Rumor has it...

Some crazy lady was chasing poor Cousin Shannon all over the yard on Saturday afternoon. Atleast that is what Mary, the neighbor said....Hmmmm, who would do such a thing? I wonder....hmmmm.

60 random things about my Mom..Happy Mother's Day!

1) She has a major phobia. Frogs, toads, and thing that looks like or sounds like a frog...keep them away from her. Don't think it would be cute to chase her with one. She will never forgive you and she would probably have a stroke. She freaks out, freezes in fear and later, she will kick your ass. Seriously, it's not a joking matter.
2) She has a silly sense of humor. She likes simple silly jokes, they crack her up.
3) She had two daughters and we drove her nuts with our fighting.
4) She is a middle child and the only daughter.
5) She grew up on a farm and is not an animal lover. They are cute, but keep them away from her and don't even think about bringing one in the house....ewww, she hates that.
6) She spoils her husband. Seriously, I've told her to stop it but she doesn't.
7) She doesn't enjoy being reminded that she is the nut that married into this family...I had no choice, I was born into it.
8) She makes the best dumplings for me and Pop, even though she doesn't like hers hard like we do, she likes them soft and fluffy. We like ours cooked like bricks...lol.
9) Her favorite color is green but I always thought it was orange.
10) She named my sister, Tisha...my Dad named me....but he didn't get to name me Belinda....Mom put her foot down on that one.
11) She doesn't like farm caves or storm cellars as they are refered too...they creap her out. This has something to do with #1 on her list.
12)She met Nick Nolte in Nebraska, years ago when he was still a young guy and before he was ever famous.
13)Farorite color is green, she has always liked purple too.
14)The first car she owned was a blue with a white top, convertible Ford Fairlane.
15) She doesn't have a favorite number.
16)She cant' stand easy-over or soft cooked eggs.
17) Her favorite food is crab legs.
18) Most embarrassing moment was falling off the curb and landing on her knees while we were on vacation in Florida. We were leaving a restaurant and as we were walking out, boom she disappeared from my side vision. She put two holes in the knees of her slacks.
19)The dumbest thing she ever did has something to do with a drive she took between Seneca Kansas and Pawnee City.....I won't even go into that one...but I agree it was dumb.
20)Her CB handle in the 70's was Nebraska War Department. Her 16 year old brother in law, who was living with us at the time, gave her that handle.
21) When she was dating my Pop...she let him drag her into all kinds of dumb things, like putting the car on the railroad tracks and driving for miles, while drinking beer and hoping they didn't meet a train.
22) Read about every book in the Pawnee library growing up.
23)the best sour cream chocolate cake that she ever made for 4H sat in the oven for 6 hours, waiting to be baked, until her Dad got home and could change the bottle of gas so she could bake it.
24)She has made over 20 crochet baby blankets over the years...mostly for my friends because I suckered her into it.
25) She collects cookbooks, records, depression glass, collectors spoons from places she has traveled and coffee mugs.
26)She loves reading books but hates getting rid of them.
27) She hated American history in school but now she likes it.
28)her favorite piece of clothing ever was a mo hair sweater with 2 inch multi colored pastel stripes.
29) She married Allen Kaster at the Methodist Church in Tecumseh Nebraska in August of 1969 when he was back from boot camp. They will be married 37 years this year.
30) She called her Parents the day before she got married and asked them if they were coming to her wedding the next day. They couldn't plan an exact date because they had no idea when Allen would be released for his short R&R before reporting to where he was stationed again.
