The last day of the year. It was a good year. Our family has been fine, we've added new members to it. Some by birth, some by marriage, and some because they wanted to be included!!
We traveled some, we had few health problems, (a few minor broken bones and surgeries which heal), we made new friends, we judged quite a few Kansas City Barbecue Society competitions, from Colorado to Arizona to Kansas.
We spent some time in the mountains, which is our ever favorite thing to do, we spent some time in the San Luis Valley with family and friends. We spent time exploring new territory, even new sights where we live! You think you've seen everything local - look again!
Our weather has been crazy, but don't we say that every year? I think I remember my parents saying that. We've had little moisture, but the mountains have, so that will feed the farmers.
We had a wonderful Christmas with family, Jenny was host to 34 for Christmas dinner, ALL family. We usually have others there, friends, missionaries, or others with no where to go, but this year was a full house!
So to all a Happy New Year, and I pray to post again next December 31!
Till next time.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Mr. Zeke
Can't finish off the year without another picture of the one who rules the roost here! Zeke will be 3 on Dec. 26. He loves to just sit like this, I guess he thinks he's as important as we do!
The Saga of the TV!
Well, rather than blog about it, I just copied the following off of Facebook! I wrote it as Tom was talking to various people, first the "Geek Squad" or "Black Tie Service"?? Then Panasonic, then the repair service in Pueblo. After well over an hour on the phone, the simple ending was too funny!
Our NEW Panasonic HD Flatscreen tv just went out. Argh
Thursday, December 16, 2010
December 2010
Jace David Crussell Born Thanksgiving day, November 25, 2010. This was taken Dec. 13, 2010.
Christmas is upon us. The weather has been really warm until today, we woke up to a skiff of snow on the ground with more forecast through the next day or so. We haven't had measurable precipitation is a very long time and it's terribly dry here.
We have a friend, a young man, a son, husband and father of four young ones, who was very recently diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. He is very active in church, a teacher, and by all accounts, one of God's most valiant soldiers. Brain cancer is so often not discovered until it's at this stage, when pain sends them to a doctor. Less than two weeks ago, I was talking to him at church. I pray constantly for him, his family, his students, his church family and all who are associated with him.
Another friend is battling cancer today, in surgery now. Her condition remains to be seen. I hope it's one that's been caught at an early stage, I know her's is the type that is much easier to eliminate.
So it's hard to think about the holidays, the joy and excitement. I am so very thankful for my family, for our health. It's such a valuable thing. May God keep us, protect us, and may we all have a very long and healthy life.
Until next time. . .
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
We Made It!
November!!! We made it, we all survived November. What a month, between a wedding, a birth, and Thanksgiving - Whew! Then Carol topped it all by getting t-boned, what a way to end the month! Through it all, we are so blessed, we have a new grandson, a new great-grandson, made our way through a couple turkeys and a couple hams and our daughter and granddaughter survived a potentially deadly accident.
We have faith that Jace will soon be going home, and the reason he's being kept in hospital is unknown to us. Mom and Dad don't really have the experience to say - explain it! And in this day of Confidentiality, we, his extended family, can't find out anything.
But I think we are all aware of our blessings, and grateful for the ongoing favors He showers down upon us.
Now we look forward to, first, the release from the hospital of the new great-grandson, then on to the Christmas Holidays where we can celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior.
We all expected a very busy month, but it was more than anyone expected! So with mostly relief we say goodbye to November and say we Hope to see you again next year!!
So until next time. . .
We have faith that Jace will soon be going home, and the reason he's being kept in hospital is unknown to us. Mom and Dad don't really have the experience to say - explain it! And in this day of Confidentiality, we, his extended family, can't find out anything.
But I think we are all aware of our blessings, and grateful for the ongoing favors He showers down upon us.
Now we look forward to, first, the release from the hospital of the new great-grandson, then on to the Christmas Holidays where we can celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior.
We all expected a very busy month, but it was more than anyone expected! So with mostly relief we say goodbye to November and say we Hope to see you again next year!!
So until next time. . .
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Phone Call No Parent Wants to Get, Regardless of Age!
RIP Buick!
Monday, November 22, 2010
So Many Memories!!!
