Do you Rubber Mulch? (and Iris Color Revealed!)

Posted on April 3, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

The past weekend involved a work in the front yard day.  March 31.  Our temp reached 92 degrees.  Regardless, we made the trip to Home Depot (twice), loaded up with mulch, and started the job.  The past couple of years we have debated on trying the rubber mulch.  The company claims that the color lasts 12 years.  That it will save you work and money not having to re-mulch year after year.  No, I don’t believe them.  Scotts has a one year color guarantee on their regular mulch and the reality has been about two months, maybe three for our sun in Oklahoma.  After visiting with my sister though, (no pressure, Renae!) we decided to go with the rubber mulch this year.  The cost is quite a bit more.  But if VIGORO’s word is true, we’ll be in good shape.  Plus, this time I am keeping the receipt and a bag.  I will “call” them on it if there is a problem AND let you know, too!

Besides loading up the mulch, I think the toughest job was watching my hubby dig out the old.  It was really hot standing out there. 😉 Then bagging up what I didn’t reuse to fill the bottom of some flower pots, that was a chore, too.  As I write this, it sounds so easy!  It took us several hours and we have aches and pains today, so there IS some work involved.

The after really is pretty.  And it looks like regular mulch. But it smells like a tire store! (but just at first) We still have the backyard to go.  I am doing regular mulch on it and we’ll have a good comparison for the future.

The Columbines are blooming!

Iris Bloom Reveal!!!And so is the Iris!  Three great big beautiful blooms!  I reviewed the “guesses” of our flower color and there was no exact guess, as this is an unusual color mix.  My “executive” decision (I’ve always wanted to say that! 😉 ) is to go with Delores McElmurry’s guess of white with lavender.  I think every one of you  had a “little” bit of it correct!  I’ll get with Delores.  She has a choice of Sonic gift card, Starbuck gift card or a magazine subscription.  To my other guessers….send me you mailing address and I’ll send you a STUFF I TELL MY SISTER bracelet! (psblaxton@att.net)  Thanks to all for reading STUFF I TELL MY SISTER!!!  You guys are awesome! ♥

Be kind to each other ~ you never know what they may be going through …

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Hotdog Heaven in Enid, Oklahoma

Posted on April 2, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

I cannot believe that April is here!!  It’s my BIRTHDAY month…..plus I love the word, APRIL.  April means more sunshine, flowers, Easter, and garage sales and exploring.  April is a month of hope for good things to come.

Hubby and I were blessed to get to spend the day with our younger set of kiddos in Enid, Oklahoma, on Saturday.  We had fun catching up, shopping, eating, taking pics, playing with Ms. Paisley (the grandpup), etc!  Malachi even amazed us when I gave him the Sonic Happy Hour Challenge.  We had only 5 minutes to get there and order our 1/2 price drinks.  He got us there and the button pushed with 1 minute to spare!  What a man. 😉

The discussion of “where do you wanna eat” came up as it always does.  We went downtown to eat hotdogs. Not just any hotdogs.  AMAZING hotdogs at Dogtown in downtown Enid.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  And you are about to understand that!  Have a great Monday, friends.  If you ever find yourself in Enid, Oklahoma, treat yourself to a “Dog” ~ (and stop by and say hello to our kids!)

With spicy coldslaw, salsa, and jalepenos~   The #6

Or how ’bout some bacon and beans?  The Aztec

#9 is the Salty Dog ~  A Pig in a Blanket….but none like I’d ever seen!

Mine was a “custom” because I wanted a normal hotdog.  Once I got the hotdog wiener out, it was perfect!  Plus, now that I’ve tasted the spicy coleslaw, I will get a BIG heaping of that next time! (my cholesterol food for the week!)

And here is Ms. Paisley….talk about a hotdog! Oh…and Chi and Angie, too.  Thanks for a fun Saturday, guys!

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MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT!

Posted on March 31, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

Oklahoma (AND MANY OTHER STATES) Mega Millions Jackpot finally arrived Friday night.  Lines were forming outside of stores known for having big winners.  The news was interviewing “expert” number choosers.  I was in my backyard “eavesdropping” on a neighbor conversation about how one of our local convenience stores had sold over $10,000 already on Friday.  I know…..if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…you should spend your hard-earned money more wisely.  If all the money that was spent on that silly lottery was lumped together, do you know how much good it could do someone?!?!

