our little piece of country

Remember??

2011-05-09T14:14:00.002-05:00

Remember the sofa and loveseat that I was going to get and it didn't work out?? Well, God gave me a "handful on purpose" as our pastor says. We were gifted with them both. See, God supplies not only our needs but our wants...which this was both. :)

Hope your Mother's Day was a relaxing one. Mine was and it was such a beautiful evening, I convinced my hubby to take a walk with me. Have a great week evcryone!!

Happy....

2011-04-24T18:59:00.003-05:00

Easter!!!

Hope everyone has had a great holiday!!

For my faithful few....

2011-03-24T07:53:00.002-05:00

I'M STILL HERE!!

Life has been crazy!

We decided the timing was not right for us to move.*insert happy face*

My hubby started back to work last week, but alas,

work is still painfully slow.*insert sad face*

My son and I have been working on my bro in laws tree farm.

Pretty proud of myself.

Haven't collapsed yet!

And that is why I need to go now.

I must prepare myself for working in temps. 30 degress less

than yesterday!!

Have a GREAT week(end)!!

The swing of things

2011-03-02T06:35:00.003-06:00

After spending some time relaxing in Florida, we've been trying to get back into the swing of things.

But since we've been back, the "swing of things" has changed.

My husband's work has been slow for some time now. Last Monday, they chose to lay some of the guys that drove a distance off so they wouldn't drive all the way to work an hour or 2. My guy happened to be one of those.

I am thoroughly enjoying having him home. Although, that doesn't get the bills paid.:)

They say "When life hand you lemons, make lemonade"!

My "lemonade" is enjoying the extra time with my very best friend.
Oh, remember the new couch?? You won't be seeing it grace my living room for a few months. One of the downsides. BUT I choose to be thankful....

HOME

2011-02-20T17:44:00.002-06:00

....is where I am. After many days
on the road, I'm back in my oh so humble abode.
Ahhhh......

One more day...

2011-01-28T09:39:00.004-06:00

First of all, Thank you for all your comments/opinions on the sofa selection. I really do enjoy hearing from people. BUT, you'll have to wait for a few weeks to find out our pick because in one day, we'll be leaving all of this....

And heading to see this!!!!

It is a working vacation with fun packed on all sides!! See ya in a few weeks!!

New sofa!!

2011-01-25T08:39:00.003-06:00

I'm soooo excited because finally I'm getting a NEW SOFA and LOVESEAT!!! It's very much needed as the one we have has many spots that have holes worn through. It is NOT a pretty sight. I keep it covered with a blanket as much as I can. I don't think the material was made for as much sitting as it got.

ANYWAY... we have a choice of either chocolate brown which is a very dark brown...almost black or black. My question to you is, do we get the very dark brown or go with the black? I just would like some opinions, please? I can't wait to get them!!!

My favorite...and you?

2011-01-24T09:08:00.003-06:00

I LOVE classic movies and tv shows especially comedies. I LOVE LUCY is one of my absolute favorites.

Some of my favorite old movie actors include Jerry Lewis, Jimmy Stewart, Gracie Allen, and CAREY GRANT.

Do you like the classic movies?

Some things that I LOVE about "our lil piece of country"

2011-01-15T08:31:00.007-06:00

This is our little piece of country....part of the American dream.
It may not be much, but it belongs to us....well....us and the bank for now. Here are a few of the things I love about it.

I LOVE my new trees!! The front yard was just SCREAMING for some trees! It has one
Willow and several Mulberry trees lining the fence row out front, but it needed some color. My bro in law was so gracious as to GIVE us 3 trees for bringing him some business.

I LOVE the view of this barn across the field from out our bedroom window. I also LOVE that there are 12 windows and 3 doors with windows from which I can look out of from every side of the house. It makes it so bright and cheery.

I LOVE all the wonderful opportunities for beautiful pictures!

I LOVE my Lilac bushes....all 3 of them. 2 are probably around 50 years old.

I LOVE my red rocking chairs. They're great for sitting in and looking at all those beautiful views.

I LOVE all the flowers that just pop up along the fence line. We bought the house in January so we had no clue as to the kinds of flowers there were.

I LOVE the views of wide open spaces! Yes, I'm crazy like that.

I LOVE the new porch that my hubby built me! It's a great spot to sit out on and just let the cares of life drift away....even if for a little while.

I LOVE it when the tractors work in the fields and all the crops that grow in the fields. I was born in the city, but I've always loved the country. Pig and cow smells and all.

I LOVE the look of the trees across the road in the fall.

I LOVE all the beautiful sunrises ....

and sunsets that I can see. The beautiful pictures that God paints.... And that's what I LOVE about "our little piece of country". What do you LOVE about where you live??

Answers to blog comments.

2011-01-14T22:42:00.002-06:00

I don't know how to answer your comments without doing it like this. If anyone knows of an easier way, let me know, please.

Jenny, I have several vintage kitchen items. I have a few on another shelf but I still have a few more.

Becky, I think that picture was on my Blackberry and it gave up the ghost. :(

Jess, I do have another window. I wish you were here to help me figure it out....

Ideas??

2011-01-13T17:09:00.005-06:00

You see, I have this shelf that's needs some decorating attention. I feel like all my creativity has gone out the window. Especially when I see what others have done to their houses.

The shelf needs a little touch up and I would like to change the color of the green on the walls. This is in my kitchen. What else should go on here? I started to shop my garage attic and didn't get far.

The wreath is part of my wintery decorations. Should I paint the window? I've scrubbed it and it still looks dingy. Anyway....ideas please?

More often...and my favorite things...

2011-01-11T22:19:00.003-06:00

I've decided that this year, I will blog more. Today being 1/11/11, I thought it would be a good day to blog. These are just a few of my favorite things.

We've recently been given a horse! We are a horse-loving family so we were very excited! My husband had 2 when we were first married and we were not able to keep them. So this is a very exciting thing. She is 4, I think and her name is Dakota. I believe she is a registered paint.

This is a game that my sis in law got her family for Christmas. It is so much fun!! It has like 44 items hidden in the beads or whatever they are. You would think it would be easy to find them all, but it's not. It's a Look and Find and I've just discovered it is upside down and I have no clue how to fix that.

My sis in law and her daughter make lots of homemade things. One of the things they made this year is this cake candle. It smells very good! The smell is chocolate raspberry. Mmmmm!!! They sell all kinds of soaps, candles, lotions, bath salts, canned goods, sweaters, hats, socks, scarfs, purses, and I think that's all. Whew!! AND it's all handmade/homemade!!

I got this Willow Tree figurine for Christmas from my son. It's the first of many, I hope.:) I would LOVE to have the Nativity!

Last but not least, is the birdhouse and chair made by a friends dad out of old barn wood. I love things like this! Wish someone in my family would start making this type of things. Anyway....just a few of my favorite things. Hope this year is off to a good start for you! I would LOVE to hear from you!!

I'm dreaming of....

2011-01-10T13:25:00.003-06:00

SpRiNg!!!

Can't wait for flowers and leaves....

and grass and trees!!!

What about you? Are you as stir crazy as I am??

Soooo confused!!

2011-01-09T20:15:00.002-06:00

My brain is in a muddle right now. How do you know what you're doing is the right thing? This decision making is driving me nuts!! Wish God would just write something in the sky and say "This is what you're supposed to do." How do you know the decision you're making isn't going to mess things up....especially when it involves your kids??? I'm sooo confused!!!

Baby, it's CoLd out!!

2011-01-06T21:31:00.004-06:00

Moms make great pillows and nose warmers when it's cold out.

