Life & Faith in Caneyhead: November 2006

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

I'm a Xena!!

I feel very flattered and honored! I played along with Celeste with What Kind of Dog Are You?

And the results were:

Barbara, you're a Pug!

No bones about it, you're an intelligent, playful Pug. Witty and charming, you're a lot of dog wrapped in a small package. People just love you — a wonderful approachability and sense of humor put you at the top of everyone's list. And because you're smart and quick-witted, you attract a crowd wherever you go. (Have you ever considered running for office or starting a company? You've got the charisma for either.) But that doesn't mean you can't be a little naughty or mischievous when opportunity knocks — you've definitely got a nose for fun! A happy, optimistic breed, you're admired and respected by all. Woof!

I feel honored because our amazing miracle dog, Xena, is a PUG. Precisely, she is a Boston Terrier. And she is wonderful! If you've never read her story, do so now and be inspired!

Monday, November 27, 2006

Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas?

Well, actually.....no it isn't. At least not here. Not yet. But in just a few days December will be here.

Krissy and Val have gotten together to bring us a journal about everything Christmas, called Joy to the World. They have only just started and already have a lot of good links: info, fun things, advent, etc. Go by and check it out! Better to put it on alerts so you don't miss a thing.

And my friend Kim sent me a link to a little Christmas Trivia Quiz, Novice level. My score was 7 out of 10 correct. Can you best me?

Friday, November 24, 2006

Think I can't RANT as well?

There I am down at the feedstore, AGAIN. I go there almost every single day. All these animals to feed and no where to store up a lot of feed. Plus, gas, milk, coke, etc.

Going in the boy that loads the feed looks at me. I say, "Just a sack of corn, tonight." He shakes his head.....no corn. Well, a bag of chops then. (chopped up corn) None of that either!

So when I go in, I tell the owner, "Hey, you really need to start saving back some corn for your regular feed customers!" He just smiles and laughs. I said, "No, really, you should. Those hunters come in and buy it all up and our hogs still have to eat." He just grins and laughs some more. "I can't do that." I said, "Oh, yes, you could." He's still laughing. "They'd slit my throat." Humph! Yeah, well, I'm not feeling the love right now, myself. You could at least stop laughing and look serious and tell me you are sorry. Sorry that my hogs have to eat pellets that they are not used to. Sorry that I have to pay more $$, because you ran out of corn.

Then on the way home it begins to dawn on me, maybe that's exactly the reason he was having such an attack of the giggles. Laughing all the way to the bank. Order all the corn you can. Sell out. Then sale me higher priced feed I don't really need. Now, this is basically a good man. But, if there were another feed store between here and there or even a little further, I'd sure take my $100-$300 a week down the road for a few weeks and see how much he grinned then.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

An Eye Towards Thanksgiving

See! The deer feel safe to come out cause preacher is in the church. LOL I realized that I have to work Monday thru Wednesday....full days. And Thursday IS Thanksgiving, so I figured I'd best get my warmest wishes to you all now, as I probably won't have time to do an entry until after the holiday.

When reviewing the replies and comments to 'Could You Live in Caneyhead?', I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are a number of folks out there that share a very similar life to ours! And there are a few that had no idea what I was talking about. LOL And it seems the whole U S of A uses Wal-Mart bags for trash can liners.

As to our laundry.....it's split pretty near down the middle with half of us searching through piles, digging in the dryer, etc and the other half reaching for a clean garment in a draw or the closet.

Wanted to share a little about the family as well. We are all doing good. Was proud of the kids for having another round of good report cards! Each of them got to have a special day last week.

For Bubba, it was Thursday when we took a college day and went in search of information on his career of choice, custom car stereo installation. It consisted mainly of visiting shops, as it is not mainstream college curriculum as of yet. The first shop we went to was so friendly and extremely helpful! The manager talked to Bubba a good 30 minutes and stressed that a business degree is almost a must if you plan to run a shop.....very complicated what with license agreements and all. Then, his top installer came out and talked with Bubba another 30 or 40 minutes. Once these guys started talking to each other it was like I was hearing a whole nuther language! Installers must know all things electrical, a good deal of math, and many skills from wiring to body work. He even took Bubba back and let him check out and sit in the car they are doing for an upcoming competition! And it seems that it may be when other moms are saying Bobby is at A & M or Kelly is at S.F.A, I may be saying.....Bubba is in the Snakepit! Like I said, it's not mainstream formal education yet. Then we went by a couple more shops, who were nice too, but as it was later in the day, they were busier and the visits were not nearly as long. Then we went to CiCi's pizza so my teenagers appetite could be filled. My first time there. Very good! Especially for the price. On to L.I.T. to pick up a course catalogue and financial aide form, just in case. All in all a very enjoyable day together, but Mama was pooped!

Bug's adventure was school related. They had the traditional Thanksgiving party. She made a poster that said she was thankful for "God, and people....everything except for Satan." LOL Gotta love her! And then they took the kids to our local theatre to see the Santa Clause Three. She gives it two thumbs up.

Pete had to put mud tires on his truck, as the road in and out of the deer camp is so very bad since all the heavy rains we have had. He and Bubba are hunting this weekend. Bug decided to hang out with Mama.

