Although I took this photo of Heather, I stole it off her blog! Yes, she got a new camera over the weekend and I was testing it out when she wasn't exactly being cooperative, but still caught this super-sweet photo of her. I love the THOUGHT she added - thanks Hea-due!



It's been an interesting day! I don't want to sound like a broken record BUT, it snowed again today - really hard and when the snow plow came around he was moving a hefty pile off the roads! It wasn't exactly doing the 'spring-thing' - snowing and melting - it STUCK! That kept up from early morning to about 4 p.m.! I baked some cookies to take to a "Newbee" (new 12 year old girl coming into our Young Women's program) after school and little did I know the cookies would come in handy later in the evening!

Kandee and Aspen dropped by for a visit - Kandee plopping on the couch and fell fast asleep while I entertained Aspen with some Netflix and chocolate chip cookies. Kandee's leg is doing better - she had physical therapy today and she was worn out from a sleepless night. While she slept, Shawn was off to the doctor to have some 'suspicious' moles removed and came home with approximately 8 stitches and a sore belly! That can be a little scary - so check your moles!

Went visiting then came home and cleaned the MESS I left - dishes from yesterday and from my cookie-baking adventure, basically a disaster! The dish-Natzi (Mr. Bobby-boy) would not have been a happy camper had he seen it! Things were looking good by the time he got home. I cheated and dropped by Wendy's and picked up dinner (chili and chicken/apple/pecan salad) so it was on the table when he walked in the door (slick)! While we were eating, the dogs started barking out of control. When I reached the door I saw three car loads of college kids converging on the house - HOME EVENING GROUP showed up unexpectedly!!!!!! We dropped our dinner and I was ready to hide in the back bedroom until they went away (shameful, I know) but we had NO idea they were coming. Bob let them in (((scream))) but I'm glad he did because we had a great lesson and a good time! I scrambled to gather cups, napkins, serving dishes, cookies, ice cream while Bob entertained 12 college students! REMEMBER THOSE COOKIES I baked earlier in the day?!? Well, they came in handy and went really fast! Also, I had some Creamies in the freezer - just enough for the amount of kids that showed up! Sheeeesh, we averted a disaster!

I'm exhausted!

strawberry, chicken, spinach salad

1 10-oz. bag fresh baby spinach

1/2-1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 medium cucumber, seeded and sliced (you can peel it first if you want)

1 c. sliced almonds, toasted

Lemon Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

1/2 lb. grilled chicken breasts, sliced or diced (optional)

feta cheese (optional)

Toss ingredients together and serve immediately. You can also arrange the ingredients on individual plates for serving.

Note:

I found (shamelessly stole) this recipe last night - made my mouth literally water all over the key-board! Went back to get the website address ( to give them proper credit, as all conscientious good bloggers would do) and couldn't find the link - eeeeeek! So, when I find it, I'll do the right thing ! ! ! I can hear you now - "This is nothing special - why do you need a recipe for this?" I know, I know - it just looked so delicious and the colors so inviting - I couldn't help myself AND with my lack of creativity lately - well, you know what I mean!

"car-door" (aka: carter) DAWG!

happy BIRTHDAY, dude-dawg -

also known as "CAR-DOOR"

snowy day and journal update

Weather:

Cloudy, snowing and still cold - 30 degrees & 100% chance of snow today - dude, it's snowing hard outside right now! It's going to be 6 months of winter this year, if we're not careful!

Been suffering with the beginnings of a cold the past few days - tried fighting it but said, "Oh what the heck - bring it on and let's be done with it!" So, I sat 3/4 of the night in the recliner as I was pretty miserable and stuffed up and coughing. In other words, I did not sleep much. Was planning on a baby-photo-shoot this morning with Heather but decided the mother would not appreciate me there with runny nose and hacking away!

