Well, let's see what I can tell you about me.

I'm Petty Munroe, where "Petty", of course, is just a nickname, after Richard Petty, 'cause I got a slight problem with speed-limits. My real first name is Petra, but hardly anyone calls me that nowadays.
I was born in Nürnberg, Germany, in 19.. (I ain't gonna tell). Grew up there, and lived there until the age of 21.
Yeah, I'm a "Kraut"--or used to be anyway.
My husband, Rick, and I met in 1985 while he was stationed over there and, believe me, there is such a thing as "love at first sight"! We got married in West Virginia in March of 1987. No one gave this relationship a snowball's chance in hell, but, hey, what did they know? We moved to West Virginia for good when he left the Service after the Gulf War (the first one).

I got my citizenship (which means a whole lot to me) in '93, and I can proudly say that I have managed to become a real "country-girl". I also managed to lose just about every last hint of a German accent (but who wants to sound like Dr. Ruth anyway, right?) My only problem is that I learned most of my English around Military folk and, needless to say, learned all the "dirty" words first. So, I really have to watch my mouth and I'm not always very "politically correct" in a casual conversation.
Of course it doesn't help much that I like "hangin' out with the guys" at the hunting camp. Let me tell ya, when you're the only "girl" in camp, you better be able to hold your own if you plan on sticking around. I got the advantage that I used to participate in card-tournaments in Germany, so I can "hang" fairly well at Poker time. My second advantage is that I was taught about firearms and how to shoot by a sniper-qualified, ex US-Army Ranger (who just happens to be my hubby, and who makes it a point to have me know every weapon I touch inside and out). Believe me, consistently hitting what you aim at sure boosts your prestige.

My favorite things ( at least the top 10):

* Hunting (definitely top of the list!)
* Rick's cooking (omelet's are one of his specialties)
* Country Music (except Buck Owens)
* Watching Baseball and Football
* Playing Poker
* Motorcycles (riding and working on 'em)
* Native American History
* John Wayne Movies (especially "The Green Berets")
* Richard Marcinko's "Rogue Warrior" Books
* Military "stuff"

Things I hate:

* Anyone who wants to mess with our 2nd Amendment
* Anyone who would burn the American Flag (and don't even try to tell me that's "freedom of speech")
* Anyone who comes into this Country illegally (I did it LEGALLY, went through all the paperwork and other hassles, and in my opinion, if you want to be an American, then become one the "right" way, and be one -- no hyphens or string attached!!!!)
* Golf
* Being "broke"
* Politicians who don't keep their promises
* Anyone who tells me how I should live my life
* Pinto Beans
* Big cities
* People who drive slower than the speed limit

Well, I figure I probably ticked a whole lotta folks off by now. Please don't expect an apology, because it ain't gonna happen! See, that's where the "freedom of speech" should come in. You say what you mean and then you stand by it.

Anyway, for those of you who don't hold this "character flaw" against me, let me tell ya, I really wish some of the people I grew up with could see me now. Especially the ones who didn't think I belonged with the "in-crowd". Hah! I've seen and done more things than any of my former peers would ever dream about. EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT, PEOPLE!!!
I wonder how many of them have ever worked on a Harley transmission in their kitchen, or gutted and skinned their first deer. Oops, now I've lost a few more readers with this last part. Yeah, maybe I qualify as a Redneck or a Hillbilly, too, by now. So what? I like it that way!

Rick and I got probably the most perfect relationship, any couple could ever enjoy. He loves to cook and he spoils me rotten (especially on Sundays), and I'd rather shop for a new rifle than for new clothes. We do have kind of a backwards marriage going, though, because I'm the one who flips TV channels from one baseball (or football) game to another and he's the one who complains about it. But that's okay, I guess. During the off-season the remote is all his to control.

