Words of wisdom...

Acknowledge the lesson, smile, and try again.

Being a mild perfectionist, I have always been someone who tries VERY hard to please everyone. 

It's just the way I am; I can't stand to let someone down, my boss, my parents, my husband, my cheerleaders.

But, in all reality, something, sometime, somewhere, will happen that will cause me to rethink everything I have done and look back to see what I could have changed, tried differently, or not done at all that would have been a better outcome. 

I struggle to let go of things.  I hang on to comments made by others that make me feel small or worthless.  My skin is thin.  My mind dwells on and almost obsesses on what I need to do to make myself better. 

The quote above is something that I need to work towards.

Not everything will work out as it seems in my head, not everyone will be happy with the decision that has been made, but that is ok.

Acknowledge the lesson is the absolute hardest for me.  Smiling...well that is easy! :-)  Trying again will be a challenge, but one that I am willing to accept and work on. 

The jitters...

Coffee...

I usually don't drink to much coffee unless I absolutely have to have a cup to stay awake.

I had 6 cups today.

I feel weird.

I started an exercise class with a friend of mine on Monday that will run 3 days a week from 5:15am-6:05am for 4 months.

I have woken up at 7am for the past year.  Can you imagine what I am feeling right now?

It's not hard for me to get up early-it's the late afternoon when my tiredness hits me like a brick wall.

I actually really like the class alot-just need to get used to this new schedule.

And coffee was my antidote.

For the record-it just makes you feel weird...I'm still tired!

Won't be drinking this much EVER again-geesh!

*Yawn*---off to cheerleading practice!

Have a good (rainy) day!

Greta turns 10 & four wheeling!

This picture sums up my husband and his love for ATVs....its quite intense! 

Scott popping a wheelie!  Notice we are ALL wearing helmets-safety first!

I think Andy looks like a little kid in this picture the way he is smiling!

Watch out!

Show off! ;)

Getting mud whipped at me as I try to get a cool shot!

Dad's beans-they are up to the boys' chests-can you even see Greta??

Happy birthday little girl-you were a total suprise, and continue to amaze me with how smart you are.  I am so blessed to have a little sister.  I love you!

Happy wishes are sure to come-shes 10! :)

A few Picnik's of Andy's senior pictures...

I took some photos of Andy tonight for his senior pictures-and then I did some Picnik editing to them just to dress 'em up a little...enjoy!

Saturday in the Park & 4th of July

This weekend Jason and I headed to Sioux City with some friends to see a few people up on this stage!

Saturday in the Park was the name of this thing we went to...

There was lots of people...this was in the morning...it was probably 5x as many by the time the main acts were on stage.

Here are the two people we went with...Jessi and Todd.  Jason works with Todd...and they are so much alike!  I KNOW that Jason and him were brothers in a different life.

Jason and I enjoying the music...

Here is the first main act-Grace Potter.  She has an amazing voice!

And next was Cee Lo Green....

The main act was Ben Harper...he was amazing!  This was Jessi & Todd's 14th time seeing them!  WOW!  We were probably 20 feet from the stage-it was great!

The flooding in Sioux City was pretty significant...

While on our way home, we stopped at a Casey's in Sac City and noticed this little red shed across from it.  Turns out it was the World's Largest Popcorn Ball!  Yea-it was awesome!

Around the "popcorn ball shed" we found a small "old time" village!  Their was a little church and we got a picture by it. 

It was a great weekend....stay tuned for tomorrow's post about the rest of our 4th of July weekend!

Last week happenings...

Here are some shots of us girls enjoying a night out with a yummy mexican meal at the new Mexican restaurant in Charles City.  It was pretty tasty!

Little Winny was so so tired!

This last picture is of a house that was being moved from just West of the high school.  Here is it just sitting in the high school parking lot, waiting to be moved about a block down the road.  I got to watch it being moved!  Pretty interesting!

