18 of 52

I was getting pretty worried about having a picture for this week. That was until I downloaded my camera and found about 25 pictures of me. We had gone to the park and I got out to hang with the kids. Lineman stayed in the truck because he was feeling pretty sick. Thankfully he wasn't so sick that he couldn't take a few pictures. And I really appreciated it.

********************52 Weeks********************

52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!**************************************
Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!

Also, please do not link up if you are not providing a picture with YOU in it. Thank you.

It must be rough

When Lineman isn't out on a job checking out the progress of a powerline being built or inspecting a substation, he still has to go to work. In an office. It must be so difficult for him since he transferred. Right out his office door there are deer just hanging around. It must be so rough for him to work in such unbearable conditions. To take a lunch break and watch the bucks hanging around. Tough I tell you, tough.

The deer don't go anywhere either. They are always right around there. Always pestering and bothering him and his fellow employees. Those deer are a nuisance I tell you!

A lot of the deer I saw while we were out visiting him were bucks too. That could be a real safety issue. What if one of those bucks were to lose an antler right there next to the office. A person could trip on an antler and get seriously injured. I think it's high time that Lineman contact OSHA. It's the safe thing to do seeing as his work environment is so hazardous. It must be a rough job!

Read 'em Cowboy!

While back in Cheyenne I had taken the kids to the library and picked out several books to bring home. One of the books we enjoyed reading was Tops & Bottoms. This book by Janet Steven is about a lazy bear who doesn't want to tend to the crops. The Hare (whom we all might remember from another story) is pretty clever in growing and particularly harvesting the crop. All the while the Bear snores away and is lazy. After we had been reading it for a few nights my oldest son informed me there was a small play put on in the music room at school and parents were welcome to come have a peak if they wanted. I gathered the two other boys and headed into town. As their little play began, I was surprised to see my son playing the part of the Bear.

It was a very difficult part to play. He had to be lazy and just roll around on the chair. His acting capabilities were astounding! I don't know how many kids could have performed that part as well as he did.

It's tough being lazy! The other children played the parts of Hare's family and went about planting and harvesting crops. It was really too adorable. So fun to see the book we had been reading come to life, with music and singing too!

Well, the reason they used this particular book was because the author and her sister were coming to the school for a visit that week! Susan Stevens Crummel and her sister Janet Stevens are so talented and their books are just wonderful!

We purchased one book ahead of time to have the authors autograph it. We got Ten Gallon Bart and when I opened the front cover I read the message to my son.... "Read 'em cowboy!"

Penne & Smoked Sausage

Penne & Smoked Sausage
Photo and recipe from Taste of Home, Simple and Delicious

I have found myself cooking more lately. We actually ate at home every day this week {pats self on back}. I have been looking for more recipes and trying new ones out. I found this recipe and the picture sure looked good, I'm pretty visual that way, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'll tell you right now I was a bit worried if Lineman would like it, he's a little picky that way =) Well, I'll be, he liked it! I'll be making this one again for sure.

Penne & Smoked Sausage
Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1-1/2 cups milk
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1-1/2 cups cheddar french-fried onions, divided ( I used regular, not cheddar)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup frozen peas

Directions: Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown sausage over medium heat for 5 minutes; drain. In a large bowl, combine milk and soup. Stir in 1/2 cup onions, 1/2 cup cheese, peas and sausage. Drain pasta; stir into sausage mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with remaining onions and cheese. Bake, uncovered, 3-5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 6 servings.

Check out more recipes over at Crackers and Chaos with Shasta. She hosts this awesome meme so we can all get more cooking ideas and try out new recipes.

Sunday Sunsets

This past week didn't offer many sunsets, save for this one evening. Finding this puddle from snow melt provided a decent little reflection. The fields are drying out and soon there will be tractors in this very spot.

Ever seen this? - Update-

***UPDATE***

It is not a tetherball pole. This pole is actually about 20 feet tall or taller. It has 4 chains hanging down. At the bottom of the chains should be handles. Four kids grab hold of those handles and start running. Then you end up going up in the air as you swing around, you come down, run about two steps and fly in the air again. It has got to be the funnest "thing" ever. Actually, that's what we called it.... "The Thing". We were in grade school, it's the best name we could come up with.

If you look in my comments there was one person who had that on their playground, too. You won't find them on any playground now, I suppose they are a bit dangerous but man, I still would love to go for a ride on one of those again!!

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I m really wondering if there is anyone out there that recognizes this.

I'll give you just a little hint to what it is. This was my favorite thing between about the ages of 5-11, but I would still enjoy it if I could. I have told Lineman about this particular thing many times and he probably thought I was crazy. While out on a walk in this little old abandoned town we are living in, I spotted this thing and went wild. I told Lineman we should see if we could get it somehow.

So, is there anyone out there that recognizes this or has a memory of it?

And they called it Puppy Love.....

While we were moving we had Lineman's sister take all the boys for a few days so we could get some things unpacked. It just so happened that she had a new puppy.

And it was "puppy love" at first sight.

17 of 52

Trampoline time with the boys. I like to give the kids wild horse rides we call it "8 Seconds", and this is what it looks like.......

********************52 Weeks********************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
**************************************

Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!

Hmm, what is this at my feet?

