A Quick Little Update.....

I thought it was time I give you all a little update on the happenings of my life the last 7 months.....
well, it was a longgggg COLD winter with more snow then we could ever wish for!! It's May 14th today, and the temp today is mid 30's. ugh.

My son's senior year of high school is quickly coming to an end. We are trying to finalize all the graduation party details, and doing a little baking for the big event. He has made the decision to stay in North Dakota to continue his education. He will be about 3 hours away from home, which will be great for him, bad for me!! ha!! The next couple weeks will be crazy at our house.....awards night, concerts, senior quilt night, baseball games, track meets, preparation......oh and also a full time job!! This too shall pass, and will be over before we know it.

Two weeks ago, I spent four fabulous days in the Riviera Maya. The following are pics from my short, but awesome trip!!

That's all I have for now......I'm on call this weekend, so will have to write more later. Hope you all have a great week, and the sun is shining in your neck of the woods!!
Please send me some sun!!

Happy Halloween 2010

Since I don't have anyone that dresses up for Halloween, I thought I would share a couple pictures of my great nephew Brooks.......

My Niece Kasey and her son Brooks, love the look on his face!!

Our little lion....

Hope you all had a great Halloween weekend, here's to another week closer to the holidays!!

Happy Fall....Let It SNOW......random post!!

Well, well, well, I have made it back to blog land. I'm once again not making any excuses, just have not had much interest in blogging lately!! Pure honesty!!
This week has been a not so steller week!! We got our first snow storm/blizzard of the season. Had I been scheduled to work in the morning, as usual, I would not have made it in!! However, I was on call and made it with no problem, and better yet, NO TRAUMAS from the storm!! Not sure how we got so lucky.....??
Last week, I was home sick for 3 days, and the remainder of the week I took my son to the 2 largest Universities in North Dakota to meet with admissions and have a tour of the college. It was alot to take in, but I think we had our questions answered. Now to make a decision as to where to go......hmmmm, UND or NDSU?? Oh and I am still not feeling well, throat hurts most the time, and still coughing.
While touring colleges, I got to spend some time with my Great Nephew, Brooks. Wow, hes getting big and is such a good little boy!! My sister is his full time daycare, so she gets to see him daily, it's good to know he's in good hands.

This past week we had to say goodbye to one of my favorite physicians.....Dr Fischbach passed away unexpectedly on October 22. It was not a good day, and has not been a good week at work for anyone. We all knew he wasn't in the best of health, but never did think he would leave us.....at least without a heads up!! I was out of town, and was crushed!! He just recently had learned how to do robotic surgery, which was so nice for him, as he was able to sit at the surgeons console and do his work, rather then the long hours on his feet. (yes, he was not very healthy!!) He was so proud of his accomplishments, and how well his patients did after surgery. However, not as proud as we were of him. He was simply amazing and is missed so much already. Below is a picture of my friends baby and Fisch, he delivered her on October 6th, 2010. He also delivered my son, however, I never did get a picture with him, sadly!!

That's all I have for now.....hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! I'm going to leave you with one of Alex's senior pictures..........

Happy Birthday Brooks Taylor!!

My Great Nephew was brought into this world at 847pm on July 3rd, 2010!!!
Brooks Taylor weighed 8lbs 11oz, and was my nieces 1st baby. Both Mom and Brooks are doing well. Tonight is his first night at home, so we'll see how that goes........

Here he is......

Mom Kasey, Dad Taylor and Brooks

My Nephew Tyler holding little Brooks......

His 1st picture......

Along with all of the baby excitement, we also had a big celebration in my town for the 4th of July!! I had a party that started at my house around 4pm on the 3rd, that was followed by a street dance 1/2 a block from my home. I had many friends here for the fun.......and it was a ton of fun and they cannot wait til next year!!! We also had a 5k run/walk that morning, 6 of my coworkers took part in that.....was awesome that they supported such an awesome event. I'm hoping to participate in it next year...........I was at the registration table this year, ugh.

Here's a few pics from the weekend......
friend D'Ann and son Gunner (she cuts my hair)
Velva High School Football & Baseball Team
State Champions

Little Art was decked out in his 4th of July gear......he loved the parade, fire trucks and of course the candy that was thrown out into the street!! ha!!

That's all I have.......hope you all had a GREAT holiday weekend, back to work tomorrow, ugh!! This weekend, we plan on a trip to meet my Great Nephew Brooks and also watch my nephew Tyler play in the Shrine Football game. Our weekends have been crazy, and doesn't look like its going to slow down anytime soon!!!
Have a great week!!

Finally a Post....mostly pictures!!

