Thursday, June 12, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
The Job Change
So I sat on it and sat on it cause it was such a quiet change. Dave has been with his company several years and wasn't looking for another position or another company. He was approached by someone he has worked with in the past and offered a position that would give him the chance to run his own show pretty much.
He talked with them and he was interested but didn't pursue it. Then, on my cruise I called from Mexico and that was one expensive phone call but he had a genuine offer to discuss with me. It was a risk he had to take. Long story short, he has done it his own way. He company wished us well and offered him a position if he wanted to come back. The new company was welcoming with open arms. It's amazing but I'm sitting here among a stack of totes and a few pieces of furniture. Last week, we packed up a trailer full of "apt necessary" furniture.
The new company arranged for us to have temporary housing while we took our time finding a home to buy. It's a small town outside a large town and frankly it's so quiet and peaceful. Dave started his job there this past Monday. We managed to get our townhouse set up with the basics and the rest is here in our Montana home to be packed and somehow I'ma get it into a storage in North Dakota. Since no professional mover will come to this middle of freaking nowhere place to move us, well I'm on my on. lol.
So again, we are relocating the family. God is good. He continues to bless us and after two years of living in the backwoods of Montana and not really sure where next, he made the way crystal clear. Praying that we will blossom there as a family just as we've done here.
PS: I can seriously smell Canada from the new house.
He talked with them and he was interested but didn't pursue it. Then, on my cruise I called from Mexico and that was one expensive phone call but he had a genuine offer to discuss with me. It was a risk he had to take. Long story short, he has done it his own way. He company wished us well and offered him a position if he wanted to come back. The new company was welcoming with open arms. It's amazing but I'm sitting here among a stack of totes and a few pieces of furniture. Last week, we packed up a trailer full of "apt necessary" furniture.
The new company arranged for us to have temporary housing while we took our time finding a home to buy. It's a small town outside a large town and frankly it's so quiet and peaceful. Dave started his job there this past Monday. We managed to get our townhouse set up with the basics and the rest is here in our Montana home to be packed and somehow I'ma get it into a storage in North Dakota. Since no professional mover will come to this middle of freaking nowhere place to move us, well I'm on my on. lol.
So again, we are relocating the family. God is good. He continues to bless us and after two years of living in the backwoods of Montana and not really sure where next, he made the way crystal clear. Praying that we will blossom there as a family just as we've done here.
PS: I can seriously smell Canada from the new house.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Bag it up, We're on the Move
Two years of living in this tiny little remote Montana town, we've been praying for the Lord to guide us. The rental market here is non-existent but he provided. We spent an uncomfortable four months in a tiny little carriage house but then our current rental became available. It was a huge blessing.
The schools were so not to our liking but we managed. We found stuff to keep us entertained and Dave'd career flourished here. They call posts like these: hardship posts. The military have them too but usually you only get hardship posts if you screw up bad. Civilian life, it's almost a fast track for your career, especially if you do a good job in that environment. God is good. We survived our hardship post and our move is imminent.
Dave was courted by another company, so his new position is in another state, North Dakota and with another company. We will be even closer to Canada and further into the cold wintery lands of holy crap at the snow. We're excited.
We will be a mere 30 minutes from Wal-mart rather than 1.5 hours. We will have access to everything we could need. This job is the biggest blessing.
And the adventure begins. We are seriously excited and you get to come along for the ride as usual.
God is good.... we're walking on faith with him all the way.
Now the fact that we're moving our family into an apartment the company so generously supplied until we find a house, well.... I'ma downsize like a mofo
The schools were so not to our liking but we managed. We found stuff to keep us entertained and Dave'd career flourished here. They call posts like these: hardship posts. The military have them too but usually you only get hardship posts if you screw up bad. Civilian life, it's almost a fast track for your career, especially if you do a good job in that environment. God is good. We survived our hardship post and our move is imminent.
Dave was courted by another company, so his new position is in another state, North Dakota and with another company. We will be even closer to Canada and further into the cold wintery lands of holy crap at the snow. We're excited.
We will be a mere 30 minutes from Wal-mart rather than 1.5 hours. We will have access to everything we could need. This job is the biggest blessing.
And the adventure begins. We are seriously excited and you get to come along for the ride as usual.
God is good.... we're walking on faith with him all the way.
Now the fact that we're moving our family into an apartment the company so generously supplied until we find a house, well.... I'ma downsize like a mofo
Friday, May 30, 2014
Candy Cane White
So things have really ramped up here lately. We've been in this little area of Montana for two years almost to the day and our time here is coming to an end. Prayers get answered but in HIS time not ours. I'm super excited to say that a move is forthcoming. But first.... Candy....
There are seventy four thousand reasons why Dave is seriously the bestest ever... Mainly though is that after seventeen years of being partners in marriage, growing together rather than apart and frankly God's Grace, he's my guy. And he spoils me. I'm still not sure why but hey, Dave gets what Dave wants cause Dave treats us girls like queens. (Frankly, I'm really glad about that though because my girls already realize how awesome their dad is and how different from most dads he is! Win-win for when they start looking for guys in their lives!) But anyway, if Dave wants a gun, he gets a gun. If Dave wants to go shooting, we go shooting. We spoil the Dave anyway possible.
But since I flew in from my cruise at midnight and we were hours from our little town, we stayed the night in big town. The next morning while the kids' swam and had breakfast, Dave took me to pick a car.
Yeah. Pick a car. Simple as that.
We rolled up and at the dealership of the brand that he's obsessive about (because these are literally 58% made here in the USA by USA workers babe) and he pointed out a gas and a diesel and said drive, choose. So I did and then we went and had yogurt and talked about it, then we came back and he said, pick a color and I did.
