Here in Seattle there's a company called Pemco, and they've been putting out the most hilarious commercials on both TV and radio. They stereotype the weird kinds of people you find over here in this part of the country, and then say that we should buy their insurance because they're a lot like us: A little different.
This one is probably my favorite because OH MY GOSH. It's exactly how it is here! People here are such polite drivers that sometimes I'm left going, "Seriously? Are you for real right now?" They're polite to the point of being unsafe.
However, as much as I like that one, Mike says that this one from the radio is totally me:
I have to admit, the whole smiling thing did throw me for awhile.
Finally, here's Mike:
He's definitely one of those "You bunch of babies! It's only drizzling and besides we've got tarps!" types.
Good times.
Sue
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
We're Home and We Smell Like Seaweed
We're home from our 4-day stay at the vacation home of some friends of ours. They have a cabin on Harstine Island that they invited us to use. Man, we packed so many experiences into that time: nature walks through the forest, beach combing at low tide (Who knew living starfish look like disgusting hunks of raw meat?), board games at night, reading, swimming at the beach and the pool, seafood, and bike riding. It was so much fun and so relaxing! Here's a montage of our time there.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I've been on Facebook for a year now, and I have to say it's grown on me quite a bit. I started out not being a huge fan, thinking it a little shallow, but now I'm a convert to the point where I've neglected this blog in favor of just sticking things over there. It's easier, I get to talk in one or two sentence blurbs, and best of all I've reconnected with over a hundred people from my past. A couple days ago I got a message from an old friend of mine from college wanting to set up a mini reunion for a bunch of us girls. We all talked, decided on Atlanta as a meeting place, and I actually think it's going to happen next year. Fun, right? I've never been there, and many of those girls I haven't seen in 20 years.
Something else I discovered recently is that Facebook is great for getting old grudges out of the way. Case in point, this private message I sent my old college professor:
...I started thinking about having you as a professor at Grace. Great memories, by the way. You were always my favorite teacher there. But there's this one thing that I, after all these years, have to lodge a formal complaint about. One time in Acts class you asked us if anyone could tell you where in Africa the country of Ethiopia is. I raised my hand, you called on me, and I said it's in the eastern part of Africa. You said I was wrong and that it's...somewhere else. I can't remember anymore. Maybe you said central, or maybe northern, or maybe north central? Anyway, then you apologized to the guy from Africa sitting in the back of the class for the lack of geography skills of Americans in general. After class I went upstairs to the library and hunted down an atlas, and I was right! Ethiopia is in the east! So, all that to say, here's how you can make it up to me:
A Starbucks gift certificate. Let your guilt be your guide as to how large you make the gift. Unless you have no guilt. In that case $20 should be fine.
That amused me for the rest of the day. I'd be doing something, then just start laughing to myself like a semi-crazy person. Of course, he knew I was messing with him and he sent me back a humorous message in response telling me he's not getting me any gift certificate....cough cheapskate cough...but whatever. Good times.
Hmm. I wonder if I can track down that kid in 6th grade who took my lunch. I bet I could get some coffee out of him.
Sue
Something else I discovered recently is that Facebook is great for getting old grudges out of the way. Case in point, this private message I sent my old college professor:
...I started thinking about having you as a professor at Grace. Great memories, by the way. You were always my favorite teacher there. But there's this one thing that I, after all these years, have to lodge a formal complaint about. One time in Acts class you asked us if anyone could tell you where in Africa the country of Ethiopia is. I raised my hand, you called on me, and I said it's in the eastern part of Africa. You said I was wrong and that it's...somewhere else. I can't remember anymore. Maybe you said central, or maybe northern, or maybe north central? Anyway, then you apologized to the guy from Africa sitting in the back of the class for the lack of geography skills of Americans in general. After class I went upstairs to the library and hunted down an atlas, and I was right! Ethiopia is in the east! So, all that to say, here's how you can make it up to me:
A Starbucks gift certificate. Let your guilt be your guide as to how large you make the gift. Unless you have no guilt. In that case $20 should be fine.
That amused me for the rest of the day. I'd be doing something, then just start laughing to myself like a semi-crazy person. Of course, he knew I was messing with him and he sent me back a humorous message in response telling me he's not getting me any gift certificate....cough cheapskate cough...but whatever. Good times.
Hmm. I wonder if I can track down that kid in 6th grade who took my lunch. I bet I could get some coffee out of him.
