How can it be that life is going on along, just (or mostly) as you expect and then WHAM! your life is backwards, upside down, and you can't stand? My dearest friend Amber Nicole, was killed in a car accident on her way to work.
She was supposed to be here today, feasting on prime rib and enjoying the wonderfully festive Christmas background music. She was supposed to comment on the rub Phil used on the meat, she was supposed to hold hands with us as Phil prayed with thanksgiving for our meal and for our family. She was supposed to be the one misty-eyed at the love we feel for her.
No.
I am the one, misty-eyed at the loss of a sister. One I could just look at in certain ways or say one word and we would both crack up.
Amber, I love you. Don't know if I ever told you that, but I do, I have and I always will.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
No News is Good News (or something like that)
Hi all. Not posting for a while really puts the pressure on to post something fabulous. This will not be a fabulous post. Just so you know.
Grandma died a bit over a week ago. I am the estate executor and personal representative for her assets. Big words that mean I have a big job on my hands. I have already been to Oregon twice in a week. Lots of driving. Lots of stressing out because there is so much to do. And lots of pressure from family regarding Grandma's memorial service and burial (and her money...). Unfortunately, Grandma's paperwork was not filed neatly with detailed instructions on what to do. So I am making decisions and making family members frustrated with me. It's only by God's grace that I am staying strong and keeping good boundaries.
It looks like I am heading back to Oregon again this week. Finishing up with getting personal items taken care of and making a trip to California to deliver some of her stuff to the people she promised it to. Then, hopefully, I will get a visit in with my grandpa and step-grandma (she isn't doing too well health-wise) and then stop by my sister's on my way back home. A big loop, quite a bit of driving (but I'm used to that) but looking forward to being home and getting more of this paperwork taken care of. Prayers for wisdom, focus and motivation are much needed and much appreciated.
Until next time...
I'm "on the road again"
Grandma died a bit over a week ago. I am the estate executor and personal representative for her assets. Big words that mean I have a big job on my hands. I have already been to Oregon twice in a week. Lots of driving. Lots of stressing out because there is so much to do. And lots of pressure from family regarding Grandma's memorial service and burial (and her money...). Unfortunately, Grandma's paperwork was not filed neatly with detailed instructions on what to do. So I am making decisions and making family members frustrated with me. It's only by God's grace that I am staying strong and keeping good boundaries.
It looks like I am heading back to Oregon again this week. Finishing up with getting personal items taken care of and making a trip to California to deliver some of her stuff to the people she promised it to. Then, hopefully, I will get a visit in with my grandpa and step-grandma (she isn't doing too well health-wise) and then stop by my sister's on my way back home. A big loop, quite a bit of driving (but I'm used to that) but looking forward to being home and getting more of this paperwork taken care of. Prayers for wisdom, focus and motivation are much needed and much appreciated.
Until next time...
I'm "on the road again"
Monday, June 29, 2009
It's been a while... but oh the things that have been happening!
June is almost over which means two things:
1. One third of our summer is already past us
2. It's almost my birthday
Since the kids get out of school so early (May 22 this year!) our summer starts fast and keeps gaining speed. I feel it whizzing by and my head wants to spin because we haven't even done the things I wanted to do.
I start every summer with ideas of keeping the kids entertained. How I wish we lived in the days where you just rode your bike around the neighborhood and played games with the neighbor kids. My girls don't have video games that keep them in the house; there just aren't many kids in the neighborhood to play with. So I had planned on having swimming days, library days, craft days, and such. I was going to incorporate the rest of our study of Esther (which we started last summer and never finished). So far we have gone swimming once, been to the library once and haven't even cracked our Bibles (together at least... still hoping the girls are reading their Bibles on their own time). But to be optimistic, we still have 2/3 of our summer left, so there is no reason not to get started on some of these goals. I think I will do just that... tomorrow. :o)
Part of the reason I haven't done much in the way of entertaining the kids is that I have been busy with appointments and such. Orthodontic, dentist, and church meetings. Add in the fact that two of my girls go to their mom's every other week, and the whole schedule gets hard to maintain.
Another reason we haven't followed through is because of #2... June is almost over and that means my birthday!! July 1st marks my 35th birthday and I wanted to celebrate with a party. I Looooove parties. I love having a birthday and getting all the attention. Really, I am quite the birthday diva. Hey, it's only once a year! So, I decided to host a backyard bunco birthday bash. In MY backyard. The backyard that is full of weeds and such.
