tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881622918684203452024-03-13T23:33:59.961-07:00Happy Trailsjens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-80264618904774443042010-12-23T11:17:00.001-08:002011-04-08T09:15:38.250-07:00MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBBoZ-InYurItWo3-Klt5bUwg_E5A4NGq_Kl9EH8O64x7GXah53SUvpDlYRi8nCgDIoB-NmTaHbtEnQGr2D7JxD9zJ9dX9IiJOrbvauDTWK3naJriJEo7ydw6mfSY6PrJQgf6mjF_Js_f/s1600/Daniel+at+the+ranch+2010+019.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553974795374568274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBBoZ-InYurItWo3-Klt5bUwg_E5A4NGq_Kl9EH8O64x7GXah53SUvpDlYRi8nCgDIoB-NmTaHbtEnQGr2D7JxD9zJ9dX9IiJOrbvauDTWK3naJriJEo7ydw6mfSY6PrJQgf6mjF_Js_f/s320/Daniel+at+the+ranch+2010+019.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIQ-qWvxtdfwcwA4N-Y5Dr8oNxh2Rqbp4CjpWWKsBbNjVS07A2QyReEfWn6R68uaeTNUokzzGlNK2EYBj-ifcGClsXleMMwc-Il0U6OYzc8G7_cu_fWjb7I2Wel1uWOQCM41mcLRfkZlu/s1600/Monte%252C+Wylee+and+me+from+Mary.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553970610322955586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIQ-qWvxtdfwcwA4N-Y5Dr8oNxh2Rqbp4CjpWWKsBbNjVS07A2QyReEfWn6R68uaeTNUokzzGlNK2EYBj-ifcGClsXleMMwc-Il0U6OYzc8G7_cu_fWjb7I2Wel1uWOQCM41mcLRfkZlu/s320/Monte%252C+Wylee+and+me+from+Mary.bmp" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOPhhj6gp8y1RV5WiIAWXJa2eJ98UEOlmPD6jPOGjNIiJ9RS7LIEta-CzIw_HzqPEtR5Bb1HFIziffaqKY6yYVf5hArZLLsXpKFDR57Sx9a71ugA-NGCwhQYXAgKZE70DYKKjnGGCxt81/s1600/Vulture+mine+with+Mary.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553968107337712146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOPhhj6gp8y1RV5WiIAWXJa2eJ98UEOlmPD6jPOGjNIiJ9RS7LIEta-CzIw_HzqPEtR5Bb1HFIziffaqKY6yYVf5hArZLLsXpKFDR57Sx9a71ugA-NGCwhQYXAgKZE70DYKKjnGGCxt81/s320/Vulture+mine+with+Mary.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz83Qn0oQSwjDTCXcK-WOXS95Rz0WWilBzVpljSORvh57N_nLHseotzP8rXkTrYY0DT8x31P-mtMJSXbVa4uID2rKKoF8M9ghpJ4gGLvdgrrCzy-vbO44_s8SdWLkZTRjiHLVPHRTv1z64/s1600/family+with+pres+heli.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553966999243994674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz83Qn0oQSwjDTCXcK-WOXS95Rz0WWilBzVpljSORvh57N_nLHseotzP8rXkTrYY0DT8x31P-mtMJSXbVa4uID2rKKoF8M9ghpJ4gGLvdgrrCzy-vbO44_s8SdWLkZTRjiHLVPHRTv1z64/s400/family+with+pres+heli.bmp" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStMqdcIhuRVgTBiFQ2b1Z9YgXuANVgbY7oTUMfAI0UsQHJewJgs3FOTaNDiAwhArOVBwVlQBL5wSWIHXQ2yb8PWSapjVC9jnuNkBcohW6RrnVUkXk0oR4sykcTe7IPzxGTDe2ubVoYBjd/s1600/Monte+by+Jan+++11-2010+195.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553966377188546162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStMqdcIhuRVgTBiFQ2b1Z9YgXuANVgbY7oTUMfAI0UsQHJewJgs3FOTaNDiAwhArOVBwVlQBL5wSWIHXQ2yb8PWSapjVC9jnuNkBcohW6RrnVUkXk0oR4sykcTe7IPzxGTDe2ubVoYBjd/s320/Monte+by+Jan+++11-2010+195.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzLjUnt1tVoF8x4sOzzuIRV9C7Uj65tZQfLd2TU3CbyOFOuda8iudM2n7g8G5LxhyjavsP-7Wwh-hmaIb3iHjKOZj6JASQtpbtdlSyhe98IQqcveqk2jg68gYqiW-Tf2T_Hc52LN1Ea4F/s1600/Monte+by+Jan+++11-2010+162.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553965956151553890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzLjUnt1tVoF8x4sOzzuIRV9C7Uj65tZQfLd2TU3CbyOFOuda8iudM2n7g8G5LxhyjavsP-7Wwh-hmaIb3iHjKOZj6JASQtpbtdlSyhe98IQqcveqk2jg68gYqiW-Tf2T_Hc52LN1Ea4F/s200/Monte+by+Jan+++11-2010+162.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbDz618JU5sW1zN_ngfq0VOwyZc0xFfux8bSCJva2nNG30W1sTLwcDg8u_YJji9q0L3gVBf-47PqoptaTAMotJ98L2IWBFQAkqMT_JAfs110bd-4KIRbScreQ1era8hb6LtxlhT_keHFi/s1600/Monte+by+Jan+++11-2010+076.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553965596283969730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbDz618JU5sW1zN_ngfq0VOwyZc0xFfux8bSCJva2nNG30W1sTLwcDg8u_YJji9q0L3gVBf-47PqoptaTAMotJ98L2IWBFQAkqMT_JAfs110bd-4KIRbScreQ1era8hb6LtxlhT_keHFi/s200/Monte+by+Jan+++11-2010+076.JPG" /></a> <br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>It has been awhile since I have posted on this blog. A summer storm took out my computer and printer (horrors!). Luckily, insurance covered it and my Droid phone allowed me to pick up emails and Facebook, but unfortunately, this new computer has a mind of it's own. It changes the font, decides to underline, pops up deleted screens, and worse of all....suddenly deletes everything I have typed! So will start this, and see how long before it all goes POOF in front of my eyes </strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>So what you have missed (unless you have Facebook and email, in which case you have already learned more about my life than you could possibly be interested in), I became a horse owner again. This time I have a 5 year old red roan quarter horse gelding which I call Monte. He is very sweet and calm, and although was trained to be a heeler roper, has done well for me on the trails. Nope, no plans to get a truck and trailer again, or haul back and forth to Minnesota (unless I win the lottery!), so will just ride around the Barber Ranch where I keep him. I feel complete again, but if my health or finances make it too difficult to ride, he will be an easy horse to place in a good home.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>It was an impromptu trip...but so fun, when Lori called to say that her son Nick, who serves in the Marines in the Presidential helicopter detail, was going to be in town when President Obama was flying into Minneapolis. Mom and I got tickets, and met Mary, Lori, Terri and Pam in Minneapolis and not only did we see Nick and meet his girlfriend, Brookie, but we got to see the Presidential helicopter! It was interesting going into the hanger, having to show young Marines carrying guns our ID's, and sign in with our social security numbers, but such a treat to see such an important craft!!!! </strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>I also had a set back in October when I found myself in the ER and hospital with a case of viral meningitis. Bad part....horrible headaches and nausea. Good part...morphine. Another good part was that I was still under Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Bad part....the 20% of the $30,000 bill that I am stuck with. Have another insurance now, which doesn't pay much, so hopefully, will stay well until I go on Medicare....in another year! </strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>November brought a visit from my daughter, Jen, her almost-two year old son, Daniel, and her husband, Niels...and his parents from Holland! Was a fun holiday, and so fun getting to know that cute toddler. Was fun showing the Dutchies Wickenburg, and seeing all the wonderful pictures Niel's father captured. He is a professional photographer, and I was lucky to download all his photos from the trip. I got them comped rooms in Las Vegas for two nights, so while they visited Hoover Dam, Oatman, and the sights in Sin City, Mom and I got Daniel all to ourselves, and had such fun introducing him to the ranch, horses, dogs and cats! Jen has shrunk about 5 sizes due to her new eating plan and excercise program, and looks great! </strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>Mary came to visit for two weeks in December, and as usual, was a whirlwind of energy. We visited the River Preserve and VultureMine, and spend a couple of days in Laughlin and Las Vegas. What we were short on money, we were long in laughs and adventures. She hit Moms "Honey Do" list, and joined me in dance lessons at the Rancher and line dances at the clubhouse. What we lack in dancing ability and coordination, we make up for in make a fun time of everything!</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>And now it is almost the end of another year and approaching Christmas. Tomorrow I will pick up my former roommate, Pam who will stay for two weeks. Will be fun having company over the holidays! And another eventful year will come to an end. I wish I could say that our country is no longer in a war, that the economy has boomed, and that everyone had health care provided. Unfortunately, those wishes didn't come true, but I have been so blessed with wonderful friends and family. My mother will celebrate her 90th birthday in February, and all my sisters plan to be here to mark the occasion. I have Minnesota riding friends coming for Gold Rush Days next month and the Caballeros Ride in April. I am so lucky to live in this dry, warm climate that makes the darn arthritis more bearable, and to have a teaching pension, which keeps me off the streets.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>So start dreaming for the new year. We know that we can't escape the sad times that will surface, but we must keep seeing the beauty of nature, our grandchildren and family, and the joys of friendship. We can always hope and anticipate.....and let's hope that many dreams will come true in 2011. Merry Christmas, everyone!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-57958357248006855142010-09-03T18:36:00.000-07:002010-09-05T17:20:20.593-07:00ROAD TRIP!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzSMdr3M3oMKvoQum1eBEexUybfovw1lH-KVkyYwHqLAkRFplyEwerbBvAZBHylvCsbD0Kw-ijxA1xsabk8BR7BlfIPV_Qg2VHUuMTmrWtwN-EdzJrSF-X4K2AQviFLsSLWLxxlHLyZrO/s1600/Monument+Vally+2010+020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513588321074910418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzSMdr3M3oMKvoQum1eBEexUybfovw1lH-KVkyYwHqLAkRFplyEwerbBvAZBHylvCsbD0Kw-ijxA1xsabk8BR7BlfIPV_Qg2VHUuMTmrWtwN-EdzJrSF-X4K2AQviFLsSLWLxxlHLyZrO/s200/Monument+Vally+2010+020.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdkfglT4Bq223fDRzFPWnPBVpYuStZulAPEQw6HLXdvAjgzcqNbVyPSrswS6V7GV7kan4JLdjEVbjHOWniR71Fdx2NJZmPD8yKfrRZbDWr4JKLpjA4dOb1GtzeQb2We2I6n6HvBpauQ6T/s1600/Monument+Vally+2010+002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513587403846996866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdkfglT4Bq223fDRzFPWnPBVpYuStZulAPEQw6HLXdvAjgzcqNbVyPSrswS6V7GV7kan4JLdjEVbjHOWniR71Fdx2NJZmPD8yKfrRZbDWr4JKLpjA4dOb1GtzeQb2We2I6n6HvBpauQ6T/s200/Monument+Vally+2010+002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpyiOsp4uorIAozozfnu_1eNgsPd-J1ZRz0jVinlaYsa7uL3QMwbFPtVl5sfHAHWMwAj4DSadk4gQ2uBxQvRw55iMBt2bjuIHvFqbc2-MBvGDhPy2l-aViYq8k4CiRSNTiBlxuqZ1WZ_H/s1600/Monument+Vally+2010+085.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513586518874433506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpyiOsp4uorIAozozfnu_1eNgsPd-J1ZRz0jVinlaYsa7uL3QMwbFPtVl5sfHAHWMwAj4DSadk4gQ2uBxQvRw55iMBt2bjuIHvFqbc2-MBvGDhPy2l-aViYq8k4CiRSNTiBlxuqZ1WZ_H/s200/Monument+Vally+2010+085.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBhfAeMO0Nn_SVyASQ1jzjF1sIhJPJOYYCThofsvTtZU7l_5l0VmLED7xkqpJw__IikBbXo5c_KDML1xYs2r323J4PugIPfcuc2OPFSAXfz4Nj_q_Dunt45-m94_UZUNeFJpIvgIONN1y/s1600/Monument+Vally+2010+121.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513586075380987442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBhfAeMO0Nn_SVyASQ1jzjF1sIhJPJOYYCThofsvTtZU7l_5l0VmLED7xkqpJw__IikBbXo5c_KDML1xYs2r323J4PugIPfcuc2OPFSAXfz4Nj_q_Dunt45-m94_UZUNeFJpIvgIONN1y/s320/Monument+Vally+2010+121.JPG" /></strong></a><strong><br /><br /><br /><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9PgPCd_687zZkTDtUmsEqwo8NLUxFFSHWNZGidJlt9myB0WBSnnZl9hmBzBMbkIJlRWz14B7JwGWGCZXbOpzCgNRJwIn4CfEiPwAhbSYAZFC6R1YCKejY441TWehmDJ25qORZoYgu5KJ/s1600/Monument+Vally+2010+061.JPG"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513585209288273026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9PgPCd_687zZkTDtUmsEqwo8NLUxFFSHWNZGidJlt9myB0WBSnnZl9hmBzBMbkIJlRWz14B7JwGWGCZXbOpzCgNRJwIn4CfEiPwAhbSYAZFC6R1YCKejY441TWehmDJ25qORZoYgu5KJ/s320/Monument+Vally+2010+061.JPG" /></strong></a><strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2HRk2nciXZefa4-ydBcaNtV5f2kRAea1VQsJk9rdXGmj0lHCEmAUjvpiAuFLurlx_pXB4OOTmFbAl7Cqf7S6f5WBgTT7niYH-q0U8XaGLx3vPa3O0aTny17g4N3tX1vYhM75FBgXXjA6/s1600/Monument+Vally+2010+133.JPG"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513583380928624658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2HRk2nciXZefa4-ydBcaNtV5f2kRAea1VQsJk9rdXGmj0lHCEmAUjvpiAuFLurlx_pXB4OOTmFbAl7Cqf7S6f5WBgTT7niYH-q0U8XaGLx3vPa3O0aTny17g4N3tX1vYhM75FBgXXjA6/s320/Monument+Vally+2010+133.JPG" /></strong></a><strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></strong><div align="justify"><span style="color:#663300;"><strong>Returning from the humid north country, we entered the heat of Arizona again. After a few days of getting the car cleaned, oil changed and new tires installed, Mom and I grew bored with sitting inside watching the temperature climb. I watched movies on TV....including some John Wayne/John Wayne filmed in Monument Valley. I checked the temps up there (on the northeast border of the state), and discovered the temps would be in the 80's.