Brad's Kids

We were so blessed to have all our children together recently. Dru was home from Montana for a few weeks. We enjoyed hanging out & doing all the simple things you do as a family. Khelon had a couple of home games in Springfield... & we did alot of eating and baking, of course!

We tried out some recipes from Bakerella's new cake pop book too. (I will be posting pictures

of them soon.)

We decided that since all 3 kids are seldom in the same place at the same time that we would do a photo shoot of them together. I have spent hours getting them edited and posted on Facebook. Either my computer is slow, or I am slow. Anyways, here are a couple of the pictures I took on our place in Arkansas & Eureka Springs.

We spent the afternoon in Eureka taking photos & ended up at our favorite italian restaurant, Ermilio's. It was Halloween nite, and we were sitting at a table by the front window. We saw lots of little gouls & goblins...& when I say lots, I mean HUNDREDS. Now we know where to go for lots of tricks & treats!

I'm thankful for the time we got to spend together. It flew by way too fast. Looking forward to the time when we'll be spending alot more time together...won't be long now.

FOOTBALL BUNS

There's just something about a guy in a football uniform, right girls?

I don't know if it's the spandex or the shoulder pads that get to me.

Oh, all right, it's the spandex! It's all about the "football buns", as my mother

and I fondly refer to them. Can I get a witness? Whoot whoot!

Those Hayes boys in uniform... soooo cute! That #32 Wildcat stole my heart back in

the 80's and now the Crusader's #58 keeps the tradition going for a proud mama sittin' in

the stands in 2010.

This weekend was our son, Khelon's homecoming game. This is his first year to play at a

college level, so of course, we are proud as punch! What a blessing for him to attend

Evangel University just down the road in Springfield, Mo. It's a perfect fit for this Christian

young man.

We had a good turn-out of support from family members from my side & Brad's. Our oldest daughter, Dru, came in from Montana for a few weeks, so it was great having her there as well.

I snapped lots of pictures...all the huggy, kissy stuff after the game plus a few action shots where I actually managed to catch Khelon in the frame! I uploaded a whole series of photos on Facebook, so if you want to see them, just go to my page (as I haven't figured out how to add more than one picture on this blog!) Hey, I told you that I was computer-illiterate.

POINT OF THE STORY: Do these spandex football pants make my butt look big? ANSWER:

Why, yes they do! hee hee.

MY IDEA OF ROUGHING IT

I'm the kind of country girl that enjoys nature by day, and a hot bath & warm bed by night.

My idea of a good time does not include "roughing it". Sleeping in a leaky tent and putting make-up on using a 3x3 inch mirror at dawn's early lite isn't my cup o' tea.

I have, however, been a good sport in times past. Inevitably, I make an attempt to participate with the fam, and am punished by nature's wrath:

*EXTREME HEAT (Arkansas)

*EXTREME COLD (Montana)

*LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS (Montana)

*SNAKES, CRITTERS & BUGS (Arkansas)

*TORRENTIAL RAINFALL (All of the above)

So when I discovered this idea of "GLAMPING" (glamour camping) in a Montana magazine, I just knew I had to attempt it. After several weeks of serious contemplation, planning & waiting patiently for my professional do-it-yourselfer husband to go back to work, I made my list

and headed to the local Home Depot. (There's nothing like the smell of HD in the morning... I know... that's just weird.)

Anywho... when you're a girl and don't have male construction supervision, sometimes you just make things up as you go. In this case, I gave up the grommet tool after hours of frustration and opted for the industrial staple gun. So much for the idea of a temporary, easy-to-take-down, tent-like-structure. :)

YOU'RE ALL INVITED TO THE CABIN...WE'LL GLAMP IT UP TOGETHER!

Now where's my new issue of Montana Quarterly? I need a new project.

THERE'S A CHIPPACABRA ON MY PORCH

ODE TO HUNTER'S WIVES--BASED ON A TRUE STORY:

Where, oh where, has my Mountain Man gone?

Oh where, oh where can he be?

He left me in Arkansas to go hunting,

Sometimes it sure sucks to be me.

Where is my Mr.?

Oh where did he go?

I can't seem to find him

All dressed in his camo.

He left me unprotected,

He took the 44.

Knowing there's a Chippacabra on the porch,

And a Sasquatch outside the back door!

Where, oh where has my Mtn. Man gone?

Oh where, oh where, can he be?

There's no cell service in the mountains...

Or at least that's what he tells me!

Where are you Lover? I guess no news is good news...

POINT OF THE STORY: What happens at elk camp, stays at elk camp.

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

Those who sow abundantly will reap abundantly. Those who go on summer vacation for 2 months & leave their gardens unattended will reap SPARINGLY. True story.

When we got back from Montana in August, I was terrified to see utter destruction. Seeds and plantlings which were so lovingly cared for back in the Spring were now hidden under foot tall weeds. The promise of a fall harvest looked grim.

Recently while tilling under the death & destruction, much to my surprise, I found mysterious little vines tucked into the grape and raspberry bushes. Here is a picture of my first harvest ever of decorative gourds.

Aren't they just the cutest little things you've ever seen? Each one is unique & no two are exactly alike. Isn't that just like God to create something so simple that brings such joy to some silly little gal like me?!

POINT OF THE STORY: I'm pretty sure that I'm GOD'S FAVORITE.

You Gotta Start Somewhere: Becoming BlogCabinWoman

Okay, so I'm finally giving this blogging business a try. I don't know why I've been so intimidated by it. After all, it's just a kicked up version of Facebook. Odds are that my family will be the only ones who read it and that's perfectly alright with me.

Last winter, my blogging curiosity peaked and I spent way too many snowy afternoons online "doing research". Keep in mind that I am technically challenged. I'm a rookie, a newbie. People in my neck of the woods would call me "green".

I've never had formal training in computer technology. My first experience with the Web was back in 1999 when students in the special education department (the "special kids") at Clyde Park High School in Montana gave me my first lesson. Scary...I know. I'm fairly certain that Libby, Shane & Raymond have all gone on to prestigious computer careers and left me in the dust.

So please bear with me on this blogging journey. Being clever and witty everyday seems hard. Taking great photos, worthy of sharing ain't easy. Coming up with interesting & funny stories in daily life can be a challenge. My hat is off to my favorite bloggers for keeping it real, addictive and yummy.

I'm looking forward to starting with this first post under my belt. It gives me something to look forward to & is a great opportunity to journal the blessings & adventures in everyday life.

POINT OF THE STORY: Enjoy the journey. You gotta start somewhere.