I fought off several 'mini-colds' this winter and I think I know why it never got worse than a few sniffles! Bob and I started taking 5,000 IU of vitamin D (my new super hero) daily and my 'mini-colds' just kind of disappear after a few days. Usually, I'd be so sick I'd have to cancel lessons for several days to a week and heading to the doctor's office for breathing treatments. I thought, for sure, after last night I'd be sprawled out on the couch nibbling DayQuil and snorting nose spray - yet, here I am! ((((knock on wood)))))

Journal Update -

These days Sundays are full of meetings and church (da)! Amidst all this I decided to try and squeeze in making dinner for KandeeLou and our combined families! No sweat! It worked out well and we were off to the country-side to visit family and our recovering Kandee who just recently went through knee surgery (ACL) - ouch, to say the least. I never knew this operation was such a big deal - well, it is! She's been in a lot of pain and is singing the praises of modern pharmaceutical advancements in pain meds . . . earth to Kandee! ! ! Bonnie, Kandee's mom traveled from Arco area to help her out for a few days. We had a spaghetti dinner, french bread and veggies with delish brownies for dessert by great-grandma Alice. It was a nice evening together until we had to leave a little early for Bob as he wakes up at 4 :30 a.m. for driver's ed.

would you think less of me if . . .

It's St. Patrick's Day! Ahhhhhh, would you think less of me if I told you, "I don't do St. Patrick's Day!" If they came up with green Cadbury Eggs, I would consider it! My husband even served a mission to Ireland and lived there for 2 1/2 years. I do LOVE green though - with the days lasting longer, snow melting and grass (under the snow) turning greener - I do love, love, love green! Oh well, now you know - do you think less of me?

Kandee is in having her ACL repaired this morning - Shawn is with her and the kids are in school. I'll be taking in a few meals this week - just not sure when. She's having it done at a surgical center so there's a chance she could be coming home sometime today? They do have insurance so that will help.

Whitney is coming with the kids today - she has a few hair appointments and Heather and I are going to do a little photo-shoot with the kids at the studio (innov8) - should be fun.

I was asked to put a display of photographs at the Chamber for the month of May - so have been working on that. I think that will come with a pretty hefty price tag - but I guess I can then sell them when the display is over!

my son, the tablecloth

Yes, it happened - my son turned into a tablecloth - without even trying! Oh okay (I agree), dumb joke! "Yellowstone Teton Territory" (YTT) purchased some photos and turned them into tablecloths, banners and brochures for recruiting tourists to east Idaho. YTT consists of (5) counties joining their resources to 'lure' tourists to our area - sneaky, ha! Currently, the display is set up down at the Chamber office - but it will travel around the western half of the U.S. during the summer and fall at different conventions, fishing and travel shows. All the photos look amazing blown up so big AND Cortney's fly fishing photo may end up being a billboard in Utah sometime soon! Yo guys, his signature may be worth some 'dolla' (aka: dollars) soon!

Next stop: 3 magazine and USA TODAY ads coming out by April - I saw the proofs and they look 'super-cool'. Nicole's photo coming out next - Miss-Sassy-hair-flipper!

updates are always good, right?

Okay, what's my excuse for not updating lately - nothing, just life! There's been so much happening and not enough quiet-time to sit and visit. It's pretty quiet around here right now, perfect for 'updating'!

2nd annual racquetball tournament for The Ridge was happening last weekend! Shawn and Kandee hosted the event at their club and they had a great turnout. Shawn, Shade and Kandee signed up to play - Bob did not! Bob's knees are getting a little 'sketchy' as far as playing hard and jarring around the court so, he sat this one out - not like him! We had fun watching family play. Kandee ended up with an appointment for surgery as she turned the wrong way while playing her game, heard a 'POP' in her knee and will now have reconstructive surgery on her ACL!!!!!! She goes in Thursday for her surgery!

Shawn played in a new division called "British Racquetball" and placed 2nd - it's MUCH harder, slower version of the American racquetball - the ball (to me) seems like a hacky-sac ball - mushy! The guys come out of the court looking like they just took a 'bath' and the cardio workout is very intense! Shade played and did so well - he didn't place but is an outstanding player - many more tournaments will be in the future for him! So we'd watch a game, run to food shop, run back to the club to watch more - and so went our weekend - SUPER FUN!

