Thursday, December 29, 2011

And so it goes...

AAh Christmas is done.


Since we rarely have family here for holidays (or any other time) I think the kids will always remember having Mom and Gerry with us to celebrate this holiday.




Mom, Chyann and I played numerous games of Scrabble and if you can believe this - Chyann kicked our buns most every game! And that is not even letting her win! She was coming up with seven letter obscure words that knocked our socks off!




Watched a few favorite Christmas movies.




Wrapped the last of the presents.




Had so much fun cooking with my Mother and even doing all those damn dishes.




The weather was unseasonably warm, mid 30's on Christmas day and the wind was blowing so that made Chyann's Christmas day ride a bit blustery and cold. She had to try out her new pink helmet and the ear band that fits perfectly under the helmet.


Jenny banged up her shin so she took Scotch and ponied Casper.


She was irritated that I didn't come out and ride too. What can I say I'm a big pansy, it was too cold for me.


Mom and Gerry left on Monday about noon and had a miserable trip back to OK due to numerous flat tires and other little mishaps. Then get home to find most of their 30 cows have went through the fence. Good thing Gerry has them trained to come running at the sound of his voice. Didn't take him too long to get them rounded back up and back in their pen.


Colton is really doing well. Not a lot of pain anymore and has figured out the crutches. I'm taking him in today for a bandage change so we'll get a good look at his ankle.


Toodles :)

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve and more

Happy Christmas!

I can't believe it's already Christmas eve.

Colton's surgery went well yesterday. The doc cleaned the area all out and said Coton's prognosis is good - if he doesn't smash that new cartilage. He had a nerve block and pain yesterday afternoon was pretty minimal. Even going so far as to make plans to have the girlie-friend pick him up on Christmas day to spend some time at her family's house. BUT the nerve blocker wore off last night and he was about 40 minutes behind on the pain meds and was miserable for literally hours. Finally got enough meds in him for him to sleep at about 5a.
He's never had this kind of pain before and has no idea how to handle it. He keeps bring up Chyann and the bone operations she's had in the past and saying he is a wimp compared to her - how did she do this - and he is a major klutz using the crutches, saying how'd Chyann make using crutches look so easy? She has been giving him pointers, but he is not getting it.. Practice grasshopper I tell him. He will get the hang of crutches and get through this.

Mom and Gerry arrived yesterday about a half hour before we got home from the surgery center. They ran into a few snow showers on the way here, but nothing significant until they hit our neck of the woods. We get about a half inch of snow that made the roads slicker than snot. Looks like we may have a white Christmas after all. Course on Monday we are forecast to get up to the low 40's so it wont last long.

Caden thinks he broke his nose at school on Wednesday. He was doing a flip and fell hitting his knee into his nose. OUCH! Had quite the bloody nose at school he said. His nose is only a bit swollen and definitely has a new bump on bridge and a slight black eye on the right. Christ o mighty!

What else?

The pigs got hauled to the butcher on Wednesday.

We got the cows back from the butcher. I'll have to take a pic and show you what almost 800lbs of beef looks like.

Packers got spanked by Kansas City last week, looking forward to this Sunday's game.

All else is well.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

A talus bone tale

Friday Colton is having surgery on his ankle.


The official diagnosis is Osteochondral defect of the talus.


Basically this means a piece of bone and cartilage has broken free from the end of the talus bone - the ankle. If the detached piece of bone stays put, lying close to where it was detached from, there may be few or no symptoms and the fracture will occasionally heal on it's own.


In Colton's case the fragment of bone has moved and is continually getting smashed around in his ankle joint. This has caused cysts to form in the bone area above and below where the chunk of detached bone is smashing around.


The doctor is going to go in and take out the floating bone fragment, dig out the cysts that have killed bone/cartilage. Then drill holes in the cleaned up bone area to get it to bleed profusely in order to encourage new cartilage growth. At this time that is the plan any how. When the doc gets in there he'll know how deep the cysts go and if a graft of cartilage from his knee is needed or even one from a cadaver - depending on how big of an area is damaged.


Then he can have absolutely NO WEIGHT bearing for a minimum of six weeks. If he bears his weight he could smash and ruin the new cartilage growth and the operation would have been for naught.


