Wenderizations

by the wayside blogger

2010-09-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry blogger....You get pushed out of the picture once again. It's not you, well...maybe a little, but mostly me. I know you were my first but I just don't have time to pay attention to you and it is time to go dormant once again.

Don't worry fans...all 5 of you ;-p, I am alive, kicking and blogging on my own site at http://wenderflonia.com

click HERE <---------!

2010-08-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

Lazy days of summer have forced us to endure the sweltering heat indoors and lay around sipping on iced tea. We are tired and want naps. I repeat, more naps! Blogging is possible more of a winter sport. That is all

2010-07-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

I know I have been neglecting this site, but next week I plan on getting on the ball. In the mean time, I hope everyone has a safe and happy time celebrating this Great Nation’s Independence Day. This was last year’s 4th of July at my parent’s house. I plan on being in the exact spot as seen in the photo and do nothing but kick back and relax all weekend. Word from my mother is that it has been raining for days now and may still be raining by Sunday. That is still not stopping Parker from stopping at the first fireworks warehouse he sees along I-20 and spend his life savings.

I hope you all have as wonderful a time this weekend as we plan too. See you Tuesday….Maybe…

Much love, Wenders

Reprise

2010-06-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

Today is a day for rest and reflection. We will regroup and remember what is important to us and our family.

We will refrain from making judgments and snap decisions and replace the bad thoughts with the good.

Today is a good day to realize our blessings and make everything we can out of what has been gifted to us.

We will relax and not stress about the things that are unchangable or unbending.

Today we rewind and reorganize. Remove the unnecessary. Rationalize the necessary.... And probably redo something!

Remaining who we are the entire time!

ReWenderz

2010-06-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

Sure did miss this guy. He stayed behind at Grandma and Grandpa's house all week. He spent his time going to work with my dad in order to make a little cash. Dad sure did enjoy teaching him how to have a good work ethic and PCH was over the moon about a little cash in his pocket. So they were like two peas in a pod this week. Sure am impressed my this kid. So glad he is home so he can start driving me crazy. It finally feels like summer now!

They're like some sort of mutant daisy!

2010-06-07T21:43:00.001-07:00

What are these called? Anyone?

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

The 2 Day Cloth Diaper Experiment

2010-06-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

So the 2 day cloth diaper experiment was a success. (I'll need my award now thank you) I do believe I will continue but with a few modifications.

I learned that old school may be cheap but not as convenient as it could be. I already have a few helpful packages on the way which include fasteners, covers and inserts. I am pretty sure I am going to slowly convert to all in one fitted diapers but a little more research into the cost effectiveness of this is needed. One step at a time!

This is a big decision and I want it to be an enjoyable experience rather than a chore. Speaking of enjoyable experience, I've also learned that Simon is not a fan of cloth and I will have to break him in slowly :-). Which is totally understandable and it probably didn't help that he witnessed the first poopy one! Let me tell you it almost (did) give me second thoughts!! Can i get an ewwwww! This means we all make the conversion slowly too.

So the plan is he gets one disposable at night and anytime daddy changes him :-). I'll keep cloth on him all during the day. I'm also going go put him in disposables when we go on trips or outings longer than an hour or two until I get the hang of things. When I get the inserts for extra absorption I will try overnight. Then its on like Donkey Kong!

Why it is sometimes best to stay out of your teenage son's room....

2010-06-05T14:35:00.001-07:00

Lord have mercy, what is this kid doing!? Is, I mean, WAS that his guitar amp?

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

Lordy What Did She Get Me Into Now!?

2010-06-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

Look how fabulous Baby JuJu looks in his seriously old school cloth diaper get up. All that is missing is the rubber pants. These things essentially haven't changed since my mother used them with me and my brother. Further research online shows amazing advances in cloth diapers, but I decided to go old school first. Mainly to get a feel of it and see if I am really committed. Surely I will be. How hard can it be right!? Yikes!!!!

Why cloth you ask? Because stories like this scare me. Most people say, "bahh chemical schememical". But I say, "No schememicals!" Also, i feel so guilty every time I pop one in the diaper genie knowing it will take 500+ years to disappear. This article sums it up nicely: Diapers, Diapers, & More Diapers: Cloth vs. Disposables. and this one will scare you! A Diaper's Environmental Pollution.

