The Day After....

Happy Day After Thanksgiving...Happy Black Friday (Oooh, that just doesn't sound right?? :D) Happy Friday.....So, what does everyone do with their Friday after Thanksgiving???

Some people have jobs where they actually have to report for work the next morning, life as usual...that would be my sister..(Sorry, sweet girl!) Some, set their alarms and are up way before the farmers even get up..ha, ha.....Shop, Shop, Shop until you drop..(of course, NEVER me...I prefer to do my Christmas shopping the last few days before Christmas...apparently, I must enjoy the stress it causes :D) And, then, there are those that spend the day just relaxing and catching up from all the festivities of the day before....AND...finally, there's the Mallons!

I bet you can hardly wait to hear what we did with our day...Okay, here it is....first we actually slept in until 7:00 (Whooohoooo)...then, spent a little time lounging, checking our emails, etc....Then, the Mr. headed out to check the cows at the property..and, I...well I'm quite proud of myself...I got my whole house cleaned (my parents & grandparents are coming tomorrow :D) Baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies, did a load of laundry...all by Noon.

Mr. PPRM got home, we collected all the supplies we needed for the next thing on the list...WORKING the Calves....(Not my favorite thing at all...Working Calves = Vaccinations, Branding, and for the boys...the end of their "manhood"!) Plus, lots of Mommies mooing as loud as they possibly can, to which the babies cry back. We usually bring everyone home for this job...but, today we decided to just do it at the property we rent...Praise God there is a squeeze chute & calf table there...and....the owner even came out and helped us...How GREAT was that...perfect...and I was soooo praising God! I have to say in all our years...this was the easiest, quickest time...Praise God!!! Next, everyone deserved a little treat for their hard day (just like three year olds get lollipops after their shots...my girls get some hay)!!! So, this time I let the Mr. drive...(I usually, opt for that job :D) And, I rode on the tailgate, opened up the gates, and threw out the green flakes of candy to my girls! It felt good! I don't know why...maybe the kid part of me was just coming out...(remember when you were a kid and how fun it was to ride in the back of a truck?!?!)You know, even though, it's against the law now...every once in awhile we should all do that..hop in the back of the truck while someone else drives us around...just soaking in the beauty of the world we are blessed to live in, feeling the wind blowing our hair and smelling all the scents we pass by :D (Mmmmm....no wonder dogs LOVE that so much..it's just darn refreshing and fun!)

And, finally, we came back to our Casa took care of the feeding chores here...and even got some wood stacked on the porch..!!! Whew...so, many things marked off the to-do list on this day after...I'm thankful that God sent a weather perfect day, extra-help, and that another BIG JOB is behind us!!! Tomorrow now can be reserved for just "being", spending time with family catching up...and eating (I hear Prime Rib is on the menu :D...and I don't have to cook it...yeahhh!!!)

So, however you spent your "Day After"...I hope it was filled with many, many Sweet Blessings!

Counting my blessings....

Happy Thanksgiving from my heart to yours....

I hope this day is filled with LOTS & LOTS of turkey, gravy, potatoes, stuffing, vegetable dishes, jello-salads, & yummy pies & desserts....and, that everyone eats so much that they must spend the rest of the day lounging on sofa!

I have so many things that I am thankful for....I decided to Count my 10 TOP Blessings...

1. I have Jesus in my heart!

2. I Love my Husband, and he is HOME with me (even though, he didn't get here until 2:30 this morning!)

3. I have a wonderful Family who bless me daily

4. Good friends....near & far

5. A Healthy Body (something I become more aware of & thankful for each year!)

6. A home that is warm, safe, & my favorite place to be

7. Food to eat...

8. A job...I truly LOVE!

9. Those 9 barn cats that faithfully greet me each morning as I open my door...and each evening as I arrive home after a day's work!

10. That I am blessed to have this day to remember all the many, many sweet blessings I Have!!!

May God fill your day with lots of sweet memories, thankful hearts, warm family moments...and time to Count your Blessings! ~ HAPPY THANKSGIVING ~...& many Sweet Blessings!

Mama never told me....

I've been thinking a Lot lately about the things our Mom's Never Tell US as girls....to be fair I need to post a WARNING!

