Welcome to The Garden of Egan

{Cell Phone Saturday}

2012-01-28T13:43:00.002-07:00

The first time I saw Cell Phone Saturday was on Gigi's blog.
I loved it!
I haven't posted any before because I just got a new phone.

(Did I mention I got a new iPhone?)

I've been putting it to good use.

I was babysitting Lexi and she had on her Camo hat and Angel wings watching Tangled.

I "caught" my co-worker taking a little nap.
She wasn't happy with me when I took it....I think I won't tell her I blogged it.

This is a look of distain from my kitty after having his picture taken.

LDS Missionaries biking come rain or shine.

Totally fitting to have a picture of the cell phone on Cell Phone Saturday.

iLove iThing !!!

2012-01-23T01:00:00.008-07:00

After a few years of the Android thing....

I'm the proud new owner of the iThing!

It has caused a great deal of contention with my tech-savvy hubby
and oldest tech-savvy son.
Both of whom have said "we refuse to be your tech-support!"
(Like I would ever need their help!)

My hubby even said, "don't get one of those iThings!"
He thinks the iAndroid thingy is far superior.

My hubby is iHurt.
He thinks I'm an iTraitor.

He might think I'm over the top!

iDon't know what he's talking about!

iMight have had a bit of trouble when I was trying to set it up and use it for the first time.

And he was sitting right next to me ignoring me...

iMight have been frustrated a bit and muttering under my breath.

But iRefused to ask Mr. iWouldn't-be-caught-dead-with-an-iThing for help!

iThink it was hurtful when I asked Siri how to set up iCloud and she didn't know what I was talking about and Mr. iAndroid-Forever choked on his glass of water.

Talk about iRude!
But iForgive him.

He's out of town right now.
*iSniffle*.

iMiss you!

ME AND MY BIG MOUTH!

2012-01-20T12:28:00.001-07:00

Last post....sunshine.
The last four days........bitter cold wind.
I really shouldn't complain though.
I have yet to shovel snow this year!
I KNOW!
While many have been buried in snow.
Not us.

All around us road closures.
School closures.

Here, I'm raking lawn.
It's brown and ugly, but it is lawn!

I complained so much last year,
the weather must have been afraid to snow.

And speaking of my big mouth......

I just want to remind everyone that there are still tickets available to attend The Story @ Home Conference!
March 8-10 2012 in Salt Lake.
It is two days of workshops, lectures and entertainment. It's about telling your stories and family history and blogging!
I am looking forward to going and putting faces with those blogs I love reading and hanging out with bloggers I have met!
There's a gift package available that includes the ticket and hotel.
Click on the links to get more info.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

2012-01-16T16:54:00.001-07:00

It's the middle of January.
We've had no snow.
None for Christmas.
46 degree days.
Unheard of!

I enjoyed a long slog today.
My FITBIT says I went over 6 miles.

I'm not complaining.
In fact,
I'm requesting NO SNOW.
January is nearly over.

Let's not bother.
Shall we?

PUNCH DRUNK!!!!

2012-01-11T22:42:00.007-07:00

Have you ever been so tired that you are
you know...
PUNCH DRUNK?

It's that feeling when things that wouldn't normally be funny
are so stinkin' hilarious.

And you feel like you are totally the comedian.

Ya!
That feeling.

That was me today.
At work.

The ER is often PUNCH DRUNK fodder.

It can get crazy and out of control in seconds.
Like today.
And yesterday.

The encounter that left me PUNCH DRUNK???

The drunk.
(Oh, and he was high on a buncha stuff too.)

And he called me a name.
(Like...THE name.)
And all I could do was laugh.
And I started his IV....and it brought a smile to my face.

My only experience of drugs and alcohol is second hand.
From my patients.
Seeing it is enough to make me NEVER want to experience it.

We were trying to figure out what to do with this guy.
He'd been there ~~forever!~~ awhile.
AND
He'd tipped over his urinal.
AND
Pulled out his IV.
(I don't need to describe the mess.)

Did I mention he'd been there awhile?

The doc went into the room and found him....

drinkin' a beer!
He'd stashed it in his backpack!

By this time I have tears running down my face.
Cuz I'm punch drunk!

I made my co-worker pose for me.

She's holding the confiscated beer!
Not funny?
Really?
Maybe ya had to be there.

MY WORD!

2012-01-04T06:30:00.003-07:00

It sorta just came to me last night.
I was thinking about the thing I needed most
at this time in my life.

The top of the list would be a greater capacity for:

Understanding
Patience
Unconditional love
Service
Peace
Knowing when I've done all I can, then leave the rest up to the Lord.
Forgiving
Pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

And for my New Year's Resolution:
Put myself on the top of the "take care of" list.

I NEED A WORD!

2012-01-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

Everyone has a word of the year!
I'm feeling pressure to get one.
But my brain is mush.

I want something to inspire me.

It's going to be a hard year with some hard things.
That's just the things I know about
Pretty sure there are some other tough things in
the works that I don't know about.

So I'm just looking for the perfect word.

I love Momza's
and Cherie's
and Keeley's

I thought about "hang on tight" but that's three words.

I haven't even thought about resoulutions yet!
I better get busy!

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:55:00.002-07:00

I would show pictures of all the wild partying....
But that would be a HIPPA violation.
(Patient privacy and all)

Today the patient load appears to be complaints of "over-indulgences"
Of varying forms.

We did have a quiet evening at home and decided we were too old and fuddy duddy to stay up till the bewitching hour.
Sleep is the new celebration.

Happy 2012

REVIEW of 2011

2011-12-31T06:22:00.002-07:00

Just a recap of the most exciting moments of each month of this year.
January
Having all the kids come home was the best.

February
Finding 6 tubes of Carmex in my purse.

Our -21 weather was memorable too.

March
I discovered that my smartphone autocorrects my name
to Tsunami. Best day ever!

April
My love for Peanut M&M's and Lexi's wedgie.

Both awesome!

May
Without a doubt....being able to go to Florida.

June
Celebrating our anniversary!

July
Had to be the wedding of child #4.

August
Attempting the climb to Table Rock.

September
Had to be getting CHICKENS!

I love them still!

October
Canning. Lots of it.

November
My dad turning 80.

December
The best part of the year.
Celebrating the birth of the Savior.

It has been a great year!

HILARIOUS!

2011-12-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR

2011-12-28T18:54:00.003-07:00

I read this book when I was in high school. It was a favorite called Charlie's Monument by Blaine Yorgason.
At the end of the book was this poem.
I loved it then and I love it still.

Since I print my blog into a book, I wanted to be sure to have this in it.
It had a profound effect on me as a teenager.

God,
before He sent his children to earth
gave each of them
a very carefully selected package
of problems.

These,
He promised, smiling,
are yours alone. No one
else may have the blessings
these problems will bring you.

And only you
have the special talents and abilities
that will be needed
to make these problems
your servants.

Now go down to your birth
and to your forgetfulness, know that
I love you beyond measure.
These problems that I give you
are a symbol of that love.

The monuments you make of your life,
with the help of your problems,
will be a symbol of your
love for me.

Your Father.

A CHRISTMAS POEM

2011-12-21T08:29:00.007-07:00

Twas five days before Christmas
and all through the house...
The shopping's NOT done.
I feel like a louse.

The days off from the Emergency Room
were planned to the MAX!
Wrapping presents and cooking
and taking time to relax.

But what occured was NOT in the plan
A trip to the hospital to spend days with my dad.
"What's with that cardiac rhythm?"
Turns out it's not that bad.

So back to work I go,
for three upcoming days.
Still have lots to do,
I'm sure we'll find a way.

What is really the best...
in this crazy time of year,
is loved ones and health
and "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

So things might not be perfect.
Things just might be late.
The chocolates still sit...
please try not to hate.

Things might not be what I wanted.
Things will remain somewhat undone.
But the things that matter most,
Is the Birth of the Son.

Merry CHRISTmas 2011

Chocolate Winner..............

2011-12-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

BARBALOOT!
Barbaloot said...
Ooh ooh-a chance to win some of your chocolate!!

What if you use the new space to put season boards up---like Merry Christmas, Happy Easter, God Bless America...?

Or put up a family picture?

Email me with your address!

A CRAZY NEIGHBOR ELF!

2011-12-16T11:42:00.001-07:00

During the summer an ~~crazy neighbor~~ elf hung an ornament on a tree by my front steps.
She didn't think I'd notice.
But I thought "I'll show her and leave it there"

And I did!
Since July!
Well this week I got home late on Wednesday and noticed a companion ornament!

(pretty huh?)
Yesterday you'll never guess!

That's right!
ANOTHER ORNAMENT!
Ok, now I'm on a mission to catch ~~my crazy neighbor~~ elf!
I'm gonna spy.
I'm gonna be vigilant and catch her in the act!
I'm home for a few days so I'll be able to catch the sneaker.

DANG! Just ran outside to get the mail and "lo and behold....."

I don't know how that little elf does it!

I know there are homes "out there" that have houses lit up choreographed with music and all that stuff, but I'm pretty sure NO ONE has more awesomeness in their yard than I do!

And no one has a more awesome ~~crazy neighbor~~ ELF than I do!
I just love you ~~RUTH!~~ ELF!

Cars are starting to drive by loaded up with their little ones to admire the display.
I might NEVER take them down!

(oh, and go to the previous post to enter to win some hand-dipped chocolate!)

HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS FINALLY DOWN!

2011-12-12T17:49:00.005-07:00

You think I'm kidding?
Well.....I'm not.

Life has been a little too busy.
Work really cramps my style.
I just wanna play all the time.

The tree is up.
Candice is cleaning the house (AWESOMENESS!)
And I did a little crafting today.

I made a tree-skirt.
I copied it from Red Hen Home who saw it on Pinterest from here.
Red Hen's was so DARLING.
I knew I had to make one.

A little burlap and red fabric....

.....and a bunch of hot glue sticks.
(Did you know that surgical gloves keep you from getting burned on hot glue?)

