The Joy of Being a Child

Well everyone I have had an amazing month. To be able to go back to Austin and "fall" right into step with where I left off. Chandler, Alex and Parker were amazing and my time with them was sooooo much fun. And with Nick; he basically rounded out the group. I needed to laugh; and there was not a day that went by where I did not laugh so hard I could have used "depends". From the time I arrived although it was early; I felt so at home. And the Moms; oh my gosh it was so like I never even left. I was welcomed into homes and given a vehicle to drive. What more could anyone ask for? I did not have much of a chance to miss "home". We went to the movies and just hung out. We painted a couple of rooms together for one of our clients; and so enjoyed doing it. We giggled and joked and just enjoyed being together. We went to Schlitterbahn and had a great time; the girls rode with me on most of the rides, then did a few of their own. Followed by our traditional dinner at IHOP; where more laughter continued. The ride home was filled with non-stop talk about the day. And followed by "falling" into bed that night. The following day was another wave of fun and laughter. We were able to hold the first overnight "haunted house". We played until we could go no more. Which then was completed by a dip in the pool complete with snacks. Some of the kids had to go home; and were picked up by parents. A GREAT time was had by all. By the time Sunday came the kids were ready and willing to help one of our clients paint. By Monday we were all ready for a down time. Even that was filled with laughter.

On Tuesday Parker and Alex and Nick came back to East Texas with me. They seemed to have had a great time. I took them to see a few special spots that were special to me. I took them to a couple of "knick knack" shops. But the best shop was Bit by Bit. Alex found her "best ever" boots that she felt that she has to have. They are beautiful, pink with brown; and they suited her. Even Nick and Parker had fun looking in there. All seemed to want to buy something for "MoM". I was so proud of them. And then there was "Moonlight". I was explaining to Nick about how beautiful the moonlight was when "out of the dead of sleep" Alex peeped up; "it is a bug-light". Way to go Alex burst our bubble. This was followed by many minutes of sheer laughter. And then there was the drive to take them back. I have to admit that I was really sad to see them go home; but I know some parents who miss their children greatly. So "Moms" thank you for sharing your "prized possessions". I think ALL had a great time. I love each of you.

Fun Times

Hey everyone....I just thought I would catch you up on my latest and greatest. First off let me begin by saying I have had the most amazing time with MY KIDS. Seriously, each one of them that I have had the "blessing" to spend time with has given me yet another cherished memory to take home. From the time I got into town, and spent time with each child has been another treasure yet to be added to words. I so love spending time with these precious kids. They are amazing. Stephen and Sean are growing just enough, I love the fact that they enjoy simple games. And lots of laughter through out the whole time. We all enjoyed just "hanging" out. We went to Schlitterbahn on Friday, and had a blast. The kids were never rude or left me alone. I really felt proud to be apart of their "group". They would continously watch out for me. They made sure they waited and walked and rode rides with me. They were so very mindful of where I was and that I was "OK". I am so proud of the young women and men that they have and are becoming. I don't say this to just hear myself talk nice; they are so amazing and heart warming and loads of fun. One night we had a "Haunted house" night and each invited a friend. Their friends were so amazing and polite; we laughed and had a grand time. And yes we cleaned up EVERYTHING after ourselves. But it was so easy because each one was so willing to pitch in and help. Now a days it is so very rare to not only hang out with kids like this; but to be loved by them is an experience that to this day puts tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. They love unconditionally and with abandonment. It is no wonder their friends are equally as loving as they are. From what I can see. They are funny and respectful.

Karen Martin

Hey everyone....I just thought I would catch you up on my latest and greatest. First off let me begin by saying I have had the most amazing time with MY KIDS. Seriously, each one of them that I have had the "blessing" to spend time with has given me yet another cherished memory to take home. From the time I got into town, and spent time with each child has been another treasure yet to be added to words. I so love spending time with these precious kids. They are amazing. Stephen and Sean are growing just enough, I love the fact that they enjoy simple games. And lots of laughter through out the whole time. We all enjoyed just "hanging" out. We went to Schlitterbahn on Friday, and had a blast. The kids were never rude or left me alone. I really felt proud to be apart of their "group". They would continously watch out for me. They made sure they waited and walked and rode rides with me. They were so very mindful of where I was and that I was "OK". I am so proud of the young women and men that they have and are becoming. I don't say this to just hear myself talk nice; they are so amazing and heart warming and loads of fun. One night we had a "Haunted house" night and each invited a friend. Their friends were so amazing and polite; we laughed and had a grand time. And yes we cleaned up EVERYTHING after ourselves. But it was so easy because each one was so willing to pitch in and help. Now a days it is so very rare to not only hang out with kids like this; but to be loved by them is an experience that to this day puts tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. They love unconditionally and with abandonment. It is no wonder their friends are equally as loving as they are. From what I can see. They are funny and respectful.

