tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50650597673375352692024-03-06T01:57:14.831-07:00Just The Way It IsThe Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-8795300425584746692017-01-04T13:25:00.001-07:002017-01-04T13:25:10.591-07:00Hello 2017!Well Happy New Year to you all! It has definitely come in with a frigid bang here in Alberta. We are blessed to have had a great corn crop this year, so the cattle are happily grazing corn all winter. We are feeding a few calves, but with no rodeo bulls, it seems like the feedlot is empty and the chores are definitely lighter. This being said, Kelly is in the house a lot twiddling his thumbs. I feel like one of us needs a job.
School has started back up, as has the hockey schedule. There is never a dull moment here. Jessie has been busy halter breaking 4-H calves, playing hockey and trying to get some roping practice in when it's not too cold. Jake has just been busy. He's loving hockey and wants to be the goalie, much to his dad's dismay. He oversees all that happens on the farm. He is strictly upper management, while Jessie does all the work.
I have decided to become a consultant for Rodan and Fields. I absolutely love their skincare products. If you haven't tried them, you should! You won't regret it. Turning 40 this year coupled with having lived in two pretty harsh environments, I decided I better start taking care of my skin. It's not getting any younger or any less sun with my lifestyle.
I hope this New Year is good to you all! May God bless you in all ways! As always, if you are ever in our neck of the woods, stop in for a visit.
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It's been a long time. It seems like the last few years have been an absolute whirlwind. Apparently, I was lost in that whirlwind. It's been four years since I last wrote. So much has happened! Life is a little quieter around here. We sold out of the rodeo bull business, so the stories may not be as exciting. We came to the conclusion that we weren't getting any younger or faster! We are now running a commercial herd of Angus/Simmental cross cows. It's a nice pace of life.
The kids are both busy with hockey. Jake plays in Big Valley and Jessie in Stettler, so we are on the road a lot. We are at the rink for practice 4 days of the week and then games on weekends. Jessie has a 4-H steer and heifer this year, which is always fun and will start high school rodeos again in the spring. There is never an idle moment here.
I hope this finds everyone doing well. Drop us a line, give us a call, stop by for coffee or something stronger. We would love to see you all! The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-88984056693866331222016-12-13T13:59:00.001-07:002016-12-13T13:59:09.417-07:00Updating SoonCheck Back Soon!The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-31535673090241211582012-11-04T16:05:00.003-07:002012-11-04T16:05:50.794-07:00October in ReviewWell, it's only been a month or so since my last post, but hey, it's a busy world. Kelly was working away, so the kids and I were on chore duty. Mostly, I was on chore duty. At our last company meeting, which is a quick consult over dinner, I made the motion that if he was working away, we were getting a new squeeze chute. Of course, a young bull is limping around the pen when he was gone, so I had to get it out and doctor it. This was no easy task itself. Thank goodness for the three legged wanna be cowdog. He does save my ass from time to time. We got the bulls out of the feedlot pen and up the alley to the squeeze. No sorting was to be done. I knew that I was not even going to attempt that, so every animal had to go up the alley and out the squeeze. So, an hour later when I finally get the patient in the squeeze and his head caught I take on the task of 100cc of penicillin. Now, you might think this is easy, but thinking it wasn't that cold outside, I had fixed the syringe before I started. Not good. Penicillin tends to take on the consistency of maple syrup in this less than tropical climate. It took a while to squeeze it through the 16 gauge needle. I had hand cramps. To get to the point though, as I was doing this the bull was jumping and twitching and I was dodging the drop bars which were dropping down at random intervals. Not cool. I could have been cut, concussed or even killed. Kelly said, "oh yeah, you gotta watch those things, they'll do that, the old girl is gettin' kinda wore out." Really!
Our nephew got married on the 27th. We had a great time at the wedding. Jake was the ring bearer. He actually went through with it and was well behaved. His sister did sit down at the front with a bag of candy to entice him and the flower girls. In true Jake style, he wasn't leaving behind his John Deere tractor or his backhoe, so we put one in each girls purse. And wouldn't you know it, he had a death grip on their hands all the way down the aisle.
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Moving on. Halloween was great fun. Jake was a fireman and Jessie was a gypsy. Kelly and Jessie weighed the candy. They had 8 lbs. That is after I took out nine pop cans. Crazy. Jessie found her friends in town and quickly abandoned us. We took Jake to a few houses and then stopped at some friends and waited on Jessie to show back up.
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Jessie has been busy with hockey. She practices two nights a week and has games on the weekends. I feel like we live at the rink. She scored her first two goals of the year on Saturday. She was pumped. They have a great little team. This is her first year to play in Stettler. She informed us after the first practice that she had four coaches because this wasn't a rinky dink operation anymore. She is sure she is playing NHL hockey.
That is all I know for now. Not much changes here on a day to day basis. As Kelly likes to put it, we are just chasing the dream and living the nightmare. The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-53276973551362474912012-10-02T11:43:00.000-06:002012-10-02T11:43:02.202-06:00Catch up day!What a great day to catch up! It is raining/snowing outside. Luckily it rained too much to get cows hauled to fall pasture, because I was not looking forward to saddling up in this. Poor Jessie has a cross country meet today. She left here with a bag of warm clothes, and I'm not sure it was enough at this point. Surely, it will get cancelled. Jake and I have spent the morning baking cookies. He's great help. This morning he attempted to crack an egg in the bowl when I walked away. I caught him in time to let him crack one into an empty bowl, not the one full of ingredients already. He stuck it between his hands and squeezed as hard as he could. The only thing that made it into the bowl was the shell. The rest hit the floor with a splat. He licked the beater, his favorite part. He said, "this very good, thanks!"
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Jessie started hockey last week. It looks like it's going to be a fun year, long, but fun. She is playing on a different team this year, so she's making new friends, and so are we. We do all our business in Stettler where she is playing, and don't know but one couple on the team. She's very excited. She has three coaches this year. She told us, "this isn't a rinky dink operation anymore." Apparently it's the big times! So begins our life at the rink at least three days a week for the next six months.
Well, I suppose I should catch up on some other stuff in the office. I've been putting off office work for several weeks now. Alberta is the perfect place in the fall, as long as you get one. The last two weeks have been in the 70's. We don't come inside unless we have to. It looks like that is coming to an end though and winter is sneaking in.
