A Day in the Life of...

Summer has finally arrived!

2011-06-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Signs that Spring is here!

2011-04-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

Often in life, especially growing up, we hear sayings that we might never experience or believe. Raised in the desert the "April Showers bring May flowers" was one of those sayings for me. We really didn't get much spring rain. Wind, yes! Rain no. (Side note, the annual rainfall in Las Vegas is only 4 inches, that's on a good year.)

Living somewhere now that that saying applies is awesome. Spring is here in a Wyoming sort of way. There are signs everywhere that it has arrived.

For example, the babies are starting to show up everywhere.

Baby cows...

baby chickens...

Baby flowers.... This one was really little. They just popped up out in the yard one day. Lloyd found them and had me come and look. They were white, yellow and purple. Not sure what they are. They didn't really look like anything I know a name for.

More babies to come also. The deer should have their fawns in late May, early June. The wild turkeys are out strutting their stuff, so it shouldn't be to long for them either. Miss M, one of our barn (snicker-snicker) cat's looks suspiciously prego already. And the list goes on. I can't wait to see what else we discover!

The garden is taking shape. Just another month or so and I can plant! Yay! So excited. First the deer fence has to go up around it though. I have it all planned on the computer. All my seeds and such are in (with the exception of my berry bushes). Summer is going to be a very busy time!

4/19/2011 4/20/2011

And of course the requisite Spring snow storm followed by a beautiful day that melts it all away!

Crazy huh? I'm told it can happen really anytime if conditions are right. But usually it stops snowing in May. At least when it snows in the spring, it melts right away and just lovely moisture is left in the ground.

It will be so fun to share the journey of my first spring and summer in the country with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I plan too!

Never complain about what a plumber charges...

2011-04-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

This city girl turned country, has learned an important lesson the last few weeks. Plumbers earn everything they charge! As you grumble and complain about what your local plumber in the city charges to come out and work on your place, just remember at least he's there to do it and YOU don't have too.

The latest adventure started for us a few weeks ago. Problem number 1. We live in a rural area, so we have a septic tank. Plumbers are hard to come by and you pretty much do most things on your own. When the snow started to melt a few weeks ago we started noticing septic problems, like slow draining and eventually back up. At first we wondered if it was just because the ground was so saturated that the leach line had no where to go or was taking longer to leach. The leach line had just been replaced a couple years before, so it shouldn't be the problem. We decided we would have the septic emptied to see if that helped.

Problem number 2 began when we tried to get someone out to pump out our septic tank. Remember the saturated ground I mentioned earlier? It was too wet for the first guy we called to get down there (he got stuck, before he even got to the bottom of the hill) to where the access is. So we called another guy. His truck had just broke down. It would be a while before he could come out. So we called a little farther out to one of the bigger town/cities. They were booked solid with the mines for the next couple of weeks. So we waited, rationing ~ showers, doing dishes, flushing toilets (used the old out house that is about 124 years old ). You never realize how much you appreciate having indoor plumbing until you have to go out to the outhouse... frequently...at night...or when it's cold... just saying :)

Finally, the second man we called, got his truck up and running. It was dry enough to get down to the septic accesses lid. He was headed our way. The hubby had already dug down to the access door, so it was just a matter of pumping it out right? Not for this adventure...

After the pumping was complete. I was asked to go indoors and flush one of the toilets. NOTHING! Nothing emptied out into the septic! We waited a few minutes and I tried it again. not only did nothing come out it started backing up! Now we had already snaked the lines when we started having problems. Didn't run into anything. But now we knew there was a problem in the line from the house to septic tank. So the hubby went to get the plumbing "snake". Side note... this snake has been used and at the ranch for as long as he could remember.

Problem number three. After paying the septic pumper man, the hubby headed to the basement where he had installed an access (earlier in this adventure) in the pipe for such an occasion. We had waited a while hoping that most of the water from flushing had emptied out of the pipes.

Weeelllll, the hubby opened the pipe... a bit of clear water came out... And the BAMMMM! The pipe exploded with YUCKY water! Ohhh My Gosh! talk about nasty... Poor hubby got covered not to mention everything in the Vincenty! It filled the tub he had there and then some! So as I started with the mop and then the shop vac cleaning up the mess he started the snake. Nothing. It didn't hit anything. Then he started measuring. The snake was not nearly long enough to make it to the septic. So that means he needed to go from the other direction also!

Problem number 4. Many of you might not know this. But my dear hubby has very wide shoulders. Septic tank holes not so wide. He had to maneuver a bit to get down into (thankfully the now empty) septic tank. He got down in there and started extending the snake. It only went about six inches when it hit a something solid. After taking out one piece to see into the pipe he found the problem. The end of the pipe was crushed and was just in pieces. So as he took out the broken pieces out, guess what happened? Of course it starts pouring out! Gobs and gobs of it! Poor hubby and his wide shoulders is trying as fast as he can to get out of there. Not a good afternoon for the hubby.

Well as most stories go, this one does have a happy ending ;) We called the neighbor who is a contractor. He came over the next day and dug out the offending pipe. It had been crushed, was never put in correctly so had probably been that way for a long time. Remember the snake? I guess this old house has had problems for some time, but no one before us ever figured that it wasn't long enough. The pipe was replaced, laid and attached properly and we once again have indoor plumbing! Yahoooo!

You know, that afternoon was not the best of days, especially for the hubby. However now that it is behind us and we can look back and tell the story, it's pretty funny. The hubby says he can mark the experience off the bucket list of things he NEVER wanted to do. We reinforced our belief that when you do a job, do it right the first time. Don't rig it to just do for now. It seems quite often things are done to just get by or to cut cost. But it always end up to cost you more in the long term to fix mistakes. Sometimes those fix it jobs are just plane crappy (pun intended).

Kudos to my hubby! He did what need to be done, with just a little bit of later repenting and asking forgiveness :) But like most things in our adventure we call life he is willing to take on jobs many others never would attempt.

Squirrel!

2011-02-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

I feel the need to write tonight, but yet I'm not sure what it should be. I have deleted several beginnings. Thinking it wasn't what I needed to express. My mind tends to wander all over at times. Okay a lot. Jumping from one thought to another. I made a comment recently to a friend, that my mind works like my black lab Maggies'... squirrel ... it gets distracted frequently and easily. You know, like a dog who is doing something, sees a squirrel and gets side tracked for awhile until you can reign them back in.

The thought of squirrels, brought a memory of talking with my stepbrother Chris. He's an amazing guy, very driven, creative and talented. One evening we were having dinner at our parents house and the subject of my "squirrel" mind came up. I quite often have problems accomplishing tasks I set for my day because I get side tracked by a "squirrel". An example would be, I start the dishes, I walk into the other room to see if anyone left a cup in there. I see a shirt that was left and needs to go into the laundry basket. I walk into the bedroom to put it in the laundry basket and notice it's full, so I take it into the laundry room to start a load of laundry. On my way I stop by the bathroom to pick up any towels that need to be washed and notice the sink needs to be wiped off. As I walk by my office on the way to get cleaner I notice my computer and remember an email I was suppose to send.... This can go on and on if I'm not careful. A few hours later I wander back by the kitchen to see the dishes (still not done) that I began that morning! Nor is the laundry in the washer or the sink wiped down. Then I think, no wonder I never accomplish anything on some days. I chase to many squirrels!

After describing a typical squirrel episode, we talked about how that also can happen to people in general during there day and life. Their goals get squirreled! The squirrel can be caused by many things. Above is one example, but what about the co-worker who interrupts you with something they need. A friend who calls or stops by. A child with a need. All those things can happen (my example is an extreme, but plausible in my life) . So how do you keep focused? How do you get back on track when you've been squirreled? Life is full of distractions. Things come up everyday that you just can't avoid or ignore. I like being flexible for those occasions. I also like however; feeling like I've accomplished something each day.

