Dreams

I was in another state, my daughter was with me and we were in a little market buying a couple of bottles of water. The cashier rang up the water and said "You will get $18.12 back if you pay with a twenty." So I thought to myself "that must be his way of telling me the water was $1.88." I proceeded to pay and the cash register was facing the wrong way and the drawer opened towards me, where I could just take the money out of the drawer.

Then I woke up to my alarm.  Why in the world would I have dreamed a dream like that? Sometimes I can correlate my dreams to something that has happened in the day, someone I have seen, an object that has been in my path....I could find no reason at all for having this dream.

The next night, I dreamed that a group of us girls were on our walk. We walked by this big house that was a vacation home and the owners were rarely there. We all wondered why they were never there. it is a big, nice house. One of my friends said, "Well, I have a key, we could go look inside." At that very instant, a phone rang from inside the house if it were on cue. It wasn't a normal ring...it was very loud. Then we saw a shadow of a man in the window. He was holding a fishing pole and he wore a fishing hat with a feather in it. We all instantly got scared and ran for the rest of our walk.

Strange! Why do we dream what we dream? My recent ones have been so bizarre. I actually want to go back to sleep sometimes to see what happens with the rest of the story. My dreams aren't usually scary...just strange!

So I will see what kind of things my imagination can conjure up this evening!

Willpower

I have done pretty well. I have been trying to establish good eating habits and have been on a pretty strict plan...so why did I decide to make all of my favorites for the high school couples I served dinner to last night?

I fixed dinner for 4 couples before the Winterball. It was so much fun. I figured why should they have to spend extra money on dinner. I planned the menu, cleaned the house set the table and I think they all enjoyed themselves.

The hard part was maintaining my WILLPOWER! I fixed Chicken Cordon Bleu, Twice Baked Potatoes, salad and chocolate eclair dessert...plus there was yummy french bread. All of my weaknesses!

I made it, I didn't sample anything and there were no leftovers. (I did that on purpose!) The kids seemed to like the food, so at least I can be happy that someone shared my favorites.

I am working really hard...willpower doesn't always come easy for me, but I am trying!

Be a Part of the Solution

"Within the problem lies the solution"

How many times have you heard someone complain about a situation? I do all of the time. I have been a part of that group before. What I have learned is that it is much easier to be a part of the solution, instead of complaining about the problem.

Lately, in our community, as I am sure in many others, there have been significant issues dealing with budget cuts from our state. It is not a fun time for education, healthcare and many organizations! I have seen both sides, I have heard the grumbles and complaints and I have seen the people attending meetings offering ideas.

It is much easier to understand what is going on if you get involved earlier. There are many things that you can do, but being informed is the most important. 

In our community, it never ceases to amaze me how people step up to volunteer, donate and offer support. We are very blessed. 

Then there is the other side, that seem to want to criticize, disagree and complain...but doesn't seem willing to get involved. 

I challenge you all to take a look at some of the things going on around you and see how you can be a part of the solution. It will make you feel better, it will contribute to the cause and it will be a positive approach in a negative situation. 

This is it...

This is what I am posting today...not only because I am buried in newspaper articles, but because I really like what it says....I can say it no better!

I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful day!

Busy with a Capital "B"

Today has been one of those days that has been very full and busy, but very fun and rewarding.

As I sit waiting for my final meeting of the day, I think about the amount of information and the number I people I have dealt with today.

My morning started with a meeting about an upcoming community event. We met at a great restaurant in town, had a cup of coffee and did some planning. It was like sitting at home, a warm establishment filled with antiques and friendly faces.

Next on to do an interview with two of the nicest ladies in town. I drove out the the ranch and sat down with the ladies to discuss the history of the local cattlewomen's organization.

The noon meeting was a planning session at the high school for Peer Mentoring.

On to cover a meeting for the newspaper at the local hospital board meeting.

Now, I wait for my school board meeting to begin....

A busy...but great day!


P. S. I wrote this on my phone...are there any typos...I hope not!

My Stuff

There were a few boxes in storage at my husband's childhood home. I picked them up the other day. Today, I went through them. What a fun trip down memory lane....

