Sunday, December 27, 2015

Yarn!

I can't remember how long ago I received a good sized bin of yarn and other accessories from my grandma. I used some of the Aran colored yarn to make a blanket for Dizzy last summer, but had not dug that deep into the tub.

I was downstairs looking for something else last week and got the wild hair to go through the tub and see what all was in it....

That was an adventure!
 I need to take up knitting!
 Partial projects. I wish I knew who she was starting them for and what they were going to be!
 Miscellaneous supplies
 The chunky yarns
 The multi-colored yarns
 White-ish yarns
 Doily or bookmark yarns
 Instructions-some hand written and others typed.
 Miscellaneous colors
 Solid colors
And we had a yarn thief who ran away with two small skeins (I let him have those two little ones, he shared with Minnie)

So now I'm trying to decide what to do next (besides more baby blankets for new babies) and have put several knitting books on hold to see if I can figure out how to knit without an instructor trying not to laugh at me. We'll see. I'll share some pictures of the early attempts....

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Hello!?!?!? I'm back!



My apologies for the long delay between posts. I lost my dear Gram in October and came home from her funeral with bronchitis and exhaustion. I'm slowly recovering (yes, two months later~yuck) and decided it was time to get back in gear.

October was tough, knowing my Gram was failing fast from Pancreatic and Ovarian cancer. It was a blessing when she passed out of pain and is now in Heaven, dancing with Grandpa. It was a beautiful funeral and wonderful to spend some time with my cousins, some of whom it had been years since I had last seen. It was also doubly difficult, as The Boss was not able to make the trip with us, due to a pre-scheduled work trip that overlapped. Had Delta Airlines been a little more accommodating, he could have gone, as his first layover was two hours from where the funeral was in Minnesota. But, they have their rules and while I don't agree with them, I had no choice but to accept it.

November brought the Boss and Bean a successful hunting trip, both bringing home deer to fill the freezer. The Boss's is the only one we have gotten into, but it is a very mild venison, and I have been able to eat it. Ever since I was pregnant with Bean, I have not been able to stomach the smell or taste of venison, so it is a pleasure this year to not have any issue with it! I'm hoping that Bean's will be the same way. 

It also brought another loss of the Cat/Griz game for my beloved Bobcats and the loss of their entire coaching staff. Next  year should be interesting. I might even make an effort to make a game!

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my mom and did a great big chunk of our shopping that weekend. I can say there is only one gift left to buy (maybe 2) and most everything is wrapped under the tree. This is a first for me, I'm usually wrapping like crazy the week of Christmas. 

The downfall to being on top of things for the holidays is the three little turds, I mean cats, that reside in the house. I think it may be just one cat, but Mr. Mickey has climbed the tree (but not since I put decorations on it and have the lights on) and opened three gifts, one of which I have had to completely re-wrap. Minnie thought about trying to eat an ornament, but didn't like being sprayed with the water bottle, so has quit. Someone has taken an ornament off the tree, but only one and I'm hoping maybe we bumped it moving around the tree. Maui seems to be ignoring it, but for all I know, she's the culprit!

We're less than three weeks away from the beginning of the gymnastics season and Dizzy has been out of practice for a month with back problems. Thanks to an awesome Physical Therapist, she is on the road to recovery and headed back to practice tomorrow for the first time. It will be a light practice, no tumbling and just getting her feet back under her on the low beam and bar, but at least the pain is much less!

Tater has already started softball practice for the spring. I can't believe it, but she went to her first pitching practice today. We'll be in softball April to July this year, including some travel. Thankfully it is after gymnastics season is over and last year didn't make too much of an overlap on her brother's track season. She did most of soccer season and her travel softball tryouts with a broken toe, which made things interesting!

Bean has been biking and on the elliptical already working out for track season, as there is too much ice and snow to be outside running.

The Boss is working a bunch of overtime and I'm just chasing everyone all over! So basically, nothing new on our end!

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!

Monday, October 12, 2015

Busy couple of weeks

Well it's been a busy couple of weeks.

Tater has finished her soccer season. Broke her toe about four weeks ago, but managed to not miss a game.

Her big news is that she made the travel softball team. Had to go through a grueling two hour tryout and everything. Did it with a broken toe and didn't complain until it was over. It was 6:01 on Friday night before the email arrived. Nearly drove her crazy.

