Running Errands

Good Chair

On the way home to Idaho on Thursday Tommy and I stopped at Ikea and bought this chair and a foot stool to match. I got the one that is light colored wood base with dark brown cushions. It looks good in my room and now Janna has a chair to sit on. It was the first time I went to this store. It is huge and cheap. My kind of store. So many things to see.
I also stopped and dropped some clothes off for John. It was so hard to go see him but I'm glad I did.
We also went by and saw Edge's new building in Orem. I got to say goodbye to Dean. We didn't get home until 3:30 and we left Amie's at 9am.
On Friday we ran errands. I opened up a new bank account at West Mart Credit Union. I think it will be better than Bank of Commerce.
We went to Joanne's and Hancock Fabrics to get curtain fabric. I'm making some for my kitchen.

Verizon

We also went to Verizon and changed our phone numbers from Utah to Idaho. Mine is 208-821-7463 and Tommy's is 208-821-7713. Just in case I forget I can come to my blog and see what they are.

That's been my day and now it's time to go to bed.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for safe trips and peace and courage to do the hard things in my life.

2nd State Tournament Game - So Close

Dribble

Point

Protecting the Ball

Concentration

Coach

Amie

Harrison and Hayden

We went to Hailey's game last night to watch her play. I actually remembered my camera with my zoom lens so I could get pictures. It's hard to take action pictures for me. I probably need to take a photography class one of these days. These are some of the ones I really liked. Probably because they are of some of my favorite people on the planet.
The skyhawks played hard but ended up losing. It was heartbreaking for them but they have to be so proud to be in a State Tournment. I love to watch the determination on Hailey's face when she plays.
After the game we took Harrison home and stopped at the Sizzler to have dinner. We all had steaks and salad. Very yummy.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for this wonderful Ingram family. They make me feel so loved and welcomed. Again, I am blessed.....

Lunch With Tommy

Today Tommy and I went shopping and to lunch at Mi Ranchito. It's Janna's favorite place. When we worked together we went there all the time. Such gooooood food.
We shopped at Penney's where I got some kitchen stuff and used the gift certificate I got from Dean, Amie and the kids for my birthday. They are just too good to me. They spoil me and I love it. We went to Bed, Bath and Beyond looking for a stainless steel can opener. I told Tommy that if he took me there he would be in trouble. I got a lot of little stuff that I had been wanting. I did refrain from buying everything I wanted.
We had a most wonderful blessing today. Well, the well going out wasn't the blessing, that was the trial, but on the way to shopping Tommy said we should close out our account at UCCU. I thought I had about $25 in it. When they closed out my savings and line of credit and my checking I had over $1100 in it. And what do you think it is going to cost to get the well fixed. Not over $1000 because they have to pull the pump. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the tender mercies of my Heavenly Father. He always helps me when I need it. I think it's good to go through hard things because it increases my faith. I am blessed....

Heading for Salt Lake for Basketball Games

No 10

Hailey Dean

Tommy and I drove to Salt Lake to attend Hailey's first State Tournament game. She played a good game and they won so they have another one on Wednesday. It was so much fun to watch her play. I left my big camera in the car so I only had my small one. Maybe I will remember at the next game to get pics.
Hannah played in an Accelerated Soccer Tournament game in St George. I guess it was a fight to the end with overtimes and a shoot out (whatever that is) so they didn't go down easy. I wish I could be in two places at once. I would have loved to watched her game too. After the game Tommy and I headed to Dean and Amie's for a good nights sleep.
Grateful Statement: I have so much to be grateful for. My grandkids just make me happy. I am so blessed to have such loving ones. Heavenly Father has been so good to me.

Janna and Harley Hard at Work

Moving Pipe

Chicken Coop Ready

Bailee and Austin went to church with me today. Bailee took her friend Abbi who is inactive with us. She was so funny in the car. She told Abbi that she couldn't listen to her Ipod in Sacrament. Of course at the end of Sacrament I had to tell Bailee "You really aren't listening to Abbi's Ipod are you." That caused a quick put away. Oh, the joys of teenagers.
When we got home Janna and Harley were still working on the farm. They were moving pipe with the skidster and Harley is the weight so it doesn't fall off. She is such a skinny thing I don't know quite how that works. Tommy had finished the Chicken Coop run so the chickens can go out and play.
Austin made Black Bean Burritos for dinner all by himself. He is becoming quite the cook. I need to get on it and teach him how to cook some different things.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the Sabbath. I am grateful for the prompting I get so I can be better.

