**Men are Hunters Woman are Gatherers.

A letter from one of our ghost bloggers:

Today I try my hand at blogging. I have never done this before, but in the past months I have had a very inspirational person come into my life.

You see I’m a mom getting to watch her children grow up and go through lives ups and downs, and there struggle in finding that Mr. or Mrs. Right.

I was asked a week or so ago if I believed that there is that “special one” for everyone, and if so how do you know. Well from someone who has been with my wonderful husband for 21+ years. I can honestly say the following.

Yes there is that “special one” for everyone, we just have to pick through the bad ones to get that great one. We also have to work at keeping that one special. I can say from personal experience that its hard work and there is no one way to make it work. But if you take some things and keep them in the back of your mind it can make those times when we think we are at the end of the road we all of a sudden get a new path to take with that special person.

First off you have to go back to the very basics of the human (animal ) race.

1. In every species on earth and every relationship there is an Alfa person. Sometimes it’s the guy and sometimes it’s the girl. What matters is that you know witch one you are. There can not be two Alfas in one relationship. When you find out were you are in the so called pecking order it will make many things go easier.

2. Men are hunters and Woman are gathers: This goes for many things in life. You see Men are made to think they should be the providers, protectors. They tend to have one track minds in most that they do. They tend not to be able to multi task. Woman on the other hand are gathers, we open arms and gather all we can in. We are touchers. If we go shopping we like to touch, feel, look, and admire all we can. When we are troubled we tend to want to gather our girls and all the info we can around us.

3. I was once told by a very wise women after a long road trip with my husband and being frustrated that we had hardly talked the whole trip. That men only have about 2500 words a day to use. We woman on the other hand have a endless amount. As you scratch your head and wonder what I’m talking about stop and think about the last time you spent several hours just the two of you together. Who did most of the talking. Its us woman. And there is nothing wrong with that. What we have to realize is that next time your trapped in a pick up truck traveling down the interstate for hours at a time. The man isn’t going to tend to do a lot of talking. We will carry 80% of the conversation. Best thing you can do is learn to do something else to take your mind off of the silence.

4. The last thing I can add that will help is. Remember to save time for the two of you. You see your children will grow up and leave the nest and you will be left looking at that person you married so many years ago and think who is this person. By taking time for each other you will grow together instead of apart. Because lets face it none of use are the same person we were all those years ago when we walked done the aisle. If you cant see how each other is growing and changing then when the kiddos are gone you will look at each other one day and think who is this person I call my spouse. So take a few days or a week what ever you can spear every year and rediscover who that “special person” is. It will be the best thing you can do. Don’t get me wrong we should dedicate our selves to our children but a few days or a week every now and then isn’t going to make our children screwed up. Just the opposite. It will help them when there time comes around.

Ok I have blabbed enough. Probably way to much. Hope this is helpful to all of you in your young love stage or even those who have hit a rocky patch. Thanks for reading.

**Ghost Blogger

♫ Uncle Scooby

I’ve got to say, I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen my sister so happy than she is right now. I blame four things.

1.She has, finally, a far from complete compilation of shoes that make her so happy she actually prances when she puts some of them on.
2.She has the cutest nieces ever (yes, I am going to take every opportunity to brag about them), one of them, a little mini-her.
3.Her life goals have finally ironed out. She is going to school for her, not for anybody else. She is half way there. And her car is practically completely and totally hers.
4.She has this boy. This boy we shall deem "Scooby", that makes her laugh with absolutely no effort.

This Scooby, is what I want to talk about today.

Scooby is a mystery. Which is probably what sucked her right in. And this mystery, causes fireworks between them. Which, just like me, happens to be her very favorite holiday, and the only reason to stay with somebody. Some history on "Giggles and Chuckles".

Scooby, happens to be my mans good friend, which, obviously, works out famously for me. Once upon a time, my sister got tired of watching pictures fly up all over the place of my crazy fun loving weekends, and after much begging one day, she drove an hour south on a whim, and joined us. Her first experience with Scooby, well, I don’t really need to go in to it, you can see him here (He is the one crawling quickly out of the sinking cab of the truck, obviously, his friend climbed OVER him to get out, sweetheart):



There weren’t fireworks then. There was laughing. There has been laughing from the very beginning.