For the past two weeks Phil and I, as well as Melanie and my good friends Kim and Virginia, have been planning, pruning, tilling, and planting. It doesn't look like much work went into it, now that the areas we focused on are finished, but Phil told me that it shouldn't look like you did a bunch of work. Phil pruned trees and tilled up my flower garden areas, then dug up irises and transplanted at least 50... Kim and Virginia helped me decide what plants would work well for the areas to landscape. Kim and I did a bunch of shopping and I planted 2 pygmy barberry shrubs which I promptly dug up and replanted one full size barberry. I also planted 8 candytufts which will also be dug up and moved out (they are too close together). I put in 48 petunias, 8 marigolds, and 8 dianthus; 6 hostas and one bleeding heart finished things up. I also filled a broken whiskey barrel fountain with dirt and planted some nierembrugia (or something like that) with some pink carnations and cirrus (Dusty Miller). Phil hung up a planter I filled with petunias... the lemon zest are my new favorite. I have had so much fun learning the names of flowers and plants and knowing what they are and where to put them! It is not so overwhelming now as it once was. I am excited to see everything grow and fill in!
Once the planting was done, it was time to set up for the party which we had yesterday. I invited 50+ women and had 16 come; since Melanie and I played, it brought our total to 18. Some women brought their daughters, who entertained themselves by drawing, coloring, and playing in the treehouse.
Bunco was a blast. Some of the women hadn't played before, and our rules are a bit different, so there was some explaining to do, but everyone caught on and soon we were "ROLLING!" I missed Andrea (Moser, who was the leader of our bunco group...) I loved how she always got us back on track when we would start chattering... a hefty "ROLLING!" always got us moving again.
I appreciated the way these women were so friendly with one another. Each person there probably only knew three others, so there was a lot of introducing and getting to know each other. The only bummer is that Bunco doesn't give you much time to visit before you are moving on to another table.
I have absolutely nothing to complain about. The weather was perfect, the cake and punch delicious, the friends delightful! I was given cards and sweet gifts (which made me feel strange... just having my friends there was a gift to me. I was actually dumbfounded. I had no idea how to respond to such graciousness!)
Even my husband was picture perfect. Running the dog to the groomer, running back to see if I needed anything, running our daughter off to babysit. He didn't mind at all that we had a flock of hens (and a few chicks) running around our yard and in our house!
So, a beautiful backyard, a gorgeous afternoon with good friends, pizza dinner later... but wait, there's one more thing (that always makes me think of the old Ginsu knife commercials... but wait, there's more!) Anyway... all of this wonderful-ness, and it's not even my birthday! Nope... my birthday is coming up this Wednesday. THe party wasn't even the beginning. Angie and I went out to lunch last Friday, and then had pedicures together. Then the backyard bunco bash yesterday, and I still have two days until my birthday!! Wonder what will come next? Wish I could say "Disneyland" but that is just not happening this year. Still, I am excited to see what the next couple of days hold for me. Spontaneous road tripping? Dinner and a movie? Sitting in my beautiful backyard with a good book?
Life couldn't get much better. And that is good.
1. One third of our summer is already past us
2. It's almost my birthday
Since the kids get out of school so early (May 22 this year!) our summer starts fast and keeps gaining speed. I feel it whizzing by and my head wants to spin because we haven't even done the things I wanted to do.
I start every summer with ideas of keeping the kids entertained. How I wish we lived in the days where you just rode your bike around the neighborhood and played games with the neighbor kids. My girls don't have video games that keep them in the house; there just aren't many kids in the neighborhood to play with. So I had planned on having swimming days, library days, craft days, and such. I was going to incorporate the rest of our study of Esther (which we started last summer and never finished). So far we have gone swimming once, been to the library once and haven't even cracked our Bibles (together at least... still hoping the girls are reading their Bibles on their own time). But to be optimistic, we still have 2/3 of our summer left, so there is no reason not to get started on some of these goals. I think I will do just that... tomorrow. :o)
Part of the reason I haven't done much in the way of entertaining the kids is that I have been busy with appointments and such. Orthodontic, dentist, and church meetings. Add in the fact that two of my girls go to their mom's every other week, and the whole schedule gets hard to maintain.
