BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR HELEN PEARL

This is the birthday girl. When asked how old she was her response was, "I'm either 37 or 73." Happy Birthday, Helen Pearl!

Real friends are those who, when you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job. ( These two were really enjoying their ice cream cone. Proud they didn't get a picture of me eating mine.)

This group of ladies went out on the town to celebrate our friend, Helen's birthday. She has had a very difficult two years with the illness and recent death of her beloved daughter. We felt that we should make an effort to help cheer her up a little.

One of her favorite places to eat is the Fish Bowl so that is where we headed. We left Dierks around 4:00 p.m. and arrived at the eating place at 5:00 p.m. They were ready for us because I had called ahead hoping they might seat us in a nice secluded place but low and behold they put us right in the big middle of the main dining room. Now if you know any of this group you know we are not shy and have a tendency to get a little loud. Tonight was no different. When we got into really celebrating I noticed some sitting near eyeballing us. The gawking did not slowed this bunch down at all.

We enjoyed a great meal of fried fish with all the trimmings and topped it off with a blueberry muffin as a dessert. I took one with a candle and made sure I took matches to light it. I struck those matches on every object I could find and never got a flame so Helen just pretended to blow out her candle. Since we were in the big middle of a room full of serious fish eaters we left the Happy Birthday song off.

The waitress told us to enjoy ourselves and stay as long as we wanted. We remained for a while seeing who could tell the BIGGEST tale but really seeing who could top that...not sure who won.

Finally we departed that place and went the long way home with the six of us packed in my rig. We finally arrived at Mary's house where we had met. Upon arrival we decided we were not ready to dismiss this party so, as full as we were, we decided to go to Kenya's for dessert. It was at Kenya's that we probably did the most damage. One very sweet gray headed man asked us what we had been drinking. We informed him that water, tea and coffee were the strongest thing we had to drink. He couldn't believe we could have so much fun and not be half lit. With this bunch a good stiff drink would probably just put us to sleep...we don't need anything to make us have fun. That just comes naturally. When we left Kenya's the little waitress, that had enjoyed seeing some of her old teachers giggle and have fun, wanted to know where we were going next. Guess she thought our night was just beginning.

Well, we finally arrived back at Mary's and it was still daylight. When you are our age you forget that there are headlights on the car. We unloaded and headed off in the direction of our homes.

One of the most entertaining things I saw the whole night was two, WAY over 70 year olds, getting out of my third row seats. You have never heard such moaning and groaning trying to get out of that place. Bet next time there will be some flipping going on to see who wins that honor.

So goes the life of the over the hill ladies.

MELINDA

I am really late with this post. I have written and rewritten about Melinda's death and nothing seemed to satisfy me. She was the daughter of my very dear friends and the loss was very devastating to all of us. She was such a smart young lady, a wife a mother and the only child of my friend Helen. Edna sent me this article and it seemed to say just what needed to be said about Melinda so I am including it instead of my humble offering. Thanks to John Lynch for this article about Melinda.

Judge Gilbert, 46, dies

Elected in ’08, she was devoted to kids, families

JOHN LYNCH
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Melinda Gilbert died Wednesday after a long battle with a degenerative nerve disease, leaving behind friends and colleagues who remembered her as a scrappy but compassionate courtroom battler who was devoted to the welfare of families and children.

One of the 6th Judicial Circuit’s three juvenile-court judges, Gilbert was elected in 2008 to replace Rita Gruber, who was elected to the Arkansas Court of Appeals. Gov. Mike Beebe will have to name a replacement for Gilbert who will serve until the next judicial election in two years.

Friends and colleagues recalled Gilbert’s tenacity and her compassion just hours after her death Wednesday from multiple system atrophy, a rare condition that affects the nervous system with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. It is incurable, according to information from the National Institutes of Health, and more likely to be found in men over 60 than it is in a 46-year-old woman like Gilbert, the mother of teenagers Caroline and Connor and wife of 21 years to Carroll Eugene Walls Jr.

“She was a fighter,” Judge Vann Smith, the district’s administrative judge, said. “It’s a sad day for the judiciary. Not only was Melinda a fine judge, but a great person who really cared about children.”

Gilbert was a “formidable opponent,” but a warm and outgoing friend who could leave those differences behind outside the court, attorney Sam Hilburn said.

“When we would tangle up, it was a fight,” said Hilburn, who served as Gilbert’s campaign treasurer. “You knew you’d been in a trial, but win, lose or draw, she was still your friend.”

Fellow Judge Richard Moore said his 15-year friendship with Gilbert grew out of his respect for work she did for him while in private practice.
“She was as smart as any lawyer I’ve ever known and worked harder,” he said.

Diagnosed with the disease in the fall of 2009, Gilbert fought hard to resist its advances and to keep working, Moore said, even as the condition forced her to use a walker and then a wheelchair before she was forced off the bench in the fall of last year.