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#663300;"><strong>Didn't take much to convince Mom to take a road trip, so Wylee was back in his crate in the back seat, and we were off! We stayed at Gouldman's Lodge, and there learned that it was Larry Gouldman who founded the trading post there in 1924 who had introduced John Ford to Monument Valley. Mr. Ford fell in love with the area and filmed his newest western, "Stagecoach" there with a new young actor named John Wayne. The area continued to be used for film for years, right up to Windtalkers" and "Thelma and Louise". Many of the buildings around the lodge were used in the films, including the cabin that was the barracks for John Wayne's character "Nathan Brittles" in the film "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon". We went through the film sets, then took a tour the next day. A native Navaho took us on the tour on the rough dirt road John Ford had made in the '40's. She told stories of their culture and of the films that were made there. The monuments, spirals, petroglyphs and ruins were spectacular!</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#663300;"><strong>On the way home, we decided to make a side trip to the Grand Canyon, and stay in the sunny cool 80 degrees a bit longer. We stayed over at the Holiday Inn in Williams, where we enjoy an evening and morning swim at the heated indoor pool and whirlpool. It felt soooo relaxing!</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#663300;"><strong>On the way home we stopped at the casino in Prescott for an hour, and both came out ahead a few dollars. Lunch was at the Palace Hotel on Whiskey Row, and even Wylee was made welcome and allowed to join us on the patio, where they even served him a bowl of ice water and piece of grilled bacon. Very pet friendly town!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-25049527580676134062010-08-22T10:33:00.001-07:002010-08-22T12:36:48.142-07:006 WEEKS OF GYPSY LIFE!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaC7y-rMahCzjfjQ1xKof1ZyheioEusLlebRmDShUb-uwuzIoyoapdN0bG6DxfJw6dN74TcKPNhV-_haXecJ-yK1mquZ4-8COAZuCCMbQGXFwg-hAleEa7Lhj5B2uW7PR2BulB_PeVPCc/s1600/helena+2010+002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508319027678810098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaC7y-rMahCzjfjQ1xKof1ZyheioEusLlebRmDShUb-uwuzIoyoapdN0bG6DxfJw6dN74TcKPNhV-_haXecJ-yK1mquZ4-8COAZuCCMbQGXFwg-hAleEa7Lhj5B2uW7PR2BulB_PeVPCc/s320/helena+2010+002.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX6KhpJgBKkiEfEyrfLwot-GlY-a0074DN934FKk0-NTuATA-hYFtv60n7fah_Xa0w4T_Ddap2Q4CJCYClxwv2EKWvHT7yGwU_CG5zoEtqVMeBRbvxhfNO_6sSHr7ER3cPk36DPTMh0K6/s1600/helenea+trail+ride+2010+035.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508314687340443986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX6KhpJgBKkiEfEyrfLwot-GlY-a0074DN934FKk0-NTuATA-hYFtv60n7fah_Xa0w4T_Ddap2Q4CJCYClxwv2EKWvHT7yGwU_CG5zoEtqVMeBRbvxhfNO_6sSHr7ER3cPk36DPTMh0K6/s200/helenea+trail+ride+2010+035.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyA552hIOjbtzDDLw60x3qERUrv2-6mikC6IrjcnOAq7QLW3RwnPBlk4qBtRYNAIC2g4-RTVskzhO41se5C3xaZatdGwRhcycnNzrJeCB4ucChwzBnmUS1c0NkjSWN0hUFTsilYKBV2nA/s1600/lori+wedding+049.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508314044725905682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyA552hIOjbtzDDLw60x3qERUrv2-6mikC6IrjcnOAq7QLW3RwnPBlk4qBtRYNAIC2g4-RTVskzhO41se5C3xaZatdGwRhcycnNzrJeCB4ucChwzBnmUS1c0NkjSWN0hUFTsilYKBV2nA/s400/lori+wedding+049.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbANABDjJxcmwuZQ7F8ivoKjDtIGJmf5W8LVmPkm42e10RebNFdB70ZDhVAOPZx6gyrzXkD6VStV2KKL-so0SNIuFYlvCBCM7vS-wO7AtDuJPmCKunFdXCE2yl2KFX9JESgBudJRXl5Cu/s1600/texas+201-+011.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508311307971948978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbANABDjJxcmwuZQ7F8ivoKjDtIGJmf5W8LVmPkm42e10RebNFdB70ZDhVAOPZx6gyrzXkD6VStV2KKL-so0SNIuFYlvCBCM7vS-wO7AtDuJPmCKunFdXCE2yl2KFX9JESgBudJRXl5Cu/s200/texas+201-+011.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUa4_i2zJsVjBsvnvSsS_0854s5y81JCv6MzJuhv27nDeUqM4rhEmwTChH12RkrzcKrUb86S5yx_eopRaeHzriWsFS2iJpHCmC5OsiZesTRKZw60ARZzJvWdIlS8iKJQFVgqXNlaRulro/s1600/Oklahoma+2010+003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508310623336712658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUa4_i2zJsVjBsvnvSsS_0854s5y81JCv6MzJuhv27nDeUqM4rhEmwTChH12RkrzcKrUb86S5yx_eopRaeHzriWsFS2iJpHCmC5OsiZesTRKZw60ARZzJvWdIlS8iKJQFVgqXNlaRulro/s320/Oklahoma+2010+003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOFcX0ScNu7lVhH4-9DqvuCNaNBnHAbotdhWXcgqjKbgB_qMOQ7Y4hm1Ai7Wrk8rK_xL3HwDaoyz-N7Pz9d6kFeiGnq6-DOxoGA2JnfpHBJKfaahRJCPsLASVNuBNR9-BA2y2e120wUs0/s1600/Dohertys+and+casino+003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508307887414869330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOFcX0ScNu7lVhH4-9DqvuCNaNBnHAbotdhWXcgqjKbgB_qMOQ7Y4hm1Ai7Wrk8rK_xL3HwDaoyz-N7Pz9d6kFeiGnq6-DOxoGA2JnfpHBJKfaahRJCPsLASVNuBNR9-BA2y2e120wUs0/s200/Dohertys+and+casino+003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUEnBwdx4LQtUFJh7kwHPvr8tilRQpc_DX5_DGYEvwPKvg-BVxzzOBdXZ6oDNave26AL2DIdPaZ5sOyYjeyBIJtbQJSGIeJ2AOWF7w2z8wm9V6TglJKRYdXgV9RjkFQcvQlGY855B7OTq/s1600/hayward+Sunday+048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508306318020665682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUEnBwdx4LQtUFJh7kwHPvr8tilRQpc_DX5_DGYEvwPKvg-BVxzzOBdXZ6oDNave26AL2DIdPaZ5sOyYjeyBIJtbQJSGIeJ2AOWF7w2z8wm9V6TglJKRYdXgV9RjkFQcvQlGY855B7OTq/s400/hayward+Sunday+048.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZihQUXTG5DGvv4lbSfKiojL545aRives6uZ11taohbw4BynkYOVEUtN6QQWpn1KIAiXcD1KHIuS3QeJDFazFVNGQBfIyO6iqW0ADqkEN8F94mylSvqAUSgM4oEyVo9g899JGHVCQyh2P/s1600/lori+wedding+063.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508303841490991842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZihQUXTG5DGvv4lbSfKiojL545aRives6uZ11taohbw4BynkYOVEUtN6QQWpn1KIAiXcD1KHIuS3QeJDFazFVNGQBfIyO6iqW0ADqkEN8F94mylSvqAUSgM4oEyVo9g899JGHVCQyh2P/s400/lori+wedding+063.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZpVKqJxtXPe4lpklV8cAVtyaLXEIqS_57ycZlhI6FBvDDMOVXYMkZgPmWKpWAHagZd86GdvQDzfm8rYAroCT_ml1MINOSAmhx0OjNBiU2d2RpkAii3wD27EDok0TPQz5-BfmhHCvvYnJ/s1600/hayward+2010+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508301187136546610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZpVKqJxtXPe4lpklV8cAVtyaLXEIqS_57ycZlhI6FBvDDMOVXYMkZgPmWKpWAHagZd86GdvQDzfm8rYAroCT_ml1MINOSAmhx0OjNBiU2d2RpkAii3wD27EDok0TPQz5-BfmhHCvvYnJ/s200/hayward+2010+012.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#003300;"><strong>After 5000 miles, 13 states, 7 motels, 12 beds, and 6 weeks we have returned to Arizona. We enjoyed casinos in Laughlin, Helena, Hayward and Iowa ( with equal wins and losses....and lots of goodies in Helena!), National Parks in Zion, meeting Mom's newest great-grandchild ( note the four generation picture of Mom, Ann, Nettie and Hani),sightseeing the beauty of Montana, catching some fish in northern Minnesota, raiding Lori's garden in Hibbing (and getting talked into making pickles), laughing at the antics of Mom's second to last grandchild, AJ, Kaila's son in Hayward, enjoying the hospitality of John and Terri at their fascinating house and beautiful landscaping, spending a week at a cute lakeside cabin on Grindstone Lake (THANKS Mary and Reagan!) attending Lori's touching wedding and funny dinner in Duluth and reception in Hayward, laughing at watching the antics of toddlers Daniel and AJ and and quickly growing CJ,a quick visit to Kelly and CJ in Big Lake (Chris was working in Wisconsin, and their water pump was out, leaving them with no water on a hot, steamy day.....house was all sparkling clean for our visit, but last thing she needed was company with no water!), spending a few more hours with the deJongs by meeting them at the Mall of America to go through the Underwater Adventures and see the joy of discovery on Daniel's face, a fun pot luck and bonfire with my riding and camping friends in Zimmerman (THANKS Pat and Dee!), a great lakeside room at Terrible's Casino in Iowa (played all night with our twenty on the new Goldfish...and won on John Wayne!), a free room and Clay Cooper show at Branson (had to attend another timeshare presentation), then impromptu visits to the Precious Memories Chapel , the Chapel with the largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere in Groom, Texas, and the historic El Ranchero hotel and restaurant in Gallup, New Mexico. A long 12 hour drive yesterday got us home at 5 last night. We were both in bed early, but woke to a thunderstorm and rain during the night. This morning was not only hot, but unusually humid!</strong></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#003300;"><strong>It was wonderful seeing family and friends and doing some sightseeing, but was good to see home again. Was disappointing to learn that the pool will not be done with it's remodeling until next week, but the AC keeps the house comfortable, and the sun is shining again today. The gypsies show on the road has folded....until next year???</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-78806958326440860432010-06-27T18:46:00.000-07:002010-06-27T20:18:26.400-07:00LAST DAY IN OHIO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52vYjAYc6YQejRTaAXJB6L1d9i_MVMEaJyMbJb_Pgu8FZfc0czwJFWXOt6O96wcalS6TjDs5-YlVEGScIg29_StOg8-rFykwpDmlyKTIRotyak3D_C76zjzK2_sPgAtLWfWvdBdRiA8HS/s1600/P1120900.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487658635047811218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52vYjAYc6YQejRTaAXJB6L1d9i_MVMEaJyMbJb_Pgu8FZfc0czwJFWXOt6O96wcalS6TjDs5-YlVEGScIg29_StOg8-rFykwpDmlyKTIRotyak3D_C76zjzK2_sPgAtLWfWvdBdRiA8HS/s400/P1120900.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK964Ydni_9mWPECPWzMcK4PjbtNMJvfI3RmzOHzDA8uTd9YSRZHq0FB9qBrijSyBVJYfla9L_Jz0KYlAdmpVmcLewC04VvxUZA1mw2Dw0OWIrHss77xABeTibB3RIdDlqNohm-vFTvink/s1600/P1120891.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_YUg96yKZvGeuHNxhr2JL8dUHyAj0fQ2uOmWJmNSEGiW8fQv4C-Cj31sCfAGzvHeZ0wVW_oij1k9594GcGvXrque3B4mqqbgwoA1M_PPKahVWY4dTxaE0ecdbqnCSDQplhzWfKLu4xX3/s1600/P1120901.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyj-r4UsYp_cmuH2sRuNMnzkYHZ15zV64ne2hyH-ABzuZGol98Z1Zjm_l_2NSzB8BzfR0rhWvOSDdJu9MpsIq1YQCMRaj1dfvo7HmZG_AuLUNQd4bJ5KCrbnDEqNNTHoF_ZbkS82J6e_E/s1600/daniel+(16).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487653703759203698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyj-r4UsYp_cmuH2sRuNMnzkYHZ15zV64ne2hyH-ABzuZGol98Z1Zjm_l_2NSzB8BzfR0rhWvOSDdJu9MpsIq1YQCMRaj1dfvo7HmZG_AuLUNQd4bJ5KCrbnDEqNNTHoF_ZbkS82J6e_E/s320/daniel+(16).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuMGrr_UKRvRxZXJ4CdaclYN8KiNvMWCgm1l89U3QdE9YrOgO-wh5idNSIXsXXi7FIdV0hom17ujR66w9-cpcmZRszU-pXVxOGIJ6OVqllV3-51DSt2dq32Cr0_pteEwCwHm-WXKkHwbi/s1600/P1130007.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487650795380138834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuMGrr_UKRvRxZXJ4CdaclYN8KiNvMWCgm1l89U3QdE9YrOgO-wh5idNSIXsXXi7FIdV0hom17ujR66w9-cpcmZRszU-pXVxOGIJ6OVqllV3-51DSt2dq32Cr0_pteEwCwHm-WXKkHwbi/s320/P1130007.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPAnQ_0gcLMCsObFyykGuU8_xMwLdyhPPAIEpIFJOz2dsnduwG1oCpyxdqejR-2CAcbXReB3Emr_2JpUCQ2jUkVceeTfcodevNUP73W0LOrbzTc0_x27-S8xt6nuwy5W0MwKBpzbn_7gH/s1600/P1120910.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487649978807347682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPAnQ_0gcLMCsObFyykGuU8_xMwLdyhPPAIEpIFJOz2dsnduwG1oCpyxdqejR-2CAcbXReB3Emr_2JpUCQ2jUkVceeTfcodevNUP73W0LOrbzTc0_x27-S8xt6nuwy5W0MwKBpzbn_7gH/s320/P1120910.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOW9LVOxdxtl87XxEeCpw23V-qnYn1R_fSiX3CyMj5II_7TDL0uhdVHEP8ycQtCQxMEIqykZKRw3S7pfgxt3IVBBI_X2N1vZopd7OWqpT-XsOCCYktUGRTLE2Gj2Urov356tsgjd4sYAU/s1600/P1130044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 10px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 5px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487644316736413538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOW9LVOxdxtl87XxEeCpw23V-qnYn1R_fSiX3CyMj5II_7TDL0uhdVHEP8ycQtCQxMEIqykZKRw3S7pfgxt3IVBBI_X2N1vZopd7OWqpT-XsOCCYktUGRTLE2Gj2Urov356tsgjd4sYAU/s320/P1130044.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEd7pfYICTQp_BETI9o2j9D37TD0NVfcu1RaKyNcV6CVI-iGQN_Ee0VuTjCWtZQoK7bEzn7NkYdUbRnxi1j28NQpTS86vcgAm5kmhyphenhyphen_qMV_6LxY9FYZGFDc8CCMt_4Q2rOdFsuW0bzAkz/s1600/P1130082.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487643460376175650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEd7pfYICTQp_BETI9o2j9D37TD0NVfcu1RaKyNcV6CVI-iGQN_Ee0VuTjCWtZQoK7bEzn7NkYdUbRnxi1j28NQpTS86vcgAm5kmhyphenhyphen_qMV_6LxY9FYZGFDc8CCMt_4Q2rOdFsuW0bzAkz/s320/P1130082.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD3ymNACKkfdjGsAFiJfiXqq_9z_XUimwEuNxj9A8YtkFYdXdLPGQgoX54KYYjYvzN1zTs-jWaHI2t7FRVF3r-7iFR_i1xIYYd4cjaeL5T46Imp8p7wzeN4FtEWKp9H5tAAuDzUxcXyuW/s1600/P1130012.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487642598150524354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD3ymNACKkfdjGsAFiJfiXqq_9z_XUimwEuNxj9A8YtkFYdXdLPGQgoX54KYYjYvzN1zTs-jWaHI2t7FRVF3r-7iFR_i1xIYYd4cjaeL5T46Imp8p7wzeN4FtEWKp9H5tAAuDzUxcXyuW/s320/P1130012.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJUaeGBMEqdQzOf8g2VoPNzj9wN1Yo1jLY0ftDIxd75lH_To-GniI_QDq6rFCJCZEKQfXpJ0YVx1_n7o3OeYgBVHEIyiuGSmb2oX6GOJ78OlUM6UeOnGnqFIsOVC4OfBPqwfQjaFQEAhm/s1600/P1130094.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487642179842677906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJUaeGBMEqdQzOf8g2VoPNzj9wN1Yo1jLY0ftDIxd75lH_To-GniI_QDq6rFCJCZEKQfXpJ0YVx1_n7o3OeYgBVHEIyiuGSmb2oX6GOJ78OlUM6UeOnGnqFIsOVC4OfBPqwfQjaFQEAhm/s320/P1130094.