The MotherTrucker

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T03:55:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!

Well looks like we made it through another one. I can say last year has been real and its been fun but not real fun…

Not complaining though everyone made it through and I’m very grateful for that…

Went to bed.Didn’t see the peach drop but I will catch it on the news this morning.

Hope your New Year came in the way you all planned…

Wishing you all the best of the New Year!

Lots of hugs and kisses!

Keep on Truckin

The Mother Trucker

Things that might save your life…

2010-08-29T09:30:00.001-04:00

I’ve been a mother trucker for 25 years now.Wow, has it been that long! I need to be careful,I’m about to expose my age here… Well anyway I though I might share some safety rules with you.I know safety rules are boring.Who wants to read a bunch of safety rules?

I didn’t think I would see hands fly up but bare with me and PLEASE read on this might save your live or a love one’s. Or at least keep ya from getting hurt.

When you go to get your license the test is just a bunch of safety rules that are suppose to keep you and the other drivers safe out there.They want you to learn to parallel park(which I try to avoid at all cost.Hate to do it!) learn the road signs and other stuff that I don’t have to tell you about because you’ve been driving for awhile and you already know.So I would like to share with you some things that they don’t teach you.That is just as important to keep you and your family safe around big trucks.

Let’s start with driving behind big trucks.Big trucks don’t have rear view mirrors.If they did it wouldn't do any good anyway since the trailer would block any view that we might have.We depend on the side mirrors.So if you are riding so close that you can’t see us in our side mirrors then we can’t see you!

Why would this be so important? Well,we constantly watch everything around us to keep us and four-wheelers safe.(That’s what us truck drivers call you that drive cars.)No disrespect, your vehicle only has for wheels.If you’re to close and traffic suddenly slows or comes to a sudden stop it could result in a tail gate accident or worse if the truck jack-knifes you could be caught up in a major accident.Also if we lose a re-cap,you know those big rubber pieces of tire that litter the roadways at times.(We call these pieces of tire “gators”)They can tear up the underside of your car if you run over them or even go through your windshield if your to close.So stay back so you will have enough time to respond if any of this happens.Good rule of thumb is when the vehicle in front of you passes a stationary object like a sign or mile marker count: One-One Hundred,Two One Hundred,Three One Hundred.If you have caught up or passed your stationary marker then you're following to close.

Same goes for driving beside a big truck for a long length of time.Try to get clear of the side of the truck as soon as possible when passing.Don’t linger we have blind spots too and we might have to avoid trouble ahead and need to get over.(Like those gators!)

I like to leave a good amount of space between myself and the car in front of me.(You wont catch this Mother Trucker tailgating.) But its almost impossible because when you leave a gap, its like an invitation for someone to jump over in front of you.Try not to fill in those gaps in front of the truckers it takes us so much longer to stop than it does you! We really need the extra space!

Here is a site that you can find more info if you want.I put some of what I've been talking about below if you don't want to visit the site.

http://www.iinc.org/articles/362/1/Truck-Blind-Spots-and-Stopping-Distance-Focus-of-Highway-Safety-Demonstration/Page1.html

Allow plenty of room when changing lanes in front of a truck.
• Pass trucks quickly and don’t linger beside a truck.
• Pass a truck on the left, not on the right, because the truck's blind spot on the right runs the length of the trailer and extends out three lanes.
• Allow a lot of room around trucks. Try to leave a 10-car length gap when in front of a truck and 20-25 car lengths when behind a truck.
• Check a truck's mirrors. If you are following a truck and you cannot see the driver's face in the truck's side mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you.
• Allow trucks adequate space to maneuver. Trucks make wide turns at intersections and require additional lanes to turn.

Please Be Safe!

Now go out there and have a great Labor Day week-end!!

I wish you great bar-b-que’s and fun this coming holiday!

Keep on Truckin!

The Mother Trucker

I love my garden

2010-06-25T23:45:00.001-04:00

I do,I do love my garden!

I love my beans…

I love my broccoli…Even though they didn't make…

I love my cabbage…Even though I’ve had a bout with cabbage worms…No poisons for these guys! Only organic remedies.(Soapy water and perseverance.I’m winning this war!)

I love my tomatoes…

I love my pepper plant…The only one in the garden…

I love my squash,I only have ~~three~~…Oops,four…

I stepped on a tail the morning of these pic’s and it slither under my beans.Needless to say It was a surprise… I love the varmints in my garden.All of them…Even though some are cute and more desirable than others.

I ran in the house to get my camera but it was gone by the time I got back.Sorry I didn't get a pic for ya folks.Thank goodness Mr.Froggie wasn't camera shy.

I love my potatoes…Hopefully I will have some…

But most of all I love my garden because It gives me peace and tranquility… Just to watch it grow and not grow is a wonderful thing!

Hope all your gardens are bountiful and bring you much joy!

Keep on Truckin!

The Mother Trucker

Newest Member

2010-05-30T14:53:00.001-04:00

I got to do something I haven't done in a very long time.Really to long! While we were making our deliveries we were close to my beautiful Sister Sarah’s and my gorgeous niece Alicia’s house.So we stopped in.(Thought she might strap my legs since its been so long.)They met us in the driveway and there were lots of great big hugs.(So I wipe the sweat off my forehead and was glad not to get switched.)Then we went in and met the newest member of the family. An angel sent from above!

Here are the pic’s enjoy!

My beautiful sister Sarah and my great niece Bethany.Wow she has got so big! The last time I saw her she was only a few months old…

My gorgeous Niece Alicia and great niece Hannah.My goodness she has grown too! I knew they would,but sooo much! WOW…(Hurry up!Get down here,I need a great big hug!)

I just love this pic! Such sweet and beautiful girls!

Let’s go in and meet your new brother.I can’t wait!

This is little Dillian,what a doll! You cutie, you! (Stole my heart!!)

