Brown Family Blurbs

Day 5...No Shampoo

2011-11-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm on Day 5 of this No Shampoo thing. I have to say, so far so good, my hair is getting shinier, softer, healthier looking, and have less knots/frizz, as the time goes on. MY husband who was quit skeptical about this all, has even noticed and mentioned that he is surprised at how nice my hair looks, and how soft it feels. My in laws even asked yesterday what new shampoo/condition I was using, because my hair is looking so much healthier...when I told them, they were surprised and thought it was awesome. My mother in law is 67, and said when she was a kid the vinegar rinse was used for proms and stuff for the shiny sheen it gave their hair. She thought it was a cool idea to give a try, and she likes my results also. So far, I'm becoming more and more impressed as I go along.

Some videos...

2011-11-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

Here's some video's from the last couple months... :)

Out camping, and shooting our gun...

The cockatiel...

Bathtime for my dog...

Kendahl's 7th Birthday morning Surprise

Day 3 and my Wash Chart

2011-11-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

Well, So far so good...I've got myself a wash chart laid out to stick too. So that I can test this out in all honesty and give it a chance to see if it will work for me or not...

So here is what I am doing.

I have thick hair, that is about 1 to 2 inches past bra strap/mid back. And I make a double batch (3 to 4 washes worth)...So here's the mix I use, and my wash chart...

1.) Boil 70oz of water for 12 min - I have hard water so I have to boil the water to get out a bunch of the harsh minerals and natural minerals from our well, also I do 4 or so extra ounces of water because a lot evaporates off in the boiling process
2.) Strain through coffee filter into containers - I use the filters to keep the minerals that are floating in the water/on the sides/bottom of pan from getting into my containers. - I have two 33.8 oz containers, one for soda one for acv
3.) Let cool!
4.) Add Baking Soda to one container -1/2 Cup Soda to 32 oz. of water add a little at a time so that it doesn't fiz/bubble/foam over - SHAKE AND MIX WELL - DONT try to add soda to container first then add boiling water over it, the soda has a tendency to actually harden and solidify in the bottom of the container as the water cools if done this way
5.) Then add apple cider vinegar (acv) - 4 1/2 oz vinegar to 32 oz water - the vinegar smell DOES go away as your hair drys, it actually goes away rather quickly I have found.

Let your hair fully dry, and then brush out. I found that letting my hair dry entirely makes it so I can brush my hair with out any knots in it.

Now for the first week I wash daily
Next two weeks every other day
Next two weeks every two to three days
From here on out weekly (if this all works)

IF you do decide to do this, remember that you need to research it. There IS a detox period for your hair that takes one to two weeks. Where you hair possibly will get quit greasy. From your oil glands being cleaned and no longer clogged, and needing to re-regulate themselves. The acv is there to help seal your hair cuticles and balance your hair ph back to normal/natural. This way your hair is not brittle, dry, frizzy.

Anyway, so far so good, and that's where I'm at! :)

Days 1 and 2 of NO shampoo/conditioner

2011-11-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Well, so far so good. My hair is soft, and not greasy, If I let it fully dry, before I brush it, there are no knots. The vinegar smell doesn't last either. That was a concern of mine. But as my hair dry's the smell goes away fast. I use apple cider vinegar, and it doesn't smell near as bad as regular vinegar. I have a friend who is going to do this with me, but she'll be a week behind me in time. I'm also going to use this on my boys, every few days (which is when we wash their hair anyway). *On a side note, I found that the baking soda, is HORRIBLY salty. So, word of advice, don't accidentally open your mouth while washing with this. Equally as important, don't open your eyes with the vinegar rinse, it burns. The kids banged the bathroom door open to ask me something and startled me, I opened my eyes and got the rinse in them. And that burns. So don't let that happen...LOL...Oh, also, the baking soda can be gritty, it doesn't seem like it, unless you get it in your eye's, then you know it is gritty, so don't get that in your eye's either. But so far so good. Waiting to see how bad or not bad my "detox" period will be while my oil glands re-regulate themselves. I have normally quit greasy hair which causes dandruff. I use Head and Shoulders normally to keep the grease/dandruff gone. It works well. And isn't to spendy. But I also know it's not the best for my hair. So I'm hoping this less expensive natural way to washing/rinsing will work out for me. I plan on sticking to it for a month. So I know for sure if this will work or not. If it just doesn't, well, back to my shampoo conditioner for me.

So...No Shampoo/Condition huh??

2011-10-31T12:39:00.001-07:00

Was reading up on "Go No 'Poo"...which is stopping using shampoo/condition, for a natural cost effect much healthier way of washing/conditioning your hair, sounds crazy, but I'm going to test it out...it's baking soda and water for a wash and then to help balance ph in your hair and help with health, use an apple cider vinegar rise...Guess I'll have to test it out, if it works it's WAY cheaper and better for my hair than shampoo/conditioner... :) I was reading there is a "detox" period where you hair can get greasy but usually only takes a week or two to get over, and you have to wash more frequently during that time, while the oil glands readjust to not being so clogged/built up...The detox period lasts based on how often you wash your hair, how thick/long it is...Mine is longer/thicker, but I only wash every 3 days or so...so It may not take as long...It also says that once you get regulated with this stuff, you only have to wash every 3 to 5 days! Would be nice! I'll keep you posted! :) Was also reading you can add tea tree oil and or lavender essential oil to the apple cider vinegar rinse.... It also said if you have hard water (or think you do) you have to boil your water for your mixes for at least 10 min first, to get out some of the harsh minerals that are in hard water...which is what I'm doing now....I'll keep you posted... :) So what do you think?? You going to try it with me? Take a challenge? HUH? If not, I will at least keep you posted....Here's the mixtures I'm starting with, (these can be adjusted and need to be sometimes for each different persons ph/hair/scalp)...Baking Soda Wash - 1/4 Cup Soda to 16 oz. of water (because i have hard water I have to use a bit more soda) and for the apple cider vinegar (acv) rinse - 1 1/2 oz vinegar to 8 oz water...Will keep you posted! Here goes a challenge!! Can I do it?! I'm going to try this for my boys and I, and if it works, I'm going to add Tea Tree Oil and Henna and Lavender to it, Helps with scalp help and is ALSO a natural head lice killer/repelent...So We'll do this for two to three weeks, and if it works, I'll start adding the 3 oils to my mix a small drop or two at a time, to see what happens. :)

Some funny video's

2011-02-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

Well, Lets see I forgot I had this blog. I havent updated in over a year and there's SO Much to tell...My husband is home from Alaska for good. Thank God. He's got a decent job. I'm trying to get a job. My oldest got glasses a year ago, and they look so darn cute on him. He needed them badly. Severe astigmatism in both eye's. But he has adjusted well to them. Hunter and Kendahl are getting huge. I'll have to update more when I have more time. but for now. Here's some funny video's of my oldest playing my ps3, he's playing one of the spongebob games we have. Then there's a video of my husband playing with my rat terrier... :) Enjoy :)

Kids...

2010-02-25T11:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes kids say the funniest things. We went to the Lower Granite Dam on 2/24. The kids loved it, they got to see some cool life size models of some big ol fish that we get around here. Chinook Salmon that hit up to 60lbs. And Steelhead that hit up to 40lbs. Well, there they have a viewing deal at the "fish ladder" (how the fish by pass the dam with out having to go through it and the turbines etc). Anyway, the ladder goes up, and sits right along the visitor center. In the visitor center they have a "viewing" room. Where you can sit and watch the fish spawning as they go up the ladder. Through 4 big windows. When we got there only two fish where in the ladder. But they where big and got right up next to the windows for the kids to see. They LOVED that. They sat and ate a bag of m&m's each while watching these two fish. Then it was time to leave and have lunch. So we "trunked" it. Yup, that's tailgating with a car. We made sandwiches for the boys, and all ate, as we were leaving, I made a comment to Levi about the water around the damn and in the locks. Kendahl, from the back seat, pipes up into the conversation and tells us..."You dont wanna get into that water there, its dangerous. There's Jellybeans and they sting you and stuff." We tried very hard to not laugh and just tell him yes somtimes that is true. Jellybeans, are his version of jellyfish. LOL Though he got where they are mixed up, it was too cute, and a sweet warning, he didnt want any of us to get hurt if we jumped in that dark water. LOL Anyway, I will post pictures later. That was to cute to not post now so it isnt forgotten. TTYL

TO funny!

2009-12-31T13:50:00.001-08:00

Ok, I know I SERIOUSLY need to do an up date. So, I will...but I had to post this first...It's too darn cute...My boys...

WOW

2009-08-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

Lets see...WOW, I havent updated in a long time. So I'm going to give you a general run down of the last few months...though, It will be out of order you'll get an idea...Hehe

Where to start????

I'll start with my cousin BJ's wedding. I ended up getting sick as we were leaving to go to it and we missed the ceramony. That stunk. But we got to walk through the congratulatory/receiving line, and then made it to the reception. I got a few pics.

Kendahl

Cousin BJ and his lovely Bride Shanel

BJ and Uncle Brian

Uncle Brian

My dad (makin a face), Uncle Brian (sitting looking up) and Aunt Jean (standing looking down), Uncle Lee beside/behind my dad, Aunt Fern (uncle Lee's wife, facing away from aunt Jean)

Hunter

Great Grandma Sheryl

The back of Shanels beautiful dress

The lovely Bride

Then was my birthday I suppose. It was dull and quiet, and kinda cruddy. My mom was outta town, though she DID call before she left. Levi's mom and dad where gone. Levi was kinda grumpy all day, and everyone (but my mom and my dad Rocky) forgot to call and say happy birthday. I mean, it's just a birthday but it can make a day nice to hear that. Levi was grumpy and didn't want to go watch the fireworks, so I told him I would take the boys by myself, and he finally decided to go with us. That part was nice. It was a good fireworks show, which made the cruddy day end a little nicer. It was an ordinary grumpy day. But that happens every now and then. My mom and I are supposed to go do something one of these weekends for my birthday. But we'll see. She's usually pretty busy and tired.

