Happy Birthday Friend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINGER!

On your birthday, I wish for you the fulfillment of all your fondest dreams.
I hope that for every candle on your cake you get a wonderful surprise.
I wish for you that whatever you want most in life, it comes to you, just the way you imagined it, or better.

I look forward to enjoying our friendship for many more of your birthdays.

Happy Birthday!

Wednesday - is it Friday?

I thought yesterday was Friday - no kidding - and we still have 2 full days to go. YIKES!! We have quite a few vacations at work right now....so are having to kind of pull from wherever we can to get the work done. It makes the days go by kind of fast, but the days can tend to be a bit longer (going in early, etc.) I am glad this weekend the sun is supposed to shine....... our veggies will appreciate it! (if they haven't rotted already!)

Short and sweet tonight...........
Randi

Coming To Terms With Myself Part 2

OK, for the things I'm coming to terms with myself (I've had a lot of comments......although really they are silly things.....and nothing huge.

1) I wanted to make a movie from the pictures of Life is Good and thought it would be a simple task I've done many times before.......but with all the resizing done to pics, etc....it just isn't working.....so I've come to terms with myself in the fact that I CAN make videos, but in this instance it isn't worth the frustration it was causing me! (and that is freeing!!)

2) I can't tell you - otherwise I'd have to hurt ya. LOL

Randi

Coming To Terms With Myself

So throughout the day today, there have been issues that have been coming up (not really anything VERY important, but things that mean a lot to me....) and well......now BOTH things have been squashed (either because of me not being educated enough in one area (I suppose it both areas)...... and another being that I just need to come to terms with something I just *can't* figure out - and that just be so (although it is irritating me to no end!)

With that being said - I'm going to bed!

Randi

McAfee

I believe I got McAfee on this computer when I bought it (over 5 years ago) - hated it then - still do. I got Norton at one point (for some reason thinking it was better) - hated it then - still hate it too.

I've been using a free anti-virus and spyware program on the computer. They were upgrading to 8.0 and I was having some issues running it and doing what I wanted to online - and so have decided I'd break the bullet and buy TrendMicro (a brand of anti-virus/spyware that I've heard is very good)...........

Well............now for the life of me (even with McAfee help so far) can't get the damn thing off of my computer................ So, now I get to hang out at my house for 2 days this week - hoping - someone calls from their company calls me (and can help me) (The help I got via online chat today was remarkable, BTW)

UGH.
Randi

Sunday's Post

I woke up at 8:30am! Rarely is it that I sleep through K climbing out of bed....but I slept 1 more hour than she did! It was so nice! We got up and moved around this morning - read our paper, drank coffee, then K went out and mowed the lawn and I emptied the dishwasher and vacuumed :) We had to make a run to Costco for some chicken breasts and to order a cake and such.....then off to feed some kitties of whom we were watching :) we grabbed a bite to eat on the way home........and now are home and relaxing - in preparation for the busy work week ahead.

One person is gone all week from work (on vacation). Many of us have appointments this week - and a few others have days off. June is a busy month for vacations!

I was asked what we planted in our garden (well, K's done most of the work) here is what we planted:

ONION, RHUBARB, CORN, CUCUMBERS, BEANS (Blue Lake), TOMATO (one plant), RASPBERRIES, CARROTS oh and 1 artichoke plant.

We're doing a community garden with our neighbors so will be sharing our food between each other (which is fun!)

That's it for now!!
Randi

Saturday Night Excitement!

We joined the group of Mille Cugini (Sons of Italy) and their annual Sketti feed! K & I helped serve pasta from 2-7pm - and from what we heard - it was a record turn out! (We were too busy serving close to 400 people pasta.......) that we didn't have time to take any pictures! (Check out Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom's blog) for pics in the coming days!

AND hats off to Denise for all your dedicated and hardwork (Despite a few mishaps)! We really had a great time!!

R & K

Friday Night / Saturday AM Fun

BEACH FUN @ 4 Years Old

We watch Braxton in exchange for hair cuts and have really had fun watching him grow into a kid! He saw me first when I went to pick him up at daycare....and he zoomed down the slide and yelled "RANDI!" :) He immediatly wanted to go dig in the dirt (behind our house) and ride bikes! FUN!!

We've always been known to Braxton as "randikauleen" yep - one word. It was quite entertaining (6:30am) on Saturday morning.....when he wanted to know where "randi" was - I said "I'm Randi, Kauleen is coming" and he couldn't get it....we had the whole discussion as to who I was - and who she was - and decided in the end it was just easier us being one :) so randikauleen it is!! :)

Ephiany

Today I realized that I internalize a lot of things - and sometimes just being able to say "I'm scared" "I'm hurt" or anything of that sorts - makes one feel better. It's a process in the making.....but I beginning to learn.

Imagine that? :)

Randi

Friday Fill-In

1. Idle hands are for knitting and/or coloring.
2. I love hot water in the shower.
3. My favorite time of the day is when wake up when I want to - not when I have to!
4. The last tea I drank was Lipton Green Tea mmmmmmm.
5. I like to hike in the Summer.
6. My mother always said love you scoobie :)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to hanging with Braxton (we went to the beach and enjoyed the little sun we got today!), tomorrow my plans include making marvelous pasta for the Sons of Italy Sketti Feed (and enjoying it with family and a few friends I invited and Sunday, I want to relax and work on Dads webpage!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things That Make Me Happy (right now)(and in the BLUE because for some reason WASHINGTON can't get WARM and/or HAVE SUN!) 1. Kauleen and all she does for me! 2. Christmas Lights (my favorite being: http://www.holdman.com/christmas/video.asp) His 2006 Jingle Bells at the bottom ROCKS! 3. Incentive (and looks like we'll get it for this month!) 4. The memories of Life is Good (and the friends I made) 5. Comments on my blog (and realizing people DO read it!) 6. Cats flying around the house after drinking out of the tub faucet 7. Hot water in Grand Coulee 8. Babies (in slings) 9. Special needs people and the memories of Camp Horizon 10. My eyeglasses and a correct prescription - with my rare eye case 11. Plain White Tee's "Hey There Delilah" (am loving it!) 12. My new red cell phone 13. Our garden and all of the fresh yummy goods in it (and starting to grow!)

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2nd Thursday Post

I'm not feeling too hot......I don't know if I'm trying to fight a cold, some stomach bug or something, but just feel out of sorts and off kilter. My one ear is beginning to get plugged, my throat feels a little tight....... we ate soup (chicken noodle) and a roll for dinner....it was perfect. I am not waiting for Kauleen to come in from the trunk of the car......yep, she's been laying in it for approx. 30 minutes trying to get it put back together after the brake light had gone out....she just came back in.

I'm back now from putting a giant chocolate chip cookie in the oven for my co-workers. The boss is buying coffee's for everyone and I thought a special sweet treat would be fun also :)

We're kid watching tomorrow night for Braxton! We'll pick him up at daycare and then have him over night until Saturday morning! We are always quite entertained......and this is his first time over since we got our Wii....it'll be interesting to see if he enjoys playing (at 4!).

That's it for now.......
Randi

Quote For The Day

Be who you are and say what you feel.
For those who mind don’t matter,
And those who matter don’t mind.

