Monday, August 31, 2009

Get With The Program

Hmmmm . . . what’s going on in the world of the StalkerClan?  I have been checking in to see what new has been happenin' and… been getting nothing.  Don't you people know that I thrive off of the inhumane humor that is The Clan?

I guess I could start posting my stories. Like the time Valerie and I went to an AA meeting in Lawtey (which is a sort of Bo-Dunk town) and this Cross-eyed guy was "checking me out" (Valerie noticed this, not me).  So, when she told me I asked her how she could tell he was "checking me out", because every time I saw him one eye was looking at the table and the other one at the door. It was pretty funny.

Now see what y’all have reduced me to.  Now I just have to think about all the funny stuff that has happened to me and try to laugh uncontrollably about them (which is hard work sometimes).  I have to be in the mood to laugh like that. So help a poor lil' ole' white girl out and get with the program.

Love Y’all.

Mindy


Editors Note:  File this under - ‘Be Careful What You Ask For’

Friday, August 21, 2009

Jeffery Hen – The Party Was a Big Smash

The next day, after Roo did his morning crowing, he decided to go with the other roosters on their big hunt. All of the hens wondered why Roo stopped crowing. Jeffery Hen heard some low sounding voices outside the henhouse. She went outside to see what was going on with all of the other hens. "Where is Roo?" said one of the hens.

Jeffery Hen said, "He just wanted to go with the others to find more food.” Henry and Roo has some kind of plan for the triplets and Crystal Fawn's birthday.

The roosters were late returning, the hens were very upset over it. “When are we going to eat?”  All of the chicks around were chirping like mad. All around were wondering, what was keeping the roosters?

When the roosters finally arrived they were loaded down with all kinds of good stuff to eat. They each had a corn on the cob and some blackberries. Roo said, "Happy birthday, Crystal Fawn!"

Crystal Fawn chirped.

Henry said, "Happy birthday, boys!"

The triplets chirped up a storm.

The triplets and Crystal Fawn were given a corn on the cob each and some blackberries as their birthday gifts. All of the others had to share what was left. All of the chickens sang and danced till night time.

When they all got home Crystal Fawn was so tired and happy. Panda asked Jeffery Hen, "Can't we do this again tomorrow?"

Jeffery Hen said, "Panda, it was the first birthday of four chicks, that is why they made it so big."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRYSTAL !

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Pineapple Upside-Down Perfect

Jennie and I went to Lexington this past weekend.  While we were there we had some absolutely delicious pineapple upside-down cake.  I think I’ve mentioned before how much I like pineapple upside-down cake.  Yummmmm.

I can’t recall ever meeting a pineapple upside-down cake that I didn’t like, but this particular cake was one of the best pineapple upside-down cakes that I have ever bitten into.  It was melt-in-you-mouth pineapple upside-down cake delicious.

Oh yeah, I think it was Erik’s birthday or something.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIK !

Did I mention that I really, really like pineapple upside-down cake.

Clyde

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Help from the Sisters

 

 

I would like to thank Luci for giving me her coffee cans, each child in my classroom has a nice place to keep their supplies.

Also, the cans are filled with goodies from Sherry.  Each can has scissors, crayons and a pencil! 

Thanks to you both!

Michelle

Monday, August 17, 2009

Obituary - Mrs. McGhee

Sherry wanted me to post this on the StalkerClan.  Mrs. McGhee was one of Sherry’s favorite teachers in school.  This information is from the J. W. Call and Son Funeral Home website.

  Susy Belle Ramey McGhee  7-26-2009


Suzy Belle Ramey McGhee, 74, of Pikeville, was born April 25, 1935 to the late Fred Lee and Ruby Moore Ramey. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, James Edwin McGhee, who died November 29, 2003, and her brother, John Dot Ramey in 1980.

She is survived by her son, Jay McGhee and his wife, Carol, of Pikeville; and by her daughter, Cindy Wright, and her husband, Dr. Terry Wright of Pikeville; and one sister, Jane Ramey of Winchester, KY.