Bean has one cross country meet left this week. He's done amazing this year, shaving off some good time the last couple of meets. He went under 19 minutes two weeks ago and well under 20 last week. This mom couldn't be prouder!

Dizzy continues to work hard at her gymnastics, getting her ariel this last week.

I managed a weekend away for work, but had some beautiful scenery to walk through during my breaks.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!



Thursday, October 1, 2015

Tea time

Two weeks ago, after a drive to Missoula to watch Bean run cross country (2 hours each way), Tater and I attended an American Girl Tea party at our local library.

She and McKenna had fun with a friend, but it was very busy and there were no treats left.

So I found myself cleaning last weekend (and wiping out my back) so she could host a tea party of her own.


The dolls had a great time and Tater and her friends spent a lot of time beading. 


We dug out the good China for tea time.


It was a lot of fun and I suspect that more tea parties will be had in the future.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!





Monday, September 21, 2015

Kindness


The Boss mentioned he wanted to try the new Red velvet milkshake yesterday.

I had to run to town, so stopped to get him one on my way home.

As I walked in, the gal at the counter had a shake in her hand and asked if I wanted it. Okay, it was an Oreo shake and I had been debating between that and a chocolate shake, so accepted the Oreo.

As I was trying to find the correct money in my wallet, the gentleman behind me ordered two ice cream cones. As it was taking me forever, I offered to pay for his cones.

It shocked the gal behind the counter and she asked to shake my hand. The gentleman behind me offered me money to pay for his cones. I wished them both a good day and headed home to surprise the Boss.


Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief-even if that mischief is paying for someone else's ice cream!

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Routines

And no, I'm not talking about gymnastics routines this time. There was that moment when the music for Dizzys floor routine came on during a booster club meeting this week and we all shuddered!

School is back in full swing and we are finally finding a routine. I'm adding in tutoring next week, but otherwise we are into our fall.

Cross country is midseason, soccer is in its second week, church classes have begun and now I'm adding in tutoring sessions when I can. So far I've left Monday nights alone and am fighting for them to stay free. If I add in tutoring, I'm shooting for early meetings and to have a night at home with most of the family.

Was home with a sick Tater today and was able to watch all the Sponge bob I could handle. Maybe even more, since I have had a great pair of workouts today. I'm at over 178,000 steps for the month-shooting for 300,000 with my friend and fellow blogger Knottyneedle.

Did get a nice shot of the view from the front door of my happy little home:



Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Walking

Today is day 6 in a row that I have managed over 10,000 steps. I've been challenged along the way by a couple of friends and we are all upping our daily totals.  



I helped my friend Judy and her family finish moving on Saturday. Bean and Dizzy came along-Bean as muscle and Dizzy to help with Lady K the two year old while we hauled boxes.

The smoke is not friendly but I did go out walking last night. It was cut a little short by my persistent stalker. 


I went out again tonight without my helper and enjoyed a little only slightly smokey air. 

Bean has his first cross country meet on Tuesday and has the Red/White scrimmage last week. No one had a good run with the smoke, but he had a three minute improvement. I'm eager to see what he can do with clean air.


That's him in the orange socks and bad tan lines (new shorts for the season and they are definitely shorter than the old ones!) I'm still not certain if he was on the red or the white team...

Here's to a rainy week.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!


Wednesday, August 26, 2015

First day of school

It was Tater's first day of school today. She was a bit annoyed that her older siblings don't start until tomorrow, but was ready and raring to go this morning. A bit of sadness when The Boss took her for me today, but I managed to get over it. She is now a fourth grader and one of a handful of conflict managers for her school. She is very excited to have been chosen and I can't be happier with the teacher she has this year.

While the older two enjoyed a day of fun, Bean getting to sleep in and Dizzy meeting up with some of her besties for an end of the summer bash, I met a good friend for lunch and did some shopping. 

I brightened up my bathroom a bit.

Tomorrow will be more of a challenge, as I have to get all three out of the door by 7:15, but another year has begun!

I'll try and post a quick report of the boss's reaction to the new curtain tomorrow.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!


Sunday, August 23, 2015

Ouch

Helped a friend move today. Bean has been a rock star, helping as well.

My back hates me right now. I can't imagine they're feeling any better.

We got all the big stuff done and as much of the smaller stuff that we could stuff in the extra space in the truck.

I may have left my phone in the apartment, requiring a run back to unlock it and rescue it. 

Came home to the boss having smoked ribs and they were fantastic.