I don't have the pictures to go with this, but another delightful story from our family! At the preparation of the wedding Saturday, Terri, Jamies Aunt from Denver, volunteered to do the pictures. This is a stressful job, trying to know where, and when to shoot! A big responsibility for sure. Since I have done this many times, I am all too aware!
As they are preparing, all the tables are sit up with care, the food tables are arranged to have the food put out and waiting for the end of the wedding when Carol says to Terri, something to the effect of "she was thirsty". Terri says she told her there was water fountains, and when Carol pushed the issue, I guess saying things like - "But WHAT is there to drink". Terri said she just kept thinking why was Carol doing this - we are ALMOST ready to walk down the aisle. Terri told Carol there was vending machines, she could go get her something. But still Carol pushed the issue, until it suddenly dawned on Terri, what are the GUESTS going to drink - and the lights come on - OH NO - NO, IT CAN'T BE!!! Terri was supposed to bring the punch and drinks and "jugs" or items to have them in.
Terri says at this point, being beyond mortified at this, Carol says, it's okay, it's fine, let just figure out what we are going to do now.... Terri makes a frantic phone call to her father-in-law, saying you're a man, you worked at the schools, you are a problem solver, HELP!! He handed the phone to his wife!
Poor Marty, not knowing what to do, offers to bring Kool Aide, Terri say YES - BUT HURRY. Carol knows there are big thermos coolers somewhere, so as the time arrives for the wedding party to proceed down the aisle, there is a FRANTIC push for drinks!!! Having held up the wedding now for over 10 minutes, the coolers of water and ice are sit on the tables!
And we all proceed!
Marty then comes with the flavorings for the water, hearing applause coming from the auditorium, throws the kool aide on the table and make a RUN for the front door!!
After the kiss and we come back out for the reception, Brady said he made a bee-line for the one container of water and added the kool aide, picking up the spoon sit aside for the lasagna to stir it with!
What memories!!!
Until next time. . .
This is just LOVELY!!!!
For the wedding, the kid's favorite "Uncle" came over. Rick is not really their Uncle, but their first cousin, once removed! He's Tom's cousin. But Sunday morning, before he left, he remembered something in his pickup that he had to "share" with us!!
He related the story of how he had went to Albuquerque for horse races, had some time to kill, so went to a mall. (Never let a man go to a mall alone!) This mall, like most I've ever been in, had Kiosks in the halls, little places, usually manned by one person, trying to peddle their wares!
Well this particular kiosk had a "pretty young thing" who said "Hey mister, come here, I have something to show you"! (Those are words to run from for most of us!!) But Rick says
that the low-cut dress helped him follow her instructions! (He's a divorced, farmer, middle-aged male and by this part of the story, I am wanting to roll on the floor in laughter, because I can just imagine!)
She proceeds to ask if he ever has problems with dry hands. (He's a farmer, what do you think??!) Well, she has this miracle product, "here, let me show you, let me use it on your hands", which I bet she did make his hands feel REAL good!
Rick proceeds to tell us how "Lovely"
this made his hands feel!! He USED THAT WORD - LOVELY!! And not just once. . . Our farmer boy is going soft!!!
Seriously, he tells us LOVELY!!
No - now he has this bottle and has to SHOW us!!
"Here, warm your hands up so the pores can breath". WHAT - WHO SAID THAT?? Let my pores breath?? NO, this can't be happening before our very eyes!! Our hard working farmer cousin??
This is the picture to prove just how LOVELY our poor middle-aged, divorced, farmer cousin's hands look! He is PROUD of them! Uses this product, and loves it - it's just LOVELY. (That word again and again!!)
But this whole thing doesn't stop there, now that this young thing with cleavage, has our poor ole' farmer boy totally in her grips, she now tells him they also have some after-shave that will be wonderful for his face!!
Suppose she can tell from his weathered face (remember the farmer part, he's been out in the elements for YEARS!) that he might love some "product" put on his face??!! (I am dying now. . .) Well, what hot-blooded, middle age, divorced, farmer can resist this??
Is this not LOVELY?? "Look, can't you tell the difference?????"
And now the best part of this story, this beautiful young thing with the low cut dress on, has completely sold our cousin on the benefits and true miracle of her product.