Got a phone call from Donna and she wondered if Bob and I would like to go to the Farmer Merchant Community Banquet? She said there was ONE hitch! Would I take photos of the event - I immediately said, "Yes!" I love going to that - so many great memories from the past - it's just a lot of fun! It was held in the new high school and guess what? I've never been in the new high school since it opened this year! Yep, that's right - so, it would be a great opportunity to see a small portion of it, the gym! It is put on by the Chamber of Commerce and I just happen to love that organization - they do so much for the businesses in our community! Chiz' would be catering it this year - oh, delish!

(click photo to get a closer look)


The Farmer Merchant Banquet honors people who have contributed to the community throughout the year, they honor farmers, educators, business people and then they auction off items people donate for a good cause. All-in-all it's the best night ever mingling with people you've known for years and years - just like family! BTW, the new high school is beautiful and huge!

Saturday, we met up with Ken and Donna in Idaho Falls at Pet Smart!!! They just got a new golden lab puppy and they were signed up in an obedience class - so cute! I've never seen more dogs in that store before - oh, heaven! (Yes! I love dogs!) I picked up some bones for our little guys and then went to lunch at Garcias - fish tacos!!! After lunch we made a quick Sam's-run and hurried home for more racquetball and Bar J Wranglers with Ken and Donna at the high school.

snow angel, ninja-style

What more can I say except, "Hiiiiiiiyaaaaa"?!?!?

happy bday CA-MAN!

MARCH 14, 201 1 Dear Cameron Well another year has come and gone and just think you are a year older. The thing you learn about age is that you are only as old as you think you are. All I can say is enjoy where you are because it just doesn’t get much better. I sure hope that you have a fantastic birthday. I hope that work is going good for you and that you are enjoying your life. The birthday cake is not all it is cranked up to be. I am back at Drivers Education again so I can empathize with your schedule. I am up at 430 a.m. everyday during the week. Weekends not much different. Well keep smiling and celebrate being 39. May the Lords choicest blessings be with you on this very special day. Love you, DAD _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ HEY there BIRTHDAY-BOY, I can't tell HOW MUCH THIS KILLS ME - not being able to be with you on your special day. I think I may just say that EVERY single year - but I really, really, really mean it - I miss being with YOU on March 14th - kind of a 'mother-son-thing' I'm sure!!! That's the HARDEST thing in the world as a mother being away and not being able to make you feel SUPER-SPECIAL - because you are just that to me, SUPER-SPECIAL kind of guy. I'm sure being a parent of a daughter you now know what that "parent-child" BOND feels like and that bond (for me) only grows stronger as the years go by! I've been thinking today of all the CRAZY/FUN times as you grew up and how special they are to me. Just glad we have our BRAINS (while they're still intact) to remember those days you were with us everyday. I've been thinking a lot the past few days of your mission to JAPAN and how you must be reliving some of your experiences there with the earthquake and all the news of the people. You've been through A LOT in your life and you're such a STRONG PERSON to have come through it the way you have. I'm SUPER-PROUD of you as my son, father of Leah, brother and grandson! You're EVERYTHING a mother could hope for in a kid - you simply have surpassed any expectation I could have for you! Always REMEMBER where you came from (your heritage) and remember SO MANY are looking to you for strength in such an uncertain world. You are lOVED and ADMIRED by so MANY - you may not be aware of it - but it's TRUE. Now, I just wanted you to know that I have a BIRTHDAY PRESENT for you HERE - you're going to have to pick it up when you come for Easter . . . I think you'll really like it! Dad and I were going to try and come down this past weekend and (((((SURPRISE))))) you for your BIRTHDAY and I we were going to HAND-CARRY it down - but our 'super-secret' planning didn't work out!!!!!!!! SO SORRY! I hope your dinner went well with Leah! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART! TOTALLY MISS YOU. Love forever and ever - Mom

horrific disaster-9.8 earthquake - JAPAN

I have been riveted to the television today watching as the events unfolded in JAPAN. I awoke early to let Mini out (about 5:45 a.m.) and sat at the computer checking email until she barked to come in. I saw a Facebook message from my friend in Germany to "check CNN news" - which I did to find such terrible news. 9.8 earthquake in northern Japan WITH tsunami EQUALED total disaster.

