Friday Photo Flashback ~ Halloweens past

Several photos to flashback to today……

This is my brother and I again, maybe around 1977? What did I tell you about costumes back then. You used what you had. From now on that’s what we’re doing around here!

Here is my mom and I. Sorry you can’t see me too well but I have the blue hardhat on, suspenders, linebelt and line gafs on. Wow, I went as a “lineman”, very original, no? Well, I used what I had. I’m dancing with my mom who is wearing an apron with a tin mug and spoon tied around her. She went around clanging that dang mug and spoon and calling that chuck was ready… she went as “Camp Cook”, appropriate for a Bed and Breakfast owner.

Okay, here is my oldest son on his first Halloween. He is named after a mountain man so that’s what he went as. I made the outfit but it took THREE times, yes THREE times to get that blasted fringe on the outside. Then the little turkey tried to eat the fringe.

See more flashbacks by clicking on the button at the top of the post.

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We've had the Geo Trax in a box for almost a year now. The kids saw the boxes and it was go time for mom. Time for me to set it all up that is. Geo is a fun train set, just as much fun for adults really, I have a blast designing the layouts. Little Man loves it and has yet to wreck the track. I cherish these times he sits in my lap as I know how fast they grow. Fun times to remember.

********************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!

The Bathroom Makeover

When we bought our home a few months ago I knew there were two projects that needed tackling. And quick! The bathroom and the kitchen.

The bathroom was fully carpeted. Carpet in a bathroom and a house full of boys DO NOT belong together.

One morning I went into the bathroom and just started ripping off wallpaper. That would set the whole remodel/update into full swing.

We pulled the washer/dryer out of there together. Then I pulled out the cabinet that was to the right of the sink.

I told Lineman I wanted some really neat, old looking fixtures. He found these while working out of town (because there is not much in the way of stores here).

He even found all the matching pieces to coordinate. Yes, my toilet paper is folded into a point. My mom ran a bed and breakfast for 15 years, I guess some things wear off. Toilet paper holder had been a built in unit so I yanked it out and did a bit of sheet rock work to fix the hole there.

I added some eucalyptus in a glass jar for some dimension.

Added a little more depth with the grass.

I found a light fixture that fit the look I was going for.

Then for the big project. Remember I drove all the way to my in-laws near Great Falls, 4 and a half hours away so I could get to a Home Depot. I picked up tile and all the tools needed to get the job done.

I had lots of fun tiling. It’s not too hard but it does take days to get it done. I also painted the vanity “beautiful brown eyes” and I changed out the knobs and handles. The shower curtain is one I made a few years ago that matched pretty good.

Then for fun I added just a little decorative tile. I think I could have used a bunch of these but they’re a bit pricey so I just added them in front of the tub.

And Taaa Daaaa, the (almost) finished project. I have to say I am very proud of myself for accomplishing this. I just need to add some art to the walls and add some open shelves and a bench where the washer/dryer were at.

One more look at the “BEFORE” ……..

And the “AFTER”

Cowboys vs Vikings

My oldest had his second to last game on Saturday. Ol’ Mother Nature has played quite the trick on us and they haven’t played many of their games. Saturday was cold but tolerable. The games are in the outfield of baseball fields. Most of the parents line up along the fence and just sit in their cars the whole game. Is it just a Montana thing or do people do it where you live too? Now me, I like to be out there, seeing the action, cheering, encouraging and clapping chasing my toddler around.

He is #1 on the Cowboys. Grandma was pretty upset he wasn’t a Packer but he lucked out getting school colors of red and black.

“Hey, good play over there man!”

The middle punk dropped me like a hot rock and ran off with friends, that left me to watch this little squirt.

Well, I guess if he’s gonna make faces and smiles like that I better not complain too much.

One last good move of #1 in action. Way to go buddy!

Friday Photo Flashback

Halloween 1974

Here I am with my brother, Chris. He is 4 and I am 8 months.

You know what I liked about costumes back in the day, you made them. And you made them from whatever you could find. No trips to Walmart. Mom rummaged through her stuff then sat at a sewing machine.

