December.

December always flies by.

Boyd's family was in town over "Thanksmas".  We typically only get to see his siblings once a year so it was great to spend time with them.  We even had decent temps - - although the siblings were still cold.

Southerners/West Coasters. ;)

Broom Hockey on the lake.

We played some broom hockey over Thanksmas.  And when I say "we", I mean Boyd and the guys.  I'm not sure who enjoyed it more - - the little boys or the adults.
We also held the 2nd Annual Turkey Bowl.
No injuries = Success.

We finally have some snow - - granted - -not a ton which makes snow shoes obsolete but I trust that SOON that will not be a problem.  My husband loves winter.  As does our Siberian Husky.  

I'm closing my eyes til spring. :)

I love Christmas decor.  I was looking at my light fixture and realized it was full of dead bugs.  As lovely as that was . . I thought . . . "I should switch it up"  and came up with this lovely concoction.  I love it.  Even Oli was impressed when he stayed overnight.

 I am nearly done with my legal secretary job.  I was asked to go full-time - and with Lucky Day and Matilda Jane on my plate - -
it is not an option.

So, I am now embarking on a new adventure of self-employment!  

Not to be confused with Unemployment. :)

I am hoping to build both Lucky Day and Matilda Jane.

I hope to learn how to sew and other creative skills.

And most importantly, I can now watch soap operas during the day.

Boyd is his usual optimistic self: "Go get 'em!"
Followed with:  "Where are you going with that hammer?"

I feel like I don't have much I can actually write about. Or maybe anything exciting.
the most exciting thing that has happened recently was that we bought a washing machine. zzzzz
And a couch!  But then we got the couch home only to realize they left out 2 of the cushions.
This would only happen to us. And it is only taking World Market 1-2 years to ship us the new cushions.
For the Love.

Brother2 is a freshman this year. 
He has grown out of most of his clothes and eats all of my food.
We do not see eye-to-eye on many things - most recently regarding footwear.
He sometimes comes over to work on homework.
He does not appreciate it when I bring up uncomfortable topics.


Go figure. 

This past weekend was lovely.  Sister1's boys came over for awhile.  We talked Kona into going back to her "roots" as a sled dog.  She loved it and the boys loved it.  Boyd also took them sledding. 
I opted to just help with sugar cookies.

Because it was COLD. 
Yes.  The 5 year-old has more fortitude than I.

Oli and his ski mask.  So sweet and menacing at the same time.

Lou waiting ever so patiently for some sugar droppings.

Boyd and I also went to Sioux Falls to see Brother1's family.  Caters and Cooper are a delight.  They were so excited to see us and you cannot help but feel super important.

We played hide-n-seek; football, read stories and watched Cooper in his Sunday School program.
Cate was upset that she had to wear a darling black and white knitted skirt to church.
She told Erin it looked like poop.
How.Cute.Is.That?!

Reading book #64

Boyd is nearing the end of this busy semester of graduate work.
He will start student teaching in January.
(Say what?!  Why is Sabrina quitting her job right now?!)

 I'm so excited for him to be fully certified.  Fingers crossed there are job openings next year.
He is also coaching 7th grade girls basketball this year.
Coaching scares the crap out of me.
I should rephrase:  Parents scare the crap out of me.

 I am, however, a fantastic statistician. 

Christmas is nearly here.
I have grandiose thoughts of getting Christmas cards in the mail.
Don't hold your breath.

I hope you all are taking the time to enjoy the season.
Blessings to you all.

November Nonsense.

I thought November had just arrived to all of the sudden realize that Thanksgiving is in 2 days. Say what?!

Boyd's family is celebrating Thanksmas this year which means I need to somehow do my Christmas shopping before . . . tomorrow.

Bring.It.On.

Nothing says: "I love you" like a gift card. Right?