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn36CeCUbgYe9WRTYVzVnj6AIrPbciC8lCSJHxcKtQNSgh0A8eQs1MvedRR3fhMvX8Q2PgEj06RRKfMKHEtczcRLbUEXEqqmK5FILQ-aLSAX9dHZwkUNeIvAjAzZkSDiM0823yn6QLRHl/s1600/P1120890.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487641615955400210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn36CeCUbgYe9WRTYVzVnj6AIrPbciC8lCSJHxcKtQNSgh0A8eQs1MvedRR3fhMvX8Q2PgEj06RRKfMKHEtczcRLbUEXEqqmK5FILQ-aLSAX9dHZwkUNeIvAjAzZkSDiM0823yn6QLRHl/s320/P1120890.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ORKF3HW8NyrxgCWuty59FmEg358TPomTzNPll5E_mQgqSLLNHgc6-m_iacG1vaYvep65roiSztXEemViiamv-jTbcsGe49-Hsim2tTC_QJeoIx4HKakXUfcMLw7qOmMGN6wvVbopxJqF/s1600/P1120896.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487640754041495346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ORKF3HW8NyrxgCWuty59FmEg358TPomTzNPll5E_mQgqSLLNHgc6-m_iacG1vaYvep65roiSztXEemViiamv-jTbcsGe49-Hsim2tTC_QJeoIx4HKakXUfcMLw7qOmMGN6wvVbopxJqF/s320/P1120896.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#660000;"><strong>As thunder booms outside my window, I am preparing for my last night at my daughter's home in Ohio. She is well on her way to recovery from her surgery, and ready to give up her temporary housekeeper and nanny. It has been fun getting to know my grandson, Daniel, who is a bright and funny boy. It has been two and a half weeks of makeovers, trips to Amish country, feeling what it like to be in high humidity again, taking Daniel to the park and library, loading and unloading a dishwasher at least once a day (quite a change from cooking for one!), baking cookies, teaching Daniel to go up and down the stairs and in and out of the car (saved my back....he is a BIG boy!), introducing him to the fun of a wading pool on a hot day, picking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dandelions</span>, and lots of chasing an active toddler! I also lived in the home of two techies who live on their computers and Blackberries, so I learned to use a fancy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">coffeemaker</span>, satellite TV, a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wii</span> fitness video, and a talking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">treadmill</span>!!!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Incidentally</span>, after all this time on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">treadmill</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wii</span> I am UP 2 pounds!!!!! NOT RIGHT!!!!! And we didn't even eat out a single night!</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-35913739875194788992010-06-14T13:22:00.000-07:002010-06-14T13:48:45.437-07:00PLAYING GRAMMA IN OHIO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_rD03eGTG2zVjA1g41wpDtnIhmBHX1Q_4eTfXkyw-jDrv3R1TODkY4xtId9ydbco6mv0pV-YHKmiJqqBQsriGjqhqhdUCmriMI9s1S1tsG5CqQVgNtUVyjWDiVFuGKQSGy0hmltoDki1/s1600/P1120814.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482733860229066210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_rD03eGTG2zVjA1g41wpDtnIhmBHX1Q_4eTfXkyw-jDrv3R1TODkY4xtId9ydbco6mv0pV-YHKmiJqqBQsriGjqhqhdUCmriMI9s1S1tsG5CqQVgNtUVyjWDiVFuGKQSGy0hmltoDki1/s320/P1120814.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWIB1VZcDPz-b2ccdpEpmTKCXkupUQQW0UBLGiK_oa1E1__jpcTa3P2huL03MLt_3gf_VOIBkPPUAFj_v88zRcX1S4rUBbkiUvi27yh8F0sY2uZWXmSmqcCZwEWHpTXH5HETHILW5NNqD/s1600/P1120796.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482733362868055938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWIB1VZcDPz-b2ccdpEpmTKCXkupUQQW0UBLGiK_oa1E1__jpcTa3P2huL03MLt_3gf_VOIBkPPUAFj_v88zRcX1S4rUBbkiUvi27yh8F0sY2uZWXmSmqcCZwEWHpTXH5HETHILW5NNqD/s320/P1120796.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>In this day and age, a woman is often made to feel inferior if she doesn't have the huge boobs like a Hollywood starlet. However, my daughter had the opposite problem...an abundance of bosom! Rather that be proud of her assets, she resented that they caused her back and neck pain, and made it difficult to find clothing that fit and didn't gap. Now that she has had her baby and lost the baby fat plus a few pounds more, she requested and received permission from her insurance company to have a breast reduction. As her weight lifting would be restricted and my grandson is a hefty 32 pounds, she called on her mommy for assistance....which explains my presence in Ohio!</div><br /><br /><div>I came the day before the surgery so that I could have time to get reacquainted with Daniel and learn his schedule. The surgery went well, she is home, and we have settled into a routine. Niels went back to work today, so when Daniel was ready to get up at 7 am (that is 4 am in Arizona!!!!), I got him up, dressed and fed him a breakfast of cheerios and fruit. We then had a couple of hours to play, which today was out in the back yard and on the deck, then he goes back down for another hour nap. That is my time to do some laundry, and go downstairs to use the fancy talking treadmill and Wii Fitness!</div><br /><br /><div>When he awakens, I give him a lunch of yogurt, granola and fruit, then more play time. Since CJ's favorite DVD was Baby Einstein's "Old McDonald's Farm", Jen got it on Netflex and we introduced Daniel to the wonderful world of television. He loves it....especially when the dirty pigs come on! Daniel goes back down for a second nap about 2:30, and today I baked chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. I thought he'd be up by now to help me lick the spoon and bowl, but he must have really gotten pooped out playing outside this morning!</div><br /><br /><div>Niels gets home about 5, then it is Daddy time! I'll fix dinner while Daniel gets to play with Daddy. Meals have been easy so far as Jen's friends have brought over food, and she has cooked extras and frozen some, but we are looking forward to tasting a recipe she found for Caribbean Chicken as soon as the frig is cleared out of leftovers.</div><br /><br /><div>Jen has been enjoying catching up on sleep and being child-free for a couple of days. She has very little restrictions other than the weight lifting, so other than the bruising and some tenderness, she is feeling pretty good. We went to church yesterday, and afterwards I took this picture of her in her pretty green shirt to show the difference with the before and after. She looks great!!!!!</div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-50561379601996530682010-05-21T11:43:00.003-07:002010-05-21T12:06:03.663-07:00BACK IN THE SADDLE!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo35X8oSx2Q8lD5wEYFDNzF88r8rgGEPbns-vSyPm26bJVIBSrGmDahPpbiqB0WyXre1D1aKxVMoNqKOh0TiqxCB5R00PAt785xuO7sQUgytz0wcB3tCiOUfGixzZ5ZTAtVbytRg3sGr2V/s1600/P1030554.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473800076967310466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo35X8oSx2Q8lD5wEYFDNzF88r8rgGEPbns-vSyPm26bJVIBSrGmDahPpbiqB0WyXre1D1aKxVMoNqKOh0TiqxCB5R00PAt785xuO7sQUgytz0wcB3tCiOUfGixzZ5ZTAtVbytRg3sGr2V/s320/P1030554.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c_EccU1ClMQ_-lvCyxyTbBChNsJWf8PoOwR116zISbojOtoO6hSz9yKbywYS_60vzlKE_EXWFgoLua4fnne-dsr90_uobcgfQBYrnvzt6TURCC_7wex0oQm8zNkjjc4a0DlKxvGR0Am0/s1600/P1030547.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473799708156473666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c_EccU1ClMQ_-lvCyxyTbBChNsJWf8PoOwR116zISbojOtoO6hSz9yKbywYS_60vzlKE_EXWFgoLua4fnne-dsr90_uobcgfQBYrnvzt6TURCC_7wex0oQm8zNkjjc4a0DlKxvGR0Am0/s320/P1030547.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-9r4G0bVjfyW7iaS2WuDp3uhb1kUh191odSgREl2PFYKME6vVwp4cVU6EcgQJ4-rpgaWn-yzYiw4REPtLNNmvoIk7ngMXUVTQ7n85BEqz00l2NndAEQLJP-o5ZVzcx9N0cR68LaM3xKz/s1600/P1030545.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473796573729226802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-9r4G0bVjfyW7iaS2WuDp3uhb1kUh191odSgREl2PFYKME6vVwp4cVU6EcgQJ4-rpgaWn-yzYiw4REPtLNNmvoIk7ngMXUVTQ7n85BEqz00l2NndAEQLJP-o5ZVzcx9N0cR68LaM3xKz/s400/P1030545.JPG" /></a><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330099;"> Spent a wonderful afternoon on the 19,000 acre Effus Ranch which is owned by an interesting woman who's family has lived in the area for generations. She was very knowledgeable and pointed out the various mountain ranges and closed gold mines, and shared her memories of the history of the ranch and her life. I rode a cute buckskin gelding named Pecos ( and who I mistakenly called "Pickles", until I asked why he had such a strange name!!!!)</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330099;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330099;">There wasn't a cloud in the bright blue sky, and the temps were entering the 90's, but there was a cooling breeze, no bugs, and spectacular scenery. I was even able to see the Coyote's stadium in Glendale, 80 miles away, while I was up on a high ridge. And NO snakes were spotted! Her border collie and Australian Shepard dogs ran along with us, and we enjoyed seeing the first blossoms on the saguaros, the bright orange foliage on the occatillo, and the deep yellow blooms on the prickly pair. And best of all....I saw a rare crested saguaro!</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330099;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330099;">Felt so good to be back in the saddle and riding through the spring desert again, although I missed my own saddle and the smooth gaits of Bart. But, I got my horse fix for awhile again, and loved every minute!</span></strong></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-66635411159282410202010-05-18T11:50:00.000-07:002010-05-18T12:40:34.150-07:00MOTHER'S DAY 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZHy3jHMTyHyChGwex5kimh6eLJyejfn7mYA5IGe2B7jWYYUIVIh0_NGcyqhO3Pe7N8B2oC3cODERaSytgbVBqkWBV9euagqbDnyzeYIH2dKjPjWeu91jkDW9wdoYBc1Z1XziAxv-CrJQ/s1600/P1030525.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472689218212437586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZHy3jHMTyHyChGwex5kimh6eLJyejfn7mYA5IGe2B7jWYYUIVIh0_NGcyqhO3Pe7N8B2oC3cODERaSytgbVBqkWBV9euagqbDnyzeYIH2dKjPjWeu91jkDW9wdoYBc1Z1XziAxv-CrJQ/s400/P1030525.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I reminisce of Mother's Days of my youth...of picking a bouquet of dandelions to proudly present to Mom, of making her breakfast to take to her in bed with crayon-made napkin and place mat, of turning her bed down and laying out her nightgown the night before, and buying a gift with my babysitting or pop bottle collecting money. Dad often bought her a corsage to wear to Mass, and she would proudly show it to the many other mothers who also had a flower pinned to their Sunday best dress.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Do kids do these things for their Moms, anymore? I presented Mom with an orchid corsage to wear to church on Mothers Day this year, and she said she had looked around and discovered that no one else wore one. She was so proud of hers, and wore it for a few days when she went to play cards. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Traditions change, as do mothers. When I was growing up, my mother was home when I came home from school, and often had a fresh cake or cookies waiting for us. She raised five daughters, kept an immaculate home, prepared fresh-from-scratch meals, ironed our non-permanent press clothing, and helped Dad with his duties as a Game Warden.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Today's mom's have fewer children, more conveniences with washers, dryers, dishwashers and easy to care for clothing. They have full-time jobs outside the home, and return exhausted and to cook, clean and do laundry when all they want to do is close their eyes and rest .</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Motherhood has never been easy, and children are not always easy to love. Every generation thinks the will do so much better than the previous one in mothering, but maybe we just do it differently. Some mothers are loving, multitaskers with organized, clean homes, balanced budgets, home made meals, and well-behaved children. Others sadly make mistakes, perhaps perpetuating the mothering skills they learned from their own dysfunctional mother.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>But it is a tough job, and all usually do the best they can with what they know. I was blessed with a wonderful Mom who I love dearly and who is also one of my best friends. As she approaches her 90Th birthday, I am very aware each day that it may be the last I share with her. I always wonder if this year will be my last Mother's Day card to select, and the last time I will share a Mother's Day brunch with her.</div><br /><br /><div>Our mothers are precious, and we need to honor them. Thanks, Mom....for all you do. I love you.</div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-32007655300515413572010-04-10T13:50:00.000-07:002010-04-14T14:34:52.668-07:00THE FUNERAL<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1becPB16eV4NkyKLW4K4utx0QGxj8cZJON2UVgoatfu1BdqjXeT8HNljxe0Xs-EvLEaKvFM2fVK8QLx166PjqF2L0N9af97rUzpIt25T5kPo3z0Ijliz8geeqDaDNFXaZHnrcojE9BB6F/s1600/Las+Damas+5+day+ride+2009+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460107771734215634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1becPB16eV4NkyKLW4K4utx0QGxj8cZJON2UVgoatfu1BdqjXeT8HNljxe0Xs-EvLEaKvFM2fVK8QLx166PjqF2L0N9af97rUzpIt25T5kPo3z0Ijliz8geeqDaDNFXaZHnrcojE9BB6F/s400/Las+Damas+5+day+ride+2009+003.