...there will be more JR stories coming...he's a Jack Russell...there's ALWAYS cute stories about Jack Russells! LOL...
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Introducing JR
After many lengthy discussions, K and I decided that the household was just too quiet without Spanky, not that he was a "noisy" dog, but a very entertaining one...we also decided we wanted to "rescue" a Jack Russell in need of a good home. (I also knew we'd get another dog and didn't want too much time to pass for our two other furbabies to be just two and then add a third, I didn't want them to get used to one routine and then switch YET AGAIN, I wanted an easy transition for them) So I perused Petfinder.com and there were TONS of Jack Russells looking for homes. I think most people think Jack's are cute, but don't realize that they are HIGH ENERGY dogs...however we live in an ideal situation for Jack's...we live on a farm with lots of activity going on daily and the dogs are a part of our working day as well as our personal home life. So I found two candidates...one was in Virginia and had an adoption in the works and one was in Illinois...so we applied for Illinois and in about 3 days I drove the 10 hour round trip and adopted him. Isn't he cute? So far he's working out wonderfully, although he's still very unsure of the horses and barks at them at every opportunity. He is by no means a replacment for Spanky, Spanky Doodle will always be in our hearts, but JR is a nice addition to our family and I'm glad we were able to "rescue" him...
...there will be more JR stories coming...he's a Jack Russell...there's ALWAYS cute stories about Jack Russells! LOL...
...there will be more JR stories coming...he's a Jack Russell...there's ALWAYS cute stories about Jack Russells! LOL...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
1100+ Miles, 17 Hours, 2 a.m.
1100+ Miles we drove home, in about 17 hours and got in a 2 a.m....whew! What a LONG drive, but WE.are.BACK!
We came home the northern route via I-80 and somewhere between Nebraska and Iowa there were these HUGE windmills for miles...I thought they were too interesting and too pretty to not photo! I'm assuming these are for electricity, but I could be totally wrong too...that was pretty much the highlight of our trip home! LOL
So we have returned, we had a GREAT time, it was great to see my family and they finally got to know Kevin (we've been married 5 years and they barely know him)...so everyone got to know each other really well!
We came home the northern route via I-80 and somewhere between Nebraska and Iowa there were these HUGE windmills for miles...I thought they were too interesting and too pretty to not photo! I'm assuming these are for electricity, but I could be totally wrong too...that was pretty much the highlight of our trip home! LOL
So we have returned, we had a GREAT time, it was great to see my family and they finally got to know Kevin (we've been married 5 years and they barely know him)...so everyone got to know each other really well!I'm tired, who knew sitting for 17 hours could be so exhausting? Well, I kind of had an idea...LOL... I got some new scrapping/stamping goodies I'll show my papercrafting friends soon. I didn't get to papercraft much while on vacation, I was just toooooooo busy! However, I did manage to spend some of my Christmas $$$ on new stamp sets on all the GREAT holiday sales! I also managed to get my mother to scrapbook...she was enthralled with my Cricut...I left her with her dining room table covered in patterned paper and all her memorabilia...LOL...she has NO idea!(insert evil laugh here!)...YOU Know what I'm talking about.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Kevin and I have been super busy...who knew visiting family would be busier than working at home...we did manage to sneak away yesterday to go to Estes Park and visit the famous Stanley Hotel (which was Stephen Kings inspiration for the book the Shining), we took the "ghost" tour (didn't see any) and enjoyed the scenic beauty. We've been having a great time here in Colorado, although I did end up with food poisoning one VERY LONG day. Below is a picture of the Stanley Hotel...
Below is a photo of the mountains around Estes Park...
Here we are on the "ghost" tour...
And we were treated to an invitation only event of my brother and his band the "Love Handles"... he's the one singing...he let his hair grow out...getting that "rock star" look... They were great and we really enjoyed them! (well except maybe grandma thought they were a little too loud! LOL!)
Anyway, have a Happy and Prosperous New Year and I'll have some papercrafting stuff soon I promise, I've got lots of ideas...just not all my stuff (I'm sooo lost w/o all my stuff!)
Anyway, have a Happy and Prosperous New Year and I'll have some papercrafting stuff soon I promise, I've got lots of ideas...just not all my stuff (I'm sooo lost w/o all my stuff!)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas...1933
Merry Christmas! This post is of epic length, but I wanted to wish all my faithful readers a Merry Christmas and share a Christmas Memory that my Grandmother had the foresight to write down and give to me back in 1981. This was HER Christmas in Chicago, when she was 8 years old..in 1933. She created my very first scrapbook, although it is void of any pictures, and has only 4 stories in it, they were of her childhood through the Depression and a few stories of me and her memories of me. I will miss her very much, and this is one of the stories in my book. (and THIS is a great reason to scrapbook if I've ever seen one! hint hint)
Christmas in Chicago; 1933
I awakened to familiar sounds of pans scraping in and out of the oven as the tantalizing aroma of apples and cinnamon wafted its way into the bedroom. I lazily opened my eyes and then closed them again, to snuggle down deeper into the feather bed, that was so soft, so comfy, so warm. My head was filled with thoughts like snowflakes swirling in a gusty wind. Would Grandma like the calendar I made for her? Would my cousins be here early enough to play outdoors? Would it snow? What was I getting for Christmas? Soon, the anticipation and excitement was too much and I had to get out of bed, to start this wonderful day. My toes touched the cold linoleum as they searched for my slippers. I found my long underwear, stockings, petticoat, vest and dress on the chair. Shivering I grabbed them and ran behind the kitchen stove to get dressed. It was the warmest place in the house.
I was a skinny little girl, too small for my eight years. I had straight platinum hair, cut Buster Brown style and blue, blue eyes. I was a quiet, obedient child who spent much time alone, reading and making believe with my paper dolls.As I wiggled into my clothes, I watched Grandma. She must have been up for hours. There were cookies, pies and Kolachy cooling everywhere. "Good Morning Sleepyhead," she said. "I put your oatmeal on the back of the stove to keep it warm, you can help yourself." I nodded and watched as she moved quickly from the table to the oven. She was in her sixties, with flawless skin and an everready smile. She loved flowered dresses and wore them all the time.
