The simple things in life

This is a quick check on before the weekend hits.  It is about 2 hours away as of typing this! 
Can't help but wish I was going to Minnesota with my in-laws to meet up with some family and hit up a Twins game and spend some time at the Mall of America.  But because of some time off issues and conflicts, hubby and I will be staying back home.

But this weekend will be a laid back, relaxing one...or so I hope!  Seems like every time I plan a relaxing weekend, it turns into a weekend of unexpected work.

It's the simple things in life that I enjoy.  The rush of the weekend, trying to get everything done so that we don't have to spend our weekday evenings working out butts off.  The unexpected family "gathering."  The good times spent talking, laughing, and enjoying a few drinks.  The quiet walk around the farm taking pictures of the natural beauty.  Reading a book on the deck in my new outdoor rocking chair.  The nights that hubby says, let's feed and then spend the night at home doing nothing. 

Just a quick note on this picture: I was taking pictures of the old "barn" wood fence at the farm trying to convince hubby that those pieces of wood would make the CUTEST, most rustic fence around our utilities in our yard.  We have been trying to find a good fence to cover some ugly utility poles in our yard and this seems like a unique, cheaper alternative.  I think it's a GREAT idea...hubby, not so much.  Hmmm...maybe if I put it up myself he will like the idea more.


As of this last week, I've been "watching" my garden "grow."  Seems like it's taking forever, but I only planted it on Sunday!  I'm ready to pull weeds and water (which I might not have to do since we moved to Washington State, or so it seems).

I know you can't tell, but there are rows, and no they are NOT straight.  And yes, I know where everything is and what it is!
Potatoes, cucumbers, beans, radishes, kohlrabies, and sunflowers take up the middle, odd rows.  Peas and green peppers are on the side lines.  And the spot behind the garden shed that I will not be using will possibly be filled with pumpkins by the neighbor boy. 

Enjoy the peaceful, cool weekend! :)

Diamonds are a girls best friend

My Anniversary gift came 3 days late.  But I'm not complaining!

I'm in love with my new wedding band!
I wish I would have never got my first band put together with my ring.  It's just a plain, thin band and neither of us liked it.  But, it would serve it's purpose of showing our love. 

I didn't need a new band with diamonds or bling, but we both agreed that my engagement ring needed a prettier friend! I'm not all about the bling and the big diamonds, but it seemed appropriate this time!
        Now, just to get it into the jewelry store and put together.  I hate parting with my wedding ring because I always feel like I lost it.

Anyway, we spent the weekend with family for my baby sis (in-law)'s graduation and had a ton of fun with a few tears!  I will be posting pictures later.
But right now, my mind is set on helping out the poor residents of Bismarck and Mandan.  My husband and a friend of ours are working at getting our volunteer fire department there tonight or tomorrow to do what we can for a few hours.  I have been wanting to go help for the last couple days, and last night J decided he wanted to help and he was going to round up some of the fire department to join us.  I'm hoping that I can be a help even though I'm kind of a weakling!
I've been reading the ND Floods facebook page today and seeing what people need help with.  I can't help but feel sad for those looking for help at elderly people's houses.  I want to leave now! They are doing mandatory evacuations again, which means it's not getting any better.
I cleared it with my boss this morning and he said for the day, he will sign off on my 8 hours.  I thought that was generous of him considering they will pay me to volunteer somewhere else.  But that's the kind of company I work for!


Just a little too much water, and a little too little help!  I feel like I should do my part.

Enjoy the day wind and be thankful its not more rain today!

We are those weird people!

The other day, I was looking at some ads on our local classifieds and came across a lady looking to buy lawn gnomes.  She stated that they were those weird people who collect them.

These are just the 5 that greet you at our deck.

We are also those weird people! But that was not me looking to buy more gnomes. 
And maybe I should clarify.
 My beautiful mother brought us a gnome that my grandma didn't want anymore.  I blame her for this!  Hubby fell in love and started getting these things as gifts and buying a few himself.
Next thing I know......
              we have a gnome family.

This guy, I had to purchase my hubby when he was "a good kid" at Hobby Lobby.



This lovely addition came as a Christmas gift from hubby's brother.  Gee, Thanks Mike!

I got one as a birthday gift from my mom (remember I blame you!) last year, they are cute little guys sitting around a tree stump playing cards and its a solar light.  I don't love them as much as J does, though.

Yes, we are officially those weird people.  Thanks everyone!

In addition to those lovely gnomes, I have beautiful flowers in pots this year!

I don't know what any of them are without looking at the little thing that came with them, so I will not attempt to guess!  But they are all colorful, and I love them.

Hopefully, soon, we will see some more pretty green fields and then the golden wheat. I'm kind of tired of seeing puddles.
Would also like to starting taking pictures of the seeding process to add to my collection of farming pictures.

Here's to the beginning of a long eventful weekend spent with hubby's family.  And here's to hoping I don't bawl my eyes out at graduation on Sunday. 
Emotions of the weekend have already hit me, which is odd.  And no mom, I am NOT pregnant, just proud of my baby sis (in-law). 

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.  I hope you get to spend some time relaxing and sharing some laughs!

Bonfire, out in the sticks...

Again, the music obsession lately (in case you didn't know, the title of this post is from a song).

I would love to believe that it is officially bonfire season, but it seems that the ND weather wants to stay cold and rainy, or warm and windy. 

This is my simple thought for that day!  Can't wait to attend/have a bonfire or two this summer.  Grab a case of beer or a bottle of boone's farm (for old time sake), and just chill by the fire.  -You know what I mean.

I would love to share some important piece of information or an exciting event with you, but I got nothin'!  Unless you didn't know that today is Cinco De Mayo!  Which means, tonight I will be drinking a margarita and eating tacos in honor of May 5th! - If anyone knows why else this day is significant, let me know please, thanks!

The sun is shining and the temperature is just right and I only know that because I stuck my head out the door on my way back upstairs from lunch.

Enjoy your fiesta or siesta today.  Ole!!

SPRING!

Yes, I said it, it's finally Spring!  Mother Nature and old Man Winter finally stopped fighting and the sun is shining! I can't wait to start planting flowers and my garden, o my garden! :) 

Life is good with my flip flops on. 

Went for a walk in my capris yesterday.  Temp was 69 when I called at 5:00pm! I was in heaven!

Signs of Spring from 2010.  Extreme thaw.  There is a bridge under there.

Recap of my life since I last blogged .....
Not a whole lot!  I still have 4 extra holes in my head after the wisdom teeth extraction.
I have been walking like crazy!
I had to send my "cute" shoes back because they were the wrong size and, I wouldn't have walked in those things anyway.  They were heavy on my feet!
So I ordered a new, slightly more expensive pair of Nike Shox...that will be here today! I know I already love them because they are exactly like my other Nike's, expect black.  Can't wait to try them out tonight!
Hubby and I are now the "proud" owners of a bottle calf, Norman.  Hubby names his calves I guess!

But quickly, Norman was taken away and put on a mama who lost her baby.  Saves us money on milk replacer and time on feed him at night!  Even though I refused to feed him because hubby tried to pawn it off on me everynight!

So now, hubby is on the look for Cliff.  (again, I don't name my calves.  Just doesn't seem right since, well, sometimes the calf doesn't go to the sales barn) 

I will definitely post pictures as soon as I get out there with my camera.  Oh, I can't WAIT to get my camera out in the farm world! Seeding season is JUST around the corner.  Many beauftiful pictures to follow.  And maybe a lesson or two (for me as well as you!).

Enjoy the sun, breeze, warmer temps, and pretty painted toes in flip flops!