Our Adventures.......

Sun, Sun, Sun!

Well, I had to wait it out a little bit, but the sun is finally shining in the state of California! :) YEA!  The first couple of days I was here it rained, then was cloudy and chilly.  Yesterday the sun came out and today was clear blue skies!  Yesterday and today both I laid on the swing in the back yard and read - a whole book in 2 afternoons.  (Even took a little nap today!)  It's only about 70 - terrific to sit out in, but not hot and sweaty

Rick and Kelly have a beautiful house.  Their backyard (which Kelly designed) is gorgeous.  They have 3 kids (none of which remember Madison - bummer).  Riley and Rogan are 11 and 9 and Kaitlan is 4.  Riley plays flag football and his team is undefeated.  Rogan plays soccer and his team has only lost 1 game this year.  I was able to watch Rogan's soccer game last Saturday in the rain.  Kaitlan is the cutest little petite thing you have ever seen.  She very quiet and smiles a lot.  This evening I'm going to crochet her some barbie blankets for her barbie house.  She's excited about that....she got to pick the yarn out herself today.

My afghan is getting huge.  But I keep having to buy more and more yarn!  YIKES!  I have been working on it a lot in Oregon and California.  I have also read 2 books since I started travelling.  Kelly and I spend LOTS and LOTS of time talking.  She is wonderful.  One of the most genuinely nice people I have ever met.  I was able to attend church with Rick and Kelly on Sunday - awesome message and terrific music.  Wish I could transplant this church up to Soldotna!  Really enjoyed it. 

Have enjoyed spending family time with Rick's family, and am so grateful for their generosity and friendship.  They are truly special people.  Speaking of that, I also have to say how grateful I am for the generosity of Melissa and Sara if I haven't mentioned that already.....Melissa gave up her bedroom for me, and they both toted me around for a week everywhere they went!  Melissa's extended family even graciously welcomed me into family gathering they had while I was there. 

ALSO - Thanks to all the people back "home" who offer words of encouragement and offers of assistance...I appreciate those who have shown themselves to be true friends.  I will be leaving here soon for my 3 day train ride to Ohio.....where I have a feeling it's going to be a foreshadowing of Alaska weather.......will spend Thanksgiving with my cousins - can't wait to see them all again!  And I will have a new niece early next week....can't wait to see her!!!! 

I appreciate all the prayer I can get...so keep them coming!  I'd LOVE to hear from some of you....I KNOW about those who read and have NEVER left a message......be brave and and say hello!  Love, Rhonda

California!

Chemeketa

Well, I think they were getting ready to engrave my name on the table I have been using in the library all week -- I have spent many, many hours at the college this week...and it has been great!  Melissa would come visit me in between classes.  I really enjoyed myself.  I watched "Friends" on my computer, watched a couple tv shows on my computer, read an entire book, crocheted a mile (my afgahn has doubled in size), did crossword puzzles, talked to Madison a few times, checked - double checked - rechecked my 3 email accounts a million times a day, wrote emails, updated my blog, loaded pictures off of my camera, organized my photos on my computer, ate, drank, walked around, and......hmmmm....I think that about covers it! 

I was really fortunate yesterday to get to go the Abbey located in Silverton, Oregon.  Melissa's aunt Lynn offered to take me up there and show me around.  Melissa's cousin/roommate Sara went too.  We also stopped by a church that was built in a predominantly German town near Silverton that was built in 1910.  It is a Catholic church that was built by German people with part and pieces (like the bells) that were shipped over from Germany.  Beautiful stained glass windows and murals!  Reminded me so much of my trip to Gemany many years ago.  I took a bunch of pictures. 

Once I get back to Alaska my friend Leah is going to help me get some pictures on here.....and then you will get to see some of what I've been talking about. 

Melissa took us out to dinner tonight at Chili's - one of my favorite places!  It was very good and we had a good time.  She and Sara have been wonderful to me - tremendous blessing!  And Melissa's Aunt Lynn and her family have been very hospitable (even fed me twice!). 