Those were the easy times, weren't they!

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Picture op in the leaves with my Little Man, oh yeah, I'll take that opportunity. And don't think for one second that I held a rake... that's what kids are for!

********************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!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Apple Time

To the big town

I like where I live. I really do. It’s quiet. It’s safe. The deer walk around. The kids can do whatever they want. It’s small. It has a population of about 200 people with no services except for a post office. The next town we go to has a a grocery store and some mom and pop stores. Enough to get you by in a pinch. Most days that is. That town has a population of just over 3,000 people. As much as I like it here it has it's drawbacks, as every place does. So when it comes time for a big project or big shopping it’s time hit one of the bigger MT towns, Great Falls or Billings.

This was one of those weekends. Either big town is a good 4 and a half hours away but thankfully we have family near both of those places! I have a bathroom remodel I’m in the midst of so off we went for supplies!

Within 5 minutes of getting to my in-laws place the boys were all in Grandpa's shop! Boys will be boys.

Grampa was working in his garden and Little Man was right beside him the whole time. Little Man’s connection to his Grandpa is just amazing. He is like glue to his Grampa no matter who is around.

Already a big helper. Or just wanting to be like his Grandpa.

Gramma had the older boys go around and pick up pumpkins and gourds for the dump. I thought we got cold a few weeks ago when it was in the teens but these guys got down to ZERO! Those cold temps don’t do any favors to garden life so all the pumpkins and gourds turned to goop. It was a dirty job but the boys loved it.

Little Man is finally growing up. This picture is proof! He is usually with Grampa and the boys and puts up a MAJOR fuss to be with a girl (even me sometimes). He sat quite a while with Gramma and she loved it. I guess he’s finally figuring out that girls aren’t that bad after all.

And me? Well, I spent most of my time at Home Depot. My project is in full swing now that I have supplies!

And the next time you think you want to live in a small town, consider this: Do I really want to drive 5 hours for supplies?

The answer is yes when you have wonderful family to visit!

Friday Photo Flashback

Here I am at about 16 years old. I look back at this picture and I can just see and feel the contentedness….

I have always preferred to ride bareback. It’s just so natural and perfect. Being one with this amazing animal, full of power, that incredible horse smell.

It’s hard to top in my book.

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This week it's all about the school spirit...

Yes, I can get a little carried away sometimes. When will it be OK to paint MY face?

********************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!

The Jersey

The boys had so much for Friday’s Homecoming for our town schools. It was red and black day and the kids were excited for wearing their school colors. I couldn’t believe my ears when my oldest said he was going to wear his football jersey to school on Friday.

I mean, wait just a second. Wear a football jersey to school… on a Friday? I’m totally flashing back to when I was in school and all the football players wore their jerseys on Fridays. But my son? Wait just a second.

I feel like I blinked and he is growing up so fast. What’s with that anyway? Sometimes I look at him and I see the little boy he used to be.

Then sometimes I look at him and see the nice young man he is turning into.

I might as well count down the days until I hand him the car keys.

And I’ll enjoy every single one of them!

An early taste of winter

I woke up yesterday morning to a winter wonderland. It was just gorgeous. The stillness, the quietness, the snow on the leaves and branches.

We got about 5-6 inches and it just made my heart sing to see it.

I’m pretty sure I’m safe to take down the hummingbird feeder now.

I loved the look of the bright red crabapples against the white fresh snow. There’s someone else that really likes these crabapples…

This little buck was pretty happy to be digging in the snow for the fallen crabapples.

This doe had other plans. Maybe she was too good for digging in the snow. Maybe she was too smart. Maybe she was out to teach that young buck something. She didn’t once dig her muzzle in the snow.

She repeatedly stood on her two hind legs, reached up and grabbed for the crabapples. Sometimes she would get one, most times she just jerked the branch hard enough the crabapples came tumbling down and gently lay on the snow. That’s one smart doe.

I for one really enjoy winter but I know a lot of people don’t like winter one bit. But when your morning starts out like this one, how can you not enjoy the beauty of it?

Like it or not, winter…. she’s a coming!