tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81383124594779729702024-03-08T09:54:42.042-06:00Boomtown Family Williston ND from Palm Trees to Prairie PipelinesWe are a family of 6 Adventurers, Ray and I, High School sweathearts married 17 years and our 4 children all born in 5 years, we moved from, the land of instant gratification... to the land of, it can wait until tomorrow. We miss sunny Rancho Mirage,CA but, Williston North Dakota is where we call home and everyday there is something else that opens our eyes to our new way of life! We may be a little crazy but we all are crazy together. Join us on our adventure it is going to be a wild ride!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-77636601600675400672015-10-27T08:13:00.001-05:002015-10-27T08:13:22.157-05:00Sydney the Cancer Slayer and the Words of Wisdom 093015.mov<a href="http://ellentube.com/videos/1-3a51bv76/">Sydney the Cancer Slayer and the Words of Wisdom 093015.mov</a> This is the Strongest Girl you will ever meet! Help her Win 12 days of Giveaways On EllenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-27332398777250731922015-07-29T08:01:00.001-05:002015-07-29T08:01:49.736-05:00Boomtown Family Williston ND from Palm Trees to Prairie Pipelines: Open Note to all our Cancer Slayers...Thank you<a href="http://seniorboomtownfamily.blogspot.com/2015/07/open-note-to-all-our-cancer.html?spref=bl">Boomtown Family Williston ND from Palm Trees to Prairie Pipelines: Open Note to all our Cancer Slayers...Thank you</a>: You hear your child's first cry, you feel the greatest sense of relief and then love ... the one you will never be able to explain...c...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-1729051224756042162015-07-16T20:30:00.000-05:002015-07-29T07:54:58.760-05:00Open Note to all our Cancer Slayers...Thank you<div abp="284">
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You hear your child's first cry, you feel the greatest sense of relief and then love ... the one you will never be able to explain...comes over you. I remember it, I had the blessing of hearing and feeling it 4 times, "Irish Quads" of sorts (being born 4 in 5 years) I remember saying many times, in the last 12 years. to myself that I am so thankful that I have healthy children. </div>
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I didn't dream that we would ever be touched by Pediatric Cancer... Sydney who is 12 has Cell B Burkett's Lymphoma...and what I didn't know is when the "C"Word comes into your life there are so many feelings. Some very obvious... and others so completely unexpected that you don't even realize what is happening when they are happening. </div>
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Any of you that know me can guess the first feeling I had...anyone? "I have to be <strong abp="643">Brave</strong>!" I have to be brave for Sydney, for Ray, for Logan, Mirada and Dillon...I have to be oh so Brave. The next, yep you guessed it, <strong abp="644">Strong</strong>...I have to be the pillar, the island in the storm, the Teddy Bear Blankie that makes it all ok. I tried to do all of that but there were days... Days that I screamed WHY? Why her and not me? </div>
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I had a very hard time asking for help, I felt it was a sign of weakness, and a dear friend reminded me, I needed help, and that so many wanted to do something... anything, because they were feeling the same way we were. I couldn't believe the outpouring of love and support.</div>
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<strong abp="651">Helplessness</strong>, that one was a doozy, I would sit and listen to Doctors and Nurses talk, I would watch them hang bags and bags of fluids on her pole as that "medicine" was going into her veins, I held the blue throw up bag and still carry one every where I go, I watched her come out of surgery and press that morphine button so many times, each time breaking my heart a little more. But her little smile was always there...ALWAYS</div>
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<strong abp="656">Thankfullness</strong> I call it the grasp for the outstretched hand. I had a sea of hands to grab and I will never, ever be able to thank each and every person who helped. I do have a renewed faith in humanity though. I still can't get over that every single moment that I spent my baby girls side was donated leave from my amazing friends at work, Thank you just doesn't seem like enough. </div>
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My family was always there with prayers and thoughts and finances and love... Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I didn't even need to ask everyone just pitched in. Now on to my friends, those that I went to High School with, Those I have known since I was 3 or 4... Those I have known for mere months... WOW I am humbled, sometimes humbled to tears...crazy uncontrollable tears.</div>
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<strong abp="663">Teacher</strong> One of the most important thing I wanted her to learn is that, this is HER body, HER Cancer and HER treatment. She became her own advocate and knows exactly how to tell any Doctor or Nurse what she has and how she wants to be treated. You can't imagine how that empowered her!</div>
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<strong abp="668">Fear</strong> took over, and I just took that fear and spent every single moment with Sydney, doing treatments, Chemo (pronounced CH-emo in our house) Clinic Visits, fundraising, loving and exploring. It is all I knew. Because when fear was there the day began with me reaching over to make sure that my baby was still breathing, and then embracing that day doing whatever she wanted, eating whatever she wanted even exploring our new home base if she felt up to it. </div>
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<strong abp="673"> Guilt </strong>Now this one is the worst, I didn't give my other kids or my husband the attention, information, phone calls, texts or even really existed for them. I have insane guilt. I felt that I had to focus all of my energy, as well as, keep Sydney's Energy in the right place to even keep going. I will never ever be able to make that time up with them. I missed Dillon's 16th Birthday, man that sucked! Poor Dillon he always seems to get the worst of it, I WAS able to get to town for Mirada's Graduation and Birthday but during that time I felt riddled with guilt that I had just missed Dillon's 30 days before. Ray would call craving information about how Syd was doing and many times I had to just disengage because either a Doctor or Nurse was coming in or I just didn't know what to say or how to say it. Do I speculate, do I wait for tests, sometimes I would just fall apart on the other end of the phone and why the hell did I do that to him? Poor guy completely helpless 12 hours away listening to crying on the other end of a phone. Good God! Thank goodness he understands me...don't get me wrong there were some days that we both just wanted to jump thru the phone at each other unable to understand what was going on at each others end of the phone.</div>
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<strong abp="678">Pain</strong> The physical pain I felt is indescribable and once again wanted to take her place so many times.</div>
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There were a few times I just wanted to grab her out of that bed and run... run home, run anywhere, anywhere but there. Of course she has no idea that this was all going on... We just kept everything positive and really for the first time in her life enjoyed being an only child for those 110 days</div>
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<strong abp="684">Pride </strong>I am so proud of the girl she is, brave, The bravest of the brave... Slayer of Cancer Cells and the girl who says "I got this" and "Its only Cancer" can only make a Mothers heart sing with pride. </div>
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<strong abp="691">Love</strong> It takes a lot of love and a lot of people to make an experience like this come out positive. She is an Ambassador for Childrens Cancer Research Fund, She is and always will be a advocate for "Love your Melon" who make sure all kids with cancer have hats to keep their heads warm and make them all feel like Superheros. Sydney is now part of the North Dakota Make a Wish Chapter and has made it very clear what she wishes for... Stay tuned for that...Its exciting and lifechanging. She was interviewed for the Minneapolis CBS News Morning Show about how she remaed positive during her journey that is still not over yet... but we are on smoother seas. </div>
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There are many trips back and forth to Minneapolis for Syd, Ray and I for tests, scans and clinic visits... and one day we will be able to utter the words, cured and cancer free... but until then keep the positive vibes coming. Kepp her in your thoughts and p[prayers and always keep the Slaying Spirit.</div>
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Give you wife or husband a huge hug or kiss today and tell them how much you love them. LEt you kids know that they are your most precious gift in the entire world. Because I know my precious gifts are Ray and the kids.... My amazing trophies that I am so proud to have and cherish them every single day! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0Williston, ND 58801, USA48.1469683 -103.617974548.0622413 -103.779336 48.2316953 -103.456613tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-87389062881319139802015-07-02T14:38:00.001-05:002015-07-02T14:38:04.313-05:00Sydney the Cancer Slayer #ThisIsWhatPediatricCancerLooksLike<a href="http://ellentube.com/videos/0-tgpenwnz/">Sydney the Cancer Slayer #ThisIsWhatPediatricCancerLooksLike</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-15155377679443768632015-05-02T12:38:00.000-05:002015-05-02T12:38:46.515-05:00...You can't imagine, I hope you never ever have to!<span style="font-family: Arial;">No, you can't imagine...In about every single message that I receive from loved ones, acquaintances, family... the sentiment is the same; they can't imagine what we are going through...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I certainly hope not...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I do not ever want anyone else, to ever have to look Childhood Cancer in the face, much less have to<em><strong> imagine</strong></em> what it is like. Our lives changed immediately when I heard the words that my 12 year old baby girl, Sydney, has Non-Hodgkin's Cell B Burkett's Lymphoma. She is one who looks at the world though different eyes. She loves deeply and strives to make the world a better place</span><br />
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Sydney with her best friend Kayla going to the Middle School Dance</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Unfortunately I <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> imagine many things... things I have been through in my 45 years on this Planet. The loss of, not just one parent to Cancer, but 2. My Dad lost his battle with Lung Cancer 24 hours before my first child(Logan)was born. My Mom fought a good fight against Colon Cancer and lost (Sydney was 9 months old). My oldest brother,Danny, passed away in 1991 from AIDS, and my brother David struggled for a very long time with addiction, and after many rehabs and programs lost that fight. I figured I had been given the lions share of fights and loss, disease and caretaking, helpless feelings and moments in time when life stands still. But no... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Syd had been complaining about a pain in her tummy, I thought it was probably a pulled muscle or something but she was consistently hurting so I made her a Dr. appt and went in on March 19th at 10am, after a quick exam the Dr. (not our regular Dr, since our PCP was having surgery the following day herself) decided Sydney should have an abdominal Ultrasound. When the Ultrasound tech started measuring things on the screen I knew it wasn't good, but thought it was probably appendicitis or something simple like that. When the test was read we, still not knowing what was wrong, were to report to the CT Scan Department at 8am March 20th (Friday) and have a scan done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When we didn't hear anything by 2 that afternoon we "camped" in the Dr office and waited for the results of the scan. Our Dr who was on her way into surgery was actually reading the scans as they came in elsewhere and working in tandem with this new Dr (we have the best Primary Care Physician in Williston) We were told that we had to have an MRI Monday morning at 8am, that they see a mass in her abdomen and there wasn't more that they could tell us...That was the longest weekend in our lives. Monday morning March 23rd we went in for the MRI and went in to have it read around 3 that afternoon...Both Doctors were there, and they had said that there was a grapefruit size mass in her abdomen and it had to come out...they said it was very "complicated" I felt like I had been hit in the head with a baseball bat...and then the word was said... "It could be Cancer" It wasn't a baseball bat that hit me...it was Thor's Hammer! We didn't hear much except that, she needed to go to a specialized hospital...They called and we had an appt with a Surgeon in 24 hours in Minneapolis, MN...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So our adventure began: Sydney and I jumped on the train that evening, rode it through the night and went to the appointment with the surgeon at 4:20 March 24th. She had an appointment to be in surgery the following day at 9am...all I really heard was it has to come out right away. So off she went into surgery, right on time, I walked her to the door of the surgery room and was strong...I was oh so strong for her, I held her hand, and I told her everything was going to be ok, That the whole family loved her and I would be by her side the moment she opened her eyes. They took her inside that freezing cold room and I crumbled, lost all sense of where I was, where I was supposed to go and wait and I don't really remember exactly what happened, someone found me and helped me to the waiting room where I stared at a clock, by myself for about 5 or 6 hours</span><br />
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My baby has always as a brilliant smile thru this whole thing!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The only time we are happy to hear our children cry is that first moment that they are welcomed into this world. When your baby is sick it is the worst sound ever when you are utterly helpless, your baby is crying (she hasn't cried in years) so hard that she cannot speak and you can see her gasp for air because she is in so much pain. I feel a pain I could never explain, I feel emotions that I wish I could shutdown. I want to scoop my baby out of that hospital bed and run...Run as far as I can, but that isn't going to cure her of this thing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I try to comfort her and my words and my touch seem to hurt her just as much as the horrible pain she is in. She had major surgery (Right Hemi colectomy). When in your life do you think your 12 year old daughter would be hooked up to pain meds that she controls by a button. To see her in that pain was almost more than I could take. She had to get out of bed right away and those first few days were horrendous. Every time anyone tried to speak to her it was like the words hurt her...It was excruciating and my heart was in a million pieces</span><br />
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This was about 8 days after surgery; Sydney the Cancer Slayer was Born! <a href="https://www.booster.com/sydneyscancerslayers">https://www.booster.com/sydneyscancerslayers</a></div>
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Don't Miss out on Getting your Cancer Slayer Tshirt</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank God Ray came with Dillon and Mirada after the worst part...because I needed just a little break to process some of what was going on. It was impossible to try to communicate what was going on here over the phone and they had a great visit... It really did boost her spirits. It's not just Sydney that has Cancer, it is the whole family. Syd and I are here...Ray, Logan, Dillon and Mirada are home in Williston ND...It is difficult to be apart, Dillon had his 16th Birthday on April 24th, Logan had Prom Last weekend and Mirada has Graduation on May 26th. Big milestones that are difficult to miss but this is where I need to be. Thank to my unbelievable co-workers, they have donated their vacation and sick time to cover my time off for FMLA leave (12 weeks) (its a program where my work holds my job and insurance for 12 weeks if you are out with your child who is ill) My new community has embraced me and my family as one of their own and I am proud to be part of the Williston Family. You all have no idea the feelings you have all provoked in me and I am ever SO grateful to you! </span><br />
