Llama hunt 2009

We finally got the llamas sheared. A dude and his wife travel around shearing llamas... it was friggen crazy. How weird is it that this is how they spent their honeymoon???
First of all, our llamas aren't used to being sheared, so they were all pissy to start with. Thank god the dude was like the friggen llama whisperer! He'd stare them down then grab them around the neck and hold on while they had a melt down. I'm surprised he survived because they were out to dismember him! Finally they'd calm down and he'd give them a big loooong hug and whisper to them :) It would be sweet if it wasn't a bit disturbing... then he haltered them and led them into the llama squeeze to shear them. They put up a big fuss, pretty much hacking up every nasty bit of nasty in their guts and horking it out at us, but most are sheared.
Unfortunately a few were so pissed they jumped the fence and headed for fields far away.
The local farmers hate us and our dumb ass llamas. They've been threatening to shoot them if they keep hanging around their fields. We've been herding them home, but they make a break for it when we get too close. Good lord, its frustrating after chasing the bastards for miles and miles and getting sooo close to home, to have them turn and run all the way back to where you originally started. Next time I'm going to punch them. My peace loving soul is all freaky since moving onto the farm.
Recently 3 disappeared... I have a theory... you'll see below.

Pre shearing (I'm not supposed to have favorites, but she's my favorite. One of the AWOL llamas)

different llama post shearing (bahahahaaaaa! she looks humiliated :) This pic is for Christy

My theory of what REALLY happened to our 3 missing llamas.

Shifty farmers...
Speaking of shifty farmers :) We're coming closer to our big move. I'm sooo excited! We are shocked and amazed at how things are turning out. It's bigger and better then we originally planned, so stay tuned for some great updates. I'm probably experiencing 60% excitement and yeehaww-ness, and 40% total and complete terror. I need more zen in my life.

This time I'm going to keep quiet until we're ready to unveil, but prepare yourselves for sheer awesomeness.

Geez, I had a lot to share, but now I forget everything.
I put my hand in a huge pile of chicken crap. It's not news worthy but it was friggen gross.

That's all for now. If anything amazing happens I'll share.

Boogitty boogitty....

A kid (14ish) walked up to me in Walmart and asked me if I'm a Vampire. To be fair, he was jing-a-lingin high as a freaking kite... and apparently I'm "really f*uckin white" and have "freaky eyes"... come the hell on... my eyes are BLUE its not like they glow red or are oozing the blood of the undead.
What do you say when someone asks you a retarded question??? I just said yes, I am.
He said "Dope." Seriously???? "dope" is all you've got for me??? You think I'm undead and all you can say is DOPE??
I blame that stupid vampire movie for this.

I don't have anything against vampires. In fact, I'm pretty sure the crazy old lady at the next farm is a vampire. (I have evidence though... I always see her peeking out of the forest at me. She acts all shifty and vampireish AND I'm pretty sure she yelled when I kept whipping that garlic at her...). the reason I'm so pissed is because I HAVE A BLOODY TAN! When I see myself in the mirror I wonder who that brown girl is.. I'm more tanned then I have ever been in my entire life. Who the hell does he think he is to come and shit all over that? Little bastard.

I'm sure I have more to update, but I have company and I'm being rude and anti-social.
I'll be back...

Prepare yourself

Ok, just to warn you,this post will be full of cursing and yelling... mostly because of THIS GUY. Yes our bear has returned... bigger and badder then ever.

Well, this isn't a picture our actual bear, but this is how he looked when our dogs were trying to rip his stupid, ugly rat bastard face off. I hate this fucker. Seriously, seriously HATE him.
I'm usually a nature loving, peace loving soul, but this guy IS going to see the business end of my brand spankin' new gun. I don't care if I sound like a freaky red neck, I'm just so PISSED and so ready to blow this mofo away. (See, lots of rage).
This guy is the stuff that nightmares are made of, except its my REAL DAMNED LIFE! He stalks our house... he hangs in the garden behind the house and terrorizes the llamas, but as soon as anybody is near with a gun he disappears like friggen Houdini.
Our llamas have already had some bear related injuries and one fatality and I really don't want to see any more of that shit. Good lord...
He snuck up on me and Nyla last year, but THANK GOD we were in the barn when he came around the side. This is where I'd start screaming FUCK repeatedly, but I'm practicing some calming breathing exercises, so I think I'll be able to control myself.
Don't worry, we're being EXTREMELY careful when we're outside. I refuse to be prisoner in my home because of this bear, but we aren't being flippant or stupid.

