Summer has Arrived

Is it too soon to say that summer has arrived? The sun is shining, and the temp is 70Probably a little soon, but I am optimistic.. lol

The kids are now out of school. I don't know why it is that every year I have this crazy idea we are going to have a layed back summer. Just got the kids' t ball / baseball schedules, and it is run run run until mid July. Then starts swimming lessons, and bible school etc. etc. Hard to even find a week to escape.. lol

Right now I am just in the process of organizing my life. Kurt and I are now sharing the kids 7 full days on and 7 full days off, so it has been quiet with no kids, as oposed to last summer where I still had them every day, and Kurt only took them in the evenings. Wow that was a run on.. haha It is nice that Sandy has been a good step mom and has agreed to keep the kids while Kurt works.

Yard is done, flowers are planted, and only minor things to be done outside. My biggest achievement would be restoring the old pond/waterfall in the back yard. Kids and I dug out all of the dirt and got the pond going. I have a problem with the hose leaking, but all in all the water fall works, and it is lovely. I would love to one day landscape the whole area around it, but all in good time. Money you know.. Can't ever have enough of that. :)




The kids had their annual dance recital last weekend, and as always, did a fantastic job. Each year the kids amaze me a bit more. I am so proud of them!!!!!!



I am still batteling the water in the basement. A week ago I opened the cellar door only to find a good 2ft plus of water. Here I had been so lucky in telling people that I didn't have water, when really I had water the whole time. Thank goodness my basement is dry and I have the sump pump working round the clock to assure the water doesn't seep into the basement. It has however caused a lot of stress and grief for me. ugggg



Summer although just starting, is proving to be somewhat of a struggle for me this year. Last year I had no house payment nor van payment and this year I have both. Tough when there is no income comming in for the three summer months. Really making me wonder if maybe it is time to really consider a full time job. I love my preschool more than anything, but it is getting tougher and tougher to live off of. Honestly preschool has always been somewhat of a hobby for me. I got to do what I loved teach, and it made no difference if it came with a paycheck. Sadely now, it is my only source of income. :(

This summer to make a bit extra money, I am going to be babysitting part time. I would rather not be watching kids while mine are with Kurt, but if anybody should need a sitter here or there, feel free to call. :)

So needless to say I think we will be staying close to home this summer. I do have a bit saved up for this and that, but there aren't going to be an woohoo trips etc.

If there is anything that I have learned about from this whole divorce stuggle, is that sometimes you just have to be happy with what you have instead of constantly wanting more more more, and better better better. One step at a time, one thing at a time, and stuff doesn't make you better....

Really it can be best said that "When the going gets tough, The TOUGH get GOING!"

Happy Summer!!!

Spring has more than sprung...

Ok, so we kindly asked there be no more snow, and what do we get RAIN RAIN RAIN. Close to 3 inches of it. Never have we, here in Crosby/Divide County, seen so much water. I think every body is pumping water out of their basement this week. My sister had so much water in her basment that it nearly started comming out the basement windows. It was armpit high when she tried wading in it to take pictures, but quickely stopped for fear that she might get electricuted. The water was mearly 9 inches from the electrical box. Poor girl. She hasn't eaten, slept, or been able to work for fear that her house might just float away...



This is a picture of Heidi's basement steps. Notice the water is nearly to the top.. What a nightmare for her. I on the other hand was so very lucky. Both neighbor next door and across the street both had water in their basements, and i believe close to all of the people on the street to the east of me all had water.. Thank you lord for sparing my basement. I greatly appreciate it!



This is the old Ken's Chicken Inn restaurant right across from the highschool. Just a couple blocks from my house.. Crazy ha?

With all of this crazy weather.. Freak snow/ice storms, and crazy rain.. What on earth does the summer hold? Kinda scared to think about it. What, terrible wind or tornados??? Praying for nothing but sun and moderate rain.. lol

Well stay dry all...

Happy Spring!!!