“There’s not many who would still be working as long,” he said.
The best description of Gilbert he’s heard is that “if toughness was a cure, she’d be cured,” Moore said.

Gilbert had to go through two elections to win her seat. She lost the first, coming in second against a better known opponent who outspent her, but the 1,180-vote loss was good enough to get Gilbert into a runoff, which she won by 4,580 votes.

She told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that year that the judgeship was the pinnacle of her legal career, which focused mainly on family law.

“I have spent the majority of my career trying to make the legal proceedings more user-friendly for children and also championing the legal rights of children and families,” she said. “It’s [the culmination] of everything I’ve done for the last 20 years representing juveniles and families.”

Gilbert gave the credit for her victory to her supporters, but friends said it was Gilbert’s efforts at personally meeting voters that gave her the victory. She spent the last two weeks of the campaign standing in front of Little Rock City Hall for 11 hours each day to greet early voters, even though she was suffering from pleurisy, bronchitis, an abscessed front tooth, a kidney infection and other problems.

“My grandfather taught me early on that anything worth having is worth working for,” she said. “And you can’t ask volunteers and friends to come out and help if you’re not willing to do it yourself.”

Gilbert

ROAD TRIP TO MUSE BY THE MUSE GIRLS

The girls took a little road trip over into OK and came upon a little town called Muse. They thought this was such a wonderful discovery. The stopped and snapped a few photos. The girls wanted to steal a sign but their mom insisted that pictures was all they were taking for this little town.

B.J. REMEMBERED ON FATHER'S DAY

This is my husband and my daughter just a few years back. Suzanne was around two or three so this would have been around 1972. Suzanne was looking through old pictures and found this one. She made it her profile picture on FB for Father's Day in memory of her dad. (I think she was probably crying in this picture.)

Time has really changed since this time. She was so afraid of animals and the more we encouraged her the less she liked them. She had horses and Billy J. had cows and she wanted no part of them. She did like dogs and cats but nothing big.

Now her life is completely emerged in animals, big animals. They have egg houses and she wades in and kills sick chickens, they have cattle and she will lead around a 2,000 pound bull with no fear, she helps the girls with their horses but seldom rides herself. She is no longer afraid and will load cattle, horses and bath them with out fear. Her dad would be so surprised to see this side of her. When he died she had not yet started this adventure because Sheyanne was only two years old. Five years later along came Madasan and things have been never been the same. They are busy during the show season showing cattle in the fairs and the rest of the time they are busy with their BIG interest in rodeoing.

Love my girls...♥♥♥

SWAHARA FINALS IN TEXARKANA

Madasan was so excited that the Texarkana Gazette had her on the cover of the Sports Page. (Missed her calf...)

Friends at the Finals.

Special friends that competed against her in the Finals.

This is Madasan with her biological grandfather, Danny. Since it was Memorial Weekend they had the 21 girl salute and she presented Danny with an American flag in honor of his serving in the military.

Madasan was the All-Around Champion Jr. Girl and won a saddle. (Saddle is being made to her specifications.)

Madasan and the five buckles she won at the High School Rodeo. She got buckles for the following: Reserve Champion Jr. girl in barrels, 4th in Poles, 7th in goat tying, 11 in breakaway and High Point Finals Champion Jr. Girls.

Judge Melinda Gilbert

My friend, Helen, had one daughter, Melinda. She graduated with honors from our school and went on to study law. She practiced law for a few years and then became a judge. She didn't get to judge juvenile cases very long because she became ill with a very serious disease, Multiple Skeletal Atrophy (I hope I have that disease right). The disease gradually took over her life and despite her efforts, the efforts of the best doctors and her family she lost her battle fr0m this terrible disease.

Melinda was married had had two children.

LADY OUTLAW SOFTBALL-2011

Lady Outlaws win runner up in District

WATCHING, WAITING AND PRAYING...

This is our forecast for today. Doesn't look great for our area.

BAD WEATHER IN MY PART OF THE WORLD

This is the main street in Dierks. This little town has been my home for the past 75 years minus a few while away at college. Some like the big cities and bright lights but I love this little quiet place with its snail pace life. When trouble hits everyone is ready to come to the rescue of those in trouble. Today, tornado sirens went off and people scurried to their storm shelters (storm cellars, storm house, etc.). Parents were taking their children from school as tornadoes sirens screamed and then the flood hit. Several people were rescued from their flooded homes by brave young men. Cows were being swept away by the high waters and baby calves were in the most danger. Many came to their rescue with a helping hand. It seems that in times like this the true heroes seem to surface ready to help with little thought to their own safety. Many other towns in AR were not as fortunate as our little town. There was so much more destruction in other areas of AR. ~Todd

It all ended with this faint rainbow.~by Monique

I added this one because it was just simply beautiful.~Greg

The bridge into town from Nashville. ~Greg

Entrance to our football satidum.~Greg

Another shot of entrance to football stadium.~Greg

This is the beautiful sun set following all of the excitement in our little town. ~Greg

*I steal my photos from FaceBook because I was stuck in my storm shelter being entertained by my two goofy granddaughters, the dog and Suzanne. Brett only makes an appearance when his truck starts bouncing around and he feels like it might be time...

