No I'm not advertising Katie's new favorite show. The Fresh Beat Band is Katie's first live action show that she likes. Makes me a little nostalgic for the days when she loved Baby Einstein. This show is about a group of teens who have a band and love to dance and sing. Think High School Musical for children.

This is how I caught Katie watching her show. Her favorite character is Marina the one with red curly hair because she does funny things. But she likes Kiki best (the girl with straight brown hair), because she does cool things.
But I think she really thinks Twist is the funniest (the blond guy), because he does goofy things like get stuck in garbage cans, or buckets.

Ooohhwhoo Hahahaha, that Twist.

Jack and Jessie

This week we were privileged to watch a couple of wiener dogs, dachshunds if you must call them by their proper name. Jessie (above) and Jack (below) have been exceptionally good guests. They keep all the squirrels out of the yard, which is good for the birds who want to eat out of the bird feeder. The only problem is Jack has a bone to pick with any and all birds. When talking with his mom the other day I was horrified and slightly amazed to watch him chase and kill a bird. In keeping the squirrels at bay I noticed them climbing our big tree. At this moment they are exhausted from all the running around the yard they have done. It is a chore to get them in the house!

Molly, on the other hand, is always in a state of exhaustion. Squirrels are only to be chased if they come into the yard, and even then only if she feels up to it. She has never once considered climbing a tree, and the birds are ignored, unless of course they drop bird seed which Molly happily gobbles up.

Becca, Jack and Jessie's mom, informed me that her dogs do not jump on the couch. But she didn't mention them begging and us being complete suckers. Jessie gives excellent poor me looks, and Jack just waits until you try to pet him and they he uses your hand as leverage to climb up. We have been completely suckered by these two.

We were afraid they would be nervous, or shy around us. Nope they made themselves right at home. Jessie is, by the way, napping on my decorative bed pillow. Mi Casa es Su Casa!

The Great Flower Race of 2009 and a Sunday Picnic

Early in the year, the girls and I decided to plant some flowers and race to see whose flowers bloomed first. I planted California Poppies, Amy planted Oriental Poppies and Katie chose Painted Daises which took longer to sprout, but grew more flowers than mine or Amy's.


However, my California Poppies sprouted and bloomed first! Having said that, I should note that I had a total of about 5 flowers that survived to bloom. I guess they don't like Wyoming too well.


Amy had bad luck with her Oriental Poppies because she put all of the seeds in the packet into her little 10 inch flower pot. I kept teasing her that it looked like she was growing lettuce. However, the poppies did begin to shoot up after mine and Katie's bloomed, but in the interest of full disclosure, Katie picked all of the petals off Amy's flower as soon as they opened so that she would not win the race! What a little cheater. Oh well, all I can say is like father like daughter! Amy did get some of her flowers to bloom and they turned out very nice.



Moving on to a nice Sunday picnic...


This is a spot I had heard about at work, so we decided to pack up some food and have a nice Sunday picnic. It was a beautiful day for a drive and the scenery was magnificent. We had a good time exploring a place we had never been before and eating junk food along the way! It was only a short drive away from our house, so if anyone wants to see this scenic loop, then we can take you when you visit. We accept reservations anytime!!!


Katie's fingers were itching to catch some fish in this creek!


Amy reminded her that we did not bring any fishing poles, so there would be no fishing on this day. I kept looking on the mountain for deer and elk, but never did see any. After lunch we continued to drive and enjoy the scenic mountains.

The end of the loop brought us to a place where we could look and see the Flaming Gorge and it sure was magnificent! Now that we have scoped this place out, anyone who wants to see it for themselves, come on out! We have a place for you to stay.

Take care- Rick

Thunder's Just the Noise...

Last night we had a wicked lightning storm. I don't usually think I'm cool enough to say "wicked" but last night was amazing. We stood at our bedroom window and just watched. The power went out throughout the evening, and around 8:00 it went out for good.

With no lights we were able to get some cool shots!!!

Earlier in the evening I went to a meeting and it was not only raining cats and dogs, but the lightning was a little too close for comfort. As I walked toward the building a flash went off and seemed like it was down the street. I screamed like the wimpy girl I am, and received a chuckle from the man behind me.

The power outage lasted until around 1:30 am. It took me a minute to figure out what was going on as the tv was on and I couldn't figure out why Katie was watching Little Bill at 1:30 in the morning.

Today we woke up to a large branches that have broken off, and landed in our yard, and the sun. I am currently watching three children plus Katie, plus two wiener dogs (more about them later) and yesterday was "interesting" being stuck in this house ALL DAY!!! The sun was a glorious sight!

Cross Everything

For the next two weeks we will be anxiously awaiting to see if Rick's job will be saved. Please keep your fingers/legs/arms/eyes/anything else you may be able to cross, crossed for him as he waits. You all will be the first to know come August 19th.

We'll call you.

In Better News...

This year I put a picture I took last year in the fair. Rick had this picture framed for my birthday. I took it at Devil's Gate on the way to Casper. Katie was busy picking the tops off the grass in the field, and it was windier than heck. Don't ask me how windy heck is just know it is pretty darn strong.
Anyway this year I won first place. WOOOHOOOO!!!!
Just thought I'd bring some good news back to this blog!

As Normal as We Can Be

Last Thursday Rick came home and told me that he had received a layoff notice. At the end of September he, and 69 other employees of FMC, will be out of work. I cried. We knew it was coming, we had been aware of not only the economy of this country but of the financial issues occurring within his company. But it is still a huge punch in the gut when it happens. In a way it is almost like someone dying, the grief is huge.
We are now faced with what to do next. On the positive side Rick will now be looking for work using his MBA. He is excited to see what doors will open. On the negative side we worry about where he will have to go to get work. Living in a small town makes it a little difficult to find something local. The unknowns are scary and large. We try to look at the positive side but it is difficult.
We are trying to keep life as normal as we can for ourselves and Katie. We don't want her to know and we thank goodness that she is young enough to be mostly oblivious.
In the end we know that what is happening is current and isn't forever. We will be able to eventually look back on this and know we survived, because we have no choice but to survive. Rick and I are super strong because we have one another to lean on. We also have all of you as supporters and we are so thankful. This isn't the usual post for me. I like to keep it upbeat and funny, but life isn't always that way is it?