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?

DAMN the Luck!

updated 12:10 p.m. MT, Thurs., Jan. 28, 2010
SANDUSKY, Ohio - A lottery winner who was struck and killed by a car in northern Ohio on the day she got her check had just spent some of the money on wedding rings for her and her husband.

The Ohio Highway Patrol says 47-year-old Deborah McDonald of Crystal Rock was walking home from a bar when she was hit by a car.

McDonald had been drinking and celebrating her winnings before she died, investigators said.

Countertop Transformations...

Well, I did it. I went to Lowe's this morning and picked up the kit to re-do our countertops. There are several color choices and the only one I knew I WOULDN'T get, was the charcoal. Our kitchen isn't huge and I didn't want the counters to look smaller.

I stood for what seemed forever last night and this morning, staring into the kitchen trying to envision the color that would look best. Certainly not the white. The sand color, which I thought I would like the best, is about the same color we have now - not enough contrast. The dark brown would have been lost between the darker colors in our hardwood floor and our Alder cabinet color. And the gray - nope. I stood and looked and stood and looked. The only color that was going to give me the contrast I needed - charcoal. So, that's what I brought home.

We'll watch the video (included) tonight and do the project this weekend. I'll definitely take before and after photos. I'm pretty excited and hope it looks as good as I think it will! If not, well, they have a 100% money back guarantee. Hopefully I won't have to use it!

Cruise Shopping...

Aren't you glad I didn't bring you all home a souvenir?



I loved the sign - really, who would steal this stuff????

There's No Place Like Home, Part Deux...

Tortola, British Virgin Islands...

What a magnificent island this was. Obviously, it was my favorite as I took more pictures here than anywhere else. The temperature was in the 80s and this was the view from the ship when we first pulled in. A beautiful island...




We got off the ship not knowing what we were going to do. We found an open air vehicle that we hopped on - a great choice. Not far from the ship, we saw this site which of course, I HAD to take a picture of. As soon as I got my camera up, the old man was telling us it was "one dollar" to take his picture. We found on this island that "one dollar" will get you just about anything you need.


The driver took us around half the island, up and down hills (and they're STEEP hills!) all the while, him honking at cars coming toward us and them honking back. Is that a friendly thing or "move the hell over"? I never did figure it out. The driver told us a lot about the island and all the "waycation" homes here. There are some magnificent places which I'm sure are owned by rich Americans and British.



You know me, we passed this old car with plants growing out of it and I had to take a picture. The driver laughed and actually stopped so I could get this. "Lady, you want to take a picture of THAT?" Well duh!



The driver told us about this next place where you could have a free "waycation" and stay as long as you want. I bet there's not another prison in the world with a better view...


Your basic island public service announcement...


These flowers grow on all the islands, they're African tuplips and bloom from September through April.


This was probably my favorite "waycation" home we saw. Loved the colors and the style...


We drove to the highest peak on the island where there was a small watering hole and bathroom. The driver was sure to tell us the following important information...

"You can use the bathroom here for free"

"as long as you buy something."

"If you don't buy something, it's costs $1 to use the bathroom."

See, you can get whatever you need for a mere dollar.
Evidently, cock fighting is legal on these islands. He pointed out these fighting chickens.



On the way up one of the hills, they had painted these murals of their culture that I found interesting...


On the back side of the island was a beautiful little village...


I thought about how wonderful it probably was to go to such a small school in such a magnificent place. The kids all looked so happy...



A cow.




Then off to Labadee, Haiti. I had such mixed feelings about stopping here. How could we possibly get off the ship to have fun when just 80 miles away there was such destruction and sadness?

However, the cruise line assured us that the Haitian Government needed and wanted the ships to stop as they employ locals and that all the money spent on the stop would go to the Haitians. They also offloaded 400 pallets of food, water and medicine. They were picked up by UN trucks being guarded my machine gun toting soldiers.



A news crew had brought a water taxi out to take pictures of the ship coming in...


A Haitian sailboat. I found taking pictures of the locals much more interesting than the island itself.


And we finally got in the water and I swam in the ocean for the first time in my life!



It was a wonderful vacation (especially the FREE part!) But to be real truthful, none of these stops were places I would ever go back to. The litter on every island was horrible - evidently no litter laws. I couldn't believe having such wonderful islands, wonderful weather, and the residents don't seem to care about pollution or taking care of what they have. What a shame.

Adam and Elmer are saving up for a trip to Alaska for Adam's graduation present in 2years. While they're gone I'm going to Belize. I'm taking my niece Andrea and we're going to go and discover the rainforests and wildlife of Belize.