The things I found buried in those boxes surprised me. Why would I keep some of those things? I guess the mind of a teenager is a little different than a middle aged woman!

My 4-H hat and tie, my FFA scarf, my Micky Mouse ears weren't that out of the ordinary. But why would I save a smashed "BV Track" hat. It was right along side of my track spikes. Were my feet that small?

My Blue Bird scrapbook from 2nd Grade, my high school senior memory book and college notebooks gave me reminders of many different times in my life. 

When in Blue Birds I vividly remember the group singing a song that went, "Valerie, Valer-ra, Valerie, Valer-ra-ha-ha-ha-ah." Everyone would turn and look at me! I didn't like that at all.

My high school memory book had some secret code written in it that for the life of me I don't remember how to decode!

The college notebooks....wow, I took good notes. Most of it looks foreign to me now. I can't believe I took some of those classes. I would share the notes with my kids...but it wouldn't make any sense. Everything is taught so differently now.

I found my Ziggy doll, my dress-able Snoopy and my autograph alligator. There was a box of letters from my childhood friends. After growing up with the same friends until 8th grade, my family moved 6 hours away. That was a tough time...new high school, new friends. I was reminded of how my friends kept in touch and continued to encourage me.

There was the weird stuff...the "Sperry-Topsider" Banner, the lime green stuffed dinosaur, the bike lock and Barbie Corvette.

A plaque my grandma painted me for my sweet 16 was a great find. Along with the Pom-Pom Ball raccoon I made myself.

The one thing that links to my life now....Countless notebooks and papers from 1984 that were covered with "Tim & Val" or "I Love Tim"....and I still do...I may not want my stuffed dinosaur anymore, but some things won't ever change.

Just a Mom

What do you do? I'm just am mom. Just a mom you say, the toughest job in every way. The biggest challenge of each new day, is not to worry and simply pray. Why can't we fix each little thing? Why can't we mend every broken wing?

The toughest part of being just mom, is learning to let go once they are gone. Trials and triumphs are theirs to make, all we can do is pray that too many chances they do not take.

Don't worry they say when you ask what's wrong, how do we do that when we have done it for so long. We want their life to perfect, with no challenges to face. As just a mom we know that that isn't the case.

It's the lessons they learn along the way, never knowing what will make a good or bad day. Trusting in God that He has them in his hands, after all they were a gift to me to take care of...that is His plan.

Just a mom is a pretty big thing. We have to help build a foundation, love and nurture and everything else in between. We hurt when they hurt, we smile when they laugh. It is with a full heart each day we pray for their path.

Will I ever let go of wanting to make things right, of taking care of every little challenge every little plight? Not a chance, there's just no way...but I will try to worry less  and more will I pray.

"A Mother holds her children's hands for a while...Their hearts forever."

Mercy

Today I was reminded of my grandpa. It was like he was right there with me, but at the same time I missed him so much. At church we sang his favorite song, "I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord." This family song was always led by grandpa. This last summer he went home to be with his Lord.

As we sang, tears instantly filled my eyes as I was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. The thing I knew, was that my grandpa was with me and he was reminding to stand on the foundation he taught us as we grew up. The foundation of God's Grace and Mercy. 

What is Mercy? The dictionary says mercy is compassionate treatment, having a capacity to forgive or showing kindness.

From a Biblical view mercy is defined as follows:

-God's love to people; when he forgives us for the things that we do.

-Help to those who are in need or difficulty; the love that God has when he makes us good; God's love and the good things that he does; the feeling of love that God has towards all that he has made.

-God's love and goodness.

-The love that God shows when he forgives.

-God's attitude because of his love. He forgives everyone who confesses their sins to him, because of Jesus' death. 

Mercy is a gift...the song we sang in church reminds us that God has shown us many mercies and we should be thankful each day. His mercies for us are constantly renewed. 

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord 
forever
I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord 
forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness.
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness to all generations.....

I am thankful for the reminder I received today. I am thankful for the lifelong example my grandpa's life was. 

Don't Wait

What if we always waited until tomorrow? Always waited for the rain to pass? Always waited for the perfect moment? Our lives would pass us by...