WARNING: For girl's eyes only...Adult Content! (Boys if you read, you might not quite enjoy the things being shared...and it might actually shatter your visions of "females" some :D)

That said...here it comes...

My Mom NEVER told me that.....

* You go to bed one night with one face and wake up the next morning with instant lines and creavices...a.k.a wrinkles :D

* It's pointless to shave your legs in the Winter...you jump out of a warm shower with smooth as can be legs, and before you get dressed in the coolness of the room you have pricklies again!

* Your hair color continues to follow it's own path too...darker, & darker & darker it likes to grow.

* Daylight savings time will be a "big" deal the older you get...that your internal clocks will NOT appreciate it.

* Always cook enough food for left-overs...saves yourself an extra night or two of cooking during a week :D

* Out of the blue you will find long...and I do mean LONG hairs growing out of your neck or under your chin...how they can be there and you not notice them until they are at least 3 inches long is quite the mystery.

* I remember when I was 5 wishing I could have 2 body parts to lift up and wash under...now, the thought totally makes me want to SCREAM!

* She never said body parts continue a journey southward yearly..

* Chocolate chip cookies for breakfast after the age of 20 = a LOT of praying when it's time to button your pants.

* After your 20's magically two pounds a year show up on your body

* Guys don't care as much about a clean toliet as girls do :D And, that clean floors absolutely mean NOTHING...NADA, maybe they only serve as a bright green signal..saying "Go" ..."GO"..go ahead walk on me...

* Grocery shopping is truly an art..the best at it come home with a cartload of groceries with only $10 spent..and a candy bar thrown in!

* There would be days you can't wait to go by fast, and days you wish would last forever...

* No matter how old you get..You always still need your MOM!!!

Mmmm....as I continue to grow older there seems to be more and more things I discover that my Mama never told me...but, I am so glad for the things she did!!!

So...Happy Sunday! What a beautiful morning with the sun peeking through and the earth crisp to the touch....and the promise of a wonderful Lord's day ahead!!! Sweet blessings!

Honest things....

Yesterday, a sweet girl posted an award she received for being "REAL" & "HONEST"...and then she passed it on to me....???? I don't think I deserve such a sweet blessing...but, what's a girl to do, but play along...So here it is....The Award...
(P.S. the original owner of this award truly is an amazing, inspirational, good-hearted, spirit-filled Woman of God...I am blessed to have the opportunity to know!)

As a recipient of this {honest, real, full of truth} award I must post 10 HONEST things about me. So, here it goes...(honesty...ohhhhh....)

1. I am way to obsessive about my hair and lipstick :D
2. I like things to be in their place and stay the same...day in & day out
3. I find myself gossiping wayyyyyy to much (NOT something I like or am proud of at all :( )
4. I find it difficult to NOT tell my husband HOW to do things
5. I have a hard time receiving...I'd much rather give
6. I like to think Rice Crispy treats are a healthy snack...there is really only about one big marshmallow per 4x4 inch square :D
7. If I could I would eat Pasta everyday :D
8. I worry way too MUCH...(God is calling me to leave things in His Hands more!)
9. I feel happier when the Sun shines :D (And, I can feel the SON shinning!)
10. I LOVE this life I've been blessed with...my husband, family, friends, work, church home, this beautiful world of many colors....that each day I can choose whom to serve!

There DONE!!! Some of those "Honest" numbers I am really feeling convicted to work on...some of them make me smile...and some of them are just "me"..just how God created me to be! I hope each of you find time to be "real" & "honest" to make a difference in the world you are surrounded with....that you find some things to laugh about along the way..and most of all feel special, because you are YOU! Sweet blessings!

P.S. Anyone that wants to play along...please feel free..."I hereby Award you the Award of Being Real & Honest!"

What a day!

Happy Wednesday!

Today was one of THOSE days...

Crazy, busy, Wiggles everywhere & LOUD. It's that time of year when holiday madness is approaching and little bodies secretly know. But in the midst of it all...God sent some sweet blessings...

* One of my preschool Mom's brought Miss Susy and I a drink from Starbucks (Thanks so much Kriss...you really made our day :D And, I loved that Passion Fruit/Lemonade...Mmmmm.mmmmm....good!)

* Miss Susy fixed me a great toasted tuna/egg sandwich

* We shared lunch with our co-workers...sharing our mornings events, our lives, things that are on our hearts & minds....

