Toolin' around

Here's Jimmy's new toy - a little red Jeep. I think it's sort of a consolation prize he got for himself since he didn't get to keep Sony, the wonder dog, when he became a supervisor. The weather warmed up to about 70 degrees on Sunday and we took a drive up to the "Apple Orchard". From this vantage point we could see most of the Tobacco Valley. Not a lot of traffic to fight and the view was spectacular! Unfortunately, the clouds rolled in again and we headed for home. It started to rain about 5 minutes after we got to our driveway, which was perfect and the gardens are looking good with all the moisture we've been getting. It was a lot of fun just to go putt-puttin' along the country roads! Next time we'll have to throw in the fishing poles and try to catch supper. : )

In the Bozone

Last weekend I got to hang out with my "Main Men" in the city of Bozemen. It was tons of fun. When Jimmy and I arrived on Friday evening, Trent hadn't left his office yet, so we got to go in Bridger Photonics for a little meet & greet with some of the other brilliant minds he works with/for. We toured the office and the lab, where we got to wear the cool glasses like everyone else was wearing. What was really cool was the way they tried to explain what we were looking at in terms that we could understand. (Heh, heh, yeah right!) I just tried not to stand there with that head half-cocked to one side, puppy dog look. You know the one your dog gives you when you're trying to explain why it is unacceptable to chew up the cushions and your favorite shoes? : ) But really, they were great people and we sincerely enjoyed meeting them. Then we ate supper at Johnny Carinos and that was yummy. Took lots of leftovers home to Trent's mostly empty refrigerator. : )

Saturday we woke up to a blizzard! Well, I might be exaggerating just a touch, but it snowed huge flakes for a while, but didn't really stick. Brrrr! Honestly, where is the global warming when you need it? We did a little shopping, watched a movie in the afternoon and then went out to a picnic/bonfire with friends and had an awesome time. There's nothing quite as wonderful as a toasty warm campfire when it's a little chilly.

Sunday morning, after sleeping in until 7:30 (!!! - I actually was awake for about an hour and a half, before venturing out to the coffee machine!!!) we awoke to a bright and sunny day. We drove the two or three blocks downtown and ate at the Main Street Overeasy. It was pretty busy, but we didn't have to wait for a table. The food was great and I especially liked the specials written on the wall, so I had to snap a photo.

I read "The Traveler's Gift" by Andy Andrews outloud to Jimmy all the way home. 6 1/2 hours! I finished the book just as we were getting home, so it was just the right length. My voice was starting to get raspy, but it sure made the drive go by much faster. It's a great book. We highly recommend it. : )

Remembering Morgan on her birthday

May 14th has been a day that we have celebrated in our family for the past 20 years and this year was no exception.

We drove to the Ross Creek Cedars and the weather was gorgeous. I was teary on the last mile or so of the drive, because the last time we were there was in the fall, just before Morgan left for college in Havre. We listened to her Jack Johnson CD all the way there on that trip. Most of her "alternative" music was not to our liking and she had absolutely no appreciation for the fine talent of today's country music artists. But Jack Johnson we agreed was pretty great, along with Michael Buble` and one of her other favorites, Dean Martin. She truly loved being her own person and having her own style, whether it was music, clothes or anything!

We had our picnic lunch, we took our time meandering along the trail among the magnificient cedars and then when we gathered back at the clearing where our vehicles were parked, we wished Morgan "Happy Birthday" and released the bright yellow balloons. It was a beautiful day.

Aedan's first haircut

Ok, today there will be no deep, probing questions into my thoughts. Nope, today it's all about a sweet little almost one year old getting his first haircut.

He liked the chair. Well, he liked the chair since his mommy was also sitting in it, and he didn't mind wearing the spiffy blue drape one little bit.

So, from the comfort of Mommy's lap, he let the hairdresser come close with a pretty green comb and scissors and even do some trimming in the back with clippers that made a buzzing sound.

I'm sure he could not understand why we were making such a fuss and snapping pictures, most of which were blurry, since he's a pretty active little guy! But for the most part, he just sat patiently, looking around and taking it all in. Sweet.

What a good looking kid!

Time

This is printed on a clock that I gave to Morgan before she went to college. It's been one of my favorite quotes for a long time. Actually, the first part is not written here. It should read: "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." It's a good question to stop and ask yourself. Am I loving life? Since Morgan has gone on to heaven I am more aware that we are not guaranteed to have tomorrow. I've always said that my plan is to live to be 100, and I'm not changing that plan. But, my focus has shifted so that I cannot take any day for granted. I don't want to sqander my days just because I plan to enjoy about 18,250 more of them. I'm guilty of living as if I have an endless supply of days and I don't want to do that anymore. I am still experiencing sadness because I really miss Morgan, her smile, her hugs and that infectious laugh! I don't really expect for that to ever completely go away, but it would be ungrateful to God to allow this sadness to define me. I believe His desire is for me to live an abundant life and that is what I want also. I did not lose Morgan. I know EXACTLY where she is, and there will be a time when we will smile and hug and laugh together again. In the meantime, I will look for the joy in each day and be thankful for each one. May it be so for you also.
Love,
Venessa

Happy Sweetie Day

I just had to show off these gorgeous berries that Mary sent us! They are delicious -and no, they are not on my Nutrisystem plan, but boy are they yummy. : )

I'll be back soon for more yap-yap, but for now, I'll just let you feast your eyes on these.

Love and kisses!

