Wipe Out!!!!

Hannah,  scooter,  hill........wipe out.     I didn't see it or hear it.   Only noticed the neighbours walking up the hill with scooter and a crying child.   Pant legs ripped.   Underneath......   Black dirt and lots of sucking in her breath as we cleaned out the injury.   She's stiff today.   Still Hannah though. 

Daddy's Little Helper

Owen has been following around Eric all weekend.   Helping in the garage,  in the pond,   testing out the new winch on the truck.   A little helper. 

Blow out the Cobwebs

Everyone going a little stir crazy.    We have been running around in and out of the house enjoying the sun or snow depending on the day.    But haven't been anywhere.   So with the bribe of some ice cream after a bike ride.   We all packed up the car and went for a blow out the cobwebs from your ears adventure.    Poor Owen he can never quite keep up to the girls and was always yelling wait up!!!    Even if mom and dad were the slow ones just walking after them instead of biking ourselves. 

Bathroom Light

I know this is so horrible to interrupt a person on the toilet.    This little voice called my name and I went in to see what he wanted.     Nothing much just to say I love you.   Which is ever so sweet.    As I was looking at him the light was just so nice that I had to grab my camera.   He'll hate these when he gets older,  even if I couldn't help myself.    We was also telling me that he likes Nona's cakes better then mine!!!   Amazing random thoughts while alone in the bathroom light.  

Swather Memories

For those of you who do not know what a swather is it is a farm implement that cuts hay or small grain crops and forms them into a windrow.   In Australia this is called a Windrower.    This was the first farm equipment I learned to drive on.    One memory of riding around on the swather was a  summer with our hired hand - Carolyn -  (dad always had female hired hands he said they listened better and didn't break equipment as frequently!!!!)    This swather didn't have a cab and I don't even think it had a fancy glass window like the above photo.   We had an umbrella so we didn't get burned to a crisp.   (we eventually upgraded when dad built his own cab with air conditioner - bliss- I think farmers have all done a stint riding around with out air conditioner - I did it pregnant)    So while riding up and down with Carolyn probably talking her ear off I suddenly became very quiet and she turned to look at me.   A huge grasshopper had landed right on my nose!!   Boy did we get a good laugh out of that.    Eventually years later another hired hand Jasia taught me to drive the swather so that dad could have more help around the farm.     Last summer while with my dad I saw the latest greatest swathers.   Man can they fly down a field.   I think my mouth dropped.   I didn't even get the camera out in time.   Probably a good thing we didn't have one of those when we were teenagers. 

9 kids and counting

and counting, and counting,  and counting.   So I didn't lose anyone.   Thank god they ran around in packs of three so it was easier to keep track of them.   Really only worried about the little ones.    If you had 9 kids it would never be quiet.    I can't image the food budget.   These guys were great.   No crying or fighting.   Awesome huge play date on the March Break.  

Little House in the Big Woods

  If I had a remembrance book, I would mark down how it was when we left our little house in the big woods to go west to Indian Territory.
- Little House of the Prairie - 

I think the Little House Series was the first books that I read and remembered after the Littles.    So loved these books.   My daughters haven't gotten into them.   Sad

Grocery shopping started in the 1700's

So women getting the groceries for the family has been going on for over 300 years.  British life started to breed the materialism we see today.   Though the grocery shopping way back then would have been very different.   No box stories,  just open markets and some small merchants shops selling wigs, fabric and more well to do items.     I would love to step back in time some times.    I have been reading the Outlander series again by Diana Gabaldon.   I think my favourite books by far.   Pushed me to go back to Scotland where my family history began.  To see the land ,  to feel the wind in my hair,  and step in the foot steps of my people who had walked there before.    I loved it there and it is a place that seemed to sooth my soul when I had really need to.   I am itching to go again.    Oh to escape the grocery shopping grind but I couldn't today.     Kids to feed and some extras too this week.
The life of a 2000's grocery shopper.    

Sneaky

He silently crept up to our room last night before we settled for the night.    Good job Murphy keeping him pinned down until we could put him back.  

Company Weekend

Friends that we have known since living in Red Lake Ontario came to visit.  Dinner enjoyed and great conversation.   Though no photos of them.   I struggle when company comes to my house to take a photo.   To get the memories and the event on camera to remember.   I want to just visit,   to cook,   to enjoy some wine while talking.   Not take out the camera.   I must work on that.     The events in our lives.   I can do that with the kids.  They have been programed to get use to the camera around.   But I don't always think to do it with other people and our friends.   I hope I can get better at that.   To get the moments.   A goal that I have set for myself right today!

Date Night

Babysitter booked.  Outfit picked out.   Cleaned up and prettified.  (stupid idea to wear 4 inch heels - oh my knees)   4:30 meet up for a Sunshine Fling Martini at the bar,   followed by a mouth water dinner at 6pm.   Dessert:  Creme Brulee.    Quiet time with my husband.  Priceless.    Next time his turn to organize and plan it all.  

Strom

When we first came to Kamloops.  I  saw the name Strom Rd.   I thought it would be neat to live on the same street as your last name.    There wasn't any houses for sale when we came on Strom Rd.    But I think I almost had Eric in on my plan.    Probably a good thing as it is within walking distance of a Tim Hortons. 
Strom is swedish meaning current, stream,  river.   The name was probably adopted from someone living by said stream, current or river. 
I do get a phone call at least once a month looking for some Strom or other but so far we can't link them back to our line. 

Feedlot Memories

I love going out to this ranch.   Reminds me of home and my childhood.   My parents, brother and I would say it is nice not to have to do this job of cattle feeding everyday , twice a day sometimes,   but I love that this was a part of who I am as a person.   I'm proud that my family has this as a career and a family history way way back.   I miss it.   I'm glad farmers around this area let me come around talk to them and let me snap away.    Dad:   There was a mixer feeder wagon but I missed that photo op.   they feed grain first and then the hay last.