Two days before my birthday day we got a call from my Freeze a close family friend and asked if Levi would like a job, since he knew that Levi was lookin for a much better job. A few days after my brithday (tuesday) We get a call and are told, "Send us your resume, asap." It's a good thing I'd made one up a couple weeks before for Levi to start job hunting again. We're told we'll call you tomorrow. So on wednesday (July 8) we get a call around 430 our time (330 Prudhoe bay time) and are told "You get the job! We need you here TOMORROW by 3 pm in Anchorage so you can get your physical and get up here to start work friday morning. We had almost no time. We had to buy last minute plane tickets, get some new boots, socks, undies, etc for Levi to take with him. Thank goodness my in laws helped us out so that we could get that stuff and get Levi up there. Now we're steadily paying that back. Becuase what they loaned us to get him up there was our winter wood money for the log truck load of wood we have coming, so that we'll have heat for the winter. So we have to get that back quik as we can.

Levi's been up there now for a little over 4 weeks. His frist stint will be a 6 week stretch. He'll be home August 18 at noon, and leave again back for Prudhoe Bay, Deadhorse Alaska, August 30th at 7pm. We'll have him just about 12 days, then he'll be back up to Alaska again. Four weeks up, and two weeks down. It will be (is) hard, but will also be worth it in the end.

Next was Kendahl's birthday. We had fun. We had a silly string fight, that EVERYONE got in on. That was a blast. My mom's parents where here from Texas. First time they've been able to come up and make a birthday part since Kendahl's 1st Birthday. The boys had a blast with her and papa, and everyone else here. We all had Ice cream cake, the 4 kids each got a clown cone, my mom had 6 custom made just for the kids at the party. I made home made ice cream, which we ended up not eating that day, but have eatin since. One of our "Greg Neighbors" (we have two Gregs) brought out his train as a surprise for Kendahl. He just LOVES this train! It was a riding lawn mower that has been turned into a train. It has an engine car, a cattle car, a gas car, and a caboose. With lights that all work. It's SOOO darn cute! He let Kendahl ride in the engine compartment, and gave us a bunch of rides on it, just for Kendahls birthday. He had so much fun for his day. He got lots of gifts too. When we got to the cake, my mom told him, "Make a wish, then blow out your candle." SO he put a LOT of thought into his wish and says, "I wish...um, I wish...I wish my mom....um....my mom and my daddy will be here for ever and love me for always, and that my daddy comes home soon." It made everyone tear up cuase it was such a heartfelt honest wish. It was soo darn sweet. I'm amazed all the time at what a sensative kid he is.

Kendahl, Shawn, Hunter, G.G.

G.G. in the engine

G.G., Kendahl, G.Pa

Hunter and his clown cone.

Kendahl and his clown cone

Spanking time

Me on the caboose

Kids and Cones

Me, G.G., Hunter, G.Pa, Kendahl (sorry it's blurry)

The dog cooling off in the sprinkler

Silly String fighting!

More silly string

Me covered in silly string

Kendahl and his silly string hair do

Kendahl's birthday cake, the adults got to eat...LOL

The next weekend we went cherry picking with our neighbors "the other Greg" and Mary and thier daughter Aiyanna (pronounced Dianna with out the D). We had a blast with that. The kids LOVED it, we spent a day picking cherries and talkin and enjoying the company and break away from home.

Me on top of the ladder and Aiyanna stabilizing it for me

All our Cherries

Kendahl holding a Cherry

the boys and Mary while we talked.

Greg using his car as a ladder. He used that becuase the ground wasnt steady enough to get an actual ladder there.

The boys, and the gentlman that owns the cherry tree, his wife was up the ladder picking cherries with us, VERY nice people.

Aiyanna in front of the really old CUTE wood/log home play house on the property, right next to the tree.

The boys in the tree

A beautiful dragon fly we seen land, we just had to get pictures of him becuase he was soo neatly coloured. And I LOVE dragon fly's too....

Greg being goofy, this shot turned out cool becuase of the water cuaght in mid air...

Then we had a day where we had some fun in the pool. We have a small little pool. But it works great for the kids to play in and me to sit and cool off in.

Kendahl floating in the pool

Hunter floating in the pool

the boys and I

Kendahl jumping in the pool

Kendahl jumping in (Hunter did too, but we didnt get the pics of those)

A few weeks ago, I was talking to levi on the phone and our big dog jumps straight up and sideways and I seen a HUGE black streak haul butt across my floor and under my cough. I had a feeling it was a large spider, but couldnt find it. Then two days later, I was sweeping my kitchen, getting ready to mop, and and this HUGE spider runs across my foot and hides in the corner...So I ran and grabbed a jar and caught it and killed it. I darn near went through the roof when that bohemeth ran over my foot...ICK! Here is a pic of it next to a quarter in the jar (after I killed him with bee spray) It was a wolf spider, and our neighbor who has been in sweet water his whole life (his family founded the town) said it was the biggest one he's seen in over 10 years...UGH, WHY did it have to come into my house? Thank goodness it was the one that had hid out under my couch though!! So I know it's gone!

I got some pictures of the Humming birds that come to enjoy my feeder. I've counted a total of 7 different birds. Though this is the only one I've gotten pics of.

The day after I took these I had to take the feeder down, and clean it, and wait to put it out till I can get some yellow jacket traps up...the bottom of the feeder was LAYERS THICK with them the next day trying to "hive/nest", right next to my door. Since I"m allergic I have to get rid of them.

The chickens are doing good. I'm getting between 18 and 24 eggs a day. So I'm now starting to sell them. Finally. My ducks are doing what ducks do best. Play in the water and mud, and quack a ruckus when ya talk to them.

My best friend is going through some REALLY hard times in cali and I feel bad I cant do more for her. Her uncle is screwing her over ROYALLY in SO many ways. I wont even get into it...that's a novel all on it's own, but in short, he's a controlling, money grubbing, lieing, prick of a tyrant. I just wish I could do more for her.

This saturday is Sweetwater day. It will be a blast. I am making 4 jelly baskets for the auction to raise funds for next years town get together. I made 4 kinds of home made jelly, cherry, apricott, apple, and strawberry, and put them all in a cute little basket. I hope it gets something for the fundraisers. My mom and step sister are going to come stay with me either friday night or saturday night, so they can be here for sweetwater day. It should be a blast, we have a parade and pie, caserole, and chilli contests, and a street dance and games for everyone of all ages. it's funny cuase our town is only 100 people...but we get a bunch more of past town residents too. I loved our first one which was last year on our towns 100 year anniversary, and it was so much fun we decided to do it again each year. LOL

I'm looking to get a newer car too. I need a reliable car with a/c. So I found one, and HOPE I can get the loan to get it...It's a 2005 dodge neon, manual transmission, power everything, dark silver, with a dark gray interior. I love it, the only thing it is missing is a sun roof. I should hopefully find out tomorrow (firday) if I will be able to get it. I hope so, but also understand if I dont...

So that's what's been going on here...Hope you enjoyed my LONG update!

Update...I've been busy...

2009-06-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

Lets see...Where to start! LOL...

Lets see I"ll start with the beginning of may....Was my oldest sons last 3 days of school. First the had the "Mini Pow Wow". Where the kids wore their traditional clothing and did a few dances. Since we don't have any of the traditional clothing Kendahls teachers helped the class (for those with out the proper clothing) to make a "Buckle" (the circle of feathers wore on the lower back), then a shield, and a stick with fish (the traditional hunter/gather garb of the men of the tribe). He had fun, at the end the called the parents to dance with the kids, not many would do it! But I did! He had fun, and laughed the whole time. Then the next day was Field day and the last day of school. They did a BUNCH of outside activities and games for the kids. I went to that too, and took my youngest with us. We then went back to the school and had a big old BBQ. Was GREAT food! YUM! We left early that day (all but 4 kids got to leave after the bbq). The next day in the evening was Graduation from Head Start! It was SOOOOO cute! The had caps and gowns and even lil tassels! My in laws had left for the coast the weekend before. (We thought that the grad was at the end of the month, but it was at the beginning). Then my hubby's work WOULD NOT let him off to see it! He was VERY mad. But, my mom and dad showed up to help me with Hunter and to get pics and watch Kendahl's grad. I got pics, I"ll share with ya.

Then was mothers, day. Relaxing, and quiet. Got a nice massage from head to achy toes. Got a yummy breakfast made for me. Then I spent the day relaxing doing what I enjoy. I got both my gardens planted. My "Vine Garden", which is full of pumpkins, watermelon, cantalope, honeydew, galicum, and spaghetti squash. Then my regular garden, I have 5 bell pepper plants (1 each orange, yellow, green, and 2 red) a Jalapeno plant, 4 cucumbers (two lemon two burpless), What I THOUGHT was 8 tomato's that turned out to be 14 Tomato plants! YES that many, I had planted 4 from prestarted plants, and then 4 that I thought where each ONE plant...but 3 of them are two plants and one is FOUR plants! So we'll see how well they turn out...LOL None the less I"ll have lots of tomatos. I plan on canning this year, homemade spaghetti sauce, salsa, tomato juice, apple suace, apple butter, plum jam (we have a huge plum tree, and 3 apple trees), peach marmalade and slices, and then IF we get enough huckleberrys, huckleberry jam and frozen huckleberrys (for pancakes/muffins). Yup gonna be WAY busy this fall!

Hubby and I have decided to get the rosetta stone for Spanish (and I'm getting German, and then either Japanese or Italian also, three languages I have always wanted to learn)

The chickens and ducks are HUGE and full grown, I have two roosters, and one Drake duck, the rest are all hens and two hen Ducks. They'll start to lay eggs in the next two or so weeks! We're So excited! WOOHOO!