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Sisters playing Legos and making faces! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">On March 25th my baby girl Sydney who is only 12 years old was diagnosed with Cancer. It wasn't for about 10 days before we knew it was Lymphoma and what cell type and what the course of action was going to be. I would not have made it through this if it wasn't for this support I have surrounding me. Our medical team is phenomenal and University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital has the most caring staff. It takes an entire hospital to make all of this happen from the Surgeons, Oncologists, Nursing Staff, Child Family Life Specialists (Who help talk to children about what is going on with them and teaches them to be their OWN medical advocate) and the volunteers. Children's Hospitals have so many ways to help and I am so happy that we are here. This is the right place for her treatment! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">But it s our friends who have been the support I can lean on, I am not one who asks for help very often, I think I can do it! That I am Superwoman and I can do it all myself or I will find a way. I had a friend from High School send me a message and there was something he said that made me realize that I need to take that outstretched hand and grab it...and hold on for dear life! I Thank you all, we all draw strength from you! We have our Cancer Slayers on Facebook who are always cheering Syssy on .<strong><em>We are going to be here for a while, even though we have met that "goal" we didn't realize the length of our stay, every little bit is appreciated! ...Thank you to everyone</em></strong>, <em><strong>Friends/Family from near and far who have donated to our GoFundMe Campaign http://www.gofundme.com/r42typg and our Paypal </strong></em><a href="mailto:4in5years@gmail.com"><em><strong>4in5years</strong></em></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><em><strong>@gmail.com</strong></em></a> We have gotten many cards and gifts from all over the country and every single one makes her feel very special. We feel the love and all of the help and assistance that everyone has given us is so humbling! We are loved and could never ever thank everyone for doing their part...you are all a gift, a treasure to us and we love and Thank you for each and every thought, prayer and extra strength that Sydney is returning to those around her 10fold, she is an amazing child with strength and fortitude that I have never ever seen. She isn't afraid of this... She is owning it!!!! She touches peoples lives every single day! I am so blessed to have this precious angle in my life and this is oing to be cured before we leave here! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</span> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-15877188069021464532015-01-30T17:26:00.000-06:002015-01-30T22:40:31.612-06:00Oil prices are down; is Moral too?<div abp="871">
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<span abp="14" style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone I know keeps asking me, “Are you staring to see the
effects of Oil Prices dropping?” It’s a valid question… 2 years ago, (Feb 3<sup abp="15"><span abp="16" style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>
and coincidentally, this year, my 19<sup abp="17"><span abp="18" style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Wedding anniversary) many of my friends
thought I was brave…an adventurer.<span abp="19" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
know Ray is a risk taker and very unselfish…His first year here was NO
picnic.<span abp="20" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now some of them are wondering
if we were crazy!<span abp="21" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a cycle, if
there is a boom there will be a bust!<span abp="22" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="23"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="25" style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong abp="448">Well ladies and gentlemen, we are all in!</strong> We have a home
here, We are entrenched in our new community, I am on the Rural (NPSD8) School Board
and committed to be a positive role model for those in transition, Ray is a
plant operator at a new gas plant coming online in March and we are all still embracing
our new home.<span abp="26" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am one of the lucky
ones, I have my partner, my children and 4 of us have great jobs!<span abp="27" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not everyone can say that!<span abp="28" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a abp="206" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_KMHFdlXHg/VMv_N2IlONI/AAAAAAAAJyI/hVYsnFElRSY/s1600/kidsheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="207" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_KMHFdlXHg/VMv_N2IlONI/AAAAAAAAJyI/hVYsnFElRSY/s1600/kidsheart.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span abp="36" style="font-family: Calibri;">I look at this upcoming holiday coming up thru different eyes, </span></div>
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<a abp="211" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVHCPPlJ5rE/VMv_ZrFwTaI/AAAAAAAAJyQ/QJ-VR1ezfHI/s1600/FB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="212" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVHCPPlJ5rE/VMv_ZrFwTaI/AAAAAAAAJyQ/QJ-VR1ezfHI/s1600/FB.png" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span abp="39" style="font-family: Calibri;">This guy is looking for someone to spend Valentine’s Day
with, I like to think he is a good guy (I have never met him nor do I know
anyone who knows him) but it makes me realize how lucky I am.<span abp="40" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many here who have no one to come
home to, each night, not only on the Holidays...but EVRY single night.<span abp="41" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t imagine.<span abp="42" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Facebook
page called “Williston Connections” people buy and sell cars, clothing, put up
notices about things to be aware of etc.<span abp="43" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes it can get a little catty, but all in all, entertaining to say the
least.<span abp="44" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope he finds someone or some
people to connect with to help him thru this holiday that focuses on togetherness...in the land of mancamps, I think this is not one place that will be selling out of chocolates and roses!<span abp="45" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart goes out to him, but even when I was
young and crazy, I would not have met some stranger for Valentine’s Dinner and the movie 50 Shades... even
if he said its just a platonic dinner!<span abp="46" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
just saying.<o:p abp="47"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="50" style="font-family: Calibri;"><a abp="247" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdYA8VkJN_w/VMv_0K7wfnI/AAAAAAAAJyY/X_uUpiQwUxM/s1600/article.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="248" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdYA8VkJN_w/VMv_0K7wfnI/AAAAAAAAJyY/X_uUpiQwUxM/s1600/article.png" height="320" width="180" /></a></span></div>
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<o:p abp="49"></o:p><span abp="52" style="font-family: Calibri;">Now with Oil Dropping (plummeting whatever you want to call
it) some people are nervous… that makes for tension… then the domino
effect.<span abp="53" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have not seen the oil prices
effect any of our friends, no one has lost their job (If anything Ray might have
been on the chopping block, in a recent article Halcon Resources, his past
employer, is #7 on “The Death List”) Eeeeek, that is the closest to home it has
been.<span abp="54" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, it could be a nice
catch up time, hopefully some of the infrastructure items can be taken care of,
roads be brought up to standard and some additional housing be built.<span abp="55" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard, before the price drop there were
over 30,000 job openings, now that has abruptly been cut in half.<span abp="56" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are still jobs available, and it is
still the same story…<i abp="57" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you have to work
hard for your money in the Bakken</i>…that is still the case and maybe even
more so now.<span abp="58" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not believe it is
forever, from all signs and conversations I have had, it will recover, it may
not be as high as it was before… but in time (hopefully Fall of this year) we
could be seeing prices come back up.<span abp="59" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of the big players have a hiring freeze, I had a friend who got a
job one week and was called the following Monday and was informed that they
were not hiring anymore.<span abp="60" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She found
another job elsewhere but that a little startling. <o:p abp="61"></o:p></span></div>
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<a abp="481" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NFakHaYAPaM/VMwDxHSRCfI/AAAAAAAAJy0/Fbk5AAneSm0/s1600/sunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="482" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NFakHaYAPaM/VMwDxHSRCfI/AAAAAAAAJy0/Fbk5AAneSm0/s1600/sunrise.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span abp="66" style="font-family: Calibri;">People are still packing up their car, coming to Williston
(the Boomtown and Mecca of jobs) without a plan.<span abp="67" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t get it.<span abp="68" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see people on Williston Connections saying
they do not have money to gas up their car to keep warm through the night, much
less be able to make it back home to where they came from.<span abp="69" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thought they would have a job in a
couple of days.<span abp="70" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came without a
plan!<span abp="71" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that when you are
desperate you do desperate things, but we are an area that doesn’t have
affordable housing (we still have a housing crisis) and not as many jobs
available.<span abp="72" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that desperation sometimes
you make rash decisions, everyone needs to consider those who love them and
think about how you are going to make it back to them.<span abp="73" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make a plan, check out your options and make
an informed decision. Everyone deserves a chance to make a better life for
themselves, do a little research before you come, and try to time your life
change when the bitter -20 degree weather won’t kill you (sometimes timing isn't on your side, I get that) Spring here is
beautiful and a little magical. <span abp="74" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a little
different now, at least for the time being, those risk takers are always in my
thoughts. <span abp="75" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a abp="342" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnpM_v0Jqx4/VMwAXfLYR7I/AAAAAAAAJyo/5FodsopbFlY/s1600/141103-Boomtowners_03_SENIORS_3340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="343" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnpM_v0Jqx4/VMwAXfLYR7I/AAAAAAAAJyo/5FodsopbFlY/s1600/141103-Boomtowners_03_SENIORS_3340.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span abp="449" style="font-size: x-small;">I love this picture, Ray was at work so I got the moment all to myself (Photo Cred. Michael Cera)</span></div>
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<span abp="77" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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<span abp="77" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span abp="450" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span abp="451" style="font-size: small;">Our family is fine, so you can all stop worrying
for now, I thank you all for joining us on our journey and I will never regret
Ray pushing us off that cliff of self-limitations, these experiences are
shaping each one </span></span><span abp="452" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">of us in different ways and not one of them is bad!<span abp="453" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With love from the Bakken…The Senior Family
is doing well...even though there are days we freeze our butts off!</span> <o:p abp="82"></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-50185849181053780752014-12-23T16:18:00.000-06:002014-12-24T09:42:55.864-06:00FAQ on Relocating to Williston ND<div abp="627">
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<span abp="13" style="font-family: Calibri;">Williston the land of the jobs for everyone! And everyone
makes over 100k per year!<span abp="14" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b abp="15" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i abp="16" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u abp="17">WRONG!</u></i></b>
With all the attention out there I thought I would update my blog and then over
the holiday update my YouTube video. <span abp="18" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
much information needs to be cleared up… I hear the “<i abp="19" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mis-information”</i> from family, friends and individuals that relocate…they
wish they had some more info, on a personal level.<span abp="20" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much has changed since I recorded FAQ on Relocating
to Williston ND.<span abp="21" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I should do a
little housekeeping.<span abp="22" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I am going
to start by reminding everyone: <i abp="23" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nothing
EVER comes for free.<span abp="24" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard work, Long
Days and commitment go a long way.</i> <span abp="25" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a way of life here! The other thing that
was not even on my radar when we were considering our relocation was, how <b abp="26" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i abp="27" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i></b>
presence in this town might affect others. Everyone is different and change
especially when you didn’t expect it is hard to deal with. I was so wrapped up
in the thought of ruining my children’s lives that I didn’t think much about
those lives I would touch once I arrived.<span abp="28" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>…I had nothing to worry about with my kids! They are resilient and have
learned quite a bit.<span abp="29" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have good and
bad days but I am so proud.<span abp="30" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See last
Blog called Inspiration!<o:p abp="31"></o:p></span></div>
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<a abp="249" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBJ6aTztSs0/VJnNsI3aVjI/AAAAAAAAJv4/fc--j3RPiZ8/s1600/prair14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="250" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBJ6aTztSs0/VJnNsI3aVjI/AAAAAAAAJv4/fc--j3RPiZ8/s1600/prair14.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span abp="38" style="font-family: Calibri;"><b abp="39" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Respect! <span abp="40" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I am going to address this early on, I
have met people from all different levels of residency here in Williston and I
am so lucky to say I have made some life long friends.<span abp="41" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am honored to know you and that you have
allowed me in!<span abp="42" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who have lived here
and had family who homestead the area and they are carrying on the lifestyle
and tradition from their ancestors, I admire. Those who lived and stayed through
the last Boom/Bust period are flourishing and have learned many life lessons they are influencing this
new type of boom, I am inspired.<span abp="43" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
who are have been here for 2-4 years and have brought their family here and are
trying to become part of the community, I say get involved and be heard.<span abp="44" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who are here to work their days and go
home on their days off, I commend you and your love and commitment to family,
this boom would not be possible without your service.<span abp="45" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who are just arriving, and have decided
to make this home, are going thru changes and challenges, Be Strong, we need
good people to form a strong bond and a community we can be proud of.<span abp="46" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of all be respectful… This is your home
too, if only for your "days on" or full time, we are all in this together.<span abp="47" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember we are all irritated by the traffic,
and lack of services and the high prices…but if we try to do it as a united
front…then that my friends, is half the battle! </span></div>
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<span abp="50" style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I had preconceived notions about… moving to a small town,