Have a good one!The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-50422072881120037022012-08-20T18:16:00.001-06:002012-08-20T18:20:20.461-06:00The Griswolds Go CampingWell, it has happened. We bought a fifth wheel, so it was inevitable. I think.... We finally had a week off to do with as we wished, so the Armstrongs went camping. Just us and the trailer. There were no dogs, cats, horses or bulls involved. It took some getting used to, but we all settled in and finally relaxed. It was a total Griswold vacation. Kelly levelled (somewhat) the trailer, unhooked, and then looked at me and dared ask, "Now what do we do." I just looked at him and said, "You've got to be (insert expletive) kidding me." He grabbed a beer, sat down in his lawn chair and shut up. About an hour later he said, "I could get used to this."
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We had planned the trip to Cypress Hills in southwestern Saskatchewan so we could go visit Kelly's grandmother and other family nearby. Well, as it turned out, his aunt and cousins and all the kids were camping there too. It was a great time. Jessie and Jake had a blast playing with their cousins. We drove into Eastend on Wednesday to visit Grammy A. She was happy to see the great grandkids that she rarely gets to see.
It was a beautiful place to camp with lots of fun stuff to do, we all survived, so we are planning on trying this "camping" thing more often.
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Of course, on the way home, we decided we weren't in a great hurry. Believe me that was a fleeting thought. But it lasted long enough for Kelly to take a detour into some small town on the way because they still have the old wooden stockyards that have a loading chute to load on to train cars. While this holds no interest to the rest of the vehicle occupants, we let him have his way. He told us he remembers watching cattle get loaded on to train cars when he was little. Jessie reminded him how old he was and I reminded her that Canada is twenty years behind most civilized countries in many ways.
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After the brief stop at this roadside not such an attraction, we made it to Kelly's sisters. We had a short visit there, because now we were in a hurry to get home. She gave the kids two baby pot bellied pigs. Now, we already have one obese swine that meanders through the yard at her own leisure. I asked the question why, I was answered by my husband, who I'm quite sure is going senile, why not?
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So, that ends the tale of the Cypress Hills Camping trip of 2012. Stay tuned for the next episode of Armstrong Family happenings or mishappenings.
The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-71003480525754768962012-08-08T16:27:00.003-06:002012-08-08T16:27:53.683-06:00Summer Fun!These last few weeks of summer have been so busy, I haven't had the time to sit down and update the blog. We spent two weeks in Texas, which was a blast. We took in Sea World in San Antonio, and then spent a few days at Port Aransas. We, then, headed back to Vernon to spend a few days. It was great to see all the sights and work on our tans, but it is great to be back here and complain about how hot 83 degrees is.
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We've spent the last week at home catching up on the yard work and moving bulls home, where, hopefully, they will stay out of trouble. Jessie bought a bull whip and has been practicing with it. Today, she took it and cracked it off her horse. She is really doing well. Big Boy is completely unimpressed by her new toy. She is waiting for Boomer to get a shoe tacked back on so she can try it on him. I'm pretty sure he will suffer cardiac arrest. He's already in a fragile state due to the climate change, the Boone and Crockett mosquitoes, and the fact that he has been forced to get his feet wet in this new country.
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Next week we are headed to Cypress Hills for a camping trip. We've never been ones to head out to a national park and camp, so it should be entertaining. I will take the camera to capture the Griswold moments. Kelly and Jessie are excited, Jake will be when we get there, and I think it sounds like a lot of work for me. My idea of a vacation is not cooking or cleaning. I just pray it doesn't rain in western Saskatchewan next week.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-49411172228073052892012-07-09T08:48:00.001-06:002012-07-09T08:48:15.530-06:00Off to Calgary StampedeThis year marks the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede. How cool is that? Kelly's great grandad, George Armstrong rode in that very first stampede. A few years ago, a guy working at the rodeo office gave us a copy of the entry sheet with his signature on it. I wonder what he would say to the $100,000 check to the winner of each event. <br />
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He might have something to say about his rodeo brat great great grandson who hopped in the truck at 8am and offered Shane a Bud Light. Thankfully, the offer was declined. Then he overhears a conversation in the front about a horse, and he promptly repeated, "get that son of a bitch." he and Shane both got in trouble, and Shane explained to him it was an "error in judgement on his part." jake nodded his head and carried on bucking off his stuffed bear on the bed wearing his hat and a diaper.<br />
I'm thankful to have one easy child. Weird but easy so far. She sings about whatever she is doing at the time. She didn't know I was watching the other day when she leaped by singing, "graceful gazelle going to the garbage can." <br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzxVtA-57sHLHWs6VEyN0hYo3CxFmnH0pVvATlMkupYelnayqgFhkiIjMvH4unLVQl3TQOn-st2zVVBcZjCjxPkJgj4eq4KE6ggHWJ7_cZTO4IBSlAGyPwHoPEwc3Ga-1Hb0mCghxdeHc/s640/blogger-image-468863999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzxVtA-57sHLHWs6VEyN0hYo3CxFmnH0pVvATlMkupYelnayqgFhkiIjMvH4unLVQl3TQOn-st2zVVBcZjCjxPkJgj4eq4KE6ggHWJ7_cZTO4IBSlAGyPwHoPEwc3Ga-1Hb0mCghxdeHc/s640/blogger-image-468863999.