I followed him home in my very first brand new car ever. It had 150 miles on it. It is freaking pimped out and I love it so very hard.
Except, I teared up on the way home.
Cause see.... I remember the seventeen years it took us to get here. I remember when we couldn't get a vehicle and scrapped up cash. I remember when our interest rate was through the roof and I cried when he brought it home cause it was "really ours?" and didn't matter at all that it was ten years old and a big chunk of our budget, cause we needed something safe to drive our babies in. I remember each and every second hand car that we learned to save up and buy with cash once we discovered Dave Ramsey. I remember the feeling of paying off every single vehicle we have ever owned. I remember our agreement that we'd never buy new cause we could never afford that. Times change but frankly we don't.
I sat in the lounge area and listened to my husband neogotiate a helluva deal on that new car. And I had to duck my head and let my hair hide my smiles when the sales manager passed my way. They never saw him coming, very few really do. He's a freaking shark. I love it. And to show off a little.... he had the sales manager come take me to the storeroom and pick out a new hat and accessories that Dave had them sweeten the deal with. He gets a kick out of seeing me in my new hat, lol.
So I'm driving that sweet ass car home. The payment isn't much considering. The deal was great, the interest rate was amazing and frankly we'll pay it off quick cause that is our thing. But as I'm driving my mind is flipping through the process of how we got here...
Never in a million years could I imagine that my husband would decide that he would drive my truck and "momma should have the new car" cause I "deserved it". Nope, I deserve none of what I have.
But I thank God each and every day for that man and my marriage and my life. It's been a long battle to get here and here is really blessed right now.
The kids named the car Candy. Cause we name everything. The color on the paperwork was Candy cane white. So there you go.
Dave got me some candy.
Excuse me while I go order him some gun crap.
There are seventy four thousand reasons why Dave is seriously the bestest ever... Mainly though is that after seventeen years of being partners in marriage, growing together rather than apart and frankly God's Grace, he's my guy. And he spoils me. I'm still not sure why but hey, Dave gets what Dave wants cause Dave treats us girls like queens. (Frankly, I'm really glad about that though because my girls already realize how awesome their dad is and how different from most dads he is! Win-win for when they start looking for guys in their lives!) But anyway, if Dave wants a gun, he gets a gun. If Dave wants to go shooting, we go shooting. We spoil the Dave anyway possible.
But since I flew in from my cruise at midnight and we were hours from our little town, we stayed the night in big town. The next morning while the kids' swam and had breakfast, Dave took me to pick a car.
Yeah. Pick a car. Simple as that.
We rolled up and at the dealership of the brand that he's obsessive about (because these are literally 58% made here in the USA by USA workers babe) and he pointed out a gas and a diesel and said drive, choose. So I did and then we went and had yogurt and talked about it, then we came back and he said, pick a color and I did.
I followed him home in my very first brand new car ever. It had 150 miles on it. It is freaking pimped out and I love it so very hard.
Except, I teared up on the way home.
Cause see.... I remember the seventeen years it took us to get here. I remember when we couldn't get a vehicle and scrapped up cash. I remember when our interest rate was through the roof and I cried when he brought it home cause it was "really ours?" and didn't matter at all that it was ten years old and a big chunk of our budget, cause we needed something safe to drive our babies in. I remember each and every second hand car that we learned to save up and buy with cash once we discovered Dave Ramsey. I remember the feeling of paying off every single vehicle we have ever owned. I remember our agreement that we'd never buy new cause we could never afford that. Times change but frankly we don't.
I sat in the lounge area and listened to my husband neogotiate a helluva deal on that new car. And I had to duck my head and let my hair hide my smiles when the sales manager passed my way. They never saw him coming, very few really do. He's a freaking shark. I love it. And to show off a little.... he had the sales manager come take me to the storeroom and pick out a new hat and accessories that Dave had them sweeten the deal with. He gets a kick out of seeing me in my new hat, lol.
So I'm driving that sweet ass car home. The payment isn't much considering. The deal was great, the interest rate was amazing and frankly we'll pay it off quick cause that is our thing. But as I'm driving my mind is flipping through the process of how we got here...
Never in a million years could I imagine that my husband would decide that he would drive my truck and "momma should have the new car" cause I "deserved it". Nope, I deserve none of what I have.
But I thank God each and every day for that man and my marriage and my life. It's been a long battle to get here and here is really blessed right now.
The kids named the car Candy. Cause we name everything. The color on the paperwork was Candy cane white. So there you go.
Dave got me some candy.
Excuse me while I go order him some gun crap.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Mexico was freaking worth it
So a normal day in my life is a good day. I'm blessed and I thank God for our amazing blessings. It's freaking awesome. When Dave gifted me with a cruise for finishing my MBA, I was so excited. Then I got anxious. See I rarely go and do anything by myself. But part of this trip was going to be me on my own.... I'm very comfortable following Dave's lead so I was very nervous about leading myself. But months of waiting and planning finally came down to the actual trip.
So here we go....
I left on a Saturday and the weather was so windy and rainy I was certain they would cancel the first leg of my flight. But sadly no, lol. Dave and the girls travelled to see Princess' last high school softball game of the year so I drove myself to the tiny little airstrip here in town where I could take my first leg.
