I'm Just Waiting For "Flip That House" To Call

Yesterday afternoon Zach was getting a snack out of the cupboard when suddenly the cupboard door just fell off for no reason whatsoever.  (Mmm hmm.)  Anyway, by the time I got there the door was hanging precariously by its bottom hinges and Zach was trying to hold it up while simultaneously explaining that he had nothing to do with it.  The whole thing was obviously an emergency situation, am I right?  So I did what any innovative mom would do...

I handled it with duct tape.  I even chose a stylish red color.  Then I left for Starbucks with my friend Candace and I forgot all about it.  The rest is sketchy, but from what I can gather from the kids, apparently when Mike finally saw my home repair project he was less then impressed.  He even laughed at me!  And he took that picture!  Tsk.  Some people just don't appreciate us MacGyver types when they meet us.

I Just Want To Say...

that as of this evening, I've walked 52 miles.  I figure out how far I go in my new walking routine using this website, then I plug that information into  this website.  The first is a Google site which allows you to use a map of your city to calculate to the nearest hundredth of a mile how far you went.  The second site is a fun, cool virtual walk across America starting on the coast of Virginia and ending on the coast of Oregon.  You input your miles each time you walk (or run or bike), and it shows you on a map exactly where you are.  It even shows you a real photo.  Anyway, like I said I've gone 52 miles.  I'm both amazed and pleased with myself.  And I'm getting some muscles!

Sue

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today ~ July 21, 2008

Outside my window...the flowers in the window boxes are thriving, but our lawn is brown.  That's okay, though, because so is everyone else's.  The best I can figure, grass around here has shallow roots.  For most of the year it rains all the time, so the roots don't have to go very deep to get water.  Then along comes July and August, during which time it never rains, and lawns turn into wastelands.

I am thinking...about how much fun VBS turned out to be this morning.  I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it, seeing as how the VBS we did in Michigan was so incredible, but I enjoyed today a lot.  It felt good to be acting again, such as it was.

I am thankful for...the friends we're making here.  It's been a process, but suddenly I'm realizing we're starting to really know people. 

From the kitchen...tonight came a gross sausage, tomato, and rice concoction.  (Notice the passive voice which makes it seem like that disgusting meal miraculously created itself in there.)

I am wearing...jeans and a green t-shirt with Mike's work logo on it.

I am creating...well, have created...the outfit for my character at VBS.  I made it out of a white tyvex suit and duct tape.  It looks pretty good! 

I am going...nowhere for the rest of the evening, thank goodness.  I'm tired.

I am reading...a book about a woman who left a Mormon community and a polygamous marrage.  She was a fourth wife.  The book is called Escape.

I am hoping...that the boy down the street who's coming to our VBS this week understands and accepts what Jesus did for him on the cross.

I am hearing...the boys doing card tricks in the living room, the dryer doing a load of sheets, and the dishwasher washing the day's dishes.

Around the house...it's clean and calm, unlike how it was for most of the rest of this day. 

One of my favorite things...lately is watching The Mole.  A ton of people have been kicked off the show so far, but I still have no earthly idea who the mole is.  I'll be shocked if it's that friendly dude in the glasses.

A few plans for the rest of the week...include VBS everyday from 8:30 to noon, tomorrow we're going on a picnic at the park with a family we met who homeschools and owns a bikeshop, on Wednesday Zach has an appointment at the L&L clinic, there's Bible study on Thursday, a picnic supper at church on Friday, and on Saturday I have to get Zach ready to go to camp.  He leaves on Sunday. Oh, and karate.  I don't really like weeks like this at all.  I like being home and doing my own thing.  In fact, I hate to say it, but at heart I'm sort of anti-social.

Here's a picture thought I'm sharing...

To read the daybooks of others, please join Peggy at her website here. 

Weekend Project

This weekend Mike and I worked together and finally got our bedroom painted!  I really love it.   It's warm and cheerful.

We ended up going with "Lemon Drop" yellow on the walls.  I love how it picks up the yellow in the quilt my mom made us as a wedding gift.