I challenge you

2011-01-05T11:54:00.003-06:00

Christmas has come and gone and a new year has begun. A fresh new start.... What will happen this year? Will there be many changes...good or bad?? I saw on Facebook a group that is doing 3 goals in 30 days. So I decided to take the challenge. Problem is, I have a whole list of goals and I have to pick just 3 for the 30 days....less than since I started late. I'm determined to do it though and have asked my hubby and kids to do the same. The kids have made their lists and have them hanging in their rooms where they can see them. Now, I still have to chose just 3 goals. It starts over every month so I can use my whole list eventually. :) Why don't you take the challenge?

HaPpY 13th BiRtHdAy Tyler!!

2010-12-23T07:21:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday to a great son! You're a very helpful person, when you want to be.:)

You've grown up alot this last year.....in height....you're taller than me....you're voice has deepened.....you think more grown up....

But you can still be silly....and you love to bug your sister. :)

Hope this year is an awesome one for you! Keep Jesus first. We love you lots.

A Simpler Time

2010-12-14T12:13:00.004-06:00

Christmas time has arrived once more and this year I decided to try and go simpler with my decor. Now if you ask my sister, she will say she doesn't think it looks that way. But I did less than I normally do and didn't hardly decorate outside.

I will do a post later of my Christmas decor for the last 2 of you that I have reading.:) It's nothing special....

Besides, the whole reason we celebrate is because of the babe in a manger. His time was a simpler time. He didn't need lights or trees to celebrate His birth. He had the Angels!

Let's enjoy the season without all the stress of I have to get this person something or this person or this.... Not that I don't LOVE to shop and buy for people! The economy has kinda "made" me go back to a simpler time. Less gifts, more celebrating.

The snow helps set the scene for the Christmas season. Here, it's been snowing and blowing the last couple of days. Today, it's just sunny and down right cold.

It makes for a beautiful picture as this snow drift does....when taken from inside the house...

I enjoy the beauty as long as I don't have to spend too long outside in it. Have a great day everyone! Try and stay warm and remember the times when things were a whole lot simpler.

New season

2010-11-30T09:56:00.003-06:00

The seasons are changing from the bright yellow and oranges of fall to...

The whites, reds, and greens of winter and Christmas.

These 2 recently started a new season in their life with a beautiful and sweet wedding. Congratulations to you, Jess and JoJo, as you start your new life together.

We also could be starting a new season in our life. Kinda scary if things work out. But trusting in God for His help.

Great grandma's quilt

2010-11-21T13:10:00.010-06:00

It may not be new

or even very pretty.

But it was made by my great grandma around 100 years ago.

Probably stitch by stitch with her own hands.

That's why it's so very special. Because it was made with love.

Curveballs

2010-11-11T20:26:00.002-06:00

Life has a way of throwing things your way that you don't expect.
That's what has happened to us. It could mean big changes....changes
I'm not so comfortable with. But could turn out to be a great thing
for the family. Please help us pray about this little "curveball" in this
ballgame of life.

Can't wait for this new family member!

2010-10-30T23:10:00.003-05:00

For as long as I can remember when I was a younger, I loved horses. When it came time to blow out my candles for my birthday and make a wish, I would wish for a horse. I'd save my money to go on a trail ride at the state park. I dreamed and drooled over them almost all my life.You see, I was a city girl living in a subdivision and there was no way I could have ever had one. Then I married a guy with 2, a mom and her little one. Being newly married, we couldn't afford the upkeep of 2 horses, so we passed them on to other family members. Since then, it's been a dream to have one again. We moved to the country 2 1/2 years ago and now we have room.

Now the dream is a reality.

Meet Dakota.

Isn't she a beauty?

She has gotten more meat on her bones since this picture.

She seems like a real sweetheart.

Now we just have to get one of these....or something like it....and a fence so she can come to her new home.

See! Dreams CAN become realities!

A great find

2010-10-26T10:39:00.004-05:00

A week or so ago, David and I took some much needed time away and went to beautiful Brown County, Indiana. The scenery was gorgeous and I enjoyed having some time away with just him even if it was just a weekend.

While we were there, we went to an antiques flea market. I had in my mind what I was looking for and how much I wanted to spend on it. I'm cheap, I guess and we looked through almost all the booths before I found them. I was looking for oil lamps. You see, we live in the country and the lights go out some. I thought they would be useful and also be a great addition to my decor.:) The first one I already had. The last 2 are the ones I just got. Love them!!

They say things come in 3's...

2010-10-20T09:59:00.010-05:00

Things have been a little challenging for the Rauschenberger's lately. It started with my hubby slamming his finger in the tailgate of his dump truck....on a Friday. It ended up being fractured and badly sprained with many deep cuts and scratches. Thankfully, it is healing well.

The next Thursday, his parents were almost home after being gone since July and a semi driver ran them off the road into a guardrail in their motor home. They could have very well been badly injured because his mom is on oxygen and when they finally got stopped, everything was laying in a pile behind them. They had bought a love seat and I believe that is what saved them from being injured. His mom's window was gone and she was on the side of the traffic. They only had a few bumps and bruises.

Then, last Friday, David put his dump truck into the ditch to avoid hitting the back of someone who slammed on their brakes at the last minute. The gravel shifted and he landed on his side and slide for a bit. He wasn't injured other than a small scratch and some soreness. He was thanked by both drivers and the officer told him he did the right thing. I guess the insurance agent did too. I am so thankful to still have him with me and that noone was even injured. It could have been so much worse. If he hadn't been wearing his seat belt, he would have ended up hurt very badly, I'm sure. God has truly been protecting us. I give Him all the praise.

My forever love

2010-10-11T18:48:00.002-05:00

19 years ago

I married my best friend

And high school sweetheart.

We were very young and have been through alot.

But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love you, David.

Picture perfect

2010-09-20T22:12:00.005-05:00

Life

isn't

always

perfect

picture.

But

it's

what

you

make

it.

So make it good.:)

*taken in Oblong, Ill.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!

2010-09-15T05:25:00.002-05:00

Today is your 15th birthday.

We loved you bunches from the very beginning...

We love you bunches now.

You keep our lives interesting....in a good way. Without you, we would be boring.:)

Don't know what we'd ever do without you.

Love ya, Nik. Hope you have a FaNtAbUlOuS Birthday!!

Websites

2010-09-03T07:21:00.013-05:00

Here are a couple of websites I have found recently and enjoy.

http://www.klove.com/

www.freehomeschooling101.com/ I could not get this link to work. Could someone please let me know how to link one blog to another? Guess I'm not smart enough.:) Thanks!

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend! Stay safe!

Wow!

2010-08-29T17:44:00.007-05:00

How do you compact a whole summer into one post!

It's been a busy one full of camps, company, fairs, and fun!

I've taken lots of pictures as usual.

Hundreds of pictures to be exact.

So I've chosen just a few to show our summer.

So here you go...

We had visits to the BIG Indianapolis Marion County Public Library.

We went to the fair with friends...
Dreamed of old cars....
Listened to Daryl Worley on the free stage at the fair. Good concert...
Visited the International building and dressed up like the Japanese....
Saw a pig made of cans....:)

Hung out with friends....

Saw sheep in disguise...

Saw enormous art...

Saw some cute donkeys....

And of course, HAD to visit the new baby pigs....

Hung out with more friends at camp....

Got FREE treasures...:)

Ate quail eggs....

And enjoyed multiple kitties.

We enjoyed so much more but blogger was not being kind to me and didn't download everything.:/ We visited the state fair 3 times thanks to coupons in the paper. We also visited 2 county fairs, 1 festival, Conner Prairie and my sis in laws pool.:)

School has begun around here again. We are slowly but surely working ourselves into a routine. I think the older I get the more I enjoy a good routine.:) Have found a good homeschool website that I may post later.

How have you enjoyed your summer?

This is a test

2010-08-05T09:52:00.002-05:00

Testing. Testing. Just checking things out. I've changed my background like a million times...not really....and looks like I've lost my comments bar on a few. Have no clue what I did sooooo just doing a test post! Have a great day!

