My friend Sarah, who lives in Russia, tagged me and now I am going to answer these questions with one word answers and then tag 7 other bloggers.
Here we go:
1. Where is your cell phone? counter
2. Where is your significant other? ranching
3. Your hair color? blonde
4. Your mother? friend
5. Your father? missed
6. Your favorite thing? relationships
7. Your dream last night? unknown
8. Your dream/goal? growth
9. The room you’re in? office
10. Your hobby? socializing
11. Your fear? defeat
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? anywhere
13. Where were you last night? party
14. What you’re not? bored
15. One of your wish list items? couch
16. Where you grew up? Lakewood
17. The last thing you did? ate
18. What are you wearing? sweats
19. Your tv? movies
20. Your pet? Fluffy
21. Your computer? Dell
22. Your mood? Over-caffinated
23. Missing someone? Hubby
24. Your car? Suburban
25. Something you’re not wearing? socks
26. Favorite store? ebay
27. Your summer? restful
28. Love someone? Hubby
29. Your favorite color? undecided
30. When was the last time you laughed? 2hrs.
31. Last time you cried? Thursday
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Patience Pays Off
Little did most of the world know that I have sat at a slow, bogged down computer in our home office for the past 5+ years. Even our monitor was old and big and the picture bent in at the sides of the screen. I had to give it a good swat on a regular basis when the picture started having a seizure. When I would try to run more than one program at a time it was like molasses had filled the tower and slowed everything down...sometimes to a complete halt. It was probably two years ago that a friend of mine gave me flack for having such a slow, ancient set up. I was shocked and slightly offended. What was wrong with my set up? We were being good stewards of our money and I didn't have to have a fancy flat screen. I was patient and could wait on programs for 3 minutes before they opened. I was just content with what I had.
Months ago The Prairie Daddy and I decided to start looking for something else. Did I mention that we are frugal? Well, I wasn't about to just fork up the money for anything. And most of what I saw didn't come with the OS that I wanted. And we just didn't find the "right" computer. So I continued to be content with Old (and Slowly) Faithful.
But then, this summer we had the chance to talk with my sister's boyfriend about a new computer. And he has a master's degree in IT. AND he had been going to an auction out of Seattle where the government gets rid of their two-year outdated computers (two years is outdated? Wow! I am living in the Stone Age!) So we chatted about what our needs were. The big thing was that I am a photo and video junkie. I need space...lots and lots of space. And I decided I had been patient long enough...it was time for some speed!
When we were in Seattle a couple of weeks ago The Awesome IT had gotten us a computer. It is a Dell with a Pentium 4 processor. And we added an external HD for all of my media storage. And we got a DVD writer so that I could burn my movies! AND we ordered a flat screen! And now I am sitting here typing away to tell you HOW AMAZING IT IS when your computer opens multiple programs in a flash! And that my days of patience have paid off.
And why are The Prairie Daddy and I happy to be frugal and patient? Why do I wait quite awhile before making a purchase unless I really know its the best deal? Because if I hadn't of waited we would have paid close to $900 for what we wanted but we only paid $400 for this entire set up. Amen!
And now, The Prairie Mama has happily joined the 21st century.
By the way, in this last 6 weeks we learned how to set up a wireless internet router for our house, so now I can watch Instant Netflix on our laptop. And I have my very first IPOD. Just so happens that is what The Nephew got for his birthday and we made a deal for me to get the old one! Did I tell you that I got The Prairie Daddy Sirius satellite radio for his birthday in August? And we can listen to it in the house or the car? Wow. The Prairie is on the move! Watch out Microsoft. Watch out Google. Move over AOL, here we come!
Oh, and by the way, my cell phone is over 3 years old and I love it.
Months ago The Prairie Daddy and I decided to start looking for something else. Did I mention that we are frugal? Well, I wasn't about to just fork up the money for anything. And most of what I saw didn't come with the OS that I wanted. And we just didn't find the "right" computer. So I continued to be content with Old (and Slowly) Faithful.
