2011, The Year in Review...

As the new year of 2012 begins I'm taking a look back at some of my favorite posts of 2011. 

I began the year finishing my "30 Posts in 30 Days" to remember the 30th anniversary of dad's death.  It was bittersweet, yet awesome.

My son came home on leave from Iraq


My brother-in-law Joe, drew up our preliminary house plans for our barn house



This was just too funny not to share - my brother had business cards made (he's truly one of a kind and I just love him)...




Just for fun, we had some picnics on the property - can't wait to do more in 2012!



We celebrated mom's birthday with a wonderful long girl's weekend in Oregon




I took some cooking lessons from The Pioneer Woman.  I'm not so sure she'd be proud...



I lost an old friend..

My son came home from Iraq.  This made me very happy and made my life so much more peaceful.

We started planning for the Third Annual Hillbilly Gatherin'.   This will far out-do the 2 previous.  Just wait until you see what we have planned!

Some "mystery friends" left us a Christmas gift at the property.

and, Adam got a tattoo.  I haven't posted about that yet, but will.  Not that it will be news any longer, but I want to have record of it on my blog.

As I look back on 2011, I'd have to use the word "interesting."  We had the house on the market most of the year.  I hated that.  We had the property and Ival spent every spare minute up there enjoying it - I loved that.  Our youngest turned 18 - I have mixed feelings about that.  I can't believe that in just 6 months, we could potentially be "empty nesters."  It's a whole new chapter in the life of a mother.  We spend all of our time taking care of our kids and husbands - they are our top priority, as they should be.  What the hell will I do with myself!?

I've made new friends, and "divorced" some family members.  Not that I wanted to, but some relationships are just toxic and I guess we needed a break from each other.  I hope that eventually these relationships can be mended because family means so much to me.  But until then, life will be more peaceful and I don't hold a grudge.

Well, thanks for coming along for the ride.  I'm so grateful for all of you and look forward to an interesting and exciting new year! 

To Our Wonderful Friends, Families, and Neighbors...

We hope that 2012 brings you peace and comfort and the love of friends and family...

The Turners

Christmas Day, 2011 - Part Deux...

I mentioned it was a quiet day for Christmas.  About 1:00, Ival decided to go up to the property to "work."  Not long after he left, he called to tell me he had found something hanging on the gate.  It was a beautiful red stocking filled with homemade jam, homemade candy, and a tin full of nuts.

Tucked inside was a wonderful Christmas card with the following:
Dear Guardian of the Foothills.

Merry Christmas!  During this route daily to and from work it was quite intriguing to see your tent go up.

We've spent many a family discussion speculating on your choice of locations.  First,  we thought sheepherders, then moved on to some type of science study, etc.  Whatever your reason, we hope you are having a peaceful Christmas.  Know that we bless you each time we drive by.

By the way, the blue Christmas lights are a nice touch. 

Just as you have provided our imaginations with a lot of material, we hope you will have equal fun guessing about us!

Warmest Holiday wishes to you,

Santa's Elves,
Your Mystery Friends

So we left the following:



I'm sure they think someone lives there full time.  But to me, it was just such a cute thing to find on Christmas day.  I will save the card and frame it for our house when we build it.  It will always remind us of how people have had such a fun time keeping an eye on the tent and what we've done.  I imagine we will wonder for quite some time, possibly forever, who our mystery friends are - unless they stop by sometime and let us know.  Until then, thanks for making for a wonderful memory for our new home...

Christmas Day, 2011

Today started out like any other.  Everyone sleeping late on the weekend - except me.  Mom came over and we opened presents and had a humble breakfast (I cooked).  It was a very nice morning and I'm so glad mom lives so nearby.

Then something happened that made for a day I'll never forget.  As a mother, we're weird that way.

Adam was always such an adorable boy.  He had those round glasses and cute little face.  But, he always had a mind of his own.   He's certainly not perfect, but today, I think I was more proud of him than I've ever been. 

He came downstairs a while ago and said he was going for a walk.

"Are you ok?"
"I'll talk to you later.  See ya."

I could tell he'd been crying.  Oh crap, did his girlfriend break up with him on Christmas?  Was one of his friends in trouble?  I watched peeked out the window as he walked up the hill from the house.  My heart was breaking thinking of what could be wrong.  After all, it was Christmas, no one should hurt on Christmas.

Adam came home and sat in the chair.  He started telling me how he had gotten text messages from 5 of his friends.  Each one told him how much he meant to them.  He went on to tell me that his friend Ben had called him from his vacation in California to tell him that he "loved him."  He said they both broke down and cried while they were talking. 

Ben and Adam went to daycare together and have know each other since they were crawling.  They've been such good friends for so many years.  Ben has signed up with the Marines to become Special Forces and will be leaving in June for boot camp.

Jake and Adam have been friends for over 10 years.  They went to grade school together and Jake lives up here.  Jake is such a quiet boy and has had some hard times over the years. 

