Day 30...ORANGE...

ORANGE

I will admit ORANGE is one of my least favorite colors unless it deals with a Harley.  I love riding...

This is a blanket the kids gave Randy for the living room at the lake home.

I looked around and couldn't find hardley anything ORANGE in either of my homes.

I however love the smell of oranges.

That's all I got today...

Day 29...Color RED...

COUNTRY LANE RED

The color of my lake home. 

Orginally we where thinking a building a log cabin style home.  Those home you have to maintain by restaining every few years to keep the beautiful color.  Well work is NOT what we want to do when we are at the lake...So siding it is....When choosing a color Randy and I drove around Sioux Center's new golf course addition and out of all the new homes out there, there was only one that really stood out to me and it was a red one.  Of course there where other ones but not my style there and only one that caught my eye and so that is how we choose the color of our home.

Day 28...FaceBook Challenge...Window

Digital Photography posted a weekly challenge so my sis and I decided on Fridays we would post what ever their challenge is...

For my WINDOW shot I choose my lake view...We designed the entire house on the view.  If I'm going to live on a lake I want to know I'm on a lake all the time.  Its like being on vacation everyday when I look out my BIG WINDOWS.

Whether it is winter or summer I still love my view from MY WINDOWS!!

I know my photo isn't as cool as other ones in the challenge BUT it's my favorite view!

What to see what others posted click on Digital Photography and take a peak.

Day 27..Zachary....Zzzzzzzzzzzzz...

ZACHARY catching some Zzzzzzzz

I came home after work today to this...My boy catching some ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's.

He has always been my kid to take naps.  Didn't matter where if he was tired to sleep he'd go.  We have found him under the couch cushions, asleep in his highchair, behind the couch, at the bottom of the stairs, on the floor, in his bed on my lap (So long ago), in the car.  If he's tired he is out!!!

With this he also is the hardest one to wake up...But on the other hand he can get up and make it to weight room all on his own with out my help. 

Tho I recall as a child I was cranky too if I didn't get my sleep..and still today I want at least 8 hours of sleep but like 10. 

 People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. ~Leo J. Burke

People who snore always fall asleep first. ~Author Unknown

So there you have it...the alphabet in pictures...Did you learn things that you didn't know?

My new adventure is on Wednesdays - Will be a picture having to do with me and Fridays will be a Heritage Maker Idea and as for the other days...I'm gonna do Colors...

I am so Glad my sis and I are doing this...Such an awesome bonding thing.

I want her to know I love her very much!!

Her blog is Heirloom Photo Journeys.

Day 26...Young...

YOUNG

Oh to be young...But I don't think I could ever do this...

Malissa has been in gymnastics since she was in the first grade.  So this is her sixth year.

She is young & youthful...Yippee!

~ The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation. ~

Well tomorrow is the end of the alphabet...What to do next...I have ideas....

Day 25...X-Hausted

X-HAUSTED

Randy decided to try out the new leather recliner and soon my man was fast asleep...He must have been X-Hausted.

Love is what makes you smile when you're X-HAUSTED.

“He who runs behind truck is X-HAUSTED, he who runs in front of truck is tired.

Sleep Tight!!

Day 24...Whirlpool Washer and Dryer...

Whirlpool Washer and Dryer

With the remodel of the basement I decide to purchase the new WHIRLPOOL WASHER and Dryer Duet with a quick wash cycle...I have the same set (Older version) at the lake home and absolutely love them that I would load of the car with dirty laundry and take to the lake home just to do laundry over there.  So much faster...This WASHER has a 22 minute cycle...So while I was gone this weekend the boys caught up all the laundry...However they failed to fold it...So that is whats in the baskets...Clean - unfolded laundry!

Did you know...

• The earliest washing "machine" was the scrub board invented in 1797. 
•  American, James King patented the first washing machine to use a drum in 1851, the drum made King's machine resemble a modern machine, however it was still hand powered.
• The Maytag Corporation began in 1893 when F.L. Maytag began manufacturing farm implements in Newton, Iowa. Business was slow in winter, so to add to his line of products he introduced a wooden-tub washing machine in 1907. Maytag soon devoted himself full-time to the washing machine business. 
• Whirlpool's original company name was The Upton Machine Company. Three brothers, Frederick, Louis and Emory Upton started the Upton Machine Company in St. Joseph, Michigan in 1911.

 “I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don't have any clean laundry, because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?”

The laundry room is every mother’s favorite place to be… well at least the world might think so based on the amount of time she has to spend in there.

LAUNDRY - WASH-DRY-FOLD-REPEAT

Have you checked out my sister's blog yet?  You can find her over at Heirloom Photo Journeys.

