2016 Resolutions

Yikes, I did not do well on my resolutions for 2015. My three for 2015 were to drink more water, comment more on blogs, and do better at meal planning. I think I'm going to recycle two of those resolutions and then add another for 2016.
1. Drink more water
2. MEAL PLAN
3. Read more and less computer/phone screen time
I remember a few summers ago I read like crazy. I probably went through two to three books a week. Of course I wasn't teaching then, but there's no reason why I can't finish one book in a month now. So one book (or more) a month is my goal. I already started and finished one yesterday...so I've got a good start!
Aaron's big resolution for this year is to finish the basement and put new flooring in our living room/hallway/entry upstairs. If that happens, he can put up the trim and completely finish the upstairs. Yay!
Happy New Year all! We'll be heading to my in-laws on New Years Eve for the weekend. In the mean time, I'm cleaning (I cannot believe how much hair Ruger is shedding! German Shepherds sure are generous with their hair.), making steak for supper tonight, and washing clothes. This is my last full day off of school for Christmas break here at home so I'm enjoying it!

Christmas 2015

"Oh there's no Christmas, like a home Christmas," was a song Elizabeth had playing on Christmas day as mom was prepping Christmas dinner. I currently have it on repeat now, already missing time at the lake.

We arrived home about 45 minutes ago. We unpacked our vehicle, unpacked our suitcases, fed and watered Ruger, opened a few Christmas cards, opened some bills, and now I'm sitting on the couch drinking hot chocolate and looking back at the moments I documented through the camera. I find myself smiling broadly as I think about the time Elizabeth, mom, and myself took the dogs for a walk on the lake and decided to cut up to the road by climbing/slipping/crawling up a steep embankment. I chuckle as I think about us playing Monopoly and Balderdash. My mouth waters as I think about the gingerbread cookies, the "salads", the mashed potatoes, the fudge, the ice cream dessert, and ooh so much more. My mouth quits watering, though, once I think about Aaron and I feeding each other a piece of our wedding cake. Mom found our wedding cake in the freezer and we decided to give it a try! A little dry, and a little tasteless...but it brought back memories! And lastly, my heart warms as I think about the people that we spent the holidays with. Although a little chunk of my heart would be a little warmer if my eldest sister and her family could have made it and spent a few days at the lake, too, but hopefully next year! We missed you Kristin! 

 

Merry Christmas 2015

Ruger Antics

Our life must have been kind of boring before we got Ruger! This week he has been the reason for lots of laughs in our house. Yesterday he hid his bone here...

.

Also this week he decided to use Aaron's hat as his new chew toy. "Still wearable!" I tell my husband. I don't think Aaron was impressed. (Good thing the hat was a freebie and he has lots others in the closet!)

1st snowfall of 2015-2016

We had our first true snowfall yesterday and oh, our boy! I'd kick the snow and he'd run and try to jump on it. When I walked, he would pounce at my feet and then jump back and cock his head. What a strange sound the snow makes under my boots! I chased him around the yard until I was fully out of breath and my mouth was watering. It felt wonderful!
That evening, I gave Rue a pig ear to chew on as Aaron and I started a Christmas movie. He loves to bury his "goods" in the couch cushions and behind chairs but last night he buried it under something new - Aaron's leg. We got a good laugh from that as he dug under Aaron's leg, pushed the pig ear underneath, and then made the motions with his head of pushing dirt or whatever he was imagining back over it.

Thanksgiving 2015

It was a whirlwind of a vacation. My stepsister, Chelsey, her two boys, and her dog from Wyoming made the 8 hour trek this way to see us. Thursday found us at my in-laws, eating way too much and chatting it up. A few games were played and the day flew by way, way too fast.

Friday we decided to go black Friday shopping. We left around 9 or so, intending to get back early afternoon. Early afternoon turned into 7 o'clock at night. Oh well! On my list of things to get were two comforters, clothes for Aaron, and possibly some perfume. I came home with a new coat, new mittens, and Mukluks. Ugh! Archer and Bridger were troopers and did so well shopping all day. My arms were a bit sore, though, from holding a zonked out Archer while walking around Hobby Lobby!

