Ahhh.... The Simple Life.

I became a mom 18 years ago today...Happy Birthday Doll.

2012-02-16T22:17:00.000-08:00

"The Rose"

written by Derron Hansen

It was late in the winter when the little plant arrived. But the gardeners knew they must take great care for it to survive. They prepared the soil, tilled and hoped the little plant's roots would grow deep.

Spring became summer then the fall, believe it or not the little rose had changed them all. The gardeners knew this was no ordinary rose, one tiny bud, so pure and so sweet, she already up and on her feet.

Talking, walking, there was no time to spare. The little rose was "fluttering" everywhere.

Wherever she went, brighter the day. She had that effect in a good kind of way. Laughing, loving to share, the little rose had very little cares.

The years came and went, it wasn't hard to tell, this little rose was heaven sent. Growing ever growing and knowing what she liked best, she hardly gave the puzzles time to rest.

Then off to school, she thought it was cool. She had been given the tools of reading and writing, she wasn't sure which she liked best...unless it was a math test!

As the little rose grew, the gardeners marveled and wondered what they had done to receive such a gift with all of their blunders.

Now is your time to let your blossoms shine. Go forth little rose and have a great time, and never forget to let your blossoms shine, shine, shine.

Love,

The "Gardeners"

Annelie with "big brother" Justin

She's a Joe City Wildcat and a Hansen...just check out those legs:)

The girls in their signature blue dresses & feather boas.

Eighth grade graduation

Another lip sync contest...I miss those days.

The girls on Annelie's 16th birthday.

Aren't they beautiful? YES!

There's the smile that has been lighting my world for the past 18 years...how do I love this girl? I could fill a book counting the ways.

Christmas Joe City Style

2011-12-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I love this time of year, the decorations, the goodies & the traditions most of all. Just thought I'd post some photos of a couple of our favorite traditions. Bishop Alan Palmer started our Live Nativity tradition several years ago. He first started having his seminary students act it out at the park. He then moved it to his own barn. (We just walked through the back field). When he became Bishop he moved it back to the park...had our ward's Young Men set it up & each ward takes a night, the week before Christmas, & performs the first Christmas Story. This year Seth got to be a shepherd. I was worried he would get cold so I really bundled him up. He looked more like "Randy" from Christmas Story than a shepherd:) We stand around fire pits furnished by the Elders Quorum & sip hot chocolate provided by the Relief Society. It's a great tradition...thank you Bishop Palmer.

Here's the little Shepard's staying warm by the fire...waiting for their cue.

Seth & Eli

What sweet little angels:)

Another favorite tradition is our annual Christmas sing-a-long. My sister-in-law Julie started this one. One year she decided that my parlor was the perfect place for an old fashioned sing-a-long. We love it! Anyone who plays the piano,ukulele, flute or the bells can take a turn, or several, & we all sing along. It can pretty rowdy, but I assure you, we are only drinking Darcy's wassail.

Steven & Alicia always play duets for us.

Nic always wears his Santa Hat...& yes, he does sing Christmas songs. They're his favorite along with his favorite dogs, Lady & Trance.

Annelie ended the evening with her rendition of
"Wizards of Winter". It's a rousing piece from the Transyberian Orchestra. My whole piano was rockin' during this one! (Hold on to that bay Mary & Joseph!)

Seth's instrument for the night...Derron said it sounded like the Christmas Goose:)

Trenton was trying to put on the dog's hat.

Ms. Darcy Combs...Ms. Christmas herself.

Lacy found her own piano...so cute. She was playin' that suitcase with her her heart.

Justin played the bells.

What a sweet image...Lacy's hands on her mother's as she played, ahhh...

This is Seth after Trenton took his instrument...so sad:(

Carolers who have been to all the sing-a-longs need no explanation for this one.

Our Friends Rich & Linda Miller joined us this year...we pointed out that they were sitting under the mistletoe & they knew just what to do!

Christmas is just a few days away now. I love this season & everything it represents. Most of all I love making memories. Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and I hope you make some great memories.

A tribute to my Sister...Happy Birthday Annellie

2011-09-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

This post is deeply personal and I have debated heavily whether or not I should share these things in such a public way. I feel that sharing our experiences can help each of us to grow in our own understanding and come to appreciate our blessings so much more. This is not a story of tragedy, pain & sorrow, although those are the means by which I have learned my greatest lessons, but a story of love, friendship & a sisterly bond that I consider to be one of the great treasures of my life. This past June 28th marked 19 years since that night she went on a date and never came home. I can remember every detail of the whole tragic event from the phone call in the middle of the night to the funeral and burial but what I remember best is the nineteen years of growing up together...two little girls way out on McLaws road in the middle of no where. You know the saying "I loved you too much to just be your friend so God made me your sister"...that was us. For nineteen years I got to share everything with my best friend. Until we were seven and eight we shared a twin bed...sleeping head to feet. I used to get her to turn out the light every night by encouraging her to jump back in the bed before the light was gone...she fell for it every time and I would always say, "You almost made it this time!" I know...manipulative big sister. When we were in high school the same scenario would play out from time to time & we'd laugh at how she would fall for my trickery and she'd try again...just for old times sake and I would say "you almost made it!" and we'd laugh ourselves to sleep. By then we had graduated to bunk beds and she had the top bunk. I used to beg her to tell me stories at night when I couldn't fall asleep. Our favorite was the "Three Bears". Can you imagine teenage girls telling each other the story of the three bears? We were funny like that. So many nights we would lay there talking about so many things, boys, friends, drama at school, our parents, what we thought our futures held for us, all our youthful hopes and dreams. We never could have perceived that we would be separated. That dreadful day came and she was taken home to our Heavenly Father from where she came and the great journey in my life began.

My spirit has been strengthened in numerous ways and I continue to learn so many lessons from this experience. The Lord asks us to sacrifice in this life and sometimes the sacrifice isn't our choice, but what is our choice is our attitude toward our trials. If this is what the Lord wants me to go through so that He can teach me what he needs to teach me, then I accept that. This blog isn't long enough for the many lessons I've learned and I don't even think I could write it all down. What I will share are some blessings that I am so grateful for even though the word "grateful" isn't nearly a big enough word to describe my feelings. I'm grateful for the knowledge that we lived with our Heavenly Father before we came here and that we knew that if we proved ourselves we could return to Him. I'm grateful that she chose to spend her nineteen years with me, telling me bedtime stories, sharing secrets & clothes, doing my hair when I didn't want to, singing and dancing together on stage or in the kitchen doing dishes and always being my biggest cheerleader. To her I say, "Thank you for always loving me & never judging me. Thank you for always being my safe place to fall. Thank you for keeping my secrets and for being so loyal to me. Thank you for making me laugh with all your silliness (Eddie Murphy impersonations). I always loved when you would hug me & tell me I was "cuddly"...I'm really looking forward to feeling that hug again. I Love you so much, I hope your still proud of me. I'm trying so hard to live a good life. I know I'll be with you again...how great will be that day".
These two photos were taken many years apart but in the same place in our yard... you can see how much the trees grew from the 1st photo. I'm the one in the bonnet...it's one of the very few pictures where I was taller than her:)
We were always dressed like twins. It was just practical for my parents I think....buy two of everything. That's our youngest brother Ezra crawling on the lawn.
I love this picture of her...when I look at it I can hear her laugh:)
This was a typical Sunday afternoon. You can see she is holding a dish towel. We were doing the Sunday dinner dishes. She always dried & I always washed & we would sing "When the Saints Go Marching In" in every key & arrangement we could come up with. Don't ask me why we chose that song I don't even remember, but you could hear us singing all through the house.

She was a beautiful girl inside and out.

Happy Birthday Annellie..."you know I love you more than my luggage".

Around the House

2011-09-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

Per my niece Lindy's request here are a few pics from around the house & some of the finished rock patio. Just some random pics that were already on the computer. Amazingly enough it has been too rainy to take any recent photos. I know...too rainy in Joseph City? In Joseph City it's either no rain or a complete down pour. You take what you can get...we'll take it. My brother in law Gale took it...he & his crew (Julianne & Jim) irrigated sopping wet fields through a crazy hail storm yesterday.

Yes...that's a hot tub. Very enjoyable:)

Next summer I plan to have it covered with flower pots & other fun things. I'm really looking forward to that. Right now I'm enjoying my relaxing evenings in the hot tub watching the sunset.

The Summer of Improvement

2011-08-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

Phew! What a summer! Our household was a buzz all summer long with projects & road trips & youth camps. Everyone was going in a different direction. I am calling it our

"summer of improvements".

Some of my favorite television shows are the ones where some old, beat up or neglected house is fixed up or a dirty house is cleaned up & made beautiful again. I feel the same way about people. To watch someone who struggles with one thing or another, come to learn who they are (a child of God) and make changes in their life that leads to their progression is so inspiring to me. I love when something old is made new again. I love when something or someone damaged is made whole again. I guess you can say I am a HUGE fan of improvement!

My husband Derron went with our 14 yr. old son, Niclaas, and his scout group to Philmont in New Mexico. Philmont is a leadership camp owned & run by the Boy Scouts of America. They hiked approximately 90 miles over 10 days, showering only twice, once on the 5th day & the other before they loaded up the vans & headed home (thank goodness). It was such an important experience for them. It was tough but isn't that when we learn our greatest lessons? Long story short...my son came home a different boy, an improved boy.

My 17 yr. old daughter went to "Especially For Youth" at the BYU Provo, UT campus. Another fantastic program. She had a great "building" experience. If you want to read a story of progression & improvement click here for an inspiring story, oh...and don't forget to check the "comments". I love when you get to hear the back story.

A long awaited home improvement project was finished....hallelujah! I have been looking at a pile of sandstone & dreaming of a patio for several years now. Well...it is FINALLY done! In the end I moved over 9,000 lbs. ( yes...I did mean to write 3 zeros) of sandstone & moved a dump truck load of sand with my shovel & wheel barrow. The backyard is greatly improved & so is my physic! So many people have been wondering what I've been doing to look so trim...well that's it. I always refer to my yard as my gym & this summer it definitely was. The great thing about "working out" in your yard is that in the end the improvement is two fold...the yard looks great & so do YOU! You'll never see me in an aerobics class but you will see me pushing a mower & hauling rocks & hoeing weeds.

The week before school started it was my turn for a get away. I went with two of my friends to the Barbara Barrington Jones "Especially For Women" at Thanksgiving Point in Utah. I went thinking it would be a fun trip with fun friends. What I didn't realize was that this was going to be the very best thing I've ever done for myself. That's the best way I can describe it. I'll never forget this experience. I am forever changed because of it and what I learned their will be improving me from this point on.

An Advertisement

2011-05-11T18:24:00.000-07:00

Check out "Clella Belle's Beads" aka "Cat's Creations". I just posted some new pieces. I will have them available during my yard sale next saturday. Mark your calendars...

Announcing Joseph City's 3rd Annual

Community Yard Sale

Saturday, May 21 @ 8:00 a.m.

*Maps at all sales & signs on Main Street

*Over 23 yard sales in one mile

*One family needs to get rid of a pool table!

*Bring your friends...Bring a truck...Pass it on!

Treasures and Friends, Friends I Treasure.

2011-05-11T17:03:00.000-07:00

So I have these great friends, Julie, Linda & Jill. We LOVE to hunt for treasures in any thrift store, yard sale & junk yard we can find. Our latest adventure was a place that Jill recently discovered. I don't even remember the name of it but it was not unlike the backyard of a hoarder...only somewhat organized into sheds & old box cars & piles leaning against those sheds. We drove through the open gate into shangra la! Piles & heaps of old bed frames, old windows, old signs...You name it, if it was old & rusty, it was there! After walking around and eyeing all the possibilities, we noticed that no one seemed to be there. We then saw a note from the owner on the door of one of the sheds. He was out of town but he left a phone number, so Jill quickly dialed her phone. He soon answered...he was way out of town...like Kansas out of town! So Jill asked if he would let us leave him the money for the items we had picked out! I love my friends...they are so bold! We had looked forward to this for over a week, we had driven over an hour, we had brought a truck, we did NOT want to go home empty handed. Guess what? He agreed! It was on, we started making our "piles" but we couldn't ignore the sign that read: "More Treasures Inside the Box Car". Only the box cars were padlocked! "MMM...I wonder if he keeps a key around for just such an occasion? Let's call him & ask". Sure enough...before we knew it Jill was on the phone with the owner as he gave her directions to the key! We were soon inside the box cars and they did not disappoint. The owner called us back a few times to see if we had any questions. Soon we were tallying up our purchases over the phone, writing our checks & leaving them where he could find them. After loading up the truck we were off to a great Mexican restaurant for lunch...after all it was "Cinco de Mayo". Our lunch was "deelish" and due to the holiday there were great specials. I don't think any of us paid more than $5.00 for our meal. We love to stretch a dollar. It was a great day! I'm grateful to have such genuine women to call my friends. They are such good examples to me, they help me be a better person and they make me laugh. I am looking forward to our next adventure in treasure hunting, but until then I am planning to return there, when the owner is home, and thank him for trusting us and allowing our day to not be ruined. Here are the treasures I came home with. I love the "For Good Results We Feed MoorMan's" sign. It's actually an old livestock feed brand:)

"I'm proud to say I love this place...Good ole' small town USA".

