rubowhappenings

Recital Time!

2012-02-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

The Natives, their extremely talented piano teacher, and Henny Penny's Best Friend
in the whole wide world, the lovely Miss J.

I could post several photos of The Native's acting like punks as I tried to get a decent photo of them, photo after photo after photo........ this is about the only one I could find where one of them wasn't making some sort of awful face. I won't though because I know you just want to hear them play so..... without my further yodeling I give you........... The Native's Piano Recital 2012. And yes, for those of you that have been around for awhile, it was at a new location. Our church, since the Gallery where they normally have it has raised their obnoxious prices! Unlike our salaries....... Oops! Did I just say that out loud?

Henny Penny and Miss J doing two duets.

Miss Henny Penny

Mr. M

Mr. M and Mr. Piano Teacher doing a duet.

The Master The Native's are learning from.

Mr. C

Mr. T

Mr. B

Mr. C and Mr. B playing a duet "The Stars and Stripes". A fitting last number for the end of an era. This is Mr. B's last recital. One of many things I need to be brave about this year and embrace!

Feelings. We're supposed to 'feel' them............

2012-02-06T09:05:00.001-07:00

In the church I belong to, (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) the youth are broken up into groups by age. There is the Primary which is ages 18 months to 11 years of age. Then there is the YoungMen/YoungWomen who are ages 12-18. I am over the Young Women ages 12-18. Particularly the age 14-15 age group.

I don't know if it is just me....... or if we live in a society that suppresses our emotions and feelings. I know that I am by nature a peace maker. I don't like confrontation at all. I don't like to rock the boat. But, if you cross The Native's, The SM, or the youth in my church, my friends........ I become a big huge ugly green mess of rage. I'll put on my boxing gloves and go the full 9 rounds. It's 9 rounds right?

Then why pray tell, do I not do the same for myself? I came to a conclusion last night. I gave myself permission because I want the youth I am over, especially the young women to know, they can fight back. They can stand up for themselves and it is okay. It is okay to feel anger and frustration when we are being attacked in anyway. Emotionally, physically, verbally, etc.

I know for me, I honestly do try so hard to do what is right and be Christ-like. Shocking...... I know. I realized last night though, that suppressing our feelings is not what the Savior would do! He gets angry! Our Heavenly Father gets angry! It's righteous anger but it is anger never the less! What we do with the anger determines if we are being Christ-like.

Years ago when I placed my daughter for adoption I remember my father telling me that it was okay to mourn. It was okay to take that time to mourn. He cautioned me not to let it consume me; mourn and then move on with my life.

I think it is the same with things that are upsetting in our lives. Go ahead and be angry. Don't let it consume, but go ahead and feel those feelings and then move on. Let the Savior's grace take it from us and become better people because of it...

Am I making any sense??

A Musical Number

2012-02-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

The assignment: Go to a music store, pick out a piece of music for the instrument that you play, some piano accompaniment music to go with, practice, and then play in front of the teacher for a grade.

Mr. C goes to the music store and starts thumbing through the music. No, too easy. Nope, not hard enough. No, too easy.

He finally found a piece of music he felt was at his level of playing. Mind you, this child has been playing the clarinet for two years........ two school years which means there are many months in the summer where it isn't played.......

The night of the due assignment. We sat in the hall outside of the band room, along with The Native's piano teacher who was so kind to accompany Mr. C, and listened in on some of the other students solo pieces.

The realization. Mr. C had picked a MUCH harder piece than anyone we'd yet to hear! Is this kid crazy?? He could have chosen a much easier piece, played it to perfection, and gotten an ace grade right?

That's not how Mr. C works. Mr. C chose a very hard piece, played it to perfection, and better get an ace grade (we're still waiting to hear back from his teacher). We all felt he did an ace grade job.

You decide:

Revenge Is Beautiful

2012-02-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a family who liked to play games together. One of the games they enjoyed was 'hide-and-seek' in the dark! All of the lights are turned off in the house, one of The Native's is "it" and goes upstairs to count while the rest of us hide. When the time is up, The Native comes downstairs and with only the red light on their headlamp, begins to try and find all of us.

This is a fun game and imaginations run wild with all of the places to hide. One day, The Mum thought she would hide in between the clothes drying on the clothes rack. On a normal day, after The Native's have been out playing in the snow, it looks like this!

She thought it would be so funny if she crawled up inside with all of the clothes covering and hid. She looked at the tiny hole she'd have to climb through and thought, "no problem".

She started to wiggle and jiggle her way up into the clothes rack when she realized something. She wasn't as small as she thought, or the space was a lot smaller than it should be, or she was a lot bigger than in her world full of denial.

As this realization struck, so did gravity and the world began to tip. Sideways....... and over the whole contraption went, trapping the giggling Mum inside.

The Mum had to shout "times"!!! "HELP"!!!

All of The Native's and The SM came running flipping on lights as they came tearing around the corner and busted up laughing when they saw the pile of disaster.

The Mum was laughing so hard she was crying and in between her laughter and hiccups she asked her children to please help her out.

What you see pictured here............ is their idea of helping. Poor helpless Mum who can't fight back with a camera in her face.

The Mum in this story may not be an evil step mother but you can bet she is hatching an evil plan. An evil plan of revenge. (Evil cackle).

Watch out Mr. B and The SM......... when you least expect it............ THIS MEANS WAR!

NOT!!! The End!

Oh Mummy..............

2012-01-31T08:16:00.001-07:00

When Mummy's Monday starts out like yesterday's post...........

And ends like this..................

Mummy is very grateful Monday only comes once a week.

Mummy looks bad............

2012-01-30T08:13:00.001-07:00

Levi's bus was early.
Mummy don't like it when Levi's bus is early.
Levi doesn't like it when his bus is early.
Levi's bus driver isn't there. It's a substitute.
Levi doesn't like change.
Early bus means running around frantic and Levi off to school without his hair done or teeth brushed.
Levi going to school without hair done and teeth brushed makes Mummy look bad.
Mummy doesn't like to look bad.
Mummy looks bad. Mummy is in her jammies still, her hair is not done, her teeth are not brushed.
It's Monday.......

What's that?
The doorbell
It's the repairman come to fix the furnace.
Dang! Mummy has to answer the door.
Mummy is in her jammies still, her hair is not done, her teeth are not brushed.
Mummy looks bad.
It's Monday..........

The Native's are off to school.
Mummy sees her unmade bed.
It calls to her.
Dang! Mummy has to answer.
Mummy is still in her jammies, her hair is still not done, her teeth are still not brushed.
Mummy looks bad.
Who cares! It's MONDAY! (

Butterflies

2012-01-28T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Kristen in her comments on my post said that the butterfly on my lens wasn't from around this area. Well, I beg to differ. Why else did it show up so many times?

Why is this bull rider doing a hand stand in the back...........? Is the bull on him and he's trying to get it off his back?

Oh look!!! A blue one!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen! I think I've figured it out! It wasn't until I looked at this series of photos!!! Here all this time I thought the butterfly was on my camera!! It's not! It's very clear it is on the bulls..... well. (Blushing) Never mind. I wondered what made them buck and throw themselves in the air like they do........ Mystery solved!

Not Blurry Not Necessarily Good

2012-01-27T09:28:00.002-07:00

There were so many butterflies flying around. One landed right on my camera lens while I was taking this photo!

Is froth, snot, and spraying saliva a sign of mad bull disease?

Or a sign that the riders riding the bulls are mad............

Blurry Not Necessarily A Bad Thing

2012-01-26T12:35:00.001-07:00

When I first saw these shots I'd taken at Pro Bull Riding Rodeo I was irritated. What a waste. I'd just taken hundreds of blurry photos. I'd gotten all of my settings on my camera wrong.

I put them in a folder on my computer and probably would have trashed them had I been organized. I'm not organized and am for once, glad.

The other day, I was looking through old photos and came across these. I saw them with a new perspective. I may be the only one who sees them this way but I decided that blurry isn't necessarily a bad thing!

Blurry, means motion. Blurry is capturing the motion. Obviously I'm not a photographer and know nothing about photography and these photos aren't fantastic but....... here's my point:

The motion. We see the bull and rider coming out of the chute. Look at the guy on the right who is in motion. He's just opened the gate for the bull and rider and is now getting the heck out of dodge. Those who are somewhat a tidge more in focus are the cowboys in back watching.

Here's where it gets cool to me. The center of the bull and the rider are more in focus than the head and feet of the bull. His hind feet especially. You can see where all of the motion is.

Here you can see even though the rider looks like he is going to fall off, he's more in focus than the moving bull.

And now...... you can hardly see the rider as he is thrown through the air. Another figure in blurry motion is the guy in yellow on the right coming in to save the rider. The clown.

Here's another rider. Hand up in the air. He's sitting relatively centered on the bull.

I absolutely love this shot. Here is a bull that you can tell is in full motion and the rider has very little blur as the bull is whipping around.

Another favorite shot. Look at this bull! The swirl of paint as he is twisting and turning and leaping and the rider is still in pretty good focus compared to the bull.

Now notice something. The rider starts to get a bit blurrier. He's moving more now with the bull. His bum is no longer planted firmly to the bull's back on top of his hand and rope.

You guessed it. He's lost his center of balance. Off he goes.

Check out this bull rider. This photo cracks me up. The horns look like ears. Like the bull and rider are flying through the air like Dumbo.

Lots of motion..... both bull and rider.

This rider has too much motion.

Off he goes.......

Another favorite set of shots. Bull in motion...... rider centered and not as blurry.

Can't even see the head of this bull there is so much motion!

Look at this shot! Where is the bull? The rider looks like he is sitting on a polka dotted dust cloud!

I guess you needed to have grown up around this stuff but to me it is beautiful to see such athletes. Both the bulls and the riders.

Have you seen enough now to know what is going to happen?

The rider gets blurry and is in as much motion as the bull............ off he comes.

So, next time you take a bunch of action/motion photos and they turn out blurry, don't delete them and throw them away. Put them in a folder, let some time past, and go back and look at them with fresh eyes. You never know what you may find. You just may find a photo of a bull rider trying to outrun a bull as it tries to launch him up in the air by his hind end!

Sluffing

2012-01-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

We have waited many months for the tiniest smidgen or hint of snow for this season. None!

Finally, Saturday night it began to snow. The first real snow of the season. An amount of snow that required shoveling. At ten o'clock at night the snow started to taper off. (Warning: This is the part where I get all oober goober goopy over my boys).

The garage opens and out walk my three oldest Native's with shovels in hand along with my adopted son from up the street. They spent the next two hours shoveling driveway after driveway after driveway and sidewalks in between. All the houses where there weren't youngin's to help shovel, all the houses that housed elderly, and a few others in between just because.......

A few years ago we awoke Christmas morning to major snow. It was awesome!! The Native's came downstairs and looked at the tree and then outside and saw the snow. The older Native's started talking among themselves and next thing I knew, they were throwing on snow pants, coats, and boots over their jammies. There were elderly neighbors who might want to either go and visit family or have family visit. They wanted to make sure the driveways were clear for these folks. Off they went along with The SM and it was once again, several hours before they returned to the younger Native's and myself waiting for them. Grins on their faces bantering back and forth with each other and ready to enjoy the afternoon opening their gifts.

When I started this post I hadn't meant to go in this direction. I was going to tell you all how I'm a lame mom because I haven't made The Native's do their chores and we've been a bit naughty about homework because it finally snowed and I have been letting The Native's play in the snow the second they get home from school until it is dark and time for dinner.

They gobble up their dinner, put on their headlamps, and head back out into the snow.

Here's my justification. If these younger Native's turn out to be anything like the older Native's, I suppose a few missed days of chores and skimping on homework won't hurt them too badly.

Someone please say yes and comment in the affirmative and back me up on my lousy parenting so I can continue to justify myself.

And while you're at it, will you please also give me an excuse for my behavior of sitting in my lazy chair eating handful after handful of chocolate chips while The Native's sluff their chores and homework.

Knit Socks. It's A Mystery To Me.

2012-01-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

When I first learned to knit, I went to a shop here in town. I was taken in under wing by the kindest most patient ladies. They painstakingly showed and taught me how to make a dish rag. I chose a yarn that was quite colorful which is a good thing. It hides all of the mistakes better.

I returned to the shop several times and after making two pathetic dishrags, told the ladies I wanted to try something else. They told me that I should knit a pair of socks!!! Immediately I had visions of elementary school. Knee high knit socks and tights and brown leather shoes with big ol' rubber soles. Shudder.

Knit socks? Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind would take all of that time to knit a pair of socks when I could go to the 'Marts and buy a whole slew of socks for pennies compared.

The owner of the shop hearing our conversation smiled as he walked by and told me that once I'd worn hand knit socks......... I wouldn't want to wear anything else. Yeaaaaah riiiiiiiight. What ev!

Several months later one of the dears in the shop, we'll call her Elizabeth, begged me to sign up for her class. I asked her what class she was teaching and she told me it was a beginner class on making socks. What? Socks? NO WAY!

I signed up.

I made a hideous pink sock. One sock. Not even a pair.

A few months later my son, Mr. C bought me some really funky sock yarn for Christmas. Not wanting to disappoint, I knit a pair of socks.

And then I knit another pair.

And then I knit another pair.

And another pair......... and another.........

A month ago my friend Jenni from Australia tempted me with what is called a mystery sock. Every week for a month you get part of a pattern for a pair of knit socks. You've no idea what the socks will look like in the end. The first week we got the first few rows, the next week a few more rows, and so on.

When I looked at my first set of instructions I thought there had been a big mistake. These are socks for crying out loud! Who puts cables and bobbles and doo dads in a pair of socks? A sweater yeah! Socks? This is nuts! NO WAY!

I signed up.

Don't tell the local shop owner. He doesn't know I've been knitting socks. I like to remind him from time to time that anyone who would take the time to knit a pair of socks is crackers in the head.

Stormy Weather

2012-01-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

We've been hearing about it in the news for about a week now. A big storm is coming. Prepare for several inches of snow on the valley floor. More in the mountains.

I can feel the storm coming. The warning signs are there. It starts out slow. I feel a few raindrops on my face. The wind begins to pick up ruffling my hair. Not enough to disturb me too much but enough that I notice. I carry on hoping. Wishing that the storm will somehow pass me by. I know it won't....... but I still hold onto a thread that somehow if I lay down and rest in the grass with a blanket over me the storm will change direction and miss me.

The rain comes down faster, harder turning into hail that beats upon my back. I can't get up, the wind pushing against me so fiercely. It is too strong, this storm. I am too weak. I can not fight it. I wait out the storm. My instinct is to close my eyes tight and curl up into a ball. I don't. During a storm is when you can see magical things happen. Those of the fairy and woodland world come out. I see them flitting about mending things, placing warm things against my aching back, brushing/kissing my cheek as their wings flutter past me. Feeding me both body and soul.

Spring always comes after the cold of winter.

The storm begins to wane. I am able to lift my head off of the ground and look around. As the sun comes out the warmth permeates and flows through my body giving me strength. I stand up and look around. The color is so much brighter, the world around me so much cleaner, the air I breath deeply into my lungs crisp. The rainbow above me a promise from a Father that there will never be a flood again. Storms come and go in our lives but we will never be given more than we can handle............