A few winter storm pics

Winter Storm

I would say Happy Spring everybody, but as most everyone knows, it hasn't been spring in any way shape or form here in North Western North Dakota. With over a foot of snow raising havoc on all of our lives, causing no power, or water... It is time to Kick Old Man Winter in the A**... Come on now, laugh, that was funny. hahaha

While the snow was nothing pleasant, it will make memories of the worst storm ever for our children. Micaela was at the Prairie Tumble Weed's gymnastics sleep over when the storm hit. The slumber party was supposed to go from 8:00 p.m. Friday night until 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Needless to say we didn't see poor Micaela until after supper Saturday when somebody was finally able to trample the snow in a 4 wheel drive to get the kids home. Pretty sad that 20 some kids were all stranded and most lived here in Crosby. Let me tell you, it is a very hopeless feeling to live mere blocks from where your child is at, but can not get to them. L

Grant on the other hand was in Noonan at a friend's birthday sleep over. His very first time being way from home overnight. The poor kid was so exhausted from a fun filled "sleep over," of course we all know there is no sleep involved in a sleep over right? Haha So he was tired, anxious about being away from home, and sick feeling because it was storming and he wasn’t with his family. The plot thickens for Grant as when the snow stopped the family he was staying with attempted to get him home and went off the road into the snow. Grant found it quite exciting/scary to have a policeman drive him to the closest cleared off road, and then walk him a half block to our door. What excitement. The kid was never so happy to see me. lol

While both Grant and Micaela were struck at their slumber parties, Ralph, Bethany and I had our own fun without power or water. We made it a party of sorts doing things like making hot dog kabobs and cooking them over candlelight or making easy mac with only a candle. Yes it may have taken 2 hrs to make, but it can be done. Lol Honestly we spent most of the day all curled up in bed. It was nice for a while that Bethany was able to watch movies on the computer, but as soon as the battery went dead that was the end of that. I tell you what, I can honestly say that Saturday was by far the longest day of my life. Worrying about kids, dealing with no heat or power… Bedtime did not come fast enough.

I do have to say, I can be pioneer woman with no power just fine thinking of ingenious things to do etc, but I cannot live without water. Power yes, I can deal with that, but I am a woman who needs to shower, and that is that!!!!! When I told the kids that they had to wash their hands from the toilet tank, they all thought it was disgusting and gross, but I explained to them that t was clean water, and perfectly fine. I honestly had to convince myself of that as I ever so hesitantly took a sponge bath from that exact toilet tank.. hahaha





The kids all slept downstairs all bundled up in their warmest PJ’s and sweats. For as cold as it got, the kids slept all night, and even slept in the next morning. Waking up to a cold 52 degrees was a bit on the chilly side, but we made the most of it. For those whom know me, I cannot stand to be cold. If I am cold, the whole word is coming to an end. My body just shuts down. burrr

With the snow stopped and wind gone, Sunday morning looked to give us hope as there was sun in the sky. My savior Ralph, whom I am so grateful was with me this weekend, was an angle and shoved for 4hrs to get us out of the driveway. With the plows running all night, we thought it might be safe to attempt to travel to Sorums to get propane for the BBQ grill. Really all I wanted to do was boil some water to do dishes, melt some water for the toilet, and attempt a warm meal for the kids. Unfortunately there were people lined up down the street with gas cans and propane bottles. I knew then we had to get out of town. It felt like the world was coming to an end. We packed the kids up and went to Kenmare to Ralph’s apt. Thank goodness he has a roomy apt with heat, power, and WATER!!!! We took the kids out to eat, and to a movie. It was so fantastic.

School was cancelled on Monday so the kids and I went to Minot to get Micaela’s pictures taken. We did a bit of shopping and ate a good lunch before heading back to Crosby. Water was on, power was on, and things seemed to be looking up. Unfortunately as I type I am home alone without Ralph or the kids, and am sitting in the dark as the power is out again.

Just cant make this stuff up. This has been a heck of a winter, and this May snowstorm is something that I will absolutely never ever forget. Though I will say there was one good thing that came of all of it, my fridge and freezer got cleaned out. Haha All of the food in my fridge spoiled and made a heck of a mess. Nothing like opening your freezer to find what looks like the giant slime monster from Ghost Busters smeared all over. That’s right Popsicles and ice cream melted all over. Add that to the smell of unthawed fish, and you have a recipe for true yuk…

While I want to say it is time to put away the shovels, with as crazy as things have been around here, I may just keep them right smack next to the door until June. :)

I will post the storm pictures when I get them loaded...

