CORN MAIZE TIME

There was an interesting article in the "Idaho Statesman" today about the annual Halloween Corn Maize. Every year a farmer has their corn field artisticlly designed into a maize and then charges an entrance fee and WA-LA they make a little money. I would almost bet the farmer makes more money doing the maize then just selling his corn outright. (As long as the weather holds out that is). Here is the "Idaho Statesman's" article. Owned by Kuna residents Jim and Hillary Lowe, the 10-foot-high MAiZE has been designed this year in the likeness of presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, with the caption, "Left or Right?

I'm afraid I will not be going. I have been in a maize once (over in England) and I NEVER would have found my way out if the people on top of the hill finally took pity on me and gave me the directions out. I will have to find those pictures and post those...that was a pretty fun trip!

Signing off: Cornhusker Anita

Tyler is Julie and Chris's oldest. And he is the oldest nephew on my side of the family! He is 16 and he now has his drivers license. Holy Moly has time gone by fast! Tyler is extremely passionate about sports. His two games are Hockey and Baseball. He does very well in both sports and has been been on the traveling teams for both sports for quite a few years as well as the regular seasons. He also LOVES to play poker. (I know he gets that from his mom because she also LOVES to gamble)! I just want to tell Tyler, be careful driving because you are irreplaceable!

My sister Julie and her husband Chris have two kids. They prefer not to have their kids pictures on my blog so I will use stick figures to represent them. However, let me make this quite clear, my niece and nephew are much prettier and more handsome then what is represented.

What can I say about Jessica (aka Jessy). She is 14 years old and in high school and is a fashionista! This girl loves clothes. I think she gets it from both her Grandma's genes. Shopping for clothes, shopping for shoes, shopping for accessories. When Jessy was younger she did Karate and worked her way up to a black belt. For the last couple of years she has prefered tennis as her sport of choice and she is doing very well and she wins lots of matches. She also enjoys drawing and her new passion is baking. She did all the deserts for her Aunt Mel's party about six months ago and made sugar cookies (that riveled Martha Stewart) and cupcakes that looked like flowers. They not only tasted good but looked fantastic!

This is my niece Nicole. She is 12 years old (her Birthday Picture) and she is my oldest brother John and my sister-in-law Sandy's girl. She is quite the athelete. She is on the swim team at the "Y" and she is always winning her meets. She excelles on the harder strokes like the Butterfly. She is also an accomplished "gamer". As in the Nintendo DS and XBOX 360. She loves wolves and has a huge collection of Webkinz. She is one smart little cookie as she is always bringing home excellent grades from school.
PS-Do you see the blue hair. WHAT A WILD CHILD!! lol
As soon as I get some more pictures I will make a little slideshow of Nicole.
Signing off: Anita

NEICES AND NEPHEWS

Since Jim and I do not have kids, I am going to tell you a little bit about my nieces and nephews. I will start with my youngest brother who now reside in Arizona. Brian and Amy have 3 kids........



The oldest is Abby (or Abigail Grace) and she is almost 11 years old and in the 5th grade. I know how parents brag about their kids being smart, but she really truely is smart. I think they call them "Gifted Children". She also can act and she sings like an angel and has been in school plays and also professional productions. She also loves horses and takes horse back riding lessons.

The middle child is Caleb and he is 8 years old and in the second grade. He is a Brian "Mini Me". He is all boy! He is really interested in guns and hunting. Whenever I go visit we ALWAYS have to go to Cabelas. The land of mecca for the hunting crowd. He is also a very good artist. He loves to draw. Whenever Calab visits, him and I always have to watch "Willow" because we both love the trolls and dragons and the little brownies!

The youngest is Elly (or Elizabeth May) and she is 4 years old and in pre school. This little cutie patootie loves going to school. It's the highlight of her day. She is also the most girly-girl I have ever seen in my life! She has almost every Disney Princess Dress and of course all the shoes and tiaras and wands that go with them. She also has more energy then the Hoover Dam!

The fourth child is their new dog RJ the Mastiff/Boxer mix. He is all muscle and loves to cuddle. Him and Elly fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but all the kids just love him and I know he is very protective of his family.

Signing off: Anita: Tomorrow the next set of kids

LET US NEVER FORGET

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Signing off: Anita

VERY UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT

This joke comes from a friend of mine (who shall remain nameless unless she wants to take credit for it in the comments section)! LOL

Jose and Carlos are Panhandlers......

• They panhandle in different areas of town.


