The Tree

While working at the home and garden show this last weekend I got a phone call from the husband informing me that the power is out... Bummer... The husband was packing up to leave for a week of work out of town, so I had him pack me up some clothes so I didn't have to deal with no husband and no power on the Baran estate.

I was planning on going to Redding and hanging out with the old friends, and since the power was out and more storms were coming. The husband and I decided I should just drive up there a couple days early.

I drive home on Monday morning to pack some clothes, and come home to this disaster.

You can't really tell from this picture, but this tree is covering our whole driveway and goes all the way up to the road.

Upon further inspection, this is what I see.

A few expletives and some hyper-ventilating here. Get a hold of the husband who tells me to call the insurance company and file the claim...

So, yet again, when crisis comes, the husband is out of town. I don't know what the universe is trying to do, make me a stronger mountain woman according to one friend. Let me give you a few examples of things that happen when the husband is gone...

• Found out I was miscarrying

• Found out my grandpa might not make it through the day

• Got laid off

• Had a tree come through the corner of our house

Oh, and there are more, much more... but, I won't bore you with all of that.

Right now they are saying it is going to be another day or two before the power comes back on. Another huge storm is coming in tonight. I am pretty sure that I am not going to stay in that house until all of the storms have passed and the power comes back on.

Special Delivery

So, I got this in the mail about a month ago. A $75 gift card that I won off of a friend's blog.From Toms shoes... These are the shoes that for every pair that is purchased they donate a pair to a child in need. Very cool.

I already have one pair of toms, and I love them. My dad comments on them every time he sees me wear them, and he always says how he wants a pair. So, at first I thought about buying him a pair with my gift card, until I realized, there is no way he would buy me a pair if the shoe was on the other foot, so to say...

So, I decided to get some shoes for myself. I have been wanting some gray shoes for a while, and so that is what I decided to go with. Finally, this is what arrived in the mail.

Which started to look like this.

And finally, the new shoes. They are as comfortable as my old ones. I was torn between the twill and the canvas. After talking to a girlfriend and who had the canvas, and loves them, and knowing the ones I have now are burlap, I thought someone should try out the twill. I have, and love them. They are still very comfy, and are as thick and good quality as the other ones I have (this was part of the debate with my girlfriend).

I have scarcely taken them off since I have received them. So, go online and support the cause. They have all sorts of different styles. Also, Shark, thanks for the new shoes... I think of you when I put them on...

Everybody was kung-fu fighting...

Or dancing... Or a mix of both...

These are my nephews Brayden and Bradley.

Brayden is the tall one, and Bradley is the one who wants to hang out in his underwear whenever possible.



This is the same night of Steve's birthday party.

These two make my heart very happy.

Baran Birthday

The husband's birthday is February 11th. Last year we had a big shin-dig for his 40th. This year was more mellow with just inviting some friends over for dinner for the big b-day.

However, this is what happens in regards to pictures when I am to busy cooking food in the kitchen so the husband is the one who grabs the camera....

The husband, in all of his glory.

The wife, aka, me...
Mike.


Thomas (bro-in-law)

Kevin.

Rob, Robert, Roberto, Cap'n Bobby...

The beautiful and pregnant sister, Amber. Mine, not Steve's.

Wendy.

Caleb, my brother.

Mr. Wendy, aka Flan, or Shawnn.

This also means there were no pics of the mass quantities of food I made or the TWO beautiful desserts (lemon tart and the uncle's pear pie)... Just so you know what kind of a night it was, all of these people had to crash at my house after the party sans the pregnant sister and her husband...

On a side note, that is of a similar tone... I don't think I have ever been so hung over in my life. I won't share all of those gorey details with you though. Count yourself blessed.