Love the Moment

Beth and Karen's visit

2009-08-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

My sister and Karen came to stay with us for a week and we had so much fun together!..we had made a list of options of things to do and as soon as they got here, we got busy!..eating out, shopping, sightseeing, hiking, games, karaoke...and so much more!!..I am worn out, but I sure do miss them alot...I had a hard time on Monday, when I had some time alone- just realized how wonderful it was to have some family to do things with....

wow!..it's been a long time!

2009-08-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

I have been having a busy summer, after being worried that I would be bored!!..just got back from Orlando with my good buddie Susan..we were there for the CHA trade show and helped another friend, Sabrina buy new scrapbook products for her store.
So fun to get to see all the new stuff and have an opinion as to what to get for the store! here are some pics of some of the layouts, most of them using the lines of products that we purchased...

a fun filled 4th!

2009-07-05T10:23:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun day yesterday..it started out with a fun Harley ride over through Shelton along the water..a perfect temperature for riding!..then home to get cleaned up to go to a BBQ held by some friends and their whole cul-de-sac. Great food and fabulous fireworks, they have a competition amongst the other neighborhoods around them for best show...they spend about $1000 on fireworks!!!..it rivaled Cheney Stadium!!..good day, long and tiring, but fun!!

a new fun place to go...

2009-07-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

My friend Judy took me to a new place in University Place..it is a tea place called the GREENSPOT. She had been there a couple of times, since she loves to try out new places!!..it was fabulous!!..I had a "dreamcicle" iced tea and a blueberry scone (to die for!) and she had her favorite "mint Mojito". I recommend this place highly even if you arent a tea lover, as it really didnt have a tea flavor at all, just YUMMY!!..check them out if you are in the area..they are right on Bridgeport and 33rd in the new building with condos up above...they folks that run it are super sweet and they even have a small meeting room that would be perfect for a book club!!

a visitor...

2009-06-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

Roger and I have become really interested in feeding/watching the birds that come into our yard..lately we have had a some really gorgeous finches at our feeder. I was finally able to get a decent picture of one. From what I understand these yellow finches are the Washington state bird, and are not seen a whole lot. I need to get a bird book for birds found in WA...any recommendations?

some mother's day pics

2009-05-21T16:42:00.001-07:00

I had a wonderful Mother's day!..was surrounded by my guys who cooperated with me getting some new family pics!..I told them that is all I wanted for a gift from them..altho I did get some Starbucks love and flowers too!!

a cute spring idea

2009-04-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

ok, trying to pull out of this funk and get on with life!!..so here is a cute spring idea that one of the parents gave me for teacher appreciation week..so cute! and you can plant them right in the egg shell!

anxiety...

2009-04-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling for awhile with severe anxiety about my health...this is brought on by 2 gals I know being diagnosed with MS and another gal my age having a double heart bypass!..for some reason I just felt myself becoming panicked..tingling hands and feet, off balance and rubbery legs...symptoms of anxiety (and also MS)..I know the odds are that I am fine, but my mind is obsessing over this.

I have started counseling and also my Dr put me on some mild anti-anxiety drugs and along with tears and prayers and trying to stay occupied, I hope to feel better soon. I know that God is with me and doesnt want me to live in fear, so I am trying to rise above this and keep on going and try to be positive..thanks for "listening" and prayers are always welcome..

northwest paper chase

2009-03-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

Wow!..my friends and I got back from 2 whirlwind days of shop hopping!..fun times, we went to 19 stores in 2 days!..we started in Bellingham and ended in Centralia, we went almost 300 miles the first day!..there were some stores we opted not to go to since they would take us far out of our route- some of us may try and hit those stores in the next 2 weeks.

There are many fabulous stores out there and many more that were just not good or eh?..one store owner was so rude I will never go back-(The Sqeaky Page in Oly)... The stores were to provide a black and white tag make and take for us, and some of them were really nice and some were just junk...wide range, just like the stores!

My friend Angie used her camera for all the pics, so will post pictures from our trip when she gets them to us!

friday night fun

2009-03-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

Roger plays in a band with a couple of his buddies most Friday nights. His friend Harvey, who plays the bass is moving to Germany for 4 yrs, so we had a big get together/going away party for him and his wife. It is sad, since they enjoy playing together so much..they play classic rock and are so good! A fun way to hang out on a Friday night!

more creating!

2009-03-09T14:17:00.000-07:00

I am so in love with the new trend in paper crafting of making banners...they make me happy, and I have made several over the last few months..I take them to school and use them to decorate my class/bulletin boards..this is my latest one!..I am so looking forward to Spring..enuf of this snow crud!!

been creating

2009-03-01T18:32:00.000-08:00

I just love making mini scrapbooks, and have been wanting to do one about my love of coffee...I finally found some coffee paper that wasnt too cutesy and made a little book out of it!..will add photos this week after I get them printed.