Writers block

2010-08-02T19:56:00.002-05:00

I've tried and tried. I just can't come up with a good post. Do I even have any readers left since I've not been good about writing? Guess I've got writers block.:) School is starting again and things are gonna get busy. Stick with me, I'll get it someday.:)

Being Content

2010-07-26T21:48:00.005-05:00

"I have learned in whatsoever state I'm in therewith to be content."

But have I learned this?

Am I content with the car I drive? Or do I wish I had something newer?
Am I content with the home I have? Or do I want something bigger...with more land....larger rooms?
It's something I work on everyday.

I want to be happy.....

I want to be thankful.....

I want to be content.

What about you??

Change

2010-07-24T08:32:00.002-05:00

I finally decided to change my background/template and all that. Mainly because I accidently deleted the other.:) I love it that blogger now has all that so I don't have to go searching for something I like. It may have had it for a while, I've just been slow at noticing. Anyway...

Hope everyone is having a GREAT summer!! Ours has been busy with camps, 4h fairs, trying to organize, schoolwork when I can convince the kids, Bible School, and just life. I'll try to update again soon for probably myself now since it's been so long. Have a great day!!

Update

2010-07-04T23:49:00.001-05:00

I'm gonna update. I really am!! Someday.... Just busy with life and all that goes with it. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!!

My blog

2010-05-02T11:13:00.004-05:00

Well. For weeks, I've been stumped as to what to write about. I really do want to keep my blog. I just want to find something that's interesting so I'm not boring you to death.:) Soooo....here's my question to you. What do YOU like to read about? Please leave a comment and let me know so I can get some ideas. Thanks.....:o)

I leave you with a picture of my lilacs. They were BEAUTIFUL this year!!

My Sanctuary

2010-04-08T12:12:00.004-05:00

Do you have a room you love? A place where you can go unwind and relax? I have such a place.
It's our bedroom. The breezes blowing through the white sheers of the 2 windows....

The sealily colored walls take me back to when I was a little girl and visiting my grandparents. It always seemed to be relaxing and calm there.
The humungeous stack of books from the library...:)

The white coverlet with grandma's handmade quilt at the end of the bed....

It's not a large room...it's actually quite small. When we moved here, we had to go from a queen bed to a full size. But that's ok:)...

The closets are quite small too. Ladies, do you feel my pain? It is the width of a hanger. :/ Needless to say, we have storage under the bed.:) AND, I'm happy to say that ALL of our clothes fit in our room. It took a little rearranging, but it is all in there and as organized as I can get it by using what I have. I don't have near the clothes I used to because I'm home most of the time.

But the views are beautiful!!

So peaceful......

So where do you go in your home to get away?

Okay, Okay...

2010-04-07T12:37:00.001-05:00

I will update eventually.:) I know there are just TONS of you wanting to read about my boring life.:D

100!!

2010-03-26T09:06:00.004-05:00

I made it to my 100th post!! Actually, this is my 101st.

Time to celebrate!!:)

Barn Love

2010-03-21T13:11:00.010-05:00

I love barns....Old and new...

New old and old new...:)

I think they symbolize the country....

And boy, do I LOVE the country!!!!

Someday....

I'll have one of these...

Beautiful, rustic barns...

SpRiNg!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-19T22:51:00.003-05:00

By the time the sun sets tomorrow......

It will be SPRING!!!!!

And I can't wait....

Help please??

2010-03-18T12:27:00.002-05:00

Can someone explain to me why whenever I download pictures they come up as numbers and letters on the edit part? I thought it was my old computer so I tried on our new one and it still does it. What have I done wrong to my blog?? I really want to update!!:(

I'm baaaaack!!

2010-02-23T08:45:00.002-06:00

I'm glad to be back in my little house in the country!:0) I spent the better part of 4 out of 7 days traveling last week. My glutious maximous is very sore from sitting so much.:p So glad to be home though and trying to get back into a somewhat normal routine. Whatever that is.:)

This will be a pictureless post...which I hate to do....because my computer is not letting me see and publish the pictures properly. Not that anyone ever looks at this anymore anyway.:) If you do though, and have any idea how to fix it so I can see them, please, let me know. Have a wonderful week!!

Need I say more.....

2010-02-01T14:25:00.003-06:00

Florida bound!! See ya in 2 1/2 weeks!!

Anyone?

2010-01-07T21:13:00.002-06:00

Is anyone else out there stir crazy? Just totally ready for green growing things? You know I am!:)

These boots are ready and waiting......

WOW!

2009-12-31T09:56:00.006-06:00

It's time for a new year again!! Can you believe it?!?! They say "time flys when you're having fun". I must be having lots of fun then cuz time is really flying!! A HAPPY NEW YEAR to the few of you left reading this!!!:o)

Who knows where this New Years road will lead us....

We wish you a Merry Christmas.....

2009-12-25T15:56:00.003-06:00

And a Happy New Year!!! Hope ya'll had a WONDERFUL CHRISTmas!!

Happy 12th Birthday Tyler!!

2009-12-23T10:56:00.005-06:00

Today is this boys' birthday.

He is now a 12 year old.

It's his last year to be a tween.

Next year, he'll be a teen.:(

I'm not too happy about that.

We're gonna enjoy this year! Happy Birthday, Tyler!!

A feeling in the air

2009-12-08T12:09:00.004-06:00

Do you feel it? It's like you're sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for something to happen. Excited, nervous, wondering how everything will get done, anticipation of all that comes with the Christmas season. Are you ready for it? Ready or not, here it comes!!:D

Changing seasons

2009-12-02T14:57:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving has come and gone. I think the weather is trying to gear us up for the Christmas season. It's cold and rainy today.

Gone are the days of taking walks without freezing or getting blown away. But only for a while.

Soon the warm, spring weather will be here with all the beautiful flowers and green grass!! I truly cannot wait!! Winter is not my friend. :)

Soon I can use my new porch to sit and talk to....hey, all my friends are on Facebook! I guess, I'll just have to take the computer out on the porch and "talk" to them.:) No really. I have lots of friends that I would love to have come and sit and gab with....

And watch beautiful sunsets with. Although, I think this is a sunrise and that's too early for me to gab with friends. :) Boy, am I rambling.

But for now, I choose to cuddle on the couch with my hubby and watch a good movie with the tree glowing in the background.....

And look at all the "white stuff" from inside where it's warm.

HELLO HELloo helloooooo??????

2009-11-17T17:34:00.002-06:00

Do I have anyone left reading out there????? Just checking.:)

Harvest time.....

2009-11-11T08:58:00.004-06:00

Harvest time is here in the country. We've been seeing alot of these and tractors lately. I've decided I'd love to try to drive or at least ride in one of these or a tractor.:)

We're saying goodbye to the corn.:( You've been a wonderful wind barrier......

And a beautiful subject for pictures... See ya in a couple of years!:)

Porch Progress

2009-11-11T08:41:00.004-06:00

As you can see, the porch is coming along nicely. I'm lovin' it!!

Don't know if the roof will be done before winter. With David's new jobs hours, it's hard for him to find time to do alot of extra. He stays pretty busy.

Thanks to both of my guys for their hard work on getting the boards on so it could actually look like a porch. We will definitely enjoy it next year.

My guys

2009-10-14T11:53:00.003-05:00

As we try enjoy this funky fall weather....

My guys have something fallish on their minds...

They been doing some practicing.....

Hoping and dreaming.......

To bring home that special buck...:)

18 years of Wedded Bliss

2009-10-13T13:11:00.002-05:00

Yesterday marked 18 years of being married to my best friend. I love him more everyday.

When you're younger, you wonder how that can be possible....but it is!! We've been through good and bad together and have survived.:) I hope we have many more years...I love him to pieces!!! Thanks for being there for me...

Special Wish

2009-10-10T02:29:00.002-05:00

This is a special Birthday wish for a very Special person....

