Happy New Year!

I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year!  Thanks to all of you who have followed my ramblings this year.  I hope I didn't bore you to death.

Have a happy and SAFE New year!!!!!

Now I have to go make the bed so my husband can go to sleep.........

ZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!

Gentrie

It's OK, you're not gonna loose......

One of Hailey's favorite games on he Leapster Explorer is Sugar bugs.  They use dental tool like a toothbrush, toothpick, suction etc... to get plaque and nasties off of and from between teeth. 

The toothpick is tough.  I've tried it, Hailey has it mastered now.

"Here momma you do this one."

"But the time's already going"

"It's OK"

"I'll loose because the time already started."

"It's OK, you're not gonna loose.  I'm really good at this so you won't loose."

Hailey takes over the game and proceeds to win.

She discovered that the machine tracks how she does and Mom can hook it up to the computer and see how she is doing.  Now she doesn't want Mom to ruin her average.

I'll get to help with the hard stuff.

Gentrie

Back from the Party......

We are back!

We came home to our Christmas tree lying on the the floor, on it's side.  Ornaments a little scattered.  Topper star flung a little bit away.

Bummer.  It's now out by the curb.

I'm needing to put the ornaments away but haven't gotten that far.  Hailey is playing her new Leapster Explorer.  She wanted a Nintendo DS but I have issues with getting a video game machine that rots her brain instead of teaching her SOMETHING.  So, we did the Leapster Explorer.  She's loving it.

She was singing to her new Taylor Swift CD she got from Santa..................

She caught me taking her picture.................

This angel has been on my dash since the day my father died.  It has never come off.........well except for the rare occasion a corner gets taken too fast.  (But that rarely happens....really!)

I just like this picture.  She was laying on the floor, being goofy.  I know, I know, hard to believe!

So I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas!  We sure did.  And now back to reality.......

Gentrie

Merry Christmas!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas as I probably won't see you all again until Sunday.  It gets bust around here.  You know with all the celebrating and merry making and such.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!  HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!!!  And all the other jazz..........

Be safe and have a HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Gentrie

Time Lapse......

It just floors me how my daughter changes from year to year.

This is last year

This year's picture.........

She's not really a little girl anymore, even though she is just 7.  Yes, it's the same Santa.

Gentrie

Christmas is coming.......

See that white stuff behind the logo up there......that is what it looks like out our window.  Well not quite that bad.

It quit snowing a little while ago.  But there is more on the way.  We're supposed to go to South Dakota for Christmas........might make it.  I guess we'll see.

I made bunches and bunches of cookies for this weekend.  I also got the house and tree decorated.  Christmas cards went out in the mail this afternoon.

She's not even touching the tree, looks like she is though huh?

Of course there are the ever present peace signs.....they must always appear in at least one picture.  She looks JUST like her bog sister in this picture.  If I hadn't just taken this picture I would say it was Sydney.

This is Hailey's new thing.  She discovered how to make these hearts.  I've found these around the house.  She's made others. 

She writes notes on the back of them.  Things like "I love my Mom. She's cooler than Dad."  Or something along those lines.....

Our Christmas tree lights decided they are blinkers.  Only one section was blinking after we set it up.  Then we had a power outage tonight and now all of them are blinking.  Weird.

Gentrie

Counting Down........

Christmas tree.......check.

Christmas cards.......check.

Wrapped presents........check.

Shower.........check.

Snuggle time with hubby.........check.

TO DO LIST:

Make Lots of cookies
Do laundry
Drink lots of coffee
Decorate tree and house
Get some sort of sleep



It is so close to Christmas and our house is finally starting to look like it.  I wish my memory card on my camera hadn't been full yesterday.  When we went to get our tree the snow was knee deep.  It was so funny watching Hailey play in it.  They did not have the tractor working because of the rain we were getting RIGHT before this 2' or whatever of snow.  It was still fun though.  Tree is thawed and relaxed this morning, no more little ice balls on it, time to decorate!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Holiday Season.........

Gentrie

Just one more thing........

I got all the Christmas shopping done and mailed off today.