Learning to make the best of a situation is something I wish I would have learned a little earlier in life. Some of the best moments come out of difficult situations.

Learn to live the day

Rain or Shine

Look beyond what is in your way

You never know what you will find

If clouds are covering what is there

Pull them back in search of hope

Your day will fill with things to share

Sometime the rain will bring more fun

Than if you wait for the days filled with sun

Each day has something to behold

It takes an open heart and mind to see

Live this way and it will never grow old

Memories made just may be...

Some of the best from these opportunities. 

There Aren't Any

It's cold, it's raining, I'm too busy, I'm grumpy....stop right there! There are NO EXCUSES! That is a motto a friend and I have taken on in our quest to get in better shape.

I don't know how many times in the past I have come up with a variety of excuses keeping me from exercise. Not any more...there is no good excuse. It really helps having someone to keep me accountable. 

Today, it was raining really hard. Our walk was scheduled for 1:00, so we bundled up and went. It wasn't bad at all. The sense of accomplishment and the strange looks we received were worth it all.

If there is something you need to do...do it. Make NO EXCUSES. I promise it will be worth it!

The Warmth of Winter

Awakening to snow produces such a feeling of warmth. Though cold outside, my heart feels warm. The warmth of winter is finally here. 

Fluffy coats, soft mittens and fuzzy hats waiting to be put on after resting in the closet for way too long. 

The glow of a burning fire and the popping of the wood ready to warm cold bodies that come inside from the snow.

Hot chocolate filled with marshmallows, spicy cider or coffee poured in abundance to share by the fireside.

Time spent inside, as it is too stormy to go out brings out the warmth of a family's heart as they get this time out. 

Though the thermometer says cold I have to disagree, the warmth of the winter is everywhere you can see. 

Be a Better You

Although New Years Resolutions are not my thing, I always like to take a look at how things are going in my life, what I am missing and how I can be a better person. There are many things I set out to do each year and hope they become habit.

This year is no different. Eighteen days into the year, I have managed to change my routine a little, try some new things, look at situations through a different perspective and try to be a "better me."

I'm going to share my list with you...

Walk or exercise everyday. 
While on my walk take the time to notice the beautiful things around me.
If walking with a friend, take the time to really listen in conversation.
Take pictures.
Be aware of people around me and how they are feeling.
Take the time to drop a card or note in the mail to just say hi.
Call my grandmas regularly...I love to talk to them!
Eat better...cook different foods and use spices!
Paint my nails...silly, but fun and it makes me feel good.
Read my Bible everyday.
Join a Bible study group.
Stay after church and visit a while.
Smile at passers-by.
Slow down!
Keep my laundry pile folded.
Not partake in negative conversations.
Pray throughout the day...a constant conversation with God.
Support my community.
Say I love you A LOT to my family...give lots of hugs.
Use things before I buy more.
Be happy with what I have.
Write everyday.
Wear different clothes....not just the same old favorites.
Crochet....a memory of my great-grandma.
Recognize my blessings each day.
Focus on positive.


Most importantly...Live, Love and Laugh and see the Blue Skies in every day!

Quote of the Day...

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Unexpected Benefits From Healthy Changes

I never expected this. I have been working pretty hard at a healthier lifestyle and was really only focusing on the benefits it would give me. It is a lot easier to live the fast-paced, no time for exercise, grab a quick snack, eat out three time a week lifestyle.

Planning for daily exercise, planning for meals and getting in a routine has taken a little time...but I like it! What I have discovered are many unexpected changes. Here's a few...

-Saving money...No more are the daily stops at the store to grab a soda and a snack, no more are the "I don't feel like cooking, let's grab a pizza", no more are the white chocolate mocha coffee drinks when we see a coffee place...that all adds up!

-The Pantry...I haven't opened a can or box out of the pantry in weeks. I cook with food from the freezer, refrigerator, and spice rack.

-The Recycle Bag...We have NO cans...No soda = No cans

-Grocery Shopping...I only see the outer aisles...I haven't been buying any of the processed foods

-More Dishes...I cook more, therefore more dishes! 