Kids? Yeah, we got those. Two of 'em. Kyle and Kayla. 
Actually, when Rick and I first met, he wanted enough kids to start his own race, but luckily I managed to talk him out of it. Sure, kids are great to have, but whoever wrote all those books about parenting must've never had any. Gees, the things they come up with sometimes! And nobody ever told me that someday I'd be running up a mountain, trying to find some blood-root, because that's the only thing that helps my daughter's allergic reaction to the flea-spray I just put on our dog.
Get rid of the dog, you say? Uh-huh! That'd go over real well. We'd just end up with another one anyway--- we always do! Get a cat instead, you say? What's the difference? They need flea-spray, too! And besides, none of us is real fond of cats.  A couple of years ago, one of the neighbor's cats raided a Robin's nest in the yard and killed one of the babies. We managed to save the other little one and took care of him 'til he was old enough to fly and fend for himself. We turned him loose up at our farm and the last time we saw him he was zooming across the field like a fighter-jet, looking real good.

Wasn't the first time I "mothered" something. Had a couple of baby raccoons a few years back. They weren't even weaned when their mother got killed by a car. I bottle-fed those two little rascals for several weeks and raised 'em until they were old enough to make it on their own. Then, in spring of 2001, up at our farm, we rescued a fawn from a dog that had a hold of it (needless to say that dog ain't never gonna chase another one---EVER!).  We "doctored" up the fawn and he spent the night in our cabin. Next morning we took him for a "stroll" in the woods. Seemed like he knew exactly where he needed to go, considering he led us straight back to the area where the dog had first cornered him. Had three big does standing there who didn't even run when we came into sight. The little one started bawling, took off in a flash, and went directly to one of the does who started licking him. Figure she spent about three days to get the nasty "people" smell off of him. We're pretty sure the little one made it, 'cause (unless there is another young buck around with a scar on his right rear where the dog had a hold of him) he actually came back, rather close to the cabin, several times since then.

Now some of you probably say "how can you do something like that and still like hunting?" Simple! It's a matter of give-and-take. We gave that little buck a chance to live which, otherwise, he wouldn't have had. And there is a BIG difference between hunting and just killing an animal. What? You think them steaks and pork-chops you buy at the grocery store all died of "natural causes"? Unless you're a true vegetarian (and don't you dare eat eggs, neither) you ain't got the right to blame us for putting meat on the table for our family. Don't get me wrong, though---we strongly believe in using everything we harvest. If you kill it, you better eat it! I hate a "trophy hunter" with a passion 'cause, no matter how long you boil them horns, you still can't eat 'em.

But anyway---since 17 September, 2006 I've been blessed with a whole new experience of "mothering" something....or better say "grand-mothering" something. Yup, that's right---GRAND-mothering! Rick and I just became grandparents for the first time. No, it wasn't planned---definitely not at this time--- but I always have and always will believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe this happened because Kayla really needed a "reality-check" to help her grow up, or maybe because Kyle was leaving us for College and his room would have been empty? I don't know, and the "why" doesn't really matter anyway. All that counts is that we have a beautiful, healthy grandbaby-girl, and little Brianna Nicole already has everyone in the family and our entire neighborhood wrapped around her tiny little finger. 
Fortunately, too, I haven't had a real job---other than "Mom and housewife"---in the last 18 years, so now I'll just add "Grandma and babysitter" to my resume and, while Kayla finishes high-school, I can enjoy lots of time with Brianna. I'm sure I can manage to have her spoiled rotten long before her 1st birthday. 
By the way, do you know what the difference is between being a Mom and being  a Grandma????.... No??? Well, I just figured out that difference is about $25. 
How so?....Simple!...As a Mom I would've NEVER considered spending $25 on a Halloween costume for either of my kids. As a Grandma....well, I just DID spend $25 on a Halloween costume for Brianna. *sigh*

Well, that's about it, I guess. But if you're not one of those who clicked on the "BACK" button after the first section, and you'd like to read some more about our family, then check out our family website. It's got pictures of us, a bunch of other nice things, and even a link to Brianna's very own website, that I started for her before she was even born. So if you got the time and the notion, we'd love for you to come visit us at http://pages.suddenlink.net/thewvmunroes                                                           

Also, if you like my "stuff", I'd be glad to hear from you. Drop me a line at nightwingwv308@suddenlink.net
And if you don't like it--well, then you're entitled to your opinion, and to your right to "freedom of speech".  I appreciate an honest opinion.

Okay, NOW you can push the "BACK" button!  :>)