On a more positive note... the garden expansion is going really well. It's HUGE! I love it :) I love all the manual labor that goes into it. I love the feeling of being physically exhausted from a day or hard work outside. I'm getting more and more excited for our new business... its going to rock the friggen casbah.
Unfortunately, since we've been working outside so much I'm neglecting my house. Have I mentioned how much I hate housework? UUUUGHHHH its like penance for all of my bad behavior.

I went to Edmonton ALONE over the May long weekend! I haven't been away like that for a very long time. It was crazy busy (I took the Bellyfit Instructor training... and LOOOOOVED it). It was nice to spend some time with Hannah and meet her man Nash. Cool cats for sure!

Other then that things are going on as usual. I won't post again for a while. Hopefully I'll have a disturbing murderized bear photo to share... I WILL be wearing his head for a hat, savage style.
Oh, I have a tan :) Its a MIRACLE!!!!! I'm no longer see through!!!!! sweet ass sun.
Now that I'm mumbling crazy talk its definitely time to go :)
See ya!

***Update***
The bear bit my friggen dog! He's in a lot of pain but VERY lucky. He bit right through his skin into the muscle under his doggie armpit. I have to carry the poor little guy around :( Now I have blinding rage issues.

A conservation officer finally came around to set some traps (not the scary ones with all the teeth that snap the animal's leg off).He hung some meat in the trees to test some kind of theory as well as setting pot snares filled with applesauce...
Now, me being a smartass said "Why the hell would a bear go for some applesauce in a pot snare when he can get his paws on some meat, regardless if he has to climb a little??? After all, this is a BEAR." Sure enough, all the meat is gone from the trees, a bunch of branches are snapped and the trunks are clawed up, and the pot snares are untouched.
SERIOUSLY??? Am I the only one in this godforsaken land of rednecks with a BRAIN???
Time for some land mines...

Catch ya later!

Spring/Summer is a busy time for most people, so I'm sure it won't be a shock that I've decided to leave blog land for a while. We're busy and have a lot of new and exciting things going on, and are also gearing up for a big move.

Blogging is great because it allows me to do one update for everyone, instead of trying to send pics etc... which I suck at... but one thing I really wasn't aware of was the blog politics!! Good lord, I'm tired of blog politics.
Here's a hint... If you find me offensive, don't read my blog. I know its crazy, but it just might work! And seriously... give up on the angry emails! I am who I am and that's not going to change...
H'mmm, obviously I have some blog issues... definitely time to take a break ;)

I will most likely be back now and then, probably closer to fall/winter. Hopefully I'll have some amazing and exciting updates to share!

Have a great summer everyone!
Thanks to Cindy for passing this on to me.


Bah hhahhahahahaaha! Sorry peeps, I don't buy into the hype :)

It's all about procrastination

Yup, two posts in two days... I'm amazing.
Actually I'm trying to delay the process of checking the weasel traps. ewwww.

Have you been listening to any radio lately? Local or satellite?? I'm shocked and a little bit disturbed. Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY is doing an 80's re-make. When the 80's re-makes started making an appearance it was kind of fun, but now it seems like ANY song goes. Even the songs that were crap the first time around...
I understand why people are jumping on the 80's bandwagon. It proved successful for a few bands, but now its getting sad.
I remember a few years ago Tori Amos did an album that was mostly if not completely re-made songs. I remember thinking how lame that was, even for Tori. It takes the bare minimum of effort. Boooo I say!
Although, in all fairness, for some of these bands it could be an improvement. I absolutely cannot stand songs with lyrics that sound like one of your buddy's sad ass poetry. (PS: please don't ask me to read your sad ass poetry... please...) (By the way, Ruth, your poetry isn't sad ass).