-Spices...After 22 years of marriage I have discovered the use of spices...what took me so long to realize there is more than salt, pepper and garlic out there? This is fun!

I think we are on to something here...and the best part is I feel better!

Tuesday...Organize so I can Craft!

Here's a great chart I found, I think I will use this plan!

Whew!

It is time to celebrate! Book work for the ranch and store is DONE! I think I have broke a record. It's reconciled, double checked and ready to send to the accountant, whew!

This is not normal for me. I usually sit at the dining room table the WHOLE month of January because I have let myself get so far behind. By the time I am finished I am so tired of doing book work, I let myself get behind again. Not this year! Selling the store early in the year helped, there wasn't near as much to do. I managed to keep up this year. The only reason I had to spend the last couple of days working on it was because I was waiting for the recent statements. Then of course, I had to double check everything.

What a great feeling. Why didn't I figure this out before? Not letting yourself get a month or two behind makes things A LOT easier!

Now, for the fun stuff...I can finally bring out my new sewing machine, tackle some cleaning and organizing projects, and do more writing...nothing will make me happier. I will, though, carve out a couple of days per month to stay caught up on the books. Seeing the payoff is a big motivation for keeping up with the stack!

Monday's Recipe

I am going to share this recipe in it's original form. It is from my Nana Helen. She got it from her mother. It is one of my favorites! It is always a special treat when Nana makes Grebble for us!

Until Next Year

The newest member of my snowman collection

Goodbye snowmen, it's time to hibernate for another year. All packed away in your plastic tubs and ready to be put back in that room. 

I have a quite large snowman collection. Some people collect Santa's, some Gingerbread, but for me it has always been about snowmen. It goes way back...as a child my favorite Christmas cartoon was always Frosty the Snowman.

I look forward to Christmastime and bringing out my varied collection. I have a snowman of every size, shape, texture and facial expression. We all have our favorites. My husband likes the three posable snowmen. Every time I look at them they are in a different pose. When I put them away, they were "Hear no evil, Speak no Evil, See no Evil" position.

The kids bought me a snowman that is about 3 feet tall. He's very lifelike and very cute. Most of the snowmen I would classify as "boys". I do have one I would call a "mama" snowperson, there is a complementary dad and a child. They are the cute floppy ones. Then there is the snowboarder, the skier, the duck hunter and the list goes on.

Yes, I may have gone a little overboard! But...I am not the only one! A friend of ours collect Santa's and I think he may have more Santa's than I do Snowmen. Each year we buy one another a new piece for our collections. I always look for the perfect Santa for Randy and he finds the most clever snowmen for me! This year he outdid himself, it is my favorite piece of the collection. He had an old sled that belonged to his children and had a snowman painted on it for me. It is perfect!

My routine is to leave the snowmen out for part of January. I figure it is winter, I might as well. This year I was hoping that by leaving them out, maybe it would bring some much needed snow, no such luck. So today, they were packed away. Until next year when they will come out and provide much fun as I remember where each one came from.

To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven

Haircuts, News Clothes and Different Makeup

Sometimes you just need a new hairstyle, a new fashion statement, a different color paint on you wall...a makeover. I would love a makeover, but I am scared of all of the tings they would say I need to fix!

My house could also use a makeover. New paint, flooring, furniture...the whole thing. Until kids are though college, that probably won't happen.

So if I am not going to makeover myself or my house at the present, I needed to do something...so I made over my blog site. I gave it a new look, added some new gadgets and pages and hope that you have the chance to look around.

You can go back and read popular posts, view a slide show, sign up to follow the blog or have the daily post emailed directly to you. You can link to other pages including http://www.blueskies4you. There is a Google search bar and music clips.

Along with the daily post, be sure to take a peek at these pages...

Recipes

http://vlakeyblueskies.blogspot.com/p/from-my-kitchen.html

On the Ranch

http://vlakeyblueskies.blogspot.com/p/farm-side.html

Bible Study notes

http://vlakeyblueskies.blogspot.com/p/joy-of-lord-is-my-strength.html

Weekly Mountain Echo Column

http://vlakeyblueskies.blogspot.com/p/moutain-echo-columns.html

Great People Doing Great Things

http://vlakeyblueskies.blogspot.com/p/mt-echo-feature-story-of-week.html

Where I come from....

http://vlakeyblueskies.blogspot.com/p/where-i-come-from.html

And of course I want our comments

http://vlakeyblueskies.blogspot.com/p/your-commentsplease.html

I hope you enjoy the makeover. I will be sure to let you know if I ever proceed on the others!