Since that talk, I've thought quite a bit about it. I've come up with some things that have helped me. I keep a list of things I need to do. Give them a ranking of importance. I keep lists of things I need to purchase when I go to town. Yes, I still get squirreled. But the most important things are usually accomplished. My dishes still have a tendency to get forgotten. My strategy is not completed. It is a work in progress. I hope to find more solutions to my squirrel problem. I will find them... as long as I don't spot a squirrel.

The New Chapter

2011-01-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

I know I've said it before, but life just never seems to slow down. It's always changing, always bringing new challenges and surprises. We started a new business this year. Buckhorn Ridge Ranch. It's a hunting ranch and a dream of my husbands for many years. Of course my life has been busy getting everything started and paperwork in and completed.

Although the ranch has been in my husband's family since some time in the 1880's this will be the first time it has truly been designated as a hunting ranch. It has had hunters in the past. Many have come with us over the years. A few have been coming for over 40 and had started when his great grandmother was still on the ranch. Now it is our turn, to keep the ranch going and here for the next generation to enjoy.

It will be a lot of work and time, but isn't all things that way that are worth it? I think so. So come with us on this new journey our life has taken.

If your interested our website for the new venture is:

www.buckhornridgeranch.com

Jack Frost nipping at my... windows

2010-11-24T14:32:00.001-08:00

Today's art work provided by... Jack Frost

The ice crystals are so delicate and intricate.

It's a cold day here in northeast Wyoming. When I woke up this morning it was -12 Fahrenheit and our high for the day topped out at about 13 degrees. Granted that is a bit (okay a lot) colder than this desert rat is use to, but it does have it's advantages. Nature has a way of showing its beauty even in the cold. I love the ice etchings I've been waking up to and the icicles coming off the buildings. There was an awesome icicle growing outside my office window till it warmed up yesterday to 40 degrees. I'm sure I'll have a few more before winter is over however, so it will be something to look out for.

The animals amaze me when it's cold out. The wild ones go about their daily lives of eating, drinking and procreating. It seems the blue jays are a more brilliant blue since it gotten so cold. The turkeys are coming into the yard to eat what ever seeds the blue jays leave. We've spotted a few bobcat, foxes and even one mountain lion so far this month. They all just go about their lives.

Our pets are adapting quite well. Their fur is thick and soft. They come in when it's really cold, but are good sports about going out to do their business. Even poor little Chiwa goes out. Albeit she is the quickest of all :) Then she has to come in and get under a blanket and cuddle for a few minutes as her reward.

I love finding something everyday that's new, exciting or beautiful. It makes life that more joyful and rewarding. I'm truly thankful for being able to live in such a beautiful place.

So cool...

2010-11-19T18:32:00.000-08:00

The world around us is so amazing. No matter where you are you can find things that are just beautiful, unusual, or just plain cool.

This picture was taken out behind our house. The snow started to slide off an old tin roof. It slid in a long sheet and froze as it curled down toward the building. Not completely falling off that day, but just hanging there. It reminds me of an ocean wave... but frozen ;)

It doesn't matter where you live, you can always find something to intrigue you. In the desert it was the beautiful flowers that would bloom in the spring after we had rain in the winter. Or a leaf as it is changing colors during the fall. I love to sit and watch the birds that fly by and I'm always amazed at how many different types there are where ever I'm at.

My challenge everyday for myself is to take the time and find something beautiful, unusual or just plane cool. I challenge you to do the same. It makes life a little sweeter. It makes me thankful for the wonderful planet we live on, problems and all.

Trying to teach my self to cross country ski...

2010-11-18T21:08:00.000-08:00

I've always thought of trying cross country skiing (xc skiing). I've been down hill skiing when I was younger, but I'm a) not very good, and b) not fond of going fast down hill. I don't know. I just never really took to it. I had a roommate in college who xc and it sounded interesting. I just never really lived anywhere that it was feasible... until now :)

So, Lloyd and I found me the gear I'd need. I looked up some things about it on the Internet and watched a few videos. I decided today was the day I'd try it out. My first trip out I was the only one home and just went around in our yard. Made some trails, fell a couple times, you know all that fun stuff. Of course the hubby wasn't around to get pictures, until later that day when I went out again. I am so glad he has me around for his amusement :)

Me and Maggie moo going out... on a hill...

at first things seem to be going all right...

Then I get to close to the muddy-icy-muck made by vehicles...and WIPE-OUT :) Thanks Maggie and Hada for all the support and kisses, hahaha :)

But I make it back on my feet...

and Maggie and I are off again...

I think next time I'll try an area more level....

The first snow of the season

2010-11-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

We had our first real snow! (We had a dusting last month, but it melted faster than it fell). Everyone has been teasing me, because I'm excited about it. Of course coming from the desert snow is not something I have seen very often, except when I would travel to it. I'm going to enjoy it. Lloyd took me out for a driving in snow lesson. I stomped around in it and played in it. So, tease me all you want. Maybe by March or April I'll be tired of it... or maybe not. ;)

The ranch was beautiful. The landscape reminded me of being in a Christmas card. In fact this will be the first time I might actually have a white Christmas! That's never happened before for me.

This is coming up our lane once you turn off the highway.

The trees just looked magical...

Lloyd took these pictures of the snow hanging on the antlers on one of the old buildings.

I thought this one looked pretty darn cool.

This is one of the old bunk houses. Just imagine living in it...

and having to run outside to use this... brrrrrrr

Rex was not to sure about his first snow storm. He didn't want to come out from under Lloyd's pick up, so...

Lloyd had to shovel him a path to the sidewalk :) Spoiled cat!

Maggie went out to "rescue" Miss Em... I don't think she really appreciated it that much.

So how are the animals adjusting...

2010-11-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

We were wondering how our pets were going to take country living. For the most part, they had only been city animals...

We especially worried about Rex. He was kind of a sissyfied city cat.

He was a very good kitty when he traveled the 1100 miles north. He didn't even complain about wearing his leash :)

We need not have worried. He took right away to ranch life. Catching mice, stalking birds, scaring the deer and turkey. I have a feeling I will have many tale's of the adventures of Mr. Rex!

Rex sitting on the porch of the old house.

Mr. Hada loves to go where ever Lloyd goes... as long as it's in the Rhino or Pickup. If you want to ride with him in the Rhino, you have to share HIS seat.

Hada overlooking his domain :)

Miss Maggie? Well, she has become a regular ol' ranch dog. She has discovered the lab within (bahahahaha) and loves to get into the ponds. She goes or follows Lloyd everywhere! She has really become a great dog. She just needed to get out of the city and into the country.

She plays hard...

Maggie exploring one of the ponds...

and rests hard....

Maggie taking a nap while her dad works :)

Chiwa? Wellllll.... She's not to sure about all this. However she is one warm puppy! She loves to snuggle under ANY blanket with us. I had to get her a coat for when we are out and about.

Whats funny is she is a great cow dog. You tell her which way you want the cows to go and she chases them that way, then comes right back to you :) The cows are probably thinking "What the heck was that"....

Chiwa modeling the latest in fall puppy wear :)
Notice the hunter orange for her protection?

This little kitty is our newest addition. Her name is Truffles and she is a sweetheart! Except she talks way to much. :) Meow, meow, meow... on and on if you don't give her your undivided attention.

Truffles standing on Lloyds leg.

This is Bandit, his sisters, Miss Em (on the top with him) and Katarina below them.

Miss Em's new technique for stalking birds... Just lay in their bird feeder and let them come to you :)

The only cat not pictured is our barn cat "Little Joe". He's kind of shy and the only kitten that actually stayed up at the barn!

Fall on the ranch

2010-10-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

Once we got somewhat settled in, Lloyd took me out to see the place. I had only been up there twice that wasn't in late fall or early spring in 22 years. There were many parts of the ranch I had never seen. This is one of my favorite views. As you cans see Maggie and Hada like it also.

One of the things we did (even before I got there, thanks to my wonderful MIL) was get kittens. Because no one had lived full time there for so many years there were many rodents. This one is Bandit. He was helping me take pictures of birds.

Can't you tell how much help he was?

