Wings As Eagles: June 2007

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Wheat Harvest: The "Hired" Truck Drivers

Dad started cutting wheat last week and "hired" two new truck drivers - Jena & Krissa. They have never driven a truck before, but did a good job after the first trip.

Dad drove with them the first time to the elevator at Ensign and then the next trip they were on their own. They had quite an adventure and were laughing so hard, it's a wonder they made it back in one piece in an undamaged truck.

They made it to the elevator while video taping their driving. Jena had to back up and the truck died. The guys at the elevator come outside and ask if they need any help; they were laughing so hard that they could hardly answer. Among all their giggles, she managed to get the truck started and headed home.

When Jen & Kris came back into the house, they were laughing so hard and said I just HAD to see what they had taped! They were so right; the video clips are just hilarious. I laugh everytime I see them again!

They had fun and the great part of it is that Dad can continue to cut wheat and not have to stop and take the truck into Ensign. That saves hours of time! He was a little skeptical when he heard about their adventures for their first trip, but he hasn't fired them yet!

Dad's hoping to finish cutting today or tomorrow. Jena has been driving the truck yesterday and today and had done very well so far!

Here is the clip that I think is the most hilarious - Krissa trying to get into gear!




Just acting like silly sisters! They didn't know I was taping as they were throwing wheat! :)




You can see more video clips and photos on my online photo album here.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The date for camp is getting closer...

I can hardly believe it! Why do the days fly by so fast? I looked at the calender a couple days ago, planning what I needed to do in the next few weeks before camp and realized that I only have 3 weeks! Actually now, it is less than 3...

Yesterday I went to Dodge to get my hair done (that wasn't on my list to do before camp, but my hair was in desperate need of trimming and highlighting!) and was able to pick up most of the things I need for memory verse prizes and my Bible lesson. I still need to do some online and eBay ordering for a few other supplies, but I think I have most of what I need.

Since the lessons are on Nehemiah and his return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall, I need to create a replica of a brick wall to hold candy and for some other illustrations. I can't decide whether to cover a thin box with construction paper blocks that I cut to look like bricks or use wall paper that looks like bricks. I'll have to see what works...

I've been studying Nehemiah, but haven't started writing out my lessons yet. I plan to start that next week. And then plan my memory verse games and game questions for each lesson. But that shouldn't take too long and I enjoy doing that! ;)

Plus I need to show Dad how to ship my packages and print shipping labels online since I will be gone for a couple weeks. I don't plan on needing him to do any of it, but in case I am desperate and something needs to be shipped, I want him to be able to send something. Scary, I know, Dad shipping orders!! :) I would have to walk him through what to do over the phone, but I'm sure he could do it. I plan on being able to check things online and stay in touch via email and then ship everything when I come home on Saturday.

Then there is getting meals for Dad for the two weeks. At least Krissa will be home the first week, so she can help with that some, but she will be working most of the time. So Dad will still be by himself. I've already started planning and putting things in the freezer, so it's just a matter of writing up the details. Plus making notes for Dad about what to do with the cats and other things while were are gone.

And there are always a few clothes to alter before I leave, usually not only my own. I only have a couple of shirts to take up, but I'm sure I will have a few more from the girls that I need to do something with.

What's else on my list? Too many things to mention and I would probably be better off starting to do them rather than just sitting here typing! Time to get to work this morning...

Cooking salt to get rid of the onion smell?

I dread handling onions. They have a terrible smell and make my eyes sting and water for hours. But I was almost out of onion in the freezer, so I knew I needed to tackle that job!

I chopped up several onions and dropped spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. After freezing the onions, I removed the onion clumps from the pan and put them into a bag and then back into the freezer to use in the future. This is an easy way to always have chopped onions ready for whatever I am cooking instead of having to chop a little bit every time I need them. Mom did this for years and taught us girls to do the same! :)

There is a bad side to this, though. The onion smell remains on the pans for weeks, even when they are washed multiple times and is especially awful when I heat the pans and bake cookies using them. Chocolate chip cookies and onions - not a good combintation!

