Fabulous Firecracker Flex Friday

So yesterday was one of those days you just take and tuck away in your heart.   It was a Firecracker Flex Friday even though I had to make a trip to the chiropractor before I journeyed on.     While at the "doc's" I was talking to someone whose kids are close in age to mine and they went to school together when they were younger.   So we get on the subject of Grandchildren...I am sure you are all surprised on that one.   But she talks about getting to go hang out with her little one and how much fun it was.   She said too bad you couldn't be a grandma first.   As I have said before, that's what I wanted to be when I grow up.   Not that I didn't love being a mom but like was discussed--it's just different!

So anyway after leaving "Rocky Vegas" yesterday morning, I was on my mission to Limon.   However, upon my arrival Miss Isabel is still sleeping as is her dad who had not been in bed too long because of a DUI.   Please note that it was not his but I need to keep in mind that not always do others know he is an officer of the law so I have to be careful what I say!

But as soon as I get there I receive a call from my daughter who is at work giving me my instructions that it is my job to make sure that both of the two sleeping beauties are up and at 'em because my favorite son-in-law was going to the doctor with a friend and we were to meet for lunch before they left!    Well I did get my crew rounded up and off and we went to Ruby's.

While there, my poor little Firecracker had to learn one of the cold hard facts of life.   Her and I went to pay for our $39.99 lunch.   She proudly walked up with the ticket and two $20's in hand and generously gave them to the woman taking money.   To which she was given a penny back.   Well this is where she may take a little after her uncle because she looked back up at the woman who was stashing away those big green bills and looked down at her penny.   She then held her hand back up as though perhaps this woman was confused!   I told her Izzy that's just how it goes...lessons to be learned.

After payment we got to walk her mama back to work and then walked back to the truck.   I have to remind you that yesterday was the most beautiful day.   It is those days that we all know exactly why we live in Colorado!    So Izzy and I decided we should go do some shopping!   Who knows what all a couple girls might find at the Alco store.

Since I had lost my sunglasses I decided I would look for some more cheap sunglasses.   This turned out being quite fun as we both had to try on the sunglasses.   And I can see we may be good shopping partners because she would shake her head no on the ones that she did not seem to care for on me.  But we found a pair that she seemed to think we should put in the cart.   So upon finding my pair...we went around to the other side and found Firecracker her own pair!  What do you think?

Well we could only shop so long and then it was time to go.  After all, we had found P-pa some camo slip-ons that she was insistent that he have.  (I did try them out this morning and they will come in handy for the little things like running the trash out.   Going and seeing if those two shepherds are ready to come eat lunch yet or not!    Turns out if you miss a weekend, there is double to do this one.   And I think if you have another nice day there might even be more!)

ANYWAY we finish our shopping and check out.   As we go outside it is such a beautiful day that we decide that the park might be a good call.    So we lather up with our sunscreen and take in the south park I guess.  The one with the windmills--in case

you decide to visit sometime.   We tried out the swings--hmmm not sure about how these sit...but those rocks on the playground were quite fascinating!  The sound they made when you walk in them took quite a bit of our time.   We tried out the slide--but didn't go up to the top just yet!   We walked all around and then we tried out the merry go round.    Now this was fun!    Plus it worked well for Gramma because I could walk in circles while playing.   I told the "Great Grand" uncle this morning that she might be his niece...because we made a couple rounds with her holding on tightly just as she was told.   At which point there goes the hands straight up in the air--a look Gramma no hands!!!   

After a while doing this we caught sight of this older kid who had walked by us earlier.   One of those you are not sure why he is all by himself in the middle of the day at the park.   But he spoke to us and asked how it was going and went on his way to swing.   Well Firecracker catches sight of him swinging and is very fascinated at how high he is going.   So nothing doing--we should get closer--at which point she just stops and stares at him.   But the boy smiles at us and I tell him she is very fascinated by his swinging abilities!

Well after all this playing--someone was getting tired!   Really it wasn't just me!!     So we head back to the house and unload all of our loot.   Which happens to also include some cake from our specials at the restaurant.    With the spotting of this container--one of us decides she needs some cake!  NO I DIDN'T HAVE ANY!!    We went and sat in the rocking chair and she ate her cake and then we checked out the new Dr. Seuss alphabet book we found.   Gramma then started singing and certain songs she would shake her head no as that was not a song she wanted to hear.   But we were hooked on 3 blind mice for a while which we did transition into Row Row Row Your Boat.    Then Gramma went in for the kill.   Sometimes when she wants her mom, I will start singing She'll be coming Round the Mountain When She Comes!   Although she had not asked for mom, upon hearing this song she says MAMA!    So I tell her "She'll be driving a silver Mustang when she comes."   And a few more made up choruses and there is a little angel asleep in my arms!   We then rockabye...and she barely wakes up and MAMA was home!   Then special time with my girls...we even played ring-around-the-rosy.   Somehow my falling down wasn't quite as smooth as theirs!