Now, moving on to some music I'm enjoying very much. Maybe I should be embarrassed to admit that I like Lady GaGa so much... not to the point of 'girl crush'... but well, ok, total girl crush.
I'm wondering if anyone is immune to her music. Do you break out into dance when you hear one of her songs??? How can you not?
Next time I clean the chicken coop I'm sooooo bringing my ipod with me.

Speaking of cleaning the chicken coop... I had one of the most disturbing experiences of my life yesterday. I was cleaning up around the coop. We've only been here for a year and there is SOOOO much work to be done that we didn't even get anywhere near the chicken coop last year. Anyway, I found 2 buckets that were full of watery stuff so I dumped them before throwing the buckets in the 'haul to the dump' pile. To my complete disbelief and horror, the buckets were filled with HUMAN CRAP! So I was dry heaving and trying to keep Nyla away from the nasty crap, and realizing simultaneously that it was all over my gloves.
If I didn't have kids around me at the time you can not believe the things that would have come out of my mouth. I was thinking them very loudly... I would have made you blush.
Ugh... it still makes me shudder and feel creepy crawly. ewwwww. People are freaks.
Please, don't ever crap in a bucket and leave it for an unsuspecting soul to find...

Ok, no more procrastination. I'm off to catch a weasel.

Ah, farm life

There are 25 chicks coming to live on the farm in about 2 weeks(the chicken variety, not the human variety). I was excited about it until I started cleaning out the chicken coop and realized that it is inhabited by about a billion crazy weasels.
In case you don't know, weasels are the mob family of the rodent world and are really just happy to murderize unsuspecting creatures.
The dude at the local feed store said "oh yeah, those crazy little bastards will kill every chicken in a hen house just for fun". GOOD LORD! Apparently they aren't very easy to catch either. According to the same dude, not only are they "crazy little bastards", but they're "tricky little fu*kers" too.
I don't know about you, but I'm not into being outsmarted by a rodent. I've heard from various sources that the best way to get rid of them is to trap them in a live trap and then shoot them while they're still in the trap... right... it'll be like a redneck party.
Then, I was wondering what to do with them after the fact. I had a flashback to childhood... we had a really close family friend who happened to be about 8 zillion years old and a bit 'kooky'. She was an awesome old lady, but she'd send us little packages in the mail. These packages were nightmare material. She'd find dead birds and rip off the wings to send, she even skinned a squirrel and sent the skin for my little bro. She'd cut up her old bras and even include miles of IV tubing if she had been in the hospital. SERIOUSLY DISTURBING. So, given that I have a very 'special' sense of humor I was thinking about who might appreciate my own version of one of these packages. MWAH HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAA! I've seriously been laughing about it for 2 days :)

Other then that, things are progressing as they should. Spring might finally be here after the 2 day blizzard we just experienced.
The size of the garden is doubling this year. A test garden I guess you could say, in order to get ready for the big move, and new business. Speaking of the new business...I was talking to a family member the other day about the organic farm. He said 'It's just so weird, I can't picture you doing that'. Isn't it funny that people who are supposed to be closest to us sometimes know the least about us? Bizarre.

The kids are great. Nyla has been potty trained for a little while now. I know its just potty training, but I have to say that it brings an immense amount of pride. Successful potty training takes a lot of patience, consistency and an invested interest in your child. It feels like a huge accomplishment once its all done. All that time and care was worth it (obviously) :)
Maren is getting HUGE! Nyla was always a cute long, lean baby, but Maren is a cute little chubbo. She's healthy and happy and seriously has the most laid back personality.

One thing I find so amazing about being a mom, is that when something goes wrong in my kid's lives, it usually only takes a cuddle from mommy to make it better. I know it won't be like that forever, but for now, its just a wonderful thing that I enjoy very much and am a little bit humbled by.

Now, I'm off to continue the job of cleaning up the dog crap factory that we call our yard, and picking rocks out of the extended garden space. I live a glamorous life folks!

ahhhhh, spring...

Beautiful girls.

This spring has been so strange. Strange things happening, strange strangeness, just strange. I'm coming out of it all feeling incredibly calm... and pretty much like a superhero.
I should just get used to a life of strangeness. Yes, I'm the queen of vague :)

This isn't much of an update. Just wanted to share that I'm still kickin. I'm dancing through life to Lady GaGa at the moment.

