Chris Rambo

Dear Family and Friends

2010-03-29T01:08:00.002-05:00

Some of you know (or some of you are going through the same experience--wink wink) that I am taking an "Indie Biz" class. I am learning how to start an online business venture. It is new and exciting and so encouraging!

One of the things I am learning is that my passion for arts and crafts is NOT separate from my personal life. They mesh together all the time. The things that happen in my life have impact on my creativity and vise versa.

So, to be a more effective communicator (blogger), time manager, and soon to be independent business woman, I am going to keep just one blog. If you are currently following this blog or this is the blog bookmarked in your favorites, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it, if you could instead follow and/or bookmark this site: www.passionpursenality.blogspot.com.

Look forward to more posts, more often! It is still a work in progress so, keep with me.

I am grateful for you all!

Chris:)

St. Patty's Day

2010-03-20T12:39:00.004-05:00

On St. Patty's Day, Mike and his brother Dan played traditional Irish music at a local restaraunt/pub. It was a blast! Their two hour time slot turned into 4 as people kept tipping for more music. It was fun for me to have some girl time with my ladies too!

This is Amy. St. Patty's day is her favorite.

This is definitely the crowd favorite--played 4 times during the night.

2010-03-20T12:38:00.000-05:00

If you would like to know what is up with this, go HERE!

There She Is...

2010-03-16T13:57:00.002-05:00

The birthday girl. My Dear Sister-in-Law. Isn't she beautiful? AND look at her bouquet in the back. She is in a floral design class. I think with her floral design and organization skills and my designs and photography, we'd make a wonderful one stop wedding shoppe. Eh? Eh? It's just my newest way to co-erse her and David to move here to EC.

Happy Birthday Karin

2010-03-15T21:05:00.002-05:00

I made this cake for Karin's birthday. If you want to know how I made the flower,visit: www.passionpursenality.blogspot.com.

Awesome.

2010-03-09T20:59:00.001-06:00

I finished it...just in time for SPRING.

First Indie Biz Assignment

2010-03-08T20:04:00.002-06:00

Our first "assignment" was to create our portfolio for our workbook. I created most of it digitally and printed it out. I used a digital kit called "Outside the Lines" by Ashalee Wall and Taylor Made designs. I also used one paper from Holly McCaig.

Life Long Learning--Cultivating Creativity

2010-03-05T14:12:00.003-06:00

Life Long learning is my Dad's statement. In my Grad class (which was facilitated by Dad and three other very wise men), we had to come up with a phrase that described us and our purpose. I feel my purpose and goal in life is to cultivate creativity; to teach and encourage others to grow in the creative arts especially. I love the process of creativity. I love the result of creativity. I feel like I have OOODLES of creativity inside me that I don't know what to do with yet. I have been searching for a place to learn how to harness my creativity as well as encourage it in others. I think I have found that place! I am so excited to be taking a class (online) about how to make a business of my creativity and desire to teach others about it. I am sure I will be posting projects and "homework" and such. I can't wait to share it all.

If this interest you at all, I think there is still a few days to sign up. Just go HERE!

More Gala Pics

2010-03-04T15:43:00.003-06:00

More Pictures of the Michael Rambo Project from the I Thirst for Haiti Gala. The event raised $3500!! That is enough for one large water purification system and two (or three?) small ones.

2010-02-24T18:17:00.003-06:00

A few images from the musical portion of the I Thirst for Haiti Gala...

Don't Miss It!!

2010-02-21T16:35:00.001-06:00

2010-02-16T21:04:00.004-06:00

This was my birthday cake...underneath the probably very excessive layer of cream cheese frosting is lemon poppy seed cake. MMMMM MMMMMM! I made the flowers out of gum paste. I have really had fun with cake decorating lately. Using gum paste is like a form of sculpture.

My dear brother found this AWESOME puzzle at St. Vinnie's in Rice Lake. I know...I know... there are many negative conotations of women and blah blah blah. She's Wonder Woman, and I love her. I put together the fun picture parts, and my friends did the rest.

Just a few last pieces...
Seriously??? Seriously. Amy if you don't keep this puppy, I am de-friending you. Could anything get any cuter...
Oh...wait, YES, it can!

Sleigh Ride

2010-02-09T11:55:00.004-06:00

These are my Friends Kati and Jaron, and Rachel

We were treated to a sleigh ride, and it was SUPER fun!

I Had Fun...