Ohhhhh,just look at that little angel, those big puffy cheeks! I just want to kiss um!

Don’t you just want to see those toes! Me too!!

ohhhh,there they are! Soooo little,soooo tiny,sooo cute,sooo sweet!!! Nothing like little baby toes and big puffy,chubby baby cheeks!

Let’s see those cute little eyes…

com’on lets see um…

There they are! You little cutie, you!

Proud Grandma! (I’m so jealous! You get to kiss those chubby little puffy cheeks anytime you want… )

Mom and Grandma

I just want to take him home!

I just want to take all of you home!

Come on,you can all go home with me!

Wow,what a cutie,just adorable,such an angel!!

What a smile!! Just cant hardly take much more…You can stop now, you already stole my heart…Now your just tearing it out!

We laughed and talked a couple of hours and then with hugs and kisses and waves good-bye and hopes to see you soon, we had to go.The visit was much to short!!!

I love you and miss you all so,so very much!!!

Can’t wait for our next adventure!

Thanks, Danny for making it possible to visit with these wonderful beautiful girls and meet the newest member of the family! It meant the world to me! Your a sweetheart!

The Mother Trucker

Keep on Truckin!

Tennessee Flood

2010-05-05T13:39:00.001-04:00

We were in Tennessee the other day when the levy broke and it flooded I-24. The Police had the interstate blocked West bound and east bound.We had unloaded in a couple of small towns getting out just before tornado’s touched down.Since the interstate was closed we decided to try to go around using the smaller roads.This is what we saw.

All this happened in just a couple of hours…

This is the road in front of us… We had no choice but to go through the flood waters .We had to find a place to turn around and get out before it got any worse.Our truck and trailer is around 60 feet in length and you just cant turn it around anywhere.Danny said we would be alright the water wasn't rushing.

We tried several back roads but they were all flooded. Nothing to do but turn around and try to get back to the interstate and the truck stop and wait it out.

Here we go again back through the flooded road.

We finally made it back to the interstate.The water had receded enough the police opened the east bound side and we made our escape!

We got a few miles and the left lanes were still full of water.

We made it through.

Our hearts and prayers go out to you Tennessee.

Keep on Truckin!

The Mother Trucker

Riding Along

2010-04-25T21:27:00.003-04:00

I hope you enjoy these pic’s.This is some of the most beautiful mountains and countryside's. We delivered car’s in Johnson City Tennessee and took the long way home over the mountains of Tennessee,Kentucky and North Carolina. Click on the pic’s and the images will become larger.

To be continued...

Keep on Truckin!

Tennessee

2010-04-17T06:17:00.001-04:00

This is the way I seen it.No matter how you see this beautiful state its just awesome!

Click on any pic to enlarge…

Get out of the way bus!

ahhhhhh that’s better….

That’s my story and I’m stickin to it!!

The Mother Trucker

Keep on Truckin!

An Angel Sent From Above

2010-03-07T07:13:00.001-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile…Everything has been a whirl wind the last few weeks.Danny has started a new business and we’ve been learning a lot in a very short time… I’ve been up to my neck in paper work and taking notes…Our new adventure is the car hauling business.We have a 3500 Dodge Dually and a 52 foot 4 car trailer.

So the adventure begins…

We got our cars out to the parking lot and got ready to load…Our first haul had questions and had us picking our brains and referring back to notes to find answers.(That's when we discovered everything wasn't covered in our crash course and there wasn't answers in our note’s for all the question’s.)

That’s when God sent an angel from above! His name is Terry.

Terry had already loaded his car hauler.Which consisted of 9 cars in the freezing wet weather and didn’t mind a bit to help out! He stayed with Danny through the whole process of getting those first cars loaded and strapped down.(While I sat in the warm truck.Not bailing out on Danny,he was in good hands.There was nothing for me to do but stay out of the way at that point.So I didn’t mind sitting in the truck with the heater blasting!)

Sorry Terry,Sorry Danny…

Here are the pic’s that I managed to pull myself out of the warmth to take…

Danny backing his first car to load…

Up on the trailer ramps…

Wet and slick…

Terry helping Danny spot the car on front…

There you have it…Danny’s first car loaded!

Thanks!!!! Terry for helping Danny strap and sharing your knowledge and ladder!You made the process a lot easier for a couple of Newbie's! You truly are a God send.Thanks for being so generous and kind!

God Bless you and your family!

Keep on Truckin!

The Mother Trucker

Snow

2010-01-07T22:01:00.001-05:00

Snow pic’s at night with my point and shoot…

Makes the snow flakes look very large…

Cool… Really it is cold…

Looking straight up at the snow flakes…Kind of looks like the Milky Way…huh…

Keep on Truckin

The Mother Trucker

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

2009-12-31T17:33:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful,great New Year!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

KEEP ON TRUCKIN!!

The Mother Trucker

My Secret Ham Recipe

2009-12-28T16:15:00.001-05:00

I would like to share a recipe with you that is easy and delicious!When you make this,your family members will be begging you to cook the ham every year! So,make sure you want to before you share this with them!

This is all that’s left of an 8lb ham.I’m sure by tonight it will all be gone!

Okay,let’s get to it…

This is what you’ll need:

Turkey size cooking bag,

8lb Ham or bigger,Brown Sugar,Honey,Butter…

Open ham and take off little piece of plastic that covers bone.Wash off ham to get any splinters off that was left when they cut the ham.Don't trim fat.

Get out oven bag and put a pinch of flour in it and shake.This is suppose to keep the bag from bursting.Place oven bag in big baking pan.Open bag up where you can get the ham in it easily.

Put the ham in bag, bone side down.I know that looks weird but trust me.

Cut 3 tablespoons of butter and place inside bag. (it doesn't have to be unsalted.That was just what I grabbed from the frig.)

