowboy You're Different" by Bobby D. Reed and "If Love Were A Flower" by Don Harp!

The inscription inside the CD Jacket reads:

To thank everyone that gave a part of their lives to make these songs a part of mine, would fill up several pages. Without performing with my father, George Harvey, my brother, Douglas Wayne and my boys Travis Lee and Anthony Wayne, as the Fisher Family Singers, this would not have been a possibility. To keep me going, I have my greatest critic and friend, my mother Phyllis Mae. Working with Shawn Gray and Michael R. Radford was a pleasure and the musicians and background singers were awesome. Thank you guys, you were great!!! Also, to the songwriters, without your songs this wonderful experience just wouldn't have happened! Thank you God for making "Cowboys Different" and allowing us to love again even when love does "Slip Through Our Fingers Like Sand".

Musically,

Janey Loree

The songs were recorded at the Legends Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. After meeting the producer, Michael R. Radford from A.M.I. Records, Shawn Gray my A.M.I. agent led me into the sound booth where I was introduced to the band! Ronnie Godfrey sat at the grand piano in the middle of the room, Tom Wild sat with his leg in a cast and a lead guitar in his arms backed up to the vocal sound booth, Dave Pomeroy was in the corner behind Ronnie and across from Tom with his bass guitar, while Mike Johnson and his drums were relegated to a sound booth all to himself. The acoustic guitar player, Leo Jackson was right out side the vocal sound booth door and the background singers Stephen Hill and Margie Cates recorded their parts in a different session on a later date.

After introductions, I was lead into a sound booth where I donned the earphones. There was a microphone hanging from the ceiling between me and a big sound proof window and a music stand. If I strained real hard I could see another huge sound proof window to the left behind Tom and Dave where the engineer, David Boyer sat behind his mixing board! In front of the mixing board sat Travis Lee and Anthony Wayne on a huge 10' long sofa.

I place my copy of the words to both songs on the music stand and waited for David to give me some tips as we ran through a couple bars of "Cowboy You're Different". Once he had his controls set the way he wanted them, we recorded "C.Y.D." and "If Love Were A Flower" in one take each!!! The hours of practicing had paid off and I just closed my eyes and immersed myself in the music.

Something that was amazing to me is that I found out that Ronnie Godfrey was three quarters blind. If only I could play like that with both eyes open! Before the recording, the guys in the band were teasing me that I had the blind, the deaf and the lame playing for me. Mike was labeled the deaf one and Tom with his leg in a cast was the lame one! Also, I received an autographed CD from Susie Luchsinger (Reba's sister) while she was performing at Cheyenne Frontier Days in '94 or '95. Dave Pomeroy was her bass player.

All told we were at the studio for about two hours and then we had the rest of the week to explore the sights and sounds of Nashville. We took in the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Music Valley Wax Museum, the Music Valley Car Museum, the Train Store and Nashville Toy Museum, The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, The Grassmere Farm the Cumberland Science Museum, The Hermitage, The Parthenon, and the Grand Ole Opry to name just a few! On Mother's Day we went for a 10 mile bicycle ride through the backwoods of a little town north of Nashville where we had parked the Avion.

Pictures by Janey Loree ~ the water wheel picture was taken in Oregon. I added it to the slideshow to remind us that after we got home from Nashville, we pulled into the drive there in Cheyenne, Wyoming, packed Mom and Dad's stuff in the Avion and headed to Oregon.

The original article was posted over at: The Fisher Family Singers: Nashville Bound...

Notes is taking the "Do Follow" pledge...

2007-10-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

While I was visiting Cybercelt's Texas RV Travel Blog, during Naomi's England goes GONZO! Carnival, this "U Comment, I Follow" icon caught my eye! I have tried very hard to follow commenters back to their blogs to thank them for visiting my blogs and knew this was something I would be interested in. The following is 338 members strong:

Shadowscope
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CoolAdzine for Marketers
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The Raw & The Cooked
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go get global news & views
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Shopping Flavor
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Lisa Reviews
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WebStyle
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Step away from the cake
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Naomi's England Goes GONZO! Carnival is LIVE!!!

2007-10-01T03:30:00.002-07:00

The carnival is LIVE over at Naomi's Diary From England blog! In an attempt to keep track of each and every post in the carnival, I will list them in this post as I finish reading each post.

Since it is 3:30AM I will only read the first post tonight! There are 21 posts in all. So not counting my three entries, I have 18 posts to read. Along with reading these carnival posts, I have rated and voted IN and OUT for BLOG VILLAGEr's. What a wonderful way to start the carnival with none other than:

Carnival posts read on Monday...

Naomi's Diary From England: BRITISH TRADITIONS AND IMAGES
Marsha's Family Adventures: Harry Potter in London
Sank's Old and in the Way: Damn Yanks
Alastair's new kid on the blog: A sense of identity

...read on Tuesday...

Cybercelt's Texas RV Travel Blog: Travel Like A Native
Naomi's Diary From England: THE ORIGIN OF THE ENGLISH BOBBY
Cybercelt's Advertising for Success: Banking With a Conscience
Cybercelt's 'Losing Proposition Blog: Foods That Travel Well

...read on Thursday...

My entries are:

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Pictures from the past...

2007-09-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

In searching for the picture of my grandparents holding their great grandkids, (maybe it is a slide?) I ran across these pictures of The Alamo. I was only 4 months old when these pictures were taken. That's right, I was born in San Antonio, Texas on the same day that John F. Kennedy, Jr. was born. Since my parents were in the Army at the time, and I was delivered at Brooke Army Medical Center, the Army nurses came right in to let my parents know that the President and First Lady had just delivered a baby boy!

The cars in the first picture reminded me of a story that my parents told of my first car incident when I was only about a month old. After a check up appointment at BAMC, my parents were pulling out of the Post parking lot. My dad had to slam on the brakes of his black '56 Chevrolet 4 Door Hard Top to avoid hitting the car that had pulled out in front of them. By the time the dust settled I was no longer in my mother's lap. (I am not sure that we have a slide picture of my parents car. If I find it I will post it.)

The guy in the other car joined in the scramble to find me and was just as relieved as my parents when I was found in the glove compartment! I had been thrown up and under the dash, landing on the compartment shelf. If my mother had not wrapped me up so tightly in the baby blanket, I surely would have been hurt. The other guy offered to pay for a check up to make sure that I was okay. I didn't need one...there was not a scratch on me and besides I was still sleeping! If we had been traveling fast and there had been a collision then I would have been taken back to BAMC.

