OVER THE HILLS AND THRU THE SNOW!

we made it!!!! The worst week to travel, was how the weather stated it. Well, everyone knows the weather people never get it right, so we waited until the fog cleared and decided it wouldn't be that bad. We drove for an hour or so and decided that it was not that bad...until...South Pass. If you know anything about Wyoming, you know that South Pass can be treacherous. It's where a lot of the pioneers lost their lives because of harsh weather. The roads were very icy and then the blizzard was upon us. We drove into white out and wow, you could see absolutely nothing! You didn't dare stop or you could be rear ended, you couldn't go forward for fear of going off the side of the mountain...and then it cleared. When it cleared Skip saw the side pole on the left side of the car...normal, right...WRONG! we were on the wrong side of the street against a hill. Skipper opened the door to survey the situation...he went to step out and found his leg swallowed up in snow...it was about 3 1/2" deep. Quickly he came back into the car and there we sat...t.h.i.n.k.i.n.g...hummm, now what. It was still snowing to beat the band and while we sat there watching the traffic go by...very slowly, some spinning out, a snow plow appeared coming toward us. He stopped and asked if we called a tow truck. Skipper said no, but we had a strap if he could pull us out. So, long story short, barely missing the pole, the one we had missed originally, they were able to pull us back up on the road. Thank you to everyone involved, including the Man upstairs. From South Fork we drove calmly and alertly down theu the blowing snow to Rock Springs where we entered the freeway. That didn't seem to make much difference, cars were still sliding and off on the side of the road. By time we got to Salt Lake (usually only 8 hours away) we were exhausted so we stopped and spent the night. YESSSSSSS, out of the cold blowing snow. We watched the weather for the rest of the trip and yes, it was grim...but we were committed now. Next morning it was not snowing, with a blizzard predicted around 4pm...so we were going to be driving right into it somewhere. We were driving toward Wendover, NV when Skip noticed a car in the center median then he said there was a body on the ground in front of the vehicle. Immediately, emergent situation kicked into gear and down off the road we went toward the crash. We saw others from the other side of the road stopping and running to the scene. What had happened (short version) the wind caught their little car, flipped it over, throwing the unbelted passenger out of the car thru the passenger window (which had been closed). The driver and passenger, brothers, both in shock. Driver was not hurt, the passenger was in deep shock, freezing lying on the frozen ground. We all gathered up blankets, coats, bed mats and sleeping bags from the camper that stopped. We used the bed mats to try and block the freezing wind. An Army medic stopped, he was on his way home from shift and had his bag with him. Used his hand warmers and stethoscope to check breathing sounds, took pulse and applied the plastic molded neck brace. He continued checking him out while I kept talking to him to get his mind working to help from more shock and make sure if there was a concussion that he would not slip into unconcusness. Because we were "in the middle of nowhere" it took the ambulance over an hour to get there. When they did arrive, the injured was still in shock, had hypothermia but was alive with cuts and bruises and pain in several places. (The next day I called Garret, the driver, to see how his brother John had fared...he said tht in two hours they were both able to walk out of the hospital and get back on their way to California to join their family for Thanksgiving...the paramedics told them if it weren't for all of us, it would have been a very different situation.)
We got back on the road and the strong wind was still blowing. Once we passed Wendover it started snowing again and by the time we reached Wells, we were in another white out. So we stopped at a Subway, ate and watched it blow off. When we could see again we drove to Reno where we had to spend the night as they had closed the road because of the ice and blowing deep snow. The next morning, the snow had stopped, beautiful blue sky and we drove into Donnor Pass into more snow. After we had driven thru the pass, we were out of the snow and that afternoon reached our destination...waaa hooo!

APRIL 15TH TEA PARTY

Better late than never. Can you believe that Cody, Wyoming really had it's very own Tea Party???? Even in the snow. There were about 500 people that came out to protest high taxes and the bailouts and all that kind of stuff. I don't usually post political stuff, but, this is just going to far. People have to blame other people and everyone is "pushing the buck" and it's just getting really bad. The fore fathers of our country could never have seen what was going to happen on down the line. Especially when they sacrificed so much leaving "their country" to come here to begin a "Free" country. Wow, it is just mind boggling. Ok, enough of the soap box...

It's been so long since I blogged, I wrote a note about all the things we have done and what I needed to tell you, but, I have lost the note. So, here I sit, trying to rack my brain. Really, we have been busy...Part of the busy schedule has had to do with me and my neck, and "the city" worker's comp claim for me. It's a long story, so I won't bore you with all the cwap we have been dealing with. Suffice to say, my neck has been bothering me, so I made a follow-up appointment to see the doctor. In order to see the doc, we had to go have 2 MRIs one on the cervical spine and one for the thorasic spine. My cervical is getting worse. They fused discs 5 & 6 to 7 now, 3 & 4 have gotten worse. First I need to have physical therapy (which I detest) then I'm supposed to get another epidural. Well, phone call after phone call, fax after fax...we are still waiting for "the powers that be" to "allow" this to happen...I just wish one of "the powers that be" would understand how hurting is so debilitating; and, that time means something.