I'm off to take a hot bath and soak some of the back pain away.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Memories

Last week we did something that we have talked about for a couple of years.

Ten summers ago, as we found out we were expecting Tater, we purchased a 2003 27-foot Keystone Hornet travel trailer.

It served us very well, but as the family grew up, it was no longer large enough for us.

Monday night, the Boss posted it on our local Craigslist. Less than three hours later, we had an email with someone interested-even with the awning still hail damaged. We had the parts but hadn't had a chance to try and replace it.

After we had a couple of crazy days and the new owners were unable to find anyone to put the new awning on this summer, we spent a peaceful evening with friends as they helped us replace the awning. 

The next day, as I was returning home from work, I waved and maybe teared up a little as I watched it leave down the road.

So, farewell Hornet. I hope your new family has as many great new memories with you as we did!


Now we have to find a new one... I like that about as much as I like car shopping!

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!

Monday, August 3, 2015

Organized

My friend and fellow blogger, Knotty Needle, shared a link to a challenge for August. It was to take time every night to create a to do list for the next day. 

I agreed to give it a try and promptly forgot the first night. So this morning I took time to create a list of my day. It was way too long, but that is part of the challenge, to learn to prioritize daily tasks.

While grabbing dinner tonight(pizza), I found a new weekly planner. I have a pocket sized monthly one in my purse, but this one gives me room to make my lists.


I also discovered I have blue grass in my yard...
And my flower pots are popping with color:

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!



Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The strangest things


I washed Beans sleeping bag today since he's off to a Youth Group Mission trip this weekend. In said sleeping bag I found some underclothes. 

How in the world? 

That's all I want to know.

What strange things have you found in family members laundry?

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Bribes

I was at lunch today when one of the young men I tutor walked in with a large handful of the mini York peppermint patties. 

Hands down my favorite candy.

I may have made a comment about difficult math problems coming his way if he ate all of the candy in front of me. I was -mostly-kidding.

Across the table comes this...

I think it will be an easy tutoring session today!



Thursday, July 9, 2015

Rough week

After a long weekend with the bitty camper shower, I was looking forward to my shower at home. 

Monday, couldn't make it work at all so had to shower in the boys' bathroom. Spray is not adjustable and sent soap repeatedly into my eyes.

Tuesday I managed to get the spray to work but it leaked terribly.

Wednesday was good, the Boss fixed all the problems.

Today was met with my toothbrush base missing. Seriously? I need a vacation!

This afternoon leaves me with a cranky cat, a big project due Sunday and no motivation! 

Dizzy is babysitting three days this week, Bean is babysitting and working all weekend I'm pretty proud of them both. 

Enough procrastinating, need to get the gift done for the shower on Sunday!

Pretty poppy from my flower bed.


Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!

Monday, July 6, 2015

July 4th fun

We spent the long weekend camping with family on the hi-line (or tornado alley in Montana).

The first couple of days were hot! 

Thankfully we had the creek to play in.

Dizzy made a new friend:

The Boss convinced me to go on a hike with him to where he camped in high school. It'll be an easy hike he says. LIAR!!!!

The flowers were pretty.

The rest was straight up and down the side of a mountain.

Dizzy and I got to soak our piggy toes though!

Instead of fireworks on the 4th, we had lightning, thunder, heavy rain and hail. 

Tornadoes touched down around us (we had no clue). Things weren't too bad at camp, but town was hit hard. My in-law's home lost some plants, had the rain gutter torn off the house, bbq grill tipped over and garbage cans all over the yard (and this was just on a quick walk around).

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to manage some mischief!









Thursday, June 25, 2015

Vacation day 8

So I didn't post yesterday because we didn't make it back to the motel until today. Late game with long transit ride means tired kiddos today!

Yesterday began with us nearly forgetting our baseball tickets in the rental car. Got that squared away ( and figured out how to do transit passes) and we were off!

First was a visit to the Chicago Theater.
Then I found a great cornerstone.
Then to Millennium Park and the giant bean. Enjoyed lots of fun flowers in the park. I want to plant some of them for me next year!
Then we found the fountain.
They're starting to act like each other!

Lunch and then I sent the family up Willis Tower and had an hour to myself. I sat in a park and read after a quick milkshake break.

After a couple of wrong turns, it was off to baseball.
Then back to the motel with a day of over 16,000 steps. I'm feeling each and every one of those steps today! We are off to the museum today.

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be sure to stop and smell the roses!