6 Months

I feel rather large but it's all becoming more fun. Kicking Pony* moves around all the time, it's quite alien. I listened to all my pregnant friends and family and I don't think I truly understood what a craving was until this past week. Starbursts! I've never in my life liked them or purchased them (except once for The Cultivator*), now I am in possession of a to go package and a 1 lb bag!

The Cultivator* has been able to feel Kicking Pony* too... which makes it more exciting for me, so I don't feel like I am in it alone. We've been enjoying the i-Pod loaded with music for the baby who can hear all the classical artists, and moves around a little when it's playing.

New Year's Ice Fishing 2009

While at a local Fleet Farm store I was doing my usual "lets look at and sit in every Ice Fishing Shelter on the sales floor routine" (which I do every year since we've been in Minnesota). My first year on the ice was a windy and miserable experience... I just knew someday I would invest in one of these. As we worked our way in a circle around to the final 6 person shelter I started to really to get attached to it. The Fisherman* and I read about how it goes up and down and we were really impressed. Ok, I am easy... it's like a double dome, and everyone knows my dream of owning a dome home! At some point I told The Fisherman* that I wasn't leaving the store without this particular fishing shelter. Of course he's an easy sale on outdoor equipment... so we took one home.

The next day we performed a test run in the living room... with the Christmas tree poking through the shelter door, and the animals (2 dogs and 1 cat) coming inside to approve of their new napping space! We proceeded to make plans for New Years ice fishing, a tradition I keep trying to start. We packed up and took Ezekiel with us. Spending the evenings in the cabin and day on the ice. The Fisherman* caught 5, some which got tossed back, Ezekiel caught 1 before he missed his xbox360 enough to go home, and I caught 2 keepers. A good start to a New Year in my book.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the fishing dogs! Sticking their face in every ice hole, and pawing at the slush, eating ice chunks... we thought it their chasing cast lures off the dock was a 'fetching' type reaction, but seems to be that they just enjoy the sport!

Christmas 2008

This one is for the 'Rents:
It was a quiet Christmas with me, my sister and her children (9 yrs & 23 mos). She had to endure the hourly wake up calls at 3AM by her son who barely hung in there until 7AM to open his Christmas gifts. This year all the gifts were stored on top of a cabinet so that they were not picked up, shaken, weighed in, and guessed. Ezekiel is pretty clever and can guess almost by size and shape of the box! It wasn't until about 10AM that Penelope woke up. She seemed to care less about the even, until she had her first taste of unwrapping the gifts. She neatly tore a piece of paper and set it neatly in a pile next to her (oh boy, if that doesn't scream Auntie Cat then nothing does!) She went through all her presents like molasses on a cold day, even using her teeth to tear small bits. She loves clothes like her mom does!

Later that night The Runaway* came home, and carved the turkey I made for Christmas dinner. It was a pretty uneventful dinner... and I learned to check both sides of the bird for giblets (after I cooked them)!

19 week baby u/s

We had our last ultrasound (19.6 weeks) yesterday. We still agreed to not find out if it's a boy or a girl, but we did find out all the important things like he/she has 2 arms with all the proper bones (humorous, radius, ulna), 2 legs with all the proper bones (femur, tibia, fibula), 4 chambers in the heart that are pumping 140 bpm, an intact spine all internal to his/her body, kidneys, and a bladder which was full of the water I had recently drank; And we saw his/her lips which appeared to be intact without a cleft pallet. Of course the belly, head and brain lobes were intact too... a perfect little baby. And she let us watch the little one move around for a few minutes while it was rubbing it's eyes and nose with it's little hands. Baby was measured and we were told the little one is 11 oz, which is right on target according to the doctor.

To My Friend

There are a thousand tears being shed for you today, followed by a million smiles from the memories we share. I am selfishly sad that I no longer have your earthly companionship, and at the same time I am so glad that you are not a prisoner of pain. You're a warrior, and a true champion of living life to it's fullest.

I was working at 3 AM, for this thankless employer who I swear is the 'Root Cause' of illness... I was feeling sad that you are leaving. I didn't have enough time to find RDA on a lake so that we could fish with him, or at least snap a few photos.

