COMING HOME FROM COLORADO

Well we left our little cabin in the wee hours of the morning on Monday...

to begin the drive home. We planned on camping in a state park somewhere along that drive...but left that possibility open, not making actual plans.

So the maps all say its about a 22 hour drive, but after making this drive twice now, its a bit more I think! The actual driving time may be only that or even less, but the travel---oh wow! Its a looooooooong drive! I think the heat made it longer, needing more stops for the auto to rest and all!

Along the route we saw

many of these big wind mills...they are huge! Often we would see about 300 or more at a time! We saw this in the edge of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska!

Here is a small town in the edge of Colorado that I just like the name....

We drove until we were so tired, it

was so hot (the air conditioner was at least still working, but not very cold) It was just the heat that was keeping it from working well cause in the evening when the sun was at our backs while driving it actually felt cold!

So we stopped for the late afternoon (our time about 5 pm) at a state park where we thought about camping. The land looked green (must have had plenty of rain or they water the lawns) and the grounds looked like they kept it up well. The lake was ok to swim in, so after getting the 'day pass' (we were not sure if we would

stay and camp yet or not) we went straight to the lake and jumped in! We just sat floating around for about an hour or more, then got out and ate our dinner (using the camp stove) of stew...from a can :( but it still was good! The picnic table sitting in the shade with a breeze, our wet swim clothes still on.....we thought maybe we could camp here after all. Then we walked out into the sun and said....no. WOW was it still hot!

So we left the park after about 2 and a half hours and back on the road!

It was now after 7 pm and that meant we were driving thru the night with about 12 hours to go at least! (this camp/state park was in Nebraska some where) We drove until about 2 am or later (all along we took turns driving) and then we pulled into a rest stop and slept until the sun was just peeking over the horizon. We opened our eyes, looked and then said-sleeping again! We slept until about 7 am, and then left. We were somewhere after moline in Illinois. We made it to home about noon or later.... that's our story...!

COLORADO the last days!

Lets see....where did I leave off.....Oh ya, we were to vacation for the next 3-5 days, but decided to come home early. Scott was worried that if we would come home, he would not see me (as I would go back to work right away) but I reminded him that I took this WHOLE week off! Silly man!

Oh yes, well the last day of our trip we went into the small town close to the camp ground...we drove out of town and towards pikes peak, but did not go up there. We did not want to take the truck up such a tall mountain, with the brakes and all...so was gonna take the train or some other type of rental -buy a ticket to go --tourist type thing, but did not want to spend the extra money. We remained committed to not charging anything (been years now).,.so no pikes peak. GOD will show me that part of america when I die and if I still want to see it! :) I imagine that I will be allowed to see any of HIS handiwork that I have not yet seen, if I want to then!

So rather than spend money we did not have, we came home. We were only going to spend what was allotted for the trip, and then the trip ends! It is that simple! We drove thru the small town right down from the campsite, this was one of a few places that we would have visited but the funds were "done" for this trip!

There was a glass blowing spot, a yarn shop, a shop with wind chimes and a few other unique shops that we avoided (to avoid temptation to 'charge it" just because we like it...). Maybe LORD willing, if we get to go back, then maybe we can shop too! Were not shoppers anyway, we may look around ok, not stressed to spend money we dont have, but the town was sooooo busy and that also was a reason we did not go up to the stores! The town was cute, and would be fun to visit again some day.

Below are some photos of the town...

Well more later!

Colorado-Camping!

Scott and I nick named this rock pigeon rock with all the birds (pigeons) sitting on it!

Well, we left the conference center on Friday about noon, there is one thing at the center that I did not talk about before, it was a piece of "art".  Those of you who know me KNOW I am an artist (see one of my works below)
BUT- as a midwife, even I would NOT have this piece of art in my office!  This retreat center is run by some nuns. It was being used as a vase, (Although I did take a photo of it, I will not post it here-it was vulgar) 

My husband asked me to go see this vase in the lobby, and he asked-is that what I think it is?  I looked and said-well yes it is.  He had a lot more time that we did, so spent time sitting in the lobby and looking around at the art on the wall and all the other stuff....


  It was the male p****, with part of the woman around it (you can imagine what parts) and then the color coming out of the top-well that represented you know what...so very very gross. They were using the thing for a vase.   I told a few close friends at the conference to check that out...but of course did not announce this type of thing -weird gross art-at a Christian conference...!

my friend and fellow board member Lori L.  From 

California

My friend Jill from Georgia, who will help us with the next conference...it will be in October in 2012, (not April as we thought before) so NO ONE who wants my services get preg and be due during that time!

Other than that, and a few meals that were not the best (that is ALWAYS a issue not matter where we are at and no matter what conference we are attending....no one cooks like me -except for my mom, and well-Shonda Parker!  Loves that gals cooking!  

part of the park....

So we left and went south to the camp ground we were gonna stay at.   I HATE the name, but it goes with the park that is in this area.  Garden of the gods.  I want to rename all of it to Garden of the ONE TRUE GOD...since HE made the land and all...but no one will do that around here! 

another view of the park

 But that is me-I want to give GOD, the ONE TRUE GOD, the glory for all of HIS creation, and there are many beautiful parks and land in this country that bears names that do NOT give HIM glory!

another view as we hiked..