2010-02-03T15:58:00.003-06:00

I made this cake for a baby shower for my friend and co-worker. It was a little frustrating, but I learned a LOT! And truthfully...it TASTED delicious!

I Thirst For Haiti

2010-02-02T21:26:00.002-06:00

A Few More Layouts...

2010-01-21T15:57:00.003-06:00

These are layouts done with some of my designs. I LOVE these pictures of Addy and Becca Boo.

Layouts

2010-01-05T21:09:00.003-06:00

I have had a desire to just scrap some photos lately instead of designing. I did a bunch of stuff for Pokadotpotato.com as far as design in December. So, the last few days, I have become a member at Oscraps.com. Some of my favorite designers sell there. Plus, they have these great "challenges."

This was acutally a photography challenge to think about negative space...the space around the subject.

This layout had to show a "beginning." It also had to contain the color blue.

This layout--very theraputic by the way, was to scrap an "a-ha moment."

My Favorite parts of Christmas...

2009-12-28T11:42:00.005-06:00

It's so special when dad brings out the harmonica...and now, we have a full band!

Plus, there was intense competition at the Rambo house...I love how Karin is in deep thought as to what to do next.

David's "Reindeer Pulling Sleigh" was my personal favorite.

2009-12-23T17:16:00.002-06:00

Mike put together the recording in less than an hour. He's so great!

2009-12-19T11:48:00.002-06:00

So, I missed one day of progress, because I didn't have my camera handy. Now it's done! The complete artist's statement follows below. Hope you enjoy it...

The Angels Sing

Peace on the earth. Goodwill to men from Heaven’s all Gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing!

Can you imagine? Can you imagine the sight and the sound of the angels on that blessed night when Christ was born? Do you ever think that their still singing? Maybe over this earth—this sometimes sad and lonely place, they bend near the earth and touch their harps of gold. Maybe over all the chaos and battles they are singing, and we just don’t listen.

Sometimes, we simply survive the Christmas season instead of enjoying it. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of the savior, but sometimes we get overwhelmed with preparation for the arrival of our family and friends. We search endlessly for the perfect gifts for people in our lives yet miss the gift of love and peace bestowed on us through a little baby named Jesus.

Picture the scene: Mary, a new mother, basking in the presence of her son, taking in everything about him, in the stillness of the night. There was no rushing clean the house, or cook the ham, or wrap the presents. There was only peace. Peace backed up with a glorious sound of Angels singing.

So, here, Mary holds Jesus, a tiny babe who carries the sin of the world on his shoulders. Above them, the angels rejoice. The angels are modeled after mothers I know, for I think mothers are angels here on earth. Now that I am an adult, I recall all of the work that my mother put into Christmas. All the cooking, all the cleaning, all the gifts…all to make the celebration special. Families, give your mothers a chance to bask during the celebration. Mothers, take time to enjoy the fruits of your efforts. Take time to rest in the gift of peace that passes all human understanding. The birth of the Savior is worth stopping the presses for!

Sing and celebrate with the angels! For Christ is born for you and me. Merry Christmas.

Day Three

2009-12-15T22:49:00.002-06:00

Day two and CUTIE patootie!

2009-12-13T21:43:00.002-06:00

I hate drawing teeth...

Brian and Tammi are friends from Fellowship. We have spent a lot of time together since we joined. Their friendship is a HUGE blessing to us. This is their little girl. She loves this little singing reindeer, and "dances" every time you turn it on. It just makes me smile!

A new project...

2009-12-09T17:36:00.003-06:00

I was asked to share some artwork for the Christmas Eve service at Fellowship. I always get nervous when I start a piece. I am never sure that I can "do it." I am thankful for a snow day today, because I could have a large block of time to start it. Once I just get started, I don't want to stop, but we have to go shovel again...

Doggies...

2009-12-05T12:10:00.003-06:00

Our dogs make us laugh ALOT...these videos might not be as funny to you as they are to us :)

This is how our little pirranah eats corn...

And this is how Trooper eats corn...

Trooper likes to eat EVERYTHING. He likes the corn chip crumbs...

Trooper's favorite game is hide-n-seek... He likes to play it ALOT.

Chicago Pictures

2009-11-17T20:00:00.005-06:00

This was the first show Mike and I have been able to do together. I can't tell you how much it meant to me! We had a blast together and with the cast. Fun times...

a part of something BIG!

