Rainy Days...

You would think we'd be in the month of January with all the rain we've gotten this week! July is usually Washington's few dry months and to top it off - we're on flood watch!

Tomorrow we plan to snuggle up and stay inside and read and do whatever we want to!

We went out today and each got 1 hour massages! It's a treat!! My shoulders tend to really get achy after about 3months, so I get them a bit more often. MAN, it feels so good!!

We are getting a spray-in bed liner in the truck on Monday. We sold our canopy to pay for it! :) something we are very excited about.

Nothing too exciting to write about really. My gardens growing! :) I have 3 kohlrabi I need to cut up and quite a few carrots. We have raspberries coming out our ears!! and Rhubarb too.

I'll write more later!
Randi

Randi Rainbow

Randi Rainbow
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

Who wants to be part of the Rainbow Coalition? :)

Deer at cabin

Deer at cabin
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

These deer were outside our cabin in Winthrop. We tried very hard not to disturb them, as they were so hot and panting badly. They were right by water but I believe they were so hot.......poor guys. Sure was cool to be so close to nature.

Goat Peak Hike Lookout

Goat Peak Hike
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

This is us at Lightening Bills Lookout with his dog Blase. AT THE TOP!! :)

Goat Peak Hike Picture

Goat Peak Hike1
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

This was the view from the Goat Peak Hike Trail. Awesome huh?

We're Back!

We are back from our weeks vacation and are hitting it back to the grind of work, tomorrow. We got about 3/4 of the house painted (in 100+ temps) and did some swimming, relaxing, and enjoying families company.

We then took a few days and just enjoyed each others company in Winthrop, WA. We did an AWESOME hike (Goat's Peak) I'll post some pictures. We had been told by a friend to do the hike, but we aren't in the best shape. Well, we got up and in the 100 degree temps hiked up a mountain (literally) and got to 7000 feet! At the top, was one of the few last manned fire watch towers. We got to meet Lightening Bill. VERY fascinating. He took our picture, which I'll post here also........and takes a picture of everyone that comes up to see him. It was well worth our trip. We left at 10:00am for hiking and got back at 3:00pm. We took our time on the way up....believe you me! BUT, it was beautiful. (If you EVER get a chance, you have to hike Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island) THAT was the best hike ever!!

Dad goes in tomorrow for a check up on his back surgery. Am sure hoping everything turns out to be good. He isn't up to his 2 mile mark........which the doctor said he wanted at 2 weeks.

I go in on Wednesday to the ENT again.......probably have to run a few more tests. We'll see what becomes of it. I'm thinking positive.......

I'm going to start doing my mesh lit letters for Christmas. If I do about 1 a week, I should have Merry Christmas done a bit before Christmas. :) Animated Lighting is being ever so gracious to me and so very helpful. They are allowing me to send back my 2 sound cards, to get all my 11 songs onto one disk! I am so thankful.

We baby sat last night and enjoyed ourselves. Kauleen and I go back and forth so much as to if we want kids and/or if we enjoy our time just the 2 of us. I wish it wasn't so hard for us to have kids and to really have to think about it and/or spend the money to conceive. It's too much energy before it's even conceived, does that make sense??

I got a book yesterday at a garage sale "How to talk to kids will listen, how to listen so kids will talk". I've heard it is a good one. I like to read lots of things on parenting. :)

I need to work on having more energy and being more positive. It seems to be a real struggle for me on most days.

Thanks for listening.
Randi

Talking Outloud...

Lots has been going on latley. I cannot believe it is July already! Half of 2007 is gone! I am ready for summer to be here. It looks like the sun will hit us soon (this coming week - and - gasp - we may have AWESOME weather for the 4th of July, which I am looking forward to! I always enjoy the 4th of July festivities as I get to see some people only 1 time a year - and this is it! I enjoy this time muchly ;o)

Work has been kind of stressful latley - making it not so fun. I'll be working this weekend, if that states anything.

