A dad's heart ....

Here is a photo of the HUGE Jayhawk that graces one entire wall of Stephen's newly painted room. He is a huge KU Fan and wanted his room painted in KU Colors -- red, gold and blue.
My husband went the extra mile and beyond by also painting this huge jayhawk on the wall for him. The room is not quite done yet -- but its shaping up really cool!!

Guess who we had as a visitor?

Before church service Sunday evening, Mini was out running around and since we were already late, we left her out side to fend for herself until we made it back home.


As we were coming up the driveway, I spotted what looked like a huge dog by the house. At first I thought it was Chipper. It wasn't. It most definitely WAS NOT.


My husband, said "That is no dog, that is a coyote!".


A WHAT?


And then the questions abounded ... in a span of 3 seconds ... from me.


Do you think Mini is okay?


What about the goats?


Is that what got the missing guinea?


Where's Mini? Oh no!


And as we came around the little turn to park, it was still standing there. Totally unafraid of us.


My eyes peered through the darkness searching for Mini. I really was looking for something dead, but I spotted her hiding around the barbecue cover. She did not come meet us at the car.


I'm not sure how my husband ended up in the house and back out so quick, but as I opened my car door, at the sound of gun fire, I ducked! (It's automatic, after all I grew up in New York City, and I was (am) a Soldier, a Military Police Officer ... its inbred now.


The coyote had moved down to the clothes line but was still standing there watching -- he ran when the shots rang out. I'm not sure if he was hit or not ... not that a 22 would do much damage. If he's hungry and hurt, he will be back.


So for now ... we are being extra diligent with the animals ... there are baby kittens in the barn and guinea eggs laying around ... thankfully everyone is accounted for.


My husband thinks he was actually after the cats -- they were hiding in the bushes when we drove up, so we may have interrupted his dinner, or late snack.


In any case. I do not want to run into this guy AGAIN.

Especially at night, and especially without some sort of protection in my hands.

Our Visitor

TGIF!

We had a kitchen full of cooks last night! After work on Thursday, I usually try and run errands before I head home. My work day ends at 330 ... I made it home about 545pm!

There is an Anniversary Service at our church this evening, plus a Spring Food Fair at work ... and I am required to work. Two co-workers are TDY, so off I go ... I had to make a Chocolate cake for the dinner at church plus something for the food fair. Hence the craziness in the kitchen!

I am not a big fan of chocolate cake and decided making them (I made 2!) is a huge mess!

In the midst of making dinner ... (that chicken is yummy!) chicken, whole grain Spanish rice (good stuff!); a pasta salad (for the fair); corn and homemade whole grain tortillas ... I was making the cakes.

I made an Almond Joy Cake (really a Mounds cake because I had no almonds...) (if you want the recipe, let me know, it does look yummy!); a Midnight Chocolate Cake while Josh was cooking the tortillas and my husband and I were sharing rolling them out! I've gotten better since my last try.

The floor was a mess! I ended up having to sweep and mop. It was fun ... but boy the dishes were piled up. Poor Sarai ... whose job it is to put them all away in the morning!

I told the kids that I really needed a Tortilla Press! Hint, hint!

God is good!

Edited: Regarding last post ... they apparently continued to revive Georgia on the way to the hospital and at the ER. They were about to pronounce her dead, when one of the docs decided No, let's not give up. She was without a heart beat for 45 minutes! She did have food stuck but it was so far down that only jabbing a tube down her throat dislodged it. She is ALIVE! In ICU, in critical condition, but ALIVE. Please pray for her ... that she will be restored. My daughter and co-workers were praying in that break room Wednesday. What a witness to what the Lord can do!

Life is so Precious

My daughter Sarai came home looking like the world had fallen apart.

For her it did a little bit yesterday.

She works for a health insurance company in the prescription/mail order area and during lunch in the break room, one of her packers, Georgia acted like she was choking. Then she turned blue. They attempted to do the Heimlich thinking that food was stuck. They called 911. But it was too late. The EMT's think she had a stroke. She was in great physical shape, even ran daily. She always brought treats and told Sarai to listen to her Mom!

She left this world in the blink of any eye.

She was 42 years old. I am 41. My husband is 47.

She was a single parent and is leaving behind a son.

My heart aches quite a bit today, please pray for her son. Please pray for Sarai. She went to work today but going in that room is going to bring it all back. They had grief counselors come in right away, but you know ... our hope is in the Lord.

He is the only true Comforter and sustainer of Life.

I'm reminded today, that Life is so very, very precious. I take it for granted.

I need to be sure all my affairs are in order.
We have 3 teenagers ... I know that God will ultimately be there for them should my husband or I leave this world before we think we should die, but ... not that we'll know after, but we do need to make sure NOW that all is in order for them.

Hug your loved ones EVERYDAY. Let them know you love them EVERYDAY.

Get your affairs in order. That's one less worry and go enjoy the life the Lord has blessed you with.

God Bless!

2007

My first post of 2007 ... I'm excited about the beginning of a new year.

It signifies to me a new start ... I guess every day is considered a new beginning, or even the next moment -- but for me ... a new year is a definite new beginning.

We spent the last day in church for the morning and evening service -- and our evening service was awesome! I think the Lord gave us a taste of what 2007 will be like for the church.

Awesome!