Here's a view from the other side of the room, looking toward the door.  Our bedroom is in a converted attic, so going up into it feels just a little bit like being in a treehouse.  I think it's the sloped ceiling and slanted door.

One thing, though.  I found out painting is a lot more tedious than it looks on those "Flip That House" shows. 

Life Lessons in Hiking

Today Mike and Zach went on another hike...their second.  This one, to Mount Pilchuck, was higher and more difficult than the one they did a few weeks ago.  This one required some actual gear.  lol  They went with our friend Scott and his son Brannon, and our other friend Tom, and they had a great time as usual.  From what Mike told me, they started at about 3000 feet and hiked up to an old forest service fire lookout at around 5300 feet.  (The lookout is shown in the picture above.  Mike didn't take that picture, by the way.  I found it online.)   Their plan is to try to get in a couple more progressively difficult hikes before they make their big trip to Mount St. Helens in September.

As I looked at the pictures and video of this hike and heard Mike's story of how it went, I was struck by what a cool way hiking is to learn life lessons, especially for teenagers.  Hiking isn't necessarily dangerous as long as you listen to people who know more than you, work together as a team, and stay positive.  Man, if we could all figure those things out the world would be a better place!

Here's a montage showing some pictures of the hike, and then at the end there's a video of Tom, who's an experienced hiker, teaching the two boys how to stop themselves if they fall on a glacier.  It's cool to watch and educational. 

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Simple Woman's Daybook

For today ~ July 15, 2008

Outside my window...the sun is setting and the air is cooling down.  It's that quiet last few minutes of dusk.

I am thinking...that I really need to get an outfit together for my part in the VBS skit next week.  I'm a Buzz Lightyear type character and I have very little idea how I'm going to pull that off.  Right now I'm thinking a white t-shirt, white sweats, and a lot of neon colored electrical tape.  This may not be pretty.

I am thankful for...the safe birth of my brand new niece, Taya Noelle!  My sister Lindsey and her husband Travis had their second child last week.  I wish I could be back in Michigan to see her.

From the kitchen...today came tuna pasta salad.  It's a nice, cool supper on a hot summer day.  Plus it's good comfort food.  My mom made it when I was a kid.

I am wearing...jeans and a cute, feminine, mint green t-shirt that I got on clearance the other day.

I am creating...a freshly painted bedroom!  Well, I will be soon, anyway, with Mike's help.  I'm going to paint our room "lemon meringue" and it'll be the perfect shade of pale yellow to match the quilt on our bed.  I can't wait.

I am going...to take a bubble bath as soon as I finish this.  I'm still doing my walking program and my muscles are sore and tired tonight.  I'm up to 3 3/4 miles, though!

I am reading...a children's book called The House on Falling Star Hill.   I do enjoy the occasional children's book and always have.  I recently finished reading Walk Yourself Thin, which I loved and was very inspired by.  AND!  I've been meaning to tell you guys that you absolutely must read Marley and Me, by John Grogan.  It was the best book I've read in ages.  I laughed and cried.  I loved it so much I even got my sister and mom to read it, and they loved it, too.  Get it from your library.  For real.

I am hoping...Zach has a great time at camp in a couple weeks.  He decided to go after seeing how much fun Drew had.  lol

I am hearing...Mike and the boys watching Deadliest Catch in the living room.

Around the house...it's quiet and peaceful.  Mike's working from home on his laptop at the kitchen table (and watching TV at the same time), the boys are curled up on the couches, and Baylee's in bed reading a new book which has something to do with a homeschooling family and pirates. 

One of my favorite things...is General Foods Coffee.  But I'm picky.  I only like the Cafe Francais flavor.

A few plans for the rest of the week...include Zach bowling with the youth group Wednesday, Bible study on Thursday, Mike and Zach hiking with friends on Saturday, Drew and Baylee's karate also on Saturday, and church and a VBS meeting on Sunday.  Next week is VBS.

Here's a picture thought I'm sharing...

Baylee got one of those make-a-potholder loom thingies for her birthday and she loves it.  She made this.