But then, this summer we had the chance to talk with my sister's boyfriend about a new computer. And he has a master's degree in IT. AND he had been going to an auction out of Seattle where the government gets rid of their two-year outdated computers (two years is outdated? Wow! I am living in the Stone Age!) So we chatted about what our needs were. The big thing was that I am a photo and video junkie. I need space...lots and lots of space. And I decided I had been patient long enough...it was time for some speed!
When we were in Seattle a couple of weeks ago The Awesome IT had gotten us a computer. It is a Dell with a Pentium 4 processor. And we added an external HD for all of my media storage. And we got a DVD writer so that I could burn my movies! AND we ordered a flat screen! And now I am sitting here typing away to tell you HOW AMAZING IT IS when your computer opens multiple programs in a flash! And that my days of patience have paid off.
And why are The Prairie Daddy and I happy to be frugal and patient? Why do I wait quite awhile before making a purchase unless I really know its the best deal? Because if I hadn't of waited we would have paid close to $900 for what we wanted but we only paid $400 for this entire set up. Amen!
And now, The Prairie Mama has happily joined the 21st century.
By the way, in this last 6 weeks we learned how to set up a wireless internet router for our house, so now I can watch Instant Netflix on our laptop. And I have my very first IPOD. Just so happens that is what The Nephew got for his birthday and we made a deal for me to get the old one! Did I tell you that I got The Prairie Daddy Sirius satellite radio for his birthday in August? And we can listen to it in the house or the car? Wow. The Prairie is on the move! Watch out Microsoft. Watch out Google. Move over AOL, here we come!
Oh, and by the way, my cell phone is over 3 years old and I love it.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Track Event
I still can't believe how fast my life changed from the season of rest into the 1,000,000 meter dash. : ) Where has October gone? Who am I? What am I doing? Sigh. I am tired but I am definitely not bored! And I sleep great!
Why am I tired? It seems as though every week is full, exciting, exhausting and demanding. This could be labeled "the season of much and the unexpected." We have had 4 different last minute visitors at our house this month. I had an invitation to be on a team to start and lead a new local ministry for moms. There have been 2 last minute birthday parties planned. I have 2 Mondays back-to-back to cook for the gang of workers processing cattle (branding, preg checking, vaccinating) on our ranch. It is football season and that means we get to watch our nephew play. I actually remembered to dig up some of the beets and carrots in my garden (which meant washing and preparing them also). Oh, and we got a new computer and I have been spending much time getting that set up and the old one transitioned over. And this past Friday I helped move cows and rode most of the day. And this is all in addition to normal ranch life, church, Galaxy, Thursday morning Bible study and preschool. Whew. After this paragraph I am not feeling so bad for being tired!
This week will be another busy one. Tomorrow is a "processing cattle" day and I will put lunch on for 9. Tomorrow evening we'll be at a friend's birthday party. Tuesday will be a meeting for the new Mom's Together program. Wednesday we will have the week off from Galaxy but I will be leading a team meeting and training. Thursday is Bible study and the costume party at preschool. Friday is hauling cattle all day, a big party at church, and a football game. And Saturday, you will probably find me laying on the couch staring off into space saying "ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba." Do any of you remember Goldie Hawn in the movie "Overboard" sitting in the chair at the end of a long day doing this?
Well, we shall see if I make it to this blog posting thing again this week. Until we meet again...
Why am I tired? It seems as though every week is full, exciting, exhausting and demanding. This could be labeled "the season of much and the unexpected." We have had 4 different last minute visitors at our house this month. I had an invitation to be on a team to start and lead a new local ministry for moms. There have been 2 last minute birthday parties planned. I have 2 Mondays back-to-back to cook for the gang of workers processing cattle (branding, preg checking, vaccinating) on our ranch. It is football season and that means we get to watch our nephew play. I actually remembered to dig up some of the beets and carrots in my garden (which meant washing and preparing them also). Oh, and we got a new computer and I have been spending much time getting that set up and the old one transitioned over. And this past Friday I helped move cows and rode most of the day. And this is all in addition to normal ranch life, church, Galaxy, Thursday morning Bible study and preschool. Whew. After this paragraph I am not feeling so bad for being tired!