The twins went to grade school with Adam as well.  They've since moved to Emmett but they have stayed in contact and come over often.  As 18-year-old boys, they've discovered that it's hard to get along with their dad.  They've been living in their car off and on for the last several months and evidently, Adam has been trying to help them however he can.

Luke is a fairly new friend, but spends most weekends here.

So, this morning, all these boys either called or texted Adam telling him what a great friend he's been and how much he's helped them get through some tough times.  Ben is probably beginning, as they all are, to realize that their lives are about to change.  It's hard to know that the friends you've become so close to will all be going their separate ways and things won't be the same.

I told Adam how proud I am of him - to know that he's kept his friends for so long and that he means so much to them that they would all take this day to remind him. 

I know this post won't mean much to my few readers, but it's something that I want to remember.  Things like this are exactly why I write a blog.  As a mom, I'm weird like that.

And then, Ival called me with a surprise he found hanging on the gate of the property (and no, it wasn't something dead).  I can't tell you about that until I get a new camera (tomorrow) so that the picture can accompany the post.   It made what had just happened with Adam, even better.  You know, I have a good feeling that we're going to sell the house this spring...

Ahhhhh, Christmas

I just realized it's been a while since I've written anything here.  I guess I haven't really had much to say. 

It's just a few days until Christmas but it's going to be a busy few days.  Tonight, all the kids and grandkids are coming over.  We've gotten to where we just buy for the grandkids, at least for now.  Things are probably tighter this year than they're ever been for Christmas but I tried to get things for the grandkids that either really meant something, or something that I knew they would really like and might enjoy for more than just the next few days.  Just having them all over means so much to us - we are so grateful for our family.

Tomorrow we celebrate with Ival's side of the family.  It's grown so big (we also have our kids and my mom because the Turners are just awesome) that we have it at the clubhouse here in Hidden Springs.  We usually end up with close to 50 of us but it's a lot of fun to get everyone together.

Sunday will be quiet.  Just us and mom.  It will probably be nice to have some quiet time!

I'm so incredibly grateful for my friends, my family, and another year of having my wonderful sister-in-law Pam in our lives.  I have to mention her here because she's such a blessing to everyone who knows her.  She is truly the strength and class that I wish I could be.  Thank you Pam, for reminding us every day how precious life is, and how truly minor our problems are.  While I don't see you as often as I'd like, I think of you every single day.

I hope you all have a wonderful whatever-it-is you celebrate.  Thanks for being my friends and family!

What the Fractal?????

Ok, the fractal cross stitch didn't work out - for now.  I put the pattern together and it was almost 4x5 ft.  I don't have room for that right now.  So, this is what I'm working on.  It's been years and I'm really enjoying doing it again.

I love the old pin-up girls.  Don't you think this will be cute in our new kitchen - when we have one?  All I have done is the fire and the pot.  But that was the hard part. 

I love her.

We Got Trouble Folks, Right Here in River City! That's T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

I'm a small-town gal. I've never liked cities. That's the reason that I love Hidden Springs and the lifestyle that goes with living here.  I knew this was the place for me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time, just a few months after moving here.  My neighbors, who I didn't really know at the time brought dinner to our house for the next 7 weeks.  Every night.  Everyone in town participated - how could you not love people who were willing to do that?  It was something I'll never forget.  And the people are still like that. 

I love the fact that Boise is just a few short, beautiful miles away, yet I have the small-town atmosphere of Hidden Springs. I hear coyotes instead of sirens at night.  I've always said that it's as close to living back in Garden Valley as I can get and still be close to town so that hubby can work. I love that Hidden Springs is so diverse. We have young people, retired people, Jews, Christians, Mormons, atheists, blacks, whites, Asians, lesbians, and hell, maybe even swingers living here - and we all get along!

Tonight, we have an "informational" meeting to ask questions of those who are running for Town Council. It's never been something I felt like I needed to get involved in because frankly, we have wonderful people who have always run and been elected that live here and want to be involved for the same reasons that make me love it. They love the Merc, knowing their neighbors, keeping the charm of the homes and streets, keeping the clubhouse, pools, common areas, farm, and community barn beautiful and functional, and making sure it stays a peaceful, beautiful place to live.

However, this year, we have "The Slate of 4." They're a scary group. About 2 weeks ago, they went door-to-door with fliers talking about their "platform" and all the changes they want to make to our little town and the Town Council. I've been laughing ever since. They're obviously all from big cities and had no idea the firestorm they were igniting by riling the neighbors - the Hidden Springs Facebook page (and personal email inboxes) have lit up! When they don't like the tone of the FB page they post comments about "slander, libel, and lies." They really should have done their homework on moving to a small community from a big city and how to get along with the folks that live there and love their community!