much less a micropolitan area (that is the official term).<span abp="51" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You travel about 6 miles in any direction and
you are in what I would consider a “rural” area.<span abp="52" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time when we are traveling or
exploring other areas of Williams County we travel on Dirt, gravel, Chip Seal
roads.<span abp="53" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you come from an area that
is very urbanized and has been planned out down to the last blade of grass,
this is most certainly a shock.<span abp="54" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now
that our 2 year anniversary date is coming up there are many things that are
normal now that were in the least bit normal in that, during our first few
months here.<span abp="55" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span abp="58" style="font-family: Calibri;">Lets talk about <b abp="59" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SALARIES</b>
and how much money “EVERYONE” makes here:<span abp="60" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t believe everything you see on television.<span abp="61" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reporters have come to Williston “Boomtown”
North Dakota to get a “scoop”<span abp="62" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they
were to say that the average household makes <b abp="63" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i abp="64" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u abp="65">nearly</u></i></b>, the same
as the average American household… now that wouldn’t be exciting? Or a “story”…
I have checked the numbers; happily, it is slightly higher than the average
AMERICAN household.<span abp="66" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2014 the Average
American household income was $52,000.00 per year.<span abp="67" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span abp="68" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b abp="69" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i abp="70" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u abp="71">2014
Williston is $72,000.00 PER HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR</u></i></b> according to City-Data.com.<span abp="72" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes there are jobs/careers, for men and women, that pay
more, much more!...yes they pay $100k a year or more! I work for the County so I am not
making a boatload of money!<span abp="74" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We need 2 incomes to raise our 4 children and secure their future, college is just around the corner! </span>I love my
job and could, most likely, get paid more in the oilfield but I do prefer to make
a difference in my new hometown.<span abp="75" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
my family is not banking $200k a year!<span abp="76" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add
the cost of living opposed to what we bring home, well…. That’s for another
paragraph.<span abp="77" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to beat a dead
horse, but I do want to inform those who are researching moving to our fine
Boomtown!<span abp="78" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kuddos to those trying to be
prepared!</span></div>
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<span abp="81" style="font-family: Calibri;"><b abp="82" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u abp="83">High Paying Jobs</u></b>:
Be warned and prepared! Yes, any men or women can get a high paying job. Yes you can get a
job pretty quick after arriving in Williston North Dakota… but these are very
specific jobs, and generally companies want people with some experience (and a current
CDL is helpful as well as an OSHA 10 class or some safety certifications).<span abp="84" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are a go getter who is determined and tenacious,
I have faith that you could come to Williston, find a job and make it all work
out!<span abp="85" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> When I arrived 2 years ago there weren't as many jobs for women, there are jobs for everyone...I have 2 sons that work and make a very good wage! So really man, woman, child (15 and over) </span>Please do your homework, be prepared
and please do not come with your criminal record, suspended license and last 40
bucks...<span abp="86" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For every story that is positive
there are another 10 (probably more) That doesn’t NOT turn out that way. Some end in tragedy, I am still touched when I think about the young man who was fatally stabbed about 6 months ago at the local gentlemen's club...He came here to work and find the golden goose, instead he was sent home to his family, to grieve and lay him to rest. I still have a hard time with it! I didn't even know him, but heart breaks for all who did. I
go back to nothing comes for free.<span abp="87" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my
experience (2 years and being close to the heartbeat of the county) and talking
with many people who have relocated here, their journey was not the
easiest.<span abp="88" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were desperate… and after
hearing about a small Northern Plains town that has 35,000 jobs to offer ,how
could they not find employment right off the train?<span abp="89" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The media makes it sound like there are people
standing at the train station with applications to fill out and keys to housing
units ready for you to move right in with your rucksack.<span abp="90" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FYI, that’s not the case! </span></div>
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<span abp="93" style="font-family: Calibri;"><b abp="94" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cost of Living</b>:<span abp="95" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What no one talks about, it is the silent
downside to living here.<span abp="96" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything has
a “Williston tax” on it, really it’s a phrase we have coined, there is no real
tax that it implemented.<span abp="97" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems goods
and services in this area have a premium attached to them.<span abp="98" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any normal cost of living item or service is
at least 30% more than what you find in “Anytown USA”.<span abp="99" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Groceries are insanely expensive and there
are no Big Box stores like Sam’s or Costco (well… There are but you have to drive
to Bismarck, 4 hours, or Billing Montana 6 hours) to buy in bulk and get a
savings.<span abp="100" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is Walmart but the prices
there are in line with everything else in the area.<span abp="101" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pay $5.75 for a gallon of milk.<span abp="102" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Produce sucks (I miss California produce) I
know people who need vehicle repairs. <span abp="103" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
takes 3-4 weeks to get an appt then sometimes (especially body work) it could
take 8 to 10 weeks to get your vehicle back and to rent a car here it is
generally $100 per day…so off to Minot or Bismarck to even find a rental to get
you thru the 8-10 week stint.<span abp="104" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO you see
everything here is just a little more of a challenge.<span abp="105" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and that body repair will cost you an
additional 40%!<span abp="106" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was once a sleepy
little town is slowly growing into a larger city and that is sometimes met with
resistance.<span abp="107" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But growth is the necessary evil
when it comes to the individuals that have made this their home getting the day
to day services just to keep things going.<span abp="108" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The oil field is a 24/7 business and it wears on everyone.<span abp="109" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is other industry here, like farming and
ranching and those are not jobs, they are lifestyles and they do not stop for
holidays or weekends either. Williston is a non-stop town (except for Sunday morning from 5am to noon, most everything is closed!...so we have that going for us)</span></div>
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<span abp="112" style="font-family: Calibri;"><b abp="113" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Housing</b> is a
challenge; we now have more options and there are places to live but the prices
are still sky high.<span abp="114" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have touched on
this before and not much has changed…except you CAN find housing its just if
you want to pay the price they are asking.<span abp="115" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are lucky enough to own a home and our mortgage is nothing near what
some are paying to rent an apartment!<o:p abp="116"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="118" style="font-family: Calibri;"><b abp="119" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Job Hunting</b> is
always the biggest question I get when asked about the area.<span abp="120" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have found that the job fair is a wonderful
way to get facetime with the HR professionals that are seeking, not good, but exemplary
job seekers.<span abp="121" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can visit JobND and get
a feel for whats available but really it is important to know the area and the
companies that are looking for outstanding individuals who have clean driving
records, clean criminal records and can pass a drug test as well as have some
experience in the field they are searching.<span abp="122" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keep in mind you will not just come to town and be able to access the HR
department of any large company.<span abp="123" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most, if
not all applications are done online so get them done before you head to
town.<span abp="124" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to do all of your applying and
resume building before you leave your home base and also clean up your
background and even your financials so you have the opportunity to buy instead
of rent. <o:p abp="125"></o:p></span></div>
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first revelations was that this area has some of the most wonderful teachers on the
planet.<span abp="130" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a challenge that is
far different that other schools and districts in most of the United States.<span abp="131" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You find that families move in to town and
then are transferred or decide that this might not be the place for them and
off they go, taking their children with them!<span abp="132" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
(similar with Military Families without the Military part) </span>The transient style of life here is difficult for teachers, families and
kids and so I wanted to be a part of the solution.<span abp="133" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran to be a School Board Member for New
Public School District 8; and won, after living here for about 9 months! I
quickly realized that this takes a lot of hard work and dedication, every
decision I make I take into consideration the children that attend that school
and move forward the best way to assist them in achieving their goals!<span abp="134" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>District 8 is the rural district that covers
many, many miles of Williams County and we have a revolving door type population in
our schools.<span abp="135" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I arrived and realized
I was going to put my children in a school that is considered a “Prairie School”…
I was not sure about it, I had serious reservations!<span abp="136" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even had one of the kids say it reminded
him of his Daycare back in California(he was from a Middle School that had
about 1500 kids!) big change!<span abp="137" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we
found is that these teachers care deeply for these children and did the best
they could with what they were given.<span abp="138" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These classrooms are way behind in Technology and some other areas.<span abp="139" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But these teachers and students make the best
of it. <span abp="140" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My children are better people now
and I attribute some of that to their teachers and most students making them
feel welcome and part of their new community! <span abp="141" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud to be a District 8 Parent and most
of all Board Member.</span></div>
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<span abp="144" style="font-family: Calibri;">I have really taken to my new home and hope we will become a
thriving community, there is a lot of work to be done and it is a full time job
keeping our “Boomtown” in check.<span abp="145" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
no easy task coming to Williston North Dakota to find work and making all of
the pieces come together. <span abp="146" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be
happy to answer anyone’s question but I do not have the magic answer to the
burning question “Where do I find work there”…There are many ways, one of them
is <b abp="147" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i abp="148" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u abp="149">NOT
</u></i></b>coming here on a wing and a prayer.<span abp="150" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are message boards, JobsND, TrainND, Apply online at all the major
employers in the area.<span abp="151" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But just imagine:
You are one of thousands looking to get work here… it can take months before
your information gets in front of the right person.<span abp="152" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might be the perfect person for the position
but the person on the other end has to sift through all of that info.<span abp="153" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be patient, I hear it’s a virtue! </span></div>
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<span abp="155" style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you Williston! I know you didn't ask for me, but you got me! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-41212697765222847472014-12-15T16:13:00.001-06:002014-12-15T16:13:19.268-06:00Boomtown Family Williston ND from Palm Trees to Prairie Pipelines: Inspiration...on the Prairie of Williston North Da...<a href="http://seniorboomtownfamily.blogspot.com/2014/12/inspirationon-prairie-of-williston.html?spref=bl">Boomtown Family Williston ND from Palm Trees to Prairie Pipelines: Inspiration...on the Prairie of Williston North Da...</a>: Inspiration… where does yours come from? I am inspired by my children each and every day ...(and Ray,my husband, but that...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-32482233111801957372014-12-15T16:10:00.000-06:002014-12-15T16:10:38.530-06:00Inspiration...on the Prairie of Williston North Dakota<div abp="671">
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<span abp="43" style="font-family: Calibri;">Inspiration… where does yours come from?<span abp="44" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am inspired by my children each and every
day<span abp="45" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">...(and Ray,my husband, but that's for another post) </span>They are all so different and I see
each of them growing and changing each and every day.<span abp="46" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all very fine 2 years ago, with our
new “adventure” to Williston North Dakota and now that the novelty has worn off
they are finally back to normal.<span abp="47" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
we were all on eggshells for some time… I know, that sounds crazy!<span abp="48" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think we were all afraid to say that we
were scared of the change and so desperately wanted to make it into that
adventure we spoke of.<span abp="49" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that I
was worried about the fragility of my kids and the guilt won me over more times
than I care to admit!<span abp="50" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt terrible making
my children move and have all of these changes forced on them. <span abp="51" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is strength in numbers and if the name
Senior is in any way associated with that number you have Super Strength! <span abp="52" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I know there are military families that
move often and yes, people move all the time. But I did not sign up for that!