I've developed an allergy to various alcoholic beverages. I happen to think this is retarded... before I was prego I could enjoy a glass of wine and not have my head explode like a puffy weird face. Its not like I need to drink to get through the day... most of the time ;) (don't worry, I don't drink to get through the day, I am JOKING) but I do miss being able to have a glass of wine, or whatever. Has this happened to anyone else??? Does it go away???

I have to get the nuts chopped off of our little boy llama. He's getting frisky... I don't want to be dealing with 8 zillion llamas... good lord...
I feel sort of bad about the whole nut chopping business, but I'm sure he'll understand when he's older :) Sometimes being a farmer is just bizarre.
I had to untangle a llama from a barbwire fence. I was obviously trying to help her, but all the other llamas went nuts and covered me in spit. I had a hulk moment and saved the day, but those little spitting bastards seriously pissed me off. No treats for you jackasses!

Wow, that's all I've got! I'll keep you posted on my riveting life!

OMMMMMMMMMM

I love yoga.
I love that no matter how good you get, you can always get better.
Its bizarre how it can be incredibly challenging, but calming at the same time. You should try it.
Do it, you know you want to :)

My life is like a bad sitcom...

Do you ever have those days when you wonder if you've somehow stumbled into an alternate universe??? You realize that you must have somehow fallen into crazy land, or got sucked into a wormhole shortly after waking up...
Yesterday I was in the Twilight Zone...

I decided to take Nyla to town for some 'mommy time'. Our plan was to get all decked out for Easter, so we headed to Walmart, completely unsuspecting the horror that we were about to experience.
As soon as I stepped through the door I knew that something was NOT right. Everything was loud, screechy and COUNTRY. We stood frozen by the entrance until the greeter (with a painful look on her face) pushed a cart into us. We took a few more steps and there, by the Easter display was the source of the pain and horror.... karaoke!! WHAT THE HELL!?
It was strange and confusing. I still don't know why they were doing karaoke at Walmart... all I know is that it was painfully bad. People were walking through the isles like zombies while crazy people belted out either country or gansta rap. At one point Nyla looked up at me with her beautiful eyes wide and said, "Mommy, can you please ask them to stop doing that???" If only...
We ended our Walmart shop early and pretty much had to punch out unsuspecting strangers in a race to the checkout. Finally, we were free.

but it didn't end there...

My dad is a member of a sportsman club here. Every year they have this big gun show at the arena... haha, big guns... :) My dad is quite elderly, and is not well, but every year he volunteers to do security. He stays the whole weekend, even sleeps there. So we usually go check how things are going.
At Walmart I got Nyla some big balloons to play with because the gun show is hideously boring. (I'm sure you can imagine... table after table of guns. Just guns... and weirdos). She was running around throwing her balloon in the air when it snagged on something and BANG! It was so freaking loud and of course echoed throughout the whole arena. good lord... loud bangs and arenas filled with gun toting weirdos are not a good combination. There was complete silence, then it was like a freaky ant hill. People went completely nuts... they were scurrying around trying to figure out who or what was shot, until they noticed a tiny little girl crying and holding the remnants of her prized balloon.
I swear I thought they were going to start shooting blindly into the air like that crazy cartoon guy.
I scooped up Nyla and tried to make a hasty exit, but unfortunately my dad called over the conservation officer dudes so we could discuss the best way to deal with our stupid bear. Apparently we live very close to where Alberta releases all of their trapped bears. GREAT CALL ALBERTA! I told him that our plan was to shoot it. He decided it would be great 'FUN' and wants to be in on it. At least he didn't say anything about me climbing into a trap to pour bacon grease on a rotten meat bag like his buddy did last year.
I swear, if I wake up and find a bunch of creepy dudes dressed in camo gear with fake trees strapped to their heads in my front yard I'm going to lose it.
In my opinion, these are all signs. Time to get out of here. I can't wait to pack our shite and drive away. It gives me the heebie jeebies...

