Thursday Thirteen

THIRTEEN LOCAL HIKES AND/OR WALKS

1. Mt. Constitution (Mount Constitution at 2,409 feet is the highest point in the San Juan Islands) and has one amazing 360 degree view! (a tough hike, but well worth it!)

2. Goat's Peak (Winthrop, WA) 7001 feet. One of only a few left - a manned fire lookout! Goats Peak Information

3. Whistler, BC - Matthew's Traverse. We thought we were on an easy hike, only to find out it was a difficult (thanks to some friendly folk who had rode the Gondola to the top and hiked down!) We decided to hike the whole thing........

4. Whatcom County - Fragrance Lake

5. Lake 22 - Granite Falls. This was a BEAUTIFUL hike, kind of tough, but had pretty waterfalls, wooden bridges, etc.

6. Lake Padden Trail - Bellingham, WA (a nice stroll that we do often)

7. Washington Park Trail - Anacortes, WA

8. Leadbetter Point - Long Beach, Washington

9. Sauk Mountain

10. Schreibers Meadows

11. Iceberg Lake - Glacier National Park Montana

12. The hike to no where......we took a trail in Glacier National Park with no map trying to get to some special "falls" but only ended up getting no where. We'll never remember the name of the trail, but will always have the memory. :)

13. Share with us your favorite hike and/or walk!

We Did It!

K and I have hiked up to a lookout 2 times now and have never made it past the lookout to a little lake called Fragrance Lake! WE DID IT TONIGHT!! :) It makes us laugh that we could do Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island (a HUGE hike) but for the life of us couldn't do this 4 mile hike! Well........could have anything to do with the first bit is TOTALLY uphill?

We took sandwiches, and ate at the lake and then came down.

We got home about 9:30 tonight and we're exhausted. We took some pictures so I'll put them on in a few nights!

Tuesday Thoughts

I'm tired tonight! I went to Knit & Chat and knitted for about an hour and a half by myself :) I didn't know what to think.........other than - what is my goal in trying to do this knit and chat and maybe I'm not going about it the way I'm supposed to be to meet people? :) I have one faithful attendee, and one person who has come a few times........just wonder if anyone else will come?? and if it is worth our time? (and faithful attendee pregnant....and due in the next few months) *shrug* I'll do it for a few more weeks and see what pans out.......

K's Grandma is now out of the hospital and at home. We'll have to keep a close eye on her for a few days as her daughter leaves town.......K took her some fresh raspberries and a few other little treats tonight.

Work hasn't been all that nuts-o, thankfully! It has been steady, but not uncontrollable.

Tomorrow is Wednesday - half way point! :)

I've been feeling fat lately.......and am trying to eat better and watch my calories......whether or not I add the exercise in quite yet.......that's a different story. I HATE exercising. HATE IT. But also hate feeling the rolls of fat on my pants, gut, bra, etc....... whine, pout, whine........

That's it for tonight.............

Damn Videos!

Can I just say that I have been trying to post those damn videos forever now. When I use the HTML off of YouTube they *never* are allowed to be posted (I think the embedded HTML is wrong) and so I've been sitting here cussin' this computer out to NO end......go check my blog, and I'll be damned if the videos aren't there (I added them via YouTube - which had its issues of its own!)

ARGH! I guess it is time for me to go to bed.

Jul 04 Canonica Blast

Jul 04 2008 Pirates

Weekend In Review

THURSDAY NIGHT - Shelton Family Gang

FRIDAY DAY/NIGHT - THE BIG BOOM!

(I took this picture RUNNING away from the lit fireworks - that I did not realize were being lit!)