2009-10-24T13:12:00.006-05:00

I will post pictures of Chicago the musical soon. It was PHENOMINAL! Packed house every night. Great reviews. Super fun times with the cast and my husband.

The week after the show, Mike and I joined our pastor and his wife and some people from our church for a free clinic in Aurora, Illinios. What an amazing experience. I can't even begin to describe it. So, I posted this video for you to get just a taste of what happened. AMAZING!

Our pastor founded this idea and started an organization called Touched Twice United. www.touchedtwiceunited.org This clinic is the largest in the country associated with TTU.

There is an initiative to get one of these types of clinics (on all different scales) in every county in every state by the year 2011. If you are interested in doing a clinic in your area, it does NOT have to be big! There are manuals, forms and resources on the site to guide you.

Be a part of something big!

2009-09-12T15:07:00.003-05:00

A great camping weekend before school started! Willow River State Park, Hudson, WI

We spent a lot of time hiking and geocaching. I think Trooper had more fun than Mike and Me.

The sunset was BEAUTIFUL. At one point it rained for about 30 seconds and created a rainbow behind us.

Trooper had a tendancy to tangle himself up in the trees at our campsite. Then, we watched him dig a bed-his inner wild wolf came out that night. It was pretty cute to see him lay in the bed by the fire. He didn't sleep there though, because he has to be in the tent with us. Otherwise, he will wine and bark all night.

CHICAGO!

2009-08-19T13:37:00.004-05:00

The Chippewa Valley Theater Guild present Chicago...and Mike and I are BOTH in it! I am so excited first to do this amazing production, but even more excited that Mike's schedule finally allows him to be in a show. We even get to dance together!

We are both dancers plus, Mike gets to be the piano player for "Funny Honey" and I get to play Liz, one of the merry murderesses with a fun dialogue about a husband that pops his gum too much.

You can get a discount on your tickets if you order through me so, let me know!

7:30pm, Oct. 8-10
1:30pm, Oct. 11
The State Theatre
$20 Adults
$18 Seniors
$8 Youth/Students--but, I don't recommend this show for anyone under 16.

Some exciting news!

2009-08-07T12:42:00.003-05:00

Not many of you may know about my passion for scrapping...I encourage you to take a look at my scrap book; there is a link to the right.

I have been scrapbooking since middle school. I have bins full of scrapbooks. About three years ago, I decided to start using the computer to scrap digitally. I get so much more done! While researching how to do this, I discovered the MASSIVENESS of this hobby. There are digital scrapping communities all over the internet. These sites sell backgrounds and elements to use in your pages; you buy the kit and download the files. Then, people also upload their pages and share comments with each other on their layouts. It's all very exciting!

Well, before I even knew people were selling digital papers and elements, I was doing my own--simply because I didn't know this stuff existed. So, I took a chance, sent some of my designs out and was graciously accepted to sell at a site which closed several months later. Fortunately, I was picked up by another store which gave me fantastic experience.

I have decided after much thought, to pursue a different site to sell at. I was looking for a smaller "community." Polka Dot Potato seemed a GREAT place.

So... if you're curious to see what all of this is about. Click below:
www.polkadotpotato.com/digital-scrapbooking/

Passion & Pursenality is what I call my design business...

2009-07-28T20:25:00.002-05:00

Twenty minutes before seating guests, we thought we might need to move the ceremony inside. But, at just the right time, the rain stopped, clouds cleared, and the sun came out!

Ceremony

2009-07-28T20:18:00.002-05:00

The gorgeous Bride--Karin

2009-07-28T17:14:00.003-05:00

I am SO excited that there is now another girl in the Rambo Family! Here is Karin looking beautiful before the wedding.

David and Karin's Wedding

2009-07-28T01:35:00.003-05:00

An absolutely perfect event...Here are the pictures of the preceding days. Mike and I were able to go to Duluth on Thursday to camp. It was fun to spend some time alone even though he rain made camping kind of "frumpy."

Some new layouts.

2009-07-11T14:58:00.001-05:00

I added several new scrapbook layouts to my scrapbook page. Click HERE.

My favorite part of summer...

2009-07-06T18:03:00.004-05:00

You can click on the pictures to make them larger...so you can read the text on the last group of pictures.

Link to Fourth of July Photos

2009-07-06T18:01:00.001-05:00

You can copy photos from the Cottage by clicking HERE!

2009-07-06T18:00:00.001-05:00

Oh...just some stuff...

