All I Can be is ME

All my life I have felt inferior to everyone around me. My sisters were pretttier than I and I didn't have much interest in figuring out how to fix whatever vexed me about my looks. I have always had more boy tendences than girls. I like to be outside sweating, working, hunting, fishing, playing sports, watching sports, I am loud & not vey lady like. I have always had male friends, but before my husband I had never had a great romance. Plenty of buddies, but most of the time I was just that great girl that was going to make some other man a great wife someday. Men didn't look at me and fall madly in love. That did not stop my lust for life. I love to play & play ruff & get dirty. Now I have two little girls, ok so they are teenagers now, but they will always be my little girls, both are drop dead gorgeous & very different from one another. Even though they are so young they have taught me a great deal about myself. My oldest a firery redhead who is as girly as they come, head strong, she must get that from her father, & not one for sweating. She is a beauty pageant extrodinare & absolutely boy crazy. My youngest is an extreme beauty, excellent 4.0 student, athletic, tomboy, but she does have a touch of girly in there, that must come from being born so beautiful. She however is not boy crazy, she is career oriented, she figures boys will come later. Through their differences I have finally came to the conclusion that no matter what you do, you are who you are. Even though my own mother repeated told me how unattractive I was I came to realize I have some very cool attributes, that most people see when they get to know me. I am different than the quintacincial southern lady, yet I am quiet a catch. How many other woman would prefer to spend her time in a tree stand dressed in camo, rather than out shopping or getting her nails did. I am me and I am very pleased with whom I have become & that is all I ever need is to be happy with me. Moral of this story no matter whether or not you fit into the puzzle that the world has set out as the pattern for each of us to fit into, do not dismay find out what makes you happy about yourself & live. Life is to short to try to widdle a square peg down to make it fit a round hole. Be sqaure you will be happier, healthier, & eventually you will meet the right person who carries the puzzle for which your peg will fit. Be yourself, it is all you can be!

The down fall of the American Education System

Everyday you hear politicians talking about what they feel is wrong with the American education system. Well here it is, not from a politician looking for votes, but someone that has lived it. The school system is not improved a bit in the last 25  years, as a matter of fact it is worse. When I was a girl in school teachers were at school for an hour after school let out grading papers, cleaning chalk boards, preparing for the next days classes. Yes, that's right they were there after the bell rang. Nowadays the teachers almost run over the kids getting out the front door when the final bell rings. And they don't teach your kids anything anymore, they only prepare them for state required testing. You can't get your funding if you can't pass these state run test. Extra curricular sports, when I was in school it was haves & have nots, and truly is still that way today. Your kid does not have to be good at a sport to be on a team, you as a parent  just better have a very good income, or be prepare to do the fundraising, booster club meetings, & all the volunteering your time will allow you to do & you still see your kid, who can play the sport, sit on the bench while the kids whose parents have big bank accounts play even though they are not helping the team. Do these coaches & teachers not understand that these have not kids need to excel at these extra curricular sports to help there future educational goals, no because how could they afford all the little extras if the team was just full of talent instead of checkbooks. Now the states are starting to take over school districts that do not conform to what they say is acceptable standards. Then they start talking about taking extra curricular sports away from these schools, are you people hearing me, they want to punish the kids that are trying in school, trying to get into college is virtually impossible to pay for college nowadays & for the have nots of the world the only way to go is thru scholarships that REQUIRE extra curricular activities, community service, grades, test scores, & the list goes on & on. Open your eyes people these kids are the future of this country & if you don't wake up soon this country is doomed to produce even more dropouts then it already has. Do not give up on these kids, they depend on us to help them have a brighter future then we made for ourselves.

Some Girls Never Learn!!!