SATURDAY / NIGHT:

Hung out with the parents and chilled! We had to make a trip to Bellingham to feed a cat, and made a stop at Trader Joe's! :) We got our favorite oatmeal! Then we invited a few family members over to have a "left-over" BBQ (ended up running out of propane...) but thankfully they don't live that far and went and got a spare tank! THANKS SHAUN! :) Here's a family picture we took:

SUNDAY:

We took my dad to the Seattle Airport at 5:20am this morning is when we left. I had a hard time not falling asleep on the way home, thanks to my dear wife for driving! We came home, crawled back in bed and woke up at 11am! IT WAS DELIGHTFUL! We took showers, went to town to find more yarn....... (which we decided I'd be done since I wasn't going to find any yarn that was going to even come somewhat close to this somewhat "specialty" yarn.......and now I have just got to figure out how to do something different.........like a hat, place mat or something?!) and then we mowed the yard (which looks beautiful!), picked raspberries.....not QUITE a full freezer container full with lots more soon to be ripe (YUM!) and then we did this:

and as I type - K is cutting up the other flat of strawberries! A friend from work called on Saturday and her brother owns a local berry farm and they'd picked way too many berries for the 4th and didn't sell them - so they had tons of berries to get rid of for cheap! :) So, we did a bit of running around, but got us 2 flats!

We got a lot accomplished today!!

K's grandma is in the hospital (went in today at the age of 95) with fluid around her heart and lungs. Think good thoughts for her. She's a fighter.....and is feeling good (other than out of breath). They'll be keeping her a few nights to get her blood sugar back under control and we'll stop by and see her tomorrow.

Work this week will be interesting! :) We have 2 people gone and so we'll see how the work flow goes......... it is just one week. :)

That is it for now.......I'm going to post a few videos for you to watch of the awesome fireworks display and the parade! :)

Important Notice

I ran out of yarn tonight for knitting......with about 5 inches to go.........and the scarf isn't done. Now I need to go find different yarn to match this...........that is a for sure on my list of things to do.........and then figure out how to get it attached!

Secondly, weekend in review..........exciting stuff. Look for it tomorrow.

We're taking dad to the airport leaving at 5:45 butt crack A.M. :) to bed I go.

Thinking of each and every one of you!

In Loving Memory of Coco

Dog heaven is a special place

My tail is wagging fast

With all the things we dogs enjoy

I'm having such a blast.

Each night when I look in my dish

I get filet mignon for dinner

Never that dry stuff or stale meat

No cereal or filler.

So many other dogs are here I never get dog lonely

It never takes me long at all

To find that night's "one and only."

We have so many balls to chase I'm getting so much fitter

With water flowing everywhere

Always sweet and never bitter.

Sometimes it looks like Star Wars

When I stare into the sky

It isn't UFO's I see

But countless frisbees passing by.

The firemen here all love the place

A perfect spot they can retire

With one hundred hydrants for each dog

They'll never have a fire!

Cars with windows lowered

Pass by me on the street

With dog ears flapping from each one

It makes me feel complete.

Yet in this perfect playground

Doing all I love to doI find I'm often thinking back

Of all the times I spent with you.

There could be no kinder owner

We always had so much fun

Don't forget that I had seven years

Every time that you had one.

You always gave me so much love

Such kindness and attention

You deserve an owner's blue ribbon

Not just an honorable mention.

So please keep my memory active

In the morning when you eat

As you're chewing on your bagel

I'll be sitting at your feet.Arf!

Love,Coco

Rumblings!

I'm sitting here typing and don't want to turn the computer off - as lightening and thunder are going on around me! Weird colors of the night sky are pretty! :) We have a tint of purple, pinks, black and some orange.......

Today work was do-able. I've had some overloading issues lately (where I get all the work in the afternoon but in the morning am trying to *find* work to do) Sometimes the flow of work can't be helped - but I get quite overwhelmed. I'm supposed to get all my work done and out the door, but sometimes it just isn't going to happen and I need to learn to start accepting it! I really focused on that today.......

Money had me a little stressed out this morning! We're trying to save for the baby, but even with our incentive this month - we still won't make enough to cover all the bills! (so we'll have to take some from savings) WHERE is this money going to come from for the baby stuff if we can't even save for it?! (I guess it is kind of a catch 22 - we put money INTO savings - but we're having to take it out to cover the bills?!) AND don't get me wrong, we have money....we can pretty much do what we want to......... just sometimes are more tight than others, especially when we have the goal of wanting to try for the baby! :) In the end it'll be worth it!!