In the mean time.....

It has been approximately 24 hours and it hasn't been that bad. OK I cheated last night. Baby J is finally sleeping through the night and my selfish self didn't want to rock that boat, so he wore a disposable. Consulting with a few experienced CD'ers, I was told to get inserts to help with extra absorbency. Will do!!! I also haven't had to change a messy one yet but I was also told that since he is a breast baby the clean up isn't so bad yet. I'll let you know how awful it is when we come to that bridge!

So will I continue to go old school or will I shell out the initial pricey investment of all the newfangled cloth diapering stuffs? The initial cos has been $25.00. That was for a few packages of Gerber Prefolded Organic Cloth Diapers, some pins and rubber pants, and detergent. Not bad at all. But the more I research and explore, I am seeing that there is so much cool stuff out there.

OK these fasteners are just cool! I hope they work because I am ordering them.

I like the idea of an all in one system but one of the reasons I am doing this is to also save money. These are a little pricey at around $15.75 a diaper.

I think for now I will go old school with the addition of the fasteners and inserts for nighttime absorption. I may look into the cool covers that are reasonably priced because who knows WHAT those rubber pants are made of !

Happy Diapering y'all

Wenderz's Self Portrait

2010-05-31T00:09:00.001-07:00

I call this...The Point at Which I Start Showing my Age. Notice the fake smile bringing out the wrinkles! I blame it entirely on healthy living and having children.

Apologies for any typos - this message was sent from my iPhone.

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

Summer is Fast Approaching

2010-05-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

Summer is fast approaching, and my sweet little family is getting ready to take our own approach to the scorching Texas summer days:

Mags

Mags is totally ready for summer! No rest for the foot loose and fancy free type. His plans include licking as many things as possible and win the bucket of drool bikini contest. He is not sure what a bikini is, but is positive he can handle the bucket of drool part.

PCH

PCH on the other hand, looks like he is already practicing his "I'm bored" Expression. He will be hanging out at the neighborhood pool trying to look as windswept and interesting as possible.

Tasha

Tasha Dawg is making empty promises of not barking excessively at sprinklers. BTW, she is totally lying when she claims she wont try to kill the aforementioned sprinklers as well. This one is not to be trusted around your sprinkley things. Take heed!

JMJ and BFS

Jude is pretty much doing exactly what he plans on doing the rest of the summer. He may even give Mags a run for his money in the bucket o' drool contest. A far as BFS's plans for summer goes I think as long as the word "cold one" and "Grill some steaks" are involved he is totally on board.

As for me:

As long as it can be done in flipflops I am all about that!

Happy Summering everyone. What is your favorite summer activity?

Don't Mess With Me

2010-05-29T23:11:00.000-07:00

"Don't mess with me Rubber Ducky! You have no idea who you are messing with."

~El No-Nappo

Things are Happonin' yo!

2010-05-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

These are exciting times for my sweet little family. I know it has been a while since we've had a family update but I promise one soon. The boys are growing like weeds on miracle grow, and I still don't have a chicken named goose. But life is good. There are many exciting things going on and oh how I wish it wasn't 2am already; otherwise, I would share everything in great detail. But for the time-being, I will feed Milkface and be off to bed.

Perchance to dream and blog again tomorrow.
Sweet dreams,
Wenders

Feeling Blue

2010-05-15T14:50:00.001-07:00

@ the Zoo. Although it is a lovely day. The animals seem sad.

Apologies for any typos - this message was sent from my iPhone.

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

Don't be Koi

2010-05-15T14:48:00.001-07:00

We are having a lovely day at the Ft. Worth Zoo.

Apologies for any typos - this message was sent from my iPhone.

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

The Most Comfy Seat in the House.

2010-05-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

What I am doing

2010-05-06T14:51:00.001-07:00

I REALLY love what I do.

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

I can't take the pressure!

2010-05-04T08:13:00.001-07:00

Message from Baby JMJ: I can't take the "onsie media pressure" any more. Always having to be a slave to the comfy fitting, easy acess outfits. What if I don't want to be a future rocket scientist or Mommy's little angel? I can't smile ALL the time!