I am ambidextrous

2009-02-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

Someone commented on me being left handed the other day..someone I have known for a long while and they had not ever noticed I write with my left hand. I am one of a minority of people, since I do many things with either or both hands.
I write, eat and brush my teeth with my left hand, but cut with scissors, play baseball and open jars with my right hand. I can iron or vacuum or sweep with either hand equally well!!..

My parents were/are both rightys and my sister and I are both leftys!!..my Dad's father was left handed, is that the family connection?..does there have to be one?..hmm??

good marriage advice

2009-02-20T17:54:00.000-08:00

When Roger and I were separated and going thru counseling, our counselor used the Gottman Method...very logical, useful methods to help us get thru the troubled times. I found this list of some tangible, easy ways to stay connected to your spouse..hope this helps someone like it has helped us!!

Gottman found that these small, but important, steps when done consistently will improve and strengthen your relationship. At the end of the week, the total time for these steps is approximately five hours (that's less than one hour a day to spend on your relationship!).

Partings-when you part in the morning make sure you've learned about one thing happening in your partner's day. Estimated time: 2 minutes per day x 5 working days, totals 10 minutes per week

Reunions- Spend 20 minutes at the end of each workday to reconnect and talk about your day. Such a conversation with reduce your stress at the end of the day. Estimated time: 20 minutes per day x 5 working days, totals 1 hour, 40 minutes per week

Admiration and Appreciation-Find some way every day to communicate genuine affection and appreciation toward your partner. Estimated time: 5 minutes per day x 7 days, totals 35 minutes per week

Affection-Kiss, hold, grab and touch each other while you're together - be playful with each other. Make sure to kiss each other before going to sleep. A kiss can be a way to let go of any minor irritations that may have built up over the day. Estimated time: 5 minutes per day x 7 days, totals 35 minutes per week

Weekly Dates-Take at least two hours every week to stay connected in a low-pressure way. Use the time to talk to get to know each other even more, update each other about important issues, go out on a date, and enjoy being together. You can also use the time to work through any arguments or issues that may have come up. Estimated time: 2 hours per week

Valentine's weekend

2009-02-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

We drove back from Seaside thru Portland and stopped at several of our favorite stores..drove thru some snow..pretty but scarey!!..Saturday I got up to find Roger had gotten me a valentine mug, and balloon and also a bottle of my favorite perfume- he noticed I was out!!..so sweet!!

Later on that day we went to see the movie- "TAKEN"..we enjoyed it alot and give it two thumbs up!..after the movie we enjoyed our traditional heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphys...a nice, fun weekend!!

early Valentines getaway

2009-02-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Since we both had off Thursday we decided to head to the beach for an early Valentine's getaway!..we stayed at a little inn right on the beach in Seaside Oregon..very cozy and fun.

Valentines for my class

2009-02-08T18:52:00.001-08:00

I found the template for these adorable Valentines on my friend Valerie's blog (thanks Val!)..so I spent this afternoon printing and cutting..I need to get suckers for them- a peppermint tootsie pop was all I had for my prototype..a red sucker will look cuter...

Ethan turns 21!!

2009-02-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that my baby is now 21!..just seems like yesterday he was born!..we had a fun family lunch at Chevy's..he was treated to a song and a sombrero- to his chagrine!..lol!..love you son!

movies

2009-01-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

Roger and I love to watch movies, whether it is at the theater or on pay per view or a rental from Blockbuster- in the cold dreary days of winter, this is our entertainment of choice.

We tried a new venue to get our movies, and we are amazed at how easy and cheap it is!!..it is the REDBOX movie rental. I had seen them cropping up in our area and we finally decided to try it this weekend. How can you beat $1.00??..in this time of tightening our budget belt, this is definately a great way to go!

to sell or not to sell...

2009-01-14T16:29:00.000-08:00

that is the question!..Roger and I find ourselves rattling around in this big house..we have 3 bedrooms and a bathroom that no one even uses!..with the downturn of the housing market/economy it may not be the best time to try and sell, but we may just give it a try..it would be nice to not have a huge payment anymore!

movie day

2009-01-10T20:12:00.000-08:00

Roger and I went to the movies today, to see Gran Torino. The movie stars Clint Eastwood in his self proclaimed last acting roll. The movie was very powerful, but rather tough to watch in spots. There is much racial slurring/prejudice going on, so that is hard to take- but it is very good and worth hanging in there for. Roger and I both give it 2 thumbs way up!

2 nice things

2009-01-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

I had 2 nice things given to me today!..just randomly, but things that make me so happy!..

