Fish Fry with the Outlaws

Jim kind of wanted to make a trip down to see his parents on Saturday night. His youngest brother, Jeff, was going to be there, along with his young son, Miles.

So, we loaded up...the ones of us who wanted to go...and headed down to have dinner with them. Jim's dad had been fishing, and he was wanting to have a fish fry.

Jeff and Miles had spent the day with Jim's parents. They went to the river because Miles wanted to gather rocks. This is the same river that my mother-in-law remembered going to as a child. After she and my father-in-law married and had their 3 boys, they would periodically take them to this river. And now they were taking Miles. It was all very nostalgic for my mother-in-law.

Nostalgic with a touch of indignation.

The area where they used to take the boys, it now has a boat ramp, a gate, fences and signs telling people what they can and cannot do.

Well, HUMPH.

My mother-in-law went on a rant about how it was a RIVER...placed there and created by GOD...and how PEOPLE shouldn't be the ones saying what other people can and cannot do in a RIVER CREATED BY GOD.

Oh my word.

She has a point, but there are also home- and land-owners who have property that runs down to the bank of the river, and some of them have had damage done to their property because of people who DON'T do the right thing or follow the rules or respect other people's property.

And to that she said, "well I guess I can see their point."

She was also afraid that the game wardens, who were patrolling the area, weren't going to allow her to take her bag o'rocks with her, and if they didn't...let me tell you...there was going to be a smack-down to end all smack-downs.

In the end, she got her rocks.

And they also went fishing and they had a great day.

When we got to the lake house, the fish had been cleaned and skinned. There were no fish decorations hanging around...guess that's just for the holidays! (wink!) They made french fries and hush puppies along with the fish, and everything was great.

We got worried at one point, because we smelled smoke. Jeff said, "Mama, what's burning?" She said, "HUH?" He said, "what's in the oven?" She said, "a paper bag."

Oh...okayyyyyy.

A PAPER BAG.

IN THE OVEN.

No big deal.

The outlaws My in-laws will fry fish, and then put them in large brown paper bags. Then, they'll TURN ON THE OVEN, and place the bags of fish there until the french fries and hush puppies are done. When the fries are done, they go in a separate bag, and are placed in the oven. Same thing for the hush puppies. Then, when it's time to eat, they unroll the tops of the paper bags and cut the excess paper down to where the food is...and they put those bags on the table.

It's a whole, big, bag thing.

The fish was sooo good last night...and the home-made french fries were the best they've been in a lonnng time!

And there was no onion tower to marvel about and discuss, so we sat there in silence.

I'M KIDDING.

I hope everyone has had a nice July 4th holiday. Our country has a lot of problems, most of them brought on by our own choices, but I am still very thankful to live here.

"...you live under the freedom of God's grace." Romans 6:14

Family Picture in the Poo-ah

This morning, Jim and I made a big breakfast for our family, and then we all "hanged around" the house and visited (that's a Joshuaism).

There's this place in town called Arkansas Pineapple Whip. It's just one of those trailer things that pops up in the summertime...similar to a sno-cone shack or a food truck. The "Whip Wagon" serves this delicious concoction of pineappley, ice-creamy, custardy, yogurty, frozen goodness.

We all went the other night, but Logan and Morgan weren't here. They heard us talking about it, and they wanted to go today. They loved it.

Around lunch, we all went outside to swim in the pool. Or, as Joshua calls it, the "poo-ah." I wanted to get a family picture of everyone before everyone went their separate ways. Imagine 9 people. Yeah. It was like corralling cats.

Photographers are expensive...I get it. Jim always complains about the cost any time I hire one to get a "good" family picture. But after this weekend, I am even more convinced that they are worth every penny.

Hear that Kimberly Brackins?

I mean, they see the height of people, what they're wearing, they're facial expressions, the shadows. They can tell people to MOVE and NO ONE GETS UPSET. They just DO it.