Her name was Emily, but everyone just called her Milly. She was the mother of four children, three girls and one boy. Two daughters marriages, unfortunately, ended in divorce and they brought home four grandchildren for Grandma and Grandpa to raise. There was my step-sister Helen, my cousins Adeline and Clarence, and myself.Helen was eighteen and I didn't see too much of her. She was thin and had red hair. She was busy working, seeing her friends and going out with young men. My cousin Clarence was seventeen and my favorite cousin. He had dark, slick hair and was good looking. But best of all, he let me sit on top of his newspapers in the wagon while he delivered them. It kept other kids from stealing the papers and in return, he took me to see movies every Saturday at a downtown theater. Cousin Adeline was sixteen and she helped my Grandma a lot.
As I was helping myself to breakfast, my Grandfather came in with two buckets of coal, huffing and puffing like a steam engine. He was a small man, with wire glasses perched on his German sharp nose. He was known all over the neighborhood for fixing bikes, wagons and toys. The lemon drops he carried in his pocket, helped to mend many a skinned knee or broken heart.
As I was finishing my cereal, I suddenly remembered that tonight-tonight--was the night I had to say my piece in the Christmas Eve services. Oh, how my Grandma had coached me, to speak loudly and clearly and slowly and to stand up tall.Suddenly when butterflies were having a convention in my stomach and the oatmeal was not setting just right, there was a loud knock on the back door. I heard, "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!" Everyone was hugging and kissing at the same time. Auntie Lil and Uncle Cas, and my three cousins, Alice, Delores and Margies were here to spend the holiday with us.
Auntie Lil was short and plump, so easy going and lively. Uncle Cas was the family politician. He was a precinct captian and helped to get out the votes. He loved to argue local politics with my Grandpa. I never did know what kind of job he had. My three cousins were close to my age. We liked the same things, dolls, checkers, jacks and Old Maid.
After lunch it began to snow, large white flakes that really stuck to the ground. We made Angels in the snowdrifts and a snowman with coal for his eyes and mouth. It didn't take too long for our fingers to feel nippy, our noses runny and our clothing wet. After coming in, we hung up our mittens to dry near the stove and settled down to stringing popcorn for the tree. The tree was in the living room and that was forbidden to us kids. We were not allowed to see the tree until it was decorated and only after we had been to the Christmas Eve services. Time passed quickly and soon supper was ready. We raided the bedrooms for extra chairs for our guests and even had to use the piano bench. After supper all the woman and girls cleaned up the dishes and then hurried to get ready for church.
Mother had come home from work just in time to eat with us. She had classic looks and reminded me of picutres I had seen of Lady Astor in magazines. Her hair was bobbed and marcelled and she wore makeup. I thought she was beautiful. In spite of my anxieties about my performance this evening, I was looking forward to wearing my new wine colored, taffeta dress with the lace collar. There also was new, long, white stockings, patent leather Mary Janes and a ribbon for my hair. I loved the way my dress made siwshing sounds when I walked. I thought I could walk forever. I felt so SPECIAL! Mother decided to curl my hair with the curling iron and begged me to sit still. I did get a little burn on my ear, because I couldn't help fidgeting a little. Everyone was ready except Grandpa. When he was chided about not going to church, he'd say "I ready my Bible every day, thats more than most folks that go to church regular do." No one could dispute him.
We walked through the snow, talking, laughing, singing carols, but, hushed as we approached the church. The children were herded into the basement, for they would march into the rectory after the services started. The boys stood on one side, making silly faces, hitching up their knickers, and straightening up their ties. The girls were on the other side, smoothing down their dresses, pulling up their stockings, giggleing a lot and looking at the boys. The organ sounded. I marched with the others. Parents and relatives waved, or smiled or both as we came down the aisle. The Christmas program had begun. After a carol, the pastor started calling the children's names, to recite the Bible verses that told the story of Jesus' birthday. My verse was going round and round in my head. He called my name. I took a deep breath, stood up tall and said loudly and clearly and slowly--"Luke 2:19, And Mary pondered all these things in her heart." With a sigh of relief, my anxieties fled. Soon I heard the jingle of bells and a "Ho Ho Ho" and Santa with his overflowing sack, came running down the aisle. This is what every child had been waiting for. He gave each of us a stocking filled with an orange, nuts and candy. My family gathered up their wraps and after many Merry Christmases to friends and neighbors, left for home.
It was much colder now, as we hurried home to see the tree and our presents. The snow crunched under foot and my toes hurt as we turned the corner of our block. I could see the tree was lit. There were circles of red, blue, yellow and green on the frosted window. My cousins and I ran into the house, tore off our coats on the way into the living room, to see the splendor of Christmas. It was BEAUTIFUL! Like Heaven and Riverview Park and birthdays all rolled into one. There were stacks of presents wrapped gaily under a huge pine tree. The glass ornaments shimmered and shined, competing with our sparkly eyes. After all the adults had hung up their coats, we gathered round the tree and with bowed heads my Grandpa prayed. "Bless this house Lord, and keep us well and safe for another year." Then he started to hand out the children's presents. There was so much noise and confusion as we listened for our names. When Grandpa called my name, I piled my gifts in front of me.
Many were small for the Depression was still with us. I opened the largest box and there was a blue sweater, two petticoats with hand cotched edges, some handkerchiefs and real silk panties. I tore the paper from a new checkerboard game, some ribbons and barrettes and the newest Bobbsey Twin book. There was a drawing tablet and new crayolas too. My sister gave me a flannel nightgown and slippers.My cousins and I sat near the tree showing each other our presents. We oohed and ahhed over every wonderful gift. When every present had been opened and enjoyed, everyone helped clean up the mess. Cousin Adeline put a roll on the player piano and we all sang carols. When she tired of pumping, someone else took her place.
