"Cleopatra" Sleeps

Picture stolen from everywhere on the net...

Good Morning Friends;

CaseyAnne got through her procedure yesterday. WITHOUT WAKING UP ONCE! Not sure 'what' they used to knock her out with, but it really worked... (And left her loopier than a light airplane in bad weather afterward)!

Must have been whiskey in her IV...

After we had tried to wake her up for quite some time, she finally opened her eyes, looking from me to the nurse.

Her first word out of surgery?

"Boob"

...Saying it as though she was in kindergarten, or sounding it out for the first time... Then she plunked right back down on her pillow, quite unceremoniously.

After a little time, I tried to rouse her again. As I lifted the head of the bed, I also had to grab Caseys head, (nodding like a newborn).

A bit of movement as she tested her coordination, (there was none); plus, her eyes kept going funny. (They really MUST have used whiskey as I have seen that vacant "look" before)...

I asked her what her name was...

She looked at me (sort of), with those funny eyes, and said, "Cleopatra!"

(This, complete with the most elegant hand movement)!

OK, kid, "Cleopatra" wins, go back to sleep... hehehe

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Her procedure was at 1:00, we had to arrive there for noon. The doctor had never put the orders in, so we cooled our heels til about 12:30 in the lab... When we got back to surgery, they were waiting for her. Everyone except anesthesiology that is. Methinks they forgot about her because it was almost 2 by the time they finally wheeled her back.

Nobody had turned me in for neglecting my unhappy, abused dog this time. hehehe But it was high time to go out to the ramp and take "The Punk" for a walk anyway. We walked all over campus. Punk does not like anything too near the cranes the construction guys use. (Out of the surgical wing alone, one can count at least 4 working at any given time you would chance to peek outward).

There were at least that many on the east side of the grounds also. But back there, there are a few ponds, and a couple of stone benches, which no one ever seems to use, save for myself. There were a few ducks, and other pond creatures. Namely mosquitos! But they would buzz around and not bother me either. (Lucky that way, those blood~sucking nuisances do not like me). And not too much traffic on that end of the buildings either. The worst being a few airplanes that flew real low. (Progress pictures for Froedtert maybe)?

I went back inside, and got everyone to chatting in the surgical waiting room. It beats the heck out of being alone with your thoughts.

I learned a long time ago that the worrying only makes the waiting worse...

Everybody shared their own stories. One gal even asked me to write "CaseyAnne" down on a piece of paper so she would include her in her prayers. Thought that was pretty nice of her... (Hindsight being what it is, mayhaps I should have written "Cleopatra" down)?

Then the lady at the desk went to check for me. Casey was still in the OR. So back outside after another hour or so. And another walk.

L-o-o-o-ong afternoon later, we were finally back here about 6 or so. Casey actually stayed up for much longer than I thought she would have, (or even COULD have). Not being able to 'feel' her legs yet, I practically carried her bag of bones back to the room here. Her legs 'worked', (kinda/sorta)... She just could not "feel" them... (Yes, I have seen that "whiskey~walk" too)! hehehe She weighs in around 92/93 right now.

We all walked outside later, fresh air being good for everyone... It was SO foggy too. A chill in the air; it had been so warm out earlier.

I see by the forecast that there is a dense fog advisory for a couple of the counties we will be driving through; until mid~morning. We shall just leave a bit later then. Arriving home to some 85~degree (PLUS) temps then, and to be able to look forward to high winds, complete thunderstorms tonight. Ugh. Oh well. Just doesn't sound much like "Fall" to me!

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In keeping with Fall, and the darned Halloween that will surely come, I thought I should enclose a picture I had taken a few weeks ago...

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("The Great?") PUNKIN; and CaseyFace!

Hehehe

Cute, aren't they?

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I'd better close. Casey is making a few 'pain' type noises, and maybe if I shut off the lamp she will sleep through... (Besides, I 'lost' my entry once already, and do not wish to retype/edit it yet again)...

Hope everyone is having a splendiferous Friday, with plans for a 'wunnaful' weekend ahead!

***** Oh and here's a little Pirate fun fer ye all!

My pirate name is:

Calico Anne Kidd

Often indecisive, you can't even choose a favorite color.

You're apt to follow wherever the wind blows you, just like Calico Jack Rackham, your namesake.

Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate.

Arr!

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Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

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Love to all!
XOXO
Anne

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Not...

This one cracked me up!

A little translation for the headstone above.