(sigh)

I had gone in our coat closet...all the way to the back...and dug out this box of "props" that were left-over from the photo booth at Holly and Aaron's wedding. I thought it might be fun, but I didn't care if we used them or not.

Holly thought we should all get in the pooah for the picture, and she would use her tripod and set the timer.

So, there we were...all in the pooah...in front of a camera...all wearing various head-pieces.

Side note: At this point, I need to share that I bought all of the props in the photo-booth box that I have at home. And that my sister hired the photo-booth lady for Holly's wedding, and the photo-booth lady had props of her own. At some point during our little family photo shoot in the pooah, I realized that some of our stuff had gotten mixed up with the photo-lady stuff.

That point would be when I looked over at Joshua and realized he is wearing a police hat that says "Hottie Police" on it.

OH. MY. WORD.

I tried not to make a huge deal out of it, but we did encourage him to change into a cowboy hat or something. Nope. He said, AND I QUOTE: "I like the police."

So, back to the-taking-of-the-picture...

Right as the camera starts clicking, the dogs come over and get right in front of the camera. We all start laughing...and we miss that whole session of pictures. It's probably for the best, because our big, black Lab, Maggie...AND Holly's little halfadog, Marley...ended up blocking all 7 pictures.

Take 2.

Same thing happens.

I'm thinking, "what in the world?" because Maggie typically just lays/lies around and is not too interested in what we have going on.

Unless we have food.

Then JIM fesses up that HE is the one secretly calling her over and messing everything up.

That explains his big, goofy grin in the pictures.

Take 3.

Aaron-the-son-in-law gets out of the pooah. He decided that he's going to try and have an "action shot" by running and JUMPING into the pooah as the camera is clicking. And I look back at Jim. He is standing tall in the pooah. He is wearing some sort of goofy straw hat, and he's waving the American flag like he's the Statue of Liberty.

Good grief.

Who ARE these people?

Oh, yeah. My family.

Speaking of...does anyone remember the episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where the twins are playing basketball? One twin doesn't want to play because he overheard Ray say that he wasn't that good. But during half-time of the game, that twin decides he wants to play after-all, and so Ray wayyyyy overcompensates by cheering loudly and excessively for him. At one point, Frank...the grumpy grandfather...gets up from where he is sitting, says, and goes to sit by someone else. I think he says, "new family," or something like that.

Even tho sometimes, like yesterday, I am tempted to try and find a large family that actually cooperates during family pictures and say, "NEW FAMILY," I would not trade mine for the world. I am thankful for each member and thankful for the memories we are making...even during the crazy times!

I don't even know if any of the pictures will turn out, but it was such a fun day!

I'll be posting them over the next couple of days on my Facebook page: Marty Logan Garland.

"Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands." Psalm 127:4

July 4, 2014 (Family and Celebrate Arkansas Magazine)

Well, today I am in my happy zone. Know why?

Because my family is all here together.

Late this afternoon, Logan and Morgan pulled into town. I could not be happier to have them here. Right after they got here, Holly and Aaron came over. All we are missing is Jenni...and Clark's girlfriend, Faith.

I spent today doing lots and lots of laundry. And cleaning house.

And putting the last few touches on Logan and Morgan's room. It looks so pretty, if I do say so myself. Gone are the tan walls and the giant American flag and the red, white and blue bedding. I loved it, I did. I love everything patriotic, but I think I loved Logan's room so much because HE loved it. He loved that American flag.

But he's married now, and he asked for his flag. I don't know how Morgan is going to feel about it, or whether it will even be used at his house...but I packed up the flag and the bedding and the lamp...and gave it all to them.

This week, I painted the walls a gray color. I bought a white coverlet, white quilt, white duvet cover. I bought a bunch of pillows. I bought a yellow lamp with a flowery shade. And bright green curtains. I was hoping Logan would like it, and not be upset that I changed it all. They both loved it, and so my work in there is done.

Well, nearly done.

Joshua and I went to Hobby Lobby today, and I bought several decorative frames...white ones...and I took a page from the Nester, and hung those babies on the wall in about 10 minutes. Didn't measure, didn't stress. I did have to move and adjust, but it didn't take that long.

