01.31.2010 OOOh i can post video now!!!

Thanks to the lovely...and quite easy/user friendly site VIMEO i have finally made my dream of video posting a reality. So once I finished up my last video post, i couldn't help but share some others that have been collecting dust in my Picassa program!! This one is totally funny...shot by the 7 yr old during construction. (oh and yes i was sporting a belly & have since lost 10 lbs since this hideous image of me was shot thank.you.very.much!) Enjoy the "Lions Cave"

Sis and the Lion's Den from Missie Chandler on Vimeo.

Then i found a construction one (that i was trying to get up in Early December to show everyone) It's not room by room but pretty close. It's a slideshow since there were so many pictures. Hopefully now that I have this down I can show some more RECENT house stuff to ya'll. OOOh this is FUN! Enjoy

Construction Progress Early December from Missie Chandler on Vimeo.

p.s. Do you like the new colors? I wanted something sharp/vibrant but still winter. Had to change it up a little!! LOVE YA!

01.29.2010 A Funny Picture

I was gonna save this for a wordless Wednesday Post - but it was too funny not to share the story.

Sis got a DS (light metallic pink...ooooh-aaaah) for Christmas. She has never really been interested in video games before. She's watched her older brother play, but never really had an interest. I figured it was a girl thing. But really, it was an age thing. She wasn't ready. Now that she is just about 8, she thinks it's the cats meow. We try to limit it to 1/2 hr max during week nights (and usually she only does 1 or 2 nights anyway during the week) and up to 2hrs each day on the weekend. It's worked well. But back to the story. You see older brother (18) has a DS too. He also has a (he's gonna kill me for posting this...ummm)..a Pokemon game. So sis got the same one.

Well brother moved to California after Christmas and she has no idea what she is doing. It's so cute, she calls him and says "how do you do this?" or "how do you teach This Pokemon to do this" or "how do i get here", etc. And he helps her. He's such a good brother.



So, here she is (on the way to school with her DS-which is a "keep her quiet technique" while mommy is driving on icy roads) with the cell phone up to her ear calling brother Erick for advice. Mind you it is 7am HIS TIME. She woke him up to ask him how to do something, and he helped her right along. She got her 1/2 hr in that day and a peaceful drive for me. Ahhhh.

01.28.2010 Sis takes Lessons

Ok, so i talked before about this. My girl L.O.V.E.S. horses. She had been doing some Equine Assisted Therapy for some issues she was having and did VERY WELL. The only problem was - she didn't get to RIDE the horses and at what we were paying for "therapy" she was being cheated out of what she really wanted.

We found a local girl who offers private lessons (usually to people with their own horses) and she let us use her horse "Spice". Sis went once (for a 1/2 hr) and did so well she called us back to say she would really benefit from a full hour, and gave us a discounted rate!

She had a fun time. I actually got video this time (in hopes of finally figuring out how to get one from Picassa to the video service to my blog. Guess what? I think i did it!! Anyway, the video quality is BAD as i took it from my digital camera w/out a tripod (sorry for the shakes)!

She leads the horse and all by herself, but when it came time for the "tasks" of directing the horse Shannon (the trainer) is holding a loose slack lead rope to be sure the horse was doing what Sis wanted it to do. Plus it was easier for her to give her instruction being that close. Next time she will do it all unassisted
*yay!*

Sis Rides a Horse from Missie Chandler on Vimeo.

01.26.2010 The Wonders of all things White

This week has been ....ughhhh...what is the word i am searching for? Not sure. Lets just say we have had our share of snow, warmth, freezing and ICY ROADS. It's no secret the new house is a way out into the "sticks". I have to drive a few miles down a good road - then turn and go where aparently no plow has gone! Kidding. It's just our lil stretch off the main road and over the big hill is a bit "hairy".

We missed nearly a whole day of school this week bcuz neither of my vehicles could make it. Too much snow, too much ice. One mom not so comfortable in either. I pretty much take our hill --toward town it's downhill all the way--in 1st gear at about 10-15 mph and am still a bit afraid. So DeRell had to come up and "get us". Sis got to school at 1:30pm. We were about to start "homeschool" that day bcuz i had given up on the whole ordeal.