Other November happenings:

Hamlin made it to the Dome. Which was AWESOME. And then we lost by 2. But it was so exciting to have a good season after a bit of an "athletic drought" that lasted about 12 years. I was proud of our team - - Sports can bring out the worst in people so I loved seeing such great sportsmanship from our school. Boyd loved making the crowd uncomfortable with cheers he made up and would lead randomly.

Hamlin Alumni Awesomeness Right Here, Folks.

Lucky Day had the big holiday sale take place this past weekend. It was a fabulous success. I am always overwhelmed by how great the shoppers are and how talented the vendors are. I am in awe.

Next holiday season I am toying with the idea of doing a 4 week 
"Holiday Shoppe". 

Such lovely creativity from my crazy talented vendors!!

And my lovely shoppers.  Can you spot Susie?! :)

We finally got Kona - our new husky! She is very beautiful and wants to kill Lucy and Betsy. We have a very delicate "family life" at our place right now. Lou learned quickly NOT to take her toy. And that she is bigger. smarter. furrier. and prettier. 
And she has successfully ran away about 532 times.

Mom just called me and asked if she could shoot the deer that lives on our property.  
"You can't shoot Rudy!!!"   
Crazy Animal Killers.

We do not have snow yet but our lake is now frozen. Boyd has been busy cutting wood for our furnace. I have been busy eating extra carbs to get my winter weight on.

I hope you all have a lovely holiday season.

October Delights

I kept sitting down to blog about October but then got distracted.

Huh? What was that? Just a minute . . .

The other day I saw a chiropractor billboard that said: "Foot Pain? Walk-ins Welcome!"

Are they being sarcastic? I'm not sure but it makes me smile every time I drive by.

ALL the animals are in the house again. It's cold outside and Boyd and I are suckers for shivering furry things. So far Betsy and Lucy are playing it cool and have not peed in the house.

Speaking of B&L . . . they have become the mighty hunters with their time outside this summer. Randomly I will find dead mice by my porch door. I'm not sure if they are leaving it as a gift . . . or sending a message.

Mel has had a couple of seizures which leaves me a mess. He's 12. He's old. I know he can't live forever but I love that stupid dog. So far he seems to be doing okay and I have not witnessed another seizure for a few weeks now.

I have no update on Lou. He takes long naps on the couch and snores like an old man. The cold days suit him just fine.

I did a Lucky Day trunk show in Sioux Falls at the beginning of the month. It was an experiment and went pretty well. I may try another one later this winter.

While in Sioux Falls - Boyd bought a race car, "for the nephews."  He loves it.  Apparently Cooper loves it also and told Erin that when he is 14 and big like Boyd, he will buy his very own race car too.
Dream big little guy.

I am gearing up for 2 holiday shows in November. My inventory is starting to run out!!! And most of my projects need help from "The Boyd" and unfortunately, "The Boyd" has zero time to help the wifey right now.

Will.Not.Panic.

Good News: The grocery store special ordered me my very own chocolate chip scones!
You were not aware of the scone debacle?! Well . . . . there was one. And now I have my very own warehouse box of them. Mmmmmm . . . . should last me well into 2014.

The Old Man turned 55 this month.
I like my Dad. He's alright.

I also like Caters - she is quite the firecracker and makes me laugh.

For the end of dad's birthday celebration - we played Castle Smash. This game was dad's brainchild back when I was a kid. The grandchildren LOVE it. Blocks are divided up. soldiers are divided up and then you get so many "bombs". Yes.  Morbid. You retreat to a corner of the room and then build your castles. Because the adults like to play also - we "team up" with the children. Oli was really into it. At one point he yelled: "HA! You didn't get any of our idiots!"

I have no idea where he learned such language.

The division of the blocks



Uncle Jordan hogging the bombs from poor little O. :)



Oli in his element.

The weather is changing. Quickly. Our boat is no longer in the water which makes me sad.

I have to bundle up to go for a walk.

Last day on the boat. :(

But as I like to chirp to myself every day when it is cold: "There are no bad days. Just bad gear."

I hope you all are having a lovely October.

Bring on the November madness!!!

September.