And an apology too... ~I am sorry. I thought if everyone clicked on the magnifying glass thingie it would make the tombstone bigger and thus readable..

ANYWAY

It says...

...It occurs to me there is a clear difference between 'Hand me a hammer, and throw me one'...

Good Morning!

NOTE: I really am not a stick in the mud... hehehe Or maybe I am.

But some things just bother me. Halloween is pretty close to the top of that list for me.

As I am sure some of you know already, I absolutely abhor All Hallows Eve, and almost any/every/thing associated with it.

When we were kids, it was an evening to get our farm chores done early, and to go get a few pieces of candy from the neighbors homes. Our parents would sit and chat while we imagined that all the other homes would surely run out of candy, or cookies, (or even pennies), before we got there!

Now, with the advent of more and more scary stuff, came with it a desire to close my eyes and to want to get through from here til November 1st or so, without having to see/think/feel scary things.

I do not like it when I do not recognize the person I am looking at; whether or not it is someone I know/love.

I do not like pages that are all in the bright 360 oranges; and I always hit 'view page without theme' because the contrasting colors can kill my head at times. (Gory background images bug me bigtime too, although there is no 'view page without blood' button)...

I do not like spooky stuff even though I am a complete advocate for the paranormal. (Paranormal doesn't scare me; it intrigues and fascinates me, for I know that these elements cannot hurt me).

I used to like Halloween, for the kids and all that. I kept their costumes subdued, and we worked with what we had for the most part. Although we did have to buy new "make~up" each year because someone would inevitably leave it dry up from the previous year.

I shall have more stuff about the "Years Gone By" Halloween(s) later. But since I am sitting in a silly hotel room waiting to go to Froedtert, I think I shall keep this short for now.

These things said, I am thinking that I cannot be the only person that doesn't care much for All Hallows Eve.

OR AM I?...

Have a good one!

XOXO
Anne

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Way Too Much Adrenaline For Me...

WARNING TO ANY/ALL 'TWITS':

**Blog may contain references to animals and a sick kid, and life in general.

(Howzat for a disclaimer)????

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THIS is the sick kid...

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These are (some of) the unhappy animals...

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("Life" picture will follow)...

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Late afternoon in Wisconsin...

Hello to all. It should come as no surprise that as I type CaseyAnne is on her way to the doctor. What a bunch of crap. I just want to scream. She had a dentist appointment earlier. Some work that she'd had done last month was giving her problems. (I am sure that to the rest of us that would fall under "toothache" but since she has real pain elsewhere it was more of an 'annoyance' to her). The dentist evened that 'bite' out for her in 10 short minutes.

Yada Yada Yada.

Doctors and their guinea pig crap... I will wait to see if I have to go pick her up or not. Her right side is giving her some godawful pain right now...

Her dentist appointment was at 2:30. (Are we the only ones that find that freakin' hysterical)?

Having woken up plenty early this morning, I had plenty to do. Tons of wash that I hadn't finished yesterday so I go to the back entrance and run the washer full of water, adding my detergent and my softener. Back up to the bathroom and rip apart the hamper to sort the dirty clothes into my 3 little piles. Wanting to be able to get dressed at some point today I figure to wash the jeans load first.

I come back here to check my email and to read a few blogs. About 45 minutes later, I realize I still hadn't put those jeans in. Whoops. Grab an armful of 'darks' and go back to the laundry center.

And instead of filling the washer with the laundry, I have to jump, bass~ackwards, bang my backside against the freezer, and drop my precious load of laundry in the process...

Regaining my legs, shaking my head a few times, unsure; I venture forth to the washer and peek in.

(Not having had enough caffeine yet at that point, I wasn't sure if my eyes had deceived me or not)...

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They hadn't...

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Can you freakin' believe it???

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And all I could think was "what a damn fine waste of detergent, water, and softener"

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I was madder than hell at first, but then to grab the LONG tongs and get the crazy, (and quite dead), little fooker out of there. That of course AFTER I grabbed my camera... hehehe

(I do wonder how long he must have done the breast stroke once he hit that water though)?

In all honesty I would NOT have liked it better had he not perished BEFORE I found him...

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Then to clean the machine out. (Ran a very hot bleach rinse through it). Then washed a bleach load; (just in case).

I am not scared of these 'stoopid' micey things. But as always, they do have a tendency to startle me. (4:00 in the AM seems a lovely hour to be startled). Nope. Not appreciated. He was quickly relocated to the dumpster.