One thing they want to do (I know this is insignificant but I hate the thought of it) is make sure that our TC meetings are now done using "Roberts Rule of Order." Have you ever been to a meeting that follows Roberts Rule of Order"? ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. One of our Board of Directors insisted we follow that format for the Peace Officers' Memorial meetings a few years ago. There's even a book you're supposed to buy and read so you will know, and can follow, the proper format. I got mine free, but never even opened the cover. I hate it - and I make it obvious at our meetings that I ignore it. I won't call Rich Wills "Mr. Chairman." I won't, I won't, I won't!

So, the neighbors right here in River City have called each other out to attend the meeting tonight. The preschool is even open and has offered free child care so that everyone can go. The "Slate of 4" have no idea what they're in for. But, it's going to be SO MUCH FUN to watch them find out!

Garden Valley Bigfoot?

Right before Thanksgiving, my husband's "anonymous friend" emailed him some pictures.  They have a cabin at Terrace Lakes and he had gone up a small dirt road off the Middle Fork of the Payette to scout for deer.  He took these pictures and explained that the tracks had come off a ridge, onto the road and he had followed them for about a half a mile.

The prints were about 6 inches across - not huge, and the stride was about 4 feet.  Ok, maybe could have been a runner in those weird barefoot shoes, but why would they come off the mountain, go along the road for 1/2 a mile, then off the road and down into the brush?  He's sure he saw the tracks of a bigfoot.

I looked at the BFRO site and found several sightings in the same general area. You know how fascinated I am with Bigfoot.  What do you think?  Jaci, can't wait to hear your thoughts!

It Was a Wonderful Week...

We got our son back.  Even though we missed him a lot, the best part was knowing that his wife and kids got their husband and daddy back.  He came home the day before Thanksgiving and I feel like a hundred pounds have been lifted off my shoulders.  Being a mama is hard!

On another note, Jacki and Tim went to Seattle for the week and asked Adam to house sit.  Not a problem - except they adopted 2 golden retrievers last summer.  The male, Cooper, is a typical golden.  Happy all the time, loves everyone, and just grateful to be alive.  The female Ginger, however, is a different story.  A very sad story.  When Jacki and Tim got the 2 dogs, they had been together for several years and the owners didn't want to separate them.  The only problem was that when she was young, Ginger had been abused - obviously by a male.  She's terrified of everyone except Jacki and her family.

Adam had a terrible time getting Ginger to come in the house at night and it was too cold for her to stay outside.  The first several nights Adam managed to trick her into the house.  By the last 2 nights he couldn't get her to come in.  She was wise to his tricks.

So, Friday night about 8pm, Adam called me to say he couldn't get her inside.  He came home and I went to Jacki's.  I thought I could get her in because she's not as afraid of females as she is of males.  I tried for over an hour and 15 minutes to get her to come in.  I hid behind the door hoping I could slam it shut behind her if she snuck in.  I got canned dog food and let her lick it off my fingers.  I threw dog treats inside the door hoping she'd sneak in.  Nothing worked.

It was cold enough outside that I knew there was no way I was going to give up and let her sleep outside.  So, being a female and thinking outside the box, I went into the garage and got an extension cord.  I opened the back door, tied one end of the cord to the doorknob and draped it across the doorway over the couch.  I put canned dog food in her bowl and put it far enough inside that she had to actually come in to snatch a bite.  I then sat on the couch with the other end of the cord in my hand and pretended like I was watching tv and didn't pay any attention to her.  After another 15 minutes, I saw her out of the corner of my eye as she snuck through the door.  BAM!  I pulled the cord and slammed the door.  Success!

I had to do the same thing last night.  It's a good thing the kids are coming home tonight, I think she was on to me after the second time.  So it was a great and interesting week.  Hope yours was too, and that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family.

2012 Dutch Oven Clinic and Hillbilly Gatherin'...

Well, the opportunity was just too good to pass up.  Our friends Butch (Cee Dub) and his wife Penny will be in town in April and May and asked me to reserve the Hidden Springs Barn for them to do a couple of 2-day Dutch Oven cooking clinics.  My brain started going and so I called Butch this morning and first, told them happy Thanksgiving, then asked if I could encroach on one of their Saturday nights to hold the Hillbilly Gatherin'. 

We'll be raising money for Wish Granters - they grant wishes to local area adults who are terminally ill.  Doug was my old boss at Wishing Star and started this organization just last year.  Being a fledgling non-profit, they really need a boost and we're going to give it to them.  Penny is also a breast cancer survivor and thought this was a great opportunity for she and Butch as well.

This year though, I'm going to try to find help.  If I'm going to do an event to raise money, I want to make sure I raise lots of money.  I'm going to put together some "committees."  Reallly, you can never have too many committees can you?

So, save the date - Saturday night April 14th.  And, if you'd like to sign up for one of Cee Dub's clinics, go here and then click on appearances and clinics.  Down at the bottom of the page are the dates for the Hidden Springs clinics. (Be sure to take a long look at those rolls on his home page - can't you just smell them!)  

YUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!