Tomorrow is our FRIDAY! :) I am very excited! We made our 4 loaves of Amish Friendship bread tonight for the 4th and we bought some drinks...... I think we're set. I need to remember to bring my drums! :)

That's it for now!

Hump DAY!

We've made it to Wednesday! ONLY ONE MORE DAY!!!!! :)

We got haircuts last night and both got a little different of a style - not too much, sure feels good.

I had knitting group and enjoyed a visit with only one lady :) but sure enjoy her! and then came home and ate some dinner and then hung with K when she returned from her Gma's house.

Tonight we'll clean up a bit, make some Amish Friendship Bread to take to the 4th and hang out in celebration of tomorrow being FRIDAY!!!!!!! (or our Friday).

I'm really missing my unschooling friends from LIG. :(

Randi

Monday Madness

It was a pretty crazy day at work today - entertaining in some ways - but month end usually is crazy!

Tomorrow night we have haircuts and then my knitting class again! I love it! I've been thinking of how I can get more people together to knit........a knitting retreat? :o) where people sit around, chat, eat, and hang out and enjoy each others company?

I need to go get some ice cream to have some sugar'd strawberries, chocolate and vanilla ice cream...... YUM!!!!

Happy Sunday!

We haven't done much this weekend, which has kind of been nice. I sometimes get torn between wanting to do something and wanting to do nothing.

Yesterday I spent most of the day trying to upload videos to my website....which took forever - only - in the end for me to say screw it and ended up loading them overnight last night so the computer could take as long as it wanted! (now for me to get them on to my website......... :o)

K got home early afternoon and we went out for dinner and then had to run a few errands then went over and saw Shaun and Jenae and kids! (we missed Shaun's b-day!) so we had to take him a card, some tropical dots, and to-be-made strawberry jam! :) We always enjoy visiting with them, greatly! We got home around 9pm and K piddled with the sprinklers and I crashed out!

This morning....K got up at 7:30am and I slept for another hour and didn't even wake up until she got back in bed and snuggled me! :) I love sleeping in and having the whole bed!! :) We drank our coffee, ate some breakfast, cleaned the bathrooms, did some laundry, and then ran to JoAnn Fabrics and got some knitting stuff (THANKS JENAE!) and then went to the store and got us some watermelon.....(mmmmmmmmmm) and then laid in the sun a little bit.....now we're both veggin' doing our own things.

Latley I've been on a kick of being a hippie. LOL I wear my birkenstocks, t-shirts, and let my hair hang.....and I ask K "do I look like a hippy!?" Well.....she says first of all, I'm too uptight. LOL

BUT as we were out in the sun today.......I was knitting...... and she goes "Ok, now you look like a hippy!" ROFL (in the sun, tank top on, shorts, indian style, knitting!) Here's the picture:

funny huh? :)

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

Egg Donor Ad

So I need some help with writing up a donor ad and I was thinking it'd be fun to see what everyone could come up with?

I'll post the one I choose as an actual post.

If you need some ideas of what others are saying - let me know.

So far I'm thinking..... Tall, Compassionate......but heckuva I know what people look for?! Any help would be appreciated!!

Randi

It's Friday!

The sun shown so bright and beautiful today - it made all the customers stay away and play! AND made for a wonderful day! :) Our boss bought us coffee's this morning in celebration of his last week as Rotary President (and in celebration of me not having to help him with this bulletin!)

We had plans to possibly go on a hike, go to dinner, do something fun.....and we came home, stripped off our bras, got in comfy clothes and went al natural to the store and got a chocolate cake to bake!! LOL K is now watching something on TV (last she said Brokeback Mountain was on) and I'm piddlin' on here.

We've decided Sunday will be OUR day to do something fun.......

As for today, we made incentive for last month - so that rocks. :) AND Monday is pay day......so that is a great way to start the week. Friday is the 4th of July, so we'll get to hang out with some pretty COOL people....... and that just sounds FUN! :)

Stay Tuned!

