Saturday...

So, today is Saturday? Really? It feels like Tuesday or Wednesday. Probably cause Thanksgiving seemed like Sunday with so much family over for dinner.

We had upwards of thirty people before it was all said and done. We deep fried one turkey and baked the other one. Everyone contributed to the meal and a good dinner was had by all. Nobody went hungry...

The kids watched movies, wrestled, played 'capture the flag' outdoors, and the adults sampled many red wines, pies and tasty tarts. Not to mention a few different kinds of Alaskan Ale and the old standby Corona. We played Euchre and basically did a lot of talking and laughing. Much needed laugher I'm sure. Many times I wiped the tears from my eyes for laughing so hard!

I can't even imagine how big the space would have to be if both of our families all came to Thanksgiving dinner! Now that would be a wonderful party. :)

Anywho... I need to make my way to the post office and pick up a package. They quit at noon today. Construction Man has many chores lined up for us all to begin staining trim, organizing the shop, (yes, we just did this, but we have three garages!) and getting on with the next big project of installing the bath tub in our upstairs bedroom. It is up there, but needs plumbed and tiled. Oh my... he's a busy guy.

All is well.

Stay warm and tell someone how much they are loved today! People matter more than we think.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy BIrthday to Me!!

This is a pict of my beautiful flowers my Dad and Mom sent for my bday today!! Aren't they just lovely?

Yep. Today I am fifty one years of age. I made it through being fifty. I must admit that I've had a 'failblog' with 365daysof50 the last few weeks with all the happenings around here.

I was the facilities coordinator for our local pregnancy resource center. We had a huge banquet last Thursday night with 224 people in attendance. Lots of financial support was given and the keynote speaker was the sweetest little gal. She had quite a message of hope and life.

Construction Man has been going to town on the finish work of the home renovations. We did have to replace the dishwasher. Lots of trim, porch lights, cleaning out garages and sorting... again! Does it never end? Guess I have to stop bringing stuff home!

Then to top it all off, the weather has been very warm; and a cowgirl must ride her horse while fall breezes pile up golden, leafy drifts. Addy tromps so gingerly through the cracklings. I had her shoes pulled and her feet trimmed up real nice. She has been such a trooper this past summer. As I have noted all she has learned, I am looking to myself and the growth I have incurred this past year as well.

In many things I have had to decide to "grow up" and move forward as opposed to kicking and screaming, and reverting to childhood reactions! Yes, we do get to choose which direction we will be taking.

Don't worry. My first inclination is to take ahold of that bit, bow my neck and run my own direction. But wisdom reminds me of how that worked out in the past. So, my new strategy is to actually stop, think, pray, wait and move more meticulously/cautiously than before. See--I can be taught!

I really need to go and get ready for the day, but I want to tell you one more short story.

While rummaging this morning for a table cloth to cover the card table, two brand new dish towels fell out at my feet. They were a gift from my sister for my birthday two years ago. Funny, I was just complaining that I needed some new dish towels yesterday. And the sweetest thing is that they are flour sack, (my favorite!) and they are covered with printed chickens of all kinds. I didn't cry. I just thanked God for the gift, knowing the lovely hands that sent them in the first place.

I am thankful for sweet memories and the promise of seeing our loved ones again someday real soon.

I love you, my family. Have a great day. Eat lots of food, be glad and enjoy the love and relationships we all share. I think of each of you so fondly and am a very blessed woman. This much I am sure of.

Upon Returning Home

Needless to say, my feet hit the ground running upon my returning home. Bills to pay, meals to prepare, laundry to catch up on, people needing my attention, stalls and kennels to be cleaned, and just the general upkeep of self and surroundings!

We did have one very special happening though... The Beautician turned twenty two on the second and brought a friend to her birthday dinner. We were graced by their presence as we dined on her favorite dish of pork scaloppine. We laughed a lot, hugged a lot, ate a lot and then she was off again to go out with friends for the evening.

What to say, Taylor? We love you so very much and are cheering for you the loudest to complete your schooling and move ahead with your life and career. You are so beautiful and so determined to do things your way! May you find your dreams and desires right in line with what God has planned for your life. :) Many times the words "free spirit" have been used to to describe you by those who adore you. And this is what you are. I pray you soar high above the troubles of this life and encourage others to do the same. You are our sweet Tatorbug and we love you dearly. Thanks for the smiles that you bring.

Construction Man will be home this week for good! Hooray!! We have many decisions to make before the end of the year is up. I just love that man and have the utmost belief in his decision making processes. Together we are unstoppable!! Hurry home, honey!

My trip was unbelievable. My family is so sweet and supportive of me. For this I am truly grateful. Our nephew's wedding was lovely, tender and at times difficult as another one of our precious babies grows up to do adult things.... marriage is not an easy row to hoe!

The EAGALA class in Payson was grueling, insightful, and will take much time to process. I'm sure you will hear more as the days unfurl. Again, I will reiterate: horses are an amazing gift from God. What sense of peace, love and community they contribute to our lives. I am sure my horsey friends will concur-- not to mention the mental health professionals who use them in their equine assisted therapy programs.

Anywho... all is well and today I will have been home for a week already. Thanksgiving fast approaches as the trees turn loose of seasons past. Temps will drop, rain will turn to snow and autumn breezes will whip up into winter frenzies. This too shall pass and 2013 will nose her way into all of our lives if we're blessed enough for her to do so.

Relax and enjoy your Sunday. We are going to do just that here on Rd. 8 in Northwest Wyoming.