So NOT ONLY does he want to buy ONE, he wants two!! Oh yes, two!! He goes up to pay for it and was in for somewhat of a shock....
( Oh, did I forget to add, he NEVER ASKED HOW MUCH IT WAS??!!!) (I'm a blubbering idiot now, on the floor, laughing, with tears rolling)
He gives her his card, she gives him his receipt for $190 - One Hundred and Ninety DOLLARS for TWO miracle hand products and one miracle after-shave. Okay, they're not miracles, just LOVELY!!!
Now he has more product than he says he'll use in a lifetime, so one of these LOVELY jars is now in our possession! He was kind enough to share this with us, so I am anxious to see if we start using this word on a regular basis!!! Actually, I think I better keep it away from my husband. . .
Until next time. . .
It Happened!
My Jamie Lee is married!!I really was a beautiful wedding, Jamie looked like a princess coming down the aisle!
The "program" was well planned, well put together and all together! We all has some reservations on having a wedding at a high school, but it was dramatic, and perfect! The auditorium seemed like the perfect place for such an event.
I am glad it's over, and it's given us all some very very special memories!
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wollman!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
My Boo Bear To Take A Husband
My sweet Jamie is taking a husband next weekend. November 20, 2010 will be the day of their choice. His name is Billy Wollman. They went to High School together, and have known each other for a long time but only this last summer when Jamie's mom encouraged Billy to ask her out, did Jamie find him interesting!
I don't know much about Billy, but will as time goes by I would bet. Jamie seems very happy, and says she loves him deeply and he her. She is 25 now, and has matured a lot in the past few months.
Jamie has worked for Head Start for over 5 years, and Billy has been a meat butcher for Penrose Market since 1996. I am very proud of my oldest grandchild and want nothing but the whole world for her!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Busy Months
Seems life has been pretty non-stop of late.
I won't post pictures of the trees, I have many Umbrella Willows growing, but for some reason, I lost all of the others. I suspect I gave them too much water - well, didn't keep them "under wraps" well enough. There is an acid you did the twigs in, which promotes the formation of roots. Then you put them in the damp peat and keep them in a humid environment until they root. I think, because I had them drying out more than I felt they should, I over-watered, which washed the acid off the twigs. Or maybe not!!!
I have spent the past few days downloading old photos from ZIP disks. Many years ago, at the beginning of the digital age, I scanned a lot of pictures. Understand, I have boxes and boxes of photos. And I wanted a better way of storing them - in case - something happened to the hard copies.
Many years ago, I never saved negatives of pictures. Never even thought of doing so. I now have note books full of negatives and of course, now, and for the past 5-6 years, I have gone totally digital and no longer use film of any kind!
Anyway, getting back to the ZIPs, I don't know if anyone even uses these any longer, I no longer even had a ZIP drive. I spent some time just finding an external ZIP drive to view these pictures! So as I view, I have been uploading to our Family Web so all can see them.
So until next time...
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Week 3 of Trees
Week Three, Oct 20! I think I am going to have trees (maybe in a few years, but I think I am making trees!)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tree Update!
Okay, a week into this process, and I have some buds on the twigs. Now IF I have roots coming, I don't want to disturb that end yet to see, but if buds are on the twigs I have hope!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Autumn Harvest
Colorado AutumnPumpkins are ripe, Pikes Peak in the distance, nights are crisp and cool, time for Mother Nature to start putting her children to sleep for the winter.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Trees and Life!
Why is life SO busy, we are retired... Seems I seldom have time for anything anymore... Thank goodness for the internet (I think!).
I have wanted to plant trees up here in this desert climate, but (1)-trees are SO expensive and (2)-we are retired! So I found some websites (trust worthy) that tell how to propagate trees. This starts with small saplings, I am rooting them myself, but excited about the results!
Some of these trees, and I am assuming this will work, will take longer to "grow up" than I have life left, but thats okay! Again assuming it works, I will have many trees! I started with some "not so drought resistant" trees, but will go on to more evergreens and such. Besides, just how
many trees ARE drought resistant???!
