So blessed

Thank you Nikki!

The details of blogs chosen for this award:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kindbloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interestedin self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbonsof these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this awardto eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include thiscleverly-written text into the body of their award."!

I will pass it on to:

Gina, Kristie, Ana, Angie, Amy, Janice, Judy

Thank you Angie!!:

"This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day. Now, I invite you all to stop over and give Angie some love, today especially.

The rules to follow are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to another 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment.

I'm going to pass this on to:

Nikki, Gill, Lib, Carol, and Patty

And Thank You Janice!:

I'm passing this one on to:

Warren, Arizona, Audrey, Ana and Carol.



And this one I'm sending out to:

Mel, Lisa, Gizmo, and Rene

Thank you Carol and Mel!

This award is given to those whose blogs are full of sweetness, thoughtfulness, and kindness. :o)The rules are as follows:1) Put the Berry Sweet Blog Award logo on your blog or post.2) Nominate 5-10 blogs that show sweetness, thoughtfulness, and kindness.3) List and link your nominees within your post.4) Let them know they have received the award by leaving a comment on their blog.It's always so hard to nominate blogs because there are so many wonderful blogs out there. However having said, that I've picked the following to receive this award.

I'm sending this one out to:

Millie, Miriam, Dawn, Em, Lisa and Sarah and Valerie.

I'm sure there is someone I am forgetting - and I apologize if I have forgotten someone! If you visit regularly or I visit you regularly, please feel free to take one!

Kris

Blessed

Millie gifted me with the life is Grand Award.

And I have to come up with 5 reasons why my life is grand! Here goes:

• I have my family - Todd and I have been through good times, great times, rough times, bad times and have stuck it out and dug in for the long haul. I have the best 2 kids around who bring love, joy and understanding to our lives every single day. I have wonderful parents and siblings, in-laws, grandparents, etc.
• We both have JOBS! In this economy - that is a feat in itself I think some days. And both of our jobs are pretty much recession proof.
• We have our little slice of heaven - idiot neighbors aside. Complete with veggie gardens, animals, flower gardens, quiet, space, plenty of room to roam.....
• We have wonderful friends - who we connect with instantly and it doesn't matter if we last saw them 5 minutes ago or 5 months ago - the connection is there and will always be there. We have 1 couple - who it's like psychic waves or something - she called me the morning I found out I was pregnant with Tyler - before I even had the chance to call Todd because she felt something was going on (litterally, it was like 2 minutes after the test). Some day I'll have to scan a picture of their daughter and Jessie into the computer and post them here - it's freaky that these 2 girls - 12 years apart - look like they could be twins if they were the same age. This of course, leads to numerous jokes and questions among the 4 of us - and some wierd looks from others....
• I have my hobby that Todd enjoys supporting me with and seeing what I have made.
• We all have our health - Jessie's broken bones aside:) - hehe
• I am so blessed with this blogging community - to have met so many wonderful people.

Ok - that is 7 but really, I could go on and on.

And now, I will pass this on to:

Judy, Scrappy Quilter, Janice, Julie, Gina, Amy, Kristie, Katie .... honestly, I could go on and on and on here but I'm getting tired:)

Thank you Millie!!!!

Friends

I have been so blessed.



Julie gifted me with both of these awards (and Just Another Rainy Day also gifted me with this award):





And my picks for this award are anyone who follows my blog! I have gotten to know so many wonderful people, who I wouldn't get to know otherwise. I did try to list all of you out individually - but I am not computer smart enough.





The meaning of this award: This blog invests and believes in Proximity - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes for self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!


I'm supposed to pass this on to 8 blogs, but I cannot pick just 8 so how bout....anyone whose blog I follow? And if you don't have the gadget for "Follow this Blog" - put it there so I can follow you!





And Winifred gifted me with this award:



"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.Deliver this award to eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

And this one I'm giving to:

Angie

Kristie

Ana

Sew Amy

Lynn

Scrappy Quilter

Audrey
Gina


And Small House gifted me with this award:




I'm passing this one on to anyone who is on my blogroll on the sidebar or I've left a comment on your blog.

I have a very hard time limiting who I send these awards too - that may be because I have over 130 blogs that I read on a daily basis.