Twenty Five years later I went back to BAMC to see the Post and even stopped at the little apartment that my parents had called home. With permission both my sons, my parents and I walked back into the past as we toured the apartment. The people thought it was really neat that we lived there before and didn't mind our intrusion into their lives. The pull out bed was still there!

So when they say "Remember the Alamo!" I have a couple of extra memories to remember!!!

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Notes redecorated and added some chicklets...

2007-09-30T01:07:00.000-07:00

Notes has a new look! From the start I should have used something purple for this personal blog because purple has always been my favorite color. My middle name "Loree" is derived from Laurel which is a plant that blooms purple blossoms. I used art sparks from my mother's art portfolio to create the new header (above), a new 486x60 banner:

and the chicklet icon added to the BLOG VILLAGE plain text link:

Promote Notes That Touch The Heart over in BLOG VILLAGE

At the same time I created chicklet icons for the other five blogs that I write:

Promote Mustang 'n' Cowboys over in BLOG VILLAGE

Promote Twiglet over in BLOG VILLAGE

Promote The Fisher Family Singers over in BLOG VILLAGE

Promote PJ's Paper Doll Cut Outs over in BLOG VILLAGE

Promote Starlo's Paw Prints over in BLOG VILLAGE

Below the header is a new chicklet link that will allow you to subscribe to "Notes That Touch The Heart" in a reader hosted by FeedBurner.com:

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Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher
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A note from the past...

2007-09-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

While going through some old papers the other day, I ran across a letter from my grandma. My mother's parents were very special people and we share quite a few precious memories. There is a picture of my grandparents holding my two sons and my brother's two girls that I will find to share with you. The following is a note from the past (keep in mind my grandpa passed away in 1991 so my grandma has been by herself for five years when she wrote this letter:

Feb 1/96
Dear Phyllis & Family,
I sure hope all is going well for you all. Somehow you are on my mind, but I have been tied to the house so much by snow, etc; that I might be imagining a lot of the things. I am also wondering about Rhonda (her granddaughter; my cousin) she is supposed to have twins this month.
I am watching the snow filling up the work of Reece (her son) & all the other neighbors. I've seen it worse but it is a little too much when I can't be more independent. Roads are too slick for travel just for nothing special, none of our family have had too much trouble yet altho the ones in Christmas Valley say that people are having lots of slick roads.
Shirley (her daughter) can't just get up & travel across the pass either. I guess spring will come & I will like that better. I'd like to drop in on all of you. Reece talked of us coming up to see you but something always seems to interfere with our plans.
I hope Ruth (her sister)will be well enough to be with me for a while before too long. I don't think Bob or Joe (her brothers) either are too well but they don't tell me, so I just put one & one together from what I hear and can only wonder.
I seed to be looking on the dark side to-day so since I can't look on the bright side today I should stop. One thing is worth mentioning tho.
I have quail, snow birds, chickadees, blue jays, squirrels and little dwarf rabbits feeding in the yard. The deer are staying close to Reece's hay & salt blocks. He sure has several nice cattle. Hope to hear from you & Janey and also hear how Doug (my brother) & his family are. Tell them I haven't forgotten them and give them my love.
Mom
& Grandma

Grandma passed away five years later a couple of days before her 92nd birthday. My mother inherited a corner cabinet from her that was the inspiration for the name of our online gift shoppe, PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe. You can see my mother's artistic rendition of the cabinet on our About PJ's page!

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"Random Harvest"...

2007-09-21T16:01:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: This post has been entered in the "England Goes Gonzo" Blog Carnival being held on October 1st. For carnival details contact Naomi over at Diary From England!

The days go by so quickly I don't get near enough completed like I would like. I keep busy from dawn till dusk and into the twilight hours and still have more to do the next day than I did on the previous day. However, I will not ever be able to say that I am bored and have nothing to do!

I did the most delicious thing tonight. No, I am not talking about eating something, I am talking about watching a movie all the way through! From start to finish!!! The drama was "Random Harvest" a 1942 movie about a World War I major that had amnesia. Set in England, the major escaped an asylum where he was the ward of a very caring and astute doctor.

The major walks into town amidst the celebration that the war was over. A young actress finds him and takes him in, eventually taking him to the country when she sees that he is going back into his shell, after she told him he would have to go back to the asylum.

The major, or Smithy as Paula calls him, is learning to speak confidently again and tries his hand at writing, earning a check for a couple quid. As Smithy is sitting under a tree that is by a wonderful pond, Paula rides up on her bike with a picnic lunch and she has an envelope for Smithy. He appears to be asleep, as she struggles with wanting to know what the letter is about. Underneath his hat where he appeared to be napping, Smithy tells her she better open the letter. With a future starting before him Smithy asks Paula to marry him and she accepts.

They live in a little cottage by a stream with a kitchen door that the milkman brings fresh milk to every morning. On the day that their little boy is about a week old, Smithy receives a job offer in Liverpool. He is supposed to be gone for one day and does not return to the cottage for 15 years.

I could tell you the rest of the story, but that would ruin your chance to see a truly wonderful love story filled with heartache and tradegy mingled with happiness and hope...

The "England Goes GONZO!" banner was created by Kilroy over at Fear and Loathing - The Gonzo Papers.

My brother on his Honda dirt bike...

2007-08-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

While reading a post titled "Devil's Hole" over on Cousin CB's blog "California Breeze", I noticed that the picture of her brother with his bike helmet on looked like my brother with his bike helmet on. I know that people can look a lot alike when all you see is their eyes and part of their noses!! However, when I first saw the picture on Sharon Lynne's blog, I thought it was my brother standing next to her.

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Family Recreation...

2007-07-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

When I started writing this post, I realized that my mother and I have been so busy working on our home business that we have not made a whole lot of time for conventional recreation. For the past 5 years, most of our time has been spent in our workshoppe. We stop to eat, sleep and go grocery shopping once in awhile.

The meaning of the word recreation in The New International Webster's Dictionary is:

pastime, physical or mental refreshment
In conducting a short word study, which I love to do, I looked up the meaning of some of the other words.

pastime ~ amusement
amusement ~ entertainment
entertainment ~ something that entertains; interesting, diverting, or amusing thing;

refreshment ~ food or drink which refreshes
refresh ~ renew, replenish; restore vigor or freshness

So, recreation is something that entertains while at the same time restores freshness in our physical or mental bodies!!!

