Black Panther

My black panther has decided that when the pups go out, she MUST be with them. Normally she stays close to me by the back door.

Today at lunch she followed her sister to the back of the yard. Millie was trying desperately to get into the shed to check on the crying kittens. Oprah on the other hand found the compost area very interesting...

Long days and pleasant nights...

Normal?

Finally recovered from the 4-day private concert aka Country Fever. Just when I decide I'm too damn old for these things I seem to allow myself to get dragged (loose term) to another. =)

Anywho. It has been a couple weeks of kritters at my home. I housed Tuvok and T'pel until they found a more permanent home. They are already missed by Millie and Oprah.

We found a baby kitten in the yard last week. It still had an umbilical cord. So Millie, Oprah and I tried our best to save it. It is now resting in peace in the field outside the station. Then Tuvok and Millie alerted me to kittens in the shed!

That's right we have at least 3 probably more. Millie and I actually saw one last night. It is solid black. When I went to check on it this morning, the momma had actually done what I suggested. She had obviously been to tend to the young one and moved it out of site.

Saturday, my dryer decided to stop working. The wonderful brother-in-law, Jimmy came to repair it. Seems it wasn't the dryer - it is the outlet that gave out. This is good news for me since the expense is now the landlords.

I have a wonderful landlord. He came over last night to check out the outlet. Decided he needed to call in an electrician. Then helped me finally remove the old, nasty, smelly, mosquito infested tree trunk that littered the middle of my backyard. With the old stump went a multitude of mosquitos. Woo Hoo.

The dogs, Oprah and I sat outside for about half an hour with no noticable bugs biting.

Life on the mountain is settling back into a steady pace. That's always a good thing.

Long days and pleasant nights...

What's What?

Last weekend was the first and only real vacation I will have this year. Most wouldn't consider it a vacation at all.

I spent the weekend as JoJo Jr. At first Jo and I thought Barbara had lost her mind making me Jo's assistant, but quickly learned that it worked well for both of us. Well at least for me it worked well all the time, it worked for Jo when I actually remembered to do the ONE job she gave me. But I'm getting ahead of myself...

Last weekend Red Dirt came to Pryor. This is the music that I have grown to love more than mayhap I love Toby. I can safely say that because I'm pretty sure he has never visited TammieLand...

To prove how grateful I was to be given the assignment I had been given, I dressed just like Jo. It was uncanny how we both had on red tanks and bluejean shorts. No one could tell us apart! Even Caleb had trouble with it. After getting beyond the shock of my choice of clothing, Jo assigned me to 1) make sure all the security detail keep hydrated 2) keep her informed on who is currently on stage at ALL times. I know you think this is a pretty simple assignment and for the first hour it was.

Day One: Robert Earl was the headliner. I had never seen him in person and honestly didn't know all that many of his songs. I am now totally hooked. You see Robert Earl is a story teller. He is also one of the godfathers of Red Dirt music. I would explain the title to this blog if I could remember the complete joke. It took him somewhere around 15 minutes to tell it on stage. It began with "I'm an Aggie" and ended with "What's what?" Everything in between was hillarious and very confusing. So confusing he asked at least 3 times "you with me?" To which we all replied "YES" even though I'm sure only the 5 sober people actually were. I've always loved the music of true story tellers like Tom T Hall - now Robert Earl is on my list of favorites.

Day Two: Frank came to town. I had to abandon my duties assigned by Jo to be an official Channel 8 person. It was fun. I got to meet Stoney LaRue. He actually took time out from spitting and drinking beer to have his picture made with me. He was also the headliner that night. I like Stoney, but given my druthers I would have had Randy Rogers headline. RR rocks and I know much more of his music. Although as it turned out, I knew quite of few of the songs Stoney sang. Turns out, he co-writes with everyone! I got to hear "Shot Full Of Holes" live twice last weekend, the better version being on Saturday night by JB&S.

Day Three: My day and the day that my usefulness to Jo was completely absent. I generally always knew who was on stage, thankfully there were flyers with pictures. Also day three provided most of the bands I really have seen a lot. No Justice rocks as well as adds a degree of cuteness to the stage. I had never seen Billy Joe Shaver in concert, he is too funny. I also didn't realize that he wrote almost all of my favorite Waylon songs. Then of course I got to meet Jason Boland.

I had never been to an actual meet n greet before. So surprisingly I was the first in line. When the lady took us into an empty tent I walked over toward a table as directed. After taking a couple of steps into the empty tent I turned to ask a question and literally walked into a laughing Jason Boland. I never knew he had ninja abilities. We laughed and talked and hugged and talked and he promised me new music soon. I didn't even have to ask for that one. Then I was merrily on my way. I ate cake with JB later in the dining hall. By "ate cake with..." I mean he was sitting at a table eating cake - I was sitting a table eating cake at the same time. Matt the security guy had a water hose accessible for some reason.

Mayhap I should mention that Cross Canadian Ragweed closed Saturday night. I already had no voice before they came on. Therefore I was unable to scream along to the lyrics of the 3 songs they sang that I knew.

Day four: Hot and miserable. I kept the security boys hydrated and entertained. Then went home without actually watching any entertainment.

I would tell you the funny stories about What's What or $500 and a taco - but they would be lost on those of you that weren't there. So if you want to know, just give me a ring...

The party's not over - it's just leaving town...

Wild Weekend

What a whirlwind the last three days have been.