* We laughed at things we shouldn't of (sometimes three year olds have a way of making you want to laugh out loud..even though you really shouldn't laugh at that moment!)

* I got to spend some time visiting with my sister on my way home from work.

* I got to visit with my Mom on the phone tonight....

* I got the opportunity to ramble on about ordinary events on my blog...and am very blessed by all the sweet comments that are posted in return!

Thanking God that He is ever faithful, Loving, and Good! And, that wild days are only occassional..!!! Sweet blessings!

Warm...

Warm....I Love that feeling...whether it's the warmth of the sun on my face, the warmth of a winter's coat, the warm hug of a friend, the warm feelings that encircle my heart for those I Love....WARM is a good thing!

And, tonight, my Mr. is on the road working...and the house just feels cold (even with the electric heat going...) So, I did what us country girls do (when we're not being lazy...ha, ha.. :D) ...I built a nice, WARM, cozy fire in the woodstove. Our Missy cat thinks she's in heaven and is all cuddled up on top of the sofa close to the stove....and, me, I know once I settle in to my favorite spot on the sofa, I'll drift off too!

Warm...it's a good thing, a good feeling...the same feeling I always get when I spend time in God's presence. Hope each of you are ending your day too encircled in the warmth of your homes, family and God! Sweet blessings!

Okay, I did it...

Okay, I did it...this weekend to be exact...I finally chose a color and painted our living room. Before I go any further...let me first share that I am truly married to the Best husband in the whole world!!! Poor guy for a year he has had to live with paint samples taped to the wall..then, the last month lots & lots of what do you think? (To which the real answer is "I don't care"...from the heart, that's the true honesty of it all !) I surely must drive him to the point of near craziness...but, he just keeps listening and replying...whatever you choose! Many, many thanks to my friends who have also endlessly heard the question..."What do you think?"

So, this time I chose a neutral color...called Nevada Tan...it looks very rich, warm, and beautiful! And, as I painted it on, I knew for sure this time I had picked the winner...But...(Yep, here it comes again...) today, I'm not so sure...there's just something that doesn't feel right to me...and now, it's driving me CRAZY!!! I know, I know...I'm a creature of habit...give it time...my eyes just need to adjust...and, "whatever you do, don't go back to Ivory"!!! I know all those things in my head...but, somehow, my heart just isn't on board! Sorry, now, you ALL have to hear about it :D Actually, it makes me laugh...because I know myself...and I know how OCD I am about things being in their place...and ...the list can go on and on....and, until my eyes get adjusted and the color becomes home I truly am going crazy with NAKED windows...(another crazy fact about me...I can't handle windows without curtains...I have blinds, but they are oh so lonely without curtains!!!) There...now it's all out...everyone knows more than I'm sure they wanted too....but, at least it's not inside my head rattling around anymore!!!

And...today, as I was fretting & stewing & stressing over the changes...I realized...it simply doesn't MATTER! In 5 months, it will simply be wasted time...in 10 years it'll be a good story...and in 20 years...I won't even remember it! Most of all today, I realized that what's really important is ALL the blessings and gifts God gives me everyday...that I have a home...that I have walls to paint...that I have a healthy body to paint with...and that I have a husband that loves me even when I drive him over the edge...and most of all that God's Love surrounds me no matter what my surroundings!

Thanks for letting me be "me"...and share what's on my heart...I'll keep you posted on the progress...and if any of you have any suggestions...feel free to send them my way ! (Special thanks to my decorating-guru..Pat P...YOU truly know how to guide me (or should I say..spear me forward :D) ) May each of you feel God's blessings wherever you are today ! Sweet blessings!

It's Monday...

It's Monday...time for a new week, a new start, a fresh beginning...time to go forward...isn't it funny, but that's never quite how I look at a Monday :D Usually, it's more like, "Oh, it's Monday...the beginning of another week of crazy busy-ness, back to routines & schedules, errands, my husband leaving for his job, and on & on....

