Welcome!

Welcome to my little ol' blog. I'll be upfront about it: I don't blog very often any more. If you found your way here because you read my book "Trailer Life," have a gander! But it's easier to keep up with me on Instagram or on my Facebook page. I have this long, drawn out theory on why I'm a terrible blogger, but that is a story for another day. Enjoy the ramblings of my life from the last 8 years or so.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Puppy Love- I'm getting a dog!

A blue puppy- Austrialian Cattle Dog, aka blue heeler or Queensland heeler.

 Red and blue. SO CUTE, I just want to squeeze them!

 One of the moms. This one is Pfeiffer, a blue. In our area, especially for a ranch dog, it is customary to dock the tails.
 The dad- McConaughey. He is shaped like a barrel- very stout, even as a puppy.

Another mom- this one is named Foxy, and she's a red heeler, and on the smaller side.

I am finally ready for a puppy, and I reserved a female from two upcoming litters out either Foxy or Pfeiffer. I reserved a blue, then a red, and even a white, if a white one comes out. I don't really care which color I get, as long as it's a girl. I was keen on the blues first, but the reds have grown on me. I have watched many YouTube videos, and I love these dogs! I didn't at first, and here's why:

Growing up, I was let off the bus at the highway and had to walk down a dirt road to our house. Not far, only about a 1/4 mile. I had to pass two other houses, one of the houses had a dog that would chase me down the road, and he scared me to death. It was my friend's dad's dog, and he told me it was a Queensland heeler. So, I grew up hating Bronson (none of our dogs acted like he did!) and hating Queensland Heelers. About a year ago, Ryan suggested a Queensland would fit our family and lifestyle, and I balked at the suggestion at first. I didn't want a mean, ugly dog that looked like it would eat your face off. He was surprised by my strong reaction and got on the internet to show me pictures. Bronson was NOT a queenland heeler. Maybe his grandma was, but looking back, I think he was mostly Rottweiler. The jaw/mouth was completely different- much more like a pitbull.I remember this because I was quite preoccupied with his mouth, and swung my alto saxophone case with all my 80 pounds. (I knew that stupid case was good for something!) Anyway, the more I have learned about the breed, the more excited I am to get one. Ryan has met many through his days as a cowboy and packer. He really likes them.

She will make the perfect running buddy for me, since George quit me. I tried to walk George yesterday, and we only made it to the mailbox before he sat down and looked at me. He wouldn't budge. No amount of nice talking, excitement, or tugging would move that dog, until I finally said, "Go home." Then he promptly got up and we walked with no problem back to his house. He used to run with me all the time, and now he won't even walk. He likes to do things on his terms, and he's so big and stubborn, there is little I can do. I think he's lazy. Ryan says he is just independent, as Great Pyrenees are. What ever the case, when he quit running with me two years ago, my fitness has gone down hill. I like the companionship of a dog when I run (or right now, walk) where I live: dirt trails in the country. I also want her to go hiking with the kids and I, and where George is great for keeping coyotes away, he will lick people to death. He's not scary. I want a dog that can be intimidating, if only slightly. The kids are getting older now, too. They have more puppy sense and I can train them as well as the dog. This dog will go everywhere with me. Like a 5th kid. Except probably more obedient -LOL.

I think I might name her Emmylou. We name our dogs after country singers. (And our barn cats are named Steve- I know.) Emmylou is kind of a long name though, so I'm not 100% sure. Anyhow, we are crossing our fingers we get a female in February! 

(Thank-you to the Lewis Ranch for the pictures, and I look forward to meeting my puppy soon!)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Stressed, but Happy

Can you be both stressed and happy at the same time? I think I am both of those. With everything going on right now, I have an almost permanent lower eyelid twitch on my right eye, and the corner of my mouth is tingling like I'm going to get a cold sore. Yipee! My second grade school picture is classic: me with frizzy hair and cold sores. I suppose it's my destiny in life: to be a stress case and have bad skin. At least I had very cool polo shirt and purple corduroy pants. I loved cords. Still do.
People don't really change, I guess.