Mall Day With Bailee and Friends

What a group.

Charlie's Angels

I took Bailee and three of her friends to the mall today. They ran around the mall and I shopped in Penney's. Couldn't find anything I liked except a rug for my back door. But the girls had fun. Then we went to Walmart and then to DI. I got some more books for decorating my kitchen. I bought the dollar ones so I could cover them. It was crowded and I have decided that I don't really like DI very much on a Saturday. I'm only going during the week from now on. These silly girls posed for a pic for me in front of the DI store.
We went to Dairy Queen for Blizzards and then home. Now time to cover books.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the Bailee today. She is spiritual and I like that. I know I am blessed to have her in my life.

Decorating My Kitchen

DI at work

This was so much fun

Thank goodness for a daughter who is tall.

Janna helped me decorate my kitchen. She can crawl up on ladders and reach everything. My short self has a harder time. It was fun and we got it done. Now I need a curtain for my kitchen window and it will be completely done. Janna took me to DI to get these books and helped me cover them. We still need a couple more to finish it up in my TV room. We found some good stuff.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for a willing daughter that helps me do all these things. She is the absolute best...

Results Back

Dr. Tall called Tommy yesterday and told him that he has prostate cancer. Tommy has an appointment after we get back from Utah to discuss what to do next. It surely took the wind out of all our sails around here. Janna and Harley had a good cry. We'll hope for the very best. We haven't told Bailee or Austin yet but I guess we better tell them tomorrow.
Today Bailee started feeling sad that her mom didn't get anything for Valentines Day so we went to the store and her and Harley bought their mom chocolate and Harley bought her a package of seeds for her flowers. Too  funny. We went to her work and the girls took her their Valentine presents. There is no mom on this planet that is loved more than Janna's kids love her.

Pure Love

Then tonight Bailee made heart shaped cookies for Grandpa, Grandma and Mom. She is so thoughtful and sweet. She just wants everyone to have a treat for valentines.
I cleaned all my floors today and watched my neighbors little girl after school until her older siblings got home. That's been my day.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for Tommy. I am grateful that he can go through all his health problems and still find a smile for me. I must spoil him to make up for it all.

I Love Sundays

Janna and I went to church today. Bailee and Austin were with their dad so it was just the two of us. I taught my Sunbeam class and Janna left to get me a bag with something in it for my class. When I got out of church I couldn't find anyone to pick me up. Denise was there and gave me a ride home. Austin informed me that Harley was at the church waiting to pick me up. Her first solo drive. I called her and told her to come on home as I was there. She was so funny. She said she had a hard time parking so she went to a corner of the parking lot and that's why I couldn't find her. What a cutie she is.
Austin made waffles for us for dinner and it was good for me because I didn't have to do dishes. Now it's time to go watch a little TV and set up my visiting teaching for this week. Good night Journal.
Grateful Statement: Today I am so grateful for my dear daughter. I am blessed to have such a sweet one.

Saturdays On The Farm

We got up and went to Home Depot this morning. I found a couple of trash cans for my laundry room and my sewing room. Tommy got the lumber to make a  wire run for the chicken coop so they can go out during the day and we don't lose them.
We also took Bailee to her dad's before we went to Idaho Falls. Austin went with his dad yesterday after school. Bailee had to babysit at the church for a Relief Society Sweetheart Dance. She had 40 kids and 5 Beehives but she managed to get it done.
Janna and I made Taco's for lunch today and then Harley and Janna went out to the barn to clean and feed the goats, horses, kitties and chickens. I went outside once and walked to the barn but it was a muddy mess so I came back inside.
Tommy is taking antibotics for 5 days and they are making him sick to his stomach so he's been watching TV all day long. The doctor didn't call him about the biopsy yesterday so hopefully good news will be coming on Monday.