In the midst of all this commotion, my Auntie Louise and Uncle Tony came by. Uncle Tony brought a big bottle of his famous homemade Dago red wine. Auntie Louise had presents for all us kids. The adults headed for the kitchen and then wine glasses. The children sat on the floor, near the tree, playing I SEE A COLOR. When we tired of that, Grandma had hot chocolate and cookies in the kitchen and with full tummy's, we returned to the tree, to play someone's new game.It had been a long day and as we wound down, we laid on the rug, squinting our eyes, to make the lights on the tree look like beautiful colored stars. We talked quietly about our favorite present and the fun we'd had that day. The fire in the coal heater was glowing and sleepy heads were nodding. We could hear the adults in the kitchen laughing and talking, but sounding very far away now. Soon they'd be carrying us off to bed. We still had Christmas Day dinner to look forward to. There would be goose, cranberries, pumpkin pie and nuts -- and yawning -- but that's tomorrow.
Christmas in Chicago; 1933
I awakened to familiar sounds of pans scraping in and out of the oven as the tantalizing aroma of apples and cinnamon wafted its way into the bedroom. I lazily opened my eyes and then closed them again, to snuggle down deeper into the feather bed, that was so soft, so comfy, so warm. My head was filled with thoughts like snowflakes swirling in a gusty wind. Would Grandma like the calendar I made for her? Would my cousins be here early enough to play outdoors? Would it snow? What was I getting for Christmas? Soon, the anticipation and excitement was too much and I had to get out of bed, to start this wonderful day. My toes touched the cold linoleum as they searched for my slippers. I found my long underwear, stockings, petticoat, vest and dress on the chair. Shivering I grabbed them and ran behind the kitchen stove to get dressed. It was the warmest place in the house.
I was a skinny little girl, too small for my eight years. I had straight platinum hair, cut Buster Brown style and blue, blue eyes. I was a quiet, obedient child who spent much time alone, reading and making believe with my paper dolls.As I wiggled into my clothes, I watched Grandma. She must have been up for hours. There were cookies, pies and Kolachy cooling everywhere. "Good Morning Sleepyhead," she said. "I put your oatmeal on the back of the stove to keep it warm, you can help yourself." I nodded and watched as she moved quickly from the table to the oven. She was in her sixties, with flawless skin and an everready smile. She loved flowered dresses and wore them all the time.
Her name was Emily, but everyone just called her Milly. She was the mother of four children, three girls and one boy. Two daughters marriages, unfortunately, ended in divorce and they brought home four grandchildren for Grandma and Grandpa to raise. There was my step-sister Helen, my cousins Adeline and Clarence, and myself.Helen was eighteen and I didn't see too much of her. She was thin and had red hair. She was busy working, seeing her friends and going out with young men. My cousin Clarence was seventeen and my favorite cousin. He had dark, slick hair and was good looking. But best of all, he let me sit on top of his newspapers in the wagon while he delivered them. It kept other kids from stealing the papers and in return, he took me to see movies every Saturday at a downtown theater. Cousin Adeline was sixteen and she helped my Grandma a lot.
As I was helping myself to breakfast, my Grandfather came in with two buckets of coal, huffing and puffing like a steam engine. He was a small man, with wire glasses perched on his German sharp nose. He was known all over the neighborhood for fixing bikes, wagons and toys. The lemon drops he carried in his pocket, helped to mend many a skinned knee or broken heart.
As I was finishing my cereal, I suddenly remembered that tonight-tonight--was the night I had to say my piece in the Christmas Eve services. Oh, how my Grandma had coached me, to speak loudly and clearly and slowly and to stand up tall.Suddenly when butterflies were having a convention in my stomach and the oatmeal was not setting just right, there was a loud knock on the back door. I heard, "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!" Everyone was hugging and kissing at the same time. Auntie Lil and Uncle Cas, and my three cousins, Alice, Delores and Margies were here to spend the holiday with us.
Auntie Lil was short and plump, so easy going and lively. Uncle Cas was the family politician. He was a precinct captian and helped to get out the votes. He loved to argue local politics with my Grandpa. I never did know what kind of job he had. My three cousins were close to my age. We liked the same things, dolls, checkers, jacks and Old Maid.
After lunch it began to snow, large white flakes that really stuck to the ground. We made Angels in the snowdrifts and a snowman with coal for his eyes and mouth. It didn't take too long for our fingers to feel nippy, our noses runny and our clothing wet. After coming in, we hung up our mittens to dry near the stove and settled down to stringing popcorn for the tree. The tree was in the living room and that was forbidden to us kids. We were not allowed to see the tree until it was decorated and only after we had been to the Christmas Eve services. Time passed quickly and soon supper was ready. We raided the bedrooms for extra chairs for our guests and even had to use the piano bench. After supper all the woman and girls cleaned up the dishes and then hurried to get ready for church.
Mother had come home from work just in time to eat with us. She had classic looks and reminded me of picutres I had seen of Lady Astor in magazines. Her hair was bobbed and marcelled and she wore makeup. I thought she was beautiful. In spite of my anxieties about my performance this evening, I was looking forward to wearing my new wine colored, taffeta dress with the lace collar. There also was new, long, white stockings, patent leather Mary Janes and a ribbon for my hair. I loved the way my dress made siwshing sounds when I walked. I thought I could walk forever. I felt so SPECIAL! Mother decided to curl my hair with the curling iron and begged me to sit still. I did get a little burn on my ear, because I couldn't help fidgeting a little. Everyone was ready except Grandpa. When he was chided about not going to church, he'd say "I ready my Bible every day, thats more than most folks that go to church regular do." No one could dispute him.
We walked through the snow, talking, laughing, singing carols, but, hushed as we approached the church. The children were herded into the basement, for they would march into the rectory after the services started. The boys stood on one side, making silly faces, hitching up their knickers, and straightening up their ties. The girls were on the other side, smoothing down their dresses, pulling up their stockings, giggleing a lot and looking at the boys. The organ sounded. I marched with the others. Parents and relatives waved, or smiled or both as we came down the aisle. The Christmas program had begun. After a carol, the pastor started calling the children's names, to recite the Bible verses that told the story of Jesus' birthday. My verse was going round and round in my head. He called my name. I took a deep breath, stood up tall and said loudly and clearly and slowly--"Luke 2:19, And Mary pondered all these things in her heart." With a sigh of relief, my anxieties fled. Soon I heard the jingle of bells and a "Ho Ho Ho" and Santa with his overflowing sack, came running down the aisle. This is what every child had been waiting for. He gave each of us a stocking filled with an orange, nuts and candy. My family gathered up their wraps and after many Merry Christmases to friends and neighbors, left for home.