As a matter of fact Ray and I did not date while he was in the Navy for
precisely that reason!<span abp="53" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This move and all
of these changes are shaping our lives and making us better people, I am
inspired everyday by my children, they are resilient and incredible little
people…<o:p abp="54"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="60" style="font-family: Calibri;">Logan, he is the epitome of first child syndrome, he is an
over achiever, it helps that he is the first to do everything so it becomes a
big deal. How could it not.<span abp="61" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that he
is a Junior in High School I am struggling with how to build him up and get him
ready to face the world without setting him up to fail because in our eyes he
has gotten so many accolades.<span abp="62" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
not misplaced, he works hard, he learned that from his Dad (he would never
admit that)he knows that hard work pays off in the end.<span abp="63" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Logan…Clever, diligent and obstinate.<span abp="64" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will go far, we will always be proud and
will always worry, he will be the first to be on his own and we will send him
off with love and pride, knowing he will succeed. <span abp="65" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My worst fear is that in this big world he is
going out into will eat him up and spit him out a couple of times before he gets
it...with his tenacity he will be able to dust himself off and try again!<span abp="66" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="67"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="71" style="font-family: Calibri;">Dillon, 2<sup abp="72"><span abp="73" style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> child but also (one of the) middle
child, He and Logan are only 15 months apart so the milestones for Dillon come
right after Logan.<span abp="74" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t know it
any differently I tend to say to myself (to make myself feel better) but he is
the one I think suffers because of it.<span abp="75" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is such a beautiful child!<span abp="76" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
has the biggest heart and always the people pleaser.<span abp="77" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask… for help or anything… and he is there,
loyal and loving.<span abp="78" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything that
happens in Dillon’s world affects him deeply. <span abp="79" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tries so hard in school but good grades don’t
come easy for him.<span abp="80" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever the grade we
are proud.<span abp="81" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what I am most proud of
is his inner light.<span abp="82" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cares deeply and
in turn everything hurts just a deep.<span abp="83" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is always inside himself and Never Ever wants to be a burden.<span abp="84" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is anything but, Dillon is a joy and his
sweet and carefree interior is what makes him one of the most genuine people
you will ever meet.<span abp="85" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This move has taught
him that he really can do anything, just put his mind to it… it will
happen.<span abp="86" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not in his brother’s
shadow… He is the light that makes the shadow, and his heart is what creates
the blinding brightness that Dillon glows!<o:p abp="87"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="91" style="font-family: Calibri;">Mirada, 3<sup abp="92"><span abp="93" style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> child, first daughter and also middle
child.<span abp="94" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow that right there says so
much.<span abp="95" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember when I found out she
was a girl! I was so excited to buy pink girly things… Oh that bedroom looked
like Pink threw up in it!<span abp="96" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she wants
to throw up of the thought of the color pink!<span abp="97" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ironic right?<span abp="98" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh to be a girl and
13… She doesn’t want to fit in, but she does… I remember it but I had no idea
what it would look like from a Moms perspective.<span abp="99" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loves to laugh and make others laugh too,
she gets that from her Dad, but would never EVER admit it.<span abp="100" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not sure I have ever met anyone her age
that was so funny.<span abp="101" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her quick wit and sensitivity
makes her one of a kind.<span abp="102" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of her
humor, she is less in the background, she is beautiful and that puts her right
in the forefront sometimes…she would rather not be anywhere near the front, at
this time in her life, I hope that one day she embraces her beauty wears it
proudly…She loves everyone and is learning that she deserves respect as
well,<span abp="103" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that she will always demand
that! <span abp="104" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could easily be the classic
middle child…but I have spent many hours of my life showing my daughters that
you have to be strong.<span abp="105" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes this
gets Mirada in a little trouble because she will stand up for what she believes
in.<span abp="106" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until the end!<span abp="107" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so frustrating, but quietly I beam with
pride because I see the inner strength and fortitude she has.<span abp="108" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This generation has it harder than we did and
I watch her struggle with it all.<span abp="109" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
are able to break thru the hard outer crust she has built around her, you are
in for one of the most wonderful treats of belly laughs and acts of kindness
that will ever be bestowed upon you! This is going to be the hardest time of
your life, my sweet girl, keep doing what you are and “You be you”<span abp="110" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that’s all we can ask for!<span abp="111" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="112"></o:p></span></div>
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<span abp="116" style="font-family: Calibri;">Sydney, baby Sissy, the fourth, the last, the Baby.<span abp="117" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, she can’t stand being called the baby
but wants to curl up in a ball sit on my lap still.<span abp="118" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wants to be a big girl but give her the
chance and she will pull the baby card as often as she can. She is so headstrong.<span abp="119" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never gives up (I have no idea where she
gets that from) from the day she was born she has been trying to wear me down
and one day she just might win.<span abp="120" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is
the classic redhead, green/hazel eyes and freckles, with one glance you know
she is into mischief.<span abp="121" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has many
nicknames and Hurricane Sydney is one of them.<span abp="122" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have no idea how one little, tiny skinny girl can make such a
mess!<span abp="123" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a Hot mess!<span abp="124" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loves her brothers and sister so much and
strives to be just like them!<span abp="125" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the
next few years I know she is going to give us a run for our money!<span abp="126" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is just starting to realize who Sydney is
and she is a pretty great person.<span abp="127" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
loves to help, wants to try just about anything and loves being the center of
attention.<span abp="128" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not easy being the
last of 4 kids all born in 5 years!<span abp="129" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
has always had an angelic beauty but once you see past that you know there is a
little demon in there somewhere. (Yes, I said demon!) Sydney has a persona that is all her own, I know she
is going to be ok in the long run because of her strength and determination,
anyone lucky enough to be part of Sydney's inner circle is a blessed & lucky person.<span abp="130" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay the baby for a little while longer my
child, being one of the big kids isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! <o:p abp="131"></o:p></span></div>
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<a abp="265" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1omyOZcQ9Zs/VI8q2jZ3eAI/AAAAAAAAJu0/5jbcHK6bw4A/s1600/fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="266" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1omyOZcQ9Zs/VI8q2jZ3eAI/AAAAAAAAJu0/5jbcHK6bw4A/s1600/fam.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a> (Me, Dana Baby Brother, Debi and Donna Big Sisters)</div>
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<span abp="139" style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was younger I assume that inspiration came from my
parents.<span abp="140" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They inspired me in many ways
to be the woman I am today.<span abp="141" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span abp="139" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span abp="141" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The one thing I was taught and I hope my children to carry on is: <strong abp="310"><u abp="311"><em abp="312">Treat everyone equally</em></u></strong>, This has been my mantra before I even knew what a mantra was... It doesn't matter what you do for a living, what color your skin is or who you decide to date or marry... treat everyone the same, your life will be more rewarding if you are genuine and not only care for others, but show them. </span></span></div>
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<span abp="139" style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, I am inspired
by my beautiful family.<span abp="142" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course there
are good days and bad, but if we didn’t have those bad days, we wouldn’t be the
people we are now.<span abp="143" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find that on the
bad days I tend to look inward or backward.<span abp="144" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I glance inward and ask myself who holds me up when I am down. I
do.<span abp="145" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I glance backward and ask who held
me up when I was struggling.<span abp="146" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did.<span abp="147" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not without the love and support of my
family.<span abp="148" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I was growing up my Dad
worked hard, he was rarely home at night and if he was he was dozing in the
recliner with the news on the TV.<span abp="149" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom
was always carting us around, making sure we were safe or making dinner or
folding laundry, you know doing all that Mom stuff...I remember how strong she was, WOW she went through many things and always with such dignity, I don't think I would ever be as strong as she was after losing 2 Adult children. No one should ever have to go thru that, she fought cancer with a vengeance, twice...Once for my Dad and once for herself. The Strength she had was indescribable, if I am only half the woman she was, I will be happy! <span abp="150" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> When we were growing up s</span>he kept my Dad up to
date on what was going on and he was always quick to offer a hug or a victory
dance in the living room.<span abp="151" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Usually to
the sounds he was making with his mouth, he had no idea he was beat boxing at
the time, the term didn’t even exist)<span abp="152" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span abp="139" style="font-family: Calibri;">I
know that each of us kids were their inspiration.<span abp="153" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember them going out with friends
or having many date nights. <span abp="154" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I do remember
is: my Dad always making sure that once a year they went on a phenomenal
vacation somewhere across the globe.<span abp="155" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They took that time to celebrate their achievements that year! </span>When
we got older they would be gone for 2 weeks and we would hold some of the most
epic parties that Palm Springs High School had ever seen.<span abp="156" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness YouTube didn’t exist or I would
have been in HUGE trouble!<span abp="157" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless,
I know we were their focus, their world, their inspiration.<span abp="158" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I was loved, so very much and I have
my brother and sisters to remind me of that. <span abp="159" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am convinced that my children will be better
people because of our move to Williston, North Dakota…I know I am! <o:p abp="160"></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0Williston, ND 58801, USA48.1469683 -103.617974548.0622413 -103.779336 48.2316953 -103.456613tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-38092551143291208492014-07-03T18:45:00.000-05:002014-07-05T18:05:38.283-05:00Emotional Basketcase!<div abp="43">
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About a week ago I was a mess, I realized that everyone is growing up and there are so many milestones that they are difficult to list, but here goes; Logan is going to be a Jr in High School, Dillon Graduated from Middle School Mirada is in her last year of Middle School and Sydney is in her last year of Elementary! Logan got his Driver License June 20th and that's questionable if I am going to allow him on these Semi Infested, Lifted Pick-up traffic lined roads! We spent over $400 for Drivers Ed and I am not sure I am ready for him to be ready, But am I finished with driving to and from work! SO I guess sanity prevails! Gotta let go sometime!</div>
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Spring is here and we all got spring fever the moment we saw green leaves! I am in Love with North Dakota especially in the Spring! It seems everything comes to life at the same time and so quickly! I never experienced this in Cali because it was always spring there, but what we didn't have is the lilacs...This is how you know Spring is officially here. They are everywhere, and explosion of these delicate purple flowers makes me smile. They also make me pull over to the edge of the road and snip them every chance I get. </div>
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A couple of weeks ago a tornado touched down in Watford City about 46.5 miles away. I have joked with the kids so many times that they will probably never believe about a real tornado... The lightening and thunder starts and I start claiming a tornado is coming and they just completely ignore me. I mainly stared doing this hoping they would disappear into the basement for some desperate needed solace! The storm was crazy and I now know what raining buckets are. Your windshield wipers wipe and then its like a bucket of water is thrown immediately! The good thing about our extreme storms here is that the after math is the beautiful sunrise the following day...</div>
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This post has been long over due and there is so much going on I will have to keep the masses updates As much as possible. We are just loving the beautiful weather between the rain storms I just cant seem to find the time to sit still! So as always... until next time and next time is always with less sanity and more non-sense! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-12920874018831093922014-07-03T17:03:00.001-05:002014-07-03T21:35:28.200-05:00Williston Daily Struggles! <div abp="31">
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<span abp="37" style="font-family: Verdana;">I though it was time to maybe update those of you who have no idea what the daily struggles are here. <strong><em>Hopefully all of you will tune in to the docu-series that is going to start being filmed out here one of these days!</em></strong> You will get an inside look at what its like in a modern day Boomtown. Though they are getting better there are everyday things that have now become just that, everyday nuances that you just have to deal with! We chose to have Ray come ahead of us and get us set up. We were fortunate that we did it that way.</span><div abp="556" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="557" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBY10un-Np8/U7XLUFSMe_I/AAAAAAAAJYE/BBrgGiA9rGo/s1600/sping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="558" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBY10un-Np8/U7XLUFSMe_I/AAAAAAAAJYE/BBrgGiA9rGo/s1600/sping.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span abp="40" style="font-family: Verdana;">There are many who come this time of year and bring their family and live in a camper, trailer, toy hauler, and even camp at a camp site with small children etc... I myself didn't do it that way and really I couldn't have...It is a strain on the whole family...a big move like that, but to do it in an area where its difficult to find rentals. Hotel rooms are expensive and sometimes very difficult to come by, so we decided to have the house and jobs part all ready for the relocation so we didn't have to worry about the roof over our heads and comfort...Boy, comfort is a biggee when it's 45 below and you don't have that whole house thing figured out! I know someone who pays over $500 per month in electricity (winter) that lives in a Motorhome because they have to keep electric heaters on under their Trailer to keep the pipes from freezing!!!! WHAT?!</span><div abp="41">
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<a abp="560" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lg63imcyEY/U7XLd4L3aAI/AAAAAAAAJYY/56OCJ70GWP8/s1600/motorct.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="561" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lg63imcyEY/U7XLd4L3aAI/AAAAAAAAJYY/56OCJ70GWP8/s1600/motorct.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span abp="44" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span abp="45" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Housing: Lack of housing is the biggest issue and there are
man camps and FEMA trailers in the strangest places.<span abp="46" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t know; a Man camp is a sea of
trailers about the size of semis that all link together.<span abp="47" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are end to end and some are side to
side/end to end.<span abp="48" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They offer 1 bedroom
with a shower, TV small desk and closest.<span abp="49" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a cafeteria type area where they serve food, it is pretty tasty
but these places are charging around $160.00 a DAY 1 person and it is offered
to Corporations, (generally)not just the individual who need housing.</span><span abp="50" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I do know a few people who are individuals who live there and they are paying astronomical rates! FEMA Trailers are usually found on a companies property with families or groups of workers living in them but business is being conducted 20 feet away...Truck Scales or Driver Check ins or even the Work Over Rig Crew lives right on the pad where they are drilling for the time they are there working and then move along when the job is complete... Nature of the business and you will see these housing situations dotting the countryside! They even bus them into the market to pick up sundries etc... You DO NOT want to be around when that band of Men are shopping...</span>It can get a little irritating! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rentals:<span abp="54" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We recently
have seen large Apartment Buildings go up in and around town prices so high that
the average American gasps at the price of a 2 bedroom apartment, over $3500.00
per month, don’t forget $25.00 per pet per month the $200 to $300 per month for
a garage, Not to mention the First Last AND Security Deposit as well as $500
deposit for the dog etc..The list goes on<span abp="55" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and on.<span abp="56" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I have known people who have paid over $10,000.00 down on an apartment</span> YES thats Ten Thousand!!! People will rent a
bedroom in a house with other people they don’t even know, they have to share a
kitchen and a bathroom with them, for over $1800 per month...<span abp="57" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
really is crazy and it makes you see why people pick the Motorhome route…<o:p abp="58"></o:p></span></span><br abp="59" /><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span abp="62" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span abp="63" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">MotorCourts: </span><span abp="64" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">People
(meaning many), whole families, are living in trailers, motorhomes, campers
even skid shacks. This must be a huge challenge for them to function daily.
Imagine the obstacles they must face daily. Fresh water if they don't have hook
ups. Sewage if they can't get to the dump station as often as they like.
Heating and Cooling... how do they possibly stay comfortable in some of these
living conditions. </span><o:p abp="65"></o:p></span><br abp="66" />
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<span abp="69" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span abp="70" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Some of
the Motor home courts allow people to alter their area a little to make it a
little more tolerable. I drove by one the other day and noticed some of these
places have built on a "mudroom" and I am using the term 'built'
loosely! WOW there is really NO structural support and its sort of a lean to situation
at the door to their trailer or toy hauler! I can't imagine my children even
possibly surviving school having to deal with that type of living situation!
