I borrowed Julie's much superior camera last weekend to take some pictures of our Saturday chores...unfortunately the batteries froze up after only a few pictures...but here's a little glimpse of our life....on saturdays....oh how I WISH it was every day...
Ok...so it won't let me display the pics that are hosted on facebooks :S so here is an album - click for some animal pictures.
I also have a ton of pictures of my nephew that Julie and I took - here
Last weekend we trimmed the hooves on our horses - good thing we did it last week when it was only about -10 or so, since its -25 right now!! It has been cold for the last few days and its supposed to stay that way for a few more days yet!! This week was fairly busy at work for me and I had a rough week so I was very unproductive around home. I am looking forward to my schedule change after the 1st of February when I will get to work in the smaller clinic in Pilot Mound 3 days a week! Yay! I can be home before 6 instead of after 7!
Other exciting news is that I have booked holiday time for June and August... in June I have about a week and a half around the 21st so we can make a trip down to Boise/Baker for Rach's wedding - YAY! We plan to make the trip via Sheridan, WY on the way down or the way back for some cowboy culture :D I have a week off in August too to fly to Boise....the reason for that will be announced soon.....I hope....
Between now and then I have a project to work on....which will also be revealed later.....(*nudge* to the person who is holding me back.....you know who you are!!!)
Right now, I have to go finish my current woodworking project - a cabinet to house my "built in" dishwasher....I'll post pictures later!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A Year in Review....Stolen from Jo
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Started a Blog. Became an Aunty. Got bucked off a horse. Worked with a young unbroke horse. Became part of a step family.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't remember if I made any last year. I am planning to get in shape...I want to loose 10-15lbs if possible and learn to rope!!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?Yes - my sister in law and a bunch of my friends - but now I'm an aunty!!
4. Did anyone close to you die?No
5. What countries did you visit? Just the good ole US of A to shop and on a whirlwind trip to NY.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A place of our own in the country and a trip to see my family.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? August 29, the day my nephew was born. September long weekend - when I met my step family.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? developing a stronger marriage and a deeper relationship with God.
9. What was your biggest failure? lack of communication with important people. Lack of confidence/boldness to say what needs to be said at times.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing overly serious - just a slightly hyperextended (or somehow or another screwed up) elbow to make my right arm even less useful thanks to a crazy horse.
11. What was the best thing you bought? New appliances - my favorite?? - the Dishwasher!!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?my husband - for putting up with my late night need to talk (occasionally) and my mood swings.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? a couple friends....some co-workers....no details.
14. Where did most of your money go? Cars, student loan.......PINKY :~
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? selling our house
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? I can't think of one right now...
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? Probably happier...about the same and.....about the same....
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? reaching out to people around me rather then staying in my little bubble.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Complaining
20. How did you spend Christmas? Slept half the day, dinner with the in-laws and playing in the snow with the dogs.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Just more in love with my husband.
22. What was your favorite TV program? I hardly watched any TV....since we don't have one...but I still love the now defunct Gilmore Girls
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nope
24. What was the best book you read? I didn't read a whole lot, Mover of Men and Mountains was good though!
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Steve Bell
26. What did you want and get? A place in the country, a house cat, new appliances, a new horse....lots of blessings really!
27. What did you want and not get? rich? hehe....just kidding.... um...Sheep!!
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Ratatouille......I didn't watch terribly many though :p
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 21....and I think I was feeling really crappy - we had just moved back and I was sick and we were painting the house...
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Well...I could speculate on that one....but in truth I know that no matter what, my flesh wouldn't be totally satisfied...so I'll just say that I am satisfied with the year as it was.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Umm....fashion concept? well....the first 3 months of the year nobody saw what I wore besides the carharrts on the outside...so it was called KEEP WARM - then it was back to scrubs......nuff said....
32. What kept you sane? having more animals to work with then people!!!
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Can't rightly say....
34. What political issue stirred you the most? Nothing really.....twas happy that the border opened to live cattle over 30 months though....and that decision WAS purely political I guess.
