September, 2009:
After spending a long, hot summer in the weight room, our boys hit the field ... finally. Our season opener was against Flint Hills Christian, and all three boys scored (Reese had 10 points, Hogan had 20 tackles (!!!!) and a td, and Preston had a touchdown, also! On the way home from Manhattan, when I asked the boys where they wanted to stop and eat, they said they weren't all that hungry. OK...that is to be expected so soon after a long workout, right? Then Preston added, "In fact, I feel like I am going to throw up" -- which he did as we were driving down the highway about 30 minutes later. Yep, brand, new car got the christening none of us really expected. Luckily, the upchucked contents of P's stomach were mostly water, and although he felt pretty puny the next day, no one else caught his flu!!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tiki's New Home!
September, 2009:
Our sweet Tiki Barber Randall was adopted today! We are so happy for Tiki, but sad to see the little guy leave the nest, so to speak. Tiki was given to us from a friend of Lauri Magee's, who had a barn full of kittens that needed homes. Since we have a barn full of mice that need to be managed, we knew it was a match made in heaven! Tiki was adopted with two of his brothers; the first one ran for the hills the second I opened his crate (never to be seen or heard from again) and the second brother, Michael (named for his beautiful ginger hair; much like our friend, Michael Kay) was brutally murdered by our cruel dogs a few months later. You might think that having witnessed that savage attack, Tiki would be fearful of the dogs, but no! Tiki was so desparate for companionship after losing his bro that he clung to anything with a heartbeat...literally. He tried to bond with the steers in our haybarn shortly after Michael's untimely death, and started bunking with the bovines. They didn't mind Tiki, and he was often spotted nuzzling with the big beasts!
However, shortly after the big beasts were taken to the Fair (and then to slaughter), Tiki was, once again, in search of some love and companionship. This time, he wandered down the hill to our house. He sat by windows, trying to get a glimpse of the occupents, and whenever we were outside, Tiki ran in and out of our legs, dying for some affection! It was so sad and pathetic, and yet I couldn't pet and snuggle with the little fella more than a few minutes before going into a sneezing attack! It was clear to us...Tiki was never meant to be a barn cat, and he needed a home where he could be loved and snuggled! He was the sweetest kitty ever! Anyway, as it turned out, Bill Simpson's daughter Pippy, had been begging for a cat! After a little cajoling, Bill gave in, and today he came to take Tiki to his new home! When we checked on him later, Bill reported that Pippy and Tiki were inseparable, and that Tiki was even sleeping all curled up with Pippy!
Our sweet Tiki Barber Randall was adopted today! We are so happy for Tiki, but sad to see the little guy leave the nest, so to speak. Tiki was given to us from a friend of Lauri Magee's, who had a barn full of kittens that needed homes. Since we have a barn full of mice that need to be managed, we knew it was a match made in heaven! Tiki was adopted with two of his brothers; the first one ran for the hills the second I opened his crate (never to be seen or heard from again) and the second brother, Michael (named for his beautiful ginger hair; much like our friend, Michael Kay) was brutally murdered by our cruel dogs a few months later. You might think that having witnessed that savage attack, Tiki would be fearful of the dogs, but no! Tiki was so desparate for companionship after losing his bro that he clung to anything with a heartbeat...literally. He tried to bond with the steers in our haybarn shortly after Michael's untimely death, and started bunking with the bovines. They didn't mind Tiki, and he was often spotted nuzzling with the big beasts!
However, shortly after the big beasts were taken to the Fair (and then to slaughter), Tiki was, once again, in search of some love and companionship. This time, he wandered down the hill to our house. He sat by windows, trying to get a glimpse of the occupents, and whenever we were outside, Tiki ran in and out of our legs, dying for some affection! It was so sad and pathetic, and yet I couldn't pet and snuggle with the little fella more than a few minutes before going into a sneezing attack! It was clear to us...Tiki was never meant to be a barn cat, and he needed a home where he could be loved and snuggled! He was the sweetest kitty ever! Anyway, as it turned out, Bill Simpson's daughter Pippy, had been begging for a cat! After a little cajoling, Bill gave in, and today he came to take Tiki to his new home! When we checked on him later, Bill reported that Pippy and Tiki were inseparable, and that Tiki was even sleeping all curled up with Pippy!