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXPzBIhK6-5i-yt2bUTxcRckilOB9rEjN8hwLUeZmlxCsHwBntQ4eiLnAHdkgjgA0OAxVW14XbmYryyq2RcpdzWMQ8BQrw9lTYYHIFASp9RA8TNVEE1SCQAheMLrIC2fUq_13QZnNfu8Z/s640/blogger-image--791152219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXPzBIhK6-5i-yt2bUTxcRckilOB9rEjN8hwLUeZmlxCsHwBntQ4eiLnAHdkgjgA0OAxVW14XbmYryyq2RcpdzWMQ8BQrw9lTYYHIFASp9RA8TNVEE1SCQAheMLrIC2fUq_13QZnNfu8Z/s640/blogger-image--791152219.jpg" /></a></div>The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-17988287319730419072012-05-14T08:54:00.000-06:002012-05-14T08:54:53.113-06:00I've Had It!I'm threatening to sell out! This week Kelly has been gone to B.C for the week. We are still calving. Therefore, I am tagging calves by myself. Since Kelly decided to feed and calve out 150 beef cows that he partnered with a guy on, we are at, what I would call, full capacity. Since Kelly left, there have been twins, two deaths and nearly the loss of a wife. I did beat the cow to the truck, but she was nice enough to close the door for me. Now the driver door of the farm truck has a dent and will not close. It makes checking cows in the mud quite interesting. When you have to use two hands on the wheel, the door flies open. It is, however, handy when you need to jump out fast and grab a calf, because before the cow hit it, you had to open the door from the outside to get out. It is all glitz and glam here!The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-33715049981324033362012-04-17T21:28:00.001-06:002012-04-17T21:28:19.768-06:00Our Trip To Texas By JessieOur trip to Texas was really exciting, especially on the way down and on the way back. I had to babysit Jake all the way there and back. I was so happy to get to Texas and get out of the truck.<br />
While we were in Texas I got to do all kinds of stuff. The first day we got there I helped my grandma at her store. We stayed in Vernon for three days then we went to Fort. Worth to see my auntie. While we were at her house we went to the Botanical Gardens in Fort. Worth to see the butterflies which was really cool, and on another day we got to go shopping which is so fun because there is a Target:) One night my auntie, my mom and I went to see Mary Poppins on stage at Bass Hall. Our trip to Texas was so much fun!!!The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-12071774231430861912012-04-16T20:17:00.001-06:002012-04-23T16:14:47.340-06:00Up and RunningOK, so we've been pretty lax these last couple years with this blog, but we have a good excuse. So, Jessie and I thought we would try again. She has been blogging with her classroom and has agreed to help keep up with this one since so many of you have whined about the lack of the Armstrong blog. I know it is more fun to laugh at the misfortunes of others than deal with your own. So we will do our best to keep y'all entertained! <br />
The kids and I just got back from Texas. It was a great trip even though we drove with cows, bulls, a horse and Jake. Since I now have in my possession a Class 3 license, this means I'm a somewhat certified double clutcher and gear jammer, we drove the Freightliner, or "big truck" as it is called around here, down. Jessie wants to tell the story of the trip to Texas, so I'll let her do that. The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0Americas (null)52.095881 -112.528386tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-28803726605039821412010-06-28T09:34:00.005-06:002010-06-28T10:59:12.018-06:00Summer Has Arrived<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/TCjI3Fbm0CI/AAAAAAAAAT8/u2YQul46BIs/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/TCjI3Fbm0CI/AAAAAAAAAT8/u2YQul46BIs/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487856994627276834" /></a><br />Summer has arrived in the wintry hinterlands! With it comes mosquitoes aplenty. However, I hate winter more than I hate mosquitoes. Some things, I will tolerate for sunshine and warm weather.<br /><br />Jessie and I embarked on the overnight field trip. I still don't enjoy school bus rides. That has not changed in the 15 years I have been out of school. We went to Fort Edmonton on Thursday and then to West Edmonton Mall to the Waterpark on Friday. We had a lot of fun. However, I was exhausted. Hanging on to children and their tubes in the wave pool is hard on a person. Especially one who isn't a certified lifeguard in the first place. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/TCjIQ4e-X7I/AAAAAAAAAT0/mH8NaCGhVJM/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/TCjIQ4e-X7I/AAAAAAAAAT0/mH8NaCGhVJM/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487856338316713906" /></a><br /><br />Then on Saturday, our daughter left us. She decided an 8 year old deserves a holiday I guess. She headed to Texas with Bobby and Cita. It is quieter here. Too quiet. We are left with a chubby baby with a crooked smile who likes to chew on his own toes. He also likes to be held. All the time. <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeIEV0WeeZ_bmq_ujlBWtUeBPninSXfp8xBJKRSBgpe1VIiqAP69U1miPpexYp_KJ84Qn1aZLkLoJt4wEbFSRFlxHL2EpaLFQsr9PuWnViSqrw5P8qjdCKYpynh4Oztk15-VArARcIt_D/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeIEV0WeeZ_bmq_ujlBWtUeBPninSXfp8xBJKRSBgpe1VIiqAP69U1miPpexYp_KJ84Qn1aZLkLoJt4wEbFSRFlxHL2EpaLFQsr9PuWnViSqrw5P8qjdCKYpynh4Oztk15-VArARcIt_D/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487861739175057506" /></a><br /><br />I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Jake and I are heading in to the saddle shop to practice with the girls. We have to sing at a funeral tomorrow. Not really the ideal job, but you can't say no to the family when they ask. Have a gooder!The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-71432461207211452502010-06-09T14:18:00.004-06:002010-06-09T15:20:34.609-06:00Rain Rain.....It is raining here again. I'm not sure it will ever stop. I'm thinking of starting my ark. If I can just figure out how to keep the mosquitoes out. Four wheel drive is required to get down our road and when you leave you cannot go south. That road is imapassable and the one to the north is nearly as bad. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_p7-gkHoMbpjAi98xl__NfMk2D-jPbUwAYKpT0Tce5Rl_NvCtvqBaVhYijBPOvY7qlrgMlGe96QUVoi1-pks82PH3YnCuXwi7HcXugEx_QA6kd_RXH0K37U0Y5CKVYsP9CzUIJY2osYM/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_p7-gkHoMbpjAi98xl__NfMk2D-jPbUwAYKpT0Tce5Rl_NvCtvqBaVhYijBPOvY7qlrgMlGe96QUVoi1-pks82PH3YnCuXwi7HcXugEx_QA6kd_RXH0K37U0Y5CKVYsP9CzUIJY2osYM/s320/DSC_0281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480885285292196818" /></a><br /><br />Friday was Dee's birthday. We went to Dan and Leanne's and had supper and drove down to the river and released Happy Birthday balloons. It was a beautiful day and a sad occasion, but it was good we could all be together. The river banks are greener than they have been in years and the wind was not blowing at all. The balloons went straight up. Exactly where they were meant to. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0VIGx4oa2reL5-esEbwNOOd1CVO7Yc64FSW_hmcI1iOW8YPeOeDI3kJOUpLBG9zIPCBN9ohvO4m3i_SSp7fRPAhp_m_m9poFg0cyOz4ivAwZoTgetxYm0F8gXxeXS2F8qsjD-K68umB5/s1600/jess3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0VIGx4oa2reL5-esEbwNOOd1CVO7Yc64FSW_hmcI1iOW8YPeOeDI3kJOUpLBG9zIPCBN9ohvO4m3i_SSp7fRPAhp_m_m9poFg0cyOz4ivAwZoTgetxYm0F8gXxeXS2F8qsjD-K68umB5/s320/jess3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480884145963372562" /></a><br />The sale is quickly approaching. I believe I have all my stuff nearly done. I can't say that everyone else is prepared, but that is just my opinion. Having one arm seems to affect more than just the physical state. I am so ready to have it done for another year. Next year, I vow to be more organized and prepared for this. Yeah Right!<br /><br />I would love to post pics of the fast pitch softball games that Jessie has been playing in. However, due to the weather there has only been one. Maybe next week. <br /><br />I suppose I should hit the road. The one armed husband went to check cows in the rain. Jake is sleeping after a long shift in the jolly jumper, and Jessie will be home from school soon. This house needs to be cleaned and I am the only one to do it.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-17547889435017218612010-05-30T11:19:00.001-06:002010-05-30T11:20:46.225-06:00I'm Considering Moving!Today, as you all know is May 30. It is still snowing! Can you believe it? I can't. I'm not all that happy about it either. Believe it or not, I am waiting for Husband to get home from checking cows so I can go out and shovel snow and wet silage out of the silage bunks so the grain I pour out doesn't just soak it all up and become mash. I hope his arm gets better soon! Please pray for early healing!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/TAKcoVNNOyI/AAAAAAAAAS4/QMGVX4rJMsE/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/TAKcoVNNOyI/AAAAAAAAAS4/QMGVX4rJMsE/s320/DSC_0246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477112313537182498" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/TAKc4E9c9uI/AAAAAAAAATA/O85a2setOQQ/s1600/DSC_0256.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/TAKc4E9c9uI/AAAAAAAAATA/O85a2setOQQ/s320/DSC_0256.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477112584054044386" /></a>The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-76549019554972207222010-05-29T13:21:00.005-06:002010-05-29T15:02:06.187-06:00Merry Christmas! Wait a Damn Minute......!I have to apologize for not keeping up very well. Our lives seem to spiral out of control most times, and well, I just haven't had time to sit down and chronicle the goings on of the Armstrongs. I have, however, completed our sale catalog. <br /><br />We lost our niece, Dee Ann in a trick riding accident on May 20. She was only twelve years old. We will miss her so much. She was a great kid and a great friend to Jessie. It is an awful reminder that we are not in control of any one thing in our lives. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS8ZFeQfvIUBU4fBWUZylAkITqIjDBHPbcoarXtk-ayKVkk9Uian_iEjxhOFKNA_TxAcy1U5qN6pZZY5IN-xBxC0fb9Wwv2vigEIBQo14xmgwmnj1QLlqEgLPvYT1z_mdCtjjfWUNJpby/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS8ZFeQfvIUBU4fBWUZylAkITqIjDBHPbcoarXtk-ayKVkk9Uian_iEjxhOFKNA_TxAcy1U5qN6pZZY5IN-xBxC0fb9Wwv2vigEIBQo14xmgwmnj1QLlqEgLPvYT1z_mdCtjjfWUNJpby/s320/DSC_0222.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476799439320067618" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />It is May 29. The leaves are finally turning green. School is quickly winding down. Softball games have begun. I woke up this morning to four inches of packed snow on the ground. Yes, snow! I don't like snow in December. I really don't like it in May. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GOwQkp2MjlTTvT4UoN81cp4hT4U4bOUFZaRh7Y8gl_uTUHX7-Lx8IbRVZZUcNFJzP9qbGzd9WkP86Cmd98wIpmBsP29rpRDZKuBsctjmUQE_-aBmPJqfh1pe2zi2_1P6M57NPBQJY9Qm/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GOwQkp2MjlTTvT4UoN81cp4hT4U4bOUFZaRh7Y8gl_uTUHX7-Lx8IbRVZZUcNFJzP9qbGzd9WkP86Cmd98wIpmBsP29rpRDZKuBsctjmUQE_-aBmPJqfh1pe2zi2_1P6M57NPBQJY9Qm/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476776616280577282" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Having a one armed husband right now just adds to the snowstorm. I've been feeding bulls every morning. It isn't that big of a chore, but in the blowing wet snow, seventeen pails of barley feels like seventeen tons of barley. I was soaking wet and madder than a captured Jap by the time Kelly decided to come out and assist me in filling the bale feeders. By assist, I mean drive around in the dry tractor with the heater and radio on. I cut twines, open gates and chase bulls away from the open gates. He drives around and gives me those hand signals that I so dearly adore. I know one hand signal. I use it quite often during times such as these. <br /><br />I was in the bull pen cutting twines on a bale and heard a yelp. I looked over to see the weiner dog high centered in a snow filled tractor rut. Kelly, who was out of the tractor (GASP!) closing a gate, rescued the poor soul. He finished out chores in the tractor. Now the reason the weiner dog was even out in the snow storm in the bull pen is because he is in love with Scout, the catahoula, and she had followed me out there. Kelly was cussing the dog, telling me how stupid he is and is going on and on about that just goes to show you what a girl does to you. I told him I didn't feel much smarter than the weiner dog right now, because I could be living in a warmer climate right now. This conversation leads on to him asking what I thought about something. You should never ask me that in a situation such as this. However, I am learning. I simply stated, "If I told you what I thought right now, you will get really mad, so we'll just leave it at that." You know what he said? "You are probabbly right." If you know you are going to be mad at the answer, then why ask. I then proceeded to my gate opening duties and quickly back to the house for my coffee and a dry set of clothes. <br /><br />Kelly left to go check cows. We have already turned them out on pasture. With Kelly having surgery and thinking that summer was here, that was the easiest thing to do to lighten the chore load around here. However, we are still calving. I think it is safe to say he will probably come home with a few calves. I'm sure they will decide to all calve today. Why wouldn't they? I just hope he stops to buy me some Bailey's for my coffee. I feel like this is the perfect day for it and I deserve it, especially if I have to reopen the baby bovine bed and breakfast in my kitchen. <br /><br />Jessie and Raina were outside building a snow man. The snow is so heavy, they couldn't get their middle piece up on the bottom. They came in soaking wet and defeated.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-27552850353088532502009-12-30T13:46:00.004-07:002009-12-30T15:06:46.134-07:00Hello Again!