The Story of the Holly Sprig

Hello, one and all!  That precious little poem reminds us we don't have to be big and special to make a lovely difference!

I want to ask that everyone will go and make a difference by signing the card the VFW is going to deliver to to the wounded troops recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.  They are short their goal of signatures by 4,884 and the deadline is December the 12th!  It's quick, easy and painless and will mean so much. Then, please share the link with others via email or your own journal. (The actual page to sign on is a secured sight and it seems AOL won't let me post that.  But if you click on the link above and look a little over half way down the page you can see a link to go and sign the card.)

Poem and beautiful graphics from Dover Publications.

Bubba's Coming to Town!!

Bubba Claus Is Coming To Town

A new contract for Santa has finally been negotiated....Please read the following carefully....... I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer be able to serve Southern United States on Christmas Eve. Due to the overwhelming current population of the earth, my contract was renegotiated by the North American Fairies and Elves Local 209. I now serve only certain areas of Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Montana and California. As part of the new and better contract I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies so keep that in mind. However, I'm certain that your children will be in good hands with your local replacement who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls; however, there are a few differences between us. Differences such as:                                         1. There is no danger of a Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and a bumper sticker that reads: "These toys insured by Smith and Wesson." 2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave an RC cola and pork rinds [or a moon pie] on the fireplace. And Bubba doesn't smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an empty spit can handy. 3. Bubba Claus' sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin' coon dogs instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my reindeer one time, and Blitzen now overlooks Bubba's fireplace. 4. You won't hear "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen ..." when Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you'll hear, "On Earnhardt, on Wallace, on Martin and Labonte. On Rudd, on Jarrett, on Elliott and Petty."                                          5. "Ho, ho, ho!" has been replaced by "Yee Haw!" And you also are likely to hear Bubba's elves respond, "I her'd dat!" 6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus' sleigh does have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words "Back off" The last I heard it also had other decorations on the sleigh back as well. One is Ford or Chevy logo with lights that race through the letters and the other is a caricature of me (Santa Claus) going wee wee on the Tooth Fairy. 7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life" will not be shown in your negotiated viewing area. Instead, you'll see "Boss Hogg Saves Christmas" and "Smokey and the Bandit IV" featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of state patrol cars crashing into each other. 8. Bubba Claus doesn't wear a belt. If I were you, I'd make sure you, the wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put presents under the tree.                                        9. And finally, lovely Christmas songs have been sung about me like Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer" and Bing Crosby's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." This year songs about Bubba Claus will be played on all the AM radio stations in the South. Those song title will be Mark Chesnutt's "Bubba Claus Shot the Jukebox" and "Grandma Got Run'd Over by a Reindeer." Sincerely Yours, Santa Claus (Member of North American Fairies and Elves Local 209)

 

That's the fun.  Now to pass on a little cheer and Christmas spirit:

Deliver a giant morale booster to wounded troops recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.
Sign the giant VFW 2006 Holiday Card

Send a card, courtesy of Xerox, to our troops serving now.

Let's say thanks

And offer your prayers and best wishes for the families of those who gave their all.

In Remembrance

Make a snowflake and contribute to the Salvation Army all at one time!

Popular Front: SnowDays

Now.....more laughter?  Visit the Redneck Nativity Scene.

 

That should keep y'all busy for awhile! 

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!

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?

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.

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

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