Dave had double checked my bags and then threw in the stuff I'd forgotten like bandaids (seriously) and shampoo, then loaded them into the Yukon for me. I was to park, unload and my bags are all on little wheels so as to not hurt my arm, then put my keys in the little door them to pick up later that day. Myself and a man that was 6'7" climbed into a 9 seater plane with a pilot who was seriously looking as young as my teenager. That was a horrible flight but I managed to pray my way through it lol.... then I landed at a regional airport that was big enough to have a real plane pick us up. Three hours of chilling and hanging out, I loaded up and off we went.
Seattle was a fast trip. My flight was delayed a little but that worked out so I could grab a salad and sadly the massage place was closed. I wandered around and when the anxiety got a little tough, I just called Dave and he talked me through it. Then I sat down on the stairs in the middle of everyone and facetimed my girls before they went to bed.
I landed in LAX at midnight. It was humid and hot and at some point I went ahead and changed from jeans and sweater into shorts and tshirt. I absolutely love staying at the Crown Plaza hotels but they were booked and they didn't have a Homewood Suites nearby so I stayed at the Renaissance by LAX which was the bestest freaking hotel ever. The people are helpful and awesome and the bed was so comfy. I crashed and then the next morning at freaking seven thirty there was a pounding Connie on my door. She'd flew in from SLC that morning on a direct flight. Whore was not gonna let me sleep anymore. So we jumped up and down on my bed catching up. We didn't have to leave for the airport for several hours so we literally hung out.
We shuttled back to the airport where we get our prearranged transfer with Carnival. We rode in a nice big ass air conditioned bus to Long Beach. We were early but there was literally a line already. We got Faster to the Fun so we had priority and before we know it we were literally walking straight onto the ship where our room was ready and perfect. Our bags were delivered early except Connie's big one, cause she's lucky like that lol. We enjoyed a drink and lunch on the pool deck then took a three hour nap, cause that is how we roll lol.... the boat took off and we did our safety drill (where I learned that I'd likely drown in case of a sinking cause I couldn't pay attention to say my life... boring as hell). We dressed up for dinner that night (as we did almost every night).
I won't bore you with everything cause it's a freaking lot. Our room was on Empress level which was close to the bar and close to the elevators and close to the dining room. I spent way too much money at the spa. Connie got me hooked. I had a head massage and a deep hair treatment. I managed to get a oxy facial that changed the entire feel of my face, hello I'm glowing! and a leg/foot massage. Felt like a freaking million bucks. Love love love the spa. I managed to sunbathe and yet I'm still whiter than paper. I walked/ran on the jogging track. I drank a shitton of pina colada.
The food , omgeeeeee the freaking food. I ate lobster, steak, prime rib, beef rib, freaking French snails that were amazing and braised rabbit. They had gluten free bread for me at every meal. They had my meals prepared separate and served separate to keep from being contaminated.
Since Connie's mean, and I'm claustrophobic we ended up taking the stairs everywhere which means I actually lost 3 lbs on this trip bahahahahaha.
We walked Catalina Island for couple hours and then returned to the shit with goodies and a nap.
Mexico was a freaking blast. Soldiers with oooozies everywhere were a little scary but we managed. The reality of people working the fields and watching people drive while nursing babies and a man on a motorcycle with a baby strapped to his chest was overwhelming. Def appreciate my world! Blessed...
We went to the blowhole outside of town. It was nice and the goodies were great. I got the girls handmade bags and Dave a freaking handmade wooden hammock chair. Then we managed to hang out and eat and eat and eat. I only lost Connie twice.
We went horseback riding on the beach. The beaches there were beautiful. And empty. Apparently everyone was working, it was amazing to have the whole place to ourselves. My poor old slow nag and I did the hokey pokey and enjoyed our two mile ride. Connie and her horse ran the last mile, during which he stumbled and she hurt her back.
Upon returning to the states, we learned that she fractured her T12. She literally broke her damn back. On a horse in Mexico. It's a wonder she's not kin to me.
I won at bingo. I won at roulette. I freaking won quite a bit lol. And I'm smart so I cashed out and got a pina colada to celebrate then went to bed. lol
All in all it was a great trip.
We debarked and promptly send Connie on a direct flight home to her hubby and the ER. I spent another 36 hours in the Renaissance hotel being pampered and got a cab to the biggest mall in the Hollywood area to spoil my girls.
I made it home to my peeps.
I walked down the stairs at the airport Friday night.... Dave had on a nice shirt. My babies were dressed up and holding both a sign and balloons. I freaking lost it. I missed their freaking faces so much. It was a huggy snuggy party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They freaking missed the mom....
And the WIFE.
Next time, they are totally going with me. I missed them.
So here we go....
I left on a Saturday and the weather was so windy and rainy I was certain they would cancel the first leg of my flight. But sadly no, lol. Dave and the girls travelled to see Princess' last high school softball game of the year so I drove myself to the tiny little airstrip here in town where I could take my first leg.
Dave had double checked my bags and then threw in the stuff I'd forgotten like bandaids (seriously) and shampoo, then loaded them into the Yukon for me. I was to park, unload and my bags are all on little wheels so as to not hurt my arm, then put my keys in the little door them to pick up later that day. Myself and a man that was 6'7" climbed into a 9 seater plane with a pilot who was seriously looking as young as my teenager. That was a horrible flight but I managed to pray my way through it lol.... then I landed at a regional airport that was big enough to have a real plane pick us up. Three hours of chilling and hanging out, I loaded up and off we went.
Seattle was a fast trip. My flight was delayed a little but that worked out so I could grab a salad and sadly the massage place was closed. I wandered around and when the anxiety got a little tough, I just called Dave and he talked me through it. Then I sat down on the stairs in the middle of everyone and facetimed my girls before they went to bed.