Several years ago I started using different pans for cookies and Mom would use the same ones for onions. But I knew there had to be a way to get rid of the smell! After doing some Google searching, I discovered just ordinary salt would take out the smell. Wash and dry the pans, coat with table salt and cook in the oven until salt turns brown (about 20 min.). And guess what? It works! I couldn't smell onion even after I heated up the pans again! Now the pans can be used for somthing other than just onions!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Happy Birthday Krissa!!

I can hardly believe it! My little sister turned 20 years old today! I've been waiting for the day that I can tell her that she is ancient! When I turned 20 that is exactly what she told me, so guess what, Kris?! :)

Happpy Birthday, my dear sister!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Father's Day Excitement!

Since today was Father's Day, Jena, Krissa and I took Dad out to eat after church this morning to Montana Mike's. We were all actually home today and enjoyed eating out together amougst all the talking and laughing! I know, laughing is not too difficult for us girls, but we were able to get Dad in on the fun also!

Jena even took her camera with her. She and Krissa are the photo experts in our family. They do a much better job at remembering to take pictures and taking some expert shots than I do! We also took some pictures before we left for church.








Krissa & Dad

Jena & I

Happy Father's Day!

FATHERS ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE

Fathers are wonderful people
too little understood,
And we do not sing their praises
as often as we should...
For, somehow, Father seems to be
the man who pays the bills,
While mother binds up little hurts
and nurses all our ills...
Father struggles daily
to live up to "his image"
As protector and provider
and "hero of the scrimmage"...
And perhaps that is the reason
we sometimes get the notion
That Fathers are not subject to the thing we call emotion,
But if you look inside Dad's heart,
where no-one else can see,
You'll find he's sentimental
and as "soft" as can be...
But he's so busy everyday
in the grueling race of life,
He leaves the sentimental stuff
to his partner and his wife...
But Father's are just wonderful
in a million different ways,
And they merit loving compliments
and accolades of praise,
For the only reason Dad aspires
to fortune and success
Is to make the family proud of him
and to bring them happiness...
And like our heavenly Father,
he's a guardian and a guide,
Someone that we can count on
to be always on our side.

1990 - The Helen Steiner Rice Foundation
Poem courtesy of mrmom.amaonline.com

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Second trip to the vet

Yesterday I took Skittles back to the vet for her second round of shots. This trip was better than the first. As soon as I got in the car, I stuck her on my shoulder. She meowed the entire way to Dodge, but was pretty quiet on the way home. As long as she is perched on my shoulder, the 50 minutes to Dodge and back is bearable!

Are we home yet?




Where are we going?


So glad to be home!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

What's been going on here...

Let's see...what's been happening the last couple of days??? Krissa returned home from Newton on Saturday late in the evening. She went to bed, exhausted and slept for about 15 hours. She was completely worn out from the last two weeks at CYIA. But she enjoyed the time reunited with friends she only sees once a year. And she is thankful for the opportunity she could spend teaching younger people how to share the Gospel with others and being a godly example to the girls that were there.

She has been back to work this week at the day care in Dodge. She is also looking for a second job to make a little more money to pay her school bill. Dad and Kris have started looking for a car that she would be able to take back with her to school when she returns in the fall.

Jena has been off work the past couple of days. She is working today and tomorrow, then has the weekend off. It hasn't been too busy at the hospital for the last couple of weeks.

We have had rain about every other day, keeping the grass green and trees, flowers and garden watered. There has been plenty of pasture grass for the cattle which has made Dad very glad! And Dad and Jena have not had to do much watering in the yard or garden.

Today is week 5 since Lady's surgery on her leg. We only need to keep her locked up on the porch for one more week! Dad has been taking her with him in the morning to check cattle, which she seems to like. But she will be so glad to be out and running free next week. Hopefully she won't get too carried away with chasing rabbits again!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Studying the Book of Nehemiah

I started studying the book of Nehemiah a couple weeks ago for several reasons. (1) - The Bible lessons at camp this year that I am teaching are on Nehemiah and I'm not too familiar with that book. (2) - I'm trying to stay off my computer late at night. I sit in front of a computer for most of the day, so I really don't need to be on it until 11:00 or 12:00 at night. Plus, what a better way to end the day, but studying God's Word!

I've learned lots of things I didn't know already and I've only been through the first couple of chapters. The book is not very long, only 13 chapters with Ezra being the author. Nehemiah was written after Esther and Daniel and is one of the two last revelations (Malachi is the other) from God to Israel before the New Testament. The main theme of the book is describing Nehemiah's return of the Jews to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around the city.