P.S. I just somehow "knew" that my bathroom would not be completed in 2006. Husband is out at Home Depot getting more paint rollers ... {sigh}

Its 3:59 pm on 2 Jan 07 ... shall we wager how much longer before the room is actually done? LOL!

Stephen would say 2008 ... LOL!

It is coming along ... albeit a tad slowly!

Back to organizing ... and purging~!

3 days til Christmas?

{sigh} Where did the time go?

I am off work tomorrow which is a very good thing!

I have much to do!

Just when I think I am ahead, I feel I am just beginning ...

Cookies are on my agenda for this afternoon & evening. (and play and skit practice!)

What kind are you making? Here's my list ...

Winkler's Cookies
Chocolate Covered Cherry {for the dh!}
Toffee Crackers

White Chocolate Macadamia

Already made ...

Chocolate Chip
Ranger Cookies
Sugar Cookies

P.S. If you are reading and live in my city ... leave a comment and I'll bring you a treat!
I have been searching high and low for my mom's sugar cookie recipe and I think I found it!!

Bathroom Progress

Its been another world wind last few days ... but we now have tile on the floor ... but it has only been grouted in a few places.

Still need to finish that, and paint and well ... all the rest! {sigh}

I need to be patient ... I just wish there was a mirror in there to use to do my hair!

Bathroom progress...

Sheetrock done -- check

Mudding -- check

Shower complete -- not! (but we can take one!)

Toilet seated permanently with the tank {so you can actually flush and not use a bucket of water} -- not!

Not started yet ...

New tile --

Paint --

Vanity --

Mirror --

Put everything back ... minus one cabinet.

major clean up of house and tools all put up and carpet shampooed.

And 9 days til' Christmas? {sigh}

Showers!

Gotta love my dh! Since starting this new position, which he thought would give him more time off ... (has been seriously NOT the case!!)
He took vacation for a 6 days this past week and has been re-doing the bathroom. He also had to travel to get hay for the horses ... and then the trailer got a flat! Brand new tires! {sigh}

He has collected items over the last year ... a shower for $10.00; a vanity and mirror set for next to nothing; toilet etc. And he started this Wednesday.

Keep in mind, our house only has 1 {yup, one!} bathroom ... its been interesting.

I was thankful for a real shower this morning. {sigh of pleasure}

Josh has been helping him and there have been some late, late nights ... mornings? Its coming along ... slowly. He goes back to work Tuesday morning and I have decided I will just wait and see what is done Monday night before I start stressing! LOL!

This week promises to be busy ... out processing at work for our International Students; badge ceremony rehearsal and the ceremony for them; and then graduation on Friday and the Christmas Hall Party at the college, and trying to cook for these get togethers -- ? ? Saturday is our church's annual Christmas dinner. In between all this is 40 hours of work, 10 hours of commuting, church Weds night, peanut brittle making Thursday night; play and skit practice Friday ... shopping and to write out the cards and newsletter and finish up some projects ... and make a Kansas City run prove interesting.

Did I mention the white dust covering most of the downstairs? {sigh}

We may just have a white Christmas at the Crook house this year!!

Its all good, right?

Will post the finished results ... hopefully in 2006!

Here's the shell.

The Shell ....

Above is Josh -- most likely with a sledge hammer. Glad I was at work!

There is actually new sheet rock up and a shower thingy...but since the house is old and things have settled -- its proven a project to make it look nice!

Winter

Has finally arrived in Kansas.
One day it was 70 degress and the next 19 degrees with sidewalks as ice rinks!
We are alive and well ...

Other News on the Homefront ...

Josh is now a working "man" -- our local Sears decided not to renew their lease and they are closing down. As soon as Josh turned 16 he applied. They hired him on the spot. He has been working about a month with only 2 weeks or so left. But -- it will look good on future applications, instead of no work experience. Its been interesting. He really likes it -- he is in the electronics deparment -- which is exactly "his" thing. (Bet he likes the paycheck too!)

Sarai is back in school full-time and in full gear. She also ended up finding a job with United Health Group and is now a registered Pharmacy Technician. Not sure where she plans on going with schooling ... still undecided .. but its all good experience.

Stephen is in 9th grade this year ... currently at the Junior High still but the new Middle School is almost complete and during Winter Break the move takes place. He will then "officially" be in high school. Junior High here in Tongie has always been grade 7 through 9. He got stuck with Debate and was NOT happy at all, but the Asst Principal told him to give it a try -- and he has eneded up liking it. He, of course, is still in Band. Starting out really well. He struggles with paying attention and gets bored easily which doesn't make for a good combination in a class room setting. Keep him in prayer if you would!!

Horses doing okay.

Sam and Cowboy enjoying life in the Goat Pen!

Chipper walks with me every morning on my walk/prayer time. Its pretty dark out there now at 530 am, so I am thankful for him with all the wildlife around our house.

and ... (ugh) ... a dozen cats. Rabbits have absolutely NOTHING on cats. LOL! The latest batch was lessened due to nature but the remaining ones already love people. Their mom put them in the boat to keep them safe ... not sure HOW she got them up there but they are there!

Roy and I are teaching the teenage boys in Sunday School this quarter. Its been a lot of fun so far. (at least we think so!) We have a great bunch of young men. Pray for us that we can be a blessing and encouragement to them.