We have been staying at the camp site -it is very dog friendly.  Matter of fact, the small camping cabin we are staying in, (see photo below) is 'dog friendly'.

inside of the small cabin where we are staying...

  We did not realize that there were some camping cabins that do not allow pets, I would have rather had one of those... 


Yesterday we went to the park, and hiked a little---.
Met some starnge type of people, along with normal people...this photo below (sorry, I cant turn it) I wanted to ask them :  If you tell me why your dressed strange that way, I will tell you why I am dressed normally....

Love this rock formation!

Rocks where you can climb at your risk...the sign suggests to Not climb as the rocks can fall, but everyone was climbing here!

the rock formation I liked!

  It is not a huge park so it is an easy hike, but we did not do the whole hike.  My knee wont allow that and took a day to recover from being on the second floor at the retreat center-so stairs all the time, and hills down and up from the dinning hall......As I continue to loose weight, that will help some, but after having surgery, my knee will never be the same until GOD heals it or I go home to heaven and get a new one!


So here are some more photos...enjoy!

all around the park you see stuff like this, like it was washed out with water, not billions of years ago, but thousands-from some flood!  

another cool area washed out from water....

you can see the different colored rocks here

a great view...

close up of 'pigeon' rock!

this was on a tree, this is how the leaves looked on this tree...not sure what kind of tree it is though!

see scott and I at the top?!  We are younger looking and I am thinner when I am up in thinner air like that! We let some stranger just take our camera and take our photo!   Ha Ha!

another view!

Well, we had to come into Mcdonalds to type this, (did NOT eat here-so gross!) so not sure if we will type anything else until were home again...but we will update ya all later when we can!
Be blessed!
Scott and Ireena!

COLORADO -still...

We are still in Colorado.  Today is day #2 of the conference.  Scott has been enjoying the rest...he has done a few small hikes (around the grounds) and then just rested.  When ever have you had a vacation where you just rested?  I was a bit worried that he would be bored, but he is not (or not telling me about it anyway) 


So it is Wednesday, and it is about 5:30 pm out here (7:30 back home). 


 Here is a photo of the building were in for the conference:  

Our room is above the door, you can see the window.  Were on the second floor.

Here is the window view that I see during the conference...

And here is the group that has attended the conference...

During the conference...

More later!!!

ANOTHER ADVENTURE-COLORADO

Well were off on another adventure.

I have had some people say, wow, how do you get to travel like you do? How can you afford it? Well I cant really. But I am creative, I like to speak at midwifery conferences, and that pays my way!

If you want to do things like travel-, you have to be creative!

I am also on the board for the Christian Midwives International (CMI), and that means I attend the yearly conference. As a board member, I am able to attend the conference at a less fee. Now, that is not the reason I am a board member, but it is a privilege of being on the board and doing all the work to plan, and work at a conference...and there is a LOT of work that goes into getting ready and doing a conference---.

Last week I went to a two day conference in Indy for midwives.

the midwives, doulas and birth assistants who attended the conference in Indy

Arrived home on Friday evening and stayed up until about 1:30-2 am working on CMI items then went to bed. 


 Awake again about 6:30 am, to get ready for leaving for this trip. We were to leave by 9 am, but did not get onto the road until about 10 am or after. No breakfast, so stopped at Bob Evans for a lunch/breakfast meal in Aburn! Not on the road for another 45 minutes! We thought, hopefully we will do better with our time!

Finally on the road and we were to make it into Missouri and stay at a state park (inexpensive camping that way) but did not-so stopped in Illinois at a state park. It was nice. No running water except for a pump, and pit toilets. But cheap!

We got the spot by the yellow tape...not sure why it was up there-maybe someone died from some river monster coming up out of the spooky dark lake at night? (bad joke)   The tape says “caution wet paint” really? Where? On the trees?!

We set up camp, and heard terrible rock music from the site down the lane, who had children that likes to ride past our tent and say hi each time! Finally the sun set and we went to bed. Up early (about 2 am at first, then up again about 5 am. Got on the road around 8 am, and we were off!

 Often people are in such a hurry to get where they are going that they miss the simple nice things along the way. We decided that this trip would be a easy going, slow traveling time. That is why we decided to take the 3 days to get to Colorado. When we had left, I looked over the trees thru the morning mist at the small towns water tower....what a pretty site –only the trees and water tower thru the mist.

Then saw a house-very “American” with the flags out front, a Harley Davidson motor cycle in the driveway along with an old pick up truck and a car, a sign up front saying “until they are all home” and the pow sign and a flag, then a second sign with the scripture about “if my people would pray...”

In town, we saw a working rail road, with a large 2 story square building, that appears to be a home now, but maybe not---but you could tell it use to be used for the railroad...windows about 5 feet tall, about a foot apart all around 4 sides of the building on both levels! I would hate to clean those!

thought we were crossing the mighty Mississippi river here, and thought-wow-its not that mighty!

