Last Post of 2013 and Some Pictures From My Camera...

2013 is almost over.  All in all, it's been a great year.  Adam enlisted and completed basic training for the National Guard and he still has his wonderful girlfriend Lorry.  We love her.

Jake got home from Afghanistan and what a relief that is!  It's so comforting to know that he's home with his family where he belongs.  They are so happy to have him back.

Jacki is happy and healthy along with her wonderful husband Tim and their 4 beautiful kids.  I feel so blessed to have 7 of the most wonderful grandkids in the world and 1 more on the way.  I also consider Lisa's kids to be like my own grandkids so we can actually add 2 more!

Our first full year in our house was wonderful.  Even though it's ccccccold outside, Ival spends every night out doing things even when it's dark.  We got one side of the pasture fenced thanks to help from some of our wonderful friends.  The best surprise of all was when our friend Rob brought his 2 horses to stay here when he doesn't need them and we bought Moose, the first horse Grace ever rode.  I can't believe the peace and calm I feel when I look out the front window and see those horses out there.  I was able to quit taking my anti-depressants about a month ago and I feel like the horses were a big contributor to that.

The chickens continue to lay well, giving us 7 eggs a day usually.  I think adding the heat lamp for the winter has helped.  We've been able to share eggs with our friends which, although simple, seems to make us all happy.  It's always nice to be able to share our bounty and we look forward to doing the same with the huge garden we plan this next spring.

The only thing that has really dampened my life is being without a vehicle.  At first I told myself I would pretend I was a pioneer.  That lasted a couple of months but I've been without transportation since June and I must admit I'm getting rather tired of it.  Ival called me from work last week and asked me to pick something up for him.  I asked him which horse I should ride to go get it...

It's been a while since I took the pictures off my camera, so here are a few...

 

3 very important women in my life...

 A flicker stopped by and found some grubs in the porch, poor thing was evidently hungry!

 

This icicle formed on a spider web!  It was so cool.

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2014 and  I look forward to seeing you all!

Moose...

I took Grace horseback riding in Garden Valley for her birthday.  She (and all my grandkids) love horses.  As we drove to Garden Valley, Grace reminded me of the horse she had ridden the year before and hoped she would be riding him again on this trip.  Unfortunately, she had a different horse and Moose was back in the pasture.

Mary Jo, the owner of Garden Valley Trail Rides told us that Moose would soon be retiring as he was getting too old for the daily, long, rides that a commercial trail ride horse is used to.  I told her we might be interested in purchasing him if that happened.

So, a few days ago Mary Jo posted on Facebook that Moose was for sale.  I got ahold of her and we discussed some details.  I think Moose is going to come and live with us and be a great horse for all the grandkids!  He's the brown one...

We have to get a shelter built and have asked Mary Jo if she can keep him until that happens.  If so, it looks like Moose will be ours!  I think our friend Rob is going to let us keep his two horses here as well so we may end up with 3 great horses for the kids (and me!) to ride.  I'm really looking forward to knowing that the grandkids will soon be able to experience the love and enjoyment of having horses like I did.

Now I have to start watching Craigslist for tack!

A Christmas Story...

Well, first I have to say that I'm a pathetic loser.  I only made it to day 4 of being thankful posts during November.  I should know better than to attempt something like that but hey, it was worth a try.  Not that I didn't have a months worth of things to be grateful for, just didn't have the time to post them.

Now, I have a nice story to tell you about a woman that I admire daily, love with everything I have, and hope to someday be more like her.  She's my mom.

A few days ago she took me to finish my Christmas shopping.  YES, I'M FINISHED!  We went to have lunch and were sitting at our booth vising when 3 men took the booth next to us.  We ended up kind of eavesdropping (can you believe I'd do such a thing?!) and heard one of the guys talking about making beds.

He was talking about how a friend had made a bed out of scrap lumber and listed it free on Craigslist to someone who "needed" it.  The response was so large that he and some friends got together and started making beds for people in the area who need them.

I suppose if you had watched us, it was obvious that we were eavesdropping.  We were quiet and our eyes darted around to see if anyone was watching us.  When we finished with our lunch, mom stood up and walked over to their table with the cash she had in her purse.