My oldest got heat exhaustion a couple days ago (or so we thought) now my youngest has all the same symptoms, also a couple extra, but they're lasting longer, high fever (103.5) the severe shakes, throwing up, lethargic, and a weird looking raised red warm to the touch patch on his shoulder. That my mil and I cannot figure out. So I called the Ped. and am waiting for his return call.

My oldest had to have an EEG last Wednesday, he started to have Grand Maul (silent) seizures. We will find out the results today or tomorrow from that. But the ped is almost positive that their from his sugar getting way to low, because he's Hypoglycemic. So if he has another one I have to check his sugar, if it's low, once he comes out I have to get orange juice and peanut butter in him (till I get some glucose from the medical store, then I can use that to bring him out and make him feel better).

Hubby is gettin 3 days in a row off next week and We're going on a long 4 wheeler ride, and saturday is my cousins wedding. I'm excited for that, I did the slide show for it.

That's what I"m up too! Busy with family, gardens and kids, and life!

HUGS

Levi's 28th Bday

2009-04-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday 4/26/09 was Levi's Bday. He's 28...My brother got into town a couple day's prior for a visit before he get's deployed to the Gulf. (He's in the Navy) So He, my Mom, and Brad all came out. We had a nice lil bday party. (Yup mom came out again, that's 3 out of the last 4 weekends, the kids are LOVING it, so am I. They're coming out next weekend too! LOL) Here's some pics

Levi and Dex

Dex, Mom, Me

Dex and Me

Dex and Me again (notice his hand NOT on my shoulder...he had to guard himself, since one of the boys had just head butted him before the picture, also notice the "bunny" ears mom gave us! She's so short you can ALMOST see her hat behind Dex's shoulder, she was on her TIPPY toes!!) LOL

Hunter playing with everyone

Birthday Boy Levi

Dex and Kendahl

Dex and Hunter
(The boys tired Dex right out! He then looks and my mom and I, points at my boys and says to us "Meet my birth control, My sisters Kids" LMAO)

Levi and His Dad

Dex

Big bad Military man,
The Sailor and the dreaded Black Spot
(aka Tazi, my mother in laws pom puppy)

My mom and Tazi

Mom and Dex

Dex
He's grown up and filled out a bunch, and looks handsome as ever, though to me, he's still a bean pole and my LITTLE KID brother LOL

Hunter with Nana and Uncle Dex

Wierdo and Mom

Levi's Bday Cake...LOL

Easter 2009

2009-04-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

For Easter we woke up to THREE easter bunnies in our yard. They kids where excited about that. Then my Mom and Brad came out again. We had a huge bbq, and played horshoes, badmitten, egg hunters, watched/chased/fed/played with chickens and ducks, and had a big silly string fight...it was great...Then our neighbor Greg brought out his "Train, and we all got to take a couple rids. The train is an older riding lawn mower that has the body taken off and replaced by a "train engine", and then it pulls three cars, two of which are for passengers. It only puts along but is such a treat, the kids LOVE it. It's one of thier favorite parts of easter (any holiday/nice day when Greg brings it out. He's going to bring it out for Kendahls Birthday, he cant wait.) We even got my mom to ride it with me...We rode in the cattle car. Kenzie my sis rode with the little kids in the caboose. My Mom, Brad, step sis Kenzie, Me, Levi, Levi's mom and dad, Darryel, and Dannika where all there. All in all it was a great day.

Pics :)

The easter bunny's

the Springy cake I made for the day

Baskets from the Bunny

Silly String!

Easter Egg Hunters

The Train....

my Mom and Father in Law...those two had a blast playin horse shoes together and goofin off...sometimes I wonder about those two....LOL

Levi Q'n it up

Nana and Papa

2009-04-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

My mom and step Dad came out to visit and spend the day, with the boys...Here's some cute pics of them. The kids LOVED this. It was only the 2nd they've come out since we moved here a year ago....So this was a special treat :)

My mom and Brad

YES, he DID ride the trike! We laughed so hard!

Bubbles with Nana

Papa Brad

Nana Chillin in the cool sunshine

The Boys....

2009-04-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

Heres some updated Pics of the boys...

Hunter 7 days after he put a hole in his forehead. He fell off a lawn chair and landed on the corner of the wooden planter box. Put a nice hole in his head, we had to put 2 butterflies on it. it was that or stitches, and butterflies where easier, he didnt fight those... It took a long time to get it to stop bleeding...

Hunter, after he tried to cheese grater his forhead/nose on the shop floor playing with his brother...(this was the SAME day as above pictures, about 2 hours after I took the first set, he gratered his head)

I just LOVE this picture of him :)

Kendahl's new hair cut :) We just trimmed up the sides/back/bangs, but left the top the same longer length (he picked how his hair was going to be cut)

Hunters new haircut...It was LONG in the back, almost to his shoulder blades, but as I trimmed the last small spot around his ears, he flinched and slapped the buzzer clipper and went right through his longer hair...so we buzzed it all and will have to start over...LOL

This is how I found them sleeping one afternoon after it got way to quiet for my likings, I went to check on them, that's what I found...

This is Kendahl, at his school's pow-wow

This is just a cute one of Kendahl :)

Mr. Cool Hunter

Kendahl's hair do he just HAD to have done for school one day LOL

Playin in the tub...like the hair do mom gave him? LOL

WOW

2009-04-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

I'm WAY behind in my posting! So I'm working on updating now. I'll post a couple different posts...So here I go...First off some random photos, of the critters and stuff...

My lillies are starting to come up 'en mass!

My Niece Dannika on her 2nd bday...she was quit the cranky brat that day. But at 2, that's to be expected.

Here's a few current pics of the ducks, roosters, and chickens...

These are the 3 of the 4 banny's my brother in law brought me that he hatched from eggs, sadly two of the 4 died. But the other two are healthy :) the one in my hand is one that's doing ok, we've named it Tiny, cuase it's the smallest chick...Then there's 3 more Golden Sexlink chicks...the last of chicks I'll be raising for a while...LOL

One of the hens...

Here's Chester our Banny Rooster, he's FULL of himself and sounds horrid, poor lil guy is getting his crow and it sounds like someone strangling a mad cat...YES it sounds that funny!

The Ducks (black, is Peepers, and grey is Quackers)

The "baby" Just Ducky

This our big rooster Buck Cluck (a full sized rooster instead of mini banny)

This is how I found the cat sleeping...his back legs where stretched up under his chest...that cat sleeps in the wierdest positions...it's soo funny :)

This is a beautiful little bird. There where 7 in my yard and each one was a different color, I THINK they're Finches...I was only able to get a pic of the one through the window, before the all flew off, but there was, yellow, red, blue, green, gray, white, black...see the yellow on the one, that's where all the colors where...on the chest/underwings. It was the neatest thing ever to see 7 birds, each one a different color :) I could easily have held all 7 in my two hands.

HOLY COW!

2009-03-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

You have got to watch this! This is on You Tube HERE

But I also put it here on my blog becuase it made me laugh SOOO hard. Now, I'm sure it's done wth stop motion filming, so it looks chocky and a lil fake. But From what I can tell it's real, just done with stop motion photo. It's AWSOME and truly AMAZING! They had a LOT of time on thier hands to do this, but it was better than wasting it in the pub! LOL

SO worth a good laugh!

Peepers the Duck, and the Chickens!

2009-03-07T22:04:00.000-08:00

Thursday we got our chickens. Fourty-five total. Sixteen are going to my brother in laws once they get big enough. The other 24 full sized chicks will all be big fat laying hens. Then we have 5 mini bantom hens too.

Here's some pics of them (I didnt get any with the banny's in the pic)

Then today, Levi came home from work with a special gift for the boys and I (though he took to me and I cant leave his site already). This is Peepers. The baby duck! There's one pic of him and his "buddy" we put in there so he wouldnt be so alone at night when we go to bed.

Boy are we gonna have fun and our hands full this summer, with collecting chicken eggs and a duck that thinks it's family! We dont yet know if Peepers is a Mr. Peepers or a Miss Peepers. We wont know that till it gets bigger...

Well, alright...Poor little Peepers. He is SO stuck on me and cant be alone, so we got him a buddy so at night he can not be alone, I spend my time taking turns holding them and they both travel in my coat...LOL So here's Quackers (the black duck).

RC cars and club...

2009-03-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

Levi and I got some nitro r/c cars with our taxes as a treat/hobby that we can do together. We joined the local rc club so we could use the only track in town. Well, we went to the first meeting and I got voted secretary! And I get to design the shirts for one of our pro races and our track/club sign. I'm enjoying this hobby, and it's fun we can do it together! I went to the track to help Dude the club president at the track and what not. I got some photos of the guys that were running that day on the track...

our friend and club member Micah's Raze ST nitro truggy (identical to mine, only his body is in better condition)

Video's of the racers...

Holy Hail!

2009-03-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

We had a sudden hail storm friday last week. It was crazy! It was litterally coming under the door! Look at this...

Valentines day and my Burn

2009-03-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

I got some lovely flowers, a dozen pink roses. They're lovely. Here's a picture of them.

Then, a lil over a week ago I got a flash burn from our wood stove. Fortunatley it was almost all superficial. Singed my eye lashes, and brows to less than 1/2 of what they where, and a minor sun burn lookin burn on my face. My hair got singed pretty good so I had to get it hacked. They did a great job blending it. It was short in some spots, to the scalp. You cant tell now cuase she cut and blended it so well. It was that or a shave, so I go with the funny but well done hair cut. My hair, and brows, and lashes will grow back. I just wish it would be faster! The worst part of my ordeal was the burn I got on my arm. It burnt my jammies onto my arm, and I got a heat/fire burn and a chemicle burn from the matterials of the clothing. The pictures I got of it are from the day after and they dont look too bad, but it was nasty and very painful for a few days. It is almost all healed up but is still awfully itchy/dry and irritated.