35. Who did you miss? my college friends and my family....*sigh* oh to walk dogs in the vermillion winter with 6 people and 5 dogs and steaming mugs of "hot chocolate" in our hands...laughing at the tops of our lungs...at midnight or later after "studying" for a few hours.....
36. Who was the best new person you met? I'm not sure...there have been many people I've met who I'm sure were good people...but I always seem to push people away or offend them in some way...I've kinda given up hope as far as thinking anyone I meet will actually end up as a real friend.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. As soon as you think you've got something figured out, something will come along and completely flip that idea upside down....
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Have you forgiven/Did you forget/Is it worth keeping/All those regrets/And is there someone/Who gave it all for you/Don't that make you/Want to give it your all to?
Get 'er done/Get to it/Cause there's only one time through it/There's only one thing we're all heading for/It goes 1972 dash then/You leave your legacy/In that little space between
-- Paul Brandt - That little space between
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't remember if I made any last year. I am planning to get in shape...I want to loose 10-15lbs if possible and learn to rope!!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?Yes - my sister in law and a bunch of my friends - but now I'm an aunty!!
4. Did anyone close to you die?No
5. What countries did you visit? Just the good ole US of A to shop and on a whirlwind trip to NY.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A place of our own in the country and a trip to see my family.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? August 29, the day my nephew was born. September long weekend - when I met my step family.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? developing a stronger marriage and a deeper relationship with God.
9. What was your biggest failure? lack of communication with important people. Lack of confidence/boldness to say what needs to be said at times.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing overly serious - just a slightly hyperextended (or somehow or another screwed up) elbow to make my right arm even less useful thanks to a crazy horse.
11. What was the best thing you bought? New appliances - my favorite?? - the Dishwasher!!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?my husband - for putting up with my late night need to talk (occasionally) and my mood swings.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? a couple friends....some co-workers....no details.
14. Where did most of your money go? Cars, student loan.......PINKY :~
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? selling our house
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? I can't think of one right now...
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? Probably happier...about the same and.....about the same....
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? reaching out to people around me rather then staying in my little bubble.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Complaining
20. How did you spend Christmas? Slept half the day, dinner with the in-laws and playing in the snow with the dogs.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Just more in love with my husband.
22. What was your favorite TV program? I hardly watched any TV....since we don't have one...but I still love the now defunct Gilmore Girls
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nope
24. What was the best book you read? I didn't read a whole lot, Mover of Men and Mountains was good though!
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Steve Bell
26. What did you want and get? A place in the country, a house cat, new appliances, a new horse....lots of blessings really!
27. What did you want and not get? rich? hehe....just kidding.... um...Sheep!!
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Ratatouille......I didn't watch terribly many though :p
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 21....and I think I was feeling really crappy - we had just moved back and I was sick and we were painting the house...
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Well...I could speculate on that one....but in truth I know that no matter what, my flesh wouldn't be totally satisfied...so I'll just say that I am satisfied with the year as it was.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Umm....fashion concept? well....the first 3 months of the year nobody saw what I wore besides the carharrts on the outside...so it was called KEEP WARM - then it was back to scrubs......nuff said....
32. What kept you sane? having more animals to work with then people!!!
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Can't rightly say....
34. What political issue stirred you the most? Nothing really.....twas happy that the border opened to live cattle over 30 months though....and that decision WAS purely political I guess.
35. Who did you miss? my college friends and my family....*sigh* oh to walk dogs in the vermillion winter with 6 people and 5 dogs and steaming mugs of "hot chocolate" in our hands...laughing at the tops of our lungs...at midnight or later after "studying" for a few hours.....
36. Who was the best new person you met? I'm not sure...there have been many people I've met who I'm sure were good people...but I always seem to push people away or offend them in some way...I've kinda given up hope as far as thinking anyone I meet will actually end up as a real friend.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. As soon as you think you've got something figured out, something will come along and completely flip that idea upside down....
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Have you forgiven/Did you forget/Is it worth keeping/All those regrets/And is there someone/Who gave it all for you/Don't that make you/Want to give it your all to?