Sorry for the lack of/or absolutely NO Updates!! I guess Facebook has taken over, and blogger has been put on the back burner. I've been wanting to show you all some of my pucs from the past 6 months, so her you go......enjoy!!

This is where I spent my 40th Birthday.....way back in December!! I am so ready to go back!! Just a little taste of heaven for you all...........oh my!!

We stayed at the Iberostar Grand in the Riviera Maya, absolutely gorgeous, great staff, nice pools, beach was awesome, adults ONLY, I could go on and on, but I won't.

ME, on my birthday!!

Nice view from the pool area.....love it!!

This was my favorite view of all!! Eder!! He was just the cutest little thing, with a fun personality, would have loved to bring him home with me!! ha!!

OK, now back to the mainland.........

My Niece Brittany graduating in May......she's also my Godchild, so proud of her. She plans on attending college locally, not sure what for though. She lives 30 miles from us, so we get to see her often.

My Nephew Tyler (red) and son Alex. Tyler graduated in May, as well. He is also my Godchild and will be attending NDSU, and also playing football for them.

This helecopter has become my worst nightmare.......I was working in the garage last night when I heard a bunch of noise......walked outside, and this is what I saw, only it was still in the air, almost touching my house!! It landed 1/2 a block from my house, and was just on display for our local ambulance squad for about 15 minutes. It's the helecopter for the hospital that I work for, and is frequently bringing us traumas.......ugh.

My front door. This spring I decided to paint my front door. I went with a blue, I like it. I see pictures of what it looked like prior, and this is so much better.

Another little project.......I think it turned out quite nice.

Lastly, this is Alex in front of the Ralph Englestad Hockey Arena on the University of ND campus. Alex is thinking about college at UND, so we were driving around the college after my nephews graduation.

OK, this is about all I can handle/or have time for today. Please leave my a comment and let me know that you did not completely forget about me!! ha!! It's been crazy here, and the next few weeks will be even crazier!!
Take care, and hope you're enjoying the summer!!

I'm Back......kind of!!

I just spent the last hour updating my blog/background, added a ton of pics and went to publish it and blogger said, I had some illegal characters......UGH!! So, I'm am leaving you with nothing, as I have to get to bed!! Hope you're all doing well, and I promise to get back into this blogging habit real soon. I'm hoping to add some weight watchers ideas/recipes real soon!!

Have a great weekend, will try again tomorrow night!!

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas from OUR home

to YOURS!!!

Wishing you every blessing of HIS love the Christmas

and in the New Year!!!

Here's a few pictures from around our house this Christmas Season.....

Our little mini tree.

Our not so mini tree.

Our dining room tree.......love this one!!

Lastly, this is me in Mexico 2 weeks ago.......needless to say the weather around here looks a little more like the picture below........and as I am typing this we are in a winter storm warning!!!!

I will have more pics from Mexico after the holidays...........it's been a little crazy around here............

Merry Christmas and God's Blessing for a Happy New Year!

A Recipe Post - Apple Juice

If you are wondering what to do with all those apples, how about trying some homemade apple juice?? It's real easy, and tastes delicious!!

Here's what you need......

Enough APPLES to fill a 5 qt pail, cut in quarters, no need to core or remove the seeds.

2 T CREAM OF TARTAR, & 5qts of WATER
Boil the water and cream of tartar, and pour over the cut up apples.
Cover and let sit for 24 hours.


It should look something like this. Next you will want to drain the juice from the apples. I like to use a flour sack towel to drain, it gets all the little particles from the apples. Drain into a large kettle, add 1-2 cups of SUGAR, depending on how sweet you like it. Bring to a boil, and walla, you have APPLE JUICE!! I have canned the juice in the past, but recently, I have started putting in water jugs that I get from work and freezing them. Works great.

and.....here's the finished project!!

Very simple, and you only need apples, cream of tartar, water and sugar!!
That was my project for the weekend, amongst many other little projects around the house....

Last night I attended a wedding of a wonderful couple whom I babysat while growing up. The wedding was gorgeous, and alot of fun. Such a sweet, young couple, I wish them the very best!!

That's all for today, hope you all have a great Sunday, and enjoy the new week!!

FREE CHECKING

This picture was taken outside one of our hometown banks on Thursday morning around 5:30!! Thought it was pretty funny. The crazy part is that this is our main street, that has been dug up and under construction all summer, so theres pot holes, different levels, etc. Unfortunately, they come from my Cousins farm just outside of town.....

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like........