Generously pour honey all over the ham.Lot’s and lot’s of honey! Don’t be shy cover it well! (The honey will make the brown sugar stick to the ham.)

Then take the brown sugar and pack it all over the ham.With one hand on ham to pack with use a big spoon to pour the brown sugar over ham.

Then tie end of cooking bag with tie provided and cut three 1/2 inch slits in top of bag.Place in preheated oven.

Bake at 325 degree’s until temperature reaches 160 to 170 on meat thermometer.About 2 to 2 1/2 hours,depending on how big your ham is.I used a 8lb ham and the cooking time was a little less than that.Look on the instructions that came with the cooking bag for the weight of your ham for cooking time.Check with thermometer about 30 minutes before cooking time is up.(You don’t have to untie the bag, just stick the thermometer through one of the slits in bag. ) Be careful when you check your ham not to hit the bone or you will get a wrong reading.

When it reaches the 160 to170 degree mark it is done.Its okay if it goes over a little.Take it out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

When ham is finished resting open bag and pour juice in bowl,pan or old shoe but DONT (whatever you do)DONT throw it away!!!!! It is the sauce for your ham!!! Boy is it good!!! No need to reduce it in sauce pan it will come out perfect!!! I promise! Just pour over ham and serve.

There you have it! The ham your kin folks will be knocking down the door for!

That’s my secret recipe.I'm only sharing with you because I know you will keep my secret.!! Enjoy!!

Lot’s of Love ,The Mother Trucker

Keep on Truckin!

Busy,Busy,Busy

2009-12-17T08:30:00.001-05:00

We had a couple of cute little family members over to decorate the Christmas tree Wednesday.I have never seen a Christmas tree get decorated as fast as these two decorate.They did a great job!! If any of you are behind this year with your tree I know just who you can call! Hee,Hee,Hee…

Then later I had to take off to another cutie’s school function filled with lots of great music and cute costumes!

Here’s a sneak peek…Hope you enjoy!

School Function…

Thanks Terrance and Taylor for the beautiful job you did on the tree and Thanks Ayla for the invite and the music was just wonderful!!!

Hope everyone gets lots of gifts and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Keep on Truckin!

Awesome Surprise!

2009-12-08T09:22:00.001-05:00

My surprise was…(drum roll please) Ree Drummond/Pioneer Woman's book signing at the Borders in Buckhead!!! Wow! What an adventure it was…

This is Melissa (my oldest daughter)the culprit that worked real hard to get everything set up for the surprise. She kept telling me she was taking me to the Nut Cracker.(I didn’t believe that though) Sorry folks I’m not a Nut Cracker kind of gal.Unless you're talking about getting out the nut cracker and a big bag of pecans. She got a big kick out of teasing me though.

There was lots of folks! We got there about 15 minutes early and got signed in,got our bracelets and Melissa bought the cook book and we headed upstairs…We found out that a lot of folks got their bracelets that morning so we had about 300 in front of us…

We started winding our way around the aisles!

Almost there!

Getting closer! We’ve waited for hours but it didn't seem like it had been that long!

Isn't she just beautiful! Getting closer!

I made it!!! She is so sweet and down to earth!!!

She told me to get closer for the pic! See that big old hand on her shoulder.That’s mine! I got to hug her! She’s an angle!!! Can you believe it,that's me with Ree Drummond/The Pioneer Woman! I’m still in awe…

Ree told me to get a t-shirt.Which was great,cause that’s mainly what I wear.(It’s the high fashion girl I am.) So we moved on over to where Hyacinth and Betsy was giving away the t-shirts.These girls are a hoot!! Hyacinth had me sit on her lap for the pic.They are so sweet and wonderful!!

Then it was time to go.

Thank you! Melissa for the cook book and such an awesome surprise and adventure!!!! Thank you!Gary for driving us and waiting hours in the car so I could have such an adventure!!! I love you Both!!! Thank you my grandbabies for sitting and waiting also!!!

It was awesome!!! Have I said that already? It was! and if you get a chance to see PW go! Her cook book is awesome too!! Beautiful pic’s and recipes that are step-by-step just like the one’s on her site.

Now if you will excuse me(cook book under arm and running for the kitchen!!) I’ll be in the kitchen getting more acquainted with my new awesome cook book!

Keep on Truckin

The Mother Trucker

Surprise!

2009-12-07T11:26:00.002-05:00

Melissa called me a week or so ago and told me she was taking me somewhere for Christmas and my birthday that is coming up next month and its a surprise. Then I found out Heather will be going with us also.Take your camera Melissa said,cause you will want to blog about it.
Hummm,wonder what these girls have up their sleeves.....
I will let you know....We are going tonight!

Keep on Truckin
The Mother Trucker

My Sister Sarah

2009-11-03T19:45:00.001-05:00

Its my sweet sister Sarah’s birthday tomorrow and I wish I could be with her to celebrate it. She lives to far for that,but I will be thinking about her.Sarah I love you dearly and miss you so much!!! Hope you have a great birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

A rose for you…

Love you Sis!!! Hugs and Kisses…

Keep on Truckin

The Mother Trucker

Ayla bugs Birthday

2009-10-18T20:55:00.001-04:00

My Ayla bug had her 10th birthday Sunday.She’s such a wonderful child! Now she’s in the double digits…Wow! She’s growing up to fast,going to have to put a book on top of her head! Hee,Hee,Hee… Here are some of the highlights.

Her birthday cake she picked out.Perfect for the cold weather in October! Makes me want to pack my bags and go south…

The cake and ice cream was yummy!

She got a flat screen tv and wall mount from grandmother and grandfather Storm! I made sure I invited them to my next birthday party…

Lots of other cool stuff…

Lots of great stuff…

Happy Birthday my sweetie! MiMi Loves You!