I laugh now. But at the time it was not so funny. The kids are REAL GOOD at stayying absolutely SILENT while i am driving on the ice - cuz Momma gets a little paranoid and snippy if they don't! We play the "silent game" to see how long they can keep quiet - and since no one wants mommy to slide down the steep embankment they are getting real good at that game.

But enough of my whining. The view makes it worth it. The peace and quiet is magical. The way we can see the top of the fog layer above the whole valley is incredible.

And this. The other night we came home and THIS is what i saw off my front porch.


Can you see them?


Not sure if i was able to catch it's full beauty. With the snow and the caps of ice it literally looked liked waves breaking at the ocean. Which is an all time Love of mine. The beach. So for all my whining and fretting, i get this. It's a trade off - one that i will accept whole heartedly. Thank you Lord. I shall not complain. I am in awe of the beauty and wonder. Thank You. So next time i complain, remind me of all things good, k?

01.24.2010 Because it's Sunday

I have a confession to make. My honey left early this morning to take Sis some church clothes (she stayed overnight w/April so she could go to church today) and head on over to the office for some billing.

It's been lightly snowing here (mostly at night) ... since Friday night actually - and we got 4-5 inches up at our place. Not my kind of get out and go weather. Actually it never bothered me before we moved out here..now the ride down the hill is the e-Ticket variety and I prefer to be more of a homebody.

Bubba was still sleeping (shocker-it was after 9:30 am!!) so I begged him to let me stay and do some much needed clean up around here. After all i had gotten up, made his coffee (which deserves it's very own post!), started his car, dusted all the snow off whilst in my not so warm outside wear (jammies) so that should count for something right?!

Confession time...i just really wanted to get back to the book i am reading since i needed to get up to CH 25 and i was on like chapter 13.

And since we are being honest, when the boy woke up - and it was just him & I - he was in the sweetest mood. I just wanted to savor that for as long as i could!

You see, between a little soul searching, and a recent blog post on a blog i follow - it kinda hit me smack dab in the face that i need to make more time for mornings like today. So....shhhhh, don't tell..... Weds. morning when my body just wasn't cooperating cuz this recent bought of depression had left me feeling like i was hit by a mack truck (quite literally) i decided to do something bold. I let the kids sleep in and blow off school. It was a 1/2 day anyway. Momma got to sleep till 10am (hallelujah!) while the kids played surprising well together then we all enjoyed the morning before the reality truck came crashing in reminding me i had to go to work. It was a sweet morning where i got to be the cook at their restaurant w/ sis being the waitress, and Bubs the customer. We made a mess. We cleaned up. We laughed. They played. Not a care in the world. Fun happened. And it was all the more fun becuz they were old enough to understand that they should be at school!

I wonder if someday they will remember it? Someday my girl will shamelessly admit to one of her friends that one day mommy let her skip school to play. I know it's not the best thing to do, but in OUR LIFE recently that treasured time of relax and play just hasn't existed much. We are burdened with finishing this house. We are burdened financially due to this being the slow time of the year for us, and i not having many loans going. I guess i am just hoping that my kids have some normalcy, even when i dont feel normal. And becuz of what mcmama had to say a while back that i cant let go of. You can read her post HERE. Funny, simple, true.

So back to today. He wanted to take the cat for a walk (and has fashioned a belt-loosely-around her neck). She was obliging him but i just couldnt see it ending well. So i offered up Max instead as his subject of torture *i mean pleasure*. Max was all to happy to "go for a walk". So my lil one in his shark jammies went to put on a jacket. But he came back in not just a jacket but the one from his very best suit - "because its a special day Momma and i want to look good". I smiled and told him as long as he put on his big coat over it it was fine. He smiled that i was letting him wear it. It made me smile. So he bounced back in my room 2 minutes later with his beanie and winter coat all ready for the adventure. I made him put on his snow boots and some gloves. And he picked 2 different color pink ones which he promptly informed me didn't matter cuz they are still the SAME and "What matters if they are girl gloves huh?" (his words not mine!) I confirmed it made no difference and he went on his merry way. Nope, he didn't need Momma to come & play. He was a big boy and could take Maxey all by himself!

So I watched from my beautiful huge window at all the skipping and frolicking the dogs and he were enjoying. I smiled. Mismatched girl gloves, jammies and suit coat aside i was watching my child truly happy. And you know what i thought?

I'm gonna miss this!!