Reflecting on this meaning I realized that my daily life is recreational, I love to spend time with my family. Being around them when they are doing something they love to do is sometimes entertaining and a lot of the time amusing.

My sons train horses, they are training my horse and train other people's horses. It is entertaining to watch them work with their horses and to watch them go through their paces. It is also very relaxing. After a long day in the workshoppe, I sometimes go over to the stables with TnT. I amuse myself by taking pictures of the horses and my cowboys. It is interesting to note that I have taken more than 7000 pictures since Christmas of last year!

My parents work around the house and yard. My dad loves to work with wood. He built cornice boxes above all of the windows. The workshoppe desks, work tables, and pigeon hole wall unit that are in our work trailer were built by my dad. He put together a couple of jigs to help cut paper and fold paper. My mother has two green thumbs and has turned our desert home into an oasis of green! Even in her early 70's, being almost blind from diabetes, she loves to create new paper dolls and paper doll clothes, and art sparks.

On the weekends, my brother, rides his dirt bike or his desert runner. My sons ride the desert trails with him and with friends from work. My brother's desert runner is a stripped down '81 Toyota Pickup that used to be his welding truck. Roll bars were added and an aluminum bed replaced the welding bed. Pipe doors take the place of the original doors and a sun visor and a new aluminum top (not shown) keep the sun out. Here is a recreational pastime that I really enjoy...going for a ride in the desert runner!

It is my goal for this next year to revive an old family recreation of singing together. Read more about that endeavor on our new blog "The Fisher Family Singers".

Thank you for taking the time to read about our version of recreation and I look forward to reading your posts in the BLOG VILLAGE Recreational Carnival!!!

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BLOG VILLAGE Stats:
Today Notes...is ranked at #169 out of 476 blogs
Rating is 10.00
Votes IN = 3
Votes OUT = 11
Last Comment = July 1, 2007 by Naomi

Scripture of the Day:
Matthew 4:4
from "From Faith To Faith ~ A Daily Guide to Victory by Kenneth And Gloria Copeland

Word of the Day:
serendipity
from Dictionary.com

Seven Smart Hair Tips by Aniela

2007-07-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

While reading a couple of articles over at Thoof, I ran across a blog post on hair care!

As you may or may not know, I am letting my hair grow. At last measuring, 3 months ago, my hair was 23 1/2 inches long. I promised to brush my hair 100 strokes a day until I measure it again on August 7th. We will have to see if doing what it warned against in Tip #6 and natural growth during the summer, helped my hair grow faster or not.

For the next three months I will following these "Seven Smart Hair Tips". After reading the whole article, I need to follow Tip #1, I already hold off on Tip #2, Tip #3 will help a lot, and I have been observing Tip #4 all my life except for using a wide toothed comb! Tip #5 doesn't apply to me unless you count the one time I straightened my hair and it frizzed...I'm guilty of Tip #6 for the past 3 months and don't want to do Tip #7, but realize that it may be a necessary step toward "beautiful and healthy looking hair in no time".

To decipher my ramblings...read Aniela's article!

August 7, 2007 ~ Next Measuring
May 7, 2007 ~ Measuring
March 7, 2007 ~ Measuring

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Texas RV Travel Blog : Travel Like a Native

2007-07-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

Notes... will be attending the next BLOG VILLAGE Carnival hosted by a fellow Texan!!! Come join us if you are a BLOG VILLAGER, or linked to a BLOG VILLAGER. And you have a couple of days to become a BLOG VILLAGER so that you become a part of our VILLAGE and enter a blog about what you do for fun!!!

Texas RV Travel Blog : Travel Like a Native

My Dad's Family Picture...

2007-07-23T22:37:00.000-07:00

This is the only picture that I have of my paternal grandfather. It was taken in 1944. My dad's oldest sister, Francis Loree ( I got my middle name from her) is standing behind my grandfather, Robert Clyde. My dad, George Harvey, is the little 7 year old seated in front of Clyde Robert, and Nelda Grace is standing behind my grandmother, Zetha. There was one more girl that was born a couple of years after this picture was taken and she was my dad's baby sister, Judy. After a plane crash took her parents, my dad's cousin, Ruth (not pictured) became part of the family.

The picture is torn a little and I will have to restore it. There are other pictures of my dad's siblings and my grandmother. But I was only 9 years old when Grandfather Fisher passed away. He was 69 and I always thought it was "pretty cool" that he was born in 1900! I can remember my dad singing "In The Garden" over the phone to my grandfather when he was ill in the hospital. He had cancer. We lived in Nevada at the time and it wasn't until we lived back in Texas and I was a senior in high school that my Grandmother Fisher passed away. She spent the last years of her life in a wheel chair in a nursing home, but my mother and I went to see her on a regular basis. My Dad and brother went on special times and my Aunt Loree took care of her hair and nails and saw her almost every day. Aunt Nelda and Aunt Judy came when they could, they lived farther away. And Uncle Clyde and his family, and Aunt Ruth and her family lived half way across the state of Texas.

Grandpa Fisher was a Chiroprator and back in those days he would travel to the patients' homes to adjust them. My dad told stories of how he would drive his dad from patient to patient and do his homework while he waited in the car. Daddy would take naps too! There is the story of one little blonde headed girl that had a severely swollen head that the medical doctors had given up on. After several adjustments, the swelling went down and the little girl grew up to live a perfectly normal life.

Because my grandfather was a Chiropractor, I have always believed in them and that they are a vital part of the Health profession.

Scripture of the Day:
Acts 4:1-20
from "From Faith To Faith ~ A Daily Guide to Victory by Kenneth And Gloria Copeland

Word of the Day:
trenchant
from Dictionary.com

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BLOG VILLAGE Community NEWS about Lynda...

2007-07-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

The lastest interview that I completed for BLOG VILLAGE has gone LIVE over at: BLOG VILLAGE Community NEWS . Stop by Pilates & Reiki in Paradise and help me congratulate Lynda for being asked by the Prime Minister of Health and Human Services to assist in the 2007-2008 Turks & Caicos Islands Health and Fitness Initiative!!!

CONGRATULATIONS LYNDA!!!

New Music Blog by Janey Loree...

2007-07-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

I know...I need a new blog like I need another hole in my head! But, I finally found out how to transfer a tape to the computer!! This means that the songs, that my family recorded 11 years ago, can be turned into mp3 files!!!