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SzvO4XPuTrI/AAAAAAAAASM/MWvLCYDuclo/s1600-h/DSC_0069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SzvO4XPuTrI/AAAAAAAAASM/MWvLCYDuclo/s320/DSC_0069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421154044178484914" /></a><br />Hi there! I apologize for not keeping everyone updated on the happenings around here, however, we have not slowed down. Jake got to come home on the 12th of December. He is doing great. At his last appointment, he weighed 6lbs 11oz. He already has us all trained. Since there are not ten nurses at his beckon call, we are all having to do double duty to keep up with his expectations. Let me tell you, they are quite high for someone who is not really supposed to be born yet. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SzvAVbHGguI/AAAAAAAAASE/QjwSxAB92rE/s1600-h/DSC_0100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SzvAVbHGguI/AAAAAAAAASE/QjwSxAB92rE/s320/DSC_0100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421138050757853922" /></a><br />Jessie is a great big sister. She is helping out a lot. However, if he cries, she is quick to hand him off. <br /><br />Christmas was great. We went to Church on Christmas Eve and then spent Christmas Day with friends. It was nice to have a place to go have a real Christmas Dinner. If it had been left to me to cook for the three of us, it probably wouldn't have been turkey and dressing. Jessie got her skateboard from Santa that is all she asked for in her letter. She also got a new pink hockey bag plus lots of other goodies. Jake got a swing, which was probably the smartest gift Santa has ever bought. It makes up for the skateboard which has been involved in several single vehicle accidents in the middle of the living room lately. I'm waiting for the broken arm, so I can say I told you so to the father figure in this house, who has been involved in a couple of those accidents. I did put an end to him skateboarding down the hall holding Jake. <br /><br />Kelly is planning a birthday party for Jake on the 2nd since that was his original due date. I think he has invited everyone he knows for supper. He promised to help, but I know how that story ends.<br /><br />That is all I really know for now. Jake is actually napping without someone holding him or in a sling around my neck, so I'm going to take this opportunity to get something done. <br /><br />Happy New Year!The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-57320647886536293832009-11-23T10:03:00.006-07:002009-11-23T10:21:07.476-07:00Jake Henry Armstrong<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SwrDx_DFNdI/AAAAAAAAAR8/1qtKSN3odkY/s1600/JessieJakeandDad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SwrDx_DFNdI/AAAAAAAAAR8/1qtKSN3odkY/s320/JessieJakeandDad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407349566117066194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Cr5DxL-D-xTS8w0b9ARjgOpHtUtrCwJ60kGWhjG01qwrLY_nT_nPxSBHpfCTG9B4JlBlIYKJT5VwfbElL1j6wuU7mJF86Bp2pHRASs874n_8tzKZGFSd0a92zjAKRtEy5IjTiN8ki3Ld/s1600/Jake+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Cr5DxL-D-xTS8w0b9ARjgOpHtUtrCwJ60kGWhjG01qwrLY_nT_nPxSBHpfCTG9B4JlBlIYKJT5VwfbElL1j6wuU7mJF86Bp2pHRASs874n_8tzKZGFSd0a92zjAKRtEy5IjTiN8ki3Ld/s320/Jake+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407346870503123778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2-4SsOAWRBbuihYKGCBlS-k-hgOsJy85njgJ-hz3SRXlKoyWNf3quezpOKdjxLJDKi9jRcfTdCFrRqe0qC1Zu5BIWpfs-r_2rQB-raSYA33HUgIcNkcMBu1JCglwaQma_10c2SRPzvgv/s1600/jake1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2-4SsOAWRBbuihYKGCBlS-k-hgOsJy85njgJ-hz3SRXlKoyWNf3quezpOKdjxLJDKi9jRcfTdCFrRqe0qC1Zu5BIWpfs-r_2rQB-raSYA33HUgIcNkcMBu1JCglwaQma_10c2SRPzvgv/s320/jake1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407346497841936402" /></a><br />Sorry it's been awhile, but I've been rather preoccupied as Jake decided to arrive two months early. He was born November 8 weighing 4lb and 4oz. All is well, he is making great progress every day. He lost weight, as most babies do, and was down to 4lbs. Yesterday, he was 4lbs 7oz, so he is gaining now. He has gone from being intubated with IVs to assisted breathing and now he is breathing on his own and trying to suck from the bottle. Most of his feedings do come through a feeding tube in his nose. However, the sucking apparently isn't developed until 35 or 36 weeks, so we are hoping he will catch on in the next couple of weeks. He is now in a cot and out of the incubator and keeps everybody on their toes. He pulled out his oxygen tubes so since then, he has had socks taped on his hands. He has pulled out his feeding tube as well and puts up a good fight when they put it back in. We are hoping that with all the progress he will be home by Christmas, but the rule of thumb is not until their due date. Jessie cannot wait for her little brother to get home. She loves to hold him and really wants to help out. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ76CxmHspnw_LoD52fSLlplU7les449zSXricItB9a0O90e790xKUWz9btU_eVUjDuFFA2c95iy9nG-XUJIPW_cnIYYsq510TwGuKJ523UtumaHl1M_GDEiXgSOwUHvja9HHrm_sPqDgr/s1600/DadandJake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ76CxmHspnw_LoD52fSLlplU7les449zSXricItB9a0O90e790xKUWz9btU_eVUjDuFFA2c95iy9nG-XUJIPW_cnIYYsq510TwGuKJ523UtumaHl1M_GDEiXgSOwUHvja9HHrm_sPqDgr/s320/DadandJake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407347429337276498" /></a>The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-10097874214339586472009-10-20T12:16:00.003-06:002009-10-20T12:22:35.759-06:00Conversations with JessieJessie: Mom, how long will it be before my baby brother's eyes will open?<br />Me: We aren't having a puppy Jessie, they will be open when he's born.<br />Jessie: Oh, okay.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jessie: Mom will my baby brother be able to walk<br />Me: Well, not right off the bat, but in a year <br />Jessie: Hmmm...Just wondering.<br /><br /><br />Jessie: Dad, what all sports have I played<br />Kelly: Well, you've played baseball, hockey, and volleyball<br />Jessie: Yeah, I'm pretty good at all of them.<br /><br /><br />Kelly: Hey Jessie, would you want to be a singer when you grow up like these girls on Disney?<br />Jessie: Yeah, I guess<br />Kelly: Well you should start practicing your guitar with mom so you can learn<br />Jessie: Dad, those girls are like 14. I have plenty of time.<br />Kelly: Well if you become a famous singer can I drive your tour bus?<br />Jessie: Well I guess, but you're gonna have to work on your driving. You know like <br /> your speed and your corners. <br /><br /><br />There is never a dull moment here.