And here we sit at 2pm, watching some Scooby Doo and i get up for the occassional load of laundry. The house is still messy. But my boy is happy.

I wouldn't trade it for the world!

01.22.2010 What kids think is great photography (Vol. II)

I'm sure you can recall a few months back i stumbled across some photos while uploading my pics. I did not take them, and was surprised by what my children found to be exciting photography. The South end of a cat going North. Odd angles.

Well this week apparently it was all about our animals. Sleeping or resting or "hiding" animals. Gee, i wonder what would prompt them to hide....hmmmm? A meniacle 5 yr old on a mission with a flashing and clicking device? Yep.

Exhibit "A"

The most skiddish of all our animals, Max cowering beside my computer desk...thinking "please Mommy, make it stop"


And poor Jack, napping, while a rowdy lil boy got right up in his face to take this one. Know how i know? Cuz Bubba has NO IDEA how to use the zoom feature so you know this was "point blank" range


And poor Katie, minding her own business, taking her nap on a towel when the "shooter" appears.

And last but not least - the most carefree of them all..Shadow..cowering under the table by me. But isn't he cute?

Actually, as any good photographer would do, he actually caught the true essence of all the fur children. The scaredy DOG, the lazy "I COULD CARE LESS" cats, and Mr. "go with the flow but don't chase me" other furr child.

At least you've met most of the family.

p.s. Jack needs to layoff the cat treats..i mean...seriously!! He is reaching EPIC proportions and he's not even a year old yet!!

01.21.2010 A Horse of Course

What on this earth would make my nearly 8 year old scream with delight?


Well i am pretty sure it was the fact that she actually got to RIDE a horse after all these months! She was so excited she was on cloud nine. Her dream come true.

As a parent it made my heart full to see the joy in her face - i could almost FEEL how happy it made her. She had confidence. She had poise. She was excited beyond belief.
Plus - what a CUTE new riding helmet she got.. if i do say so myself! LOL



Don't look too close or you just might notice that she is so short her feet didn't reach the stirrups! We will be getting her some gear that fits over the horn of the saddle for next week.


After her lesson she rode "Spice" back to the barn where they took off her halter, bit and saddle and brushed her down. It was a great experience.

Not bad for the horse either - I'm sure she could sense her joy and well having a 45lb rider is probably a big PLUS if you are a horse.

01.18.2010 They are Gone!

We sold our snowmobiles and trailer today *sniffle*.

But when push comes to shove you gotta do what you gotta do. We have to finish this house...and we are out of money. So we have to get rid of some stuff. We've had our car listed for 6 months now - no takers. 2 days the sleds are on Craiglist and we have like 11 calls. Some people drove 5 hours today to us today to get them. Now they have a new home.

The bummer is that we really use the trailer A LOT. Especially as often as we go to the dump, LOL. It has served us well!

Erick crashed mine (the yellow one) last season. But only minor damage to the sled - poor kid was banged up more than the snowmobile!

So sorry to all the family that we won't have any snowmobiles for you to play on when you are here next!

But hopefully we'll have alot of room at the inn. LOL

 

Goodbye Blue Bomber

 

Goodbye Yellow Jacket

 

Goodbye Trailer...we will miss you!

01.16.2010 Compassion

Sorry a whole week has gone by & no posts. Such is the way it is in the chaos called our life.

It's been hard to be upbeat and focus on the house when so many are suffereing in Haiti right now.

Our family sponsors a child in the Philipines (Joyce) through World Vision for about a year and 1/2 now and also for a little boy in India (Vamshi) since last February through Compassion. I personally have such a passion for these kids and their plight. When i whine about no money for groceries - i think about kids that go days without food. Or when the water my tap provides after being filtered from the water filter tastes NASTY, i need to be reminded that there are kids that drink unclean or contaminated water every day. I am thankful that i can help a child....but really 2 children is NOTHING. There are so many that need our help.

My heart is heavy.

I think about those kids in Haiti, the living conditions there BEFORE this awful tragedy....and what they are facing now. Their families. Kids without parents. Parents who have lost their children through this devastation. It's hard to focus on much else. What have you been thinking about lately? Did u text $10 to the Red Cross this week? Or to Compassion? Have you even heard of Compassion? What can YOU do to help with this crisis?