Uh oh, I think I published before I was done...maybe that was a hint...oh well, I guess I should go. It is snowing again, you know, I think this April has been snowyer than any month this winter, er, um, spring? Oh well, I love the snow it keeps the temperature down...lol.

With Spring starting, the ditch has been turned on, so the Ol' Coyote is back to the irrigation ditch work again. His busy season is beginning. The lawn maintenance and he is going to be planting another area of grass, plus working on the pipes and getting all the equipment ready.

Oh, I know one of the reasons we have been busy, we are becoming CERTS...no, not the candy, it's a part of Homeland Security. I gotta go for now, but I will follow up on this topic next blog....stay healthy, happy and outa trouble....ciao

HAPPY NEW YEAR (a little late)

Gosh, I can't believe it's been since December 15th that I blogged. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Have things changed for you? hummmm, not much change around here. The wind is still blowing I mean, like a gale ( except for today). This is the first day in the last two weeks that it didn't sound like a freight train going thru the front yard. We got snow Sunday night, so it was beautiful when we got up this morning. It's so funny when it snows. Our property looks like a road map. With all the bunny prints all over the place. They hop in every direction.

Can you believe that it is 2009??? geeeze, where does the time go. Did you make any resolutions? Not me...I have goals that I want to accomplish, but no "resolutions".

I watched the Golden Globes last night and was really sad about some of the winners. I didn't see slumdogs and I have no desire to see it, but, I felt that some of the awards it got should have been given to others. I was really pleased that Heath Ledger got the best supporting actor award. I think that was my highlight. I still have some of the shows to see, before the Academy Awards.

This Saturday (the 17th) we have a "Murder Mystery" to attend and be part of. I'm really excited. It's called a night of mystery in Deadwood. The site is
www.nightofmystery.com/deadwood_extras.htm
The Coyote and I are Montgomery Money and Elizabeth Money and we have a debutant daughter named Minnie Money. We have info about each of us and then when we get to the "Saloon" we will get an envelope with more clues and then later in the evening, we will get another envelope and the murder and the victim will find out who they will be. I'll have to let you know how this turns out. I don't want to get to excited about it because, on Halloween, we were invited to a murder mystery at one of the big hotels here and it was a real bust. So, I have to think positive and not get too excited.

Other than the above, my kitty "nosee" is doing well, she is sooooooooo funny, I have to get some pictures of her playing with Daysee (our rottweiller), they are getting close. When Daysee gets put out in the morning, Nosee sits at the glass door and watches her and tries to talk to her....it's really cute.

At the beginning of this new year, already I have sad news and good news. My sad news is about Jane Watanabe. She is a really sweet, wonderful woman who passed away in Glendora, CA on Jan 2. I will miss her. The happy news is that one of my friends who lives in Oregon, I call her "Manda Jane", is expecting. I don't remember when she is due, but I'm so excited for her and Dom, her husband. The other good news is that my friend Sandie got engaged!!!! Yaaaa, I'm so excited for her and Matthew. They set their date for the 6th of March at the Manti, Utah LDS Temple. What a way to begin the new year....

I hope you all had great experiences over Christmas and New Years . It is my wish that this year will find us all, healthy, happy and full of new adventures....

Brrrrrrr

I feel like Nanook of the North. We don't usually have this cold of weather this early. It got down to 20 below last night and it didn't get above -5 all day. The snow is still on the ground. Being from California, there are many things to discover about the snow and the cold. First off, you don't go out the front door barefooted with no sweater or jacket. That's a biggie. The first thing the ol Coyote noticed (now this may be gross to some of you, others will just consider the source and laugh)BUT....I guess you just have to go with the "redneck" - you can tell how cold it is by how fast your nose hairs freeze...no comment.

The snow up here is gorgeous. It is very dry, so it actually looks like styrofoam but sparkles. Today I was looking out the window and it looked like sparkle dust flying thru the air. It's beautiful. Also, because it's so cold and dry, when you walk on the snow it sounds like you are walking on broken glass. And if you walk on a "welcome mat" it feels like you are walking on wood, not something that is soft. It's really neat to find new things. The lakes are all frozen over; we were surprised that there were no ice fisherman out. That's another site I had not seen before we moved up here. It's funny to see little tents sitting on top of a frozen lake.

Well, now for the not so happy things. The Ol Coyote had put up with Dish Network long enough. (It goes out constantly and we have all sorts of problems since they took away the east and west feeds and gave us the Billings stations, grrrrr, what a disaster). Soooo, since Direct TV was running a special, I caved and said ok to changing the companies. WELL...we had our Direct put in on Friday and Saturday morning we lost the signal...no tv...until... the soonest they can get someone out here will be this Thursday....AND, not only that, we don't get any of the network stations, i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW, PBS...are you ready for that????? And this is supposed to be better??? What is wrong with his brain....I'm convinced he is losing it. Sometimes he is such a loveable guy, but sometimes!!!! Now we are stuck in a two year contract with these people....I'm doomed. More movies, that's all....more movies. sheeesh! Today, the Ol Coyote went up on top of the shop roof to take the TWO dish network dishes down, so Thursday, when Direct shows up again, we can have the guy put the dish down lower so it is not sticking up at the roof top catching all the wind and snow....they grow them different out here...