--Dr. Seuss (1904-1991)

Sundays Scatterings

We just got home from making a trip to the local casino for a fill-up on our gas tank! (it is about 10 minutes from our house but saves us a good .20 a gallon). We used 13.7 some gallons for $55.00 (and we're full!) at $3.99 a gallon - eekk.

We woke up this morning to a lovely cat - pawing, kneading, and meowing for attention - onto K - back onto Randi - onto K - back on to Randi :) Sure makes one feel loved :) (even IF it is annoying!) Rosa has been the one who we really can notice needs the attention - she just starves for it. So, we've done lots of "baby carrying" and petting and more carrying...... :) as of right now she's following K around the house trying to trip her. LOL

This morning was a tough morning, again.....ugh. I'm not really excited to back to work, but am excited to do something that will keep me busy! :) I guess I enjoyed myself too much at the LIG conference and the like-mindeness people.

I got an email from a friend today - that told me there was a knitting "get together" at a local Starbucks Mondays at 6pm - YAHOO! I'm going to try to go tomorrow. We went to the library today to try to check out a few books, but they didn't have them - so I'll just have to buy them - BUT I did get to check out a knitting book..... so I ended my 2nd project of nothing (purely for practice) and am now starting a project.......I'm excited for tomorrow nights adventures because I'm needing a little bit of clarity on the safety pin, etc. (and tend to add stitches) and need to keep this scarf looking.....umm square. Thank you Robin B. for the pretty purple yarn that I'm using :)

I was thinking it would be fun to have a NW Unschoolers Yahoo Group (for those North in Canada.....and for those South towards Vancouver) and all in between points - that may be able to travel for a weekend get together somewhere? It'd sure be fun to do a camp-out!! :)

Speaking of camp out..... there's been discussion of trying to do a Riehl Camp Out (family get together) .... so if we're going to do it I guess I'd better look into some group camps, etc.

This week we don't have much planned, really. Work, work, and work :) We have to go see K's Grandma one evening.....and this weekend we are starting to cat sit for a few days......and then we're going to Marysville to help out with the Sons of Italy 'Sketti Feed :) That'll be fun hanging out with family we usually only see a few times a year........ :)

I've enjoyed seeing on Mothering.com on their forums a few of the people from LIG and although we never met - almost feel connected, weird huh? :)

I think that's it for now......over and out.

Randi

Amanda Alva

I had a dream last night of a dear friend from school and have tried multiple times to find her online and haven't had any luck. She should be around the age of 28 and she has a mom named Trudy.

I thought - heck - why not put it online. No reasoning in finding her, just she's been heavy on my heart and mind today since having a dream about her. Kind of weird.

Randi

100% Over Stimulation

The reason for going to Vegas on vacation (planned 5 days before leaving) was for warmth and sun - and we received both items! YAHOO!! :o)

The day we flew in (Monday the 26th) on a bumpy ride into Las Vegas (which sounds like others had a bumpy ride too) we arrived at the MGM Grand and were hungry. Well, we ended up eating at a very expensive Chinese restaurant within the hotel. It was really good food, but way more than we wanted to spend. (AND they corrected me with using the wrong spoon for the soup!) We crashed early this night.....(I was so extremely tired having had taken motion sickness medicine!) (oh and did I say that you can hear everything in this hotel? EVERYTHING! Anyone talking in the hallways, the people next door, etc.? Upon arrival the door next to us (room 312) had a sign on it that said "Club 312!" - they played some hip hop type music and talked some of the night.....PLUS the helicopters, sirens....it was crazy - like I'm saying..... 24/7 OVER stimulation!

Tuesday we got up and moving around 9:30am and went to the Rainforest Cafe for breakfast. We didn't want any gut bomb breakfast so ordered some oatmeal. (Wait, I forgot to mention......no coffee pots in the rooms - so we had to 1) order coffee out at the restaurant and/or buy it). Well.....now we have another issue - Randi is a complete coffee snob and has a very sensitive stomach - AND head (ugh) as I cannot have palm oil (in most creamers) and I *need* enough coffee to not give me a headache......(now if that doesn't show you how much 1 cup of coffee can control a person!) I ended up getting Starbucks coffee 3 of the mornings and 1 morning trying to drink regular coffee....with lots of non-dairy, non-palm oil infested creamer and LOTS of sugar..... After the breakfast and yummy fruit....we piddled around - wandered around. We headed down the strip (we were on the North end) and we walked through every hotel, casino along the way all the way to the South end (Treasure Island) for a free show at 7:00pm. Well, the show was cancelled due to high winds! So, we made our trek back......in hopes of catching the Bellagio's dancing waters at night.......they too, were cancelled due to high winds - nice huh? Oh well, we got lots of exercise, got to see lots......and it was warm! :o) (and by the way, at this point we still hadn't lost any money we gambled!) :o) (and we stayed up almost till 12am!)

Wednesday we had planned on laying out by the pool and just relaxing. It wasn't all that warm for pool laying...the wind was blowing, the sun would come and go.....so we literally laid out for 1 hour and I was done. We were going to head to Freemont Street to see the light show that night - but decided to just stay close to home and hang out. We had a blast just chillin'.

Thursday we got up a bit later and wandered this time using the Monorail and seeing a few different hotels. Well.....what we then decided is that for the time it takes us to get to the monorail station at each hotel, and then to walk to the hotel destination - we could've walked there in the amount of time! (we ended up walking back!) It was fun to see some new sights though.......Thursday night we saw KA' by Cirque de Soleli - absolutely amazing, astounding, and we were 4 rows from the front. It was crazy and amazing what people can do. We packed up Thursday night......

Friday at 5:00am came TOO early and we showered the night before so we could just pack up and go.......and we did just so. When we walked downstairs to catch the shuttle I said to K "Did these people get up way early or did they stay up all night?!" She said "probably a bit of both!" there were LOTS of people and it was 5:30 AM!! We had a smooth flight home and then caught the shuttle back to the Red Lion in Portland and then made the trek for home and got home about 3:30pm. (Bless K's heart as she drove all the way to Vancouver - and drove 98% of the way home due to my stress issues and motion sickness sleepyness) AND for those who know me - KNOW I don't sleep in cars :o)

Today we started our laundry, planted our garden (Onions were planted awhile back, rhubarb is growing like crazy (anyone local want some?), corn, cucumbers, our raspberries are going to go crazy this year, carrots and last will be beans! I made some dinner for Jenae and family (lasagna) and visited with them for a little bit. She absolutely amazes me. She's moving around pretty well (having just had a C-Section on Wednesday).

I am so thankful we got a few days to recoup before having to go back to work.

