So, Ryker started working graveyard shift last Tuesday. That sucks - but it's better than him working out of town which is what most of the guys are having to do right now. The only problem...I feel like I'm working graveyard as well. Once the kids go to bed...it's deathly quiet in the house and I'm suddenly wide awake. I stay up until I think I'm getting tired and then I try to go to sleep. No luck. It's just don't sleep well when he isn't at home. I'm hoping at some point I'll get so exhausted that I'll just finally sleep well.
I've been wanting to work outside because there is certainly plenty of things for me to do, but for the last week the weather has been so crappy I haven't been able to do anything. So, lo and behold, I finally broke down and got a facebook account. I have to say it's a bit like being a crack addict (not sure what that's like really...but I'm thinking this must be close). It's pretty cool. I rediscovered a lot of old friends and I like that fact that I don't have to accept any of the random creepy people who happen to ask to be your friend.
Do I have a point here?...not really, I'm just tired and if I take a nap, I'll never sleep. The one nice outcome out of all of this is that I've been able to talk to Erica more. I need someone to talk to at night so we both get on facebook and talk on the phone and chat at the same time - it's totally stupid but it makes the time until I try to go to bed go by faster.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Utah Vacation
We have returned from our vacation to Southern Utah. We had such a great time! I have saved the photos on www.photobucket.com under luckystryke. Hopefully I can download the slideshow at the bottom of the page. If not you should be able to view them on photobucket.
We started off with a great visit with Coby...he and Steph we gracious enough to let us invade their home not once, but twice on this trip. The next morning we left for Zion in totally crappy weather. It snowed nearly the whole drive but it wasn't cold enough to stick to the road so it was just like driving in the rain. Magically however, when we hit Cedar City it was sunny and clear and beautiful.
We arrived at Zion to 60 degree temps and gorgeous blue skies. We hiked and took lots of pictures for the 2 days we were there. Ryker even attempted to take Kai'le on the Angel's Landing hike (if you aren't familiar with it do a google search for Angel's Landing pictures...it's worth the view). She did great up until the switchback section and decided it wasn't for her. I personally don't blame her :-) We saw beautiful waterfalls and caught 1200 year old water on our tongues. It was great.
Then we were off to Bryce Canyon. The kids loved the drive because it involved several tunnels - one a mile and a half long. Upon our arrival at Bryce, we had 4 hours before we could check into our hotel so we decided to make the best of it. We braved the Navajo Trail...with a stroller. Ryker took the brunt of the punishment hiking back out of the canyon pushing Brodee in the stroller through sticky, slippery red mud. Kai'le and I took a trail ride to the canyon rim, which was a blast. I had the worlds slowest horse and I think my legs hurt more from trying to kick the air out of his lungs that they did from not riding in 6 months. The view was worth it though - it was spectacular and our wrangler, Keziah, took a liking to Kai'le and made her ride very enjoyable. On our way out of Bryce we stopped at Mossy Cave. It was a gorgeous hike and the cave was amazing. It practically had a glacier inside of it from the water freezing during the winter. There were ice stilactites and stilagmites everywhere.
We then took the 120 mile drive of our lives to Capitol Reef. Stopping along the way at a petrified forest in Escalante. Highway 12 is a site to behold and if you ever get the opportunity to drive it in it's entirety as we did, I highly recommend it. It takes you through some amazing landscape from deserts, to canyons, aspen forests, pine forests, elevations over 9000 feet and sheer cliffs on either side of the highway! It was simply amazing.
Upon our arrival in Capitol Reef, we were taken aback not only by the landscape but the amazing food that is available in Torrey. The have two of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at...and you know how I like my food. Big kudos to the chef's at Cafe Diablo and The Rim Rock. At Capitol Reef we saw petroglyphs, an amazing natural bridge and took my truck off-road for an 30+ mile dirt road trek down the Waterpocket Fold. I also nearly lost my lunch leaning over the fench to get a good picture of the Goosenecks and once again we took Brodee's stroller places it wasn't meant to go "Moab Style" as Ryker called it - over rocks and stairs - he loved it, the crazier the better.