Saturday was spent touring my school, chuckling at Cabela and Ruger, playing with the boys, and Chelsey made supper for us. Fettucini Alfredo in the oven. Yum! The day ended with a movie, all five of us crowded onto the bed. We attempted to fit six, but it was impossible to have our 85 pound German Shepherd on the bed with us. Sorry Rue!

It was a great Thanksgiving and now the house seems so quiet as I sit here this Sunday afternoon. It's sad when company leaves! Ruger is feeling the blues as well, I think, and is laying quietly at my feet. He misses Cabela!

Hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Now three more weeks of school about until Christmas break. I guess this afternoon I'll be putting all the Thanksgiving decor away, getting out the holiday decor, and wishing (and wishing and wishing) that I had taken some photos of the weekend, besides the three I took on my phone.

Cuddling with my boy.

Stitchfix #10

My Stitchfix boxes have not been, well, very good lately. Am I getting pickier? Maybe. Am I getting tired of Stitchfix? Maybe. Anyways, let's jump right in.

Item #1: Blue Blazer. The fabric reminded me of something I would guess would be in style 20-30 years ago. Sending back. Plus, I don't have much that would go with it...

Item #2: Black/Grey Sweater. Too boxy. Sending back.

Item #3: Plaid Shirt. It was okay, but almost every store has these plaid shirts...for a lot cheaper. Sending back.

Item #4: Blanket Scarf. I was really excited about this because I love scarves and I've seen some really cute blanket scarves. This one, though, I wasn't crazy about. I couldn't wear black with it, and I don't have any dark blue dress pants or skirts. (If I was keeping the scarf, I would want to be able to wear it to school and on Sundays...not just with jeans.) Sending back.

Item #5: Rust Colored Skinny Pants. This is the one thing I did keep! I find myself wearing boots almost every day to school. And I have a lot of black tops so these would look nice with a black top and black boots. Keeping.

I decided to stop Stitchfix now until at least after the Holidays. We'll see if I start up again in January. Like I've mentioned before, I've been disappointed in my boxes lately so...they've been fun, but we'll see if they continue. :) 

Happy (almost) Holidays

Random ramblings for this Friday:

Mom took a few pictures for us last weekend. Yay for getting our Christmas photos done!

Our nephew was born this week. Cullen, can't wait to meet you!

It's my favorite time of the year. We've been super busy working with turkeys, pilgrims, and native americans in school. And after this, we'll start Christmas projects. It's a fun time of the year to be in Kindergarten.

My Stitchfix came yesterday. Post about that to come tomorrow.

My stepsister is headed this way for Thanksgiving next week. Excited to see her and her boys! (and to have a short school week next week!)

And that's about it. Now I'm off to clean the cat house. (New Years Resolution for 2016: keep up with the litter box...icky!)

Goodbye, G6

I had wanted a G6 ever since I started high school (I have documentation in my journal), so you can imagine how excited I was when we found a good deal, the summer of my junior year in high school, at a used car lot in Detroit Lakes. We test drove it, my stepdad made the "deal", I wrote my first big check, and this blue/grey car was mine.

Fast forward seven years including four years of college, lots of trips to Detroit Lakes to see my parents, trips to Kensal to see my in-laws, a few trips out to Idaho, one trip out to Illinois over spring break, a memorable trip to Medora for our marriage, and then our honeymoon trip to Deadwood.

Throw in trucking around Miciaha and Duke, and then Ruger. It had a "face lift" when Aaron, my then-boyfriend-now-husband, got the back windows tinted for my 23rd birthday and I'm happy to say it never once got in a fender bender.

The new owner is an 18 year old girl that will be going off to college next year. That makes me happy to hear, and I hope she has many good memories with it, but it was still bittersweet seeing my car drive away.

Happy trails, G6, you were a good car.

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Today is my middlest sister's birthday!

 Where do I start? Let's see...growing up she had an awesome farm set she would set up after the first snow fall. She was a goose whisperer to five Canadian geese she got in the mail. I loved going to grandma and grandpa I's during Christmas with her. And whenever we're together we can't help but start laughing over something. Honestly, whenever I leave after spending time with her, my stomach muscles and smiling muscles feel like they've had a nice workout!