SHEYANNE AND SASSY

Shey carried the flag each night in the Texarkana Rodeo.

Goat tying in the rodeos in MO.

Sassy and Gray at McAllister, OK Rodeo

Shey and Sassy had a good run in McAllister and Grannis this weekend. Improving each week.

GOODBYE TO A DEAR FRIEND

Hariol and Edna with their great-granddaughter, Teralee.

Hariol passed from this life on Wednesday. He will be missed by so many in the community. His greatest gift was helping those that were sick and needed assistance. The list of people he has helped is quite extensive. He called to check on the sick, he carried them to the doctor, he took them for treatments, etc. Hariol was the person that helped me the most when my husband was ill. I knew that I could call on him at any time and he would be there to assist with any problem that I had. I will always remember his caring nature and wiliness to help.

SHEYANNE AND COLLEGE

Friends at Career Day at CCCUA

The CCCUA Rodeo Team had the College Rodeo at Texarkana.

Sheyanne and her teacher, Nikki.

Sheyanne is enjoying attending school at CCCUA at DeQueen. She is pursuing a degree in Agri Business. The most exciting part of her college life is becoming a member of the Colt Rodeo Team. This fits right into her interest in barrel racing and goat tying. (I don't think she knows about the black hat/white hat stories of the old cowboys. I know for sure she is one of the good guys even if she wears a black hat.)

MAD'S BEAT UP KNEE

Madasan's friend outlined all of her bruises and injuries to her knee. A while back a horse kicked her in the knee and then with a year of rough basketball she was instructed to start physical therapy immediately after basketball season. She started today and with hard work MAYBE she will be able to take care of these injuries without surgery. Horses and basketball can be hazardous to the health but since these two things are the love of her life I don't see her giving up either one. She is one tough little gal!

TUFF AND OAKY ARE NO LONGER WITH US

Tuff in his happier days.

I shared Tuff's story with you in an earlier post. After the steroids were used up he returned to the terrible condition he had earlier. He was so stiff and hurt so much he could hardly walk or get up. Finally on Friday, February 11, 2011 he woke up unable to move. I called my daughter and she came and comforted him and realizing that he was suffering so much and was not going to get better we decided several hours later to call the vet and have him come and made his departure easier. Many tears were shed over this precious dog.

This is Oaky.

Madasan showing Oaky.

Oaky was a 1,900 pound Maine Anjou bull that Madasan had shown in the 2008 and 2009 show season. He won Grand Champion Bull for two years at the AR State Fair. He had been retired from the show ring and was being used as a breeding bull. He had already proven himself by being the father of many beautiful Main Anjou babies.

Tonight when we returned home from church Brett had the bad news that he found Oaky down in the little creek, behind the house, and he was dead. It appeared that he had been fighting with Oscar the bull that was retired before Oaky.

There were many tears shed around their place tonight. They get as attached to these 1,900 pound animals as much as we do our small pets. Oaky had his own personality...he only liked Madasan.

Our pet cemetery now has two beautiful bulls (Romeo and Oaky) buried beside my dog Tuff.

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JR LADY OUTLAWS/JR BOYS WIN DISTRICT

Following the game both teams and coaches gathered at center court for a prayer. Impressive! Yes, we still pray at our school.

The starters, the cut net and Coach Owens-all smiles.

Adriana gets sick before every game. She has done this since Peewee ball. Poor baby! She doesn't let it get to her she just grabs the trash can and then takes care of business. She is making a super good player.

Madasan loves her some basketball. She gets beat and banged up. She has bruises, blisters, corns, knots on her head, bad knees, hurt back, etc., but continues to give it her all. I counted the number of times she fell/was splattered during the district game and the number was nine. None of this slows her down.

Jr. Lady Outlaws celebrating becoming 7AA West District Champs.

Coach Harper celebrating his first District Championship as a first yr. coach. Man was he happy.

Some of the Sr. Lady Outlaws, plus friends, came prepared to cheer the team on.

Coach Harper and his District Champs.

Coach Owens and his District Champs.

Taryn, McKala and Madasan showing of plaque.

2011 District Champs from Dierks Jr. High School.

ANIMALS IN THE SNOW

The horses playing in the snow.

Madasan's show animals

Madasan's heifer and bull were let out to enjoy the snow.