The Day I was Attacked and Other Adventures

This is a plate.

It is kind of heavy but it is really just a salad plate so it is not even very big.

But do NOT be fooled!

This innocent plate can be used as a dangerous weapon!

One day this past week I had a bowl with leftovers in it and just grabbed a plate such as this one and plopped it on top as a lid.  Is anyone else that lazy?  Well, I've done it many times.  Maybe I am not lazy, maybe I am just trying to not waste plastic wrap.  Whatever.

Anyway, I reached into the fridge and moved the bowl/plate combo aside as I reached for the orange juice.  Well, I unintentionally knocked the plate off and I'm not quite sure what happened next but I suspect it probably hit the next shelf down, broke, and continued it's descent, hitting me in the shin.  I felt the smack and saw the plate break all over the floor.  Rats!  I had company and was preparing to cook breakfast and now I had to clean up the floor. 

I walked across the kitchen before I noticed a disturbing squishing in my shoe... if you are squeamish, you might want to stop reading at this point (that means you, Mom!) and definitely don't look at the next picture.  Actually, it isn't that bad. 

The squishing was because my shoe had filled with blood.  I looked around and saw blood all over the floor.  I grabbed a paper towel and applied it quickly to a wound on my shin.  I only caught a glimpse of the wound but saw enough to know I needed to keep compression on it.  It really didn't hurt all that bad so I tried holding that while hobbling around picking up broken pieces of the plate with my other hand.

That wasn't working out so well for me.

 

I called to Mike to come help me clean up the mess (poor Mike).  Bode arrived first and wanted to assist so with my free hand I grabbed his collar to keep him from getting hurt.  I suppose I looked kind of funny.  I'd really made quite a mess! 

One of our guests appeared. 

I have quite the dramatic flair and like to keep our company entertained so when he requested to see my wound, I complied.

It was quite apparent I needed stitches.

Our guests were here from New Mexico and we hadn't seen them in a couple of years.  When we lived in New Mexico we saw them several times a week, including playing pinochle nearly every Sunday night for 9 years.  We had some catching up to do and we really had only that one day to have fun so I did NOT want to go to the E.R.  and waste half the day!

So, I reasoned that I didn't care much whether I had a scar on my shin, I tried to pull my wound together with band-aids (no steri-strips at hand) but for 2 hours I kept dribbling blood down my leg. Yuck!  I was pleased, though, to realize I was wearing a washable pair of Keen shoes.

 I got the bright idea of calling my doctor's clinic just in case they wanted to get in on the action.  They did!  The physician's assistant I saw took me right in.  She was kind of excited because she doesn't get to do stitches much anymore.   She said most people just go to the ER with such injuries. 

I was happy that she was happy.

She complimented me on the nice straight cut before she cleaned and numbed it up.  I was grateful that I'd shaved my legs before they got all that attention. 

She expertly created some really nice stitches for me while I admired her skill. 

The nurse gave me a tetanus shot and I was on my way in 30 minutes! 

After that, I caught up with Mike and our friends and we had a delightful day.  We saw Maria, Cordelia and Eric along the way, making it all the more fun.  I got to drag more people out to see water in various locations (one of my favorite things).  Here are pictures from some of our adventures...

Cordelia looking at water...just like Grandma!  She really is fascinated with water...

I didn't get permission to show our friends on the blog so I am just showing enough so you know we really do have friends.

Grandpa Mike and Cordelia by the water.

We had Bode (dog) with us when we took our friends to see the museum where our son-in-law, Eric, curates.  Mike & I took turns walking Bode.  Since Bode ate a flag on the 4th of July, I thought he'd like to also see more flags. 

What a patriotic dog!

Thankfully they were safely out of reach of his chompers.

Making our friends look at water...

Making them walk over the water while looking at it...

Despite the dramatic start to that day, it was wonderful to have our friends visit us. 

We also enjoyed a nice dinner at a local restaurant that has a distinctive Wyoming flair.

We laughed and reminisced and we topped the night off with hours of pinochle!

I was happy that the day ended with less mess than it began!



FIREWORKS!