They would shut down and have difficulty learning! </span><o:p abp="71"></o:p></span><br abp="72" />
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<span abp="75" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shopping: that is mostly grocery shopping, because that is what they have to offer in the area! We have a Walmart and that is where the BIG shopping takes place. Often times you will find that we do not have enough staff to stock up the stores and you will have to navigate around pallets and other shoppers just to get your Milk Bread and Eggs. </span></div>
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<span abp="78" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span abp="79">I had someone tell me when I arrived, if you see it, buy it, because it will not be here when you come back....Oh boy am I glad I have taken that to heart. There are many times I have come home with a half a cartful of stuff I really didn't have on my list but was very happy that I did. </span></span><span abp="80" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span abp="82" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span abp="83" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you go back for more or a replacement you find that you might not even have the same type of items in that area! It is crazy! You never shop on a weekend because it is chaos! 1 hour (or more) in line just to check out! </span></span></div>
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<span abp="85" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span abp="86" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have a few cute little dress shops on Main Street (Yes 1 street about 3 Blocks Long) but not many options. You can get something in a pinch but nothing unique! Here we have to do our shopping wisely, or plan a to take a weekend trip into a city to get all items that we need. It makes us very grateful for the places we do have and I personally want to keep our wonderful small town options. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy when I step back in time at the bookstore with the tin ceiling! </span></span></div>
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<a abp="573" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aj7AChFjhKA/U7XMBcod2EI/AAAAAAAAJYc/VpVh_C20hqY/s1600/shop%5Bping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="574" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aj7AChFjhKA/U7XMBcod2EI/AAAAAAAAJYc/VpVh_C20hqY/s1600/shop%5Bping.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> (Regular Shopping Trip)</div>
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<span abp="91" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span abp="92" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dining Out: Ray and I consider ourselves foodies in many ways. We used to be Secret Diners so we know our way around a menu and a wonderful dining experience. When we arrived there was not many places to get a great meal much less a dining experience. Now we have many choices and can get a good meal with some ambience but you have to pay the price...ANd a family of 6 pays above and beyond! </span></span></div>
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<span abp="97" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Traffic</span><br abp="98" />
<span abp="99" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span abp="100" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today as I was weaving in and out of traffic I asked my self, "where the hell am I?" Los Angeles? </span><span abp="101" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">San Francisco? Dallas???? Traffic lights cycle more than 3 times before you can make a left turn. Don't even try to make a left without the signal, you might be plowed down by a Big Rig. 40% (maybe even more) of vehicles on the road are commercial, half of those are Semi-Trucks. (Most all of the "regular" vehicles are pick-ups or larger size vehicles so don't think that cruising around Williston on a beautiful Summer day in your convertible would be nice!) Right in the middle of town; Big Huge Semi-Trucks...What a challenge! I am frightened to let the kids learn to drive here and I never thought I would believe this, but the dirt roads are actually safer than the main streets. In the city you don't have dirt road options! so you deal with the Steel jungle and Highway and city folk get to use this thing called the Subway, Metro or BART</span></span></span></div>
<div abp="95">
<br abp="102" /><span style="font-size: small;">
<span abp="103" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br abp="104" />
<span abp="105" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ice and Snow</span><br abp="106" />
</span><span abp="107" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span abp="108" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We get Snow about 6 months (it feels like 8) out of the year. It's not the type of snow I expected, it is very dry (after the first few snows) and light, If you get to it right away you could grab a leaf blower and move it out of your side walk. Some days I don't think it is actually snowing its just snow flying around you, it might even be traveling from Montana or Canada...Just travelling thru! Its kind of cool but actually really dangerous. Wind blowing you, Snow blowing all over the road and Snow fluffs flying across the road, Its a little dangerous! This year we had some strange weather and the Ice was terrible! It would be -20 one day and the 40 or 50 the next. Freeze then light Thaw it really created a tough year for driving and it was very dangerous. In the morning I would make sure I would leave early so I didn't find myself rushed, sometime the tires were not making contact and I was driving a 2000 lb sled. Glad I wasn't</span> going too fast and just sledded to a stop! </span></span></div>
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<a abp="634" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89PP7VwisDw/U7XNfJ3AUKI/AAAAAAAAJYs/2eFwSNm7nyo/s1600/737818_10200260201130781_1009186587_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="635" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89PP7VwisDw/U7XNfJ3AUKI/AAAAAAAAJYs/2eFwSNm7nyo/s1600/737818_10200260201130781_1009186587_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span abp="110" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div abp="111">
<span abp="112" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The Bullseye</span></div>
<div abp="113">
<span abp="114" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">You find that you are travelling along on a beautiful Summer day and you hear a sound! You look around to see if anyone in the car has been shot!!! Nope, Its just a Rock that was hurled at you by that Semi, or some transformer looking piece of Farm equipment, that just passed and now you either have one of the following; a little chip in your windshield, better fix it right away! A Bullseye, that is the size of a half Dollar and well no repair can help that damn thing! Other times it is large enough to actually break your windshield and you have to get it replace immediately...And here immediately is about 4 to 6 weeks. A Large crack on your windshield is a badge of honor...It says I am a local and I don't mind leaving this crack here!</span></div>
<div abp="598" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="599" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2AaRnpazosQ/U7XLY4z4H5I/AAAAAAAAJYQ/tYtphWWcGfg/s1600/equip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="600" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2AaRnpazosQ/U7XLY4z4H5I/AAAAAAAAJYQ/tYtphWWcGfg/s1600/equip.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We have our Challenges but I must say after being here for a year and a half now, I realize it could be worse...I could live in some desert in a little grass hut with no indoor plumbing or air... Or have to live off the land in an Igloo in Iceland! If it weren't for the days that the sky is the Biggest and Bluest and the Crops are just starting to come up (like this flax Field right by our house) I would be crazy by now. But I keep saying "It's and Adventure, It could be so much worse!" Right?</span></div>
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<a abp="667" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l4oaKp8YrpM/U7XPXtakV2I/AAAAAAAAJY4/DbDZL7lhH68/s1600/bea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img abp="668" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l4oaKp8YrpM/U7XPXtakV2I/AAAAAAAAJY4/DbDZL7lhH68/s1600/bea.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-32223685904619580732014-03-14T19:54:00.002-05:002014-03-14T19:54:50.793-05:00ROAD TRIP!!!!!<div abp="494">
</div>
<div abp="495" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span abp="496" style="font-family: Calibri;">When we moved to Williston North Dakota I knew going back to
Southern California was going to be one of two things, one of the worst things
we could ever do or one of the best things… I thought we could get there, and
the kids wouldn’t get back in the car without being James Bond style
kidnapped.<span abp="497" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe I wouldn’t want to
go back.<span abp="498" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss my friends terribly and
it is much harder to live in ND than it is in Southern California, Its just a
fact.<span abp="499" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried I would have doubts
and want to stay behind as well.<span abp="500" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 3
days before we had to leave the Desert Logan, my oldest, said the words I never
thought I would hear <i abp="501" style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I can’t wait to get
home”...</i><span abp="502" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t ever think the kids
would embrace this as home or ever say In the dead of winter I can’t wait to
get back to it! So obviously it was one of the best things we could have
done.<span abp="503" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes you appreciate to good
things you have.<span abp="504" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a joy, what a trip…
and as always, what an adenture!</span></div>
<span abp="505" style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div abp="739" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span abp="505" style="font-family: Calibri;"><a abp="740" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7XerE3UYtNU/UyNXNnhCzcI/AAAAAAAAJI4/fGsWCgMSzzg/s1600/raydea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="741" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7XerE3UYtNU/UyNXNnhCzcI/AAAAAAAAJI4/fGsWCgMSzzg/s1600/raydea.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span abp="505" style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
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<span abp="505" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<span abp="505" style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><br />
<div abp="509" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span abp="510" style="font-family: Calibri;">We decided to drive to bring Baby Gunner with us and I don’t
know what the hell I was thinking. <span abp="511" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1760
miles (one way) in an SUV with 2 boys 16 and 15 and 2 Girls 13 and 11 and a dog 8
months…and of course The driver, I mean husband.<span abp="512" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were like a horse out of the gate.<span abp="513" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left right after work (first mistake) and
decided to “get as far as we can” Rays words, “and we can stop when we get
tired” Good God we were already tired when we got in the car!<span abp="514" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we made it halfway thru Montana that
night… What a Nightmare, we were a mess.<span abp="515" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> We stopped, slept then jumped back in the
car at 7am… I had my last pair of contacts in, during the stop I had to get them out, for the rest of the car trip I was wearing a $500 chew toy called Rx glasses with one arm and bite marks on one lens.<span abp="1040" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got some funny looks at our food and bathroom stops…Drove thru Mid Montana, Eastern Idaho, ALL of Utah, Arizona (tiny
sliver) and Nevada.<span abp="517" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snow, Rain, Ice the
whole way…at one point we watched a Semi Truck slightly lose control in front
of us going down a grade and Ray said very quietly “We are not making contact”
Talk about the pucker affect…Everything turned out fine but for about 15
seconds I was concerned.<span abp="518" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was true
insanity, I was sure at the border of California there would be the white
padded van to drag us away for being certifiably crazy!!!<span abp="519" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed like we were stopping every 20
minutes, to let someone go potty or the dog to stretch his legs.<span abp="520" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people say the voyage is part of the
fun.<span abp="521" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This portion of the voyage
sucked!<span abp="522" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div abp="745" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="746" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCq24U9qMdM/UyNUpeqhWLI/AAAAAAAAJIw/CERVDj7dX_Q/s1600/roadtrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="747" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCq24U9qMdM/UyNUpeqhWLI/AAAAAAAAJIw/CERVDj7dX_Q/s1600/roadtrip.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div abp="525">
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<div abp="526" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span abp="527" style="font-family: Calibri;">At 2am I pulled into the driveway…<span abp="528" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the leg Vegas to Rancho Mirage, CA …I
had seen aberritions floating across the road, I was talking to one (imaginary friend)in the
passenger seat (really Ray was there passed out as well as the rest of the car)
I saw deer run out in front of me (there are no deer on that stretch of road)
as well as we sitting practically on top of the steering wheel and terrified
that my fancy one armed glasses might fall off!<span abp="529" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span abp="530" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t make this stuff up…really!<span abp="531" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling that crisp Desert Air and smelling
the Night Blooming Jasmine made the stress of the drive melt away! So, the
Vacation finally begins!<o:p abp="532"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="533">
<span abp="535" style="font-family: Calibri;">Rays Mom met us at the door, eyes filled with tears, offering
Chicken salad Sandwiches.<span abp="536" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
declined and we got the allotted 6 bags out of Daisys “hat” (that little pod
thing that goes on top of the car) and went to bed.<o:p abp="537"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="538">
<span abp="540" style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me explain the bags, I told everyone there were to bring
only 2 outfits baiting suits and pajamas.<span abp="541" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>THAT’S IT!<span abp="542" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was going to be
power shopping <span abp="543" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>vacation and not to
worry, you would be coming back with that bag full and then some!<span abp="544" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span abp="545" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you
think that it was a coincidence that the first weekend we were there it was
President’s day?<span abp="546" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NOPE, Sale weekend and
3 days at that!<span abp="547" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="548"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="549">
<span abp="551" style="font-family: Calibri;">So our visit was spent doing a lot of Shopping, Mall
Shopping, Outdoor Market Shopping, Walking and Shopping on the Beautiful Streets
of Palm Desert, and of course Costco, Sams Club and Trader Joes Shopping! I am
sure you get the picture.<o:p abp="552"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="553">
</div>
<div abp="949" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="950" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRUAl25ihPU/UyNX42M5jEI/AAAAAAAAJJM/wEOy0Ki-yEM/s1600/elpaseo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="951" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRUAl25ihPU/UyNX42M5jEI/AAAAAAAAJJM/wEOy0Ki-yEM/s1600/elpaseo.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div abp="554" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span abp="555" style="font-family: Calibri;">Then the visiting began, Dinner with Rays family the whole
group was there, the usual suspects…Sisters, Brothers, Nieces and everyone
caught up.<span abp="556" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slipped out that night to a
Girls night and saw Rick Springfield in Concert with some of my girlfriends I
have known for about 15 years!<span abp="557" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
bit of a struggle to sneak away on a family night but it was so worth it!<span abp="558" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss being able to see live music at the
drop of a hat!<span abp="559" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="560"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="561">
<span abp="563" style="font-family: Calibri;">(Oh Dear this is getting long…I should have done a 2 part
blog!)<o:p abp="564"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="565">
</div>