Another reason we haven't followed through is because of #2... June is almost over and that means my birthday!! July 1st marks my 35th birthday and I wanted to celebrate with a party. I Looooove parties. I love having a birthday and getting all the attention. Really, I am quite the birthday diva. Hey, it's only once a year! So, I decided to host a backyard bunco birthday bash. In MY backyard. The backyard that is full of weeds and such.
For the past two weeks Phil and I, as well as Melanie and my good friends Kim and Virginia, have been planning, pruning, tilling, and planting. It doesn't look like much work went into it, now that the areas we focused on are finished, but Phil told me that it shouldn't look like you did a bunch of work. Phil pruned trees and tilled up my flower garden areas, then dug up irises and transplanted at least 50... Kim and Virginia helped me decide what plants would work well for the areas to landscape. Kim and I did a bunch of shopping and I planted 2 pygmy barberry shrubs which I promptly dug up and replanted one full size barberry. I also planted 8 candytufts which will also be dug up and moved out (they are too close together). I put in 48 petunias, 8 marigolds, and 8 dianthus; 6 hostas and one bleeding heart finished things up. I also filled a broken whiskey barrel fountain with dirt and planted some nierembrugia (or something like that) with some pink carnations and cirrus (Dusty Miller). Phil hung up a planter I filled with petunias... the lemon zest are my new favorite. I have had so much fun learning the names of flowers and plants and knowing what they are and where to put them! It is not so overwhelming now as it once was. I am excited to see everything grow and fill in!
Once the planting was done, it was time to set up for the party which we had yesterday. I invited 50+ women and had 16 come; since Melanie and I played, it brought our total to 18. Some women brought their daughters, who entertained themselves by drawing, coloring, and playing in the treehouse.
Bunco was a blast. Some of the women hadn't played before, and our rules are a bit different, so there was some explaining to do, but everyone caught on and soon we were "ROLLING!" I missed Andrea (Moser, who was the leader of our bunco group...) I loved how she always got us back on track when we would start chattering... a hefty "ROLLING!" always got us moving again.
I appreciated the way these women were so friendly with one another. Each person there probably only knew three others, so there was a lot of introducing and getting to know each other. The only bummer is that Bunco doesn't give you much time to visit before you are moving on to another table.
I have absolutely nothing to complain about. The weather was perfect, the cake and punch delicious, the friends delightful! I was given cards and sweet gifts (which made me feel strange... just having my friends there was a gift to me. I was actually dumbfounded. I had no idea how to respond to such graciousness!)
Even my husband was picture perfect. Running the dog to the groomer, running back to see if I needed anything, running our daughter off to babysit. He didn't mind at all that we had a flock of hens (and a few chicks) running around our yard and in our house!
So, a beautiful backyard, a gorgeous afternoon with good friends, pizza dinner later... but wait, there's one more thing (that always makes me think of the old Ginsu knife commercials... but wait, there's more!) Anyway... all of this wonderful-ness, and it's not even my birthday! Nope... my birthday is coming up this Wednesday. THe party wasn't even the beginning. Angie and I went out to lunch last Friday, and then had pedicures together. Then the backyard bunco bash yesterday, and I still have two days until my birthday!! Wonder what will come next? Wish I could say "Disneyland" but that is just not happening this year. Still, I am excited to see what the next couple of days hold for me. Spontaneous road tripping? Dinner and a movie? Sitting in my beautiful backyard with a good book?
Life couldn't get much better. And that is good.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Basement Remodel
The basement remodel is almost finished! I plan on posting some before, during, and after photos here soon for those of you who have been wondering how it has been going.
I am feverishly painting the trim this weekend, to put up on Monday. The color is "nutmeg" and I thought it was darker. When I started painting it on, I was actually relieved because I was second-guessing my color choice. Oh, if you know me at all, you know that I have a hard time making decisions of the permanent type. Ugh! First how to design the space efficiently; then paint color(s), light fixtures, carpet and vinyl... I nearly had a mental breakdown! I asked a good friend for help at the last minute, and she wasn't available because I asked... at the last minute!