2009-06-15T18:21:00.003-05:00

I love summer vacation! Trying to balance productivity and relaxation. I have gotten plenty done around the house, but the dishes and laundry never end. I don't even have kids!

The other day, I noticed a tiny baby bunny in the neighbor's feeder...she is smaller than the squirrels by a lot. So cute...even though they are kind of pests around here.

I practiced some settings with my camera last night on the moon. It was so gorgeous.

The Babies are Out!

2009-05-25T13:35:00.004-05:00

I don't make momma very happy. She has caught me several times. She will stand guard as long as it takes for me to leave.

They are really clumsy and very cute...

He stopped dead in his tracks when he realized I was watching, but then a sibling coaxed him inside.

I love it when they scurry inside.

Some fun...

2009-04-20T19:14:00.001-05:00

For the past few weeks, Mike and I have been facing some trials and tribulations. A very generous friend gave us some free tickets to the Vienesse Balls. It was a great night of welcome escape.

Holy Camoli!

2009-02-01T19:05:00.001-06:00

So, since we bought the house, we knew we wanted to finish the basement. Around Christmas time, Mike got a BLESSING of a bonus from church. We talked about using that money for the basement, and then dropped the subject.

Last week, Mike brings in a Menard's flyer stating the lumber prices are the lowest in ages. The next day, Mike's dad came in and they made some plans. The next day...they went shopping. The next day, the stuff was delivered. The next day, Dad is hard at work in our basement.

So, when you walk down the stairs, this is what you see!!! HOLY COW!

snowy day...

2008-12-30T19:53:00.001-06:00

I was glad to be home during the snow today. It was very pretty from my warm house. These squirrels are PLUMP and warm, and will brave any weather to get to their food source.

Come see me play the Ghost of Christmas Past...

2008-12-11T21:22:00.000-06:00

A Christmas Carol

Adapted by Robert Carr
Based on the Charles Dickens novel

7:30pm, December 19-20
1:30pm, December 20-21
State Theatre
$25 Box Seats
$20 Adults/Seniors
$12 Youth/Students
Call 832-2787

The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild presents the Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, with Ron Krienke as Scrooge and a large community cast, featuring some of the best caroling of the season and a warm holiday message for everyone! As a special fundraiser for the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center (State Theatre), tickets are available only through ECRAC by calling 832-2787.

More adventures of a blind dog

2008-11-13T20:19:00.001-06:00

So, Mike and I got some chili from Kwik Trip. When Mike finished he put the container on the floor thinking Trooper would enjoy licking it out. Well, out of nowhere comes Kitty who grabs it with her teeth and runs away with it. The pictures explain what happened next...

Adventures of a Blind Dog

2008-11-13T20:05:00.000-06:00

I came home to Trooper jumping up in the window. That's usual. No Kitty by the door...sometimes usual. I hear her barking upstairs for me to come and get her...usual. This is what I see when I turn the first level of stairs.

We left the laundry basket in the hall as a reminder that we needed to take care of it. She must have thought she should just keep going "up." But, when she goes up; she doesn't come down. Who knows how long she was stuck there. At least it was comfy soft clothes to lay on.

A New Look...

2008-11-02T20:13:00.000-06:00

The box of hair dye has been sitting in the bathroom drawer for at least six months. I finally worked up the courage.

recent layouts

2008-10-26T19:21:00.000-05:00

I found BESSY! aka Bubbliscious Bovine

2008-10-19T19:36:00.000-05:00

So, I was Googling my name...yes...I was Googling my name; try it sometime with your own name. When I googled images under my name, I saw these pictures of my Cow Parade cow. If you don't know about Cow Parade go to www.cowparade.com.

This lady (who is a fan of the cows--mine in particular) posted these photos on her Flickr acount. So, I emailed her to find out that Bessy is on Fordem Ave in Madison in front of an office building of a few non-profit organizations.

I still don't know who bought her, but at least I now know where she is!

Tromping in the woods

2008-10-19T19:26:00.000-05:00

A fun walk in the woods to see beautiful fall colors. Trooper LOVES the woods!!

A Day at the Beach

2008-09-06T14:13:00.001-05:00

We spent one of the last HOT days at the Altoona Beach with our friends the Carey's. Casey is the youth director at our church. He and his wife Bre have two children, Ayden and Knightly. Ayden is almost two and Knightly is just over 2 months. Ayden is at the immitate stage. He is soaking everything up like a little sponge. This slideshow is him immitating Mike...SO CUTE!