We've been having discussion in the household in regards to budgets, etc. We're starting to put some cash into envelopes and try to pay off some debt. It has been fun to be able to finally get a hold of something and control it. :)

I've been kind of on edge this week with some unknown news of a blood test that was requested of me to get. It could be good/bad news, if you know what I mean :) just very anxious to get the results. I'm not stating too much in hopes it isn't........but if it is - there'd be lots of answers too. You see...LOL

I saw this video today and was speechless, completely, speechless. Still do not know what to think. Just makes me want to hug every women out there but on the other hand makes me want to hurt some too. *sigh*



I came to the conclusion that if we have a kid, we will have just 1, and maybe 2. I had originally thought of having quite a few kids - if I have enough love for them and can raise them - then why not? Well, after spending time with K's nieces (4, 2 and 2 month old twins! - we went and all picked strawberries) I've got enough of the lots of kids. 1 would be fun, but if twins happened (with artificial ways...that's always a greater possibility) then that's what we'd be blessed with :)

I ordered my 6 other songs today from Animated Lighting. They should be here this week. Now I need to find a radio station that isn't too popular to start making my "Tune In" sign.

Our garden is growing like crazy!! We're growing kohlrabi, rhubarb, onion, carrots, cucumber, beans, corn, raspberries and strawberries! We did a local CSA farm last year, but just found we didn't know how to cook and/or didn't like all the veggies given with it - so decided this year to take it upon ourselves to do the garden. It has been fun!!

That's it for now. How about that? Almost 2 posts in 1 week. Wonder if anyone ever checks this anymore? ;o)

Peace.

Happy Father's Day, DAD!

cabin painted

cabin painted
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

Dad's Photography........pretty cute huh?

Painted.......

cabin painted 1
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

cabin beginning

cabin beginning
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi

In The Beginning....

June Ramblings.....

I haven't posted in awhile so I thought I'd give an update as to what's been going on. :)

Kauleen and I just got back from a weekend of visiting the parents for Father's Day (and to make sure dad was feeling well/rested after back surgery). He's getting around fairly well, but still in quite a bit of pain. How does one ever keep a man down? :)

We went to Wilbur's Community Garage Sale on Saturday. (this is a very small town). We got a soaker hose for our first-ever garden! (Kohlrabi, rhubarb, onions, carrots, corn, raspberries and strawberries - and an apple tree!) Everything is growing amazingly well. (If you ever read Frog and Toad books - and the one about their garden and checking it every day..........that's me!!) We also got a king size down comfort for $5! The best purchase (in my mind) was a special tool that I will use! It is called "cord connect" and you connect extension cords through it and it is waterproof. THIS will help in keeping my Christmas Show running through the whole season without my water issues last year *crossing fingers!* My FM Transmittor should be here this week.

Regarding my Christmas show........ :) I have 6 months, 15 letters (Merry Christmas) and my FM Radio Station sign to make. I'll be busy!! I plan to start the show on December 1st. Maybe I'll have an open house one night of it. I hope to do some kind of a drive...............food drive, diaper drive?........any ideas????

Our "cabin" is coming along so well!! We are so excited to see it transforming into a "homey" place - each and everytime we go. I'll post a few before and after pics for you all to see. We started painting this weekend at Coulee. We had been told it would take lots of coats for red, but really wanted the barn red/white trim. So, we decided we'd tackle however many coats we needed. Well........we will only need 2! It ended up going on really well on our brownish/tan-ish pre-primed siding. We'll paint again in July.......and get it finished. We also have some time reserved at our favorite place we stayed last year http://www.freestoneinn.com/ right outsize of Mazma/Winthrop. We plan ton enjoy hiking, swimming, relaxing by the river, reading........and each others undivided company. It is a much needed respite.

Plans in the making/discussion stages........Mexico/Cancun next year for K's 40th :) and as always.......babies maybe starting full fledged in January....or so that's been the discussion - but money has to come in to play some where there :)

I think that's about it for now.

