Those Friends of Mine

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.  ~Elisabeth Foley

The past few days have been glorious!!  I was blessed to spend some time with my K-3rd grade best friend.  Her and her two kids had spent some time in Yellowstone and took a detour on their way home to come and visit me and mine.  Being together again was so easy and fun.  It was like time had stood still - other than we have a few wrinkles and more stories to tell, it seemed the same.  Strange how there are those people that you feel close to no matter how close or far apart you are literally. 

It was so fun to get to know her kids.  For city kids, they seemed to fit right in on the farm.  They loved driving the ranger.  Here's Maren with MacKenzie getting ready for take off!

LeAnn made some new friends with the baby calves.  

J.P. even got a chance to drive!

We ended our visit with lunch in the park.  It will probably be marked as the best time I had all summer.  I love that we haven't really talked in a few years, but we just pick up where we left off.  We still share our secrets, laugh, and listen.  It truly felt like I was 8 again and I had run down the street to spend a few hours with my best friend - all except I wouldn't expect us to get out the disco dancing dresses and put on a show!

It was kind of sad to say goodbye to LeAnn.  I am so happy that through technology it's much easier to keep up with each other.  I hope she knows that I am still just a few doors down... proverbially anyway!  

Lucky as I am, my sadness couldn't stay too long because it was only hours and one of my Jr. High pals showed up.  Tammy is an amazing woman.  She moved away from our home town shortly after Jr. High to Pennsylvania.  I was so excited when a few years back, she friended me on facebook.  We've shared a lovely friendship over the past few years.  She truly inspires me and probably feels like she also "fixes" me.  You see, she is a neuro-psychologist.  She is so accomplished and so lovely.  She did visit me once a few years ago.  It was so fun that I was super excited that she made time to hang out with me while in Idaho!  

We spent the evening at dinner together with our husbands and another classmate, Nathan, and his wife Linae.  We ate good food, definitely had some good laughs, and made some good memories.  I feel so lucky and blessed for all of my friends near and far......I just wish some weren't so far away.

For some reason, I foresee a vacation in my future......

Trailer Tuesday - Meet Gigi!!

This is Gigi - formerly referred to as The Red Lion.  Her previous name was given to her by the men who used to take her out on hunting expeditions.  Since she is going to receive a makeover, I felt like a new name was in order.  I now call her, Gigi, in honor of my Grandma Hedvig, who was the original owner....along with my Grandpa Weldon.  All of Grandma Hedvig's great grandchildren called her G.G. - for great grandma.  

Gigi's seen some better days.  Her once vibrant red paint has now turned orange and almost non-existent.  Her inside has some water damage and is in need of refinishing.  Since she's been in my care, I have wanted to give her a little T.L.C.  The time has come!

Here's an example of the water damage that needs sanding and refinishing - a daunting task, for sure!

I've removed the cupboard and drawer fronts for refinishing.  I'll put them back on after I sand her down and give her a  new coat of stain and finish!

Love the white appliances!  Along with the sunny yellow countertops and red trim, she will be bright and happy before long.........or probably longer than I wish!

I pulled out the old red carpet.  It was filled with years of dirt and straw from hunting trips and fair excursions!  I am super excited to blog about my progress and see the fruits of my labors.  

In Honor of Hannah

Yesterday was my girl, Hannah's, birthday!  She is our second born and was our tiniest baby.  She was born a few weeks early and has been determined from the start.  She has always been determined to make her own decisions, work hard, make us laugh, and never wear makeup.

From a young age, she's always loved animals.  During fair time, she's her dad's right hand man, choosing what cows to take to the fair and getting them ready. 

 She's fun-loving and crazy......although, unless you know her, it's hard to get her to show it!

She also loves basketball.  Even in the heat of the summer, she will spend an hour or two every evening working on her shot.  Her work ethic is incredible.

She still loves showing her cows!

She's still pretty crazy!!

One thing is certain......we love her and are so happy she is part of our family!  

Happy birthday sweet girl!!

Feeling a Little Old

Over the last month, two of my high school classmates have lost a parent.  I can't imagine the pain they must be feeling.  I spent a good portion of the day thinking about how fortunate I am that both my parents and my in-laws are still alive and also that we live so close to both of them.  What a blessing it is for my children to be able to make memories with their grandparents.

It's also been hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I could lose a parent at any time.  It seems like yesterday, they were the ones following me to my activities, now I am the one running around and  chasing my kids to this activity or that.  When was that torch passed?  In my rush to keep up with the kids, I guess I missed it.  Time is precious.  I hope that I am making the most of it.......

As I drove up to the mortuary to give my condolences, I thought about how quickly time flies and how many things can change in such a short amount of time.  A feeling of sadness came over me mourning the loss of time I will never get back....  

This feeling didn't last for long.  I arrived home to dinner on the table and the air filled with laughter.  My mood brightened.  In a more jovial way, I was once again reminded that I am no youngster.  As we were sitting around the table, listening to some 50's music I had turned on, my kids started singing along.  The song Mr. Sandman came on.  At it's conclusion, Hannah turned to me and asked, "Why does she want Mr. Sandman to bring her a drink?".  I thought I was going to die laughing.  Only moments later, Maren came out during My Boyfriend's Back.  I was cleaning up the kitchen when her words caught my ear...."hey, my boyfriend's fat, oh yeah now, my boyfriend's fat".  I guess the generation gap is effective both ways - I can't understand their music and they can't understand mine.  That's okay because we all sat around laughing together and at each other.  These are the memories that are really worth making before time runs out!

Flume Anyone?

Unless I am surrounded by locals, when I mention the flume, I receive some pretty strange looks - like I am speaking another language.  I then explain that the flume is the local spot for some cheap summer fun.  We visit it quite regularly!  It's a half pipe that takes the canal over the road.  

It's great because it's free, always open, and the water is really refreshing and cool.......clean, not so much!

The fact that it's a canal should let you know that there's more than just moss in the water, so germaphobes may be leery of venturing in!

The city cousins from San Diego were not afraid!  All except, for Timmie.  He wasn't quite sure it looked like his brand of fun.

Like any other summer activity.....treats are a must!!

Running back for more - one time down the flume is never enough!

 The temperature of the water can be a little shocking, especially for those use to heated pools!

And just one more time!!