She also leaves five grandchildren, who were the loves of her life, Jamie McGhee, Louisville, Jordan McGhee, Lexington, Bennett Quarles and Dillon Quarles, Lexington, and Molly Wright, Pikeville and one nephew: John Ramey of Independence, KY.

She is a graduate of Pikeville College Training School, Pikeville High School, Pikeville College and Eastern Kentucky University. She was a teacher in the Pike County School System for many years. After retirement, she and her husband enjoyed traveling to many places around the world.


Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Yard Sale King

Jim, Jeremy and I got up Friday morning and went to the Campers Yard Sale at Levi Jackson. When we arrived we were together until I ran into a friend and started talking and they got ahead of me. I started back on the road and came to a yard sale that had some things I was interested in. This is the conversation I heard:

Husband: So I see you sold my Snap-On hammer drill.
Wife: Yes this man just bought it.
Husband: You got $75 for it.
Wife: No, I got $5 for it.
Husband: YOU GOT WHAT!!!!!! FOR THAT DRILL???
Wife: $5.
Husband: I talked to our son on the phone and told him to sell it for $75!!!
Son: Dad, I thought you said "Sell it for $5".
Husband: NO I SAID SEVENTY FIVE DOLLARS!! Ok, this is a joke, you really did not sell my hammer drill for $5, this is a joke.
Wife: (Shaking her head) I swear on my life honey, the man just paid $5 for it.
Husband: (Ranted and went on for a few more minutes and then went to the picnic table and sat down and said to a friend sitting at the table.) Can you believe she sold my hammer drill for $5 and I just paid $25 for that new head I had put on it.

I went up to the woman and paid for my purchases and went on around the camp sites and went back to the car where Jim and Jeremy were a there waiting for me. This is the conversation that took place”

Me: Did you get anything?
Jim: Yes, I found Jeremy a couple of hats and I got a SNAP-ON hammer drill for $5 (He proudly held it up for me to see.) Look, it has a brand new head.
Me: Laughing hysterically.
Jim: What is so funny?
Me: You should have just heard the conversation I heard about that Hammer Drill.

Now I call Jim the Yard Sale King.

The Yard Sale King

Michelle

Friday, August 14, 2009

Facebook Foto Find – Robbie’s SWAMP

In her vacation photo album Crystal posted this photo of Robbie Ratliff proudly showing off his artwork.  It shows a fine, sand castle rendering of the Florida Football Stadium known as ‘The Swamp’.





I don’t know when or how this happened but it looks like some Tennessee fans must have been vacationing in Gulf Shores too.



I have a feeling this isn’t the only time some ‘Tennessee Trash” will invade ‘The Swamp’ this year.  I suspect the Gators will have their pooper scoopers ready and waiting though.


PS - I can imagine how this makes you feel Robbie.  Some people just don’t appreciate great works of art.  Why, there are even some people who think ‘The StalkerClan’ is just a big pile of dog poop.  On second thought, it often is.  Never mind.
Clyde

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Another Appearance in the Media

WYMT TV recently aired a news story about excellent ACT Test Scores in two Eastern Kentucky schools.  Cousin Dawn (Looney) McNew appeared briefly in the broadcast.   Dawn is a teacher at Paintsville High School, one of the two schools featured.
 CLICK here to go to  WYMT-TV and watch the video.
If we see her doing the guest weather thing soon, I guess we will know that Sherry has some competition for media attention.
Clyde

Has It Been Five Years Already?

Looking back at the old StalkerClan pages on Zoomshare, I noticed this story was posted five years ago today.  I can’t believe it’s been that long.  This is a classic and one of my favorites so I’m reprinting it today.



Oh, the joys of the first day of school.       [ Go to the Original ]

I told Jeff about my first day of school this year and she suggested that I share it with the StalkerClan. Anyone contemplating the thought of teaching should have been with me on the very first day of Preschool.

I have decided to divide this story up into sections. The children involved will head the topics...