So, since this is his right ankle that means no driving himself anywhere. A huge impediment in a 19 year old's life. Merry Christmas, eh?



Anyhow.. that is our talus tale.


Happy Hump day ~ Toodles :)

Sunday, December 18, 2011

An open letter to Mr Dishwasher

Oh Mr Dishwasher how I miss you.



It has been one week since you went to appliance heaven - although your current resting place is still in my kitchen, you are indeed gone, gone, gone.



Every time I walk by you I wish you were back with me.



I long to push your buttons, to turn you on and hear your motor run.



As I slather my red and chapped hands with lotion I realize how much I took for granted that you would always be with me.



When we first looked at this house with the Realtor I fell in love with it.



I told the Hubby how perfect this house was for our family and he said "but there is no dishwasher." I promptly responded with "I'd live in that house forever with no dishwasher!"


(no shit i really said that)



We bought the house and began this fairy tale life.



Did I mention that I was pregnant when we moved in? And that it was the hottest summer on record, with high humidity and temps 90* to 100* for most of the summer and we had an Indian summer in Oct as well? And that we are from Alaska where the high temp is about mid 70's? And we had no air-conditioner?



Well, all that is true and I washed the damn dishes by hand everyday, sometimes multiple times a day because we are a family that likes to EAT and I had young children that had no concept of using one freaking glass a day.



All was well.





Until my Lovely Mother and Gerry came for Caden's birth.




I was one miserably fat and horribly swollen gal.


This pic was taken two days before Caden was born. It's hard to see, but my ankles were about the size of my knees.
And this is when my (as previously stated) Lovely Mother and Gerry decided I needed you as a house-warming present and brought you home to me.




You were not just any dishwasher, but a state of the art portable dishwasher since the kitchen wasn't built with a dishwasher in mind and there was not a lot of time available for Gerry/the Hubby to install one.




I fell in love instantly! Completely and totally realizing what a help you would be in my life. Allowing me more time with my infant son and two older kids - especially Chyann who was massively jealous of Caden. And in later years making it possible to escape the kitchen and learn new things like gardening and renewing my love of horses.




I miss you Mr Dishwasher.


But you will be replaced.


I'm not sure if it will be with another portable model or one that is installed under the cabinet or exactly when your replacement is coming, but one will be and hopefully soon.




Forever yours,


Me


xoxo








Wednesday, December 14, 2011

What's happening?

Got thrown off last Thursday morning by unexpectedly having no Internet service at home, then having to scramble around to make it into the office on time. Was great to see everyone though.

Mom and Gerry came up on Friday night and spent the weekend with us. Gerry went for hay and Mom did a marathon shopping expedition with me. They left Sunday around noonish and I got a good nap in, then watched the Packers spank the Raiders - did you kick the TV in Jeff?

I was nominated at work for a Service Hero award with the grand prize being a trip to Florida in February. I didn't win the trip but was taken out to lunch yesterday with the other nominees and received a nice certificate.

Colton has finals this week.

Christmas is a mere 10 days from now and I still have a snot load of shopping to do.

Mom and Gerry are coming back up for Christmas, this will be wonderful as I haven't had a Christmas with them in probably 14 years.

Chyann and Caden have the most awful coughs. I am feeling the crud creeping in again as well...

It has warmed up here and the snow has mostly melted. Sloppy mess.

My absolutely most favorite appliance - the dishwasher, took a shit on Sunday night. The kids and I have been washing dishes by hand, eeew. New experience for the kids since we've always had a dishwasher. Why does this kind of thing always happen right before a holiday or some other time you'd least like to have to replace it?

I got all the Christmas cards done last night and will be mailing those suckers today!

Chyann is keeping the cats locked in her room at night so we haven't had the tree knocked over recently. Gracie will occasionally try to climb it, but not as often since I throw pillows at her any time she is near the tree.

Got to get moving as I'm working in the office again today to attend a meeting and a holiday celebration.

Happy Hump day :)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Aaah the snow is here..

Sure is starting to feel like the holiday season here with all the snow we got this last weekend.

About 3" and it is here to stay if the cold temps after the big snow are any indication.