Keep on Truckin

The Mother Trucker

Tab Run

2009-10-10T14:55:00.001-04:00

I got to participate in my very first charity bike ride! We rode for the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald house provides a place for the parents to stay who can’t afford hotel expenses,and otherwise would not be able to stay close to their children in the hospital. Danny,his friends and family collect tabs off soft drinks or any other can that has a tab.Last year these tabs paid the electric bill for the Ronald McDonald for a whole year!

To find out more on how to help or if someone you know need their services please visit : www.rmhc.org/

It was amazing! We started in Griffin and went through Warm Springs, other riders joined us there.We ended the ride in LaGrange at the Sunny Point Park.Where they collected the tabs and had guest that told their stories of how the Ronald McDonald House helped them.It was awesome!

Hope you enjoy our adventure!

Danny and I started out Saturday morning by picking up family and friends that were joining us for the ride.Left-is Don, Danny’s brother’s father-in-law which is a real hoot! Middle- Danny and Ken.Right- Ken’s wife Shannon and Don’s wife Barbara.(Barbara carried the tabs in the pickup.)

Then we left to make it to the next stop…

Where we met up with Dan’s friend John.He’s a great person! Looks like he has a small bag of tabs.I wonder if he drank all those soda’s himself?

Checking out the big bag of tabs….On to the next stop…

Last stop before the ride…

Where we met up with my youngest daughter,Heather and Son-in-law Josh.Don’t look at me that way girl…Yelp I’m going to take another picture. I was really glad that they joined us on this ride.It was their first ride also.

They make a Mother Trucker proud!

Everyone gathered at AppleBee’s which provided the parking and breakfast for the riders.We got signed in,paid for the ride and got our t-shirts and arm bands.

Getting ready for the ride!

Some of the nice folks at Applebee’s seeing us off.

Getting out on the road.Police escort of course.Thanks to all you police officers that helped keep us safe.

Our friends and family behind us and other riders.

These shots of the riders going over the hills are some of my fav’s.

The riders go on forever….

Picking up riders in Warm Springs….

Getting to our destination.

The youngest biker! Hee,Hee,Hee… Isn't she just adorable! Love the dew-rag!

Collecting the tabs…

This is one of the many families that the Ronald McDonald house has helped.The baby was born 3months early and if the mom hadn't had a place to stay close to this little angel she would have not survived.She had to be breast feed every two hours.

The little angel in a box….

OMG! Is that Ronald McDonald himself? I think so!

We had a great time and it was for a great cause! Can’t wait for next year…

Thanks Dan for sharing this adventure with me! I’ll remember it for always!..

Go out and do something you’ve never done before,help someone,it will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.I promise!

Keep on Truckin!

The Mother Trucker

Birthdays!

2009-09-22T15:36:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Heather!!

It’s hard to believe that my baby girl is 28! WOW! Where has the time gone? One minute you’re dropping her off at kindergarten and you turn around and she has a family of her own.

She loves chocolate and I thought Pioneer Woman's Best ever Sheet Cake would be perfect! She loved it!! It is perfect for a group of people and you have a whole canvas to do with what ever you want.I decorated hers with chocolate covered strawberries one of her fav’s also. It turned out beautiful and very yummy!!!!

Hope you try this for your next chocolate lovers birthday!

Thanks Pioneer Woman!! Your sheet cake was a hit with everyone!

Keep on Truckin!

The Mother Trucker

Vacation

2009-08-04T09:32:00.002-04:00

Called my daughter the night before and ask what time we were leaving in the morning…She said be ready at 4:00 and we will be there to pick you up.I said okay 6:00 by your time, right.She said I know her to well and and assured me they would be there. So I was ready by 4:00.

This is when we actually got under way…I won’t say anything about I told you so.Really,I’m not that kind of person…Nope! you wont hear me say one thing about it…

We finally arrived and we had a great time! Sat on the beach everyday and just took in everything around us,the warm sun,sand and the ocean breeze…

Here are some of my favorite Pic’s! Hope you enjoy them…

The Grand Kids having a blast feeding the Sea Gulls.

Glad to be under the umbrella!

Then it was time to say good-bye… As much fun as we had I can say I was glad to get started toward home!

There’s no place like home.There’s no place like home! Hummmmm,seems like I’ve heard that before…

Hope you all had great vacations this year!

Keep on Truck’in!

The Mother Trucker

The Visit

2009-07-18T12:21:00.001-04:00

I always enjoy the grand kids coming over for a visit. They bring such joy to my heart! Yesterday afternoon Ayla came to visit and spent the night.I’ve been promising her we would get in the kitchen and cook up something.So she looked through the cook books and came up with these,Chocolate Butterfly Cakes.She made them and decorated them her self.I supervised of course and we had a blast.She was just adorable! I got so caught up in all the joy of watching her that I totally forgot my camera.I did manage to get some pic’s of the finished product.

We got up this morning and cooked some good grub! Ayla cooked pancakes and eggs and I cooked the sausage.She cooks great pancakes!

Recipe for the Chocolate Butterfly Cakes are at the bottom. Their easy to make and taste great too!

I scanned the page from the cook book.Hope you will make some soon with your grand kids or kids and if you don’t have your own borrow some from your brother,sister,friend or a neighbor! They will thank you for the break and your life will be filled with lots of laughs and joy!!! Kids are good for the heart you know,and they lower cholesterol!(I think.) So do ya self a favor and find you some today!

Mixing the pancake batter…

Cooking up the pancakes…

Man,she’s getting so tall! What happened to the step stool she had to used? I guess my baby doesn't need it anymore.

This recipe comes from the cook book

Practical Chocolate

By: Queen Street House

ISBN# 1-40542-306-4

This is just one of the cook books of a set.These little cook books have great tips,and tips for each recipe.They are easy and really are practical! You can purchase one or all of the set.Not expensive either!

Run down to the store and purchase these little books and grab some kids,have fun!! Amen!