After work today I stopped into Starbucks to get a latte and happened to ask one of the gals that has worked there forever, if they ever marked down their holiday/Christmas blend coffee beans. She said they were marked down and then went back up, she asked me to hand her a pound and then proceeded to tell the cashier to grind them for me and to charge them to her number (they get a lb a week)...so I got my FAVORITE coffee beans for free!!

After getting a latte, I went next door for a pedicure and when the lady sitting next to me was done, she asked me if I would like her Oprah, O magazine. It is the newest issue, and one I was going to buy!..

I know these arent earth shattering things, but 2 nice, unexpected things I am grateful for today!..those, along with the sunshine have raised my spirits!

my word for the year

2009-01-06T17:44:00.001-08:00

After much thought, I have decided to focus on the word- GRATITUDE for this year. I constantly have to remind myself to see the glass as half full, not half empty. I want to change that and be grateful for my many blessings!

a big scrappy gift!

2009-01-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

Today was our first day back at school, and since we missed the last 3 days before Christmas, we were given several gifts today from our students/families. It is such a huge blessing and one of the many perks of being a teacher!!..along with movie tickets and Starbucks cards (YAY!) I was given this huge scrapbooking kit. I am not usually that keen on kits, but this one has amazing stuff in it, along with 2 albums!..wow!..it is hard to tell in this picture, but the kit is about 3 feet long!
I forsee some cool pages done with it.

christmas mini album

2009-01-04T18:32:00.000-08:00

I went to Redmond on Friday to hang out with my buddy, Susan..we went to Lasting Memories in Lynwood and I got this little Christmas kit, designed by Teresa Collins. She does such cute stuff and it was half off!!..we went back to Susan's and scrapped and I got it all put together, just need to journal. Woohoo, Christmas '08 already done!! I will do one 12x12 layout for my Christmas album tho.

another party!

2009-01-03T18:25:00.000-08:00

I had all my coworkers over last Tuesday for our annual get together..it had been postponed due to snow..we had such a fun time eating and doing our gift exchange..we drew names. I am so blessed to work with gals that I call some of my closest friends!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T21:00:00.000-08:00

We had such a nice time Christmas Eve and Christmas Day- Trevor and Ethan were here as well as Corrina, Trevor's girlfriend. We had dinner together on Christmas Eve and opened gifts, then they came back early this morning and we had a breakfast casserole and homemade sticky buns..then later today we had our traditional ham and twice baked potatoes etc...Good times and great gifts and lots of fun just being together!..Happy Birthday Jesus!

last minute gifts

2008-12-24T11:31:00.001-08:00

A COUPLE OF UP CLOSE PICTURES

I wanted to have some small gifts on hand to give to our neighbors and others,so I made these. An easy, inexpensive handmade gift to give! I got this idea off of Ali Edwards blog last year...I think they are pretty!

snow and Odin

2008-12-19T11:52:00.001-08:00

We have had the pleasure of dog sitting Trevor's dog while he is in Hawaii..we have grown to love Odin so much, but we are now sure that we do not want the responsibility of owning another dog right now!..the cats are so low maintenance, they fit our lifestyle much better at this stage of our lives..(empty nesters)

He spends alot of time guarding our bird feeders from the voracious squirrels and has also kept the neighborhood cats out of our yard!..

our snowy front yard!

yummy,easy recipe!

2008-12-17T18:31:00.000-08:00

EDITED TO ADD- THIS IS NOT A PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL SOUP, THIS IS A STOCK PHOTO! the actual soup is much yummier looking!

We had a very good and easy dinner today..it is Beef Vegetable Soup in the crockpot.

Makes 6-8 servings
Even though it is all canned veggies, it tastes so amazingly good, you'd never know!

1 lb cubed beef stew meat
1 (15oz) can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 (15 oz) can green beans, undrained
1 (15 oz) can carrots with juice
1 (15 oz)can sliced potatoes with juice
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (1.25 oz) pkg beef with onion soup mix (Lipton)
salt and pepper to taste

Place meat and all other ingredients into the slow cooker,stir to combine
Cook on low for at least 6 hrs. Add water if necessary.

critter control

2008-12-16T20:10:00.000-08:00

We have been hearing the scampering of little feet in our attic and finally made the call to have someone come out and take a look and see what is going on. Our cat and TRevor's dog have also been staring down at one of our furnace vents in our family room, directly above our crawl space..lovely!!

Anyhow, the guy came out and went in our attic and discovered we have rats!..they had chewed some boxes up there...OMG!!! how gross is that???..also we have squirrels in another attic up by our eaves and cats going in under our deck into our crawl space!!!...EEEKK!! The guy set traps to catch the squirrels (alive) and then set snap traps in our attic for the rats, Roger will seal off the crawl space. They charge by the catches, so this could get expensive!

fun party!

