Living on the Edge

Living on the Edge is back...

Actually, I was never gone...I moved to Idaho...and changed my blog host.  I'm not sure it was the best thing.  I think I was trying a new, fresh, clean slate, but the wordpress blog I have now does not let me do things to it that I want.  Actually, I left typepad for awhile because I didn't like the changes they had made. I guess I just need my own website.  That may or may not be easier.

I like my new blog and its direction.  But I'm not ready to let this one go....so I'm thinking....how to use both...hmmmmm.....

yes, I'm still thinking....

In the meantime...come visit my current, more up to date blog:  www.LifeinIDaho.com

Let me know what you think about it.

Only five more days...

The fall has just flown by at school. I can't believe we are in the middle of the mad dash to the end of 2010. Glitter, glue, bells, and anticipation fill the room. Those little ones don't even really understand the craziness that adults are experiencing. To be young and only need to worry about being on the list. How I miss those days.

I miss that my own two girls aren't closer to those days too. Teenagers seem to only want the big ticket items...technology is a blessing, but a curse for the holidays. I can't go into details, but let's just say I braved Black Friday at 4 in the morning at walmart to help out Santas helpers.

It is Friday night and I'm skipping the staff party at work so I can sit home by the Christmas tree and try to feel the spirit unfold around me. It's such a busy season and I'd like to take a few deep breaths before it all ends in a flurry and pile of crumpled gift wrap!

Only 15 days left...may all my friends and family find a few moments (or more) of Christmas pleasure! Stare at the Christmas tree for awhile, listen to some Christmas music, read a book that makes you so happy you cry, or watch one of those classic sappy holiday movies...enjoy!

Yes, I'm a Techno Geek!

will this really post on my blog? I got an early christmas gift...a new phone. It's a droid. Is that also what they call a smart phone? If it's not then it should be. I think they call them "smart" phones because we wouldn't buy them if they called us "dumb" users! One of the hardest things to figure out is how to make a plane old phone call!

So why did I make the phone change? Well now we can reserve a table at the texas road. Lol! Actually I got tired of never being home and not being able to take care of bills and emails...plus now I have something to do during those boring meetings. And now I have an app that tells me how to find my way home when I'm at the grocery store.

Plus an all new thing to blog about...the fun apps I discover!

1st grade envy!!

So hanging out with 6 year olds all day does nothing for my sense of fashion.  I realize this.  I get paint, glue and markers on my clothes, so there's no buying anything that can't go in the washer on a moments notice.  Hanging things to dry can be a stretch some weeks.

But I realized I was at an all time low when I was wishing I could have these sneakers....

 
But you have to admit they are cute!  yes, a bit juvenile for a 39+ teacher.  But man, I can just picture wearing those shoes, clicking my heels together and getting anything I wished for!! 

Like a real wardrobe perhaps?  Or at least a real sense of fashion???

More Cheer Pictures...

The girls were having fun posing for the camera!  Now I just have to get comfortable taking the pictures. I'm used to taking wildlife and landscape shots...not real people :-)

I love the stumps in the backyard. We thought about taking them out, but it's turned out to be real handy for the bird bath.  And now they've found a new use...someplace to pose for my pictures!

I let the girls have fun choosing some poses...they are such hams!

This was a fun one!  I played a little with the color and now I LOVE it!

The 3 Muske-Cheers

My three girls...one borrowed daughter!

First Snowfall is Coming!

We moved out here on the Edge because we wanted seasons.  

4 real seasons.

Not the ones we had...

Summer Fog

Fall sun

Winter Torrential Rain

Spring Sideways Rain

No, we wanted to be down right warm in the Summer, cool and crisp in the Fall, bundled up in the Winter, and Chilly and muddy and squishy in the Spring--ok, well maybe the spring isn't the best...but it's pretty.

We have that here, albeit this summer could have come just a tad bit sooner and hung out for awhile oh, and the snow could have fallen this past winter and actually accumulated on the ground so the dogs didn't HAVE to track in mud every day from our not yet landscaped new house yard!