This week will be another busy one. Tomorrow is a "processing cattle" day and I will put lunch on for 9. Tomorrow evening we'll be at a friend's birthday party. Tuesday will be a meeting for the new Mom's Together program. Wednesday we will have the week off from Galaxy but I will be leading a team meeting and training. Thursday is Bible study and the costume party at preschool. Friday is hauling cattle all day, a big party at church, and a football game. And Saturday, you will probably find me laying on the couch staring off into space saying "ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba." Do any of you remember Goldie Hawn in the movie "Overboard" sitting in the chair at the end of a long day doing this?
Well, we shall see if I make it to this blog posting thing again this week. Until we meet again...
Possibly The Best Post Ever
I know, I know. It has been about 2 weeks since my last post. I was building the suspense for possibly the best blog post I may ever have. The video. Yes, the soon to be infamous video of my crazy but wonderful family doing a 16th birthday party dance for my nephew (whom will never be the same). And we didn't want to leave you out, so I have put together a video so that you may never be the same as well.
I have to say, I have one hilarious family. In the first clip you will have to note that my mom is to the far left and my dear husband to the far right. Now, I didn't choose my mom (and we tease her of this when the moment permits) and I did choose my dear husband. Maybe I just needed to be sure that I was surrounding myself with something familiar when I chose him. (The real truth is we pull him from his self-controlled background and turn him into one of us when we can get him off the ranch).
Also, I suppose I need to admit that I am the one in the dark colored bandanna folded and wrapped around my forehead.
Needless to say, my nephew got one unique and fun-filled birthday present. Nephew, I hope that we didn't scar you for life (even though I think secretly it was one of the highlights of your life but I don't blame you for not admitting it).
I also realized that I misspelled "soldia" in the video...it should be "soulja." Oh well.
Okay, I have kept you long enough. Please double check your seat belts and keep your hands inside at all times:
I have to say, I have one hilarious family. In the first clip you will have to note that my mom is to the far left and my dear husband to the far right. Now, I didn't choose my mom (and we tease her of this when the moment permits) and I did choose my dear husband. Maybe I just needed to be sure that I was surrounding myself with something familiar when I chose him. (The real truth is we pull him from his self-controlled background and turn him into one of us when we can get him off the ranch).
Also, I suppose I need to admit that I am the one in the dark colored bandanna folded and wrapped around my forehead.
Needless to say, my nephew got one unique and fun-filled birthday present. Nephew, I hope that we didn't scar you for life (even though I think secretly it was one of the highlights of your life but I don't blame you for not admitting it).
I also realized that I misspelled "soldia" in the video...it should be "soulja." Oh well.
Okay, I have kept you long enough. Please double check your seat belts and keep your hands inside at all times:
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sweet Time in Seattle
Oh how I love a good getaway. We left Wyoming just as the snow began falling...hard. And when we boarded our plane in Billings on Thursday evening it was just a matter of time before the pouring rain turned in to a blizzard. But Seattle warmed up and found blue sky when we arrived. What fun!
I don't have any pictures or videos to share yet and probably won't until I get home but I do have some fun stories. This is the first time that The Prairie Daddy has ever joined me in Seattle. My oldest sister has lived here for over 20 years and my other sister has lived here for the past 5 or 6. I have many, many memories and traditions here and it has been so awesome to share them with my other half.
This trip is all about my teenage Nephew as well. His sweet 16 is on Tuesday and we all came in to celebrate him. Friday he didn't have school so we all went to my sister, The Culinary Master's cafe, Two Tartes. We had "special coffee" (some sort of heavenly chocolate, caramel latte concoction), jambalaya, apple strudel with a cream cheese filling, sausage and egg croissants, and cookies. Nice brunch, eh?