The Beautician in all her glory! Love you, Tates!

Lots of changes... again!

Construction Man made it back again from Williston. They have to go one more time before the snow flies.
We will attend my nephew's wedding in Utah this weekend and enjoy my family for a short time. I am very excited for this!

Then, I will attend a class in a neighboring town for a few days through EAGALA. This stands for Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.

I would eventually like to develop a program in our community that involved women and children in this very process designed for growth, learning, and healing from emotional issues... maybe even developmentally delayed kids, etc. Horses do so much for people in so many areas of our lives. They are a great gift from God!

As I near my fifty first birthday and read back over this blog I am filled with joy at the thought of my fiftieth year of life being so full and hopeful. I have come a long way in so many areas of my life and I am grateful for the people who have cheered me on in this endeavor as well as all the other goals I have achieved in 365 days.

Will I continue to blog? We'll see! :) It is a great way to keep in touch with family spread so far and wide across the continent.

I'll let you know how the class goes and my future plans for college, my returning husband's exciting plans for our future and that of my children.

Have a good week.



my own creation...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. I am here in Northwest Wyoming where the weather has turned to cold, and she is there in the desert of Nevada where the weather is just becoming comfortably less warm. I long to be there hugging her...

I am happy for my parents to live in their beautiful home, peacefully retired after lifelong service to their children/family! Having said all that, I realize now that my parents never stopped serving their children. They still love each of us with such deep and lasting love. They are amazing examples of how a parent does love their children. Thank you, Dad and Mom.

Oh, Mom! How does a daughter convey her love in a paragraph of simple words. I don't believe I possess the capabilities nor mastery of the English language to do our love enough justice!

I shall start with 'thank you.' Thank you to God for placing me in your care. How you lovingly and dutifully fed me, clothed me, bathed me, taught me, encouraged me and exampled to me a good mother so that your grand daughters could benefit as well. A mother's legacy of love handed down. God knew you would rise to this honorable calling of motherhood with the nobility of the fiercest of warriors. After all, what mother, like a grizzly sow, would not fight anyone or anything that might come between she and her cub? And this is how you defend your children. We have always known that we were loved with a fierce love! Thank you.

The word tenderness comes to my mind. I've watched you navigate some very rough waters over the years, and I recognize that face of utter concern when situations are at their most serious. I have watched you love my siblings through very difficult times and that only reinforces the fact that you are there for me in the same capacity. Thank you.

Your hugs, words of wisdom and encouragement carry great weight in my decision making. You have always said that I could do anything I put my mind to. Thank you for that. I still believe you and therefore I will continue to try!

I've watched you love my dad with complete forgiveness and strength that I am not sure even you know you possess. You have more "try" than anyone I have ever met. An unsurpassed determination to make things right... Therefore, I try harder to make this world a better place as far as it is concerned with me. Thank you.

You are Fancy Nancy! You are gorgeous, with impeccable taste in hair, make-up and clothing. I always tell the story of how each day, at the time dad would be coming home from work you would fix up a bit, no matter what chore you were in the middle of (and there were many!), to greet him at the door looking lovely.

Not to mention your taste in music! And this also a gift you passed on to your children! We all love music because you used to put Johnny Rivers, Tom Jones, Barbara Streisand, and Bob Seger on the stereo and we would dance around the living room (and shout off the deck!) You are an amazing singer.

As you can see, Mom, you have filled my life with life. I can't even begin to tell of all you have done for me, inside and out. I just know that I love you and need you. We will be together soon for the joyous occasion of your grandson's wedding. I can hardly wait to hug you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I love you.


Your old car

Me and Addy

Family lovin'

The Red Door

I've been painting my front door and side lights. We are very excited to be closing in on the renovations. Not to mention the joy of less watering with the cooling temps and harvest near completion.

I have freed close to fifty pumpkins from their vine entanglement. :) They seem glad to have found a home adorning my entry way. I know it makes me smile!

However, Hank has taken a liking to dried corn on the cob. I was saving it for my chickens but he shreds every ear he can get his paws on. He will be a year old on the twenty fifth of October. So much for corn decor. Maybe he will grow up soon...







Two Nurse Children... engagement picts.

Happy Birthday, Theologian! (For Yesterday...)

See! See how busy I have become this past week. I did not forget to wish my oldest child happy birthday, but failed to blog about this remarkable little lady!

Oh, forgive me sweet child. You must know I love you more than my own life. :)

Where does a mother's loving thoughts begin with that oldest daughter. The one she has known the longest out of all her children! The one that kept her company in those earlier years when the dad was out of town earning a living for his little family. The one who knows every word to every early Garth Brooks tune. The one who could read before she could read! The one who understands more than even she understands that she understands.

Is it hard being you, Theologian? Gifts given by God that will not reveal themselves before their time has come. Patience!

You have blessed this family more than words can say. You have loved us all so well with your perfect smile and infectious laughter. You giggle at just the right time, always. You never fail to please... another one of your best traits. You try so hard in every task and I've never seen you quit, unless forced to do so! This determination runs deeper than the strongest of currents. I am just sure you're going to need someday, somehow.

The tears choke my throat, as I miss you terribly and long to hug your neck! I know this road you are on right now doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But, in due time you will see why.

How do I convey how much I love you?

I don't know. But I do. We all love you... a huge cloud of witnesses cheering you on. Run the race well, daughter. It's gonna be worth it.

Happy Birthday, Austin Claire Whitlock Hackworth.

love,
mom

This year's party would have been even better!! :)