Elizabeth, there are just so many memories I could mention that I'm thankful for, but for now I'll just mention how much I'm looking forward to the next 60 years with you, and with Kristin, and the memories that will be made! 

(South Carolina in June, in particular...!)

Happy Birthday! 

Clean Power Plan

A few days ago my husband came home and this is what he mentioned to me. "In a few years I may not have a job anymore..."
I was eating crackers at the table and mumbled "na uh", figuring he was joking.
"No seriously," he said. "The Obama administration and EPA wants to shut down coal burning power plants."
If you live in our area, you would know that over half, way over half, of the population works at power plants/coal mines. Shut the plants down? There go all the jobs...
Aaron recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Bismarck tribune, so I thought I would share. It's kind of lengthy, but I think it does a good job of summarizing what, I'd say, a lot of us in the area are thinking.
I try not to get political, but this hits too close to home to stay quiet. When is Obama's term up, again? Can't be soon enough...

Clean Power Plan should be called the Expensive Power Plan

"I will be the first to admit that I don’t know all the facts and figures of coal power versus wind power or natural gas. But what I do know is that there is nothing that will replace our current coal burning assets while providing the benefits that we receive from using the existing infrastructure.

The sun doesn’t always shine and even in North Dakota, the wind doesn’t always blow. That being said, there is no way that solar and wind power will provide constant power to the grid like the baseload coal fired units in this state provide. There would have to be a source of power to provide additional power during times of peak loads; natural gas.

The way I see it, consumers will see rates and taxes increase, for three reasons. For the rate increase, the obvious additional cost of burning natural gas over coal and constructing new facilities to replace existing would result in increased cost per kWH that the consumer will see. Not only will that effect be felt by homeowners paying their own bills, but also factories will be paying more for utility bills and that money once again comes from the consumers.

I would certainly think there would also be tax increases in order to cover the additional subsidies for construction of wind farms or other renewable sources. I also see another tax increase; welfare. If you eliminate thousands of jobs across the Midwest by shutting down a few coal fired plants, inevitably there will be a good portion of these former employees that will now depend on welfare to feed their families. I suppose that you could make the argument that the people who lost their jobs could find work elsewhere. But take a look at the unemployment rate in states other than those in the Midwest. I can’t imagine it will be an easy task finding stable jobs for thousands of employees. So not only are there more people going on welfare, but you would have less people paying taxes which help support these government programs.

One of the things I remember from learning about US history was that it was much more efficient to produce goods in a large factory rather than producing goods on a small scale setting. One of the reasons we have large manufacturing facilities in the US is because it’s much more efficient to produce a particular product on a large scale than having a local blacksmith shop which would produce a variety of items at a much greater cost per item. Do you think that maybe it just might be the same scenario for energy? That it might be quite a bit more efficient to produce electricity at a large coal fired plant rather than hundreds of wind turbines and several gas fired plants? I sure do.

The Obama administration and the EPA have targeted the Midwest states pretty harshly with the Clean Power Plan. We produce reliable electricity very efficiently here in North Dakota. Our electricity rates are very reasonable. We have a good thing going here, so obviously the EPA will do everything in their power to make sure that doesn’t continue.

I would encourage any and all that might read this to do your own research on the effects that this plan would have on energy costs and taxes. Don’t just depend on what you hear from the EPA or the politicians supporting this plan.

Bottom line is that I can’t really see any scenario if the Clean Power Plan goes into effect, in its current form, where it doesn’t pencil out to the consumer and taxpayer paying more.

I also find it a bit comical that there are so many arguments that wind energy is so “clean.” Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying the power produced by coal plants is perfectly clean. I am just stating that wind power isn’t perfectly clean. The resources that would go into replacing the energy produced by coal is immense. For example, look at the money spent to build access roads for wind farm sites. Then there’s concrete for the wind tower base. This isn’t just a slab the same thickness as a sidewalk. I have heard as much as 500 cubic yards of concrete is needed for a wind tower base. At 10 cubic yards per truckload, that would be 50 loads hauled by concrete trucks, fueled by diesel. One of the byproducts of burning diesel fuel is CO2. Then there’s the manufacturing of the wind turbines. You can’t tell me that there is no environmental pollution involved in the production of wind turbine components, or the construction of a wind turbine site. Unfortunately, wind power is a harder target for environmentalists than coal power because the negative environmental impact is virtually unseen at the site of energy production."

