For James again

This post is for James---
He has missed out on alot of things this summer especially with our first house so he requested I post more about the garden and things like that for an update. So everyone just bare with me for this post. We don't have grass but we have flowers, can you say weeds.


The sunflower behind our house under or should I say at the same level as my bedroom window.








The other night I went out to the garden and was able to "harvest" enough peas for one person for one meal and tomatoes I was happy because thats all I needed.



This is Shelby our turtle (with a gold fish we got for her to eat about 1 1/2 years ago and now has grown almost bigger then Shelby) Shelby east 25 little feeder fish in a matter of minutes believe it or not.

James update

This post is for everyone who asks about James

It has been a long and hard summer with some fun in between. James left the for Texas April 17th 2008. After two days of driving he arrived in El Paso his home for at least the next 4 months. I was able to visit him a few short weeks later (the end of May, for 5 whole days). He has worked really hard with some ups and downs. Ups-$$$$$$ Downs- missing me and lots of work with little time, sleep and resources to do it. However he has mad it work with many sacrifices and lots of effort. I also visited him in July for 12 days, only to realize this was the last time we would get to see each other until he comes home the first of October. Our summers seem to last a lot longer then any one else's with no spring or fall in between only winter just because of his on and off season. The last week or so has been a really tough one on him with most of his guys leaving to go back to school, trying to close open tickets (problem accounts) from those that have left, trying to find more techs to complete the extended season, close down the office in El Paso to move it to a new city with only 9 hours of sleep in 4 days. I don't know how he did it but he did and he even managed to squeeze in a few phone calls for me. With the car loaded and the big U-haul of equipment and furniture (sales reps slept on the floor for 3 nights waiting for their beds that James was bringing) and techs in tow he was off and moving Sunday 08/24/08 with a 5 hour dive ahead of him. He moved to another city in Texas (Middleton and Odessa farther away from home) he lives in Middleton but will work also in Odessa which is only 15 minutes away. Hope it helps with the gas bill, cross your fingers. He finally got some sleep and now is enjoying life with a service tech in El Paso taking care of those problems and able to do what he loves about his job meeting new people while installing and "taking it easy" if you can call it that considering he still has an office to run.

If he hasn't called you or answered your calls it is not for lack of love or wanting its pure and simple busy. He loves you all and appreciates your phone calls and texts it helps him get through the days. He comes home in 36 days shhhh don't tell him that lets leave it at 5 weeks!!!

Thanks to everyone for their love and support while he is gone it helps my days go faster and smoother. (Holly thanks for the fun and Mom for the phone calls)

Tagged!!!

Okay I have never been tagged officially so here it goes.....

10 years ago....

1.) Dying of heat in a non air conditioned house
2.) Waiting for school to start- Sophomore year Ogden High go Tigers!!!
3.) Waiting for my mom to get home so she could take me school shopping
4.) Cleaning the house
5.) Watching T.V.

Tomorrow's to do....

1.)Work
2.)Drop off some of the apricot jam I just made
3.)Clean my house (so cousins can come over)
4.)Feed, water, and walk Max (our dog)
5.)Send off a payment


Places I have lived.... (this may take awhile)

1.)Ogden, Salt Lake, Harrisville Utah
2.)Hermiston, Oregon
3.)Idaho Falls, Idaho (4 different places and currently reside)
4.)Apple Valley, Rogers, Maple Grove Minnesota
( I did not officially live in these places with my husband but I visited him there)
5.) Greensboro North Carolina
6.) El Paso Texas

If I were a millionaire....

1.) I would Pay off our house and buy my mom a new one closer to us
2.) I would Travel Travel Travel, I never had a passion for it until I met James (I hope we can travel even if we don't become Millionaires )
3.) I would Buy new cars, James loves his "teching" care 1989 Buick Le Saber but man its old
4.) I would Buy some vacation property (ie.. cabin, condo on the beach or just land to "camp" on away from people)
5.) I would go on a shopping spree everyday... I know its selfish but I love to shop (not as much as some but its still fun)

My favorite snacks.... (I'm totally unhealthy so don't be surprised.)

1.) Sweet N' Salty peanut kind
2.) No Bake cookies (they have oatmeal that's kinda healthy right?)
3.) Chex mix (I didn't like this for a long time but just recently it has been a staple in our home and my drawer at work) especially chocolate peanut butter
4.) Toast and Jam
5.) Anna's rice crispy treats (she brings them to work often)
6.) Anything chocolate or peanut butter (even though it gives me heart burn man I'm in trouble when I get pregnant)

I tag Jami, Heidi, Monica and Heather Matheson

The begining, middle and the end.

The canning season begins!!! I have done quite a bit of canning in my short 4 years of marriage but have not yet attempted much by myself or apricot jam. Last night I tried it, I have to say not to shabby. I didn't even like apricots when I was younger but this stuff was good. I don't know what I was thinking trying to do it on a week night for one and then by myself. I think I was crazy but James likes it. The things we do. Well here goes I started at 7:30 pm after getting home from work and eating dinner, before that I had to stop at 2 stores to get the stuff I didn't have. Then came the pitting, washing, sorting, chopping and finally a batch at a time in one stock pot I started my first batch officially by 10:15pm. I didn't stop until 1:45 am but ended with 23 pints and little jar of jam. I'm crazy I know but there is something about canning and starting with one product and ending with something that will last a while and a different form. Somewhat rewarding.

The beginning


The middle

The end

Old Friends

I was able to see an old friend this weekend while I was in Utah she happened to be there and she lives in Virgina. It was really fun to see her and catch up even if it was only for a few minutes. There never seems to be enough time when you need it to do these kinds of things. Katrina and I were roommates before James and I got married (I had one more after her before we were married) but man we had fun. Its fun to reminisce about old times and laugh about things that only you can laugh at. We were only roommates for a short time and had a large group of friends we got together with but we made a lifetime of memories. They keep ya young. We got to talking about all kinds of things; fun times in the past, things (big things in our own lives) that we have missed, the current life and things/plans of the future. Sometimes I wish life were as simple as those days just working and having fun. I miss you Katrina and congratulations on your new bundle of joy Joshua he is a keeper. Keep in touch!