Monday, June 14, 2010

An Update on Us & Some Nautical Summer Fashion

I'm doing fine, it's takes a bit of adjusting, but I'm getting there. I scooped a lot of poop yesterday morning. I'll never run the Captain off permanently, anyone to help with that task, is a keeper. 5 dogs, remember? Big ones too! Ewwww enough of that. Guess what else I did? I mowed the grass with the John Deere all by myself. I just couldn't go backwards, so I got myself in a pinch once. I was quite proud of myself, couldn't start the weed eater though, oh well, I'm still proud! I read online how to operate the John Deere, climbed up on it, and off I went. I went a little too fast once, but I learned my lesson about that quickly. It was hot, my goodness was it hot.

Your not going to believe what I did yesterday afternoon? I indulged in a little Toddler's in Tiaras marathon on the big screen. Shhhh don't tell he'll never know, but I like actually watching what I want for a change.

I need something to bake, that I can throw in a Ziploc, and send out to sea. Something that will last for a couple of days, a little token of what he's missing back home. Send me some links baker buddies, won't you?

I have just spoken to our Captain, he says actually as far as 60 miles out, there is hardly any oil out there. It's not nearly as bad as he expected, he went through a patch about 5 miles long, and 5 miles wide, and that's about it. He is currently located 10 miles south of Fort Morgan, in Alabama waters. He says it's hot as hell out there, and I should get to see him when he comes in for groceries on Wednesday, but only for a little while. I'll take what I can get. He is replacing a Captain hospitalized with a heart attack. Of course I wish no harm to him, and have sent my prayers up, but I am still crossing my fingers and wearing out my knees that this will be a permanent gig for our Captain. It would be life changing for us. He sends his love to all of you, I am printing out comments so he can read them all, when I see him for a bit on Wednesday. He's getting the big head about all the love and affection, but again, I'll take what I can get, big head or not.


Some of my girlfriends are planning a pool party for the weekend. Can't wait to get out and visit with them. I hate My John won't be home for Father's Day, but me and The Boys will save it for when he is home.
via Dustjacket Attic my favorite from last week
As far as the oil spill, if you are reading words like tar balls, and oil patties. Let me tell you exactly what I see. Every 10 or so waves, there are two or three waves of oil, so thick it rolls on the shore. (Now after talking with John, I must have been there at just the right time for a plume to wash in, I don't know though ya'll it was quite a bit of oil, and I am certain it was oil. ) There are people there immediately scooping and removing, and putting down new sand, I'll admit I was impressed with that portion, all on BPs bill, so again, please don't boycott them now. You aren't hurting the stockholders, you are hurting me, Captain John, and our friends, neighbors, and little gas station operators. Some of you got this when John said it recently, think about it, and someone from the boycotts explain to me, the person who is living this nightmare why this makes sense.
The helicopters woke me up at 5am on Saturday. Seems their turn around spot was right over my house. The dogs went ballistic when the house vibrated each time. I actually got a little annoyed with it. I have heard rumors of big sharks, 15ft or more close to shore, disorientated and hungry, they were speculating closing the beaches, but the Tourism Commission had a cow, and I haven't heard more about it, they have however put up warning signs all over the beaches in the area. I'm not getting in the water, the Captain gave me specific instructions, and I don't usually anyway unless we take the boat out to the islands, which some people are still doing. They're oblivious to the fact that less oil spotted means more dispersant being used, as we all know it's pumping more from the leak than ever before.

Here's a little clip of an article in my paper this morning titled Here's Our Story Mr. President.
This will explain how we all feel right now, from another point of view.
Here's the link, if you want to read the whole thing. The whole tarballs and oil patties bulls**t again is included in this article.

The worst natural disaster in U.S. history. The worst economic recession in generations. Now, the worst man-made disaster in U.S. history.

The people of South Mississippi have often been called “resilient” — a reputation hard-earned after Hurricane Camille in 1969, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and repeated often in national media reports. That resilience is being put to the test.

“I had a bank examiner in here the other day, and he asked that same question, ‘How are things going?’” longtime Coast banker Chevis Swetman (Chevis Swetman is the authority on banking in Biloxi, MS)said. “I told him, ‘Well, you know, we had Hurricane Katrina in ’05. In December ’07 the national economic meltdown started, then about 50 days ago, this oil spill started.’ I said, ‘You know, I’m just looking for the plague of locusts to show up next week.’ He said, ‘You people are pretty resilient.’ I said, ‘We are pretty resilient, but the question is, how much more can we take?’ I know we’ll weather this. But heck, at some point it starts to seem like piling on in a football game.”

Casino executive Keith Crosby calls it “another sucker punch.” But, he notes, “We’re getting used to them, and we’re getting pretty good at playing over our head.”

