Wacko Jacko Is 10!

listen to: Jedi Knight

Jacoby, Jacobo, Destructo-boy, Crazy Kid, Blondie, The Grin. Here's to you, my Sweetie-peetie. We have always said, before you came along, we were B-O-R-I-N-G. You are the hot chile pepper to our plain white toast. We hope you have a super year and continue on your search to fling yourself through life with a smile, defending truth and those weaker than you are. Keep landing on your feet, and don't break any wooden nickels.
We love you, Jacob!

Happy Birthday, Brandon

listen to: (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
Who could possibly be 39?????
For Brandon's birthday, I found our song, which eluded us both the other day when we were trying to think of it. I know, I know, you're asking yourselves, "What? How could you forget your song?" The truth is we have several, but one is a fast song (Ive Been Thinking About You, by Londonbeat), one is a goodbye song (One More Night, by Phil Collins...I was going away to college during our engagement), and the other one was... WHAT WAS IT?!
So, I googled Love Songs from 1990, the year we met and fell in love. TADA. Thank you, Bryan Adams, and thank you, Brandon, for looking into my eyes and singing this song to me as we danced, and for squeezing my hand during this part of the movie, Robin Hood, which we both love, even though, and maybe especially because, Kevin Costner attempted an English accent the first 20 minutes of filming, then just forgot about it.
Love you, my Big Galoot. Search your heart, search your soul. When you find me there, you'll search no more.
x

The Pioneer Woman

A friend sent me a link to this great blog. I love it. Visit and get your glass filled up.
The Pioneer Woman





I have also added a "Drops Of Ink" section down on the right-hand side for portions of my writing club assignments and maybe even excerpts from my book, if I get very brave. We are starting with a journal entry from a long time ago, that I wrote into story form for the club. It's a little rough, but there it is. It is a day I will never, ever, EVER forget. It is in two parts, and I will post Part II in a few weeks. Thanks for visiting!

Why We Don't Plant Veggies Before The Last Week Of May

Big, Wet Snow!

p.s. David Cook won American Idol... I knew he would. Take a listen.

Cody High School State Champs! ... and Doo.

Chelsea attended the high school state championships last week and was able to be a part of the winning team! She said, "I only helped with half a point" over the phone, but it all adds up. Brandon and Braeden went over to Casper to watch her race, the 4x800. Chelsea had a personal best and had the fastest time for her team. Hooray!
Maren and I stayed behind to attend Jacob's Honor Choir concert. He sang his heart out and really got into those actions. He also got to play catcher in his first baseball game. He loves that position and is perfect for it... no fear. I cringe as he leans forward to catch the pitch, and the bat swings an inch from his head. Sheesh!
We got our manure! I spent Friday moving plants, potting color bowls, evening out half-done beds from last year, and setting out Patty O'Furniture. I placed some edging, fixed some
downspout issues, and planted an herb garden next to the cutting lettuce, which is finally beginning to sprout. Saturday morning I Miracle-Gro-ed the shrubs and beds, and Brandon mowed the lawn for the first time this season. We went out to Northern Gardens, looked wistfully at trees, and bought some bags of Glacier Gold compost. Then we headed out to the cattle ranch, where Marty loaded us up with two scoops of what Maren calls "cow doo". We spent the rest of the day unloading, spreading, and turning compost, peat moss, and cow doo in the 4x14' raised beds. I was so excited! We were so exhausted! I am not certain about the last frost yet, but it was 86 yesterday, and is supposed to be more of the same today. I should probably wait one more week before most of the veggies go in, but I should be able to do the cool crops like onions, carrots, and cabbage. You never know with mountain weather.
Happy gardening!

