We are catsitting two adorable kittens and Charlie. I thought I'd take a picture of all critters underfoot at this moment.

We were told that our girls would lay less or not at all this winter when the days shorten. We were encouraged to put a light or heat lamp out there for them to keep them laying more regularly. But, our girls are hearty. No heat, no light. All they ask for is food and water and look what they give us in return. They play out in the cold and even stomp about in the snow. I may have to shovel a path for them when it gets really deep. I want to keep them happy. After all, happy hens make eggs, which make happy humans.

Reeny's Christmas Program '09

uncle jim visit dec. '09

Uncle Jim came from NY and we had a great visit. We started out with some rousing games of ping pong and finished the evening with old photos put on DVD of Rob and Matt when they were kids. The kids loved seeing their 'young' dads. If they had any complaints it was there weren't nearly enough pictures. We were promised more.

Sat. morning workout

I wish I had a picture for this post. It would show 5 smiling women, representing different ages and all my neighbors. I roped these women (last night!) into joining me in an exercise class this morning. They all hopped in my van and we went to this class that we knew nothing about, other than I knew the instructor and she was teaching this new fitness class with the word groovy and dance in the title. I will not be able to adequately describe this class. There were no mirrors in the room...intentionally. The instructor started out by saying that fitness doesn't have to be what Hollywood makes it out to be. That no one will be checking out our 6-pack abs in our coffins. She spoke honestly about how we view fitness, our bodies, and how concerned we are about what others think. I was most surprised to find myself sweating and smiling the entire workout! We're all heading back on Monday night and I think I'm even going to drag along one of my girls. Mom, watch out. Next time I get you out here you're going to be groovin' with me!

teacher gifts x-mas '09

With 4 school teachers and 4 church teachers, it's always a challenge to come up with an idea that's economical, manageable, cute, and something the kids can make. This year I am knitting a washcloth and the girls are making the soap. This was my trial run. The girl's soaps actually have turned out much cuter. They love mixing custom colors. Now I just need an idea for the one male teacher in the mix. We'll probably make him some cookies.

christmas program 2009

The big girls had their Christmas program on Monday night. This is Anna's last year and next year Irene will be singing with the kindergarten class. Sad endings and new beginnings. I'll miss seeing Anna get excited about this event as she has every year. Next year she can sit with us and gets to sing, as part of the alumni, the last song, the one that always makes me cry. When I go to this program, it reminds me of why I especially love our school. There are so many different kinds of culture represented on stage... a slice of our community and maybe what heaven will look like. Caroline is the girl with the cowboy hat on in the first row.

Day 3 of or 30-day marathon. We were greeted by great big flakes of snow. Beautiful.

30-day challenge

My mom and I are taking a 30 day challenge. We are committed to exercising every single day for the next 30 days. We are going to connect daily and hold each other accountable and encourage each other. For me, a huge part will be about planning ahead to make sure I schedule it in. My mom and I both want to do most of our exercising outside, so I intend to get some thermals for the impending cold weather.
Feel free to join us in jump starting a healthier year to come.
I 'm looking forward to being with my mom in Minnesota at the end of this month where we can finish off the last of our '30- days', walking together....and then we'll talk about extending it another 30 days!

O Christmas Tree

One wild and crazy idea turned into one wild and crazy looking tree. It's an old heavy turquoise metal "tree" that was used for storing lumber. A friend was getting rid of it so I took it, even though at the time I had no idea what I would use it for. The word "tree" kept coming up in my brain until I finally said to Rob, "We should use it for our Christmas tree." He had to give it the go ahead or it was just another one of my crazy ideas. It still is a crazy idea. But, crazy fun.

Meet Genevieve or Ginny. We were going to adopt from the Humane Society until this stray kitty made its presence days before Izzy's birthday. She is the sweetest cat and she loves her owner. She spent her first night in our house sleeping in Izzy's bed- all night long!

Izzy is 10!

Izzy is 10 today. And I have a picture of her in the camera. If only I could find it. I'm sure it will show up tomorrow. You'll have to wait to see what she got. Hint: Rob is even more outnumbered.

robbie's 40!

