A crime has been committed?

The other morning it had frosted and froze. It was down into the teens.   I let Walker out for his morning constitutional and breakfast and then he flopped down and slept on the deck.  When I looked out at him  he had moved to his warm house and bed but had left his outline.  It looked like a crime scene drawing to me.  I just had to laugh.   He is the same dog who will lay in the rain.  Or come home from the groomers and dig in the dirt and flop in it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were surprised by a snow "storm" today.  This was the exent of it.  LOL  I wear shorts when I work so I was THAT dork today in shorts and with wet hair.  Oh well it didn't last long.  It might be the same tomorrow but nothing is sticking and staying.  We would like a good snow dump though.  Then it can be Spring and we can get on with it.













 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had Buster and Princess the other day.  Princess brought her barbie with her.  She had tape all over her.  I asked my DIL whats the deal? She said Princess didn't like that her clothes kept moving or falling off and her boobs would show, so she fixed it!  I just laughed!  I love that girl!
Have a great night.
Peace
 



 

Super Secret Christmas!

I did good 2 years in a row!
I had an idea in the summer.  I pondered and wondered and tried to plan.  I finally conceded that I just couldn't do it alone.  I had to have help.  So I asked my cousin Tim if he could help me.  He had the shop and the tools and the know how to make it happen.  What is "it" you ask?  Well, it's a Barn Quilt!  If you have ever been in Iowa you know what they are. If not, you are about to find out!
I talked to Tim and he said  sure, what is it?  I had him pull them up on the web and we had a chat on how to make it happen.  I said I would have to remind myself to ask my dad to be sure to drive his truck when they come for Christmas.  Tim said.. Ooooooooor when your parents are coming here, we could be beating feet to their house and mount it on their barn and then you could just give them a picture of it.  I IMMEDIATELY got excited!  I thought if there is anyone that can make this happen it is Tim!  So he had things he had to get done and I had commitments I had to do and then it was time to get started! 
So Tim did the drawing of the pattern.  We had some issues and ours is not exactly like the pattern.  But that just makes it an original. 


First color is done!



All 4 colors on!



Tim masking off for the final touch ups.

I told my parents I had to work that last Friday before Christmas.  They were spending the day with my sister.  Tim came at 5:00 AM and we were off.  I'm not a very good morning person but I would like to think I was OK company for the first hour.  Then we just chatted and made our way across the state.  We made very good time.  I of course had to pee first but that was just a given.  We made it to the farm and got right to work.  That light was not there in the pictures I could find of the barn so that about sent me into a tailspin but Tim was calm and just figured out how it would all go.  He asked me if I wanted it higher or lower and I said higher and we were good to go!



Half way done!



I was told there shouldn't be any picture evidence.  There is of course!  Tim doing his thing!

TADA it's hung up!  It looks so good!  This is the picture I used as the gift.

 





No matter how many times I have tried to move this picture it won't budge.  This is the picture gift before I wrapped it up!



Me and the finished and mounted barn quilt!  I just love it.


From the road.  
My mom and dad were very confused on Christmas morning. They knew it was a picture of their barn but they did not get what the quilt picture was doing on it.  They thought it might be photo shopped or something.  I know I was almost vibrating with excitement and I told them the whole story.  They said they just loved it.  My dad has said a few people have asked what it is.  They obviously haven't been to Iowa!  I hope my parents are trendsetters for their area.  I loved making it and I loved surprising them.  I am not sure how I'm going to top it next year!

I hope you have a blessed week.
Peace

There is more then one way to skin a cat!

Here are the pictures that go with the birthday post!  It's taken me almost a week to figure out a different way.  The normal way is still not working.  I HATE BLOGGER!  
Buster opening his gifts.  Trains were the word of the day!


Skater and his girlfriend and friend.  He got snow shoes.


Princess at her brother's party.

T2 and his girlfriend.  

I hope your week is going well. 
Peace

We have had some birthdays!

Skater and Buster both had birthdays! 
Skater turned 22.  TWENTY TWO!  How did that happen??? 
Buster turned 3.  Cutest 3 year old I know!

On Friday the part of the family that is over 21 went to where Heir works.  He is an IT guy and does the sound for the bands on the weekends.  He almost never has Friday or Sat. off so if we want him to be a part of things that's where we go.  So we all went and had dinner.  It was very nice and yummy.  We took an ice cream cake for dessert and then we left the rest of it for the folks in the kitchen.  They loved it!  
The big guys are all into hiking, even in the Winter.  So Skater was the only one who didn't have snow shoes.  So that's what he got.  He was pleased.  I hope they get to use them soon.  We have had snow all around us and in the mountains but not here.  Since it didn't come on Christmas I don't need it now. 
Today we celebrated Buster's birthday.  Drummer and DIL have a tiny house and she has an extended family that come to things too so she had it at a pizza place in the banquet room.  There was lots of people there.  He seemed to have a really good time.  He LOVES Thomas the Train.  Well any train will do!  He got so many cute toys.  He has a tiny room so good luck to his mama.  A few people got him clothes and at 3 he was funny with those. 

