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Happy Thursday! At least I hope you've had a great one...I'm so pleased to announce mine was GREAT!

~My preschoolers were perfect today (okay as perfect as three year olds can be :D)
~During my break I ran errands and came back to find an Ice Tea waiting for me...a gift from a sweet friend (need I say, it totally made my afternoon :D I am blessed!!!)
~I managed to exercise after work...and actually walked a mile, biked two, and lasted on the Elliptical for 3 whole minutes (A huge deal for me :D) And...I survived it all!!!
~Thanks to my lawn man....I came home to a beautifully cut, green lawn...(so thankful for the downpour of rain Tuesday night!!! )

So, now it's time for your opinion or vote....HELP!

The last year, I've realized...I really DO NOT like to dust!
Since I'm an 80's girl...I, of course, have many country knick knacks...here, there, everywhere
I truly LOVE each and every one of them...

BUT...

I'm thinking it's time....to perhaps box a few up...change it up a bit in my home...make dusting a simple task of running a duster across all surfaces.....

I think what I'm really asking...is MORE or LESS better??? What do you think....in a home is LESS knicknacks MORE attractive??? Or....is MORE what makes a home feel so "homey"???? Is LESS dust better than MORE (ha, ha...couldn't resist saying that one :D)

So, feel free to give me your VOTE...or what I'm really asking for is your honest Opinion! Should I do it...should I remove any dust catcher there is??? Should I move out of my "country decor"....Mmmmm... or should I....simply just dust more than once every couple of weeks???

No pressure...but, it's up to you girls...HELP!

Praying today was totally filled with God's GOODNESS and many, many Sweet blessings !!!

Letting go....

Sometimes you just have to let go...

And, that's what happened at our house on Monday....

We had to let go of our horse Pepsi....she had been a part of our family for 17 years....The Mr. had bought her from a cousin....she had a very sweet disposition..unless you wanted to really ride her :D

She became a great companion to our only other horse at the time...Trixie...she didn't mind that Trixie was the boss and always chased her off....it just became part of their unique relationship! And, a couple years ago when Trixie got really sick...who would stand beside and hover over her...Pepsi!

Oh, there were plenty of times she made us good and angry....and several times she nearly did me in....but, somehow, those times just don't seem to matter....

Since, I'm the main horse care-giver....I finally knew it was just time...we had tired to keep weight on her to no avail...the vet had checked her, no known reason for the lack of health...maybe just like us humans...old age was settling in....

I had scheduled it all, so I could be the one at home when the vet came...but, the animal remover people could not come that day...so, I had to reschedule..and that meant my Mr. had to be the one. YES, I am a cry-baby, YES, I have a hard time saying good-bye (in fact, the night before you know I went out and just loved on her :D) But, through the years of this "Animal life" I live...I've learned that sometimes you have to let go, even when you don't want too....and I was prepared to see her through to the end. My Mothering instinct was to tell my Mr. just what to do, and how to do it...afterall, I really knew her personality best....but, this time for some reason I refrained...and apparently it didn't go as smoothly as it could of. :(
(and, for once he actually said...I wish you would of called and bossed me around?!?! )

The first night of feeding....was hard. It all just looked so empty in her pen....and I was worried Trixie would whinny and be roaming around unsettled looking for her...but, NOPE, she just came to her feed bunk, like it was any ordinary day. Did she know??? I like to think she knew it was coming too....

Anyway, so that's my beginning of the week story....and honestly, I'm okay with it all...because I know it was time...and even though I didn't want to let go...I needed too...and there's just comfort and peace in knowing that. (Besides, the fact, that the animal lover in me, cannot watch any animal not looking or being itself!) So, thankful that God blessed us with her for so long...and so glad that sweet memories of her will always warm my heart.

The more I think about it, the more I am in Awe of the way God carries us through life...the opportunities, the mishaps, the struggles....always preparing us, always helping, guiding, and carrying us through and onward. It simply AMAZES me....and I so know that in all that happened on Monday.... we weren't alone. And, because of HIS peace...we could let go!

Praying each of you can see HIS hand, in everything...every.single.day too! Sweet blessings!

Just in time...

The neighbors I was chicken sitting for came home just in time.....

to save my legs & other body parts.....