A few things I learned over vacation:

1) I hate flying. It stresses me out to no end. I just hate it.
2) Unschooling makes 100% sense - not only to me - but to my partner also :o)

With that.....I'll sign off.
Randi

Whitlock's New Family Member

Please help me in welcoming Shaun and Jenae (my cousin's) new baby:

MADDEN MICHAEL

8LBS 6OZ

20" LONG

MAY 28, 2008 7:36 AM

Proud Siblings:

Mason and Mia (and I was going to post pictures of them - but realized I have no recent pictures of them online and it'd show them all *very* close in age - and perhaps Mia at the same age Madden is! :o)

Randi

Life Is Good Recap

LIFE IS GOOD RECAP 2008 (with maybe TMI)

• The unsettled stress/diarrhea 2 days before departure. (Thank you dear Karen for the realization of just leaving home can be very unsettling for some AND thank you go Ginger for teaching me to try living in the NOW!)
• Fear of the unknown - yet excited to be around people who believe in A LOT of what I want to do
• Day 2 at Life Is Good - tears - yet not being brave enough to go out of my comfort zone to talk to people
• Attending Circle Chats (and even waking early for them!) and not having a clue what they are about!
• Making Happy Birthday signs and wishing each one could have been celebrated individually and those people made extra special those days (but did my best!)
• The conversations with Kauleen at meals - trying to grasp it all.
• Being adults - yet - allowed to do FUN things (i.e. door decorations!)
• Seeing people - then going back to the room to look them up in my directory
• Able to learn, watch and grow before kids.
• Missing great speakers, dances, etc. for REAL quality time with people

LIFE IS GOOD PEOPLE RECAP 2008

(People who made impressions on me - not in any particular order):

• Ronnie and Frank - For your willingness to listen, help me grow, let me fly, and accept and love. For all you've taught me and more. I will be forever grateful.
• Chloe and MJ - For the random Hello's, the real life of unschooling and the special people you've both become!
• Kauleen - For coming to Life Is Good for my support and finally in the end, attending. Our hearts, eyes, and lives will forever be chanced for the better. Love you!
• Ginger - To you for my goals of Life Is Good - Knitting and Henna. Your warm heart and peacefulness made me feel at ease. I enjoyed our many chats and appreciate your willingness to have shared your experiences and recommendations! :)
• Jeff - For our chat Sunday night about babies and how they are made with two women! :) For your genuine kindness and awesome example.
• Gillian - For the birthday hug that will forever be remembered.
• Robin B. - For the welcoming "Hello Randi and Kauleen" and being acknowledged. That helped me calm right down!
• Holly (and boys - I forgot their names!) and the chance to be free and run!
• Suzanne - For your realness, your love for Luca and your strength as a single mom. You Go Girl! (...and if we have another Non-Con North - hope you and Luca can make it!) (http://zombieprincess.blogspot.com/search/label/non-con)
• To All The Amazing Breastfeeding Mama's! WAY TO GO!!
• To The Little Girl Who Sang: Twinkle, Twinkle, Yittle Star - The song will forever be my memory
• To Broc - For your gigantic wing span and for making the kids get lots of tickets for their much wanted items! (and too bad we met on the last day!)
• Brenna - We never officially met, but may life bring you great joy and lots of awesome adventures!
• Gioia, Aliana and Gemma - For your awesome dancing and spirit!
• Mary Lewis (and I believe daughter Sarah?) for the chat on the first night of LIG - for making me feel comfortable and for sending off wishes of "happy breeding!" :)
• Renee Cabatic - (we never officially met). Your genuine love and enjoyment of your children shines outwardly. I found myself at times smiling at your interactions with your kids! (I specifically loved you trying to fill out the Fairy Godparent Questionnaire...then asking them what they would've put...prompting and helping by your answers
• The Golds - For your hard work and dedication months (years) before the conference, the workings OF the conference AND especially this conference with the midst of moving / packing - WOW!
• Sharon Wallace - For your outgoingness of stating how it is, how it should be, the needs and/or wants of your family - and it just being so.
• Diana Jenner - Thank you for enlightening Kauleen on the wonders of extended breastfeeding (although she did state that it hasn't necessarily changed her mind :) - and - for the magical baby dust spread on Randi's Amy Steinberg shirt :)
• Amy Steinberg - What a REAL woman. Your concert ROCKED my world.
• TO EVERYONE: Thank you for letting us learn in real life what AP and unschooling is all about - BEFORE KIDS. Thank you to all who shared their experiences, books, stories and kids.

Home At Last!

We made it home today about 3:30pm. I've checked out the many Life is Good digests, looked a lots of pictures (couldn't wait to get home and see some pics that were taken!) and I am completely and utterly exhausted (thanks to the motion sickness medicine that tends to kick my butt!)

So, with that......I'm headed to the couch to put into words some amazing things that happened while we were gone........

Randi

Bedtime Post

What a wonderful day! :) We ran some errands this morning, had a very delightful visit with some dear friends and a yummy dinner (although it didn't settle well with K or I - and hope we don't end up literally getting sick!) and I got some "drums" today. I say "some" because it is a set of 2 bongo drums. They sound AWESOME!! K and I have been playing them! (the cats aren't quite sure about them).

I'm getting very excited for LIG - and have started multiple lists as to what not to forget.

Off to bed.
Randi

Weekend Post

We had a garage sale today - it was HOT. We made a good chunk of money and did quite a bit better than expected! :) It will help greatly with some awesome activities coming up :)

I got up at 5:30am this morning to bake fresh cookies to sell at the garage sale. Let me tell you - they sell AWESOME. I made strawberry rhubarb muffins and they didn't sell as well. So, for future reference, make chocolate chip cookies and sell them 2 for .25 and you'll make some extra dough that way too! :) (no pun intended!)

We went hunting for new bathing suits....(and we've been hunting)....it is not so fun. We're headed to Vegas soon so needed to be prepared for some warm weather :)

For those who do not already know, I'm not going to Verizon. Through much thought, tribulation, un-easyness and a few important items on K and I's agenda, it just didn't seem reasonable at this time. Everyone at work is overly excited and K and I are very much at ease with the decision.

Also, I have re-opened my blog to the public, since not taking the job (long story) but thank you for all who stuck around and read even in the midst of the chaos and as Ronnie put it "blog nazi" situation ;o)

Tomorrow we'll figure out what our plans are for what we need to pack, how much laundry we need to get done, what we can take with us on an airplane liquid wise, what else we need for LIG (food, accessories, etc.) and be on our way! OH I am excited.

That's it for now!
Randi

Morning Conversation

R: K can you move over and do your make up?
K: OK

A few minutes later:

K: Are you out of your routine?
R: No, I don’t have a routine – I am unschooling
K: Good one.

:)

Friday Fill-In

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to not go on vacation!
2. The smell of BBQ's reminds me that summer is almost here!
3. I cannot live without my sweat pants and heating pad.
4. Knitting and Drumming Circle are two things I'd like to try.
5. When life hands you lemons squeeze them real hard and make lemonade.
6. Driving to Disneyland is my favorite childhood memory.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to (and/or not looking forward to) pricing things for our garage sale, tomorrow my plans include our garage sale and hope to make lots of money and get rid of junk and Sunday, I want to go to The Keg in Lynnwood for my Birthday Dinner with special friends Chuck and Lori!

Kiki 17 y.o. - Rest In Peace

We had to put our sweet 17 year old cat to sleep today. We are blessed that it was a very short bout of illness and that it happened while we weren't on vacation. Kiki was a very skittish cat - and most - if not any of you - have seen this cat. She's hid under a bed for most of her life only to come out to sleep on K's head. Her kidneys failed. We put her to sleep, and came home and buried her in her kitty bed......