Now for the Christmas cards......

And the Christmas tree.......

And the cookie baking.......

And.........

Well, maybe after this movie.

It's really pretty funny.

OK, I guess I can do the cards and watch the movie.

3 Wishes......

I wish, I wish........

What do I wish?  There are certain friends in my life I wish lived a lot closer to me.  The problem with moving a lot in my life is I can never be close to ALL of them.  (By close, I mean physically close.) 

While technology has made connecting with these people much easier.........sometimes there is nothing like the face to face.

I'm a touch person.  When I'm talking to you I touch.  Touch your arm, your hand.  I can't stop it, it's not inappropriate, although as I type this it does sound odd.  As we laugh over something I will reach out and touch your arm.  Or if you are teasing me I'll gently smack your arm or hand.  I'm a little more playful and rough with my husband, but sometimes he asks for it.  It's a good thing he doesn't bruise easy, sshhhhh! ;)

Some people are put off by this and usually I can sense people who don't like it and pull back.  For the most part, I find that sometimes that one little touch can make them smile.  Calming?  Comforting?  Maybe that's why I do it.  I sense the "good vibes".

I actually never realized I did this until a friend pointed it out to me.  Then I "watched" myself for a while.  She was right.  I in fact had never considered myself a touchy person because hugs make me uncomfortable unless I know you VERY well.

Don't judge me people, I'm just saying.

Anyway, wishes..........

I also wish my step daughter would visit more often.  I miss her, my husband misses her (even though he doesn't like to talk about it).  I've discovered that teenagers are the quickest to judge and never see the bigger picture.  I've also learned why my parents never wanted to explain everything to me.  There was so much going on in the background, and while I was not completely oblivious, they did a pretty good job of keeping certain things out from under my nose.

I realize there are so many sides to parents that kids never see, and so many sides to parents that parents WISH their kids COULD see. 

I wish my husband could find his happiness again.  The inner happiness.  He hides it well, but I know he lost it.  I'm not sure he realises I know, but I'm his wife, how could I not?  I know what will bring it back, I'm working on making that happen.  It's on my "To-do" list.

These are my big wishes......

What are your wishes?

Gentrie

Snail mail

So is the USPS mail a little slower than normal this year or is it just me?  I mailed a small envelope to my sister last Tuesday and she still hasn't received it. 

I'm hoping Sydney got her birthday present.  Her birthday is tomorrow after all.  My sisters was last Monday, you may have guessed she hasn't gotten her card yet.

I'm starting to worry that if I don't mail Christmas gifts tomorrow they won't make it where they are going by Christmas.  This is a problem since I don't have all the mail out ones done.

It's starting to stress me about a bit.

I hate to say it, because I know they all work hard.  I also know that our postal department has been suffering from cutbacks, but they're seriously giving a new meaning to the term "snail mail". 

Hoping everyone receives their gifts this year..........

Gentrie

Let it Snow.......(Not)

12" of new snow.  We are below zero weather.  Sounds a little like winter huh?  Yep, I'm afraid it is official, winter is here.

This was during the storm.  It was ICKY so I took this picture through our front window.

These are the day after.....A bit of snow in front of the garage door. 

We're lucky our street is one of the first to get plowed because it's an outlet to the highway.  Very few streets were plowed at this time.  Now to clear the 2' of snow blocking our driveway from the plow.

It is good for climbing on and playing in though..........

Lucky us are getting more snow Wednesday and Thursday.  Yippee!  It's December people, it's going to be a long winter.

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is sure delightful
And since we have no place to go
Let it snow
Let it snow
Let it snow!

Gentrie

Snowdrifts and Jewelry 101......

Time to batten down the hatches!  She's a blowin' out there!  This was early today.

It rained last night so it is solid ice under that snow.  That bare patch  is gone now too.

It's blowing and drifting and blowing and drifting some more.

We are getting snowed in.  really snowed in.  The good news is we are at home.  Not stranded like some people.

Been making some jewelry, these are for in-laws.