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-47679262873221527912009-09-09T11:39:00.007-06:002009-09-09T13:20:30.384-06:00Trick Riding Debut!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SqfwPyCvdOI/AAAAAAAAARM/OvbkoFC3dzY/s1600-h/DSC_0228.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SqfwPyCvdOI/AAAAAAAAARM/OvbkoFC3dzY/s320/DSC_0228.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379532433839322338" /></a><br />Well, we made it through the weekend! YAYYYY! Jessie trick rode at a rodeo in Patricia. She only walks, which is completely fine with me at this stage. She is riding the world's largest and slowest trick riding horse. Big Boy, however, did great even though she had him covered from head to toe in pink. You could see the disgust on his face. Jessie, had a blast, and I'm afraid she still wants to do it. She came home and has practiced now carrying the Canadian flag while doing the hippodrone stand. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SqfvE2vO3nI/AAAAAAAAARE/GqhgdZd7KOc/s1600-h/DSC_0229.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SqfvE2vO3nI/AAAAAAAAARE/GqhgdZd7KOc/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379531146609483378" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ9e-Ayl5TdOqGoM3copqVLiovYNxnUgbVfB9sdxNr_dxSBQ4qhLx4fCVQ9wZkl3OVsrmxbUSaYGpm4eYVZnorPfTSObGHw7p_lcFNOstQSdPW9W31J-kit2bFJCtcLLUyiwIzMnxf7Uc/s1600-h/DSC_0222.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ9e-Ayl5TdOqGoM3copqVLiovYNxnUgbVfB9sdxNr_dxSBQ4qhLx4fCVQ9wZkl3OVsrmxbUSaYGpm4eYVZnorPfTSObGHw7p_lcFNOstQSdPW9W31J-kit2bFJCtcLLUyiwIzMnxf7Uc/s320/DSC_0222.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379541542704673746" /></a><br /><br /><br />Sunday was the Little Britches Rodeo. Jessie just ran barrels and poles and did great. She was mad that she made her fastest pole run ever and didn't place. She is a little competitive. Don't know where that comes from. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/Sqf7zx1nnhI/AAAAAAAAARc/zSpQruykylA/s1600-h/DSC_0237.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/Sqf7zx1nnhI/AAAAAAAAARc/zSpQruykylA/s320/DSC_0237.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379545146887478802" /></a><br /><br />Silaging is in full swing now. Kelly and the neighbors are out in the field, and I'm supposed to be planning their next meal. I'm not so good at that. However, my chicken and dumplings last night were a hit. Even Kelly commented on the chicken, which he usually refuses to eat. However, when you call your wife at 2:00, who is an hour and a half away spending her day shopping to tell her that you are going to need supper in the field for six people by 6:30, you just can't be fussy as to what you eat. They weren't supposed to get started that early, so I had taken advantage of the day off. Ha! I should've known. It is impossible for me to spend a day without interruptions. Last time, I had to come home because there was a dire need for a pail of hydraulic oil from town. <br /><br />Well, I suppose I should do something housewife like for the day and maybe get something planned for the hard working men in the field.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-50586229173653433092009-08-31T08:39:00.003-06:002009-08-31T08:50:54.637-06:00First Day of 3rd Grade!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv3K4uL40xuHS0DPD7KCWkuIM9u64ci6M3Pl5WC0JRfSAM2uTwPWxbWnoW_M7JpJ5plxPsH-pGGxGgDOQ6urcLnIGRDWTZEvJyQfqL2NhHCALugUFZj1a7W8cctWQKY5JYhBus9BpVlnm/s1600-h/DSC_0215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv3K4uL40xuHS0DPD7KCWkuIM9u64ci6M3Pl5WC0JRfSAM2uTwPWxbWnoW_M7JpJ5plxPsH-pGGxGgDOQ6urcLnIGRDWTZEvJyQfqL2NhHCALugUFZj1a7W8cctWQKY5JYhBus9BpVlnm/s200/DSC_0215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376139871673476290" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SpviuX67mRI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/dWwGL6K3T8s/s1600-h/DSC_0213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SpviuX67mRI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/dWwGL6K3T8s/s200/DSC_0213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376139866519869714" /></a><br />Today was Jessie's first day of school. She was so excited. I hope it stays this way, but I'm sure it won't . I loved not having to fight with her to get out of bed this morning. Kelly is in British Columbia until Friday, so we are doing the first week of school by ourselves. I'm going to get a lot done this week!The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-45805495253202085632009-08-07T09:04:00.004-06:002009-08-07T09:57:56.818-06:00Dog Days of Summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk9eCWil04g_pIl0Aw2NWiYqRYeUwpiTqkqsr6R9UGzcuBv_FjlM49tN3y6v8Hu-yWrb1wvA-zFsmyVGU2uqXATAbQJl_VI74EwUiEOnWZ-T5TNX4NEtBwmip6ib8hgbs9Yde3CtEG7hT/s1600-h/jea1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk9eCWil04g_pIl0Aw2NWiYqRYeUwpiTqkqsr6R9UGzcuBv_FjlM49tN3y6v8Hu-yWrb1wvA-zFsmyVGU2uqXATAbQJl_VI74EwUiEOnWZ-T5TNX4NEtBwmip6ib8hgbs9Yde3CtEG7hT/s200/jea1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367246661348691586" /></a><br />Jessie and I have made it to and from Texas with no major catastrophes. This is a major feat due to the fact that our trip home involved not only the well travelled weiner dog but also a Catahoula puppy who was like travelling with Marmaduke. <br /><br />We had a great time down South in the heat. Jessie loves to swim, so she spent lots of time in the pool. We have returned to 50 degree weather and rain. The rain is good, but the cool air I could live without for a couple of months. <br /><br />On the way down, Jessie wanted to see Mt. Rushmore, so we detoured down I-90, were caught in the middle of a high speed chase by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and saw Mt. Rushmore in Byars style: "Well there it is. Smile. Alright let's go. We've got miles to make." I have to say, it was very neat even seeing it for the second time. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SnxJK8AxuII/AAAAAAAAAP8/IhP8Pt5U1-g/s1600-h/jessmtrush.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SnxJK8AxuII/AAAAAAAAAP8/IhP8Pt5U1-g/s200/jessmtrush.