Get 'er done/Get to it/Cause there's only one time through it/There's only one thing we're all heading for/It goes 1972 dash then/You leave your legacy/In that little space between
-- Paul Brandt - That little space between
I had a hard time picking these lyrics...but I have been thinking alot about my life and what it means or should mean and what I should be doing with my "dash" oh...and Paul Brandt's songs have the best lyrics ever!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
A new year
Funny how, even though we change from one calendar to another and have to remember to put a different number on the year part of our date, the new year really doesn't feel any different then the old one! In some ways I don't see the point in the big parties and the celebrations about a new year, because its really no different then the one that just passed, unless we decide to make it different. I'm not big on making resolutions or anything, but this year I hope to be less lazy - more proactive at keeping my house in order and all the other things that are a good wife's job. I'm going to try to complain less and be more conscious of what goes in - not just food, but entertainment, etc. Ok, so maybe those are resolutions and maybe thats the point of the new year, to give you a starting point for all these new ideas and such. Anyways - there is much that happened in the old year which is much more exciting then the new year has been so far, since I've been sick since the new year started!
There were Christmas parties, one for our whole clinic and one with some of the people I live near here that work in our satellite clinic. One had many people and less fun (in my opinion) and one had less people and more fun! Of course there was lots of food in the last couple weeks! On the saturday before Christmas, Trev's whole family came to our house as our first family celebration in the new place. We had "Christmas Eve" since Andrew and Jaime would fly out to be with her family on the real day. We enjoyed moose stew and dumplings, salad and custard and chocolates for dessert. After some time to relax and visit, we had our family gift opening, with lots of smiles and of course lots of presents for my happily spoiled Nephew! After this, we set up the camera and took some family pictures. See album here
The next day we had our Christmas dinner with Grandma Scharf and uncle Jack at lunch time. Later in the afternoon, Trevor's other uncle and his wife came out for a visit as well. On Christmas eve, Julie and I had to work until 2pm and then in the evening, she came to our place and watched movies with us. Christmas day was fairly low key as well, we slept in and then went to my in-laws for Christmas dinner of meatballs, turkey, and many salads, etc. Of course, much more food then we needed once again. In the afternoon, I went out to play with the dogs - Sneef(my border collie), Finny(Andrew's 10 month old chocolate lab), Kip(Julies middle aged, heinz 57) and Ginger(Julie's old Collie). I hooked Sneef and Finny up to the sled at different times and got rid of some of Finny's excess energy that way, Sneef did quite well with the sled too. It would be fun to hook them both up together and see what happens, but it might be a mess of tangled feet and ropes! We had a low key evening too, reading stories by Earnest Thomas Seaton and making a little music with guitars and piano. I talked to all my siblings on Christmas morning as they were all together at Amy's for the day - it was nice, but at the same time kind of saddening, knowing I was missing out on a nice family get together.
Boxing day was another low key day, we slept in, did some stuff around the house and then went skiing in the afternoon - cross country skiing around the property our house sits on - twas a nice day! Then it was back to work thursday, Friday and saturday morning. Saturday evening we were invited for dinner at the White house, the little boys were happy to see familiar faces again after being on vacation for 10 days or so, and they kept me more then occupied all evening. I'm afraid they may have shared their sniffles with me too, since I have been sick since monday and they were sick since sunday! Tiz the season!
Sunday afternoon Trevor, Julie, Alex and I went down to Altona for tea meeting - it was a nice time to visit since some of our friends were home from Japan for christmas and there were others we hadn't seen in quite some time. In the evening, Julie, Bethany and I went to keep Katie company for a while, since she is having to keep her activity level VERY low in order to keep her new little one on the inside for a while longer! We had a good visit, its nice to have some fellowship with other women now and then! We also managed to get in a good game of dutch blitz and see some pictures in the form of a narrated slide show from bethany. I had Monday off since I worked saturday, so I took advantage of the time to work on the cabinet for my dishwasher. Its going to be built strong enough to hold an elephant I think...and its taking a while, but I am enjoying it as it is my first real foray into woodworking in quite some time. I have decided though, that it will not be my last. I am planning some other projects for a reveal at a later date.
Speaking of reveals, I guess I can reveal my sewing projects from December as they are now in the hands of their intended owners!
Puppy PJ pants for Brookelyn!
