Where Are You Going?

Sunday Mutter, part 2

Cold and rainy today, 34 when I got up. Oh well, the last three days have just been gorgeous, we actually got up to high 60's.
This is Jam day, so if you sent me your address before, you will be getting some soon! If you didn't and want some, let me know. I'm pretty sure I will have PLENTY.

We had scary strong winds last night, actually opened the top to the hot tub. I woke to the trash cans opened and rolling away, trash and boxes in the front yard, and a windchime broken. Geesh. I'm impressed some of my bird feeders survived. The winds have died down, but now it is pretty cold and wet.

We started the new "diet" this week, and I have to say it's a nice welcome change. We filled the house with fruits, fish, beans and rice. Last night we had stuffed salmon and rice, sauteed vegetables and a salad with balsamic vinagrette. Very nice. Stacie sent me some great vegetarian recipes that we will try this week. We actually bought Tofu...we'll see how that goes :)

Still no bear messing with me yet, but of course hubs is home so that's probably the reason. They will show up the day he leaves, I'm sure. We've had alot of duck activity at the pond, I now have TWO turtles living there, and the hubs saw a bobcat the other day. Hummingbirds are slowly invading. All is cool. Spring is here :)

Sunday Mutter

I say and you think??

1. Out of place :: Odd


2. Helicopter :: Blade


3. Francis :: Dolarhyde


4. Ryan :: O'Neal


5. Wedding :: Expensive


6. Apalled :: Aghast


7. Historian :: Teacher


8. Powerful :: Strong


9. Sex symbol :: Beauty


10. Uncomfortable :: Anxiety

Okay... a little better

You Are an Old Soul

You are an experienced soul who appreciates tradition. Mellow and wise, you like to be with others but also to be alone. Down to earth, you are sensible and impatient. A creature of habit, it takes you a while to warm up to new people. You hate injustice, and you're very protective of family and friends A bit demanding, you expect proper behavior from others. Extremely independent you don't mind living or being alone. But when you find love, you tend to want marriage right away. Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Well Bummer....

Your Inner Child Is Sad

You're a very sensitive soul. You haven't grown that thick skin that most adults have. Easily hurt, you tend to retreat to your comfort zone. You don't let many people in - unless you've trusted them for a long time.

How Is Your Inner Child?

Scavenger Hunt: Old

Old Montana Mining Cabin

Bustopher

Saturday Fun

ABC's of MeMe

Stolen from Greekchickie who stole it from Shephard :)

Accent – Northern I think, even though I'm from the South.
Booze of choice – Beer
Chore I hate – cleaning the bathroom.
Dog or Cat – Both
Essential electronics – camera, computer, ipod.
Favorite underwater creature: dolphins.
Gold or Silver? Silver.
Hometown: Dallas, TX.
Insomnia? : Often
Job Title: Zoo Keeper
Kids? Nope.
Living Arrangement: Husband, 2 dogs, 2 many cats, 2 horses, many deer, 2 geese, 2 squirrels.
Most Admired Traits: mine or someone else's? Mine: compassion, someone else: honesty & respect.
Number of Penguins in your bathtub: 2
Orbiting Planets in the Solar System: No clue
Phobia: Fire & Falling.
Quote: "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself"--Emerson
Religion: No comment.
Siblings: 1.
Time I wake up: 6:30ish.
Unusual talent/skill: I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue. (that might not be so unusual anymore)
Vegetable I refuse to eat: Lima beans
Worst habit: Clutter-er
X-ray Vision? darn, no.
Yummy foods I make: Cheesecake & Spinach Black Bean Lasagna (two seperate things)
Zodiac Sign: Leo.

Grizzly, Uninterested

Photo Friday : Famous

Yes, he's famous. You all know him. Most of this small town knows him.

Rambling Rose

I'm writing this at 4am. Know why?? I lost power for most of the night, and that's when it decided to come back on. The lights, the tv, the fans...all at once. Scared the crap out of all of us.

Been a cool couple of days.
No real bear activity yet.
I saw my first hummingbirds today!! :) I had two mallards in the yard this afternoon along with the geese.
I also saw trout and turtles in the pond, which I was pretty impressed considering the pond froze for so long.
I have two daffodils that actually bloomed! Pics to come....
I put my garden back together today that was plowed by the snowplow guy.
Raked up all the pine needles everywhere. Cleaned off the porch and deck today.
The sprinkler guy started working, and we will go buy the whirlpool tub this week :)

Oh and the Vegan thing...just a little off. More like semi-vegetarian. No more red meat, but fish, grains, vegetables and fruit. He already started in CA and he says it's great. So...I guess we'll be trying that for awhile. Which is amusing since I just ordered chickens from the chicken farm here. 20 chickens. Oh well...I still like chicken. We don't eat store bought meat much since moving up here.