Thank you so much everyone - I can't believe I started this blog a little over a year ago, and I'm close now to 300 posts!!

Kris

Photo Challenge & Award

Challenge: 4th picture folder, 4th picture.

Tyler, Austin and Morgan (l to r) playing their version of softball!


Oh - at least this is a cute one. I have some really, really horrible pictures on my computer. Guess this will teach me to clean out my photos.

This was in the summer of 2007 - at the fire department summer picnic. Lots of good food, good friends and good fun. After eating, we played softball, the kids played in the creek that runs through the park, and the firefighters had a water barrell fight.




Hotter than heck, but oh so much fun!

And now I pick Gill, Warren, Angie, and whoever else wants to play along.

And I received this from LuAnn:






Thank you!! And I pick for this one anyone who follows, reads or has commented on this little old space.

Thanks LuAnn!

Kris

I've been BOO'ED

by LuAnn over at Loose Threads. Thanks LuAnn!!!!

And to pass it on....if you're on my links on the side bar - or a newbie who is reading my blog where either you've left a comment for me or I've left a comment for you - feel free to take it. I can't just pick a couple of you.

Hope everyone has a FUN and SAFE halloween. We are off to my parent's tonight for Jessie and Tyler to go trick or treating and draw a name for the winner of Mom's giveaway!

Kris

Brilliante (?) weblog

Thank you to Lyn, Lib and Arizona for this wonderful award! And I pick..... wait, does that mean I get to pick more than 7 since I received this from all 3 of you? While I can certainly think of that many, here's as many as I can do:

Angie, Amanda Jean, Katie, Jacquie, Spoonful of Sugar, AJ Quilts, Kristie, Crazy for Primitive Quilts, Amy, Lynsey, Gina

And really, anyone who has ever commented on this little old blog is SO deserving of this reward - you all have made my day! I do go and read each of your blogs, and enjoy ALL of them. I've loved having a whole new circle of friends here in cyberspace.

Kris

What Does My Name mean?

What Kristen Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Pay It Forward

A fabulous idea started a long, long time ago - by someone very smart. . . . .



And I received my Pay It Forward gift in the mail from Jacquie today - what a great gift!!!! Thank you so much Jacquie. I love it (and had been dreaming of one after I saw her's a few posts ago) and am trying to figure out where I can possibly hang it that it will be treasured for all times.



So now, who would like to play Pay It Forward with me? The first 3 people to join in the comments I will make something special for. Which you will receive in the next 2 months (the rules say actually 12 months - but I'm going to be daring here). In return, you Pay It Forward on your own blogs when you receive my gift:). It has to be handmade, but could be anything from something knitted, something quilted, some neat cards, something stamped, a beautiful photograph you took for a lucky someone to hang on their walls, use your imagination!!!



Back later,

Kris

4x4

I was tagged by Angie for the 4x4 meme - so here goes!!


4 jobs I've had:

veterinary assistant

legal secretary

horse trainer

Mom (the most important).

4 shows I watch:

...ummm...

American Idol

Prison Break

24

House

4 places I've been:

Washington D.C.

Spring TX & Houston TX

Punxsutawney, PA

Mayo Clinic, MN

(whew - that one was tough - we don't like to go anywhere I guess)


4 foods I like:

pizza

homemade bread

steak

boneless, skinless grilled chicken breasts

And I will tag Sara, Jacquie, Jen, Katie & Lynsey

Enjoy, and I'll look forward to reading your responses ladies!!

Kris

Thanks Lynsey!!!!

Thanks Lynsey!! Now I have had to really think, and come up with some answers. . . .

Where was I 10 years ago?:

10 years ago at this point in time Todd and I were renting a house about 20 miles from our current farm, and this summer (July 11th to be exact) marks 10 years that we have been living on the farm. I was showing horses competitively throughout the State of Ohio, and not thinking that in 10 years I’d be a wife, running a small farm, working full time, and mother to 2 wonderful active children.

Things on my to-do list today. . . :

Today - just work until 4, get the kids, make dinner (baked spaghetti casserole), clean up after dinner, make my kids some pj’s after they go to bed and vacuum the house (the plug got pulled out and I haven’t vacuumed since Saturday - this is really killing me).