Hurricane Katrina showed South Mississippi communities, churches, volunteer agencies, local governments, business leaders, state leaders and congressional leaders have an uncanny ability to work together when push comes to shove. But then, we know hurricanes — how to prepare, how to dig out and, as Gov. Haley Barbour put it many times in his Yazoo drawl, how to “hitch up our britches and get to work” on recovery.

With massive oil leaks — not so much.

“Nobody really knows who’s in charge,” Harrison County Supervisor Kim Savant said. “I guess ultimately it’s BP. We’re told to send things up the chain of command — I say chain of command but it’s really more just a progression — and BP is supposed to tell us yay or nay. That all works fine, except we don’t get a yay or nay from BP ... It’s unlike anything I have ever been involved in.”

You never know what life brings you, and I am relying on the theory that everything happens for a reason.
Found this quote this morning HERE: Nailed my thoughts this morning.



Love,



The Bumpkin

30 comments:

Kimmy said...

I am most glad to hear the oil spill has not tainted the waters that far out as of yet-thank God.
It is good to know your Captain is doing well and I shall pray for the other captain as well.
Love the nod to nautical clothing-always a favorite when I visit the Cape each summer.
I could not agree more with the quote-it is the same as when others say when you tell God your plans He just laughs! He already knows what is best for each of us. Thank you for the thought provoking post Bumpkin, would have loved to have seen you on your John Deere, cheers!

Summer Athena said...

i am in love with everything nautical too.

thank you and the captain for all of your reports on the spill. i read them each day.

ps - that last quote. i love it and i am stealing it.

Charlotte said...

Love all the nautical stuff and so glad to hear the captain is doing well! I know you miss him!!

MCW said...

Prayers that this gig will be permant and something postive will come out of this crap.
Sharks??? FREAK ME OUT!!! You will not find me in any water this summer.
Hugs to Captin' and his crew!

Lamp Tramp said...

Hey Bumpkin! Devouring all your posts! I deleted my comment from Capt John's post yesterday. I was angry at someone's else's comments, I can't be snarky!

I hope the Capt is wearing a respiratory mask, being in all that freaking oil! My brother's ship is taking water samples of coast of St Petersburg. Not sure if they will demobilize in Gulfport as originally planned.

Take care, I'm off to pack for the Cape & Boston. I'll be reading you while I'm up there!

Dee Stephens said...

Prayers for you all on the Gulf Coast! My cousin and his wife were in Gulf Shores this weekend and it was terrible. They posted pix on FB.
Are you looking for meals or desserts to send out?
Also, I'm impressed with the John Deere action. I might have hired a kid! and hot.. I don't even want to think how hot it is down there. It's 98-here!

Marcie said...

I am so happy the captain was surprised with how little oil was out there. That is good news. Great job on mowing the lawn! That is quite the feat.

Have a great weekend!
Marcie

Marcie said...

*Week* not weekend (can you tell where my head is already).

Elle said...

I grabbed that same quote last week! First of all for the fun stuff... baked goods!

cookies and desert bars do really well just be sure to put them in a ziplock bag with a regular ol' piece of sandwich bread -they say a slice of apple works too but I haven't tried it. The air will suck all the excess moisture out of the bread, and the bread gets stale and hard keeping the cookies nice and fresh... I know it sounds weird but trust me it works! Also, here are a few other tips to keep in mind:

Prepare foods immediately before packing, and allow foods to cool completely before boxing up and shipping.

Moist quick breads, brownies, bars, and sturdy cookies (soft cookies rather than crisp varieties) are ideal choices for shipping, as are many non-fragile confections such as fudge and caramels.

Avoid moist fillings and frostings since they become sticky or soft at room temperature.

Don't package crisp cookies in the same container with soft cookies; moisture from the soft ones will soften the crisp ones.
Store cookies with sticky glazes, icings, and fragile decorations in single layers between sheets of waxed paper.

As for you - I agree on dog poo patrol and mowing the lawn - good for you for stepping up and doing it, you should be proud because at our house those are unegotiable boy jobs! you kiss those sweet pups for us, and have an extra fab time by the pool -so jealous by the way of the pool party I sure could use some pool time with this unbearable texas heat!

Tell the captain that we love him, and that it's worth every unbearably hot minute he's out on that boat!

georgia ~ gi gi said...

A big Mwah to you Lisa and The Captain!
Wow, five dogs, and boys! I didn't know you had boys :) I hope they helped you with the dog poopie!
Great job mowing! When I was growing up my brother and I had to push mow! Then my dad fixed an old rider and thought I could do it! LOL, I couldn't turn it very well(because it was OLD) I ran over his 8 man tent! I jumped off and ran right up to my roon, oops!

Anyway, I hope the Captin catches lots of fishies (hee hee)
Oh, and I hope you have a wonderful time at your pool party!

Claire Kiefer said...

Have fun at your pool party, and I hope your Captain is safe and that they get the oil cleaned up and out of there safely!

DSS said...

I indulged in in Toddlers & Tiaras yesterday too! Couldn't help myself. It's like a train wreck, but somehow I just can't stop watching. "Work it Tootie!!"

