This Ain't My First Rodeo

Honestly it was my first rodeo. I've never really cared for horses and cows and Cowboys and Cowgirls stuff. I mean I had the "required" cowgirl outfit when I was little but that was about it. They have the big Dixie National Rodeo every year in Jackson but I've never thought about going. You see this weekend was planned around one simple event, school was out on Friday. So I had a 3 day weekend and I wanted to go somewhere. Period. I thought while the rest of the folks were whooping and hollering at the rodeo we could stroll through old houses, shops and gardens. But the more I mentioned our trip to folks they  started saying "oh you need to go to the rodeo". Our B&B host and hostess said online was the best way to get tickets so while we were eating dinner last night, little old multi-tasker me set out to get tickets. But none were to be found. Then just as I was about to give up a lady sitting at the table behind us said she worked at the prison and there were tickets available. She took our names and said she'd take care of it first thing Saturday morning. Now I still wasn't sure about this but maybe it was meant to be. I really wanted to  believe but not sure how much fun it would be for us non cowboy folks. After a lovely breakfast I really wanted to find some fresh Louisiana strawberries. Shirley, our hostess suggested the town farmer's market. We set out to find it but it wasn't open today. We then started the 20+mile journey to Angola Prison.As we neared the prison, they handed us a flyer telling us what could and could not be brought into the prison area.  It was pretty countryside and we arrived along with about another gillion folks.  . We had just started walking to the prison when a sweet man offered us a ride in his four seater ATV. I gladly accepted and away we went. He even took us to a side gate with a very short line. We went up to the will call window and asked for our tickets.  No problem. They were ready for us. We went in with no waiting (this will become important later) they didn't even search my purse. We shopped and I picked out a few things and then I found the plants

. Oh my. If we had been in Paul's truck it would be full but since we were in my car I had to limit myself to two big pots with a tomato plant and I think a cucumber along with some herbs. I both some small basil plants too. They hold them for you until the rodeo is over. We thought we had looked at all the booths and we weren't ready for lunch so we went on the prison tour. It really was interesting.  I mean really. Here are just a few fun facts: Angola is a male only prison, there are currently 6,298 prisoners, 1612 employees, some even live rent and utility free on the 18,000 acres. They grow all their own food, they work 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, they pay taxes, the first three years they make $.02 an hour, they can work up to $.20 max., they are separated by level of offenses. And lots more information.  When we returned I just thought we'd walk back in and not have to wait in the mile long line, and Paul could have but I had a purse. And now they were searching all purses. And the line was about a mile long.  (wait time would have been about an hour) So we opted to walk to the car and leave my purse. Then we just walked back in. Sweet!
We ate lunch and then found our seats. Stephanie L. if you ever read this please know how grateful we are for the front row grandstand seats. We had the absolute best seats in the arena!

Right behind the area where the men got on the bulls and bucking broncos.  As in so close that we got hit with dirt from the bull's hooves. (I'm sure some of that dirt had other stuff that I really didn't want in my hair. Ugh!

I was so impressed and it was really a lot of fun!
I have to say the whole time I was there my heart hurt for these men, what went wrong in their life for them to commit such crimes. They are grown, rough men but they are still some mother's sons and the best I could reason is they either broke her heart or she wasn't a fit mother.   I pray they will turn their life around and if they are released will have a good life.
Now here are some action shots.

A little before the end of the rodeo I made my way down the stairs and waited for Paul, we picked up my plants and hurried to the car. We were bumper to bumper all the way back to the highway.  We got back to the B&B and rested a little. I kept feeling little pieces of " rodeo dirt" in my hair and could stand it so a shower was in order for me. Then we got gussied up and headed to dinner at The Myrtle's restaurant The Carriage House. It was a lovely dinner and. We even had time to shop some before calling it a night and heading back to the B&B.  Here is a picture I snapped as we left the gift shop.  I didn't notice it at the time but if you look at the lower left hand corner I  think I see a small foggy pictures that looks like children.  I forgot to mention that The Myrtles is the MOST haunted house in America.  Or maybe it is just my eyes playing tricks on me.