But, I've decided this week, I'm going to be excited about Monday...excited to see what this week holds...what sweet blessings will unfold in the midst of the "usual weekly events". Of course, I can never wait for the work part of Monday's...because I am blessed to LOVE my work, every minute, every single day :D

Yesterday on our church bulletin there was something that caught my attention...it said...we need to stop praying "Lord, bless what I'm doing"...and start praying..."Lord help me to do what you are blessing." And, that is going to be my prayer this week as I am blessed to begin a new Monday!

May each of you have an amazing start to your week too..May this Monday be an exciting beginning to a week full of Sweet blessings!

RAK!

No worries I haven't become addicted to talking in acronyms...although I did enjoy some giggles from all your comments on my last post! This one is actually to do with Random Acts of Kindness!

Have you ever just did something nice for someone else because??? OR has someone blessed you with a gift of kindness just because???

A few months ago, my sister and I were having dinner at Shari's...my sister's been having a rough haul this last year...all of a sudden her husband left her, she had to sell her house, move to an apartment, and lost her job. My heart is hurting for her...but, she is fighter and very strong...and I know she will go forward from it all and become yet even a stronger woman. Well, back to Shari's...after our dinner we were at the counter waiting to pay, and I noticed and older gentleman at the counter was looking at her (Oh, guess I should point out here..that my sister is a Barbie look alike :D) I told her...and she was like "whatever"...we are still waiting, and he gets up goes past us to the restroom, catching her eye and saying "hi"...he comes out and we are still waiting in line to pay...he gets in line behind us...makes small talk, and takes the bill out of her hand and says "Please let me pay for your meal tonight." If you know us at all..you know we are total protesting girls when it comes to someone else paying for anything for us...so, she said "No, but Thank YOU, I can't let you.." he persists..."Please, I would really like to do that for you..." "That wouldn't be right" she again replies...to which he says "It's my way of giving back, sometimes I just like to treat someone I don't know to a meal". She relents thanking him profusely...as we leave her heart is totally overwhelmed with gratitude and the gift that only an act of kindness can bring. "That's never happened to me before" she says...to which I add...maybe God just wanted to show you His Love in a special way today. He knows you need a little "hug" right now. I LOVED that I got to watch that gift of kindness touch my sisters heart and life that day in a special way. As I drove home I did wonder...Mmmmm...was that man an angel in disguise.

Part 2 of the Story...Once again my sister and I are out shopping, Safeway, I think??? Anyway, we see him again, he smiles and she smiles back, they exchange quick hellos..and move on! NOTE here: Neither of us have ever ran into this gentleman or seen him before the first event...

Part 3...Just about two weeks ago my sister and I met up for dinner again...this time at Roy & Venietta's (Yep, us girls like to eat out when we can :D) Anyway, he comes in with a lady...and says "hi" and smiles as he walks by...we finish our meal and they are ahead of us this time at the counter...he turns and asks my sister how things are going...She tells him, she is looking for a job (she has one, but it's not quite what she needs right now...) He gives her is card and tells her to call the office they will be having some openings after the first of the year ( He works at a place with good pay & benefits..!!!) ...introduces the lady he is with..and after a little more chit chat he leaves. Once again, my sister is in awe...She doesn't know this man, but every time they meet it's like he is drawn to her, senses her need and wants to help. Once again as we leave our conversation turns to God...It truly is like this man appears right when she really needs some uplifting!

So, Random Acts of Kindness...They just feel good...whether you are the giver or the receiver...they touch a heart, a spirit, a life, in ways words cannot express. As we head into this holiday season I want to focus on randomly sharing acts of kindness...maybe it will be just letting someone in a rush go before me at Walmart...maybe it'll be paying for the person in line behind me at Starbucks...maybe it'll be offering to watch someone's little ones so they can have a night out...maybe....the possibilities are endless...I can hardly wait to see what God speaks into my heart (you know that moment when you instantly, spontaneously feel the urge to do something :D).

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

Hope this time of year brings a chance for each of you to experience or share some kindness too! Sweet blessings!

FYI.....