That is all.

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

SPIDER!!

2010-05-03T21:42:00.001-07:00

There is a nest of black widows on my porch! The picture is blury, sorry, but I wasn't about to stand there and focus. The big white eggsack had been removed by my big strong man. But there are more. I know it. Please send the army! How do I get rid of them?!

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

Work with Daddy

2010-03-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

Today we had a big outing. JMJ went to say hi to all the folks at Daddy's work.

He was a big hit and humbly layed there as everyone coo'd and awe'd

Then, super awesome Daddy took super awesome Mommy to lunch and super awesome baby slept through the whole thing. What a great day!

Partnership

2010-03-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

Now invited to be a coauthor of this blog is the daddy person. Lets hope he pipes in from time to time with his tremendous wit and insight into our world.

Just so you know, Mags is extremely offended he wasn't invited first. I'm not sure if he will forgive so easily.

@ the office

2010-03-25T14:00:00.001-07:00

Studio shot!

Posted via email from wenderz's posterousness

End of Spring Break

2010-03-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

Forgive that I meant to post this days ago but I've been busy. It is very time consuming being a dairy mama these days. But these are things I am sure I should keep to myself. Onward...

So spring break is over and Spring has officially sprung. PCH grudgingly makes his way to school in the morning and I am itching to plant something. I haven't been able to get my hands into the dirt just yet. With Texas weather, one should err on the side of "it's gonna freeze one more time" mentality. Case in point, is last Sunday.

This was our view that greeted us on the second day of Spring.

and this...

I think we are all a little tired of snow, however, it did give me the opportunity to use the little snow suit I was sure would go unworn.

How cute is this snow creature!

and it was an opportunity to get a few last snow pics before everything turned green and beautiful. Although, I'm not sure that everyone was excited about it as I was.

Well I love everyone of their beautiful, unhappy faces anyway!

HAPPY SPRING!!!

baby/boy/man stuff

2010-03-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

Life is a transition and not an easy transition to boot.

First, we start off safe and secure. We are buckled into everything so we don't get shaken around too much.

Then we grow up to be a happy and care-free teenagers. Yeah, I'm streatching the line a little by using the word happy and teenager in the same sentence. But he looks happy at least.

Then they have to grow up and do grown up like things!

One of the exciting things we did for PCH was open up a savings account for him. He is saving his hard earned allowance to purchase contacts (a very grown up thing to do). His eye doc said he was physically mature for them, but would recommend that before we got them, to see how emotionally mature he was to handle them....ergo the bank account and earning of the dough to deposit into it.

Here he goes....The first deposit...

I was a little (VERY) sad and a little (VERY VERY) proud that he wanted to go in himself and make the drop. Although, I'm pretty sure it was mainly so he didn't have to be seen with me.

Yes he is!

I have one on the verge of being a man. He is doing grown up things and beginning to explore his world independently (in a very safe and secure environment of course!) and the other one is just embarking on a whole new alien world. I am a little panicked, and very exhausted, at the idea that I have to do all this hard work all over again. Yet, the warm fuzzy heart that comes with it makes it all worth while.

A mama has to take care of her boys and make sure they all grow up healthy and strong.

So this is where I am at!

one big happy family!

Watching the Wheels

2010-03-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

Oh how wise you were Mr. Lennon.

So much in this world seems dependent on how much one accomplishes in a life time. Problem is that the standard for accomplishment these days seems so skewed. It can be all too much at times. Trying to keep up appearances with the neighbor who have mortgaged them self into foreclosure just so they can keep up with their neighbor seems so futile and exhausting. Having to drag oneself out of bed to go to that job that makes you want to bash your head on a desk is all so depressing. I agree that a bit of all of that is necessary in order to survive, but in my perfect world just having the necessities in life and my family around me is what I really want. I would rather be poor and happy than rich and empty.

Having children 12 years apart has really opened my eyes to what is really important in my life. When I was in my early 20's, I was all about finishing that degree and landing that perfect job with the best benefits. I felt I'd really lucked out with a shiny new government job to go with my shiny new diploma. I was really miserable. I really hated it. I really wanted to bang my head on the desk and poke out my eyeballs....I was not happy. I went home exhausted.... It was what I was supposed to do. I stopped painting, which was something I was really passionate about.

