I've been using the furminator on Molly, our beagle. And today when I vacuumed...it only took 2 "swipes" before my green light came on telling me the vacuum wasn't picking up any more dirt/hair!!! (I love my Kenmore Progressive vacuum with this intelliclean feature.)
This is a GREAT tool for removing dog hair!! In Alaska, they sell it at Fred Meyers.
September 15, 2008
September 14, 2008
Closing a chapter in my life
A couple of weeks ago, dear sweet Bean came up from Anchorage and picked up my piano! My Dad purchased that piano when I was 4 years old. I enjoyed it for many years and even played the piano at church for many years but that chapter of my life is over! Now... I play the radio! It sounds even better!
Be blessed Bean and make beautiful music on that piano along with your beautiful singing. And don't drive Jen and Alaina NUTS ok!
She paid for this piano in a beautiful way! She sang to us a song (opera), she sang at a competition (and won!) in Anchorage just recently. It was beautiful, standing outside on a beautiful fall day and listening to her beautiful voice. I just love this sweet, smiling young woman!!And thank you for packing it up and treating it so carefully. I wonder how hard it will be to get it up the long flight of stairs in your house!! Don't hurt yourself!
August 10, 2008
After the vacation...
Life does get right back up to hectic speed! Katie left for Georgia for a March of Dimes Youth Conference. Hot and humid. Makes her realize she wants to NOT attend college in the south or the east. Good. West coast is closer! This summer she's been to D.C., Denver, Washington twice, Oregon with the family, and Atlanta. Good for her and good for me to see that life "home alone" with my hubby is going to be A-OK!!
Every SINGLE day since we've been home from our vacation, it's rained. At least that is what it has felt like. The fair is over so maybe we'll get some sunshine! In fact, in between the rain showers today, the sun has shone! I keep promising Molly a walk but then I look out and it's pouring. What a rainy summer it's been. So glad we had the warm sunshiney days in Oregon!
Yesterday, Katie, Molly and I went to Angel Rock so she could prepare for her AP History biome project. Although it was overcast, it didn't rain while we were there and we had a GREAT time! So FUN!
Molly sniffed every tree and rock. She was in dog heaven. Me? I LOVE spending time with my daughter. She's so fun. I'm beginning the "last year" as she begins her Senior year in High School. I'm so excited for her future. But I am treasuring every precious moment I have with her.
Hope we have a long Indian summer. Ok, it's stopped raining, the sun is shining...time to take a walk with Molly!
Every SINGLE day since we've been home from our vacation, it's rained. At least that is what it has felt like. The fair is over so maybe we'll get some sunshine! In fact, in between the rain showers today, the sun has shone! I keep promising Molly a walk but then I look out and it's pouring. What a rainy summer it's been. So glad we had the warm sunshiney days in Oregon!
Yesterday, Katie, Molly and I went to Angel Rock so she could prepare for her AP History biome project. Although it was overcast, it didn't rain while we were there and we had a GREAT time! So FUN!
Molly sniffed every tree and rock. She was in dog heaven. Me? I LOVE spending time with my daughter. She's so fun. I'm beginning the "last year" as she begins her Senior year in High School. I'm so excited for her future. But I am treasuring every precious moment I have with her.
Hope we have a long Indian summer. Ok, it's stopped raining, the sun is shining...time to take a walk with Molly!
July 26, 2008
Vacation to Oregon
What a wonderful vacation! We had a great time in Oregon. The first 4 days Rick was with us while we visited 3 colleges in Portand. Concordia, Portland State, and Univ. of Portland (our favorite in Portland.) The campuses were absolutely beautiful! The vegetation was lush and the buildings old. We did lots of walking, enjoying the beautiful weather and just relaxing and being together.
We "touristed" all over Portland but the highlight was definitely meeting my longtime "internet" friends, Al and Dotti Coon. I just love these guys. We had a wonderful evening with them at the Newport Bay Resturant in Portland.
After getting Rick safely on the plane Friday night, Katie and I "navigated" with our GPS over to Trader Joes and Kohls. The Vancouver area where Al and Dotti live is just beautiful! Hmmm. Since Dotti "feels" like a sister - I'd LOVE to move there some day!
The next morning we took off for Corvallis to go to a concert our friends, Jimmy and Holly's son Kerry was in. That kid can PLAY the guitar! Beautiful day! So good to be sitting next to Holly and Jimmy on the grass. I've sure missed them since they left Alaska.
