dad ... i want a goat

This was the scene about two weeks ago.

Dad is on his computer busily researching something or another. (That's what he does.)

Tia has decided that she needs another pet.

Being as we are not getting a dog until we live someplace else ....

T: Dad ... I want a goat.

D: (looks at her like she's plumb lost her mind) says nothing

T: (continuing on without stopping for a breath) We probably can't have a goat so I think a bunny would be a good idea.

D: still no response

T: Okay ... I'm going to get one. (and promptly leaves to do so)

Apparently in this house, no response equates with assent.

She picked up one and then it needed a friend .. so she went back and got another one.

We may have a problem.

They are not of the same sex.

Next problem was housing.  (Like I don't have anything else I should be doing.) 

I spent Friday making a rabbit hutch.

Pinterest again. Then a run to the hardware store for some screen. The rest of it I had laying in piles and waiting to be used. Using up those miscellaneous piles of wood scrap is a downright good feeling.

After looking at a number of rabbit cages ... this is what I ended up with. I didn't plan. I barely measured. I just went with it. And ... I didn't paint. Bummer. I think it would be really cute in a teal or something. It isn't like I'm running out of paint around here.

Heaven forbid we should have baby bunnies, they need someplace to hide. We don't have critters to worry about here, but occasionally there might be some weather that rolls through. They ought to be safe in there.

Handy hubby chipped in on Saturday and finished off the lid/roof/top for me. I had a plan but he made it more secure.

Finished and unpainted little rabbit house. Just waiting to be moved and get some tenants.

This is Tippy.

Enough space to have some "me" time when they need it. And enough to snuggle up when they want to be friendly.
Low enough that Dominc is going to be feeding them everything in sight. High enough that he can't get them out of the cage. They ought to be safe.

I suggested raising meat rabbits but hubby can't handle butchering them. Turns his stomach.
Guess that's not going to happen.
Plan B: harvest the rabbit poop and make some fine mulch for the garden I don't have. Yet.

What is next around here?
I want chickens.
Seriously I do.

Happy Birthday Sebastian!

He may have learned this little protective technique from his Nana.

I think that's how I look when I play volleyball.

It was a beautiful day at the park last Sunday afternoon. Cool enough to need a sweater in the shade. Cool enough to move your chair to the sun. Beautiful! Being as the weather is most always fickle .. water balloons were the order of the day. These 4 year old friends are quite the team!

Dominc just wants his hands on everything in sight. One thing after another. He's one busy little guy.

The birthday boy! Where did time run away to that we have a 4 year old grandson! He is growing up so fast and it is a special joy to have him near us.

I don't know about things like Rescue Bots ... but he sure does!

Happy Birthday dear child! I can't wait to watch the wonder and delight of explorations in the next year.

life is beautiful

she shared this place with me and my camera

a place where you can feel as if you're on top of the world

even if somedays it feels as if you're hanging on by a fingernail

and then you say "i got this!"

maybe life and people haven't been so kind

but that was back there behind you

you're stronger 

you have an incredibly brave soul and spirit

 you girl ... you got this

there are always days of rain

the clouds come and the clouds go

sometimes it is a balancing act this life we live

take it on and live it!

because ...

always remember

you are 

braver

than you think

stronger

than you seem 

and

loved more

than you know

breathe deeply

"You're only here for a short visit.

Don't hurry, don't worry.

And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."

Walter Hagen

piles and piles

I have been on a mission for the past several months.

I am trying to clean out stuff.

Where does all this stuff come from?

I really haven't a clue.

All I know is that it multiplies faster than gray hairs on my head.

Paper.

I probably have the equivalent of a forest stored in boxes.

My goal (starting last Friday through next weekend) was to get rid of 5 boxes out of the garage.

I tend to make lists that are rarely achievable ... figured that one might be attainable.

After a jaunt to the IRS website so I knew what I needed to save, 

and another visit just to double check, I started going through boxes.

I do have a shredder, but apparently there is somewhere I can drop off a bankers box for $7 and 

have them do all the dirty work.

These boxes have been stored in a garage for the last 6 years or so.

One garage (not the present one) had scorpions in it.

So .... just in case those buggers had survived ... the boxes stayed outside.

Six boxes to recycle.
Two boxes of nursing books.
Another box of miscellaneous stuff that I need to decide what to do with.
But ... drumroll please .... the trunk is full and ready to shred!

The file cabinet is cleaned out.
This purging activity is so much fun that even Jari joined in and added to the pile.

That other box?
It has things like family history pages, old medical records and that kind of stuff.
Most of it probably scannable and stored in the great big cloud somewhere in the sky.

And this little charmer.

Just never know what is lurking around hidden in cardboard.

another quick weekend

Brock, Liam and I flew back to North Dakota together.

It was a very short night before we left and an even earlier morning.

Selfie time with my travel buddy!

Target is a serious treat when you don't have one around. We shopped and then went out for some lunch in Minot before heading off down the road. 3 little boys + a restaurant = serious fun.

Although a flight into Williston is really nice ... a flight into Minot is a whole lot cheaper. It just takes 2 hours of windshield time to come get me. Thanks Anna! The roads were nice and clear. Whew!

Heart be still. 

Even in his sleep he wants to make sure baby sister is being taken care of.

This time, as opposed to our week there at Christmas, the weather was well above zero!

She seriously doesn't live in her hat and carseat ... I just must have snapped photos when we were on our way out the door.

Out to see some shops downtown.

There are some seriously fun ones!

The sun felt so good!

Aiden was my walking companion.

Well ... maybe he ran as I walked. 

By the end of our little expedition, his feet were moving just a tad bit slower.

If you're in Williston, make sure you have someone with you who has a stroller.

Run to JC Penney and ask to go to the basement via elevator.

You start in the storage section of the store, accompanied by a worker bee, get tucked into the oldest elevator I've ever seen, the cage doors shut and down you go.

It is the fullest JC Penney I've ever seen in my life.

And maybe the warmest ever.

You might want to be a minimalist in the clothing department.

The Princess does come out of her chair. 

In fact, this happens to be her favorite place in the whole wide world.

Right now it just might be her mom's favorite place too.

These two. I just can't tell you.

It's kind of heartwarming to get tears when you leave the room.

Uncle Blayde.

They claim to not like me ordering them around places to get a picture of them,

but they do it.

They're so good.

Kind of can't believe these hairballs are mine.

This child loves ... and I mean LOVES ... his food.

I want to see you have the patience to eat your popcorn with a fork!

And perhaps he should start an advertising career for Hidden Valley Ranch dressing.

Liam, on the other hand, could probably do so with Heinz Ketchup.

My oldest.

Too bad I didn't learn how to make home made mac n cheese when he was little.

He really missed out.

Cuz he seriously inhales this stuff.

My North Dakota tribe, minus Bridget & Lyla who were still in Arizona.

Liam was having a hard day, but ice cream cures just about anything doesn't it?

Wylon & Anna, with the kidlets, took me back to the airport on Sunday.

See? This is why I'm not a fan of making people drive.

The roads were okay and they made it home, but the snow was coming and there was 

some might precious cargo onboard.

Thanks guys!

Sometimes I'm just plain tired by this point and other times I'm just plain sad.

 Maybe a little of both this time.