How Was Your Yesterday?

It's snowing, more of a wet snow.

J stepped on a rusty nail yesterday, got a tetnus (sp?) shot and antibiotics.

C's rash is back. Need to find out where she's getting it.

Just a Quick Post

Yesterday, we went for a follow up appt for C at the dermatologist. She's doing good. He thinks the rash that she had looked like ringworm (she is totally grossed out by this). Where and how'd she get it is the big question. You can get it from someone else, cats and dogs. We do have a dog. Who knows. He did say not to worry about it.

While there I did ask him about a spot (more like a dry patch) on my face. It looks like, maybe pre-cancerous blah, blah. I am going to have to go and get it frozen off. It's not a big deal and no need to hurry, said the way kick back Dr. I am not worried. One too many bad burns on this white woman's face...well.

Also, the Dr. has twice mentioned a dairy free diet to help with the acne, and multiple other things. C was more upset about that then having the z word. She does not want to go dairy free. I think I may have to sneak it in. I have heard from other sources as well, about the benefits of going non-dairy. I bought soy-milk (Dr. recommended) last night. Had it in my tea. Can't tell the difference. I am going to explore further with this!

So much for a quick post! Have a great day!

fun video!

check out my teaching blog to watch a fun experiment!

no creative title...sorry

This is how my day began...

Last night our toilet started to overflow. It's like half clogged. Will flush with no problems, thus far. It's when we shower that it leaks. Anyway, the shop vac is there to vacuum the water, until a plumber comes. To find out about this photo go to my Teaching in my Jammies blog.

OH! I was reading a blog (one of the ones I read) and the lady met the Pioneer Women! Did I not just write about her! Golly, lucky lady! I checked the PW's book tour and she isn't coming our way. Bummer! I would've liked to meet her! Small world!

Marlboro Man and The Pioneer Women

I have just found a new fave site. I found here through a digi friend. I went to her (The Pioneer Women) site and low and behold, I am visiting her everyday! She loves to cook, was a big city girl who married a rancher (aka The Marlboro Man) and homeschools! She takes beautiful photos, is funny and I think you'll love her too! One more plus...she owns a basset named Charlie!

Sat. I was making the grocery/menu list out for the next two weeks, going through her recipes and DH was looking on...his mouth was a waterin'!

Tonight I made Marlboro Man's favorite sandwich.

Overall, I would have to give this recipe 2 stars.
My main squeeze thought it was good.
I really liked it.
C said some of the meat was chewy. She got other pieces and ate them all.
J well, he said that it is NOT a keeper.

Sat night I made her Monkey Muffins. Which was a keeper. Four Stars! We added walnuts and didn't have cinnamon so I used pumpkin pie spice. They would've all been gone that night, but I said no!

I have about 5 more recipes on my list. She gives great step by step photos for us right brainers (or those who need proof while disagreeing with a cooking spouse.)

Go check her out and let me know what you think.

WOW!

Jared couldn't have gotten the elk any sooner...
Weather report:
We left Mon., late at night...that morning 6:30 the winds came.
Yesterday VERY high winds, High Rolls clocked up to 85 MPH! Here 50+, El Paso 91!!
The whole mountain is without power, for probably a week!
They are advising everyone who lives in the mountains to come down here.
Trees down, they got more snow, etc.
Thurs./Friday, another snow storm in the forecast!
Everything (even the gas stations) are closed up there!

Yikes!

Thank God for His protection again!

Ranch Life and more

As you know R and J went elk hunting...J did get his elk Monday! The pics are on a different camera. So I will write about that later. He worked super hard to get it!

Anyway, R's boss let us stay at a cabin and C and I went up Sunday night. Let me just say that I don't think that place has seen a lady in awhile. A total man place.

Anyway, with the guys off early in the morning my day started off with an early morning phone call. From who...?? But I am glad I did get up. A gorgeous sunrise greeted me. (Anne, there weren't curtains!!! Or just sheer ones! I asked R "Where's the closest rancher?") I look out the kitchen window and this is what I see...along with about 3 others, a cottontail, some sort of blue jay, and robin type of birds. About 20 minutes later I see the male bull (young one) looking at the other cows coming. Let's just say he was probably singing all of the pretty ladies (or something similar) ... The sunrise was pretty and the icicles even prettier. This is off of the front porch.