A Few of My Favorite Things

This is a picture I took on our first food stop after landing in Oklahoma at Christmas time. Who can guess where we stopped? I think 2 of the places we miss the most since moving to Montana are Sonic and Braums. Oh the lovely treats. . . sigh... However, I'm pretty sure none of those treats are on my Nutrisystem plan, so it's probably a good thing we have to travel clear across the country to get to Braums ice cream!

There's something about a sweet treat that just makes your face break into a big grin. : ) I can still imagine the excitement of hearing the ice cream truck that played LOUD circus type music announcing that any moment it would be driving down our street with frozen goodness for sale. Seems to me that the push-up pops were a dime and banana-fudge bombs were fifteen cents!

I mentioned to someone the other day that sometimes I sit here at the computer with the intention of blogging and I can't think of one happy thought. Just like Peter Pan when Tinkerbell (Robin Williams and Julia Roberts in "Hook") was trying to teach him how to fly. On those evenings I just shut it down and retreat to my room to read or call it a day and turn out the lights. But I don't want that to be my habit, so, in the words of Jimmy's hero - the outlaw Josie Wales, I shall endeavor to persevere. : )

My happy thought for today (besides ice cream, of course) is realizing how blessed I am to have such a fantastic family and friends who hug me and hold me up. See, with that kind of treat I must just sit here with a grateful grin on my face. : ) I love you guys.

Resolution Number Three

Be brave.

You know that saying, "Life is short, eat dessert first"? Well, the fact is... life IS short. I have enjoyed a great life, but I have not accomplished all that I want to accomplish. I have also expended a great amount of energy getting bogged down in plans that I've never carried out.

I'm going to bare my soul a little bit here. My usual operating procedure has been to become interested in a subject, ie. event planning, weddings, writing, speaking, marketing, photography, etc., etc., etc..., then accumulate a library on that subject to learn all I can about it. However, I don't ever seem to reach a point where I feel qualified to put that knowledge into action. Yup, chicken behavior.

My next step is to consider my dreams, pick one to build a foundation under and move forward. I am resolving here and now NOT to be a chickenhead! : )

So, here it is... my shelf stacked with Nutrisystem foods. My present method of gaining control over the weight issue. I've been on the system for a week now and have to say it's been really easy. The meals are so quick, that I'm not tempted to snack while cooking and adding fresh salads and fruits make it seem like I'm eating LOTS of food. So far, so good. : )

Resolution Number Two

Be healthy.

I know that "losing weight" is on the majority of resolution lists. At least I know it's usually on mine. But even though it's common that doesn't make it any less important. More than losing weight, though, is the need to have a balance physically, spiritually and emotionally.

I've experienced emotions I never thought I'd have, but the great thing about emotions is that they have an expiration. I'm pretty thankful for that setup. Any success I've acquired in the area of handling the emotions I've experienced in the last few months, I HAVE to attribute to the amazing and awesome support of you, my family and friends and the prayers that you have offered for us.

As far as my spiritual journey goes, I'm thankful for God's patience with me and His ever present comfort.

Resolution Number One

Show Love.

I have this great plant in my bathroom. It sits on the edge of the tub so I can admire it while I take a bath. Do you see why I love it? Heart shaped leaves! How great is that? I'm reminded every day by this little potted plant that the Creator of the universe loves me, and I'm encouraged by that little plant to share that love with others. I am learning that the more I show love to others the less I'm thinking about myself and that's a great benefit. The less time I spend thinking of my own sorrows, the less sorrowful I feel, so it's a win-sin situation. Let me encourage you to add this resolution to your list. : )

Inspiration

I watched a dvd by Andy Andrews this evening called "Seven Decisions". It was recorded in 2005, but the principles he shares are timeless. You know, we're all making decisions constantly in our everyday lives, even if it's the decision not to decide yet. : )

Here we are, a third of the way through January and I'm still deciding on my New Year's Resolutions. It seems to me that the majority of folks don't bother with resolutions anymore, or maybe it just happened to be the people I asked. The usual response was that their resolutions are soon forgotten or broken, so what's the point. I understand that reasoning, but I don't agree with it. I know I'm not perfect - FAR from it, and I think taking a good, hard look at how I can improve is worthwhile. I think the greatest benefit of a New Year's Resolution is not the resolution itself as much as the process itself. So, by my next post, I intend to have at least a couple of well thought out, purposeful, character building resolutions. Maybe I should address procrastination, after all, it is the 11th day of the new year! Sigh... : )

Saturday's thoughts

Okay, it's taken me a week to get back here and add a few thoughts. When I opened this blog, I started looking through pictures to add and it seemed that every picture I opened had Morgan in it, so I pretty much dissolved into a puddle of tears. It's hard to realize that she died nearly 2 months ago. Some days we seem to handle things pretty well as we go about our daily routines, and then some random thought or picture popping up on the monitor will stir up the pain of missing her.

I'm generally a "glass is half full" kind of person and I think my blogs should be positive and uplifting, and I will strive to make it so, but for now, I have to find my way through the sadness and grief of losing my beautiful 19 year old. For now, we will cling to God's promises and rejoice in knowing that we will see her again in heaven.

Whoa, what am I doing here?

Well, here I am on the world wide web. When I told my daughter I wanted to start a blog, she asked me what it would be about. Excellent question!

I love photography. One important part of the camera is the viewfinder. It helps me to frame my subject and focus on what I want a picture of. I want to use this platform to share my views from my camera, my front porch and beyond and also as I focus inward on those things that are truly important, my relationship with God, family, friends and myself.

Happy New Year!
Love,
Venessa