Prom, Easter and Worm Hunting

2011-04-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

April is here and almost gone. It seems like the older I get the faster time goes by. While shopping for Annelie'a prom dress I realized we would only do this one more time. The next important dress we will shop for will be her wedding gown. Wow... I hope that shopping trip is a waaays down the road! I could go into detail about my feelings about it all but then I'll start crying...again so I'll just say that I'm living in the moment as much as I can & enjoying everything as much as I can. I enjoyed being on the jr. class prom committee. It all turned out really nice & sadly I didn't take one picture:( I know...what the heck was I thinking? Sunday was Easter and the wind blew right on schedule but at least it didn't snow. That's been known to happen. This year grandma threw the kids a curve ball & hid all the eggs & candy at my house before anyone showed up for the Easter dinner at her house.
These pictures make me wish my rock patio was finished...ahh....someday:)
After the candy was hunted & all the kids "cashed in", we put everyone to work hunting the night crawlers that have taken over the back lawn. A couple of years ago Derron came home from a fishing trip with left over night crawlers & put them in the back flower bed. Well...they have multiplied & replenished & are ruining the back yard! We researched what to do & found that if you pour soapy water on the grass, the worms will come up. It was a big hit! Everyone joined in & we caught a lot of night crawlers!
Anyone going fishing? We have all the night crawlers you need...we'll even furnish the soap.

Featuring my daughter...the writer.

2011-03-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

My daughter is a great writer...I love reading her blog...it makes me laugh...it makes me cry. Just thought I would feature her here today. Click on over to

Dolly Ink,

you'll be glad you did:)

Founder's Day 2011

2011-03-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

I always look forward to Founder's Day. I love that Ivin Lee wakes us all up at the crack of dawn with his anvil blast. I love that we expect the wind to blow & when it doesn't we are all pleasantly surprised. I love that the streets are lined with our American flags put there by the local boyscouts and their leaders. I love that there are more than a dozen tracors in the parade. Yes, we are proud of our tractors. The parade this year was the longest of any that I can remember. It was great! JD & Deanne Smith did a great job. We had everything from a boat being pulled by...you guessed it, a tractor to a bathtub & chicken coop with actual chickens rolling down main street. It was a great parade in true Joe City style:) Here are just a few of the entries. The Local Highschool Principal...Mr. Fields.

I always love to watch the native dancers. Something about that drum beat.

I had to post this tractor...these are two of my young women...real Joe City girls!

There's my son Nic "skiing" behind the boat. Annelie & Seth were in the boat throwing candy, with Uncle Brad driving the tractor.

You thought I was kidding right?

Here they are...JD & Deanne. Love the red long johns:)

I couldn't agree more!

Jacob Fields demonstrating that, yes, you can saddle up a back hoe.

The Baird's did a great job representing all of us John McLaws descendants...I still can't believe that car runs!

Here are my three Joe City kids. "Joe City born, Joe city Bred"

It was another great Founder's day...thanks to all those responsible:)

aaah....memories!

2011-03-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

So I'm finally getting around to doing some blogging...I've had a whirlwind couple of weeks & I'm coming up for air! Between my kids, my church calling, community obligations & being a landlady, my last several weeks have been booked solid...nobody call me for a couple of days... PLEASE! And as soon as I say that....I just got home from my kids parent teacher conferences aaaaand....now I'm on the Prom committee (my daughter is a Jr. this year, AAAH!) and I'm on the 8th grade graduation party committee (my son is graduating from 8th grade in May, double AAAH!) More memories right? Yes & I wouldn't want to miss any of it, although I do wish all these things were spread out a little & not all at once!

Here are a few memories I've made in the last few weeks.... When the Lip Sync contest rolls around each year both my kids classes vote me in to come up with their song & choreograph them. I'm glad they do...I have so much fun with it. My daughter's class lip synced & danced to "We Go Together" from Grease (it totally fits her class...a bunch of fun & krazy over achievers!) My son's class performed to Joan Jett's "I Love Rock & Roll" ( a personal favorite of mine & totally fits his class... a bunch of kids who are too cool for school).
I was on the BYU Ballet committee. I was in charge of ticket sales, which completely sold out a week before the show...my phone has never rang so much! People were trying like crazy to get tickets...it pretty much took over my life for a while. The ballet was a real success...it was all about princess's & fairies. All the girls were encouraged to dress up like a princess...there was a princess party before the show for all the little girls to meet the ballerina's who were in their costumes...soooo cute. During intermission all the little girls were invited up on the stage to dance with the ballerina's. This picture doesn't even do justice to how adorable it was... all those little girls twirling around the stage. (In this photo I highlighted my niece Lacy) "New Beginnings"

with my Young Women was last week. We created our own Mormon Ad a couple of weeks ago and this was our theme. My girls are so creative & I love working with them... they're great! I do however have plans to redo the photo. I have chosen a more open road for the spot & not all my girls were able to make it to this shoot & I want them all to be in it sooooo...we will be having re-takes.

I see city people...

2011-02-18T09:26:00.000-08:00

In the musical Li'l Abner there's a scene when the local country girls from "Dogpatch", realize they're going to the big city & they say with such excitement..."We're goin' to get city-fied!" I've always liked that line & I say it to myself everytime I go to the city to get "city-fied".....
which I did last weekend. I love going there to visit my brothers & sister & their families:)
I had a great time with them & I love them all soooo much!
Myself & three of my sisters-in-law spent a day walking around downtown Mesa shopping & browsing & having a great time. I love stuff like this! What's so interesting to me though is the way I feel about myself in these situations. As soon as I park my truck & walk into the first shop, I look around & I quickly become so self conscious. I am a clean, well groomed woman but when I get in that environment I feel like the last hick that rolled in on a covered wagon! I start worrying about my choice of clothing & whether or not my "roots need done" (love Steel Magnolias), & my hands! I have working hands and Yes...I do my own nails! I never really worry about these things at home...it's just different, I don't know how else to explain it other than to use this example...This morning I took my teenaged son to school early, so I could visit with one of his teachers, I felt completely comfortable walking into the school with him, still dressed in my walking clothes, white socks with my black crocs, no make-up & yesterdays hair... nobody batted an eye..."hey Cat, how's it going?" is all I heard. Oh I forgot...the track coach did ask if the track team could stop by my house for a drink during their run after school today.
"Sure thing...the hose is always on!"

Dating Etiquette Dinner...not "eat a cat".

2011-01-29T15:18:00.000-08:00

The table was set & ready for an important event...dating etiquette. It's sad but true...teenagers need to be reminded of what a REAL date is. So my Laurels, (that's them below...aren't they gorgeous?) invited a young men's group from Winslow to come over to Joe City for a dinner (which consisted of several different varieties of cold cereal) & some dating instruction Joe City style!

Let me introduce to the dating GURU...Jason. If you've got a question about dating, I'm certain he's got an answer for you.

Here he demonstrated some DONT'S. I believe this was something about the way you dress & remembering to wear shoes...

I believe this next one was an example on hygiene & a good haircut...very important.

Finally a good example...clean cut cowboy...that's always good!
It was a succesful activity. We laughed hard, ate lots of cold cereal & learned that what you eat for lunch can be a very important factor on your date later that evening.

ahh...recess!

2011-01-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

So after a fun & very busy Christmas break...School is back in session! I grabbed my camera when we went out to recess the other day. The light was perfect & I felt liking "playing" too. These two are the best subjects...they're cute as can be & they always have a smile on their face, well Lacy smiles...Seth usually has some goofy face, but hey...that's how he rolls!

Recess for us usually involves throwing the ball for Trance (he's fabulous at playing fetch...they are so thrilled when he brings the ball back every time), walking across the back field to pet the neighbors goats, jumping on the trampoline & right now, playing in the snow that STILL hasn't melted.

See what I mean...Goofy face & a pretty smile.
Seth & I were having a conversation yesterday...I was asking him if he was scared to go to the big school when he turns "5"...he said "no". I'm going to take it as a compliment that I'm preparing him well for kindergarten & not that my baby boy isn't going to miss his Mommy:(

Got some fun news today...

LollyJane Boutique (from my "When I need some Inspiration" list).

has featured my "Cat's Creations" blog ...Clella Belle's Beads.
Thank You so much LollyJane!

Click on over & check them out...lot's of fun!

ahh...Christmas Memories

2010-12-30T14:46:00.000-08:00

His face says it all...."He came!" Yes Santa found us & I hope he found all of you. What a Christmas it was....lots of hustle & bustle!
There was the visit with Santa at the firehouse.
This is as close to Santa as Seth wanted to get.
Of course we hosted the annual Christmas sing-a-long.

All who could play, & even those who couldn't, took a turn at the piano while Julie & Seth played the bells.
The lighting of the luminaries on Christmas Eve down main street, the Christmas breakfast & later Christmas dinner, "fajitas & pinatas by the ton."

We enjoyed it all. We love Christmas around here & we celebrate it to 'enth degree!

Hansen Family Christmas Letter 2010

2010-12-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

"...maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps,

means a little bit more." Dr. Suess

How many times can I do this? At least one more!

Annelie enjoys being a licensed driver and dates? There's always some boy at the door.

Niclaas has started basketball...it surely is his bliss.

Seth is learning so much from pre-school...Kindergarten teachers are you ready for this?

Eating up my time these days? The list is way too long. Between teaching pre-school, the Young Women, the kids & husband, I'm keeping up with my "heavenly throng".

Now it's Derron's turn, both ends of the candle he will burn...he works so hard for our family, we all support him happily! If it's a bow hunter you want to be, it's his archery shop you'll want to see!

We want to wish everyone a

Merry Christmas!

Our lives are blessed with your love & friendship.

The Hansen's

"These are a few of my favorite things"

2010-12-09T10:48:00.000-08:00

I bet you're all singing the song in your head now...I know I am. Who doesn't love that song? Since the day before Thanksgiving I have been filling the house with all my favorite Christmas music. Julie Andrews' "My favorite Things" happens to be on one of my CD's...Annelie was listening & asked "Why is this song on a Christmas CD?" The conversation got me thinking of some of

my favorite things....

*early morning walks...(or as Mike calls them "death march at dawn")

*a GOOD diet coke with crushed ice

*decorating...for anything

*a great Suns game (which as of late are few & far between)

*mowing lawns

*scottish terriers

*listening to Elvis, when I'm alone & can sing out loud

*my husband's mood when it snows (he thinks it's romantic)

*doing home pre-school with Seth & Lacy (we made candy countdowns to Christmas)

*crafts with my kids, Annelie has a very untraditional tree in her room with bright krazy colors...this year we decided to make a "Whoville" village for it. It's been a lot of fun & I'm sure we will be adding to it as the years go by.
Now for some of the more obvious, but no less important of

my favorite things...

*my family & friends who make my life richer

*living in Joseph City...I love this town!

*my old house & the amazing people who build it (Nunna & Pumpa)

*working in my yard...it keeps me in shape

*making jewelry & anything with glitter!

*taking pictures

* new friends

I mentioned before that I love scottish terriers...years ago I had my little Curly Sue (some of you may remember the little black dog that probably chased your car as you drove past my house or past Hansen's Auto. You probably blurted out a few unmentionables as you swirved to miss her...luckily there was only one reported accident, that I know of. I'm sure I'll never forget coming home to find the speed limit sign in front of my house & my trash can flattened...it's OK Gerald...adot fixed it & I did appreciate the new trash can.) When she died I was so sad. I was certain I would never come across a dog like that again. Then over this past Thankgsgiving, my sister-in-law Kristi, we'll call her the "dog" match maker, told me about this little guy whose owners are moving to a place where they won't be able to take him. She showed me pictures of him & he looked so much like Curly Sue that I couldn't help my self...I said yes!