Day 23...Valentine...

VALENTINE

I know...I know I'm a bit early...But I am reminded of Valentines Day Every day since this is my Daughter's Birthday...

I will have to agree with her Daddy...That she is the best present he could have ever given me...

I Love you Sweetie!

Day 22...Us...

US

This is us...

My Best Freind and me...Who Spent a GREAT weekend together with our girls...

Day 21...Traildust Trucking...

TRAILDUST TRUCKING in TRIMONT, MN

Yup...Trucking...This is a couple of Trailers that my Friend from Trimont owns and a close-up of their Logo...

I drove all the way there just to take this picture...Haha...We were headed to The Mall of America and a weekend of Friendship bonding and on the way up I realized this would be a perfect picture.

Did you know there are several Trucking lingo out there?

Here is a list of some I found funny.

"Smokey and the Bandit"...Made Trucking famous!

"Bear" – a police officer. The terms "Smokey" & "Bear" are both direct references to Smokey Bear, a character image commonly seen along U.S. highways, as part of warnings not to cause wildfires. He wears a campaign hat very similar to that included in many highway patrol uniforms in the U.S. It also refers to their attitude toward most truckers in general.

"Bear Cave" / "Bear's Den" / "Bear's Lair" – a police station.

"Bear / Smokey in a plain brown wrapper" – a law officer in an unmarked police car. The term "plain white wrapper" is sometimes used, depending on the color of the vehicle.

"Bear In the Air" / "Fly in the sky" / "Spy in the sky" – a police aircraft. While state police often use fixedwing airplanes to monitor highway traffic, "fly" refers specifically to a helicopter.

"Bear In the Grass" / "Smokey in the bush" – a speed trap.

"Bear Taking Pictures" – police with radar.

"Bear With Ears" – a police officer listening to others on the CB

"Blue Bear" a Michigan State Police Trooper

"Black and White" – Highway Patrol.

"Blue Light" / "Blue Light Special" – a law enforcement vehicle, especially with a stopped motorist.

"Care Bear" – Police car located within a construction zone.  

"City Bear" – Refers to local law enforcement monitoring a particular stretch of interstate which runs through their jurisdiction.

"Full Grown Bear" – a state policeman/trooper.

"Got Bit By A Bear" – Received A Ticket.

"Kojak with a Kodak" - a police officer with a radar gun.

"Mama Bear" / "Honey bear" – a female law enforcement officer.

"Polar Bear" – an all-white highway patrol car  

"Sky Bear"  – police helicopter.

"Smokey" – a law officer. A "smokey report" is what CB users say when they have information on a law officer, such as location or current activities.

"Smokey on Four Legs" – Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"Smokey in a plain white rapper" ; Un-marked police car

Day 19 & 20...Remembering & Sentimental...

Remebering & Sentimental

I went to church in Sioux Rapids this morning and my Sis-n-Law pointed out this window to me.  I had know that my folks had purchased a window...but I just couldn't remember which one.

This is a SENTIMENTAL window because it is in Memory of my Little Brother Leo John.

Leo only lived for 19 months.  But those are some of the best SENTIMENTAL memories in my life.

August 14, 1978 to March 16, 1980.

I love and miss you every day Lil Brother!!

*I know I didn't get a picture yesterday so I combined the two into one...However I may post another "S"...

My idea is...Sammy Sitting on the Sofa...I just need to take his picture.  :-)

Day 18...Quilt...

QUILT

This is a very special quilt...It is made for me by my Favorite Mommy-n-Law...

That in itself is special but what makes this QUILT even more special is that it is made out of mainly My Mommy's material that she had given me before she passed away.

I absolutely LOVE it...that is why it is displayed on a chair and not being used.

Blessed are the children of quilters, for they shall inherit the QUILTS!

Family is a patchwork of Love!

Families are like quilts, stitched together one piece at a time!

Quilts made with love age with time, but never lose their warmth.

Quilts are like friends - a great source of comfort.

Little Bits of Fabric

Little bits of fabric

Sewn into a quilt

Form a warm and loving blanket

From which memories are built.

And when you seek peace and comfort

In the quiet of the night

It will keep you warm and snug

Until the morning's light.

(Author: unknown)

Day 17...Primghar...

PRIMGHAR

Where we chose to raise our Family.  We moved to PRIMGHAR back in January of 1993.  I was pregnant with R.J and living in Storm Lake when we decided we didn't want to raise a familyy there so one day we drove toward Sheldon looking for a place to live, and on the way there we drove through this lil community (PRIMGHAR) and decided to see if there was anything to rent.  The first and probably the only home for rent was from the Deputy sheriff for $175.00 a month.  So we took it.  We then bought a started home in 1995 for $8,500, moved from that home into this one below in 1998 and were we currently remain untill Malissa graduates in 2017.