You know what she says, "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful."

Theme of my entire life right there.

After dinner, we all sat outside. Our dogs went NUTS with the fireworks. We put Maggie in the garage, and Holly and Aaron took turns sitting in the bathroom with Marley. I have never seen Marley so upset. He was shaking half-to-death!

Joshua, Holly, Logan and Clark picked through some of their old toys, trying to decide which ones they were going to blow-up with fireworks. And then Logan and Clark proceeded to go all juvenile delinquent on us, and there were toys being blown to bits in our yard.

Good times.

I love my family...love my kids. I love having them here together. We had a great dinner...Jim grilled out burgers, hot dogs, polish sausages...and he made some sort of squash and onion dish. I made cheese dip and baked beans and a vegetable tray. I made peanut-butter brownies for dessert, and Morgan made cupcakes. We had some yummy lemonade. We had great fellowship.

Family has got to be my love language.

I shared what family means to me in an article Kelly Stamps wrote for the July issue of Celebrate Arkansas Magazine. Her article starts on page 64, and my comments and my family's picture is on page 65.

"Let each generation tell it's children of Your mighty acts..." Psalm 145:4

Water Wars: Joshua's Week At TR

We've had a good week.

Joshua has gone to Therapeutic Rec (TR) 3 days this week. On Tuesday, they went swimming...as usual. And then he said they "hanged around" at the Center for the rest of the afternoon. They have been working on an art project and I can't wait to see it! I got a glimpse of it and it's patriotic, which I LOVE!

Yesterday, they had Yoga at the Center, and then they went out for lunch. It's a well-documented fact that there's not much the FRIENDS like better than going out to lunch! They went to a BBQ place. I asked Joshua what he had. He said, "I couldn't decide between a buh-guh (burger), chicken or fish."

Hey, Joshua...what about having BBQ at the BBQ place?

Today is the 4th of July cookout at the TR Center. And the annual "water wars" between the FRIENDS and the Counselors. It's one of everyone's favorite days.

Last year, on Water Wars day, I didn't even send a water gun with Joshua. I believe my statement was, "Joshua will not like this at all."

UMMMM...WRONG.

Last year, it was on a day when Holly AND Logan were both working the day camp, and they said Joshua was all up in it, using a water gun he borrowed from the staff.

ALL.UP.IN.IT.

You better believe he took a water gun this year...oh, yes ma'am.

After I dropped him off, I ran by Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target. I am trying to get Logan's room all prettified for when he and his bride come to visit tomorrow night! As I pulled out of Target, the Chick-Fil-A at the end of the parking lot was calling my name. I ordered a 3-count chicken mini JUST THE MINIS...and a drink. After I got my order, I pulled into a parking spot to get things situated so that I could eat on my drive home. And that's when I noticed that my order was wrong. I was given a 4 count MEAL, plus a chicken biscuit.

Now, it's a rare thing that CFA ever gets my order wrong. In all the years that we've been going there, I could probably list those times on one hand.

Have you ever tried to return an order at CFA that was wrong? When you bring it up to the counter, they put their hands up and back away from it like it contains kryptonite: "No, no, no...ma'am...we're sorry, ma'am. You just keep it...or throw it away. Here's another one. So sorry, ma'am."

So, winner-winner, chicken dinner.

I mean, biscuit.

I came home and finished painting in Logan's room. So excited to start pulling the bedding together.

Joshua had a great time at the water wars. He said there was no drama...or "barely any drama." He said that Jenni drank a whole bottle of water and he said, "WOW," and she got mad. He couldn't for the life of him say what made her so upset at him. I told him that he knows that she has been trying to get off of Diet Coke, and when he saw her drinking water, he should've said, "that's great, Jenni!" and been supportive.

I told him that he wasn't being nice or supportive.

He said, "well, I wouldn't go that far. I think I was right in the middle of not being nice...not being encouraging...and not being supportive. Somewhere in the middle." And he was making great use of his hands as he talked.