It was much colder now, as we hurried home to see the tree and our presents. The snow crunched under foot and my toes hurt as we turned the corner of our block. I could see the tree was lit. There were circles of red, blue, yellow and green on the frosted window. My cousins and I ran into the house, tore off our coats on the way into the living room, to see the splendor of Christmas. It was BEAUTIFUL! Like Heaven and Riverview Park and birthdays all rolled into one. There were stacks of presents wrapped gaily under a huge pine tree. The glass ornaments shimmered and shined, competing with our sparkly eyes. After all the adults had hung up their coats, we gathered round the tree and with bowed heads my Grandpa prayed. "Bless this house Lord, and keep us well and safe for another year." Then he started to hand out the children's presents. There was so much noise and confusion as we listened for our names. When Grandpa called my name, I piled my gifts in front of me.
Many were small for the Depression was still with us. I opened the largest box and there was a blue sweater, two petticoats with hand cotched edges, some handkerchiefs and real silk panties. I tore the paper from a new checkerboard game, some ribbons and barrettes and the newest Bobbsey Twin book. There was a drawing tablet and new crayolas too. My sister gave me a flannel nightgown and slippers.My cousins and I sat near the tree showing each other our presents. We oohed and ahhed over every wonderful gift. When every present had been opened and enjoyed, everyone helped clean up the mess. Cousin Adeline put a roll on the player piano and we all sang carols. When she tired of pumping, someone else took her place.
In the midst of all this commotion, my Auntie Louise and Uncle Tony came by. Uncle Tony brought a big bottle of his famous homemade Dago red wine. Auntie Louise had presents for all us kids. The adults headed for the kitchen and then wine glasses. The children sat on the floor, near the tree, playing I SEE A COLOR. When we tired of that, Grandma had hot chocolate and cookies in the kitchen and with full tummy's, we returned to the tree, to play someone's new game.It had been a long day and as we wound down, we laid on the rug, squinting our eyes, to make the lights on the tree look like beautiful colored stars. We talked quietly about our favorite present and the fun we'd had that day. The fire in the coal heater was glowing and sleepy heads were nodding. We could hear the adults in the kitchen laughing and talking, but sounding very far away now. Soon they'd be carrying us off to bed. We still had Christmas Day dinner to look forward to. There would be goose, cranberries, pumpkin pie and nuts -- and yawning -- but that's tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Nor Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow...
...isn't that the post office motto? It's ours...at least for today! We made it to Denver...about 4 hours longer than expected and we had to stop in Lincoln Nebraska (a little over 1/2 way there) because of a heavy snow storm, vehicles were careening left and right off of the highway...we decided to call it a night and found a nice hotel. The next morning, we really decided we made the right decision as we continued on our way and saw abandoned vehicles on the shoulders and medians. We fought weather, angry drivers and the drivers side windshield fluid didn't work...which made for some interesting driving...but we are here...and I've got to help lots...my parents just returned from a several week cruise and not much is done here...I'm the decoration committee...K is the lights, clear the driveway committee...we'll get it together by the time everyone arrives tonight...for Christmas... I can't wait...so no matter where you are...have a very Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Well, we're off...
..we're traveling to spend Christmas with my family this year...it's been 6 years since I've had Christmas with them...so off to Denver we go...so my postings may be a bit sporadic depending on the internet situation. We don't plan on returning until after the New Year, however I'm taking all my paper crafting stuff...so hopefully I can do a little of that while I'm gone...ever try to pack your entire room into two bags? It's so hard to decide WHAT to take...I know I'm forgettting something, but they do have scrapbook stores in Denver...that much I DO know! LOL. Have a Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
....the Weather Outside is Frightful...
...and inside is not-so-delightful = no electric = no heat! BRRRRRR We were without power until about 3 p.m. Friday, which kind of killed lessons for the day...not too mention water to the barn or light or anything else for that matter EXCEPT snapped power lines and poles. The ice storm blewth in...brrrrr..... and it's as thick and slick as it looks! Grandma and Grandpa's house really took the worse beating out of all of us, they have snapped power lines and a broken pole...and surprisingly still have power! K spent the day helping family and friends clean up their yards from downed limbs and I spent the day trying to figure out how to 1. water the horses and 2. how to clean stalls in the dark...that latter didn't happen until we got lights back. I did manage to walk buckets from the old hydraunt at the old barn back and forth...my arms ache and I consider myself in fairly good shape! LOL..BUT the horses HAD water! So here's some pictures of what it looked like around our place...lots of people have it worse, they'll be without power for a week! wow! Anyway, below is a strawbale...
This is our young oak tree in front of the house...
This is our other young tree...it didn't bend over...although I have no idea why it didn't with the amount of ice that was on it!
This is my IL's backyard and the limb that fell off the tree...
This is their HUGE pine tree...notice that it looks wilted?
This is our young oak tree in front of the house...
This is our other young tree...it didn't bend over...although I have no idea why it didn't with the amount of ice that was on it!
This is my IL's backyard and the limb that fell off the tree...
This is their HUGE pine tree...notice that it looks wilted?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
...it's JUST like riding a bike...
...famous last words...ha! So Kevin went with his dad to the farm show today, leaving me in charge...no problem...EXCEPT ONE of KEVIN's jobs is dragging our arena and removing the tractor each.and.every.morning. from our indoor arena. Except THIS morning...he forgot in his hurry to get on the road with his dad...sigh...
So my morning starts like this...go to feed, 2 horses are wandering about, one stall door is off...sigh.... after some jiggling and master engineering, I manage to get horses in their own stalls and stall door on by.my.self. (patting myself on the back there for that one...it's quite a feet when the doors are 10' long!)
Come in, surf, try and get dh up for the billionth time... watch him hurry out the door...