Front Porch

And we have a front porch! (Lattice - coming soon!) Of course I had to get Ruger in the picture, too. :)

Stitch Fix #9

I was a little disappointed in my fix this time. I had requested warm, cozy clothes since it soon will be winter in North Dakota. I do feel my stylist sent warm clothes, I just didn't find myself loving the choices she picked.
Item #1: Winter Coat. It was very soft and felt very warm but last year I splurged on a really nice North Face coat that is about the length of this blue coat. So I decided against this one. Plus, I didn't love it. Returning.
Item #2: Purple Sweater. It was just okay for me. Kind of a boxy fit and I didn't think I liked it enough to spend $78 on it. Returning.
Item #3: Sweater Dress. I'm on the fence for this one. (I haven't checked out yet.) It is slightly form fitting but it is a thick material and it's long, which I really like. I wear lots of black in the winter, so maybe wear it with a vest? or jean jacket? But then would I get too hot? If you are reading this before Sunday (11-1-15), your opinion is wanted!
Item #4: Vest. Just didn't like. Returning.
Item #5: Fingerless Gloves. My fingers are the coldest part of my hands during the winter months, so why would I keep these? I could maybe wear them now, or in the spring... Returning.

Monday

On Monday...

Ruger had an accident in the house. It rained all evening which equaled putting up the porch railing in the rain, in the dark. My math lesson was a flop. A student of mine got the stomach flu. My cough is lingering. I stubbed my toe really, really bad on the bed.

...and then my sister texted me. 

A co-worker of hers and mother of three was killed by a drunk driver in the middle of the afternoon on Saturday.

What was I complaining about now?

Raising Ruger

Right now Ruger is over 6 months old and I would imagine he's in the toddler stage of puppy hood? When I say toddler, I mean always going and going. This guy has energy! I was trying to facetime my mom the other day and I had to laugh; Ruger was wild. As in running around the house full speed, trying to pick up anything that would fit in his mouth. I suppose it didn't help that I was chasing him...!

He is wild at times, but he is good, too. He doesn't bark in our back yard (thank GOODNESS) unless he hears Jack, the neighbor dog, on the other side of the fence. He doesn't jump on us (just guests because he gets so excited...we're working on that..). He's potty trained. (hallelujah!) And he's wonderful on walks. He's starting to ignore other dogs that bark when we go by and he is getting lots better with not stopping so much to sniff!

We love him so much and more often than not it's my husband, the guy that swears he doesn't like animals in the house, that is saying "Why don't you let Ruger in?" I have to chuckle as I go to the door and let the big baby in. He'll gingerly walk up the steps in the garage and then shoot into our bedroom, jump on the bed and give Aaron a wet, sloppy welcome on the face and lips - tail going crazy. "I don't let just any dog do this Ruger," Aaron will say to him between licks. I just have to sit back and smile before joining them on the bed (or rather, 1/8 of the bed since Ruger takes up over a half).

Ah, puppy stage - you make us laugh even when you're exhausting!

Happy Birthday, Kristin!

I know everyone probably thinks this with siblings, but I think the bond my sisters and I have is kind of rare. I remember my grandma saying, "I've never seen you girls fight! Don't you just want to get mad and hit something?" I'm not sure if she said it in those words, but the fact is we got (and get) a long really great. Maybe it was the 5 year age difference between us,  maybe it was just personalities, maybe it was really good parenting, or maybe we just all grew really close when our dad died. Although, I honestly think we would still be really close if dad wouldn't have gotten cancer.

It is one of my sister's birthdays today - happy birthday Kristin! One of my favorite memories is when you brought me along on your road trip with you through North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho! I remember feeling pretty special that you chose to include me and I loved the sight seeing! That was probably my first taste of loving being in the mountains! (I even don't mind that I got bed bugs in Glacier Nat'l Park!) ;)

Zane and baby are so lucky to have you as a mom and I am so lucky to have you as an elder sister! Have an excellent day!

 

currently... {october 2015 edition}

<> listening: yanni radio on pandora

<> eating: nothing at the moment - but there is pulled pork in the oven for sandwiches tonight!