Plugged in

That's been our Saturday on the farm. Harley is sitting next to me on the couch playing games on her new computer she got for her birthday and Janna is playing on her phone and we are watching Chopped. Good time in my cozy little house.

Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for my many blessing. Sometimes I forget just how much I am blessed. Today was not one of those days. I am blessed....

Doctor's Visit

Tommy went to the Eurologist today to have his bladder scoped and a needle byopsy on a node on his prostate. His bladder was clear of cancer. What a relief that was. The Doctor will call tomorrow and tell him the results of the byopsy. I dropped him off at the doctors and went to Winco to do the grocery shopping. After over an hour of shopping and checking out I went back to the doctors office. Tommy was back in an exam room but they hadn't done the tests yet. I waited out in the waiting room and read People magazines.
When we got home Austin helped me take in all the groceries and put them away in my pantry. He really does it well and get everything in the right place. He is my organizer.
Tommy made dinner and now it's time to relax.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful that Tommy is still cancer free. He is a blessed man.

Harley's 16th Birthday

I cleaned up my kitchen and put all the canning stuff away. Yahoo!! It was good to put the last of my jars on my shelves and know I had accomplished so much. Way to go ME...
I also made a Chocolate Cake with Butter Cream Frosting for Harley Birthday. That's what she ask for and that's what she got. Every kids has their favorite. My kids did too. Must be a kid thing.
We went to Texas Road House for dinner to celebrate. It was so fun. Ronnie came to wish his daughter a happy one.

 Janna and Harley, the best of friends.

 Harley and her Daddy

 Bailee is saying something to me. Probably "don't take my picture".

Austin eating Peanuts

 

Tommy and Me

Ride 'em Cowgirl

And Harley had to ride the pony while they wished her a Happy Birthday. Everyone has to ride the pony. Amie had to ride the pony on her birthday. Harley and Amie are good sports.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my wonderful family. My earthly family is shrinking so it makes my kids and grandkids even more precious to me. I feel so blessed to have them.

Harley Has Her License

Having passed her driving test she's off with grandpa to get her license with Birth Certificate in tow. She said she had butterflies in her tummy all morning.

Driver

 Here she is with her valid temporary drivers license. Way to go Harley. All those long summer drives paid off.

She's Legal

Harley now has her Drivers License. She went to work with Janna so she could take her driving test at 9am. She passed with flying colors. She was very nervous and worried about the written part. It took a little while so Janna didn't have time to take her to the DMV and I was in the middle of making Apple Butter so grandpa took her. She was so happy when she was done and had passed everything. She now has her temporary paper copy and waiting for the real thing. Where did the time go that all these granddaughters are driving. Makes me feel real old.
I spent the day making Apple Butter. After two batches of it I had had enough. I had less than a half of a box of apples left and called the Bishop's wife and asked if she could use some. I was so glad to find a home for the rest of them. Now I can clean my kitchen and put everything away. But my pantry shelves now hold 28 quart jars of Apple Pie Filling, 7 pints of Applesauce and 13 pints of Apple Butter. Next year when I do apples I am going to have a Squeezo to run the apples through. That will make it much faster.
Now it is time to put my feet up and rest.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for Harley. She is such a hard worker and so responsible. I am so proud of the young lady she has become. She is a true blessing to our family.

Bailee Is All Grown Up

Pretty Girl

Bailee, Austin and I went to Church today. I forgot it was fast sunday one more time. I don't know why I can't remember to fast. I think I'll just fast on a day that's not Sunday and then I won't forget. I wonder if I'll ever get all this down. I hope Heavenly Father will remember the things I finally got right and not all the things I never master down here.
I taught my lesson on how much Heavenly Father and Jesus loves us. I ask all the kids who loved them. Kiera came today, the very first time. I asked her who loved her and she said nobody. I said your dad loves you because he brought you to primary. She just looked at me and said no he doesn't. Some times they are just not cooperative with the lesson material. I had a good laugh over that one. I think as she comes more she will get better and better. And I know her dad loves her.
Bailee came over to see me and she looked so pretty I had to take her picture. I can't believe how much she has grown up. Her hair is long and shiny and beautiful. My grandkids are getting do big.
We came home from church and I have did absolutely nothing. Austin made pancakes for our dinner and now I'm sitting on the couch trying not to go to sleep.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for Bailee. She is so willing to do all that she is asked at church. She goes and finds inactive girls and brings them to church. Her leader just loves her. Heavenly Father is very pleased with Bailee J. Kulow. She is truly a daughter of God.

