"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!" - Amanda Bradley
Showing posts with label Jerrie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jerrie. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!" - Amanda Bradley
"There's a lot happening in many of us. I think you have to celebrate every part. It's what you are. You have to try to find all of those secret names." - Cassandra Wilson

I have been so out of commission the past week or so, still not at 100% but making steady progress.

It seems like a lot of people pick a guiding word for themselves now. Ali has popularized this in the scrapbook world, yet I know it isn't a "new" thing. It is fun to read other people's words and their reasoning behind the words.

Last January I talked about my reasoning and how I started the process of choosing a word here. I also like to find a few quotes to keep around to encourage and remind me. I am a quote girl - I love 'em.

This year, as you may have guessed, I chose the word celebrate to focus on. I like the idea of celebrating the everyday, the good, the bad, the little things, the big things. There is something everyday that is worth celebrating even if it is just that God gave you one more day. Last year was difficult in some ways - emotional, trying and I am ready to focus on good, focus on celebrating the details of everyday.

I'm excited for this year - this journey of celebration. While I know this word won't make me have a perfect year I hope that it will remind me to focus on what I can celebrate everyday.

So, while I was sick I made the canvas above - decoupage (got a little messy - it was great) and a quote and some of my favorite letter stickers. Thanks to my husband for his creative input.

Hope your 2010 is in full swing and going well so far.

Let's celebrate!


Thursday, October 29, 2009

"We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn." - Mary Catherine Bateson

Last weekend we went to Gig Harbor. Love it there. Love these pictures of me and my boy. He is in the "don't take my picture" phase and most of the time I respect that, but he was mostly willing for his shadow to be photographed.

I got the sick (the cold one, no flu here yet). Hope everyone is staying well. Take care.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

today.

It is Tuesday morning. Evidently a Mabel update did not happen yesterday. I wasn't feeling well and left it up to Troy...well...we saw what happened there.

Today's list:
*email Cheryl & facebook away
*get the boy off to school
*coffee, coffee, coffee
*finish laundry, clean the bathroom
*lunch with the sister, left over spaghetti (ah yum)
*volunteer at museum
*weight lifting class
*dinner
*by this time...tired.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Dancing, yes indeed.

As Archer prepares for his first school dance it made me reminisce a bit about my high school dances. At least the first dance with a date and dinner and pictures.

My first dance was actually a MORP I think...I didn't have a good reputation going to dances....At least not after breaking up with this boy twice at dances, standing up another, and wrecking a little VW bug in a parking lot with my dad's Caprice (please don't ask my dad about me and dances...I think it may be one of his favorite subjects and I don't come off in a good light. haha). This was Sean. He was my first high school boyfriend. This was one of our first dates, my freshman year, his junior year. We dated for about a year and half (with a few breaks when I broke up with him AT dances).

Ok. Now to what you really wanna talk about. Lookey at that hair...peroxide is a girl's best friend as is a perm on an already curly headed girl; bunchy socks (oh ya!); layered shirt with a polo; and those shorts were my fave - pink/light blue/white plaid - loved 'em. I had a lovely tan a la baby oil (before I cared about things like skin cancer and decided sunscreen was the way to go).

And another dance picture with Sean (uh...I broke up with him at this tolo, sorry Sean that wasn't nice).
Can you believe I broke up with him when we were so color coordinated?

Once again noticed the scrunchy socks...what the heck?

Well there it is. A little trip down memory lane. I am excited for Archer because now he's forming his own memories...one day he may make a similar trip and I have to say being 20ish years removed the trip is much sweeter.

Monday, March 30, 2009

When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

Hi friends! Today marks my third blogoversary
(I would like to thank Teena in Toronto for reminding me as I think I would have forgotten! Thanks Teena!)
and I don't have a fancy-dancy post planned. Really? What did you expect from me?

I really just want to say thank you. Thanks to my friends and family who not only endure my constant, "I think I'm going to blog this," or "No, look cute, I want a picture for the blog," but also tell me when I should blog something (uh...thanks). My friends and family are also my devoted readers - they will read no matter what...even if it's crap (huh?).
(random childhood photo. I love it. I think...cute me!)

I also want to thank my new bloggy friends. Those who I don't know, but who stop by and glimpse into my life on a regular basis. People like Liz, and Tabitha, and Ali (go visit these ladies...I love them!).

And since it is way to early in the morning to try to think of something clever (which I should have done in preparation (whatever)...I will say...Have a great week!