Sue
Monday, July 20, 2009
Mixed Feelings
About a week ago I got the standardized test results back for all three kids. I considered talking about it here that same day because it's good news and I was happy with it, but then I started second guessing whether I really felt like sharing, and after a day or so I completely forgot about it. lol Something got me thinking about it again today, though...oh, I know what it was. A woman on a homeschool forum I'm a member of was asking if ACE math is any good, and I replied that it worked wonderfully with Drew and his success with it showed in his CAT-5 test scores. That in turn got me thinking about how fickle I can be with the whole standardized testing thing. If my kids do well, I tend to have a "proof is in the pudding" attitude. However, if there's some section they don't score as highly in, I tell myself, "Eh. We're working on it." I guess I just have mixed feelings about having to put myself and everyone else through this all-encompassing ordeal every year. It never tells me anything I don't really know, so basically I'm paying a pretty large sum of money to get information that's not very informative. Yet if I'm honest I have to admit that on some level it's nice to be validated.
Anyway, I'm seriously rambling. All that to say: The kids did well! Both boys aren't great spellers and Baylee isn't the best with science, but in everything else all three of them are at or above grade level. What's really cool is in a couple instances they're far above! Baylee got a "grade equivalent" score of 7th grade on language expression. (That doesn't mean she could do 7th grade work in that area. It just means she scored as well as the average 7th grader taking the 2nd grade CAT-5 test.) Drew had an amazing grade equivalent score of 11th grade in math concepts and application, and 10.8 in science. And Zach scored 12.+ in reading comprehension of all things, and 12.+ in science.
So even though we didn't get through every textbook last year, they all did beautifully and that's a good feeling.
Sue
Anyway, I'm seriously rambling. All that to say: The kids did well! Both boys aren't great spellers and Baylee isn't the best with science, but in everything else all three of them are at or above grade level. What's really cool is in a couple instances they're far above! Baylee got a "grade equivalent" score of 7th grade on language expression. (That doesn't mean she could do 7th grade work in that area. It just means she scored as well as the average 7th grader taking the 2nd grade CAT-5 test.) Drew had an amazing grade equivalent score of 11th grade in math concepts and application, and 10.8 in science. And Zach scored 12.+ in reading comprehension of all things, and 12.+ in science.
So even though we didn't get through every textbook last year, they all did beautifully and that's a good feeling.
Sue
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Check This Out!
I bought Photoshop Elements about a week ago or so, and every night I've been playing with it. Oh my goodness, I love it! I've started to go onto different people's blogs who do amateur or semi-professional photography, and often they have little hints and tricks of the trade. Check out what I learned tonight!
Here's a good picture. I love the feeling of Drew alone with the guitar and the lighting is neat. The problem I have with it is the bookcase and toys in the background are a visual distraction.
Now here's the same picture, but I carefully blurred everything but Drew and his guitar. Isn't that cool?!
I think I may have officially become a geek, but I'm a geek who's having fun!
Sue
I think I may have officially become a geek, but I'm a geek who's having fun!
Sue
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I Love that He Loves It
You know how there are some people who are meant to do something? Like Mike's mom is an artist. She can't help drawing; it's in her blood. Or there are a couple blogs I visit of writers who aren't comfortable unless they're working on their next project. Their minds are always thinking, planning, crafting. That's how Drew is with the guitar. I'm not saying he's on the same level as those others, but what he has in common with them is this need to do his thing. Not once have we ever had to tell him to practice, because he already spends probably two hours or more every day with that guitar in his hands, playing out of sheer joy and interest. It's so cool.
Right now he's working on a Paul McCartney song called Blackbird. This one is fun because he's picking with two fingers.
And here's the song done by Paul McCartney himself.
Right now he's working on a Paul McCartney song called Blackbird. This one is fun because he's picking with two fingers.
And here's the song done by Paul McCartney himself.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Camp
Drew's home safe and sound and he had an awesome time. He said it was "the best year ever!" (Out of two, but who's counting.) He made friends; really liked his counselor "Golden Eye" (All the staff has to have a nickname having to do with birds.); and chose rocketry, advanced canoeing, and golf as his three activities. I think out of the 7 pairs of socks I packed in his suitcase, he wore 3 over and over until they were black. I still can't quite figure that one out, but whatever. I'm just glad he had so much fun.
Now today we took Baylee and hopefully she'll be safe and have a wonderful time, too! Here's a little montage of pics I took of her and her friend Grace. They rode to camp together and they're going to be in the same cabin.
Now today we took Baylee and hopefully she'll be safe and have a wonderful time, too! Here's a little montage of pics I took of her and her friend Grace. They rode to camp together and they're going to be in the same cabin.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Baylee Turns 8!
Tomorrow is Baylee's birthday, but today we celebrated it by having Patty and Genna come over to spend the day. We had fun just hanging out and being glad of our little princess. She's going to have a swimming/slumber party with friends in a few weeks, when things aren't quite so busy and crazy with our schedule, but for now this was a really nice day. Happy birthday, baby!