Congratulations to Kate Ware for correctly identifying my guessing game photos as being fireworks!  AKM also wins as she agreed with Kate.  They both will recieve a secret code for a discount at Wyoming Rose Boutique! 

 We were in Great Falls, MT for the 4th.  We were VERY close to the fireworks but I was disappointed because I'd forgotten to charge my camera and it was loosing it's ooomph.  My shutter speed was VERY slow.  In fact, there was a couple seconds lag time from the moment I depressed the button and the time I heard the click.  It turned out really cool, though!  Here are some more from that night...



Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Lady

Recently I read a memorable greeting card.  On the cover was a momma polar bear snuggling her cub.  Inside it said, "Before I knew anything else, I knew what it felt like to be loved." 

My Mom holding my little sister, Tina,

me and my brother, Mike

I am one of those lucky ones who has always known how it feels to be loved. 

My beautiful mother has always, always made her children feel loved and cared for. 

We have always known she had our backs.

There is a lot more to my Mom, though, than just being a mother.  She is a talented artist who shared her love of art by holding classes to teach others.  She is also the best seamstress I've ever known.  She made my wedding dress, following a rudimentary sketch of mine, in one day!  She also taught classes for others to learn to sew.  This woman made everything from underwear to men's suits!   And you should see her yard!  That woman took a hunk of prairie and made a delightfully refreshing oasis out of it.  She is just one of those people that can do just about anything and make it look easy.

My Mom has always been so good at making a house a home.  She had some challenges as over the years we lived in some pretty rough houses.  However, she used her creative flair and always made our homes feel warm and lovely, usually on a decorating budget of near zero.

The best thing about my Mom is probably her integrity.  She really is a person who's word I would never doubt.  She's good and kind and tries to do the right thing.  I am so very grateful to have been blessed with her as my mother and I am certain my siblings feel the same.

Well, today is her birthday and I just wanted to wish her a great day.  Mom, I hope your day is like you - all brightness and sparkle, wrapped in love and warmth like a beautifully comfortable quilt.  I hope you always know that you are loved! (I also hope you don't mind being compared to a quilt!)

Guessing Game - Try Again!

OK, so last week's guessing game has proven to be pretty tricky.  I will announce the answer on Friday.  I like to have lots of winners so leave a comment if you figure it out.  Today's pictures are more of the same thing and I think they are really cool.  Maybe this will clear it all up for you...

Best Friends!

Bode is a bit of a challenge lately!  He is getting bigger but still has the need to chew ANYTHING.  We can't turn our back on him for a second as he is very, very fast!  Last night he jumped up onto the couch, dug his head down behind the cushion and came up with a mouth full of cushion!  I think he swallowed some of the stuffing before I got to him so I suppose we'll be seeing that later.

This morning he just went from one object to the next, biting!  It will be such a relief when he is past this "mouthy" stage.

Eating non food items can be bad for you it seems.  This morning he ran to the top of of the stairs of our entry and threw up.  I grabbed him and threw him outside saying, "This is where you are supposed to throw up."  I couldn't get him down the deck stairs before he threw up more.  I ran back in and cleaned up the mess on the carpet.  By the time I'd returned to the deck, he'd pooped on it as well!  Lovely.

I love it when my daughter, Maria, brings her basset hound, Bumblebee, over to play.  Bode needs a lot of play time and Bum is up for the challenge.  She can wear him out for me today as I am trying to clean house for company this evening.

Bumblebee played with him Saturday for quite awhile.  Bode had such fun!  When she comes over he is just beside himself with excitement.  Eventually, though, they both wear down.  These pictures are from Saturday but I'm hoping for a replay this afternoon...

...love the ears!

For the Love of Elmo

Recently my daughter, Maria, and grandaughter, Cordelia, went with me to a sale at a children's store.  We had a great time and found a lot of good deals. 

Cordy spotted an Elmo toy right away.  Maria let her hold it while we shopped around, intending to leave it behind when we left.  Cordy doesn't even watch Sesame Street and no one knows how she even knows who Elmo is, but she does!  Well, Cordy was so cute with Elmo, I had to buy him.