Keep on Truckin

The Mother Trucker

Testing the Writer

2009-07-14T05:49:00.003-04:00

Heard about this windows live writer on Robynns Ravings,thought I would try it out! So here we go!

Well that was easy…. lets see if I can add another pic….

All I can say is this writer is MAGNIFICENT!!! Takes all the frustration out of adding these pic’s!!! Put them in order by placing my cursor where I want them! No more putting them in backward! How great is that!!!

I LOVE THIS!!!! ROBYNN’S RAVINGS YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!!!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING!!!!!! WHY AM I YELLING? CAUSE I WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO KNOW!!!!!!!

P.S.

Uploads in a flash!!! I can't wait to try out all the other cool features!!!

Keep on Truckin

The Mother Trucker

The Covered Bridge

2009-07-06T06:06:00.007-04:00

Wow,the last two weeks have been a whirlwind!Bike rides,covered bridge,Atlanta Motor Speed Way to watch the drag races.Cook outs,birthdays and Fireworks!
Here are the pic's I promised sorry it took so long.
Hope everyone had a great and safe Fourth!

My first Covered Bridge!

The bike ride was just to awesome!!

As you can see in the mirror I was holding on tight!
There was no chance I was falling off! That t-shirt will never be the same!

My friend Dan.He is one awesome and very sweet person!
After our second week of adventures together he kinda took a likin to me.
I think he wants to keep me and I him.Did I mention he is awesome!
Thanks Dan for the bike ride! I know that biking is something you are
very passionate about and I really appreciate you sharing that with me!!

This is the beautiful,awesome bike I rode on.

Info on this bridge.You can click on the pic and
read about it.

Took a walk under the bridge.

Beautiful scenery!

More Bikers showed up.

A knothole in the bridge produced one of my favorite pic's.

Thanks for tuning in.I had the most wonderful time!!
I highly recommend you take an adventure, find a covered bridge with a knothole and take some pic's and have fun! You can do it,I give you my permission.

Keep on Truckin
The Mother Trucker

Savannah

2009-06-21T21:44:00.003-04:00

So glad to be home after our day in Savannah!I would repeat that but I'm still tired.I don't think I'll ever....No, I know I will never go back there in June for a day without renting a hotel room!!
It was so hot I thought I was going to have a heat stroke!!!It was so hot I couldn't even move! I didn't know my body had so much water in it.I had the grand kids bring water in their buckets to pour over me!
We were on Tybee Island and IT WAS HOT!!!!!!! We stayed 7 hours in the heat while the guys fished on the dock.I really don't know how they done it! We couldn't stand it by the water!
Here are a few pic's that I took before my camera melted.....

Heather and Jaron

A flock of Pelican's
You can click on the pic to get a better look see.

About to take a ride

Yippie!!!! Going Home!!!!!

I arrived home about 1:00am and I was never so glad in my life to get here!!!
Did I say that already? Took a shower,(still had shells stuck to my bottom) turned the air conditioner down to sub-zero and went to bed!
I could KISS the MAN that invented AIR CONDITIONING,right square in the MOUTH!!!!!

That's my story and I'm stickin to it!

The Mother Trucker

Proud as Punch!

2009-06-19T20:39:00.004-04:00

I gave each of the grand-children a tomato plant to grow.Heather and Skyler (the two oldest) each have the Big Boy tomato's. Alya has the Roma and Jaron has Cherry tomato's.
The results are starting to come in!

Jaron found his first (ever before in his young life)bright red Cherry tomato today!

He was so proud!
He looked the whole plant over to see if there were anymore.

Then we had to take the bright red Cherry tomato in where we could split it and try it out!
I thought this pic was so cute! When we told him to present the inside of the tomato he showcased it. Kids,you got to love them!
I'll keep you posted as soon as more results come in.

Until then,
Keep on Truckin!
The Mother Trucker

Homemade Peach Cobbler!

2009-06-08T13:32:00.006-04:00

Nothing in this world can beat homemade Peach or Blackberry Clobber! It's so warm and inviting.Takes me back to my childhood, when my Grandma made it.So wonderful! Here's a very simple, easy to make and delicious recipe!

Whip one up tonight,believe me everybody in the house will thank you for it!!!

Here's what you will need:Self-rising flour,Sugar,Butter,Buttermilk,Peaches or Blackberries.
I know,you see the apples.We we're trying something different. It turned out pretty good.
I have to say though, Peach and Blackberry are my most favorite!!!

This my friend Loretta.She is a sweet-heart!!
This is her recipe and I will let her show you
How its done....Thanks Loretta for sharing!!

Pre-heat oven to 350.
Place 1 stick of butter in 2qt baking dish.Melt in Microwave,set aside.
(Use Microwave safe dish please)

Mix 1cup Self-rising flour and 1cup sugar together in bowl.

Pour in 1cup Buttermilk.
See,I told you this would be easy!

Mix well.

Pour batter over melted butter in baking dish.

Spoon in 1 large can Peaches, juice and all.
Do not drain the Peaches! Amen!

Cook for 40 minutes or until golden brown.Wah-la!
Dig in and enjoy!!! (Big Spoons Only Please!)

Peach Cobbler

1cup self-rising flour

1 cup sugar

1cup buttermilk

1 stick of butter
1 large can peaches

Pre-heat oven to 350
In 2qt baking dish melt 1 stick butter,set aside.
Combine flour,sugar and buttermilk. Mix well.
Pour batter over butter in baking dish.
Spoon in peaches.Do not drain.
Bake about 40 minutes or until golden brown.

Note:
You can use fresh peaches,here's how:
6 to 8 med.peaches
Peel and slice.Put in sauce pan and cover with 3/4 cup sugar.
Cook on low until sugar dissolves.
Then continue recipe.

Hope you make this soon. And invite me over, Please!