Then I go to the barn...enter the arena and lo and behold, we have a TRACTOR in the middle of the arena...sigh... ok, I remember how to start it....right? It's only been about 10 years...gosh, I THINK I can...but better get the arena door open first... that'll be easier..right? NOOTTTTTTT... the door froze to the ground over night (keep in mind the doors are 15ish feet tall and 20ish feet wide) and after searching here, there and EVERYWHERE for something to wiggle the door loose from frozen mud I came across an old pitch fork...managed to sneak it under the door and wiggle, wiggle, CRACK...broke a tine off the old, steal pitchfork...groovy... but managed to loosen the door up enough so I can slide it to bring the tractor out, if, when, I start it...ha!
So now onto the tractor, I climb on board and sit in the cold seat (it's made of steel too...lucky me!) and look down...yup, clutch, I "think" that's the brake...now where do you start it? Now the "newer" tractors have little "labels" that say such things...I'm in a 1940ish Allis Chalmers that's been repainted a "few" times...labels don't exist...sigh... I finally give up and call K...who's phone is busy...so I call my FIL..who just hands the phone right off to K and he walks me through starting it... gotta pull the start button, then pull the ACTUAL start thing, while making sure the choke is down, but gotta get that down before the tractor dies AFTER it starts...sigh... then he says.. GO AHEAD AND WALK AWAY while it warms up...yeah...right... I have my foot on the clutch not knowing that IF I let up on it, if it's in gear or not, images of tractor running through barn walls ran through my head...and if I let up on the clutch, will it die like me little car does...I just hung tight (cold buns and all...buns of steel..snort!)...THEN I had to figure out where the GAS was...it's not on the floor like in a car...oh yeah, a cobweb in my brain figured out it was my right hand...and THEN I was in business....THEN it was ALMOST like riding a bicycle... I did manage to drag the arena and not take out any walls (kudos for me!) and drive tractor safely outside door and turn off with only ONE backfire... it's only gonna get better... right?
K just called, all happy he "bought" me something...he bought me a sham-WOW...yup...it's gonna be an AWESOME day! LOL
So my morning starts like this...go to feed, 2 horses are wandering about, one stall door is off...sigh.... after some jiggling and master engineering, I manage to get horses in their own stalls and stall door on by.my.self. (patting myself on the back there for that one...it's quite a feet when the doors are 10' long!)
Come in, surf, try and get dh up for the billionth time... watch him hurry out the door...
Then I go to the barn...enter the arena and lo and behold, we have a TRACTOR in the middle of the arena...sigh... ok, I remember how to start it....right? It's only been about 10 years...gosh, I THINK I can...but better get the arena door open first... that'll be easier..right? NOOTTTTTTT... the door froze to the ground over night (keep in mind the doors are 15ish feet tall and 20ish feet wide) and after searching here, there and EVERYWHERE for something to wiggle the door loose from frozen mud I came across an old pitch fork...managed to sneak it under the door and wiggle, wiggle, CRACK...broke a tine off the old, steal pitchfork...groovy... but managed to loosen the door up enough so I can slide it to bring the tractor out, if, when, I start it...ha!
So now onto the tractor, I climb on board and sit in the cold seat (it's made of steel too...lucky me!) and look down...yup, clutch, I "think" that's the brake...now where do you start it? Now the "newer" tractors have little "labels" that say such things...I'm in a 1940ish Allis Chalmers that's been repainted a "few" times...labels don't exist...sigh... I finally give up and call K...who's phone is busy...so I call my FIL..who just hands the phone right off to K and he walks me through starting it... gotta pull the start button, then pull the ACTUAL start thing, while making sure the choke is down, but gotta get that down before the tractor dies AFTER it starts...sigh... then he says.. GO AHEAD AND WALK AWAY while it warms up...yeah...right... I have my foot on the clutch not knowing that IF I let up on it, if it's in gear or not, images of tractor running through barn walls ran through my head...and if I let up on the clutch, will it die like me little car does...I just hung tight (cold buns and all...buns of steel..snort!)...THEN I had to figure out where the GAS was...it's not on the floor like in a car...oh yeah, a cobweb in my brain figured out it was my right hand...and THEN I was in business....THEN it was ALMOST like riding a bicycle... I did manage to drag the arena and not take out any walls (kudos for me!) and drive tractor safely outside door and turn off with only ONE backfire... it's only gonna get better... right?
K just called, all happy he "bought" me something...he bought me a sham-WOW...yup...it's gonna be an AWESOME day! LOL
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
I'm MIA for today...well, kind of...
...it's my day to play creative "catch up"...I've got a couple of Card Sketch a Day cards that I must finish, and a couple of cards someone just ordered...sooo.... you'll get to see those LATER...LOL...I also have some playing around to do, after I've seen a few things on a couple of other blogs (I've been blurfing again!), we'll see how far I get!
Are you ready for Christmas? I have a couple of gift cards to pick up and then my shopping is done. I haven't really decorated for the holiday yet and have been dragging my feet...we're actually going to Denver for Christmas this year to spend with MY family, so while K wants the tree UP, I've been procrastinating...I mean we'll see it for a little while and then be gone and I'll have to get everything out of storage and blah, blah, blah... I'm not feeling "Un-Christmasy", just not into decorating this year...LOL, oh well, we'll see if it ends up getting put up or not...LOL...
Well I must run to the store, my cuppards are bare (at least according to K...I figure I'm still good for a week! LOL)
Are you ready for Christmas? I have a couple of gift cards to pick up and then my shopping is done. I haven't really decorated for the holiday yet and have been dragging my feet...we're actually going to Denver for Christmas this year to spend with MY family, so while K wants the tree UP, I've been procrastinating...I mean we'll see it for a little while and then be gone and I'll have to get everything out of storage and blah, blah, blah... I'm not feeling "Un-Christmasy", just not into decorating this year...LOL, oh well, we'll see if it ends up getting put up or not...LOL...
Well I must run to the store, my cuppards are bare (at least according to K...I figure I'm still good for a week! LOL)
Monday, December 1, 2008
We're Back...
