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Randi

Randi and Kauleen December 2007

Tough Weekend

It has been a tough weekend! Just lots of un-handled stress and lots of thinking/trying to figure things out. I guess in the end - it may make for a strong relationship - but is tough.

Our lights have been causing us more trouble - with the wetness. We went out and bought electrical tape and spent hours outside today with towels, scissors and a roll of it - drying off each plug in and taping off every connection. Of course tonight is not raining. I've asked 2 people whom have done this for a few years past more than I have how they do the Washington weather and keep their display going. They both have "High Voltage" signs and "Stay Away" and do not have their displays on GFI's. If the show doesn't run another night - we too - will go that route. We don't want to have to - but its ridiculous when you can't turn the lights on! (especially when I have people expecting to see it!)

I've been asked time and time again this weekend "Why is it that you want to go to this Unschooling Conference!"? I love the idea of unschooling (if not that - at least homeschooling) and also the more natural way of parenting. I was told a lot this weekend that it IS the way we will parent :) and is more common sense parenting then most would have :) ... I am excited and now am trying to figure out if I want K there - or if we should just go our separate ways that weekend (she has said she'd come for the ride and to camp out at the hotel - but not for the conference). We'll see what happens as time gets closer......I guess I need to reserve a room ...

We have a cookie exchange at work on Monday so we spent last night making Almond Roca (yummy!) and today making pretzel sticks dipped in various types of yummy stuff! We were supposed to watch after a little boy tonight but that got cancelled at last minute. So, we're enjoying some peace and down time. Tomorrow we will do our Christmas cards....... (I dread it.....and maybe next year won't do it!)

This blog isn't that private.........maybe it's time for me to make one - so that I can spill what needs to be spilled ....... but in a more private sense...and invite those whom I'd feel comfortable reading it - and not have my "blog" posted on other blogs for others to get to......hmmmmmmmmm..... (I don't mind that - just well......... you'll understand someday when I can CHAT with all of you!) :)

OK.......I'm done writing for now........Maybe I'll find something else interesting to say before the nights over......

Randi

Secret Post....

Thank you for your registration payment (For 1 adult) for the 2008 LIFE is Good Conference.

Now to figure out the details of it all.........

*a very excited Randi* :)

Screeching Halt!

My famous lighting display came to a halt tonight after I looked outside and saw the trees and the reindeer flash - but the front porch railing was not doing anything! I'm devestated. This is one thing I had said I did NOT want to happen this year (we had many a night last year where it didn't run due to wetness.....) THIS is purely our own fault (not realizing that each channel can run 10 amps - but the whole controller cannot exceed 30 amps) We were over by a bit - so some things that had originally flashed - will now be static and plugged in elsewhere. We can make nessicary changes for next year - and my sweet dear wife - is on her way to Fred Meyer right now to find us a few extra 15 AMP fuses (once we figure out exactly how they are to go into the dang box!) and of course, it is only 9:00pm here - but everywhere else - it is some unearthly hour where most are probably watching their eyelids as I sit here waiting..... just wanting someone to care and ANSWER my ignorant totally animated lighting challenged questions! (grrrrrrrr).

The show should be up and running again tomorrow night ..... with just a few changes made - and a HUGE lesson learned for next year.

(and Gina - this is now 3 posts in 2 days! *gasp* :)

10 weird / random facts/ habits/ goals about yourself

1. I do not like lotion. (This has come out latley because in the winter it seems my sides itch. Yes, only my sides. It's really weird and I wake up at night with them itching - but HATE the sticky-ness of lotion!) Well, it came down to it this morning and I put it on. I have to wear a mostiureizer on my face too - hate that - but have to do that every morning and use the bare minimum. (weird, yes......)
2. I'm allergic to palm oil (badly......as in.......where's the bathroom - NOW!) and am lactose intolerant (lactaid helps this.......but then.......other complications come later with that too) and it is in a lot of things people wouldn't think. (lots of cakes, chocolates (chocolate chips!!), crisco, etc.)
3. (RE: to the above) I hate putting people out when asking what ingredients are in things - it makes me feel so bad. I hate it - but I can't help it. THE thing that makes me the happiest is when someone else suggests it and says "Randi, do we need to check the ingredients for you!" Like someone actually CARES about ME and the ingredients. (silly I know!)
4. I do not like drinking (alcohol) and/or being around it much.
5. I like to play BINGO every so often (6 months or so) and hope to go to Seattle this year and play GAY BINGO with the family..........you get dressed up in costumes, etc.
6. I can and/or have played: Piano, trumpet, baritone, and guitar. :)
7. Armpits are the #1 disgusting part of the body and DO NOT touch mine - period. I don't even touch them.............and we'll not go there. LOL
8. Someday I hope to have a homebirth and/or in a birthing center.........
9. I wish I was more self reliant and more outgoing. I am once I feel comfortable.....but until then I can be so shy.......
10. It took all my brain power to think of the above 9.......there are quite a bit more that I would've shared had I felt more comfortable enough too...... :)