2008-12-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

We had such a fun time at our Christmas Party last night!!..we ended up with 13 people. Good food and lots of laughs!..we had a white elephant gift exchange and um, let's suffice it to say- lots of creativity and thought went into the gifts!!..lol..Roger had a theme to his, "Merry Redneck Christmas"..he put alot of time and effort into the gift and it was well received, with much hysteria!..I think this will have to be an annual event!

5 trees!!

2008-12-09T14:07:00.001-08:00

Lots of decorating going on!..my friend Chris is an amazing decorator, and since we are having 2 parties this year, I asked her if she would come and decorate the house for Christmas. She has used some of our old stuff, and added her special flair to it as well as buying some new stuff..she does such a good job! We have 5 trees up!..they all look so pretty.Makes us feel so in the mood for Christmas!

taking a time out!

2008-12-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

Roger and I spent alot of time this week/weekend getting the house/yard ready for Christmas. We cleaned carpets and ovens in anticipation of our party next weekend..(we are having about 15 of Roger's co-workers over for a get together)...

I got all our gifts bought and wrapped and boxed to mail out today. I finished and mailed our cards too...whew!..so to reward ourselves we took some time yesterday to go see a fun movie "Four Christmases", after having an appetizer and drink at the Keg.
The movie was very cute and a great way to relax and laugh and enjoy getting in the Christmas spirit!

day 1 of journaling my Christmas

2008-12-01T14:52:00.000-08:00

Starting today, December first, I will keep a Christmas journal. In it, I will write
something every day to reflect on the holidays of my past, enjoy the holidays of
the present and dream about the holidays of the future. To some, this would be a
stack of papers and trivial scribbles, but not to me. I am taking back my Christmas, I am letting it be something I relish and most importantly I am giving at least fifteen minutes to myself, every day, no matter how crazy this season becomes. This
Christmas I will make something with my own hands, my own words and my own memories.

proud mama moment

2008-11-26T21:33:00.001-08:00

Trevor, my oldest son and a group of his friends get together and jam whenever they get the chance..they developed a band and actually got a playing gig at a local hangout tonight!..the name of the joint doesnt give a good impression, but it was actually rather OK in there!..(the name is Hell's Kitchen)..the band played original music and was really good and easy to listen to!!.it was fun to see alot of the kid's friends, we havent seen much of them since they graduated. Good Job, Trev..Dad and I are proud of you!

twilight and chopstix!

2008-11-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

What a fun day I had on Saturday...I went to go see the new twilight movie and all I can say is Wow!..it was very well done and true to the book..I cant wait to go see it again!..and also for more movies to be made from the other books!

Later that day I went to chopstix with a group of friends and had such a fun time!..good friends and good times!!..altho getting home at midnight is WAY past my bedtime..makes me feel kinda old.

been creating!

2008-11-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

I have been busy making my christmas cards and also a little mini album that I intend to do for Christmas...

The cards were pretty much a scraplift from a Stampin Up catalog, and the album was inspired from a mini album I saw at Treasury Of Memories. I will be using it for the 25 days of Christmas class/album theme that Ali Edwards does on her blog. It is a good way to keep Christmas memories and all the fun things, chores and traditions that come during the whole month of December.

Feels good to be ready, a little bit ahead of time for a change!

fun, fun!-(NOT!)

2008-11-13T22:51:00.000-08:00

Well, in the ongoing saga of my stomach issue, today I underwent a colonoscopy. I am 46 now and my Dr. has cheefully been doing the 5 year count down till I am 50 and need to have my 1st screening. Well, since the pain has been ongoing and all the other tests have been ok, she said to have the colonoscopy done 4 yrs early...ICK

The actual procedure was not a big deal, the prep wasnt even a big deal- it was going 36 hours with nothing to eat but jello and clear fluids. They now have pills you can take to cleanse the colon, instead of drinking all the icky go litely fluid. The only downside to the pills is you have to take 28 of them!!..20 within one hour and then 8 the next morning..hard, but do-able!!..now do you get the symbolism of the twisty slide in the picture?..lol!!
The good news is that my colon is beautiful and I dont have to have another test like this for 10 more years.

weekend retreat!!

2008-11-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

I just got home from a fun weekend scrapbook retreat. I went with an online group I am a part of. We went to Ft Worden State Park, in Port Townsend, WA- where the movie "An Officer and a Gentlemen" was filmed. This is the 3rd or 4th year for us to go there..

I spent alot of time purging my scrap stuff, and went thru everything and if I havent used it in the past year, it went into the garage sale box to take to the retreat. One of the nice things about such a venue, was that there were scrappers of all levels, lots of beginners- so my old stuff was new to them and they loved it all. I sold over $300 worth!!..woohoo!!

I am wiped out, from staying up late and getting up early- but it was so fun to just hoot and holler with friends, we played dominoes and got so silly- my muscles in my throat are actually sore from laughing so much!!