New York

2008-07-29T22:53:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorite shots from my recent trip to New York.

Irvine park

2008-07-09T23:16:00.000-05:00

Mike and I met Greg, Laurie, and Addy at the movie theater in Chippewa. We watched Bee Movie for only 25 cents! After the movie, we ate a picnic lunch at Irvine park.

awww...

2008-07-07T21:47:00.000-05:00

Aunt Julie with Annie. This is my favorite picture from our time at the cottage.

Fourth of July Fun

2008-07-05T21:51:00.000-05:00

I decided to experiement with my manual camera settings. I started taking some images of the fire and sparklers with really long exposure times. When I viewed the results, everyone was interested. Dan, Emily, and Emmett wrote their names; we had a ton of fun!

Keep scrolling down for a slideshow of the weekend.

Bunny family

2008-06-24T21:37:00.000-05:00

I told you earlier about our squirrel family...the other day, I saw a couple of baby rabbits. They have been hanging out quite a bit lately, but are quick in getting away from my camera. This is the closest I could get.

Father's Day

2008-06-24T21:34:00.001-05:00

New Pages

2008-06-09T00:34:00.001-05:00

Ballet Recital

2008-05-30T21:43:00.000-05:00

Just arrow over the mosaic; it's pretty cool!

2008-05-24T21:29:00.000-05:00

Woke up with a sore throat in the middle of the night. Bother. I was determined not to let it ruin my day. It was so beautiful out. So, Mike was kind to take me fishing.

We found this amazing spot where the water was shallow enough to SEE the big old blue gills. There was three really nice ones. So, I tried my fake worms. They definitly wanted the real thing which I didn't have.

Then, I decided to go after some big ones with my Mepps. NOTHING...NOTHING. So, I went back to some jiggers and stuff. NOTHING. Right when I was about to give up, Mike came down to visit (after falling asleep up in the shade). Not five seconds after he came down, we heard a huge-a-mungous splash. We thought it had to have been someone throwing a rock, but suddenly I SAW a HUGE long fish jump up out of the water.

Now, Mike convinced me to put on the Rapala. He threw a few casts and then got it stuck and broke my line. Got the Rapala back, becuase he caught the hook on my camera bag behind us. While he was getting that, I threw the Mepps back on and proceeded to cast. Well, the Mepps is alot lighter than the Rapala and I just over shot and landed my line in the tree. The Mepps went in the water, but caught on a log too. CRAP! To make things worse...the big fish jump again...closer to us than ever.

I had to break the line, and I lost my Mepps. I gave up, and of course, the big fish jumps yet again...GRRRRR!

We are goin' back...someday soon.

I shouldn't have gone out anyway, I feel worse now.

I needed something to make my day so, I got out the camera. Last night I noticed little squirrelies in our tree. OUR tree! They going up and up and up the tree, but have not been on the ground yet.

I patiently waited and made some clicking noises with my mouth, and they were curious. Here are the pictures.

2008-05-24T21:28:00.000-05:00

2008-05-24T21:23:00.000-05:00

Dan's Birthday Celebration

2008-05-20T20:47:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day

2008-05-13T20:48:00.001-05:00

What a fun day! If you click on the slide show, it should take you to the site if you want to download copies of the pictures individually.

My camera RAWKS!

2008-05-08T19:32:00.001-05:00

The flowers are not touched up at all...most of the others are altered a little bit, but not much.

I love my new camera!

2008-05-08T19:22:00.001-05:00

Individual pictures

2008-04-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

If you would like to see MORE pictures, and copy them to your computer...click HERE!

My 30th!

2008-04-10T21:16:00.001-05:00

What a FABULOUS evening. Click on the image to see it full size.

2008-04-10T21:15:00.000-05:00

OFFICE DONE!

2008-04-05T12:16:00.000-05:00

So, FINALLY, we finished the office. It looks AWESOME! I will be sure to post pictures soon. Today, It is my goal to finish cleaning up the guest room and my craft room. We'll see if it actually gets done.

Love my doggies!

2008-04-05T12:06:00.000-05:00

I have taking photos with my 35mm Pentax lately. These are some great shots I got of the doggies. Gotta love those faces!

New Layout!

2008-02-10T21:47:00.000-06:00

This layout was a challenge at the site that I design for. A few requirements I had to follow include: 5 close up shots of one thing, 10 decorative elements, journaling, a title, use graph paper, use doodles, etc.

