memorial day weekend

Friday:

Still working on the entertainment center. The electrician came and finished putting in the new outlets, so we were able to put those middle drawers in. Do you know what I really love? Call me crazy, but I love the way the curtains are puddling on the window seat. Keith had talked about cutting them short and hemming them. I knowwww I was the one who wanted them gone completely, but now that everything's in place, I want to keep them just like this. I love all the clean white surfaces. We still have more work that needs doing: some trim pieces need to be installed, and the white speaker fabric needs to be installed on the two cabinet doors. Putting the tv and the dvd players, etc in was a nightmare. Trying to fish the wires through the openings . . . . not a happy experience!! Then, when we were putting the surround sound speakers back on, we realized we didn't think about hiding those wires. (see them hanging right in front of the shelves?) So there's another job, having them drill holes to feed the wires through to hide them. I'm very slowly and deliberately thinking about what to put on the shelves, no clutter or random stuff to fill the spaces. I think for the shelves under the tv, we'll look for some baskets to put there. A place for everything, and everything in its place.



All of the drawers under the window seats are actually file drawers. We'll be getting some cushions made for these benches. Keith's already talking about taking naps there in the sunshine. I actually wouldn't mind keeping the benches exactly like they are now.

Saturday:

Our niece Camille and her husband Brad were here with us for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Fun visit!! While I was at a friend's surprise birthday luncheon, they all drove up to Hurricane Ridge.

But the weather was yucky up there, it was snowing and foggy.

The roads were clear, but can you believe all the snow still there? And, oh yeah. That big flowery bag that Luke's holding . . . that's a big thermal food bag I got at Costco in Maui a year or two ago. I thought it was cute then, but seeing Luke holding it . . . well . . .

Sunday:

Camille brought us these amazing flowers from Pike Place Market. They look like they were just gathered up from a meadow, don't you think? My favorite thing about Sunday? We got to have naps! I can't remember the last time we had naps.

Monday:

We started out by going to our ward's annual pancake breakfast at Waterfront Park. (and yay, it felt awesome not to be in charge of it!!!)

A cub scout flag ceremony.

Really good food and really good friends.

Everything is in bloom.

Late in the afternoon we went to put some flowers on Keith's dad's grave.

While we were there, this guy came up and said "would you like me to clean that up for you?" He had a bucket, a brush, and some soapy water, and he scrubbed the marker for us.

Sooo nice.

The flowers: the red rhododendrons are actually from a bush Keith's dad started (rooted) at their old house, and we planted it at our house. Its been going strong all these years. We also included a flowering branch of a weigela bush that we transplanted from their old house too. It was one of his favorite plants. Then some columbines (he always had those), some lilacs from our bush that Keith accidentally weed whacked right after I planted it, now its super tall and thriving. And some irises from our pond.

Luke isn't really that tall. He is standing on the high part of the slope after all.

Finally it feels like summer is just around the corner!

well looky here!

The entertainment center has arrived! Its been quite the long process. Here's what's been happening in the last 24 hours:

1. Wednesday afternoon. The "before." We've had a debate about the curtains, should they stay or should they go? We decided to keep them for the moment to see how they'd work once the window seats are in. They look ridiculous now because I pinned them up out of the way of the construction.

2. Thursday morning, all has been moved out or moved aside.

3. Our biggest headaches: dealing with the electronics. The tv has been "temporarily" placed on top of Toby's dresser for the last 18 months, and when we went to lift it off, we found it had superglued itself to the surface. Argh!!!!!

There was no way humanly possible to get it off. (later in the morning, Brad, the cabinet shop owner, got out a tool and got it unstuck in a jiffy.)

Then, all the components, just look at all those wires! Argh!!!!! Keith saved me last night by carefully labeling each thing, what goes where. I'm telling you, I don't think I'm capable of doing that, seriously.

4. Thursday morning, the boxes arrive, all 19 of them.

5. Still morning, and progress is being made.

6. My front porch looks like this all day.

7. Later in the afternoon, the end is in sight.

8. Just a few last minute details need to be done. The whole job took 12 hours today.

9. Evening: voila!!!!

* the two middle drawers are missing because the electrician has to come back and finish wiring the new outlets.

* the two cabinet doors are waiting for white speaker cloth (the subwoofer will go in one, we want to hide it, but need to hear it . . .

* the hole in the back panel is for the tv wires, they all connect on the left side. the tv will cover up the hole.

* its bothering me that the shelves aren't symmetrical (alongside where the tv will go), they just came assembled like that. of course one of the first things I'll do (tomorrow) is adjust them.

* we're planning on getting upholstered cushions for the window seat benches. eventually. know any good upholstery places in town?

* the curtains need to be pushed over or moved a bit (on the rod), and i have to wait till tomorrow to unpin them because the caulking on the window seat is still wet.

* we'll put the tv and components in tomorrow night. we're rather dead tonight.

* my house is a bona fide disaster area.

it was the end of the world and i forgot

Did you hear? On Saturday, May 21, it was supposed to be the end of the world. Yep, that's right. I heard it on the news. And then promptly forgot about it.