Friday Fill-In

1. Birthdays are inevitable.
2. Winter is my favorite season because you can cozy up with a fireplace, candles and get toasty warm! (Summer is close second - for the sun!)
3. I feel my best when....I've had a massage, had my morning coffee, when I was spending time at Life Is Good......
4. Pork roast and canned baby potatoes is my favorite food (made by my mom)!
5. First impressions are just a starting point!
6. The best piece of advice I ever received was You Are Worth It!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to doing something with Kauleen (possibly a hike...maybe a picnic) , tomorrow my plans include working on my website and writing and Sunday, I want to hang out with the rest of the crazies in Seattle in celebration of Gay Pride and possibly a Baby Expo :)

Oh Relaxation.....

Our courier was back today.....not feeling 100% but looking good and able to work a full day (way to go Donna!) and so I was able to stay caught up on my of my work and not have too bad of a day.

I've been dealing with bouts of nausea lately....and some dizziness. I'm wondering if it has to do with my ears.....(my tube fell out) or if it could have something to do with my period? (possibly iron?) I'll have to pay attention. K and I were going to go eat at Olive Garden tonight....(on a gift card) but I wasn't too sure I'd be making it......we got there, sat down, and then we left.....I just couldn't do it. We came home and I had chicken noodle soup, 1 1/2 rolls, and some apple sauce. I feel OK now.....maybe even a little hungry again. I think I maybe haven't been eating enough?........I'm going to test some stuff out tomorrow and see what happens.

Also, did I mention I get a massage tomorrow?...............................I cannot wait.

Do you ever plan lots of things you want to do, but then get overwhelmed by the list of the FUN things to do - that none of them happen? I'm starting my list for Saturday (K is helping a friends Grandpa move) and so I'm going to have the whole day to myself! *gasp!* I'm wanting to update my website, write a few letters, possibly bake some, and enjoy the sun. I'd love to scrub the fence but that is least on my list....... but I'd enjoy being out in the beauty. *shrug* I've also thought of doing a hike......but K doesn't like the idea of me hiking by myself.......oh and I could go see a cousin in a play in Seattle......but looks like we're headed to Seattle on Sunday to take part in the Gay Pride Festivities! :)

I'm needing to be outdoors I've decided - not just any outdoor - but near water, a waterfall perhaps......in the woods?....near a lake?......somewhere calming and peaceful, and quiet.......to contemplate and relax!......*aaaaaaahhhhh*

For now I'll just go settle in the tub and relax that way! :)

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!

Going On's...

We had a very relaxing weekend in Grand Coulee and didn't do a lot. The weather wasn't as beautiful sunny as we had hoped - but it was warm enough to be in shorts and flip flops! :)

We got to use our tankless water heater for the first time! It's HOT! :) The not so hot part about it......1) the shower head is REALLY REALLY low (for me!) about perfect height for K and 2) the tub is a bit squeaky......possible rottage/bug eaten joists or something......(we will have to look into it).

K and I had another discussion as to how much money we put into it. We've put quite a bit into it to make it livable, and have a few more things to do (inside walls, sink, etc.) but probably not more than $5,000 worth. There has been talk (as there as been for quite some time) of possibly annexing into the City of Grand Coulee. (The arsenic level of the Coulee water has been a high levels - high enough they have to send notices to all homeowners) and the health department is not liking it. So, they are going to have to do something, soon. So, with that in mind, if we get new water, we hope to get sewer lines........AND if that is the case (really, no matter what the price tag be) we can tear down and re-build. (Right now we are stuck with what we have because our septic is not to "code" but we are grandfathered in) so we can live in what we have and be fine - but we cannot tear down (we can only remodel). This is great news for us........so we hope it plays out!

Work has been treacherous the past few days with the courier out for a surgery, I've been having to do her job, and my job........and thank you to so many in the office that have helped (JUSTYNE!!!!!!!!!!) to be able to make my in office job a little bit more do-able. (As I type I have 5 things to type first thing in the morning........with usually nothing to start out with!) YIKES. :) *please be there tomorrow courier......please be there tomorrow* AND quick healing to that neck! :)

I had my knit and chat tonight - same people showed up, which was fun! I'm getting to know both ladies and really enjoy it. Guess what I did? I screwed up......got frustrated......and took it all apart - all like 12 rows!! YAH!!! so, I'm not starting over.........which I'm excited about!! :) I've learned so much from so many people lately........I think it is a good thing. It took me the whole knit session to untangle my undoings!