12 years later I stay home with the kids, I paint most every day, I am still exhausted, I don't care if the neighbor has a bigger house or new car, and most importantly I am finally happy. Watching my family grow healthy and strong is my priority......and hope that at the end of the year there might be a little extra left over for a vacation or two.

I'll just leave the rat race to the rats.

It only takes a year......

2010-03-18T18:18:00.000-07:00

In the last year so many blessings have crossed my path. It has been a year like no other. I have embraced so many life changes and I am amazed. The real kicker is that it is not necessarily the fact that so many wonderful things have happened to me in such a short amount of time that amazes me. What really boggles my mind is how much my body has deteriorated while receiving such blessings. This ol' gal is worn out! Today, I barely survived a slow walk around the neighborhood. This was not the case last year. In fact, one year ago I was training for a half marathon. I was running several miles a day at this point. Man, I miss that feeling! I had energy and felt great. Now, I know I have many valid reasons as to my state of worn-outed-ness. Most of them being that I was sliced in half to remove another human out of my body a month ago. I understand this! I also understand that the tremendous lack of sleep that comes standard with the new baby is also kicking my ass. I'm sure the [# redacted] pounds I have gained this year isn't helping, but I still miss the feeling of having energy, strength and stamina. I can't wait for that 6 week check-up when the good doctor releases me from c-section purgatory and I can begin training my body back into shape. I also can't wait for Baby JMJ to start sleeping more during the night so my waking hours are not so turned upside down. In the meantime, I will continue to count my blessings and be thankful that I have the ability to improve my strength. I will also try not to overdo it and push my body too hard.....I said I will TRY.

On a different note, I am so ready for spring. I am ready to be able to work in my yard and plant my flowers! I am contemplating another go at container gardening. Patio tomatoes are on the list for sure! I plan to spend the weekend getting my seedlings started and my dirt and pots in a row. I know it is too soon for all out spring has sprung activities. In fact, I hear we have a little snow in our forecast. That doesn't mean I can't begin my prepping. Hopefully, I will also have some help repotting a few desperate house plants this coming week. Lord, I am so tired thinking about it already! Give me strength!
.

The Partner in Crime

2010-03-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

I was a single mom for so many years. It is not easy. In fact it is down right impossible at times. Fortunately, life smiled on me and brought my BFS back into my life after so many long years (we go way back....pre-motherhood history...long story). And then God double smiled and gave us Baby J. Poor guy didn't know what he was getting himself into when he took on the challenge that was me and P, and now he has a J to throw in the mix. Here's to you brave man. To have the love of a partner that you can rely on and be a parent with is priceless.

My Hero

Back to ye old blogger

2010-03-15T14:53:00.001-07:00

It has been a long time since I used my Blogger acct to blog. I normally blog here, but I figured I should dust this acct off and use it for something worthwhile. What better use than to blog about my wonderful and interesting life of motherhood. Even so, I must type this fast because, as I type, I have a 3 week old to my left in the throes of a naps end, and to my right I have a 12yr old crashing cars on the xbox. He is excitedly talking about how he will be an awesome driver in a few years. Dear Lord, help me survive this.

To have a 12yr old and 3 week old means I am dealing with two of the most difficult ages in human nature both at the same time. My grocery list consists of diapers and zit cream. Dear Lord, help me survive this.

With these faces! Are you kidding. I can survive anything!

