Lucy and the Chicks...

Lucy is now about 8 months old and it's finally warm enough that we felt safe to do a "soft" release with her. We took her palace outside and opened the doors. For the first several hours, she was too frightened to even come out of her bed. She LOVES her bed. But, finally she ventured out and has been enjoying being a squirrel. She spends the day mostly on the porch but has jumped into the trees a few times but always returns to the safety (and food) of the porch and her cage.






See how fat she is? She even has boobs.




We decided to replace the chickens that the skunk got last year so we've got 12 chicks ready for the henhouse once they get a little bigger. Can't wait for the fresh eggs!



I'm thinking maybe we'll hang the hide of the last skunk that killed our chickens out on the pen. Might be a good reminder for the next skunk when he sees what Elmer and Jr. will do to him should he try to eat our chickens...

Knock, knock...

Remember when you're kids were younger, and you couldn't even go into the bathroom without the knocking and "Mom, what are you doing?" "Mom, when are you coming out?" "MOM!!!!!!!!!"

Thankfully, my youngest is 16 and hasn't done that for years. But now, I have this cat. I can't go into the bathroom without her spending the entire time I'm in there doing this...

She doesn't do it to anyone else, just me...

And a token "cute picture" of my 2 grandkids and my great niece. I love them.

Haiti Zip Line...

Did anyone watch people on the zip line in Vancouver during the Olympics? Sissys! It looked like fun, but it was only about 200 yards long.

While we were on our cruise, I had decided to try a zip line. So, on our stop in Haiti my friend Rena and I suited up. She just sent me these pictures a few days ago.



This is actually a "practice" zip. It's only about 50 feet off the ground at the top and about 200 yards long. I think they set up the practice zip at the bottom of the hill because the actual zip is way up this dirt road on a mountain and I'm pretty sure they don't want you chickening out once you're up there. We saw a big truck upside down at the bottom of a gully on the way up this wagon trail - it was quite the road.



Did I mention I'm terrified of heights? Yep. SCARED. TO. DEATH. The hardest part by far is once they get you into the harness and you're standing on the ledge and they tell you to "sit". You can hang on to the steel supports like a mother while you're waiting to get suited, but once you have to sit you're screwed. Bobbing up and down with the wind, swinging back and forth over the thousands of feet below you, thinking (and possibly screaming out loud), "JUST GIVE ME A SHOVE AND LET ME GET THE HELL OFF OF HERE!" But that would be terribly embarrassing to do that now wouldn't it?

That's not us in this picture. The guys (standing safely below) couldn't tell when we were coming so they couldn't get pictures of us but this gives you an idea of how far this zip is. See that tiny little white thing on top of that hill? That's the tower we started from. It was REALLY scary, but dang it was fun! Your feet come within just a few yards of touching the ocean several times. Something I would definately do again!

This Weeks Project...

How did I end up with such a mess? We have this wonderful bonus room that I carefully painted a few years ago. Such big dreams of making it a wonderful place where Adam and his friends could go to play their computer and video games. Well, instead, he "moved out" into a smaller extra bedroom and moved all the stuff he didn't want/need into the bonus room.

And the bear...


It's been on the landing upstairs since we moved here. The youngest cat (pictured above) started using Elmer's wonderful bear as a scratching post so we decided the only way to save it was to move it into the bonus room. No small feat. Adam and Elmer had to tip it sideways to get it through the door.

My sister decided to live her dream and moved to Anacortes, WA to spend her time sailing with her beau. So last summer, we met at her storage unit and I had to bring home all her stuff that she didn't want any more. So, it sits in a corner.



So this week, I'm cleaning house. Especially the bonus room. I expect that by the end of the week, it will be tidy and Elmer can use it as his man cave - or something.


What I really imagine is that once I get it all clean and nice looking, Adam is going to decide he wants to move all his stuff back in there...

I Want it NOW...

I just finished watching CBS Sunday Morning - I love that show. It usually features heart warming stories about life and the people who make it good. Today, they talked to Blake Mycoskie, entrepreneur and "Shoe Giver" who started Toms Shoes. He now donates a pair of shoes to people in Southern Ethiopia for every pair sold. However, these shoes aren't just for comfort, they are desperately needed by the people of this region where so many suffer from a debilitating disease called Podoconiosis which they get from constantly being in contact with the silica rich soil where they live.

I think we all have a little bit of Blake in us. Or at least I'd like to think so. But so much of the time, I think things are never "good enough", we want more of what we are so fortunate to have and choose not to think about those who have nothing because that makes life much too hard and unpleasant. Instead, we wish, we want, we expect.

So, to Blake and those who are like him, including that little piece of all of us, remember that we CAN make a difference. We can choose to take a few minutes of every day and change at least one moment of some one's life for the better.

We Are The World 25 For Haiti

Previewed during the Winter Olympics last night. I think I like it better than the original. I love the addition of Rap and Creole. What a beautiful way to help the people of Haiti...

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Casting for Recovery...

Mark your calendars! May 15th is the date for the Second Annual Hillbilly Gatherin' and Warm-Fuzzy Fundraiser. It will be held at the Hidden Springs Barn and will once again benefit Idaho's Casting for Recovery.

This year, the Casting for Recovery retreat will be held in Challis, Idaho on June 4-6. If you or someone you know is going through breast cancer or a survivor, you can apply for this wonderful program here. The retreat is free and it's 3 days that you will never forget. You can read about my experience here!



