“Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

Hans Christian Anderson

We didn't have any sun this Labor Day but we did have a LOT of fun! This year was the museum sponsored the 8th annual Lynde 500 and it rained. For the first time in eight years it rained and rained hard. 

My brother, Alex,  ran in the first Lynde and this year as he was helping set up the track he was recruited again...He was not happy about it. But he is a good great sport and joined a team with all the enthusiasm he could muster. :)

Our sister was working an administration booth, I was watching the races, Troy was announcing and Archer was in the pits with a team of his friends and this happens. Alex is the guy on the bottom...

 Ok. If you've read this blog at all you may realize that when ^^^ this ^^^ happens our first thoughts jump to an emergency room (me) and living with an injured brother (other sister). 

Our minds immediately think - OH CRAP (or a word close to crap).

Luckily it was just a nasty scrape and his little sister was able to grab a first aid kit and fix him up (she's got lots of practice). Archer of course had to come over and make sure that his broken uncle wasn't really broken this time. Thank goodness!

Oh and after all that...this happened to his team car. He was actually the first pusher who caused this mess...

Oh. And did I mention his team took 2nd place? 2nd! That's right! A little car malfunction and crash didn't stop the team!

WooHoo!!!

My broken brother: an update

Remember my broken brother? If you need a little refresher....here ya go! Well, he did it again. I tried to take him for a very belated birthday dinner only to get a text that says he's on his way to the ER with our Aunt Susan. WHAT? You have to know that this doesn't really surprise anyone in our family...It has been over a year since his last ER visit AND he just bought a new mountain bike so it was bound to happen, right?

A little crash and burn on the mountain and he walks away with a broken collar bone (OUCH) and a nasty case of road rash that covers his back. Poor brother...this is not how he wanted to spend the rest of his summer...(and yes, he was wearing his helmet and the bike is fine!)

This is for Erik...



Merry Christmas! It truly is a Christmas miracle!

"Sing a song of Birthdays
Full of fun and cheer
And may you keep on having them
For many a happy year." - Anonymous

Guess who's 14?

I can both believe it and am completely shocked. You know how that goes...My baby boy is practically grown up. He'll be starting high school in the fall (high school!!!), his feet are as big as his dad's, he's so close to being as tall as me, he is independent, his voice is changing...YET he still wants me to cut the crusts of his toast, cuddles on the couch, requests a warm towel from the dryer...He is still and will always be my baby!

Archer was born a few weeks after Alex's 8th birthday. This year Alex turned 22. They have always had a wonderful relationship. Alex is such a good uncle. When Archer was born Alex was a little unsure about what to do with a baby...however he soon learned that babies aren't breakable and given the right amount of love and attention they grow to adore you.

Alex & Archer - summer 1995

and NOW! Oh how they've grown!
Loving it!

Happy Birthday Archer!

"You spin me right round, baby
right round like a record, baby
right round round round."
-Dead or Alive

You may remember this girl. She makes it on the blog a lot. My best friend. My cousin. I adore her. We drink coffee, we eat cupcakes, we scrapbook our hearts out.

Well, I might not have mentioned that she makes her living as a personal sadist (as in extreme cruelty). Oh sorry. I mean she is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Much nicer titles than evil, evil, evil torturer which is what I'm calling her today.

See, she has taught "group fitness" classes for a LONG time and I have never taken one. I hear she is hard. Well, today I took my first class. It was a spin class. It was hard. Very hard.

Lorinda (the spin torturer), brother Alex, sister DeAnne, Me, cousin Rob, and Rob's girlfriend Tasha

Some of my family joined me for my first class - I need reinforcements! The picture isn't great...maybe next time! What? Did I say NEXT? Ya, I think I'll go back. I was able to walk up the stairs and out the door and drive my car home. That is good right? And people keep saying that it will get easier...

and Lorinda? I LOVE her. Forever. She's the best (even if she torturers people for a living - someone's got to do it!).

Hope your Monday was great!

my broken brother.