Yes we got that pool cover, but haven't put it on. Any bets that we end up not doing it at all? Just stuffing it in the basement until next fall - that's my guess. We've never not put a cover on and I wonder what the water will look like in the spring.


Got the Christmas picture taken too - maybe this year I'll find the time to ACTUALLY get it sent out (fingers crossed).


How's your Christmas stress level this year? Me.. I'm starting to worry a bit.

No shopping even started for me yet. I'm planning on doing some online shit shit weekend and hitting the stores on Saturday after work - yes I'm working on Saturday, possibly Sunday too.

We've got some mandatory OT going on at work. Which is relatively easy to do working from home.

Although I will say I was surely pissed off tonight when I came downstairs and see no dishes done, the table loaded down with backpacks/books/dirty dishes and the entryway loaded with messy shoes/coats and no one even thinking of dinner - Except to say "what's for dinner ma?". This after working from 730a - 635p.. Really? Are you shitting me!?!


So -- I had to get pissy.

THEN everyone starts to get into action; table cleared, entry way straightened, dishes unloaded, laundry unloaded/put away and all that - even had help making dinner.

There. No what wasn't so hard now was it? And your mama is a much happier gal.


Deep breath now..


That's better....


So..

Happy Hump day :)

Only 17 more shopping days till Christmas






Monday, December 5, 2011

Early Christmas surprise

Chyann and I received a lovely surprise in the mail.


Completely unexpected my wonderful brother Jeff sent me a card that made me cry and necklaces that his son's wife made - guess that would make her my niece in law? Funny too that her name is also Kelly, spelled different, but again there is a Kelly Wilson in the family.


Kelly is back in AK while her Hubby, my nephew Cody, is in pre-ranger school.


Kelly is a quite the crafty gal and has her own etsy shop. You can check out her items here http://www.etsy.com/shop/kellyannwilson

Chyann is trying not to look too thrilled, as one of her friends is taking the picture.

Closer pic of Chyann's heart.
It didn't occur to me to have her take a pic of mine till I was posting this today. Not the best self portrait. If you can't tell my heart is white w/yellow (my favorite color) polka dots and my initial K. We love our heart charms and the chains are of very nice quality too!



They are such a hit several of Chyann's friends are going to order necklaces as well. You wouldn't know it, because he NEVER comments but my brother is an avid reader of my blog. He usually reads it at work - he works the graveyard shift at the airport in Anchorage and apparently all his co-workers are readers as well - So HELLO to all you DOT workers in AK! Finnish your coffee and get back to work :)



Thanks Jeff, you really made my day! I love you xoxo

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Have you ever heard of this this gal?

Her name is Adele and she has the most amazing voice.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Do you see what I see?

Gracie in the tree.


She is quite stealthy.




This is an old artificial tree with those wire branches that have the fake pine needles on the ends.




Yesterday I was upstairs working, when it sounded like all hell was breaking loose down there, so I went down to investigate. All was quiet - with only Shasta wagging her tail and looking up into the tree, which is how I happened to spot Gracie laying on the wire branches looking ever so guilty.




She hasn't knocked it over yet. The star on the top has been found hanging off the side and a few balls have been broken.

A cat continually in the tree shall make for an interesting holiday season.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Wood and NOT a stray cat

We spent most of the day outside yesterday.



With temps in the 40's we got rain instead of snow. Which was ok by me.


This is the load of wood we split and got stacked in the basement. Man am I sore today.




With almost no grass left in the horse pasture - it's been nibbled down to nothing, add in all the rain Friday night and pretty much all day Saturday it is a sea of mud back there that Casper loves to roll in, YUCK!

Came in from doing wood and what do I find with Caden on the couch?
The neighbors cat, which he seems to think is a stray and he will get to keep.
He says "Well Mom, he was just sitting on the porch when I came in and he looked hungry."
Are you kidding?
Do you see how BIG this unneutered male cat is? He has been eating and eating well - at the neighbors house to the West of us (not the dopes to the East that forget to feed their animals).

