Ready Or Not---Here I Clean!

Ugh! Yuck! Disgusting! Gross!

These are only a few of the words that we use when faced with a "dirty" situation unexpectedly. How can I possibly attack that gut-wrenching filth! I am talking about the corners of the bathroom, the top of the icebox, the inside of the microwave or the stains in the dishwasher. I especially hate the "sticky" spots on the cabinet doors. Those unseen, hidden horrors that hold untold thousands of microscopic germs.



I heard a few hints on the TV once and couldn't remember them...old people should write things down. SoI do the only thing possible, get on the internet. Stop! Listen! It's superman! No, no, no!....no man can clean like a woman...face it! If you don't believe me, just go and visit a deer lease. Talk about gross...don't even go there.



I found a very good website called Mrs. Clean and here is the link.

http://www.mrscleannw.com/tips/clean-dishwasher.html

The lemons work extremely well in cleaning the microwave.

I'll let you know about the vinegar in the dishwasher. There are other solutions for the dishwasher that I can try if the vinegar can't cut it. So many possibilities...Don't worry I'm still NOT going to become that incredible "Ultimate Little Miss Housekeeper". I like my puppies too much to keep them outside!

Woody, Jacob and Enoch

Girls, I think you will really enjoy using it. Can you believe it? Auntie Phiss actually did something technological for you?

Auntie Phis

Branson Vacation Part 6

What A Fake!




Patsy and I went around Branson shopping and taking pictures. We saw this beautiful butterfly at the entrance of Dolly Parton's place. Throughout Branson you can see beautiful gardens and displays of flowers. I just had to get a picture of this display.

We pulled up into the drive, stopped and took our picture! As I drew closer....What?....No Way!...What a Cop Out!....Deceitful.....Plastic Flowers? Phooey---Fake!

Hmmmmm ....wonder what else is fake?

Auntie Phiss

SLEEPING BABIES

This scene was too cute not to post. This is Enoch and Woody in Dad's bed. When we go to bed at night, the puppies have already found their spot and is waiting on Dad. He absolutely loves it.

Jacob likes to snuggle under Dad's arm and naturally Dad has to have me get a picture.

I call Enoch my little "Arabian Night". He likes to flip the sheets and squiggle under the covers. He is too cute.

Woody is the love of my life (he reminds me of my Amos) and I think you can see why! Here he is all comfy on Momma's quilt. I don't mind at all.

Try and not to be too jealous of my babies!

Auntie Phiss

Branson Vacation Part 5

Veteran's Memorial Garden

One of the most beautiful sights on our vacation was the Veternan's Garden located on Highway 76. It wasn't huge; but, it was beautiful! I had to make more than one try to get these pictures because of it's location on the busiest road in Branson.

The huge pink blossoms seen in the photo above are called Rose Mallow. These are prennial and come in white, pink, bubblegum pink, and red. (The red ones can be seen in the first photo.) These blooms can be as large as a dinner plate!

The beautiful butterflies come in all color patterns and were found at the Butterfly Palace and rainforest. I didn't bother to even look to see how much they were!

This last photo shows an array of lilies grouped within the garden. Among the lilies you can see monkey grass and rock ledges. It was a tremendous view on that corner lot. After viewing this display, no corner lot should be a display of broken glass, Johnson grass, etc. It just takes a little planning and work.

Congratulations Branson on a job well done!

Auntie Phiss

Branson Vacation -- Part 4

Branson Terror!

Have you ever got something between your teeth and couldn't get it out? Have you ever used one of these little "super gadgets" to get at that elusive, obnoxious, frustrating, and super stuck food particle? Well, I never could stand to hear someone click, suck, snick, or "whatever" sound

that is to get food particles from between their teeth. I especially hate it when someone takes a knife at the table and pick at their teeth! SUPER UGH!!!!

While on vacation, I had the horrible experience of getting something stuck, really stuck between my teeth. I tried and tried to get it out. No luck. Do you have a toothpick! Aunt Wanda didn't have a toothpick; but, she had the "super gadget". I quickly accepted the "unused" gadget and begin to saw away. I sawed and pulled. Sawed and pulled. What is wrong? It wouldn't pull out! I worked at it and still it was stuck!

This little instrument is NOT a super gadget...it is a criminal terror! It has the potential to embarrass an honest citizen, scare a debutant, and do injury to a poor unsuspecting consumer. Can you image the injury this little devil could do? Especially if the string sliced your gum and the pick hung in your nose! Thank goodness I got it out without either tragedy happening to this old girl.