I'm hitting the road tomorrow on the next leg of my adventure.  I appreciate your prayers for safety in travel.  Also.....I have a few friends that have prayer needs:  my friend Mary Rowley's dad passed away 2 days ago...the funeral is Saturday.  Her daughter, Claire, is also a friend and is travelling from Canada tomorrow to spend the weekend with Melissa (I will miss seeing her by a few hours!).  Also, the gal I am riding down to California with -- her niece was recently diagnosed with Luekemia - 4 years old.  I know these families covet your prayers as I do. 

Even though Oregon is beautiful (the fall colors of the trees is awesome).....I'm looking forward to some warm weather!!! :) 

I miss my girl....and Oscar....but am donig okay......Love, Rhonda

Corban College

Just a quick note about our excursion today....Melissa and I went for a drive down to Corban College.  We didn't know how to get ahold of any of the CIA kids there, so we just went to look around the campus.  It is beautiful by the way.  The campus is built into a hillside, which gives you a terrific view from just about anywhere on campus, but especially from the Cafeteria.  So we had our eyes out for anyone we might know, and were just headed toward our last building to check out....when Melissa says, "I just saw Marcus in that classroom!"  So I stood right outside the door until he came out....and I think I about gave him a heart attack!  I don't know if I have ever seen anyone more surprised!  Of course, he had no idea I was in Oregon......much less standing outside his classroom door.  So that was really fun today.  Melissa and I are going to go to Red Lobster for dinner tonight - can't wait!  It's been really fun hanging with her the past few days.....she is a terrific girl, and I'm blessed by her friendship.  Her roommate (which is her cousin) is also a very nice girl and has been wonderful to me...I couldn't have asked for a better situation at the moment! :) 

Life is good.  Rhonda

On the Oregon Trail

So far my adventure hasn't disappointed me on the beauty of our country!  I've been in Oregon a couple of days and it's beautiful here.  The leaves are all different colors and they are HUGE!  Melissa keeps laughing at my astonishment over leaves.  At my age...you have to find pleasures in the simple things of life!  Spent the day with Melissa's family yesterday.  Her aunt and uncle from Alaska were here for the weekend, and she has 2 other aunts and uncles that live nearby.  So we went over there for the afternoon and evening.  There were a total of 15 kids, 3 teeenagers and 7 adults --- or so.....it was hard to keep track of all!  The kids were wonderfully compatible and played really well together...the adults too! HA!  They were very generous and kind to include me, and I was very comfortable with them. 

I'm spending the day at Chemeketa College with Melissa -- well, she's in class and I'm hanging in the library.  Have been reading all morning and am enjoying the down time masqurading as a college student!  It does really make me want to go back to college....

The first night I was here we ate at the Olive Garden....YUMMY!  We had a 45 minute wait, but we spent that time getting all "caught up" on each other.  Melissa is battling a cold...and I had a good supply of Airbourne with me...so I've been "mothering" her a bit to keep that going down her regularly.

It was 65 degrees here yesterday afternoon.  Melissa and I went on a long walk around Silverton...the town her aunt and uncle live in.  Very quaint little town with neat shops and stuff.  They have beautiful murals on the sides a some buildings.  It was good to get out and work off some calories! 

Madison had her first game on Saturday in Alaska and scored the first basket for her team!  Wished I could have been there.  I will get back in time to see her play at the end of her season.  For those in the frozen North....if you happen to see her...give her a BIG hug for me! :)  She is doing well and enjoying being around family.  Oscar is doing good too - he sleeps with Madison and Shelby at night...so I'm sure he's happy! :) 

That's all for now....Love, Rhonda 

Moving Furniture

The Adventure Continues.....