I cannot begin to tell you how PRECIOUS our time was with this family. I've known them since they were first married. Jimmy was a hair designer and no one could cut my hair like him. Holly and I have spent many many days together. I miss her SO much. The boys have grown in to great young men. Great family. They had us for dinner and we went out to eat several nights. Other than visiting colleges, we hung out with them! And laughed. Jimmy is just a riot!
We had a "girls" day out at the coast and it was "just like the good 'ol days" with Holly. We also met some longtime Alaskan friends for chowder in Newport but I FORGOT to take their picture. Love you Jack and DeVonna!!
Corvallis has the "most favorite" college! OSU - and we also visited Western Oregon Univ. I sure would love to have Katie going there and living close to Jimmy and Holly. Our last evening there, they made us an amazing dinner of chicken, "amazing potatoes" and absolutely FABULOUS grilled vegetables! Katie and I have cooked up several batches since we got home. Just can't get enough.
The greatest highlight of that evening though was a drive to Jimmy's work, Knife River Trucking, where he drives a 54-wheeler (yes, bigger than an little ol 18 wheeler!!!!) and hauls pre-stressed concrete beams that are 180' long! He actually drives the back of the truck from the cab. Amazing. And no, Cameron is probably not going to follow his father's footsteps. He'll probably be a famous soccer player!!
It was so fun to learn about Jimmy's work and it was a beautiful drive! Thanks guys! We had a GREAT time with you. You'll be dear friends forEVER!!
Beautiful weather. Beautiful country. And most importantly - GOOD FRIENDS and Good Memories!
We "touristed" all over Portland but the highlight was definitely meeting my longtime "internet" friends, Al and Dotti Coon. I just love these guys. We had a wonderful evening with them at the Newport Bay Resturant in Portland.
After getting Rick safely on the plane Friday night, Katie and I "navigated" with our GPS over to Trader Joes and Kohls. The Vancouver area where Al and Dotti live is just beautiful! Hmmm. Since Dotti "feels" like a sister - I'd LOVE to move there some day!
The next morning we took off for Corvallis to go to a concert our friends, Jimmy and Holly's son Kerry was in. That kid can PLAY the guitar! Beautiful day! So good to be sitting next to Holly and Jimmy on the grass. I've sure missed them since they left Alaska.
I cannot begin to tell you how PRECIOUS our time was with this family. I've known them since they were first married. Jimmy was a hair designer and no one could cut my hair like him. Holly and I have spent many many days together. I miss her SO much. The boys have grown in to great young men. Great family. They had us for dinner and we went out to eat several nights. Other than visiting colleges, we hung out with them! And laughed. Jimmy is just a riot! 
We had a "girls" day out at the coast and it was "just like the good 'ol days" with Holly. We also met some longtime Alaskan friends for chowder in Newport but I FORGOT to take their picture. Love you Jack and DeVonna!!
Corvallis has the "most favorite" college! OSU - and we also visited Western Oregon Univ. I sure would love to have Katie going there and living close to Jimmy and Holly. Our last evening there, they made us an amazing dinner of chicken, "amazing potatoes" and absolutely FABULOUS grilled vegetables! Katie and I have cooked up several batches since we got home. Just can't get enough.
The greatest highlight of that evening though was a drive to Jimmy's work, Knife River Trucking, where he drives a 54-wheeler (yes, bigger than an little ol 18 wheeler!!!!) and hauls pre-stressed concrete beams that are 180' long! He actually drives the back of the truck from the cab. Amazing. And no, Cameron is probably not going to follow his father's footsteps. He'll probably be a famous soccer player!!
It was so fun to learn about Jimmy's work and it was a beautiful drive! Thanks guys! We had a GREAT time with you. You'll be dear friends forEVER!!
Beautiful weather. Beautiful country. And most importantly - GOOD FRIENDS and Good Memories!
July 4, 2008
PURE TERROR also known as...
Pincher BugAnd we hate them. (No that's NOT to strong of a word!) We've been known to pull over franctic and screaming when driving as one crawls up from the front of the dashboard towards us. I unlovingly abondoned my Sweet SIL (picture bleached blonde hair/and monster black bug), years ago in the frozen food section of Foodland as one crawled out of her hair. She stood there screaming and I moved back laughing and feeling panicked and unable to help!
