Finding a new Love in Life...

Ever since I can remember I have always admired those who could run, although I never really understood why?  I hated running in gym when I was a kid, and I vowed to never do it once I was done with school. I did not have have not had the desire to do so since...........Well since this past week.

I have always been a busy person.  I have enjoyed working two jobs, raising a family, going back to school, and more all at the same time.  This past spring my husband thought it might be nice if I take a break from doings so  much all the time and stay home with the kids and take my few summer classes.  I cannot complain, it has been nice not going all the time, except with chasing for my daughters traveling fastpitch games and a few additional things.  The down side is that for a busybody like myself, it makes it really hard to stay focused. Yes, I find when I do not have lots to do, I begin to get discombobulated and off task.

The best solution I had besides going back to my part-time job was take up a new hobby.  But what?  I had no idea until.............One evening I was a bit upset and frustrated.  I needed to get out of the house for a bit and decided I would take the dog for a walk.  I walk her frequently.  This time something was different on our walk.  I decided I would give running a try and see if it helped relieve some stress.  Next thing I knew, I was running and running and it felt Awesome!!!!

I had no idea how good it really felt.  Now I know and understand why people run. It has many benefits and feels GREAT!  Since my first run a few days ago, I have managed to run a little bit longer each time and without getting so exhausted as quickly.  I cannot wait to see the changes in a few weeks.

Oh, and I cannot forget about my wonderful partner, Tawney who keeps me going strong!

Appreciating Life Today....

Today was a great day!  My husband and I spent some quality time playing around with the girls doing different things.  We even got a chance to see our son, who is the oldest and is almost never home anymore because he is busy all the time.

Since we had a birthday girl in the house, it was important to make sure we made her feel special.  Especially since she hit double digits for the first time.  How exciting!!!!

Since she was born during the fair time, she has always liked to go several times during that short week. Today was ride day, so dad and sister rode with her.  Mom can't do spinning things, so I had fun just watching them have fun, and yes, I had my camera again.  This time I took a video of her wanting to do the trampoline bungee jumping. I also took another good video of the birthday girl  and daddy going down the GIANT slide.  This was always my favorite......

Another part of the day that was great was I got to sport the beautiful top my oldest daughter got me.  She is so thoughtful of others and I love it because she knows to never pay full price for something!  So I figured I would take a pic of me wearing it so she knew I appreciated her kindness..... and it was the perfect shirt on a warm day..Made her feel special today also...and mommy...:)

Cotton Candy, Rides, and More....

WOW! The temperature sure sky-rocketed the last couple of days!  Not complaining by any means because we only have this warmth for a very short time.  Seem as if it always seems to arrive just in time for the

Rice County Fair

Calling all fair goers!!!!

My oldest daughter and her BFF made plans last week that they would go to the fair today around 2:00 P.M. and get their favorite "Handmade Lemonade."  My husband, youngest daughter, and myself decided to wait until things cooled off a bit and then hit the fair.

Today was a great day to check-out the animal barns.  First we toured the horse barn, (my favorite), then the goats, and the cows.  I always enjoy checking them out because I myself was in 4-H and grew up in the country having a few farm animals.  Like the old saying goes, "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl."

Watching you.

Really?

Afterwards, we went to see the hypnotist, Brian Imbus.  He was pretty entertaining.  The best part was because he offered for the audience to participate in becoming hypnotized if they choose to in their seat. While watching the stage people start acting out playing their favorite musical instrument, we turned around and a man behind us was standing and rocking out on his pretend guitar.  It was really funny and my almost 10 year old really got a kick out of all of it.

If you ever are interested or in need of a hypnotist here is a link to his website.  Or feel free just to check it out.  Hypnotist Mentalist Brian Imbus

Let the Games Begin....

Several things have kept me busy over the past few days.  First, Katy had her first State Fastpitch Tournaments.  Secondly, I was busy working on Birthday plans with my youngest Mary.  

 So it looks like this will be where we are having the Birthday Party!  Good choice for a kid's party because they can do the cooking, cleaning, and the entertainment all in one.  I know some of you may think it would be crazy to have a party there but I have had my fair share of them at my place, and sometimes letting somewhere else do the work, for almost the same cost is sooo worth it!  Plus, what kid does not like going to ChuckE.Cheese's?  

 I am certain it will be a great time.

Next was the state tournaments.  The girls played a hard game on Friday evening in Lakeville.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend because I got a bit dehydrated from the heat the previous days, but luckily dad was there to cheer her on!  Today's 2 games got pushed back by three hours due to the rain.  First game the girls "Rocked" it and WON!  The second game was not a win, but close.  They were down by 2 runs in the last inning and couldn't seem to score a few more.  It was still a great game and always fun to watch my girl play.

Loads of Work and a Little Fun Too

 This is where my day all started.  I figured I needed to keep moving on getting the back yard done, so I took my husbands truck, while he was at work, to the compost site and hand shoveled approximately 2 yards of mulch.  Let me say that it was a great whole body workout and I need it so it was a Win, Win for ME!