JACK
A lot of children look forward to riding the school bus, but Jack was totally fascinated by the bus. For 2 years his Mom has promised him he would get to ride the school bus. On the first day of Preschool Jack is standing beside the road with his Mom when the bus pulls up. Jack starts to board the bus for his first day of school when the bus driver says, "I am sorry you can't get on, I don't have a monitor to watch you." As the bus doors close, Jack hits the rocks and dirt in the yard kicking and screaming, his mother brings him to school scarred up from the traumatic ordeal of having the bus go on down the road without him. He says to the bus driver as he passes him in the school bus loading area, "I am riding that bus as soon as you get a thermometer."


STANLEY
After arriving in the room and settling Jack down and assuring him that he would get to ride the bus home that afternoon, a father came with his little boy, Stanley. When it was time for the parents to leave Stanley went into ape mode.  He screamed, he cried, he laid in the floor as his Daddy went to the door. The principal came and ushered Stanley's Daddy up the hall.

We tried to calm him down, after about 1 minute he announced to the class, "I HAVE TO PISS." So I told the assistants to let him go to the bathroom. As Stanley went out the door, he caught a glimpse of his Daddy poking his head out from around the door next to the classroom. Screaming fit, rolling in the hallway, both assistants trying to calm him down, he pinched both assistants. One on the arm, the other on the breast. They threw Stanley back into the room and the principal came and ushered Stanley's Daddy back down the hallway.

Upon entering the room Stanley went berserk. He threw the chairs then stood on the table. He pulled my HAPPY BIRTHDAY bulletin board off the wall. As he was perched on the board, with his claws dug in like a cat on a screen door, I reached up and grabbed him. I put him down and he ran up to the door and ripped the paper that I had over the door opening. To my amazement, Stanley's Daddy was peeking in the room through the torn paper. Stanley screams. The principal comes and ushers Stanley's Daddy back up the hall.

We get ready for breakfast. We make it to the front where the lunchroom doors are and peeking out from the principals office is (you guessed it) STANLEY'S DADDY. Stanley lays down in the hall, kicking and screaming, and hitting his head on the floor. I reach down, grab Stanley, and throw him into the breakfast line. The principal, upon returning to her office finds Stanley's Daddy. She says, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY OFFICE?"  He said, "CHECKING ON STANLEY." She orders him to leave.

Well, the lunchroom has windows that look out to the visitor parking area, and as Stanley's Daddy leaves,( YOU GUESSED IT) Stanley sees his Daddy walking up the side walk. Stanley screams and kicks, and screams and runs out the door that is kind of hidden in the back of the lunchroom. I scream, "HE IS RUNNING OUT THE DOOR."  The principal screams and my assistant and the principal take chase. Lo and behold, the smoking area is in the back of the lunchroom and the janitors on their smoke break hear my assistant screaming, "CATCH HIM, CATCH HIM" and they all take chase. About 2 minutes later, the Principal and Stanley walk in. Stanley's Daddy is finally gone, and he proceeds to scream all day long.


MARCIE
During the episode in the lunchroom, Marcie was so scared at what was happening that she messed on herself. Here she was, crying, and I wanted to cry too. The more I tried to clean her up, the more I got the poo on me and her both. She had it from her waist to her shoes and down her socks. And I had it up to my elbows. The more I tired to clean, the worse it got. I called the principal and said, " Do you all have any baby wipes? I have one here that messed all over herself."

She said, "No, I sure don't." She makes an 'All Call' over the intercom system..."IF ANYONE HAS ANY DIAPER WIPES, WE NEED THEM IN THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY".

There we both stood, covered in shit as the principal came and handed me a travel pack of baby wipes with 2 wet ones in it. I did the best I could with what the Lord provided and went on. I thought I had done a really good job.


DEWEY
There was a boy as that was getting into everything and running around the room and I kept saying, "Dewey, come here," and he acted like he was deaf. I told my assistant, "I am going to refer him for a hearing test, he acts like he don't hear us." 

The next day his Daddy came to school to see how Dewey was doing and I proceeded to tell him how I though he had hearing loss. He said, "Well, we don't call him Dewey, we call him Dewayne."

I said, “That may be the reason he acted like he didn't hear me.”