She will be missed greatly. What a tough day.

Randi

Open Posting Again

I have opened my posting up to not just people registered.

(You're welcome Corrina!) :)

Randi

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to those who have kids, plan on having kids, are grandma's and all of the in between. Thank you for all you've taught me.

Randi

What A Day!

We had such a fun day today with cousins Jenae and Crissie and our 30th Birthday Girls Day Out! :) We started at 8am with ham, egg and optional cheese mcmuffins here at home (lots of protein for growing baby!) and off to a few garage sales we went. We all bought something! I got 2 "noel" candles for $1, a seasons greeting "heavy duty" sign for $5.00 and we also got a microwave for coulee for $10! After all the garage sales, we came home and dropped off our treasures and headed to Bellingham.

Have you ever been to the Bellingham Farmers Market? it is HUGE! (Well, I've never been to any other than that one and the Skagit one....so what do I have to compare?) but it is like a craft fair with spectacular items! (I personally love seeing all the babies with their mama's!) We then headed to The Big Fat Fish Company for lunch - which wasn't too bad. The price was a little spendy, but not too horrible and the food was pretty good.

We needed to stop at Cash N Carry for Jenae to find something, then we went to a local consignment shop and got home at 3:30! *whew*

After that, K and I went to Verizon wireless to see about exchanging the new phone I got for another one.....and got a new red fun phone - and what was supposed to be $20 - ended up being free! (even better) and the speaker phone on this phone is 99% better than the last (and we tend to use speaker phone a lot here!)

It is getting closer and closer to the Life is Good conference and I'm getting excited and nervous. :) I'm sure I'll have a great time, just will be interesting. LOL

Thank you to all my dear family that commented on the ride situation from work. I'll just be driving for now.....when and/or if I can get on an early schedule - then I can bus it. Thank you all......and I just may call ya for lunch ;o)

K's been in bed for a few hours now while I've piddled....... :) tomorrow we'll put a few more things on ebay, watch our ending ebay auctions and clean house - oh joy! We're broke till Thursday!!

Randi

Friday Fill-In

1. The meeting at work today had an extra secret ingredient; it was very interesting..... (they are not hiring my position!!)
2. Sunbeams through my window.
3. Right now, I need a hootin' hollerin' good time at LIG and a very hot relaxing place afterwards for our vacation!
4. Grandma's is where I went Thursday night for Survivor; it was an awesome show (and Sunday is the finale!!)
5. Why does buying gas hurt so much?
6. All I can think of is the cat meowing in the other room!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing and playing online, tomorrow my plans include taking Jenae for her 30th girls day out going to garage sales and to a special lunch and then to the Bellingham Farmers Market and Sunday, I want to relax, go to Verizon Wireless and see about getting me a different phone, maybe find a few things for the instant gratification auction, put together a few ideas for an auction basket, and possibly buy a drum off of ebay for the GREATEST drum circle ever, fill out some paperwork, well, I really don't want to - but need to, fill out Group Health application for insurance and just chill out!!

Freak Out!

Today I kind of had a freak out day. One of those days where you feel as if you could cry at the drop of a pin and or even if a pin didn't drop? I had one of those days I didn't know if what I was doing was a good move for myself and/or for other people. I just was out of sorts!!

New jobs are always tough! You never know what you're getting into and its always hard to leave somewhere you are most comfortable, are thoroughly liked and are good at what you do. (I'm good at what I do anywhere I go, but still is hard to make that transition).

I guess it started out with this morning finding out that the Everett Transit I need to catch on the coming home end (after 6pm) will not connect me in time to catch the County Connector home. Carpooling isn't really an option with me (I'd rather have my own space and not have to chat with the same person day in and day out) I'd possibly do a vanpool - but for now - I'll drive. We figure it'll be about $200 a month. I'm thinking we get a rewards credit card to put it on ;o)

I will be making my blog private - but want to make sure that everyone here gets the chance to send me their email addresses. I've sent an invite to those of you whom I know pretty much read my blog - but there may be a few unschoolers, behind the scenes people who read it - and want to continue. Email me: kauleen_randi@msn.com (kauleen underscore randi) and I'll get you hooked up.

Does anyone know if you make your post private - if someone can google and still find it?

Thanks in advance -
Randi

Blog

I may be making some changes to me blog here soon to keep things that I say on here a bit more private. I've had a few things come up the last few days that make me not feel to great about having my blog in the open. :o( Really makes me quite sad that I can't have the freedom I feel I should have.

Thanks for your patience on this issue and I'll send links to those (if it comes down to it) that I need to have invited only.

If you'd like an invite - please send me your email address in a post.

Randi

Weekend Ramblings

We had another busy weekend! Friday night we took off for Bellingham in hopes of finding some cheap coffee syrups for a special drink we were going to make on Saturday and we're also going to see about a cheesecake. Well, we made the trek to Bellingham only to find the syrups. (They are normally I guess like $8 and we got them for $3 - pretty much the gas up and back!) LOL We ended up then running to our Costco, picking up a cheesecake (Bham costco didn't have any!) and then running to Safeway, the dollar tree, and by the time we got home it was 9pm! WE WERE EXHAUSTED!!

Saturday morning we got up, puttered around, set up for a baby shower (my cousin Jenae and her 3rd and last baby) and the party turned out very well. We played a few games, chatted a bit, and just had fun! Saturday night I wanted to do something "fun" so we found a local theatre putting on a show "The Dream Science Circus!" Well, it was $30 for the 2 of us - but not really worth it. There was some amazing stuff in it (acrobatics, strength, etc.) but...yeah.

Sunday, we got up and piddled around. I put a few things on ebay (username: kauleen_randi) check it out! and then hung out and waited for K's sister and family to come for a visit. We sure enjoy their company when they are here. They all were crashed out in the car (4 precious sleeping children) so we hung out near them outside until they woke. We then colored, played with the cats, and hung out! :) They weren't here all too long - had a very loonng tiring, exhausting weekend. We then fixed some dinner (chicken and broccoli) and then headed to the co-op and to Haggen for some groceries. Upon our return, we got an addition to our family:

GEORGE! :) The neighbors are moving to Australia (where she is originally from) and the laws there for quarantine are very strict, so it was just going to be easier to not have to take him. This makes us have 4 cats! (Kiki, Rosa, Clover and George) George is a very independent cat - and will spend a good portion of the time outside (he prefers it). Right now we're doing some "Getting to know you" type things. He has a great personality.

There is something with only having 2 weeks left at work that makes going to work tomorrow OK! (I'm not looking forward to those few who found out on Friday......and a few that haven't found out yet!) but they can all handle it :) I'm getting more and more excited. There are just a few things I need to figure out:

1) The Everett Transit System and getting me the closest, the latest to work. I'm thinking the Everett Express to the Everett Mall. I then only have a little ways to walk......and it does it like every 15 mins. (and the County Connector here in Skagit County to get me there....would it stress me out to the max to ride the bus on the first day?? I mean.......I'll have to do it SOMEDAY!)

