Lost Things and Getting My Nails Done

I wonder how a bottle of shampoo can get lost.  Shampoo sits on the side of the bathtub and only gets used during bath time.  But here we are on a Saturday night needing to go to bed and my DD can't find her shampoo anywhere.  Where could it be?  "Maybe it grew legs," she said.  Must have, I guess.

I was reminded again tonight how much fun family can be.  We ran into Dave's cousins at Stage today and found out they were just "hanging out" tonight so we invited them over for supper and games.  Games aren't what they used to be, instead of poker or pitch, tonight we bowled, played basketball, and wake-boarded on the Wii and it was so much fun!  DD especially was full of excitement and energy while they were here.  And they enjoyed our left over lasagna.  It never even occurred to me that maybe I shouldn't serve company leftovers.  Thanks Beth for guiding me toward security enough that I was able to invite them over to my not clean house and serve them left over food and still have a blast!

Finally, what I really sat down to right about tonight was getting my nails done.  On Wednesday afternoon, DD and I went and got manicures.  It is one of my favorite rare treats and, as much as she plays with painting her
nails, I knew she would love it too.  We went to the new cheap place in town, and had a fun hour being primped.  She got OSU orange with kitty tracks on her thumbs and I got my old fall back, french nails.  It was a great time to spend with my precious DD.

I was going to get online on Wednesday evening and write a post about how many things I had done that day that were downright country.  Things like milking the goats in the morning and making soap.  I was talking about it at supper with my in-laws, about how farm-y I have become.  My FIL's response stopped me and has had me thinking ever since.  He said, "looks to me like you got your nails done today."  He didn't say it wasn't a farm-y thing to do or that it was bad, just pointed it out.

At first I sort of took it hard, like I am not really country after all.  But tonight my perspective changed.  I was preparing Tamale Soup for lunch tomorrow and Potato Salad* (See the recipe below) for supper tomorrow night when I realized that cooking today had done my pretty nails in.  And I was OK with it.  I enjoyed the manicure, I liked having pretty nails, but they don't define me.  Making soap, knitting, and cooking are part of what define me.  Who God says I am, my family, friends, and even goats are what define me.    I was a little city girl when I understood that God loved me so much He sent His Son as my Savior and He has been with me each step as I have become a little more country.  I am more country then I used to be, but DH picked me when I was a city girl and he loved me then as he does now.  I am definitely the mom of a farm girl, so it is a good thing I am learning. I love that I like getting my nails done and I think it is a good picture of me, milking a goat with my french manicured nails, maybe it is just one way I can be "clothed with strength and dignity!"

Mom's Potato Salad
6 large potatoes, washed and cubed and cooked
8 hard boiled eggs, peeled and cooled
1 small sweet onion
1 chopped bell pepper
2 chopped tomatoes
2 Tbsp. Mustard
Mayo to taste
Salt & Pepper to taste


After potatoes and eggs are cooled, combine in a large bowl.  Add chopped vegetables, salt, pepper, mustard, and mayo.  Stir together well.  Cool in refreidgerator until used.  Potato Salad will taste better the next day!  Serves 6-8