The snow is falling in Minnesota and it reminds me of our conversation last winter, the snowflake fairies... and then I visualized you flying above the farm along with the snowflakes, floating so gracefully as a in life's most amazing ballet.

I was fortunate enough to make a Road Trip to Ruidoso with you last December. To see your childhood home, and the street named after your father was impressive. You’re funny and passionate stories of construction on the little white house, and your Mescalero school days.

It was in New Mexico that I also got to really see how hard this battle has been for you, and yet to see your compassion for others who are experiencing their own illness when you are knee deep in your own.

You will always remain in my memories as the fun-loving, adventurous, loud music listening, compassionate, dedicated friend... and the only good that came from my Corporate America employment!

I want you to know how much I loved our friendship and your unconditional understanding when life separated us for too long! I also want you to know the regrets I have for not dropping everything to come spend time with you this year.

I will miss our 3 hour conversations about everything under the sun in no particular order skipping from one topic to the next and back again, and you never once complained about my inability to organize my conversations.

Felting 4 Sale

It's been nearly a month since I have posted anything. We are now 14 weeks along, and I've been having the regular pregnancy M/S, plus the cold that keeps going around my house (sister's kids). I've been working a lot of hours and when I am not doing that I've been felting the cute baby rattles above that I finally got posted for sale on Etsy. Of course I've been doing some pottery also, but mostly commission work.

We spent Thanksgiving with the in-laws in Minneapolis, we had car troubles on the way down... it's good to be married to a gear-head. After a quick stop, and some Doritos we were back on the road.

A new felter...

I spent most of Sunday felting... finished an Single Scoop Ice Cream Cone, posted in Etsy now... then my Sis and I were felting rings. It was her first time, and I see that I've created another addict! I didn't get pictures of her rings but they were cute, she embellished them with beads (she has more patience than I do).

Fun stuff.

10 week baby u/s

I am feeling a bit alien to myself.

Where did my ambition go?

Black Power Day

Teasingly I asked if he had fun 'playing' with his brother who had come up for a night and a day to camp and shoot his old, expensive, black powder riffle. They seemed to have fun target shooting and hatchet throwing.

His brother is into the "Rendezvous" and has made an old fashion canvas tent, with an all wood table and bench, and all sorts of other old school stuff. It does seem like fun... of course Little Brother* is on his own if he wants to rendezvous with his brother. I just can't imagine another hobby, especially one in which women would be tent side cooking while the guys have the hunting/shooting experience... no fair.

Dog Nap

I've been so busy with work and life that I seem to post less and less, and so tired that I misplaced my sense of humor and wit! I am not the only one though! Gromit here has been sleeping in the hallway well for most of his life as I work at my desk everyday, where the traffic was minimal between The Hub* and myself.

But since my Little Sis & her babies moved in he's been a little worn thin, and he seems to be a bit sad.

Anyhow, I had a headache and invited him into my office where we were closing the door to begin work for the day and he came right in and curled up on this old chair! It's the funniest thing because he's a BIG Chocolate Lab, weighing in at 90 lbs, tall and long. He's never been allowed on furniture, unless I am alone for the night then the guys sleep with me. The way he walked to the chair and crawled in was like he'd been doing it everyday of his life since he was a pup, and if this wasn't the biggest over sized chair ever in existence from the 1940's he'd never have fit!

Fall In Full Swing

Fall... my favorite season. Until moving to Minnesota I had never known what a Tamarack tree was much less that they shed needles like a leafed tree. This view is out my front window. Which I seem to collect a lot of pictures of! Well who can blame me when I work 40+ hours a week and only see this view... for which I am grateful because I know it could be the view I had in Boulder, CO... another building!

Somebody loves our Sesame! We find her on my bed every day saying "kitty, kitty" and "ears", "tail"... before she inevitably pulls on one end or the other. Sesame is a year or so and very patient with the baby, as long as she's not getting picked up.

Saturday Rain

My cousin had a Sweet 15th Birthday with my niece (above) as a "Princess." She sure does look like a princess! Anyway, just showing her off because she's so special!

Spent some time looking at family pictures of family I recently connected with online. My family never lived close to their siblings and so we never got to know each other. It's great we can all keep in touch now. It's sad how we've really gotten away from formal letters.