Then realized, no, here it is!  (below)

I like small towns....but they still have tall buildings out here in the small towns like the big cities, but the nice thing about out here, is unless your in the big city, these small towns tall buildings are all farm ones!  That is my kind of town!  Small, and YES you know everyone!

Lots of cows!

It got so hot yesterday...the temp said 105 but with the humidity-prob 115 or more! It was awful!

Our trucks air conditioner quit working a few times. And the drivers side window does not work, so boy was it hot. I ended up with a migraine. We were gonna camp again (state park to save some money---since we are so broke and so cheap) but just couldnt do it! Needed the air-so stayed in a hotel, one that I am a “member” of that program where you earn points for a free night. We should have a free night coming, or maybe I need to stay one more time? Not sure.

I also signed up for something (two different things) that you can cancel after or before 30 days, for a dollar each. It will give us a total of $100.00 guaranteed gasoline free! I will cancel soon, but will earn the free gasoline first! That helps pay for our trip (see how I work things out! You HAVE to be creative to travel less expensive) I also pack a lot of our meals, I even canned some meat so we will have ready made meals. Frugal- that is me! I only budgeted in for going out to eat a few times (and have Free meals we have “earned” by other things thru the year that I have saved those cards to use on this trip)

Slept well last night, had a shower (that is always great after washing up in a bucket at the camp site) and enjoyed our travels a bit more today. Air went out only twice..the last part of the trip was the worst...but we survived. Its freezing up when we use it, then if we stop (for gasoline) and go-and if we stop within the ½ hour again (rest stop) then that stopping and going -it freezes up.

A farm in Colorado, off from Highway 24 going south west from interstate 70. 

The clouds in the back ground are over some mountains.  We could see them from an hour away...not clear, but could tell the clouds were over the mountains ahead.

The mountains as we entered into the city...

I saw some interesting signs today while we were traveling: Wish I could have gotten photos of them....

One said :

EAT, GET GAS, SLEEP IN.

Really?  Now who would feel good about that one?

Next one said:

 Elect MORAN for senator...

Dont we already have enough of those in office now???

Another was an artists interruption of JESUS sifting wheat...in a wheat field...

and we saw a welcome center made from a corn silo that was really cute.

Well got to go for now...watch for more updates this week!

   

  

  

MORE BUSY TIMES!

Well, its been a very busy couple of weeks around the keeslar farm.  As you can see, we are gardening a lot-the new boxes (got a wonderful deal, talked the managers down to a great price on the lumber this early spring at a certain store!  I always talk them down on the price of stuff in the discount area!!!)

So got the 4 new boxes built behind the house, and 4 more out by the other boxes...(see photo below)

Still need to add the landscape timbers around the boxes (we have those, just need to do the work!)

The saw dust comes like this:

all bagged up.  I traded for these this last late winter, and finally got to pick them up this last 2 weeks!  (they have been ready but we were not ready to get them!!)

I like this around the boxes, the plan is to allow the saw dust to break down into soil, and then flip that into the boxes, adding more boards to make the boxes taller (as we grow older we will have to bend less that way)  this spring we picked up tons (yes TONS) of free compost (like the FREE stuff) and filled the boxes!  That was a lot of shoveling!  Mostly by me-until the last huge load...then Scott helped a lot!  

The garden is growing well, as long as we water it often.  It is so dry!  Our grass is so very dry!  I want to water the lawn where the animals eat, but it would prob drain our well.  So got to just buy some hay.

I had the grand children over a few times, a week or so ago, had the older 3 over for a week.  We went bowling...

Here is Zack and Logan!

Adreana with Auntie...Adreana was not feeling well, she was to have surgery the next week, ear tubes, tonsils removed, and anoids removed.  She has a 40% hearing loss, and since this day-has had the surgery.  The doctor who operated on my children (adreanas dad, uncle and aunts) did her surgery!  He said that she had the worse case he has seen in a very long time!  She is hearing better now!

I was very grateful for Stephens and Anastasia's and Nalanis help that day!

The kids "rescued" a baby bunny from Todd the cat, because it had a piece of fur off from it, and was bleeding.  We decided to just "let the bunny go" over in an area where maybe Todd could not find it.  Dont know if it lived or not, but the next morning, the children found a dead baby bunny under the back steps, with out -well with out its head- so they think it did not.  :(  They were sad.  But we had a talk about the abundance of rabbits (eating my garden) and Todd doing the job of keeping them away....

It is called life.

This past weekend I had all 5 grand children here!  We took them to the drive in movies...

Before we went, we had a pizza party at the house.  We arrived to the drive in before the sun went down and set our chairs out, we drove both the truck and the car.  We sat out in the chairs eating junk foods (pop corn, chips and snacks.  This was the first time the kids had been to a drive in.  They thought the screen was huge!  Zack asked me how many times we had been to a drive in, and I told him too many to count!  (when we dated, it was the thing to do-drive ins all over the area....)

Zack telling his story!  

Then the next day, Grampa took the kids swimming... they all about drowned grampa!

yes that is grampa about under the water in front of one of the grand children!  

Well its been busy, and its not slowing down any time soon!  Must rebuild the chicken house (already built the new little baby chicken house) and re-do the front steps before some one falls (me) !

Keep enjoying your summer!