In like a Lion, Out like a lamb

Well Spring is here, or is it? I like to tell my preschool kids that Spring and Winter are fighting and that Winter is tuff to fight with.. On occasion Spring gets to show its face, but for right now Winter is winning. We make a game out of who is winning for the day. Really no other way to explain to the kids why it is "Spring." but blizzarding.. lol

I myself just want this icky winter weather over. Those few sunny days are so beautiful. I actually found myself opening the windows and airing out the house on days when the temps were 40. It felt like a heat wave.. lol

Now I am looking out the window and seeing nothing by snow. 6-12 inches may fall, and I am just dreading that. I hate having to shovel my self out. So frustrating. These are the days when I really wish I was married or living with a man... Shoveling is not a passion of mine.. Ralph if you can hear me over there in Kenmare... I miss you, and would love for you to shovel for me.. That is if you can ever get here.. Stinken snow.. lol

So aside from the weather, life is going well. Ralph and I are getting so extremely close that it is really feeling like the real thing. hmm, thinking I may just be falling hard for the boy. :) awwwwwwwwwwww Wont be long now until we may go to the next level.. Knock on wood. I dont want to jinx it. :)

The kids are doing well. Micaela is growing like a weed, and it seems like we are always buying clothes for her. She still enjoys going to councelling every other Tuesday to vent, so as long as that helps her fantastic.

Bethany has been something of a pill. She just likes to cling to my hip and it is hard to even do a thing without her. It has been a struggle, and it doesn't seem to be getting better, but we are working on it.

Grant is doing well in school and is the most lovable kid... Cant complain abit about that little guy.

Community action weatherization just completed a $8,000 upgrade to my home. They insulated it, put new windows in, and many many other things to make this house warmer and more energy efficiant. They were here over 2 weeks, and were such great people. We love our new doors and windows. It has really helped our fuel costs. They have one window left to put in the bathroom, but that require tearing a portion of the wall out, so they are waiting for some nicer weather.

We have redone the basememt. It has been painted and we are awaiting carpet. The plan is to take the carpet on main floor and put in basement. Then either refinish the hard wood on main floor or put new carpet. Only time will tell I guess. I am slowely getting every room painted on main floor, so I have been painting for weeks.. lol

My health seems to be ok. I have gained some weight and am working hard on getting back on track. I joined the gym again, but I just dont have any energy. I went to Dr. Tong yesterday and they are doing a pannel of tests to see if things are ok. I just dont feel good and on the days I do feel good it is almost like a high. Doesn't last long. Just tierd and run down. I guess we just wait to see what the tests come back and say.

I am also having trouble with my Merena IUD. They cant find it, so I have to go in tomorrow morning at 7:30 and have a camera inserted to see where it is. Oh Joy!!!

Well, that is a short little recap of things. Hope the rest of this crazy spring calms down and we start to seeing more of that lamb than the lion...

Take care
Anjelika

Sioux Game

Grant is so passionate about sports, as I think most boys r. We always have to have some kind of sports on while he is here. Hockey is his sport of choice for the moment. Ralph and I decided to surprise him with hockey tickets. They were kind of expensive because of our lucky 7th row from ice, but it was so worth it and Grant loved every minute of it.. Oh ya, and Ralph did too...

It was so much fun.... I love my favorite guys...

Micaela's 7th bday

Opening Grandma Barb's Beautiful custome jewelry box



Can't have a Luau party without the limbo stick



Time to dance the YMCA on wii dance.. It was so funny, and everybody got into it.



Micaela and her beautiful cake.. She also had another cake with a luau dancer on top.



Kids ate the party :)

Micaela celebrated her 7th birthday party. We went all out and had a luau party in hopes that the weather would follow our lead. Sadely it didn't, but the party was a true success, and we had a great turn out.

There are more pictures on facebook....