Just the other day I was sitting on the sofa next to Mr. PPRM who had his laptop secured on his lap and was typing away on his cattle site (which really equals our girls' version of blogging :D..the site even comes complete with what else...but everyone sharing pictures of their places & cattle!!!) Oops..back to the reason for this title and blog...as he is typing away I notice all the alphabet letters stuck together...not words, just letters...you know like FYI :D

Here we go again...it started me thinking...when did our world go from alphabet letters making actual words to letters stuck together meaning words??? Mmmmm....it all started for me when I finally discovered that FYI wasn't the girl version of XYZ, but actually meant For Your Information :D (Did that just hint at my age or what???) Next, I learned that TMI was Too Much Info...something I tend to give way to much of :D And, my final straw in this letter combo's the world has created came a few years ago...Once again I was snooping as my Mr. was replying on his Rancher's site...and I saw he signed it LOL...which I immediately asked who he was replying too..."A guy that ranches in Nebraska" was the answer..."Why did you sign of LOTS OF LOVE", then...came my instant question...to which I heard, "Tam, that does NOT stand for Lots of Love...it means Laugh OUT Loud."! Oops...I had so much to learn about the new ways of putting letters together :D So, I decided just in case anyone out there is struggle to get "hip" with the language too...I'd share what I've learned so far....Here it is:

* FYI - For your information
* TMI - Too much information
* XYZ - Oh, right...that one is an old one we all know :D
* BTW - By the way
* LOL - Laugh out Loud, Lots of Luck, or....Lots of Love (that's how I use it anyway :D)
* IDK - I don't know
* RSVP - Hey another one that started several decades ago
* BYOB - Does anyone know this one???
* BRB - Be Right Back
* BZ - Busy
* DGT - Don't go there
* DIY - Do it yourself
* DKDC - Don't know don't care
* BTWBO - Be there with bells on
* IM - Instant messaging
* P2P - People to people
* CSL - Can't stop laughing

There are so many...so many I don't even know yet...if you have a few that you think I need to know to broaden my information file...please feel to share them :D So for now...FTBOMH (from the bottom of my heart) ......happy thinking & decoding, and I hope a few of the above bring you a chuckle too...Sweet blessings!

P.S. It appear spell-check doesn't like all the acronyms either...each one came up highlighted as I was proof-reading :D My heart is smiling at that one!

My turn....

Well, it finally happened...for once it was my turn for "something" to happen instead of Mr. PPRM's...It was Sunday afternoon...and the weather was nice for this time of year...meaning NO RAIN, FOG, or WIND. So, I decided (since I was a LOT past the time of getting the job done), that I should get the vents under the house closed up. Normally, that would be a simple job of just pushing a lever...well, that is unless you live in an old house in the Country. Apparently, when they built our house vents didn't come with the option of opening or closing...so, in our case, it means covering them with plastic. (It kind of makes me laugh...because, somehow, I thought once I left that college apartment with the single-paned windows, I wouldn't have to be using plastic as an insulator anymore :D) Anyway, we've lived in our house for over 16 years (And, it happens to be on the to-do list to replace one day...) so, I've pretty much got the procedure down. I got the plastic, my handy dandy stapler gun, scissors and I'm set. The whole job usually, only takes about 20 minutes anyway....I get the first one done...perfect...on to the second...well, there is the ladder leaning on it's side next to the house with the chimney brush laying on top of that (Yep, it's true, we need a "outside" shed for tools :D) Anyway, I pull the ladder forward and all is good, until KAPLUNK..somehow the wire brush flips and pops me in the face..right below my eye...it didn't hurt much...so, I continued on my mission. Mmmmmm...it felt good to check another thing off that to-do list!

Once done, I come in to get ready to go to our Church's annual Thanksgiving dinner...and notice a red spot or two on my face. Oh, guess the brush must have poked through the skin a little...some neosporin and I'm good to go. Mr. PPRM gets home...and we head out...in the car I share my little incident..to which he replies..."We'd better get you a tetanus shot." smiling away. NOT because he really thinks I need one, but because every time he gets a puncture wound I INSIST he gets one...I think he's probably had at least 6 or 7 throughout the time we've been married :D (You know they are good for 10 year, unless you get an injury in that time...that makes me laugh in itself!) I inform him...the last shot on a Sunday night at the ER cost us $500....I would be fine...it was not a big puncture at all....

Next day at Preschool I'm sharing my weekend events with Miss Susy..and she says..."You'd better go get a tetanus shot." Smiling too....I'm pretty sure she is humored and teasing me too...Next, we ask a couple preschool Moms...both assuring me I am fine...then, at lunch I tell my director, Tess...."You'd better go...better safe than sorry." So....indecisive me...finally caves...and after work I stop at Safeway to get that $56 shot! I so wish I could use my arm being terribly sore to get out of doing work at home...and sympathy at work...but, it's not even that sore!!! Darn it!