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://emanthei.blogspot.com/2010/04/funeral.html">http://emanthei.blogspot.com/2010/04/funeral.html</a></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-35236871681698365162010-03-24T18:35:00.001-07:002010-03-25T08:21:47.983-07:00HANGIN' UP THE SPURS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8XX3-xbveYg2_Ho_oaHIXyo256nz9p3y7kqmfqyExH_LSSczl1QKqS6zDAA0C7g1GgoyQFHgrFUWecwEhkUMLoQZc1Do9HP74Q1FQAojSKLyqzZfquWF7F-dL6iwTCCYhsRMxsnyRAcR/s1600/trail+ride+5-26-08+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452383582638497794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8XX3-xbveYg2_Ho_oaHIXyo256nz9p3y7kqmfqyExH_LSSczl1QKqS6zDAA0C7g1GgoyQFHgrFUWecwEhkUMLoQZc1Do9HP74Q1FQAojSKLyqzZfquWF7F-dL6iwTCCYhsRMxsnyRAcR/s400/trail+ride+5-26-08+005.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>There is a poem called "When Cowboys No Longer Ride" that is about the old cowboys in the nursing home. Those who rode boldly and skillfully chased the steers now sit in a quiet room with curling Charles Russell calendars on the wall. I first heard it at a Cowboy Poetry gathering, and the tears flowed as I heard the old cowboy recite the poem about ageing and transitions.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>A year ago, my good trail buddy, Bets, and I were riding Sweet Pea and Bart up the trails of Turtle Mountain, and remarking of the beauty of the cactus in their spring blooms. Who would have guessed that a year later Sweet Pea would have been put down due to a deteriorating leg problem, and that Bart would have been sold and heading to Montana. And no one would have thought that both Bets and I would be hanging up our spurs the same month.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>Since getting her new mare, Bets has been in the ER three times. Lena stepped on Bet's foot, jumped going under a bridge causing Bets to hit her head, and last week, as Bets stepped down after a ride, she fell and hit her head. Yet another trip to the ER left her with a diagnosis of a concussion and severely strained neck. This feisty woman who reminds me so much of Katherine Hepburn, had to accept the conclusion that her riding career was over. </strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>So as the desert displays her spring glory of greening grass, bluebells, golden poppies, and orange splashes, two riders will not be enjoying the show. My horse and trailer have been sold, and Bets has an ad in the paper this week for Lena. We have both shed many tears, and will do so for some time, I'm afraid. All my possessions that were in my trailer are spread out in my car port for a garage sale this weekend. So many, many wonderful memories. As the neighbors walk by and inquire as to why I am selling, I find myself tearing up again. </strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>And so Bets and I are in a transition. Our time with our horses has been magical, but at some point, all cowgirls have to hang up their spurs. It is never an easy decision. I see a woman in a western hat out for her walk every day, and when I once asked her if she missed riding she said "Everyday".</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><strong>It is hard to think of when "cowboys no longer ride".....and just as painful to think of the cowgirls who's riding careers have come to an end. So we must once again "Cowgirl Up", and face a new life with new possibilities. Transitions....when cowgirls no longer ride.</strong></span></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-48389582734760086652010-03-18T11:55:00.000-07:002010-03-18T12:33:20.633-07:00Los Algodones<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000066;">Enjoyed a fun week in Yuma and Los Algodones, Mexico. It is said that there are more Canadians in this border town than Mexicans during the day. This is due to the number of Arizonans and Californians who go for the cheap dental and eye care. I had my doubts, but the town was very clean and friendly, and the dental and eye clinics were immaculate and very modern. The streets are lined with clinics, and you can just walk into a clinic and get new teeth, crowns or eye glasses the same day. And in between appointments, you can wander through the vendor booths or sit in the plaza enjoying a cool drink and empanadas while listening to local musicians. At one restaurant, a group of 12 mariachi musicians came in to serenade, and were soooo good!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000066;">A new casino and hotel was recently built by the tribe, and had a gorgeous pool and spa area that I snoozed in to soak up some warm sunshine. The casino was fun, the games paid well, and the player points paid for the meals. Live music was played each night....Western one night, Latin music the next, and rock the next.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000066;">I was glad I toured the Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, as it is one that is being considered for closing for the state budget cuts. Thinking about how those prisoners lived in those stone cells in the heat of the summers was sobering. So many of the western movies have dramas about taking prisoners to the Yuma prison....and it was intriguing to read of the various prisoners who were incarcerated there, including the man who killed Johnny Yuma. I walked through the prison cemetery, and wondered if they separated the graves by race or sex. The tombstones have long been stolen, but the piles of rocks over the 200 graves remain.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#000066;"> On the way home we saw black smoke ahead, and arrived on a car fully engulfed in flames. We were the first on the scene, and the owner came running towards us and warned us to move back, as his car contained amunition and had a full gas tank! We waited while the police cars and fire trucks arrived, and sat for an hour watching the excitment and hearing the bullets exploding while the sun set in brilliant spendor'</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000066;">I placed an ad for my living quarter horse trailer in TrailerWorld just before I left, and starting getting responses within a half an hour! Everyone wanted interior pictures, so I had to tell them to wait until I got home. Within a few hours of uploading the pictures on the ad, the trailer was sold.....for full price. I guess a lot of people have been trying to find a 2-horse weekender! So the Colorado buyer will be picking it up in a few weeks, and the pieces of my life of the last 10 years will continue to slip away. I have so many fun memories of camping with my wonderful Minnesota horse camping friends....and the Las Domas ride last spring. It will be dearly missed.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNO0JVa2eL1kgDpJt-Z1w12EiKcDPHvsOtjFDhpb2oohmExTCMMvw7dNmmQ1xsUx7hLFFf4Ot3tF8eODrvwN9wodOS_FtI-BB7BF8C6E-xYHl_rZP0bg6MtHHdeAozdJJkTDsYJNqGCyBF/s1600-h/P1030200.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450053285916345026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNO0JVa2eL1kgDpJt-Z1w12EiKcDPHvsOtjFDhpb2oohmExTCMMvw7dNmmQ1xsUx7hLFFf4Ot3tF8eODrvwN9wodOS_FtI-BB7BF8C6E-xYHl_rZP0bg6MtHHdeAozdJJkTDsYJNqGCyBF/s200/P1030200.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-PMCz_F7hdoTC1aUP-TXAwXB_3cOw4h1I_xYmdHbaVwEYlyonRnAWyRUHax0bKug35rFer2WDfAjDqeYK0j2dqmaED7Uy8H57v2x4joBJyD_ydqD-jrpcMFQbweS3vJdWK7oO7waqJMJ/s1600-h/P1030201.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450052464727318418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-PMCz_F7hdoTC1aUP-TXAwXB_3cOw4h1I_xYmdHbaVwEYlyonRnAWyRUHax0bKug35rFer2WDfAjDqeYK0j2dqmaED7Uy8H57v2x4joBJyD_ydqD-jrpcMFQbweS3vJdWK7oO7waqJMJ/s320/P1030201.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT33UaiiPuUavxKyBtCbGViieJ2HrXXisJcsWhhyrSVlTvC1t1AVRgwtQhy61QgGmLsK1M2EDYw1_flECvNRoM7eYAQH8P35WZlIkq8L1ugx_cjUP02hP6BVvDYxpxjIQO9oIAHsaKBEjP/s1600-h/P1030220.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450051969941449154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT33UaiiPuUavxKyBtCbGViieJ2HrXXisJcsWhhyrSVlTvC1t1AVRgwtQhy61QgGmLsK1M2EDYw1_flECvNRoM7eYAQH8P35WZlIkq8L1ugx_cjUP02hP6BVvDYxpxjIQO9oIAHsaKBEjP/s320/P1030220.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFKxrdLFbtYJGQSR2sH1KIomveA_-aDpvqX2N374TVt9DX3GPM-9V77Bn1rwX-VAmEynHTPCG-ZAbKHvpfryKnP5FarVGdvstYkf1DLoOKwvbg-7Bw1KMmxRoGcuX43ve5Wmzs6CT2YEh/s1600-h/P1030216.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450051164325645026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFKxrdLFbtYJGQSR2sH1KIomveA_-aDpvqX2N374TVt9DX3GPM-9V77Bn1rwX-VAmEynHTPCG-ZAbKHvpfryKnP5FarVGdvstYkf1DLoOKwvbg-7Bw1KMmxRoGcuX43ve5Wmzs6CT2YEh/s200/P1030216.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PUs3MphimKuKG9Il0ZwG-KmJb78EvkBTyVYjVytlwWPNG1H1xbAVstK51JDyIjGj2gKg0kQiCGID9zbPeYZc73T7pyVpZjendV2LS-sftNP71Vftc_eJ8TCOUqyYyPQ0ESggMXmuNxhC/s1600-h/P1030202.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450050465328312914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PUs3MphimKuKG9Il0ZwG-KmJb78EvkBTyVYjVytlwWPNG1H1xbAVstK51JDyIjGj2gKg0kQiCGID9zbPeYZc73T7pyVpZjendV2LS-sftNP71Vftc_eJ8TCOUqyYyPQ0ESggMXmuNxhC/s200/P1030202.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHIAtYKcPFqkRrR_NdhiwlC_ioOqCbs-Z4BdLnBtyJthBbmDZbLfiSY8micvihhLlxCfc8R7V9jn3aeKQEEl2UBVe9GwJvB_P_11fu4qbSj0nNQ3emiUPnlFoZJsscCjt4gywarlBf8gl/s1600-h/P1030207.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450050174950505186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHIAtYKcPFqkRrR_NdhiwlC_ioOqCbs-Z4BdLnBtyJthBbmDZbLfiSY8micvihhLlxCfc8R7V9jn3aeKQEEl2UBVe9GwJvB_P_11fu4qbSj0nNQ3emiUPnlFoZJsscCjt4gywarlBf8gl/s200/P1030207.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIYN0kbBBDxcA5vJtV6-Ue0Ef3WNsJwF_3PHh3DWARD7Rnb-Nb1i1H4eG-8gStMyuG61GSL70w5xQfUt6BdQHvtOoC4xx4Ucxnk22F5ZTqfsD1L7StRvPhzufFX9aR4zq8u4xGsg1W3IQ/s1600-h/P1030170.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450049841924985010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIYN0kbBBDxcA5vJtV6-Ue0Ef3WNsJwF_3PHh3DWARD7Rnb-Nb1i1H4eG-8gStMyuG61GSL70w5xQfUt6BdQHvtOoC4xx4Ucxnk22F5ZTqfsD1L7StRvPhzufFX9aR4zq8u4xGsg1W3IQ/s200/P1030170.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-13391194479112304372010-03-06T19:35:00.000-08:002010-03-07T07:27:14.171-08:00HAPPY TRAILS, BART....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFfFGoZdNMFUraHw6acig3GlfMH6jJFPmifUWuztaguCgYKWNbXiMtACUSkVQFbIVmBrmLs3b1BjZmWUGhjwoYZ3GQhmz0Ru1Rvglqi_zfyieQlg59UDWVWuYpGRjDn6_48cuBo5KjCAF/s1600-h/bart+and+me-Las+Damas+09.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445909981124568738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFfFGoZdNMFUraHw6acig3GlfMH6jJFPmifUWuztaguCgYKWNbXiMtACUSkVQFbIVmBrmLs3b1BjZmWUGhjwoYZ3GQhmz0Ru1Rvglqi_zfyieQlg59UDWVWuYpGRjDn6_48cuBo5KjCAF/s200/bart+and+me-Las+Damas+09.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwABrcAf0CdXy1z27JdLOFkj6Q2Rgxg-RJxi9PJZk8kWBFGdWUymFNvL4D61VNoeNPIK-eN-c96RIY6YxpdV2PqsfjUfkT9v5r4ZRQ2ZIC8V3q_82Cs6-qV1qv3eIkz00Akmlc8HicrSzC/s1600-h/IMG_0001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445909714458307826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwABrcAf0CdXy1z27JdLOFkj6Q2Rgxg-RJxi9PJZk8kWBFGdWUymFNvL4D61VNoeNPIK-eN-c96RIY6YxpdV2PqsfjUfkT9v5r4ZRQ2ZIC8V3q_82Cs6-qV1qv3eIkz00Akmlc8HicrSzC/s200/IMG_0001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsSuzzZ1Fzx3n_38neB7zY9y2DpkGd5bc-6xxDvD5rCOxaxhV4lEhbeG6e7Q8nILzlwjVIpZItu6QOFj5dBgCs8EYRSzGZLBmcmmG7OI7PHcN3BdLp_sEtL0hGGSWb3_MkCi9pkXy05bO/s1600-h/Bart+and+me.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445909293796725234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsSuzzZ1Fzx3n_38neB7zY9y2DpkGd5bc-6xxDvD5rCOxaxhV4lEhbeG6e7Q8nILzlwjVIpZItu6QOFj5dBgCs8EYRSzGZLBmcmmG7OI7PHcN3BdLp_sEtL0hGGSWb3_MkCi9pkXy05bO/s200/Bart+and+me.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYn2ahTcS_bQyIHAJg6CGSh49NGdBIvk2MG66mtSR8uqth79dSAQ7dbDyQ4WHv4idNYpCXen6UKWCC1i6Q6gDkncr6V-i5fW876FJq0_5m6ltivA8_O-jTcZytnQCt7nDxwWuBsE7qmpI/s1600-h/nemo.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445908837001305490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYn2ahTcS_bQyIHAJg6CGSh49NGdBIvk2MG66mtSR8uqth79dSAQ7dbDyQ4WHv4idNYpCXen6UKWCC1i6Q6gDkncr6V-i5fW876FJq0_5m6ltivA8_O-jTcZytnQCt7nDxwWuBsE7qmpI/s200/nemo.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmC-9afzWu2YdnD46c4LG_ORx7GpBb-HY7Bis8wgQgOxavmviGJUpgFi6CcTsOUXmVEldjOF0mmsVticpjCNcgqqZ4QjdbX0mEfn8WHop9P27dilROS880_6_nrpIacucjtK-E5QVsYIE/s1600-h/100_0150.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445908430901684722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmC-9afzWu2YdnD46c4LG_ORx7GpBb-HY7Bis8wgQgOxavmviGJUpgFi6CcTsOUXmVEldjOF0mmsVticpjCNcgqqZ4QjdbX0mEfn8WHop9P27dilROS880_6_nrpIacucjtK-E5QVsYIE/s200/100_0150.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GlBsQ5o-BlUZmG7W3jkJB4Ta8IH2qhItouR2wtvaEtRCoTOIly2AfV7bHdq1Bz_we55iDi2svXq2ToruURbOnPqErIwpNZkdUPqJAn18hc5XSFq9SlcHyZzt3Li8bNBjWjcWgA1HabAE/s1600-h/P1030163.