Then it was off to Pike's market. We ate our way through there as well. I loved showing The Prairie Daddy all around the places that we have been to for decades. We ate bbq pork humbow, a goat cheese and spinach crepe, doughnuts, and of course, we stopped in La Panier french bakery and indulged on an almond croissant. We bought our way through the fresh produce so that we could continue our favorite family tradition, eating, at my sister's house.
That night we had my favorite...dungeoness crab. The Culinary Master made amazing appetizers and a fabulous beet salad. My other sister, The Baby Mama, made a great tomato- basil salad. And we also had steamed artichokes and french bread. Mmmm. Need I say more?
Yesterday I went with The Culinary Master to Two Tartes and watched her decorate two beautiful chocolate cakes for a wedding. This lady is so talented! She decorated them like beautifully and effortlessly.
Then we all headed to Jillian's at Capitol Hill. We had two pool tables and a spread of appetizers awaiting and for the next three hours we played ping-pong, darts, air hockey, arcade games and pool. It was so much fun! What a great 16th birthday hang out.
We returned to The Culinary Master's house and had a family birthday party. My step brother and his new wife came over as well. And did I mention that my mom and her hubby are here too? So we all celebrated The Nephew and ate great food and then...then...
Then it was time. Yes, time. My sister's and I snuck upstairs with my mom and a few others. We raided The Nephew's closet and put on some of his shorts and shirts. We put on hats, bandannas, pick combs, jewelry, etc. And I took black eyeliner and blacked out a tooth, and then we blacked out a couple of my mom's teeth. And then it was time.
We entered the stage (aka. the living room) and the music started. And we proceeded to attempt to do a dance for The Nephew. When the choreography failed I busted out and started a "dance off" in the middle. And we took turns "gangsta dancing" and we laughed and laughed and laughed...and did I mention we laughed? I cannot wait to show you pictures and video. It may be the best blog post I'll ever have.
Presents and an I-Pod cake followed. It was a great party.
Today we're taking the ferry over to Vashon Island to see where The Nephew goes to school and lives (he lives over there part time with his other parent). That will be fun. The Prairie Kid is really excited to get on a boat. I am sure there will be pictures of that to share as well.
I am really glad to be missing the massive storm at home. However we learned yesterday that there was a horrific accident and a young woman we knew from our town did not survive. Our hearts are hurting for the family and her husband and our prayers are with them.
I don't have any pictures or videos to share yet and probably won't until I get home but I do have some fun stories. This is the first time that The Prairie Daddy has ever joined me in Seattle. My oldest sister has lived here for over 20 years and my other sister has lived here for the past 5 or 6. I have many, many memories and traditions here and it has been so awesome to share them with my other half.
This trip is all about my teenage Nephew as well. His sweet 16 is on Tuesday and we all came in to celebrate him. Friday he didn't have school so we all went to my sister, The Culinary Master's cafe, Two Tartes. We had "special coffee" (some sort of heavenly chocolate, caramel latte concoction), jambalaya, apple strudel with a cream cheese filling, sausage and egg croissants, and cookies. Nice brunch, eh?
Then it was off to Pike's market. We ate our way through there as well. I loved showing The Prairie Daddy all around the places that we have been to for decades. We ate bbq pork humbow, a goat cheese and spinach crepe, doughnuts, and of course, we stopped in La Panier french bakery and indulged on an almond croissant. We bought our way through the fresh produce so that we could continue our favorite family tradition, eating, at my sister's house.
That night we had my favorite...dungeoness crab. The Culinary Master made amazing appetizers and a fabulous beet salad. My other sister, The Baby Mama, made a great tomato- basil salad. And we also had steamed artichokes and french bread. Mmmm. Need I say more?
Yesterday I went with The Culinary Master to Two Tartes and watched her decorate two beautiful chocolate cakes for a wedding. This lady is so talented! She decorated them like beautifully and effortlessly.
Then we all headed to Jillian's at Capitol Hill. We had two pool tables and a spread of appetizers awaiting and for the next three hours we played ping-pong, darts, air hockey, arcade games and pool. It was so much fun! What a great 16th birthday hang out.