Bright Spots

I have just read through the last few blogs and I think they have a sober feel to them. That isn't bad, but I need to lighten up the place a bit, don't you think?
We just had our Women's Competitive Volleyball Tournament, and we came in 2nd place, for the third season in a row. Before, we have always said, "Well, that leaves room for improvement, and we won't get worse, so..." Now, we all just looked at each other and vowed that it wouldn't happen next season! We played 3 games in a row. I'm a bit sore... and fired up for Fall season. Season Highlights: Julianna returning a hard serve into Andrea's head, then hitting the ricochet over for the point. Andrea, ready for the set, airballs it and sets with her forehead instead... later same game, I repeat the move. 16 straight points on my serve...feels good. Ball sits on top of net, with opposing player and Crystal both trying to shove that ball over. Laughter is good.
While I was digging, bumping, and hitting, Brandon took the kids to the Sports Awards Banquet at the high school, where Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner gave a presentation about faith, hard work and never giving up. They loved it. Rulon is from Star Valley, WY, where Brandon's parents lived for 11 years. Maren is holding his Gold Medal in the picture. How many of you have gotten to hold an Olympic Gold Medal?
Every year at Cody High, the students and staff organize a Make-A-Wish fundraiser. This year it is to benefit a little girl in our community who is fighting cancer. She wants to go to Scotland to meet Nessy. Part of the event was "Wear Plaid Day" at the high school. Everyone wore plaid, and the administration wore something extra special. The students could sponsor or bid an amount of money for Principal Treik, Vice Principal Jensen, and Athletic Director Hult to look like this for the day. I think it works, don't you? The school raised a state record-breaking $25,000, without corporate sponsors. Not only does Skylah get to go to Scotland, but the fundraiser was also dedicated to Gayle Smith, Brandon's secretary, who unexpectedly passed away last month, and who put her heart and soul into the Make-A-Wish event every year. Gayle is so proud, I am sure. And, tickled to see her boss in a skirt.
More good news: The forecast is for 80 degrees this weekend! That means GARDENING! We are picking up a load of steer manure Saturday morning. I am so excited! Nothing says Spring like a truckload of poop. I will be blogging the progress of my new raised beds and working on my farmer's tan.
Have a happy today!

Happy Mother's Day

My weekend (week) was full of wonderful things, that just happened to fall on Mother's Day. My schedule was laid out for me by someone else, but it marked the occasion very well. Braeden had his piano recital and was judged an "Excellent", and qualified for the regional performance in July. Chelsea was inducted into the National Honor Society. Jacob started baseball and his coaches call him the ace first-baseman... and shortstop. I got to talk to my Mom for a couple of hours as she opened our gift to her over the phone. We had dress rehearsal for Maren's ballet company's production of Sleeping Beauty earlier, so I was able to get some "backstage" photos (pictures are not allowed during the actual performance, but we get a nice DVD). Saturday was the Spring recital, and she had her jazz and tap performances, brava. Chelsea made it home just in time from track regionals, where her 4x800m relay team qualified for state, hooray! I wish I could have been there, but there are not enough of me! Mom Jensen and Grandma Strasser came to watch and it was so good to have them there. Sunday was a beautiful day, started with breakfast, courtesy of Brandon, with good talks at church on Motherhood, and a luncheon afterward. Then, we attended Sleeping Beauty, and as I watched and held my kids' hands, I felt so blessed. It had been a very full week, getting everyone where they needed to be, trying to keep up with the notes on the calendar, being flexible with the things that didn't make it on the calendar. But, to see the fruits of our labors, the proud grins and sparkling eyes of our kids, it was a very, very meaningful Mother's Day.
Love you, Mom. Thank you for making my life an adventure!
Love you, Virginia. Thank you for making my life meaningful!

For Braeden... and the Bullies

Storm
by Lifehouse


How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form
Water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I could see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be all right
I know everything is all right

I know you didn’t bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Because I’m so used to living underneath the surface

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I could see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be all right

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be all right
I know everything is all right


You are not alone, ever.
We are fighting for you.

24 Things About Me

Tagged by Shelli

4 Places I Go Over and Over
:: Sunset Elementary
:: Rocky Mtn. School of Arts (ballet)
:: Cody High School
:: Church

4 People Who Email Me
:: Shelli
:: Mom Anglesey
:: Mom Jensen
:: Jackie

4 of my Favorite Foods
:: Garlic Steak & Loaded potato
:: Chiles Rellenos with pico de gallo and sour cream
:: Strawberry Shortcake
:: Ice Cream

4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
:: At a farmers market with Mom & Shell
:: Camping at Lake of the Woods, OR
:: Taking a drive up to Sunlight Basin with my family and a picnic

:: Out in the garden, planting things

4 People I Think Will Respond {This means I tag you}
::Erica
::Becca
::Trevor
::Mom Anglesey

4 Movies I Could Watch Over and Over
:: While You Were Sleeping
:: BBC Pride & Prejudice
:: You've Got Mail
:: Enchanted