Thursday I get a massage...........and I cannot wait. I'm needing something to calm my body and my mind, and possibly spirit too. :) I think this will do it!

K and I have been talking some about Christmas lights and what our plan is for this year. I am very excited! I think we may buy some LED's....(which take up less amps) but we may still need another box......(which is on sale until June 30th) so we have to decide here soon what the real plan is. I plan on updating my website this weekend with the videos from last year and stuff! I have to get it ready for people to be able to log on when I put my window cling on! :)

I am very excited for the nice weather that seems to be headed our direction! The last 2 nights have been beautiful! RIPEN BERRIES RIPEN! and grow garden grow!!

We're discussing heading to the Seattle Gay Pride Parade on Sunday! :) I have always wanted to go.......the weather is going to be 80 degrees, and it's gonna be a beautiful day. I'm really torn between that and a hike...........the Seattle Gay Pride Parade sounds like *fun* the hike sounds like *peace*........ Hmmmmmmm.....

I am very excited for the 4th of July at Uncle Tom and Aunt Mary's and that some unschooling friends will be joining in on the party! CANNOT WAIT!!! :)

Soon..

I'll be back to regularly scheduled programming........

for tonight - I'm tired.......and want a fruitcicle.......and then bed.

Randi

Happenings...

So today is Saturday :) We're hanging out in Grand Coulee - I'm blogging, K is playing Wii golf (we just got through playing a round of tennis and baseball - both of which she won :) and we're baking some Amish friendship bread......and waiting for my mom to get off work at 12pm - then we may head out to a few garage sales and tonight my mom and I are going to go to a stamp party! :)

Yesterday, our computers were down at work all day......from 8:18 until 4:00pm. I think it is stressful sometimes at work with the overload feeling - but this was a bit more stressful - just not knowing when the computers would come back up for one, and 2 - knowing that we would have quite a bit of work to get done when they did. Unfortunately, some of the people in the office could still give me work (and could do work without the use of the computer) so I'll probably go in tomorrow night upon our return and clean up. Our courier is gone on Monday from work, so I'll need to fill in a bit doing her job.........making it even a bit more stressful. It is only one day and I'm being able to relax this weekend! :)

Our place when we got here was so clean (Thanks Aunt Mary!) and K and I both said "it is feeling more like home!"

Remember that birthday present I've been waiting for? Well I got it last night! It was 2 three prong connectors for my Christmas display - AND....vinyl clings for my car that say "WWW.SKAGITCHRISTMAS.COM (with my logo!) TOTALLY ROCKS!!!!! I now need to update my website with last years video's....get a guestbook put on there...... and K and Mom (and Dad I'm sure has told me) that I could make some money on my website from businesses that want to donate and/or help.

My dad bought my mom a special present, of which I am jealous........it is today Woot deal (http://www.woot.com ) (a laptop). I've made the decision that I'd really, really like it.......BUT I really would like a baby soon.......and all money needs to go towards that for now.

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

Friday Fill-In

1. A smile is contagious.
2.Scattergories is my favorite board or card game.
3. I would love to have more patience, pure kindness, more positive thinking in my life and less worries.
4. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of the hike K and I wanted to go on tonight (on behalf of it...champagne and cheese at the end... but just couldn't).
5. I just remembered I need to go to bed?.... and that I'm hungry!
6. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: I am exactly where I need to be.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a beautiful drive across Hwy 20 to Grand Coulee with the sun shining, tomorrow my plans include hanging with the Mother - knitting, relaxing, and hanging out (AND getting a long awaited Birthday present!!) and Sunday, I want to enjoy the drive home and possibly stop for an ice cream in Winthrop on the way home!! :)

Happy Full Moon

The weather has been been here the past few days! Sure makes it enjoyable (even if a little cold). Just seeing the sun makes one feel better.

My sister ended up in the hospital today (she's been in and/out a few times lately) but they finally admitted her today. She has ulcers in her esophagus and thrush (from having taken antibiotics for an infected tooth) ugh. Send her good thoughts...............she needs them.