Had to share :)

2009-03-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Just had to share this! My hubby making breakfast as a treat for Hunter and I one morning after Kendahl went to school and before he had to go to work. He's in his work cloths, and my apron! LOL it was too cute...LOL

Random pics of the boys

2009-03-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

Box Boy...LOL

Hunter and his cat...

Kendahl...yes in my dryer...LOL I took the cloths out of the dryer and heard some noises, and found Hunter in my dryer, and of course Kendahl had to try it out too!....

The person who started the dryer sitting...

Kendahl, Mr. Cool, in his new car seat with his new glasses...

Box boy and the cat wonder!

Kendahl

Kendahl watching cartoons

Kendahl at dinner, see Hunters mess on the table behind him?

Hunters 2nd Bday

2009-03-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

Hunters 2nd Bday was really quiet, we had Grandma and Grandpa Brown, mom, dad, Big Bro, and our friends/neighbors Mary and her daughter Iyanna (Dianna with out a D). Nana and Papa where out of town, this weekend.

Here he is

Here he is blowing out his candles.

Dirty Ruger...

2009-03-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

Well, with taxes we got some r/c cars. Ruger THINKS they are for him to chase and play with. Well Levi peeled out in the mud and slung mud ALL over the dog, it was SOO funny! Here's what he looked like after the fact, before his baths...YES TWO baths to get him clean!

First of many updates...DJs Jan visit

2009-03-02T16:16:00.000-08:00

I have tons of updates! So I'm breaking them down into some separate posts.

DJ came home in January. He was home for 2 weeks. We didnt hardly get to see him, he was busy with friends. But we got to see him for a couple hours atleast! The first night was a party for/with him that he missed 1/2 of...LOL The rest was the day before he left. I got some cute pics of him and the kids and I before he left. We miss him and HOPE to actually get to spend time with him next time he comes home...LOL The turkey. He's a teen now with his own money so he'll do as he wishes!

DJ and Levi (Two of the 7 most important men in my life)

Me and DJ, yea my LITTLE brother dwarfs me now!

DJ, Kendahl, and Hunter, (two more of the important men) LOL

A Snowflake, what a gift.

2009-01-26T19:31:00.000-08:00

A snowflake.

Have you taken the time to look at one, or a couple? Or more appropriately. Have you ever had the pleasure to even see a single snow flake? A true single, snowflake that hasn't started to melt? In it's whole tiny beauty?

Last weekend. Levi was busy helping a friend, so when the kids were taking a nap. I bundled up warm to go get some wood, to restock our porch, since I had just stuck the last log on the fire. Out I stomp through the yard across the inch or so worth of snow that had fallen the night before. It started to snow as I got closer to the shop where Levi was and to where the one 4 wheeler is parked. We talked for a couple minutes, and I let him know I was going to haul wood.

I had on black cotton gloves, over a pair of red ones and I happen to look down at my gloves for no apparent reason as I was about to get on the 4 wheeler, and there was a perfect SINGLE snow flake on my glove! Levi was next to me, and it waited to melt till after I had gotten Levi to look at it with me. It was so tiny and delicate. And yet so intricately formed, to make such a complex design. A true work of beauty.

I watched it till it melted all away, and went to start loading wood. Levi came over to help me, chattering about the snow flake we'd both just had the rare pleasure to witness. As he picked up a snow covered peice of wood he looked at it and said to me, "It's crazy that this seemingly solid looking bit of stuff is millions of tiny single snow crystals. What's more crazy is that in all the billions and billions that fall, not one looks alike." Back to throwing wood he goes. And stops again. He tells me "Look, on the end of my finger."

There was a second single snow flake. This one so much different than the last and much bigger, but still so tiny. We stood in aww, watching this tiny wonder of nature as it melted away. I can imagine the people driving by were wondering what was so interesting on his finger tip. But we couldn't have cared less.

He then left to go help our friend some more as I continued to load up wood in our 4 wheeler trailer. I finished up, still thinking of those two snow flakes and hopped on the 4 wheeler to pull the trailer to the house. As I started it up, I grabbed my coffee cup and low and behold there was not one, but 4 individual snow flakes, sitting on the back of my glove.

Now, one is a treat, two is a rare treat, 3 is hardly ever heard of but 6 in one day! And when the snow was falling in big clumped up flakes!

Talk about a gift.

The snow flake in it's self is a miracle. A gift from God given to us in an everyday, not so miraculus way. But if you ever get the chance to really look at one or six close up do. They are truely amazing.

I spent the afternoon after thinking about how many things we see every day, that are gifts from God. Given to us, through nature in an everyday way that to most is unimpressing, and often times un wanted. It made me wonder how many people who hate the snow, or the rain, or the leaves, have really truly taken the time to look at them, close up? Heck, even the bugs are neat to look at, some are so amazingly designed. The way a window will freeze, and ice crawl up it. That's awsome to take the time to look at. Ice cicles too. Flowers, animals. Even man made objects are true works of beauty and art, given to us by the person who created them. That person had the talent and heart to give them to us, becuase God wanted to share something with us through that persons eye for beauty.

Now with all this about God, dont get me wrong, I'm not a religiouse fanatic. I dont believe in organized religion. But I DO believe in God, and a higher plane of life, with Him, and Angels, etc. I dont always have these truly moving thought's/feelings/days. They seem to hit when I need them the most, when I am feeling worn down by life and stressess that go with it. From trying to raise my kids right, to paying bills, to things as simple as I had a bad night and am grumpy. When it all finally piles up and I feel as though I will finally not be able to be stable and strong, as though I may break, in His own way, he speaks to me to put me at ease and take my mind away from it all. All the simplistic and yet intricate beauty of every day things.

My snow flakes, made my day seem so worth it. They made the unwanted trip out into the cold SO worth it. It was a humbling day. I was so happy, and uplifted feeling, at my own little miracles. My snow flakes.

Sleeping Angels

2009-01-25T18:40:00.000-08:00

My kids are monsters. Well, normal little boys.

But when they sleep they're perfect angels....LOL This morning Levi wakes me up and tells me HURRY get your camera! So I dart out of bed 1/2 awake, and down the hall I follow him. And this is what I spy....

Now mind you, Kendahl was on his TOP bunk and Hunter on his bottom bunk three hours earlier when I got up with them to give them some cough meds.

They've been sick lately. Kendahl for two weeks, and Hunter for one, but Hunter has gotten it worse than Kendahl. We're off to the Dr on monday morning because they have signs of either bronchitis or the start of walking pnumonia...UGH...They've been coughing hard 24/7 since the got sick, bad enough they cant breath awake or asleep, and are up all night coughing and all day the cough so hard the gag...it's miserable, well, I got up early morning, around 4 am, and gave them some cough meds to quiet the cough so they could try to get a little more sleep. Settled them back in to thier beds, and went to bed myself.

The phone rang and woke us up around 7 or 730, and Levi had to get up and get dressed to help a friend that called...thats when he came to get me in a hurry to get a picture of these two...Kendahl had gotten off his bed and curled up next to his brother, and they both were finally comfy enough to sleep. This made me smile and chuckle, it's the first time they've ever done that. But it sure made a cute start to a quiet dull day.

Off to have dinner.

Randi

Oh My Gosh! Blast from the past!!

2009-01-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

OMGOSH! Where we really that little? Here's a picture that DJ and I took when I was 11 or 12 and he was 5 or 6. This was taken in one of those photo booths. I remember we got it taken when we were at the laser tag arena playing games...we LOVED that place!

Love ya Dex!

Well...I got rid of the slide show....

2009-01-06T11:43:00.002-08:00

I got rid of the slide show, and am going to post the pictures here in one huge post...Makes it easier...

Hope you like them and dont mind the length!

Hugs!

Randi

These are pictures from DJ's gong away party up river this last July 08, and also the pics of him and us his last day home before he left for basic...There's me, Levi, Mom, Uncle John, Dad, DJ's friends,

These are just lots of pictures of Levi, Kendahl, Hunter, and I...and a couple of with our neice Dannika

Our three critters, Ruger the "Pittiful", Foster the tabby, and Bean the black n white fuzzball....We're going to get a TON of chickens soon for selling farm fresh eggs...I cant wait!!

YAY! Finally done...

2009-01-06T11:43:00.001-08:00

Finally got all the pictures changed over and reposted!

Bare with me please!

2009-01-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

I'm moving all my pictures into a new photobucket storage account. So they'll say they're missing till I get them all moved it's gonna take me a little time but I'll get it done as soon as I can! Thanks for bearing with me!

Hugs!

Randi

Some more snow!!! Lots of fun!

2009-01-05T17:09:00.000-08:00

Well, we went to bed last night around 12 am...I know it's late but we havent slept for crud lately...and it was no snow...just cold...we woke up around 6 am to get Kendahl up and ready for school and found that there was 9 inches easily of snow! School was canceled for Kendahl! We had to run to town and I got some pics of the drive to town on the highway and pics of the trip home down Web rode....There were a few snow drifts that were as high as the window on our bronco!

Here's after we got home...getting out of the rig...This is how deep it is...1/2 up my van wheels!

Here's the "Black Spot" my Mother in Laws 9 week old Pom puppy Tazi

Ruger waiting almost impatiently for Levi to throw the toy, he LOVES the snow

Kendahl with a mouth full of snow...

Hunter on top of our snow mountian/fort/slide hill in our yard...

Levi is standing on an easy 8 in of snow up off the ground...and you can see how high the snow hill is to him even standing up that high himself! (the second pic is of him holding the shovel out, the first is of him and the boys playing)

There's Kendahl the snow bunny sitting in the beggining of a fort...

OMGosh, yes that's me! Folded up in a ball to fit in there! LOL Was way fun though!

So that's what we did today!
Hugs
Randi

Boy's hair cuts and UGH...

2009-01-02T20:50:00.000-08:00

This is the last blurb for the night, and probably a few days...promise! LOL

I cut the boys hair the other night and was gonna post pics...So here they are!