...and I had a great and horrible weekend all at the same time!
The great part was, we had a fabulous horse show, everyone was so relaxed, we worked hard, but it all paid off. EVERY client walked away with either money, points or prizes (and some of them all THREE!), so I'm pretty sure everyone went home happy. We had a pitch in Thanksgiving dinner, which was fabulous! No one left hungry, that's for sure!
And the horrible part, my grandmother passed away while I was at the show. I knew she was not in the best of health, but she was an awesome grandma! She's the sole reason I'm into papercrafting...she introduced me to Mrs. Grossman's stickers (she worked at Hallmark, which I thought was the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD! and brought them home), she'd sticker up all the envelopes when she sent me cards and this is the grandmother that did the birthday calendars. She's also the grandma that would take me to Knott's Berry Farm and ride the rollercoasters with me...how cool is that? So many memories, I will miss her terribly.
The great part was, we had a fabulous horse show, everyone was so relaxed, we worked hard, but it all paid off. EVERY client walked away with either money, points or prizes (and some of them all THREE!), so I'm pretty sure everyone went home happy. We had a pitch in Thanksgiving dinner, which was fabulous! No one left hungry, that's for sure!
And the horrible part, my grandmother passed away while I was at the show. I knew she was not in the best of health, but she was an awesome grandma! She's the sole reason I'm into papercrafting...she introduced me to Mrs. Grossman's stickers (she worked at Hallmark, which I thought was the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD! and brought them home), she'd sticker up all the envelopes when she sent me cards and this is the grandmother that did the birthday calendars. She's also the grandma that would take me to Knott's Berry Farm and ride the rollercoasters with me...how cool is that? So many memories, I will miss her terribly.
And for those wondering where I get my sense of humor...
This is my grandmother at her 80th birthday party (always clowning around)...and below she was queen for a day!
I'll have a thrifty Christmas item to show later today, that I don't have quite done yet, but I have returned... until later! Ciao for now!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Baby, it's COOOLD outside!
Brr...ok, no Thrifty Christmas tonight, I'm beat, I've spent an entire week out in 30ish degree weather (as the HIGH)...and I'm not used to it...well yet, at any rate...
And since it's cold, I'm not sleeping as well as I normally do...WHY? you ask...because I end up with ALL the hounds of H.E. Double Hockey Sticks on MY side of the bed...and why only MY side? K moves around too much for their liking, apparently I sleep like a rock...that is until I wake up without blanket or scrunched OR falling off the edge of the bed...ever see the Marmaduke cartoons? Now imagine 2 dogs doing that...sigh.... and it doesn't matter If I move to the sofa, they ALL move with me...I'm like the Pied Piper...only with dogs...and if they can't find a place next to me...well, on TOP of me is ok with them! LOL... I'm usually somewhere on the bottom of the dog pile...sigh.... at least I'm good for something... dog warmer wasn't exactly something I've put on my resume....LOL
And since it's cold, I'm not sleeping as well as I normally do...WHY? you ask...because I end up with ALL the hounds of H.E. Double Hockey Sticks on MY side of the bed...and why only MY side? K moves around too much for their liking, apparently I sleep like a rock...that is until I wake up without blanket or scrunched OR falling off the edge of the bed...ever see the Marmaduke cartoons? Now imagine 2 dogs doing that...sigh.... and it doesn't matter If I move to the sofa, they ALL move with me...I'm like the Pied Piper...only with dogs...and if they can't find a place next to me...well, on TOP of me is ok with them! LOL... I'm usually somewhere on the bottom of the dog pile...sigh.... at least I'm good for something... dog warmer wasn't exactly something I've put on my resume....LOL
Monday, November 10, 2008
Happy Birthday Kevin!
November is a busy month in our house, it goes anniversary, birthday, birthday, birthday, birthday and then Thanksgiving! LOL!
Anyway, today is Kevin's birthday and I just wanted to wish the most special person in my life to have a great day and a zillion more just like it! I love you, honey! We may not be wealthy, but we are rich in love (and dogs! wink!).
I got him something special for what I call our "merry birth-a-versary" (anniversary + birthday + Christmas)...and I'll reveal that when it finally get's here! Hopefully with a picture of him enjoying it!
Happy Birthday Kevin, I LOVE YOU!
Anyway, today is Kevin's birthday and I just wanted to wish the most special person in my life to have a great day and a zillion more just like it! I love you, honey! We may not be wealthy, but we are rich in love (and dogs! wink!).
I got him something special for what I call our "merry birth-a-versary" (anniversary + birthday + Christmas)...and I'll reveal that when it finally get's here! Hopefully with a picture of him enjoying it!
Happy Birthday Kevin, I LOVE YOU!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Happy Anniversary Baaaaby, Got You on my Miiiinnnnddddd....
Ok, so I've got a certain song on my mind...LOL...
This is an interruption of our regularly scheduled program by the "I Love You" Broadcast Institute, had this been a "real" interruption there would not be any more cards, gifts or boxes to see. Again, this is ONLY an interruption of our regularly scheduled program...
Today is our 5 year anniversary and I have to say "my how time flies!" Above is one of my very favorite pictures of us when we were first dating, it hangs on my refrigerator and brings a smile to my face everytime I see it! And for those of you not use to the "horse show" world, I'm tying his tie, right before he's going to show a horse. My MIL snapped this little moment of us...sometimes she just gets the "best" pictures! This one is definately treasured.
Sometimes I feel we've lived an entire lifetime in those 5 short years. We work together also and I feel that's brought us closer together. I wouldn't change a thing! Honey, I Love You and Happy Anniversary!
Ok, now back to our regularly scheduled program of paper crafty things! :)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Spare Ribs
Many have asked, so it's time for an update on my poor, broken ribbed dh... He is doing much better and is actually almost back to normal tasks...it's been 4 weeks today (wow, it seemed like it happened YESTERDAY!) I still won't let him ride some the younger, ranker horses, I still do that, I don't want one to twist him some way that he won't heal properly.