Here's to Spring! and Here's to another bloggy year!


Friday, March 27, 2009

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." - Lewis Carroll

I've been on a little blogging break this week (I hope I'm back now!).

Some things I love right now (and luckily got to experience this week! WoooHooo!):

cupcakes (especially Trophy cupcakes).
I believe cupcakes are the best cakes...small, tasty, mmmm...yum.
A new little cupcake shop opened in town which is where
Lorinda (cousin in picture 3) and I will be
celebrating next week for my birthday.

my friends and being goofy. Even better being goofy with friends!

my cousin. You know I love her. And Starbucks.
Cousin + Starbucks = Perfection.

A new book by an awesome author. Love a new book.
Have a fantastic weekend. Do something fun. I am working on looking at my one little word for this year - refocusing and reflecting and possibly preparing a list of 35 things to do before I'm 36 (I love reading the posts at Hula Seventy about her lists and I thought maybe...). Lots of stuff running through my brain...just need to channel it (good luck to me!).

Monday, March 23, 2009

blessed.

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson


This weekend was the weekend of friends. On Friday, Troy started out having drinks with Tami (aka the lady in the stone house) and her fabulous hubby. Such fun.

Then Saturday night was "girls night out" with a few of my best girls (and my brother and a few of his friends for awhile and an old friend who was in the band we saw...but we still call it girls night).

We started the night at the Chuckanut Brewery to listen to the last performance of my friend Raphael's group The Diamondbacks. I enjoyed the crab cakes, the strong bock, and of course the company of my friends (and brother and band...).

After the band finished we headed up to Poppe's for a few drinks. I hadn't been there in years, however anyone who knows me knows I love a martini...What fun!
Here are my girls - Cheryl, Lisa, Lorinda. Lemon Drops and a Naughty Schoolgirl (our drinks), fun times.
So, now it is Monday and the fun continues. I am off to Seattle with Cheryl and Lorinda for cupcakes, shopping, and seeing Jodi Picoult speak. I'll take it, as tomorrow will be back to "normal" life.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” - Laozi
A few things I'm loving right now:
  1. longer spring days
  2. good books (I have been very fortunate in the book department lately. Go here and check out some of my latest reads).
  3. great friends
  4. a four day weekend (glorious!)
  5. buds on trees
  6. yummy drinks with a lovely friend tonight!
  7. peeps. yep, the marshmallow kind. Yum!
  8. tulips at the grocery store...splashes of spring
  9. my new shoes 
  10. a stack of new magazines waiting to be devoured
  11. some new scrapbook supplies to create with
  12. switching some stuff up at home to greet the new season(s)
  13. paperbackswap.com 
  14. friends who twitter (twitter is so much fun!)
  15. cats who love to bask in the sun and pretend to be big, bad hunters until the birds are right in their space then they run! (that is the best!)
It's getting closer. When I drove by the bank the thermometer said 54 degrees. Spring is almost here. While I am one of the "snow" people (as in I don't hate it) I am ready for Spring. Longer, warmer days and new growth - what is not to love? 

Thursday, March 05, 2009

less>more

Last fall a great new shoe store opened in our small town. And all the ladies said "Hallelujah!" Like most females I like shoes. There is nothing quite like a new pair of shoes. Lovely. Lovely.

I was finally in the market (aka have-enough-money) to buy a new pair of shoes so I walked across the street to Sole Obsession (right across from the museum, makes it a bit tempting eh Tami?). Ok. No, the story goes back...I was reading Kelly's blog (the foot wear peddler) and noticed she had some Simple Shoes in stock. I have been needing (yes, needing) a pair of Simple Shoes for a LONG time and now just like that *poof* across the street Simple Shoes.

Must. Go. Buy. And I did. I went, I saw, I tried on, I ordered, I bought.
That is the great thing. Kelly, will order for you. I tried on a pair of Simple Shoes to make sure of sizing, then special ordered this fantastic pair that she doesn't carry. She called me in less than a week to come pick up my new shoes. Fantastic! Why Simple Shoes? Several simple reasons. They are fabulously cute shoes. The company is committed to making their products 100% sustainable. They have reduced packaging - no plastic in that box; the packaging is made of all recycled materials and I can always use a shoe box. Did I mention they are super cute? Ok. Just wanted to make sure of that. And comfortable. Very, very comfortable
Details about my shoes (from here):
  • I have printed organic cotton uppers
  • I have certified organic cotton linings
  • I have recycled PET laces (my laces used to be soda bottles!)
  • I have Ortholite/recycled car tire pedbeds
  • My outsoles used to be a car tire*
  • I have a vulcanized rubber sidewall, toecap, and heelcap
  • I have 100% post consumer paper pulp foot forms
  • I ship to you in our totally state-of-the-art/back-to-the-future post-consumer recycled box
  • I am part of the Better category