So, that's my story....it was finally my turn to get that tetanus shot....but, hey now I'm good for another 10 years!!! Happy Tuesday to everyone! Sweet blessings!

Casserole eating...

Happy Sunday!

I don't know why but this rainy, cloudy, foggy, misty weather always makes me want to cook Casseroles??? You would think it would be Stew, Chili, Roast, or something...besides a casserole??? And, since yesterday's weather was all of the above..you can guess what we had for dinner....I always think you can never have enough "one-dish" recipes...so, here's my Casserole recipe from Saturday....


Mexican-Cornbread Casserole

In a skillet...

1 lb Hamburger (browned) Preferably Pat-n-Tam's Hamburger :D
Chopped Onion (use your own judgement here..if you are an onion lover add away...if not just add a few...)
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
1 Small Can Tomato Sauce
1 Package Taco Seasoning
1 Small Can Diced Green Chilies (optional too :D) I never use a whole can???

Let all ingredients simmer in the pan for 15-20 minutes...(it will look kind of like Spanish Spaghetti Sauce :D)Pour in Casserole dish....

1 Box or Package of Cornbread...prepared as label says....

Pour on top of meat mixture and Bake at 400 until Cornbread is done...Take out of oven...and Top with Grated Cheese...return to oven until cheese melts! Done!!!


Mmmmm.mmmmm.....Good! As you can tell I'm not quite Martha Stewart or Paula Dean...my recipe is a little thrown together...but, hope it works for you...and that you can enjoy a casserole on one of those misty, cool evenings that seem to be heading our way! Thanks for letting me share...Sweet blessings!

In-Decisive is my middle name...

I think that's truly a fact...when my parents named me, they should have named me Tammy Indecisive Schaber, instead of Tammy Jo :D It's been over a year now that we've had paint swatches stuck to our wall. And, finally I have a totally free weekend to finally tackle that project. So, last night, I went to Ace, got a few more samples, (just to make sure..in case there's some new color out there waiting for me :D)

This morning, I taped those new samples everywhere...up, down, by the molding, next to the carpet, by the sofa, the chair, the prints on the walls, etc....finaly, after much deliberation...I chose ONE! (Okay two...but, I was pretty sure I could narrow it down by the time I drove the ten minutes into town). Once in the store, still not quite there, so the sales lady holds them both up and I point to one! Yeahhh...I did it!!!

I get a few supplies, my paint, and head home to tackle my weekend project! First, of course, I have to wipe down the wall...where oh where does all that dust, dirt, & cobwebs come from??? Next, I open the paint...Mmmmm...looks a little more yellow than I thought....put a little on...More Yellow...do a 2 ft. section...definitely a LOT MORE YELLOW than I wanted. Oops! I don't like the color..and I've bought two gallons...and, Now what??? The problem is...I can see the color I want clearly in my head... I just can't seem to find it in a paint swatch???? So, back to Ace I head...this time deciding maybe I need to go more in the neutral, earthtone shades...More samples, More tapings here & there...More looking...pondering....Mmmm...could this be the beginning of another year of just deciding????

Oh, and the Yellow wall...Definitely COULD NOT look at that for another year...so, it's back to it's safe Ivory color...waiting too...to see what Miss Indecisive will finally decide upon! So, if there is anyone out there in need of some YELLOW (acutally it's name is Honeywheat) paint, just give me a call...and it's yours!!! May God fill each of your weekends with some fun projects...and, May you feel His warmth surrounding you as Fall is settling in! Sweet blessings!

Today's Top 10

Today was a rainy, cloudy one...but, still even in the mist...I felt blessed...here's some of my Top 10...

10. I have a warm coat with hood to wear in the Rain!
9. I opened my inbox to find sweet mail from sweet friends
8. My Cat LOVES me no matter what :D I Love that she just snuggles in and is happy when I'm home (but, even more happy when Mr. PPRM is home!)
7. My Miss Susy fed me a great egg salad sandwich for lunch...
6. Starbucks Ice Tea was a part of my afternoon!
5. My preschoolers were happy today...lots of smiles, laughter, and just plain FUN!
4. No bills in the mail today :D
3. I marked off two things from my to-do list!
2. It's my Friday!!! Yippee!!!
1. I'm married to a GOOD man!