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367245308175693954" /></a><br /><br />Kelly and Jessie headed off to Olds for the rodeo this weekend with Big Boy on the back of the liner. Jessie missed him while she was gone, so she is making up for it by riding every chance she gets. The rain has put a damper on it lately. She was hoping that slack was this morning so she could chase calves out of the arena. I stayed home for a wedding shower, and then I am going over in the morning to fulfill my duties as the stock contractor's wife. These duties aren't as fun now that I can't sit at the trailer and drink beer with the pickup man's wife. <br /><br />I finally broke down and bought some maternity clothes yesterday. Uckkk! What a waste of money. $70 for jeans that I'm not going to wear but a few months. <br /><br />On Tuesday, I have a doctors appointment, so maybe we get to find out what it is. I asked Jessie if she wanted it to be a surprise. I knew the answer, but the look on her face was great. She looked at me like I was stupid and said, "No way, I want to start shopping." <br /><br />I'm on my way to town right now to get this fly issue settled in our house. August and September are miserable here when you live 100 feet from the pens. The flies have taken over and Kelly is losing his mind. He has been dancing around like a ballerina with the fly swatter. I'm afraid he is going to fall down the stairs in one of his fly swatting fits. I moved the KONK sprayer outside because I wasn't sure it was good for any of us spraying in the house. I may hang those long sticky orange ribbons all over the house for decoration while we are away for the weekend. I hate flies with a passion and my husband is driving me crazy. I spend half the day following him around and sweeping up the dead flies he leaves on the floor. I know this is repulsive to many, but hey it's life on the farm. John Denver did not know what the hell he was talking about when he said it was kinda laid back.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-20148907166058128052009-06-29T18:02:00.006-06:002009-07-02T10:47:04.053-06:00The Days are Getting Shorter!So, Jessie's school year is finally over! Yeah!!! Going to school until June 26th is completely unnecessary. However, no one seems to care what I think. Jessie had her awards day on the 25th. She received the Spanish award for her grade. She loves Spanish. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIdZbHVuaWjXuaf3N1BJRXJHr6HTuCoN6EXxrDXtIzshzW6wF5ZwaBBsXdsEu0j2CuF9AJHdxrWFELX_u3UpMxdXgoEoomGAgpWmMQslVnoy53vmHFRshUzma6Ph5EivtsIDHC3Yl2KN7/s1600-h/awards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIdZbHVuaWjXuaf3N1BJRXJHr6HTuCoN6EXxrDXtIzshzW6wF5ZwaBBsXdsEu0j2CuF9AJHdxrWFELX_u3UpMxdXgoEoomGAgpWmMQslVnoy53vmHFRshUzma6Ph5EivtsIDHC3Yl2KN7/s200/awards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353901929656631842" /></a><br /><br />We are surviving summer so far. The weather has been in the 70's at the warmest and the wind has been blowing every single day. It is so dry here that there are herd dispersals all over the country. Many of those who still have their cows are still feeding. We turned ours out, but the grass is looking grim, so we are praying for rain. <br /><br />Jessie lost her second tooth. The drama that surrounds losing a tooth here is worthy of an Oscar. It is quite the ordeal. The tooth fairy is not good at staying up late, and the weiner/guard dog who sleeps with Jessie doesn't welcome midnight intruders. <br /><br />We spent Saturday ear tagging calves and vaccinating cows. I have no pictures because it was just the three of us to gather and do all of this. It was, once again, a run for your life type of scenario. Words can't describe some of the events that take place here. You have to see them to believe them. <br /><br />The rodeos are in full swing. We had a successful production sale, which is nice to have out of the way. Innisfail is done, Ponoka finishes Wednesday, and then the madness of "Stampede" starts next week. We have bulls out on Sunday and again on Thursday in Calgary. On Wednesday, Jessie and I are taking in the Taylor Swift concert. She is stoked. <br /><br />After that, we are headed south for a while. Jessie has been wanting to see Mt. Rushmore, so we are headed to Texas via South Dakota. We are taking a well deserved vacation and leaving Kelly home to tend the fort. <br /><br />Since it has taken me three days to write this, I will post some pics of Jessie from yesterday. We went to a Memorial playday type of thing yesterday. It is an all day affair. They have every event from tiny mite goat tail undecorating to wild cow milking and the hide race. We try and go every year because it is a lot of fun. Jessie entered the barrels and poles yesterday. She wouldn't enter the goat tail untying because her horse is too tall. I entered the breakaway, team penning and team roping. I got third in the breakaway and the rest were a flop. The team roping I can finally blame on the header who missed for me. However, my heeling leaves a lot to be desired. It is more of a close your eyes and throw it under and see what I come up with and then try and get a dally but don't count on it kind of thing. I am learning though. It is my goal to be able to heel in the arena not just in the branding pen where they are standing still. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMT8iQCdn521JHmsycTc9oCy0gjOo9guxCVzxbVfyFnLpEgNLnT2eRRqWzUgfaQ2kOrt1fIsgLnOpVIas4BUsOF0PM1XLRcLbaqA6BlgdfUBeUX_wU2nP9Z3uYQOwYk6nAFV__nFXl53I/s1600-h/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMT8iQCdn521JHmsycTc9oCy0gjOo9guxCVzxbVfyFnLpEgNLnT2eRRqWzUgfaQ2kOrt1fIsgLnOpVIas4BUsOF0PM1XLRcLbaqA6BlgdfUBeUX_wU2nP9Z3uYQOwYk6nAFV__nFXl53I/s200/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353904977680683890" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SkzieB1lvII/AAAAAAAAAPk/keMNamCXOvg/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WIwhgr4ASpA/SkzieB1lvII/AAAAAAAAAPk/keMNamCXOvg/s200/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353903062553836674" /></a>The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-60548296522311950272009-06-01T14:23:00.002-06:002009-06-02T10:12:09.269-06:00The WeekendWe spent this last Friday and Saturday at some friend's branding. They live west of Stavely, Alberta in the hills. Willow Creek runs in front of their house and if you ride up the ridge behind the house you can see the Rockies. It is the most beautiful place on earth. We had a great visit with lots of friends we don't get to see on a regular basis and even got 400 calves branded in the meantime. I woke up early Saturday morning hoping to see the black bear that have been roaming through the yard, but they didn't show. Jessie was highly disappointed. Of course, she didn't wake up, she just told me to get pictures. Apparently, they've been showing up early in the morning and wrecking the trees around the houses. <br /><br />Kelly took his gray up to ride and gather with no intention whatsoever of dragging calves, but of course, all the old buddies were around heckling him so he tried it. He did great. He definitely wasn't bothered by the five wrestling crews and the branding pot he had to walk by. He got a little up in the bits, but it didn't last long. We are quite impressed that he takes everything so well, considering he only got broke when he was five and that was last year. <br /><br />Anyways, I thought I would share some pics I took. I didn't get to take many as I spent most of the day branding and vaccinating. <br /><br />As for now, we are off to the neighbors to brand this afternoon. They are short handed since Lori had an emergency appendectomy last week and she is usually a roper, a cutter, and the cook.