<div abp="566" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span abp="567" style="font-family: Calibri;">The other thing we were looking forward to was eating during
this trip…Self-proclaimed foodies, we have also been Mystery Diners for High
End Restaurants, we had been spoiled to no end, living in the Mecca of wondrous
dining options.<span abp="568" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had some catching up
to do!<span abp="569" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we hit all of our Gastronomical
delights and then some!<span abp="570" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even snuck in
a trip to our Monday Night Beer appreciation (that was never missed unless
illness or injury occurred) and a stop at a new Brewery La Quinta Brewing Co that
is owned by a High School Class mate!<span abp="571" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
even had time to sneak in a romantic Valentines Dinner too, just to two of us.<o:p abp="572"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="573">
<span abp="575" style="font-family: Calibri;">The neighborhood has changed, we have friends from one end
of the street to<span abp="576" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the other,<span abp="577" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We caught up with most everyone which
involved many glasses of wine, into the night.<span abp="578" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Talking, eating and taking in the glorious view of Palm trees and feeling
the joy of sitting outside into the night without freezing our butts off! <span abp="579" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gunner even made some new friends, Sierra even
came over for a play date, while we were there.<span abp="580" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was a big hit and was on his best behavior at everyone’s house we
visited! <span abp="581" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="582"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="583">
</div>
<div abp="1041" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="1042" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FP7eKlDhNsQ/UyNX0Nd26nI/AAAAAAAAJJE/2aneMlOmu9s/s1600/mikeyd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1043" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FP7eKlDhNsQ/UyNX0Nd26nI/AAAAAAAAJJE/2aneMlOmu9s/s1600/mikeyd.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div abp="922" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span abp="585" style="font-family: Calibri;">We headed to Orange County to see my side of the family and
also told some of our friends in the area where we would be, so my Sister Donna,
hosted the whole family including some of Rays friends that he used to teach
with, and Catherine my best friend and her family for a whole day of swimming,
eating and laughter.<span abp="586" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an amazing
day, a day full of love and one that will go down in history as one of the best
days ever!<span abp="587" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to see all of the
family!<span abp="588" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then that I realized that
I was so lucky…</span></div>
<div abp="952" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="953" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xv4n9vwK7GU/UyNX__R89WI/AAAAAAAAJJc/PEsY7luorwI/s1600/d%2526s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="954" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xv4n9vwK7GU/UyNX__R89WI/AAAAAAAAJJc/PEsY7luorwI/s1600/d%2526s.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
<div abp="922" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<div abp="590">
<span abp="592" style="font-family: Calibri;">I have the best Husband and Children (and Gunner) that
anyone could ask for.<span abp="593" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t kill
each other in the car for 4 days and 3520 (not counting the car ride to The OC
and back) miles, with an 8 month old puppy no less… I married into a family
that has not only become my family but has given me people who are not just
in-laws or “the other side of the family” they have become friend...some of my best friends.<span abp="594" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div abp="1057" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="1058" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exxqHM9HAzc/UyNX80lTweI/AAAAAAAAJJU/Wos5veIgFpM/s1600/fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1059" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exxqHM9HAzc/UyNX80lTweI/AAAAAAAAJJU/Wos5veIgFpM/s1600/fam.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div abp="590">
</div>
<div abp="590">
<span abp="592" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span abp="594" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>My Sisters have become my biggest fans and
have showed and told me how proud they are of us and our gigantic life change. <span abp="595" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They love us so much and Donna and Bob throw
the best parties on the planet! My Baby brother makes my heart glow at how
blessed and loved he is and I am so proud of him and each day he reminds me of
our gentle hearted but firm Dad.<span abp="596" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Nieces
and Nephews make me so proud and I love how their kids are growing up like we
did…As a village that depends on one another.<span abp="597" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I loved and cherish every single day I picked you up from school or
babysat you as little ones.<span abp="598" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="599"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="600">
</div>
<div abp="601" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span abp="602" style="font-family: Calibri;">This trip taught me a lot about myself and everyone around
me.<span abp="603" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never how loved you are until
your leaf from the family tree falls and is whisked away by the winds.<span abp="604" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You come back the following spring, stronger,
brighter and with even more support from the branch you grow from!<span abp="605" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div abp="1034" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="1035" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3VU7wVRiFE/UyNY5xkO5DI/AAAAAAAAJJk/gCMwVexho20/s1600/keepintouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="1036" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3VU7wVRiFE/UyNY5xkO5DI/AAAAAAAAJJk/gCMwVexho20/s1600/keepintouch.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<span abp="1044" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That is a group that is exhausted from an amazing day with family and will ALWAYS "Keep in touch" </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-2795096091015944472014-01-29T11:24:00.001-06:002014-01-29T11:24:06.541-06:00Quest for Christmas First!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1301299543"></span><span id="goog_1301299544"></span><br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKa8zwZiV7Q/UubZafOWp8I/AAAAAAAAJG0/6f43ZaH5qwQ/s1600/jansunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKa8zwZiV7Q/UubZafOWp8I/AAAAAAAAJG0/6f43ZaH5qwQ/s1600/jansunset.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I get in "the" funk it really is difficult to get out... but sometimes...there is one thing that can draw me out, often its the sights and sounds of NoDak. They definitely out weigh the negatives...like last nights sunset, as I watched it transform from a fiery lava sky to fluffy cotton candy clouds I had to smile, and say, its not so bad! I may not be all the way out of my funk but am on the mend! :) I thought I would give you all a little more info on our Quest for Christmas First!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now some of you know that the only Multi-Item shopping type place in town is Walmart, . So you can imagine how busy the place is. Keep in mind it is the ONLY place for Black Friday shopping, unless you want to head out of town, stay in a hotel (if you can find one) and head out to do your Grey Thursday, Black Friday Deed! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the past, have gone with my Sisters and Nieces to do Black Friday and we would have a ball. It would put us all in the Holiday Spirit and we had the opportunity to shop any type store for any type gift, because we were in the Newport Beach area. There is every store imaginable, Ikea to Pier One...Target to Walmart...Old Navy to American Eagle...Bed Bath and Beyond to Bath and Body Works as well as the Top of the line Shops like Apple store and Tiffany & Co! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now we have Walmart, Albertsons (Groceries) and Cash Wise (Groceries) to chose from when we do our stocking up. Can you say culture shock? The one good thing that came from not having family or anyone to entertain, is that we were able to take advantage of the Grey Thursday situation here in Williston because, we sure as hell didn't have anything else to do. So we had our Turkey Dinner and set out to wait in lines for Holiday Gifts...The kids had a great Christmas this year, they got most everything they wanted, and we spent all Day Thanksgiving in insanely long lines to purchase things like XBOX ONE and iPad Minis, then waited in additional lines to pick up these items. Noon to 10pm... Yay Thanksgiving </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and this is what the aisles at Walmart look like often, make sure you bring your Spyderco; Open the box, Get your item out, and Re-Stack the Boxes, SIMPLE!</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then Christmas Eve/Day, it seems it went just as fast as it
came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of us had the Christmas
Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had never ever happened that
way before!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids were just kinda…well
Meh…Ray had to work that day and it really did put a damper on things. Everyone
got up, opened gifts and Ray was off to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We all treated the day like any other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mood of the evening changed, thank goodness, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cooked all day (Prime Rib and all the trimmings) and we had plans for the next door neighbors to come over to join
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that was lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all had a nice time sharing stories, the
kids were setting up new electronics and the new Air Hockey Game was in full
swing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a wonderful evening BUT
everyone was in bed early because all of the adults had to be at work the next
day. Aaargh! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also felt like we were
out of sight outta mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought we were a much bigger presence in my family's celebration back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really had a rough time with being here and knowing that everyone
was having their holiday ritual without me and they didn’t skip a beat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Total pity party on my part but I got past it
(If I am going to be honest with myself it took a lot longer than I want to
admit) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I didn't know until I moved here how much I had relied on my retail therapy. It was really apparent when I was looking for gifts that are unusual or unique and realized...DAMN, I did not prepare for the lack of retail and certainly didn't give myself the extra time to use the awesome tool called the <strong>Internet</strong>! Because shipping is a whole other obstacle that we have to deal with!!! There is no such thing as "True Overnight" or Fed Ex Overnight in the town of Williston. The price of "Almost Overnight" is outrageous! Mail gets delayed by days and shipments can be delayed by even more! It is something the powers that be are working on BUT it is not immediate and we all just know we have to accept and deal with it. Its just part of the package! (NO pun intended)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">An inscription on one of the Post Offices in New York says: "<em>Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift</em></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><em> </em></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>completion of their appointed rounds</em>" I know our postal worker delivers the mail at 10pm some nights. He is appreciated by our household! (Thank you Postal Guy! You really are part of the heartbeat of NorthWest Willy) He takes this saying very seriously. I see him out there in the 30 MPH winds with Snow pummeling him...I make the mental note: It could be so so so much worse!!! I have my health and the love of my family really what more does one need? </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-15682399188816248442014-01-28T08:32:00.005-06:002014-01-28T08:32:50.335-06:00...and the Oscar goes to<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ok, ok...I know a Blog is a responsibility, and I have been terribly negligent! I am so sorry, someone told me the other day that I was
being completely irresponsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
will start being responsible and updating you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s begin…It is winter, in Williston North
Dakota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duh you say, well winter here is
sort of a prison sentence. Its too cold to head outside and too dangerous to
travel!!! Remember we didn't get here until the beginning of February, so I had very little time in the horrendous conditions. I had myself convinced it was going to be a piece of cake this year, well...NOT! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all have Cabin Fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its real, totally and completely real. We are
so sick of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids are
ready to kill each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am kind of
tired of being inside of my house and its worse being inside my own head!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am tired of seeing snow and the sight of
sand being dumped on top of snow or ice is even worse…because I know that it is
going to take the month of April and May to wash all of that dirt, sand and
grime off of the entire town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Yuck...No double Yuck! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes, its nice to go shopping and get something new for a little pick me up. Remember, if we want some retail therapy we must go to Minot (the nearest Target)a
2 hour drive and we are kinda over the stores and stuff there so the trips out of town are
starting to get longer and further away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Which means more time together. Uuugh, Yeah, I totally want to get in
the car with my crabby pants family!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More togetherness is not the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This holiday season was an eye opener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were her for Thanksgiving and it was the
first time ever that we have been without extended family for really any
holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an adjustment, I don’t suggest
it to anyone, unless you are in Hawaii enjoying a sunny day and an umbrella
cocktail. I have a whole other post about Holiday Shopping and Spirit so stay tuned... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Here is our Little Thanksgiving Dinner...Just us!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGtjovZQJeA/UubV3nKQi6I/AAAAAAAAJGg/MlcUIlgiP3A/s1600/thxgvg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGtjovZQJeA/UubV3nKQi6I/AAAAAAAAJGg/MlcUIlgiP3A/s1600/thxgvg.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas was even worse, It didn’t really feel like
Christmas, more like any other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
opened presents then Ray went to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was kind of a miserable day, I don't think I was prepared for it and the kids definitely weren't. It was just strange, thank goodness for our next door neighbors they came over and enjoyed our Prime Rib Dinner with us and cocktails, many, many cocktail...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not really for
the faint of heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Ray and I</span> are both used to
a busy time,during any holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visiting both families, Christmas
Eve,was always at Rays family and about 15 people for dinner and package
opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following day spent
traveling to my family and about 40 people eating drinking and package opening
for HOURS… Thinking Wow this is crazy and boring etc…Nope that was not boring
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas at our house in
Williston ND was the epitome of boring!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess that’s when the fever set in….I have found that I am
more sensitive than I ever have been, take everything personal and really sort
of bitchy at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fell like I am
becoming quite the actress because I can certainly fake it at work… Its
impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am counting down the days
until we leave for California!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its going
to be awesome, visiting friends, hiking the “Bump and Grind” laying in the sun
from the moment the sun comes up til the sun goes down!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then…The academy award goes to… Mrs.
