I mentioned this a few posts back...

I had mention our final decision on homeschooling curriculcm a few post ago. Well, it arrived on Monday. I really think we made the right choice. It is now Sat. and we have had a chance to go though a few complete lessons, and she seems to be adapting to the new way nicely. I will keep updateing as time goes on.

I also received an email the other day from AOP asking that I post their web address here, I'll go one further and post their email also. I think it is great that they are monitering the blogs for mentions of their products. Untill next time.

-----Original Message-----
Hello my name is Kristi and I work for the Homeschooling company Alpha Omega Publications. I noticed after reading through your blog that you mentioned finally on deciding to use our Lifepac Curriculum! We are excited and thrilled that you have decided to teach your children using products from our company and we would appreciate it very much if you would please post a link from your blog to our site athttp://www.aophomeschooling.com that way friends and readers just need to click on the link to find out all about your great homeschooling choice!

Thanks again and have a great day!
AOP
Kristi

The day after my trip...

I got back from Cottonwood at around eight last night, I was so beat that I just climbed into bed and went asleep. On my way last nigjt, I drove through Jarome Az. a good sive mining town founded in the 1800. I got some interesting ideas for the ranch. Can't wait for the cool season, there is a lot af things to be done.

As for the temp. It has been a good 104 for the last few days. Sounds bad, but it doesn't come close to 123 in Bullhead the other day!

Out seeing more of the state..

On my way to Cottonwood Az for THD training. Left at 3am, almost hit an Elk and had several deer run across the hwy. you just have to love this part of the country...

On the menu tonight...

Dutch oven chili....

Another long day...

With all the rain we have had, I thought it a good idea to go out and check the road. And like I thought it was going to take a little bit of work. Today my tools of choice is the Samuri and a shovel, hey I'm low tech here. So after three and a half hours I think the road is ready for another week of service and thunderstorms.
Another observation is that the grass in the area has grown three feet in the last month! I'm very glad I don't have to mow it.

And you thought the neigbors cat was troublesome...

Try dodgeing these on the way home...

Why I love az...

Taking a trip to Prescott this morning, little one has a gymnastics meet today, I left early to have some time to take a hike. This was the view...

Just so we're clear...

I'm not one to complain, but this is July right? Woke up this morning and it is 66 outside! But what a sunrise.

Just an fyi...

Went through the mohave county weather database this morning, and we have already received 11.12 in. of rain... For the month of July... No wonder the roads are so bad. Hey I thought this was the desert....

Homeschooling, the oldschool way.

We have decided that we are going to homeschool our little one. Last week we decided on the Alpha Omega LifePac curriculum . We haven't received it yet, but we have already started class. In fact her reading, math, and writing have already improved! Simplest reason she can slow down, ask questions, and get the right feed back at the right time.

Spaghetti western 101

Nothing like an Az ski...

We had another long day of rain yesterday, however it did not flood. As a matter of fact, the roads are better today then they have been.
For the past few nights we have been treated to an amazing light show. Much better then what we have seen in town. And this mornibg we woke to coyotes in the distance, and a cool 70 degrees. Nice break during July.

Rain, rain, go away...

We are being hit by the monsoons today. Serious thunder storms, flash flood warnings, and high wind adviseries... I love az! and wouldn't you know they show up the day after I fix the road! I'm still in town now, can't wait to see just how bad things got out there...

I'm back...

Been back for a few hrs... Worked on the road and it's back in service.

You know when you're in az when...

when you see horses tied up at Starbucks...

----------------------------------

Sorry for the delay in posting...

Wow, life on a ranch really isn't a slow pace after all. I have been very busy with work the last few days. Only big mews is that the monsoon season is here full force. We've had a couple of storms come through, good thing is we haven't had any major flooding.

I am however out of town this weekend. I'm going to a home schooling conferance this weekend in phx. I'm sure I'll have a few thimgs to talk about, when I do, I'll post it over on my other blog. Since it will be off topic.

Not much on the home front

Was in town from 3am till 8pm nothing going on here except the damn dogs chewing on bottles and everything else they can find...

It could always be worst...

The wife drove through Yucca today... 125! It's only 100.9 here.

How to stay bisy on 80 acres...

Sit in swing.
Close eyes.
Wake up when it's cool...

It's a hot one tonight...

I didn't get back home until after seven, so I don't really know how hot it was today, but when I walked in it was 106 inside and 95 outside. So I made dinner, pork chops, mashed tators' and peas. Had a bloody mary, and a cigar, now I'm sitting here, drinking water sweating, watching the bugs try and get inside the lantern. Bet you wish you were me...

The work continues...