Finally it was time to head home, but the fun wasn't done. We stayed in Heber City at the Homestead Resort where Kai'le and Ryker swam in the Crater that they have there. I can't describe it - it's just wierd. You can check it out online though...very cool. We also stopped in Park City and rode the Alpine Rollercoaster. It was a blast and both kids loved it! The nice guy that was running it let us go again for free - so it was a killer time not once, but twice.
Grandpa Bob, Grandma Jami and Stephanie met us in Heber to ride the Heber Valley Railway. Brodee was in heaven and I spent way tooooooooooooooooo much money on Thomas products in the gift shop. We spent a nice Easter morning with Rod, Staci and Timmi. Rod made breakfast for us and Coby and Steph came as did Amanda and Cort and those cute little monkeys Hank and Jack. The kids enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt and we headed out for home. We stopped at Shoshone Falls along the way - which is currently at full capacity and then took a detour through Thousand Springs. It was certainly a trip to remember!!!!
We started off with a great visit with Coby...he and Steph we gracious enough to let us invade their home not once, but twice on this trip. The next morning we left for Zion in totally crappy weather. It snowed nearly the whole drive but it wasn't cold enough to stick to the road so it was just like driving in the rain. Magically however, when we hit Cedar City it was sunny and clear and beautiful.
We arrived at Zion to 60 degree temps and gorgeous blue skies. We hiked and took lots of pictures for the 2 days we were there. Ryker even attempted to take Kai'le on the Angel's Landing hike (if you aren't familiar with it do a google search for Angel's Landing pictures...it's worth the view). She did great up until the switchback section and decided it wasn't for her. I personally don't blame her :-) We saw beautiful waterfalls and caught 1200 year old water on our tongues. It was great.
Then we were off to Bryce Canyon. The kids loved the drive because it involved several tunnels - one a mile and a half long. Upon our arrival at Bryce, we had 4 hours before we could check into our hotel so we decided to make the best of it. We braved the Navajo Trail...with a stroller. Ryker took the brunt of the punishment hiking back out of the canyon pushing Brodee in the stroller through sticky, slippery red mud. Kai'le and I took a trail ride to the canyon rim, which was a blast. I had the worlds slowest horse and I think my legs hurt more from trying to kick the air out of his lungs that they did from not riding in 6 months. The view was worth it though - it was spectacular and our wrangler, Keziah, took a liking to Kai'le and made her ride very enjoyable. On our way out of Bryce we stopped at Mossy Cave. It was a gorgeous hike and the cave was amazing. It practically had a glacier inside of it from the water freezing during the winter. There were ice stilactites and stilagmites everywhere.
We then took the 120 mile drive of our lives to Capitol Reef. Stopping along the way at a petrified forest in Escalante. Highway 12 is a site to behold and if you ever get the opportunity to drive it in it's entirety as we did, I highly recommend it. It takes you through some amazing landscape from deserts, to canyons, aspen forests, pine forests, elevations over 9000 feet and sheer cliffs on either side of the highway! It was simply amazing.
Upon our arrival in Capitol Reef, we were taken aback not only by the landscape but the amazing food that is available in Torrey. The have two of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at...and you know how I like my food. Big kudos to the chef's at Cafe Diablo and The Rim Rock. At Capitol Reef we saw petroglyphs, an amazing natural bridge and took my truck off-road for an 30+ mile dirt road trek down the Waterpocket Fold. I also nearly lost my lunch leaning over the fench to get a good picture of the Goosenecks and once again we took Brodee's stroller places it wasn't meant to go "Moab Style" as Ryker called it - over rocks and stairs - he loved it, the crazier the better.