Yep, it's beginning to look alot like Christmas!! We had our first snowfall today.....nothing that is really staying on the ground, and nothing like our first snow fall last year that left us 6 feet of snow!! The wind is nasty, and just plain cold here in ND!! I'm actually missing a home football game tonight, and I love going to FB games here in Velva...it's like a social event for me. Oh well, there will be more FB games!!
My Uncle is recovering from his surgery very well. He had a few setbacks, nothing major,but is doing well now. I visit him a couple times a day, as he's in the same building!! So, thats been cool. Not sure if the nurses appreciate me, but I'm making sure they are on their toes taking care of him!!
Not much else is going on......will hopefully get another post up here before the weekend is over. Enjoy your weekend!!
Rita

Happy Fall!!

It is feeling like fall here!! The temps have been close to freezing, and it's been drizzling for 3 days!! I do love this time of year, even though we have winter that follows.......

Alex leaves this morning for the FBLA Fall Leadership Conference. Short trip, only 100 miles away, and will be home tomorrow sometime. Alex is excited for the event, as he and the rest of the officers are the ones that plan it and put it on....so, it's a BIG thing!! Earlier this week, Alex was chosen to be on the National Executive Board for FBLA for the Mountain Plains Region. Again, one of the many goals Alex has wanted and now has accomplished. The kid amazes me somedays!!!!!!

I will be spending my day catching up on housework....I may run into town for some shopping, and.....I will get to watch Desperate Housewives without interuptions!! Woohoo, who could complain about that??? Anyone want to join me??

My Uncles surgery was postponed last week due to his cardiac issues, but has been cleared and he's ready for surgery tomorrow at 2pm!! Looking forward to having this behind us, so he can move onto the next step to his recovery. Please keep him in your prayers!!

Hope you all have a super SUNDAY!!!

Prayers Please.....

I have a few extra minutes before Desperate Housewives starts, so thought I would post a few prayer requests......

First off, my Uncle Bob will be having a thoracotomy on Tuesday, he has lung cancer......he is having this done where I work, so I will be sure he is VERY well taken care of. He has an excellent Dr, and I have hand picked his OR staff. (not to mention the private room he will get on arrival to the hospital!!)

Please pray for my friend Ann. She lost her beloved Oreo (puppy) last week and is having a very difficult time. Oreo had cancer throughout his whole body, so was put to sleep on Wednesday. Please pray for her!!! I cannot imagine her loss, and typing about it brings tears to my eyes........my little Art must never leave me!!

Oreo, rest in peace buddy.

Also, keep in your prayers Angie. I have been following her Caringbridge website for over a year now, and she FINALLY will be recieving the heart transplant she's been waiting for.....here is the link to her site, www.caringbridge.org/visit/angelaneidererstaub if you wish to visit her. Also keep her donor family in your prayers.

That's all I have right now.....I have had a busy weekend, I'm excited to sit down and watch one of my favorite shows, less then 30 minutes!! woot, woot!!

Have a great week, it's starting to feel like fall here, so I'm sure we'll be doing some outside projects this week preparing for the inevitable.....SNOW!!

Is it September Already??

Once again, I have been missing in action. No good excuses, just not making the time to blog these days. We've been extremely busy at work, which leads to one tired blogger by the end of the day!! However, I am always greeted by little Arthur when I walk in the door.....this is Art on Alex's first day of school. He was a little confused as to why Alex was up before noon and leaving the house looking all handsome.......(you will see that pic at the end of the post)

The following pics are from our trip to Minneapolis. We took very few pics as it was hot and humid the whole time we were there.....mainly scenery pics and of course, my favorite.......

My favorite and one of the many reasons I like going to Komo Park!! Isn't he just the cutest, I love this picture......he looks a little annoyed at all the visitors!!

I tried making pickles this year with some of my cukes......they look good, but I am not impressed as to how they taste. They are OK, just not what I had hoped for. I also made spaghetti sauce, love the Mrs. Wages mix, very good!!

Here's Alex in his FBLA gear.....he has been working on sorporate sponsorships and has not got all of his!! The officers need to get 3, and he got his last one this week.

Here he is on the first day of school. A junior this year, hard to believe....he's been keeping busy with school work and FBLA stuff. He was elected Local Secretary this week, so was happy about that.

As I approach the final 3 months of my 30's, I am realizing that I am not enjoying getting old!! I was hoping for a non-eventful 3 months, but I guess when you are as old as I am, thats not an option. This past week, my favorite Uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer, not sure what type, he's still undergoing some testing, my cousin tried to end her life, I have another cousin in treatment for 90 days for depression/alcoholism, and my friends husband was diagnosed with brain cancer, stage 4, and has 6-12 months to live. So please, keep these people in your prayers!!

My vacation to Cancun cannot come any sooner!!! I leave on December 5th......cannot wait!! I would love to start packing now, but I think I do have time for that later!!!!!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend. I am headed down to my crawl space to find my little tree to decorate for Fall.

Have a great week!!!

Rita