Karen Martin

"New Days"

I can't believe we have been together for 31 yrs. It sure does NOT feel like it. We have decided to spend the day together at home. Dale and his Dad finished painting "my picket fence"; now it is all white. This is one of those "dreams come true" type dreams. I have always pictured a home like this. But I wanted the house to be "yellow"; instead it is grey. Guess I can live with this. I also started planting flowers. I started with 2 hanging baskets outside the gate. In one I put a really neat blooming "airplane plant"; the other "flowering" cactus. This morning the airplane plant was "nubs"; the cactus survived. The COWS ATE my plants. I was soooooo mad, I could see "steak", thats right I was ready to send them off to get "dinnerized". "Karen" just stood off in the pasture by herself. No telling if she helped or not. Oh well, guess I'll have to try something else. I just can't believe they eat; anything and everything. They make a goat look like nothing. This afternoon they are all looking like they have nothing better to do. I really want to go out there and give them a piece of my mind; however I don't think it will do any good at all. One of the nice things about living out here is that there are no solicitors. It is so far out that no one wants to. It is raining today and it really is quite nice. The storms keep on coming off and on. It is pretty neat. I still can't get over the cows eating my plants.

OK so I had to wait and let you know that getting a job in this place is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. People around here keep telling me to be patient. I will say this, they are as careful about who watches their children as MY FAMILIES in Austin are. But that does not solve my problem of getting a job. Fixing up the house is getting more fun all the time. I noticed today that our "home" looks really cool from a distance. My white picket fence is AWESOME. And the people in this area are growing on me more and more. I have met some really sweet people. But since I'm not known in these parts the work is hard, and gaining their trust is even harder. Don't misunderstand me they are nice; but they are also careful before they "invest" themselves. We have a little "in" because Dale's parents are well known in this area. I try not to associate myself with his "Uncles" mainly because they were known as "hell-raisers"; of the orneriest type. I really do enjoy watching people's faces when I tell them who I am related to. They go from "really" to "I didn't know they had another Son". If your going to live in a small town and have relatives you better get used to "so your related to?" and "now tell me who are your kinfolk?" Two of the most commonly used phrases.

Again today (Saturday the 10th) we have had lots of rain. I also learned that the "wet weather" creeks around here are known as "draws". Hang in their with me; I'm learning all sorts of new words. Well not really new; just that I don't use them; so they are new to me. We had some "action" here this morning. We got a new "bull" for the heifers. The guy who brought him said that "Karen" was on "Wilbur's" place. So now I know where she went off to. She is very much her own "heifer". The rain has finally stopped and the sky has a beautiful "Sherbert orange" color. The smell of fresh grass is in the air. One of the things I did noticed out here is that if you are not working a "9 to ?", your days "run" together. There is no "day off" for a farmer. And I can always tell when it is 5:00 in the afternoon; if you look out the back door; off of the back porch you can see the "cattle" behind us. At 5:00 everyday these "cows" go in for the evening. There are about 75 give or take a group. It is really neat to watch them head in for the night. It takes them about 20 minutes to do all this. And the youngest ones are so funny as they "run" up and head butt one another. They are so funny. I love standing out there and watching. I can hear the frogs out by the pond they are so "musical". I should do a "CD" of Sounds on the Farm. To bad we can't do "smells" on the farm. Well this coming week I will be back in Austin, spending time with those I love. While parents are away the kids and I will play. I am so looking forward to spending time with everyone. Talk to you all later on down the lane.....

Hugs,

Me

Yesterday I had the most amazing experience that I have had in awhile. I was sitting on the front porch watching the dogs play in the yard. The air was really nice and cool with a great breeze blowing through the trees. I just love the sound of the trees when the wind goes through them.