Let me introduce you to my new friend...Trance...he isn't a Scotty, he is a 4 year old miniature schnauzer...he is a cousin to the scottish terrier & looks just like them only longer legs. If you come by & he starts barking like a crazy dog...don't take it personal, he's still trying to get used to his new home & all the noises & new people.

Those of you who remember Curly will be pleased to know that...

HE DOES'N'T CHASE CARS!

Hope everyone is

Having a wonderful Holiday Season and enjoying all of...

YOUR FAVORITE THINGS.

2010-11-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

The ghosts, goblins & ghouls were out & about this Halloween.... .....I caught these three ghosts hanging around my porch swing. They looked friendly enough so I took a few shots before they disappeared!

Then I headed off to the Halloween Carnival with the goods! I really had a lot of fun preparing for the carnival this year. I volunteered to help my son Niclaas's 8th grade class with their booth. The 8th graders were in charge of the cake walk, again....so after watching parents' faces last year after their child won a whole cake & wondering what the heck they were supposed to do with it the rest of the night...I decided to change it up this year and make caramel apples instead...much easier to carry around! The painted cans were for a "Ping Pong Ball Toss". I filled a jar full of candy so that the carnival goers could take a guess at just how many pieces were in that jar. Whoever guessed....you guessed it, they would win the whole thing!

When Niclaas saw the jar he was determined to win it. He tried to pry hints out of me but I was strong....I had one small moment of weakness when I confessed to him that...."it is an odd number".

Here he is writing down one of his MANY guesses with two of his Hombre's looking on. He used the majority of his tickets to enter his guesses. Like I said... he was determined!
And what would the carnival be without this balloon twisting witch with her feather boa? You'll notice her apprentice by her side learning all of her tricks.

It was really a fun night. Great costumes & lots of fun & games at the carnival....and I know your wondering "Who won the candy jar?" Well......

Nic did!

There were 601 pieces of candy & one of his guesses was 599! Yeah, He was excited!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2010-10-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

Today's post is brought to you by the letter "X".

Getting close to "Z"! It's sooo exciting! We learned the letter "X" this week, they both wanted me to know that it is their favorite letter. I had hidden the special treat under this big letter "X". They had to look through these "special" glasses to find it! Then we took a little field trip out to the back field to check out the neighbors goats.

These two are a laugh a minute!

When I learned that Seth's little pre-school had been cancelled I was so disappointed, but as it usually happens, our disappointments can lead to the sweetest blessings.

Homecomings & Highschool Reunions

2010-10-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

I can remember when the grown-ups would say..."I've been graduated longer than you've been in school!" I always thought those people were so old! So...now that It's been 20 years since I graduated highschool, does that make me old? I certainly don't feel old. This picture was taken during our reunion... obviously. There were over a hundred students in my class and... obviously they weren't all able to make the festivities..

Here we are... well some of us.

...and here I am with my handsome date... who is a great sport to hang out with me & my old friends & to hit the dance floor with me!
Here is my daughter & her date Dallin...they were off to hit the dance floor too!

Homecoming week for JCHS happened to be the week before my reunion...so we were busy with highschool activities of yesteryear & the present!

Here are some shots taken mostly from the parade. Homecoming is such a busy week full of activities like powder puff football, macho volleyball, class games & pep rallies of course. A new dress-up day was added this year. Along with the usual blue & gold day there was my favorite... 80's day, 70's day, nerd day & the new "fake injury" day! The kids had alot of fun with that one.Here are some junior classmen waiting for their float to arrive.

The 8th grade float was a nod to the Homecoming Royalty from JCHS history.

Nic is in his 80's get-up portraying his father who was Homecoming King 1989.

My truck carried the Junior Class Royalty. If you look close you'll see Annelie & her date!

I've decided that homecomings & reunions are all about making memories & then revisiting them years later. Somewhere in those memories of embarassing moments and the glory days I learned a lot of lessons. In highschool we can do some pretty stupid stuff. We can hurt feelings & not even know it. We can get our feelings hurt & never let it go. We can create friendships that will last forever & others that fade as soon as we throw our caps in the air. No one is more grateful than me that there is life after highschool, but I am grateful for highschool & my memories there and whenever I get to see my old friends...I will remember us young, full of energy with the whole world waiting for what we had to offer it.

Mary Mary quite contrary...how does your garden grow?

2010-09-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

I love to watch things grow, although I admit watching your children grow is sometimes hard. I do miss so many things. I will never regret having been there for it ALL! What a blessing it has been for me to never miss a minute. This week I was there to watch my now 16 year old daughter get her driver's license & then of course I had to take a picture of her first drive to school the next morning. I always take pictures of "the first" of everything. (Nic hates this about me...poor kid) I'm so happy for her & this new independence that she has achieved. I can't help but remember the first time she felt that new independence. Annelie never crawled, she went straight to walking. I should have known then that she would always march or in her case, skip, hop & jump, to the beat of her own drum. Her future is so bright & I'm excited for her.

Speaking of things growing...I have a lot growing around here! Everything from pumpkins & sunflowers to little minds. I've been home pre-schooling Seth & my niece Lacy. Alicia & I have partnered to prepare these bright & clever little minds for kindergarten. It's been a lot of fun & I'm really enjoying it.

Future Prom Committee Chairman.

Lacy loves to make everything pretty

Fortunately for Lacy we haven't enforced any kind of dress code...yet.
Future class clown.

This is Seth's alter ego he has created...he calls him "Sheeby".
We have had to establish a rule...
No "Sheeby" at pre-school!

The tomatoes are ripening & these two pumpkins planted themselves. I was surprised to see them growing...must have been seeds left from last year. I love surprises like that!

biggest swing in arizona

2010-09-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post this video of my crazy little brothers. Like many others who grew up here, these two perfected small town fun. With the budget to bring to life all the ideas they dreamed up when they were kids, they come home as often as they can to play. It's not unusual for one of them to end up in the emergency room. They set out this weekend to create some more memories. After tearing up the terrain & Cory's leg on their dirt bikes, it was off to the Chevlon Canyon to try out this stunt! Crazy boys...it's a good thing they have very patient wives & good insurance!

2010-08-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year... the harvest. There's just something so satisfying about planting a seed & watching it grow into something that you can then pick & make a meal out of. I feel a little like the "Little Red Hen".

I also love the monsoon weather. I love watching the clouds roll in in the late afternoon. It reminds me of being a kid & putting a jar out in the rain to collect rain water. Little did I know I would someday live in the house where the previous owner took collecting rain water to a whole new level, storing it in jars in the basement & serving it on special occasions. Early in my relationship with Derron, Nunna invited him over for Sunday dinner & told him to bring me with him. As we crossed the street to her house he turned to me and said, "If the water in your glass is kind of brown don't worry, it's just rain water". I thought he was kidding until I sat down to eat & sure enough my water had a slight brown look to it. Ahh memories...that is a fond one, it makes me smile when I think about it, for alot of reasons.

Anyway...It is also the time of year that parents look forward to & kids don't...back to school! It's just me & Seth again. He has one more year with me at home. I've taken on a new venture...home pre-school. I am enjoying it. He's a bright little boy & anxious to learn. When the teenagers come home they ask what he's learned & he's so proud to get out his worksheets & show them off. Time is really flying by. The 16 year old will gone before I know it. It has been such a blessing for me to be home with my kids & watch them grow & really be a part of there little lives...every minute of it. I wouldn't trade it for anything...even those days when they make me krazy.

This will be a really precious year with Seth & hopefully we can make some fun memories. Here is a good start. I was hanging out laundry & the ditch was running full.

Lucy (the dog) loves to play in the water & Seth decided to join her, so I had to leave the laundry for a minute & go grab the camera.Inside the house Seth is my little helper. Monday is cleaning day for me
& Seth loves to push the buttons on the washing machine & he also loves to scrub the toilet with the scrubber. (I'm sure that won't last)

These laundry pictures show what I call

"Divide & Conquer"!

I divide & conquer the laundry & usually by the days end Seth has divided & conquered me!

Update!

2010-07-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Cat's Creations has FINALLY been updated...click on over.

HANSENPALOOZA!

2010-07-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

If you plan it...they will come...and come they did!

First on the list of activities was for everyone to meet at

"Pumpa's Porch Swing to pay off your pawn",

( no navajo rugs please). I think he might be a Hansen...what do you think?

Next on the agenda was crafts in "Nunna's backyard", for the women folk of course. The men folk headed down to Clarence's pond for fishing & fun! I'm a woman, so I was making crafts.
I think Nunna would be proud.
Then it was on to lunch & a chance to cool off at Tanner Park.

Dr. Miller showed us how it was done. ...any guesses? C'mon this one is easy! His mother wears a gold skirt!

After dinner all the little kiddies swung the

Original Pinata Stick

to bust out some treats! And boy did the feathers fly!

Uncle Floyd decided to change it up a notch & filled his pinata with feathers!

They were everywhere!

To close the whole thing down, in true Joe City style, we headed to the badlands for some "redneck fireworks".

It was a great day...

Thanks to Elizabeth & her family for all their hard

work & planning, you all did a great job!

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

Annelie wrote a beautiful poem for her dad for Father's Day. She gave me permission to post it here. Annelie has a way of writing that really touches my heart...she is such a blessing to our family. I love this picture...I took it in SanDiego a few years ago, it was the first time Annelie had seen the ocean. When I decided to post her poem I knew I had to put this picture with it...

Derron & his little girl.

The mark of a father’s presence

Is more than a bill paid

Or of shaving cream essence,

Or a pipe system made.

But is the brush of a hand

Calloused yet soft

A tear wiped away and

Comfort found oft.

A favorite toy repaired

At the bargain price

Of a tight hug shared

And a kiss once or twice.

A swing through the air

In the strong grasp

Of those arms full of care

Which to love clasp

A pat on the back for

A job well done.

But still encouraging more

When that prize not won.

A listening ear and understanding heart

For a simple world

Seemingly falling apart.

A hand to hold

When life gets rough

A story told

When tired enough.

The mark of a father’s presence

Is something I often see

Fortunate to receive these presents,

Proud, his daughter, to be.

by Annelie Hansen 2010

Pioneer Trek 2010

2010-06-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

Derron & I were asked to be a Ma & Pa on the Pioneer Trek this summer. It took place about a week ago. Here are a few photos I took while on the trail. It was a great experience & if you get the chance to participate in one of these, take it, you won't regret it.
This was our family, I was the mother of twelve for four days, six boys & six girls. We named ourselves the Jones's & this was our cheer..."We're the Jones's, try to keep up!"

Tis' better far for us to strive...

Our useless cares from us to drive...
Do this and Joy.... your heart will swell...
And that's exactly what happened. This will always be one of my favorite experiences. It was not easy & there were situations I did not enjoy, (like sleeping on the ground under the stars while the wind blew all night) but what I gained far outweighed it all.

The Little Dutch Boy

2010-05-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

I finally did it! I've been wanting to do this little photo shoot for awhile now & this morning my back was up against the wall, or rather my heart was a little saddened, but then happy when Seth announced that he wanted a haircut like his big brother's......short!

Up against the wall..."I better do those pictures right now, his hair will be gone in a few hours!"

Heart sinking..."He'll look older with shorter hair...he's growing up too fast."

Happy..."He wants to look like his big brother...that's sweet."

2010-05-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! I haven't posted anything in quite awhile! I've been very busy working on a BIG project! When I woke up this morning my whole yard was watered & I didn't have to do a thing! It took over a thousand feet of pipe but I now have a sprinkler system, it's like a dream, but it was quite a nightmare putting it in, just ask my oh so patient & ingenious husband. I don't landscape in straight lines, I like curves & incidentally so does my husband, haha. Anyway, what the heck has been going on here? Lots & lots!

Annelie attended two proms last month. I think it's safe to say that she is enjoying being 16.

We have had the legendary wind that spring always brings to Joe City & I have some advice...

It is never a good idea to jump

on the trampoline in the wind

with long hair

while licking a lollipop!