2) Health Insurance. One stinky thing about being domestic partners, is one can't be covered under the others insurance (yet) in some circumstances. Our company does not include DP yet.........so, we're hunting me insurance. (TAC who I'll be employed through has insurance......but it isn't the *best* and for a bit more I can continue with who I have now..........just not with the same coverage).

3) Dental - need to call the dentist and find out how much it is for cleaning teeth if paying cash, etc. (to see if I need to add this on to)

There are a few more things, but those are just a few.........

I've been asked to talk about the Business of Being Born Party ;o) and the comments made and/or what people thought.

The attendees ranged from 21 y/o newly married, 29 y/0 married 5 years, one mom who had a home birth, one mom who had a birthing center birth, and an older mom who I believe had a home birth also. The reason for hosting the Business of Being Born Party is that I wanted other young people to be aware that there are more options out there than anyone in the medical field might tell you. (This movie changed Kauleen's mind for us having a hospital birth vs home birth). The younger ladies were very appreciative for me having shared it with them - we had discussion on the placenta and what to do with it, we discussed stillbirth (a recent scenario had been brought up), and just talked.

I personally think this movie is done well to reach out to more of the medical minded people and get them on the track of more a natural approach. (For those who are already headed that way, the movie may have been not necessary?) *shrug* I love hearing everyone's story.

The best part of the whole night for me, was meeting new friends who think the same way I do (extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping, etc.) and being able to meet new people with the same ideas. (I CANNOT WAIT FOR LIG!)

I'm tired out now - this was a long post. Hope everyone has a terrific week!!

Oregon and/or California

I am looking for some ideas of MUST SEE / MUST STAY places.

We're thinking Oregon Coast and/or Redwoods?

Anyone been to a spectacular place in either of these places? :)

Randi

Alaska Airlines $50 Companion Fare

Anyone interested in buying a companion fare ticket for Alaska Airlines from us? We're hoping to get at least $200 for it.

Post a message or email me if your interested and I can send specifics.

Randi

Friday Fill-In

1. Two of my favorite ingredients in a drink are lots of cream and sugar in my coffee!

2. Love often amazes me.

3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is old and its hard to teach an old dog to do new tricks ;)

4. Secret ingredients, mix it all together and voila! You have another secret to be told at a different date :)

5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow all the vegetables I'm growing? (and/or thinking about growing - since nothing has been planted other than onions!)

6. my body is best au naturel.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to Bellingham to a cheap grocery store Cash and Carry and having a good time hanging out with Kauleen, tomorrow my plans include a baby shower for my cousin Jenae with lots of fun times and love given to her and Sunday, I want to hang out with Kauleen's sister and nieces and nephew and chill out!!

Previous Meme Post from Frank's Blog

So, I showed Kauleen my blog post and she wanted me to do her name.....

6 out of the 8 posts came up as *my blog* ROFL

Randi

Fun meme from Frank-o's blog :)

1- Type in "[your name] needs" in Google search: Randi needs our prayers

2- Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search: Error, Error. They didn't find anything for "Randi" only for "Randy" - Randy looks like one lucky guy? huh? Last I checked, I was 100% female and lovin' it!

3- Type in "[your name] says" in Google search: To that, Randi says, ‘Find me a dry spot,’ because, as he points out, it's almost impossible not to strike water if you drill deep enough. (yikes!)

4- Type in "[your name] has" in Google search: An offer of $1000000 to anyone that can demonstrate paranormal abilities under laboratory conditions. (http://www.randi.org)

5- Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search: Think Randy Wants Me. Parody song lyrics for the song Indiana Wants Me by R. Dean Taylor.

6- Type in "[your name] gives" in Google search: Randi gives one hell of a speech a year ago today. Yeah, it's worth watching again. I like it :) and here's some other interesting stuff I ...http://politickybitch.blogspot.com/2008/03/randi-gives-one-hell-of-speech-today.html

7- Type in "[your name] takes" in Google search: For those interested, Randi has posted the original Quackometer ... you can take THEM to court for a put-up-or-shut-up kind of ruling. ...

8- Type in "[your name] loves" in Google search: Randi loves her boobs and, by association and admiration, I have come to love them too. - Nice huh? LOL

Past My Bedtime

We had a Business of Being Born party tonight with a few people from work who are still yet to have kids. We had a great turn out and I met some *really* awesome people.

I am ever so thankful for connections in my life. One person I met tonight, I will for surely be getting back in touch with! (Hi Kristina!)

Randi

Quick Post!

I'm tired tonight!!



Tomorrow night I'm having a Business of Being Born party (inviting a few ladies over from work and have invited some homebirth mama's to share their stories). I'm only one person, but hope to make people think about the way this society does birth.



I've been looking a drums on ebay for our drumming circle at LIG - here is one I have fell in love with:

I've also been thinking with what I want to do about all the birthdays at LIG. I really think there needs to be something.........just haven't quite pinned it down yet.

We made our first round of rhubarb cake tonight for tomorrow's party.

I'm going to go look up some fun places to stay in Oregon........as we're going on vacation - thanks to Franko's advice ;)

love you all!

P.S. Happy Birthday Aunt Mary!

Happy 60th Frank-O

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY FRANK!

Hope you have a wonderful one!

Sunday Morning Thoughts

I wanted to post last night, but I ended up getting my heating pad back from my cousin, turned it on in my chair, and was comfy, cozy warm, and OUT. :)

We picked Braxton (4) up at daycare on Friday night after work. (We watch him in exchange for haircuts) and then we took him to Lake Padden near Bellingham. We explored the playground, the water, threw lots of rocks, sticks, pine cones (which he called corns! LOL) and walked, ran, chatted, gave piggyback rides, and had a blast! We didn't get home until about 7:30, still had to eat dinner (BBQ hot dogs for the boy!) and wound down.....at about 9:15 he went to bed.

Here is where the fun begins......................

At 10:00ish, K and I decide to hit the sack. We get ready and about 10:30 I remember "CRAP, I forgot to put a diaper on Braxton!". (I had put him in his PJ's when we got home because he was playing in the water with some new toys here at the house and got soaked!) and just decided I'd put his diaper on later. Well.......so now he's dead asleep and now we have to wake him. UGH. So, he was a trooper and didn't' seem to be bothered by it. We then went to back to bed.......
at 11:30 about Kauleen heard screaming......ends up when we changed his butt, the CAT had gone in there and we had locked the cat in there. So, we went and got the cat out. At 11:45 he was saying he was scared because he thought the cat was in there. So, I decided to sleep with him....... :) We woke again at 2am to massive coughing (poor guy has asthma and allergies :o( ) and we did a breathing treatment and we were up for the morning......at about 7am.

A VERY unrestful night. Nothing like having a kid scratch, kick, smack ya, and move all night :) Is that how it is for co-sleeping families??? Or do you get big enough beds / enough beds that you can have room to move???

I've been told by my cousin that you have nights like these sometimes - but very few and far between. I told her "Nothing like transitioning....but going from nothing to a 4 year old awake a lot of the night.......!" :) I did take a nap from 1:30-3:30 and felt much better.

Saturday we hung out and dug for worms, rode our bikes to the park, played basketball and took a drive where we were going to go see animals but then he fell asleep so we just took a nice drive with all the other *crazy* tulip traffic - and had to take all the back roads home.

