Madison Days - Other Fun Pictures

Madison Days - Train Rides and Hoola Hoops

The guy who was supposed to be giving the train rides had an emergency and couldn't make it. So Granny hoped on and gave Train Rides all afternoon. Libby took second place in the Hoola Hoop contest. Madi didn't last long, but she sure was cute.

Shark Bite

The gentleman pictured in the purple shirt is named Bobby. He works with my Dad, and I've known him for ohhhh...about 22 years now. I have always known that he has an artifical leg. I remember him showing it to my when I was a teenager, but really I'd forgotten about.

Well I learned from my 7 year old daughter this weekend that she'd met Bobby during Madison Days and asked him all KINDS of questions. I've known the man for over 20 years and never knew that his leg was bitten off by a SHARK. Imagine that!!!

And here all this time, I thought he lost his leg in a farming accident. Hmmmmm.

I met up with Bobby later that day and told him that I couldn't believe I'd known him all these years and he'd never told me before that his leg with eaten by a shark. You could tell for a second there he didn't know what I was talking about. And then he just started laughing.

Madison Days - The Parade

Granny and Papaw helped the kids decorate the go-kart to look like a Fire Truck. It even had a siren. Frank drove it and Libby squirted everyone with water guns. Madi and Carlie decided to watch the parade and pick up candy instead.

Madison Days - Minnow Races

We had a wonderful time at Madison Days this year. The weather was perfect, and the kids all behaved well. Here is a series on the activies.

Frank, Libby, Granny and I all paid to enter the minnow race. You had to blow your minnow with a straw to the finish line. Granny made it to the finals, but she didn't win. An older gentleman named Earl beat her and won a 22 rifle.

Julie Pool's Series of Unfortunate Events

You know....nothing HORRIBLE has happened to me in the last few weeks. But when enough little things happens, it starts to wear on a person.

This all started a month ago. I went on a work related trip to Texas (that I didn't want to go on in the first place).

- The weekend before the trip, we went to the car dealership and traded my little sports car in for a truck for Bob. This made sense. We only needed two vehicles and we need two vehicles that could seat all of us. Plus I'm saving for a new house. But I still cried when we left it at the car lot.

- While I was on my trip, I had a fender bender in a rental car. THAT cause a hugh mess at work, because no one knew what to do about it, how to handle the insurance, I had to be drug tested, and there was a question about whether or not I had reported it to the correct people at work.

- In the middle of the trip, my beloved old cat Shadow became ill, and Bob took him to the vet.

- We thought Shadow was going to be okay. I brought him home, but he refused to eat. And I had to have him put to sleep that next weekend.

- The day before I put Shadow to sleep, I discovered that all three of my daughters had lice. And THAT was a huge mess getting that taken care of.

- Last week our refridgerator started spewing water on the floor. That was $50 for a new filter. Then the same day, my computer crashed without warning.

- I took the harddrive out and took it all over town hoping someone could get my year's worth of pictures off of it that I didn't have backed up. I waited in line for an hour at Best Buy. They told me they found the files, and they could do it but it would cost $100. I paid them. They called me back yesterday and told me that they couldn't get any of the data its gone. My precious pictures are gone.

- I bought a new computer. I should have been able to just plug it in and start using it. But I cannot get it to connect to the internet. I spent a great deal of Sunday on the phone with ATT and no one can tell me why I can connect to the internet but it takes over 10 minutes for a page to load.

- Then today, I decided that I would try to cheer myself up by dressing nicely for work. So I put on heels and a dress. I had been in my office no more than 30 minutes before I tripped over a cord and went sprawling. I bloodied my knee and jarred my hand, wrist and shoulder.

I just want to cry. Wahhhhhhhh. I want my car back. I want my cat back. I want my pictures back. I want my computer to work. When I get stressed out I get patches of skin on my face that turn red and then flake off. My face is about to peel off of my skull. Blech!!!!

Update: Whatever Gremlin has ahold of me just will NOT let go. I ordered a 44 oz Diet Coke with my lunch. When I got ready to go into the office, I grabbed the cup and my fingers went right though it. I spilled 44 ozs of pop right down my leg. I live 30 minutes from a clean pair of pants. Ugh.

Meet Duff

The name Duff is Celtic for Black Faced or Dark Features. By the time Duff is grown his whole face will be dark. He is a Ragdoll cat. I still miss Shadow so much, but at least having a new kitten is a distraction. His fur is soooo incredibly soft. And he's very sweet. He hates to be alone unless he's asleep.