Second weekend down, the fireworks started. I am not going to get all lovey dovey sappy on you with them, because they aren’t. I have never seen a couple literally feed off of each other like these two. All they have to do is be within a 100 yards of the other and they start giggling.

Scooby, makes my sister laugh more than anybody I have ever seen (saying something, because she is a seriously happy person, clear down in to her frolicking toes). Plus, he’s the second hardest worker I’ve ever seen (sorry Scooby, you cant have my man’s rank). He owns his own business, he can fix anything and everything that comes his way including but not limited to: fences, houses, dog houses, trucks, cars, four wheelers, roofs (he hates the angled ones, don’t even ask), umbrella polls, yards, and fish tanks (he also carries them with so much awesomeness it’s overwhelming, so I’ve heard). He can also eat more than anybody in the history of eating, he’s lacking on the variety side, but he makes up for it with the amount, so no points lost.

This boy was born to have a country song written about him, I swear. He has one of the coolest dogs ever, that is the biggest chicken I’ve ever seen and tends to run away. His girlfriend lives exactly 88 miles away (add 40 in the fall). His favorite toy (deemed "Slo Truck") was pictured above and has seized completely. Don’t worry though, it has new tires. Ah yes, and his four wheeler is missing a hood. Well, not a hood, Im just calling it that so you know the part I am talking about. Pooooooor Scuby. But he laughs anyway, and better than almost everybody I know. Here are two parts of his country song (chicken dog, and pretty girl that lives too far away):



The point of this blog? To brag about how my awesome sister, has finally found a guy that can match her step for step in finding the joy of life when nobody else can. I love him for making her giggle out of her worst moods, and for letting us call him "Uncle Scooby", and other not-so-awesome nicknames.

Plus, could they be any cuter:

Yours Truly,
Nomz

I'm a horrible bloggerer..

A big, sloppy "sorry" to Nomz (for carrying the blog) and all the readers (for any induced boredom) out there for not posting any blogs! Nomz is right; we'll have to call this a blocked week... er, week and a half. I have stacks of blocks on stacks of blocks!

Hence, I shall preach a little, here. Both to myself and anyone out there that is in need of a little inspiration. It's often that I have a great idea to blog about, but nothing comes of it. Either I can't get good footing for the idea or it is a subject that is entirely too in depth for a blog. Inevitably, I hop on Google in an attempt to steal an idea or find some bit of controversial news that I can rant about (we all know my controversial twitch.. aye? aye? *wink*).

Here are a few ways to find inspiration for your: writing, art, sermons or other channel of expression.

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” - Jack London

Music. Do you ever hear a song and immediately go into a sort of, Imagination Trance? I do. All the time. It can be inspiring to download and play great music, from Mozart to Beethoven to the Beatles to Death Cab for Cutie. Play it in the background as you write, and allow it to lift you up and move you. Or, use the music to guide your art- music can affect art in an impacting way.

Nature. Stuck for ideas? Go for a walk or a hike. Get away from sidewalks and into grass and trees Anything involving water is my personal favorite (oceans, rivers, lakes, rain, rivulets, even puddles); there is something about the movement and freedom of water that affects the freedom and movement of the brain. For those of you in a land-locked area (cough-Cheyenne-cough), try putting on a CD (cause I'm STILL not apart of the ipod world) of an ocean or river or sit by a fountain.

Your Faith. Many of you aren’t religious (and many are) but it doesn’t matter much — the great religions in the world have ideas in them that are beautiful and inspiring. Do a compare and contrast of your own beliefs. Or, better yet, go on a Truth Pursuit. Take a journal with you and record those moments that impact you most.

Freewriting. One of the best ways to get unstuck if you’re uninspired. Just start writing. Anything. It doesn’t matter. Don’t edit, don’t pause, don’t think. Just write and let it flow. You’ll end up with a lot of garbage (and a sore hand), probably, but it’ll help you get out of your rut and you might just write some really good stuff among all that garbage.