Ok. So, he isn't really broken. Just his arm. Work place injury involving a mixer hanging from a ceiling, a winch, and a faulty bolt. I have heard the story twice but am still a little fuzzy...trying to remember all the details of all of his injuries would make me crazy.
My "little" brother is a tad accident prone. He could go by accident Alex.
How about a list, I will try to remember them all...
*sprayed degreaser in his eyes when he was around a year old (this was probably the most traumatic for me since I helped hold him down - remember I was 14 - while my mom filled out paperwork)
*burned hand on a wood stove when he was learning to walk
*dislocated shoulder when about 3 or 4
*fell off a roof when he was around 4 or so...He walked crooked for months.
*cyst removed from eyebrow...kinda weird marble sized cyst that you could move around...eeewwww!
**then he had a few accident free years**
*knee surgery (ACL and meniscus) due to...undisclosed injury - let's say baseball.
*machete wound to other knee
*broken left arm - rode his scooter (motorized) off a loading dock - don't ask. Well you can, but we may just say..."Uh...Alex."
*Ganglion Cyst. I covered that here.
*NOW - broken right arm.

So, did I leave any out mom?
Oh. And there was the time he got hit in the head when playing baseball, but that didn't require an ER trip...oh Alex.

As Troy says, "Alex's skeleton will tell an interesting story."

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart." - French Proverb








Today I am thankful for:

• Memories - once again I love and appreciate that my parents thought to take pictures of the everyday...can't thank them enough. This picture was taken in December 1989 on a ride home from visiting relatives in Seattle. I was 15 years old and I still liked (and still like today) hanging out with family and going on family outings.
• Our community that came out for shopper's night at the museum and made our night quite successful.
• Archer being such a good typist - makes his homework so much easier when he can whip out a page of typing in just a few minutes.
  

Today was a good day. A good, rainy, autumn day.

two-sday.

Today was day two in the week in my life project. I didn't take quite as many photos (about half of yesterday), however I still got quite a few. I just kept forgetting...Hmmm...there is always tomorrow.

What I have liked about this project is the thought involved. The focusing on the little things, on real life. This is truly a "regular" week in our "regular" lives and I think it will be fantastic to have a record of it. I am planning some other little slice of life and at a glance pages for my book. I am pretty excited about it all.

Here are a few pictures to enjoy.

Chores. Frisbee golfing with Alex (I call this the "I have a really big hand" OR "Take my picture and I will shove that camera up your ...." picture), my Trader Joe's loot, Emily working hard at Dave's! (edited to note: Emily is not Emily's given name. Emily is Travis aka Travis Emily. We call him Emily or Nurse Emily and have since I've known him...Long story. Sorry about the confusion. His parents don't hate him. We do. No...just kidding. I love Emily!)

***On another note...my phone chimed with a new text message tonight. While that isn't an unusual occurrence the new message was...I was thrilled to get a photo from Renee of my sweet nephew Nicholas. Oh I miss him. I saw him a month ago, but I know that he is growing and changing day by day and I wish I could see more of it. Anyway I will take what I can get. Isn't he adorable?

oh brother

Is there anything like a brother? No. I think not. Well...maybe two brothers. That is what I have been blessed/cursed with...two brothers.

First there is this one. This is John. He is the oldest (notice the really gray hair!). Six years older than me, 19 years older than Alex, 22 years older than DeAnne. John had his first (and most-likely only) child three years ago - the sweet Nicholas that readers of this blog have grown to love! He graduated from Sehome High School (boo-hiss! haha), went into the Air Force, is currently retiring from the military and started working for Boeing doing...something...I am a bad sister...I never know/knew what he does/did. I know in the Air Force he did something with planes (good deduction on my part...). John lived away from us for a long, long time. He moved back (to Washingon) about four or so years ago. It has been fun to have him closer, share holidays and bbqs with him again.
And this one. This one is Alex. The baby brother, but not the baby. He was born when I was 13 - my first baby! He graduated from Bellingham High School (the same year I graduated from college) and has stayed local. He is a homebody. Alex is fun and sweet and is one who really enjoys life. You can usually find him at Cornwall Park playing Frisbee golf or hanging with his friends. He is usually pretty laid back, but can be really serious when he wants to be. Alex is a great uncle. He is Archer's hero, role model, buddy.
See? He is a happy boy. He really doesn't like my camera - gets irate when I whip it out! These covert shots are usually the best anyway.
Typical brother thing. He was spying on his little sister...reading her messages...waiting to get the crap beat out of him (you don't mess with the DeAnne)!