My Canning Helper

Austin decided to be my helper when I started doing Apple Sauce. He really loves Apple Sauce. He helped me peel all the apples with my handy peeler. He likes to make things work so it was fun for him.

Austin Peeling

 Then he put the apples thru a sieve after we cooked them down. It was a lot of work getting the apples sauced. We added 1/3 cup brown sugar and 2/3 cup white sugar and cinnamon. It was so good.
 

Smashing

Smashing some more

 Austin helped me fill the jars with hot apple sauce and put on the lids and rings. Then he babysat the canner making sure it was staying in the right place on the gauge. He really helped me. And we had FUN.... He said he was always going to help me can. He told me it was the second time he had canned. I had to think about that one and then I remembered when he and Bailee, Harrison and Hayden came to the cannery and helped me can some stuff. Who knew we were making memories that he would remember forever. I just love when it's done and in the jars.

Yummy

Then we made black bean burritos with my canned black beans because we were too tired to do much else. Janna, Harley and Tommy had spent the afternoon in the barn working on things.
This morning Janna, Harley and I went to the Mall to spend my birthday gift certificate from Dean, Amie and Family. I couldn't find what I wanted so I decided I would come back another day and roam the store. Bailee had an overnighter with two of her friends so she was still sleeping when we left. After dinner we all went to Reed's Dairy for Ice Cream and Harley drove us. She is getting ready to take her drivers test so she is practicing every chance she can. She is really a good driver.
That's what I have been up to today. Now it's time to watch "The Dog Whisperer" and relax. It's been a really good day.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for Austin today. He is such a good help. I'm glad he likes to hang around with me and help me. I am blessed to have my wonderful grandkids. So very blessed....

Chicken Coop Almost Done

Janna is a hard worker.

Chicken Coop

Tommy and Janna worked on the chicken coop. They moved it into the garage with the skidster so it would be warm enough to paint it. Harley put the chickens in it tonight so they will lay eggs where we can find them. Tommy has to make a ramp so the chickens can go in and out.
I canned 7 quarts more of Apple Pie Filling. I am done... 28 quarts should do us for awhile. I also tried to can Applesauce. Never ever trust the internet to tell you how to do something. I followed a recipe that said just chop up the apples, put them in a big pot and cook. Then put then through a sieve. Well they don't go through the sieve very well with all the peels on so tomorrow I'm going to use my apple slicer. So Harley took all the cooked apples out to the barn so the chickens could enjoy the apples. After all it isn't like I don't have an abundance of them. And we don't waste anything around here.
Being as I woke up at 2am this morning and couldn't sleep I'm about ready for bed. So goodnight journal.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for all my many blessings. I love my little house and living on a mini farm. There is always something to do so I am never bored. Life is good. Heavenly Father has been good to me.

More Canning

This is where it all begins. Today I started making more Apple Pie Filling. Then my kitchen looks like this

I even clean up after every batch and still it is a giant mess. 

But this is the reward for all my hard work today. I canned 14 more quarts.

Yummy

I took time out to rest after each batch while it was steaming away and then I had to make dinner. I made the Basil Chicken with Bowties. The kids love it and it's really easy.

Now it's time to watch "American Idol" and relax so I can get up in the morning and start all over again.

Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for the Gospel. I have been thinking about how blessed I am to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a blessing it is to know who's in charge!

Doctor Visit for Tommy

Tommy and I went to his doctor's appointment today. His PSA level are high so they need to do a needle biopsy on a node on his prostate and scope his bladder. Ouch!! We have an appointment for next week to get these procedures done. So we will see what happens. He is a brave man to go through this all the time.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for wonderful doctors that take such good care of Tommy. Heavenly Father gave them the knowledge to be able to treat patients like Tommy and I am so grateful for that.