Ok, I'm just rambling now....
I think I'll go to sleep.

Hi :)

Thursday Challenge : Spring

Seems I messed up last week and posted "Spring" then too, so anyway..here's another Spring photo :) Since I don't quite have spring flowers or spring babies yet....this is from last year.

13

Thirteen TV Shows Leesa Likes

1. The Sopranos
2. Huff
3. Reba
4. SouthPark
5. Will & Grace
6. My Name Is Earl
7. The L Word
8. Two & Half Men
9. Scrubs
10. ER
11. Sex and The City
12. City Confidential
13. American Justice

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




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Flicker

Crossbill

Wordless Wednesday

Invasion of The Body Snatchers

So the husband calls me yesterday from California and tells me he's decided to go on a mostly Vegan diet.

Umm, ok.

This is coming from a "Meat & Potatoes" man. I'm not real sure what a vegan diet is yet, I need to look into it.
Not that I'm not all for it. I really haven't been into red meat for awhile now, and craving vegetables and fish lately.
He also says he's not going to hunt anymore. (thank goodness)
He's eating Sushi.
Driving a mustang.

Hmm...is it California??

Also, we're driving down the road the other day and he says, "So, who gets to name the mountains?"

WTF??

Surprised?

Leesa -- [noun]: A person who likes to steal tins of tuna 'How" will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Dr. Pepper

Long-Winded Reply

I wanted to reply to all your comments left on my "Monday Meme" post, but realized it would be too long, so I decided to just post on it.

I thank all of you for your wonderful words, and I do take all of them to heart.

I do realize that my Mother had it rough. She was 19 when she had me, had my sister 5 years later. There were no Dads in the picture. I'm pretty sure she had no idea what she was doing. She raised us on a waitress income. I realize that's rough. I'm not ignoring that at all.
She was an alcoholic before I was even born, so she had burned a few bridges in her life already, so no family help when she needed it.

I know she wasn't happy. I do believe that that was taken out on us.
I don't hate my Mother by any means. But, I don't have a relationship with her either.
I used to hate her. I used to blame her for everything. But that is all gone. I learned that this is my life and that it's my decisions that will lead it whereever it goes and I was not going to use the old" I'm this way because of my parents" line. I don't believe in that at all. We make our choices.

Again, while reading Greekchickie this morning, I realized we had something in common. I never wanted children because I was so afraid that I wouldn't know how to treat them or love them. I never wanted a child to live my childhood. I didn't think I had that mothering instinct.
I'm still not sure. I don't do well around small children most of the time, but that certainly isn't an oddity. Of course give me an animal and I treat them with better care than I do myself.

I might look into some of the books you guys suggested yesterday. But, just so ya'll know, I don't let this affect me today. Or at least I don't think I do. I have a great life. I'm happy. I do have some issues, one I feel being a little distant with some and maybe even a bit insensitive. I definitely have some self-esteem issues, and those that know me well already know that. I'm working on it :)

As I said before, I don't have much of a relationship with my Mother now. We may talk once every few months. Her lifestyle has not changed, she has never had the desire. (another thing that always bothered me). She goes from job to job, home to home, and I'm usually the one that has to help in some way. I will not support her, or her habit. But I do feed her animals most of the time. Ugh..I'm going way off again aren't I?

Anyway, to stop all this rambling, thanks for your replies, I really loved all of them. I'm okay, my sister will be okay. We're all we have, and we do the best we can :)

Lily in B&W

On A Lighter Note :)

Funny Video :)

Monday Meme

#97--My mother was verbally abusive.

I wasn't going to blog about this, probably ever...but after reading Greekchickie's post yesterday on child abuse, this memory just came flooding back.

Why am I posting on it? Not sure. Maybe if anything it will show parents or future parents how you talk to a kid can really affect them.

As most of you know, my mother was/is an alcoholic. She was rarely physically abusive, but always verbally and mentally abusive. I could literally post and post on the subject but I'm not going too. But..there is one thing I do remember vividly, and I had mentally put away until yesterday.

My mother used to threaten my sis and I with calling an orphanage when we were bad. I clearly remember it was called Buckner Orphanage in Dallas. She had us convinced that she knew the number by memory and would pick up the phone. Immediately we stopped whatever we were doing. Did she really have it memorized? Who knows...
What really gets me now is that no matter how unhappy we were with her, we didn't want strangers to take us away either. So she had us everytime.
Another thing that really blows me away, is that we weren't bad kids. My sis went through a bratty stage, but who didn't? And...when she went through her worst stages, I handled it, not my mother.