Cleaned my house today.  I will take a few pictures tomorrow of our drifts.  It will be fun!  Hailey will have a hard time getting around out there tomorrow.  It will be entertaining.

I'd rather drive on snow than ice.  Under this snow is ice, from the rain.

Well, I hope all of you are home safe, happy and warm.  I'm thankful we are.

Watching White Christmas again.  I like that movie, what a classic.  I watch it every year.

Stay safe and warm!

Gentrie

What do you think?

Notice anything different?

No?

Well, look again......it's OK I'll wait a minute......

See it now?  You do?  Well what do you think?  It's my new Logo.  One day I sat down with a notepad and pencil and drew up what I wanted my logo to look like.  (For my Etsy site I plan on getting going after the first of the year.)  Then I called my graphic artist sister and said:

"Can you make this logo digital for me?"

To which she said:

"Maybe, if I ......(insert a bunch of graphics techie talk here)............I think I can get it pretty close."

"Great!  Let me know what you come up with."

Now about a month later and several e-mails back and forth we've done it!  Yay!  While it is not exactly the picture I drew, it's cooler.  I like it.

Thanks Sis..........

So, really, what do YOU think?

I'm diggin' it.

Really!

Gentrie

Ahhhhhhhh Love.......

Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs,
Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes,
Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers' tears.
What is it else? A madness most discreet,
A choking gall and a preserving sweet.
                     ~ William Shakespeare

Ahhhhhhhh love!  Just watched Letters to Juliet.  What an utter romance!  The woman who plays "Claire" in the show is just amazing.  She made me want to be the one driving across the countryside of Italy with her.  I loved her.  The boy main character is cute and reminds me of Heath Ledger in his early years.  Her "fiance" is annoying and I was just waiting for her to dump the insensitive Boob.  Which I guess is really the point of his character, in that case, good job actor!

If you get a chance, watch it.  I cried and laughed.  Good times, watch it with a friend and a bottle of wine.



Gentrie

Someone's Watching.........

Ever notice that all government vehicles on TV or undercover vehicles are either black SUV's or Sedan's with black tinted windows?

If you ever look in your rear view mirror and see one of these PLAIN black vehicles following you and you can't see inside because the windows are so dark, well you are probably being followed.  Probably by the FBI or the local federally or something. 
Maybe you should choose this moment to think back on what you did recently for them to be following you.  Maybe a website you visited, a phone number you misdialed on accident, or maybe it was one of those books in the library you checked recently.  Maybe that book was on the red flag list.

Then when the vehicle turns off a mile before your destination you can make a mental note to talk to your therapist about how paranoid you are.

I'm just sayin'.

I've already called mine!  :)

Gentrie

Freak-the-Freak Out!

Some of you may be familiar with that little title.  Those of you who have kids at home I'm sure.  For those of you who don't........it's a song.

"I'm so sick of it
your attention deficit
never listen, never listen.

I'm so sick of it
so I'll throw another fit
never listen, never listen.

I scream your name
but it always stays the same.

I scream and shout
so what I'm gonna do now
Is freak the freak out!"

I find it kind of funny that a teeny bopper wrote this song.  It's a very catchy tune and gets stuck in my head.  It probably doesn't help I hear the song at least 15-20 times a day.  I can DEFINITELY relate to the song though! 

I think we all have days like this.

Is it sad that my 7 year old daughter not only knows all the lyrics but also knows all the dance moves?  (Or at least some semblance of the dance moves?)

Watch Nickelodeon sometime in the afternoon or evening when I-Carly and Victorious are on.  It's played at about every commercial.

If you would like to listen to it, click on the link below.
http://www.songarea.com/mc/1/freak_the_freak_out.html

"So what I'm gonna do now is FRAK THE FREAK OUT!"

See you on the flip side!

Gentrie

Visiting Santa.....

We visited Santa today!  (I put snow on my blog site because that is what it looks like here.)

We went on a hay ride,  walked through the Christmas craft show.......it was fun.

She has her snow pants on because of the hayride and it's COLD here!  It was a nice day though.