I landed in LAX at midnight. It was humid and hot and at some point I went ahead and changed from jeans and sweater into shorts and tshirt. I absolutely love staying at the Crown Plaza hotels but they were booked and they didn't have a Homewood Suites nearby so I stayed at the Renaissance by LAX which was the bestest freaking hotel ever. The people are helpful and awesome and the bed was so comfy. I crashed and then the next morning at freaking seven thirty there was a pounding Connie on my door. She'd flew in from SLC that morning on a direct flight. Whore was not gonna let me sleep anymore. So we jumped up and down on my bed catching up. We didn't have to leave for the airport for several hours so we literally hung out.
We shuttled back to the airport where we get our prearranged transfer with Carnival. We rode in a nice big ass air conditioned bus to Long Beach. We were early but there was literally a line already. We got Faster to the Fun so we had priority and before we know it we were literally walking straight onto the ship where our room was ready and perfect. Our bags were delivered early except Connie's big one, cause she's lucky like that lol. We enjoyed a drink and lunch on the pool deck then took a three hour nap, cause that is how we roll lol.... the boat took off and we did our safety drill (where I learned that I'd likely drown in case of a sinking cause I couldn't pay attention to say my life... boring as hell). We dressed up for dinner that night (as we did almost every night).
I won't bore you with everything cause it's a freaking lot. Our room was on Empress level which was close to the bar and close to the elevators and close to the dining room. I spent way too much money at the spa. Connie got me hooked. I had a head massage and a deep hair treatment. I managed to get a oxy facial that changed the entire feel of my face, hello I'm glowing! and a leg/foot massage. Felt like a freaking million bucks. Love love love the spa. I managed to sunbathe and yet I'm still whiter than paper. I walked/ran on the jogging track. I drank a shitton of pina colada.
The food , omgeeeeee the freaking food. I ate lobster, steak, prime rib, beef rib, freaking French snails that were amazing and braised rabbit. They had gluten free bread for me at every meal. They had my meals prepared separate and served separate to keep from being contaminated.
Since Connie's mean, and I'm claustrophobic we ended up taking the stairs everywhere which means I actually lost 3 lbs on this trip bahahahahaha.
We walked Catalina Island for couple hours and then returned to the shit with goodies and a nap.
Mexico was a freaking blast. Soldiers with oooozies everywhere were a little scary but we managed. The reality of people working the fields and watching people drive while nursing babies and a man on a motorcycle with a baby strapped to his chest was overwhelming. Def appreciate my world! Blessed...
We went to the blowhole outside of town. It was nice and the goodies were great. I got the girls handmade bags and Dave a freaking handmade wooden hammock chair. Then we managed to hang out and eat and eat and eat. I only lost Connie twice.
We went horseback riding on the beach. The beaches there were beautiful. And empty. Apparently everyone was working, it was amazing to have the whole place to ourselves. My poor old slow nag and I did the hokey pokey and enjoyed our two mile ride. Connie and her horse ran the last mile, during which he stumbled and she hurt her back.
Upon returning to the states, we learned that she fractured her T12. She literally broke her damn back. On a horse in Mexico. It's a wonder she's not kin to me.
I won at bingo. I won at roulette. I freaking won quite a bit lol. And I'm smart so I cashed out and got a pina colada to celebrate then went to bed. lol
All in all it was a great trip.
We debarked and promptly send Connie on a direct flight home to her hubby and the ER. I spent another 36 hours in the Renaissance hotel being pampered and got a cab to the biggest mall in the Hollywood area to spoil my girls.
I made it home to my peeps.
I walked down the stairs at the airport Friday night.... Dave had on a nice shirt. My babies were dressed up and holding both a sign and balloons. I freaking lost it. I missed their freaking faces so much. It was a huggy snuggy party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They freaking missed the mom....
And the WIFE.
Next time, they are totally going with me. I missed them.
Friday, May 9, 2014
I leave tomorrow peeps
Tomorrow, I'll have breakfast with my babies. I'll corner Dave in a closet for some sugars ;) and then I'll wave them off. Princess has her last high school softball game tomorrow in a nearby town. Dave and Duchess are going to cheer her on while I load up on a puddle jumper plane at our tiny airport here in the middle of nowhere Montana.
I'll get to a bigger city also in Montana where I'll be bored till my flight takes off again. This time going to Seattle. Woohooo..... Very excited
My husband, the impossibly awesome Dave is sending me on a cruise with my BFF.
Why?
Ummm I've been a military wife and staying home with our babies while he toured the world.... and I got my Masters this year..... and it's a huge surprise and he freaking loves me.
He upgraded my flights to first class, so this girl will be happy happy happy and hopefully not as gassy as I am now. I'm anxious about traveling alone hence gas. Reality.
I'll come home with pics and updates and everything.
Otherwise we've been boring and blessed as usual. Hope you and yours are wonderful
I'll get to a bigger city also in Montana where I'll be bored till my flight takes off again. This time going to Seattle. Woohooo..... Very excited
My husband, the impossibly awesome Dave is sending me on a cruise with my BFF.
Why?
Ummm I've been a military wife and staying home with our babies while he toured the world.... and I got my Masters this year..... and it's a huge surprise and he freaking loves me.
He upgraded my flights to first class, so this girl will be happy happy happy and hopefully not as gassy as I am now. I'm anxious about traveling alone hence gas. Reality.
I'll come home with pics and updates and everything.
Otherwise we've been boring and blessed as usual. Hope you and yours are wonderful
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Fire!