Schedule

Every once in a while, I like to post our crazy-busy schedule. I'm sure I'll look back at it in 20 years and wonder how we did it. This is what yesterday looked like.

5:30am - Bob leaves house for weights
6:00am - Julie wakes up, Frank leaves house for weights
7:00am - Lean arrives to watch kids
7:15am - Julie leaves the house
8:30am - Odessey picks Frank up from weights and takes him to Augusta
8:30am - Madi goes to summer school
9:00am - Carlie goes to Vacation Bible School
11:00am - Libby goes to basketball camp.
11:30am - Pick Madi up from Summer School. And Carlie up from VBS.
12:30am - Bob arrives home and Lena leaves. Frank is dropped off from Odessey.
1:30pm - Libby and Madi go to piano lessons.
2:15pm - Pick Libby and Madi up from piano lessons.
5:15pm - Bob goes back to Weights/BBall. Julie arrives home from work.
7:00pm - Babysitter arrives and Julie leaves for City Band practice.
10:00pm - Julie arrives back from City Band. Babysitter leaves.
10:00pm - Bob returns from Coaching Summer Bball.

Top Five Ways To Avoid Mowing The Yard

When you are 11 years old, here are the top five ways to avoid mowing the yard.

1. Mow one strip of the yard and then disappear into the neighborhood. When your mother finally locates you two hours later explain to her that you could not mow the yard because your NEIGHBOR'S sprinkler is on.

2. Mow another strip of the yard and then disappear inside the house. When located in the house 45 minutes later explain you had a bad stomach ache.

3. Mow another strip of the yard and then come into the house and ask your Mother if she will purchase you an ice cream from the ice cream truck. Forget to go back outside and continue mowing when she tells you No.

4. Mow two more strips of the yard with alot of theatrical grunting and groaning and crying so that you attract the neighbor's notice and the neighbor feels sorry for you and invites you to come over and have a glass of lemonade.

And the TOP way to avoid mowing the yard when you are 11 years old.

5. Leave the lawn mower running unattended on the lawn (because you've caught on that your Mom notices when it stops running). Jog down the block and flag down the ice cream truck and tell him you want to purchase an ice cream (despite the fact that your Mom said No). Disappear inside the house and riffle through the change jars and through the mini-van for spare change. When you come out through the garage and hear your Mom calling for you, freeze position and hide in the garage with stolen coins until the ice cream man pulls up in front of the yard and explains to your Mom (while pointing out your hiding place in the garage) that you had previously flagged him down and told him to stop at your house so that you could buy an ice cream.

Sigh.

Shadow - The Rainbow Bridge

I had to have Shadow put to sleep on Saturday. All three of my original Kittie Babies are all gone now. Pictured on the couch are Spencer, Tater and Shadow.

It was a hard thing for me to do, but it was what was best for him. And I got to be with him at the end.

When I went to pick Shadow out, I walked into this lady's house and there were five tiny kittens that looked exactly alike. I played with them a few minutes and couldn't figure out how I was going to decide. Then I picked Shadow up. He rolled over belly up in my palms and began purring SO loudly for such a tiny kitten. I knew he was the one.

When I took him home he followed me every step that I took, and I named him Shadow. He's been my companion through a first marriage and divorce, umpteen moves, step kids, foster kids and now my own kids. He had a good life, but I miss him so much!!! He was MY kittie baby. And until the very end, he had the best rumbling purr ever.








Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Which End Does It Come Out Of?

Libby gets the award for the dumbest question of the weekend.

When I was a little kid one of the joys of the summer was getting a turtle off the highway. I don't know which was more fun....actually having a turtle to play with....or the excitement of having my Dad stop the car in the middle of the highway, run out and grab the turtle from the middle of the road and scramble back to the car with it. Sometimes he even put the car in reverse and backed up on the highway to get the turtle...which I always thought was particularly dangerous and thrilling!!!

So while we were at the Pool's house this weekend, I saw a turtle crossing their black top road. Thinking about my Dad and fond childhood memories, I pulled over and grabbed the turtle for my kids.

My kids have always spent time with us at the 20 acres the Pools have and at the lake. So I don't think of them as being "city kids". But I handed the turtle to Libby. She looks it over and says "Mom, which end does it come out of???"

I give her my "you've got to be kidding me look" and said "It comes out of BOTH ends, Libby." She goes "Yeah, I know, but which end does the HEAD come out of?" Ummm...the one with the slanted side.