He is a very affectionate nice cat, that even seemed to like Shasta, but he is not ours and we don't need any more cats.
Poor kid had to go put him outside, I'm such a meanie.
Today he is sitting on the step, waiting to be let in, damn.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Thankful for so many things

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays and not just because we get to feast on the best holiday dishes around.

My list of reasons to be thankful is mighty long.


The snow is gone, although we expect to get a bit tonight. I actually hung sheets out to dry on Thanksgiving day - that's how nice the weather has been here.


The willow in the front yard.

A Thanksgiving toe story


Thanksgiving morning Chyann got a call from the neighbors saying they were in such a hurry to get where they were spending the holiday that they forgot to feed their rabbits and dog - really are you kidding me? How could you forget that? Anyhow she rode Scotch up to take care of their animals (they even forgot to close their garage door). When she got home she was putting Scotch away and he stepped on her right foot. She heard a pop and felt a sharp pain. Being the tough gal that she is she continued on putting him away.


Now let me say that due to nerve damage she has almost no feeling in her right foot, so for her to have actually felt pain it must have hurt like hell!


When she came in we looked at her foot and saw that her pinky toe was swollen to about four times it's normal size and bleeding from under the nail and blackish/blue/purple in color.


Not much you can do with a possibly broken toe on Thanksgiving day, so we took her in to the doc yesterday for xrays. No broken toe thankfully - but still massively swollen and an infection already brewing under the nail. drat. Good thing we took her in and that she was actually wearing heavy boots otherwise she might have really broken some bones.

Sloppy eating horses.


Jennifer is flinging up the hay onto Gypsy to get all the sweet little bits underneath.


The Hubby put a rail around the feeder to keep Lily out of it because she about tipped it over twice trying to get out of it.
She gives us the ol' stink eye now.


I turn around to find sweet Casper eating out of the wheelbarrow.



Hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend, I know I sure am.


Sunday, November 20, 2011

The first snow and other blither blather

Can you imagine this big ol' cow climbing into the feeder?


I told the Hubby Lily was climbing up there and he couldn't believe it, so I had to take some pictures.


We got our first snow yesterday. Only about 2 inches, but enough to remind us all that it is wintertime.



Grandpa drove up from Oklahoma Friday night and headed back out with a load of hay yesterday. He got caught in a blizzard going through southern Minnesota and it took him six hours to get to the state line, which is when the snow quit, of course..




Our old pool tarp was too worn to put back on this winter. I've ordered a new one and it should be here soon.




Colton is finally feeling better, only took four trips to the doctor and almost two weeks of missed school/work.


Although now there is a new issue to deal with. On one of his first trips into the doc he told them that his right ankle had been bothering him a lot. They did an xray and said they'd let him know what the radiologist said. Two days later we get a call saying he has been referred to a Podiatrist/Orthopedic surgeon. Had that appointment the other morning and it appears that he was incorrectly diagnosed back in 2008 with a sprained ankle - he actually had a fracture. So, what does this mean? Surgery for sure - more on that to come.




Chyann sold her little pink saddle on CraigsList! She was soo thrilled!




The first quarter of school is over and both kids brought home report cards with straight A's! How awesome is that!!






And as requested a picture of me with my goofy ass dark hair.


Currently it is only half as dark as what I started out with and have a very attractive blond streak on the left side of my head - I didn't do the best application of dye apparently.




With me is my very dear friend :) xoxo








Sunday, November 13, 2011

Still here...

but sicker than hell.



Colton has bronchitis, sinus and ear infections that has caused him to miss five days of school and work (so far - maybe more cuz he is still not well). Now Chyann and I have it.

Cairo



Wednesday we dodged the first major storm of the year. Folks just 60 miles to the East of us got up to a foot of snow! While we not nothing! Which was good because Chyann and I took a trip to the cities for some doctor stuff.




She was cranky at having to leave school.




About 20 min into the drive she grumps at me "Did you FART!!!" and rolls the window down about half way. umm.. no, you are smelling the shit the farmers spread on the fields and since the window is now down it really stinks in the van.
She mutters about stinky farmers and tries to roll up the window. Huh, guess what? It wont roll up. Electric windows - great technology if it works, right? I pulled over and tried to get it up to no avail. So off we go - to the cites. It's about 44* and we are going about 70 down the interstate.
It was LOUD and cold in the van even with the heaters on full blast - did I mention it was also windy? Blowing about 30 from the North? Which was right into that open window.