This was built around a picture my dad took of Addy.

Home improvements!

2008-01-31T19:44:00.000-06:00

So...we took the plunge and ordered new carpet for the upstairs hallway, spare room, and office. We decided to save money and do the tearing up of the old carpet ourselves. Well, in the office under the UGLY tile, is beautiful painted wood. We also found wood in my craft room. So, we cancelled carpet for the office and saved a bunch of money. Well, extra money (to me...) means we can redecorate. So, now we are painting painting painting! The guest room is finished, and now we are doing the office. Next will be our bedroom. The colors are bright and bold and beautiful! I can't wait to be done. I will be sure to psot pictures of the finished rooms.

Fun layout

2008-01-31T19:41:00.000-06:00

Here's my latest scrapbook layout.

Great Christmas...

2008-01-06T18:20:00.000-06:00

Make sure to see my Christmas Scrap pages.

Christmas time this year was a great mix of action and relaxation. Mike and I got snowshoes, and were able to use them four times over break...for the first time in my life, I am upset that the snow is melting.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2007-12-20T11:31:00.000-06:00

How did it get to be Christmas already? When thinking about our Christmas letter, I kept saying to myself...oh I have time, I have time...now, I don't have time! It's just a few days before Christmas.

I began this week feeling very overwhelmed with activities and chores to do. Every night was full. So, I made a conscious decision to NOT go that route. Even though they were all good activities, I decided to skip some of them. What a difference it has made. I went from anxious and overwhelmed to relaxed and de-stressed. I have been able to soak in the holiday season so far. If there is one thing that I learned this year, it's that it is ok to say NO. We don't have to do everything.

This school year has been fabulous! I have great kids that are doing some fantastic artwork. Last spring, I decided to resign from coaching the dance team. Though it was SO hard, I have been blessed with so much more time and energy. The difference is amazing. I have taken advantage of the extra time to participate in more community theater (see pictures of Awesome 80's prom in past posts), dance class, and of course knitting. This year, I decided to try my hand at digital scrapbooking. I found myself so far behind in that hobby, and desperately wanted to scrap my trip to NYC. After my first digital pages, I was addicted. I haven't gone back to paper scrapping since. There is a whold WORLD of digital scrapbooking. In March, I even started selling my own digital scrapbook designs. I design digital elements like: paper, embellishments, alphabets and things for people to make their own digital scrapbook pages. If you would like to see what I am doing, just visit www.sashajane.blogspot.com. Don't ask why I chose to design under the name Sasha Jane...I don't really know myself.

You can also check out my scrap book pages to see pictures from this year (and others) HERE!

Mike is still directing the music at our church Tabernacle of Praise. He is also very excited about some new vision for the twenty-somethings group, Fusion, which he directs as well. Read the book UnChristian--it's fantastic (thanks Greg!). That is what they are basing the new vision on. Mike has been challenging himself alot this last year as far as leadership and faith. He is reading book after book, and meeting with this new group of guys on Wednesdays for lunch. I love to hear the excitement in his voice about the conversations he has and the growing he is going through. I am so BLESSED to have a husband that is a man of God!

Our fur babies, Kitty and Trooper are doing well. Kitty actually went in for emergency surgery in August to remove a hernia. Oh man, I don't know how I am going to handle kids. I was crying over Kitty being sick and in surgery! Trooper is healthy as a horse, and he eats like one too. He is like a big garbage disposal. Though we try our best to keep him from eating "icky" stuff, once in a while, after tromping through the woods, he will be annoyingly sick. OR he will get onto the porch and gorge himself full of dog food. You can actually SEE his tummy is larger than usual. But, despite that, he is our big brown dog, and we love him.

I hope that your Christmas season is blessed. Remember, though all the activity may be good things, it might not all be beneficial. If you feel like you "just can't do it anymore" (Heather...wink wink), maybe you should rethink things a bit. Again, I can't tell you the liberation of the word NO. Even though it's a negative word, it has brought so much positive to my life.

We love you all, and wish you the Merriest of Christmases and Happy New Year.

awww

2007-11-27T18:49:00.001-06:00

Too Cute!

CABARET

2007-10-09T08:47:00.001-05:00

Book by Joe Masteroff, Lyrics by Fredd Ebb, Music by John Kander

7:30pm October 11-13
1:30pm October 14
State Theatre

$18 adults, $17 Senior, $8 Students

From the V1 award-winning CVTG directing team who brought you Cats comes this classic Tony Award winner about love and strife during Berlin's rising tide of national socialism. For tickets or more information, call 832-7529. Content not suitable for children. Read the Preview article.

