Jerky, Anyone?

Jed and I went on our (semi)-annual hunting trip. Jed, the mega-shot hit this deer about ten minutes after we left the truck. He spotted it, shot it, and then we headed towards it. We were prepared in case it took off, wounded, but then a HUGE guy took off towards the ridge. It was moving too fast for both of us, neither of us got a shot off. Jed was freeking out because he was sure that he'd hit the deer in his first shot. We decided to see if he'd hit it and we could track it and, low and behold, there was this guy sitting there. Jed had hit it in the head. I gutted it (or attempted to) and it took us the rest of the day to skin it and all other required things before we could take it to be processed into jerkey (Mmm. Mmm.) After all the work, we were both so tired and sore that we aren't ready to do any hunting again anytime soon. (We'll probably forget this all by next year though) The last deer we got was six years ago. We decided that every six years is enough!

The Great Gray Debate

For twenty plus years now, I have been a brunette fighting nature which wants me to be gray. Dyeing my hair an assortment of brown shades & such, I decided to let a professional do the job to keep it looking more natural. We all hate seeing those women that have the skunk hair (white strip down the middle of their head) parade around. If I am unable to get in for an appointment, I become one of them. I wantto put a bag over my head then or wear wild clothing to draw attention away from the hair.

This week I have been contemplating what to do about it. Shall I go gray? Is there something I could ‘invent’ to put on my part to cover the gray until it gets so bad I have to color it or cut it off. Shall I cut it all off now to ½ inch & look like a cancer survivor? Then when it grows out I am there! My kids wouldn't know me.

Yesterday walking out of the store two ladies nearly bumped into me that had made the ‘change’. Two more were driving by in their cars that were also gray headed. Wouldn’t you know that my dream last night was about Catherine Peterson, another great gray head. How would I look with a gray starfish shaped streak on my crown? The decision has to be made, but I need your help, your vote or opinion.

It would be easier if we were to move. I could be any color I wanted blonde, streaked, gray, bald or red. The new ward wouldn’t know anything else. Stay brunette until I turn sixty, move, cut all my hair off or go gray? I need your input for my great gray debate.

Zucchini Panini

Zucchine anyone? That is what the sign in the lunchroom at work read with a pile of the them sitting next to it. Next thing I knew they were gone, in sixty minutes that is. Thanks to the five seeds I planted (compliments of Julie Nokes), all of which have grown prolifically, we are full to the brim.

We’ve had meals morning, noon and night with the green banana shaped fruit. Zucchini omelets, casadillas, casserole, spaghetti, sliced, w/cheese, fried, boiled, steamed, shredded in muffins, cakes, brownies and everything else you can imagine except as a smoothie. Hey, that’s an idea. With the refrigerator full of them and our pending trip, I decided to bring them to work. I think the rest will come with me tomorrow unless I find another zucchini shelter along the way. Alicia, do you want Breann to bring you some? Zucchini anyone?

Half Family Will Travel

Five trips came and went this weekend via car and plane. Jory went the farthest in a Lexus no less, headed for San Francisco. While there he attended a Forty-Niners game (eat your heart out football fans), Alcatraz & many other sites. He flew home & is back teaching school today, happy to have seen the big win with Detroit.

Jennifer & Mike traveled from Washington to Ontario, Oregon for business then drove on to Boise where they met me coming up from SLC to bring their Intrepid. We enjoyed doing initiatory for 15 of our ancestors in the Boise Temple, seeing the boys play in all venues then went our separate ways. I flew back to SLC and they drove home arriving safely in Othello about 9pm. Reason for the trip, there is a buyer for the Intrepid . Pray that the sale goes through.

Breann & Jed ventured from Idaho Falls to SLC seeing Ghost Town (the movie), bought a Hoover vacuum and visited with Mauri & family. She will return to SLC Wednesday preparing to head for NYC on Thursday to spend ten days with Alicia.

Dad, Doug & Dennis loaded up gear Sunday evening heading for Elko, Nevada for three days doing construction work for cousin, Howard. You have to go where the work is.

Thursday, Dad & I leave for Washington, DC for a few days then will go on to Virginia for a week to see Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, plantations and many historical sites.
Wish us well on our journeys & thank the Lord for the safety on our trips so far. Did I miss anyone?

What to wear

If there's one thing that Jed actually HAS introduced me to, it's the importance of a good pair of sunglasses. I bought a pair of nice sunglasses a little over a year ago and I LOVE them! I look for reasons to wear them. If it's overcast, then I am disappointed because I can't wear them. I will wear my contacts just so that I can wear my sunglasses. A few important points: UV protection is so important, and spend the extra money for polarized lenses - it's worth it! I do have an opinion on the incredibly stupid-looking huge bug-eye sunglasses of the day: they look not just stupid, but redonkulous (think of your mom's sunglasses from the 80's. I guess that this demonstrates my old age!) Also, whoever said white sunglasses were cool was an absolute idiot! I have not seen a single person look good in a pair of white sunglasses, seriously. The above is an example of both the huge and the white. Also shown are the sunglasses that I have. I seriously think that they probably look good on anyone: Smith Method is the brand and style. Oh, and if you're concerned about spending a lot of money on a pair and then losing them or damaging them: Jed says that if you spend more you are definitely going to be more inclined to take good care of them (I haven't lost mine yet whereas Jed's dad has lost numerous pairs that he gets at the dollar store.) They also all pretty much have great warranties where they'll replace the lenses or the entire pair for you. It's worth considering!

Breakfast sandwich

I've been eating it like a crazy lady: an egg, cheese and ham breakfast sandwich. Your start with a fluff-o egg (remember those? beat an egg and tiny bit of milk, salt and pepper in a bowl; microwave 1 minute) a few slices of deli ham (or you could use bacon or sausage if you want) and a slice of cheese. I toast two pieces of bread to put all of these delectable things on, but I've also recently used an English muffin too. Another good thing to do is wrap this all up in a tortilla - you can even add a little bit of potato for a hearty burrito. McDonalds would be jealous.

Almost Heaven for 35 Years-No, But Pretty Darn Good

Nothing can compare to heaven, but the past 35 years of ‘honey do’s, don’ts and won’ts’ has been pretty darn good, as I reflect on our anniversary. I cease to be amazed at how:

Fast Dad gets his ‘to do’ list done.
The key: Make his list short.
He lets me choose the restaurant, movie, goodie.
The key: Don’t let them know it.
He will buy the gas, food,& gives me cash.
The key: Be really nice to them.
Never complains about the meals, house & such.
The Key: Don’t draw attention to it.
Is willing to let me give the best route when driving.
The key: Try not to backseat drive.
Keeps his mouth shut.
The key: Keep your mouth shut, even when it is really hard.
Is softened w/scripture reading.
The key: Do it yourself & mention its advantages.
Leads by example.
The key: Honor, respect & appreciate the Priesthood he holds.
Thanks occasionally for the things I do.
The Key: Always thank him for everything he does & don't complain.
Is such a great guy.
The key: Overlook what bugs you and focus on all the good.
Still loves me & lets me know it.
The key: Be generous with yourself.

May we all remember what great husbands we have and be glad the Lord has blessed us so abundantly. Love you, Allan take care & hope for many more. Colleen