Eleven years ago we lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Both my sons, Travis and Tony, were attending Christian Liberty Academy Satellite Schools (CLASS) which means they were home schooled through a Satellite Academy out of Arlington Heights, IL. To add to the already thorough curriculum, my dad taught Wood Shop, my mother taught Art and my Dad and I taught them Music.

As a result of the Music lessons, we started a family singing group. We called ourselves "The Fisher Family Singers" and spent many, many hours out in the music room practicing. The guys learned to play the guitar, my Dad bought an Upright Bass and I bought a Kurzweil Keyboard. We started singing at the mall during the Christmas season, played a gig for a congressional dinner and became regulars at the Terry Bison Ranch Senator's Restaurant.

Our repertoire consists of Gospel, Country Western, Songs from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's and Christmas Songs. Getting back to the new blog...I have started working on "The Fisher Family Singers" blog. As I stated on the blog, it is my goal to bring to you the history of each of the songs we sing. In the mean time I will be embedding "My Rifle, Pony and Me" on our "Mustang 'n' Cowboys" blog, "Pretty Paper" on "PJ's Paper Doll Cut Outs", one of the Christmas songs on "Twiglet, the Little Christmas Tree", "Precious Memories" on "The Fisher Family Singers" and "String of Pearls" on this blog. I'll see you later...I have pictures to gather and memories to recall!!!

Scripture of the Day: Psalms 37:7-23
from "From Faith To Faith ~ A Daily Guide to Victory by Kenneth And Gloria Copeland
Word of the Day: avatar
from Dictionary.com

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Products That Touch The Home...

2007-07-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

My mother and I own an online gift shoppe called "PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe"! For those of you who do not know...PJ's stands for "Phyllis and Janey's". I use the artwork created by my mother to add to the products that are available in our online gift shoppe and now our CafePress Store.

We have just embarked on a new venture with "CafePress". At CafePress we can add our images to a multitude of products that include mugs, caps, t-shirts, aprons, bibs, coasters, framed prints, mouse pads, teddy bears, etc. We are excited about this and want to extend an invitation for you to visit PJ's Gift Shoppe on CafePress!

We have started with two different designs. The first is our "Water Bucket 'n' Veggies" design that is available on a mirade selection of products. And the second design is a new one created yesterday, "African Violets 'n' African Chryssipus" one of twelve designs in our "PJ's Flower 'n' Butterflies" series.
I created these designs while working on a special order for a wall pocket calendar! That calendar is our PJ's Flower 'n' Butterflies Wall Pocket Calendar.

Here is a sneak peek at all the design in the PJ's Flower 'n' Butterflies Series:

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Celebrating Our Country's Independence!!!

2007-07-04T09:50:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th of July to Everyone!!! We will be busy today getting ready for our 4th of July Celebration over at the Franklin Field Horsemen's Association stables! It looks like there will be a big turnout tonight starting with the Trail Ride @ 5:30pm. While everyone is out riding their horses, those of us who don't or can't ride will be gathering around the barbecue grills and food tables under the Ash trees. It is supposed to reach 102 degrees today which is cooler than first predicted!

Take care and have a safe 4th of July.

I will be posting pictures of the celebration over on Mustang 'n' Cowboys.

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BLOG VILLAGE Community NEWS

2007-06-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

My latest interview posted over at BLOG VILLAGE Community NEWS is about Janie Hickok Seiss Esq., and her blog: Colloquium. Follow the link to see how she has obtained a musical goal of mine!!! I'll give you a hint..."Carnegie Hall"!!!

For more Blog Village Interviews follow the links in the side bar! Remember to vote in BLOG VILLAGE for the blogs you like. The voting process is two fold. Clicking on the link on the Villager's blog and clicking on the title link in BLOG VILLAGE add to each Villager's INS and OUTS. And then you can tell everyone how you rate that BLOG! This is an excellent guide to help the blog owner gauge how they are doing by way of content, presentation, writing skills, etc.

Happy Father's Day...

2007-06-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

This is the Father's Day card that I created for my Dad this year! The picture in the middle was painted by my mother, Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher in 1981. The original is Acrylic on Wood.

My very first memory that I have of my father is when we lived in Henderson, Nevada on Elm Street. I had to have been about 3 1/2 ~ 4 years old. Even though we have pictures, I can remember him working on his dune buggy and going to Sunrise Mountain to find these huge big white rocks that my parents put in the round flowerbed in the front yard, along with a fountain and pink primrose flowers. I remember him taking us to the A&W stand where we would get a papa, mama and two baby burgers along with A&W Rootbeer! And after church we would go to the Sizzler.

I also remember that he added an intercom system to our house on Elm Street that fed music outside to our plants, bushes, trees and us kids while we were playing in the yard. The music was set to a radio station called "Silver and Candlelight" and to this day I know the tunes to thousands of songs because of my Dad. The picture below is of my brother showing our Dad what he is going to do next to his Honda Dirt Bike! My bother has a dune buggy (or desert runner) too!

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God's Positive Answer Handy Chart...

2007-06-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

About an hour before I found Mom of 3 Little Bugs, using PayPerPost's new toolbar and using the Today's Random 10 feature, my mother and I were talking about being more positive. I could not believe my eyes when I saw her post:

God has a positive answer: -- Handy Chart

It is perfect for what we needed to follow up on our resolve! I can't wait to tell my mother about this in the morning!!!

Was this random or God's leading?

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You Gotta Love PayPerPost...

2007-06-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

...because you can earn enough money posting on your blog to help pay the bills or buy something you have always wanted but didn't want to use grocery money to get it! I have been with PayPerPost since January of this year and have missed out on helping with the bills or buying a zoom lense for my camera.

But no more, I will be posting regularly about new deals or websites, giving my opinion about a new product or a review on a new movie. I have made $20.00 on just 3 posts and look forward to paying the monthly bills for our family business, so that my parents can spend that money on themselves for a change.

ads on blogs

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Half a Reunion...

2007-06-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

I say half a reunion only because not all of my mother's brothers and sisters were able to attend our family get together in Oregon last 4th of July! Here is the picture that I promised a couple of posts ago. The butterfly post slipped in!