Well let me tell ya it was tremendously loud and quite freezing. Chyann of course is such a cool kid she only wore a sweatshirt jacket up to the bus stop that morning. There are blankets in the back but they "stink".




My lovely daughter had her fingers in her ears just moments before I snuck this picture of her.




After about 30 minutes she was able to go get the window to roll up - and boy were we happy about that! Lots of tapping and smacking on that window button, it must have a short in it or something.


Seahorse at the hospital

Thursday we got the steers, Eight ball and Cinnamon, loaded up on my lunch break and the Hubby took them to the butcher.

I was able to go to the school Friday for the Veterans day program. The school always puts on such a nice program with a guest speaker, singing and patriotic music.

Saturday the Hubby went and picked up Lilly and Marble from the farmer down the road. They are both three months pregnant!

Also
My hair is still a darkish brown.
18 more washes left - supposedly.
Although I do see a slight difference in the color.
I no longer scare myself when I look in the mirror and that is a bonus!








Monday, November 7, 2011

Mr Pool Shark

With the cooler temps and not spending as much time outside - it's pool time again.

Caden is quite the pool shark. He wears his fancy hat, uses his lucky stick and wins more than he loses.


Yes, this is my basement and I need a basement make over!


~


I did it again. I don't know why I do this, but I can't seem to help myself.


I dyed my hair.


uGHGU


Or rather I put a semi perm color on my hair. It's only supposed to last for 28 washes.


The color is light brown - chocolate truffle. The top doesn't look too bad, but starting at about my ears it starts getting REALLY DARK! Like almost a blackish.. shit..


For some reason I see myself as a blond, but I'm not. Maybe a very dirty blond with lighter highlights or something like that. Last time I had my hair done (highlights done by a professional) was for Colton's graduation. I could not stand the grow out any longer and on impulse got a box of dye last time I was a the store and yesterday while watching football decided to give it a whirl.


Oh my. I really hope it washes out soon - only 26 more washes left (hopefully).

Friday, November 4, 2011

Animal Friday!

TGIF!

Silly Gracie camping out on the slouching Chyann.


It was chilly out this AM, even a light skim of ice on the pig water. Going to be a gorgeous fall day with clear blue skies though.


It's been an interesting week.


Chyann has decided that she has grown out of her pink synthetic saddle that she's had since 2008 and now wants a new one that is several hundred bucks.


Now begins the quest to sell her old one.


She posted the ad on Craigslist and someone deleted it. After three attempts to sell it on Craigslist- even going so far as to say DON'T DELETE MY AD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT!! It keeps getting deleted/removed. She decided to move on to Ebay.


We've never sold anything there, but she figured it out and has it for sale there.


No bids yet, but she is hopeful.


For the Physical therapy program Colton is in you have to first become a CNA - certified nursing assistant. He has completed all the class work and last week began working in a nursing home. First day was basically shadowing another CNA to get to know the place, ect. Yesterday he preformed all CNA duties on his own. He said it was the saddest thing he's ever had to do, but made him feel good about helping the people who couldn't help themselves.


The clinical at the nursing home lasts for six more weeks and he will be glad when it's done. Having decided maybe health care is not the field he wants to get into. A transfer to River Falls for the 2012/13 year is in the works.


It's time to load the basement with wood. We'll be busy with that this weekend.


Have a good one!




Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Halloween

Colton turned 19 yesterday!


His girlie friend made him a very cool cake.


Check out Gotham City on the side.



He is so very handsome, I think.

The kids - plus girlie friend all dressed up.



And
It's our 20th Anniversary.

Somehow we went from this:

to this.



20 years is a long time to be married.

We've had many more good times than bad

and definitely some shit times I didn't think we'd make it through.

Here we are though with three great kids that are smart, funny and beautiful.

I will even say - It's a wonderful life :)

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Hay and more

Grandpa arrived on Wednesday while Chyann and I were in the cities seeing her Doctors.