Love fest

Some days I find that I'm giddily in love with my girls. I always love them, but some days I can't get enough of them. I smush them and cuddle them and sneek peeks at them... totally smitten. I can't hug them enough, I can't kiss them enough... sigh...
When I put Nyla to bed I lay down with her. We cuddle nose to nose as close as possible. We start out trying to make each other giggle with funny faces, then move on to making up stories. Eventually we end the story time with all of our goofy kisses..her favorite right now is the puppy kiss... yup, I lick her face:)
Every night its the same, and I LOVE it.
And Maren... she is so sweet. She's really into eye contact. She has an unwavering stare with big blue eyes... totally heart melting. She'll stare and stare then burst into a big fat grin. That little gummy face is beyond beautiful.
I always thought it was lame when people talked about their kids all the time, but now I understand. There is nobody on the planet as cool as these girls. Nobody comes close.

We had a great day yesterday. It was warm enough for everyone, including Maren to go outside. We have the perfect tobogganing hill in the llama pasture. Llamas are surprisingly into tobogganing. When we'd make a run down the hill they'd all run behind us down the path we made. It was almost like they thought they were doing the same thing we were. I wish I had my camera out because it was freak show and funny at the same time.
I had my first Llama related accident. I'm trying to halter train them, so some are a bit spooked. We have a big stupid dog who likes to sneak up behind them and spaz out until they in turn begin to spaz out and run spazzily as fast and far away as possible. I, unfortunately, was in the path of one of them when it decided to spaz and run. She didn't see me, she just whipped around and ran without thinking... right into me. This is where I'd normally swear like a sailor, but all I'll say is that it hurt like a mofo. Being chest-bumped by a llama sucks rats asses. I'm proud of myself though. I didn't go all Chuck Norris on the llama, I stayed remarkably calm. I am a picture of maturity and poise...

Has everyone else been realizing that its march and still surprisingly winterish? Are we the only ones STILL getting blizzards??? Am I the only one starting to twitch about this a bit?

I'm going to go stare into some beautiful baby eyes :) peace out homeslice...

Gotta love an artist

We've been under quarantine in order to avoid sickness since we arrived home with Maren. I'm not sure how it happened, but we're all sick. It isn't serious, and Maren seems to be doing pretty well so far, so yaaay for that! Nyla on the other hand is really not feeling well. Usually on days like this where she's so sad and yucky feeling we do some fun crafts because she isn't up to tearing around the house as usual.
It all started when I put a big hand print on her tummy... she laughed so freaking hard, so of course I had to keep going. She started painting her feet and asked for some 'kitty whiskers' so, as you can see, she got them.
She loves painting, she talks about how mixing colors together makes all the colors in the whole world :) I love the way she thinks about things.
So, we had a good day.
We had to go out and hang with the llamas while our hay was being delivered.. its interesting how people can be so afraid of llamas. Its not like they're going to gouge your eyes out or wear your head for a hat or anything. I realize how nardo I am, but I get kicks out of telling people to run because one of the llamas is getting ready to spit at them. Lame?? yes, but funny when someone starts sprinting away??? oooooh yes. I think its even more funny when someone is obviously afraid but is trying to be a big man and pretending not to be, then takes off running when a llama gets within 5 feet of him... mwahahahahahaaahahahaa! Ohhhhh the humor of a panic stricken face :)
Yes, I'm mean. And yes, I have the benefit of experience with these furry dudes, but I have to get my kicks somewhere right??? I can't even pretend I want to try to be a better person :)

Snowed In

Being snowed in is interesting. It makes me want to get out. It makes me push the limits of the 4X4... sort of like flipping the bird to the elements. Unfortunately, the elements have no problem trouncing the pants off the 4X4.
Once again I tried, and once again I failed... AND to add to my annoyance, that damned moose sits its big moose ass on the driveway, so even if I could get out I'd have to drive through its ass in order to make it to the highway. That's a trip I don't ever want to take.
Yup, this is my big news for the day. I'm awesome. Stay tuned for my next riveting post...

The secret is out

You may remember that I've been very excited but unable to share why. Well, I can FINALLY share :)
We have decided to start an organic vegetable farm. At first it was just a big dream because really... how the heck do you survive by running a vegetable farm???
Darryl had a meeting with the Native Agricultural Society with absolutely amazing results. They loved our idea and are willing to help us get it off the ground. Not only will we have the regular gardens, but a commercial greenhouse and farm store complete with commercial kitchen so we can sell organic baking and canning. We'll also be selling eggs and llama fur products ;)
There are lots of other ideas, but some stuff should be a surprise right???!

