Where Have I Been Lately?

At the end of January 2013 the family and I moved back to Great Falls, MT (the big city). It was a sudden move based on an experience my husband had of getting spun around in a wheat stubble field during the middle of a snow storm. It was his final straw!! Also, the 45 miles each way to work and back 5 days a week was wearing on him. The original plan was to retire in Fort Benton, MT and that may not be over but for now we are where the family is happier. My 3 teenagers didn't like the small city/living on a farm life. I must say though that I am content with either setting. I do miss my sweet lady residents in personal care there and have been visiting once or twice a month still with them. Right after the move we also had a major virus invade the old computer and went for several months without one. So glad a cousin of Fred's gifted us a new one. We are ever so thankful. Fortunately, my old employer in Great Falls had a position open and they hired me back immediately. The position is for 24 hours a week and I am working on picking up an extra shift permanently to have 32 weekly. However, there have been tons of extra shifts due to medical leave and vacations so I have been working 60 hours weekly for the past 4 weeks -- a bit overwhelming for me and the kids. Another new thing I started is volunteering at the local senior center for 3 hours on Mondays and then 4 hours on Thursdays. One of the teenagers goes with me each time and it is good for them to interact with the seniors as well as get one on one time with mom. I will close with pictures of a lion Wynston just finished making by hand with clay and then painting. He did a wonderful job on it!! Wynston is soon to be 16 years old -- can't believe it! The other pictures are of projects I have been working on with the kids in the group home where I work. The beading is new for me and the 13 year old boy there, but we have made 2 medallion "bling" pieces for him thus far. The boys like working on needlework projects just as much as the girls do in the group home.

Stitched Presents

For cousin Jessica -- who loves Nativities. A couple months ago I got to visit a town called Glasgow, Montana. Not much going on there but did get to spend a little time with some cousins and get to know them really for the first time. My husband and son were supposed to take a guided fishing boat day out on Fort Peck Lake but the weather proved non-cooperative so they will return in the Spring. It is amazing how you can be related and yet not have the opportunity to get to know each other. Family has always meant a lot to me as I grew up in a foster home. As a child you are told in the foster home that you are part of the family, but the last name is never the same, and then when it really comes down to introductions to new people -- you are called the "foster child". I, however, was fortunate to get to know and love Aunt Marie. She found out about me when I was 15. She came to visit in Tennessee and then we started a correspondence through mail and phone for many years. When I turned 21, she was my anchor to moving on with my life and helped get me to Montana. Many years later I can see how she helped so many in the family get from one place to another to where they need to be. I am glad to say she is now where she needs to be and hope that she continues to be happy and feel love from all the family -- near and far. Still trying to figure out the 1st, 2nd, 3rd cousin order of family and wondering where the "twice removed" parts come in when people are talking. Guess I need to do a little research. Did manage to stitch a few presents for the Glasgow area cousins and hope they have a wonderful holiday season. Here is thinking of you -- McKenzie, Malani, Nicole, and Christian (he got a knitted cap)!!

Holidays and Sniffles

Pssss . . . It's snowing again. It is also 2 degrees outside currently. Ever felt like things were running smoothly -- no stress, no worries. Holidays just around the corner and then BAM! Out of no where a little tickle starts in the throat and then next thing you know you are laid out flat in bed for 5 days. That happened to me. Packages were not even sealed up to be mailed out. One more afternoon at the sewing machine needed to finish up a wall hanging headed to Kentucky to my brother and his new wife. Well things will be arriving late for some. Christmas cards unfinished will become New Year greetings. Am I sweating it -- NO. Not what the holidays are all about. Do I have my 3 kid's presents wrapped -- NO, but I know they will be happy and feel my love. Just so thrilled none of my family came down with my more than sniffles. Glad they are not saying these words anymore, "Mom you sure do look like a picture of health, NOT." -- Avery age 13.

Christmas Wish

Trying to get into the spirit of the holidays coming up. Came across this photo and it made me laugh! Hard to believe Thanksgiving is this coming week.

Pheasants and Wheat Stubble

One critter I have not had much success capturing in photos is a pheasant. We have a bunch of them running around the wheat stubble fields here in Fort Benton, MT. I was able to catch some shots at a distance a month ago.

Makes me sad to write "shots" as it is now pheasant hunting season here. Several hunters and their dogs have been trying to walk these muddy fields (from our last snowfall) but they aren't staying long due to slipping and sliding. So I think the pheasants are safe for a few more days.