Our cat, Talouse, is having stomach problems, so Jason took him to the vet this morning to check and see what is going on.  They said he was fine, but were going to do x-rays to see if their was something else in his stomach or what was going on in there.  Makes me so sad!  I know he's just a cat, but pets become family. 

I hope that nothing is wrong!!

Have a good weekend everyone!

I have a VERY busy weekend planned with Water Over the Dam Days and 2 wedding showers!  Ahhhhh!! Let the summer time buisness commence!

A few notes...

Prepare yourselves for a very random post...

Ready...
Ok.

--Have you ever had a bee fly into your car?

It happened to me today!  I freaked!  The litle thing buzzed right in through my half open window as I was stopped at a stop sign.  My arms shot up to my face as it tried to get out of my car...luckily it went to the passenger side window and waited for me to open it.  And of course, my passenger side window is very picky and sometimes doesn't work.  BUT IT WORKED! 
I have noticed more bugs these past few days than I can count!  Spiders, flies, ants, and now bees! Yikes!  I am NOT a bug person...

--Cheerleading camp is this weekend! :)  That means lots of new things to learn.  I'm excited to see how my new girls pick up on stuff from the instructors!

--I got my nails done on Wednesday!  They look pretty, but they sure are a pain to type on the computer with! 

--Nashua's city wide garage sales have been going on today and will continue through the weekend.  Luckily, I don't carry cash on me...ever...or I would be stopping at every single one!  I know that I don't need anything, so I am avoiding them at all costs...i always come home with things that "sit in the basement" as Jason says...so, here's to new beginnings! :)  Let's see how long this lasts!

--Have a great weekend everyone! :)

Singing in the rain!

If the weather people are right, we are going to have a slightly rainy Memorial Day weekend. 

That would be fine and all...

If we weren't planning on being outside all weekend...

and sleeping in a tent.

Jason and I have camped over Memorial Day weekend with the same group of friends for a few years now.  We have been through rain, heat, mosquitoes, a tornado a few miles from our campsite, animals, wind, you name it, we've seen it.  We've even made our own rain shelter out of a tarp, some trees, and some large branches.  The darn thing worked!

Jason LOVES to camp.  If he could live outside, he probably would.  He likes braving the elements and he is a fire bug.  Always picking, prodding, and stoking the fire to make sure that the heat is evenly being distributed...even if we are just making smores before bed.  He laughed at me when I told him that he would pee the bed if he played with fire.  My mom always told me that.  Now I have come to realize that was a hoax to keep us away from the fire...she's good.

Jason also is an excellent cleaner/organizer when he is outside.  He's that way inside too, but outside is almost worse.  He will straighten the log piles, tidy up the cooler, and set up the garbage before you have a chance to say hello.  It's crazy I tell you! 

I also might add that he is an excellent rock skipper and prides himself on seeing how many times he can make it skip over the water.  I'm not sure what his record is, you will have to ask him to show you his mad skills if you are ever around him, some smooth stones, and a large body of water.  It's quite intriguing. 

He isn't allowed a hatchet anymore when we camp.  If you know Jason you will have most likely seen him "flipping" things.  Spoons, pop bottles, plates, ketchup bottles (this one was a funny story), and whatever else he can get his hands on, including a hatchet. I hadn't met Jason when this little mishap occurred...but let's just say he has a scar to prove that flipping a hatchet is not a cool thing to do...

Food is always a huge thing to look forward to when camping...here are some of the nessecities:

Camping food:

Smore things is a must.

Eggs-for breakfast

Cheese-for everyting

Various meats-brats, burgers, steaks, chicken.

Bacon-enough said

Bread

Potatoes

and on this years menu, Scotcheroos!

The best part about camping...

-being outside.

-on a day off from work.

-seeing and enjoying the nature around you.

-being with people.

-making memories to last a lifetime.

Baby....birds! :-)

Remember back when I had this post...

http://theherrickhome.blogspot.com/2011/04/seeing-past-snow.html

Those little birdies are hatched!