Lloyd's parents also bought him a buffalo hunt at an auction for his 50th birthday. (The auction was a benefit auction for the local volunteer fire department. Lloyd got to hunt it and keep the hide and half the meat. The fire department received the other half of the meat.) So Lloyd and his cousin Craig went to the IPY Ranch for the hunt. They had a blast and we have a freezer with half a buffalo!

Lloyd and his buffalo.

The Year of Change

2010-09-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

A lot of things changed for us this year. My husband lost his job after being employed with the same company for 9 years. Unfortunately the Las Vegas economy was hit hard, especially in the construction industry, which he had worked in for over 30 years. After months of no positive feed back looking for work, we decided maybe it was time to go in a different direction. Things fell into place once we made that decision and we moved to his family ranch. And the adventure began...

I had to have surgery right before we moved. I wasn't able to help pack or move! Thank goodness for a great husband and many wonderful friends from church who were willing to come over and help. What a blessing they are!

Lloyd starting to box up our Vegas house...

One of the trailers/loads to go north...

Lloyd and a couple of great boys from our church took the first smaller load up. This is the crew at the other end who helped unload it! What a great group of family and friends we have been blessed with.

Cake Camp

2009-10-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

For, four days in the middle of September, I was able to attend California Cake Club's Cake Camp! It was four days of cake classes, a Vendor room filled with "cake toys" and great people!

I had so much fun! I met some wonderful people, learned some great new things and was able to hone a few skills I needed work on. The teachers were amazing! I was exhausted after the four days were up, and could barely walk each night when I stumbled home :) but it was worth it...

I wish I would have remembered to take more pictures, especially of the people I met, but of course I always forget (that's why Lloyd does it :).

This is a few of my Yummy Art Pals. It wasn't all of them that were there, but we had a class by Tammy Utley right after this just for the YA members. It was great to meet them all in person after reading them on the forum for a couple of years...

This little fairy hippo princess is what Tami Utley taught us how to make. it was a lot of fun... she was very patient with all of us :)

I had ten classes (counting Tami's) and I remembered to get pictures of TWO of the instructors! Ugh... I am so bad about that. This was Kathy Scott... she taught quick and easy side designs. She was so much fun and funny too.

This is Roland Winbeckler. I had two classes with him. Writing Made Easy (hahahahaha, you need good penmanship to have good icemanship, which I don't :P ) and an Airbrush demonstration. He makes it all look so easy... but I am anxious to try some of his tips and such out.

I also took classes in ...

Painting on Sugar-Watercolor, pen & ink and oil effects by Ruth Rickey.

She so full of energy! I don't know how the lady does all the things she does and is involved in... I was tired just thinking about it!

I also took a class in making Cattleya Orchids by Janet Foster. She is the sweetest lady from England. I just wanted to take her home with me! This is her example. I didn't get mine all the way done in class, so I was going to finish it at home (giving it color). I dropped it! I was so upset. It shattered into many little pieces. One of the pitfalls of working with sugar!

I also had a class by Dianne Gruenberg on how to make life like apple blossom branch. It was so fun and informative. You could tell I was a novice at gumpaste flowers, for I took a long time to do this and the orchid above :)... I need way more practice to to a bunch at a time!

I also took a class in buttercream roses by Linda Bills. They were one of those things, I knew how to do, but didn't feel like I did very well.

Break the Mold - Make It! by Marina Sousa

And finally a class on building, owning and operating a successful cake business by Lori Vreeke.

She was really helpful and full of information and experience from her own venture. It gives me a lot to think about and consider.

Now it's time to use all the things I learned (and bought :) and put them to good use!

Four Pillars of Preparedness

2009-07-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Kittens, kittens and Chiwa?

2009-06-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here Kitty Kitty!

Lloyd holding Cali and Rex...

The last time we visited my dad we came home with not one but two kittens! They are pretty cute and right now they are very playful and mischievous. The are everywhere and into everything. In fact right now Cali won't leave me alone!

This is Cali. She is the sweetest, loviest kitten. She has the loudest pur ever!

This is Bailey holding Rex. Rex is the most rambunctious kitten! He get into everything and loves to make trouble...

Chiwa has decided that they are her kittens however. She is very concerned about where they are, what they're doing and she loves to play with them.

Chiwa getting ready to wrestle with the kittens...

Puppy kisses anyone?

Mom...It's not a job...It's an adventure!

2009-06-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Mom's

My mom with my oldest sister...

Lloyd and his mom...

Don't you love when someone asks you "So what do you do..."? Sometimes, I feel like being really sarcastic (Gasp...I know not me! :), and telling them something like, what don't I do, or I pick up stray kittens off the side of the road and do experimental research on them. (Disclaimer...I would not really do that, I love kitties and have a few myself that are spoiled rotten :). I just feel like making something really outrageous up.

My sister Lynne with Dom...

Heaven forbid you tell them you are a mom and housewife. I actually had someone tell me once, that no he wanted to know what I did for work! Hello? Most women I know have more than one "job". A lot of them two or three. Some do have an outside the home (or in the home) paying job that they do for income. But they also have the all time consuming 24 hour a day, 7 day a week, 356 day a year non-paying, usually under-appreciated job of wife and mother. I once received an e-mail with a calculation of what a wife/moms monetary worth would be if even payed minimum wage for the service rendered in her week. It was shocking, yet society today doesn't seem to appreciate what they do not only around the house, but with nurturing our future generations.

My sister Tonya feeding Bryana...

One time, a friend of mine (an awe inspiring woman with 13 kids) told me her husband came home from work one day and asked her, what she had done all day? She was so upset, but she didn't get huffy or bent out of shape, for the next several weeks she kept a notebook of every little detail of her day, from how many diapers she changes, meals she prepared, squabbles she settled, loads of laundry she did, boo-boos she kissed better, dishes she washed...you get the idea. The next time he asked her that, she just handed him the notebook calmly and let him see. He never questioned her again about it. Granted most of us don't have that many children, but for many (like me) it's hard to keep up with the ones you have.

Me taking a nap with Ashley...

It's easy to forget the little things that have to happen to make a home operate smoothly. Sometimes things get pushed aside or postponed (for me its ironing :). Eventually it does get done...my house might not get dusted as often as I'd like or my garden weeded when it should, but I hope I make a difference in all the lives of those who come into our home. I love talking to the kids when they get home, or playing with the babies, whom I get the privilege of watching several days a week. For me, that is what's the most important. The hugs, the kisses, the chats about their day the little things that you don't always see, but can make a bigger influence in the lives around you. It's not always just your own kids you mother either...You may have as many kids in your home any given day as my friend with 13 of her own! I know I have before.

Morgan with her son, Alex...

So, kudos to all the Moms out there. (And all you future moms!) Know that you really are appreciated for what you do. (Yes, I know there are also awesome dads that do amazing things, maybe next post will be about them. ;)

Slacker...

2009-05-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

Okay yes, I have definitely been a slacker when it has come to my blogs. I mean really where does the time go? It doesn't seem like its been months instead of weeks since my last blog. I have been crazy (not that that is anything new :) but hey who's life isn't?

Round up and branding were late this spring. So that's what we did for Mother's Day weekend. It was a lot of fun as always. Lloyd and Alex were really having a good time. I think Alex wants to grow up to be a cowboy :) Don't tell his mom...

I've been busy watching Tiggy and Alex and making cakes. Check my other blog for updates on those. I can't believe another school year is almost complete! It goes by so fast. Especially when your the mom and know you'll have kids at your house all summer :).

Inspiration Day!

2009-01-21T19:41:00.000-08:00

Okay here is a link that is pretty cool. Finish Strong!

http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html

Need a little inspiration?

2009-01-21T15:48:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, I am still really here :) Just been pretty preoccupied with a few things here and there. Here is a really great video clip. Well worth the 12 minutes to veiw it!

Forgiveness

2009-01-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

This is so good I had to share it with you.

The Mom Song

2008-12-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

Amen! Too funny :)

In Memory of Mom

2008-12-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

Today was my mom's birthday. She would have been 75 today. It seems strange that she has been gone for over a year and a half. Yet, her memory is still strong in my heart and mind. She lived with me, Lloyd and Ashley for several years after her 1st stroke. Then Parkinson's disease shortly after the stroke, came along.