My sweet hubby!!!!! Today is his 36th birthday!!! I LOVE him VERY much!!! He is my bestest friend.:) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVID!!!!!!

You all have inspired me

2009-10-09T13:19:00.003-05:00

Since I've gotten 7 comments on my last post, I decided to update! Sad that such a few make me happy!:) But ANYWAY, the porch is coming along slowly but surely.

I even have them working nights.....

Well, at least til dusk....or maybe they worked by the lights of the living room.:)

Mixing the quickrete in the dark proves to interesting...

This is as far as they've gotten so far. Don't ask about the chair stuck in it cuz I don't know the reason.:) Hoping to get to work on it tomorrow.....hoping....

Fallish porchy post

2009-09-25T10:42:00.006-05:00

Well, the old porch is busted and work is underway for the new one. I'm sooo EXCITED!!! Can you tell!!

This are a few of the "muscular" helpers we had. They carried wood and hauled away rocks and did whatever they were asked. Thanks guys...

The porch to be :)

Kitty pictures always sneak into my posts.:) This little one was hiding behind the books on the shelf.

Fall has arrived. It can be seen outside.......

and sprinkled throughout my house. This is a fun fallish hat I found at Goodwill a long time ago.

Gotta have the scarecrows, leaves, and candles!

Last, but not least, pumpkins. I found these at the Dollar General last year. I think they were a dollar and I might have got them on sale!!

There will be more fall stuff to come....if I decide to post it...and more porch story. Happy Fall, ya'll!!!!

YIPPEE!!!!

2009-09-23T09:35:00.000-05:00

I'm getting a new porch!!! I can't wait to decorate it....and sit on it, of course!!! It will go all the way across the front. I'm sooo excited!! I LOVE porches!!!! Here is a very bad before picture of our house. I think it was from last winter. More pictures to come!!

Happy Blog Anniversary to me!!

2009-09-18T10:29:00.005-05:00

It's been a year since I started blogging. Doesn't seem like it though. I've been a little bad about writing anything lately, but I'm gonna try to do better since cooler weather is coming and more time will be spent inside. There is too much to catch up on so I will have to just post random pics of summer every now and then. Hope I still have a few readers. None the less, I enjoy doing it when I have the time and also, I enjoy reading others. Facebook is fun, but blogging is more personal, I think. I'm having trouble with Windows letting me see pics so it takes a looonnng time to put them on here! Maybe that's why I haven't blogged in a while. I'll leave you with one and hopefully more to follow as soon as I figure this thing out.

MY daughter RODE this thing and LIKED it!!!! I think I probably would have had a heartattack!!!:)

HELLO!

2009-07-31T21:03:00.000-05:00

Long time no blog! I haven't updated in a while, obviously. Not that I haven't wanted to! I just don't know where to start since I am so far behind! Not that I have anyone still reading.:) Hope your summer is going splendidly well! I will write a real post soon...I promise! Blog rule #1: You must always have a picture with your post. Not really, but I will cuz I want too!

Wouldn't it be nice to be this lazy! Such cuteness!!

Happy Independance Day!

2009-07-01T18:28:00.003-05:00

I'm still around! Life has just been really busy for us. We just got back from 2 weeks of camp and are trying to get back into some kind of routine. Hope everyone has a great July 4th!

When storms come...

2009-06-01T11:11:00.013-05:00

It's been a little stormy around here in more ways than one. My Grandma Dwigans went to be with Jesus yesterday. She went very quickly....within hours. We are now in the storm...dealing with the lose a loved one who is very dear to us. She was a wonderful christian lady. Always would say what she thought about things. Even still had just gotten her license renewed recently at the age of 94!

Eventually, the storm will clear. The hurt will still be there....

But we have the knowledge that she is in heaven waiting on us. She is where she has been waiting to go for so long. She is with grandpa whom she hasn't seen in 20 years. She is with Jesus. She was a real prayer warrior. She had alot of spunk.:) If you knew her, you would know what I am talking about.

To me, this picture looks like heaven shining through the clouds. What do you think?

Sign of a promise in a rainbow...

Hope of a better tomorrow....

Grandma, we'll miss you. I regret we didn't visit as often as we should.....unfortunately, we can't go back. You were always so understanding. See you in heaven!

Sorry:(

2009-05-20T10:20:00.003-05:00

Sorry about the lack of posting. It's been BEAUTIFUL around here this week and I have been trying to get some things accomplished. Beside, I'd rather be OUTSIDE than IN unlike my kids. So I am trying to get projects done outside AND in. Although, I might say the inside gets kinda neglected in warm weather. We had a mouse fiasco this last weekend which had me bleaching EVERYTHING in the lower cabinets and drawers! Will blog on that later...maybe.:) Took pics and everything! Just in case. Good news is the mouse is dead....bad news is the cats were no help!:(

Gonna go for now. I just can't think to post. I have the windows open and the breezes that are blowing are smelly. But I don't care! It's BEAUTIFUL out! I leave you with a picture (because what's a post without one) of the Jupiter Lighthouse in Jupiter, FL. that I took last year. Have a great week!

Thank you!

2009-05-06T08:38:00.006-05:00

Thank you for your comments on what I should do with the cabinet. I think WHITE it is. That is what I originally thought, but I am REALLY bad at making decisions! Now, all I have to do is get the paint, unload the cabinet, sand, and paint! Wallah! Okay, do I have any volunteers?:)

Now, to get your opinion on recovering a couch, decorating a dull living room, to paint or not a dresser,.......see a PAINTING theme going on here?

I leave you with this picture of a sunset across the field. And how do I know it's a SUNSET instead of a SUNRISE, you ask? Because I don't see very many sunrises considering I am not much of a morning person. I am doing better though. Have a LOVELY day!

Decorating help, please!

2009-05-01T11:02:00.004-05:00

I have this cabinet which I very much need for storage. I am debating on painting it. I know the knobs need to be changed also. I don't know whether to go white or black....or just leave it. I think it needs to blend in better since my kitchen is small. I just need a few opinions. I thought about painting my walls a more neutral color, but since they were just painted, I'd better not. They do need a second coat though. I think the black would give it a little more....I don't know. I'm thinking green , black, red, blue, and white for colors. Still working on it. Gotta figure something out. And, yes, the trash cans are full.:) Just keeping it real!

Here's a picture facing the other direction. We have a microwave to put above the stove. The stove is a bisque color. We got a good deal on it so you take what you can get and I like it. It has a smooth surface for cooking. I also need to paint and cover the chairs. I use a bench for the outside because it makes it easier to work on the table if I need to. Also, makes it seem less crowded. The bench was a curb side find. I like to keep the counters clear of stuff. Any way, that is what I need help on.

I'll leave you with pics of my lilacs which are blooming now. Wish we could enjoy them more. The sun is actually peeking out right now!!! Rain, rain, go away......:)

Also the dandilions have taken over the yard! Don't you just love all the signs of spring!

Change in process

2009-04-27T12:20:00.002-05:00

I'm in the process of changing backgrounds, but I need to go enjoy the beautiful day. That is, if I don't get blown away! Boy, is it windy here!!!!! Have a great day!

Favorite things ;)

2009-04-17T10:52:00.003-05:00

I LOVE being outside! That is why spring is one of my favorite seasons! I have wanted a pair of rain boots for a LONG time. These were on clearance at Walmart and I thought Nik and I would share because she LOVES to go out in the rain. She wasn't as excited as I was. That's ok because then I'll get to use them more!) Also, I get a new pair of gloves every spring. They are just cheapy ones, but that's ok too. Now, to get ambitious enough to get something done. The sunshine helps! Only, then I think of all the things I WANT to get done and feel overwelmed! Oh well. Enjoy your day!!!!

I'm back....like you missed me!)