Definitely one of those days you take and tuck away in your heart!   I know that these moments don't come along every day and the time goes by so so fast.   But special days they come along and later I can pull it out and smile as I think about it.   Such a blessing.  I am thankful that Firecracker's parents share this precious gift with me!  

Gotta love Firecracker Flex Fridays!



Just Because...

 So this morning at my kitchen table, I felt inspiration for this blog.  A theme that I have been hearing from all directions--and so I started writing.  It has to do with being there for people not just saying, "If you need something" but just doing something JUST BECAUSE!   
There's a song by Tracy Lawrence "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" written by Casey Beathard and Ed Hill.  Find out who your friends are .   The words go like this...

"Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare

This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie

{Chorus}
You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are

Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your hand
when you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way then you slide back down look up
and see who's around then

This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off

{Chorus}

When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?

{Chorus}

You find out who your friends are
(yeah, yeah)
You find out who your friends are

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
(Well man, I've been there)
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
(Man, I've been there)

Man, I've been there
Oooh yeah."

 So this song always makes me think of my brother, Shane, and his son, Ethan, and a whole "Mini X Fiasco/Adventure" (a story in and of itself).   But my brother is that kind of friend as is his wife (who happens to have a birthday today HAPPY BIRTHDAY JO).  They are the kind who really don't make a big production of it--they just do it--if someone needs help--they try and help them.  Don't ask for anything in return and just do it!

The other day I seen on Facebook where someone told one of my "friends" Jean (I always thought of her as Jeannie in another life I guess--but turns out she is married with sons and I think goes mostly by Jean)  anyway someone posts about how Jean isn't one of those who says if you need help let us know--she just helps.

So as I continue on here at my kitchen table I think of a picture of these cute little girls smiling in their new shirts that were sent by someone for no other reason than  the reward of those sweet smiles.  This same person along with her sister went and visited an older woman in the hospital, that was not even a relative--but a special friend--and took a plant just because.   Well that woman went home and loves that plant and I think more than anything it is a reminder that tells her--you are loved and are special!!   Little things...JUST BECAUSE!

These people inspire me.  That is how I need to be more like--not just throw out there if you need me--even though I mean it.  Turns out when people are down and out--they don't always ask for help or sometimes may not really be sure what to even ask for.

It has been driving in to me more--the message to do more for others and AGAIN..."It's not all about you Penny!"  Okay--Okay I'm learning! 

 As you are well aware I'm sure, we recently went to the National Western Stock Show and I see the bond with my kids (and it makes my heart smile).  A sister going to help and hang out with her brother even though she might not really be a big sheep fan.  Her husband and daughter come along for fun at the show and for support.  Many special friends also showed up.  They really aren't sheep fans, but they show up--JUST BECAUSE!

And then on top of this I got to spend time with an "old" friend--okay face it Phyllis we are getting there!  But we seemed to pick right up catching up on

new and old times.  And even though her and her husband didn't come to Denver for the sheep show--it is quite the sacrifice when a cattle man takes in a sheep show--but they came JUST BECAUSE!

I guess what I take away from this is that we all get little nudges to do for someone.  However, sometimes we try to not listen or just convince ourselves that it really wouldn't be that good of an idea--but again I am sent back to the whole LISTEN...and maybe there is more.  Not only do I hear the question, "Are you LISTENING?"--but, "Are you HEARING?  (Oh yes I am looking right in the mirror when I ask this!)

So maybe tomorrow join me and just try to do one little thing--just because!  I will see what I can do while I am hanging out with my girl on a Firecracker Flex Friday!!!

  



SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!!   (Izzy at the stock show)



Stock Show 2011

So in case you were wondering how it went at the stock show.  I thought pretty well.  Lance received the Champion Suffolk Ram at the stock show.   So there on my kitchen table...is some of his pretty ribbons!

These next group of pics below would be the champion show boy.   Well one of the pics in this collage has me and Izzy (I made the mistake of labeling this picture meandizzygrand and so when I had uploaded on our family site one cousin thought it was titled mean dizzy grand).  However, that was Firecracker and I's job...we got to hold the banners and ribbons, take pictures, and visit with everyone in the stands.  Pretty tough duty--but hey somebody's gotta do it!

 I didn't get a good picture in front of the sign as the ram was a little bit of a...hmmmm I don't think he is a "Diva".    So can only females be Diva's?   What would you call him?   Besides maybe a pain in the...Okay I got off track!   Those showing was mostly Lance and his friend Anna (Thanks to Anna considering she had just got into town moving back like a day or so before the show).   Sister Heather helped out when they needed a spare showman.   It is not really her thing but she is always a good sport and helps out!   My favorite son-in-law wasn't in the ring but I think he was in on the prep!   Since I only come up the day of, I really don't know what all went on behind the scenes at the show!  I think Firecracker enjoyed the whole experience...especially the squeeze cheese and a tote full of snacks!   Time with her Aunt Autumn (Jay's sister pics to follow), and Uncle Lance, and Mom and Dad.   They even got to all take a big bath together...well I guess some call it a swimming pool!