And last of all... we said farewell to the Senior Chief, it's hard to believe it but it's true...we will really miss you Mike. Thanks for all the good times, it was sure alot of fun having you here.

ahh...Founder's Day

2010-03-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Another Founder's Day has come & is almost gone. The day started in it's usual way, with a BIG BOOM at 6:00 a.m. Thanks Ivin. The boy scouts were up early putting flags up & down the streets. Then the flag raising at the church & opening prayer. Pancakes served up hot at 7:00. If you were feeling energetic you could have joined the 5k or the 10k. My daughter Annelie ran the 5k & I cheered her on. There was the turkey shoot & the tractor show, which was followed by a program at the B.G. Bennet auditorium. The program honored our beloved pioneers. Ralph Bushman gave tribute to his father, Virgil Bushman, who served as scout master here in Joseph City for 45 years. Julie Clifford gave a tribute to her grandparents, Delbert & Alice Hansen, along with a history of the progress of Joseph City since, as we like to say, the days at the fort. Karen Bushman & Ross Hansen were added to the Joseph City Hall of Fame for their many contributions to our community. The rest of the days activities included the BBQ & auction at the firehouse, the horseless rodeo & new this year was the paint ball war! Gale & Anna Hansen hosted a History Hay Ride for the kids. Gale drove the tractor pulling the kids on the hay covered trailer stopping at different sights around town while Anna explained the significance of each one.

Can we have a Founder's Day without Mary Law at the piano? I don't think so. It might be hard to see, but that's her playing for Mrs. Young's kindergarten class who each donned their Pioneer garb to sing the classic Joe City children's song "Work Work Work". Yeah, we teach'em young around here.
Mrs. Hunt lead this group of elementary students in
"I'm Proud to be an American".

I was asked to give an update on the Pioneer Monument. If you missed it, don't worry you can read it here:

Monument Update

Almost two years ago Julie Clifford & I might have knocked on your door on a Sunday afternoon with our little bag of Joe City postcards, you invited us in out of pity or curiosity, it does'nt matter they both work just fine, while we explained what we were up to, a Monument to the Joseph City Pioneers. We had been approached, by the late Jim Lofgreen, to help raise money to pay for a project that he had planned. The amount needed was $5,000. Julie & I put our two heads together & came up with the idea to make Joseph City postcards. People would love them! We really didn’t know what we were doing at first but we just started taking pictures & writing down ideas & quotes that were unique to Joe City, like “Early to bed early to rise, work like hell & fertilize”, which I am giving Floyd Hansen full credit for. Soon we had a set of 24 post cards; we packaged them up & started going door to door peddling our wares. Before we knocked on the first door we knew what we would find, people who appreciate the Pioneer heritage of this town & who were generous in showing their gratitude & respect. I’ve never seen so many Mormons break out their check books on a Sunday! We sold nearly 70 sets of & I should probably apologize to anyone whose Christmas gift that year was a lousy set of Joe City Postcards. Some of you may also remember that you bought a ticket for a barbeque dinner. Our barbeque was also a great success thanks to Linda Miller’s great organizational & bargain hunting skills. We had such a huge turnout that we ran out of food & had to turn people away. I’d like to think that everyone was really supporting our cause but I think Mr. G’s was just closed that night. Some of you may have a small replica of the monument sitting on your shelf. Have you been wondering if you’ll ever see the large version? Well, I have too actually. I’ve been asked today to give a Monument Update. I’m going to be putting a sprinkler system in soon & I don’t want anyone thinking I sold post cards to get it!
We did raise the $5000.00. Thank you so much for your support & generosity. The supplies were purchased & the project is nearly finished. We are however at a stand still after the passing of Jim Lofgreen who was the creator of this project. Just this past week Julie & I went on a mission to find our monument. Well, we found it & all I have to say is we were dressed way too nice for the job of bringing it home. Our local high school art teacher, Robert Pugh, has offered to finish this for us & we are very grateful for his help. No motivation or money has been lost & this project will be completed. We wish Jim could be here to see the result of his creation. We hope to have his family members there when it is finished. In the foyer we have displayed a portion of what has been finished. It is my favorite part. When deciding what words to put on the monument we read accounts of those who were the first to come here. When we read the account of Henry Holmes, a scout sent by Pres. Brigham Young to asses this area for colonization, we knew that these were the words we wanted, he wrote in his journal,

“I do not know whether it makes any difference whether
the country is barren or fruitful, if the Lord has a work to do in it.”

Joseph City isn’t known for it’s beautiful landscape, but it is known for it’s great spirit & strength. Henry Holmes’s perspective was correct. The Lord does have a work to do here, it started in the windy spring of 1876 & it continues still.
I want to thank everyone who has supported this monument. We appreciate you so much.

It was a fun day with only a slight wind. Thanks to anyone who had anything to do with it!

Happy Birthday Annelie!

2010-02-16T05:22:00.000-08:00

Annelie is 16 today! I can't believe it! When she was born I took her to see my great grandma, Clella McLaws, she told me "Well, you've got all of Joseph City wrapped up in one kid". I'm sure in her minds eye she was seeing all of the ties this little baby girl had to the founder's of this town. Let me just clear one thing up before I go any further, I am only related to Derron through marriage, OURS! We both happen to be descendants of two of the founding fathers of the town, John McLaws & Joseph Christian Hansen who were good friends, not relatives.

Annelie has loved growing up here. In fact she has often told me that she never wants to leave. I know she feels that way because she has had a happy childhood here, where kids can be kids. They can build a tree house & play for hours acting out anything that the imagination can conjure up, build forts in the wash & play in the irrigation ditch. Now she talks to me about what college she wants to go to & what would look good on her college application. I am so happy for her, her future is so bright, If I could only stop crying whenever I think about it. This watching your kids grow up & leave you is tough stuff.

She recently wrote this beautiful little poem. It's, as she says, "from the point of view of the wooden steps to the trampoline", she's quite clever.

Though I'm old & worn.

I feel as a newborn.

Popsicle sticks attract ants,
bare feet & grass stained pants.

Now I'm a secret trash bin

for those nights with the sleep ridden.

I am a sock covered entrance

to a giant mushroom, pirate ship, castle for a prince.

Toys, giggles gleefully borne

are replaced with shoes & a cell phone.
As a youth a mood of overwhelm,

jumps, flips & relaxes under that elm.

Years pass, birds still singing,

four feet hang o'er, two hearts on a wing.

Soft words, a gentle touch

a ring exposed, to eachother they clutch.

Time flies by me slow but silent.

My wood is rotting and my nails are bent.

But what is that? More laughter?

I straighten up - it's me thier after!

Though I'm old & worn,

I feel as a newborn.

Written by Annelie Hansen

(jan. 16, 2010)

I don't know what inspired her to write it, but it comforts me. I can relate to those old wooden steps. I think this poem could also be from "the point of view of the Mother".

2010-02-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

Okay I'm posting an ad for my latest creation....another blog! I've decided to start making jewelry again, so if anyone is interested or curious or have nothing else to do, click over to ...

http://cat-catscreations.blogspot.com/

I will continue to keep this blog. I will always love writing about life hear in good ole' Joe City, but like Sears I have a softer side. I love to make pretty things. I will be adding other creations later on, so I hope you'll peek in every once in awhile & see what's new.

Have a fabulous day!

Go Wildcats!

2010-02-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

How I love basketball season! I am a Phoenix Suns fan, as are most of my friends & loved ones. I loved watching my brothers play all through their jr. high & high school days. The last few years I've been enjoying watching my nephew Justin play. He is senior this year & will be moving on to bigger & better things, (is there anything bigger & better? Well, I guess, he's preparing his mission papers as we speak). Well, it has finally come...

I finally get to watch my own son play basketball! Jr. high basketball, sometimes painfull to watch, but it's all about learning right now & I am loving watching him learn.

To update those of you who have moved yourselves far away, our Joe City Wildcats Varsity Basketball team won the Regional Tournament last weekend & are going into the State Playoffs. Very exciting!

My Playlist

2010-01-11T11:51:00.000-08:00

I've wondered, since creating it, what might my play list says about me. I realize that it is an unusual combination so let me explain,

"Drive" by Alan Jackson: The message in this song is important to me. It's about creating memories with our children while they are growing up that they can draw on later in life when they need them. He also sings of the way his father made him feel & his desire to give that to his own children.

"Treat Me Nice" by Elvis Presley: OK, so anyone who knows me well knows that I am an Elvis fan. I love this song because it takes me back to days of my dad listening to his old records & my sister & I taking turns standing on his feet & dancing in the living room.

"A Little Less Conversation" also by Elvis Presley: This songs speaks to my personality. I'd like to sing it to all the "shovel leaners" out there. I am quite aware that Elvis is singing about something completely different, but the message is important, "Quit talking & get to work!"

"Crying In The Rain" by The Everly Brothers: This was my first "favorite" song. I pretty much grew up on Elvis, the Beatles & the Everly Brothers, they were my dad's favorites. I can't really say why it was my favorite, I guess I just liked the tune.

"Dream"also by The Everly Brothers: I love this song because of the idea that your mind can take you somewhere for awhile to remember someone or something that you miss.

"The Devil Came Down To Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band: First of all let me apologize for the cursing in this song, I should have implemented some kind of warning in case there were children present (hope that hasn't happened). To me "Joe City" people are kinda brassy & I think we're not afraid to get in the devil's face & say, "nice try, now get outa here!" This is my Joe City version of this song,

The devil came down to Joe City, he was lookin' for a soul to steal. He was in a bind cause he was way behind & he was lookin' to make a deal, when he saw a young man dribblin' a ball down the court & shootin' it HOT. The devil jumped on a concrete block & said "Boy let me tell ya what, now you may not know it but I'm basketball player too & if you'd care to take dare I'll make a bet with you. Now you shoot a pretty good 3 point son but give the devil his due, I'll bet a rim of gold against your soul cause I think I'm better than you." The boy said, "My names' Justin & it might be a sin, but I'll take your bet & your gonna regret cause I'm the best that's ever been!"

"Pocket Full Of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield: I started this Blog to write about the Life & Times of this town that I love to call home. This song describes Joe City to me. "do what you want but your never gonna break me, sticks & stones are never gonna ever shake me...take me away, a sweet escape..." The world is not in your face here. Life here is about family & faith, friends, neighbors & growing a garden. I love this town & the people in it. I'm proud of it's pioneer heritage & the spirit that they left us. Joseph City is my "Pocket Full of Sunshine".

More fun Christmas Sing-a-long memories.

2010-01-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

You can pick your nose...

You can pick your friends...

But you can't pick your friend's nose.

A Good Old Fashioned Christmas Sing-a-long.

2010-01-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Twas the fourth night before

Christmas

& into my house,

all the carolers were coming, none were as quiet as a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that

Suzy Snowflake

soon would be there,

I don't have a kerchief, but Annelie & Niclaas each had a cap,
and we were all settling in to hear

Steven's RAP!
A few years ago Auntie Julie aka "Suzy Snowflake", decided that my parlor would be a perfect place to have an old fashioned Christmas Sing-a-long. That first year was magical, after singing for awhile, we looked out the window & snow had started to fall. It was as if our caroling had "brought" Christmas. We agreed that we needed to make this a new tradition. Anyone with talent at the piano takes a turn or two or three, & the rest of us sing & play the bells. Steven always brings his ukelele which is a real treat. This year Steven & Alicia played several rousing, impromptu duets that were real crowd pleasers! Auntie Julie teaching Lacy the art of playing the bells.
Thanks Julie for starting this tradition.
It has created some great memories for all of us & just adds that much more to
"Christmas Time".

Christmas letter 2009

2009-12-15T08:25:00.000-08:00

I've decided to blog my Christmas letter. I've barely had time to write it, let alone anything for this poor neglected blog. It goes along with my new blog title which is the picture that I'm sending out with this letter. After several failed attempts to take a current family photo, I decided, why not just take pictures of what goes on everyday, so here it is.

Merry Christmas everyone.

“The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other”.

We hope
this letter finds you all “wrapped” up!
Merry Christmas!

Happy Hansens are we!
Annelie can be found playing her piano by the Christmas tree.
Niclaas is curled up with his video games by the fire,
Seth’s excitement for Santa couldn’t be any higher!
Every hunting tag was filled but one.
poor Nissan’s hunting days are done!

Love,

Derron, Cat, Annelie, Niclaas & Seth

Annelie's Christmas Poem

2009-12-15T08:04:00.000-08:00

My daughter Annelie wrote this poem for a Seminary project. She read it to me last night & it made me cry. I love her so much & she impresses me all the time, I really think she was switched at birth & should have been with some other mother much more righteous than I am. But I'm keeping her! She is such a blessing to our family. When you read her writings it's hard not to feel of her spirit & her positive perspective on life, you can't help but smile.

