Weekend

Weekends are always interesting.I never know what they will bring.We did have some plans, we wanted to work on finishing the bedroom.
Now this project has taken about three weeks longer than it should have.
When we decided to set out on this little adventure called remodeling, I was prepared for all the little extra things we would have to do. I am not so ignorant that I am totally oblivious to all that must be done. I am, obviously, oblivious as to the amount of time those little things can take.
We installed the new lights. Which meant, removing the old ones. Me, painting the ceiling around the old ones. Nathaniel putting together the lights. Me holding them while Nathaniel puts them in. Ladies, if you ever become so generous in your aide to your husbands, ask for the back rub in advance.
This took most of Saturday. Okay, we didn't start until Nathaniel got home from work, but still...
Sunday, we had planned to go to church. Instead, we started finishing the trim, so after church, I could come home and paint the nails so they couldn't be seen. Yeah....RIGGGHHHT!!!
We didn't make it to church, instead, we finished about 5:30 last night. The first problem came with a little thing called a tape measure.
Our conversation went something like this:
Nathaniel handed me the end and I stood on the step ladder while he pulled it down to get the accurate measurement. "Do you have it?"
"Yes, I do."
"Are you sure you have it in the right place?"
"Yes, I am sure."
"Okay then, that is 86 and 7/8."
He then proceeded to go outside to cut the said trim to his measurements.Upon reentering the room, it was obvious the trim was too long.
"You held it in the wrong place."
"No, I didn't, I held it in the spot you told me to."
"Did you hold the tab, or just kind of hold it up?
With this question, Nathaniel received the first of many looks.
Sigh, "Yes, I held it right, did you bend it to align with the wall or did you just guess from the edge of the lower trim?"
Now, it was my turn to receive the look.
He went outside to remove the 3/4 inch of length. Upon returning, I held while he hammered. This continued for the next five pieces of trim, until after sending and receiving 'looks' he was left to measure it by himself while I complained that we were not going to make it to church, changed clothes, and began painting.
It was while painting, that I noticed one of the light fixtures was a little crooked. Yes, I know mentioning this was my mistake.
He left the trim to fix the light, which required me holding the light fixture up along with a flashlight, while standing on a chair. His words of advice? "Don't fall, the light will break."
Gee honey, thanks.
At seven p.m. I sat outside on the steps, listening as the town settled down for the night and thanking God the lights were straight, the trim is almost done, and Nathaniel and I have nearly completed this room. 
The bathroom is next, I think I need to go on a long vacation. 

Pancake Bread

Del Norte is a one stop light town. I am never embarrassed when I tell people this. In fact, I am rather proud of the fact. We have one grocery store, where they still cut the best meat ever on request. We have two gas stations, a small used car dealership, a couple of places to eat, and a fantastic library. 
My children practically grew up in the library. At the time they were in grade school, we lived on a farm where our nearest neighbors were a mile away. No phone. Our television only received two channels, snow in black and white, or snow in color. No snow plows. 
The library was something we could do as a family, and I loved our Thursday night visits there. You see, our library stays open late on Thursday nights! Everyone would get their limit of four books per person. The next day, the house was always quiet as everyone grabbed pillows, blankets, and found their spot next to the wood stove. 
That was also the day I made pancake bread. It is my own recipe, and always wonderful to eat. The children would munch on it all day long as we all immersed ourselves in adventures, (My boys were completely into Terry Lewis,) love stories, (My girls were totally into Romeo and Juliet,) and pancake bread. 
I don't make it as often as I used to, and you can change any part of it and it still comes out pretty good.
Now that winter is once again approaching, you might want to visit your library, grab a pillow and blanket, and make yourself some yummy pancake bread.
(The ingredients were never really measured, and this is made for high altitude)


Pancake Bread
About 3 cups of flour
1 egg
Half a cup of milk 
1 cup sugar
About 2 tablespoons of Veggie oil
1 Tsp. Baking powder
Cinnamon to taste
Nutmeg to taste
Water, just add a little at a time until it is  a little thicker than the consistency of cake batter


Mix and Top with:
2 Tbsp flour
Cinnamon (to taste)
2 Tsp butter
2 Tsp Maple syrup (More or less to taste)


Bake at 350
It takes about 30 minutes, depending on the baking dish you use


Enjoy!