Night y'all because I can't keep my eyes open any longer.
Until nest time,
Love ya,

Six More Mondays

See, I told you I like to countdown to things.  Now we are in the final countdown to summer break.  Which for teachers is our own slice of heaven.  I have 2 more purchase orders to use and I attempted to use them Sunday afternoon.  I had all my stuff picked out at Office Depot but we hit that dang snag of no credit card.  This time it wasn't my fault.  I did ask and was told there isn't a credit card and one wasn't needed.  I was so bummed because this week is buy one get one half off on ink.  And man let me tell you I use some ink. I also had 3 packs of the most gorgeous color paper.  I also use lots of color paper.  I hope Central Office gets this figured out.
Since I couldn't use my PO at Office Depot, I had to wait to use my Walmart PO.  Bummer.
But I did buy our weekly groceries.  It is so hard not to get in a rut and cook the same thing every night and every week.  I had a brief inspiration in the grocery store yesterday and we had shish kabobs for supper.  I bought chicken tenders, mushrooms and red and orange bell peppers.  I had onions and squash at home.  They looked so pretty.

Once I coated the veggies in olive oil and pepper then I skewered everything and then brushed Olive Garden Italian Dressing over them.

Paul grilled them and they were perfectly.  I mean yum yum!!

 We had enough so both of us could have it for lunch today. I also bought some small packages of fresh fruit and a bag of butter lettuce salad.  Man, it was all I could do to wait for lunch time.   Last night Paul asked if I could make a blueberry cobbler with the plethora of  blueberries in our freezer.  How can I say no?  So tonight it's spaghetti and cobbler for dessert.  But first I have to work late.  This week is progress report week and I have a workshop on Thursday, so I need to catch up or get ahead one.
Until next time,
love ya,

It's a Beautiful Day!

Saturday the sun was shining and Paul was finally off from work. I had thought my cousin's funeral would be today but they are waiting until Tuesday. So  instead we set out on an adventure. We headed to Jackson around eleven-ish. We were discussing where to eat cause that's what we do. We had decided to go to Beagle Bagel in Highland Village when I was thinking what I really liked about BB and I realized it was the decor ( and of course their chicken salad). It's just kinda retro when I burst out with "you know where I've always wanted to eat? Brent's Drugs," so Paul quizzed me why and I explained. A scene from The Help was filmed there and it just sounded like s fun place. Next thing I know we are heading down State Street. I quickly Googled the directions. We found it quickly and got a parking spot right by the front door. How's that for luck? It was so much fun. I had the Club and Paul had Brent's Burger with Onion Rings. Yummy. The placed was packed with young families and oldsters like us. 

After lunch we strolled around the area across the street. apparently it was First Thursday?? Which was confusing because it's Saturday and First Thursday is next week but okay. Our next stop was the outlet mall. Paul goes through tennis shoes so fast so he needed new shoes and I found a pair of shoes I liked and we both got 8 pairs of new socks! The clerk said we were $5.00 from a $20. discount so we each got a t-shirt and our total did go down. Wow! And to top it off another clerk asked me if I was a teacher and I taught her in Junior High. That's twice this week I've run into former students.  

We strolled around the mall then headed to Bass Pro and then to a sporting goods store. Seems Paul is in search of a new pistol. He didn't find the one he was wanting. After a quick stop for some new summer clothes we picked up 4 Boston ferns for the front porch and 2 Asparagus ferns for the back flower bed.    Yay!

Paul suggested going to a movie so I checked the shows and times. We settled on Miracles from Heaven. 

Oh my it was awesome. A tear jerker but still good. 

If you haven't seen this movie I highly recommend it. 

We ended our day with a quick dinner at Newks. 

Until next time 

Love ya,