Hi all!  I'm about to head off into a new adventure!  AND it is going to be by "Plane, Train and Automobile!"  I am going to do something I have never done before.....travel around the country!  I'm very excited to be able to visit some friends and family over the next month or so!  I will start off by visiting one of my former students (and office aide) Melissa Moffis!  She is going to school in Salem, Oregon.  While there I am hopeful to see some other former students who are attending college at Corban College.  Then I will meet up with the wife of a former classmate Rick Skinner.  She will be in Oregon visiting family, and is going to pick me up on her way home to California.  I will stay with them for a bit - which will be so fun as I haven't seen them in about 8 years!  Then I'm off by train (3 days!) to Ohio/Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with my cousins!   And finally, I will board a plane (Yikes!) back to the "frozen Northland" to spend the holidays with my family and to see my BRAND NEW NIECE who is schedulled to be born on the 19th (and my new neph-dog (?)) named Gretzky (the dog, not my niece). 

The weather continues to be beautiful here....and I LOVE the ranch.  It is incredibly peaceful and calm.  Deer abound, as always....and I will miss seeing them around every twist and turn in the road.  Although the temps have been down to the low 30s, we have yet to see snow...and by afternoon it is usually in the 60s.  So I'm really liking that!  Still have a fairly decent tan, and am hoping to supplement that in California....

Oh, and by the way, I'm still working on that afgan.....it's about 2 feet wide now....am thinking I will do a bunch while on the train, as well as reading, crosswords, soduko, etc.  Can't wait for the train ride - will bring back memories from when I was a child and my mom, my brother, me, and the Rea family travelled by train across the US--- no Betty and Veronica fashion shows this time though! :)   

I appreciate your prayers as I begin my great adventure!  Madison is settled in at her dad's, and starts basketball this week.  She's excited for that....AND, amazingly enough, is already asking for me to send some schoolwork!  (Who would guess that!)  I love to hear from you guys....so please feel free to leave comments or email me!  Love, Rhonda

Madison

The weather here has been amazing!  It was 75 degrees again yesterday....very nice!  Went for a short 4 wheeler ride with just a light jacket, and was very comfortable - and that was in the late afternoon!

Got that baby girl on a airplane on Saturday.....she did awesome!  She took Oscar with her - they are real buddies!  She was excited to fly by herself...and even more excited that she didn't have to give up her window seat to me!  The airline gave her free food and free movies - she thought that was pretty cool.  So she's back in the Frozen North and excited to see everybody. 

Made beer batter halibut for dinner last night....it was YUMMY! :)  That's all for now, Rhonda

On Target

Yesterday Madison and I drove into town and I saw a few things that I forgotten to mention earlier....

There are wild turkeys wandering around on the ranch.  They travel in groups usually.  Yesterday a whole group crossed the road right in front of us. 

It didn't occur to me until yesterday how much my blog site looks like Idaho.  We drove past a red barn/house yesterday and the grasses are all turning yellow, and it's looks just like my website! 

We went for a short drive yesterday past the driveway, and drove down to the spot on the river across from the ranch.  It was cool to see it from another angle. 

I have taken tons of pictures....but none of them do it justice.  Just not the same looking through the viewfinder as seeing it in person.  I am always amazed at God's incredibly creative mind in how he created this great land we live in. 

Weather has been in the high 60's the past couple of days...but VERY windy.  Incredibly powerful winds as we are in a bit of a canyon.  But even the wind is warm.  Very unusual for me - I'm used to the wind (even in the summer in Alaska) to have a chill to it.  I LOVE the warm weather....I know AK has snow on the ground...but I'm not missing it yet! :) 

That's all for now.....Love, Rhonda

Fun Day

Sun in Idaho

It has been beautiful here!  In the low 70's every day for a week.  I was able to spend some time reading and crocheting in the sun, as well as working on my tan a bit.  Got a bit of a sunburn, but nothing drastic.  My afgahn is about 8 inches wide now, and still going!  I need to get some more yarn today.  We went on a long 4 wheeler ride yesterday and looked into an old mine shaft.  Pretty cool stuff.  Gotta go...more later.  Rhonda

Nice Day

Back Home

Hi all.  Sorry I have been gone for so long.  I wasn't sure what was going to happen with my grandmother passing away.  I ended up going to Michigan, alone!  For those of you that have any idea what a terrified flyer I am..... you should be PROUD!  I flew from Lewiston to Salt Lake City to Detroit.  I had window seats all the way, and actually even had the whole row to myself on both flights!  My flight left at 6am, so Garrett and I had to get up at 2:45 to leave for Lewiston.  By the time I got to Salt Lake, I was about numb!  We get on the plane, and before we have even pulled away from the gate...they start announcing about how much turbulence we're going to have for the 1st HOUR of the flight.  That's the moment I decided to take my anti-flying-panic pill!  Which, fortunately, knocked me out!  And, fortunately, they rerouted us south instead of north and we had virtually no turbulence! :)  I slept for the entire 3 hours. 