I realize that this will sound crazy to some people, but we love the farm life and we aren't afraid of the work involved. Its going to be AMAZING!!!
Its going to take some time to get everything going, so by this time next year we will be settled and getting ready for the spring planting season.

I'm totally going to go all 'farmy'. I'm going to drive my tractor everywhere and wear my rubber boots ALL the time :) I'm sure they make rubber boots with heels right??

This is only funny if you've seen 'Trainspotting'


What do you think about this for a logo???? ;)

I'm looking forward to updating on our most recent 'adventure'.

PS: BOOOOOO on nay sayers!!

You better sleep with one eye open Mr. Bear!

So, in the effort to win the fight against bear terrorism, my Dad bought me a gun (see picture below). I'm actually pretty excited about it. He had a bunch of modifications done to it so when I'm facing a bear and probably pissing my pants I can still have a good chance at actually hitting it.
(For those of you who don't know, all spring and summer we were tormented by an angry, and surprisingly intelligent bear).
I'm not a fan of bears, and yet they seem to be drawn to me. So, no more Mr nice guy... or Mrs nice girl... whatever. In the spring, bears better steer clear of our place or I will be turning them all into bear rugs (and giving them away to my friends as birthday presents... will you be one of the lucky ones?????)

More pics

I received some more pictures from Diane today. Although things were crazy when we were in Vancouver we managed to do some really fun things with Nyla.
Hollie and Tracey brought us all to 'Bright Nights' in Stanley Park. You ride around on the little train and look at all the Christmas lights. Nyla LOVED it.
We also went to the Aquarium... she went crazy for the sea lion. I'll post aquarium pictures next time.


Us at 'Bright Nights'

We took Nyla to meet Santa. One of my favorite memories is when Nyla saw Chloe dressed in her 'princess' dress to meet Santa. Nyla was completely in awe :) We didn't bring any fancy clothes obviously, and I was feeling a bit sad for Nyla because she would have to go in her regular clothes, when Hollie and Tracey brought out a beautiful princess dress for Nyla too. I admit I cried... It seems like such a little thing, but it was a huge deal to Nyla (and me).
You could tell she felt like a million bucks when she was showing off her dress :) I'll post that picture with Santa when I get the scanner hooked up again.

While Diane was with us she'd take Nyla to Hollie and Tracey's house and they'd go for a walk on the sea wall every day. Nyla called it 'walking and laughing with Grandma' :)

Maren in her incubator. This was during our second week when she really started to do well. Her creepy head IV came out and we could finally start doing regular cuddle time!!

When we were finally able to take her out of the incubator it was important for Maren's development and bonding to do skin to skin cuddle time.

It was amazing being able to hold her after just staring at her in an incubator for so long.

Even though that time for us was really challenging, we also have some really great memories.
Hollie, Tracey and Diane really went out of their way to make sure Nyla was taken care of. I'm so happy that when Nyla talks about being in Vancouver she always says how much fun she had.

Some of my recent favorites

I finally found my camera cord!! I can't believe how quickly the pictures loaded. The dial up gods must have been smiling on me today.

I love the back of her head (and the rest of her too). Its unbelievable how big she is!


She takes my breath away.



So does she

My favorites


Diane made this toque :) I love it


What happens when I'm feeding Maren

All we need is love ( man, I'm corny, but I love the Beatles)

I'm not usually very interested in Valentines day. It's kind of like my birthday, I could take it or leave it. My sister and I were chatting about that, and she happened to mention that she likes Valentine's Day because her kids enjoy it so much. I hadn't thought of making it a kid's 'holiday' until that conversation.
Nyla loves crafts... especially super messy crafts, so I dug out all her glitter, glue, puffy things and anything else she has left in her craft cupboard and we decided to make some Valentine's Day cards. I told her we'd keep Daddy's card a secret until he woke up.
Darryl has been working some crazy long days and was catching a couple of hours of sleep, but Nyla was so excited she burst into our bedroom and yelled "Daddy!!! I'm making you a secret Valentines Day card!!!" I love how kids keep secrets :)
I wish I had taken a picture of her after she was done. She's always covered in whatever we've been using for crafts. She was extra sparkly today!