One of my favorite scenes. I love to see my big brother with his little boy, being a dad. It is something I never thought I would see. John was always a meanie big brother (he laughs and loves his meanie stories), but he has become a wonderful, loving dad to his little boy...So...it's all good.

Oh the joy of brothers. With brothers you get it all. The good. The bad. The ugly. The fun. And at the end of the day I love my brothers - unconditionally!

It has been one week since my last post. Hmmm...Sounds like a confession. What is my penance? Anyway...I do not like the excuse "busy." When someone says "I'm too busy" or "I was too busy" I think it is a cop out. Just say "other things were more important" or "I don't want to." I think "busy" is a term people use to make an excuse when they don't want to give a real reason...a good reason. Believe me, I know what busy is. However, everything I do is a choice and sometimes my choices are based on how busy I am, but my excuse isn't busyness - no my excuse is choices. Anyway...this is deep-rooted in me, this pet peeve about busy being an excuse. Let's move on...

So, I am going to say that I had other things occupying my time. Not even important things. Really. I spent A LOT of time on the computer - doing nothing. Reading blogs, hanging on Facebook, playing games. I read. I hung out with family and friends. I actually wasn't busy. Just enjoying a bit of R&R.

Now here I am. A week out and feeling a bit off. No sure where to start.

How about with my parents. They have moved. To Marysville. It is a little over an hour drive from our house - a big difference from 15 -20 minutes. Alex, DeAnne, Archer and I went down to visit and see their new home for the first time. It is smaller than the house they left in Bellingham, where Alex and DeAnne will continue to live. However, it is cute and I think the perfect size (I am not a big house person).

Happy new home owners. (If you enlarge the photo you may be able to see the "ghosts" in the door.)

Mom & Dad @ the new house.

Alex evidently thought I was the paparazzi.

Cuddling at Grandma & Grandpa's house.

Cuddlin'

I find it interesting when people move to see their "old" stuff in a new surrounding. My parent's *stuff* is all from their house (which leaves Alex & De w/ little, but they are young they don't need much) and it looks completely different. When I go down this weekend I will try to take some pictures and find some of the old house. Just a little interesting thought.

Coming this week: DeAnne (a before and after pictorial), first day of school excitement (or second or third day...we'll see), Lynde 500 (early next week) and a little bit more of {this and that}.

today.

This boy (man) is turning 21 TODAY! The day that every under-21-year-old dreams of. Yay him!

Dinner at Jalepenos. Then some barhopping I am sure. No tequila - that has been made perfectly clear.

I was 13 when Alex was born. What an exciting time for our family. He is, and will always be, our first baby. Our little boy. Ok, so his is a giant, but he will always be my little brother. He is funny, easy-going, and kind. I always have a good time with my brother. He laughs easily and is easy to just hangout with.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Be safe.

a little bit of pomp and circumstance

"The best way to predict your future is to create it." - unknown

Well. She did it. My little sister, the youngest of four (with a 22 year age span) walked the stage and received her high school diploma from Bellingham High School. I want to say this has been a long time coming, however it really hasn't. It was the same amount of time that most others wait. Thirteen years of public school and two years of pre-K. She must be a well-educated girl.

"I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells." Dr. Seuss

I like graduations. I like the speeches (when they are funny and filled with wisdom...not just long and preachy). I like the caps and gowns and fresh faces ready to face the world. It is a day that just feels good - parents are happy, students are off for new adventures (teachers are getting a little vaca...oh...ya).

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." Gandhi

A BHS graduation feels especially good. I wasn't a big "high school fan." I didn't participate in a lot of activities, wasn't overly involved, however I do have good memories (they get better the longer I've been out). A BHS graduation feels like going home. The principal was a teacher when I was there, some of the other teachers are the same. The school fight song is familiar and the red and white colors bring back good memories.

