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}.

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!

sunny Sunday!

Archer woke up this morning and requested a trip to Grandma & Grandpa's house. So, we got ready and made a trip to the big city of Bellingham (haha! doesn't even sound like a big city name does it?)...we ran some errands and then made it to Gma & Gpa's just in time to do some yard work! Archer did yard work - I took pictures. He helped Grandpa weed and spread bark...I went shopping with Grandma! Seems fair doesn't it? Archer even got paid for his efforts - he was very excited by that. Of course he would do the work without the reward of payment, but he wouldn't say no to getting a little moolah.

Working hard.A little break.
Grandpa framed by his lilacs.
I learned about lilacs and that I loved them so when I was in middle school after mom & David got married. Love these.
Have a great week!

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.