It felt good to craft!

I also took down my SWAG.
We've had it for a million years.
It may be older than Candice.

I loved it because it took up a lot of room on my large living room wall.
My children noticed that it is ALL of the family pictures.
(It really is!!!!)

I'm tempted to cut it up into small pieces and give it to the SPAWN for Christmas.

In honor of the SWAG going away I'm going to have a CHOCOLATE GIVEAWAY.
It's some of my own hand-dipped chocolates.
All you need to do is leave a comment telling me what in the heck am I going to put on my wall!

I'll random.org the winner on Saturday.

MY FRIEND IS A DIPper!

2011-12-11T09:14:00.003-07:00

On Tuesday afternoon Kimmie came over to the house to learn how to play in chocolate.
She was a quick study.

It was fun to hang out and talk about our families.

She was so excited to add another skill to the list of things that she does so well.

And she is just DANG nice!
She's an awesome dipper!
Go over to her blog to get great recipes and ideas.
She's pretty amazing.

Sa-WEET!

2011-12-06T11:13:00.001-07:00

Let the dipping ~~begin~~ continue!
Caramel

Before dipping...

After dipping.
Butter Toffee

Any recipe that requires 4 cubes of butter....'nuff said!
Orange Cream
Butter Cream
Dipped Cinnamon Santas...

be careful when spelling Santa...or you'll get Satan.
Caramel-dipped-chocolate-dipped pretzel rods...

I hope to finish on Friday.
Then I really should put up a tree and decorate the house.

Butter Toffee

1 C water
2 C sugar
4 cubes of butter

Stir and bring to boil. Once it starts to boil DO NOT STIR.
Cook until it reaches 290-300 degrees with a candy thermometer.

Pour over parchment paper.
Let cool.
Spread with melted chocolate and let cool again.
Turn over and spread the other side.
Let cool.
Then drop it to break it into pieces. (fun part!)

FRIENDS AND WEDDINGS

2011-12-03T15:52:00.005-07:00

I met Connie a couple of years ago at the CBC.

(Kazzy, Connie and me.)
I also met Camille, Connie's daughter.

(Isn't she purty?
And what's with that deer-in-the-headlight look????)
I met up with Connie about a year ago. She came to Gigi's sisters funeral.
We both wanted to be there to support Gigi.

The amazing thing about blogging friends is that I seem to gravitate to women that inspire and motivate me to be better, kinder and teach me something.
Last night I got to meet Connie again.
Her sweet daughter Camille married a boy from my hometown!
Did I remember my camera?
NO!
Did I get a picture of the bride and groom?
NO!
Thank goodness for cell phone cameras.

Connie's husband said that he is amazed by the blogging phenomenon.
Ya, me too.
The reception was beautiful and the cupcakes were delicious.
I was a little frazzled because I was trying to keep my 3 year old granddaughter in sight.
Note the jars in my hands.
Connie's own apricot jam, grape jelly and juice!
I totally scored!
Since I have met up with Connie three times now, I'm thinking we'll be going to the all family reunions!
I'll probably get to see her more often because Camille is living here!

IS IT REALLY DECEMBER?

2011-12-01T20:54:00.005-07:00

How is that possible?
Haven't decorated or shopped.

I did do a couple of crafts. (M-Cat would be proud.)
Inspired by Connie at Shady Creek Lane.

I bought 50 pounds of chocolate to dip.

I must be insane.
Maybe I'll do all of those things after I watch the best Christmas show ever.

Claymation Christmas!
Most hilarious show ever!

He's 80!

2011-11-28T14:27:00.005-07:00

We celebrated my dad's 80th birthday yesterday.
How is that possible that he's 80?
In my profession 80 is ancient.
Often I'll be taking care of patients in the ER that are much younger than my dad and have poor health.
80 sounds old.
My dad seems young.
Maybe it's cuz he's immature.
Totally.

Mom is 76 and Dad is 80!
He's sold cars,
insurance,
carpets,
he could sell manure to a bull.
No lie.
He was so good at selling "stuff" that he decided to go out on his own.
When I was in high school he went to Auction school.
He did extremely well in that business.
Traveled all over the country doing auctions.
Huge ones.
I still can't understand a thing he says.
But I do know I've bought a bunch of stuff I didn't want just cause I was brushing away hair from my face.

Here he is auctioning at a family reunion. I bought a single can of Pepsi for $20.00!
He's an awesome grandpa and my kids all have great memories of fun they've had with him.

Happy Birthday DAD!

HOLY PIE

2011-11-26T13:37:00.004-07:00

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Friday.

"Thanks for the Apple Pie Nita!"
She knows how unSTELLAR my pies are and she took pity.
I must be world renown for making horrid pies.
Just as we were sitting down to eat, the mailman stopped by with this box.

?
So I opened it right then.
Inside.....

A homemade PECAN PIE!
I am not lying!
Packaged so carefully.
From Gigi in Georgia.
She had told me earlier than every good Southern woman who is worth anything at all serves a Pecan Pie.

The packaging was a feat in perfect engineering.

Unbelievable.
Not a scratch on it and because it's so stinkin' cold here it was perfectly preserved.
I laughed.
Then I cried.
Then I ate.
Then I converted to the truthfulness of being a Southern Woman.
And of Pecan Pie!
And Apple Pie.
And many other pies.
Today I suffer from Pie Coma.
Amen.

AND SPEAKING OF THANKSGIVING

2011-11-22T08:13:00.010-07:00

Just a few NURSELY tips to pass along.

MY TOP TEN TIPS TO HELP YOU HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING DAY!

#10 Give yourself plenty of time to arrive over the river and through the woods.
(Of course all of the occupants in the vehicle are seat-belted in and the driver is NOT allowed to text)

#9 Think of that knife as a carving tool. It carves....stuff.
'nuff said.

#8 Take a baby aspirin everyday. (I'm serious)
It's good for your heart.

#7 If you haven't been off the couch for the last 12 months and think that you are up to playing football with the nephews and grandsons after eating massive amounts of dinner....think again.

#6 On that same note...if there is a lot of heavy snow coming down and you think you want to go out and shovel the driveway cuz-you-need-to-have-a-break-from-the-noise-and-chaos inside....think again.

#5 Chew your food 1000 times before swallowing. (you heard me right)

#4 The stove is hot. No double-dog dares to see how long you can keep your hand on it.

#3 Consider the lid of the green bean can a weapon. You know what I'm talking about don't ya?

#2 Have some immodium, tylenol, earache medicine, Motrin AND gas X on hand. Most stores are closed and the ER has them, but you will probably have a long wait because of all the other above mentioned STUFF. And your need for gas X doesn't trump someone who only chewed their food 999 times, no matter how differently you feel about it.

AND THE #1 NURSELY TIP FOR THANKSGIVING DAY.....
.....Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.
Get that turkey off the bone and in the fridge before the dishes get cleared.

I'll be working all day on Thanksgiving.
I don't wanna see ya there!

BUT, you are more than welcome to have a bite with us on the day after, we'll be celebrating that day. There will be so many of us that I won't notice another couple of dozen.

And while I'm thinking about the things that I'm grateful for.
It was freezing cold here last night.
Bitter cold.

I'm thankful for my HOT hubs!
My feet are always cold.

I KNOW IT'S AN EMERGENCY ROOM

2011-11-17T21:28:00.007-07:00

It's there for a reason.

And there is some stuff that I feel more comfortable doing
than other stuff.

"run of the mill" stuff.

Stuff that you expect in an Emergency Room.
Stuff that we do frequently.

Birthin' a baby.
That's the other stuff.
Birthin' a baby in a car....
that is really way out there-what-the-heck-and-why-did-you-wait-so-long-and-park-right-in-the-main-entrance-and-I-haven't-run-that-fast-in-years-and-.... the ER doc clamped the cord of the already delivered baby and did the hand off to me. I made the little guy cry...love crying babies...and got him out of our November cold.

It wasn't really just another normal day of stuff in the ER.

Just sayin'.

I'VE LOST A WEEK!

2011-11-15T21:02:00.004-07:00

Seriously!
It's gone.

I have no idea where I put it.

On Sunday I signed up to bring a meal for a family on Tuesday the 15th.
"No biggie. That's like a week and a half away."
I even wrote it down in my planner so I would remember in a week and a half.
Dentist appointment, a week and half away.
Then yesterday I realized.....
"no, that's this week!"

Where did my week go?
I checked my purse, closet, pockets and the junk drawer.
Can't find it.

Thanksgiving is NEXT week!
What?
I guess I better quit looking for the week and just get busy.
(I thought my husband and my mother were overly concerned about the menu and food assignments.
Sheesh, Thanksgiving is like WEEKS away. Chill!)

Thanksgiving will be spent in the Emergency Room,
but dinner is being hosted the next day
at my home.
Black Friday indeed.

If you find my week....
would you kindly return it?

I'M NOT CAPABLE OF NORMAL

2011-11-12T16:08:00.008-07:00

Howie flew home last night.
He always texts me when he gets to the airport to head home.

Yesterday afternoon I received this text:
He's the yellow text box, I'm the blue.

Seriously, I cracked myself up!
Who knew that the Periodic Table could be so fun???
(AND who knew I would ever use it after I received my Bachelors?)
And then another text a few hours later:

(Again, I think I'm pretty funny.)
AND still one more:

(On the Periodic Table Copper is Cu.
Get it? C. U. ....see you there....)
Ok, maybe it was only funny at 10:30 last night after a 12-hour shift in the ER.
And last picture.
Taken this afternoon in the backyard.

(Photo challenge from Gigi to take pictures of fences.)

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

2011-11-10T21:11:00.005-07:00

I work with a doctor that is helping his son earn money for his mission and college tuition.
By growing wheat.
He's not a farmer, but they grew wheat.

He knows I'm a breadmaker so he offered some to me so I could make some bread and give him an honest opinion of his wheat.

So I got home from work and ground some wheat.

"Very pretty wheat doc! Thanks!"
After it was ground I mixed it and baked it.