Oh My....on the last day I went to feed, the wind was blowing terribly....remember last Thursday?!? That was the day....and I was feeling pretty confident, because on most days when I fed and the wind was blowing the chickens were all huddled underneath a cover made for them....

Sure enough when I got there....the feeding area looked safe...I grabbed the flake of hay for Sarah, open the gate and head in...and from out of nowhere comes the "mean little wanna-be Rooster"...oh, he is definitely a HE, just not the biggest one in the pasture, so I don't think he's earned "bossing" rights yet.....which might explain why he tries to "boss" me...or in other words attack. He comes running straight at me....I YELLED as loud as I could at him...and he backed up a little, I stepped forward and here he came again, this time I shook my foot at him and he rared up.....I threw down the hay, causing him to step back, scanned the area for a nice big STICK....feeling very nervous, anxious, & okay, downright SCARED! (I'm pretty sure he could sense my fear too :D) I decided, the hay could just stay in that spot today...and tired to work my way back to the gate....by work, I mean I was yelling, and hitting the stick very hard on the ground (hoping I would NOT have to actually use it on him...that it would NOT become my weapon of choice : D) Especially since I'm not a chicken girl...I had no idea if hitting a chicken would actually end their life?!?!

Well, I finally made it to the fence...and that nasty chicken had the nerve to come up to the fence and flair up at me through it .....So, when I went into the pen to feed their grain...I made sure I put down the wooden gate so HE could NOT come in the coop while I was inside. And, the rest of the evening, I made a plan of what & how I would react to keep myself safe on the next feeding day.....And, GOD is so good, the next day before chore time....the chicken's owners were home!

Of course, I stopped to see how their trip went and share my chicken adventure...and guess what I learned....HE is mean...and HE even did that to Wynona...but, being the farm/cow girl she is....she gave him a good boot and sent him half way across the pasture.....he apparently layed down and played dead for awhile...but, the next day he was up and about...and seems to leave her alone now. So, I guess the next time I take care of her chickens....It will be OKAY to use that big stick :D

I'm so glad no one was there to watch me act like a crazy girl :D And, I so hope everyone is having a GREAT week.....may it be filled with many, many WIND-FREE Sweet blessings!

Hard....

This week something that is very Hard for me happened....

A phone call came....and the voice on the other end of the line asked...if they could interview me for a story on people who make a difference in their Community???

ME???? I remember asking????

How about the Preschool????

Really.....you want to just talk to ME???

Luckily, it was a sweet person I know....(I actually have her little girl in my preschool class this year)....so, I didn't feel uncomfortable.....but I WAS SO UNCOMFORTABLE.....WHY????

Well, because I really DO NOT like being in the limelight.....
I DON't LIKE anything to be about ME.....
I have a REALLY HARD time accepting Praise..... or receiving gifts....

Because in the end....it's not REALLY ME that is the one doing/or making a difference...it's really JESUS working through me.....I'm ME because of HIM! So, in my line of thinking...the article really shouldn't be about ME, but HIM!

I survived it though....
The article was very generous on my behalf....
And...the photo.....IT was a GOOD HAIR DAY :D

Sometimes, we do have to do HARD things.....
Sometimes, we have to step out of our comfort zones....
Sometimes, God has a way of growing us in a different way......

And, Sometimes, in the end....it simply brings a smile to your heart!

So, if you are desperate to read all about ME.....the article came out in the East Oregonian on Tuesday, April 6th.....and I'm thinking you can check it out online...or I could send you a personal signed copy...Ha, ha!!! (you know I would Never do that right????)!

Once again...I've been totally blessed! Thanks for letting me share little secrets about ME with you.....And, THANK YOU each for helping me to become who I am!
Sweet blessings!

Chicken sitting

Well, I'm on a new adventure...

Our neighbor at the corner...where we rent our Summer Pasture..needed a chicken sitter....and since we love her and she always takes such good care of our cows...I volunteered for the job! Plus, Wynona is the original cattle woman/rancher girl...she knows EVERYTHING about ANYTHING...and I sooooo love collecting her knowledge!