I guess I need to educate my kids better about country life!!!!!

Carlie's Kindergarten Trip

Carlie's class got a chance to go visit a farm for a field trip. I wasn't able to go, so Granny took her. They had a good time. Just wanted to share some pictures of Carlie. I'm glad Granny got to go with her.

United, We Stand.....

I've had a hard time finding time to post the last two weeks. I spent Monday through Thursday of last week in various parts of Texas for work.

While I was there, I had a fender bender in the company rental car which cause reams of paperwork and required urine drug test because it was an accident while on company time.

And I had to make the previously mentioned emergency run to Walmart for clean underwear.

Also while I was there, my old cat got sick. He's almost 15 years old. He's the one we dried in the drier accidentally that time.

He got sick, and Bob was afraid to take him to the vet because he thought they might put him to sleep. (Had a hard time following THAT logic.) He had Libby call Granny and ask what to do. Granny said to take him to the vet. It was just in the nick of time. He had a blocked ureter and his bladder was the size of a grape fruit. So Bob left a message on my phone while I was in the air on the way to Austin. I walked through the Houston Airport sniffling. Shadow's back home now, but he's still very weak and I don't think he's eating.

We left for Oklahoma on Friday the 22nd, which is Pepaw's birthday and also Granny and Papaw's anniversary. We worked on their yard while we were there. Then we came back home and worked on our house with some painting and drywall work.

Frank and Libby stayed with Memaw and Pepaw at the lake. And Granny came and picked up Madi and Carlie.

The week I was gone, was the last week of school for my kids and for Bob. Granny was able to step in and go to watch their Play Day since neither Bob nor I could do so.

With the fifteen million (er....four) kids we have, I don't know how we'd get everything done without such great family support and team work. United we stand. When I look at pictures like the one above of my kids.....I feel so incredibly blessed to have them in my crazy, busy life.

The Cemetery Party

We had nice cool weather for The Redden Reunion this year (aka The Cemetery Party). Granny came up with the idea to have shirts made for our family and they were a big hit. Plus it made it alot easier to spot my wild children in the crowd of Pool kin running around.

Traveling Lightly

I'm in Texas most of this week traveling for work. I absolutely DID NOT pack everything except for underwear. I'd never do anything that dumb. So I did NOT have to make an emergency trip to the local Walmart in Austin,TX so that I would have clean underwear to wear on Monday. DIDN'T happen. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

If You Like It So Much, Then YOU Wear It!!!!

Granny made Carlie and Madi the cutest little summer dresses. She was watching Carlie for me for a couple of days while Kindergarten was out. The rest of the kids had class.

They were in Walmart, and Granny found these cute little straw hats that she thought would look so cute with the dresses she'd made. Carlie wouldn't have anything of it. Granny tried and tried to get her to try on a hat. Carlie finally got exasperated with her and told her. "Granny, if you like that straw hat so much, then why don't YOU try it on." LOL. Don't know WHERE she get's that stubborn streak from!!!

You Have To Be Specific With Kids

Having four kids we have a huge assortment of bikes, scooters, skates, skateboards, etc. I've been working really hard with the kids on getting them to put this stuff away when they are done with it instead of leaving it laying all around the yard and drive way.

This weekend, Frank left the new, orange (the imporance of the color will become apparent later) bike sitting out in our driveway all night. The next morning I told him that he was grounded from his bike for a week because he left it out.

Later that afternoon, I noticed that I hadn't seen him in a while. Libby informed me that he was out in the neighborhood riding his bike. That made me furious!!! I sent Bob to go look for him. When Frank came home I told him "WHAT were you doing riding your BIKE. I just GROUNDED you from riding your bike." He looks at me all innocent like and says "But, MOM. You grounded me from my ORANGE bike that I left out. I was riding my old YELLOW bike from LAST year."

Uggggh!!!!

Most Fun Mother's Day Ever

After we finished the River Run, we went to spend the night at Granny and Pawpaw's house since we still didn't have electricity. I slept upstairs in my old bedroom with Carlie. I LOVE to sleep in on weekend mornings. And remember before that I am blind as a bat without my contacts in.

I wake up, and there are three dogs on my bed jumping around and licking me in the face. I look up and I can see Libby's head peeking above the edge of the bed and she is laughing. Now I am NOT a morning person.

I snapped at her "What are you DOING!?!?!?! Get these dogs off of here. That's NOT FUNNY!!!!" And Granny and the rest of the kids popped up and yelled "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!"

