Meet Bailey

She is Deb's baby and a new playmate to Zip and Katie. Just how cute can you get?

Tired.

Lots of driving in the past couple of weeks. Two 'day' trips (one to a project on Bull Shoals Lake in Lead Hill, Arkansas and one to a project in Batesville, Arkansas). One trip for 3 days to Shreveport, LA for an annual conference/convention. And one 'round trip' from Little Rock to Springfield, MO. to Fayetteville, AR. and then back to Little Rock in 2 days. All of which I drove on my very own. I'm ready to stick around here for a little while...

Ice pictures

Our neighbor up at the farm took these pictures and shared them with me. You can see the amount of ice that just covered everything. I told her that it's hard for us that are down here in Little Rock to imagine what it's like because we don't see it and don't face it every day.

I heard they finally got power back yesterday and I am glad. We have a long road to recovery, but I know we'll get there.

(thanks Susan for sharing and letting me use your pictures!!)

Just a taste...

These pictures offer only a smidgen of what it's like up in north Arkansas right now. I actually shot these during a previous ice storm (around the beginning of January 09). It's pretty to look at, but just devestating to deal with.

I hope and pray those that are still w/o power will have power soon. I am reminded just how lucky we are when such events happen.

Blu and some other family members went up to the family farm earlier this week (he has yet to come home), and they say it is really bad. We have some fence-mending to get done, but can't get to it until the ice melts. The cows are doing fine; looks like we have some work to do in the coming months. Stay tuned for more pictures of the farm!

Blazzled

Ok, so I make one change to my blog (new background) and lose all my previously saved info (like favorite blog list). Never realized just how out of sorts you can get when your blog is 'un-organized'. So, to celebrate I made up a new word. Blog+Frazzled=Blazzled. Actually, I don't know if that word already exists (sorry if it does)...guess I should check.

The Girls

The newest additions to the Coburn clan...meet Olga (#30--with the snot) and Dolores (#33). They reside at the farm, along with around 18 other new additions.

And Happy New Year!

Just a few snapshots of how we rang in 2009...quite loudly! And what Zip thought of it all at around 1AM!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year's and looking forward to what 2009 brings!

Merry Christmas!!

From Our Home To Yours...Many wishes for a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

Merry Christmas!!

It's December...

And I have not posted for some time. I don't know why...probably because I've been extremely busy at work (more than I ever imagined), plus it's that time of year. Time seems to escape me when December rolls around. Hard to believe Christmas is only 14 days away.

I found this picture on my camera...I'm not responsible for it. I know it was either my husband or my stepson, but I'm not sure which. I thought it was a beautiful picture and it brought a smile to my face. A nice surprise.

For the most part, we are ready for Christmas. I think. I still have some trimming to do on the Christmas tree at home (at least it's up! With lights! Of course, the tree is pre-lit). The tree and I have issues every year. It bites when you are trying to 'fluff' it. And a Christmas tree that has been in a box for 11 months needs fluffing. Lots. So, I am licking my battle wounds as I prepare for another battle...adding the ornaments or aka 'trimming the tree'.

My Christmas cards are in the mail (YAY! On time this year!) and I have two more presents to shop for (but I know what I'm going to get; just need that boost of energy to go get them). And I have a couple of packages to get in the mail (another battle--the post office. Sigh.)

Over all, I feel as though I am ahead. And that is a good feeling. Christmas is my favorite time of year, but it's also the hardest time of year for me. I still think about my mom every day. I know she is smiling down upon us because this was her favorite time of year too. And she would be happy that I am *feeling* good about Christmas.

A Thought in Passing...

" The Democrats will now control the Oval Office and both branches of Congress.”

Something about having that much power in one concentration scares me. While I think it’s not a good thing to have two sides arguing all the time (especially when it comes to making decisions for the good of the entire nation), there is a reason why that argument exists (reality check, anyone?).

Now, we will wait and see what happens. And I hope and pray that President-elect Obama comes through on all his promises to us, the American people.

Catch ups

It was a busy October! My oh my, where has time gone??

I have a few baby announcements that are late in coming...Blu is a great uncle once again. Colton Sawyer was born back in August to his nephew and wife--congratulations to you guys! And I hate to say it, but we really can't wait to meet the new addition (yes, we have been THAT busy!).

And congrats to the Jobe family who welcomed Logan Dwain (I think I did not spell this right, but will check on that) on October 3rd...I am sure Annie will be sharing pictures sometime soon.

And finally, Blu was successful in muzzleloading this year and shot an 8pt.

Two weeks later, Spenser shot his first deer during our annual youth hunt.

Hopefully, if work permits, I'll be able to get out in those deer woods next weekend for opening weekend 2008!!

Las Vegas

I went on a mini-vacation over the Columbus Day weekend holiday. To Las Vegas, with the girls. We had a lot of fun, got to catch up with each other, WALK a lot, and eat plenty of good food.

It was a good trip and I feel refreshed. That's a good thing because coming back to work on Wednesday was total chaos.

If you ever get a chance, visit the Shark Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. They have a pretty good exhibit, not too expensive, and made for a relaxing afternoon activity.

One thing I did do differently this time in visiting Vegas was to stop by the 'old part of town' called Freemont Street. It was pretty cool--they run a light show on an overhead ceiling top. The show runs on the hour at night. We got to see Queen performing "We Will Rock You". I think they change the show around each time.

And I didn't lose my shirt. But, I didn't win a million dollars either.

How was your Columbus Day weekend? I hope everyone had a good one!

All you need is love...

Nothing is more calming than a warm lap to sit in or a warm kitty purring in your lap.

The catloader (aka Roxanne aka Na na) loves her dad.

Playin'

Went up to the farm over the weekend; it was, after all, the opening weekend of bow season. :)

The pups got to romp and play among the hay bales. They loved it. But, no deer to be had.

We've got time.

Another year to celebrate...

I celebrate the second anniversary of my 29th birthday today...YIPEE!

Today must be an online quiz day...

Here's another one (this one is from Susannah):



http://www.strangegirl.com/emma/quiz.php

You are Anne Elliot of Persuasion! Let's face it; you're easily persuaded, particularly when friends and relatives try to use "the Elliot way" against you. But this doesn't mean that you don't have conviction. Actually, your sense of duty is overwhelming. And though you won't stick your neck out too often, you have learned to speak up when it counts. To boot, you know how to handle sticky situations. You love deeply and constantly.

Color and Hue Quiz

I stole this this quiz from Sernin...thought it was fun. See how you do!

http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77

Line those colors up!

Here's my info:

Your score: 11
Gender: Female
Age range: 30-39
Best score for your gender and age range: 0
Highest score for your gender and age range: 1476

More pictures of Snow Creek...

Thanks to Amy for the additional pictures!

WHITEWATER!!! In September no less...

We had water in September thanks to Gustav. So, a few of us brave souls decided to make the best of a beautiful Saturday and go paddling. As you can see, we had a lot of water...and fun!

Gustav...in Arkansas

This is one view from the window(s) in my office. Typically, the green trees you see are, by this time of the year (just coming off August), brown.

Not so much this year. We had two high water events earlier in the year (March and April) and now, we are in the midst of dealing with what is left of Hurricane Gustav. Couple that with the fact we really didn't have a scorching summer (we had some rain throughout June, July, and August), and you get green trees. I hope this means we will have a beautiful fall (the silver lining in all those grey clouds!).

Most predictions are saying the State of Arkansas could get up to 10 inches in some areas. That could be a bad thing.

We're watching this event closely and I hope this storm will soon pass (without any further damage). We had some big trees come down in the neighborhood and I've been hearing that from people all over the office.