There comes a moment when you realize that virtually anything is possible - that nothing is too good to be true." Kobi Yamada

BHS is a legacy in our family. We had quite a few alumni (from our family) in attendance last night. The proud parents. Wheeewwww...Four down - zero to go! (Dad - BHS alum)

"Go boldly in the direction of your dreams." Henry David Thoreau

BHS siblings! Class of 1992, Class 2008, Class of 2005.

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." Dr. Seuss

With her Godparents - Bob & Kelly (BHS alum)

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't ---you are right." Henry Ford

With Auntie Berta...

"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on earth." Mark Twain

All dressed up. Red & White Roses from mom and dad. Notice the pretty belt we made with ribbon!

"Be the change you want to see in the world." Gandhi

And my last quote for today. I love this one. Enjoy.

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the
status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." Jack Kerouac

And DeAnne? Congratulations. I am so happy for you, proud of you. I love being your sister!
Happy Graduation!

really he is cute...

I love all the t-shirts with cute sayings on them. I rarely (never) buy any, but they are sure fun to look at. I saw this one in the girls department and I absolutely loved it. I also like the one that said "I am the cutest one in my family" because well...it is true! haha... So, when I came home I thought I needed to post the picture and of course had to have "proof" that my brother looks funny...here it is - the proof. Now tell me that isn't funny. (Picture below taken on Easter many years ago during an Ultimate Easter Egg Hunt...No mercy - stealing, pushing - anything for the egg! I think maybe he wasn't winning the hunt - notice the lack of eggs in the basket!)...
I love you Alex! (even if you look funny...smile!)

The last of the wedding flashbacks

A glance a smile became friendship grew into Love.

Here it is. The last of the wedding flashbacks...Today Troy and I celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. When we met 14 years ago we had a very quick connection. We became instant friends and less than a year later - married! There is so much I could say about Troy, about being married, but I'm not going to. Anyone who knows us must know how much I love my husband (or why would I still be here really? haha). We have a wonderful son, we are independent of one another, yet very much intertwined. We have a good life. I love you sweetie.

The Bride & Groom. Not my favorite picture, but the one I could get to easily! The groom.

The bride

The wedding party. Carrie, DeAnne, Joel, Jerrie, Troy, Sharon, Alex, John.

One of my favorite pictures from my wedding day. Me & my incredible siblings. My brothers John & Alex, and my little sister DeAnne. Lovely.

Wedding Flashback: Part 1

Day One of the wedding flashback. I decided to start with "the guys." Troy's best man was his good friend Joel, groomsman was John and the cutest ring-bearer ever was my dear brother Alex. Don't they all look so handsome (and young)?These are always the funniest pictures to look back on. I don't think I've ever seen Joel & Troy shake hands, much less like this. It looks like they are closing a deal or something...

Yay!

Tonight (after the glorious coffee/chocolate tasting - oh yeah) I went into my mom's to see brother John and nephew Nicholas.

Nick is one of my favorite little people. He is full of personality. And he is adorable. I brought him some fresh blueberries - that makes him love me! haha! It does help break the ice - no shyness when you bring him food (kinda like his Aunt Jerrie...hmmm)....Nick LOVES his Grandpa-pa David. Evidently he was waiting at the door with his arms crossed waiting for Grandpa to get home from work today...Didn't even take a nap waiting for Grandpa which could be why he was so tired tonight.
Nick alternately likes to beat up Uncle Alex and be held by him. Alex is very tall and makes a short person like Nick very tall as well.
Aunt Paula, Aunt Berta and Alex hanging on the couch. I am at the end. Our family can fit a lot of people on a couch. If DeAnne had been there she probably would have squeezed in as well. People comment on how tight we squeeze in or pile on...
I was commenting to Troy the other night on how few times John is mentioned on my blog and how there are even fewer pictures of him...So, my goal tonight was to get a picture and post it. Uh...yea...didn't happen. Oooops. Maybe tomorrow.