* The bottom of these shoes used to be tires that rolled around on an axle that was connected to a car. Given the inherent nature of use like this, some of the shoe bottoms (i.e. tires) are marked up a little. Sure, we buff them out and put them on the bottom of the shoes, but they still show wear. If you get them and you decide you can't deal with the past life of that particular car tire, we'll take them back, as long as they are in new and unworn condition.











Now I am looking toward summer. I am thinking these (Tube Top) in either black and white or sand and white. Or these (Cartoon) in black. Or...there are a few other pair I like...we will see, we will see.
It really is Simple. Go to Sole Obsession. Check out the Simple Shoes. If you don't love the Simple Shoes she has many other brands and styles to chose from. Like Dansko. Oh. I might need some Danskos.

p.s. I bought the socks in this post. The green ones with the orange on top. They go great with my shoes!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

what we keep

So far this year has been very contemplative for me. Soul searching. A reminder of what is important. Who is important. The new year, mixed with high emotions from the end of last year and the hospitalization and death of my grandma have put me in an almost peaceful content mood (most of the time at least).After my grandma died her house needed to be gone through, of course. What a job. Emotional, exhaustive. How does one decide what to keep, what to toss, what to donate? Because it was only my aunt, uncle, and one cousin (the lovely Lorinda) we had to make decisions for the rest of the family. I believe we made good ones.

Of course most of the things in my grandparent's home are sentimental to us. But, what to keep? Obviously the person isn't their objects, objects not the person who owned them. However, there are certain items that can help bring us that feeling of a person. Remind us of them.
So, what did I keep? More than I expected to. A few things that are just things - a great, old Tupperware caddy and a vase that I don't ever remember seeing. A little metal figurine of a man in a barrel that I assume was my grandpa's. A necklace of my grandma's. However, those things aren't the things that stirred up my emotions.

So, what made my heart sing? What did I feel like I HAD to have?

Well...for starters Mark Twain up there. He always sat on a coffee table next to the shot glass stage coach. My grandpa had a collection of items from the McCormick Distilling Company. What is great is that Mark Twain's head comes off...he originally came full of bourbon.

And the toaster salt and pepper shakers (picture above). My grandma had a vast collection of salt and pepper shakers. Some were quite remarkable. When I was about 7 or 8 I bought her the toaster ones at an antique shop. If you lift the handle the toast pops up. I love them. Always have. Now they sit above my stove, not to be used, but to be loved. I also grabbed the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox shakers that I bought her on a trip to Minnesota with my other grandpa.

She also wanted me to have her knitting needles. In the hospital I told her I was learning to knit. Even though she said I "have a long way to go" she was excited and insisted I take them. I will never have to buy knitting needles. I guess this means I need to continue with this hobby - at least long enough to knit purple scarves for me and my cousin! :)

There are a few other items I picked up, however the one I will treasure, that both Lorinda and I cradled in fear it may be damaged is the cookie jar. It would figure I would have a love of the cookie jar. When we walked in the house it wasn't sitting on it's spot on the counter. I was confused and I could see concern in Lorinda's eyes. I turned around to talk to my aunt and in seconds Lorinda comes to me cradling the bird and handed it over to me...makes me tear up thinking about it even now. I love the birdie cookie jar - I need to fill it with some oatmeal cookies soon, but most of all I love my grandma, I love my cousin. I love that I have a family so rich in blessings.

Have a great love week all! Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

“Dream your dream. Follow your heart. Imagine. Listen to the wind. Drink sunsets. Be free. Let the wonder never cease. Believe. Wish on every star. Create adventure. Be kind.” - Debbie Coulter

I have had a lot of thoughts running through my head lately. I've been trying to pin them down in writing either in my journal or my macJournal which is my super groovy computer journal. Love. it.

Thoughts that began with the new year and continued to grow, change, evolve with the loss of my grandma and the healing that has been happening. It is all good. Just new. Different. Change.