Saturday afternoon we took naps and then we mowed the lawn and did yard work for awhile. We then went to dinner with the neighbors to a new Japanese "hibachi" type place where they cook the food in front of you. THAT was a ton of fun and really yummy.

It is now 8:00am on Sunday morning and I got an email about Life is Good (I get a daily digest!) and they said they are going to have a KAPLA funshop. I was *so* hoping for that. I enjoyed doing them so much. (those are the blocks that you build with). I wish I had some....... and someone asked for a Henna workshop. I want one too! I've been *so* wanting a kokapelli on my stomach.....or somewhere else :) ONE other funshop I've been thinking of......but don't know how it would work.....is The Business of Being Born funshop - discussion/chat on natural birthing, breastfeeding, etc.?

We got some special mocha coffee yesterday that is now done brewing........and I most go partake.

Randi

Friday-Fill In

1. When I fell in love my stomach flipped!
2. Clariton is my best friend when the flowers bloom and it heats up outside!
3. Oh no! The internet connection is down, SHIT!?
4. Hee-Haw is the craziest tv show ever.
5. Cheese and lactaid make a great meal!
6. This year we plan on having a community garden with the neighbors. We'll have onions, raspberries, rhubarb, carrots, beans, blueberries and corn.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to enjoying the beautiful weather outside as they changed the weekend weather on me and playing with Braxton possibly up at Lake Padden and exploring with him, tomorrow my plans include riding bikes with Braxton, digging for worms, and then sending him on his way and enjoying the peace of it just being Kauleen and I and Sunday, I want to put stuff on ebay and if it is nice maybe do our first geocache!!

(some input from Kauleen on this way.....I never saw Hee-Haw and rarely watch TV!)

Sweet Tears

My cousin Ronnie was very honest and sweet in a post (which is ever so true and real) in this post: Ronnie's Thursday Thirteen.

I'm forever blessed for those who would give to us if they could, who have given to us (because they could), who have given their thoughts, prayers, candles, and so much energy to us towards having a child. Words cannot even express how grateful we are.

Let me explain exactly what has been going on, and I realize it has been a bit jumbled, but I was a bit unsure of what to put online afraid of maybe being bombarded with people's views of it all - when in all actuality, I didn't care about anyone else's views, but what Kauleen and I wanted to do. *Shrug* so here goes it.........

It had been brought up by our doctors office (Bham IVF) that there was a couple that needed eggs and they asked me if I would be willing to donate and in turn, they would pay for 1/2 of IVF (approx. $5,000). Since Kauleen and I had already discussed doing IVF, this was pretty much a no-brainer. We help them, they help us. We waited, waited, and waited .... didn't hear anything. I finally started my period yesterday, very excitedly called Bham IVF (in hopes of doing it this month) and for legality reasons and because this initial couple decided against my eggs, we cannot do it this month. I wasn't officially in the "donor" pool, but they were just trying to find someone who could split my eggs with me.

(To put it into prospective - most donors create 20+ eggs (which obviously I have no problem doing with the right medicine!) and most people don't use 10 eggs (say a few eggs for implanting, a few for siblings and then the rest are just stored) so in other words, the couple I'm donating too - will get 1o eggs and I'll get 10 eggs. (the rest, if any, will be thrown out).

I am now officially in the donor pool and just waiting for someone to choose me. I told Kauleen, every month when my period comes I'm going to be like "I wonder if this is my month!"......she thinks they can adjust my cycle for their cycle.....*shrug* all I know is someday I'll get a call that someone has chosen me as their donor and we'll have to scramble to get time off, etc. It'll will all work out.

THE GREAT NEWS out of all of this mumble jumble, if I still have your attention....... :) is that doing it the donor way....... the couple pays for my medicines, I get paid for donating ($2,500) and in the end we may come out $300 in our pocket. :) So, we'll save for the next few months.....maybe until August, see what we have financially and if we haven't heard on a donor by then, we'll possibly try IVF at the price tag stated previously. For now, I'll get my hiney in gear and sell, sell, sell on ebay and craigslist to make some extra dough.

I'm ready for Life is Good to be able to hang out, chat, and have some good times. I need to be able to relax......too many *hard* decisions lately. After LIG, we haven't decided on what we're doing.....to vacation or not to vacation.....that is the question.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things Reasons I Am Thankful for Kauleen

1. She is around me 24/7 - with no break (as I always seem to be here!)

2. She puts up with my ideas and thoughts (even at work)

3. She allows me to do whatever *I* feel I need to do

4. She helps me with my Christmas lights (and the most complicated part of them) although she's stated time and time again she doesn't want to

5. She enjoys driving by the Christmas lights with me after the hard work is done and smiling - for hardwork is amazing.

6. She has put up with my bouts of sickness (finally under control) and ate practically the same foods for over 1 month to try to figure them out.

7. She works hard for her money and has blessed me with a beautiful house, flowers, garden.

8. She allows me to stumble and yet helps me out when I fall (and/or fail)

9. She makes me laugh when she does dumb things (which isn't very often) but I do dumb things quite often.........that too is quite hilarious.

10. She worries about money......and does great at keeping track of all the bills (and is very particular about it)

11. She loves hanging out with me and doing hikes, vacations, and quality things together even after having spent every day together.

12. She amazes me with the energy she has to get stuff done (ie; house cleaning, dishes, yard work, laundry, etc.) and does an awesome job at keeping the house together

13. She will always be my best friend, beloved, and wife forever :) AND for that, I am very grateful.

14. She will be an awesome Mother and I can't wait to co-parent with her!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Baby Post

The baby stuff for this month has not worked out for this month. I started my period today and was very jazzed up about calling the clinic.......only to have them call me back and say the paperwork, etc. could not be done in time - and no one had chosen me yet. :(

As of this morning, I was saying that either way I'd be fine with it (because going on a relaxing vacation and not having to worry about my ovaries floating around and not going in a pool/hot tub) sounds like a lot of fun! BUT on the other hand, I'm ready for a child............

Anyone know of where we can get $12,000 in the next day or 2? If so, we'll be able to do IVF (and I'll make enough eggs to be able to do more than one cycle).

So, for now........we're waiting on someone to choose me and at that point - we'll do IVF for next to nothing........and help each couple out.

Everything happens for a reason - and I plan on having a very relaxing vacation and I will be going in the hot tub! ;o)

Licorice

We bought some licorice from Trader Joe's tonight (black, juicy, thick, yummy pieces)..............

Who would've thought BLACK LICORICE would have PALM OIL in it?

I ate 2 pieces before I realized it...................................................no reaction yet.

UGH.

Hump Day!

We are headed towards Hump Day (Wednesday!) YEAH! Work hasn't been too horrible after being gone for a week......it is always nice to get back into the routine/swing of things :)

I wanted to share a bit of information on how I saved us money on our Verizon phone bill. They sent me an email stating that they were going to UP our DSL charges by $5.00/month. I called and asked them why, they stated they were doing it to everyone at our price (originally $17.99 / 768K) To make a long story short.......they have a plan that is called HDNO (honor do not offer) and it is $12.00 for the same amount of speed! (They were going to up my bill to $21.99 - but instead lowered it to $12.99!) So.....if you need to save some money - call Verizon and ask for that HDNO DSL price. :) (they will not offer it.....you have to ask it!)