So I know this will jump around a lot, but I arrived in Detroit at 5 pm on Saturday.  The viewing was 2-4, 6-8 on Sunday.  The funeral service and burial was on Sunday at 11.  My brother left Detroiit at 9 am on Monday.  I left at 4 pm.  So to say it was a whirlwind trip....understatement.  We were able to fit in 2 family dinners with my mom's side of the family - at the beginning and the end of the trip.  My dad, his wife and my brother and I were all there.  My Uncle and his family made all the arrangements.  They did an awesome job and were very thoughtful towards us.  My Aunt ordered a casket spray that had ceramic angels in it....which were then given 1 to each grandchild (including Spencer and Madison).  The fire station members prepared a lunch for after the service which was very nice and yummy.  Then we went over to Grandma's and we all looked around and set apart things that we would like to have.  My aunt, uncle, and dad were very gracious about sharing things that we thought were special.  We looked through some old photo albums which was neat.  Got to see a few pics of my dad as a kid and teenager.  Oh - just thought of something.....at the viewing.....some of my dad's old classmates from high school showed up to see him and express their condolences.  I don't think he had seen them since he graduated!  That was very special.  And mom - Milagio and Rosie stopped by too!  Okay, back to Grandma's.... I was given all of Grandma's crochet needles - which is very special to me as she is the one who taught me to crochet, and I have since taught Madison.  I am now determined to crochet an afgahn!  - I'll let you know how that goes.  I also got the Bible my grandma was given when she turned 9 from her grandma.  A few other things that will be special to just me, and my grandpa's 22 rifle!  Very excited to have something that was his, as he died when I was very young.

So that was my whirlwind trip to Michigan.  Was on the ground for about 3 days total.  Good to see my dad and brother.  (They look the same)  Nice to spend time with my Cousin Nita, Galen, Linda, Tom, Joey, and Aunt Shirley.....there are a few others mixed in there too......and I won't reveal which is my most favorite relative on my mom's side........(inside joke for the Rochowiaks). 

Back to homeschooling.  Madison did a lot of work while I was gone ---- I wonder who she whined too?  Her complaining and whining about drives me out of my tree!  She loves to do math....everything else is a tragedy in her life!  No, I shouldn't complain.  She's a fun kid, pretty smart, and is doing very well in her subjects....but is a lot more fun to work with when she's motivated and excited about her subject! 

The weather was in the 90s in Michigan everyday.....the only bummer was I was inside the entire time.  Speaking of that, my grandma had the crib from my dad in her attic, as well as lots of other cool stuff.  I kept telling my uncle he needs to hit Antique Roadshow...but he never took me seriously!  But her attic and house was sweltering.  I would have liked to have had the time to enjoy the yummy warm weather....but other responsiblities were at hand.  They kept saying it was very unusual for it to be that warm there this time of year.  Also, saw a few pumpkin patches!  Very cool.  Didn't ever get a picture of one though.  I guess that's one inspiration to back for.

Idaho is cooler, but nice.  Wore a sweater today, but no jacket.  Can't complain.  Well, I'm going to have to ask for copyright rights if I get much longer....so I better sign off.  Thanks for all who prayed.....it was very sad and very hard to say goodbye to grandma.  Love, Rhonda

Sad News

Checking In

Well, life has been busy on the ranch!  Homeschooling takes up a huge chunk of our day everyday, and then we usually work around the ranch for a bit after that.  The weather hasn't been too wonderful for the past week.....rainy and windy.  So lots of indoor work.  We've been getting quite a bit accomplished.  We hadn't left the ranch for over a week....Madison and I drove out and bought groceries yesterday.  She spotted deer all by herself...and is quite "learned" as to their points and how good of a buck they are.  Didn't see any other wildlife to speak of other than cows and horses.