Friday was the "big" digital switchover. As big a deal as everyone made this out to be, it really shouldn't have been that big of a deal. We have been broadcasting over our digital signal since 2003. The difference Friday was that we shut off the analog signal. The government has taken the analog signals back for cell phones and emergency responder lines. While the phone had a steady number of callers - they were 99% people that needed help adjusting their converter box.

Friday evening I met Patty and picked up Zeke. He is so full of energy. We talked all the way back to Tulsa. He saw big water, no boats, horses, cows, no grass... Then we went to WalMart to get a few groceries. After we made it to Aunt Tammie's house we played ball. First we were playing baseball. Then he discovered the big ball in the backyard.

Saturday we were up before the roosters. literally. We played with the puppies and cat. Chased them most of the morning. Then went to a friend's house to help out with her lawn work. When we were finished there, his mom called and I took him back to McAlester. He had such a busy day that he literally fell asleep in the car while eating Cheetos.

Sunday we moved Renie to Tulsa. By "we" I mean her friends, Kevin and Daddy. I have a pack of vicious miniature dachshunds now. Tuvok has yet to learn that the black cat lives with us. T'pel is trying to establish that she is the cutest puppy in the house. Toby hides under the bed. Millie is thrilled to have 2 new playmates. More to come on this adventure...

Long days and pleasant nights...

Hay and Zeke

I finally figured out how to send pics from my phone to my email.

This is of the boys taken last Saturday. I learned that a trip to WalMart has doubled in cost!

Long days and pleasant nights...

Rich-O-Nater

Rich for Governor!

Today we learned that Drew Edmondson is officially running for Governor of Oklahoma.

I love Oklahoma. I love my party affiliation - Democrat. I love my country. However, I do not have the desire to go to war with Arkansas. The four announced candidates are all less than what I would consider worth voting for. Unfortunately of the four Mr. Edmondson has the best chance of winning.

So, as a solution to the problem, we are showing solidarity on TammieLand. I am publicly supporting a Republican as my candidate for Governor.

Rich is promising as Governor to eliminate taxes, bring 6.0 beer to Oklahoma and NOT declare war on Arkansas. He promises to make us New Texas. Not to mention good Christian, married with adorable children.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Hit it Over the Fence

That's my boy!!!

Saturday I made the trek to McAlester to see Hayden play "real" baseball. He is in a coach-pitch league. This is his first year.

The only sad thing about the game was that I had to cheer for a Cub. But I was resigned to cheer for him even if he had a NY on his uniform. He played right field, or in coach pitch, he stood between the first and second base players - next to one of the dad's.

His first at bat - he looked at me and said "Aunt Tammie, I'm gonna hit it over the fence." Then he ran off to the plate. He did indeed hit the ball pretty hard. He made it to 2nd base! I could see a lot of Albert Pujols in him. He was the rebel. When he was tired of wearing his ball cap - he went to bat without it. But had his sunglasses on.

I'll never forget the moment Skylar and I realized Hayden could throw from both arms equally well. I honestly don't know who was more excited - Skylar or me. We decided we would work on "our" boy and make sure he made it at least to college level. Switch hitters are very valuable in the bigs. My promise to Skylar on Jan 23 was that I would do whatever I could to help Hayden get to the college level. Or at least love baseball as much as he and I.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Well-being Update

The pups and I went to their annual check-up today.

Millie recognized the place immediately and wanted nothing to do with it. Toby was his typical well-mannered self... as long as he was allowed to be right next to Mommie.

Both are in very good health. Millie's teeth, ears and eyes are all perfect. Even though she tried crawling under my shirt when the dr came toward her with a "thing." She did take the shots better than in times past. No drama queen this year, just lots of whining - loud whining. While she was on the table, the dr took time to discuss, once again, how nasty it is to eat kitty litter, with her.

We need to get Toby in for a deep cleaning of his teeth along with a pedicure. The dr tells me they sedate for both procedures so we can get a two-fer with him. She also says that he will probably be sent home with an antibiotic due to the amount of plaque. I'm pretty sure he will be demanding a new home when this happens. Nanna is on speed-dial. lol

Funny side - when the dr walked in - she remembered Millie, of course, then looked at me and said "aren't you Oprah's mommie?" In Pryor I'm known as Nicole's mom. In McAlester I'm Hayden's aunt. In Quinton, Mildred's grandaughter. But I've never been known as an animal's mommie. The nurse had asked me if Toby is a mommie's boy, and without a wink I answered, oh yeah. This must be the difference in a clinic run by women only rather than men. =)

Mom made it thru the 3rd round of chemo yesterday. All is looking very well for surgery in a month or so.

I have completey gotten Captain Trips out of my system. Still taking the amoxicillin for a few more days.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Need a Husband?

Yes, you read the title correctly.

I had a very interesting conversation with the all-knowing and wise 5 year-old Hayden, yesterday.

It started with a phone call to my parents house. He answered. I told him that I had volunteered him and me to help hand out Drillers lunch boxes and then we would watch the game. For some reason known only in the mind of a 5 year old - he countered that with "Who is your husband?"

That began the conversation about me not having a husband because I don't need one. He then decided that I do need a husband and hung up before I could "discuss" it further.

I sent his mother a message. I'm pretty sure she is still laughing about the conversation.

I'm taking this as a positive in Hayden's life. He is now living in a happy home. His mom has married a wonderful man who truly loves Hayden as his own. In fact, he and Hayden are going to Six Flags this summer without "mom". The fact that he thinks I need something like that, makes me very happy for him.

On the other hand... I really don't think I need a husband.

Long days and pleasant nights...