As some of you know my family has been going thru some pretty difficult times lately. I admit it I even fell off the stop smoking wagon. I have a question for you all. How many of you have ever known that girl, the one who is to sweet for words, but who constantly allows herself to be used as a doormat. That girl who will do anything for the people she loves, so the people she loves start expecting more & more until the sweet girl you all once knew jsut starts to dissappear & becomes someone no one you even recgonize. She gets abused in everyway you can think of & no matter what you do or say you just cannot convince this dumb chic that she needs to change. She just keeps saying it hers fault & goes right on about the same behavior that caused the whole problem. This behavior is insane or idiotic, but does she understand that these people don't really even care about her? No, she just keeps letting these people tell her ever move to make, I think I even heard her ask one time how high when her useless old man told her to jump. Wake up Girl! That man or no man you even know cares a thing about you & they will never care about you if you do not wake up & stop the insanity. Get a life tell that good for nothing husband of yours to get off the couch & get a job, tell him if he ever lays his hands on you again your leaving & mean it, face it girl woman out number men on this planet by alot, do you know what that means? There is another one where that one came from & face it they can't be any worse than your dealing with now. You are the only one who can change your life, do not let anybody tell you who to be. just be you, the very best you you can be & remember nobody can create your happiness but yourself. Smile a little & if you have to cut some dead weight loose to be able to do that, then cut his sorry butt loose, you don't need him.

What's Wrong with Boys Now a Days

Ok, today is the day I warned you about on my very first blog. I am fixing to jump up on my soap box & preach now. Everyday I am shocked at the behavior of men/boys now a days. First, I maybe a independent woman who totes a bow or gun, I am an old fashion, non-feminist, woman. I was raised that it is the man's job to provide for his family & a woman's place to raise the kids, keep the home, & general support for her family. Now don't get me wrong. I do not in any shape or form think that a woman cannot throw in & help financially. As a matter of fact, I am not even against totally trading places & being the provider, with that being said, if the woman has to carry the family's financial burden on her shoulders, her male counterpart needs to step up & become the house husband. But men these days seem to think that they get to rule the roost & not be financially supportive, nor do they think that they are to lift a finger around the house to clean, cook, help with the kids. Okay, I do understand that this is not the case in 100% of men. Some  men are dreams, they work, live, & breathe for their loves happiness & this is what I hope is the case when it comes to the young men who will soon be coming into my beautiful daughters lives. So, here I am with a word of advice to young men around this great country, even though chivalry is not taught in this country anymore, I don't believe it is dead. Girls want to be treated like ladies. Show some respect to her & her parents. Do not sit in a car in the front yard & honk a horn, if you do in my yard you will be left out there alone until you get out, & walk to my front door, like a gentleman, & escort my daughter to the car. If you get lucky enough to find a woman who loves you & willing to take care of you, make sure you remember to tell her how important she is everyday. If somehow the woman in your life has to at some point become the financial support system for your life to run correctly, get off the couch, load the dish washer, vacuum the dang floor, go pick up the kids, & when she comes home make sure you tell/show her how incredible it is that she blest your life when she joined you in this big wonderful, sometime caotic life...
Now, I apologize to anyone I may have offended, then again, No, if I offended you then you where exactly who I was talking to and about, once you get over your whiney self & think about it, you will stop arguing with that angel who takes care of your rotten butt & maybe you will find that if you follow my advice, you will find that beautiful girl that uses to be there before all the arguing & fussing started.

A Poem straight from my heart sent to all BELIEVERS

Believe

If today was forever & tomorrow was gone...

Would you be okay with all you'd done wrong?

The human life is wrought, wrought with guilt

for all we've done...

But there is an answer & it comes only thru the son...

The son of God, all that is holy & pure...

To our poor souls & all we go thru...

When all else fails & all hope is gone...

Believe in Jesus Christ & you'll never go wrong...

This goes out to everybody who has weathered any storm, there is more on the horizon. Stay strong in your believe & Jesus will be the light that see you thru. God Bless you & keep you safe.

Ok I admit it I was wrong!

Ok, I am the first person to admit when I am wrong. That's right  my Texans lost last Sunday & I did say they would be victorious. Defense played an excellent game & due to 3 interceptions & poor special teams, I mean punt return, play, we lost. This does not meant the Ravens beat us, we beat ourselves. So I admit it I was wrong. My apologies to the experts I may have offended. Now to good news the Amory High School Soccer teams have made the playoffs! Way to go boys & girls! We the boosters, friends, family, & everyone else in town are so proud of each one of you! Let's go all the way to Jackson & lets earn those state champion rings. Archery season starts at the beginning of March so the girls are getting ready for that also.
Now in my last blog I left you with food for thought. Have you ever invited someone to go hunting with you & years later they decide to show up unannounced to hunt your land? When I invite you to go hunting with me, I mean this season. Do people even think that this is rude? I do not mind having people go hunting with me, we have enough room & tree stands but don't show up years after the invitation is given & just decide to hunt. We spend alot of money managing our farm to raise wildlife to hunt & it is truly not fair for someone to take it upon themselves to come believing that our farm is open hunting ground without putting in an ounce of work or money to help run the thing. So in closing, is this just me being greedy or am I right? I mean if you get an invitation to a birthday party it is on a set date, you can not show up two weeks later & say I am here for the party. So should people that are invited to hunt show up years later without that person let themselves onto your farm & hunt when they please? I just think it is wrong! 