And then I had to scrub my floors and such... Again, these creatures do not make me feel frightened. But kinda dirty creatures to be having the run of the house in my opinion anyway... Yeah, I KNOW some of you have them for pets.

And I knew with that early freeze we had, that I would be seeing these furballs sooner rather than later... But it always surprises me when I do see them too.

I wish I could put poison out, but then the dogs would not be happy should they venture into it somehow.

I have heard of the electronic soundwave gadgets that repel all sorts of nefarious creatures from a house. Do any of you have any experience using those things? They say the sound waves are such not to bother house pets. ie: dogs, and such.

Or maybe I should just get a new Amos? I do miss that kitty; especially NOW, (even though he would catch all the critters and bring them to me if he wasn't too hungry at that point).

Daylight is becoming a premium nowadays, and I shall keep this short(er) for today...

Hope you are all having a NON~"MOW~ISS" kind of day!

*** Click on MOW~ISS if you do not yet know how my big sister lost her mind... and scroll down to the blue type... I know many of you are new to my blog and might not yet have had the opportunity to cry along with the elder... It is a TRUE story.

XOXO
Anne

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Mine. Mine. MINE. (Rant).

Good Morning all;

I am thinking that just in case you haven't noticed, I really have NOT lost my last marble... AND I have all the medical documentation to prove this. Anyone looking to overturn a will written before this documentation was dated will have one heck of a time... hehehe ~Just 'thinking' is all...

I was more than a bit peeved when, earlier this month I received a bit of a missive that said I only talk about Casey, and my dogs. Thus making me feel a bit pensive and even a bit bewildered about my blogging words.

So, the 11th Commandment for today shall be:
Thou shalt NOT rain on my blog.

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It is MINE!

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NEWSFLASH...

• My daughter is ill. With what I have no idea. This tends to make me a bit upset, and I DO tend to focus on it. I will not apologize though. She has been ill for the past two years, and quite possibly a way lot longer with symptoms that were 'missed', or just put on the back burner until they passed...
• I have dogs. 2 of them, and I love them both dearly. They are part and parcel of my "family" and will be given good airtime as well. If you do not like dogs, you should not be here to begin with. (They are NOT, however, in the will)! hehehe

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OK, that said, clearly I took those few words to heart. I think we all do this, whether consciously or not. As mere humans, we have a tendency to ponder on the obvious, and then to top it all of, we have 'Human Nature' that tells us to try to read between the lines as well. (As if the written lines weren't clear enough?)...

I have tried to stray from the Caseysick cloudtags, and have tried not to write consistently of the dogs either.

What this leaves is a whole lot of BS that nobody wants to hear about anyway. Such is life. (But admit it, you LOVED the possum)... And I did comment on everyones comments; just so you know.

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You had the kill/grill blog, or two; which actually I had a GREAT time with, thank you ALL very much. You got a blog from Punk; as well as 9-11, and one that linked to the death of my stepdaughter. Oddly, nowhere in any of these blogs did the writer take a minute to voice their approval, or their disapproval; their laughter, (or even their revulsion).

So be it.

Truth be known, I didn't write anything for them in the first place.

My blogs are simply for my grandchildren. As many of you know, that is a part of my life that is "missing" for whatever stupid reason their parent (2) might have.

Yes. I said "STUPID". (Don't even allow me get into 'cruel' and 'ignorant').

So, these books, as I have created and printed them are to be given to these grandbabies, along with all the stories about me; growing up, and loving it.

I will be 50 next year. If 'life' has taught me anything it is that children grow up (sometimes), and get on with their lives. It has also taught me that 'what comes around, goes around'.

If you have any notion of being able to hide truths from your children, those truths WILL come out to kick your backside later.

My parents taught me that by simply being honest about us being adopted.

My 1st divorce taught me that children do not want the chocolate~covered version of anything. I was honest with them then, and continued to make it my own little creed as a good parent to be honest with them about everything from that point forward.

So Dear Writer, please know that I do not write for you. I write for my grandbabies so that one day they will well know what kind of Grandmother they have had.

If any of my musings entertain or enlighten other people, and if I make true and real friends through this blog of mine, all the more wonder to us all then.

I am not stupid, nor am I genius; but I do fall happily inbetween the two. And when you write such insensate things, you are bound to hurt someone.

I am sorry that you feel that within your own life there is not enough happiness and joy to be spread to all others. Perhaps a glimpse into what makes you smile would elevate your own blog within others minds.

Yet having given it due consideration after this time, I can only come to one thing to say to you "Frankly, my Dear, I don't give a damn."

