The First Day of School

Today has been a day of firsts and a day changes.  I sent my #1 #6 (read number one number six, long story!) TR to his first day of school.  Today he started first grade.  When he grows up he wants to work for the Fish and Game trapping and shooting things like mountain lions, when he isn't saving the world from bad guys.  I have mixed emotions about public school.  It is pretty hard for me to send my baby to spend the day with a complete stranger.  We don't know his teacher, we don't know her values.  How can we be sure she isn't going to fill his head with rubbish?  Unfortunately, I know I am not qualified to teach him the things he needs to know.

While I think it is important to be able to count cows, ride a horse and identify various weeds and plants, which I can teach him.  I know it is important to learn about different countries, and how to read, and I just can't teach him those kinds of things.  So I drove him to school, walked him to his classroom, said a little prayer, and hugged him goodbye.  I didn't cry, but I did have a small anxiety attack when I got back to my pickup.  Then QT and I counted the minutes until he would be home.

We waited and waited for what felt like forever until the bus finally pulled up this afternoon.  I waited until the driver put the arm out and opened her door, ready to greet TR with a big hug, to find out that he wasn't on the bus.  HE.  WAS.  NOT.  ON.  THE.  BUS.  My heart stopped, my stomach dropped to my toes, and I nearly had a melt down.  I called the school and after 15 minutes, they located him.  He was on the wrong bus.  I flew to the school and was waiting for him when he finally pulled up.  We were both pretty upset, but you can't imagine the relief I felt when I had my little man's arms wrapped around my neck.

So how does this happen?  I know his teacher is responsible for probably 15 six year old's, and I didn't prepare Trent like I should have about getting on the bus.  In my defense, how could I?  I don't know the bus system.  All I got was a sheet of paper with a list of bus stops and what time the bus would arrive at each one.  I don't even know what the bus driver's name is.  At open house I told his teacher he would ride the bus and he lived in Lamoille.  I obviously didn't know much more that I was supposed to do.  I asked Trent how he ended up on the wrong bus.  He said that his teacher asked him what mascot his bus had and he didn't know so he just picked one.  Talk about a recipe for disaster.  I am just so glad that Trent stayed on the bus and told the driver that she was going the wrong way to get to his house, and she realized he was on the wrong bus.  He could have gotten off anywhere and who knows where he would be now?

All's well that ends well they say.  I'm just glad he made it home and is ready to go back again tomorrow! Keep your fingers crossed our year doesn't get anymore exciting than today.

I have learned....

Vodka and grapefruit juice isn't nearly as good as you would think it is....especially after a diet of cottage cheese and jerky while the Cowboss is gone and you are too lazy to cook because the boys are happy with cold cereal 3 meals a day.

It is inappropriate to respond to a text to the babysitter when she states "I would appreciate a little more notice in the future" with an "I would appreciate you learning my name, it's Jennifer not Jessica!"  Especially after drinking vodka and grapefruit juice.

Just because you want to tell someone exactly what you think of them, you probably shouldn't.

Laughter really is the best medicine.

Vodka and Grapefruit does get better the closer you get to the bottom of the glass.......

A Kick to the Face, 1 Year Later

I've been reading through past blogs this evening, looking for something to revamp for my Progressive Rancher article and realized it has been a year since our little world was turned upside down for a couple days. For those of you who aren't familiar with our story, TR was kicked in the face (like he likes to say "I was kicked in the face by a horse but I survived!") last August 12th.  (You can read about it here).  We were life flighted from Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital to Primary Children's hospital in Salt Lake City.  We did several ct scans and x-rays.  We were so fortunate that the worst of his injuries were a jaw broken in 3 places, a lost tooth, and split lip.

So how are we doing now?  We are great!  TR has fully recovered, and other than a small scar on his chin, there are no lasting effects of his injuries.  In all honesty, it didn't slow him up at all.  He loves riding his horses helping mom and dad do cowboy things.  It has made him a little more aware of his surroundings though, and that is a good thing!

TR and I did home school this last year for kindergarten.  We planned to attend public school, but being restricted in his activity and movement we opted to keep him home for the year and do it ourselves.  We learned that mom teaches college for a reason, and she needs to keep away from lower elementary!  He is registered for first grade and we are anxiously awaiting our room assignment and teacher's name.  We are very excited to start school.

I was very emotional yesterday on the one year anniversary of his kick to the face.  I kept the boys next to me pretty much all day and wouldn't let them out of my sight.  It is scary how a normal day can get messed up so quickly, and like I told TR this morning, I love him to the moon and back and am so glad he survived!

Meat Eater Monday!

I have been a single mom for 24 hours now.  The Cowboss left for Idaho yesterday morning to help his folks regroup after the fire outside Mountain Home destroyed all of their summer range.  (Story for another day)! I have to tell you, I was not made to be a single parent.  Within the first hour he was gone, I had cows out on the main road and fence to fix.  Got that taken care of and back home, and the boys found a bird with a broken wing that we had to save from the dogs.  Long story short, yesterday was a very long day!

On the upside though, it is really nice to not have to plan elaborate meals complete with meat and potatoes. I shouldn't admit this, but we had pancakes for breakfast!  We also slept in this morning (6:30, woohoo!), since there wasn't anyone stomping around downstairs making coffee at some ungodly hour.  While we aren't sure when the Cowboss will be home, we are all looking forward to his return.  We kind of like the guy!

One of the perks this morning is a little time to surf Pintrest and Facebook.  I found this picture on Pintrest and thought it was kind of fitting for a Meat Eater Monday!

Today's recipe features round steak, onions and cheese.  It may not be the healthiest meal you can make, it is one of the tastiest, and very pantry friendly with simple ingredients that most people have on hand most days.  It comes from the kitchen of one of the best cooks I know, my mom.

Baked Cheese Steak

Ingredients:

3 lbs. Beef Round Steak (cut into single servings)

1 Sliced Onion

3/4 c. Grated American Cheese (I just use the individually wrapped slices)

1/2 c. Butter

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 300*.

2.  Place half of round steak in a casserole dish and dot with half of the butter.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and layer with onions, then cheese.  Make second layer in the same order and cover with foil.

3.  Bake 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.

It's as simple as that!  What are some ways that you cook round steak that doesn't turn out tough as an old shoe?

Western Wednesday

Isn't this a fun old picture?  It is my great grandpa and his new woollies!  I assume the picture is early early 1900's, like maybe in the teens?