School Pictures

These were taken the first day of school. Unfortunately V. doesn't love hers since it was taken at the end of the school day and her hair is not represented the way it was supposed to be. Ah, such is the story of school pictures. I like them!

I have enjoyed listening to this book on tape in the car while doing errands. It struck a cord with me because so many of the memories written about were things my mom talked about growing up in Minitare Nebraska. Her first 7 years before they moved to Wyo to get a new start. She had special needs as a child, I can't remember the condition but she needed to have citrus fruit, which was very expensive and hard to come by in the depression. I do believe she felt guilty about that. The other thing I have enjoyed about the book is the recipes that were shared. I have tried and loved both her biscuits and her applesauce cake. I decided to order a copy so I could give it to the kids if they ever become interested in the way some of the family was raised. Besides, the authors name is even Mildred!

Smile!

I heard today that one of the most important things to do in a job interview is to smile. Well, I would, if they would call me for an interview. How can they know how great my smile is from a resume? Smiling does always sell. And it makes us feel great!

New Blog

I have been busy trying to take pictures of all the artwork I have done over the years to create a portfolio. I need to have something online to show prospective employers etc. so I am "exposing" my art. Blush. I will be working on this in the next week or so, I don't have any "new" artwork posted yet but I soon will!

Link to blog: Looking Through Lainey's Eyes

The "Money Talks" game

Sibling conflicts are a part of life, but sometime they make me so very tired. So last week we did a trial run over the weekend of my new game. This week it is for real!

Theory: It takes 4 possitives to counteract a negative.

Rules:
1. Each player gets 5 dollars worth of quarters.
2. For each hurtful, derogitory, negative statement or forbidden word (stupid, ugly etc.) 4 quarters goes in my jar. Thanks!
3. For each kind deed, or genuine, specific compliment, or feel better phrase, you get to take One quarter out of my jar. Thanks for the peacemaking efforts!
4. The one with the most money left after the day wins and gets another 5 dollars! Win Win Win! In the event of a tie, and you are still "positive" in your quarter bank then banker will double your money.
5. If you go over your 5 dollar limit, (overdrawn) you will be using your own money and each dollar represents a chore to be done as assigned by banker. Good luck and have a great weekend! I know I will.

The Mad Scientist

It's gonna blow!

Yikes!

Rut row!

Momma's not gonna like this.....

I can only say...Wow!

Darren Maurer is an artist of outstanding ability. I have been a big fan of his for several years, bought the jar of jam painting from him (which brings me joy every single day!) and now he has made me cry. Fortunately they are happy tears, as he has offered to give us this very special painting of my sweet family, aptly titled, "Bedtime Story". If you haven't visited his site, you should! Darren does great work, with sentimental themes, wonderful warm colors, and believe me, it is worth it to spend a little on great art work! Everyone who comes to our home comments on the painting. Thank you so much Darren for this special gift, it will be treasured.

On a particular Saturday....

While I was inside cleaning floors and making pumpkin bread the rest of the family and a little neighborhood kid were doing pen duty. The comments were pretty funny. Joe decided at the cocoa break time that his imaginary friend Diego would be helping out and Joe would take a break and go play. This was strongly discouraged by his supervisors. Much ado ensued about Joe doing his share, not letting the poor goats sleep in poopy quarters, and other words of encouragement were shared.

And so he pitched in again, what a trooper! (A super duper pooper scooper trooper to be exact!)

Taking a little time out on the hood of white lightning. Gent did his part by filling up any corners with leaves....

but not all, oh no not all!

And these not so helpful helpers were having a wonderful time listening to country music, and four stepping on the driveway.

Sweet goats by Jove! He is so cute and fluffy!

Gentry and Fireball share some air. Fireball loves to sniff a persons breath. I am not sure why, fortunately his breath is usually not too bad; sweet hay smelling. Of course there are a few regurgitation moments in his 4 stomach digestion you don't want any part of. Pee-yew!

Spidery Work

Photos compliments of Pops!

Happy Birthday Pops!

It was great to have Nanny and Pops here for Pops birthday, this time before convention started. Victoria made cupcakes, and Beth made rhubarb pie.

There was fortunately some needed (or not) help available.

Joes Sleepover

This was way back when....August, but worthy of a spot on the blog. The boys kept asking when they could have a sleepover together so we had one. It was pretty funny. Joe did great, Grant was up fussing over Joe several times in the night. He is not used to sharing his bed with a squirmy youngster. I think Grant ended up in his favorite sleeping spot once (under his bed) but then Joe woke up and G. wasn't there....it was humorous! They had a great time playing and reading together! It is fun for Grant to be the big boy, and fun for Joe to get to play with a big boy.

So much to catch up on!

I am so behind that I don't know where to start so will just list some of what has happened....boring for those reading so this is just to document it for myself.

Victoria flys back to NE. She did great, had an escort to help her connect in Denver and to meet up with Nanny and Pops. She was so nervous she could not eat (or sleep) but she did great! They arrived in Omaha and met up with more family for birthday parties and more.

While she was gone she picked, shucked, bagged, and labeled corn, picked and canned beans, helped with cleaning the Depot with Duane and Brenda's girls, made breakfast several times, washed cars and hopefully made herself generally useful. She was very impressed by how much work the other girls did- clean all the time! It was great, I think she has a more well rounded idea of what will be expected of her here in the future. Smile.

Fun stuff to balance the hard work (partial list). Shopping, swimming in Rene and Deltons pool, putting on a play, riding a ferry?, having a girls night out at Chances R., going to a play, going to the zoo, going to the Sound of Music in Leavenworth. She had an amazing time with the activities but most special to her were the amazing people! (Her words) She loves you guys! Thanks so much for opening up your hearts and homes to our darling girl. She was made better from the experience.

In the meantime, back at the ranch, Grant had some days of really missing his playmate, fight partner. G and I did go up to VR for a few special days together. He had some friends over, but almost everyone was out of town. Bummer for him.

Grant had a great time at preps (he pressure washed all the sidewalks) and then played hard too. He also enjoyed Katie and Michael's wedding, and the fun time with Liam that followed. He too has grown a lot in maturity this summer.
Then came conventions, and now we are looking school smack dab in the face. Both kids came down with colds this weekend, so they didn't make it to meeting. They only have one more day left!