 Since I am not good at driving the truck backwards down our hill, I decided I would finish weeding the yard until the husband got home.  He could be the one to haul it down the hill backwards. (Just so you know, there is not a lot of room on either side, the tires are bare, the mulch is heavy, and there is steps on one side of the hill, and a tree on the other.) Nope! Not taking the risk!!!!!

Once I laid the mulch down, I was pretty satisified with the outcome.  I am almost done with the yard now.  I  only have one little spot left to fill in.  The biggest hurdle will be forcing myself to go back out to the compost site and fill another truck load of mulch.  Only this time, I think I will wait for some help!                                          

And a hard day of work would not be complete without a few friends over for the night.  What better way to end it than to have a fire, (could have done without those pesky misquitos!) hotdogs,  and SMORES!! Yummmy.

Peeka Seeka

 This is one of my most favorite places to go and be with my family.  The name Peeka Seeka Pines comes from an old Polish song my dad use to sing to us kids.  Years ago my parents bought this wooded lot filled with trees and hopes to retire at someday.  With a lot of sweat and hard work, my dad and mom cut down many trees and built their family a log cabin the old fashioned way.  They wanted to have a place that everyone could enjoy being together at and one that was made with love.

 

The sign was painted by my mom.

The cabin my parents built.  Although, it has been over 12 years now since the cabin was first built, I think it has to be my most favorite pictures to take while up north.  Seems like each passing year something new grows or changes, similar to our family. 

This is their camper, which is also on the lot which provides extra sleeping spaces.  This is where I set up shop with the girls while up for this weekend.  I could have stayed either in the house or cabin, but because there are also other family members who were also there, I decided to stay there.

Being up north, there is never a moment where there is not something to do, and the best part is I seem to think those who live and getaway here are not in such a hurry. Simply makes it even better.
:)

I'm You're Ice Cream Man, Stop Me When I'm Passin By.......

Oh, what excitement and fun this brought to my girls!  Who would have thought while turning up the road from a beautiful, exhilarating motorcycle ride we would see the ice cream truck, well OK, the Kona Ice Man, but sort of the same.  I am not sure who was more Thrilled, my husband and me, or the girls:), but someone would have to flag them down, and quick!

I figured it would be much faster for me to run into the house, grab my wallet and give the girls some money.... By the time I got back outside, dad had given them money and they stopped that ice truck.  

What's the next thing a mother does...Yep,you guessed it!  I grabbed the iPod so I could take a pic and a short video. 
 Check it out!  (The music is a bit catchy)

So with this posting, it brings back a lot of childhood memories for me. My family at times would have an ice cream truck that would drive by our house, and each of us children would get a cone.  So being all excited as I was, I turned to my husband and seemingly said, "Doesn't this bring back memories from childhood?  When the ice cream truck would be coming down the road and you and your brother and sisters would run out to flag him down?"  Well.... I expected him to smile and say, "Yeah, it does." But instead he looked at me sadly and said... "We never had an ice cream truck stop on our road.  We grew up on a Highway, in town." OK, so now I felt bad.  Guess I am going to flag down that truck myself the next trip it makes around our block and get my husband his Treat!

The Great Outdoors

Wonder comes from things we often encounter in nature.  The mind begins to think about how simple or complex things can really be.  Often it provides us humans with an opportunity to relish upon our lives, purpose, and its true meanings.

Joy can come from simply watching our children as they explore and learn new things.  This brings happiness and contentment into my life.

  The explainable raises questions which require more in-depth thoughts that are not always due to certain reasons.

The day was one built upon pleasure and satisfaction.  As only a small part of the family participated in an outdoor excursion.  It was truly fun and fulfilling to spend some quality time with just one in nature.  I would call it success!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for...

Today was really just one of those days where it was HOT outside and not a lot to do.  So what does a person do with two girls who don't want to play in the heat, just had lunch, and need something else to make them happy?  

Go to the Dairy Queen is what I did. The best part, I didn't have to pay.  The girls did.  This was a treat!

It's not everyday that your kids offer to pay for something and since I was waiting 

for payday on Friday for any extras, it couldn't get any better than this!

Faribault, MN

This is what I decided I would treat myself to if they were buying.  Yep,the Pecan Mudslide.  My favorite!  

  

And if you think it was just me and the girls hiding in the house and being lazy, your wrong!  Even our family dog, Tawney figured it was better to be in the house.   She is about as big of a baby in being out in the heat as it gets.  Being a German Shepard, you would think she would have layers of fur and shed like crazy.  Nope, not this pooch.  She is such an indoor doggie, that I don't think she ever gets a winter coat.  I am not complaining because its less hair for me to deal with.  And look at that face......

Mo-Ta-Vation...