We had fun.  Need to decorate the house next.  I just need to dig out the tubs they are in, they are buried.....

Hope the Holidays are going well for all of you.

Gentrie

Hummus.......Mmmmmm

There is a coffee shop downtown that has the BEST hummus place ever.  It is called The Coffee Hag.  Oh, today she had lemon artichoke hummus with fresh sliced cucumbers on the side and flat bread.  It was HEAVENLY!

I seriously think the lemon artichoke hummus is my FAVORITE!  The red pepper one was wonderful also, but this one today was better.

I don't have my camera with me or I would have taken a picture.

Seriously, if you are in Mankato, Minnesota stop in.  It's worth it.

The Coffee Hag
329 N Riverfront Dr
Mankato

NOTE:  The Coffee Hag does not know I exist.  This is NOT a paid advertisement.  They just have GREAT hummus. 

The case of the Missing Mittens........

Once upon a time there was a woman who was really frustrated with her daughter for never bringing home her gloves from school.  If it happens again she may be throttled or grounded.  On the positive side, I bet she would start remembering her gloves!

(Don't call child services, I don't actually beat my daughter, no matter how tempting.  I am a little pissy about the 4 pairs of missing gloves though......)

Grounding works well for Hailey as she is a social person and hates being cut off from her friends.  Time-outs never worked.

Ever grounded a 5 year old?  I never thought it would work on a 5 year old but it did.  Ever since then grounding seems to be the ultimate punishment.

Planning X-mas gifts for the Boogs, need to space them out.  The online sales seem pretty nice this year, been finding some good deals.  The crowds really get to me during the Holidays.  I try to avoid places like the mall this time of year.  There are times I love the internet.

Got your Christmas shopping done yet?

I've started.........

That's good right?

Gentrie

YUCK!  Wind and snow and COLD!  I am sooooo not ready for this!

You know, it's really hard to get up at 5:15am to go swimming when it is FREEZING and BLOWING outside.

Sorry for yelling, I'm just not ready for this.

Can you tell I'm not ready?

On another note, I was watching Katie Perry perform on the Victoria's Secret Runway Show tonight and the camera man was obsessed with her boobs.  I can't say I've ever gotten that up close and personal with a stars boobs, seriously.

Mine are better though.....

OK, I just had to throw that in there.

You certainly cannot do this when it is snowing and blowing.

This is going to be a long winter.  The good news is I love wearing sweaters and sweatshirts.  I'm learning to look at the positive in everything.  Good energy everywhere.

Is it working yet?

Gentrie

Finding Thankfulness

I am finding my thankfulness again. 

I am thankful for my family and my friends.

I am thankful to be able to have the things we do. 

I am thankful for my creative abilities and my ability to create the quilts, jewelry and misc items I do for friends and family. 

I am thankful for the weather holding so I could spend one of the saddest and most traditional weekends of our family with my Mom. (Today is the 2 year anniversary to my Dad's passing.)

I am thankful that my Mom is able to smile at this time of year and go out for lunch with a new friend.

I am thankful I am able to sit here on my computer and blog about whatever I want.

I am thankful for a lot of things..........the list could go on forever.

What are you thankful for?

It was just a few years ago that I could not find the thankfulness in life.  I focused almost solely on the negative.  I have since found my thankfulness again, and though I can still see some negatives, they do not overtake my brain like they once did.

Look to the sunny side, even though winter storms are barrelling down on us.  Look for the sunny side..........

Gentrie

Dinner and Sickness

My first hint that Hailey was really sick was when we arrived at Grandma's and she immediately went and laid down on the couch.  She did not move from that position until it was time to get up and eat.  she had two blankets on her and slept most of the time.  I took her temperature one of the times she was awake and it read 100.4 degrees.  She did eat some dinner.

This morning she was throwing up.  One hot bath, Tylenol and crackers with water later she seems to be feeling better.

I'm thankful we are somewhere where she can be easily taken care of and we are not in a large crowded house full of ungrateful crabby relatives.  Not that I have ever been in that situation, well maybe once, but I'm thankful none-the-less.

Hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Even though Hailey ended up sick it was still nice.  Small and nice.  A relaxing weekend with family.

Thank you for your time to read my thoughts, have a wonderful Holiday weekend!

Gentrie

Happy Thanksgiving

Wow, the holidays can just be CRAZY times!  Some days I feel the only time I have time to stop and think is at work.  Not really true, but sometimes it feels like that.  Got my swim in this morning, Hailey is home hangin' with her Dad.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving at Grandma's. 

All is right in the world. 

Let me rephrase that.

All is right in MY world.

I wouldn't want to make assumptions for anyone else.

What are your guys plans for Thanksgiving? Travelling, hosting, nothing?

 I am proud to say I have one Christmas gift made.  I'm on a roll.....don't stop now!

Oh, and I have one Birthday present made.  So I'm REALLY on a roll!  I'd show pictures but the recipients may see them......so I can't.

Well I could, but I won't.  Let's put it that way.

Anyway,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gentrie

This is one of my favorite pictures!

I'm Back, again.....

What a crazy month this has been!  I am just back from Wyoming tonight.  I was at my niece's wedding.  It was great.  Great seeing her, I haven't for quite a while you know!  I finally got to meet Steven, nice kid.  (Did I just call him a kid?  Really?  How old am I?)

Anyway, I'll post a couple of pictures from the wedding.  Steph was such a BEAUTIFUL bride.  You can judge for yourself though, I'm sure I'm not being biast or anything.

They were saying their vows, I'm not sure what it is but I just love this picture.

Mom and daughter, Karmalee looked great too.

AHHHHH What a cute couple!  The new Mr. & Mrs Steven White.

I'm a bit sad they live in California, such is the life of being married to the military.  Hopefully they will eventually end up back over here.

Anyway, that is what I have been up to.  Now for a quick two days of work and then off again!

What have you been up to?

Gentrie

Dreaming.....

If I go to bed tonight and dream about it all being done, when I wake up in the morning will it all be done?

Isn't that what Osmosis is for, or is that pixy dust?  (Sometimes I get those confused!)

Gentrie.......

14 of these..........

I am making the center mats (I guess I would call them that) for my niece's wedding.  (Which by the way, is this weekend.)  These are what the vases for the tables at the reception will sit on.

There are 14 of them.

Here's a closer look at the center.....

We had a BIG snow storm.  Many people were without power for a couple of days.  I am thankful we were not one of those people, burrrr.

This is one of the many branches that fell down.  One of our trees (no where near our buildings) could not take it and most of it's branches broke at about the half way point.

This is the neighbor's tree across the street, that branch never did break (the one touching the ground).

It is awfully pretty though isn't it?  Destructive AND beautiful.

Hailey could not get outside fast enough to play in the snow.  She was outside almost all day.  It wasn't too awfully cold, nice playing outside in the snow weather, as long as you don't have to drive anywhere.

The snow is about half gone now.

It can stay away until I am back from Wyoming, at least.

See ya' all on the Sunny Side!  (Or is that the Sparkly Side?)

Gentrie

I'm back and the computer is working........

Well, I'm back.  My computer is now working wonderfully.  Everything is good, life is good.  Have a wedding to attend this weekend and I wish my husband could come with.  If he wants to work this winter though, he has to stay and take this class.  Long, boring, snoozer of a class.  OSHA30, not interesting at all.

I'll write more tonight.......I have to go right now though, pesky work!

Gentrie

The meaning behind the name.....

Ever heard that saying......"That went over like a lead balloon."? Well, it did.  Went right over, and then thudded to the ground.  It's OK though, that bracelet and Kleenex cover will end up on my Etsy site when I get it up and running.

Thanks to those of you who do read this blog regularly.

My computer is a little better now.  Still working out some bugs, but it's about there.

My seester is working on my logo, and I think we've about got it.  I'm torn though, I can't make up my mind which one I like best.  When we get it narrowed down to about 2 or 3 maybe I'll post them here for a little voting session.

YOU would have to leave a comment though, or it would be pointless!

It had to be said.  Really, I know you understand.