She handed him the money and said she wanted to help.  I wasn't surprised.  This is so much my mother.  She is an exceptional human, so giving, so willing to help.  I am so lucky to be able to call her my mom.

I hope someday I'll be able to do the same things.  Mom, you're an inspiration to your kids and we love and admire the wonderful woman you are.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 4...

Today, I'm grateful for those rare occasions where I find that I can keep my mouth shut and not say something that will get me into trouble or be hurtful to someone.  I don't try to be that way, but when common sense is thrown by the wayside, I find it so difficult to keep my thoughts to myself.  It's  been a life-long struggle but by golly, it does occasionally happen.  Good for me!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 3...

Today my friend Sue passed away from cancer.  She left so many people with so many wonderful memories and  I'm so incredibly grateful that my life led me to her.

Sue met and married Cliff who has been a family friend for many years.  He had been in a rather uncaring relationship for years and Sue brought him laughter and happiness and we all loved her for it.

She was one-of-a-kind.  I introduced Sue to some of my friends over the years at parties we had.  She never, ever, knew a stranger.  I was fascinated to watch her as she'd sit next to someone she had just met and how she interacted with them.  She wanted to know everything.  How you met your husband, how many kids you had and what they did.  She would visit for hours getting to know someone and learn more about them in a short time than it took me months to find out.  She really, truly cared about people.

Sue was the person I would call when I needed an honest opinion, and she always gave it.  We all have family and friends that will sympathize with us when we need it.  But Sue would often tell me the reason someone was probably acting like an ass and how I needed to try and understand that.  She was awesome like that.  I'll miss having her to talk to.

We went on a couple of cruises with Cliff and Sue and had so much fun.  We talked about it a few weeks ago and Sue and I laughed about how we were always the first ones up in the morning.  She reminded me that she would call me about 5am and say, "Lets go get some coffee, I'll meet you up top."  We'd make our way to the top of the ship, surrounded by windows, and look out and visit while we drank our coffee.  It was our special time and I cherish those memories.

You fought a valiant fight dear friend and I miss you already.  Find us a good table, and I'll meet you up top...

My post from 2007....

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

There's Never Been A Better Song...

It's my all-time favorite song and Louis Armstrong does it best. It always makes me remember what a wonderful life I have...

 

 

I see trees of green,
red roses too
I see them bloom
for me and you
And I think to myself:
"What a wonderful world!"

I see skies of blue
and clouds of white
The bright blessed day,
the dark sacred night
And I think to my self:
"What a wonderful world!"

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
saying "How do you do."
They really say: "I love you!"

I hear babies crying
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
than I'll ever know
And I think to myself:
"What a wonderful world!"
Yes, I think to myself: "What a wonderful world."

30 Days of Thanks, Day 2...

I know, this is silly, but I'm thankful that I live where I never (rarely) hear sirens.  Being raised in Garden Valley I never heard them.  I remember staying with my grandma in Boise when I was a kid and hearing sirens at night.  It terrified me because I knew that something bad was happening to someone.  When we moved to Hidden Springs I realized that the sirens were rare and usually meant a fire in the foothills.  I realized a few years ago that when folks would ask me what I like about living up here my first answer was always that you never hear sirens.

I must have been traumatized somewhere along the line as a child by a siren!  Our house now is so airtight that even when one does come along now, I don't hear it!

You may remember this...

We had decided a few weeks ago that if the world was going to end on 12/21/12, we surely wanted to go out with friends and family.  So we decided to build a big-ass bonfire and have some people over.

About 5:30 Ival started the bonfire.

About 6:15 Nancy, Butch and Penny had arrived.

At 6:30, so did the Fire Department...

We had invited people to come over about 6:30 so I was inside finishing up some cookies I had taken out of the box made when my sister came strolling in and said, "You might want to come outside.  The Fire Department is here."

"Ahahahahahahaha! Right."

"No really.  The Fire Department is HERE!"

I started to rush outside - Ival was out back getting more firewood - then ran back to get my camera.  If they really were here - I wanted pictures!

I got outside just in time to see the firetruck pull off Cartwright, turn off their lights and sirens and pull down the driveway.  COOL!