Monday, November 28, 2011

The TRUTH


It's true. And, I said it last night. Jocelyn said I should write it down and put it on Pinterest! So, as an experiment, I will. I said it because I was being whined at for being "so mean!" because I told Ed it was time to go home. Turns out he was in the middle of watching "The Santa Clause, 2." Once I figured out that was what the real problem was I told him to get over it, and "why don't you just go ask grandma if you can borrow it?" while shaking my head and rolling my eyes. Hey, I was done.

I also decided after a conversation with cousin Jimmy on Thanksgiving, that I should use my camera more often, and let the results be what they may. I could write a whole post titled "Psychological Ramifications of  the Quest of Mastering Basic Photography While Combating the Hyper Critical Self," but if you notice the first six letters of that are PSYCHO.

Anyways, watch for me to be busting out my camera more. I will get over the self inflicted feeling of being intrusive and that I'm not any good. And, I will also realize when you expect every picture to be perfect, you set the standard so high that you quit taking any pictures.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Today

Today I made a to-do list. Inspired by my cousin Caley's list of 75 things she needed to do (some soon, some a little later), I decided to get back into the habit of a paper and pen list of things to do. Ryan used to tease me about being a list maker, and I kind of stopped doing it (on paper, they were always in my head), but he has started making lists, too! It happens when you have to much stuff in your head to keep track of. My list today looks like this:

Laundry- wash*, dry*, fold, put away
Laundry- wash*, dry, fold, put away
breakfast*
breakfast dishes*
beans*
grocery shop
library books- find them*, return them
sand chimney
sweep under couch (ewww)*
make kids clean their room*
walk George
blog update*
clean bedroom pile by bed*
dinner
dinner dishes
lunch
lunch dishes

*completed- I LOVE crossing things off! Weirdly satisfying.
not too bad! the grocery store thing bothers me, because that is a minimum 30 minute drive one way, or if I wanted to save money, minimum 60 minutes one way. That eats up my day entirely and leaves me exhausted. Maybe I'll wait until Ryan gets home and go by myself. Or, if I can beg him to please stop and get me a gallon of milk we could possibly wait until Monday to shop when the kids are back in school. But I'm not sure if he can do that in uniform. I don't want him to get in trouble. But dang, it would be nice to have that opportunity to be like, "Hey, honey, can you stop on your way home and get some milk and a loaf of bread?" But when he wears a uniform and drives a state car, that could be unethical. Hmmm.....

Finding the library books was awful. My kids are banned from checking out books for awhile.

The kids have been waking up at 6:15 every morning, except the mornings they have school. Typical!

I am making more of an effort to encourage George to walk with me. He doesn't like it anymore. I'm getting a puppy in February, one that is more energetic and will go with me everywhere. I'm so excited! I've been thinking about and planning for one for about a year now. More on that later.


Happy Thanksgiving!

 This Thanksgiving, dinner was spent at the Bunting's where Levi told me grandma hunted the turkey. I thought he said she dropped it at first. Dinner was yummy! The turkey was brined and moist and delicious! The rolls were buttery...mmmmmm. We went over to my parent's house for desserts.
 This sassy girl (grrr!) was ready to eat! She rearranged her own place, trading a smaller plate for the larger one. On the way home the other day we talked about her not being so sassy, and she said, "But, I just don't know how!" Somethings else I don't want to forget: she loves to eat open face mayonnaise sandwiches.
Kacy is a good helper. She's one of the messiest kids I know, but she will eventually clean it up. She made a school project with thankful leaves. The leaves say she's thankful for the sun, friends, home, Veterans, family,church, my dad's job, God, life, the temple, Jesus, nature, and the moon.

