Surprise in the mail

  Today I received a letter from the Dole Customer Relations manager. A couple of weeks ago I purchased two bags of Dole potatoes (yep, the banana people). When I was peeling them, the middles of almost every potato was gray inside. The outside was perfect, just the inside was kind of like rotten, but not the usual rotten potato.
  I spotted a toll free number on the bag, and that just said to me....call them! So, I did. I asked the lady why the outside of the potato was fine, but the inside was rotten. She explained to me that when a potato gets cold, it does something to the inside, which causes in in fact to start to rot from the inside out. She asked where I got the potato from, and how much they cost.
  Today I got in the mail a letter of apology, along with four crisp one dollar bills. Looks like I will be able to use them to send out to the grandkids! I still have my $20.00 in M&M coupons. I just might send them out to the grandkids too!

Hey everyone, well Nate got first in his tri, and his friend got 2nd, He was really happy about it. Well as for me I'm going to start driving soon, and I'm really excited. Mom got a new car and so I get her old one, but until I get my perment dads driving it. Anyways thats about all thats going on.

Tristen.......Wendy

Hey girl,
Tell us about Nate's triathlon.
Pictures too if you have any.

Wendy,
Does Liv have everything she needs for her pageant? How did practice go last week?

Beautiful day in the neighborhood

   I was so brilliant. I told Sherrill that if he would come home early from work I would help him cut the grass. They had been calling on and off for rain tomorrow, so I wanted to go ahead and get it done. I can ride the entire yard while he pushes or weed eats around the trees and all. Yep, we got it all done.
Now tomorrow we have some raking, tree planting and transplanting, and regular yard clean up.
   I have a crepe myrtle growing under my deck. During the summer it grows out the side, and up about 10 foot or so. During the winter Sherrill cut it back to about 3 feet. I want him to dig that thing up and move it somewhere. It's a beautiful tree, just grows sideways with the sun!
  Plus I have the two Japanese maples I have been raising in pots.  I have GOT to plant those things. They are just 2 or 3 feet from the top of the house. I just hope they live if we move them. I have grown them from just little twigs.
  So, looks like tomorrow will be a busy day. Don't you want to come and play?

Just another Day

  Today was just another day, filled with laundry, cleaning, etc.
   Remember the post I did a few days ago about the Dutch baby? That's what I had for dinner. It was pretty good. It was easy, and didn't require any attention. It really is like a pancake with scrambled eggs inside. There's not a lot of egg, just enough that you know it is there. I fixed some sausage with it, and a glass of orange juice rounded out the meal. Easy!
   Isabella goes in tomorrow for another spinal tap, bone marrow biopsy, and more chemo. She can't eat anything until she gets through everything. After all of that who would even want to eat?!
  The Mt Olive Pickle Festival is the weekend. There will be a lot of people descending on that small town. Lots of food and fun. I will be staying at home.
  Eli is reading the book Robinson Crusoe. He found a leather bound edition at the public library. That boy is one in a million!
  Chris was supposed to get his traveling papers today. Guess we will have to wait until next Tuesday to learn anything.
  For all you hard workers, hang tight, you are moving into the weekend. Make it a good one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnydFmqHuVo

I love this video, its the best, its called How animals eat their food, so funny -Tristen

Little Travis

  In case you don't recognize any of these, Travis (my very first nephew) is the guy with the beard, then unknown prom date, then "Little Travis" who towers above them all, then his mom Kelly. All that is missing are sisters Brooke and Sydney. Can you believe how much Little Travis has grown?

Leaving early

   News from the Mission Training Center. Chris will be leaving a week earlier than he had expected.
He will be flying out on May 8th. He will be getting his papers and everything next week. Now, let's hope he doesn't loose them.  He is SO excited. I'm happy for him, but I really don't want him to leave the US.  I'm just selfish that way.
  If you're going to write him a letter, you better get with it. Pretty soon we will be using those $1.10
international stamps!

Toilet Paper

So I'm just sitting here talking to Kurt and remind him I need to run over to the next town to pick up a case of toilet paper I ordered. He reply's " I hope it's not that kind we have in the bathroom, I'd rather have goverment T.P." So here's the question do you think I need to hang up all the different kinds there are and let him choose which one is best??

