HLH for the weekend

This past weekend our family drove 7+ hours, depending on the weather, to Yakima, Washington to see our friends Jan and Katie Williams.  If you remember, R. was in their wedding in August.  It was located in California, so many friends from Yakima didn't get to make it, so we celebrated their wedding again with them. 

Highs: Being with old friends.  We love our new ones but it was nice to see familiar faces.  Playing games while Taj slept and feeling like a normal carefree person for a few hours.  Getting a package in the mail from Uncle Sean on Friday and having new Hot Wheels for Taj to play with this weekend.  Driving through the mountains in Montana and realizing that where we live is beautiful.

Lows: Driving in snow and the travel time being increased to about 8+ hours.  Also, Washington drivers in the snow might be as bad as Maryland drivers in the snow.  I did not care for them. Not getting to see Mt. Rainier.

Huh: Driving through Ephrata, Washington (this might be a lifetime high since I've been to both Ephratas in the nation now!)  Driving through Grant County Washington, the county that is the largest producers of potatoes in the country...suprisingly not in Idaho. Coming home to it being 15 degrees, tomorrow's high is 7 and realizing...it's really not that bad.  Sean's package arriving in a Saltine's box.

I won! I won!

I am not a winner.  Some people seem to get lucky and win everything, but not me. The last time I won anything was probably in 5th grade.  I scratched off a prize in a chip bag, and won $50.  I was thinking I'd be nice to my sister and give her $10 of it.  When the check came in the mail and I had cash in my hand, I changed my mind.  That's the last thing I've won that I can remember. 

Until today....  So before I reveal what I won, I should also confess that I read mommy craft blogs.  At times I feel embarassed, but right now I don't care.  They have given me great ideas and one blog even gave me the print so that I could make Taj his Abe Lincoln shirt.  That same blog, called MADE had a giveaway this weekend.  Basically with giveaways, you just leave a comment and if they pick yours, you win.  So easy really.  Well on MADE they had the best giveaway from Modern Bird Studios.  I am a nerd and looked, and out of 679 people that left a comment, I won!  I am getting a $250 gift certificate for one of their original paintings.  I am so excited and really happy to show R. the cool art they do with your pictures.  The only problem now is what picture do we use?

RN being put to good use

It's painful at times paying back student loans for something your not technically using.  On the other hand, it's also good I'm not working because I'm using my nursing skills to nurse my husband back into being functional again.  He's not the only one sick, actually we all are.  Our house has been filled with snot this past week, as well as sore throats and sinus infections. Three time this week I had to hold Taj while he napped because he was so miserable.

Although sickness isn't fun, it's also been nice to just laydown. Watch movies. Eat a lot of soup.  Really, I'm just aiming low for my expectations in a day.  If I get dressed before 11, it's a winner.  If you have a semi clear path to our bathroom, score! 

I'm sure you've noticed that I've updated our blog a little.  I am behind in the times and recently noticed that our blog does stats.  I notice on post days that we have many hits.  Much of this is R. checking the blog after he write an entry.  He does this often just to admire his work. I've also noticed that we've had hits from Russia and the Netherlands.  That makes me kinda happy because it means at least someone is reading us.  On the other hand, how the heck did they find the blog? 

Hope everyone had a good Daylight Savings Time.  Here in Montana it is now light at at 7:30 am and it's dark at night by 5.  I still feel very East Coast and it's gonna take some time to get used to.