Camo Fleece Jacket and Flannel pants for Nick!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
I'm Back
Wow - that was the longest break from blogging ever - for me at least! Its been a whirlwind couple of months, and the first thing I cut from my schedule was blogging....not sure why - I guess it could have been scrabulous or facebook....but no. Here we are, only 6 days from Christmas - its a beautiful day today - looking out the window it looks that way anyways! The trees are covered in hoarfrost causing a beautiful silvery Christmas scene everywhere you look - but if you step outside you will feel the chill of the damp -15 that is our high for the day and remember why you would like a remote car starter and why you like to park close to the door!
Over the last few months there have been a few highlights - a couple shopping trips - one with Trevor in mid November when we did most of our christmas shopping as well as applying for our passports (which we received a prompt 2 weeks later). We visited all the important places, like SIR/Cabelas, Value Village and the mall oh and of course a trip wouldn't be complete without going out to Cabrian Equipment (the Allis Chalmers wrecking yard on the far side of the city)...I stayed in the car as it was cold and windy and I think Trevor almost regretted going out there in that weather! It was a nice day together!
Later in November Julie, Velma, Jaime and I made a trip to Grand Forks, we took Liam along, and of course spent more time carrying him around then pushing him in the stroller - but it made a good shopping cart! I just looked at my credit card bill the other day though, I had forgotten that I used it for all my US shopping....no wonder I had s0me extra money sitting around - not any more! With the anticipation of Christmas in our new house and our first real holiday season together (last year we celebrated early and worked through Christmas and new years!) I wanted to do some decorating...$$$...I did fairly well considering, but it is just so easy to spend money! One of the first stores I saw in the mall was the music store/piano store....oooh, bad place for me to see, and when the rest of the group went into a clothing store across the way - I being not a clothing shopper thought this was the perfect oppourtunity to browse through some sheet music. I love new music- I got a few of my favorite contemporary country pieces- Whiskey Lullaby, Skin and one oldie but goody - Desperado. As I was looking I also found a reasonably priced book of classic country songs. The owner of the store invited me to try them out on one of the Grand Pianos....I can never pass up the opportunity to play on a piano like that! The store also had a variety of beautiful pictures and plaques with christian saying and verses on them - and I had been looking for something like that for the new house...$$$ by the time I left the store I had also picked up some guitar pics and my bill was alot higher then I had planned....oh, but it is MUSIC!
One of my planned stops was in the RCC western store to shop for Trevor - successful stop $$$...
Then, Bath and Body Works (or whatever its called), wow, 5 for $25 sale on now?? Sweet!!...$$$...
Cabelas...ohlala!! ...$$$...
Ah, Walmart super center....$$$... It was a good trip though - with some nice visiting along the way. The stop at the border to pay Duty was a bit saddening of course, and with the locals asleep in the back seat, Jaime and I managed to go a few miles out of our way by missing the main highway...oops! It was a beautiful day for travelling - sunny and clear and dry roads!
The next major highlight was the great moving extravaganza. The current tenants said they'd be out by the end of November, so we showed up at the house with a trailer load of stuff at about 11AM on December first. Let me first add a disclaimer saying it was a very bad time of the month....but yeah...
We arrived to find the house locked, appliances still in place and nobody around. I was ANGRY...they had already put us off for a month longer then they first said they would- and I wanted my house! Its a good thing I wasn't there alone or I might have broken something or...possibly somebody, once they finally showed up! I am slightly embarrassed by my behaviour as I was sullen, angry and sarcastic all morning. The offending party showed up a while later to get more stuff - they "just hadn't been able to get it all out in one day" well, ok whatever, but you're the ones that gave us the deadline... They didn't seem to care, and I was even more angered by that, add to it all that they weren't even moving their stuff all into their house - but some into a neighbours barn...which they could have done any time, but they still waited until November 30th to start....AGH.... it was not a good day!