I still can't share anything about why I'm so excited... I've come to realize that it was not very nice to post about it when I can't share about it. I'm just so excited... its hard to keep it to myself. I did mention it to two different friends and their responses almost made me cry. They both said the exact same thing..."That's so you". I LOVE having friends who know me so well that my biggest dream, although crazy to most, is totally accepted and understood.

I know I gush about my friends a lot, but I really am blessed. I was reading Hannah's blog tonight. She was thanking people for being there for her in different ways.
I'm stealing the idea from Hannah. There are some people in my life who have been truer then true, and on this lovey day I'd like to share the love, so to speak.

(these names are listed in no particular order...)

Imelda: I love that no matter where we are, when we're together, regardless of the circumstance we laugh until it hurts. I'm humbled that you were willing to leave your family in the days before Christmas to come help me take care of mine.
There's a lifetime of friendship that can't be summed up in a paragraph, but I'm really glad that no matter what, we're in it together. I'm really happy that we never have to be worried about losing each other. You're my actual sister/friend.

Diane: Its not common for a mother in law to become a great friend, but we've achieved it. I love that I can be completely myself around you. I miss our movie nights and shopping trips. I like that we can talk on the phone almost ever day and not get sick of each other. Most of all I love seeing how much you love Nyla (I know you'll love Maren just as much). I didn't grow up with a Grandma so I love watching your relationship with her.
You sacrificed a lot of your time to be with us when Maren was born. I absolutely could not have made it through that situation without you. You really went above and beyond the call of duty and I know not many people would have done the same.

There are 3 ladies who have always been there, no matter what.

Kelly: You are one of the only people on the planet that knows absolutely everything about me. You put up with a lot from me and I can't tell you how I appreciate you not kicking me to the curb :)
I trust you, rely on you and love who you are. I can tell you anything and know that even if you don't agree with what I've done, you'll always support me. You're one of the few people who really know me and 'get' me. I know that we'll be sister/friends forever and its not just a cliche.

Christy: I love our friendship. We can go ages without talking, but can pick up where we left off as soon as we see each other. I can tell you anything without worrying what you'll think of me. We have such a unique friendship, and I feel like I really 'grew up' with you.
I love how deeply you care for your friends, and how willing you are to help in any way. You're an amazing support to me.
I love your sense of humor :) I love that we can laugh together like crazy people, and cry together... also like crazy people ;)
I can always count on you... no matter what. You're another sister/friend forever.

Jenn: You have been a true friend, and have also shared your family with me. You and your parents have had such a huge impact on my life... I'd be lost without you. I feel completely at home with your family, and you actually understand why that means so much to me.
You've witnessed some of my highest highs, but also my lowest lows, and you brought the love of a sister plus the love of parents to me. How can I thank you for that??
You are the most honest person I know. I love that you say what you think at all times (even if it sometimes makes me want to beat you :) Yes, that's right... another sister/friend :)

You three ladies are so special and so important to me. You have absolutely touched my life and changed who I am. I feel like I grew up with all of you. So many of my great memories includes at least one, if not all of you.

Cindy R: Our friendship is also very special and important to me. It usually takes me a very long time to make a friendship like ours, but it seems like there was some kind of divine intervention involved. I feel like we're so alike, and understand each other so well. We can share great stuff, but the really awful stuff too. We can be completely real with each other, and still have a great time :)
I know that our friendship will always be there... I say 'sister/friend' a lot, but its just so true. You make me check in when things are rough, and aren't afraid to tell me to get my head out of my ass (although you usually say it much nicer...)
You're there, always, without question.

Darryl: You are the most amazing man I've ever known. You know me and love me, and allow me to be me. We've made it through more in the last (almost) 6 years than some people will see in a lifetime, and even though sometimes we hung on by a thread, we always hung on. You are the person I want to tell everything to. I could spend every day with you and not get tired of your company. Nothing is scary when you're with me...
We're so made for each other, that this next adventure doesn't scare you but makes you just as excited as I am.
I love you, and I like you. I'm proud of who you are.