She lived with us for 5 years then she had to go into a nursing home. One of the hardest things I have ever done was taking her there. She and I lived alone for many years after my older brother and sisters left home, me being the youngest. Mom wasn't perfect, I don't know a mom who is. We all learn as we go along and make mistakes along the way. But for me she was the best mom I could have ever had.

She taught me about patience, compassion, service, never giving up, faith and living with the things you can't change about yourself and working on those you can. She went back to school after 40, as a single mom. She earned her bachelors degree in education and a masters in computer science. She wasn't to far from being able to get a doctorate, but decided that wasn't something she wanted or really needed. She taught for 20 years in the school district here.

Although she had many ups and downs along her life's journey, I will always remember her faith. A strong testimony of Jesus Christ and his church. Going to the temple once a month when it was hours away and weekly when one was built across town. Her testimony of tithing and how the windows of heaven are truly opened when you obey it. I know there was many times when we lived on very little, but always ended up with what was needed. Not what we always wanted, but the needs were always met. I know raising four kids, working and going to school wasn't easy for her, but she always had time to fulfill her callings in church and with a happy heart.

So as a warm memory of love for my mom, I wanted to share this with you.

Sometime in summer probably in 1934. Most likely taken in Southern Nevada.

Mom in the mid 1960's

My mom and brother (both gone now) at my wedding in 1988.

My mom in the middle of two of her best friends. Teachers she taught with for years.

Mom a few years ago with her dog jasmine. She loved that little dog.

Jesse finally took the plunge :)

2008-12-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

Our son Jesse came to visit for a couple of weeks. Before he left he took his newly married cousin Britni shopping to help him pick out a ring...so he could ask his long time girlfriend Nicole, to marry him. Of course Britni was more than game ;). Poor Jesse came home that night tired, nervous, but with the ring! He was pretty cute. As his flight time came closer, the more nervous he became.

When they called after Nicole said yes, Nicole said she thought something was wrong. He came off the plane acting kind of funny. Imagine that :). She was pretty darn happy when he finally asked. So, sometime in the next year, we should have another wedding in the family.

Britni giving a very nervous Jesse a hard time...

The ring it took ALL day long to find...

I love holidays and family get-togethers

2008-11-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things about special events and holidays is having family in town. Any more that doesn't happen very often. Especially not everyone at the same time.

We were excited when our son Jesse was able to come for almost 2 weeks! Hopefully next time he and Nicole will both have time off together so we can have them both here.

It is hard now that the family is starting to scatter across the country. It's exciting for them, but sad for me. I miss them even as they grow up and I don't see them as often, because of their busy schedules. I am spoiled. For so long everyone lived with in a few minutes drive. We worked together and played together. Now its a special treat when we are together :)

We all gathered at Morgan and Devin's to celebrate baby Alex's blessing and Devin's birthday!

Something about windy days and us trying to get a family picture...

A partial group shot with Tiggy, Garthy and Forrest added in...

My silly Garthy...Don't you love his locks? He's growing long so he can then cut them for chemo patients wigs...Gotta love that kid ;)

Two of my beautiful nieces...

Silly cousins hanging around...

Lloyds Birthday

2008-11-18T06:52:00.000-08:00

So as you can see, this is why Lloyd takes the pictures in our family. :) My battery was croaking, everyone was looking at Tiggy, I just never get it right!

Last night for Lloyd's Birthday I decided (at the very last minute) to text the kids and have them meet us at Macayo's for dinner. Only a few weren't able to come. There was about 14 of us so it was silly and fun with lots of love. Lloyd loved it.

Well this is a really bad shot of the group. Tiggy and Morgan are the only ones looking at me. Can you tell Tig was being a ham. She was insisting it was her 1/2 birthday party. Not Uncles!

Lloyd holding the newest and cutest addition to the family. Tig still won't let me keep him!

latest cake

2008-11-12T15:44:00.001-08:00

Busy weekend making cakes for friends. At least with friends I can try new techniques and if I really mess up they usually don't care...much ;).
The Transformer cake was for Ashley's boy friend. It was watermelon flavor which is a favorite of the kids, but I don't care for much. It reminds me of a watermelon jolly rancher and just to sweet for me.

The second cake was for our Karate Sensei. Lloyd has been studying karate with him since the late 1980's. He is a super guy and has a great family. We like to try and do something special for him when ever we can. His birthday happens to be on Veteran's Day so it's always easy to remember. His cake was a pina-colada flavored cake. It was pretty yummy!

Sensei James with his cake...

The cake itself.

So tiny...

2008-11-02T21:09:00.000-08:00

When my grandma was still living she was always crocheting. She could crochet about anything. I have many of the things she made me. One of the favorite items for all my family was the slippers she would make us for Christmas. I found some old slippers she had made and decided to try my hand at it. They were actually really fun to make and with my short attention span :) I could do them in no time.

The hot pink one is one of grandma's creations. The other two are a pair I made for Antigone and Alex.

Alex's were so tiny!

How do guys think of these things?

2008-11-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

So dh (dear hubby) comes home last night after going hunting with some guys from work. He sets a Diet Coke and half a package of mint Mentos on the counter. I eat a few of the Mentos before he tells me their for an "experiment". Supposedly if you drop a couple of Mint Mentos in a bottle of Diet Coke it shoots the Diet Coke out of the bottle.

Maybe it would of looked even cooler if I hadn't eaten most of the Mentos :)

Silly Boys!

Really...I'm still here ;)

2008-11-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

I realized I hadn't posted anything for over two weeks. I really am still here and kicking. However I did get the stomach flu that lasted for a week. Then with my really lovely stomach it took a while to get up to speed again.

Lloyd and I with baby Alex

We did have a beautiful baby boy added to our family on the 24th. My niece Morgan and her husband Devin had their second child Alexander Jeffrey. We are all so excited. Big sister Tigone is very happy he's here!

Aren't they so cute? This is just a couple hours after he arrived. Look at all that hair! I just love my family! I think Antigone likes Alex even better than Pebbles :)!

He is so tiny! Especially compared to the usually big babies born in this family :)

Eww, now he has Ashley germs :).

2008-10-14T17:05:00.000-07:00

No this isn't an advertisement for Sonic Drive Inn...

This is a picture of my daughter, going to drive on her own with her very recently acquired drivers license, to her job at Sonic. Oh the gray hair is coming quickly...

Funniest part is she now has her license before her 24 year old brother! She thinks it funny. Now when he comes to visit she says, she can drive him around to do things. ;) Silly girl.

This is where you hope and pray that your child survives the early driving years as you did. Mostly unscathed, lessons learned not to harshly or dramatically. And mostly you pray they walk in that door each and everyday whole and happy.

Sod Party

2008-10-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

Before...

Saturday morning family and friends came over to help us lay some sod in our backyard. It is so amazing to watch the transformation of dirt to green in just a couple of hours. What is it about a green lawn that just makes you feel good? Most of our yard is desert landscaping but this small square. I love it, Lloyd loves it, Tig loves it, the dogs love it! All around its a good thing ;)

After...

Here is a few pics of the work crew having some breakfast before work begins. I have to say thanks to everyone that helped... Devin, Morgan, Ashley, Forrest, Shayla, Josh, David, Britni, Grandpa Pruet, Tigone (the official grass tester) and of course Lloyd. What a great bunch. Thanks guys!

Finally more than a couple of almonds...

2008-10-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

My small but wonderful almond harvest :)

We have lived in this house for more than 13 years now. In all those years I have planted (and replanted) fruit and nut trees in the hope of actually being able to harvest and eat what the trees produce. Can I just say, yeah right! It may sound silly to be excited over 4 dozen little almonds, but that is the most any tree has produced that is edible.

It is like UGHHHH... Every year I have this nice orange tree that produce the best "lemons". Pomegranate bushes that, this year cracked and dried up by August, and a lemon tree that still has not produced one lemon! I have had horses and dogs eat my trees several times and have had to start from scratch again. So those cute little almonds are very exciting...