I try and set easily attainable goals.  For example:  My goal now for the blog is to post once per month.  Considering it is September 26th . . . . I nearly failed.  But seriously . . . ONE TIME PER MONTH???  Should be possible.

I like to be productive.  I make lists nearly every day and I will even add entries of things I already did JUST so I can cross it off the list.

I have issues.

Lately I have been feeling quite frazzled.  And I'm not a dazzling frazzled person . . . I am more of a short of breath, running to and fro and making lists, lists, lists.

And I MIGHT bite your head off.

So . . September . . . Let's See . . .

Boyd is in the throes of homework.  And his new job.  Fortunately he really likes working for the school district.  Win!

Unfortunately he hates homework.  Fail.

He has also been sick for approximately FOREVER.

I finally made him go to the doctor and she promptly gave him a shot for bronchitis and some medication.  He is finally on the mend.

I sort of thought he was faking it since it was MY SALE WEEK AND ALL.

Yes. Lucky Day Sale Week.

It was glorious.  I was panicking because I wasn't panicking enough.  (See "issues" noted above)

The day was perfect.  Slight breeze and about 73 degrees.  Lovely.

My vendors outdid themselves with so many great items.  My parents' house was packed full of items, the porch was overflowing and the furniture made its way into the yard and garden.

The shoppers arrived early and waited patiently for the rope to drop.

I had extra men on hand (when does this ever happen?!) and they hauled, lifted and loaded furniture. 

It was lovely.  I get so many warm fuzzies (despite the panic) during and after sale week.  I am in awe of the creative talent of my vendors, I smile when I think of how people love to shop and its is music to my ears to hear friends talking to each other about how excited they are for this and that.

I love Lucky Day Sales because I believe you should be able to have a stylish, creative, unique home without having to shop at designer prices.   It might possibly just me giving overly-expensive-stores "the finger" . . . but I LOVE the one-of-a-kind items that can be found.  Such gems

The porch!

A few of my favorite people:  Michelle, Becca, Stacey and Heather!

A montage of great items

Fabulous finds spilling out into the yard.

*****
I am now gearing up for a mini-Lucky Day Sale in Sioux Falls at Fringe Salon on October 5th!  Repainting a few dressers, getting some new items ready and spreading the word to vendors that I could use some extra items to make it all complete.  Its going to be really great.

My house is a disaster.  It was clean for approximately 2 days. 

******
Hamlin Chargers Football is going great.  I love high school football.  I'm not sure if it is the weather or the nostalgic flashbacks . . . but I love it.

Cooper cheering on the Chargers!

Hamlin 4 Ever!!!!

******

Little Oli turned 5.  When he arrived at the football game on his birthday, he zoned in on me and came to sit on my lap.  I was pleasantly surprised since there was quite a bit of competition . . . . he then says: "So, where is my dangerous present?"

Gads. I love that kid.  I had warned him months ago that my present was rather "dangerous" and that he would need to wear a helmet when I gave it to him.  Granted . . . the gift was vintage rollerskates . . .which might not seem all that dangerous to you precious readers but trust me:  The kid needs to wear a helmet.

The big 5!!!

******

I have approximately 24 spider bites.

********

Betsy and Lucy have been kicked out of the house.  They peed on our bed.

3x.

I'm okay with giving second chances . . . but more than 3 . . . you are out.

But I will make sure to still feed you.  And give you a nice blanket in the garage.

*****

I just heard Boyd mumble: "$T#SDFUi  . . . . .  I forgot about that project".
Sounds like a long night.

On to October . . . . . . 

Back to School.

GOOD HEAVENS it has been a long time since I have blogged.  Let's see . . . . .
 We have added a new member to our vehicle entourage. Meet Chester!

This lovely van is mine. All mine. And is to be used for hauling my crap all over the place. Try not to be jealous. :)

Things have been hectic around here. Little Oli stopped by earlier this month, walked into my house, looked around and asked: "Are your cleaners coming soon?"