Senior, Queen of the Bakken!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-17919219302932888912013-11-26T16:53:00.000-06:002013-11-26T16:53:01.829-06:00Winter WillylandSo here it is.. Winter! When we arrived in February it was -45* and snowing. I swear it didn't bother me in the least! It helped that I couldn't wait to get through the 1600 miles of rainy and snowy roads during a terrible storm the entire way!!! Not to mention all of us wanting to get out of the car that had 4 kids and 2 cats in it. Snow Drifts everywhere and it was cold, cold cold. <br />
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Now on the first day of snow, I turn into a basket case. A little snow accumulates on the ground and I can't function! I drove home from work, white knuckles, radio off, heater on high and defroster going! OMG I was a mess. I cancelled plans to have dinner with a friend because I was afraid of the conditions...Hello, I have 3 or 4 more months of this... I cant just shut down and go from work to home and vice versa! Right?! <br />
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So now I am forcing myself to embrace it, easier said than done... my hair is full of static, my skin is dry and flaky and I have NO idea how to dress. Some mornings are below zero and some would say cold is cold, is it really any different if it is below zero? OH YES this girl will tell you the difference. Your car does not want to start, and if it does it takes forever to warm up. I started my car (and poor Daisy whined for 10 minutes, much like the kids when they don't want to get up for school) 20 minutes before I was to leave for work. Threw my jacket, in the back seat with the mittens, hat and scarf in the pocket and started on my way. Thinking the heater is going to kick in any minute! UUUH NO! I traveled for an additional 20 minutes and it was like driving with the AC on. I was a human Popsicle when I got to work. Friggin Freezing! But on a day it was 3*, I started the car 10 minutes before I left and by the time I was ready to leave the heater had already kicked in when I headed out. There is a big difference in the above and below zero temps! You don't want to head out without emergency supplies because you never know that you might break down or have an accident. You could easily be in a life or death situation if you get stuck in the snow! <br />
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The wind here is brutal! There are days that the wind chill adds an additional -20 degrees! So the temp might be -8 but the wind chill brings it to a "feels like" -28 temperature. You find many people speak very differently, than in other areas, about the weather in a conversation. You hear alot about 'feels like' temps and the 'wind chill'. But honestly... it is just effing cold! <br />
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So here I am embracing it, well actually bracing for it, today it is going to be 32*, I caught myself saying to someone that it was a beautiful day! I guess it is all relative! With this warm weather maybe all this white stuff will melt...I crack myself up! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-74583230674847683572013-11-16T18:04:00.000-06:002013-11-16T18:04:51.363-06:00When in Williston do as the Willys do!It is getting chilly here and I have no idea how to adjust! In Rancho Mirage CA, it was 85* at 9am the other day. Williston, 9* at 7:30am, pitch dark and still...we see our breath in the air and have to start the car at least 15 minutes before you head to town. Do that or stand outside in the freezing cold and scrape all your windows! <br />
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Logan my oldest HATES the cold, he now knows if I don't get that car started he is out there doing the scraper. Thank goodness we have the auto start on the car...Being from California I had NO idea what good this function was! ...I have started saying "Defrost Activate" and press the button on the car remote and Daisy (the Durango) is toasty warm when we get inside! Love this feature! Sheila the Rover doesn't have this and having to traipse through the snow and start the car was not my favorite thing to do that's for sure!!!! <br />
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It still hasn't snowed yet so it is a little strange to me that it is 'tongue stick to the flagpole' cold but you look out the window and it looks like it should be 60*...Now there are days it warms up to a beautiful 55* blue skies and sunny, there are others that it is Cyclone windy and you need gloves, Parka, hat and face cover just to get to your vehicle, the locals are all bundled up but this Cali Girl still isn't quite embracing the Chilly Willy state of mind! <br />
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They dry air is turning us all into flaky people...I don't mean the type of people who don't show up for appointments... But our skin is such a mess. The only thing in the world that helps is Grateful Garden Pure Shea Butter. But man oh man, I have no idea how the farmers or oil workers can stand the chapped cracked skin. You gotta slather your body with moisturizer to get through the day.<br />
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I am embracing the cold this year. I am a little worried about the driving aspect of it but what the hell, When in Williston do as the Willys do. Drive slow and let the car stop on its own. If you end up in the ditch, just drive out the other side (and have a tow strap, just in case) Don't go out, unless you have to, or you are out of wine. Hope for a "beautiful day" one that is above zero. <br />
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Most of all, don't let it get to you, enjoy the adventure, you never know what might happen next! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-34032591654089332342013-11-05T08:00:00.000-06:002013-11-05T08:00:39.992-06:00Gastromical Delights in WillistonI thought I would update everyone on the changes in beautiful Williston. First and foremost, I am enjoying every single minute here. I have never had the enjoyment of seasons. When Spring "thaw" happened (I have never EVER referred to spring as a thaw) it was like the prairie came to life. We had NO idea we had so many children in the hood. It was like someone set out a picnic and the ants came running. Kids on bikes, Moms with strollers and of course the young studs on their dirt bikes flying down our street heading to the "hills". (The Hills are a big pile of fill dirt from the basements they have dug out of our subdivision.) Guys take their jeeps and trail bikes out there and get muddy! There were people everywhere! Funny how during the wind and snow everyone goes from their cars to their houses and vice versa! Its like everyone says when they get out of their car "Heads down everyone...get inside, Go go go!"<br />
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The nice months are the only time people have to get their main building done. During this Summer we had some new eatery's open. I am a self described foodie and love a good meal! In turn I have created little foodies who know the difference between a mediocre meal out and a gastronomical delight! We also like to have great ambiance when we go out. We are not looking for a Wham bam Thank You Ma'am meal. We like to enjoy our surroundings, as well as go with our friends to enjoy these places with them. <br />
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We had a few new restaurants open here, and in my book that is reason to celebrate... <br />
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"Basil" is in walking distance of my office and they have amazing Sushi and Sashimi, You can't go wrong with anything on this Asian Cuisine Menu. Yes I said it...I am eating sushi in a land locked state. But I also know what day they get delivery, and have researched their supplier and I am not concerned about getting, the least bit ill, from the food. <br />
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"Williston Brewing Company"...This has been needed here for a long time. The Decor, fabulous, the proof is in the details, from the Main door handles that are replica antique Rifles, to the light fixture that has been constructed from amber beer bottles and make up the lighting at the bar seating area. A lovely stone fireplace gives you the visual and physical warmth required here! Delicious! Everything we have had there is so very good. I love having a little craft beer every once in a while and it brings us both back to being a little homesickness! Every Monday was Beer appreciation night when we lived in Cali, We would enjoy the local brewery and new beers on tap during happy hour at home... As an aside restaurants and bars don't need to offer Happy Hour... ever... because it is busy every minute of every day in Williston. Burgers are incredible and if you want a great steak this is the place to have one.<br />
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"Doc Holidays" is another Steakhouse with a small bar but a very inviting atmosphere. It seems like you have more families that head here than the other new restaurants. It has a smaller menu and the staff just keeps up but if time isn't an issue I would at least try the food. It is really cute and has a little Stuart Anderson Black Angus feel to it. <br />
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We keep our eye out for anything new and have been lucky enough to visit these new places during their soft openings and have been loyal customer since! <br />
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When going out to dinner (or any meal for that matter) in Williston expect to pay a little more than you would in other NoDak small towns. With the Oil Boom you have to pay your employees (especially service people are hard to keep) alot more than minimum wage per hour and even in some cases supply them with housing or affordable housing to get them to stay! It is a different world here and it is reflected in the cost of living. I refer to Williston as the Manhattan of NoDak because everything is so busy and the prices of many things remind me of the City. You see it across the board, groceries, eating out and real estate to name a few...but that is the subject for another day! I am starving now, I am going to visit one of my favorite foodie finds now! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-79643546673155383582013-10-31T09:44:00.001-05:002013-10-31T09:44:34.096-05:00Boomtown Family Williston Nd from Palm Trees to Prairie Pipelines: Celebrate with me! Its my Birthday!<a href="http://seniorboomtownfamily.blogspot.com/2013/10/celebrate-with-me-its-my-birthday.html?spref=bl">Boomtown Family Williston Nd from Palm Trees to Prairie Pipelines: Celebrate with me! Its my Birthday!</a>: So it is my Birthday...Yes I know it explains alot! Born on Halloween, Red Hair, the whole package! I celebrate the whole entire month of ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-33094477732538507582013-10-31T07:09:00.000-05:002013-10-31T07:09:19.245-05:00Celebrate with me! Its my Birthday!So it is my Birthday...Yes I know it explains alot! Born on Halloween, Red Hair, the whole package! I celebrate the whole entire month of October, yes the whole thing! I was never really like this until later in life. <br />
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Some times it takes an event to make you realize how blessed you are. Many of us run around taking everything for granted...when I was 33 I found out I was adopted, it's a long story, but it was a surprise. In true Redhead fashion I was <em>pissed, </em>very angry. I think I went through all of the emotions you go through with grief. It took me a long time to come to terms with the whole thing, but in hindsight it was a good thing and helped me stop and take a second look at things! <br />
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What I did finally come to realize, is that my birthday is a very special day, a day for celebration!!! I was chosen by my parents to become their child and a part of our family that was already 6 people, and I am sure quite chaotic. I wasn't planned or thought out, There was never the discussion is the timing right? ...I had 2 brothers and 2 sisters at the time. I was the gift on that special day, to them. I was one of the luckiest people in the world! If I would have been kept by my biological mother I would not have had the blessed and gifted life I was given. She was a 16 year old twin, the father went off to Vietnam and never returned and her parents were very hard working people who were struggling to make ends meet for their family of 4. A baby, much less a grand baby, was not in the big picture for them. I firmly believe that if I weren't given up for adoption I would have very possibly ended up in the system anyway!<br />
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I was never able to tell either of my parents Thank you! Thank you for always making me feel like I was special. Thank you for giving me everything I ever wanted and more. Thank you for being loving but stern parents. Most of all Thank you for making me believe I could do ANYTHING. I was taught at a very young age that whatever I wanted to do or be, I could make happen. It didn't matter what, I could do it, and I am still testing that theory! (And pushing the envelope at times)<br />
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My Dad was my biggest fan, and I in turn was his. I remember walking in parades for him yelling "Minney for Mayor" and he was always there for each and every crowning at my beauty pageants. He always made me feel loved. There was always a warm smile for me and a definite pride I could see in his eyes. I stood in the passenger seat visiting job sites on Saturdays as a young girl. I ate on blueprints because there was always a new project to be bid. He taught me that I could do anything a man could do, and maybe even do it better! His laugh, infectious and even a little silly but he had a great sense of humor! My Dad loved to take us out water skiing and that was the ONLY time in my entire life that I was happy to get up at 5am...to ski glass in Lake Havasu... just he and I. I am only sorry he didn't get to meet my babies. 24 hours before Logan was born he passed, I think it was so he could grab Logan on his way out and sit down on some park bench in the clouds and tell Logan all of my secrets and the best way to push my buttons. I swear I see a little more of my Dad in him each year! My Dad even knew when Ray and I dated in High School that "I should have never let him get away" and when we went on a date 10 years later I never let go! I am the epitome of Daddy's little girl, in my world Father knows best!<br />
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My Mom spent every waking moment doing something for us kids. She was the driving force behind our family, and a force to be reckoned with. I know where I got my strength from, she was never ever exhibited and ounce of weakness. I drew from that everyday and know that I am the woman I am today because of it. She spent most of her days running me across the "wash" to dance class, or slumber parties or to Catherine's house to hang out and have Paprikash. My Mom always made sure I had a dinner plate made after dance and would sit with me while I ate because everyone was already done. She was able to meet my babies very briefly...I know they wish they had more time to get to know her. But they do know that my Mom molded me into the opinionated, resilient, fierce, saucy woman and mom I am today.<br />
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I did find out later that my parents spent the early part of their youth as foster parents. During this journey in their lives they were blessed with meeting my sister Debi, that is when they transitioned from foster parents to adoptive parents. If you are keeping score my siblings were : Danny biological (deceased 1991) Debi, adopted (63) Donna,biological (60) David (deceased 2010) Me adopted (44) Dana, biological (42) <br />
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I take today and offer it up to the Birthday Gods! I hope that there is some little soul out there that needs a family and that they are as blessed, loved and delivered to a parents that give them as charmed a life as I have had. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-42719852041278303672013-10-30T16:30:00.001-05:002013-10-30T16:30:01.432-05:00Bloggers sharing their N.D. oil patch experiences : Energy News<a href="http://bismarcktribune.com/bakken/bloggers-sharing-their-n-d-oil-patch-experiences/article_fb4a7eb0-7e37-11e2-ace7-001a4bcf887a.html#.UnF6UAz7Bfo.blogger">Bloggers sharing their N.D. oil patch experiences : Energy News</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-48591994537141142812013-10-30T09:52:00.000-05:002013-11-05T11:13:15.209-06:00Job Search in NoDak Challenges and Suggestions *Have a Plan*I didnt realize what a responsibility a Blog was! I have been trying to juggle Work, Life, Family, Politics and a host of other things that get in the way of me expressing myself. I will do better and try to keep you all better informed and updated! I love hearing comments so feel free to comment all you want. I am going to get that other youTube video up one of these days too! I have some strong feelings when it comes to just dropping everything and moving to NoDak without a Masterplan! <br />
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Yes it is exciting being a part of the BOOM! We are very lucky to be getting in on the ground floor of all of the novelty. With growth there is challenges, be prepared for taxed services. Some don't think about the big picture and take what money they have and jump in thier cars or on the train and head on out to the mecca of jobs... Some dont have the luxury of planning ahead and getting everything lined out, This might be the last ditch effort to try to get out of the unemploymetn cycle... It is not easy and it takes a little research and planning. Try to do as much as you can BEFORE you head to Chilly Willy!<br />