(Still check out my website http://wenderflonia.com for posts about my paintings and other whatnots)

Good bye Blogger

2009-03-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

Goodbye Blogger. You were a fun site, and I was just getting to know you. It's not you; it's me. Ya see, since I've decided to enter the world of blogging, I was gifted an alternate and super exciting place to call home on the intertron. So I will no longer be blogging on this site, but never fear...... To keep reading the thrilling adventures and wenderflonations of Wenders visit: http://www.wenderflonia.com/

C-YA Blogger baby

Garden Of Delight

2009-02-26T20:21:00.000-08:00

February is already coming and going! It's time to fertilize, prune and hedge back all those shrubs, trees and perennials that bud on new growth. It's also time to do any repotting of houseplants or anything overwintered in containers. Then, it's more of a watch and wait scenario. So much of my plant babies are already showing signs of buds and new life, but I don't really have much going on in terms of gardening at the moment. I have mainly been slowly getting around to pruning and hedging anything that needs it and starting my seeds. I am desperate to start digging in the dirt, but I know what a bad idea that would be. I'm sure we are in for at least one more good cold spell before Easter. I am also superstitious enough to know that the second I stick a spade in the ground, snow will fall out of the sky.

I never start spring planting before Easter. However, that doesn't include indoor propagation. I am deeply satisfied as a gardener, and humble servant of the land, when I know I raised a beautiful plant from a tiny seed to its mature state (plus, it's 95% cheaper and just as easy to do it yourself than buying specimens from the nursery). I started my seeds indoors several weeks ago, and have been attempting a picture diary. Unfortunately, my pictures are spread across 3 cameras and haven't been organized well. Currently, I am growing a few varieties of Zinnias (seen above), as well as Columbine, Hollyhock, Salvia, and Blue Flax. My herb selection includes various colors of Basil, Oregano, Cilantro, Parsley, Mint, Fennel, Lavender,Lemon Balm and Rosemary. So far, all of my seeds have come up, and I am doing the dreaded thinning. It makes me so sad to kill the innocent, but it's better to not have an over-crowding issue.

Calling the local Agricultural Extension office is a great way to get information about one's county or area's zone hardiness. They also know what's been proven to grow well in my neck of woods and are the hardest plants to kill. They do actual trials of specific plants and situations and will always have recommendations and tips. Twice a year, they also have plant sales in which one can order top growing specimens that would normally be rare and hard to find in local nurseries, at a fraction of the cost. Yesterday, I put in my order with the AgLife Extension Office for some of Texas' best and finest plants for my hardy zone 7b that I would be less likely to murder.

In the ornamental grass category: I chose Little Blue Stem, Mexican Feather Grass and Autum Glow.

In the perennials category: I got White Oxalis. These are a fantastically hardy plant that is drought resistant and attracts butterflies. (Butterfly attractiveness is one of the main things I look for in a perennial.) I also ordered passion flower vines. This vine features a super spaceship looking blue flower. I was told to order 2, one for the butterflies and one for me. I also chose Cotton Lavender and Green Santolina. These make amazing ground cover and fillers in a natural landscape.

In the Shrub category: I added a Hardy Flare Hibiscus that I plan on babying in a container for a few years, and an American Beautyberry. I have heard wonderful thing about this bush and it produces long stems of beautiful and tasty berries.

In the rose category: I chose a few eye poppers and nose tempters. The Antique Cadenza is an amazingly hardy, deep red, climbing rose shrub with an out-of-this-world fragrance. To compliment this rose shrub, I added the Duchesse de Brabant rose. This rose is cream to pink and equally fragrant. Maybe later on I will add some white Knock-Outs to add more ooompf....Phases...phases! I have to learn that I can do things in stages and not all at once.

One of the main issue I am having right now is garden confusion. I'm still working and planning stuff for the farm here....but we will be moving this summer to Anna with Simon, and so my main area of gardening concentration will be there. I guess I will have to have a hard lesson in consolidation. I am used to having acres to do what ever I wanted to. Soon, I will have to figure out how to fit 5 acres of plants and veggies in one main bed.......surely it won't be a problem........ DANG! Never-the-less, I am really looking forward to adding more urban landscape to my green thumb experience. It is so exciting!

Odd Dayz

2009-02-24T19:12:00.000-08:00

I am not sure why it was an odd day for me, but it just felt a little out of sync. I was exhausted for one thing (not sure why). It was almost impossible to drag myself out of bed at 6am. In fact, I crawled out of bed at 6:20 telling the kid that he was late (oh so mean, I know!) and to hurry! When he rushed to the shower, I laid back down on the edge of the bed, while my sweet puppies crawled into my deserted warm spot. It’s a ‘you leave it, you loose it policy around here’. I finally managed to guilt myself into getting up and finishing “Mom duties”, but it was a pathetic breakfast spread of (generic…duh) Cinnamon Toast Crunch and organic 2% milk. I forgot to get cash for his lunch, so we dug thru the change jar ‘till we had $2.75. The bus arrived early, @ 7:03, and I was so relieved! Then I thought, “What the hell is wrong with me?!”.