Said one reindeer to the other as they warmed themselves in a stall.
“Say, do we ever get a retirement? Or will we have to do it all?”“What do you mean?” cried his friend,
“We’ve only been for centuries on end.”
“But is there anymore to our lives than flying around the globe?”“Besides lugging an ever-growing Saint Nick around? You’d have to probe.”
“And delivering presents to girls and boys?”
“That last only until battery no longer employs?”
“Yes,” Dancer nodded, “Because if that’s all, this world is quite empty.”
“Well,” Vixen sighed, “at least you and I are in good company.”
“But I have heard of another,”
“Oh? And who is that, Brother?”
“The one mentioned in all those beautiful carols, don’t you know.”
“Santa Claus, Jack Frost, Rudolph, or sleighs riding in snow?”
“Neither. Try Emanuel, Savior, Christ, a Son,”
“And why is your interest so very much won?”
“He promises gifts that go beyond this day, and that come to all mankind.”
“But does not Santa give to all? I’ve seen all those presents, I am not blind.”
“Santa only gives to the nice, remember.”
“But who is he to reward those of the naughty member?”
“They say he did it out of mercy, out of love. All so he could heal.”“But, Dancer, I find wisdom in Mr. Clause, with his holiday seal.”
“Well, this man sees differently than Santa does,”
“I guess so. Beyond, even, all that red and white fuzz.”
The two fell silent as their comrades each fell into nap.
Broken by a timid Vixen, “Santa lets you sit on his lap.”
“Yes, but His arms are open for all,
“more comforting than any ol’ elf shawl.”
Frustration began to heat within Vixen despite the icy air,
“However,” argued he, “Santa wishes all joy out of care.”
“That is true, but don’t you see?
“this man can give joy to you and me.”
“Why,” Dancer continued excitedly, his ideas expanding,
“He knows everyone and, in every sense, where they’re standing,
“he doesn’t have to ask your name--
“But I don’t think Santa’s to blame,
Interrupted Vixen, “Why do you put your master down so?”
“Don’t get me wrong,” Dancer muttered, “Santa’s a jolly and kind fellow,
“But this Christ is the real master,
“and he leads to greener pasture,”
“for though our harnesses are trimmed with jingle bells of delight,”
“His chariot I would rather pull, His yoke is easy and His burden light.”

You might be a redneck if...

2009-12-02T17:16:00.001-08:00

You might be married to a redneck if you come home to this in your driveway! Yes, yes, this is what is normaly used to fry a turkey. No need to worry for those who have enjoyed some fried turkey at my house on Thanksgiving, I wouldn't allow him to use the same pot. To those of you wondering what in the world is going on here, you are correct if you think you see deer antlers sticking out of the pot. This is what must be done to clean the deer skull down to the bone so you can hang that beauty on the wall.

A Walk in the Wash

2009-11-14T07:10:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd share some of the fun pictures I took in the wash last weekend.

This is a very typical scene, Annelie & Nic running after Seth. He likes to win, so they always let him.
Thanks to my kids for being good sports & letting me practice my photography on them. It was a fun day.

Technical Difficulties

2009-11-14T06:14:00.000-08:00

To anyone who follows my blog or who occasionally peaks in to see what is happening in Joe Town I apologize for the lack of updates. My computer was recently attacked by some viruses which brought my poor little blog to a screeching halt. Although I must admit that I haven't been keeping it updated like I would like too. Ever get in a creative slump? Well that's where I've been lately. But with the change in seasons & the energy that comes with anticipation of the holidays I'm feeling a surge. Mostly my thoughts have been a tad on the philosophical side, hope that doesn't turn anyone away. Don't worry this won't turn into "Deep thoughts by Cat Hansen", maybe "A deep thought or two by Cat Hansen".

Jumping for Joy!

2009-11-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

What could be more fun than jumping in the leaves? Jumping in the leaves on a trampoline! This has been one of the most enjoyable fall seasons in my memory. The colors have been so bright & have lingered, due to the lack of wind to blow all the leaves away. Yes I said "lack" of wind. But that all came to an end yesterday.

There are still a few leaves holding on but for the most part they have blown away in the wind. It is similiar to our memories I think. Since I moved to this little town, almost 17 years ago, I have been impressed with all the fun memories that people have of growing up in this place. Listening to them made me wish I had grown up here. A place where a kid can be a kid. Time has kind of stood still here in alot of ways. It's not uncommon for me to look out my back door & see my son Niclaas in the back field carrying his BB gun or to hear on a quiet afternoon the boom of my nephew Justin's potatoe gun. Kids here still load up & head out to the badlands to roll some tires & it's not hard to spot a tree house or a fort of some kind. This past Halloween some teenagers I know decided to go out to the cemetery to try & scare themselves, but it's hard to get scared in a place where you've regularly chopped weeds & have helped in a few eagle scout projects. I don't think anyone who grows up here realizes just how unique it is until they leave & find out that the rest of the world isn't like Joe City. My daughter Annelie used to tell me that she never wanted to leave here but my kids are growing & I feel that some things will come to an end. My daughter will go to college in two & a half years & everytime I think about it I get teary eyed & I start to feel a little anxious. I enjoy my kids so much, they are my joy. Watching them grow up has been a great blessing to me. I've been there for it all, we've made some great memories & I will hold onto them with all my heart & the winds of this life will not blow them away.

To my kids I want to say, take your memories & your light, use them to bless others around you & spread a little Joe City around.

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love becomes a part of us".

Helen Keller

Fall Photo Shoot With the Kiddos

2009-10-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

The fall colors in Joseph City have been beautiful this year. I just had to gather the kids & get some photos. This one was Nic's idea & getting Seth to cooperate was less than simple. I had to bribe him to get this shot.
Getting Nic to pose isn't very easy either. He can't scream & yell in protest though, well I guess he could but if you know Nic you know that would never happen, it's more of a silient protest. He just endures it all.

So if the colors are so pretty why are these photos in black & white? Well I couldn't get Seth to change his shirt so that the kids would all match & I just kinda like them this way.

Here's a great one in color! The red leaves from my virginia creeper vine were all over the lawn. The pictures don't really do them justice, it was really pretty.

Speaking of pretty, I hate to brag but what can I say? I'm the mother & that's just how it is.
A fun little conversation I had with Seth the other day,

Seth: Mom I need you.

Me: What do you need your mom for?

Seth: Cuz I "lub" you.

Me: Oh Seth, you light up mommies life.

Seth: Mom mom light up Seth's life.

Ask me how grateful I am that I decided to have "one more".

Happy 29th Julie!

2009-10-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

I think Niclaas said it best when we were sitting down eating lunch after church on Sunday, he looked out the window & across the street & said "Mom, I love when Aunt Julie is with us, she makes everything better". Nic doesn't ever express himself much but he has always been a deep thinker & when he does decide to express himself we always listen. Niclaas has always loved his Aunt Julie. She's the one who gave him his nickname "Pickle". She loved to tease him with her "wicked witch" voice, "Let me feel your finger little boy". I knew he loved her because every time she said it he would stand there & hold out his finger. He wouldn't do that for anyone else! She has a way of endearing herself to her nieces & nephews like no one I have ever seen.
On a personal note I will just say that I completely agree with Nic, she does make things better. She is a great example to me & I am a better person for knowing her. We've walked & talked for miles, laughed & cried together. She is my sister & I love her.

Go Wildcats!

2009-10-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

What you are about to view are photos taken during a recent tailgate party organized by the Obed Ward to spur on the Wildcat Varsity Football team. These are some real classics to be viewed & treasured in our memories for as long as you have one! To start it off we see John Hansen, a true "Joe City" character, leading the cheer!
Next we have the Achievement Day girls lead by none other than the perpetual cheerleader herself, Ms. Julie Clifford in her favorite golden skirt & pom poms.
And here is her son, obviously, & his sidekick Derek Downs leading the tailgaters in the WAVE!
There were lots of fun activities like this watermelon eating contest lead by Bishop Palmer. If eating hotdogs was your thing, there was that contest too.

Now what your about to see just might be my most favorite photos I've ever taken & I've taken alot of photos.

Yes folks, this is Dr. Doyle Hansen doing the "Chicken Dance"and next to him, as if I need to point her out, is that Gold Skirt!
It looks like Dr. Hansen is enjoying retirement!

Speaking of retirement, I was drug out of my golden years of a "has been" majorette along with former Wildcat Mascot, Gerald Hansen to entertain the fans. We did our best.

It is kinda hard to see my baton, it's a little lost in the sunlight, but I even twirled for the crowd, something I haven't done in 20 years! It's not like riding a bike.

Peaches, Peaches! We All Fall Down!

2009-09-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

It's September, & in September truckloads of peaches come into town from Utah. In keeping up this long standing tradition we all put our orders in, one box or two. Some families order four or five! You know when the day of delivery is here, just drive through town & you will see boxes of peaches on every front porch, where they stay as we check them daily waiting for them to ripen enough to "put up". (That's canning slang for "preserve"). We are all getting ready to bottle, freeze, cobbler, jam & jelly 'em up! The conversation among the women all over town is consumed by this subject. We are all in a frenzy, on a race against over ripe fruit & the onslaught of the ever annoying fruit fly! When I married my dear husband & he moved me to this little town, I was eager to be a good Joe City woman & was willing to learn everything that this entailed. On my way to reaching this goal I had to reach out to the older, wiser & more experienced generation of Joe City women. On the top of my list was of course my mother-in-law, Eleanor Hansen. She has a wealth of knowledge & I have been learning from her for 17 years now. After receiving my first order of peaches she taught me how to can them & how to make jam with them. She taught me how to appreciate a beautifully bottled can of peaches. You can't just shove them in the jar, you have to place them in so that they look nice. Since then, I always stand back to admire my bottled peaches when there all done & sitting on the shelf. I am grateful for this lesson in taking care to make all my hard work look good. I love being a part of this tradition. I finshed all my peaches today & am proud to say that out of two boxes I only had to throw away 2 rotten peaches! My back hurts from standing all day & my hands & nails are fruit stained but it will be very rewarding to go down in the cellar in the middle of winter & grab a jar of fresh peaches that I preserved myself & I can pronounce all the ingredients, peaches, water, sugar.

A Birthday Bash for a Real Special Lady.

2009-09-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

The invitation read:

"Like sand in the Joe City wash,
so are the days of Darcy’s life.
Come celebrate Darcy’s 47 years of celibacy!
The festive occasion requires festive wear.
Grass skirts, coconut bra’s, etc.
are mandatory.
Place: Julie Clifford’s back yard
(aka Eleanor’s Secret Garden)
Time: 6:00 p.m.
(Happy hour 6:00 – 7:00, last call 9:00)
Date: August 29, 2009
Keep this info under your grass skirt,
Darcy is unaware of her peril."

And come they did! Festive wear & all!

Toya was so proud of her grass skirt.
Mike was so proud of his Hawaiin shirt! (Well not really, it just rhymed so well). I think he was asking for the hula dancers. We did tell him it was a luau but hey, he's livin' on Porter Ave. & Julie & I in our grass skirts & the irrigation ditch running in the back yard is the closest he's gonna get to the islands around here!
Elizabeth & Jordan led us in some great "Parlor" games! There were moments when I felt we could have been in the scene from the classic musical Scrooge playing "The Ministers Cat". Mike would have played the part of Scrooge, except we could hear him. I know how fond he is of that movie. Every Christmas he does his best to avoid it!
Liz & Jordan also put together a power point presentation titled,
"Nuggets of Wisdom from Miss Combs"
It was great! The party was sooo much fun, I laughed so hard I went home with a headache!
In the end Darcy reminded us that she was 48 not 47 years old!

Fun at the Badlands!

2009-08-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

Yes! I am still here. I apologize for the long hiatus. I haven't been any busier than usual, just a bad case of the "BLAHS"! I would sit down to write & NOTHING would come to my mind. Creativity is a funny thing. At least it is for me. I'm either really feeling "it" or I'm not. So this morning I'm kinda feeling "it", but these are fun pictures so if the writing isn't good you can just enjoy the photos.

The Badlands are a favorite pass time for us here in Joe City. Many, many memories. My mother-in-law told me once that years ago it was the thing to do on Sundays after church. Families would take a picnic out to the Badlands & play after church. That sort of thing would be frowned on these days. I guess we have progressed in our "sainthoood" & strive to keep the Sabbath Day a little holier. Now we stay home & play card games & eat peach cobbler. Some of us have even gone door to door on the Sabbath & "peddled our wares". All for a good cause of course. So good, we got even the staunchest of Sabbath Day keepers to break out there check books! Now I've drifted from my topic, anyway...the Badlands are a great playground. The kids love to run around climbing the hills & then sliding down .