Meteor Sighting!
Summer, 2009:
This morning Mimi called me to tell me that there was going to be an awesome, once in a lifetime meteor shower early the next day! She called ME, knowing that most sensible people are still in bed at five in the morning, but there was a pretty good possibility that I would be up and at 'em at that hour. I was, of course, but I didn't run outside that day; instead I was at the club doing the machines, so I missed my once in a lifetime chance! Mimi actually went outside early that morning hoping to see something, anything, but didn't see a single flash in the sky!
That night, however, as the boys were driving home from weights in Hogan's little Forerunner (with the top off) they got to witness a meteor shower! They came home talking about it, and I just grinned to myself. They hadn't even heard any of the exciting news accounts, and had made no special plans; they just got lucky!
This morning Mimi called me to tell me that there was going to be an awesome, once in a lifetime meteor shower early the next day! She called ME, knowing that most sensible people are still in bed at five in the morning, but there was a pretty good possibility that I would be up and at 'em at that hour. I was, of course, but I didn't run outside that day; instead I was at the club doing the machines, so I missed my once in a lifetime chance! Mimi actually went outside early that morning hoping to see something, anything, but didn't see a single flash in the sky!
That night, however, as the boys were driving home from weights in Hogan's little Forerunner (with the top off) they got to witness a meteor shower! They came home talking about it, and I just grinned to myself. They hadn't even heard any of the exciting news accounts, and had made no special plans; they just got lucky!
The Beer Summit
Summer, 2009:
This hasn't been a sleepy summer on the political front! At a press conference recently, a reporter asked the President how he felt about a recent arrest in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Had any of US heard about this? No, why would we? Some guy gets arrested in Cambridge? That is hardly going to be on the front page of my Journal World, but as it turns out, the President knew all about it, and had plenty to say about it. Unfortunately, when asked about the arrest, the President claimed, while admitting that he didn't have all the facts, that the Cambridge police reacted "stupidly". This response, needless to say, set off a firestorm; not just from the Cambridge Police Department, but from many police departments across the United States!
It turns out that the guy who was arrested was taken into custody, when a neighbor saw him trying to break in to the house! He was a 50-something black professor from Harvard, but the cops responded to the call and the professor behaved in a less than professional manner, and refused to give any i.d. that would prove he lived in the house! He then began insulting the cops, and was taken into custody. A huge deal that didn't need to happen. However, it seems to me, that the professor has a huge chip on his shoulder, and was entirely too excited to create a little bru-haha where HE was the victim of discrimination!
After realizing that he probably didn't need to speak out on this (fairly insignificant event) the President invited the cop and the prof to the White House for a beer; just to shake hands and forget the whole thing. In my opinion, the President was grossly over-generalizing when he assumed that every cop from Boston is going to drink beer! I guess no matter what, we all have generalized opinions, but some are more dangerous than others.
This hasn't been a sleepy summer on the political front! At a press conference recently, a reporter asked the President how he felt about a recent arrest in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Had any of US heard about this? No, why would we? Some guy gets arrested in Cambridge? That is hardly going to be on the front page of my Journal World, but as it turns out, the President knew all about it, and had plenty to say about it. Unfortunately, when asked about the arrest, the President claimed, while admitting that he didn't have all the facts, that the Cambridge police reacted "stupidly". This response, needless to say, set off a firestorm; not just from the Cambridge Police Department, but from many police departments across the United States!
It turns out that the guy who was arrested was taken into custody, when a neighbor saw him trying to break in to the house! He was a 50-something black professor from Harvard, but the cops responded to the call and the professor behaved in a less than professional manner, and refused to give any i.d. that would prove he lived in the house! He then began insulting the cops, and was taken into custody. A huge deal that didn't need to happen. However, it seems to me, that the professor has a huge chip on his shoulder, and was entirely too excited to create a little bru-haha where HE was the victim of discrimination!