To see the daybooks of others, join Peggy at her website, The Simple Woman.

All Hail King Mike

Last week at church Mike's name came up to be next year's president of our peer group.*  Several people thought that might be a good idea, then the conversation went on to who might be willing to fill the other offices, and finally it was decided that it would all be talked about more in the near future.

So.  Much to Mike's dismay because he really doesn't like the title, I've amused myself to no end making fun of Mr. Potential President.  I always suspected it would come in handy someday to have the entire script of Monty Python's Holy Grail memorized **, and I was right!  I've found great joy in quoting to Mike the scene from the movie in which King Arthur goes out amongst the people in an attempt to drum up support, but nobody takes him seriously.

Mike:  So what do you think about me doing this thing at church?

Me:  What thing?

Mike:  That president thing.  But don't ever call me "president" or I'll quit. 

Me:  Well, I didn't know we had a king.  I thought we were an autonomous collective.

Mike:  Stop with the Monty Python.

Sue:  We take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week, voting with a two thirds majority...

Mike:  Sue...

Sue:  Well, I didn't vote for you.

Mike:  [laughs]

Sue:  How did you become king, then?  Oh right...the Lady of the Lake gave you Excalibur.  Listen, strange women lying around in ponds is no basis for a system of government.  You can't expect to weld supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!

Mike:  [coming after me now to get me to shut up]

Sue:  Oh, now we see the violence inherent in the system!  Help, help, I'm being repressed!


Ahhh.  Good times, good times.

Sue

*  Peer groups are groups of people in the church split up by age (Ours is the 35-45 group) who meet for 20 minutes each Sunday before Sunday school.  We catch up with each other's week and pray and stuff.  Someone sort of loosely leads the group mostly in prayer, while others head up hospitality issues, socials, etc.  Honestly, I didn't even know there were titles until last week.  It's not really a big deal.

** The Holy Grail was my favorite movie in high school and college, and I watched many, many times.

Baylee Turns 7

Baylee had a birthday yesterday!  She invited her grandma and cousin over to spend a couple days with us.  We hung out and messed around on Friday, then in the evening we went to Chuck E Cheese for supper, then came home again for cake, ice cream, and presents.  Today I took Patty and the kids to the mall so Baylee could pick out a Webkinz, while Mike went to get Drew from camp.  (Drew had a blast, by the way!)  All in all it was a busy, but fun weekend.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Best Thing I've Ever Gotten On Video

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Brush With the Law

Today when Mike got home from work Zach was sprawled out on the couch watching the history channel, which is exactly what he was doing when Mike left for work in the morning.  Seeing our teen lying there like that, Mike asked, "Has he moved all day?"  And I replied, "Tsk!  Of course!  We've done all sorts of things today.  We went to the library, we picked up the house, the kids played outside, I had a run-in with the police.  We were busy!"

Yup.  I got pulled over today for going 45 in a 30.  It's the first time I've ever been pulled over in all my years of driving.  It's not my first ticket, mind you, but those other two were for accidents I caused was in, and that's not technically getting "pulled over" because, well, I was already stopped.  Suddenly.  And without warning.

Anyway, I saw the police car there in the parking lot of the Baptist church as I was speeding by, and I hoped with all my might he was busy, you know, praying or something, but nope.  He pulled out after me within seconds, red and blue lights flashing.  I immediately started to drive to the side of the road, but the officer got on his bullhorn and instructed me to go ahead to the next area with no traffic.  "PLEASE CONTINUE ON OUT OF TRAFFIC!"  Yeah.  That was pretty much the most horrifying thing ever.  I turned off onto a side street and stopped the car, and very shortly a young man in uniform was at my window.  I have to say, he was incredibly kind.  He asked about our day and where we were headed and he commented on how the weather is beautiful, all before telling me how fast I was going.  I didn't even try to make an excuse.  I just apologized profusely.  Of course, he did the whole thing with going back to his car to check out my license, insurance, and registration, then he came back and let me off the hook!  I was so relieved!!!  He told me to slow down, I thanked him several times and assured him that I would indeed slow down, and there ended my brush with the law.