Spongebob

So tonight I was outside painting the front door and I hear Jacob crying so I open the door and ask "What's wrong" He tells me why he's crying, something about Spongebob and I ask Kenneth what he's saying Kenneth reply's " They are calling Spongebob an idiot and he's say's Spongebob is not an idiot". So I just say ok and close the door again and agree with the TV, Spongebob is an idiot and poor Jacob's feeling were crushed about them being mean to his idol.

Eli and Legoland

These are pictures of Eli at Legoland that Kat put on her blog. I wonder where Isaac is.

Elizabeth City, NC

This is where I grew up. Amazing the things you can find on youtube!

Blake Scott

 

 

 

World News

    I have spent a lot of the last couple of days doing this. Yes, sitting in front of the TV watching the world news. First the Boston Bombing, then the Ricin letters, then the arrest of the couple for the murders in Texas, then the explosion in Texas. Wow! I wonder what happened to the GOOD news!
   I told Sherrill last night before he went to bed that I wouldn't be able to cook dinner tonight because I had to keep up with current events. He just smiled, and nodded. I've got too much stuff to do anyway!
I had rather go out and buy him a plate of food. I sure wish he ate Pizza!
  I still jump up doing commercials to do a little house keeping and computer stuff. I sure hope all of this
NEWS dies down soon.

Dutch Baby

Have you ever heard of a Dutch Baby? I hadn't until I read about it on a blog. This would be perfect for
a Saturday breakfast. I'll bet Sherrill could even make this. I would want some bacon along with it of course!
Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees and put in 2 TBL butter in a cast iron pan, mine was about 10". Stick the pan into the oven to get the butter melty and the pan hot. While that is heating up mix 4 eggs, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup milk. Pour this mixture into the pan on top of the melted butter set the timer for 20 minutes. Mine (hers) here was at 25 minutes because I like them crispy. Serve with maple syrup.

Bare Bottomed

   Isaac is working on potty training.
So, Kat sits him on the toilet and goes on about her business, only to discover this.
I guess Joe's chair is just more comfortable than the toilet seat!

Jacket?

I found a jacket at Nordstroms. They have size 5 and size 6.

HELP

Calling all shoppers........OK....Olivia is in need of a business suit.  I have searched dept. stores, ebay, and endless other places.  Can someone help me out?

Thank you in advance..Wendy

Carter's and Lauren's pictures

    Lauren and Carter were working on their photography skills yesterday. Each of them had to do a "self portrait". Lauren must have taken the picture of her scooter. Carter took the picture of the squirrrel, and I'm not sure who took the picture of Jack. There were also photos of trees, bushes, people, just about everything.

   Carter had to run to his house to get that picture of the squirrel. Good job Carter! You too Lauren.

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Carter and Lauren helping Grandpa.

Carter loading up the empty pots.

Lauren just being Lauren.

Isabella's job was watering.

"Miss Hollywood"

Lauren and Izzy hanging out.

Today was the day to get some flowers in the ground. Sherrill had finished the retaining wall in January.

The kids came over to help. Carter's job was to mix the different soils in a five gallon bucket and fill the bottom of the holes. Lauren's job was to pull the labeling "sticks" out of each group of flowers and help gather the empty pots. They all took turns moving the flowers around and watering the plants. There was lots of time for playing, and taking pictures. I'll post more pictures tomorrow.

Happy National Sibiling Day

"Miss Bobbie"

 Miss Bobbie died yesterday. She was just 52 years old.
First she babysat for Wendy and Cindy.
Then she babysat for Kat and Mandy, and after that Christy and James. She had her leg cut off about 10 years ago due to her diabetes. From that, she just seemed to go downhill. She was the only person that could out talk Sherrill when it came to wrestling. She loved that stuff! We will miss you "Miss Bobbie".

Family Time

Lots of work being done at the McEwan house. Wish y'all were here. :)

Christopher Update

  I was sitting at the desk this morning, checking emails, and writing a letter to Chris. Then AOL pops up, you've got mail. I look, and it's an email from Chris. I send him a quick message back, and he replies again. This goes on and on for a couple of minutes, then I realize, I've gotta call Kat!
  Christy was online last week when he was on, and she was able to do the same thing. I know I can't sit by the computer waiting all day to hear from him. It was nice though being able to have a brief "chat".
  One of his emails let me know that things are really getting stressful for him. So, it you haven't sent him a "snail mail" letter, now might be a good time for that.
  His mail address:

  Elder Christopher Roller
MTC Mailbox # 216
JPN-SAP  0509
2005 N  900 E
Provo, UT  84604-1793

Oh, today is Grandma Cat's Birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Bear or Rabbit?