I have totally neglected to you about one of my most favorite things in the whole world.....weeping willows....and guess what?  Much to my surprise, they have weeping willows in Idaho!  I LOVE them.  So it's a treat to see them here and there when we drive around.  I also have seen some tumbleweeds!  They really do exist somewhere besides old western movies!  They not huge....but they do tumble! 

Madison is doing terrific on her homeschooling, other than a bit of whining about having to do anything other than math (is she my kid, or what?).  She's a quick study and is motivated to complete work since I made her some charts to show her progress.  I still hear, "But Mrs. Bird doesn't do it like this", now and then...but I keep telling her I'm not Mrs. Bird, and I don't care!  (Sorry, Debbie, but I'm not even trying to do it like you do!).  HA!

Tonight there was a bear across the river.  We all jumped in the truck to see if it would come across, but instead it crawled up on someone's porch and laid down....no bearskin rug tonight! 

By the way....I don't know if mentioned this or not....but I think Oscar thinks he's in heaven!  He LOVES to wander all around...smelling evey scent on every blade of grass.  He gets to play fetch a lot outside (and inside), and has Pudge (a blue heeler) to play with.  He loves to go in the truck or 4-wheeler with whoever is on the go.  He's getting lots of excercise....and loves to sleep in the sun in the mornings when we're doing homeschool.  I really do think he thinks he's in heaven!

I haven't put the time into emailing like I should...so I apoligize to those who have commented or emailed that I haven't gotten back to.  It thrills me to get a message that someone has left a comment (I get an email whenever someone leaves a comment message)!  I still haven't had 2 seconds to sit down and figure out how to post pictures on here......but they ARE coming sooner or later!  I have pictures of Madison and her grouse that she shot....as well as a few other things.  Maybe in the next day or two. 

Shout-outs to Leah, Tony, Chelsea, Miss Becky, mom & Reeder, and all else that check in to see what's happening with us!  Love you all.....Rhonda

Not Enough Time in a Day!

Hello all.  First of all, I can not believe how full a day is here.....no time to lolly-gag around!  We are busy from sun-up to sun-down!  Between homeschooling, cleaning, cooking, helping out around the ranch....there's no spare time.....add in a trip to town.....the whole day is gone! 

We got up this morning and started on home school with Madison and Jason.  They worked for a couple of hours, while I was attending to some office type stuff in between helping them with problems and questions.  Then Jason, Madison and I ran into White Bird to check the mail.  We, of course, got there at 12:10 and they are closed from 12 to 1.  So we sat in the truck and read and talked until they opened up again.  Well worth the wait -- we got about 9 boxes, including our guns!  So that was good.  It was my first time driving the forever long driveway....took about 45 minutes in and 45 minutes back for about 13 miles!  You can not believe the drop-offs!  You are literally driving on the edge of a mountain.  Pretty incredible scenery. 

I forgot to mention on our trip out the other day we saw a bear sitting in the middle of the driveway.  Garrett jumped out to shoot it, but it scooted off into the woods.  Pretty cool though....I have to go all the way to Idaho to see a grown bear up close!

This afternoon Garrett, Madison and I drove over to refill the bear bait stations.  It's about 16 miles one way and it took us about 3 1/2 hours round trip!  Again, crawling along the edge of a mountain....at the end were some apple trees.  So Madison climbed up and got a bunch of apples down.  I have an apple pie in the oven right now!  AND on the way back, Madison shot 5 grouse!  She brought her 22 that we got in the mail, and shot 5 birds along the way on the way home!  Her first "harvesting" of animals!  So we came home, she and Jason cleaned the grouse, Garrett trimmed it up, and I cooked it for dinner....it was yummy! :)

Of course, saw tons of deer today (as usual), and cows too on the way to the bear bait stations.  The cows were standing up on the sides of the mountains too! 