Yes. It was that bad that a 4 year old noticed. It's a good things he's cute.

This kid melts my heart.  He coached me thru the proper way to put our arms around each other.

 

*****

 Last weekend Boyd, I and Chester went to Rapid City for a mini-Lucky Day sale! It was a fantastic success and I look forward to do more of them!  My relatives rock!

 

I have finally set the date for the BIG Lucky Day Sale - Saturday, Sept. 21 at my parents’ place. I will post more details soon. This also means, that I need to paint paint paint.

 

******

Boyd started teaching today.  I'm so proud of him.  

They grow up so quick.

****

Mel and Lou are thriving. Betsy and Lucy are annoying. (They are so NEEDY!)

New Member Alert to our Zoo:  While in Rapid City, we decided to adopt my cousin's loveable husky:  Kona.  She is a sweetheart and we are excited for her to come and live with us!  Boyd just keeps shaking his head at me but I know he is pumped as well. :)

Kona and Baby June.

*****
A few weeks ago we went kayaking: 

Me: My arms are tired.

Boyd: You just need to get warmed up.

Me: We should get a hot tub.

Boyd: Do you ever notice how girls make "hot tubbing" sound like a sport.  "Let’s go hot tubbing! My interests include hot tubbing"  (said with sarcasm)

Me: Girls are so dumb. My arms are still tired.

**** 

Boyd finished the porch roof the other day. It looks quite lovely. Apparently it is now my job to paint the porch. I don’t have time for this! Someone call the cleaners!

****

During all the crazy . . . . I’m trying to recognize the good around me. Whether its seeing a great sunset or beautiful cloud formations; taking my dogs for a walk and soaking up their pure adoration of me (no one loves me like my dog); eating dinner on the porch as many nights as possible and/or finding the time for evening kayaking with Boyd. Sometimes it is of utmost importance to stop and smell the roses. Or in my case . . .the cut wheat field near my house. Perfection.

Summer Chores

Apparently Boyd and I are able to disagree on the most ridiculous of things.

Case in point: who is going to mow the lawn?

Mowing the lawn has long been a part of my existence. I used to get paid to mow my Grandma’s lawn in high school and I loved it. It was four hours of tanning and singing and cash at the end. Yes!

Fast forward to marriage. Boyd is very good at construction. So early on we decided that we would do fixer-uppers which meant I was incapable of many tasks EXCEPT for such delights as mowing the lawn.

Fast forward 12 years. I am still mowing the lawn.

But here is the thing: Boyd would LIKE to mow the lawn but I don’t let him. How backwards is that?

So basically it goes like this:

Me: (surveying the wild lawn that is now waist high due to us not having a mower)

*sigh*

I guess I will figure this out today.

Boyd: (starting up my parents’ mower) Here! Let me get it started for you! You go and pick up the large tree branches that have fallen in the yard and drag them to the driveway and I will start mowing.

(30 minutes later I’m bleeding from tree scratches and sweating like a complete girl)

S: Get off the mower. Its my turn.

B: Just a little longer.

S: No.

B: Yes.

S: Go build the porch roof like you have been meaning to for the past 30 days!!!

B: I don’t want to today. I want to help you with yard work.

I persisted and got my way.

And then I promptly drove over the electric fence wire (Lou’s boundary) that he had pointed out to me and said: "Don’t drive over this".

So. I walked back to the house and told on myself.

And then I went back to mowing only to get stuck.

So. I walked back to the house and told on myself again.

And then I went back to mowing only to have my dad show up and tell me that I’m running his mower to hard and it's an $80 belt.

So now I am push mowing the rest of the lawn which means . . . . . .

½ is tall grass. ½ is cut grass. And we still do not have a porch roof.

P.S. We have running water again. But then we got our test results back and apparently it is extra special with high Nitrates. *sigh* So. On to rural water hook up. No more fancy dreams of our very own well.

P.P.S. The Farmers Market got cancelled.  Go complain to someone else.  I'm booked.