31)She use to go to Dubois NE for the free outdoor movies in the summer. Her favorite movies that they showed were the Ma & Pa Kettle movies.
32)She attended the same country school for 9 years and had the same teacher for 7 of those 9 years.
33) Her nickname as a kid was Annie Oakley because she was a sure shot with a hedge ball or Osage orange...depending on what you called them.
34) Her older brother taught her how to drive in an old farm pick-up while her parents were a way for a few hours.
35) She got a piece of glass in her eye when her little brother threw a dirt clod at her and broke her glasses. The glass is still in there. If it had gone any farther in, she would have been blinded in that eye.
36)When she was 4 years old, her Dad farmed with horses. When he came in with them after a long day of plowing, he would unhitch them and let her led those BIG work horses, Prince and Coalie, all the way over to the water tank for them to drink. They were so tired so there was no threat that they would take off.
37)She killed her little brothers pet rooster with a 2x4 up beside its head. It used to spur her when she would walk out to the barn and one day she had had enough. She didn't mean to kill it and it actually wobbled away before it dropped dead.
38)She can't swim, her head sinks and her feet float. Its strange.
39) She almost drowned in the Pawnee City Public Pool when she was a kid. Nobody noticed and luckily she was able to grab the ladder but it took a while and she was panicking.
40) She use to go tubing in Turkey Creek with her brothers when she was a kid. It was only 3 feet deep but her Mother used to get mad at them for doing it.
41)It was her job to get the milk cows back from the pasture and one day she came across a heifer that had just had a calf. She had to wait until the calf was able to stand and walk, then had to slowly get all the cows and the little calf back to the house. It took her 2 hours because the calf would get tired and she would have to wait for it to get up again before they could move on. She got in trouble because she was gone for so long but if she had left the heifer and calf behind she would have been in trouble because her parents would have to go back for it. It was a no win situation.
42) She moved to town in her junior year of high school on New Years Day. It was the first time that she had an indoor toilet, they had an outhouse on the farm.
43) Her new nickname is Aunt Jelly. My Pop is called Uncle Peanut Butter and their little niece decided that Aunt Jelly worked better than Aunt Millie.
44) She was named Mildred after one of her Dad's old girlfriends. Instead of naming her Mildred Maxine, her mom wanted to name her Jane Louise after her Grandmothers.
45)She has a shoe and purse fetish.
46) Her hobbies include sewing and crochet.
47) Her favorite snack is celery with peanut butter.
48)She is a jig-saw puzzle freak and for years had a 5,000 piece puzzle that she glued together hanging by our dining room table.
49)She plays the piano.
50) Fall is her favorite because she likes the colors of the leaves.
51) She collects Fairies and miniature shoes.
52) She is a fan of the Red Hat society but doesn't belong to a club.
53) Some people think she is artsy and put her in charge of the bulletin board at school.
54) Once when her parents were gone she tried to make taffy with her brothers.
55)When JFK was assassinated, she was in Shorthand class, room 206, second row from the windows third seat back.
56)She used to drive the tractor so the guys could lift the hay onto the hay rack.
57) She was involved in a very interesting pre-Halloween prank....it made the paper but she was never connected to it. I'm making her check the papers archives for the photo this summer.
58) She once answered the door without her shirt on...she did have a bra on...when the preacher stopped by to see her room mate. She had just finished washing her hair in the sink and had wrapped her hair in a towel. She completely forgot she had removed her shirt. She wondered why the Preacher looked at her so funny...until after she closed the door. Oops!