I'm not tagging anyone - just feel free to add your 10 weird/random facts/habits/goals about yourself if you so wish :)

Mid-Week Update

I wish I felt that posting on my blog wasn't such a chore - but more - something I enjoyed doing and/or had into my daily routine - yes - routine. :)

I was blessed to have my parents here for sometime before turning on the Christmas lights. I enjoy their company. I enjoyed my mom's company 2 weekends in a row due to a death in the family. I got to enjoy my grandparents on the second trip. We'll see them again on New Years at Chalet de Grand Coulee. :)

Lots of people have been driving by to see the lights. Some friends have been telling me it is getting darker around 9:30pm in their parts of the world ;) as my lights aren't shining as brightly. I don't think I have *that* many lights - too much can be just that - so we tried to keep it "classy" but yet "fun". The music is the fun part.

I ended up not getting called for jury duty this month. No biggie. The holiday time is probably not the most relaxing time to try to get pregnant :) We will start again with the first sign of my period the end of this month - beginning of January. It's our last set of sperm......so we'll see what happens. Hopefully my eggs do not multiply like last time.

I've been contemplating a lot going to a conference in Vancouver with a few of my family members in attendance. :) It really is something out of my comfort zone to do.....but really am interested. Kauleen will not go with me........so.........we'll see. I guess I need to really think about why I want to go and the reasons for why I'm wanting to unschool/not public school (possibly homeschool).

My friend Gina is finally done with her chemo and is going this week to see a surgeon for surgery - then after healing of that - it will be 5 days a week of radiation. She's a trooper and a fighter. Sure do miss her spirits at work, but know in the end - taking care of oneself is way more important. Stay strong girl. :)

Anyone have a timeshare in Mexico they want to share and/or know of really "awesome" places to go? K and I have discussed going ..... and she is turning 40 this year (March) so we'll see if we can't manage to pull it off.

I'm sure I had more to write - but Kauleen is needing my help hanging Christmas cards. I'll leave with a video of my Christmas lights for this year....

Randi

Completely and Utterly Exhausted

We worked our butts off this weekend getting the decorations put out in the yard, making "frames" etc. for some of our items to be placed upon (issues we did not anticipate having) and working long hours. It is Sunday at 9:30pm and I'm writing this then going to bed.

The show's still on for Sunday December 2nd :) We got a sample this weekend in our garage with the door shut and lights off...........it's pretty exciting.

If you can't make it that day - please do a drive by some other night. The times the show will be playing and directions on our my website:

http://www.skagitchristmas.com

I'll write more soon!
Randi

Bad Words!

I just typed the longest, most interesting blog post ever - went to publish it - and it gave me a stinkin' error. I'm saying very bad words at it.

I'll type out it again tomorrow ok?
Have a good one!
Randi

Hi Gang!

I haven't been the best at updating my blog - and I don't think I ever will be. May you be entertained at my few posts that I do write! :)

I'm getting very excited for the holiday season! I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week! I think I get more excited for the day after Thanksgiving (shopping) than I do eating of the turkey! K & I are not huge shoppers, but we like to go through the adds and pick up what we need giftage wise that day. Last year we got some pretty good deals! We'll be spending the Thanksgiving here at our house with family visits on Friday.