Champion Suffolk Ram...pretty exciting I thought!!

The ewes didn't get any purples....but still did okay.   Need to figure out how to get a little bit lighter pictures.  Maybe I need to drag out my PhotoShop and could help them out???

Includes the Wither and Frame Ewes (I think that is what I am supposed to call them instead of Market and Breeding!!)

I didn't get to put my pictures of the fans posted...so that one might be a little later.   But must say had a fun time at the Ole Stock Show.   The "shepherd" was telling me that they originally started the stock show at this time of year because it was after harvest and before spring calving.  However, it hits us right in prime time lambing season so the "shepherd" didn't get to go.   Which left me to bring the pickup and trailer home from Limon.   I was just thankful that I didn't have to drive it from Denver to Limon.   But from my kitchen table the morning after, I watch as Tim is out driving and backing the trailer all over and I am thinking, "sheesh here I was worried because I had to make right turns!!!   How does he make it look so easy?"  

But was a fun time even if only a day!   I will post later about those friends who came by!   So I think it must be almost bedtime.   Well for some...the shepherd is out birthing babies.   But in the words of one of my favorite lines from Gone With The Wind..."I don't know nothing bout birthin no babies!"   (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

lyp

Am I dying?

As I am sure you have figured out by now that what you get from "my kitchen table" is pretty random.   But it wouldn't be my kitchen table if it wasn't.   You know back to "riding my bike" (that's an older blog) but a constant theme for me.   I have always had a vivid imagination since I was young.   All of my stuffed animals, dolls, and sometimes even flowers had personalities of their own.  I dream in color and sometimes those dreams are to say the least "out there".   (No comments from those who want to add more to this!)   But I guess this was just to give transition into why some things come in my head I do not always know why.   Sometimes I definitely know and those are the ones that I am trying to listen more closely to.

This week I had one of learning.   As I was sleeping away, minding my own business, I was awakened a little before 4:00 a.m. maybe by the hurt in my "Barbie Leg" or NOT.   Because it was as though I needed to go to my kitchen table and read and write.   Well not always being a good listener I readily pointed out...it is cold out there we just had a "blizzard"--really I could do some good listening here...here in the warmth of this bed.   And it was as though I heard "Wa Wa".    Now I know these do not sound like words that one would receive but like I said I am not always a good listener and do not always understand the first time.   But I must say that got me up.

And so in the cold darkness (did I say COLD!) I got up and put on my snuggly robe and fuzzy slippers and strolled out to my kitchen table.   And as I sat there in what seemed as the only light in the whole world--with total blackness and cold out my window...and I know that there is going to be something learned from this illustration.   And later on in the morning I am reading in Jeremiah and I write:

Jeremiah shows me the dark--it seems so dark to me but I am reminded that this was before Jesus.  Jesus came to bring LIGHT for me and there it is again. (light).  There is darkness abound but God is there to bring LIGHT.  Though it may be just enough to see his Word--it is enough. 

I thank you for your words--for your Spirit-even if the words are WA WA.   Because this time here has been a blessing and I am thankful for those moments.  Tender moments of teaching--tiny morsels of Truth.  To be bitten and savored throughout the day.  Some to share and some to Selah (pause and calmly think of that). 

May the Lord keep you as you go about this day!  And I read Jeremiah 10: 23-24 in my Living Bible:

Oh Lord, I know it is within the power of man to map his life and plan his course--so you correct me Lord but please be gentle.  Don't do it in your anger, for I shall die."

And this transitions me to my writings a few days prior that was the oringial theme as to what this writing was titled.  And I wrote:

The thought just came to my head, "Am I dying?"  I know not why I questioned  and even less why I wrote this down.  I do not want to leave those I love--but if that is the path I take it is one to a Better Place and those I leave behind, I have faith will meet up with me in Heaven one day.   But we know not when our time is--But we are all dying--from the moment you are born I guess you are dying.   But I am not dead so while I am here I choose living over dying.  So maybe that is the question I should ask--AM I LIVING? 

It is all how you look at it!   Lord let me live while I am here.   Let me Live!  Let me Love!

And so within this week time frame this whole "living" thing is brought about and I discuss with someone about contentment and I begin to ponder this word--CONTENT.  If you are content where you are--then are you stale and stagnant?   So I am reading along in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers and he writes:

"Are we freshly born this minute or are we stale, raking in our minds for something to do?  Freshness does not come from obedience but from the Holy Spirit; Obedience keeps us in the Light as God is in the Light."