Almonds bring back some great childhood memories for me. In our back yard we had these two big beautiful almond trees. I remember as a kid going out in the fall and picking the almonds up off the ground, shelling them and eating them right there. It is funny, but I love raw almonds. No salt, not roasted or candied. Just plain straight from the tree raw almonds.

For those that haven't seen almonds from a tree this is what they look like:

First they have a fuzzy outer shell that when ripe opens up.

the hard inner shell is what
you see in the grocery store
when you buy them in the shell.

after you crack open that shell
you have the yummy almond.

Hopefully someday, I'll have more than a few dozen almonds. Who knows maybe I'll actually get pecans, peaches, apples, pears, apricots and whatever else I get planted :)

Never leave a Tigger alone with a cake :)

2008-10-09T18:50:00.000-07:00

Today was a Tiggy day. I love when Tiggy comes over. She is such a little ray of sunshine! She can always make me smile. I like to do things with her. She likes to help switch laundry, fold clothes, play with the dogs, whatever, she likes to help me.

Well, today she decided to help me out with a practice cake I was making. In the kitchen she'll pull one of the chairs up to the center island and help me with what I'm doing. So, today as I had been working with fondant, I gave her some and some Halloween cookie cutters to work with.

(What? I just helping ;P Aunt Jan)

I covered the cake and had to go the other room for a minute. I had moved the actual cake over by the stove area and went to do my thing. When I figure out it is really quite, (very unusual ;) I go to investigate. Tig had moved her chair from the island to the cake and was helping me finish it by "squishing it". She was so very proud of her self. Actually, I think she was trying to eat it, cause every time I mentioned lunch she told me she wanted yummy cake. She didn't like when I told her no, not till after lunch and the cake was done.

Nice crimping technique,

I also like all the cute little finger
marks all over.

I think this might be all the new rage :). Thank goodness it was a "just for fun/practice cake". It probably would not be as funny if it were actually for something! Just gotta love those babies.

I think I remember her mom doing something similar but with a cowboy hat! She was just fixing it for her head... :)

Latest Cake

2008-10-05T17:29:00.001-07:00

One of Ashley's best friend from elementary
school likes to come over and make things
with me. She likes the cake decorating and
candy making. She is willing to help me
out if I need an extra hand. So this weekend
while her Mom was out of town she wanted
to make her a birthday cake. She had an
idea of colors and the polka-dots so this is
what we created this weekend. It is a lemon
cake with a lemon curd filling, glazed with a
lemon curd/icing glaze. The fondant is Satin
Ice (vanilla with lemon added to it.)

Happy Birthday Laura! Hope you enjoy
your cake!

All that family

2008-10-03T22:01:00.001-07:00

Just a little family love...

Happy Birthday Morgan!

2008-10-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

One of my favorite pictures
of my Morgan :)

Don't you just wish we were in primary right about now. We could sing about a dozen different Happy Birthday Songs to Morgan! My niece Morgan is the big 28 today! Happy Birthday Morgan! Good thing you all can't here me singing huh?

I love all my nieces and nephews. Morgan and I have a weird bond however. She was born when I was 12, lived next door to us for several years. I took her everywhere with me when ever I could! She went to ball games, friends houses, she and Dom came and stayed with me at college for a couple weeks, vacations, the list goes on and on. She has spent so much time with me that some people thought she was mine... I'm sure it's the curly blond hair and blue eyes :).

Since it's her birthday, I made her a cake (of course). Blackberry flavor with blackberry frosting! Yum Yum!

So we are off to celebrate Morgan at her house!

20 years...

2008-10-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

October 1, 1988

September 6, 2008

My how 20 years just flies by! Today, Lloyd and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. It seems like I've always known him and that we've been married forever! And I mean that in a GOOD WAY! Honest Cupcake :)...

Just think of all the things that you've done in the last 20 years. I know for us, there has been a lot of ups and downs. Happiness and sorrow. Adventures and everyday life. Health and sickness. Family, kids, church, work, etc., it has been a very full 20 years.

Last weekend we decided to take a little trip to one of our favorite get-a-ways and went fly fishing and leaf peeping. It was so much fun. Thanks to Dad and Jerri for letting us stay at their house and fish their pond! As a bonus we were able to see them, both my sisters and my stepbrother Doug and his family. It was great!

Here's a few pics of our fun weekend.

All I can say is... Lloyd...

Leaf Peeping trip up Cedar mountain.

It was gorgeous up their!

Just pretend we're standing by

each other :)

I love the fall and all the vibrant

colors! It is my favorite time of

year!

Visiting my sister Lynne.

Taking a tour of her not

yet finished home.

(Note: Tonya's is finished, but

I didn't get any pictures!)

Lloyd fishing,

One of his catches,

that got-a-way :),

Another nice rainbow!

Me fishing,

The two that went home.

Normally it is just catch

and release, unless they

get injured. These two

decided to swallow my

hook!

Here's to another great 20 years!

carriage

2008-09-26T14:41:00.001-07:00

Just thought I'd show you my latest
experiment. Not the best, but it was
a trial run. I had never made one and
wanted to try it out. Learned a few do's
and don'ts :).

I think our house has a sign...

2008-09-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

I think our house has an invisible sign:

"Animals, do you feel unloved
and unwanted? Are you hungry
and afraid? There is hope...
Enter here! Pets live long, long
lives! And they never turn anyone
away! You'll get fat and Sassy!"

Since we've been married we have had quite the
menagerie. Dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, bunnies,
chipmunks, turtles, lizards, fish, yucky crawly things,
chickens, horses... I've probably forgot something,
but they have lived with us, become apart of our
family... Lived looonggg lives and for the most part,
liked each other!

This is my nephews "visiting" Dog
sleeping by a couple of my dogs
and chickens.

Very strange, our house can be (and just not the
humans). It seems when someone or some pet
needs a home they end up at our house. Currently,
it's no different!

For anyone of you that haven't heard the Chiwa story,
I'll explain. A few months ago (in the spring) their was
this chihuahua running around in the neighborhood. She
was skittish, and skinny, obviously abandoned. So after
a month or so, she started coming into our front yard.
Like the big softy he is (not me:) Lloyd decides we should
put a bowl of water out for her. And food. Well, we already
have a "few pets" two big labs - Theo and Maggie, two
little dogs - Hada and Pebbles (technically I don't think
Pebbles qualifies as a dog, she thinks she's a baby and
don't believe anything Ashley or Lloyd says!), a few cats
some fish. Anyway, after a few weeks this little chihuahua
jumps our wall and starts hanging out with our other dogs!
Lloyd finally gains her trust (after she bit him) and she
one of the family (short version). We even found a lovely
home for her with a guy we know. She --declined.
Very-emphatically by eating every set of blinds in his condo!

This is Chiwa.

She totally loves Lloyd! I'm okay as long as he's not home,

but if she had her preference.... So anyway, Chiwa (her official

name) now lives with us. She sleeps in (and I mean IN) our

bed at Lloyd's feet. (Man, is Pebbs jealous!)

Chiwa and the love of her life :)

Here are a few of our other pets. I don't

have pictures of them all on here. For one,

not all of them are on this computer and

two, it would take up a lot of room (JK).

Pebbles is right now our oldest pet. She is 13.

However, is is not the oldest we have had.

A.C. the cat was 25 when she died and...

Lizzie the dog was 17 when she died.

Lizzie loved kids and would follow

them everywhere. Even up to the tree

house at our old house. It was about

20 feet up. She loved to climb. We

even found her on the roof of the house

once when a ladder was left out against it!

Hada our long haired wiener dog

Pomeranian mix...Love the ears!

He is the next oldest at 10 years old

Theo our chocolate lab (and he is

definitely a "chocolate" for anyone

that knows what I mean :) is 6 years

old. He is such a handsome boy!

Play! Play! Play! is his motto!

Maggie is probably our youngest.