Each tree has its own sound. The the frogs started their serenading; it was really cool to hear the many different sounds that come from our "pond".

There are certain times when all the critters over there get to "talking". If it is during the day then you can bet that a storm is not far from happening; and then it is overcast. And at night they begin "talking" at dusk and actually stop or take a break. But at night you can sit outside and just listen to your own "concert". Getting back to my amazing experience; while I was sitting on the porch I heard this noise like someone turned on a "shower" but it was outside and not inside. I looked around the back of the house and saw a beautiful" big dark indigo blue" cloud of rain coming towards us

. And you could feel the wind from it. Just watching it slide across the wide open space was really awesome. And when it first hit us it was so soft; and then "which" it was on us like "white on rice". And I was planting flowers and helping in the yard. I could have gotten the shampoo and soap and taken a bath; no one would have noticed.

Today after the rain we were outside and i could hear a frog that was on our porch; it sounded so loud;

I thought for sure it had to be huge, the sound was really deep and big. When we found the frog he was no bigger than a couple of inches.

Amazing little guy. His name is "Mr. Green Jeans"

. For some odd reason he reminded me of "Captain Kangaroo's" friend. Do any of you remember that show? I used to watch it all the time when I was little. Boy it was my version of today's "Dora the Explorer". Boy those were some times. I just can't believe how far back you are able to recall things.

Anyway I did take the dogs and go walking through the woods today; that reminded me of when I used to go with my "Best Friend" and take off for a day to explore. The difference being that today I kept a watch for snakes. It is really nice to be able to walk out in the fresh air; the smell of fresh cut hay is nice. On occasion you get a "whiff" of "cow poo"; but it goes with the territory. I am hopeful that this coming week I will be able to have a job. So lets keep those "fingers and toes" crossed. I will let you all know about the 4th in the country.

The 4th was quiet. It rained so hard that the bugs were to much for us to battle

. We actually spent the evening playing cards. It was very nice. I have to say the "bug life" around here is quite interesting. We came home and found a bunch of baby spiders ( like a bazillion) all over the place. The webs were fantastic and just gorgeous. I told Dale that we needed to take down the wasp nests out back; and his Dad said he keeps a family of them on the front porch. Said they are great for catching spiders. OK folks someone tell me....."spiders or wasps". One I can squish with my feet and the other I run from. True I need to loose the weight but....I think I'll kill the wasps. Any takers? We talked today about times when we were young and walking barefoot through the mud was no big deal; we did not worry about if a cow peed

in it or anything. But now it's like yec. And Bolt still loves rolling in fresh cow poop.

He gets a bath almost every other day. Well I think I will go unpack some more boxes. Talk to you later...

Catch Ya Later,

ME

Karen Martin

"Don't let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.

Richard L. Evans " -

GOOD MORNING!!!

Well I finally did it; I killed a snake with a shovel. I flattened that sucker so badly you couldn't tell the dirt from the snake. They say there are chickens you can buy. Actually I believe they are Guinea Hens; we would just have to make sure the dogs realize that they are not a new "dindin" for them. Today is my kind of a day. Took a walk this morning and I could hear so many different types of birds. It is nice and cool and overcast outside. Rusty and I walked for a while and just enjoyed the morning. We have beautiful tree covered roads to walk or ride on. Living out here brings allot of peace with it. I can walk the country roads and not worry about traffic; or even better I ride my bike and know that I won't make anyone mad. There are so many hills and winding roads it is pretty cool. Out here would be a great place for "bike riders"