Later, at our house, Cordy had a fun evening with her new friend...

She taught him how to do somersaults.

She gave him his own little truck.  As she drove her's she kept saying,

"Come on, Elmo!"

Elmo kept falling off but she helped him back on.

She showed him where to park the vehicles.

Later, she emptied out the bucket where the dog toys are kept, and sat right in.  She placed Elmo in the dog's food dish.

Then she showed him how to strike a dramatic pose.

She showed Elmo to Daddy.  As you can see, Elmo is rather patriotic.

Yes, Elmo is a fun friend!

O Master, Let Me Walk with You

O Master, let me walk with you

In lowly paths of service true;

Tell me your secret;

help me bear

The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move

By some clear, winning word of love;

Teach me the wayward feet to stay,

And guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me your patience; share with me

A closer, dearer company,

In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,

In trust that triumphs over wrong.

In hope that sends a shining ray

Far down the future's broad'ning way,

In peace that only you can give;

With you, O Master, let me live.

Text: Washington Gladden, 1836-1918

Tune: H. Percy Smith, 1825-1898

What Do You See?

I have been having some recent fun with my camera.

What do you see here?

Please leave your guess in the comments. 

Anyone who guesses correctly will receive a code for a 20% discount to Wyoming Rose Boutique. 

I will announce the winners next week!



Lazy Boy

History Lesson

I have been reading others' blogs and noted that some use their blogs to document personal history.  I liked that idea so I am going to do a bit of that today.  I thought I'd start with 1978, when we married.

Today, I am showing a picture of our very first home.  Mike and I married at age 20 in Montana.  Not long after we were engaged we found out that Mike's Dad had cancer.  He became very ill and by the time we married we'd modified our plans and decided to live in Turner, MT so that Mike could help his Dad with the farm. 

The interesting thing about this house is that my parents had been living in it for much of the previous year.  I didn't grow up there but of course stayed there with them when I came home for college breaks that year.  They moved out just a week or two before we got married and moved in. 

We paid $40 a month to rent this mansion.  No, that wasn't a typical rental price even then, but this was a town of less than 100 people only 12 miles from the Canadian

Border.  I don't think there were many people looking for a place to rent there!

The upstairs had no heat but we only lived there for the summer so that wasn't a big deal.  Mike went out to the farm each day so I was home alone to do the homemaker thing.  Wow!  Was I ever a great housekeeper!  I washed the floors every single day.  I scrubbed walls, gardened the beautiful garden my Mom had planted before she moved out, and did a LOT of cooking.  Mike finally had to clue me in that I did not have to cook such big meals for him.  I had thought farmers needed to eat a lot I guess.  I'm sure his Mom was feeding him well at lunchtime on the farm also.  Well, he did not go hungry that Summer!

While living there I took in 2 wild kittens from the farm.  They were mostly white but each had a tiny spot on them.  I called them Spot and Dot.  That seems pretty lame now.  I enjoyed them, but we were just foster parents as they were to eventually go live with Mike's cousin and his wife.  They kept me entertained that summer.

This was the view from the front of that house.

We only lived there for a few months and then we moved to Havre, MT to get jobs for the Winter.  We'd been gone from this house about a month when we discovered Mike's wedding ring was missing (obviously he didn't wear it much).  The last place we remembered seeing in was on the dresser when we were living at this little house.  So, we went back and got permission to go inside.  No one was living there.  Sure enough, on the floor near where our dresser had been, hidden behind the floor length curtains, we found his ring!  Mike really doesn't care to wear jewelry and to this day does not wear that ring, but I am still glad we found it.

So, that is where our married life began.  In my memory it was a sweet and simple time of getting used to life together.  We laughed a lot but this is also where we lived when grief first flooded in.  Mike's Dad died just a month after our wedding, leaving an unfillable hole.  I didn't know anything about helping Mike through that, but at least we were together.

So, that was a brief trip back to 1978.  We'll save more history for another time.  

Life in the Hood

Do you know what you are looking at here?

You are looking at fond memories!

