All Aboard The McCain Train

"I believe everything happens for a purpose. In my own personal life, if I dedicated back to my Creator what I'm trying to create for the good...everything will turn out fine."

Sarah Palin

I'm very excited about McCain's VP pick Sarah Palin!

I found this interesting article about her here at

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288722,00.html

Check it out.

Celebrating Fifty Years Of Love and Commitment With His Mary Lou

I wanted to take a moment here to congratulate my husband's parents for reaching a special milestone in their lives together. Today they celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary. We are very thankful for them, and greatly value their fine example of what love and commitment in marriage should be. Happy Anniversary to the special couple! We love you both so much.

Hello Mary Lou
By Gene Pitney

Hello Mary Lou,/ goodbye heart /Sweet Mary Lou, I'm so in love with you/ I knew Mary Lou, we'd never part/ So hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart/ You passed me by one sunny day/Flashed those big brown eyes my way/ And ooh I wanted you forever more/ Now I'm not one that gets around /Swear my feet stuck to the ground/ And though I never did meet you before/ I said, hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart/Sweet Mary Lou, I'm so in love with you/ I knew Mary Lou,/ we'd never part/ So hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart/I saw your lips I heard your voice/ Believe me I just had no choice/ Wild horses couldn't make me stay away/I thought about a moonlit night/ My arms about you good an' tight/ That's all I had to see for me to say/ Hey, hey, hello Mary Lou,/ goodbye heart/ Sweet Mary Lou, I'm so in love with you/ I knew Mary Lou, we'd never part/ So hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart/ So hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart/Yes hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart.

You Get A Line, And I'll Get A Pole Honey

My nephew caught some bait.

Cuteness!

She loved her new fishing rod.

My Husband

Her First Catch!

My Niece In-law.

Second Catch

My oldest relaxing!

That's My Girl!

Third catch of her day.

Catching minnows is a fun way to pass time when the fish aren't biting.

We watched some deer walk down to the water for an evening drink.

Lovely!

As we took in the veiw we could hear the familiar " Who Cooks For You?", call from a Barred Owl as dusk drew near.

One more picture before we go.

We had a great time fishing at Montgomery Bell Park even though the fish didn't bite until several hours into our fishing trip. I have always enjoyed dropping my line into the water sitting back and waiting for that familiar tug of a fish on the line. I managed to make the first catch of the day ,but that wasn't nearly as exciting as seeing my little girl catch the next three on her first fishing trip ever. She was smiling from ear to ear. Her patience had paid off! I think she is going to enjoy fishing just as much as I do.

Hilltop Thrills

The Path

The Old Tree House

Beginning Stages

I couldn't wait for them to climb down.

Day 1 complete.

The Builders
Day 2

The floor is complete.

TIME FOR SOME RAILS!!!!!!

The view looking up the hill.



My son has been so excited to get to help his oldest cousin Michael, who is a very talented builder, build a tree house that sits high on the hillside behind my parents house. I guess most boys get excited when sawing and hammering are involved along with the thrill of climbing a tall ladder. (WHICH MAKES ME A LITTLE NERVOUS!) Of course my nervousness makes climbing tall ladders all the more fun for my him.

My oldest has learned so much about building, and has gained additional self confidence by learning a new skill. I think knowing he has contributed time and sweat for something that all of us will enjoy has been a WONDERFUL experience for him.



I will post additional photos of their work as it is completed.

Indian Money Jewelry

This necklace was made with simple twine, nuts collected from the ground, and pieces of Crinoid stems that make perfect beads for jewelry. This simple necklace reminds me of the autumn season with all the earthy tones of color. It was created by my nephew when he was a boy as a gift for my mom. It is truly a special treasure to her!

I have purchased and gathered the needed materials to create some pieces for my children, but have been busy with school planning and have not had time. I will put them on as soon as they are completed.

Indian Money

" Indian Money", that's what my mom calls them. I remember passing many summer hours away combing dry creek beds for these "Indian" treasures. I still have a bit of " Indian Money" fever, and have spent some time lately collecting it, and introducing my children to the thrill of the hunt. I must admit with all the political correctness nowadays I am probably running the risk of being vilified somehow for even using this term, but being the brave soul I am , and since I foresee no run for public office in my future I will go ahead and type myself into what might be viewed as political faux pas and call them what I wish!

For curiosity sake though, I did decide to look into what these really are. I just had to know where they came from, and boy was I suprised! So here's the scoop on these unique treasures!

The scientific name is Crinoid Fossils. They are sea lilly fossils. Don't let the sea lilly part confuse you ,these were once marine animals that were attached to the ocean floor. They filtered food particles from currents flowing past them. After the sea lily died, it disintegrated very quickly and that is why we usually find these fossils in pieces. The fossils you find are pieces of crinoid stem. They are the parts that attached to the sea floor. The center was an opening that was filled with a fleshy stalk which provided food to the lower part of the animal. It also held the stem together and gave flexibility to the stem. Crinoids are commonly found in sedimentary rock. There are still sea lilies alive today in the sea. That is why these are referred to as "living fossils".

Hmmm, all this information kind of makes you wonder how these fossils have ended up in backyard creeks and mountain tops. Could it have happened during a great catastrophic flood of some sort? Yes, I think so!

It is always exciting to learn something new, especially about something that carries many wonderful childhood memories along with it. I don't know about you, but all of this talk about Crinoids has made me want to go on an "Indian Money" hunt. How about you?


*Be sure to check back soon to see some jewelry creations made with Indian Money.

My children and I found the "Indian Money" pictured below in the creek behind my Mom and Dad's house.

Photos by Alana T. copyrighted 2008




Photos by Alana T. copyrighted 2008






Photo by Alana T. copyrighted 2008