Each state is responsible for raising their own funds to put on this retreat. Since Idaho's program is so new (this will be our 4th retreat) they have had a difficult time raising money. I have been asked to volunteer as their fundraising chair and our Hillbilly Gatherin' will be our main fundraiser.

While last year's event was really fun, this year it will be bigger and better and much more organized. My old buddy, Dave Victor was the most popular DJ in Idaho for many years back in the 70s when KFXD was THE radio station to listen to. Dave now owns Dave Victor's Sound Entertainment and has agreed to provide the hillbilly music for this year's event. Thanks Dave, you're "far out"! I'm also really excited that The Fire Kittens have agreed to come and do a performance free of charge. They do an awesome show with fire!

The reason for this post is to ask for help. I know times are hard. But in order to raise the funds we need we'll be adding an auction to the event. I have so many crafty neighbors and friends that I'm asking (ok begging) you to consider donating something you might think worthy. I'm hoping to find a cash sponsor to pay for the pig and a few other necessities and I'd love to find some donations for stays at lodges or hotels. Artwork, dinners, just about anything you think we could sell at an auction. If you know someone who owns a local business that you think might be interested in helping out, let me know and I'll contact them with the information about the event and the wonderful cause.

So, if you or someone you know would be willing to donate something wonderful for our auction, please let me know! We will truly appreciate any help we can get.

Casting for Recovery was so helpful to me at a time I really needed it. I want to ensure that every Idaho woman who has gone through this dreadful disease is able to enjoy the support and friendship I was able to find through this wonderful program.

I hope to see you all on May 15th and feel free to invite your friends!

Countdown to the Winter Olympics!

Only 4 days. I know there must be a cure, but I'm not willing to look for it. I am an Olympics junkie. I look forward to the Olympics starting the day after they end. Winter or summer, it makes no difference. This year, Idaho has 11 Olympians going to Canada. I'm impressed.



But it's not just about Idaho, it's about a country, and lots of countries. Almost every country, no matter how small, whether they're engaged in war or at peace, sends their best athletes to compete. It gives me 2 weeks where I can think of the good in the world. Whether the country is large or small, nuclear world leader or third world poverty, they seem to find athletes to compete. It gives me a sense of the true meaning of life on this planet.


Every Olympian seems to have a wonderful story, and if you watch, you find that's a huge part of the Olympics. So many great people and stories that have made them who they are.


Whether you're a sports fan or not, how could you not love watching things like curling? When do you ever get to see that other than the Olympics?



Go Idaho! Go USA! Go World!!!!

Life in These Times...

About 10 years ago, I was doing home daycare and at that point in our lives, we had enough money that I almost felt "rich". We paid all our bills and never had less than $15,000 in our savings account. Things have certainly changed.

I think there are very few people right now who are where they imagined they would be at this point in their lives - me included.

Last night I was working at the Merc (our little general store/restaurant) here in Hidden Springs, when one of my favorite customers, Cliff came in. He and his wife moved here several years ago to be near their kids and especially their grandkids. He's probably a few years older than me and he stopped in several times a week with his grandson and they'd sit at the bar and have something to drink.

He bought a bottle of Coke and a six pack of beer and said "Today is moving day, I wish it wasn't raining".

WHAT? "You're moving?"

In very few words, he told me yes, they were moving to Meridian, a few miles away.

Yep, someone I thought had it all and the job loss and economy had gotten him too. He has lost his house. It all made me very sad. So, I guess while I'm not where I thought I would be at this stage of my life, I'm also in a much better place than I COULD be.

A few days ago, I went to Ada County to get Elmer's registration renewed for his truck. I lucked out! No one in line and my number was called immediately. Yep, life is good! I paid for the registration with my debit card and damn if the system didn't go down. I was told to take a seat, it was probably going to be 20 minutes before they could get it working. I finally paid and started to leave the counter when the guy said to me "Thanks for being so patient." Without thinking (because I say this several times a day either to myself or out loud) I replied, "If that's the worst thing that happens to me today, I'll be grateful!" and walked out feeling not too damn bad.

I really want this t-shirt...


Trying to get through life right now is really hard on so many people and it can be so depressing at times, but I can't tell you how many times a day I remind myself that "life is good". Help, those you love and care about as much as you can. I hope you can find the good in your life every day...

Viola! New Countertops!

Before, boring tan laminate.Notice we had wood along the edges of the countertops.





With the cost of the kit, brushes, and a few other things, it cost about $278.00. Not too bad!

First, you sand...


just to be sure, sand a little more (it's actually very light sanding - you just need to make sure there's scratches all over the top)...


Next, paint on the black basecoat then quickly spread on the chips using a little hand machine exactly like you use to spread fertilizer on your lawn. See those chips all over the floor!


Then you let it sit overnight (that was the hardest part - waiting!), vacuum off the excess chips, and use a little plastic scraper to knock down any high chips and remove any loose ones. A light sanding and another vacuum then you put on the protective top coat.

It was much easier to do than I thought it would be, yet it was also much messier than it thought it would be too. But, I definitely think it was well worth the little effort and huge mess! Don't you think it looks better with the edges done too - make it really look like granite!


I love it! I think we'll do all the bathrooms too! Anyone else going to try it?