Out with the old, in With the New

To fill you in, in case you don't know already.
One of the leaks that we've found caused damaged to our old vanity. If you've been to our house you know what our bathroom looked like.

It has been sitting like the before photo for a few days. Today it got done!!! R took off the toilet yesterday and what we saw made our stomachs get a bit tight. I won't go into detail, but let's just say that it was only being help on by one rusty bolt and the seal wasn't sealing anymore. So we called the plumber. He said that we were okay!!! Thank God because neither of us wanted to voice the concerns that were in our heads (that we'd have to tear up the floor). He also looked at our bathroom and told us to try something else before we tear up the shower area to find the leak.
Before... After...
The bathroom is just barely done! I LOVE it! I painted the mirror (the paint is a whole other story) to match the vanity. I was a bit nervous at first (C was really nervous). J said, "It looks like the expensive ones!" He LOVES it. I also painted the area around the lights. Don't know what to do with the trim over the tile. Let me tell you the toilet (MAJOR flushing system!!!) and the vanity just fit. (R had to trim the toilet handle!) Now the lighthouse picture just doesn't fit. I want to make something for there.

The best part is that we got it all $80 cheaper. The vainty/sink was the display and the toilet was cheaper at the other store, so they beat the price!

snow again

one bathroom is half apart...plumber is here

we are starting to feel better

and my dad is ok

Leaks...

So we have a leak...where? We don't know.

We (he) thought he found it behind some paneling in the entryway...it was a mice hotel. He thought the "leaks" were mice pee...um, GROSS!

We (he) thought he found it when he found a leak in the sprinkler system next to the house.

Tonight we (she) hoped it was found when a leak under the main bathroom sink was found. (Note: everyone but me, saw the water on the floor and didn't say anything!!!)

Three (we 3 who ate the goat cheese from Mexico) have been "leaking" for the last two-three days.

We (both he and she) think we need to take out our tub or more in our bathroom and find the leak.

YUM PW style!

Last night I made Spicy Shredded Pork from the Pioneer Woman. We ate about 1/3 of the meat. So I froze 1/3 and cooked the other 1/3 tonight. I have no photos. But here's what I did.

Spicy Shredded Pork...shredded
Olive oil
1 can of diced potatoes
Hot NM green chilies...diced
Goat Cheese (from our neighbor)
IGA defective tortillas (any will do)

Heat the shredded pork in pan with olive oil, add green chilies. I chopped the pototoes up more, then added to pan. You can add a bit of chicken broth if the meat is too dry. cook until heated. Serve on tortilla with goat cheese (cheddar will do). You can add sour cream. This is just too good. Everyone LOVED it! YAY!

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!