Primghar was settled in the fall of 1872. Its name is an acronym derived from the names of eight early settlers who laid out the town. A poem celebrates their last names.

The only PRIMGHAR in the World

Pumphrey, the treasurer, drives the first nail

Roberts, the donor, is quick on the trail

Inman dips slightly, the first letter in

McCormack adds M, which makes a full PRIM

Green, thinking of groceries, gives the G

Hayes drops the H without asking a fee,

Albright, the joker, with his jokes all at par

Rerick brings up the rear and crowns all...

PRIMGHAR

Author unknown.

356 Day Photo Challenge has been fun for me.  I really enjoy seeing what we can come up with...

My Sister is still going to over at Heirloom Photo Journeys.

Day 16 ...Open Road...

Open Road

The Open Road is the path way to your future. If you keep your eyes, mind and heart OPEN.

Yeah life's and open road

Yeah and I'm built for life

Life is an open road to me.

Sung by Bryan Adams

This one is from Bret Michaels Song!

What Jesse wants is an open road

Her favourite song playing on the radio

Cranked up loud singing out of key

Tell the whole world who she's gonna be

Foot on the pedal just a letting it go

Letting it rock letting it roll

An Open road to chase her dreams

What Jesse really wants

Is to be young wild and free.

Day 15...Nieman...

NIEMAN

For the letter "N" what else but to post our last name...

This is a crocheted doiley that my mom made me many years ago.  The fame is also hand made by my dad.  This is one of my post treasured items I have in my home.

So have you decided to join in our 356 day photo challenge?  Who is "OUR".  My sister is doing this too.  Check her blog out at  http://heirloomphotojourneys.blogspot.com/ to see if she is keeping up.



Day 14...Mickey Mouse...

Malissa as Mickey Mouse

 This is my Mickey Mouse Collection.  I've been collecting over 20 years.  I haven't purchased too much lately since I'm running out of room.  Mainly baby toys as I did purchase and received quite a bit when the kids were babies.

Mickey Mouse and my Dad have the same Birth year...So to me that is quite special.  The day my Dad passed away my oldest son R.J was in Florida on his Senior Trip and was feeling bad/sad so he called up Randy(Dad) and asked if he could purchase this for me....

It's about 2 feet tall.  I love him.  He is one of only 200 made.  I was so surprised to see this when he brought all the way home from Florida on a plane.

So here is a lil brief History on this famous Mouse!

Mickey Mouse is arguably the most famous of the Disney cartoon characters.Walt Disney designed the character while riding on a train back to Los Angeles with his wife Lillian. After completing his sketch, Walt showed it to Lillian and said his name was Mortimer Mouse. Lillian did not like the name and suggested Mickey Mouse. And so was the birth of Mickey Mouse making his debut in "Steamboat Willie" at the Colony Theatre in New York City on November 18, 1928, Mickey went on to star in over 120 different cartoons. He also starred in "The Mickey Mouse Club" television show of the 1950s.

 The Mickey Mouse of today appears much as he did in the early days with the exception of a costume change here and there.

Mickey Mouse has appeared on thousands of merchandise items, and currently holds the esteemed title of Chief Greeter at the Disney theme parks.

Mickey Mouse's favorite sayings are: "Gosh!" "Oh boy!" "That sure is swell!" "Aw, gee..." "See ya soon!"

Arithmetic is being able to count up to twenty without taking off your shoes.

~ Mickey Mouse

Day 13...Laughter...

Laughter

Haha, Hehe, Hoho, LOL, Chuckle, Giggle, Belly Laugh, or Snicker.

Laughing well is both therapeutic and also sends a signal that you are relaxed and comfortable with the other person. It says 'trust me, I am a friend'. and with that I spent the morning with my Sis-n-law and a sis...

We talked, drank coffee, had carboard pizza and LAUGHED.

We LAUGHED so hard we were crying. 

It was an awsome time and I thank both of them for that.

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings

A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip

“If every word I said could make you laugh, I'd talk forever...”

Day 12...Kids...My Kids...

KIDS

I love my KIDS...And I know they love me...How do I know?  They really didn't want me to take their picture tonight but cooperated for just five seconds so that I could snap the picture.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes...

KIDS

While we try to teach our KIDS all about life, Our KIDS teach us what life is all about.

~Angela Schwindt

Cleaning your house while your KIDS are still growing up

is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.