Houston Texans take over NFL Playoff weekend!

Good Morning all, I would like to say right up front this is the day I have been waiting for all week. One & a half hours til kickoff of My Houston Texans vs. Baltimores Crows, dang it I meant Ravens, No, I meant Crows & I have something to say to all the so called experts, does not include you Mr. Warren Sapp, all you neigh sayers who do not believe. First experience is a wonderful thing, but to much experience makes you slow, ok with all due respect to Mr. Ray Lewis, slower. My Texans keep proving you wrong & you still don't believe. JJ Watt amazed you all last week, A. Foster uses defenders as human shields cruising down the field, TJ Yates playing with the poise of prima ballerina, & you still can't believe. Are you people even watching these games? Come on Man!!! O did I mention there is something we got this game that we didn't in week 6, Andre Johnson, big 80, when this man takes the field he also takes extra defenders opening up the road for our runners. Why not just admit it, we are younger, stronger, faster, & just as smart, poised, & confident as anybody on that other team. Next week, you will be saying, New England is going to be all over the Texans because of Tom Brady, & you will not even remember who we played this week. GO TEXANS GO!!!!! This little redneck girl believes, I really do!
Now as for my next blog, food for thought, have you ever invited someone to come hunting, & then they think they have a lifetime membership to hunt your land? I will want your opinion on this one so come on back & check it out.

A Good Morning a Poem by Tina Harlow

I get up early to put on my camo,

Grab a cup of coffee & my Parker bow,

off to the woods lickety split,

to my tree stand I do slip,

Hook into my harness to keep my tail still,

While I hunt a white tail deer to kill,

Sun peaks out over the horizon,

Now I can start texting on my Verizon,

Squirrels go crazy running around,

and then I look up & what do I see coming down...

Down the trail in front of my stand...

a big white tail buck and boy ain't he grand...

My heart beats faster & OMG is it loud...

Is it just me or can everything hear that sound...

I pull up my bow & steady my breathing...

& just about the time I line up my shot my big buck gets to leaving...

I loose my arrow & watch my shot...

Did I get that big buck or what?

So call up my buddies one big buck to track down...

I'm so happy I act like a clown...

Start looking for an arrow & a good blood trail...

Did I make this shot or did I fail?

Then theres the answer for which I was looking...

Oh yeah baby, venision for cooking...

There it is, with points, I count ten...

This is why I keep coming back, again, & again, & again.

I Miss My Deer Stand

As I work my way thru my day in my mommy, wife, "real life" world, I constantly feel like I am forgetting something. I go thru the grocery store list in hand, & I feel like I am forgetting something. When I am on my way to soccer, to the office, or where ever or what ever I'm doing I feel like I am missing something important. Then at 3:30 this morning, I awoke from slumber when it dawns on me, I miss my deer stand. I have, due to circumstances beyond my control, missed an entire month of this deer season & have not even loost one arrow at a real target this year. I mean call me crazy but I miss waking up early, putting on my camo, grabbing my Parker Sidekick, all the rest of my gear, a cup of coffee, & heading off to the woods. I miss sneaking thru the darkness to get to my perfect spot, & then just being still. I am talking peace times ten. As the sun starts rising on the horizon & mother nature wakes from her slumber. I become just part of the beautiful scenary. The squirrels start their marathon thru the trees and play tag thru the bottoms of the slough beds & the red birds are fighting to gather as many seeds, twigs, & whatever else they think they can use. I take a minute and listen to everything & the only sounds I hear are the noises the good Lord intends me to hear. NO Technology, no cellphones, no computer, no cars, and even sweeter absolutely nobody or nothing that needs my attention. For just a few hours its like visiting Heavan! Yes, I am there to hunt & trust me I am itching to take a shot, but even when I don't see a shot cross in front of me, I feel my stresses ease & I am able to turn them over to God. So now I understand I miss my deer stand & I need to get back there soon!
Now before I sign off today I must send out a Good Luck today & tomorrow to Amory High Soccer teams, I have faith in both teams & I am looking forward to Playoffs. Speaking of Playoffs, to my beloved NFL Houston Texas, practice, practice, practice, turn on your ipods & jam to your favorite tunes & ignore the experts who have counted you out this weekend against the RaVENS, I know that this game will not be easy but I have faith I still Believe, that my Texans will be victorious. Don't mess with Texans! Good Luck!