Hunter just before xmas...I just LOVE this picture of him!! He's so goofy, and you can see how long his hair was getting...LOL

The boy's haircuts.........

Kendahl playing on his Lightening McQueen Vtech learning lap top Oma Birdi got him for Xmas...

Ok, now for UGH...I was outside hauling wood the other day while the boys took a nap...well Kendahl opted to not nap and let him and his brother OUT of the bedroom. Normally no big deal he knows to turn on the tv and cartoons will be on for him...Well Hunter wasnt asleep either. He came out into the living room too. And decided to mess with Levi's little computer/work corner. UGH Levi DID NOT put away his sharpie after I asked him too....MANY TIME...and Well...Let's put it this way...2 Year old + sharpie + tables + couch = HUGE mess....Here's pics for proof...

I didnt know what to do when I seen it...I just stood there...So pissed off at Levi for not putting the marker away and Hunter for even getting it and Kendahl for letting Hunter out...that all I could was laugh...take the marker away, turn on cartoons, and go finish up gettin the wood onto the porch stacked....THEN coming in and cleaning the mess up....I got it off everything BUT the couch....So, now I REALLY want a new couch and kinda need one now...LOL

SO, keep it in mind...DONT leave markers around kids...LOL TRUST me on that one!

Hugs...

TTFN
Randi

Xmas, New Years, and Locomotive Light Park,

2009-01-02T17:42:00.000-08:00

Let's see, three days before Christmas we went to Locomotive Train Park that they light all up with lights for the holidays. Then we had a great Christmas eve, Christmas, and a quiet new years. The kids made out like bandits. They got lots of toys and cloths. I went through their room Christmas night. I got rid of 2 trash bags of toys and 2 1/2 of cloths. I gave them to a friend for his nephew. It was a quiet uneventful new years too. For Christmas we went to hubby's parents on Christmas eve. My moms and grandma's on Christmas day. Then spent new years with hubby's parents. We played a couple games of uno, and watched a couple Jeff Dunham comedy movies...and then went to bed around 11:30! No coplaints. We had fun. I have some pictures for you to see....The dates on the pics are off one day...they're behind one day...LOL

These are of Locomotive Park (I just LOVED the way the light looked on the snow under the trees! It was SOO awsome!) The pics are a little blurry cuase I took them with out my flash so you could really see the brightness of the lights.

Here's Christmas Eve at my in laws...
Mom with her new Pom Puppy Tazi

Kendahl, then Hunter, then Darryel and Dannika, then Dad

Christmas Morning The boys got thier stockings first at home...

Then on to my mom's...
ONE of my Sisters, McKenzie

Mom and Dad

Poor Sleepy Hubby Levi

Then it was on to my grandma Birdi's
this is (from Left to right) My cousin Addy (20), My Sister Alex (15), my cousin Catelyn(18, I can never remember how to spell her name right), and Me (25). Addy's mom, My sis and I's dad, and Cate's dad are all siblings...can you see the family resemblence?? LOL

The day after Christmas the boys in thier matching Batman outfits...from GG

Randi

Got a hair "Trim" LOL

2009-01-02T15:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, So....I went today and hacked my hair off!!! OMGosh! It took me only 2 years to grow my hair. It was shoulder length (or a lil shorter) When I started growing it. It was 4 or so inches past my bra strap in the back (just past mid back)...and it is now SHORT and layered! I had my hair all one long length...I told the gal, here's the "rules"...."I want the shortest layer just long enough to tuck behind my ears, and no longer than my shoulders. If you dont want to cut it ONLY trim the ends. I'll leave it up to you to do what you want with my hair!" YES I was gutsy! She aked me two questions. "Layers?" and when she was done "Do you like?" OMGosh I love it! I had her take my hair and put it in a pony tail so I could donate my hair to locks of love... Next time I'm in town I'm going to figure out WHERE to go to donate it and donate my pony tail. SOOOO....Here's my before and after pics!

Before, when it was long (you still cant quit tell the full length but you get the idea)

After with it cut now...

More sledding fun! Video's

2008-12-20T19:07:00.000-08:00

Here's 2 of 4 videos from sledding today! Hope you enjoy! We had a blast! There is one of Kendahl and the two neighbor kids and one of Kendahl, Hunter, and the neighbor kids...They had a blast...

SNOW FUN!!

2008-12-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

Let's see after our first snow, it melted off...we had no snow last night on the ground. We woke up this morning to 4 inches! And it's been snowing a little bit off and on. We have been having a blast. But we can only play in 1/2 hour to TOPS 1 hour incriments...then we have to come inside and warm the boys up. And me too! We made a home-made sled for the boys to use. We took an old large tote lid and flipped it over, put a swatch of carpet in it for sitting on. Tied a rope to it for the kids to hold on to, and then put a second rope on it to hook to the 4 wheeler! I got to ride first, this morning the boys and I got pulled behind the 4 wheeler by Levi...Now we're off to go outside and do it again, while I pull them all. We tear around the block and it's a blast! LOL I'll post more pics when I get back!

BACK!! We modified our sled...We got an old chevy pick up hood and turned it into a sled! WOOHOO! Talk about fun! Hubby, and I got his parents to ride with me too, it was SOOO fun! Here's the rest of the pics...We have one of our friend Tony and his son Shawn too...his wife Sissy wasnt out side at the time...

There's a few pics of Hubbys dad pullin hubby and me, and then some of me and dad, and then me and mom too...Some more of the kids in thier "ewalk eskimo" outfits...with goggles and all! LOL

Here's our buddy Tony and his son Shawn...

Well, that's my short blurb up date...
LOL
HUGS

Santa Chopper visit, New glasses, and SNOW!

2008-12-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

Lets see, Last weekend, Santa flew into town in a helicopter! I dont know what the kids where more excited about...the chopper or Santa...I almost think the chopper was the biggest hit...I got some cute photo's I'm going to post here...

I also got some new glasses...I cheated and went to the dollar store. I only needed them for reading/computer work, kind of stuff...So I went found some cute cheap-o's that do the trick perfect! I'm going to go get a couple more pair's (since they are breakable) LOL But at that price it's no biggie! LOL I got a pic of me in them...they arent the greatest but I like them.

Off to play outside....

First Snow! And other stuff...

2008-12-14T23:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, it's nothing major. Just snow. But we so rarely get snow that it was worthy enough to say...YAY We got snow!

When we get snow we get at least 6 inches total, though not always all at once. Although it is rare to get any snow. Usually it's freezing rain, sleet, hail, OR plain old wet rain. But this time we got a little snow.

The boys where SOOO excited about it. We let them go outside to play in the snow. It was SO darn cold out that we bundled them up big time, not for the fact of snow but the absolute freezing chill factor.

They, well Hunter in particular, looked like two lil buddha's they where were so cute looking. Poor Hunter, I just knew if he fell he'd be down for the count and sure enough, he did...and he was down, he went down twice...he had bent down to see the snow and did a face plant in it...he did NOT like that. The other time he slipped and fell on his backside, and couldn't get rolled over to get up. It was funny and cute. Kendahl was much better suited to move. They got to play for a while almost 45 minutes, but it was so darn cold they had to then come in to warm up. I gave them hot coco as a treat to warm them up. They thought it was pretty good stuff.

I got some pics of them too, that turned out great. I'll get those posted in a day or so after I get them off my camera.

Poor Hunter. He and his brother were playing after the had their coco. Kendahl wasn't paying attention and went to throw his hand over his head to tickle his brother who was behind him and jabbed Hunter in the eye. Hunters eye is all red and puffy and watering. It looks like you can actually see a scratch on the lens. He has been rubbing it and crying off and on all evening. It happened as we were getting ready to lay them down for a nap. Once he woke up from nap you could see the "damage" that was done. Poor lil guy. If it doesn't get better I'll take him to the Dr. to see if there is anything I can do or he can give me, to ease the pain and help it heal.

We put a wood stove on our front porch. It's full enclosed but needed the roof insulated and sheet rocked. SO we're doing that Monday or Tuesday...the wood stove makes a HUGE diff in keeping the house warm compared to the electric heater. And it will save a ton of money on the power bill too. We just keep the front door of the house and window next to it open to the porch, which is all sealed, for the heat to come into the house. It looks and works better than it sounds...LOL

Well, I'm off to chock the fire up full and head to bed. It's COLD tonight, it's only 9 degrees as of right now. To darn chilly for me. I enjoy the snow, but not the cold. LOL What an oxymoron huh? Anyway, I'm off my bed. I have to get a new heater blanket, it quit working! I'm so bummed! So I have to get a new one. Anyway, NOW, off to do the fire and go to bed.

NIGHT!

Thanksgiving Pics and House decoration pics

2008-12-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

I posted new pictures from Thanksgiving, and a couple of the inside of our house all decorated up for xmas...

Just click on a small picture to enlarge it and see it better!

HUGS!

Randi

These are Turkey day pictures of me and the family....

These are pics of our house all decorated up for Xmas :)

STUPID IDIOT DRIVERS!

2008-11-17T22:37:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post this earlier!

Oh my gosh! Some people SHOULD NOT have a drivers license. And I REALLY wish I could get signal with my cell phone along the highway between my house and town. UGH!

I DISLIKE to the point of HATE aggressive ass hole drivers! I was on my way into town on sunday. I was in my van, which is older (a 1990). It drives find and does highway speeds like they're nothing...but it's a v6, and does have to fight if there's a head wind.

SO, I'm cruising along, and a head wind hits my van head on, and slowed me way down from 65 to almost 50. I got steady and started to speed back up. The ONLY other vehicle on our side of the highway was a big v8 pick up, that dwarfed my van.

Now, dont get me wrong. I have a big ol pick up too. But I'm not an ass hole when I drive it!