• Carlos panhandles just as long as Jose but only collects 2 to 3 dollars every day.


• Jose brings home a suitcase FULL of $10 bills, drives a Mercedes, lives in a mortgage free house and has a lot of money to spend.


• Carlos says to Jose, 'I work just as long and hard as you do, but how do you bring home a suitcase full of $10 bills every day?


• Jose replies 'Look at your sign. What does it say'? Carlos' sign reads, 'I have no work, a wife and kids to support." Jose says, "No wonder you only get $2-3 dollars a day."


• Carlos replies..."So what does your sign say." Jose shows Carlos his sign...


• It reads, "' I only need another $10.00 to move back to Mexico

Adios: Anita

OUR MILITARY BOYS

This is our nephew Matt Proctor. He is serving in the Marines and is stationed in Twenty Nine Palms. Matt lived with us in his Junior Year in High School and we always knew he would do well and we are very proud of him! Stay safe Matt!!!!!






This is our nephew Ryan (Thats Jim's brother and Sister-In-Law Jane also). He is serving in the Navy and he looks quite handsome in his uniform! Stay safe Ryan!!!!


Our newphew Adam just enlisted in the Marines and starts Bootcamp this week. Here is a little story that Jane (and mother of these fine young men) emailed us the other day:
While we were all at dinner Friday night, an anonymous patron paid for our meal because Matt was in uniform, and they wanted to thank Matt for serving our great Country. And yes our country is great. Democrat or Republican, and the next time you see someone in a Military uniform, please give them the same respect and thanks that strangers have shown MY boys.(yes I'm crying again) Please keep them in your prayers. Love Jane
I know I speak for all of my family as well as all my blogger friends: We will most definately keep the boys in our prayers!!

Signing off: Anita

PAINTED CATS

My friend Kim J. sent this to me the other day and I just had to share it with you. Apparently this is the latest thing. To paint your cat. It can cost anywhere from $15,000 up to $60,000 a treatment. Most have to be redone every three months once the cats hair starts to grow out. What people will do for attention! LOL
Signing off: Anita

BRITNEY IS ON A COME BACK

It looks like Britney won 3 VMA's last night. I say good for her. I always felt sorry for her when she was going through that weird wacko drug and alcohol induced time and marrying KFed, having kids and not taking care of them, looking like trailor trash on the Matt Lauer interview, divorcing the same KFed, losing her kids then dating an English paparazzi scum (who wanted his 15 minutes of fame), getting that stylish bald hair do, singing drunk on the MTV awards last year time in her life. But it looks like she may be getting her life back together. Again I say "GOOD FOR YOU BRITNEY"!!!!
Signing off: Anita

MOJITO REPORT

OK, my Mojitos didnt go quite as planned. I made them exactly as the recipe called for. I even watched Mojito videos just to make sure I did

them correctly. The original Mojito that I made, came out so-so. It was

good but it didnt have that "POW" that some of them have had when I

get them in a bar. The Berry Mojito was kind of a disaster. I couldn't smush the berries good enough so they kept clogging up my straw and I couldn't drink the Berry Mojito with out a straw because I kept drinking the mint leaves. And that was very very GROSS!!! So my report is......stick with original Mojitos and I guess I will just have to practice practice practice!

Signing off: Anita

JUST CALL ME DRUNKY-MCBEATY!!!

I AM GOING TO TRY AND MAKE MOJITO'S TONIGHT. I HAVE ALL THE INGREDIANTS TO MAKE TRADITIONAL AND BERRY MOJITOS. I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THEY TASTE.

Fresh Berry Mojitos

4 Raspberries

4-6 Blueberries
4-6 Strawberries (cut small)
3 lime wedges
6 mint sprigs
1 packet of Splenda
White rum
Cranberry juice
Pineapple juice
Lime juice
Club soda
In a tall glass or cup, muddle/crush/mash all fruit and mint leaves well (add more or less fruit and splenda according to taste).Add splenda and top it all with ice. Fill about 1/3 with rum, 1/3 club and 1/3 a combination of the cranberry and pineapple, and a splash of lime juice.Shake well and serve. Garnish it with a lime and enjoy!

LAZY AND SPOILED DOGS!!