Christmas in ten days, wow...how the time flies, I don't know where November went and soon we will be changing the year's calendar. We have been practicing for the Ward Christmas party, we have to sing the opening song, then we have to sing a little later in the program, after we have a nice ham dinner, then Santa will come....We are also practicing diligently for the Sunday Christmas program. So, we have been busy. I didn't make the cookie exchange or the ornament exchange, I just couldn't get into it this year. We won't be doing Christmas cards this year either, cutting back with the money situation. Being on a fixed income and hoping our retirement doesn't run out before we do can get really exciting.

Daysee got in trouble today, she broke her hook on her cable and ran out in front of a car (there was only one for miles) so Coyote got really upset with her. Then there's nosee, the cat. Daysee can't stand for her to be in the room without chasing her until she leaves the area for her safe house. With all the running over furniture, yelling, "Get off the table" "sit, Daysee" "I said, sit!" Oh it's so much fun around here. Sometimes I wish I was the deaf one...well, on that note, I guess I will sign off, we are going to see "The Day the Earth Stood Still" tonight, so gotta get ready...stay warm and happy....

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!

It's been a while since I have posted and not much has gone on. I was sick for 3 1/2 weeks and am finally feeling better. Out of the forest, but not in the clearing. I still have that hacky cough and sore throat. Yes...I did go to the doctor and was on antibiotics, thank you for your concern.

Night before last it snowed and the land is still covered with the snow. That is very unusual here as it is usually blowing so hard that our dry snow is gone the next day. It's really beautiful. It really gives you a sense of Christmas. The shoppers are all bundled up and carrying their packages and bustling to the next shop. It's so fun to watch. The lights are all up in the city and the homes are decorating one by one. I love Christmas time. The lights are so bright, they sparkle and remind me of all the stars in the sky. Can't you just imagine at the time of Jesus' birth, with no smog and no huge buildings to block the sky how bright the stars were....living in the country (well, maybe desert) where it's so dark, it is really beautiful seeing all the stars. I even got to see the Trident Triangle the other night, it was great.

This is also one of the busiest times of the year. Our church has so many things going on, you hardly have time to breathe. We have a womens Holiday luncheon/Ornament exchange, then we have a Christmas Cookie exchange, then we have the Ward Christmas party for the youth and the adults...this year they will even have a visit from Santa. Normally, we concentrate on the real Christmas values, with the birth of Christ. This activities chairwoman has decided that we will share both at the same party. This will be interesting, but fun for the children. Then there is the Christmas choir, we practice for the December 21st performance...whew, I hardly have time to vaccuum...

Speaking of which, I got a new vaccuum....I LOVE IT!!! I always thought the dyson guy was a bunch of hype and never considered it. We had a Hoover Wind Tunnel and it was crap. The belts kept sliding off and burning, uck, terrible smell, plus it was heavy and loud. We went vaccuum shopping (under duress from the ol' coyote) and we spent 2 hours looking at vaccuums...I hate shopping. Anyway, the sales lady convinced Mr. Coyote that the dyson was the best. She had - are you ready for this- 18 cats, all living inside the house...and a husband! Anyway, she just raved about this machine and how it sucked not only the carpet, but clear down thru the pad. Ok, Ok...fine, spend the money (gulp) get the stupid machine, let's just go...so of course we got "the animal" and brought it home. The Ol' coyote had to try it. so we had just vaccuumed with the wind tunnel, so now we put this thing together and start. We started in the bedroom, the path from the bathroom (where the cat has all her stuff) and went to the end of the bed. It was unbeliveable. It filled the canister!!! and, it's a big canister. Talk about amazing, I would definetly recommend the Dyson to anyone. We filled (ok, I'm embarrased to say) 6 canisters by time we were done with the house. Totally unbeliveable...

Ok, I guess I have bored you long enough, I'm starving, time for lunch...gotta go, hope your day is bright and shiney...TTFN

SNOW SATURDAY

WaHoo....it's snowing. There is one thing you can bet on when you live in Wyoming. That is, sometime in the first week of October it will be snowing. At least, in the last seven years that we have been here, that has been the case. It's 25 degrees and the snow has been sideways for a while. The little table and chairs are on our rear deck. It looks like a big cake on the table, I just love it when the snow does that. The forcast in Billings, MT is 25 inches by the end of tomorrow. We are only supposed to get 9", but I will really be surprised if we get that. They always over exaggerate for Cody. The Park gets most of it. We will see what tomorrow will bring.
Tonight we are going to Don and Sid's place for stew. We are bringing the apple pie and ice cream. There is just nothing like eating ice cream while it is snowing outside....lol
Other than that, I guess the afternoon (what's left of it) will just be left to watching football. Weber State and Montana State are playing in Bozeman ... in the snow...now that's messy! But it is a good game for the first half. Hope your day is going well, stay happy!