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-35243665711706863262009-05-28T10:17:00.004-06:002009-05-28T11:00:10.692-06:00When It's Springtime in Alberta.....Well, spring has officially sprung here. The garden is planted, not by me, of course. Biff had that taken care of a week ago. Yesterday he and Kelly spent an hour pot bellied pig proofing it, as I've planted his potatoes three times. They put up a hot wire, so we'll see how that works. It may get the best of the weiner dog before it does the pig. <br /><br />Branding season is here. All the neighbors are calling, so we have a fun filled week ahead. We start by heading to Nanton in the morning to Keeley's. That is always a fun time. Yes, Jessie is missing school to go to a branding. It is perfectly ok. This time of year, there are many missing from school due to brandings. In a town of 350, they tend to understand. I think branding could even be an "excused" absence in Big Valley. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo1_iFsQazauiEWe4EbThHOUUNUS012fjiUOmQUwp_Nm2Rqw62Qb9W82k6R1rNUzhPz-w19acJX6buJu_bcvnN7BIBr6ukAZA4FfY2RK3gm0r3C2kJ4y9POeoLV7ePyn0Rl2nIS6C1ZHl/s1600-h/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo1_iFsQazauiEWe4EbThHOUUNUS012fjiUOmQUwp_Nm2Rqw62Qb9W82k6R1rNUzhPz-w19acJX6buJu_bcvnN7BIBr6ukAZA4FfY2RK3gm0r3C2kJ4y9POeoLV7ePyn0Rl2nIS6C1ZHl/s200/DSC_0049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340917015863355250" /></a><br /><br /><br />We cut our beef calves the other day. This only furthered my suspicions of Jessie being Sarah's child. I headed down check out progress and here stands Jessie in the middle of the pen in her Crocs and a skirt holding the "nut" bucket. I started cutting after a while, so Kelly and Rolly could wrestle. Two of them crawled the fence and got in with the cows, so the just roped them and we did them amongst all the cows. I was cutting as fast as I could because the cows were not pleased with the goings on. Rolly and Kelly were getting snot blown all over them, I turn to throw Jessie her treasure, and she is standing right behind me. She had come in the pen with all these mad momma cows to do her duty. My heart skipped a beat or two. She was as proud as punch with her new job and wasn't letting fear nor fashion stand in the way of getting the job done. Afterwards, I cleaned them and we cooked them on the fire for the kids. Jessie and her friend Grady ate most of them by themselves. Be it known, that I did not bother to batter them. They were just cooked. Jessie has been asking lots of questions about heifers, steers, and bulls lately. So, Kelly took the opportunity to explain to her while cutting a calf that this was how a bull becomes a steer. Her reply: "Ohhhh, now I get it!" The kid never ceases to leave me speechless.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16rIFBRDkGFxj460hoKO-H8Gwo_Q6K83-LqaQ7JV9Y78gkWnCOtKe1l0GqIO4wGWsG0Bk058TiOwq2VQek-xXQ5i3y_FLm_DMNnwYl3W1uaoVk1d3b2YvfNsVkiU055Q0huPDSeBombP3/s1600-h/DSC_0047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16rIFBRDkGFxj460hoKO-H8Gwo_Q6K83-LqaQ7JV9Y78gkWnCOtKe1l0GqIO4wGWsG0Bk058TiOwq2VQek-xXQ5i3y_FLm_DMNnwYl3W1uaoVk1d3b2YvfNsVkiU055Q0huPDSeBombP3/s200/DSC_0047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340913729577514818" /></a><br /><br />Well, I should get outside. I see my horse is saddled, so I must have a job to do. Kelly is out on the new love of his life, Goose, whom he now refers to as "Mine that Goose." He has found his soul mate in a free gray horse. You would know that with Kelly it would have to be free for him to like it. <br /><br />Have a good one everyone.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065059767337535269.post-58633865442176396132009-05-18T09:04:00.002-06:002009-05-18T09:24:28.971-06:00Victoria Day!Today is Queen Victoria's birthday, so we have a holiday. God Bless the Queen, I guess. However, this is the first long weekend of what is supposed to be summer. Campers look forward to this weekend all winter. They pack up their gear, load their trailers and absolutely flood every campground in Alberta. This morning, the joke is on the campers. It is snowing! Yes, I said snow! Not funny. <br /><br />Yesterday it was about 70 with a wind worthy of Vernon, Texas. This morning it is snowing and the high is in the 30's. I'm glad I'm not a camper. <br /><br />Kelly has headed back out to his tractor seat. We haven't seen him much. He did come in for supper last night when some friends called and said they were coming over and bringing everything we needed for hamburgers. It was a great supper. I didn't have to cook it. They even brought paper plates and plastic forks. <br /><br />I plowed for a little bit yesterday. Jessie asked if she was going to get to see her dad in the day anytime soon, so I thought I better get out there for a while so they could play together. Kelly is pulling his hair out going round and round. I think it's therapy for his ADD. He thinks it is a waste of time he could better spend doing something "productive." I informed him that since he was planning on planting a crop in this field, that plowing should probably be considered productive. I hope he has learned his lesson this time and decides to hire a real farmer to do it next time. Jessie said he should have left it in pasture, it looks ugly all plowed up. She doesn't have that farming gene either. I, however, don't mind it. You can sit on the tractor all day and no one bothers you because there isn't a person for 1,000 miles that wants your job. It is actually peaceful. <br /><br />During the father daughter quality time yesterday, Jessie made Kelly paint her new fort. In hot pink letters he had to paint, JESSIE'S FORT KEEP OUT BEWARE OF DOG. We're not sure if she is warning people of the vicious weiner dog or the three legged dog. Either way, they are warned. I will have to get pictures of this on a nicer day. <br /><br />Since it's a snow day better spent indoors, Jessie and I are going to Red Deer to see the Hannah Montana movie. I'm quite sure it's an Oscar winner. Jessie has been dying to see it. She already knows all the songs off the soundtrack and can dance to them while singing in front of the mirror with her air mic. It's awesome. <br /><br />Have a good one.The Armstrong Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070946873114976921noreply@blogger.com0