And if someone can explain to me how you can be in the middle of 3 different things...

And if you can explain any of this to me...

Nevermind.

"The LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

The Chimney Tree And The Cross

The "family room" at the lake-house is long and runs nearly the whole width of the house. The door to the carport, which is the door everyone uses, is at one end...and the kitchen is at the other end. Part-way through the room is a round, brick fire pit. Hanging over it is a large, copper hood/shaft thing. It looks like the Apollo 13 capsule, only upside down. The small part was at the top, going into the ceiling...and the large bottom part hovered over the fire-pit. This monstrosity separated the "family room" area from the dining area. 

It's to this day one of the oddest things I have ever seen. 

My in-laws have never used the fireplace that I know of. I honestly don't know how they would. Looks like the room would completely fill up with smoke. 

One time, though, a flying squirrel crawled down that thing and ran all over the downstairs part of the house until it was finally caught. I remember it because we were there at the time. Two of my boys were laying (lying) down on the floor, looking up at the TV...and that squirrel went flying over them.

There was so much screaming. 

And then I realized it was me. 

Everyone jumped up and started hollering. My husband had the foresight to grab a pair of work gloves that had been thrown on the table. Thank goodness, because when he finally caught the squirrel, it spent the last few minutes of it's life trying to bite through those gloves, to give Jim a good case of rabies or whatever. 

Jim said squirrels carry "every disease known to man." 

Jim walked up the hill to the dog pen, holding that squirrel in his gloved hand. Our Labs were going NUTS. He threw that squirrel in the pen with the dogs, and never looked back.

I know.

But the squirrel could've gotten away...if he was fast. There were trees and a fence and a shed that he could've climbed. I'm choosing to believe he made it.

Please don't write me about the squirrel. When he scampered over my sons, he sealed his fate. It was him or me...and it wasn't gonna be me.

ANYwayyyy, this was the year my mother-in-law decided that it was just too much trouble to get out the Christmas tree. She said it took up so much space, and it was a big hassle for her.

Plus, side note: she's got those lights on it that make music and blink at random times. I don't know about you, but that drove me nuts.

So, she took strands of Christmas garland, and wound them around and around the copper chimney that came down out of the ceiling. Since it's in the shape of a cone, it looked like a tree coming down out of Heaven. My mother-in-law called it the "chimney tree." She was pretty proud of herself for thinking of it.

She bought a bunch of these red ball ornaments and wrote everyone's names on them so that they would all be the same. Except that some ornaments had broken...and some were lost. She stressed over where to put everyone's ornament, because she thinks that we think that one side of the chimney tree is better and more visible than the other side...when in reality, we.do.not.care.

Most of us. (wink!)

She had put a clump here and a clump there...with NONE of them on the back-side of the chimney tree...just so no one would be offended.

I don't get it, because the "back side" of the chimney tree is actually the FRONT side of the chimney tree...if you are sitting at the kitchen table. Or in the truth chairs.

Holly went and found more red ornaments, and she made sure every person had their name on one of them. She took all of them off the chimney tree and rearranged them in the shape of a big cross on the front side. It looked great! Every time I saw it, all I could think of was, "It.Is.Finished (bum-bum), the bat-tle-is-o-ver (DA-da-da-DA-da-da), It.Is.Finished (bum-bum), there'll be no more warrrrrrr..." 

Do y'all know that song?

But when things got loud at the lake-house, AS THEY USUALLY DID when we were all together (because we all have our own ideas and our own ways of doing things), it seemed out-of-place to have a cross there in the middle of everything.

Like it didn't "belong."

Like what sometimes goes on in a house...with a family...would not match up with the life Christ has called us to live.

Like even when there is tension or chaos or loud words or hurt feelings or defensiveness...the CROSS stands as our beacon of hope...our standard...and the lighthouse for when we get off course.

The cross should always belong...in our homes and in our lives.

"Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone." Colossians 4:6