Randi

Christmas in April and more...

I'm sorry I haven't blogged more on here - really don't have exciting things going on in life. Ya know, work, eat sleep. :)

My mom is on the mend! Most of you know already, but they didn't get clear margins when taking the piece of bone out of her pelvis, so she still has the cancer. She will have to have a CT scan every 3 months to see how it is growing and in the future will have to have a big surgery removing her pelvic bone completely. For the time being, the cancer is very very slow growing and she's beginning to return to normal life. She will start work the first full week in May.

AND NOW, my reason for this post. :o) Kauleen and I went to a Christmas seminar/trade show yesterday in Olympia to learn more how to animate our Christmas lights (like this one:

I bought the computerized programs/boxes ($800) from Animated Lighting. (this above is done with the competitor Light-O-Rama).

Upon attending this seminar/trade show yesterday, it was kind of frusterating because we found out we only do not know a damn thing! We know nothing on electricity, nothing on how this is going to work, etc. These lights are the thing that we fight about most.......but yet I WANT TO DO IT! :( So, now I am just contemplating selling it.

I'm going to do a little research today and maybe email a few people about explaining to me a few more things.

Anyone want to help me set up my Christmas display this year - maybe starting in September??? :) Any electrician's that can help??????

Let me know!
Randi

Post Picture Testing for Erin!

Far Due Ramlings...

I haven't posted for a long time (since Christmas *gasp*) so thought I had better write something!

We are ready for Spring to arrive. Our Daffodils are peeking about 5" out of the ground already! The Tulips are peeking too! I can't wait for spring! We are going to try to plant our own garden this year.....if time permits.

The latest news in our household, is waiting to find out if my mom has cancer. Many of you reading here probably already know about this - but for an update of what's been going on, here is my parents blog:

http://punteney.blogstream.com/

Kauleen just got back from spending a few weeks with her sister and 2 nieces (3.5 and 1.5 y/o) in Arizona. She was helping her sister get prepared for the BOY/GIRL TWINS!!!! (due around March 15thish) So, she'll have 3 girls and a boy! VERY fun, but she's going to be very busy. Upon her return, she got the flu! *yuck* She never gets sick (and got a flu shot!) but she was probably just run down.

We plan on heading to the coast mid February for some much needed relaxation (depending on my mom's surgery schedules).

We've kind of put the baby stuff on hold for now - maybe to spend a year just being selfish and doing our own things. I'd love to have a baby, but it is so emotionally draining/exhausting just TRYING (not to mention $$$!!) *shrug* It will all come to be. I am only 26. :)

That's it for now. :) I'll try to write more soon.
Randi

Merry Christmas

Christmas_2006.avi

My 2006 Mr. Christmas Outdoor Decorations Display Animated Lights Randi

Christmas 2006

PlanetChristmas2006
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi.

Here is a lit picture of my house decorations for the year! :)
Come on by and hear the music and watch the lights dance! - 6-8pm every day!!

Randi

Old Sweet Susie Kitty

Susie Kitty
Originally uploaded by kauleen_randi.

Goodbye Sweet Susie - You will be forever missed.

Put to sleep on November 27, 2006 after a battle with kidney infections and anemia.

Randi and Kauleen

This - N - That

Lots been going on here latley.

We've been preparing our 2006 Christmas Outdoor Decorations for the past few months. I have my lights flashing to music and made a few trees, a few 3 foot letters that flash "J-O-Y" and it is absolutly awesome!!! If you're family and want to come by and see it - do a driveby! I have it on from 6-8pm every night. :)

We've been having some troubles with the oldest cat Susie. She's in what we believe is early stages of renal failure. :( So, she's had more hospital stays the past week than our pocketbook can handle! She's back in there tonight......we'll see how it turns out.

That's it for now. I took a movie of my lights, but it is NOTHING compared to in real life - so, if you have the chance - do a driveby.

MY 2006 CHRISTMAS DISPLAY (without Music)