This is what happens if you slide down without a sled.

If you check out Chompie's knee you'll see what happens if you don't stay on the sled. This sled is our favorite. It is made from a piece of dump truck liner given to us by Diamond S. Julie & I bent the front up using a welding torch to heat the plastic. It is super durable . Any traditional sled wouldn't stand a chance.
Popcorn anyone? Julie is quite proud of her vintage popcorn popper. She even uses it at home over the burner on the stove. Where there is flame she will pop the corn. What a true Hansen, Pumpa would be so proud.
Here is "Sparky" one of Auntie Julie's minions. Doesn't he look entranced? He's thinking "Ju Ju, Popcorn, Ju Ju, Popcorn". She's got him wrapped around her finger.
I do have to tell the story behind this "Popper" & I don't mean Julie. It was found at the local goodwill on one of mine & Julie's many treasure hunts. We were looking for "pioneer" memorabilia to give away for door prizes at a "Pioneer day" party. Now we have been known to give away such items as prairie rings forged from nails found on the trail, wooden toys widdled by Brigham Young himself en route to the Salt Lake Valley, the frying pan that fried the first egg in Joe City, even an oil painting of a prize winning bull owned by pioneer rancher Joseph Christian Hansen, which, the last I heard was hanging in the office of our beloved Bishop & Seminary teacher Alan Palmer. Julie found this popper & asked me if I thought we should put it in our cart so I did. But it was five dollars & I just didn't think we should spend that much for a door prize so she suggested I buy it for myself, it would be "so fun" to have she said, so I thought about it & after a while I took it out of the cart & put it back on the shelf. When she saw that, she grabbed it & decided to buy it for herself instead. It has turned out to be, as she says"One of my most favorite treasures I've ever found!" And she loves to remind me that it could have been mine & I just didn't have the "vision" that day.

After the running around & eating popcorn, we roasted marshmallows for smores & then ended the evening with the one thing that we Joe City people just love, we "rolled tires!" Outsiders might ask what is so fun about hefting tires & a can of gasoline up a steep hill of loose dirt, filling the tire with fuel, lighting it up & sending it down the hill? All I can say is, we just do, I don't know why, it's just a "Joe City Thang."

A Faithful Scout Indeed.

2009-07-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

This is a special post that I am sending out to my dear nephew Steven who appreciates all things "Joe City" & who himself is a great example of what this little town can produce. There have been many a scout brought up in Joe City but none as faithful & hard working as this one!

If you pay any attention to Gale Hansen you have seen this sight many a time. The one thing missing would be his less than excited farm hands.

Oh, here they are! Well by proxy anyway. I recruited the younger generation to fill in for me. I even got them up very early in the morning so I could capture that "I can't believe we are awake & have to go work" look. They do look quite similiar to the originals don't you think? I'm sure the memories aren't as fond for them as they are for me, but I will always remember seeing them early in the morning, while Julie & I were walking, sitting on the tail gate donning they're irrigation boots & long faces as they drove past us on their way to the farm.

Here's the ScoutMaster himself. Here stands the essence of Joe City. A hardworking farmer & his trusty steed, but in Gale's case, "Scout". It is plain to see that this machine has seen better days. On hot days, if you drive fast enough, you can generate the air conditioning through the holes in the floor board, but if you make a sharp turn you may get more air conditioning than you want when the door flies open. Riding in this vehicle is a real "raw" experience. You'd better have some gloves on & be ready to work, otherwise get out! I think that could be our town motto!

"On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to Gale and his farm and to obey the Joe City Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong and haul as many bales of hay as I possibly can without blowing my transmission, mentally awake and morally straight, as long as the farmer driving me hasn't been awake all night irrigating"

This scout definitely lives up to it's oath. I might have to start saluting when it goes by!

"Saturday in the park, I think it was the 4th of July!"

2009-07-09T17:17:00.001-07:00

The 4th of July has come & gone & I am finally sitting down to write about it! I love the 4th & I wouldn't want to celebrate it anywhere but here. I had fun playing with my new camera & I took way too many pictures to post on here but here are some of my favorites, hope you enjoy.

After the parade there was an opening ceremony where Jim & his scout troop raised the colors.

Jeffrey, or as I like to call him "Mr. Independence Day."
At last count Seth had about 12 otter pops!

Run Chicken Run!!!!
Apparently Julie is not aware of the child labor laws. These poor boys twisted balloons for hours & were made to peddle thier wares around the park until they came back with money in hand.

After all the festivities at the park, Grandpa killed the fatted calf so that Grandma could host a barbeque. Uncle Gale slaved away at the grill making sure his marinated steaks were exactly right & I had the chicken.
Mr. & Mrs. Solomon were there.

Here's Kristi & Cory. Kristi enjoyed showing off the "Love Pole" that Julie made for her.

Jody & Bobby were there to.
After the big announcement, Julie made an expectant dog for Kristin & Ezra.

Danny & Alicia were looking swell!

Now she's onto another nephew, younger & not so wise to her ways. Soon he too will be twisted around her little finger just like those innocent looking balloon creations she makes.

Seth the Mechanic at it again.

2009-06-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

I was able to capture a few more Joe City moments with my old camera. I think this is an appropriate farewell to my little camera that has captured so many photos of the people, places & things of this little town. Seth the mechanic is at it again. A true "shade tree mechanic". Puzzled by the problem, he scratches his bum rather than his head. As usual, in this neighborhood, when working on a project you get the usual passers by who stop to offer assisitance.Nope, it wasn't Jerald on this particular day, it was Auntie Julie. Knowing little in the way of mechanics, she offered the assistance that only she can give. Yep, that's the "Ole' Do Gooder" out doin' good again. If it's old, rattling & on death's door Ivin can most likely figure it out.
In the end Uncle Gale had to be called & the poor ole' Beast had to be hauled to the shop. But all is not lost, I got some great pictures out of it!

I can't talk without my camera!

2009-06-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

My posts have been lacking of late. It's summer, what can say. My days are spent outside working or playing & if your a Hansen, working is playing. The other reason is that my camera is on death's door & I can't talk without my camera. I have purchased a newer, nicer camera & it is, as I'm typing, on it's way to me, it's proud new owner. The files of idea's for pictures & posts are stacking up in my mind & it's getting a little cluttered. Hopefully, soon I'll get to "clean house."

"The Triangle Y Outfit"

2009-06-10T21:43:00.001-07:00

I apologize for the long wait between my last post & now. It is summer, my most favorite time of year & these days you can find me out pushing a mower or working in the garden, two of my most favorite things to do.

The branding of the cattle after the summer round up is a long standing tradition in the Hansen family & I took it upon myself, after realizing that all these years no one has ever taken a single photograph or written anything about it, to photograph & write about it. I'm sure no Hansen ever thought it was worth documenting, after all it's just what they do, year after year, generation after generation, nothing special. That right there is another "Hansen" trait. They don't ever think that anything they do is especially unique & they never think they are any better than the next person. They are all very humble. My dad calls them the "salt of the earth kinda people". Being the outsider looking in & coming from a family whose tradition is to have no traditions, I can't express how much I appreciate the many "Hansen" ways of life & traditions that have been around for generations. It is a rich family life that I can't express in words the gratitude I have for it. Did that make sense? Well , in my head it does. Basically, I Love It!

After taking these photos of the branding, I asked Uncle Doyle if he would write down some of the history of the ranch that is now known as "Hansen Brothers", or as Uncle Floyd calls it, the "Triangle Y Outfit" because of the brand. If you concentrate you can hear Uncle Doyle's voice in your head. Anyways....

"The family patriarch, Joseph Christian Hansen, came to Allen's Camp in 1877. Here he was best known as a farmer and gardener. He was very industrious and enterprising, as well as frugal. One characteristic which he seemed to employ more than most was his desire to increase his holdings, more particularly in land. When he obtained enough land, he began ranching. By the time his sons, James, Delbert & Harvey, were mature enough to start carreers of their own the Hansens had farm & range land sufficient to support what was left of the original family and the families of the three sons. When Jim decided to retire, Delbert & Harvery bought him out. Delbert bought Uncle Harvery's share from his widow after he passed away. The spread was downsized somewhat when he turned it over to Gene & Floyd so that it is not as large as when J.C. hansen built it up. However, Gene & Floyd still have their hands full. One significant portion that has been discontinued is the dairy enterprise. No one wanted to be tied down with a declining profit margin." Dr. Doyle comes out of retirement every once in awhile. On this day he went from long toothed rabbits to earmarking of the cows. I love his chin strap.
Uncle Floyd, cleaning off the branding iron after having branded a calf. Until recently they still did the branding the old fashioned way, with an iron in the fire. But these modern cowboys have got themselves a generator & an iron they can plug in.

The "surgery" as Grandpa Gene calls it.
Grandpa Gene, the surgeon, with all the surgical tools. If there is a castration your needing, he's the one to call. Being a musician, he has more than way to get you to sing soprano!
Gale Hansen, oldest son of Gene & Eleanor Hansen. I guess he could be considered the anesthesiologists. He straps 'em down so they don't move. He's lookin' pretty tough.
Pumpa's truck is a fixture at Manila. He's no longer sitting in it, but when I see it there I'm reminded of him & in my minds I eye I can see him sitting there with the door propped open watching the next generation carrying on the tradition of his father, and in his mind I'm sure he doesn't see anything especially unique, just a job that needs to be done. And so it is with Hansens, if there's a job to be done they just do it with very little talk at all. And that ain't no bull.

"Saturday in the park, getting ready for the 4th of July"

2009-06-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well it was really Monday, but that wouldn't fit with the rythym of the song. It's that time again when we summon all citizens of Joe City to come join us at the park for a good weed pulling session. And come they did. Both young & old & in between. Paul Hatch kept us entertained with his stories & jokes.

Justin pulled weeds while Seth tried to push him into the weeds.

Then they hauled the weeds away.

Even the "Beauty & the Beast" were there.

All the weeds were pulled, hoed, raked & hauled away. The park looks great. We're ready for the 4th of July celebration. Hope to see you all there!

I Love Sunday in Joe City.

2009-05-31T21:11:00.000-07:00

There are so many things that I love about Sunday in this little town I won't list them all but I'll tell you about today. When I woke up I knew it was Sunday because it was so quiet. No lawn mowers, no weed eaters, no tractors. We made our way to church & found our usual spot on the 2nd row from the front on the left side, that's our bench & everyone knows it, mostly because of the show that Seth puts on every Sunday. It's hard to miss us. The deacons take their usual spot right across from us on the front row, they are Seth's most attentive audience. Sometimes he thinks he's one of them & he'll go sit with Nic. Today he stood with his big brother & the rest of the deacons while the sacrament was being blessed. After the bread was passed to him he turned to me & said "good bread mom mom". There was the usual youth speaker & then the new couple in our ward gave talks. Brother & Sister Layden, a very fun couple , she's my new 2nd counselor. Anyway, we had our usual rest hymn after the first two speakers, only when the chorister , Aunt Sara Mae, stood & motioned for the congregation to stand & sing there was no music playing. Grandpa Gene, our ward organist, was asleep at the organ. This is not an unusual thing for our ward, Grandpa has fallen asleep many times at the organ. He has been known to nod off & hit an organ key or two during the sacrament prayer. After Sara Mae walked over to the organ & woke him up we proceeded with the song. Now, there has been a new, how should I say it, situation, issue, happening, however you want to look at it in our ward. Sitting behind us most Sundays is a certain elderly lady who shall remain nameless, but I'll tell you if you ask, who has recently aquired a cell phone. This cell phone rings almost every Sunday. One Sunday it was ringing from her purse as she walked down the aisle to her seat & after she sat down she proceeded to answer her phone. Derron & I were quite amused by the whole thing, it kept us laughing all through church. Well today was no different, her phone began to ring during Brother Layden's talk. It rang several times before the voice mail finally picked up the call. After the phone stopped ringing she got up & walked out to return the call. Derron was working today so there was no one to enjoy the humor of it with me so I laughed to myself. After the closing prayer our ward, like alot of others, has recently adopted the practice of singing one more hymn after the prayer while the sunday school & primary teachers leave to prepare their class rooms. Well to end another typical sacrament meeting "Jammin' Gene" played the wrong hymn. He played it clear through while everyone smiled & chuckled. Sara Mae eventually put her arms down & let him play. After he was finished Bro. Bushman, who was conducting, stood up & said "We'll just forget the song today".