2009-04-10T08:03:00.005-05:00

I got tired of looking at a fat cat every time I signed on so I decided it was time to update. Although, I don't know many people who read my blog, I appreciate the few who do. So here it goes....This is just a mixture of stuff that is not really in time order.

One day, Tyler decided he was going to "teach " Nikki to parallel park...since he IS an expert in that area. He set up the cones and even gave her "cars" to park between! It was too funny. The mower was their car, of course. Tyler tried and did pretty well....because, of course, he is the teacher. Nik did ok. She only hit the "cars" a few times! :) Such fun!!

We stayed for lunch at church on Sunday and the girls were taking pictures. I'm sure that neither one will be happy that I put this on here! Or they may never know!

They took this one of the Tyler and Shane. Nikki thought they looked like brothers, twins, or something. They do kinda.

Had to throw a picture of my guy in here. Love him lots!!! I'm sure he won't like this picture either.

It took me a long time to get decorated for easter. I have not been in the mood to do much extra. I want to but I don't. Make sense? Anyway, I love spring! This is the chalk board in my kitchen.

Kinda unfinished shelf in the kitchen, of course. It needs some lilacs....which have not bloomed yet. Can't wait! I have 2 big bushes and 1 little bush of them! I got the sign...which you can't see well...at the dollar store and replaced the twine with ribbon.

The shelf above my stove. The baskets were also from the dollar store. They hold spices and pot holders. I love the color!

More blue things on my fridge. The egg was made by Tyler. Only 2 eggs were decorated this year.:( My kids are growing up.

My easter bunnies on the entertainment center.

Tyler got his puppy! His is the one on the camo. The other is Niks. We are hoping for smaller dogs, but never know since they are mixes. They're the best kind anyway, so I've heard

I don't think my animals know they are any different from each other. This kitten seems to LOVE these puppies. Actually, vice versa!

Lastly, the girl scouts went to the vet for a field trip to earn a badge. It was quite interesting! I think they learned alot.

Sorry, this wasn't a well written, interesting post like some peoples. I'll try to do better next time, k? Oh, and a Happy Easter to you! Remembering the reason Jesus died on the cross and rose again....

Ever had days like this?

2009-03-22T20:45:00.002-05:00

"Excuse me, can't you see I'm busy here?" I have lots I could write about, but just can't get in the mood to do it! Know what I mean?!

I think I've found myself a new job!)

2009-03-14T21:10:00.005-05:00

Since it was a "nicer" day, we decided it would be a good day to do some outside work. That is were I found my new job!

David was using this to bury stumps and make holes and things and I thought it looked like fun. He used to run something like this for his job...which most of you know. I told David that "I wanted to play". So he taught me how to use it. Notice I keep calling it it!) I do not know it's proper name. I think it's a mini excavator. Anyway, I had fun learning and actually managed to dig a hole! Yeah me!

David took this so you could see I actually ran it myself:)

Now Tyler is a "chip off the old block". This was his first time to use it and he did great! A see a career in the future!

He said "See, it pays to play video games"! He has a construction computer game and maybe a playstation one also. He loved it when his dad worked construction!

Of course, David did 99% of the work because he is good at it and LOVES construction work. Just not the LONG hours that comes along with it sometimes.

Anyway, our yard is looking alot better, except for all the mud. Lots of grass planting in the future! Can't wait to get it done! It will take a while.

Nik is not into construction and was inside doing this...taking pics of herself:) Well, not all the time.

On a sad note, our friend is leaving us:( Can you see the sad faces?) Mater was going to need too much work so they decided to sell him and find something that doesn't need so much. At least, we get more space in the garage:) I'll miss that heap of junk...I mean wonderful piece of history:) Actually, it wasn't bothering me. I was kinda excited to see it finished!

Well, enough rambling. 3 post in 3 days. A record for me! Have a wonderful Sunday!

Encouraging signs

2009-03-13T12:00:00.002-05:00

There were a whole lot of these in my yard! That makes me think spring is really close! Yeah!!!

Have a wonderful day!

It's a post, none the less!

2009-03-12T09:05:00.011-05:00

We've been busy with a whole lot of nuthin' lately. We took in the circus with family last Thursday. Friday-lockin, Saturday-B-day party, Sunday-church.... Getting the picture?) I've added a few pics because I don't like to have a post without them.

Cody, Tyler, and Kyle waiting for the "action" of the circus:)

Nan, Nik, and Leeza just cheezin'!

This was funny! They dressed poodles up and they came out hopping like little people:) There were many other costumes.

What's a circus without elephants!

This was a little nerve racking. One lady fell. They walk/roll the balls up the ramps, then come back down backwards doing the same thing! Not something I would try. I don't like the pain of falling:)

The beautiful tigers. These people make them look like kitty cats:)

This is what I found when I went looking for signs of spring.

My lilac bush is ready to go!) I can't wait for a huge bush of beautiful smelling lilacs!

Another sign that spring WILL come eventually. Although, it doesn't feel like it today!

Tyler worked very hard on setting these dominoes up and wanted me to put this on my blog. They feel down pretty good. Just not how he wanted them too:)

Well, hope you have a delightful weekend! TA, TA for now!

Warning! Lots of pictures ahead!)

2009-03-05T08:15:00.008-06:00

It's been a long time since I've posted pics so this has lots. I will try to make the words short and sweet. February was a very busy month. Thought I'd start with a cool picture of the drifts we had at our house since we're having a "heat wave":)

Tyler made this cone shaped thing out of snow...obviously:)>

Then there was Monster Jam at the new Lucas Oil Stadium. What is Feb. without it! Even though your in the top row nose bleed section. Tyler had fun anyway and that's all that matters.

This is on the way to Florida in Kentucky. They had a major ice storm that wiped out electric for a lot of people for several weeks. It was very pretty although lots of trees were damaged.

This is the way Tyler likes to travel. A movie and something to do at the same time. Remember how we used to travel?

AAAHHH! The beach!! Need I say more?!?

Don't exactly know why this didn't flip. This is a self picture of Nik at the beach. She would have went everyday if we would have let her. She loves water!!

These are the awesome trees that line the road to the beach. I've always wanted our picture taken next to one but have never got it done.

There is a private beach that you pay to get into and this is the walkway leading down to it. As you can see, we've already been down there:)

This pelicun? was "poising" for pictures on the beach. When we were done taking pictures of him, he flew off.

The moon on the beach. Isn't it gorgeous?! I took this the night we went back after dark to look for Tylers glasses. Which we found, by the way. It was like God just laid them on top of the sand for us to see!

This is Pa in the kitchen. Don't know exactly what he's doing at that moment.

This is Jim Zimmerman. One of our "bosses" in the kitchen:) At least, he thinks he is. He is great fun to work with.

Amanda, my beautiful niece, who had her 16th birthday while we were in Florida! Look out Colorado!) Just teasing! She is a really good driver.

Nolan, my crazy nephew! It's hard for me to get a "not crazy" picture of him.

Sis. Yearian? helps alot in the kitchen. Very sweet lady.

Bro. Yearian? helps out ALOT too. He was in the hospital when we left FL. It was possibly a heartattack, but then they thought not. Hope he's ok.

This is our real "boss". My sis in law, Amy. David is the assistant cook. It's a hard job, but she is really good at it. She is great organizer and cook.

This is Trent and his girl. We have seen him the last few years in the kitchen. He is a student at Hobe Sound and does a really good job with the dishes! That's why I don't mind cooking there, because we have someone to do the dishes. The part I DON'T like!

My mind is blank as to what this lady's name is... She is over the volunteers this year. A very, nice lady. I just can't remember her name! I will try to put it in if I remember.

One of the canals on the property. Isn't it pretty! The kids saw manatees, but I only saw the top of one.

The GORGEOUS Florida sunset!