I took the day off tomorrow to recoup and am looking forward to my own bed tonight!

halloween fun!

2008-11-02T18:46:00.000-08:00

Trick or Treat was Girl's Game Night...we had so much fun and even though we didnt trick or treat, we had a good time being silly!..lol..Roger told me I looked good with big hair!!..I think I look like thing 1 or thing 2 from Dr Seuss!!

birthday festivities!!

2008-10-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

I had such a very nice birthday today, I feel so blessed to have had so many nice cards and gifts given to me. I got packages in the mail, and flowers delivered to me.. I even had a surprise party thrown for me in one of my preschool classes!! I went to lunch with Patrice and to dinner with my family...it was one of my best birthdays yet..I have good friends and a wonderful family that makes me feel so special, thanks to you all!!..

my happy place

2008-10-26T20:13:00.000-07:00

I went to my happy place today, I had a full body massage. It is a big luxury for me, it is costly ($65)but oh so worth it to me!..my therapist knows so well just how hard to work on me, and remembers how much I love to have my feet rubbed- she is the best!!

I go once a month but I would love to go more often. She has me choose what scent of oil, the table has a warmer under the mattress pad and a down comforter on top-along with nice, gentle music it is a total mind, body and spirit renewal.

I know the picture is blurry- I was trying to hurry and take it before I got undressed for my massage. How about you?..do you get massages?

Trevor's new doggy!

2008-10-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

Our oldest son adopted a dog this past week. We got to meet "Odin" yesterday and were so impressed with his manners and behavior!..he was so sweet and calm, even around our 2 kitties. Roger and I both really enjoyed him, and got our doggy fix!

Pumpkin Patch today!

2008-10-21T19:47:00.001-07:00

Today my 3yr old class went to Maris Farms to their pumpkin patch...it is a long way to go, but so worth it!..we go on a school bus, which makes the trip just so much fun, (for the kids!)..and the fun continues tomorrow, when we get to go again with our 4 yr old class!!..woohoo!! We were so happy for the sunshine!

cozy day at home

2008-10-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

Not much going on around here today, Roger is doing some fall cleanup outside in the yard...I am still in my jammies at noon!..and have paid bills and made a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. I plan on making up some kits for some scrapbook pages for the retreat I am going on in November. Just a lazy day!..I love days like this!

Happy birthday DAD!!..love you!

an early birthday gift!

2008-10-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

Roger bought me this girly, bling-y helmet for my birthday..a friend of ours has this helmet and I fell in love with it, so he got me one. They are custom blinged and take awhile to get one, but so worth it!..now I wish for a warm sunny day to wear it..Spring will be too long to wait!!

nothing like a sister...

2008-10-08T20:15:00.001-07:00

My cats are sisters and just adore each other, they spend alot of time just curled up together snoozing..they always seem to get along.Adorable..

My sister and I on the other hand have taken many years to have a good relationship. It was in our 30's that we finally became friends. It is a relationship that I have come to treasure. We are very different, but alike in so many ways. I am so happy to have her and just wish we lived closer..she lives in Tampa,FL- just about as far apart as we can get, but just a phone call away. I am so looking forward to her visit this month, just in time for my birthday!! She is adorable...

some fall planting

2008-10-03T15:18:00.001-07:00

I have 2 planters in the front of our house- I enjoy changing them with the seasons..I finally got them planted for fall this week. I love the mums and pansies and ornamental kale/cabbages. It is so nice to be able to have some color throughout the winter!

happy birthday to Trevor!

2008-09-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my oldest son's birthday...he turned 23!..that sounds so grown up!..how did I get to be the mother of a child that old?...we took the family and Corrina his girlfriend to Knapps for a yummy breakfast..he had plans with friends for the evening. We bought him a ticket to go see AC/DC in concert in November...Love you son!

stolen!!..edited at the bottom of post!

2008-09-24T19:26:00.001-07:00

Well, on Monday on my way to get the endoscopy, we stopped at Rite Aid for a prescription refill..it wasnt ready so we left and went on to my appt. In the daze/stressfulness of the day, I left my wallet on the counter in the store!!

When we got home, we got the message that the wallet had been found and was put into their safe. Roger went to get it, (since I was still throwing up from the anesthesia)..all the cash and change was gone, but all my ID and credit cards etc..was still in the wallet...all is well...NOT SO MUCH..it dawned on me the next day that one of my diamond rings was in the change purse part of the wallet, and it was gone!..so sad, it was an anniversary band that Roger gave me on our 15th anniversary..not a hugely valuable ring, but sentimental for sure!

Today I went and spoke to the manager of the Rite Aid and asked if they had looked at the video of the pharmacy..duh!..they hadnt looked!!..anyway, they called me this afternoon and told me they know who took it, and have it on tape!..so I had to do a police report and they are taking it from here..so hopefully they can get the ring back if it hasnt been pawned already...as if LIFE hasnt been stressful enough already!..oh well, it could have been worse, they could have stolen the cards and ID..trying to look on the positive side!

