Show and Tell Friday

Not much to show this week I'm afraid.  I've only crocheted up a few beanies during the evenings this week.  But I have been working in the yard.  You see, I live in the desert and we have gotten almost 6" of rain at my house this year so far.  The plan was to redo the yard, put in some desert landscaping in the front, keep the grass in the back...last year we got the two hills in, put in some new trees (after taking out 15) and plants, got the sprinkler system updated and...well, we ran out of money and energy to get the weed barrior and rock in place...then it rained....and rained....and rained some more...UGH...I live in the desert for crying out loud.  The weeds have taken over.  I've pulled, mowed, weed-eated and sprayed but they are thriving in my yard anyway...mustard and foxtail to be exact.  Then there is this other weed that has a geranium like leaf...never had it until a few years ago.  Sooo....I've been in the yard pulling weeds out by their ground hugging roots most everday this week.  I've filled countless bags of them.  The foxtail down the edge of driveway are gone...for now, and the first hill in the front yard is now weed free.  Still one more hill to go.  I love my yard but at this point I ask myself why does it have to be so big.  Last night, every muscle in my body hurt...especially the backs of my legs and back from bending over and pulling those darn things.  

Now don't get me wrong...I did enjoy and am grateful for every drop of rain we received.  The desert is full of colorful flowers all a-bloom this year.  We've been out riding our ATVs several times and have really enjoyed the beauty of the flowers.  The cactus are blooming and they are amazing this year.  Here are a few pictures from last weekends trip for you to enjoy.  This tree was a real treat at Nickel Creek.  I've neve seen it in bloom before.

Happy Birthday Cassy!

Our furry little girl turned 3 on Saturday. What joy she has brought into our lives. Cassy is just the sweetest dog, happy, and loving. She is mine during the day, but when daddy comes home...I am second fiddle to him. I think that is her favorite part of the day...really! They have a whole routine they have to follow. Playing with Dad is her favorite pastime.

Cassy loves to get out with us to camp and explore. She travels really well, thankfully. She's quite the favorite on DAT campouts. Riding the ATVs are her favorite, Timm even built her a little platform so she'd be more stable. Most of the time she rides with Timm, while I travel behind them...it works better that way, she likes to turn around and see me there. She needs some doggles though.

She likes to play in the creeks, streams and lakes...not a pool. Cassy also loves the snow, she likes to run along and push her shoulder into it and roll around in it...it's really cute to watch.

Our newest family portrait...since the kids moved out.

And here we ALL are. This was not an easy shot to get by the way.

Mom, Dad, Chris, Christy, Scott

Zoey (Happy B-Day, she turned 1 yesterday), Cassy, Shelby, and Roxy

(Christmas 2008)

Happy Birthday Chris!

So when did I get so old that my baby turned 22? That's right, Chris is 22 today. It all went by so fast. He is an awesome young man that I am so proud of.

We've been through the whole Scouting program...Tigers to Eagle Scout, and even some Venturing. I was his den leader all through Cub Scouts and Dad was his Scoutmaster in Boy Scouts. He was a great Senior Patrol Leader and enjoyed 2 summers staffing at Del Webb High Adventure Camp. In fact, one summer he ran the aquatics program at Kolob Reservoir (all by himself). Is there a better way to spend the summer? I think not.




Chris is a streak of lightening on his sport quad...literally. He was flying (yes, flying) past Curtis and a few others, hit the soft shoulder on the gravel road and kept going. He is one speedy rider on that Outlaw and loves it. As a mom I wish he were a little more cautious but that's what these guys like to do.

Chris has high goals of becoming a Metro police officer and I know he will make a fine officer one day. I've finally gotten over the whole scared thing about it. He is goal is to be on SWAT. He'd make a damn good sniper...he's a dang good shooter.


Chris has this fetch-obsessed dog, Shelby. She is a sweetheart of a dog Chris saved from a friend that could no longer keep her. She and our dog, Cassy are bestest buds. Pretty much where one is, so is the other.

Chris, my baby boy, we wish you a Happy Birthday! We are so proud of you and the fine young man you turned out to be. Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it. We love you! Mom & Dad

A Busy Weekend

Things are going to be crazy this weekend so just in case I don't get to it...I wish all the moms I know a Happy Mothers Day! The sacrifices mom's make for their children is something to behold. Our kids (and sometimes hubbies) never know what we are willing to give up, share, or do for them to make ends meet or make dreams come true. Happy Mothers Day!

Yes, this is a busy weekend around here. It starts tonight with a fundraising dinner for my nieces' Girl Scout troop. It's a mystery dinner like we used to do for Boy Scouts. It will be lots of fun for those who attend...and good food to boot. Saturday I have a board meeting in Boulder City for the ATV Club, but first I will drop off my car on the west side of town (I live on the east side of the valley) to car pool with other board members...that way I can hop in my car and head to the company picnic on the far northwest end of town. Timm is striping the pastures for parking this morning. Ahhh, I remember the days when our Scout troop worked the event...now I just have to show up and have a good time. It's going to be a hot one this year though so lots of water will be consumed by all. Kids will love the bounce houses, games, and petting zoo. Adults will love the band, booze, food and more. Sunday will take us back to the Lutz home to cut down a couple of palm trees near the pool that are starting to effect the block wall. Should be plenty interesting, scafolding will be involved. It's a favor in return since we had friends come cut down 11 trees in January. And of course I need to see my mother on Sunday...I made her a cool gift this year I think she will really like. Its an altered art scrabble board with everyone's names on it. It still needs a ribbon. I will finish my weekend at our oldest son's house with a BBQ for Mother's Day...and their wedding anniversary. I still need to finish that piece today. So.....I guess I'd better get to it and get my projects completed. See you all on Monday.

trying to keep busy

I think I have just about everything done, caught up, and ahead around here. I have to admit I'm getting kinda nervous at this point about going in for surgery tomorrow (hysterectomy and bladder repair). I's had 2 c-sections so I know what recovery will be like and I'm bummed about being down for the count during the spring. ATV riding in the desert is the best then...it's not too hot, the cactus and flowers start to bloom, and it's really pretty.
I've made soup, chop suey, done a ton of laundry, changed the sheets, waxed the floor, pulled weeds most of the day on Saturday, and I've sewn 9 baby size rag quilts...5 of them today. I finished sewing up a fleece patchwork quilt today as well. It's pinned and ready to be tied off.
I need to shower, pack a small suitcase, re-make the bed and hit the sack. Need to get up at 4-4:30am to be there at 5:30am. Wish me luck!

So good to get out of town

Jan and Timm pointing us to our next destination

Woo Hoo! It was wonderful to finally get out of town. We haven't been camping since the end of January, and boy was I itching to hit the trail. Our ATV club went to the Gap Mountain area in Nevada about 165 miles north of Las Vegas. A cold front brought us scattered rain everyday (which is a treat for us around here) and very cool weather for Memorial Day (another treat for us by the way, we hit record highs of 108 the weekend prior). It was a great opportunity to try out our new rain gear, and may I say it works great! We spent 3 days riding in wide open Nevada among the sagebrush flats, pinion pine and juniper covered mountains, and everything in between. Cassy, our yellow lab, rode with us on Saturday on the back of Timm's quad...for 60 miles...she was awesome!

Here she is a the hot springs with Timm. She so wanted to get into the water after that stick but I didn't want stinky wet dog in the RV all night.