Start to finish 2 hours.
That includes clean up.
Doesn't everyone make their own bread and grind their own wheat?
(except NITA!)
I told the doc that I would make his family a batch of bread.
My recipe makes ~~four~~ three loaves.

ZCMI Whole Wheat Bread
5 1/2 C hot water
2/3 C cooking oil
2/3 C honey
2 Tbs salt
3 Tbs instant yeast
2 Tbs lecithin (usually I forget)
1/2 C vital wheat gluten (usually I forget)
11-14 C whole wheat flour (really doc, your wheat is great!)
Put into 4 bread pans and bake at 350 degrees for 42 minutes. Take out of pans, butter the top. Let cool and enjoy.

I'M A TALL TWO YEAR OLD!

2011-11-07T09:33:00.004-07:00

I read somewhere that someone that is tired is just a tall two year old.

I'm cranky.
I'm having a tantrum.
If you don't want cranky or a tantrum today...
turn the page.

I think it started Thursday with the city I live in.
I was informed that my "pile" of wood was on city property.
"Uh, it's not a pile, it's stacked on my property."
We've stacked wood in the alley against our fence for 20 years.
Apparently Thursday they wanted it changed.
Saturday, Howie was home for the weekend.
We spent the afternoon moving wood.
Still another stack to go.

While we were outside the Mayor of the town came by.
He was campaigning.
I invited him into the house.
Then took him through the house.
And out to the alley.
I showed him our stack that remained.
I also show him the phone poles and bushes that stick out further than my wood.
He agreed, that we needn't have moved the wood.
And that it didn't encroach upon "city" property.
Rich, you have my vote tomorrow!

Speaking of the alley,
It's being driven down like the Indy 500.
As this town has grown, so have the creative ways to get from one place to another.
It's an ALLEY people!
For some reason the alley has turned into a damn thoroughfare.
(Yes I said damn.)

Cars should not drive through alleys like that.
I have had two cats killed in that alley the last three months.
Yes, my toilet paper destroying cat.

I miss them.

Another reason for the crankiness.
I'm tired of Howie being gone all the time.
He's been gone for more weeks this year than he's been home.
He's my best friend.
He's my lover.
He's my foot warmer.
He's my fixer guy.

He left again yesterday afternoon.

And I hate the daylight savings time change!
I don't love it dark at 5:00 PM!

And it's freezing cold outside!
And gray!

And I can't make Toll House Cookies.
They turn out flat and horrible!

I know, I have so much and am so blessed.
We are employed.
And the traveling will end.
And we are healthy.
I truly know that.

BUT today....
I'm a tall two year old.
And I need a nap.

Maybe after I've read this I'll delete it.
Or not.

Dipped Cinnamon Bears

2011-10-31T17:35:00.002-06:00

Not really a fan of Halloween.
But it's the last day of the month.
I needed to get some Visiting Teaching done.
And a birthday gift delivered.
So I dipped some cinnamon bears.

Because there certainly isn't enough candy in the stores.

It was nice to get out the marble slab and play in chocolate.

It was easy and fun.

(Not sure what I was thinking when I ended up dipping 5 trays though.)
Happy Halloween!

I. CAN'T. STOP. CANNING!

2011-10-28T19:19:00.000-06:00

Today.

Huckleberry Syrup.

OK.
Now I am done.
I think.

The Winner of the Cherish Bound Ticket!!!!!

2011-10-27T20:56:00.004-06:00

I have a winner of the ticket of the Cherish Bound Story at Home Conference.

Congratulations to Renee at Singing with the Birds!!!

She's an amazing blogger and cook and come to find out she used to live here
and we were sorta neighbors
and our kids hung out!!!
BUT I didn't appreciate how wonderful she was until she moved.
Sounds like a sad country western song don't it?
Congratulations Renee.
Email me and I'll send you the details of the ticket!

I THOUGHT I WAS DONE CANNING

2011-10-26T20:05:00.003-06:00

But I wasn't.
I was given a jar of Apple Syrup.
Oh my YUMMINESS!
It tastes heavenly on pancakes.

So I juiced all my apples from our two trees and made some.
Ain't it purty?
Then I made some more!

38 pints of the stuff!
NOW I'm done!

Apple Syrup
5 C apple juice
7 1/2 C sugar
Boil one minute
Add one packet of Certo
Boil two minutes.
Add 3-4 drops of red food coloring.
Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal.

ONE OF THESE {THINGS}

2011-10-25T06:29:00.001-06:00

.....is NOT like the other.

Holy ~~COW~~ chicken!
It was pretty eggsciting to see such a sight in the
Garden of EGGan.

It was EGGnormous!
Totally made my day.
Probably the chicken's day too.

{CHOCOLATE}

2011-10-22T00:19:00.001-06:00

Oh, I guess I do
Have a chocolate bar bigger than my head.

A ten pound brick of the most fabulous chocolate ever.
I need three more of them.

So I can do this...

And this...

So I have this...

For this...

Not many shopping days left.
(OK, that makes me twitch a little.)

WHY in the WORLD Do I Have a Blog?

2011-10-13T05:04:00.009-06:00

I have no idea!

(image swiped from Pinterest)
This is so descriptive of my blog.
I have NOTHING to say.

I just feel compelled to spill things out of my brain
so it doesn't leak.

It's my 1st Amendment Right.

I'm nothing specific.
I have no genre.
(I love saying genre. It makes me sound bilingual.)
In fact, I would say that my blog is downright weird.

One minute I'm being all sentimental about writing on a brand new calendar and the next I'm stressing about naming my chickens!
That is 1st Amendment Weird!

There are blogs I go to because they are
crafting blogs
cooking blogs
learn how to can blogs
writing blogs
photography blogs ("be higher up than your subjects when you take the photo or you'll give them a double chin.") Best advice EVER!
inspiring blogs
raising kids blogs
....you name it.
It's out there.

I even have a friend who I love to blog with and she's done all of the above.
AND...
She's been to Pioneer Woman's Lodge and stayed!
Ya, amazing, I know!

There have been sad things too.
Blogger friends that have lost people they love.
I've cried with them.

I've even met people through blogging!
I know......weird, right?

Two bloggy buds stayed here while they attended functions at the nearby university or went to weddings.
Another blog buddy stopped by while she was in town visiting her daughter.
Then I went to St. George and met more fabulous women.
Had not met any of them previously, but when we did we picked up conversations like we'd known each other for years.

Nearly two years ago, I did something that for me was totally out of character.

I attended the CBC.
A bloggers conference.

People go to events like that all over the country.
Not me.

I HATE meeting people.

Maybe I should re-phrase.

I'm terrified of meeting people.
Anxiety-attack-terrified.
Heart-pounding "what was I thinking" terrified.

But there were so many blogs that were so interesting/hilarious/inspiring to me.

I wanted to meet some of these people.
And I don't have any sisters.
(Only an older brother.
So I'm basically an only child, right?)

So I went.

It was the best time.
I learned about photography, writing, blogging tips
AND
I met such nice amazing people.

As you can tell...

it was a completely serious

and dignified event.

100% hilarious!

AND I won some REALLY cool stuff.
You can read about Tauna-overcomes-her-fear-of-people here.

I went to Bear Lake last year and met up with a few other bloggers.

Another best time!
Gigi and Wendy even came!

I haven't been sorry that I've met any of these fabulous people.
Ever.
They are like the sisters I've never had.

So imagine my excitement when I found out there was going to be another Blogging Conference!

My ticket is bought and I'm ready to go.
I plan on meeting up with some old friends and making some new ones and having a ton of fun!
(Is it OK to use the word old and refer to tonnage when talking about friends?)
We plan on having so much fun we might get kicked out of the state!

This Conference is Cherish Bound.
It's a conference about storytelling and sharing your story.

It will be held March 9-10 of 2012 in the LDS Conference Center and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
If you have a family and you want to preserve their history or write about your family, you want to go.

If you have a blog, you want to go.

The classes they have planned sound great.

Do you have to be LDS to be able to attend?
NO!
It is open to everyone that wants to be able to write about their family, learn blogging tips or learn about family history.

Even better
I have been given a ticket by Cherish Bound.
I already bought my ticket.
So I'm giving this ticket away!

You get 3 chances to win.

Chance #1:
Leave a comment on my blog telling me you would LOVE to go and promise that you'll let me have your autograph.

Chance #2:
Like Cherish Bound on Facebook.

Chance #3:
Put the Cherish Bound Button on your sidebar.
That's it!

I'll close this drawing on the 27th.
(Why the 27th?
I have a haircut that day and I'm pretty excited about it.)

Now enter!
Pack your bags!
Get a babysitter!
Put some meals in the freezer!
I'd love to meet you!

If you have further questions or want more details you can contact DeNae@denaehandy.com or Carol Rice

Empty Nest

2011-10-11T00:02:00.001-06:00

They finally are named!
Steve

Bewwa (also known as Bella)
Lexi named her.

Scawwop (also known as Scallop. For the scallop around her neck)
Also named by Lexi.

And last but certainly not least:
Elvis

And speaking of Empty Nest...
...not a single egg today.
Someone's slackin'.

Sometimes...........

2011-10-10T09:33:00.002-06:00

Mother Nature is just RUDE!

(Looking down my back steps. I had been in the hospital all day with my MIL and "missed" the snowing, but didn't miss the evidence left behind.
But then again....
Sometimes grandMOTHER NATURE is rude too!

I believe it's my duty to post embarassing blackmail pictures of my children or grandchildren at every opportunity.
Mission accomplished!
Lexi spent the weekend with me.
She totally rocks the underwear on her head.

(This is some of the arsenal I'm using throughout their lives to keep them from dating until they are 35.)

Myrtle

2011-10-05T08:51:00.007-06:00

First off, let me start by saying
I love my days off!
No doctors.
No hospitals.
None of that jazz.

Who's Myrtle?

Myrtle is my sweet mother in law.
She'll be 91 in two weeks.
She's an amazing woman.

She had 10 children.