Many of us are hit hard by these economic times..but can you imagine losing your home? Having no food or water? Having no "town" to go to and get food because it is flattened? Can you imagine not knowing where you are going to sleep?
...That is...IF you and your family had even have survived. If that's what you call it. What terrible conditions to be living in if you were fortunate enough to LIVE. Can you imagine? I don't think so. I know I can't even begin to imagine. I slept in my warm house, in my warm and cozy flannel sheets fresh out of my dryer last night. I feel guilty. There are many that slept on the street last night...amidst bodies of the dead that have not yet been buried. My heart is heavy. How about yours?

Give.

Help Out.

I know it's not for everyone, but just a small donation can do so much when we gather as a community and give. Pray about it. Donate what you can for those in Haiti. Or if your heart is still heavy, won't you think about sponsoring a child?? There are MANY countries with children that need our help. Won't you think about donating for the immediate needs in Haiti? I have added a link to the Compassion site where you can do it directly.

Donate Online

Then i pray you would think about sponsoring a child in the long run. Making a difference in the life of a child. Check out the link at the top of my blog about sponsorship.

01.09.2010 The Growing List of "HONEY DO's"

We've moved in! (Well kinda/sorta about 1/2 way) We did for many reasons. The primary reason is that if we didn't we just wouldn't get anything accomplished. It was so hard to work all day then find the energy to drive 15 min up to the new house and work on it. Weekends alone just weren't cutting it. So we moved in and can get alot more done. I work on the un-packing/organizing...and he works on everything else.

I am NOT handy. I am a "girlie girl". I can barely turn a screwdriver - and combined with my lack of upper body strength i am pretty worthless around here. I am not ashamed to admit it. That, my friends, is the truth.

I know it's hard on him. He works all day too. Then he comes home and figures out what is the most pressing thing next on the list and gets to it. Often he stays up when i am already sleeping. He does so much to make this house a home. I am so greatful for all he does. I don't tell him often enough.

He had to work today *sigh* when there was oh so much to do around here. I have been for 3 weeks dragging laundry over to the old house and throwing a load in b4 work, then at lunch into the dryer, new load in, after work fold and repeat. It was a bit much. Well last weekend we moved the big items (downstairs fridge, washer/dryer). This was contingent upon his PROMISE that it would be fully functioning. I would rather keep going back to the old house than let the laundry continue to pile up. Guess what? It didn't happen. Not entirely his fault, he was in over his head with the whole gas conversion & hookup thing. Rather than blow the house up i relented in allowing a professional to come do it. Except *problem* they couldn't come until Friday. Ugh.

Wednesday night I did indeed spend 2 hours at the Laundromat. That will NEVER happen again. It's highway robbery not to mention - you gotta be kidding me...only 4 towels fit in the washer?! I washed 2 loads of only the MOST IMPERATIVE items to get us through. Guess what...i NEED to get laundry done!

Friday the professionals came, hooked my dryer up and tested her out. (With an extension cord i might add because there is no electrical where the washer/dryer need to go) But yay, done!

Bless his heart, he got the electrical all done last night while i was sleeping. I can dry clothes now. But i can't wash. Due to situational cleaning/organizing of all unneccessary tools the all important pipe fittings and special $100+ crimp tool is now missing. And by missing i mean it has been placed somewhere and he can't find it cuz we have WAY TOO MANY TOOLS and STUFF EVERYWHERE. (Which he blames on me bcuz I was the one who made us move before the house was ready *grin*) It's hilarious i tell you.

So what's a girl to do? Well i for one, will be bundling up and trekking down to the very cold garage (it's about 10 degrees in there right now) to search high and low for that thing. I will find them. Because i have a bigger list of even more pressing items that need to get done tonite while the clothes are happily being washed and dryed.

For your benefit i have taken photos of these items. Fell free to sigh and feel my pain. LOL


The washer. (on the left) Notice there are NO PIPES to bring water over to it. Ya, thats them the red & blue stuff coiled up in front of it LOL


Our entry closet. We need to put in the shelf & rod so we can stop using the nearest chair to hang up all our coats! And it currently is the dumping ground for empty boxes and "stuff" that has no home.


This would be where a switch needs to be for the overhead light in the area between our master bedroom and bathroom. I literally scratch my arm on it about 3 times a day going to my closet.