This is a hood off an old vehicle.  It has been undisturbed now for years, hiding in the grass on a Montana farm, about 10 miles from the Canadian Border.  This is the farm where my husband, Mike, grew up.  This is the farm where he worked hard but played hard as well.

This hood was used for a magnificent sled for Mike and his sisters.  I'm guessing some kids from neighboring farms enjoyed it as well.  Mike's dad would hook it up behind their pick-up, let the kids climb on, and pull them around for a ride!  That sounds kind of dangerous to us now in our safety-conscious world, but I'm sure he was careful... pretty sure.

Mike looks at that hood and it instantly brings him back to a precious time in his life.  It was a time when he didn't have the responsibility of a whole congregation resting on his shoulders.  He didn't have people come to him in distress, unable to pay their rent or buy groceries for their children.  It was a time when no one looked to him to help them recover a damaged marriage.  It was a time when his Dad was alive and Mike's goal of each day was to have FUN!    It was a time that built him up, gave him roots and prepared him for his future work.

This makes me think about the responsibility we have as we raise children.  I'm afraid I didn't "play" enough with our kids.  If I had it to do over, I'd be a lot more fun I think.  That time of childhood goes by so quickly, but those memories, if they are wholesome and good, can be called up and give strength many years later. 

This mug is from Bed, Bath and Beyond and I love it. 

I am slowing aquiring the matching dinnerware set.  I really like orange paisley!  Something about this set just makes me feel all content inside.  I especially like this photo also because it shows a picture of my family in the background.  Even the frame with all the crosses on it is a precious treasure, given to me by a special friend.

So, why am I showing you a picture of my coffee mug anyway?

Well, I've won another give-away!

Yay for me, huh?!

I was commenting on another blog, http://www.whoopsidaisy-tonya.com/, and she was doing a coffee give-away.    I liked the name of her blog and I think that was what first caught my attention.  I wasn't really looking for a give-away at all.  Nevertheless, since I commented on her blog I was entered and I WON!  It is rather fun to win stuff!

So, I will be receiving a package of coffee products soon.  I can't wait!  I don't really know what to expect but I'm sure it will be delightful.  I'll let you know! 

Happy 4th of July

I'm really grateful that I'm an American.  

Actually, I wish the world wasn't even divided up into nations.  I wish rather that we all recognized ourselves as just part of the community of the Earth, never a situation where it is "us" against "them", never a day where someone suffers more because of the country where they live, never a time when we take from one country to give to another.

But, that is not the world we live in.

Through no effort of my own, I was born into a nation that offers to me a lot of opportunity and abundance.  I've never been without food.  I've never been in the  middle of a war.  I've always had choices.  This nation has its problems as well but 

I've always had a hopeful future.

For these things I am grateful.

Happy Birthday U.S.A!

God of Our Fathers

God of Our Fathers

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand

Leads forth in beauty all the starry band

Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies:

Our grateful songs before your throne arise.

Your love divine has led us in the past;

In this free land by you our lot is cast;

Oh, be our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay;

Your Word our law, your paths our chosen way.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,

Make your strong arm our every sure defense.

Your true religion in our hearts increase;

Your bounteous goodness, nourish us in peace.

Refresh your people on their toilsome way;

Lead us from night to never-ending day;

Fill all our lives with heav'n-born love and grace

Until at last we meet before your face.

Grandpa's Girl

Cordelia Loooooooves Grandpa Mike.  She was at our house when I was folding laundry.  She wanted to help fold Grandpa's shirts.  When she talks about him it comes out more like "Grumpa" which I think is especially cute.

When Grumpa wasn't home she found his hats and wanted to wear them.  She also wanted Sam to wear them.  For awhile she wore 2 at a time!

Anything that is Grumpa's is special to Cordy.

Strong Will!

Apparently I am still thinking about strength of character.  This tree fascinated me and I instantly thought of my sister, who has cerebral palsy (see http://livingcerebralpalsy.com/the-cost-of-living-with-cerebral-palsy/) , as well as all people dealing with physical handicaps.  Look at this tree...