The Doc's are quite pleased with her bone healing abilities, but a somewhat worried that she is outgrowing their predictions on how tall she is going to be - currently she is 5'3''. New bone age xrays show she still has a lot of growing to do and that is problematic as they grew her right leg only 1cm longer than the left leg and the left has already caught up with the right. The right (is still growing, but at a slower rate than the left due to nerve damage and other factors) needs to be a little shorter than the left - which they planned on but it can't be too much shorter than the left.. Did you get that? So, they are going to keep a close watch on her lengths and if needed will go in and stop the left from growing. FYI she has almost full mobility back in her right knee!




So, when we got back from the cities Grandpa is taking a nap, planning on heading out that evening with the kids to Oklahoma.


After dinner they left. I cried.


When I got a hold of myself I was going to call my Mother and let her know they were on the way. Chyann called instead and said something was wrong with the truck and they were coming back. !! really?




Grandpa said the truck had no power going up hills and a code had been thrown - you know all new vehicles are ran by computers and you have to have a specialized thing to read the codes (the Hubby has one, but not for vehicles that new).




Next morning Grandpa is up early heading for the Chevy dealer to get the code thing figured out. He is back within a half hour saying the code was cleared and let's roll!




Kids hurriedly threw their stuff in the truck and they were off within 20 minutes!


I cried. Happy that they were going, but worried all the same.




I went upstairs to tidy up and get ready to start work, when the door bell rang!?! The kids were back!


Grandpa's truck was still not running properly and he didn't want to take the chance of getting stranded somewhere with the kids. Off he went to OK. He made it safely and the truck is getting fixed.




The kids were bummed about not going - Caden had big ideas of fishing in their pond and riding one of Grandpa's four wheelers - he has two and a go cart. Chyann brought a bunch of horse "stuff" because she was going to ride their horse Sonny - who use to be used for barrel racing and is a paint. She wants that horse soooo bad (Grandpa would probably give him to her if she could talk her Daddy into it). She also had ideas of cooking for Grandma and taking care of her - she just had a shoulder operation to fix her rotor cuff.




Getting ready to leave (the first time).



Chyann bought herself a camera for the trip to OK. Finally someone else to take pictures!



Below are some of her first shots.



Shasta breeze looking for Caden to throw that toy for her.



Casper pestering Jenny.

We have been having some of the best weather lately. It gets cool at night and warms up to the 50's during the day. Love it!


Hey! Almost forgot - I got an Excellence award from work on Friday! $$ and a certificate! How cool is that!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Are you Kidding me!?!?!?

My personal hotmail account got hacked!

How and why does that happen?!!??!

I was locked out for a few days and was finally able to verify I was really the owner of the account and let back in. The hotmail folks said my email address was hijacked to send spam to people - not folks I knew, but random strangers - how rude is that?!


Caden had a swim party for his birthday last Friday after school. The lifeguard had her hands full trying to keep an eye on all the wild animals we let loose on the local pool.


A few local guys have opened up a nice little restaurant called the Green Cow. They make their own ice cream - which is wonderful, use local beef in their food and are really doing well. They are going to start making their own bread soon as well.

We took the kids their for lunch on Saturday and had a great meal. The Italian Chicken on homemade Texas toast is fantastic!

My lovely babies


Chyann had a friend over on Sunday and the three of us rode horses. Was a lot of fun! First time in a while that we've had anyone ride with us, on our horses. All the horses were well behaved and Chyann's friend showed that she was well able to handle riding Scotch.


Grandpa Gerry is heading this way today to get some more hay and pick up the kids -minus Colton, for a long weekend in Oklahoma with the Grandparents! Wish I was going too!


Have a good one!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A little of this and that...

At work a few weeks ago we did a team building exercise and tie dyed shirts to wear to a company meeting - which we rocked! We played Let's Make A Deal. Which I had the pleasure of being a contestant by shouting out who the original host was "Monty Hall!" I started out with a nice company pen and traded up for the big box #2 which turned out to be a crown and pom-poms! Good fun :)




Caden thought the shirts I did were so cool! So we did some ourselves this last weekend.


Everyone did at least two shirts. Cutting the bands and unfolding them was exciting!


As they dried Gracie had to check them out too.