I am not disagreeing with any of the above.  So don’t judge me when I tell you that last night when my hubby called and  said he was on his way home, I said, “OOOOhhhh….we have to go buy a Mega Million ticket!”  So he picked me up and off we went to the Kum and Go.  We are very experienced at buying lotto tickets.  We walked in and immediately the young men knew we were clueless.  One of them finally asked, “What do you want to buy?” to which I replied..”The big one!”  and then he says, “Do you want Megaball?”.  And five minutes later, we determined, yes, Megaball.  Next question, “Do you want to choose your own numbers?”  Who knew it was so complicated to spend two dollars?!?!

I took a phone picture of the ticket and sent to my kids and my sister and niece, telling them that their troubles would soon be over.  A bit later, I got a phone pic back of one of their lotto tickets ~ they had purchased already.

Did we really think we would win, you ask?  That’s not the point.  For me, it’s fun.  It’s exciting.  It’s getting your mind off of the crummy stuff that life hurls at you whether you are ready or not.  It’s spending that money in your head over and over again.  It’s buying people houses and cars and going on trips.  It’s dreaming at it’s best.  It’s hope ♥  And if we happen to win, well then, that’s just the gravy, now isn’t it!

So leave me alone with my lotto ticket, and do not judge me ~  I’m trying to enjoy life … 😉

(Oh….and nope….we didn’t win, but we will NOT stop dreaming or hoping ♥ )

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Self-Defense ~ Be Prepared

Posted on March 30, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

Last Saturday, I took a concealed carry class.  My hubby had been wanting me to take it for forever.  But I needed to be the one to make that decision.  I needed to do it for me.  Please do not think this post is me trying to convince you to buy a gun.  It is not.  It IS about making you think about how you would protect yourself.

Back to the class instruction.  My friend, Geri, took the class with me.  She said she had not shot in several years and was a bit nervous.  I had been out several times in the previous weeks, and still was nervous.  Several reasons for that.  Instructor. (he turned out to be awesome, yay Evan!)  Fear of not knowing what the class would involve.  TEST at the end.  And the biggy, I grew up shooting revolvers and shotguns.  Not semi-auto’s.  It would be to my advantage on my licensing to take the shooting portion of the class with a semi-auto, and I wasn’t a fan. I can burn one up now. 😉 On to my next point…

IF it is offered in your state and you make the decision to take the concealed carry class, don’t go in blind.  I had another friend that wanted to take the class, but she is unfamiliar with guns.  She wanted to know if she should still take it.  I gave her the instructor’s number and suggested she visit with him.  Now that I’ve taken the class I can definitely say, do not take the class if you don’t know guns.  Take private instruction first.  You will not only be confident, you will not hurt anyone in the learning process.  You can get an hour of instruction for about $50.  Money well spent if you are serious.  After the class, you STILL have to practice. It must come natural to you.   You cannot have enough instruction!

If you are afraid of guns and/or don’t intend on learning & practicing, you don’t need a gun.  You could simply end up hurting yourself or someone else.  There are other ways to defend yourself.

If you DO decide to go with a gun, you MUST be responsible at all times.  If there are or will be children in your home, or stupid adults, you do not keep the gun loaded.  You keep the ammo separate from the gun.  You keep the gun locked and in a safe place.  Make no assumptions.

Back to the class ~I aced the fifteen question class. (!)  They were basic safety questions.  The shooting was frustrating because my gun jammed, but the instructor was gracious enough to loan me a weapon and then I killed it! I started out with five rounds to the head, and was “gently” reminded that I was to shoot the heart area. 😉 (the requirement was 50 rounds)

There are a lot of examples given in the class to make you think of how you would properly handle different scenarios.  And that is the key…to make you THINK first.  People kill people.  Killing is not on my bucket list, friends.  But I do want to be able to defend myself & my loved ones, if necessary.

If you “google” the area you live in, you can find self-defense classes, concealed carry classes, shooting instruction, and other means to defend yourself.  I talked to a couple of the guys at Sports World. ( http://www.sportsworldtulsa.com/) and they showed me some good alternatives to look at for self-defense.  These people WANT to assist you.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions!  (By the way, I always sport my hot pink mace!)

* Also pointed out in our class ~ YOUR PHONE IS PART OF YOUR SELF-DEFENSE ~ CALL 911! *

This is “BABY”.  She’s the real owner of Sport’s World and the other folks just work for her. 😉 ( No offense guys, but Baby is why I love to visit your store!)