   Aunt Wilma crocheted a bear/rabbit for Isabella. It's flat like a blanket with a head on it. It's made with some type of microfiber feeling type yarn. It's real cute. If you don't remember who Aunt Wilma is, it's Grandma Cat's brother Gilbert's wife. Remember, he's the one that had to have his leg cut off due to diabetes. They live on Lake Murray.

Happy Birthday Jerrud

Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy BIrthday to YOU
Happy Birthday dear Jerrud,
Happy Birthday to YOU.

Hope you have a Fantastic Day!

Isaac's new Glasses

Look at Isaac's new glasses. So cute.
Eli, are you posing, or are you mad?

Pop 'N a Movie

   Remember a couple of weeks ago when I was complaining about Time Warner overcharging me for
turbo internet? Well, a few days after that I got a box from Hallmark. Now, who orders stuff from Hallmark? Not me. I'm the Amazon/Target type of woman.
  Before I opened the box I called Kat to see if she had ordered something from Hallmark.  She assured me "no", and told me to open the box. I did and was quite surprised. Inside was nicely packaged gourmet popcorn, with all types of toppers caramel, chocolate cherry, along with a popcorn cookbook, and a movie (Some new western). I was really surprised. This was the perfect gift for me! I love popcorn!
  Believe it or not, it was from Time Warner. Now, as much as I like my gift box, I had rather had that
$40.00 or so credited to my account.
  As I look back over those days, I realized that EVERYTHING was aggravating me. Then I realized I had been on Prednisone for 3 weeks, and yes, it DOES turn you into a witch.
  So, now I am back happy again, and one night soon will sit back and enjoy my gift. What a neat idea, pairing popcorn with a movie. I'll have to remember this one!

Rollers in Legoland

   Welcome to Legoland.
Kat said they had a great time here. Eli especially LOVED it. Isaac rode his first roller coaster.
I guess this was the first trip Chris went on and didn't have anything to talk about.  Tonight they will
be heading to Christy's. Get ready McEwan kids!
 

Two Adults/Six meals

Since Sherrill was going to be on the road a lot yesterday, I decided to treat him to a sausage biscuit for breakfast. Now, he had already eaten his bacon, eggs, and cereal before we left home. But, when I stopped for a biscuit, he got a biscuit. (We carried our drinks) Total cost $2.00
  Then for lunch we decided to stop by Cracker Barrel. I had the special, Chicken pot pie, Sherrill had,
you guessed it, The Old timers breakfast which included bacon, eggs, hash brown casserole, grits,
and biscuits and gravy. We are "cheap" so we drank water. Total cost, $14.01.
  For dinner, I was tired and didn't want to cook. So, he offered to go to Andy's to get us a burger.
We already had home made soup in the refrigerator. Total cost $4.00.
  So two old folks ate 3 meals each for a total of $20.00. Now that was money well spent.

Our Chris

Please tell me for what possible reason is everyone else dressed, ready to go, and my baby is still partially naked?

These are the 21 young people at the Mission Training Center that will be going to different parts of Japan.  He may be one of the shortest, but also one of the cutest!

Kids and their OLD Parents

  A couple of months ago I get a call from Kat telling me I need to watch this really good movie. So, I watch the movie she tells me to and what is it about....... an old couple that needs marriage counseling.
It was a good movie "Hope Springs", but still, was she trying to tell me something?
  A few weeks later she calls me with another movie she wanted me to watch. I forget the name of it, but it is about old folks going to rest homes. She must have SOMETHING on her mind.
  This past weekend she calls, still with another movie request "Parental Guidance". This movie is about incompetent grandparents that are left to care for the grandkids, because the "Good" grandparents are unavailable. There again, I think she is trying to tell me something.
  Would someone PLEASE put Kat on the right track and suggest some "age appropriate" movies for her. I'm afraid she's making plans for my future.......that's why I didn't watch the rest home one!

What Happened to Nate?

I was going back looking for an old post and I came across this. What happened to Nate's picture?
No, I did NOT photoshop this. This is the way it showed up today. It was on his birthday post.
The top of his head is even turned upside down.
Does anyone else see this when their page loads up for his birthday post?