Mentoring

2012-01-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Mr. J wants to learn to play the piano like his siblings. Henny Penny decided to help him.

The End!

Nappie. The Kind Where I Sleep. Not The Diaper.

2012-01-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

This morning when I got up, I was all set to write a post about something else. It was one of those mornings that started with me crawling out of bed as my body and mind screamed, "Noooooo" curling itself back towards my nice warm bed. It's dark outside. It's cold. I didn't sleep that great. I want to sleep more. I want a nap and the day hasn't even begun.

I got The Native's up and as I opened Levi's bedroom door my nostrils were accosted and running for cover. It was one of those moments where my rubber gloves screamed, ran and hid, the wet wipes weren't nearly enough, and it took five matches to air out the house after the ordeal was over.

It was turning out to be a poo of a morning............ until I brought up the news on the Internet and saw this story/video. Several of The Native's and myself crowded around my computer screen as we watched this several times laughing and erasing all left over residue of the poo morning.

I present to you......... a bird with some imagination and skills. Snowboarding skills.

Brooding

2012-01-14T10:36:00.001-07:00

Brood-

1. The young of certain animals, especially a group of young birds or fowl hatched at one time and cared for by the same mother. See Synonyms at flock¹.

2. The children in one family.

v. brood·ed, brood·ing, broods

v.tr.

1. To sit on or hatch (eggs).

2. To protect (young) by or as if by covering with the wings.

v.intr.

1. To sit on or hatch eggs.

2. To hover envelopingly; loom.

a. To be deep in thought; meditate.

b. To focus the attention on a subject persistently and moodily; worry: brooded over the insult for several days.

c. To be depressed.

Things have been a bit broody around here. It all started one day when one of The Native's was asked to collect the eggs.

"I can't, there's a chicken sitting on the eggs"!

I told The Native not to worry, the hen must be laying, leave her alone.

Next day. Same thing. Every time I went out to get the eggs or one of The Native's there was a hen sitting on the eggs. It was enough hit or miss that I didn't realize it was the same hen until I started to try to collect the eggs myself. It was Dorkus. Of course.......

I opened the gypsy wagon to check for eggs and got the most withering look from her. I went to check under her and the feathers plumped up and her eye got all big and ugly and rather than get my hand pecked I closed the door. I totally get the brooding thing.

I looked up brooding hens on the Internet. I don't want a brooding hen. There's no rooster. I have no intention of ever having a brooding hen. What am I to do about it. What I read is that I needed to 'break her up'. There were two suggestions. One was to isolate Dorkus in a cage with a wire bottom so she couldn't sit and get comfortable. This would make it so her underside would get a bit chilly and her temperature would come down. Like this:

The other suggestion was to dunk the hen. Like this:

Another thing I learned about broody hens is that this usually happens in the spring and can be expected. Every once in awhile, you'll get a hen that is a bit crackers in the head and try to go broody in the middle of the winter. Dorkus.

They say that a horses behavior mirrors their owners behavior. I really hope this isn't the case because if you look at the definition of broody 3c .......

Well, let's just say, if you happen to drive by one day and I'm either sitting in an all wire cage or The SM is dunking my bum in a bucket of ice cold water.......... You'll know why. I'm broody. Don't mess with me. My feathers are sticking straight up, my eye is all evil, and if you get close, I just may peck ya!

The End!

P.S. Dorkus is no longer broody and is happily scratching her way around the gypsy wagon. There's hope for me yet.

OTN

2012-01-06T11:18:00.001-07:00

I had to put OTN in my title so I could look really cool like the bloggers who have knitting blogs who are officially cool. I wanna be like them. OTN means: On The Needles

Meaning my project is still on the knitting needles. It isn't finished. So why am I taking photos of an unfinished project? Because it's what the cool knitting blogs do. The End!

I love cables. Cables are those lumpy things on the front of the sweater that give it texture and pattern. Yes, it is going to be a sweater. A little baby cable knit sweater if all goes to plan/pattern.

When I first started learning to knit I thought cables would be ultra hard. Boy was I pleased when I realized that they aren't hard at all!

I like projects that you put very little effort into but reap tons of reward which makes it look like you put in way more than you did. Kind of like pumpkin seeds. You throw those suckers in the ground and your whole garden is covered with big green plants that produce big orange pumpkins and everyone thinks you're an amazing gardener. Truth is you threw smashed pumpkins in your garden in the fall, forgot about them, and in the spring they started to sprout, you were lazy and didn't weed all summer, and in the fall you look like you did it on purpose! Not that I'm speaking from experience mind you....... I've just heard......

Same with knitting cables. You just move things around a little here and there and you end up with a project that everyone thinks you must know what you are doing to have produced.

The End! For reals this time.........

Levi's Hands........

2012-01-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

I don't know when I starting noticing hands. I just know that I notice them. Maybe because since I can remember I've been self conscious of mine. In high school mine were always dry and my nails, I could never get them to grow. Still can't. I'd see other girls' hands with pretty nails, nice and soft, long fingers..... not short and stubby with big palms like mine.

Growing up we worked. We worked all year long outside with our hands. My hands looked it.

As I sit here typing a lot of the same envies are still there. I'll never have nice nails. My hands are dry. My fingers still short and stubby with big palms. When I am at home working they don't bother me but when I am out and about and see other women's hands, the nice manicured pretty hands, I get envious and want to hide mine.

I still work. All year long with my hands. My hands look it.

A man's hands are different. Why in the world am I so fascinated by hands? Because I'm odd. The End! A man's hands should not be soft in my opinion. I know it is becoming all the rage for men to get pedicures and fix their nails and the such. A man's hands should be work worn. They should be a bit rough. When giving a hand shake it should be firm. I'm sure this is all written in the gospel of hands somewhere and by not following is breaking some hand care commandment.

See? I'm warped with the whole hand thing!! Don't even get me started with feet. They just disgust me..

Being fascinated with hands it is a wonder that I never noticed Levi's. I mean I noticed them...... but I didn't 'notice' them until his pediatrician pointed some things out to me. Like the fact that his fingers and toes are really short. The pediatrician clicked off some term like he was checking off an everyday list of things to buy on his grocery list as he was checking Levi over.

I took Levi's hand into mine. Yeah, I guess his fingers are abnormally short. Hmmm. I hadn't noticed nor did I notice that his toes are the same........ abnormally short. There's a clinical term for it. I don't remember what it is.

I guess I hadn't noticed because like everything else with Levi, unless someone else points it out or says something, I don't see him as others do. To me when he tries to sign his name and has to hold down his fingers so his pinky will stay up to sign the letter "I" at the end of his name....... or when he is signing, "I love you" he has to hold his pinky up........ that is just one of the things that makes Levi so endearing....... I hadn't realized it was because of his little fingers.......

During church while we are sitting next to each other, I like to reach over and intertwine Levi's fingers in between mine for a few seconds. He only lets me for a few seconds but, he lets me! Understanding how Levi is and how he doesn't really let you hold him or touch him very much I can't explain what this means to me, to hold his little hand in mine for a few seconds.

Two hands intertwined. Both with short stubby fingers. Mine, and his............

A Visitor

2012-01-03T09:49:00.004-07:00

She came to us one snowy day, the only snowy day in fact that we've had this winter season, on the back of a chicken through the forest. All the way she came clear across the ocean from Australia to our family for a short visit here Utah, USA.

Okay, so maybe she didn't arrive on the back of a chicken but she did come in a snowstorm and she did come all the way from Australia. Her name is Lucy and she is traveling the globe and it just so happens out of all of the houses she chose to stop at...... ours has been one of them. We feel quite lucky! So lucky in fact, that we invited Lucy to celebrate Hanukkah with us!

We had no idea when we invited Lucy to join us that she was such a crack in the kitchen. Levi loves to help me shred potatoes. I had about 50 potatoes to shred so Lucy helped Levi while other Native's and I peeled.
She and Levi had the fun part....

After the potatoes are shredded they go into a bowl along with several other ingredients for the latkes! Lucy was very keen on making sure I fried the latkes to perfection. They have to be nice and crisp and brown. We like to eat them with applesauce.

When Lucy saw that the dreidel game was being played she left me to my kitchen duties, (I didn't blame her, I'd have left if I could too) and went over to play the dreidel game.

I think Lucy is getting the hang of it...... look how much candy she is winning!

As we were waiting for the donuts to rise and cook, it was time to light our menorah. We let Lucy be the guest of honor. First candle lit on our first night of "The Festival of Lights"!

We've had a lot of fun having Lucy for a visit. She's packing her bags, getting her visa stamped by us and soon will be headed off across the country to visit another friend in West Virginia, USA. You can read all about Lucy's adventures here on her blog. She has her own..... which is no surprise beings as she is such a world traveling independent lady such as herself!

So long and farewell Miss Lucy! When you get back to Queensland, Australia give your mum a hug and kiss for us beings as we live so far away and can't ourselves. And Miss Lucy, tell your Mum that for the next adventure, she needs to pack her bags and come with!

P.S. Remember my post from yesterday? The "I Wish" one? The lovely Jenni who created Lucy and sent her off on this grand adventure is one of many such friends I'd love to meet in person.........

I Wish.........

2012-01-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit

I have met so many wonderful people through the world of blogging. Many kindred spirits from all over the world.

I had no idea when I started this blogging venture a few years ago that I would be making friends with so many incredible people across the globe.

I wish.... that there was a time and place that we could all meet in person....... I wish.........

New Beginnings

2012-01-01T11:35:00.001-07:00

Not sure who to give credit to for this lovely picture. I can't find the original source..... if someone knows, please share!

As I sit here on my couch, wrapped up in a flannel quilt I made, hacking up a lung, I contemplate the past year and a new year to begin.

This year will have many big changes and firsts for us. This year will set into motion a new stage in our families lives. For so many years we've had little ones entering the nest. They have been great years of nurturing, holding, loving, rocking, singing, memory making, struggling, tears, loving, singing, rocking......

2011 ends this part of that chapter and 2012 opens the chapter where little ones start to leave the nest. The SM and I have been working hard preparing The Native's for this day. I begin to wonder if it isn't us, the parents who need the preparing as The Native's seem to have no problem looking forward to this with excitement.

It is an exciting time though, to see the little ones grow into adults and the magnificent people they are becoming. I know that they will contribute to society in a positive good way.

I know this isn't the end of anything. It's a continuation of something beautiful that is going to get even better as it expands and grows. You know, I'm actually looking forward to this!

Amazing..... there is hope for me yet!!

Please Excuse The Mess, We're Under Construction.

2011-12-28T09:40:00.001-07:00

Entering A construction zone. Use a hard hat.

Baking

Clapping

Pinwheeling

Melting

Rolling

Gluing

Creating

From Our Home To Yours........

2011-12-25T00:04:00.000-07:00

So we may not win any awards anytime soon but this is one of the things we traditionally do on Christmas Eve. We make fools of ourselves acting out the Christmas story.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and "God bless us, everyone".

No Gift Bags? No Problem!

2011-12-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

Henny Penny and Mr. C made some gifts to give to their friends that they ride horses with on the weekends. Being the completely organized person that I am, I didn't have any gift bags on hand to put their gifts in.

This is what you find when you turn to the Internet and all of the creative people out there. You find blogs like this that teach you how to make your own gift bags.

We chose to use newspaper because there is no shortage of newspaper around in our house. Craft paper of any sort would be really cute, scrapbook paper......... I was thinking the ads that are shiny that we all get in the mail with all of the Christmas toys and such would be really cool looking.

Next Internet search....... how to make manila envelopes. I don't seem to have any of those on hand either......

The Christmas Box

2011-12-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

Mr. J putting the pipe cleaner candy cane on the tree he and the other Native's made on Monday night. Can't beat the look on his face!

It's been happening for several years now. How many, I'm not sure! It is harder to remember when it wasn't happening.

The week before Christmas a mysterious box shows up. Shows up unannounced just sitting quietly on our front porch with a label on it letting us know that it is a secret box from a secret person and we aren't to open it until the appointed day. That day is always exactly one week before Christmas.

It's a magical box. The Native's look at it and wonder what it is filled with each year. The day arrives and the box is opened. There is always a note on the top, hand written, with instructions. The box is filled to the brim with Christmas artistic crafts, wonder, and delights. An activity for The Native's to do each day. A craft of some sort with all of the fixings and trimmings. I don't have to do anything! All of the glue, and glitter, googly eyes, and markers, and fixings for what ever the activity for that day...... it is all packaged neatly in a plastic bag marked for that day.

If you ask The Native's what makes Christmas at our house, they'll tell you that it wouldn't be Christmas without their mum's cinnamon rolls Christmas morning and the Christmas box.

Spinning Colors

2011-12-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've been able to do some spinning. My fingers have been kind of itching to do some more so I went and bought some very colorful wool roving to spin.

I like color. Bold colors. That's me!

I feel kind of like a cheater though. Very much like with my quilting. If I make a quilt top and then have someone else machine quilt it, and then someone asks me if I made the quilt.............. I have a hard time saying yes because technically I did make the quilt top but I didn't quilt it so........

It is the same with this yarn I've spun. Yeah I spun it, but I didn't color it. I do plan on learning how to dye my own wool so that like my hand quilted quilts that I've quilted by hand....... when asked if I made the yarn I can without a guilty conscience say, YES! Yes, indeed I did. From start to finish.

In the meantime......... buying roving that has already been dyed for me is a pretty snazzy way to go until I can learn how to myself! Now....... hmmm......... what to make out of this yarn........

This Is What Happens.........

2011-12-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when Humpty Dumpty tries to dress up like Santa Claus and gets into a fight with Jack Frost.

Either that or this is what Santa looks like on the day after Christmas........... Or maybe it is one of the three little pigs trying to impersonate Santa.... I can't decide. All I know is my freakish Santa here doesn't look anything like the photo in the pattern I used...... I'm sure it is the patterns fault.

Lights

2011-12-15T08:18:00.002-07:00

Two nights ago I along with several other adult leaders took the teenage youth in our church up to Salt Lake City to see the lights on Temple Square.

At this time of year the whole area is filled with Christmas lights and is just beautiful. This is the Salt Lake temple. It doesn't matter what religion you are, what you believe in, this building is a gorgeous building. It took the pioneers 40 years to build. Because I was with the youth and trying to keep an eye on them I didn't have the time to take very many photos, especially ones in detail but if you'd like, you can go to this link to see more photos of this incredible building.

On the temple grounds not only do they have fantastic lights but they have displays set up around like this one, depicting the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Two great loves in one photo. My country which allows me the freedom to choose what religion I want to follow and this temple and what it represents. Marriage for time and for all eternity. Not till death do us part, but for all of eternity. Sealed to all of my loved ones.

Sorry the photos are so grainy. It is night obviously and I didn't want to use a flash.

Just a smidge of the lights. These photos really don't do them justice.

I didn't have time to play with my camera and get better shots. Guess you'll just have to go and see for yourself if you are able to!

More of the temple. The majority of my photos are of the temple. I kinda love the temple........

One of the little stink pots I was with. She wanted her photo taken right here! So I did!