The point is: FIND WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH and then LEARN IT.  If you  “buy” a taser gun, but don’t read up on it and study defense strategies, it’s useless.  My private instructor taught me how to search my house, and how to barricade, if necessary.  THEN he gave me homework on practicing the process at home.  Heaven forbid any of us ever need this, but a little research and preparation could save your life. Something to think about ~

Life is Short ~ Peace is Sweet

Be Kind to Each Other ♥

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What Color Am I?

Posted on March 29, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

A couple of days ago I was out taking “flower” pics.  I have a wide-angle macro lens that I know nothing about, so was “playing” with it.  I was not expecting Mr. Eagle, nor was he expecting me!  Regardless, I love having him hang around.  (he just flew over minutes ago when I was in the backyard!)

Oklahoma Redbud Tree

One lonely tulip survivor of about 150 bulbs planted.  Loving the yellow!

And now for the Iris plant above.  I’m taking guesses on what color you think the bloom(s) will be.  I’ll show a pic of the bloom (when it happens) and whoever guesses closest gets a Surprise! (more than a package of gum ~ less than a used car….;) ) Put your color guesses in the comment area!  I may guess too, because I don’t even know!  Thanks for the Iris bulbs, Mom!!!

HaPPy Thursday, people!  Be nice to others ♥

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An After Dinner Walk ~

Posted on March 28, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

Now that I have adjusted to time change, I. Love. It.  My husband suggested a walk after dinner, last night.  So we headed to a property not far from our place.  What we discovered, up the winding road, was an old farm place.  I’m sure it was active and lovely, during it’s day.  I stood there thinking about my grandparent’s farm and how many great memories I had from that time.  Perhaps, somewhere, there are some grandkids with those same feelings about this place?  It’s sad that it is now abandoned, grown over, and for sale.  But regardless, the love that was once there, will live on…..

Life is Short, Peace is Sweet.  Don’t forget to Pay it Forward ♥

If you have time, I think our friend Trisha Yearwood sums it up best in her song “The Dreaming Fields”.

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My Witness ~ A Note From Ginifer Ree & “Three Years Ago Today” follow-up ~

Posted on March 27, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

 This is a follow-up to my Saturday post.    (https://stuffitellmysister.me/2012/03/24/three-years-ago-today/ )While “three years ago” has been on my mind these past few days, who pops up on my Facebook as a friend request, but Ginifer Ree!  She is the dear and sweet witness that was there for me when I had my accident. In visiting with her via Facebook last night, I told her about my Saturday post.  She then said that I should go to her “notes”  on her Facebook page. I read her October 5th, 2011, entry.  Ginifer has graciously allowed me to share it with you:  

WAKE UP CALL!!!

by Ginifer Ree on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 11:28pm ·

  So, as most of you know, my husband & I have been going through some pretty rough stuff this last year financially.  A couple of weeks ago, right in the midst of all our chaos & at the very peak of it when I didn’t think I could handle anymore, something I think is pretty significant happened to me & it has been on my heart ever since to share.  This isn’t a debate about religion or anything, just about my personal beliefs, feelings & the way that I interpret certain things in my heart.  This is what happened.

I was already having a pretty rough start to my day, trying to get Ashlynn adjusted to her new schedule for school & dealing with all of her stuff including working on mom’s house, figuring out finances, getting moved out of the other house by that specific date, my ulcer….you name it, we were probably going through it.  Ash woke up mad & crying b/c she was tired, which normally does not start me off to a good day either.  I got her off to school, then mom & I headed over to the other house to try to get a couple of truck loads of stuff.  It was an all around HORRIBLE day.  I was on the verge of crying that day & my stress level was through the roof.  I didn’t feel like I could handle much more at that time.  I wanted to literally climb in a hole & hide.  Yes, it was THAT bad.  I consider myself a pretty strong person & I can carry a lot on these broad shoulders of mine, but that particular day, I was feeling helpless.

I went to check the mail just to see if anything had come, since I had all of our mail forwarded to the new address & there shouldn’t have been anything coming to that address anymore.  There was a card in the mail & I didn’t recognize the return address.  I opened it & this is what it said.