Finally it was time to head home, but the fun wasn't done. We stayed in Heber City at the Homestead Resort where Kai'le and Ryker swam in the Crater that they have there. I can't describe it - it's just wierd. You can check it out online though...very cool. We also stopped in Park City and rode the Alpine Rollercoaster. It was a blast and both kids loved it! The nice guy that was running it let us go again for free - so it was a killer time not once, but twice.
Grandpa Bob, Grandma Jami and Stephanie met us in Heber to ride the Heber Valley Railway. Brodee was in heaven and I spent way tooooooooooooooooo much money on Thomas products in the gift shop. We spent a nice Easter morning with Rod, Staci and Timmi. Rod made breakfast for us and Coby and Steph came as did Amanda and Cort and those cute little monkeys Hank and Jack. The kids enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt and we headed out for home. We stopped at Shoshone Falls along the way - which is currently at full capacity and then took a detour through Thousand Springs. It was certainly a trip to remember!!!!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
My Lost Ring Saga...Part II
After blubbering for an entire night and a whole day at work, I came home yesterday to find the proverbial needle in a haystack...better known as my wedding ring. I again looked in the house...nothing. I walked around where I'd been raking...nothing. We had been in the arena, but I honestly didn't think that it could've fallen off out there since so much time had passed from then until I'd noticed it was missing. Besides, looking in the arena was like trying to find a penny on a deserted beach. It's a sea of sand and divots and poop. I had to try though.
Kai'le and I headed off down the arena watching every step we took to see if something shiny magically would appear, but there was nothing. I had been cleaning horse poop out of the boxes and decided that would be my final look before giving up. I checked by the chute but didn't find anything. I checked where I'd been shoveling poop...nothing there either. Finally, I turned around, about to head back to the barn and there, covered in a thin layer of dirt was my poor abandoned ring.
I couldn't believe it. Of all the places I shouldn't have been able to find it, I found it in the headers box in the arena. I was so happy I almost started blubbering once again. I was also so nervous that I took it in the house and put it up for safe keeping so that I could finish my work outside. Now I can't remember where I put it...just kidding. It's back safely on my finger where it belongs. I'll be having it resized as soon as I get a second. From now on though, whenever I have to go out and work, it will stay in a safe spot in the house so it doesn't get lost again :-)
I think I may have to go and buy a lottery ticket now. It couldn't have been anything more than sheer luck that led me to find my ring.
Kai'le and I headed off down the arena watching every step we took to see if something shiny magically would appear, but there was nothing. I had been cleaning horse poop out of the boxes and decided that would be my final look before giving up. I checked by the chute but didn't find anything. I checked where I'd been shoveling poop...nothing there either. Finally, I turned around, about to head back to the barn and there, covered in a thin layer of dirt was my poor abandoned ring.
I couldn't believe it. Of all the places I shouldn't have been able to find it, I found it in the headers box in the arena. I was so happy I almost started blubbering once again. I was also so nervous that I took it in the house and put it up for safe keeping so that I could finish my work outside. Now I can't remember where I put it...just kidding. It's back safely on my finger where it belongs. I'll be having it resized as soon as I get a second. From now on though, whenever I have to go out and work, it will stay in a safe spot in the house so it doesn't get lost again :-)
I think I may have to go and buy a lottery ticket now. It couldn't have been anything more than sheer luck that led me to find my ring.
Friday, March 20, 2009
I'm Heartbroken :-(
So, since last year I've lost 43 lbs. I've very happy about that and proud of what I did. One of the side effects however, is that my fingers have lost weight as well. My wedding ring has been loose for quite a while now but I am very conciously aware of it - and entirely too busy to have it resized. That was until last night...
Ryker and I had been working in the arena and then I had been raking up dead weeds from around the front area of the driveway so that we can burn them later. It was chaotic. I was watching Kai'le, who was riding her bike, and making sure she was watching for the cars that never come down our lane. I was watching Brodee, whose pants were continually falling down, so as a result, so was he. I was raking. I was busy.