Cousins

2011-12-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

After Thanksgiving the cousins came to visit. My baby sis, her husband, and their children. My adorable nieces and nephews. One of the things we did is we went to a pioneer village that is relatively close by and enjoyed a "Candle Light Christmas". It is a real pioneer village that has been kept and maintained.

After we visited with Santa we hopped into his sleigh. Guess what photo is going on our family Christmas card this year......... bet ya can't guess........

Next it was onto the Polar Express! The cousins all bunched together singing Christmas carols.

Speaking of Christmas carols..... there were carolers walking around singing. Does anyone Christmas carol anymore? I know our family does from time to time. Not every year but every so often... I miss Christmas carolers!

Off to the old school room to do some dancing. You can totally tell this is all authentic by the microphones and the amplifiers. Kidding aside, this really was the old school room. I love the idea of one room school houses. I think I was born in the wrong era.

Where there is music there must be dancing! We were taught a fun dance which we did around the big Christmas tree in the middle of the room.

As we danced around we switched partners. Levi thought the dancing was quite fun. He takes after his mommy.

The SM dancing with our cute niece Miss C. See the pot bellied stove on the left? It had the whole room piping warm.

Or maybe it was all the bodies dancing around. Cousins!

Daddy and daughter. Wish I were that limber. Was I ever that limber?

A live nativity. This was neat. A little family with an infant. How that sweet mother sat there all evening in the cold with her baby is beyond me. It was neat though and as we all stood there in that barn, all quiet and watching, even the little ones, my heart was filled with peace, gratitude, and joy for this wonderful time of year.

Every live nativity isn't complete unless it has a friendly goat that is just dying to say hello and shake hooves with everyone that passes by.

Craft time! Take some shiny glittery beads and some pipe cleaner, string the beads on the pipe cleaner and you have an icicle to hang on your tree!

The beads have to be clear glass looking and several shapes and sizes.

As you can see by the looks on my nephew's faces....... it takes a great deal of concentration to do this!

Even the big boys made some.

At a time of year when it is hard for our furry and feathery friends to forage for food, one must not forget them! These bags have bird seed and pine cones in them so we could make treats for the birds.

My baby sis's husband and Baby E who is not going to be the baby anymore in a few more months!!

A happy couple looking on........ looking on trying to find some mistletoe.

Cousins!!

Mr. B saying something that has captivated his brothers and The SM's attention.

The pioneers didn't have television. You didn't know that? Seriously! They didn't have television so they had to entertain themselves by other means.

Puppets. A puppet show that was the weirdest funniest Christmas puppet show we've ever seen. We didn't know whether to be disturbed or amused. We chose amused.

Every child writes a letter to Santa. If not on paper, then in their minds or hearts don't they? They all have wishes, desires, dreams.......

Except these three bafoons. Yes, three. I can count. I realize there are only two heads. Count the sets of legs. These boys were told they'd get lumps of coal for Christmas. Mr. C said he is excited because then he'll light them on fire and BBQ himself some meat! Years ago when Mr. B my eldest was little he had learned about coal turning into diamonds so he asked for coal one year so he could have diamonds.

I was't able to take pictures outside very much because it was so dark. We would walk on a boardwalk from little cabin, school house, church, cabin, cabin, cabin, etc. Each cabin was lit with candles and we were able to learn about the pioneers and how they celebrated Christmas. In this particular cabin we were told a story of Christmas past by a mountain man. He told us, "The Night Before Christmas".

Another happy couple....... Isn't my baby sis just beautiful?

Did you know you get to choose if your name goes on the naughty list or the nice list? Not only do you get to choose but we actually got to write our names on those lists! I won't tell you which list I wrote my name on but I will tell you that The SM isn't writing his name on the naughty list. He is teasing a certain little Henny Penny and writing her name down for her.

Mr. J knows better. He knows he won't live long enough to see coal turn into diamonds.

What is a pioneer village without a printing press? Not only were we shown how the printing press works but we were also given a Christmas card made on that press. A Christmas card that was the first card (print/design) made on that press and given to others many many many many years ago...........

In walking through the pioneer village and learning about Christmas long ago I learned that some things are different now......... and some things haven't changed at all. The things that haven't changed I am glad for because they are the very most important part of Christmas. The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the importance of family and loved ones spending time together.

The Best For Last...............

2011-12-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

I had to post this photo as we all got the biggest kick watching my baby sis' husband sitting on Santa's lap. He is well over six feet tall and not a tiny man. We wondered if poor Santa's legs were numb by the time Uncle T got done talking to Santa and telling him what kind of truck he wants for Christmas. He went on and on and on. You know how men are about their trucks. All the detail, the chrome, the leather..... Just kiddin'. My brother (no in laws in our family) is the kindest most giving of souls. I can guarantee he spent his time on Santa's lap trying to get Santa to tell him what he'd like for Christmas. His thoughts and concerns are always for others...

What I Want For Christmas Is.......

2011-12-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

The water balloon game. (We're still trying to figure out what that is.... we're hoping Santa knows..)

Is Santa not to be so scary.

That thing from Cabella's. The thing with the dog, the deer, and the gun, and the fishing pole... (she lives with a houseful of boys, no judgin' here.......)

I want an electric car with a remote control and with lights on the car. It's an alligator with six wheels. Three on the right side and three on the left side.

Santa said not to ask for girls so Mr. M settled for Lego's.

I want BYU to win all of their games this year.

Okay, it's like this. I want this really cool gun. It's called a Red Ryder BB Gun! (Santa told him he'd shoot his eye out........)

I would like to be warm again.

I want my children to be happy. (Hey wait! That's what I asked for......... copycat!!!)

I want. Oh wait! Look, it's a camera. Smile at the camera Santa!!

Okay, now I can tell you what I want. I want you to think that I am not as heavy as I am so I am going to just perch here while we talk cuz you seem to be a bit malnourished for a Santa......... Mrs. Claus needs to step it up in the kitchen. Just sayin'..............

It's Snowing!

2011-12-09T09:33:00.001-07:00

It's not snowing outside. I wish it were. We're having an unusually warm winter thus far. We want snow! So if it won't snow outside....... we're making it snow inside!

My baby sis came to visit and taught us how to make these snowflakes. Pretty fun.

Even Levi was able to make one with help. He is learning to cut things out with scissors and since this is just straight lines, he was able to cut some out.

Each snowflake takes six square pieces of paper. We like the different colors but decided we like white the best.

Here's a link to a tutorial on how to make these snowflakes. It's a fun activity in the evening for the whole family to do when the only other option is sitting around trying to decide who has the most lint in their belly buttons.

Drum roll please ........................ THE LINK!

Tis The Season

2011-12-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

We've been slow this year getting things up and going here as far as Christmas decorations go. Normally we would have already gone out hunting for the perfect Christmas tree in the entire forest and would have brought it home, set it up, and started putting up the lights and garland so that December 1st The Native's could start hanging ornaments when ever they did a service for someone else.

This year, we missed the window for when we were supposed to get a permit to cut down our tree so we have dug out the fake tree and here it humbly sits with several toy cars and airplanes tucked in it's branches where Mr. J has put them.

I've had a hard time this year, feeling like it is a sort of Charlie Brown Christmas.

Nothing has gone to plan thus far. I am realizing that this will be the last Christmas we will have together as a family before Mr. B heads out on his own. I'm feeling that frantic mother's pull of trying to slow things down and savor them.

I've been reading to the family each night Charles Dicken's, "A Christmas Carol" and like Scrooge, I want to say, BAH HUMBUG! Bah Humbug to children getting older and thinking they can leave the nest. BAH!

I am so grateful for this time of year. A time of remembering and reflecting on our Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the gift that He gave, His life. A life that started out in the humblest of beginnings. A life that was spent serving and loving others no matter who they were, because He knew and saw them for who they are, His brothers and sisters. I am grateful that even though my children will leave the nest, I know that this is the small picture. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have of an even bigger picture, that we are all brothers and sisters and that I will be with The Native's and The SM for eternity. I am grateful for the relationships that are formed here on this earth as I know they will continue far beyond this time that we have here.

I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and I will see Him again someday.

"God bless us, everyone"!

For Sale

2011-12-05T06:50:00.002-07:00

If you'd like to make your own, the pattern can be found here. (Click on the word here).

Another cupcake hat for sale. Youth size. $20.00

A Christ Centered Christmas

2011-12-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

I wrote this for a magazine article. It was sent back. Not published. That's okay. It's not fabulous writing. I think I wrote it more for me as a reminder. I posted it on my blog a year ago I think. I'm posting it again as a reminder to us all of what Christmas is about and to once again remind myself so I don't get caught up in the flurries/hurries of the season this year.

Carl Bloch painting

October 2008 found me in the hospital fighting for my life with what we would find out to be a chronic illness. A little over a week later I was able to come home to start the up hill road towards building my strength and immune system.

As the weeks went by and Christmas drew nearer I became more and more depressed. Christmas in the past had been such a magical time of year for our family of seven children ages 14 to 3. I would spend the entire month filling it with everything I could think of that would make it exciting for the children. Whispering behind closed doors, children giggling as they tried to keep the gifts they were working on a secret from each other, hours spent in the kitchen with flour dusting all surfaces while plates upon plates of goodies were delivered to friends and neighbors, and a cheery “Merry Christmas” sung out.

I lamented to my husband one evening, “How can I create magic for the children when I am stuck in bed and so weak? I can't decorate our house. I can't make plates of goodies for the neighbors, I can't even shop for presents for the children”! My husband was busy trying to manage the house being both dad and mom, plus work, and his church callings. He was doing everything he could and creating “magic” in my terms just wasn't possible. He assured me that he would do his best to take care of Christmas but me laying in bed fretting over something I had no control over wasn't helping me to get any stronger.

My husband was right. I was spending too much time focusing on everything I could no longer do rather than on what I can do. I decided then and there that it was time to focus on our blessings and that I was going to pull up my boot straps and this was going to be the best Christmas ever. I needed a theme. “A Christ Centered Christmas” came to my mind. Sitting in bed with my laptop, my excitement grew as I poured over ideas on www.lds.com. I prayed asking Heavenly Father for inspiration. I wanted this Christmas to be the best Christmas ever!

Slowly things started to come together. The Saturday after Thanksgiving as was tradition, my husband took all of the kids into the mountains and found the most beautiful evergreen tree in the entire forest and brought it home. He and the kids set the tree up putting on the lights and garland as I had asked, leaving off the ornaments. The only decoration we put up was the nativity. I wasn't able to put up anything more. I also had the kids dig out a wooden box we'd used in the past when the kids would dress up acting out the nativity. A box one of the wise men would bring his gift in.

Sunday evening the family gathered around my bed as I explained what I had been working on. We sang some Christmas hymns and after a word of prayer I told the kids about the ultimate gift the Savior had given to us. For the entire month of December in His honor we would give gifts to the Savior and after each gift was given, we'd place an ornament on the tree. The gifts we would give would be acts of service that we would perform through out the month. Each evening we would gather around the nativity next to the Christmas tree, sing a Christmas hymn, have a word of prayer and with the help of the Gospel Art kit read scriptures about the life of the savior, and then draw a slip of paper out of the wooden box. Our gift of service that we'd give the following day.

Each evening we'd talk about the acts of service we'd given and then draw out a new slip of paper that would have something written on it. Things that the kids could do together that they could do on their own since I was in bed and my husband was busy trying to keep on top of everything. Things like, “Go and read to an elderly couple in the neighborhood the “Christmas Orange” story and give them an orange when you are finished. Or Donate something useful (toys) to those who are in need. Or Surprise someone you know with an act of service (shovel sidewalk, sweep floor, make his or her bed) Or Make a Christmas card for the Bishop Or Write your testimony in a “Book of Mormon” and give it to the missionaries to give away.

Other acts of service were also recognized as the children caught onto the vision and did things for each other on their own.

As each ornament was placed on the tree and the act of service recognized, the spirit grew stronger in our home and our love for each other and the season grew. On Christmas Eve when the “Christmas Story” was read aloud and the children once again acted it out in front of our Christmas Tree, covered in our gifts we'd brought to the Savior over the past month, my heart swelled inside of me and I rejoiced. Our Christ Centered Christmas was the best Christmas we'd ever had. An entire month had been spent in the act of giving and we received so much more because of it. This truly had been, the best Christmas ever.

How To Cook A Thanksgiving Ham

2011-11-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read correctly. I said ham. Not turkey. I was asked to bring a ham to the family Thanksgiving dinner as there were a lot of people there and it was feared that turkey wouldn't be enough.

Before I talk about how to cook the ham, I must report on The Girls. Right up until a few days ago it was looking like Ruth wasn't going to pull her own weight in the egg laying business and if you recall, I'd told The Girls I was not having any lazy business. If they weren't laying by Thanksgiving we were going to have roast chicken instead of turkey! Well, Ruth cowed to peer pressure and joined the crowd and started to lay a few days prior to Thanksgiving.

I was talking to my baby sis on the phone and told her the latest in the The Girls saga and she told me that she was glad The Girls were all laying but knowing my luck, they would all lay clear up until Thanksgiving Day and then stop laying for Black Friday............... I told her she was probably right and not only would they stop laying but they would find a type writer, write me a letter, and force me to stand in line at Wal-Mart for a big screen TV so they could watch football games through out the holidays! As if sitting in a heated posh gypsy wagon isn't good enough!

Well, I can tell you I was NOT going to have any of that so I went out and had a talk with The Girls. Showed them who was boss. Showed them I was still top hen in this roost, yes I did! I'm so glad they saw things my way because they are at this moment out busily producing me some eggs instead of heading to the chopping block to be saved for Christmas dinner. A big screen TV indeed! Good thing I'm a tough old bird!

Cooking Thanksgiving Ham, Rachel style:

The night before Thanksgiving you come to the conclusion that if the amount of tired/exhaustion you are feeling is any indication of how you are going to feel the next day, then you are not going to want to get up early to make the glaze for the ham so best do it the night before so you can sleep in a bit. This is after several hours of baking so of course your brain is a little fuzzy. You must get that fuzzy part in there somewhere okay? Otherwise your ham glaze won't work!

The glaze is made and put into a plastic container tucked away in your fridge for the next day.

Thanksgiving morning arrives. You stay in bed for as long as possible coming up with all sorts of strategies on how if you eat your breakfast while showering, brush your teeth while getting dressed, stand all of The Native's in a line outside and douse them with a hose instead of them showering individually you can stay in bed for an extra 20 minutes!

Inevitably the time comes when you have to get out of bed and get to work. Because you've stretched things time wise, you are running around the kitchen a bit spasmodically. You grab the glaze you'd made the night before, throw it over your ham ignoring the fact that something doesn't seem to be right and tell yourself it is a good thing you made the glaze the night before because obviously your brain is hazy and not working that morning.

You go about your morning preparations and wonder why the ham isn't filling the house with the normal glaze smell but don't stop to analyze as you've a herd to get out the door in less time than you'd given yourself to spend the day with relatives.

At some point you realize you've not basted the ham and you better get to it. You open the oven and start basting wondering why your glaze is all thick now and doesn't look right but again because you're in a hurry and all hazy in the brain you shrug your shoulders and fly off to the next task.