I've been a bit more crabby lately......and just haven't had the patience I've needed for some people.

My Knit and Chat that I did last night (a group of people I was interested in hanging out with) turned out great! There were 3 of us that showed up......and we got to chat a bit, knit and bit, and enjoy each others company. I'm looking forward to many more chats! :)

We're headed to Coulee this weekend to hang with Mom and get a long awaited Birthday present.......................................... *hrumph* Everyone seems to find it quite entertaining to keep it from me.............hopefully the weather will be nice enough for shorts and maybe even a swim in the lake! :) We don't have any work planned, just hanging out, watching Juno possibly, playing some Wii, and knitting! :) The drive over (5 hours) shouldn't be too bad either......with the sun shining it makes day light last that much longer..........and we prefer to get there before dark........the deer tend to come out a lot so it can be a stressful trip, but the beauty of the snow, sun, and our first trip over since winter........ :) we're looking forward to it!!

Love to all!

Sleep

We went to bed at 8:30pm last night (I actually fell asleep in my chair between 6:30-7:oopm) I was exhausted.......wasn't an awful day at work - sometimes I just think my body needs it.

It wasn't a very restful night ...... cats and all. Sometimes that is a nice thing with going away, you get a full nights sleep with NO CATS! (don't get me wrong, I love them........... but one wonders what their sleep really is like.....

Maybe someone is preparing me for a child? ;o) If so, BRING IT ON!

Tonight is my *first* knitting group get together.......I'm pretty excited. Not that we'll help each other much......but in the fact that these are all natural mama's and have the same "feelings" as I do! THAT in itself is awesome!

Off to coffee!

Sometimes.....

I just want a baby......and wish I didn't need over $10,000 dollars to accomplish it. We'd start today if we could..........

I've been told to be patient - but I think 5 years of waiting is patient enough.

Would someone please choose me as a donor (with the economy people aren't doing this type of thing - so it has slowed wayyyyyy down)? and/or could I just win the lottery?......

I was figuring this morning if I got pregnant this month (which won't happen) I'd have a baby possibly in April :) that'd be great!! I'd choose June too :) but then again, I'd take a baby even on Christmas day!

Randi

My Favorite Song Right Now - Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah

Back From Work!

Last night we didn't end up doing much. It was 6:30pm before we decided what we were going to do for dinner, and thought about taking a drive - but neither of us had any ambition to do anything - so we snuggled up, read our books, chatted online and went to sleep! :)

We didn't have a very restful night last night....Rosa was a pill. George (the new cat) thought at 6:30am this morning it was time to get up...... so at 7:30 we got up, showered, drank our coffee, and then were to work by 9am. We worked until about 12pm and then came home had some lunch.

K is now taking a walk with her dad in Anacortes and I'm hanging out contemplating what eventful things I'd like to do and/or research :) We decided against the Lasagna last night.......so may make it this afternoon, but honestly have no ambition, but now we have this fresh bread that needs to be used! So, we'll see..........

We have another lady off of work this week for vacation, and some of our people are filling in on Friday Harbor for another co-worker that doesn't have back up....so we'll be short handed again! Working today really helps us to feel somewhat in control (even if for free).

We're going to head East next weekend and visit Mom and use our new hot water tank! :) The drive should be enjoyable (Hwy 20 - North Cascades) and we're in no hurry.

We were researching this morning (and I'm going to do a bit more) about the laws in Washington State. We're really needing benefits to be held under one of us. You'd think Fidelity National Title (The Largest Title Insurer) would offer domestic partner benefits........and now what we are realizing.....is that they are having to offer it to people in CA - so we should be able to get them here. This would solve soooooooo many problems with us.

That's it for now...... maybe more in a bit.
Randi

Saturday Afternoon

K and I came home and ate some lunch and sat down and watched We Are Marshall. It was a great movie! I tried to stay awake.......even had a plan to knit after lunch so I could stay awake (doing something) but ended up sleeping....... I did get to see the end. Good movie (That is what I saw of it! :)

We then jetted to the local knitting store that closed at 4pm (we left after 3pm) and they showed me possibly what I was doing to add stitches.....and were no help other than that! :( I don't know what I was expecting?.....a sweet, personal helper(s) like those from LIG? *sigh* I'll just continue knitting my purple scarf and figure something else out after it............