So, if I seem a bit off, a bit "touchy-feely," a bit introspective, a bit distant it is this inner change. All those things - introspection, distance are all a part of where I am right now. And it is good. I keep saying that. It is good. Because really my life is good. I am blessed. I am thankful for who I am, what I have, my family, my friends, my God. It is all good.

So, there we have it. A fair amount of words that don't really say much except that here I am changing! (and it is good...sounds a bit Martha huh?)

Thanks friends for your love, encouragement and support during the past few weeks. And, thanks for the nice comments on the "new" blog. I felt time for something fresh, fun, bold. Hope you enjoy!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Random. Who me?

In the absence of anything else to write I thought I would post here something I did on facebook a few days ago. The instruction was to list 25 random things about yourself. Some of you may have already read these...I could do this again...I keep thinking of randomness!

1. I was born and raised in Bellingham and I like it! :)
2. I tried moving once, to Tacoma, when I was 19...it lasted a month (a fun month really!).
3. I met and married my husband in less than a year. ;)
4. We are still happily married 14 years later.
5. I love coffee.
6. Specifically, a grande 2-pump Cinnamon Dolche non-fat latte from Starbucks
7. My best friend is also my cousin. I am very lucky.
8. Margaritas are fantastic.
9. So are Martinis.
10. I am a cemetery secretary.
11. I also am a substitute teacher and academic tester.
12. I really, really hate mustard! (thanks Andrea!)
13. My favorite foods are Thai and Mexican...oh and dips...I love appetizers.
14. Ok, I just love food. Eating is lovely.
15. I don't have a favorite color - I get joy from them all.
16. However, I have been loving orange lately.
17. I love Rocket Dog shoes.
18. I hate to shop for clothes.
19. I love my siblings. All of them.
20. Vegas is great.
21. I am a homebody.
22. Reading is one of my greatest pleasures.
23. I have a mild addiction to magazines that I am trying to break.
24. My house is usually a mess, but it is better than cleaning it.
25. My favorite "outing" is sitting with a friend or two sipping coffee and talking.

Monday, January 12, 2009

mish mash on Monday

"Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
- Anne Morrow Lindbergh


This is truly going to be one of those "this and that" posts. Not a lot going on here. Due to weather and attitude I haven't been out and about much. Been holing up and staying home.

1. On Saturday I went to my friend Susan's house for the afternoon. She is teaching me to knit. This is the start to my very first washcloth. I am almost finished with it now. I have to say, knitting is fun, addictive even. And anyone who knows me knows I love paper - the scrapbook store is like a little piece of heaven on earth. I can see the yarn stores becoming that way...I really can. This picture isn't great, it was taken with my cell phone, however it shows that a) I can knit and b) the cool orange/yellow/white yarn I picked up for my first project. Fun, fun. Thanks Susan!


2. I met my mom this morning at Starbucks. Gotta love that. She was up for the day, teaching CPR, errands, etc...So, before her busy start we met for a little breakfast, coffee for me (of course), and hot cocoa for her. I use to see my mom at least once a week and since she's moved it has been closer to once a month. I still drop by the house and see "the kids," however it is so not the same. I miss my mom, BUT here she is...today!

3. I just found out my grandma, my only living grandparent, had a mild heart attack sometime in the last few days, not sure quite when, but she is doing well and is in the hospital making nurses question their profession! The quote is for her. Grandma did NOT want that tea they gave her, she doesn't like tea, coffee for her (and of course my coffee-lovin' cousin did the duty and smuggled some in...naughty, naughty. I would never do such a thing. hahahehe!).

4. Big Love starts Sunday. HBO. Be there. 'Nuf said.

5. I found Shimmy on FitTV. Now that is some fun stuff. I am glad I am doing it in my living room...I do not think I should be doing this anywhere in public or even at home in front of people. I know my friend Katrina has done belly dancing classes - she is much braver than me. However, I am lovin' the shimmy at home.

Monday, January 05, 2009

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

When I was in college I had an instructor (I can't call her a professor, because really she wasn't and beside some fun self-exploration exercises she wasn't a very good teacher...anyway....) who led us through several exercises regarding self-exploration (blah, blah, blah). One of our 'assignments' was to pinpoint a goal for the quarter (not related to grades...or turning assignments in on time, something personal - weird) and pick a word or phrase to focus on. Every day, at the beginning of class (I think it was three days a week) we had to journal about our word or phrase for ten minutes. It was a neat exercise. I enjoyed it. The final project was all related to this work.
(photo taken by my mother-in-law, Lee, of a wonderful creation by my husband when he was younger)


I attempted to do this during subsequent quarters, however without the alloted time (blah, blah, blah) I didn't continue. However, the idea of focusing on a word or phrase for a period of time stuck. We did it in Bible study and imagine my delight when my favorite scrapbooker, Ali Edwards, introduced the one-little-word challenge a few years ago. Just what I needed to get me back on track.

