Yesterday I was finally able to pick food out of the garden! We got a zucchini and a cucumber. We’ve been getting a couple green beans a day, but this is the first big stuff.

So today is zucchini bread-making day. Two loaves…one in the freezer, one to keep out and eat. And that’s what I do with every batch of bread or pie from garden produce. That way we have breads all through winter and spring!

Some tomatoes are growing but green, but the cantaloupe and pumpkins have yet to produce. We got it started late this year. But a garden’s a garden

It’s amazing how quickly 2 weeks and a few days can go by! It seemed like every day was over before it began.

We stayed in Wyoming with my parents for a few days first. They have 2 llamas, 2 mini horses and 2 big horses and a bunch of sheep. And a few dogs and cats. Pierce was terrified of the horses at first, but eventually rode the minis and enjoyed them. They’re like dogs…just lovey and follow people around for attention   Paul and I plan on getting one next year hopefully.

Then we headed out to Utah to stay with one of my sisters. They have 4 cows (2 of which are pregnant), 4 sheep, 2 horses, a pony, chickens, a dog and a few cats. We stayed there almost a week, but it just felt like days. My nephew was baptized and we had a family picnic…lots of fun.

Our kids had so much fun with their cousins. Pierce really loved meeting his cousins, one in particular (she’s 6). She totally took care of him while we were with my sister. It was really cute. He liked all of them though…I asked him who was his favorite and he named all of them that he could think of

My sister and I talked my bil into coming out here for Thanksgiving so we’re all really looking forward to that.

We decided to leave Gabby out there for a few more weeks, so when my parents bring her home, they’re also bringing a niece (she’s 2 years older than Gab) for awhile, too.

I have to say I’m happy to be home. I missed my friends here….so many are like family.

So good trip and we’re looking forward to doing it again in 2 years

Sunday my dh is going to Texas for a week. I was very jealous. But after I made him promise to bring back a few things, I think I’ll be ok

Sunday is also his birthday, poor guy. So tonight we did the steaks on the grill and birthday cake thing for him. Tomorrow night we have a friend’s daughter’s graduation party. Kinda nice having 2 parties in a row…can’t complain about that.

So I just have to not try to think about him being gone for a week…makes me a little sick to my stomach. But hopefully he’ll have fun at his work thing…I think it’s a CSI for computers type of class. He could explain it better. I’m not a techie/geek.

My bff lives in Texas, so she told me he has to call her so she can show him around the town we grew up in together.

Lucky guy…I still think he should throw me in a big duffel bag and take me with him.

One of my sisters called me today…she was wondering if I want to do a triathlon with her when we go out there (to UT) this summer.  She tried to convince me it would be lots of fun. *sigh*

So now I have to decide. I’m not worried about the biking or running. It’s the swimming. I used to be a good swimmer, but it’s been so long. I’m not sure how well I’d do in the water.  Hopefully it wouldn’t be last.

I think if I did it, the swimming might totally wear me out.  I don’t know….decisions, decisions…

So Monday was Memorial Day. We had great weather. Slightly overcast but warm, but not too hot.  Just a bit of sun and breeze. Every year our church has it’s annual picnic at a nearby Nat’l Park, complete with lake, boats, tables, etc.  Always lots of fun.

One of the teen girls came over to talk to me…she was trying to figure out a way to get her grandma wet. Oddly enough, Gab had brought a bag of water balloons. Most had popped (in my car!!!) on the way up, but there were still a few left. I got them for her and smiled. Then hubby and I walked down to the lake where Gab and Pierce were with a bunch of friends.

Later, on our way back to the picnic site, I noticed the lady, Ginnie, was wet all down her back. Innocently, I asked what happened. She said, “Oh, you know! You’re the guilty one that gave Ashley the water balloon!!”

We joked back and forth for a few minutes then I walked over to our spot. Paul had the baby and I had a drink (an unopened bottle of water) in hand.  Ginnie decided that was a great moment to splash her water bottle on me. I tried to open my water quickly, but she had the upper hand. I got quite wet. Luckily, I got her back, though, so we were both a little soggy.