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Prayers going up that someday soon we'll start to see the end of this. Wishful thinking I suppose.

melifaif said...

La Dolce Vita had that quote up this morning. Was it hers you saw? Please know I am still thinking and praying for you daily.

And the eye candy on this post was delish, thanks!

this free bird said...

sat on the beach yesterday aft and just stared out at the rigs off the coast thinking of you and and your captain.

the wind picked up and dolphins were riding the waves so close to shore that people in hip to shoulder deep water could touch them. it was really something.

still made me think about the gulf and all the wildlife. how is it fairing? lump in my throat.

happy to hear you mastered the john deere! a mini riding one? we have those on the farm in canada so i was quite a whiz as a teen...clipped the end of a wooden rake once though. oops! sorry dad!

think chocolate chip cookies for your lad at sea. they'll last a few and are always a wonderful reminder of loved ones and home.

xoxo - waves of oil washing in? ugh

obama's comments - don't get even get me started.

Barbara von Enger said...

Adore all lovely nautical things. Am happy to her your Captain is well. Love the quote in your post.
Thinks post makes one think - thank you for that. XX

Gorgeous Glam said...

Hi doll,
So glad to hear you loved my sailor post! And yes, I am a bad shopping influence I know! Great badge you gave me, if only I had Salma's tatas! ;)
Love the quote in your post! I am heading to to gulf next month and am not sure what to expect...xoxo

Unknown said...

As the Mr. and I were on our way home from the beach last week and passing through the Ocean Springs area, I look out of the window and say "I should have told Bumpkin to meet us for lunch." MR: "Bumpkin? What the heck are you talking about?" Me: "Bumpkin on a Swing... it's a blog thing, you wouldn't understand." :) ha.

Laura B said...

Great update on the Captain. I wish him a safe voyage. As a side note, I have that one piece nautical bathing suit! It's very fun!

debra@dustjacket said...

Oh epic post honey, so much in it, have to keep scrolling back up to check it.

You sound like you are managing, I had a little giggle with the John Deere way to go babe...not so great about havin' to do the poop run :(

That pic you included (thanks for link mwah) is one of my fav's, I just love it.

Say hi to the Captain when you see him and no I'm not a baker so no ideas on that front :o

That quote was interesting, sounds like no one knows who is in charge...not good.

big hugs xoxox DJ

Stephanie said...

Hang in there. My prayers are with you and the Captain. Check out Bakerella for some great treats for your honey. :)

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Sending hugs, and thanks for that quote. (I needed that one too.)
xoRobyn

Splenderosa said...

Wonderful, there is SOME good news then. I cheer you for the John Deere management. I could never have done it. Post a pic of you 2. We want to know you better. I'm following John on Twitter & vice versa. I feel like you're part of my family now. xx's

Poppies and Sunshine said...

Love that quote. And I absolutely love these nautical photos...especially Zooey and the bathing suit on the girl in the second photo. On another note, I really do hope you get to see your Captain more. Thank you for the updates. Goodness me, I can't imagine seeing all this first hand.

erica said...

My soon to be hubby works in the oil field on rigs and I have learned so much about this, and it all could have been prevented is the sad thing. At least the oil hasn't completely taken over. Loved all the nautical themed pictures! Congrats on mastering the mower. I will not even go near one so kudos to you!

xo

Trish {Pink Preppy Lilly Lover} said...

Hi sweetie, so great to chat with you last night, I know you are handling so well in John's absence, and thanks for relaying all our love notes to him! YAY! You Go GIRL for mastering the John Deere, too cute I tell ya. Gorgeous pics as always, the close up of the bikini bottom is so my fave, you can bet you'll see that one again! :) Heehee! Big hugs to you and John, just wanted to tell you I love you my soul sista! xox

melifaif said...

I just found a tank you NEED!!! I am not sure this link will work though....let me know if it doesn't. I will save the image and the brand for ya.

http://www.ideeli.com/events/18783/offers/300123/latest_view/275286

Pink Champagne said...

It must be so hard to have your captain away - you are so very strong! Still keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers...
And of course, I ADORE anything nautical. ;)

MY REPUBLIC OF FASHION said...

Its shocking the damage the oil spill caused and will cause forever.

But, on a brighter note, love the pictures you posted. Everybody needs to shine!SarahD:)

Anonymous said...

hello lisa love...

what a wonderful post and update on the captain. i am so glad to read that all things are not so bad and hopefully getting better.

diggin' and lovin' the nautical outfits.

i've got a recipe for ya, hopefully you like, it is my fave since i'm a banana lover and tastes fresh for a long time. hope you try it. here's the link...

http://whatscookingliz.blogspot.com/2010/03/cream-cheese-banana-nut-bread.html

my photos may not justify the deliciousness of these delightful bread. if you try it, i hope you like it.

oxox ^-^