I love this picture because it is of my mother and three of her siblings! Seated from left to right are: Reece, Marjorie, Phyllis (my mother) and Shirley. The other four siblings are Beth, Ray, Walter, and Jessie and they were missed!! Beth is the oldest, then Shirley, Ray, Walter, Marjorie, Reece, Phyllis and then Jessie is the baby! I would love to get a picture of all eight of them. I just remembered that my mother drew a picture of her family. I will look for it and post it!

BTW...the pond in the background was built by my mother's brother Reece. It has a spraying fountain out in the middle and the pond is big enough to paddle a canoe in!

x 20

I have missed about three days since the last post mentioning brushing my hair an additional 100 strokes each day! Oops!!! Or as they say nowadays "my bad!"

The word of the day is "leitmotif" \LYT-moh-teef\, noun:
1. In music drama, a marked melodic phrase or short passage which always accompanies the reappearance of a certain person, situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the play; a sort of musical label.
2. A dominant and recurring theme.
I will be incorporating this word into my blog...in the title or description.

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"Legend of the Butterfly"...

2007-05-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

My sons, Travis and Tony, went to the wedding of a fellow worker this last Friday night. At the wedding they were handed a triangle shaped origami envelope that held a live butterfly, a painted lady! At a predetermined time during the wedding all of the butterflies were released! Since the guys know that I love butterflies, they brought home the wedding program with the following legend enclosed:

Legend of the Butterfly

"According to an American Indian Legend - If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since the butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly cannot reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all. In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish. So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly it's freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted."

For the wedding the following words were added:

We have gathered to grant this couple all our best wishes and are about to set these butterflies free in trust that all these wishes will be granted.

Note: The butterflies were purchased from Fragrant Acres Butterfly Releases.

The butterfly pictures above was created by my mother, Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher and is our butterfly mascot for out business, PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe.

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Pictures from the Past...

2007-05-23T05:17:00.000-07:00

Something very close to my heart is family! I love the fact that all my mother's brothers and sisters are still alive and would love to get them all together for a family photo. But life has taken one back east, one to Texas, four are in Oregon and two live in California. The closest lately was when four attended the 4th of July picnic in Oregon last year! I will post that picture in the next post!! Four out of eight is not bad!!!
In this picture, these two little boys are my mother's older brothers, Walter and Ray. Ray is about a year older than Walter or "Babe" as I know him. I would love to know the names of the books they are carrying. Maybe a McGuffey Reader? This picture was taken when the family live in Arizona and it looks like it was taken right after school before both boys could get their shoes taken off and they could run in the desert! My love of kittens and the desert is hereditary!!!

Interesting Note: My grandfather's name was Walter Ray.

x 8!!!
(I have been able to keep up with at least 100 extra strokes a day!!!)

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100 Brush Strokes...

2007-05-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

I will be documenting the days that I brush my hair an extra 100 times with this plaque. It is an experiment to see if my hair will grow longer in this second 3 months. Since May 7th I have kept up with brushing 100 extra strokes a day! Right now I am using "Thermasilk" Shampoo and Rinse and like the results better than anything else I have used. Since my hair is naturally curly (frizzy), I have noticed that it is not as frizzy since I have started using "Thermasilk's" products. My hair will stay curly until I brush it out after it dries. :( I am also noticing more and more white hair! But to me this is my crowning glory...I have earned every single white hair!!

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Happy Birthday Momma!!!

2007-05-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

Butterflies and roses, flowers and leaves, It’s your birthday I do believe! Sunshine and beauty, happiness and bliss Are a part of this wonderful birthday wish... With uplifting thoughts for an outstanding day, Completing this wish…for YOUR birthday!!!
Happy Birthday...Again!!! Janey Loree Fisher

Momma turned 71 today!!! She has lead a busy life and has been my best friend for 47 years! Born in Buckeye, AZ, Phyllis Mae is the 7th of 8 children born to Walter Ray and Mary Nim Richardson. She was actually born on the Jago Ranch that borders the Richardson Ranch in Arlington, but the doctor lived in Buckeye and so that is what went on her birth certificate. I found three pictures that span her life...the black 'n' white was taken by my Grandmother when momma's little sister, Jessie, and Momma were 7 and 8 years old; after graduating from Oregon Technical Institute majoring in Commercial Illustration and Design, she joined the Army at 22, and the last picture is Momma cutting out the paperdolls she has drawn for our online website PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe!

Get Your Own!

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Happy Mother's Day!!!

2007-05-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

Year after year we try to let you know, Of the love we carry in our hearts from the love that you have sown. For the care that you gave us each and every day, And when you stood beside us when we couldn’t find our way. You clothed and fed us throughout our younger years, And held us when we couldn’t hold the tears. That is why there are not enough words that will convey... ...How we really feel about you on Mother’s Day!

written by Janey Loree Fisher

This is the card I created for my mother for this special day! Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers who read this blog!!!

I have special memories of coming home from school and my mother would always have the house cleaned and she would usually be working in her yard. However, when I went inside there would be an after school snack waiting for my brother and I on the kitchen table or counter. The snack that sticks out in my memory is of the Armenian Cucumbers soaked in vinegar! We grew the cucumbers in our garden. We also grew yellow crooked-neck squash, summer squash, zucchini squash, tomatoes, carrots, and regular cucumbers.

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Twenty Three and a half inches on May 7, 2007...

2007-05-11T11:01:00.000-07:00

Back on February 7th I wrote a post about letting my hair grow. I want to enter the 2010 Taft Oildorado Pony Tail Contest. For the pony tail contest in 2005, there were quite a number of ladies with long hair and I decided then that I would not cut my hair, so that I could enter the 2010 contest. The contest will not start until January 1st of 2010, when it will be officially measured, but my hair has some growing to do and I need to find a special way to style my hair for the contest.

In 2005 there were entries for color of hair and pony tail styles. I will be able to enter for quite a few different hair colors! Brunette, red, and white. Or should I say red, white and brunette! Sometimes I pull it back and braid just the tail and other times I French braid to the nape of my neck and let the tail flow! I have also started wearing my hair wrapped around my head in braids like my grandmother used to wear hers...

Now my hair is 23 1/2" long and 27 1/2" when pulled straight! On February 7th it was 21 inches long. Okay, that is 2 1/2" in three months, at that rate it will grow 10 inches in one year. At this point I am shy 1/4 of an inch of the projected rate needed...10.25" a year. The next measuring will be on August 7th. When I was young, my mother told me that I needed to brush my hair 100 stokes a night, so I am going to start brushing my hair 100 strokes every night for the next three months to see if this will help!!!