WARNING:

Tomorrows post will probably be tagged 'dogs' or 'Casey', or whatever other surprises and joy that God might have in store for me.

Anybody not coming back just let me know.

Have a WUNNAFUL Monday!

XOXO
Anne

PS .... Before I forget about the image above....

Straight from Cheesehead University!

I was looking for a 'cowpie' image, (trying to be a "nice" Wisconsinite, and not call it "BS"), and found a website that made me laugh out loud.

>CLICK HERE< if ya wanna be a cheesehead, or even if you only want to know more about Wisconsin... from a really hysterical point of view!!!

"Twisted" doesn't even come close! ..... hehehe

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Bless Me Father I Have Sinned... The Previous; The Devious. ;-)

This picture taken Thursday afternoon.

Good Evening/Morning/Afternoon to All;

I hope your weekend is going along well! Ours is absolutely GREAT!

As many of you know, I am an idiot... Not having mentioned the two birthday boys...

The first, (my all time favorite stepson), Mr. Daniel Bernard DeGrave.

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He's the cutie on the right!

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And the next is my Godson, Sean!

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He's the cutie on the left!

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Happy Birthday Gentlemen!!!

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~With an extra~special salute to Sean, in the US Army!!!

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A rough, early freeze Friday night left a lot of plants shriveled and wilting... Casey, Punk and I had taken a ride around the fields... And found a wilted bloom of what should have been another squash.

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You can see the wilt on the leaves, but I am sorry the bloom looks kinda normal.

It was actually transparent and sparkly...

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We found a tomato, left behind by the field workers...

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...Or maybe it just "fell off the wagon"...

Makes no never mind to me. (It's on my countertop now)!

hehehe

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We took a few shots of the homeplace... One of you had asked a long time ago to see the whole place. But that is impossible because of the windbreak (pines) out front of the house... Guess you will have to settle for a NW view, and one looking NE too.

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Looking toward the NorthEast

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Looking toward the NorthWest...

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Greg has been working hard to clear the JUNK out from in front of the woods. It is so overgrown, long overdue to be able to see the trees! So pretty back there. And with an old gnarled oak tree~

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Looking perfect for climbing!!!

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And am wondering how many of you have ever climbed a tree? I was more 'tomboy' than most when I was growing up... And I truly loved every minute of that too!

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Punk and Casey were in the little wagon, being pulled behind the little garden tractor... We picked up lots of cast off veggies as we went along.

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Miss Punk says "Go Faster!"

hehehe

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FASTER!

"C'Mon, take that corner on two wheels!"

ARF!!!

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When we were done checking for loss, we drove straight to Kelli's house. Down the road with Casey and Punk right in the trailer! We brought a few pears to "the girls" too. (That's Breezie and May, the 2 horses).

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Taken on Labor Day...

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While we played with 2 baby kittens, Tim had one heck of a time to restrain our 2 little~bitty dogs... hehehe

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"If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em" ~as he hit the ground!

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Oh and here is Kelli and I, taken 2 days ago at my house!

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...And now, for my teeny tiny confession...

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Yours truly; just finished with a bit of mowing!
(Look behind me)...

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**NOTE:

I might have hit a *ahem* 'possum', with the mower.

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And all that danged polyester stuffing literally exploded from the poor thing!

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It was chilly, but that is NOT snow on the ground behind me.

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HAHAHA!!!

Joke's on you!!!

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But I do have to say that I am in the company of both some really hysterical friends, and some very brave ones too! (I already KNEW I was in the company of greatness)!!!

What a grand time I had with my previous, (if devious), blog, thanks to ALL of you!!!

Now as an honest sidenote, I have never tried 'possum myself. But seeing how some of you have, only leads me to believe that I might be missing out if I don't try it at some point.

So... if/when the opportunity presents itself, I shall indulge! Promise.

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Last night I couldn't fall alseep for love or money, and was still watching the clock at 4 AM... Slept for a few hours, 'til the sunlight was wrapping around the house. Hopefully I can go up tonight, and fall right to sleep!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!

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Have a WUNNAFUL SUNNYDAY!!!

... I'm goin' to bed! ... !!!!!

Yup, and with a HUGE smile on my face!!!

(I might even "giggle" whilst I say my prayers)...

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XOXO
Anna~Anna!

Oh, go climb a tree. You know you still love me!!!!

(Um, you DO still love me, don't you)?

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DINNUH is SERVED (with a question mark)!