Since today is not a real full day (because I have to work until 4) this is my to-do list for Saturday: Clean the house (an ongoing battle), start my seeds for my garden, watch Todd and my Dad install a new water heater and a new water softener this afternoon (the heater which died Monday night and is temporarily fixed, and the softener which died last fall), cook dinner, help with chores, read blogs:), try and get some sewing in, and do some laundry.

What would I do if I suddenly became a billionaire?:

That is easy - I would give some to charity and local churches, pay off the farm, give some money to various family members, buy both of us more environmentally friendly cars, give a huge donation to our local 4-h, Central Fire District (where Todd is a volunteer) and Town & Country Fire Dept. (where we live), buy more land in our school district, buy more cows, buy another horse that is kid safe so Tyler, Jessie and I could ride horses together, fund college funds for our children, retirement funds for us, and definitely quit my job.

What are 3 of my bad habits?:

I don’t exercise - ever. In the summer I get plenty of exercise working in my gardens, riding horses, walking with the kids while they ride their bikes in town and swimming, but in the winter - nothing.

I don’t keep a good list of what I need at the store, and forever running at lunch or stopping after work to pick up little things (I’ve been forgetting shaving gel for Todd for 3 weeks now - I will stop tonight - if I remember:)).

I cook enough to feed a third world country when I get motivated to cook, but then I have a hard time eating leftovers (I don't like a lot of food in it's leftover form), and end up throwing away tons of food. I am trying to get better, but. . .

5 jobs I have had:

my current job - legal secretary
horse trainer/riding instructor
assembly line in a factory
vet assistant
short order cook
I really had to think on that one - I’ve been a secretary for so long - 14 years. . . .

5 things you don’t know about me:

I hate tomatoes, but love spaghetti, pizza sauce and chilli. I just can’t handle tomatoes in their natural state (although I am starting 60 tomato plants Saturday for our families’ consumption).

The older I get the lighter my gag reflex gets. I’ve been gagging at stuff that never used to bother me (some involving kids’ bodily functions - sorry about that, but it’s getting funny the older they get). Dirt (and other substances) on the kitchen floor, or any floor in the house really, freaks me out and also makes me gag, and I am forever mopping, sweeping and vacuuming.

I am obsessive compulsive about certain things (like the way our bed is made, and how clean my kitchen floor is). When I had Jessie, our house was trashed after a week of running non-stop, and Todd thought he would help me out by hiring my sister-in-law to clean it up before I came home. Little did he know (or understand) that I like our bed made a certain way, and the first night I was home it was major meltdown time when I went to bed and dissolved into tears because it wasn’t made the right way, and we had to take the sheets off and remake it - they were all on there, just not the way I like to have it made to climb into bed. And other things housecleaning wise I could care less about.

I am learning to enjoy thrifting/remaking/redoing for various decorations/needs in our house. I think groceries (brought at a grocery store) are the biggest waste of money there is - hence the rather large garden this summer. I am rethinking our spending habits, and trying to be more thrifty due to the economy (or lack thereof)

I drive entirely too fast and rely constantly on cruise control to keep me at the speed limit (or a couple above) even going through town at 35.

And now, I tag: Kellie, Lynn, Angie, Christina and Jacquie - hope you 5 enjoy this!! And if you are reading this and I didn't specifically tag you - feel free to consider yourself tagged!!
Kris

How fun!!

Excellent? How wonderful - Thanks Farm Mom!!

I choose to pass this along to: Just Granny's, Yonder Way Farm, The Beginning Farmers Wife, Loosing our Shirts, Keeping the Farm, The Quilting Bookworm, Crazy Mom Quilts, Sugar Creek Farm

I must admit, this has been so much fun - when I first started, I didn't tell anyone I was doing this for a number of weeks (I think it was mid-end January). I wasn't sure I would have anything worth talking about, and whether I would have time for it. But I feel like I have made a whole new set of friends, and our family values have shifted ever so slightly, for the better I believe, in that we are making a conscious effort to get back to a healthier, simpler, lifestyle.

Thanks Farm Mom!! Kris