After realizing that he probably didn't need to speak out on this (fairly insignificant event) the President invited the cop and the prof to the White House for a beer; just to shake hands and forget the whole thing. In my opinion, the President was grossly over-generalizing when he assumed that every cop from Boston is going to drink beer! I guess no matter what, we all have generalized opinions, but some are more dangerous than others.
Summer of Town Halls
Summer, 2009:
This summer a really amazing thing has happened in our political landscape: The Town Hall Meeting! President Obama tried like crazy to pass a Healthcare Reform Bill before the politicians went on summer recess, but there were too many questions and doubts about this huge overhaul of our insurance healthcare system. Much to their chagrin, when the political fatcats returned home to their constituents, they were greeted with much dissatisifaction and criticism over their handling of our tax dollars!
The truly amusing and amazing thing about these debates (some get very loud!) is that many of the protestors are not the radical youths, but the "seasoned citizens" (as Rush Limbaugh calls them). These folks, who were probably young adults during the protests of the Vietnam War, are making signs and coming in huge numbers to these debates. The sad fact has been made clear, most of the citizens attending the Town Hall Meetings have much more information about the Obama Healthcare Reform Bill than our own politicians do! It has really been an eye opener about the folks we elect and send to serve us in Washington. Many of these political leaders come across as uninformed and arrogant.
This summer a really amazing thing has happened in our political landscape: The Town Hall Meeting! President Obama tried like crazy to pass a Healthcare Reform Bill before the politicians went on summer recess, but there were too many questions and doubts about this huge overhaul of our insurance healthcare system. Much to their chagrin, when the political fatcats returned home to their constituents, they were greeted with much dissatisifaction and criticism over their handling of our tax dollars!
The truly amusing and amazing thing about these debates (some get very loud!) is that many of the protestors are not the radical youths, but the "seasoned citizens" (as Rush Limbaugh calls them). These folks, who were probably young adults during the protests of the Vietnam War, are making signs and coming in huge numbers to these debates. The sad fact has been made clear, most of the citizens attending the Town Hall Meetings have much more information about the Obama Healthcare Reform Bill than our own politicians do! It has really been an eye opener about the folks we elect and send to serve us in Washington. Many of these political leaders come across as uninformed and arrogant.
Help! I'm Turning into an Old Lady!!!
Summer, 2009:
I don't know how this happened...maybe it has something to do with the closeness I feel to my Creator when I watch a little bird flitter and fly about, but I wanted to be able to see more birds, more often! I bought a bird feeder! I carefully filled it with the little nuts and dried fruits that the manufacturer assured me they'd love, and they came in flocks! It is so fun to be able to stand at my kitchen window and watch them!
Now, I'm hooked! I purchased a hummingbird feeder, and they love it! We also put up a little bird bath. The hummingbirds actually sit on the stand of the bird bath! It is really something to get to see a hummingbird being completely still!
I'm afraid my next purchase will have to be a rain guage! That is the most predictable step following my fascination for bird watching. Oh well...if you're starting to enjoy things that old people enjoy, guess it is safe to say, you're getting old!!!
I don't know how this happened...maybe it has something to do with the closeness I feel to my Creator when I watch a little bird flitter and fly about, but I wanted to be able to see more birds, more often! I bought a bird feeder! I carefully filled it with the little nuts and dried fruits that the manufacturer assured me they'd love, and they came in flocks! It is so fun to be able to stand at my kitchen window and watch them!
Now, I'm hooked! I purchased a hummingbird feeder, and they love it! We also put up a little bird bath. The hummingbirds actually sit on the stand of the bird bath! It is really something to get to see a hummingbird being completely still!
I'm afraid my next purchase will have to be a rain guage! That is the most predictable step following my fascination for bird watching. Oh well...if you're starting to enjoy things that old people enjoy, guess it is safe to say, you're getting old!!!
