Washin' It 6-1-14

This is pretty much what we did today. We cleaned our windows, curtains vacuumed the floors and planted pepper plants. Not much else happened today it was basically just a lazy, yet somewhat productive Sunday at home. I love when my man steps away from what he's doing and helps me with house work. Thanks babe!

50 Years 5-31-14

We celebrated Jo & Steve Wilson's 50th anniversary today. Their family set up a wonderful drop in get together out in front of their cabin on the river. It was a beautiful day filled with smiles, laughter, hugs and memories both old and new. We were so blessed to be able to spend the afternoon with these sweet people and celebrate their 50 years of adventures together.

Blackbirds and Coyotes 5-30-14

Tonight Dustin and I went to Blackbird Café where they were serving up delicious food (or course) and hosting an art walk with three different artists from around the area. They also had one of my favorite local bands playing tonight, Coyote Union. We started out our year listening to Coyote Union as we rocked out at their New Years eve concert with Kib and Sarah in an old bowling alley. Tonight they put on a great show as well. It's going to be exciting to see where their talent them!
This is the best picture I got tonight. There are times I am just to in the moment to really get any great pictures...so this will have to do.

Also I want to include their Official music video to one of their most popular songs, Teardrop River....check them out!!

Soaking The Itch Away 5-29-14

So on the 5-27-14 blog, "Worth It", I went to Clysta Willett to take pictures of the flowers. After getting quite a few tick bites and several more chigger bites I am not so sure that title fits. When I get tick and chigger bites it feels like I have a flesh eating disease for several days. I react terribly to them and when there are 10+ from the waist down it is pretty miserable. So I took a hot Epsom Salt and Baking Soda bath tonight to try and draw out some of the itch and burn. It helped A LOT actually. I was having a hard to finding a shot worthy of a picture today so I decided to go a little on the odd and artsy side for todays picture.....

Sunshine On a Cloudy Day 5-28-14

Today has been mostly cloudy with intermittent showers. Actually, that's been the forecast all week. As I was coming out of my favorite grocery store, The Truck Patch, I looked up and saw this beauty of a sight. The plants have gotten a wonderful drink this week and my eyes have feasted on the beautiful cloud formations that have frequented the skies.

I was messing around in Photoshop as I was cropping this picture and I wound up with this look.... weird, yea?

Worth It 5-27-14

After I got off work and before my niece's softball game, I stopped at Clysta Willett to take some flower pictures. I got flower pictures, unfortunately I picked up some hitchhiking ticks and chiggers too, but I think these might be worth it. If you click on the pictures and make them bigger they look even better. My favorite out of this group is the little fragile poppy with the tiny grasshopper in it.

Memorial Day 5-26-14

Dustin had to work today and while he was gone I went to the Mountain Home Memorial Day ceremony for the first time. It was a very special ceremony honoring the men and women, especially from our area, that served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice. I was pleased to see so many people of all ages attend. Memorial day is a day to honor and remember the fallen who sacrificed everything for our freedom. If that point wasn't well brought to mind at the ceremony, it was brought to mind when I later got onto facebook. There was pictures of people with there families having good times together and then there was a picture of a decorated grave. A man that I once knew that had served his country and made that sacrifice in 2010. Memorial day is considerably different for his family than it is for mine as they go visit the grave of their brother, son, uncle....husband.
We may not have had to experience the pain of a loved one in the military who didn't get to come back, but we can honor their memory and reflect on the sacrifice they and their families have made.
I love this picture of a Veteran honoring the fallen as the colors were presented.

Day of Rest 5-25-14

We got home late last night from Jasper, so we just had a sleep in and not do a whole lot kind of day. We did get a handful of peas off the sugar snap pea plant in our garden though! I love the designs the feelers of the pea plants make around the stick trellis.

Buffalo River Fun 5-24-14

Dustin and I headed down to the Buffalo River this morning with three guidebooks in hand. We decided to go down to Woolum Campground and look for the trail that would take us to "The Nars" or "Narrows" Well here it is.....

So we went to the car and changed into our swimming attire and waded across the Buffalo River. It wound up being just past waist deep for me but the rocks were super slippery and the current made it tricky, but we did it without slipping an falling all the way in! There is actually an easier way to get here down a little dirt road, but it would have taken us 45+ minutes out of our way. Once we made it across there was a nice mile and a half walk down to the place you can scramble up the rocks to see the Nars. We had a picnic up at the base of the Nars and then I scrambled up to the top. Dustin was so stinkin' nervous for me. Later he told me it is because I am often so clumsy.......thanks hon. Half way up though I got a little nervous myself. At some points climbing up, your footing is less than a foot away from the dead drop off into the Buffalo River. I made it to the top though and Dustin came too. It was seriously an awesome view at the top. On one side you get a gorgeous view of the Buffalo River and Skull Rock then the other side you have a beautiful outlook over Ozark farm country with rolling hills in the backdrop. So worth the wading of the river, the hike and the climb!

The "Nars" on the Buffalo River. If you look close enough you might see Dustin!

The view of the fields as seen from the top of the Nars

The view from the top of The Nars looking out over the Buffalo River.

I loved the view from the top!