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 405px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 364px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445794279519358690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GlBsQ5o-BlUZmG7W3jkJB4Ta8IH2qhItouR2wtvaEtRCoTOIly2AfV7bHdq1Bz_we55iDi2svXq2ToruURbOnPqErIwpNZkdUPqJAn18hc5XSFq9SlcHyZzt3Li8bNBjWjcWgA1HabAE/s200/P1030163.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663333;">I often think of the quote from John Lennon "Life is what happens when you are planning something else". When I retired from teaching 4 years ago, I envisioned my life would consist of time traveling between Minnesota and Arizona, and hauling Bart with me for camping, team sorting, and trail riding in both places. I loved the summers riding with my wonderful Minnesota friends and camping in the parks and making the annual Black Hills ride. I was making new friends in Arizona who also enjoyed riding the trails, and had shared many spectacular rides with Bets and Sweet Pea, and shared an incredible week with them on the Las Damas ride last spring.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663333;">And I have always felt so fortunate to have Bart in my life....a beautiful golden palomino gelding with smooth gaits, a sweet personality, and such a joy in so many ways. He has carried me up and down steep trails in the Black Hills, past buffalo, after steers in team sorting, across swift running rivers, and even helped me win a few ribbons in some fun shows. I always thought that we would ride our last ten years together, and I wouldn't let myself think about the day that I would have to put him down.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663333;">But then....life often throws a few wrenches in your plans. Last year Mom's Valley Fever prevented me from taking him up to Minnesota in the summer, and health issues and problems with the current economy have added other problems in my riding plans. I found myself having to make one of those very difficult decisions, and it involved finding a new home for my trail buddy and friend, Bart.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663333;">I prayed for the right person to come along, and she did when Penny called. She and her husband have a home nearby my home in Arizona, and they summer at their ranch in Montana. He is a roper and she is a barrel racer who wants to slow down and do more trail riding. They came out to meet Bart, and I was impressed right away with their personalities and affection for each other. She rode Bart, and handled him very well. When she told me she wanted him, I felt it was the right fit, and as my tears flowed, Bart reached out an nuzzled her. That was the final indication to me that this was meant to be.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663333;">Penny picked Bart up today and he loaded quietly into their trailer between their other two horses. We said our good-byes, and they were off for a trail ride on a sunny but windy day. I wished them a great ride, then sobbed as they pulled out.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663333;">A part of my life is over, but I have so many wonderful memories of rides through the pines, prairies and deserts. Happy Trails, my friend. I wish you many wonderful rides in the years to come. And now the next phase of my life will begin....</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-3211193400994909932010-02-27T10:58:00.001-08:002010-02-27T11:15:07.844-08:00ARIZONA TRAVELS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1f5gUBmuo-UW777swdQHNheP2GMLQhNEJ1AphpLoK0S3lpqRCyi717bYGZ6cBzGy_UA8oHeFLhv5DaqzqRdFhEqDk65D4UEvV1mVp4oKRV3SS5QoJLM8zSFtT47m7-9yvAVZTZntW_0-t/s1600-h/P1030152+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443001693594167970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1f5gUBmuo-UW777swdQHNheP2GMLQhNEJ1AphpLoK0S3lpqRCyi717bYGZ6cBzGy_UA8oHeFLhv5DaqzqRdFhEqDk65D4UEvV1mVp4oKRV3SS5QoJLM8zSFtT47m7-9yvAVZTZntW_0-t/s200/P1030152+-+Copy.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /><br /> </div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTYXHCk9H1LE-7Wmk773Nn59fQzwyJocClj5HmK4FGe9VwGoZDLPkrQ1Q9j9RN5pVM68mr3Nfy8Wf3VzrpNMfkjsCTkJFIJNBDdlbBaHDvYEolpVp6L30qK2SQWLA8WyIeeewsmlshs_G/s1600-h/P1030143+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 373px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443001260040602290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTYXHCk9H1LE-7Wmk773Nn59fQzwyJocClj5HmK4FGe9VwGoZDLPkrQ1Q9j9RN5pVM68mr3Nfy8Wf3VzrpNMfkjsCTkJFIJNBDdlbBaHDvYEolpVp6L30qK2SQWLA8WyIeeewsmlshs_G/s200/P1030143+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKQd5KRNbRushHCbu2R-EJp4iqyat6xs73q62GER-3sRahoc9Mm4hkfIV6mc1lSu6rMY1A7T3acnMaqI9_xL0tSxvs5y2jewREthheaFf1gQyI6MOUqzXZ5p_ahz1FVET4MKrgQrcprsh/s1600-h/P1030146.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443000902681424338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKQd5KRNbRushHCbu2R-EJp4iqyat6xs73q62GER-3sRahoc9Mm4hkfIV6mc1lSu6rMY1A7T3acnMaqI9_xL0tSxvs5y2jewREthheaFf1gQyI6MOUqzXZ5p_ahz1FVET4MKrgQrcprsh/s200/P1030146.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1erSAeOPsA9C2Svm9-XIBljlTbcS3-KJ_AqC1y2voc8xoacVSNhubmpVD9j_XDcTuvgNOOkAxfRBHyob0vr0LMhdInhvXBvHBsy7qkqSCa_RgHzhw8YKmSISRZrJ-RgE3J7ecE_INTrKI/s1600-h/P1030155+-+Copy.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333399;"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 290px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443000167123104258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1erSAeOPsA9C2Svm9-XIBljlTbcS3-KJ_AqC1y2voc8xoacVSNhubmpVD9j_XDcTuvgNOOkAxfRBHyob0vr0LMhdInhvXBvHBsy7qkqSCa_RgHzhw8YKmSISRZrJ-RgE3J7ecE_INTrKI/s200/P1030155+-+Copy.JPG" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333399;"><strong> When I retired and moved to Arizona, I envisioned taking many day trips to explore this beautiful state. It <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">seemed</span> that I would have endless empty days to fill with seeing the beauty and historical towns that fill the state. But the days fly by, and it is easy to get into a routine of walks, swims and trips to the ranch to ride, and the days, weeks and months fly by. </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333399;"><strong> The park has a travel club with many local and international trips. There is usually a conflict which prevents me from going on most of them, but Mom wanted to go on the Verde Canyon railroad trip, so it gave me a good reason to sign up and take a trip!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333399;"><strong> The railroad cars were built the same year I was born, but had been brightly painted with Arizona scenes, and provided a comfortable ride along the river, red bluffs, and bald eagle sightings. We had a fun group that traveled in two vans up through Prescott and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yarnell</span>, where a snowfall gave pretty views, but then gave way to sunshine as we reached <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Clarkdale</span>. The train traveled to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Perkinsville</span>, where the last scenes of the movie "How the West Was Won" was filmed, then the engine switched to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">caboose</span>, and we returned seeing the rock formations from another view. We didn't get back until 8 pm....and someone explain how a person can be tried after just sitting all day! So skipped the dance with Ernie's Band at the clubhouse, and hit the sack early. Always lots to do in this retirement mode!</strong></span>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-30346778944284627352010-01-23T20:01:00.001-08:002010-02-27T10:58:34.260-08:00ANOTHER BIRTHDAY<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bZMTvRXgtQyItcfwwVBYCTdfX07ouqZkzcxciZsidO-68tuZp1iWx7aZF5slBYNpp-t9q47hVNIsIQe5-gWWRzUSfhsTrDeXqCVDOz2sbb9c-Q2qVKgC0ER-oYySXit7ZJgRRX22QCmY/s1600-h/P1030070.JPG"><span style="color:#6633ff;"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430155702838772610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bZMTvRXgtQyItcfwwVBYCTdfX07ouqZkzcxciZsidO-68tuZp1iWx7aZF5slBYNpp-t9q47hVNIsIQe5-gWWRzUSfhsTrDeXqCVDOz2sbb9c-Q2qVKgC0ER-oYySXit7ZJgRRX22QCmY/s200/P1030070.JPG" /></strong></span></a><span style="color:#6633ff;"><strong><br /></strong></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6633ff;"><strong>At this point in the game, birthday's are often something to dread rather that celebrate. But thanks to family and friends, it was a great day. I received lots of fun Facebook messages, emails and cards, and the day was made special with a great ride on Bart in a nice warm sunny day. Then I went out for a yummy salmon dinner at Charley's Steakhouse, followed by dancing at the Rancher Bar....where "Happy Birthday" was sung to me by all the patrons there for the karaoke. I got lots of hugs and kisses and what can be better than to feel loved and enjoy an evening of dancing and laughter.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6633ff;"><strong>But after my birthday came the horror of the Haiti earthquake, and the sobering thoughts of so many who will never have the joys of celebrating another birthday. And even closer to home, Arizona has just experienced record rain along with flooding. A nearby town has been completely evacuated, some towns are needing to boil their contaminated drinking water, and many homes in the state have been damaged. And the saddest of all is the 6 year old boy who was washed out of his father's arms and swept down the rushing water. His body was just found today. He is the age of my grandson, CJ, and I can only imagine the pain that his family is feeling. His family will not have the joy of celebrating another birthday with him. It makes most problems pale in comparison.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6633ff;"><strong>And so I am another year closer to Medicare. Although the spirit feels young, the face in the mirror reminds me of the passing of time. But I am so thankful for friends and family, and the opportunity to enjoy life when around me, so many have lost that possibility. May I always remember to be grateful for life, and the precious gift of friendship and love.</strong></span></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-72368412329069598712009-12-27T11:16:00.000-08:002009-12-27T11:33:55.025-08:00MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDs0fpm98_93aYDVnabgNtozsJZHGJRouvPVGmmKDDM1kijh6yZJdJmt0YqAXsxTGFSNrv_smCaCJev14Tsg7i8Vry_0Kpkz-BrXFn50aPANiHZMwZzGItPxEcuqWvE8YoYcbm7luYIKh/s1600-h/P1030040.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420001430582249106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDs0fpm98_93aYDVnabgNtozsJZHGJRouvPVGmmKDDM1kijh6yZJdJmt0YqAXsxTGFSNrv_smCaCJev14Tsg7i8Vry_0Kpkz-BrXFn50aPANiHZMwZzGItPxEcuqWvE8YoYcbm7luYIKh/s200/P1030040.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup5rIGxaYUmmfvjCm4_KmxODRnDboeJRl0obq1M18lofsvBGWReLkHmO-vnS8Onxz6qQfd5Fw8nvEWlpnwl-GGJNuzqT54l61_gwngWKSWRtx3Qqn32ChB-jFGSNQczXKWllzRSFTcd4g/s1600-h/P1030042.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420000896217793314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup5rIGxaYUmmfvjCm4_KmxODRnDboeJRl0obq1M18lofsvBGWReLkHmO-vnS8Onxz6qQfd5Fw8nvEWlpnwl-GGJNuzqT54l61_gwngWKSWRtx3Qqn32ChB-jFGSNQczXKWllzRSFTcd4g/s200/P1030042.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghywnrDhnIAfLlAlA73c7JWvmIgh2dImhdfUVrcRufINdTL4kb42QoqCbKTS35Ah6gc8CHMWRzy-S_Yeqwt-QmFXKzXNUiFDyFug9MXX5MAfkqQqBlXbKdu6Pyuog95JVGqwbY2kPZ5FhD/s1600-h/P1030051.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420000654780471458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghywnrDhnIAfLlAlA73c7JWvmIgh2dImhdfUVrcRufINdTL4kb42QoqCbKTS35Ah6gc8CHMWRzy-S_Yeqwt-QmFXKzXNUiFDyFug9MXX5MAfkqQqBlXbKdu6Pyuog95JVGqwbY2kPZ5FhD/s200/P1030051.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff0000;">Was a long Christmas season this year. It started a week before Thanksgiving with Jen, Niels and Daniels visit, and our early celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Daniel's first birthday. Then we celebrated early again with Lori and Nick's visit. The weather prevented Ann and Mick coming for the actual date, but it was a festive time, anyway with Christmas Eve spent with my cousin Linda, her husband and daughter with a dinner and intense game of Michigan Rummy (kind of like Tripoli). Christmas morning we attended Mass, then had a holiday brunch at Cindy's with her husband and mother. The mimosas and Baileys led to a nap in the afternoon after bringing Bart his carrots and apples. Then the Westpark dinner was at 5, and was fun filling the table with Mom, me, Linda, Larry and their daughter. And yesterday I received a box from Chris, Kelly and CJ with gifts CJ bought with his own money at the dollar store...which made them that much more precious.