Just got a call from the Pierce County sherrif, they have arrested the woman who stole the ring, and she is in jail!!..she says she lost the ring, and the cop said her house was filthy and he could see her losing it in the mess...here's a hoping she can find it and I will get it back..this will go to court eventually and she will have to make restitution, if the ring isnt given back to me...

my endoscopy

2008-09-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

I have been having recurrent stomach pain since December and after ultrasounds, xrays, CT scans and a trip to the ER, my doc sent me for an upper endoscopy.
I went today and the procedure was a piece of cake..really!!..they got my IV started on the first try and then I was "out of it" and dont remember having to swallow the tube or anything icky!!..woke up in the recovery room and was told it all looked good with the exception of some polyps, so either the ulcer healed or we have no answer as to what the pain is/was....so, good news/bad news!

Journey/Heart/Cheap Trick

2008-09-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

It was my turn to plan our anniversary this year..and when I heard this summer that one of our favorite bands was coming to town the day after our anniversary, I knew that was what I would do!..we went last night and all three bands were incredible. It was so fun to relive some of our high school days thru the music!

I learned however, that large crowds of alcohol imbibing people dont always set well with me..I have very little tolerance for inconsiderate people who stand and block views and sway in their seats and bump into me continuously, cigarette/pot smoke bugs me at this age too, it was at the White River Ampitheater, so technically outdoors...which brings me to the question of-am I too old for concerts?...
the answer is, quite possibly!!!

our anniversary

2008-09-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today is our 26th wedding anniversary!..I woke up to these gorgeous roses and a nice card and balloon..after Roger got home this evening we went out to dinner at The Keg..yummy dinner and even my favorite dessert, creme brulee.

Author Tea

2008-09-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

I went this past Sunday to an author's tea with my favorite author, Debbie Macomber..I went with my friend Judy and several of her friends for the second year in a row. We had yummy treats and also got the 8th book in her Cedar Cove series!..cant wait to read it! Debbie is a hoot to listen to, fun day!

safe and sound at home

2008-08-30T20:17:00.001-07:00

Ethan arrived home tonight from his Alaskan fishing adventure. We are so happy to have him home!!..he enjoyed fishing, even though it was really hard work. Roger, Trevor and I met his boat as it came into dock in Gig Harbor- lots of families there to welcome both boats home (2 brothers each own a fishing boat and they fish together) We wanted to take the guys out to dinner and Ethan could hardly wait to get to TACO BELL!!..(not what we had in mind, but oh well, that is what he missed!)so thankful he is home safely!

back to school...

2008-08-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

It has been a long and stressful couple of weeks for me, so I have not been in the blogging "mood". I had to switch rooms at preschool, and I also have a different assistant. STRESSFUL!!..this will be my last year teaching, I find I am just not having the patience I used to- we had our first day of school this past Wed 4yr olds and then another first day for my 3yr olds yesterday..had a couple of criers and it just was so hard for me to cope in a kind way!!...anyway, enough of the whining.

Roger spent the last week in Oklahoma City for training and is now back and happy to feel our cool temperatures- he said it was unbearably hot there.

Ethan is on his way home from Alaska fishing, we will pick him up in Gig Harbor at the Marina either tomorrow or Sunday. I missed him so much and cant wait to see him, he said he didnt shave the whole 2 months-eek!!..will see what he looks like,he is a pretty hairy guy.

I havent seen Trevor in a few weeks, he is busy with work and life and we miss him!!

That is my humdrum life in a nutshell!!

we are back!

2008-08-12T08:46:00.001-07:00

Our trip was very fun, but not without adventure!..We left Tacoma about 6 a.m. on Friday and got home late last night(Monday). We rode over 1100 miles in that time!!

Our destination was Joseph Oregon for the Bronze,Blues and Brews festival- the town has 3 foundries and there are bronze statues all through the streets- amazing!!
The music was incredible and the crowd was well behaved even thought there was ALOT of beer drinking going on, there were 15 micro-breweries represented.Organic beer is yucky, just so you know!!..ick!