A joke for you!!! Just from my email.

Sorta pertinent ??? to this blog. (It made me giggle)!

What's the difference between a southern zoo and a northern zoo?
A southern zoo has a description of the animal on the front of the cage along with "a recipe".

OK, time for me to get outside! Have a grand weekend!

WHO KNEW that this silly old blog would go on and on and on????

Just thought I would let you know that all comments are now continued on next page!

Poll to follow...

And a bit of a warning here...

I know that some of you are a bit uneasy around "GOOD" food, others have a bit of a bug that kinda turns their tummies at all the wrong times, still others of you are just plain wimpy.

That said, if you are NOT in any of those categories, READ ON!

Good Morning!

A crispy Friday here, (49 degrees, and quite breezy too); and I have grossly overslept, having been awakened by the phone ringing. (No, it wasn't Froedtert)...

Sigh. We have been calling and calling and calling. No response. And I have already called this morning. (Not too nicely of a message, but nothing real sassy either). Do doctors, when they cannot figure out what is wrong, just put the patient on the backburner, or what? I am SO mad! This too, shall pass.

We made a trip to the cemetery yesterday afternoon, after KC had brought me in for a shot. (Talk about "guilt"~ Here she is in pain all the time, and she is bringing me in for a shot for my silly head)?

Now, on to "DINNUH" !!! ...

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hehehe

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(Desperate times calling for desperate measures and all)...

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I am wondering if you would like your portion smoked, or grilled?

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Slowly "Smoked" adds lots of flavor...

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While "grilling" gets the job done MUCH faster...

...just let me know!!!

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Many possum recipes here >click< ......hehehe

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Wait, I really DO have a point... And a question for you too.

Do YOU eat leftovers? And no, I am NOT talking about those "things" that have morphed into another color and texture~ (or subspecies), ~while being kept in the back of your fridge... (Can you say "science experiment" gone real wrong)? hehehe

Just your plain old everyday, run~of~the~mill, leftovers.

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Mr. Derek

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This man will NOT touch a leftover.

Ever.

No way, no how.

He will choose to slowly starve to death, but he will NOT eat a leftover.

(That is to say, only if he KNOWS it is a leftover to begin with). hehehe

It does not matter that chili and lasagna actually IMPROVE after a day or two in the fridge. It does not matter if that leftover was made fresh that morning...

...He refuses to partake.

He also refuses to eat any kind of game animal.

(That is to say, only of he KNOWS it might be a game animal to begin with). ... **Please insert another "hehehe" here!

Thus far, at my table, the man has happily eaten venison, moose, and elk. I might also add that he has had 2nd and 3rd portions of each... (And as God as my witness, some of those meals have even been leftovers).

He has not died.

He has not even choked.

He has not once complained either.

AND, he has always left here with a very FULL tummy!

So, as asked above, DO YOU EAT LEFTOVERS?

hehehe

XOXO
Anne

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One Year...

>CLICK HERE<

(This takes you just to another blog of mine).

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XOXO
Anne

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Solo Souffle Cups, and LIES! (By Punk).

ARF!!!!

(And we ALL know what THAT means)...

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LIES!

ALL LIES!!!

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I am not a happy camper...

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(Nor am I a thief)!!!

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The things that I have heard recently
(about myself)
might put ALL dogs to shame.

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I did NOT do it!

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I do not care what YOU have heard.

I do not care what my "she" says.

I do not care if the sky is purple.

I do not care if YOU think it is magenta, (or 6 million other stupid colors).

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I did NOT do it!!!

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It is an unmitigated lie.

A scurrilous lie.

A damned monstrous lie.

A blatant misconception.

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(Which only makes me realize that 'she' is old and ugly and mean)...

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SHE said I stole something that was not mine!

.(Blasphemer)!

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I would not EVER, EVER, do such a thing!!!!

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Now here's the doo~doo on what REALLY happened...

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"She" goes to walk out of the door.

...I wanted to go with her, but 'she' said "NO".

.(I do NOT like that word)...

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But at this point, my memory is a bit hazy, and I am not really sure what happened.

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But all of a sudden, I hear the door open again.

(This tells me she is back inside).

I run to meet and greet her.

And she says those four little words that would make any dogs paws quake.

"What have YOU done?"

I put on my bestest eyes, and look at her...

"Who, ME??"

"Nothing."

"I done NOTHING, I tell ya..."

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But 'she' said my puppy dog eyes do not phase her in the least.

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She says she KNOWS I done something wrong.