Sometimes people plant trees and give them good care and they just don't make it.  This tree has suffered some big drama in it's past.  I know that it has managed to endure during years of drought.   It has no doubt suffered assault by bugs as well.  It doesn't look like all the other trees around it, but look at it, it is beautiful!  It is loaded with leaves and is very green.  Yes, it is different from all the other trees; that is why I noticed it.  But is flourishing despite all the strikes against it. 

It is a survivor!

The Strength of the Human Spirit

Earlier this week my friend, Diane, and I went on a lovely walk.  We have access to a beautiful walkway that not only follows a river but also takes you past ruts from the Oregon Trail!

As we followed the swollen river we sometimes had to forge our own path around flooding.  We talked and enjoyed watching Diane's dogs play in the water.

We were talking about the thousands of people who followed the Oregon Trail, passing over this same land.  We thought about the motivation those folks had.  We pondered the amount of courage it took for them to leave the lives they knew, not quite knowing where they were going.  So many died along this trail!  They had to have had strong character to survive the discomfort and danger along the way.   What would it be like to be a woman on that trek.  I found giving birth in a hospital rather uncomfortable, what about women giving birth along this trail?!  What about mothers who had to bury their children along the way? 

How amazing to be standing there, seeing the same view they saw, but experiencing things so very differently!   

Sleeping Child

Is there anything more beautiful than a sleeping child?  I think not.

Hello? Hello?

I have the world's cutest phone, don't you think?

It is a KIN.  According to my son, it was first marketed to teen-age girls.  Hmmm.  But it is just so cute!  I get compliments from strangers!  I liked the idea of it because it can use Wi-Fi to go online for free, without the extra monthly cost of smart phones.

But, sadly, it is also the world's dumbest phone.  OK, so it is possible that I think it is dumb because I am NOT a teen-age girl.  It is actually quite likely that the problems I have with it are largely operator error.  I've texted messages to people I didn't mean to text.  Like the time I meant to ask our daughter to pick up our mail when we were out of town.  Instead, I texted that request to a friend who lives in a neighborhood quite a ways from our home.  Although she was surprised by the request, she was going to do it!  I have some really great friends!

My phone also drops calls, usually long distance ones.  It is infuriating!  Last night, I had the address book part of it accessed to my Mom's listing because I needed to doublecheck her phone number.  That's a funny thing.  Using a cell phone, sometimes I forget people's phone numbers because I rarely need to know them now.  I just click on their name and my phone dials them.  However, last night I just looked at her number and then dialed on our land line; I just wasn't in the mood for dropping calls, etc. 

I had been talking with my Mom a bit when she got the "beep" and she said, "Someone's calling me."  She then saw that the second call was coming from our town.  I offered to just hang up so she could take the call but she declined.  Our towns are only a few hours apart and she sometimes has medical appointments here, but she doesn't really have anyone that should've been calling her from our town.  She said I was the only one who called her from here and I chuckled and said, "Well, it's not me!"  

Finally, I pulled my stupid cell phone out of my pocket and, you guessed it, I had pocket-dialed her from my cell phone while talking with her from our land-line!  It was me interrupting my own conversation!  It made us both laugh, a LOT.  I guess anything that brings laughter can't be all bad, right?

The good news is, I only have until September 2012 until I am eligible for a new free phone!

Art Festival Fun

Note:  This was supposed to have been posted yesterday, but apparently I just put it as a draft.  Sorry!

We had a nice week-end.  I hope you did as well.

One of the items on our agenda was an art festival.

 Maria (daughter) and Cordelia (grandaughter) came along with Mike (husband), Bode (our dog) and me...

There was a fun play area for children...

Cordelia loved the pool of bubbles best.  She started out playing with one wand but as other kids left, she took up their wands as well.  She was having a seriously good time!

I was having fun also!

Meanwhile, Mike and Bode walked around to look at fancy old cars.  Bode made friends easily!  Later, as we were strolling, I heard an older woman call out, "Hi Bode!" Apparently she'd met him when we were in the children's area.

We sat in the grass to listen to some good music.  Again, Bode made friends.

Cordy danced.

Maria looked beautiful...

And I got some great snuggles from my beautiful grandaughter!