So we spent our Easter weekend a little different than Easter's of past. My kids are growing fast. Princess is 15 now and driving, Duchess is 11 and too smart for her own good. Dave and I are constantly seeking ways to enjoy time as a family now that the kids have so many outside of the house influences. Both girls still shoot and both still train with various NRA programs and such through our local shooting club.... so when Dave heard about a shooting competition on the over side of the state that includes a history lesson and indepth submersion information about the Revolutionary War. He scheduled it months ago and I booked our favorite hotel, (side note: Homewood Suites by Hilton... $120 a night and you get a freaking apartment.... full kitchen, livingroom with a fold out queen sized bed/couch, seperate bedroom and bathroom).
It was a freaking ten hour drive there and a ten hour drive back. Holy crap that was rough. The kids were great considering everyone has movies, ipods, phones and books to entertain them. I slept. Literally almost the entire way. Dave and Princess traded off driving and I enjoyed shotgun. Feet up, napping and sometime singing along with radio, sometimes just yakking with them.
I took a million pictures of the mountains for my mom. She's missing the mountains and since we moved over to the Badlands, I miss them too. It was just gorgeous! There was still snow on the ground in the Glacier National Park. It literally started snowing on us as we drove through the passes. Just unspeakable glory in God's work. I so wished I could live up in the mountains again.
They so enjoyed their shoot and now Dave and Duchess are signed up to do it in another part of the state in June. :) Since I'm still recovering, I can't with my shoulder until after August.
So Duchess and I were so excited to see that our hotel was literally in the very middle of a wonderful shopping area. Wally marty - check. Tons of food - check. Nails & Pedis - check. Target - check. Ross - check. We had a blast! And we walked about four miles in our shopping trip. Was truly exhausted and needed a huge nap.
We managed to squeeze in a late night Sat showing of "Heaven is for Real" and seriously, you need to see this movie.
The best part though, instead of dressing up in cute dresses and hunting eggs and etc.... we spent a part of our drive home reading the Easter story out of the bible and praying and talking together as a family. It was a beautiful thing. Such a blessing.
Now the laundry we came home with? Not such a beautiful thing. Crap.
It was a freaking ten hour drive there and a ten hour drive back. Holy crap that was rough. The kids were great considering everyone has movies, ipods, phones and books to entertain them. I slept. Literally almost the entire way. Dave and Princess traded off driving and I enjoyed shotgun. Feet up, napping and sometime singing along with radio, sometimes just yakking with them.
I took a million pictures of the mountains for my mom. She's missing the mountains and since we moved over to the Badlands, I miss them too. It was just gorgeous! There was still snow on the ground in the Glacier National Park. It literally started snowing on us as we drove through the passes. Just unspeakable glory in God's work. I so wished I could live up in the mountains again.
They so enjoyed their shoot and now Dave and Duchess are signed up to do it in another part of the state in June. :) Since I'm still recovering, I can't with my shoulder until after August.
So Duchess and I were so excited to see that our hotel was literally in the very middle of a wonderful shopping area. Wally marty - check. Tons of food - check. Nails & Pedis - check. Target - check. Ross - check. We had a blast! And we walked about four miles in our shopping trip. Was truly exhausted and needed a huge nap.
We managed to squeeze in a late night Sat showing of "Heaven is for Real" and seriously, you need to see this movie.
The best part though, instead of dressing up in cute dresses and hunting eggs and etc.... we spent a part of our drive home reading the Easter story out of the bible and praying and talking together as a family. It was a beautiful thing. Such a blessing.
Now the laundry we came home with? Not such a beautiful thing. Crap.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Softball is upon us
Good lord but it feels nice to sit my fat ass in a camping chair and kick back to some softball. True it's 32 degrees outside. True that it's windy as hell. True that my kid didn't make varsity but true I'm proud that she made JV. True that I'm so ready to leave this little town and their little town ways.
In some ways, this little town reminds me of my hometown. Doesn't matter about your character, doesn't matter about your job or what you accomplish on your own, it's all about how you are, what family you are connected to and lastly, where in town you live. Seriously. We've been here two years now and we've found a niche. We are friendly with several families in town and our kids are friends and slowly both Princess and Duchess have carved out a place for themselves, even if they are super ready to move on. We still run up against the town wall though, the travel team here this past summer was put to the test with the high school team. They are outfielders or subbing bases for girls that are no where near their skill level. I seriously sat through the varisty game bitting my tongue. Myself and several other travel parents, it was terrible and almost laughable. They lost like 27-2. Ouch.
So there I am, keeping my mouth completely shut. Are you shocked because I am still am. These people don't make noise. They don't cheer unless it's their child. They don't interact with each other. They just chill. So there I was chilling. Until it was my kid, then I tried to be somewhat quiet, BULLSHIT, I was her cheering section.
She played third. She's never played third. She did great. She hit great. She then shifted to center field after people kept boggling the balls out there. So yesterday, she played all center field, chasing balls that the infield kept missing. She fouled every damn hit but walked bases. So it was a good two days.
It was fun. I'm getting the hang of how Montana does softball.
But the thing is, Prin is still doing her thing. She's just happy to be playing. She works hard and doesn't complain too loud when people who never practice, get more playing time. She's learning. She's trying to take the high road.
She's a better person that me.
That shit ain't right.
In some ways, this little town reminds me of my hometown. Doesn't matter about your character, doesn't matter about your job or what you accomplish on your own, it's all about how you are, what family you are connected to and lastly, where in town you live. Seriously. We've been here two years now and we've found a niche. We are friendly with several families in town and our kids are friends and slowly both Princess and Duchess have carved out a place for themselves, even if they are super ready to move on. We still run up against the town wall though, the travel team here this past summer was put to the test with the high school team. They are outfielders or subbing bases for girls that are no where near their skill level. I seriously sat through the varisty game bitting my tongue. Myself and several other travel parents, it was terrible and almost laughable. They lost like 27-2. Ouch.