Many good eats!
The Mother Trucker

Catching Up

2009-06-07T00:46:00.018-04:00

Well lets see,what's been happening?
Birthdays
School Chorus
Easter
School Awards

Time gets by so quick!
Anyway I said to myself :Self, if you don't start blogging soon your two followers are going to disown you! I don't want to be disowned,so here we go!

Chorus

So proud of my grand-daughter Ayla!!
I would never be able to get up in front of a
crowd and do this!

These children sang their hearts out! I was so
amazed! (Think I'm bragging, huh.) Well guess
what! No, really guess!No,that's not it. I will tell
ya. These little angels was being recorded and
are going to be on the Public Broadcasting Radio Station!
How bout that! Cool,huh!

My Angel with her chorus Teacher.

Easter

Hide the eggs and they will come......

Our Zoo Crew after the hunt...
I just couldn't wait to help them check out those eggs!

Six Flags

The Zoo Crew on their way in....

Getting cooled off....
I thought!

Couple more rides and then this....

Not only did I get cooled off, I
was soaked to the bone! Stayed wet the rest
of the day.....

Then we met some super hero's....
( I should have talked to the one in the black cape
before I rode his ride! )

What's This! I DON'T THINK SO!

The line was to long anyway,even if I had had
the courage.....

Happy Birthday Olivia!

There's the birthday girl.
(With the big beautiful smile!)

The best gift! Now she can go riding
with dad!

Daddy Josh, helping with the balloons....

Bring on the cake!

Yea! That's what I'm talking about!!

Thanks! Little Heather for this pic.
I just love the way it looks!

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Nothing like helping out in the kitchen!

First homemade Barbie cake.Good job Teresa!
Taylor loved it and couldn't wait to get the Barbie....

Lots of gifts!

cards.....

and money is always good!

School Awards

Good Attendance!

Certificate of Achievement for 3rd Grade
Spelling B!

A Honor Roll !

Medal of Academic Excellence!

Honor Chorus!
Music Certificate!
Citizenship Award!
Reach Award!
Could a MiMi be anymore Proud?I think not!!!!!

Happy Birthday Melissa!

This is our cup cake cake...My wonderful grand-daughter Heather
Made this cake for her Mom.( And I helped!) Good job Heather!

And Happy Birthday!

Daddy, Teresa,Lynn,Ben and Terrance

The Mother Trucker,
Keep on Truckin!

The Garden Before and After

2009-05-23T21:55:00.011-04:00

Well, I really don't know if gardening in buckets and planter pots classifies as a garden, but it is as close as I can come...
I wanted to do a raised bed garden this year.I printed off Pioneer Woman's plans for the raised bed,and was looking forward to the whole carpentry experience.Since my dad was a carpenter when I was growing up, I took a special liking to his carpenter belt! Loved all those nails and the hammer!We lived in an old house in Griffin Ga. that had a somewhat large back porch, and I can tell you that even if the house no longer exist, I know that porch is still there!
Their was one catch, though.... No soil to put in it! You would think that a woman with a dumptruck would be able to get soil,but that's not always the case.First,its hard to find good soil and second if you find good soil you have to have some way to load it. Shovel in hand is not something I'm partial to! Enough of the rambling. Here are the before and afters....

Before:

Tomato's and Peppers!
Oh,look just the cutest little babies!

After: Tomato
All grown up!

My favorite pic of the Cherry Tomato's

Jalapeno

If you decide to grow in buckets make sure you give your plants lots of water! Even after watering really, really well I've come home from work to find them very badly wilted!
I've moved them to give them partial shade in late afternoon. I hope this will help. I will let you know.
If theses plants survive after all the wilting I think it will be safe to say that they're Mother Trucker proof! So anyone should be able to grow like this.

The Mother Trucker

A Welcome Rarity!

2009-03-01T18:18:00.019-05:00

It started out like this.Big snowflakes!
Some the size of quarters.And excitement!
How much will we get? How long will it stay?
I hope we get a good covering.Haven't seen snow
in quite awhile in these parts.Maybe a flurry or two
that's about it...A couple of inches would be nice!

As I looked out my bedroom window I could see
it was mounting...I was in awe of its beauty!

Then it was gone....

And as fast as it came,it quietly exited.
Taking all its beauty with it......

The Mother Trucker
Keep on Truckin

My Sister Friend

2009-02-28T19:25:00.013-05:00

This is my beautiful friend Sheree. She is such a sweetheart!
Very soft spoken and has the cutest little laugh you ever heard.
She invited me over this morning for breakfast which I missed
because of the thunderstorms.(I was scared to get in the shower cuz of all the lighting going on).I finally got my shower and got over there about mid-morning.It's okay that I missed all that good food.(Whoo,somethings wrong here! Did I say it was okay for me to miss good food?)
Sorry! Lost it there for a second.....I can just sit and talk to her hours on end! She always has great ideas and so creative.I feel its a honor to have a friendship with such a special lady!
Here are a couple of her one of a kind hand made pieces of jewelry.
I think you will agree they are as beautiful as she is! I love her work!

She has a lot more and a great little work shop set up in her home.
Next time I visit maybe she will let me take some pic's of it to
share with you! I will ask.

Thanks,Sheree for sharing!

The Mother Trucker
Keep on Truckin

Giving Birth!

2009-02-20T10:12:00.015-05:00

I gave birth yesterday to a daughter blog! I know,I didn't really give birth but it sure felt like it!
My youngest daughter Heather, started her blog a few weeks ago and I've watched it everyday to see a post to no avail. Until yesterday!

I'm proud as a new mother can be and I thinks(That ten times more than think) it's beautiful! Can't wait to see more post.If you would like to check out our new addition you can visit at:

http://www.onecamera-onegirl.blogspot.com

You Go Girl!!!

The Mother Trucker
Keep on Truckin

Let's Party!!!

