A Week from You Know Where...

The past week for both Mike and I have been from you know where! After a couple of a days home or was it one day, can't remember, he called me at work and said he was taking off for the Bronx, NY. One place where truckers don't want to go because they could be stopped at a light and some gang will come behind the trailer, cut the lock and unload all the meat and get away with it. And there is always that chance that a trucker will get hurt in the process. But I guess he got lucky and stayed in the shipping yard for a small fee of $25.00. He called me yesterday while he was stuck on the George Washington Bridge, going into the Bronx. He said the wind was so strong that it toppled over a rig in front of him. Mike said it was swinging so much he could have been singing a lullaby to fall asleep with. And he hates bridges to begin with. Now he is on his way to Michigan. Somehow, someway he will get home. He's stopped in Pennsylvania for the night where it is freezing, I think he said below zero...brrrr!

Attitude of Gratitude!

This is part of my blog where I spend just a few lines getting all gooey and gushy with my gratitude list. The drive into work this morning was scarey for me, almost zero visability, slanting rain, had me thinking about my life and where I am today. First off I want to say how grateful I am to have a husband like Mike. I know the Lord put him in my path that night I saw him at the singles dance. I know and he knews that we are meant to be together. We are good for each other. He is a hard worker and provider for his family and he loves me through all my quirks, faults, the nights I am too tired to cook (we order pizza), etc. I am not going to lie and say that the past 7 1/2 years has all been a bed or roses, we have had our difficult times, who hasn't but we are in a place now that we've wanted to be in. Happy to be with each other when we are because those times are getting fewer and fewer. Being a long haul trucker is a hard business. Hard on the family but harder on the driver...

Next I am grateful for my children. For 27 years each daughter has brought me immense happiness and joy. I know my daughters remember a tired, cranky mom growing up. In a house that mom and dad constantly fought. But what they didn't see and hear were the prayers I offered up to Heavenly Father in their behalf that all would be well in their lifes growing up. I wish I could take back some of the decisions I made with them growing up and start over, I'd be different. But I am so proud of each of them, for the choices they have made and for the adults they have become. And I am proud and grateful for my daughter Danielle. She has many challenges but none the less she has come along ways.

Then there are my granddaughters. Kaitlyn and Kyla. What joy those two sun spots bring me. When I am feeling blue a simple phone call can brighten my day. Whenever I see them, and it doens't matter if it was a day before or just 15 minutes before, they are always excited to see grammy. I am just as excited to meet my new granddaughter. Those girls have some of the best parents. I am proud of Brenna and Jason on how they are raising those girls. Get away from the world and concentrate on other spiritual matters.

And then last but not least, I am grateful for all my friends. And you know who you are when I say I can count on you at any given time of the day if I need you!!! I just hope and pray that I am that kind of friend to you too!

Grammar Lesson...

I understand that sometimes my grammar and spelling is not always the best but I try...so I tried to make my blog title a little darker because the apostraphe was not showing. But the title is called "Hangin with the Hess's". And when I was making the blog, I couldn't fit all the letters into my address so I had to shorten it to the best of my ability. Hence "HanginwiththeHess". So if anyone has questions about my schooling, I've done the best I can.

Waiting For More Good Times!

I was going through my pictures tonight and came upon these which brought a big smile on my face. These pictures were from our anniversary campout last June up at Hardware Ranch. It was cold and rainy as you can see in the pictures. What happens when you mix dirt road and rain and cold? MUD! Glorious MUD! It seems whenever we get together with my brother in law and sister in law, Don and Irene, we have some amazing stories to tell when the trip is over. And there were a lot of stories from that little vacation. This picture is Mike and I, Don and Irene, almost to the top of Logan Peak but there was still a lot of snow on top and this was mid June, we couldn't get up all the way.

Every trail we went on that day we came across people who were in trouble somehow and we were put in their paths to help out in some way. I believe that the Lord puts us where we are suppose to be to help out others for one reason or another.

But the best time was driving through the mud, we were all so proud of our dirty ATV's. We were cold, and wet but very happy! Just look at Uncle Don's face. He was tired but happy. And so was Aunt Irene, I believe it was the maiden voyage of her new ATV. She got it dirty!! Is it spring yet?

There is nothing like camping, riding, cooking (especially in the dutch-oven) riding some more, telling stories, sitting by the campfire, smores, good hearty breakfasts, packing our coolers with water and snacks for a long ride through nature and doing it with family members who are your best friends! :)

Fun With Kaitlyn and Kyla!

Last night Brenna and Jason went to Costco's "belated" Christmas party and grandpa and I babysat the kids. We had a great time, but KD was just a little hyper and I teased her saying if she didn't calm down I was going to put her in a straight-jacket. She asked what it was and I told her she would find out if she kept it up. Well...she wouldn't settle down and this what happened...

This is my bathrobe, I put it on her backwards, asked her to cross her arms, I tied the robe's arms behind her then used the sash to finish my object lesson.

Kyla on the other hand is my techno granddaughter. She is either playing with grammy's piano or my cell phone. Last night it was my cell phone.

But as you can see, KD forgave me. The funny thing was, after I took my robe off of her, she wanted to stay wrapped up in it, laid across my lap and was very calm to finish our movie!

Poor grandpa...he was so tuckered out, this is how he babysat Grizzly! LOL!

This weekend has been one of the best weekends. It's a rare occasion when Mike is home for not just one day but two days and I can spend time with him. We spent all day together on Saturday, Dani stayed home with a migraine and it was good for us as a couple. Then of course babysitting our grandbabies which is always a joy! AND Mike went to church with me, he hasn't been to church with me in a LONG TIME. It was great!

I Love Christmas Cookies!

I had a Christmas Cookie baking day with grandma. Kaitlyn, Kyla and my daughter Danielle were busy working with the sugar cookie dough. I had a blast and I laughed and had so much joy in watching those angels. I have another clip with Kaitlyn and Danielle but for some reason I couldn't get it loaded. I'll try again but this clip says it all!

Girl Scout Cookie Time! Yahoo!

My little granddaughter Kaitlyn is a Girl Scout. She is a Daisy Scout and getting ready for her first cookie sale. She needs to sell 30 boxes for her to earn her badge. I can't officially take orders until the 15th of January but here is the list of cookies she is selling this year. There is a new one that is listed at the bottom. It doesn't matter where you live, I will personally see to it you get your cookies, in fact my little helper, Kaitlyn, will probably come with me since delivery date is the same day her mommy is due to have their new baby!

Do-Si-Dos™ - Peanut Butter Sandwiches (peanut butter cookie with peanut butter filling) - 20 cookies* per 8 ounce box.
Dulce de Leche - (made with milk caramel chips) - 15 cookies* per 6 ounce box.
Lemon Chalet Cremes™ (retangular cinnamon-ginger lemon-filled cookies) - 14 cookies* per 8 ounce box.
Samoas® - Caramel deLites™ (vanilla cookies covered with caramel on top and bottom then rolled in coconut and striped with chocolate) - 15 cookies* per 7 ounce box.
Tagalongs® - Peanut Butter Patties® (Regular cookie with soft Peanut Butter and coated with chocolate) - 15 cookies* per 7 ounce box.
Thin Mints (thin chocolate-peppermint cookie coated in chocolate) - 32 cookies* in an 10 ounce box.
Trefoils – a.k.a. Shortbread - (a shortbread cookie) - 44 cookies* per 10 ounce box.

****And Brand New this year!***

Thank You Berry Munch (Real premium cranberries, white fudge chips, and crispy rice) 15 cookies per 6 oz. box

I'll post another blog when we actually start selling, and if you want some...let me know!!!