I'm getting a bit anxious to start my period........and I never thought I'd ever stated that (I was going to go on explaining something of that......but then decided some readers may not enjoy it so much!) ;o) I just want to know if we're going to be able to do the baby stuff this month. I've thought about calling the doctors the past few days, but I'll just wait until I start.......watch it'll be Saturday and I'll have to wait till Monday!!! I really hope we get to move forward this month.......but everything happens the way it is supposed to - and I'll do my best to be patient with that. (I've thought of good and negative for doing it now and/or later) So really, I'm fine with either way......other than I just want to be pregnant.....and experience birth. :)

I'm going to go snuggle up for a bit and chill out. Peace out.

Randi

Still Snowing Hard!

This Morning.....

Don't get me wrong - I *love* the snow. LOVE IT! Especially on a Sunday morning, early, able to be warm, drink my coffee, read the paper and relax! :)

BUT

I AM READY FOR SPRING/SUMMER! (and hope our onions, tulips and blueberries will all survive this crazyness)

We got home last night around 6:00pm. We ended up GETTING hot water! YAHOO! It is instant hot water which totally rocks. :) The passes were not bad at all - worst on the West side of the mountains.

I'm off to drink my coffee and watch the snow fall............

Randi

P.S. after all the trouble of uploading videos, etc....it is now 7:38 and there is way more snow outside than shown in the video......... :)

April 20, 2008

HAPPY 51ST BIRTHDAY DAD!

WE LOVE YOU!

Waiting Around....

We tried all last summer to get a hold of the local electrician to come and hook up our awesome (tankless - very small) hot water heater. The guy that did our plumbing this past summer, charged us quite a bit less on the installation of the tank, if we'd give him feedback on how well it works.

Kauleen happened to see him at Safeway while we were here and talked to him. He whipped out his cell phone and called the electrician and she was to be out on Friday and/or Saturday. Well, unfortunately, cell service over here sucks (that and....we do not know how well this lady really wanted our business!) :( Anyways.......we were napping and woke up at 4pm, walked down the hill (left a note for this lady on the door) and we went back UP the hill at 4:45....and she had been there - with no phone call. Nice huh? Nonetheless, we were a little ticked - but she left a note saying she'd be back Saturday. Kauleen called her and she stated that she was at an important job and she'd call us back. Well........as of 11am on Saturday....we're all packed up, wanting to hit the road......and no call. We decided to lock up and call it quits. My cousin's husband Shaun had mentioned he could do it for us this summer (probably for cheaper anyways...) and we'd go with that. (I personally like the idea of an electrician doing that part....too scary to mess with!)

So, we're loading our last bits of crap into the truck.......and I hear the phone beep. DAMN! I missed a phone call - and low and behold - it was the damn electrician. Thankfully, at the time, we were outside and saw her drive by and waved her down. (We were at my parents loading up frozen goods, etc.)

So, now I'm hanging out and Kauleen and the electrician are hooking up or water heater........who knows how much it'll cost us.........but heck - we'll have our own showers - and an extra shower for my parents on Memorial Day too!

All in all, it wasn't a very eventful week - it was somewhat relaxing..........and I'm glad I got away from work for awhile. This week we have haircuts and I have a doctors appointment on Wednesday that I'm an anxious for (not baby stuff). I'll fill you all in on the results when and/or if I get them....(don't you just love doctors and having to state that?) *sigh*

We'll be headed home soon! Can't wait to love on the kitties and see our blooming tulips and I'm sure my yard is about 5 feet tall (we had fertilized a few weeks before we left!) and tomorrow we plan on hitting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival street fair! :) and Monday it is back to work!!

Check out this ranch....the lady that took us horseback riding her parents own this ranch. I think it'd be fun to get together with a bunch of people and do it! and it doesn't seem *that* expensive to me. http://www.kdiamondk.com/ Who is up for it????? (oh I suppose if I'm prego I better not go horse back riding huh?) LOL

We'll probably take Snoqualmie home.......I prefer the lower elevation.........and driving over the passes stresses me out enough.

Type soon!!
Randi

1. The last time I lost my temper I cried!
2. Cold weather is what I'm fed up with!
3. The next book I'd like to read is Innocent by John Grisham.
4. Loving on my kitties, seeing my tulips in bloom (or in snow?) and being home is what I'm looking forward to. (What I'm not looking forward to is the drive in the snow home!)
5. If you can't get rid of the skeleton[s] in your closet, invite them in!
6. The best thing I got in the mail recently was 4 pairs of pants from ebay - NY & CO talls for $44!.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with Tom and Mary and Angelo and Mom and Dad, tomorrow my plans include waiting for the electrician to come and hook up our hot water tank (tankless) and finally have our own hot water and shower and am not looking forward to driving in the snow home....did I say that already? and Sunday, I want to relax and enjoy being home...and I suppose we'll need to do some laundry and other things to get ready for the work week Monday!!

We have vacation again in about 1 month........I'm very excited for the Life Is Good conference.

Thursday Thirteen Grand Coulee Style

Thirteen Reasons You Should Go Horse Back Riding in Grand Coulee

1. A beautiful horse named Casino (and Wyatt for Kauleen)

2. A very kind lady named Kathy who chose awesome horses for those of us who haven't rode horses very much

3. The sun beating down on us and a beautiful and warm day!

4. The peacefulness of being out in the open.......with no stress (other than making sure we're hanging on)

5. The opportunity to see and hear a rattlesnack OFF the ground :) (and once again, holding on because one of the horses freaked out a bit after having heard the rattle!)

6. Seeing a coyote in an open field while on the trail

7. Learning a lot about the area around us and seeing an old farmhouse that was once used over 80 years ago........and was used up to about 5 years ago by the forest rangers. Very cool.

8. Losing a check my mom had signed out of my back pocket somewhere along the trail....at the end of the ride.......(it was an anniversary present from a few years back)

9. The opportunity to be able to ride again with this same lady on a bit of a longer ride...(we rode 5 miles) but I want to go up to the lake which is about 10 miles round trip!

10. The ability to realize that Kauleen is not flexiable and her hips do not stretch for that length of time. I was/am not that sore and am quite surprised.......

AND I just realized I needed 13......and not 10............ but here are a few pictures to add a few more:

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Hiya!

Hey Gang!

Kauleen and I have been enjoying some time with the parents. This past weekend we had Shaun and Jenae (my cousin) and their 2 little ones over to help with some electrical (ends up they didn't have enough electrical wire at the local hardware store for us to do it) so he graciously helped us to get a light in the bathroom working - so we could at least not have to pee in the dark! :) We enjoyed their visit greatly! Ryan and DeWayne came up and we enjoyed their visit also. Ryan is battling bronchitis so wasn't feeling the hottest. We celebrated Dad's b-day with a sketti party and had fun!

We spent the past few days finishing painting our place, helping dad price things for an upcoming garage sale, making a trip to the dump, trying to stay indoors and WARM - the wind has been quite gusty and cold, visiting with the grandparents and just hanging out. Tom and Mary will arrive tomorrow for a few days visit.......that'll be fun! We are planning to stay until Saturday but with the weather predicted.......we may leave late Friday.