As you are pulling out the things you'd made the night before from the fridge to be put into coolers you find a plastic container that has what appears to be the ham glaze in it only how can that be possible........ you already put the glaze on the ham. You open the container and sure enough! It's the ham glaze. WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I GLAZE MY HAM WITH????

The ham is yanked out of the oven as The SM laughs and tells you that the left over pumpkin pie filling that we were going to save and make more pies with......... he'd put it in a container just like my ham glaze container the night before, they were the same color, and filled to about the same amount. I'd just glazed my ham for about an hour in pumpkin pie filling.............

The ham was thrown into the sink and rinsed as best we could, the pan cleaned, the ham returned to the pan, and the ham GLAZE put on top of the ham. Back in the oven the ham went, phone calls made, we're going to be a tidge late, is everything okay?, Yes, everything is fine, thank you for asking, and then I go and crawl under my bed and suck my thumb.

And THAT! My friends....... is how you properly cook a Thanksgiving ham because the whole time you are eating it, you are giving thanks that the pumpkin pie washed off and your ham doesn't taste awful like you'd feared.

The End!

Faith

2011-11-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a mommy and a daddy who wanted to have a baby. They tried and tried for many years. It was a hard time for them. They prayed a lot and they exercised a whole lot of faith.

In not the too far future a little baby girl named, Faith (click on Faith to see the cutest wittle video ever!) will be born. I just got so excited for my niece and her husband I went a tad crazy with my knitting needles. I'm not sure which I like more, the sweater or the adorable ruffled leg warmers.

Cupcakes for sale!

2011-11-21T08:35:00.001-07:00

For Sale to one little cupcake princess. $40.00 + shipping. Size 6-12 months. All money I make on my knitting goes to humanitarian aid. Putting food on the table, clothes on the back, etc. of those in need.

Nature Deficit

2011-11-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

I have six boy Natives'. Not including The SM. When I am out working in the yard by myself or trying to do things that would be much easier for my boys, I am often asked why I am not making them do it. I look around and think, "Yeah! Why aren't they doing it"? Then reality sets in and I remember. They don't have time!

By the time these boys get home from school and do their homework, there isn't time! I tell myself that I have Saturday. Saturday I'll put them to work and then......... Saturday comes and they are off helping those in need with their projects which is good. Really good.

The Natives' start heading out the door in the morning for school at 6:45. The last comes home at 4:40 PM. Actually, the last comes home at 5:30 PM but that is because he is working after school for a few hours. Several of them leave when it is dark, and don't return until it is almost dark. I have concerns with this.

My complaining about not getting help around here on projects is not the root of my concern actually. My concern is all of the time our kids are having to be indoors! Education is really important in our house. Two of The Natives' had parent teacher conferences yesterday. They are both doing good, they are improving. I am pleased with this, but........... this is where my heart yearns to be able to home school The Natives' again.

Mr. M came running to me this morning before school. "Mom! Let me have your camera! The sunrise is amazing"! He sat in his bedroom window and took this photo.

I really think a large part of our childrens' education is being lost because our children aren't outside enough. It is a battle I am having right now internally and I am not sure of the outcome. There has got to be a balance!

Our nation is full of children who are struggling more and more with their weight. More and more children are being diagnosed with attention deficit. Children are spending less time out of doors exploring and being in nature. Less people are hiking, camping, etc. I really think there is a correlation.

In a perfect world, if I had my way, I would live on acres and acres of land up in the mountains raising and educating The Natives' at home. I don't live in a perfect world or have my way so I'm going to have to come up with plan B. I don't know what it is yet, but as a mother, I am not pleased with this part of The Natives' education. The outdoors/nature side of their education.

Mr. C's organ recital

2011-11-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Isn't this organ just beautiful?

Mr. C has been taking organ lessons for about three months now. Let me remind you before you listen to his piece that he has been only taking lessons for about three months.... A lesson every other week........ Not that I'm bragging or anything......... I wish I could have videoed his feet moving like sixty on the foot keys/pedals (not sure what to call them).

(Also in video is his amazing organ teacher turning the pages for him.)

By Small and Simple Things are Great Things Brought To Past

2011-11-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, I spelled the title of this post correctly. Past. Not pass.

Most wouldn't consider what I am about to blog about blog worthy but I can tell you that several years ago when I was introduced to this product and searched high and low for it, not being able to find it, if I'd read a post on it, I would have tracked the owner of the blog down and kissed their toes.

I'm talking about these:

I know. They don't look very exciting do they but let me tell you! I am excited!

A few years ago when I was in the hospital and having seizures non stop, showering/bathing wasn't an option so the loverly nurses would help me wash with these babies. They are a no-rinse self-foaming DISPOSABLE (yee haw) wash cloth.

When I got home from the hospital I wanted some. I needed some. I hiked the Himalayan looking for them. I crossed the dessert with Lawrence of Arabia. I even did the impossible. I looked under Henny Penny's bed in the hopes that maybe I'd find some magically. Nothing. Couldn't find them anywhere. Only hospitals could get them. VERY FRUSTRATING!!! I wanted some for Levi!

Having a child with special needs you need things like these. You would think with all of the people in this fabulous world of ours that things like this would be accessible to the general public so we could take care of our special ones in our lives needs. You would think.......... don't even get me started on the whole diaper issue after your child has grown out of baby diapers........

My morning routine with Levi is quite involved and can be down right so messy that even disposable gloves run and hide in fear and tremble.

My neighbor down the street, her son had a kidney transplant a little over a week ago. His sister donated a kidney to her brother. A very touching story which you can read about here on this blog as their mother has been keeping us all up to date. Well, when I saw that she had some of these suckers at her house from the hospital I made a fool of myself all gushy over them. My neighbor gave them to me. I felt like she'd given me her kidney!! She has no idea!! I did not.....fall down and kiss her toes. She already thinks I'm quack.

30 wash cloths in this package........ do I dare look on the Internet and see if they are finally now available to the public? Why not. I look and guess what?? Fireworks! Joy! Happiness!! Chocolate cake for dinner every night for a week/month! I found several sites that sell them. Oh happy day!

It doesn't take much to make this momma happy.........

Generosity Abounds

2011-11-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Mr. C along with several other boys and leaders in his scout troop gathered around while Mr. C gave them instructions for his eagle project. It was early, it was cold, and it was a Saturday. Not how most young men spend their Saturdays.

The boys were all given a map and a pile of fliers. For six hours!!! they went door to door explaining Mr. C's project and asked if people would be willing to donate items for hygiene kits, fabric for baby blankets (or baby blankets already made), and or money for a surgery table that is going to cost about $2000.00. If they were, their address was taken down and they were told the boys would be back again this Saturday to pick up the donations.

Frozen fingers and hands were warmed with hot cocoa and warm donuts and later pizza as these boys worked through out the day.

Last night the doorbell rang at about 7:30 PM. Mr. C was called to the door where a neighbor of ours said he had a truck load of stuff for him and would he help carry it in. I sent Mr. C along with his brothers out to help and then sat dumbfounded as box after box came into the house. Boxes of soap. Hundreds of bars of soap. Boxes of shampoo...... deodorant, tooth brushes, tooth paste, etc. were brought into the house.

I have found over the past few years as my boys have done these eagle projects that people are so generous and willing. Tomorrow Mr. C and a bunch of the youth in the area will go to the houses where people said they would donate. I am so excited to see what they are able to gather. On Tuesday night of next week the youth that have volunteered to help Mr. C are going to put all of the supplies into plastic bags that Mr. C will then take to Ghana in the spring.

So many times we look at the hardships in this world and wonder what we, one person can do.......

One 14 year old boy, with the help of so many generous people, can indeed, make a huge difference.

Keeping Busy

2011-11-11T09:28:00.002-07:00

I just got an e-mail from my mum wondering where in the world I am and what I am doing?? See? If I don't keep this thing updated then she starts to worrying.

I am happy to announce that I have been feeling great and so therefore, I have been busy!

Cleaning kitchen cupboards. GROSS!
Cleaning out my fridge. EVEN MORE GROSS!
Raking leaves.
Tilling gardens.
Exercising. GROSS!
Knitting leg warmers to match the baby sweater I made awhile ago. (Photos soon to follow).
Knitting a hat and mittens for a friends little girl.
Reading
Riding horses. (Kristen, we're due to go again......)
Going to the temple. (The temple? What in the world is that? Click here to find out.
Scrubbing bathrooms. EVEN MORE GROSS THAN MY FRIDGE!
More yard work.
Helping Mr. C with his eagle project and wondering how in the world I let him talk me into going with him to Ghana to deliver all of this stuff! Do you know how big the spiders and snakes are there??? GROSS!
Cooking
Helping The Native's with homework and school projects.

Told you I've been busy. And that was all in just one day! Riiiiiiight.............

Yesterday while I was washing dishes I sat looking out the window watching the little ones playing and jumping into piles of leaves. I didn't run and grab my camera like usual....... I just sat and watched........

Sometimes, there is something cathartic about just sitting and watching........... Levi loves to sit and watch The Girls.

Another Eagle Project

2011-11-05T22:21:00.000-06:00

Mr. C is working on his eagle project. Mr. T finished his so naturally we are starting on the next child in line. This is one of those things I didn't think through when I had The Natives so close together. Oops.

Mr. C is putting together hygiene kits for school age children in Ghana. In one of the photos below you will see the children in their 'school'. They do not have clean water, are malnourished such that their little tummies are distended, and their hair is an orange color because they do not have enough protein in their diets.

He is also asking for donations of either light weight baby blankets or light weight fabric that we can serge around to make baby blankets. At least 3/4 - 1 yard of fabric for one blanket. When babies are born the mothers do not have anything to wrap their babies in to bring them home. Also pictured below is the 'maternity' hospital. The desk where patients check in.

Any money that is donated will go to a surgical table in this maternity 'hospital'.

Our neighbor goes each spring to Ghana. She teaches nursing at the local University and takes several of her students each year with her. This last spring she helped put up curtains in the maternity wing. Before then, there were no curtains and the windows were on the busy side of the street making it so that anyone passing by would come to the window and watch these poor women give birth.

The conditions are so sad. Mr. C wants to make a difference and is asking for help. He spent six hours along with several in his scout troop going door to door today handing out this flyer explaining what it is he wants to accomplish.

Some of you have already donated. Thank you! If any others would like to, contact me in the comments and I will get contact info. to you. It's amazing what one young man of 14 years of age can do for others.....

The world being such that we live in all personal information needed to be blacked out for safety purposes for my son/family. If you'd like to donate, let us know in the comments.

From an F to a solid D

2011-11-04T10:43:00.000-06:00

Here are my first three batches of yarn. This is from the wool I carded and have now spun. Remember the icky wool. Amazing that it can turn into this.

First batch. Umm. Needs some work but could make a really funky scarf no?

Second batch. Getting better control......

Third batch. My teacher asked me what in the world I was doing trying to spin such fine yarn. I told her I had no idea! That was just how I was expressing myself artistically that day! I'd had a hard week and I was feeling a little strung out! A little thread bare..... The SM was out of town for work but he is back in town so I'm sure my next batch will be all nice and lumpy plump again.

Speaking of lumpy plump. Mildred decided this morning that she doesn't want to be Thanksgiving dinner so layed her first egg this morning. Quite smart of her I thought. She's laying an off white egg so now we've a brown egg and an off white egg in the nest.

I had a feeling that she was rethinking things when I went out and fed The Girls this morning. She was in the nest and when I asked her if she was going to get out of there and get some grub like the others she gave me a look of exasperation, turned her tail feathers to me, shoved her nose in the corner, and ignored me.

I thought I'd wait for her to do her thing and then I wouldn't have to make two trips out to the coop this morning (heaven forbid........). Man was I given a slicing look. She looked over her shoulder at me and I told her I was sorry and quietly closed the door and left her to her business in private.

Why she should get privacy is beyond me........... I've never had privacy when I'm bringing little ones into the world............. just sayin................ Next thing I know the chickens will be asking for typewriters and heated blankets........

I have a neighbor who has knit her chicken some clothes. I kid you not! Her chicken is naked. Funniest looking thing ever and funnier still to me that she knits it clothes.

For My Mom

2011-11-02T09:17:00.001-06:00

I have been having so much fun using my Mom's old spinning wheel!

I've been taking a class where I have been getting roughly a F minus minus minus. That would be a F triple minus. Well, I will have you know that I have improved my grade to about an F+ or D-.

Costumes

2011-11-01T09:31:00.001-06:00

Mr. M as.......... The scary assassin.......

Every Indian girl must have a pony.

Thankfully The SM knows how to draw because if I tried this Miss K would look like she had a big ol' bruise on her cheek.

Look close at the apron........... can you see it?? Kristen? Wabi? Jenni?

The cool thing about this costume is the piece of fabric in front, the apron. The SM got it down in Panama years ago when he was 19 from the Panamanian Natives while he lived there for two years serving a service mission for our church. The fan she has in her belt is also from the Panamanian Natives. Both are hand made. The beaded necklaces Miss K has around her neck are from Malaysia where my parents served an eighteen month service mission for our church a few years ago. The Malaysian Native's handmade these as well. Kinda cool!

The SM's parents just got back from serving an eighteen month service mission in Latvia. We're kinda proud of our parents for taking the time to go and serve others. Not to mention all of the nieces and nephews who have served and those who are planning on serving. All of The SM's brothers went on 2 year missions plus a sister of his. My brother and one of my sisters went on a mission. All of my and The SM's sisters spouses went on missions. All go to various parts of the country/world and serve. The even cooler thing is that they go when they are 19 (boys) and 21(girls), they pay for all of this themselves, and they do it because they want to! Can you imagine taking two years or 18 months out of your life when you are 19 or 21, often learning a new language, and from dawn till way after dusk serving others. We come from pretty good stock I'd say!

Sorry....... got a little side tracked..... back to the costumes.........

The tongue....... it came with the costume. The original Mr. Frankenstein always had his tongue sticking out.

Those would be pectoral muscles Mr. B is sporting.

Levi wanted to be Indian Jones! Mr. B is a walking foliage. Mr. T is a studious snow boarder. They do exist ya know........

"Hi! My name is Mr. Ed"!

Last Saturday Henny Penny and Mr. C went trick or treating on horseback. Cowboys and Indians of course!! The horse Mr. C is on is named, Kopper. He kept cracking me up with his tongue sticking out. Personally, I think the horses name should be Mr. J and should have a Frankenstein costume on.

The boy and his scarf that he hardly ever removes and so has earned the nickname, Scarf Kid.

I don't have a photo of Mr. C's costume that he wore for Halloween. He left for school before I had a chance to take a photo. I didn't realize he'd worn one. I was later told that he did indeed have a costume on. He went to school without his scarf! He wanted to see if anyone would notice....... That kid has the funniest sense of humor.

Also not pictured is The SM and myself in our costumes......... bummer. Kinda forgot to do that.

Signs

2011-10-31T10:05:00.000-06:00

"But I'm not hungry" "Hi" "NO" "yes" "to" "ok" "Can we sleep" "Home" "What's that?" "(translation needed on this one...)" "go"

One of the things that I loved about homeschooling The Native's was letting them learn at their own pace.

"Jadon can't play because he hasa headache."

I found if I didn't force something on them, when they were ready, they would dive in head first and I couldn't stop their excitement for learning.