So there I am, keeping my mouth completely shut. Are you shocked because I am still am. These people don't make noise. They don't cheer unless it's their child. They don't interact with each other. They just chill. So there I was chilling. Until it was my kid, then I tried to be somewhat quiet, BULLSHIT, I was her cheering section.
She played third. She's never played third. She did great. She hit great. She then shifted to center field after people kept boggling the balls out there. So yesterday, she played all center field, chasing balls that the infield kept missing. She fouled every damn hit but walked bases. So it was a good two days.
It was fun. I'm getting the hang of how Montana does softball.
But the thing is, Prin is still doing her thing. She's just happy to be playing. She works hard and doesn't complain too loud when people who never practice, get more playing time. She's learning. She's trying to take the high road.
She's a better person that me.
That shit ain't right.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Duuuuuude I'm Out
Count me out for cardio. No matter how hard I try, I just can't get involved in full time gym works.... I'm just not in. My bff who is also preparing for our cruise in 36 days texts me, I'm gonna do the 30 day shed.... gonna kick ass. Good lord, I'm tired thinking about looking that up on the Internet. This damn surgery, the down part is you are drained constantly. I have no energy and the pain just wears at you! It's hard and I'll stop whining for the day. lol Huge update tomorrow with pics, we've been busy
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Assisted update
Thanks to my shoulder I'm stuck using my phone's microphone as a way to attempt to blog this week because my shoulder is a painful bitch and hurts a lot. Fun stuff the kids and I have managed to make it to spring without killing each other been stuck in the house princesses trying out for the high school varsity softball team she made the JV team and hopefully she can get a spot on the varsity team bounce back-and-forth small-town living at its finest Chinese for games of play for varsity and she can letter as a freshman that be pretty cool for we leave here.
Duchess has managed to fall in love with the hunger games series we've watched both hunger games movies even though I thought it was a little violent far she's addicted to the books her head in the book she's accomplished no chores no piano no saxophone no nothing she's read she is definitely my daughter.
No word on the move front but looks like we'll be heading to North Dakota come summer I'm still on for my cruise in May with my BFF FF forever it's my first cruise.
Our retail stores going well we've had several trunk shows this month and for the year were actually showing profit which is kind of a problem so that means I need to buy some more material or trailer or possibly something ridiculously expensive because i don't want to show a profit yet. Hello taxes but I'll take that blessing!!!!!
It amazes me sometime how simple our life is how blessed we are definitely come along way but the Lord has had his hand on us. We try hard to keep it simple and make it about the kids. When we do that, we tend to do pretty darn well.
Sorry again for the rambling but the microphone tends to do what it wants to do and writes what it wants to write.
At least I can blog more than three or four sentences and a bunch pictures this way I'll try to talk slower and less southern so maybe it'll get all the words right.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Killer Trolls with Hammers
They are living in my head. I don't know if it's the new meds or just lack of water.... but damn this migraine sucks some serious ass. I can't imagine how this feels for the people who deal with these constantly..... URGH..... no.
I've hidden in bed most of the day. Except for the dentist appointment for the kiddo that just couldn't be rescheduled. So I sat in truck with my hat on and dark sunglasses. Fun stuff.
I've hidden in bed most of the day. Except for the dentist appointment for the kiddo that just couldn't be rescheduled. So I sat in truck with my hat on and dark sunglasses. Fun stuff.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Humbled
I'm unusually humbled today. Yesterday was a fun day. We got up and rushed around like circus clowns to get to church on time. I fought an anxiety attack during preaching, it was too hot and I was running a fever and basically uncomfortable as possible. But I had my daughter snuggled under my arm listening to the preacher, my husband sniffling and sneezing next to me with his arm around me. I could see my teen across the way, sitting next to an international student she met during softball practice and didn't want sitting alone. It was a good day. Then our afternoon changed a little.
Our office phone rang so Prin grabbed it, thinking it was my mom. She rarely answers the office phone but she answered it with our store name and then proceeded to go downstairs. Not thinking, I kept putting lunch together. Then she comes upstairs and hands me the phone.
It was a family here in our town. They had picked several outfits on our website that they would like their 13 year old daughter to try on. We agreed and made arrangements to meet at their house. We packed up their choices and headed out.
This sweet family has a busty 13 year old who has spent 4 years in confirmation classes through her church and in two weeks she will have her confirmation ceremony. They wanted her to wear one of our dresses.
Blown. away.
Blessed.
We advertise as a modest and fashionable boutique. There is absolutely nothing on our site that I wouldn't let my daughters wear to church. That is kinda of our benchmark. And it reached out to this family and they blessed us.
By choosing us, they blessed us.
I can't wait to see her in her dress she chose!
Our office phone rang so Prin grabbed it, thinking it was my mom. She rarely answers the office phone but she answered it with our store name and then proceeded to go downstairs. Not thinking, I kept putting lunch together. Then she comes upstairs and hands me the phone.
It was a family here in our town. They had picked several outfits on our website that they would like their 13 year old daughter to try on. We agreed and made arrangements to meet at their house. We packed up their choices and headed out.
This sweet family has a busty 13 year old who has spent 4 years in confirmation classes through her church and in two weeks she will have her confirmation ceremony. They wanted her to wear one of our dresses.
Blown. away.
Blessed.
We advertise as a modest and fashionable boutique. There is absolutely nothing on our site that I wouldn't let my daughters wear to church. That is kinda of our benchmark. And it reached out to this family and they blessed us.