~Phyllis Diller

I brought KIDS into this dark world because I needed the light that only a KID can bring . ~Liz Armbruster reworded slightly by Linda K. Nieman
MY KIDS ARE MY LIFE!!!

Day 11...JUNK...

JUNK...

This past summer our basement flooded...So with that...we made the decision to "gut" the basement and fix it correctly.  Well in August Thrasher basement was coming to fix the problem.  So everything in the basement had to find a new home...So out to the garage the majority of the JUNK went.  Is it really Junk?  Probably not...But then I re-think...It's been in the garage since August, then do I really need it?

According to the dictionary the meaning of JUNK...

1.  Seemingly useless rubbish which sits around for months and is inevitably disposed of the day before it is needed.  
2. A reference to something of little or no value

SOOOOOOO is it JUNK???? According to the dictionary it is....

  I wasn't home when the JUNK got moved to the garage so before it comes back in the house I will go through and decide if any of it really is JUNK or JEMS....

Then yesterday the laundry room started to be remodeled so we again we needed to find a place for the remaining JUNK...mostly laundry but it has to go somewhere till the basement is done. 

So hopefully soon all this JUNK will find a home! 

Day 10...Irresistble....

This face is irresistible...  <3...I love this girl!!!!!!!

Day 9...Homemade Hobby Horse...

Homemade Hobby Horse

My brother made me this Horse back in 1997ish.  I placed my order when my first sons was born in 1993 and I finally got it by the time my second son was about two.  It is one of my most cherished items in my home.  I just love it and thought I'd share....

Make sure to check out my sisters blog to see if she's keeping up at

Heirloom Photo Journeys

Sorry for the late post I wasn't feeling the best yesterday...

Day 8....Generations of Glasses...

Three Generations of Glasses in this picture.

The top pair used to belong to my Daddy.  I would assume he wore these in the 70's or 80's.  Not exactly sure because for as long as I can remember my Daddy always wore Glasses and the style very rarely changed...So when he passed away recently I saw these Glasses on the dining room table and thought I would like to have them as a memory of him...

The middle pair are mine... my brand new pair I just got less then a month ago.  I love them, I guess for as far as wearing glasses go.  I sure can see allot clearer with them.  I've been wearing Glasses since I was 17 or  Junior in High School. I am near sighted with an astigmatism.  This is actually only the fourth pair I've owned.  My first pair where the big wire rimmed ones, then went to the tiny wired ones, then a couple years back I bought the bolder framed style and since I have eye glass insurance I bought this new pair before I quit and no longer have insurance for Glasses.  I normaqlly wear contacts and glasses in the evenings.

The last pair belong to my oldest son.  These are one of his first pairs.  He got new glasses every year for several years since he was in the first grade when we discovered he needed them.  As you know kids are a lil rough on things.  However he did take really good care of them because he realized he actually could see with them.  If you look closely at the 3rd pair you will notice only one bow.  :-)  R.J too started wearing contacts in the 7th grade and loves them...He also just got a new pair of Glasses.  We switched eye doctors and this new doctor was able to help him see even better.  Yea!!!  So he picked out Oal;leys since they were on sale at 40% off.

So as for my son his eyes defiantly where inherited he also has astigmatism and just pain couldn't see.  Glasses opened up an entire new world for my son. Soon my husband will be joining this group.

Day 7...Flippy Floppies!!

Flip-flops or other wise known as sandals, zories, slip-slaps, thongs, pluggers,  toesies, jandals or slippers around the world.

I in my world I call them Flip Flops...I wish the weather was nice year round for them...But by far my favorite style have become the Lindsay Philips Brand.  Click and check them out.

They come in several different colors and styles from everyday to a dressier.  The reason I love them is you can "Switch" the straps and match what you are wearing for that day.  All colors, flowers, stripes, blue jean, plain or what ever your fancy.  AND THEY ARE COMFORTABLE to wear all day long.

I have Blue, Brown, dressier white and two black pairs, one with a heel and one with out.

This is my latest pair...for my trip to Cancun in February!  I plan on only taking them and the straps to "Switch" to match my decor of the day.

I have several other styles of Flip Flops too, but these are defiantly my FAV!!

Day 6...E-Bay...

E-Bay

I have been an E-Bay member since September 4, 2001...Almost ten years... I have 302 comments and 100% feedback.  I have no idea how much I have bought or spent, prolly over 400 different items.  I have purchased 41 things in the past 60 days. (wow) Well some of that is my kids too. I purchase anything from clothing to a lid for a cake pan.  If I want something I usually just go to E-Bay to shop for it...Don't get me wrong I love shopping but E-Bay is so convenient when you work in an office all day long. 

Ooops..did I let a lil secret out again?