So I found some motivation to begin cleaning, only I decided to take my cleaning Outdoors.  I figured if I had to do something that required cleaning, I would much rather be outside with the pesky mosquito's than cooped-up inside.  By the looks of things before I began the tackling, I would say they were not much better out there either.  My once beautiful wooded backyard was a complete weed infestation!  Yes, I was slacking just a bit.

Once I got fitted with some mosquito replant and some gloves, it was game on. 

YIKES!

 Two hours into the mess, I finally started seeing progress and results.  Whoo,hoo, I was beginning to feel more motivated! My backyard plants were still alive. It took a lot of pulling and prying, swatting and batting of mosquitoes, and wiping off some sweat, but yes so worth it.

This is what it should look like. 

                      Yippie, the kids will be happy they can play again!  And the dog loves to climb up and slide      down right along side them.

Finally, four and half hours later, it was time to stop for the day.  I felt a sense of relief

that I was able to get something around the house cleaned, even if it was outdoors.

Now just another good couple of hours to go, since I have only covered about half of it, and the yard will be 

ready for approximately eight to ten truck loads of mulch. That would be the perfect job

for the kids.:)

Horse Play

OK, so today I was suppose to be really motivated and get my youngest daughter's room completely cleaned.  Since I like to relax and have a few cups of coffee first, I figured I would plan out in my head where to start.  Well, it is now 3:55 and I have not started yet.  

                     
                      

                                                   Hooray

I did have a few other things that needed to be taken care of also and I seemingly put them first.  Guess you could say I am procrastinating on getting the job done.  The morning started out as cloudy and rainy and now the sun is shinning so it makes it really hard to want to stay in the house and clean.  I am thinking it would be best to wait until another day since I have preoccupied myself with other things.

Looks like rain!!

Not getting her room cleaned was not just my fault.  She thought we should goof around on the computer for a bit.  So we turned on the webcam and had a little fun. Sometimes it is necessary to simply enjoy life and your children while they are young.  The room will still be there tomorrow. 


I find when I take the time to do things for myself and my children the rest that has to be done does not seem like such a chore.  It provides an equilibrium in my life.  It makes me feel satisfied with the simple things and thus in return my children are satisfied too. 


I hope you enjoy viewing our pictures we took together.  I know we had a good time and lots of laughs.

                                                     

That was too funny!

Keeping Busy

Today was a bit more interesting than my day yesterday, which by the way I never got that chance to sit and see a movie. (Maybe next time.)  While quietly sitting around enjoying my cup of coffee, I received an unexpected call from a few co-workers inviting me out for some second-hand thrift shopping and a small bite to eat. 
Since I has so little time do these things, I jumped all over it and hopped into the shower.  We had a great time simply looking around the thrift store and I even found a few good finds.  Luck for me it was Thursday, and on Thursday's at the Salvation Army all hanging items are 1/2 off.  I ended up with a few things and spent less than $5.00, so I was happy.  Afterwards, we went to the dollar store, got some needed items for one of the gals, and finally grabbed a bite to eat at Subway.  It was nice to get out for a few hours and have some girl time.  I can't wait to do it again.

The other interesting thing today was when my youngest daughter, Mary made the family some early 4th of July marshmallow and fruit kabobs.  She loves doing things for others and helping in the kitchen.  Figured we had all the stuff and why wait until the 4th to enjoy some of it.  They turned our great and she was proud of her work in putting them together in such a nice, orderly fashion.  I was proud too.  

A work in progress

Finally to end my day, I watched my other daughter Katy play a double header of fast-pitch.  She does great, loves the game, and I feel so fortunate I can be there to watch and support her.  Her team will be heading to State tournaments, then off to Nationals this season, so I am certain it will be a busy summer.  I will keep you posted.

Ready 

A Whole-Lot-of-Nothing Today

Today was really just an average day around my house.  Nothing out of the ordinary has happened just yet.  Most of my time was consumed with running errands to the post office, drug store, and delivering some Norwex products a colleague ordered from me.  Speaking of Norwex, if you have not heard of it, I highly suggest checking it out.  Their products are amazing!  They do not require anything more than the use of water to get all your household cleaning done and what I like best is they are environmentally safe.  I never have to worry if my children will get into something toxic or the pets. The biggest perk is it saves hundreds of dollars each year on not buying cleaners, paper towels, and more which can be costly if you have a family to care for.

I am looking forward to having a quiet and relaxing evening at home.  My husband has diligently been working on putting some needed parts on my Yukon for much of the day.  I am grateful he knows how to do  vehicle maintenance and much more because it saves us thousands of dollars.  When I hear others talk about what it has costed them to repair their cars and trucks it shocks me every time.  Sp for now since the kiddos and hubby are busy, I will work on tackling some homework.  Then I think it will be time to relax with some "poppop" (popcorn) and a movie.  Have a good night everyone!

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRt0YnohCv28H-HAMlzurzgIyaaLQKj8hNI3gvR2gyJN4J4h4na