They came over to the fire and said they had received "numerous" calls about a fire.  In fact, they had 6 trucks en route.  Get outta here!  HOLY CRAP THIS IS GETTING BETTER BY THE MINUTE!

They asked what we were doing and we proceeded to tell them we were "Waiting for the Mother Ship."  DUH!   

We talked for a while, they asked if we had a permit - they obviously don't know us.  We talked some more about waiting for the Mother Ship and they talked about how they wished they could stay.  They told us it is illegal to burn construction waste and were sure we wouldn't be putting any more of that on the fire. Right-0.

 Luckily, we had our shovel and hose right there.  I think they enjoyed the ride out as they said they were "bored anyway."

They really were nice and it only made the night a lot more interesting!  Then, just like Santa, they disappeared as quickly as they had come.

As it turned out, we had a wonderful night with family and friends.  Telling stories, laughing, and just enjoying the evening.

Ric and Cheryl, I'm soooo glad you guys came!  It was great to see you and Cheryl I miss that laugh of yours.  Ric, I need those picutes of the Mother Ship!

I'm told that the Mother Ship did pass by, several people got pictures, but again, I was inside at the time.

I'm assuming none of us below were "worthy" as no one at the fire was taken up.

However, I'm wondering if I didn't catch an alien life form here...

30 Days of Thanks - Day 1...

My daughter Jacki (who hasn't blogged for many, many months) has decided that since November is the month of Thanksgiving, she's going to post 30 days of things she's thankful for.   I thought that was a great idea and will join her.

As I've watched my best friend over the last month, cancer has finally taken it's terrible toll.   I have to be extremely grateful that I am still here. I can't tell you how many times over the last month Sue has said to me, "aren't we lucky that we have husbands like Cliff and Ival?"

Yes Sue, we are.  Ival is such a loyal husband and even though was have a rather "different" relationship, he stands by me.   We often talk about how we have to stay together because no one else would have either of us!  But, we love each other and drive each other nuts at the same time.  There's no one like us - except Matt and Amy Roloff of Little People Big World.  If you watch that show, that's us -  to a T.

Ival and I met when he was 15 and I was 17.  We dated for a while, broke up, dated, broke up, dated, broke up and then dated and got married!  It's now been 26 years and it's been a lot of fun.  He entertains me daily and has taken such good care of me.

So, to Ival/Elmer (depending on what stunts he's pulled that day), thank you for loving me, putting up with me, and being willing to travel this road through life that has produced 3 wonderful children, 7 wonderful grandchildren, and a journey that we will always look back on and be able to laugh at.

Here's a quick reminder of life with Elmer...

So, our buyers don't want the chickens.  We have a community "hen house" down by the community barn.  So, while the hens were roosting last night, Elmer gathered them all up and seatbelted them into the truck.

 

Just kidding.  We stuffed them into a 24 x 12 Rubbermaid container and threw the container into the back of the truck, in the dark of night.

We pulled down near the barn and noticed a truck there.  The lights were on in the old farmhouse that's been restored so Elmer decided that the truck people must be in there.  Lights off, we pulled up near the fence, Elmer quietly go out, retrieved the Rubbermaid chickens, and tip-toed off into the dark.  Moments later, I see him tip-toeing back, container in arms - obviously still heavy with chickens.

"Oh shit, was there somebody out there?"
"Yeah, somebody was in the hen house with a flashlight."
"Now what are we going to do?"
"Let's go home and come back in 15 minutes."

So, the Rubbermaid chickens rode back home until we felt it was safe.  We drove back down just as the truck was leaving the farm.  Lights off, we pulled up next to the fence and repeated the process, this time however, Elmer came back with an empty container.

I guess we'll have to stop by the farmhouse today and see if the girls survived the night - out alone, with the owls and coyotes.  If they did, they'll have a great life living in that hen house with all the other girls.
 
Here's to another 26...


 

Moving The Sheep...

Twice a year, in April and then again in October, they run the sheep across the hill behind us.  They take them to summer pasture which is, I've heard, near Sun Valley and then bring them back in the fall.  What a  long trek!

A few minutes ago I looked out at the donkeys and saw them doing this...