We started hanging some Christmas lights today! :) My cousin's husband (Shaun and Jenae) bless their hearts have been the biggest help to us - mechanically - to maybe get this show done right! :) Shaun helped to mount our radio station box (which turned out AWESOME!) and he came today and helped re-wire a special 30 amp plug for my Animated Lighting. I will be turning my lights on before the "turn on" party to make sure it all works - but I will be setting my alarm for the middle of the night so no one else see's it but Kauleen and I! :)

Works been OK latley. SLOW. With the market kind of dropping out (plus the winter being our slow months already.....) we could be achin' for some bacon by January. We'll see.

Since the word is out to most people in my family already........I thought I'd start posting about our "baby" tries :) yep.....you heard it - baby tries. This way, maybe if I post about it - someone who is rich and famous will send us money and/or fresh sperm when needed :) I'll try to explain it all......but unless you're doing it and understand - it can be quite complicated.

We've tried inseminating with Randi (me) 2 times. Both times did not take. We decided after the last try that we'd try an "FSH" cycle - meaning a medicated cycle - making more eggs - more targets for the "boys" :) To make a long story short, it was a week of pure stress (getting time off of work every day) and having my sweet cousins (yep, same as above) make a special drug-rep hand-off for another drug to make me not ovulate (as we were pushing my bodies timing....). I made over 20 eggs. We didn't hope for a football team.......we had just hope for 1 and/or maybe 2. We'd take whatever we're supposed to have. :) So, I went through all of the testing, many an ultra-sound, lots of discussion between K & I and the doctors/nurses......and come Thursday when my eggs were not separating big from small - we decided to forego this cycle. Yep, we've paid for it. BUT, the doctor's office has stated our next cycle will be free (minus the medicine). They will put me on different medicine and watch me a bit more closely this time also. UNFORTUNATLY, I can't do it December (it's stressful as is with holiday etc.) but I have jury duty right smack dab in the middle of the cycle - AND - I've already been excused from doing 2 weeks - to just doing 1 week. So, we're forgoing until January. I'm really wanting a baby......we're ready. We've been together almost 5 years now.......:) and enjoyed our time - and have lots of love and space for another human being :) plus, my parents want grandbabies too. :)

I am enjoying my time alone tonight :) and hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving........

Randi

Christmas Website Finished!

http://skagitchristmas.com

Check it out! :)

Randi

Mornin'

It is Saturday A.M. and I've been up since 5:50am! *gasp* I was pretty exhausted last night (for no apparent reason) but went to bed at 8:30. I seem to notice a pattern of going to bed early on Friday nights.......the work week must be exhasting! :)

We were planning on heading to Coulee this weekend, but decided to stick around here due to some low funds. We have 2 heaters that need to get over there, but we'll take them next weekend. :o)

We are almost done with our Merry Christmas letters - I only have one M and one A to make (and will finish it this weekend!) and be done. My cousin Shaun is helping us a bit with a few things too...........it sounds like we may put in another electrical box for Christmas lights :)

My TURN ON Party is Sunday December 2nd at 5:00pm. Soup and bread will be served. If I don't send you out an "official" invitation - please feel free to come - just let me know so I can make enough soup. DRESS WARM!!! (it could be cold/wet)

Works going just fine.......no more layoffs as of yet.

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

Weekends are TOO short!

I've had a very fun weekend (and work last week wasn't too bad either!) :)

We have something that is called "Education Day" and it is a trade show held every year. They have a theme for it and then each business (banks, inspectors, etc.) put on a booth. I can't remember for the life of me what the theme was last year but Chicago Title did The Wizard of Oz (I may have some pics on the blog a ways back...) and we won first place. It was a blast.

This year, we didn't have a marketer but had a few guys jump in about a month before it - that we're helping us out. Well, they ended up being laid off like a week before........... oh joy. SO, I took control and here's what we did:

The theme was "Everday Heroes". We had contemplated lots of heroes - super heroes, police man, fire men, etc. Kauleen had the greatest idea. :) Get a classroom of kids to draw a picture of their everday heroes and we'll display them. THEN it went on more to be donating blood and having the blood bank come. Well........we didn't get the blood bank - BUT we did get the kids. They were *adorable*. They were from a 2nd grade class and from a 5th grade class. (Some of the heroes were: George W. Bush *lol*, my aunt, my dog, yoda.. :) They were really funny some of them.

WE WON FIRST PLACE!!! :)

I couldn't believe it! I was there to help "setup" and one of the other ladies that was at the trade show when they announced it called me and let me know! So, we get another free booth next year...........