MY FAMOUS BOYFRIEND

Yes, John Travolta and I used to date for awhile before I met Jim. This is John and me
at a fancy NYC party. Is'nt he a dream boat! But as fate would have it, I met Jim and he swept me off my feet and I had to let John go and find his own way in the world. I understand he has done very well for himself.
Signing off: Anita

A VERY RELAXING LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

Jim and I started the Labor Day Weekend by going to get a massage at Massage Envy (www.massageenvy.com) over in Nampa on Saturday. OMG, it was great! One of the best massages I've had in a while. Not that I get them very often but I've had a few over the years. :)

Sunday we ended up going to a movie. The third installment of the "Mummy" movies. It was ok, but not great. I was soooo disappointed because Rachel Weitz was not in it. The woman they had replacing her just didnt have the same chemistry with Brandon as Rachel had.

Monday we relaxed, read books, Jim snoozed on his new hamock. He went out and got us dinner so I didnt even have to cook. It was a very very nice weekend!

Signing off: Anita

LUNCH WITH THE GIRLS!

This is our friend Billie (on the right) and her sister Eva (on the left) and me and my mom. Eva was visiting from Southern California. Billie and her sister are so much fun! We were trying out a new little restaurant called Willow Creek Grill over off of Vista. It was very good! I recommend it.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF KIDS

My friend Kim J. sent me an email with all sorts of cute dog pictures. And it had this story attached to it. I thought it was very insightful. Especially coming from a child. Ahhhhhh sometimes they know so much more then we do. Enjoy!

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm , petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Signing off: Anita

I WANNA BE A ROCKSTAR!

This is for my friend Tancy. This is as close as I get to DRUMMING!

SOME OF THE CORVETTES AT NWMF

Enjoy some of the corvettes from the North West Motor Fest that we went to back in July! I wish I could take all of them home.

NWMF - Drag Racing

MOTHER NATURE AT HER FINEST!

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE ALL THE COLORS!

JIM AND I SURE DO LOVE EACH OTHER!

21 Suggestions for Success

I Found this on another blog site http://2ndhalfgoals.blogspot.com/ and I thought the list was quite insightful. Everything on it I would agree with 100%.
Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery
Work at something you enjoy, and that's worthy of your time and effort.
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Be forgiving of yourself and others
Be generous
Have a grateful heart
Persistence, persistence, persistence.
Discipline yourself to save money even on the most modest income
Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated
Commit yourself to constant improvement
Commit yourself to quality
Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.
Be loyal
Be honest
Be a self starter
Be decisive even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong
Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
Be bold and courageous. When you look back at you life you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.
Take care of those you love
Don't do anything that wouldn't make your Mom proud.

Signing off: Anita

MY NIECE ELLY - WHAT A HAM!!!!

My sister-in-law Amy sends an email this morning that says: This picture made me laugh so hard! It is Elizabeth and she took it yesterday all by herself. Abby and Caleb were at school, and she was “passing the time.” We laughed about this for a long time that day. Hope it makes you as happy as it did me!

So I couldnt wait to see what Little Miss Elly took: Here it is LOL

ANITA GETS A TATTOO!!!!

Ok, Ok.....as you can see it was only a temporary tattoo. LOL But it was fun while it lasted. Who knows, maybe I will get a real one sometime in the future. When they devise a way for it NOT TO HURT thank you very much.

Signing Off: Anita

Hot August Nights- Reno, NV 2008

WOW, Last weekend Jim and I went down to Fernley, NV to visit his Dad and to make sure he was doing OK since Jim's Mom had passed away not to long ago. That Saturday we went into Reno to have some breakfast and "What do you know?" The Hot August Nights was in town!

We had such a fun day. We ended up going to Sparks and finding a great parking spot. (If you know Jim, you will know that does'nt happen very often) and had breakfast at a great buffet (you all know how I love my buffets) at the Nugget.

Afterwards we roamed the streets (they were all blocked off to traffic) and saw the most awsome cars around. They were lined up everywhere. My favorites, the Corvettes were plentiful, all sorts of years, colors and they were all in great shape. My camera pooped out on me only 1/4 of the way through the day so I wasn't able to take pictures of the best ones. DANG!!!!

The people were all fun to talk too, and they had come from everywhere to participate. By the looks of it though, most of them were from California. Californians must lOVE their old cars.

Again, as soon as I get somebody to show me how to do a slideshow I will put ALL the pictures I have of the show.

It was a fun day looking at the cars, drinking iced tea and people watching and of course we did "A little" gambling. Lost our money though. That deserves another DANG!

We went on a "Trader Joes" run after the car show and got all my yummy Trader Joe stuff.

Enjoy the pictures (once I get them all posted).

Signing off: Anita

Me Sitting In A Rightous Corvette