MORE IN THE MORNING!

not EGG-actly sure but . . .

JOURNAL NOTES: Not 'EGG-actly' sure when they're coming but, at least by tonight! I KNOW! That makes no sense BUT, not in the mood right now to write - but soon.

just a thought

(photo of a little rose mom gave us that's seeing the end of it's life-cycle)

After living as long as I have, I have come to the conclusion that "LIFE IS HARD" - just that simple! I've also come to the conclusion that "LIFE IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE EASY" - physically, mentally OR spiritually! "Elementary, my dear Watson" you might be thinking! I see it day after day after day! Really, we know NOTHING of "HARD" as some who live in other parts of the world know - but it doesn't make 'our HARD' any easier!

• Yesterday, I watched my mom struggle to walk and keep her spirits high as I took her to the doctor - there was a small tear in the corner of her eye - but she was brave. I am learning 'how to be old' by watching her each day take on a new challenge
• I read of my daughter's struggle with infertility - looking at blonde-haired babies / kids and yearning for a little one of her own - facing the problem 'head-0n' and being brave - somewhere in the whole-scheme-of-things there is a blessing, it will take awhile to find, but there is a blessing
• This morning I heard a terrible noise come from the front steps as Bob left for work - only to find him flat on the ground as he did not see the ice on the steps! It was a long fall - but he was being brave. His head missed a wooden post only by fractions of an inch. Received this email shortly after he got to work: "After thinking about this a.m. I think angels caught me and helped me to the ground. All I can remember is walking out the door and then I was laying on the ground. I hit the steps and just missed the post. I know the Lord was watching out for me. I hate to think of what could have happened. Right now I think I am just fine. I know I am watched over and protected. Love you" I am the eternal-optimist and look at this just as Bob did - he's being watched over! He wasn't exactly loving his experience but in hind-sight you can 'love it' for what you learned

I will try to remember "Come What May and Love It" in my daily life - it will be difficult at times but it will help get through the impossible! Something to ponder!

it's HERE - i've been reading!

Whenever the dogs start barking and barking really hard, I know the UPS 'person' is in the neighborhood! She was! The door bell rang, I waited until she was totally gone because I was still in my PJs - yes, at 1 p.m.! I'd been having one of those days when I got a lot done around the house but forgot to look in the mirror to remind me it was time to get dressed! Ha!

I could see through the glass there was a package on the porch. Couldn't remember what I ordered - a photography book?! Just couldn't remember! When I opened the box, I was totally surprised to find . . . . tadadadah . . . my BLOG BOOK! It showed up about 2 weeks early - I was so surprised! So heavy, it's so darn heavy! It's a whooping 337 pages and dates 2006-2007. My first blog post was in December of 2006 - so it's really only a year long. Oh man, I guess I 'talk' a lot!

When I was looking through some blogs several weeks ago, I found a website called blog2print that slurps your book into a format that makes best use of space and looks nice. I am so far behind in my book-making that it was the best way to go. If I used Blurb on these older blogs, it would take too much time - way too much time! The ONLY down-side is the size of the photos - much smaller than in the original blog but really not too bad! But, it'll be just fine! Once I get caught up, I will go to Blurb and finish last year's posts. The plus for Blurb is you can arrange the posts and photos any way you want - you could choose to make a photo the size of an entire page - hot!

It's as big as a phone book . . .

Check out the PJ sleeve - see I wasn't kidding about the PJ's - oh, give a girl a break . . .

Close your eyes (this part is personal)! My family IS my LIFE - I have 'this thing' that my grandparents didn't leave me anything to remember them - it's like an obsession - like I 'have' to do this . . .

It's a freakin' TIME MACHINE ! ! !