</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff0000;">My last gift came from Bart. I was invited to join Bets on her new mare, Lena, and a friend, Kathy, with her 4 year old warmblood mare. As I saddled, I reminded Bart that he was the senior member of the ride now, so I expeccted him to set a good example. And for my Christmas present from him, I just wanted a nice ride with no bucking, spooking or bolting. It was a chilly 50 degrees as we left the ranch, but the sun was warm and the sky was clear, so our jackets were soon opened and gloves pulled off. We rode up the trails to Turtle Mountain. It has been a couple of months since I have ridden them, due to Sweet Peas passing and Bets searching for a new horse, the rainy weather, my bout with the flu, company, Christmas, and all the distractions. Bart came through with his present, and we had a wonderful ride with three well-behaved horses and lots of laughs along the way as we observed the gorgeous views once again.</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff0000;">Now to try to get the house organized and picked up again, and maybe go out for a ride again this afternoon. The weather remains about 10 degrees below normal, but 50's and sunny sure beats the freezing temperatures and snow up north! Then to Laughlin on Friday to meet Pam for a few days. We always share lots of laughter and conversation....a great way to start a new year.</span></strong> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-31923265455478161012009-12-21T18:13:00.000-08:002009-12-22T07:18:28.534-08:00GARAGE SALE<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330099;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 359px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417878225500768978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcdh5gRrYL5nzMGqljgaPzefF3CunV6AEBD6vsuyT8RJymHzySLM2Z3qovKda1-aEt77LWCvdsDHk2DG3K-06somkYy7RZ1dtSM4-VxlHAaOD26zRHB_jXpixM3U-t_m267YNhS-pom7v/s200/P1030028.JPG" /><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330099;"><strong>There comes a time when one looks around at STUFF and decides it is time to clear it out. Mom and I have talked of a garage sale for 6 months since she wanted to sell a table and chair set that was taking up room in her storage shed. We had to wait until summer was over and it would cool down and bring the snowbirds. We had to wait until after Jen, Niels and Daniel's visit and Thanksgiving, then had to wait two weeks for me to get over the flu/cold/crud. Then we had to wait a week while having fun with Lori and Nick's visit. Then there was no more waiting. It had to be last weekend or wait until next year....this weekend is Christmas, the next is New Years, then my birthday and visit with Pam.....so HAD TO DO IT!!!! It took a couple of days to drag stuff out and to Mom's and set up tables and clothes racks. Then, since I was an hour late in getting the ad in the newspaper, I had to make flyers and put them all over town. Then the road signs made up of purchased bright paper and placed statically. A stop at the bank to get change, and we were ready. Westparkers started poking in as we set up, and we were happy to let them buy to make more room for more STUFF! The sale ran 3 days, and each day we brought out more STUFF from the house and sheds to replace that which had left. And during the sale Mom sat busily making her scrubbies and selling them as fast as she would finish one. Finally 3pm arrived on Saturday and we were DONE! As we packed the remaining items for a trip to Goodwill, a fellow who looked young, married and down on his luck stopped in. We gave him some clothing, toys and a lamp and he was tickled pink as he packed up his battered car. Then driving around to pick up the signs and flyers, and sweep up the carport. DONE!!!!!! So it was a week of setting up, selling, and cleaning up. Today I delivered the boxes to Habitat, and put away the STUFF that I returned home. DONE!!!!!! Figuring a week of 10 hour days....I think it came down to about forty cents and hour and a tax deduction. BUT.....a lot of STUFF is gone from my shed, closets and cupboards, and Mom sold her table and chair set and about 100 scrubbies. And she is talking about "when we have our next sale.....". ARRRRGGHHHHHHH!!!!</strong></span> </div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-54792513756486865652009-12-09T08:52:00.000-08:002009-12-09T09:37:44.910-08:00THE GOOD AND THE BAD.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWedLOGw9qXzKX0aP-RFhwh-WWcglWaLndizs71vQL8Bp52loGJQdPlmeXzpKbWHu0cW6kUHG7xcms5pPzEZD6xVU60S_dmjqsvmDPbs0QOkWfM7cupAwTBvYkrz4wTEsIt9h3wPm-u1E/s1600-h/P1020624.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413291575942181858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWedLOGw9qXzKX0aP-RFhwh-WWcglWaLndizs71vQL8Bp52loGJQdPlmeXzpKbWHu0cW6kUHG7xcms5pPzEZD6xVU60S_dmjqsvmDPbs0QOkWfM7cupAwTBvYkrz4wTEsIt9h3wPm-u1E/s200/P1020624.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15DvZ7fDfUVJckbBL9eKDPgh_s7XRV2PBnahTDHkB8NKRLRlwUOPwRZxJpMdiDRIarPhl5ioLEELMCmSu402LeXcUnRuECIsmiF2wTboVvrZy4Lxdq8W4EbbtR8hYXLO0m2P82OSPU4OM/s1600-h/P1020589.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413288643475225250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15DvZ7fDfUVJckbBL9eKDPgh_s7XRV2PBnahTDHkB8NKRLRlwUOPwRZxJpMdiDRIarPhl5ioLEELMCmSu402LeXcUnRuECIsmiF2wTboVvrZy4Lxdq8W4EbbtR8hYXLO0m2P82OSPU4OM/s200/P1020589.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdKGHbO68-AcQFVtqczn4HVUILa3FTt1maSlqIdqIILjBOrTba3-hwXx_J7Dw42YAaeTvC5f8ZHZJgYq5-wUsTs1bi7smbKPsFqRiZH3S9qWOvnLBwFR0wxiCoJkTMtdT5w-YyuESAOVP/s1600-h/IMG00010-20091130-1848.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413286743594983714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdKGHbO68-AcQFVtqczn4HVUILa3FTt1maSlqIdqIILjBOrTba3-hwXx_J7Dw42YAaeTvC5f8ZHZJgYq5-wUsTs1bi7smbKPsFqRiZH3S9qWOvnLBwFR0wxiCoJkTMtdT5w-YyuESAOVP/s200/IMG00010-20091130-1848.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQsmD4mx_3DHaQWYvQSssAb7-skmNT6wTpCQUIMWlHEFkqZbFGWhvLFdgvIKCG2cW6mZU0cOJzbcGofM1Xk5840rYPb5BRtUZ1qCnBYdGKQv1a440q9naI1DbqzgVnz6rJ0vnyDr4AegK/s1600-h/P1020618.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413286445015706594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQsmD4mx_3DHaQWYvQSssAb7-skmNT6wTpCQUIMWlHEFkqZbFGWhvLFdgvIKCG2cW6mZU0cOJzbcGofM1Xk5840rYPb5BRtUZ1qCnBYdGKQv1a440q9naI1DbqzgVnz6rJ0vnyDr4AegK/s200/P1020618.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqck8PJ5Nayt5Zd8svbtgIP_smGoH6ITv-kwz795oiRtQlKyjrFHoQIkr7ImTZ52h_12QiCtKRuS16afBP6TvKBULROxKNkq-SRoUmpWGRMHwuwLtR_brKYDQX35wyuqw5foq6U2cjHaW/s1600-h/Nicx2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413285985365815826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqck8PJ5Nayt5Zd8svbtgIP_smGoH6ITv-kwz795oiRtQlKyjrFHoQIkr7ImTZ52h_12QiCtKRuS16afBP6TvKBULROxKNkq-SRoUmpWGRMHwuwLtR_brKYDQX35wyuqw5foq6U2cjHaW/s320/Nicx2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt44XjksN6Bh25309TmSFKbDa6PCwGRu3cx0_9dMikZouG4FBVMpvqWGG5XKq8NHm5Dwq5mioSPiMD_m84maQS5ZZ5Y_8_s1SNtwg-A6E9-kbEloIL64r6d_C2X7SXWYMu-8pk3110kN90/s1600-h/danny+11-09+060.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413285178407748834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt44XjksN6Bh25309TmSFKbDa6PCwGRu3cx0_9dMikZouG4FBVMpvqWGG5XKq8NHm5Dwq5mioSPiMD_m84maQS5ZZ5Y_8_s1SNtwg-A6E9-kbEloIL64r6d_C2X7SXWYMu-8pk3110kN90/s200/danny+11-09+060.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>Some say always get the bad news out of the way first, and that would be that my trail riding buddy, Bets, is taking Tango back to her previous owner today. The four year old mare just had too much energy for the 80+ Bets. And sadder yet, she may decide not to replace her. I have enjoyed sharing the trails with Bets, and her sharp mind would tell me the stories of the areas we road, and point out the wildlife, cactus and birds. She knew the trails so well, and introduced me to the Las Damas rides. The time comes when every cowgirl has to hang up her spurs, and it made me think about how much longer Bart and I will share the trails</strong></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>Now on a happier note....I received the fantastic news that the wonderful Carole Ampe has completed her chemo and received a clean bill of health! After John's broken leg and her cancer scare, they sold their living quarter trailer and their horse, JP. They figured their riding and camping days were past, and bought a boat to spend time with family. Carole was so good to help John the past few years since his leg injury, and he has been a rock for her during her chemo. They are an inspiration as a couple. They still have their mare, Oneder, so maybe their trail riding days aren't over, yet!</strong></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>And another happy occasion...my sister Lori from Minnesota, and her son, Nick, who is stationed in Washington DC in the Marines, are visiting this week. Nick has been surprised by all the handshakes he has received when people learn of his service, and the round of applause he received when he was introduced at the Westpark luncheon. Times have changed. Unfortunately, the warm Arizona sunshine they anticipated has given way to unusual cool 50's and even a rainy day. That hasn't stopped them from enjoying the hot tub, however.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>And a milestone....my second grandson, Daniel Joel, is celebrating his first birthday today. We had an early birthday party for him when they were here two weeks ago, but I am thinking of him today, and what joy he has brought into his parent's life......and mine!</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>And then there was the Viking-Cardinals game. After 50 years of defending the Vikings efforts, I can't quite switch my allegiance to the Cardinals. We had a ball going to the Cardinal's stadium before the game and checking out all the tailgaters. Most of the crowd seemed to be wearing purple! And then that game......where WERE the Vikes??????</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>And I am finally almost over the crud...although Mom is now coming down with a stuffy nose. Life consists of the ups and downs. We celebrate the joys and endure the bad with the support of friends and family. And I have some of the best of both!</strong></span></div></div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-12954639343767931182009-11-24T08:29:00.000-08:002009-11-24T08:42:44.106-08:00AND THEY'RE GONE......<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI03tRrL-JlDtkfvLfOYxicJdai54O7voMX-Ufp0ZgxkSjGIMP6OrR3oxjnNh3y85Z5ru-8RggIHGa5vUCuQC_uvhTi2_PVaWjwrfxLtK52LhSBvM__HBjnCphmZODNg2LHs1BUK2MUYP/s1600/P1020557.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407709411194008882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI03tRrL-JlDtkfvLfOYxicJdai54O7voMX-Ufp0ZgxkSjGIMP6OrR3oxjnNh3y85Z5ru-8RggIHGa5vUCuQC_uvhTi2_PVaWjwrfxLtK52LhSBvM__HBjnCphmZODNg2LHs1BUK2MUYP/s320/P1020557.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>It was 5 days of celebrating the upcoming holidays and birthdays that we wouldn't be together to share, and of discovering the fun that having a toddler in the house can provide. The house seems awfully quiet now that they are all gone, and I understand why Mom used to be so sad when everyone left her house and the quiet she felt. I'm not getting much done, as I picked up a cold, and am spending my days under a quilt on the couch watching old movies (yesterday I saw very similar themes in "Price of Tides" and "Bridges of Madison County"). They had a safe trip home, but discovered that they had left the house and car keys attached to Daniels booster chair at the restaurant! Luckily, their dogsitter had a set of house and car keys so they could finally crawl into their own beds by midnight. The keys were found, and are being mailed to them in Ohio. So all ended well. Thanks for coming, Niels and Jen.....and thanks for your work on my computer, Niels, for the Christmas gifts, and the most special gift of all.....the wonderful time with darling Daniel Joel!</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong></strong></span> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmdJredqRBFxX48rojq0NNoa4qGF1YDoIRK_NQBAQUTpR4tblo7Q2-h65t3q3uwEOepxdwRcSoQJcscimAIDiy8sX70Y-lKvMcOsJHkEXxxYAX2bXWQSbj_CbE3jlr98ZAPebW_VpvCaC/s1600/P1020552.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407709031056679010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmdJredqRBFxX48rojq0NNoa4qGF1YDoIRK_NQBAQUTpR4tblo7Q2-h65t3q3uwEOepxdwRcSoQJcscimAIDiy8sX70Y-lKvMcOsJHkEXxxYAX2bXWQSbj_CbE3jlr98ZAPebW_VpvCaC/s320/P1020552.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqdUL02qrubHc45wS4Ooz5fRvmE0oCx2PjnZHKO4PN0xvzkss4r0Yr_RW5KZoUaUWx0dmhRvK4xQ3A-x5-bqxJQfOX3TEQIwJzB19uR334q7QVMOKJH2YyDuojZMOzFFPSAzN04OrpBgL/s1600/P1020573.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708719828688754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqdUL02qrubHc45wS4Ooz5fRvmE0oCx2PjnZHKO4PN0xvzkss4r0Yr_RW5KZoUaUWx0dmhRvK4xQ3A-x5-bqxJQfOX3TEQIwJzB19uR334q7QVMOKJH2YyDuojZMOzFFPSAzN04OrpBgL/s320/P1020573.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-65816334417776868032009-11-21T09:15:00.000-08:002009-11-21T09:37:32.337-08:00BART MEETS ANOTHER GRANDSON!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSREiLat0_C1sieMku7yactTKqc07QwmCZabQ9hJT4KrP-RQ5QrqMrJyhRj5YX4RwWcCkskD3pDHEMBtrUMmT7itrpxx2ksSZPzMW9qA1g_0TbhyXxkAoRB3CjYUKU8Y6gF1Zpu8ZCx4K/s1600/P1090466.