"Have you done your chores."

I don't put my little ones in preschool. I like to keep them home with me as long as possible. My kids are the ones who go to Kindergarten and don't know how to read let alone their ABC's.

"I love mommy" (posted on my bedroom door)

I want them to be little children for as long as possible because in this world you can't go back. Our kids are having to grow up way too fast.

"I like everything in the world." "I like to play with my toys."

It doesn't bother or worry me that my kids start school a bit behind the rest of their peers because I know when they are good and ready they'll catch up.

(Besides all of his sight words on his bedroom door) "Can we go outside with Levi (more translation needed...)"

If I force them they won't love to read or to learn.

"I like to plays up Mario Kart."

I've seen it Native after Native and this Native who is in the first grade, he's just learning to read and write.

"I remember this."

Our house is covered in his writing and I'm excited for him as he sounds out words and explores the world of letters, sounds, and how they go together.

The signmaker himself.

He has also gotten excited about reading.

Can you tell the entire state of Utah has been under construction for awhile? It's even showing up in my house!!

How cool is it to have a child come to you with a bunch of books and tell you that they are going to read to you?

You can't even walk out the door without being stopped by construction signs..... umm, don't look at the dirty smears on my front door.

The nice thing is that Mr. J's school teachers understand and are supportive of my opinions. I realize they have rules/laws they have to follow but they have worked hard trying to make sure the learning environment at school is fun.

Halloween decorations and more signs that I'll need translated.

Since I can't home school The Native's right now that means a lot to me.

Does this Native look like he is hating the learning process?

The happier the child I believe, the more progress they make in their learning........ Just my humble opinion.

The End!

P.S. Good thing I don't have a "Martha Stewart" or "Better Homes and Garden" house!! I'd hate to be so wrapped up in my house that having these cute little signs taped all around (with massive amounts of tape might I add.... ) would be considered ugly and not in conforming with the decor... I believe in having a home for The Native's to grow up in. Not a house. There's a difference ya know.... Just another humble opinion of mine.

The End! For Reals!

Inspired Bicycles

2011-10-30T21:03:00.000-06:00

My boys showed this to me this evening. I found it to be incredible!

An Egg

2011-10-28T08:49:00.000-06:00

I consider my chickens, The Girls to have a pretty posh life. I feed them fresh good food everyday, I make sure they have water, they live in a penthouse gypsy wagon, and when the sun goes down and it starts to get cold, I provide them with a nice warm sauna to sit in.

All I have asked of them in return is to give me one egg. Just one egg! If each of The Girls gives me an egg then I can have six a day. That isn't too much to ask is it? Especially when one should add to the above list of things I provide for them, a nice clean environment. Meaning poo control....

The Girls haven't been holding up their end of the bargain. Every day I go out and check to see and all I find is a lonely golf ball in the nest box.

I had a talk with The Girls and told them that Thanksgiving is coming. I have been patient, I have cared for them, and either they hold up their end of the bargain or I am not apposed to having roast chicken for Thanksgiving in a few weeks instead of roast turkey!

Guess who got to eat the first egg from our Girls this morning for breakfast?

I think we came to an understanding. I found this wee brown egg next to the golf ball last night when I put The Girls to bed. Henny Penny is holding it next to a store bought egg so you can see how cute and little it is.

I'm glad The Girls and I had a talk.

Fall Break

2011-10-26T09:51:00.000-06:00

I was cleaning out some closets the other day and found a box with the date 1960 written on the side. It was covered in years and years of dust. I had no idea what was in it. My first inclination was just to toss it. If I haven't missed it in over 50 years then why open it. Curiosity over came me and to my delight I found these photos! They are of some family on a camping trip. By the looks of it, a camping trip during the fall. I'd go so far to even guess they were on a Fall Break of sorts. I am a historian you know. You didn't know that? Oh. Well. Now you know. I can totally pick up on these things.

Here. Let me show you. For example. This photo. You can totally tell there were three older boys in this family and by the looks of this photo they were scouting an area to set up their tents.

In this photo it is very obvious what is happening. In the background you see the Dad. Man I wish I knew him. He is really hot! Evidently he has more children than just the three older sons because here is another son pictured with him. Things were different back in the 60's. I can't imagine having as many kids as this dad has can you?

They just keep showing up! More sons!

Now from this photo we can tell that the temperatures are cold. The child in this photo is bundled up but not good enough because he has his hands warming over the stove. They didn't worry about hygiene and dirty camping hands around the cooking area back in the 60's. It's okay if you didn't know this already. Remember I'm a historian so I can help fill in the gaps of stuff you don't know.

Now this photo is very revealing. Most would look at this photo and think it is of a little boy jumping into a tent because he is freezing cold and you can tell by the angle of the sun that it is early in the morning. In some respects you'd be correct in assuming all of this but take a look at the next photo.

What really happened here is this child jumped into this tent with his shoes on and then got in his parents bed. Again, I'm the historian and I pick up on these little things that others might not notice. It's okay. If you practice you'll get better at this historian stuff too.

Alas, I was beginning to wonder but it does appear this is a daughter in this family of boys. We can see here that she is just waking up and by the looks of the way she is sitting she is contemplating whether she should go back to bed or not. This is key here. If this family weren't on Fall Break then we know she wouldn't be contemplating this. She would be getting up before the sun is even up and starting her day but this shot right here, she is contemplating therefore she is on Fall Break. Tricky stuff this historian deducing isn't it?

We'll use this photo here to again point out what the non historian would see verses the historian. Here it looks like this little boy has lightning shooting from his mouth. Not so. This is a little boy who is showing how cold it is by blowing out his breath and pointing out that you can see it in the cold. Now do you see it?

I just love seeing photos of families sitting together eating. I feel like I am right there with this family clear back in the 1960's eating warm pancakes and sausage smothered in their mother's homemade blackberry syrup.

You missed that part about the blackberry syrup didn't you? Quit looking at the steam coming off of the pancakes and look at what is in the oldest child's hand. I swear that man looks like he is handing those pancakes to me. These photos are so real to me I feel like I am camping with this family!

Now here is where being a historian comes in handy because again there are things that the regular person won't see. The regular person will see a young man who has just woken up and is stretching in the sun. The historian sees a young man who just got his rank of eagle scout in shorts and a t-shirt while the rest of his family is all bundled up against the cold. The historian sees this young man's clothes soaking wet from a dip in the creek the night before and being not prepared....... has nothing to wear but shorts and a t-shirt. Now, this is guessing on my part but I am willing to bet with all of those boys that the Dad in these photos is a scout master and wanted to thump his teenage son. Just guessing on that part...... but I'm willing to bet my historian life on it.

One would wonder if these are photos of before the camping trip on the way to the camp site or after on their way home.

Because of the smiles one might guess it is perhaps before and yet one might also guess because of the smiles it is after...... the next photo gives us the answer.

The dirty face, the fuzzy teeth, the wicked breath, and bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep clearly tell us that these were taken after the camp out on this families way home.

One Trip. No More. Even If It Kills Me!

2011-10-22T17:30:00.001-06:00

When I was a kid growing up in rural Montana, USA, one of my jobs was to haul wood for the wood stove. We had a wood shed up the back of the property where we stacked the wood. It had to be chopped and then hauled to the porch so it was easily accessible for my Mum.

I loved chopping wood. I loved slamming the sledge hammer down on the wedge and having that wedge go straight through a piece of wood cutting it clean in half.

I do NOT!!! Like hauling the wood to the house. I was bound and determined to make only one trip. No more. No less.

To make only one trip seems impossible since a wheel barrow doesn't hold enough wood to fill the wood box on the porch. Enter Rachel and her scheming mad wheel barrow loading skills.

I would take some wood that I could find that was long. Usually pinched from my Dad's wood shop. A couple of pieces of 2x4s or 1x6s. I would put them on the end of the wheel barrow that sits over the tire because we all know that is where you want the majority of the weight right? Not in the front by the handles where you are lifting. I would then proceed to pack that sucker so high and full I don't think someone over six feet could see over the top let alone scrawny short little ol' me.

The trick was you had to walk super slow and do not, I repeat, do NOT let that sucker tip over. The Native's use a wheel barrow that has two wheels. Mine only had one and was prone to tipping if not careful. In the event if it did tip and you knew you weren't going to be able to stop it then it was very important to make it tip with gusto. You helped it tip by shoving it really hard and saying words that if your Mum was standing next to you, you'd have to wash your mouth out with soap.

The wood would then be loaded back into the wheel barrow and once again a slow walk to the wood box on the porch where it would be unloaded in one, thank you very much, trip!

It never occurred to me that it might be faster and less painful if I just made a few quick trips with smaller loads...... One load. One trip. No more. No less.

I did some pruning today in my yard. I giggled and chuckled as I took some larger sticks and made my garbage can taller so I could load it up nice and high. One load. One trip. No more. No less.

Some things you never grow out of.........

Fly Like An Eagle.......

2011-10-18T21:25:00.000-06:00

This boy had his Eagle court of honor last Saturday. More photos to come later.......

This is where Mr. T thanked everyone in his life who helped him on the road to his rank of Eagle. Well, almost everyone. He was reminded from someone in the audience that he forgot one person which then made him go red in the face with embarrassment and I howled with laughter! Then when we came home I made him scrub my kitchen floor on his hands and knees with a toothbrush. Every tile he scrubbed he had to say, "I love my mommy. She is the best mommy in the whole world. I would be nothing without my mommy. I'm so grateful for my mommy".

Amazing

2011-10-14T18:39:00.000-06:00

When ever I use doTERRA's (doe tear uh) essential oils I am always amazed at how well they work. It seems too good to be true ya know? Those of you that use these oils know what I am talking about.

Mr. J has been home this week from school. Horrid cough, goopy nose, etc. Not fun. The other night at 2:30 AM he woke up crying. His ear hurt. As a mother, having a little one wake you up in the middle of the night with something like this can be frustrating. How to get a little one through the night until you can get to the doctor in the morning. Not anymore!

I took Mr. J and started applying doTERRA's essential oils on him. I used Melaleuca and Helichrysum. After I rubbed these oils around his ear inside and out, I put a few drops of Melaleuca on a small cotton ball and placed it in Mr. J's ear. (I also placed 2 drops of onion oil in his ear). I then took a heating rice pillow on his ear. After about 15 minutes Mr. J was ready to go back to his bed. His ear had stopped hurting and he slept through the night.

No more earache still two days later.

During the day I've been applying Melaleuca, Lavender, Breathe, Frankincense, and On Guard on the bottoms of Mr. J's feet. It's been less than a week and the gooky nose is gone and the cough is almost cleared up.

The Native's tease me and say it is my snake oil and call me a witch doctor. I immediately think of the scene in Princess Bride, "I'm not a witch I'm your wife"!

One of the Apple's of my Eye

2011-10-13T08:27:00.001-06:00

Mr. J's teacher showed me this on her classroom blog. Mr. J reciting the poem, "Way Up High". Try not to giggle when you watch it. I dare ya!

The little boy after Mr. J....... see his gappy grin? One of the many reasons I love this age!

Hike Anyone?

2011-10-12T09:35:00.000-06:00

A few weekends ago I along with all of my sisters and my Mum congregated in Montana for a Sister's Retreat. It's been a long time since we were all together. One of our adventures was a hike.
Wanna come and see it through my eyes?

Disclaimer: Horrendous lighting as the sun was mid day.......

I took this particular photo for Mr. B. My rock climbing boy. I wanted to see if he could see it. The rope going up this rock wall.........

Thanks for coming along. Your assignment, if you choose: Realizing I'm not a brilliant photographer..... which was your favorite photo and why?

Edible Bouquet of Flowers

2011-10-07T14:13:00.001-06:00

Idea for cupcakes found here at this link.

Every Tuesday night, I get to spend about an hour and a half with some young ladies who live in our area for our church. They are part of a Young Women's group and I am one of their leaders. This past Tuesday, they came to my house and we made some of these.

Loads of fun and very talented girls.

We made them for some families in our area who have had some miracles happen for which we are very grateful. One family who's husband/daddy was in a very serious motorcycle accident. We are so grateful he is alive!

Another family survived a horrific car accident. Again, we are so grateful they are all alive.

The family in the car accident wasn't home. We tried twice delivering their cupcakes...... we couldn't let our hard work go to waste so the girls took the cupcakes home. They're awesome like that. Willing to take one for the team.

The other family was home so we were able to deliver our edible bouquet of flowers. Happy day!

Happy day for Henny Penny who let Mr. M help her decorate the left overs.

And happy day for the rest of The Native's after Henny Penny and Mr. M got done decorating their cupcakes and shared them with all.

The End!

The Chef!

2011-10-06T07:16:00.000-06:00

Mr. T came home from school the other day and had five minutes to hurry and come up with a Halloween costume for a party he was going to. Yes, I realize that Halloween isn't for several more weeks....

This is what he came up with. He had me giggling as he jumped on his long board and boarded off to his party, head boppin' and glidin' along.... all smooth like.....

Random

2011-10-04T12:22:00.000-06:00

My toes need to be done again. The paint is looking less than stellar.
Yesterday I came home from taking The Native's to school and fell asleep for almost three hours! I think perhaps I may have been just a tidge tired...
I've found a new staple in my must have. On Guard essential oil. Add three drops of this essential oil to a 1/2 cup water and gargle several times a day. Do this the second you feel like you are coming down with something and amazingly, it goes away super fast. I think I'll bathe in it during flu season.
I'm supposed to have all of my carding of my wool done for class tomorrow. I'm no where near........
I'm supposed to have all of my wool spun on my spindle for class tomorrow. I'm no where near........
My chickens aren't laying yet. I'm gonna roast em soon if they don't start carrying their own weight around here and start being productive!
Mildred, the ugly naked neck chicken got her neck about bit off by another hen. I put vet wrap on the wound and then laughed my head off as she took off backwards around my yard thinking her head was in a noose.
It's supposed to freeze this week. I am happy. I am ready. I'm tired of watering my plants.
It's supposed to freeze this week. I need to hurry and get the last of my tomatoes picked before the freeze. I don't even like tomatoes...
Why do tomatoes and potatoes have 'toes' in them? Does that mean when we eat them we are eating toe jam?
I love having three bathrooms when The Native's are getting ready for the day.
I hate having three bathrooms when it comes to scrubbing them.
It is supposed to get cold this week. Did I mention that before? I'm excited. I get to fire up my wood stove!
The SM wrote me a love note. Time stopped as I read it and the world ceased to exist. It was just me and his words.
It's been over 19 years since we've been together... that's not random and it's not random that I am still madly in love with him.

Charge It Please!

2011-09-29T10:17:00.000-06:00

My Mum said the one thing she didn't like was carding the wool. A whole lot of effort and not a whole lot to show for it.

My last post I showed you the cleaning process. Which by the way, I found out last night in my class that I'm a little too zealous in my cleaning... I cleaned it so well there is no lanolin left. Some lanolin is good. Ahem. Oops. I can tell you with my kitchen smelling like a barnyard and my sink looking like a poo bath, I wasn't thinking about lanolin and preserving some. We're just lucky this isn't bleached wool....