K is out putzing in the yard......and I'm playing online. I feel like doing something, but not quite sure what it is........maybe we'll go for a walk tonight and/or go see a free concert in a local park or something.......*shrug*

We have to go to work tomorrow..........THAT I am not looking forward to.......but we went to another office on Friday (K & I) to see how a few things went and it took most of our day and then I didn't feel like working much!

Also, I got a phone call the other day......and K was trying to figure some stuff out financially for us......(which I thought was for Coulee) but ended up being so that we could possibly try for a baby soon *huge grin* and THAT made my day. We still have a lot to save..........BUT there is the idea in sight!

Off to piddle online some more.........
Randi

Saturday A.M.

We have been blessed most nights recently, to be awoken to a cat named Rosa at 4:03 am climbing on us. UGH.

We woke about 7am (I hate getting up early on the weekends.....but the daylight wakens us!) and we showered, had our coffee, read the paper and then headed out for garage sales! YAHOO!!! Here is what we found:

A garden digger (the ones with 3 prongs) but it is like made of cast iron (heavy duty)
a randy travis greatest hits cd
a vacation fund glass jar collector :)
a huge tarp for $3.00
a rubbermaid cereal container (big) for .50
a carpet remnant (big) for coulee $2.00
a broom for .50 (coulee)
eat, pray, love - the book - for .50
baby bjorn for $20

I think that is it??......and we saw some old friends too! :)

K is now taking a nap, the tractor is out back plowing the field and making a ruckus :) we stopped at a local bread shop and got us a loaf of cibatta for some garlic bread tonight to go with our homemade lasagna mmmmmmmmm... whose coming for dinner? ;)

Friday Night Festivities

We went out to Washington Park last night and celebrated K's neice (Malaney (Muh-Lay-Knee)'s birthday! (We got her a purple basbeball glove and a pink soccer ball :) It was a great time.....great to see all the kids and play around! The sun was shining but the wind made it a bit chilly. Here are some pictures! We didn't get but a few of the BIG girls because they were off playing!

BABY CARLO

RANDI AND BABY CARLO

K AND BABY CARLO

MALANEY (and AMELIA) and friends

K w/twins (CARLO & MAGGIE)

MAGGIE

Pico De Gallo Italian Style

On Thursday at work ladies were talking all day about chips and salsa....that they were craving it. Well....no one actually got any, and so K and I had decided after work we'd head to the store and pick up some pico de gallo and chips (and have some beans) and it'd be awesome.

K went to the store and they didn't have the pre-made pico de gallo because of the tomato scare - so being the sweetheart she is - bought all the stuff to make it.

She comes home and I'm battling McAfee still....oh joy....and starts putting it together. I got up to help her in between chatting online with the help desk...and noticed that the cliantro tasted a bit "flowery" - I thought it was a little odd - but also thought, hey, maybe it is just not a very fresh batch. We chopped everything up, tasted it, and it still tasted flowery. I wasn't going to eat it.

Fast forward a few hours, and as I'm talking to my mom on the phone she asks "Are you sure she didn't get parsley?" K said - No, the sign over it was cilantro. (Well, K had noticed the leaves felt a bit different......but just chalked it up to being different). Well, after much discussion and examining - it WAS parsley.

Imagine how good my pico de gallo will be now with *most* of the parsley picked out, with cilantro and jalapeno? :)

I love my wife!

Friday Fill-In

1. Be pregnant and have a kid is high up on my bucket list.
2. My favorite quote (right now) is 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)
3. Ronnie inspired me to start blogging.
4. Strawberries are best picked right off the plant and then ate!
5. _____ in the last dream I remember having. (I can't remember!)
6. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is in the sun!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to celebrating Malaney's 3rd Birthday with K's family, tomorrow my plans include Garage Sales Galore and Sunday, I want to work in the yard, mow the lawn, wash the car, and prepare for another busy week at work!!

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