Picking Up Sticks

Why are we picking up sticks again? Didn't we just do this last weekend? Why do they need to be picked up anyway?

This about sums up the conversation between my sister and I when we were young. Picking up sticks is something we did when we weren't otherwise engaged in a productive activity. Don't get me wrong, we had our down time. Our time to watch cartoons, play and be kids. It was the time that we were glued to the television for long periods of time that we would end up picking up sticks.

This was dad's way of getting us out of the house and making us be active and productive. It wasn't really about picking up sticks. We could have done that 24/7 with all of the trees we had. It was about teaching us, there was always something better to do with our time than wasting it.

It made me think about life and how we can become unproductive in our lives. We get stuck in a routine, we do the same things, we waste time with empty activities. We have a lot of "dead sticks" hanging around. Removing that dead wood is necessary to get back to being productive. 

Is it time pick up your sticks and get to what is really important? For me, it is a constant process. Things (activities, etc.) grow and then need to be trimmed back so the foundation (trunk and roots) can keep growing and become stronger. We grow as individuals when we nourish the important pieces and pick and remove the dead sticks. 

Why are we picking up sticks again? Because we need to, they collect fast...

Memory Bank

Last night we spent the evening finishing up the list of things due for the yearbook. It is Mandy's senior year and there is a long list of "to-do's" for seniors. The task at hand last night was finalizing the decision on what portrait to put in the yearbook, what baby picture to use and what pictures we wanted for the dedication page. Wow...so many memories were withdrawn from the memory bank.

It was a nice walk down memory lane...it also brought forth the realization that she is all grown up. You know how when you look back at a baby picture it takes you back to a specific place and time? There were a lot of those as I looked through the scrapbook while selecting pictures.

She had to work on her favorite quote, personal motto and special memories. She put it perfectly..."How do you pick just one favorite memory?" You just can't. There are so many special memories, fun times and things that will be cherished forever.

We have been blessed with two beautiful children that have given us a lifetime of memories...I look forward to making many more deposits in that bank as we see what the future brings.

Thursday's Trivia

The greatest snowfall ever in a single storm was 189 inches at the Mount Shasta Ski Bowl in February, 1959.

(We could use some of that now!)

Sidetracked

Bookwork. The plan for the day. So much for plans. I got a little side tracked, this is more how it went...

-Grab the garbage real quick

-Might as well collect all of the garbage from around the house too

-Oh, grab the vacuum cleaner out of the closet on the way back down the hall

-Drop off garbage and head back to gather laundry since you have to bag up garbage in the laundry room anyway.

-Since headed back to the hamper in the bathroom, grab the broom

-Grab clothes out of the hamper, sweep the bathroom floor.

-Leave broom by fireplace near the vacuum.

-Take clothes to laundry room

-Proceed to finish collecting daughter's laundry

-Still have a free hand, so bring in the folded kitchen towel on way to laundry room.

-Start load of laundry, get a peek in son's bathroom

-Clean sink and toilet... remember to bring broom back

-Head to front room to sweep fireplace hearth

-Might as well sweep front porch too

-Take broom to bathroom to sweep

-That leads to moving everything off of the laundry room floor to sweep

-Put broom away!

-Vacuum (remembered you brought it out quite a while ago)

-Finally bag all garbage and take out

-Whew...time for book work....

-Wait, there are a few dishes in the sink...do those

-Oh ya, need to Food Saver that meat...

-Cup of tea...book work...no a little rest!

Quote of the Day

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
William Arthur Ward

Being Willing to Be a Vessel

I have to do it...I have to write about him and what he is doing. Why? Because he is doing what God has planned for him. He is a vessel that God is using in a big way. This isn't about football. The Denver Broncos are not a favorite team of mine, I have never really watched them. I do like Tim Tebow, therefore I watch the Broncos.