We got home on a Monday and David and I left out VERY early that next Saturday morning for Missouri. The school David graduated has a basketball tournament and alot of people he went to school with were going to be there. Thanks to Facebook. It was a long trip in a short amount of time. Saw old friends and met new ones. It was great for just the 2 of us to get away. We don't do that often. Thanks to Cassandra and Brad for watching the kids on such short notice!

This is Mike Wallace and his wife. David graduated with him. I'm sure to these people I've changed. Not only in weight:), but I used to be VERY shy! Not so much any more.

This is Micah Bryant and his wife Marla. It is my bro in laws bro. David graduated with him also. And it's his birthday today. Along with my bro in laws. Happy birthday Nathan and Micah!

This is Natalie and Madi Herring. Seth Herring used to work with David at Firm. They live in Kansas now and were visiting her sister. Isn't Madi adorable!?! I think she was giving me Precious Moments eyes:)

The guys and some girls played ball for 5? hours! I think they thought they were young again. David didn't look so young getting up the next morning:) I was bad and laughed and laughed at him walking crooked!

Well, that ends our journey of the past month. Hope you weren't too awful bored. I am anxiously awaiting spring so I can work in the yard! Also, that brings on the need to organize and clean and rearrange. Have a great week!!!!!

New background

2009-03-04T07:33:00.001-06:00

This one is a little easier on the eyes. Still a little busy, but definatly easier on the eyes.

Hope your week is going great.

Finally

2009-02-28T22:51:00.002-06:00

Finally got my blog updated from Valentines Day. Kinda bright though. Don't know if I'll keep it.

Been busy around here for the last month. I'll update on that later. Have a great Sunday!

Correction:)

2009-01-30T23:05:00.002-06:00

My dear husband says I need to make a correction. HE called Keith Himlick to come over and PLOW the driveway not SHOVEL it. He says that it makes it look like he was lazy and Keith SHOVELED the driveway. He is not lazy at all. He works very hard for us (David, not Keith:)). Thank you for having him do that for us! Now I don't have to shovel my stuck car out at least until it snows and blows again. Oh, I leave for FL. in 3 hrs. so it had better not snow! Have a great weekend! I don't know when I will be able to blog again.

Interesting Day part 2

2009-01-30T19:04:00.004-06:00

I had forgotten to add something to yesterdays post. We walked in the door after all the getting stuck and so on and the cat was acting weird. Tyler thought she was throwing up:( Open on closer observation, she had found a mouse!!! Again!!! I was bound and determined to have that mouse caught and NOT running around the house! The inside cat is declawed so she is not very good at catching, but she did try. So I brought in the BIG guns, the OUTSIDE cats--the PROFESSIONALS! The younger one caught the scent by the stove and tried really hard, but this mouse was tricky. It went INSIDE the stove drawer--YUCK!! Needless to say we needed the 3rd cat to help corral this little trickster for it ran across the room and under the china closet!! The cats were looking but not getting anything, so I pulled out the cabinet and there was a hole in the back. I thought AHAAA, I know were it is (picture a light bulb:))! Opened the front and sure enough. It ran out and the mama caught it! She was looking around for someplace to go as I was encouraging her to go outside. She went under the table and I was afraid she would let go and it would run or she would start EATING it --again YUCK! Finally , she went out and all is well--or sorta. I'm guessing it came in with the suitcases although I haven't seen any "evidence".

Well, I must go shower and finish getting ready. Just wanted to add this.

My Interesting Day

2009-01-29T21:20:00.004-06:00

Had to go into town to take something to David at work and go the library.

Wasn't a planned thing. Threw me off my groove:)

Almost got stuck backing out of the driveway and driving down our road. Both drift really bad.

Had fun fishtailing through the drifts.:)

Delivered item to David.

Picked up check.

Went to bank and deposited check.

Went to library.

Drove home fishtailing through the drift on our road again:)

Got stuck at the END of the driveway:(

Tyler and I shoveled me out.

Picked up kids to go to Walmart.

Got stuck backing out of the driveway:((((

Shoveled our way out.

Fishtailed through drift on our road to go to Marion.

Ate Chinese at lunch price:)

Visited your friendly Walmart store:)

Got needed (and some not needed) items.

Waited in line FOREVER while I learned about the guy behind us' dogs:}

Drove home and fishtailed through growing drifts:)

Got stuck at the end of the driveway. (I never learn)

Tyler and I got us out. (We're pros now. I took the shovel with me just in case)

Decide not to leave the house again til necessary.

Hope your day was great! Course, I don't have pictures to show of our day, but here are some of what it kinda looks like. Only driftier (new word).

P.S. The driveway is now shoveled thanks to Keith Himlick. We'll see what it looks like in the morning. I'm hoping it wasn't in vain. We have lots to learn about living in the country. Oh, and

the vehicle I was driving was the car.

Blog under construction

2009-01-27T15:02:00.008-06:00

Sorry about the white background. I am trying to make my own and I haven't figuered it out yet. I think I'll just have to use someone elses because I don't have time to mess with it. The little X is supposed to be my signature. I thought I followed the directions:( Hope you all are having a great week so far! It's snowing again:) Only 4 more days til we live for FL. and leave all the snow here!)

Gonna see this soon!!!!!!

Why?!

2009-01-24T20:46:00.006-06:00

As I write this tonight my mind is spinning. Lately, I haven't been in the mood to blog or facebook. I check everyone elses daily, but I haven't wanted to write anything down. But tonight, I found something out that has my mind whirling. While Nikki and I were in good ole Walmart, we saw some neighbors of ours from Elwood. Where we lived in town, the houses were VERY close! I don't do well with neighbors breathing down my neck, but fortunate for us the houses on either side of us were vacated not long after we moved in. Back to today...I was talking to the lady (they lived behind us and had a son Tyler age--they were very nice people)and she was telling me her mom had died. Then her son spoke up and asked if I knew about Jordan. Now Jordan was a very busy boy that lived next door to us for a while then they moved. He was one of those kids who peeked in the back door and asked to come in or eat with us. Always loved attention. I tried to be kind and entertain him outside. He was kinda pushy too, so he couldn't come in to play. Anyway, they moved then we moved and fast forward to today. Zack says "He died". I was shocked! I asked what happened and they told me last Sat.? he was sent to his room for punishment and when his little brother went to get him a while later he told his grandpa he was standing still and drooling. He had hung himself! He was 10! It may have been where he thought someone would find him and stop him, but I think, when he jumped off the bunkbed he broke his kneck and was brain dead. I think he had alot a problems, even started a fire in the house before. But 10! I've been thinking to myself "Did I make a positive impression the little time I knew him?" I've been trying to think how his mom must feel and his brothers! Nikki used to ask to take him to church in Noblesville, but I didn't know if I wanted to take him that far. Maybe I should have..... One of those things you can't change, but maybe think twice the next time. Say a prayer for Michelle and her husband and the other boys . The little one that found Jordan seemed to idolize his older brother, so I'm sure this is going to be extra hard on him.

On a happier note, we leave for Hobe Sound to help cook at camp early next Sat. morning. So if you think of it, say a prayer for us. It's a long drive. But to warmer weather!) Most of our time is spent in the kitchen for 10 days, which is very tiring, but can be alot of fun at the same time.

Have a restful Sunday! Always need pictures for a post even if it's random, right?
Tyler and his gingerbread house. He's wanted to do one for a while and this one was 75% off . Not to bad for 2.50 worth of fun, huh?)

Nikki pulling Tyler in the snow. She came in for gloves and decided to wear her dads hat too!

I'm sure you've heard of jack in the box. This is cat in the box. Tyler and I were trying to work a puzzle and she climbed in the box and "sat" for a few minutes. Crazy cat!

Just thinkin'

2009-01-18T00:16:00.005-06:00

Ever had some things in your life you wish you could change or fix? Things in the past you wish you would have done different but know it's too late and you have to move forward? Words said to mean one thing but are taken another way? Just thinkin'.......

Who ordered this?