Thirty years ago she buried her husband.
Within 5 years of the death of her sweetheart,
she also buried four of her children.

She's never lost her faith, her sense of humor and her kindness.

For the last month or so I've been going to Pocatello, about 80 miles away and taking her to various doctors and having various tests so she could get clearance for a new knee.

So on my days off..
I've been around doctors and hospitals.

Today I wait in a WAITING ROOM.

Waiting.

Because that's what you do here.
Unless you're blogging.
(But there is no BLOGGING ROOM.)

We've put on a lot of miles over this last month, Myrtle and I.

Her other family has been out of town/state/country.
We've visited and laughed and enjoyed ourselves.
It's been a joy.
And a privilege.

My sweet nearly 91 year old Mother in Law.
Not a wrinkle on her face!
Waiting for her new bionic knee.

Her Cardiologist wants to see her in 3 months.
He wants to race her.
But she had to promise to give him a head start.
Love you Dr. Stutts!

So here I am
In a Waiting Room.
Being with other patients and families.

Waiting.

In a different hospital than my own.

It is interesting having the tables turned.
Deciding if I like Myrtle's nurse.
Is she nice?
Is she gentle?
Is she good at IV's?
If she isn't will I be nice?

(She was good, so I didn't have to ~~smack her~~ see if I was going to be nice or not.)

I've discovered a universal truth as
I've spent hours and miles during all this medical stuff.

"Sometimes doctors are NOT jerks."
.......but sometimes............

DEAR GARDEN......

2011-10-03T23:04:00.008-06:00

FREEZE WILL YA?

I canned 36 pints of salsa on Saturday.
I really do love to can.
It's a ton of work.
It probably doesn't save me a dime.
BUT...

I've never found a store that carries a peach preserve with jalapenos and pineapple.

Ya, sounds icky.

But you pour this over Cream Cheese and serve with Ritz Crackers.
Seriously.
You'll want to name your firstborn after it.

We spent Saturday putting finishing touches on the Chick ChaLAY

(Isn't that the sweetest face?)
I do have some decorating to finish.
I was thinking about gingham curtains.

I also canned 36 pints of chicken.

NO NO!
Not my chickens.
Probably some of the kinfolk though.

I also loved listening to General Conference this weekend.
It was great to hear the messages from our Church Leaders.
Things I needed to hear.

I'll spend tomorrow getting all the tomatoes and cucumbers out of the garden to finish ripening.

It's supposed to snow on Friday.

I hope to have the tomatoes ripen slowly throughout the coming weeks and enjoy a fresh tomato long after the snow flies.

The zucchini that's left in the garden?
It can stay where it lays!

MY JEALOUS HEART

2011-09-29T16:16:00.005-06:00

For years I've had envy.
And jealousy.

I've wanted something I couldn't have.
I KNOW! Breaking one of the Ten Commandments!

Who have I been jealous of?
MacDonald. (as in Old)
I wanted to live the life of Old MacDonald.

I was raised in the country.
My happiest childhood memories were being at my grandmother's home.
Nestled in the Sawtooth Mountains.

After I was married we spent some time out in that same beautiful country. We farmed and had dairy cows.
The stars were big and the air was fresh.

I have always tried to be a bit of a farmer even though we live in town.

I would go out and check the crops.

I canned what I could.

Like my grandmother.

And mother.

But my life seemed incomplete.
My heart was still jealous.

I wanted chickens.
I wanted to be able to go and gather eggs.
From my very own chickens.

I ~~nagged~~ begged Howie for years.
Then I started emailing him all these cute pictures of chicken coops.

The ~~nagging~~ begging continued.
For years.
I told him if I could get me a few hens he would never have to buy me another birthday gift.

Or anniversary gift.

Or St. Patricks Day gift.

Or Christmas gift.

EVER!

Then out of the blue...

A month ago...

Howie announced he would commence building a Chicken Sitter!!!

My grandson acting like a chicken.
It was a painful month waiting for it to be done!
He has traveled extensively and would get home and work each Saturday.

Thank you Steve for ~~goading~~ encouraging him! You were the best Project Manager!

My kids are pretty sure I'm crazy.
I've had some raised eyebrows from the neighbors.
There are two other families in the neighborhood with chickens, so I'm not the first crazy person on the block.

Monday night we FINALLY got 4 chickens.
I love them!
They love being scratched.
And talked to.

I absolutely love hearing them cluck and cackle.
It's a comforting sound.
It's a sound of contentment.
They have hilarious personalities.
(They remind me of people.)

Meet Steve. In honor of Steve, the Project Manager.

Steve is the black one. A Barred Rock.
She lays brown eggs.
She also has an attitude.
She's the first one to lay an egg every day.
Very competitive.

I'm unsure what to name the other ones.
But I think they are beautiful.

I know, I live in town.
Near a university.
With lots of traffic and noise.

Maybe this is just my way of slowing my world down.

And best of all...

From my very own chickens!!!!!

Dinner tonight?
Quiche.

AND Howie already has his Christmas shopping done!

Another NORMAL Day in the 'Hood

2011-09-19T21:26:00.005-06:00

Is having an ambulance in your driveway normal?

How 'bout Bagpipers?

NO?

Well, you should have been at our annual block party.
"Thanks Madison County Pipe Band!
Thanks for being great Firefighters and Paramedics!
And playing Amazing Grace.
It gave me chills...
and tears.
You sounded unbelievable.
You ALL ROCK!"

You could have met my wonderful neighbors.
AND you could have seen my crazy neighbor, LaRae playing with the sirens and lights in the ambulance!

Speaking of cute...

"Hi Little Man!"

TRUTH in ADVERTISING

2011-09-16T16:04:00.006-06:00

A few weeks ago I was perusing some blogs and came across this post by The Amazing Mrs. B.

CONTAINS ODOR-FIGHTING "ATOMIC ROBOTS" THAT "SHOOT LASERS" AT YOUR "STENCH MONSTERS" AND REPLACES THEM WITH FRESH CLEAN, MASCULINE "SCENT ELVES."

Hilarious!!!

I immediately went to my hubby's shaving kit and pulled out his OLD SPICE deodorant.

"If your grandfather hadn't worn it, you wouldn't be here."

OK, that was funny too!

It made me realize I should be more observant in my purschases.

You never know when you are going to pass up a chance for a good belly-laugh!

A few weeks ago I posted about our adventures hiking to Upper Palisades Lake.
We took Bear Spray.

Also known as Bear Deterrent.

The instructions are interesting.

They are very detailed and specific about how you should behave if you are being chased by a bear.

Among my favorite:
"do not run from a bear, don't try"

"climb a tree only if you can climb higher than 10 feet"

"do not spray deterrent into the wind"

and the best one of all....

"wait until the bear is 16 feet from you until you pull the pin and begin to discharge the spray"
REALLY?????

I do think the packaging of the Bear Deterrent could be improved and I plan on calling the makers to let them know they could do better.

They need to improve it by adding this:

I'm thinking that if
you have to wait until the bear is 16 feet from you before you start spraying...
you're gonna need 'em.

9-11-2001

2011-09-11T10:58:00.006-06:00

Ten years ago.

I remember where I was and what I was doing.

Has it really been only 10 years?

Everyone was affected.
Everyone.
Differently.

Just a few years ago I was completing my Bachelor's Degree and was sitting in a religion class.
We were discussing wars in the scriptures.
The professor played this short video.

I had a son serving in Iraq at that time.
My mother-heart was frightened but I was proud.
So proud to be an American.
I sobbed during the entire video.

Take a moment to watch it, you won't be sorry.
There are several unbelievable clips on this website.
They will make YOU proud.

God Bless America.

UPPER PALISADES LAKE!

2011-09-04T23:24:00.004-06:00

AGAIN Howie took Friday off.
I could get used to this.
And we went for another "hike".
It required this:

?
The bear spray we carried is called Bear Deterrent.
Because anyone in their right mind KNOWS it's not a bear repellant,
just a deterrent.

We stopped when we were finished to see where we had been.
We went from here on the left, to here on the right.

Do you know how far that is in DOG YEARS????

Well, let me tell ya.
7.2 miles.
But there were so sheer cliff drop offs and the ~~trials~~ trails weren't nearly as bad.

Hikers are supposed to sign in before they begin.

"Hey you silly hiker people, sign this book so we know how well the wild animals are being fed.
We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
The Wild Animals"

It's also a popular horse trail.
There had been several horses.
I felt like I was in a parade.
Marching in the drill team.
Behind the horses.
I didn't take pictures.
(You're welcome.)

You stay alive, you hear me? Stay alive!
I will find you!
No matter what!
No matter how far!
I will find you!

Sorry, I had just a little of a ~~James Fennimore Cooper~~ Last of the Mohicans experience again.

I did get a little distressed when we came upon 3 cow ~~meese~~ moose and two baby moose.
Moose are ugly.
Seriously ugly.
And they had babies.
UGLY I'm tellin' ya.
Oh, ya, and there was a bull moose.
A regular Moose Reunion.
I hear moose are meaner than any bear.
I did not get a picture of the cows and their babies.

Bullwinkle is in the above picture.
But there was no close up of him.

There are two lakes at Palisades.
This is the lower lake.
It's pretty.

The upper lake was 2.7 miles further uphill.
Totally worth the climb.

So gorgeous and green and quiet.

Great place to soak the feet.

So nearly 15 miles and 9 hours later we made it!
We didn't break any speed records.

It was a great day.

Blisters and all.

Table Rock...The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

2011-08-28T23:39:00.017-06:00

Friday Howie took the day off work.
He's been saying all summer long that he wanted to go on a hike.
He LOVES the Teton Mountain Range and all things associated with it.
Hiking to Table Rock is his favorite.

Being the awesome wife that I am, I offered to go.
We got up early Friday and drove an hour and we were hiking.

So here are the facts:
-Table Rock is over 11,000 feet in elevation.
-You start at about 7,000 feet. (That's an elevation gain of over 4000 feet.)
-I'm old. (53)
-I'm outta shape.
-I'm 30...OK 40 pounds overweight.
-It's over 11 miles round trip.
(Did I mention over 11,000 feet elevation?)