Not sure on how many are in there...and in this picture they look all jumbled up, can't really tell.  They are a little up a little taller than me, so I had to hold my camera up and just push the button.  The mother robin comes around all the time with little worms for them...it's a pretty neat thing to have a front row seat to! :)

Watch out world!

 My little sister is so cool...she can drive a tractor! :)  And she is really good at it too!  But that does mean she is growing up way to fast!

You know it's summertime when the rye is cut and being raked!

These are the flowers in my bug.  Everyone always asks about them, and I thought this post needed a little color...so here you go!

I have a front view of all the goes on at the high school parking lot right out my office window.  Today, since it is the seniors last full day, they were planning a prank.  Now, I am expecting something extravagant, such as toilet papering the underclassman's cars, having a skip day, or something else crazy.  Nope, this class planned on parking in the teacher parking lot.  Hahahaha!!  Well, their plan was spoiled for some reason...maybe they have something else up their sleeve since they are in school until tomorrow at 11:00am.  When I graduated from high school, we went a little more crazy with the prank.  I, of course, had NOTHING to do with the prank, but my brother Kevin, who also graduated with me, did.  He took a GOAT, unbeknownst to my mother, and let it loose in the SCHOOL!!  Hahahahahahaha!!!  It had a small accident (it pooped) in the Senior hallway of ALL places!!  Kevin, of course, had to do some explaining when he went to pick the goat up...they almost didn't let him walk acrosst the stage to get his diploma!! 

School pranks make me laugh... :)

An assortment of thoughts:

Lately, I have been finding myself having a lot more time on my hands.  It's been nice, really nice.  The laundry doesn't pile up, the dishes don't pile up...near as much, and I have more time to clean/organize/relax. 

I have been cutting my spring flowers that are blooming in the backyard.  They really brighten up my desk at work...doesn't flowers in a Mason jar just scream country living...I love it.  :)



For Mother's Day, I got my mom a canvas that has the picture of our entire family they used for their Chritmas cards.  I found a coupon code online for a FREE one!  All I had to pay was shipping and it was like $15 for that of course, but originally without the coupon code, it would have been nearly $40! 

I have been going for walks lately after work, since I have time, at the park here in Nashua.  It is so nice to just get out and walk by the lake.  I really enjoy it after being inside all day!  Also, for you Nashua locals, one loop all the way around the park, as in down and around the volleyball nets, and through the camping area, and back to the entrance to the park by the beach is very close to a mile for each loop.  I have been walking 3 loops a night.  My shins hurt a bit.  :)

I have a new blog that I really enjoy following...thought I would share it with you.  The blogger's name is Ree and she makes all kinds of yummy food!  Her photos are amazing.  Here is the link- http://thepioneerwoman.com/  I am making a recipe from her blog called Pig Cake for Mother's Day.  It has fruit in it so it must be somewhat healthy right?? ;)

I have several friends/family that work out of town and I can't imagine how much they will be paying for gas this summer!!  It was nearly $4 a gallon last time I looked this week.  Jason and I both work in town and I am so thankful for that!  I can't imagine commuting to work EVERYDAY and paying that much to fill up your car.  Jason is thinking about taking an online summer class instead of commuting to Mason City twice a week for a class he had been looking into...makes sense to me!

I have been just ITCHING to get out to a greenhouse and get our garden in!  We have a few peas and other veggies that I may put in tonight, but I really want to get some tomato plants and flowers! :D

I just have to share this with you...my little sister, Greta...can send a picture message.  No she doesn't have a cell phone, but she sure knows how to use my mom's!!  Seriously, I was blown away when I found out it was her sending them!  I figured Jacob had gotten ahold of her phone and was just messing around...but nope...it was Greta! She is so young...yet so smart at the same time!  I can't imagine what she will be like when she is a teenager!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!  I have two graduation parties to attend!  Jason is excited....free cake!! :)

I like nice people.