We got a call from the doctors office today - IVF clinic - and the opportunity that was put before us - was not accepted by the other couple. They have another option for us that will be opened up today.... we should be hearing soon. As of now, we are still on for Invitro late next month - with a retrevial on Thursday May 22nd, with then a long drive to Vancouver from Bellingham with a drugged up Randi :) and then a insemination with embroys done on the following Tuesday! This will be perfect!! :) So, we're keeping our fingers crossed. As soon as I start my period (around April 26th) we're starting the shots, etc.

Everyone here is sleeping right now.......we just got back from a big breakfast. I'm checking up on my blogs and enjoying some peace and quiet.

Randi

Tuesday Talking...

We're getting ready for vacation!! :) We went to the library tonight and checked out a few books on CD to listen to for the 5 hour drive over and the 5 hour drive back in about a week :) it is always fun. Our library just teamed up with another local library to allow us more choices! VERY fun! I never really did go to the library except to study and/or do school related activities - but actually find it *fun* to go to the library for *free* now and choose anything I want! I'm not a big reader - but anyone know of some good books? (but then again, it is always hard stating that - when someone else might have a totally different view of a good book!) *hrumph!*

We spent some time with the nieces and nephew and meeting the MOM this past weekend. That was a good time. K's mom was exactly how I expected. She seems very nice. Her and Tony will be staying with us tomorrow night.

I haven't heard anything back from Bellingham IVF in regards to our attempt next month......I'll be calling them tomorrow to get more of the scoop and find out if we're going ahead with it. It has kind of been weird - they are the ones who brought this all on and then haven't been very good communicators. (AND - we have a month of appointments to do and there are SOME appointments we could get out of the way now!)

I am really, really looking forward to Life is Good. I'm really wanting Kauleen to get a registration so that she can partake if she wants to......(the concert, talent show, dance) but she just does not want to................. :o/ I'll still have fun and it'll be a blast. I love all you people :)

Work has been super busy.........we've had to re-arrange some stuff to try to make the most of our new incentive program - which makes us all working more-so as a team.......but I'm the one man end of the team of 6! So, I tend to get the bad end of it.......but I do what I can.

I have lots of pictures to post of kids, etc.....but am too tired tonight.

Love to you all!

Whirlwind...

My dad got in last night at 12:00am and so we all took an adventure to get him. When my mom had gotten here she showed us a picture of my dad - well ends up - his eye had been swollen for a few days. He thought it was a pimple that just had festered.......

Today he went to the urgent care (wasn't really able to open his eye) and they have given him 2 kinds of antibiotics and says he has a serious infection.......he doesn't look good. He is still determined to have his big 51st Poker Party tonight though.........

So amongst the getting him last night at 12am, their taxes done this morning at 8am, heading to the urgent care, picking up last minute things at Costco and then hitting the road - we really didn't get to partake in their visiting. It was good to see them since we hadn't seem them since around Christmas.

We'll get to spend more time with them next week........... :)

More later.....
Randi

1. Tonight I saw a very hot, warm and relaxing bed before I climbed in for a massage! *aaaaaaaaahhhhhh*
2. It being Friday makes me wanna dance!
3. Splitting a few appetizers between friends sounds like a great time!
4. Anyone from Life Is Good (MJ, Chloe, Shanna?, Mary, Diana, everyone!) is someone I'd like to get to know better.
5. The smell of fresh rain reminds me so much of springtime!
6. I fell asleep and that made it all better. (I'm exhausted right now...!)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my mom getting here (haven't seen her since Christmas!) and going with her to pick up my dad at the wee-hours of the morning (tonight), tomorrow my plans include hanging out with the 'rents until they tend to their own festivities....and then heading to a 4 year olds Birthday Party at Chuck E Cheese and Sunday, I want to relax the morning away with my sweet wife and then Sunday afternoon will be filled with more family-ness of Kauleen's side and meeting of the Mother who is here from Oklahoma and enjoying some more fun times with the nieces and nephew!!

and then......Monday is here again......but I only have one week then I'm on vacation..........and *I* need it.

Top Ten Things I've Done That You (Probably) Haven't

Broke my wrist by getting it caught in a guys t-shirt in Jr. High (while running in P.E.).

Worked at a Special Needs camp (Camp Horizon) for 4 years - camp nickname = Giggles :) Lots of memories and stories!

Sat in a wheelchair that belonged to someone else while said party was using the bathroom - only to find out when she was done - that she hadn't made it to the bathroom on time. We had a good laugh and I learned my lesson!

Cracked a note in band class everyday for many months on a solo my teacher wanted me to play on the Baritone. I came in early to practice specifically with him, and practiced a lot at home. I always cracked it. On the day of the concert (and I remember it vividly) it was time to play the song and I just played it like no one in band had ever heard. The conductor jumped on his podium and was like YEAH! THAT'S IT!! :) I never cracked one note............it was worth it.

Attended a very small Bible College in Augusta Montana (Montana Wildnerness School of the Bible) in 2001 - with 55 other students. The staff lives on campus and it is very family oriented. Forever life changing.

Hiked Mount Constitution at 2409 feet on Orcas Island. (Funny story....we were checking into a hotel and had planned on hiking and/or doing something the next day. K suggested going up the mountain (Driving) and I said "Let's hike it!" She was like.....ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" well, nonetheless, the next morning we got up - and hiked it! It was stinkin' cold at the top.......but here is a picture to prove it!

Hiked to a manned fire post in Mazama, Washington (Goat's Peak). It was 100 degrees in town but only 65 degrees at the top. We were blessed to meet Lightening Bill and Blaze!

Animated Christmas Light Display of over 4,000 lights dancing to music. A spectacular show (and going to be even better this year!)

Bought a special piece of property in Grand Coulee that contains a double wide mobile home attached to concrete foundations in 2 pieces right up the hill from my parents. (and yes, I think most property in Grand Coulee is special!) :)

Had a very special commitment ceremony on September 6, 2003 (as stated differently in another post and so sweetly corrected by my sweet wife!)

Quick!

I haven't posted all week.......... :) I'm still here and thinking/reading all YOUR blogs!

Work has been making us work different hours (OT) putting me on a totally different schedule and *I* haven't been the one working the OT! Nonetheless, I've been extremely exhausted latley.......in the mornings and at night. *shrug*

We made a trip to Trader Joe's last night and got some of their oatmeal (the best!) Maple and brown sugar and apple cinnamon! mmmmmmmmm

Secondly, I won 5 pairs of pants from New York & Co for work off of ebay..... $44.00 total with shipping. They are all Talls and NWT or NWOT. (These pants usually cost $39.50 full price!) YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Mom and dad are headed into town this weekend.....we'll enjoy seeing them since we haven't seen them since Christmas!

AND......

Kauleen's Mom and her husband will be here from Oklahoma this week.......I get to finally meet her mom after 6 years of being together! :) ...

and.....

Mark, Kauleen's brother is getting married in June 2009. We'll be making a trek to Oklahoma :)

Love to you all!
Randi