Painted these this morning for Jill. They are not fired yet. The colors will be vibrant.

My Boy

I mean the dog, he's my boy. I am so glad that he is good with my niece and nephew, especially since she is so young. I often find her sitting on his hind quarters like he's a chair, and Gromy just let's her... even though you know he's in a lot of pain with the torn ACL on his right leg (he doesn't even want us to touch his leg).

There was a boy slumber last night (video games, pizza, ice cream, etc...), so Lil' Sis and my niece had a night in the living room watching movies. Seems Sis got up to relieve herself and my boy jumped in the bed. Surely he was just worried about the baby being alone, and it had nothing to do with his own comfort!

Shooting Lessons

This has been an exciting week for our nephew who has been getting shooting lessons from The Hunter*. I've been sick and working too much, so unable to watch the lessons. It seems they've been talking about different types of pistols, riffles and shotguns because my nephew can flip through a catalog and know what something is. He's been getting safety lessons, and cleaning lessons too. The bullets in his hand were dug from the tree stump which they were target shooting. It seems he's a good shot, 3 bulls eyes on the first day. Uncle* really likes him around. He's using my .22 Russian riffle... I liked it because it's pretty, and has little recoil and 2 magazines.

I can paint birds... cool.

I painted these birds for a couple's Ceramic Wedding Guest Book (you can see on my website soon). I am not generally that sort of artist, but it seems that I managed a nice looking pair of Cardinals. The white dots are reflections from the flash on the glaze.


My maternal grandmother passed away a couple years ago. She called me her "Bunny" I think that is because I had rather large front teeth for a child (but my face has grown to match them since!

Anyhow, although I did not know her well (or many of my relatives very well for that matter), I always associated birds with her because she loved them and because she could do any bird call.

My Man* and I always sing songs together, specifically "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" by BJ Thomas and I came across a one drawer, wind up jewelry box/bird cage that my mom passed along to me from my Grandmother. It made me teary when I realized it played that song.

Feeling nostalgic.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

We were in the BWCAW from Saturday, Sept 13th through Wednesday, Sept 17th.

I wanted to never have to leave this beautiful wilderness... thinking I could fend off the rangers with my canoe paddle after the maximum 2 week stay.

I could live on squirrel, grouse, leaves and wild berries, right?

It was peaceful and wonderful wilderness.

Changing Lives

My sister and I made a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, for a USANA International Convention. It was a blast, during our last morning in town we had 2 hours to walk around the city before out checkout time at the hotel. It was a very nice city, amazingly clean, and the buildings around the Mormon church were amazing. Of course I saw these amazing flowers, and I have not a clue what they are, but they'd look good in my yard I am pretty sure.

3 Team Northrup Members

USANA sells the best pure & potent supplement, with maximum absorption, which meet label claims and are GMP Certified. They follow Pharmaceutical Grade Manufacturing, and are NSF/ANSI Certified. Their products are awesome, and their manufacturing site is top of the line!

I started with this company almost a year ago, and it has entirely improved my life. Taken away pain from 2 injuries that the doctors could do nothing about. Which in turns saves me about $100-200 per month on doctors and specialists (I mean saves, as in I was paying out between $300-$400/month on PT, massage therapy, chiropractics, etc...). I have also been able to lose 20 lbs, and keep it off without having to work hard for it. Not to mention improved my skin with non-chemical facial & body skin care which is cool. After I did extensive research on all the toxic things most people use in their households daily, and some of the long term side effects I decided that anything there are so many products that just aren't safe.

Location, location, location

A September Morning on the farm

Location: It's not just a geographical situation... it's also the "You Are Here" of your head & your heart.

As much as I love it out here, farmboy* and I have made it a home and we welcome friends and family with open arms. It's not multi-million dollar home, with a manicured lawn, Ethan Allen furnishings, or treasures from around the world. It's a some what modest old farm that everyone who comes has the urge to hang their hat and tie the horse up for a drink of fresh water. They want to walk into the chicken coop, grab some eggs and offer to help cook dinner. It's a place that feels like home to anyone who walks through the doors... and I love that!