By choosing us, they blessed us.
I can't wait to see her in her dress she chose!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Captain
I'm keeping things running from my chair.... Captain oh Captain... thy ass has spread. Good lord but I need to get on that elliptical shopping stat. Overall the days have just melded into one another. The last 24 hours have been fun. In a purely stomach discontent, Bosnian rebels fighting it out in my bowels kind of way. Dave took us for Mexican so we didn't have to cook, so freaking sweet. Except they glutened me and it was bad. The retching could apparently be heard over the sound of Thor and from two rooms away. At least he held my hair.... after shoving three days worth of fiber pills into me, we then set out to make it through the night. I'd like to report..... I'm still sick but feeling better. Welcome to my world. What in the hell will I do when I finally do leave my house and go back to a real job again one day?
As we run full speed into March, I have a full plate. Dave is busy as hell at work. This week he has a company convention in Las Vegas to attend, yes by all means lets feel bad for the boy lol.... Being drug to Vegas with his boss for a few days! Sucks huh? But I'll get a treat, he never forgets to bring me something back. He's a keeper.
Princess is prepping for the high school softball team tryout. Since I can't throw a ball and Dave's swamped, she's working with a private coach to get her arm back in shape and keep her active with drills. A local university has a softball team and that is where we found our gem! I love watching her play. Honestly I thought we'd be done with softball after moving here and joining the travel team. They messed with everything constantly. Trying to change her throw, the way she hits, the way she catches. So when she came up with the plan for the high school team, I was surprised. Even more surprised to see her doing it HER way this time. She's pushing back on any advice that messes with her basics. Good for her. Good coaching fine tunes you, not changes you. Her grades are finally up to honor roll standards so next week, looks like the kid will be taking her driving test. Good lord, she's gonna be a freshman driver. I'm actually thrilled cause she can totally help me run errands and etc. She has been knee deep in our store as well... she's the model/co-owner and gopher as it is..... (can't wait till Duchess gets big enough to model too)
Duchess is almost done with volleyball camp. She's struggling with following directions and mainly just a little hormonal ball of emotions. 11 is such a great age. I get lots of hugs but she's starting to look at me like I'd better what my back lol. The kid is a thinker and kinda scares me. Her class got two guinea pigs as pets and it's all I've heard of for two weeks. That and being that Meri is allergic to pet dander, she pretty much comes home in hives EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Sigh. Obviously she just doesn't care. Although side note, the kid is growing!!!! I've taken to buying her jeans at Wally world (don't judge me) bc I seem to get new ones every two weeks, hem them and then the next week, they are high waters. She's starting to really encroach on Prin's height. Lol She's gonna be the tall one! Go girl. But her little fashion sense has blossomed and she's really starting to do a nice job dressing herself. Like these:
Dave just completed his Masters in Business. We now have six degrees between the two of us. Six years ago, we had none. God is good! Just blessed beyond measure peeps.
Oh and our little retail store? Opened this quarter in the black. Fully seated in the black. We are putting all profits right back into the store though, upgrading our merchandising stuff and promo materials! We are slowly getting there. Here's a sneak peek of some of our goodies we have in stock ready for the next trunk show which will be this Tuesday night here in town.... (shit, that means I have to put face and hair on that day.... the real irony here is that I of all people own a fashion store. shitballz, lol)
So all in all, busy beavers. Oh and my phone died. My poor Galaxy bit the dust and went to heaven. Sooooooo I buckled (had no choice cause he picked it out) and got an iphone 5s. Damnit I hate it, cause that phone is cooler than cat shit. Blah, hate when he's right.
As we run full speed into March, I have a full plate. Dave is busy as hell at work. This week he has a company convention in Las Vegas to attend, yes by all means lets feel bad for the boy lol.... Being drug to Vegas with his boss for a few days! Sucks huh? But I'll get a treat, he never forgets to bring me something back. He's a keeper.
Princess is prepping for the high school softball team tryout. Since I can't throw a ball and Dave's swamped, she's working with a private coach to get her arm back in shape and keep her active with drills. A local university has a softball team and that is where we found our gem! I love watching her play. Honestly I thought we'd be done with softball after moving here and joining the travel team. They messed with everything constantly. Trying to change her throw, the way she hits, the way she catches. So when she came up with the plan for the high school team, I was surprised. Even more surprised to see her doing it HER way this time. She's pushing back on any advice that messes with her basics. Good for her. Good coaching fine tunes you, not changes you. Her grades are finally up to honor roll standards so next week, looks like the kid will be taking her driving test. Good lord, she's gonna be a freshman driver. I'm actually thrilled cause she can totally help me run errands and etc. She has been knee deep in our store as well... she's the model/co-owner and gopher as it is..... (can't wait till Duchess gets big enough to model too)
Duchess is almost done with volleyball camp. She's struggling with following directions and mainly just a little hormonal ball of emotions. 11 is such a great age. I get lots of hugs but she's starting to look at me like I'd better what my back lol. The kid is a thinker and kinda scares me. Her class got two guinea pigs as pets and it's all I've heard of for two weeks. That and being that Meri is allergic to pet dander, she pretty much comes home in hives EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Sigh. Obviously she just doesn't care. Although side note, the kid is growing!!!! I've taken to buying her jeans at Wally world (don't judge me) bc I seem to get new ones every two weeks, hem them and then the next week, they are high waters. She's starting to really encroach on Prin's height. Lol She's gonna be the tall one! Go girl. But her little fashion sense has blossomed and she's really starting to do a nice job dressing herself. Like these:
Dave just completed his Masters in Business. We now have six degrees between the two of us. Six years ago, we had none. God is good! Just blessed beyond measure peeps.