I finally settled on a paint color for the walls, only to find later, that I need to choose a paint color for the doors and trim. If Phil had his way it would all be WHITE. Thankfully, I get my way: a case of anxiety over choosing three different colors. YIPPEE! Once that was finished, I had to find a vinyl flooring for the bathroom. EEK (have you noticed I have a love of onomatopeia? Can you believe that onomatopeia was a bonus spelling word for Rachel, who is in 3rd Grade?!?!) Anyway, I wanted to choose a vinyl pattern that didn't look like Corelle dishes from the 1970s and would not clash with either my carpet (which was only half decided on) and the vanity I had chosen. UGH So I picked out the vinyl, and chose the carpet hoping they would go with my new paint colors... Thankfully all the flooring and paint (and bathroom vanity) have worked really well together!!
The plumber is coming Monday or Tuesday to install the toilet, finish the shower, and connect the faucet in the sink.
After that, we only have the trim to install as well as closet organization system and doors. Unfortunately, this project has eaten up so much money that we have to wait to purchase new furniture for the girls! They are so excited though, that I think they would be happy to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags rather than waiting for new furniture before moving in!
Photos to come soon. I have to stop avoiding and get to painting the trim!
I am feverishly painting the trim this weekend, to put up on Monday. The color is "nutmeg" and I thought it was darker. When I started painting it on, I was actually relieved because I was second-guessing my color choice. Oh, if you know me at all, you know that I have a hard time making decisions of the permanent type. Ugh! First how to design the space efficiently; then paint color(s), light fixtures, carpet and vinyl... I nearly had a mental breakdown! I asked a good friend for help at the last minute, and she wasn't available because I asked... at the last minute!
I finally settled on a paint color for the walls, only to find later, that I need to choose a paint color for the doors and trim. If Phil had his way it would all be WHITE. Thankfully, I get my way: a case of anxiety over choosing three different colors. YIPPEE! Once that was finished, I had to find a vinyl flooring for the bathroom. EEK (have you noticed I have a love of onomatopeia? Can you believe that onomatopeia was a bonus spelling word for Rachel, who is in 3rd Grade?!?!) Anyway, I wanted to choose a vinyl pattern that didn't look like Corelle dishes from the 1970s and would not clash with either my carpet (which was only half decided on) and the vanity I had chosen. UGH So I picked out the vinyl, and chose the carpet hoping they would go with my new paint colors... Thankfully all the flooring and paint (and bathroom vanity) have worked really well together!!
The plumber is coming Monday or Tuesday to install the toilet, finish the shower, and connect the faucet in the sink.
After that, we only have the trim to install as well as closet organization system and doors. Unfortunately, this project has eaten up so much money that we have to wait to purchase new furniture for the girls! They are so excited though, that I think they would be happy to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags rather than waiting for new furniture before moving in!
Photos to come soon. I have to stop avoiding and get to painting the trim!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Old Man Winter is Not Dead Yet
I love the weather we have in the valley. Well, all except the times when it's hotter than Mars and you have to hide in A/C comfort all day lest you get your lungs seared and your eyebrows burned off by stepping outside.
Anyway, weather here is crazy at times. Just the other day it was 60 degrees and blue skies, then yesterday, it was rainy and cloudy and then beautiful sunshine. All day it kept up with this pattern of rain and yuck and then sunshine. Until...
Old Man Winter and Sweet Spring had an argument in the weather room. They played rock paper scissors to decide and Old Man Winter won.
These really weird, misty-like clouds came over Clarkston, and the wind was blowing the rain sideways. Rain turned to hail and a lot of it! And then, just like that, the wind stopped and it was lightly raining. I was at my friend/hairdresser's getting one of my girls' haircut and as we drove home (a mile away, up a hill) the rain changed into snow. For two hours it snowed HUGE beautiful flakes. I really couldn't be mad at OMWinter because he was reminding us how beautiful his work can be. We got about a half inch of snow, completely covering the ground.
Today, it's bright sunshine, just bouncing off the snow and sparkling on the early spring flowers that had dared to come up. I know all the snow will be melted and gone by afternoon, but how I loved OMWinter's last hurrah. Now it's time for spring. I can say goodbye to the snow for now, and welcome Spring and daffodils.
After I take another long look at the snow and thank God for little surprises.
Anyway, weather here is crazy at times. Just the other day it was 60 degrees and blue skies, then yesterday, it was rainy and cloudy and then beautiful sunshine. All day it kept up with this pattern of rain and yuck and then sunshine. Until...
Old Man Winter and Sweet Spring had an argument in the weather room. They played rock paper scissors to decide and Old Man Winter won.