I don't recall the exact first thing I bought but I do know one of the first things was a PINK Princess soccer ball.  That is what Malissa wanted for Christmas in 2001 so that would put her at almost three so I very well could have been the first thing I did buy because I couldn't find a pink soccer ball in the store so I thought hmmmm...lets try out E-Bay!!

  Below is a picture of the last thing I just purchased last night...I know kind of funky but I need it for my Fancy Rings.  :-)

I love E-Bay...It's like garage sale shopping and you don't even have to leave the house.

Keep continuing following my sister's blog too over at Heirloom Photo Journeys.

Join in any time and follow too.  Love comments and if you leave a comment and you blog I would love to follow you too.

Day 5...Doors...

What's behind the door?  That's the mystery...

Here are the pictures of my kid's door to their bedrooms.

First one is...as you can see...Zachary's. By looking at his door you can learn allot about him...For instance he likes sports & he is a Iowa State Fan.

The next door is Malissa's...Can't tell who she likes, Can you?

The last is R.J's...and actually he just removed everything he had on his door here recently.

DOORS open and close all the time...

But did you realize there are so many other types of DOORS?

Here are a few I came up with...

1. DOOR to DOOR Salesmen,
2. DOOR Prizes,
3. DOOR County, Wisconsin,
4. DOORS of opportunity, 
5. DOORS to a certain way of life,
6.  DOOR to your heart,
7. your next DOOR neighbor 
8. InDOORS
9.  OutDOORS 

and I sure hope that my faith will allow me to pass through the DOORS of Heaven.

 Often when a door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.  So open your eyes and notice the  DOOR the next time you walk through the DOOR way of Life...

Day 4...CHAPSTICK...

Chapstick...its a fetish...

Whether it be Chapstick, Carmex, Lipgloss or Lipstick of some sort..(I have several lipsticks but I have to admit I'm more of a glossy type of girl).

You can guarantee I will have one or three in my pocket.

I will not lie...This picture is of ONLY the chapstick I have in my bedroom.  Yup, that many in my bedroom and actually when I put them back I found a couple more.

I have Chapstick in my car, computer desk, office, coats, purses and probably almost every room in the house.  I also have a "Stash" at the lake home, so I don't have to take over there.

I'll even let you in on a lil secret of mine.........

I've even been know to share my Chapstick with my friends...late at night.  :) 

So beware and maybe a lil afraid...It might end up on your lips.

January 3, 2011...Day 3...

Believe...

As I was thinking about what to take a picture of I decided two things...

First that you will learn allot about who I am...I have 5 sisters and 6 brothers and yet I Believe we are some what strangers...We may have grown up in the same house, raised by the same parents and ate the same food...My brothers and sisters grew up and moved out.  Began their own life's and that's where the strangers/distance began...I don't re-get it by any means because this is what make me...ME!

Second since we are strangers you can learn who I am...I am going to try and follow the alphabet.

Yesterday was "A" for I am an American. 

so today is "B" is for Believe...bih-leev

1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.

and so on and so on.

However, I BELIEVE...

 Jesus died on the cross for me...and you.

That there are Angels among us.

That my Family Loves me no matter what size or shape I am.

There is a Heaven and I will get there someday to be reunited with my loved ones who have died before me.

The picture is of a lil collection of mine of things that sit on a shelf in my house of things I Believe in...

Its not to late to join my sisters and me as we take this journey together in pictures and learn so much about who we are and what we BELIEVE in...

My sisters blog...

http://heirloomphotojourneys.blogspot.com/

make sure to comment so we can visit your blog too.

January 2, 2011...Day 2...

Proud to be an American...Even tho it is 20 degrees out side and the wind is a whipping...We the Nieman's are proud to be Americans.

You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

~George M. Cohan

And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

~Lee Greenwood

I love this song...  <3

Heirloom Photo Journeys Challenge...January 1 ,2011

Over at my sister's blog  http://heirloomphotojourneys.blogspot.com/ she is taking on a 365 day photo challenge so I thought I would join in.  Tho, I already know I won't be able to post daily (I'll be in Cancun for 8 days in February)...BUT...I can sure take a picture daily and play catch up...

So for my first entry...one day late...already playing catch up...Hehe...

January 1, 2011 I awoke around 8:30am and notice the far left light out my bedroom, then noticed the sun...reminded me of a rainbow so I then decided to see if I could see the other end...and in fact I could.  So a beautiful picture that I feel was a sign from Jesus (The Light of my World) showing me 2011 will be amazing.  If we open up our eyes to see his signs...

So Go ahead and join and be sure to leave a comment on our blogs so we can check out yours!!

Happy New Year!!