Have I ever told you where I came up with the name Thunderbird & Fox?  NO?  Well......it's quite a personal story.  Hard to tell still as it's only been 2 years (in 18 days) since my Dad passed.  Yes, it revolves around my Dad, as much in my life did.

Part of the story begins with the fact that I have studied many religions over the years.  Shamanism being one that held my attention for quite a while.  You see I had a friend who was trained in Shamanism.  She and I had many long discussions about religion, ALL religions, and she let me see into her world, and experience it.

On this journey I discovered a lot about myself.  I also discovered that all religions, at their core, are the same.  They all have the same BASIC beliefs and a god.  They all just wear different faces and are commemorated in a different form.  A lot of people just use religion as an excuse to do what they want.  On this journey, I discovered a connection to me and the fox.  It's really an amazing story of it's own.  Maybe someday I will share it. 

Not today though.....

I will say this:
To this day, on every long trip I take or when I am walking in the woods, or am just out in nature, I either see a fox or one crosses my path.  Always, I am not kidding.

So that is the Fox portion of this site name. 

The Thunderbird portion comes from my Dad.  See, for almost as long as I can remember, maybe not quite that long, but close.  My dad had his own side business, Thunderbird Metal Products.  He was very intelligent and would sit and sketch out designs and ideas on a notepad in the evening after a long day at work and after having eaten dinner.  Then the next thing we would know, there it would be in real life, welded up out of pieces of raw steel.  All painted up and shiny.  I remember my Dad always having a booth at the fair.  It was so awesome!  What kid actually needs an excuse to hang out at the fair ALL day?  Not me I tell you!  Eating fair food, riding the rides, sneaking into the events, exploring every nook and cranny of the fair grounds, and sometimes even helping out in her Daddy's booth.  Not me.......I was there, with bells on.  My Dad's business evolved over the years and eventually ended with him restoring old tractors and selling them or using them for pulling competitions.  It evolved with Dad, as he evolved.

Thunderbird & Fox.............

I hope my small side business I plan on starting here soon turns out as successful as my Dad's.  He always had fun with it, and worked enough, to support the business and have a little extra money for fun stuff.  (Well, at least, what he thought was fun stuff.  Wink...wink...to my Mom!)

So that's the story.  Simple really, but it does have a lot of meaning and memories already linked to it, even though it is new.

In loving memory of Daddy......(the Thunderbird)

Gentrie.............(the Fox)


PS Just to be clear, there is not a giveaway winner.

THE Giveaway.......

So, here is the promised give-away.  While my computer is at the doctor getting fixed we will have this fine give-away.

I made both of these items.

dadadadadadada (drum roll).......

Item #1:

This is a bracelet featuring genuine pearl, mother of pearl, hematite, porcelain and glass beads.

Pretty bracelet, bad shot of my wrist.  Well you try taking a picture of your own wrist, it is not easy.

ITEM #2

A Kleenex cover.  This will pretty up your Kleenex in your purse.  Let's face it girls who doesn't want pretty Kleenex?

See, easy access then it closes back up.  Kleenex completely protected.

So here are the details:

Leave a comment below answering the following question.

"How many blogs do you follow and do consider yourself a bit of a blog addict?"

Next Wednesday I will randomly choose a winner.  So run and tell your friends to leave a comment and then leave one yourself.

One comment per person please.

See you Wednesday!

Gentrie

Re-try on Halloween

OK, so let's try this again, anyway, Halloween.  Hailey was a Purple Punk Witch, as I said.

Still thinking this fits her perfectly.  She loves purple, she is a punk, and well, the witch outfit is just cute.

She really loves the whole wig thing.  She's been wearing this wig every day since Halloween.  Of course Mom draws the line at wearing it to school.

"Wow!  Look at all this loot!"

"Look Dad, it's a tootsie roll!  Aren't these your favorite?"

As I said earlier, I will be having a give-a-way on this site.  My computer needs to go in to the doctor.  So I will be off line for a little while, BUT I am going to post a giveaway here while I am out of commission.