2009-01-14T07:29:00.003-06:00

This is what it is doing at my house right now! Probably yours too. Someone needs to tell Bro. Dahler to quit praying for snow:) Too bad we didn't have this at Christmas. It would have been beautiful. Still is but why can't we have WARM snow!) Oh, I guess that is called rain. Be safe and have a great snowy day!

Guess what?!

2009-01-10T16:37:00.005-06:00

My dryer's fixed!! All it took was a few minutes to check the part, a trip to Anderson to get the new one (and it was only $13. Beats the cost of a new dryer any day), and about 5 minutes to put it on! I'm a happy camper. No more laundry hanging in my laundry room (unless I want to to save energy). Thank goodness the room is big! Thank you to God for letting it be an easy fix and to David for fixing it! I love you, David! This is the laundry room AFTER the clothes came down!) Have a safe and restful Sunday

Not much to say....

2009-01-07T21:16:00.008-06:00

Well, Christmas and New Years have come and gone for another year. Had some fun times and some not so fun times. But lived to tell about them:) Had 2 "major" appliances decide their time with me was over:( Or so I think. The dryer maybe can be fixed, but I think the microwave is gone forever:( I feel like I am living back in the "olden days". I took a picture of how my laundry room looks but decided not to use it because I might be forever humiliated. Just a mental picture in your head of 3 lines of clothes with fans blowing on them is enough. I hope to get the new part by the weekend. Now to get my husband to put it in...... Here are a few pictures for those of you who requested I update my blog:}

Here is a picture of the christmas program at church. Thanks to my niece for taking them because I forgot my camera. A little blurry..

I looked out the kitchen window to see my kittens looking up. And what are they looking at?!?

Momma looking down at them from the roof. I thought it was a cute picture.

I finally got a taker for one of the kittens. This is Olivers new mommy. Or one of them.

We had our family christmas on New Years Eve. It had been too busy the week of christmas and Tyler wanted to have it "before December is over". This is Nikki's big journal she wanted really badly. She looked at it and didn't think it would be big enough. She journals all the time.

He is into Star Wars the Clone Wars right now. We'll see how long this lasts:)

I wanted to try a few more pictures with the tree before we took it down. I thought they turned out pretty good.

Nikki loves to pose for pictures so it makes the process easier. I liked this one.

It's really hard to get a decent one of the 2 of them because they don't particularly like being close! But we managed and they survived. I guess I had more to say than I thought. Hope you have a wonderful week!

The ball has dropped!

2009-01-01T00:03:00.001-06:00

HaPPy New Year!!! Here's to a great start!)

A small novel

2008-12-29T21:10:00.008-06:00

Grab a cup of coffee. This is a long one!!!

Christmas is such a busy time of the year. Families, programs, and so on. It's hard to keep up with everything. We didn't do alot of extra christmasy things, but we had a full week. It started with the freezing rain a week ago Saturday. We were out late and David went pick-up Ben in Fort Wayne. He left around midnight and it's a 1 1/2 drive one way. It was freezing rain. I told David I wouldn't sleep til they got home. I couldn't anyway because our power kept going on and off and flickering and finally stayed off. It came on around 5 am Sunday but not before the power surging fried the microwave:( Dave made it here ok, thankfully. Here are some snipets from our week

The "wonderful" freezing rain! Looked pretty though. Not fun to drive on.

Girl Scout christmas party.

I have gift wrappers now! Maybe I won't have to stay up late the night before wrapping now:)

Opening gifts with cousins!

Seeing a future marine one last time before boot camp.

Celebrating an 11th birthday! The cake was supposed to be a lego. Didn't turn out well, but was good eatin!

Enjoying Brooke's new dog, Zoey. She is adorable!

Eating was done quite often by all. There was a goody table that stayed filled all day all week! I don't want to know how much weight I gained:(

More presents with cousins. Most of the days till late at night were spent at my sister in laws house which is about 1200? square feet! There were 23 of us coming and going with 1 bathroom! Thanks to Lisa and Rob for letting us invade your house!

Nicholas's stocking stuffers and gift from Nana and Papaw.

Nan and Tyler playing legos. They are buddies. Nan loves to play anything the boys do. The only toy she requested for christmas was a nerf gun!

We added an emergancy room visit to the fun:) We were going bowling for Tylers birthday and taking all the cousins. It happened to be the day of the freezing rain. We had several fall but only one ended up at the hospital with bruises and a split chin. Kyle got 1 stitch. Needless to say, we put off bowling til the next day.

This is us crowded in Lisa's dining room. ALL 23 of us! We were packed!

We played all sorts of games.

We ate MORE food!

Opened more birthday gifts!

Posed for and took MANY pictures!

Opened MORE gifts!

My mom got us girls matching slippers. We just had to pose:)

My grandma gave me a quilt that my grandpas mom had made. It's handstitched, of course. Very pretty! Thanks grandma!

We are ending our christmas fun by taking this future marine to the airport by 6 in the morning.

We still have to have our family christmas which Tyler keep asking when it's going to happen. I told him when things slow down a little. Hope you have a Happy New Year! (those of you who finished reading this very long post:))

Wishing you.......

2008-12-24T08:00:00.003-06:00

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours! Thought I'd post snow pictures since we're not having a white christmas:(

Happy Birthday to you!

2008-12-23T07:34:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to wish Tyler a very Happy 11th Birthday! We will be celebrating with lots of cousins that are here for Christmas! Have a fun day, Tyler!

I need summer back!!!

2008-12-21T13:25:00.007-06:00

Is anyone out there as cold as I am!?!? I am absolutely FREEZING!!!!!!

On another note, this is where the cat likes to lay...on top of any kind of paper. She must like the feel of it or something. I tell the kids not to wrinkle their school papers and the cat does it for them!

Try to keep warm and have a wonderful Day of Rest!

Total Randomness

2008-12-19T07:25:00.005-06:00

As my title says, this is a very random post. I thought I'd be nice and add some of David's friends to my Facebook. Now it needs to have his name on it. He's addicted:) Not really. It got him in contact with some friends he hadn't seen in a long time. So he's happy.

I don't normally show my messes but this is for me. I have decided that clutter is "ruling" my life. Having so much paper to sort through is not using my time wisely. So I guess my New Years resolution will be to get clutter free. As I said, this is for me. Seeing it makes me want to get started on every room now!

This is how the schoolroom looks now. I've been working on it for probably a month. But since it has a door, I would close it and leave the mess. Now it looks soo much better!

Last boring thing I have for today. Our poor weeping willow tree!!! I hope it doesn't break! Be safe and have a wonderful day!

Imagine....

2008-12-16T20:50:00.006-06:00

Imagine curling up here....

Warm candles burning in the background....

Soft lights glowing from the tree...

Warm, cozy fire burning here...

Soft music playing in the background.....

Isn't this a perfect way to spend a cold winter evening?!?

Birthday Wish

2008-12-13T23:31:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to wish my mom a HAPPY 6? BIRTHDAY!! Hope you have a great day!! Sorry we can't be there with you:( Love ya!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

2008-12-13T17:42:00.011-06:00

Well, the house is looking really Christmasy. I'm almost done decorating just in time for Christmas:) Here are some pics of my trees and decorations for those of you who like to look...Enjoy!

This is our living room tree. It has snowmen and snowflakes. I made the snowmen several years ago. I couldn't think of a new theme for this year that was quick so I used them. We made the paper chain and the snowflakes. Tyler put the village under the tree. I thought he did a good job, don't you?

The kids have a collection of nutcrackers. They can't wait every year to put them out. We try to add to the collection yearly. Tyler has them seperated by whose is whose.

More snowflakes to dress up the windows and doors.

Stockings on hooks because we have no mantle. We have a gas stove thingy:) instead of a fireplace which I would rather have. Someday...maybe...

Close ups of the village.