59) When she gets really mad...her upper lip starts to twitch...that means you better cut it out or your in deep crap.
60) She will never double cross her oldest daughter by plotting against her in order to punk her....because, I will find out and she knows the picture of her in her underwear WOULD turn up on my blog. She is safe as long as she is loyal to her Evil oldest daughter.

I don't know what has come over me...

But suddenly, I feel like cooking.

That never happens! Huh...interesting!

The Red Rose and Mrs Barr

You know, its funny how certain sights or smells, even textures will bring back a memory of a place or a person. For me, roses remind me of a neighbor from my childhood...Mrs Barr. When I read Sue's post and saw the rose garden photos, it was Mrs Barr that flooded my mind.

I spent a lot of time on Mrs Barr's front yard. I played under a large tree that sat on her side yard, between our house and hers. I used to stop over and visit with her when she was sitting on her front porch. I was probably a bit of a pest, but secretly I think she enjoyed my visits. She would invite me on the porch for a cookie or a cool drink. We would chat and pass the time until I was called home.
She had roses growing in her flower beds. I used to watch her tend to them. One day, she cut a rose for me. A rose just for me...all mine! My Mom is allergic to roses so I was allowed to keep it in my room. It sat on my vanity dresser, in front of the mirror. I would stand there, smelling its sweetness, brushing its petals against my nose, cheek and lips. At 5 years old, it was the most precious gift I had ever been given. I loved that rose and I loved Mrs Barr, my elderly neighbor lady.
Mrs Barr passed away that autumn or was it winter. It was cold that early, early morning. I can still remember it. Mom had put us into the car to take us to the babysitters. It was still dark out, but something was strange. Mrs Barr's front porch light was on. I found out later that she had passed away. My little heart was broken. To this day, when I see a full red rose, smell its sweet fragrance, or touch its soft petals against my face....I think of her, Mrs Barr...my friend.

Oh man...yet another reason I love Katie...

She wrote this on her site....

"Tomorrow is Netters birthday, and we're going out to lunch and seeing that
gymnast movie. 'T will be fun. I love that girl to death. She's getting old. Ew.
Hehe. I only say that cuz I know she is going to read this and freak. :-) LOVE
LOVE LOVE!"

Yeah, she learned that from me...I'm pretty sure of it. I love you too Goofus!

Wouldn't you like to be a Netter too?!

Ok, play on words, but my nickname is Netter...so it works for me.

Man, I need to get a life. I'm to corny for words.

Ahhh, bubble bath heaven!

I figured my headache was because of my allergies. Yep, sinus' plugged, so I did what I had to do. I took a long, hot bubble bath. It was glorious! I had my relaxing smelly stuff that I add to the water and instead of a book...which is my usual companion in a relaxing bath, I had my ipod. I know what you are thinking...its risky to have an ipod anywhere near the tub when you are a klutz like me. True, but I was very careful and it was not in a spot where it could actually fall into the water. I was so relaxed when I finally crawled out of the tub. I almost didn't want it to end. I am glad to announce that my legs are now smooth and stubble free. They are smooth too...I covered them in body butter after I dried off. Not only do I smell good, I feel good too.
Is there anything more relaxing than a nice hot bubble bath...well besides a massage. Crap, now I want one of those too. I know someone that owes me one. I'll just have to sucker him into coming down for a visit, won't I!

I will never watch that show again...EVER!

OK, so Americal Idol is a crock of crapola. Katherine should have gone...yep, she should have been out of there. Instead, what happens? Chris gets booted. What the! Well, when he gets his record deal....I'll buy his CD. So help me...if Katherine wins....I'll gag.

Yuck

I woke up this morning with the same headache that I had yesterday and now my tummy is kind of upest. Well, its what I refer to as a morning stomach or a sour stomach. Sometimes I wake up and I know I can not eat eggs or have any milk....and this is one of those days. Hopefully it will pass quickly. I took some medicine and now I am going to go back to bed for a little while...hopefully the headache will pass quickly.

Mr and Mrs Wobbles are back again today. I have noticed they like our back yard to adjust their feathers and drink water off the grass. They really are cute. I want to keep them. Everyone else wants to run them off. The thing is, they are pretty tame and extremely cute. I never see any babies around but I wonder if they have a nest near by. They are just too cute. It seems they have replaced the swans that are usually in the bay. Those swans are mean hissers though...and Mr and Mrs Wobbles are very sweet and care free.

I'll be back later.

wouldn't you know...

All this talk of postcards from kinky Canadians and what happens? I get a phone call from one. Yep, out of the blue one of the guys calls me and starts talking diry to me. LOL, see what happens when you send me postcards like that and stir the air....bad things happen.

My Mom special ordered some personalized M & M's for me for my birthday. How cute. If you click on the picture, you can see that some say, Happy Birthday and the others say, Annette and Netter. I didn't even know you could do such a thing. I got 4 bags of these little suckers....yummy. I broke down and opened one. I figure if I have a picture of them, I won't feel so bad for eating them. Thanks Mom!

I'll figure out who you are...I will!