Howie really wanted me to experience Table Rock.
I've never been there.

We had been hiking for about 10 minutes.
I ask..."Is this Table Rock?"

He shakes his head, does a double-eye rollover and we continue.

The scenery was beautiful.
"Are we there yet?"

I sorta expected to have Hawkeye or Chingachgook coming running through any second chasing a deer or something. It was so James Fennimore Cooperish.

The forest smelled so crisp.
"Are we there yet?"

We had to cross 4 streams.
I couldn't stand to be on the logs or the rocks to cross the water.
I got so dizzy watching the water rushing by, so I just walked through the water.
(I had dry socks thankfully.)

Interesting rock cairns along the way.
Apparently they are there to let you know you are on the trail.
No Forest Service signs for this place.

We snacked and drank lots of water.
We stopped occasionally for me to rest.
"Are we there yet?"
Howie ended up carrying both backpacks.
"Sorry honey".
I was feeling overwhelmed after about 3 hours of the trails.
If you could call them trails...
more like trials.

I'm thinking....who does this for fun?

It was work.
I was pretty angry with myself for being overweight
and out of shape.
But I was excited to be able to say I've been to Table Rock!

Howie was so patient.
There were a few others on the trail, but mostly it was just the two of us.

All the time we're climbing I'm thinking....
-Where can the rescue helicopter land?
-I wonder if we have cell service to call 911?
-What is the number to 911?
-What was I thinking?

After 6 hours we came to this little waterfall.

We were maybe two miles from being on Table Rock.
Up until that point we were climbing up and I wasn't looking back.
Then we hit a switchback and we're walking parallel
on the mountain.

We got to just below the snow line at the very top of the picture.
You can see where there is a rock outcropping.
I made the mistake of looking around.

Looking down...
at where we had been.
I grabbed onto the rock and sank to my knees.

I couldn't breath.
I couldn't swallow.
I was sobbing.
I was terrified.
I've never experienced anything like this ever!
I knew I wasn't being rational.
In my right mind I knew I wouldn't fall off the mountain but I couldn't let go.

I knew I was afraid of heights but had no idea how badly.

Howie talked quietly with me until I was able to calm down.
I asked if this was the only steep part.

I thought maybe I could go just keep going.
"Sheesh Tauna, suck it up!"
He said no, this is just the beginning.
I tried walking going forward again.
But no.
Same thing.
I couldn't couldn't breath.
Couldn't swallow.
I couldn't let go of the rock wall I was hanging onto.

He knew that we would go no further.
(He was probably wondering what the number to 911 was too!)

So we turned around.

We were this close.

The Grand is the tall middle mountain peak and Table Rock is the flat outcropping on the right.

Howie took this picture as we turned to go back.
He tried to get me to look up at it, but the "falling" feeling continued.
I could only look at the rock I was hanging onto.
It took about a mile of looking down and just watching my feet before this sensation passed.

I had a hard time controlling my emotions because I was incredibly disappointed in myself.
Howie was just great. He kept saying that he was just happy to be able to spend the day with me.

I know thousands of people do this every year and I have friends that this is a walk in the park for them.
But I'm not one of them.
I know that I'll never do Table Rock.

It wouldn't matter if I was 10 years younger or 40 pounds lighter or in marthon shape.
That mountain would still be WAY UP!
And apparently...
I don't do UP.

I looked back up and Howie snapped a picture of that rock outcropping.
I knew that was my limit.
It seems pretty insignificant looking up at it.
I'm embarassed at such a weakness.

This is the view I didn't see.

This is the view standing on top of Table Rock.
I took this off Google images.

It was pretty sobering for me.
I thought I was pretty tough.
Not so.
I fought the "ROCK" and the ROCK won.

It was a long 10 hour hike.
Howie carried two backpacks.
AND helped someone change a flat tire on our way home.
(Did I get a winner or did I get a winner!)

But in the end....

I tried something I'd never done before.
Ya, I was a quitter...
But that's OK.

And he didn't leave me on the mountain.

I'M PROBABLY LOSING MY MIND

2011-08-22T20:47:00.002-06:00

Or at least I'm preparing for it.

I'm on a labeling frenzy.

I've had this utensil canister for years!
For.......ya know, utensils.

Apparently now I feel the need to label it.
(In case I don't know what it's for????)

And then there's these containers:

Also had flour and sugar in them for years.
My lunch bag also is labeled with my name.
In case I don't know who I am. Thanks Gigi!

I guess I'm ready to be SENILE!

BRING IT ON!

SEE HOW THEY'VE GROWN!

2011-08-16T20:25:00.016-06:00

The oldest two grandsons.
A FEW years ago:

And TODAY.

(Sorry about the picture of you in undies and diapers Josh and Jaren, I couldn't help myself.)

VIEW FROM THE SINK

2011-08-15T19:26:00.013-06:00

I don't mind washing dishes so much.

I love watching the garden grow.

VIEW FROM THE FRONT DOOR

I love the Idaho sunsets.

VIEW OF THE OLDEST FOUR GRANDKIDS

The ONLY reason I plant peas in the garden every year is to see this.

VIEW OF THE TETONS

With ripening grain. Another reminder of Fall.

VIEW OF A MULE TRAILER

Don't be offended, but I giggled.
(Doesn't take much to entertain me.)

It Made me Giggle!

2011-08-07T21:39:00.007-06:00

I was passing a semi truck on the interstate the other day.

I looked at his load and thought "huh?"

(it was tied down and everything!)
And I giggled for hours.

{APPARENTLY}

2011-08-02T05:23:00.010-06:00

Apparently I was not supposed to sleep past 1:30 this morning.

Now I'm up for a long 12 hour shift.

Apparently The Garden of Egan had an ill wind blow through the corn.

It's laid flat.

Apparently Mrs Egan is completely unaware that her crockpot lid is not oven proof.

Neither was the plastic handle.

Apparently the family was not supposed to eat the Cafe Rio Pork that was in this crockpot.
Apparently Mrs Egan has also cut her own hair again.
Once again, she should not have.

Apparently Mrs. Egan needs Mr. Egan home.
He is the voice of reason in my apparent unreasonableness.

(Quite possibly I should not be allowed to administer life saving medications today.)

Dear July

2011-07-31T18:48:00.017-06:00

I love the summer evening drives with you.

I love the Patriotism in you.

I love that you bring me flowers.

I love that you make my garden grow.

I love sitting in the back yard with you.

I loved that the wedding with you was perfect.

And the couple is happy.

Most of all, I love that you've never thrown a snowball at me.

Thanks for giving me the first one of these for the year:

I've loved you this year. (Please marry me! Howie is OK with it.)
You are totally invited to stay for another few months.

The TUPPERWARE BOWL

2011-07-28T21:13:00.005-06:00

Last night I babysat Lexi.
Her mom was doing a night shift in the ICU in Idaho Falls and her daddy is in Dallas for a few months.

She played and sang and stayed up late.
Then at 0-dark-thirty she woke up.

Barfing.

It's been years since I've done the child-barfing-thing during the night.
I'm old.

But this isn't a foreign experience for me.
I'm a nurse for Pete's sake.

Patients come in all the time.
Barfing.
Clutching a Tupperware Bowl.
Using it for...
barf.

In the ER we have much more sophisticated equipment.
It's a pink basin.
Totally the latest design.

I am ALWAYS totally sicked out to see the Tupperware bowl in the ER.
Even more sicked out when they insist on taking it home when they are discharged from the ER.
Really?
Ya gonna use that thing again?

I have pink basins at home. (new ones might I add)
They are awesome for holding items like measuring cups, small lids and other miscellaneous
kitchen gadgets.

So explain this to me:

(I had to reach past a pink basin to get this.
It's clean, don't gag.

For the record.
I have one less Tupperware Bowl.

Hiking at Jenny Lake

2011-07-25T15:32:00.015-06:00

Howie will be traveling for most of August.

So Saturday we had a little getaway.
(We live within an hour and a half drive from West Yellowstone, Montana and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
We're pretty lucky.)
We picked up Lynsey and Lexi and drove through Jackson to get to Jenny Lake.
(Lynsey's hubby is in Dallas for three months.

This is the Wyoming side of the Tetons.

This is right on the lake looking up at Teewinot.

This is the "Grand" of the Grand Tetons.

It is such a rugged and stunning display of nature.
The lake was so absolutely beautiful.

Lexi insisted on walking!

And climbing.
"Inna a big gril gramma"("I'm a big girl grandma")

And climbing some more.
(Sometimes it isn't a good thing to be an ER nurse. I'm constantly worrying where the nearest hospital is. WITH GOOD REASON!)

Sometimes she insisted on NOT walking.

No worries, she didn't have to.

"I wuv you grampa."
Sometimes she was held for her own safety. And my sanity.

We stopped and had some lunch.

We made it to Hidden Falls.
So beautiful.

"It's wowd gramma" (It's loud grandma.")

We drove into Yellowstone in hopes of seeing one of these little creatures.

It was a good day!

I actually thought passed a blog friend Jody on the trail, but wasn't sure it was her. (We met briefly once for a second.)
When I saw her at the boat dock, I snapped a picture being all NCIS and stuff.

I emailed her and asked if she had been to Jenny Lake that day and if she was wearing a pink shirt.
Sure enough.
Shoulda not been shy and said hi.
Me with my oldest with her oldest. Also her only....HINT HINT Lyns!

I wish July could stay for another few months!

I'm officially old.

2011-07-24T11:04:00.005-06:00

I no longer have a teenager.
Candice turned unteen on the 22nd.
How is it that my baby girl is 20?
Or that my oldest girl is 32?
Or the 3 boys in the middle are 30, 28, 25?

I had babies that spanned over three decades.
(Makes it sound like we had dozens of kids doesn't it?

Happy Birthday Angel Baby.