Nikki and Tylers rooms. You decided whose is whose:):)

The tree and window in the game room upstairs. I couldn't decide on a theme so we used what we had. Games, legos, cars, and a Knex rollercoaster for the garland. Tyler made the tree topper out of legos. We set up his car race track underneath instead of a train. As you can see, Tyler likes the decorating better than Nikki.

This is my smore snowman tree in the kitchen. The theme in there was edible things. The shelves above the doorway have candy and gingerbread ornaments hanging in front of them.

The first picture are smore snowman tealights which don't get lit in the kitchen window. The second is around the kitchen window. It had candy and gingerbread ornament hanging from it also.

My blackboard sign in the kitchen. And a close up of the arrangement on the wall in the next picture.

Gingerbread arrangement and above my china closet. Both with candy and gingerbread ornaments.

Tree on fridge.

Nesting kitties on a shelf in the laundry room. The tree in the laundry room. I think the cat thinks I put it up for her. She likes to lay under it.

This little tree is in our bedroom. Very simple. I'm trying for simplicity in the room. It kinda reminds me of my grandmas old house. Cozy:) I guess that is what our whole house is.

That just about covers all the rooms except the bathroom and schoolroom which is a disaster at the moment. I hope you enjoyed a look in our house at Christmas!

A Very Merry Christmas to all of you (or should I say both of you:))!!!!!!!!

Crazy life

2008-12-12T00:46:00.002-06:00

Yeah, it's been really busy here too. Hope you're getting all your shopping done!) I will post more later. My cameras batteries quit charging for me. Have a great weekend!

Just a peek!

2008-12-04T11:57:00.004-06:00

I've been trying not to post too much about my animals but this was cute. I was putting up the greenery and the cat was peeking in the door! She is very nosy. Here are a few pics of my Christmas decorations. I have a lot more I want to do. I may be done in time for Christmas:)

Tyler's room is small and he has a lot of things, so his big tree did not fit in there. We went with little pencil tree. We are working on getting hunting ornaments as you can see. We put his tree up in the game room. It has not been decorated yet. I like to be creative and try new ideas for decorating trees and I think that is what takes so long. I still need to do the greenary upstairs also.

Nikkis room is also small but she has less big things in her room. She likes it that way. I wanted her tree to be sparkly and pink. Not little girl pink though. I think we did good. We used icicles to add to the sparkle.

I wanted feather boas, but could not find any so we used white feather and sprinkled them all over. I tied pink ribbons to the sparkly snowmen do help with the color.

I think it turned out quite pretty! Now if I could just get the rest of the house done....:)

Happy happenings

2008-11-30T19:24:00.006-06:00

These are a few of the things we have been enjoying in the past few weeks. The order is kinda mixed up, but you can kinda tell by what the event was.

My wonderful hubby put the lights on the house before he left to go hunting in Arkansas Tues. I put the lights around the doors and he does the hard part of doing it around the roof.

We have 2 trees that are different kinds growing together. They look like one unless you look closely. I did the lights, with the help of Tyler, on this one. It's tall and we have a very rickety ladder, but I survived:)

Of course, fun in the snow. We have Dahlers 4-wheeler because Davids Dad has been using it for hunting and we enjoyed it a little too:) Church was cancelled today because the Hales's have to drive so far and it was supposed to be freezing rain. So we all enjoyed the snow--even me:)

Our dog, Lilly, loves for you to kick snow at her or throw a snowball at her. She catches it or bites at it. She loves the snow!

The tree I put lights on. Looks pretty covered in snow, huh?

Tree decorating in progress. I will post more pictures of the finished product. The lights are all on. The tree comes in 4 parts so putting it up isn't hard. It's the straightening of the branches and putting on the lights.

My dad's brother, his mom, and my dad on Thanksgiving.

Both of my grandmas. They are 93 and 91, I think.

Grandma playing Apples to Apples. She won! I don't know if she has played many games.

My mom and her sister, Aunt Carol . We had Thanksgiving at mom's house.

The cousins being silly at Thanksgiving.

Fun at the park with more cousins.

A VERY cold bonfire night! It had been nice all that week and had gotten really cold that day! We still had fun. Us ladies went inside and played a game. The kids were in and out.

I don't like to carve my pumpkins for decorations for fall. Tyler wanted to carve one so I let him when I was finished with them. Nikki just had fun using the knife and getting the seeds out. I helped Tyler get his seeds out (the pumpkins were cold and frozen) and we washed and boiled them and put them to dry out. The next day I roasted them 2 ways. They were pretty good!

My sister and I did our annual visit to the Christmas Gift and Hobby. The boys were tired of waiting and just made themselves at home almost in the middle of the floor!)

This my sister, Cassandra and I. I so need to lose weight:(

Here are the kidlings. I think we need to start going by ourselves. I had to pay for Nikki and it's not cheap! We got our moneys worth though. I think we were there 6 hours!

Food and fun with family and friends! Shannon was so gracious as to let us have a thanksgiving party and then dinner at her house! A great time was had by all.

Well, I think I have caught up for a while. Hope you've enjoyed a glimpse of our life. Will post more when I finish decorating.

Back in business

2008-11-28T19:12:00.003-06:00

For all of you readers (the 2 of you:)), I have use of a computer again! Yeah!! I told David the computer and internet are my connections to the outside world! I really missed it! The cord was bad:( Unfortunatly, that is a $90-$100 fix. Yes, we've done it before. I think we are hard on electronics. Come to think of it, we don't have to do anything to them and they mess up! Anyway, I am borrowing a cord til we can get one and using the better computer. The other one is still very sick.

Hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday and got lots of great bargains today! I am very tired from getting little sleep the last 2 nights. All I can say is DO NOT go to Walmart early on the Friday after Thanksgiving;)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-27T06:20:00.006-06:00

Just wishing you a Happy Turkey Day!
Don't eat too much;)

Now the fun begins!)

(my very dramatic daughter)

2008-11-18T08:27:00.003-06:00

It may be a while before I can post a decent post as I am writing from the library. My computer is on the fritz. Actually, both computers are. Anyone know a good, CHEAP laptop fixer person?} I hoping I haven't lost all of my pics. The computer won't boot up.

Life here has been busy. My sister, her kids, and me and mine went to the Gift and Hobby Show. It is an annual thing we do, although, I believe we have decided to leave the kids at home. I had to pay for Nikki this year:( It was fun though. We spent about 5 1/2 hours there. LOOONG day!

We had a bonfire at our house a week ago last Friday. It had been very nice up until that day. That day, it was VERY cold and windy. Needless to day, we ladies ended up in the house. The kids and guys stayed out. Yeah for them:]

Well, I've bored you long enough for this time. Have a great week!!!

Things guys do for their wives

2008-11-11T15:20:00.004-06:00

Anyone who knows me know I love animals. It's killing me that the dog, rabbit, and kittens have to be out in the cold. Although, I am enjoying not having the hair and stink in the house. Sat., I came home and checked on the kittens and they were fine. David got home about 2 hrs. later to find me searching for the littlest one. He would always come when I called and he wasn't coming. Mind you, we live in the country and the wind was blowing and COLD!! We looked and called and banged on things for about a half hour. No kitty. Then Tyler looked behind something and there it lay. He was not moving much and couldn't hold his head up and was making the awfulist meowing sound. I figured his neck was broken and was very unhappy to say the least. David, who loves and understands me very much, got a heat lamp and crouched in front of it holding the kitten for 45 min, to an hour. It warmed up and was still not moving much. We brought him inside and put him on the heating pad wrapped in a towel. I went to the store and got him milk and when I got back he was doing much better. Needless to say, the heating pad will never be the same again:) He is back out with mom and doing ok. I just had to brag on my kind hubby. Here's "The Cuteness." He REALLY needs to be adopted:) Right now he fits in the palm of my hand and is about 6 wks. old. Becky, Heather would like a kitten for Christmas;)