Secret Life of Bees
Summer, 2009:
When we were planning for our long car trip to Steamboat this summer, I went to the downtown library to check out a few books on tape. I figured that could fill some of the 22 hours we'd be spending in the car (there and back, of course!) Anyway, I grabbed a few books that looked like they'd appeal to a car full of three teenagers and two forty-somethings. The first book on tape was quickly ejected, due to the sappy music, the next book (The Secret Life of Bees) was nixed due to the girlie subject matter. We settled on "City of Bones", which we soon realized was a complete and utter rip off of the highly popular, Harry Potter series. We were just bored enough that it filled the car ride through flat Kansas, and when I was returning the audio tapes to the library, Reese asked if we could keep "Secret Life of Bees".
Since I'd read the book a few years ago, I quickly agreed, because I knew how much I had enjoyed it. I was hoping that Reese would, too! As it turns out, our whole family liked it! Reese and I listened more often than the others, but we'd fill them in on parts they'd missed. When it was over, we rented the movie, and we all watched that, too!
When we were planning for our long car trip to Steamboat this summer, I went to the downtown library to check out a few books on tape. I figured that could fill some of the 22 hours we'd be spending in the car (there and back, of course!) Anyway, I grabbed a few books that looked like they'd appeal to a car full of three teenagers and two forty-somethings. The first book on tape was quickly ejected, due to the sappy music, the next book (The Secret Life of Bees) was nixed due to the girlie subject matter. We settled on "City of Bones", which we soon realized was a complete and utter rip off of the highly popular, Harry Potter series. We were just bored enough that it filled the car ride through flat Kansas, and when I was returning the audio tapes to the library, Reese asked if we could keep "Secret Life of Bees".
Since I'd read the book a few years ago, I quickly agreed, because I knew how much I had enjoyed it. I was hoping that Reese would, too! As it turns out, our whole family liked it! Reese and I listened more often than the others, but we'd fill them in on parts they'd missed. When it was over, we rented the movie, and we all watched that, too!
FINAL Fair?
Summer, 2009:
It is hard to believe, but this may be our last year to show cattle in the Douglas County Fair!?! The boys started to show nine years ago, when they each had a bucket calf to show. We purchased them from a patient of Jeff's, Carol Keen. They were little holstein's, and the boys loved them! We'd wash and lead them, and even though one of them did die (that is an entire blog entry all it's own!) we had a great time with them! All these years later, and many steers later (Bullwinckle, Hurricane, Charger, Dubwa, Dedondero, Supa Steer etc.) we are toying with the idea of retirement! Hogan will, after all, be a Senior in high school next year!?! It would be nice to let him enjoy his final summer at home (as a full-time resident in the Randall house) without having the extra responsiblity of rinsing, tying high, leading, showsticking, etc. Now that Hogan is considering retirement, Preston has made it clear; he is not showing next year! P. actually loves to work cattle, but he hates the Fair! Spend just a few minutes with Preston during the summer, and that point comes across right away! That leaves Reese; who loves the Fair, but isn't doing backflips to go to the barn, rinse, lead, muck, etc. each and every day!
We'll see what finally happens...as for me, I'd love to take off the yoke that comes with daily care of steers. It is a long nine months, and I think I could find other things in which to pass the time!
We'll be calving soon! No way that we're giving that up any time soon! Jeff loves that too much!
It is hard to believe, but this may be our last year to show cattle in the Douglas County Fair!?! The boys started to show nine years ago, when they each had a bucket calf to show. We purchased them from a patient of Jeff's, Carol Keen. They were little holstein's, and the boys loved them! We'd wash and lead them, and even though one of them did die (that is an entire blog entry all it's own!) we had a great time with them! All these years later, and many steers later (Bullwinckle, Hurricane, Charger, Dubwa, Dedondero, Supa Steer etc.) we are toying with the idea of retirement! Hogan will, after all, be a Senior in high school next year!?! It would be nice to let him enjoy his final summer at home (as a full-time resident in the Randall house) without having the extra responsiblity of rinsing, tying high, leading, showsticking, etc. Now that Hogan is considering retirement, Preston has made it clear; he is not showing next year! P. actually loves to work cattle, but he hates the Fair! Spend just a few minutes with Preston during the summer, and that point comes across right away! That leaves Reese; who loves the Fair, but isn't doing backflips to go to the barn, rinse, lead, muck, etc. each and every day!