For the past two years I chose the same word - believe. I tried changing it last year, but believe seemed to stick. I evidently wasn't through with it yet.

This year's word came to me during the extended winter break. The same word kept coming to me. And let me tell you before I tell you the word that it isn't the word I wanted. I wanted something more, something pretty, something that would make a cute sign (like my believe sign - I love it). However, this word isn't cute. It won't make a cute sign (however, I think I can figure something out!).

My word for 2009 (dudududum!) is do. Yup, you read it right do. DO. DO. DO.

Why did I pick the word do? I hope I can make it make sense for everyone else. It makes sense to me and I guess that is what is important.

Do. I am an idea girl. I have a lot of want-to, that-would-be-fun-to ideas. These ideas cover a wide range of things...some personal, some not so much - not going to list them here. Anyway...I have a lot ideas and plans, oh the plans I can make. My problem is with the execution of said ideas and plans (and really I didn't think execution was a good word - it might be for me, but that is a whole other post). I decided this year I needed a word of action. Believe was a nice word. It was very inner-personal. It was work for me, by me. I didn't really have to put myself out there. But this year I wanted it to be different. I want to DO!

I like that DO is active. I expect change in myself this year.
Resolutions for the new year? No.
Change? Action? Yes.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

"Have a holly, jolly Christmas;
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
but have a cup of cheer
Have a holly, jolly Christmas;
And when you walk down the street
Say Hello to friends you know
and everyone you meet."


In the heart of Christmases past I share with you Christmas memory #78 - visiting the Yeager's Santa. Yeager's is a local sporting goods store and we would take at least one trip every year to go visit Santa. Santa was known the rest of the year as Grandpa Glen. He was a good friend's grandpa and I grew up with him...he was the perfect Santa. Always jolly. Kids loved him. And he always gave me extra candy canes!
1988 was a fine, fine year. Obviously. Look at that hair. We could de-construct this photo and have a field day, however we will just say that I was an adorable high-schooler and leave it at that. Ok? No? Let me give you the run down. The hair - peroxide and perm ('nuf said). The clothes - the sweatshirt belonged to my friend Simon and said "Whoa Chill Out Dude," and the shorts (which thankfully you can't see so I'm not sure why I am sharing) were, well, shorts in December (wonder where Archer gets it?). They were cut-off black and white tie-dyed stretch pants (from New York people)...They were glorious. Anyway...I think we can all agree that I was super cute!


This picture mixes a bit of this year's decor in with a Christmas past picture. One of my project this season was this cute little 7-gypsies frame. I have wanted to frame this adorable picture of Archer from his first Christmas. It is one of my favorites. I converted the pic to black and white since the reds of his suit and the frame didn't match matted it on some cute Making Memories paper threw a couple Creative Imaginations stickers on there and wa-la finished! And I love it. My sweet baby boy!


On another note: We got some SNOW today and tomorrow is a SNOW DAY - yay! no school! I say yay - I know there are other parents out there that aren't quite so thrilled. I still love snow days...there is something magical about them. I don't even mind the kids making them up in the summer - and Archer doesn't either by the way...He is a proponent of year-round schools, but that is a post for another day. Maybe I will sit down with him and we will do a post about it.
Our cats hate the snow. Makes them housebound, like the rest of us. The wind the past week has driven them crazy and now the snow...I think they need extra treats. This is a cat's view of the outdoors when we open the door. No wonder they slink away in defeat.

Happy Snow Day (if you get one tomorrow)! Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

"Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick"
- Benjamin Russell Hanby

I looked at the Christmas countdown and was a little shocked. I don't know why. I know the date (most of the time) and I know when Christmas is...But, eight days? Boy howdy that is soon! So, I had a plan for my blog this month. I think I shared the plan with only a few people, but now I am going to share with you my failed-until-this-point-plan. My plan was to share pictures of Christmases past. I scanned and scanned and scanned for about a week for a few "little" projects I was (am) doing so I have the pictures. However, I didn't get around to doing these posts. So, here is the first post of Christmas past. Better late than never.