Anyway, they come outta no where hauling butt like theres not tomorrow in this windstorm and dont slow down. They ended up practially kissing my bumper! They would NOT get off my back side nor switch into the empty lane! They stayed as close as they could with out hitting me. I swear, I could only see grill and bumper in my rearview mirror, and even out my back window as I turned around! FINALLY the suddenly vear wildly around me BARELY missing me with a big ass side swipe. Mind you this is ALL at highway speeds on the highway!

Now, I figure Ok, they went around they're gone. NO, they pulled IN FRONT OF ME. They didnt just switch lanes and leave they went around me damn near side swiping me and then as the cut in front of me they almost took my front bumper off!

And what do they do?!! They slam on thier brakes! I hit mine and swerved into the other lane, and the jerked around and swerved in front of me again, then slaming on thier brakes again! Then behind me and on my bumper they went! Then back in front! For more than 3 miles!

We were the only rigs on our side of the highway and I had no help. It was just me and Hunter my youngest! I had NO cell signal either! I was gonna call the local police dispatcher to have them send a Stater out to help...I get to town the ass holes speed up doing almost high way speeds into town in a 35 loosing me in a heart beat and swerving in and out of traffice all the way up the Lewiston hill.

I got the license plate number, make, model etc. Got to my stop, found my phone and low and behold got out and was nose to nose with our animal control officer (who is also a city officer). He said next time 911 NOT non emerg. That is wrekless endangerment and aggressive driving with intent to hurt. A call that is sent to 911 right away if made while in progress. So now I know what to call if it happens again. IF I can get phone signal. Anway, I called city police and made a report, none the less. SO they'd have it on file. It was a damn out of state rig, BUT at least they had it on file incase they tried to hurt anyone else while in town.

Anyway. We're safe and OK, our angels where watching out for us. But it absolutely infuriated me none the less. I do NOT hesitate to report idiot drivers now adays. Specially with kids. SO be ware!

Till next time...

Boys...

2008-11-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

Boys...sheesh I tell ya. Sometimes I wonder. Little mini wrecking balls of trouble.

Last wednesday night, after being put to bed; Hunter, my youngest, tried to use a toy as a ladder to get into a fight with his dresser. And the two ganged up on him and won. He now has a shiner. Well. We're on the tail end of it healing. But none the less. When he woke up last thursday it was swollen and bruised, you could tell he had a black eye, but it didnt look bad. Although as the days passed it got darker and darker till it was deep black. Today it's a little lighter, and yellowing around the edges.

The looks I got as we went out to take care of stuff! Goodness. I had a couple people take one look and burst out laughing. Most asked and knew he lost to his dresser. Some though, gave me the nastiest looks ever. I mean, I understand with the stupid "abuse paranoia" that has gripped the country. You cant even look at your child with out someone yelling abuse. I know the difference myself thank you to everyone who gives snide looks, and mumblings. I grew up in a house of severe abuse. I firmly believe in a paddling. Your keister was not made for just sitting on. But there is a HUGE difference between a paddling and beating. So DONT get in my face about it. Nuff said, off my soap box now.

Any how. Boys are a handfull, and a pain in the arse, and great fun all at the same time. I have taken the stand that, "If it isnt broken or bleeding or unconciouse it's fine."

Off to get some lunch...till next time...

Busy outside chore day....

2008-11-15T19:26:00.000-08:00

Woke up crabby as bageezes today.

Hunter hasnt been sleeping well, so I've been up in the middle of the night latley a lot with him. And not sleeping well. So I was sleepy.

Then I get a call right after I got up. From Levi, out side on dad's cell. Dad wanted my help 'cuase mom wasnt feeling good. Normally that would have been a yea no problem deal. But I was so sleepy still I was instantly pissed at the request/order I had just gotten.

So I drug my feet. I got the kids dressed and sent them out the door. Then fed myself, and got my self dressed and got some coffee. Helped a friend figure out if a download link would work for a scrap kit. When it wouldnt after a few tries, I got my shoes on and a coat. As Levi came stomping into the house. Crabby I wasnt outside yet. Which did not improve my mood at all. By the time I got out there, they had gotten a majority of the leaves raked into small piles. Levi was down in the shop, dad was in the house with mom.

My 4 year old was raking leaves. Just proud as could be at himself for helping. So I took note of this lil lesson he had just given me. (That no matter how cranky we are, being outside is a great mood boost, and it always feels good to help out.) So I grabbed a rake and started helping him out. We covered the tarp with a third of the leaves. Dad came out, and he and Kendahl started to move the tarp and leaves, and lay them out around the small bushes for compost to help through the winter. As they did so, I started to scoop up the poop.

With two dogs, if you only scoop once a week, there's quit a bit to clean up! So I cleaned it all up and dissposed of it. Put the shovel/bucket away, and picked my rake back up.

I got the other piles raked into one huge pile. Helped load up the tarp again. Then repeated. All the while watching my son help happily. Proud of himself for raking the leaves like a big boy and helping grandpa.

After we got done. I was asked to help a lil more. Well by now, I was like yea sure. The crisp cold air was nice, and I was warm from my coat and the physical labor. Little did I know what I was getting myself into.

Now, I've done a lot of things. But running a rototiller is one I have not. Till today.

Dad had a tree he wanted to plant. And he cant run the rototiller. It's not something his shoulders will let him do. He has had 3 surguries on his shoulders, and if it requires lifting heavy stuff, anything over his head, or a jarring motion steadily, he cant do it. Levi was busy. So I was the candidate of the day.

Once we got the darn thing to work, and dad had gotten it started. I took over. The soil amazingly was relatively easy, soft supple, from the week and a half of rain we'd just had, the two days of frozen hadnt totally hardend the ground to far down as of yet. SO, I get to tilling, and as I get deeper, dad wanders off. He comes back with a 5 gallon bucket of water, and dumps it in my hole! Wanders off again, and comes back with yet another 5 gallons. So I was now tilling a mud puddle. I ended up covered in mud from the knees down. It was fun. The tiller weighs more than I do. Dad spent the time standing by and laughing his butt off. Everytime I'd trade sides to work from another side/angle, I'd have to "walk" the tiller back into the hole. The tiller would catch, and toss me around. Dad had to dive for me and grab my coat one time. He got to giggling and said he could just picture me getting tossed over the handle bars and dumped into the mud puddle. Glad to know I was so amuzing.

Mom came out herself. And laughed at me too.

By the time I was done it was the consistancy of thick fudgy soup. I got the sudden urge to jump in it and sling some around. Dad laughed and said he did too. We agreed we'd make a mud puddle for the boys to sling around in this summer. I cant wait for picks from that. I'll join them. A natural mudd bath isnt bad for anyone. Besides who doesnt enjoy getting dirty? Ha ha.

I got back in the house later. Got comfy. And started on laundry and email. I get a call as I'm cooking dinner and writting this. Dad needs me to till one more hole tomorrow. That means come monday, I'm going to be one sore mama. Oh well. That happens. We have a hot tub to use and asper cream for my back. So I'll live.

Bell just rang. Dinners dome and I'm starved.

Till next time.....

Down further, NOW to go up.

2008-11-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought we were as far down as we could go. Apparently I was wrong. We had a tiny bit further to go. Wednesday we had to go to town to drop our 6mo old kitten off at the shelter to get fixed. Hubby was not in a good mood from wake up. It got worse. After we left the yard. My van wouldnt shift gears. So we went back to the house and put in some atf fluid. Still no shift. Back, more fluid, leave. No shift. Back again. Decided to swap rigs. Tranny is out in my van. Got in our truck...headed to town, ok, no big other than it needs some new steerring components cuase it drifted BAD at high way speeds. Get to town drop the cat off. Do out bit of stuff. Head home. Tranny in the chevy goes out about a mile and a half from home! So I did a recap...Friday (Halloween) our consumer credit counceling account we were trying to get our credit back on track with got cancled, due to 2 missed payments in a 10 month span (I didnt even realize that I had missed them), Monday after, Levi get's fired. Thursday turned down for a great job for un known reasons. Wed (the next week, this week) the tranny in BOTH of our lic rigs goes out. So...NOW we've hit the bottom. And NOW we SHALL come back up come hay or high water! A good friend of ours is going to get us a parts rig to replace the tranny and front axles on my van, at no cost to us, to help us out. My father in law helped us fix the tranny on the chevy and our other friend, also helped to get the gearing switched and matched up. So all it needs is brakes. So those are two bonuses. Starting to head up. Ran into one of my sweet younger cousins today, he works for pepsi, when I told him what happened, he said tell him to get to pepsi we're short and are highering! So there's a bonus! A good job lead! Now to head up from here! I'm even gonna go apply at our local lil restaurant to wait tables part time, for a lil extra bill money.

Now that I've ranted and raved, and pouted. I feel better! Now to go up up up!

Randi

We can only go up from here....

2008-11-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Alright. Try this again. Last time I started the net went down...

Now, for the title of the post. We can only go up from here. It feels as though we've hit rock bottom.

Now, normally...or atleast I used too...get all mad, upset, depressed, or go doom and gloom. But this time around, I just kind of took our situation with a grain of salt, and a sort of serene acceptance. That in the end, things will work out.

Now, so your not confused about what I'm rambling about. On monday the 3rd, just shy of 8 years at Thunder Jet, Levi got fired from his job. Now, what has gotten me madder than a wet hen, is not that he was let go. That can happen to anyone, no matter how long you've been at a job. But what has infuriated me, is HOW they fired him and WHY.

I had gone into town to pay a couple bills, and Hunter and I were gonna go have lunch with Levi. So we get there, and call, to let him know we're waiting out side. I get a sad quiet, "I'll be there in a minute, I got some bad news." My heart sank. I knew what was coming. With the economy like it is I figured he was laid off. But nothing could prepare me for what he said.

He had been called into the office and was greeted by the owner and these words..."I know you've been steeling from me. I have proof. And I wont press charges. Now get out, your fired."