2009-02-18T09:04:00.010-05:00

Bush Babe is throwing a party for her friend Deb!
Tomorrow is her last chemo treatment (February 19)!!!
If ya want to party and show your love you can do it at
the link below.You go Deb!!!! We hope for better days for you!!!!!!!

Post your comments and pic's here for the party:
http://bushbabe.blogspot.com/

The Mother Trucker
Keep on Truckin

Oops,Sorry made a blooper.

You can check out Deb's blog at:
http://lifesfunnylikethat.blogspot.com

Thanks Bush Babe for setting me straight!

Check out bush babe's blog also its a great read!
Lot's of love!

The Mother Trucker : )

To My Valentines

2009-02-14T06:46:00.006-05:00

I had a wonderful time Valentines!!!
All my grandchildren came over and we made Valentines cookies!
This is our future Chef! Really! My oldest grand-daughter Heather.
She mixed and baked everything from scratch and I got to help.
Life is good!

(Don't mind the messy counter tops and stove,we are limited on space.)

We cooled the sugar cookies and then let the little
darlings make their masterpieces.

Lot's of finger licking going on! LOL

Jaron's cookie.

Olivia's cookie.

Ayla's cookies.

Maddison's cookies.

Skyler's cookies.

Heather's Cookies.

Great job guys!!! MiMi loves your cookies!!!
They are all beautiful!!!

P.S.
All the children had more than one cookie to decorate and eat.
You know the little one's would not let me get away with that! ; )

The Mother Trucker

Happy Valentine

Day!!!!!

I LOVE YOU
ALL !!!!!

Callaway Gardens

2009-02-09T10:21:00.015-05:00

I went to Callaway Gardens Sunday with part of the gang.My daughter and her family. We had a great time.Its free admission until the end of February.I used my new camera and took some nice pic's.I really like the micro setting on it. I hope you enjoy them.

This was the first place we visited.We got maps and located the butterfly center.

This is the butterfly center.

Cocoons. We actually saw a butterfly emerge from one!
Really cool!

Here are some of the plants the butterflies love.
I love them too!I think I'm going to start a butterfly
garden this spring.Some of these pic's I used the
micro setting on and I just love the way they turned out!

I just love this blue flower.It almost looks like it's made of glass.

You can get pretty close to the butterflies.

On the end of the wing (Left) does this look like a
snake head to you? It does to me.

Hey! How did the gang get in the middle of my micro shots?

These pic's below where taken at the garden.

The palms on this tree were gigantic!

Behind the water fall.

Loved the rock in this shot.

Callaway Gardens has lots of stuff. You can hike or bike the trails.Water shows,
beaches ,Spa and Cabins, and a lot more. Hope you get to visit and make some
memories of your own.

The Mother Trucker

Chicken and Rice Soup!

2009-02-05T21:37:00.017-05:00

This is what you will need. 2 chicken breast, 2 cups white rice, 2-32oz.boxes chicken broth,8 bouillon cubes,1 celery stalk,2 carrots,1/4 cup onion,6 TBS flour,1 stick butter and 8 cups water.

Oh,before we get started!Its been so cold this week.All the way down in the teens! I know that's not cold to some,I feel for you girls.! But its cold to me! We usually have temps in the 40's and 50's around here.
Anyway it put me in the mood for some nice warm soup.
So here we go.Hope you will enjoy it!
P.S.
I'm not a pro at blogging recipes, like some of the other girls on here.I'm gonna give it a stab anyway.
Please,bare with me,okay.Hopefully I will get better as time goes on. Thanks!

Wash your chicken breasts.Don't use soap it taste nasty! Just a rinse and put them in a pot with 8 cups water, 32oz. box of the chicken broth and 8 bouillon cubes.Bring to a boil and lower heat to med to med high. Cook until chicken is done. About 20 minutes or so.Remove chicken from pot and let cool.Remove skin and bone from chicken.Chop the chicken into bite size pieces and set aside.Save your pot of broth.We will be adding the chicken
and all the other good stuff back to it later.

Next put 4 cups chicken broth and 2 cups white rice in a pot and bring to a boil.Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.I like to use all chicken broth with my rice cuz it gives it better flavor!

Now chop up all your veggies.I like to chop mine fine but you can chop yours anyway you like. Measure your flour and butter.Get your skillet out cuz were going to make a white roux! Don't be afraid you can do it! I know you can.We will use the roux to thicken our soup.

In your skillet or your neighbors, melt 4TBS of butter.On med high heat.

Add flour all at once whisking vigorously.

When mixture thins and starts to bubble,reduce heat to low and cut back on the whisking.

Cook until you smell a toasty aroma and then cook 2 minutes more,
stirring occasionally.Set aside and let cool.

Next get your veggies and skillet ready,where going to saute!

In a skillet melt 2TBS butter on med heat.

Throw all the veggies in.

Cook until tender.Add your chicken and cook for a couple minutes more.

Now add the cooked veggie mixture and roux to the pot of stock you saved and
stir. So roux and everything comes together.
Next add a cup of rice to the pot. Stir. If this is not enough
rice for you keep adding and stirring until you get the amount you like.
I use almost all the rice, cuz I do. I like it that way.Cook about 5minutes more.

Serve!
Your tummy will love ya!

The Mother Trucker

THE GRILL!!!!!

2009-01-26T21:47:00.015-05:00

I know its early for some but I've been thinking about buying my next Grill!! I love to grill anytime of the year. Even in the winter.Yelp winter. I know its cold. No, I haven't lost my mind.Well maybe a little... Well maybe a lot but not about grilling! I can smell my Bam Chicken cooking now! OOOhhhhhh. I can't hardly wait to get family and friends over and have some fun!! Good food, family and friends. You just can't beat that!!

AND HERE IT IS!!

TA-DA!

Brinkmann Single Zone Charcoal Grill

Isn't it beautiful!!!! It's a smoker too!!!!Be still my heart!!!!

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!! Can't hardly wait!!!!!!!!