Oh and our little retail store? Opened this quarter in the black. Fully seated in the black. We are putting all profits right back into the store though, upgrading our merchandising stuff and promo materials! We are slowly getting there. Here's a sneak peek of some of our goodies we have in stock ready for the next trunk show which will be this Tuesday night here in town.... (shit, that means I have to put face and hair on that day.... the real irony here is that I of all people own a fashion store. shitballz, lol)
So all in all, busy beavers. Oh and my phone died. My poor Galaxy bit the dust and went to heaven. Sooooooo I buckled (had no choice cause he picked it out) and got an iphone 5s. Damnit I hate it, cause that phone is cooler than cat shit. Blah, hate when he's right.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
New pics for our store.....
So our little retail business is really rocking.... like in the black, making money rocking. I'm so blessed. Today we got in a great new shipment of clothing, so I took my one armed self and my model.... my kid obviously, and we went out to load up on promo pics for fb and the website. Whatcha think?
The above is our camo shirt. $25
The cardigan with the see thru back is so gorgeous! $30
Maxi dress........ $25
Gorgeous polyester dress with belt.... $32
Just an idea of what I'm up to these days.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
HELLO WORLD
So I'm sitting here sipping my wine, feet kicked up and finally able to type with two hands although that is the most I can use my right arm. Stupid arm. Today was the first time out of my house in two weeks.... Dave drove me to the next town over for my hair appointment and back. Love his face. After jumping in to help his guys last night, he ended up sleeping in the truck while I was in there so catch up on his snooze. This man slays me, but he's right, I'm not ready to drive myself.
So things are good here. My Duchess is really blooming into her own person. I love this kid. She's a gentle soul who does no harm to anyone and is getting just stepped all over by her friends which really hurts my heart but I'm coaching her to stand up for herself. She's also asked me to stop laying out her clothes. She seriously has begun to put together outfits that leave me laughing but seem to work for her. Today she wore a "my heart belongs to Elvis" shirt with a lacy, funky retro skirt and fleece tights with ankle boots. Dear Lord. Her grades are great and she's doing well in volleyball camp. She's still doing piano and sax, so it's a musical house we live in.
Princess keeps me running. Seriously, because the grades aren't quite where they should be, she's driving on a permit. I won't bend and let her get her license (although she's got a nice ford expedition to drive already in the driveway, spoilt ass kid ... not really it's my old truck lol) until she gets them grades right. She's prepping for high school softball tryouts. I have her training with a local university softball team player cause with my bum shoulder and Dave's work schedule, we can't really do that with her. She's stepping up here at home really helping me out since I'm down in the recliner.
I go in two days for my post-op checkup. Fun stuff right there. And stitches come out. GAAAAAAG
Otherwise no word on the move front so we're just kinda not worrying about it. Juggling flooded downstairs laundry rooms/bathrooms, neighbors on vacay who volunteer my kids to shovel their walks and drives while they are gone, school schedules, work schedules and my upcoming trunk show. Life is pretty good.
I'm blessed.
So things are good here. My Duchess is really blooming into her own person. I love this kid. She's a gentle soul who does no harm to anyone and is getting just stepped all over by her friends which really hurts my heart but I'm coaching her to stand up for herself. She's also asked me to stop laying out her clothes. She seriously has begun to put together outfits that leave me laughing but seem to work for her. Today she wore a "my heart belongs to Elvis" shirt with a lacy, funky retro skirt and fleece tights with ankle boots. Dear Lord. Her grades are great and she's doing well in volleyball camp. She's still doing piano and sax, so it's a musical house we live in.
Princess keeps me running. Seriously, because the grades aren't quite where they should be, she's driving on a permit. I won't bend and let her get her license (although she's got a nice ford expedition to drive already in the driveway, spoilt ass kid ... not really it's my old truck lol) until she gets them grades right. She's prepping for high school softball tryouts. I have her training with a local university softball team player cause with my bum shoulder and Dave's work schedule, we can't really do that with her. She's stepping up here at home really helping me out since I'm down in the recliner.
I go in two days for my post-op checkup. Fun stuff right there. And stitches come out. GAAAAAAG
Otherwise no word on the move front so we're just kinda not worrying about it. Juggling flooded downstairs laundry rooms/bathrooms, neighbors on vacay who volunteer my kids to shovel their walks and drives while they are gone, school schedules, work schedules and my upcoming trunk show. Life is pretty good.
I'm blessed.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
May
So im living in my recliner. .... recouping from shoulder surgery. And as usual we have tons on the horizon. I'll get to that.... but dude im all about may.
See for years. Years..... ive been after Dave to take me on a cruise. Hes been all over the world and well ive been raising babies and wifing it. Its a great gig. But since I've completed my MBA.... my mom has been after me to schedule a trip. Dave and me. And somehow the two of them came up with the best idea on earth. May 11-15 .... I'll be cruising to Mexico and back. With my girl Connie and my mom was in the plan but due to inventory she cant. My other two bfff are scheduling moves not long after so hopefully I can drag them along next time.
He's jumped in to help me plan. We got an awesome cabin with big ole view. The top most deck so we're close to everything. Scheduling horseback riding excursions ( since shoulder will not be up for most other stuff still ). Im kinda in awe.
Dude. This is gonna rock. The only other trip ive had is visiting said bfff in Florida last year. Its strange to have girls trip but fun!!!!
The kids swear if mine goes well that my mom and me better take them next.
All aboard! !!!!