The big horse show (it's called Congress) took a heavy toll on him (well, both of us). Mentally draining, physically draining, quite frankly I'm amazed he's healed as well as he has. Luckily for us, MOST of the clients were very understanding of his dilema, in fact a few of them took REAL notice of him and monitored his health (aren't they sweet?). We really do have a great group right now, a bunch of fun people looking for a good time...LOL...
Anyway, he's doing much much better.
The big horse show (it's called Congress) took a heavy toll on him (well, both of us). Mentally draining, physically draining, quite frankly I'm amazed he's healed as well as he has. Luckily for us, MOST of the clients were very understanding of his dilema, in fact a few of them took REAL notice of him and monitored his health (aren't they sweet?). We really do have a great group right now, a bunch of fun people looking for a good time...LOL...
Anyway, he's doing much much better.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
VIP Member
Now for those that follow Paula's Ponderings, you realize we go to horse shows...a LOT, and we just returned from a two week deal in Columbus, Ohio. So when we go, the whole family goes...meaning, our 3 dogs. Now for the younger two it's just a form of torture since they are crated while we work (at home they have the run of the farm...so you understand their thinking). However, HANK is pretty much allowed to roam at the shows. He never usually goes far and if he's gone he's usually only ONE or TWO rows away...the rest of the time you can find him lounging in one of our chairs.
EXCEPT for this show, the BIG SHOW...and the day WE SHOW (think mild form of chaosis to get ready). Yes, that is the day Hank disappears, not two rows over, not even in the barn...after searching frantically for an hour and a half ,we find Hank...or rather we are CALLED ABOUT HANK... he's over at the VIP MEMBERS ONLY restaurant...being fed...by the cooks....
So I hoof it frantically over there, and there he is...all wags and smiles...and the cooks tell me if he runs off again, you can be sure that's where you'll find him...we fed him lots of steak... Ummm, thanks...
Now tell me...HOW does my DOG get into the VIP lounge, when I, myself can't get in? sigh....LOL and wouldn't you know it, about 4 days later he disappeared again...at least we knew where to look! LOL
EXCEPT for this show, the BIG SHOW...and the day WE SHOW (think mild form of chaosis to get ready). Yes, that is the day Hank disappears, not two rows over, not even in the barn...after searching frantically for an hour and a half ,we find Hank...or rather we are CALLED ABOUT HANK... he's over at the VIP MEMBERS ONLY restaurant...being fed...by the cooks....
So I hoof it frantically over there, and there he is...all wags and smiles...and the cooks tell me if he runs off again, you can be sure that's where you'll find him...we fed him lots of steak... Ummm, thanks...
Now tell me...HOW does my DOG get into the VIP lounge, when I, myself can't get in? sigh....LOL and wouldn't you know it, about 4 days later he disappeared again...at least we knew where to look! LOL
Looks starved to death, doesn't he?
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Do you celebrate Halloween? Typcially we have jack o lanterns, but alas, my pumpkin patch died while we are at one of those shows (boo hooo!!!!!)...and I find it hard to give the price they are asking for pumpkins these days, so no jack o lanterns this year.... I did buy some candy JUST IN CASE we have a Trick or Treater grace our doorstep...although that's very unlikely. I mean what child wants to trick or treat with a miles walk in between each house? LOL... I think not. Good thing I like the candy I bought huh? LOL
I think we'll just settle in tonight and watch some scary movies...that'll be celebration enough! So no matter how you celebrate Halloween, I hope it's "fang-tasatic!"
I think we'll just settle in tonight and watch some scary movies...that'll be celebration enough! So no matter how you celebrate Halloween, I hope it's "fang-tasatic!"
Monday, October 27, 2008
While away, the mice will play
So we've been gone for about two weeks, before I left, I made sure the refrigerator was empty, the trash taken out, all crumbs removed, basically, anything that would make this place attractive to those of Mickey's relations...all to no avail. The first night we are home, we get home late and fall asleep immediately upon our return. The next day I keep catching something out of the corner of my eye during the day...not thinking much of it, I return to my computer duties (bookwork to be caught up on)...and then it happens...Mickey pokes his little nose out of my printer...which is eye level and sits to the right of me....now as I retrieve my heart out of my throat, I do the only thing I can think of...I send something to the printer thinking the noise will drive the little devil back to where he came from... My page prints completely...no sign of Mickey and I go back to my computer work...at LEAST an hour later, he has returned...sitting on his hind legs staring at me eye to eye as if to say "na na na na, you can't catch me" and returns inside my printer...at this point I grab the printer and the nearest dog and start shaking the printer...which Mickey eventually falls out onto the dogs foot, who looks at it with no interest and goes back to chewing on it's bone... "oh my hero" (rolling my eyes)...sigh... It's a good thing I'm self-reliant...LOL I was hoping for a truce while we were gone...but alas, our battle continues...quite frankly, at this point, we're losing! ugh!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
We have RETURNED...
...a day earlier than expected, but only because I really wanted to COME HOME! LOL...
K got to show his "debut" horse and was seen by a lot of the "right" people, he didn't place, but got some good face time in on a great horse. That same horse made the semi-finals with her owner (quite an accomplishment) and we had another finalist at the show. Now this may not seem like a "big" deal, but we're talking classes of 100+ people/horses and some of the best in the country were there, so it really is a big deal.
The hours were horrendous, my sleep schedule is completely out of whack and I'm still a walking zombie.
K's rib is better, but since the colder weather has come on, bothers him more right now. He IS able to bend over now...it was really touch and go the first few days of the show.
We were so busy while we were there, we were looking at horses to buy, showing horses to sell, and then just getting ready to show. Some nights we only managed 3 hours of sleep...and never really got a full 7 or 8 until last night when we pulled in the drive at about 10ish.
It's a small miracle we didn't come home with another dog. I've always wanted a mini aussie and there were people at both ends of our aiselway selling them...I consider it my biggest accomplishment (not buying one)...one of the clients was telling me she was getting us one for Christmas (I think we dodged that bullet LOL). Our friends weren't so lucky and they purchased the cutest english bull dog and at my urging named her "Beans"...strange name you think...not really, when their other dog is named pork (and trust me, THAT's an appropriate name for that dog! LOL)...so now they have Pork n Beans... (I'm so clever...ha ha!)