You are kind and generous.
You are independant.
You are beautiful.
You are strong.
We love you!

WHAT IS IT?

2011-07-21T00:51:00.013-06:00

I was enjoying a relaxing evening on the patio.
Watching my hubs work. (My favorite thing.)
Then I saw this:

So weird!
What is it?

(Hint:
-It isn't Fall colors.
-It has a fettish for toilet paper.

Give up?

It's a bird watcher!

THE END!

AND THERE WAS KISSING.

2011-07-18T13:55:00.020-06:00

Cameron and Guen.
Just out of the temple.

They look sorta happy!

(Just a little kiss.)
Matt and Tara and their family.
Matt is the second child and oldest boy.

He and his wife were sealed in the Rexburg Temple two years ago today.

I received a lot of emails about the photo wallboard that we did.
(I got the idea on Pinterest.com)
This is it the day I finished it.
It's a 6x6 plyboard that I wallpapered.
We seached for frames of varying sizes to be able to put photos of her married sisters and parents and our married kids and ourselves.
Guen then took the pictures and copied them in Sepia and Black and White to look old.

The big frames were just holes in the wall to be able to have people come and stand in them so we could take a picture as they came to the reception.
It has been so fun to look at them.

Apparently the bride and groom weren't the only ones smooching!
(Howie's expression looks a bit "pained".)
Lynsey and Nick kissing with Miss Lexi.
Lynsey is the oldest. (And the alpha.)

More kissing.

Matt and Tara kissing!
Enough already!

Nate and Sara and their little boyz!
Nate is the 3rd child and middle son.

(My daughter-in-laws are named Tara and Sara. We teased Cameron about marrying a Lara or Kara or something like that. We are thrilled to have a Guen!)
Candice.
The baby of the family.
Our remaining unmarried child.
We're OK with that!
She'll be 20 this month. (How did I get so old?)

A picture of Howie and I with the
NEW MR. & MRS.!

The bridesmaids and groomsmen.

The bridesmaids held large sparkly pinwheels and the groomsmen wore smaller ones.

Her mom arranges her pretty dress.

This is the bride's "something blue".

Aren't her dimples the cutest ever?
Cute toes on the bride and her bridesmaids.

"Nate, you are not allowed to play with my camera again!"

"Matt! Neither are you!"

Howie with his two sisters and their husbands.

Our children with the new sister-in-law.

Can I get an "AMEN!"

HERE COMES THE BRIDE!

2011-07-13T07:00:00.015-06:00

Last minute preparations kept us busy busy busy!
The morning was gray and blustery.
BUT by the time the couple came out of the Rexburg Temple...

...it was bright and sunshiney!
Perfect day!

The ceremony wasn't until 2:00 in the afternoon, so there was very little time for a ton of pictures before the reception started at 6:30.

We did have fun with some outside photos.

As soon as we arrived home we were then busy setting up tables and chairs in the backyard, setting pots on them, last minute preparations for the food and then getting dressed.

We had a photobooth wall that everyone had to walk past and get a picture taken on their way to the guest book.

On the wall were old frames with wedding pictures of her parents and siblings that were married and us and our married children.
The big picture frames were empty of course, to be filled with candid and random shots.

Her parents...

My lover and best friend.

My 5 children NOT being normal.

The day began with Guen's feet looking like this:

And ENDED in pink fuzzy slippers.

The NEWLYWEDS!

She made tissue paper flowers for her bouquet.
They were so soft and airy looking.
Couldn't imagine it when she was describing it, but it turned out so pretty.

Of course, no day is complete without a few candids...
...like Lexie getting into makeup.
"SMARKLEY!"(translated SPARKLY)

"Matt, I've seen that face....and it's up to NO GOOD!"

Bridesmaids!

Not sure what Sara was doing when this was photo was snapped, but I'm sure it was innocent.
Or not.

"Nice touch Cam. Is that a new addition to the the uniform?"

Krew running 90 MPH!
He seems to be saying "MORE PICTURES TO COME!"

(I print my blog into a book each July so it's going to be picture heavy.
More photos to come after more edits.)

Amen.

2011-07-10T01:40:00.003-06:00

It was beautiful.
Incredibly beautiful
The weather was perfect.......thank you for answered prayers
The bride and groom were beautiful.
Will post pictures when my feet aren't yelling at me.

Come on Sunshine............

2011-07-08T08:27:00.001-06:00

You can do it!
Just 36 more hours!
I need ya!

LOVE THE SUMMER

2011-07-05T12:01:00.014-06:00

Love the warmth.
Love the growing things.
"Hello green pepper. Glad to have ya!"

"Hiya Cabbage!"
Way to be cuciferous!

"Hello corn.
We love you most of all."

"Hi Zucchini.
I don't love you that much.
But you are so prolific you make me feel good about myself."

"Uh, green beans. Hello??? Is anyone in there?
Everyone else has shown up to the party."

"Well, hello gorgeous!"

"Ahhh, flowers thank you for flowering and being all flowery and stuff."

Pots waiting to grow up and be table decorations in 4 more days!

We enjoyed the 4th.
Kids came.
Enjoyed the parade.
Crashed a BBQ
Lit fireworks......with a blowtorch. (For reals!)
It was awesome!

ONE MORE WEEK!

2011-07-02T10:34:00.012-06:00

Thank you Lynsey (firstborn) for having some seriously funny games!
You saved me!

Beach-theme is challenging when you don't have a beach.
But we used a kiddie wading pool to put the gifts in.
Decorated with flip-flops and seashells.

Friends, coworkers and neighbors.
THANKS FOR COMING!

Nita laughing at my insanity.

Nita's daughter Shelby and my granddaughter Lexi.
"Hi Shelby!"
There were awesome gifts.

And lots of advice.
(Guen, Candice {hello Texter McTexter} and Sara my other daughter-in-law.)
There were also gifts that made me blush.

(Being I'm innocent and all)

I hope the future daugher-in-law had fun.
It will be great to have you in our family.

One more week! WooHoo!

News of the Day and Bridal Shower

2011-06-30T14:39:00.024-06:00

Not much going on around these parts.
Well except a wedding and shower and reception and stuff like that.
Front page news is the police doing a sting operation and catching a woman who is stealing DVD's from the library.
True story.
Front page.

Once a year the newspaper does an insert called OUR TOWN
It features various people from the area.

This year they featured First Responders and Emergency Personel.

They did an interview with several of the police, paramedics and other first responders.
And they included the ER.

They did a story on Dr. Hammar BEST DOC EVER!

And me.
(This is the closest to centerfold I'll ever be.)

It was very kind of them.

And of course I think Emergency Responders TOTALLY ROCK!!!

In other news:
-The Bridal Shower is tonight.
-The weather is cooperating.
-The Artisan Bread is in the oven. (Kimmie's blog is awesome!)
-Chicken Salad is done.
-Oatmeal Chocolate bars are done.
-Strawberries are dipped.

-More pots to plant tomorrow.
Last night the Bride-to-Be decided that pots should be the table decorations.

I'll be busy with pots and Krylon paint tonight after the shower.

The other flowers are enjoying the 80 degree temperatures we are having.

And so am I!

-Pedicure......NOT done.
I won't post a picture of that. You're welcome.

In all this "busyness" I stopped in the middle of the road while driving home a few nights ago.
I snapped a picture of this breath-taking sky with my phone.

I was calmed.
I was overwhelmed
I was reminded there are things and events bigger than we are.

33 Years Ago.............

2011-06-23T09:35:00.029-06:00

The post title should have read:

"THE PATRON SAINT HOWIE PUTS UP WITH HIS WIFE FOR 33 YEARS OF ENDLESS TORMENT AND WO."

But that was wayyyy too long of a title.

I met this handsome guy after he returned from serving a two year mission in England for the LDS Church.
He looked like this:

(He's the cute one on the left.)

I could write a list of a million things that I love about you.
But that would be a long post.

So I'll just do 10.

10 Things I Love About You:

#10...You are infinitely patient with me.

# 9...You don't know how to gossip. You never say unkind things. Never have.

# 8...You married me even in spite of the fact that the first time you met me I had toothpaste drool down to my elbow. (true story)

# 7...You have the kindest heart of anyone I know. You see the best in everyone. You see the potential in people and I love that you remind me to do the same.

# 6...You are a great dad. Always have been.

# 5...You still take my breath away. Sometimes I look at you and wonder why you chose me.

# 4...You work so hard for our family.
I too often underappreciate that.

# 3...You love the Savior. Often that is a rare gift in the world.

# 2...Not a day has gone by in 33 years that you have failed to tell me you love me.

# 1...You are mine.

It has been quite a journey of this togetherness.
It was the most important day of my life.
The best decision I ever made.

We've experienced so much.
Dairy cows and farming, education, childbirth, death of family, birthdays, teenagers, weddings, teenagers, job changes, diaper changes, travel, teenagers.

There have been tears and sadness and very hard stuff.
But it's been more laughter and joy and happiness and peace.

33 Years ago today this was us!

I've said it before and I'll say it again.
I'm not sure where the years WENT
But I'm thankful they WENT with you.

You rock my world! (Sorry about makin' your hair gray.)

You are handsomer than ever.
You still make my heart race.

Happy Anniversary! I love you with all my heart.

Thanks Gigi for the challenge to post wedding pictures!
The only regret I have for my wedding and reception is that we didn't have a professional photographer. One of my dad's friends just took pictures with his camera.
So these are pictures of pictures.

But really, it was a perfect day.

Bridesmaids Sharon (Howie's sister) best friends Sylvia and Peggy and niece Misty.

Tom (high school friend) Rex (best friend after missions)
(And yes, Tom raised a few eyebrows with his long hair. He was killed shortly after this photo was taken in a bike accident.)

Not sure what the joke was, but I love his expression.

My dad and mom and his mom and dad. (not sure where the groom was)
His dad would die of a heart attack 18 months later.

Who is that good-lookin' dark haired boy?

I still feel like this same young girl.