This thought followed me throughout the entire work day. I just couldn’t get it together. I was exhausted, and discombobulated. I couldn’t focus on a single task. Worse came to worse when my mother asked me if I could watch my niece while she ran some errands. I agreed and she left with the promise (bribe) of bringing me back a cheese burger. Dakota slept most of the time, but did eventually wake up and we actually ended up having the best time ever crawling around on the floor making up songs that only a 9 month old would appreciate.

Anyway, the day just dragged on until I just couldn’t take it anymore. I eventually charged up the iPod and put on my shorts and t-shirt and headed outside into the magnificent sun. I managed to run a few miles…..literally only 2….and was done! At least Mags was happy he had a walk, and I received some much needed vitamin D. It was about this time that I started receiving friend requests left and right from Facebook. It was so wonderful to hear from friends of long ago, and is what actually made my day fantastic on a 10pt scale. I also had a great lecture to attend at the library. A local Nursery owner spoke about landscaping. I am now all pumped to do some serious landscaping but, unfortunately lack the land and funds to follow thru….ah well, I guess my geniusness will remain on paper till needed.

Since then, I have been trying to keep up with the bombardment of social networking demands and studying for my NCE’s (still). Tomorrow, I plan on catching up with all the behind work to do at work, wrapping up my private Art Lessons I've been giving for the last 3 years, and doing a little much needed baby shower shopping for this weekend. Yikes.

Monday Melancholia

2009-02-23T22:29:00.000-08:00

Today just seemed like a sad and strange day. Today, I was constantly aware of the harmful tools people used to keep themselves balanced. The Biggest example if this was sitting at the Dr.’s office with Parker, where I was forced to watch some of the worst parenting skills ever. (We sat in the office lobby for an hour to have his foot, that he hurt over the weekend, looked at.) During this time, I was able to see many examples of people “stand-ins”. I call them “stand-ins” because it is too sad to even think that the parenting techniques these people employed were conscious and deliberate. It was all so very sad. Now I am a little bit angry at myself for feeling such disgust for the future of the human race.

What was even worse was a humorous, if not disgustingly ironic, realization that just a few minutes ago I was LMAO at an episode of Family Guy. The episode portrayed some of the same behaviors I was so disgusted with earlier today as laughable situations. Being that it was just a TV show, and I can mostly tell the difference between sardonic humor and a sad state of reality, makes me feel a little better. Meh, so I have the ability to appreciate dark humor. I still love the Family Guy; and I’m pretty sure it is just a TV show. I know that means it is not real. However, the parents and crazy people who infiltrated the real part of my day with their cruelty were very real and sad. The only thing I can do at the moment is to go to sleep. Then, I will wake up and try to be the best parent I can possibly be without basing my technique on late night adult situational cartoons. Hopefully.

Saturday Of Awsum

2009-02-22T18:11:00.000-08:00

Saturday of Awesome Races

TRAINING: Saturday was Mini-Marathon training day. It was cold and windy and way too early in the Morning to run 4 miles. I did my mileage during the week so I wasn’t too concerned about not making the whole run. A very chilled Team in Training met at Rosebud Park at 8am. We warmed up and stretched and were off like lightning…..Well most were; I was more like a snail. I am not sure if I walk or run faster. Not too concerned about it since I am the least competitive person ever and I did finish (and didn’t die). I felt pretty good actually, and am ready to kick 5 miles’ ass this week.
Afterward, Bethany and I took Parker and Dakota to have their pictures taken together. I really look forward to getting them back in a few weeks. I am not usually one for cheesy studio portraits, but these kids are cute! Once we finished, we headed off to meet Jason and Caleb for a delicious Mexican lunch. Then home for a quick nap, pick parker up from a basketball game and head to The Race. The next race of the day was pure spectatorship and will stand out as the most amusing race I’ve ever witnessed.