Intelligent product deductions from Auntie Phiss

Branson Vacation Part 3

Scenic Branson Railroad Tour

Here we are waiting to load the train. They called us in
order of our purchased ticket.

Dad trying to walk down a narrow aisle .... getting a seat.

One of the fun trips that Dad was able to enjoy was the scenic railroad trip. The trip took us out to the mountains. The train was a double decker. We sat on the lower level due to Dad's ability to climb up the steps. The conductors were so friendly and helpful. Our conductor was an absolute hoot and very knowledgeable. I think we got the best of the group.

The train took us through the forests and tunnels and lasted about one hour. There was very little space between us and the forest and rock. At the end of the trip we stopped and had a beautiful view of the top of the mountains. As we looked down, we had the pleasure of

viewing a momma deer and her baby!

(Can you spot them in the second picture?)

Don't you know this is beautiful in the fall!

The car that we rode in was spacious and comfortable. We were able to move the seats as we liked in order to get the best view. On the return trip, the people in our car changed sides so that each could get a different view. The people were older that was in our car and we had a very enjoyable time. That talked with Dad about World War II and he had a great time.

If you want something to do that is relaxing, take this scenic tour.

Auntie Phiss

Branson Vacation Part 2

Butterfly Palace and Rainforest

On one of our excursions, Patsy and I went to the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest. (If you look closely at the picture you can see three huge metal butterflies.) It was a beautiful building that was three levels high. The top level housed the butterflies, the second level the rainforest exhibit, and the lower level the gift shop. The exhibit proceeding in three steps.

Step One - Introduction

Included a short film (like the Omni in 3-D) on the life of a butterfly. It was so cool. We had some children in our group that totally had fun. In one part of the film butterflies appeared to fly from the screen and into the audience. The children would put out their hands to catch the butterflies! We then received specific intructions on behavior and safety for the butterflies before went went through the doors. We had to go into a holding area first, then proceed into the butterfly sanctuary. We had to insure that the butterflies did not get loose.

Step Two - Butterfly Sancutary

In this area you could experience beautiful flora, birds and butterflies. The flowers, of course, caught my attention. Some of the flowers I had never seen.

You also saw beautiful and so, so, cute birds. One bird ran around on the ground and amongst the flower beds and it was so tempting to pick them up and cuddle them. They ranged from brown speckled to white. I was told that we didn't dare pick them up because as a defense the little birds would drop all of their feathers! The birds would grow their feathers back; however, they didn't want a bunch of naked birds running around.

Then of course all of the beautiful butterflies. I know Patsy got tired of waiting for me as I waited for the perfect moment to snap my camera. (Thanks for the camera Danell!) The butterflies ranged in all sizes and colors. My favorite was the green patched butterfly.

Step 3 - Tropical Rainforest

I will have to admit that this was not very impressive. The reptiles where in glass cases rather than out in an open rainforest area. However, the reptiles were pretty cool looking. Especially the one that was a long salamander/lizard type with an extraordinary flat tail.

I am glad that we visited this place. However, I must admit that I like butterflies, flowers, and creatures. It is a great place for kids to visit and enjoy nature up close and personal.

Auntie Phiss

Branson Vacation Part 1

WORLD'S LARGEST TOY MUSEUM

This year was quite the vacation needless to say. However, I hope to share some of the highlights of our trip. This year Dad, Aunt Wanda, Patsy (Dad's daykeeper) and myself went to Branson. Dad was real excited to show Patsy a good time. It appears that she had never been on a "real" vacation. I took turns in taking Aunt Wanda and Patsy around the sites. Someone had to stay with Dad when he wasn't able to go running around.

One of the places that Patsy and I went was the world's largest toy museum! The museum had 20,000 toys. They were stuffed everywhere. You could spends two or more hours in that place and not see it all.

It was such a fascinating place to see all of those toys past and present. Of course, I especially liked the antique toys. I saw toys that I had never seen before. The old transportation toys were fabulous!

Some of the old, old toys really caught my attention. There were just some many so see and ooh and ahh over. The momma turtle and baby was a favorite. As well as, the little donkey. How can you not smile over these two?

A really usual toy was the pop-up "Our Gang". Boy did it bring back the memories of the TV show of these cute little characters. They also had toy scenes on display. They even had a complete display of the stages of Christmas Scrooge.

Naturally I couldn't pass up this section on Steve McQueen just for Danell!

If you ever go to Branson, Missouri, you need to go by and see this great toy museum.

Auntie Phiss