OK, OK.... Very funny! It seems to me that the hand writing looks farmiliar. I'll find out eventually who you are. I have started a list of possible people that have their hand in this.
For the record, I do not know any Canadians named Steve or Patrick. So, you got the names of the guys I did the belly button jello shots with wrong. Nice try! I know for a fact that I never agreed nor offered a naked shore lunch with anyone. I'm not even completely sure what the hell that is....but I have an idea.
By the way, it was mailed from Newport VT...and not Canada....goofs. You made my day, I have not been taken off guard like that in quite a while. I owe you one.

My birthday weekend....

I had a busy weekend, full of fun and good friends. Saturday I went into the City early and headed to the south Street Seaport to use a gift certificate that Michelle gave me. Talk about issues. First I could not find a store that would accept the g.c...even though it for the company that owns and operates that mall. Then I found a store that would take it but there was nothing I needed in that store. When Raine and Chris met me, I was telling her about it and since she was going to purchase something there anyway, she said she would use the card....WELL, the stupid thing wouldn't clear. The clerk said that it did have $50. on it but for some reason it would not clear. After that we took the bus to Jeeb for a little Thia food...yummy. I burnt the top of my mouth on some wonderful spring rolls. I mean I REALLY burnt it...the skin was coming off....ouch. After that we walked over to an ice cream place that is very interesting...and we had some lavender honey ice cream...which was good. We took a bus uptown and then went for a stroll in Central Park. Later we walked down to Lincoln Center and saw David Blaine...then we walked farther downtown to have dinner at Pigalle. After that we strolled down to pick up our tickets for the Tribeca Film Festival...we saw Alone with here. We had a while to wait so we walked over th Penn Station and then we ended up at a the Tir na Nog Bar and Grill, nursing drinks while we waited until they would let us into the show. Oh, about the movie..it starred Tom Hank's son....and it was about stalking. So, all I am going to say is that we were laughing at inappropriate times. I really couldn't help myself...some of the lines were just pathetic and over acted. We could have stayed for a Q&A with the director...but we ditched it and Raine and Chris waited with me at Penn Station until my train was announced.
I sat on the car that looked like it contained the least amount of drunks....but I was wrong. There was a whole lot of singing going on and the 6 kids that started it were taking requests. In the end, they had half the the car singing with them. It was loud but it kept me awake. I walked into my door at 3:10 AM. Talk about tired! I had a great time though....and I wish I could remember all the funny things that were said. I just knew at the time they would make excellent topics to blog about. I think the lack of sleep just melted all those memories away. Dang it! I'm sure Raine will remember some...she has a great memory.

Sunday I spent with Katie. We did lunch, went to the mall, saw a movie and spent some good quality time together. Then when I was dropping her off, Jim and Katie sang a lovely tune from Sound of Music for me....it was very funny. I was cracking up. After that I headed home and had ice cream cake with these guys and opened my presents.

I had a great birthday, lots of laughs.....but that was the condensed version.

What an idiot.

OK, I just don't get it. Why the hell would anyone want to do stuff like this guy does. I mean, more power to him but he sure isn't going to make a cent off of me. I won't be one of the people watching his big show. I mean the only reason I got these pictures is because we (Raine and Chris) walked by on Saturday after we left Central Park on our way to dinner. The line was really long to walk right by the tank and to see him up close. I had no interest in doing that at all. This was close enough. For his sake, I hope David Blaine pulls off his stunt and doesn't have any long term health issues....but, seriously, I think he is a dumb ass.

I knew she was up to something.

So, Raine asked me to take a picture of her and Chris in Central park. I took one and it was a great picture. Then she said to take another one, but to count to three....so I did...and she pushed Chris off the tree backwards. You have to be be on your toes around Raine....but that is part of her charm. Please note that Chris wasn't hurt in the process. 

Guess what!

Today is my birthday. I just got home a little while ago...so I am to tired to tell you about my wonderful day...later.

You made diet Pepsi come out of my nose!

KIM! You really have to warn a person about an e-card like the one you sent me. I wasn't expecting what I saw and the volume was cranked on top of that! HOLY CRAP, WOMAN! Once I stopped choking because of the bubbles in my nose...I really enjoyed the card...even though those evil little furry things are on it. LOL, thanks for the excitement. If anyone wants to see what I'm talking about check it out: The e-card

Days to my Birthday...