We're not sure because we don't

know how old Chiwa is. Maggie

is a good girl (especially if she'd

stop chewing everything up. Like

trailer wiring etc.). She is very

lovey.

This is Lloyd hiking with his

boys. They love to go go go!

Hada and Pebbles resting in

Grandma Arlene's room a few

years ago. Aren't they cute?

They had been to the groomers.

So, this is just a sample. When I get a few more pet pics scanned

into my computer I'll post some more. I know for most the

absence of a picture of Aspen will be a biggie. He was our huge

Alaskan Malamute/Wolf dog. He was the most awesome dog. The

kids all loved him.

I think I'm totally gray NOW :)

2008-09-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

Now I remember why Lloyd has mostly been giving Ashley her driving lessons! I don't think my heart can take another 20 hours of it! JK. You know I honestly don't remember either of my parents actually taking me out driving. Or it being so nerve wracking! Hmmm, how did they do that with out going totally nuts? I just don't remember driving with anyone with my permit! I remember going to DMV with my Dad and taking the written test...going with my oldest sister Lynne (on my exact b-day no less) and taking the driving test. (Side note-Cool big sister that she is she even let me use her car to go places the rest of the day, like the mall! Totally awesome for a newly sixteen-year-old with brand spanking new drivers license!) I just don't remember the in-between parts!

Oh sure, Dad let us drive all the time. I think before we could walk :). Definitely before I could reach the peddles. He'd work the peddles, I'd steer. I think that is how I wrecked the dune buggy at about 8 or 9 :P. Split that sucker right in two. (Step sisters flying out-into cactus plants...) Won't forget that hunting trip anytime soon. And when Mom was teaching in year-around school, and she was on break, she'd let me take the car to seminary or school. But not with her in it!

Funny thing about the dune buggy, is that the dune buggies were always stick shift, yet when I bought my first car (The Great Pumpkin -Triumph TR7) it was a stick shift... and I couldn't drive it! Getting it home was rather comical. I'm sure the guy I bought it from was cringing as I drove down the street. I know my brother was...as he laughed at me. My best friend Traci ended up teaching me to drive a stick in her blue wonder car, the ever amazing Datsun/Nissan! (I think her baby brother finally buried it, in places unmentionable, years later). Even worse, I think during the 2 years I owned the Pumpkin, it only ran about 6 months TOTAL! I drove my totally sweet and very nice big brothers big gray monster truck more that I did it... Aw the stories of the pumpkin and big gray we could tell... (I can still see all the mechanics in the cat-shop cringe when they would see me coming! :)

So, if anyone reading can remember any fun or weird stories about car adventures as teenagers, or such, just post them in comments. Remember this is a G rated family site! Plus my daughter might read it and we don't want to give her any ideas (or ammo ;).

Cakes, Cakes, Cakes!

2008-09-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

The beginning of last summer (2007), my MIL Gayle (the best MIL ever!) and I took a series of cake decorating classes. It was a whole bunch of fun. By the end of the summer we were pretty tired of cake and frosting :). Yes it's true. Me the frosting addict was sick of it! It didn't last long...

Here are most of the cakes we made for class... (I forgot to take pictures of a couple of the very first cakes! No big loss trust me ;).

First layer cake made. The Jesse is on there
as a joke. Jesse HATES clowns! Writing was
harder than it looked.

Course one final cake.

Course 2 final cake.

Lloyd's Grandma Shorty had a
a birthday a couple days after
the end of course two. So we
used a mixture of both Gayle and
my royal icing flowers to make her
cake. She loved to garden and her
flowers at one time.

In course 3 we worked with fondant.

Course 3 final cake. Had to

be a tiered cake. This was the

last class we have taken so far.

There is one more in the Wilton

series. Gum Paste and Fondant.

Maybe eventually, but I still use

it and play with it ;) Even found

some fondant that taste half way

decent. Easier to work with too.

My FAVORITE Nephew (JK, JK, sorry-

family joke) Dillon had his 16th birthday

the month we finished classes. This was

my first official none class cake. It

turned out really cute. Dill wants to be

a farmer and live off the land. The cake

was a blackberry cake with blackberry

frosting. YUM YUM! Dill loved it and

he doesn't really like cake.

Time flew by, and I'd make a cake now and

then. I forget to take pictures frequently. Ugh...

This last year I have found a couple awesome web

sites that have really given me ideas and instruction

of do's and don'ts etc. You can find them on

my links list. Cake Wrecks is hilarious! Sometimes

disturbing, but always makes me smile. Cake Central

is just awesome. It feeds my cake and candy making

addictions. ;) When Britni moved in and we started

doing a lot of wedding stuff, I really started doing a lot

of things in the kitchen again. It has become my latest

thing...again :).

I decided in the beginning that I wanted to make different

flavor cakes and frosting's. So, they are all homemade or

semi starting with a regular cake mix. Some have been hits...

some not so :)...

Here is a few other cakes I've made this year.

Ashley turned 16 this year. I made this

cake for her SURPRISE birthday party.

It was strawberry with strawberry frosting.

This was her sweet sixteen cake for

our family round-up weekend that

fell on her birthday this year. The

Sponge Bob cake was an inside joke

between Ash and I. She would make

jokes about wanting a Sponge Bob cake

for her 16th B-day. This one was also

strawberry.

Tiggy turned two. She is totally into horses and My Little

Ponies! They have to go everywhere with her. This is

the cake I made for her.

My very cute niece (they are all gorgeous!) turned 18 and

graduated the same week. She was having a "Hippie Party"

and wanted me to make a cake with that theme in mind.

She also wanted an unusual flavor to go along with it. The

first cake was a trial cake. It was grape flavor. Britni loved

it. Everyone else, not so much... The second cake is the cake

that went to the party. It was a watermelon cake with straw-

berry/watermelon icing. She absolutely loved it.

This is the cake I made for Britni's

bridal shower. The flowers were fun.

The bride/doll cake was doing great,

until I tried to put polka-a-dots on the

skirt like her real dress. The top layer

and doll were watermelon flavor, the

bottom layer was banana pound cake.

Watermelon has turned into most of

the kids favorite flavor.

The same day I had Britni's shower, I also

had told my neighbor I'd make a princess

theme cake for her great-granddaughters

first b-day. This is what I ended up doing

after the shower on Saturday for Amaya's

party on Sunday. It was strawberry/banana

flavor.

In an earlier post I showed this one. It was for

my dad's 73rd birthday. It was a lot of fun. It

was a dark chocolate fudge cake with a Boston

Cream filling. The frosting is vanilla flavored.

It was a your life theme cake. Totally FUN to do!

The front desk girl where Lloyd works (Heidi) is pregnant.

I had been wanting to do something for her. She has been

looking forward to starting their family. It was kind of funny,

cause I did the think pink theme as a joke. The day Lloyd

took it to work she had her first ultra-sound. It's looking

like the think pink mantra is working! It was Chocolate

fudge cake with Boston Creme filling also.

Anyway, so far these are the cakes I or Lloyd,remembered

to take pics of. I totally enjoy doing them. If you need a cake,

I need practice! Let me know. I'll do them for free, you pay

for speciality materials (like things for the top, or special fillings

or ingredients).

Happy Birthday Pebbles!

2008-09-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

Today Pebbles turns 13 years old.
That's like 91 years old in dog
years!

Currently Pebbs is our oldest pet
Her and Ashley have grown up
together and have a love/hate
relationship. Pebbles loves and
Ashley hates ;). Actually its more
of a sibyl rivalry thing.

When Ashley was little she would
tease Pebbles, so Pebbles would
retaliate by stealing off with her
toys. The competition is still on
13 years later...

Tiggone on the other hand, LOVES
Pebbles! And Pebbs is smart enough
to realize, be nice to the baby and you
get to stay in the house longer.

I don't think there has ever been
a time in my life when I haven't
had some kind of pet. Even though
they can be expensive at times and
they can be a pain in the behind,
they love so unconditionally it's
worth it.