I am thankful for a great marriage, healthy kids who do well in school, a car that hasn't fallen apart yet, my trailer that keeps me dry when it's wet outside, setting priorities and having faith that everything will work out, the gospel of Jesus Christ, my dog George who barks at the coyotes, my husband's job, a washer and dryer that work and that is on the property (hallelujah chorus for that one!) and for the opportunities I have to do stuff I like, to have a good friend or two, and generally be happy with my life. A good attitude will take you far, or at least, it will help keep you sane. And when I say "you," I mean "me."

My New Nephew

Here is the announcement for my youngest sister's kid. He seems like a good baby- sleeps a lot, likes to eat... that what all newborns do though, right?

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Veteran's Day

For Veteran's Day we went to the cemetery where my grandpa is buried. He served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. The cemetery didn't have any flags put up this year, and it was windy.

The kids' school puts on a great Veteran's Day program, complete with songs and recitations. Veteran's come from the comunity, and there are refreshments afterwards. It is always great! Thank-you to all the Veteran's for their service which allows our freedoms here.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

It's Cold!

That's right. It's cold. And, my kids need pants. It's is impossible to do hand-me-downs in our family. Kacy is the first born. Jessie is almost five years younger. The boys wear the same size. Alas, a shopping trip is in order. I hate shopping. (Don't tell anyone... I have recently started to tolerate shopping. Maybe by the time I'm a grandma I'll learn to enjoy it!)

The kids had their huge Veteren's Day program yesterday. It was good! Rooster, M. Henry, and N. Young came from church. Kacy personally called Rooster Tuesday night to let him know. While we were talking about calling him, Jessie interrupted and said, "Uh, guys. Chickens don't talk on phones. Hello!" She was so serious (and so SASSY!) and we just cracked up. That's what you get when you only half listen to a conversation.

The kids' classes did things like recite poems, sing songs, sign and sing songs, and pass out paper flowers and thank-you notes.

Tuesday night I had a board meeting. I like being on the board, and knowing what is going on at the school. Between that and talking to the teachers, I am totally comfortable with what goes on at school. Except the government part of it (there are so many regulations! Daunting.) it can almost be "fun." Kind of. We have a great Superintendent/Principal. It almost makes me nervous for when she retires... hope the next one is good, too.

Today the kids were home from school (teacher in-service day) and tomorrow is Veteran's Day. A four day weekend already! I love it. Even in the trailer when it's too cold to play outside. We went to the big house today and had a dance party. Good times!

I'm rambling! That's because I'm taking a break and thinking of starting to make dinner. We are having grilled chicken thighs, broccoli, and cheesy rice. Mmmm...I'm hungry!

Monday, November 7, 2011

First Snow of the Season

 We woke up yesterday (early, sort of, because of the time change) and saw this! It was snowing huge wet flakes! The kids were so excited, it was all I could do to convince them to find sweaters and shoes to put on with their pajamas.
 The clouds were also really low. It socked in our little valley and made the mountains disappear. The kids were awestruck. My favorite part was before they knew I was awake. They were all under the shade of the window with their behinds sticking out, talking about the snow.
 I love that Jessie thinks Will is hilarious. And, that she thinks wearing my clothes is acceptable. And, that Ed is wearing Kacy's pink and brown John Deer boots.
Wet snowballs, cold hands, and 20 minutes later they were back in the trailer huddles around the heater to get warm. They were also hoping for more snow on for today, so they could have a snow day for school. Not going to happen this time: it didn't stick to the roads for that long, and melted fairly quickly. Oh well. I used to wish for fog delays. We don't have fog here, so they get to wish for snow days!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

It's November...

...and I need a pause button, stat!

Aaaaaauuuuuuggggghhhhhhh!

So many things are coming together this month and next, and if I make it through, I will be golden. 

I am reminded of what my grandma always says, "It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick."

The thing is, this time I'm not so sure. I think I might actually rather be poked in the eye.

Deep breaths, hard work, and patience. That'll get me through.

Right?