Usually, that means there are deer up the draw and I always grab my binocs and have to take a look.  I looked where they usually are and nothing so I scanned the hillside, moving up the draw and saw this!

 

 

 

Thank you watch donkeys!  I probably wouldn't have noticed them!

Throwback from 2010... Wow! My Dream Came True, Except for the Horse...

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Do You Have a Dream?

My friend Jennifer, a cancer survivor, posted something on Facebook this morning that really hit home with me. It said "Where will you be in 15 years? If you know, can you point me in the direction of where I'll be, because I'm having trouble seeing it." I know exactly how she feels.

It's very hard to have a dream or even think more than a year ahead after cancer. You don't know if you'll ever be able to realize your dream so is there any point in having one? I don't like that I feel that way. I want to believe that I'll be alive in 15 years.

I've really only had one continual "dream". When Elmer and I got married, we lived in my grandmother's home after she died. It was an acre and we had goats and chickens, geese and ducks. We loved it. Since leaving there, we've looked for property dreaming of that life again. A place to have a little farm with animals and a somewhere where family and friends can come and just sit on the porch and enjoy our quiet and simple life. I'd have a horse that I can jump on whenever I choose.



Tell me your dream and how do you plan to make it a reality?

Tuesdays With Sue...

I went to see Sue this morning and take her some white chicken chili that my dear daughter Jacki made for her.  She was very happy - thank you Jacki!

When someone we love is sick, we want to do something, anything to help.  If you've read my blog or know me, you know I'm not a good cook.  However, the other day I was talking to Jacki and mentioned that I'd like to come up with some things that Cliff could throw in the freezer and pull out when he doesn't want to cook.  Jacki suggested calzones.  Sounded easy enough so I found a "simple" recipe and made 2.

They actually turned out beautiful!  I decided I'd stop by Sue's the next day so I put them in the fridge for the night.  I woke up at 1:30am thinking I hadn't put enough cheese in them and they'd be dry.  Damn it!  They looked so beautiful on the outside but I knew if I took them and no matter how horrible they were, Sue would tell me they were great.

So, the next morning I decided to cut one open and danged if I wasn't right.  Not enough cheese and too dry.  So, lucky for me the guys were heading out early to hunt and I set them on the counter and told them to take them for lunch.

About an hour later, I noticed they had "conveniently" left them.  In fact, they're still in the fridge because they looked so nice on the outside that I just haven't been able to throw them away.  I guess it's time and the donkeys will love them.

So, rather than cooking for Sue, I get to spend every Tuesday with her for a while.  It gives me peace of mind to know that I can, in some small way, help and I also just love spending time with her. 

I love you dear friend and I'm sorry about the picture.  I couldn't find our cruise pictures so I found this on an old blog post.

Why do I look like Bugs Bunny and you look adorable??????
 

An Old Favorite from 2009...

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Lecture...

Ok, after all of you told me how I'd brought my domestic problems with Elmer Fudd and Jr. on myself, I decided you were right and that it was time for a Family Meeting. First, I carefully crafted a list so that I wouldn't forget ANYTHING they do that pisses me off. Then, under the influence of drugs (I have a very bad head cold) I decided to sit them down for a talk.

I called the meeting to order and started out...

"Now that I'm working again, I've decided that I don't have the time for, or the interest in, being a maid any longer. It's time we stop living like pigs so here's what we're going to do."

Jr. is snickering...

"From now on, if you use the last of the toilet paper, I want you to put a new roll on. That doesn't mean set a roll on the old roll. That means, take off the old roll and put the new one on with the paper coming over the top."

Jr. - NO WAY! That means I'd have to touch the paper! (if you missed it, you must read Life's Oddities to understand why this is a problem).

"I'm sorry son, you see, I'm not giving you a choice. If I find an empty toilet paper roll still on the holder, all of the toilet paper will be removed from the house. Now I just really don't think you're going to like that. Next, when you take your socks off, please make sure they're not in a ball so that they can be washed properly. Otherwise, you'll receive them the same way and they won't be dry."

Jr. is snickering again... Elmer finally chimes in "You better quit laughing, your mother is serious"

I ignore him and go on "I'm going to buy another laundry hamper. Anything I find on the bedroom or bathroom floor will go into a garbage bag and will be donated once a week to a worthy cause."

