Memorial Day get-together

Happenings at the compound tend to take on a life of their own. I don't mind because we always end up with great food and good times. Jen and James were coming over to pick up Nate for a few days. Glen Ritchie (who will be put up for sainthood soon) was helping with the new office construction. Ryan was cooking out for Vickie. Sarah was in town to see her mom. We all ended up eating, swimming, and yes working. Ryan cooked the buffalo burgers Carol brough from Wyoming, we had hotdogs for the kids. Eileen did shave ice. I missed a picture of the cube cracking and shooting across the garage toward Aunt Susan.

Through the years

I haven't changed much. Jed is most changed I think. I need to scan from G-dad's books the years he has. I know the first piture is from 2002.

Trying out the new camera

Catch-up

I've decided blogging is no fun without pictures. Rumor is Carol is bringing me a new camera when they come for the reunion. I decide I should update even if you have to just visualize whAT I am talking about.
The new office that Dave, I'll have it done in a week, is building is now entering the fourth week of construction. Granted, he and Donald both work full time jobs. He and Donald also don't always agree on how to build something. The best thing so far about the project is the amount of entertainment it provides the g-parents and Dallin who watch from the safety of the porch. I have done my part and relandscaped the place where the front porch of the new office will face. I also try to keep the weeds from taking over the entire compound. Who decided to do this build just when the grass is growing faster than three people can keep up with it? At least Eileen is done with school and can keep everyone fed or mow depending on the mood she and I are in on the days mowing needs done. Matt has been a big help with doing the ditches and some other areas. Work and the mysterious Mallorie keep him pretty busy. She is coming to the reunion but is pretty scared about meeting all of us.
Jed scored again this year at honor's night. He brought home a plaque for superior honor's, another for biology top student, and a trophy for the tenth grade writing winner. Rumor has it his poem is on display in the mall. I have to check it out.
As Mother's Day approaches I must say how proud I am of all my children,(that includes the ones who have married into the family) I think you all seem to have really moved forward these last few months. You all are doing a great job with my wonderful grandchildren. I appreciate the help with your grandparents. I think it is great the way you all have been involved at the schools your children go to. It was a good moment for me last week at Stella's baptism when Aunt Susan commented on all the little kids and noted how many belonged to me. If I don't do anything else with my life maybe I can create a legacy of good people who know family is more important than anything this world can offer.

I Borrowed Jed's camera

Dallin was worn out from supervising. G-mom is loving the nicer weather. It means she can see the world go by from her front porch again.



The question was asked "are Dave and Eileen planning on living at the compound forever?" The answer is No, only for the next three years or so. The following pictures are all pretty self explanatory if you've read the previous two blogs. Jed with the machete may need some explaining. Some years ago, we transplanted a small cherokee rose bush from the Agrirama. It grew and flourished nicely until G-dad caught it on fire on year while burning some grass along the fence. He thought for sure he had killed it. Oh no. The plant took its revenge and grew and grew into a monster attacking anyone who comes within a few feet of it. The thorns are like pieces of barbed wire. Jed was chosen to hack the creature back to its normal plant persona. We are delighted to say that he won the battle and next year's egg hunt participates will once again be able to hunt free of fear.

got to get a camera!

Donald took vacation this week because we have the week off from school. The plan was to get the yards in shape and do other odds and ends. Silly us! What were we thinking?
Dave and Eileen picked up a vinyl cutting machine to add to the business they already have. Only problem is they have ooutgrown the space at the g-parents house. Sunday afternoon Dave started drawing up plans for the new office to be constructed behind the existing barn. He and Donald are going to build it this week while we are all on brake. No, the solarium, kitchen, floors, and gardens are not finished BUT they are all usable and watertight so why not start something new. Can I just tell you we are never bored around here nor do we get up in the morning and say I have nothing to do today.

No camera to show it to you now!

The back wall of the solarium is gone, well over to the fireplace anyway. As they were tearing the wood down Dave uttered those words that make every homeowner shudder. He said, " oh oh, this doesn't look good." Surprise, it was rotten wood holding up the entire ceiling. Ok, maybe just one corner. Anyway it is a total and complete mess in the back of the house now. We can't even remember what is was like to use that area of the house! The animals are so confused when we open the door to let them out and they see they are already out! Who knows what critters are hiding under the sofa pushed over out of the way. maybe I really should quit watching all those movies on the SyFy channel. Maybe Jed will take pics this afternoon and I will post them. No pics because my camera is broken. I think it got dropped and the little guy inside is all messed up. He keeps saying take off the lens cap when there is no lenses cap on! It says that or system error. Anyone know how to fix it.

Cheesy Monster Movies

Apparently SyFy has been having a marathon of monster movies. Seabeast just went off. I don't know how many people started on the island but only three survived. Spring break shark attack is on next. Earlier the giant shark was attacking the Navy until a giant octupus showed up. They called in the Japanese navy for backup. Later tonight is Dinoshark followed by Dinocroc. These movies have horrible special effects and a three year old could write better dialog. I did tune in briefly to one because Lorenzo Lamas was in it. For those of you who know how impressionable my mind is, please call me now and tell me to turn the channel. I still haven't gotten over "The Spider" watched one afterschool when I was about twelve.

Herding the Chickens

That is what G-dad called it and I wasn't going to argue with him. He decided to move the girls to a drier place and one a little closer to his house. He summoned the hired help and the fun began. Eileen is very hurt I didn't get the photo of her holding a chicken by one leg. She refused to do it again for some unknown reason. the rooster was the only really umcooperative one in the bunch. Come to think of it, I haven't heard him lately. Hum?Eileen did make a great chicken pot pie last night. Disclaimer: No chickens from the Compound pen were used in the making of dinner. Did I mention how muddy the yard was after all the rain we have been having?




After the first two aborted attempts at "herding" and only two cooperative females, we decided to see if we could get the rest into a big rabbit pen and carry them to their new home.








Eileen watching "the clipping of the wings" so they don't fly away. G-dad assures us it it like cutting one's fingernails.

Fun Do

Eileen went to Sam's the other day and bought home a new fondue set. She picked up on how Jed and I love to do fondue. When she told me she payed around fifteen dollars for it I was astounded. I went on line and the thing normally retails for $145.00!! You bet they went back and got a few more sets. I have three if any one is interested.
I had to show the girls what the fun was all about so one Saturday I melted the chocolate and made some cheese sauce. I had made some bread sticks previously and we opened a jar of spaghetti sauce. Dip it in the cheese, dip it in the sauce and it tasted yummy. They did really good as far as not getting too messy so maybe we will do it again soon. I now have four pots (as well as the three mentioned previously)so we have plenty for everyone to come on over.

Snow in Tifton

These were all taken before the really big flakes started to fall.