I used to blame the alcohol, but as I got older I realized that all that did was enhance it. I truly believe that most of the time alcohol brought out real feelings. Sad as that may be.
She always found our faults and belittled us. Especially me. My sister doesn't remember much of any of this, I guess since she was 5 years younger than me. I remember all of it. She made me feel guilty for everything. Again..I'm going into to many details and I didn't want to do that.

Anyway.........

Words can be so hurtful. No matter how old I get, I will never forget certain things she said to me. Certain ways she treated me. Do you think she knows or remembers? I wonder.
But...ask me when I was spanked or hit...I vaguely remember that.

That mark went away.

My Weekend

Pretty casual weekend around here, well except for the first bear :) I spent most of the day putting things away that bear will eat. Which is alot I've learned. It's been beautiful today, besides being pretty windy, we actually got up to 62!.

I've got Marble coming to me now when I call her. Pretty cool :) I spent part of the day outside working with her. She got apples and carrots for that!

The hubs decided this weekend to put in the whirlpool tub I've been wanting for awhile. Happy Dance :) We had a guy out here this weekend giving us an estimate for putting in sprinklers, which calls for another~ Happy Dance~. I spent most of my summer last year watering our lawn. While he was here, we also got the estimate for the tub. Very cool.

I asked the man who looked like my husband who he was and what did he do with my real hubs??

They're Heeere

They've been spotted. Let the fun begin.

Sunday Mutter

I say and you think??

1. Rising :: bread


2. Third :: base


3. Disruptive :: loud


4. Surround :: sound


5. Distant :: lonely


6. Suction :: vacuum


7. Fried :: chicken


8. Nuggets :: gold


9. Clip :: gun


10. San Antonio :: Riverwalk

Cat Herding

I HAD to steal this from Laura :)

Watch Me

Interesting.....

What color is your AURA?

Mine overlapped with Lavender & Crystal....




Dreamer, drifter, fantasizer - these are the words that best describe the Lavender. They first see the shifting layers of shape, form, and pattern that make up designs. The Lavenders dissolve and recombine these designs to create new structures and concepts. To see what a Lavender sees one must seek out bird shapes in the clouds and divas in the garden. With heightened abilities to see other dimensions within their mind's eye, Lavenders are open to exploring alternate realities-the realities that exist in science fiction and dreams. The challenge for Lavender is to stay in this, our reality, physically and emotionally. For them, it is much easier to live in the world of fantasy than to coexist with modern technology. Lavenders need to develop ways of using the images, ideas, and themes they experience in their dreams and fantasies to create a rich new fabric of legend, fable, and art for others.
**


Crystals are natural healers. They utilize energy to transform light into healing rays. They become the medium or the conduit through which healing passes. They are able to increase their personal, physical power to the point where they are able to cleanse the minds and souls so that physical healing can follow. Their biggest challenge is learning how to cope with the gift of healing. In order not to attract attention to themselves, Crystals become the chameleons of the spectrum, assimilating other colors into their aura in order to hide or protect themselves. They clutter up their own energy field when they do this, bringing harm to themselves. This act also confuses others. The challenge for Crystals is to learn to know themselves and what their special gifts are so that they do not have to disguise themselves through emotional camouflage.

Play Day

We have a little bit of sun today, so we let the animals out to run around. You can see how muddy it's been by looking at the horses. Brock seems to be enjoying himself :)

Scavenger Hunt : Silly

Ladies Please

Please please tell me you would NOT have opened your door to this MAN.

Colors

I've done this before, but wanted to see if the results were the same. Scarily accurate :)

Leesa took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Wants to make a favorable impression and be regard..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

Photo Friday : Golden

Stuff Portrait Friday

SPF for today is :

Your Initials : LMW


Lily



Moon

Wood Ducks

Lily

Thursday Challenge : Spring

13

Thirteen Things that annoy Leesa

1. Telemarketers calling my house.
2. The extra catalogs I get in the mail because I ordered from a similar place.
3. People who act stupid when a news camera is on them.
4. People who are STILL making jokes about Cheney.
5. The wrapping on CD's...who's supposed to be able to open these?
6. The noise the truck makes when I don't wear my seatbelt.
7. The fact that the law TELLS me I have to wear a seatbelt.
8. The buzzer on the dryer.
9. The fact that my dogs bark at the wind. Or, a leaf blowing, or a bird flying by.
10. Pop up boxes.
11. Spam in my email inbox.
12. WORD VERIFICATION!!!!!
13. Brownies/cookies that have nuts in them, but you can't see them until you bite into them.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Flowerbud