And this my friends is where there should be a light in my CLOSET. How can i have a walk-in closet w/ no light? Who can see their clothes in the dark? Not to mention it is where i change bcuz there are currently no curtains on my french doors. See below. Thus i change in a dark closet to avoid exposing myself to my neighbors or random passers-by. Hey if that switch were done i could use that overhead light to see in the closet since there is not a single door in the house- LOL! (besides the front entry door that is)


These are my french doors right next to our bed. I sleep on that side. It is cold with no window coverings. I weatherstripped the heck out of it but c'mon? Put up the drapes and it gets warmer & i can change without hiding in the closet! Nuff said!
Those are actually the drapes placed on the chair in front of said doors, on the rod, brought over from the old house. Just need to hang 'em. How hard is that?
...well i guess look who's talking? I couldn't use the cordless screwdriver to save my life. These are my hopes for tonight.

Maybe i can make him a yummy dinner and he'll get right to it. Better yet, cereal! Sugar and carbs for energy. Thats it...i'll serve him some Frosted Flakes. Dinner of Champions! LOL I'll let you know how it goes............

01.04.2010 A New Year, A New You!

Wait! I think that is Jenny Craig's slogan..or is it Weight Watchers? I don't know! All i am saying is that with all the stressses of the move and construction we have been eating really poorly! Fast Food constantly. Cereal for dinner. Bread, bread, bread! It has taken it's toll. In the last 6 months i have personally gained over 10 pounds. On my small frame that is not pretty folks!

My clothes don't fit. I can't afford a whole new wardrobe of "fat clothes" nor do i wan't to purchase any. I needed to do something.

So i have. I'm back on eating healthy, yummy, wonderful food that actually helps me lose weight. Not sure how, it's just tooo good to be good for me! So today is Day ONE of the LIVE IT. (How could i say DIE it when it tastes so good?)

I won't lie - i forgot how egg substitute tasted. I must have been far more deperate the last time i needed to lose weight. So this morning, um, not as delicious as i had previously remembered. But i made it through.

And for lunch...oh man...i had THIS



It was the yummiest Cobb Salad. Frosted Flakes? What are those? I could eat like this forever. Of course, that is the goal...to change our lifestyle to a healthier way of living. But it's often hard to find "time" for all the preparation it takes to eat well. I am committed folks. The fridge (both of them) is stocked. This is the only eating plan that works for me. It is GOOD and i love it. Stay tuned.

Are you hungry yet? I'm having a Shrimp Dill Salad for lunch....mmmmmm!

01.03.2010 The Perfect Piece

 

On a recent trip to Costco i spotted this gem!!! It is exactly what i wanted for the Mud Room. So we can sit down, take off our boots, stash our hats, mittens and what not!

It is GORGEOUS. It obviously costs too much as well. I would be fine with the same thing in pine or some other affordable wood. I could paint it any color my mood allowed! I don't even need the drawers, just the basic base with a spot for baskets. Oh man, i am in LOVE.

Boy do i wish my man made furniture! How hard could it be??? I wish i had taken wood shop or something.

Isn't it PERTY???

Anyone out there make furniture or know someone who could?

01.02.2010 Our Daily Scenery

 

Not a day goes by when we don't see deer - or 10, or 20! It's a fun game for the kids to spot them in the distance bedded down and count how many Bucks there are or how many Does.

It's even more fun when they cross the road right in front of you on the way up the hill.

I have to admit i smile and get all giddy. It's an amazing feeling to be so close to wildlife. I especially love when they turn and look right at you. Of course, i missed capturing that while digging in my purse for the camera - but none the less i did get him and his mate.

12.31.2009 Happy New Year!

Every year we can we celebrate New Years Eve with our friend April and the extended group of family and friends. It is always a good time. There is no alcohol invloved, just food, friends, family and game time fun. The adults can play pool, the kiddies play with their new Christmas toys or board games. We have a huge dinner with all the courses laid out and usually sometime around 9pm we start BUNCO!

It's really fun, because everyone brings a gift for the game. There are lots of Bunco's and stealing of gifts if someones gift is better than yours! This year was fun even if there were quite a few family members & friends missing. It is great fellowship and good clean fun without worrying about someone driving home drunk!

Here are some of my favorite photos from the night.