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Mustang 'n' Baby...

2007-04-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Greeting Card ~
Verse Inside:
Now I lay me down to sleep, As I count horses instead of sheep. Knowing that I am watched with special care...That if I cry, mommy and daddy will soon be there! As I explore and survey the world around me, I am unaware of the angels watching to see...That I am safe and all my needs are met, As my destiny to be a cowboy is surely kept. It will take years to know just how much that I am loved, By my family, friends, and the Heavenly Father above! by Janey Loree Fisher

I just received update pictures of little Clay Michael! The Mustang 'n' Baby items over on our website, PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe, have his name on them!! Clay is now 18 months old and I got to see him over at the stables last night!!! He is a natural with animals too! I had tied a short piece of twine to Rusty, our Queensland and Border Collie, and walked around to where my youngest son, Anthony and Clay's parents and Steve the president of Franklin Field Horsemen's Association were talking.

After Clay took me by the hand and led me over to stand with the grown-ups, he took the twine out of my hand and took Rusty for a walk to go meet one of the horses. It was adorable to watch him lead Rusty. Clay learned very fast how to switch hands when Rusty would turn and spin Clay around. His mom, Amanda, said that Clay loved riding horses!

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HELP!!!

2007-04-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

I need someone to check on a couple of links to two songs that I recorded and have listed in the right-hand column. I have a friend that is having problems getting to the file and I would appreciate some input from you! Do you have trouble with the file or can you hear the songs? I am taken right to the website that is hosting my songs and don't know if that is because I have an account with esnips.com or not. Thank you ahead of time for taking the time to help me out!

Here is a different link to each song:

Cowboy You're Different by Bobby D. Reed
If Love Were A Flower by Don Harp

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Family HEALTH Blog Carnival - ENTER NOW...

2007-04-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

The THEME for this Quarter's BLOG VILLAGE Carnival is

"All about HEALTH"

Are you a Care Giver? Do you have health problems you deal with on a regular basis? Just felt puny and blogged about it? Have the kids been sick? Maybe you blog about a more healthy life style, controversial issues like abortion, or the latest health news. Whether your post is to inform, vent, whine, poke fun, or whatever, if it has to do with Health, we're looking forward to reading what you have to say!!

You can click either banner to ENTER. Feel free to copy for your blog!
DEADLINE April 26 midnight

Will be online on our BLOG VILLAGE News on April 30th.

RULES

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Morning Glories 'n' Garden Things...

2007-04-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

Because of a special order, PJ's Corner Gift Shopp e has created a new design...with flowers and butterflies of coarse!

"Morning Glories 'n' Garden Things" pictures a trellis covered with morning glories as Monarch butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and a hawkmoth surround the flowers. This design is available on greeting cards of all occasions, note cards, postcards, gift cards, lined and unlined stationery, bookmarks, scrapbook stickers, shopping lists, magnets, calendars, theme booklets and a gift bag filled with these matching items. Add a special touch with personalization or order the generic version!

The poem on the birthday card reads:

As the morning glories open each morning in the dew covered bed,
With simple beauty that could be used to crown a queen's head,
Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and moths gather the pollen and play,
Basking in the sunshine throughout your beautiful April birthday!
by Janey Loree ~ Copyright 2007

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Easter Blessings from Notes...

2007-04-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

Easter Blessings

May your day be filled with happy times
with your family and your friends,
sharing memories of the happy times
and of the love that never ends.

Poem by Janey Loree ~ Copyright 2007

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Update...

2007-03-13T01:52:00.000-07:00

I am putting together an update to the "You're not going to believe this" post. After telling "the family" about how Sharon Lynne over at California Breeze and I found out that we are related, they wrote back with comments and memories that I would like to share in this update post. I have included in this post a favorite picture of mine.

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You're not going to believe this...

2007-03-07T19:40:00.000-08:00

Can you imagine our shock when we found out that we were related by marriage? That's right!!! Sharon Lynne from "California Breeze" and I are cousins! If I had not joined BLOG VILLAGE, then I would not have found the Gatekeeper's blog, "Pieces of Me" after she joined. And that means that I would not have found a link to Sharon Lynne's blog, "California Breeze". And if my sons (who own mustang horses) had not bought dirt bikes to get back and forth to work, I would not have had an interest in her dirt bike posts. Then again, if we had not written a children's book blogged about over at twigletbook.blogspot.com, I would not have been interested in her "Wednesday Writer's Club" posts! Or, if Sharon Lynne had not been a regular over at "Mustang 'n' Cowboys"...the "had not's" list on and on! The following is a chronicle of our discovery from the comments on my "2007 Arizona Vacation" post...

Sharon Lynne said...

The Arizona desert is so beautiful. My husband's Aunt and Uncle lived in Arizona their entire lives--owned land and a home in the desert town of Arlington. The nearest bigger town was Buckeye. I loved visiting them. They grew cotton. My husband and I would take their jeep out into the desert. These pictures brought back memories of how awesome the desert looks. Aunt and Uncle have passed away now, but we miss those times.

3/05/2007 11:02 PM

Janey Loree said...

NO WAY!!! The reunion was in Arlington! My mother's family is from that area and she was born on the Jago Ranch in Arlington. My great Grandpa Richardson's ranch is in Arlington! No wonder the pictures brought back memories...it was the same area!!! What is Aunt and Uncle's name?

3/05/2007 11:25 PM

Sharon Lynne said...

Oh my gosh! My husband's Aunt and Uncle are Bob and Alma Richardson! Alma is my husband's mother's sister. Does this mean that you and my husband might be cousins? (in law?)

3/06/2007 6:03 PM

Janey Loree said...

Hi Cousin CB!!
This is awesome! Mandy & Carolyn are my mother's first cousins! Uncle Bob is her father's brother...Walter Richardson. My mother thinks that she met Bill's mother at Aunt Alma's funeral? I can't believe this...
I have a post on Notes that has a picture of the purple glass that I bought of Aunt Alma's. It is:

http://heartfeltnotes.blogspot.com/2006/10/reflections-of-past-in-purple.html

3/06/2007 7:22 PM

The GateKeeper said...

Well, well, well, this is quite wonderful, most excellent and all that jazz. Wow!!!!

3/07/2007 11:09 AM

Janey Loree said...