Sue
Sue
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Everything's All Set Up!
Another benefit of doing this: It forced us (re: me) to do spring cleaning on half the house. Everyone is in a nice, clean, clutter-free bedroom with fresh bedding.
Here's our room as you walk in the door. I really love the wood floors! We didn't have that upstairs. That's my dresser, then Mike has one of his own on the other side of the room. I want to paint the walls a much paler yellow sometime soon.
Drew's got the old schoolroom. I can't wait until he gets home from camp and sees it. I think he's going to love it.
Here's our room as you walk in the door. I really love the wood floors! We didn't have that upstairs. That's my dresser, then Mike has one of his own on the other side of the room. I want to paint the walls a much paler yellow sometime soon.
Here's Baylee's new digs! Well, sort of. She's in the same room, but now she has the bunkbed, which Mike turned into a loft bed. Her toys are against the other wall.
Drew's got the old schoolroom. I can't wait until he gets home from camp and sees it. I think he's going to love it.
And finally, Zach is in our old room. He's got so much space now! I'm glad he has a little privacy and just some growing room.
I have all the school books and supplies on the bookcase in the office now, and each kid will do their work at their desk in their own room. It'll be a little different, but I think it'll work just fine.
Thus concludes the tour! LOL
Sue
Thus concludes the tour! LOL
Sue
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I Am So Tired.
I feel like I just sat down for the first time since about 10 o'clock this morning. In fact, that may be close to the truth. Today we rearranged four rooms of our house...just up and switched them totally around. And there's only nine rooms in the whole place so basically it's like we halfway moved, but without the boxes to make things easier. We moved Drew's bed and all his stuff up to the landing (Oh my goodness, it's so cute.), Zach's bed and all his stuff up into our old room, the schoolroom got completely relocated to the office, and our room is now downstairs in what used to be the boys' room. Holy. Cow. I cannot even fully describe how long this day has been. Not to mention I still managed to clean the house and work at my job in the evening cleaning two buildings. My back is plain killing me right now.
One good thing in all this, besides the new rooms and the benefits that go with that, is that I did the end-of-year portfolios for each kid's schoolwork. That means I'm way ahead of schedule! I hate that job and usually put it off until a couple days before the new school year starts, so woo hoo!
I'll post some pictures of everything, but not now. Things aren't quite situated yet. And besides, I can't live in that downstairs room painted puke yellow the way it is, and I certainly can't take pictures of it. It was fine for the boys, but now that my stuff is in there it's not going to work at all. Unless, maybe I should do before puke yellow and after puke yellow pics. Hmm. Something to consider.
Sue
One good thing in all this, besides the new rooms and the benefits that go with that, is that I did the end-of-year portfolios for each kid's schoolwork. That means I'm way ahead of schedule! I hate that job and usually put it off until a couple days before the new school year starts, so woo hoo!
I'll post some pictures of everything, but not now. Things aren't quite situated yet. And besides, I can't live in that downstairs room painted puke yellow the way it is, and I certainly can't take pictures of it. It was fine for the boys, but now that my stuff is in there it's not going to work at all. Unless, maybe I should do before puke yellow and after puke yellow pics. Hmm. Something to consider.
Sue
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Home from Idaho
Mike and Baylee are finally home from their three-day trip to Idaho to visit Mike's dad, Wayne. I missed them! It was just Zach and me here since Drew is also away this week at camp, and the first day with just the two of us was really fun. See, Zach and I are a lot alike. We're both somewhat quiet and we entertain ourselves to a large degree, so it was awesome to soak up the peace and just relax. That first day we went to the movie theater and saw a movie together, complete with popcorn and pop, then later that night we headed over to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. By the middle of the second day, though, we both started to get kinda bored with how calm things were and how clean the house stayed, and by the third day we were watching the driveway for Mike and Baylee to pull in. LOL
For their part, Baylee and Mike had a great time and I'm so glad they got a chance to make the trip. Baylee was completely spoiled rotten all three days! Grandpa bought her a bike for her upcoming birthday (!!!), they ate out every morning at restaurants (and I think for some other meals, too), they shopped, they hung out at Wayne's house, and they let Baylee stay up way too late. Here's some pictures taken with Mike's cell phone of their little trip.
Sue
For their part, Baylee and Mike had a great time and I'm so glad they got a chance to make the trip. Baylee was completely spoiled rotten all three days! Grandpa bought her a bike for her upcoming birthday (!!!), they ate out every morning at restaurants (and I think for some other meals, too), they shopped, they hung out at Wayne's house, and they let Baylee stay up way too late. Here's some pictures taken with Mike's cell phone of their little trip.
