You have to get real close and try not to scare it!

Shooting it down!

Hauling it away

It snowed A LOT!

Missy got tired while waiting, so she snuggled with the Frosty

Our Tree :) Not Finished but it will do for now!

This year was unlike any other year. Instead of going to the FFA for a per-cut Christmas tree we went out hunting for our Christmas tree. Now before you go and say, now that's crazy or that's in humane don't worry it was none of the above. Here's what you need to do. First, you need to obtain a license to cut down a tree, which to my surprise its only $5.00. Now, make sure you have a gun. This is key to your hunting experience and well getting the tree down. The good thing is is that the trees don't run away on you. Next, get a good group of friends together and head up to the towards Cloverland (Adult beverages may be added here but always have a DD). Now that you've arrived at your destination you need to find your tree. Don't be to picky but also be aware of what you want. I wanted a little fuller one but my husband likes the more Charlie Brown looking trees, he got his tree this year. If you found your tree, get up close and fire away! But make sure that if anyone is with you that they are standing behind you...I found this out the hard way. If there is a man available let him be a gentleman and carry your prized tree back to the truck. It is now ready for your holly!

Our Family: The girls in their Christmas Morning Pajamas :)

This weekend was busy but we had a lot of fun. As you can tell we had time for a few pictures. As you may know I love pictures and was so excited about sending out our first Christmas card...a few hours later I see why so many people stop. I shopped a few sites but you never really know what the real price will be until your about to enter your credit card number. After about three hours and almost throwing my computer across the living room (because I couldn't get my pictures to load) I asked my sister in law what she used for her cards. I was shocked to find out that she used Costco. Even more shocked to see that it was only $14.99 for 50 cards! On other sites they were $1.50 per card, you do the math... I'm too tried :) Anyways, after I uploaded my pictures, some of the above and throughout the year and sat back and looked at my creation. It was beautiful! It took just a few minutes and when I checked out I got 4 little calendars for free too. With tax my grand total with envelopes was $16.60. Bet that Vistaprint! Now to write all the address and keep up with finals...

Hard to Swallow

This is not the way to end your Thanksgiving break! On Saturday I woke up and it was really hard to swallow and I just felt weak. I kept going with my day like nothing was wrong, but it became more and more relevant that there was something wrong. After painting two chairs with my mom and sister I was done for the day. Did I stop? No, I kept going and went to the movies with my best friend, who is pregnant. I was just so excited to spend time with her I couldn't say no. We went and saw the new Twilight movie and felt my body just melting in the seat. As we walked out I noticed I was unusually cold. After we got dinner and went to her house it all hit me like a car. I was beyond sick and I was happy my husband was there to take me home. He drove me home as I had a sweat shirt on, a blanket and the heat on to 90. I'm not a doctor but I think I had a fever. I didn't sleep much that might because my joints were giving me so much pain and my throat just hurt. We woke up early and drove home on Sunday. I tried to sleep it off but finally it went into the doctor and go sent home with antibiotics. I still feel horrible. But of course I can't miss school tomorrow. I miss those days when you could have a sick day and wouldn't feel like you missed two weeks of school. Well, I'm off to bed.

Just a Spoon Full of Sugar

Well, it depends on your point of view. You see...

In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job's a game

And every task you undertake
Becomes a piece of cake
A lark! A spree! It's very clear to see that...

A Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way

(Robin starts Whistling)

A robin feathering his nest
Has very little time to rest
While gathering his bits of twine and twig
Though quite intent in his pursuit
He has a merry tune to toot
He knows a song will move the job along

(Robin whistles a bit with Mary)

For a Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down
Medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way

The honey bees that fetch the nectar
From the flowers to the comb
Never tire of ever buzzing to and fro
Because they take a little nip
From every flower that they sip
And hence ,
They find
(together) Their task is not a grind.

 I have found myself my times in life singing this song. Just today, while going in to the COMPASS test I was singing it. There are a lot of things in life that I don't WANT to do but I feel like it's all about the attitude. When you have a positive out look, not only do other people want to be around you but your happy. On the other hand, when you are negative Nancy, you find yourself sitting alone on a Friday night bitter and anger, wondering why no one wants to hangout with you. It's your attitude. Now, yes its is impossible to be happy all the time, because lets face it, life happens. But, just smiling can help. Just try it. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Smiling is also contagious. Let's review: Smile= less muscles, more friends, happy, out on a Friday night. Negative Nancy: frowning= works more muscles, less friends, sad, sitting alone on a Friday night. Well, I hope you can do the math!  If not go into your kitchen and find some sugar :)

Wine and Math

Tonight I'm unwinding with a glass of white wine and a Math test. Well, mainly with the wine part. I've just had a really had start to my week and I am hopping that by the time I wake up tomorrow that its going to be better. Do you ever feel like you can't get a break in life? That every corner you turn there is someone there to stick something into your side? I'm breaking down and I hate fighting but my I grew up in a family of wrestlers so I know how to fight tell the end. I think the hard thing is, is that I know that I wont give up. I want to give up but I wont. I want this too much so I'm going to keep going and keep fighting as hard as I can. Being a disappointment to myself of to my husband is my worst fear or just failure. That work is not in my vocabulary and a part of me hates that. So tonight I'm going to finish this glass of wine. I'm going to finish is test, probably not my best but I know that I wont fail because I tried. I've got more to do here...

Friendship

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
― William Shakespeare 

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey

“I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.”
― Jon Katz

This weekend I enjoyed the company of my mother and my new sister in-law. I can't tell you how much I have missed them. The value of friendship can't be measured but it sure can show. I know that I have been in great need of it. I picked a few quotes that I really like enjoyed but also that I agreed with. The last quote was one that I thought was simple but to the point. It states the key rules of friendship and so I have failed, some not so far back. With the move I've failed to stay connected like I use to, I walked away because I was too far way. I was too distracted, too busy, and too tired. I started to fall a part and noticed that I was missing a key part of life, my friends. I've been working on repairing that. It's been hard but I know its worth it. 

Life of a Livestock Trader

Life of a Livestock Trader

It's 6:00 am as he gets out of bed. He's sits on the side of the bed, waiting for his knees to stop hurting before he gets out of bed. I'll take two Aspirin, he tells himself, that will take care of it. But it will only take care of it for a few moments. The young but made old man makes his away into the living room where is wife is on the computer, checking Craigslist for furniture and antiques to flip. This has become her new hobby since her business as shut down. She says this is her new opportunity, but the people around her still see the tire tracks that are left on her back. The man see new ones appearing each day not knowing what to do. Where are these coming from? He is still unsure what to do with himself and how to act around his wife, she had also had brain surgery a few years ago and hasn't been the same since. But neither has he. The young but made old man now sits next to his wife, sipping his coffee watching country music videos on TV. This is how a good morning starts. This is not how every morning use to start. Some mornings started when the semi truck got there to unload or load the livestock. Mornings, sometimes started when you heard your livestock getting attacked dogs or coyotes. Or when it was lambing season and it was your turn to go check for new baby lambs. Morning starts at all hours. This life was all that this man wanted. Just not when this man wanted. He was given this full time job at the age of fourteen. Taking of the family business and taking care of this mother was his new job because his father passed. See that is why this man is already so old at such a young age. His body had done things that that a man should have been done for two life times. He is 49 and his body is telling him he's 65. This man works hard and is gone trading livestock many days of the week still making a living for himself and his family. He's gone sleepless nights. Missed many family meals. Family gatherings. Nighttime prayers. But its been worth it all.  He slips on his work boots yet another day and walks out the door. Who is this man you ask? This man is my Dad.