I leave more details in day or two.......stay tuned!

Gentrie

Halloween...

Well, who knew my digital camera had a memory of it's own.  I mean without the little card in it.  I learn something new every day I swear......

Anyway Hailey was a Purple Punk Witch for Halloween.  Right up her alley if you ask me!

Big cheesy grin and all.....


OK, now I'm having issues uploading pictures...

I will post more later.

Stay tuned for a giveaway from this site..............

Gentrie

Pumpkins.......

We carved pumpkins tonight.  Usually we carve at least 4 or 5 but this year Halloween has snuck up on us.  We only did one for Hailey this year.  The neighbor girl had a pumpkin so Mark let her bring hers over and he did one for her too.

Mark cut the top off then the girls got them good and cleaned out.  My job is to transfer the pattern to the pumpkin, then Mark does the carving.  He has gotten pretty good at it now.

This one is Hailey's pumpkin........

(OK....I can't get this to turn....it's right on my computer.)

This is Kayla's pumpkin.......

She really liked this one.  She was so excited to get a pumpkin, they are not allowed to trick or treat.

Well, hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween.  I'll post Hailey in her costume tomorrow.

Gentrie



The Good News...

Here is the good news........

1.  I've lost about 5 pounds (I'm not dead yet either, you may have noticed.)

2.  Tomorrow is Friday

3.  Sunday is Halloween ( I LOVE Halloween, even though I am TOTALLY not prepared for it this year!)

4.  It's supposed to be fairly nice this weekend.......ie....no more wind (Did it seriously follow us from Great Falls?  Or is the ozone so depleted that the spinning of the earth is literally blowing our hair back?  he he!)

5. Tomorrow is Friday........ Oh, did I say that already?

6.  I can watch Bones on the internet because I missed it tonight.

7. I love this picture........ 



8.  I still have time to finish my nieces center pieces for her wedding.  (Not much........but some.)

9.  House be damned, I'm working on those center pieces this weekend!

10.  It's my friend Rachel's Birthday today.......Happy Birthday Rachel!  Come and sew at my house Saturday, we'll lock the kids in a room together with bread and water.  (I kid, kind-of. )

Gentrie

In Loving Memory.......

I'm terribly saddened today, in fact, tears slide down my cheeks as I write this post.  A terrible tragedy has taken the life of a dear dear boy that I have known since he was approximately 3 years old.

He's 17 years old and a senior in High School, and his life was tragically ended this Sunday.  I cannot go into details, nor do I really wish to.  I will miss him terribly and wish with all my heart I could be with my friends now to hug them and support them in their terrible time of grief. 

Such tragedy........I have always believed everything happens for a reason.  Sometimes I do not like the things happening and do not agree with them.  They can be incredibly difficult to accept......but I have always stuck to my guns......until now.

Why?  Why such tragedy?  Why him?  Why now?  Why in this way? WHY!?  What could POSSIBLY be the reasoning?  My heart aches, for the loss of a truly beautiful soul and for a grieving family trying to make sense of it all.......my dear friends.

In LOVING memory of Augustus.........

We love and miss you now and forever..........

Gentrie.......

Work-outs

I started a new work out regime this month.  Might I say it's been kicking my ass?  Not only is it hard to get it worked into an already crazy schedule, but I am SERIOUSLY out of shape.  I was also right, I cannot swim more than two laps in a row right now.

I spent my whole day cleaning this house from top to bottom......don't ask it's a long story, let's just say it HAD to be done.  I was a bit pissy today about that as I was supposed to spend all day today working on my nieces place mats for her wedding.  Anyway, I digress, the point is I've been moving non stop all day and have walked up and down my two sets of stairs more times today than I have in two months.

Had to walk the dog tonight then on top of that I had to still go work out tonight.  Let's just say I'm beat!

It may kill me yet.........stay tuned........

Gentrie

Where did the week go?????

I just logged on to do a post and saw the last time I posted was Tuesday!  WOW!  Where did the week go?  Did I really not post at all after Tuesday?  Hmmmm........let's see...