Conspiracy Theory Number 1

Small Town, Del Norte. The "Gateway to the San Jauns," and moments from feeling like you are the only person in the world. 
Nathaniel, my husband, and I enjoy our four-wheeler. We have been on many of the local trails, and only a couple have scared me. The first, was at Cathedral Campground, a trail that is now closed because of the danger. Cliffs on one side, a solid mountain wall on the other. We didn't make it to the top. After spending a few minutes shaking in our beloved boots at a wide spot in the trail, we snailed down the mountain. Nathaniel kept telling me, "it's okay now, it's okay." (I'm sure he was actually comforting himself with these words!) Me, sitting on the back trying to close my eyes but too afraid to really do it, praying like crazy!.
The second was a trail near Poso campground, Boot hill. The scenery was amazing on top, but I was shaking too much to really enjoy it. All I could think about was the descent down the other side of the mountain. It was a climb of 85 degrees straight up. The same held true for the other side. A forest fire had destroyed any living tree more than fifty years ago. Thus the reason for the jagged rocks and dead fire scorched wood sticking up all over the place. I was even too frightened to try and figure out why there is a locked railroad car, with a variety of antenna sticking out at all angles, sitting near the top. 
Of course, afterthought led our conversation into a variety of reasons.
Why would a railroad car be sitting on top of a mountain, with locks that would cause envy for Fort Knox? Which simply led us to other more obvious questions. First, how did that railroad car get up there on that mountain? No railroad tracks can be found for miles. Why the antenna? 


Melissa's theory: In the fifty's, the government put it there to monitor space aliens who were looking for a landing field. Using the Men in Black to carry it, part by part, causing them to ditch the black suits and start wearing those little brown uniforms known universally as UPS.They have since found a very good one, near Crestone. You can even watch them from the tower that was built there for that purpose. They have all those locks, because aliens can't open locks and never carry a heavy duty bolt cutter with them in their space ships. The antenna send messages to a variety of space craft, telling them where to land, whose cattle to destroy, and how to have a really cool light show that will amaze and confuse the locals. (The San Luis Valley is known for space visitors and cattle mutilations all over the space alien world.)


Nathaniel's theory: The Forest Service put it here to monitor fires and weather. Logical. They used a helicopter to put it there. The locks keep out the hunters and the curious so valuable equipment isn't destroyed. Probably correct.


I like my theory better. It is simply more fun. Nathaniel might be right about one thing. They probably did use a helicopter to put it there. But I still wonder about those people in the little brown trucks wearing those little brown uniforms. 

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New at this!

I'm completely new to Blog life. In any case, I am ready to jump into this fully and start sharing. Please be kind, if it appears I don't know what I'm doing, you are probably right, and stating the obvious won't help me in any way! 
People have opinions, and yours will be welcomed. I just ask that you refrain from any vulgarity. It shows ignorance and I probably won't validate your comments with an answer. In fact, comments with vulgarity will probably be deleted and never read. So, if this seems to be the only way you can communicate, don't bother posting. It will simply be a waste of time on both our parts.
I do enjoy a good debate and welcome the opportunity to open a conversational debate. Through it, I hope to make new friends! Although I am not one who believes I can change a persons mind, I do like to explore various avenues of thought and am open to others of like mind. 
Now for the rundown of me, and my small town.
I am married, happily so, in fact. As with all married couples, there are times we are ecstatically happy, and times we simply don't like each other very much. None of that will change my marital status. I love my husband, and you never know when you will be reading about something he has said or done!
I have four children. Yes, four. They are grown and have flown away, but they are a huge part of my life and I love them dearly. I am the typical protective mother, although I believe wings must be spread and apron strings cut. We have also had a variety of foster children through the years, planned and unplanned and you may read about them too! Although, I will protect them just as savagely as I protect my own children!
I also have, at present time, two grand children. They are the true treasures in my life! Yes, you will see posts about them, I adore them!
I am a Christian. My faith is not typical. Faith in God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the food of my life and I will often discuss the topic with others. I don't mind questions, as long as you don't mind my explanation's and how I got to them.
I live, and have lived, in small towns most of my life. I am proud of this fact and love my little town of Del Norte, Colorado! I enjoy the people who live here and sometimes, those that are just passing through. If you are one of those, or you are simply bored and up for an often humorous look at life  in this small town, then you will enjoy this blog. 
Let the new begin!!