First, the song above has been a favorite Christmas song since I first heard it probably in pre-school. I love it...It is snappy and fun!

Second, the pictures. When I was young my Grandpa Bud worked at the cement plant. Every year the plant hosted a Christmas party at the local skating rink. I loved those parties. I loved to skate, I would go skating anytime I had the opportunity. One of the guys at the plant would volunteer to dress up as Santa and of course there were pictures and treats. OH the treat bags. I looked forward to the treat bags all month! The bags were filled with peanuts, oranges, soft chewy peppermint candies and Santa gave a big candy cane. Yes, I looked forward to that bag all month. LOVED it! I was evidently pretty easy to please. (yes, I know that one of these Santas is a little scary, thanks for that Cheryl, however as I kid I didn't notice, they were all super nice guys!)

Do you have any songs/poems that you learned as a child that bring Christmas back for you? In addition to Up On The Housetop, the Chipmunk Christmas Song makes my childhood flood back. I had the Chipmunk record (YUP record) and would play it as often as possible, which wasn't as often as I would have liked due to the fact that my mom would only let me play it maybe once or twice in her presence. I would go to my room and listen on my little blue portable record player, but had to listen very quietly so my mom wouldn't freak out about the Chipmunks...she doesn't like those little critters. at. all. And listening to the Chipmunks quietly isn't nearly as fun...

Happy Tuesday!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love."
- Ada V. Hendricks













We made a good start on the Christmas cards yesterday. We had a good time. Good company. Good conversation. Good coffee. Good food. I love spending time with my cousin creating. So much fun.

However, I battled a migraine all day and night. I haven't been feeling great today - headache, tummy ache, rotator cuff ache...

Warm winter wishes from the cold (23 degrees right now) Pacific Northwest. Grab a cuppa cocoa, a good book and snuggle in! Enjoy!

Edited: We are thinking the rotator cuff injury is due to the move of that freakin' heavy dresser. It (my shoulder) was feeling a bit better until I kept using it (go figure)...by Friday evening I was hurtin'! So, it isn't horrible, just a bit painful and hopefully with a bit of rest and stretches that help not hurt I will be feeling fine in no time. 

Thursday, December 11, 2008

conversation

My cousin, Lorinda (you know the cousin of which I speak, right?), and I make Christmas cards every year. Every year I try to take a sabbatical like my friend Tami does sometimes. Lorinda, however, doesn't let me. Let me tell you right now that NO cards have been made to date. Uh, what day is it? Whatever let's not think about it. So, Lorinda and I have a date for tomorrow while the kids are at school and we WILL be making cards.

Today, I thought I would share our email exchange this morning, which so defines who we are as cousins and friends.

Here goes:

From: Jerrie
To: Lorinda
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 6:50 AM
Subject: tomorrow


Hey girl. Are we still making cards tomorrow? I have started receiving some...Uh OH!!!!

Let me know. I am up for it. My house is seriously a disaster...I know I say that all the time, but seriously just finding the counter right now is a feat in engineering.

I am working all day (teaching...GASP). Email me back or text me. Between 9:45 and 10:45 I am free to text!!!!


Love ya.


j

(should we invite your sister?)

From: Lorinda
To: Jerrie
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 6:59:27 AM
Subject: re: tomorrow

Hey!

If we don't make shit loads of cards tomorrow, I am not going to get them done in time. Work is crazy. School, appointments.................My only real chance will be at your house. I am coming out!

We should invite her that would be nice.

You want me to bring food? I cant wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you!

l


From: Jerrie
To: Lorinda
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:52:42 AM
Subject: tomorrow

Oh...ya shit loads tomorrow. No time for lack of inspiration. Even if I am sending complete crap I am getting them finished!!!!

Um...YES bring food. Archer & I went to Starbucks this morning for breakfast. NOT (only) because we love it, but because we have NO food, no bread, no muffins, no cereal, no no no nothing. It is so sad. And I have to work a full day today so no shopping!!!! I DO have coffee, cocoa, tea...no lack of beverages! I even have the gingerbread syrup from Starbucks. YES I DO!!!

Do you want to ask your sister or should I? Let me know. I don't think I have her number, will you send it my way?

I will clear off the table and counter (which means load all the SHIT into a basket and put it in the laundry room) and we will be set. Then you can come back another day and see the clean, merry house.