If only people could love so
unconditionally. Without thought
of social standing or what you
look like. Without caring what you
do for an honest living. Or how much
money you make, or what area of
town you live in. If you think about
it, pets are a lot more like our Savior
Jesus Christ, then we humans. They
love unconditionally. Are loyal and
faithful and always forgiving.

I can't imagine not having at least
one pet. (Usually we have a tad... bit
more than one ;). Just ask any
one of the kids and they will have
a memory of one of our animals.

September is Preparedness Month

2008-09-12T07:40:00.000-07:00

Emergency Preparedness - Are you ready?

(left to right) Personal 72 hour kit, sanitation kit
extended first aid kit, CERT back pack

Many of you know I'm really into emergency preparedness, emergency management and self-reliance. This month is officially preparedness month set by FEMA and Homeland Security. Even though everyday you see and hear about things happening around the world and country, it is amazing how many people still do nothing to be prepared. Watching the evacuation this morning of the Texas coast, because of the huge hurricane "Ike" that is headed its way, it made me wonder how many of them were ready. Before Katrina it was said to be prepared to be on your own for around 72 hours. Post Katrina they learned prepare to be on your own for up to 3 weeks or more. If there are a lot of different things going on, help could be very limited and slow in coming.

Then it makes me wonder how many of you are ready? Sure, we aren't going to have a hurricane here in the desert, but there are other possibilities. For Clark County our top four threats are communicable disease outbreaks, flooding, earthquake and fire. No matter where you live, stuff can happen. NO PLACE is immune!

I belong to the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) locally. I have gone through CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training with our local fire department under the direction of Homeland Security. I've taken classes upon classes on different aspects of being prepared, training, etc. The thing that amazes me most? How many people I meet in those situations (some of them work in the field) that aren't prepared. In an MRC meeting I attended in July, they asked how many of us had emergency kits ready to go. Only about a half of a dozen (including me) out of about 30-40 raised their hands. Then at the beginning of the month Paula (the head of the local MRC-great woman :), e-mailed the Reserve and asked anyone who had a kit ready to go, to e-mail her a picture of their kit and she'd send them a flashlight/radio or such. So of course, I did, and them some :). She emailed me back and and asked if I would take more pictures of what was inside my different kits-to-go. So, I did. I also figured I'd post them here, to give anyone who wanted ideas of how to build their own.

My personal 72 hour kit and its contents. (This one is at home)
I also have a small back pack in my car. You should keep a
small back pack type at work. Each member of the family
has their own tailored to their needs (even your pets should
have one!). My bag can be carried or it has sturdy wheels and
a handle. It has essentials in it like food, water, shelter, warmth,
light, hand crank/battery radio, small first aid kit, hygiene kit,
change of clothes, extra glasses, pen, paper, scriptures, a game
or something distracting. Any essential medications, and copies
of important documents, list of phone numbers and address,
extra keys, cash in small denominations, etc. (For a complete
list, let me know and I'll e-mail you what I have in mine).

This is my extended first aid kit. Most people would
not have one this big. It's just a "me" thing :). Take
a first aid/CPR class in your area. You should take a
refresher course every year or two to keep your skills
current.

The CERT kit was given to everyone who finished the class.
It has handy-dandy tools and items to perform duties as a
CERT member in the event of an incident. I highly recommend
everyone (and their family 8+)to take a CERT class in your
community. Most of them will let you drop in for a refresher
session if you let them know ahead of time. These classes are free.

My sanitation kit. Okay, if it is bad enough that your
out of your home. There is no water or electricity, so
there is no sewer. A girl has to have some way, some
where, to take care of business. There is a bucket with
a toilet lid, special bags to line the bucket, tp, Clorox, a
tarp and rope for privacy, containers for water with soap
attached for washing up, a plastic wash basin, hand towels,
LOTS of thick garbage bags for double bagging waste,
duct tape... (gotta always have duct tape :).

A safe easily accessible place to store everything
for a -grab -and -go situation. I also store extra
supplies and shelter in place items in here.

Know your area. If you had to evacuate your city, what
routes would or could you take? (Note: Las Vegas, does not
have many ways out of the city.) Where would you go? Do
you have a plan to meet with other family members? How
would you contact them? If you are not all together when
something happens, how will you reconnect or make contact?
(Dad's at work, kids at school, mom is gone to a meeting, etc.)
Do you know your children's schools plan? How about your
employer? Do they even have one? Remember, phones, even
cell phones don't always work during an emergency. Especially
locally. You might be able to call a different area code, but
not a local number, if you can get out at all. Have an appointed
out-of-town contact that (that agrees to be a contact) everyone
knows to call to check in with and get information from.
Also consider any one with special needs, medical conditions,
ambulatory issues. They all can put a kink in your plan and
how you THOUGHT it would work. Plan ahead, practice your
plan. Practicing your plan is important. How do you know if
what you have on paper, or what you think will work unless
you try it ahead of time by practicing. More than one plan has
had to be scrapped because it looked good in theory, but could
not be executed.

Do you have pets? (Cat's, dogs, horses, pigs, birds, fish, etc.)
Don't forget about them! Make plans for them also. If you
have to go to a shelter, most DO NOT allow pets. Clark County
is trying to find a solution for the problem locally, but as of yet,
pets are on their own. YOU need to plan for their well being
(they are part of your family also :), along with the rest of your
family.

Most importantly "members of the Church have been counseled
for many years to be prepared for adversity. Preparation, both
spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. With the guidance of
Church leaders, individual members and families should prepare
to be self-reliant in times of personal or widespread emergency. "
(Provident Living web- site). This counsel has been going on for
decades. Are we listening?

I know this is a long post and it doesn't even begin to cover all the
things to consider. For more information go to one of the links I
have listed on the side, or ask me for more information. I'd be
happy to help.

Super Duper Dad!

2008-09-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this past weekend we went up to spend it with my dad and step mom Jerri for my dad's birthday. It is the first time I think he has been home on his actual birthday in... FOREVER! Well, it seems that way anyway ;). Both my sisters already live by him so they were there of course. Garthy came up with us. Morgan, Devin and Tig drove up also. Christopher and his girlfriend Stacy stopped by Saturday evening to play awhile. We had such a good time! I love spending time with my family and it is always a treat to spend it with my dad. Especially at Deer Hollow! WOW! What a place to go to. I have a really hard time leaving usually. Yuck, who want to go back to the city anyhow? Not me! Not Lloyd! Well, probably Ashley and Garthy :).

On Saturday we went into town to the 4H/FFA auction. I don't think our teenage city kids enjoyed it too much. However, I really did. Tig loved all the animals and liked petting them. Their was someone selling puppies there, and Tig stood watching the puppies. She really wanted a puppy MOM! But alas, she is doomed to share my menagerie.... With baby brother almost here in a month or so, Tig potty training, I think mom and dad have their hands full :). Dad and Jerri had fun at the auction also. They ended up buying about a dozen sheep. They're gonna share ;). It is so cool, I think, how these kids get to raise these animals. They take care of them, show them and auction them off. The money raised at the auction then goes to help pay for their college. Win-win situation. The kids get a great way to learn and pay for college and the person buying the animals get a great home grown product.

After the auction we went back to dad's for a B-B-Q at the pool house. So very cool! It is so beautiful there. It was a picture perfect day to play outside and swim. And what a view!

So we swam, played, visited and of course ate...

Me sitting by the Birthday Dad

The two sisters grinning

Uncle Ross and Garthy "hanging"

Chris and his girlfriend Stacy came that evening. We finally met Stacy! Gees Christopher, you'd think we were really scary or something ;) lol... Tigone LOVES her Uncle Chris. It is so cute to watch them play. Chris is so good with her and makes her giggle and laugh like you wouldn't believe. I think it is because they are both so silly :).

Christopher and Stacy

Tig hugging her Uncle Chris

Chris and Tig playing!

Chef Dev, the official BBQr for the night

Grandpa checking out his birthday cake I made him.