(But I didn't)!!!

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I DID NOT GET INTO THAT LITTLE CONTAINER OF SOUR CREAM!

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I WOULD NOT EVER DO SUCH A THING!

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I COULD NOT DO IT, NOT TO HER (CUZ I KNOW HOW MUCH 'SHE' LOVES THAT ON HER TATERS)!

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NOT EVER!

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Man, I don't even like the stuff!

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I say, I did NOT do that dastardly deed!!!

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(And I do NOT know why 'she' refuses to believe me)...

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I mean, YOU believe me, don't you?

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lOVE, pUNK

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Life is good...

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.Bye!

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ARF!!! to you too.

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9~11 "Doing?"

Good Solemn Morning...

I am thinking that I do not wish to offend anyone. And yet, I know that I probably will.

I have read through many of your blogs regarding September 11th, 2001.

Some have written about their own experiences.

Some about their political viewpoints.

Some have written about the feelings that this inspires within us.

We have all seen the conspiracy thoughts and videos, we have all seen the tragedies involved with the killing of innocents. We have all wrapped our arms around each other a little tighter too.

But I have yet to read ONE entry where there is a solution to any of this. Nor do I believe that I have that answer either.

I KNOW that Sept 11th, 2001 happened.

I know where I was. (Click).
I know where ALL of my loved ones were.

But it is not enough to simply acknowledge and know about all of this.

NO MATTER which side of the political arena we sit on, we need only to ensure that we do everything within our own power to ensure that the basic Preamble to the Constitution is met.

"We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

They searched for peace then. Trying to ensure it for all of us. It is all that we can hope and pray for now.

Good, bad (or ugly), this IS your land.
This is your home.
It is my home.

My parents taught me that there is honor in persevering.

And they taught me my own patriotic loyalty. That whatever happens, we all need to stick together, and never EVER waiver in that loyalty to our flag.

Too many have fought, many have died for us, since 1776, to turn our backs on any of it; in part or in whole.

Good. Bad. And everything inbetween.

I don't want to read about whether you think the war is right or wrong. Whether you want things to be different. We each have our own opinions sacred to our own souls.

I am waiting only to hear that we are SOMEHOW making/creating a difference for ourselves and for our babies.

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**** As a VERY IMPORTANT end note here I am going to copy a note I had sent out late last night, after wrapping my head around our latest weekend... and the phone call that came late yesterday...

"Dear Friends and Family;

I know many of you have been keeping up with Caseys diagnosis' throughout this all, and by clicking on my blog at the bottom of my emails to you. I thank you for that. Your words, visits, and phone calls have helped us more than you can know.

(It will be 3 years next month that she has had all these health problems).

And with last Fridays diagnosis, we have had a wonderful weekend; (the first in a VERY long time).

She has not been without pain, but seems more settled. Kind of like the lifting of the veil...

We have spent hours upon hours of reading online, and quite an education thus far. (And when we cannot concentrate anymore, we move on to blogs of course)!

After another go 'round with UWGB today, (Grrrr...); she waited here to have that confirmation phone call from Froedtert about the Crohns Disease diagnosis she'd received on Friday.

That call came about 4:30...

It was not the confirmation we had wanted to hear.

She left, still in tears after Dr. Josh had told her that he wasn't too very comfortable with the Crohn's Disease diagnosis that she had received from the radiologist on Friday.

Dr. Dua will be back late (this) afternoon, and will be in touch with us again on Wednesday. They are looking at still more tests at Froedtert.

Casey has said that after those tests, that will complete it for them. (Damn the torpedoes, and full speed ahead)?

She has tossed it around for a while, and is now wanting to go on to the Mayo Clinic. She will need a recommendation, (though THAT won't be too hard to get from her doctor here)...

Please keep her inbox full of good wishes."

http://edbdkcn.multiply.com/

Yeah. ... Life. ... "It's kinda like that."

P*E*A*C*E.

XOXO
Anne

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An Ethical Responsibility to Teachers and Parents

This, for all parents and teachers of every nation, race and creed...

Please feel free to link and to borrow the enclosed text. I will be bringing it to our local schools.

The following, because of our proximity to "Columbus Day"... (WHAT?!)?!?!?

Good Morning All!

It is a damp day, and 50 degrees as I type. (Beats the heck out of 90+ if you ask me).

A very good day to be cleaning too. (I will get to that nonsense when I am through here).

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The following artwork was done by my niece, Meghand Dorand Keirs. She is a highly talented and respected artist. (Click on her name if you might like to see more of what she has done).