When we got to the house - we gave the kids a bath. We picked up toys. We changed sheets and blankets. Took the garbage out. Did the dishes. Fed the cats. All the while I never noticed my ring was gone. Finally, we sat down at the computer to write some roping information and I went to fiddle with my ring like I always do...but it wasn't there. I started to bawl. I know it's just a ring, but's it sentimental and it's dear to me. We looked high and low in the house and where we could outside, since it was dark, but to know avail. We'll look some more tonight.
Hopefully, it will turn up. I had to strap a toe ring to my ring finger this morning because it's just too wierd not to wear one. I went so far as to order a cheap silver and cubic zirconia replacement in case it doesn't show up. If it does, I'll wear the cheap one for outside activities and my good one for inside (after having it properly resized of course). Either way, I'll have something to wear besides a toe ring until we find out if we need to start saving for a new one.
Who knows - maybe I'll just go get a ring tatooed on - then I'll never be able to lose it. Wish me luck - I sure hope we find it!
Ryker and I had been working in the arena and then I had been raking up dead weeds from around the front area of the driveway so that we can burn them later. It was chaotic. I was watching Kai'le, who was riding her bike, and making sure she was watching for the cars that never come down our lane. I was watching Brodee, whose pants were continually falling down, so as a result, so was he. I was raking. I was busy.
When we got to the house - we gave the kids a bath. We picked up toys. We changed sheets and blankets. Took the garbage out. Did the dishes. Fed the cats. All the while I never noticed my ring was gone. Finally, we sat down at the computer to write some roping information and I went to fiddle with my ring like I always do...but it wasn't there. I started to bawl. I know it's just a ring, but's it sentimental and it's dear to me. We looked high and low in the house and where we could outside, since it was dark, but to know avail. We'll look some more tonight.
Hopefully, it will turn up. I had to strap a toe ring to my ring finger this morning because it's just too wierd not to wear one. I went so far as to order a cheap silver and cubic zirconia replacement in case it doesn't show up. If it does, I'll wear the cheap one for outside activities and my good one for inside (after having it properly resized of course). Either way, I'll have something to wear besides a toe ring until we find out if we need to start saving for a new one.
Who knows - maybe I'll just go get a ring tatooed on - then I'll never be able to lose it. Wish me luck - I sure hope we find it!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Back From Denver Means Back To Work
Well, I happily survived my trip to Denver. The flight there was great thanks to good weather, hardly any turbulence, valium and several glasses of free wine. I got an unexpected upgrade to first class, which I've never flown in before, and it was kind of hard to be nervous when there was a one year old little girl sitting next to me, smiling the whole time. I wasn't too sure the valium was working, I was still a bit edgy but nothing major, but I wasn't the blubbering idiot that everyone thought I would be after taking one. At one point however, I could no longer feel my toes, so I knew it must've kicked in.
Denver was nice, not what I expected. I left Boise in a snowstorm and when I arrived in Denver it was sunny and 60 degrees - an flat. I expected trees and snow capped mountains and instead arrived in a place that looked much like Boise. It was a nice city, and due to all the places that we had to be while there, I got to see a lot of it. I had fun with my co-workers and we managed to not kill each other, so that was a definate bonus.
Now that I'm home we have another couple of weekends before we go on vacation and lots and lots of work to do before then. This weekend we (mostly Ryker) rebuilt our pasture fence. The colts had pretty much laid waste to it last summer trying to get the goodies in my garden and it was in dire need of repair. By the end of the week we need to have the steer pen torn down so that it can be rebuilt as well. We were lucky to keep the 10 steers we had last year in it - there's no way in hell we'd be able to keep 25 in there without a major catastrophe.
For those of you who haven't seen it - I got the website up and running. It's www.luckystrykearena.com . I'm pretty proud of it and amazingly enough, it's had 475 hits as of this evening. Not sure who's looking, but I hope they continue to do so.
****Big news**** Coby and Stephanie are having TWINS!!! We are so excited for them. I guess if you're gonna do it - you may as well get it all out of the way at once! It's very cool. Also, Riley and Sunni were married on the 7th of March. Amanda has some really cute pictures of the wedding and they let Kai'le be a flower girl.