And there it was my illustration of light I was looking for...So this morning to finish this up I am sent right back to Philippians 3:11:

"So, whatever it takes, I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead."

So on this journey of being alive, I mentioned that I am working on my "physical".  The other day I read in the God Calling by A.J. Russell that:

"Think health--and health comes.  The physical reflects the spiritual and mental."

I am thinking that my physical is not just my body, but many of my surrounding "physical" needs a weight loss... remove some of the clutter--get it all into "shape".   So I am working on that part of me as well.   However, on the physical of me, in the last two weeks I have lost 10 pounds. (and I hope to never find them again).   I know I have a long way to go but have had a lot of help (Thanks Angie) from http://www.myfitnesspal.com/.   Those who know me know I love numbers and data bases and I guess this helps make me more accountable!  And also the little voice from Philippians who keeps saying "their god is their appetite."   It is hard to grab something when that keeps playing in your head!

I feel like I get extra "Help" and motivation being in this frame of mind.  Last night I wanted to see how many calories one would burn from doing stairs so I enter them in ..WELL it all of a sudden puts in that I have done stairs on my news feed.   SO in not wanting to appear as though I am putting things I did not do...I got up from my comfy chair that I might not have moved out of and did stairs.   It helped burn off I'm sure that homemade pizza I had eaten!   And the "Barbie leg" survived as well.  (Turns out not a lot of calories are burned just plugging in the exercise--one must actually do it!)   TECHNICALITIES!!!

Like I said when I started this particular blog that...sometimes I am all over the place but wanted to share part of my week at my kitchen table.   Thanks for listening and if you take nothing else away from this I hope you ask yourself ..."Am I Living?"

lyp

Red Neck Girl...Stock Show Update

So the kids have headed for the stock show today.  This morning after gathering everything up, Lance left the Funny Farm and stopped in Limon with the sheep and loaded on Heather, Jay and Izzy.  (I think they got to ride up front;)   Anyway...We have checked in off and on but I couldn't resist sharing these pics I got via the cell phone.  For being such a ham, it is funny how she always seems so serious in her pictures.

There is a song by the Bellamy Brothers...Red Neck Girl...these pictures just made me think of that song.   Firecracker decked out in her pink John Deere boots and Colorado State sweatshirt...hanging out in her Stock Show chair from Uncle Lance with her drink in hand...watching the sheep get ready for showtime!  She is getting way too big--Joe Cool at the sheep show! 

So me and P-Pa will head up early Sunday morning.   Should be so much fun and I get to meet up with an OLD friend...no that doesn't sound right because she can't be OLD because she is younger than me!!   Not by much but still younger.   Will be fun to see you Phyllis!

So for now that's it from the Funny Farm.  The shepherd is just watching for babies--stitch free I might add!  The doctor said we could put makeup on it for now!   After I got up off the floor laughing after we left, I asked as serious as I could..."would you like some makeup?"   And in the line he seemed to use all day he says "It is what it is!"   (Actually he deals with a lot in life that way.  It is what it is...deal with it!)   So I guess the shepherd will just be oh natural!  

lyp

Barbie leg...

I guess be careful what you ask for...perhaps one might think it would be nice to have "Barbie" legs.   But let me tell you a little more!   I have been fighting it for a while now but I have self diagnosed it and got in to the chiropractor today.   I told him as I have told everyone else--I have Barbie leg!    Do you know when you have those old Barbies the ones that have seen lots of playtime?   The ones whose legs seem to come loose from where they belong?   That is exactly how mine felt!    I wonder what the doc thought when I explained to him what I was suffering from.   But everyone is beginning to catch on and asks how my Barbie leg is doing...so don't be surprised if it shows up in some medical terminology description book.   I feel like I have been worked over a little--not sure why the doc didn't just get the super glue out and glue it in that way!

But we are in healing mode here.   The shepherd gets his stitches out tomorrow and has been busy birthing babies!   The young shepherd just pulled in to pick up sheep to head up to Denver tomorrow.   I can hear them on the lamb cam discussing all the new babies.  I on the other hand am sitting here by the fire, finished off a cup of hot chocolate (good medicine for Barbie leg), and waiting for the guys to come in!

So all in all--Life is good here on the Funny Farm!   And hey tomorrow is Friday!! 

It's SHOW TIME...

Well as I mentioned earlier it is almost time for Stock Show.   Next weekend to be exact!    The "BOSS" was here over the weekend getting ready...But as weekends tend to do...it went by way too fast!



There were a few check off items that he said we could do if we wanted...and actually we about got all of them out of the way today.   Okay I get pretty easy jobs...no washing or shearing of sheep, getting the truck ready, or even getting the trailer loaded BUT--here is some of our list we got done today:

Oh and one more SIGN--the...

So if you aren't doing anything on Sunday come on by the sheep show!   See you in Denver!