Jr. - "NO WAY! We pay good money for our stuff. You can't just give it away!"

"Like hell I can't. I don't care if it's clothes, your IPOD, or your best friend. If it's on the floor for more than 24 hours, it's going away."

Elmer hasn't said anything other than the few words he said to Jr.

"And, from now on, since dad cooks dinner, I'll continue to put the dinner dishes in the dishwasher. But if you go get a drink, or fix something to eat, or dirty a fork, put your own dishes in the dishwasher."

Jr. - "Well what if we forget?"

"If you forget, the dirty item will go into the bag to be donated and pretty soon, we won't have any dishes or silverware left."

Jr. - "Mom, what's going on with you? Home come you're acting like this?"

"Because son, it's time you learned that your mother is not your maid and you need to become a productive member of this family." (that was a good thing to say wasn't it!)

"So, that's it. See those clothes on the fireplace hearth? You have until 12:14 tomorrow to remove them and put them away - where they belong."

Jr. - "What if I forget?"

"Well, I suppose by the time you're down to one shirt, a pair of socks and pants, and if you're lucky, a pair of underwear, then you'll probably remember."

So, we all went our separate ways. Later in the afternoon, I walked into the garage and Elmer was standing there.

"I feel so crappy, I just realized I haven't even combed my hair today."

Elmer - "It's okay, it was very effective for the lecture..."

Looking Back...

My friend Sheri mentioned the other day that she was re-reading some of my old blog posts so I thought I'd take a few days and post some of my favorites. I loved this one...

 

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Look at This!!!!

Mom and I were on our way to a Turner family picnic tonight - driving in her Caddy. She's a beautiful red caddy and mom keeps her spic and span. Until now...

We were driving over the hill when all of a sudden my dear, sweet seventy-something, extremely classy mother excitedly announces, "Oh look, I almost forgot to show you, a bird crapped a fish on my windshield!"




"OH. MY. GOD!"

"You know I can't wash my car now."

"Well, what if you forget and turn your windshield wipers on?"

"I'll have a little awning built for it. Or an umbrella."

"Nope, that won't work. You're going to have to get some of that clear packing tape and put over it and seal it real good around the edges."

"Ok, that'll work."

We then decided it was too bad the bird didn't crap The Virgin Mary or Mickey Mouse. Mom would be rich right now...

Owyhee Mountain Day Trip...

Nancy and I headed out last Tuesday to travel the Owyhee Upland Backcountry road.  I had heard dad talk about the roads in the Owyhees so we were prepared.  However, we discovered that the road for this trip was more like a freeway - minus the traffic.  Obviously, dad spent more time on the side roads as this was very well maintained for us sissies.  While you could safely travel 30 mph on this road, we discovered we were traveling an average of 10 mph because we stopped so many times.

It was incredibly beautiful in a way that's hard to describe.  I've always loved the mountains and this was totally different.  Gnarly old Juniper trees, deep canyons with crystal clear streams, and stands of aspen in unexpected places.

So here, in pictures, is our trip in order as we left Jordan Valley until we got to Grandview...

 

Someone took a lot of time to hike through the rattlesnake infested desert, up these cliffs to build this rock formation.  Or, was it aliens...

 

 

I was fascinated by the beautiful moss growing on all the trees...

This was the coolest fence, I think we need to build one!

 

In several places they had been thinning the Juniper as they evidently tend to take over.  However, we got to a spot where these HUGE junipers in a swatch about 1/4 mile wide had evidently blown over.  Not a one standing.  There must have been one hell of a windstorm through there.  Or, was it aliens...

We did take one side road trying to find Little Jacks Creek.  That's where I understood dad saying that the roads were horrible.  We bounced out of our seats but came across this badger running down the road in front of us.  He was too stupid to run into the brush and he stayed on the road for quite a long time.

The closest thing we could find to Mt. Rushmore...

 Our last stop, an old cemetery.

 

I had never understood why dad loved the desert so much until this trip.  It was spectacular and I highly recommend it if you want to get out and see some of the beauty of Idaho.