For me it's that place in I go in my mind when the day is dragging on and on with the nagging agony of being part of the rat race, which just isn't a solution for any human being!

This place reminds me that the grass is not greener anywhere else. The Field of Dreams, "If you build it they will come" sort of mentality. It could be said for so many aspects of life.

Schermeisterbrau

This is the counter is the magnetic North of the house.

It is the place where yeast finds its way into our beer and our breads... I helped cap the bottles last night with some big lid-squeezing gadget. This picture doesn't quite do the bottles justice. The detail on each of those Grolsch-style bottles is really sleek. Of course over the last week I have sort of been noticing the 'details' of many things.

Good Pickin's

Lots of spaghetti squash... if you are my neighbor and need some, please stop in! The zucchini's have again gotten out of hand, and more like the an arm. The Cultivator* planted a lot of grape and Roma tomatoes because he knows they are my favorite, and there are a lot of peppers too! Neighbor T. gave us the round cucumbers, which I have never seen in my life, but I am excited to try, and Neighbor R. gave us corn which we shared because there was more than we could possibly eat in a month. Oh and the eggs... going to town to sell some today.

Now back to the studio...

Watching my girls prey

Loki and Sesame (aka Little Dog)

An average afternoon delight as I sit at my kitchen table and eating grapes and watching our cats watching the finches. It's only a moment that passes before Sesame is circling my feet with the most annoying mew (high pitched and stuttering) until I get up to let them outside.

Lokes is the first mouser on the farm, and she couldn't have come at a more perfect time! Just fresh from the city, living alone in the middle of the woods in a new town. I was sleeping one night and I heard a noise in the kitchen, after getting up several times I figured out it was a mouse. So I set a trap... the next day it was 4 am and I hear a 'clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk' I slowly approach the kitchen to find this little mouse with it's tiny head stuck in the trap but trying to push it's way out. All I could picture was an old cartoon, and I could swear the trap read ACME! Not only did it not snap the mouses neck, it seemed as if the mouse may have been strong enough to pry the trap off it's head. I thought eventually it would die or strangulation, so I left it for awhile. Tick, tick, tick... ok, damn-it, what do I do? I called Farmboy* in Colorado, he said to just kill the thing with a broom, but I could bring myself to do it mostly because I thought what the heck would a broom do, he also suggested a shoe, but I like my shoes too much to have them be murderers! So I scooped it up and put it down a sink hole in the driveway... with the trap still on it's head. After that I knew a cat was a good thing, allergic or not. Turned out she even got along great with the ferrets.

Sesame showed up last October... a drive and drop. She belonged to some one, she was clean, no bugs/ticks, and trimmed claws. It only took her 24 hours to wiggle her way into our home. It was touch and go at first if she would be a hunter (which if not, then there's no room for her here... jk) but when the warm weather settled in she was climbing trees and finding critters. She's a personality clone of our youngest dog, a pest with a heart of gold.

I believe they think they are dogs, just like our boys. The go out to relieve themselves, they come in to nap; they hunt all day and then come back at noon for lunch and 6 PM for dinner like clockwork. Until these two rascals joined us, I didn't know cats were so goofy. They wrestle each other, and then wind up in a tangle or hissing to end up licking each others like they were from the same litter.

They are both great hunters, Loki will take down chipmunks and squirrels and eat them in one sitting, while Sesame hunts mice and shrews, and of course the hummingbirds (that stinker)! Not many mice around here these days.

I have never seen either with a finch like the ones in the picture, but they sure do annoy the little birds! However, out here they are quick to run across open spaces because they know they are the prey too, but still there's nothing funnier than watching the sparrows dive bomb them relentlessly!

The 7th Year Itch?

Happy Anniversary

The MOON has circled the Earth 84 times since the day we wed.

Would I do it all again?

Only with him.

"Love wasn't suppose to be about a moment where you looked into a boy's eyes and felt the world spin from beneath your feet; when you saw his soul in all things that were missing in yours. Love came slow and surefooted and was made of equal measures of comfort and respect. A plain girl wouldn't fall in love, she'd sort of glance down and realize she was mired in it. A plain girl knew she loved someone when she looked out ten years from now and saw that same boy standing beside her...." Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult