Basketball Champions

2009 Jr. High Girls Basketball Champions

I have wanted to post this picture for a while, but haven't gotten around to it. Today I decided was the day to take the time and post this picture! These girls are what have become over the year My Girls, in volleyball, basketball and now track!

Aren't picture post's fun? I may have to do this more often.

(okay so I just learned how to send a picture from my phone to my email.... I know technology is awesome right?)

This is Scary.

My Mom sent me this email a while ago, I can't believe this.
Some people seriously make me sick.
(Warning to anyone wanting to kidnap me or steal from me. Get near me, my family or my truck and I'll shoot you. If I don't have a gun handy, I'll kill you with my bare hands, don't believe me? Why don't you give it a try, one of us will die and I have to much to live for so it won't be me.)

Just last weekend on Friday night we parked in a public parking area..
As we drove away I noticed a sticker on the rear window of the car. I took it off after I got home, it was a receipt for gas.
Luckily my friend told me not to stop as it could be someone waiting for me to get out of the car.

Then we received this email yesterday:
WARNING FROM POLICE THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE-- NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKINGS (NOT A JOKE)
'He ads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating... You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside.. You start the engine and shift into Reverse.
When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off.
They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car.
So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys.
Your home and your whole identity are now compromised!
BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.
If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful that you read this e-mail. I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women. A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong hands.

And so it begins...

I stayed up late preparing, I even got up early to finish all my preparations.
I'm loaded with my:
Backpack
Blanket
Jacket
Hat
Gloves
Sunscreen (face & body)
Sunglasses
Pencils
Pens
Rubber bands
Clipboard
Lunch
Water
Money

I'm currently wearing the one and only "Coach Hamilton" Sweatshirt. (I'm probably overly excited about my sweatshirt. But its so awesome)

We are kicking up our heels today. It's the day of the first track meet.
Ahh, I used to love track and field.... or actually just the field part. Running and I have never really gotten along. Actually I just loved the jumping part, what can I say? I learned at a pretty early age the life of laziness. It's worked out for me pretty darn good for me!

p.s. I'm also secretly (or not so secretly) thrilled to leave work and sit outside ALL DAY! I can't wait to get some sun time in.
"Coach why are you in your bathing suit?" "It's track not swimming!"

Come On, I wouldn't wear my suit to the meet, I'm wearing a tank top. What do you think I am? The boys sex education teacher? UM NO! I won't touch that with a ten foot pole and bovine creature AI gloves!

Lets get caught up shall we?

I have been stuck at home, we were snowed in. (Okay not really)

The Internet has been down, and it was the worst kind of torture ever.
It's back up and running, Finally! My day was getting pretty boring.
Now I have the pleasure of going through all 55 emails I wasn't able to receive.

Lets do a weekend recap now shall we?

I did laundry, loads and loads of laundry. The sad part, I still have a mountain of dirty clothes heaping in my house.... the laundry will take over my life one of these days.

It rained, and melted all the snow! (YES!)

We went fishing, I caught one baby fish. I felt bad for him and threw him back. I think I did the right thing. I would feel really bad if I ever found out the big fish we caught were his parents.... ugh sorry little dude.

The rosters for Big Sky State Games have been posted, I have already got the girls team together. Now I'm working on ordering them shirts! I'm so excited for them, I think they will have a blast.

Overall my weekend was low key and awesome. On Saturday I didn't do a darn thing (well except laundry) I stayed in my sweats and ate on my couch all day. I just love days like that!

On the agenda for the week:

I'm sure we will get more rain, but at least it isn't snow!

We have our first track meet tomorrow! (I get to wear my "Coach" Jacket and Sweatshirt)

I'm going to finish that laundry, even if it kills me.

Sometime this week, I'm going to try a new recipe for enchilada's, it calls for spinach and cream cheese... Sounded different so were going to give it a whirl.

That's all I got lined up for the week.

For this month, it's going to be busy.
The Belt Graduation is on the 24th
And my Sister Graduates on the 30th.

Where did time go? When did I get so old?

Snow Crazy

It has been snowing since yesterday non.stop.
They are predicting we are getting 5 inches every.hour. EVERY.HOUR.
Can I run away from home? Am I too old for that?
Can I take a permanent paid vacation? Does such a thing exist?

The Snow is supposed to subside by Friday, maybe even late Thursday.
This is so depressing.

Last night Ryan made dinner, I was so happy. Even if it was something that I wouldn't make myself, I appreciate the gesture, even if it wasn't really for me. So in the end I made myself a breakfast burrito, it was nice to cook for one. Even if it's only for the night.

Last night our cat killed another mouse. Well kinda. He doesn't eat them or bite them. He just plays with them, until he gets bored. He then leaves me to do the dirty work...
I hate mice, they are so icky and carry so many germs. Yuck.
I also hate spiders, they are so gross and creepy.
I also really hate snakes. I never used to mind them until I moved here. Rattle Snake Central that is. My only good thoughts on the snow is it will hopefully kill the dastardly snakes.
For all you snake lovers out there I'm sorry but every Rattle Snake I see, I kill. Because if I don't kill it, it may kill me. So I do what my instinct tells me, I run them over.

I wonder what the Month of May will bring? You know what it's supposed to do "May showers bring May flowers."
In our case it could be "May snow storms bring May depression?"