Still working on the road. Had a chance today to drag it a bit, and move some of the larger rocks out of the way. I'm sure that our trucks can make it, but not sure how well or how many times.

I did however meet two local cowboys (and I am not just saying that, they really are ranch hands who take care of the several hundred heads of cattle in the area) the strom we had last week caused more trouble for them, than us. The cattle gards that keep the cattle confined to certain areas were filled in with sand. So several heads are at this time missing. I told them that I saw some around the corner and that I would keep my eyes open for the rest. I was also able to get their cell (I know, a cowboy with a cell sounds strange to me also) and would call if I ran into them.

The whole exchange is just a little starnge to me. They did say that their job is to ride the fence line, (our back property line) and that they have always thought our little village was a neat idea. I guess that does validate us a bit...

Took the day off today...

Went to the Grand Canyon today. Had lunch in Williams. Had a nice time. I should have stayed home and worked on the road... But I needed to take a day and relax.

The life of a dog...

We've had roxy for a while now. I'm guessing close to two and jave years now. She was happy dog in town, but our other lab was just not into playing with her much. Now that we have moved out here, and gotten the two pups, she has had the oppurtunity to play 24/7! She has bonded with lexy the most, they chase each other all the time, and bear likes to pound on her when she's sleeping. I still haven't heard any of them bark, unless someone surprises them on the road, or something big is walking the fence line. Big differance from being in town. They barked all the time then. My opinion of dogs is changing. I really feel that this is how they were meant to live. Lots of room and nothing to challenge their domain. Simple, to bad most dogs live in communities so closely packed together. But I gess there are advantages to that way of life also.

Just a random thought about the joys of living a little on the wild side. Oh, and I can't forget to tell eveyone about the three deer I almost hit coming home last night. When it is dark you really have to drive a bit slower...

Another day closes

Good night everyone.

Cooking off the grid

Just made breakfest for the family. All on a wood burning stove. It turned out great!

Wow....

We had a neighbor visit us today! Nice enough, going to give us a pointer or two living out here in BFE. We're discussing going in halves of having the road graded from end to end, we're also talking about running power. Who knows we may end up civilized soner then expected.

It's a warm one

Sitting in the "guest room" I lost my place in the "high class" trailer. Out of towners are going to make it through the night. They are however going to stay up and watch a movie first. Which means (since I have to up and out of here by 3am for work) I get to sleep in our overflow parking. So it's around 82 out side, and I'm going to guess around 86 inside, but I do have a nice breeze every now and then. So thanks a lot crazy uncle,

Great! The big generator doesn't want to start... Out of gas? don't think so, hot water heater and fridge are acting ok... Damn it.

Ok got it started. Dies this mean I can go to sleep now? I sure hope so.

Before I go, took a trip to check out the flood damage. Enjoy the pics. Notice the street level, and how far down they had to go to reach it.

Sunday at the ranch...

Have family from so-cal visiting. I give them until 7:30 until they start walking to the highway to go home. It's 101...

Welcome my two teammates.

Crazy Coyote - My mother

and 

Ranch Wife - My lovely wife.

I've added them so we can get another perspective on this crazy life experiment.

and now everyone say welcome.....

In all the confusion I forgot my original post for yesterday

Saturday was clean my uncles trailer day... That is before the flash flood. Apparently a few packrats decided to make the place home. We had the job of relocating them. It took a few hours but we got the job done. It really needed to be done, after all with everything that's happened in the world, we never know who will need to move in.

Just one big happy family, crazy uncle and all.

Some random pictures of the flash flood...

Dry creek isn't always dry....

For those not in the know, we had a flash flood come through today. One of the worst storms ever to hit the area. We lost our driveway, and our main road in and out. Quite an experiance sadly I wasn't present. I was getting new tires on the truck (glad I did wouldn't have been able to get home if I hadn't!) so until next time enjoy the pics....

Flash flood!

And I missed it... But tiff didn't

Oh crap! What's that noise!

Just got home to find the wife on the front porch and all the dogs at attention. I asked what's going on. She tells me about hearing a scream down in the wash, the dogs went bananas, and she's convinced it was a mountain lion.
Personally, I think it's a bob cat (not much of a differance) still left us in high alert. I knew once the monsoons started that the desert would come alive. Yep I was right.

After I left for work there were three more storms that blew in. The wife took the blazer into town one way, and reported no problems. I came in another way and only had a few problems in the washes, and none were the ones I thought would be bad. I guess you can never tell.

So goodnight, I'll see you on the other side. I hope...

Monsoons...

First few storms came through today. A lot of lightning, a lot of thunder but just enough rain to knock down the dust and firm up the road. So far so good.

I'll have to say after the rain is the best time to be in the desert. Everything comes alive.