They had brought me breakfast in bed, a donut and a flower. I was so surprised. they fussed over me about five minutes, then they all just disappeared leaving me with my breakfast. LOL.

It reminded me of when Carlie was born. The room was full of nurses and doctors, my Mom and my husband. They could not get Carlie to cry right away. They whisked her out of the room and everyone went with her. And here I am, having just given birth and sitting in a room all by myself.

The kids blew in like a whirlwind, brought me breakfast and then took off leaving me to enjoy it by myself. LOL.

Thank you, Granny and kids!!!

River Run - A Family Thang

We have made the River Run, which is a part of Wichita's annual River Fest and family event. Everyone in my family ran in an event. Bob, Frank and I ran in the 10K (6.2 miles). Frank finished in 58 minutes and came in 5th for his age group. Libby ran in the two mile. And Madi and Carlie participated in the Tot Trot.

My company sponsored a team, and we had a really good time. Lena went with us to watch the kids while Bob and I were running. We went to watch the children's theater after the races. It was Little Red Hen this year. And then we had some good River Fest food afterwards. We rounded the day out with rides and inflatables at the kids corner.

Carlie was SO determined that she was going to win her race. In reality she came in last in her heat. But she was so proud to get her medal that she didn't know the difference. When they got ready to start her race, she got down in a three point stance on the starting line. She was serious. LOL.

Madi tied with another little girl for first place in her heat. It didn't even look like she was trying very hard.

I was so proud of my family for all running this year

The Storm

We've been without electricity for several days. We had a horrible storm blow through Towanda early Friday morning. We lost our electricity, and didn't get it back until late on Sunday.

Straight winds up to 86 miles an hour blew through our town. We woke up around 5am when the electricity went off. Bob went downstairs to see if our sump was filling up since the electric pump couldn't pump the water out. When he walked by the front door, there was water standing on the tile floor. The wind was blowing so hard that it blew rain in around the frame of our door and flooded the floor.

We had to stay up and bail water out of the sump so that it wouldn't flood the basement. They closed both Bob's school and the kids' school because of the storm damage and power outage. I got dressed in the dark and went to work.

I drove through Towanda on my way. Many, many trees were split or uprooted. Many of the windows in downtown Towanda had been blown out and roofs were damaged. There were downed electrical lines everywhere.

And on the edge of Towanda, there has always stood an old red barn and a silo. The silo has the name Towanda painted on it, and the W is crooked. It's kind of an icon that represents our little town. When we first moved to town, the kids told me that the W was crooked because the man painting the words on it had fallen to his death and when he fell the paint was smeared. They left the W crooked in his honor. I told them that was probably not true...it sounded like an urban legend to me. But the kids went down to our local museum one day and found out that it WAS true.

When I drove through town, the barn and the silo were completely gone. The whole lot there was wiped clean and pieces of the barn were all over Towanda. I was really sad to see it gone.

The only picture I could find of it was a drawing by a local. I included the drawing and a link to her blog.

http://vickylw.livejournal.com/24859.html

I Swear To Tell The Truth....

The Whole Truth, and Nothing But The True, So Help Me God. I experienced a first today. I testified in court as a witness at a Jury trial. Two women broke into my car a year ago January. It is just now coming to trial. One of the women had already been sent to Federal prision for 5 years on a parole violation. This afternoon we'll find out of they find the other one to be guilty or not.

April Quotes

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Live with no excuses and love with no regrets.-Montel
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“Today I begin to understand what love must be, if it exists… When we are parted, we each feel the lack of the other half of ourselves. We are incomplete like a book in two volumes of which the first has been lost. That is what I imagine love to be: incompleteness in absence.” -Goncourt-
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God doesn't mind you having nice things. He minds them having YOU. - Craig Groeschel
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1st Grade Field Trip

Madi and I got to go to the Tanganyika Wildlife Park for her first grade field trip. I got to do this with Libby when she was in first grade as well.

This park breeds and sells rare and endangered animals. They have recently opened to the public as well. While not nearly as big as a zoo, the big difference here is that you can interact with many of the animals.

Madi and I got to pet a kangaroo and feed the Lemurs. Unfortunately, my camera batteries died shortly into the trip, so I didn't get alot of pictures. But here are a few.

OKC Trip - Okapi

As we were riding the tram around, we saw this animal. The tram operator explained that it has the head of a giraffe, the legs of a zebra and the body of a gazelle. Carlie is listening to all that, and she goes "That's one MIXED UP animal!!"