No one was laid off this week :) that's always a more secure feeling. We've been having to cut a lot of people.......just because our numbers aren't where they should be. (It's coming down from the big wigs!). It's always a bit unsettling........I feel I am pretty secure :)

Kauleen's been taking a class called "Electricity for the Homeowner" at a local community college. She's learning lots! She has one more class to go.

I took a class at the same college on Saturday from 9-1 - Photoshop Elements. I am very excited to get my hands on a copy of it to play with!! :)

We decorated last weekend for Halloween - that was fun. We got a few bales of hay from a friend from work, and put up some "caution tape" with orange C9's and black C9's around the window. We'll put up the blow up spider, screaming door mat, scary music, and our headstones with hands out the night before :) It's fun being a kid!

Yesterday after my class we spent the afternoon with K's nieces (4 y.o, 2 y.o, and 7 month old twins!) It was a blast! We went to a local pumpkin patch! They got to play in a jumpy house (but it was filled with balloons swirling all around) and ride on a train/tractor, one got their face painted, the other visited the petting zoo. I got a few pics that I can possibly post.....but waiting for my copy of elements as their will be some lighting issues. :)

Today I plan on hanging out in my sweats all day and enjoying it! I have a few magazines to read, a few letters to finish..... (BTW, I am looking for red 50 mini christmas lights (I'd take 150!) but they need to be outdoor. PLEASE PLEASE, if you find them for a reasonable price (we're talking 2 dollars) let me know!

My grandpa made me a box for my radio sign.......that I still need to post pics of, btw......it looks great! I can't wait to paint it. At this point I'm just waiting for Halloween to get over so that I can put up my Christmas stuff. The first "sunny" day of November we're putting it up.

For those who want to come - I'm having a "TURN ON" party on December 2nd at 5:00pm! We'll be having some soup/bread and then hitting the lights! :) I cannot wait! (my mom and dad are coming for it!)

I think that's it for now...........

someone who reads here is having a Birthday soon.......... *smile*

Randi

Hi Friends!

I haven't had any ambition to post anything! I've thought about it several times, but just haven't done it!

What a beautiful day we had yesterday huh? (if you don't live in NW Washington......well, it was a sunny, non-windy, beautiful day!) I mowed the yard and then we setup Halloween decorations. We don't do a *a lot* in ways of decorating for Halloween.......I have to save my energy for Christmas :)

Speaking of which, we have all these letters done:

E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S :) one more "M" is cut out and one more "S" is cut out! We have 6 more to do (whole letters) and we're done. I AM NEVER DOING ANOTHER LETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These letters will span pretty much my whole garage door.........over 18 feet in length when finished.

I got my sign made for my Radio Station 101.9fm. :) it looks awesome. My grandpa is making me a frame to put it into. I'll post a picture of the station sign sometime maybe later today.

Work has been kind of crazy and a bit un-settling to a few. We've laid off 3 people and one person has voluntarily taken some paid time off for the slow months. (We hate to lose her........but its best for her family right now). So, we are really just trying to get by......one day and a time. (the lay offs affect me but not my department, thankfully - yet!)

We have been told we can't have a Christmas Party. (Last year we rented a room at the Skagit Casino and it ROCKED!) This year we're told we can't do anything of that sort (we can still use some money to buy food) but can't rent any place? Anyone know of a place that'd hold about 50 people for cheap/free?

We headed to Coulee a few weekends ago to meet an electrician that never made it. (long story) It was obviously meant to be. Since that day, we discussed with a guy that lives near my parents and he kind of gave us the run down of what we need to do........and we were a bit ahead of ourselves. :) You know how it is when you have a product that is never finished - you just want it done??? It won't be done for awhile..........years.

Kauleen is taking an electrical class at Whatcom Community College to learn a bit more about electrical and our Christmas Lights. It is 3 Thursdays from like 6:30-9pm. I'm going to take a class on Photoshop and it starts on Saturday and runs from like 9-1pm. I am excited!

Anyone here good with graphics/photos? OR know anyone that can help me make a cool website/logo/banner for my Christmas webpage??? If so, let me know!!

Wifey just got up so am going to go have some coffee...............