This post is already long, and I know Maren is about to wake up to eat... but there are other people who have influenced my life in crazy amazing ways... Carmen, Hannah, Peter, Kelsey. I think this post will have to be continued...

Happy Valentines Day

OH YEAH BABY!!

First of all I'd like to report that at Maren's last weigh in she was up to 8lbs 3oz! She's doing great! We can take her outside on nice days now, which is AMAZING for us. Now the llamas and dogs will get some more attention and we won't become crazy 'cabin fever' people. (Scenes from 'The Shining' keep going through my mind).
We had some amazing above zero weather, but now we've plummeted back to crazy cold. I need some global warming over here...

I have lots of exciting news that I can't share :) (I know, I'm awesome). Hopefully I can share soon because I'm SO FREAKING EXCITED!!! (NO, I'm not pregnant... if you ask me I swear I'll go ninja on your ass!)

I tried adding pictures today, but my computer/internet is being pissy. I'll try again soon - I have some great ones.

H'mmm at this point I could start making up news about other people for fun, but I'll refrain (for now)...

I'll update again when I have updatable news.

What's that smell????

Maren's official due date was January 31... its nice that she's now officially supposed to be born :)
At her last weigh in she was 7 pounds! (did I already share that??? I can't remember). She's doing great. She's a little poop machine... I'll spare you all the joy of my baby poop stories. Let me assure you that they're really gross.

The kiddos are great. Maren is a night owl (like me) and Nyla is an early bird (like Darryl). This translates into me going 'bbbba ba baba ba ba baba' a lot (you'll understand if you've ever seen 'Overboard'). I know the no sleep thing doesn't last forever, so I'm not going to curl into the fetal position and hum to myself... I will survive and I will remain sane(ish).

I don't really have any news. Just saying hi.

Birthdays are for suckers...

But since I'm getting so damn old I thought I'd share some of my amazing wisdom.

1. If you ever buy llamas, make sure to ask if there's a chance that any of them are pregnant... (chances are they ALL will be).

2. Don't invite that creepy lady into your house... she could possibly be a vampire after all.

3. If you choose to live way out in the sticks don't be ashamed when your directions include things like " Turn left at the old Scott farm... watch out for the moose that sleeps on that road... if you end up in a farmers field you haven't gone far enough..."

4. If you see crazy things hanging out of a llamas ass RELAX... its just a baby.

5. If you're outside when the snow plow dude comes by HIDE or you'll be stuck for half an hour talking about the weather and the price of animal feed.

Now, I realize that my wisdom lately revolves around rural living and llamas so you may not understand how you can apply it to your own life. All I can say is... try harder. It applies.

Now, in my elderly state I have some things to admit (or just share).

1. I hate potatoes and U2. I know, I know... you're gasping because I'm Irish and you can't believe my bravery in admitting this, but I'm ready to come out of the potato closet.

2. I have no plans to dress more conventionally... and yes, I'm going to dress my kids funny too. (At least until they're old enough to protest).

3. I plan to keep sneaking animals onto the farm when I find some that need homes. YES I KNOW we're going to have to move them all when we move... I'm not retarded.
(for interested parties... chickens and horses will be making an appearance this spring).

4. Gatorade makes me barf.

5. I hate reality TV with the fire of a thousand suns.
Why the hell would a crowd of women want to go on TV to vie for the affections of one man that they know nothing about??? I just don't get it.
Don't get me started on American/Canadian idol... that Kaylan Porter (sp?) kid makes me want to rip my eyeballs out and shove them in my ears. I want to shave his head so I can point and laugh.

6. Even though I'm supposed to be old and wise I'll still always take a dare.

7. I LOVE practical jokes. Sometimes I need someone to be my voice of reason or else I go too far. (Sorry Maria... I was too young to listen to voices of reason in college... you paid the price).
I pulled so many pranks on Maria, and I've never seen anyone react so well. She always saw the humor and even had the gumption to prank back. Good on ya Maria ;)

8. I have great friends and I miss them all like crazy.

9. I love my mother in law.

10. I think its disgusting that parents let their young girls dress like hookers. Come on people, show your kids what self respect is.

I could go on, but I'll stop there. I have many more things to admit but I'll save them for my next birthday. I'm going to rock 31... even if I'll stay 22 in my head forever.