Out of the back room...and old oil pump. You can see the sheet of ice and snow coming off of the roof.

As I am taking in the view, I spot some movement and this is what came around the tree. A calf and it's mother. The calf wasn't very old.

Dolly got her looks at the cattle. At first she wanted to play. She had some stare downs with a couple of the cows. She really liked the snow too.

The real temp was somewhere in between these two. It got windy in the late morning/afternoon. When we left is was snowing a bit.

These cows stayed almost all day. The rancher put hay right by the house! You can see the long drive we had to take in and out.

Later, after I bleached the kitchen and did my hair C and I went to check out the old barn. We climbed the fence. I was wearing R's work boots...funny thing, they were big on me so by the time I got back to the cabin my socks had pretty much come off in the boots!

The snow wasn't too deep in this photo, but in others it was a couple of fit ontop of packed snow.

Aren't we cute! We really didn't need the beanies. All of the truching through the snow, etc. made us pretty warm.

C and Dolly decide to brave the cows and head straight back to the cabin. Me? Well, I climbed another fence and took the road. Side note, I left the gate open and Dolly got out, got too close to one of the cattle. The bull charged a bit. It was a bit hairy for a few minutes. But I think Dolly knew she was out sized.

We had planned on staying until Tuesday, but the guys got their elk and C and I were really bored. We did all we could do, plus there was no more bleach to clean with. It was very relaxing for one day to be "unplugged", and so close to nature, but I really like having people around. I don't know how people live way out in the middle of nowhere.

We left late to head home. We totally saw the hand of God. We almost hit an elk! It was super close. I screamed crazy like. R said I probably scarred it away! Thank God for His protection!

Again!

We got snow...AGAIN!! Can you believe it? Two good snows in one week! It snowed last night. We got about 2-3 inches. Sun/Mon storm gave us 8 inches. Though this storm had much more ice. The schools closed twice!

This photo is actually from the first snow, the next day. J's snow man...(a couple of days after the first snow.)

Snow lady...I don't know if she's supposed to be packing!

Icicles...

This morning on our trumpet vines.

Trash alley!

My mom was here for a very short visit, but she still got in some puzzle time with J.

Frame this...I don't catch her smiling too often! (on camera)

Goofy, goodbyes!

Family shot, today.

Right now I am a hunting window. R and J are in the mtns. They left right after my mom. I was pretty sad. They are hunting elk. J says he's going to get one tomorrow. R's boss has a cabin where they are staying. C and I are going to go up there Sunday after church for a few days. (Unless they get an elk!!)

White Never Looked so Good

This is what we woke up to this morning!! Honestly, the photos don't do it justice.

I don't know if Dolly has ever seen snow. Poor thing, she's trying to find her scent.

J is outside right now (7:33am) measuring the depth of the snow. First report, 6 inches.
Public school has a snow day. Us, well, we are having school!

Oh, Christmas Tree

Every year for years we have cut our own tree in the nearby mtns. The first year was magical (except for C and me falling in the snow, etc.). You know the stuff of books. You drive down the windy (long I) dirt road looking here and there for just the one, just the perfect tree. Then you spot it across the meadow standing all by itself. Ahhh...that was many trees ago. Most years have been, well not as magical. This year, was different. The kids didn't want to go. I think they are mountained out. They stayed with some friends. Very nice drive! R and I were driving for about 2 hours (maybe a bit longer), we marked certain trees with toilet paper (biodegradable). But when we came upon a small side road there it was. I knew it! After getting out, inspecting and debating over this and a tree nearby, I knew this was the one!

Can you see the smoke from the chain saw! Nice!

Man vs Tree

Man...the winner! It's even got it's official tag!

In the house! We are trying a new spot in the house. The kids really don't seem to care. (I guess their friends who are spending the night are more interesting.) I guess this is how it goes as they get older.

Thanksgiving Menu

Here's the scoop: we were honestly waiting to be invited to someone else's Thanksgiving festivities. But no invites came. We did not want to spend the holiday without friends again (once is enough). So we invited people here. Most everyone was already taken.

You know what I am actually excited to cook and clean this year!!
We are having:
3 families and a single lady

Turkey (R is making that)
Sweet Potato Casserole (the bomb)
Mrs. Aulson's mashed potatoes
Eilene's Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Steph's Spinach Salad (The best)
rolls and drinks
Pecan Pie with homemade crust
Messer's Jello Dessert
and I am going to make another dessert with pumpkin pie with almond spiced whipped cream, lemon ice box pie, or pecan shortbread cookies (I may just save these for Christmas.)