Yes isn't it!!! And the thanks for this family discovery goes to you GateKeeper!!! I found Sharon Lynne's blog, "California Breeze" on your blog, "Pieces of Me"!!!

3/07/2007 11:43 AM

The GateKeeper said...

I know, I know. It's such an honor. Little ole me. I feel like I've done something important here. And it was totally fun. Enjoy the week.

3/07/2007 12:50 PM

Janey Loree said...

You have GateKeeper! Enjoy your week too!!

3/07/2007 1:08 PM

Sharon Lynne said...

I'm a little quiet, because I'm busy writing up a post about this...

3/07/2007 5:17 PM

Janey Loree said...

Me too!!!

3/07/2007 7:33 PM

To put this into perspective...Uncle Bob and Aunt Alma are Sharon's husbands aunt and uncle, with him being related to Aunt Alma. They are my great uncle and aunt, with me being related to Uncle Bob! So that makes us...cousins by marriage...right!!!??? I don't know how the once removed and all that works...we have settled on calling each other "Cuz".

On a thoughtful note...this shows me that there certainly is "to every thing a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven*"! There is a time to blog and find new blogs, a time to post pictures and comment on them, and a time to find out that one of the billions of blogs that are out there is written by someone you are related to!!!

To read Sharon Lynne's post on this subject follow the link to: A Surprise-I Can't Believe this Happened!
To read GateKeeper's post on this subject follow this link to: Happy Notes!!!
*Quoting Eccleciastes 3:1-9

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Signs of Spring '07

2007-03-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

Cool Slideshows

We have had some warm days that could be classified as spring days! Even the plants, bushes and trees think so!! My favorite is the single white flower up against the bark!!!

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Talking about Smidgen...

2007-03-02T09:42:00.000-08:00

...I posted this beautiful picture of Smidgen over at Starlo's Paw Prints and wanted to share it with you here on Notes That Touch The Heart! Starlo's Paw Prints is the blogvoice for my cousin's breeding business. At Starlo’s Kennels, Debbie breeds AKC registered American Cocker Spaniel dams and AKC registered Toy Poodle sires chosen for excellent health and temperament to produce only the finest quality Cockapoos. Smidgen is a red, 1st generation beauty. The picture here, taken by her owner Kathy, is a fine example of a red, 1st generation Cockapoo available at Starlo's Kennels. Debbie is an approved "Six Star Rated Breeder" by the Cockapoo Club of America.

Stop by the website and let Debbie know that I sent ya!

Technical Note: The frame was created in PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe by yours truly! I also maintain Debbie's website and blog, so I get first hand knowledge of when new puppies are born and get to see the updated pictures of Starlo's Cockapoos in their new homes!

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A Day To Remember...

2007-02-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

Cool Slideshows

It's a special brother who will travel 550 miles to get home, only to take his sister out for a ride in the desert! That is exactly what my brother, Doug, did Saturday. My sons, Travis and Tony, jumped on their Honda dirt bikes and lead the way to the mountains. We have lived here almost 7 years and I hadn't been up in the hills! I was very surprised at how tall they really were and how small our town looked. There are a total of 18 pictures in the slideshow, only a smidgen compared to how many I took! I don't think the slideshow program would have room for 257 pictures!! Let's see that would be 14 slideshows + 5 pictures!!!

2007 Arizona Vacation...

2007-02-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

Cool Slideshows

My brother, Doug and his Chihuahua Luke, went to the '07 Family Reunion on the 18th and stayed for a week on the desert. His guide was our mother's cousin, Sam. Doug didn't get any pictures of the reunion, so I am waiting for those to come in from the relatives! It looks like next year there will be several dune buggies and jeeps at the reunion! I remember the family reunion held in 1985 by ride down the wash in my second cousin Kevin's Jeep. He took Travis and Tony and I to "Tony's Well". The well is named after a great uncle.
Doug got back yesterday and ended up taking me out in his desert runner. Travis and Tony jumped on their dirt bikes and lead the way up into the mountains behind our town. I will share some of those pictures in a slideshow tomorrow.

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The Flame of His Spirit...

2007-02-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

I lived in darkness surrounded by fear,
Then God spoke my name and caused me to hear.
The flame of his Spirit ignited my heart,
And drove out the Darkness from each secret part.

I think of the flames on the heads of those saints,
Healing candles for Jesus the picture God paints,
A candle of flame knows no darkness, you see,
But dwells in the light as safe as can be.

It's flame draws others to its warm Godly glow,
'Til the two are ignited in Love's endless flow.

by Janey Loree

Written December 11, 1998 & November 16, 2001 ~ Candle art spark by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

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Trees Among the Clouds...

2007-02-17T22:51:00.000-08:00

Cool Slideshows

Pictures of the trees among the clouds in the San Joaquin Valley of Southern California!!!

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Blog Carnival Itinerary...

2007-02-17T17:40:00.000-08:00

ALL THINGS EQUINE ~ BLOG CARNIVAL

Click on a banner to check out the carnival! The BLOG VILLAGE Goes Gonzo! & Kilroy Goes Gonzo Carnivals have already taken place, while A GONZO poetry SLAM!, A GONZO PHOTOGRAPHY CARNIVAL, and ALL THINGS EQUINE are slated for the near future!! These links will take you to single posts filled with an abundance of great posts on specific themes, and ultimately give you a chance to expand your blog traffic!!! Even if you don't enter a post, stop by for the fun!!!!

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Review my Post Opportunity...

2007-02-16T11:07:00.000-08:00

Okay…here is an opportunity for all bloggers to make a little money! For payperpost members, all you need to do is add this badge: to the bottom of ALL your posts giving non-payperpost bloggers a chance to review your post and become a payperpost postie!! For you non-payperpost bloggers, here is a way to earn some money by giving your opinion of the post you just read. And then who knows, you just might want to start earning a little extra cash, too! When you build your page rank to 4 and above, you will start earning some of the big bucks! Right now, if your page rank is 8, you can grab an opportunity to make $1000.00. So, my suggestion to you is to start now by reviewing any post on this blog that boasts the new badge. Start gathering in those great links, build traffic with ppp posts, and join us posties over at www.payperpost.com. My suggestions to me, is to continue to bring great opportunities to my fellow bloggers and bloggettes.

If you want a way to increase blog traffic, and at the same time start a college fund, or a Christmas fund, check out this new program over at PayPerPost.com!

blogs

Notes goes to Photo Carnival...