My monthly flowers came today from Flowerbud!!
I'm pretty sure they are Casablanca Lilies :)

Freaky Tag

Put your music player on shuffle. Press forward for each question. Use the song title as the answer to the question. Post on your blog. Comment back if you post it on your site. No comment regarding whatever songs that might come up. (**these results are just scary**)

(stolen from Osbasso )

~Will I get far in life?
If I fall You're Going Down With Me--Dixie Chicks

~How do my friends see me?
American Girl--Tom Petty

~Where will I get married?
Without Me--Eminem

~What is my best friend’s theme song?
Get Your Freak On--Missy Elliott

~What is the story of my life?
Beautiful--Christina Aguilera

~What was high school like?
Does He Love You?--Reba McEntire

~How can I get ahead in life?
Me Against the Music--Britney Spears

~What is the best thing about me?
Underneath it All--No Doubt

~How is today going to be?
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road--Elton John

~What is in store for this weekend?
Naughty Girl--Beyonce

~What song describes my parents?
Midnight Special--Creedance Clearwater

~My grandparents?
Captain Jack--Billy Joel

~How is my life going?
Running Down a Dream--Tom Petty

~What song will they play at my funeral?
Cowboy Take Me Away--Dixie Chicks

~How does the world see me?
The Stranger--Billy Joel

~Will I have a happy life?
Lose Yourself--Eminem

~What do my friends really think of me?
Carry On Wayward Son--Kansas

~Do people secretly lust after me?
Landslide--Fleetwood Mac

~How can I make myself happy?
Runaway Train--Soul Asylum

~What should I do with my life?
Shut Up--Black Eyes Peas

~Will I ever have children?
Family Affair--Mary J. Blige

~What is some good advice?
Fool Such As I--Karen Pendley

~What is my signature dancing song?
Let Me Touch You For Awhile--Alison Krauss

~What do I think my current theme song is?
Your Song--Elton John

~What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Beer For My Horses--Toby Keith

~What type of men/women do you like?
Outrageous--Britney Spears

Wordless Wednesday

Flight of The Bumble Bee

Check it out :) I forgot about this photo I took last spring. Cool, eh?

You Asked For It....

Yesterday I recommended you guys ask me questions from my 100 things list, and you did! So...here we go...

*I did paint murals and windows for awhile. I did the windows for businesses, mostly animal clinics. I do have pics of these but they didn't scan well. I hope to rescan and show them to you.
I painted a couple of murals for a boarding facility that came out really well I thought, but I can't find any pics..I think I lost the film :( It was a jungle scene with several animals throughout the trees.

*I do not have any pics from working at Hooters...LOL. I'm sure someone that I worked with does, but I had never really thought them. I didn't necessarily like the job, but it was good tips. I used to have the uniform too, but I'm not sure where that is either.

*I did meet Ellen Degenerous! She was doing stand up at a theatre next to where I worked at the time. Since I knew the manager, I got to go backstage and meet her. We sat in her dressing room and had a couple of beers. She was very cool and so naturally funny. She's always been one of my favorites :)

*I shot my sister in the stomach with a B.B. gun once. Actually, no real reason except that she was being a pain in the ass, and she had thrown something at me first. :P

*I don't have any pics of the Raggedy Ann costume either. Seems I left alot of my past behind me, including pics. It was a very cool costume though, I will definitely try to duplicate it.

*My job at the crepe restaurant was the crepe maker. I stood at the front of the restaurant and made crepes all morning. It was actually pretty interesting. The crepes turn on a wheel of fire, with skillets turned upside down. You dip the pans into the batter and you have to flip them just right and sit them on the wheel. It did take skill. And I burned myself alot.

*As for interesting things at my vet job.....I will have to do another seperate post on that! Do you want gross stuff too??

So anyway, those are your questions except for one, but the asker knew I wouldn't answer it anyway. We have another beautiful morning, it's 33 degrees, but blue skies and sunny. The animals are so frisky with this weather, I just love it :) I think I will head out with the camera today.

Soft

Easter Elk

Very casual weekend for me. Saturday night we spent with neighbors- dinner, drinks and darts. The guys played paintball, something I have no desire to join in on.
Sunday was uneventful. No bunnies, no bear, but Elk. It actually snowed on Easter.


This morning is sunny with blue skies, 33 degrees. Happy Happy Joy Joy :)

I couldn't bring myself to be interested in anything on my list for Monday Meme. Sooooo,
I'm leaving it to you. If there's something on my list that you want to know, let me know and I'll answer it. (within reason, of course).

Well, I tried.....

Taylor was the only animal in the house willing to wear the ears.