To end another perfect Sunday in Joe City, we were expecting our hometeachers who had made an appointment for 7:00p.m. The door bell rang right on time only when I answered the door there was the usual junior companion from the teachers quorom but with him was an even junior'er companion from the teachers quorom. The usual senior companion from the elders quorom had to go out of town, so this jr. companion found himself another companion & fulfilled the assignment. I looked out to the driveway & saw a car & I asked the oldest of the two if he had driven here, I knew he wasn't old enough to drive, he said "No, my mom's in the car". So we sat down with our family & were home taught by a 14 year old boy & a 15 year old boy. We ended with a prayer, thanked them & sent them on their way with a fudgsicle. I love this town.

This Simple Life is kickin' my butt!

2009-05-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

I love my 80 year old house, but I don't love the 80 year old plumbing. Living in this house has given me a great appreciation for the Hansen way of doing things. When a Hansen builds something they build it to last till to the millenium. As Pumpa was famous for saying "Hell for Stout" which incidently is the way Derron describes me. See what I mean, it's the Hansen way of building things & Derron has built himself a stout wife. I've explained to him that a woman doesn't really like to be described as "stout" but to a Hansen that should be a compliment, I'm learning. Now back to the old plumbing. There is a water line running from the old Hansen well down to our house. The house is no longer connected to it but we do keep a couple of outdoor fawcetts going to water the yard here & there. There really isn't much pressure but it's handy to have. In the last year it has broken in various places & Derron is worried that one day we'll wake up & part of our house will be sunken into the ground from a leaking underground pipe. Now I'm sure that when Pumpa put the old line in he was sure that old pipe would last till the second coming, but it only lasted till the second coming of another Hansen to come along & replace & re-route the entire thing & Grandpa Gene was there to make sure it was done right.

Now Grandpa isn't usually packin' heat but we needed a little motivation for this job. We were having to cut through the roots of 80 year old trees & hard packed clay. It was no easy task. We were tired, sweaty & thirsty. Many a traveler came by.

But most just looked on us with pity & fear of hard labor & hurried past. But there was a certain Special Ed teacher that passed by & had mercy on us & took up a shovel & began to labor with us.He had but little strength & skill, but was willing to give of his substance to help our cause. We were so grateful to him for his sacrifice, but we soon had to realize that it would take the mercy of one greater than us all to rescue us from the great burden which had been laid upon us.
J.D. Smith, the man with all the power came to our final rescue & redeemed us from an everlasting wo!

When Grandpa saw that the work was done he turned & walked away. Well, he was really off to shoot some crows out of his corn fields, but it made a good end to the story.

"Jumping In The Rain"

2009-05-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

"If you stick to Joe City when it's dry, it will stick to you when it's wet". Floyd Hansen

The "Snaggle Toothed Haggler"

2009-05-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

I know the title to this post just grabbed your attention. Well I am leaving my usual heartfelt & sometimes humorous posts on the side today & replacing them for a story that is mostly about me venting my disgust for those who were not raised properly & who fall under the title of idiot. I participated in a community yard sale yesterday that involved about 13 families, each holding yard sales at our homes, passing out maps to customers to lead them to all the other sales. I was ready to clean out my basement & make a little extra cash so I joined in. Having a yard sale in Joe City is kinda fun & as Paul Hatch put it, "It's really just a social thing & gives us an opportunity to cross ward boundaries". I love Paul, he's our town poet, a man with great humor & an appreciation for all things "Joe City'ish". I really enjoyed myself. I visited with a lot of people I haven't seen in a while. Some even came from the neighboring towns. I visited with my old boss from a job I had in highschool, I saw two sisters that I used to babysit, even some parents of kids I had coached on the swim team back when I used to be a lifeguard. Now if you have ever held a yard sale yourself, you have learned that when you advertise in the local paper you are inviting anyone who can read to come to your house & look over your wares & the later the hour, the lower the caliber of customer. Such was the case yesterday. After a perfectly enjoyable morning of socializing & watching all of my clutter walk out of my yard I decided to start cleaning up. When up drove my last customer. "I heard there was a yard sale here, but it doesn't look like much of one", he said. After a morning of polite pleasantries I was taken aback by his rudeness. I looked up to see a kid about 18 or 19 years of age with very bad teeth & wearing a t-shirt that read, "I put the Laughter in Slaughter". It was immediately apparent to me that a complete idiot had just walked into my yard. Now keeping to my code to "never argue with an idiot", (refer to my list of favorite quotes) I bit my tongue & I replied that it was late & that I had most everything cleaned up already but he was welcomed to look at anything that was still out. As he was looking around I realized I had seen this person before but I couldn't remember where. He made his way around all the tables. He soon came upon the pocket knife that Nic had put in the sale because it didn't work right & he wanted to get rid of it. This person picked up the pocket knife & started opening it & closing it over & over again. Clearly it didn't work properly. He looked up at me & asked me whose knife it was. I told him that it belonged to my son & I pointed to Niclaas who was standing on the porch behind me. To which he replied, "Hey Lad", speaking to Nic, "come over here for a minute". Now you have to realize that from this moment on there are two conversations going on, the one in my head & the one that I actually speak, this is what is required when keeping to the code. In my head I am saying "Who in the hell does this kid think he is calling Nic "Lad", he's all of 18 years old himself, where does he think he is, at some renaissance fair or something!" Nic walked over to him & then he asked, "Where did you get this blade?" to which Nic said "I don't remember". He then said, "Well, I'm a bladesmen & this is an unsafe blade." Now in my head I'm saying "Blades men! You can't even brush your teeth!" But what I actually said was, "Excuse me, you do not need to lecture my son. His father is an avid hunter and has taught his son what he needs to know". "Well", he said, "I wasn't lecturing him, I was just trying to tell him that this blade is unsafe". Again in my head my reply was, "Okay idiot, your at a freakin' yard sale not "Bo's Blades-R-Us", we know it's broke, that's why it's in a yard sale!" He kept trying to explain to Nic & I what was wrong with the knife, it was easy to see that he was trying to get me to go down on the price of the knife so in my total disgust I finally looked at him & said, "Listen, if you want the knife then pay the price that's on it or leave it". He mumbled something & then put the knife down & left. As he walked back to his truck the conversation in my head was now coming out of my mouth which really caught the attention of Annelie & Nic. I looked at my kids & said "There are all kinds of idiots in this world & one of them just drove off"! In that moment I remembered where I had seen him before, he's the kid that bagged my groceries last week! I can't wait to go do my weekly grocery shopping, "Hey Lad, can you please double bag the canned items, it's unsafe when the bag tears & cans go rolling everywhere"!

Seth the Mechanic

2009-05-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Derron believes it's never too soon to teach the children the basics of car repair. By his 4th birthday he'll be changing a tire.

Peculiar & Proud of it!

2009-05-09T14:29:00.001-07:00

I was outside working in my yard a couple of days ago when I came upon this unusual scene. What is so unsual you ask? Well, it is rare to ever see the old feed truck across the street from my house. It is a permanent fixture at Manilla. It's usual route is the length of the corral & back while the silage rolls out the top to feed the cattle. I watched a while to see why my father in law had driven it into to town & then I realized when he grabbed the hose & raised the hood, it must be time for it's centennial flushing of the radiator.

Part of my purpose in starting this blog was to share some of the unique Joe City goings on. I say unique but we just think it's all quite normal. In fact, we don't think that there is anything unusual until an outsider points it out to us. So today I'll share a story that for an outsider will seem "peculiar" but if you are a true Joe City person, you'll find that it sounds like home. This story involves our beloved cemetery that I wrote about a few posts ago. Bill, a local resident of Joe City, had past away. He was an elderly man so it was expected, no tragedy or anything. His family went about arranging his funeral & contacted those in charge of the cemetery plots in order to purchase a spot for Bill to be laid to rest. Well, there was a woman who lived here many years ago who had purchased a plot for herself but had not been heard from in years, no one knew where she went & there was no information to contact her. So it was decided that the woman had probably passed on herself & was buried somewhere else or that having been gone for so long, probably wasn't interested in spending the rest of her earthly stay here so, Bill could have her plot. Bill's family went on with the funeral, Bill was laid to rest & all was well, until a phone call a few weeks later from the woman's family. She had just passed away & it was her wish to be laid to rest in the plot that she purchased all those years ago. Well, with a little chuckle about the irony of it, the Priests Quorom from my ward organized themselves & with shovels in hand & a tractor, went to the cemetery to dig Bill up. They re-buried him in a brand new plot just for him, with no previous owners. The woman's family came & laid her to rest in her plot & they never knew a thing.

The Wind has Stopped!

2009-05-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

And just like that, it's gone. There's the old story of the pioneers setting up camp here to wait for the wind to stop & then they would move on. And then at the end of the story we all laugh about still being here. I want to add my two cents to the story. Yes the wind blows here, I mean it really blows & every year we think it is worst than the year before. But when the wind stops we enjoy some of the best weather ever! It makes up for all the wind blowing & that's why we stay. This spring has been more windy than usual. See there I go, but it is true, ask anyone here we all agree. When it stopped it felt like summer had arrived & Seth jumped for joy!

Well, I jumped for joy too but no one was around to take the picture. When I went grocery shopping I couldn't help myself, I had to buy a watermelon to celebrate the end of the blowing wind.

So good bye wind for now. We know you'll be back & yes, we will still be here.

"It was made by those who are dead & the children of the dead keep it"

2009-05-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

A little nod to J.R.R.Tolkein for all you Lord of the Rings fans. Anyone know which movie it came from? I had to tweek it a touch to make it fit but I think it works. So, In the words of Uncle Doyle... Anyway...... This is our creed & we say it with pride. Now you might think our little cemetery isn't much but spend a little time here & your mind will be changed. This humble spot of ground is the final resting place for some of the Lord's choicest men, women & children. You won't find lush green lawns dotted with marbled headstones but if you visit here you'll find headstones made by pioneer hands so old the engravings are all but gone. You'll find plots personalized by family & friends of those who rest there. You'll find the names of those founding fathers of our little town. You'll find the descendants of those founders with hoe & rake in hand caring for our little cemetery & spending a little time with those that have gone home.

Derron, great grandson of Joseph Christian Hansen & Emma Swenson Hansen.
Cat, great great great granddaughter of John & Sophia McLaws. Annelie, direct descendant of four of those first pioneers. She has been playing on or cleaning Nunna & Pumpa's plot since she could walk. She knows who she is & where she came from, giving her the foundation to where she is going.

Early to Bed, Early to Rise.

2009-04-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

This could be the motto for life in Joseph City. This is another picture we took for our postcard project. It quickly became our best seller. This picture was taken of my father-in-law, Gene & his brother Floyd out at Manila in front of the old feed truck that does actually run. We (Julie & I) had to pull them off the tractor out in the field to come pose for us. It was quite the photo shoot. Floyd was actually concerned about his shirt & had to take a minute to tuck it in right. I think they wondered why in the world we would want a picture of them & in front of the old feed truck. At one point Floyd told us we "should take the picture in front of the new tractor, we'd look more prosperous." The quote on the postcard came from Floyd. He's full of good one liners. It is a simple life we live here, but we're not sitting around on the porch swing sippin' lemonade. Well maybe on Sunday after church, but we don't sip lemonade, we prefer the hard stuff like popcorn & ice cream & occasionally a peach cobbler, another Hansen tradition. Around here we work. You could call it our recreation because we love it. We don't know what to do with ourselves if there's no work to do. My dear mother-in-law is famous for creating work out of thin air. My father-in-law (on the left of the photo above) is like a machine. I can look outside my window every morning & find him walking up to the corral heading to work & at the end of the day when the sun is about to set I see him walking down the road headed home. Working is a real way of life here. It started with our pioneer ancestors who built this town out of nothing but faith, hard work & pure stubborness. It is important to me that my children learn to appreciate hard work. I'm always reminding them of where & who they come from & that they need to work hard to be worthy of the sacrifices that were made for their future. I'm sure all they hear is "nag nag, blah, blah". So I always follow up with, "someday you'll appreciate how hard I work you." You know it's really scary when you start talking & realize you sound just like your mother. But I am ok with that now. My mother is one of the hardest workers I know. She taught me to work & through the "nag nag, blah blah" of it all I really appreciate how hard she worked me.

