Indian Creek is calling.....

After rock hunting a couple of weeks ago, I decided to check my old "stash" of finds to see if I had anything the would pass as a Fairburn. I came up with a handful of prospects. Now we need to get back out there and find some really good ones!! I'm ready to go!

Warm Sunday,beautiful scenery, and one great friend...priceless

We hadn't been out rocking hunting in 5 years we figured. So, Friday while playing "beauty shop" we plotted our escape. We'd get all our home chores done up on Saturday and run away for a girls rock hunting day on Sunday.

Sunday I woke up to lightening and some rain but that didn't put a damper on our plans. I made up some "perfect" wraps for lunch, grabbed a water jug,filled it with ice water, frantically hunted for and found my rock hunting backpack and headed out the door. I crossed the river and met Deb at her place. She was already packing up the car, guess she was as excited as I was. We decided that the Badlands was our spot of choice to the day. As we headed south of Philip we followed a car that was headed to what looked like the spot we had in mind. But as we neared Weta Deb starts talking about some older lady she had met in a cafe in Kadoka who had horses and lived down this way. Anyway that's what Deb remembered and how long ago was this? One,two, no I'm thinking probably 5 years ago, but don't worry Deb says. She pretty certain she know the way to the lady's place and didn't she tell Deb to come back anytime?! WHAT! Oh, she was a horse lady and a rock hound too. Well, we head down a side road and Deb starts saying yeah,yeah, this look like the right way. We do actually make it to the lady's place but there was no one home so we headed to Weta. (Wasn't that were we were headed in the first place?) As we near the choice rock hunting ground we see the car we'd followed from Philip. They were out of there car and hunting rocks like madmen. We hustle to our spot get out and start the sport. We found some really GREAT rocks and decided to take a break from the sun and heat to enjoy our picnic lunch. Just as we are getting settled up pulls the other rock people. They ask if we found any thing and Deb mentions we had a few good things. (Deb will talk to ANYONE!!) So they pull their car in get out and show us their find. One fantastic Fairburn agate!! We continue to visit and eat our lunch when they invite us to go to the next spot with them, so we do. As we get out at the new destination Deb notices that Ms.M is carrying a screwdriver and comments that they carry tools just like Deb does. That's when Mr.R whips out a HUGE hunting knife and says, "I don't mess around with the small stuff."

So I'm thinking...here we are out in the middle of nowhere with a woman who carries a screwdriver and her husband with a bayonet. Are we insane??! Deb and I head one direction and the weapon carrying deliverance couple head out the other way. After hunting around there for about an hour we all decide to call it a day. That when we got invited to their home to see their collection of Fairburn agates. I'm still not 100% sure this is a good idea thinking about the arsenal they were packing, but Deb says it'll be fine and off we head. We get to their house and out comes a Suitcase (honestly), chuck full of all sizes of Fairburns. Man, what a collection. So, on the way home, as I'm dumping the treasure I thought I'd found, out the window, we decide we're heading out again next week-end to find us some "REAL TREASURE" fit for a suitcase of our own!

We have VERY talented rabbits & deer or one twisted friend....hmmmmm

We came home to find this sweet sign near the garden. I told Dan that something was up after we listened to the phone message telling us the Deb would be willing to till between the rows of tomatoes with her 5 foot wide tiller. Also, her generous offer to come park her car over the tomatoes to save them from the impending hail storm on Friday should have been a hint to her evil plot. She is such a great friend!

And the Wii goes on...

Last night was my 76th day at the Wii Fit. I've managed to lose some weight and Dan SWEARS that I'm toning up. I think that's just his nice way of saying "I don't see much change, but you go girl!". My little piggy that keeps track of my time has gone from bronze to silver and I've logged over 21 hours. It still amazes me how you can be doing the activities and you have been at it for over 30 minutes. Don't know if I'm making great changes but it sure helps me forget about work for a while anyway!

Dinner on the deck...with a view

Saturday we decided to dig the table and chairs out of the moth balls (literally), and put them on the deck under the new canopy Dan had built. At first, I wasn't a big fan of the addition, but after it was finished it is soooo nice to be able to sit out there in the cool shade and enjoy an evening meal. The best part was that Sunday Stephanie and Kiel came up and shared our first "outdoor" dinner. I'm sure we're going to put it to great use
the rest of the summer and well into fall. And what a beautiful sky we had.....

Well done sailor....

Last Friday was Doug's graduation from Navy basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago. It was a great experience being able to be there for the occasion. Megan was VERY excited to see her husband and I was excited to see my baby boy. It was great to spend time with all my children. Stephanie had flown in from Phoenix and we met Megan in Luverne,MN and all traveled to Chicago together. Doug graduated as anE3 which is the highest rank you can leave boot camp with. We are all very proud of our sailor. Who would have thought that little red-headed baby "sailor" would grow to become an actual Navy man!? Doug is quite handsome in his uniform and Megan commented that she has a new appreciation for men in uniform. But I think she has a new appreciation for HER man in uniform not men in general! : )

It's Thursday with 7 days to go...

When Doug first left for basic training I thought we'd never get to this point. Now with only 7 day until we leave for Chicago and graduation, it seems like the time has flown by. Doug had also said he was amazed that the time had gone by so quickly. I go Saturday to Rapid City to pick up my daughter,who is flying in from Phoenix. I haven't seen her since November. We have a "girl day" planned...hair appointments and pedicures. Of course, Dan has made a list for Sam's that's a mile long, so we'll get his stuff done too!! Then Sunday we girls are going to Grandma's for Mother's Day. Fun and busy next 7 days!!