He said, "When Dewayne got home, I asked him how his first day of school was and he said 'Daddy, it was wonderful, but those teachers hollered for you all day long!??!!”

Well, I have survived and . . .

Posted by Teacher of the Year Award Nominee

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Facebook Foto Find - Fishermen

I enjoy looking at the photos everyone has on Facebook.  One drawback is that very few of them have any story with them.  You have to guess what is going on in many of them.  It is a lot like the ‘Photo Caption Contest’ found in some newspapers and magazines.  Here are a couple of examples.
I can imagine this photo with the caption:
Hey Bryan!  How much did your fish weigh?
Hey Bryan! How much did your fish weigh?  
Or this one with the caption:
Hey, Papaw Stalker!
Hey, Papaw Stalker!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Preparations for Stalker Days

I have came across a couple of pictures of what REALLY happened prior to the arrival of the rest of the Stalker Clan on Friday afternoon…


Photos from Michelle

Monday, August 10, 2009

Prettiest Girl in Florida

I hear Emily really likes her new clothes and how they make her ‘Beautttttttfull’. 

 

I think she is just going to have to be content being the Second Prettiest Girl in Florida for a few more years though.  Everybody knows, the Prettiest Girl in Florida is…  Grandma Ratliff.

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY

PHYLLIS

 

 

 

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Facebook Foto Find – Birthday Pics

Here are a couple more photos that I ran across on Facebook:

Balir and Cason


Emily

Maybe the trip to Kentucky was one of their birthday presents. That could be one of the worst gag gifts ever.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Anniversary to Remember

Jim and Michelle celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary this past week.  As I understand it, they spent a romantic day driving up to Lexington because Luci was going to the hospital.

I understand that china is the traditional gift for a couple’s 20th anniversary .  I did find this listing of alternative gifts on the internet:

20th Wedding Anniversary

An antique china dinnerware set, platter or tea set is perfect for this occasion. Other options are a personalized china anniversary plate, a china butterfly, or a china basket of porcelain or china flowers. If China is too difficult, platinum jewelry is an easier alternative that will certainly be loved by the recipient!

 

Traditional:
China
 
Modern:
China
 
Alternate Modern:
Platinum
   
             
  • Fine china
  • Wedgwood
  • Moorcroft
  • Waterford Crystal
  • Royal Doulton
 
  • Vase
  • A trip to China
  • A romantic dinner in your local Chinatown
 
  • Platinum flowers
  • Platinum jewelry
  • Platium trimmed flatware
  • Platinum hit records
   

I wonder if the Styrofoam china in the hospital cafeteria qualifies?  I bet Jim doesn’t get off that easy.

Clyde

Friday, August 7, 2009

Maybe It’s a Looney Family Tradition

After doing the story the other day about ‘Rabbit Ear’ photos and how it seems to be a family tradition, I ran across this photo on Facebook:

These are Johnny and Tiffany Looney’s kids. Don’t get distracted by how cute they are. Check the upper-right-hand portion of the picture... that’s right, rabbit ears.

Now I’m wondering if this ‘Rabbit Ears’ thing might be a Looney Family tradition that has been passed on to the Stalkers and Potters and Schells and Ratliffs and whoever. Maybe it’s an Isle of Mann tradition that Robert Looney brought to America around 1731. Something else to research on the Diggin’ Up Bones site, I guess.

Clyde

Thursday, August 6, 2009

My Side of the Family

Whenever the talk is about how handsome Emerson is, or how smart his is, or how good he is doing in school, Jennie will proudly claim, “He has picked that up from me and my side of the family.”

All I can say is, “Well, give that boy a doughnut with candy sprinkles on top and you can SEE the STALKER in him.”

Clyde

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Next Top Model

Michelle and Luci outfitted Emily with several new dresses for school this fall. She tried them on for size and put on quite a fashion show for us at Stalker Days.

All I can say is … “Watch out Tyra Banks and Elle McPherson, Emily Isgette is coming your way.”