Sue
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
Man, we had the most fun couple of days, but I stupidly forgot to take any pictures at all of the barbecue we attended yesterday. I'm so bummed, because Scott and Angie, the people we were with, are quickly becoming good friends and we had such a great time at their beautiful home. Mike and Zach spent most of the day doing a father/son bike ride with Scott and their oldest son, Brannon, but Angie and I and the rest of the kids hung out in their backyard, which has a big play structure and a pool. It was fun just relaxing and watching the kids play. Argh. The pictures would've been colorful and summery. Dang it. Oh well. Oh, something really wonderful happened there, though! Angie is also a homeschooler and she and I ended up doing a curriculum exchange. She loaned me whatever she wasn't using and I did the same for her. Oh my gosh! I got everything for Zach's upcoming school year and half for Drew's! It's making me excited for school to start again and it's only the beginning of July. I'll talk more about what I'll be using later in the summer, but I'm sure it's going to be a great year.
Today we went to Danny's for some holiday family time. We barbecued; played foosball, bocce ball, and croquet; and just had a good time with good food and good company all the way around. For that I did remember my camera, so here's some pics.
Today we went to Danny's for some holiday family time. We barbecued; played foosball, bocce ball, and croquet; and just had a good time with good food and good company all the way around. For that I did remember my camera, so here's some pics.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
July Happenings
It's gonna be a little crazy this month, but in a good, fun way. We've got a couple 4th of July barbecues to go to this weekend, and then a lot of running around for a lot of weeks. There's:
-- Drew going to camp. He's very excited and I think I've got all the shopping done for that. Mike's bringing him and his buddy Jack on Sunday for a week.
-- The very week after that Baylee goes to camp. I know she'll love it and it'll be great, but I can't believe I'll be without my baby for that long!
-- Baylee and Mike are taking a trip for a few days to Idaho to visit Mike's dad, Wayne. Mike has already done this with both boys, so now it's Baylee's turn. I'm sure she'll talk Mike's ear off the entire ride there and back.
-- In the middle of the month our family is going to spend a few days at the vacation house of some friends of ours! And it's on an island!!! We can't wait.
-- Zach got a job, which is something new and exciting for him starting this month. He'll be taking care of the storage area at the place Mike manages, which means putting away supplies, breaking down boxes, keeping things swept and orderly, taking inventory, and portioning out and mixing the cleaning chemicals. Zach will be working 1 to 3 hours a week, and he can ride his bike there. It's the perfect job for a 14 year old and he's anxious to have some pocket money.
-- And finally at the end of the month we'll be involved in our church's VBS program. This year I'm helping to organize the skit that a group of adults will be putting on for the kids, and I'll be acting in it. I've got a great part that'll be a ton of fun. Besides that, though, there's going to be drama workshops for the kids this year as an activity choice, and I'll be leading that. Should be fun! I hope. (I'm nervous!)
And totally off topic, but still something I'm excited about: I just bought the first bikini I think I've ever owned in my life. I can't believe I did that, but it looks pretty good! Now I just have to get up the guts to actually wear it next time we go to the lake.
Sue
-- Drew going to camp. He's very excited and I think I've got all the shopping done for that. Mike's bringing him and his buddy Jack on Sunday for a week.
-- The very week after that Baylee goes to camp. I know she'll love it and it'll be great, but I can't believe I'll be without my baby for that long!
-- Baylee and Mike are taking a trip for a few days to Idaho to visit Mike's dad, Wayne. Mike has already done this with both boys, so now it's Baylee's turn. I'm sure she'll talk Mike's ear off the entire ride there and back.
-- In the middle of the month our family is going to spend a few days at the vacation house of some friends of ours! And it's on an island!!! We can't wait.
-- Zach got a job, which is something new and exciting for him starting this month. He'll be taking care of the storage area at the place Mike manages, which means putting away supplies, breaking down boxes, keeping things swept and orderly, taking inventory, and portioning out and mixing the cleaning chemicals. Zach will be working 1 to 3 hours a week, and he can ride his bike there. It's the perfect job for a 14 year old and he's anxious to have some pocket money.
-- And finally at the end of the month we'll be involved in our church's VBS program. This year I'm helping to organize the skit that a group of adults will be putting on for the kids, and I'll be acting in it. I've got a great part that'll be a ton of fun. Besides that, though, there's going to be drama workshops for the kids this year as an activity choice, and I'll be leading that. Should be fun! I hope. (I'm nervous!)
And totally off topic, but still something I'm excited about: I just bought the first bikini I think I've ever owned in my life. I can't believe I did that, but it looks pretty good! Now I just have to get up the guts to actually wear it next time we go to the lake.
Sue
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