I love to bake cakes and decorate them. My cakes are either totally scratch or semi-scratch, with special ingredients that make them different. (Going to have to do a post about cakes, huh?) I love decorating them also. My frosting is homemade (unless it's fondant). I love brain storming for ideas, themes and techniques. (Check out the couple links I have to cake sites). Dad's cake was really fun. It was a fudge chocolate cake with Boston Creme filling and butter cream frosting. I kind of did a this is your life cake. Started on one corner with an image of the State of Nevada in blue, with a sheep silhouette in it and a dot for the south where he was born. I had a highway going around it with a semi-truck from one of his first jobs. It had a gravel pit, with equipment. A jungle with animals, a farm with animals. I wrote words to songs (or improvised on one or two songs words) to fit the themes. I think it turned out all right. Dad liked it and that's all that matters.

Happy Birthday Dad/Grandpa!Song

Life is a Highway (modified)by Rascal Flats from the movie Cars

Grandpa Frehner had a farm ei ei ooo (moodified from Old Mc Donald had farm :P...

In the Jungle the Mighty Jungle from the Lion King

Top view of cake with modified words from Life is a Highway on the side...

I think the night went well. Everyone had a good time and went to bed full and happy.

Grandma and Grandpa relaxing

Tonya and Ross

Lloyd and I...

Devin and Morgan (and soon to arrive baby AJ Baldwin)

Grandma and Grandpa getting invaded by the Grand kids, Tiggy, Ashley & Garthy...
DOG PILE! :p

The next Morning Grandma Jerri went and played tennis with Garthy, Ashley and Lloyd. What a hoot. You could hear them all the way over at Deer Hollow cracking up. Must of been quite a game!

Grandma is a great tennis player...

Garthy is wanting to be and working at it...

Ashley...well anyone who tries to play tennis in flip-flops... :)

After they were finished, we all had breakfast together for Grandpa's "official" birthday. Yum Yum!

Happy Birthday DAD!

Man it's hard to leave and go back to Vegas...

Fall in the air?

2008-09-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

It feels like a Monday after the Labor Day weekend. It also feels like fall in the desert. Growing up and living in the desert southwest, I have a different outlook on fall. Our leaves usually don't start changing and falling off the trees here until November. The end of November. So what makes it feel like fall. This morning when I woke up at 5:30, the temperature was below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact it was only about 69 degrees outside at my house! YE HAW! :). Cooler temperatures are what I anticipate from about mid April till October. I know my friends and family up north are rolling their eyes about now. Honestly, when all you see is sun, day in and day out, and your lucky if the low temperature dips below ninety at night, you really appreciate a storm rolling in. Rain if we are lucky, clouds and the smell of rain is a treat. Hot, sunny, blower dryer affect winds get old, fast. So, as I enjoy this short reprieve from the norm (cause it will heat back up for the rest of the week), I think I'll do something you try not to do in the summer (all six months of it :). Maybe I'll bake, or go for a walk OUTDOORS! Who knows?

It's all about family...

2008-08-31T22:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday's

2008-08-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

Can I just say I love Sunday's! They just make life renewed. I notice some Sunday mornings when I would rather sleep in than get up and ready for church, those are Sundays I need to go to church the most. As I have aged (yes it's true :) and hopefully gained a little wisdom, I notice that if I am struggling to get going, there is a message I most of all need to hear.

Today was a fifth Sunday in the month. They are usually missionary Sundays. Reserved for the missionaries serving in the ward to speak. Today they spoke along with the mission leader and a couple of others. One of the missionaries has only been out in the mission field for a few months. He is from Brazil. The language has been a challenge for him. He is coming along with it well. When he gives his testimony it is sincere, strong, and you can't help but feel his special spirit and know he was sent here, to this mission, for a reason. One thing he said really struck me and made an impression. It was that we need to just open our mouths. How can we share the gospel if we don't? I'm probably not conveying his thoughts anywhere near what was felt in Sacrament Meeting. The thought that if we are willing to open our mouths, Heavenly Father will give us the words. For me at least, that is one stumbling block. Not knowing, or thinking I will not know, what to say to someone. How to word something or to get my thoughts and feelings across or understood. However, all we have to do is be willing to open our mouths around others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he will give us the words to speak. Especially if we are praying, studing the scriptures and willing.

The mission leader told a story of a 12 year old boy who had gone to Africa (Kenya I think) and meeting some native children his age. The language and culture barriers were there, but they kept trying to connect in some way. The boys father gave him a chocolate bar to him to share with the others. He broke off a square of it and tried to give it to one of the boys. He wouldn't take it and stepped back quickly. The boy then showed him it was to eat by doing so himself and then broke off another piece and handed it to another boy. The boy took it, nibbled at a corner, his eyes wide after tasting it, then plopped the whole piece in his mouth in joy. The other children seeing his joy, then all wanted a piece. When they came back to the village again, the boy and his father were surrounded by about 30 or 40 youths all wanting a square of chocolate to enjoy. He compared the story to sharing little morsels of the Gospel where ever we go. One little bite or thought can open a person to a joy more lasting than a morsel of chocolate. We just have to share it.

So, my thought for you to day is, share your morsels of the Gospel whenever you have a chance. Just open your mouth and let the Lord help with the rest. Study, pray and be willing to be an instrument in the Lords hands. I promise you, He lives and loves each of us. He knows you personaly. He knows your challenges and weakness. Get to know him better so you can share his message with others. If you have questions go to http://www.mormon.org/ to know more about my beliefs.

I know God lives. He is the Savior of this world and his atonement was for each and everyone of us. We have a Heavenly Father, a Savior our Elder Brother Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, who know us, love us, and want us to return home to them. They provided the way for us to do so. He restored the whole gospel of Jesus Christ through His modern day prophet Joseph Smith Jr. And has a modern day prophet Thomas Monson living at this time.

Keep doing good! Love one another. And never forget that you always have someone that loves YOU!

Have to begin somewhere

2008-08-29T22:03:00.000-07:00

I decided to get on the band wagon. With so many family and friends getting farther and farther away, and ME being the worse journal and letter writer, I thought maybe this would help. We'll see. I make no promises :).

Summer is all but over (except the heat here!). The kids are back in school. Ashley is a junior in High School and working at Sonic.

Ashley and her FIRST paycheck!

Jesse graduated from UC Davis the beginning of August. He and Nicole have moved into a house with some other friends and are getting on with life.

A really old picture of Jesse and Nicole the last time they both visisted.

Britni and David are married.

Mr. & Mrs. David James Richards...

Bailey is away at college.

Bryana now lives back east and works in DC.

Two of my very cute nieces Bry & Bai.

Morgan, Devin and Antigone

The other nieces are off doing adult things (like working :). (Notice lack of pictures? Hmmm.)

The nephews are either back in school also and working or working and doing their own things. (Amazing lack of good pictures of nephews together!)

Dom, Nadine & Jenna at Brits wedding.

(Have to get pictures somehow :)

The sisters have moved to New Harmony by Dad :( and left me in the big city alone...

Me and Dad at wedding. Me and MEAN big sisters :)

What does all this mean? My house is very very QUITE for the most part. Well except for the plane crashing into the neighbors house. Huge plumes of smoke and fire. Helicopters hovering day and night, people driving through the neighborhood to try and get a look. Official type people everywhere. But other than that pretty quite.

Pretty scary stuff. Second one this week! Thank goodness no one in the home was hurt, unfortunately the pilot was killed. I was talking to Morgan on the phone when I heard it. Looked out the laundry room window and could see the flames and smoke.

Thank goodness for Morgan and Tiggy who come to play. Tiggy makes me smile and laugh. She is a lot of fun. (However; she misses giving Britni the EYES.)

Tiggy helping her Mom sing Grandpa Frehner's Farm at Cousin's camp!
I LOVE this picture! It is so Tiggy!

She came over tonight for awhile. She loves teasing her Uncle Lloyd! There is no better sound than a little girl or boy laughter and giggles! She loves our two littlest dogs. I think they are the real reason she like to come see us. Well them and the nacks (fruit snacks) I have in the cupboard.

Tiggy and Pebbles sitting together. Chiwa the wonder dog.

I mean even Britni loves Chiwa. She and David have pictures of her everywhere! ;)