Haulin' Crap

2009-04-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

Around here we haul alot of crap. Usually at spring time, although there are some here who like to haul it all year round. There are many ways to haul your crap around. I prefer a truck, any old truck will do. I have seen others use more creative methods to haul their crap around. There are also many different methods of spreading one's crap around. I prefer a shovel. Speaking of haulin' crap...

Ye ole' Senior Chief dropped by. Notice the vile drink he is so proudly showing off. All I have to say to that is, there are two kinds of Mormons, the letter of the law Mormons & the spirit of the law Mormons. Oh if those Navy boys could see you now!

A Lengend Revealed

2009-04-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

It is Monday & in my effort to be worthy to be called a true Joe City Housewife, I do my laundry, as I always do, on Monday. It was a beautiful day, perfect for hanging out clothes to dry. This particular picture is one I took & used for one of our (mine & Julie's) postcards. There is a story behind it that I would love to share. My husband built this clothesline for me, it is in my backyard. The dresses in the picture were Lula Mae Smith's dresses, (Nunna's mother). There is also a baby's coat that was worn by Nunna's youngest sister, Maureen Smith, when she was a child. The "Monday Laundry Day" is a legend among the early pioneer women of this town. Back in the day if you were to go through town on Monday I'm sure the smell of homemade lye soap & laundry must have filled the air. There was an unspoken competition among the women to see who had their laundry on the line first. A confidential source has shared with me the suspicion several of the women had of Geniveve Bushman. They claimed that she didn't really wash that first load of bed sheets, she just got them wet & put them on the line to be the first. What a scandal! I have met Geniveve, she's quite the character, I wouldn't put it past her. There is another story that I love & will share with you. This story involves Uncle Doyle & Aunt Sonja. One particular Monday, Aunt Sonja was very far along in her pregnancy. She felt like if she moved just right her water would break & her labor would start. Well, that's what happened. She was soon in full labor & doing whatever she needed to do to get ready to leave for the hospital when Uncle Doyle said to her, "I guess you won't be doing the laundry today will you". What a true Hansen man he is, but that's a subject I will save for another day.

An Easter Bailout!

2009-04-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

Another Easter has come & gone. It was a typical Easter here, rain & snow yesterday & windy today. But in Grandma's back yard you can hide from the wind. Grandma is known for her extravagant easter egg hunts, her pinata parties are unequaled. But this year Grandma hasn't been feeling very good. As she lay on her couch under her blanket with her feet up, oxygen machine at her side, she asked if I could take care of the Easter Egg Hunt this year. Of course I told her yes. I am always willing to help her out whenever she needs it. I immediately started planning in my mind all the preparations that needed to be made, a trip to bank to get "the cash" & a trip to walmart for all that candy. Easter came & I hurried over to Grandma's to organize all the Easter Bunny helpers (Derron & Justin) in order to get all the candy hidden before all of Grandma's little guests arrived.

He's hiding his ears under that hat.
Here I am, giving out money to anyone with their hand out, pleading their worthiness. "I have two marshmallow eggs"!
Back off Mike, she's a republican!

Now that they have what they came for, they're off foolishly & without guilt, engaging in activities that are frivolous & just plain irresponsible.

Meanwhile a camera captured this photo of Grandma. Funny how she seems to be enjoying herself. Look at her in her rocker. Her feet aren't up, no blanket. She seems to be smiling. She even has her hair curled. I'm beginning to think I've just been scammed! Could Grandma be a Democrat? I can't believe this!

All Hail The Master Chief!

2009-04-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

Look who had a birthday! This picture is so great it needs no commentary. Thanks Julie!

The Children

2009-04-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

I do have other children besides Seth. From my pictures you might think I have 7 kids or something, but I only have three. When I'm taking pictures there are usually nieces & nephews around or my nieghbors kids. The picture on the title of this blog is a picture of my little Seth, the lovely Annelie & the always cool Niclaas, also my nieghbors two youngest children, Nic's adopted older brother Chance, who is also "cool" & the most imaginative child I have ever met, we fondly call her "Bean" & their dog Wilbur. I took the picture in thier back yard while working on a Joseph City Postcard project with my sister in law Julie. We used the finest models in town, you know who you are. We had great success with the project & have been dubbed by some as "larry's girls". If you have a couple of hours that you'd like to throw away, call me & I'll tell you all about that. Anyway, just thought I would introduce you to my other children who keep a much lower profile than thier little brother.

This is my Annelie, aka Dolly or Lee. She is a freshman in highschool this year, future writer & animator. One more birthday & she'll be driving & dating & it's more than I can take. The doctor told me when she was born that everyday from that point I would be letting go of her little by little. When she does leave our little "nest" the world will be getting an extraordinary young lady & I don't take any credit for it. All her qualities come from her own spirit. She makes me look good.

This is Niclaas, aka Pickle, Pic, Nic, Boy or Gus. Sixth grader, future NBA star, extreme skater, body builder & more serious than most. Sound familiar to anyone? Yes, I not only have Cory as a younger brother but I also get to raise a "slightly" more quiet version of him. He is Jansen through & through, except for the quiet part. Thanks to him, our home is handicap accessible due to the skating ramp he has installed up our back step. Niclaas is a deep thinker & a very hard worker & the best big brother I have ever seen.

A Walk with Seth

2009-04-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

Now that I know Seth can walk a ways I thought today I would ditch the stroller & let him walk with me to the post office to get the mail. The post office is a mile from our home, so we had a two mile walk today & he ran most of the way!

This little boy loves to run!

Walking with Seth today reminded me of how we lose our curiosity for the things around us as we get older. We are usually focused on the destination & pay little attention to the sights & sounds along the way. Seth looked through every door, climbed every fence & threw as many rocks as he could.

Along the way we ran into some friends.

Our walk to the post office today took twice as long as it usually does, but it was worth it. Seth ran all his energy out, came home, had a good nap & I have some fun memories & fun pictures & I was able to finish cleaning my house while he slept! Priceless.

The Lost Boy & Grandma's Dog

2009-03-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

As I drove up to my parents house today to pick up Seth after a shopping trip to Flagstaff with Annelie & Niclaas , I found my dad walking down the road, he flagged me over & told me Seth & Duchess (my mother's dog) were missing. He was walking around to the neighbors to ask for thier help. I sent Annelie & Niclaas up two different dirt roads to look for them. I had a pretty strong feeling that they headed out toward the back of my parents property. My dad & I started walking the trail that led to the back gate. Soon we saw Seth's little shoe prints & Duchess's prints on the trail. My brother Cory had taken my mom on his dirt bike with him down the trail before I got there but at that point we weren't sure where they were. We got to the gate & I turned to look back toward the house & I saw Annelie, Niclaas, Duchess & Seth running toward us. My Dad just hugged me & started crying so then I started crying, we were all so scared & seeing him run down the trail brought a tremendous amount of relief & emotion. Soon after Cory & my mom came down the trail. They had tracked him down a dirt road that led to another dirt road that led back to the main road. Seth's & Duchess's footprints were side by side all the way but by the time Cory had gotten to the end of that dirt road one of my parents neighbors had found him going down the main road & brought him to my parents house where Annelie & Niclaas were by that time. He was missing for about an hour & walked almost two miles. All he had to say to me was, "Mom, road, cars". It wasn't long before several of the neighbors were coming up the road to see if we had found him yet. A couple of them in thier pick-ups, another on a four wheeler. The neighbor who found him is a hunter & as Derron put it, "he glassed him up", that's hunting talk for "he looked through his binoculars". I'm so grateful to live in a place where neighbors are neighbors in every sense of the word. On the way home I think Niclaas summed it up for all of us when he told me, "Mom I was thinking what I would do with out him. I would give up everything to have him".

This isn't Duchess, but this is what she looks like. I'm so grateful that she sticks to Seth like glue. And her size would make anyone think twice about messing with her friend.

KABOOM!

2009-03-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

I'm sure Ivin could be arrested for what he's doing, but it's Founder's Day & it's OK! At 6:00 a.m. on the dot we heard the oh so familiar sound that rings in our ears & screams "It's Founder's Day! Get up & come have a pancake!"Why do we love this so much? It's hard to expain, it's just a Joe City thang.

The flag raising started sharply at 6:30 a.m. My son Niclaas raised the flag with the help of Dylan Hansen (not related), Bryson Palmer & His leader Uncle Clarence. Two miracles happened on Founder's day this year there was absolutely no wind, amazing, but even more amazing, I know your thinking what could be more amazing than no wind on Founder's Day? Well, look closely at this picture. You'll see a flashy car who's owner has never before been seen before 10:00 a.m.

Founder's Day is always full of all kinds of activities. We've had rodeos with & with out horses, turkey shoots, archery shoots, 10K's, 5k's, basketball, volleyball. I've even heard of an activity that had something to do with pulling the head off of a chicken. Thank goodness that one died out, literally. This year Brian Martnineau organized a dirt bike & quad race down the river to Manilla wash & back. I came to witness it for myself & to watch my little brothers, Cory & Ezra Jansen, who rode their dirt bikes. Well kinda. Ezra's bike stalled at the start, he was left in the dust, but he got it going & came from behind & had a pretty good finish. Cory was in the lead & part way through the race his chain locked up, he wasn't able to finish. Two other Joe City boys had some hard luck too. Dillon Roberson's bike quit on him & Joey Richards misunderstood the markers & came back in the wrong direction. It was still alot of fun & everyone is hoping that it becomes a new tradition. There was a couple new activities introduced this year. A tractor driving skills contest, I didn't make it to that but I'm confident that there was some stiff competition. There was also an obstacle course for kids to ride their bikes through. It all ended with the traditional family dance that much to the delight of the teenagers was DJ'd not Blue Grass Band'd. (Did that make sense?)

Credit for this picture and title goes to my "Sister in Zion" Julie Clifford..

Spring Time in Joseph City

2009-03-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

It's spring here in Joseph City. I'm sure it is in other places to, but it's not like it is here. The other morning after my early morning walk I was enjoying the sounds of the birds. The birds were accompanied by the sound of coyotes crying in the distance, It is mating season after all, & the sound of my neighbors donkey eeeeaaah! Aah, the sounds of spring.We have the expected winds but the past week has been gorgeous weather. It is this time of the year when everyone is out cleaning up there property, discing the fields, burning the lawns & setting aflame the irrigation ditches & fence lines. On Sunday we were all reminded , from the pulpit, to get our burn permits from the fire department before we do our burning. This is a new thing for us the citizens of this little town. Our property is ours & we are a little rebellious when it comes to any one telling us what we can & cannot do with our property. I myself am guilty of this. I could be seen a couple of weeks ago in my back ditch toting a propane bottle with a weed burner attached burning every dried weed & blade of grass within the reach of my torch. Did I have a permit? Well, no. I mean Hell No!

"Sisters in Zion"

2009-03-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

There is a group of ladies here in town that started a bunco group. I was invited in a few months ago. Once a month some one takes thier turn hosting. There's a theme to base our prizes & refreshments around. I hosted last month & I chose to do a "pink party". I served crepes with strawberries, whipped cream and of course buttermilk syrup. You can't get any pinker than that. Everyone wore their best "pink". My dear friend Linda was the "best dressed" of the night . We made a new friend from Winslow, Natalie, who was invited by one of the other ladies. It was quite the comical moment when she asked, not knowing her, if Linda dressed like that all the time. She now realizes that Linda is the queen of dress-up.

Buttermilk Syrup

Melt 1 cube of butter,1 cup sugar,

1/2 cup buttermilk syrup & 1 tablespoon

light karo syrup. Bring to a boil, remove from

heat. Add 1 tsp baking soda & 1 tsp. vanilla.

Watch out! It really bubbles up. Let cool a little & serve.

It's so good, in the words of my dear friend Darcy,

"You'll want to bury your face in it"!

Okay, Okay I give in!

2009-03-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

This whole blogging thing is interesting to me. It is very similiar to journal writing which was supposed to be secret & private. Nowadays everyone it seems wants to put their journal writings on the world wide web for all to see. My mind is having a hard time with this. But it seems that in this fast paced world we all live in now, there's no time to visit any more & catch up with our friends & family members. Our free time usually comes about 10:30 at night, the kids are in bed, homework is done, the cares of the day are put to bed till the next day, & we think," I wonder what so -n- so is up to?" Don't call my house that late at night, just check out my blog!