Let the cards roll in....

A big special thanks to Sue, MiYon, Michelle, and Trisha for being senders of my first batch of birthday cards. I was so excited when I got the mail and discovered them. Oh, how I love birthdays! I also got a package from Aunt Vickie aka Aunt Kinky, queen of the Las Vegas S&M Store....lol. Anyway, she was very evil and not only wrapped the present, but she wrote all over the place that I was not allowed to open it until May 7, 2006. DANG IT! I also got the package that Mom mailed off that includes my gift from Tisha. I didn't open it because I figured that the gifts were not wrapped inside...and I didn't want to get in any trouble. It seems that I actually do have some self control. I'm not saying I enjoy putting it to work but I do have some.

Thank you so much guys! Oh, and Michelle, I'm using that gift certificate tomorrow. I'm meeting my friends at the Seaport Mall. I'm using that sucker up and then we are going on a little adventure...involving FOOD...my favorite adventures always do. lol. I'll let you know how my Sat celebration goes...then Sunday I will be with the famous Katie.....should be interesting.

BEFORE I forget....Happy Cinco de Mayo to everyone and Happy Birthday to Jean...I had fun at lunch with you guys.

Ladies and Gentleman...LOOK OUT!

Katie is home from college for the summer.... She won't be bringing Jose and Kunal along, but you can bet good money that she will be making strange faces and ruining all your pictures. She is famous for that......but I still love her.

Days to my birthday...

I've got a burr in my bonnet...

Ok, not really, I just felt like I needed to write that. Don't ask me why, because I really have no idea why I do or say half the crap that crosses my lips or in this case, my fingertips.

Just so you know, I hate cocklebur.....those little suckers hurt like hell when you get stuck by them. It's true they do. Have you ever had to pick a few dozen off of your pants or socks? Worse yet, have you ever stepped on one bare footed? OUCH!

I'm sure Cindy will remember Grandma and Grandpa Kasters house up on the hill. They used to have a big garden on the lot to the south of the house. Well, we were bare foot children...as soon as the weather was nice, the shoes were gone, unless we were going somewhere...but must of the time...I'd lose those puppies. I'm still like that today, I get home, the shoes come off and I'm running around bare footed or with socks on. Anyway, if you were brave enough to walk down by the garden....look out, there were burs everywhere and they would get you. I think I knew from experience how far you could go before being attacked. It's like I knew where the invisible line was and stayed away from it at all costs.

I've met many people in my short time on earth that are like the human form of cockleburs. LOL, did that sound like I'm an alien or something....man, I'm such a freak....any way, you get my drift. Well, there are some people that remind me of burs. They look kind of interesting, they seem to have deep mysterious features and you just want to see what they are all about. They get you when you least expect it, sticking their little barbs into you and holding on for dear life. Later, you reflect on things and you can't for the life of you, figure out why you would ever be friends with a Cocklebur. Where you crazy or what. I mean you always knew deep down that is what they were. You can't really hate them for their actions, not once you get over the initial shock of it and the pain it caused.....nope, you can't hate them because its just their nature. You just have to accept it and now that you see them for who they really are...you have to avoid that invisible boundary where they dwell.

Did that make any sense? Don't answer that....lol. I'm just in a strange mood today.

It's postcard time.

Sam promised....I made him...and he came though. He sent me a post card from their April vacation.

SON OF A....

I just missed the first 16 minutes of the second part of HOUSE. Dang it! Dang it! Dang it!

Ok...lets see if this gets us anywhere...

I just sent an email off to WPLJ.....one of the radio stations that I listen to.

They are going to have a private detective on fridays show and if you have a lost friend or relative that you are looking for you can send everything about the person that is missing and they might pick yours and look for them for you.. Sounds simple enough.

I really hope they pick my email. I'm looking for my cousins. Its really a screwed up story but I have not see Richie for over 25 years. It's a really long story. Cross your fingers for me.....lets hope I get picked and that the guy can actually find them.