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

After that we are going to cut our tree on Friday!

Then the following week my mom will be here for a really quick visit. Then R & J are off to hunt elk. One of R bosses has a cabin near where they are going to hunt. He is letting us use it for free! So C and I are going to be mountain mommas for a few days!! Funny little story...R told me that maybe C and I could walk to the country store while we were up there. We drove to try and find the cabin (couldn't) Sat. The country store...was about 15 or so miles from where the cabin's supposed to be. Um...C and I are NOT walking thank you!

See you soon!

18 years today...

Flexible

I remember as a young girl I would walk to and from school. After some storms I noticed that some trees had broken limbs. I would wonder why it was always the big sturdy trees that would be broken and not the young saplings. I figured surely it would be so much easier to break a little tree than one that has been there for years.

I asked my mom about it. She explained that the younger trees can bend much easier then the older trees. The older trees get dried out.

It still took me awhile to fully understand that.

Today, as life keeps throwing me curves balls. I am reminded of the young trees I'd see bending in the wind and the old trees with some branches in the ground.

God, help me to keep flexible like the young tress!

Photo update

The timeline on this is backwards.
R and C went to a Jeremy Camp concert last week. It was an early Christmas present. The two got to spend a fun two days with each other! We all went to the Museum of History in E.P. They kids actually had a REALLY good time.

This photo really struck me. The lady's are taking a typing test...blindfolded!

Not only did we get history in at the museum, we got Spanish in too. This Mexican restaurant had Spanish only menus. We went for the burritos! R had read about this place a few years ago in a newspaper, saved the article and here we are.

We also met Nancy in E.P. a couple of weeks ago. Here's C's drawings on the table.

N & R...

Tomorrow we (R & I) go to E.P. again to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary!

Snow...And A Visit

Updated...view from just outside of our dining room window! LOVE it!

I don't have any photos, yet, but I do have a few minutes to post!

It snowed last night! Didn't stick here, but the view of the snowy mountains from our kitchen window is very nice! Really put me in the Christmas spirit, so I changed the music. (You're welcome Michele!)

Yesterday the kids and I went to Cruces to see a dermatologist. C has been fighting a rash on her neck for some time. Our Dr. here prescribed two different creams. The second made it worse! Long story short, she has a kind of fungus. Yay! He gave us some samples of a different cream...free!! The creams our doc was giving us actually feed the fungus! Thanks! I am seriously thinking it's time to find a new doctor. But that's another story.

I tell you we bring J along to these appointments for entertainment. We had to wait awhile in the room, there was only one seat, the examining table and the Dr.'s chair. The kids finally sat in one of these. But every time they heard someone coming they hurried back to my seat in the corner. After doing this several times J said, "Places everyone!" He was very funny.

On the way to the app. we saw one of the most beautiful rainbows. It went from ground to ground, was a double, and actually started having more colors. Nope no camera!

Oh, Dolly. We took her to get her shots and to get her bumps checked out. Now the bumps are more like cysts, some are the bigger then marbles. They tested her and she's fine. It's common for bassets to get these.

I am excited. Tonight Nancy will be in El P. We are going down to maybe get her from the airport and have dinner with her!

I will try to take a photo of the mtns when the sun is better!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Downloaded the pictures off of the camera today and this was one of them. A side story, We LOVE Dolly and the Basset Hound in her makes her very mellow. She is very affectionate and wishes she could be a lap dog. R ran into people selling basset puppies the other night. Ugh! If we were to get another "big" dog we would get a basset, but not at the asking price. Bummer!

As you know we had a garden this year. Honestly, we just put seeds in the ground and watered. No working the soil, adding food, etc. So we were lucky to get what we got. (The neighborhood squirrel vandal help himself to much of our produce.) We planted pumpkins and got many flowers, but one lone pumpkin. We bought the small ones, for baking. This one became a yummy pie!

Introducing...

"Who didn't flush the toilet?"

"It wasn't me!"

"It wasn't me!"

"Who vacuumed up this plastic piece?"

"AND a whole colored pencil?

"It wasn't me!"

"It wasn't me!"