What this is about is a person who has clearly put God first in his life and has his priorities straight. This is about a person who is having so much impact on people, even he can't see how significant it is. 

Have you seen how many people have been searching John 3:16 on Google? Does that mean there are that many people that have NEVER read that verse? This is one of the MOST important verses in the Bible and some people are just now searching it. Why? Because of Tim Tebow's influence.

In his game Sunday, the scripture may not have been worn on his face, but the reference could not be ignored. This gives me goose bumps every time I talk about it. This is a "God thing"...there couldn't be a coincidence in my eyes. He threw for 316 yards, he threw an average of 31.6 yards per pass and the final quarter television rating was 31.6....hmmm, God is working in a big way through this man.

So what did these statistics do? Prompted people to look at the scripture, many for the first time. Eyes are on Tim Tebow and he is letting God work through him as we all are called to do. He shows love and grace and compassion. He is not afraid to be exactly the person God made him.

I for one don't really care what kind of a quarterback he is...I care about the kind of person he is. He has been put in a position that allows him to affect many people and he is doing it with a lot of faith.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Tuesday's Craft

I have to try this!

http://ragsbysockmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/10/t-shirt-shag-rug-tutorial.html

Unplanned Adventures

Anyone who has followed my blog knows that I have always said I would like to just drive places without a plan. Well, we got to do that this weekend...sort of.

While at a basketball tournament with a lot of free time, we were able to see a lot of things we had never seen before. We woke up at the hotel on Saturday morning and my husband said let's go do something. I was wondering what exactly we were going to do since we were in a fairly small town.

I had a few tips from someone that was from the area, so we decided to go with that. It was a beautiful day, perfect for a drive with no real destination. We explored roads that we had never been on before and saw some of the neatest countryside. A highlight was some of the old bridges. Amazing!

We drove out to the little town of Callahan and stopped at the only store in town, The Callahan Emporium. Not to be surprised we met the owner and had a great conversation with her. 

We saw ranches far as they eye could see, we saw historic homes...most of all we had a great time...without a plan!

Monday's Recipe

       4-Layer Delight

1^st layer: 1 ½ Cups flour, ¾ cup margrin,  ½ cup chopped nuts.  Mix well and pat into 9x13 glass  baking dish.  Bake 375 degrees 10 to 15 min. Cool

2^nd layer: 8 oz. cream cheese softened, I cup powdered sugar , 1 cup cool whip thawed . Beat cream cheese  with powdered sugar, FOLD in cool whip . Spread on crust.

3^rd. layer:  2 boxes 4 oz. instant chocolate pudding, 2 cups milk.  Spread on cheese mix.

4^th layer: Spread remaining cool whip of a 9-oz. container,  over chocolate mix. And sprinkle with chopped nuts. Refrigerater.

See you Tomorrow

Today will be spent watching basketball! I hope you all have a fun, relaxing, wonderful weekend!

Blank

I am blank today! I have been running around all morning working on my "to-do" list and my blog is on the list. Problem is I haven't been motivated on a topic yet.

It's Friday though and that is a great topic of it's own. The work week is done and the weekend is knocking at the door. What do you do for fun? Living in a small town our choices are limited, but we always seem to stay busy.

This weekend we get to watch a basketball tournament...bleachers bottoms aside, that is fun for me. Some people prefer to stay home and relax, some like to go places. Some stay up to the wee hours of the night and some just like to sleep in a little longer.

So, what to do this weekend?

Here's some ideas for weekend fun with your spouse or significant other...

1. Explore Outdoors...take a hike, go someplace new. the weather is nice enough!

2. Go on a romantic date...nice dinner, movie...dress up and go out. If you prefer to stay in, cook a nice dinner together and eat by candlelight.

3. Go sightseeing...check out a gallery, museum or new store. Look at local attractions.

4. Volunteer together at a community event or fundraiser. 

How about some family fun ideas...