People watching. I ♥ people watching (which is odd cause I hate it when I am watched) and find it so entertaining. You really get to know Humanity when you're able to see their candid expressions. Go to a busy public place and just sit and watch people. They’ll amuse you, inspire you, fascinate you.

Psssst! Eavesdrop! And be adventurous about it. Listen to your boss going on and on about how important he is. Or, while you're people watching, listen to two girls complain about their men. You can analyze it later, or even take any advice you might have "overheard".

And last but not least- one that I would love to try!

Writing groups. Whether online or in your community, writing groups are great ways to get energy and motivation for your writing. Best short stories are done in a writing group in a local college or group that you establish on your own, as you read out your work to the group, you can be critiqued and made suggestions. The work of the other writers may inspire you to do better.

♫ Ostrich-Mode

We will deem this week, bloggers block. I do apologize.

Today I posted a status on Twitter and Facebook: Nomz wants to stick her head in the ground and play ostrich for a while.

I have always been really good at sticking my head deep in the sand and pretending reality doesn’t exist for a while. It’s one of my best qualities, and a quality that drives most of the people closest to me, absolutely bonkers. See, my head throws itself involuntarily into the sand when I get pushed completely out of my comfort zone. So, when I get confronted in a strange place, when I get cut deeply emotionally, or when life just gets too overbearing, I go in to “sleep mode”. Similar to a computer, my eyes get all glazed over and a little screen saver pops up and plays while I slumber through the conversation. Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Ostrich-mode is more realistic. My head goes in to the sand, and does not come out until the storm blows over.

Now, thanks to about a year of therapy, I can admit these things. These, being that I have ostrich syndrome, and that I have had therapy. *wink

The point is, I am working on it. I am a much more confrontational person now (in a healthy way, I promise). I’ve learned to voice my feelings and concerns healthily. Unfortunately, when too much of life’s storms pile up at the same time, my head goes back in to the involuntary sand slam. I swear, I will come out soon. Bear with me.

Yours Truly, Nomz

PS. Trust me, this isnt me. My cute little behind looks much cuter in thi suit. ;)

♫ Lessons in Self Defense

I know, my blogging is well over-due. My apologies. This girl took a much needed vacation. Where to, you ask? Well, me and my angels and my boy went HOME to Cody-town, Wyoming. And had quite the time. That blog, will happen when I have the pictures to prove it.

Today, I feel the need to give my fellow girls some coaching. I have to say, I am very grateful for all my girly friends, assisting me in getting my girl on. From a newly developed shopping hobby, to fake nails, to pretty hairs and new makeup, to purses...you all have really brought out a side of me that I didn’t realize even existed. It’s my turn, to share a little bit of my skillz with you.

When attacked, it seems the general female population react similarly. They grab for the nearest object in self defense. Bad plan ladies. Let me walk you through a little lesson of self defense.

When being attacked, whether out of pure fun, or an actual attack, the object nearest to you, likely isn’t going to help. Curling up in the fetal position, isn’t going to stop much other than a Grizzly, and screaming, will probably just anger or provoke your attacker (unless in a public place and you are needing to draw attention due to the level of danger).

The following objects will not stop any level of angry or determined person (aka...bad ideas):

Screams, slaps, glass bottles (just because this works in the movies, does not mean it is going to do you any good, the thing weighs ounces when FULL), telephones (unless it’s the really cool ones from the earlier decades where the bases were practically lead), hammers, frying pans, notebooks, pillows, or rocks.

Better ideas:

Consider your attacker. If it’s male, God happened to give them extra-sensitive jewels, that love to be kicked when they are in full attack mode. Not only will they drop like flies, it is near impossible for them to run for a few minutes. If you are the true girl, chances are, you are wearing something with a heel. If you have your back to them and are restrained, raise that heel proud, and land it square on their foot. The foot is loaded with pressure points that will cause immediate pain.

