Time to help the kids!!!

Maggy's life was very much impacted by Seattle Children's Hospital. It is her story to tell so I won't go into that BUT every year 106.1 FM out of Seattle does the One Big KISS for Children's Hospital radiothon. We all donate. We donate for Maggy and in honor of her family, we donate for the kids this hospital helps, we donate for the karma on the chance we will one day need a hospital like this. They do not turn a family away no matter their financial status. They work hard to help children in so many ways. So please donate! Help us to help them reach there goal! If you want more motivation go listen to the broadcast. Seriously. I cry every year.


***Edit***
Maggy asked me to pass on her story so here it is in her words.

Many of you may not know, but I'm not the youngest in my family. When I was 3 years old, my mom had my little brother. He was born with a barrage of health problems, and was sent almost immediately to Children's Hospital in Seattle. C spent much of his short time with us being cared for there. He passed away when he was only 15 months old. My mother slept, ate and basically live at Children's during that time. We have always been very grateful for the care and compassion all of the doctors and staff showed C and our family.

For the last 11 years, one of the local radio stations (KISS 106.1) has held a Radio-thon to benefit Children's Hospital. A few years ago, they also started their own endowment fund for uncompensated care. This year, the Radio-Thon is only 2 days long, and end at 7 p.m. tomorrow (March 1), and they are trying to raise 1 million dollars for the hospital. People can donate online (all year long) or over the phone for Radio-thon, and can donate either a flat fee of any amount, or join Kiss for the Kid's Club which allows someone to donate a smaller amount of their choice every month. I have been donating for over 7 years. Each year I join the Kiss for the Kid's Club for the dollar amount of years C would have been old, in his name. So for example this year, I'm donating $25 a month. One year Monster also asked to donate some of his own savings, and I matched that amount as a flat donation. My mom also donated a large amount in a single donation to the endowment for uncompensated care, to help be sure that every child can experience the generous and loving care that C himself received.

I'm sending this out in the hopes that you would like to donate to Children's Hospital in C's name. It doesn't matter whether you can donate $5, $25 or $100. Every dollar goes directly to the care of these kids, and every single dollar is needed. You can donate online anytime at the link Lila put up, and if you'd like to listen to the Radio-Thon, you can listen over the internet at http://www.kissfmseattle.com/ it ends tomorrow at 7 p.m. and you can donate directly to the Radio-Thon by calling 1-866-987-1061.

Thank you so much on behalf of me, my family, and all the kids helped by Children's Hospital.

smoker ideas

I found a good deal on a small smoker and now that I have it, I don't know what to do with it. I was thinking of maybe smoking a turkey breast or ham for Easter. This summer maybe we could smoke a fish or two, but what else can I do with it?

introducing Andy

This is Andy. He was a stray that my dear friend Ann was trying to get me to adopt before she died. When I heard she was gone, I told Hubby, "Suck it up cupcake, I am bringing him home." When I heard from Ann's brother that he was back home I went and got my cat. Poor Andy had been in a fight while his humans were gone and had a huge abscess on his face. I got him some antibiotics and now he is good as new. (excuse the picture, he was in the garage laying on all of last years yard sale stuff)

Andy has his vet appointment this morning and most likely as I type this, is being neutered. I think my female cat, Fancy, will like him a lot more now that he wont have his balls to stick in her face. She really hated that. He would do it every time he could sneak his butt in front of her face, usually while she was eating.

So.............anyway, lol. That's my talkative, grumpy, not so male (snicker) cat.

Early morning visitors

Woke up this morning to my chickens squawking and hollering. I ran out the door expecting to have to rescue them from a dog and instead found two bucks in my yard. This guy was only a foot away from me (on the other side of the window) and actually winked at me. If you look close, you can see chicken scratch on his lips.Here is is after I busted him and he jumped out of the chicken coop.
His buddy wasn't a very good lookout, he just stood and stared at me. He finally spooked and took off for the neighbors apple tree and the big guy followed.

These two bucks are part of a bachelor herd that used to hang out here in the neighborhood until one of them was poached in my driveway. All the deer disappeared and have only now (a year and a half later) started to return. I am happy to see them again, I have missed having them around.

Spring fever

I am so totally over winter. Not that we have had much of a winter or anything, I am just ready for spring. Spring usually comes late to the desert, sometimes as late as June. At that point it usually just skips spring all together and snows one day and hits the 90's the next.

Yesterday was a mild day and the bees were out in force. I actually watched one of them bury herself in the chicken feed. She wandered around for a while in it and then just wiggled her way right down into it. Weird little bug. There is something in the feed that really attracts the bees. Every day that it is warm enough for them to be out, they are all over the scratch. The chickens don't seem to like that much and steer clear. I fed them yesterday and am watching close to make sure they don't starve. So far so good.

I have plans to split my hive this spring and am working (nagging) on Hubby to get me another hive built. So far he seems very hesitant. I think he is intimidated by building it. Not sure why, he built a nice big shed for the dogs complete with loft, windows and dog doors. He also built our nice chicken coop. A beehive should be a walk in the park.

I have also been looking through seed catalogs and planning this years garden. We learned a lot last year and are going to make a few changes this year just so things run smoother. We are going to plant the potatoes and onions first (like soon) and the lettuce and radishes last. I got over excited and planted all of the instant gratification plants first last year and had too short of a growing season for the plants with a longer maturity time.

I also put in an order for chicks already. I am going to get two more Black Australorps, and six light Brahmas. I had really wanted some blue laced red wyandottes but I had to order a minimum of 10 and they were over $4 a chick. *sigh* So no pretty hens for me this year. My hens have already started laying for the season and are keeping us stocked nicely.

HURRY UP SPRING!!

Crash ..... minus some flesh. AGAIN

Tripped at school and bit a hole in his lip.

The Steel Anniversary!

We are about to celebrate our 11th anniversary. Very weird to realize it has been so long. I love him more every day. He spoils me rotten. We have been very lucky to grow together rather than apart as we have gone through our 20's and are entering our 30's. Anyway the gift this year is Steel. I asked for a collapsible baton and a fixed-blade knife. Yeah I  have become that woman. Luckily JW thinks it is hot hehe. Now I am trying to figure out what to get him. He wants a new bi-pod but I like doing fun things too. I want something unique. Survival minded. Ideas? He never reads this so no worries there. Come on y'all help a girl out.

Here she is!

So far I am really liking this gun. I love the way it fits my hand and how light it is. It's been too cold to go to the range so she remains unfired, but better weather is on the way, so that will happen soon. The only problem I have is the button to turn on the laser is pretty stiff and hard to turn on with the weapon drawn. Much practice is needed. I do not want to use the laser when practicing on the range as I want to rely on my own skills and not on a bright red light. BUT I am going to practice turning the laser on and off here at home with the gun unloaded.

I have plans to take the next concealed carry course at the end of March and the next step will be to buy a holster that is comfortable. I really liked the idea of the Flashbang, but after reading a few reviews I don't think it will work for me. Let's just say I am not as well equipped as some other women.... I had found a site a while back while looking at holsters that showed a woman with six guns on her body. The only one visible was the one she was carrying on her hip. I cannot for the life if me find that site again :( I thought it was on the flashbang site because that was one of the holsters used. Can anyone point me in a good direction to find something comfortable and practical?

WHOO HOOO

MYGUNISHERE! MYGUNISHERE! MYGUNISHERE!

I will post pics later tonight when I learn to clean it and after I have played with it a while.

I AM STOKED!!

Crash ..... minus some flesh

You can see tears on his cheeks, this one HURT!

This is the pole. If you look close, you can see bits of tongue on the bottom right of the tongue imprint.