Makin' a List & Checkin' it Twice

2011-06-22T19:10:00.011-06:00

Pretty sure I'm NOTty... not nice.
(I need to wash my mind out with clorox for getting a Christmas song stuck on instant replay in my brain.)

-Prebridals: done

Wedding bouquet: finished last night.

Envelopes: Addressed
Invitations for shower: ~~NOT~~ done!!!

Beach themed shower.
Bridal shower: NOT done.
Food for reception: NOT done.
Decorations for tables: NOT done.

My NOTty list is way too big.

WHAT IS IT?

2011-06-21T18:40:00.003-06:00

This is what I see when I look upward.

And this!
This has been in the sky for two whole days!

What does it all mean?

The GARDEN of EGAN

2011-06-14T21:27:00.007-06:00

Needs to WARM up.
Immediately.
If not sooner.

I made this bench years ago.
It might look flimsy because it is.
It might look Redneck I'm OK with that.
But it was barnwood from my Grandpa's farm heaven on earth.
It brings such comforting memories for me.
I love it.

Howie built these raised beds about 11 years ago for our vegetable garden. I love them! It makes gardening so much easier.

"No Gigi and Mildred....I am not eating tomatoes yet.
But I'm not bitter or anything!"
I have never planted a garden this late in the year ever. It's been so cold, I don't know what we'll get.
We planted cantalope today under black mulch....such an ~~idiot~~ optimist.
Maybe we'll have a really HOT HOT summer and fall.
Pretty please!!!!?????
The daily highs of 65 degrees is not gonna cut it!

Thank you again Barney and Della.
The plants from Willard Bay Gardens are so gorgeous!

CAN YOU HAVE ENOUGH PATRIOTIC CRAFTS AND POTS?

2011-06-12T21:58:00.005-06:00

I think not.

5 Days Off!

2011-06-08T20:14:00.004-06:00

I'm GIDDY!
-I'm going to clean this CRACK house.
-I'm going to take 522 loads of laundry to the laundromat. Dead washing machine and the part will take 8 days!!! What part of "PARTS" department does Sears not get???? Go to the PARTS section and get the stinkin' part!
-Plant a trazillion flowers in hope of sunshine sometime soon!
-Address wedding invitations.
-Lose 30 pounds.

Ya, I love having days off.
It's so relaxing.

Playing in the Dirt

2011-06-05T22:04:00.013-06:00

Huge shout out to Willard Bay Gardens in Willard, Utah!
Thank you Barney and Della for our beautiful flowers.
They are very dear friends and were here on Friday because Barney is all famous and everything and on the Advisory Board for the BYU-I Horticulture Department.

Howie and Barney were roommates at Ricks College a trazillion years ago.
They've remained close friends/brothers for all of these years.

(I won't go into detail of their continued ~~immaturity~~ friendship to this day.
I won't mention that they listen to the weirdest music ever produced.Atomic Rooster
Nor will I mention that it's painful to watch two middle-aged men play air guitars.
Nope, I won't mention any of this.)

Anywayz......

They brought so many beautiful flowers and plants!

Della spent hours teaching me how to have a green thumb.
She's creative and I had a blast. It felt so good to have my hands in dirt.

We've had 3 days of beautiful weather!
I hope the cold is OVER until December 1st!

It was great to get some plants from Willard Bay Gardens because there are so many colorful and unusual flowers.

We will baby them all along, play Mozart and feed them steroids and pork rinds so they'll be beautiful by the 9th of July.

(Sleep warmly and grow little plants)

If you live even remotely close to Willard you NEED to go there. You won't be disappointed. The plants are EYE CANDY!

Reception+Backyard= Projects

2011-06-03T21:45:00.003-06:00

I Can NOT Resist These {CHEEKS}

2011-05-31T20:41:00.006-06:00

My youngest grandchild.....
He's only 17 months old.
He goes a mile a minute.
And he climbs on everything!
He NEVER stops.
(He's just like his dad was.)
I remember being EXHAUSTED at the end of a day.

My daughter-in-love (Thanks for that idea Wendy) sent me this photo taken today.

THAT is the reason I'm going to embrace menopause.

The {EYES} Have It

2011-05-29T17:43:00.015-06:00

I have some SERIOUSLY beautiful kids and grandkids.

But then....
how could they not be beautiful?

I am SO BLESSED.
These are my favorite PEEPers.

{PSYCHEDELIC} ROSES

2011-05-25T22:18:00.005-06:00

Candice, my baby girl, received these roses last week.
I'm not sure how they grew these, but they are WILD.

They were delivered to the door by FedEX

I want the plant food they're using!

Did I Miss the Memo?

2011-05-24T22:11:00.003-06:00

I obviously missed the memo about The Rapture.
I found out about it while I was on vacation in Florida.

Found out too late to do any serious repentin' and all. But I tried to have kinder thoughts all day Saturday toward all mankind.
Then apparently it turned into a bust. Uhhh....akward.

So in my attempt to try and be more aware of my surroundings I just gotta ask one question.

Is anyone out there calling himself Noah?
Is he buying up lumber in massives qualities?
Interested in some critters?

Let me know.
I don't want to miss the memo on this one!

Real Life

2011-05-20T09:19:00.009-06:00

I'm home.
It feels good.

Jet Lag.
It's a real thing.
Who knew?

Things that I brought back from Florida:

SAND from South Beach. Oh, yes I did.

OCEAN from South Beach. (see the teeny container with ocean and sand.)

SEASHELLS from South Beach and Ft. Lauderdale Beach.

PALM TREE BARK

My plan is to plant all of the above items in my garden and watch it grow.
(I can dream, right?)

Alligator skin. I'll spare the pictures of the peeling shoulders. You're welcome.

Digital Photography Book.
The BEST book on photography I've ever read.
Easier to understand than the two classes I've taken.

I spent some quality time with my camera when I wasn't working on my alligator skin.

Things I learned in Florida:

I don't have enough camera equipment.

I will NEVER understand dental floss swimwear.
Never.
(Again, I will spare you the pictures.
I'm all about comfort and that ain't it.

My better half completes the business trip and comes home today.

It will be so good to have him home. (For two whole days.)
I shouldn't be the only one to be freezing right now.

Home Tomorrow {sigh}

2011-05-17T19:52:00.004-06:00

I have had a BLAST!
(Now back to the real world!)

Not a Typical Sunday Drive

2011-05-16T09:28:00.009-06:00

We enjoyed going to church yesterday and later in the day went for a drive.

Then we spy.........creepy reptile in the water.

I take a picture of Alligator Dundee taking a picture of a gator while another gator glides past.

The darker it got the scarier their eyes got.
I would NOT be out here tromping through the everglades.

Oh, and "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOWIE! I WUB YOU!"

Bling winner!

2011-05-15T20:28:00.003-06:00

Jody of Doran & Jody.
You win the bling!
Send me an email with your addy.
I'll mail it to you when I get back home.........
if I ever go back home.

WARMTH...& BURNT!

2011-05-14T18:13:00.005-06:00

I spent two days sitting by the pool while Howie had to work.
My poor white skin.
Ouch.
BUT
I. Am. Not. Complaining!
I'm warm for the first time since last summer.

I've never been to Florida and have never seen the Atlantic.

We spent the day in South Beach.
It is paradise.
And the water..........

BLUE!!!!
So gorgeous!

I did see a land ~~FOX~~SHARK.

Can you see the white ~~SHARK~~ hair out there in the deep blue ocean?
"hi sweetheart!"

I would like to take South Beach home with me.

{{{{CHOICES CHOICES}}}}

2011-05-13T13:25:00.005-06:00

I just can't decide which one I LOVE more.
This one?

OR
THIS one????

I've tried them both today.
I am just so undecided.
I guess I'll HAVE to try it again tomorrow.

I Am in Heaven!

2011-05-11T13:08:00.000-06:00

Literally.
A plane.

When I left home this morning I had to scrape my Windows.

Then I sat on the plane waiting for it to be de-iced.

I'm in the airport in Atlanta...(hi Gigi).
Next stop...Florida.

A week of room service, beaches, sleeping.....

I'm probably not going to go back home.

Quit Complaining {GIVEAWAY}

2011-05-09T17:08:00.015-06:00

I complain far too much.

"It's cold here.
It's snowing here.
It's gray here.
It's raining here."
Well, I just need to stop it.

Why?
Because I live here, I get to meet people who send their children to school here.
(But WHY would you send your loved ones to live in this frozen wasteland?)

Last week a blog friend flew out here to be with her daughter who had a baby.
I got to meet Jenny from Denton Sanitorium and we had lunch today.
She's the sweetest (dare I say "new grandma????")

She lives in someplace that has actually seen 100 degree weather!!!
(I bow to your greatness Jenny!)

We went to eat at the classiest place I could think of.
I wanted to her to have a real Idaho experience.

We had a burger at Big Jud's...home of the 6 pound burger. (no lie)
Yes, this is the burger and this is Big Jud!

Did I eat one of those burgers?
No.
Jen didn't either.

I think I talked nonstop and I totally enjoyed myself.
"Thanks Jenny!"
I guess I need to stop complaining because I have met some fabulous women because I live here.
So I'll stop complaining.
Maybe.

So the giveaway.

I have a bunch of those blingy watches.
I have a great friend that makes and sells them.

I've decided that I love them on others, but can't stand them on my own wrist.
I don't wear them.
Why do I buy them?
I guess I'm not a blingy kinda gal.
I'm more of a bland-ey kinda gal.

So instead of having them take up space in my dresser I'm giving them away.

Yup!
They are yours.

All you need to do is leave a comment.

Then leave a second comment telling me what creative dance, spell or trick you are going to do to get sunshine here.
That's it.

I'll do the drawing while I'm pondering the mysteries of the universe as I'm sitting on the beach in Florida. Unless my brain doesn't work in the sun.
Off to pack!
T minus 1 1/2 days!!!

I SHOULD BE FREAKING OUT...