Here's today's local online story about these bugs and the comments below had me Laughing Out Loud!! Katie thinks that some Alaskans have NOTHING to do on the fourth of July to be responding with so many comments! And so...if you're not busy today...read this STORY.
Continuing Saga...1 hour later.... I'm BACK! I hate nature! I hate nature! I was outside brushing Molly and thought I felt something in my pants but no.....
Came back in the house and felt something DEFINITELY crawling inside my pants! It was ONE OF THOSE bugs!!! I got it out and Katie very bravely got it on a notebook and out the door! I can't believe it!
Here's today's local online story about these bugs and the comments below had me Laughing Out Loud!! Katie thinks that some Alaskans have NOTHING to do on the fourth of July to be responding with so many comments! And so...if you're not busy today...read this STORY.
Continuing Saga...1 hour later.... I'm BACK! I hate nature! I hate nature! I was outside brushing Molly and thought I felt something in my pants but no.....
Came back in the house and felt something DEFINITELY crawling inside my pants! It was ONE OF THOSE bugs!!! I got it out and Katie very bravely got it on a notebook and out the door! I can't believe it!
June 29, 2008
Update on kitchen...
I've not posted the "end result" of our remodel because it's not done! It's painted, fixture replaced, and new dining room table and server are here. Katie's in charge of window treatments and wall decorating and she's off galavanting here and there. Once it's finished... I'll put up a picture. Hopefully before Christmas? I'm in no hurry.
I found a good tasting fruit!!
The little doughnut peaches at Fred Meyers are sweet, juicy and tasty!! Of course at $3.49/lb they are a real treat! Most summers I try different fruits from the local grocery stores and find them picked way to soon and once they ripen, tasteless and mushy but these are delicious! It's not easy to stop at just one! And I'm sure Rick would love to have them sliced and covered with heavy cream but I'm not sure that will happen!
June 27, 2008
Happy Dance!
June 15, 2008
Cooking at Camp
We had a great girls road trip down to Anchorage and spent two nights with Jen and Alaina.
Nothing like a road trip with Katie!!
Monday through Friday morning, Katie was a camp counselor (9 girls) and I joined Pastor Greg and Karen Newell and Pastor J.R. Markle (chief dishwasher and boy were those pots shiney!) to cook at camp. We worked long hours from early morning and well into each evening. It was a LOT of work... but mostly, it was FUN! We fed 125 kids 3 meals a day. That's a lot of food and dishes but the camp has an amazing kitchen and Jen has a very well thought out menu! Here's some pictures (click to see larger):
Karen and Greg preparing bacon and pancakes.
See the steam?!?
Karen and I hang on to the pot while Greg "fluffs" those mashed taters!
I'm grateful for this week. It was a good break from my "regular job" and my heart was so encouraged by the kindness, fun, and comradrey during this week. And the counselors, leaders, and kids - what a GREAT group!! I gave my heart to God at camp when I was 9. It's an amazing time for kids.
Nothing like a road trip with Katie!!Monday through Friday morning, Katie was a camp counselor (9 girls) and I joined Pastor Greg and Karen Newell and Pastor J.R. Markle (chief dishwasher and boy were those pots shiney!) to cook at camp. We worked long hours from early morning and well into each evening. It was a LOT of work... but mostly, it was FUN! We fed 125 kids 3 meals a day. That's a lot of food and dishes but the camp has an amazing kitchen and Jen has a very well thought out menu! Here's some pictures (click to see larger):
Karen and Greg preparing bacon and pancakes.
See the steam?!?J.R. and Greg shining the pots - they had continual smiles on their faces even though their feet were TIRED!!
Karen and I hang on to the pot while Greg "fluffs" those mashed taters!I'm grateful for this week. It was a good break from my "regular job" and my heart was so encouraged by the kindness, fun, and comradrey during this week. And the counselors, leaders, and kids - what a GREAT group!! I gave my heart to God at camp when I was 9. It's an amazing time for kids.
Some parents pack up their troubles and send them off to summer camp. Not these kids. They are a blessing!
June 5, 2008
Baby Robins have Arrived!!
Rick leaned a ladder up against the house this spring and a robin quickly built her nest on top!
Well, the robins have arrived so soon he'll be able to use his ladder again. It's been SO fun to watch the mama make her nest and hatch her eggs. She's become accustomed to our presence.
Well, the robins have arrived so soon he'll be able to use his ladder again. It's been SO fun to watch the mama make her nest and hatch her eggs. She's become accustomed to our presence.
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