Redneck girl has excellent Football Playoff Weekend!! Go Texans!

Yes to all of you who did not think the Houston Texans could handle the Cincinatti Kitty Cats, I mean Bengals, I just LOL. I love this team. They play like they truly live  for & love to play Football. This is my Cinderella story unfolding before me. I am an original Texans fan, I was there at their inception & man I am loving wearing my Tony Boselli, throw back jersey everywhere this season. I live in Mississippi now & only get to see about 4-6 games in a regular season, but this year I got a bonus, PLAYOFFS!!!!
From the bottom of my Redneck heart I would truly like to wish all of the team hardy congratulations & say Thank You all for your extreme dedication you have shown your fans & community. Now you boys get to Baltimore & you seek payback for the loss you felt at their hands earlier in the season!! I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE, do not even listen to the so called Experts, as they go thru their half witted predictions this week, know that there are those of us out here who know that when you go out there & play on Sunday afternoon, you will be victorious &  I will be screaming along with 100s of Thousands of your beloved fans for you right there with you! 
Now to soccer action, My beautiful, brilliant, athletic, daughter Chelsea "Nene" Harlow # 24 in your program books #1 in my heart, & the rest of the Lady Panthers also won both of their games this weekend they won 1-0 in overtime against Pontotoc & they won 2-1 against Corinth on Saturday, 12-3-1, Way to go girls. 2 more games & then the playoffs, let's go all the way to state this year.

Archery Season kicks off soon, Good luck to both of my wonderful incredible girls this season. 

Who said quitting smoking can't be done....

Ok day 5 no smoking, two teenage daughters, a supportive husband, & everyday little stresses that seems to be multiplied by 10, but some how I know I can survive. My will power maybe tested, but it will show me what I am made of. There is one question I have for anyone out there, Why do stop smoking aides cost so much more than smoking itself, which is way to expensive?
As for my fun loving weekend plans, bring on the NFL playoffs, Let's hear it for my Houston Texans AFC South Divisional Champions, bring on the Bengals. I cannot wait for Saturday Afternoon to watch this game, I just hope it can be a quick game no overtime boys. I have to work the Monroe County Tournament for High School Basketball this weekend & Chelsea Nene Harlow is playing High School Soccer in Amory this weekend, Go Amory Go, so let's stack up some victories this weekend so I have a lot to brag about to the world on Monday.
Well everyone tune into to me on the radio or the internet at fm95radio.com this evening at 5 pm cst & listen to some great monroe county high school basketball action. Until tomorrow friends, family, & my oh so many fans, May the good Lords blessing shine upon your path & light your way. I love you all.

Introduction to the bowhunting redneck girl

Hello all and welcome to my blog. My name is Tina Harlow, I am an original bowhunting redneck girl. I have always been a tomboy, Our Family is Archery loving clan, & I married a redneck boy, who shoots the mess out of his bow & we have 1 girlie girl, who can shoot a bow & 1 tomboy who can shoot a bow. I am an outdoor lover, I am a hunter, fisher, atv riding redneck. Everyday I will share my redneck thoughts with you. It could be just about anything. I have strong opinions about everything. So buckle up & hang on because somedays I may make you die out laughing or I just may upset your delicate sensiblities. But it will always be new. So let's see, I quit smoking cigarettes 3 days ago & I am trying to remain strong & sweet. Dang this truly is ruff. Oh well that is not what everyday will be like, so come on back & check out my redneck dream life.