These really weird, misty-like clouds came over Clarkston, and the wind was blowing the rain sideways. Rain turned to hail and a lot of it! And then, just like that, the wind stopped and it was lightly raining. I was at my friend/hairdresser's getting one of my girls' haircut and as we drove home (a mile away, up a hill) the rain changed into snow. For two hours it snowed HUGE beautiful flakes. I really couldn't be mad at OMWinter because he was reminding us how beautiful his work can be. We got about a half inch of snow, completely covering the ground.
Today, it's bright sunshine, just bouncing off the snow and sparkling on the early spring flowers that had dared to come up. I know all the snow will be melted and gone by afternoon, but how I loved OMWinter's last hurrah. Now it's time for spring. I can say goodbye to the snow for now, and welcome Spring and daffodils.
After I take another long look at the snow and thank God for little surprises.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Dear Blog:
Oh blog, dearest blog, I have not forgotten about you. Yes, I have been reading other blogs; but it's not cheating unless I twitter, follow, or subscribe!
I would blog more often, but I just can't think of anything to say, write, or wish to publicize in all my stupidity... Some of these people can really write! And man, are they funny!
Besides that, I don't know how to play "tag" or post awards or even photos for that matter. I need "Blogging for Dummies." I need a million bucks. I need a nap. So far, I am 0 for 3.
So thanks to Merrie for my beautiful award... if I knew how to post it, I would. And thanks for those of you who "tagged" me, I don't know how to play. And for those of you who are so masterful at posting photos... I read your blogs and pretend the photos you post are really my life, since I can't figure out how to post photos of my own. (I swear, I am not stalking you... besides, it's not stalking if you post the photos for all to see!)
I know I have some things I really want to blog about, but they are just ramblings at this stage. When I can give birth to full thoughts, I will write them out. For now, I am still gestating (is that a word?).
I think I better go to bed now. This post is getting weirder by the moment. But you know what? I love you blog... because I can express my freaky weird self and still you love me; you wait ever so patiently for me to come and post another freaky weird blog entry.
See you again soon, blog. By the way, blog, you need a name. You have a title, but not really a name. I think I will name you: ???
I would blog more often, but I just can't think of anything to say, write, or wish to publicize in all my stupidity... Some of these people can really write! And man, are they funny!
Besides that, I don't know how to play "tag" or post awards or even photos for that matter. I need "Blogging for Dummies." I need a million bucks. I need a nap. So far, I am 0 for 3.
So thanks to Merrie for my beautiful award... if I knew how to post it, I would. And thanks for those of you who "tagged" me, I don't know how to play. And for those of you who are so masterful at posting photos... I read your blogs and pretend the photos you post are really my life, since I can't figure out how to post photos of my own. (I swear, I am not stalking you... besides, it's not stalking if you post the photos for all to see!)
I know I have some things I really want to blog about, but they are just ramblings at this stage. When I can give birth to full thoughts, I will write them out. For now, I am still gestating (is that a word?).
I think I better go to bed now. This post is getting weirder by the moment. But you know what? I love you blog... because I can express my freaky weird self and still you love me; you wait ever so patiently for me to come and post another freaky weird blog entry.
See you again soon, blog. By the way, blog, you need a name. You have a title, but not really a name. I think I will name you: ???
Saturday, January 3, 2009
One Word for the Year
I am sneaking this from my good friend's blog: http://kristi-papertherapy.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-word.html
She writes about having a "word" for the year and challenges you to choose one for yourself. So here goes:
My word is TRUSTING. I made it an action word, not just "trust" which is more of an idea or concept. I put the -ing on it so that I would remember that it is something I need to keep doing.
We have really had a hard time this past year (yet some things are better than ever, go figure!) and although the first words I thought of were Blessings and Security... it all comes down to TRUSTING the one who made all things, provides for all things, and has a plan for all things.
I will be TRUSTING God in 2009!!
So, what is your word?
She writes about having a "word" for the year and challenges you to choose one for yourself. So here goes:
My word is TRUSTING. I made it an action word, not just "trust" which is more of an idea or concept. I put the -ing on it so that I would remember that it is something I need to keep doing.
We have really had a hard time this past year (yet some things are better than ever, go figure!) and although the first words I thought of were Blessings and Security... it all comes down to TRUSTING the one who made all things, provides for all things, and has a plan for all things.
I will be TRUSTING God in 2009!!
So, what is your word?
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