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406608422181021906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSREiLat0_C1sieMku7yactTKqc07QwmCZabQ9hJT4KrP-RQ5QrqMrJyhRj5YX4RwWcCkskD3pDHEMBtrUMmT7itrpxx2ksSZPzMW9qA1g_0TbhyXxkAoRB3CjYUKU8Y6gF1Zpu8ZCx4K/s320/P1090466.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_tYVXbbxXqch6c3v7juZLcDHkN9gvVNx7pNUi75bwaamTGSyJjjgctf7hPiM1McCIs8G65rzvtRKIFhzKHB6eP7FGPqWxswwkoSVGDDbBcjtPLpb2jzCyCwulB4hFDAkbiup0cxNTtvu/s1600/P1090468.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406607258522432434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_tYVXbbxXqch6c3v7juZLcDHkN9gvVNx7pNUi75bwaamTGSyJjjgctf7hPiM1McCIs8G65rzvtRKIFhzKHB6eP7FGPqWxswwkoSVGDDbBcjtPLpb2jzCyCwulB4hFDAkbiup0cxNTtvu/s320/P1090468.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_8M9qyMFmxhuBhh_wKb1UAovYE9jhm99-qR8HXq-so11LyCXGMooEhWhsXdPg1xEtDwAV86FFNUm24lrG-MwrZeKSXL9vYaVwCXVpitGJuKLMonaXV1yUTFiQs9_RF2ZdMjPfQEECB8A/s1600/P1090461.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#003300;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406606938657436306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_8M9qyMFmxhuBhh_wKb1UAovYE9jhm99-qR8HXq-so11LyCXGMooEhWhsXdPg1xEtDwAV86FFNUm24lrG-MwrZeKSXL9vYaVwCXVpitGJuKLMonaXV1yUTFiQs9_RF2ZdMjPfQEECB8A/s320/P1090461.JPG" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#003300;"><strong> I tried to find the old pictures of my kids on their first horse rides, but instead spent time looking through old photo albums and reminiscing. I have a picture on my spacesaver that I love with my other grandson, CJ and Bart....and now Bart gets to carefully give another grandson his first horseback ride. Hard to believe that it was 40 years ago that I put a month-old Chris up on old Tater for his first feel of a horse under him. Time can go so quickly. We heard Trace Adkins sing "You're Going to Miss This" on the radio yesterday, and Jen teared up thinking how quickly the first year with her son has gone. She says his first birthday will be hard as her cuddly baby turns into an active toddler. I think the holiday seasons are sometimes joyful yet sad as we recall the memories of past holidays with family members who are no longer with us. I think of the excitement of Christmas as a child, then a mother with young ones, and now I am the grandmother. And Mom shakes her head thinking of her holidays over the past 88 years....and that now she is watching her great-grandson experience Christmas through fresh eyes....and it seems such a short time ago that she was making Christmas preparations for her own babies. </strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#003300;"><strong> It has been a fun visit, but also one of remembering. Recalling the past, yet making new memories for the next generation to remember. No Trace...not SOMEDAY you'll miss this. It will be very soon.</strong></span><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-49378148801324751352009-11-19T10:55:00.000-08:002009-11-19T15:28:29.990-08:00THEY'RE HERE!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w35shUv5SgyMDe9Tyx7NRnkha-hrX9Au9aNAz87QnD-_mzr1zNiuGS-xvaAh5nzNX2b_b-X4FfTKYPJ8wU9qB15ozdfystOuS8HnvEQbZb4NWSe30nSp3cPicHMyjfqj435v9Ne6nm5R/s1600/Jen+and+Niels+visit+2+0+09+005.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405939187929894226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w35shUv5SgyMDe9Tyx7NRnkha-hrX9Au9aNAz87QnD-_mzr1zNiuGS-xvaAh5nzNX2b_b-X4FfTKYPJ8wU9qB15ozdfystOuS8HnvEQbZb4NWSe30nSp3cPicHMyjfqj435v9Ne6nm5R/s320/Jen+and+Niels+visit+2+0+09+005.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjlgfamzV5QVpfq0L305_Wh9cHdkMbuY4hCcjM-UVMd6l4CFiYradRHaGajWmCuhoxQKncEPGAEHw8QKvZu4VXbpwYCdbenQOL8ZZxOaPMU6ZPEUhNUrQx4zrEhIe5p6Wbk9TMbiOLDNa/s1600/Jen+and+Niels+visit+2+0+09+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405938864444146930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjlgfamzV5QVpfq0L305_Wh9cHdkMbuY4hCcjM-UVMd6l4CFiYradRHaGajWmCuhoxQKncEPGAEHw8QKvZu4VXbpwYCdbenQOL8ZZxOaPMU6ZPEUhNUrQx4zrEhIe5p6Wbk9TMbiOLDNa/s320/Jen+and+Niels+visit+2+0+09+009.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Daughter Jen, hubby Niels and 11 month old Daniel arrived 40 minutes early from Ohio last night, and reached here by midnight. Daniel was good of the two flights, and slept most of the way. By the time we finished conversations and all were asleep it was after 2 am. Daniel didn't agree with the 2 hour time changes, so was awake and ready to play at 7. YAWN!!!!!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>We have already gone to town and walked around to see the new statues. We just finished burgers from the grill, and Daniel is down for his second nap....and think there will be three adults joining him! When he awakens, they plan to take him to the pool....or out to see Bart and hit the pool tomorrow,</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Had planned to have "Thanksgiving" tonight, but the big ol' turkey doesn't seem to want to thaw out in the frig, so will do that tomorrow with "Christmas"....then open presents. That will be fun with a little one.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>He has been a real trooper....lots of giggles and grins to show off his 7 new teeth. He is starting to feed himself, wave, shake his head and says "Mama" and "Dadda". We are working on "Beautiful, sexy Gramma Chi", but not much luck, yet!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-14642364937751847782009-11-14T11:52:00.000-08:002009-11-14T12:03:16.382-08:00BETS AND TANGO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt0Hl0J8rzDzRVqxn2d8bnlmFE-6uqCXKDCr_qJbTiawwiQMB7WPMzxogs7rSvSmjXHqLAYSSPrtg1q41YfyL8UdaIVn3E1s9uAt5LDrtulLpEZUVxyFqkGNao1hjoYHgbiyZC9pLwYEH/s1600-h/Tango+11-09+008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404050507115524546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt0Hl0J8rzDzRVqxn2d8bnlmFE-6uqCXKDCr_qJbTiawwiQMB7WPMzxogs7rSvSmjXHqLAYSSPrtg1q41YfyL8UdaIVn3E1s9uAt5LDrtulLpEZUVxyFqkGNao1hjoYHgbiyZC9pLwYEH/s320/Tango+11-09+008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcykQz6Ykj0pvZ6imfrtKIHFC1MzwO0HMx3ubMOv-bqcZ-ARVf2EqTOAMHdJuYSFoGnPIaKzO3UiuyjaMDcPq98qvzMzu2lTSGmHrqyYqHctFyREhjZbqMqMQYAKNMroSWcr2Yn3Bg-XF/s1600-h/Tango+11-09+021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404050150519481986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcykQz6Ykj0pvZ6imfrtKIHFC1MzwO0HMx3ubMOv-bqcZ-ARVf2EqTOAMHdJuYSFoGnPIaKzO3UiuyjaMDcPq98qvzMzu2lTSGmHrqyYqHctFyREhjZbqMqMQYAKNMroSWcr2Yn3Bg-XF/s320/Tango+11-09+021.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663333;">I reported the sad day last month when my good riding buddy had to put down her mare, Sweet Pea. I thought that would be the end of the rides with this wonderful equestian who is now in her 80's. But when asked if she would get another horse, she replied "Of course! What else would I do with my time?" And last week she delivered Tango to the ranch. She is a 4 year old Morgan bay mare, who is very refined and elegant. We were a bit concerned with the young age and lack of trail experience, but she has proven to be a level-headed, calm horse on the trails. We had a great ride today, and I hope it is one of many, many more for both of them!<br /><br /></span></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-10131864854725994172009-11-09T20:09:00.000-08:002009-11-09T20:22:43.701-08:00NEW MEMBER IN FAMILY!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuuRT3qXV4FagYgw-zGFwu7iUQ9g67umM58oEkf1SGg0DVa7qpNegkHQAxV1DkGknehszW7xY53OxlquEaAIZXilwpduLcZaQ1ZMg56PmQAgJFtwbGoVgKsUbd63g8r9EBPPrr5i9tKlJ/s1600-h/Netties+wedding+11-09+071.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402323581631596802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuuRT3qXV4FagYgw-zGFwu7iUQ9g67umM58oEkf1SGg0DVa7qpNegkHQAxV1DkGknehszW7xY53OxlquEaAIZXilwpduLcZaQ1ZMg56PmQAgJFtwbGoVgKsUbd63g8r9EBPPrr5i9tKlJ/s320/Netties+wedding+11-09+071.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVN-mo85hgGggQ0Up_3Wz7rgNO6RnRlyYf6eS5_Br6jCT5Mv6MYZaDXF2DjvvafwmrEGl47WDjRHb3zZqqLIjFFHF26lPy61mNdN13dU1dR4lkTlP_hda8WMtLUHGoJ3rLAGVFoxXmMO-/s1600-h/Netties+wedding+11-09+099.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 211px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402323368177508946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVN-mo85hgGggQ0Up_3Wz7rgNO6RnRlyYf6eS5_Br6jCT5Mv6MYZaDXF2DjvvafwmrEGl47WDjRHb3zZqqLIjFFHF26lPy61mNdN13dU1dR4lkTlP_hda8WMtLUHGoJ3rLAGVFoxXmMO-/s320/Netties+wedding+11-09+099.JPG" /></a><br />Nettie wearing Mom's wedding dress<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Loren caught the bouquet!<br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8VfcsrNyaK_ADnfwZJa5NcicYQlrSrNqPvlLsUaTL0icouazl4Soql1ML4WTXOIxo2AR5S1dxBWdxLQwq7gisFcBBNHIZ8x4mANUEP_l6yfuhwQKa0F_4sMOFCjIzuVaFn2oplK3etiM/s1600-h/Netties+wedding+11-09+024.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402323192795797474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8VfcsrNyaK_ADnfwZJa5NcicYQlrSrNqPvlLsUaTL0icouazl4Soql1ML4WTXOIxo2AR5S1dxBWdxLQwq7gisFcBBNHIZ8x4mANUEP_l6yfuhwQKa0F_4sMOFCjIzuVaFn2oplK3etiM/s320/Netties+wedding+11-09+024.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663300;">Just returned from Helena, Montana where Mom and I attended the wedding of my sister Ann's daughter, Annette to a great guy, Tony. It was an outdoor wedding, and the weather cooperated by the sun beaming during the vows. I enjoyed the drive we made on Sunday and seeing some of the beautiful country near their new home. They have been in a whirlwind the past month moving into their new home, painting, stripping wallpaper and remodeling the kitchen....and it was beautiful! The flights were on time, everyone gave Mom lots of special attention, and we had a great time. Wylee was boarded at a new "Cage free" facility, and appeared to have had a fun time with other small dogs. Was a quick weekend trip, but a great time, and of course, I have always loved Montana, and enjoyed seeing the mountains, lakes, and deer and antelope. Now good to be home, and bed will feel good in an hour!</span></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-67046760119110229052009-11-01T17:07:00.000-08:002009-11-02T19:35:54.936-08:00IN SEARCH FOR THE GAME<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5wbKk27TCgO8VnT-rMAdJnAT922LQfOj0R3kNNJtNENQtqfY4-tqGJyggSCCjL4hRedeGnk7SfbPCVkKTGqTllzoZgBiYWLNPAayUwAIX5S-odHEuKxyabaZiFA-OsdRLxLkx9Iz3kpT/s1600-h/DJ+Farve2"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399715754611562370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5wbKk27TCgO8VnT-rMAdJnAT922LQfOj0R3kNNJtNENQtqfY4-tqGJyggSCCjL4hRedeGnk7SfbPCVkKTGqTllzoZgBiYWLNPAayUwAIX5S-odHEuKxyabaZiFA-OsdRLxLkx9Iz3kpT/s320/DJ+Farve2" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNZVJiuzB5LDwgZ8lM5PVxzKs4TsO9PkERegOOQUbPSEAisNtP0l9YoJ2YpQTT48SL0RjZtT7b2pcN926NojlttntMc3-Kh_2_0BxbM6U8msoxby6k2N3nlXti6pbeuZ3xtkyV863DbRI/s1600-h/DJ+Farve"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399715367700476130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNZVJiuzB5LDwgZ8lM5PVxzKs4TsO9PkERegOOQUbPSEAisNtP0l9YoJ2YpQTT48SL0RjZtT7b2pcN926NojlttntMc3-Kh_2_0BxbM6U8msoxby6k2N3nlXti6pbeuZ3xtkyV863DbRI/s320/DJ+Farve" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#330033;"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">As many know, there is a great rivalry between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. And when they play each other, it is <em>THE</em> game to watch! Since the Vikings beat the Packers when they played in Minnesota, they were out for revenge when the Purple People Eaters came to Lambeau Field today.....and there were some really mixed feelings seeing their beloved Brett Farve returning in purple! </span></strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>I was <em>sure</em> that the game would be televised down here....but it turns out it was on at the same time as the Arizona Cardinals game, so the local team won out. Not to be deterred, Mom and I dressed in purple, went to the new sports bar to see the game. We were sure that they would have one screen off the Cardinals and on the big Viking-Packer game. But to our disappointment, they said they didn't have the NFL channel. We called around, and just when we thought we were out of luck, we were told that Anitas had satellite and would be showing THE game on at least one screen.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>We had an hour before kickoff, so ordered a margarita, and brought a deck of cards to play some Gin 13. My cousin Linda joined us, and we were seated next to a table of guys dressed in green....from Wisconsin...so the rivalry with disparaging remarks and horn sounds began! </strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>When game time approached, we asked to have the TV changed to THE game. We were given the remote....found the channel that said "Vikings vs Packers".....then read that this channel was not a paid for channel! We frantically went through the channels...others tried the remote...we talked with the bar tender.....but all was in vain. THE game was not going to be shown at Anitas. So we called the Sportsbar in Morristown, and at Los Cab....but no one had access to THE game.