I hope you get some time to think of some blessings that surrounded your day....And...that there were many, many Sweet Blessings!

Happy.....

Happy Wednesday....

Happy Day after the Elections....

Happy November.....

May today be filled with all things Good!!!

Tuesday was such a blustery day...that now once again we are back to using baling twine to hold our screen door shut! Praise God for baling twine....apparently while I was at work, a big gust caught the screen door and pulled it back so far the metal clamp broke loose?!?!

Then, on Mr. PPRM's way home...he had an incident too....when, he came in the house I said..."Oh, what's that smell..."??? It was something familiar but I couldn't place my finger on it....Well, this was the smell...."On my way home I hit a skunk"...Apparently three were crossing the road, and one stopped....I know you are wondering why I called that a familiar smell...Well, not because we live in the country and they wander through...but, because several years ago we actually had one living under our house. We did what all advice givers told us...we tried to trap it...it worked, and we took the skunk out in the boonies past us and released it....somehow, it found it's way back...so, next we tried another method...a huge garbage can filled with water, a plank leading up to it with bits of food along the way....NOPE...that wasn't the right plan. Then, one morning...as I was getting ready for work and my husband was drinking his coffee...there came an awful smell throughout the house...apparently that skunk and a cat had gotten into a little squabble under the house...!!! OH it was bad!!!!(There's nothing like your whole house smelling like a skunk...thankfully, it was early Fall so we could open everything up and air it out...plus, here's a little tip...Vanilla candles will remove the smell :D) So, finally, we call the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife...they bring a big trap...with the instructions to "destroy the little varmit" when caught. Well, it worked like a dream...and the skunk was caught in the little wooden box...Pat was working graveyard at Lamb Weston at the time, and before he got home the little skunk had nearly chewed a hole in the top big enough to get out....but, he was so tired he needed some sleep...So I found a BIG rock and plopped it on top of the hole...I gave him a couple of hours watching that hole the whole time...finally, I couldn't wait any longer....so, I woke him up...just in time too...the skunk had already figured out how to naw past the rock!!! We took the skunk out to a nice barren spot...let it go...and you know the Mr. had to use his gun...and did you know this...the minute they go....they release their spray....What a smell....So, that's why it's all to familiar to us!

Needless to say, we survived that little bit of adventure...and I'm sure this one will pass too...although, the clothes my husband was wearing last night are now in the garbage..and his coat is "airing" out on the front porch...poor guy...today he had to leave for Redmond...and the inside of his truck still had that familiar ordor...I'm hoping he found a solution...be it the windows down, some vanilla air freshners...or nose plugs :D It's always a fun time around here....And...it's Wednesday...a new day!!! Thanks for reading along....Sweet blessings!

Weekend Part 2...

Okay, you know that free "weekend"....well, that turned out to be just Saturday :D Yesterday with the time change, Mr. PPRM thought we'd have time to move one load of Mama cows & their babies to another pasture before church....but, somehow it just didn't go as easily as planned :D (That's called life of a rancher :D)

Anyway, since the first cows were distracted by the help of the Pasture owner's new husband...we decided we would just go ahead and work the new babies at the other property! It actually, went quite well...they all came right into the corrals...separated easily...and was moving right along...My job was to push the babies up into the squeeze chute...and since it wasn't at our place with the calf table, the boss wanted to catch two at once! No problem...until...the last little guy...he did NOT want to go anywhere near that mechanical squeezing thing... :D So, just as always I got behind him and was walking him forward...but for some reason, and somehow he kicked back at me...and connected hard!!! My immediate reaction was "Oh, NO...I just got kicked"...to which the Mr. replied, "Are you okay"..."I don't know...." was my reply as I was climbing to the top of the fence (the corrals are still the old wood kind at this property...with solid plywood sides..leaving little way to escape in such a situation!!!) Once on top of the fence, my husband meets me there....with the look of what do you want me to do on his face...of course, I said..."it could be broken I don't know...it just hurts"....so, being my "cowboy" in shining armor (although that's not quite how I was feeling about it at that moment yesterday :D) reaches up and hoists me into his arms and sits me on the ground....I immediately pull up my pant leg to inspect...the hit was right by my knee cap....it looks red & swollen...and so, I just sit for a few minutes..try standing...and next walking...and Praise God...it's all okay! So of course, we switch spots...I get to run the squeeze chute while you know who pushed the calf up!!! (I was hoping for the biggest, ugliest bruise ever, but that didn't materialize either??? It's still sore, and there's a slight bruise here & there, but that's it!!!)