We also went to a swimming hole in Erbie Campground before we headed into Jasper to have dinner at The Arkansas House in Jasper. After dinner we watched one of my favorite bands, National Park Radio, do FANTASTIC job as they rocked out the little theater in Jasper.

Third Base 5-23-14

My youngest niece had a softball game this evening. She did great! This was her about to run for home base.

Fans in the Stands 5-22-14

My oldest Niece had a softball game tonight. Two of her friends actually got to come to her game, they even made "Go Natalie" signs. It was cute to see them cheer for her. The team Natalie is on didn't win tonight, but at this age that's not super important for her. She is just happy to be playing the game.

From The Heart 5-21-14

 

 

So this is what my tea bag said to me this morning. I like the saying, I really do.  However, I made a sort of sound between a grunt and a chuckle when I first read it. It is a nice sentiment, but I have a problem. I get at least 1-3 pieces of charity mail A DAY asking for money. They put the saddest picture they have on the envelopes and the heart wrenching papers inside. I wish I could help all of them, I realllly do. I would literally be broke, and living on the streets if I "lived from my heart".

 

I would also have no time to be with my husband and family or keep a paying job if I where to "live from my heart". My heart wants more than anything to help every creature from man to beast. I have said to Dustin that if I could, I would literally volunteer my life away. Volunteering my time to help others is what I LOVE. I would much rather volunteer to help in some way than "go to work" and draw a pay check, it really is just a lot more fun to me, but in this money hungry world we live in I obviously can not just "live from my heart".

 

Another reason why I felt mocked by this tea bag is because in my heart right next to volunteering and charities is travel and exploration of new places. I find it very difficult to find the money for travel when it is all eaten up by the monster we all know named reality.

 

So Thank You, Yogi Tea Bag, for the words that meant to inspire, I know you meant well. However, as I was sitting in that dreary cold office, like I do every day making $1.75 over minimum wage, I must say that I felt the opposite of inspired as I was reminded of the fact that I can't afford to truly "live from my heart". Living from this free spirited, yet extremely tender heart of mine would be way out of my budget.

 

 

 

 

 

Vote! 5-20-14

Today I made sure to make it to the polls to vote in the primaries. I think it is important to learn about the candidates and make an educated vote for those that will best represent us as a state or county. I feel proud to wear the "I voted Today" sticker. Many women, that came before me, fought for that right and I don't want to take their hard work for granted. Also many men and women have fought for my right as a citizen to be able to come to the polls in peace to cast the vote of my choice. I am not a highly political person that watches all the politics on the news, but I think going to the polls and making an educated vote is very important.

Not What I Was Looking For 5-19-14

So I went into Salvation Army Thrift store today looking for another large whicker type basket for my strawberries. Well, I didn't find the right basket, but I did come out of there with three pairs of practically brand new shoes and a skirt for $17.50! They were having a 25% off sale on shoes and all three of these just happened to be just my size! So I am still on the search for the perfect basket, but at least I have some cute shoes!

Look At Her Go! 5-18-14

Mom started using her cane in the last couple days. She has really made great progress! We walked out on her back porch tonight when I went out to visit her. Everyone is so impressed by her progress. Look at that pretty cane my dad bought her, it has pretty pink roses on it! No boring cane for this pretty lady!

Arkansas Jungle 5-17-14

My sister and I had a double date with our dad today. I took them both to a waterfall I had been to before, Funnel Falls. I had been there in the winter however and now, almost summer, it looked COMPLETELY different. It looked as if we were hiking down into a some kind of time warp that was sucking us back into the prehistoric days. Ferns and greenery where every where, it was magical. The waterfalls where running pretty good too. I even made it out of there without a single tick attached! My sis and dad loved the experience and we all had such a good time.

This was the trail we followed down to the falls.

Nature Loves Me Too 5-16-14

While Dustin was helping at Flippin High School's Graduation the pups and I hit the trail. It was sprinkling most of the time we were out there, but there is so much tree cover that we hardly got wet.

This is one of my best hiking buds. Even though she is often off her leash (I know, shame on me) she pretty much stays right here the whole walk, especially if we are walking without Dustin. She might just love me.

The water in this little cove was really this color!

As we were walking back I passed this rock and noticed it has a tattoo! Ok so maybe a birthmark? Either way, I thought it was sweet of nature to send me a sign of love, I heart you too!

Arm Wrestle 5-15-14

Our friends Sarah and Kib where over tonight. Before the guys headed to tennis some comment started an arm wrestling contest. These two are hilarious. I swore secrecy as to the results of the battle so all you get instead is this picture, you can make your own predictions.

Troy 5-14-14

This is Troy. He is the cat I adopted with my mom when I was about 17. Since I got married and moved out he has stayed with mom. He is a loving cat that looks like the name "Garfield" might fit him better than Troy, he is a big kitty. He also licks human skin more than normal cats. I can't stand cat licks, they feel like wet sand paper. We has been living at our house since mom had her knee surgery. He was laying on my stomach while I lounged on the couch tonight.

Another Rainy Day 5-13-14

 It's been another rainy day here so much so our niece's softball games where cancelled. On our slightly moist walk this evening we saw these pretty little wildflowers on the side of the road.