I'll post again soon!!
RANDI

Merry Christmas Letter H

Merry Christmas Letter H
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

Merry Christmas Letter E

Merry Christmas Letter E
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

I finished my FIRST letter of Merry Christmas (notice I'm missing the "M"?) Well......we're not going in any certain order - other than - the easiest letters to cut out first!

I need to make my radio sign (101.9 FM for those who wanna know now!) but need to finish one project before continuing on.

I made about 2 letters today, my fingers are raw from the zip ties.....and I screwed up the "H" from my brain having to concentrate too hard on the little squares. I think I can only done 1 letter a day.

Randi

Rosa

rosa sleep
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

Here's the hellion taking a bit of a 'CAT NAP" :)

She's been keeping us on our toes latley. I worked late the other night (our anniversary! ;o) and Kauleen came home and was going to surprise me with an Apple Pie and she ended up calling me at work because my cat was crying and had been trying to poo and couldn't! (You know, animals NEVER are sick during vet normal hours - ever!) So we called the vet, watched her the rest of the night and she was fine.

Well, today we were going to head out for a bit.....and she was sleeping in her CAT BOX! What in the world?! Cat's sometimes sleep in their box when they are frightened (like at stores, etc.) but CATS do NOT sleep in their box.

So, we locked her up all day (with 3 other cats - you never know whose done what of the bathroom duties) and made sure she pee'd and poo'd before we let her out. Sure enough, she did both........and seems to be fine.

THIS is a cat that just a few months ago was 8lbs - wouldn't eat the food - and was very boney. Well, we took her in to get checked and everything was fine. SHE had lost all this weight from being picky and not wanting the food she's ALWAYS ate. *sheesh* So, we're now buying her expensive food - she's eating it - she's now 11lbs - and thankfully none of the other cats will eat it - so we don't go broke on feeding the stinkin' picky cat. LOL

Have I told you I love her to pieces???? who couldn't!

Official Card Carrying Homo's

Domestic Partner Reg1
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

Kauleen and I are now official card carrying domestic partners - thanks to the Washington State Domestic Partnership Law. This law does not allow us to have health benefits (which is what one day we pray we are allowed) but it does allow us hospital visitations, and if one of us dies without a will, we will be able to disperse of the assets as needed.

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/corps/domesticpartnerships/

Randi

Tube in Ear

I had a tube put in my right ear today! It is unplugged now and feeling a little weird (almost echo-eee) but hopefully will help with the itching/pain.

So, K and I took the day off. I needed someone to take me to and from and so we've been hanging out doing stuff around the house. :) It's nice to get a day off to just relax. She's taking a nap right now..........

Randi

All Messed Up!

I have my days all messed up with the 3 day holiday weekend. I tried naming the post what day it was - typed and had to re-type more than 2 times! :) I finally figured out it is Monday. :)

We went to Coulee for the weekend and spent time with the family. It was very enjoyable. We headed out early Saturday morning (makes it wayyyyy less stressful than at night - with deer and all) and the sun was shining and it was a beautiful drive. The trees are just barely starting to turn colors......I LOVE FALL! (but I wish we would've had more summer!!)

We did a bit more painting....and still have probably one more day of paint to go. Sometimes it just so hard to see the end! (This will be 2 coats on the whole thing......then onto the trim!).

We're working on getting hooked up our tankless water heater, 2 wall heaters and 2 outdoor lights. We just need to get the electrical hooked up/re-done. Getting anyone to do anything in a small town, can be a very gigantic task. We're working on it though......after this - we'll have the roof re-done before even trying to start the inside.

I did get my haircut for those who were curious :) It isn't what I was thinking of..... is shorter - but if you saw me in a picture - you'd just see it as shorter. The back has a bit if a different style - but I can't see the back!! :) So, I'm going to grow it back out......thankfully it grows back :o)

We've been eating our corn quite regularly. :) We took 8 ears to Coulee. It is downright yummmy!! We planted about 70 stalks......so we have quite a bit left. We have lots of cucumbers still, onions, strawberries (we have ever-bearing...meaning they grow all summer) and even some carrots left I think. YUM! It was been way fun reaping/sowing the benefits of OUR OWN garden!

I'll get a picture taken of the new-do - maybe tomorrow and get it posted on here.

Take care!