2011-05-07T10:01:00.006-06:00

#4 Child is getting married.
July 9th in the Rexburg Temple.
His sweet little fiance is from California.
California, where the sun always shines.
She wants an outside reception.

(Nice face Cameron, real mature.)

They aren't having a reception or Open House in California.

It's here.
In Iceburg.

In MY BACKYARD!

I have two months to get the sun to shine.

I'm also doing the engagment, prebridal and wedding photos.

I should be freaking out.

I'll wait till I get back from Florida.
Then I'll figure out how to get the sun to do that thing it's supposed to do....

You know....to.....SHINE!

T minus 4 days till the beach and sun!

Happy Twenty-twelfth Birthday Lynsey!

2011-05-05T07:15:00.015-06:00

32 years ago yesterday,
May 4, 1979
I became a parental
to this:

Shockingly enough I went on to
parental 4 more times!

We celebrated by eating Mexican food.

Not everyone was thrilled about it.

This is four of my five offspring.

We missed you Matt.
Happy Birthday Lynsey! You've brought us much joy.

Lynsey my oldest and Candice my youngest.

I do have a question....how is it possible that I have a 32 year old child?

P.S. 6 days until Florida!

Sunday Dinner

2011-05-02T07:03:00.011-06:00

I may have mentioned a time or two that it's cold here.
And snowy.
I haven't?
No?
Well, it is.

There are a few benefits to living in such a cold wasteland.
We don't have a warm enough growing season to grow big bugs or reptiles.
I think that is very important.

Another reason it's sorta awesome to live here is I have gotten to meet the children of some blog friends who send their children to BYU-I.

Yesterday we had dinner and had DeNae's daughter over.
Vanessa was a delight and didn't run away from the zoo that was our household yesterday.
What a sweet girl.

She also brought a roommate, Kelsey
Kelsey and my daughter-in-law were talking and discovered that one of Kelsey's neighbors from her home town happens to be my daughter-in-laws aunt and uncle.
Small world!

Thanks Vanessa for having dinner with us!
You are a delight!

I have a similar picture from a year ago at the CBC where I met DeNae.

(DeNae is the one with the Diet Coke.)

Public Service Announcement

2011-04-30T23:12:00.007-06:00

Did you know

You can mow

the snow????

NO?

Well, you can!

Keeping you informed.
This Public Service Announcement has been brought to you by:
SOS SICK OF SNOW

{{{{{{CONFUSION}}}}}}

2011-04-29T10:08:00.008-06:00

I looked at the calendar and saw that it was the 29th of April.

Green grass and white snow.
I'm confused!

Speaking of confusion.....
My son-in-law was over the other day sitting in the kitchen.
He was looking around at my wall hangings.

This is what he saw:

And then my son in law started laughing.
Because there is also this:

And he said, "I am confused"

And this picture of Lexi's wedgie has nothing to do with the post
except it made me laugh when I saw it.

Dear Earth,

2011-04-22T09:09:00.005-06:00

Happy Earth Day!
Today I am going to go jog on you.

Then I'm buying you some Midol.

SPRING..........false advertising!

2011-04-17T22:15:00.010-06:00

(Thanks for that Wendy! I snorted!)

Severe ~~bad hair day~~ weather alert today.
Snow expected on Tuesday.

? is right!
(Thanks sweet neighbor for the Peanut M&M's. She told me she reads my blog. I might have to start filtering my sassiness.)

ER shifts are covered.
T minus 24 days!
Florida here I come!

{Yippee!!!!}

2011-04-15T07:42:00.005-06:00

My better half has been traveling again.
He gets home today and will be home for TWO WHOLE DAYS!!

Then he leaves again.
SIGH

Yesterday he called and asked how hard it would be to get time off work.
We're short staffed in the ER right now and for the next couple of months.
I told him it wasn't going to be easy.....may be not even possible.
Then he proceeded to buy my ticket.

Don't have anyone to cover my shifts yet.

But I sorta don't care.

I'm going to FLORIDA!!!!!
I've never been there.
I'm going to plant myself on some sand and look at the ocean for a solid week.
I'm pretty stinkin' excited.
(Hopefully someone won't try and push me back in thinking that I'm beached.)

On another note:

READ THIS BOOK!

I haven't even finished it yet, but I can hardly put it down.
I love WWII stuff anyway, but this is such a lesson on perserverance.

OK, I'm off to try and BEG for someone to work 5 shifts for me in May.
Any takers?
So easy a Caveman could do it.

They are of the {DEVIL}

2011-04-12T18:06:00.003-06:00

Just sayin'.

I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet...

2011-04-09T11:50:00.005-06:00

(Sing it Carole King!)
But the question is:
Did you????
Feel the earth move I mean.

You might have.

Ya, I went jogging again.

I'd like some Spring please.

(Blurry because it's a camera phone and I didn't stop jogging.)

PEEPS CARNAGE!

2011-04-05T18:36:00.016-06:00

WARNING!!!!!
If you suffer from a weak stomach you may want to avert your eyes.

This is PEEPS carnage!

It's the carcass...uh...~~carcasses...carcasseseseses...carcii~~

The remains of many PEEPS!

I had to buy a bunch of PEEPS in different colors.

So I could make this:

I found this idea here and fell in love!!!!
She also had this little number that I had to bloppy (blog copy).

And YES I did bite the ears off one of the bunnies!

A couple of years ago I made these:

I don't like the taste of PEEPS
but,
I sure have fun with them!

HEY PEEPS! {Do these pants make my butt look big?}

2011-04-04T19:27:00.016-06:00

Weight.
It's not a beautiful thing.
I've gained some.
And
lost some.

Friday I {slogged} slow jog 5.7 miles.
I love to jog.
Really, I do.

It's gonna be awhile before I'm back up to speed.
(There may be some increase in activity on the Richter Scale caused by my jogging.)

This was my view.

I love that I can go a few blocks from my house and have this kind of view.

The snow didn't even bug me much.

Then I get into civilization.

Most beautiful view.
(Seriously 1 minute from my house!)
I remember when this was just an alalfa field.

Hopefully I'll increase my speed.
Hopefully I'll decrease my time.
Hopefully the snow will be gone soon.
Hopefully my butt will shrink!

Dear Norton

2011-04-01T13:11:00.001-06:00

I paid good money for you to protect my laptop.
Apparently YOU were the problem.
I shall never update you again.
AND
We are officially over.
Signed,
Tsunami

Hijacked?

2011-03-31T06:49:00.005-06:00

I have a fairly new laptop. I thought I had installed all sorts of protection software.

Apparently NOT!

My Hubs has said words like worms, malware, virus, hijacked.

I do have an iPad.
It's really hard for me to type on.
Because of predictive text.
Predictive text can be entertaining.
It corrects my name from Tauna
To TSUNAMI.

Speaking of iPad.....
One of my coworkers bought an iPod touch.
She calls it her iPad mini.
I have a question about that.
Does that make mine a MaxiPad?

Some people can type on these things really fast.
Some people can text really fast too.

I'm not one of them.

It Ain't Pretty

2011-03-20T17:27:00.009-06:00

It's my dead winter-worn grass.
It's the first I've seen it since November 7th of last year.
We snowed that day and have had snow since then, NOTSTOP, continous.
UGLY HUH?

It's the most beautiful thing I've seen for a VERY long time.

On another note......
I made frozen strawberry jam yesterday.
Not just a little.

That may last a few months.

Also because it's the FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!!!
I believe in celebrating events such as this!
I'm off to parTAY with a few of these!
Better than Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

10 graham crackers, finely crushed
4 C powdered sugar
1 C butter, melted
2 C peanut butter
Mix together and spread in a cookie sheet.
Melt two large Symphony bars and spread over the peanut butter mixture.
Chill and serve.

Signs of SPRING!!!!!!

2011-03-05T13:15:00.008-07:00

How do you know when it's Spring????

Tulips peeking up through the ground?

Uh......yes, I guess NOT.
(My grandpa always used to say that.

Birds singing in the trees?

Catbirds?

Never heard of 'em.
How do I know when it's getting close to Spring?

The calendar says so.
(And the fact that I've-had-the-worst-bronchitis-ever-and-missed-a-week-of-work-and-it-serves-me-right-cuz-I've-bragged-about-not-being-sick-once-this-winter.)

Easter Subway Art

2011-03-01T14:10:00.004-07:00

I might need an intervention.

More blocks.

More Subway Art.

I might be done now......

........or not.

Chopsaw + Tauna =..............

2011-02-28T09:24:00.005-07:00

Since my hubs has traveled a lot
I've had some extra time on my hands.

I had a choice, pull up a chair to the fridge and
eat nonstop.
Or I could do some crafts.

Let me just say the following pictures may induce
nausea if your name is Kristina.
Don't read further....your retinas may get burned.

I'll start by saying I'm so over winter!
So even though I have 3 feet of snow outside and a drift 9 feet tall,
I'm trying to "Spring" up the house.

A little St. Patrick's Day Subway art.

Top O' of Mornin' to ya!

I have never made letter blocks before, but decided all I needed to be able to do was run a chopsaw.
Mission accomplished.....fingers intact.

And then I figure why stop with St. Paddy's Day?...

I had seen this dimensional wreath here done for Valentine's Day.
I wanted to do Easter.

So even though the weather outside is frightful.....
I'll pretend it's almost Spring.
Now, I'm off to do some Easter Subway art.

Google is SO {AWESOME!}

2011-02-26T11:17:00.008-07:00

I was able to go to GOOGLE and type:

"where's the safety lock to my husbands chopsaw?"

AND IT KNEW!!!!

I was able to learn how to de-activate the safety device!
(and I didn't have to bother him while he's attempting to get through customs from Canada.
I've been known to text him and ask him similar questions while he's gone.)

If GOOGLE knows that.......
wow, the possibilites are endless!

On another note:
I've been keeping score.

My hubs travels a lot.

Days so far this year................57

Of the days he's been with Marriott..35

Of the days he's been with Tauna.....22

It's gettin' old!

"oh and honey, I hope you didn't need that 2x4 that was in the garage...."