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Having been trying to catch up on a few blogs, and being reminded that apathy and ignorance run rampant among some of us, I searched my danged computer for hours to find where I had stashed the following words... This, all brought on by reading Buttercups Blog about "Cowboys and Indians" from early this morning. Please click on that title should you want to see what made me go on a wild goose chase for these notes and ideas...

I am sorry that I cannot give credit to the author (but I know I had stolen it from one of the Native Groups on here).

Of interest is that every group of "peoples" that ourselves, (and our children), will ever interact with, can actually 'use' these ideas... whether of Native/Indigenous descent or not.

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Teaching the Young about Native Americans

Young children's conceptions of Native Americans often develop out of media portrayals and classroom role playing of the events of the First Thanksgiving. The conception of Native Americans gained from such early exposure is both inaccurate and potentially damaging to others.

For example, a visitor to a child care center heard a four-year-old saying, "Indians aren't people. They're all dead." ...This child had already acquired an inaccurate view of Native Americans, even though her classmates were children of many cultures, including a Native American child.

Derman-Sparks (1989) asserts that by failing to challenge existing biases we allow children to adopt attitudes based on inaccuracies. Her book is a guide for developing curriculum materials that reflect cultural diversity. This digest seeks to build on this effort by focusing on teaching children in early childhood classrooms about Native Americans.

Note that this digest, though it uses the term "Native American," recognizes and respects the common use of the term "American Indian" to describe the indigenous people of North America. While it is most accurate to use the tribal name when speaking of a specific tribe, there is no definitive preference for the use of "Native American" or "American Indian" among tribes or in the general literature.

STEREOTYPES CHILDREN SEE

Most young children are familiar with stereotypes of the Native American. Stereotypes are perpetuated by television, movies, and children's literature when they depict Native Americans negatively, as uncivilized, simple, superstitious, blood-thirsty savages, or positively, as romanticized heroes living in harmony with nature (Grant & Gillespie, 1992). The Disney Company presents both images in its films for children. For example, in the film PETER PAN, Princess Tiger Lily's father represents the negative stereotype as he holds Wendy's brothers hostage, while in the film POCAHONTAS, Pocahontas represents the positive stereotype who respects the earth and communicates with the trees and animals.

Many popular children's authors unwittingly perpetuate stereotypes. Richard Scarry's books frequently contain illustrations of animals dressed in buckskin and feathers, while Mercer Mayer's alphabet book includes an alligator dressed as an Indian. Both authors present a dehumanized image, in which anyone or anything can become Native American simply by putting on certain clothes. TEN LITTLE RABBITS, although beautifully illustrated, dehumanizes Native Americans by turning them into objects for counting. BROTHER EAGLE, SISTER SKY (Harris, 1993) contains a speech delivered by Chief Seattle of the Squamish tribe in the northwestern United States. However, Susan Jeffers' illustrations are of the Plains Indians, and include fringed buckskin clothes and teepees, rather than Squamish clothing and homes.

AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF NATIVE AMERICANS

Native Americans make up less than one percent of the total U.S. population; yet represent HALF the languages and cultures in the nation.

The term "Native American" includes over 500 different groups and reflects great diversity of geographic location, language, socioeconomic conditions, school experience, and retention of traditional spiritual and cultural practices. However, most of the commercially prepared teaching materials available present a generalized image of Native American people with little or no regard for differences that exist from tribe to tribe.

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

When teachers engage young children in project work, teachers should choose concrete topics in order to enable children to draw on their own understanding. In teaching about Native Americans, the most relevant, interactive experience would be to have Native American children in the classroom. Such experience makes feasible implementing anti-bias curriculum suggestions. Teachers may want to implement the project approach (Katz & Chard, 1989), as it will allow children to carry on an in-depth investigation of a culture they have direct experience with.

In these situations, teachers may prepare themselves for working with Native American families by engaging in what Emberton (1994) calls "cultural homework": reading current information about the families' tribe, tribal history, and traditional recreational and spiritual activities; and learning the correct pronunciation of personal names.

POSITIVE STRATEGIES

A number of positive strategies can be used in classrooms, regardless of whether Native American children are members of the class.

1. PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICANS to balance historical information. Teaching about Native Americans exclusively from a historical perspective may perpetuate the idea that they exist only in the past.