Wednesday - work and then to school to pick up Hailey from cheer practice, quick dinner then football game where Hailey performed at halftime.  Home put three girls to bed (sleep over).

Thursday - Get three girls up, pick up the house, get two girls home and one ready to go.......go to post office, bank get gas, go to friend Rachel's house for sewing................................home, make dinner, greet new dog who came home with husband, play fetch FOREVER!  Get him settled.  Get kid to bed......clean up kitchen and put me to bed.

Friday - tried sleeping in (failed spectacularly - it was a tremendous effort though).  This day is a bit of a blur......I'm not sure what all went down that day, walked the dog for an hour, paid bills, bought a collar, leash, dog food, cleaned up house, washed dog kennel, washed dog (he was extremely stinky) took cargo cage out of back of truck, put dog kennel in back of truck, packed to go to Grandma's loaded truck, left for grandma's................that's what I remember.  I think there was a lot more going on that day.  I just can't remember it all.

Saturday - at grandma's

Sunday - 1/2 day at Grandma's, home @ 4:50....unload/go get food for us and dog food (Mark forgot the dog food at Grandma's).........play catch with dog for a while......help Hailey with a lot of homework, get her sale items together for school, get her in shower and to bed.....do some laundry and blog.......

OK......well that is where my week went.

Here is Diesel, our new/old dog.  He is supposed to be 5, but he looks older than that.  He's very energetic and could fetch all day.....

I'm not exactly sure how he actually gets that tongue in his mouth.  This is his general look, pretty much all the time.  Isn't he cute?

Ever feel like you're being watched?  This is who was watching me while I was taking these pictures.....

Grandma's barn kitties were following me around everywhere this morning.  They were very interested in what I was doing......from a distance.  They pretty much let me get too much closer.

It was a nice weekend though.

Tomorrow is my last day off.  Hmmmmmm........what to do.........

Gentrie

The dog is coming, the dog is coming........

So we are getting a dog.  His name is Diesel and is 5 years old.  We are getting him Thursday night.  Tomorrow night Hailey has her football cheerleader thing. 

She's doing a cheer leading camp and they do a cheer and a dance at halftime of the football game tomorrow night.  (She SOOOOOO does not get that from me, by the way.)  No school Thursday or Friday......no work either.......Yeaahhhhhhh!

So we go to get Diesel Thursday night.  I'm excited, it's been a long time since I've had a dog.

He's a black lab.  Hailey is so excited she can hardly stand it.  She wouldn't stop talking all night.  Mark's excited to get a hunting dog. 

On another note, did I mention that I have 5 DAYS IN A ROW OFF!!!!!  WOOOOHOOOOO!

Oh, and we are getting a dog!  WOOOOOHOOOOOO!

Gentrie

The day Aliens obducted Mark.....

I just have to post this real quick.  My wonderful husband of 10 years, the man who has admittedly refused me the joy of owning a dog (for 10 years)........ called me this morning and asked me if I wanted a black lab.

"Who are you, and what have you done with My-Mark?"

(Little did you know that his name is actually My-Mark......just ask all my friends!:) )


May miracles never cease......Amen.

Gentrie

A day to relax......

This week has been very stressful and very eventful.  I did not accomplish anything I wanted to and had a few out comes I never wanted.  Some outcomes were surprisingly simple. 

So I slept in today, made my daughter pancakes, and finished reading my book.  Made my husband a BLT for lunch after he got home from work and helped him a little with the new fascia board he's putting up on the back shed.

It is another day, and today, God willing, it will be uneventful and quiet.  Might I dare say, restful?  Is typing that permanently jinxing everything, or committing it to being so?  I will go with the latter.......it makes me feel better.

It's my blog......I can if I want.

I picked these today......

OK......I was going to post some Mums here that I picked today.......but my "I" drive that I need to upload the picture has stopped working.

I really need to get my computer in to get fixed.......it's been having issues for a while now.

So I hope you enjoy a picture of someonelses Mums, and imagine mine sitting on my table in all their purplish glory!

You know, mine are prettier though........

Gentrie