The ride down was where the adventure took place,a little bit of rain in Yakima cleared right up..but as we got further into the day, we could see lots of lightening and rain tunnel looking things from the sky to the ground!..our route went right through them. It was about 5 or so and the skies opened up and dumped with the lightening and thunder and buckets of rain. We had no where to go, we were out in the middle of farmland!!..scarey and vulnerable!! Finally we came across a modular home and a garage and pulled in- no one was home, so we stood against their metal garage and got a small amount of shelter. That is when the torrential rain started along with gusts of wind and then HAIL that was the size of quarters!!..it lasted at least 1/2 hr and we got soaked to the skin-and pounded by hail..the temperature dropped too with the hail. It finally let up a little and we had to keep going..we were about 100 miles from our destination..fast forward thru the cold wet ride about 50 miles and we get within 50 miles of our hotel and find out there were many mudslides and the only road thru there was closed due to the mud and trees down!!!..waaa!!..now it was 7:00 or so and FREEZING cold and we had to turn around and ride to Lewiston Idaho to stay the night...I was shaking uncontrolably and we were all hideously miserable..altho our friends have heating riding gear (guess what Roger and I will have before our next long ride) and we rolled into a hotel about 9 or so, soaked to the skin and muddy as hell. Thankfully they had room!..we cleaned up and had a nice dinner (and a few drinks) and got up Saturday and made it the rest of the way to the festival with no more problems, other than riding bikes that looked like we had been 4 wheeling on them!! We ended up riding 500 miles and about 14 hours that day- whew!!

The rest of the trip was nice sunny weather and lots of fun, beautiful scenery, good music and food and wonderful times with friends!..guess Im not such a wimp after all..lol!!

this blog temporarily interupted.....

2008-08-07T04:17:00.000-07:00

by my new obession with these books!..I read over 1000 pages in 2 1/2 days...I am trying to put off starting book 3- Ive got stuff to do!!

Roger and I will be gone on a 4 day ride with some friends to Joseph, Oregon and then on into Idaho and then home..we leave at 6 in the morning (tomorrow)
so the next long break in the blog will be due to me being gone, not just reading!!

mama mia

2008-08-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

I went to see this movie tonight with my friend Patrice..I have heard most of the music over the years, but havent really known the story/musical that links them all together. This movie was fabulously done, just so much fun- I laughed and cried!..at one point, a little old man in front of me was even crying!..go see it if you are just in the mood for a light,enjoyable time!

been scrappin

2008-07-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

I have done 2 mini albums this month~one was a kit I bought for the 4th of July pics and the other album was a trip album for Corrina, Trevor's girlfriend. Her parents took her and her brother on a trip to Europe. Both albums were alot of fun and very satisfying to get done quickly!..I am finding I enjoy doing these small projecs way more than 12x12 pages.

one more road trip!

2008-07-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

We had one more road trip in mind and decided to do it this week too!..we went to drive the Olympic Penninsula and stopped at the Olympic Game Farm and Hurricane Ridge..amazingly fun things to do..altho they were paving up to the Ridge, so we had about a 45 min wait to get up, and then down- so if you plan on going, factor that into your time frame!..but it was incredible once you get up there...

I had always wanted to go to the game farm- you drive thru and the animals are loose, except for the bears and rhino...they come right up to the car and you can feed them bread!!..kinda freaky to have a big yak or elk want to stick their head in your car!!..so fun to see these animals up close and personal!!...take the kids and go!

on the road....

2008-07-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

Roger and I went on a long motorcycle trip this past Monday, we did the North Cascades Loop. We spent the night in Winthrop, WA and spent some time with friends Tammy and Courtney (and family) who were camping at Lake Pearygin. We got to ride on their jet ski, a first for both Roger and I, so much fun!!

It was so hot over in Eastern WA and pleasant until we got headed back over the pass, it was frigid- snowy and blowy and just hideous!!..BBBRRR!!! We stopped in Eneumclaw at the Starbucks and luckily they had their gas fireplace on for us to thaw out in front of!!..July?? hmmm?..more like January!

mt rainier ride

2008-07-20T06:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Roger and I met up with our friend Ray and went for a ride to Mt Rainier. Ray is from Oklahoma and had never been up on the mountain...he was so amazed at the incredible scenery!..it was a freezing ride for about half the day, when we left the temperature was only 55 and with the wind on us it was at least 10 degrees colder..BBBRRRR!! We thawed out some and had snacks at Sunrise and had some fun little critter visitors!

berry picking

2008-07-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

My friend Monica called me and told me that her raspberry bushes were loaded, and to come on over and pick some. I have never berry picked before, since until this summer, I thought I didnt like them, due to the seeds getting in my teeth!..lol..I learned that the small hassle of seeds is worth it for the yummy flavor...

In no time at all, we had a bowl full of berries for me to take home and add to my yogurt and for smoothies..a nice way to spend a gorgeous summer day...mmmm!

Guitar Lessons

2008-07-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

Roger has always been a musician, band in high school and self taught on the guitar..very musicaly inclined. He plays with some of his friends from work most Friday evenings at one of their homes..they need a singer,anyone know someone who likes to sing classic rock?..anyway- I digress...