As to our own Thanksgiving, I believe we'll probably have our Thanksgiving dinner with my sister, Edna and her husband, Howard. She's got a brand new kitchen this year, thanks to Howard's pocketbook and Pete's cabinet building. So I guess you can say we are going to christen it. Then we are likely to all go to the camp for the night.

So, whatever you do this holiday, be safe, be warm, have fun and be Thankful!

Love,

Barbara

Saturday, November 18, 2006

More From the Feedstore

Those who venture into Caneyhead regularly know about the Feedstore. Had to run up there yesterday evening, like so many days, to get a few things. Saw dear Bro. Ard in the parking lot as I was about to leave. He was on his way to the deer lease. But he had a word of testimony for me. A true bonified miracle! Seems preacher C.W. has already been doing some hunting. He saw three deer walk out into the clearing near his stand. He picked out one, took aim, and fired. Then he proceeded to get down to go and see what exactly he had. Imagine his surprise and his resounding praise to God Almighty when he saw laying there, not one, but TWO DEER!! Both killed by the same shot! So, apparently there's no need for our little church to wonder or worry....we definitely have a pastor anointed of God!!

Now, while I'm feeling all cocky and full of fire, I'll share with you an email my niece Paige sent over from Conroe. It's a good one.

RULES OF TEXAS

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a
    pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're
    going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

3. They are cattle & oil wells. That's what they smell like to you.
    They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-20 and

     I-10 go east and west, I-35 goes north and south. Pick one.

4. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000
    cotton strippers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

5. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly.
    Try to understand the concept.

6. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of doves are coming in, we
    WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up
    to your ear at the time.

7. Yeah, we eat catfish & crawfish. You really want sushi & caviar?
    It's available at the corner bait shop.

8. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a
    religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

9. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless
    of age.

10. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak. Or
      you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham &
      turkey.

11. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats,
      vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and Picante
      Sauce!! Oh, yeah....We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call
      that stuff you eat...IT AIN' T REAL CHILI!! Chili was born and bred in
      San Antonio ....and real chili never met a bean!

12. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet, and
      served over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be
      cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

13. College and High School Football is as important here as the
      Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

14. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards
      -- it spooks the fish.

15. Colleges? Try Texas Tech, Texas A&M or University of Texas . They
      come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country,
      and they still wave at passing pickups when they come for the
      holidays.

16. We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines,
      than any other state, so "Don't Mess with Texas ," If you do, you will
      get whupped by the best.

17. Always remember what our great governor Sam Houston once
     said:  "Texas can make it without the United States, but the

United States can't make it without Texas!"

HERE

Friday, November 17, 2006

WOW!!

Imagine my surprise and delight to come in from work and find that I am one of this week's guest editor's picks!!! Blow me over with a feather!

Robin from Random Threads is this week's guest editor, and she chose me as one of her newer reads she's been enjoying. To me, that says a lot. Says she felt welcome and at ease here. I hope you all feel the same! ;o)

(Graphic and Tag by Donna.)

Thursday, November 16, 2006

So, I was Thinking...

My sister gave me one of those calendars that give you a thought for the day and a verse. The one for Monday said "There are two freedoms --- the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; and the true, where a man is free to do what he ought." (Kingsley)

The false: A very self centered freedom. Me. My way. What I want, need right now. The consequences be damned. No true right or wrong. A whole wide range of grey area. Free to cause pain and wreck havoc. Leading up to a wide path of destruction behind and a very rude awakening in the end. A heavy load of extra burdens to drag along as a result. Ending in regret, disappointment.

The true: Freedom based in caring and morality. Kind. Compassionate. Brave. What's best for me and everyone involved. Doesn't go against my conscience, heritage, the law or the Bible. Pretty much black and white. Leaving behind everything a little better than it was before, looking forward to a prize. Fond memories and feeling of accomplishment to carry with you. Your worth recognized by those who know you. A satisfied mind. A content soul.

Maybe it's just me....but seems that the false kind is what is prevalent here in America today. It's the driving force behind so many hot button political issues. It's wrapped up in high divorce rates, fraud, greed, pornography, and many other ills. A cheap imitation of real freedom.

So, I've thought about it and now I leave you to think about it.

In other news, Paul has done it again!! Posted the links for CarnivAOL, that is. I submitted the previous entry. And there are a number of others of all various shapes and sizes. Exercise your freedom to browse and read this week.

And somehow, Paul and I got to discussing laundry via e-mail. How hard it can be to keep up with it and all of that. And that got me wondering:

Where do you go to get clean clothes to put on, most often?

Leave an answer in the comments or email me (bhbner2him@aol.com) one and I'll post the results.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Could YOU live in Caneyhead?

As I wonder around J-land and meet folks from all around the world it is apparent that we just live a little differently than the rest of ya'll. When I go to work in Beaumont, TX...it is apparent that even all fellow Texans don't do things like we do at home. Why even in town (10 miles south of us) they don't do everything like we do here in our little community of Caneyhead. It makes for some hilarious conversations.

In the interest of understanding, I have compiled an original list of things that we ourselves have done or regularly do in our life here in Caneyhead. Enjoy. Hopefully chuckle. And see if you could live in Caneyhead.

If you go barefoot more than with shoes on...