THE GREAT RACE: There is one good thing I can say about living in a small redneck town. One is never short of cheap and amusing entertainment. Jason informed me of The Great Race a few days ago and I thought he was kidding. Apparently, Bo and Leo Barnes challenged each other to a race to prove who was faster. Not sure of all the particulars, but I can assure you that lots of beer was involved in this decision making process. The race was to be held at the twin oaks (literally two trees on the side of the road a little ways from the farm).
It turned out to be the event of the year. Bets were flying, children were bundled up in camo, and it was a sea of Wearguard coveralls. I’d bet there was around 100 people there just by word of mouth. Leo showed up with his entourage and a Full Throttle. He was looking shiny, young and fresh. Already half an hour late, we eagerly anticipated the arrival of the rival brother. There was still time for some last minute betting and heavily debated discussions of where the actual race was to begin. 50 yards was agreed upon, and Foreman Neil and Ryan proceed to step off the distance and mark the starting line. Unfortunately, for all of us with a good zoom on our camera’s, we soon learned that Thomas “Forman” Neil took his duties as a marker literally and marked the spot much like my puppy Mags would have. Lord save the rednecks!
Honking was heard in the distance and Bo and his band of hot chicks arrived (Brina and Tosha). Everyone expected a flashy entrance and we were not disappointed. Bo exited his truck bed in true rocky style, donned with towel and robe. Actually, with the addition of the cowboy hat and cigarette it was more like Rocky meets the Bandit, Burt Reynolds style. After much heehawing and pacing around each other (and a few last minute beer guzzling) the racers and their crew took their mark. Lightning Leo ancy and hopped up on Full Throttle was raring to go. Bo the Bolt was prepared for aerodynamic fusion in his thermal underarmor shirt and lucky Speedo. Oddly enough, I was more shocked by the fact that Bo owned tennis shoes than a Speedo. The pistol fired and the runners were off. It looked redneck-in-neck but the sun was in most peoples eyes to be sure. Then suddenly, Bo the Bolt was just too much Speedo and leg for Lightning Leo to handle (or stomach) and Bo was the clear victor.
In the victor’s circle, appearing with his impromptu appointed manager, Forman Neil, much discussion ensued about upcoming races in the European circuit (Especially Amsterdam). Once pictures were taken, beer cans picked up and kids corralled, plans were made to enjoy food and merriment at The Farm. Thanks to Cash’s amazing culinary skills we were presented with Dips (Blue, Purple, Pink flavors) and Chips that left you wanting more beer (The colorful dips really were delicious). Maybe it was all the Bud Light but it really made me proud to be a redneck.

To see a visual account of this event see my Picasa page: http://picasaweb.google.com/wenderflonium/TheBigRace/

What is going on In Creative Wenderland

2009-02-20T12:01:00.000-08:00

Cameras are clicking, seeds are planted and shoes are running. It has really been a hectic few months. I feel like I am running all the time, even when I am not training for the marathon thingy.

Training Update: Group training is tomorrow and we are set to do 4 miles. Shouldn’t be too bad since Bethlys and I did 4 a few days ago……and didn’t die! Fundraising is crap right now…..Somebody motivate me to ask for money!

Master Gardener Class: Last night was an excellent lecture on rainwater harvesting. I really feel, even prior to this inspirational lecture, that this is something we all can do to preserve our limited supply of fresh water. It’s a drought people. Get those barrels out and collect from the roofs when it rains! So simple and cheap.

Photography: I am so excited about my new camera. Anyone who follows me on Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, Picasa, or is unlucky to be Yahoo IM’ing me and Texting me (and the occasional real person I speak to) has heard all about my new camera. It’s a Canon DSLR (EOS Rebel Xsi). In high school, and in college, I used a fully manual SLR, Canon AE-1. In between, I have used Canon Powershots, point and click digital cameras. Not too shabby, but I really wanted something with a little more power and required more skill. The Camera arrived yesterday and my photographer senses are tingling. I’ve only been able to shoot a few shots off since late last night, but I was thoroughly impressed. You can check out and keep track of my past, present, and future skillz if you so desire.