We'll see what finally happens...as for me, I'd love to take off the yoke that comes with daily care of steers. It is a long nine months, and I think I could find other things in which to pass the time!
We'll be calving soon! No way that we're giving that up any time soon! Jeff loves that too much!
Twins???
Summer, 2009
It never fails! Hogan and Preston are only 19 months apart, and some may call them "Irish Twins". They are so close, and yet very different. Anyway, they many times, will come down in the morning, only to realize that they've both picked out the same t-shirt to wear that day! It is so funny. If and when they actually have to leave the house, it is a fight to see which one will go and change clothes!
It never fails! Hogan and Preston are only 19 months apart, and some may call them "Irish Twins". They are so close, and yet very different. Anyway, they many times, will come down in the morning, only to realize that they've both picked out the same t-shirt to wear that day! It is so funny. If and when they actually have to leave the house, it is a fight to see which one will go and change clothes!
Summer Movies
June, 2009-- One of the things I love about Summer (and I love so many things about it!) is that we, as a family, are able to watch rented movies together! It seems that during the busy school year, the boys rent Action-packed flicks to watch with their buddies, or they watch some Will Ferrell movie for the 23rd time, so Jeff and I don't watch with them, but during the summer, everyone's schedules are a little freer, so we've watched some old movies together, and it is just one of those memories that I'll always treasure. Admittedly, some of the movies the boys wouldn't choose, but they sit through them anyway! We've dragged out some old Mel Brookes flicks, as well as Bucket List, City Slickers and Mall Cop. I wish we always had these long days of summer!
Preston Turns Sweet Sixteen!!!
May, 2009--
Our Preston turned 16 this summer! I can hardly believe that I have one son who is almost 18 (which is more traumatic to me than turning 40 ever was!) and now, I have TWO sons who are legally able to drive (with a third one soon to join!) It is so true: 'You can't fence time'! I feel like such an old lady when I say, "I remember when..." but it really does seem like just yesterday that I was pushing a stroller while the two little guys rode their trikes along! I loved them then, and I love them now.
We drove down to the DMV and P. took his test with no problems! He has already taken Driver's Instruction (spent an entire Saturday in the classroom) and six hours driving with an instructor. He still needs to spend some time practicing with an adult before he is able to take to the open road, but it is bittersweet that he can drive!
Our Preston turned 16 this summer! I can hardly believe that I have one son who is almost 18 (which is more traumatic to me than turning 40 ever was!) and now, I have TWO sons who are legally able to drive (with a third one soon to join!) It is so true: 'You can't fence time'! I feel like such an old lady when I say, "I remember when..." but it really does seem like just yesterday that I was pushing a stroller while the two little guys rode their trikes along! I loved them then, and I love them now.
We drove down to the DMV and P. took his test with no problems! He has already taken Driver's Instruction (spent an entire Saturday in the classroom) and six hours driving with an instructor. He still needs to spend some time practicing with an adult before he is able to take to the open road, but it is bittersweet that he can drive!
Caboose and The Meat
May, 2009--
What a little piggy our beagle Caboose is! This morning as I hustled out the door (late as usual) I grabbed a two pound package of frozen, wrapped hamburger out of the freezer. Instead of sticking it in the mudroom bathroom sink, I set the frozen block on the top of a basket, which was sitting on the built-in bench in our garage. Caboose must've been hiding and lying in wait, because when I returned a couple of hours later, that chubby little stuffed sausage of a beagle, was lying on the garage floor with the wrapper of the frozen hamburger next to him! I can't believe he ate the whole thing! I don't think he ever got sick, but boy, whatta pig!!!
What a little piggy our beagle Caboose is! This morning as I hustled out the door (late as usual) I grabbed a two pound package of frozen, wrapped hamburger out of the freezer. Instead of sticking it in the mudroom bathroom sink, I set the frozen block on the top of a basket, which was sitting on the built-in bench in our garage. Caboose must've been hiding and lying in wait, because when I returned a couple of hours later, that chubby little stuffed sausage of a beagle, was lying on the garage floor with the wrapper of the frozen hamburger next to him! I can't believe he ate the whole thing! I don't think he ever got sick, but boy, whatta pig!!!
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