Let's talk about food, to be more specific deserts. The Oooey Gooey Smore Bars I made are better the second day then straight out of the oven. I tested my theory last night!
The marshmallows on top are even more gooey and sticky, it's awesome.

Tomorrow is payday, that is always something I look forward too. That means I can put gas in my vehicle! Yay, I just love putting gas in my vehicle, it's like my favorite to watch my money go down the tank...
Yet another reason for me to look into working from home. Or at least closer to home, or at least a considerable raise and monthly bonus.

I'm so thirsty, I'm tempted to go outside and gather a pile of snow, just so I can melt it and drink it.

On May 11, 2009 the United States Postal Service rates will be going up. AGAIN. Gosh the post office sure is greedy these days. Sheesh, I remember the days when it was like .37 cents to send something.

My phone is ringing, I hate when that happens.
Goodbye forever, or until tomorrow, or until I get bored at work again, or until I get off the phone.

Power Outages?

This morning on the radio they said
"We are on a winter storm watch, until Thursday afternoon. We are expected anywhere from 8 to 15 inches and 4 feet in the mountains."
"This storm will be hard on livestock, roads, travel and may even cause several power outages."
I guess this means all the track meets scheduled this week are cancelled?
It's kinda hard to triple jump in 15 inches of snow I suppose.

So? Do I have anything to look forward to for the rest of the week? Doesn't sound like it....
I hope we have enough food stocked up in our pantry if we get snowed in.
If not, I will rest easy knowing I have plenty of Ramen Noodles. I will be okay, but I wonder what my husband will eat? Um, coffee??
I'll tell him he could detox with a liquid diet. Because it's like so cool right now and all the stars are doing it. (If only he'd believe me.)

For dinner tonight, I thought about being creative. What do I have in my fridge? Hmmm
Ricotta Cheese (Love that stuff), frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, eggs, biscuits, milk, ramen noodles....
this could be interesting. Not sure what I might throw together, if it's good I'll write the recipe down. If it's horrible, I always have mac and cheese to fall back on, that and cereal. (oh and brownies)

So do you have snow? If your answer is no.... why don't you go to the north pole, then you will know my pain that or send me a plane ticket, get me outta here!

Weekend Recap: 3 B's

My weekend consisted of the 3 B's.

1. Branding
2. Balls
3. Butts


Of course there is a story with each "B" are you interested?
Well either way I'm gonna write about it, because really it changed how I looked at the world.

1. Branding:
Saturday and Sunday both were dedicated to Branding.
Saturday we branded for the Ranch that we live on. It was fun, low key, and we got to eat really good food afterwards. All in all, it was a good day.
(Oh and after we went to town and Ryan demonstrated the impulsive humanly trait of burning money like it's going out of style. He bought a saddle. My only question "Can I get one two then?"
He said no.... and I threw a tantrum, in the middle of the store. Okay not really but you can imagine if I did. Saddle: Good buy, good price, good sale, it'll get lots of good use. Over all, good purchase.)
Sunday's Branding: We helped a friend of ours brand, and well it was fun and educational and very interesting. (and kinda cold too and really muddy. I was a mess, I looked homeless when we were finished.)

2. Balls:
Sunday's Branding brought on a whole new meaning to me. I've been to many brandings before, but this one is burned in my memory for life. Like forever man.
During Branding, the bull calves usually have to be cut (or castrated to be technically correct). There are many different ways, banding, cutting, sterilizing, etc.
I was introduced to a new way consisting of using the human mouth.
Yeah you read that right, "The Human Mouth"
Squeamish people, please stop here, because I'm going to explain in detail now. You've been warned!

The designated testicle remover was given a small knife and a bucket.
When this person (Phil) was called over by yelling "Bull Calf"
Phil would grab his bucket and small knife.
Kneeling by the stretched out calf, Phil would cut the ball sack, and expose the testicles. (that's normal, seen this a hundred times.)
Phil would then lean over and place testicle # 1 in his mouth. (Yeah MOUTH) And proceed to pull out testicle # 1 and spit it in the bucket.
Phil would then repeat this procedure to testicle # 2
Phil's reasoning was it's cleaner then using your hands.....
Please, please be dirty, it's okay I won't tell. I WON'T TELL.

When I witnessed this the first time, there were no words, no thoughts. Just dry heaving.
Then I thought, Did Phil really just do that? Oh my god, it that sanitary? That poor calf, has been castrated with a human mouth.... oh lord. Then the dry heaving would start all over again.

I've also learned to appreciate my tooth brush and the fact that my husband was just as creeped out as I was. (Thank you Lord, for he will not try this method himself!)
Are you sick yet? I still have 1 more B left.... Hello? HELLO?? Anyone there? Buller?

3. Butts:
At the branding on Sunday, there were many helpers including myself labeled as "wrestlers"
Our job is to hold the calf down while they receive their shots, the brand, and the testicle removing procedure.
Some of the other wrestlers were rather large. Large meaning really tall and "big boned"?
You get the idea no?

Well every time these larger boys bent over to grab a calf, the world and all the bovine creatures saw their butts. (enter more dry heaving. sorry but they were big and hairy and very scary)
Let me just say for Christmas, I considered showering them with anonymous gifts of longer jeans and shirts!

When we got home and I showered and tried to drink away the memories, I looked at Ryan and felt new appreciation. His mouth is testicle free and his butt is covered. Thank you lord. Thank you.