I must say,  I'm a reformed driver.  Even though I don't make a habit of speeding, I'm going to be extra, extra careful from now on!

Sue

A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today ~ July 7, 2008

Outside my window...it's gorgeous!  We've got blue skies, warm weather, gentle breezes, and no humidity.  It's a perfect July day.

I am thinking...not much, really.

I am thankful for...the Learning and Language Clinic!  Zach had his first session today and I feel really encouraged that they're going to be able to do great things with him.

From the kitchen...I'll be making red beans and rice with polish sausage for supper.

I am wearing...my new black bathing suit since Zach, Baylee, and I just got home from the beach.  We went to Zach's thing at the clinic, then went right from there to the lake with a picnic.  It was nice.

I am creating...hmm...nothing.  Unless you count this blog.  Today's not a creating kind of day; it's a catching up kind of day.

I am going...to see that new American Girl movie with Baylee tonight.  We were invited to go with another mom and little girl.  It should be fun.

I am reading...Don't Scream, by Wendy Corsi Staub.  I'm only about 100 pages into it and so far I'm not all that invested.  What I'd really like to be reading is the book I ordered from Amazon.com, Walk Yourself Thin.  Unfortunately it hasn't arrived yet.

I am hoping...that Drew's having a wonderful time and making friends.

I am hearing...Baylee watching cartoons in the living room and Zach opening the garage door to get his bike out. 

Around the house...it's a mess and I really should do something about it.  I hate Mondays in that way, because usually we let it go all weekend and then Monday rolls around and it's awful.

One of my favorite things...is laying out on the beach.  I know it's terrible for me, but I still love it, especially if I have a good book.

A few plans for the rest of the week...include another appointment at the clinic for Zach on Wednesday, Bible study on Thursday, celebrating Baylee's birthday on Friday and Saturday, and also on Saturday picking up Drew.

Here's a picture thought I'm sharing...

All the kids with Grandma, five years ago

To read the daybooks of others, please visit The Simple Woman here.

Campin' Drew

Today I dropped my baby off at summer camp.  Okay, okay, so he's ten and not a baby.  But still!  It was weird to help him find his bunk and get situated, hug him (and try to kiss him, but he wasn't having ANY of that), and then walk away for a week.  And when I say weird I mean for me, of course, because Drew was totally fine with it.  lol  I sure hope he has fun.

After we left our boy at camp we headed back home across the mountains and at the last minute decided to take a detour and visit Snoqualmie Falls.  It's the most amazing waterfall...so much power.  We saw it from the top, then hiked down the trail and saw it from the bottom, too.  It was only about a mile hike, but holy. steep.  I told my family to leave me to die.  I told some random hikers that I was never going down to the bottom and back up again.  Ever.  They all laughed at me. 

Here's  a few pictures of the day.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sue

Flag Cake

Bunch of strawberries (I bought a couple pounds, but Baylee ate a ton.)
1 pkg (16 ounces) Sara Lee pound cake, cut into slices
Bunch of blueberries (I bought a bag of frozen blueberries.  Again, Baylee ate several.)
1 large (16 oz) tub of Cool Whip
1 excited child

Slice 1 cup of strawberries; set aside.  Line bottom of 9x13 baking dish with slices of  pound cake.  I made mine fairly thick...maybe a little less than an inch. You just want to cut it so it basically covers the whole bottom of the dish.  Top with the cup of sliced strawberries and 1 cup of blueberries.  On top of that put a layer of Cool Whip.  You might not use the whole tub, but the 12-oz size seemed too small to me.  Now let your excited child make a flag decoration on top with more blueberries and halved strawberries.  Enjoy!  Or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sue

Excuse Me, But I Think Your Participle is Dangling

This was the headline in the "Top News" section of Yahoo's Homepage:

AP - Police and FBI agents captured an ex-convict suspected of killing eight people in two states as he smoked a cigarette outside of a southwestern Illinois bar Tuesday night.

Hmm.  Must've been the exposure to secondhand smoke.

Sue