So how did we spend the last day on earth?

6:30am to 8:30am, we were cleaning the church (vacuuming).

Then Keith went to the YMCA and I stayed home and did laundry and dishes.

Later, when the rain stopped, it was yard work:

Look, a goldfinch! Our state bird is so elusive in our yard, but every now and then we see some.

We pulled weeds (a never ending job).

We started planting some veggies:

zucchini and yellow crookneck squash . . .

walla walla sweet onions . . .

and Keith's tomatoes (I think there might be 16 tomato plants so far). This year he built new tomato beds out of stone. Looks nice!

I continued with putting in some perennials, like these columbine in red, light blue, and purple. Is it possible to be too colorful? I look out the window at these colors, and they're right next to some bright orange and yellow poppies, and I wonder if its too much.

Some lavender, in pots.

I've always loved this light blue color of iris, and now we have some!

And the aforementioned bright orange iceland poppies.

The rhodies are blooming.

And I'm not quite sure what these flowers are, they might be some type of geranium or pelargonium that I planted years ago, and then started popping up in some unusual places. I'm keeping them. They're pretty cute and tiny.

The progress on the "year of the pretty patio" is coming along super slow. But there is progress. One of these days I'll be showing you the finished product.

Oh, and back to this whole end of the world stuff? Pshhh. If not even the angels in heaven know, then why do people listen to these random guys? Anyway . . . . if it was the last day of the world, I would definitely want to spend it with my favorite people ever: my family! I'd want it to be a happy day and spend my time loving them, serving them, and laughing with them. Can you think of anything better?

happy birthday keith!

Its May 18th and that can only mean one thing:

Today is Keith's birthday!

(young Keith, and no, that's not wine, its water in a wine jug.)

Its going to be the most special day ever! We love you!

save the date

Remember this photo from last year, when Luke was ordained an elder?

Well now . . . he's getting ready to go to the temple!!

date: Saturday, July 16

time: 9:00am session

place: Seattle Temple

We're so proud of our Mr. Luke, and we'd like to share this special day with you! Can you come?

(we know its two months away, but hope you can mark your calendars)

monkeys in the mango tree

Toby was telling us that there are a whole lotta monkeys that live in the mango tree across the street from where they live. (technically they're marmosets.) He said he finally got them to come up to him and eat a banana out of his hand. Aren't they so cute?!

mothers day

Mother's Day 2011 in a nutshell:

Fairly quiet! It was just me, Keith, and Luke. I love my family so much. I have the best kids in the world. I miss them so much when they're not here. I have the best son-in-law and daughter-in-law in the world too. And the two best little granddaughters ever. And my loving husband, on top of all that. I know I say this all the time, but how did I ever get so blessed? I don't even feel like I should take any credit for this amazing little family of mine. They were each born with all their own talents and gifts and personalities, and I feel like I just stand here in awe at how great these individuals are. I love my little clan more than words can describe.

And we got to talk to Toby too! We're all so proud of him. I admit I watched the clock move soooooo slowly yesterday, as we waited for the appointed phone call time. Getting on the phone with him was just like picking up from where our last conversation ended. Then, every single day since we first moved in here 17 years ago, our phone does this weird thing. It goes dead once every day. Sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon. Its only for about a minute or two. But it did it yesterday RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TURN TO TALK TO TOBY IN BRAZIL!!! Aaarrgghhh! Is this a fake hang-up??? Thank goodness, he was able to call me back about 5 minutes later. He told me his release date is October 18! As of next week, its only 5 months till he comes home! He ended our phone call by saying "next time we talk, it'll be in person!!"

Keith cooked dinner for me. He would have cooked anything I wanted, but I've been craving hamburgers. I haven't had a good home cooked burger since last summer. We also had grilled zucchini, asparagus, and mushrooms. The best.

Whoa. I just realized how Beverly Hillbillies our smoker/grill looks. Yeah, a new stainless steel grill would be great, but nothing beats the taste this old barbeque gives (especially to chicken.)

Well, it would be nice to have both though. Just a thought.

For the Big D, I got some of Heidi's fabulous cupcakes. I think they are a taste of heaven on earth, and mostly I love that she has about a 50/50 ratio of cake and frosting. That's the way its supposed to be. In my opinion.

I'm thankful for all the mothers who have influenced me: my own mother, my daughter as a mother, my sister, my wonderful friends . . . I hope everyone had a happy Mother's Day.

pirate luke

Luke is a huge Jack Sparrow fan, so when I saw this pirate yourself app, I knew I had to do this for him. Only thing, its for facebook (and I'm one of the few who's not on facebook), so I had Tyler and Kelsey take over and here's what they came up with:

(the original)

Pirate Luke as created by Tyler (love the shiny gold tooth)

Pirate Luke by Kelsey (that's one crazy beard)

and last but not least, Pirate Tyler. I like it.

Oh, here's the link: http://apps.facebook.com/pirateyourself-us/