Well, I have about 10 days worth of laundry to catch up on, and K would probably like something more than just Mustard for lunch/dinner, so I must visit the grocery store.
So until I've regained my sanity...LOL...
K got to show his "debut" horse and was seen by a lot of the "right" people, he didn't place, but got some good face time in on a great horse. That same horse made the semi-finals with her owner (quite an accomplishment) and we had another finalist at the show. Now this may not seem like a "big" deal, but we're talking classes of 100+ people/horses and some of the best in the country were there, so it really is a big deal.
The hours were horrendous, my sleep schedule is completely out of whack and I'm still a walking zombie.
K's rib is better, but since the colder weather has come on, bothers him more right now. He IS able to bend over now...it was really touch and go the first few days of the show.
We were so busy while we were there, we were looking at horses to buy, showing horses to sell, and then just getting ready to show. Some nights we only managed 3 hours of sleep...and never really got a full 7 or 8 until last night when we pulled in the drive at about 10ish.
It's a small miracle we didn't come home with another dog. I've always wanted a mini aussie and there were people at both ends of our aiselway selling them...I consider it my biggest accomplishment (not buying one)...one of the clients was telling me she was getting us one for Christmas (I think we dodged that bullet LOL). Our friends weren't so lucky and they purchased the cutest english bull dog and at my urging named her "Beans"...strange name you think...not really, when their other dog is named pork (and trust me, THAT's an appropriate name for that dog! LOL)...so now they have Pork n Beans... (I'm so clever...ha ha!)
Well, I have about 10 days worth of laundry to catch up on, and K would probably like something more than just Mustard for lunch/dinner, so I must visit the grocery store.
So until I've regained my sanity...LOL...
Friday, October 10, 2008
We're Outta Here...but a card before I go...
...broken rib (K) and all, we're going...we'll be gone until October 25...that's ONE LONG HORSE SHOW with really STRANGE hours! We'll be riding during the day and into the wee hours of the morning (like 3 a.m. to 5 a.m.). We do this to get our horses familiar with the show pen and this is the only time that there isn't a show going on! It makes for some really weird sleeping habits. I have learned how to sleep upright in stadium seating (and unfortunately, I'm not the only one that does it! LOL!)
Anyway, here's the card as promised... I made a circle card, I thought that would be fun! The center of the pumpkin is a circle cut down, first I cut out the circle and then I recut it into the shape it is...it was really easy and really fun! The leaves are from some silk flowers I have for just this type of occasion. Enjoy!
Recipe:
Anyway, here's the card as promised... I made a circle card, I thought that would be fun! The center of the pumpkin is a circle cut down, first I cut out the circle and then I recut it into the shape it is...it was really easy and really fun! The leaves are from some silk flowers I have for just this type of occasion. Enjoy!
Recipe:
- Paper: My stash
- Stamps: Autumn Leaves Swirls
- Embellishment: Making Memories (happy halloween), Leaves (from silk flower) ribbon from HL
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Bronco Billy Strikes Again
Several weeks ago, one of the two year old horses (i.e. young horse, 1st year in training), bucked me off...and I felt like a complete idiot, didn't hurt anything really but my pride and got the wind knocked out of me (I was also sore for a couple of days)...well I dubbed this horse "Bronco Billy" (I got this name from a character in a stamping set...see scrapping/stamping are in my life all.the.time.)
Anyway, Sunday, K and I decided to take a few horses over to a friend's house, we had one horse for sale and 2 younger horses (Bronco Billy being one of them). We rode, and then it was Bronco Billy's turn, and boy was he looking GOOOOOOD, and then it happened, another horse was playing and Bronco Billy thought that looked like fun, so he went to hopping and broncing (think Bronc horses...it looked very much like a postcard), K stayed on for the 1st two rounds, but the 3rd round as K was coming down, Bronco Billy was going up and they met...we heard an OOOOF...and then K pitched off the side and landed fairly softly on the ground. Bronco Billy headed for the hills...
K now has a broken rib (11th rib on his back for those of you "in the know") and it's basically painful to BREATH...soooo....everything has fallen to me, and I mean everything...down to picking his shoes up off the floor because it's too painful to bend over to pick them up, to cleaning all the stalls, riding all the horses, packing everything for the upcoming horse show...well you catch my drift.
We leave for a 2 week horse show Friday, I'll have to prepare all the horses, pack and possibly show his "debut" horse at this horse show (that's killing him more than anything)...
So if I'm noticably absent from my blog...well my plate's a bit full for right now, but not to fear, I'll return soon...in the mean time, say a little prayer for K that he heals quickly and is able to show his "debut" horse...this horse could really boost his career and our lively-hood.
Anyway, Sunday, K and I decided to take a few horses over to a friend's house, we had one horse for sale and 2 younger horses (Bronco Billy being one of them). We rode, and then it was Bronco Billy's turn, and boy was he looking GOOOOOOD, and then it happened, another horse was playing and Bronco Billy thought that looked like fun, so he went to hopping and broncing (think Bronc horses...it looked very much like a postcard), K stayed on for the 1st two rounds, but the 3rd round as K was coming down, Bronco Billy was going up and they met...we heard an OOOOF...and then K pitched off the side and landed fairly softly on the ground. Bronco Billy headed for the hills...
K now has a broken rib (11th rib on his back for those of you "in the know") and it's basically painful to BREATH...soooo....everything has fallen to me, and I mean everything...down to picking his shoes up off the floor because it's too painful to bend over to pick them up, to cleaning all the stalls, riding all the horses, packing everything for the upcoming horse show...well you catch my drift.
We leave for a 2 week horse show Friday, I'll have to prepare all the horses, pack and possibly show his "debut" horse at this horse show (that's killing him more than anything)...
So if I'm noticably absent from my blog...well my plate's a bit full for right now, but not to fear, I'll return soon...in the mean time, say a little prayer for K that he heals quickly and is able to show his "debut" horse...this horse could really boost his career and our lively-hood.
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