So, it sounds like your week is spiraling out of control with mine. Does it seem like it is either all or nothing? Really there are days/weeks/maybe even a month (haha) where there is NOTHING then WHAM BAM it hits like a (insert bad word/s here)...

See you tomorrow. 9:30ish. I will make sure Troy doesn't come walking out all naked! hehe

LOVE YA.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Happy Birthday Cheryl!

So, today is Cheryl's birthday. She is 29 as well I think. All these people I know turning 29...Hmmm....

Anyway...Cheryl and I went out to celebrate her (uh-hem) 29th birthday with a fabulous lunch at Pad Thai, which happened to have the worst service ever. However, the food was good as to redeem itself. Is it really so hard for someone who is in the service industry to smile? Like just a little grin? And how about not make it seem like an inconvenience when you order? Hmmm...it is a restaurant, is it not? Some people are not meant for customer service.

Okay. Enough. Of. That.

We ate Thai food (yum), went to Barnes & Noble (see my new acquisitions on the book blog), went to Fred Meyer for a tour of their holiday decor, and to Baskin Robbins for what may possibly be the BEST not-ice cream ever, Daiquiri Ice (lower left hand corner).
Here we are! See? We are happily celebrating! Happy Day Cheryl!

Thursday, December 04, 2008

"Home is not where you live, but where they understand you." - Christian Morganstern

I am a simple girl. I live in a small house and I like it. I am thankful for what I have, a fantastic family, good friends and my stuff. Ya, I like my stuff. My fiesta ware is the tops. I like my little knickknacks, my books, you know my "stuff."

Another thing. Almost all of our furniture has been aquired as hand-me-downs. And that is okay. I like our furniture for now. One day my dream is new stuff in the living room. Well, maybe not "new" but not what we have, however, for now, it is fine.

All I ask of my used furniture is to work. Such as when I want a shirt out of the bottom drawer of my (hand-me-down) dresser all I ask is for said drawer to open. And if it doesn't open after a few minutes of fighting I might a) bang around loudly early in the morning to let Troy know I am pissed at my dresser, b) swear, c) cry, d) all of the above. Depends on the day.

After a few (consecutive) mornings of being woke up by my banging/swearing/crying/all of the above (after all I have had this problem for YEARS) Troy said, "Why don't we get you a new dresser?" After some discussion and me saying no a hundred times because of the lack of resources (read: money) we decided to start looking. Troy browsed online to show me he could find something in a reasonable price range. Then he mentioned the new/used/discount furniture store across town behind Safeway. I said there was no store there. I should know. I go to Safeway - a LOT. Um...FYI there is a store there. Who knew? Troy maybe, but I think only he knew, it was hidden from the rest of us.

So, we go. We shop. We find great dressers out of our price range (and some couches and chairs too...must start saving money - I hate saving money!). Then, in the back, under a pile of rolled carpets we find the perfect dresser. We paid our hard earned dollars then left, without dresser as we drive a car that won't fit a dresser.... And if you think, 'great they went and got a big truck and picked up the dresser' you would be correct. If you think it was easy...hahaha!!! When we got there Troy realized he didn't have the key to the lock on the back. He asked the guy at the store for a hacksaw - they had one, did NOT work.

Listen, this is an OLD, diesel, pain in the ass to drive much less back and forth across town, truck to drive. So I think, 'I will call Cheryl.' She will come get us to get the key which is at the museum. And she did. Thank you Cheryl. She takes us to the museum. Troy goes in to get the key(s) - he has a LOT of keys - not sure which one of hundreds it could be...Troy had left his car in front of the museum so our thought is that we would take our car and Cheryl could go on her merry way. WRONG! Neither of us brought keys to our car. We are on a roll. As Cheryl is pulling away I am waving her down to stop (she hadn't actually GONE anywhere just pulled out of the parking spot) and she, LAUGHING, drove us back to the furniture store. Once again, thank you Cheryl. From there Troy tried all the keys, none worked, so ended up cutting the lock off with bolt cutters (which he grabbed in case NONE of the hundreds of keys worked). By the way we had great conversations in Cheryl's pimp-mobile (mini-van) that cannot be shared with you here...

In conclusion (as this feels like an essay) the dresser is home. It is in the bedroom. The drawers ALL open and shut ALL the time.

Lessons learned: make sure husband has keys to locks before actually leaving the house, better yet get him combination locks; keep friends on speed dial; always take car keys even if you aren't driving a car (go figure); there is a furniture store behind Safeway; and said furniture store ROCKS!