Long story short, after plotting for awhile, we got a few other people soaked. So by the end of the mass water fight, there was a total of 9 people that got wet, including myself. Great fun

When the picnic was over, dh and I did burgers on the grill at home and went out for ice cream. All in all, a very nice Monday.

Unfortunately Tuesday decided to be Monday…I went out to my car to pick up Gab from school and noticed my tire was flat. I called dh and he took care of Gab and her orthodontist appt and then the tire. So Monday really decided to sneak in and take over Tuesday. Oh, well….such is life

Last night was middle school orientation for our dd. It was nice to see the school and her classrooms.

But dh and I had a big problem with the presentations. They really focused on pushing trades instead of college.

They had a 10 minute video on how great trades are, how much money you can make, and that college is over rated. So why not just forget about college and do a trade?

I leaned over to dh and asked, “Are you biting your tongue, too?” He nodded.

Before I get my head bitten off, no, there’s nothing wrong with learning a time-honored trade.  Without it, there’d be much less plumbing, electric, etc. I respect people who can come into my house and fix something I can’t.

The problem I had is that there’s more to college than a degree and money. There’s a certain amount of respect that comes with a degree. People fight for and dream of college.  I did. I put myself through 2 years while holding a job and being a single mom when my dd was a toddler.   I could go on with why a degree is important to me, but I won’t bore you.

I think if one of my boys tried to go to college and hated it and wanted to be a welder or an electrician, I’d be fine with that. Or if he tried out a trade school through high school before college.  But to exclude college (as the presentation was doing) is doing the kids a disservice.

A friend at church is pregnant, due the first week of June.

Our Girl’s Night group decided we would throw her a diaper shower, complete with big diaper cake. We thought of this back in January or February.

Someone else (that doesn’t come to Girl’s Night ‘cuz she chooses not to, not b/c she’s not been invited) threw her one before ours. So today was that shower. Complete with diaper cake

Normally this might irritate me, but the pregnant friend is a great person and diapers will be much needed for her. So the girl’s night group and I just had a laugh over it and our friend will get a kick out of a surprise shower we’re having.

She thinks our next Girl’s Night (a week from now) is just that, but it really is the surprise shower. So I hope she’ll enjoy all the diapers!

Everyone knows I have 2 little boys at home all day. Dean will be turning ONE in a few weeks and Pierce will be 4 in July.

This leaves me with limited time on the computer each day.

And unfortunately I’ve been distracted by Facebook. Which is why I haven’t been doing my duty upkeeping this blog like I had in the past.  If you’re on FB, you’ve no doubt seen games advertised there. And friends will at some point try and get you into their game. They make more money that way. It’s a smart system.

So one of my brothers got me on Street Racing. A friend got me on Farm Town. And another friend got me on YoVille. And these games are addicting!!

In Farm Town, you have a little farm you plow, plant & harvest. And the more you plant and harvest, the more money you make and you go up in levels. Gradually you unlock new crops, trees, animals, barns, ponds, etc.

YoVille is a little city that you have an apartment to decorate. You “go to work” every 6 hrs, earning money to decorate your apt, buy clothes, etc. When you make and save enough money, you can also buy a house. I bought a trailer and named it “Wicked Awesome.”

Street Racer is a car racing game. You can buy new racing cars, parts, and race people for money and points. Once again, the points unlock new items.

It all sounds rather juvenile (and it is) and when I play these games, I always wonder who the other people are. Is “Slick” really a 60-year-old single bald and fat? Or is he 20 and hot? Or 15 with braces ignoring his homework?

But we all need distractions. We all need a fantasy world. A place to get away from the stresses of life and just play.

And I dare you to play for a week and not get hooked.

Yesterday I had my highly anticipated appointment at my favorite salon.

I wanted to lighten it up a bit and get some fun new color in for summer and my stylist did a great job! She razored the top layers shorter, keeping the long layers.  Then she put in some nice blonde streaks and some nice coppery-red highlights.

So my hair is now brown, red and blonde Reminds me a bit of tiger stripes but I’m SOOO loving it! The blonde keeps it light-looking and the red is good on me.  I’m thinkin’ I’ve found my new favorite colors.

I liked the purple and the last red, but this one is fun.

I love getting my hair done