So, here is my wool all dry and clean except for a bit of hay and grass seeds and...... no poo thank you very much.

Next step is to use this puppy. Looks like an evil torture device doesn't it?

There are two of them. One for each hand. This way I can comb Henny Penny's hair and one of her brothers at the same time in the morning. I'm all about multi tasking.....

You put your cleaned wool on one of these suckers. Those of you that are professional carders...... no mean comments please. I'm learning here! If I remember correctly, this is called, "charging the card". If you ask me, I like my way of charging the card better........

Going in the opposite direction with your other torture device you start to card away. The idea being you get all of the fibers going in the same direction and all the funky gunky out of your wool. That's the idea. Not sayin' that's what's happening here......

Pretty cool eh? My arms, shoulders, and muscles don't think so......

This is not a closeup of my wool. It's a closeup of the wood. That is some cool wood grain. Sorry, I got side tracked. It happens.

When you think you're done or you're just plain tired and your arms are begging for mercy you take the wool off of the little wires and this is what you end up with.

A whole lotta...... ummm...... well....... okay maybe not a lotta....... I begin to see what my Mum means.... Great. Chalk up another point for once again my Mum was right. I hate that! Well, unless it comes to The Native's and The SM. Then I'M always right.... it's a smug feeling.

After your wool is carded then you can do all sorts of things with it. You can dye it, you can start to spin it. This week we're learning to spin on a drop spindle before we learn to spin on a wheel. All I can say is name any war in history and it's got nothin' on what has been going on between me and this stupid spindle. I am bound and determined to conquer it though!

As for the carding...... I think Thomas Edison was brilliant when he invented electricity. They make electrical carding machines........ they're kinda pricey though so in the meantime, I'm building some killer muscles in my arms. By the time I'm finished with this venture, I will have mongoid muscles and will have dead on aim throwing the spindle.

The End.

P.S. The warped thing about this whole story... I'm actually enjoying this process....... now THAT'S scary.

King Poo Sheep

2011-09-27T09:09:00.001-06:00

I've been wanting to learn how to spin my own yarn for quite some time. Months ago, my sister brought me our mother's old spinning wheel so I could learn to spin on it. Go to this post to see a photo of the spinning wheel. I find the idea of learning how to spin on the same spinning wheel that my mother learned to spin on romantic. My mother bought a spinning wheel kit back in the 70's, sanded, stained, and put it together.

The idea of using this spinning wheel is romantic to me, what you are about to see, is not.

I signed up for a class, and my first one was yesterday afternoon. I was given a bag of sheep wool and told to clean it before our next class where I would then learn to card it. How hard can that be?

First, you pull out a chunk of wool and start to pull it apart a bit. I decided to do this outside as dirt, grass, hay, and who knows what else tends to fall out onto what ever surface you are on. I didn't want any of this on my kitchen table........

I'm pulling the wool apart here a bit. Separating the ends......

Aside from the disgusting poo, notice how yellow the wool is. That is the lanolin. After washing, I was told the wool would be white. I was skeptical but, it really does turn white after he lanolin is melted out!

I go to get some more wool and.... is that what I think it is?

Great! Just fabulous! My bag of wool apparently is the bum end of the deal and all that goes with it. Yup. That be poo. I am paying big bucks to learn how to pull poo off a sheeps bum wool.

After all of the wool is pulled apart and the poo taken care of, it is time to get the water in my sink as hot as I can possibly stand putting my hands into and I put the wool into the water. I am to walk away for 10-15 minutes. In that time, the natural oil on the wool called lanolin which holds onto all of the dirt, grass, poo, etc. etc. and more disgusting etc. will be melted off.

What in actuality happens is the water in your sink turns a putrid color of brown which looks like you are washing a bunch of horse poo instead of sheep wool and your kitchen/house smells like it too.

After the 10-15 minutes is up, you transfer your wool to another hot water bath that has a bit of soap in it. Let it again sit and then rinse your wool in another sink of hot water, and be amazed that what was once really disgusting and brown is surprisingly kind of white!

Do this a few times and then take your wool and set it out in the back yard on an old towel to dry making sure to fluff it here and there from time to time....

And that, my friends........ is how you wash sheeps wool right off the good ol' sheep itself. Next time..... I want the neck or body. Teach me for having to do a make up class and getting what was left. Talk about a bum deal!

P.S. Yes, I did wash my sink after really really good and disinfected it.......

A Baby Girl Please!

2011-09-19T11:52:00.000-06:00

Pattern for hoodie can be found here.

Now do you see why my niece has to have a baby girl??? Come on Mae Mae! Auntie Madussa's innards are dying for you to have a baby girl!!

I used Plymouth Encore DK sock yarn for this sweater. (Or jumper if you are Jenni.)

Wait until you see the leg warmers I'm making to go with!

Sneak Peak

2011-09-16T10:03:00.001-06:00

Here's a sneak peak at what is materializing on my knitting needles at the present moment. I couldn't resist when I saw a little sweater hoodie in a baby size. I love hoodies so when I saw this itty bitty thing, can you all just say, "OHHHHHH"! with me?

I think my inner desire that is having a hard time letting go of this phase in my life is coming out with my knitting and selling of baby items.............

Topaz. The end. Cuz It's Getting Creepy

2011-09-15T09:53:00.004-06:00

Mr. B is into rock climbing. He has been for over a year now and goes several times a week. When ever he goes, I hold my breath and pray he comes home in one piece without his brains bashed in.

There is of course an easier way to climb up but...... being the climber that Mr. B is.......

Mr. M and Mr. T have found natural lazy boy recliners in the flow of the lava rock.

I think the rock swirls here at Mr. B's feet are cool looking.

He made it! Feeling quite manly while he's at it I'm sure........

Mr. T wants a go of it while the rest of The Native's and The SM explore the top of the lava flow. They took the more natural route up.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch................. Mr. M continues to kick back and eat cookies whilst the rest of the troops explore. And this, is right when all photos of found topaz were forgotten to be taken because it was then, that I looked down the mountain and saw that our little white dog was hurt. Badly. I took off and yelled at The SM to help the little ones down as I was abandoning ship and jumping into troubled waters to rescue said white rat.

Yes, I call this dog the white rat. I am holding her here as her poor little back leg is trembling, her heart is beating like sixty, and her eyes are rolling around in pain. She'd walked through a fire ant pile and one had embedded itself in between the pads of her little paw and was biting her repeatedly. I had to use tweezers to get the dang thing out. Her little paw was bright red and she was in a great deal of pain.

Thankfully, we brought our first aid kit with us so we had tweezers and some essential oils to put on the spot and then I rubbed her ears and face with lavender to help her relax and calm down. It took her most of the trip home before her little heart beat started to slow down and her leg quit shaking. By the time we got home a few hours later, she was able to walk on her leg, albeit a bit stiffly, and by the next morning she was fine.

So THAT is why there are no pictures of The Native's and their topaz finds and now for the creepy part.

I posted Part Two of this post and then and clicked over and read the news and this was the top headline for the day!!! TOTALLY CREEPY!!! Glad we only found topaz...........

The End!! Thank goodness...........

Topaz Mountain Part 2

2011-09-13T09:36:00.002-06:00

After much climbing and searching, Mr. T made a find.

Not what we'd originally been looking for but a find never the less.

And then it was lost.

It was so funny watching Mr. T trying to find and catch lil' lizard on his back. Twisting this way and that like a puppy trying to catch his tail.

Mr. J wanted to hold it so it was transferred to his little hands where it promptly jumped off.

Recaptured, it was entertainment for quite some time for the little ones.

The SM cooking us some beef stew for lunch.

The SM is a pretty handy man to have around. He can not only cook us a yummy lunch butt he can also take care of what happens after lunch.

It's the law of physics don'cha know. The SM is good at dealing with the law of physics.

Lunch over with, The Native's went back to digging around. Mr. B said he'd found a big piece of topaz and it was going to take him awhile to dig it out.

I can see what he means........

Yup. It is going to take him a long time to dig it out.

At this rate, he'll be here all day and night! Nothing like a little after lunch siesta......

"Look at my cute little pet snake"! We hear Levi yell this to us. Both The SM and I yelled at him not to touch it. Mr. T jumped up and ran like sixty to Levi to make sure the snake wasn't a poisonous snake.

Not poisonous but disgusting all the same. Be proud of me for getting this close to get a shot of it. Shudder.......

The storm clouds move closer and closer....... the day starts to come to a close. The Native's load up all of their topaz they've found along with some sticks and a whole lot of dust and we begin the drive back home.

Happy day. The one thing I didn't get any photos of........ The Native's topaz.

I'm lame like that.

Cupcakes

2011-09-08T09:32:00.000-06:00

When one has a cupcake hat...... one should have matching mittens don't you think?

Pattern for cupcake hat can be found here.

I'm in love with this set.

Topaz Part 1

2011-09-07T10:00:00.000-06:00

Monday was a holiday here in America. Labor Day. A day in which if you ask The Native's, is a day in which we honor our mothers who labored to bring us into this world. I make no effort to educate them any differently.

The Native's didn't have any school and The SM had the day off from work. We loaded up in the truck and headed to a place called Topaz Mountain. Named thus because apparently, the mountain and surrounding area is made from lava and filled with topaz and other gemstones.

Food, hammers, chisels, screw drivers, anything you could pound into rock, and more food. Roger that. We're off!!

We found a nice secluded spot to picnic and park the truck. The Native's took off in several different directions. Mr. T and Mr. C took off up this hill just sure they'd find a gold mine of gemstones at the very tip top.

Mr. M and Mr. B took off and climbed this one. That tiny little yellow speck in the middle of the photo is Mr. B's shirt.

Mr. C and Mr. T have made it to the top. The only evidence is the two of them yelling random words out to the entire of state of Utah and laughing their heads off as it echoed back to them.

The SM showed Mr. J, Henny Penny, and Levi some rocks they could pound on close by so we could keep an eye on them.

The sound of all of these guys pounding rocks up this little draw sounded like gun shots going off echoing back and forth.

The rock in this area was fascinating to me. Such a dull grey color but nature put some blush on their faces to brighten things up a bit. It was an overcast day so the grey everywhere seemed all the more grey.

Mr. J hard at work.

Levi doing his best to crack the entire mountain in half.

Not a gemstone. Not even close. Warning! Do not pick up or move any rocks with your bare hands! A scorpion.

Henny Penny cracked me up. Her pink purse clutched in one hand and a hammer beating the tar out of rocks with the other.

If this doesn't describe my baby girl, I don't know what does.

Mr. M and Mr. B still hard at work on their side of the hill

Mr. T and Mr. C coming back down for some grub. Hiking up while yelling their heads off has made them hungry.

Levi is trying to split a rock in half.

This is actually pretty impressive for him. This requires fine motor skills so for him to hit the screw driver like this, I was proud of him! I just need to make sure he doesn't try this at home on things I don't want split in half!

NOT, the end........

Another Hen. A Red Hen.

2011-08-31T09:36:00.001-06:00

After The SM had finished building our Gypsy Wagon or Taj Mahal of Poop or what ever we want to call it...... I felt that the space above the door needed something. I knew exactly what it needed.

I emailed my good friend Korrie and asked her for one of her signs. As you can see, she quickly obliged me.

Korrie and I grew up together. In separate towns, so growing up together as best as two girls can with that sort of distance. She lived across the street from my grandmother. No sweeter family could live across the street and care and watch over my grandmother than Korrie's. It just so happens...... my brother made the best and smartest decision in his life when he married Korrie's older sister, who is now my sister too. Our family adores my brother's wife. He couldn't have chosen better.

Korrie is a very talented, artistic, and brilliant lady. She refinishes furniture and when you see her work, it just amazes you! Her blog is called: Red Hen Home. Click on "Red Hen Home" and go and see for yourself. Brilliant I tell ya. Just brilliant.

I Heard it Through the Tomato Vine.........

2011-08-30T07:56:00.001-06:00

So, I was rollin' along whistlin' a tune the other day. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out, I was gettin' sun ripened by the blazing sun... Mindin' my own business naturally.......

Next thing I know! I come across a sight. A spectacular sight that took my breath away and made my heart go to a thumpin'....

It's a baby cupcake hat. You knew that already right????

It was love at first sight. Couldn't be helped...

Pattern for cupcake hat can be found here.

Rumor has it through the tomato vine that the Mrs. has some time on her hands these days and has got the notion in her head of makin' more baby hats and the likes, and leg warmers, and matchin' sweaters, and is gonna try and sell em.

I hear she's a titch crazy.............

An Opinion. Mine.

2011-08-29T09:13:00.000-06:00

I love to dance. Because of where I grew up, the only dancing I did was around the kitchen and out in the fields to my own beat and style. I remember at one point kicking my leg up and next thing I knew I was howling in pain as my ankle bone came into harsh contact with the edge of the kitchen counter.

Taking part in formal dance instruction wasn't an option living out in the boonies so I twirled my way around the fields for years. When it came time to pick my career for college I knew what I wanted to major in. Dance. Period.

Life and circumstances being what they were, that didn't happen so I still continue to dance around my kitchen and yard to my own beat and style occasionally bouncing off of cabinets and such as I lose my balance and make a fool of myself. I said I love to dance. I never mentioned I was graceful.

The SM knows my love of dance so he looks for opportunities to take me on dates to different dance productions.

A few weekends ago, he took me on one such date. When he told me where we were going, I was excited. The talent would be superb. Dancers from the area who have moved onto bigger and much in the lime light careers were coming back to put on a performance. Many of these dancers dance for big name shows and have won page long lists of awards.

One of the great things about the location of this production was that it was in an outdoor theater and we could come an hour before the main show, sit and eat our dinner picnic style, and watch a pre-show of young local dancers.

We found our spot up front and cozied up with our food and each other. Enjoying conversation around mouthfuls of food our attention was brought to the stage as the pre-show began. What beautiful costumes! I couldn't wait to see what such young talent would display for us. Food forgotten, I sat ready, as the dancers found their spots and struck their pose before the music began.

The music began and my stomach immediately wanted to reject what I'd just put in it. I sat and watched beautiful young girls move their bodies in such a fashion that I wondered when they were going to bring out poles for the girls to dance around. The music, inappropriate talked about things these girls ought not to be thinking of at their age, an age where boys still have cooties for heaven's sake! As the girls danced, the audience whistled and shouted out to the girls. Shouting out encouragement.

When the dance was over, I was dumbfounded. There is no way on this earth that I would allow my daughter to participate in such a production.

The next group came on and I looked at The SM and wondered what on earth the parents and the production company were thinking! No older than five years of age. Most younger I would guess, came trouncing onto the stage in a get up that had me stunned. Little girls dressed up to appear like ladies of the night, bloomers that gave the appearance of garters on their thighs, and a dance fit to go with the costume. Little girls!! Innocent little girls pumping their hips and bodies in ways that should have made the audience blush and be uncomfortable. Instead their was loud whistling, calling out, and clapping.

Here is where I give my opinion. After the pre-show was over and the real show began, which was tasteful by the way, The SM made the comment, how sad it was that the young girls in the pre-show got louder applause than the main show itself. I sat looking around at the parents of these young girls and wondered how in the world, they thought this was so darling and cute..... and we wonder why our society is crumbling morally.