Bubba enjoying Grandma Norma's massage chair =)


Sis showing off her "mad skillz" on her new pink DS to Colton


BUNCO! Yes Erick we see you finally letting me take your picture!


When the kids were too quiet, this is how i found them! Must have been a fun night!

Happy New Year to all of our friends and family. We love you and hope the New Year is full of Hope and Possibilities for you! If you made a resolution (or 2 or 3...) i surely hope you stick to them! My wish for everyone is that you can experience the Lord's hand in your life and embrace the gift of grace He has given each of you. That in 2010 you can grow to know Him more. That you can make Him a part of your daily life. Here's to a great 2010!

12.27.2009 The Bandito

 

This photo deserved it's own post!

You see, for Christmas the Prescott's (Auntie Darla and clan) got bubba a Nerf gun. It holds 6 of these nerf bullets and has pump action & shoots. Many an hour was spent between the kiddos (there were 2 guns) and wars between mommy & kiddo or daddy & kiddo.

Well this night, i was preparing dinner, unpacking some boxes and Bubba came and got the tape. I didn't question him...they often do "projects" and tape is safer than say..markers or paint...right?

He was busy in his room for a half an hour or more and came out to the living room dressed like this!!

What is so funny is there was no prompting...he was simply scheming up a way to have more bullets at his ready for the next shootout. Not exactly sure where he remembered the design from but he took his velcro camoflauge belt and individially looped and taped on each "bullet". This was no small feat! It took a LOT of work.

I'm a proud momma of a future gunslinger apparently!

Thanksgiving 2009

Hey, just figuring this slideshow thing out. ENJOY!

We had a fun time at Nick & Wendy's. Her classroom was the only place big enough to hold her entire family and ours. It was a wonderful time. We loved the whole day! We wrapped up the evening with the boys watching football, and the girls scouring the ads for Black Friday specials! And OH YES we did...4am the next morning we were already in line. (Yes it's an hour drive to the nearest big city so i was TIRED)

Enjoy the slideshow!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

12.25.2009 Christmas Montage

Make a Smilebox slideshow

12.31.2009 December RECAP

Wow has it been crazy busy. Not to mention i had a bit over 2 weeks without a computer! (It was at the old house..we were busy at the new house)

Needless to say, CRAZY is how these past few un-blogged weeks have been. I thought I'd do a quick photo recap...then hopefully get some Christmas / Thanksgiving montages done today and then get ya'll up to date on the FUN, FUN, FUN around here.

Two years in a row there will not be a Christmas/New Years Letter from us - so i sure hope everyone paid attention and wrote down this blog address. It is THE ONLY WAY to communicate and keep up with us. No time for cards, letters or emails. There is just SO MUCH to do.

So without much further ado, here is the recap for the remainder of December / 2009.

On the homefront......

A cabinet had to be redone so we could mount the microwave. Here is Jr. & Sr. getting it up, and all ready for the microwave to be vented. (Prev owners didn't have theirs vented - UCK!)


This is part of MY MASTER CLOSET! YIPPEE! Shoe & sweater cubbies..*GRIN*


That therapy is paying off...my girl SANG HER HEART OUT in choir (aka "ensemble"). What a HUGE difference from 6mo/a year ago. You go girl!!!


The kids & the Beck girls after the performance. Bubs in his 3 pc suit. LOL


A routine dentist visit, and who can tell from this picture...she had a filling fall out and currently has an absess!! (they can't treat until Jan 11th & NO PAIN??)
...gotta love Bubba in background w/ her headphones watchiing the movie on the ceiling!


I tried (unsuccessfully) for weeks to get a good pic of Erick, he is afterall moving back to CA right after the New Year! Here he didn't even know i got one...playing on his DS inside the playhouse! Danielle did this ALL BY HERSELF! No help from ANYONE! Complete w/ swinging door/doorknob, window and all.


The kids on Christmas eve.
Our traditions include matching pajamas & the oppty. to open 1 present! FUN!


Bubba opened his fav magnets (thanks Grandma!)& Erick joined in the fun..of course still trying to avoid having his picture taken-or mom having any proof he was actually playing with THE KIDS toys!


Sis opened Bendaroos and was so happy - ALL THOSE COLORS - yay!

Our love to you all. Stay tuned for more photos once i can get them all together and in between PROJECTS!