Now, for the funny parts of the day...somehow, I lost the cap to the tagging marker...oops! Then, Mr. PPRM lost his glasses somewhere in a pasture or pile..ha, ha....!!! And, here's the best part...remember when I put on my winter feeding coat and found that needle in my pocket...well, it came in ever so handy yesterday, as I forgot to reload the supplies on our last trip out! Praise God I was prepared and we didn't have to go all the way back home for one little needle! (Which reminds me...better restock that coat pocket...so far, both the twine & needle have vanished!!!)

Needless to say, we didn't make it to church yesterday...and, I wish I would of remembered my camera so you could of seen me in all my glory...flat hair (yep, it happened!), no make-up, my knee-high muck boots & green "stuff" all over my pants! Maybe next time :D

After the "cow" work, Mr. PPRM headed to Pendleton to deliver some meat...I to my classroom for a while..then, back home to greet my parents that came to stay the night! So, that was our Sunday...not quite how we had planned...but, in the end it all worked out perfectly! God is good...and He is in control...and He knows better than we do, just how our days are going to unfold. I'm praising Him for His protection in the midst of all our "work", for the blessings of the good weather He provided...and that my Mr. & I at least got to spend some "alone" time together...with our girls!!! And, that our day ended with the sweet blessing of time spent with family! May God bless your week in Amazing ways as it unfolds...and may you too find many reasons to Praise Him! Sweet blessings!

Our first "free" weekend...

I can't believe it...finally a "free weekend"...okay, you all know that really isn't the case...but, it feels good to say it anyway :D

Yesterday, was my first Friday of no work (because all summer I taught summer school) and no markets! So, what did I do with that day..well, my to-do list was full of things needing attention...the house, laundry, grocery shopping, errands, on & on....but, for some reason, I ditched the list and had a day! I needed to go to Pendleton to return some shoes...and that's just where my in-laws live. It seemed like forever since I'd connected with them...so, I called my Mother-in-law and invited her to join me...:D First, we returned my shoes..then, shopped some...(for Christmas last year, I had given her a "shopping trip"...because my sweet mother-in-law NEVER buys anything for herself...originally I had hoped for a girl's day in the Tri-Cities...but, that never seemed to pan out...and it's almost a Christmas later...) So, we made Pendleton work. I was proud of her...she found a new jacket and 5 new shirts...and still has $50 worth to spend!Then, we had lunch and I dropped her back off at her home. My Mother-in-law is the sweetest, most thoughtful, selfless person...(and, she spoils me like crazy! I think it's because I'm her favorite daughter-in-law...Okay, truth is, I'm the only daughter-in-law :D) I am truly blessed!

When I got back home...I got to take a NAP!!! Perfect~! Then, I did the animal chores & headed to preschool for the Church's Halloween party...it was a fun time ..lots of adorable trick-or-treaters...time to visit with families...and some candy for me too :D Then, my Miss Susy & I (since both our husbands were gone...) treated ourselves to Dairy Queen...however, we weren't naughty...we actually had food and No ice cream?!?! So wrong...but, that's what happened!

So, that was my first "free Friday"! Good, easy, and just what I needed...some down time to relax & enjoy those who are special in my life!

Now, today...I HAD to do ALL those things on my list! And, Mr. PPRM...well, he spent the day attending a leadership meeting for our Church...then, catching up on "farm work"...which was suppose to include moving some cows...but, that didn't so much happen either :D (Yeahhhh....my hair was saved from the rain!!!) So, it was a great day too, even though it wasn't totally "free"..it was a new change of pace...one I think I could get use too :D

Thanks for reading our daily here & theres....hope this weekend is a "free" one for each of you too....that God is blessing you with some time to simply "be"...Sweet blessings!