I finally got batteries for my camera and took a bunch of pictures on the way to the bear stations.  I would like to sit down tomorrow and try to figure out how to post them on here so you all can see them.  You'll know soon enough if I accomplished that or not!

That's about a book from me for tonight...so I'm going to sign off.  Hope all is well with you and yours.....Rhonda

Town, Deer and a Snake!

Well, yesterday we went to town....similiar to going to Anchorage and back in 1 day.  It's a good 3 hour drive.  We got Jim off at the airport, and then went to lunch, Costco and Walmart.  Found some good stuff...but no bookcases yet and no jewelry armoire.  Something to keep my eyes out for.  We bought a bunch of stuff though!  I found jeans at Walmart for $10!  I was really happy with that!  I left my "duct tape jeans" in Alaska, so I only had 1 pair.  I bought 2 $10 ones, so now I'm set for quite a while! 

I know I've mentioned the deer already, but you can not even believe what a constant presence they are!  There are ALWAYS deer in the field behind the house, and if you drive anywhere, there are deer wandering around.  They just stop and look at you.  They stand so still that I thought one was a statue the other day (Garrett thought that was pretty funny).  I hope I do not get used to seeing them, and are always intrigued by spotting and watching them.

Madison and I drove across the field today (past the deer - about 30 of them) and went to a plum tree.  I have never seen plums like this before -- they were tiny, and yellow!?  Tasted good, but strange looking.  Anyone know anything about plums like this?  I also got another apple off a tree as we were driving out yesterday.  Pretty amazing.  They grow in bunches...I always thought they hung from the tree individually. 

So as we were coming back to the house today after picking up Mathew - the boys were up over the hill working on "discing" a field - Garrett spotted a snake in road.  He and Madison jumped out and he showed Madison how to pick it up - which she did!  She was pretty excited.  It was a  bull snake (I think if I remember right).  The snakes are pretty much gone till next spring because of the colder temperatures.  So, no, we haven't seen (or heard) any rattlesnakes.

Madison took me on a 4 wheeler drive today. She did terrific.  I was impressed and never scared once! :)    Well, that's about all for this update.  I better "hit the hay!"  Tomorrow I'm going in to town (Grangeville) with Garrett to run a few errands.  Hoping to hit the local fabric store and see what that looks like! :)  Rhonda

Staying in touch

Hello all - a quick note as we're walking out the door to go to town (Lewiston).  Garrett's buddy, Jim, is leaving today and so we're all going to take him to the airport.  I'm hoping to find some inexpensive bookcases at Costco. 

Mostly I wanted to make a quick post to tell everyone that I'm not ignoring them....for some reason I can recieve email like crazy....but everything I have sent out is not actually going out.  So I have been trying to communicate with some of you...it just isn't working.  I need to call ACS next week and talk to a tech person. 

We did a lot of schoolwork yesterday.  Trying to get Jason's stuff all sorted out and get Madison moving.  That girl can do a lot of work!  She's doing really well.  Today we're going to buy her a 4 foot table so she can have a "desk", as well as one for me....then we'll be getting more organized.

Remember how I was constantly packing....now I think I'm going to be constantly UNpacking!  I unpacked as much clothes as I could until I ran out of hangers...guess what else is on the shopping list today?!  I'll keep you updated on how that all goes.  I opened up all 15 or so boxes that have made it here so far yesterday.  Madison was pleased to find some of her playthings, and I was pleased to find some of the framed pictures I sent all in one piece!  Yeah, mom!  That woman knows how to pack!  :)  (She should really hire herself out for packing and garage sale assistance!)

Madison misses her MeMe quite a lot...she was a little sad last night.  But we talked and played cards and she "came out of it".  She got up really early yesterday and went out to work in the fields on the tractor with Garrett...so she was a little overtired....

Gotta run.  I'll stay in touch! :)  Rhonda

P.S.  Is ANYONE beside Leah Jackson (Hi Leah!) reading these?

