When Squirrels Attack.

Last week my niece was bitten by a squirrel.

I'll let you process that for a minute.

Now close your mouth.

And when you quit laughing I'll go on.

Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Me neither.

Here's the story as told by my sister, which by

the way was the second time I

had heard the story that day

because my little sister had already

called me and given me the scoop. 
She couldn't wait to tell me
because it was hilarious she was so concerned.

My niece and one of her cousins (who shall not be named)

were walking along the road when they

happened upon an injured squirrel.

The unnamed cousin left to get something to put it in;

leaving my niece with these instructions, "Don't let him get up."

As luck would have it, little squirrel raised his head. 

Being obedient to the instructions she was given
 Niece tried to push his head down.

And that's when it happened.

Cujo on the mini.

He latched onto her palm

and would not. let. go.

When shaking her hand wouldn't rid her
of the tiny vermin,
 she was forced to yank him loose

and Little Squirrel limped away.


Now, there is a lesson to be learned here.
Several actually.
1.  Injured little squirrels do not like to keep their heads down.
2.  Being instructed to keep an injured little squirrel's head down is bad advice.
3.  Injured little squirrels have cat like reflexes and jaws like vice grips.
4.  If you see an injured little squirrel you should probably walk away.


Squirrel 1 Niece 0


We are such a close family.  We were way concerned about Niece
and breathed a huge sigh of relief when we learned that the wound would
be ok and didn't need any care other than basic first aid and that rabies was not a concern.



We would never dream of nicknaming her
Squirrel Girl, or Squirrly, or anything else like it.

If she starts collecting nuts for the winter or
develops some sort of weird squirrel sense I'll let you know.


; )



Missy

Same Door. New Look.

Earlier this spring we got a new screen door.

It is a full view type. 

(How's that for a description?)

The main door is made of wood

and was in desperate need of attention.

A couple of weeks ago I painted the entire door black.

But wasn't thrilled with it.

It was better than the dirty white

that it had been, but it was so...

uninviting.

So, after doing some thinking

and some painting this is

what I've come up with.

I'm thinking a better message might have been

"Enter At Your Own Risk!"

; )

**Linking this week to
Home is Where My Story Begins
Blue Cricket Design

 

Family Pictures

I love pictures.

I have my favorite ones in frames all around my house.

I've shared some of them with you.

When I go to other's homes I love to look at their pictures

and hear about the stories behind them.

I think I prefer snapshots to professional photos.

I believe it's those that tell the stories of our lives.

The other day a lady at work and I were talking.

As it turns out she grew up next to my family.

She and her sisters were often cared for by my great grandmother.

They loved her so much that they continue to call her Mamaw Kiefner.

 She brought me this picture a few days later.

Amanda Kiefner 1969

I barely remember Mamaw.

 I was 5 when she passed away.

  But I love to hear stories about her.

 She was a remarkable woman.

   Kind hearted and gentle.

                                             

                                                                                        

    This picture is priceless to me.

   I'm  so glad that someone took the time to take it that day.

 
 

Weekend In Review.



2005.  Waiting for their gifts that we brought them from Florida.
Josh's expression is priceless.  




This weekend I painted my front door black.

I'm still not sure if I like it.
I read once that people who wear black
are trying to not be noticed.
I wonder what that means about my front door?

I planted impatiens in the flower bed behind the house.

I still haven't done anything with the flower beds in front.

The weeds have taken over.

I should let the goats take care of it.

I did a few hundred loads of laundry

(which may or may not be an exaggeration)

and there's still a pile of clothes in the laundry room floor.

I went to the store and forgot the milk.

Seriously, who forgets the milk?

Josh has called Meghan "Chubby Button" all weekend.

She doesn't like it.

Olivia gave Katie a bath.
But didn't brush her.

Andy and Kaden came over earlier.
They woke me from my nap.
They hadn't been over in awhile.
So I didn't mind.
Even when they got the boys all wired up.
Nephews.



One of the topics that was talked about at church today
was being optimistic.
With that in mind I'm
working on developing good thoughts
for the week ahead.



But, I'm going to bed now.
Because 5 o'clock comes
way. too. early.

Blogger was down yesterday

and somehow my last two posts were gone.

Missing.  Vanished.

So I've reposted them.

Mainly cause I like the kids in them.

Unfortunately I lost the comments that

were left by visitors. 

But I'm glad you stopped by

and left a note.

I love logging on and seeing that someone has left a comment.

(That's one of the best things about blogging.)

I'm working in the garden this weekend

if anyone wants to stop by and help...

Have a good weekend.

Happy Birthday Meghan.

       Today Meghan turns 17. She’s thrilled about it.

        She even set the calendar reminder on my phone.

Pssh.

 As if I wouldn’t remember

 the birth of the child that hurdled me into motherhood.

I love Meghan.

Her birthday this year is bittersweet,

a reminder that she’ll be leaving the nest soon.

But I can’t think about that today because I’ll cry.

 And I don’t feel like crying today.

Last weekend was Meghan’s junior prom.

She went with another couple.

They’ve been best buds since preschool.

 

Once when Meghan was around two,

we were leaving Wal Mart when Meghan said:

“You want to hear a dirty joke?”

Will and I looked at each other mortified

thinking where in the world did she hear a dirty joke?

“Sure.” I said not sure of what I was going to hear.

Just knowing that my precious two year olds mind had forever been polluted.

 “A boy fell in a muddy puddy.”

And with that she fell into a fit of two year old giggles

and leaving this momma

with her first of many mothering moments

  never to be forgotten.

 

Happy Birthday Meghan.



Happy Mother's Day, even if it's late.

I have been a mother for almost half of my life.

It's not exactly what I thought it would be.

Before I had children I had no idea

what it was to love someone else before they

even took a breath.

Before I had children I had no idea

that I would choose to go without something

to provide for them.

Before I had children I had no idea

that they could be precious little angels one minute

and such stinkers the next.

Before  I had children I had no idea

that hugs and kisses from them

really are the best gifts.

Before I had children I had no idea

that being a mother would

change me into a better woman.

Here's just a few of my favorite pictures

of my babies.

Cause even though they're getting big,

they'll always be my babies.