Now, I totally understand and know LOTS about Cows...and she has a heifer named Sarah that I'm feeding hay to every day...no problem..I can handle that. Sarah is kind of special...at first she was totally blind, and would only come to Wynona's voice...but, now she has sight in one eye...and after the first couple days of curious, stand-offishness...she comes to me when I call too :D

Now, to feed Sarah I have to go into her pasture...and that's just where the chickens roam free (as in free-range chickens :D) . The first day...I went in, called Sarah, put down her flake of hay and headed over to check the water trough...that's when I noticed a chicken coming pretty quickly toward me...with a mean sort of look on it's face...(Not being a chicken girl, I couldn't tell if it was a hen or Rooster...because I don't think it's full grown yet??!?! And, do they ever smile or look happy???) It truly was intending to peck me...so, I headed out...I decided the next day I would be the boss of him...and I guess he just wanted to check me out the first day, because he's never came near me again..(Oh, I think it really is a he...as I heard him crowing at me before I left :D)

Next, I have to go inside the chicken coop...feed them some grain...and then check the nest area for eggs. It's kind of fun looking for the eggs....and those Hens are so quiet they often catch me off-guard sitting on their nest. No worries, I just leave them alone...figuring the next day I'll get those eggs. Well, pretty much once they see me, they squawk and fly out....the first time, that totally scared me too...now, I'm on guard for squawking, flying chickens :D Although I feel kind of bad about taking their eggs...it just makes them so happy to sit on them, I feel like I'm taking away all their joy in life :(

All that's left of chore time then is feeding the two kitties...and that's my truly the joy of my life ....taking care of kitties!

I just have to say, I'm kind of intrigued by the whole chicken deal...in some ways, they seem sooooo much easier than cows! But, for now, I think I'll just stick to cows....(& I'm so hoping my Mr. doesn't read this and get any ideas :D)

So that's my latest adventure....listening to a little crowing and clucking vs. mooing :D Hope you each get to enjoy a new adventure every now and then too! Sweet blessings!

Traveling Fridays=Treat Fridays

Happy Friday!
Friday's are my free day...okay, well they use to be my free day :D This year every Friday morning I make meat deliveries to the Tri-Cities....my Mr. signed us up to do an online Farmer's Market...the orders come in on Thursday evening, and then I have to deliver them on Friday...before 3:00! We also have our meat in a little Seafood store there...so sometimes, I meet our regular customers there to pick up their orders...and have to restock our little spot in their freezer.....

I always head out by 9:00....I have a plan....I have to be at NW Seafood from 10:30-11:00...drop off at the Parkway, then if need be, meet customers at the Old Roxy Theater from 11:30-Noon!

Now the real reason I do it in the morning....of course... is because Friday is my one and only day to watch my soap (there I've confessed my sin :D) and, it's my day to squeeze in a nap too! Among a zillion other errands....

So, since I've had to give up part of my "free Friday"...I always feel entitled to treat myself to a little treat :D Usually, it's just a Starbucks Ice Tea...sometimes, a hamburger for lunch...but, today...well, the Mr. doesn't know it yet...but, today...he bought me a new Easter outfit! (If only it had just been one.... : D) I so wanted a new dress...(I don't think I've bought a new dress for at least 4 years....) and, can you believe this...I couldn't find one I liked today...four stops later...I ended up at ShopKo (Yep, another confession...I LOVE SHOPKO!!!) No dresses or skirts...but, I ended up with three mini-sweater cover-ups, a cute dress-up blouse, and Easter Candy for my Sunday School class! I was quite proud of myself....(for those of you who don't know me well...I really do NOT like shopping for myself....it always comes with guilt issues...like I shouldn't of spent $$$, I didn't really need THAT...etc....and the catcher....my MR. doesn't even care what or how much I spend...on anything....ever!!!) Oh, back to my story....the mini-sweater cover-ups are perfect to mix & match with every skirt or dress I already have in my closet :D Whooohooooo.....so, NO GUILT because, hey I can make these three new sweaters turn into at least 10 different looks/outfits :D I thought you just might like to see them for yourself...so, here they are .....

Okay, now I'm not very talented with the camera...but, I hope you kind of see what they look like :D So my delivering Friday turned out to be a little fun today too....minus the pouring rain :D Hope everyone enjoys their weekend...May you take time this Friday to think about all that Christ did for each of us...and on Sunday may you celebrate in Great ways...that Jesus is Alive! Happy Easter....Praying it is overflowing with lots of Sweet blessings!