Trevor and I went for a walk in the cold blowing snow, to check out the pasture fence, and when we came back we helped them load their stuff out of the garage so we could unload our stuff into the garage (the appliance and furniture we had bought). Then we went home. Angered by the frustration of never getting anything done, I decided to go on a baking frenzy - and by the end of the day I had made 10-12 dozen goodies, cookies, turtles, maple truffles, etc....finally - an accomplishment! it was somewhat of a relief.... Anyways, my lunch hour is over and I've already been writing this for two days....so I'll post this now....and the happy side later... Ciao
Over the last few months there have been a few highlights - a couple shopping trips - one with Trevor in mid November when we did most of our christmas shopping as well as applying for our passports (which we received a prompt 2 weeks later). We visited all the important places, like SIR/Cabelas, Value Village and the mall oh and of course a trip wouldn't be complete without going out to Cabrian Equipment (the Allis Chalmers wrecking yard on the far side of the city)...I stayed in the car as it was cold and windy and I think Trevor almost regretted going out there in that weather! It was a nice day together!
Later in November Julie, Velma, Jaime and I made a trip to Grand Forks, we took Liam along, and of course spent more time carrying him around then pushing him in the stroller - but it made a good shopping cart! I just looked at my credit card bill the other day though, I had forgotten that I used it for all my US shopping....no wonder I had s0me extra money sitting around - not any more! With the anticipation of Christmas in our new house and our first real holiday season together (last year we celebrated early and worked through Christmas and new years!) I wanted to do some decorating...$$$...I did fairly well considering, but it is just so easy to spend money! One of the first stores I saw in the mall was the music store/piano store....oooh, bad place for me to see, and when the rest of the group went into a clothing store across the way - I being not a clothing shopper thought this was the perfect oppourtunity to browse through some sheet music. I love new music- I got a few of my favorite contemporary country pieces- Whiskey Lullaby, Skin and one oldie but goody - Desperado. As I was looking I also found a reasonably priced book of classic country songs. The owner of the store invited me to try them out on one of the Grand Pianos....I can never pass up the opportunity to play on a piano like that! The store also had a variety of beautiful pictures and plaques with christian saying and verses on them - and I had been looking for something like that for the new house...$$$ by the time I left the store I had also picked up some guitar pics and my bill was alot higher then I had planned....oh, but it is MUSIC!
One of my planned stops was in the RCC western store to shop for Trevor - successful stop $$$...
Then, Bath and Body Works (or whatever its called), wow, 5 for $25 sale on now?? Sweet!!...$$$...
Cabelas...ohlala!! ...$$$...
Ah, Walmart super center....$$$... It was a good trip though - with some nice visiting along the way. The stop at the border to pay Duty was a bit saddening of course, and with the locals asleep in the back seat, Jaime and I managed to go a few miles out of our way by missing the main highway...oops! It was a beautiful day for travelling - sunny and clear and dry roads!
The next major highlight was the great moving extravaganza. The current tenants said they'd be out by the end of November, so we showed up at the house with a trailer load of stuff at about 11AM on December first. Let me first add a disclaimer saying it was a very bad time of the month....but yeah...
We arrived to find the house locked, appliances still in place and nobody around. I was ANGRY...they had already put us off for a month longer then they first said they would- and I wanted my house! Its a good thing I wasn't there alone or I might have broken something or...possibly somebody, once they finally showed up! I am slightly embarrassed by my behaviour as I was sullen, angry and sarcastic all morning. The offending party showed up a while later to get more stuff - they "just hadn't been able to get it all out in one day" well, ok whatever, but you're the ones that gave us the deadline... They didn't seem to care, and I was even more angered by that, add to it all that they weren't even moving their stuff all into their house - but some into a neighbours barn...which they could have done any time, but they still waited until November 30th to start....AGH.... it was not a good day!
Trevor and I went for a walk in the cold blowing snow, to check out the pasture fence, and when we came back we helped them load their stuff out of the garage so we could unload our stuff into the garage (the appliance and furniture we had bought). Then we went home. Angered by the frustration of never getting anything done, I decided to go on a baking frenzy - and by the end of the day I had made 10-12 dozen goodies, cookies, turtles, maple truffles, etc....finally - an accomplishment! it was somewhat of a relief.... Anyways, my lunch hour is over and I've already been writing this for two days....so I'll post this now....and the happy side later... Ciao
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