Rob's gift from Ed, wrapped 40 times.
Rob and short friends
Rob and tall friends

mammogram

I had my mammogram this morning. Reeny, my four year old, tagged along. If you've never had a mammogram, I'll fill you in as best I can. The machine's plates that compress the boob from a 3D object to a single plane are made of a heavy clear plastic or plexi-glass. You usually only hear about the horizontal flattening, but there is also a vertical flattening worth mentioning. The machine's plates swivel, offering a variety of uncomfortable positions. The x-ray technician has you place the boob between the clear thick plates and the machine electronically squeezes the plates together. Then the tech grabs your boob...what's left of it... and squishes it in as far as it can possibly go while she manually cranks the plates even tighter. Picture me, face squeezed sideways against this machine and virtually hugging it. It's a bit of an odd thing, having my boobs manhandled by a female tech (nice, as she was). But, I suppose they don't have men doing the job for obvious reasons. Although I don't know how a man could do this work and remain intrigued by boob shirts. Anyway, Reeny had a perfect view as the machine made a nice vertical pancake of my boob. She stood by the tech as she operated the machine and watched me as the 'photos' were being taken. I heard her say to the tech, "My mom's boobs are flat!". I was grimacing, I couldn't laugh, but I did manage to look down. Yes, Reeny they were flat. They still are.

Christmas photo 2009

Merry Christmas from the Ryzenga's.

Reeny and her friend, Meredith, came to collect eggs with me. They wore their jammies and poop boots.

When they pose for my blog, well then I just have to post it.

daddy's girl

This is so Rob it's not even funny.

stools (not that kind!)

These are my ratty old stool covers. They're shaggy and soft and remind me a little of Cookie Monster. They've been washed a gazillion times. They're matted down with wear. They have food stuck in them. Every few weeks I announce to no one in particular, "I'm going to make new stool covers, just as soon as I find the right fabric." But, I haven't. Not yet. I can't bring myself to get rid of them. Perhaps it's because Dottie picked out the material and I think of her when I see them. Perhaps it's because they're such a happy color. Perhaps it's because I don't know anyone who has anything even remotely like it (no wonder!). Or maybe it's just because I like Cookie Monster. If...no, when I finally make new covers, I will take a picture and show you. As soon as I find the right fabric...

halloween '09

Minutes before we headed out the door to go trick-0r-treating, this little butterfly fell fast asleep.



Yes, I know that we are closer to Christmas than Halloween, but I am playing catch up. I wanted to quick post these photos and possibly post more later today. Mom, it was great having you here for Halloween this year. We loved having an extra witch around! I hope you're checking my blog every day, now that you have your own little computer. I guess that means I'll have to be better at posting.

new aprons

My friend Gabby whipped up these aprons for the girls. They love them. Thank you, Gabby!

C-U-T-E butt

Okay, get a load of these bunzies. We had asked the girls to get ready for the beach and Reeny came out with a top for a bottom being oh, so unaware, which of coarse was adorable and got momma running for the camera while trying to shush the big girls and daddy, who are laughing hysterically.

kayak event

Dawn and I got up early on a Saturday and participated in this annual kayak event for local charities, including Pathways, who offers foster care and adoption (through which Rob and I have just started the licensing process). We had a great time, despite the weather. It was cold, dreary, and drippy. We were part of a scavenger hunt around Lake Mac. Oddly enough, although we were a team, Dawn got first prize. We never did figure it out. And the funny thing is, we came in last. I guess slow and steady wins the race. Dawn, don't forget, I get to wear that medal in a few months!

spaghetti squash

Have you ever eaten spaghetti squash lasagna right out of the shell? If not, then you are missing out. Super yummy and healthy....the "noodles" are the squash. We will definitely do this again, actually, we did do this again, but now the garden is closed for the winter (except for the potatoes and winter squash). We may not be having these babies again for a long while.

The top photo is Izzy's friend from school.

death is fowl

Since we returned from Glacier we have had many losses. Three chickens: our favorite, Easter (shown here on Rob's leg), Floofs, and Chicken Little. The chickens were taken by our neighbor's dog, who happens to be a retiever by nature. We also lost a Parakeet named Pete, "P" for short (the green bird in the cage) and our beloved cockatiel, Amos, who whistled the most wonderful songs.

On a brighter note, we saved one chicken from the 'jaws' of death a couple of weeks ago. I saw the neighbor's dog run by with Julia (Irene's chicken) in his mouth. We thought she was a goner, but she was saved, quite shaken, but only suffered an injured leg. The first couple of days she didn't really move, then she learned how to hop on one leg quite nicely, and when I went out to get eggs this morning, I wouldn't even have guessed she had ever been injured. We are very happy to report this after so many losses!

skirt

Here it is Gabby. The Skirt. It has a back zipper, side pockets and pleats. It was supposed to have a hook 'n eye at the top of the zipper, but I didn't leave enough room...maybe next time. You may catch me on the show "What Not to Wear". I'm the girl who started making all her own clothes....please don't turn me in!