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;"><strong>We gave up and came home. I went online and "watched" the game on the play-by-play. I am very happy to report that the Vikings were successful in again beating the Packers, and the Cheeseheads had to admit that our "Cash for Clunkers" program was a good idea.....our gain was their loss.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#330033;"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">I was concerned that Brett would get carried away with the excitement of the game, and forget that he was to throw to purple and not green on his way to his next Super Bowl ring, but he proved once again the champion that he is.......and POWER TO THE SENIORS</span></strong>!!!!!!</span></div></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-50009246215519330322009-10-31T09:40:00.001-07:002009-10-31T09:50:58.825-07:00HAPPY HALLOWEEN!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCSwe5vQ32MfTg023NQA6HOBpkZYID-bNNZIMeN6WaoorF44XjAnyRHMRiVALmmR0DTVPw4NvEmQDXRtoSxzYwx7ce5KyhPWRFJmD7JF7qmqYrehQRK6LE65_b29tk286k6CNOBe38jux/s1600-h/Halloween+2009+030.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398806855800574834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCSwe5vQ32MfTg023NQA6HOBpkZYID-bNNZIMeN6WaoorF44XjAnyRHMRiVALmmR0DTVPw4NvEmQDXRtoSxzYwx7ce5KyhPWRFJmD7JF7qmqYrehQRK6LE65_b29tk286k6CNOBe38jux/s320/Halloween+2009+030.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g5zQ9gNLrkhwzYfWbeW435uDWPNSmgFIQ2A9lWkE1BvX-4qINbGkU_dS8NrytISYhMoX6KcipnmJ85UUvtU9d9HoySjYlqNP407TJn3a8fVkJdPS8qx4A0tUmHl8BJSzzqcmc5BLB65N/s1600-h/Halloween+2009+032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398806236714256914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g5zQ9gNLrkhwzYfWbeW435uDWPNSmgFIQ2A9lWkE1BvX-4qINbGkU_dS8NrytISYhMoX6KcipnmJ85UUvtU9d9HoySjYlqNP407TJn3a8fVkJdPS8qx4A0tUmHl8BJSzzqcmc5BLB65N/s320/Halloween+2009+032.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#993300;"> Mom and I found some costumes in a garage sale last<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpFupahN7nUW3BNM-cFgM5Aj3RozPDxfeMSjNnT4v8Vo8GjylJXiKzJfWgkhLKcvEoeUNdBS8j1mDHos-lJd0mZO3qsc5TxF8nXXwoGY5yW2wyZWVXeHp86Gy8WA98cIznS4qbXUrEh0R/s1600-h/Halloween+2009+028.JPG"><span style="color:#993300;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 211px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398805216499183058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpFupahN7nUW3BNM-cFgM5Aj3RozPDxfeMSjNnT4v8Vo8GjylJXiKzJfWgkhLKcvEoeUNdBS8j1mDHos-lJd0mZO3qsc5TxF8nXXwoGY5yW2wyZWVXeHp86Gy8WA98cIznS4qbXUrEh0R/s320/Halloween+2009+028.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#993300;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div><br /></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#993300;"> month, and wore them last night to the Westpark Halloween Party. Mom was the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz, and I was the Mayor of Munchkinland.....complete with a big pillow stuffed in my pants! Maybe it was the rainbow eyelashes I had glued on backwards, but I won second place and $60! Shows that you can still have new experiences as you become a senior citizen....first time I have ever won for a Halloween costume!</span></p>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-48049373335968992542009-10-18T14:03:00.000-07:002009-10-18T14:42:57.217-07:00ANOTHER GENERATION OF VIKING FANS!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEBVLni4Qn8aNEgYDGWlC4pkB3OtZWv3_Vx9pk8LKVHbe7Nl2dTMzQhA5f9JZV_ALISZST4elxeWOSOpUc5K6GsYrka-ujr8Q3f4acmKtGrQzDklwvWK01SMHYdUg6JYpJKCL02dUlOyM/s1600-h/Daniel+as+a+Viking.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394054511532701378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEBVLni4Qn8aNEgYDGWlC4pkB3OtZWv3_Vx9pk8LKVHbe7Nl2dTMzQhA5f9JZV_ALISZST4elxeWOSOpUc5K6GsYrka-ujr8Q3f4acmKtGrQzDklwvWK01SMHYdUg6JYpJKCL02dUlOyM/s400/Daniel+as+a+Viking.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">Growing up, Sundays meant getting everyone up for Mass, getting out the St. Joseph missals, and putting on our chapel veils. Then the Manthei clan would pile in the car and drive the 4 blocks to the church, where we would file into our usual pew in the front of the church. In the summer we sweat in the hot, stuffy unair-conditioned building (and I often walked out feeling faint), or freezing in the below zero winter months.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">When we got home, Mom would be fixing a rotisserie chicken or pot roast for our half-time dinner, and we would all put in a dime to draw a number between 0-9 for the game. Then we would cheer and groan as our beloved Vikings would play. Sometimes it was in the rain, sometimes in below zero snow. We watch the expressionless Bud Grant on the sidelines and the shivering players who were not allowed heaters, as the coach felt they would be thinking of getting back to them instead of fighting for a win.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">The winner of the game would gleefully gather the pot of dimes and we would dream of going to the Super Bowl. Sometimes our hopes would be high as we won the playoffs.....the again, once more were dashed as the Vikes lost yet another Super Bowl. But there was always the hopes of next year as the Tarkingtons, Foremans, Studwell's and Kramers hung up the helmets for another year.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">And now I live in Arizona, where I am not always able to see the Vikings play unless I go to a sports bar and beg them to put on the men in purple. BUT then there is THIS year! The rival quarterback, Brett Farve is now a Viking! And they are playing undefeated! And today I came home from church to discover the Vikings were playing on the local channel! And it was 4th quarter with 10 minutes to play and they led by 3 touchdowns!!!!! Then I called my daughter-in-law as as I was talking, watched Baltimore score and tie up the game. I then called my daughter in Ohio as the score was one point apart with two seconds to play. Baltimore attempted a field goal to win the game.....and missed. VIKES WIN!!! UNDEFEATED IN THE FIRST 6 GAMES OF THE SEASON!!!!!!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">I thought of how the excitement would have all the Manthei family rolling and pounding on the floor, screaming, praying, yelling and grabbing for the bowl of dimes. Dinner would have to wait until after the game was done. We would be exhausted from our cheering as we went to sit at the big dining room table. Dad would go downstairs to throw some logs in the furnace, and the warm air would start coming up through the grate in the middle of the room.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">After dinner and dishes, we would take our skates to the skating rink 3 blocks from the house, crunching on the frozen snow and blowing steam clouds above us with our breath. At the rink we would join our friends and talk about the game, the weekend, and the coming week at school. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">We returned home in the dark as the cold air chilled us and made our lungs ache from breathing it. And we would dream again of a Viking Super Bowl victory.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">It was a simpler life then. Dad worked as a Game Warden, Mom was at home with warm cookies when we returned from school (later she was busy selling Avon and Electrolux vacuums and writing for the Bemidji paper), and the youngest sister was born as the oldest one was graduating from high school. Life has changed considerable since then, and no one would have guessed where we would all be these years later, and what we would be doing. But some things remain intact....the dreams of watching a Viking win on a Sunday with the family....even if it now means sharing the plays by phone or Internet. Many things change in life, and now those same sisters have children and grandchildren of their own and new family traditions have been started. Some things remain the same, such as the Manthei's sharing the good and bad plays on the phone or Internet, and now yet another generation has joined in. Jen sent this picture of her son Daniel dressed Minnesotan for today's game. He is learning to cheer and working on making the Viking horn sound. Someday, the Vikings MAY win....and hope springs eternal that THIS year THESE Vikings will finally win the big one. Yes, Hell may freeze over, but it will be a hot day on the frozen northern tundra if the Super Bowl trophy finally comes to Minnesota. And there will be an old retired game warden dancing on the clouds.....literally! <strong>GO VIKES!</strong></span></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788162291868420345.post-82911150091477925812009-10-12T09:00:00.000-07:002009-10-12T18:54:13.573-07:00HAPPY TRAILS, SWEET PEA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AjVYPN78rNo3965xEVpVfl85kQTZjqEFriiW_B7z4rkkzWuGwWtxYb-Iqfg8rPm256Hkz3qcNIYZTnLtQKod8lpnAaDQgXOCTPr9dI_OyXlon5-M8GUchImtNwhzO8slQ2zZHXjVNBHj/s1600-h/baldry+2009+013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391756464502129010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AjVYPN78rNo3965xEVpVfl85kQTZjqEFriiW_B7z4rkkzWuGwWtxYb-Iqfg8rPm256Hkz3qcNIYZTnLtQKod8lpnAaDQgXOCTPr9dI_OyXlon5-M8GUchImtNwhzO8slQ2zZHXjVNBHj/s400/baldry+2009+013.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">When I moved from Minnesota to Arizona, I was questioning how much longer I would keep my horse and be riding. Most of my riding friends up north were younger than me, and I was thinking I was getting a bit long in the tooth for this sport, and with my arthritic joints complaining, I was thinking it might be time to hang up the spurs.</span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">Then I met Bets. She is a typical New England no-nonsense tall, slim woman in her 80's who keeps her horse at the same ranch as I keep Bart. She invited me to join her on a trail ride, and from there, we have enjoyed riding the trails at least once a week. She belongs to Las Damas (and is the oldest member who still rides!) and has had me as her guest on the monthly and 5-day ride. When I mentioned that I may retire from riding, she scoffed that if she was still in her 60's, she wouldn't even consider quitting riding!</span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">I have enjoyed riding with her and learning the trails, birds, and vegetation that she knows so well. She used to show saddlebred horses, and is an excellent rider and I enjoy her sharing her knowledge of horses and life with me as we ride the beautiful country in Arizona.</span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">She has been riding a beautiful red dun mare that was called Madison when she bought her 10 years ago. Although she is an awesome trail horse, she doesn't have the kindest attitude....often pinning her ears, snapping her teeth, and sometimes taking a nip off Bets as she saddles this cranky mare. Someone commented that she was "a real Sweet Pea" when she displayed her naughty attitude...and that was the name Bets gave her . This mare with the beautiful, smooth body and gorgeous huge eye continued with her ear pinning and teeth snapping even with all of Bets loving care, but Bets loved here and understood her, and would laugh and shake her head when the mare would do her thing.</span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">About 5 years ago Sweet Pea pulled a suspensorary ligament, and had to be on pasture rest for a summer. Since then Bets has had special shoes and pads applied, x-rays and ultrasounds done, supplements fed, and Sweet Pea has been sound most of the time. But last week as we were riding on Turtle Mountain, Sweet Pea suddenly buckled on all four legs and almost went down. She recovered but left Bets over the neck. As the ride progressed, the mare's limp became more pronounced, until Bets decided to get off and walk her in. </span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">She gave her some Bute when we go back, but Sweet Pea remained sore on the foot. It was a difficult decision, but she decided that she had done all that she could do for the mare, and made the decision to have her put down. This morning she trailered Sweet Pea to her vet, and said her good-byes. </span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">I had thought that I would be losing my riding partner, and that she would decide to quit riding as she reached her mid-80's. But Wednesday she is going out to look at a new horse! She said "Of course I'm getting another horse. What else would I do?"</span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">I have so much admiration for this woman. As I feel the aches and pains after a ride, I can imagine how she must feel. What an extraordinary spirit! She is such an inspiration to so many of us who wonder how many more riding years we have in us. </span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#330033;">Happy Trails, Sweet Pea.....run free!</span></strong></div>jens momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12688539354595067560noreply@blogger.com1