I have tried to upload pictures and blogger is screwy.  Anyone have a better place to have a blog that doesn't wig out all the time? 

I hope you have a blessed week
Peace

2012 in Review

January - We had some lovely snow days.
  Skater turned 21 and Buster turned 2. 





 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 February - I did a photo challenge, The Littles and I went to Spokane and saw my parents and my nephew and his girls.  I did The Best Picture Showcase before the Oscars again.  Heir and T2 went with us.  It was fun.

Drummer and DIL celebrated their anniversary.  6 years!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March - T2 turned 24, My Anita and I got some new  ink together.

We (as in not me)  did a bathroom remodel.  Spring started to pop up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April - Drummer turned 27!  YIKES - We celebrated 29 years of marriage.  Dh went to visit with his mama.  He took Tinkerbell for few hours while he was there. Easter.  I took the Grands and Monkey to the zoo.  Realized Buster is a Runner!  We went as a family to Great Wolf Lodge!  Fantastic time!  Rescue Rita and I took The Littles to the ocean.  So much fun!

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May - Princess turned 5!  The Littles and I took off to Spokane again for a visit with some old friends and my mama's birthday. Spring REALLY showed up!  LOTS of pictures of lilac's. The Super Moon.  My parents went to Tennessee for what would be their final visit with my beloved Uncle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June - I had a birthday, Heir turned 29!  How did that happen!. We had our first Over 21 dinner at Heir's work.  It was very fun.  My mom was here for my birthday. I coordinated a wedding, which I hadn't done in several years.  It was a lovely wedding and lots of fun. The Littles and I went down to Anita's for the weekend and went to Northwest Trek and did a bit of Letterboxing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July - Monkey turned 8! My baby is 8! We celebrated the 4th.  Guys like to blow stuff up!  The Littles and I went with Anita and her boys to Crescent Bar.  We ALWAYS have a lovely time.  My cousin Tim had his annual Pig Roast.  My parents came this year.  Then they took The Littles home with them. Dh and I went to Pike Place and the water front one day. Then  Dh and I went to Friday Harbor to look for whales.  We were not disappointed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August - My wonderful Uncle Brownie lost his battle with cancer.  Dh and my mom and I went to Tennessee for his funeral. It was the most beautiful memorial I have ever been to.  He was a hero in every sense of the word.  We took The Littles to Silverwood.  We grabbed Tinkerbell for the weekend on the way.  We had such a good time.  We then went to Dhs mom's for a visit.  It was a good visit for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September - Bugs turned 14.  He is so tall and so handsome.  He is doing online school this year.  It's an adventure for all of us.  We went to Seattle for Labor day.  We had such a good time.  We did the Space Needle and The Ducks.  We then rode the monorail and then walked the waterfront.  So much fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October - DIL and Dh both celebrated birthdays... I did another photo challenge.  Rescue Rita and I did our yearly MCC quilt weekend.  So much fun.  DIL and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch.  Muddy mess! My niece Coreen came for a visit.  My sister and her family moved back to this area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November - My dad came to deliver some meat and we got to spend his birthday with him.  That was the first one in a long time!  I took The Littles school pictures myself.  They turned out pretty good if I may say so myself!  Heir took me to a Sounder's game.  SO much fun!  Princess had her first school concert.  So cute.  Thanksgiving..

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December - I was in a Christmas choir for the first time in many years.  It was fun.  I would do it again.  I finished all the super secret Christmas stuff.  We had a lovely Christmas.  We were all together and that's what counts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We rang in the New Year at home.  It was warm and dry and beautiful to watch the festivities on the tv.  At midnight we sent a Chinese lantern off to send off the old and to make room and welcome the new.  So here's to a New Year! 

 

 Peace and Blessings to you all!

 

 

Twice in One Month

 

We have had company off and on all month. 

My dad had to be over here to deliver some beef.  It was the day before his birthday.  I can't remember the last time my dad and I were all together for his birthday.  I was kind of excited.  On Sunday at dinner I told the all the kids and my sister that Papa would be here the next day and that Tuesday was his birthday.  If they all would like to come back we would have leftovers and cake for his birthday.  My sister said she would make the cake.  It was lovely.  So  everyone came back on Monday and we had dinner and cake with my dad.  I think he would a little flustered because he wasn't expecting it and we had to deliver the meat.  It all went well and we had a great night with him.  He got up and was gone in the morning.  LOL  Almost ghost like in the way he flutters in and out so fast. 