1. Take a road trip to a new place not too far away

2. Have a family game night 

3. Have a video game tournament

4. Go bowling

5. Have a family movie marathon

There aren't enough days in the weekend.  ~Rod Schmidt

Only in a Small Town

She left for school and a few minutes later the phone rang..."Mom, there's a sheep in our driveway!" We had already known this little fact but forgot to tell out daughter. It was quite a surprise to her as she drove out...since we haven't had sheep on our ranch since the kids won a lamb at the Firemen's Carnival 15 years ago.

No the question remained..."Where did it come from?" Well, it's a small town, it shouldn't be too hard to figure this out. As luck would have it, I was heading to the Winter Ag Meeting at the fairgrounds. On my way out the driveway, I found the sheep staring at the cattle out in the field. Did she want to join them? They were staring back and she was pretty out numbered. (I am assuming she is a she!)

I stopped, snapped a picture on my phone and posted it to Facebook. I figured someone would see it and give us some insight. Where our ranch is there are no sheep any where around. So when one shows up on your driveway, somebody has to know something. 

At the Winter Ag meeting I asked around. I talked to the only sheep person I know who lives clear on the other side of the valley. He asked if I had a picture, and as luck would have it I did. "No, I don't know where she came from." Hmmm...well, I spread the word and hoped someone would figure out they were missing something.

My husband got her up the driveway and in the corral. He set her up with some water and hay, but by the sound of it, she wasn't happy.

When I got home, there was a message on the answering machine...all of my investigating and Facebook post worked. We found the owner. I am writing as I listen to the steady baa's coming from the corral. The owner is on his way...

Thursday's Trivia...

When Woodrow Wilson was President, the First Lady had sheep graze on the White House lawn to keep it neat and well trimmed. 

When Woodrow Wilson was President,  and well trimmed. 

Quote of the Day...

David wasn't thinking of being king when he was tending sheep; he was just doing what God sat before him.
John Fisher

Was it the Candy?

What does EVERYONE do at the first of the year? Even people that don't need to try it. The dreaded "DIET!" I admit it is an annual thing for me and it gets harder every year. I know what I need to do, it is just so hard sometimes.

So I started the "Healthy Lifestyle," as I like to call it, this week. I'm not going to lie, it's hard. After Christmas cookies, fudge and a constant array of snacks I am feeling a little deprived. I am trying to approach it with a good attitude. I started my exercise plan, went to the grocery store, looked up recipes and gave away the remainder of all of the See's candy.

So why did I dream about Peanut M&M's last night? I was in a store and just picked up a bag of the candy off of the shelf and started eating it without even paying! That isn't even my favorite candy.

When I stepped on the scale this morning expecting to lose at least 17 pounds (ha ha), it wasn't nearly as great as I thought. Was it the candy I ate in my sleep?

So there you have it...you all know what I am doing. If you see me eating Peanut M& M's tell me to stop! I am determined...let's hope I can make this lifestyle change for good?

Wednesday Picture of the Week

Photo By Tim Lakey

I love this picture my husband took of our cattle out in the field!

Quote of the Day
The years teach much which the days never know.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Time Busters! Pinterest and Crochet!

                         Make use of time, let not advantage slip.
                                     -William Shakespeare


Beware! There are more of them out there. No longer is it limited to texting, email and Facebook....why did I have to find Pinterest?!?!?

Time has a way of getting by on it's own without new time busters! Let me say, though, that Pinterest is a really great way to waste time! I have found I still have a crafty side. I have been scouring the newly found web site for ideas. I have brought out all of my yarn and am determined I am going to use it...down to the last skein! 

I may not be getting a lot of housework done, but my crochet pile is growing. I learned to crochet when I was a little girl. Sitting at the feet of my great-grandma Birlie, I would chain and chain and chain...That is all I could really do at the time. I would watch my great-grandma crochet slippers. 

My love for yarn and crochet began with her and it has continued. Rarely, do I travel without a bag of yarn and a few hooks.

Whatever your interests or hobbies may be...I guarantee you will find something of interest on Pinterest! Be careful though, possibly set a timer...it is addicting!

Quote of the Day...

"Some of the greater things in life are unseen; that's why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream."

My latest project...from Pinterest:

http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2011/07/make-the-worlds-easiest-crocheted-scarf/