But here is the good news...though I guess not if you are planning to travel for sports or want to bag that Elk or Deer or whatever 4 legged beast is open for hunting season right now...

From the Weather Service:

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT ABOVE 4000 FEET... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW ABOVE 4000 FEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 6 OR MORE INCHES. * ELEVATION: ABOVE 4000 FEET.

* TIMING: SNOW LEVELS WILL FALL BELOW 4000 FEET BY MONDAY MORNING. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS LIKELY LATE MONDAY MORNING AND MONDAY AFTERNOON. CONTINUED MODERATE SNOW IS POSSIBLE THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD...FLOWERY TRAIL ROAD...MULLAN...LOOKOUT PASS * WINDS: WIND GUSTS TO 35 MPH ARE POSSIBLE MONDAY...PARTICULARLY IN THE CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS.

* IMPACTS: WET SNOW ACCUMULATION WILL BE POSSIBLE AT LOOKOUT PASS ON I-90. IN ADDITION...GUSTY WINDS MAY LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW...AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

THIS STORM IS THE FIRST POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM OF THE SEASON. PEOPLE PLANNING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE MOUNTAINS SHOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CLOSELY.

Now, this doesn't sound like we'll be seeing DD playing with the plow on the front of the ATV...but maybe it's time he put it back on...

Oh, but this does mean that I will have some fun picture opportunities...FIRST SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS!!  Bring on the snow Mother Nature...we are ready for you this year...well, mostly ready...the chicken coop is just about there...oh and we do need more gravel...and the rain gutters on the shop...

Well come to think of it...we aren't quite ready yet...uh, see you later.....

Thanks Pioneer Woman

A rainy Saturday morning and a few moments by myself led me to The Pioneer Woman's blog.  I've been reading her blog since before she became a published author, before she finished the tale of her and Marlboro Man's courtship, and back when you could actually post a comment. 

So I'm not sure how you can find time to be an amazing photographer and chef with 4 children that you homeschool!  But apparently she doesn't need as much sleep as I do or maybe it's just that she knows how to fit 26 hours into a 24 hour day.  I wish she would share that secret!

Well, if you won't share that secret....I do appreciate that you shared another secret!  I am now truly in awe and would love to kiss your toes...after you pick them of course!  

I have Adobe Photoshop Elements 6. Yes, dark ages...I take baby steps...but it works for me.  But I have been bummed that I couldn't download those cool Actions I see other people use to spice up their photos. This morning, thanks to The Pioneer Woman, I learned that Actions are possible!  

Here is the Pioneer Woman Link that shows you what her layers will do and leads to a couple amazing websites that you just have to bookmark if you are even slightly into photography....

CoffeeShop Rita

Texas Chicks Blogs and Pics

Clickin Moms

Here are some examples of what I can do with the Actions:

 

Our 3 favorite cheerleaders!

This one was fun...not easy to do with a husband hanging over your shoulder...but the picture turned out cool in spite of his helpl.  I really love the shadow on the ground too.

So...having Elements 6 isn't going to slow me down anymore! :P

Current Favorite

I can listen to this song over and over.  I love it.  The beat is fun...the lyrics saucy and clever...the tune is catchy.  Not everyone is a country music fan...but this one has to at least get your toes twitching!

 

Common Sense's Obituary

This was forwarded to me in an email.  I had to pass this one on...no, I didn't write it, but I wish I was this clever!

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: 
 - Knowing when to come in out of the rain; 
 - Why the early bird gets the worm; 
 - Life isn't always fair; 
 - and Maybe it was my fault. 
 
 Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
 
 His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. 
 
 Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. 
 
 It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. 
 
 
 Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. 
 
 Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. 
 

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. 

 Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. 
 
 He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; 
 I Know My Rights 
 I Want It Now 
 Someone Else Is To Blame 
 I'm A Victim 
 Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.