 




My Daddy the night before his birthday.  I love this man!

 Years ago my dad made a tomahawk for his cousin who was really involved with Boy Scouts.  He passed away early this year.  His wife wanted my dad to have the hawk back.  I thought Dad had decorated the hawk but Dad said he didn't and didn't know who had.  It is really beautiful.  The picture does not do it justice.

The other day at Charlotte's she had a VERY protective Hummer.  Anytime any other Hummer came to the feeder he just ran them off.  He was so pretty and protective! 

Mr. Hummer

Heir asked me to a Seattle Sounders game.  It was a playoff match.  I haven't been to a soccer game since Heir played the last time.  I think it was 8th grade.  I love soccer.  I get VERY emotional!  Heir told his friend that he could always hear me WAY across the field.  I was never rude just LOUD!  LOL  Last night was no different.  BUT Heir was LOUDER!  It was a great game.  We outplayed LA in shades!   There was some VERY bad calls made.  That makes it very frustrating.  To loose because you were outplayed is one thing but to loose because some yahoo can't open his eyes and see what is going on in front of you is MADDENING!  Oh it could have gotten ugly! Since it was a play off match we had to win by 3, we won the game but not the play offs.  They played great though!





Us waiting to march to the stadium.  SO MUCH FUN!  It was pouring. 

Drew Carey!  I heard his voice and went FLYING!  I am short so I just weaseled my way as close as I could.  I was so excited!  I also saw David Beckham, but he was on the OTHER team. 



Us during the game.  We really had a great time!

 Sounders marching in!  It POURED the whole night!  We were under cover so not a drop!

During half time we walked over to see the band.  It was The Presidents of the United States... or something like that. 

Heir walked up to meet the lead singer.  I took their picture. I AM that mother. 

 

The Sounders band as we were leaving.  These are some dedicated folks!  It was a disappointing loss and it was POURING. The band played on.  It was a great night! 

 

This week is Thanksgiving and everyone should be here.  My parents are coming for Christmas.  I can't wait. 

I hope you have a blessed week.

 

Peace



A public post for Rescue Rita

As you can tell I haven't been writing much.  Several reason's why.  I had computer issue's and just dealing with life and I just don't like being such a downer all the time but want to be honest and not always have unicorn poop and glitter floating about.  Sometimes life is just HARD!

We are doing something different with Bugs for school this year.  He is doing an online program.  It's hard when you have taken a year off of school.  Bugs is struggling but working hard to catch up and do well.  It's a learning curve for all of us.   He seems to really like it and tells everyone who asks that he does.

We just had Monkeys parent/teacher conference. He is doing fine. He is doing well above grade level in reading and math.  We talked with his teacher about not letting him get bored.  He loves school and I want it to stay that way.

Our big boys didn't "do" Halloween.  I just hate the whole deal.  Children dressed up in scary stuff threatening and begging candy from people.  It's just a weird deal to me.  (my big boys HATE that description that I use).  Well when Princess was born DH changed his thinking and The Littles have done Halloween several times now.  They love it.  They did some of the cutest  pumpkins this year.  I just sat thinking what a waste of pies. LOL  I'm a  party pooper.  If nothing else the big kids will have something to discuss with Oprah  their therapist because you can just bet they NEVER had candy and are scarred from it.  Princess and Buster were so cute!  Buster was DONE DONE DONE though.  He was just tired and ready for bed. 

I did a photo challenge for October and am still 4 pictures behind.  I will finish!
 We have voted and I would like all the ads to stop NOW!  I'm just so over all of it! 

In October my sister and her family moved back to the area.  It is really nice to have more family here.  Her daughter my beautiful niece came home from college for a visit.  It was so good to see her.  She is named after me and I cherish her so much!  Then a week later my  brother's daughter came to visit too!  It was great to see both of them.  Now my mom is here for a horse convention something or other and she is here off and on for a week too. 
In October we have LOTS of birthdays.  For us it was Dh's and our DIL.  We all went out together and my sister and her partner joined us.  We had so much fun.
I guess that's it for now.
 There is a little update!
Peace

My brother's daughter Coreen.  

My sister's daughter Nikki

The over 21 club plus my beautiful sister at Dh and DIL's birthday night out. 

Bugs and the pumpkin's. They are vampires, not cats.  Just so you know!

Bugs and Monkey heading out for candy!