Going to Town

For those of you North Roaders or Sterlingites --- I have something to tell you ---- "Going to Town" in Idaho is an adventure beyond anything you already know!  The road from the house to the main road (the 18 mile driveway) is a dirt trail full of switchbacks, hills, and drop-offs to nowhere.  Of course there are no guardrails!  However, there is an abundance of wildlife....we saw about 75 deer on the way home last night!  AND...I ate an apple off a tree alongside the driveway on the way out! 

We left here at 11:30 thinking we would be back around 3.....we got back around 8 pm!  We left in 1 truck and returned with 2 trucks and 2 trailers....all loaded to the gills!  We hit the hardware store, grocery store, general store, had lunch, got fertilizer (9,000 pounds), lumber store, another hardware store....don't even remember what else!  

Madison stayed at the ranch with the boys - they moved rocks to form a faux rock bed by one of the campers for a nice landscaping effect.  They did a good job, and she had a ball.  They rode 4 wheelers and the tractor (she likes the 4 wheeler better because it goes faster!).  

I have been cleaning and organizing in the evenings.....trying to get everything moved out of where it's at, cleaned, and then reorganized back.  The boys think I'm nuts....but their method of storage is a little whacked!  So I've been combining like things in like places and trying to add in my and Madison's stuff as I go.  This morning I worked on unpacking so we can find some clothes to wear.  Got 3 1/2 bags unpacked and then ran out of hangers.....so I'm on hold till we buy some more.  

Madison has been working on schoolwork all day...first she has worked on it for quite a while.  We have to hit it hard the next month.  Jason has also been working on his schoolwork all day.  All the kids ended up in my room on the floor working while I was correcting and planning.  I have them all now working on Tangrams.  (They are actually double Tangeos - a double set of tangrams).  They are very difficult.

Oscar has adapted pretty quickly.  He doesn't like "Pudge" (the other dog) to chase him too much, but Pudge just wants to play!  He likes being able to wander around and smell all the new smells!

Guess we are going to have a campfire and hamburgers tonight.  Started out sunny today and I had very high hopes of spending some quality hammock time, but it has clouded over a bit as the day has gone on....no hammock today! :(  Oh well.  There could be worse things!

That's all I can think of for now!  Hope all is well with everyone.  I am feel like I am scrambling to get my feet under me here.  Don't want to open any boxes until I have all the bags we brought with us unpacked.  There's so much I want to do and get set up, but everything has to go in order and it takes time.  We'll just keep tackling it one step at a time.  Thanks for checking in!  Rhonda

WE'RE HERE!

We have arrived in Idaho! :)  It is absolutly BEAUTIFUL!  We're down in the bowl of mountains....you wouldn't believe how beautiful it is.  And there were about a dozen deer eating in the backyard this morning.  What a world we live in.

A few "shout outs" - Mom - I wouldn't not only be in Idaho with all of my stuff right now....I probably wouldn't have half my sanity either without you.  It's not fair for you to have to tie up some of my details, but I appreciate you more than you know.  My hope is that you can figure out how to post comments on here eventually.....Leah - I love and appreciate you so much - thank you for thinking of me and posting comments (you're the only one!).  I will be keeping in touch with you for sure - AND by the way, even thought I didn't get your catalog back to you, I did order the cookbook you were thinking about it...the 5 ingredient one.  I'll let you know if it's worthwhile......Debbie....we became fast friends.  Thank you for being there for me and eating  out with me A LOT......Kathy Sorrell.....You truly do reflect the face of Christ more than anyone I have ever met....thank you for your willingness to follow the truth of Christ and to love me regardless of the humaness of me.....Gayle...I love you and hope "our" (yours and mine) home bring tremendous peace to your life....If I didn't mention you, it's not cause your're not thought of....we're literally walking out the door to go to town, but I wanted to let everyone know we were here. 

I promise to post more once we get settled in a bit.  We got in last night and all I did was clean/organize the bathroom so I could put my stuff away - and dug through all 6 suitcases/duffel bags to find underwear/socks/shirt for today.  Goal for the day -- get all the suitcases unpacked so we can walk in a straight line in the bedroom!  Love you all - thanks for your prayers....and love back.  Rhonda