So this is what my first attempt looks like:
These are all Globe Willows, or Umbrella Willows. If this works, several of us will have new trees, Baby Trees!! One note - One of the twigs I rooted upside down, wonder if it will grow?? And if all of them die, I will try again.
I don't know what the above trees are, I cut them off my daughters trees in Denver, she said she would find out what they were.
So watch for future news on my little treelets!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Life as It Is!
We spent some time in the valley, but didn't do harvest this year. We have been helping Beth and Mark with their BBQing, and doing some judging. We have made friends with many of the other judges, most of who are really nice people. There are a few who "think" they know it all, know exactly what BBQ should taste like and look like. But thankfully those are few and far between. Sure hate to be at a judging table with someone like that though...
Tom had surgery on his shoulder Tuesday, Sept 7. It officially was a Distal Clavicle Resection, or cutting the tip of the collar bone off. The part that goes into the shoulder. I sure hope it will stop the pain that he has been in... The recovery time is usually a couple months. We are scheduled to camp at Rocky Mountain National Park the last week of September so hope he heals fast and good!!
We went to Garden City, Kansas a couple weeks ago for judging. It was so hot, and wind. Man the dust storms, wow!
We have signed up for the Havasu BBQ in February. They already have a lot of judges, so don't know if we will be able to or not. Sure is a good excuse to go to Arizona in the winter!
Fall is occasionally in the air, heard it snowed in Yellowstone yesterday. And a tropical storm hit Texas! Hate winter to come, I really really dislike snow!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Jeff Foxworthy Hasn't Seen It All!!!
Just notice the workmanship, all hand cut, all hand made by the owners of the property, especially a very special lady who I shall just call CJ!
She has done most of the work, including shoveling many many loads of dirt for the beautiful garden/sitting area which is terraced. This couple has a goal and that's to have a home without "owing" any money on it! Admire her? Oh yes!!
Beautiful home. . . CJ does NOT know the meaning of "can't", she forges ahead and ends up with a mighty fine project! And to make it even more meaningful, she's a cook, a great cook, a super cook!
Humm, look closer. . . What the heck????
Wow, what a gorgeous home, but what's that showing through the windows????
LOOK INSIDE!! Step through that beautiful front door and see how this couple is doing this home!! They first moved a @14x70 foot mobile home on the property and proceeded to build this 2,000 sq. foot home around it while all the time having a place to live!! Their plans will eventually be to tear this mobile home down, piece by piece. They even left an area in the foundation to pull out the tongue and axles when they get through! I would guess this to eventually be a $300k home, maybe more!
Hummmm, wonder what she could do with this?!!!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Another Colorado Sunrise!!
Taken this morning, Aug. 12, 2010 from my front porch in Coal Creek. It was breathtaking.
How much did I know about Antelopes?
Believe me - Not Much! Beautiful Antelope out in the field, we stopped to take pictures. He watched us, started to walk away, then. . .
He stopped, looked around, and. . .
Started pawing the ground. This concerned me some, because many wild animals will do this before "attacking" - although we were far enough away, and inside a vehicle. So I just kept shooting. This whole process used about 12 pictures! So he pawed the ground, and then. . . .
Relieved Himself! Right there in front of God and everyone!! (Well it was only Tom and I, but still!) So this much I learned from an Antelope, they are picky about Where they go apparently, he sure pawed this spot before going.
Rocks of the Beidell Mine!
Well, I do love the rocks. Forget the "value", I just LOVE the rocks! Knowing that this came as a result of the La Garita Caldera, and probably the explosion when it all blew is simply exciting to me!
All the rocks are only a few yards away from the other type.
Summers Fun Times!
Many places we explored this summer, wow! This is the Beidell Mine at La Garita, Colorado. This area is known as Crystal Hill District. Many crystals were found here, (initially just laying out on the surface), gold, amethyst, zinc and lead. I will show more detailed pictures later!
Please note this house in the foreground in this first picture for a later blog!!!
Organic Wheat. Looks like wheat to me!
Someone said "Looks Like Home", well if you were a sheepherder in the 1950's, this might have been home! Tom noticed the "Chevy" wheels!
Peaceful scene, beautiful San Luis Valley field, good looking cattle and horses!
More to come!
More to come!
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