I can just see me standing in front of it now!!
Can you see me? Look real hard.See me now?

Okay, So you don't. Well here's a couple of grilling tips for ya anyway.The first one I got from Pioneer Woman. If you haven't checked her site out you really are missing out !!!
She has lots of great recipes and other cool stuff! The second tip I got from my brother- in- law James. Thanks you guys for making my life yummier!

Grilling tip #1:When buying hamburger look for 80/20 lean .It makes for juicer burgers and holds together better.

Grilling tip #2: Use beef broth to keep your burgers juicy and hot! I put a heat proof dish or store bought aluminum container on top of my grill or in the oven.As I finish cooking the burgers I put them in the broth.This is especially great if your cooking for a big group!

Happy Grilling!

Let me know if these tips help with your grill'in.
Be listening out for ya!

The Mother Trucker

My Birthday!

2009-01-24T05:14:00.017-05:00

Happy birthday to me,Happy birthday to me, Happy birthdaaaaaaaaaaa, Oh, enough of that! Let's get down to it. Hee,Hee,Hee
Above is the birthday cake my granddaughters Heather, Ayla and my grandson Jaron made for me! Isn't it beautiful! And it taste so good!! Who doesn't love chocolate on chocolate!!

This is all that was left of the cake and there where lots of happy campers!!!! These are the gifts I received. Clay cupcake my granddaughter Ayla made. A card that my granddaughter Heather made for me and in the box is my new camera! A Canon Power Shot A470. I love my gifts!!!!!

Below and at the party are pic's that were taken with my new camera. I have alot to learn! But it will be so fun!!! Below are at work Friday.The first shot was the guys under the silo loading with asphalt. The pic under this one is with my zoom.

The pic above was with the zoom also. I was a couple of trucks away.This is my buddy Ray.I work with him almost everyday.

This pic below was taken in my back yard. We had a beauitful sunset!

The camera does a pretty good job! The button pusher needs alot of improvement though!

These two pic's below where taken through my windshield, on my way home. Always make sure your windshield is clean before doing this!

Oh, wait... that might be my computer screen!

Nope its the windshield.....

Oops! see what I mean. The above pic is the same shot of my back yard but without the flash on.
Well you see I have alot to learn but Iam working on it....The main goal is to have fun!!

Whooo,Ha Ha ! (my evil laugh!)Go out my children and take lots of pic's I need them for my blog!

Really take some pic's have fun and make a blog. I give my permission!

The Mother Trucker

Do I need a duck?

2009-01-21T10:30:00.003-05:00

Check it out guys,
Do you think I need a duck for my truck? To funny!Copy and paste to your web browser.
Thanks
The Mother Trucker

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/weird/Trucking_Duck_All__National_.html

2009-01-21T04:28:00.000-05:00

All the places for horses I never thought I would see one on the beach! Yelp it happened.
Wonder if he has a big poopie scooper in that saddle bag?

Cheyenne

2009-01-20T11:48:00.001-05:00

Cheyenne, originally uploaded by The Mother Trucker.

Cheyenne is quite a trip! She will ring a bell at the back door when she needs to go out.She's very smart and has facial expressions that are so cute! You can read her mind with them! She will try to get you play by teasing you with her toys.She lives with a smaller dog and she thinks she's the same size. Especially when she jumps on the back of the couch! So funny!

Sunsets and Sunrises

2009-01-19T18:54:00.003-05:00

What is it about sunsets and sunrises that are so wonderful?

I think they give you peace,a time to think and just feel.
I love to see a sunrise or sunset over a beach and feel the
ocean air against my skin. I love the smell of the ocean also.
I think it is one of the most beautiful places to experience them.
Some are so breathtaking and awesome! I don't want them to end.

How do you feel about them? Leave a comment and let me know.
I would love to hear from you!

The Mother Trucker

Panama City Beach Vacation

2009-01-15T09:14:00.010-05:00

Hi Guys, as you know we're about to have some really below freezing weather the next couple of days... I don't want to think about it ! So I thought these pic might be just the thing to warm us up!! Ahhhhhhh wish I was there now!!!!

Company

2009-01-03T13:19:00.000-05:00

Sleeping Angel...
Well I had company yesterday and after of a day
of watching movies lots of tickles and laughs and
playing games on the puter she pooped out

Then we had more company this morning.Great kids!
Stuffing faces with popcorn and watching movies...

Starting from Left: Ayla,Taylor and Terrance
Taylor and Terrance are my niece and nephew
Really Great Kids!!! Fun to be around and we
love their visits!!!

My friend Brad
Went to the Waffle House this morning and had breakfast.
Very sweet man! Nobody else like him.
Chit Chatted awhile and now after all that food I think its time for this
Mother Trucker to take a nap..... I'm allowed I'm over 50 and all the
company is gone....
See ya soon,
Mother Trucker

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!!!

2009-01-01T08:21:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEARRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

Went to my daughters home to bring in the New Year.
Usually go to bed on New Years but thought I would get
some interesting pic's for my new blog.Believe Me you don't
want to see pic's of me sleeping...Noooo you don't! Not Pretty!!

My youngest grandson Jaron....

My son-in-law Gary

My oldest grand-daughter Heather's room.
She's so proud! Its just the way she wants it now.So Pretty!!!!!

Yummmmmy,I had to make my way to the kitchen!!
Its going to be such a great night!!

Played some board games.Very fun!! This game is
Called Pictureka and we had a blast!!!

Here is the new Monopoly World game.If you don't
have this one you really need to get it. No paper
money!!!Comes with cards and a calculator.Really Cool!!!

Grand-daughters Ayla (left) Heather (right) having great time!!

Grandson Skyler and Son-in-law Gary having great time too!!

Darn camera!

Getting ready for hugs and kisses to go home.
Got to go get in bed! See ya tomorrow. Hope
everyone had a great New Years!!!!!