We returned to The Culinary Master's house and had a family birthday party. My step brother and his new wife came over as well. And did I mention that my mom and her hubby are here too? So we all celebrated The Nephew and ate great food and then...then...
Then it was time. Yes, time. My sister's and I snuck upstairs with my mom and a few others. We raided The Nephew's closet and put on some of his shorts and shirts. We put on hats, bandannas, pick combs, jewelry, etc. And I took black eyeliner and blacked out a tooth, and then we blacked out a couple of my mom's teeth. And then it was time.
We entered the stage (aka. the living room) and the music started. And we proceeded to attempt to do a dance for The Nephew. When the choreography failed I busted out and started a "dance off" in the middle. And we took turns "gangsta dancing" and we laughed and laughed and laughed...and did I mention we laughed? I cannot wait to show you pictures and video. It may be the best blog post I'll ever have.
Presents and an I-Pod cake followed. It was a great party.
Today we're taking the ferry over to Vashon Island to see where The Nephew goes to school and lives (he lives over there part time with his other parent). That will be fun. The Prairie Kid is really excited to get on a boat. I am sure there will be pictures of that to share as well.
I am really glad to be missing the massive storm at home. However we learned yesterday that there was a horrific accident and a young woman we knew from our town did not survive. Our hearts are hurting for the family and her husband and our prayers are with them.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Finally! A Post!
Things have continued to remain busy, busy, busy. I never would have guessed 6 weeks ago that I would be neglecting my blog so much this fall. As I went from rest to busy I seemed to have misplaced my blogging desires. But I don't want to let this blog thing go so I will really try to post on at least a regular basis...although regular might mean weekly or biweekly.
What have we been up to? Let's see. Hmmm. I honestly have to pull back the cobwebs of my memory from even last week. Why don't I start with today and work backwards.
Today. Today I am the mom of two preschool boys which might explain my lack of brain function. Our pastors and their wives are on a several day retreat in Montana and we were asked to watch a 4 year old boy. He joined us after church on Sunday when we had his family over for lunch and will be with us until tomorrow night. It has gone really well but I have noticed that I am lacking in the energy area! This morning I took the boys to the park and then we did some fun things around the ranch.
Before this little guy came over we had another house guest for a week. Larry was the speaker out at Western Frontiers last week and they needed a place for him to stay so we volunteered our upstairs bedrooms/bath. On Saturday night he joined us for supper and we were able to pray with him. He is passionate about the Father heart of God and is a gifted prayer partner. It was such a blessing to pray with him. He prayed that I would personally feel the comfort of God...that I was lacking in my life in being comforted and that God wants to comfort me. We also prayed about an unhealthy desire I have for acceptance from people. He spoke into my life that I care deeply about people but often carry too much of that with me. I asked the Lord this morning to show me how to love people so deeply without it burdening me.
Last week I was able to go to a BBQ/football party, have a fun play date with a friend and her two boys, go to Yellowstone with another friend, enjoy Bible Study, Cowboy Church, a birthday dinner, and Galaxy. Wow. No wonder I haven't had it in me to blog! And before that I did get knocked out for a day with a cold and fever.
Here are some pictures from the past week or so:
The best Sunday afternoon football backdrop...Wild Wyoming
There is the cute Prairie Daddy in the front of the pack
And The Prairie Kid found a pile of dirt with his cowboy pal, JD
And then they mimicked the daddy's football playing
The next day we went to Western Frontiers where The Prairie Kid took a spin on JD's pony with JD's mommy, Heidi the Heaven sent
The Prairie Kid posing on a hill on the ranch
Our friend posing on the hay stack
Two cute hay boys
Cowboy Multi-tasking and two little cowboys
Chickens are scary 
Wanna ride?
Playing "guys"
Tour of the yard
I am thrilled to share that we are leaving for Seattle in 2 days! And The Prairie Daddy is going with! We will be celebrating our nephew's 16th birthday and hanging out with my side of the family. Woo-hoo! Dungeoness crab, Pike's Market, Two Tartes, sisters, nephews, mama HERE WE COME!
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