2. PREPARE UNITS ABOUT SPECIFIC TRIBES, rather than units about "Native Americans." For example, develop a unit about the people of Nambe Pueblo, the Turtle Mountain Chippewa, the Potawotami. Ideally, choose a tribe with a historical or contemporary role in the local community. Such a unit will provide children with culturally specific knowledge (pertaining to a single group) rather than overgeneralized stereotypes.

3. LOCATE AND USE BOOKS THAT SHOW CONTEMPORARY CHILDREN OF ALL COLORS ENGAGED IN THEIR USUAL, DAILY ACTIVITIES playing basketball, riding bicycles as well as traditional activities. Make the books easily accessible to children throughout the school year.

Three excellent titles on the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico are: PUEBLO STORYTELLER, by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith; PUEBLO BOY: GROWING UP IN TWO WORLDS, by Marcia Keegan; and CHILDREN OF CLAY, by Rina Swentzell.

4. OBTAIN POSTERS THAT SHOW NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN IN CONTEMPORARY CONTEXTS, especially when teaching younger elementary children. When selecting historical posters for use with older children, make certain that the posters are culturally authentic and that you know enough about the tribe depicted to share authentic information with your students.

5. USE "PERSONA" DOLLS (dolls with different skin colors) in the dramatic play area of the classroom on a daily basis. Dress them in the same clothing (t-shirts, jeans) children in the United States typically wear and bring out special clothing (for example, manta, shawl, moccasins, turquoise jewelry for Pueblo girls) for dolls only on special days.

6. COOK ETHNIC FOODS but be careful not to imply that all members of a particular group eat a specific food.

7. BE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHICH TRIBES USE PARTICULAR ITEMS.

when discussing cultural artifacts (such as clothing or housing) and traditional foods. The Plains tribes use feathered headdresses, for example, but not all other tribes use them.

8. CRITIQUE A THANKSGIVING POSTER DEPICTING THE TRADITIONAL, STEREOTYPED PILGRIM AND INDIAN FIGURES.

... especially when teaching older elementary school children. Take care to select a picture that most children are familiar with, such as those shown on grocery bags or holiday greeting cards. Critically analyze the poster, noting the many tribes the artist has combined into one general image that fails to provide accurate information about any single tribe. (Stutzman, 1993).

9. AT THANKSGIVING, SHIFT THE FOCUS AWAY FROM RE~ENACTING THE "FIRST THANKSGIVING."

Instead, focus on items children can be thankful for in their own lives, and on their families' celebrations of Thanksgiving at home.

Besides using these strategies in their classrooms, teachers need to educate themselves.

MacCann (1993) notes that stereotyping is not always obvious to people surrounded by mainstream culture. Numerous guidelines have been prepared to aid in the selection of materials that work against stereotypes (for example, see Slapin and Seale [1992]).

PRACTICES TO AVOID:

• AVOID USING OVER-GENERALIZED BOOKS, curriculum guides, and lesson plans; and teaching kits with a "Native American" theme. Although the goal of these materials is to teach about other cultures in positive ways, most of the materials group Native Americans too broadly. When seeking out materials, look for those which focus on a single tribe.
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  AVOID THE "TOURIST CURRICULUM" as described by Derman-Sparks. This kind of curriculum teaches predominantly through celebrations and seasonal holidays, and through traditional food and artifacts. It teaches in isolated units rather than in an integrated way and emphasizes exotic differences, focusing on specific events rather than on daily life.
  
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  AVOID PRESENTING SACRED ACTIVITIES IN TRIVIAL WAYS. In early childhood classrooms, for example, a popular activity involves children in making headbands with feathers, even though feathers are highly religious articles for some tribes. By way of example, consider how a devout Catholic might feel about children making a chalice out of paper cups and glitter.
  
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  AVOID INTRODUCING THE TOPIC OF NATIVE AMERICANS ON COLUMBUS DAY OR AT THANKSGIVING. Doing so perpetuates the idea that Native Americans do not exist in the present.

CONCLUSION:

Much remains to be done to counter stereotypes of Native Americans learned by young children in our society.

Teachers must provide accurate instruction not only about history; but also about the contemporary lives of Native Americans. '

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"Teachers must teach"

-without prejudice, bias, or duress.

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Sunset at Flintville... 09~09~07

Yes, I must have a pretty nasty camera when a painting looks so much better than a photo!

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Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

XOXO
Anne

NATIVE AMERICAN TEACHINGS, from RT's Blog click and watch

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TEACHERS, NATIVE CODE OF ETHICS LINK click

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Teachers MAKE every other profession. click

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