I thought long about last night's blog and I want to thank you all for being there. I know that God is enough for me; and always will be. I have said often; "I want to be where ever he wants me". We did find out this morning that Dale's Dad will have to have surgery this month; so it is very good that we are here. I told Dale's parents that some of the "kids" might be coming back with me and they are almost as excited at seeing them as I am. One thing around here for sure is that people love to be visited and go visit. They also like to cook; which by the way I have started doing again. It is one of my favorite things to do. I like to be creative. Now mind you some of my creations.....well lets just say even the dogs would not eat. But Dale threw it over the fence and said the cows will enjoy it. OK so now our cows like to eat table scraps. Go figure. I learn something new everyday. I asked Dale about "cow tipping" and if it really happens; and he laughed at me. How very rude. So I guess that is just another urban legend. So now I guess "snipe hunting" is not true either. And here I thought I might of caught on to something "fun" to do. One of the big pluses about living out here is that when we have someone come to visit and I am in my PJ's; the dogs bark and I have time to dress and answer the door. For me that is a "biggy". The place across the way from us is for sale. He has 106 acres with 5 pools and 2 barns and a little house. Just thought I would let you all know in case you miss me so; then you could have this for a "get away". Oh and it has 2 hay fields. When I woke up this morning someone was flying their plane over our property; and for a second or 3; I thought I was in Austin. It was so strange to hear a plane. As it turns out it was most likely Mr. Cavender. He owns quite a bit of land out here. I am truly amazed at how "untouched" this area is. At least to me. Now if you were to ask my in-laws, they would tell you that 50+ yrs ago, it was really untouched. I just hope that it stays like it is. I also learned that "cads" are still around. Dale's aunt married one some years ago; I think she said she was number 6 or 7. There are so many "isms" around here I believe I could write a book on "lost words". Dale has gone outside to "play"; actually he is mowing with a tractor. And the dogs and I are just "chillin"; this is a piece of heaven on earth. And I am so ready to enjoy who I am, where I am at in my life. I do have a couple of books in the works; and this is one of those "I want" to do things before I die. But before I work on them anymore I have a HOUSE to finish putting together. So I am saying "Be Blessed today; enjoy who you are and where you are". Have fun; "leave a footprint; someone else would like to follow"......most of all Make lots of Memories. They are always fun to look into when your just sitting around.

Hugs,

Me

Karen Martin

"Don't let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.

Richard L. Evans " -

Long Hard Look

Well... I had my interview and all went well. There is such a difference in a small town. They are very in-tuned with "families" in general around here. There is no complaining about "illegal immigrants" the folk around here accept ( for the most part ) everyone. They are trusting and kind and are ready to give a helping hand should you need one. And they are not afraid to ask you any questions at all. I had a Pastor call me about a sitting job for one of the people in his "flock". After asking me about all kinds of things; he invited us to his church. But before inviting me; he said and I quote,"guess being from Austin, you probably don't know allot about going to church". Thank you God that we were talking on the phone because I just doubled up in laughter. I knew he was from an "older" generation of Pastors that feel that outside of their world it is just plain sin. He also explained to me that the neighborhood that the lady lived in was at one time the "Finest" neighborhood in Mount Pleasant. Though it is no longer the finest; it definitely is still one of the finest around. I am enjoying watching people around here; and just listening to them talk about "back in the day". My Father in-law was sharing with me how when he was in High school he skipped out to go to the Movies; and when he got home he got a whipping; and the next morning at school he got another one. I enjoy hearing how he and my Mother in-law met. Their lives back then were so simple and endearing. I could just picture myself there with them. I am so grateful to God that I have them in my life. Their love is unconditional and they seem to enjoy hearing about my "going ons" in Austin. They do understand that I miss the "kids" young and old alike. And that I do miss the families as well. I know a few of you are aware of my own family in San Antonio. Well sadly enough I have had to say "goodbye" to them. For how long I don't know. I only know that at this time in my life I want to be a "better" me. Since I have "left" them, (moved farther away); I am no longer welcomed. They love me but do not like me. And I have come to be at peace (as best I can) with this. I do love them dearly; but I love my kids more.....enough so that the Doctor said if I don't do something different then I may have to have surgery. Guess what??? I am not doing surgery. The Doctor feels that my Meiniers is probably triggered by "emotional stress". So that is the road that I will travel for now. Of course it makes it so much easier knowing that I am cared about, by so many friends. That I have places I can go and stay and be me. When I told you all that I would miss you more than my own family, I truly meant that. So many of you have walked with me during some really ugly times; you've listened and hugged and listened some more. For that I am so thankful.

Ok enough of that; today Dale found a snake and picked it up to show me what a "copper head" looked like. I told him I was not ready to be a widow. And if he had nothing better to do than play with snakes then he not me needed to go and get a JOB. Seriously the house on the outside is so nice looking. They are almost finished painting the Picket fence. And Dale is like a kid in a "toy store". I am so glad that he is getting better. Well it is time to say Goodnight and thank you for "walking" with me.

Hugs,

Me

Karen Martin

"Don't let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.

Richard L. Evans " -