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Some of the most helpful hints are: Do your best to find housing. Some companies will not even look at your app or resume if you dont have housing Make sure you can pass a background check. For insurance purposes some companies will NOT hire you if you have a criminal background. Make sure your driving record is clean. If you have a DUI your chances are much slimmer of getting employment right away. Many Companies ask that you drive their company vehicles, a clean drug test and driving record is a must in these situations. <br />
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There are some good people out there looking for a change and a great job. Employment isnt immediate. Many large companies are NOT just looking for that warm body to take that position, lesson learned, they want those who are looking to make this their community, with staying power. It is expensive to train and hire people, assure them that you are looking to be here for a while. <br />
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I am including some helpful websites to assist in the job search. Many of these you have jobs listings that would be great for both men and women. <a href="http://www.jobinventory.com/Energy-Recruiting-Services,-Llc-jobs">http://www.jobinventory.com/Energy-Recruiting-Services,-Llc-jobs</a> <a href="http://www.jobsnd.com/individuals/oilfield-jobs">http://www.jobsnd.com/individuals/oilfield-jobs</a> <a href="http://regionalhelpwanted.com/296/williston-nd-jobs">http://regionalhelpwanted.com/296/williston-nd-jobs</a> , Bakken Staffing, Monster.com, Indeed.com. Dont forget to visit the websites for the City and the County. Both Entities are loking for good people and may not pay as much as the "Oil Patch jobs" but the benefits/ retirement etc are worth the difference in pay. <br />
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Williston welcomes the workforce, but I can see now that I have been here for 7 months how the transient nature of the workforce makes you a little cynical. It is difficult to make friends (and keep them) because suddenly they are moving due to a job relocation or thier position has ended. I wish all of you who want to head to Williston luck, it has been a blessing for our family. The kids are doing well in school and we are enjoying fixing up our home and the seasonal changes. We also look forward to heading to California to thaw out during the winter. I encourage questions and love to help anyone who wants to head to Williston for some hard work and a new lease on life! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-38563967939690664802013-10-30T06:51:00.000-05:002013-10-30T06:51:44.702-05:00Its a Slippery Slope!I cant believe I let summer go by and didn't update all of you!...even once!!! What a blast we have been having! You would not believe the difference between SoCal and NoDak! Talk about incredible sunsets! I have some rockin' pictures! Especially from our trip to Glacier Park! We have had our share of craziness. We also have a new addition to family, Gunner Foxtrot Senior a beautiful Blue Weimerainer who has stolen my heart! My job is definitely full of challenges. I just finished a few great projects that I am very proud of:<br />
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The County Housing 18 unit Apartments (for Essential workers and Law Enforcement) First of all I find it hard to believe that we have to BUILD housing for our employees, that was my first order of business as Project Manager for Williams County, The quest to find housing for 1 person let alone a whole family is a hurdle. We had to build 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. They are not palatial but they are home to many of my co-workers. It gives them a chance to find a house or property to build their final nesting spot. <br />
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Courtrooms and Judges Chambers, what a learning experience. We had an architect that was a challenge to work with (being over 6 hours away) and had to get details ironed out to get the job completed. In the long run we now have 3 courtrooms and a new Judge who was just sworn in. I am lucky to have gotten this experience and they turned out amazing! We still have some kinks to iron out but any of you in the building business know... the last of the punch list is the biggest task. <br />
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20 Bed Jail Dorm: Now this was an interesting project in so many ways. Of course there is the learning curve on any project that might be new. Jail... I haven't been in one before and certainly haven't been a "guest" before. I had a marvelous Architect on this project and thanks to their staff made this project a breeze! Other than the excitement of entering and exiting the jail common areas, things went pretty well... coming in contact with the residents and occasionally being locked in a 6' x 6' area with a "trustee"(work release parolee, they aren't in general jail population but they aren't OK enough to release on regular parole) you hope no one does anything stupid! The corrections staff have a very tough job and they never ever get the recognition or Thanks that they deserve! <br />
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Not only did I spend my Summer completing those building projects I had to deal with our own construction nightmares at our own house. A little history for you... Ray came to the Bakken 7 months before we did and lived in a man camp that was provided by his employer. Imagine a little room with a bed, desk, TV and shower/toilet... all the while we were waiting for our house to be ready back in California, Ray would come home about every 3 weeks. You don't find as many stick built homes here and luxury housing is really not an option. Many people are living with their kids/dogs etc in campers and toy haulers as a permanent option. You have homes that have been here for many years that are relatively expensive and then you have to modernize them (imagine burnt orange sculpted carpet with some mauve and teal wallpaper EVERYWHERE) You can wait for a stick built house but it takes a bit longer because of our lovely weather fluctuations. There is always the manufactured home option that might take less time (you think) and get moved in... (that was our hopes, less expensive and less time, NOT) We had ours add a basement (a must) and a cute little porch. Now, we might not have 5000 square feet but will finish that basement one day soon and have another 1700 sq feet to send the kids when it is too cold to go outside to play. <br />
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We haven't finished the basement because it had leaks! Major leaks and had to have the entire thing re-insulated and all of the window wells (fire escape locations in the basement) sealed and the grading around the house compacted as well as this builder said that we didn't need gutters or any other weather/flood proof items on the house so those had to be added... SO we spent the Summer getting the leaking and damp/dankness taken care of instead of getting the (promised)added rooms downstairs done! I hated dealing with construction crap all day long at work and then coming home to deal with even more of it! But I think we are through the worst of it.<br />
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Many people are happy to have a roof over their heads. We are happy to have to roof but we expect it to be done right! It has definitely put some undue stress on our little family and now we can focus on getting those stinky boys downstairs to their own rooms and maybe even get our living room back! Onward and downward...to the Basement we go! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-65131303030799170962013-05-21T16:47:00.000-05:002013-05-21T16:47:23.901-05:00Spring has sprung!It has been a long winter for many who have lived here for the entire winter. For us it really hasn't been the WHOLE winter season, but we did get our share of below zero temps! I had an office mate tell me to enjoy every moment of beautiful weather you get. Thank goodness she told me that...we had about 5 days of totally perfect weather. No snow, wind or rain... Just perfect 75 to 85 degrees. So I decided to seize the moment... Dug in the basement for the box of Summer shorts and Tanks and was so excited to don them and feel the warmth of the sun on my skin... I sat on the porch (Northwest facing) with a glass of wine, turned on Pandora and just sat... Now know that when I get home from work I <em>don't just</em> <em>sit</em> ...EVER... There is 4 little baby bird-like beings who are asking "Whats for Dinner", "Mom, Where is my..." "Sign this paper for school" "Can you take me to..." "Can I go to..." Well.. you get the picture. As well as the never ending pile of laundry that needs to be put away and the general running of the house that needs to be done. But I took her advise and decided to enjoy the beautiful weather while I could. It was incredible... 6pm and the sun was going to be up until after 10pm! What a treat, The kids were outside, riding bikes, the neighborhood had come to life, Before that day we had never ever seen another soul out and about anywhere near our little house out in the country! All of a sudden there were kids in the street playing ball etc... We had no idea there were any other kids in the hood much less 10+! What a delight! Before I knew what was happening we had 6-8 adults on the porch enjoying adult beverages introducing themselves! Every one's mood was awesome! I got a little insight as to why everyone I had met until now had sort of a negative vibe. Everyone had put away their good moods and good cheer along with their warm weather clothes. Everyone had gone into winter mood hibernation. What a Revelation!<br />
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Fast forward to the following week... It is raining, There are muddy cars everywhere, lots of flowing water and foul moods! It all came back once the weather changed! I am not a sociologist but this is really becoming quite an experiment for me. When you live in Sunny California your whole life you completely take for granted that everyone is in a somewhat cheery mood all the time. I found that when it is cold and dreary many people have the "Gloom and doom" attitude ...at least that's what Ray and I call it. Some people immediately go to the negative or the worst case scenario first... especially at the end of winter... So now I am looking forward to the dog days of Summer... Beautiful Sun shining on the flowing fields of grain!!! I can't wait...now if I could only train my children to do all the chores before I get home from work, then I would be the luckiest person in the world! <br />
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So wherever you are, try to get out of winter mood and cheer up! Summer is almost here and we get 3 months of No snow! WOO HOO!!!<br />
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I Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-12411679532435016892013-05-07T16:48:00.002-05:002013-05-07T16:48:52.231-05:00The NoDak Dictionary!I have learned a whole new vernacular living here in NoDak. I wanted to share these with you and have a little chuckle knowing that some of the local and the new arrivals will love these tidbits of knowledge! <br />
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<li><strong>Barbecue: </strong>The Midwest equivalent to Sloppy Joes, which are served at most picnics and usually in large quantities. <em>Example: </em>“Why don’t I throw together a little barbecue before the picnic this afternoon?”</li>
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<li><strong>Bison</strong>: (pronounced “Bi-zen”) A large and delicious animal and the mascot for NDSU. <em>Example</em>: “Let’s go watch the Bison play at the Fargodome.”</li>
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<li><strong>Bars</strong>: The name for any type of dessert that is not in cookie, pie, icecream or cake form that is often brought to potlucks. Many bars involve Special K cereal, Rice Krispies, chocolate and peanut butter.</li>
<li><strong>Cheese curds:</strong> Fried cheese curds. Delicious and fattening. God’s little golden gifts to midwesterners.</li>
<li><strong>“Feels like” Temperature:</strong> Take a cold temperature, add some windchill, and you will get the “feels-like” temperature. <em>Example: </em>“The high today is -30 but when you step outside it feels like -50 with windchill.”</li>
<li> <strong>Glare Ice: </strong>The equivalent to black ice except for some reason it is called glare ice.</li>
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<li><strong>Hotdish: </strong>(pronounced “hawt dish”) A baked item, usually served at potlucks, that is similar to a casserole in other parts of the country. Most hotdishes usually contain a starch, a meat and vegetables (canned or frozen) with the most popular being a Tater-tot hotdish. <em>Example: </em>“I’ll bring some Special K Bars to the potluck, why don’t you bring a hotdish?”</li>
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<li><strong>Lefse</strong>: (pronounced “lef suh”) A flat tortilla-like treat, with Norwegian roots (as most things are in the upper Midwest), served usually with butter and sugar on top. Delicious!</li>
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<li><strong>Lutefisk: </strong>(pronounced “loo tu fisk”) Scandinavian dish made from aged whitefish or dried/salted whitefish and lye. It is gelatinous in texture and has an extremely strong odor. It literally means “lye fish”. <em>Example:</em> Person #1: “Hailey, would you like some lutefisk?” Person #2: “No thank you, I would not like some lutefisk.”</li>
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<li><strong>North Dakota:</strong> (pronounced “Nort Da-koe-tuh) The coldest state in the continental United States.</li>
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<li><strong>Oh</strong>: (pronounced “oooooo”) A word used in the majority of conversations in the upper Midwest.</li>
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<li><strong>Oh, I suppose: </strong>The phrase used in a conversation instead of nodding your head or saying “uh-huh” when someone is speaking to you. Can be shortened to simply, I s’pose. <em>Example</em>: Person #1: “I was driving down the road and I saw a deer.” Person #2: “Oh, I suppose!”</li>
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<li><strong>Oh, for cute: </strong>The phrase used to express how cute something/someone is. <em>Example: </em>(A small kitten emerges from around the corner) “Oh, for cute!”</li>
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<li><strong>Oh, for fun: </strong>The phrase used to express how enjoyable something is or sounds. <em>Example: </em>Person #1- “I went to the state fair this past weekend.” Person #2- “Oh, for fun!”</li>
<li><strong>The Patch: </strong>An area comprised of the Bakken shale where those work and play. Many work in the patch. Meaning the Oil Patch.</li>
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<li><strong>Plug In: </strong>The action required so that your car is able to start when the temperature is below zero. Plug ins can be found in most large parking lots and residential areas. When you install a plug in on your car, the cord hangs out resembling a small booger hanging out of your cars nose. (Sorry if that was graphic, I just can’t help thinking that every time I see one.)</li>
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<li><strong>Snow Birds: </strong>Upper Midwest residents, usually retired, that head south for the winter. Most Snow Birds head to Phoenix or another location throughout Arizona.</li>
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<li><strong>The Cities: </strong>The shortened name given to Minneapolis and St. Paul. <em>Example:</em> “I’m heading to The Cities this weekend.”</li>
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<li><strong>The Lake</strong>: The location everyone escapes to when the temperature reaches above 32 degrees F. “The Lake” is not a singular location. In fact, going to “The Lake” could be one of the 10,000 lakes throughout Minnesota or one of the many across North Dakota. <em>Example:</em> “Oh, I think I might just head out to The Lake this weekend.”</li>
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<li><strong>Then: </strong>A word used to signify a question is being asked. Example: “Are you headed to Fargo then?”</li>
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<li><strong>Thunder Snow</strong>: The weather phenomenon that occurs when it is snowing with thunder and lightening at the same time.</li>
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<li><strong>Uff da</strong>: (pronounced “oof duh”) An expression of Norwegian origin used in the upper Midwest as a term for sensory overload. It can be used to express astonishment, surprise, exhaustion, frustration or relief. It can also be used as an alternate for most swear words (though of course I never use it this way). <em>Example: “Uff da, look at all that snow outside that I now must shovel.”</em></li>
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<li><strong>You Betcha:</strong> The phrase used to mean: Absolutely, uh-huh, yes, certainly, or anything of that nature. <em>Example: Person #1- “Do you want to head to the movies, then?” Person #2- “Oh, you betcha!”</em></li>
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<li><strong>20-32 degrees above zero: </strong>This temperature marks the beginning of Spring and signals that it is now appropriate to put away your coat and walk around in a t-shirt and shorts, showing off your mayonnaise legs.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8138312459477972970.post-4296023720867861202013-04-23T10:19:00.001-05:002013-04-23T10:19:34.034-05:00Boomtown Family Williston Nd from Palm Trees to Prairie Pipelines: Homesick!<a href="http://seniorboomtownfamily.blogspot.com/2013/04/homesick.html?spref=bl">Boomtown Family Williston Nd from Palm Trees to Prairie Pipelines: Homesick!</a>: I took a mental sabbatical the last few days and was trying to come to terms with my homesickness. It really isn't that bad but you...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900972379650750192noreply@blogger.com1