He was told later "oh some one ratted you out for steeling the yellow grinder that's missing." He thinks it was either his supervisor or another person in the prep/paint department. He was the highest paid person back there in prep/paint and there the longest (besides the two supervisors, and he'd even been there longer than one of them!), and was due for a dollar an hour raise, and very large bonus for xmas. We think it very well could have been a "set up" firing. So they could save money. Levi is the ONLY one there in that departmen who isnt a druggy, nor have a felony/record of some sort. The only clean, good person back there was fired. No explanation or anything.

Now those of you who know my husband, know what a crock of shit that is! He's the most honest to a fault person I've ever known. They claimed he'd stole a huge grinder the size of our almost two year old! They didnt give him a chance to defend himself or even talk to him about any accusations until he was fired. Even then didnt want to hear it. The can't prove anything, nor have the tried to prove or disprove anything.

It's frustrating. Thats what had me mad. The loss of pay and xmas bonus at this time of year would normally spiral me into a depression. But it hasnt this time. I've taken it with a subdued acceptence. And out look that's possitive despite the negative affects it whould normally have upon me. The pay cut is going to hurt us in the long run yes. But it at the same time, it's something we can deal with.

We're just cutting back in ways we had hoped not to. We're selling our newer truck. To save on the high payments. Giving up things we dont need...trivial things. So we can concentrate on the important stuff. Credit card bills (we still have to pay off), power, rent, and food. The important things.

I mean we still have a home, and each other and our health. And in the end, that's all that matters isnt it? Not the trivial material possessions.

It isn't going to be easy. For any job he finds, will be a cut in pay by 1/2 of what we were making. But oh well. Such is life.

We feel/felt as if we'd hit rock bottom. But have to keep/kept telling ourselves, "Keep looking up. We can only go up from here. Things could be worse, and other do have it worse. Things happend for a reason." Levi did want to get out of there. Not quit like that, but out none the less. So maybe this is the cloud with the silver lining in disguise.

Cross your fingers for us, he finds a job that he can enjoy finally. Pay cut or not. Atleast he'll be healthier now! That's a BIG bonus!

Better go for now. I'm getting tired.

Night all...

UGH!

2008-10-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

Now, I know being a parent is a challenge. And will continue to be one for the rest of my breathing life. But some day's I tell ya! I struggle a lil more than some with keeping a level head, I'm bipolar, and have PTSD and Depression. Now, I'm not saying that for pitty, or for people to get mad or any other reason. Just simply for one to understand where I"m coming from, and why I see things, or feel, the way I do.

Now, kids. They can be a blessing and a nightmare all at the same time. My oldest, was 6 weeks early, had fluid on the lungs, was on oxygen and iv's for a week, and syrnge fed for a few weeks after that. He's had cronic constipation, and didn't start talking till he was 3 1/2. When we FINALLY got some help for his speech. I've been informed he's almost gauranteed to have Aspergers Autism, and OCD. No biggie both can be helped with a lil ocupational therapy. And aspergers isnt as scary as it sounds at all. It's quit managble, especially when on a milder scale like my son has. BUT the down side, they wont officially test or even lable this till, at least 8 years old. Kendahl is 4. He's in head start, and making leaps and bounds with is speech and social abilities. He's learned how to control his temper and anger out bursts. I've taught him some great techniques to use, that even at 4 he understands they help, and how to do them. He will climb on his bed in the room all quiet and alone, or sit right next to me on the floor, breath very slow and deeply with his eye's closed, and to just relax. He's learned this helps with is anger a LOT. Just as it does me with mine. He has come so far in the last 6 months. Leaps and bounds in so many areas. We've got the constipation almost totally under control too. He's getting so big!

Now, my troubles lie in my youngest. He's almost 2. Yea, the "terrible two's" everyone dreads that kick in at 18 months, are here. But this is more. It has hit completely out of the blue, and his out bursts are getting worse and worse, and louder and louder, and sometimes almost violent. It started as a typical baby/toddler fit, cry a little, maybe stomp a foot. Then it was throw my self down and cry. Still normal, so far. Then it was throw myself down and thrash and cry. Then throw myself down thrash and scream as loud as I possibly can and kick at people and hit people. If mom tells me know I'll hit and kick at her and tell HER no. Bed time when I"m not ready or with out a movie, I'll scream as loud as I can from bed for a bit then move to the door and scream under it as loud as I can while kicking the wall. If I'm realy mad and big brothers around I"ll hit him too. This has all hit and escalated over a two week span. If he doesnt get juice (which I only allow on cup a day) he'll throw his sippy at me or the fridge.

He's never seen me, hubby, or his big brother act like this. I have NO clue where it has come from but I'm at my witts end already. I can't handle the screaming non stop. It's extra hard on my nerves and self control considering that being bipolar I'm enough of an emotional handfull to myself. It is SO hard to keep a calm level head and be able to tell him as calmly as possible, "No Hunter, you cannot act like that/do that/have that/etc." I believe in a good swift swat on the kiester if needed. And it worked great with big brother, but with Hunter nothing seems to work, just make it worse, other than letting him win. And I WONT do that. I will NOT have my house run by a screaming tyrant like some people I know.

My hubby after a long stressful day at work cant handle it and gets snappy and short with the kids and me. Which doesn't help at all. It's rapidly taking a toll. I WONT give in. But gal darn it, I'd sure like for it to end. An occassional kid fit is one thing. But this absolute tyranical and screaming non stoped attempt to run the house and get his way is another. I'm sure we'll be fine, and make it through, come hell or high water. But I hope and pray it's sooner than later, becuase I'm an official ulcerized stress basket right now after dealing 24/7 with this behavior for two weeks or a little over now.

To top it off it's not helped him acting like this while I have to deal with is big brother who got the flu from school and spent all day today starting around 450 am throwing up and running a fever.

Now you know why I used the title...UGH! LOL

All I can say is I hope to high heaven we get a grip on this attitude/tyrant behavoir soon, or I may have to check into a mental ward for a vacation. A nice quiet padded room sounds great right about now. LOL

Anyway, just had to rant a tid bit. It helps to ease the stress.

Randi

Added photos

2008-10-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

Added more photo's to the slide show. They're at the end of it. Enjoy :)

R

What we've been doing.

2008-10-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Just wanted to say HELLO! This will be a lil long.

Life has been NON stop and hectic for a while now. Things have been busy. Kendahl is in school and I do a lot with him/for his school. We have a trip to the pumpkin patch coming up actually. His speech is starting to improve a bunch. They think he has a mild case of aspbergers autism...but he cant offically be tested/diagnosed till he's at least 8. So no help but what we can do ourselves until then. He's LOVEING school though. Hunter is getting huge. He's a little monster, LOL. He is still showing little to no intrest in talking. So we're gonna get him tested to see what's up. Either he's stubborn, or has the same issues as his brother with speech. So we'll see. They LOVE to play and wrestle around with each other as boys will do. And they tend to bruise each other up pretty durn good. They smacked heads last night and BOTH got 50cent sized purpley-black bruises. Hunters on his forhead right between the eye's. And Kendahls is further up in the hair line. Then 40 minutes later, Kendahl knocked Hunter down while playing...at the time H was holding his forhead and laying on his tummy, so we THOUGHT he'd gotten smacked on his freshly sore bruise. An hour later after making rice crispies, H climbed up on the chair to get into them and I happend to glance over and OMG His head was all bloody! (Neither Levi NOR I seen him bleeding cuase we were both in the kitchen cooking, and the boys where in the living room.) So we cleaned him up good, and slapped some neo on there. He may have needed a small stitch or two, but we didnt bother with it, IF it was still bleeding and needed it, I have butterflies to fix that. So now, after cleaning him up we went on the search to figure out what in the world had happned. Levi on a hunch looked over at the vent H had been laying by when he was knocked down, and sure as heck the stupid screw that holds the vent down was not down all the way and was at an angle, and there was blonde hair stuck to it! SO, we're gonna get that fixed today...LOL BOYS! I tell ya. LOL I cant comlpain cuase at least when they hurt each other, it's in the middle of giggle filled play, and not aggression and being mean.

Levi and I were playing around the other day and I cracked my foot. And broke the computer desk...LOL...I jumped on Levi's back to bite the back of his neck (it gives him goosebumps and he hates those! lol) So to keep me from falling off he leaned forwards, which threw me off balance more and I kicked out and kicked the desk...talk about OUCH! My foot is still purpley-black-red and it's been two weeks...LOL It hurt so bad, but all I could do was laugh my butt off while yowling how bad that hurt, while the tears ran down my face...Levi was like OMG that's NOT funny, are you ok? Through his own gales of laughter....LOL NO biggie though...crap happens...

We went to see great grandma on her birthday the 7th. She turned 91. My MIL, me, Hunter, and Dannika (my niece) all went. I got pics of her and the kids. The kids were SO LOVED at the care home...Hunter was SO SWEET! He ran to EVERY old person he seen and said HI and shook thier hand! He also gave each one of them a hug. It made thier day. So Hubby and I are going to take BOTH our boys to see them again and grandma, and also take Bean our younger cat, he's SUCH a sweet gentle lovey cat, they will LOVE him. Our warmth we can bring to the elderly at the home. Brighten thier day. We plan on going in the next week or so. Either this friday or next friday, we're going to all go. We'll take my MIL too if she wants to go. We were going to take Ruger to see them, he'd LOVE them, but he's SO hyper and just doesnt calm down that we figure he'd be best left at home. He'd hurt someone out of play and loveyness rather than bein mean. But that's a risk I wont take.

Sunday was a lazy family day. We cleaned the house, did dishes, and laundry, and made waffles for breakfast, Kendahl was excited and got to help. We then played some games, and also made "Kid burritos"...We wrapped them in a comforter and tickled them like crazy, and then un rolled them...They laughed they're butts off...Hunter didnt at first...LOL But started to enjoy it...Then Kendahl got the bright idea that mommy and daddy should be burritos too...so we did...LOL Yup, I got pics! LOL We were supposed to be doing laundry at that time...but burritos was so much more fun!