The End. Literally.

The Gypsy Wagon

2011-08-27T09:01:00.000-06:00

Several of you have asked about the coop. The gypsy wagon which houses our ladies. Which by the way....... I need your help. I need to come up with a name for our coop. Somehow having a coop that looks like a gypsy wagon for our ladies requires a name.

Original plans for this coop were bought from this site.

I can remember the horrendous job and mess it was cleaning out the chicken coop growing up. I am a lazy person by nature. If I can figure out a way to accomplish a task with as few steps as possible, I'll do it. So, the meaning behind the madness. I want the fertilizer in my gardens. The experiment. Can we make a portable chicken coop that will fit inside my square foot gardens.... Why yes! We can. We built these gardens at the beginning of the summer and had grandiose ideas that they'd be filled with rich dirt and full of abundant plants this fall. Well, the garden boxes were built and then other things took precedence. It's a work/experiment in progress.

There's supposed to be paving stones down in between the boxes and around them too. In a few weeks those will hopefully be put into place.

Where else can you see chicken poo up close and personal? You're welcome.

This is the first class penthouse apartment where the ladies spend their evenings and hopefully will be laying their precious eggs. That's if they figure out the golf ball I put in there is supposed to trick them into thinking it is an egg and they'll figure out that is where they are supposed to lay........ that's what my reading on the Internet tells me anyhow... we've yet to see an egg...... and the golf ball...... is missing......

So back to the original question, if there was one..... The ladies and I need to know what to call their transportable five star hotel! I'll pick a winner. Who ever wins, will get their fortune told by these ladies. For free!!

They've been telling me mine all week and so far, they've been cluck and cackle on.

Dissolving

2011-08-23T10:16:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was INSANE! No time to miss The Native's.

Today.........

You Can Take A Girl Out of the Country.......

2011-08-22T13:03:00.002-06:00

But............. You can't take the country out of the girl.

First day of school for all of The Native's. It's NUTS! I get up a half hour before The Native's so I can have some hot water to shower with. Half hour is up and it is time to start to make the rounds getting them all up for family prayer and then the ragged/rugged race begins.

First Native out the door at 6:45 AM to catch his bus. Second out the door at 7:30. Levi catches his bus at 7:35ish. Next two Native's leave with The SM at 7:40. Last two I walk to school at 8:30 unless it is the first day of school and Levi's bus is a half hour late and we are sitting outside trying to placate a very upset child who doesn't do well with A) change and B) late buses! Since this happened, I ended up taking the little Native's to school quite, as one of their teachers put it, fashionably late! Like a good ten minutes late! Carrying Mr. J the last little way because his legs were hurting from having to run/walk so fast so far.

All of The Natives tucked into their schools, it is time for me to run to the high school and then the junior high because somehow, for some reason, I've still not paid for their lunches. Not before however, I remember that the chickens don't have any water. So I clean their water hangy thingy drinking thing-a-ma-bob and jump into the truck and whiz off to the schools to pay for lunches.

Lunches paid for, it is time for the 'Marts. A few last minute school supplies and gifts for upcoming birthdays. Guess what else the 'Marts has to offer? Pedicures. Yeah. You heard me right. After my freak-a-zoid morning, I plopped myself down into a chair and told the gal there to give me the works. Then, and only then, would I think about shopping............. after my toes were all gussied up.

I sat there chatting with another lady about Vegas and culture and......... did I just say Vegas and culture in the same sentence? She'd taken her grand kids to see "Phantom" in Vegas. That's where the culture comes in..... don'cha know.

My toes all purdy and my feet feeling all sandpapered and chiseled off from a summer of going barefoot I was ready to put on my shoes and get some shopping done. The gal doing my toes reached down and picked up one of my flip flops and............... Yeah. That would be chicken crap on the side of my shoe. She didn't even bat an eye. She acted like it was an everyday occurrence. People coming in with chicken poo on their shoes.

Turning all sorts of red shades of embarrassment I slapped my shoes on and giggling ran out of that part of the 'Marts dialing my baby sis on the phone......... yet again............ only me............. No matter how hard I try, I'll always be the one with my skirt tucked up in my panty hose or toilet paper stuck to the bottom of my shoe....

There was a huge chunk of chicken poo on the side of my shoe. When I got home, it had fallen off which means only one thing. Somewhere in Wal-Mart there is a big chunk of dried chicken poo probably in the cookie aisle where I spent most of my time wandering up and down trying to decide what kind of cookies I wanted to buy, I mean, Henny Penny wanted for her birthday tomorrow.

The End!

I'm a Freak!

2011-08-11T22:09:00.000-06:00

On Monday the realization hit. Some of The Native's start school next week. I have been freaking out ever since. I sat The Native's down and declared this Rubow vacation week. We may not look like we are on vacation but we are. Our house would be our hotel, our kitchen our restaurant, and so forth. I then grabbed a piece of paper, wrote on it, and placed it on our front door.

I am freaking out because this is the last year I have all of The Native's home. This is Mr. B's Senior year. Next year, he will go on a mission for our church and be gone for two years. His brother Mr. T will follow suit a year and a half later and so on. It will be YEARS before we're all together again.

So I freaked out and told The Native's I get them all to myself this week.

We've been busy spending time together. We've spent hours playing board games around the kitchen table.

We spent the day at this place and this is one of the things that we did. I say 'we' loosely. I sat and took photos.

This will be the first time in almost 18 years that I will be home alone during the day.

I should be celebrating and thinking of all the things I'll do with my time.

I'm not celebrating. I'm freaking out.

So if I come across a little snappy and selfish with my time with The Native's over the next year.......

I should apologize but I'm not going to.

I'm a desperate freak of a mother who's chicks are leaving the nest...

and I've got my tail feathers in a real bind.....

I'm having a bad hair year.

The End.

Hair. Who Needs It?

2011-07-29T11:01:00.000-06:00

I was talking to my baby sis yesterday on Skype and drooling over her new hair cut. Cute. Short. Sassy. It happened. It always happens when I see cute short haircuts. I start playing with the idea of going short.

What do you think? Me? Not bold enough?

What about this one then? Too bold for a stay at home mum.

Oh the natural curl! Such a thorn in my side!!! I guess I could go with it and look like this instead of flat ironing everyday..........

The possibilities............

Of course, if I were to cut my hair..... I'd have to wait until The SM went out of town and then blame the wood stove for burning off my hair again.... I wonder when he is leaving next...........

I Dare Ya

2011-07-28T10:59:00.000-06:00

The other day The SM scooped Levi up in his arms and was squeezing and hugging him. I had to grab my camera and try to capture the moment of pure joy and laughter erupting from Levi.

I dare ya to try not to smile when you look at these photos of The SM holding Levi.

No. I double dog dare ya!

The ultimate dare. I triple dog dare ya........

Much Ado About Chickens

2011-07-26T09:50:00.002-06:00

This is one of the first photos taken of our chickens. The object of this post is the one which is front and center. The white one, Ruth.

Remember this photo? Henny Penny and Ruth spending some quality time together. Well, here's the deal. From the get go, I've never liked Ruth. I'm sorry! I admit it! I. Don't. Like. Ruth! Something just didn't sit right with me. Now, before you get your feathers in a ruffle, I am NOT prejudiced but it bugged me that Ruth looked different then the others. She was aggressive too. I don't like aggressive. I like harmony!

Take a good look at Ruth. Anything look 'odd' to you? For all of you chicken experts out there...... remember, this is a YOUNG going to be HEN. I'll give you a hint. Look at her comb. Yeah. Thaz right. COMB! When she was new, I called the chicken farmer guy who I bought these from and told him HER comb just didn't look like the others.... Don't worry he tells me, he's been doing this for fifty years. He knows boys vs. girls and I've got a girl chicken.

I hang up the phone and am still bugged. I don't like Ruth. Ruth is obnoxious. Ruth is worse then a high school cheerleader who is full of herself. Ruth is acting more like, like a........ LIKE A HIGH SCHOOL MR. POPULAR JOCK! Struttin' around and acting all cocky. Hmmmm, why are male roosters called cocks? Why are teenage boys called cocky? Ya foller me?

So, Saturday comes around. I'm outside and........... THE THING STARTS CROWING! I looked at Ruth all narrowed eyed and told her, "Honey! You've got gender issues"! I put Ruth in a box and drove off to the Farmer's Market. I found my chicken farmer guys and pulled Ruth out and asked if this was a rooster or a hen! A rooster....... I put "Ruth" back in the box and triumphantly ask if the head honcho chicken farmer would be home that day so I could exchange the impostor. I am assured that yes, Mr. Owner of Chickens will be home all day.

I was babysitting my darling little grand nephew that morning so it was later in the afternoon before I could box "Ruth" up again to take back to his original dwellings. I drove up. No one is home. I sit and wait an hour. I won't bore you with the details but it involved me waiting a long time, throwing "Ruth" back in with the other chickens at the farm and driving home only to return a few hours later for my what I hope is going to be a hen this time.

Are you bored with my story yet? Let me tell you! If someone had told me before that I would spend so much time observing chickens and lose sleep over them I'd have told them they were nuts! If they'd told me I'd spend the entire weekend with my nose two inches from the chicken wire watching to make sure the new hen (who we think is adorable by the way) would survive the pecking order ordeal I'd have told them they were crackers!

If someone would have told me I'd be taking Mildred, (Levi's chicken, the naked neck vulture looking one) and would be putting her in time out because she won't quit pecking the new Ruth, I'd have told you, you were insane! By the way, Mildred is in time out this very moment....... again. Personally, I think she feels inferior with her lack of feathers on her neck and is quite jealous of Ruth's plumage...... they being teenagers and all.

I know what it is like! I started going grey in high school! I kid you not! If I were a teenager going bald...... well....... I'd probably want to peck the popular captain of the cheer team too! Especially if she was blond and had great hair.

If someone had told me that I'd go and check on the chickens and find our new one missing and then in a frantic search all over the yard would find this in the front yard......... I'd have told them that they were probably and most likely right.

I promise. It isn't a dead rubber chicken. It's just two girls taking an afternoon siesta. P.S. Notice the comb.......?? Looks much more henish doesn't it.

Two Little Ladies

2011-07-21T13:22:00.001-06:00

The other day as I was sitting outside in the shade of our aspen trees, I looked over and saw this:

Heny Penny and Ruth

Tough Enough To Be A Girl

2011-07-20T12:03:00.001-06:00

In this house

When you are the only girl

Surrounded by a lot of rambunctious boys

Ya gotta be tough!

Chicklets

2011-06-26T18:40:00.001-06:00

The long awaited moment. The moment you have all been waiting for! The debut of our new baby chicks!

Isn't he just adorable? We were told that chicks need to be left in the house for about six weeks before they can go outside. In the evenings, they need a heat lamp.

We decided on a more modern breed. Instead of a heating lamp, some Wii nun chucks.

Isn't this just the most adorable chick you've ever seen?? AND!!! It's potty trained!

Drum roll please...... Our little ladies have arrived. As is the case with just about everything I do, not without a story. Allow me a moment to tell.

But before I do, notice anything funky about one of our little ladies?

Now? Hideous isn't she? I can't believe I let the chicken seller guy talk me into getting a bare neck chicken. Her name is Milly. Milly is short for 'Mahana you ugly' (From the film Johnny Lingo). The chicken guy said she'd be a conversation piece. I don't know about that but I will tell you, Levi picked her out and she is his.

Hi! My name is Alice. I am very content to spend hours sleeping on Henny Penny's lap.

The story: Once upon a time, there was an old lady who lived with a lot of shoes and didn't know what to do. One day, she decided she wanted chickens. Three years she waited and when this year came around, she declared it thus, this was the year of the chickens!

This is Ruth, or as Mr. J says...... Roof.

She was told by many that when she got the baby chicks they would need to be in the house for six weeks in a box under a heat lamp. Being told thus, she figured that not having a chicken coop wasn't a problem. In the six weeks that the baby chicks would be inside, the old lady and her sexy scout master could build the chicken coop she'd dreamed up.

This little lady is named Liza. Mr. M calls her Lizzy.

The day arrived. The sexy scout master was off with....... the scouts camping. The little old lady hopped in her car and took off to chicken land. When she arrived, she was told by the head chicken honcho that no, she didn't want new baby chicks. She only wanted hens, beings as she lives in town and isn't allowed to have a rooster unless she wants the constable breathing down her neck. Little baby chicks have to be pullets before you can tell if they be hes or shes.

The little old lady picked out the chickies she wanted and headed home but not before calling her mother to let her know what she wanted sung at her funeral. The little old lady knew that when the sexy scout master got home from his camping trip and saw the chickens and not baby chickies, feathers were going to hit the fan. WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT THEM???? No hen house..... minor detail.

The little old lady thought of all sorts of ways she could soften the blow. Hide the chickies. Nope. That wouldn't work. Stand in high heels with nothing else on but the chickies tied together making a feather boa. Nope. Not worth it........

The SM drove up and the little old lady grabbed the first chickie she could and with a brave face went to meet her doom. She failed to notice she'd grabbed the one that looks like a vulture...... it didn't help her cause. Where in the world did she dredge up that thing? What was it? A turkey? Did she catch a wild baby turkey?

Reality television at its best.

I have bragged many a time on this here blog about what a saint The SM is. The end of this story is proof. I'm still here to tell the tale and the chickies are stashed in the rabbit hutch until their high rise pent house can be built.......

Milly and Levi

We've six little ladies. When I called my baby sis and told her we needed to come up with some names, she had a fabulous idea. The names are:

Alice and Henny Penny

Milly, Dorcas, Ruth, Liza, Sarah, and Alice.

Here's a hint as to where the names came from. If we had seven...... the seventh would be named Martha. If we had seven...... we'd have to find seven brothers.

The End!

The Sweater

2011-06-22T11:11:00.000-06:00

Can you still call it a sweater if you make it to curl up in it like a blanket with a good book on a chilly evening? Because that is why I made this particular sweater. It's big, bulky, slouchy, a hoodie, and down right comfy.

Where's Waldoofus

2011-06-17T10:53:00.000-06:00

Dear Mum,

It's only been a few weeks since school was let out for the summer. It feels like it has been months. Having Levi home from school has been hard. He misses school and is out of sorts. I'm trying to keep up.

Projects aren't going according to plan. When do they ever? I know. I'm back to not letting Levi out of my sight for two seconds and when I do for one reason or another, the neighbors are either calling or coming over to let me know that Levi is into trouble again. I've no idea what I would do without my good neighbors. I am truly blessed. I honestly think it is going to take a village to raise and keep Levi alive. I just hope I'm still alive to see it happen!

We've been spending some time at the local swimming pool. Levi loves and thrives in the water. A bit too much. Last time he was repeatedly scolded for going down the water slides head first. The poor life guards don't know what to make of Levi. After me talking to him and trying to explain to him why he can't, I think he's got it....... we'll see next time we go.

All of the other Native's are doing well. They are finding that mum making them read for an hour a day isn't so painful after all.

I've just about got a sweater finished that I've been knitting for a few months. Just knitting the pockets and will sew them on. When I do, I'll post photos. I do believe I just might actually keep this one and not rip it all out and re-do! A tender mercy.

