Random Tid Bits

I haven't been on here since April so I felt the need to give a little random update on our very not so exciting life!

GARDEN:

Only portions of our garden did/are doing well. The lettuce was good while it lasted but ehhh, it was just okay. I'll try a new kind next year. The peas....let me just say I ate about 10 as soon as I picked them. That's it. The potatoes never bloomed so I'll be surprised if I dig any up. Which reminds me Jerod was supposed to do at least two weeks ago. We have tons and tons of green tomatoes. None have turned red yet and I'm wondering how long this process takes! The green beans....now we're talking! I've had three 1 gallon zip lock bags full. We eat and eat and eat green beans. We may just turn into giant walking green beans. 

PUDGE:

He's a holy terror. Awful. Usually. he's cute for about 5 minutes a day. I have to save him from death nearly every day. Saturday he was one foot away from getting smooshed by a truck all because he wanted to chase it because it made a sound that attracted him. He ripped the branch clean off the tree so he could chase said truck down the highway. I had to chase him in flip flops and no bra. Good times.

After rescuing him and calming my shaking legs I brought him inside so I could finish cleaning. He licked up the bleach I sprayed in the shower. I ask him constantly if he hates us and wants to go to heaven!?!?

Here is a capture of him being our midget watch dog.

Yes, he watches T.V. with us. Don't be fooled though, it keeps his attention for 5.5 seconds. 

PROPERTY:

Eventually, our house will be up in those woods overlooking the lake. I swear this will get done before I'm 40! It's almost depressing to go visit our little piece of heaven because we see all the work that still needs to be done and are reminded that money doesn't grow on trees. Ho hum....

MARRIAGE:

I still love it. Always will. Back in the day when I "knew" Jerod was the one I dreamed what Jerod's right hand would look like with a band around a very important finger. Then I quickly wondered if I would be the one that got blessed with putting it on. I was. He still catches me looking at it and always asks, "What?" I just smile and say "nothing." It's a constant reminder that God blessed me and I will forever cherish this man. 

God bless you all.

Garden Update

The plants are finally poking through the dirt/gumbo. (My brother-in-law, Joey, a very educated farmer, told me about "gumbo" so I've decided that I think it's a fun word and that my garden is full of it.) As far as I know, it's basically mud/paste/sticky/gross. Me, being the impatient person that I am, decided that I would try and plant seeds in this crud. To my surprise, plants are actually surviving...sort of. The places that were ideal soil obviously came up better. Anyway, here are a few to prove I'm developing a green thumb. 

If Jerod offers to till the garden...I don't refuse the service. That machine is just that, "a machine." It nearly rips my arms right off my body so I hate using it.

Lettuce. a/k/a: Black Seeded Simpson. It's not tough like Romaine but not pure water like head lettuce. It's my favorite. I actually almost re-planted this row in fear that this was just clover when it first came up. Whew!

Peas. Slightly stunted after the little bit of frost we had. I'm hoping they'll make it.

Potatoes. The two half rows are doing quite well. The bottom half of the first row was planted in the gumbo crud I was telling you about. They are finally coming through but a long ways behind these guys.

I can't wait to be able to pick this stuff for dinner.

I hope you've enjoyed the tour. If you have the space and time, I completely recommend having a garden. It's a source of stress relief after a long day. Plus you get to eat the food that you know wasn't smothered in chemicals. :)

God Bless.

Our first garden!

Ever since I can remember, Oma has had a garden at my parents house and each time I was available, I would go out there to help her. Little did I know (through all of my frustration and near death heat strokes) that I would be creating one of my own. To my surprise, Jerod is also interested in helping me. :)

Here is a picture of phase 1. Pardon the blur of the photo, this was taken from my phone and I was practically shaking I was so excited.

And here is phase 2. Jerod surprised me on a Monday after work with having the garden tilled. Almost ready for planting.

We put fertilzer on the garden last night and then used a hand tiller to mix it in. If the weather stays this nice I will be able to start planting this week. :D

We plan on planting at least five things:

1. Peas

2. Green Beans

3. Lettuce

4. Potatoes

5. Tomatoes

IF we have any room left over I am sure I can come up with a few more veggies...

Opa and Oma

I felt like doing a post this morning on two of the most important people in my life. Opa and Oma Schuenemeyer. Brace yourselves, it will be at length because that's what they deserve. Credit.

Here is the happy married couple...

They will be celebrating 63 years of marriage this November 27th. Wow. 63 WHOLE YEARS!!! That's interrupted time, people. Never parted each other's side. What an inspiration and what role models.

I'll start with Oma first.

Actually, we call her the "energizer bunny!" She's up before the sun every day. She cooks every meal from scratch and smiles while doing it. Food is her nitch. You give her the ingredients and she'll make a lavish meal. Every. Single. Time.