A pair of .22 rifles, I wonder what these are for. Who am I kidding! Being a family means doing things together again. Saturday Lineman took the boys and I out for a drive. We loaded up two rifles hoping to see a gopher or two. We never saw any gophers but we did find some very frightened cans!

We drove out to the middle of nowhere. That didn't take too long! And then we all took turns shooting at the cans. Those cans were just shaking in their boots. Or not.

The boys were using Lineman's old .22. I believe it was given to Lineman when he was just a boy. I need to get that whole story from him. We have seen the little Cricket in town but haven't purchased one. Anyone out there have the Cricket or something like it?

That is big country, no? Maybe that's why it's called Big Sky Country?

Of course each of the boys wanted to try it. The middle boy only got to shoot just the once. Before we realized it the evening was waning and we had to go.

Up for this weekend.... fishing!

I think we are getting used to this "family" bit, don't you?

Dad Time....

Now THAT is something to SMILE about!

A tough row to hoe

It has been a tough row to hoe. I think the last two years of my life have been some of the toughest times I have yet to know. Two weeks after Little Man was born Lineman had to go back to work on the road. It was just me and the three boys for weeks on end. For months on end. For years... yes years. The sleepless nights. A new baby. Three boys in all. The daily grind and struggles. Two friends taking their lives. Selling the house and keeping it show ready with 3 boys (ha, that was fun). Uprooting our lives...

With no family near and a limited support system I look back and wonder how I did it. Well, I really don't wonder that much as I know He got me through it. I can remember Sunday mornings when it took every ounce of strength to get the kids and I into town. Of course it was Him who got me there. Where else on earth could I have found any strength when I had no more to give?

My dad reminded me of this for which I was very thankful.... No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message))

Of course I know people have way worse things to endure than I could ever begin to imagine. How many people would would trade their troubles for mine in a New York minute!

Since we have moved things are changing. Things are looking up. I think I may be finally looking at the glass half full instead of half empty. (Lineman will still have to be on the road but it shouldn't be like it was these last several years.)

Since we have been back together as a family we have packed in so many family activities. Just regular ol' things that families do. And just this weekend the oldest boy and Lineman have become work out buddies. They have been jogging together, "pumping iron" and just being buddies. We've been shooting, off-roading, to the lake, playing baseball, jumping on the trampoline.....

Ahhhhh, family.

It's been a long time.

Too long.

But we are here.

God got us here. Of course He did.

And I am thankful.

Sunday Sunsets

Sunday. Sunset. Simple. Silent. Serene. Subtle.

Saturday Scenery

We took a drive the other evening to this wonderful spot on the lake.

The boys all had a blast throwing rocks into the lake.

It was Little Man's first time to the lake but he didn't need too many lessons to get it figured out.

We took our dog, Koda, too. He pretty much goes everywhere with us now. He chased and chased and chased the rocks we were throwing and skipping. Make no mistake, this water is cold! Of course he liked to run ashore and shake right next to a person. So thoughtful.

He went bounding after a rock and ran right out onto the ice. It cracked and broke apart into a very heavy type of slush. For a minute he looked like he wouldn't be able to free himself. Sure enough he gave it more try and pulled himself out. That put an end to our lake fun but we are headed back soon!

16 of 52

Each week I visit your blogs and admire your self photos. My only self portraits so far have been with the use of my handy dandy remote. No more! (Well, not exactly no more, I do heart my remote.) This week I gave it a try. My middle son and I were hanging out in the truck waiting when I gave the self portrait a try. Can't wait to see all your pictures this week!

********************52 Weeks********************

52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

**************************************
Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!

You win some you lose some

Do you remember this post about Cheyenne's library? We went back there a day or so before we moved to get one last chance at this incredible library. They have the coolest chairs everywhere!

Little man liked this little table and chairs. The chairs were so tiny, I have no doubt Goldilocks would have broken one had she tried it out.

This was a double sided game board. Hey kid! Don't point that in your eye!

There ya go, much better. The light would stay on that board for a few seconds and then would slowly disappear.

This obviously is a set up picture. I have never learned how to play chess and so these youngin's wouldn't have a clue. I did see and grandfather and granddaughter playing a game. It was the most precious thing to watch. She was a little spit fire too. Not about to let gramps win.

Another fun seating arrangement. You can flip this one around several different ways.

I didn't get photos of it but my oldest liked to play with the movie maker. You take pictures of plastic dinosaurs, etc. then take pictures frame by frame. Then it puts all the individual pictures together to make a little movie. The kids really enjoy this one. Okay, so do I.

This is in the teen area. Two larger teens are suppose to be sitting and rocking in it. Small boys just don't fill it out too well.

These are just two of the meeting areas in the teen section. Wouldn't that be so cool to be in there. Hey, what would happen if you wore rose colored glasses in there?

This is Invent a Game. The kids can layout their own game and search for different items in the library. It's all magnetic and the little circles say things such as "if you can find the Choose Your Own Adventure Books move ahead 2". I loved those books growing up. My brother and I read those over and over again!

I'm going to miss that library. The story times alone were just incredible. I talked to another mother while at the playground the other day. I asked about the library in this town we moved to. She said it was a really great library with a fun story time for the kids. Then she said they didn't have story time in the winter.... on account of they don't have a heater in there.

Hmmm

You win some, you lose some!