“~Dear Kelly & Ginifer,

On 3/24/09, you witnessed an accident near Sonic on 116th.  My car was t-boned after a young lady ran a light.  Now, over 2 yrs passes & my surgeries are over & the case is closed & I can finally tell you  both THANK YOU so much for staying to inform OPD & for just being there, when you didn’t have to be involved at all.  Your kindness is so much appreciated!  May God richly bless you both!

Truly Greatful~”

I read this card & my eyes welled up with tears & automatically I thanked God.  He knew I was in a dark place that day & He knew I needed a wake up call.  And that was what I got.  This lady’s wreck was terrible & we witnessed the whole thing.  Ash still talks about it to this day every time we drive by that spot & I can see it replaying in my mind even as I type this.  It amazes me that someone in that bad of shape would even think to find out who we were & thank us for staying with her.  She even enclosed a $10 gift card to Sonic.  She thought that much about what we did, even seeming so small to us, to send us a card & a gift over 2 years later.  I took away a HUGE message out of that one little card.  It amazes me.  I wrote her back telling her how much her card & thoughts meant to me & how it totally changed me that day & the rest of that week for that matter.  I wouldn’t have done anything different that day.

Life is too short to be mad at someone, especially family, over stupid petty things.  Life is too short to be mean, hideous & judgemental to people, you never know what someone else might be going through in their life.  Life is too short to think that just b/c you have more than someone else that you are better than them.  Make as many friends as possible.  Don’t have any enemies.  Think about what you are going to say to someone & how it will affect them BEFORE you say it.  Forgive them & let God be their judge.  Besides, in the end, none of this stuff will matter.  You can’t take it with you.  I got it.  I hope someone else gets it too.  😉

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow….coincidence?  I think not.  So great to connect with you again, Ginifer! And under better circumstances.  Thanks for all you did AND for reconnecting with me!  I promise to pay your kindness forward.  May God richly bless you and yours ♥

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REACH

Posted on March 26, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

In the past couple of weeks, due to crazy warm weather, I’ve been cleaning out flower beds and trimming down hedges, etc.  Yesterday, in the 80’s here, it was time to tackle the front yard.  We always scalp it the first time of the season to help get rid of the old winter stuff.  But this writing is not about Spring or yard work.  It’s about what happened AFTER the yard work.

Sno-cones.  We came inside and were trying to cool off a bit, when my husband got on his computer and said, “Oh, Cardinal Sno-Cones over in Collinsville is open today.”  Me….”How do you know?” Him….”Tyson posted it, you buy a REACH shirt, you get a coupon for 10 free sno-cones.”  Me ~ “That sno-cone stand belongs to Tyson?  What does he NOT do?”  And twenty minutes later, we were in the truck and headed to Collinsville, Oklahoma, where I had my first Wedding Cake with Cream snowcone of the season!  But this post is not about sno-cones.

Tyson Baker is a young man, almost 21 years old, that my husband and I read about in our little local newspaper a couple of years ago.  He is a man taking a stand against bullying in a GRAND way.  Tyson grew up in a small town, but bullying happens there, too.  His sister came home from school one day and was truly upset because she had witnessed someone being bullied.   And WHY?  Because they were wearing the same shirt to school every day and couldn’t afford new clothes.  Tyson took this to heart and decided at that moment that he was going to not only take a stand against bullying, he was going to rally people and let them help make a difference, too.   And so  REACH Clothing  was born in his heart and mind.  And it has been spreading like dandelion weeds ever since!  http://www.reach-clothing.com/aboutus.sc

YOU can be involved in this so easily!  Just purchase a t-shirt from him.  When you buy a shirt, he then gives a shirt away.  In essence, you are buying two shirts.  One for you and one to help someone.  And once he hit’s that magic number of 250, he does a delivery and hands out shirts to those in need. You can read more about his touching “delivery days” in his blog.  http://blog.reach-clothing.com/  Then there is his facebook page, for easy updates to your page.  If you like what you see, share it on your page.   https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/reachclothing

Yesterday, after we finished our sno-cones, Tyson showed us his REACH operation.  In the front of an old garage, he has his amazing printscreen machine set up.  Just around the corner from that is his office, where all of the designs begin.  His beautiful girlfriend has the same passion for his mission, and as she sports her “reach clothing” attire, she turns to go help another customer at the sno-cone stand so that Tyson can continue our “tour”.