****
Update:  We now have our very own riding mower!  It was a throwaway of my parents but it only took Boyd 60 hrs to get it working.

Party On.

I'm getting lazier about writing about the "goings-on" at the Knudsen House.   So here is a half-a*s attempt:

We have a resident deer on our property and the other day I saw her with 2 fawns. They were beautiful - I was thoroughly delighted by this discovery and the very next day I went to buy a salt lick to keep them around. I asked where I would find one and they told me with admiration in their eyes: "over in the hunting section". 
My intentions are often misunderstood.

I found out that the cats at the farm are slowly dwindling.  Apparently "Lucky" has not been seen for quite awhile (obviously did not live up to his namesake unless he is shacking up with a lovely feral female somewhere) and "Oreo" is also now missing.  This leaves "Leo".  Mom told me that Leo has been mean to the other cats (who are now missing) and so she took Leo "for a drive".  

What does that even mean?!

Other than that: We are looking into moving a barn onto the property.  We still do not have a porch roof.  Our lawn still looks like crap.  And the other day Lou, my beagle, finally found his life's goal:  his very own bunny nest.  This was extremely traumatic for all involved and led to much research on "how to save wild bunnies".
The research was all for nought.

The 4th of July celebrations were intense.  Boating, fireworks, reunions, etc.   Without further ado, the rest of this post will be in pictures . . . . because . . . lazy . . . .

Skoglund Reunion:  We like to celebrate family by splitting up into 4 teams and then pitting everyone against each other.

Wheelbarrow portion of the "amazing race".  Brian and Owen won this event for their team.  Owen was extremely proud of himself.

I love reunion food.  Like. Really. Love. Food.

My team won the tug-o-war.  Obviously.  Look at my beefy arms.
(d*mn reunion food!)

mmmmmuscles . . . . . 

paintball target shooting

There was also trap shooting, racing thru the trees, leap frog, knock-out, football toss, and speed-matching-nuts-and-bolts together.  The only thing I am good at is spelling and for some reason, they never include this in the "amazing race".

I learned 2 things.  (1) Boyd's team always wins; and (2) Should the Zombie Apocalypse ever happen . . . I'm in good hands with the Skoglund Sharpshooters.

In other news:

My friend Wendi is having a baby!!! (she's the 2nd from left)
Cute as a button preggers lady.

The 4th of July was WINDY.  So we flew some kites.  The novelty lasted about 5 minutes.

Miss Ellie in all her gangsta glory

Enjoying the Farkleberry Parade with friends and Oli. :)

Oli won the 4 year old division in the pedal pull.  He totally kicked the other kid's butt.
Scholarships here we come.

Brother2, Cooper and Jake. 
Fishing Fishing Fishing

I took G and Oli to the Bryant Pool.  Brought back so many memories.  
Most prominent:  My fear of the high dive.  

Max, Lou and Mel.  Max is Wendi and Tony's dog.
Mel and Lou love having friends over. :)

A truck full of nephews.

More goodness from Farkleberry.  G exclaimed: We never get candy at our parades!"
Take notes Lame-Watertown-Parades.

4th of July Tradition: Lake Norden ball game with fireworks following

Boyd and Lance - 5th place!
Dad actually got 1st place but I need to make a note that his teammate did the running AND the biking.
Apparently he wanted to win and thus just had dad help with the canoeing. 
Sorry Dad! :)

I cannot get enough of Caters and her cats. :)

Brother2 just turned 15!!  WHAT IN THE WORLD?! Boyd and I started dating when Brother2 was 2 months old so he's kind of our indicator of how long we have been together.  He's by far the best 2nd-youngest-brother a girl could ask for. Mom knew what she was doing by making me babysit as an 18 year old.  The. Best. Birth. Control. Ever.

It must still be working. :)

Guns are great at any age.

 Party On Y'all.  Hope your July has treated you wonderfully.

For the love . . . I don't even like this pic of me but frankly it is all I have to work with.

  Fail.