five dogs, two cats and five humans

That's WHO/WHAT is living in our home right now and it's -21 degrees (F) windchill outside - but, we're coexisting quite well!

Whitney went to the store today and brought home this interesting and most delicious POMELO fruit! I had never seen/eaten one before - but, for that matter, neither had they! It's the size of a cantaloupe (you can't tell by this picture) and tastes a little like grapefruit but not as acidic. I don't like grapefruit but, I love this! So refreshing when it's SO cold outside.

So much has happened around here lately - I'm going to have to get caught up - it's just been so crazy around here I haven't really had time to sit down and gather my thoughts about anything! All I could think all the month of December was, "Just get through THIS day!" Then the next day would come and I would 'self-talk' all over again. We got through it!!!!! It was wild, it was crazy.

• We had a GREAT Christmas celebration together. We were missing two families this year - it amazes me how EMPTY it feels when they're not here
• After New Years, we moved Schuyler and Whitney out of their home - job market just not good in their area. They'll be going to school in about three months so it will help them save some mula for their move
• We got everyone situated in our basement and 99% of their belongings are in Heather and Brian's storage unit. So many came to help them - it was an interesting experience trying to move in a snow storm and temps in the single digits - but, we did it
• New Years Eve was spent at Shawn and Kandee's health club - games, racquetball, food, food, food
• We traveled to Utah for Henry's baby blessing - SO GOOD to see our cute family there
• Guitar lessons resumed after a MONTH off - holy cow, that was a nice rest
• I hope to get pictures loaded and caught up soon
• THANKS for being so wonderfully patient with me as I get my life put back together and organized a little better. I've GOT TO WRITE before I start forgetting things from this past month.

pizza & papa

(for a closer look, double click photos)


We've had some really good meals lately as Whitney and Schuy moved their little family into our basement for a few months. Job hunting in the 'basin' was not kind to them and they took a BIG hit! So, their family of 7 is living with us and COOKING for us! They can stay FOREVER! Homemade pizza with homemade pizza sauce and all the 'healthy' fixing's were in order. They got a pizza-stone for Christmas and it made for the BEST crust.



Then, papa got ahold of Bodin and before anyone knew it - he was O.U.T. It's so funny to watch papa sneak treats to Bodin and he's a quick learner - I found Bodin in papa's office today! At first I thought he was looking for papa but, in fact, he was looking for more TREATS! Cute!

birthday girl - 2010

Whitter (AKA Whitney, my daughter) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ! ! !
Have a WONDERFUL day, sweetie - you're the BEST.

winter 2010 - mosaic monday

This is my entry for "Mosaic Monday" - go by Mary's place and check out all the other fun mosaics.

JOURNAL NOTES: coming soon!

stary, stary night

Bob came in from the hot tub tonight and said, "You've got to go out and look at the trees and sky!" So, I did and this is what I saw!

2010 has been good to us . . . already

It happened so FAST! It happened today. Snow piled up from two days storm - probably 8" of white fluffy stuff. Since it was New Years day, the plows only plowed the main highway and left the side-streets alone which made for dangerous driving. The roads were relatively empty - people were home watching bowl games on TV and snuggling in their warm homes.

Everyone hopped in the car and headed to town - just normal, everyday stuff. Driving a big, sturdy car made going through piles of snow no big deal - it climbed the big hill in front of their home like it wasn't even there. Down the road they headed for town when they hit 'the corner' that caused their big, sturdy car to go out of control, miss the bridge. Mom called out, "Oh #@*&!*, hold on!!!!!!" Shade grabbed the handle above the passenger window and braced for impact. From the street, you could see only the tips of the tires sticking up from the over-turned car laying in the empty canal, tires still spinning. The handle Shade grabbed broke off - the impact was so great.

Four members of my family were in that car today. No one saw the wreck, no one came to their aid - they had to climb out of the car through the passenger door that was ajar. In shock and numb, the boys made it back to the house to alert their dad who was working. They were approximately 1/4 mile away from the house and there was not a soul on the road. They all walked away - stunned, in shock but okay. Bob and Cameron raced out to see what they could do and took some pictures to document what happened:

THE MIRACLE: No one was wearing seat belts!!! Yes, 2010 has been good to us.

HAPPY 2010