2007-02-15T13:08:00.000-08:00

The Gonzo! Photography Carnival is slated for February 26, and all you need to do is enter a post that includes:

> A photograph of you, a family member or a friend
> You must own the sole copyright to the photo in your post
> Accompanying text is not necessary, but is acceptible

Submissions will be accepted through Friday, February 23rd at 11:59 PM. Official rules and submission info can be found here.

Now all I need to do is find that perfect picture of the guys and post it here on Notes...and submit it before next Friday! Thanks to James Jordan over at Points of Light for hosting this Photo Carnival!!

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Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2007-02-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

As the rose opens its petals to the sun,
I open my heart to you.
Letting you know that love has begun,
And that I am in love with you!
As a butterfly spreads its wings on the wind,
I open my heart to you,
letting you know that my love I send,
with the hope that you will say “I do!”
As my heart reveals its love to you,
I thank my God for the chance to prove,
as we walk through life together,
that from your side I will not move.
by Janey Loree Fisher

The "art spark" of Rueben 'n' Candy is taken from "Twiglet" the Little Christmas Tree, a fully illustrated children's book available in PJ's Corner Gift Shoppe.

Notes goes Gonzo at the FREE FOR ALL Carnival...

2007-02-12T14:17:00.000-08:00

Well, Kilroy did it again, another successful blog carnival!!! I didn't make it to the first carnival, but entered a post in the "About Family" carnival hosted by Rosemary over at BLOG VILLAGE and entered four posts in the "FREE FOR ALL" carnival hosted on Kilroy's blog, The Gonzo Papers.

I had four posts because I was allowed to enter a post from each of my blogs. I entered "Thank you for sharing your paper doll memories" from PJ's Paper Doll Cut Outs, "Horse Personalities" from Mustang 'n' Cowboys", "Twiglet I - Part I" from "Twiglet" the Little Christmas Tree, and "Tag You're It" from Notes...

Check out a total of 39 posts listed in the "FREE FOR ALL Carnival!!! Also there is a rumor that there will be two more carnivals held on the 26th! Kilroy has all the links and information over on his blog for the poetry and photograph carnivals...

Spam Breakfast Burritos...

2007-02-10T21:57:00.000-08:00

My whole family loves SPAM and this looked too good to pass up. Thanks to Recipe Source I having something new to make for breakfast! This is not a paid advertisement, we really do eat SPAM!! I'll share some of our SPAM home recipes in the future.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1       cn             SPAM Luncheon Meat, cubed-(12 oz)
   4                       Eggs
   2       tb             Milk
   1       tb             Butter or margarine
   6                       Flour tortillas (6")
   1       c              Shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
   1       c              Shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
                           CHI-CHI's Salsa to Taco Sauce

  Heat oven to 400'F. In bowl, beat together SPAM, eggs,
  and milk. Melt butter in large skillet; add egg
  mixture. Cook, stirring, to desired doneness. Fill
  each tortilla with SPAM mixture and half of cheeses.
  Roll burrito; place seam side down on 12x8" baking
  dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top of burritos.
  Bake 5-10 minutes of until cheese is melted. Serve
  with salsa.

Twenty One Inches on February 7, 2007

2007-02-07T20:41:00.000-08:00

I have measured my hair for the "Ponytail & Long Hair" contest that will be held during the Taft Oildorado Days in 2010. The last time I cut my hair was in 2005, At that time my hair was only 4" long. What was I thinking!!! Now my hair is 21" long!!! (24.5" long when straightened out!) I wear it in a ponytail most of the time, alternating between just pulled back and french braiding it.

The last time I let my hair grow this long was 25 years ago and it didn't get much longer than it is right now. It didn't take long for me to get it cut either, because at the time my oldest son was a newborn and he always had a handful in his tiny little fists. (roots and all!)

I can remember my maternal Grandmother's hair being about a foot longer when my mother cut it for her. She had thick auburn hair that she would braid and wrap around her head. The heaviness gave her constant headaches, that went away after her heavy locks were cut. I guess I get my thick hair from her and the natural curl from my dad.

To this day, I wish that I had kept a lock or two of Grandma Nim's braided hair. To my eleven year old eyes her hair was beautiful the way it ranged from deep auburn up to the speckled white and auburn roots. Her hair would have made beautiful dolls hair or a wig for a cancer patient. You didn't hear too much of that going on back then.

This post is to unofficially measure my hair so that I can tell how much it grows between now and the contest in 2010! The next measuring will be in 3 months on May 7.

*Okay...so far my hair has grown 20.5" in two years. That calculates out to 10.25" a year. So, if my hair continues to grow at this rate it will be a total of 55.25" long in 2010!!! That is roughly 4' 6" long and would need only 1' 3" to touch the ground. We'll see...

Goobers By The Beach...

2007-02-06T23:07:00.000-08:00

While on a trip to the coast for a dentists appointment, we found a great new place to eat out. The place is "Goobers By The Beach" and it is located next to O'Reillys Bar and Grill in Grover Beach, CA. Only about a block away from the beach on Grand Avenue, this family restaurant is a true treasure!

We had been anticipating a visit to "Goobers By The Beach" for several weeks, ever since Travis and Tony had run into Barbara at the Post Office in our little town 80 miles inland from the Central Coast. Barbara had worked with my sons out at the prison and has turned her correction officer's uniform in for her dream of owning her own restuarant.

Both Barbara and her husband run Goober's By The Beach and O'Reilly's Bar and Grill. TnT and my brother ordered hamburgers, while I ordered the "Mother of All Club Sandwiches"! The guys commented on how good their hamburger and fries where, but I can only tell you about my meal. This delectable club sandwich followed a bowl of Cheddar and Brocolli soup that was sprinkled with a savory spice and garnished with parsley.

The club sandwich filled my plate with a combination of lightly toasted bread layered with slices of ham, turkey, lettuce, and tomatoes with just that right touch of a condiment the likes of which I have not tasted before! I opted out on the fries that I could have ordered with this sandwich and I am glad that I did. With my hunger satisfied with the soup, more than half of the Club Sandwich was placed in a container for me to take home. To say the least, this was a left over that didn't go bad in the refrigerator!

"Goobers By The Beach" has not had it's Grand Opening yet and their website is under construction, but I will be sure to let you know the dates for the Grand Opening and when their website link is live! If you are in the area, their coffee is the best that my brother has tasted in years. Stop by for a cup and let them know that the Fisher's sent ya!!!