If you are in your home, please do not grab anything off the walls. And, if you happen to run in to a spare closet or kitchen, don’t get your girl on, please? Think of the sharpest, heaviest object. I mean, come at full speed with a kitchen knife, gun, axe, or crow bar. You cannot tell me that your house is not equipped with one of those things.

Side note: I learned via Twitter today, that AX and AXE are the same thing, except in scrabble. Fun fact of the day.

Lucky for me (and the best sister ever...and even most of my close friends), I was raised by a cop. The best of the best even. And, beginning at age five, was trained in self defense. It was the class he taught at the academy, and had to practice somehow. The point is, just because you weren’t raised by one, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t equip yourself. There are plenty of law enforcement officers that would be willing to show you something, most at a free charge. I highly recommend taking a class…they’ll teach you ways to take down a grown man with just his thumb (that happens to come in handy, even when you’re not in defense-mode. Especially on little brothers, and irritating boyfriends)Also, keep in your car two things at all time: a tire iron or metal bar (also known as a bitch-be-good stick), and a can of pepper spray. Other than very angry grizzly bears or cops that have become absolutely immune from playing with it so much, this will stop most any attacker dead in their crazy tracks. Both things are perfectly legal, and not considered any kind of concealed weapon.

If you have anything to add, please do so. Im always looking for new ways to win. *wink

Yours Truly,
Nomz

A penny, please.

*It's been a great transition from Cheyenne to Idaho. Really, the confidence I blogged about and the Providence that has been proved in our lives as not faltered. Rase is still in Boise looking for a j-o-b. He did have one opportunity and even a promised position. Unfortunately, though, people of this day are fickle and not trustworthy. Without so much as a text or call, the "manager" for the job Rase thought he had... completely blew him off. So, he hit the streets again, with more fervor to begin interviewing. I am confident that doors which are supposed to be closed will be shut tight and doors which we are supposed to enter will be wide open.

*You know, it amazes me- this huge chasm that has opened itself up between me and those friends of mine that do not have children. I haven't noticed it, before. But, down here, there is no opportunity (or, desire, really) for clubbing, bar-hopping or staying out late. I have another life that I am in charge of. I do love those childless friends, dearly and envy their independence at times. But, it's as if that chapter of life has been closed and I don't desire to relive it.

*So, this weekend is the big 233 for America. I loooooove spending this holiday in Hailey. It's so small townish. Even as I write this, I can hear "practice" fireworks being lit off in the streets. Hello, people, don't you want to save them for when you can actually see them?? Speakin' of... Bruce Willis (yes, you read that right) used to pay for our annual fireworks show. It was amazing- since out little town is set in a valley, the boom-boom-boom of each show of glitter in the sky is nearly just as impressive.

*After a lifetime of waiting and waiting with my video recorder, I finally got the perfect funny moment to send to America's Funniest Videos! I hope we win teh $100,000! Here it is:



*Thanks to much encouragement from all my loverly friends, I have decided to sell my work! Only my best and most recent pictures will be available (if you want a print I don't have available, just ask me for it) at this site:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/smlittlefield

-Sazaran

P.S. I promise I will add more... this is just a start. :)

P.P.S. If you have suggestions about which picture I should include to sell, let me know!!!

Say What??

Our loverly Nomz is taking a much needed vaca this week and shall be unable to post her fabulous and inspiring blogs. So, you're stuck with me. :)

I'd like to introduce you to my MIL (mother-in-law), Susan. I'm a lucky girl who wasn't married into a family with a dramatic, nosey and otherwise butt-of-the-joke mother of my husband. She is easygoing, understanding and most of all funny.

Enter, her niche. Little people and puns. Add a macro lens and you have an opportunity to laugh at least once a day. I'll show you what I mean:


Judy was a favorite with the lunch crew because she really knew how to pack a punch

Dirk’s boogie moves weren’t as polished as Dee’s; everyone loved to ‘CD’ disco

The chain gang was planning an escape, but they were concerned with Linc, who was the weakest one
If you want to see more of Susan's work (she has a great macro and gets lots of shots with bugs and flowers! See: definition of jealous) just visit her JPG profile.