<> drinking: nothing

<> wearing: jeans and a school logo shirt. i really enjoy jean fridays!

<> feeling: cold. i didn't think it was cold enough to wear a coat today, but, the october air was actually a bit chilly! i'm thinking a hot shower will feel good...

<> weather: in the 50's

<> wanting: some cute cozy pajamas.

<> needing: aaron and i to take some photos for our christmas card this year. i have a vision in my head of some poses with ruger included...now just to get it done.

<> thinking: about some fall decor for our PORCH that is going up this weekend!! i am so excited! the "before" picture it taken below.

<> enjoying: the thought that i have tonight off before starting to prep for parent teacher conferences tomorrow.

<> missing: a fire place. that would feel so good right now!

<> 10.16.15 snapshots <>

Ruger

As I was scrolling through my newsfeed on facebook, a friend had shared an article that made me go "ah really?" in a disappointed voice. In our neighboring town a man camp is going up because of a new Urea Fertilizer Plant being built. At it's peak this new plant will need 750 workers. I wonder how this will effect the small towns in the area...? I'm not optimistic.
Now more than ever I am thankful for this 75 pound guy living in our backyard.

Stitch Fix #7

I was deep cleaning our house all day (since the cats got the boot two days ago) so I really wasn't up for getting my picture taken in all the new clothes. I just really was not feeling very photogenic! My snap chats were proof of that...! :)
Item #1: Boot Cut Jeans: kept - I forgot to take a picture! But they were just a dark wash with no fading. Very professional and very comfortable so I kept them.
Item #2: Jacket: kept - I know I'll wear it a lot with black pants/skirts and plus I love to layer in the winter so I thought it would be a good addition to my closet.

Item #3: Black/Grey shirt: returned - It was a bit on the short side and the tight side. I could see myself wearing it now, but it had no room to shrink.

Item #4: Infinity scarf: returned - I just didn't really like it. And I didn't have much that would go with it...

Item #5: Striped dress: returned - The fabric was a bit too thin for my liking, as well as a bit too form fitting.

I was kind of disappointed with this fix with not keeping many pieces from it, but, on the other hand maybe our bank account was thankful for this fix?! :)

The eviction was eminent. We love them but knew we did not want them in the house anymore. The smell downstairs and the hair around the house. The sitting on the table, the drinking out of our glasses, the licking my toothbrush...
Our two kitkits have a new home in our backyard. I really am impressed by my hubby's handiwork for our two cats. Eventually they'll be able to go in and out of the house via the cat door but for now they are locked inside. Ruger's future little place is beneath their "upstairs".

the dog/cat/garden house

looking out their window to the south

their upstairs, with the kitkit's looking downstairs

the downstairs - a piece of osb is currently blocking the cat door in this picture

6 months old

Happy 6 months (and two days) to our Ruger Booger! 

TGIF

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

My desk at the school looks like someone threw up all over it.

And by that I mean threw up papers, sharpies, assessments, stickers, permission forms, unit file folders...

And then this afternoon while we were making scarecrows one little boy thought it would be fun to glue his shirt together. And then try to glue pieces of yarn to his upper lip.

Then, I came home from school, let Wylee out (our in-law's dog that we are baby sitting) and Ruger would NOT stop pestering the poor Bichon. Wylee finally figured out that to get away from our pup, he can fit through the small cat door in the garden shed. 

Our "little" 6 month old (6 months old tomorrow!) cannot squeeze in, no matter how hard he tries. First he'll try getting in with his head and right front foot, and then his head and left front foot, and then frustration kicks in and he just tries to push his way in. I can imagine Wylee in the shed, just out of reach of Rue, happily panting away.

maplewood state park

I love these mother-daughter horseback trips. 

Nothing quite like spending the day outside, with no bugs, and a temperature in the 70's.

Oh, and enjoying a big piece of pie at the Cornfield Cafe after!

By the way, did our trailer shrink?! We were just finishing up our lunch when we heard a loud diesel engine turning into the park. It wasn't long before we saw a big semi truck hauling a huge horse trailer and we thought for sure they would park at a campsite and stay awhile, but, they ended up pulling next to us, in the day parking! I had to snap picture. I find our trailer cute! :)