Well, Levi has just informed me that the toilet he has been flushing (I don't want to know what toy has now been sent to the city.......) won't flush and is 'flowing'. Time to once again get out the plunger and plunge my sanity down the toilet along with what ever else Levi has tried to flush.

Love,
Doofus AKA Fungus

Yum! And Simple/Easy Too!

2011-06-13T08:46:00.000-06:00

I know if I show a picture of a to die for EASY TO MAKE dinner, I better share the recipe. Since I am all kinds of wonderful, I will.

Recipe:

Wake up and have a craving for something barbecued. (Okay, flavored.... I don't know how to use the grill.) Go to your freezer and find a big chunk of meat. Throw it in a crockpot. Go and find a recipe and realize you don't have any of the ingredients. Go to Cost-Co and buy red potatoes and carrots. Call your friend on the way home asking if you can have some Dr. Pepper because you don't drink any and don't want to buy a whole six pack of the stuff. You just want one can! Since one of your Native's is at her house playing, ask her to send that Native home and dump in the Dr. Pepper in the crockpot on top of the meat.

Come home and start to mix the barbecue sauce ingredients. Realize that you should have bought more ketchup. Coax what little ketchup you can out of your almost empty container. Jump up and down trying to shake out the last little itty bitty drop. Grab some Worcestershire sauce and realize you've made the same mistake. Add extra bottled barbecue sauce to compensate.

Throw the wet ingredients and veggies on top of the meat in crockpot only to have it fill to over flowing and not fit because every recipe has to be doubled/tripled with all of the Native's that you feed. Go and grab a roaster pan and dump all contents in the crockpot plus the extra sauce in said roaster pan and pop it all into the oven where it sits and cooks for several hours.

See? Very simple!

I just love simple recipes. Makes my life so much easier......... pant pant..........

The real recipe:
6 small red potatoes, cut into quarters
6 med. carrots,cut into 1-inch pieces
4-5 lbs. meat (Doesn't matter what kind. I used pork.)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 bottle (28 oz.) barbecue sauce
1 Cup ketchup
1 Cup cola
2 TBL. Worcestershire sauce

Throw it all in a crock pot, cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours. Serves 8

We've gone to the quacks!

2011-06-11T10:44:00.000-06:00

We're babysitting this week. This little ducklings momma and siblings were attacked by a dog. This one was rescued just before it suffered from the same fate.

It's family is out of town for a week so we are babysitting. The Native's have been carrying it around for hours everyday. It really is quite cute and when you put it in the tub or pool, it dashes and dives about, and leaves us all giggling.

Levi begs to hold it all of the time and with supervision is able to. One day, one of his brothers helped him take it out to the pool. The older brother didn't realize he needed to stay with Levi and supervise. I was sitting in the house and seeing the older brother in the house and not with Levi I ran outside in a panic. None too soon. Poor little duckling was bedraggled and shaking unable to walk. I feared the worst. Broken legs maybe and soon to follow dead duckling......?

I wrapped the duckling in a towel, heated up a bean/rice bag and proceeded to dry off and warm up the duckling all the while saying multiple prayers.

Happy ending. Duckling is still alive and thriving. No broken legs and doesn't seem the worse for the repeated dunking Levi put it through.

The ducklings family get home tomorrow. Just in time for us to get our own........ baby chicks! The SM begins the work on the building of the chicken coop this week! Praying that chickens are as hearty as this little duckling when it comes to Levi...........

2011-06-07T08:56:00.000-06:00

It's summer break. School is out. Translation: Levi is no longer in school for several hours a day so I am on high alert all day. Not much time to blog or read other's blogs even though I've much to talk about........ like Levi's latest. Ripping up every shred of newspaper he can find and leaving it all over the house and yard.......... And I don't even subscribe to a newspaper! But the postman makes up for that with all sorts of newspaper ads almost everyday and what Levi doesn't find in our own mailbox....... he finds in others.........

The Native's think I am hateful and punishing them. I told them that they had to read for an hour a day which normally isn't hard as we are all book lovers in this house but...... here's the kicker....... I told them for that hour they had to read a book from a list I have. The rest of the time they read they can read from what ever other books they get from the library.

Mr. T had his underpants in a real twitch last night as he went stomping off. Great! Now reading becomes a punishment. That list of books is old! That list was published clear back in the 1980's! The only good book on that list is the "Lord of the Rings" books. Guess I'll just read "Lord of the Rings" all summer! (Can you just hear me giggling at this point? More like an evil cackle.)

It's a list of classics, good literature, no twaddle, books that have substance/meat to them and don't talk down to the reader as most books of today do. Dumb down books. And....... the first publishing was in the 1980's CLEAR BACK IN THE OLDEN DAYS but it has been revised and lo and behold, there just happens to be some books on there that are more recent that, well, okay, maybe this isn't such a stupid list after all. There might be a book or two that Mr. T can endure the summer with.........

I love it when I'm right. Punks!

It's About A Horse....... With No Name

2011-05-30T11:51:00.000-06:00

Rockin' at The Rubows.

Why yes, I am bragging!

2011-05-27T12:24:00.000-06:00

The e-mail was sent two nights ago after all were in bed asleep. Yesterday the Internet was down and a busy morning with end of year school stuff. By the time I got the e-mail, it was closer to noon of yesterday.

With all of the rain we've been getting and the snow pack that is still yet to melt, we are flooding all over the state of UT. As we have watched the river get higher and higher we've kept our fingers crossed that some how, a miracle would happen and it wouldn't swell it's banks.

The e-mail. A friend's husband is out of the country, she is leaving in two days, she's just been told by the city that the area where she keeps her horses (where The Native's take horse riding lessons) is going to be under water. Sand bags need to be filled. LOTS of sand bags need to be filled and put all around the hay and tack sheds. How in the world is she going to do this herself with three young children. Could any of us possibly come and help.

When you get an e-mail like this, you drop everything, you grab a task force (The Native's) and you run. It was Mr. B's last day of school. Early out. He and his friends were going to spend the day going to the movies and what not. I called and asked if Mr. B and his friends would be willing to come and help. Sure! No problem! Filling sand bags, tromping through knee deep horse manure was exactly how they wanted to spend their day instead of playing.

We arrived out at the pasture at 1:15 PM. Mr. T, Mr. C. Mr. B and his four muscly teenage friends. We worked for 45 minutes until Mr. B and his friends had to run to the movies. They'd already bought their tickets before I'd sent the cry for help. In that 45 minutes, they'd filled and stacked about 100 sand bags. One time around the sheds.

I had to run to the school to see Miss K's talent for the fourth grade talent show. I left Mr. T and Mr. C out at the pasture with Kristen and literally ran into the school all the while noticing that I had horse manure smeared on my hands and feet. Nice. I sat in the back of the room. The WAY back of the room.

Talent show over I grabbed Miss K and her brothers Mr. L and Mr. M and we headed back out to the pasture where we spent the next 4 or more hours sand bagging.

Mind you, Mr. T and Mr. C had been there for several hours already.

Here's the incredible thing. In raising these boys, I've worried that living in town, I wouldn't be able to teach them how to work. Really work. And not only to work hard but to appreciate and enjoy working hard. Yesterday, watching these boys with weariness etched all over their faces and bodies continue to laugh and joke the entire time, never complaining, I was proud. Extremely proud.

Mr. M who is twelve (and a small 12 at that) was shoveling bag after bag full of sand. His arms were hurting. I kept asking him if he wanted to switch. Hold the bag while I filled. Nope he said. He wasn't going to quit until the job was done.

Mr. C and Mr. T who hauled bag after bag..... I kept wondering how much longer they could go on. On they went. These bags are 40-50 pounds of wet sand.

Four hundred and fifty bags of sand. That is how many bags we filled and laid down. Geneva and her three small children were right in there. Think about it. Four hundred and fifty sand bags filled and stacked and here are the ages: 4,6,7,9,9,10,10,12,14,14,15 The majority of the sand bagging was done by these kids. Mr. B who is 17 and his friends did about 100-150. Geneva, Kristen, and I were the adults with The SM coming in to save us the last hour. I say save us, no one stopped though. Everyone worked until the last bag was filled and stacked.

Now THAT is worth something to brag about. In my not so humble opinion.

Oh! And photos..... yeah..... well....... I didn't take any because I was too busy standing in my flip flops with horse manure up to my ankles making the teenage boys who came with Mr. B disgusted. All I gotta say is, my feet and flip flops will clean easier and faster then their tennis shoes, socks, and jeans.

Appearances

2011-05-25T22:15:00.000-06:00

It would appear that I am not reading blogs and commenting when in fact, I am. Several blogs I am not able to comment on. I find this VERY frustrating and can't figure out why I can on some and why I can't on others.

Ready Aim Fire! Another rainy day activity.....

2011-05-24T14:19:00.000-06:00

It's raining........ still.......

Old cardboard boxes + creative older brothers = hours of fun pretending to blow up everything with a tank

Oh Flarp!

2011-05-23T10:49:00.000-06:00

Having a son with special needs has led us on an interesting search for those items which he will think are stimulating. Items which he can play with that will stretch his mind, help him to be able to focus better, and well...... entertain.

Little did we know when we came across Flarp, just how entertaining that would be. Do you remember the days of the whoopie cushion? Flarp is the whoopie cushion times sixty.

It's gooey, Levi likes the texture, and most importantly, Levi likes the sound.

A few years ago, I took Levi to a horsemanship clinic with me. We sat in the bleachers along with a bag full of goodies to keep him entertained. I'd found some Flarp not knowing what it was. I thought it was just some gooey fun slimy stuff that he'd enjoy holding in his hands.

We're sitting in the bleachers with people all around when all of a sudden I hear this noise that would make anyone go red in the face and start to hold their nose wondering who'd messed their britches!

Levi and I were off a bit by ourselves and he was playing with this stuff where others really couldn't see it. People probably thought it was me and my red face a dead give away! I tried to be the lady and ignore and focus on what was being taught but being the mature adult that I am, I'd start to giggle and then I'd straighten up and get a hold of myself only to have Levi make the Flarp rip another that sent me into another fit of giggles......

The SM recently bought Levi another container of Flarp. Levi's four older brothers spent a good half hour last night howling with laughter as Levi kept making the Flarp........ well......... FLARP! I could not get over how immature they were behaving! I mean, come on. The first time I'll allow a giggle. The second time...... maybe......... but a half hours worth?

What is so funny about bodily noises? And why in the world would it compel a full grown mother to walk in the kitchen where her teenage sons are bent over with laughter and join them is beyond me.......

Ready Set GO!

2011-05-19T16:55:00.000-06:00

I'm ready for it to stop raining and the sun to shine again..........

Indexing

2011-05-18T11:14:00.000-06:00

On days when I can't do much of anything but lay around, it is hard to feel helpful in anyway to society. A few years ago, I was introduced to Indexing. What is Indexing? Basically, it is where you help record world wide records such as census, birth, marriage, death reports, etc.

Last night I recorded a batch of fifty names that were from the early 1900's. A census report from Indiana, USA. I get a kick out of recording the married couples ages. Apparently back then, they weren't as wrapped up in age as we are today!

For those who are interested in their family history, a lot of times they look to these records to find their ancestors. When we Index them, they are made available on the web. How cool is that? There are hundreds and hundreds of folks like you and me sitting at their computers everyday Indexing. Trying to get these reports published so we can find our ancestors.

Wanna do a test drive? Here is a link:
https://indexing.familysearch.org/newuser/testdrive/testdrive.jsf

Who knows, you might come across a name you recognize. A few weeks ago, I came across an Italian name and their immigration records to the USA. It was the same last name as some Italian neighbors of ours back in Montana while growing up. Makes me wonder if they are related........ Kind of fun!

Indexers are needed from all over the world. There are a lot of records out there that need recording. Do we get paid for this? No, not in monetary value, but it sure leaves me with a warm place in my heart knowing that maybe a name I typed might be the link someone is looking for in helping them to find their ancestors.

Gratitude for Aspens

2011-05-17T13:56:00.000-06:00

Dear Mamma,

I know. I've not been writing again which sets you to worrying. I keep thinking that tomorrow I'll feel better and I'll write a fabulous blog post to let you know that I'm up and at em' and all is well.

I'm like a wood chuck. I pop out of my hole and make a peep here and there when needed but quickly dive back down into my hole before some irritated hunter comes along and blows out my brains.

I'm sitting here in my recliner looking out the window. It is grey and overcast again. The wind is blowing. I can see the Aspen trees dancing in the wind, their leaves like spinnerets on a tambourine. They remind me of the Aspen trees we had back of the property around the pond growing up. I used to love to sit and watch them as a child. They looked like gold coins to me as the sun would catch them fluttering in the breeze.

The branches made perfect bows and arrows for playing cowboys and indians. I wonder how many of those poor branches we cut off making our weapons. When we'd peel off the bark, it would feel so smooth and slippery underneath, the wood a pretty off white.

We tried attaching chicken feathers to our arrows. We weren't so good at it. I suppose since we really were aiming at each other, it was a good thing our arrows never flew straight.

I planted these Aspen trees in my yard because I remembered enjoying watching them so much growing up and listening to their music. When I planted them, I had no idea that the future would hold many hours with me laying here, watching my trees out the window. I'd say that was a tender mercy don't you?

So, don't get to worrying about me momma. Even when I'm down, I'm not down. I'm surrounded by too many things to be grateful for.

Love,
Rachel

Oh Hark! A Lark at the Ren Fair

2011-05-15T22:05:00.002-06:00

But to see it....... you'll have to................. Click here!

Thinking Happy Thoughts..........

2011-05-12T11:01:00.000-06:00

It is still raining here. Not literally. The sun is out but inside my body it is stormy so, I am going to put up our hammock and go and lay in the sun and let the outdoors be a balm to my soul and reflect on the goodness of God, family, and friends.

Mother's Day

2011-05-11T08:10:00.000-06:00

Dear (the best) MOM (in the world)

I thank and love you because,

1. You took the time to ground me, spank me, put sope in my mouth, sent me to my room, gave me

chores, etc..... because I did something wrong and you diciplined me which

made me the man that I am.

2. You took the time to love and raise me and take me to school, fix dinner for me everyday etc.....

Happy Mothers day!

P.S. I love you

It's Raining Again.......

2011-05-09T10:45:00.001-06:00

Life isn't about waiting

for the storm to pass....

It's learning to

Dance In The Rain!

Is this better Natalie? Or does it still look like I'm standing in a cow patty? ;)

Nature. I'll Get Back To It Later.

2011-05-06T12:00:00.000-06:00

We've been studying flowering trees all week and to end this edition of our nature study, we went on a nature scavenger hunt yesterday. Hopped on our bikes and hit the river trail.

Find a small wild flower. What color is it?

Okay, we realize that this little cute purple flower is actually really evil in disguise as I wrote about in this post but it fit the criteria so we put a check in the box. Done.

Oh look Mr. J! There's a little purple one. I put on my breaks, put my feet down, and SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAM!!

I about my foot down on it. See it?

I about messed my britches.

I'm all about nature study. Getting close to nature.....

But if you ask me, and I don't care if you did or not, I'm still gonna give my opinion..... this was a little too close.

Shudder..... I hate snakes.......