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Talkin’ Tractor

One of the highlights of Stalker Days this year was the moment that Jeremy’s tractor roared to life. Chris worked hard on it most of the day Saturday, with six or eight of us all standing around looking over his shoulder. If we had some shovels to lean on, we would have looked like a fine Highway Department crew.

I was much impressed with Chris’ knowledge, skill and above all, his patience. He put up with all of us, asking stupid questions and getting in his way, and never once lost his cool.

Clyde

Monday, August 3, 2009

No Talking To Uncle Ted

On her way to Rite-Aid, Sherry dropped Mom off at my house this week.  Mom and I passed a little of the time looking at my photos from Stalker Days.  Dad came to pick Mom up and he wanted to see the pictures too.  We all gathered around the computer and watched the slideshow until this picture came up:

This is the conversation that followed:

Mom:  Is that Bryan’s girlfriend?

Me:       Uh huh, that’s Leigh Ann.

Mom:  She’s a pretty girl isn’t she.

Dad:     Yeah, she needs to talk to Ted Potter.

Me:       I don’t think that will be happening.  I’m sure Bryan has learned from Erik’s mistake, there will be no talking to Uncle Ted anytime soon.

Clyde

Family Tradition

Here is another photo from our recent Stalker Days gathering:

It seems like I get one or two pictures like this every time any of our family gets together.  It must be some sort of family tradition.

One of these days I am going to put together a slideshow containing only ‘Rabbit Ears’ pictures.  It will be a long slideshow.  I might be able to fill up a whole Christmas CD with them.  Here is one that dates from May 2004, it is one of the first few pictures I posted on the StalkerClan:

 
Every family has its traditions I expect, this must be one of ours.  Looks like it may be passed down for a few more generations too.

Clyde

Sunday, August 2, 2009

The Newest Schell

During Stalker Days we got to meet the latest addition to the Schell farm family…

OLIVER’S NEW MULE

I asked someone if it was as stubborn as Michelle but I didn’t get an answer. I doubt that it is.


Emily and Blair enjoyed feeding it some corn shucks one afternoon…

No Blair, it's the other end  that looks like Uncle Clyde. If it eats like we all did during Stalker Days, it will be fat and sassy by the next time we get together. Maybe it will be able to pull Jeremy’s tractor around the farm.

Clyde

Saturday, August 1, 2009

My Summer Vacation by Emily

School will be starting soon and little Emily Isgette will be heading off to the classroom.  I wonder if Grandma Jeff is going to have a lot of explaining to do when Emily does the traditional “What I did on Summer Vacation” report.


MY SUMMER VACATION

This summer my Grandma and my Granddaddy, I love my Granddaddy, took me and my brother Blair Bear to a place called Kentucky.  It is a funny place. 

In Kentucky ever body talks real loud, they never use their inside voice.  They yell “Hey Carlos” or “Where’s Sherry” or “What’s for supper?”   It’s funny.

They only get one television station in Kentucky .   Granddaddy, I love my Granddaddy, said it was something called Fox News.  They talk real loud on Fox News too.

The very bestest part of Kentucky is something called Stalker Daze.  Grandma and Granddaddy, I love my Granddaddy, took us there.  Stalker Daze is a lot like Christmas. Kids get lots of toys and lots of pretty new clothes.  I got this dress I got on at Stalker Daze.

We got to play out in the yard.  We played with this big ball that sprayed water.  We got Aunt Jennie wet, I love my aunt Jennie too.

And we all played with bubbles that we got .


I was the best one at blowing bubbles. Granddaddy, I love my granddaddy, said it was because I had a lot of Stalker in me.

We all got new kites to play with.  Granddaddy, I love my Granddaddy, never could get mine to fly.  I think there was something wrong with it.

We got to meet a lot of our relatives.

That’s not one of them but it looks like some of them.

My favorite part of Stalker Daze was getting to camp out.  We camped out in Aunt Luci’s camper.  It was really rough.  There was only one bathroom and it had the smallest  refrigerator I’ve ever seen.  Granddaddy, I love my granddaddy, said we was really roughing it.  I don’t know how we survived.

And that’s what I did on my summer vacation.

Emily