She has a garden at my parents house that she gives her heart to. 100 degree weather doesn't phase her. She's still there, hunched over pulling weeds while sweat drips from her body. And guess what, she gives to her family. We ALL get her goodies all year long. Aren't we lucky? I'd say so! :) Her food is all natural. We eat meat from cows we raise (that also get Oma's garden scraps) and vegetables that were planted with love and tendered to all summer from the hands of our Oma. It really can't get better than that.

She's made quilts for us all. All by herself. Giant quilts. Talk about lots of hard work. It doesn't go unrecognized. Hopefully she knows that.

Oma has a beautiful personality. She enjoys life to its fullest every day and she loves her family. She doesn't sit much. She's always on the go and always giving back to her church, family and friends. I love her.

Opa.

Ohhhh, Opa. He's one of a kind. Have you ever met an older gentleman and instantly fell in love? This is Opa.

The biggest memory I'll always cherish is his voice. He can sing better than anyone I know and I've never heard him sing the same song twice. Seriously. Never. He sings all of his songs he picked up during the war. Some bring a tear but most bring a smile.

He's witty, too. Never a dull moment with him. He's quick with his words and jokes. He giggles at his own jokes. :) (Which now I'm smiling as I write this!)

Opa has a routine that we all know. He'll eat breakfast, do a crossword puzzle, go to The White Rose for coffee with "the guys" and then head home for a lunch made by his lovely wife. He takes naps and then heads to the Legion for a beer with "more guys" and then heads home for another dinner made by Oma. He'll do more crossword puzzels and watch TV before going to bed in the wee hours of the morning.

If you haven't read it yet, Opa was in the paper recently for his time spent in War. Please take the time to read it. It's amazing. http://www.emissourian.com/more_news/senior_lifetimes/article_78c66517-6468-56b6-9907-30fe7ddb2dc5.html

I love these two more than anyone can understand. They are so good together, even after 62.25 years. They've set an example for us all and I only pray I can spend many more years with each of them.

Thank you for taking the time to read a little about my grandparents.

God Bless!

One Summer Hobby

Jerod and I absolutely love summer time. It's by far our favorite season. We both love everything to do with the outdoors. If someone told us we had to live in a camper at Montauk for the rest of our lives we would feel like we just won the lottery! :)

One of our many favorite things to do is to pack up a cooler and ride off into the sunset....

Breaks are necessary for the bum and kisses are necessary for the heart.....

Caught! A girl still needs her phone. Even in the woods. You never know where big foot is.

The color green and the sight of hay. Perfect.

Thankful for the patient animals God gave us. 

The only reason we get blessed with these relaxing rides is because of Jeff and Ashley.

One beautiful sight on the ride.

Now all I need is for Spring/Summer to get here so I can do this all over again. :)

God Bless!

My Favorite Day

The greatest day of my life landed on November 12, 2011. It was a crisp freezing but beautiful day. Just like everyone says, it flew by and was over in a blink! Here are just a few of my favorite pictures....

My first love....my daddy.

Couldn't wait to get that ring on my finger!

We had the best wedding party anyone could ever dream of. If it's possible. I love them more....

And we did it!!!!!

The moment of truth on waterproof mascara! I love the inventor of that product!

My favorite little girl that constantly tries to steal my heart.

Well, we'll be married 2 WHOLE months tomorrow and it feels like yesterday when I slipped on the most expensive dress I'll ever own and said the most important words that will ever leave my mouth. I'd do it all over again in a heart beat.

A very big thank you to all of our family and friends for sharing in our special day. We truly cannot thank you enough and trust me, one day soon you will get your thank you note, if you haven't already. :)

God Bless!

Pudge

Well.... I went to my family Christmas party in St. Charles (while my awesome husband slaved away at work) and fell in love with my cousins new puppy. It was at that moment when she told me the mother to six of these cute little things had just been hit by a car and needed homes that I decided I just HAD to have one. I did the nice wifey thing and called to ask before just bringing one home. He, of course, said no way. I begged, pleaded, threw a few tantrums and maybe acted like a baby to get him to agree. We got the last one available. And here he is...

SO cute, right?

And here he is again working for Jerod's affection!

The headless dog. I swear he sleeps in the most awkward ways. This is when I truly know he is out like a rock and I can sneak off to get things done without him bitting my ankles! This is serious kid preparation! I mean, who seriously has to sneak away to use the restroom so this 3 lb monster won't follow you in to chew on the rug??? ME. I do that.

And last, but definitely not least, is a moment I captured just the other night of my big strong husband "not liking the dog at all." Ha. That's a big YA RIGHT!!!

This is him voluntarily getting down on the floor to let Pudge try and get to his face. Yep, you've been caught! :)

TA DA! Jerod and I love the new addition. Minus the moments where he chews on everything we own, licks our wet, freshly showered legs clean, poops on the floor right after taking him outside, barks at every new sound, eats the Christmas tree, and whines more than any 3 lb anything I've ever seen before. Seriously, we love him.