What a goofy cat.



Gerry made it home with his massive load of hay safely.


I should have taken a picture of how loaded he was. Next time.




It has been crazy windy here all this week. We are being squeezed between several different pressure systems and that sure makes for some blustery conditions. Definitely feeling like fall.




Working at home is a fantastic deal!


Two other gals in my work group have been approved to work from home as well. Before too long I bet half of us will be at home.




Happy Hump day!





Friday, October 14, 2011

Animal Friday!

Once again it's that longed for day of the week - FRIDAY!

Shasta Breeze taking a snooze while we play domino's.

The view from my "office" window. I just happened to look out and they were all laying down. By the time I ran downstairs and back up to take the picture Gypsy and Casper were standing again.


You can just barely see Jenny and Cowboy laying down behind the Elm branch. Casper is terribly muddy from the rain the night before.


For the first few hours after I started work Chyann's cat Gracie had to be right there rubbing, trying to walk on the keyboard, laying on the desk and shedding alllllll over me! Yuck! Not to mention I had one dog or the other in my lap all day.


All in all it was a great first day of working from home. No technical issues what so ever! Just logged on and went to work, that was so nice. And I have to say that for the most part everything was just as fast as when I was in office, with only a few exceptions that I can easily deal with.

I did miss the going away potluck for my good friend Steph at work and that was a bummer, as they had some fantastic food - or so I heard.


A little OT on the books for Saturday AM as our busiest time of year officially starts tomorrow. It's the Fall open insurance enrollment for Medicare eligible folks.


Gerry is also coming up late tonight or early tomorrow to get pick up more hay. Mom is staying home and taking it easy this weekend.


Hope you have a great weekend!




Thursday, October 13, 2011

The big 9!


My Baby Boy turned 9 this week!

Blew out all the candles on his cake.


The siblings we in attendance as well and had fun trying to give him the required 9 swats.

That evening was Caden's last football game of the season, played under the lights.


The soybean field next door was harvested this week too. I don't remember it being such a dusty process in previous years, but boy oh boy was the dust thick.


Chyann is thrilled that they are getting the soybeans off now so we can ride in the fields since it is deer bow season and Daddy'O is not too wild on us riding in the woods.

We had a big wind last week that blew off most of the gorgeous leaves and broke a huge branch off my biggest lilac tree.


Today is my first day of working from home. I brought all my junk home last night and got everything set up. When I'm done here I'll be heading up to my "office" and logging in!

Toodles :)













Friday, October 7, 2011

Animal Friday

TGIF!!


And what a long week this has been!


The folks got off early Monday AM. We sure loved having them here. Due to the hot and dry conditions in OK this last summer it looks like we'll be seeing more of them since they plan on driving up here to buy all their hay for the winter. LOVE IT!



The piggies have completely recovered from their ailment and are getting big. So big that they stand on their hind legs to look out the stone wall. Not the best picture of that, but you get the idea.


Thought I'd throw in a picture of the cows. Millie sure is getting big.



Lily and Marble, who have been running with the neighbors bull down the road, will be getting preg checked next week and returning home if pregnant or taking a trip to the butcher if not...




Chyann taking a spin on Gypsy the other day. Sure wish I'd been home earlier every day this week to have ridden with her since the weather has been absolutely beautiful - Indian summer with temps in the low 80's. She's been having a blast.

Chyann has been hired by the neighbors to bring Casper up to their house and give pony rides for their daughters Birthday party tonight. She is planning on painting Casper all up with pink paint and glitter. I told her to take some pictures for me since I'll still be at work.

No big plans for the weekend..
Tidy up my new office some since it is getting wired for work on Tuesday. Looks like I may make the deployment date of Oct 13th if all continues to go well.
Sure am glad I wont have to be driving to and from work soon as the sand mine that recently began operating in our Township started hauling the sand on Oct 1 and the roads, which are not all that great to start with, are being overtaken with huge semi type dump trucks. Today on my way to work I had nine of the buggers pass me and I sware they travel with their drivers side wheels right on the center line! Making me have to practically get in the ditch to avoid getting hit.
More on the sand mine at a later date.

Anyhow.. Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)