As I watched Tyson talk yesterday and saw his excitement for Reach Clothing, it reminded me of something our youngest son said when he met Tyson.  “He’s not waiting on his dream to happen, he’s tackling it head on right now.”  We are so proud of Tyson and all that he is doing.  He is making a difference.  One shirt at a time.  I’m glad to have some small part in that.  Check it out ~

p.s.  I LOVE my t-shirt from Reach clothing!  It’s made of organic material and is silkly soft!  just fyi ~

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What is Your Favorite Aisle?

Posted on March 25, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

So this was a question asked this weekend of a fellow blogger, “What is your favorite aisle?” (to shop)  www.intheoldroad.blogspot.com   Any store. Any thing.  This was a no brainer for me.  I LOVE SWEETS….and habanero cheese ~

About once a month, hubby and take the scenic drive over to Chouteau, Oklahoma.  It’s about 45ish minutes, but well worth the drive to The Amish Cheese House. (www.Amishcheesehouse.com)   Here we pick up our “staples” (hehehe), and then grab a scrumptious sandwich made on Nettie Ann’s home-made wheat bread.   We are then out the door to grab a cherry coke at Sonic….let the picnic begin!

There are several flea markets and antique shops to rummage through while you are in this area.  And if you come early enough, you can forfeit the sandwich and eat the buffet breakfast at The Amish buffet place across the street from the Cheese House. (they serve other meals too, different foods for different days ~)

NOW…..What is YOUR favorite aisle to shop? Anything, anywhere…..(but keep it family friendly!) HaPPy Sunday!  😉

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Three Years Ago Today……

Posted on March 24, 2012 by stuffitellmysister

Three years ago today meant it was time to shop for a new car.  That should be an exciting time, right!  Not when you look at the pic below to see WHY we were going to be car shopping.car

Lots of people have car accidents everyday.  But I don’t.  This was just my second. And my first totaled vehicle.  I must say it was a learning experience I would never wish on my worst enemy.  Well ~ okay ~ maybe on them . 😉

What did I Learn???  This is only a portion:

  • That someone screaming, when your car is spinning round and round, is more than likely “you”.
  • Strangers become new friends when they call 911 and talk to you through the window, reassuring you that help is on the way. (AND stay as a witness for a police report.)
  • When you’ve just left Sonic before your accident and you have two cherry cokes with extra cherry syrup in the cupholders….and they FLY everywhere on impact…EMT’s might just think that is blood.  And so might the wrecker service.  And that’s kinda funny ~
  • The panic in your hubby’s face when he first sees you & your car (that you haven’t yet seen from the outside) means it must look pretty bad.
  • First rides in the ambulance are not as exciting as on Grey’s Anatomy.  Especially when you are riding with the person who ran the red light and hit you~
  • The first thing ER wants to do is give you a tetanus shot.  But they didn’t.  Cause I hate shots.
  • You never want to be hit by anyone with Farmer’s Insurance. ‘Nuff said ~
  • No one wants to accept third-party insurance.  But then they do.
  • Sometimes you have no choice but to get an attorney.  Choose carefully.  I got a good one!
  • Sometimes you have no choice but to have knee surgery.
  • Sleepless nights are inevitable.
  • When the surgeon says, “No more running”, you’ll still try.  And it will hurt. And his point is then understood.
  • The entire process takes forever and a day.
  • You will never want to drive again.
  • You are blessed if you have a patient spouse, that makes you get in the car and takes you for drives on country roads so that you can get used to being in the car again.  He understands the tears of fear.
  • You will not want to shop for a new car.  You’ll tell him to just pick one out.  You don’t care.  You’ll care later and blame him for not getting the heated leather seats.  lol!
  • You may think that you are having a nervous breakdown.  There are very kind doctors that will talk you through it.
  • Not very many people will “get” what you are going through.
  • You will preach to everyone about the hazards of texting and driving, even though it was never proved that was the other driver’s reason for running the red light.  Your gut says otherwise.
  • You will be the most cautious driver ever now.  No one will want to ride with you.  No one will want you to ride with them.
  • You look at everything differently.  You never attempt a left turn at that protected light again.  Your heart races without warning just driving through the intersection, even three years later.
  • You will never get an explanation or an apology from the person that not only disrupted your life, but changed it forever.  It’s left for to you to deal with and figure it all out….
  • You can’t help but wonder, did it change her life, too?
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