We love hearing from you, so leave comments if you want. We love and miss everyone!!!
Denver was nice, not what I expected. I left Boise in a snowstorm and when I arrived in Denver it was sunny and 60 degrees - an flat. I expected trees and snow capped mountains and instead arrived in a place that looked much like Boise. It was a nice city, and due to all the places that we had to be while there, I got to see a lot of it. I had fun with my co-workers and we managed to not kill each other, so that was a definate bonus.
Now that I'm home we have another couple of weekends before we go on vacation and lots and lots of work to do before then. This weekend we (mostly Ryker) rebuilt our pasture fence. The colts had pretty much laid waste to it last summer trying to get the goodies in my garden and it was in dire need of repair. By the end of the week we need to have the steer pen torn down so that it can be rebuilt as well. We were lucky to keep the 10 steers we had last year in it - there's no way in hell we'd be able to keep 25 in there without a major catastrophe.
For those of you who haven't seen it - I got the website up and running. It's www.luckystrykearena.com . I'm pretty proud of it and amazingly enough, it's had 475 hits as of this evening. Not sure who's looking, but I hope they continue to do so.
****Big news**** Coby and Stephanie are having TWINS!!! We are so excited for them. I guess if you're gonna do it - you may as well get it all out of the way at once! It's very cool. Also, Riley and Sunni were married on the 7th of March. Amanda has some really cute pictures of the wedding and they let Kai'le be a flower girl.
We love hearing from you, so leave comments if you want. We love and miss everyone!!!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Recipe of the Week
Here's an easy one! Great for a light summer supper or potluck dish. You can embellish it anyway you like. The one I make for Ryker doesn't have quite as many ingredients as this one - because he wouldn't eat it - so feel free to add and remove things to your liking.
Summer Pasta Salad
1 pkg. rotini pasta, cooked, drained and chilled
1 1/2 c. fresh spinach leaves, washed and dried (if you are feeling brave you can try arugula instead)
1/2 c. pepperoni, chopped
1/2 c. Genoa salami, chopped - or you can use any dry salami you like
1 jar artichoke hearts (preferably packed in brine - but marinated works good too), drained
1 small can sliced black olives
1/4 c. red onion, finely diced
1/2 c. red or green bell pepper, chopped
3/4 c. Parmesan cheese, shredded
1/2 a bottle Bernstein's 4 cheese Italian salad dressing (you can use more if you like)
chopped fresh basil and oregano to taste
Salt and ground pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients - except dressing - together in a large non-caustic bowl (no metal). Add as much of the dressing as you like. I prefer mine to have a little more dressing. Add the fresh herbs and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours before serving to let the flavors meld. The longer this sits - the better it tastes. If you keep it well covered and stir it every day or so - it will stay good for at least a week. Serve with crusty French bread for a nice light supper.
Summer Pasta Salad
1 pkg. rotini pasta, cooked, drained and chilled
1 1/2 c. fresh spinach leaves, washed and dried (if you are feeling brave you can try arugula instead)
1/2 c. pepperoni, chopped
1/2 c. Genoa salami, chopped - or you can use any dry salami you like
1 jar artichoke hearts (preferably packed in brine - but marinated works good too), drained
1 small can sliced black olives
1/4 c. red onion, finely diced
1/2 c. red or green bell pepper, chopped
3/4 c. Parmesan cheese, shredded
1/2 a bottle Bernstein's 4 cheese Italian salad dressing (you can use more if you like)
chopped fresh basil and oregano to taste
Salt and ground pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients - except dressing - together in a large non-caustic bowl (no metal). Add as much of the dressing as you like. I prefer mine to have a little more dressing. Add the fresh herbs and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours before serving to let the flavors meld. The longer this sits - the better it tastes. If you keep it well covered and stir it every day or so - it will stay good for at least a week. Serve with crusty French bread for a nice light supper.
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