The weather here is COLD! It's been 15 when Levi gets up for work. Kendahl and I go to wait for the bus and it's only 25 to MAYBE 30. So now we wait inside my inlaws now by the fire place. we've put the old storm windows up, and are gonna plastic them also to help keep the heat in well. Ruger's bed has been moved in the house and he stays in at night now. He's a weeny, I cant hardly get him out durring the day. LOL Cant say that I blame him though. The cat beds got a good scrubbing and are now in the house too. So the cats have been making good use of the beds and warm house...LOL Smart animals.

I LOVE this time of year. As if I wasnt busy enough now adays, I love this time of year, and all the baking, and parties, and get togethers, etc. I cant wait for halloween, and thanksgiving, and xmas.

My brothers is doing good to. He finds out this week where he's going to be stationed. And also will graduate school on the 27th this month. His bday is the 25th. He'll be home for 2 weeks if he's stationed state side, 3 weeks if he's over seas. He'll get to be home for turkey day atleast! Xmas will be hard for him though, cuase he wont be able to be home. That's gonna stink but he'll get sent big ole goody packs and gifts galor and get phone calls like crazy! LOL

Anyway's, just wanted say hello to you all, let you know I'm still alive.
HUGE HUGS

Randi

Busy, Busy, Busy....

2008-09-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

I havent hardly stopped going in the last few months.

Kendahl started school. My oldest baby is in school! OMG! He's in Head Start, and next year it's kindergarden. The school district we're in does full day's for headstart, pre-k, and kindergarden. NICE! Hunter has one more year before he gets to start. Kendahl is LOVING school though. That's always a nice and good thing. They got sick a few weeks ago. Running high fevers and snuffles etc. It went away long enough for Kendahl to be able to go to the fair with his school. As the mommy that stays at home, I volenteered...It was about a joke, poor Kendahl didnt get to enjoy as much as he should have becusae they where TOTALLY unorganized. OH well, next year will be better for all. Any, they had been sick, got better, and then got hit HARD and got worse, and of course the inevitable, they gave it to me. It was misserable, I just dont like the flu. Who does though? Although I think the boys had it worse, well Kendahl did, Hunter just got the flu. Kendahl got croup borderline bornchitis. There was nothing we could do until it went full on bornchitis and settled into his lungs. So for a week he was misserable, stuffy, running a fever and of course had the NASTY croup caugh with some congestion. Poor kid was misserable. Happy to say though we're finally over it!

We finally got a massive bit of outside work done. The pool and all of it's stuff put away, the toys organized, and got ONE of the shops cleaned out. Oh and the Porch! We got it cleaned off! LOL Yes that IS something to be happy about. LOL I have some cloths of the boys to go through, and of course house work. The usual day to day monotonouse work of a house wife and mom. But no biggie. It could be worse. So no complaints.

I got to talk to my brother via messenger conference voice and video chat. That was fun. He was in his working whites and looks SO handsome!! He's enjoying himself. He'll be home for a week or two in November, so it looks like mom will have an early Turkey day so he can be here for one. The boys got to talk to him too. My youngest doesnt quite understand or know who his uncle is. He is only 20 months and my brother has been gone for 3 months. BUT my oldest know's who Uncle DJ is and was SO JACKED to get to talk to him. Kendahl put on his "dixie cup" (the navey working white hat) and showed his uncle, so my brother went and got his dixie cup and put it on too. Kendahl was SO excited over having the same hat as his uncle DJ. DJ's room mates are sweet and had thiers on too Kendahl got to see he had hats just like the big boys. They all waved and yelled "HEY SISTER!" to me and "BYE SISTER" too. They didnt know my name at the time and they're all like family so they all called me sis. No biggie, They're all family now! I was sad to have to go, but also understand he is a young man now not only out of the house and on his own but serving this country in the USN. So I let him be to watch the football game. I went about my buisness with a lifted spirit about me after our fun chat. Mum called today and said I have to set her up with and also show her how to use, msn messenger for video chat's with my brother too. She thinks it would be AWSOME. So I'll have to get her set up either this weekend or the next. When ever she's home. LOL

I decided to make bread yesterday. And found that I had lost my recipe! So I went online and found a new one. This one is almost exactly the same, but it has two slight variations...and HOLY COW the bread turned out 10x better than it's ever been. So I've been baking bread like crazy...cheating of course with my bread machine...LOL...I have made 5 or 6 laoves and have a few to go. This way I can freeze it and have it to use for a while. NUM!

Well, it's late, I've got to get at least a little sleep before I have to get Kendahl up for another day of school, and myself another day of house work...and even a little psp. I have the urge to creat a ton of stuff for my other blog, and now am gonna get my butt in gear to fill it!

Goodnight for now.
Randi

Grabs from my Kreationz Blog

2008-09-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Lets see...I have one blog to post all my kreationz for psp, IM, desk tops etc....and I had posted some family blurbs there...so I decided to move them to this blog for family blurbs so my other one can be for just my kreationz...SO here's my other post....LOL

Hole Crap what a storm!! - Originally posted 8/9/08
Ok, so the weather was great here in town yesterday. It was 105 this afternoon around 11:30 so hubby and I capped off the 4-wheelers to go for a nice long afternoon ride, we hooked up the trailer little trailer and loaded up the dog a cooler, and a 5 gal jug of water. Hubby and I were in tank tops and shorts, the boys in tshirts and jeans. We decided to head up to Waha and Forrest Saloon and out and around on to Culdesac on to the back road home. About a 55-60 mile round trip. We got 1/2 done up to the Saloon, and stopped to have a hot dog, pop, and play a game of pool. Weather was still great, but only about 90...the 15 degree drop was NICE...So we headed out to Winchester out the second 1/2 of our loop. And the weather suddenly got a little cooler about 80 degrees. Got a few more miles into Winchester and suddenly it was BIG DARK clouds and then the lightening started...We where an easy 15 miles from home...headed out down the Winchester Grade and got about 2 miles down it and suddenly a 50mph gust came out of no where and about took the 4-wheeler out from under me! Blew me all over the road...and hubby on his 4-wheeler to. Then the HUGE stinging raind drops hit us. Which almost instantly turned into sleet. So we grabbed our emergency blanket out (the only warm/long thing we had) cut it in 1/2 wrapped it tightly around the boys in the storm (wind hadnt slowed and the rain got harder and bigger drops), then the sleet turned to hail balls and was so hard it was kicken up rocks and dirt up off the ground. It pelted the shit out of me and I was covered in welts, and now bruises...hubby and I had the kids behind us so we were slight breaks/stops. But they started crying and screaming from the pelting. We had to travel 3 or 4 miles in that weather before we found a house with some one home to take refuge. A sweet little lady, that said if we had been not even 5 min. later and she woulda been gone, we got there as she was leaving. So she loaded hubby, me, the boys, and our dog up and gave us a ride home. We got home and the power was OUT! NO showers, heater, etc. UGH. It got turned on at 8pm, over an hour after we got home. It had gone out at 5. After we got home and got some water here at the house for me and the kids, Hubby loaded up the truck and 4 wheeler trailer to go get our 4wheelers. It sucked, when our power is out, we're up shit creek, no heat, no water cuase we have a well, and no amenities...LOL SO for an hour we "roughed it". I dont have a problem with it, we had some water in a jug from my inlaws (they are on the coast, and wont be home for 2 more weeks)...But it wasnt bad. What was hard was tryin to not use the toilet...LOL needless to say, we had a very eventfull day...the warm ride was GREAT...but the storm was WAY to much and scared the hell outta the kids and worried the hell outta me cuase I was worried about the kids. We're gonna get some good emergency kits for the 4 wheelers now for JUST in case we get caught in one of those again...UGH! I was glad she didnt freak, we showed up pounding on her door in the middle of a hellashus storm pakcin BIG pistols! When we go for rides it's through the woods so we take our pistols for protection in hip holsters...hubby showed up pounding on her door with a big gun on his side and soon as she heard "wife and kids" she didnt think twice! THANK heavens for her! It was scarey! But it wasnt bad with out the power, We've been with out and have emerg kits at home. And small 1st Aid kits on the 4 wheelers/rigs, in the house, at the house we have ALL the needed stuff to camp or survive with out power for a month. But this time on the 4 wheelers we didnt have like long cloths/blankets or rain slickers with us...we're usually OVER prepaired but this time didnt think twice about it...just loaded a lil up and left....But lesson learned, we are gonna keep over prepairing from now on! We had one "we'll be fine lets just go" and it was bad! So we WONT do that again! Hubby last night said we're gonna get 2 for the 4wheelers, one for each...We have a small tool box on one and a small 4 wheeler bag on the other..but we're gonna put a good sized tool/storage box on each and a bag on each to store all the emerg stuff we need. Second...We do have the water, we have 5, mom and dad have 5, plus 5 spair in the shop of 5-gal culligan jugs filled with emerg water for just such a situation. At home we have a colman lantern and 6 tanks for it, and a few extra's at mom and dads, plus 6 7-gal gas tanks of propain for the campers/bbq's so if it came down to it we could stay in the campers...but mom and dad also have a big wood stove. We would just go to thier house to stay cuase it's warm and we can cook on the stove, and we also have 2 2-burner camp stoves for cookin on also...The only thing we dont have is a heater for our own house...I'll have to look into one...Oh and we also have 4 generators...2 smaller on the campers ones and two large ones just for running the houses incase of long term power outage...the power outage was nothing I was worried about...but gettin caught in the storm was not so hot...I was SO MAD at myself for not listening to my gut instinct to over load on stuff as I usually do (instaed of under load like this time) and I shouldnt have listend to hubby instead of my gut that we should head the weather warning about a storm...even though it was clear blue sky and hot weather in every direction as far as the eye could see....Lesson learend! From now on no matter what the weather looks like I'm gonna be over prepaired...TTYL