Nice people seriously make me smile.

Take today for instance...

I had a tanning appointment today and after I left and got into my car, I realized I still was holding the towel that I was supposed to leave in the laundry basket. 

So I hop out and run back in to throw the towel in the basket....I get out to my car, and it's locked.  My keys are visible in my purse...I.Am.SO.Annoyed. I NEVER lock my keys in my car...ever.  This is the second time I have done this in 5 years.  My bug is tempermental.  It loves me some days...other days I think it is out to get me.  Today was the second one. 

So I saunter back into the shop, and explain my situation to the lovely lady working.  She quickly offers to let me use her shop phone, and even tells me the number for the local body shop.  I was very grateful. 

I waited and chatted with her for awhile...she was SO nice and offered to give me a ride if I had to go anywhere...TWICE!  She was so sweet! 

After waiting for a little while, the body shop guy pulls up and has his car-getting-unlocked-stuff ready.  He unlocks my car within minutes, and without missing a beat I ask what I owe and I will write him a check. 

And you know what he says...

Don't worry about it. 

I said, 'No no no I WILL pay you'!  And all he says was 'have a great day'! He jumps in his truck and off he goes.

Sometimes when things go wrong, they have a way of lifting your mood.  Not always, but sometimes.  And these two little acts of kindness today made me appreciate kind, nice, and sweet people even more!

So thanks to the both of you...you know who you are!  You made my day! 

A few things to watch...

This first video is from my soon-to-be sister in law, Bridget!  It is so cute and so so funny...take a look!

This next one is from my mother-in-law, Kathy.  She is the director for TLC (The Learning Center) in Charles City.  They are having a capital campaign to raise $200,000 for their center...check it out!

Simple pleasures that money can't buy.

The little things...that make me smile.

• listening to an amazing singer hit the high note while singing the Star Spangled Banner.
• when you slip on a slick surface but regain you footing before you fall.
• the excited feeling you get when you step off the plane to a new city you have never been to before.
• driving through a highway patrol speedtrap when you aren't speeding.
• popping the cork on a bottle of champagne.
• pulling into your neighborhood after a long roadtrip.
• seeing somebody use and enjoy the gift you gave them.
• seeing rainbows through a yard sprinkler.
• having the exact change for something you are buying.
• the pure innocence of a newborn baby.
• when you finish a mountain of dishes and look around at a clean kitchen.
• the smell of freshly dried laundry.
• crossing things off your to do list.

Randomness....

Things.
--I must have slept with my neck in a crazy position last night, because I can only turn my head to the right without pain.  Tylenol hasn't even touched it....dang!
--I got my hair cut and colored this week.  It was scary, but I am quite satisfied with the outcome.  It's auburn...aka reddish brown. 
--Isn't it sad that 28 degrees feels like Spring to us after all the bitter cold we have endured this winter??
--Today, while running on the treadmill, I decided to quick hop off and put on my sweatpants because my shorts were falling off me.  I let the treadmill go, put them on, went to jump back on...here's where it get's good...totally ALMOST biffed it.  Dumb me forgot I didn't shut the thing off...  You know when you see the people on Funniest Home Videos who totally all out get thrown off the thing...I kind of got bucked off and regained my balance.  Didn't make it any better though that the weight room was FULL with high schoolers Yep.
--Oranges are really good.
--I am an aunt....again! Holly had her baby...it was a girl!  Winny Mae 7lb 13 oz....she's gorgeous. We get to meet her on Sunday!
--The Devil Wears Prada has to be one of my most favorite movies...

Here are some things I found that I like and thought I would share with you...

These little nest rings you can find here are soooo cute! 

I LOVE finding things like the sign below...

This website is really cool...here is the link.  I love finding new recipes and trying them out!

That's all I have for you! Enjoy your weekend!

Moments captured that make me smile.