You get the idea. Mr. or Misses It Wasn't Me has been staying here lately. I wish that he/she would do something good and not take the credit! heehee

In Need of a New Post

My dear husband reads this blog (HI HONEY!!).
I didn't really know that.

Anyway, last night during dinner, he looks at me and says (you have to know him to get this) "Back From the Dead".
After a second, just a second, I said, "Why didn't you leave a comment! ?"
"I was at work and didn't have time."
"Did you click on my ads?"
"Yes!"

Well, that's good enough for me.

We are truly getting back into the swing of things. I am almost all better! We have made it through Thursday (which tend to be hard day for us).

We are taking Dolly to the vet today. She needs her rabies shot. She also has bumps on her that need to be checked out.

While on the subject of Dolly, she is such a funny dog. She is by far the most well behaved, calmest dog that we have had. She will do anything for food. We have (More R and Dolly have) this ritual at night. He gets a dog biscuit and to get her into her crate for the night.

Here's how it goes (more or less). Usually after we are done praying (which is knows her treat is coming), R asks her, "Are you ready for your treat?"
No joke, she starts licking her chops!
Depending on were we are in the house, she then proceeds to go to her crate as R points with his arm and says, "Crate."
Sometimes she will wait to make sure he gets a treat before she moves.
She will open her crate door with her nose and even her paw. She is truly on a mission at that point.

Back From the Dead

Everyone in the house has been sick for about two weeks.

Coughing, running/stuffed noses, fever, body aches.

Doctor said it was the flu. He didn't say the swine flu.

Everyone is pretty much better. I am still sniffling as I type.


Hope you all are doing good!

Those Days...

You know those days when you REALLY need to get out of the house, because you've been with sickies for what feels like weeks.

Those days when your hubby is off and wants to go for a "drive".

Those days when hubby's drive has extra purposes...get you out of the house, give the kids some fresh air AND scope out hunting sites.

Those days where the road to see the "foliage" feels more like bull riding on a full bladder.

Those days when there seems to be extra laundry.

Those days, where you are extra thankful to have those days with the people you love.

Today was one of those days.

Dear Michele...

...you can scroll down and pause the music!

Photo Time

Here is a photo of our freshly painted dining room wall. You can't see the too well, but we like it! We are going to attempt the kitchen next. I just had to show you J's room. He has been keeping it clean for a couple of months now. I don't know how or why, but something clicked and he has been doing SO good at keeping it clean. He LOVES to rearrange. I actually has change since this photo. Anne I think he's your kid! LOL!

This was today. It's not foggy, that is the screen! Dolly is so funny. She jumped right into the wheel barrel with J. He had food!

C with S at a youth outreach. This is one of her favorite faces!

J finally got his b-day box from one of his grandparents. He was waiting for a LONG time for this!

Hope you have a great day! If you're reading this, leave me a comment so I know who's out there besides Anne! heehee!

Ramble, ramble

I don't intend on not writing anything for days at a time. I often find myself thinking..."I should blog about this." Other times, I think, "Gosh, I haven't blogged in a long time. What do I say?"

"I just ate a bean (homemade) burrito for lunch, the kids are laughing in the background, and Dolly, well she's whining, the kids must have food (that dog loves people food). " I am sure you don't want to read this everyday.

Or, our washer has a mysterious leak, R is going to have to take off the back and find it. Our toilet seems to not be "sucking" as much. Hence, continues our toilet troubles. I have a fear of it backing up when I use it now...wait...this is too much information.

Or, J's tire is fixed. Dad also bought him a bell. I think the neighbors are probably getting tired of the ring.

Or, Tomorrow the guys are going hunting, dove. C and I are going to paint the dining room. I have had such a hard time picking a color. But I am going with Cottonwood. Which is a shade darker than Antique Lace.

Or, the weather is a bit chilly today. I made whole wheat pancakes for breakfast. There's only two left. J eats a LOT. He has been on an egg kick, especially since he can cook them himself. Tonight's dinner will hopefully be better then last night's (an ok beef and broccoli, I threw the recipe away...sorry Michele.) Slow cooked Peppered Pork Chops.

Wait...this is what I read on other people's blogs.

Up, Up and Away...

No matter how many of these fly over our house every year I still run out in my PJs with camera in hand. There weren't that many up this morning. The weather, as you can see, was rather cloudy. Here are a few that went by our house. All of these were taken in our yard/driveway.

Some flowers that the kids planted.