He found out through a co-worker that there is a Federal Way School of music and the guitar teacher there is named Steve Lynch. He was in an 80's hair band called Autograph

Roger has been taking lessons with this guy for a few months and is so happy, he is learning stuff that he has always wanted to know how to do..such a good thing to get to expand on his hobby/passion!!

a little kitty torment

2008-07-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

We have a bird feeder outside our living room window, and it is sweet torture for our kitties. Like watching tv, it provides much entertainment for them...

Yesterday a squirrel came to eat the seeds off the ground and the cats were just enthralled with watching it!!..I imagined them thinking-"sometimes being an inside cat just sucks"..poor kitties!!

celebrating the 4th

2008-07-04T23:33:00.000-07:00

Roger and I were invited to one of his co-worker's homes for a 4th of July celebration. It was a huge cul-de-sac BBQ with fabulous food, and the most incredible fireworks that I have ever seen outside of DisneyWorld!!..their area has battle of the cul-de-sacs to see who can out-do the others!..our host spent hundreds of dollars and the competition was fierce!!..

I bought a new camera this week to give Ethan mine to take with him, and my new one has a fireworks setting, some of the pics turned out very interesting...

Another reason for me to celebrate today, is that I got a text message from Ethan saying he was doing fine and that they should arrive in Alaska tomorrow night...so good to hear from him- it made my day complete!

It is a good day!

2008-07-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

I had a really nice day today..started out with a good weigh in at Weight Watchers, I have now lost 26.2 lbs!..only 20 more to go to reach my first big goal. I will decide then if I want to continue to lose more or just be content to maintain. I am going more for a size goal than a set weight...

After WW, I worked for a bit at the preschool and then Roger and I headed to downtown Tacoma first to eat at the Pita Pit (yummy!)and then to see the Tall Ships..we walked across the bridge by the museum of glass to the waterfront/dock area. We watched one of the ships come into the dock via a tug boat..we were wishing we could see one of the ships with the sails up, but that didnt happen. We may scope out the waterfront another day and try and see them sailing.

bittersweet

2008-07-01T21:24:00.000-07:00

Today my baby left to go fishing in Alaska for 2 months...it was hard to say good-bye, but I know it will do him good. He will be just fine, I am sure- but it doesnt make it any easier to let him go!..

mixed emotions

2008-06-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

While I am so excited to go on our scrapbooking retreat this weekend, I am majorly bummed that it is supposed to be the first really good, warm and sunny weekend of summer and we will be inside!!

I will be missing out on a motorcycle ride with Roger and a friend..they plan to ride to Yakima and back..sigh..I wanna go...I know there will be plenty of other weekends to ride, but since all our bad weather- this really has us chomping at the bit for a long ride!!

Oh well..maybe a Sunday afternoon ride will be in order when I get home!

she sent the pictures

2008-06-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

See my Good Deed post on Sunday....the wife sent me the pictures from that evening..yay!..

more house stuff

2008-06-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

We decided to improve our french door to the deck and replace it with a nice new sliding glass door..the wood was rotting out since it gets so much exposure to the rain. We love it and look forward to having a screen to get more air moving through the house (if it ever warms up that is!!)

a good deed

2008-06-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

Today Roger and I went to "The Spar" in Old Town Tacoma for our regular Sunday night blues music and got to witness something really neat.

It gets really crowded in there, so seating is at a premium- one of the band members asked us if some guests of honor could sit at our table (since we were down in front)
We said sure, and made room (at this point we didnt even know who was playing tonite)

As it turns out a couple came and sat down and started talking with us about something that they did for the singer of the band. The singer is a guy name LeRoy Bell, he had a number 1 single in the 70's and earned a gold record for it. He also writes music for a number of other singers and his uncle was a writer for alot of the older Motown singers.

Well, the couple that sat with us was shopping at an antique mall here in Tacoma in 1994 and they found and bought a gold record to hang in the husband's music room as a decoration...it was the original gold record that LeRoy had earned and somehow had gotten stolen from him...we heard two scenarios, one was his Father's house was robbed and another band member said his girlfriend at the time threw it out!!
Anyway, the band was so honored and thrilled that this couple had tracked them down and contacted them and made it right by giving it back.

It was heartwarming and very nice to see...It was by far my favorite band we have heard down there and they just released a new CD ..he has an amazing voice!! Of course I didnt have my camera, but the wife of the couple took lots of pics and she offered to send me some, hope she does!

old pictures

2008-06-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

I have been taking a walk down memory lane, while getting pictures made of my childhood. I wish I had done this project while my Mom was still alive, so I could have some input from her about the pics...not sure my Dad would remember things like my Mom would have. I am looking forward to scrapping these pics at our upcoming retreat!

new blog!

2008-06-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

Due to technical difficulties, I have made a new blog...I was unable to have comments on the old one. I thought I could live without that feature, but after awhile it bugged me to not have that enabled. Thanks for reading/commenting.