Here's a summary of the first chapter: Nehemiah was a famous cupbearer living in the land of Persia and the Persian king's trusted confidant. Although living in Persia, he heard of Jerusalem's broken walls, burned gates and grieving survivors and he was greatly distressed because he knew of Jerusalem's significance to God. He confessed the sins of himself and his people (the Jews) before God and asked for forgiveness for breaking God's commandments, statues and ordinances that He had given to the people. He prayed and fasted for days.

Nehemiah's desire was to return with some of his fellow people to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall and restore God's law in the hearts of the people. He prayed for wisdom and strength, knowing that he would only be able to accomplish this task through the Lord's help. Nehemiah realized his own ability was useless unless he humbled himself before God, asking for His help in rebuilding the wall.

It's easy to ask for God's guidance and wisdom in the big decisions that come up. But even in the little day to day things, I am nothing without the Lord. I often get so involved in the little details of my business, daily emails I write, phone calls I make and what I am doing during the day, that I forget to ask God for guidance and wisdom in the tasks I am daily doing. Even the small, seemingly unimportant ones.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Something to ponder

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Through the daily mistakes, wrong decisions and constant blunders I make, God truly makes all things work together for good.

Best Buddies

Contrary to what the photos below imply, Skittles and Rascal have become best buddies. Rascal is about four times her size and could stomp her with one paw, but so far he hasn't been too rough with her yet. Skittles follows him around everywhere, jumps on top of him and attacks his head trying to get him to play with her. It is truly hilarious to watch them play together.

Pounce on him!


Surprise him from behind!


He can't get away!



Planning my attack!


I have to use all four paws!

I've got him now!


He's only 4 times bigger than me!

A little less wind would be nice

Today the wind has been blowing and blowing! Walk outside and you just about get blown away. When I walked to the mailbox this morning (Yes, I do occasionally go outside!! :)) to mail my packages, several of the envelopes almost blew out of my hands. Tomorrow is another windy day to look forward to. It's supposed to be in the 80's with high wind gusts.

Dad has finally been able to plant milo yesterday and today. He worked all day today until dark tonight, so hopefully he will be able to finish the last field tomorrow. The dirt has really been blowing in the fields and he is concerned that he may need to replant some areas. Just have to wait and see...

Jena actually still jogged this evening...in the wind!! Silly girl! Then she took Lady outside for a while with Skittles. Skittles wasn't too happy with Lady or the windy weather, plus she hasn't been outside much, so it's unfamiliar to her.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Just a few notes

Jena and Katrina started for home from Colorado late Friday morning and arrived home about 9:00 in the evening. They were both exhausted from the exciting week, but sooo glad they were able to attend. They had lots of stories to share with plenty of pictures of their new friends, the conferences and beautiful Colorado mountain scenery. I'm sure she will ahve full details and photos posted on her blog in the days to come!

Jena talked to Krissa at CYIA in Newton yesterday afternoon. She was keeping plenty busy with her teaching and devotional duties, but enjoying the week so far. She has only one more week to go before she comes home on Saturday.

Lady is getting tired of being cooped up on the porch day and night. Dad has been tying her up outside several times during the day, which she seems to enjoy, but she is always ready to get back on the porch after a few hours. Her leg seems to be healing well and she is starting to walk on it more and more. Just another 3 weeks to go...

Dad had planned on planting milo last week, but it rained several times last week so it has been to wet. Even today we got a little shower this afternoon. Hopefully the fields will dry out over the next few days, so he can get it planted.

I've spent the last couple of days on the computer surfing the net for fabrics for another embroidered quilt and fine tuning some details on several patterns I've designed that I am trying to publish. There is so much info online that it takes a while to sort through it to find exactly what I want.

When I am searching online, my eye drifts to other search topics, so I have to keep pulling myself back to my original search project. A couple hour search usually turns out to be all day, which is not always what I need to be doing, but I usually find lots of info and ideas by the end of the day. I am constantly on the lookout for web design helps and ideas and trust me, there is so much info regarding web hosting, design and ecommerce that I could read for days and learn so much!!