My first northern!

2007-08-30T21:57:00.001-05:00

I am freaking out in this picture, because I am SCARED of this fish! Northerns are wicked mean. Greg had to do all the dirty work for me. I just realed it in. I've never caught anything but pan fish before so, this was pretty exciting.

Boo's Stay

2007-08-10T15:20:00.000-05:00

Here it is...the world premier of "Why Are You Following Me." The artist is Rebecca Adams (lead vocals and guitar). Uncle Mike Rambo is on drums. Enjoy!

During Becca's stay with us, the electricity went out for a little over an hour. We had to break down and cook our mac n' cheese with Mike's camp stove. Here are some pictures of Uncle Mike and Becca trying to get the electricity back up.

Little Kitty Girl

2007-08-04T23:30:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, we came home and noticed Kitty was shaking. Usually if dogs are shivering, it's because they're cold, scared, or in pain. It definitly wasn't cold, and there was nothing to be scared of...so we started checking her for "oddnesses" on her body. Mike found a lump in her groin area. Since the vet office was closed, we had to wait 'til morning to get her in. In the morning, the lump was much smaller; she was much more energetic and ate her food (she didn't the night before). But by the time of her vet appointment, the lump was HUGE and a little blue.

Turns out is was an inguinal hernia. Basically, her intestines were haning out through a hole in her muscle. UGH! We had to leave her there for surgery. I don't know how I am going to deal with sick/hurt kids...I was crying leaving my DOG!

From the reading I was doing, these are fairly common in the Pekingese breed. Especially if they had babies before their bodies were really ready (stinkin' puppy mills).

She came home the next day with her tail wagging. Her belly is all shaved, and she has a big incision. But she is doing very well.

Addy goes to the zoo!

2007-07-17T13:28:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures and some videos from our trip to the zoo with Addy.

80's Prom

2007-07-17T13:15:00.001-05:00

What an experience...I had a blast...it was totally awesome, tubular, radical, stellar and whatever 80's lingo you can think of.

LISTEN to this!!!

2007-06-05T09:39:00.000-05:00

Copy and past this link into your browser, and you will hear exactly what we heard. Just turn up the volume to make sure you get the FULL effect of how stinkin' loud this guy was.

http://www.foxbox.org/upclose/sounds/auyell.wav

This one is the call Mike took Trooper down for. Seriously, we thought a kid was in trouble or something!

http://www.foxbox.org/upclose/sounds/redfox-distress.wav

Another NEW guest

2007-06-05T09:25:00.000-05:00

So about three nights ago, Mike and I woke up to this horrible scream. Mike took Trooper and rushed down to the porch to see if he could see anyone. NOONE! Then, last night, we woke up (at 2:00 am) to this piercing, scream. It sounded like someone in labor. They were short screams...the wierdest sound I have ever heard. Again, Mike got up to see if there was some domestic disturbance or something. But, the noises kept going in a very rhythmic manner and sounded the same each time. So, Mike went to the window that faces our nieghbor's house. Inbetween our houses, there is a large flowering bush. He called me over...I kept hearing this CRAZY noise and saw a shadow pouncing and running around the bush. Every once in awhile, I could hear a growl. Every once in a while, I could hear a hiss. Finally, I saw a side view and noticed the large fox tail. There is a flipping FOX in our lawn. I think it was trying to attack a cat who was protecting itself in the bush and hissing back. Seriously, for at least five minutes it was "barking" at this bush. Finally, I just said something and scared it away. There was NO WAY I was going to sleep if that kept up.

New Arrivals!

2007-05-31T20:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I came upon a little squirrel in my flower garden. Today, all the littles ones (3 total) came out to feed in our nieghbors squirrel feeder. They aren't shy yet so, they let us get close. They are VERY hungry...they fed for an hour straight, and they are quite cute! If you click on the pictures, you can see bigger versions.

Addy's Layout

2007-05-31T15:48:00.000-05:00

Graduation Layouts

2007-05-25T13:57:00.001-05:00

Here are the scrap book layouts I did for my master's graduation.

You can still get past pictures HERE!

2007-05-25T13:11:00.000-05:00

Sarah's Shower
Action City
Addy's Birthday